Cancerian Totems and Archetypes

Happy Summer Solstice!  The Sun goes into Cancer today (21st) at 16.38 Hrs. in the U.K.  As the Geminian totems and archetypes were well-received, I intend to make this a regular feature and to look today at some of the animal totems and Archetypes for the sign of Cancer.  So this is the second in a series!

If you are not yourself Cancerian Sunsign, Ascendant or Moonsign, you very likely will know someone who is.  I myself have a Cancerian (Archetypal) mother.

Animal Totems

Crab

This is the traditional emblem of the sign of Cancer.  Cancer tends to rule creatures of the rock pools by the sea, rather than the deep sea creatures of Pisces or the lake monsters of Scorpio! There is some overlap with the water signs in their animal totems or sea creatures, as we shall see, but also a great deal of distinctiveness.

Nicholas Saunders in “Animal Spirits” points out the relation of Crab to the daily cycle and the tides: “Some scavenging species that search for washed-up detritus at low tide may evade predators by having internal clocks which allow them to emerge only when the low tide coincides with nightfall.”

The Crab portrays the sensitive, reclusive, protective nature of Cancerians.  The famous sideways movement in some cultures portrays deceptiveness.  But for a Cancerian, the ability to approach a subject from a different angle, is a strength – we all have strategies.  And Cancerian comedian Ricky Gervais, has immortalized their fun side in his crab dance in “The Office”.  Where’s the harm?

Turtle

In some indigenous cultures Turtle came to symbolize Mother Earth.  Nicky Scully describes Turtle as:

“Comforting, maternal and soothing, she exemplifies compassion….

All beings struggle to bring forth new life, and turtles exemplify the tenacity and strength required to fulfil their exhausting reproductive function.  They accomplish this task without expectation of either success or failure.”

Kittens

Possibly all baby animals (e.g. baby chicks) come under the sign of Cancer, but particularly cute kittens and baby chicks! Kittens represent frisky feline, female energy, and bring out the maternal instinct. [By way of clarification big cat Lions are Leo, dogs in general are Aries, and large dogs are Sagittarius]

Bird Totems

Birds are mostly associated with Air signs, and mostly with Gemini, but all signs have them, and Cancerian birds are very strong in their totemic force.

Owl

Nocturnal creatures can be considered Cancerian because of the association with the night and the Moon (Leo governs daylight through the Sun); there are exceptions, e.g. bats which are ruled by Scorpio.

My Cancerian mother, who celebrates her 87^th birthday this week, does not subscribe to new age thinking, but notably had an insistent dream of an Owl at a very strategic point in her life.  And once joined in a group meditation, when she became distinctly aware of an Owl presenting as her animal totem.

Jamie Sams and David Carson introduce the Owl as meaning “deception” which echoes the crab’s reputation for deception.  Astrologically, deception comes under another water sign, Pisces, through its ruler Neptune.

However, Nicky Scully chooses to emphasize the talents of Owl, as being “Alchemy and Night Vision”.  Owl is also elevated by its association with Wisdom, having perched on the shoulder of the Greek Goddess Athene, Goddess of Wisdom.  Owl in this case represents the wisdom of the ancients, the grandmothers and the ancestors.

Shadow Side

 The Snowy Owl has a particular association with Cancerians, because of its white colour.  And other white creatures, such as the White Buffalo, may be associated with this sign.  But as in all things, there is a shadow side, showing up here as the negative feminine.  This is related to the dark night of the Soul, which is purely Scorpio/Pluto.  A bird which can be linked to this is the Great Grey Owl, a magnificent bird whose eyes, apparently, can be terrifying.  I would say that the Great Grey Owl is not merely Cancerian, but a combination of the shadow side of Cancer/Moon and Scorpio/Pluto.  [For clarification, the Vulture is an example of a purely Scorpio/Pluto bird].

 Chickens

 A list of Cancerian bird totems would be incomplete without the chicken.  What is more Cancerian than the image of a Mother Hen fussing over her chicks?  And eggs themselves are associated with this sign.

Water Birds

 Some water birds, such as seagulls and gulls in general, come under the sign of Cancer.  And you will often find Kingfishers appearing as totem birds to Cancerians, too.  It seems to appear with Cancerians especially when they are on a spiritual path, as with their brightly coloured feathers it brings out a bolder side.

Stork

 Last but not least, the Stork is associated with birth, a province of the sign of Cancer.  Andrea Wansbury says of the Stork:

 “Being creative literally means ‘bringing into being’.  We create our lives and everything in them, so when a stork appears, look at the different aspects of your life and ask yourself whether you like everything that is there…The stork may be telling you that you have a talent in the creative arts and now is the time to start using these abilities.  If you have good ideas in your mind, now is the time to give birth to them and bring them into physical reality.”

Archetypes

Inner Child

According to Caroline Myss, she sees four core Archetypes which are with each person, and one of these four is the Inner Child.  The Inner Child is a force which is very much a part of new age work, witness the popularity of the books by John Bradshaw on the subject.

Another new age leader who makes the Inner Child central to her work and vision is Chris Griscom of the Light Institute in Galisteo, New Mexico.  I could quote her all day, and frequently do, but will make do with one quote for now:

“A child is naturally a being of wonderment, a being that experiences lightness, who does not hold pain.  The child’s frequency is too high to hold those darker, heavier emotions, even when the external world begins to impinge upon the child with adult imprints that the child records as anxiety, fear, anger.  The natural state is to let go, to constantly let go, because the child lives in the brain patterning of the hologram.  The child does not have that left-brain imprint in glue.”

Caroline Myss details several varieties of Inner Child:

The Eternal Child

The Orphan

The Wounded Child

The Divine Child

The Nature Child

The Magical Child

She hints of many more, but says that “you can only have one in your support team”!

I have also spotted one, and that is the “Performing Child”, as encouraged by pushy parents, and that is a combination of a Cancerian and Leo Archetype.

Whatever your own Inner Child Archetype, it is essential to stay in touch with it.

The Mother

The Mother Goddess is central to the sign of Cancer.  Of all the Goddesses, Mother Mary is the most intrinsic.  But in her virginal side,  she has joint rulership with the sign of Virgo.

The Caregiver

In her 2013 book, Caroline Myss presents 10 new Archetypes for the modern age (look what you started, Carl Jung!).  One of these, the Caregiver, is related to the Mother, strongly associated with the sign of Cancer, but also has associations with the sign of Virgo.  Cancerians and Virgoans practically prop up the caring professions.

Myss advises that if this is one of your Archetypes, and you are compulsive about helping others, then your task is to learn self-care:

“Your challenge as a caregiver is to care enough about yourself to find out who you really are – to be willing to look closely and experience the deeper level of your inherent need and desire to care for others.”

Vishnu the Preserver

Caroline Myss points out that “Although the caregiver Archetype seems to be more prevalent in women…Many men who become teachers or coaches, or who enter rescuing professions such as firefighting and emergency medicine, have a genuine need to serve and care for others through their career choices.”

Cancerians have a special talent for cherishing the artifacts of antiquity, re-upholstering and upcycling, important in this throw-away age.  The male Hindu God, Vishnu the Preserver expresses this cherishing quality very well, a positive role model for Father’s Day!  In an early incarnation apparently, he appeared as a Turtle.

Mythological

The enchanting mythological creature the Mermaid is particularly resonant with the sign of Cancer.  A more negative association is the Siren, a creature of Greek mythology who lured sailors to shipwreck with music and voice.

Bibliography:

“Medicine Cards” by Jamie Sams and David Carson

“The Golden Cauldron” by Nicky Scully

“Birds Divine Messengers” by Andrea Wansbury

“Archetypes” by Caroline Myss

“Animal Spirits” by Nicholas J. Saunders

“Ecstasy is a New Frequency” by Chris Griscom

 

Aspects

The Summer Solstice takes place today, this afternoon at 16.38 Hrs.  Hope you are finding a suitable way to celebrate, if you have not been able to get to Stonehenge at the crack of dawn.  People are still feeling this year that Summer has not quite arrived, that temperatures are below par for this time of year, that summer wardrobes are not able to be fully displayed, hot water bottles haven’t yet been put away, and central heating systems not quite switched off.  So let’s give Summer a warm welcome, and hope it reciprocates.

There should be a sense of excitement and anticipation today, because tomorrow Jupiter trines Uranus, one of the best aspects in human experience (in my view).  It combines the best features of Sagittarius (optimism and hope) and Aquarius (forward thinking and vision).  It appears in the natal charts of entrepreneurs, such as Richard Branson, who definitely has the lucky touch.  So, are you planning an adventure tomorrow (Monday 22^nd)?  How are you launching your working week?  Whatever you are planning, know that the Universe is with you, providing the fuel for an enjoyable trip.

Tuesday (23^rd) may raise some doubts and confusion.  If you had hoped for the momentum of the week to continue, you may need to slow down and smell the roses.  Divine the message in the madness of the world on Tuesday, and don’t take anything at face value.

On Wednesday (24^th) Chiron turns retrograde, so healing practices may need to be reviewed.  This may involve a new alternative form of treatment, but more likely trailing through old remedies and analysing what worked, when and why – utilizing and recycling all your old wisdom.

Mars enters Cancer at lunchtime in the U.K., injecting some energy and warmth into home affairs and the family circle.  Crabs may come out of their shells, and dance.  There will be fierce protection of the underdog, so maybe more vocalizing of the need for an End to Austerity and benefit cuts, to drown out the government’s plans.

On Saturday (27^th) the Sun squares the Nodal Axis, and issues of power come to the fore, especially in groups.  This may be especially noticeable in politics and international relations, but may also be flagged up in local groups or even in family circles.  Maybe one member wants to play the drama queen, and the minions may rise up and protest.  The attention, and the power distribution need to be equal, balanced, and in line with karmic justice.

Next Week – Wimbledon Week 1

The week in bullet points:

• Today – celebrating the Summer
• Tomorrow – go right ahead!
• Tuesday – think things through carefully
• Wednesday – a review of healing; energetic change, protectiveness
• Saturday – karmic power issues

Benedict Cumberbatch

What a year it has been for Benedict Cumberbatch!  Ups and downs (mainly ups) culminating yesterday in the announcement that he had a newborn son, and a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

His Birth Chart

He has a strong chart, with many interesting features.  His Ascendant in Libra (he was born at Noon) conjuncts Pluto exactly, hence he plays strongly dramatic roles – nothing wishy washy about them.  His marked talent in his career is shown by the Part of Fortune exactly conjunct his Midheaven.  He is able to convey woundedness, with Chiron conjunct the Moon and square his Mercury, and Venus exactly conjunct Saturn.  Neptune sextile his Ascendant gives him the ability for the nuance and subtlety of great acting, and the North Node trine his Midheaven marks him out for a karmically studded career path.

Imitation Game

Benedict Cumberbatch comes from an acting family (his mother Wanda Ventham was frequently on television in the 1970s and 1980s).  He came to public notice with the first series of “Sherlock” in 2010.  On 28/11/14 the film “The Imitation Game” was released.  With transiting Mars trine his Jupiter and Saturn trine his natal Sun it was a solid success, and yet as fate would have it, failing to win him the big film awards, such as the Oscars.  He had himself previously played Stephen Hawking, but Eddie Redmayne’s film The Theory of Everything was released soon after, and he took the trophies.

The Imitation Game enabled him to promote the cause of Alan Turing, the subject of the film, who cracked the Enigma Code in the 2^nd World War.  Alan Turing had a profound exact conjunction of Venus conjunct Pluto (emotional turbulence) in Gemini the sign of Codes, which encompasses two of the elements his life is known for.  Benedict Cumberbatch has his Chiron (wounded healer) exactly sextile Alan Turing’s Sun (and is therefore able to bring some healing to Alan Turing’s issues posthumously).  In January Cumberbatch helped the plea for pardon for gay men convicted in Alan Turing’s era.

Sophie Hunter

Benedict was engaged in early November to Sophie Hunter, and they were married on Valentine’s Day this year.  In their synastry (astrological compatibility) his Jupiter is exactly sextile her Sun,  his Neptune exactly trine her natal Mercury, her Venus on his Descendant (marriage point) and their Suns are almost exactly trine.  That is a very good match, though not all plain sailing: there are a couple of significant squares between them.

Richard III

Benedict Cumberbatch is distantly related to King Richard III, who was unearthed and reburied in Leicester.  At the reburial (26/3/15), Benedict read a poem by Carol Ann Duffy, the poet Laureate.  Believe it or not, there is a deep dynastic connection shown by Benedict’s Pluto exactly conjunct Richard III’s Sun.  Furthermore, there is an extraordinarily deep connection altogether (please excuse the hyperbole):

Their Plutos  are exactly sextile,  Richard III’s Pluto is exactly sextile Cumberbatch Ascendant, and his Pluto exactly squares Cumberbatch’s Nodal Axis (a group karmic purpose).  Finally, one of the closest personal karmic ties two people can have: Richard III’s Ascendant conjunct exactly Benedict’s North Node.

The moving words spoken bear repeating:

“…Describe my soul
as incense, votive, vanishing; your own
the same. Grant me the carving of my name.

…or I once dreamed of this, your future breath
in prayer for me, lost long, forever found;
or sensed you from the backstage of my death,
as kings glimpse shadows on a battleground.”

James Rhodes

He even found time to be a supportive friend this year.  James Rhodes was a childhood friend who suffered sexual abuse at his school, and was prevented for many years from publishing his memoirs about events of the past.  He was visibly supported by Benedict Cumberbatch, and finally won the right to write, in May.  Their tie is James Rhodes’ Pluto exactly conjunct Benedict Cumberbatch Ascendant.  At the time James Rhodes succeeded in his mission Pluto was sextile exactly his natal Sun.  For Benedict’s role  in this real life drama, Saturn was trine exactly by transit Cumberbatch’s natal Mercury (a role of commitment).

Baby and CBE

The baby news of his son’s birth was announced yesterday, the same day that the Queen’s Birthday Honours were announced revealing that he had received a CBE.  Venus was transiting his natal Venus/Saturn conjunction, softening the harshness of that, and bringing more love into his life with a Venus Return.  The Moon (representing parenthood) was exactly sextile his Midheaven, so the baby will make an emotional impact on his life.  The Moon sextile his Midheaven also represents public recognition.  Neptune is fine-tuning his destiny and character at the moment, forming a Grand Trine with his Midheaven (career) and North Node (karmic mission).  Jupiter trines Sophie Hunter’s Neptune at the moment, bringing her spiritual fulfilment.

Aspects

Today the Sun conjuncts Mars: it’s a busy busy day, and should generate enough fuel for the whole week (which is short of aspects generally).  You can get motivated today, especially for mental projects (Gemini), or light activities such as running and cycling.  It is good for focussing on puzzles, quizzes and codes – anything that requires mental fortitude and perseverance.  It is probably best for solitary challenges, as competition could produce disputes (the Mars effect) and sparks may ensue.  Don’t compare yourself to others, just concentrate on your own potential.  Healthwise, flare-ups and inflammations are possible.

In the early hours of tomorrow morning (Monday 15^th) Saturn retrogrades into the sign of Scorpio from Sagittarius, so a slightly more serious note may creep into proceedings.  There may be loose ends to tie up from last year’s projects and challenges.  If you have benefited from Saturn’s recent foray into Sagittarius (which took place just before Christmas 2014), then you may feel a slight sense of loss with this move.  There are old issues to settle in connection with life cycles (hatches, matches and despatches) until Saturn re-enters Sagittarius on September 18^th.  You may be waiting for results around insurances or probates, for instance.  Or the psychological shifts that accompany events such as birth may need to be processed.

On Tuesday (16^th) lunchtime, you can focus your positive intent, as there is a New Moon at 25 degrees Gemini.  Again the focus is on the mental plane, and assists projects such as sales and business, writing and education.  Media wannabes too may get their big break of 5 minutes of fame.

So this week brings two pushes forward (Sun conjunct Mars, and the New Moon) and one step looking back (Saturn returning to Scorpio).  These will involve different issues most likely, so you may be surging forward in one or two areas of your life, and re-processing in another area.

Next Week: Cancerian Totems and Archetypes

The week in bullet points:

• Today – energetic
• Tomorrow – step back in time
• Tuesday – new moves in the air

Charles Kennedy (1959 – 2015)

Several years ago, I attended a Lib Dem rally in Cambridge (2005 election campaign), while Charles Kennedy was still leader of the Party.  Seemed like a nice chap…And so say all of us, it seems.

I wrote about him prior to the election, in March:

“The Ashcroft poll this week identified Charles Kennedy’s seat as one of those which was in danger of falling to the S.N.P.  As former leader of the Lib Dem Party, he is a veteran politician.  He is the M.P. for Ross, Skye and Lochaber.  He’s a Sagittarian, and arguably drink was his downfall, leading to him standing down as leader of his party…  He also has a very heavyweight exact trine between Saturn and Pluto, so if it were not for his addiction or frailty, he could have been an outstanding statesman.  As it is, he seems much more comfortable these days in the less demanding role.  On polling day, sadly, Saturn is transiting his natal Sun in Sagittarius, and it looks as though the pollsters may be right, he could well lose his seat.  If he does not lose his seat, he may be heavy hearted at the state of his political party.”

Niceness

 “I am a fully paid-up member of the human race”

Charles Kennedy had his Ascendant conjunct his North Node in Libra, depicting his geniality, but also the North Node in that position making him a mover and shaker in life.  Libra also very symbolic of Liberalism and the Middle Way of politics.  To add even greater charm, he had Venus in Libra in his 1^st House of personality.  He was that rare breed, a cuddly politician, untouched by the prevailing public cynicism towards his profession.

Political achievement

Nick Clegg has said he was always modest about his political achievements, modesty being an attribute of his Moon in Virgo.   He started very young, becoming the youngest Member of Parliament in 1983, aged 23.  It has been commented that he went into his profession too early, which may have caused some of his personal problems.  But he was following his karmic mission (North Node conjunct the Ascendant in Libra), his joy (Part of Fortune in the 10^th House of Politics) and the foundation set for his life (Saturn exactly on his I.C.) – a path that was meant to be.

Leadership

He became leader of the Liberal Democrat Party on 9^th August 1999, when Jupiter by transit was trine his natal Saturn (a responsibility undertaken joyfully).  He was much in tune spiritually with his task, too, with Neptune at the time trine his natal Ascendant and sextile his Sun: a fulfillment of his true nature.  In two elections, he led his Party to victory obtaining the highest number of Lib Dem seats.

He Woz Right

 “The point never to lose sight of is to be guided by the correct thing, as you see it.  It’s the only way to approach such profound matters and retain your integrity.”

He was vindicated on many issues, most notably:

2003,  against Iraq War

He was the most prominent British politician to take part in the anti-war march in London, in protest against the impending war against Iraq, and argued that the change of regime had not been thought through, which was very prescient.

Vince Cable, writing in the Guardian, wrote this week: “He was bombarded with advice from outside and inside the party to support the Blair government; it was said in particular that a party leader  would never be forgiven by the public for criticizing a military intervention in which British service personnel were being killed in action…But he was unpersuaded and constantly said: ‘the case has not been made’. “

Could Tony Blair have listened to him…?   Many things in the world would have turned out differently.

2010, against going into Coalition with the Tories

Charles was quite categoric about not joining the Tories in Coalition in 2010, and the current parlous state of the Lib Dem Party has proved his fears to be well-founded.  Neither did he approve of the course that direction took over the five years of government.

Vince Cable continued: “Charles retained a set of beliefs which has enduring value but are no longer fashionable: a strong commitment to progressive taxation and redistribution of income and wealth and a belief that the country deserved good public serves and, unapologetically, should be asked to pay for them through taxation.  It was clear for those reasons that he did not like the direction of travel that the coalition was taking, and in some respects I shared his concerns.”

What if his instinctive opposition to the formation of the coalition had been heeded?

Alcoholism

“If you were to describe me as teetotal, on behalf of my constituency I’d have to sue; that would lose me every vote in the Highlands” 

Sun in Sagittarius is the sign most often associated with alcoholism, as part of the excess of this sign and its ruler Jupiter, and its lifestyle as a bon viveur.  Physically, he had the red hair often associated with the early degrees of Sagittarius (he was born on 25 November).  In addition Jupiter (his ruling planet) was overbalanced by a square to Pluto.

His most active period in politics, just after his second Election win for his party, ended in early 2006 when his drinking problem was about to be revealed by the media, and subsequently his fellow Lib Dems urged him to stand down.

On 5/1/2006 he admitted that he had a problem, publicly.  Neptune (drink) was exactly trine his natal Venus, and Uranus was exactly trine his natal Neptune, both aspects of revelation and indicative of a time of transparency and honesty.  Subsequently 25 MPs signed a petition for him to resign, and he did so two days later.

Locked away in his 12^th House of Unconscious and Secrets is his Moon (emotions) in Virgo (a private sign), which no one had complete access to, least of all the public.  Who knows the anguish which caused his alcoholism?

Gaby Hinsliff, who had interviewed him a few times, wrote in the Guardian:

“The voice was calm, the arguments fluent, the judgement sharp as a knife.  Charles Kennedy was a more far-sighted politician, even in drink, than many will ever be sober”

Alistair Campbell, a close friend,  has implied that highlighting the plight of alcoholism, seeing the waste of his potential, is a valuable lesson for our society.

Marriage

He married Sarah Gurling at the age of 43, the sister of a friend, at a time when his progressed Sun was square his natal Venus in the 1^st House.  Their son Donald was born three years later, in April 2005, but they were not able to work out the relationship, and in 2010 he separated from his wife and subsequently divorced.  At the time of their separation, Saturn was transiting his Ascendant.

His bond with his son was very strong, and his ex-wife brought him to Parliament this week to hear tributes from all sides of the House.

European Referendum

 “Immigrants provide skills that we simply cannot afford to do without.  They have contributed hugely to Britain’s success”

It has been reported that Charles Kennedy was looking forward to taking a prominent role in the campaign to stay in Europe during the referendum debate.

We could have done with his clarity, for that pitch.  It would have been very helpful.

Death

He was found by his current partner, Carole MacDonald.  His death has been found to be caused by haemorrhage, directly related to his alcoholism. Saturn was sextile his North Node/Ascendant, and conjunct his natal Mercury.

As a Soul, let alone as a human, it must have been so hard to leave behind the son to whom he was devoted.

Quotations in italics by Charles Kennedy

Aspects

There’s a brilliant start to the week tomorrow with a sextile between the Sun and Jupiter.  You can forge ahead with confidence, as most of the week has a clear path of four sextiles – though there are a few stumbling blocks right at the end of the week on Friday.  So trust your luck early in the week, and you can gain some ground.

On Tuesday (9^th) Mars is sextile Uranus, which can bring a great deal of excitement.  Sparks can fly, but mostly positive ones.  The approach of this Mars/Uranus connection has brought some thunderstorms here in the U.K., but they were short and sharp and cleared the air, light summer storms.  If heated words are exchanged, they may be surprisingly enlightening, and pave the way for new understanding.  Engineering interests are favoured by this aspect.

Mercury sextiles Venus at lunchtime on Wednesday (10^th) favouring the café culture, the writers, artists and philosophers ruminating the meaning of life in cafes or, at this time of year in a sunny spot outside.  Apparently, Andrew Marr and Kate Moss were seen vying for such a spot last week.  It’s a fertile creative space for the birth of your next novel or painting.

In the evening, the Sun sextiles Uranus, and brainstorming can produce some brilliant ideas, especially for inventors or futuristic artists.  All in all, it could be a momentous and feelgood day.

Some of you may have been patiently waiting for Thursday (11^th), holding off important communications for Mercury to go direct. Thursday is the day if you don’t like doing anything while Mercury is retrograde, but technically you may have to wait for Friday for results to bear fruit, as Mercury stations (stands still before turning) late on Thursday, and won’t start moving until at least Friday.  But, you can have your pen poised on Thursday, arrive at the station, be ready to start negotiations, have your foot ready on the accelerator, waiting for the go signal.  You’ll know when it arrives.

However, don’t confuse it with some of the complex influences which are occurring on Friday.  Early Friday (12^th) brings a square between Mars and Chiron, which could be incident-prone, and may distract you from the documentation you were holding in your hand ready for the Mercury turnaround.  This will be a separate issue, and you need to recognize what is not healing in your environment, and may set you back.  It is a good day to de-tox, for instance, and not an advisable day for botox.

In the morning, too, another planet turns around, this time Neptune, and this time it is turning the other way, i.e. retrograde.  Neptune can be a tricky planet even when sailing smoothly forward, but in retrograde you really have to look for the illusionary haze of glamour on your path before taking the next step, if you don’t want to take a detour.  At the same time, there is no sense in panicking because Neptune doesn’t turn direct again until November 18^th.  It is going to be a long process of sifting the wheat from the chaff spiritually.  Take a course in meditation if it is something you can’t settle to on your own, as that will be perfect for taking a long look at what you need to stay true on your path.

Later in the day the Sun squares Chiron, and an issue could come up for healing.  It may be unrelated to the spiritual fog of Neptune retrograde, but the two together could be working to help bring something to light which you need to be dealing with.  Healing modalities are present, but the right ones for the job may need trial and error to find.  There may be an awkward fit initially, e.g. you may be feeling like a square peg in a round hole, but if you persevere you’ll be guided to more comfortable outcomes.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – a stroke of luck
• Tuesday – electricity
• Wednesday – culture, and originality
• Thursday – turning point for communication
• Friday – complexity and wound healing

FIFA

At the risk of a boycott, I find myself writing about Fifa and Sepp Blatter this morning!  This subject has dominated the headlines since Wednesday, and I cannot ignore it.  On Wednesday 14 Fifa officials were arrested on charges of corruption, and the Swiss opened investigations on the awarding of the World Cup franchise to Russia and Qatar for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.  The U.S. Attorney General Lorretta Lynch pointed the finger at officials within the organization who had accepted millions in bribes, laying out 47 corruption charges.  Rumours and innuendo had been circulating for years, but this was the moment to bring the officials to book, as they gathered for a conference in Zurich.

Sepp Blatter

Wednesday was also two days from Sepp Blatter’s predictable re-election as Chairman of Fifa, following 16 years of unchallenged rule.  Would his position wobble in the face of the allegations?  On Friday, he failed to get the required number of votes in relation to his opponent Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, but before a second vote could take place, Ali Hussein conceded defeat, and seamlessly Sepp Blatter stepped back into the helm which he had never left, without missing a heartbeat or blinking an eyelid, batting off any suggestion that he was implicated or responsible for any of the despicable practices.

In his chart, Sepp Blatter has the Sun in Pisces (possibly deceptive) opposite Neptune (double deception) trine loosely Pluto (powerful).  He has Mercury conjunct Venus (smooth talker) and Venus sextile Jupiter (social skills).  The North Node is in Capricorn (karmic mission as an Administrator, interested in political status).  He has the notorious Uranus square Pluto (destructive tendencies if unchecked), plus an up close and personal Moon opposite Mars (fiery emotions).  There is also Saturn opposite Neptune (some tendency to depression)

The transits to his chart this week were interesting:  Chiron was on his Sun – (the exposure of a wound), Pluto was square to his Moon – (emotional exposure), but the triumph factor was Pluto trine his Neptune – he was prepared for the exposure, and is still in a strong state psychologically.

Pisces

Pisces can be the most beautiful, talented, intelligent and compassionate sign.  But like all signs, it has its positive and negative attributes.  It seems that Sepp Blatter has adopted (with his own free will) the classically negative tendencies and weaknesses of the sign: deception, intrigue, mystery, self-delusion and scandal.  This may have been the line of least resistance for him as ruling planet Neptune opposes his natal Sun in Pisces.  But there are many perfectly decent Pisceans out there, even with harsh aspects to their Sun.

Neptune of course rules the Sea, and the Observer today has printed a list of Sepp Blatter’s sea metaphors, of which here is a hand picked selection of 3 (I would have liked to use them all):

‘2011: Faced with more allegation, Blatter admits: “We are on a ship and the ship is moving through troubled, rocky waters”…

2013: Job done.  He tells congress in Mauritius: “As your captain I am happy to say that Fifa has weathered the storm.  We have emerged from troubled waters stronger and into hopefully as beautiful, calm and transparent sea as the sea around us in Mauritius.”…

Yesterday’s final flourish: “We will take our boat back into calmer water and take the Fifa ship into tranquility and happiness.” ‘

FIFA

Fifa (the Fédération Internationale de Football Association) was founded on 21^st May 1904, with a conjunction of Sun and Mars, most suitable for a Football Association, but also apt to stir the passions and appeal to the male of the species!  There is also a communicative Mercury-Venus conjunction (which is shared by Sepp Blatter).  It has a square between the Moon and Venus, which is not very female friendly.  Pluto exactly sextile Jupiter makes it a successful power machine, backed up with a close trine between Saturn and Pluto (an enduring structure), with Jupiter sitting in the middle of the trine.  The Sun exactly trines Chiron, so ostensibly it was set up at the time to heal something, which may have got lost in translation, or may not yet have emerged (Chiron was only discovered in 1977).  Mars trines Chiron, so there is a full bloodied healing energy latent, but if Fifa is boycotted and literally dies, that potential may never come to fruition.

At the time of the arrests, the Moon was conjunct its Virgo North Node – an examination of its purity.  Uranus (shock) was transiting its Jupiter in Aries (capacity of getting away without censure).

Africa

The relationship of Fifa and Sepp Blatter to the African nations is an interesting one.  It illustrates tortuously well the subversion of the best qualities of Pisces, as benefactor and compassionate dealer.  There has been debate since Blatter’s re-election whether the African nations voted him back in through fear, or through gratitude.  The fact is that the African developing nations have been propped up or boosted through the re-distribution of wealth through Fifa.  So the Pisces-Neptune qualities acting in a beneficent and charitable way (apparently) have been part of the corruption, while looking glamorously kind (and in some ways having genuinely helped).  How very Neptune, smoke and mirrors!

Switzerland

Switzerland, a country associated with Pisces’ opposite sign Virgo (watchmakers, precision, cleanliness, attention to detail) is the perfect country to bring Sepp Blatter to book!  Switzerland has the Sun perfectly aligned with its karmic mission (Sun/North Node conjunction in Virgo) as independent arbiter of purity, with Mercury conjunct Mars (the Critic Archetype) and Moon conjunct the I.C. in Pisces (a self-contained sense of security).

Transits at the time of the arrests show the hand of Chiron (the Inner Healer) at work: Chiron trines the Ascendant of Switzerland (a chance to heal a longstanding sore) but also conjuncts the Swiss Saturn (“it hurts me as much as it hurts you to do this”) – an unpleasant but necessary duty.

Loretta Lynch

Like Fifa, Loretta Lynch (US Attorney General) was born on 21^st May – maybe this gives her a karmic link into the probity of the organization, as if she can see personally what the correct blueprint should be, and won’t rest until integrity is honoured.  With Mars trine Jupiter, she has the enthusiasm to fight the good fight.  With Mercury square Uranus, she is not afraid of controversy.  Saturn closely sextile Neptune gives her a grasp of subtlety and the firmness not to allow slippery eels to escape through her legal fingers.  According to yesterday’s Guardian Obama has said “Loretta might be the only lawyer in Amerca who battles mobsters and drug lords and terrorists, and still has the reputation for being a charming people person”.  I look forward to seeing more of Loretta Lynch’s career on the world stage, confronting corruption.  Her North Node (karmic mission) is of course in the legal sign of fairness, Libra.

Transitwise, she has taken on a huge cause (“as big as they come” according to the Guardian) as shown by a transiting square of Saturn to her Pluto.  But the great challenger in the sky Pluto is currently trine her natal Mercury, illuminating her mental skills.

People have begged me not to blog about this subject today.  I hope I come to feel it was worth it!

Aspects

With Neptune squaring Mercury in recent days, spotlighting scandal and deception, today the Sun squares Neptune, prolonging the uncertainty and questioning.  You could wish the fog away, but it is still lingering.

And there is a vague feeling of unease operating until the break of mood after the Full Moon at 11 degrees Sagittarius on Tuesday (2^nd).  There may be a sense of suspicion and a question of “will they or won’t they?” around communications for this Full Moon.  If you see someone eyeing you up and down in the street on Tuesday, you’ll know why.  Trust will be the commodity that people will be looking for in their hearts, truth will be the prize.  We cannot blame Fifa and Sepp Blatter for casting a shadow on our faith in human nature, but the planets are not helping at the moment, other than focusing our minds on the blur.

So it is a week of searched consciences, reaching a peak Tuesday afternoon, then slowly settling down.  Venus will still be in Cancer, so we may be examining our personal emotions for a few days, before Venus enters Leo on Friday.

The feeling tone then changes on Friday (5^th) when Venus enters Leo, and a holiday mood takes over.  You may feel you want to express yourself more, through the Arts or Drama.  My art teacher this week announced that she would be imminently joining the local Amateur Dramatics group and having a 2 week holiday from tutoring us in watercolour pencil.  That is just the vibe which is supported by Venus in Leo.  Take a break, and express your Inner Artist, especially through performance (Leo).  Venus stays in Leo until 18^th July, so this is enough time to establish a new artistic regime or skill, or enjoy a holiday out of the School holiday period.  Thereafter Venus pays a short visit to Virgo, before returning to Leo for a long stay.

Take steps on Friday to take your passion and make it happen, for by the evening Mars in Gemini (mental activity) sextiles Jupiter in Leo (hedonism), and you’ll be on fire!  It is the best evening of the week for a shindig, a ceilidh, a dinner party or a soiree.  It will be especially favourable for sports enthusiasts, meeting to firm up their schedules.

And there’s more good news on Saturday (6^th), when Venus trines Saturn.  It is a good solid aspect, a much more sober benefit than Friday’s prospect, but nevertheless a bird in the hand.  It is a good day for mercy, commitment and loyalty, and finding the trust that you might have lost earlier in the week.  It is safe to open your heart.  If you never lost trust, and you kept your heart open, then the divine healing of the Universe can continue to flow through you unhindered!

The week in bullet points:

• Today – more uncertainty
• Tuesday – emotions at a peak
• Friday – creative expression, and joyful energy
• Saturday – quiet celebration of relationship

Ireland

All eyes have been on Ireland this week, from a historic visit by Prince Charles, to a groundbreaking referendum.

Ireland chart

The 1949 chart for Ireland (in the year the Republic was proclaimed) is dominated by Aries (Mars/North Node/Sun/Venus), and you have to take a closer look to get a feel of the Emerald Isle, the Earth based green planets.  This is provided by a close trine between Mercury in Taurus and the Moon in Capricorn, plus the Midheaven in Virgo.  Venus is exactly conjunct the Sun, and also trines the Moon (this is the laid back quality in the Irish character, and the love of song).  Strangely, there are no water planets for this Emerald Isle.

Prince Charles

Prince Charles has not had a close relationship with Ireland, but this week chose to tackle his relationship with the place.  The wound occurred when his close great-uncle  and mentor (“the grandfather I never had” Lord Mountbatten, was killed by an I.R.A. bomb in August 1979.  This week, Prince Charles travelled to Ireland to meet Gerry Adams, terrorist turned respectable politician on Tuesday (19^th May), and visit the site of his uncle’s murder on Wednesday (20^th May) at Mullaghmore.

The Prince has a lot going on, transit-wise, at the moment, and arrived in Ireland fresh from the revelations of his Black Spider letters.  But, with Jupiter sextile his natal Neptune, he has been laying to rest some ghosts in his life.

Gerry Adams

There was potential for peacemaking in Gerry Adams’ chart, with the Sun in Libra conjunct exactly Neptune (a complex inner journey).  Venus is conjunct Saturn in his chart, which may have closed his heart early in life.  We do not have his birth time, but if born around Noon he will have had the Moon square this conjunction, a very sectarian set of feelings.  He also has Mars conjunct Chiron, a woundedness, which may have in early life led to a belief in a “wound or be wounded” mentality, then later at some point switched to looking at a more healing approach.

Gerry Adams has some surprisingly good connections in his chart with Prince Charles, but tellingly his Sun/Neptune conjunction (confusion) falls exactly on Prince Charles’ I.C., a point in the chart which represents roots and security.  Here are Charles’s own words on the effect of the bombing in his life:

“So it seemed as if the foundations of all that we held dear in life had been torn apart irreparably.”

For this historic meeting of reconciliation and forgiveness, Mars was square Prince Charles’s Saturn (a difficult confrontation), but Mars was sextile the Prince’s Ascendant (courage displayed).

For Gerry Adams, his perspective was Saturn squaring his natal Saturn (again a difficult confrontation, perhaps facing up to his own weaknesses of the past), but Neptune trine his natal Mercury (mental peace) and Neptune square his natal Venus (a confusion of the heart).

Lord Mountbatten

Lord Louis Mountbatten, who played such an important role in Prince Charles’s life, has a very unusual chart.  A lot of planets are crowded into 3 zodiac signs, save for the planet Saturn, a singleton at the beginning of its own sign of Capricorn (a profound sense of responsibility), and Mars at the end of Taurus.  He was a double Cancerian, having the Sun and Ascendant in this parental sign (indicative of the important family role he played), but also the Part of Fortune, Venus and Mercury in the clandestine 12^th House.  He also had a conglomeration of planets in the globetrotting sign of Sagittarius, including its own ruling planet Jupiter.  The importance of his death as part of his karmic mission is shown by Uranus, a planet of explosions and the ruler of his 8^th House of Death exactly conjunct his North Node.

His deep psychological connection with Prince Charles is shown by an exact sextile between their Plutos (a bridge for the generations for each other), and the wounded element of their relationship history shows up with Mountbatten’s Mars opposing Prince Charles’s Chiron (the triggering of his own “wounded healer”).  On the day of Prince Charles’s visit to the place where Lord Mountbatten died, Neptune was squaring Lord Mountbatten’s Nodal Axis, a karmic opportunity for an act of spiritual peace on the world stage.

Referendum

The referendum vote on same sex marriage which took place on Friday (22^nd) and whose resounding result of a 62% Yes vote was announced on (23^rd) represents a world first in terms of the population of a country (and a small one at that) voting on this issue.  The breaking of a taboo is shown in the transits by Neptune from Pisces in the 4^th House (an expression of the sensitivity of its people) squaring the Irish Chiron in the 1^st House in Sagittarius.  Ireland has the potential for being a groundbreaker, in its natal aspect of Sun exactly sextile Uranus.  There are also several natal aspects to Ireland’s North Node, so karmic events and responses are very much a part of its pattern.  Uranus is travelling towards its Mars in Aries, coming up close in July before turning retrograde, so when it does reach Mars next year there is likely to be some explosiveness when the revolutionary planet inflames the passion of the nation.  For the other side of the coin is Saturn at the top of the chart, representing the reactionary forces and the more traditional values, and this vote is one in the eye for the Catholic Church, which has sought to determine the country’s sexual mores.

Pope

Pope Francis does have other countries to attend to, and other fish to fry, and his transits at the moment have some harmonious elements, such as the North Node trine his natal Venus.  However, there is some aggro going on for him at the moment with Uranus (rebellion) opposing his Mars (will), so perhaps that is the Irish issue showing up.

Aspects

You may be feeling a bit jangled this weekend, as we are in the middle of a T-square between Venus in Cancer, Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn – Taureans and Librans may be feeling this especially.

So on Friday we had Venus opposing Pluto (emotional wrangles) and yesterday we had Saturn opposite the Sun (deflation for some) and we start the week on Bank Holiday Monday (25^th) with Venus square Uranus (the second leg of the T-square).  Tomorrow could find us on the hop or wrong-footed.  Still feeling jangled, you may be struggling to find your footing emotionally or spiritually.  It is the search for the right feeling tone for what you are experiencing, and what you hope for, in relation to what might not be going your way.  Relationships may be under strain, but more importantly, you may need to address your relationship with yourself in order to produce the smooth week that you might desire.  If you have a break from working, use it to devise the best possible strategy for yourself in the near future in order to pick up any pieces which may have got scattered over the last few days.

Any clarity you achieve will be tested on Monday evening, with a square between Mars and Neptune.  Having got things straight with yourself, you may then have to address the use of your energies in relation to others in your life, particularly the men in your life (whether same sex or not!).  Some extra confusion could be thrown up on this subject, and you may not know where you stand.  More re-assessment, re-evaluation, and piecing together your feelings may be necessary.  You may have a sense of being at sea again.  Try not to act while in this state (which may be due to over-imbibing alcohol over the Bank Holiday weekend!) and wait to sober up after the Bank Holiday.

Wednesday (27^th) is the perfect opportunity to sober up, because Mars will be conjunct Mercury and you will need to think on your feet, act quickly to catch up on tasks which you haven’t quite been up to for a week.  So a splash of cold water on the face on Wednesday, and onwards and upwards!  Geminis and Virgoans especially will be nifty, but most people will be in a position to be  on the go, and on their bikes, or skateboards, or their chosen vehicle (Mercury retrograde notwithstanding).  Communication will be zippy, and conversations gabbled at the rate of knots.

Later that day, Venus trines Chiron, a real opportunity to re-group your healing energies and feel harmony within your being.

Friday (29^th) reverts to confusion and tangled communication, with Mercury squaring Neptune.  Emails may be exposed, deceptions come to light, journeys undertaken may prove more complicated than anticipated, and there is a general foggy feeling.  You might be able to ascertain whether or not this aspect would be able to affect you, if you remember back to just after the General Election when Mercury squared Neptune before it turned retrograde.  Some of us were shell-shocked by the result, others not affected.  So, more re-grouping may be necessary, depending on how sensitive you are to this aspect. Disorientation and re-orientation being the watchwords.

Saturday (30^th) gives us an opportunity for clarity, when the Sun conjuncts Mercury at 9 degrees of Gemini.  Super concentration and insight are possible, but because the Sun also squares Neptune the next day it might be like trying to get a crisp photographic image, a matter of trial and error, and perseverance and watchfulness.  Eyes wide open will help on Saturday.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – twists and turns, and fuzziness
• Wednesday – getting ahead, coming to a place of peace
• Friday – some confusion
• Saturday – in the midst of some fine-tuning

Gemini Totems and Archetypes

The Sun goes into Gemini this week on  Thursday (21st) at 8.45 a.m. in the U.K.  I intend to look today at some of the animal totems and Archetypes for this birth sign.

I will start with the Animal Totems of this sign.  Although the traditional emblem of the sign is The Twins and it is one of the few signs which does not have an animal representation traditionally, I have been working since the late 1980s with animal totems, and a few have consistently presented themselves over the years.  I first developed my work with animal totems when I worked jointly with Sandy Colyer in Watford, who sadly passed away a few years ago.  We called ourselves ATTEMPT (Astrological Totem Tarot encompassing Massage and Past Life Therapy)! These totems and archetypes can relate to you whether you have Gemini Sun or Ascendant in your chart, or a prominent Mercury.  Otherwise, it might make your observation of Gemini family and friends more interesting.

Animal Totems

Definition of “Animal Totemic Theology” by Barbara Hand Clow: “Systems that explore how the gods act through humanity by showing characteristics in humans and gods that mirror animal traits.”

Monkey

This refers to both the mischievous side of Gemini, and to the restless mind which they refer to in meditation circles as “monkey mind”, an inability to still the mind and settle to meditation.  Monkey is also associated with a talent for mimicry, at which Gemini can excel.

Butterfly

Gemini is an adaptable sign, one of the four “Mutable” signs as they are known.  Butterfly refers to the Geminian tendency to flit from subject to subject, or, as with Venus in Gemini, the social butterfly who works the room at a party or gathering. Butterfly also describes the Geminian love of variety, ephemeral change (as distinct from the deep change of Aquarius and Uranus).

Jamie Sams and David Carson write in “Medicine Cards” where Butterfly comes up:

“There is a need for change in your life that you are not recognizing.  This could be a possible need for freedom, for a vacation, or for a new job.”

There is a deeper side of Butterfly as an aspect of Transformation, associated with the sign of Scorpio, and the planet Pluto.  If I should carry on with this theme as a series for all the signs, I may get to that!

Chameleon

I think one of the manifestations of the Chameleon for Gemini is related to the fact that one of the talents of Gemini is mimicry, and it is remarkable that a high proportion of successful impressionists are Geminian.

Famous Examples: Mike Yarwood (a pioneer of the art) and John Culshaw (of Dead Ringers and Newzoids); Harry Enfield (who worked on Spitting Image), and Debra Stephenson (who worked with John Culshaw on Dead Ringers, and now accompanies him on Newzoids).

Gemini in combination with Pisces

Certain combinations of signs turn up animal totems.  An example is the dragonfly which comes up for Gemini in combination say with a Pisces Ascendant.  This incorporates the sense of illusion and delicacy from Pisces’ ruler Neptune.

 

Bird Totems

All air signs bring up bird totems, but Gemini does especially.

Eagle

Eagle is the most prominent bird totem for Gemini, and particularly the Bald Eagle, which is strong for British Geminians, and I imagine would be even more so for U.S. Geminians!  It heralds all the bird totems in the zodiac, in the way that Gemini heralds the Air signs.

Nicky Scully writes, in “The Golden Cauldron”: “Eagle clarifies choices.  As you soar with him, you can view your choices and make decisions about your life based on the keen vision and lofty perspective you have as Eagle”.

Magpies

Magpie refers to the slightly kleptomaniac tendency of some Geminians (though not all), as well as its curiosity.  It is the sense in which they collect bits of information, but also pass it on. [I have been indebted to a certain Gemini collector of information this week].   Magpie’s reputation has been linked with superstition through the old rhyme “One for sorrow, two for joy…”

In “Birds Divine Messengers” Andrea Wansbury writes:

“A magpie is saying you need to adopt a more enquiring mind and not be so resigned about your life by putting everything down to fate or ‘that’s just the way life goes’.  In this age of becoming conscious, we have to switch to detective mode, probing into our own lives to discover our fears and negativities.”

Wren

It has only come to my notice this week, after some feverish polling, that Wren seems to be one of the popular birds amongst Geminis, possibly because of its cheerfulness, a trait which Geminis often have.

Parrot

Parrot speaks for itself!  Gemini is a conduit for its social environment, and passes on information as a natural function: a veritable winged messenger.

Combinations

Red Kite for Sun in Gemini in combination say with Aries Ascendant (or vice versa)

Blackbird for Gemini in combination say with Scorpio Ascendant

 

Archetypes

Definition of “Archetypes” by Barbara Hand Clow: “Thoughtforms that shape reality, which may have existed before reality manifested and may even have precipitated reality; the primordial ideas.”

Communicator

Communication is the most basic principle for this sign.

Famous Example: the loquacious Russell Brand

(Related to the Parrot Bird Totem)

The Thief

This Archetype has a more negative connotation than most, although all archetypes can have a positive side, and a shadow side.  This correspondence with Gemini derives from the ruler of this sign Mercury (Roman god, and Hermes the Greek equivalent).  He apparently stole Apollo’s cattle while still a toddler!  This trait may be a function of the Geminian cleverness, outwitting opponents.  And in the modern world, it may refer especially to the stealing of information (as in cribbing essay notes from Wikipedia).

(Related to the Magpie Bird Totem)

Other Gemini Archetypes:

Teacher, Scientist, Scribe, Intellectual, Merchant

These Archetypes feature heavily in Geminian careers, and potential.

Combinations

Gemini in combination with Aries: The Engineer

Gemini in combination with Virgo or Aries: The Critic

Gemini in combination with Virgo: The Gossip

Caroline Myss writes of this Archetype:

“Most people would hesitate to choose this archetype because of its negative implications, yet many others make their living in the business of political, social and entertainment gossip in a positive way.  The Archetype is connected to lessons of truth, integrity, and honouring the trust another has placed in you.”

Famous Example: Gossipy style of Joan Rivers’ humour
Applications

Hope you have found it interesting to peruse the many faces of this multi-faceted sign!

The animal and bird totems reflect the traditions of shamanism and Native American culture.  If you are out in nature, the appearance of a particular animal or bird can carry a message, empowerment, protection or intervention for you for that time.  Perhaps a bird has been following you around, which sometimes happens.  Birds are often seen as messengers from the spirit worlds, after the departure of a loved one.

Archetypes are dynamic forces in the psyche, and can depict or highlight a psychological issue in a vivid and dramatic way.  Both animal totems and archetypes as they appear in meditation, dreams and sometimes in past-life regressions can be worked with in dialogue with each other or in role play.

Bibliography:

“Medicine Cards” by Jamie Sams and David Carson

“The Golden Cauldron” by Nicky Scully

“Birds Divine Messengers” by Andrea Wansbury

“Sacred Contracts” by Caroline Myss

 

Aspects

The start of the week brings a New Moon at 26 degrees Taurus.  In the office that may mean a minor reorganization.  In the retirement garden, there may be a new spirit of landscaping; moving plants and trees where they need to go, according to your listening skills.  In the artist’s studio, a new painting or artform may begin.  I have been attending an art course, and have painted my first bird!  Hence the inspiration for this Gemini bird totem blog.

There is some information on the net linking this New Moon with the fixed star Algol, which frankly does not have a good press.  The Sun is aligned with Algol in the constellation of Perseus at this time of the year, and the ancients were most fearful of its presentation in their lives.  Bernadette Brady in her book of the Fixed Stars says: “Algol…is the wild, raw, frightening face of the outraged feminine which has been labeled demonic or simply evil.”

There are some deeply negative reputations from ancient astrology for some of the Fixed Stars, of which Algol comes out as one of the worst.  In astrological literature, I found these irredeemable until “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld fell into my lap in 1992.  Since then I have worked with this book in many applications, including a meditation group.

So here is an alternative interpretation from that book, should you wish to adopt it as an alternative mindset:

“Algol’s ability to prepare individuals for understanding their destiny, their life purpose, and the ability to manifest this purpose more easily in the world, this is at once spiritual and practical.  For most people what will usually result is an ability to understand their profession and accept it more easily.

Algol can attune individuals to harmonies deep within their being.  These are partly genetic in nature, partly past-life in nature, but more importantly are in attunement to the shared soul of the lifestream of humanity.”

In the early hours of Tuesday 19th (in U.K. time) Mercury is stationary, prior to going retrograde.  It has become fashionable to be alarmed at this, and now the internet is issuing prior warnings in advance, of communication disruption in its “shadow period”, declaring that its influence is beginning even before it turns retrograde.  Retrograde Mercurial disruption pertains primarily to old school communication, as Uranus represents the more modern and technological side of communication.  When these two planets are squared, we are stymied from both aspects of communication.  And of course much of our equipment these days, such as smartphones, double up for both functions.  I have observed that communication can be disrupted outside of a Retrograde period (e.g. we have had a rail strike announced recently) and also perceive that with clarity and consciousness, successful communication can take place during a retrograde period.  I feel that the Mercury Retrograde has been bigged up by the media as it is a phenomenon easy to see and to grasp by those not immersed in Astrology.  But I also feel it is a negative and fearful way of seeing and working with Astrology.  There are more likely to be glitches when Mercury is switching from direct to retrograde, but I do not favour the drama and demonizing of Mercury which is being perpetuated.  So bear in mind that you need to make extra effort to get your communications clear, but otherwise don’t panic.  Also it is good to from time to time cultivate the skills of the old forms, such as snail mail, just to show that you are not totally dependent on technology.  Practise handwriting. And mindfulness.  The lower mind (Mercury) and the higher mind (Uranus) need to work together, so you don’t need to let your natural skills go rusty.

On Thursday 21^st at 8.45 am in the U.K. the Sun enters Gemini, so we have a focus and emphasis on the Gemini way of consciousness.  More communication (of the disrupted, the not so disrupted and even the harmonious kind), and more learning about the world.  Gemini represents information and news gathered from magazines, newspapers and television (broadcasting is ruled by Gemini), rather than book learning.  We may hear more about the new government’s Education plans, as this is another area associated with Gemini.  On Thursday, you may find your mind opening out to new areas of information, and new theories.

Late morning there is a minor aspect of Jupiter quincunx Pluto.  The aspect may be minor, but the two planets involved are major.  So there may be power struggles arising both in private and public lives, and volcanic activity in nature.

More volcanic activity, this time tending to be on the emotional front, on Friday 22^nd in the early hours, as Venus opposes Pluto.  You may have retired to your bed fretting about an interpersonal encounter, but likely as not there may not be much you can do about it.  Surrender to sleep and ask your subconscious to come up with a solution, which it may do.

But Saturday (23^rd) in the early hours may bring up another dilemma, with Saturn opposing the Sun.  The issue that keeps you awake may not be as deep as the previous night/morning, but may seem intractable and keep you weighed down.  Again, acceptance may be the key, and the ability to work with solutions from your subconscious, superconscious mind, or Higher Self.  In that way, a fresh outlook may await you in the morning as you emerge from your bedcovers.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – a practical new beginning
• Tuesday – disrupted communication of sorts
• Thursday – more emphasis on communication; some power struggle
• Friday – emotional wrangles
• Saturday – deflation early; let go of it

So…all the pundits were wrong, and we did not get a hung parliament.  Between them, the Conservatives and the Scottish National Party carved up the political map of the U.K.  There are a lot of people out there deeply disappointed and worried about the future of our country, and my feeling is that the shock will galvanize each person to ask what they can personally be responsible for in making a difference.  Whether it is writing more letters, getting involved in conservation projects, helping at food banks, there is more each person can do to take a step towards a world they want to see.   I feel that I have complacently walked into a situation whereby many more vulnerable people are going to be suffering, and I should have done more.  In our household, hubby and I have decided (at 65) to become more politically active – we’re united in this, and intend to seize the day!  Our youngest daughter who lives in London, meanwhile, is enquiring about when the next march is going to take place.  I hope that Nicola Sturgeon’s passion for helping the poor somehow highlights the inequalities of Conservative policies in parliament, and that might result in  softening the blow for those on the breadline and below.  Do they say you should never blog about religion and politics…?  Enough said.

And now for something completely different…

How you can spot a Zodiac sign from a mile off

Physical features tend to show up more in the Ascendant sign, but are often spotted in the Sun Sign.  If you have a planet rising, the sign which it rules will have sway, e.g. Neptune rising (ruler of Pisces) will increase the water retention in your body.  Have fun with this.  As this is not an illustrated blog, you will need your visual imagination.  Third eye to the ready!

Aries

Distinguishing features: Prominent chins, short stature, reddish hair, balding (hopefully men-only), glasses, large heads.

Famous Examples: Elton John, Jeremy Clarkson, Adrian Chiles, Alan Sugar, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Chris Evans, David Frost, Debbie Reynolds, Doris Day (Sun Signs)

Taurus

Distinguishing features: Short stature, tendency to overweight, snub nose, prominent neck.

Famous Examples: Adele, Renee Zellweger (Sun Sign)

Gemini

Distinguishing features: Thin, with plenty of nervous energy, a two-pronged nose (!), an open mouth, darting eyes.

Famous examples: Colin Farrell, Johnny Depp (Sun Sign)

Cancer

Distinguishing features: A generous chest, spindly legs, short stature, tendency to fluid retention, sensitive skin, sidelong glance, moon face.

Famous examples: Hilary Mantel, Ricky Gervais, Ringo Starr (Sun Sign)

George Michael (Sun Sign and Ascendant)

Leo

Distinguishing features: Tall stature, thick mane of hair, proud bearing, commanding appearance, blond hair

Famous examples: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Madonna, Robert Redford (Sun Sign)

Richard Branson, Stephen Fry (Ascendant)

Alfred Hitchcock, (Sun Sign and Ascendant)

Virgo

Distinguishing features: Short stature, slim, porcelain skin, neat or fine features, delicate bones

Famous examples: Ashley Roberts, Nigel Slater, Twiggy (Sun Sign)

Woody Allen (Ascendant)

Libra

Distinguishing features: Beautiful people, tall and slender, even features, elegant.

Famous examples: Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Zeta Jones, Margaret Thatcher, Davina McCall, Gwyneth Paltrow, Roger Moore, Chuka Ummuna (Sun Sign)

John F. Kennedy, Rock Hudson (Ascendant)

Martin Kemp (Sun Sign and Ascendant)

Scorpio

Distinguishing features: Short stature, wiry build, deep set eyes, neat pointed nose, piercing gaze, auburn hair, gravel-voiced.

Famous examples: Billie Jean King, Boris Becker, Conchita Wurst, Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Neil Young, Richard Burton (Sun Sign)

Jane Asher (Ascendant)

Sagittarius

Distinguishing features: Tall, large nose, a gap between the two front teeth, portly round the middle, open face, bushy eyebrows (hopefully just the men), chunky hips and thighs.

Famous examples: Alistair Darling, Bette Midler, Billy Connolly, Christopher Biggins, Marco Pierre White, Martin Clunes, Miranda Hart, Richard Osman (Sun Sign)

Ronald Reagan (Ascendant)

Capricorn

Distinguishing features: Tall, dark hair, slim, olive complexion

Famous examples: Joan Baez, Angus Deayton, Ed Miliband, Kate Middleton, Rowan Atkinson (Sun Sign)

Colin Farrell, Victoria Beckham (Ascendant)

Aquarius

Distinguishing features: Very tall, very slim, very long arms, live wire electrical energy, distinguishing features (nothing ordinary about the appearance).

Famous examples: Alice Cooper, Eddie Izzard, John McEnroe, Vanessa Redgrave, Peter Crouch (Sun Sign)

David Bowie  (Ascendant)

Alan Cumming (Sun Sign and Ascendant)

Pisces

Distinguishing features: Prominent feet, water retention, dreamy eyes.

Famous examples: Elizabeth Taylor, Vanessa Feltz (Sun Sign)

Ringo Starr, Barry Humphries (Ascendant)

Do these descriptions fit anyone you know?

Aspects

Tomorrow (Monday 11^th) offers the best prospect for healing, with the Sun sextile Chiron.  If you have a medical appointment, Chiron (the Healer) should afford you decent care today.  If you are self-treating with herbs or consciousness, your path too should be eased.  If you are merely trying to Heal your Life, you should be comfortably on track.

On Tuesday (12^th) you will be fighting different battles.  Mars leaves Taurus, where the Inner Warrior has been determined and focussed, and enters the debating chambers of Gemini, where the fight is on the mental plane.  Wars of words, banter and repartee characterize its stay here, which lasts until 24^th June.  Gemini is a more adaptable sign, so dodging verbal bullets and hedging bets is the way the battle is fought in this territory.  Those who are clever with words may have the edge.  Time to take a course on linguistics.

On Friday (15^th) Mars opposes Saturn, perhaps the first battle which Mars initiates in this sign.  Opposing Saturn, it may be a battle against intransigeance.  It may be an internal battle against an area where you lack self-confidence or self-belief.  Conversely, you may be taking a stand (the Saturn position) against another who is seeking to impose their will, or asserting themselves.  You may be the last bastion of an Institution dedicated to preserve the status quo.  Or you may be a pacifist seeking to demonstrate that fighting is not the answer.  In the exchange though, lessons will be learned and information supplied.  Questions may be answered, too, through confronting issues.

Venus squares the Nodal Axis on Saturday (16^th), and relationships come under the karmic microscope.  Who are we in relation to each other, and perhaps who were we in past lives in relation to each other, plus how will we be going forward, and how will we be in relation to each other in the future?  Some might just prefer the approach of the Now, but the whole tapestry can be very interesting.

By tea-time (in the U.K.) you may have some answers to those questions, supplied by Venus in a trine with Neptune.  You may have needed the questioning, in order to arrive at the sense of peace, or the potential of spiritual bliss of this aspect.  The Arts receive a special grace from this aspect, a world away from political wrangling.  It’s a night at the ballet, or nearest equivalent!

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – healing
• Tuesday – a different battle strategy
• Friday – tackling stuck energy
• Saturday – karmic relationships and artistic inspiration

UK General Election 2015

There’s no doubt about it, the astrology is reflecting the polls at the moment!  Undistinguished leading politicians have undistinguished transits, and there is a T-square this Election week (Saturn opposite Mercury and square Neptune), depicting another hung parliament situation.

People are having to search themselves to determine what they really believe in and what are their priorities.  Are they willing to give up the nuclear deterrent, for instance? Is the N.H.S. their priority? Or is immigration the hot potato?  Should we vote against what we want to keep out, or vote for what we believe in?

Highlights of recent blogs?

I was hoping to have highlights by this time of clear bright astrological points about the politicians and parties.

I wasn’t hoping for this: The only leader who has bright transits on the day is Nigel Farage:

“Nigel Farage (UKIP): [High] Jupiter trine his natal Sun (A stroke of luck).

Transiting Pluto will also be sextile his natal Chiron, also putting him in a strong position psychologically.”

Jupiter is not likely to win Farage a majority, just exceed his expectations.  Then again, Jupiter can also represent liberation, and I suspect that Nigel Farage would like to prove a point, but not necessarily want to follow through, and he might be relieved not to win his seat at Thanet.

One of his party members, not the obvious Douglas Carswell, may also do well as I wrote a few weeks ago about Mark Reckless:

“Like Nigel Farage, he has transiting Jupiter trine his natal Sun (which is in Sagittarius) at the time of the UK General Election.  So another lucky UKIP result on the cards!  His and Nigel’s natal Suns are exactly trine within a minute (13 degrees 55 minutes Sagittarius for Mark, and 13 degrees 54 minutes Aries for Nigel) giving them good working prospects together, and on election day Jupiter at 13 degrees 51 minutes Leo creates a Grand Trine with their natal Suns, magnifying the luck factor.  The stars certainly seem to smile on them that day.”

Ed Miliband’s transits for Election Day are not bad (see my blog dated 5/4/15) but may not be enough to see him rise above the parapet of the negotiating table.

Two Weeks After the Election

If as is likely, there is a hung parliament, then it seems important to look at the transits at least 2 weeks after the election (the length of time it took last time to sort out a government).

The picture here is clearer:

David Cameron at that time has a likely successful Jupiter sextile his Sun, the North Node will be on his Venus, and Saturn will be trine his Jupiter like Nick Clegg (who was born a few months later than him).  Nick Clegg chose David Cameron over Gordon Brown after the last election, and certainly Clegg and Cameron are more natural rose garden bedfellows being close in age.  The Saturn trine to their Jupiters may be another indication of a second Conservative/Lib Dem coalition.

Interestingly, the transits for Nigel Farage two weeks after the election look decisively difficult – Mars square his Uranus, and Saturn square his Saturn.  Maybe he will be liberated from his task after all and hang up his hat.  Or be marginalized as irrelevant by that point.

Natalie Bennett, leader of the Greens looks directionless, with Neptune on her Mars two weeks after the election. Caroline Lucas looks disappointed with Saturn on her Mercury and Neptune on her South Node, and Pluto opposite her Mars.  She may be fighting, but with Neptune trine her natal Neptune, will be as much in touch with her integrity as ever.

On Election Day this Thursday, Mercury will be  close to squaring Neptune, ensuring uncertainty. Two weeks on for the UK chart finds Jupiter trine exactly the U.K. Sun/Mercury, and Neptune trine exactly the UK Jupiter, so the post-election situation may not drag on as long as the papers are predicting this morning.  But Neptune will be at the top of the U.K. chart, so still a lot of sorting to do in terms of finer detail.

Other Coalition Combinations

We have been warned about:

Tory/UKIP

Nigel Farage’s Neptune is on David Cameron’s South Node, so he has been able to pull David Cameron off course.  His natal Mercury squares David’s Jupiter, which stretches them both mentally.  Nigel’s Mercury sextiles David’s Midheaven, so he might be an asset to David if he chose to be.  His natal Jupiter trines David’s Mars: indeed he could bring him luck, if he chose to!  And his natal Saturn trines David’s Midheaven:  He could really stabilize a Tory government, but I suspect David won’t let him.   He has told us time and again he won’t entertain Nigel.

Labour/SNP

David Cameron doesn’t waste any opportunity of warning us of the perils of a Labour/SNP combination, but again Ed tells us it is never going to happen.  Nicola Sturgeon’s Sun sextiles Ed Miliband’s Pluto, so she could be a supportive asset to him.  Her Mars squares his Jupiter, so there would be a clash of wills.  Nicola’s Neptune sextiles Ed’s Pluto, again a good supportive relationship would not be impossible.  However, the killer interaspect is Nicola’s Pluto squaring Ed Miliband’s natal Venus, reinforcing his natal pattern of difficult relationships.  I suspect that is the deciding factor.  On a personal level, it would not work.

Hung parliament

Labour under the old politics would naturally inherit the disgruntled vote, but that is being dissolved by  the Lib Dems (less popular than before though) UKIP (who have eclipsed the Lib Dems in growth), Greens (who have gained ground) and the SNP (who have been tipped to win all the Scottish seats, and are a considerable threat to Labour).

Nate Silver who correctly predicted the last U.S. Election, predicts an “incredibly messy outcome” for the U.K. in this election, and hints at a “rainbow coalition” of several parties.

The old straightforward ruling Party versus strong Opposition model may be on its last legs, and the era of the Coalition may be a more permanent feature of politics.

New economy

The Observer Business Leader this morning advises:
“Last week’s GDP figures, showing the growth rate halving to 0.3% in the first three months of 2015, suggests the upturn of which the Tories are so proud may already be starting to fade”.

I for one do not believe in the successful economy, which the Conservatives boast about.  With European and World economies looking so delicate right now, it just doesn’t ring true.  And I don’t think you can call “successful” a society where the poor are being more and more crushed by an indifferent government.

Paul Krugman writing in the Guardian on 29/5/15 states:
“Cameron is campaigning largely on a spurious claim to have ‘rescued’ the British economy – and promising, if he stays in power to continue making substantial cuts in the year ahead”

Other economists, such as American Robert Wiedemer (author of “Aftershock: Protect yourself and profit in the next global financial meltdown”) warn there could still be a complete collapse of the world economy.

There definitely needs to be a re-evaluation of how we think about finance, and there are people working on that theme.  Caroline Lucas, in her book “Honourable Friends?” writes:

“If we can free ourselves from illusions such as seeing economic growth and consumerism as the root of human happiness, then we can reshape our society so that it becomes more nurturing, more supportive, and more sharing: and where our wealth is seen in what we share, in friendships, in freedom and in opportunity; and where our own success does not have to be seen in terms of the failure of others.”

The Yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur, while sailing round the world, thought deeply about sustainability, and has initiated a system which she calls “a circular economy” to use resources differently.

 

My Spiritual Voting Gauge

Greens 100% Spiritual – Putting the Planet first

Labour 75% Spiritual – The party of Social Fairness

Liberal Democrat Party 50% Spiritual – The party of Balance

Conservative Party 25% Spiritual – The party of Austerity

UKIP 0% Spiritual  – The politics of Fear

 

I will be voting Labour, because I cannot bear the Tory government’s actions and attitudes towards the poor and the NHS.

 

Aspects

The aspects for this Election week are not very inspiring, so you may have to work hard to wring out every ounce of meaning and enjoyment, and screen out the minor irritations from what is going on around you.

The first leg of a dampening T-square occurs today, on a rainy morning here in Norfolk certainly, with Saturn opposing Mercury.  The line of least resistance to day would be defeatism.  Perhaps some dispiriting news drags you down.  To turn this to a positive you might need to actually take note of what is happening, take it seriously, and contemplate whether there might be a hidden gift in the situation.  You may have to let go of something, or leave something behind.

There may be added tension rising during the course of the day, because a Full Moon in Scorpio occurs in the early hours of tomorrow morning (Bank Holiday Monday 4^th).  Perhaps you have not been able to draw an emotional line under events of the previous day, and the situation has invaded your dreamtime.  You may be able to change the energy round 3.42 a.m. tomorrow morning with a cup of camomile tea and a rice cake, and a fresh look at things.  Then draw a line, and get back to sleep!

In the morning the Sun squares Jupiter: this may feel much more buoyant, but may almost swing to the opposite extreme: overconfidence, arrogance, brashness.  Give the inner Clown or Hedonist some space for expression – it will be a relief!  It is not a good day for gambling or speculation, as you could overshoot the mark through overconfidence, but say yes to exuberance.

Wednesday (6^th) is the best day, with a trine between the Sun and Pluto which is very constructive for activities or ideas with a psychological theme or programme.  Creativity and Drama thrive, because the depth of Pluto gives meaning to the creativity, and the Sun adds creativity to the drama of Pluto.  An ideal day for putting on a Shakespearean tragedy, if you are involved in a theatre company.  If you are alone, try a grand soliloquy!  You may be on call that day though to be a listening ear for someone, but this could be cathartic.  The Force is with you (and everyone else) today.

Venus enters Cancer on Thursday (7^th) which is a neutral change (neither good nor bad), and the change may be as good as a rest.  Coming up to Election Day, your feelings may have been under a lot of analytical scrutiny while Venus was in Gemini, and they will be entering more emotionally expressive waters while Venus is in Cancer.  Perhaps you can meditate on eating a Cornetto while riding in a gondola in Venice, in order to get into the mood.  Or life may hand you a spontaneous signal that Venus has entered Cancer, and you will just feel the switch.  As the event occurs late evening, make the most of the last minute analysis and insights of Venus in Gemini which covers the actual polling period.

Saturday (9^th) brings the challenge of Mercury squaring Neptune.  Perhaps you have complicated things to discuss with someone close, or you have a complicated journey to undertake, or the weather is not conducive to what you had planned.  Something is obscuring your perception and what you want to do.  You may set out to do one thing, and get distracted and waylaid and end up with a different programme.  This is the second leg of the T-square of the week, and it occurs in the afternoon.  By the evening though, you may be feeling that you have cleared a hurdle this week.

For some light relief, read my blog about the new Royal Baby, below

The week in bullet points:

• Today – under a cloud
• Tomorrow – emotional tension, then a pick-me-up
• Wednesday – profound progress
• Thursday – a different feeling
• Saturday – confusion

Princess Charlotte

born 2nd May 2015, at 8.34 am

All eyes are on the young royal family at the moment, with a baby girl being born to Prince William and his wife Kate yesterday morning.  They have recently been given a house on the Sandringham Estate, which is in our county of Norfolk, to enable William to pursue his new job as a pilot in the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

I am pleased to report that with a Cancerian Ascendant, she continues the Cancerian astrological lineage, with Diana as her grandmother and William as father.  Parenting is likely to be a priority for her, as it has been for Diana and William.

She will be a solid support within the family group, as a Sunsign Taurus, with Mars also in that sign.  With Sun, Mars and Mercury in the 11^th House of Friendships and Groups, she is likely to be involved in charity work and keen to work with the power of large associations.

Her overall life direction and career may have its difficulties, as the Mercury-Saturn opposition forms a T-square with her Midheaven, and her Neptune also forms a T-square with the opposition, possibly creating difficulties around education.  Strictly speaking the Midheaven and Neptune are just wide of a conjunction.

She has a lovely, equable Moon in Libra trine her natal Venus, indicating that she may smooth over difficulties between women in the family, which could prove important.

The silver spoon is shown up by Jupiter in royal Leo in 2^nd House of wealth.

There is an emphasis on the family, with the Moon in 4^th House and Cancer rising, but also karma is an important factor in the family she has been born into, with the North Node early in the 4^th House, and the Nodal Axis squaring the Ascendant/Descendant axis.  Though fourth in line, she is not likely to clear the field and become Queen, with South Node in 10^th House giving her a deferential role in the firm.

Relationships with the Family

Her Venus is exactly trine Prince William’s Pluto, so she will be a deep love of his life.  Mentally their communication may not be as good, with her Mercury opposite his Uranus and her Neptune square his Mercury.  Her Pluto also squares his Saturn, so she may provide some pressures on him.  But the loveliest interaspect between them is her Ascendant exactly conjunct his Moon, so she will embody a female Archetype for him, and in some way link him with his mother.

Astrologically, mother Kate Middleton (Duchess of Cambridge) is under more pressure at the moment than her smiley face on the steps of the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Paddington showed yesterday.  The birth seems to have been short enough, but some of her astrological transits will take a while to play out, and may reflect in some ways her relationship with her daughter. I refer to Saturn transiting her natal Uranus (restricting her freedom), and Uranus squaring her natal Midheaven.  If Kate had pursued a conventional career, she would have found it severely disrupted at the moment.  As it is, the birth and childcare will disrupt her lifestyle, and maybe point her to a different direction in life.  As many mums know, it isn’t easy looking after two young children, in terms of emotional stretch (the finances will be a doddle).   Kate will find this new phase of life demanding, but it will also be creative and empowering (what to dress the baby in, etc.).  She may feel an urge to make sure that the new baby is able to express herself fully.

But the baby’s relationship with Prince George is key, and with Pluto in the 7^th House she could be symbolically the power behind the throne.  The siblings will make a dynamic duo, with George’s Uranus exactly trine Jupiter.  They may cook up schemes outside the royal rules, regulations and guidelines, moving great grandmother’s furniture when they visit for instance, while no one is looking.  George’s Mars/Jupiter conjunction in Cancer is exactly conjunct her Ascendant, so there could be battles, but also great joy in their sibling relationship.  Prince William will be able to join in with that special bond, as his Moon is conjunct this combination.  George’s top dog exact trine of Saturn and Neptune also form an exact Grand Trine with her Ascendant.  He definitely has a more powerful chart, but her relationship with him is powerful.

There are minor points of tension between her chart and her great grandmother the Queen’s chart.  Queen Elizabeth’s Moon squares her Sun, so she may challenge some of the Queen’s habits.  The Queen’s Jupiter squares her Mars, so she may find herself overruled by the Queen!  But the Queen’s Mars trines her Moon so she may bring out some warmth from the Queen.

Paula Radcliffe

The lovely Paula Radcliffe is a world record holder for the London Marathon, with a long list of achievements within marathon and cross country running.  Today she competes for the last time in the London Marathon, and says farewell to her fond fans.

Her Birthchart

Working without a birth time has been very revealing.  I will of course update this blog if a birth time comes to light in the future.

She has had her struggles, her ups and downs, but overall she has a strong birthchart.  She is a Sagittarian, with the North Node, Mercury and Neptune also in that sporty sign.  5 out of her 10 planets are in Cardinal signs, so she is a Leader, and 5 out of her 10 planets are in Air, the running element.  Her Sun conjuncts the North Node, so her karmic mission is as a leader in her field.

Venus makes an exact trine with Pluto in her chart, which gives her a lot of fortitude, and this trine plays an interesting role in her life and her transits, as we shall see.

But the planet which seems most prominent by aspect, and which the Astrologer Michel Gauquelin identified as strong in athletes, is Mars.  It trines her North Node exactly, it trines her Sun (great vitality and sporting energy), it sextiles her Saturn (conscious pacing of energy), and opposes her Uranus (an electrical quality to her energy).

The Part of Fortune is in her 10^th House (the only House placing we know of for her), which indicates joy in her career.

Her Moon conjuncts Pluto: “I get emotional very easily” and trines Venus, giving her emotional warmth.  We get emotional with her.

Mercury sextiles Jupiter so she covers a lot of ground in her life!  Mercury also conjuncts Neptune, which may be responsible for her health weakness, and galvanizes her war on drugs.

Saturn is on her South Node in Gemini – she will have had past lives as a runner, developing discipline.

Childhood

Paula’s father Peter Radcliffe was a Marathon runner, and her great aunt Charlotte Radcliffe was an Olympic silver medallist in swimming.  Did she perhaps inherit anything from her aunt, at least astrologically?  There is an important link between their charts, in an exact opposition between their Mars planets.  This is a direct energetic connection, and a complementary one: their energies will have been equal and opposite.

Paula has been running since she was 7 years old, but a seminal moment took place when she was 11.  Her father was taking part in the London Marathon, and she watched as the Norwegian Ingrid Kristiansen smashed the world record. ‘It broke down any barriers I had in my head,’ says Paula Radcliffe. ‘I thought: why can’t I be in there running and being competitive too?’  At the time, her progressed Sun exactly squared her natal Pluto, a time when a mindset can be overturned.  The dramatic effect of Kristiansen on her life story is shown in their synastry by Kristiansen’s Uranus squaring Radcliffe Mars, and Kristiansen’s Pluto sextiling Radcliffe’s Uranus.

Her choice of subjects at the University of Loughborough was very Sagittarian: Modern European Studies.

Health

Over the years, Paula has sustained many injuries which have kept her away from competitions at times.  But from childhood she suffered from asthma (Mercury conjunct Neptune) and also anaemia (possibly Uranus opposing her Mars, though she has a strong Mars generally).  It is possible that a birth time would elucidate this point.

Her particular health sensitivities and sense of justice probably led to her prominent campaign against the use of drugs in her sport (Mercury conjunct Neptune, with Neptune representing drugs).

High Pain Threshold

But there is no doubt that she also has had extreme resilience at the same time.  Sean Ingle, in yesterday’s profile in the Guardian writes:

“What made her so special? Not only genes and a Stakhanovite zeal for work, but a staggering tolerance of pain.  Physiotherapist Gerard Hartmann, who has worked with 73 Olympic medal winners, says only Keith Wood, the Irish rugby union player, could take more pain on the massage table than Radcliffe.”

Her exact trine between Venus and Pluto has much to do with this quality, as I associate it with extreme endurance in a chart.  But the aspects she shares with Keith Wood, are Sun conjunct North Node [in Sagittarius for Paula, Aquarius for Wood] and Mars opposite Uranus, which may also play a part.

Successes

We all remember the heartbreaking times, but the astrology of her successes is interesting.  She seems to respond well to exact positive astrological aspects too her chart!  I find this interesting, because all the points of success I looked at showed up the sort of transits I look for when I am researching my summer Wimbledon blogs.  Quite often I find mixed aspects, which are difficult to evaluate, but in every success I looked at for Paula she had really positive transits to her chart, often involving either a Jupiter transit or a transit to her Jupiter (which is her ruling planet).

Here are some examples:

When she won the World Cross Country title in 2001, transiting Jupiter in Gemini (the sign for Running) was exactly trine her natal Venus and Pluto, creating a Grand Trine with her natal trine.

Her first Marathon victory in London 2002 coincided with transiting Saturn trine exactly her natal Jupiter, and Uranus exactly sextile her natal Mars.

Later that year her natal Venus-Pluto exact trine was again activated when she won the Chicago Marathon:  Neptune was transiting Paula’s natal Venus in Aquarius and trine her natal Pluto.

In  2003 she broke the record for the women’s road 10k in Puerto Rico, with Neptune exactly transiting her natal Jupiter in Aquarius.

At Helsinki in 2005 she won a gold medal at the World Championships for the marathon, with Neptune exactly sextile her natal Chiron in Aries.

Then in the New York City Marathon in 2007 she won again, with Pluto exactly trine her natal Mars and sextile her natal Uranus.

Her golden period lasted until 2008, which was halted by a stress fracture of the femur, a Sagittarian body part.

Now with Jupiter exactly trine her natal Mercury, she is doing a farewell run in the London Marathon, and though she does not expect to be in the forefront of the crowd, she should be on good form and will enjoy her day.

Marriage

She is married to Gary Lough, who she met at a Loughborough pub, and they have two children, Isla and Raphael.  Gary himself was a runner, and Isla is a promising gymnast.  Gary also doubles up as her coach, and house husband.

I think the nation was shocked when many years ago in Edmonton he reprimanded her at a race, giving the impression of being a harsh taskmaster.

In an interview in 2012 with the London Evening Standard, she said:

“But I definitely wouldn’t have got as far as I have without Gary…Gary understands what makes me tick and wants to support me as much as he can to achieve that.”

Without having a birth date for her husband, the astrology seems to bear out what she says.  Her strongly positively aspected male planets indicate that in her life she would be supported well by her father and her husband: Sun trine Mars, conjunct the North Node and sextile Uranus, plus Mars sextile Saturn and exactly trine the North Node.

Paula has been an exceptional role model for women in sport, inspiring as she herself was inspired by Ingrid Kristiansen.  When I saw her at the start of the race this morning, she was smiling infectiously!

This whole blog has taken me 2 hours and 15 minutes.  Phew!  I have been up against my own record ;-}

Aspects

It’s a fine day astrologically for the London Marathon, though the weather doesn’t look entirely comfortable – Paula Radcliffe started out with a few layers, which she could shed and toss to the crowd.  Venus sextiles Uranus providing love and companionship, speed and excitement – all good ingredients for a good day’s running, watching, and raising money for sponsorship.  If you are planning more leisurely pursuits, a good time can be had by all.  This aspect particularly supports originality in the Arts and in Design.

On Tuesday (28^th) Mars sextiles Chiron, which is suitable for energy healing and physical healing.  This aspect supports real interaction between people, engaging on a deep level and perhaps at the same time addressing and acknowledging wounds in a constructive way.

There could be an initial blip on Wednesday (29^th) with Venus squaring Chiron: a little too much dwelling on the wound, and some stuckness.  But as the day progresses the prospects may improve, and by the end of the day the Sun sextiles Neptune, so there is a possibility of coming to terms with what is, at least, if not rising above the issue, and a sense of spiritual transcendence (the highest potential of this aspect).

Finally, on Friday (1^st May) Mercury leaves the leisurely pastures of Taurus, moving to the much more mentally stimulating airs of Gemini.  Communication will be more sprightly, minds wake up, and a little light exercise may not go amiss.  Perhaps start your training for next year’s London Marathon? Alternatively, the mental gymnastics of Sudoku, or trying to work out what will happen after a hung parliament (which keeps me awake at night).  All to keep our minds in tip top condition.

Next Week -: UK General Election: Pulling it all together

The week in bullet points:

• Today – social excitement
• Tuesday – energetic healing
• Wednesday – emotional delicacy, then spiritual uplift
• Friday – mental stimulation