Stephen Sondheim (1930 – 2021) 

“Isn’t it rich?
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground
You in mid-air
Send in the clowns” 

~ Stephen Sondheim

Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, winner of several Tony awards, died this week, at the age of 91.  He played a crucial role in the development of the musical, and West Side Story, for which he wrote the lyrics, is often hailed as the best musical of all time.  The iconic songs from that musical, such as Maria, Somewhere, and Tonight, are etched in the collective musical mind.  He also helped to create Gypsy, A Little Night Music (from which notably Send in the Clowns was born), and Sweeney Todd, and he even had a hand in the more recent Hamilton through his mentee Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Birth Chart

Sondheim had the Sun in Aries in his 5th House of Creativity.  The Sun was unaspected, which can indicate a free spirit.  His parents separated when he was ten years old, and he lived with his mother.  The Moon in his chart was exactly square his natal Venus – he didn’t get on with his mother.  His Moon was also exactly conjunct Saturn – I call this the “Ivory Tower” – in 3rd House, he had no siblings, and by all accounts led a lonely and isolated childhood.  The Moon closely square Uranus and opposing Pluto added even more to his isolation.  These aspects produced a double square of Moon/Saturn to Venus/Uranus.  His North Node (karmic mission) was conjunct Chiron in Taurus, the sign of Music.  Mercury was trine Pluto in his chart, producing a deep thinker.  Venus was sextile Jupiter – for all his emotional isolation, he loved people.  Otherwise, his relationship problems showed up as Venus closely square Saturn (which can mean disappointment in love), Venus conjunct Uranus (unusual attractions, but also social magnetism), and Venus square Pluto (turbulent relationships).  Venus exactly trine his Midheaven  in Leo pointed to an outstanding musical contribution in his career.  He had Mars square Jupiter – great enthusiasm allied with energy, and Jupiter exactly sextile Uranus in 6th House (the Entrepreneur Archetype).

Life and Career

Isn’t it bliss?
Don’t you approve?
One who keeps tearing around
One who can’t move
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns

Sondheim was born in New York, New York.  His mother was a dress designer and his father manufactured the dresses.  It was a shock to Stephen when his father left his mother for another woman, and he found his mother psychologically abusive, taking out her anger on him. Around the time his parents separated, he became friends with the son of Oscar Hammerstein.  The latter became a substitute father figure, and a musical mentor.  He put him through his paces in writing musicals, though critical of the results but showing him where he went wrong. Sondheim then took theatre studies at college in Massachussetts.

His big break occurred when he was invited to work on West Side Story as a lyricist with Leonard Bernstein.  This show was of course based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. As a musical, it was groundbreaking in its drama and passion.  The show opened on 26th September 1957, with Jupiter trine his natal Jupiter (a great success), Jupiter opposite his natal Uranus (a surprise), Uranus sextile his natal Jupiter (a surprise success) and Uranus trine his natal Uranus (the power of surprise, and sudden success).  Thus was his natal Entrepreneur (Jupiter sextile Uranus) well and truly activated!  This magical union of Bernstein and Sondheim was shown in their birthcharts through Bernstein’s Sun conjunct Sondheim Neptune (mutual inspiration), their Marses exactly trine (often a good sign of working together in synastry) and Bernstein’s Mars on Sondheim’s Ascendant/South Node, Bernstein being a great motivator for Sondheim, but also showing a karmic imperative.

His next opportunity was an invitation to write the lyrics for Gypsy, based on Gypsy Rose Lee’s memoirs. Sondheim was hesitant as he did not want to be known just as a lyricist, but Hammerstein advised him to take the opportunity.  Sadly, his mentor Hammerstein died shortly after, in 1960.  This was a traumatic moment for Sondheim, as they had such a strong bond.

Relationship with Oscar Hammerstein

Just when I stopped
Opening doors
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours
Making my entrance again with my usual flair

Astrologically, Stephen and his mentor were close: Hammerstein’s Ascendant was exactly conjunct Sondheim’s Pluto, so they made a huge impact on each other.  Hammerstein’s Mercury and Venus conjunction (the Songwriter) was exactly trine Sondheim’s North Node, a karmic handing down of musical writing tradition.  Oscar’s death was marked by Sondheim’s Saturn Return (a coming of age), with Saturn square Sondheim’s Venus (the loss of a loved one) and Neptune on Sondheim’s Ascendant (confusion over identity).

Further work and collaboration

Don’t you love a farce?
My fault, I fear
I thought that you’d want what I want
Sorry my dear
But where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns

The creation of musicals had its ups and downs, not all succeeded.  But with Hal Prince, in 1973, came another highlight in his career: A Little Night Music, which opened on 25th February of that year.  It received the best reception.  With Saturn sextile his natal Midheaven (career point) in his 10th House, his reputation was stabilized.  The song “Send in the Clowns” became iconic: in recent days I have seen it sung by Judy Dench, Millicent Martin and even Elizabeth Taylor.  But Judy Collins’ version in 1975 was my favourite, really bringing out its beauty.  It was originally written for the part played by Glynis Johns, with her husky, breathy voice, evoking the poignancy of the piece.

Later collaborators were James Lapine (notably, Sunday in the Park with George, and Into the Woods) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (on a Spanish version of West Side Story, and on developing the hit show Hamilton).

Relationships

Send in the clowns
Don’t bother
They’re here

Sondheim did not come out as gay until the age of 40, at his Uranus Opposition (the mid-life crisis and rebellion).  He had had relationships with the actress Lee Remick, the actor Anthony Perkins, and a dramatist Peter Jones.  He more latterly found love with Jeffrey Scott Romley, whom he married in 2017.

I was aged 11 when the film of “West Side Story” came out.  It seemed radical and new.  For many of us, Sondheim’s vast body of music has been a soundtrack to our lives.

“Isn’t it rich?
Isn’t it queer?
Losing my timing this late
In my career
Where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns
Well, maybe next year”

~ Stephen Sondheim

Aspects

Today, the Sun conjoins Mercury at 6 degrees Sagittarius.  It is a good day generally to apply your mind with clarity, concentrate and focus,  and make important statements.  The focus may be on your own growth and potential and physical wellbeing.  Mentally you may see things clearly, if egocentrically.  Creatively, this is a very helpful conjunction: If you are writing a play, for instance, the perfect line could come to you.  It also supports global vision and interests.

Tomorrow (Monday 29th) Mars will be trine Neptune, under which the spiritual warrior flourishes.  You can combine your passions with your spiritual path.  Meditation with movement is favoured, e.g. yoga, tai chi and qijong.  Peaceful demonstrations also chime well with this aspect.  I myself have a chiropody/podiatry appointment, which is perfect, as Neptune rules the feet.  Why not treat yourself to a foot treatment or pampering of some sort, even if home made, with a bowl of warm water and some foot lotion to hand!

The self-care theme continues the same day with a trine between Mercury and Chiron, so the day has real healing potential.  This aspect is all about finding solutions, especially in health matters.  Mercury trine Chiron describes healing on a mental level (positive thinking, writing and affirmations), and helps to combine conventional and alternative or complementary healing approaches.

With a sextile of Saturn to Mercury on Tuesday (30th) there is a chance that Geminis and Virgos may experience this as a better week altogether, aspects to their ruler Mercury being fairly congenial.  Thoughts and feelings can be channelled and harnessed into constructive plans and ideas.  Mental foundations can be laid.  The aspect favours documentation and knuckling down to form-filling etc.

The theme of healing returns with the Sun trine Chiron.  Healing is illuminated by clarity, and solutions may appear to conundrums which have been recently aired.  There is a sense of wholeness about this aspect.  Creativity and healing have a symbiotic relationship under this aspect.

Two more positive sextiles then follow, on the same day.  First, Venus sextiles Neptune, to soothing waves of serenity and heightened inspiration, which hopefully you may experience.  People may come more into tune with each other.  New artistic avenues may flourish, having found ingenious ways for people to share art, music and performance (though some restrictions may now be about to return, with the discovery of the Omicron variant of covid).

Lastly, on Tuesday, the Sun sextiles Saturn which could ground some of the inspiration and bring it into reality.  Practical initiatives are supported by this aspect.  It is a good aspect for setting up solid foundations, for instance.

So, you see, Tuesday is a day real progress can be made.

The gift from Neptune, on the first day of December (Wednesday1st), is its Direct motion.  If you have felt confused of late, there is a chance for more clarity, certainty, inspiration and spirituality.  If  you felt your feet were treading water, then your  path could be on surer ground.  It is an opportunity to fine tune relationships, art, or spiritual practices.  After the turnaround has been achieved you may detect greater flow and movement.  Interactions may be subtle, but subtlety can be powerful.

We end the week with a New Moon and Eclipse (a Solar Eclipse) at 12 degrees Sagittarius on Saturday (4th).  New Moons tend to be upbeat, and Sagittarian New Moons more upbeat than most, focussing on expansion, the planning of holidays, deep study and learning, global issues, and matters of faith.  Re-play your affirmations, with more confidence.  You can have powerful inner conversations under this New Moon.  Eclipses can be dramatic, and contain the seeds of events for the forthcoming 6 months, which often makes them turning points.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – mental clarity and expansion
• Tomorrow – self care: good foot work; and healing
• Tuesday – potential for progress: focus and concentration; more healing; inspiration and beauty; positive grounding of reality
• Wednesday – more clarity and inspiration, movement forward
• Saturday – new beginning and turning point

Azeem Rafiq

The world of that sedate and stately game of cricket has been rocked lately by allegations of institutionalized racism, by its whistleblower retired cricketer Azeem Rafiq.

Birth Chart

His Sun conjunct Mercury in Pisces indicates a sensitive soul.  But Sun/Mercury square Mars also brings the Warrior Archetype, an energy which he channelled into sport (cricket), and now as a whistleblower.  His Moon squares Pluto, which is also intensely emotional (explosively so at times).  And he has the Critic Archetype in Mercury square Mars. He loves humanity  (Venus trine closely Jupiter), but has a feeling of alienation in society, at the same time (Venus square Uranus).  Jupiter opposite Saturn can be hamstrung at times, and he was unable to speak his truth for many years.  Saturn conjunct his North Node points to an unpleasant karmic duty, in the nature of “it hurts me to say this, but…”. A deep sextile of Pluto with Chiron results in a compulsion to effect a profound healing for himself, and for society.  Chiron in Cancer at the South Node suggests a healer in past lives, possibly carrying wounds through to this life

Life and Career

Azeem was born in 1991 in Karachi, and came to England when he was 10.  He lived in Barnsley, Yorkshire and began to play cricket at Yorkshire County Cricket Club from 2008, where he enjoyed a high level of success.  For example, in 2012 he was responsible for Yorkshire regaining promotion to Division One.   He is described as a right arm off-spin bowler, and was the youngest player and the first Asian to captain a Yorkshire side.  In the 2013 season he sustained a knee injury (natal Jupiter opposite Saturn may have predisposed him to that) and declared that he “lost a lot of confidence in my body and confidence in myself as a person”.  However, he did return to the sport, before retiring in 2018.

Whistleblowing

It appears that even from a young age he was sensitive to remarks made about his ethnicity by white players.  It was reported in the Observer this morning that white British players from private schools are 34 times more likely to succeed in cricket than young Asians, even today.  He must have been outstandingly talented to have succeeded.

One great wound for him was unsympathetic treatment by the club when his wife suffered a stillbirth in 2018, and he claims their treatment led him to consider suicide.  It was in August 2018 that he first raised concerns with the club, and they were dismissed as vague.  At the time he had Jupiter sextile his natal Neptune, encouraging him to open up about his sensitivities; Uranus square his natal Saturn, unable to contain them any longer, with the double trauma of their treatment over his family tragedy; and Neptune sextile his natal Neptune, his spiritual convictions leading his actions.

The current furore began on September 2020, when he accused the club of  historic racism, harrassment and bullying, and a formal investigation was set up.  Transiting Saturn was exactly conjunct his North Node in Capricorn (taking on an Institution), intensifying that responsibility in his birth chart (see above), prior to his Saturn Return.  Rafiq hoped to bring about “meaningful change” at the club. On 17th June 2021 a tribunal took place, but failed to reach a conclusion, and Rafiq refused to take a settlement which would have meant a non-disclosure agreement, as he needed to feel free to speak about his issues with the club.  With Pluto on his North Node, he had to be clear in his integrity.

After the results of the investigation were revealed, on 19th August this year, the club admitted that Rafiq had been “the victim of inappropriate behaviour”.  At that point in time, Mars was square to his natal Mars, and trine his natal Uranus – an acknowledgement of wounding (where Mars is one of the planets which represents wounds). It was reported that there was “insufficient evidence to conclude that Yorkshire County Cricket Club is institutionally racist”.  Rafiq had pointed out, however, that key witnesses had not been called in the investigation.  By 28th October, the club was saying no disciplinary action was being taken.

But on 4th November, the England and Wales Cricket Board (E.C.B.) announced that the club would not be able to host international matches. a source of status and pride in the past.  Subsequently Roger Hutton, chairman of the club, resigned.  With Mars sextile his North Node (acute karma), Jupiter opposite his natal Chiron, and Saturn closely opposite his natal Pluto, his position had become untenable.  Other Asian players this week corroborated Rafiq’s historic claims.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club

The club was formed on 8th January 1863.  At the time Azeem was officially declared a victim of racism, Pluto was on the natal Venus of its chart and square its Jupiter, with Saturn squaring its Pluto, bringing up serious issues.  At the time they were suspended from hosting international matches, Pluto was very close to the exact transit of the natal Venus.

England and Wales Cricket Board

The England and Wales Cricket Board was formed on 1st January 1997.  At the time that Azeem’s official victimhood was declared, Chiron was square the Mercury in its chart (a wound they had failed to heal), and Pluto was on the Jupiter of the chart (searching questions about power).  Although the furore surrounded the Yorkshire club specifically, other clubs around the country have also been implicated.

Antisemitism

This week a further bombshell emerged, and that was Rafiq’s antisemitic comments on social media when he was 19.  He apologized, and expressed that he was “ashamed of this exchange and have now deleted it so as not to cause further offence.  I was 19 at the time and I hope and believe I am a different person today.  I am incredibly angry at myself and I apologise to the Jewish community and everyone who is rightly offended by this.”

The president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews commented “His apology certainly seems heartfelt and we have no reason to believe he is not completely sincere.”

Some have viewed this development as a get out clause for the racism which Rafiq experienced and is trying to stamp out.  But two wrongs don’t make a right! Marina Hyde in the Guardian yesterday referred to the psychology of those bullied, in saying “There are a whole range of reactions to being punched down on, and one of them is to find people to punch down on yourself.”  She went on to observe that “When I first began sitting in sports press boxes, I was fairly blown away by the attitudes I personally encountered.”

I would say that any whistleblower, in any institution, particularly if they are the first whistleblower of their kind, has to be incredibly brave, and racism in cricket or anywhere else needs to be tackled.  Rafiq was not able to speak out back in his career heyday, but now, with the “Me Too” and other such movements, the time has come.

The Quiet Office

You may notice that there is a new heading “Book” on this website, marking a new page devoted to my novel “The Quiet Office”.  The book now has four five star reviews on Amazon, which is lovely, and I have received my first set of royalties. On that page you will find a promotional video, which was created by a friend – Wendy Fry, author of “Write from Your Heart”.  Profound thanks go to her and my web designer.  Click on the image, and hopefully you’ll enjoy the video, which is all singing (if not dancing) as it has a musical accompaniment. If you are looking for an unusual gift, I would recommend the book as a stocking filler for Christmas, and if you watch the video, you may find a reason to buy!

Aspects

Today is a steady day for making real progress, as it began with a sextile between Mercury and Pluto.  This can produce profound thought and communication,  honouring the gravity of a situation if necessary, and enabling meaningful debate to occur.  If you have something important lined up, you may be successful in getting your point across.

Tomorrow (Monday 22nd) the Sun enters Sagittarius.  This event ushers in the general festive pre-Christmas season of Sagittarius. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, at least in the preparation and anticipation of Christmas.  We hope fervently that it won’t be cancelled this year, in the way it was last year.  Christmas itself comes under the sobriety of Sun in Capricorn.  Your enthusiasm and preparations now can help create and inject warmth into the big day, in advance.  Sagittarius also represents philosophy, working out your ethics, values and how you feel about the meaning of life, and religion.  It’s nice to have settled your take on these, before settling down on the day, with loved ones.

Wednesday (24th) brings another ingress, and this time it is Mercury joining the Sun in Sagittarius.  Mentally, that brings more lightheartedness and expansion.  There’s just about time to hone your sense of humour, sarcasm-free, because Mercury is in Sagittarius until 13th December and Mercury is travelling fast this month, so those quick-fire wisecracks could bring a laugh a minute.  Mercury will be in the more sober sign of Capricorn at Christmas itself, so prepare the jokes for your home made crackers, and prepare your delivery in advance too to avoid them falling flat.

A minor aspect but with major players occurs on Saturday (27th) when Jupiter is semi-sextile Pluto.  There may be minor power struggles going on, more likely on a wider scale, such as internationally.   In your life, you may be re-arranging the furniture in some way.  This combination can be dramatic and powerful, but it can also bring triumph: when it occurred in September, Emma Raducanu won the U.S. Open tennis tournament.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – profound thought and communication
• Tomorrow – start of the jolly season
• Wednesday – optimistic mindset
• Saturday – power and maybe glory

F.W. de Klerk

F.W. de Klerk, President of South Africa between the years 1989 and 1994, died this week at the age of 85.  He was fated to play an extraordinary historic role in leading the country out of apartheid, together with his fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela.  It was a huge achievement, though his role was controversial, not without detractors on either side of the divide.

Birth Chart

With Sun in Pisces, and no planets in Air signs, de Klerk would have operated a great deal on instinct, although Capricorn was also prominent in his chart, conveying his pragmatism and his conservative politics. Six out of his ten planets were in Mutable signs, and he needed that flexibility, to pull off the historic U-turn for his country. He had a packed 3rd House of Communication, containing Venus/Mercury, Saturn/I.C. and the Sun: this marked him out as a Communicator, and he certainly was known for speechmaking and debate.  Reinforcing this skill was Mercury exactly sextile with his North Node (karmic mission).  He was a man of tremendous energy, with a powerhouse Mars in Aries square Pluto (which could be used destructively, arguably in actions and policies followed during the apartheid years), and a hugely enthusiastic Mars trine Jupiter.  Mars was sextile his natal North Node in Capricorn (Statesmanship and Politics) in his 1st House, helping him to fulfil his karmic mission.  Jupiter was conjunct his Ascendant by 5 degrees, from the 12th House, giving him great positivity and the ability to dream, hope and envision.  Neptune was exactly opposite Saturn in his chart, running across his MC/IC Axis – he was not able to please everyone, and it was an uncomfortable state of being, but in many ways necessary to the task that he had to balance them.  This combination provided a sense of spiritual responsibility. Uranus was also trine North Node in Capricorn, adding the necessity of effecting change to his karmic mission. But the Midheaven trine North Node gave him the ability to harmoniously combine the conventional career with the karmic mission.

Family Background

Looking at his life and his chart, he seems to have been born to fulfil his later role.  His father Jan de Klerk was a politician, who played an active role in the formation of apartheid.  F.W. de Klerk took up law as a career, then entered politics within the apartheid regime of the National Party. His elder brother Willem, meanwhile, was more progressive in his views.  There is an interesting karmic astrological slant to the family story, in that when F.W. reached the age of 12 and his father was actively involved in politics, his progressed Sun reached a sextile with his natal Chiron (the wounded healer, that which we seek to heal and go on to help others with).  Thus was the wound highlighted in his chart.  The relationship between his chart and his father’s shows the seeds of how he may go on later to reverse his father’s policies: they had opposed Marses, and squared Jupiters.  But even more crucially, their Nodal Axes were squared. There is a case for seeing that the overall plan for the family was to be involved in the making and reversing of apartheid.  His father Jan’s North Node (karma) was at 10 degs Libra, trine F.W.’s Chiron.  In 1948, around the time apartheid was instituted, F.W.’s Progressed Sun was opposite his father’s North Node, on his father’s South Node of past life karma.  So he later helped dismantle an injustice which his father helped implement!  F.W.’s Mars in Aries was exactly conjunct, and therefore in perfect alignment with, the Mars in South Africa’s own chart.

Nobel Peace Prize

F.W. de Klerk did participate in years of apartheid politics.  As education minister he upheld segregation in schools.  His ability as a peacemaker (South Node in Libra, past-life pattern) showed then in his constant efforts at unity within the party.  From 1984 P.W. Botha was President of South Africa, then in January 1989 he had a mild stroke and continued for a while.  On 2 February 1989, F.W. de Klerk took over as party leader.  The heavier planets weighed in at the time:  transiting Saturn was conjunct his natal North Node in Capricorn in 1st House, taking up political responsibilities; Uranus was trine his natal Uranus – A new path; Pluto trined his natal Saturn – again, added serious responsibilities; and Pluto sextile his natal Midheaven in Virgo in 9th House – suggesting what was to be the moral imperative of his future career development.  He came under increasing pressure to help release anti-apartheid activist and freedom fighter Nelson Mandela from prison, including from Margaret Thatcher.  He became President on 20th September 1989, with Jupiter transiting his natal South Node (reaping a karmic reward). Looking back in his memoir “Long Walk to Freedom”, Nelson Mandela said that at this point:

“To us, Mr de Klerk was a cipher. When he became head of the national party, he seemed to be the quintessential party man, nothing more and nothing less. Nothing in his past seemed to hint at a spirit of reform. As education minister, he had attempted to keep black students out of white universities. But as soon as he took over the national party, I began to follow him closely. I read all of his speeches, listened to what he said and began to see that he represented a genuine departure from his predecessor. He was not an ideologue but a pragmatist, a man who saw change as necessary and inevitable.”

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was also sceptical:

“I don’t think we’ve got to even begin to pretend that there is any reason for thinking that we are entering a new phase. It’s just musical chairs”.

But F.W. showed, starting with a policy of allowing anti-apartheid marches to take place, that he could earn their trust.

On 2nd February 1990, he made a historic speech to Parliament:

“History has placed a tremendous responsibility on the shoulders of this country’s leadership, namely the responsibility of moving our country away from the current course of conflict and confrontation… The hope of millions of South Africans is fixed on us. The future of southern Africa depends on us. We dare not waver or fail.”

Transiting Jupiter was trine his natal Venus exact to the day, promoting his personal charisma.  Saturn was squaring his natal Mars, symbolic of his going against the grain of his past.  The A.N.C. (African National Congress, the party which Nelson Mandela belonged to) would be legalized, among other reforms.  This paved the way for Mandela’s release, which took place on 11th February.  Mandela had a Jupiter Return at the time (Freedom!), and in their synastry, F.W. de Klerk’s Jupiter was conjunct Mandela’s Ascendant: literally, he was the man who would free him!  How pre-destined does that sound?  In their synastry, F.W.’s Pluto was also conjunct Mandela’s Sun, showing that he would have a profound impact on his life.

The two together began to dismantle apartheid, and on 30th April 1993 de Klerk apologized for the effects of apartheid.  It was a balancing act which didn’t go far enough for some, but went too far for others.  The Nodal Axis was square to his Saturn-Neptune opposition and I.C./M.C axis., showing that it was a karmic requirement.  In addition, Pluto was trine his natal Pluto, which astrologically showed it to be a powerful act of self-empowerment for his Soul.

At the end of that year, their joint work earned them a Nobel Peace Prize for ending apartheid in South Africa.  Mandela’s transits were more remarkable than his collaborator’s: Jupiter was trine his natal Pluto and sextile his Midheaven, signs of great recognition.

In 1994, Nelson Mandela took over as democratically elected President, an election which included suffrage for the black population, and de Klerk became Deputy President.

Death

F.W. de Klerk was married twice, and had three children from his first marriage.

He became ill in March 2021, diagnosed with mesothelioma, and he died on 11th November.

Jupiter was sextile his natal Jupiter in the 12th House, a transit often seen when the elderly pass, as a release.  Pluto was also opposite his natal Pluto in Cancer in the 7th House, again often seen when an elderly person completes their life cycle.

Karma shows up strongly as a positive force in his life, with two sextiles and two trines to his North Node.  He certainly achieved something remarkable for his country.

Aspects

We have a square between Venus and Chiron tomorrow (Monday 15th), which is sensitive for healing and relationship.  If there is an emotional crisis, then healing could be near at hand.  Equally, natural remedies may be readily found for minor physical ailments.  An aspect for care of the self and others.

Another square in the evening, Sun square Jupiter, presents us with another challenge.  This square can give rise to grandiose thoughts and gargantuan exploits, exaggerating everything it comes into contact with.  There is also a joyful, humorous side of Sun square Jupiter too though, so try some laughter-yoga, or looking at the positives of these interesting times.

 Tuesday (16th) is a more balanced day, with a sextile in the evening between the Sun and Pluto.  This could bring a profoundly satisfying note in some way. You may have to put in the inner work of soul searching to find the treasure, but the force is likely to be with you.  It is an aspect which may help to show us the direction we need to solve our collective problems, and understanding the meaning behind our dilemmas.  There is an air of quiet contemplation about it, too.

More caution is needed on Wednesday (17th) when Uranus opposes Mars, and tempers could flare.  This aspect can be disruptive, and incident-prone.  Try to minimize health and safety risks under this aspect, especially in connection with cars, dogs, machinery and electrical appliances.  You may find people extra excitable and calmness may be a valuable commodity. Brush up your meditational skills, and be a port in the storm.

Thursday (18th) brings an antidote, a soothing trine between Mercury and Neptune.  This aspect brings the possibility of mysteries being solved, e.g. around health conditions.  In personal applications, things may fall into place spiritually, and you may be ready to talk about a sensitive subject.  This trine brings mental inspiration, transcendent wisdom, higher harmony, spiritual journeys, and insight.  A small kindness can bring about significant mental healing.

The constructive theme continues early on Friday (19th) with Venus trine Uranus.  If you’re up early you may catch some good news. The aspect may set you up with insights for the following week, or bring encounters of the illuminating kind.  In the field of the Arts, it can bring originality and surprise, e.g. to a performance of music.  Ideas for assisting the problems in our society may also crop up, such as community based solutions. This aspect is also favourable for spontaneous exciting meetings.

This effect may be complicated soon after by the advent of the Full Moon and Eclipse at 27 degrees Taurus, close to the Pleiades.  Your emotions may be stirred and you may be motivated to try to resolve in an issue you care passionately about (Taurus and the Sun in opposite sign Scorpio are Fixed signs).  If you are of an artistic bent, you can plough this feeling into your creativity.  You may get a sense of how an issue will pan out over the next six months.

Finally, another square on Saturday (20th) between Mercury and Jupiter: You may have far to travel, or a lot to learn, and feel overstretched, but could enjoy the ride nevertheless.  It would however be a good day to be out in nature, taking a good stroll through the Autumn leaves, and picking up information.  The aspect occurs late in the day, but you may enjoy the effects during the day, or the following day.

Do check out my new interview, below, if you have the stamina…

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – healing and overstretching
• Tuesday – profound contemplation
• Wednesday – explosive
• Thursday – serene
• Friday – socially exciting; emotional high tide
• Saturday – mentally stretching

I have just been interviewed by Sarah Kirton of MysticMag, if you would like to know more about my work:

https://www.mysticmag.com/psychic-reading/lana-wooster-interview/

 

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 – Part 3

I am posting this blog early, as I have to be away on Sunday, so cannot take into account Saturday night’s performances, but there is still plenty to write about!  Here are the next four in this series, and there are only a couple of contestants left, so I will save them for a rainy blog day!

Rose Ayling-Ellis

I am starting with Rose because she scored four 10s last week, which is very early in the contest for such a score.  She is the first deaf contestant to take part in the show, and has amazed with her talent and ability to circumvent the problem of non-hearing in a contest which is very much about hearing.  She was previously known to us as the character Frankie from Eastenders, daughter of pub landlord Mick, a role which itself was groundbreaking.

Rose has Venus, Mercury, the North Node, the Sun, Jupiter and Pluto all in Scorpio!  If anyone can overcome impossible hurdles it’s a Scorpio.  She is very emotional (6 out of her 10 planets are in Water signs), instinctive (0 Air signs), and very strong willed (7 planets in the Fixed Signs).  She’s a female Warrior (Sun square Mars), immensely positive (Jupiter exactly conjunct her Sun), powerful (Jupiter conjunct Pluto) and has healing ability (Sun/Jupiter exactly sextile Chiron).  She has over the top energy allied with enthusiasm (Mars square Jupiter), and entrepreneurship (Jupiter sextile Uranus).  An extraordinary young woman with an extraordinary chart.

For her perfect 40 score last week, her transits included Jupiter opposite her Mars (high energy) and Neptune sextile her Neptune (spiritual poise), Pluto sextile her Sun/Jupiter (the force was with her) and Pluto trine her natal Chiron (a healing).

At the end of the contest, her transits will include Jupiter square her natal Pluto (a bid for supremacy), Saturn square her natal Mercury (there may be a small disappointment), Neptune still sextile her Neptune, and Pluto still sextile her natal Sun/Jupiter.  She seems headed for the final, but perhaps John Whaite will pip her to the post.

She is partnered with the wonderful Sicilian dancer Giovanni Pernice who has been with Strictly since 2015, and whose Pluto in Scorpio is conjunct Rose’s North Node (a karmic set up).  He is a Virgoan, a sign in harmony with Scorpio.  His Uranus is sextile with her Saturn (a good solid working relationship), but his Venus squares her Pluto and his Jupiter squares her Venus, so there is some grit between them.

For their outstanding performance last week, he had Uranus trine his Sun, and the North Node on his Mars, plus the North Node sextile his Jupiter (all very helpful).  At the end of the contest he will have Jupiter opposite his Venus, Mars trine his Jupiter, and Uranus trine his Neptune, a favourable line up, which could put them at the top.

John Whaite

John Whaite has a super-intelligent chart, with two exact conjunctions in the sign of Gemini – a very social Venus conjunction with Jupiter, and a mentally focussed Sun conjunct Mercury (he studied Law at Manchester University). He has suffered from depression, and has in his chart a close conjunction of Saturn and Neptune, a feature of his birth year (1989).  At the same time he has Saturn exactly sextile Pluto, a sign of strength, also a feature of his birth year.  He came to fame as the winner of the Great British Bake Off in 2012, and runs his own cookery school in Lancashire.

Though he declared himself “scared” at the outset, he has consistently scored highly in the contest from the very start, and seems headed straight for the final.  His partnership is the first gay male partnership in the competition, and has shown great ingenuity.  His transits this weekend include Mars sextile his Uranus (a vigorous and surprising performance), Mars trine his Chiron (athleticism) exact to the day, Uranus trine his Saturn (a combination of the old and the new), Uranus trine Neptune (mastery of complexity) and Uranus opposite Pluto (including some risk and change).  At the end of the contest Uranus will still be trine his Neptune, but the other transits will be waning.  I am not sure how that will translate for the final, because he has done so well so far, it is difficult to imagine him not being there.

He is partnered with Johannes Radebe, who was memorably partnered with Caroline Quentin last year.  Johannes has shown superb skill in his choreography.  In 2019 I wrote:

“He has 6 Fire planets, and was born close to a New Moon in Taurus.  His dance credentials include the Sun closely trine Neptune… He has Mercury trine Uranus, so could surprise us with ingenious choreography.  With Mars sextile Jupiter, he has energy combined with enthusiasm.”  One of the reasons their partnership works may be because Johannes has 6 Fire planets and John has none, so they complement each other.  This week Johannes has Saturn square his Sun, and Neptune square his Saturn, which may not be as sparkling as usual.  At the final, he has Pluto square his natal Mercury (mental challenge), and Neptune still square his Saturn.  The transits are not as favourable as I would expect for such a dynamic duo.  There may be something I am missing…

Tilly Ramsay

19 year old Tilly shares a Scorpio birthday with her father, the ferocious chef Gordon Ramsay.  She has followed him into the world of cookery, presenting her own show.  Their synastry shows up with Suns exactly conjunct, her Jupiter trine his Sun/Venus, and her Sun sextile his Mars (she can handle his temper).  Tilly’s mother Tana has the Moon in Scorpio, and Tilly herself has the Moon in performing Leo.  It is worthy of mention that she has a strong Writer Archetype, by virtue of Mercury-Venus trine the North Node and can communicate – she recently gave a good riposte to a detractor who called her “chubby”.  While the Mercury component of the conjunction inclines her to teaching, the Venus component marks her out for a career in the food industry, but also gives her musicality.  Not only is she taking part in the Strictly competition, but at the same time, quite remarkably, she has started her first term at University.

This weekend, Tilly’s transits include a Solar and Mercury Return (she will be feeling right at home!), and Saturn on her Mars (very disciplined, maybe overly so).  At the end of the contest, she will have Chiron sextile her natal Mars, which doesn’t sound like much, but it could bring out some astonishing qualities.

She is partnered by newbie professional Ukrainian Nikita Kuzmin, who doesn’t look much older than her!  So I am looking at his chart for the first time.  He has an unaspected Sun in Capricorn, which may mean he is a free spirit.  His Moon is in musical Libra, and he has a dynamic conjunction of Mars, Venus and Uranus in Aquarius.  He has Chiron in Scorpio, and his chart works well with Tilly’s: his Sun is sextile her Mercury (good communication), and his Jupiter is conjunct her Uranus (a winning combination); their Saturns are sextile (good for focus and balance in partnership), and his Saturn is trine her Pluto – it’s a partnership of Strength.  I could go on…

His transits this weekend are Venus on his Sun, bringing out the beauty of his dance, Mars square his Mars (perhaps some fire), and Saturn on his Uranus (he may be feeling some restraint).  At the end of the contest, Mars will be sextile his Venus/Mars conjunction in Aquarius (that could be exquisite).  This pair may currently be performing in the middle of the leaderboard, but their transits look very promising for the rest of the tournament.

Tom Fletcher

Tom Fletcher belongs to the boy band McFly, and is married to the popular vlogger Giovanna Fletcher, who won I’m a Celebrity in the castle last year.  He is another contestant who has been gracing the middle of the scoreboard throughout.  Tom has the Sun in Cancer, having been born on 17th July 1985, a few days after Live Aid.  Giovanna was born earlier in the same year.  He has a very emotional chart, with half his planets in Water signs.  He was born close to a New Moon in Cancer, so has the ability to start afresh easily.  His Sun is exactly conjunct Mars in his chart, giving him the Warrior Archetype, and with a square to Pluto, there’s a lot of pent up energy.  He has an entrepreneurial exact sextile between Jupiter and Uranus also going for him.  Craig Revel Horwood has praised Tom’s “amazing rhythm”, a quality associated with Cancerians.

At this point in the contest Tom has Pluto opposite his natal Sun/Mars, which is challenging, and may have been instrumental in him taking a week out due to testing positive for covid.  He also has Neptune trine his Saturn (bringing a sensitive interpretation to a practical task).  At the end of the contest, Pluto will be starting to move away from the opposition, which will mean less pressure.  But there are no additional helpful transits, so he may not last much longer in the contest, despite his obvious talent – there is so much talent out there!

His chart has a great affinity with dance partner Amy Dowden: they are both born close to a New Moon, hers being in Leo.  Whereas he has Sun opposite Pluto, she has Sun exactly square Pluto, a difficulty which may be linked with her Crohn’s disease, which is serious but she manages it successfully in tandem with her professional career.  She has great ingenuity, with Uranus trine her Mercury, Venus and Mars.  Like Tom, she has an energetic link between her Mars and Pluto, in this case a sextile.  In their synastry her Neptune trines his North Node, which makes for harmony in dance.

This weekend she has Jupiter opposite her Jupiter (she’ll be dancing with gusto and enthusiasm), and the North Node will be trine her natal Saturn (her professionalism will be exemplary, e.g. her choreography and sense of discipline).  At the end of the contest, Uranus will be trine her Uranus so she will have the power of surprise – this may not be connected with her partnership with Tom, so there may be a surprise announcement about her private life, in a good way.  I don’t see Tom and Amy going all the way, though they are a lovely couple.

Of these four couples, my head says John and Johannes are the strongest, my heart says Rose could well inspire in the final, and the astrology says Tilly will do better than expected! 

Aspects

The aspects for this week begin on Wednesday (10th), which as described last week for the Climate Conference is a big day astrologically.  The times are for the U.K.

12.56 Hrs: The first aspect is Mercury conjunct Mars at 7 degrees Scorpio.  You may feel highly energized, and could get through some early afternoon tasks efficiently.  You or those around you may be slightly irritable, however, and if so – you know why!  There may be a loosened tongue, sharp words, or a war of words.  On the more high functioning end of this conjunction, you could write or say something witty, such as a critical review.

17.04 Hrs:  Mercury squares Saturn, with the latter at 7 degrees Aquarius.  Please note that if you have a 7 degree planet in  your chart, it may trigger something for you that day.  You will need a great deal of patience.  You may also need a new strand to your philosophy of life, incorporating the quality of resilience.  “What is being required here?” is a useful question. More haste less speed may also be a useful mantra to follow. Travel and communications could be slow, and mirror this process.

23.14 Hrs: Now it is the turn of Mars to square Saturn, which can bring awkwardness in the late evening, with Saturn squaring Mars.  Physically you may want to push an issue, but that approach may not work.  Think before you act, to avoid clumsiness.  It may be difficult to obtain co-operation (e.g. on worldwide climate agreements).  You may experience fatigue, including compassion fatigue, discouragement, and a feeling of not having accomplished all you set out to do in the day.  But, tomorrow is another day…

On Friday (12th), people may have more to give. The Sun trines Neptune, which will be an ideal day for the contestants on Strictly to practise their dancing!  It’s a graceful day:   expand your consciousness, and allow your imagination to embellish your work, or project in hand.  If you experience meditative bliss (which is possible that day), try and carry some over to Saturday.

Saturday (13th) may contain more tension, by virtue of Mercury opposite Uranus.  This could be tricky for communications, such as I.T.  Social media could be a bit fraught!  A spanner could enter into the works.  But if you are tuned into a higher mental wavelength, e.g. that of telepathy, you can achieve progress and flow.

The week in bullet points:

• Wednesday – difficult (consult time-table)
• Friday – sublime
• Saturday – the spanner in the works

COP 26

The 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference in Glasgow starts today, and lasts twelve days.  It is the last chance for the world’s nations (around 125 are involved) to commit to keeping warming from carbon emissions below 1.5 degrees C.  There is not a nation that won’t be affected by increased global warming, some are more responsible than others, some care more than others, and some are more vulnerable than others.

Astrologically, the next twelve days carry the challenge of a T-square between the Sun and Mars in Scorpio, Uranus in Taurus, and Saturn in Aquarius.  You would not expect anything less for such a complex and demanding international scenario.  Perhaps in your own life or work you are negotiating a long, difficult and complex task, such as a house move.  It is a huge balancing act, and requires commitment.  Additionally, Mars has just entered Scorpio which makes each party fight for its corner and be less inclined to compromise.  But the good of the whole has to be predominant.

In this blog I will attempt to chart the progress of the Conference through the main astrological aspects which occur in this period, and how they impinge on the charts of some of the participants, the countries, and eco-warriors.  So follow my unique guide to the next twelve days!

The Grand Opening

Well, Happy Halloween!  Let us hope that in today’s Grand Opening all the good ancestors of the world nations are lending a hand to the proceedings!  Today is the procedural opening of negotiations.

Mars will be on Boris Johnson’s Moon in Scorpio in his 1st House.  He has centre stage, and will be passionate and ebullient.  As a historian, he has said that if we fail, then it would be akin to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.  That may be an understatement…

U.K. chart has transiting Chiron sextile the U.K. Asc on the 11th House cusp of Friendship, and is also in the middle of its Chiron Return – an attempt at healing.

Joe Biden has a lot of important transits at this time, and indeed he has a lot going on domestically as well as globally.  With Mars opposite his Moon at this time, and Uranus opposite his Mars, he feels under fire.  Chiron is exactly sextile his Saturn today and the North Node is exactly on his Uranus, so it is an important day in his life in terms of enacting his ideals.  In addition, the South Node (karma) is on his Ascendant in global Sagittarius, emphasizing his role.

Monday 1st November

Mercury trine Jupiter

Boris Johnson is tasked with giving an opening speech.  Mercury trine Jupiter is favourable for international initiatives, and for expansive speeches.  I think Boris should avoid talk about Kermit this time, though, given the extreme gravitas of the situation.  Starting out with high hopes, this will be one of the better days of the summit.

Jupiter will be at 22 degrees Aquarius, and will directly affect the following charts:

Vladimir Putin has Pluto at 22 degrees Leo in his 11th House of Friendship, and though he will not personally be attending, the transit indicate the importance of the summit in his life.  Jupiter will be opposite his Pluto, so he will be exerting his influence from a distance!  Jupiter will also trine his natal Mercury which is at 22 degrees Libra in his 1st House – more power to his elbow.

David Attenborough will be attending, and Jupiter will be trine his natal Mercury, fulfilling his efforts in communication.  There is also great poignancy for him, as Jupiter opposes his natal Neptune at 22 degrees Leo in his 6th House of Environment, his great sensitivity.

Emmanuel Macron has Mars sextile his natal Mercury in his 12th House, so may make a memorable barb.  At the same time (!), with Jupiter sextile his natal Venus in his 11th House of Friendship, he could launch a charm offensive.  Mars is trine his natal Jupiter in his 6th House, enthusiasm added to his energy, and his Napoleonic side may emerge.  But with Mars sextile his natal Saturn in Virgo in his 9th House, at the same time he will be capable of being measured.  There may be some contradictory behaviour!

Tuesday 2nd November

Mercury square Pluto

Tuesday has been allocated to the handing over by the  leaders to the  environment ministers of the various countries and other politicians and diplomats.  Astrologically, this is the first major challenge, as Mercury square Pluto is very demanding mentally and in communications.

Pluto is at 24 degrees Capricorn, and will directly affect the following charts:

Angela Merkel will be making her final appearance internationally as the outgoing Chancellor of Germany.  Looking at her overall transits, this Conference is tremendously important to her.  Pluto will be opposite her natal Sun at 24 degrees Cancer, symbolic of a swan song.

Australia’s chart is significantly affected, with its Midheaven (role in the world) transited by Pluto.  Its position has been controversial of late, pulling out of an agreement with France and allying itself with the U.K. and the U.S.

Wednesday 3rd November

Wednesday is allocated to finance.  There are no major aspects.

Thursday 4th November

New Moon in Scorpio

The New Moon indicates a New Beginning, especially if the intent of all parties is focussed on the same goal.  A cautionary note, though.  Not all New Moons prove successful: Alec Baldwin (subject of last week’s blog) launched his film making for “Rust” on the last New Moon, which was in Libra.  The theme at the Conference will be accelerating clean Energy.

Sun Opposite Uranus

Uranus opposing the Sun makes the New Moon initiatives more unpredictable and subject to sudden changes, maybe the switching of sides.  The Moon, the Sun, and Uranus will all be lined up at 12 degrees, and will particularly affect the following charts:

Boris Johnson with his Midheaven at 12 degs Cancer in his 10th House will be a special focus, and the aspects as far as they can may benefit him with this placing.

Vladimir Putin has his Part of Fortune 12 Taurus in his 8th House, so may spring a surprise from afar!

Scott Morrison of Australia has Venus at 12 degrees Taurus.  He too may make a surprise move or announcement, with Uranus on his Venus.

China’s chart has its Jupiter at 12 degrees Capricorn in its 7th House.  President Xi Jinping will not be attending, despite China being a key player for the issue of global warming.  Uranus will be trine the China Jupiter, so this is a chance for a helpful pledge.

Angela Merkel has her natal Jupiter 12 degs Cancer in 7th House, which will be in favourable aspect to the New Moon and Uranus.  She may feel empowered to make a significant contribution at that time.

Friday 5th November

The spotlight will be on Greta Thunberg on Friday, and she will be holding a school strike, as has become normal for that day of the week.  The day is billed for a focus on Youth and Public Empowerment and Education.  She was interviewed at length by Andrew Marr this morning, and answered lucidly on all angles of the subject of climate change.

Her Sun/Chiron is at 12 degrees Capricorn, so the New Moon is in a sympathetic sextile to her Sun, and Uranus is trine with her Sun.  This portrays the summit as a good vehicle for her life’s work.  Other beneficial transits at the start of the Conference are Neptune trine her natal Mars, and Chiron sextile her natal Neptune.

Another climate activist, Caroline Lucas, has low key transits for this Conference, and I believe will not be attending in person, though she has done much to put climate change at the forefront of our minds and hearts.  But the South Node (karma) is transiting her natal Mercury in Sagittarius, so she will be very much exercised mentally, and have much to say.

Saturday 6th November

Mercury sextile Venus

Nature and sustainable land use are the foci for Saturday.  The aspect for the day is not one of high impact, but does foster diplomacy and negotiation.  So this may be a fairly peaceful part of the Conference.

Sunday 7th November

This will be a rest day, prior to the second week of the Conference.  Jupiter moves to 23 degrees Aquarius on that day, and may bring different emphases and different delegates to the fore.

The following charts will be affected by this move:

Vladimir Putin has his Midheaven at 23 degrees Gemini in his 9th House of Foreign Relations, and Jupiter will give a boost to his standing.

Angela Merkel has three planets at 23 degrees, but at awkward angles to transiting Jupiter.  She may feel she has to speak out about difficult subjects, such as protecting more vulnerable nations.

David Attenborough has Saturn at 23 degrees Scorpio in his 9th House, and Jupiter squaring that planet may present difficulties for him.

Nicola Sturgeon has her Midheaven at 23 degrees Leo in the 10th House, so Jupiter will be on her I.C.  The world has literally come to her doorstep, with all the challenges that brings!

Monday 8th November

The focus on that day is on the practical solutions needed to adapt to climate change.  There are no major aspects.

Tuesday 9th November

The focus on that day is gender equality, science and innovation.  There are no major aspects.

Wednesday 10th November

Mercury conjunct Mars

Mercury square Saturn

Mars square Saturn

This is the most challenging day for the Conference astrologically.  The focus will be on transport with the emphasis on cutting carbon from cars. Certainly the transport infrastructure of Glasgow will be under strain!  The conjunction and squares take place at 7 degrees, and the charts especially involved will be:

U.S.A. chart has North Node at 7 degrees Leo, so Saturn will be at the South Node, which may include the principle of repaying karmic debts.

Nicola Sturgeon, although not directly involved in negotiations, has her natal Moon at 7 degrees Aquarius in the 3rd House cusping her 4th House, depicting again the responsibility of having the world arrive on her doorstep.  Her Ascendant is at 7 degrees Scorpio, at the site of the Mercury/Mars conjunction, so it will be a heavy day for her.

Thursday 11 November

The focus on that day is cities, communities and regions.  There are no major aspects.

Friday 12 November

Sun trine Neptune

This is the last day of the Conference, and the Sun trine Neptune offers the possibility of the nations coming together on a higher level, in spiritual unity, even after the ruptures of Wednesday’s challenging aspects.  Let us hope they are listening to the Universe, or at least Gaia.  The crucial requirement of the close of play is the number of countries who pledge to reach net zero by 2050, which seems a long way off.

Neptune will be at 20 degrees Pisces, and charts especially affected by this aspect are:

Xi Jinping has Mercury at 20 degrees Gemini, which is squared by Neptune.  He may feel torn and confused.  The results of this Conference are very significant for Xi Jinping, despite his absence.  His Chiron at 20 degrees Capricorn will receive a sextile from Neptune, tugging at his sensitivities.

France’s chart has Mercury at 20 degrees Virgo.  France is in contention with the U.K. over fishing rights and with Australia over a broken contract at the moment.  Neptune opposing its Mercury is also very torn and confused.

Italy’s chart has the North Node at 20 degrees Gemini, so the Nodal Axis is being squared by Neptune, indicating a sacrificial role.  Italy may feel obliged to pledge more than it can afford, accepting a karmic duty.

Australia’s Moon is at 20 degrees Taurus, receiving a sextile from Neptune.  They may feel at peace with their contribution.  Prime Minister Scott Morrison has Pluto at 20 degrees Virgo, being opposed by Neptune, a sign of a need for deep surrender to the situation and its requirements.

Nicola Sturgeon has Saturn at 20 degrees Taurus in her 7th House, and Neptune will be sextile to Saturn, so she will feel that her sense of honour has been fulfilled in this task.  The chart for the city of Glasgow itself has the North Node (karma) at 20 degrees Capricorn, which Neptune will sextile.  Again, a service fulfilled.

Saturday 13 November

Mercury opposite Uranus

The day after…This is a divisive aspect, and having repaired to their own nations, cracks may start to show again (and this is only to be expected), but hopefully the spirit of the enterprise will still remain. Greta would like a little less conversation and a little more action.  And so say all of us.

Aspects

Our aspects begin with a trine between Mercury and Jupiter tomorrow, Monday 1st November.  This could bring productivity, and good conversation.  .  Mercury trine Jupiter expands our minds and philosophies.  This is an upbeat vibe mentally, and one which could just make the start of your week one to remember.

Tuesday (2nd) is a bit more of a tricky proposition, with a square between Mercury and Pluto.  You may encounter awkward communications or travel.  You may need extra ‘me time’ in order to separate yourself from worried pronouncements about the state of the world.  If you do engage in chatter, choose a worthwhile subject.  People have been reporting trouble with locks recently under this square, so I just thought I would put that out there…

We have a New Moon at 12 degrees Scorpio, and a new beginning, on Thursday (4th).  This can be a sign of Regeneration, but with Uranus opposing the conjunction of the Sun and Moon, the change may be uncomfortable or sudden.  There may be a certain amount of letting go required, before the fresh start can be established.

Just before midnight the same day, Uranus opposes the Sun.  This will require new insight, resolve and conviction.  You have to get with the programme, or be left behind.  Maybe you are challenged by an upgrade on your phone, and can’t use it until you sort it out!

Venus enters Capricorn on Friday (5th) and people will be more serious, and measured in their interactions.  Their expectations of others will be more realistic.Venus now needs to bring her skill in human relations into the workplace, into administration and public institutions, and into politics.  So if you have started to set up some entertainment for the Christmas period, think further ahead to what might be needed for your relationships to move forward in 2022, and begin working towards that.  The upside of Venus in Capricorn is more commitment and loyalty.

Another ingress takes place late in the evening, that of Mercury into Scorpio, bringing greater intensity, depth and rigour to our mental functioning and purpose.  The mental outlook is more forensic in nature, and looks deeper than the surface, than was characterized under Mercury in Libra.  You may have more courage to look at what really matters, and to worry less about how things appear to others.

The last aspect to entertain us this week is on Saturday (6th), a combination that aims to please, and it is Mercury sextile Venus.  This favours socializing and conversing, and creative forms which combine art and writing.  There is potential for negotiation in diplomatic efforts, and harmony and agreement between kindred spirits.  A lovely note to end on for this week.

Unusually, if you want a peek at next week’s aspects, there are clues in the main blog!  Have a good week.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – productivity and good conversation
• Tuesday – difficult communications
• Thursday – new beginning, twists and turns
• Friday – changes of tone
• Saturday – congeniality

Alec Baldwin

The actor Alec Baldwin found himself at the centre of a gun-related tragedy this week, at the time of the Mars-Pluto square.  The cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the film Rust died, and the co-director Joel Souza was injured. This haunting event has been described as “unfathomable” – it was an accident, but highlights many issues.  Astrologically, three planets have volatile or combustible qualities: Mars, Uranus and Pluto. All of them are involved in the story.

Birth Chart

Alex Baldwin is no stranger to drama and crisis in his life, but this is a tragedy he will struggle to come to terms with, even for a man of his resilience. He has the Sun in Aries exactly sextile Mars (the Warrior Archetype).  In addition, Mars opposes Uranus in his chart (the Activist Archetype, e.g. for animal rights).  Mercury squares Uranus in his chart, bringing controversies, such as the occasional outburst and verbal gaffe he has made.  It is easy to see why he has had such an eventful life.  More gently, he has Mercury sextile Venus, (the Writer Archetype).

He has three younger brothers, all actors, and has had a distinguished acting career, known for roles in Mission Impossible series of films among others.  He first married the actress Kim Basinger, with whom he had a daughter named Ireland, but the divorce was messy and acrimonious.  The aftermath of the relationship took its toll over a number of years, and he later toured with a book on fatherhood and divorce, during the period of his Chiron Return.  His second marriage was to Hilaria Thomas, with whom he has a further six children. He turned vegan in 2011, the same year he met her. In recent years, he has been acclaimed for his uncanny impersonation of Donald Trump.

In the Observer this morning, Vanessa Thorpe analyses his approach to what she terms a turbulent life, commenting: “It is tempting to see Baldwin’s recent bold claims to be in control of his life as a bad case of baiting the fates.”

Co-Director and Co-Writer Joel Souza

Earlier this month, on 6th October, filming began on “Rust” which was co-written by Alec Baldwin and Joel Souza, inspired by a true story.  The story is about a grandfather outlaw (played by Baldwin) who goes on the run with his 13-year-old grandson  who is wanted for accidentally killing a local rancher  (chillingly, life imitating art again – see last week’s blog subject).

Joel has 0 Earth planets, and Mars square to an exact conjunction of his Sun with Saturn in his chart.  In addition, he has the Writer Archetype, like Alec (Mercury conjunct Venus) and the controversial Uranus-Mercury square which Alec also has. In addition, Joel has Mars opposite Pluto, a difficult, high-energy combination. Baldwin had been very keen to work with Souza, and their charts show they have much in common.  The synastry between Alec and Joel shows Joel’s Mars square to Alec’s Saturn (an abrasive combination), but Joel’s Jupiter conjunct Alec’s Mars (huge enthusiasm between them).

Accidental Shooting

Alec Baldwin’s transits for the accidental shooting included Uranus square his natal Mars (an explosive combination) and Saturn opposite his natal Uranus (often a transit for personal earthquakes).  Joel’s transits for his shoulder injury sustained in the incident included Chiron square his natal Venus (a personal wounding).

No one has at this time been charged in the ongoing enquiry, but other people are implicated.  Baldwin was handed the colt pistol by experienced assistant director Dave Halls who pronounced it “cold”, i.e. harmless, which he believed it to be.  The guns were prepared by the armourer, a fairly inexperienced young 24-year old called Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, whose father Thell Reed is a veteran actor in the western genre.  We do not have birth dates for Dave Hall or the armourer, though we do have one for Thell Reed (that would be a step too far removed from this investigation!).

The gun apparently had been used for shooting practice with real bullets.  Some film crew members had protested about poor health and safety measures on the film.  Was there a cavalier attitude to guns?  We are more cautious about guns here in the U.K., but could this incident lead to more anti-gun lobbying in the U.S.?  Could it be a more effective deterrent than all the school shootings have been in turning the tide of Republican support for the use of guns?  Will it result in fewer “westerns”?  And fewer children playing with toy guns (certainly in the U.K. that has lessened over the years).

As an example of the ferocity of a Mars-Pluto square, it is a supremely shocking event.  In the U.K. this week we had the revelation that young girls were being injected with drugs in nightclubs – a new horrific crime, and certainly Mars-Pluto in nature.

Halyna Hutchins

And what of the victim of the fatal shooting, which has left Alec Baldwin “heartbroken”?  She was only 42, and a rising star of the cinematography world, from Ukraine.  She was married, with a nine year old son.  We do not have a birth date for her, but if one presents itself, I will add a footnote under comments.  By all accounts she was a vibrant soul.

“I am gutted by the loss of my friend and colleague, Halyna. She was kind, vibrant, incredibly talented, fought for every inch and always pushed me to be better.”

~ Joel Souza

Aspects

Apologies for the lateness of  the blog today.  This was due to indecision on my part about the subject.  As it happens, no harm done, for the first aspect of the week does not occur until Wednesday!

Wednesday’s (27th) aspect, Neptune squaring Venus, is not a straightforward one however, so it would bear some preparation over the next few days and clearance of illusions, especially in relation to personal relationships, money and the Arts.  Sift out any paranoia, iron out artistic flaws, and financial insecurities. That may assist a smooth passage on Wednesday…and tread softly on the day,  lest you tread on your own dreams, or anyone else’s.

Happier times await on Thursday (28th), with Venus sextile Jupiter, one of the high spots of the year aspectwise.  The day could bring hope and happiness, socially or romantically.  Engagements, celebrations and parties (virtual or otherwise) could be on the agenda.  This sextile combines luck and love.  Enjoy!

Sadly, more caution is due on Saturday (30th) morning with a square from Saturn to the Sun, so you may be excused for feeling a little flat that day.  Perhaps you are still nursing a hangover from all the revelry of Thursday… This square can produce delay and frustration.  The Sun-Saturn square is an opportunity to think through what you are doing, and your strategies.  If you are making economies, are they the right ones, based on your optimum values?  There may be something you need to let go of.

A change of pace may help in the early afternoon, or take your mind off current preoccupations.  For Mars enters Scorpio and that is a brisker energy, though it puts some people automatically into battle mode.  If you are a pacifist, just observe.  If you are a warrior, your power may be heightened.  If you are a diplomat, be ready.  Mars will be in the battle zone until 13th December, so take your position, and may everyone do their best in the effort to express the best of this dynamism.

The week in bullet points:

• Wednesday – illusion in relationships
• Thursday – a high point
• Saturday – a slump, and some rallying!

 

William Shatner

“I’ve heard about space for a long time now. I’m taking the opportunity to see it for myself. What a miracle,”

~ William Shatner

At 90 years of age, William Shatner, aka Captain James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise, travelled to the edge of space on Wednesday this week, in an example of life imitating art.  In the second voyage of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin sub-orbital capsule, he became the oldest person to make the voyage (Wally Funk, who travelled on the first flight, was 82).

Birth Chart

He has an unusual tally of 7 (out of 10) planets in Cardinal signs, indicating a leader, not a follower.  He has a very Martian chart, starting with the Sun in Aries, and that too indicates leadership and individuality.  The Mars theme continues, with the Sun trine Mars.  The Sun closely trine his Midheaven suggests a career in acting.  The Moon square Mars, makes for impulsive and self-centred emotions. Mercury square Jupiter denotes far flung travels  With Mercury loosely conjunct Uranus, he is not afraid to be controversial.  Then there is his Mars trine Midheaven, emphasis on his role at the helm of the Starship Enterprise, yet more Mars.  He also has Jupiter square Uranus (a Chancer, taking a risk at 90!).  And power, with Jupiter loosely conjunct Pluto in Cancer in 6th House.  He has had his fair share of personal earthquakes  in his life, with a Cardinal T-square composed of Saturn opposite Pluto, squared by Uranus/North Node.  The North Node exactly conjunct Uranus (Ascendant ruler) in the 3rd House depicts an unusual karmic mission, and “boldly going”, in his on screen persona.

Life and Career 

Shatner was born in Montreal, Canada, to a family of Jewish immigrants from Austria-Hungry and the Russian Empire.  He gained a degree in Economics from McGill University, and worked initially as a business manager before training as a classical Shakespearean actor.  He always worked hard, and would accept whatever roles came his way.  He played Captain Kirk from 1966 to 1969 in the original series of Star Trek, a role which was very much his own.  He has been married four times.

Relationship with Leonard Nimoy

From 2015 blog:

“ William Shatner, his co-star on the Starship Enterprise, is quoted to have said: “I loved him like a brother”. My feeling is that they came from the same Soul group, and possibly had recent lives in other star systems, planning to portray space adventurers in this lifetime.  In two  amazing coincidences, they both came from Ukrainian Jewish descent (two letters away from Uranian descent!), and they were also born only 4 days apart in the same year (which makes them almost astrological time twins).  Though he has many similar planetary placements, William Shatner has a more indulgent chart, with Venus rising in Aquarius, and Moon in Taurus.  Apart from the astrological affinity of their planetary conjunctions, brotherhood is shown by William Shatner’s Mercury in Aries exactly sextile Leonard Nimoy’s Ascendant in Gemini.  William Shatner has the conjunction of Uranus and North Node, symbolizing star trekking, but unlike Leonard Nimoy the conjunction does not include his Mercury, so there is not the same emphasis on intellect.  They both contracted tinnitus of the ears (Aries-related) during an episode of Star Trek which involved an explosion (a Uranian phenomenon).  William Shatner’s persona (Midheaven) is in the flamboyant, fiery sign of Sagittarius.  Although Captain Kirk (Shatner’s character) was the leader on the starship, in truth they both have astrological top billing because they both have 7 out of their 10 planets in Cardinal signs.”

The Flight 

Shatner was quick to express the intensity of his experience to Jeff Bezos on landing, after experiencing the weightlessness in the spaceship and the view of Earth from space:

“Everybody in the world needs to do this.  It was unbelievable.  What you have given me is the most profound experience. I’m so filled with emotion about what just happened. I hope I never recover from this. I hope I can retain what I feel now. I don’t want to lose it.”

His transits for the voyage included Saturn transiting from his 1st House of Self sextile his natal Uranus in Aries in his 3rd House of Voyages conjunct his North Node of karmic mission.  The sextile from Saturn to his North Node/Uranus makes concrete his life long interest in space travel.  Another transit embodying “boldly going” is transiting Mars squaring his natal Nodal Axis, plus Mars sextile his natal Chiron is like an itch that has finally been scratched!

Naysayers

Not that his sublime experience did not have its detractors.  Firstly, Prince William, who is involved in the Earthshot prize to be awarded this week.  His view was succinctly made in his comment that entrepreneurs: “should be “trying to repair this planet, not trying to find the next place to go and live”.

John Crace, writing in the Guardian yesterday commented: “I can’t help feeling there’s something rather pointless, not to mention self-indulgent, about the ongoing billionaire space race between Bezos, Elon Musk and Richard Branson.”

Rebecca Nicolson in this morning’s Observer writes: “Bezos argues that building a road to space is crucial for the survival of humanity. Shatner reiterated this idea in his response to the prince, politely arguing that trips like his can show space travel is possible, meaning new solutions to the climate crisis might be found away from Earth. But all these “coulds” ​​and “mights” ​​ lack urgency, and the idea that the solution to climate change is to simply try again somewhere else is inherently bleak. It implies a feeling of resignation, as if Bezos knows there is no point in attempting to fix what we have here.”

 “You are as young as you feel. If 22 is your preferred age, you’re going to feel that way for the rest of your life, even when you’re doddering with a cane.”

~ William Shatner

Aspects

There are a couple of challenging aspect this week, but we started early today with a smooth flowing sextile between Mercury and Venus.  This favours socializing and conversing, and creative forms which combine art and writing.  There is potential for negotiation in diplomatic efforts, and harmony and agreement between kindred spirits.

The first challenge of this week comes this lunchtime, with a square to the Sun from Pluto.  This is a deep soul searching aspect.  There is no whitewashing or kicking the can down the road, as if you try to gloss over something you could meet it in another guise.  Divine the message which the Universe is trying to download to you, for your greater knowledge.

But. there are lights at the end of the tunnel this week, and the first is tomorrow morning (Monday 18th) when Jupiter is stationary prior to turning Direct.  That might bring a breath of fresh air to your day’s plans, peppering them with promise.  Something may lift you, and point the way to your next direction.  In the words of Alice Bailey (the seed thought for Sagittarius): “I see the goal.  I reach that goal and then I see another”.  You at least get to the stage of seeing the goal, or resuming an earlier goal.

Late afternoon, Mercury confirms Jupiter’s green light by also stationing prior to turning Direct.  Both planets concern travel, so there may be a turning point in your travel plans.  Hopefully, if you have projects waiting to happen of a literary or technical nature, this may also be a go-ahead for you.  If you have been holding back on communication, you may feel the push to move forward again with it.

More pushing forward is possible on Tuesday (19th) when Jupiter trines Mars, which boosts energy and combines it with enthusiasm.  It is a day for your favourite activities.  If you are self-employed, you could decide to take the day off and pursue your favourite  hobbies.  Any sports will be heightened by this trine, for instance.  The day could be the highlight of the week.

Some emotional tension building on Wednesday (21st), if you are susceptible to the Moon’s phases, with a Full Moon late lunchtime at 27 degrees Aries opposing the Sun in Libra.  This is about balancing your own needs and that of the other, and bringing the two into balance.

The intensity of the week increases with Mars square Pluto, the second challenge of the week, on Friday (22nd) in the early hours.  I consider it to be one of the most difficult aspects of the year.  It’s a volatile combination, which can give way to riots or situations which can get out of hand.  Prepare your stock of peaceful vibes beforehand so that you can send out a blast of soothing comfort wherever you go.  You may need all your conflict resolution skills.

With the Sun’s entry into Scorpio in the early hours of Saturday (23rd), there is no let up in intensity, though hopefully the destructive aspects of the previous day’s square will be waning.  Now we need to confront the deeper issues in life (such as how to actively go about achieving peace and balance in our society) and find more lasting solutions which treat the causes and not just the symptoms of a situation.  For this we need more insight, resolve and conviction, qualities of this sign.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – congeniality; drama
• Tomorrow – two green lights
• Tuesday – a third green light
• Wednesday – emotional high tide
• Friday – stay away from conflict
• Saturday – deeper considerations

 

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 – Part 2

I am posting this blog early, as I have to be away on Sunday, so cannot take into account Saturday night’s performances, but there is still plenty to write about!  The standard of overall dance is so high this year, that it seemed a travesty for anyone to leave last week…Here are the next four in this series.

Katie McGlynn

Katie found herself in the dance off last week, which is why I am writing about her first, in case she should leave this week.  Corrie fans will know her as Sinead, who left after a heart wrenching story line of a young mother dying of cancer.  She has now moved on to Hollyoaks.  In her birth chart, she has 0 Fire planets.  You might think that is a disadvantage in the Latin dances, but she performed and scored well in week 1 in the Tango.  She is a Cancerian, so should have a good sense of rhythm, but has a challenging T-square in her chart between Pluto, Chiron and Saturn. In addition, her Sun opposes an exact conjunction of Neptune and Uranus in Capricorn.  She is not afraid to be controversial, and can be a little absent-minded, with Mercury opposite the Uranus/Neptune conjunction.  But Mars trine the Uranus/Neptune conjunction helps her with movement and dance.  And Chiron in Leo means she can experience healing through performance.  She beat Nina Wadia in the dance off, with her energetic jive in a pink tulle skirt.  I was disappointed to see Nina go, having tipped her as having good transits – either Nina’s happiness is due to other factors in her life, or she hugely values her experience.  Katie’s current transits are: Saturn exactly trine her natal Jupiter to the day (she could be saved this weekend), Neptune trine her natal Mercury (inspired for dance), Neptune trine Pluto (deep internal changes).  At the end of the tournament, she has Saturn trine her Venus (steadiness), Saturn sextile her North Node (she can hold her head up), Neptune sextile her Uranus (incorporating complexity), Neptune sextile Neptune (at peace with herself).  So she will be happy she did Strictly, but is not likely to make the final.

She is paired with Gorka Marquez, of whom I have written “With the Sun exactly trine his Neptune, he is born to dance.  The Moon square Mars means he could be quick to temper.  But Mercury  exactly trine Saturn at the same time gives him good concentration – he could be a hard taskmaster.”  In their synastry, his Mercury trines her Neptune, which is helpful for him teaching her dance;  his Saturn is on her Neptune, which is uncomfortable for disciplining her dreamy side.  Not a remarkable rapport, yet in week 1 Shirley praised their chemistry. Currently, he has Chiron square his natal Neptune and Uranus opposite his Pluto, which are quite discordant.  At the final, he will have Uranus trine his Sun (some excitement, even if just in the group dance!), Mars trine his natal Jupiter (energy and enthusiasm), and Uranus trine his natal Neptune (incorporating complexity), which are very favourable.  My impression is that at the final he has moved on to something else.  So I don’t think this partnership will last too long.

Adam Peaty

Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty has the Sun in Capricorn, and half his planets (5) in Earth signs.  With 4 planets in Water, the water is still an element he is very comfortable in.  He has 0 Air planets, so relies heavily on instinct.  Where swimming is indicated is his Moon in Scorpio conjunct the North Node – this is clearly where is karmic mission as a top swimmer comes in!  He has Mars closely square Jupiter (over the top energy and enthusiasm) and really went for it in week 1!  Mars square Pluto gives him a powerhouse of energy which needs to be properly directed, which it obviously is through swimming, and Jupiter conjunct Pluto gives him Power (with a capital P)!  Apparently he is over 6 feet tall, with very large hands and feet, double-jointed knees and ankles, and an unusually strong cardiovascular system (that can’t be a disadvantage on the dance floor!)  His current transits are: Uranus trine his natal Mercury (new experiences), and Pluto on his natal Uranus (change and challenge), plus Neptune sextile his natal Neptune (in harmony with his soul).  At the final, his astrological picture will be: Neptune trine his natal Venus (he will be in love with dance), Mars on his Jupiter (all fired up), Pluto still on his Uranus, plus the South Node on his natal Pluto (psychologically life-changing).

He and his partner Katya Jones are both extremely competitive.  Taurean Katya is well known now for being exceptionally creative and innovative.  In their synastry, his Neptune is trine her natal Sun, so that is a direct line to a satisfying dance partnership, in enhanced creativity for her, and bringing out the dancer for him.  However, his Saturn squares her Mercury which could bring some mental or communication challenges for her.  His Saturn trines her Mars, so if she is not too much in her head, some of that blocking can be circumvented.  His North Node sextiles her Neptune, so this is a destined partnership for their mutual spiritual growth.  Her current transits are: Neptune sextile her Sun (sublime, and perfect for dance), Chiron sextile her natal Jupiter (enabling the healing component of her art), and Chiron squaring her natal Neptune (exquisite emotion, painful at times).  Her main transit at the end is Chiron square to her Mars (possibility of injury).  I think they will continue well into the process, but won’t be in the final.

Sara Davies

The judges considered entrepreneur Sara Davies to be comparatively lacklustre in the first week, but, my goodness, how that changed in the second week with her outstanding foxtrot, to the tune of “Dream a little dream of me”!  She of course joined the dragons in Dragons’ Den (which was announced on her Solar Return in 2019), by virtue of her successful crafting business. As a Taurean, she has the practical skills and artistry which give her that particular expertise.  With 6 planets in the Fixed signs, she is very strong willed.  She has grace and elegance, with her Sun/Mercury trine Neptune, and that also accounts for a comment judge Shirley made in week 1 that she has “a good ear for music”.  Her good business head is indicated by an exact sextile between Jupiter and Saturn (balanced judgement).  Her current transits are: Mars sextile her Mars (so she should be putting on an energetic show), Chiron square her Jupiter (it is a learning curve for her), Uranus opposite her Saturn (learning new ways and being out of her comfort zone) and Chiron trine her natal Uranus (also stretching herself in a good way).  Her main transit at the end of the process is Pluto sextile her Mars (improved fitness!), so she will feel the benefit physically.

She is partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec who is a veteran of Strictly, having danced with among others Alison Hammond, Daisy Lowe and Gemma Atkinson.  His synastry with Sara shows up his Sun sextile her Neptune (a good dance partnership), his Sun trine her Pluto (she will teach him too, on a deep level), and his Sun square her Chiron (more deep interaction).  His Jupiter sextiles her Mercury, which is excellent for communication; but his Jupiter also opposes her Neptune (so they may have differing views about life and religion).  But his Jupiter trine her Pluto, could produce real power in performance terms.  His Neptune on her Jupiter will deepen her sensitivity, and his Neptune sextile her Saturn will soften her on some level.  His transits at the moment are Uranus trine his Mars (surprise moves), Neptune sextile his Saturn (inspiration added to his discipline), and Uranus trine his Neptune (incorporating complexity).  At the end of the contest he has the Nodal Axis square his Sun (he may have a karmic decision to make), Neptune will still be sextile his Saturn, Saturn will be on his Mercury (he may be stressed), and Chiron will be square his Uranus (possibility of injury).  There again, I think this couple will be middle of the road, but not at the front in the final.

Greg Wise

Actor Greg Wise, married of course to Emma Thompson, is trying his hand this year on the dance floor.  He has 0 Air planets, and though he comes across as intellectual he operates on  quite a deal of instinct too.  His Sun in Taurus is conjunct Mars, so there may be something of a warrior about him.  But with Neptune opposite his Sun he likes to confuse, too.  He may like mysteries and riddles.  His Sun is conjunct the North Node in his chart, so he is commanding and this also indicates the Thespian path.  With Mercury trine Uranus, he likes the unusual, anything that tickles his brain cells.  His Mercury also trines Pluto, as he has the anarchic energy of Uranus exactly conjunct Pluto in Virgo (a feature of the year he was born, 1966), so there is also depth of thought, and sometimes too much mental activity.  He has Mars trine Uranus (electrical energy) and Mars opposite Neptune (also some confusing energy – he won’t always be confident on the dance floor).  Mars trines his Pluto, so he has a powerhouse of energy, too.  His Jupiter squares Saturn, so sometimes he is torn between two courses of action.  He also has the desire to heal, through the Sun/North Node exactly sextile Chiron.  This week he has Jupiter square his Sun (he will put everything he has got into performance), Pluto trine his Sun (he will infuse deep feeling into the performance), Chiron is on his Venus (feeling the pathos and poignancy of life, whether on or off the dance floor), Mars is opposite his Saturn (could be experiencing physical discomfort), and Uranus will be trine his Uranus (he has the power to surprise).  At the end of the contest he has Saturn square his Mercury (a little disappointment), Uranus on his Mercury (nervous strain), Saturn sextile his Venus (re-commitment to family life), Neptune sextile his Mars (increased sensitivity) and Neptune sextile his Neptune (attunement with his Soul).  He’ll be fine, but not likely to be on the dance floor at the final (except for the group reunion dance).

I wrote about his partner, Karen Hauer in 2015: “She has a dreamy Moon/Venus conjunction in Pisces, gliding with a trine to her North Node, so she will always do well in ballroom dancing!”  She seemed to go through a radical change when she separated from Kevin Clifton, and we have seen a more raunchy and raw side of her.  Their astrological relationship has  a great deal of opposition and squaring, so they may not be a good fit.  Where they may do well is in communication, because they have their Mercuries (intellects) conjunct in Taurus, and they are both Taurean Sunsigns, so there is that basic understanding.  Her current transits show Uranus sextile her natal Venus (she will be enjoying the new relationship and challenge), Mars square her natal Neptune (her sensitivities may be aggravated), Jupiter is trine her Pluto (she feels her power) but Pluto squares her Pluto (at the same time, she has difficulty expressing it, and may feel challenged).  Her final transits are  Saturn square her Mercury (disappointment), Mars sextile her Mars (fighting spirit) and Pluto still square her natal Pluto.  This couple may not go far in the competition.

Two of these couples may be in danger of going out this week (Katie and Greg), but I feel the other two (Sara and Adam) will get to at least the central midpoint of the process.  But the show is as always top class for enjoyment and interest.  I will be back in a few weeks with another four analyses

Aspects

It’s all good news this week!  At least on the astrological front…Not a cloud in the sky, astrologically.

Tomorrow (Monday 11th). Saturn is Stationary prior to going Direct (following Pluto last week), so we are gradually coming out of an intense retrograde period.  This may be experienced as a relief to some, especially for Capricornians, and may release some of their chains or burdens.  Climbing up that mountain may seem slightly easier. Depending on where this turnaround falls in your chart (6 degrees Aquarius), your efforts, struggles and hard work in that area may start to bear fruit, progress, and just get easier.

On Wednesday (13th) Venus will be sextile Saturn, and relationships need consideration, and will repay the time and loyalty you give them.  It is a helpful aspect for laying the foundations of artistic or musical work.

We have one of the luckiest aspects of the year on Friday (15th), the Sun trine Jupiter.  This is a happy-go-lucky aspect where circumstances allow.  It is a day of good cheer, laughter, adventure, golden opportunity and looking ahead to the future with optimism.

Last, but not least, on Saturday (16th), Venus will be trine Chiron, and this may aid healing and recovery.  Try to keep the heart open; it is the antidote for many things.  The healing power of love comes to the fore.  There may be a real opportunity to re-group your healing energies and feel harmony within your being.  Personally, I am planning to attend a reunion in Cambridge of the Quiet Office!

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – an easier climb
• Wednesday – loyalty and commitment
• Friday – lucky and expansive
• Saturday – relationship healing

Cressida Dick

The currently serving Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick, has again come under pressure to resign following this week’s sentencing of ex-policeman Wayne Couzens, who murdered Sarah Everard on 3rd March.  Sarah’s murder is a watershed in so many ways, highlighting violence against women, and mistrust of the police, misogyny in the police force, as well as the inadequacies of police vetting.  Should Cressida stay or should she go, and will she stay or will she go?  The whole issue raises, among other things, the question of the responsibility of individuals in authority

Birth Chart

I wrote in April:

“She is the first woman to hold the post.  In her chart, she has a close opposition between Mars and Saturn, so is capable of being tough in this post which would assume toughness!  Saturn trine Pluto in her chart is another sign of great strength, also a requirement.  Saturn exactly trine her natal North Node assumes a karmic mission of seriousness and discipline.  She took up the post on 10th April 2017, with transiting Mars squaring her Chiron (stressful, not healing), Saturn on her Jupiter (a limiting and disciplined event in her life), Saturn sextile her natal Chiron (requiring discipline for healing), Uranus trine her natal Uranus (a surprise), Neptune sextile her natal Saturn (complex discipline required), and Neptune on her South Node (a result of complex past karma).  In her position, she has had to contend with lack of funding by the government, who have refused to increase pay for the police, as with the NHS.  She claims that low recruitment can be laid at the door of the glamourization of violence and social media.”

To which I would add:

She has an extremely strong chart: the Moon conjunct Pluto links her with the police force, Mercury trine Mars can be combative in speech and able to debate, or stand up for herself; Mercury loosely square Uranus means she is not afraid to be controversial, and Mars sextile Pluto conveys the sense of strength and power you would expect from a Police Commissioner.

Sarah’s Murder

Sarah Everard’s murder may prove to be a defining moment for the Met, and for Cressida.  The event of course is beyond tragic for her family, and certainly changed Wayne Couzens life, as he has now been handed a Whole Life sentence, apparently a rare type of sentence.  Only a hundred such sentences have been handed out since its introduction in 1983 (the year Pluto went into Scorpio, a telling ingress).  A candlelight vigil was held for Sarah by the public.  At the time of the murder, Cressida’s transits were Jupiter square her Mercury, Saturn square her Neptune (very difficult) and Uranus trine Pluto (insistent change).

The transits for the chart of the Metropolitan Police at that time shows the North Node (karma) square its Venus (female issues), and Pluto square its Mars (the Institution in danger, or disrepute).  Jupiter sextile its Saturn indicated an opportunity.

Sarah’s chart shows a lighthearted and gentle spirit, with Sun sextile Jupiter and the Moon trine Venus.  Harshness towards her may be shown by a conjunction of Saturn and Uranus opposite her Sun.  Karmically, she had three squares to the Nodal Axis, which is quite unusual.

Her murderer, Wayne Couzens, was Sagittarian (of the opposite to her Gemini Sun).  He was a Full Mooner (very emotional), with the Sun square to Pluto, the planet of darkness, but also of the Police.  However, he has apparently shown no contrition.  Mars was unaspected in his chart, which could have been a problem (misdirected sexual urges, or something unattainable niggling at him).  Jupiter was loosely square Uranus in his chart, indicating a Chancer.  Was this a cocktail recipe for a murderer, or do other factors such as sociological considerations come into play in the development of such a psyche?

How did he chance upon his victim?  There is one karmic conjunction, which is her Mars on his South Node.  Their synastry shows: her Sun trine his Uranus (his power of surprise), her Mercury opposite his Jupiter, her Venus trine his Pluto, her Jupiter opposite his Uranus – in each exchange, his planet has the advantage.  That is not to say that her murder could not have been avoided, given the changes we know we need in policing and public safety for women.  This murder exposed loopholes which needed to be addressed.

Wayne’s actions impacting on Cressida’s life and work are also interesting to look at:  his Sun at 28 degrees Sagittarius is exactly conjunct her Jupiter (the psychological principle of trusting to luck), which in turn is sextile her natal Chiron.  His Uranus (shock) is on her Sun, and his Chiron (crisis) is square her Saturn, posing a troublesome problem.

The transits operational for Sarah at the time of the murder included Uranus opposite her natal Pluto, in this case devastating change.

And the transits operational for Wayne Couzens included Saturn sextile his natal Mercury, suggesting premeditation (a fact which is undeniable, in the face of all the preparation he made in the hiring of a van etc.)

Cressida’s Life and Career

Cressida’s career has had its ups and downs.  She earned a degree in Agriculture and Forest Sciences from Balliol College Oxford, before joining the Met in 1983.  She later took a Master’s degree in Criminology.  In 2005, she was at the head of the operation when the innocent Jean Charles de Menezes was shot and killed by the police.  Though the Met was blamed, she was cleared of responsibility. She commented about this in 2008, saying: “If you ask me whether I think anybody did anything wrong or unreasonable on the operation, I don’t think they did.”  Later still, she commented: “The events of that day stay with one; I think about it quite often. It was a traumatic period. It was an awful time for so many people, obviously and most of all Jean Charles’s family, the people who were there when it happened, the firearms officers, the surveillance officers.”  In 2012 she oversaw the security operations for the Met in the Summer Olympics.  She was selected for a five year term as Commissioner for the Met in 2017, notably being the first woman in that post.  The announcement came on 22nd February, with transiting Jupiter on her natal Sun (a promotion).She criticized the cuts in budget to police funding, and also in 2018 warned about the effects of Brexit on services.  In the same year, she initiated a campaign to recruit more female officers in the Met, something which is needed for the safety of women.

What Now?

81 women have been murdered in the 28 weeks since Sarah died, including the murder of schoolteacher Sabina Nessa in South East London on 17th September, for whom the public also paid a candlelit vigil. It is now clearer than ever that something needs to be done.  Is Cressida Dick the right person for the job?  She initially recommended that if women felt unsafe in an encounter with a police office in the future, they should resist arrest, run away and flag down a bus or call 999.  These and other recommendations which have been put forward all seem lame, and women have responded that the onus needs to be put on men to be educated and be responsible, and to act appropriately.  That is difficult to implement if you are dealing with a psychopath or deranged personality which is determined to act out aggression.

Today’s Observer Leader comments: “All the emphasis is on women changing behaviour to protect themselves but there is an overwhelming lack of strategy to prevent male violence by working with perpetrators of domestic abuse and fostering healthy attitudes towards women and girls among boys.”

The transits for the Met currently show a Solar Return (a spotlight on the Institution), Jupiter trine its Mercury (a good time to look at improvements), the Nodal Axis square its Venus (a karmic need to revise its behaviour towards women) and Mars opposite its Uranus (triggering a needed shock).

The Observer this morning included suggestions going forward from prominent women, who came up with Compel Action, Improve Vetting (warning signs were ignored about Couzens), Changing the Culture, Earning our Trust (ironically, Boris Johnson urged us to trust the police), and the Police Listening to Us.  Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding Jess Phillips advocated a change in culture, saying “British policing needs to, for the first time ever, prioritise violence against women and girls and include it as serious violent crime, with all the prevention strategies and resources that come with that.”

Catherine Bennett, also in the Observer, comments on Cressida’s role: “The kindest thing that can be said about Cressida Dick, given the evidence of employee mistreatment of women tolerated in police forces, is that this misogyny is so entrenched as to have defied any attempts she may have made to expunge it.”

In an article by Rajiv Syal and Vikram in yesterday’s Guardian,  they wrote:

“Asked if Dick could continue in the job, [Lord] Stevens said she should ask herself some searching questions. ‘You have to look at yourself and say: Can I continue?  Can I continue with confidence?  Can I continue in a way that brings around the change that’s necessary to make the public feel safe…Have we got people in the police service who should not be there?'”

Cressida’s transits for the sentencing this week show Jupiter trine her natal Sun, Uranus trine her natal North Node, Pluto sextile her natal Venus – someone has been brought to justice, but these transits imply she probably would not resign now.

As for my penny’s worth, I think it all comes down to psychology, needing to get to the root of why men need to do this.  And then the encouragement of violence through violent film and media.  No doubt there are similarities across the globe, so the human race may need to be rewired.  And yet, I believe that the human heart is fundamentally sound, so when and how does it get twisted in that way?  Answers on a postcard.

Aspects

The Sun is opposite Chiron today, a day of wrestling with conundrums.  Apologies for too many Observer quotes in my piece about Cressida Dick, but I felt that this week’s issue was too important and too complex to skim over, as I am sure you will agree (!)  It is good to cultivate a good relationship with your Inner Healer today, and thus find more intuitive answers to any problems.  Look more deeply into the source of the symptom or problem.

Tomorrow (Monday 4th) brings us a splendid trine between Mercury and Jupiter (although Mercury being retrograde may take off a little of the shine).  This aspect will help business transactions, and expand our horizons, minds and philosophies.  This is an upbeat vibe mentally, one that takes in great wads of information, produces good ideas and may incline one to travel (as more countries are taken off the red list).

A New Moon at 13 degrees Libra graces us on Wednesday (6th).  Some of the artistic, musical and relationship issues you have been grappling with could receive new impetus and a more confident direction.  Where there has been struggle, there could be more harmony.  Where there has been vacillation, there may be more balance.  But whether or not you are conscious of beneficial changes or shifts in these matters, they may still be progressing and bear fruit over the next month.

Additional help arrives in the evening, with Pluto Stationing prior to turning Direct.  We may feel we are coming through a transition, or at least on a more salubrious path.  The ruminations of the entire retrograde period (since late April) bear fruit.  Breakthroughs can take place at this juncture, e.g. reunions where perhaps people have not been speaking to each other.

A fresh social vibe arrives on Thursday (7th) with the advent of Venus into Sagittarius.  You may be in party mood, whether in person, socially distanced gatherings, or in virtual reality.  Venus in Sagittarius ensures that the mood stays around, right through till 5th November.  It is there if you need it.  Venus in Sagittarius is a good-will-to-all men and women vibe.

On Friday (8th) there is an upsurge of energy (and possibly conflict) with the Sun conjoining with Mars in Libra.  This signals two days of intensity in relationships, due to a triple conjunction in Libra.  You can get things done, but also it can bring out the warrior in people..  If you are sure that you are entirely justified and constructive, then go for what you want.  If you are a peacemaker, then your work may be cut out.  It is not a day to take big risks, for either type of personality.

The next component of the triple conjunction is the Sun conjunct Mercury which occurs on Saturday (9th).  That brings a touch of sparkle to your consciousness.  It is a good day to apply your mind with clarity,  concentrate and focus,  make important statements, and look to the future.  You may write or speak some memorable lines.  Look out for some telepathy, too!

And the final side of the triangular process completes in the evening, when Mercury conjoins with Mars.  This brings brisk action, mental and physical stimulation, and again can help movement in your projects.  Again, there is a small element of risk of being incident-prone, as in minor cuts and bruises.  So mindfulness is a key to successful outcomes.  It is mentally acute and favours critical thinking, if you are composing an analysis, a review or critique.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – wrestling with conundrums
• Tomorrow – educational and mind-stretching
• Wednesday – new beginning; psychological progress
• Thursday – party time or party planning
• Friday – upsurge of energy
• Saturday – mental clarity; brisk action