Few people could have been unmoved by the dignity of Doreen Lawrence this week, waiting 18 years for justice for her son Stephen Lawrence.  She has been the epitome of the positive strength of Sun in Scorpio.  Her contribution to the justice system has been outstanding – perhaps she will be honoured in the next set of New Year’s honours.  Her husband Neville has also contributed so much during that time, but we do not have his birth date.  The 18-year cycle is very significant karmically, as the North Node (carrier of the karmic records) takes 18 years to travel round the zodiac.  Thus Stephen Lawrence (in her own words to be remembered as a “bright, beautiful” boy) had natally the North Node at 14 degrees Sagittarius, and at his death aged 18 it had exactly returned to this natal position, then 18 years later it was at that degree during the trial, and the True Node was exactly at 14 degrees during the conviction of Dobson and Norris for his murder.  Duwayne Brooks, the friend who was with him at the time and who endured much at the time of the attack, at the hands of the Police, and as a witness in Court, has his North Node close by at 13 degrees Sagittarius.  The United Kingdom has its Sun at 14 degrees Sagittarius (in the 1922 chart) and this is why the case has been so significant for our society.  Sagittarius is one of two signs which represents the law, the other of course being Libra.  Racism is still an issue in our society, being one of the issues which was brought up by the riots last year.  It is a subject which still has a great subconscious charge, hence the Freudian slip by Diane Abbot on Twitter this week, where she appeared to be criticizing white society.  A pupil at Stephen Lawrence’s school (Abolanie Salvador) was quoted in the Guardian yesterday as saying: “I always feel like there’s  a purpose to everyone’s life, and though he did die early I think his death was significant – it made change, and that what he should be remembered for.”

Today Mercury enters Capricorn, and we leave behind the frivolity of the holiday period and knuckle down to our New Year purposes.  Mercury trines Jupiter, which broadens our minds, magnifies the benefits of our transactions today, and ensures good movement in business and sales.  Our minds are able to reach out and expand, especially if we are working on serious projects.  But there may be pitfalls, as later on in the day Uranus squares Mercury, and we need to be sure of our intent and aware of possible loopholes.  It is as if the Universe entices us to dream big, then shows us where the failings are in our plans.  We need to be aware of the trees as well as the wood.  Two heads are better than one in this respect, as one person may be able to spot something the other would miss.  Insomnia may occur overnight for that reason, and because there is a Full Moon in Cancer tomorrow – too much to digest mentally and emotionally.  You definitely need to ask your Guides to process some of it for you, until you can encompass it all!  If you are good at emotion, ask them to process the mental stuff tonight, and if you are good at intellectual gymnastics ask them to siphon off some of the emotion for the time being.  If you are always a good sleeper, your Higher Self may process it all effortlessly overnight.  Either way, the focus tomorrow will be on the emotional content of the issues in your life, perhaps family affairs.  It is an emotional high tide.  We have two trines, then two conjunctions, on Friday (13^th) so the struggles of the early part of the week may actually pay off in terms of things falling into place by Friday.  First the Sun trines Mars, and we will be fired up energetically, with the more strident aspects of life to the fore. Plans for the Olympics will be proceeding apace!  The Arab Spring and Occupy movements may take a step forward.  Weather may be warmer.  Then Venus trines Saturn, and in human relations loyalty and support will be easier to give and to receive.  Again, this may relate especially to family life.  It is a good time to examine the heart, and assess whether you are going through the motions,  whether you are undergoing a dry and dutiful exercise, or whether your higher ideals are fuelling efforts to do the best by the recipients of your loyalty and support, without beating yourself up.  It is just a good time to see how things really are in relationships.  This may save you from the pitfalls of a later aspect on Friday which is Mercury conjunct Pluto, where again there is the possibility of mental and emotional overload.  If you have done the soul-searching from the beginning of the week, you may have really deep insights at this time.  If not, you may be on the receiving end of some angst, e.g. someone may tell you exactly what is in their subconscious mind (Diane Abbot may tweet you).  Be ready to engage with life, fully but constructively.  A further conjunction between Venus and Neptune completes the Friday 13^th package, which can go either way.  Idealism or illusionment in love are on the sides of the divide, and again you need to go in there fully conscious.  Therefore meditation between aspects today may help regulate them and derive the best from them.  I would recommend meditating first thing in the morning (the first trine being at 4.46 a.m. in the U.K.) and then again early lunchtime, before the conjunction between Mercury and Pluto at 13.03 p.m.  This could be a tricky exercise at work, e.g. in the Office, as you may have to swop a lunch break time with a workmate, or lobby that your Office provide a meditation room.  You may find yourself expanding your heart and your compassion, especially if you are working with the meditation, and may be able to see things in a heart-centred and compassionate way (Venus conjunct Neptune) while also in a detached and expanded state (Venus at the end of Aquarius and on the cusp with Pisces).  The week’s journey concludes with Venus entering Pisces on Saturday (14^th) and if you feel you have been processing your life through a fine toothed comb throughout the week, you will relax into your emotions on Saturday, into the collective pool of emotion, and this may feel like a release.  If you are not a Piscean, you may worry that this is chaotic, letting go and letting God.  But you may by that time have no choice but to stop struggling and start surrendering.  Some moments are like that.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – a mental work-out
• Tomorrow – an emotional high tide
• Friday – a bonanza of life experience
• Saturday – let go emotionally

Well, we are here – it’s 2012!  What have we in store?  Is it possible to sense the energy of a year from its first moments – I am sure there are people who can.  I had an email this week from my Mayan Calendar friend O’Douce, talking of Oneness, Change, Miracles and flushing out fear.  Another friend Asia Haleem wrote a blog for 2012 last year, taking an astronomical look at events, and coming to a reassuring conclusion (see Mayan Calendar category for further reading).   My mum (who does not subscribe to the Mayan Calendar) remarked that she liked the number 2012, much better than 2011.  From the synaesthetic point of view (and I am not a numerologist) I can go along with that: I saw 2011 as a spiky silver grey, but I see 2012 as a double fuschia pink, which may not mean anything.  But I think it’s important to be able to feel that it is going to be a good year.  It’s important for the hope in your heart to edge past the depressing sets of facts, figures and statistics in the news.  The stand-out events of 2011 (and if you need a reminder, read my retrospective blog) were the Arab Spring/Occupy Movements (Jupiter and Uranus in Aries) and the world-threatening Euro crisis (Uranus square Pluto, ongoing).

But it is the subject of relationships which is grabbing me, blogwise, this morning.  Television scriptwriters brought together two long term relationships  last week:  on Downton Abbey Christmas Day the writer Julian Fellowes brought together Matthew and Mary.  I for one, was relieved, because I had only just started watching it and I have a short fuse for suffering. The chart for 10.59 pm on Christmas night showed this unique television highlight as Virgo rising (emotional holding back, and perfection) close to Mars (desire) trine Moon (heightened emotion).  Pluto (power) was trine Julian Fellowes’ Saturn (restraint) – he may have felt coerced into it.  On 29th Pip and Estella were brought together on Great Expectations, Charles Dickens having produced two possible endings.  The chart for 9.59 pm showed Mars rising in Virgo again, but with an added karmic feature of the Nodal Axis squaring the Ascendant/Descendant axis plus Sun conjunct Pluto (it was a dark drama altogether).  Posthumously, the North Node was transiting Dickens’ Moon/Neptune conjunction (a karmic coercion on his sensibilities) and Pluto was squaring his Mars (more coercion – perhaps the scriptwriters did not consult him, or perhaps his original ending was just plain wrong, I mean give them a break after such difficult lives).  Meanwhile in “real” showbiz life Katherine Jenkins (who has a difficult conjunction between Mars and Saturn natally) split up with Gethin Jones (currently questioning his love life with Neptune transiting his Venus), and Russell Brand (an astrological twin of Angelina Jolie, who is hanging on to Brad Pitt) split up with Katy Perry (a really intensely Scorpionic Scorpio).  Pluto is transiting Katy’s Jupiter, making this a really intensely Scorpionic time for her, and Saturn is squaring Russell’s Venus, bringing a sad sense of emotional loss.  What is the secret of a long term relationship?  I have been married for 38 years but I do not know the answer. I do know that sometimes my hubby and I appear to be living in parallel universes, because his setting on the toaster is fine for him, whereas it burns my toast.  You may recall that on my training in Future Life Progression (much more of that to come this year) he questioned the feasibility of travelling into the future, which is his right, as a Scientist.  The subject came up again this week, and the debate continued, with an old friend of mine telling him that time goes round in a loop…Our routine was disrupted by the festivities this week, and we found ourselves watching  re-runs of Frasier and watching for the first time an American comedy series called “The Big Bang Theory”.  Hubby Mike explained to me that at the time of the big bang, photons were released and these may have created parallel universes.  I will keep you updated on the ongoing debate, but meanwhile re-affirm  my feeling that Future Life Progression contributes to an evolutionary step forward – I am preparing a new website page on this.

Today Mercury squares Mars, a day of mild irritation.  You may not be feeling at your best as a) You drank too much last night, or b) You stayed up too late, and/or c) You were awake all night trying to assess the synaesthetics of the numbers of every year since you were born.  There were fireworks last night, which at some point fizzled out, and similarly any fireworks today will at some point fizzle out.  This is the beginning of 2012 – could it be symbolic?  I think we expect more of the year.  As the beginning of the week, it might also be symbolic of the week, because this aspect goes unchallenged until Saturday (7^th), so work to refine it: its highest potential is sharpness of mind.  On Saturday, Mercury sextiles Saturn, steadying the mind and providing the ability to lay down foundations for those New Year plans and resolutions.  This is later backed up by a sextile between Mercury and Neptune (the inspiration strangely coming after the plans are laid down by the solid foundations – it is as if you need the faith that provides in order to allow the dream to come forth).  There is a window around midday where Mercury is at the midpoint of the trine between Saturn and Neptune, when the vision of perfection can really be seen, at the midpoint of the material and the spiritual.  This vision may be your future life progression for 2012.

Live, Love, Laugh and Be Happy!

The week in bullet points:

• Today – delicate mind, a work in progress
• Saturday – foundations and dreams, seize the vision

Selections from the blog:

January

16^th: There were floods all over the globe last week: in Australia, Brazil and Sri Lanka, creating unexpected devastation.  I wonder if this presages the entry of Neptune into its own water sign of Pisces in April this year.

23^rd: With Jupiter jumping ship from Pisces and into the fire of Aries, it is off with the old (3 U.K. resignations – Alan Johnson, Andy Coulson and Brian Cowen) and on with the new:  Ed Balls (with his Venus at the beginning of Aries) and gloriously clutzy Sagittarian Miranda Hart who received 3 trophies at the British Comedy Awards.

30^th: And the event of the week goes to – Egypt.   But the unravelling started in Tunisia when Mars moved into Aquarius, and just before Jupiter moved into Aries.  How did Tunisia come to occupy that ignitory role?  In its natal chart, its birth being during the year of the Suez crisis, there is a powerful exact conjunction between Jupiter and Pluto in Leo, trine the Galactic Centre.

February

6^th: The big question of the week seems to have been whether or not the President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak would stay or go, and if he would go, when.  Wider than the personal fortune of a dictator, there is also the nail-biting question of whether Egypt can do what no other country in the Middle East has so far done – created a democracy out of the ashes of a dictatorship.

27^th: Three weeks ago I wrote: “The big question of the week seems to have been whether or not the President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak would stay or go, and if he would go, when. “  Now substitute Libya for Egypt and Gaddafi for Mubarak, and I have another set of charts to consider.  Libya though is a different matter altogether than Egypt, and Gaddafi very different from Mubarak.

March

6^th: On the world stage, Saturday (12^th) is the most important day, as Uranus re-enters Aries, joining Jupiter who has been holding up the success of the revolutionaries singlehandedly.  Revolution 21^st Century-style is due to ratchet up its pace.

13^th: Within hours of Uranus entering Aries, a large scale disaster unfolded on our screens coming from Japan: earthquake, followed by tsunami and then nuclear plant meltdown.  The national chart of Japan shows the sword of Damocles which has been present in the form of a Grand Cross between the natal Mercury, Saturn, Uranus and Chiron.

20^th: There is so much going on this week that I have a split-screen in my mind of Libya on one side and Japan on the other, and though Libya has overtaken Japan on the news at this moment, there is really a lot more going on in Japan.

27^th: There seems to be even more going on this week, and I am wondering how to pack it all into one little blog.  Of course I can’t contain it here…Harry Hill may be able to manage the week’s TV viewing in one little TV studio, but even the news broadcasters are having difficulty fitting in follow ups to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

April

10^th: You may feel that you were losing the plot last week, or that events in the world were going round in circles.  Has there been any progress in Libya, you might have wondered?  And what is going on in Japan?  In the UK, the government announced that they would not immediately be implementing their new NHS policies, to give time to “pause, listen, reflect and improve” them, playing for more time in order to “explain to the public”.

24^th: I don’t like to fuel stereotypes but most of the women I have spoken to intend to watch a little of the Royal Wedding on the T.V., while most of the men intend to make it an excuse to do something else…

May

1^st: My highlights were:  the delicately laced dress, the tree-lined Abbey, the beauty of the Abbey itself (aerial photography has come a long way), the spine-tingling hymn “Jerusalem”, and the spiritual clarity of the sermon by the Bishop of London.

8^th: This week on “Question Time” they could have debated the issue ad infinitum: whether or not Osama bin Laden should have been killed.

29^th: The tide does change on Saturday (4^th) with a refreshing new emphasis brought about by Jupiter entering Taurus.  It has completed its work in Aries in forgeing the fervent Arab Spring.

June

12^th: This week has seen further international pressure for Syria’s government to stand down or at least stop killing its own citizens.  President Bashar Al-Assad heads another dictatorship in the Middle East, but one being treated very differently than that of Muammar Al-Ghaddafi in Libya.

July

3^rd: Meanwhile the International Monetary Fund came back into prominence in the news last week. The natal Venus (which represents money) of the International Monetary Fund lies exactly at the Galactic Centre, which is very appropriate for such an Institution.  This week Christine Lagarde was appointed the new Head of the IMF, close to the New Moon eclipse which fell exactly opposite her natal Sun.

10^th: On Thursday, the day that Jupiter trined Pluto (huge endings) it was announced that the last ever edition of the News of the World would be published this Sunday, it was the premier of the last in the Harry Potter series of films (transiting Jupiter squaring the magical Mars/Neptune conjunction of the natal chart of the first film), and the final launch of the space shuttle Atlantis marking the end of the space shuttle program(me) a day later.

17^th: All sorts of side stories have had to be pushed aside this week, in order to look at the all-encompassing story of the dissolving empire of media mogul Rupert Murdoch.  A generation of minds have been infiltrated by the culture of sensationalizing the news which certainly was the style of the now defunct News of the World.  In a world where over the centuries power was associated with politics (temporal power) or religion, he found a way to general domination through a new source: the modern media.

24^th: By the time you read this it will be old news, at the rate events are moving.  A standout event of the last few days was the appearance of father and son Murdoch in front of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee last Tuesday. Their body language was captured by media Psychologist Peter Collett in the Guardian.  He analyzed Rupert Murdoch’s posture (intending to show he was fully involved), his pauses (showing a dominant individual) and his table-tapping “- a sure sign that he’s used to giving commands”.  Apparently James Murdoch was a “model of courtesy”, making sure by eye contact that all committee members felt included.

31^st: Amy Winehouse is the Janis Joplin of her generation (at the age of 61, I have seen too many of these over the decades), dubbed a member of the “27 Club” of music greats being cut short at this age.  This is the age just before the Saturn Return marker, which is a challenge to the structure of one’s life.  She had not been able to find the right structure for her life, and in addition was facing a Nodal Reversal, which involved the Mars/South Node conjunction around that weekend (so there was a significant karmic element to the timing of her passing).  Let us hope for a breakthrough in the understanding of addiction, and the true role of Rehab for the next generation, so that such huge talents are not snuffed out before time.

August

14^th: All Astrologers were able to predict that last week held the potential for violence, and that it would be on a grand scale, with a T-square between Mars, Pluto and Uranus.  The surprise was that it happened in England, first on the streets of London, and then spreading to other cities.

September

4th: This week is about questions. The whereabouts of Gaddafi are still unknown. And the issues thrown up by the London riots (violence, poverty, social alienation, policing, parenting etc) are just beginning to be unravelled.  In order to arrive at solutions, the problems need to be fully understood. Rarely, we only have one aspect this week: Mercury opposite Neptune, which we met in late July and then early August during the English riots.

25^th: I can no longer avoid blogging about the world economy this week.  Every week the noises about being on the brink of meltdown become louder, so that now I can’t hear myself think.  The big figures on the financial stage seem to be Christine Lagarde, Barack Obama, Angela Merkel and George Osborne, but the general impression seems to be indecisiveness and the question leveled being “Who’s in Charge”?  Astrologically the question seems very complex, and the general consensus is that the crisis is due to the square between Uranus and Pluto.

October

9^th: The new line up in the current series of Strictly Come Dancing looks promising!  In particular, Jason Donovan and Anita Dobson seemed to shine initially.  Jason has his Venus, Sun and Mars in Gemini, the sign of Neighbours, but does not have a traditional dancer’s chart.  So I was pleasantly surprised.

23^rd: Gaddafi met his end last week.  Muammar started out thinking of himself as a liberator.  As the Guardian Obituary tells us: “With Nasser as his idol – he too later titled himself colonel – the 14 year old Gaddafi was caught up in the surging pan-Arab emotions of the time, in the ideals of Arab renaissance…Expelled from school for his political activities, he continued his secondary education at Misrata, on the coast, and there, with some of his classmates, he decided to join the army as a means of overthrowing the monarchy”.

November

6^th: Interesting synchronicity that Joanna Lumley was finishing her Greek Odyssey on our screens as a Greek drama unfolded on the Eurozone scene,  in the crescendo of the week.  In the final programme of the series, Joanna was told that the series would be successful by an elderly Greek lady who was reading her coffee grounds.  Unfortunately, she did not pronounce on the future of the Euro.

13^th: Meanwhile, nuclear threats are gathering in the Middle East in remembrance week – the U.S. and Israel are in a quandary about what to do, or whether to do anything, about Iran’s gathering nuclear capability. Let’s hope they choose the way of the Tao, rather than the way of Blair-Bush  (Pluto is approaching a trine to Iran’s Saturn next year, which will support its nuclear plans).

20^th: The Arab Spring has the energy of Uranus in Aries, as does the Occupy movement.  We are in the throes of inner and outer revolution.  As a human race we now demand freedom from slavery, and also in our personal relationships.

December

4^th: The Eurozone crisis is still threatening the stability of the world economy.  This week the crisis has been held squarely in the hands of Angela Merkel, so she’s got the whole world in her hands.  I think that makes her woman of the week, though hubby disagrees…In May 2010 I wrote that “Her natal chart shows an interest in personal finance (North Node and Chiron in the 2^nd House) and public finance (Jupiter, Uranus and the Sun in 8^th House).”

11^th: Now none of this human posturing (in politics) or angst (in conscience) or communication difficulties (inwardly and outwardly) may be of any importance relative to the issue of global warming which was shown graphically on the last episode of “Frozen Planet” by David Attenborough tele-visually this week (a programme which I happened to catch).  On the Andrew Marr show this morning, David Attenborough reminded him that the melting of the ice was not in dispute, but it was the contribution of mankind which was in dispute.

If you have woken early to see what aspects Santa has brought, you can go back for a lie in after popping the turkey in the oven.  For the Xmas special (Jupiter turning direct) doesn’t occur until 22.08 Hrs in the U.K., well after the TV Xmas soaps.   Haven’t managed to watch enough cookery run- up-to-Xmas programmes, but caught Jamie Oliver doing tacos for breakfast, Nigella glittery-eyed over port and stilton (heartburn-inducing viewing) and Raymond Blanc being advised on how to rough up the potatoes, prior to cooking them in a gallon of goose fat… They looked beautifully crisp, but give me a veggie Xmas any time!  Back to Jupiter turning direct:  Christmas day itself peps up in the evening, maybe after a staid beginning (everyone on their best behaviour?) and a slow warm-up.  If you’re like the Royle family, you might start some hand jiving from your prone position on the couch.  Every family has its tried and tested traditions… My sister and I have performed “Prince Charming” by Adam Ant plus “Making your Mind up!” by Bucks Fizz every Christmas/New Year since 1981 (that’s 30 years),  adding Shakira’s “Whenever, Wherever” to the repertoire in 2002. I am thinking we should preserve it on video for the next generation (not for You Tube) but my sister disagrees preferring to leave it to memory.  It was originally staged for the older generation, but the middle generation find it nothing but an embarrassment…Back to the Astrology, you know those awkward Xmas moments?  Like granny finding out you don’t like Belgian chocolate after all, or your other half winding you up with the same Xmas jokes every year?  These could occur at lunchtime on Boxing Day (26th) with Venus semi-sextle Pluto. To grin and bear it or not to grin and bear it, that is the question.  It might help to know that it’s a minor, passing aspect.  Fast forward to Thursday (29th) and the day dawns with a conjunction of the Sun and Pluto.  This could make for a dodgy episode of Eastenders – drama may be brewing or have already  brewed – have the chamomile tea ready.  Maybe Phil had too much to drink the night before and vowed to avenge the cat who ate his Christmas pudding.  His woman (is it Shirley?  I have lost track of the characters) hides the cat and replaces it with a stuffed toy.   In his bleary eyed state, Phil won’t
know the difference.   Seriously though, try to minimize the damage or fall-out,  as peace is the aim, at least until the New Year.  It would be easy to let rip. This last aspect of the year and the consequences of how you handle it will set the tone for the next year, 2012, and not since 1984 and 2000 have we had such highly-charged numbers whose fame has preceded them.  And you know what happened, and what didn’t happen, in those years.  With the slow-cooking square between Uranus and Pluto many of us are feeling that we are entering into unchartered territory.  The trick, or challenge,  is to find a vein of excitement, which will lead to creative solutions.  Happy New Year!

The week in bullet points:

• Christmas Day – get into the swing
• Boxing Day – minimize the agro
• Thursday – feel your feelings, and let go of what you don’t need

Headline: Second member of McFly wins a reality TV series in the same month

Harry Judd, winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2011, is a Capricorn, with Sun conjunct Neptune (facility for dance) in Capricorn sextile Mars/Pluto in Scorpio, a bundle of energy.  He has 4 planets in Sagittarius, so has a taste for adventure, and Pluto at the South Node (which with Mars conjunct Pluto points to a darker side!  His tango is definitely smouldering…).  Pluto is currently sextile his Pluto, so he has come into his power.  The other member of McFly to win a trophy recently, Dougie Poynter who was crowned King of the Jungle in I’m a Celebrity (on 3^rd December), is two years younger than Harry, but shares some similarities in his chart.  His Venus conjunct Neptune (musical inspiration) is conjunct Harry’s Sun/Neptune, and he too has Mars conjunct Pluto, but loosely, in the same area as Harry’s, so they magnify each other’s talents.  At the time of his win, Saturn was sextile his Uranus and Pluto was transiting his Neptune (the episode in the Jungle would have been a psychological journey for him).  Harry’s North Node trines exactly Dougie’s Neptune; Harry’s Neptune conjuncts exactly Dougie’s Venus. The other two band members were the founder members of the group and have been  enthusiastic supporters (first on the dance floor to congratulate Harry last night, being shooed off by Bruce Forsyth!).  Danny Jones is a Piscean with Mars conjunct Uranus in Sagittarius (urge for excitement).  The group came to fame in 2004, when Uranus was trine Danny’s Pluto.  Tom Fletcher is Cancerian with Sun conjunct Mars (again, high-energy), Venus conjunct Chiron (healing through music).

Without further ado, let’s look at the coming week’s aspects.  I am sure you have plenty of things to do, people to see and presents to buy, and on top of that we have several aspects to negotiate.  Today, Venus squares Saturn, which would be a good day to visit that elderly neighbor or relative and take round a hot toddy or whatever they might fancy.  Tomorrow the Sun sextiles Saturn, so it is good for serious intentions, such as finishing your Christmas shopping.  Head down, you can do it!  On Tuesday (20^th), Venus enters Aquarius and you may be able to focus on the partying and socializing if you completed your Christmas shopping.  Fresh ventures are favoured, such as the annual defrosting of the fridge/freezer prior to packing it with Christmas party bites from Iceland.  Funnily enough, I can see myself doing that even though I will be spending Christmas day elsewhere – old habits die hard.  Next, the Sun sextiles Neptune, putting you in touch with the spiritual meaning of Christmas…You pass a lone carol singer, selling the Big Issue, accompanied by a dog and a blanket, and stuff a fiver in their hand with a tear in your eye.  Wednesday (21^st) brings a square between Venus and Jupiter – you are summoned to a Christmas do, but know you should be completing your Christmas shopping/icing your Christmas cake/looking for a Turkey.  So you feel a bit split, as though you should be in two or more places at once.  But Venus also sextiles Uranus, so you get into the spirit of it, and realize you can do this multi-tasking thing that the week before Christmas requires of you, e.g. you order the Turkey online on your I phone, while talking to the local vicar.  The 21^st Century has its good points.  The Winter Solstice (the Sun’s entry into Capricorn) dawns on Thursday 22^nd, and you can also do the multi-faith thing, and honour the earth as your ancient ancestors did.  Superwoman is not just a throwback to the 1980s, and neither is Superman.  Catch the sunrise, take some stunning photographs of the landscape, and say a prayer for the Polar Bear.  Stock up on more party food, just in case.  The Sun then trines Jupiter: that prayer you said for the world at the solstice comes back to you and fills your heart with the religiosity of this annual event, you feel magnanimous and any Scroogelike corners of your heart melt like the ending of A Christmas Carol.  You rush back to the lone carol singer and stuff the turkey in his or her hand and decide you will make a vegetarian chestnut roll instead and use some of the ready-rolled puff pastry logjamming your freezer.  The Sun then squares Uranus – uh oh!  A few plans may come unstuck…You realize the party nibbles are past their sell-by-date by hours, and as you are a stickler for sell-by-dates you may have to bend your own rules, just for once. [Aside: why is it that Christmas food is often labeled for before Christmas?].  Friday (23^rd) is a healing day, mark your calendar, because the Sun sextiles Chiron.  You might think you are behind on your Christmas checklist, but you suddenly realize you have caught up and can put your feet up for a few moments, with a glass of pear cider.  You are doing better than you thought.  It is all coming together…Aah…!  …zzz….Ding Dong!  No it’s not merrily on high, it’s that silly doorbell chime you had installed which drives you nuts, but never mind, it’s the cheery newspaper boy reminding you of his year long service, and that you mentally put by a fiver for his Christmas box.  Can you find it?  No.  Can he wait till next year?  No…will the loose change from your purse do?  O.K.  Back to the pouffee and the glass of mock champers…Aah…!…zzz…yes it’s a moment of pure relaxation, enjoy, all is prepared and there’s a New Moon on the horizon.  Saturday (24^th) Christmas Eve brings a New Moon in Capricorn, which is a lovely way to start Christmas, with good intentions, decks cleared, and hopes and wishes in their pristine state.   As I don’t think many will be reading this blog on Christmas morning, I will send you my Christmas wishes now:  joy and peace to you, and glory to all religions and atheists (hmm, wonder how Christopher Hitchens is finding his new surroundings or dimensions…).

The week in bullet points:

• Today – last minute chores
• Tomorrow – serious work
• Tuesday – fresh influx of social energy; spiritual dimension
• Wednesday – social gaffes, turning into social genius
• Thursday – attunement to the Earth, goodwill to all, then a possible spanner in the works
• Friday – healing
• Saturday – hopes and wishes renewed

The position in which Britain finds itself this Sunday morning, after Uranus turned direct and the Moon was eclipsed at the end of last week, is a matter of glee for Eurosceptics and the worst-case scenario for Pro-Europeans.  I am referring of course to David Cameron’s “stand” on Europe, leaving us potentially isolated from the rest of Europe and other major trading blocs.  I try hard to be impartial in my blog (some might say not hard enough) but at the risk of alienating half my readers, on this issue I have to show my true Pro-European colours.  I am with Paddy Ashdown, who says in the Observer today: “We have tipped 38 years of foreign policy down the drain”.  We now know where David Cameron is coming from: not from the world view of the statesman which would do the best for the world economy, not from the European view which would do the best for the Euro thus helping to do the best for the world economy, but from the insular world of the rich elite of this country and his immediate political allies whose interests mean most to him.  The Observer leader points out: “Cameron has allowed his relationships with Sarkozy and Merkel to deteriorate to such an extent that he could not read the signals hinting that they would give him nothing…There are alarming signs that he lacks the emotional intelligence that a first-order statesman needs if they are to take a seat at the table of political history – forming alliances, building up support, accruing political capital, nudging, cajoling.”  How can this be?  He is, after all, a Libran, supposedly an expert on relationships!  The problem is the narrowness of his experience and vision of life, which is still relatively egocentric.  It is the level of Libranness that is to be questioned – he is at a more primitive level in comparison to fellow Libran Mahatma Gandhi.  What was the astrological trigger for his “standing up for Britain?”  It was indeed an issue of self-assertion, being transiting Neptune (confusion) opposing his Mars (self-assertion).  The principle of Unity which would see us contributing our U.K. talents to the world and to Europe, power in cohesiveness, was ditched in favour of pleasing (Libra) the circle he grew up with.  In truth, we have no power unless we are in relationship with the world.  That was the “illusion” (Neptune) which influenced his “stand” (Mars).

On Tuesday (13^th) Jupiter from 0 degrees Taurus is semi-sextile Uranus at 0 degrees Aries, very fundamental positions being tested against each other.  Some Gandhi-like negotiations might be needed, in order to avoid the collapse of the whole.  In your own life one area may look to be holding up, but faces a challenge from another area of your life which somehow you know could go either way.  Expand your consciousness and see things from a larger perspective, where things are already unified and whole.  Mars also squares the Nodal Axis on Tuesday, so issues of self-assertion versus karma and integrity arise to be dealt with.  Ask yourself what power you have and why you need it, and whether you are willing to join your own power with others for a higher path.  You cannot lose your own Soul, that’s the bottom line – it will always be there, however buried!  Wrestling with the bigger issues in your life is important these few days, and getting them right according to your own conscience, because when Mercury turns direct again on Wednesday (14^th) you’ll be in a position to act and implement again on the detail and the documentation.  Those who find Mercury Retrograde difficult can do a dance or hold a celebration.  In theory, this will be good for the Christmas post and rail networks (I have to declare that I have suffered, this last week, at the hands of Mercury Retrograde as applied to the rail network, in rain, frost and wind).  It is possible that I might be in a position to start writing my Christmas cards.

Now none of this human posturing (in politics) or angst (in conscience) or communication difficulties (inwardly and outwardly) may be of any importance relative to the issue of global warming which was shown graphically on the last episode of “Frozen Planet” by David Attenborough tele-visually this week (a programme which I happened to catch).  On the Andrew Marr show this morning, David Attenborough reminded him that the melting of the ice was not in dispute, but it was the contribution of mankind which was in dispute.

The week in bullet point:

• Tuesday – seismic shifts and tectonic plates in the human experience;

Plus karmic patterns in connection with warriorship

• Wednesday – full steam ahead academically, intellectually, workwise and in matters of communication

For those of you who have been following this blog since the summer, you will understand when I say that “Bullet Man” (responsible for the bullet point innovation on the blog) has again expressed an opinion.

This time he has asked for the blog to appear in paragraphs, to make it easier to read.  Bullet Man, if you’re reading, I forgot to ask if you needed subject headings for the paragraph, so please contact me through the comment box or privately to indicate what is required.

So if you (dear readers) want to skip the politics then go straight to paragraph 2.

The Eurozone crisis is still threatening the stability of the world economy.  This week the crisis has been held squarely in the hands of Angela Merkel, so she’s got the whole world in her hands.  I think that makes her woman of the week, though hubby disagrees…In May 2010 I wrote that “Her natal chart shows an interest in personal finance (North Node and Chiron in the 2^nd House) and public finance (Jupiter, Uranus and the Sun in 8^th House).”  Looking now at her chart in more detail, she has the Sun tightly conjunct Uranus in Cancer, so she is always going to provide leadership which benefits her own country.  This conjunction is square to her natal Neptune and she might be torn between divide and rule or unite and rule.  At the moment her policy is fiscal union, and a tight leadership of Europe with Sarkozy of France.  Also natally she has Mars at the Galactic Centre, so she has leadership of Europe but also access to a more cosmic wisdom than maybe even she realizes.  We are fortunate to have her birth time, which reveals a Sagittarian Ascendant which will be transited this month by the North Node (a karmic balancing or reckoning, a chance to ask the Cosmos how she is doing).  Angela is personally in tune with the European Union chart, having Mars conjunct its Mercury (able to act on its behalf) and Moon conjunct its Venus (she has her heart in it).  She has some oppositions between her chart and the Euro(zone) chart, but her Pluto is trine its Sun, so she would do her best by it from a very fundamental place within.  Nicolas Sarkozy’s Jupiter conjuncts Angela Merkel’s Uranus so together they make a sparky Entrepreneur, and this would give them the oomph to try and make a fist of the Eurozone problem. However, their composite chart (“Merkozy”, as they are now being dubbed) shows Venus conjunct Neptune (financial idealism) in the 12^th House which makes their idealism hard to manifest.  Saturn is currently sextile Angela Merkel’s Mars which shows the constraints she is under in acting, but also the steady and deliberate way in which she is dealing with things and responding to the needs of the times.

Read on if you are specifically interested in the week ahead:

Today the Sun conjuncts Mercury but Mercury is retrograde and squares Mars.  If you are able to keep Mercury on the straight and narrow, you could achieve a great deal in terms of research or philosophical thought.  If you are several years into a long-running thesis, you may be able to revive it significantly today, and it may be something that makes you angry which gives you the fuel to do it, e.g. the thought that if only you had completed it earlier your life or society may have changed for the better.  If you found Friday’s Sun square Mars incident-prone, that theme may continue with today’s Mercury square Mars.  Heated words may erupt if your language faculty is not harnessed in a constructive direction.  Mechanics may play up, and dogs may be irritable.  Tomorrow Venus trines Mars and that is helpful if you are trying to kindle or re-kindle a romance, or a failing economy (but not major enough to provide a long term solution).  A good day for Merkel to cozy up to a Sarkozy and create a Merkozy, perhaps.  But it’s only One Day, and that could turn out to be Groundhog Day (oh stop!!!).  On Tuesday (6^th) the Sun conjuncts the North Node in Sagittarius (close to Angela Merkel’s Ascendant) and the Force could be with you if you are operating under not just European Law but spiritual law as well.  Make sure your karma is properly aligned, and you could shift on your way to a positive and optimistic future life.  You might know if you have achieved this straight away because on the same day Jupiter trines Chiron and you may achieve some miraculous healing or the means to it, such as a flash of great insight or a Eureka moment.  On Thursday (8^th) Mercury semi-sextiles Pluto so there could be a slight counteraction of the healings of Tuesday, but these may be in the form of your doubts, or some difficult travel.  You are being tested, so don’t let a tiny flaw or awkward detail de-rail the overall path or vision.  If you can do something about it though, then that’s one more step towards perfection.  On Saturday (10^th) Uranus turns stationary prior to direct and the spanner in the works reveals its mysterious ways and begins to pull some slightly more pleasant surprises.  I have to be careful here that I am not being too Sagittarian.  Balance can be provided by Capricornian fiscal genius (we have too few of them in the world) Raymond Merriman.  On his blog for this week he writes: “…the master of the unexpected and surprise – Uranus – turns stationary direct. This is not only wild and volatile, it can also be highly disruptive and unstable”.  For the full context, please find his link on my Contact page.  What could skew the energies on Saturday is another eclipse, a Full Moon in Gemini, which will make it hard to agree on policies between two people.  A third opinion may have to be sought – do you think Merkozy will let Cameron in?

If you would like an insight into the way of the Sagittarian we have the third in the Zodiac Masterclass series here:

http://www.lanawooster.co.uk/blog/2011/11/the-sagittarian-guide-to-optimism-by-marion-kobylinski/

For those even too busy to read the second paragraph…

The week in bullet points:

• Today – Tricky, but could be very productive
• Tomorrow – Cozy/Kozy
• Tuesday – Alignment and Healing
• Thursday – Notice the detail
• Saturday – Stress and possible breakthrough

Sagittarius New Moon Mandala painted by Sarah Berry
Line Mandala from Mandala Colouring Book by Barry Stevens
available at http://www.mandalas.freeserve.co.uk/colouringinbook.html

This is the third of an occasional series written about the expertise of each Sun Sign. I am still looking for the Capricorn who can write a guide to Ambition. The articles will be found under the category “Zodiac Masterclass” so that eventually there will be 12 such articles, e.g. “The Piscean Guide to Compassion”, “The Gemini Guide to Communication”,”The Aries Guide to Authenticity” etc. Each article will be written by someone who has the Sun Sign in question.

Here guest blogger Marion Kobylinksi writes about Optimism and trusting the wisdom of the Universe. I had to scout around for another Sagittarius to write it – I couldn’t write it myself, could I?

Marion is a well-loved Alexander Teacher who practises in Salisbury, and has been an enormous help to my family. Her piece is short and sweet!

As a Sagittarian myself, I would not be able to add anything. However cynical a sign you may be, there are times you just need to look at life in the Panglossian way of a Sagittarian.

A word about the mandala: I think you’ll agree it is stunning and beautiful. It reminds me of a Sagittarian poem or song (whose authorship I have never been able to establish):

Three rings has the circus, the color of hullabaloos, jumping Jupiter things, yellow and red turquoise bands, plus, Sagittarius! Ah, Sagittarius! Bringing laughter to the clowns, tumbling with the acrobats, telling fortunes to the gypsies. Walking with the wire-walkers, Sagittarius looks down and applauds the crowd for being brave.

The Sagittarian Guide to Optimism by Marion Kobylinski

The word optimism comes directly from the Latin optimus: best.

That quintessential optimist the Dalai Lama was speaking in the Albert Hall some twenty years ago, and his wonderful advice has never left me “Always prepare yourself for the worst and hope for the best”.

Optimism is ‘looking on the bright side’ – knowing there always is a bright side. It doesn’t mean not seeing the dark side, the possible unpleasant outcomes, it just seems more practical not to focus on them. It means appreciating that there is always more than meets the eye and knowing that everything works out for the best in the end, however bad it may seem at the time.

At least that has always been my experience all through my life. Certainly the worst things have taught me the most – and after all we are here to learn. Somewhere I have come to acknowledge that the many mistakes I have made (and annoyingly seem to continue to make) really have been, and are, blessings in disguise. Granted, the disguises can often be fairly heavy and convincing! Yet without the inconvenience, pain and suffering, I being on the somewhat obtuse side, would not have had the spur to wake me up a bit.

Isn’t it best to be as awake as possible – and perhaps not miss “the many splendoured thing”?

The Sun is always shining whether we can see it or not – when it is cloudy it is easy to forget that fact: the clouds don’t prove that the sun isn’t shining. The clouds have a vital function – they are part of this amazing creation – they hold the rivers and seas and will fall as rain to water the earth so that it brings forth food to nourish and sustain all of the living creatures on it.

The light of the Sun and the compassion of the clouds are but a reflection of the unity of things. When the optimist in us remembers the whole picture we know that all is well – or if it doesn’t seems to be at the moment it will be; that everything works out for the best in the end!

Saturday evenings lately have been a marathon roller-coaster of television viewing: Strictly Come Dancing, through X-Factor, through I’m a Celebrity (get me out of here).  I am even completely indoctrinated by the adverts, to the extent that I truly believe that you need to go to Iceland for your party food: Stacey Solomon’s ecstatic bopping has won me over.  This is the shadow side of my lifestyle.  The light side, during the week, is travelling up and down the country constantly on the train between Norfolk (home), Leicester (grandson), Cambridge (post-retirement day job), Salisbury (family) and London (leisure), while trying to fit in astrological work, meditation and Christmas shopping.  My astrological musings yesterday were about the X-Factor panel/judges/mentors.  Louis Walsh, still standing from the original institution, is a Leo but has North Node (karmic mission) in Aquarius, the sign of boy bands.  Since he lost his last remaining act, it has been good to see him champion other acts, including the last girl band standing, “Little Mix”.  He may have been traumatized in his past lives (e.g. in the Irish potato famine) with Pluto on his South Node.  But show business is in his blood, with 4 planets in Leo.  He loves a power struggle though, with Jupiter square his Pluto and Nodal Axis.  Next in order of seating, is Tulisa Contostavlos, whose musical genre is hip hop.  She has not had an easy life, with her mother suffering bi-polar disorder.  She has a lot of stress and conflict in her chart, which has forged her strong personality, resulting in an edgy persona, willing to fight for her little muffins (“Little Mix”) in her maternal 4-planets in Cancer type of way.  Mentally, she is used to stress (Mercury conjunct Chiron, square Mars).   Kelly Rowland, who sits next to Tulisa, is an Aquarian, but her warmth comes from a strong Piscean empathy: Venus conjunct Mars in Pisces, and Sun sextile Neptune.  She has a psychologically strong Sun trine Pluto, but may have some indecisiveness with a conjunction of Jupiter/Saturn – witness her letting Amelia Lily go in the first round (not without tears) then welcoming her back with open arms as a possible potential winner a few weeks later.  However, this indecisiveness is a two-sided coin, the other side of which is measured judgement, assisted by a sextile of Jupiter/Saturn with the North Node.  Karma is often on her side, and she has 3 acts left in the contest.  I remember thinking in the boot camp phase that the girls were a really strong category this year, and she was fortunate to land this category.  Gary Barlow, the replacement for Simon Cowell, has come in for a lot of criticism in this competition, but I like him in the role.  His original and prolific song talent is shown in his chart by Venus in Sagittarius (prolific) sextile Uranus in Libra (original songwriting).  That same aspect is responsible for his successful involvement in the legendary boy band “Take That”.  The only contestant I have a chart for is Scorpio Janet Devlin (with the characteristic red mane).  She has been ill this weekend, and recently had poor song choices, but with 5 planets in Scorpio plus the North Node and Sun exactly square Mars, as one of the judges put it yesterday she is a fighter, and will have courage and strength even if she goes out in tonight’s results show.  Today’s Venus square Uranus could produce strange results and quirky art forms and unusual meetings.  Venus also sextiles Chiron, so there is an underlying healing thread in physical terms, and in art and music, even though Uranus is causing disruptions (the disruptions have a reason).  Later tonight Venus trines Jupiter, so party like a celeb.  Put those nibbles out as you watch the telly.  Actually, to be serious, you may have reason to celebrate – don’t miss the opportunity by being a couch potato.   On Thursday (1^st December) Venus conjuncts Pluto and it’s time to get serious about your relationship(s).  Focus, perhaps, on its higher purpose.  Or on any lingering psychological issues which are blocking its potential and commitment.  There may be endings to outworn ways of relating which are not working, but hopefully your relationship(s) can emerge more strongly.  The Sun squares Mars on Friday (2^nd) so you will be feeling the heat, in some way.  You may be hot-headed, or incident-prone, for instance.  Watch other motorists on the road: men and cars could clash, and dogs could also be hot-headed.  The last aspect to work with this week is Friday’s conjunction between Mercury and the North Node.  This involves Mercury Retrograde so the karmic reward flavour of the aspect which potentially could bring brisk business, sales, and significant communication and information, could be skewed by the retrograde aspect.  Keep on your toes if making a deal, keep ahead of the game, and keep your integrity.  You could even outwit the notorious Mercury Retrograde, that way!

The week in bullet points:

• Today – emphasis on art, music and relationships and improving through the day
• Thursday – deep relationships
• Friday – high energy difficult to manage.  Karmically, watch the detail

Uranus has returned to 0 degrees Aries, where it initiated the Arab Spring.  The Arab Spring has the energy of Uranus in Aries, as does the Occupy movement.  We are in the throes of inner and outer revolution.  As a human race we now demand freedom from slavery, and also in our personal relationships.  This is supported by the current placement of Saturn in Libra, because we cannot find refuge in relationships or clinging to others: we have to find everything we need within ourselves.  We are thrown back on our own resources, and from a possibly new bargaining position we are renegotiating our close relationships (Saturn in Libra).  In the Eurozone, Papademos has now replaced Papandreou in Greece, and Monti has replaced Berlusconi.  Both replacements have strong Chirons in their chart and certainly have been drafted in as healers for the economy and the morale of their respective nations.  Papademos has Chiron conjunct his Mercury, so has the ability to think outside the box, and Monti has Chiron conjunct his North Node in Leo, so it is his mission to lead in a new way with a healing intent.  Interesting that they have both appointed non-politicians to serve with them.  Sunday is a reflective, charitable day, not without illusion or paranoia, with Sun square Neptune.  For karmic reasons, you may be drawn to involvement with Neptunian places and institutions such as churches, hospitals and charities. There is a sense of surrendering, with a compassionate view of the world, and fundraising may be involved.  On Tuesday (22^nd) first Venus from the Galactic Centre sextiles Saturn, so there is some quiet re-evaluation of a long and loyal friendship.  You can meet quietly to take stock of your lives. With the emphasis on the Galactic Centre, the love at the heart of the Universe can be received and transmitted, the cosmic love that connects everything together.   Also on Tuesday, we leave behind the emotional wrangling we have been occupied with in the last month as the Sun leaves Scorpio and enters Sagittarius.  Instead, we will be turning our emotional experiences into philosophical understanding about life over the next month.  Sample conversation over coffee in the corner of a library:

Friend A: (sporting a poppy, and a plastic red nose)  “You know, it’s difficult being a spirit having a human experience.”

Friend B:  (sounding weary) “Oooh, I know what you mean.  I have trouble giving up my addictions.  Take smoking – it was O.K. in my Native American lifetime…I am really truly searching for the answer.  Do you think it’s easier to deal with addictions after you have retired?”

[We’ll meet them again later]

In fact, over the next week there will be a lot of that sort of discussion.  Even doers will become thinkers this week.  The thinking (a la Sagittarius) will be laced with humour, and if your Inner Clown has been in a closet for the last 11 months, now’s the time to dust him or her down, and take him or her out into the party season.  If Ricky Gervais can be asked to host the Golden Globes again for the third time your own Inner Clown can be welcome anywhere anytime, even if you are a shy Sun sign. Ricky is a Cancerian, and famous for his crab dance.  He has the controversial planet Uranus square natally to his ruling Moon, but is currently empowered by a transit of Pluto trine his natal Pluto, linking his life in with the Grand Trine described last week (which is currently still active).    But the Sun squares Chiron on Wednesday (23^rd) and the poignant side of the clown comes out (you might have tried the positive-thinking-only line, and the shadow comes up as a backlash).  Just adjust your philosophy accordingly, realizing that your Inner Clown is a work in progress and needs some healing and some bringing into the present.  Once the tears are out of the way that day, there are two trines to bring out the smiles.  The first is a trine between the Sun and Uranus, bringing out original creativity and inventiveness, and then Mars trine Pluto.  Mars trine Pluto affords the chance to heal past hurts, victimhood and self-harm.  It is a powerful energy, and can be mis-used, but can also be used to move on.  On Thursday (24^th) – uh oh!  It’s the bane of astrological life – Mercury Retrograde, again.  If you have been keeping that Mercury Retrograde workbook, you may have evolved your own strategies and patterns with it, but if not just keep in mind the mantra “clear communication” and keep  writing and referring to your insights.  Friday (25^th) brings us a smooth sextile between Venus and Neptune.  Love is on the agenda again, and this time it’s ideal love, and inspired expression of the Arts.

Cut to the supermarket,  next to the veggie food cabinet:

Friend C:  “Hiya!  How are you?  If you don’t mind me saying so, that red nose is a bit out of season…Oh I’m so busy these days.  Trying to choose which brand of veggie sausage is best – they’ve stopped doing my favourite.  (Sigh) Would love to find the time to do something more creative.”

Friend A:  “Funny you should say that!  It’s a point I was making to B on Tuesday.  Would our lives flow better if we were doing that, instead of being a the beck and call of errands, demands, events and duties?”.

Friday also brings us a New Moon at 2 degrees Sagittarius, more discussion of life, philosophy, freedom, and global affairs.  And finally, Saturday (26^th) Venus enters Capricorn, and we feel that we have to ground some of our ideas into reality, e.g. by becoming more politically active on behalf of society.  Start an Occupy movement, anyone?  Work your way through the charity Christmas catalogues?  Put your name down for the marathon?  Stand for your local council?  Or clear your clutter first.

Last sample discussion:

[In a railway carriage]

Friend A:  “Well if it isn’t B!  That’s twice in one year I have seen you, what a surprise! Guess who I bumped into in the supermarket the other day – C, another member of our Soul Group!”

Friend B:  [moving her luggage] “Here take a seat.  I was hoping to continue our conversation.  I was thinking over what you said, and I have decided to turn myself in at the local gym.  By the way, that purple skirt doesn’t really go -”

(to be continued…)

The week in bullet points:

• Sunday – Tread softly

• Tuesday –  Quiet catch-up; mind-broadening and heart-broadening

• Wednesday –  Healing crisis, and healing resolutions

• Friday –  Love and inspiration; new ideas

• Saturday – Getting real