Aspects for the week beginning 1 December 2013
Mary Berry
As you stir your Christmas pudding mix in preparation for the big day, you may be asking questions, such as:
Why did Mary Berry pop out of a cake last Sunday during Strictly Come Dancing?
Why is Lana blogging about her today?
A: I just thought I would write a lighter topic this week. Also, Paul Hollywood’s birth date is not available. Mary is popping up all over the place, having written her autobiography (Recipe for Life), and been featured yesterday in the Guardian questionnaire.
What is her enduring appeal? She has the resilience and energy of Sun in Aries, and its directness and simplicity, a real English rose (she was brought up in the quintessentially English city of Bath). Aries is not traditionally associated with baking, but we do not have her birth time and Ascendant, which could sway her towards baking (a Taurus or Cancerian Ascendant would suit the profession).
She has amiability (in her Moon/Jupiter conjunction) and diplomacy (Mars in Libra – see Saturday’s aspects).
The Sun in her chart sextiles Chiron, so she is a healing antidote to her more intense screen partner Paul Hollywood. Chiron does exert pressure on her Mercury/Saturn however, so she would have experienced mental strain in her life. Mercury conjunct Saturn can be associated with struggles at school. Her questionnaire reveals:
To whom would you say sorry and why?
A: A headmistress I really didn’t like. I didn’t work at school, but if I went back, I’d be just the same.
What has been your biggest disappointment?
My exam results at school, but it was all my own fault.
Her baking talent, and the force of her personality, are likely to be due to a conjunction of Venus at the beginning of Taurus (baking) and Uranus at the end of Aries (an out of the ordinary talent, plus social skills combined with Venus). She has also been praised for her sartorial (Venusian) elegance.
When the Great British Bake Off was launched on 17 August 2010, Mary was ripe for the opportunity, with Jupiter exactly transiting her Sun. Her partnership with Paul Hollywood has been described by The Guardian as the best ever TV judging partnership. A nice lady…
Aspects
Today Chiron squares the Sun, and the day may start with a healing crisis to be solved. You may be oversensitive to something or someone, and may need to turn the volume down on that issue in order to look at it calmly.
Tomorrow the Sun semi-sextiles Pluto, a minor aspect, but one which a proportion of people could be sensitive to. This aspect could help us focus on the deep emotional causes of problems. You may found out, for instance, that it is not you who is eating the cream cake, it is your undernourished Inner Child craving comfort.
You can make a new start on Tuesday (3rd), perhaps re-direct that Inner Child and instil a countercraving of satsumas by Christmas by which time the Inner Child will be happy for the stocking to be filled with satsumas, walnuts and figs.
The day is quietly upbeat: First a New Moon in Sagittarius. Hope can spring eternal. If you can hitch your own personal aims (e.g. decluttering) to a global issue (e.g. ethical recycling) the healing solutions will penetrate the different layers of your own psyche and satisfy Gaia. The subheading of the Cygnus Review magazine says it all:
“heal your body, feed your soul, free your mind, love your planet”
It’s a New Moon of big goals, promising much, and delivering some.
In the afternoon Mercury sextile Mars assists you in efforts to get things done, be it decluttering, or vigorous exercise and fitness regimes, or vigorous broadcasting. Travel will also be zippy.
On Thursday (5th) Mercury enters Sagittarius early in the morning, and the prevailing mindset moves from an investigative and intense application, to a more buoyant, optimistic and anticipatory open-mindedness. Maybe you are looking forward to Christmas, the New Year, an imminent birth, but whatever it is, you’ll find it easier to look forward.
Friday (6th) evening brings a square between Mercury and Neptune, and that future vision may have lost some of its shine, looking foggier. You need to fine tune your senses, and separate illusion from reality on the mental plane. On the way, you may be mesmerized by some of society’s conditioning or media persuasion. “Not Moi”, you may confidently reply, as you rush out to John Lewis in search of a wonderland populated by sweet bunny rabbits…Travel may be complicated today, or communications confused. Double check with the other party the bottom line, especially if a statement can be taken two ways.
On Saturday (7th) Mars enters Libra in the evening, and you’ll be treading a fine line between self-assertion and diplomacy. The Peaceful Warrior is the perfect Archetype for Saturday, and indeed Mars is making a longstay in Libra until late July 2014, which may bode well for the Iranian nuclear deal. This placement takes us through the season of peace and good will. You will be willing to stand up for your rights, but will also want a win win solution all round. Christmas shopping will be enhanced as you sincerely search for the right present on behalf of the right person.
Competition
Finally, I am re-thinking the Inner Child’s Christmas stocking: satsumas, walnuts and figs seem a bit of sugar and fat overload…Any offers for the best present for that Inner Child will be entered into a competition, which closes 24 December. The winner will receive a Year Ahead for yourself or someone of your choice.
The week in bullet points:
- Today – attempts to heal
- Tomorrow – getting to the root of the issue
- Tuesday – new beginning for you and the planet, then a spurt of energy
- Thursday – mentally upbeat
- Friday – losing the plot a little
- Saturday – the re-awakening of the Peaceful Warrior
December 1st, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Socks are good. (for the Inner Child, or anybody really). Does is have to be a food item?
December 1st, 2013 at 2:16 pm
Hello Lana,
How are you?
It was surprised to find you writing about Mary Berry.
I started to read her Autobiography last evening and after just a few pages, I think it’s going to be a superb read.
She inspired me with her Cooking skills when i was newly Wed, used to watch her when I could.
I’ve got my energy back this weekend, so making the most of it.
Making a Needle Felted Christmas Tree Brooch, it’s coming along nicely.
Your Blog last week on John Kennedy and Dr Who made for fascinating reading.
You are so knowledgeable on all these matters.
I’m not really a fan of Dr Who, but think David Tennant is the Tops.
Hubby loves Dr Who and usually watches most episodes,(Hubby’s Grandfather had Tennant as his surname and was born in Scotland).
The sun is shining here, frosty this morning.
Winter has arrived!
Sending you lots of love, take care, Shirley.
PS My inner child suggestion is something lovingly handmade, a Wooden Toy for instance.
December 1st, 2013 at 5:09 pm
Hi Lana, I see you’ve perfectly spotted my oversensitivity today. My usual Archilles Heel, the dogs. Despite some worrying behaviour on their part, it’s been my over reaction that’s worsened the situation. I finally realised this earlier and relaxed, and so did they. Luck and/or guidance I thought. Ha, aspects more like. Many thanks for cheering me, and filling in the rest of the week.
I love most things linked to baking and follow keenly. I have a maturing Christmas pud from last year and have been slow to make any this year. Once again you’ve spotted I need to get stirring to make this year’s batch. Thanks again!
Love Sarah.
December 2nd, 2013 at 10:32 am
Dear Daphne
Thank you for your suggestion, which will be first into the hat!
No it doesn’t have to be food. You could have qualities, such as compassion, mercy and grace (but it would be helpful to have instructions for putting them into the stocking).
Love
Lana
December 2nd, 2013 at 10:38 am
Dear Shirley
It is good to hear from you!
Glad you are progressing, and good to have your lovely suggestion for the Inner Child’s Christmas stocking, which could be a winner!
I am OK thanks – a bit daunted to know how little time there is left for Christmas shopping and fulfilling New Year astrological orders!
Let us know how you find Mary Berry’s autobiography when you manage to finish it (some autobiographies are easier to read than others).
I was a fan of Dr Who in the early days, but still find Daleks terrifying. Like many films these days, it has a lot of frenetic activity and special effects, which I am not overly fond of. After all, when there is a “special effect” you know it is one, and so it makes it even more unbelievable.
Thank you for commenting,
Love
Lana
December 2nd, 2013 at 10:44 am
Dear Sarah
Hope you are safely over the oversensitive hump, and preparing for the New Moon beginning, and Coffee Pod event in Cambridge.
All good wishes to you and the dogs.
You are a very professional and proficient baker…a mini-muffin perhaps in the Inner Child stocking? I watched the children’s programme “I can Cook” last Wednesday, and they made cheese and cress muffins.
Thanks very much for your comment!
Love
Lana
December 2nd, 2013 at 2:18 pm
A tiny little rainbow and a sparkly little shooting star
Well, thats what my inner child would love
December 2nd, 2013 at 2:27 pm
I have read a few interviews with Mary Berry recently in which she talks about the “resilience” that you have mentioned and which she needed at various times in her life. One was when she was struck by polio and hospitalised in her early teens and the other was when she lost a son who died in an accident as a 19 yr old student. So I am sure she has experienced “mental strain” but has maybe also benefitted from her own “healing antidotes”
My sister in law, who has an Aga, always swears by Mary Berry’s Aga cookery books.
December 2nd, 2013 at 2:30 pm
Hello again Lana,
Good to know you’re keeping okay.
I read some more of the Mary Berry’s Book last night.
It’s a few months since I last read an Autobiography, but this one I can feel is going to be an absorbing read.
We’ve been doing a lot of Internet Shopping these last couple of days.
I’m finding that easier to do this year, not so many parcels to Post.
Hubby has eaten a fair share of Mince Pies already!!
Have a relaxing week, Love Shirley.
PS Sarah, you sound like a very accomplished cook, what a wonderful talent.
December 2nd, 2013 at 4:27 pm
Thanks Shirley for your kind words. I was lucky to learn baking early and in those days on an Aga which makes or breaks you.
All electric, fan cooker now which is both good and not so good. But often just for me and the dogs, and I welcome the chance to bake for others as it’s not a chore.
Dear Lana, on considering the Inner Child stocking filler I am ogling Shirley’s lovingly handmade wooden toy – yes please if it’s smooth and tactile.
(But savoury muffins sound good too, I saw a Hairy Biker recipe just yesterday……) Love Sarah
December 2nd, 2013 at 5:57 pm
Dear Lana,
You’ve picked a Topical Subject in Mary Berry this week, thank you.
It brings out the Cook in us!
Have you got a favourite recipe of your own.
Sarah, I have never cooked in an Aga, I imagine you’d have to be very skilled to use one.
Both of my Grandmothers cooked on Range Ovens, sometimes there cakes, etc, turned out burned at the edges!
The giving and sharing of home baked goodies is a wonderful gesture.
Bye for now, Love Shirley.
PS My very first proper cookbook, was The Hamlyn All Colour Cookbook.
I bought it in 1973, it’s a bit tatty around the edges now.
Mary Berry did the Introduction and was one of the Contributors.
December 3rd, 2013 at 9:38 am
Dear Janet
Thanks very much for your beautiful suggestion for the Inner Child Christmas Stocking.
It seems there is an hour long programme all about Mary Berry;s life on BBC2 tonight at 7 pm. I hope I manage to catch it.
Love
Lana
December 3rd, 2013 at 9:39 am
Dear Sarah
I will take into account your votes! Love L
December 3rd, 2013 at 9:40 am
Dear Shirley
I love cooking but find the thought of an aga completely daunting! Love L
December 3rd, 2013 at 11:55 am
If we can vote, mine goes to the rainbow and shooting star. How absolutely magical!
December 5th, 2013 at 5:04 pm
Dear Daph
Thanks for your vote…
If I vote for socks then there is a level playing field.
The competition is open until Christmas Eve, so I hope for more entrants.
Love
Lana
December 7th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
I love the way we have all be highly motivated on the topic
of Mary Berry and baking. I suspect we have a more serious focus tomorrow.
December 7th, 2013 at 9:52 pm
I’m failing abit at my time conversions, but I hope Mandiba (Mandela) died at 10:46am California time on Thursday. It’s hard to feel that the exit of such a soul would be on a day of buoyance, optimism and open mindedness,but perhaps it was the transition to such a mindset that allowed him to transition that day.
I wonder if we shall ever see such a spirit again in our lifetimes.
Hugs to you all,
Dia
December 8th, 2013 at 10:07 am
Dear Lana
I appear to be your 11th hour commentator of late! Well I wanted to suggest something for the inner child stocking ….. I think there’s one thing….. A world peace agreement coming out of everyone becoming desirous of no violence.
May it be so . Thanks Lana xx
December 9th, 2013 at 10:05 am
Thanks, Janet, you guessed right!
December 9th, 2013 at 10:07 am
Dear Dia
Lovely to hear from you.
I have touched briefly on Mandela’s final chart in my astrobiography. There were other transits of note, but I settled on the Mercury being conjunct South Africa’s Mercury. You are right on the face of it, it seemed to be a celebration day for aspects.
Love
Lana
December 9th, 2013 at 10:09 am
Dear Flick
Better late than never! Thank you for your comment.
Your wonderful suggestion for the Inner Child Christmas Stocking has been registered for the competition,
Love
Lana
December 9th, 2013 at 10:49 am
Dear Dia
Here is how Marjorie Orr has portrayed Mandela’s final chart:
“Nelson Mandela died at home at 8.50pm in Johannesburg last night 5 Dec 2013. At that point there was an affectionate Moon Venus in Capricorn in the 7th opposition Jupiter conjunct Ascendant so surrounded by good feelings with a drifting-away Neptune in the 8th. ”
Thanks again,
Lana