Aspects for the week beginning 19 April 2015

The Conservative Party

It’s time to write about the Conservative Party now (6^th out of 7 pre-election blogs) and in two weeks’ time I shall attempt to pull together all the available astrological factors on this theme.  In a week when David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative Party, was conspicuous by his absence at the TV debate (cheekily trying to blame it on the broadcasters), the polls are still neck and neck, and so are the astrological determinants, as far as I can ascertain.  According to Peter Kellner in the Sunday Times today, a You Gov poll shows that the result is too close to call, and that voters are warming to Ed Miliband:

“The facts have changed, so I have changed my mind. Until last week I expected the Conservatives to remain the largest party in next month’s election. Now the contest looks too close to call.”

But could it be a ploy from the right wing press to scare its right wing readers from straying from the straight and narrow?  My own conspiracy theory…

That said, I will try and be fair, starting with writing about the same number of MPs as in my piece on the Labour Party two weeks ago: looking at six of their most prominent members.  I will try and restrain myself from criticism, but can’t promise to do so.  Any bias that shows through may show only the tip of the iceberg.

David Cameron – Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party

David Cameron is a true blue Libran (see my colour blog three weeks ago): He has the Sun, Venus (Libra’s ruling planet) and his Ascendant all in Libra.  He has a lucky chart (which may reflect his privileged background) with his Ascendant/Venus rising exactly sextile a conjunction of Jupiter/Moon in the 11^th House of Influential Friends.  Lucky of course for the rich, but not sadly for the poor…(oh dear, I can feel myself slipping already!). [Say something nice:] We have his birthtime, so we know the exact position of his Ascendant and Moon, and he does have a nice exact sextile between the Moon and Venus, ensuring good relations between the women in his life :-}  Even when he issues a put down such as “Calm down, dear!” he says it nicely.  He has a double opposition in his chart of Pluto-Uranus in Virgo opposing Saturn-Chiron in Pisces, so may sometimes fight himself to keep that Libran equilibrium, and this inner struggle or tension may be seen in an outward steeliness.

In my New Year survey of Election Day, I wrote:

David Cameron (Conservatives):[Low] Pluto square his Sun, Chiron opposite his Uranus

David Cameron’s Sun is at 15 degrees 28 minutes Libra, and on Polling Day Pluto will be at 15 degrees 27 minutes Capricorn, a stiff test for him.  Pluto has just turned retrograde, and so his darkest hour may be on 4/5^th May, just prior to the election, when Pluto will be at its exact square to his Sun.  But it could be worse for him, in that if it were just after the election that would be an even more difficult timing.  And it may work in his favour, in that a plummet in his fortunes just before the election may pull in some sympathy voters.

George Osborne – Chancellor of the Exchequer

David Cameron and George Osborne have made a strong team, some might say invincible, over the last 5 years.  They both have half (5 out of 10) of their planets in Fixed Signs, so they would never have budged, on their chief achievement of Austerity, which turned round the economy (supposedly).  In an article in this morning’s Observer which argues that Elections are lost by the outgoing parties rather than won by the incoming parties, William Keegan writes: “Austerity was meant to revive the animal spirits of business, but in fact did the reverse, as Keynesian economists feared.”

Austerity is ruled by Saturn, and it is no surprise that we find a predisposition to Austerity rule in George Osborne’s chart, in the form of Sun conjunct Saturn (4 degrees apart), that may earn him the title of “Architect of Austerity”.  Although he does not have a background or training in Finance, he does have 4 planets in the finance sign of Taurus, including a talented exact Mercury-Venus conjunction which enables him to spin his financial achievements in the most flattering light.

He has a definite Karmic Relationship with David Cameron.  Firstly, their Nodal Axes are locked into an exact Grand Cross formation, and George Osborne’s Moon is conjunct David Cameron’s North Node (though we don’t have George’s birth time to see how close that is).  They come over as a pair of schoolboys, or as brothers-in-arms, but the Moon connection intimates that there is a parental tie at work: George may have a parental instinct towards David, which is brought forward from a past-life relationship.

On Election Day, Mars will be conjunct with George’s natal Saturn (Austerity) which sounds stressful, but on the plus side Uranus will be exactly sextile his North Node, so he should be in no danger of losing his seat were he to be worried.

Theresa May – Home Secretary

In June last year, I wrote:

“Theresa’s chart shows Saturn conjunct the North Node (a serious responsible life purpose working through politics) squaring Pluto (her struggles have a life or death quality to them).  Mercury sextiles the North Node/Saturn conjunction, so she is able to concentrate her mind and apply it to concerns which are important to her.  Her Sun in Libra sextiles Uranus, and she is capable of thinking outside the box.  Her Jupiter opposite Mars shows a fiery side, but there is also an interest in healing situations (Sun trine Chiron) and diplomacy (Mars in Pisces and Sun in Libra) which may show up later in life.  She has been tipped as the next Tory leader, but her health is of some concern (she recently revealed that she has diabetes).”

I rest on my laurels there, except to say that of the stalwarts of this government I believe her to be one of the most sincere and hardworking members, willing to fight for what she believes in.  The period immediately after the Election could be stressful for her, especially if a hung parliament arises, because Saturn will be about to retrograde over her North Node, and karma may dictate some difficult choices for her.

Boris Johnson – Lord Mayor of London

I must include Boris here, as he is about to step down from his position of Lord Mayor of London, in which he has been fairly successful and popular, and was one of the three cited as possible replacements as Leader of the Party, by the Leader of the Party himself.  He is a flamboyant figure, lightening the political landscape, but is perhaps too wayward and unreliable to be material for the top job.

In October 2012, the year of the Olympic Games, I wrote:

“Boris is a highly popular politician (Sun exactly conjunct Venus indicating the lovable component of lovable rogue), and riding high on the success of the Olympics last summer. His chaotic, anarchic side is his Uranus conjunct Pluto.  Sun in Gemini is associated with cycling, and he has promoted a cycling hire scheme in the capital among other accomplishments.”

I would add that he has an extraordinary 7 out of his 10 planets in Mutable (flexi-) signs, and with 4 planets in Gemini too, he would like to keep his options open, too much to be tied to an even more responsible job than the one he currently holds.

But on Election Day, he could put in a stellar performance, and will definitely be feeling the love, as he has a Venus Return.  He also has Uranus exactly sextile his natal Mercury, Pluto trine exactly Jupiter (he will be feeling the Power, too, and be glad he chose to stand for Parliament again), as well as Pluto sextile his natal Neptune (spiritually he will be clear about his future).

Iain Duncan Smith – Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

If George Osborne is the Architect of Austerity, Iain Duncan-Smith is the Architect of Poverty for those claiming benefits, especially the Disabled.  A previous lack-lustre Leader of the Conservative Party, he has been working on this project for years, and seems almost proud of this accomplishment.  We have heard stories of the disabled being deprived of wheelchairs and livelihoods under the regime.  Zero Hours contracts have become a discredited phrase.  His scheme seems to have been an unqualified failure, despite all the work he has put into it.  He must take a great deal of responsibility for the demonization of the working classes, and for much hardship.

He is an Aries, and sees things in straightforward terms, but has an unsympathetic opposition between Venus and Saturn.  His Sun exactly square Uranus can cause alienation, both personal and in terms of society.  With Jupiter trine Neptune, he at least has faith in what he does.  That he rose to the status of Party Leader may be connected with his powerful Jupiter sextile Pluto.  But he has much Karma in connection with Power, with his Sun exactly square his Nodal Axis, and Uranus at his South Node.  It does not look like he has been able to mitigate that karmic balance sheet in this lifetime, sad to say.

On Election Day Uranus transits his Sun, which could bring about a sudden change in fortunes.  Uranus also squares his natal Uranus, so even if David Cameron is re-elected, he may decide to reform this reformer.

Jeremy Hunt – Secretary of State for Health

Although I have been more critical than I set out to be, now I have reached the issue of Health, I can’t resist a proper rant!

Rant

I think it disingenuous of the Tory Party to suddenly say they will commit £8 billion to the National Health Service, when they have run it down in the last 5 years with a top to toe re-organization, and let it fall apart with no care for its survival.  Health should be top priority and not dependant on the whims and vagaries of the state of the economy.  If they could find money for foreign interests and a super duper exclusive HS2 railroad, they should have been able to find money for the N.H.S.  in the term time of this government.

End of Rant

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health, was born only 23 days after David Cameron in the same year, so in some respects will be in tune with his thinking.  I am not sure the NHS has been safe in his hands, but his chart does show some interest in Medicine, with three planets in Scorpio, and four aspects to his Chiron.  However, 3 of the aspects to his Chiron (Inner Healer) are stressful: a conjunction with Saturn, which is an austere approach to healing, and an opposition from Pluto-Uranus (a lot of energy expended, but perhaps not much achieved for that).  However, there is some potential in his exact trine between Pluto and Chiron, were he to continue in that role.

Neptune (another Health-related planet) trines his natal North Node on Polling Day, so the fates may be kind to him and let him continue on his path…but I only hope that with time brings the wisdom and compassion that the NHS needs from politicians.

The Conservative Party

It is interesting that the Conservative Party chart has Capricorn (conservatism) on the Ascendant, and its Sun is conjunct Saturn – very apt!  Plus it has Chiron exactly trine Saturn which happens to be on its Midheaven (Persona).  You couldn’t construct a more fitting chart for the Conservative Party if you tried.

Transits to the Party chart are mixed on Polling Day, with Saturn pinning down its Venus/Mars conjunction in early Sagittarius in 11^th House, so there will be some angst.  But more tellingly, Pluto trines its Pluto, so there is a good chance they will continue in power.

I didn’t get started on Housing and Free Schools, but feel free to comment anyone…!

Aspects

The aspects seem quite reasonable this week, which is nice because Kate Middleton may be having her baby this week (at any rate the baby will be a Taurean, and may even arrive on the Queen’s birthday on Tuesday).  There is likely to be a high affinity with the Queen.

Today we have Mercury sextile Neptune, attempting to bring in subtle, refined communication.  This was my aim today, but I failed miserably.

The failure was due to another of today’s aspects Venus squaring Neptune, highlighting attempts at deception.  Ah, alas and alack, I deceived even myself in the attempt to produce a fair blog on behalf of the Conservative Party.

Tomorrow (Monday 20^th) the Sun enters Taurus, and the collective expression goes from flighty Aries to stalwart Taurus, of which the Queen is an embodiment.  The month’s sojourn will favour artistic expression, financial initiatives and gardeners.  Foodies also come under Taurus, and avid viewers will enjoy, I am sure, the Masterchef Finals week to come, especially the productions of the sweet-toothed wizard chocolatier Tony.

On Tuesday (21^st) first Mercury squares Jupiter, which could lead you on adventurous journeys of the mind and body.  We are travelling to see my grandson in Leicester, and taking a consignment of worms from Norfolk for his wormery, as last time we went there were no Leicester worms to be found in his garden.  I know, I know – it could be seen as uncomfortable for the worms, but I assure you I will say Om Mani Padme Hum constantly throughout the journey on their behalf, and it certainly will prove educational for all concerned.  I will also send them love and healing for the rest of their natural lives.  My grandson (Aged 4) is so proud of his wormery, which at the moment only houses slugs.  How does that nursery rhyme go…”What are little boys made of?”

In the evening, Mars trines Pluto.  This promises to be an energetic evening, so if you have plans for it, you could achieve a lot.  It may also be fiesty, so keep an eye on fiery types, and help channel the group energy constructively.

Wednesday (22^nd) looks set to be the big day of the week, starting with a trine between Mercury and Pluto, excellent for intellectual and academic exercises, especially those with a psychological element.

That is followed at tea-time by a beautiful sextile between Venus and Jupiter.  If the weather is warm, you might sip your favourite cocktail (mine’s a sparkling mineral water with a drop of pear cider in it) on the patio, with barbecued veggie burgers.  It is a good aspect for entertaining, and social events.  Cheers!

Late, around 11 pm, Mercury conjuncts Mars.  If there is a frown on your forehead that day, it may appear around that time, with some petty irritation perhaps, or minor burns from the barbecue.  But it may go perfectly smoothly, with excellent after-dinner banter and witty conversations.

Friday (24^th) brings a sextile between Mercury and Chiron, a stabilizing marriage of conventional and unconventional medicine.  There is a chance to play with new therapies, and win.

The week in bullet points

• Today – mental sensitivity and emotional blurring of lines
• Tomorrow – supportive of gentle pursuits
• Tuesday – journeys out of your comfort zone, but energetic productivity
• Wednesday – great potential: psychological ideas, sparkling socializing, and speed of thought

•  Friday – healing possibilities