Aspects for the week beginning 30 August 2015
Charlotte Church
“We want to make them question what they’re doing. This is predominantly to do with the American government but it is a worldwide issue.”
~ Charlotte Church
Charlotte Church has been through many incarnations, on a transformational journey from Voice of an Angel to Social and Climate Activist, via Ladette. I have been looking at her birthchart to track these themes and Archetypes.
Voice of an Angel
Venus in Pisces epitomizes the epithet “Voice of an Angel”, and additionally with Jupiter, the Sun, Mercury and the Part of Fortune all in Pisces in her 5th House of Creativity and Children, she is thoroughly Piscean and very much a performer.
She found success at the tender age of 11 in 1997, and was undoubtedly outstandingly talented, though I am no vocal judge of how exceptional she was in classical singing, and how much was talent (Sun in Pisces), luck (Sun conjunct Jupiter) or karmic reward (Sun exactly sextile North Node). She enjoyed worldwide success, selling in excess of 11 million records.
The breakthrough came when Pluto (from her 2nd House of earning capacity) was exactly squaring her natal Sun in 5th House, but at the same time Pluto was changing her life in an exact trine to her natal Midheaven.
She was dubbed Voice (Venus) of an Angel (in Pisces). Caroline Myss describes the Angel Archetype as providing “a channel through which angels’ presence is palpably manifested”.
Her career trajectory in life is solidly mapped out, depicted by her Midheaven (Career)/I.C. Axis exactly square to her natal Nodal Axis. The exaltations and challenges of her life would have been carefully scripted pre-birth. Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac, is a sign which symbolically contains everything, like the ocean. It is an adaptable sign, and represents the evolution of the Soul.
From Angel to Ladette
On the way to the Activist Archetype and towards the end of her classical career, she had her adolescent rebellion. Thus she unleashed her Inner Rebel (Mercury square exactly Uranus is not afraid to be controversial in speech) which later transformed into the Activist, a more constructive manifestation of her Rebel, previously without a cause. She left school at 16 and gained a bit of a reputation as a Ladette.
A quote from Frank Clifford in British Entertainers says it all:
“In October 2002 she was thought to be going ‘off the rails’ when caught visiting her DJ boyfriend, defying her mother and…smoking a cigarette!”
I think Frank is implying an ironic shock value, but she was involved in a spoof of TV programme Ladette to Lady, which was called Lady to Ladette.
When she turned 18, she liberated her financial assets, and declared that she would spend as she pleased.
Failed Pop Star
Eventually she put her energies in a new direction, the pop world. In 2005, she launched the new branch of her career, but it did not really take off. Somehow her voice was not as stunning in the new genre, as it had been employed as a child classical singer.
The Chat Show Hostess
Her chat show “The Charlotte Church Show” aired from 2006-8, where she showed her Piscean versatility. It was a competent undertaking, and more successful than her pop ventures.
The Altruist
Charlotte has her Ascendant in Libra, which equals love of justice and fairness, and Pisces is the sign of charity, empathy and compassion. In 2007 she supported as Patron the charity The Topsy Foundation, which worked with poverty and AIDS in South Africa.
The Mother
She became involved with the Rugby player Gavin Henson, and had two children, a daughter then a son. Motherhood is an important role of fulfilment in her life, with such a full 5th House, and the Moon on the Midheaven, although her relationship with Gavin did not last. His Venus in her 4th House of Home and Family enabled this role. Her daughter Ruby has a healer’s chart (Part of Fortune exactly conjunct Chiron and exactly sextile Jupiter), with talents in both sport (Sun square Mars) and song (Venus at the Midheaven). There was a great deal of press intrusion in her relationship with Gavin, and she eventually accepted £600,000 damages and testified to the Leveson inquiry.
Enter the Activist
This year we have really seen the emergence of her Inner Activist. This is an Archetype I associate with Mars and Aries (the Action Hero), and Uranus and Aquarius (The Rebel). It is possible she took time to get her Mars and Uranus functions under control, because both have difficulty by way of squares in her natal chart, Mars square Venus giving her a passionate nature, and Uranus square Jupiter giving her an addiction to risk.
She has been seen opposing welfare cuts, supporting the left wing Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn, and opposing the drilling for oil by Shell in the Arctic Circle.
On 21st June she took a prominent role in an Anti-Austerity march in London, in which she stated that austerity was “unethical, unfair and unnecessary”. She warned “the Government will “sell off our schools and our hospitals, and once it is done, it will be very difficult to reverse”. She found a different, but no less potent voice, that of Piscean compassion.
In July she endorsed Jeremy Corbin, explaining that he is “unconflicted in his political views, and abstemious in his daily life. He is one of the only politicians of note that seems to truly recognise the dire inequality that exists in this country today and actually have a problem with it.” She now has a new name in the media: “Prosecco Socialist”.
This week she turned out a performance below a London bridge, protesting against the Obama’s new endorsement of Shell for drilling oil in the Arctic. In an astrological endorsement of her Inner Warrior, Mars was exactly trine her natal Mars. Jupiter was exactly trine her natal North Node in Taurus, giving a nod of approval to her karmic mission.
In Esoteric Astrology, the Earth rules Sagittarius, the sign which contains both her natal Mars (Activist) and Uranus (Rebel). The Earth is said to be positioned in the natal chart opposite the Sun. At this week’s event, when she sang Dinah Washington’s blues song “The Bitter Earth” the Sun and Jupiter were on her natal Earth position.
In the last year or two, her Progressed Sun moved from Pisces to Aries (the Activist), which explains some of the timing of her recent transformation. She stands on the brink of her Saturn Return in Sagittarius (14th December this year), which is a serious moment of contemplation about the structure of one’s life. Who knows where the next year will take her…
There are several examples of celebrity females who have gone through a conventional phase, then a wild child phase, then turned to altruism. Charlotte does at the moment seem to be expressing her Soul values. Sometimes the personal challenges intervene, and throw a person off track for a while, but for now she seems on track.
Aspects
There are only three aspects this week, so listen carefully and make the most of them!
On Tuesday (1st), the Sun opposes Neptune, which may bring up a mystery to be solved. You may be working hard to achieve clarity on an issue in your life, and be torn by compassion. On the world front, it may be a key day in relation to the fate of the boat migrants across the Mediterranean, as Neptune represent the sea and European leaders are trying to achieve some consensus about what to do about them. It seems the poorest countries such as Greece seem to be on the coal face of the incoming refugees fleeing barbaric regimes in Africa and the Middle East, and some European countries are more humane than others in their approach to the subject.
The same day, Venus conjuncts Mars, which is a pleasure-orientated combination. In art or social interaction, the sensuality could hold sway. If you are being creative, you will enjoy the process. If on the other hand, you are nursing patients or looking after migrants, you will want to make them as comfortable as possible. It is a day dedicated to trying to make this earth side experience a heightened one.
On Saturday (5th) the Sun trines Pluto, and all could achieve a meaningful and satisfying interpretation of life’s experiences. The impetus at the beginning of the week to co-ordinate compassion and practicality, and enjoyment, may have resulted in ideas and moves which enhance the quality and depth of your daily life and interests. Saturday’s activities and contemplations could see the fulfilment of the puzzles and promises of the early experiences of the week. It may also see some problem-solving by the powers that be.
The week in bullet points:
- Tuesday – confusion and delights
- Saturday – profound conclusions
August 30th, 2015 at 2:24 pm
Charlotte Church plays a mother earth type woman with lots of babies in the new film of Under Milk Wood, which I saw a month ago. I thought she was excellent. As she also sings, it seems the role was perfect for her!
August 30th, 2015 at 3:14 pm
Thanks Lana for an interesting read, but I’ve never been a fan and not about to alter that I think.
I’m wondering if this week will be the one where I take my not quite right car to the garage for their input. I can imagine confusion initially, and would be delighted by any problem solving. Let’s hope.
Love Sarah
August 30th, 2015 at 4:18 pm
Dear Lana
Do you write for the US Open too or “only” once a year for wimbledon? Sally Kirkman predicts a good tournament for Federer. I’d really like to see him winning again. (http://www.sallykirkman.com/blog/us-open-tennis-2015)
Love Philippe
August 30th, 2015 at 8:26 pm
Dear Lan
This was an interesting sidestep from last week and a very neat way of closing the circle with Charlotte Church’s support of Jeremy Corbyn.
I heard her speaking in the Leveson Enquiry. She was extremely articulate and clear thinking. Have heard similar interviews with her – not a trace of ladette these days. Reading your account of her “evolution” it all makes sense.
Daphne, I hadn’t known about the new film. I’d love to go and see it. Thanks for the tip off. I did see it performed by Clwyd Theatr Cymru in April. It was magical. And you are right Charlotte Church is perfect for Polly Garter.
Looking forward to Tuesday’s mystery to be solved. Am wondering which one. New mysteries seem to crop up on a daily basis.
Love Janet xx
August 31st, 2015 at 8:59 am
So the the Mars in Aries is the activist, combined with the Aquarian Uranus, which is much in my chart – that explains some of my activity Lana, thank you.
I’m very relieved to see a quiet week this time round.
August 31st, 2015 at 9:07 am
Dear Daph
Thank you for enlightening us about Charlotte’s current artistic path! Hope I get the chance to see that.
Could she be beginning a more successful path as an actress in musical drama? The two signs associated with acting are Leo (for drama, performance and theatricality) and Pisces (for sensitivity, versatility and subtle portrayal of emotion). She has of course several planets in Pisces, and in Leo she has a conjunction of the Moon and her Midheaven (career path).
I will watch that space with interest,
Love
Lana
August 31st, 2015 at 9:10 am
Dear Sarah
We need a vocal expert to evaluate Charlotte’s early musical career. But I wasn’t too impressed with Charlotte in her Ladette phase (makes me sound really prim).
However, I am fascinated by her evolutionary path and progress, and though I am not an activist I admire her stand on things that matter.
Love
Lana
August 31st, 2015 at 9:32 am
Dear Pitsch
Thanks very much for your enquiry.
First of all, congratulations to Roger on his overall win at Cincinnati!
Glad to hear that Sally Kirkman is providing the tennis service all the year round. Thanks for providing the link to her blog. I find her technique of basing her prediction on the opening chart interesting.
Here in the U.K. we don’t have extensive coverage of the tournaments other than Wimbledon, so I don’t follow it so avidly the rest of the year. At Wimbledon time, I can live and breathe it. Well that is my excuse, but of course Sally is a British Astrologer…
Here is my assessment of Roger’s transits for the U.S. Open in a reply to Tri this summer:
“U.S. Open 2015
31st Aug – 13 Sept
At the beginning of the US Open Chiron from Pisces in his 7th House will be trine Roger’s Moon in Scorpio in his 3rd House. This may be more of a personal transit, connected with the relationships with the women in his life. But the constructive transit will impinge on his mood on the court, and that seems sound. He will feel quite together, so to speak!
By the end Mars trines his Neptune, which is not such a major transit but still quite constructive for his mood and psychology. He could be quietly pleased with his overall performance, but it is not a stunning end to that season.”
But he may be on a roll, from Cincinnati, and that may sustain him.
Love
Lana
August 31st, 2015 at 9:42 am
Dear Janet
Thanks very much for your discussion of the week’s issue!
Well of course that was a neat segue from the Labour Leadership to the Labour Leadership, but maybe my own bias led me to the subject.
Interesting you observed Charlotte speaking at the Leveson enquiry. After writing this piece, I did read in an old newspaper cutting (The Observer 24/2/13):
“She has previously admitted that her experience with Leveson made her into a feminist. In what way? ‘A lot of my outlook changed after Leveson’ ”
This was around the time her progressed Sun transitioned into Aries from Pisces, so Leveson may well have been formative for her.
I did think Gavin Henson was a bit of a lost soul when they broke up, so was pleased to read in this same article:
“She and Henson now have an amicable co-parenting arrangement. ‘It’s good’ Charlotte says. ‘I don’t really like to talk about it, mostly to protect the kids’…They are sweet, happy children, clamouring for her attention.”
Hope your Tuesday mystery turns out to be interesting!
Love
Lana
August 31st, 2015 at 9:45 am
Dear Bronwen
You certainly have the Activist and the Rebel Archetypes in your chart.
Permission to include you in my Encyclopaedia of Astrological Archetypes?
Yes, I like a quiet week, myself. It gives me a chance to honour each individual aspect more attentively.
Good to hear from you,
Love
Lana
September 1st, 2015 at 9:49 am
Dear Lana, as I mentioned to you before, I wrote a comment via my phone on Sunday but accidentally hit delete, somehow! So here’s ‘take 2’!
As a professional voice user and teacher, I wanted to say something about Charlotte Church. When she appeared on the music scene at such a young age, many of us felt this was exploitation. I/we still feel this way and remain horrified at the way she was propelled into the public eye with many vocal issues. Aside from the fact that none of this was good for Charlotte on so many levels, it was also not good to have her in such prominence, influencing other young singers. It was in fact not Charlotte’s fault at all, but those in charge of her care. If you notice, since then there have been many and if XFactor, Facebook and YouTube are anything to go by, the exploitation is now worse than ever.
Young voices cannot and should not be expected to cope with the demands of the professional world where recording companies are out for nothing but a fast and lucrative turn over. It isn’t at all surprising to me that she went through some challenging Ladettish times; a complete necessity for her Spiritual sanity. I love to see the way she has grown and flourished and is speaking out. Even now she is maligned and referred to as an Opera singer and as such, unable to think and formulate her own opinions. What many many people do not realise is, she was never an Opera singer. She was a singer singing many things, some of which were ‘soft’ operatic options. An Operatic voice takes years to build and is not found in a 12 or even 16 year old, despite the many claims. Classical singers voices do not mature until around the age of 30 and in some cases, such as Heldentenors (with the capability of singing Wagner) and Dramatic Sopranos, they are not at their best until the age of 40. Also, to become an opera singer you need many skills, much intellect and strength of character. It is far more difficult a job than being an instrumentalist (I know as I have been both) and costs a fortune to do and do well!
I find your Astrological analysis of her excellent, really showing the stuff that goes on behind the scenes of our lives, her life; it’s very helpful as it puts into perspective things that we might not see from the outside.
Thank you Lana…. a great read as always and like Sarah, I’m grateful for a quieter week! Fxx
September 1st, 2015 at 12:04 pm
Dear Flick
Your comments on Charlotte Church’s singing career were really interesting. It must be very hard for the parents of talented chidren to know what to do for the best. I dont know very much about singing, but on the occasions I have seen some very good youngsters on TV talent shows, I have prayed for them NOT to win. The combination of Lana’s blog and your experiences have made me think I did the right thing
Love Janet
September 2nd, 2015 at 8:23 am
Dear Flick
I did fervently hope you would post your thoughts on this singer, so thank you very very much for taking the time and trouble to express your thoughts again.
I was aware that the early success might have created some damage (I always think of poor young Lena Zavaroni when I think of child stars) but had not realized there was so much to it. And thank you for putting Charlotte’s adolescent rebellion in perspective, showing how necessary it was!
I listened yesterday to her rendition of “This Bitter Earth” and found it passionate, with much range in her voice, movingly sung.
And this morning’s Guardian has an explanation in her own words of why she has got involved in fighting for the Arctic. Written with real wit:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/01/charlotte-church-dismissed-as-silly-girl-wont-stop-fighting-for-arctic-greenpeace-shell
Love
Lana