Tim Peake

British Astronaut Tim Peake was on television this week publicizing his forthcoming 6-month stint on the International Space Station, and hoping to interest young people in the science behind it.  Schoolchildren put a range of fascinating questions to him, with a zestful curiosity.   Space travel fascinates children, and many profess to want to be astronauts when they grow up, but it is still a very rare profession.  I thought I would take a look at Tim Peake’s chart, and those of a few other Astronauts.  The profession demands a wide range of skills, but are there any similarities within their charts?

Tim Peake has 0 planets in Fixed signs (so he is very adaptable), and 0 planets in Water signs (so he is not over-emotional).  He has the Sun in Aries, conferring physical strength, energy and an interest in fitness, all very necessary to the task.  You can see the Aries in his ginger hair and corresponding skin type (Mars ruling).  In some of the Astronauts, you can see their background in the Sun sign, and in Tim’s case he came from a military background (Aries).

What interests me in Tim’s chart is a theme of isolation.  He can willingly separate from his family and his life on earth for months on end, and that is reflected in several ways in his chart.  First of all, Aries is self-reliant.  He has Venus conjunct Saturn which can be lonely, or alone, as a pattern or lifestyle.  Pluto is at 0 degrees Libra (relationships), an ultimate test of relating.  Uranus is closely opposite his Sun, representing breaking away.

Other features of his chart are Saturn trine his North Node (strong sense of responsibility, applied in karmic mission), Mercury sextile his Mars (quick nervous reactions) and Mercury trine exactly Neptune (a fine tuned mind, spiritually).  He also has the North Node (karmic mission) at 1 degree of the futuristic sign of Aquarius.

He is due to go into space on 15th December this year, a time when he has his Uranus opposition (mid-life rebellion).  Neptune also plays a great part in his transits of that time, squaring his natal Mars and sextile his natal Jupiter, signalling change in his perceptions of life.

Helen Sharman

On to the television breakfast sofa they also brought Helen Sharman, the first British woman to go out into space, in 1991, albeit only for eight days.  She contributed some interesting information to the discussion.  The work of an Astronaut is very demanding on the physical body, not least because of the zero gravity effect.  When asked about re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, she said that the bodily fluids suddenly rush back towards the feet, which is a lot for the body to cope with.

Although Tim Peake will be separated from family and friends, he will of course have a handful of fellow Astronauts working with him as a team.  Helen Sharman recalled that on her stint, they made an effort to have their meals together, and to all try and sit in the same orientation as if they were sitting round a table rather than floating haphazardly.

She also had a specific scientific role on the Space Station, whereas Tim Peake says that nowadays they are all trained in all aspects of the work so that they can take over each other’s roles at any time.  Helen, a Sun sign Gemini, came from a scientific background (Gemini) as a Chemist.  Mars conjunct Uranus in her chart also gives her a talent for engineering.

She has a couple of isolationist features in her chart (Sun square Pluto and Venus opposite Neptune) but it is not such a strong theme as in Tim Peake’s chart.  She did not travel away from the Earth for long, but it must be a challenge to know that you might not come back.

Her path as a scientist is highlighted further in a sextile between Mercury (Science) and the North Node (karmic mission).  Chiron exactly trines her Neptune, so she has some healing instincts.

When she went into space, she had transits of Uranus sextile her natal Neptune (embracing a greater level of complexity) and Uranus trine her natal Venus (a new social group).

One of the scientist brought on the programme to comment observed how space travel had changed since the 1960s.  It started out as a competition (or war of sorts) between East and West, but now had a more international flavour of co-operation.

Neil Armstrong

I wrote about Neil Armstrong when he died in 2012:

“ In his chart, his own Moon holds the distinction of being at the power point of the Galactic Centre.

His achievements were great, but so also was his character.  He eschewed the status of fame, and remained true to the humility of Neptune at the base of his chart.  Armstrong’s Neptune is exactly square to his Ascendant, on the cusp of his 4th House of Home.  This accounted for the fluidity of his roots: his family moved several times in his early years.  This may have been part of the making of a man who could let go and travel out into space.  Maybe it was part of the training which his life provided.  Although Neptune is more usually associated with the ocean, it is also connected with the ethers.  He had a highly sensitive finely tuned nervous system, with Neptune conjunct exactly his Mercury and the conjunction square to his Ascendant.

The high vitality of his chart is shown by Mars in his 1st House trine exactly the Part of Fortune in his 5th House, then backed up by the Sun in between sextiling both, and Uranus sextile his Mars and trine his Sun in Leo, also providing the scientific abilities needed by an Astronaut.

His career path is represented by his Midheaven, which is placed in the air sign of Aquarius, and from the age of 6 he was interested in flight.  Aquarius is also the sign of technology, and futuristic endeavours.”

Neil Armstrong was the Commander of the first manned mission to the Moon in Apollo 11, his role reflecting his Sun sign of Leo.  At the time of the Moon landing on 20th July 1969 (I remember I was the only member of my family to stay up and watch it) Mars was square Neil Armstrong’s Neptune (reminiscent of Neptune square Tim Peake’s Mars when he goes into space later this year):  the Mars/Neptune squares may be symbolic of taking a step out of context in the Universe.  At the Moon landing, Mars was also on Armstrong’s Descendant, and Saturn was sextile his natal Jupiter, Mars showing the need for physical caution, and the Saturn position showing the exercise of caution.

Buzz Aldrin

The second member of the manned mission team, Buzz Aldrin, had the Sun at 0 degrees Aquarius, a crucial degree for space flight (close to Tim Peake’s North Node).  He had the North Node closely conjunct Chiron in the 11th House of teamwork.  His Gemini Ascendant was exactly opposite the Galactic Centre, and therefore Armstrong’s Moon was opposite his Ascendant (a Moon-centred relationship!).

His Neptune on the I.C point opposite his Midheaven resonates with Neil Armstrong’s Neptune position on the cusp of the 4th House at the bottom of his chart (see above).  His Mars is exactly sextile his natal Part of Fortune in the 9th House of Space Exploration.  Neil Armstrong’s North Node was exactly sextile Buzz Aldrin’s Ascendant, on the cusp of Buzz Aldrin’s 11th House of teamwork.

At the time of the Moon landing, Jupiter was exactly conjunct Uranus (Enterprise!); Jupiter (far flung travel) and Uranus (technological advance) were exactly trine Buzz Aldrin’s natal Sun.  Mars was square his natal Neptune, like Neil Armstrong, but they were born in the same year and would have their Neptunes close together.

Michael Collins

Unlike the other two members of the Moon landing team, we do not have a birth time for Michael Collins.  His role was to orbit the Moon in the Command Module while the other two actually landed on the Moon.  Fascinatingly, he reported his feelings at the time as not those of loneliness, but “awareness, anticipation, satisfaction, confidence, almost exultation”.

Collins is a Scorpio by Sun sign, with Jupiter exactly conjunct Pluto (his ruling planet) in Moon-ruled Cancer.  This is a conjunction of great power and positivity.  He was probably really feeling that conjunction in his description of his solo flight.

He had a karmic bond with Buzz Aldrin, in his Sun being exactly conjunct Aldrin’s South Node.  At the time of the Moon landing Chiron was square his natal Saturn, Saturn was exactly trine his natal Saturn and opposite his natal Sun.  There was a great emphasis therefore on control and solitariness in the role the Universe was asking of him at that time.

In those days, it seemed the adventure of conquering Space was all in front of us, but with accidents occurring to Astronauts later, and financial constraints, question marks began to appear over the whole concept of colonizing Space.  These days we have probes investigating various planets, and programmes working towards manned travel and colonization of Mars.  I recently caught an episode of the U.S. comedy series The Big Bang Theory in which scientist Sheldon Cooper had applied for a manned trip to Mars.  His girlfriend Amy was a bit miffed that he would leave her behind, and the show ended with him applying for her to go, too.  It takes all sorts to make an Astronaut.

Aspects

Venus enters Libra today, where she is more at home than in Virgo.  She is at home in Taurus and Libra, but they are slightly different homes.  Taurus is a comfy home with peachy or terracotta interiors, soft sofas and silk cushions plus a lush garden.  Libra is more like an elegant, well-designed penthouse suite in cooler colours, all light and airy with plenty of windows…just setting the scene here.

Venus in Virgo was very exacting with high standards.  Libra oils the wheels and enables a greater sense of harmony, whether through people-pleasing, diplomacy or negotiation.  Not everyone wins, but people do get to share views, and there is no dictatorship under this regime.

The Sun trines Chiron tomorrow, so there is a chance to intensify healing efforts, especially along alternative lines.

On Tuesday (10th) Mercury sextiles Pluto, which is a step towards constructive outcomes, most certainly in medicine and psychotherapy.  It is a good day to lose yourself in deep thought, adopting the pose of Rodin’s “Thinker” from time to time, as the mood takes you.

All the karmic healing and thought-filled activity pay off on Wednesday (11th) when the Sun sextiles Jupiter, bringing an opportunity to put into practice what you’ve learned, to bring everything together or expand your ideas.  A small Lotto flutter may bring dividends, if you are the gambling sort.

The Moon is also New that day, at 19 degrees Scorpio, so any innovation you make should be profound, and stands a good chance of taking root.

On Thursday (12th) Mars enters Libra.  While Jupiter and the North Node are in Virgo, and Mercury, the Sun and Moon are in Scorpio, Venus has had Libra all to herself to refurbish and re-design her home for the requirements and style of 2015.  She has had a few days to get the place as she likes it, nice and peaceful and tasteful…ah…just feel the luxury of that peace…it is just about to have a shaking up with the entry of Mars.  Mars in Libra represents the challenges of achieving peace in times of war.  Mars demands action, and cannot leave things as they are.  In the Arts (a domain of Libra) it represents the process of “Art and Harmony through Conflict” (one of the 7 Rays of Alice Bailey).  Now Venus has much of the day to prepare, so savour that beautiful space on Thursday, for the arrival of Mars at her door does not take place until 21.41 Hrs in the U.K. You’ll know when he arrives, as he will knock noisily, then barge into the Penthouse without a by your leave!  I recommend an hour’s meditation at 20.41 Hrs, just to make sure you register the difference.  Venus has some power (the power of Love) and has established her territory for the time being, but now negotiations have to begin.  Whether it is Art, or War, or the Art of War, something will be happening.

Friday (13th) may be lucky for some as Venus sextiles Saturn, a loyal and forgiving sort of aspect.  Forgiveness and letting go will prove useful and effective tools in the effort to create a positive ambience for the day.

By early evening, you may feel the benefits of Mercury sextile Jupiter, an aspect suited to commercial and academic success.  If you are contemplating new learning, widespread or global communication, the Universe will back you up on such efforts.

The week in bullet points:

  • Today – art and harmony
  • Monday – healing
  • Tuesday – profound thought
  • Wednesday – success and innovation
  • Thursday – art and harmony through conflict
  • Friday – lucky for some
Date: Nov 8th, 2015 · Comments RSS · Tags: Space Travel