Shimon Peres

“Better to negotiate for peace in pain and frustration for five years than have five minutes of gunfire and bullets.”

Shimon Peres, the last of the founding fathers of Israel, died this week aged 93.  Like many advocates of peace, he started out as a “hawk” but undeniably worked for peace in the Middle East for most of his life.

Middle East Peace Process

There was a time, in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, when various Middle Eastern leaders appeared on platforms together visibly working towards peace between the Arabs and Israelis.  In 1977 Anwar Sadat of Egypt visited Israel, met the Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, and spoke at the Knesset.  In 1979 an accord was made between them at Camp David, overseen by U.S. President Jimmy Carter.  In the 1990s, the Oslo Accords brought together the PLO chairman Yasser Arafat, and Israeli ministers Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin, overseen by President Bill Clinton.  In 1994 Peres shared in the Nobel Peace prize for his efforts.  Two men were assassinated as a result of their bravery in taking part in this process, Anwar Sadat and Yitzhak Rabin.  Ironically, both were killed by their own countrymen objecting to their part in peace processes.  The current Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Nethanyahu, is an unreserved hawk who has dominated his country’s politics for many years.  He would argue with Shimon Peres that security must come first, then peace.  Shimon Peres argued back that peace must come first, to ensure security.

Birth Chart

Shimon Peres was a Leo, with four planets in that sign, and 5 planets in the Fixed signs, indicating leadership and a stubborn nature (he never gave up).  There are alternative dates of his birth, but Astrologers have settled on 16th August 1923, 5.15 a.m. Wiszince, Poland.  The warriorship and the peacemaking both figure in his chart.  Mars conjuncts his Sun (The Warrior) and his Moon is in Libra (The Peacemaker) sextile his Venus.  His Ascendant in Virgo was hardworking, and there was some shyness in his personality (with his Leo planets in the 12th House).  He was an orator, and polyglot, with Mercury sextile Jupiter, and in addition had a very cultured and poetic side (Venus conjunct Neptune) – some of his songs were performed by Andrea Bocelli.  He has strong chart links with the actress Lauren Bacall, who was his cousin.  He could be controversial in speech, with Mercury opposite Uranus, and was destined to be a catalyst of karmic change, with the North Node conjunct Mercury and the Ascendant.  He may have had some confusion between religion and spirituality, with Jupiter square Neptune.  But Jupiter trine exactly Pluto was very balanced for holding public office and political power – he often had to step in during times of crisis and transition in his country.

Funeral

Shimon Peres suffered a stroke on 11th September.  At the time, the Nodal Axis had returned to its position at birth.  Karmically, it was his time to go.  He may not have achieved his dream of peace, but he had sustained his efforts to the end.

It was gratifying to see leaders from around the world honouring his life at his funeral, such as Barack Obama, Prince Charles and Mahmoud Abbas (the Palestinian president).  His most fitting eulogy would be for Benjamin Nethanyahu, who acknowledged his virtues and efforts, to emulate him, in what Barack Obama called the “unfinished business” of the peace process.

At the funeral, Abbas shook hands with Netanyahu and said, poignantly: “Long time, long time.”

Bill Clinton, a long term friend since the days of the Oslo Accord collaboration said: “He started life as Israel’s brightest student, became its best teacher and ended up its biggest dreamer”.

Aspects

Mercury opposes Chiron today, so there may be some poignant news or developments in relation to health and healing.  You may be required to be a listening ear, and send out healing vibes at least, if you cannot make a practical contribution.  The message today may be an emphasis on the contribution that mental states make to physical well being.

Tuesday (4th) is likely to be a serious day, with Sun sextile Saturn, but it can be constructive, and practical.  It is a day for making plans and laying foundations.

Wednesday evening (5th) brings a couple of aspects within the space of 23 minutes: Venus sextile Pluto at 21.22 Hrs (in the U.K.) and Mars square Jupiter at 21.45 Hrs.  Venus sextile Pluto can be enormously helpful in stabilizing relationships and finances, and injecting meaning into the Arts.  The second aspect Mars square Jupiter may be a little disruptive, with a possible flare up of anger, but may be highly enthusiastic as well.  The two aspects could feed into each other in a complex mix of emotions and passions, which you may or may not need to untangle.  There may be enjoyment for some in the sport of the evening.

Friday (7th) brings more contrast: in the morning, Mercury enters Libra, the sign of Peace.  In the evening, the Sun squares Pluto, the planet of drama and challenge. You may have been working hard to set up the autumn schedules, with much mental application, while Mercury was in Virgo.  Now the mind can relax a little more, bringing in a more enjoyable element to the programme, perhaps finding applications for your autumn schedules which have a lighter note.

Pluto from Capricorn squaring the Sun in Libra may ruffle a few feathers at the start of the weekend.  Perhaps authorities have been stamping on one of your leisure pursuits, or withdrawing funding for your Arts project.  Your favourite weekend activities may be disrupted by a heavy handed attitude from someone, or a reminder of reality.  It may be difficult to reconcile duty and pleasure on Friday evening.

Saturday (8th) doesn’t look any easier, with Saturn squaring the Nodal Axis.  You may need to come together in a group to discuss how you go forward on a practical matter.  For example, you may be involved in a project which needs to implement economic cutbacks.  At the same time, you may be interested to find certain karmic links with those involved, which you had not noticed before.  Perhaps there are Soul Contracts behind meetings that day, and realizing that may bring a greater sense of purpose.

The week in bullet points:

  • Today – mental soothing needed
  • Tuesday – constructive
  • Wednesday – passionate
  • Friday – peace and war
  • Saturday – karmic interactions
Date: Oct 2nd, 2016 · Comments RSS · Tags: News · Obituary