Grenfell Tower – Emotional Responses

It has been an intense few weeks in the U.K. and we are recovering from the Manchester bombing, closely followed by the London Bridge terror attack, then an extraordinary election, and now this week the horrifying spectre of the Grenfell Tower, black against the London skyline.  There has been so much emotion around it all, and the emotional responses of public figures especially have been under scrutiny.

There are so many angles and layers to the Grenfell Tower disaster, which will go on being analyzed for a long time to come.  There are so many stories yet to be told, identities of bodies to be unearthed, and responsibilities and blame to be attached.  I was unable to obtain birth dates for the new Labour MP, for the talented upcoming artist who died, the date of the building, and other possible subjects, and so I thought I would look at the emotional responses of key figures.

Chart of the Fire

On the morning of the disaster, I wrote:

“A chart drawn up for 1 a.m. shows the Mercury-Neptune square on the Ascendant and 4th House cusp, and the Sun-Saturn opposition on the Midheaven-I.C. axis, so these two difficult aspects of the week are not to be underestimated. The 1824 chart for London has transiting Saturn square its Sun (loss).”

That time was later reported as 00.54 Hrs, and this gives Uranus exactly opposite the Part of Fortune in 8th House, which is another clue to the devastation.

Looking at the transits for the U.K. charts:

1922 – Neptune is squaring its Sun, bringing confusion and compassion.  Uranus is sextile its Mars – which can be conflagrational.  The South Node is on its Mars, a karmic danger and fire.

1801 – Pluto is sextile its Neptune, very complex and dramatic emotions.  Saturn trine its Ascendant, which ought to be constructive, not destructive.  Not a very convincing set of transits.

1066 – Mars opposite its Mercury – stress and strain, possibly caused by fire.  Uranus trine its Uranus, the unexpected.  North Node trine Uranus, karmic surprise.  Again, not as convincing as the 1922 chart.

This blackened tower block, in the heart of London, will undoubtedly be etched on the national psyche always, and therefore should register on the national chart, and the transits for the 1922 chart are fitting.

Community Responses

The fire brigade brought 40 fire engines and more than 200 firefighters to try to tackle the blaze.  A chief spokesperson London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton said “I have never experienced anything like this in my career.  However, I have taken enormous strength from the amazing response from all my staff and the response of  the other emergency services who continue to be involved in the response  to the incident.”

The local community mobilized immediately to bring food, shelter and provisions to those affected.  Once again, as in all the previous disasters, heroism and kindness came to the fore.

What was criticized, however, was the government’s response, in terms of providing for those affected, and in terms of providing information for those desperately seeking loved ones.  The government, and the wealthy landlords of the area, were implicated in ignoring repeated health and safety concerns of the residents in the preceding years in order to save money.

Theresa May response

Prime Minister Theresa May has not had a good fortnight, and she must be under enormous strain.  She played a prominent role in David Cameron’s austerity government of the last few years, and cost-cutting was an important causal factor in relation to poor materials and lack of sprinklers etc. in the building contributing to the fire.

In addition, her personal response in visiting the site and not engaging with the public, was heavily criticized, and contributed to rising anger towards her personally.

Her transits at the time of the fire (which will not have moved on much from the poor election result) showed Saturn still trine her Venus (feeling serious), Neptune still on her Mars (lessons about illusion) and Pluto trine her Jupiter (time to learn deep lessons about life and philosophy).

What can we tell about her emotional make up from her chart (without a birth time)?  Sun (the heart) in Libra is about finding balance in this lifetime.  Her Moon (emotional make up) is in Leo (power) or Virgo (administration) and may even be literally cuspal.  Her Venus (capacity to feel) is conjunct Pluto, and there would be deep feeling there, but not necessarily that which is easy to express.  Mars (will) is in emotional Pisces, but again not so easy to express.  Saturn (discipline) conjuncts her North Node, making the Conservative path very much part of her karmic mission.  This event will have brought to her conscious mind things she may not have considered before (such as the effects of austerity).  She is currently held in place politically as the Conservatives have little choice, but will be learning to open the heart, and what the nation requires of her.

Jeremy Corbyn response

With his newly established position in nation’s hearts (not all, for some will never take to him or his message), he further cemented his reputation as a man for all people, by stepping into the community and talking to and hugging the victims.  In the election campaign, too, he was much more accessible than the Prime Minister.  It has been said that he had an advantage in that his presence would be much more welcome, in that he would not be directly blamed.  But certainly, the contrast between the two responses was undeniable, and his response was a natural extension of his general manner.

Again, we do not have a birth time for Jeremy, and do not know for instance if he has something compassionate such as Neptune on the Ascendant to give prominence to this side of his character.  With the Sun, Venus, Mercury and Uranus in Gemini, he is very much a thinker and a teacher, and driven by his ideology.  His Moon is in steadfast Taurus, a quality which has seen him through the testing of his leadership.  His Moon may well be conjunct Mars in Taurus, and if so that would make him a very emotionally responsive person.  With Jupiter in Aquarius, again he is very idealistic, and his social ideals are a great part of his enthusiasm.  He has Chiron in Sagittarius, which heals through philosophical understanding.

His transits too would not have moved much since the election: Pluto trines his Mars (his energies are very powerful at the moment), Chiron square his Uranus (feeling the nature of the disaster), and Jupiter on his Neptune (bringing spiritual uplift).

Sadiq Khan response

Sadiq Khan has had a lot to contend with this year as London’s Mayor: the Westminster and London Bridge terrorist attacks, and the Grenfell Tower blaze.  He has always been straight on the scene, and must have had many interrupted nights.  As Mayor, he has endeavoured to honour all religions and races, and to be positive in thought and deed.  And yet, he has run into criticism from President Trump, in hasty tweets.

He put himself out there, among the angry residents this week, and sad to say he was heckled and had bottles thrown at him.  No one could accuse him of lacking courage.  His courage and energy are shown in his chart (again without a birth time) by Mars conjunct Pluto in Virgo (he does get on with the job).  He has deep feelings (Venus in Scorpio) with a loose conjunction to Neptune, enhancing his compassion for those caught up in tragedy.  His Moon is in Capricorn (which is not so emotional) but trine Mars in Virgo, giving him quick emotional responses and practical action.  His North Node (karmic mission) is at 0 degrees Pisces, the essence of compassion.

His main transit at this time is Chiron trine his natal Neptune, bringing out healing qualities to add to his natural compassion.  He has made himself visible, but I am sure will contribute much in the months to come to the effort of healing this community.

The Queen’s response

Queen Elizabeth II has been a sterling force these last few weeks, visiting patients in hospital who were victims of the London Bridge terrorist attack, and then visiting members of the community this week in Kensington.  In both cases she showed sincerity, compassion and genuine interest.

It was not always thus.  When Lady Diana died, she was criticized, just as Theresa May was criticized this week, for not showing emotion and empathy.  Undoubtedly, she learned a great deal from that, and now has a much different profile.  It shows that people can change.  Her efforts too were much contrasted with Theresa’s output, but there again she would not be facing the hostility or blame attached to Theresa.

The Queen started this life with a very stolid chart: Sun in Taurus, Ascendant in Capricorn, and Saturn on the Midheaven.  For much of her reign she showed quite an austere character, in an austere public role.  But Lady Diana’s involvement with the royal family revealed that more humanness was required, and gradually some of the royal family have become much more engaged with the public, notably Diana’s sons William and Harry.

At the time of Lady Diana’s death, Saturn was exactly squaring the Queen’s Nodal Axis, exactly depicting a time of karmic reckoning and the need for change.  Where the Queen was able to find her compassionate bone, is in her Venus in Pisces, which has the capacity for compassion and service through love.

The Queen’s transits at the moment show Neptune on that Venus in Pisces (a greater opening of that compassion and love), and Jupiter squaring her Pluto (an awareness of the need to be positive in the face of tragedy).  Hence her very apt words: that the country has been “resolute in the face of adversity” and “This year, however, it is difficult to escape a very sombre national mood.”

Aspects

This evening brings two contrasting aspects within 20 minutes of each other.

At 18.47 Hrs Uranus sextiles the Sun.  There is the capacity for brilliant action and ideas of an innovative nature.  Science, invention, networking and group consciousness all benefit.  Leos and Aquarians may well be at the centre of this excitement.

At 19.07 Hrs Saturn opposes Mercury, and may throw in a note of caution, possibly even curtailing the fun.  If both aspects can be combined constructively somehow, then you may retain the brilliance of Uranus sextile the Sun, and also honour the mental discipline of Mercury opposite Saturn.  If you are reading this in advance, you may be able to devise a plan of action accordingly!

Tomorrow the North Node sextiles Mercury, and what you say may have great karmic consequence.  Choose your words mindfully!  This aspect may bring out your Inner Teacher.  As a start to the working week, it reminds you to attend to detail, knowing that anything or everything may have significance.

Chiron also squares the Sun tomorrow, so there may be healing crises or headaches to attend to, problems to solve.  Look for the key to unlock the solution, which may be soulful but simple and direct.  Someone may ask for your help, and you may need to give them the first step to helping themselves.

Tuesday (20th) starts early with two sextiles.  The first is Neptune sextile Venus, a splendid channel for compassion and love, communities coming together, and charity.  In the Arts, it provides spiritual inspiration.

The second sextile is between Mercury and Uranus.  You may be able to pick up on some of your brilliant ideas from Sunday, and put them forward more confidently.  Communication, technology, advertising, and P.R. all benefit from this aspect.  Conversation sparkles.

Seize some momentum early in the day, because a square between Mercury and Chiron follows, and again problems or crises could arise, e.g. in the implementation of new ideas.  You may feel that so far this week you have taken three steps forward and two steps backwards, but your overall progress is assured!  Keep the vision and faith.  You may be able to spot a flaw in someone’s argument (or your own) and help rectify it.  Perhaps the key is the significance of a tiny detail you took note of on Monday.

Wednesday (21st) brings the Summer Solstice, the entry of the Sun into the sign of Cancer, the high point of the light in the year – is it that time already?  If the weather is still sunny, as it is today in the U.K., make the most of it, and celebrate it!  I know many find it uncomfortable, and the UV rays are high, but it does contribute to a holiday atmosphere, especially for those who cannot afford a summer holiday or time away.  Paddling pool in the garden, barbecued aubergines on the go, sparkling mineral water on ice, job done.

Mercury then also enters Cancer, focussing the mind on home and family affairs.  Documentation about home maintenence may feature heavily, and communication with relatives.  Logic has to take account of emotional factors for the duration of Mercury’s stay in this sign, until 6th July.  Certainly you will be more successful if you take into account your own emotions and those of others.

In the afternoon, Mercury catches up with the Sun and forms an exact conjunction at 0 degrees Cancer.  If you have spent the morning and lunchtime mulling over family or home matters, you may be rewarded with an insight of crystal clarity about what you should be doing, what direction you may take, or the origins of a family problem.  It is at any rate a very good aspect for the study or examination of a subject in detail, and for putting emotions under the microscope.

Saturday (24th) brings a refreshing New Moon at 2 degrees Cancer, which benefits new beginnings in home and family affairs, or the affairs of the House in which it falls in your birthchart.  It can bring an emotional renewal.  It favours re-housing for the dispossessed, and may bring new hope in this respect or new initiatives.

On a deeper level, psychological renewal is possible with a trine from Pluto to Venus the same day, which interacting with the New Moon, can augment a sense of hope and new life.  This trine can uncover the depth of human feelings with compassion, and helps in any counselling efforts.  It enables new perspectives for dealing with pain.

The week in bullet points:

  • Today – new ideas, some stumbling blocks
  • Tomorrow – karmic speech, and healing crises
  • Tuesday – love and compassion, mental brilliance; mental overload
  • Wednesday – concentration on home and family
  • Saturday – renewal on more than one level
Date: Jun 18th, 2017 · Comments RSS · Tags: News