Prince Philip Revisited

“I reckon I’ve done my bit.  It’s better to get out before you reach your sell-by date.”

~ The Duke of Edinburgh

It has emerged this morning that Prince Philip has sent a written apology to the victims of the car crash he was involved in at Sandringham on 17th January.  People differ in their views as to whether at the age of 97 he should still be driving, but he was breathalysed (negative result) and his eyes were tested and found to be acceptable.  The passenger in the other car, who broke her wrist, was aggrieved that she had not had a personal apology from him (and that he got straight back in the saddle so to speak), and now she has received one.  So I thought it was time to review/update his chart, his current transits, and recent events.  I last wrote about him on his birthday in June 2012:

Birth Chart

“There are a couple of breathtaking features in common between the Duke of Edinburgh’s chart and his wife’s binding them despite being opposites in many ways.  He has the Sun in Gemini, and so all that he processes is through his intellect and the mental plane.  He is known for his witty, acerbic comments, which sometimes hit the mark (Sagittarius Archer ascending) and sometimes emerge as gaffes (Sagittarius rising again).  Sagittarius is very different from Elizabeth’s Capricorn rising.  But he knows his own mind (Moon closely sextile to the Sun), and he undoubtedly came into this world to play a specific role.  One of his main roles is as a spiritual bodyguard to the Queen.  He has a warrior’s chart (Sun conjunct Mars trine his North Node) and karmic mission.  Mars conjunct the Sun in Gemini indicate a more verbal than physical style of warriorship.  The stunning similarities with the Queen’s chart are his Moon in Leo (born to rule) and his Saturn exactly conjunct the Midheaven just as she has (defining his Career Path as one of duty and discipline, and showing just how close his path has been to hers).”

Retirement

Prince Philip retired in 2017, with Neptune trine his natal ruler Mercury (giving himself a mental rest) and Pluto trine his natal Saturn/Midheaven in Virgo in 10th House (a final ending to a dutiful career).

Hip Op

He has had various health problems over the years, and in April 2018 he underwent a hip operation.  At the time, Mars (surgery) was sextile his natal Uranus, Saturn was sextile his natal Uranus, and the North Node (karmic factor) was on his Neptune (a planet connected with post-operative confinement).

The Accident

The accident occurred as Prince Philip was moving out into a busy main road at Sandringham, at 3.30 pm on 17th January.  At that moment, Pluto was exactly opposite the Ascendant, a moment of potential danger (which occurs once in every day).  His range rover careered across the road and overturned, and a passerby helped him out.  He was unhurt, and enquired about the passengers in the other car (which included a baby).

The police have yet to publish a report on the incident, but Prince Philip says the sun was low and in his eyes at the time.  The passenger in the other car contends that it was cloudy at the time.  But our own reporter (chief commenter on this blog) Sarah, who takes her dog walking in Sandringham every day, confirms that it was sunny.  That being so, if he was not sure, maybe he should not have moved out at that moment.

His transits were:-

Saturn opposite his natal Mercury in 8th House – the potential for poor judgment, Venus square his Jupiter in Virgo in 10th House (ensuing criticism of his behaviour), and Mars trine his Neptune (his lucky escape).

The Apology

“I would like you to know how very sorry I am for my part in the accident.  I have been across that crossing any number of times and I know very well the amount of traffic that uses that main road.  The sun was shining low over the main road. In normal conditions I would have no difficult in seeing traffic coming from the Dersingham direction, but I can only imagine that I failed to see the car coming, and I am very contrite about the consequences.”

It will be interesting to see if there are any further consequences to this story.  Already there are moves to reduce the driving speed along that main road.  Will the police be able to establish what actually happened?  The Duke of Edinburgh has not experienced any diminishing of his desire to drive as a result, but should he?  There are many unresolved questions.  Let me know what you think!

Aspects

The Sun is conjunct Mercury on Wednesday (30th) in Aquarius, so it is a good day to apply your mind with clarity,  concentrate and focus,  make important statements and look to the future.

The most heavyweight aspect of the week comes on Thursday (31st), in the shape of a sextile between Saturn and Neptune.  This may bring possible advances in the use of chemicals and drugs, e.g. a more ethical use and awareness.  Ecological enterprises may receive a boost, such as ventures which tackle the rising tide of plastic.  It is a good day to think about and tackle such issues.  There is an opportunity to bring together sensitivity and spirituality, with practicality and plans.  So it is a major aspect, heavy but constructive.

In contrast, Mars square Pluto on Saturday (2nd February) is a more common aspect but very destructive.  If you are a peaceful type, stand back and try to stay out of the fray.  If you are a warrior, you may be able to courageously intervene, but it is not always wise to “have a go!”  If you are driving and uttering expletives about other drivers, don’t let an incident escalate into road rage, for example.  There may be political stand-offs  in the U.K. and the U.S. which may induce anger.  We all react differently to events according to our make up, but try to be restrained on Saturday.  And, above all, don’t beat yourself up.

“It takes a great deal of courage to live the plans you made before you were born.  My desire, my most fervent wish, is that you recognize the tremendous courage you show in every moment of every day, when, with each breath, you reaffirm your decision to embrace and learn from your own challenges.  Within that recognition, you will find your soul”

Robert Schwartz, from “Your Soul’s Plan”.

Very late on Saturday (coming up to midnight in the U.K.)  there may be some mitigating influences, with a trine between Venus and Uranus.  This will bring a lighter atmosphere to social occasions and functions, and interactions.  The higher human instincts and the intuition may bring some resolving of issues, surprises and a welcome meeting of minds and hearts.  These feelings can bring out ideas for assisting the problems in our society.

The week in bullet points:

  • Wednesday – bright mental  focus
  • Thursday – serious but meaningful progress
  • Saturday – on the edge, but later some restored harmony