Governor of the Bank of England

Andrew Bailey is replacing Mark Carney as the Governor of the Bank of England, a role which had been crucial since the latter took it up in 2013, and will be every bit as crucial during the Brexit years.

Mark Carney

Canadian Mark Carney has an interesting chart. The highlights include: Sun in Pisces, Venus conjunct Chiron, at 18 deg Pisces, and Uranus/Moon/Mars/Pluto conjunct in Virgo.  He has 0 planets in Air, so relies on instinct; 5 planets in Earth, so is grounded and sensible; and with 7 planets in the Mutable signs, is very adaptable.  His Sun in the genius sign of Pisces is well aspected, being sextile Jupiter and trine Neptune.  He has Mercury unaspected, which can show a very independent mind.  Mercury is in Aries, a placement I associate with great numeracy.  With Mars closely conjunct Pluto in his chart, he’s had to fight some tough battles in his life.  He also has a high number of oppositions in his chart, another sign of having to balance difficult situations as a pattern in his life.  He also has difficult karma, with no less than 6 planetary squares to his Nodal Axis!

He took over as Governor on 1st July 2013, when Pluto was exactly opposite the Sun (a dramatic change in Banking).  Uranus was exactly conjunct his Mercury in Aries (a new mental challenge for him).  Pluto was sextile his natal Saturn (a huge responsibility).  They say the post is one of the most powerful in Britain, and currently carries a global influence.  Interestingly, the Ascendant at the time he took over was conjunct the Sun in the Bank of England’s chart.  He was destined to steer us through those years, and he seemed a steady hand on the tiller.

He is due to relinquish the role on 16th March 2020, and astrologically it seems a time of freedom and relief for him, with Jupiter trine his Jupiter.  There may be new challenges in his personal life at the time, with Neptune on his Venus, square his Nodal Axis, and conjunct his Chiron.

Andrew Bailey

It is not clear at the moment whether the new Governor will be more under the thumb of the new Conservative government under Boris Johnson.  Bailey is a very different character, a Fire Sign, born with the Sun in Aries.  Like Mark Carney, he has the accounting, economics and numeracy aptitude of Mercury in Aries.  He has an exact square between Jupiter and Pluto, indicating a love of power, and of course it all depends how that power is used: history will reveal that.  Saturn trine Pluto is a very practical aspect, so he will be diligent.  He may  hold some karmic surprises, with Uranus sextile exactly his North Node.

The post he currently holds is that of the Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority.  He had two powerful trines this week, with the announcement of his appointment: Jupiter closely trine his natal Pluto, which is about taking power; and Uranus trine his natal Pluto exactly, which is about huge change.  It is a good time for him to prepare for the changes in his life.  When he takes up his new role on 17th March next year, it’s a time he may be feeling jangled, with Uranus closely opposite his natal Neptune, but that is hardly surprising given the complexity and responsibility of the job.

Sajid Javid

Bailey was recommended for the position by our current Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid.  From their synastry, they would have a good working partnership, with Javid’s Sun sextile Bailey’s North Node (the choice may have had a karmic connotation).  Javid’s Mercury sextiles Bailey’s Chiron, which favours problem-solving; Javid’s Venus is conjunct Bailey’s Jupiter (favourable socially) but plays into Bailey’s Jupiter-Pluto power-hungry square, with Bailey’s Pluto square Javid’s Venus.  We might wonder, at times, who is playing who.  Their Marses are exactly trine, so another indication of vigorous work between them.  Bailey’s Saturn is exactly trine Javid’s Pluto, reinforcing Bailey’s own practical and diligent natal trine.  Interestingly, Bailey’s Uranus exactly opposes Javid’s Sun, so there may be times when they are distant, or even fall out (though we may not know about it).

Bank of England

By and large, Bailey has excellent links with the chart of the Bank of England: Bailey’s North Node is exactly sextile the Bank’s Sun (exactly the same link as with Javid);  The Bank’s Venus (money) is sextile Bailey’s Pluto (financial power);  the Bank’s Pluto trines Bailey’s Jupiter (success in power; and supplying Bailey’s natal desire for power).  One fly in the ointment is the Bank’s Neptune squaring Bailey’s Mars, so there may be hidden factors sapping Bailey’s will, or encouraging secrets.

U.K. Chart

Bailey has tenuous links with the 1922 U.K. chart, which include a square from Bailey’s Chiron to the U.K. Venus, not a happy combination.  However, he has very strong links to the 1801 Union chart, such as an exact trine between their Jupiters, and an exact opposition between their Plutos.  This may have significance in terms of Scotland’s struggle for Independence in the wake of Brexit, and Bailey may have strong personal views about that.

We may have hardly heard of him now, but he is likely to become a household name in the new Johnson era.

Aspects

“Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here

Here comes the sun (doo doo doo)
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right”

~ George Harrison

Early this morning, the Sun entered Capricorn, and the light of the Sun was reborn in the Winter Solstice.  For many this will be a relief, and a sense of a new dawn, especially for those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D.).  The Sun’s entry into Capricorn is a return to practicality, after the aspirational month of Sagittarius.  It is a time to look at the general structure and order of things, and your relationship with authority and the institutions which govern our society (so looking at the new Governor of the Bank of England in my blog is not so random!).

But the picture today is not quite so simple, as there are two aspects to consider, and the first is Uranus square Venus, which may throw plans or relationships into disarray.  It is not an easy day for meetings.  The way through is to use your intuition, and stay one step ahead.  If you are going into a conversation, avoid those issues you know are contentious, for instance.

We have a strong aspect later in the day, though, which may counter some of the earlier difficulties, or run alongside them.  Mars sextiles Pluto, which is a dynamic and energetic active aspect.  So it is a day when you can get something done (that has a ring of a slogan about it).  If you want to push something through, then today is the day.  But bear in mind the Uranus-Venus square if you are mindful of offending someone in the process.

Christmas Eve (Tuesday 24th) is more straightforward, with the Sun trine Uranus.  It is a good day to forge ahead with innovative plans and original creativity.  Late Christmas shopping could be blessed with some surprise finds (especially on electrical and tech goods).  And there’s a tremendous sense of anticipation (the journey to Christmas is the goal!).  Excitement rules on Christmas Eve.

There isn’t a major aspect on Christmas Day, so some of the Uranus/Sun trine may still be applicable and characterize the day.  There is a minor Mercury/Mars semi-sextile, which could be a little irritable, but we can ignore that, in the spirit of peace and goodwill.

Boxing Day ( Thursday 26th) brings a New Moon and Eclipse at 4 degrees Capricorn, so that may be the most significant day of the entire week.  Reflect on the past year, put away the toys, and plan a constructive year ahead.  It may be a turning point, in some way.  It is a good time to focus your intentions on new beginnings related to the structures and organization of your life, relations with authority and the institutions of society.

But the most fun day of the week, and one of the luckiest in the year, presents itself on Friday (27th): the Sun conjunct Jupiter at 5 degrees Capricorn.  That’s the day for a party, if you are so inclined.  Or a grand leisure outing.  A good day to meditate on what makes you happy, and put your enthusiasms into practice.  Above all, it is time for Hope.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

The week in bullet points:

  • Today – Sober up and lighten up; avoid fall-outs; get something done
  • Tuesday – Enlightenment and surprise
  • Thursday – New beginnings
  • Friday – Fun, fun, fun
Date: Dec 22nd, 2019 · Comments RSS · Tags: News