Prince Philip (1921 – 2021)

It is sad to think of the Queen without her consort of 70 years.  Prince Philip was in his own right a larger than life character, and these last two days his death at the age of 99 has dominated our screens and newspapers.  He has been praised, not least by Queen Elizabeth herself, for being a rock by her side for her all these years.  I will keep it brief this morning so that you can digest all the newsfeed!

Repost from 2012:

“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).”

I would add

Philip was born in Greece, of royal stock from the Danish and Greek royal families.  He met our future Queen early in life,  when he was about 13 and she was 7, and they began to correspond when she was 13.  They must have had an early inkling that they were destined for each other.  He had a difficult childhood: his father left and his mother Alice was diagnosed schizophrenic.  She had become deeply religious and converted to the Greek Orthodox Church. Then she claimed she was communicating with the divine and possessed healing powers.  After a spell in an asylum, she began good works, such as helping Holocaust victims.  Philip was separated from both his parents and attended the harsh regime of Gordonstoun School in Scotland.  This separation from the parents and specifically the mother is reflected in a virtual absence of aspects in his birthchart to his Moon (the mother and parentage).  He did however, have the Moon closely sextile the Sun, meaning that he knew his own mind.

He married Elizabeth on 20th November 1947, with Uranus trine his natal Node (an unusual new aspect of his destiny).  Neptune was sextile Elizabeth’s natal Moon, ensuring a spiritual foundation for their marriage.  They were both deeply religious.  In their synastry, her Venus is trine his Mercury, so with their ruling planets in sync theirs was a marriage of happy companionship.

The death of King George VI in 1952 sealed their fate: she was to take over the throne, and he was to be her rock in this lifetime assignment.  His transits were very telling: Mars was trine his natal Pluto in  Cancer in his natal 8th House (courage required going forward),  Jupiter was trine his natal Neptune in Leo in 9th House (a sacred entrustment),  Uranus was sextile his natal Jupiter (an opportunity) and Pluto was on his natal Moon in Leo in his 9th House (a huge task for his wife).

Death

For him, the transits point to the right time for him to leave, especially with Jupiter trine his North Node (a lifetime’s karmic service successfully achieved).  The loneliness of the Queen at this point also shows in her chart: Saturn exactly opposite her natal Moon in Leo in 7th House (loss of the partner and emotional focus) and Nodal Axis square exactly her natal Venus in Pisces in 2nd House.  Sophie, Countess of Wessex, remarked yesterday after visiting, that “the Queen has been amazing!”  There is no doubt that the Duke of Edinburgh played the role assigned to him in life with the greatest of skill, leaving us with many moments of laughter and surprise.

Aspects

In the early hours of tomorrow morning (Monday 12th) we have a New Moon at 22 degrees Aries.  The New Moon in Aries is the new of the new!  It is the first New Moon of the Astrological year, in the first sign of the Zodiac.  So it means the brightest of new beginnings.  Look to the future, unhampered by the past.  Coincidentally (?) it is a new beginning in the U.K. as it signals the easing of some restrictions, e.g. hairdressers and non-essential shops opening.  Set your intentions, wishes, creative visualizations and affirmations accordingly.  I shall venture forth to the hairdresser’s to make an appointment, after a year and a half of wild hair growing…

Very soon after the New Moon, also in the early hours, Venus squares Pluto.  This may impact on your New Moon experience, e.g. urging you to purge the old to make way for the new.  Venus rules relationships and Pluto represents the force of transformation or deep soul searching, and both planets rule money, so all these factors may be on your mind and vying for attention, in some cases conflicting.  For example, should I spend my money on a material desire or on a loved one?  The pulling apart may be even deeper and the dilemma wider, especially if the problem is a lack of money itself, or a lack of love.  Upping the love (Venus) quotient will always help, though, in a decision, against fear (Pluto), however difficult the circumstances.

Things may seem more straightforward on Tuesday (13th), at least at the very end of the day, when the Sun will be sextile Mars.  You may feel you can get things moving again, if they had stalled.  The energy and fuel is in supply, and the will is there.  This aspect favours the masculine elements of life, e.g. men, cars and dogs.  There may also be an aspect of competitiveness about it.

On Wednesday (14th) the feminine principle holds sway, with Venus entering her own sign of Taurus.  This gives a feeling of “all’s right with the world”.  Gardens flourish, money grows, arts are created, music is expressed, and there are sighs of satisfaction.  Venus is here until 9th May.

A splendid boost to fortunes occurs on Thursday (15th) when the Sun sextiles Jupiter, which is one of the brightest aspects of the year.  Time to embrace hope, or even celebration.  It will certainly be lucky for some.  Focus on what makes you happy, and make more of that.

As with Monday, it is later counterbalanced by another aspect, and this is the Sun square Pluto at lunchtime.  That brings up the darkness for healing with the light.  This is another deep soul searching aspect.  It is the sort of day which can be looked upon as a gamechanger, or watershed.  So if you are in integrity, you may be able to influence what side the coin lands on.

With four aspects on Saturday (17th) you will need a time schedule:

5.14 a.m. Mars trines Jupiter – a high note!.  This is a go ahead, spirited aspect which makes us feel we can achieve anything.  Enthusiasm and energy abound, and you may spring out of bed early full of the joys of the season. 

  1. p.m. Mercury sextile Jupiter – another high note! Some good news may be possible. This aspect favours communication, sales and travel.  Some worries about business may be alleviated.  Higher learning is also a benefit – This may be helpful to further education students awaiting their fate academically and in relation to the alleviation of covid restrictions.  It’s a good time to practice any new language skills, though you may not be able to employ them for a while yet.  Prince Philip had this aspect natally, which showed his great sense of humour.

7.09 p.m. Mercury sextile Mars – so far so good… this combination can also spark wit!  Some of your most enduring jokes could stem from today…So sharpen your pen, and if appropriate, loosen your tongue!  Physical and mental energies can co-ordinate.  If you are cycling a great deal to keep fit in these challenging times, you may find the wind behind your sails.  You may be able to cycle just that bit faster or longer, and your fitbit may register record stats.  You may also find shortcuts to your usual way of doing things.  My own exercise of choice at the moment is running, so I anticipate upping my running speed and cutting my running time (picture an appropriate emoji).

9.49 p.m.  Mercury square Pluto – Here comes the rub – did you overdo things today?  With the lovely trine and sextiles did you also remember to remain balanced and listen to your guidance, if not your body?   It is difficult sometimes, when you are on a roll, to know when or how to stop, but stop  you must, at least before 9.49 pm (in the U.K.) and take stock.   You may encounter awkward communications or travel.  Some ‘me space’ could enable the depth of thought you need to see things clearly, and put your priorities in order.  There could be some slight mental strain, e.g. some issues you have been able to put to the back of your mind during the day, but start to impinge.  A spot of evening meditation could help get things into perspective. 

The week in bullet points:

  • Monday – new beginnings; heart and soul searching
  • Tuesday – active
  • Wednesday – pampering
  • Thursday – early luck; later challenge
  • Saturday – mainly super; later need to take stock