Lady Diana and the Martin Bashir Interview

Lady Diana’s interview which aired on 20th November 1995 had consequences this week: the Dyson report found that Martin Bashir acted deceitfully and faked documents in obtaining it, and that the BBC compounded the deceit by covering it up.  Heads have rolled (Martin Bashir’s and Tony Hall’s) and Princes William and Harry have expressed their horror and anguish over its consequences.

Martin Bashir

Are there traits in Martin Bashir’s birth chart which may point to him forging bank statements in order to ruthlessly obtain the interview?  Sadly, it seems so.  First, a disclaimer – if you have any of these features in your chart, you are not tarred with the same brush!  Martin has the Sun exactly conjunct his South Node, which means he has brought in karma around the use of power from his previous lives.  His Moon is closely conjunct Neptune, which would normally point to emotional sensitivity.  In his case, it is in Scorpio, and that may add to some deceit (the combination of the Moon/Neptune/Scorpio).  He has Venus square Jupiter, to which I often attribute inappropriate behaviour.  Venus also exactly squares Pluto (forming a T-square with Jupiter), pointing to coercive use of power.  Mars squares Neptune, which can be deceitful.  Jupiter opposes Uranus (widely) which I often describe as The Opportunist or The Chancer!  Jupiter exactly opposite Pluto can be power-hungry.  Pluto square his Ascendant on his 4th House cusp can mean he bases his life on power-mongering.  And Chiron at the top of his chart, at the beginning of his 10th House of Career and Reputation can bring wounding in that regard, especially where he has Chiron opposite Pluto, forming part of the T-square.

Synastry

What does the comparison of Diana and Martin Bashir’s charts show?  Her Saturn is exactly on his Sun, and she has ultimately proved to be his downfall.  Her Chiron squares his Ascendant, compounding his natal wounding and self-undoing.

Interview

At the time of the interview,  Mars was trine her natal Uranus, an action of empowerment for her.  Mars was sextile her Midheaven, again an act of self-assertion.  Saturn was square her Ascendant: it was at a time of great anguish for her.  Uranus was on her natal Saturn: she was pushing the boundaries in a risky manner.  Neptune was square her Midheaven – no one would really know for certain what its effects would be, but she was at a time of her life when she was seeking a different role and in a state of flux.  Lastly, but not least, Pluto was square her Nodal Axis, a dramatic turn in the narrative of her life.

For him, the transits depict his success at the time, without hinting at the ignominy which lay far ahead in the future.  Mars was trine his natal Mars (obtaining his goal); Jupiter was trine his Mars (success in his goal); Uranus on his Sun (a sudden success) and Pluto trine his North Node (a profound moment in his karma).

Earl Spencer

Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother, is regretful over the role he played in introducing Martin Bashir to Diana.  He recalls a meeting exactly two years before she died, when he met with Martin about the possibility.  On that date, Jupiter was square Earl Spencer’s Uranus, so there was something risky about the venture.  Saturn was exactly opposite Earl Spencer’s natal Moon, so it may have been a sincere attempt on his part to alleviate the suffering of a woman in his life.

Dyson Report

Thursday’s verdict in the Dyson Report shows Jupiter (justice) exactly on the South Node (past karma) of Lady Diana’s chart!  Martin Bashir has mixed transits (and is apparently unwell), but Uranus square his natal Saturn stands out (extremely unsettled).  For Earl Spencer, he had an emboldening Solar Return (he felt the event hastened her end, and their initial meeting was fateful in a detrimental way to her subsequent fate).  He also had Mars trine his Neptune (speaking out his sensitivities).

For Prince William, Mars squares his Ascendant (some passionate emotions stirred, including anger), and Saturn square his Mars (great resentment).  But he is currently confident (Jupiter sextile his Moon and trine his Jupiter) and unpredictable (Uranus square his Moon and Jupiter).  Prince Harry had Mars trine his Midheaven (a time of action; he has been speaking out about mental health in relation to his upbringing), Jupiter trine his natal Pluto (also emboldening), Jupiter square his Nodal Axis (addressing injustices), Uranus trine his Ascendant (changes in ways of being) and Neptune opposite his natal Sun (some confusion).

For Lord Hall, former Director-General of the BBC, who has felt obliged to resign from his current post, the Nodal Axis squares his Sun (a karmic obligation), and Uranus sextiles his Sun (a sudden change).  For the institution of the BBC itself, the impact on its chart shows Neptune exactly opposite its Moon (hit by a scandal) and Uranus square its Mars (a harsh controversy).  When asked, Esther Rantzen on the Andrew Marr show this morning thinks the BBC will survive this difficult patch, and Uranus is sextile its natal Pluto so it is a time when change is forced upon it, but resilience likely.

In Conclusion

Reprehensible and inexcusable though his behaviour may be, in my opinion Martin Bashir is not solely responsible for what happened next in Lady Diana’s life.  She needed to say what she said, though she may have been rushed and harassed into it.  Her troubles had been going on for some time, and the marriage was already in trouble.  Andrew Morton’s book had already revealed much about her unhappiness.  Camilla Parker Bowles had been a spectre throughout their marriage, undoubtedly the love of her husband Prince Charles’ life.  Her chief aide Paul Burrell has told that she was without security before that time.  And she met her end because the paparazzi were obsessed with her, and hounded her to her death.

Aspects

For those of a sensitive disposition, look away now!  Two planets go Retrograde this week, and we have a Lunar Eclipse, so it could be a wild ride at times!  Not only that, but we also have two squares to contend with.  One redeeming feature occurs at the end of the week, though.  I will try and bring you some antidotes in dealing with these features.

Some may have retired to bed in a state of confusion last night over not one vote given by Europe to our U.K. Eurovision entry…In the early hours of this morning, Neptune squared Mercury.  Some snag may be nagging at you.  It may even be indefinable.  If so, allow your subconscious to bring it up in its own time, but don’t shut up shop until you have identified the rum note.  Then you can deal with it and move on and let it go.  One of the top news items of the day is still the Martin Bashir scandal involving the media (Mercury) and deceit (Neptune).

Following that, Saturn was Stationary prior to turning Retrograde.  Turning inward for contemplation is one of the requirements of a retrograde period.  That entails going through a period of revision: often with Saturn, it is a lesson all about patience and timing, and one of those lessons is that you can’t rush things.

There is a Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse on Wednesday (26th) at 5 degrees Sagittarius.  This particular emotional high tide concerns the expansive bigger picture (Sagittarius) in your life, your psyche, or the world.  If you are feeling such a maelstrom in your life, then you may need to start by going within to that still small spiritual centre, find peace, then make your responses from that place.  Eclipses can be turning points.

The second square of the week occurs on Thursday (27th), and also involves Neptune.  This time Neptune squares Venus, so the confusion or deceit involves relationship or money.  You need to look behind the illusion in each case, or both.  There could be further uncertainty highlighted in the Arts or the world of Music.  There may be paranoia in relationships, and frustrating flaws in creative works, as well as insecurity in finance. Tread softly.

BEST ASPECT OF THE WEEK *****

Saturday furnishes us with a little light relief, in the form of  Mercury conjunct Venus at 24 degrees Gemini, which is a splendid literary and cultural aspect.  If you are publishing a book, it could be a very helpful influence.  It is also a good day for negotiation (take note politicians and diplomats).  Your communications will have an artistic flair, so it’s a good time to get creative.

In the very late evening, Mercury is Stationary prior to turning Retrograde, so please employ your very best tried and tested strategies on the matter.  For a lighthearted look at things, “The Mercury Retrograde Book” by Yasmin Boland and Kim Farnell advises when Mercury is in an Air sign (in this case Gemini):

“When Mercury is retrograde in an Air sign, there’ll…be plenty of befuddled ideas and confusing chatter, so avoid too much talking that doesn’t go anywhere.  You’ve got your thinking cap on, but is it on backwards?  You might even be wearing a selection of thinking caps, each one leading your mind in a different direction.”

Wishing you Good Luck, this week…

The week in bullet points:

  • Today – Mental confusion; some navel gazing required
  • Wednesday – emotional high tide; trying to look at the bigger picture
  • Thursday – emotional confusion, or financial disarray
  • Saturday – congenial for literature and the Arts; later communication glitches
Date: May 23rd, 2021 · Comments RSS · Tags: The Royals