Aspects for the week beginning 11 December 2022

Ruth Madoc (1943 – 2022)

“Funny, kind, salty, shrewd and beautifully uncynical”

~ Russell T. Davies

Two comedy actresses left us this week.  One was Kirstie Alley, but it turned out there were three different birth dates in different years for her, so there was no basis for an analysis of her chart, interesting though it would  have been to look at the actress who played Rebecca in the comedy “Cheers”.

But Ruth Madoc made us laugh too, with her character from “Hi-de-Hi!”and she died this week at the age of 79…

Birth Chart

Born in Norwich, but raised in Swansea, Ruth had her Sun in Aries, a refreshingly uncomplicated sign. Her Sun was in an assertive sextile to Mars, reflecting her character Gladys Pugh in the comedy series “Hi-de-Hi!” (1980 to 1988).  Her Sun trined the North Node, implying a position of leadership, again an aspect of the role she played in the comedy as chief yellowcoat and sports organiser at Maplins holiday camp.  And with her Chiron conjunct the North Node and also trine her Sun, she will have aimed to heal through her comedy.  The exact North Node/Chiron conjunction, which expressed her karmic mission, was placed in performing Leo.  She loved to entertain.  Her Moon in contrast was in Virgo, so there was an element of emotional fastidiousness in Ruth’s own character.

Her relationship with holiday camp manager “Jeffrey” in the comedy was a memorable feature of the role she played.  The relationship between the two characters had chemistry, and elements of Ruth’s character were reflected in her iconic role.  Simon Cadell, who played Jeffrey, died in 1996.  Their synastry showed Suns exactly square to each other (some tension).  Her Pluto was conjunct his Mercury (she would weigh on his mind).  His Venus was sextile her Sun (genuine affection) and  his Mars square her Jupiter (over the top emotions).  Of course I am not implying that he was Jeffrey Fairbrother, any more than she was Gladys Pugh!  But there are often resonances between actors and their roles.

What you see is often what you get, with Aries.  She had Venus square her ruling planet Mars, and so found it easy to play the passion with which she pursued the often hapless Jeffrey.  Venus conjunct Uranus gave her social magnetism, which sadly Jeffrey was able to resist (his character left for Wisconsin).

Gyles Brandreth has written: “I was lucky enough to get to know her through my best friend from school, Simon Cadell. In Hi-De-Hi they were irresistible.”

Venus trine Neptune meant that Ruth was an idealist in love, and certainly Gladys pursued an ideal love, but Ruth herself married twice and her second marriage lasted until the death of her husband in September last year (at 39 years of marriage, you can say that’s lasting love).  She had two children.  Her chart without a birth time had an unaspected Jupiter, which may have left her free to take a range of comedy roles, such as a role in the second series of Little Britain comedy series with David Walliams and Matt Lucas, who have paid tribute to her.

“So sad to hear my lovely friend Ruth Madoc has passed. She was not only funny and highly intelligent, she was smart, kindly, a loyal trade unionist, and wore her heart on the left. She’ll be much missed.”

~ Tony Robinson

The catchphrase “Hi-de-Hi!”, as broadcast over the tannoy by Gladys Pugh, was voted 35th most popular comedy catchphrase in 2008.  So if you catch yourself using it this week, you’ll be remembering Ruth.

Aspects

We have three aspects this week, at the beginning, the middle and the end.  So the first, which occurs tomorrow (Monday 12th) can last you the first few days, and it’s the Sun sextile Saturn.  This aspect can take creative expression and ground it into reality.  Practical initiatives are supported by this aspect.  It is a good aspect for setting up solid foundations, for instance.

The focus for the middle of the week is quite different, and there may be a point between Monday and Wednesday, when you need to take stock and monitor progress.  For on Wednesday (14th), Neptune squares the Sun, which is as impractical as Monday’s aspect is practical.  You may hit a snag in the implementation of your plans, or see through the illusion of a project.  Once you are through that looking glass, you may see how you can remedy things.  It may require some refining of details or technique, for instance.

The very end of the week is again a different kettle of fish, and you may sense, between Wednesday and Saturday, that things are turning around in your favour.  On Saturday evening (17th) Mercury trines Uranus which spells playfulness and creativity; good ideas can come out of nowhere, always a benefit of Mercury and Uranus.  Some of the best inventions come out of this space.  The mind is uplifted, and computers and I.T. devices given or received, will be on good form and working satisfyingly well.  Mental brilliance, technological upgrades, lightbulb moments, and futuristic inspiration can be yours.  So the day could surprise you.

The week in bullet points:

• Monday – practical
• Wednesday – confused
• Saturday – inventive