Len Goodman (1944 – 2023)

“Seven!”

~ Len Goodman

The top judge on the top show – it doesn’t get much better than that…the much loved Len Goodman passed away last week, at the age of 78.  His life seems to have been mapped out for a trajectory of dancing success in the ballroom.

Birth Chart

Len had the Sun in Taurus, the same sign as Fred Astaire, a musical sign.  It is also the sign of the programme Strictly Come Dancing, a supremely successful format which no one would have predicted, and which was copied worldwide, including in the U.S. as Dancing with the Stars (for which Len Goodman was also Head Judge).  Looking at the events of his life, they do look choreographed (if you’ll excuse the pun), and that makes sense of his square between the Sun in his chart and the karmic Nodal Axis, and also the conjunction of his North Node with Pluto.  The “Inner Healer” asteroid Chiron seems to have been a key feature of his life, judging (if you’ll excuse the pun) by the transits of key events in his life.  These become even important to look at when there is no precious birth time to focus the chart.  So, he had the Sun trine Chiron in Virgo, which enabled him to be a healer of sorts.  From accounts of his humour, it is likely his mode of healing was through bringing cheer.  His upbeat wit may have come from his conjunction of the Moon and Uranus in Gemini, though without a birth time we do not know exactly how close that was.  The Moon at Noon on the day of his birth was trine Neptune, the planet of Dance, and that is likely to have been a strong factor in his career path.  Mercury closely sextile Mars gave him quick physical and mental reactions, and Mercury square Jupiter accounts for his transatlantic lifestyle for many years.  In addition, Mercury trine Chiron provided a problem-solving, “can do” mentality.  His Venus in Aries squaring Mars may account for some colourful language, such as about “pickling walnuts” and the like.  Venus closely trine Jupiter spelled social success and charm, and  Neptune exactly sextile North Node added more than a dusting of ballroom excellence as part of his karmic mission.

Life and Career

Len Goodman was born in Farnborough, but his distinctively cheeky chappy East End persona and accent came from his upbringing in Bethnal Green.  He left school at 15 (his headmaster had told him he would be a failure), and began working as a welder in Woolwich.  The first twist of fate came at the age of 19, when after a foot injury a doctor (strangely?) recommended dancing as therapy.

Enter the next twist of fate.  He started learning dance at Henry Kingston’s Erith Studio, and dancing was to be his path in life.  There he met Henry Kingston’s daughter Cherry, who became his dance partner.  Together with Cherry, he won a Pontins dance competition, proceeding to win the final at the Royal Albert Hall.  They went professional and became Kent professional champions in 1969.  They married in 1972, and Len took over the studio when Henry Kingston died, opening his own Goodman Dance Academy in Dartford in 1973.  In his late 20s (around the time of his Saturn Return in Gemini) he won the British Championships at Blackpool, and announced his retirement from competition.

Marriage

He and Cherry divorced in 1987, and Len developed a long-term relationship with a woman called Lesley Pine, which resulted in the birth of a son James on 26th January 1981.  When that relationship came to an end, James went to live with his mother in the Isle of Wight.  The distance in the relationship between father and son is shown in their synastry through Len’s Pluto opposite James’ Sun, and Len’s Uranus trine James’ Sun, both heavyweight outer planets in difficult aspect having a disruptive effect.  But they must have resumed a closeness later in life, as in 2012 James went to Len’s school to learn dance.  His second marriage, to dance teacher at his school Sue Barrett, took place on 30th December 2012.

In 2011, he took part in “Who Do You Think You Are?”.  On finding out he had Polish ancestry, he commented:

“I feel no different, I look no different, I am no different and yet I’m not what I thought I was. I thought that I was truly an Anglo-Saxon, English through and through.”

Strictly Come Dancing

A later twist of fate occurred when he was 60, and out of the blue he was asked to complete the original panel for a new show, Strictly Come Dancing.  He was invited to take part because the other three panellists (Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tonioli) did not have expertise in ballroom dance, and was made Head Judge.  The programme was a risky venture at the time, but he described the effect of the show thus:

“It’s dispelled the preconception about what dance classes or schools are like.  The programme has changed things in dancing schools like  you can’t imagine.”

The date was 15th May 2004, airing on a dynamic close trine between Mars and Uranus.  The following year Len was invited to be Head Judge on the U.S. edition, Dancing with the Stars.  He became known for various catchphrases, such as “It’s a ten from Len!” and some quite fruity language, never mincing his words, and was from the beginning highly popular with the viewers.  It seemed inconceivable that he would ever leave, but leave he did, although he carried on with the U.S. version for a few more years.  On 9th May 2017 it was announced that Shirley Ballas would take his place, someone he had known for years: in fact she had known him since she was 9 years old.  His final appearance on the show was on the Christmas Day Special that year.  He did not finally hang up his hat in the U.S. version until 14th November 2022 – with Uranus on his natal Mercury in Taurus, Uranus square his natal Jupiter in Leo and Neptune square his natal Saturn in Gemini, this represented a break with the past.  He said he wanted to spend more time with his family.  Poignantly, he had about five months of his life to do that.

Len Goodman was well loved by the public, and especially by the world of dance.  The tributes to him are full of affection.  A life not only well lived, but seeming to fulfil his destiny to the letter.

“A kind and brilliant man. Full of twinkle, warmth and wit. Sending so much love to his family and friends. We love you Len xx.”

~ Claudia Winkleman

“I have been like this all day, a disaster. My old pal, Lord Len Goodman. We love you, Len.”

~ Anton Du Beke

Aspects

A mixed picture this week, starting on Monday (1st May) with Pluto Stationary prior to turning Retrograde, in the afternoon.  This may give you a fresh set of preoccupations, or remind you of earlier ones.  You may recognize a psychological theme where you have been making headway, but now need to revise your steps, perhaps look further into the past.  If you’ve been knitting, you may need to unravel a few rows, for instance.  Eventually, you will recoup your ground and be stronger, richer and truer for it.

In the late evening, there will be a conjunction of the Sun and Mercury at 11 degrees Taurus.  The evening may therefore bring an opportunity to apply your mind with clarity,  concentrate and focus,  and make important statements.  The focus may be on Taurean occupations such as cooking, gardening, painting or making money.  Mentally you may be able to see things clearly in terms of your values, and how they determine your choices.

Thursday May 4th, also known as council election day,  presents us with a square between Venus and Neptune, which could be socially confusing.  You may get paranoid about how other people are voting, for instance!  There may be a a sense of intrigue, involving relationship or money.  Maybe another political scandal…You need to look behind the illusion.  There could be uncertainty in the Arts or the world of Music.  You could experience frustrating flaws in creative works. Tread softly.

The early hours of Friday (5th) morning sees one of the brightest aspects of the year, Venus sextile Jupiter.  This bodes well for the pre-party atmosphere and anticipation on the eve of Coronation day.  It’s one of the highlights in a year, conducive to socializing, celebrating partying, and romancing.  This sextile combines luck and love.  Enjoy!

The atmosphere may become feverish as we approach the Full Moon and Eclipse at 14 degrees Scorpio in the afternoon.  This is the most emotionally intense Full Moon of the year.  A conversation could set you on a profound journey.  You will need to be in touch with your deepest emotions and be constructively authentic.  There may be a focus on shared finances and an attempt to balance material resources and needs between two people.  With the Moon opposite the Sun in Taurus, values and shared values may be the current issue on your mind.

Enjoy Coronation Saturday itself (6th May)!  I have already had a try out at making the Coronation quiche (not bad).  I’ll be back on Sunday 7th…

The week in bullet points:

  • Monday – psychological revision; clarity of thought
  • Thursday – socially confusing
  • Friday – early party atmosphere; emotional high tide
Date: Apr 29th, 2023 · Comments RSS · Tags: Celebrities · Obituary