Nadine Dorries

Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid-Bedfordshire, finally resigned yesterday after declaring she would do so on 9th June, having kept the nation dangling.  Opposition parties have already been polishing their strategies for an upcoming by-election.

Birth Chart

Nadine has half her planets (5) in Fixed signs – is that what gave her the sticking power to hang around for so long?  Only 1 of her planets comes under the Cardinal  quadruplicity – so she would not have leadership material (or aspirations).  She has remarkably few aspects in her chart.  This may mean that in her mind and personality she does not make as many connections and associations as the average person.  It’s quite unusual, and I haven’t studied many charts like that.  I am locking that into my research files.  In her chart too, the Moon squares the Sun, which is an indication that sometimes the conscious mind doesn’t know what the unconscious is doing, and that can make decision-making hard.  That too may have been a factor in her recent behaviour, although she has stuck to the idea that Rishi Sunak should have got her recommendation to enter the Lords across the line (that’s where her Fixity comes in).  We are possibly looking at a pattern of finding it hard to make decisions (which is a difficult trait to manage if you are a serving constituency MP) but sticking to an idea once a decision is made.  Sun sextiles Uranus in her chart, so there is a bit of a Rebel there, and the desire sometimes to be contrary – as when she decided to go into the Jungle, much to the consternation of parliament and her constituents: that was as long ago as 2012.  Sun squares Pluto in her chart, so there is a taste for drama, and she did have a poverty ridden childhood which produced day on day drama.  This sense of drama presumably is useful in her ability to write her novels.  Emotional drama is a special forte, because her Moon is opposite Pluto – she certainly kept everyone in suspense these last few months.  The Moon aspects are a bit vague because we have no birth time.  But in Mercury exactly sextile Mars we have a firm aspect, and that is a quick mind, with sometimes a caustic wit – remember her jibe about Cameron and Osborne being arrogant posh boys who didn’t know the price of milk, back in 2012?  She accused them of not knowing  “what it’s like to go to the supermarket and have to put things back on the shelves because they can’t afford it for their children’s lunch boxes”.  They were well on the road of imposing austerity at the time.  Going into the Jungle in 2012, she stated: “I won’t deliberately start an argument. But if anyone wants to take me on, I will be up for it.” That’s a manifesto for Mercury sextile Mars!  Mercury is also square Uranus in her chart, indicating some nervous tension and possible erratic thought – she certainly would not care about being controversial.  She has Venus opposite Saturn, and would understand heartache, and deprivation, which are good qualities for a novelist – she knows how to pull at the heartstrings.  Jupiter sextiles her North Node, giving her good opportunities in life to fulfill her karma.  Last but not least, Chiron squares her Nodal Axis, indicating an interest in healing and her original path as a nurse.

Life and Career

Nadine was born in Liverpool and brought up on a council estate in Runcorn.  She began training as a nurse in 1975, in Warrington.  Her Moon may be in Pisces, which is a sign associated with nursing, which would reinforce the healing aspect of Chiron square Nodal Axis.  Her parents divorced in her teens, which may be depicted by her natal Moon square Sun.

She married a mining engineer named Paul Dorries, and they lived for a year in Zambia, in connection with his work.  She first tried to become an M.P. in 2001, but was  unsuccessful, and subsequently supported Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin as a special adviser for three years.  She became an M.P. in 2005 in her safe seat of Mid Bedfordshire, when coming up to her Chiron Return.  She was proud to be elected, from her humble beginnings in life.  Her maiden speech took place on 25th May 2005, with very appropriate transits:

Jupiter trine her natal Venus (a victory celebration)

Uranus sextile her natal Mercury (a display of speech)

Uranus trine her natal Mars (a display of intention), this transit being exact to the day

Neptune on her Chiron (personal fulfilment)

She was re-elected in 2010, increasing her majority.

Her interests as a backbencher often included women’s issues, regarding abortion, counselling and sex education.  But in 2012, she took off to Australia to appear in the reality programme “I’m a Celebrity”.  She flew out there on 6th November 2012 – what was she thinking at the time?  She had some tough squares: Mars square her Jupiter (adventure or escape?), Saturn square her Uranus (something’s got to give) and Neptune square her Sun (uncertainty about her direction).  On the other hand, she had Uranus trine her Uranus (her Inner Rebel holding sway), and Neptune trine her Neptune (following her spirit).  She was first to be evicted from the Jungle (a barometer of public opinion), and she lost the party whip for a year.

Her profile was heightened when in July 2019 Boris appointed her as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention and Mental Health.  On 10th March 2020, she was the first MP to contract coronavirus (just ahead of Boris Johnson), with Uranus square her natal Uranus at the time (shock).  Then in September 2021 she became Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.  In that capacity, she took on the future of Channel 4 and seemed determined to privatize it.  When the flurry of MPs decided to get rid of Boris Johnson as PM in July 2017, she staunchly stood by him (together with Jacob Rees-Mogg).

Further controversy took place more recently, this year, when the nominations were announced for Boris Johnson’s honours list, and she had been left out.  She blamed Rishi Sunak and announced on 9th June 2023 that she would resign with immediate effect.  Mars was trine her Saturn at the time (contesting a decision).  A deeper transit, Pluto trine her natal Sun, required a longer period of reflection.  And transiting Pluto square her natal Neptune left her floundering psychologically.  On 14th June she decided she would wait for clarification from the House of Lords Appointments Commission about the reasons for her rejection.  By this time, Uranus had moved  to trine her Jupiter, so she sensed an entrepreneurial opportunity there.  It did not work out for her, however, and she received a lot of criticism.  Meanwhile three by-elections took place, and opposition parties poised themselves to compete for her constituency.  Between then and now, her constituents have become increasingly vocal about her lack of commitment in their locality.

Relationship with Boris Johnson

Both have Sun in Gemini  Her Sun conjunct his Mars, which is an intense tie.  Her Mars exactly squares his Ascendant, again quite invigorating.  Her Saturn squares his Pluto, which is a difficulty of some sort, possibly karmic, but her Saturn at the same time sextiles his Ascendant, which can support him.  Her Neptune is conjunct his Moon, which is an emotional tie and may be subject to illusion on her part.  Her Pluto sextiles his Sun and Venus, so she can invest deep emotion in the relationship.

Rishi Sunak

Nadine resigned yesterday with the transit of Mars trine her Sun (decisive action).  In her resignation speech, she did not hold back her feelings about Rishi Sunak, telling him that history would not judge him kindly, that  he had demeaned his office, that he was presiding over a zombie parliament, and that his recent criticism of her had whipped up a public frenzy.  How did her resignation affect him?  This has to bear in mind the criticism he is currently receiving from other quarters, e.g. John Crace wrote this week:

“Ever since he’d returned from holiday in Santa Monica Rishi Sunak had been overwhelmed with a sense of despair.  A futility no number of sessions on his Peloton could erase.  He was meant to be living his best life.  The tech-bro turned prime minister.  The man who fell to Earth to save the UK from Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.  Where was the gratitude for all he had done?  At best, the country was totally indifferent to his efforts.  At worst it was hostile.”

His transit show Mars was squaring his Venus yesterday (a personal wound), and he is currently experiencing his Uranus Opposition (mid-life crisis).  He may be feeling a desire to take a leaf out of her book, and head to the Jungle…

Aspects

Saturn opposed the Sun around breakfast time this morning.  This could produce frustration in the cold light of day, but on a more creative rather than specifically mental level.  Pushing projects further may be a struggle.  The skies may be a little overcast with some rainfall or showers…We need to assess all our exciting ideas in the cold light of day, whether they will work in practice, etc.  We need to digest the current state of progress, and discriminate about what is worthwhile, what may be pie in the sky or overly romanticized.  There may be feelings of deflation, or feeling unappreciated.

At lunchtime, Mars enters the sign of Libra: What is happening here is that Mars, the god of war, is entering the sign of Libra, the sign of peace.  There is a need for balance, especially between opposing factions, so the Warrior/Diplomats among us have work to do.  People may be putting more energy and effort into Libran pursuits, such as the understanding of art or practising a musical instrument (Mars demands some action!). Mars entering Libra gives fresh incentive to tackle such areas of our life and psyche where we are currently just gliding, biding our time, or complacent.  It energizes the issues of the area of our chart (the House) it currently moves through.  Mars stays in Libra until 24th November.

On Tuesday (29th) Uranus is Stationary prior to turning Retrograde, in the early hours of that morning.  Yes, we are truly in Retrograde Season, with Mercury, Chiron, Venus, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto, also in that reflective and revisionary mode.  Uranus of course is the trickster, so things may not necessarily go according to plan. Plan for the unexpected, if you can.  You may see some goalposts moving.

Unease may increase until the peak of the Full Moon at 7 degrees Pisces on Thursday (31st).  Pisces is one of the most sensitive and emotional Full Moons of the year, so treat yourself with tender loving care and you can then treat others with that sensitivity.  Issues which may come up may be flooding, the plastic in the sea, or the fishing industry.  The Pisces Full Moon reminds us that we are all One.

Friday (1st September) aligns us with a Fixed Star, Alioth in Ursa Major.  “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld advises us:

“The star can strengthen the ability to create enhanced loving states and to communicate love appropriately.  The use of this elixir is recommended for counsellors working with individuals with mental difficulties including schizophrenia, manic depression, and other very disturbing psychological states.  There will be no direct benefit to the patient; it is to assist the counsellor in the counselling process.”

The following day, Saturday (2nd September) aligns our Sun with the Fixed Star Zosma in the constellation of Leo.  From the same source, we learn:

“Those who understand leadership and charisma may reach a point of deep introspection where they may be in a position of more fame than they wished, more exposure to the public eye than they felt was appropriate, or an awareness of themselves in a leadership capacity that brings them to a place where they must reconsider who they are.”

The week in bullet points:

  • Today – frustration; negotiation
  • Tuesday – the unexpected factor
  • Thursday – emotional high tide
  • Friday – creating love
  • Saturday – leadership issues
Date: Aug 27th, 2023 · Comments RSS · Tags: Celebrities · News