The Ministry of Defence

“Just then, Sunak received a letter from Ben Wallace saying he was resigning as defence secretary.  And that reminded him he was supposed to be doing a mini-reshuffle.  Who to replace Wallace?  There just wasn’t any talent left in the Tory ranks.  So he supposed it would have to be Grant Shapps.”

~ John Crace

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, possibly one of the safest pair of hands in the  cabinet, resigned on Friday and was replaced by Grant Shapps, a minister loyal to Rishi Sunak, but who has been associated with past scandals.

Outgoing Defence Secretary

Ben Wallace

Birth Chart

Half his planets (5) in Earth signs makes Ben Wallace very grounded, and with 0 planets in Fire he is not likely to get carried away too easily.  On top of that, his Sun is in Taurus, so hence his reputation for being trustworthy, sensible and dependable.  His Sun is exactly trine Pluto, so he is able to look realities in the face, and as a military man, he would have had to.  With Mercury closely conjunct Saturn, he had the ability to focus and apply himself.  Mars square his Pluto marks him out as a warrior, or military man.  He was immensely suited to the post of Defence Secretary.

His time as Defence Secretary

He was appointed Defence Secretary when Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, but had made his mark before then.  In 2016, the year of the Referendum, he was strongly in favour of remaining in Europe.  Theresa May made him Minister of State for Security in the Home Office, and in December 2017 his brief was extended to economic crime.  In that capacity, it fell to him to deal with the episode of the poisoning of the Skripals in Salisbury.

Johnson made him Secretary of State for Defence on 24th July 2019.  His transits included three suitably Martian ones: Mars square his natal Mercury and Saturn, and Neptune square his natal Mars.  In July 2021, he described Britain as being in a “very difficult position” when the United States decided to withdraw from Afghanistan, an event which took place at the end of August that year, and obliged the U.K. to act.  The Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab was sunning himself on a beach at the time, and that operation was not handled well.  Wallace expressed an intention at the time to work with the Taliban.  He was interviewed that month, and asked why he felt the withdrawal so personally.  His reply was:

“Because I’m a soldier … because it’s sad, and the West has done what it’s done and we have to do our very best to get people out and stand by our obligations”

He had strong feelings, too, on the subject of Ukraine, stating that Ukraine should offer more gratitude to the Western allies, and that its wishlist of military aid was very demanding.

On 15 July 2023, Wallace announced that he was ready to resign from his post, but he remains the longest serving Tory Secretary of State for Defence.  His main transit at the time was Pluto sextile Neptune, a deep urge to address the balance of sensitivities in his life: the demands of the job had taken its toll on his family life.

He formally resigned on Friday this week, with Jupiter on his Mercury (mental freedom) and Pluto exactly square his natal Jupiter to the day (his relinquishment of power), plus the South Node on his Jupiter (he had fulfilled his karma) – that’s three Jupiterian influences at this time for him.

Incoming Defence Secretary

Grant Shapps

Birth Chart

Half his planets (5) in Mutable signs, which are adaptable and versatile, chime well with the fact that he has had five ministerial posts during the course of one year!  He has an entrepreneurial chart, with the Sun in Virgo conjunct Jupiter and Uranus., but more importantly he has the Sun and Pluto exactly conjunct in that sign.  Interestingly, the leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer also has the Sun and Pluto exactly conjunct in Virgo.  Both can be inscrutable, but whereas Grant Shapps has a reputation for dodgy dealings, Keir has a more trustworthy reputation.  Grant has Mercury conjunct Venus, and therefore can sweet talk his way in and out of situations.  He is valued within the Conservative party as a communicator, and for being media-savvy.  Mars trine closely Saturn, could indicate that he can get things done, but he does not so far have a lot to show for his responsible positions.  Mars closely square Neptune can be slippery, and Jupiter conjunct Pluto may indicate a love of power.  With Mercury ruling his Sun and his Moon Sign (Gemini), his would have found his stint at Transport congenial.

Life and Career

He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 1999, but recovered well after treatment.  At the time, his progressed Sun was semi-sextile his natal Pluto.  It was after this time that he set up in business, but was later found to have set up fictitious names for testimonials in his business.  Around that time, his progressed Sun was opposite his natal Saturn.  In September 2012 many of his business websites were blacklisted on Google for violating copyright infringement rules.  He marketed get-rich-quick schemes under a pseudonym.

2015 was not a good year for him.  He was discovered to have lied about having jobs while being an M.P., and he was accused of bullying within the Tory party.  He was let go from the cabinet on 11th May 2015, with transiting Pluto square his natal Venus.

His fortunes were on the rise by 2019, when Boris Johnson appointed him as Transport Secretary in his new cabinet.  And this week, he has been entrusted with Defence – Uranus is trine his natal Pluto (enormous change and responsibility) and Pluto at the same time is trine his natal Uranus – same again, with bells on!

Grant Shapps does not have any experience in the area of Defence.  A former chief of the general staff of the British Army, Richard Dannatt, has said the post comes with a complex portfolio which would take time to learn, and according to the Guardian he wonders whether Grant Schapps “would put his loyalty to Sunak above pushing for the needs of the defence community”.

“The United Kingdom is respected around the world for our Armed Forces and that respect has only grown more since the war in Ukraine. I know you agree with me that we must not return to the days where Defence was viewed as a discretionary spend by Government and savings were achieved by hollowing out.”

~ Ben Wallace

Aspects

Monday (4th) is a busy day, aspect-wise.  First of all, in the early hours of the morning, Venus is Stationary prior to turning Direct.  Phew!  That’s one planet off the Retrograde list.  Venus has been retrograde since 23rd July, and relationships may have been tested and put through their paces in that time.  You may have realized the true worth of some of your relationships.  You can pause, breathe and relax into that knowledge.  That doesn’t mean relationships will suddenly be easy, but you will have learned something important for moving forward.

A helpful aspect occurs later in the morning, when Mercury trines Jupiter, the veritable aspect of good news itself.  This could bring productivity, and good conversation.  .  Mercury trine Jupiter expands our minds and philosophies.  This is an upbeat vibe mentally, and can bring opportunities.  It is also helpful for writing projects and studying.

Just when you think you can rest on your laurels, another directional turn of a planet takes place, on the same day, late lunchtime.  So while Venus has gone Direct, Jupiter is replacing her on the Retrograde list.  This could find us feeling we are in a state of flux.  You may have been working along a particular line and making steady progress, but now have to re-assess.  There is a possibility of a U-turn by someone in power, or you may make a U-turn in  your own life.

The Sun conjoins with Mercury at 13 degrees Virgo on Wednesday (6th).  This may therefore bring an opportunity to apply your mind with clarity,  concentrate and focus,  and make important statements.  The focus may be on working schedules and documentation or environmental projects.  Mentally you may be able to see things clearly.  If you know which House Virgo occupies in your chart, you’ll find that area of your life to be exceptionally busy.

We end on a high note this week, with a trine between the Sun and Jupiter on Friday (8th). This is one of the brightest aspects of the year.  If you have been feeling stressed, you may experience a welcome distraction.  It’s a happy-go-lucky aspect where circumstances allow.  So whatever lights your candle today, grasp the opportunity.  Good cheer, laughter, and adventure may characterize this time.

The week in bullet points:

  • Monday – Relationship ease; good news; U-turns
  • Wednesday – clarity and diligence
  • Friday – a high note
Date: Sep 2nd, 2023 · Comments RSS · Tags: News