John Prescott (1938 – 2024)

“I relied on him many times: when in difficulty, under attack; and less well known when I needed someone whose gut instinct I trusted better than my own.”

~ Tony Blair

Deputy Prime Minister of the Blair years, John Prescott, died aged 86 this week, a year after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  A left-wing traditional Labourite, he helped to balance the New Labour government, and was thought of as a “bridge” between the old and the new, and between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Birth Chart

John Prescott had the Sun, Mars and Chiron in Gemini, and was a communicator, though notoriously clumsy in speech (Chiron in Gemini, with his ruler Mercury conjunct Uranus).  It was said that his thoughts were too quick for his expression in speech, the way his words tumbled forth.  He was also dyslexic, at a time when that was not a household word.  His Sun was unaspected (a one-off individual), save for a loose square with Jupiter, which exaggerated certain traits, and made for a larger-than-life character.  We do not have his birth time, but his Moon in Cancer conjunct Venus will have made him quite emotional, with an understanding of the female side of life.  The adjective “kind” was generously sprinkled in his tributes, both from public figures, and members of the public.  He was well thought of for his comparative transparency, and being able to call a spade a spade, distinguishing him from what has come to be thought of as a typical politician’s personality.  His conjunction between Mercury and Uranus is placed in Taurus, a sign of earthiness, while the planet Uranus conveys a lack of concern about being controversial.  That describes perfectly his communication style of blunt speech.  It also contributed to that “gut instinct” which Tony Blair valued in his tribute, as did Mercury exactly trine Neptune (a sensitive mind).  For although he got into scrapes, he did have a chip on his shoulder, and nursed sensitivities about how he was perceived by fellow politicians: though ambitious, it took him a long while to reach the role he was best known for as deputy leader.  His Venus was trine Jupiter, so he was sociable, but at the same time his Venus was square Saturn which brought some social disappointment.  His Mars (cars) was in Gemini – a literal symbolism for the epithet “Two Jags”, which stuck with him.  However, Mars trine Jupiter was a boundless enthusiasm allied with energy, and he was banned for speeding in 1991 and 2015.  He became increasingly concerned about the environment, and eventually gave up the two jags.  The strength in his chart is shown by Uranus trine Neptune (the ability to deal with complexity) and Pluto trine the North Node (being able to face the deeper challenges of life, through his karmic mission).

Life and Career

He was born in Prestatyn, Wales.  His father was a railway signalman, depicted in his chart by the Sun (the father) in Gemini (railways).  The family relocated to Yorkshire (Rotherham) when he was four years old.  He failed the 11-plus, his father withholding a promised bicycle,  and shortly afterwards the family moved to Ellesmere Port, where he attended a secondary modern school.  He left school at 16, and went into the Merchant Navy for several years, where he developed his skills as a union leader, and also as a boxer.  During that period he became a personal steward to Sir Anthony Eden, whose character inspired him – a close bond with a fellow Gemini whose Venus was exactly sextile with his Venus.

He married his wife Pauline in 1961, and in 1965 caught up with his education, studying for a diploma in economics and politics at Ruskin College in 1965.  From there, he went on to obtain a BSc in  Economics and Economic History at Hull University in 1968.  In 1970 he became M.P. for Kingston upon Hull East, a position he subsequently held for 40 years.  He was clearly ambitious, as in 1988 he began his bid to be deputy leader of the Labour party, losing out to Roy Hattersley.  In 1992 he tried again, but lost out to Margaret Beckett.  It was not his time, plus by all accounts he was held back by the emerging reformist wing of the party.  He did, however hold posts in the shadow cabinet during this period.

A turning point seems to have been a particular speech he made from the heart at the Labour Party Conference of 1993, which impressed by virtue of its passion, begging the conference not to destroy John Smith’s leadership.  As one might expect from such a career-changing speech,  Uranus (brilliance) was trine his natal Mercury-Uranus conjunction (the key component of communication in his chart).  In addition, there was a helping hand from Mars trine his natal Jupiter (a trigger for success).  And bringing out the skill of his natal Uranus-Neptune trine, Uranus and Neptune trined his natal Neptune.

His special place in history took place when Tony Blair became Prime Minister in 1997, and John Prescott became deputy leader – he was to become the longest serving deputy leader, leaving in 2007 when Tony Blair stepped down.  His role was crucial in upholding traditional labour values, amongst the reforming zeal of the government, which had brought in the shiny new spin doctors Mandelson and Campbell.  The relationship between Blair and Brown became increasingly fractious during that time, and Prescott helped to negotiate between them.  He also had jurisdiction in a new Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions.

[Personal note: it was during this time, that I actually visited his office, courtesy of a friend who worked as a secretary in his department! Sorry about the digression]

Two of his most successful areas were in environment, and housing.  He is credited with being one of the first ministers to take a keen interest in climate, and he notably worked to negotiate the Kyoto Protocol of 2005.  On 24th August 1999 he introduced legislation to ban chrysotile asbestos (interestingly, with Saturn transiting his natal Mercury).  He stood firm on  an increase in housebuilding, controversially advocating use of greenfield areas: “It’s a Labour achievement, and we mean to build on it”.  He made a stance against Blair over state schools when Blair wanted to increase academies, arguing that it would create a two-tier system, classwise.

On 28th May 2010, it was announced that John Prescott would become a Life Peer.  The transits for that date throw up two exact favourable connections to his planet of power, Pluto.  Jupiter was at that time trine his natal Pluto (a satisfying relationship to power) and Saturn was sextile his natal Pluto (gravitas in relation to power).

He famously quipped that on his demise, all he would be remembered for would be the left hook he bestowed upon a voter who threw an egg at him during the 2001 election campaign.  Overall, and to his surprise, the public did not judge his harshly for it.  Mars was opposite his natal Chiron in Cancer at the time (his response was instinctive).  Mars was also trine his natal Uranus (an “incident”!).  Mars in Capricorn (politics) acting as provocateur, in this case.  Tony Blair’s take on the incident: “John is John”.

“I remember with great fondness his unique and indomitable character, as well as his infectious sense of humour”

~ King Charles III

Aspects

This week’s aspects are concentrated on Tuesday (26th) and Wednesday (27th).

Tuesday 26th:

On Tuesday, Mercury goes Retrograde.  Yasmin Bolland and Kim Farnell tell us in “The Mercury Retrograde Book” that this placing in Sagittarius promises:

“Here’s your chance to look at the bigger picture of your life – …if your plans have come unstuck recently, perhaps you have been focussing too much on the details?  Upsets now can also simply be due to the fact that your timing was off.”

Depending on how you are normally affected, be clear in your communications for the next three weeks, in order to avoid misunderstandings and loopholes.  Although technology can go awry, it can be a good period to upgrade such devices.  You may have developed your own strategies, according to past experiences.

Also on Tuesday, the Sun trines the North Node.  These karmic developments (North Node) are likely to be about power and creativity.  At this time, the Universe bears a karmic gift.  This can help your actions and creations to fall in line with, and be in sync with, your own karma and the collective karma.

So for Tuesday, while watching your communications you can at the same time reap karmic rewards.

Wednesday 27th:

The next day, Wednesday, the Sun trines Mars, reviving our energies for whatever task we have in hand.  It favours the yang side of the male/female equation or balance.  Sporting interests can flourish, or any vigorous pursuits.  It’s a good evening for striking out on a new venture.  Men, dogs and cars may flourish! (John Prescott might add Jaguars and left hooks to that list of resonances).  Aries and Leo Sun sign interaction may be highlighted.

Also on Wednesday, we have a square from Chiron to Venus, which is sensitive for healing and relationship.  If there is an emotional crisis, then healing could be near at hand.  Equally, natural remedies may be readily found for minor physical ailments.  An aspect for care of the self and others.

So Wednesday has two very different strands of experience: a dynamic, forceful vibe, and a gentle, sensitive vibe.  Look out for some contrasting scenarios.

The week in bullet points:

  • Tuesday – communication glitches; karmic rewards
  • Wednesday – dynamic energy; sensitive healing
Date: Nov 24th, 2024 · Comments RSS · Tags: News · Obituary