Tony Slattery (1959 – 2025)

“I was struck by his stage presence, his comic energy, his fierce intelligence, and his devastatingly good looks”

~ Paul Merton

Brilliant comedian Tony Slattery died last Tuesday, at the age of 65, having suffered a heart attack last Sunday.  He was the archetypal comedian hiding an unfathomable sadness, who had taken a long hiatus from performing, and only just taken up his craft again.

Birth chart

Tony had 0 planets in the element of Air, therefore relying on instinct.  This may be why he was just a genius at improvisation (in Whose Line is it Anyway?) a quick-fire format which could by-pass thought processes.  He also had half his planets (5) in the Mutable signs, which meant that he was super-adaptable and versatile, also useful traits in his particular brand of comedy.

His Sun was in the broody sign of Scorpio, conjunct Mars, which made him super-intense.  Sun/Mars was square Uranus, increasing his independence and rebelliousness, and giving him a crackling electrical energy.  This was part of a T-square with Uranus opposite Chiron, which was problematic, especially for health, but at the same time made him super aware of possible solutions in the moment (again a quality he may have employed in improvisation).  But this T-square may have worn him down, and caused him to have to take a break from performing, for the sake of his health; a strain on his Inner Healer (Chiron).  His bright intellect is seen in Mercury closely conjunct Jupiter, but complicated by the darker influence of Pluto tightly squaring the conjunction.  Venus in his chart squared Saturn, a depressive pairing, especially regarding relationships.  In addition, Venus was closely conjunct the North Node in Libra (squaring Saturn), making relationships a karmic challenge.  However, he sustained a gay relationship since 1986, so found a way to navigate the trickiness of these aspects.  The difficult aspects to Venus may also have contributed to what he himself described as “fiscal illiteracy” (which later led to bankruptcy). Mars in Scorpio conjunct Neptune again shows intensity, and possible self-defeating emotions.

Life and Career

Tony Slattery was born in Stonebridge in North London, the youngest of five children.  He revealed at one time that he had been abused by a priest at the age of eight, more than enough trauma for a lifetime’s depression, and possibly indicated in his birth chart by the conjunction of Mars and Neptune in Scorpio.  He revealed this in an interview with Hadley Freeman in April 2019, at the age of 59.

He won a scholarship to Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he read Modern and Medieval Languages (Mercury conjunct Jupiter tends to show a facility for learning foreign languages).  He held a black belt in Judo, another talent represented in his chart: Sun conjunct Mars in Scorpio (martial arts).  He had four conjunctions in his chart, showing the intensity of his talents.  He joined Footlights at Cambridge, in the company of Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson, Sandi Toksvig and Jan Ravens.  The troupe won an award at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1981. He was made President of the Footlights in 1982.  From there he appeared regularly in the mid-1980s on television, and is particularly remembered for his genius on Channel 4’s “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” from 1988, a show which demanded a  rare skill.  His hilarity joined with fellow comedians Josie Lawrence, Paul Merton and John Sessions among others.  Oh, how we laughed!

Acting was another skill – he appeared on stage in Me and My Girl in 1986, and in the film Carry on Columbus (the last in the series) in 1992.  In 1994 he was a co-founding patron of Leicester Comedy Festival.  From the mid-1990s, he reduced his appearances due to ill-health.  A mid-life crisis and nervous breakdown in 1996 included cocaine and drink.  He became reclusive.  Occasional acting appearances included a voiceover in Red Dwarf.  Eventually, he was diagnosed to have bipolar disorder.  He was quoted as saying “The black dog got me in its jaws and just hung on for two years”.

In later years, he was slowly achieving a comeback, and returning to performing, even re-appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017.  He was particularly active during the last year, and launched a podcast.

He is remembered with great fondness, especially by his fellow comedians, such as Al Murray and Helen Lederer.  Sad to think we missed so many years of him, in between…

“I don’t think I ever met a more beautiful man than Tony Slattery.”

~ Sandi Toksvig

Aspects

With four astrological features occurring today, it’s an important day.  We already know it’s a crucial day in terms of a Ceasefire in the Middle East, and the anticipation of tomorrow’s inauguration of President Trump.  Two peaks have already passed, but here is the timetable:

Sunday, January 19th

1.26 a.m. – Venus conjunct Saturn

This may give rise to sobering reflections about relationship or money.  Feel your feelings (e.g. the nostalgia, or injustice), or deal with them philosophically, and let them go if you can.  The care of the elderly may be a particular preoccupation.  The optimum condition for this conjunction would be loyalty and commitment, and perhaps some songwriting incorporating a touch of melancholy.

Preoccupations may have led to a restless sleep.  The sadness and sense of loss were already felt, with the uncertainty at the late hour as to whether a ceasefire would take place, and more lives were lost in Gaza meanwhile overnight.  The ceasefire finally became official at 9.15 a.m. (U.K. time), 11.15 a.m. local time.  This gives an Ascendant of 2 degrees Taurus, and places most of the planets in the International 9th House and the Societal 11th House – very much a global chart.  Venus conjunct Saturn appears in the 11th House in Pisces, and displays the nature of a commitment (as well as the more difficult qualities of this conjunction).

7.38 a.m. – Mercury sextile Saturn

Another earlier aspect, at breakfast-time, signalling that thoughts and feelings can be channelled and harnessed into constructive plans and ideas.  Mental foundations can be laid.  The aspect favours documentation and again knuckling down to form-filling etc.  Geminis and Virgos have the chance to regain their balance, if they need to.

At the beginning of the Laura Kuenssberg news show this morning, the ceasefire deal was still being ratified, due to a delay in naming the three hostages who were due to be released today.  She announced the latest time for the announcement of the ceasefire was 9.15 a.m. UK time, and just after 9.15 it was confirmed to have taken place. So at the time of this aspect, serious talks were still being held (Mercury sextile Saturn).  This sextile was taking place across the 9th and 11th Houses of the ceasefire (to be) chart, dialogues across nations.

16.32 Hrs – Mercury sextile Venus

This afternoon, a more congenial aspect takes place.  Mercury sextile Saturn was sound, but quite serious.  But Mercury sextile Venus is more harmonious and social.  This may represent the actual release of the three hostages, and some of the relief which may accompany that, although of course no one takes anything for granted, least of all a long term peace.  It may be simply a moment to savour, in the now.  Those aid convoys that have been patiently waiting to cross into Gaza, may finally do so.

Away from the conflict in the Middle East, in your own life, it is an ideal day for cafe culture (our local Costa is open!), and good conversation.  It favours socializing, and creative forms which combine art and writing.  There is potential for negotiation in diplomatic efforts, and harmony and agreement between kindred spirits.  That could be the best part of the day, although all aspects influence the day generally.

20.00 Hrs – Sun enters Aquarius

The event which takes place in the evening brings more openness to embracing change.  We still have a way to go before Spring, but are ready to look at different ways of being.  This year’s entry of the Sun into Aquarius is more triumphant than most, as Pluto is there now, trumpeting a new age.  Some might dare hope their loved ones are returned to them, e.g. the Palestinian prisoners, of whom there are many to be released.  Some will be able to move on in their lives.  But that Venus-Saturn conjunction sounds a bittersweet note of realism throughout the world: the loved and the lost will not be forgotten.

So that is a resume of today.  If it is your birthday, it could prove to be an eventful year.

Tuesday January 21st

There are two heavy aspects hanging over Tuesday, and so I don’t think it will be an easy day.  The first, Chiron square Mercury, implies the need to look at wounding, both physical and psychological (and the relation between them).  This may cause some mental strain, a headache, a conundrum.  Remember that often a problem can contain its own solution.  Attentiveness to health and healing is required, but first the question has to be aired.  The solution may just take a little work, or some lateral thinking.

For the released hostages and prisoners (who have hopefully found their freedom) injuries and traumas will need to be aired, so that help can be sought long-term.  We are told that “Hagai Levine, who heads the health team at the Hostages Families Forum, said he expects the hostages to return with cardiovascular and respiratory issues due to lack of ventilation in the tunnels. Among multiple other afflictions Levine expects are vitamin deficiencies, starvation, dramatic weight loss, vision problems due to a lack of sunlight, broken bones, cognitive impairment and mental health trauma.”  Provision may also be made on the Palestinian side to welcome and attend to their prisoners on release.  Those Gazans returning to their homes in a state of rubble, may register a new level of hopelessness.  Their neighbourhoods very much resemble areas of L.A. after the wildfires.  How do you even begin to process the next step, mentally?

At lunchtime, Pluto conjoins with the Sun, one of the most profound aspects of the year.  But it is also an aspect which marks reality setting in.  The enormity of the scale of the task ahead in Israel and Gaza may be registered. It may be a profound wake-up call, both personally and collectively.  In our own lives, practicing meditation and calming techniques would be a good way to proceed on the day as the deeper issues of life come up for assessment.  Any creativity will have depth to it, and you won’t be able to skim the surface of things. But you may emerge the richer for it.

Thursday January 23rd

15.07 Hrs – Mars sextile Uranus

This promises some dynamism for the day and the end of the week.  Engineering especially benefits from this aspect, but that also includes social engineering.  Electricity and Astrology are other areas which can be stimulated by this combination.  Cars, mechanics, mechanical goods and household appliances may receive a boost or a renewal.  This aspect can refresh your energies, if you have been feeling jaded.  It is helpful for both beginning new tasks, or completing long term projects. The power of surprise may be constructive today, too.

So it is a helpful day in terms of those who can act constructively, e.g. in the war torn aftermath.

Mars is a double-edged sword on Thursday, though.  In the evening Mars opposes Mercury, which may be more fractious.  You may make minor slip ups because you will feel like going quickly and pushing through agendas fast.  Heated debates, irritability and incident-proneness could also be a feature of Mercury opposite Mars.  You may observe this in others, and in the general hustle and bustle of society, where two or more (or six) are gathered together.

There could be some resumption of hostilities today, e.g. some breaking of ceasefire agreements on either side.  That is assuming, the ceasefire holds through Tuesday’s challenges.

Better vibes still later in the evening, with Mercury trine Uranus.  This can bring mental brilliance, technological upgrades, lightbulb moments, and futuristic inspiration can be yours. You may lie awake in the evening with amazing ideas.  The mind will be uplifted, and computers and I.T. devices given or received, will be on good form and working satisfyingly well.

It’s a good evening for people to apply their minds and receive flashes of intuitive solutions for the problems that beset us, personally, collectively and globally.  Aid workers who have been stuck or hampered, may find green lights and green shoots.  Donald Trump may enjoy getting into his stride in the resumption of power…

Saturday January 25th

Thank goodness for the last aspect of the week, Venus trine Mars, which occurs literally just before midnight that day, but may be operable earlier during the day.  It may comparatively be a picnic, or a walk in the park, and a chance to forget some of your troubles and cares.  Other wars may be raging (we must not forget Ukraine, for instance), but the relations between the sexes may be harmonious, or the connectivity between your own inner male and female.  It would be a good opportunity for sharing and balancing roles, such as career and parenting.  And exercises of body awareness, such as qijong or pilates, may be helpful.

The week in bullet points:

  • Today – sadness; negotiation; conviviality; newness
  • Tuesday – looking at wounds; deep experiences
  • Thursday – electric vibrations; construction; irritability; brilliant ideas
  • Saturday – harmony between the sexes
Date: Jan 19th, 2025 · Comments RSS · Tags: Celebrities · News · Obituary