The Deputy Labour Leadership Contest

Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell

Among the drama-laden political stories of the week (which included the sacking of Peter Mandelson, and the shooting of Charlie Kirk), the search began for the successor to Angela Rayner as Deputy Prime Minister.  Her strength in her role was shown in her chart by an exact conjunction of Mars and the North Node in Leo (a Karmic Warrior).  She was once touted as a future Prime Minister.

Bridget Phillipson’s Birth Chart

“Our state schools need teachers more than private schools need embossed stationery. Our children need mental health support more than private schools need new pools. Our students need careers advice more than private schools need AstroTurf pitches.”

~ Bridget Phillipson

Bridget Phillipson, currently Education Secretary, has the Sun in Sagittarius, an unusual sign for a politician as it happens.  She has a satellitium of 4 planets in that sign, making her a specialist, which includes a triple conjunction of Jupiter/Sun/Neptune.  This triple conjunction suggests that she is deeply motivated by her faith, which in her case is Roman Catholicism.  She is born close to a Full Moon in Gemini, and, with strong emotions, full mooners can ruffle a few feathers sometimes.  She has the positive benefits of the Sun closely conjunct Jupiter, which provides a certain amount of optimism.  Neptune adds some sensitivity.  We do not have a birth time for her, so cannot properly assess her Moon aspects, but a noon chart would show the Moon closely trine Mars – she has appeared to vehemently stand her ground on episodes of Question Time.  Venus in Scorpio conjunct Saturn can result in harsh feelings at times, especially when criticized about Education policies.  But she has Mars trine the North Node, so a positive warrior position karmically, and Mars is in Libra which is capable of conciliation.  It must be noted that in her chart she has relatively few aspects, though the interpretation of that may be up for grabs: one possible interpretation is that of a lack of self-knowledge.

Bridget – Life and Career

Bridget Maeve Phillipson was born in Gateshead. To her credit, she is a local MP still serving in her area (Houghton and Sunderland South) – a rarity, these days!  Good Northern Stock – and it was pointed out by a few notables when Angela Rayner left office that we need a Northern female replacement.  There is still a lot of levelling up to do!

She attended a Catholic School, joined the Labour Party at 15, and studied modern history and modern languages at Oxford University.  She worked in local government, and for Women in Need (following in her mother’s footsteps).  At the 2010 General Election she was elected MP.  She campaigned to Remain at the time of the 2016 Brexit referendum.  She was a supporter of Keir Starmer in the 2020 Labour leadership election, and became Shadow Education Secretary in 2021.  With Moon in Gemini, Education is a natural interest.  She progressed to Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities when Keir Starmer formed a government in July 2024.  This was an elevation for her (with Neptune sextile her natal Chiron, the North Node trine her natal Uranus, and Chiron trine her natal Jupiter), but she had some more severe transits (Pluto square her natal Pluto, and Neptune square her natal Neptune), which may show the scale of the task and the bumpiness of the road ahead.

What has she achieved?  She has clearly impressed her fellow MPs, having gained more votes than any other contenders thus far in the contest. When in opposition, she stressed her aims of catering for the care of children at all stages of education. Among her achievements are bringing breakfast clubs to schools.  Another development in the school system in this period is VAT on private education, though that may be laid at the door of Rachel Reeves.

Bridget’s Transits for the Contest

Bridget put her name forward on 9th September, and quickly established a lead among the six candidates.  Her transits were Chiron trine her natal Sun (helpful) and Saturn square her natal Neptune (stressful).  She led with nominations from 175 Labour MPs, so has clearly earned their respect.  She is also the favoured candidate from Keir Starmer’s point of view, the one most likely to support him without conflict.

The results are due on 25th October, by which time her transits will have changed:-

Pluto will be square her natal Pluto (psychological challenge), Neptune Retrograde almost square her natal Neptune; these two transits operating at the time she began her role as Education Minister.  Chiron will be almost trine her natal Jupiter (another transit which was operating at that time, because of planets in retrograde – could it mean she will be staying as Secretary of State for Education?).  Saturn will square her natal Sun (responsibility, or disappointment? and the Nodal Axis will be square her natal Nodal Axis, forming a Grand Cross: a karmic time, to be sure.  Finally, the North Node will be almost trine her natal Venus, implying that whatever happens, she will be comfortable with it on a personal level.

Lucy Powell’s Birth Chart

“I really want this government to succeed, but I’m not afraid to speak truth where that truth needs to be spoken”

~ Lucy Powell

Lucy Powell, until Keir Starmer’s recent cabinet re-shuffle Leader of the House of Commons, has the Sun in Libra, with a satellitium of 5 planets in that sign, also making her a specialist.  Would that indicate that they should both stay put?  Except for the fact that Lucy has just lost her role, so it may be that fate has freed up her energies for a different role.  Intensifying the diplomatic skills of Libra, Lucy has the Sun conjunct Venus.  But she too has warriorship, with the Sun closely conjunct Mars, in Libra, the sign of peace.  Though born 9 years apart, Bridget and Lucy’s Marses are exactly conjunct, at 17 degrees Libra – they belong in the same cabinet, working together.  Astrologically, Lucy does not have an easy chart, with some awkward squares (including a T-square), suggesting she may not have had as easy a life as it seems on the surface.  Again, we do not have her birth time, but in a Noon chart, the Moon is exactly trine Neptune, indicating emotional sensitivity, and the qualities of a good listener (a quality some MPs, such as Emily Thornberry) have pinpointed as being the need of the hour for the government.  In another interesting link with Bridget, their Nodal Axes are opposite each other, so could balance out each other, if they overcome any differences they might have.  Mercury trine Jupiter in Lucy’s chart shows a good, wide-ranging mind.

Lucy – Life and Career

Lucy Powell was born in Moss Side, Manchester, so is another “Northern lass”, fulfilling that particular requirement.  Her position on the politican spectrum has been described as “soft left” of the Labour party.  She also studied at Oxford University, taking Chemistry as her subject, and she too is MP for her local area (Manchester Central), having been elected in 2012.  She too campaigned for Remain in the Brexit referendum in 2016.  The two must have a sense of shared values.  Lucy gained much political experience, first in Ed Milliband’s shadow cabinet, but also under Jeremy Corbyn (as Shadow Education minister).  However she resigned, with others, from Corbyn’s shadow government, on 26th June 2016  The aspects for that day of mass resignations was Pluto trine Jupiter/North Node (potent karma).  In her own personal chart, Neptune was square her Nodal Axis (karmic confusion over her path).

She was appointed Leader of the Commons when Keir Starmer formed his government on 5th July 2024.  This was her Chiron Return in Aries, and Jupiter was trine her ruling planet Venus.

What has she achieved?  In her wider and more general role, she has helped to bring about several parliamentary reforms, including supporting improved accessibility for disabled MPs.

In Keir’s re-shuffle on 5th September, she was axed in her role and replaced by Alan Campbell.  Her transits when axed were Chiron opposite her natal Uranus (shock), and Jupiter square her natal Mars, plus a Mars return in Libra.  As I have mentioned, it may have been a freeing up for a possible new phase in her life.

In a Guardian Article, Peter Walker tells us that Lucy Powell was shocked and received no explanation. Do we know why he removed her and appointed Alan Campbell?  A possible clue is “She said she believed it could be because she sometimes passed on MPs’ concerns to Downing Street”. She has called for a “change of culture” inside the government and says if elected she would take “difficult truths” to Keir.  Of course, Bridget would be his preferred candidate, but that may not be the best thing.  Lucy’s transits at the time of the announcement of the new deputy are lacklustre, but that doesn’t count her out altogether astrologically.  In her favour, the North Node (karma) was trine her natal Saturn in Cancer at the time she threw her name into the hat, which shows she is up for more responsibility.

Bridget is patently a strong woman, and would be a good support for Keir Starmer.  Lucy has a vast amount of political experience, and she could make a good counterpoise to Keir Starmer, where Bridget would likely just promote more of the same.

Andy Burnham

The Guardian declared this week that “MPs have shared data showing Andy Burnham is Labour’s only politician with a net positive public rating the equivalent of a rave review”.  I know there is a lot of support for him out there, but I don’t know the logistics of him being able to lead, with his currently entrenched role as Mayor of Manchester.  He certainly has proved himself worthy of the position.

His chart, too, looks qualified, with Leadership and Warriorship packed into aspects of:-

The Sun exactly sextile Mars, the Sun closely sextile the North Node, and Mars conjunct the North Node (the Sun sextile Mars/North Node).  Note he has the same conjunction as Angela Rayner (Mars conjunct North Node) but two degrees apart, where hers was exact.  He was born on a New Moon, a positive lunar phase.  And he has Mercury closely trine Pluto (depth of thought).  He’s a Capricorn, the sign born for Politics.

So I thought I would check his transits around the time of the choice being revealed, which are interesting:-

He will have Pluto almost sextile his natal Neptune in Sagittarius; Neptune sextile his natal Mercury in Capricorn; Uranus opposite his natal Neptune in Sagittarius; and a Nodal Return, with the North Node sextile his natal Sun in Capricorn.

With such a concentration of Neptunian influences, it suggests a period of flux, of re-considering his position.  Perhaps he is working towards leadership, but I understand he would have to become an MP first.

Of the two protagonists, I personally would prefer Lucy Powell (and, yes, I still have a membership vote!), and there is support for her in my area too.  But Andy Burnham in the long term seems a bright prospect.  With the divisions in the world at the moment, we need people who can somehow bridge the polarities, which seems an impossible task right now.  And Socialism needs to be able to fulfil its promise to look after the welfare of the poor, vulnerable and disabled.

Aspects

We are awash with aspects this week, though they don’t begin until Tuesday, and then three come along.

In the early hours of Tuesday (16th) Venus sextiles Mars, a largely enjoyable entanglement.  This aspect is given over to pleasure and indulgence, and maybe romance is also on the cards.  Art will have vigour, and movement will have artistry or elegance under this influence.  Social plans should flourish. As experienced specifically in the early hours, this aspect may give rise to sensuous dreams!

The other two aspects involve Chiron, and accordingly have healing themes:

Venus trines Chiron, and the healing power of Love may come to the fore.  Try to keep the heart open, and keep the faith.  There may be a real opportunity to re-group your healing energies and feel harmony within your being.  This is something especially relevant now, with society being torn apart with negative emotions, on both sides of the Atlantic.

Finally, Chiron will oppose Mars, which is more challenging.  This can highlight wounds, mainly of the psychological kind.  Something may be flagged up for you to heal.  Perhaps a longstanding misunderstanding in the family, especially concerning the male of the species.  We may be surprised to hear how deeply someone feels about an issue, which might hitherto have been hidden.  We can only start to address something which has emerged in consciousness and awareness, so can thank Chiron for that process.

Wednesday (17th) brings another opposition, that between Saturn and Mercury.  There may be a setback to a plan, or you may suddenly feel fatigued.  Challenges or blockages may occur to the smooth flow of earlier in the day.  Travelling plans may be delayed that day, for example the wrong Autumn leaves on the rail line.

An ingress occurs on the morning of Thursday (18th), that of Mercury entering Libra.  This can bring a new mental focus on cultural themes, which could bring more pure enjoyment: art and music being fundamental areas for Libra, and decision-making. Mercury in Libra is slightly more relaxed than Mercury in Virgo, but having laid plans and attended to essential detail under the previous placement Mercury in Virgo, we can embellish, beautify and smooth things over.

In the evening, Neptune opposes Mercury, in the third opposition of the week.  This can spark mental confusion.  There may be for instance a mental dilemma, or a demand for clarification.  It may be difficult to focus, if you are engaged in documentation work.  Journeys may be long and complicated.  You may need to take care near water.

Three more astrological features to come for Friday (19th).  In the early hours, Mercury trines Uranus, which can inspire high functioning minds, intuition and good ideas (especially for Geminians).   Uranus will add extra spice to your plans, and documentation.  Computers and technology should be on sparkling form and assist your expression.  You may spring pleasant surprises.  Writing projects may also flow.

Then at breakfast time, Mercury trines Pluto, also benefitting Geminians, as well as our mental make-up generally.  It challenges us to dig deeper.  This aspect is conducive to psychological reflection, and earnest conversations between friends or colleagues.  It is good for in-depth consultations and negotiations, and researching past lives. Something to chew on over the muesli.

These two trines enhance the atmosphere of the day, forming a Grand Trine in Air, between Mercury, Uranus and Pluto.  It is especially conducive to changing minds.

The third astrological feature of the day is the ingress of Venus into Virgo, which occurs around lunchtime, making you more discerning in your tastes.  We may also be discriminating about the company we keep (if we subscribe to such a philosophy), and be exercising caution.  We choose the catering (in a healthful, Virgoan or Vegan way), and we tailor our practices to ecological ways under this placement.  This will be a general influence until 13th October.

A tricky transit right at the end of the week, so try and smooth the path in advance, e.g. deal with possible loopholes.  On Saturday (20th) Uranus squares Venus, which might bring twists and turn in relationships. There may be a quirky end to a relationship or money saga, slightly out of your comfort zone (especially for Taureans and Librans).  Your plans may have to be modified at the last minute.  The way through is to use your intuition, and stay one step ahead.

The week in bullet points:

  • Tuesday – sensuality; relationship healing; dealing with psychological wounds
  • Wednesday – delay and frustration
  • Thursday – new cultural focus; mental confusion
  • Friday – sparkling minds; deep consultations; healthy choices
  • Saturday – disruption in relationships and finance
Date: Sep 14th, 2025 · Comments RSS · Tags: News