Aspects for the week beginning 1 May 2016
London Mayor Elections
Voters go to the polls this Thursday to elect the next Mayor of London. Here I look at some of the candidates, and past and present Mayoral charts.
Sadiq Khan
I first looked at Sadiq Khan’s chart during the election for a Labour candidate. Since then, he has been much more high profile, and has been seen to conduct a cleaner and fairer campaign it seems than Zac Goldsmith. Sadiq seems to understand in particular the housing needs of young Londoners, an issue of high priority if services are to continue to be provided in London by nursing staff, cleaners, waiters and waitresses, workers on the Underground, etc. He comes across as a decent and sincere advocate on behalf of all Londoners.
Here was my assessment of his chart:
“Sadiq Khan has a powerhouse of energy, from his conjunction of Mars and Pluto, which could be confrontational. The conjunction takes place in Virgo, so he is able to channel that energy into Health, Community and Environmental concerns, which would be useful for a London Mayor. His Sun in Libra (he was a Human Rights lawyer) conjuncts Uranus, so he has potential as an innovator. There is also a loose conjunction between his Venus and Neptune (plus his Mercury sextiles Neptune), so he is capable of sensitivity and inspiration in relationships and the Arts, and subtlety in negotiation which may balance out the overriding will of Mars and Pluto. His Mercury conjuncts Pluto, so he thinks deeply about issues. He could be quite personally charismatic, with Venus exactly sextile Mars. He has no Fire planets, and his Jupiter is unaspected, so sometimes he may come over as lacking enthusiasm. Mars exactly trine Saturn is an excellent balance of action and measured caution. Neptune squares closely his Nodal Axis, so in his personal life he may occasionally be confused about his direction… London’s Neptune [is] sextile exactly his natal Jupiter, so spiritually there is a unity.”
This morning, he is reported to be worried that the current dispute about antisemitism in the Labour Party has eroded and reversed his lead in this contest. On election day, Mars trines his natal Chiron, and Saturn sextiles his natal Sun, which is promising, but he does need the Labour voters to come out and vote, in order to bring about the fairer society in London which he is aiming for.
Zac Goldsmith
Zac Goldsmith, son of Brexiter James Goldsmith (before the term was coined) and brother of Jemima Khan, earned a good reputation for his work in ecology. But in this campaign he has been perceived as playing the racist and Islamophobic card against Sadiq Khan, and his privileged background has led to him being accused of being too wrapped up in the inequities of the current London property scene. He has inherited considerable wealth, and does not seem to take seriously the plight of the ordinary London worker. If he is elected, the rich in London will undoubtedly gain even further ground.
Goldsmith’s Sun lies in the last degree of Capricorn, an Earth sign, and that may be a clue to his high ideals regarding ecology. It also may explain why he has a reputation for shyness, and has not been engaging with the public a great deal. He has Sun square Uranus, so there is a part of him which wants to rebel, indeed he has been called a backbench rebel, and does not always agree with David Cameron on policy. He has been successful as Editor of Ecology magazine, and has a very strong Writer Archetype (Mercury exactly conjunct Venus in Aquarius), which he tries to use to heal the Earth (Chiron sextile Mercury/Venus). Robert Booth wrote in the Guardian: “Juniper recalls Goldsmith as a ‘brave but modest’ editor who gave a quasi-academic journal a wider readership”. He’s capable of balanced judgments (Jupiter trine Saturn), and charismatic leadership (North Node conjunct Neptune and Pluto sextile closely North Node). His Uranus trines the Jupiter of the London chart, so if elected he would bring a change of some sort, but that may not necessarily be in the right direction for the majority of Londoners. At the time of the elections, Pluto will be sextile his natal Jupiter (the possibility of power) but Neptune will be square his Neptune (uncertainty), so that is not conclusive in terms of outcome.
Sian Berry
Green Party candidate Sian Berry actually has more of an emphasis on Water signs than Earth, surprisingly. She has an upbeat, lucky streak, with Sun exactly trine Jupiter, but could be explosive in speech according to her Mercury exactly square Pluto (I have not heard of any such incidents, I hasten to add). Saturn on her Mercury may help her to keep such ideas buttoned up, however. She is very sociable (Venus square Jupiter), and developed good relationships in past lives (Venus conjunct her South Node). She also has leadership karma (Mars exactly trine her North Node) so may go far in her chosen Party. Dave Hill in the Guardian described her as having “like her party, grown more formidable with experience”. Her Neptune sextiles the London Mars, so she has sensitivity to its needs. She was born 6 months before Zac Goldsmith and shares the transit of Pluto sextile to her natal Jupiter, but Pluto opposes her Sun and Saturn opposes her Venus, so there will be some disappointment.
Previous Mayors:
Ken Livingstone
Ken Livingstone, who was embroiled this week in accusations of anti-semitism, was a fairly successful London Mayor in the newly revived institution. But his record of anti-semitic comments going back years, and his inability to restrain himself verbally has made him a loose cannon since he was given a role in the Labour Party regarding the nuclear industry.
We have a birth time for him, unlike the previous three. He has Sun conjunct closely Mercury in Gemini, which combined with Moon conjunct closely Jupiter in Virgo, gives him a slightly mischievous streak – he has a twinkle in his eye as he makes his controversial statements, as though he knows they will get him into trouble – he doesn’t really care. The Sun/Mercury in Gemini could cause him to over-intellectualize, and together with a slightly curmudgeonly Capricorn Ascendant, he maybe needs a little more of the heart and a little less of the head. North Node conjunct Saturn reinforces this persona. Jupiter was square his Uranus this week, causing him to overreach himself more than usual. His aspects to the chart of London are warm, e.g. his Venus trines its Neptune.
Boris Johnson
I wrote in 2013:
“Boris is a highly popular politician (Sun exactly conjunct Venus indicating the lovable component of lovable rogue), and riding high on the success of the Olympics last summer. His chaotic, anarchic side is his Uranus conjunct Pluto. Sun in Gemini is associated with cycling, and he has promoted a cycling hire scheme in the capital among other accomplishments.”
So both previous Mayors were Geminians, but Boris did have excellent interaspects with the London chart: his Jupiter trine the London Uranus and North Node, and his Neptune sextile the London Uranus and North Node. In some ways, London was healing for him, resolving his Jupiter-Neptune opposition. Though he has ambitions to be the next Conservative leader, his position seems to me a little precarious or controversial at present, pending the outcome of the European Referendum. Some political pundits are saying that a vote in June’s European Referendum to come out of Europe will seal his chances of becoming the next leader of the Conservatives and/or Prime Minister.
Dick Whittington
Legend has it that Dick Whittington was a 14th Century character, who was promised by the ringing of church bells in Holloway one day that he would become Lord Mayor, went from rags to riches and became Lord Mayor. He had a street cat called Puss in Boots, who was very helpful. We do not have his birth date.
Aspects
It’s all good, this week: Two trines, a sextile and a New Moon. Not a cloud in the astrological sky! You might be one of those rare people who don’t get on with trines…but otherwise you can plough ahead with your plans for this week.
Well, at least the aspects are on your side. However, there are 5 planets in retrograde motion, so if you are feeling resistance, it will be due to the retrograde motion of Mercury (communication hitches), Mars (energy turbulence), Jupiter (out of luck), Saturn (blocks) and/or Pluto (psychological processing). Take your pick, if this seems to be happening.
At Noon today the Sun is sextile Neptune, an event which might have sailed smoothly past you if you are reading this later. But it does oil the wheels in all sorts of ways, spiritually, artistically and inspirationally, and Neptune is not retrograde. If you executed an inspired move, then you were helped by Neptune.
Tuesday (3rd) brings the happiest aspect: Jupiter trine the Sun. Note that Leos especially could have a good week, because all the favourable aspects involve their ruler, the Sun. So if you have the Sun or Ascendant in Leo, you could be moving onwards and upwards incrementally this week. Jupiter trine the Sun could bring all of us that extra factor of luck that we need to bring a project to fruition, an interview to a successful outcome, a journey to delightful vistas, or a philosophical point to a satisfactory conclusion.
The New Moon is on Friday (6th) evening, at 16 degrees Taurus. This is a good time for planting in the garden, making money, and musical and artistic events. It can be a new beginning for you in whichever House it falls in your chart, so if it falls in your 7th House of relationships, there can be an emotional renewal for instance. As Taurus is a very solid sign, the results can be reliable and practical.
Around lunchtime on Saturday (7th) the Sun trines Pluto, so it is a good day to wrap up your understanding of the week, complete a project, engage meaningfully with life, or help someone in need. The force is with you. By the end of the week, you should be able to heave a deep sigh of satisfaction.
The week in bullet points:
- Today – gliding through
- Tuesday – a touch of luck
- Friday – new beginning
- Saturday – deep satisfaction
May 1st, 2016 at 3:09 pm
Richard Whittington was a member of the Guild of Mercers and did exist, apparently. It is the livery company whose members are shopkeepers, and is the very first on the list. I remember the Whittington Stone when I used to live in Highgate many years ago – and indeed when you walk onto Hampstead Heath and look back, you have a wonderful panorama of London stretching out below – tempting enough to call you back down!
May 1st, 2016 at 3:47 pm
Hi Lana, I find myself wishing Dick Whittington was a current candidate. He liked cats, had to be a good choice.
Meanwhile, I’m liking your statement ‘that it’s all good this week’, aspect wise. But the retrogrades may be troublesome. Forewarned is forearmed of course so all will be well.
Thanks for your blog.
Love Sarah
May 2nd, 2016 at 8:14 am
I only read your blog today, as I was in Charmouth in Dorset yesterday. Coincidentally I was told that Whittingtons who are descendants of Dick still live in the village
May 2nd, 2016 at 8:43 am
Dear Ayeshah
Thanks very much for your comment!
I have never been to see the Whittington Stone, though we lived not far from there when we were first married. It’s a very compelling story and I now have a yen to see the stone. Maybe we should meet there next time we see each other, instead of our usual haunt.
Love
Lana
May 2nd, 2016 at 8:55 am
Dear Sarah
Glad Dick Whittington has your vote.
Being a double Mercury, that retrograde will be yours to watch. But hopefully, the generally upbeat aspects will rule.
See you at Light Pod,
Love
Lana
May 2nd, 2016 at 8:56 am
Well, Daph!
What an amazing coincidence! Do you think Dick Whittington is trying to tell us something…?
Love
L
May 2nd, 2016 at 10:57 am
Dear Lana
Found your analyses of the main Mayoral candidates really interesting. Quite apart from all the astro stuff I always LEARN so many new things from your blogs. I hope that the next London mayor will be chosen for his/her personal qualities and skills but unfortunately political skullduggery is already muddying the water.
I was surprised to learn the two previous mayors were both Geminis. I wouldnt have thought they’d have the staying power.
Lovely to have a well aspected week. I generally ignore the retrogrades unless something happens that seems to relate
But this weeks highpoint has to be all the Dick Whittington references. I can feel a Whittington Heritage Trail weekend break coming on.
Love Janet
May 2nd, 2016 at 2:49 pm
Dear Lana,
Thanks for your blog. I was just listening to Brain of Britain final on BBC Radio 4 and thinking you could win it!
Your blog always has so much information …. Unrivalled anywhere else as far as far as I can see!
I am reeling from a week deluged with challenges so I am sincerely hope your heartwarming aspects bode well for me.
One question I have about the rudiments of astrology. How do we know if the new moon is in the 7th house in our Chart on Friday? I come unstuck when I start thinking about houses!
Thanks for everything! Flick xx
May 2nd, 2016 at 11:44 pm
Love the analysis, very interesting to a REAL outsider.
I am so looking forward to a happy week…hope it pans out that way all around.
Love,
Dia
May 3rd, 2016 at 2:41 pm
Dear Janet
Thanks very much for your input.
Well Gemini can have a low boredom threshold, e.g. hubby Mike has that. In the Guardian yesterday Sonia Purnell was writing about how Boris basically lost interest in his Mayoral role: “Johnson was giving so little, but people in the capital seemed to be expecting even less. Perhaps they had simply become accustomed to inaction from the man dubbed the ‘do nothing mayor'”
What did you have in mind, Janet? A day trip to the Highgate Stone, or a weekend away in Dorset?
Love
Lana
May 3rd, 2016 at 2:47 pm
Lovely to hear from you, Flick!
Well, hubby Mike nearly always beats me at University Challenge, but he has got 4 degrees…
Each House comes 30 degrees from the Ascendant, so to have 16 degrees Taurus (the position of the New Moon) in the 7th House, count 30 degrees from your Descendant (the opposite point of your Ascendant). So under the Equal House system, those people with the New Moon falling in their 7th House would be anyone with their Ascendant between 18 degrees Libra and 17 degrees Scorpio!
Does that answer your question?!
Love
Lana
May 3rd, 2016 at 2:51 pm
Dear Dia
Good to hear that you can take an interest in our local affairs!
Donald Trump doesn’t seem to be getting any less popular at your end…
Hope you benefit from the week’s harmonious aspects. It’s a glorious sunny day here, and hope that your climate is more temperate than it has been lately,
Love
Lana
May 3rd, 2016 at 3:19 pm
I suppose temperate is in the eyes of the beholder. It hasn’t been up to 100F yet… We were sadly overlooked by El Nino and whatever that is that’s settled over our area and is keeping the rain away seems to lock in the heat – physical and psychical/emotional.
Ah yes, Trump. My beloved keeps saying that it’s a majority of a minority that supports him…but if you line all the angry white folk (his base) up and THEY all vote, and the intelligentsia (hubs) and their ilk sit on their brainy laurels – well, things could go south rather badly. I hope, once the primarys are over, that the ivory towers WAKE UP and realise this man could, actually, be a threat because of voter apathy on the non-Trump side. But only time will tell. To say NOTHING of the new voter laws in several states, meant to keep a large segment of populations away from the polls.
I have a British patient who has been asked what he thinks of this election. He says he thinks the same thing as every other election – then recounts how swiftly and low-fuss the elections in the UK run. Wish we could make a switch to a more sane election cycle. If wishes were fishes….
Off to treat today, enjoying the beneficial aspects.
Love,
Dia
May 4th, 2016 at 7:37 am
Dear Dia
Thanks for your bulletin on climate and elections…
We heard over our breakfast cereal this morning that Trump is virtually unstoppable now. Clinging on to your beloved’s thought on the matter.
Love
Lana
May 5th, 2016 at 5:31 pm
Dear Lana
We could meet up in Highgate and then set off down the highways and byways with our toothbrushes and spare underwear in red spotted hankies on the end of a stick. How far is it to Dorset??????
Love janet xx
May 6th, 2016 at 9:09 am
Dear Janet
I am up for meeting at Highgate, but would be more inclined to use my Senior Citizens’ bus pass the rest of the way…
Love
L