Aspects for the week beginning 28 July 2019
New Cabinet
For his first outing in the Commons, Johnson had gone back to his more familiar default setting. The Fool. The court jester from whom no one expects the truth, so long as they are entertained. “Pifflepafflewifflewaffle,” he began.
~ John Crace
So it is Boris Johnson’s finest hour: he easily achieved 66% of the vote to become our new Prime Minister. From last week:
“Saturn from Capricorn in his natal 4th House of Home trines his natal Jupiter in Taurus in 8th House – could be a prestigious new House move (requiring apparently all new furniture, post divorce). Uranus from Taurus in his 7th House trines his natal Uranus in Virgo in his 11th House – Successful realization of his long held dream and ambition.”
Accordingly, and as is his right, he has fashioned a new cabinet, who will be seeing us through Brexit and ruling our affairs for at least a few months. As there are 22, I won’t get through them all at this stage, but I would add Jacob Rees-Mogg (appointed Leader of the House of Commons) and Dominic Cummings (architect of Johnson’s victory).
“In would come a cabinet shaped in his own image. A cabinet of shits, charlatans and shysters. One in which having been previously sacked for lying was almost a precondition.”
~ John Crace
Sajid Javid, now Chancellor of the Exchequer
I wrote earlier:
“Prospects look brighter for him at the time of the settlement of the contest, with Jupiter on his Sun. Perhaps the new leader will offer him a plum role, or he will be pleased to keep his current role. He looks to have some happiness come his way at that time.”
Dominic Raab, now Foreign Secretary
A staunch supporter of Boris during his campaign to become Prime Minister, he deserved a plum role.
I have written, previously:
Transits for 31st July (by which time a leader should have been chosen)
Uranus sextile his natal Sun, which is more promising as it can be very personally successful, and offers up an opportunity to be fresh and original.
Transits for 31st October (the deadline for Brexit)
With a Mars Return and Mars trine his Venus, he may be seen as Action Man around this time. Perhaps he has taken a crucial role in some negotiations. Jupiter is transiting his natal North Node, which can bring karmic reward for merit. This looks like a favourable period for him, whatever his role at the time.
Priti Patel, now Home Secretary
I haven’t worked with her chart before, but it is extraordinary how she got here! Two years ago she resigned as Secretary for International Development because it had been found that she had taken some unauthorized trips to Israel.
With Sun in Aries she is very direct, and closely squaring Jupiter makes her a risk-taker too. Mercury conjunct exactly Chiron could give her capabilities as a problem-solver. Mercury opposing Uranus means she is not afraid to be controversial. Mars trine closely with Pluto confers extreme force, energy and strength. And Mars trine exactly the North Node, with Aries Sun and 6 Cardinal planets, she is a leader.
Transits for 24th July, her appointment:
She has Uranus trine her Jupiter (an Opportunity), Chiron square her Jupiter (she will be super excited), Saturn square her natal Uranus (slightly rattled) and the Nodal Axis square her natal Uranus (she will be challenged to rein in her Inner Rebel).
Andrea Leadsom, now business, energy and industrial strategy secretary
I have previously written about Andrea Leadsom:
“She is a strong-willed Sun in Taurus (a financier), with the Sun in a T-square with Mars and Saturn, and her Sun is closely sextile her North Node (born to lead some). She seems to be a catalyst, as pulling out of the previous leadership contest paved the way for Theresa to win.”
Transits for 24th July, her appointment:
Pluto still trine her natal Sun, a position of power, though maybe not as powerful as she would like, and Mars square her Neptune (she may be in two minds about the appointment). Though as a Taurean, business is a suitable place for her.
Matt Hancock, stays as Health Secretary
There have been hints that Matt Hancock would have liked a more senior position, but the position of Health Secretary is not to be sniffed at. And he is lucky, because half the previous cabinet lost their jobs (including his predecessor at Health, Jeremy Hunt).
Previously I wrote:
“His background suggests more of a talent for economics than an interest in health .. . He was born under a New Moon in Libra, with a keen, forensic type of mind (Mercury conjunct Pluto in Libra).”
Of this period I wrote:
“Neptune still trines his Venus, but Saturn squares his Pluto, which may spell disappointment politically. In addition, the Nodal Axis squares his Pluto, so the force does not appear to be with him.”
Gavin Williamson, now Education Secretary
I have previously written:
“He is a bit of a maverick, with Sun exactly trine Uranus …Uranus in Scorpio is also conjunct his North Node, and this may be connected with his karmic mission. He has a strong desire to change things, and enjoys taking people by surprise. Rowena Mason, writing in the Guardian, said: ‘Gavin Williamson has often been likened to Francis Urquhart, the ruthless parliamentary enforcer in Westminster TV drama House of Cards’. At the Conservative conference he stated: “I don’t very much believe in the stick, but it’s amazing what can be achieved with a sharpened carrot”. He has a reputation for slipperiness, and that may be connected with his close natal Mercury-Neptune opposition.”
Transits for 24th July, his appointment:
Mars sextile his natal Mercury (mentally galvanized), Uranus sextile his natal Venus (excitement), and Pluto trine his natal Jupiter (a thirst for power satisfied), so he looks pleased with his new position.
Amber Rudd, now Work and Pensions Secretary
Amber notably acted as the fall guy for Theresa May’s Windrush mistakes, but has managed to trundle along to this position, despite being a forceful voice for Remain during the referendum days.
Transits for 24th July, her appointment are remarkably quiet and uneventful.
Liz Truss, International Trade Secretary
Liz is my local M.P., who I wrote about in May:
“Her deadpan voice and slightly soulless gaze worry me, and some of the stances in parliamentary voting she has taken have lacked compassion. She sits in a Tory heartland, and most of the people I know who have met her have been underwhelmed by her intellect. She has Mercury conjunct Saturn, so there is some slowness mentally, but otherwise she has done well climbing on the political ladder without accomplishing anything remarkable. She has Jupiter exactly square Saturn natally, which can indicate a strong Inner Saboteur.”
Transits for 31st July
Neptune sextile her natal Mars, some compassion occurring. But Chiron opposing her Pluto may be difficult psychologically or healthwise.
[Apparently she hoped for something better, given that she put her wholehearted support behind Boris]
Transits for 31st October
Chiron closely trine her Sun, may see her moving on, with new ideas about health. Jupiter will trine Jupiter, so perhaps a new opportunity opening up for her, and a new focus.
[Jupiter trine Jupiter may give her a travel boost in her new International role]
Grant Shapps, now Transport Secretary
Anyone who succeeds Chris Grayling is likely to do well in the job in comparison. With the Sun in Virgo and the Moon in Gemini (both Mercury ruled), transport would seem a fitting placement for him (Chris Grayling is an Aries with an Aquarian Moon). With Mars closely trine Saturn, he might get things done. However, he did have to stand down from a ministerial post in 2015 because he had not dealt with cases of bullying within the party.
Transits for 24th July, his appointment:
Pluto exactly trine his natal Sun to the day, a significant shift of power. He will feel he is back in business! The Nodal Axis square his Mercury – karmic challenges in relation to Transport. Jupiter is sextile his natal Venus – he will be pretty happy at the moment. Neptune is opposite his natal Jupiter (he may have some delusion). North Node sextile his natal Jupiter (his karma is definitely on the up!)
Jacob Rees-Mogg, now Leader of the House of Commons
Jacob Rees-Mogg, one of those who hounded Theresa May out of power, has lost no time in laying down all sorts of rules of grammar and other protocols for his department, so they will be having to mind their p’s and q’s. With Sun and Mercury in Gemini, language is an important preoccupation, but I only hope it does not interfere with the performance of his staff. Mars is opposite his natal Mercury, which can make him very bossy or critical in this regard. A notably retro eccentric, he will be getting his teeth into his new role, keen to deliver Brexit. Please note I still adhere to the two spaces after a full stop rule, which is one of Rees-Mogg’s stipulations to his staff.
Transit for 24th July, his appointment:
Aah! Pluto trines his natal Pluto, he is coming into his power at long last. It feels as though he has been waiting centuries.
Dominic Cummings, now Special Adviser to the P.M.
Dominic Cummings was the chief architect of Vote Leave, and also assisted Boris’ recent campaign to be Prime Minister. He is known as a slippery character, and remarkably 8 (out of 10) Mutable planets, and no Fixed planets, so slippery by astrological nature. He has the Sun exactly opposite Saturn, so can be very strict in what he believes in. His Sun is exactly conjunct Neptune, so he is very Piscean too. His Sun sextile exactly Pluto makes him a very powerful character. Jupiter sextile his Uranus gives him the Entrepreneur Archetype. North Node sextile Chiron makes him a “Fixer”.
Transits for 24th July, his appointment:
Mars trines his natal Jupiter, sparking up his energy and enthusiasm (he has Mars square Jupiter natally, making him super-energetic anyway). He has a Jupiter Return, so this is a red-letter moment for him. Saturn squares his natal Uranus, which may curb his Inner Rebel a bit at this time; he may have to conform more to other people’s rules (he’ll have run-ins with the civil service). Also the Nodal Axis squares his natal Uranus, so karmically he may have to answer for some of his past waywardness.
“But then he had just appointed as a special adviser Dominic Cummings, the former Vote Leave campaign director, a man so toxically divisive he couldn’t even unite himself”
~ John Crace
Let me know if I have missed out any of your favourites. I see that one section of society, the Impressionists, are benefitting, having a field day, with a new batch of politicians to impersonate. Meanwhile, John Crace is taking the summer off.
Aspects
Early this morning, Venus entered Leo which should be an aspect of making hay, but the record breaking hot weather from last week (Mars trine Jupiter) has now given way to rain here in the U.K. In fact, on Friday, we sat in an open air theatre in York watching “The Tempest” in a real thunderstorm. Amazing!
If your planned barbecue is cancelled, you will have to make hay indoors, and find some fine rainy day indoor entertainment to honour Venus in Leo. Or some richly creative inward expression. Indoor performance would do it, as Venus in Leo loves a show. Let your hair down.
The Sun also trines Chiron today, so it is a good day for being mindful of your own healing, and rest and recuperation if that is appropriate. If you overdid it last week (with all the Mars trine Jupiter over-activity) today may be good for catching up with yourself. There may be things that you could not do under the sweltering Sun last week, which you can do under the pouring rain or indoors. A day of quiet healing, but if you are performing and being creative under the entry of Venus into Leo, there is room for both, perhaps interspersed.
Monday (29th) is a little more hair-raising, with the Sun square Uranus. Be prepared for the element of the unexpected, or the Trickster Archetype. You may sail through the day, as the actual aspect does not occur until the last hour of the day, but it is good to be prepared. Some of the effects could disrupt sleep time, or carry on into the next morning. So don’t rest on your laurels, provide for loopholes, and don’t take unnecessary risks.
Look forward to August, for on the first day of the month (Thursday 1st) there is a New Moon at 8 degrees Leo, which is a joyous one. This emphasizes the holiday making, creative and performing qualities of the sign and the season. Looking at the weather forecast the rain still seems to be hanging around, so any solutions you found at the beginning of the week for indoor activities or challenging outdoor activities can be re-presented on Thursday, with bells on. Above all, it is some kind of a new beginning, so if you have experienced some testing times recently, you can press the re-set button. It is helpful to know what House the eclipse fall in within your chart, so that you can apply the energies with more consciousness.
More good news the same morning: Mercury is Stationary, prior to turning Direct – do I hear a chorus of “Thank goodness!” I don’t normally suffer much under Mercury Retrograde, but have been assailed by a number of low-grade tech crises from the moment it started, so it’s a muted “thank goodness” from me. Forge ahead with your paperwork and documentation and let’s hope they have mended all the buckles in the rail system from the heatwave last week.
Uranus has a final flourish in store on Friday (2nd): a square to Venus. You’ve got to feel for her this week, battling against the rain, struggling to express herself in the sign of Leo. And the last straw is a challenge from Uranus. She needs to assert her full allure and power, and charm the Trickster into submission. I see that the New Age guru Marianne Williamson (author of A Return to Love) has put her hat in the ring as a candidate for the Democratic leadership, hoping to find a new way forward in politics and overturn Donald Trump through love, harmony and mindfulness. She’s actually not a Venusian, having the Sun, Venus and Uranus in Cancer, but she knows the power of the divine feminine. So if you are having difficulties with the Trickster on Friday, try turning up the Love to the max, and prove that love conquers all.
The week in bullet points:
- Today – let the sunshine in; quiet healing
- Tomorrow – the element of the unexpected
- Thursday – new beginning; communications improved
- Friday – disruptive relationships
July 28th, 2019 at 2:37 pm
Hi Lana
I think I’m still recovering from last week’s effects, heat, disrupted sleep, small but tricky challenges. Plus Boris as PM. Strange times . . . .
Anyhow thanks for your New Cabinet resumé, it helps my slightly addled brain regroup and ponder.
I’m hoping the aspects lead to some quiet healing. New beginnings may mean me regrouping my decluttering attempts which have slowed, well nearly stopped. The only way is up perhaps.
Love Sarah
July 28th, 2019 at 2:56 pm
Dear Lana
If you can find time today: Tonight Alex De Minaur plays Fritz Taylor. Two players on practically the same level. They play for the Atlanta tournament win at 20:00 (GMT+1 London). Who do you think has the better cards to win?
July 28th, 2019 at 3:08 pm
Dear Lana
I am afraid I am so prejudiced against the new cabinet members that I dont feel the need to know any more about them – they are, after all, those with self interest in abundance who come over as simply wanting to WIN the game at all costs rather than considering if it’s a game worth playing. I think I am more interested in the alliance of Phillip Hammond and Keir Starmer and I’m hoping they are just the tip of the iceberg of those willing to go beyond party politics to the benefit of the country. I am also interested in those ministers who resigned from the cabinet. So can you offer any words on the Hammond /Starmer alliance and likelihood of its success? And more importantly – when is John Crace due back???
I like the aspects especially the recommendation to “rest and recuperate” today. I could do that ANY day.
Love Janet
July 28th, 2019 at 3:15 pm
Wrong time: It will be 22:00 (GMT+1 London)
July 28th, 2019 at 4:18 pm
Dear Sarah
Many thanks for your comment!
Hoping things from all sides improve for you this week,
Love
Lana
July 28th, 2019 at 4:19 pm
Dear Pitsch
Hope the weather is behaving where you are.
De Minaur has Sun in late Aquarius, plus personal planets in Pisces. His main transit for Atlanta Georgia 22.00 Hrs tonight is a close sextile from Jupiter to his Uranus.
Fritz is an early Scorpio, with the Moon in either Virgo or Libra. The current transits for him are Jupiter trine his natal Saturn (very helpful and constructive) but Saturn square his Saturn (difficult in equal measure!).
The interaspects between them show a conjunction of Fritz’ Sun to de Minaur’s Mars, which is a rivalry more difficult for Fritz. Elsewhere there is harmony (in de Minaur’s North Node trine Fritz’ Venus-Mars exact conjunction). De Minaur has Uranus on Fritz’s Jupiter (easier for de Minaur to surprise Fritz), plus de Minaur’s Chiron sextiles Fritz’ Uranus and conjuncts his Pluto (aspects which might even out their chances as Chiron can make things awkward, but Uranus and Pluto are very strong influences).
There’s a hair’s breadth of difference in all this, but De Minaur may be slightly luckier.
All the best,
Lana
July 28th, 2019 at 4:55 pm
Thanks, Janet
Around the time of the resignations (when apparently these were getting together):
Phillip Hammond
Neptune was squaring Philip’s Nodal Axis, private karmic manoeuvres. The success of that depends on his integrity.
Keir Starmer
Uranus was sextile Keir’s Mars, electrification of his usual calm energy. However, Uranus was also square his Saturn (breaking away, in some way, or departing from convention) and Uranus squaring his natal Nodal Axis. Again, for the latter karmic aspect, the success depends on his integrity (of which I believe he has much).
The Philip Hammond/Keir Starmer Alliance
Theirs is not a natural personal relationship, but they do have an Entrepreneurial Jupiter (Keir’s) / Uranus (Hammond’s) conjunction, which could spell success.
Alan Duncan
Alan Duncan has a very Aries chart, and I think announced his resignation first (although I think Hammond announced he would be resigning first). Specifically one of his hurts, and a big one I think, was that he had worked hard on diplomacy with Iran over Nazanin Zaghari-Radcliffe’s case and Boris marched in with hobnail boots and ruined his work. More generally, he had to clear up Boris’ messes and gaffes. Pluto was square his natal Mercury this week (a dramatic decision), Chiron on his Venus (self-healing), Mars trine his Saturn (a decisive action), and Jupiter on his Saturn (confidence in his own action). Sorry, Jacob Rees-Mogg, I just violated one of your rules, by putting a comma after the and in my last sentence.
David Gauke
David Gauke has a spectacular exact triple conjunction in his natal chart of the Sun, Uranus and Mercury, so could be an asset to this Alliance. He had a lot going on transitwise this week, so it is a significant time for him. Three dynamic Mars transits (a time of Action), and Jupiter sextile his Sun/Mercury (he will be happy with his decision). Whether that will translate into useful active work with the Hammond/Starmer Alliance will be up to him, but he has freed up some energy.
Rory Stewart
Rory Stewart says he is going travelling this summer (around the U.K. I think). He got a taste for it while campaigning for the leadership.
I wrote in May: “Relatively recent in catching the public eye, Rory Stewart is a (possibly sensible) Capricorn and seems to have a balanced head on his shoulders, having served in Afghanistan. As a remainer, he may not be highly considered for the post of getting Brexit sorted.”
His transits now: Neptune sextile his Jupiter (he is very much at peace with himself spiritually), but with Jupiter opposite his Saturn he is also restless, and that may account for the need to travel currently. Whether that will make him more inaccessible to the Hammond/Starmer Alliance I don’t know, but there is always text. Chiron trines his Neptune, adding Healing to his current processes, too.
For the Brexit Halloween, I wrote:
Transits for 31st October
He will feel quite settled around the Brexit deadline, with Chiron trine his natal Mars benefitting his physical energies and interests, and with Jupiter sextile his natal Uranus (new opportunities beckoning).
So he has some good times to come, some of which may rub off on the PH/KS Alliance.
Wishing you well for switching off from all this,
Love
Lana
July 29th, 2019 at 8:22 pm
Dear Lana
Many thanks indeed for your astrological analysis of the new cabinet, a group about which I feel uneasy. I think one of my recourses to expiate the emotions, misapprehensions and general distaste I feel may have to be to rewatch ” House of Cards” . The skullduggery, disloyalty and one- upmanship portrayed therein is chilling , mesmerising and satisfying in equal measure but only because it is a story…. The aspects feel auspicious though I m settling for a very early night to prepare for the tricky aspect you mention
Love from
Yaz
July 30th, 2019 at 9:07 am
Dear Yaz
It’s too true what you say about the political shenanigans!
The Uranian spanner in the works overnight has caused us to cancel a trip to London today, because hubby has developed an ingrown toenail. Any remedies under comments please!
Looking forward to setting the world to rights at Supersonic Sound Pod on Friday with you!
Love
Lana
July 30th, 2019 at 2:06 pm
Hi Lana
I’ve recently forked out for regular chiropody treatment and have to say the best use of my overdraft for a while.
Love Sarah
July 30th, 2019 at 8:16 pm
Thanks, Sarah, I will put the suggestion to him. Love, L
July 30th, 2019 at 9:07 pm
Dear Lana
Thanks for all the additional analysis. I do like the suggestion of Karma at work.
Love Janet
July 31st, 2019 at 7:58 am
You’re most welcome, Janet! x
July 31st, 2019 at 11:15 pm
FIRST: A long time ago now Trump told Mrs May she should have walked away from Europe and not accepted a compromise – for once I understand what he was getting at: back to Iran. When you want to buy a carpet, you go in to the carpet dealer and start bargaining. He suggests an exorbitantly high price – you suggest an exorbitantly low one – you haggle a bit. Then you walk away for a week. After a week you come back and the same thing happens – the price coming down all the time – but you still walk away. If it is a really big carpet you will continue this game for weeks, months – until finally you’ve got the price you want – and the dealer, too, is not unhappy – in fact he admires you (secretly he despises the buyer who comes in and just pays the first price he demanded). I remember in Egypt, walking round the temple of Karnak, a young man came up to me with a sandstone carving asking E£20 for it. I said I didn’t want it. He said, OK £15. I said no. He said £10. I said no. He said £5. I said no. He said £1. I said no. He said, Take it then – and he gave it to me! It’s still in my front room. Would I have run to my parents each time to ask them if I should say no? They would have told me to pay £15 for it. This is the No Deal scenario. Negotiations like this are not meant to be checked by ordinary people, especially those with no business sense. The EU would never get to the point where they say Take it then.
SECOND We have got to the point where the public expects to like its politicians. Anyone elected into power should be given the opportunity to do the job they have been asked to do and said they will do. We all must have the experience of working with people we don’t like but get the job done. Democracy in Athens was a vote by the elite males of the Senate – not by the entire population who have never met any of the politicians involved or even interviewed a person for an ordinary job. Do we really rely on a few slogans in the press to make up our mind about a person’s qualifications to do the most important jobs in the world? I think we should start showing a little more respect to those (of any party) who enter the public eye and sacrifice their entire personal life in gruelling work which they only do if they want to do something to help society (the pay is derisory). These are not film stars or entertainers. Not a single individual is perfect – by definition they are humans, not saints (look at Churchill, who dictated his morning correspondence from his bed or his bath, got up around 11 a.m., also had a siesta and probably had got through a bottle (or two) by 2 a.m. to keep going. Today’s public would never have voted for him if they picked on his human faults. If you don’t give your support to the men and women trying to stop this country falling apart they will fail. As a teacher I remember taking on a new Sixth Form class and being told the faults of individuals by other teachers. I said I personally hadn’t noticed those things and by encouragement and enthusiasm they blossomed and got their A Levels. We are not running The Last Judgement here. Go for the Positive in all people and lean on the good they can do for our United Kingdom (we may not feel united, but I find it hopeful that the rest of the world still calls us the UK).
August 1st, 2019 at 8:57 am
Dear Asia
Thanks very much for redressing the balance on this blog, and enabling some understanding of the psychology of the Brexit position, intelligently put.
Remoaners like me, who voted Remain on 23rd June 2016, woke up to a heartbreak the next day, which we have not really recovered from. Some, like Alistair Campbell and John Major, sought to campaign to have the referendum overthrown. My head accepted that the will of the 52% had to be carried out, but (and I think I may be speaking for the other 48%, give or take those who have changed their minds) my extreme sadness at the prospect of leaving the E.U. has remained, and will remain after we leave.
We all see the negatives in different places. So you have pointed out the negativity in not giving Boris (and his cabinet) a chance. You probably see as positive the joy in Andrea Leadsom and Boris Johnson when they talk about the promised land on the other side of Brexit. From this remainer’s point of view (I don’t know about anyone else) I see the reasons for leaving Brexit as being negative, and I see as positive the warm relations we have had with a united Europe. You are right, all the politicians and humans have flaws. I recently have heard negative things said about two politicians I admire. But there are degrees of difficulty with various politicians. While the peccadilloes of say Priti Patel may be relatively slight, I don’t think you can say that Boris’ failings can be overlooked in terms of someone running the country. He has been proven to be mendacious, undiplomatic, insensitive and xenophobic, and his motives for wanting power questionable. I agree that most politicians sincerely want to serve their country, but when applied to Boris I can’t see it.
I am just trying to explain the reasons why I can’t share your confidence about Brexit, No Deal and Boris, even though I hope you are right.
Thanks again for your powerful sharing and contribution to understanding.
Love
Lana
August 3rd, 2019 at 3:39 pm
Dear Lana and Asia!
I was rather stunned by Asia’s comments,.
Firstly the young man in Karnak. The sandstone carving has remained on show in your home – so does that mean you did want it? After he gave you the carving did you then give him something in return? Egyptians, however poor, have underlying generous natures in my experience.
I, personally, abhor a combative approach to negotiation where the aim is to get as much as you can at the expense of the other party. In a serious situation such as Brexit where both parties will have an ongoing future relationship is it not more important to seek a way through that will benefit both?
As for always looking for the positives in another person. Yes! Of course. But, like you Lana, however hard I look I’m not sure I can find any in Boris!
Love Janet x
August 4th, 2019 at 9:30 am
Dear Janet
Thank you for your angle on the thorny question.
I wonder if we do get the politicians we deserve. Apart from Jacinda Ardern in New Zealant, you don’t hear enlightened statements from leaders around the world. Spirituality and politics don’t often coincide.
Love
Lana
August 4th, 2019 at 10:00 am
Hi Janet – I was married to an Egyptian, so was really immersed in their culture – they are often very charming (not as charming as the Iranians though!). The sellers to tourists try every trick under the sun and are very clever at deception. On my first visit another tourist trader sold me what was meant to be a fragment of wall-painting – when I got home I realised it was doctored from a British Museum postcard! On another tour in Egypt (one of 6 or so over the years, with archaeology groups) I gave our local tour guide E£100 for all his help, knowing how much it would mean to him. The ‘sandstone carving’ was actually made of sticky sand made in a mould of a bit of a pharaoh’s head (a bit like a plaster of paris) and absolutely worthless. I wouldn’t have taken it if he hadn’t offered it (he wanted to get rid), and I admit I kept it as a souvenir! Now you’ve made me feel guilty I’ve looked for it and can’t find it – so that’s karma, baby!
By the way I think it’s a bit much to endorse Crace’s description of the new Cabinet as shits, charlatans and shysters. Lana, I’m shocked.
August 4th, 2019 at 11:48 am
Dear Asia … and Lana
I used to live in Egypt in Cairo and during that time I travelled a lot in Upper Egypt and lived in a traditional domed house made of sun baked mud in a tiny village near Valley of the Kings so I’ve seen things from a different perspective. I was also married to an Egyptian and though now divorced my ex-in-laws in Egypt and my my ex-husbands new Egyptian wife and their two daughters still welcome me as family so I feel I can vouch for their underlying generosity of spirit.
I ought to comment on Lana’s choice of quote from John Crace. I have heard first hand worse and more damning judgement on the quality and calibre of our ministers right from the heart of number 10 – in fact from as high as you can go in number 10. So I’m with John Crace and Lana on that one!
I fear that beneficial negotiations are a distant dream and we’ve already sunk in the estimation of or European partners. And whether we stay or go that is a very sad state of affairs
Love Janet x
August 4th, 2019 at 12:10 pm
Dear Asia
Apologies for the shock. I never actually swear, myself, except when I am quoting.
Your beautifully woven story about the market haggling made me smile, remembering my grandmother. I saw her haggle in the Arab Souk in Jerusalem, she was an expert in the art. My mother after her is also a good haggler. Myself, I am too lily-livered – I cannot even bring myself to take anything back to M & S (even though it is a perfectly legal practice).
Love to you and Janet
Lana
August 9th, 2019 at 7:50 am
Many thanks afterwards for your quick reaction and great prediction. You were absolutely right!
August 9th, 2019 at 12:46 pm
Thank you, Pitsch!
August 11th, 2019 at 4:01 am
Dear Lana and Janet,
REally interesting to hear your personal nuggets about living in the Middle East – that has rounded out my picture for both of you! I must say I always dreamed of having my own mud house in Aswan but things didn’t turn out that way. Here in Britain an African woman once built a beautiful mud hut in her back garden according to tradition and was told to pull it down because it was against Planning Permission rules. It should surely be that easy to get a home – without a mortgage…
I think we’ll have to agree to differ on our estimation of the manpower of the cabinet. How can you possibly tell, having never met them? I worked in ODPM for five years and found that in working alongside the real people my attitudes on Blair, Brown and Prescott changed completely(for the better). Every person in high places has flaws – we can’t expect them to be Jesus Christ. When a person takes on high office, it is the position itself that has the power, not the individual (look at the extraordinary kings we’ve had in this country, often quite pathetic as individuals!) I have a book I got in the 1970s about world leaders’ health. There is hardly a big name who did not have a grave condition while in office – the obvious example being Roosevelt who had had polio. I thought Mrs May gallant in the way she forged on despite her diabetes – what guts. Anyway, a PM who has a photo taken of himself for the front page of the newspapers with the No. 10 cat standing on his desk on Cat Day (9 August 2019) has my hurrah!!
All love, Asia
August 11th, 2019 at 6:04 am
PS Anyone who has been a teacher knows how making the naughtiest boy in the class a prefect often makes them even more effective as a leader than the goody-goodies.
August 11th, 2019 at 12:35 pm
Dear Ayeshah
Thanks very much for your further thoughts on the matter. I agree with many of your observations.
It seems to me that, at this point in time, we can only wait and see. The wheels have been set in motion, and complications have been spelled out to us (the Irish Backstop, possible No Confidence motions, the possible proroguing of Parliament, Stockpiling, the standpoint of the EU, counter movements within the Commons, etc.).
The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, and although all the pundits can conjecture, nobody really knows what will happen. Whichever side of the debate we occupy, we need to find a way to relax emotionally because we have several more weeks (at least) before we know the outcome, and the eventual consequences.
Love
Lana