{"id":8516,"date":"2025-08-10T12:51:41","date_gmt":"2025-08-10T12:51:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.lanawooster.co.uk\/?p=8516"},"modified":"2025-08-10T12:53:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-10T12:53:12","slug":"aspects-for-the-week-beginning-10-august-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.lanawooster.co.uk\/?p=8516","title":{"rendered":"Aspects for the week beginning 10 August 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stella Rimington (1935 \u2013 2025)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI still thought the essence of the cold war and spies and stuff was fun.\u00a0 You know, going around listening to people\u2019s telephones and opening their mail.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

~ Stella Rimington<\/p>\n

Stella Rimington, a former Director of MI5, and prolific crime novelist, died last Sunday, at the age of 90.\u00a0 The security service was quite a distinguished glass ceiling for her to break.<\/p>\n

Birth Chart<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Stella had the Sun in Taurus, which straight away suggests a staunch individual acting as a rock in their sphere.\u00a0 The Sun was trine her natal Moon in Virgo, also in Earth, adding an eye for detail.\u00a0 She had 0 Fire planets in her chart, which may have given her the ability to be dispassionate, and even to keep a cool head.\u00a0 There is clear evidence of the \u201cSpy Archetype\u201d with Pluto closely conjunct South Node in Cancer (likely carried over from past lives), and the Sun sextile Pluto shows a successful co-operation with the Police (= Pluto) as Director of MI5.\u00a0 Leadership is shown by the Sun\u2019s trine with the North Node, and is linked with her karmic mission.\u00a0 The Moon also links with Pluto, by sextile.\u00a0 Mercury trine Mars gave her quick mental reactions, but the most crucial aspect with mindset Mercury is an exact <\/em>conjunction with Chiron, a conjunction I think of as the \u201cProblem-Solver Archetype\u201d.\u00a0 This ideal conjunction for a Head of MI5 (and spy writer) is put under extreme pressure and stress by an exact square with Saturn, a measure of her strength and load of responsibility.\u00a0 A further highly suitable aspect in her chart came in the shape of Jupiter trine Pluto, which indicates wise use of power.<\/p>\n

Life and Career<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Stella was born in South London, but her family moved to Essex during the Second World War as life had become very stressful:<\/p>\n

\u201cMy childhood was disturbed and frightening. I was four when we left London as the Second World War broke out.\u00a0 We lived in Barrow-in-Furness as the Barrow Blitz commenced: hiding under the stairs, windows were blown out and ceilings fell down.\u201d<\/p>\n

The family moved to Cumbria, before settling in Derbyshire, where Stella attended Nottingham High School for Girls.\u00a0 She studied English at Edinburgh University, where she was fated to re-meet a friend from schooldays John Rimington, and they later married.\u00a0 She went on to study Archive Administration at Liverpool University.<\/p>\n

She married John in 1963, and in his career he was appointed as First Secretary for the British High Commission in New Delhi, so she travelled with him to India in September 1965.\u00a0 Her transits for this transition were particularly interesting: Neptune on her natal Jupiter (foreign travel), and the North Node on her exact Chiron\/Mercury conjunction in 10th<\/sup> House \u2013 Wow! A karmically originated move if there was one.\u00a0 It was directly to lead to her true career path.<\/p>\n

While undertaking typing work in India, she was asked to assist one of the First Secretaries at the High Commission there, and he was revealed to be the representative in India of MI5.\u00a0 She commented, in retrospect: \u201cI was grateful for an end to the boredom.\u201d When she returned to England she applied for permanent work in the institution.\u00a0 From 1969, she went on to work in all three of its branches: counter espionage, counter subversion and counter terrorism. \u00a0She undertook a trip to Moscow in December 1991, making contact with the KGB.\u00a0 Pluto was opposite her natal Sun at the time (a covert operation), and Uranus was trine her natal Neptune (an unusual step related to her undercover work).<\/p>\n

In 1992, just after her return, she was appointed Director General of MI5, a position she held until 1996, the appointment being approved by John Major.\u00a0 Aged 57, it may have been a representation of her second Saturn Return.<\/p>\n

She was the first Director General to be openly named, and the first female to take the post.\u00a0 As expressed in her later memoir, much to the consternation of their ranks, she described a great measure of sexism.\u00a0 She also partook of some controversial recommendations during her time as head, for example speaking out against I.D. cards.<\/p>\n

Relationships<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Her elevated career position took its toll on her relationships.\u00a0 The astrological pattern shows Venus loosely trine Saturn (loyal, committed, responsible in relationships) and Venus exactly sextile Uranus \u2013 (reunions, chance meetings, a search for excitement in relationships and some detachment).<\/p>\n

One of her motives for writing her memoir according to the Guardian Obituary by Richard Norton Taylor was:<\/p>\n

\u201cShe decided to write her memoir to explain to her daughters, Sophie and Harriet, why she was never around as a mother.\u00a0 She separated from her husband when the children were young.\u201d<\/p>\n

In her marriage, there was a plot twist:<\/p>\n

\u201cDivorcing my husband seemed a faff.\u00a0 We separated when our children were young, but the paperwork felt like an effort.\u00a0 Now, I’m rather glad we didn’t.\u00a0 We’ve become friendly again in old age, living together during lockdown.\u00a0 Yes, we argued, but we’ve mellowed.\u00a0 It’s a good recipe for marriage: split up, live separately, and return to it later.\u201d<\/p>\n

And on her relationship with her mother:<\/p>\n

\u201cI’ll always regret not being with my mother when she died.\u00a0 I was away and failed to leave a contact number.\u00a0 She died in hospital having fallen down the stairs: but I didn’t know until later.\u00a0 We’d always been close.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a grandparent:<\/p>\n

\u201cMy children would say I was quite detached as a mum.\u00a0 We managed with au pairs, grannies and kind neighbours.\u00a0 Still, I always tried to be caring and encouraging, and now – with my five grandchildren – I’m far more present.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Author<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Her first literary venture was the Memoir \u201cOpen Secret\u201d, which was considered a travesty by some, shedding light on that covert institution.\u00a0 It is said that the character \u201cM\u201d in the Bond films, portrayed by Judi Dench, was based on Stella Rimington.<\/p>\n

After the memoir, Stella then began a series of crime novels, based on two different intelligence officers Liz Carlyle (8 books) and Manon Tyler, a CIA agent (2 books), both alter egos of herself.<\/p>\n

Her first novel was \u201cAt Risk\u201d, with Liz Carlyle hunting down a terrorist cell.\u00a0 A review in the Telegraph stated:<\/p>\n

“At Risk<\/em>\u00a0is breezily told, seldom pompous, and the plot, though every bit as hokey as you’d expect, winds its threads together very entertainingly ”<\/p>\n

My hubby has read several of her books, generously donated by Janet (a regular commenter here).\u00a0 He tells me:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe female character in her books is sympathetic to the plight of her \u2018assets\u2019 [fellow agents], suggesting this was how she interacted as the actual Head of MI5.\u00a0 The stories involve you from the very start, you\u2019re into the story very quickly. They are are well-written, similar to Ken Follett\u2019s page turners [which include spy novels].\u00a0 She\u2019s a good descriptive writer.<\/p>\n

Death<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

She apparently died on Sunday night surrounded by her family and dogs and it is reported that she \u201cdeterminedly held on to the life she loved until her last breath\u201d.<\/p>\n

With a transit of Jupiter sextile her natal Neptune, she will have passed peacefully to her spiritual state.\u00a0 A remarkable woman, whose life was clearly mapped out for greatness, with the resilience that was needed for her mission.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never been one to retreat at the first whiff of gunshot.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

~ Stella Rimington<\/p>\n

Aspects<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s aspect is Mars trine Pluto, a dynamic aspect which nevertheless needs to be handled with care.\u00a0 There may be some upheaval involved, as when you are decluttering in earnest, but you should have the energy to start afresh once you have cleared some old ground.\u00a0 This aspect speaks of self-empowerment, but you have to remember that everyone also has this force!\u00a0 This is a great aspect for tasks which need great energy, and should be of benefit to you throughout the day.<\/p>\n

Good news for Mercury-Retrogradophobes, for tomorrow (Monday 11th<\/sup>) Mercury is Stationary prior to going Direct! I have heard several complaints these last three weeks, and I currently have a tech issue going on myself.\u00a0 There can be some alleviation of recent communication glitches.\u00a0 There may also be a turning point in your travel plans. Hopefully, if you have projects waiting to happen of a literary or technical nature, this may also be a go-ahead for you.\u00a0 If you have been holding back on communication, you may feel the push to move forward again with it.<\/p>\n

Tuesday (12th<\/sup>) is a progressive day.\u00a0 The early hours of the morning bring a sextile between two heavyweights: Saturn and Uranus.\u00a0 You may have contemplated the changes of the early days of Neptune in Aries, and have a chance now to balance (sextile) the old (Saturn in Aries) with the new (Uranus in Gemini).\u00a0 It\u2019s a major aspect and enables stabilization.\u00a0 This is a time when you can do something for yourself which is constructive.\u00a0 You may have a joint venture with someone which is new and innovative, but need a steadying force.\u00a0 Make no mistake, this is the most important aspect of the week.<\/p>\n

And make no mistake either, this is the best day of the week, for Venus is conjunct Jupiter (at 14 degrees Cancer).\u00a0 At the same time, it is one of the best days of the year, socially and romantically.\u00a0 It is a great conjunction for getting out and socializing, but also for practising Unconditional Love.\u00a0 This conjunction is aligned with the Fixed Star Sirius, giving the day an extra boost.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarlight Elixirs\u201d by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld tells us:<\/p>\n

\u201cSirius can enhance communication between the subtle bodies. This is that which normally goes on under healthy conditions for most people and is generally cut off between certain of the subtle bodies when there is disease or difficulty.\u00a0\u00a0 Communication will be enhanced between the physical and aetheric bodies, and to a lesser extent between the aetheric and emotional bodies.\u00a0 This will be of great benefit for anyone who is working with healing.\u201d<\/p>\n

From Tuesday we skip to Friday (15th<\/sup>) for the next aspect, which is Mercury sextile Mars.\u00a0 This may bring about brisk action.\u00a0 You may receive ideas to implement into your day.\u00a0 Your mental reactions may be heightened, and this can lead to enhanced productivity.\u00a0 Stella Rimington had Mercury trine<\/em> Mars, conferring mental vigour, you may avail yourself of a little of that, with this aspect.<\/p>\n

The week in bullet points:<\/p>\n