{"id":8817,"date":"2026-05-17T07:17:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T07:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.lanawooster.co.uk\/?p=8817"},"modified":"2026-05-17T07:23:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T07:23:33","slug":"aspects-for-the-week-beginning-17-may-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.lanawooster.co.uk\/?p=8817","title":{"rendered":"Aspects for the week beginning 17 May 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The battle for Labour<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

After Labour\u2019s damaging losses in the Council Elections, the newshounds waited with bated breath to see if Keir Starmer would resign.\u00a0 He vowed to resolutely carry on.\u00a0 Then they waited to see if there would be a leadership challenge.\u00a0 Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary, but did not launch a leadership challenge at the time.\u00a0 However, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, was waiting in the wings and found a local MP who would be willing to stand down so that he could contest a seat in order to try to become an MP again.\u00a0 That\u2019s where we are now, or when I am going to press!\u00a0 As for Keir, transiting Pluto was on his natal Saturn during the council elections, which represents a nadir in fortunes.\u00a0 So for today\u2019s blog I am looking at the three possible contenders, their current state of mind, and how their fortunes might look in September when the Labour Party Conference takes place.<\/p>\n

Wes Streeting<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I wrote a blog about Wes Streeting before the 2024 election, which I based on my reading of his autobiography.\u00a0 He has been a reasonably good Health Secretary, but on the very day of announcing he had brought down waiting lists and other triumphs, he resigned.\u00a0 Some say he did not have enough backing to launch a leadership challenge; he said he wanted a broader conversation of ideas, hinting at a slightly longer term process of changing leader.<\/p>\n

Birth Chart, from 2024 blog:<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Wes\u2019 book is an astrologer\u2019s dream, because he gives all the birth dates of his family, and intimates one or two birth times as well.\u00a0 On his birth, he wrote:<\/p>\n

\u201cJust before lunchtime, the nurses came in en masse like an SAS squad mounting a rescue with the same bedside manner.\u201d<\/p>\n

From that, I have given him a Gemini Ascendant to his Aquarian Sun and Aries Moon.<\/p>\n

Wes has the Sun square Saturn\/Pluto, which can indicate a difficult childhood.\u00a0 It would certainly indicate significant struggles in life, of which he has had plenty.\u00a0 People may wonder why he has written an autobiography so early in life, but he was persuaded to by Tom Perrin, an Editor at Hodder & Stoughton, and encouraged by Jess Phillips (one of my favourite politicians) and it seems he did have much to relate.<\/p>\n

His Moon in Aries has emotional directness, but is trine Neptune, adding sensitivity.\u00a0 Looking at his childhood experiences, this sensitivity laid him open to suffering but at the same time helped him understand and accommodate some of his harsh experiences.<\/p>\n

Venus conjunct his Midheaven in Aquarius in 8th House means that he puts a lot of love into his career choices, but a square between Venus and Chiron may be the source of his kidney health weakness, as Venus represents the kidneys.\u00a0 He was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2021, a story he begins with in his book.<\/p>\n

Mars closely square Jupiter\/Uranus gives a keen enthusiasm allied with electrical energy, which he is able to direct through his trine between Mars and Saturn.\u00a0 Mars trine Pluto provides a powerhouse of energy.\u00a0 Two Archetypes pop up: The Warrior (Mars trine the North Node), which goes well with the Sun in Aquarius rabble-rouser; and Jupiter conjunct Uranus, The Entrepreneur.\u00a0 His exceptionally difficult childhood (on a par with Alan Johnson\u2019s in his book \u201cThis Boy\u201d) can be seen in the conjunction of Saturn and Pluto, as alluded to earlier.<\/p>\n

His Transits:<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

For the recent council elections:<\/u><\/p>\n

Transiting Pluto was sextile his natal Jupiter \u2013 he holds the power of his fate in his own hands at this time<\/p>\n

Transiting Jupiter opposing his natal Mercury \u2013 overstretched mentally, and maybe over-optimistic<\/p>\n

Transiting Jupiter squaring his Nodal Axis \u2013 Willing to take a gamble at this point in his life<\/p>\n

Transiting Uranus trine his natal Sun \u2013 itching for change, both in his personal and political life<\/p>\n

For the Labour Party Conference in September:<\/u><\/p>\n

Transiting Neptune square his Nodal Axis \u2013 a more uncertain time<\/p>\n

Transiting Uranus opposing his natal Jupiter \u2013 the element of the unexpected may work against him<\/p>\n

Transiting Chiron opposite his natal Pluto \u2013 difficult times for him, maybe even some health issues<\/p>\n

Angela Rayner<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Angela Rayner, formerly Deputy Prime Minister, has been out in the cold for several months due to an anomaly around her tax affairs.\u00a0 But on the same day Wes Streeting resigned, she declared that she had been exonerated, and is on her way back into the fold.\u00a0 She has indicated she wants the party to work together, and will not say at this stage if she is a contender for the leadership.<\/p>\n

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

I wrote a few years ago:<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has a strong individuality, with her Sun unaspected, or untramelled if you look at it from another angle.\u00a0 Mercury only has an exact sextile to Chiron, which gives a problem-solving mind.\u00a0 She has good values, with Venus closely trine Saturn.\u00a0 Mars conjunct Jupiter produces super energy allied with enthusiasm, and a can do attitude.\u00a0 Mars closely square Uranus gives a sparky energy, and Mars trine Neptune sensitivity in action.\u00a0 Mars exactly conjunct the North Node in Leo and trine the Galactic Centre produces a powerful Inner Warrior, especially combined with Sun in Aries.\u00a0 Jupiter square Uranus is entrepreneurial.\u00a0 All that Mars gives her the red-headed image, too!\u201d<\/p>\n

When she became Deputy Leader, she had Jupiter sextile her natal Uranus in Scorpio \u2013 (Success)<\/p>\n

Her transits at the time of resignation showed Uranus square natal Jupiter in Virgo \u2013 the element of the unexpected working against her.<\/p>\n

Her Transits:<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

For the recent council elections:<\/u><\/p>\n

Uranus squared her natal Jupiter \u2013 a sense of shock at the results, perhaps<\/p>\n

Chiron trine her natal North Node \u2013 a sense that there was about to be some healing in her life, personal and political<\/p>\n

Transiting Jupiter square her natal Pluto \u2013 itching to regain power<\/p>\n

Transiting Mars opposite natal Pluto \u2013 some sense of peril, perhaps about the council election results as they affect her Party.<\/p>\n

For the Labour Party Conference in September:<\/u><\/p>\n

She has a Nodal Reversal.\u00a0 Karmically, this is an important time.\u00a0 It could be an advantageous re-set, if she has played her cards right.<\/p>\n

She also has a golden window between November 2026 and November 2027, when Jupiter transits 5 features of her natal chart in Leo and Virgo, when the world may open up to her again.<\/p>\n

Andy Burnham<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I sometimes wonder if Andy Burnham has too much hope, expectation and responsibility heaped upon him.\u00a0 However, there is no denying he has done a stellar job as Mayor of Greater Manchester, and he is the most popular Labour politician currently, and has been for some time.<\/p>\n

He was denied entry into the by-election for Gorton and Denton, but apparently No. 10 has allowed him to take the step of becoming an M.P. in order to contest a by-election in Makerfield occasioned by the resignation and sacrifice of a friend Josh Simons.\u00a0 That would represent a first step towards eventually (if he succeeds) launching a campaign for the top job to rival Keir Starmer.<\/p>\n

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

I originally wrote about Andy Burnham in 2015 when he ran for the leadership of the party against Jeremy Corbyn:<\/p>\n

“He comes across as a competent and sincere man\u2026\u00a0 He was born on a New Moon (Sun conjunct Moon) in the prosaic sign of Capricorn, which is strongly politically motivated.\u00a0 He is a decent chap, with Venus conjunct this combination, and his heart is no doubt in a good place.\u00a0 He also has his Mercury in Capricorn: a methodical, practical, systematic type of thinker.\u00a0 6 of his 10 planets are in Earth signs, so he is grounded and realistic.<\/p>\n

He does have an imaginative side, with North Node conjunct Mars in Pisces, normally the Warrior Archetype conjunction but softened by its appearance in Pisces.\u00a0 He is a Warrior, but does not like to confront directly…\u00a0 His Mars also sextiles his Sun exactly, and he has 5 of his 10 planets in Cardinal signs, so he has energy and would see himself as a leader.<\/p>\n

The Piscean sensitivity also extends to his mental faculties, as his Capricorn mind (Mercury) sextiles closely Neptune, the planet of imagination.\u00a0 So this is a balance in his make up, between the practical and the imaginative.\u00a0 His Mercury also trines closely his natal Pluto, giving him depth of thought as well.”<\/p>\n

I added in 2020: \u201cTo that I would add that his 6 Earth planets give him a deep connection with his Northern roots (he was born in Liverpool), and Moon conjunct Venus lends a quality of gentleness to his character\u2026 I was intrigued when Andy Burnham made a bid for the Mayoralty of Manchester – I felt that he was making a choice from the heart.\u00a0 And he has shown heart in his role.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andy Burnham was elected Mayor on 5th May 2017, with 65% of the vote.<\/p>\n

His Transits:<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

For the recent council elections:<\/u><\/p>\n

Transiting Neptune conjunct his natal Mars in Pisces \u2013 a complex strategic action to ponder<\/p>\n

Transiting Uranus opposite his natal Neptune \u2013 more confusion and complexity to deal with<\/p>\n

For the Labour Party Conference in September:<\/u><\/p>\n

Transiting Pluto sextile his natal Chiron \u2013 an emphatic move towards power, and healing<\/p>\n

Transiting Neptune conjunct his natal Chiron \u2013 a complex journey towards healing<\/p>\n

Transiting Mars opposite his natal Mercury \u2013 some strident communication, and possibly a war of words.<\/p>\n

My thoughts on these three?<\/u>\u00a0 I feel Wes Streeting is not yet at the right stage of maturity to take such a prominent role, though he has shown clear competence in the role he has played the last few years.\u00a0 His transits don\u2019t look too hopeful in the Autumn.<\/p>\n

I do feel Angela Rayner has a lot to give.\u00a0 She can be controversial at times.\u00a0 Her transits following the September conference are very good.\u00a0 It would be good for a woman to succeed as party leader.\u00a0 I was dismayed to find Jess Phillips had resigned \u2013 she\u2019s outspoken, but puts so much heart into her work with vulnerable families.\u00a0 Another female who has retreated into the background in recent years, but whose chart stood out to me for leadership, is Lisa Nandy.\u00a0 Hopefully her time will come, too.<\/p>\n

Andy Burnham holds the hopes of many, and has better transits in the Autumn than Wes Streeting, possibly on a par with those of Angela.\u00a0 But he seems to be most people\u2019s choice, and the astrological indications do not disagree with that.\u00a0 He has stated that he wants to \u201csave\u201d the Labour Party.\u00a0 Wes Streeting himself has endorsed Andy\u2019s chances of succeeding in the Makerfield by-election, and has now put his hat in the ring to stand for a contest: “We need a proper contest with the best candidates on the field, and I will be standing.”<\/p>\n

May the best candidate win!<\/p>\n

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

There are rather a lot of aspects to get through for this week, so let\u2019s get straight to it!<\/p>\n

Today, Sunday 17th<\/sup> May sees Mercury enter its own sign of Gemini.\u00a0 Mercury, representing our communication, is at home in chatty Gemini, and free to express verbally or in writing whatever comes to mind.\u00a0 The communication will come thick and fast, but the consequences of the communication is another matter entirely.\u00a0 You may find yourself gabbling…!\u00a0 Mercury will be moving quickly, and will only be in this position until 1st June, when it will move into Cancer.<\/p>\n

Venus sextiles Chiron on the same day: a congenial and healing influence, especially for relationships.\u00a0 It is a good day to combine the Arts with Healing, such as creativity which involves and brings about healing.<\/p>\n

Tomorrow, Monday 18th<\/sup>, presents us with a conjunction between Mercury and Uranus just after midnight (in the early hours).\u00a0 Communications are spiced up by this conjunction.\u00a0 We will certainly see speedier communication, though with a possible touch of unpredictability.\u00a0 It’s likely to keep you on your toes, on a mental level.\u00a0 It could be exciting mentally, and unusual phenomena may happen, such as startling coincidences or undeniable telepathic experiences.\u00a0 You’ll be thinking inventively and out of the box.\u00a0 People will realize their connectedness in non-physical ways.\u00a0 There may be unusual mental and physical voyages.<\/p>\n

At the other end of the day, in the last few hours, Mars enters Taurus.\u00a0 Mars\/Ariens had their way in their own sign, but may have to slow down and smell the roses while in Taurus.\u00a0 Taureans, however, will be upping their game.\u00a0 If you have a Taurus Ascendant, you may begin several new projects between now and 28th<\/sup> June, while Mars is in Taurus.\u00a0 Although Mars is not so happy in the earthbound sign of Taurus, the testing quality of this energy has its reasons and worth.\u00a0 You may find yourself querying more often why you are doing something, and how to do it, e.g. working more resourcefully and more in alignment with planetary requirements.\u00a0 Any enterprise on Monday needs to take account of the new energy and attitude.\u00a0 As Taurus rules the Arts, an aesthetic angle or a musical rhythm may need to come into the equation, for instance.<\/p>\n

Another ingress occurs on Tuesday (19th<\/sup>), that of Venus into Cancer, in the very early hours. The aspects are prolific that day, so you may be beset with a complex array of influences! With Venus in Cancer, we place our love on the home and family, and appreciate our locality.\u00a0 We need to be conscious about our emotional boundaries during this period (to 13th<\/sup> June).\u00a0 <\/strong>Find novel ways of cherishing the home and family.<\/p>\n

Also in the middle of your sleep time, but a little later, Mercury sextiles Neptune.\u00a0 It could spell a productive day, bringing a chance to refine your plans, and perhaps shift them to another level.\u00a0 Inspiration can be added to your thought processes, and any mental or physical voyaging.\u00a0 This is a time of intense imagination, so it is helpful for creative dreaming in the night, and creative visualization in the day.\u00a0 This aspect will assist you in refining your mindset and remaining mental clutter.\u00a0 Our minds will be able to receive higher guidance more easily. \u00a0Delicate conversations and channelling will also be made easier.\u00a0 If giving or receiving gifts, be open to non-material gifts.<\/p>\n

Before waking, we have another sextile (dreams may be very vivid and active that night!).\u00a0 Venus sextiles Mars, an aspect given over to pleasure and\u00a0 indulgence, and maybe romance is also on the cards.\u00a0 Art will have vigour, and movement will have artistry or elegance under this influence.\u00a0 Social plans should flourish. This is an altogether relaxing and indulgent prospect.<\/p>\n

The next aspect is a square between the Nodal Axis and Mercury: this puts communication and voyaging under the karmic spotlight, and you may encounter past (and past-life) relationships which provide karmic information.\u00a0 This is an opportunity to tackle, or honour, your karma!\u00a0 We can give more thought and exercise more mindfulness in our processes and actions.\u00a0 Whether it is personal relationship karma or environmental karma, we can put our minds to what needs to change for the future.\u00a0 Put into practice what we can do now.<\/p>\n

Finally on Tuesday we are able to resolve mental issues on a deeper level, with a late night trine between Mercury and Pluto.\u00a0 You are being called to do more soul-searching.\u00a0 There could be positive outcomes to deep issues.\u00a0 Mercury trine Pluto brings deep thought and psychological reflection, and earnest conversations.\u00a0 Conversations could be life changing: the right word at the right time, striking home in the right place.\u00a0 Mental and physical voyages prove meaningful.<\/p>\n

Phew!\u00a0 Tuesday was a blog all on its own!<\/p>\n

We then arrive at Thursday (21st<\/sup>) with the Sun\u2019s ingress into Gemini, again just after midnight (in the early hours).\u00a0 Dreams this week may be monumental!\u00a0 With the Sun leaving Taurus, earthy preoccupations may give way to a need for Communication and lightness of heart.\u00a0 In the month of Sun in Gemini any kind of communication goes, writing your book [I am up to Chapter 8 of 12 of the third volume of my trilogy], dealing with your documentation, ensuring that you are walking and cycling to work instead of taking public transport.\u00a0 It all aids the general connectivity, which society needs.\u00a0 It is the month for mental and physical voyaging\u2026;-}<\/p>\n

A more complex day awaits us on Friday (22nd<\/sup>) with an early breakfast square between Venus and Neptune (over your Shreddies or Golden Cinnamon Grahams).\u00a0 [According to my continuous glucose monitor, I can no longer eat cereals!]\u00a0 This square could be socially confusing.\u00a0 You could experience some mild paranoia, which could be soothed or alleviated by listening to old songs from a simpler time (music has become more complex over the years, to catch our interest).\u00a0 Remember when life was simpler?\u00a0 There may be a a sense of intrigue, involving relationship or money; or a sense of overwhelm or being out of your depth.\u00a0 Maybe another political scandal…You need to look behind the illusion.\u00a0 There could be uncertainty in the Arts or the world of Music.\u00a0 You could experience frustrating flaws in creative works. Tread softly.<\/p>\n

Early afternoon brings the element of the unexpected (which could go either way, or any which way!) from a conjunction between the Sun and Uranus in early Gemini.\u00a0 It could add more confusion to the day.\u00a0 Expectations can be overthrown, or be wildly inaccurate.\u00a0 It may on the other hand be a good day to demonstrate your originality and inventiveness (as long as you cater for the Neptunian over-sensitivity and the Uranian loopholes), and in your leisure time begin a project which is highly creative or benefits society.\u00a0\u00a0 If you are operating from your Intuition, you could have a very successful day, but if you are lagging behind backfootedly, you may have a struggle to keep up.\u00a0 Some tuning in early on may help with this.<\/p>\n

Tea-time on the same day brings another sextile: that between Mercury and Saturn.\u00a0 That could bring some stabilization, after the flurry of sensitivity and unexpectedness of the day.\u00a0 Thoughts and feelings can be channelled and harnessed into constructive plans and ideas.\u00a0 Mental foundations can be laid.\u00a0 You may have taken in all the facts for dealing with an issue or project, and are ready to put in serious and solid plans based on sober thinking. The aspect favours documentation and knuckling down to form-filling etc.\u00a0 Geminis and Virgos have the chance to regain their balance, if they need to.\u00a0 Progress can be made, including possibly for health related checks.<\/p>\n

The last aspect, and the last sextile, comes on Saturday (23rd<\/sup>), a connection between Mercury and Pluto.\u00a0 Power is possible whenever Pluto lends a helpful hand. \u00a0This aspect brings a profound touch to your communications.\u00a0 It is a harmonious aspect which can produce profound honouring of the gravity of a situation if necessary, and enabling meaningful debate to occur.\u00a0 It is a good space for reading something profound.\u00a0 If you are on a journey, pick something of that nature to take with you!\u00a0 Maybe there is something in your pile of pending books you have been putting off, if so, now\u2019s the time to tackle it.<\/p>\n

Next week: Please note there will not be a blog, as I will be away.\u00a0 That\u2019s not a bad blip for nineteen years of blogging, if I may say so!\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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