Desmond Morris (1928 – 2026)

“It was only one thing that drove me on – insatiable curiosity.  Quite simply, I wanted to know everything there was to know about every mammal in the world.”

~ Desmond Morris

Desmond Morris may not mean much to younger generations, but he was a household word when I was growing up.  In the 1950’s Zoo Time was a stand-out television programme, and Desmond Morris an early titleholder of the word “celebrity”.

Birth Chart

Desmond Morris had both the Sun and the Moon in Aquarius, and in many ways was ahead of his time.  We do not have his birth time/Ascendant sign, but he was triply Aquarian by virtue of the fact that his Sun was sextile with Uranus, the ruling planet of Aquarius. In addition, he had Mercury (his mental capacity and antennae) in that sign, so he was futuristically orientated.

He admitted to having a great sense of curiosity, “insatiable” he described it.  This is one of the qualities of Aquarius, but also of his North Node sign, Gemini the Monkey.  He was linked with a few animals, but of course principally with chimpanzees.  His North Node was trine with his Mercury (again, the Monkey), re-emphasizing the point.  So the legacy of his main karmic mission (North Node) was fulfilled.  Mercury sextile Saturn meant that he could apply himself mentally.

Another feature of Aquarius is the Inner Rebel, and Desmond Morris railed at the fact that his father sustained lung damage in World War I:

“…a lifelong hatred of the establishment. The church, the government and the military were all on my hate list and have remained there ever since.” ~ Desmond Morris

The other main preoccupation of his life was Art, and his Venus (Art) is well connected in his chart:  she squares Jupiter (sociable, sometimes inappropriately so),  Venus squared Uranus (eschewing norms of society), Venus trine Neptune (a highly refined aesthetic sense), and finally Venus trine Chiron (healing art as therapy).

Desmond was nothing if not sensual – he was intensely observant of the mating rituals of the animal world, and the combination of a strong Venus and a strong Mars gives testimony to this: Mars squared Jupiter in his chart (over-the-top enthusiasm), he also squared Uranus (electric energy), Mars trined Neptune (a sensuous sensitivity) and also trined Chiron (healing energy).  Mars, Chiron and Neptune formed a Grand Trine, providing a powerful and charismatic force in his personality.  Neptune trine Chiron also elevated his healing energy.

Other points of interest in his chart: Jupiter was exactly conjunct Uranus – an intense expression of the Entrepreneur Archetype.  He wrote about 50 books, and that was just one area of his success.  Saturn exactly conjunct his South Node in Sagittarius, possibly indicated work with animals in past lives (through Sagittarius).

Life and Career

Desmond was born in Purton, Wiltshire, which is near Swindon.  His great grandfather was the socialist and artist William Morris.  He was educated at a boarding school in Wiltshire.  After two years of national service, he then studied Biology at Birmingham University.  The early years of his career were based in the Art world: he taught fine arts, and held a surrealist art exhibition with Joan Miro.  He was, himself, an accomplished artist, in the manner of Salvador Dali.  If you are not familiar with the quality of his work, look it up and see for yourself – he could have made it his main career, but instead, the chimps came a-calling…

He wanted to deepen his work as a naturalist, and to this end he undertook a doctorate in Zoology at Oxford University, on the subject of animal behaviour.  His thesis was on the reproductive behaviour of the ten-spined stickleback.

As a teenager in Swindon, he had a relationship with the blonde bombshell Diana Dors (who he painted in 1964), but while at Oxford he met his future wife, Ramona Baulch.  They married in 1952.

1956 proved an important year for Morris, as he moved to London and took up the post of Head of the Granada Television and Film Unit for the Zoological Society of London.  At that time, his progressed Sun was sextile his natal Chiron in Taurus, and he was undergoing his first Saturn Return on his South Node (continuing intense work begun in previous lives).  At the same time, his television programme Zoo Time began to be shown, and had children and adults enthralled for many years.  He generally focussed on apes, and linking his original career, encouraged chimpanzees (one in particular, named Congo) to paint.

The interest in apes in that period was becoming celebrated, with Jane Goodall travelling to Kenya in 1957, and beginning her life work with them.  I wrote in her astro-obituary:

“She discovered many ways in which chimpanzees were like humans, from their emotional range, to their capacity for toolmaking and warriorship, as well as community life.  She established that they were meat eaters, contrary to the established thinking that they were vegetarian.”

Charles Darwin would have been looking down, smiling, at the pair of them!  It happens often that pioneers incarnate as pairs, helping each other to get the job done…

Desmond Morris’s seminal book “The Naked Ape” was published in 1967.  We all read it!  A description of the book, which became a gargantuan success, reads:

“Meet man as he really is: relative to the apes, stripped of his veneer as we see him courting, making love, sleeping, socializing, grooming, playing. The Naked Ape takes its place alongside Darwin’s Origin of the Species.”

Body Language

In the 1970s and 1980s, Desmond Morris introduced us to a new phrase, “Body Language”.  It was not an unknown concept, but the phrase did not become mainstream until he published “Manwatching” in 1977 (more precisely 1^st January 1978).  The first we (hubby and I) heard of it, was when an Aquarian colleague bought the book and trumpeted its contents.  We perked up at this new type of study.  We are all people watchers, but body language is an Aquarian province: a dispassionate observation of humans in society.  It was an exciting concept to get our teeth into, and it seems absurd now to think the term was not used before that time.  Living well into our 70s gives us a unique chronology into etymology! – I remember that demarcation so clearly, interested as I always was in related subjects.  The book “Bodywatching” by Morris appeared subsequently in 1985, followed by many others on that theme.

What was it about that moment in time, which was so significant as a watershed?  Personally, for Desmond Morris, it was his exact Chiron Return (the emergence of the Inner Healer) at 1 degree Taurus, the fulfilment of his healing mission.  For the collective, a new insight (Chiron’s ingress into Taurus) into the earthly human condition.  Pre-publication would have also coincided (1^st November 1977) with the new discovery of Chiron the “wounded healer” asteroid itself.  Fascinating, or what?!

He died at the ripe old age of 98, with Neptune sextile his natal Sun, indicating a sense of serenity and satisfaction.

Aspects

Early morning started with an explosion – did you hear it – of Uranus entering Gemini, the most important astrological feature of the week.  I originally wrote about it in early July last year:

“It’s a new era…bringing innovation in thought, which can be initially perplexing.  Uranus spends 7 years in one sign.  Science and technology are going to advance exponentially…we are of course seeing it in the explosion of Artificial Intelligence.  If you have planets at the beginning of Gemini you will be especially affected over the course of the next year, but it can bring some surprise revelations and talents to the fore in your life and personality.  You’ll need to be on your mettle if you are a cautious type, but roll with the punches if you embrace change.”

In-between times, it turned Retrograde and spent time in Taurus, but has finally said goodbye to that sign.  The current entry into Gemini is a potent moment for registering the new vibration and possibilities of the Inner Rebel (Uranus) entering the sign of Communication (Gemini).  All insights, gratefully received!

On a personal level, although Uranus represents the upredictable, its sojourn these last seven years in my 1^st House (my Ascendant is 0 degrees Taurus) has been most welcome, bringing new experiences and new consciousness unexpectedly.  For those wary of its energy, roll with the punches and feel the cosmic wisdom behind the changes.  I wish I could be so upbeat about the world situation, which seems to have ever-deteriorated since last July, dominated by Donald Trump’s whims, and Jeffrey Epstein’s legacy, among other people and things.  But we have to hope that there is a method in the madness of raking up these undesirable elements, for clearing and finally healing.  Some Astrologers have tracked previous eras of Uranus in Gemini with world wars, but again it is important to see the current climate of war as solvable.

Late afternoon brings a sextile between Venus and Neptune, which can bring soothing waves of serenity, which hopefully may balance out some of the over-excitement of Uranus entering Gemini.  There’s an element of people becoming more into tune with each other (especially added to Uranian manifestations of telepathy).  New artistic avenues may flourish, too.  You may be inspired to paint, like Desmond Morris who had Venus trine Neptune in his natal chart – surrealist style, or not.

Early evening adds a square between Mercury and Jupiter, making it a full-on type of day. This aspect will stimulate us mentally, almost to the point of too much information!  There may be travel involved or planned.  It would be a good day to be out in nature, taking a good stroll, and picking up information.  Mercury square Jupiter is a refreshing aspect, if not a little over-stretching to manage, so you may find yourself travelling a little bit further than your comfort zone.  I associate this square with the Explorer Archetype, so if the cap fits, you may choose to wear it!

Tomorrow (Monday, 27^th) features a sextile between the Sun and the North Node, which favours right action and expression on a karmic level.  It is a good day to look at your life path as a whole, your creativity and self-expression and where you would like it to go.  Visualize your best possible path.

We have a trine between Venus and Pluto on Tuesday (28^th).  It is a profound, powerful and likely successful vibe.  This aspect can settle your deepest feelings into a more comfortable psychological context.  It helps us through changes and transformations on a human level.  Venus in harmony with Pluto benefits both love and money.

The next day, Wednesday (29^th) challenges us a little more, with a square between Venus and the North Node/Nodal Axis.  This aspect challenges us to take note of the karma of personal relationships, and group dynamics.  You may work with past life patterns, or present life practicalities.

Towards the end of the week, and at the beginning of a new month, Friday (st May) begins with a Full Moon at 11 degrees Scorpio in the late afternoon (U.K. time).  You may feel the emotional intensity build throughout the day: the Scorpio Full Moon is one of the most heightened of its kind.  It’s a time to look within and examine your emotional health.  Another area demanding attention is that of shared finances and an attempt to balance material resources and needs between two people.  For some there may be a temptation to lash out; some may be prickly about the conditions they find themselves in, and may be angry.  If so, forgiveness can be a key.

Early evening the tension may dissipate, and we have a more mellow sextile: that between Venus and Saturn.  Things may look much more in proportion.  This is a constructive aspect, a re-affirmation of where you are going, especially in terms of relationship, or art (particularly drawing or sketching).  In the realm of human relations, it is about steadiness and loyalty: cementing commitment.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – a new new era; highly refined aesthetic sense; too much information!
• Tomorrow – karmic right action
• Tuesday – constructive deep feelings
• Wednesday – dealing with relationship karma
• Friday – emotional high tide; commitment and loyalty

Peter Magyar

“A few families own half the country”

~ Peter Magyar

There were many reasons to celebrate Peter Magyar’s win over Viktor Orban last week in Hungary, and put an end to his 16-year rule.  To name but a few: a dent in the rising march of right wing populism in Europe, some alleviation for the population of Hungary from a strict and authoritarian regime, and a change in the balance of power among nations – a swing towards Zelenskyy’s Ukraine and a swing away from Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

Here in this house there were whoops of joy, too, for we have a forthcoming trip to Hungary (fuel supplies permitting), and were not looking forward to having to mind our p’s and q’s.

Birth Chart

Peter Magyar has his Sun in Pisces, so he may be coming from a more spiritually enlightened space than average.  Certainly his values seem more humane than those of his predecessor.  We have his birth time, so can place his Moon as having just entered Leo (the sign of rulers), and his Ascendant in Sagittarius (open and wide-ranging) close to a revolutionary Uranus in the 12^th House, capable of subverting the existing order.

With the Sun trine the Moon, his right hand knows what his left hand is doing – in other words, his conscious and unconscious minds work well together.  His Sun is involved in a triple conjunction with Mars and Venus, so he had charisma.  Uranus and the Sun support each other in a trine, so Uranus is a positive force in his life: ideal for change, but not destructive and disruptive.

In addition to his triple conjunction in Pisces, his Sun is exactly square Neptune (the ruler of Pisces), so he may have the ability to conceal his intentions.  The Sun’s placing on his I.C. (his Security Point) gives his personality a dignified and responsible basis, drawn from his childhood.  The Moon conjunct his North Node in Leo may give him popularity in exercising his karmic mission.  Mercury square his Uranus means he is not afraid of controversy (in opposition he massively criticized the government), while Mercury trine Pluto gives him a depth of thought.  Mars trine Uranus is adept at engineering, which includes social engineering.

Jupiter conjunct Saturn may sometimes find him indecisive, or hamstrung, caught in Catch-22 situations.  Jupiter’s sextile to his North Node ensures success in carrying out his karmic mission.  He may even win a prize some day, on that account.  Uranus exactly sextile his Midheaven gives him the power of surprise in his conventional career, which he has just demonstrated.

Life and Career

Among his credentials for the top job, Peter Magyar was born in the capital, Budapest, to a conservative family, and his surname means “Hungarian”.  His early education was in Budapest, and he then studied Law at Humboldt University, Berlin, as part of the Erasmus Programme.  [The Erasmus E.U. student exchange scheme was in the news this week, as Keir Starmer agreed to revive the scheme for British scholars, which had been disrupted by Brexit].

Magyar began to work in the international legal field, on behalf of Hungarian investments.  He joined the Fidesz political party, while they were still in opposition, and subsequently became a supporter of Viktor Orban.  He took various government roles when Fidesz came to power, with his politics being described as conservative liberal, pro-European, and economically market-orientated.

He became increasingly critical of the government, until the crunch came in 2024, when he broke away from the prevailing regime entirely.  This is an interesting moment in his life astrologically, for it was around the time of the break up of his long-term marriage to Judit (more of which later).

They had divorced in 2023, but his ex-wife made accusations of domestic abuse, and the Hungarian media were relentless in their hostility towards him.

“Reporters without Borders has consistently raised concerns about the media landscape in Hungary, where loyalists to Orban’s Fidesz party control an estimated 80% of the country’s media and state media has long been used as a government mouthpiece for Orban.”

~ Ashifa Kassam, The Guardian

On 15^th March 2024 (the day before his 43rd birthday, and also the date of the Hungarian Revolution, linking his chart with the Hungarian chart), he organized the first of 12 rallies, which became increasingly popular.  It is worth looking at his transits for that date:

Pluto from his 2^nd House was exactly opposite his natal Moon in Leo in 8^th House (a highly emotional time)

Uranus was sextile his natal Venus in Pisces in his 4^th House (an example of his mainly positive Uranus working for him)

Jupiter was on his Chiron in the 6^th House (a healing moment for him)

Mars was sextile his natal Neptune in the 1^st House (morality driven by a sense of righteousness)

Mars was trine his natal Pluto in Libra in his 11^th House (taking extreme action socially)

This also proved to be a pivotal time for him in view of the fact that he subsequently joined the Tisza (Respect and Freedom) party, a then minor party, which ultimately led to his current success.  He also became an MEP (Member of the European Parliament) in that year, serving until 2026. His popularity steadily soared, until he became an undeniable force as an opposition leader.  For these 2026 elections, other opposition leaders stood aside in order to increase his chances of deposing Viktor Orban, a feat he achieved last Sunday, on 12^th April.  The election had a 79% high turnout, and the Tisza party won at least 137 seats, a huge mandate.

Hungary’s economy is in a parlous state currently.  Magyars’s intentions are to pass laws to suspend the prevailing news programmes, until impartial editors can be appointed, to counteract the corruption within the system.  He wants to decrease or end the dependence on Russian energy which has operated in recent years.  He intends to give more support to Ukraine.

Marriage

Peter Magyar’s marriage to Judit is an interesting enough study on its own, but I will try and write about it briefly, so as not to skew the blog too much in the direction of his personal life:

The two of them met on 1^st April 2005, at a party.  His transits included:-

Pluto transiting his natal Neptune in Sagittarius in his 1^st House (drawn into a web of relationship)

Pluto square his natal Sun in Pisces in his 4^th House (a fateful encounter, and what was to become the basis of a family – they had 3 sons together)

Pluto sextile his natal Pluto in Libra in his 11^th House of Parties (it will have felt psychologically empowering for him at the time)

Saturn trined his natal Venus in Pisces in his 4^th House (a serious relationship leading to a commitment)

Mars was on his South Node (a passionate past life reunion)

The South Node was on his Pluto ( also depicting a passionate past life reunion; the start of an 18 year relationship). The Nodal Cycles in transit effect an 18 year cycle, so that may have brought about the time span of the relationship.

The North Node trined his Neptune (drawn together by karma)

The transits for her at that meeting:

Uranus trined her natal Mars (exciting meeting with a man in her life)

Chiron was opposite her natal Venus (the possibility of wounding or re-wounding in relationship)

Saturn was sextile her natal Jupiter (some level of commitment, balance and stability)

Mars was square her Mars (meeting a potential adversary or combatant)

Their synastry showed:

Her Mercury sextile his Moon in Leo in 8^th House (his intellect meeting her emotions)

Venus conjunct his Moon (some tenderness)

Her Mars square to his Nodal Axis (spelling) combat!

Her Mercury sextile his Uranus (mental sharing)

Her Neptune square his Venus (all was not what it seemed in the relationship)

They married in 2006, and had 3 sons together.

Viktor Orban

I wrote briefly about Viktor Orban last week, in my blog about J.D. Vance:

“Does change appear to be on the cards for Orban? The Transits for Orban on Election Day are conspicuous by their absence.  That means it could go either way.  There is a great deal of movement for a fresh government, but there has been a great deal of falsifying and corruption reported in the campaign, including interference by Russia with A.I.”

It does indeed seem that the fact Orban had no transits to speak of pointed to the outcome that the Universe seemingly was not backing him. Maybe subconsciously he was weary and wanted out.  Orban has broken his silence:

“This is the end of an era. We must bear this defeat with dignity.” He said he felt pain and emptiness about the defeat and took full personal responsibility for it.

Last week’s blog subject was J.D. Vance (sorry to impose a political blog two weeks running, dear readers), and it seemed that his intervention on Orban’s behalf may even have hindered him.

Vance commented: “We certainly knew there was a very big chance that Viktor would lose that election.  We went because it was the right thing to do to stand behind a person who had stood by us for a very long time.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy on behalf of Ukraine looks forward to closer relations with Hungary, as does the European Union favour a closer alignment with its foreign policy.  The restoration of oil supplies through the pipeline from Russia across Ukraine, is an urgent issue which unites Magyar and Zelenskyy.  It was closed in late January, and Zelensky hopes that the oil can flow again at the end of the month.

The President-elect is due to take office around mid-May.  All good wishes to the people of Hungary, who have succeeded in ousting one of the world’s tyrants.

“My message to Fidesz leaders and their stooges: It’s no use playing the innocent little ballet girl now, and acting as if nothing happened.  We know what you’ve done to our beloved homeland and the Hungarian people. And don’t doubt for a single moment that ‘you will reap what you sow’.”

~ Peter Magyar

Aspects

Today’s aspect is a conjunction between Mars and Saturn at 7 degrees Aries.  For go-ahead types, this could be very frustrating, but for slower people (for example, people who have this conjunction natally) there may be a strengthening, or at least a familiarity with this energy.  The experience of Mars conjunct Saturn can also be about the sensitive calibration of the barrier between sensitivity/oversensitivity/self-protection etc.  In addition, a friend observed this week, at the approach of this conjunction, that her experience became an encouragement not to rush forward emotionally and mentally, and thereby to centre herself and come into the correct flow (in her case with roadway traffic and traffic lights!).  There may be blocks to practical action under this conjunction, but action can be deliberate, slow and sure (and even thorough).  Some elements of society may act harshly under this influence.

Tomorrow (Monday 20^th) in the early hours the Sun goes into Taurus.  There will still be a preponderance of planets in Aries, but they will start to disperse.  Look for guidance about how you can support earth-based initiatives, such as efforts at combating climate change, for instance.  It is a good day for gardening, and planting seeds.  Taurus is a sign which fosters a whole host of talents: cooking (seasonal vegetables), expressing art and music, and creative management of money (keep following Martin Lewis).  So the coming month is a favourable climate for learning to breathe and blossom in whatever talent you wish to nurture within your repertoire.

Late morning, Mercury conjoins Saturn at 7 degrees Aries.  While Sunday’s aspect involved the slowing of energy, this conjunction involves the slowing of mental processes.  This is likely to prompt communications of a serious nature.  You may have found yourself attending to minute detail, or scrutinizing something, perhaps with a view to solving a problem.  If you are setting aside the time to deal with documentation, allow twice the time you would have allotted!

In the third component of a triple conjunction, the evening brings the joining of Mercury with Mars at 8 degrees Aries, a more dynamic end to the day – Mercury and Mars combining forces to bite back on Saturn’s efforts to slow them down perhaps! It may be the evening, but it’s no excuse to avoid the get go!  If you leave things till the morning, you may have lost the impetus.  This conjunction brings brisk action, mental and physical stimulation, and can help movement in your projects.  There is a small element of risk of being incident-prone, as in minor cuts and bruises.  So mindfulness is a key to successful outcomes.  The conjunction is mentally acute and favours critical thinking, if you are composing an analysis, a review or critique.  Remember Saturn is still lurking round the two, so some natural obstacles may still be in place – you can only try!

In the early hours of Friday (24^th), Venus will be conjunct with Uranus at 28 degrees Taurus, close to alignment with the Pleiades, and you may well awake from bizarre dreams!  The element of surprise is to the fore.  If you are socializing on Friday (or late Thursday 23^rd), it could be an enjoyable occasion, culminating in some startling exchanges and exciting meetings.  It is a vibrant social aspect, which may carry an element of serendipity.  People may question your sanity, however, or you theirs.

Also in the early hours of Friday, but later, Venus enters Gemini.  This brings a lightness and freedom of heart, in the new placement.  It demonstrates a more mental focus to relationships, and increasing communication around love, art and money. Your diary is likely to be full of engagements during the period that Venus travels through this sign, which takes us up to 19^th May.  We’ll all be social butterflies, deftly spinning plates in social circles!

Finally, Pluto has the last word on Saturday (25^th), drawing a line on merriment, and reminding us of what is important!  There may be drama.  The atmosphere becomes more thoughtful and serious.  This is a deep soul-searching aspect.  It is the sort of aspect which can be looked upon as a gamechanger, or watershed.  So if you are in integrity, you may be able to influence what side the coin lands on.  

The week in bullet points:

• Today – possible driving with the brakes on
• Tomorrow – earth centred energies; slowed mental processes; quickening mental and physical energies
• Friday – exciting meetings; more lightness of heart
• Saturday – dealing with the deeper stuff

J.D. Vance

I haven’t treated J.D. Vance, the Vice President of the U.S.A., to a blog all of his own before now.  But he has now been sent to try and save the Iran war situation, apparently the only person the Iranians would trust because he did not advocate for the war.  After 21 hours of talks yesterday, there was no resolution, and we are currently left hanging as to Trump’s next move (fight, or fight?)

As mentioned, Vance has featured before, once in August 2024, and then again in March 2025.  To recap:

“August 2024

U.S. Presidential Election

“Double Leo (Sun and Ascendant) J.D. Vance was Donald Trump’s own choice as prospective Vice President… In his natal chart, he has a pugnacious placement of Mars on his I.C., [the Security point in our charts] which may make him react without thinking.”

“We are effectively run in this country via the Democrats, via our corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too.” 

~ J.D. Vance, from 2021

March 2025

Greenland

“American Vice President J.D. Vance paid an unrequited and uninvited visit to Greenland this week…

As with his hectoring in the Oval Office at Zelensky, he sharply criticized the Danish government for neglecting its duties towards Greenland, saying they had “under-invested in Greenland’s security architecture”, while producing no evidence…

Physically, Vance has a Scorpionic appearance, possibly via his Pluto sextile the Ascendant in his natal chart, but his chart shows a double Leo (Ascendant and Sun in Leo) which has become twisted into the Bully Archetype, and is conjunct Trump’s own Ascendant in Leo.”

So, on the face of his birth chart, he does not look like a classic Peacemaker, Diplomat or Negotiator, though he does have a Libra Moon.”

Additional thoughts on J.D. Vance’s Birth Chart

His North Node/Chiron conjunction in Gemini in his 10^th House relates to his habit of provocative speech on the world stage.  This is something he will have to polish if he is to succeed in his long term ambitions.

Mars on his I.C. emphasizes that his basic security lies in a “fight” mode, and placed as it is in his 3^rd House of Communication, he is a Verbal Warrior.

Jupiter conjunct Neptune in his 5^th House of Self-Image shows that he sees himself as a religious crusader.

His Sun in 12^th House may indicate that he has hidden motives, not always true for this placement, but with the Sun exactly square Saturn in his 3^rd House there are things he probably even suppresses from himself.

I have mentioned before that he has a strong Pluto (just look at the eyes) with it being sextile his physicality as represented by his Ascendant.  That is further strengthened, psychologically, by Neptune on the 5^th House cusp sextile Pluto and trine his Ascendant.  There is almost a physical force in that combination.

February 2025

Ukraine

“I’ve got to be honest with you. I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other.”

~ J.D. Vance, 2022

And let us never forget his admonishment of Zelenskyy at the White House  on 28^th February 2025.  Vance took the lead in the fray.  Was he just having a bad day, or was he showing his true colours?

Here are the transits for Zelenskyy, Trump and Vance on that fateful day:

Transits for Zelenskyy

Neptune from his 10^th House of reputation was quincunx his natal Saturn in his 3^rd House of Communication, shutting down and victimizing his speech.

Chiron was sextile his Midheaven (Careerpoint): a career crisis, but leading to sympathy from a world view.  Trump and Vance did not come out of it smelling of roses.

Saturn on his 10^th House Career cusp quincunx his natal Saturn – a depressing series of events, and disempowerment.

Mars in his 1^st House trying to stand up for himself quincunxes his natal Neptune in 6^th House, inflaming his sensitivities.

Transits for Trump

Uranus sextile his natal Saturn in 11^th – licence to bully an ally!

Chiron sextile his natal North Node – feeling morally self-righteous

Saturn squaring his Nodal Axis – bringing out the worst of him, karmically

Mars squaring his natal Jupiter – an angry flare-up mixed with pride and self-righteousness

Transits for Vance

Pluto trine his natal North Node in 10^th House, at the top of his chart.  Self-empowerment and self-aggrandisement.

Neptune square his natal Neptune in 5^th House – a personal display of his confusion and delusion.

Uranus on his Midheaven – capable of shocking in his high office

Chiron opposite his natal Moon in Libra – a crisis in diplomatic skills

Nodal Axis square his natal Neptune – revealing his self-deception, karmically

April 2026

Hungary

Earlier this week (7/8^th April), Vance visited the right wing Victor Orban in Hungary to shore up his election campaign.  Hungarians go to the polls today.  He went in order to interfere with their elections, while criticizing the EU for interfering (!).  Orban is seeking a fifth consecutive term of office.

Does change appear to be on the cards for Orban? The Transits for Orban on Election Day are conspicuous by their absence.  That means it could go either way.  There is a great deal of movement for a fresh government, but there has been a great deal of falsifying and corruption reported in the campaign, including interference by Russia with A.I,.

Vance’s own transits for this week would be similar to those enumerated below for his Iranian diplomatic mission.  But the general Aspects this week pointed to vigorous actions and man-to-man talks, with Mars and Aries being very prominent – in particular, the Mars-Uranus sextile of April 8^th.

Iran

“If it doesn’t happen, I’m blaming JD Vance”

~ Donald Trump

So from a regime Trump and Vance don’t want to change (Orban’s), we come to that of Iran, which they do want to change.  It was announced this morning that the talks, though intensive and sincere, failed.  So we don’t know where Trump will take this issue next.

Here are Vance’s transits for yesterday and today, his astrological mood music:

Neptune is sextile his North Node at the top of his chart: the negotiations were a chance for him to exercise his sensitivity

Uranus quincunx his natal Pluto and Neptune – it was, and is, a complicated balancing act

Saturn sextile his natal Chiron – a chance to exercise his healing abilities, but only through great self-discipline.  How much does he have at this point.  We know he has not had it much in the past, through a history of his pronouncements.

The Nodal Axis squares his natal Chiron – the karmic need to respond to a world crisis, again through the exercise of healing.  A tricky endeavour.  He is being asked to step up.

Chiron trine his natal Ascendant, on the cusp of his 9^th House of Foreign Lands – again, a healing test for him.

Can he meet the challenge?  He would have the will to do so, knowing that in the event of the demise of President Trump, he would take his place.  He has to show his own brand of leadership.  His ideology is similar to that of his President, but his personality is different.  Some of his progress or otherwise depends on whether he has learned the lessons of his previous indiscretions and excesses, in order to play “the nice guy”.

Here are the transits for Donald Trump:

How does the week look for Trump, the architect (together with Nethanyahu) of the current chaos?

Pluto is trine his natal Neptune in 2^nd House – Still holding power, and oil is the key economically.

Uranus (The Trickster) is at the top of his chart, squaring his Ascendant – so literally anything can happen at any time!

Chiron squares his Venus – relationship problems.  How much of a headache was it for Melania to bring up Epstein this week?  That could be a whole other blog…

But Chiron trines his natal Mars – he is as bellicose as ever. If Vance were to make any headway in the coming days, he will worry that Donald will act impulsively and undo his efforts.

Saturn opposes his Neptune – this oppositional transit is now separating, but in recent days has encouraged some of his “bad mouthing”, including the expletives which shocked the world, coming out of a U.S. President’s mouth.

Jupiter squares his natal Jupiter – in the right hands this might not be too destructive, but for Trump it increases his “devil may care” attitude and exaggerative talk.  He literally said:

“It makes no difference to me…Let’s see what happens, but from my standpoint I don’t care”. – A Jupiter square Jupiter statement, if there ever was one!

Leader of the Iranian negotiating team

One last set of charts to look at (I have to draw the line somewhere): though the U.S. and Israel have “taken out” leaders in Iran, it may be worth looking at the chart of the leader of the Iranian negotiating team, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.  He has an exact conjunction of Uranus with his North Node in Leo – a leader capable of surprise.  The North Node is also close to his Sun, again emphasizing leadership.  He takes his roles within politics most seriously, with the Moon close to Saturn (an ivory tower emotionally) forming a triple conjunction with Jupiter – he is capable of holding a carrot and a stick position, almost simultaneously.  He has the shrewdness of a trine between his Chiron and Neptune.  His Venus is in patriotic Cancer opposing his natal Moon, so he may well hold the traditional hardline Islamic view towards women and female emancipation.

His transits for the talks yesterday:

Pluto being just past a trine with his Mars in Libra.  It probably represented him having to step up due to the violent culling of those in his immediate circle.

Uranus entering Gemini later this month will find itself transiting his natal Sun, so a great deal of unpredictability for him in the immediate future.

Chiron is trine his exact natal conjunction of the North Node with Uranus, so he may have the skill at this time to find healing and solutions.  It’s a big ask, but within the bounds of possibility.  It will take two to tango – both he and Vance will have to be in integrity at the same time.  We now know, of course, that current talks have failed, but if it is determined that talks will continue, this may again become relevant, and the two may hold prime positions in future negotiations.

The South Node is leaving its recent perch on his natal Pluto – again, it may refer to the recent death and destruction in his midst, and his being left holding the baby so to speak.  It is a crucial time in his life, and we don’t know what his soul plan is.  It could go either way, and needs to dovetail with the aims and needs of Vance and the U.S. in order to work.  As before, this may become relevant if peace talks continue.

Here are the transits for the Iranian chart:

Apparently, Iran has not held face to face negotiations with the West since the Islamic revolution in 1979.  So the events of yesterday were an historic step.

Pluto squares its natal Chiron in 2^nd House – painful learning and economic consequences

Pluto on its Mercury – great stress and worry, difficult times

Neptune squares its Midheaven at the top of its chart – extremely uncertain times for Iran

Neptune trine its Jupiter – the ability to play the religious card in some subtle way

Chiron trine its Venus in the 9^th House of Foreign Lands – the regime does have some allies, within and without the country

Saturn sextile its natal Mercury in 11^th House of Friendship and Alliances – caution and seriousness in communicating with others

Mars square its Midheaven – still on a war footing

North Node coming to a sextile with its Chiron in Taurus – some possible (minor if so, but symbolically meaningful perhaps) karmic healing approaching, possibly around 17^th May.

Things look bleak for Iran, but they do have some brighter points astrologically.  It is possible that Vance has more leverage than it looks on the face of it.  Certainly Iran holds some major cards, and when looking at the pronouncements on either side, their truth sounds as valid as some of Trump’s exaggerations.  One cannot help feel for all the innocent people in Iran, seeing their very difficult regime still standing, their structures being destroyed, and their hopes dashed.  Neither they nor Lebanon wish to become another Gaza.

I have a friend who closely watches the Doom Clock, which is almost passing midnight…but as another friend reminded me this week “You’ve got to have hope”.  The Dalai Lama advises “Hope for the best – but plan for the worst.”  I think that’s what most people do.

Aspects

We begin with tomorrow, Monday (13^th), when there is a conjunction between Mars and Neptune at 2 degrees Aries around 5.30 a.m., when many of us are still sleeping (in the U.K.).  Dreams may be more vivid towards rising time.  This aspect may empower the spirit, but for some it may serve to confuse, especially if they are dashing like headless chickens.  Chilling out would give a better outcome.  More meditative activities such as Tai Chi, Yoga and Qijong will achieve a greater sense of balance and serenity.  It is difficult to have one foot in the material world and one foot in the spiritual world, but some can do it.

At breakfast time (for some), at 8.21 a.m., Venus sextiles Jupiter – This is one of the most delightful of the year’s aspects.  It’s a sociable and romantic aspect.  The day could bring hope and happiness, socially or romantically.  Engagements, celebrations and virtual parties could be on the agenda.  This sextile combines luck and love.  Enjoy!

On Tuesday (14^th) we have another sextile: that between Mercury and Uranus.  This one brings a mental work-out exercise: thinking inside and outside the box together at the same time!  It gives rise to spectacular and unusual communications.  This encourages us to use all the new technology for our communications, and brings new ideas, heightening intuition and telepathy.   This aspect can amaze you and help you find that “wow” factor

An ingress of Mercury into Aries takes place on Wednesday (15^th): Plain speaking replaces the flowery language of Mercury in Pisces.  We are now saturated with Martian energy, with several planets in Aries.  Mercury in Aries specifically favours mental work which is unemotional and without frippery, such as accountancy and tax returns.  It’s a traditional time of year for tax returns, but I usually leave mine until the last minute in October (don’t try this at home!).  You will need to get to the point much more directly in your communications, and there is more of a sense of urgency about paperwork than usual.  If you feel overwhelmed by paperwork, stay in the moment and you may be able to stretch time.

From then, the rest of the week continues Mars and Aries on steroids.  Thursday (16^th) brings us Mars sextiles Pluto an energetic constructive vibe, though these energies together are not guaranteed to be comfortable.  Pluto at its most positive is an aspect of self-mastery and empowerment, whatever that means for you.  This sextile will give you extra physical and emotional energy (especially with Mars being in Aries), so you may find yourself spontaneously clearing clutter.  You might be motivated to do some extra exercise. This could involve very vigorous discussion and perhaps some decisiveness.

A word about energy: Janet commented last week, “Looking back on the aspects – so much for the energy burst. I found myself falling asleep by lunchtime.”  I have an observation to make on that, which is that sometimes when there is an influx of particularly spiritual energy, and you expect to be energized, the processing of it can be quite tiring!  I learned that in my Rebirthing training.  It may sound counter-intuitive, but some people may be able to relate to that.

The final feature of the week is a New Moon at 27 degrees Aries which takes place on Saturday (18^th).  This may bring cheer and vigour, and a renewed sense of purpose.  It is a time to look to the future, as much as is possible.  You may feel the urge to re-organize your lifestyle.  If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well…The New Moon in Aries is one of the brightest of the year in terms of its potential.  It takes place at 27 degrees Aries, so may touch your lives more significantly if you have planets in that degree, or that degree of any other sign.  You may find that it is a new beginning in the House it is placed in your birth chart.  Look to the future, unhampered by the past.  Set your intentions, wishes, creative visualizations and affirmations from your centre.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – vivid dreams, meditational movement; happy vibes
• Tuesday – advanced mental functioning
• Wednesday – logical mental pursuits
• Thursday – energy on steroids
• Saturday – new beginning

Artemis II

“We really are going for all, by all, and we want to take the whole world along with us”

~ Reid Wiseman, Commander of Artemis II

The Artemis II mission launched this week from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, aiming to encircle the Moon and return after 10 days.  With four astronauts aboard, it is the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in December 1972, among other record breaking features.

Tens of thousands of witnesses gathered to witness the launch.  Those interviewed pointed out that in a divided nation (or world) as this time, the event had the power to bring people together in unity.

“This is a place we all can often come together and unite around a common goal.”

~ Mark Kelly, a space shuttle veteran

The Chart

The chart of this momentous event (April 1^st, 18.35 EDT, Florida) has the Sun in Aries, and the Moon in Libra.  In fact, the launch took place within 1 degree of a Full Moon (the focus of the chart), with the Moon rising in the 1^st House of the chart (emphasizing that focus).  So the chart is very much symbolic of the event.

Other astrological features include the Sun and Moon squaring Jupiter (an adventurous enterprise); four planets populating the 7^th House of Relationship (which may represent the four Astronauts); the Sun conjunct Saturn (a serious venture); the Moon trine Pluto (a profound venture).

The list of relevant features continues: Mercury in the chart is closely trine Jupiter (indicating an adventurous and learning-filled voyage); Venus square Pluto (astronauts separated from the loved ones on the Earth – three of them have children).

Possibly the most significant aspect in my opinion, is Saturn exactly sextile Pluto (indicates an important and profound project, and recalibration).

There is also Uranus sextile Neptune (describing a complexity, the need to check loopholes – a few last minute hitches occurred, such as a temporary communication problem, coldness in the cabin, and a blinking light in the toilet.  Neptune opposed the Ascendant of the chart, showing the uncertainty surrounding the whole venture.

The Ascendant exactly squaring the Midheaven possibly depicted an uncomfortable lifestyle (literally out of the astronauts’ comfort zone!) the Ascendant itself placed in Virgo highlighted the need for Scientific attention to detail.

The Four Astronauts:

Reid Wiseman (Commander)

Record breaking feature: At 50, he is the oldest person to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

The Captain Kirk of the enterprise has the strength of character associated with the Sun in Scorpio.  He is described as a “naval aviator”, which fits his sign well.

In his birthchart, the Sun is conjunct the North Node, which marks him out as being a Leader, that leadership being part of his karmic mission.  Mercury trines his Mars, giving him good physical and mental co-ordination, much needed in his job.  Mercury conjoins Uranus, bestowing the ability to think outside the box, also needed in his job.

Mars is closely trine with Uranus, the Engineer Archetype – vital on board ship!  Jupiter trines Neptune, showing a spiritual wisdom, an asset at the helm of such a voyage.  Jupiter opposes Pluto in his chart – an enjoyment of Power.

Saturn exactly squares Uranus – so he is able to take extreme physical and mental shock, an essential for an Astronaut.  I call this the “Personal Earthquake” aspect: being separated from the Earth in this way is the ultimate in personal earthquakes.

Commander Wiseman described the breathtaking view of the Earth from space, as others have done before him, many describing the experience in mystical terms.

His transits for the launch:

The most prominent transit is his Chiron Return in Aries, which occurs at the age of 50 in the cycles of life.  I call this “the emergence of the Inner Healer”.  It will be an enormous key to his future.  Neptune trined his Saturn, a balancing recalibration between his material outlook and incoming spiritual awareness.  A fun element is noted through Jupiter squaring his natal Jupiter – High Jinks!

Victor Glover (Pilot)

Record breaking feature: The first person of colour to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

Victor Glover emerges astrologically from his chart as a distinctly solid and positive character, this from the Sun on his Ascendant in Taurus and conjunct Jupiter.  His Moon conjuncts the Part of Fortune rising in the 1^st House, highlighting the Moon in his chart – he may have had a fixation on the Moon all his life.

The South Node conjunct the Sun/Ascendant implies he has prepared for this mission in a previous life, his Ascendant being exactly conjunct the South Node. Jupiter opposes Uranus, which I call the “Chancer” Archetype – an Astronaut needs to be a risk-taker!  Uranus in his chart is loosely conjunct North Node – his karmic mission is quite literally “Out There”!  But Saturn on the I.C. means he is also tremendously Grounded!  So a tremendous balance, there.

He has three Masters degrees, and his callsign is “Ike”, short for “I know everything.”

His transits for the launch:

Pluto is square his natal Uranus (deep Change); Uranus is exactly trine his natal MC in his 9^th House of Faraway Lands [!] (Mission into Space, unmistakably); Mars was on 1^st April exactly sextile his natal Moon (making an emotional connection with his rising Moon).  The North Node is sextile his natal Jupiter in Taurus (he is pleased to be boldly going and fulfilling a collective karmic mission on behalf of humanity).  Other effects I have noted in the past for this transit are karmic rewards, and also karmic protection.

Christina Koch (Mission Specialist)

Record breaking feature: The first woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

“We are at a time where we recognise the importance where if we aren’t going for all and by all, we aren’t truly answering all of humanity’s call to explore…It is our strong hope that this mission is the start of an era where everyone, every person on Earth, can look at the Moon and think of it as also a destination.”

Christina has the Sun in Aquarius, one of the signs associated with space travel.  With the Sun also conjunct Mars in Aquarius, she is a veritable Space Warrior!  Her Moon is also in Aquarius, and it was her childhood dream to become an astronaut.  The Sun opposite Jupiter gives her that vital sense of adventure.  Mercury conjunct Mars shows that she has quick mental and physical reactions.  Mercury squaring Chiron adds a problem-solving element to her mentality.  That will be especially useful when Artemis II is on a hiatus, losing contact with Mission Control for 40 minutes or so while travelling round the far side of the Moon.  They will have to fend for themselves, entirely, during that time.  They have been well-prepared for this event.

Christina has Mars opposite Jupiter, an extremely lively energy, allied with enthusiasm. Saturn in her chart is conjunct the North Node by 6 degrees in Virgo, an extreme attention to detail, as part of her karmic mission.  Virgo is the Specialist, and her job title is Mission Specialist.

Uranus exactly sextiles her North Node, which describes her karmic mission into Space, as well as the Specialism.  Saturn is not directly aspected to Uranus, but they are both aspected to the North Node.  Neptune exactly sextile Pluto confers an extremely strong Psyche, able to take in and process deep psychological learnings; while  Neptune exactly square the Nodal Axis means a deeply spiritual element is added to the qualities of her karmic mission, in a challenging and sensitive way.

Her transits for the launch:

Pluto square her natal Chiron in Taurus (a strong effect on the physical body)

Neptune sextile her natal Mercury (sensitizing her to her unique experiences)

Mars square her natal Venus (combined with the previous aspect it’s almost sensory overload – in a good way)

Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist)

Record breaking feature: The first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

Jeremy is from the Canadian Space Agency.   He almost shares a birthday with Christina.  He’s another Aquarian, born 27^th January to her 29^th, but in a different year.  So, again, coming from one of the signs associated with space travel.  The Sun in his chart is exactly square Uranus, making him an intrepid scientist.  The Sun trine Pluto in his chart makes for a profound character.

He has Mercury closely opposite Saturn, making him capable of intense focus, which is much needed for his role of Mission Specialist.  Mercury squares Chiron – like Christina, he has a problem-solving mentality, useful on that hiatus.

He has the Moon in Sagittarius, the other sign associated with space (far distance) travel, and that all-important sense of adventure.  Another asset is Mars trine Pluto which gives him a powerhouse of energy at his disposal.

Jupiter trines Neptune, as in Captain Reid’s chart – so he too has great spiritual wisdom.  The two maybe the gurus of the flight, though I imagine they are all equally gifted and their abilities co-ordinated and interconnected.

“Each one of us, we have our own different opinions, and our own individual beliefs.  And I think that’s one of the best parts about this mission right now…that’s great that we celebrate all of this”

~ Commander Reid Wiseman

With Jupiter conjunct Chiron, Jeremy may be the natural “Healer” of the company, although Captain Reid is currently going through an intense healing process and journey, in his Chiron Return year.

His transits for the launch:

Uranus sextile his natal Saturn in Cancer (wrenched far from home!).  This transit can be accompanied by a tremendous sense of freedom.

Chiron also close to its Return, like Reid; this could provide closeness between them, in their shared experience.  Victor also has this, but Reid’s is the most exact.  This points to the importance of the mission in terms of healing, for them.  Christina is a little younger, and her Chiron is in Taurus, so she will experience her Chiron Return in around 2029.

The North Node is trine his natal Uranus, showing that he is taking part in a stunning and futuristic collective karmic mission on behalf of humanity.

Saturn and Pluto will be making important transits after the journey; so he will feel the impact intensely afterwards.  His ability to digest experiences may take longer than for the others.

Wonderment

The Inner Child loves the idea of space exploration…

John Crace in the Guardian (often featured in my blogs!) detailed his childhood enthusiasm for the original Moon landing in 1969.  This current mission, of course, just aims to take steps towards another Moon landing in the future.

“Maybe it was just my way of escaping the boredom of my childhood, but I felt I was living in a world of possibilities, even if they were out of my reach.”

and

“But I’m thrilled by Artemis II.  It fills me with wonder and hope.  That there are still worlds out there to be explored.”

~ John Crace

He also acknowledges that “you get the feeling that most people are relatively indifferent to the mission”, something I too have observed.  They have, understandably, other concerns.

When I was a child, I loved anything to do with the stars. I was 19 on that night the Moon landing was televised live, on summer holiday from university.  My parents retired to bed at their normal time, and left me to watch it on my own!

Nowadays I worry more about the possible waste of resources, but my scientist hubby values the scientific progress made through such exploration.

Above all, we think of the four of them during this 10-day odyssey, and trust that the four of them come home safely.

Aspects

We have a super-enthusiastic aspect today, in the shape of Jupiter squaring the Sun, an aspect which exaggerates everything it comes into contact with.  There is also a joyful, humorous side of Sun square Jupiter, so some laughter-yoga would not go amiss!  It could contribute to a fun day, but be aware of carelessness or overreaching goals.  It could be a jolly scenario, with some over-the-top behaviour in the mode of “devil may care”.

The Artemis II mission was launched under this square, but becomes exact today, and so is at its most intense.

Tomorrow (Monday, 6^th) brings a karmic sextile: that between Venus and the North Node.  This aspect is ideal for smoothing over karmic issues, resolving relationship karma and easing connections. It is more about forgiveness and laying aside grievances than exacting karmic balance.  The law of karma works automatically – you don’t need to engineer it.  Your own knowledge may not be complete enough.

For more ponderings on the subject of karma, read my recent blog from 15^th March.

Another sextile, that between Mars and Uranus, occurs on Wednesday (8^th). This promises some dynamism for the middle of the week.  Engineering especially benefits from this aspect, but that also includes social engineering.  Electricity and Astrology are other areas which can be stimulated by this combination.  Cars, mechanics, mechanical goods and household appliances may receive a boost or a renewal.  This aspect can refresh your energies, if you have been feeling jaded.  It is helpful for both beginning new tasks, or completing long term projects. The power of surprise may be constructive today, too.

As mentioned, this aspect is especially favourable to engineering, mechanics and technology, so will be supportive to those on the Artemis II mission using their skills in space.  They will have been in space for a week, and hopefully will be nearing the end of their mission.

An injection of energy comes on Thursday (9^th) when Mars, the planet of energy, enters its own home sign of Aries.  Mars ingressing its own sign, gives rise to a purer quality of physical energy, especially for those born under Aries.  You may find a new sense of purpose for active projects.  There is of course an element of Aries being a battleground or war zone, for those whose primary aim is warriorship.  So there may be extra strife in Iran and Ukraine, but for those working on the path of the Peaceful Warrior, much can be achieved with integrity.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – enthusiasm
• Tomorrow – good karmic relations
• Wednesday – dynamism
• Thursday – pure energy

LOL: Last One Laughing

Series 2 of this television programme is under way, so I thought I would look at the remaining comedians taking part, prior to the final this week on 2^nd April.  This show involves comedians competing to make each other laugh while not laughing themselves.  The winner will be the last to keep a straight face.

Bob Mortimer

Comedy:

Bob Mortimer is the winner from the last series, invited back, and still in the game. Straightaway in his chart you can see the comedy connections, with the comedy planet Jupiter opposing his Sun and Mercury, trining his Mars, and squaring his Chiron.

I noticed that when he appeared on Would I Lie to You, he was adroit in spinning a yarn, and fooling the opposing panel.

We do not have a birth time for him, but can note that his Part of Fortune is in his 7^th House of Partnership, and he started out in a successful comedy partnership with Vic Reeves.  He also partners Paul Whitehouse in Gone Fishing.

When he won the first series in 2025:

Uranus was sextile his natal Mars (the power of surprise)

Saturn was trine his natal Mars (self-control)

North Node was trine his natal Jupiter (a comic triumph)

Strategy:

For the purpose of his game playing, he has Saturn trine Pluto which I mentioned last week is a mark of the Strategist Archetype.

That he has a way with words is down to his Sun in Gemini.  He actually has a Grand Cross in his chart, composed of the Sun opposing Jupiter and Chiron opposing Pluto.  His Sun is exactly square the Sun, meaning he can face realities.

The Final

At that time, Pluto will be square his natal Neptune (psychologically difficult)

Neptune will be sextile his natal Sun (he will still be able to pull the wool over his opponents’ eyes!)

Chiron will be square his natal Mars (tricky!)

Jupiter will be on his natal Venus, but leaving (a lot of mirth, but it may be time to bow out…)

David Mitchell

Comedy

I particularly enjoy the genius of David Mitchell’s comedy on Would I Lie To You (which ha run since 2007); hubby is a real fan of his portrayal of Shakespeare in Upstart Crow.  Mitchell and his sparring partner Lee Mack on Would I Lie To You are evenly matched in their ability to ad lib to a high degree.

David’s comedy credentials are seen in a trine between his Sun and Jupiter (easy humour), Venus square Jupiter (sometimes inappropriate laughter) and Jupiter exactly square his Nodal Axis (humour as part of his karmic mission – no doubt he was a Court Jester in a previous life!).

Strategy

David has a dour side, in his Mercury conjunct Saturn, and though he is very quick in his ability to respond with humour, at the same time he weighs his words carefully.

Added to that, his Mercury is exactly square his natal Pluto, so he can be very profound at the same time.  Some fellow contestants may be non-plussed at the receiving end of that.

Final

At the time of the final:

Pluto will be trine his natal Pluto (self-empowerment)

He has just had his Chiron Return (the emergence of the Inner Healer), but I don’t know when the series was filmed.  The final of course must have been filmed, so my predictions are based on the screening and denouement of the winner.

But Pluto trine natal Pluto is a powerful transit, so he could win through the sheer power and depth of his personality.

Mel Giedroyc

Comedy

Mel doesn’t have the outright astrological comedy qualifications as Bob and David.  But I found that early in her career, when she was partnered with Sue Perkins, she seemed more of a sidekick to Sue’s dominant personality.  But as the years have gone on, she has displayed a subtle power to her comedy.  And her personality is delightful and disarming – which may be factors in her staying power in this contest.

Like Bob, she is a Gemini, so has the ability to talk freely.  Her two Jupiter (comedy) aspects are Mercury sextile Jupiter (witty repartee), and Jupiter square Neptune (the ability to confuse and bring nuance, which can throw another contestant off the scent before they realize what is happening).

Strategy

Mars sextile Saturn brings a discipline of action to the proceedings, which is an asset in this game, plus a good level of self-control.

As mentioned, Jupiter square Neptune can bamboozle!

She also has Mars square Uranus, an erratic energy which can unsettle an opponent, plus a strong warriorship (Sun conjunct Mars, and Mars exactly square Pluto).

Mercury exactly square Chiron is a problem-solving quality.

And Uranus conjunct Pluto is powerful, and game-changing.

Final

Neptune will square her natal Mercury (she may get confused or distracted)

Neptune on her Chiron (some poignancy about the occasion for her)

Uranus squares her natal Jupiter (she may take a risk too far)

Jupiter square her Nodal Axis (a real karmic test of her comedianship)

Mars opposite her natal Uranus (sparky, but a little dangerous)

Mars trine her natal Neptune (wringing every ounce of nuance from the exercise)

That’s a lot, in terms of transits, most of it difficult.  But I think she could put up a worthy showing.

Sam Campbell

Comedy

I am not familiar with this Australian comedian, but have seen clips showing how he has dealt with other comedians, and he seems suitably po-faced! I haven’t seen him laugh, once.

Sam has, in his chart as it appears without a birth time, no aspects to Jupiter, the planet of comedy.  This may be highlighted with a birth time.

What he has is a conjunction between his Neptune and North Node, so his karmic mission is one of subtlety: his comedy would get under his opponent’s skin.

Mercury trine his Uranus gives him the power of mental surprise, even telepathy.  Mercury exactly trine Neptune means he can act as a channel – maybe he may link in spiritually with other comedians that have gone before!  He can certainly be inspired.

Like Mel, he has Mars square Uranus, an erratic energy which can unsettle an opponent, plus some warriorship through Mars square to the Nodal Axis.

Strategy

He has quite a serious nature, with the Sun in Virgo trine Saturn.  This would count in his favour in being able to suppress his laughter in the game.

Final

Jupiter will be on his natal South Node, bringing favourable past life karma to the fore, or comedic skills from past lives re-emerging.

I think David Mitchell has the edge for the final transits, but as the programme is not live, in real time, the surmising based on transits may not apply!

It still seems a lovely way of testing the mettle of comedians.

Aspects

Tomorrow (Monday 30^th) Venus enters its home sign of Taurus.  Within yourself, and in your relationship with nature (weather permitting), you are capable of feeling much more settled and harmonious.  This placement of Venus in natural sign continues right through to 24^th April.  Those born under the Venusian signs of Taurus and Libra will especially feel its benefit, their normal sense of steadiness and balance.

Moving into April, there is a Full Moon at 12 degrees Libra in the early hours of Thursday (2^nd).  Sleep may be fitful!  This Full Moon is emotionally dedicated to relating, while the Sun which opposes it in Aries wants its own way.  Thus a delicate balance operates, which may be resolved in common aims, e.g. in a united effort.

Friday (3^rd) is more eventful, but with mixed results.  Late morning sets the day up nicely with a trine between Mercury and Jupiter, the best aspect of the week…Let it provide momentum for your goals for the day. This aspect will help business transactions, and expand our horizons, minds and philosophies.  This is an upbeat vibe mentally, one that takes in great wads of information, produces good ideas and may incline one to travel.  There may be media opportunities, for those so inclined, and it could be a productive day.  A cause for optimism may be found.  It may also assist nations reaching out to each other (but may not be able to make a dent on the situation in the Middle East, which would probably need more).  Also, there is some limit to what can be achieved because at the other end of the day…

…Late in the evening, Pluto squares Venus, so nations may feel they have made progress in talks earlier in the day, and hostilities could resume late in the evening.  This aspect may disrupt relationships and be psychologically discombobulating.  On the world stage, there may be more unedifying examples of man’s inhumanity to man, and the vagaries of global finance, oil prices rising etc.  Deep feeling issues may be preying on your mind.  These will require some psychological soul-searching for a true interpretation, and may spur on honest-as-you-can-be interpersonal communication.  You may not be able to fix the wider conflicts, but you can apply your wisdom to personal and local conundrums.

The week in bullet points:

• Monday – the comfort zone
• Thursday – emotional high tide
• Friday – high performance, and laughing; deep soul-searching, and straight face

 

Jenni Murray (1950 – 2026)

“Throughout her three groundbreaking decades on Woman’s Hour, she created a safe space for her audience thanks to her warmth, intelligence and courage.”

~ Tim Davie

Radio broadcasting has lost a warm voice in one of its best-loved presenters, Jenni Murray, who has died at the age of 75.

Birth Chart

Her birth chart illustrates many things to connect her with Woman’s Hour, a programme dedicated to the interests of women.

Foremost of these is the Moon conjunct Venus, the two female planets together, indicating a great gentleness.

Her voice was remarkable:

“Murray’s voice has been described as ‘the most beautiful voice on radio, ever…It is a remarkable instrument – husky, supple, full of layers, though her inevitable awareness of timbre and pitch causes, in conversation, a slight hamminess. It is quiet, too, and intimate…”

~ Aida Edemariam

This conjunction, being within a degree of her North Node, signals her karmic mission.  The Moon/Venus trine the  Ascendant close to the 5^th House cusp shows that it is also an important feature of her Creativity, and the way she projected herself.  The conjunction also positioned at the I.C. meant that female issues were the foundation of her life.

The triple conjunction situated in the sign of Aries (of North Node/Moon/Venus) is exemplified in a quote by Aida when interviewing Jenni:

“As an interviewee she is generous, but impatient with anything other than clearly structured, direct – i.e. radio friendly – questions. ‘Keep it simple’, she says”.  Pure Aries.

“She didn’t have any fear at all about asking people things and they always found themselves replying”.  More Aries.  The concentration of her triple conjunction in that sign seemed to represent her interviewing and interviewee style more than her Sun in Taurus.

~ Sally Feldman

Broadcasting too is featured in her chart: the Sun conjunct Mercury in 6^th House of employment, employing her intelligence therein.

She had the Sun exactly trine Mars – depicting a female Warrior; and with Mercury closely trine Mars – a Verbal Warrior.

The Sun square Pluto in her chart showed a willingness to tackle difficult subjects  She also had the Entrepreneur Archetype in Jupiter closely trine Uranus – the ability to make the most of opportunities.  Jupiter was exactly square her Ascendant, on the 4^th House cusp – a positive, optimistic view of life, and home and family affairs.  Pluto was trine Chiron, giving her the ability to alchemize life’s experiences at a deep level.

Life and Career

Jenni Murray was born in Barnsley, and brought up as a Christian.  His father revealed to her when she was 14, just before he visited Auschwitz, that he was Jewish.

She wrote in 2022:

“Officially I have no claim to the Jewish faith, but I feel it deeply, and have done since the age of 14 when my father revealed to me what, until then, he had kept a closely guarded secret. I am not religious, but I feel my Jewish genes. They are part of my race.”

She studied French, English and History at A Level, then obtained a degree in French and Drama at Hull University.

She married Brian Murray when she was 21, but they divorced after six years.  Her next partner was David Forgham, who she eventually married in 2002.  They had two sons, one of whom is a rugby player.

She entered the world of radio broadcasting in 1973, joining BBC Radio Bristol.  She then became a reporter for South Today, a regional TV news programme.  She worked on Newsnight from 1983 to 1985, then presented Today for BBC Radio 4.  In 1987 she took over as presenter of Woman’s Hour, a post she held until 2020.

Over the years she interviewed many notables during that time, including Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Clinton, Margaret Atwood, Edwina Currie, Jack Nicholson, Joan Baez and Bette Davis.

At the end of December 2006 on the same day her mother died of Parkinson’s disease, she was told she had breast cancer.

At that time, Saturn squared her natal Mercury (the health planet) in her 6th House of Health; Jupiter trined her NN/Moon/Venus conjunction (a rare blow from Jupiter, but Jupiter can rule growths, and the Moon represents the affected part).  Moreover, the Moon represents the mother.  As well as this, the Nodal Axis was square her natal Chiron (healing crisis) in her 1^st House, so it may have been a karmic event.

She subsequently used her experiences, constructively and frankly, to inform her work and the subjects she aired.

Her final episode of Woman’s Hour came on 1^st October 2020, with Pluto trine her natal Mars in 10^th House of career, a major shift (away).  This formed a Grand Trine with her natal Sun in the 6^th House of Working Conditions.  Chiron was on her natal Venus/Moon in 5^th House, bringing some healing, and Saturn trined her natal Mercury in the 6^th House, a finality in work.

Astrological Twins

Jenni Murray’s birth in 1950 is within the timeline of my own peer group, for which I have made a special study and collection of charts.  I have some Astro-twins for her date of birth, people born on the same date, among them Helena Kennedy and Gabriel Byrne.

Helena Kennedy:

Helena Kennedy is my favourite barrister, and she regularly appears on Newsnight, one of my favourite programmes.

Similarities

We are fortunate enough to have birth times for all three of these Astro-twins.

Though Helena’s main focus in her work is different from Jenni’s, an important feature of her work has been in helping the cause of feminism.  Her mother had volunteered to help women suffering from domestic violence or alcoholism within families.

She has also done a fair amount of work in broadcasting channels.

Differences

Helena was born in Glasgow, and has a Taurus Ascendant with Mercury and Sun conjunct the Ascendant from the 12^th House.  This specially highlights the intellectual nature required for the legal profession.  Helena has 42 honorary degrees from universities.

Venus in her chart is conjunct the North Node, as with Jenni, but Helena’s Moon is earlier, in Pisces – a different karmic focus from Jenni.

Helena’s Ascendant is in Taurus conjunct the Pleiades, so may be influenced by the fixed star cluster.  She has Mars exactly trine Midheaven in Capricorn, her warriorship channelled into a serious profession.

On religion: she came from a devoutly Catholic family, Catholicism being “very much part of who I am”.  A contrast to Jenni’s stance.

Gabriel Byrne:

Gabriel is an Irish actor, born in Dublin.

Similarities

He has spoken out on women’s issues, stating that Catholicism is “repressive of women and minorities and repressive of its followers”.

Differences

Gabriel has an Aquarian Ascendant.  His “intelligent” Sun/Mercury conjunction is placed in his 4^th House of Home and Family, a different emphasis from both Jenni and Helena.

His Moon is even further away in separation than Helena’s, in distance from Jenni’s intense North Node/Moon/Venus conjunction, but in Pisces like Helena’s.  So there is not the intense focus on women’s issues.  His Venus/North Node conjunction is in his 2^nd House of Finance.

He began acting at the age of 29, the year of the Saturn Return.  His natal Saturn is in Virgo, in his 7^th House.

On religion, a similarity with Helena Kennedy: he came from a Catholic family.  But crucially, he describes himself as an atheist, and has been critical of the Catholic religion.  So all three have a different religious perspective.

While Jenni studied French and Drama, and Helena studied Law, Gabriel studied Archaeology, Spanish and Linguistics; not completely unrelated subjects, and none of them scientific.

Gabriel has worked as a teacher, a profession held by another of the non-famous Astro-Twins on my books.

As you can see, there are similarities between Jenni and Helena, but not so much with Gabriel, possibly due to the different positions of their Moons.

When Jenni bowed out of this world, transiting Pluto was exactly sextile her natal North Node: a life fulfilled, and a life well lived.

“Talking to somebody for 25 minutes who’s on the edge of absolutely palpable grief is just very hard, because the last thing you want them to do is for them to break down.  You’ve got to keep the balance…”

~ Jenni Murray

Aspects

In the early hours of today, Mars was trine Jupiter, so you may have felt restless in the night, raring to go instead of settling into dreamland…Pushing forward with plans is possible when Jupiter trines Mars, as it boosts energy and combines it with enthusiasm, e.g. “Let’s get this decluttering done”.  It is a day for your favourite activities.  Any sports will be heightened by this trine, for instance.  The day is one of the highlights of the week.

The Sun conjoins with Neptune at 1 degree Aries late morning, adding a spiritual element to the proceedings (Mars and Jupiter together can be very physical).  While “gung-ho!” represents the morning, mystery and enigma arrive at lunchtime.  We may wonder where we are on some level, struggling to get our bearings.  If we can establish where we are, we may be able to access higher inspiration for whatever we are engaged upon.  It is a day when progress can be made on subtle and spiritual issues, with memorable ethereal experiences.  So we have the two extremes of experience in one day, inward and outward.

Tomorrow, Monday (23^rd) brings another conjunction, that between Mercury and the North Node at 8 degrees Pisces, with Mercury now Direct.  Mercury has been hovering around this point as it turned Direct, so we had it last week just before it turned.  This can bring karmic information and communication of a subtle but revealing nature.  Follow the cues and clues – they may provide added interest to your creativity and acquisition of knowledge.  You may have noticed such phenomena over the last few days.

A more sober note arrives on Wednesday (25^th) in the shape of a conjunction between the Sun and Saturn at 4 degrees Aries.   It’s a cautionary note.  Take note of the area/House the triple conjunction falls in your birth chart, if you know it, as that will help you to ascertain the purpose of this event.  There is a great sense of concentration about this conjunction, focussed on practicalities such as “what can we do about the situation?”  The Saturn part of the equation demands responsibility, commitment, and common sense.

In the early evening the Sun will be sextile Pluto. This can bring powerful help.  If you dig deep, you can find the treasure you need.  It is a profound aspect which may help to show us the direction we need to solve our collective problems, and understanding the meaning behind our dilemmas.  This sextile can bring a profound air of quiet contemplation.  It is a valuable time of assessment, especially if you have done the work required by the earlier conjunction of the Sun and Saturn.  When contemplating decluttering dilemmas, just as an example, ask yourself: do you have to give up something in order to fit in the time and space to do it?  If so, what could you let go of?

Finally, and it is final in many ways, Saturn sextiles Pluto at the end of Saturday (28^th), the most important aspect of the week.  This aspect in your life may be throwing up an odd sequence of events which is contrary to the usual order of things, and forcing you took look at issues in a different way, such as the value of things you have taken for granted.  There may be some incredulity too, as in the case of world events – Food for thought.  However it sounds, this is a constructive re-shaping for you as well as the wider context.  Those who have the sextile or trine between these two planets in their natal charts have the Strategist Archetype.  So you may find your Inner Strategist at this time!

The week in bullet points:

• Today – getting things done; spiritual listening
• Tomorrow – karmic information
• Wednesday – a sober note; then a profound note
• Saturday – Re-configuration, and Strategy

Karma

When I named this website “Astrology and Past Lives” back in 2006, I had no idea I would still be here, pounding my keyboard, in 2026. Have just realized it’s a twenty year anniversary!  The blog came the next year, in 2007.  Since then, I added Future Lives to my repertoire in 2011, but have kept my original title.  Past Lives and Karmic Astrology have at their core the Hindu and Buddhist concept of “Karma”, a term sometime striking fear, sometimes a sense of fairness. Karma can of course be thought of occurring within this lifetime, not just over the course of lifetimes. But it is high time I wrote a blog about Karma for the signs, which may contain a nugget or two which speaks to you on the subject.

Karma for Aries

Aries doesn’t have time for karma.  Aries needs to just get on with things!  Overthinking karma would just cramp their style!

“Instant karma’s gonna get you/ Gonna knock you right on the head/You better get yourself together…What in the world you thinking of?/Laughing in the face of love/What on earth you tryin’ to do?/It’s up to you, yeah you”

~ John Lennon

Karma for Taurus

Taurus, going at a slower pace than Aries, has time to reflect on karmic consequences.  However, being obstinate, they can sometimes get tunnel vision (and in a rut to boot), and forget to adhere to the flexibility of karmic concepts.

“Karma is the beginning of knowledge. Next is patience. Patience is very important. The strong are the patient ones. Patience means holding back your inclination to the seven emotions: hate, adoration, joy, anxiety, anger, grief, fear. If you don’t; give way to the seven, you are patient, and then you will soon understand all manner of things, and you will be in harmony with eternity”

~ James Clavell, from “Shogun”

Karma for Gemini

Gemini might think of karma as an intellectual exercise, and possibly overthink things.  Or flip flop between karmic options.

“Wasn”t it Nils Bohr who said something along the lines of ‘to understand an event properly you have to accept two entirely contradictory explanations for it.’ The spiritual explanation and the mundane one may say different things yet both will be true -and at the same time.”

~ Marjorie Orr, Astrologer

Karma for Cancer

Cancerians can hold on to emotions, even grudges, from the past.  So they can actually store karma for themselves and others!  That means the timing of clearing karma can sometimes lie within the crab’s claws!  One of the keys to this is clearing the Astral or Emotional Body.

“ASTRAL ENERGY – the veil which carries us from lifetime to lifetime, recreating memories in the emotional body in each lifetime…

ASTRAL IMPRINTS – memories of previous experiences contained in the emotional body.”

~ Chris Griscom from “Ecstasy is a New Frequency”

Karma for Leo

Being dominant by nature, Leo can dictate karma to a great extent, not just for themselves, but for others.  They may, for instance, lead a group soul in incarnation.

“We must come into contact with the now, in this lifetime, so we can get off the karmic treadmill.  Karma is not a punishment, we don’t have to do it forever.  We can choose to be here as Masters.”

~ Chris Griscom, from “Ecstasy is a New Frequency”

Karma for Virgo

Virgos could worry more about karma, being concerned as they are with the minutiae of experience.  They could see all sorts of nuances about karma that others would not notice.  Service is one of their watchwords, and that is one of the routes out of karma.

“Even the most magnificent creatives, artists, writers, and inventors that you can think of had to show up day after day. Even the ones where it seems like their gifts are so innate and extraordinary – they still keep working on their craft daily. They are still showing up, living into the question and embodying what they are being called to embody. After all, we are souls having a human experience, so grounded action in repetition is just as important as connecting into the call of your soul. It is how you move along the thread of your life to your destiny.”

~ Rebecca Campbell, Author and creator of Oracle Cards

Karma for Libra

Librans are most likely to appreciate the calmness, fairness and justice of karma.  That can free them in a sense, for they do not need to seek the revenge that is most popular in culture (witness that they are bringing back “A Woman of Substance” by Barbara Taylor Bradford, which has revenge as a central concept).  They are able to lie back and say “eventually so-and-so will get their come-uppance”.  But equally, if they also have a strong Mars and Warrior Archetype, their sense of justice will not allow them to hold back from ensuring that justice is served.

“The divine universe simply waits for us to initiate creativity in our lives. Then it responds, in kind, to all our thoughts, desires and actions (including the negative ones). This is simply called cause and effect.”

~ Barbara Ann Brennan, from “Core Light Healing”

Karma for Scorpio

Scorpio is likely to hold extreme views on Karma, with a capital K!  They could be fearsomely self-righteous and judge and evaluate the karma of others, or they could find themselves involved in actions they may later regret, in the throes of passion.  An evolved Scorpio would see through it all, rise above it like a Phoenix, and find the compassion needed to turn the key on karma.

“But there is no reason for the Universe to box anyone in forever – there is always hope, and encouragement.”

~ Sarah Berry’s guide, Hendry

Karma for Sagittarius

Unless there is a heavy preponderance of Capricorn in the Saggy chart, Sagittarians would be quite happy-go-lucky and relatively carefree to be troubled by the concept.  Some Sagittarians might be quite oblivious, until they make a careless error and are brought up short to face the subject.

“Many of our karmic lessons are self-chosen, in contracts which we have made before birth as a result of conclusions we have drawn from our past lives, and how we need to evolve further.  Some of the sufferings we shoulder are self-imposed through negative emotions such as lack of forgiveness or guilt, and can be erased once we let ourselves off the hook.  We then free our energy to act on the lessons we have learned, and do a better job.”

~ A Sagittarian blogger!

Karma for Capricorn

Capricorns are most likely to take the subject seriously!  In fact, their ruling planet Saturn was in earlier times deemed to be “The Lord of Karma”, bringing about the more serious consequences of their actions.  The ruler of Sagittarius, in contrast, Jupiter, would bring the more joyful aspects such as rewards for good deeds, and taking up talents honed in past lives.  There is another type of Capricorn, however, that would dismiss the idea of karma, through scepticism or cynicism.

“The law of cause and effect, according to which for every action there is a reaction.  Karma is the causal factor behind fate or destiny.”

~ Judy Hall, from “The Karmic Journey”

Karma for Aquarius

Aquarians know they are on a path to the Golden Age of Ascension, where all karma is transcended.  So they are practising in this life with that in mind.  That doesn’t mean they can in this life escape the joys and sorrows of karma, but knowing that hearts are pure and good intentions can prevail, can keep them buoyant, until…come the Revolution!

“Eventually, karma has to come to an end, and grace operates.  You cannot suffer more than is your due.”

~ Sagittarian blogger’s guide Hermes

Karma for Pisces

Those caught up in the lower aspects of the Age of Pisces we are climbing out of (although at the moment we are facing the worst aspects of human nature rising up to be cleared) may experience the more negative forms of karmic experience such as victimhood and self-undoing.  However, as they evolve, they experience the higher forms of karmic experience such as compassion, grace and mercy.

“Karmic connections dissolve through genuine gratitude; not denial, not bypassing, and not pretending it didn’t hurt. When you can truly appreciate what the soul agreement taught you, without clinging to the pain or the story, the contract completes naturally.”

~ Dolores Cannon, author of “The Convoluted Universe”, Volumes I – V

Aspects

If you sprang up sprightly from your bed this morning, you’ll have had Mercury conjunct Mars to thank around breakfast time, taking place at 10 degrees Pisces.  I call this conjunction “busy-busy-busy”!  It may assist you in getting things done.  It brings brisk action, mental and physical stimulation, and can help movement in your projects.  There is a small element of risk of being incident-prone, as in minor cuts and bruises.  So mindfulness is a key to successful outcomes.  It is mentally acute and favours critical thinking, if you are composing an analysis, a review or critique.  It can also fire your communication on reforming zeal.  Happy Mother’s Day to those who celebrate it.  Hope you enjoyed breakfast in bed, those who received it.  With Mercury conjunct Mars, the toast might have been slightly overdone!

The next stop in our tour of the week is Tuesday (17^th) where we find another conjunction, that of Mercury with the North Node.  If we are looking for an aspect where we can practise our karma and reflect upon it this week, this is the one.  Read the Mercury-ruled sections for Gemini and Virgo in the main blog to get a sense of the angle of this karmic influence.  It brings the karma of thought and speech to our attention. Choose your words wisely.  Much can be taught and learned under this aspect, and ideas exchanged.

Wednesday (18^th) brings a square, between Venus and Jupiter, in the afternoon.  But it is probably the most innocuous of squares, being composed of the two benefic planets. This is a very social and sociable aspect, but can be gauche, awkward, or inappropriate.  Social non-conformists won’t care, but conformists may lament the lack of sticking to the rules.

The evening is likely to be better, with a sextile between the Sun and Uranus.  This aspect supports us, and adds a sparkle of ingenuity and inventiveness. Make headway with your various projects, assisted with some telepathy and higher consciousness, or liaising with a constructive group.  Look to the Future.

The very early hours of Thursday (19^th) contain a New Moon at 28 degrees Pisces, which is the most sensitive manifestation of the New Moon.  Occurring while you are probably in the dream state, try to programme your subconscious before sleep to make the most of your dreams and intentions. and a time to set intentions, make affirmations, and creatively visualize along the lines of peace in your own environment, and the plight of war-torn nations around the world.  Lessons we have recently learned can be put to good use.  It may be time to soothe old wounds and move on.

The Spring greets us at the Equinox on Friday (20^th), whatever the weather will be doing.  The forecast at the moment for that day is frost with spots of bright sunshine.  Maybe not suitable for a picnic, or gambolling with the lambs, but something to be celebrated anyway.  It’s the beginning of the astrological year.  The camelias in our garden have been out for a while, and the magnolias trees are shining brightly, always early signs of Spring. For the population generally, if your energy has been a little low lately, you may feel yourself reviving.  You may feel it in your bones…!

Celebrating with us will be Mercury, Stationary prior to turning Direct in the evening, making things easier from a technological point of view.  There can be some alleviation of recent communication glitches.  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.  If you have been holding back on communication, you may feel the push to move forward again with it.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – sprightly
• Tuesday – karmic information
• Wednesday – devil may care; sparkle
• Thursday – new beginning
• Friday – Spring at heart; easier communication(s)

Iranian War

“Maybe it’s just possible that a few people missed a chance to prevent America bombing Iran”

~ John Crace

With the first week of an Iranian War coming to a close, today I will be looking at the charts of a few of the players and their countries’ charts, to look at where they are psychologically and materially at this point in time.  I think back to the first Gulf War and its heart stopping and breath holding effect at the time, and I think back to the second, the Iraq War, and its visions on our screen of Rageh Omaar standing in front of bombing skylines every night for three weeks, truly heart-crushing.

Keir Starmer

Is he in or out of the war?  This is still being debated now.  In current transits, Keir has Pluto trine his natal Mercury, perfect for making a profound stand, which he is doing in the face of a capricious world leader in Donald Trump.  But Keir is being accused of being indecisive, as distinct from measured.  He was clear, as a lawyer, about the principle of upholding international law. Though we need to stand up to the world wide bully that is Trump, we also need to take into account that we are dealing with someone with undeniable mental health issues.  There is much speculation about Trump’s physical health due to visible signs on his person, but I would like to see more articles in the press from Psychiatrists analysing Trump’s mental state, and how others can be constructively dealing with it.

However, Neptune is quincunx Keir Starmer’s natal Uranus at the same time, making his situation exceptionally complex, almost unfathomable.

“Only 6% agree with the Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, that the UK should join the US-Israeli military action.  Although the prime minister remains deeply unpopular, there has been a 7-point improvement in his net approval rating”

~ Rachel Sylvester, The Observer

Hence he has voices on both sides of the fence, calling him to wage war (Badenoch and Farage) and desist (Davey and Polanski), not to mention the division of opinions within his own party.  He has to find his own authentic way through.  If he can find that inner core, he may be able to follow through in other aspects of government too.  He has been praised by many for his statesmanship on the world stage, but his reputation (especially in the right wing press) is on the line domestically, if not in tatters.  The “Daily Mail” (or as it is often nicknamed “Daily Fail”) plastered the adjectives “Desperate and Deluded” in referring to him this week on their front page.

Future Trends

An important transit Keir has coming up is the transit of the North Node on his Chiron/Jupiter.  The timing on this is again nebulous, because ephemerides detail the True and Mean Nodes, which are not exactly the same.   Close in time, next Thursday (12^th) looks to be tricky for him, with the Mean North Node on his Chiron (timing is difficult to pinpoint due to the Nodal Axis and Chiron being involved).  This may affect his health, or his determination to solve a problem.

The Mean North Node will then transit his natal Jupiter around 30^th March, where credit may be due karmically.

But it coincides with the opposition of Chiron to his Venus, so if he is feeling very discouraged at that time, he could be considering resignation.  Chiron will be opposing Starmer’s natal Venus (ephemerides vary too much to pinpoint a time) which may bring out a personal or health crisis for him.  Being a Prime Minister can be a strain, and that constitutes a possible breaking point, or a crisis from which he emerges stronger, my own astrological calculations depict such a crisis around 31^st March.  Don’t get me wrong, I am going against the grain in declaring that I sincerely hope he succeeds and finds a way through!

The True North Node puts these events later, in April: the transit to his Chiron occurring around 4^th/5^th April, and to his Jupiter around 20^th/21^st April, when he is likely to be on the campaign trail.

U.K. Chart

The transits at this time for the U.K. chart (I use the 1922 version) are as follows:-

Uranus squares its Mars in Aquarius in 9^th House – dealing with explosions abroad!

North Node trine its natal Jupiter in Scorpio in its 5^th House – good luck in keeping out of harm’s way!

Pluto trine its natal Midheaven in Aquarius in 8^th House – a strong position, despite Trump’s labelling

“Britain faced no present danger.  Instead, Starmer was asked to contribute to an unannounced, unsanctioned attack on Iran by a president who can barely even iterate the objective of his intervention.”

~ Philip Collins, The Observer

Donald Trump

Through the turbulent changes of the outer planets this last year and a half, Donald Trump has had a free ride, partly because his planets are not near the cusps of the signs.  The North Node is currently trine his ruling planet Mercury, so he may be feeling mentally that his is on the right track, without knowing if he isn’t (who is keeping his karmic ledger?)

Future Trends

Chiron squares his natal Venus in 11^th House around 4^th April, a crisis similar to that faced by Keir Starmer a few days earlier.  The two crises may therefore be linked, or reflect a crisis in their personal relationship(s).

19^th April may see him overconfident, with a square to his natal Jupiter in his financial House from transiting Jupiter – he could lose out economically at that time (whatever the spin may be at the time).

However, something totally untoward may happen when Uranus transits his 10^th House cusp and squares his Ascendant, and that may be a health and safety situation.  That astrological event is scheduled for 24^th April.

A long term transit coming up, Pluto trines his Neptune at 5 degrees of Aquarius and Libra respectively.  Far from curtailing his march, it may signal the peak of it, for psychologically he may be at the full power of his bamboozling effect. Its influence comes close this year, up to 6^th May when Pluto turns Retrograde.  Strangely, that’s around the U.K. General Election time, so maybe he will be trying to interfere, with some choice adjectives.

The transit of Pluto trine his natal Neptune as described takes place 17/18 February next year (2027) but maybe he will be long gone before then, through a health or safety condition.   If so, he will have left his mark on the world, but is unlikely to have earned the Nobel Peace prize.

U.S. Chart

The transits for the U.S. at the moment are amazingly karmic!  The Nodal Axis lines up exactly in square with its natal Ascendant/Uranus.  It is literally a karmic reckoning of sorts (Nodal Axis), and one of shock and awe (Uranus), reflecting the catalytic nature of its actions.  Its Venus in 1^st House is currently being squared by the Saturn/Neptune conjunction, a lack of comfort and ease.  Uranus trines its natal Pluto in 8^th House, bringing danger, but also showing the resilience needed.  Chiron squares its natal Mercury, mental stress and worry being a marked current condition.

Future Trend

There will be a feeling of rallying and recovery when Jupiter reaches its natal Mercury in 2^nd House around 2^nd/3^rd June this year, with some brighter economic news.  That may be relative or temporary, if the predicted economic effect of this war does its worst.

Benjamin Nethanyahu

Nethanyahu, like the chart of the U.S.A., is about to have the Nodal Axis square his natal Ascendant, which is also conjunct his Chiron.  This fact also shows his strong link with the U.S. natally.  With Chiron on his Ascendant, he constantly finds solutions to his problems, slipping through various nets and escape routes.  There was footage this week showing him smiling!  With all the chaos that he and Trump have unleashed this week, he can smile?!  How is that level of callousness possible, given all the lives that have been lost?  He practised in Gaza, now he is using those skills in Iran…

Future Trends

The more precise timings for the Nodal transits are:-

1^st April (for the Mean Node) squaring his natal Chiron

2^nd April for the True Node square to his Chiron

13^th April for the Mean and Nodal Axis square his Ascendant.  He may be caught out at that time, for without the distraction of war, he does not have to face his criminal charges domestically.

2^nd May for the True Nodal Axis square to his Ascendant, which would be the same effects, or the fortnight or so in between may be a continuous process.

Israel Chart

Pluto is currently opposite the Moon of Israel’s chart in its 10^th House of Reputation.  That is a disturbing vibration both for its citizens psychologically, and its reputation.  This came to its first peak at the end of February, just before the war broke out on 28^th.  Chiron is sextile Israel’s Uranus in 9^th House (employing the power of surprise) but at the same time square its Midheaven/I.C. Axis (shaking to the core).  Fighting this war on at least two fronts (Iran and Lebanon) must be involving so much of its population: manpower, womanpower and families.

Ali Khamenei

The assassinated ruler of Iran, Ali Khamenei had Mercury, Saturn, the Moon and Sun in Aries, the sign of the Warrior.  He was likely born on a New Moon in Aries, which is one way he may have survived the 36 years or so ruling his regime.

His demise came on 1^st March, last Sunday: at the time Jupiter opposed his natal Mars, and Chiron was possibly transiting his natal Moon.  Assassinations usually involve Mars or Pluto.  It is still not clear who will succeed him: Donald Trump wants to have a say in this, but apparently has killed some of his favoured contenders.  The late Shah’s son, Reza Pahlavi, is 64 years old and resides in the United States.  He thinks Iran should remain a republic.  In an interview this week, he said Iran should retain its territorial integrity, there should be a separation of religion and state, equality of citizens and individual liberties; democratic elections should take place for deciding its future.

Iran

The current regime up to now, despite the assassination of its leader, is still standing firm, and still has the capability of striking other nations, therefore currently going nowhere.  The regime itself dates back to 1979, when the Shah was deposed.  Pluto is at the moment almost square its Chiron, so mirroring the current devastation.  Donald Trump promised its people freedom, many died in January for the cause, and there is much internal conflict.  Pluto on its 11^th House of Friendship cusp currently denotes a “friend” causing upheaval (Pluto)!

Future Trends

The end of March seems important for Keir Starmer and Benjamin Nethanyahu, but also it seems for the chart of Iran.  Some unity may come when Chiron trines its natal Venus in 9^th House (of Foreigners) around 28^th March.

It is to be hoped that the destruction will soon come to an end, but the Pluto to natal Chiron square culminates around 30^th March.

13^th May may be helpful, when Jupiter trines the natal Uranus in 8^th House – it may begin some sort of rebirth.

It’s rich, hearing from Tony Blair this morning that the U.K. should have been more pro-active, considering that the Iraq War ruined Tony Blair’s reputation and created mass destruction (when they didn’t find weapons of mass destruction).  There are so many ordinary civilians already impacted, in Tehran and all over the Middle East, never mind the aftermath if it resembles the Iraq War.  In the meantime, who is rebuilding Gaza?  And who is supporting Ukraine?

“We think we’re being so clever and so brilliant in wading into countries about which our governments often seem to know very little, plunging in and firing missiles and staging coups and all the rest of it but we don’t think of the long-term outcomes, those long-term consequences and the absolutely catastrophic effects that they can have many decades down the line.”

~ George Monbiot

Aspects

A rather subdued aspect for today: that of Venus conjunct Saturn, at 2 degrees Aries.  You may experience it as a personal matter, or deflation at the knowledge that this Iranian War has lasted for a week! (or both)

This is not an easy prospect in terms of relationships or economics.  You will be looking more seriously at your close relationships, and evaluating what is important to you.  The care of the elderly may be a particular preoccupation.  The optimum condition for this conjunction would be loyalty and commitment, but there may need to be some letting go before that can be arrived at.  Finance too will be a cause for concern – economic prognostigations are more gloomy as a result of the war.

For tomorrow (Monday 9^th), you’ve had your pessimism day, now tackle your optimism day, though the issues may be different.  Mercury trines Jupiter before dawn, which can restore sanity and optimism.  Maybe you experience a hopeful dream before you wake.  This aspect can bring good news, which is welcome at any time.  It can bring productivity, and good conversation.  Mercury trine Jupiter expands our minds and philosophies.  This is an upbeat vibe mentally, and can bring opportunities.  It is also helpful for writing projects and studying, so you may make progress on such projects.

The aspect for Tuesday (10^th) is also upbeat, and occurs around daybreak.  Venus sextile Pluto brings a more introverted set of qualities: it’s an aspect which encourages soul-searching and arriving at deeper concepts and perceptions.  You can add extra artistry and harmony to your current projects.  You can also experience profound connections between people, and it’s a good time for evaluating what people mean to you. You may experience a volcanic eruption of creativity!  A good day for philosophical and psychological enquiries.

One of the good news stories of this week is Stationary Jupiter prior to going Direct, which occurs in the early hours of Wednesday (11^th) in the U.K.  You may find this to be a welcome turning point.  It’s a light at the end of the tunnel. That might bring a breath of fresh air to your day’s plans, peppering them with promise.  Something may lift you, and point the way to your next direction.  You at least get to the stage of seeing a new goal, or resuming an earlier goal.

No general aspects for Thursday (12^th), but look out for a possible effect from a personal transit to Keir Starmer’s chart as detailed in the main blog:

“Close in time, next Thursday (12^th) looks to be tricky for him, with the Mean North Node on his Chiron (timing is difficult to pinpoint due to the Nodal Axis and Chiron being involved).  This may affect his health, or his determination to solve a problem.”

Back to the aspects: Mars conjoins the North Node on Friday (13^th), indicating a strong focus on war.  The warmakers may be in no mood to compromise, but as this is a karmic aspect, the consequences will count.  In personal lives, try to take the heat out of events, and choose the more peaceful option, I would say.  With Mars conjunct the North Node, we see the karmic results of our actions straight away, giving us the wisdom of knowing, instant-karma style, whether or not we are doing things the right way and learning the right lessons, including the way to conduct our own Inner Warrior.

The week  in bullet points:

• Today – some sadness
• Tomorrow – some happiness
• Tuesday – valuable soul-searching
• Wednesday – joy returning
• Friday – karmic battleground

Neil Sedaka (1939 – 2026)

“When we ran out of lyrics we’d use a doo-bee-doo” 

~ Neil Sedaka

Singer, Songwriter and Pianist Neil Sedaka died suddenly on Thursday, at the age of 86.  He was a big part of the music scene when I was a young girl, his heyday being between 1957 and 1965.  I thought of his tunes as upbeat and melodious, but of course the explosion of the Beatles ushered in a whole new genre of exciting music in that period.

Birth Chart

The Sun in Pisces gave Neil Sedaka the sensitivity to write about emotional life, the stuff of pop music all along, but thoughtfully so.  Neptune exactly opposite his Sun brought an even more finely honed sensitivity. The melodies he created were uplifting, reflecting his natal Sun conjunct Jupiter.  What brings up the Songwriter Archetype is Mercury exactly sextile Venus (I have many examples, in my files!): a sublime blending of music (Venus) and words (Mercury).  Venus is also highlighted by being closely square to the Nodal Axis, indicating a karmic path in music.  Jupiter closely sextile Uranus was one of the keys to his success, a winning formula.

Life and Career

Neil Sedaka was born in Brooklyn.  His father was Lebanese Jewish.  A child prodigy, his teacher recommended piano classes, and his mother went out of her way to obtain them for him, buying an upright piano.  He then won a scholarship to the Juillard School of Music, at the age of 9.  His mother hoped he would be a classical pianist, and he mastered that particular art, but gradually developed a fondness for pop music.  From the age of 13, he was writing songs with his neighbour Howard Greenfield.

While at school at Abraham Lincoln High School, he formed a doo-wop band called the Linc-Tones (names after the school), which was later re-named the Tokens.  He left school at 17.  He wrote “Stupid Cupid” for Connie Francis in 1958, but his first recordings failed to do well for himself.  So he began an intensive study of the three biggest hits of the time, looking at their song structure, chord progressions, lyrics, and harmonies, and the result was “Oh Carol” in 1959, inspired by Carole King who had been his girlfriend in high school.  This gave him his first domestic top ten hit.  In 1960 he wrote “Calendar Girl”, for which he earned a five figure royalty cheque, and this was followed by “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen” in 1961.

The poignant “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” of 1962 was a song many could relate to:

They say that breaking up is hard to do
Now I know, I know that it’s true
Don’t say that this is the end
Instead of breaking up I wish we were making up again

But in the middle of all this creative output, and in the year of the heartbreak song, he married Leba Strassberg; they had two children together, and much later on, grandchildren.

He was conscious that his genre of music was usurped by the Beatles and what came after, and lamented the effect of the Beatles on his recording career:

“Between 1963 and 1975, I worked very little. The Beatles had come to New York and changed music – all the solo singers were out of work”

When his career appeared to fizzle out in the mid-1960s, he decided to move to the United Kingdom, and ended his musical partnership with Greenfield, writing “Our Last Song Together”, another beautiful and heart-wrenching tune:

This will be our last song together
Words will only make us cry
This will be our last song together
There’s no other way to say good-bye

He eventually found a new songwriting partner in Phil Cody.

A revival of his fortunes took place in the 1970s, including more songwriting for others, such as (Is this the Way to) “Amarillo” in 1971 for Tony Christie, and later reprised for Comic Relief with Peter Kay.  I watched the video this morning.  It did make me smile! ;-}  If you’re having a blue day, do look it up.

This was followed in 1972 by my personal favourite, the haunting “Solitaire”, sung so exquisitely:

And solitaire is the only game in town
And every road that takes him
Takes him down
While life goes on around him everywhere
He’s playing solitaire

“Solitaire” was the first collaboration between Sedaka and Phil Cody.

“Love will Keep us Together” in 1973 had been written earlier with Howard Greenfield, and was a huge success, also recorded by other artists.

One of his most uplifting songs, “Laughter in the Rain” came in 1974:

Ooh, I hear laughter in the rain
Walking hand in hand with the one I love
Ooh, how I love the rainy days
And the happy way I feel inside

His songwriting talent had not gone anywhere!  They are all good classic songs, which must have been played over and over and earned royalties over the years, and played in karaoke bars throughout the world!

I have enjoyed re-visiting his body of work, a welcome distraction from the wars raging.  Long live Love, the staple material of the pop world!

“You do have to give up your privacy. But the good thing is that you can get a table in a restaurant or a seat at the theatre.”

~ Neil Sedaka

Aspects

Two wars broke out last week around the Mars-Uranus square (about which I had written “There may be some escalation of aggression in the current wars.”)  Afghanistan and Pakistan were the first to engage in hostilities, and it seems the U.S. and Israel could not resist the call of the Mars-Uranus square, following suit very soon after.

Meanwhile, our aspect journey begins on Tuesday (3^rd March), when we first encounter an ingress (not an aspect, technically), which is Mars moving into Pisces.  Mars transits from the more strident sign of Aquarius.  While Aquarius is humanitarian, and looks after the underdog, Pisces is even more compassionate, and very empathetic.  Mars represents our use of energy, and so it may not be so direct, but it will be more in touch with emotional needs (ours, or others).  In charitable terms, it is a good time to put your money where your mouth is.

Late morning on that day, we have a Lunar Eclipse at 12 degrees Virgo, so tensions may still be heightened.  This may ramp up the emotional tension, plus a desire towards perfectionism and practicality, at the same time as honouring spiritual ideals represented by the opposing Sun in Pisces.  Work and service are also principles of this polarity of signs. That may be a wake-up call.  Participants in the Middle East may be registering some of the implications of the explosiveness of actions undertaken last week.  It is worth bearing in mind the timeline which is often given for eclipses, which can result in effects up to six months in duration.  At this point in time, no one, not even the most experienced of pundits, can predict how long the war against Iran will last and what regime will take the place of Ali Khamenei’s reign of terror.

Wednesday (4^th) brings us a sextile between Venus and Uranus.  Venus in harmony with Uranus is very social and may produce some interesting outward manifestations.  Chance meetings are possible and can be strange or seem random.  Venus sextile Uranus is on the pleasantly uplifting side of the equation, and can bring reunions, even if just on your mobile phone or online.  The three S’s come to mind: spontaneity, synchronicity and serendipity.

It is followed up the next day Thursday (5^th) by another upbeat aspect, that of the Sun trine Jupiter.  That’s a joyful energy.  For some that might mean a lucky break!  Not everyone can win the lottery, but it’s all good and comes on the heels of Uranus starting to show its best side.  This is a happy-go-lucky aspect where circumstances allow.  It may provide a day of good cheer, adventure, golden opportunity and looking ahead to the future with optimism.  If you are visiting friends, the occasion could be a barrel of laughs.

A change of feeling-tone awaits us on Friday (6^th) when Venus enters Aries, which sets up bolder feelings to express and contend with.  Venus is not entirely comfortable in Aries and therefore Venusian types (Taureans and Librans) may feel that they are being pushed to a faster pace of life than they are comfortable with.  There is a warmer and more demonstrative feel about Venus though while she is in Aries, so hugs may be more forthcoming.  Other signs may feel more comfy and cosy with this placement, and make good connections.  Let us hope warmongers are not emboldened!

Two conjunctions occur late morning on the final day of the week, Saturday (7th), the first being the Sun conjunct Mercury at 16 degrees Pisces, which may cause you to become more aware of deeper issues, such as the compassionate perspective of things.  The Sun and Mercury together may come up with some insightful solutions, rekindling hope and allowing glimpses of light at the end of tunnels.

Finally, we have Venus conjunct Neptune at the first degree of Aries.  You could be feeling very nostalgic!  It could be a serene, highly spiritual and artistically inspired conjunction, full of unconditional love.  This conjunction can express the best of the divine feminine.  A warm but possibly enigmatic finale to the week.  A true heart will attract the best of this conjunction.

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – some gentler energy; turning point
• Wednesday – exciting meetings
• Thursday – joy abounding
• Friday – bolder feelings
• Saturday – sparkling focus; unconditional love

Jesse Jackson (1941 – 2026)

“Jackson’s presence presents the American Republic with questions and choices it has spent all hits history until this hour trying to avoid…And nothing will ever again be what it was before.”

~ James Baldwin, 1984

Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson died this week, at the age of 84.  He was a passionate, charismatic and assiduous promoter of his cause.  He was the natural successor to Martin Luther King, and he helped pave the way for Barack Obama to become the first black American President.  He was regarded as one of the most influential activists of his time.

Birth Chart

Jesse had the Sun in Libra: he was certainly passionate about Justice, and he strove for peace in various ways throughout his life.

Straight away on looking at his birth chart (with a birthtime and Ascendant) three Archetypes pop up.  The first is The Firebrand, mentioned in my Archetype series under Scorpio.  He had his Midheaven (Careerpoint) in Scorpio.  He had his Sun opposite Mars, indicating the Warrior Archetype.  The Firebrand is a spin-off variety of the Warrior.  His speeches had the conviction of fire and brimstone.

He had the courage of the Warrior, and with Mars trine Chiron he was able to channel healing energy:

“He was very brave and I have always tried to show a little of that courage.  He taught me the importance of having principles and sticking to them.”

~ Diane Abbott

The second Archetype is, as an ordained Baptist minister, the Religious figure: he had the Sun trine Jupiter (religion), Jupiter exactly square his Nodal Axis (religion was part of his karmic mission and challenge), and the Sun in the 9^th House of Religion.  With Neptune trine the Ascendant, on the 9^th House side of the cusp, he was able to combine Religion with Spirituality.

The third Archetype is the Orator, as depicted by his Mercury at the Midheaven in his 10^th House of Work in the World.  Even as a young man, he was part of a competitive public-speaking team, which was important enough for him to give up a sporting opportunity.  Ewen MacAskill observes in the Guardian obituary that: “One of his strengths lay in his ability to deliver rousing speeches in the rhetorical style of southern preachers”

He had a sensitive and spiritual Moon trine Neptune/North Node: a sensitivity and spiritual leadership as part of his karmic mission, delivering power to the people.  The Moon was also loosely conjunct his I.C. in 4^th House – the fundamental power of his emotion evoked in his speeches.  Mercury square Pluto/Chiron ensured that the speeches had the depth and passion of fire and brimstone.

Venus exactly sextile Neptune showed that he was idealistic in relationships, though he may have regretted an affair later in life, whereby he fathered a sixth child out of wedlock, despite an enduring marriage (he married early in life, aged 21).  Saturn conjunct Uranus in his chart was iconoclastic, bringing personal earthquakes in his life (none more so than the assassination of Martine Luther King).

He had Saturn exactly trine Neptune – and so he was able to reconcile these two planets,  which had in the same week as his death, come into a momentous conjunction: his work is done.  He also had the ability to decode complexity, through Uranus closely trine Neptune.  Pluto conjunct Chiron enabled him to confront harsh realities, especially those of his impoverished background and early segregated society.

Life and Career

Jesse was born in Greenville, South Carolina. His mother was 18, and his father was a married neighbour.  He had both Cherokee and African American Slave ancestry.  His mother married Charles Jackson a year after his birth, but he kept in touch with his birth father.

He studied at A & T, a black university in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he took part in local civil-rights protests.  After graduating with a B.S. degree in Sociology in 1964 at the age of 23, he began a course at the Chicago Theological Seminary, but left just before completing the course two years later, to concentrate on his participation in the civil rights movement.  However, by 1968 he was ordained a minister.

By this time, he was already working with Martin Luther King (and learning the power of oratory!).  The tie between them is tight astrologically: Jesse Jackson’s Ascendant at 25 degrees Capricorn was exactly conjunct Martin Luther Kng’s Sun.  That is a perfect depiction of Jesse’s implementation and manifestation (Ascendant) of the spirit of King’s work (Sun). He took part early on in their partnership in marches with him, and King entrusted him with an economic project Operation Breadbasket.  In this capacity, Jackson encouraged boycotts by black consumers to pressure white businesses to hire blacks.

Martin Luther King was assassinated on 4^th April 1968.  The transits for Jesse were:-

Pluto on his natal North Node, a significant and karmic death in his life

Saturn opposite his natal Sun, the loss of a significant male figure in his life

Mars square to his natal Pluto in Leo in his 7^th House, violence to a partner figure and leader

The transits for Martin:_

Pluto square to his natal Mars, the ultimate violence

Jupiter trine his natal Saturn in 8^th House, a release leading to martyrdom

Mars transiting his natal Chiron in 12^th House of Hidden Enemies

Understandably, Jesse went off the rails slightly, in the aftermath of this tragedy.  He made claims of his own heroism such as in cradling Martin Luther King at the scene, claims which were disputed, and tarnished his reputation temporarily.  But he was nevertheless the natural successor to his mentor.

In 1969 he was preaching racial reconciliation.  He took the view that in entering a coalition with whites, they could mutually tackle economic and class problems:

“When we change the race problem into a class fight between the haves and the have-nots, then we are going to have a new ball game”

In 1983 he decided to enter politics, and run for the 1984 presidential election, almost an unprecedented initiative in the black community.  He did not get far in the contests and process, but did better in his bid in 1988, becoming runner-up to Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis.  As mentioned, he paved the way for Barack Obama twenty years later – he famously wept in the crowd when the latter was elected.

“Through the Rainbow/Push Coalition, he brought together black voters, organized labour, small farmers, peace activists and others into something that looked like a genuine social democratic bloc.”

~ Bhaskar Sunkara, President of The Nation, a progressive monthly American magazine

The Rainbow/Push Coalition grew out of Jesse Jackson’s 1984 presidential campaign.

During the first Gulf War (1990/1) he negotiated with Saddam Hussein in Baghdad for the release of captives from various nations, and in this was highly effective.  He was fulfilling the potential of his Sun in Libra diplomacy.

He supported LGBT rights, declaring: “No more homophobia. Let’s respect people, protect people. Everyone is somebody”.

During the 1990s he worked with the Clinton administration, and acted as spiritual adviser to Bill Clinton during the scandal of the Monica Lewinsky affair.  Jesse Jackson meant a lot to both the Clintons, and they posted an affectionate tribute this week.

In November 2017 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  At the time he had Uranus square his Ascendant from 3rd/4th House cusp in Aries, and Pluto square his natal Mars, both indicators of severe physical stress.

I have always been fascinated by Martin Luther King, Jesse Jackson, and the civil rights movement, including the more recent Black Lives Matter movement (2013).  I celebrated the achievement of Barack Obama gaining two terms of office as U.S. President (2009 – 2017).  But, sigh, there still seems a long way to go…

“Jesse told me that sometimes when you lose, or think you have lost, you have in fact won – because you have paved the way for others to follow.”

~ Simon Woodley, Principal of Homerton College, Cambridge

Aspects

Last week did seem to be a Watershed week, glimpses of a turning point for some, and especially for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, with the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten.  Much has been made of his karma coming back to him with the Eclipse close to his Sun at 0 degrees Pisces (in old textbooks, the sign is known as the “sign of self-undoing”).  The Eclipse actually fell on his natal Chiron in his 7^th House.  Chiron was also on his Midheaven at the time (righting a wrong in connection with his reputation).  I feel that Chiron (the planet of Solutions) had as much to do with it.

On to this week, and today!  Mars is sextile Chiron.  Benefits can accrue through the unclogging of stuck energy.  This aspect may see you on a healing mission of some sort.  Compassionate action may be the tone of the day, a day where physicality combines dynamically with healing.  A hug or demonstration of affection may be just what’s needed.  Note that with Jesse Jackson’s trine between Mars and Chiron he was able to channel healing energy.  A sextile energy is slightly weaker than a trine, but there is no doubt that some of Jesse’s passion came from this positive connection.

This evening Venus trines Jupiter, which is one of the brightest trines of the year (if not, the brightest).  Something may provide you with a richness of heart.  Venus with Jupiter is so very social, and can be romantic too.  It’s an aspect to savour and enjoy.  Proposals and engagements often occur under this combination.

On Thursday (26^th) Mercury in Pisces is Stationary prior to turning Retrograde.  Most people will see this as an alert to take good care of their communications for the three-week period.  Pisces is notoriously fuzzy when it comes to the crispness of communications, so misunderstandings could abound.  The upside of Mercury in Pisces is that psychic awareness is heightened, but there is the possibility of being caught up in the astral realms!

So for a constructive and positive perspective, I always turn to “The Mercury Retrograde Book” by Yasmin Boland and Kim Farnell.  They say that Retrograde Mercury in Pisces “We have a longer time to focus on the mystical….Spending your time on hobbies that don’t involve your rational mind.”

Mercury goes Direct again on March 20^th.

Friday (27^th) brings an awkward square between Mars and Uranus.  It can be hair raising, explosive or brittle.  So it is advisable to chill out, and urge others to do so, and hope the message radiates.  This square can also be accident-prone, so if you are out riding your bike, make sure your helmet is firmly held on.  There may be some escalation of aggression in the current wars.  Don’t waste your time or energy on pursuits which are tricky.

But the week ends on a mellow note of Mercury conjunct Venus at 22 degrees Pisces, on Saturday (28^th).  After a possibly jagged Friday, this congenial conjunction may be a welcome balm.  It could bring some happy socializing, with great conversations. It is perfect for cafe culture, ideal for artistic or literary endeavours, or negotiations (which may have fallen by the wayside the previous day).  Your communications will have an artistic flair, so it’s a good time to get creative.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – flowing healing energy; social contentment
• Thursday – communication glitches
• Friday – jagged
• Saturday – get thee to a café (or pub if preferred)