Can I take the opportunity to wish all my readers and followers on Tumblr, Facebook and Twitter and a most happy, profitable, peaceful and of course astrological New Year!!! Here’s hoping all your wishes do come true in 2012!!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
So North Korea has a new supreme leader in the form of young, inexperienced Kim Jong Un. Immediately astrologers around the world would have been scouring the internet for any information on when this young man was born. We do have a clue from his mother. In the BBC today, it is reported that his mother called him the “Morning Star King”. All reports have said that he was born on 8th of January in 1983 or 1984. Surely the morning star must have been either Mercury or Venus rising above the horizon at the time of his birth? Now in 1983 on 8th January, both these planets were well below the horizon line, but in 1984 Venus rose just after 05.00am and Mercury hit the horizon line at 07.00am. For sure then this lad must have been born in 1984, and for Venus to rise up high enough in the sky for it to be seen, it must have been between 06.30 and around 07.30am. So what time? He will have either a Sagittarian or Capricorn Ascendant and for someone propelled into a position of authority so quickly, a Capricorn ascendant seems far more likely. His demeanour seems very business like and serious (favouring Capricorn) and we have one other pointer, the colours he seems to favour. To my knowledge, he has only ever been seen, before and after his father’s death, in black attire which to me signifies Capricorn all day long.
Kim Jong Un then I assume was born on 8th January 1984 in Pyongyang making him 27 years of age. I am taking 07.15 as a birth time, as at the time of writing, he was proclaimed supreme leader and head of the North Korean army. Transiting Saturn was today bang on his Libran Midheaven conjunct to Mars which signified a highlight time in his life and authority (Saturn) over military forces (Mars). He has a Capricorn Sun and I assume Ascendant and a rather emotional Pisces Moon.
Kim has all his planets in the Eastern hemisphere of the chart, so he is very self-orientated and will not think of others in any great terms. He has 4 planets in fire, so is quite enthusiastic and 5 in mutable signs so is flexible and can change his view and position depending on the situation. The Sun Moon combination shows an interesting mix of ambition and an awareness and the world around him. I think this man does have a soft side (shown by the tears at his father’s funeral) and a helpfulness about him. Often responsibilities are take on early with this combination, as has been shown in the past couple of weeks, but he is liable to being influenced into unwise actions by those more senior around him. The Moon sits in the second house, a place which takes on connotations of personal service to the public. His Sun is in the first, so as time goes on, he will become very much his own man.
I am really interested in this Piscean Moon, as it extends a humanitarian compassion that is hard to resist. People with such a position cannot bare to see suffering, and if I am right, then could Kim (in time) have the welfare of the North Korean population actually at heart? Will he be allowed to show this compassion at all, or will he have to prove himself first showing some authoritarian action, before that compassionate side of his personality can be released, and to whom? The fear I have is that because he is soft hearted, he will become a puppet leader with the military and influential people behind the scenes calling all the shots and he will be conditioned to forget the suffering ordinary population outside of Pyongyang. These early years as North Korean leader will be crucial to his development. This charitable side is enhanced by Jupiter and Neptune together (probably) in the 12th house. Here is a very generous side to the man, and an identification with service and suffering. Neptune here also is very receptive and creative being conjunct to Mercury. Kim may well have a very artistic side to his character, appreciating music, writing and art. Mercury conjunct to the ascendant shows a high intellect and the information that he speaks English and German rather confirms this placing. There is a spiritual side to him too, however I suspect for now at least, all of these talents and loves will be locked away, hidden from prying eyes behind the thick concrete palace walls in Pyongyang, as is suggested by the 12th house positioning. Maybe just maybe as he gets older he will mellow, and that softer side will spread out to his public image. There is a multi sextile between these 3 planets and his Ascendant to his Midheaven, a link that shows that may open out later on in a more public way. One can hope at least…
Kim’s Venus and Uranus sit together in the 11th house of friends and groups and associations in Sagittarius. This placing also interests me as Uranus suggest independence, unusual or eccentric acquaintances. Uranus innovates and changes. Will Kim in time change the party regime in North Korea? Kim will be surprisingly sociable with Venus in Sagittarius and friends will be important to him, yet he may be quite repressed romantically. The rulers of the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 10th and 11th houses are all under tension, showing that his upbringing was severely restricted, he has issues with his parents and his self confidence and esteem is quite low. Venus square to the Moon doesn’t really know what it wants emotionally and can lead to weight gain if these needs are not satisfied, as one uses food to comfort yourself.
I move onto the 10th house where the tone changes dramatically. Here we find Saturn in it’s rightful place to rule in ruthless Scorpio sextile to Kim’s Sun. Saturn here is dutiful and will trample all over people below him as well as being ultra secretive. This man could turn out to be a very useful poker player, and as such a fearsome enemy who’s moves you could never read. Good luck to the US and other world intelligence services trying to second guess what Kim may do. Also here is a very, very determined, and possibly vicious Mars Pluto conjunction connected to his Midheaven. The position of Pluto in Scorpio shows the absolute control he has inherited including nuclear (Pluto) capability and Mars at the Midheaven shows the military at his disposal. How will he use this vast stock of energy and power at his disposal? We will see as he react to his first difficult set of transits as supreme leader.
He took control of North Korea as several indicators heralded a change in his life. We have transiting Saturn as I said at his Midheaven and conjunct to Mars. Transiting Pluto in the past months had been hanging around his ascendant, showing a dramatic change in his life from being in the shadows to coming out into the light. He assumed power as transiting Jupiter opposed the Midheaven and Mars, and the transiting Nodes had done an exact half return transition around the chart, signifying a time when one does grow up and change, accepting new challenges in the process. In the Summer 2012, transiting Mars enters Libra and Scorpio and passes over his Mars, Pluto and Saturn, just as Saturn makes it’s final pass over his Midheaven. If ever he is going to show his hand as leader, now may be the time as Mars initiates action. Watch out North Korea and their actions especially at the end of August, as Mars conjuncts the natal North Korean Mars as well as Kim’s natal Pluto!!
If my assumption about his birthday and time is right, then Kim is a weird mix of aimlessness, compassion, sympathy, ambition, authority and ruthlessness. It reflects the Capricorn ascendant that can be supremely confident one minute, then shaking like a leaf with fear the next. It may well be that the compassion he shows will just be to those nearest and dearest to him, however be in no doubt, this young man has steel at his centre, is calculating and in truth that Mars Pluto connect the Midheaven scares me to hell especially being sextile to expansive, international Jupiter. The “Morning Star King” should not be taken lightly.
Further Reading and Links
30th March 2013 - North Korea declares itself in a "State of War" with South Korea
The next year will decide if Lindsay Lohan really does decide to turn her life around. 2011 was a year of scandal, court appearances, alleged theft charges, and the normal drink, drugs and front page newspaper headlines. Lindsay’s life seemed to be falling apart, but hope does exist, if she wants to get serious and grow up. 2012 is going to be a year of reckoning for her.
Lindsay Lohan was born on 2nd July 1986 in New York at 03.41am . She is a Sun Sign Cancer with with her Moon in the sign of Taurus and has a typically scatty Gemini Ascendant. Cancerians more than any other sign are attached to their families and feel the pain if their families have problems. With Saturn retrograde, it is safe to say that Lohan never received the love she needed from her father. Her Sun is afflicted by an opposition to Neptune and receives a trine from Pluto. If I were to take a guess, I would say that he had an alcohol problem and may have got rather controlling and or/violent with it. It is known that her parents had a turbulent relationship, separating when she was 3, reuniting then finally filing for divorce. It sounds like an unhappy childhood. Saturn is in Sagittarius which suggests a disrupted education, she was taken out of schooling at the age of 11 and indeed we find Capricorn, Saturn’s sign on the cusp of the 9th house of education and Mercury in it’s own home of the 3rd house of early schooling is hit by a square to Pluto and a focused quindecile from Mars. At Junior school, she may well have been a bit of a trouble-maker.
As I mentioned earlier Lindsay’s Sun is opposite Neptune, a tricky placement. Lindsay will be impressionable, often lost in her own dreams, yet also creative, Neptune has connections with film and TV. People with Neptune opposite the Sun often lose their way in life and try to escape from the troubles and hurt in their lives by resorting to drink and drugs. Now this Sun sits in the 2nd house of self worth, and that self-worth is continually disintegrated by the Neptune opposition. Neptune sits in the 7th giving her an over idealistic view of any prospective partner. It is like no one will ever come up to her vision of a dream guy, and the turmoil of her private life is multiplied by Uranus also in the 7th house. Uranus is trine to Venus and this will give her a wild, rebellious streak and she will be attracted to similar type men – not good for a steady relationship. Any romance will start with an electric attraction, but the novelty will soon wear off and then reality (and disappointment) sets in. In truth she suffers (Neptune) for her relationships.
Lindsay’s Taurus Moon should make her emotionally quite stable, but it receives a square from Venus which complicated the emotional life, she won’t really know what she needs from the partner or the relationship. Mars squares the Moon so any emotional problems will be sorted out in a no-nonsense sort of way. All this will make her difficult to live with which compounds the emotional security need of the Cancer Sun. I believe it is almost like a vicious circle working inside her. Lindsay would have been affected by the problems in her family life which she carries around with her as baggage. Because of this, she will need the emotional support of a stable relationship for the Taurus Moon, but doesn’t really trust any partners fully because she doesn’t know what she wants from any relationship (square Venus) and is unrealistic in her expectations (Jupiter in Pisces and Neptune in 7th), and whatever problems there are will be whipped up into a frenzy by the Moon trine Mars.
If I were her astrologer, I would want her to get away from the turmoil that is Los Angeles and New York and get some peace, quiet and solitude, possibly in the countryside way away from the bright lights of the city and temptation. The Taurus Moon needs this sometimes and it is ironic that some time in jail or serious rehabilitation may just be good for her. Emotionally with the Moon in the 12th, having time to reflect is just what the doctor would order, and should she have kind and helpful people around her she may be able to work out her problems. In a way as an astrologer, I feel sorry for her. It wasn’t her fault to be born with such a disparate horoscope and to have such a disrupted childhood.
The problem is that Lindsay is addicted to the high life, with both Mercury and Venus in showy Leo. Mercury in Leo will give her confidence in speaking and performing and Venus in Leo is the most glamorous position for Venus to be, loving to show off and be the centre of attention. Venus is quindecile to her Aquarian Midheaven. An unusual, rebellious public life connected with show business was always in the stars for her. Uranus is square Jupiter in Neptune, she will be wildly optimistic and her head will forever be in the clouds and an 8th house Mars sextile to Jupiter shows that she is very open about and active about her sexual life and “behind the scenes” activities. Combined with the can’t sit still Gemini Ascendant she is a whirr of energy going off in all directions. Neptune opposite the Sun as I hinted earlier, it points to an unrealistic view of life in general.
With Saturn and Pluto in the 6th house, she can go two ways. She can compromise her well-being, as she has been doing and these two planets will destroy her health completely, or she can get her self sorted out and get down to what she is capable of, and that is working hard. This girl, if she puts her mind to it, can be a real workaholic, if she has some direction in which to focus that Saturn and Pluto energy.
The current synopsis of the planets shows the transiting South Nodes now bang on her Ascendant. Right now she will feel in a state of helplessness, as if other people are ruling her life, and this is true as she stays precariously on probation. The recent nude Playboy shoot ties in with transiting Mars trine her 8th house Mars.
The Solar Arc progressions show that Lindsay is going to learn some hard truths in the months ahead. On the transits Pluto is still opposite Lindsay’s Cancer Sun from Capricorn, you can almost see the picture suggested from the signs alone, Capricorn as the voice of authority, Sun in Cancer is trapped by this Pluto opposition showing confinement of some sort. As Pluto closes in on that Cancer Sun towards the end of 2012, we will see if she does accept Pluto’s will for her to change or not. This is in effect trial by Pluto for her in the coming year. As with Amy Winehouse who tragically I predicted could succumb to planetary pressure, Lindsay will face down the barrel of the gun in 2012. By Solar Arc, her SA Sun is square to natal Pluto, so very much echoing the transiting picture at now is the time to change for her. Her SA Sun is also trine to natal Saturn and this shows a chink of light, and is very constructive and hints that she may just be maturing a bit. After a turbulent 2012, for her sake, let’s hope so…
Friday, December 30, 2011
This is the first “Astrology Shorts” post that I am doing, a new feature for 2012 which I will take a brief look at a subject, mainly celebrity based. I am still going to be doing my in depth analysis looks at important people in the news and look out for monthly reviews of the planetary movements. Today I am looking at pop singer Katy Perry and comedian and actor Russell Brand who had been married just 14 months, before they officially decided to split.
Ok Russell Brand (4/6/75 – Grays, England – no time) and Katy Perry (25/10/84 – Santa Barbara, California – no time). If you want to look at Russell in more depth please click on the link at the bottom of the article. In truth, rather like the Kim Kardashian/Kris Humphries get together, this was never really going to work. A hyperactive Gemini Sun Mercury with Moon in Aries in Russell paired with a secretive triple Scorpio Sun and Moon and Mercury in Katy. They didn’t have a single aspect link between these three planets and there was no Mars Venus link either except a rather competitive Mars square to Mars. The only real connection between the two was a common North Node/South Node conjunction. Connections to the Nodes are often fateful, but generally don’t last too long. It is like the two spirits come together for one last time to settle any outstanding issues from a previous life, and then they part. There was friendship, with her Venus close to his Neptune, but that alone would not sustain a marriage for long. With his Sun opposite to her Uranus and his conjunct to hers, the would have needed plenty of space. They now have what they needed.
Russell filed for divorce in Los Angeles today (30th Dec 2011) as transiting Saturn and opposing Jupiter were (more or less) square to Katy and Russell’s composite Moon (see above), bringing liberty and the intervention of the legal system (Jupiter) as well as the failure (Saturn) of their union. Transiting Neptune was just about to connect with their composite North Node. The one link they did have between them (the combined Nodal one) was being dissolved and disintegrated. Transiting Mars was activating their composite Saturn/Neptune square which is quite a disruptive and undermining aspect in a composite astrology chart in the first place. Mars job here as I see it was to widen the cracks between them, bringing argument and conflict and forcing them to act by dissolving (Neptune) the marriage (Saturn). The announcement today was shown by transiting Mercury (representing the media) conjunct Neptune activating the same square from the other end.
Russell Brand - Russell Brand – From drug addict to worldwide star
Baroness Margaret Hilda Thatcher was a huge worldwide influential figure who whether you loved her or hated her, you just could not ignore. Her image, her style and even her voice has been magnificently replicated by actress Meryl Streep for the new film for 2012 “The Iron Lady”. I was looking away from the TV the other day when a trailer was shown, and the voice Meryl recreated sent shivers down my spine. Looking at the astrology, there is an obvious link between the two women; this was a role that Meryl was born to do.
Margaret Thatcher was born on 13th October 1925 in Grantham in Lincolnshire, England at 09.00am. The daughter of a grocer, she rose from relatively humble beginnings to be the first woman Prime Minister of the UK. She is a Sun sign Libran with a royal Leo Moon and a secretive Scorpio Ascendant. Margaret has 5 cardinal planet including that Libran Sun so her inclination would be to push ahead and begin projects, to lead from the front. And with a Leo Moon she loved being in the spotlight. Here was a social outreach and idealism of the Libran Sun combined with the need to be adored of the Leo Moon. That was the view that the public saw, but behind this was the ruthless, secretive Scorpio ascendant bolstered by an authoritarian Saturn conjunct that Ascendant from the 12th house. She wielded the axe with ferocity behind the door of number 10 Downing Street. In the seclusion of the cabinet room, there would no doubt of who would be in charge.
Despite that hard exterior I think Margaret Thatcher does have a very soft heart and an emotional side to her. Shown by her Moon Neptune square to Venus, she would have been appreciative of art, music, beauty and colour. Venus in the first house square to the Virgo Midheaven shows that the personal image she portrayed was very important to her and clean cut prim and proper cut of her clothes and the detail she went to including using a deeper voice for authority was so reflective of a Virgo Midheaven. The Moon Neptune conjunct to her Virgo Midheaven is sextile to her Sun Mercury, so here is a link to creative emotive public speaking.
With the Sun in the 11th house, it was in group activities and within associations where Margaret would shine. The Sun shows her relationship to her father and his influence I think was very powerful. Her Sun was square to Jupiter/Pluto opposition. The Pluto square shows the indelible bond between the two and Margaret mirrored his ambition for power and control (Pluto). He was in local Government as a Liberal (shown by Jupiter in administrative Capricorn) and was also a Methodist preacher, again shown by the Jupiter link as well as the sextile to spiritual Neptune. Margaret used these energies in a slightly different way, using the power and control of Pluto to forge an successful international profile (Jupiter). Of course that Pluto/Jupiter opposition connected to the Saturn/Ascendant conjunction through a wedge formation, bringing that determined international reach to an ultra conservative administrative focus. Unlike her father she was never going to follow his Liberal tendencies. Pluto opposite Jupiter is always a most resourceful aspect and square to Mars in the 11th house, it showed tremendous drive and ambition. I like to call Mars in the 11th the team captain aspect. Here the energies are directed to the group, yet Mars wants to be pre-eminent and to lead. Within the Conservative Party and latterly within the country, this is exactly what she did.
The one planet I have not focused on yet is Uranus. Uranus is peregrine (unconnected to any planet by major aspect) in the chart. Not many people know that before Margaret got into politics, she was a research scientist, aptly describing Uranus which rules science in creative Pisces. A peregrine planet’s influence is normally very, very strong, and this Uranus was used by Margaret through it’s connection with freedom, independence and individualism. In Pisces this freedom is limitless and unconstrained. Of course she was notably known to have said that there was no such thing as society, she pushed individuals to buy their own houses and she was associated with free market economics. It was the antithesis of Communism, and at the time of the fall of the Iron Curtain she was leaving office, but the freedom and vision of competition she preached was seized upon by the peoples of Eastern Europe to overthrow their restrictive regimes.
Now the connection to Meryl Streep. Meryl was born on 22nd June 1949 in Summit, New Jersey in the US at 08.05am. She is A Sun sign Cancerian with a Taurean Moon and a Leo Ascendant. Meryl’s Jupiter sits exactly, just one minute of a 60th of a degree, on Margaret’s South Node. This is a potent connection showing that international success and maybe a defining role for Meryl would be linked the Baroness Thatcher. Thatcher’s Sun also sits directly opposite Meryl’s North Node and Midheaven midpoint, another link between the Iron Lady’s personality and Meryl’s public career.
Interestingly too, that peregrine Uranus is echoed in Meryl’s chart as she has a tight Sun Uranus conjunction; both women identify with independence and freedom. As well as this Meryl’s Saturn is conjunct to Margaret’s Midheaven and Moon sitting at their midpoint. The emotion and public face of the former Prime Minister would be understood and portrayed in Meryl’s work. For timing purposes, Meryl’s progressed Moon is now at 28 Leo, exactly conjunct Margaret’s natal Moon at yes, you guessed it, 28 Leo. Amazing coincidence, or written in the stars that these two women would be indelibly linked? You decide…
Monday, December 26, 2011
After the reasonably positive start to the year, February picks up the pace with Venus playing a leading role and Neptune finally switching signs too. Read on to discover what may happen in February 2012.
February
1st Feb Venus opposite Mars
3rd Feb Neptune enters Pisces until 2024
7th Feb Full Moon at 18:31 Leo
8th Feb Saturn goes Retrograde 29:30 Libra
8th Feb Venus enters Aries
10th Feb Venus conjunct Uranus
15th Feb Venus square Pluto
20th Feb Mars quindecile Uranus - 2nd Hit (First Hit 17/12/11)
21st Feb New Moon at 2:36 Pisces – part of stressful pointer including Mars & Uranus. Mars quindecile New Moon / Sat trine New Moon
27th Feb Mars quindecile Neptune – 2nd Hit (First Hit 10/12/11)
The big news in February is that Neptune finally enters Pisces for a long stay in the sign of the Fish. The last time Neptune was here (1847-61) oil was discovered, the first photographs were made, there was a rise in spirituality, impressionist painters like Van Gogh, Renoir, Gauguin and Monet were at the peak of their powers and revolution spread through Europe, just like is happening in the Middle East this time around. On a personal note, I am hoping that with Uranus in Aries and Neptune in Pisces, astrology will at last come to the party and be taken far more seriously again. I would expect medical advances to be made and creativity of all sorts will flourish. Saturn moves into retrograde motion again in February, so this will be time to take stock and refine those ideas and plans you would have started in January. Venus is active this month as it opposes Mars early on – watch out for conflicts and disagreements in relationships. This opposition hits Barack Obama’s natal Mars in his 7th house and across his 1st/7th axis so he is likely to be in a feisty and unpredictable mood with other people including his wife!! Obama’s colleague Hilary Clinton the Secretary of State, has the same opposition affect her natal Moon in 4th affecting her 4th/10th axis house so while at home all may be sweetness and light, at work emotional clashes with her boss could ensue, especially as transiting Mars squares her natal Uranus. Venus then moves into Aries and almost immediately connects with Uranus and Pluto. Normally you would expect passion to fly as Venus is affected by the sheer energy of Aries, but the effect of Uranus brings shocks and unpredictability and Pluto brings passion, control and change. This all just so aptly happens around Valentine’s day.
On 21st February, we have a very potent new Moon. It is part of a very stressful pointer with the New Moon semi-sextile to Uranus and both almost exactly quindecile to Mars. Mars quindecile Uranus is potentially destructive and very accident prone, and I would not be surprised to see some sort of disaster catching the headlines. The first hit on 17th Dec saw a devastating tropical storm hitting the Philippines, expect another event of the same type. Mars also goes on to make a second quindecile contact to Neptune on 27th February. The first meeting of these two planets on 10th December saw the start of protests in Russia in Moscow after the “rigged” elections. there is likely to be a reaction or continuation of this situation now. Neptune quindecile Mars clouds the issues and rules collective or society (Neptune) action (Mars). Possibly this time there will be a backlash by the authorities? Mars will be squaring the Russian Mars and Neptune will be exactly opposing the Russian Moon representing the people (using the 25/12/91 @ 19.19 Russian chart). I think some of disruption again in Moscow is not out of the question as transiting Uranus will be almost square to the Russian natal Sun. If, so then rebellion, freedom and transparency of rule will be called for by the ordinary man in the street to the people in power. Whether it will make any difference is another point entirely, as transiting Pluto will be approaching a connection with the Russian North Node in authoritarian Capricorn, possibly tightening the grip of those in power over those who have little say, and bringing underground, secret controls affecting a population who knew them two decades before.
Full Moon bring a sense of completion to a situation or bring some sort of finality. Those who may be affected by the full Moon are anyone who was born late 1951 or into 1952 as the full Moon will connect with their natal Pluto. Look to where Pluto is in your chart if you are in this age range and expect transformation and change in this area of your life. In my database there are several people who may be affected by this. Abdelbaset Ali Al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber who has been fighting cancer may find this Full Moon difficult to get through as the hit on Pluto affects many areas of his chart as well. Pierce Brosnan, the former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, actor Geoff Bridges, football manager Arsene Wenger and disgraced Peer Lord Conrad Black may all see changes in their lives as their natal Pluto receives this full Moon. Katie Price aka Jordan has the full Moon connecting with her 7th house Mars. Will she finally sever her connection with Peter Andre for the sake of their son Harvey, with whom she met up with just before Xmas 2011. He is unaffected by the full Moon but he does have transiting Uranus and Venus opposite natal Pluto and more than likely square his natal Moon around that time which is difficult for relationships. Lindsay Lohan has the full Moon oppose her Midheaven, conjunct her Venus and square her natal Taurean Moon, so for sure she will be in the news on the relationship front too.
All New Moons urge you to go ahead and start new things and awaken ideas and plans that you have had in the pipeline. The New Moon on the 21st should bring good fortune to actress Demi Moore and presenter Jay Leno as they both receive a lovely hit on their natal Jupiter. Kelsey Grammar has the full Moon connect with his natal Sun, so new work or opportunities may come his way and the new Moon hits South Africa’s chart for the second month in a row, this time conjunct to the natal Moon, affecting in the process the people. I just wonder. The South Node is approaching a connection with the South African Sun and Midheaven in mid February and at the same time the transiting North Node will be exactly quindecile to Pluto in the South African 10th house. Might a figure of great importance in South Africa pass away? The preceding Full Moon on 7th February is close to a square to Nelson Mandela’s natal Moon (making a quindecile to the South African natal Moon too) and is just 3 degrees away from a conjunction to his natal Saturn. One last thing to consider. The solar eclipse of 25th November has it’s natal Saturn just 0.03 degrees away from an exact square to Nelson Mandela’s natal Sun, and the eclipse degree itself was 0.05 degrees away from a square to the natal Moon, once again highlighted through this new Moon on 21st February. One to keep your eyes on.
The rest of the year
What a year 2011 was!! A year of revolution, natural disasters, scandal, we endured a financial crisis and we lost a plethora of amazing people, including Vaclav Havel, Amy Winehouse, Elizabeth Taylor, Joe Frasier, Steve Jobs, Colonel Gaddafi, Osama Bin Laden and Jane Russell amongst the most notable. In an astrological sense, as Uranus was about to enter Aries accompanied by a Jupiter Saturn opposition, the Arab spring came with it followed by the Japan Tsunami. We came close an exact square between Uranus and Pluto as part of a Cardinal Cross eclipse in the summer of 2011 and look at the havoc it caused with riots in the UK, financial blockages in the US and the Norwegian Terror attack. As the square tightened again in the Autumn, the protest season began across the world with Occupy Wall Street and similar stands being taken against those in business and in Government who the protesters saw to be at fault. Finally as the year ended as Saturn closed into a near opposition to Jupiter for the last time in this cycle, North Korea was plunged into crisis as Kim Jong Il passed away leaving the country in the hands of his young inexperienced son Kim Jong Un, and there were even protests across Russia, as Vladimir Putin’s party were seen as having rigged elections.
So what will 2012 hold for us?? A thankless task awaits the Astrologer as there are so many permeations to look at, however I will try my best. In this astrological look towards 2012, I will look at the main themes, and focus in on who may be affected, starting off quite naturally with Capricorn’s month, January.
January
9th Jan Full Moon at 18:25 Cancer
13th Jan Venus conjunct Neptune
14th Jan Venus enters Pisces
23rd Jan New Moon at 2:41 Aquarius – Square to Saturn/Jupiter opposition
25th Jan Mars goes Retrograde in Virgo
Through the first couple of weeks in January, the only aspects in operation from the outer planets are ones that were already in force from December. We have an almost exact Jupiter Saturn opposition early on. From Christmas day 2011 Jupiter was the last of the planets to turn direct from retrograde motion. It is very rare indeed to have all the planets moving direct, so the world can make some real progress at last. This will be an ideal time to build up plans and to move forward with ideas – this is after all the natural inclination of the ambitious Capricorn Sun. Cautious expansion should be the watchword now, echoed by the slow but steady nature of Jupiter moving finally forward in Taurus. Hopefully leaders around the world will grab that chance. On a personal sense, if you have any things or ideas you want to start, then between Xmas 2011 and the 24th Jan is the time to do it. On 24th Mars moves retrograde in Virgo and will stay there in the sign of the Virgin until early August. Mars here is in a service orientated mood, and it is interesting that the workers in industries like health and public services (all Virgo ruled) who have been ultra critical and have taking up arms in protest since Mars moved into Virgo in early November 2011. This time is also important for any one of the mid 60’s generation who have both Uranus and Pluto in conjunction in their natal chart. Mars will be urging them to act, and to try to force change and transformation and in the process cleaning up any deadwood that remains in their lives. One last note here. Mars in medical Virgo is a great time to improve your physical shape, and get any potential ailments checked out. Time then during the next 6 months to go on a fitness regime.
In Syria, which has been in the news recently, transiting Mars hits the Syrian Sun and North Node (and opposes Assad’s Moon) before stationing before turning retrograde and passing over once again at the end of the month. It is sure to be a bloody January and with Mars’ sign Aries on the Midheaven, one cannot be sure if the leaders forces will be used to crush the rebellion (Uranus is sitting in conjunction to that Midheaven) or whether the protesters will force the issue on President Assad himself. All indications are saying to me that with Uranus entering the 10th house but still hanging around the Midheaven through Springtime, the uncertainty of who is actually in charge will continue for some time to come.
The new year is of course election year in America and the first one is the Iowa Caucus on 3rd January. This first test often brings clues to who may do well in future months in the race to represent the Republican Party in the November Presidential election. On looking at the 6 main candidates, Romney, Gingrich, Paul, Bachmann, Santorum and Perry, I think Ron Paul will have a good day on 3rd January. He is receiving a quindecile between transiting Jupiter and his natal Jupiter and for a short while luck is with him. Gingrich will hold his own as his natal Jupiter receives squares from both transiting Saturn and Jupiter but his progress may be stalled a bit as transiting Mars is square his natal Saturn. Romney has a fortunate transiting Uranus trine to both Jupiter and Saturn which is progressive. Transiting Jupiter squares his Saturn, so cautious slow but steady progress. He will be in bullish mood with transiting Mars opposite his Sun and quindecile his natal Mars. Santorum has been near the bottom of the pile popularity wise for much of the campaign so far, but he might just get a brief boost around the time of the Iowa caucus as transiting Saturn will be in close contact to Rick’s North Node. Traditionally, one gets a bit of a reward around this time. Michele Bachmann has Mercury trine to Jupiter and Pluto so she will talk a good game, and with transiting Jupiter opposite Neptune and square to Uranus, this may just keep her afloat despite a rather depressing transiting Saturn which sits on her Neptune. Finally, Rick Perry. I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes. He has the transiting Nodes square to his Saturn/Moon opposition to his Sun. A turning point in his fortunes. Transiting Pluto is square to his Nodal axis as well as to Mars connected with his South Node which does suggest a transformation or change and transiting Uranus is quindecile to both his natal Saturn and Neptune and square to his natal Uranus. Transiting Venus which rules his chart is trine to Neptune and opposite to natal Pluto, again highlighting me sort of change and bringing him a rather confused and false sense of optimism. That confusion is compounded by transiting Neptune trine to Uranus which rules his Midheaven. It suggests his ambitions dissolving before his eyes and his hopes of becoming President in 2012 receding fast.
The month’s full Moon is in Cancer. We have gentle energy mid-month with a Venus Pisces conjunction preceding Venus entering Pisces, leading the way for Neptune in the next month. The focus here is based upon relating with, and serving other people as well as making the most of your creative talents. On 23rd Jan, with the Aquarian new Moon, might this encourage some people around the world to take up the struggle of trying to gain independence (Aquarius) and liberty (Jupiter) at the expense of those in rulership (Saturn)?
Full Moon bring a sense of completion to a situation or bring some sort of finality. Those who may be affected by the full Moon are Rupert Murdoch who has it hit on his natal Pluto in his 7th house of relationships and open enemies and Clint Eastwood who also has a direct hit on his natal Pluto in his 8th house, activating a rather nasty Saturn Uranus Pluto T-square. That doesn’t sound too pleasant. South Africa also has a close hit of the full Moon too, impacting it’s Mars/Neptune conjunction which opposes Uranus. Watch out for some sparks to fly there. Jessica Simpson has the Full Moon connect her Sun/Mercury conjunction in her 12th house and the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has a hit on his natal Uranus, the same connection as will be felt by General David Patraeus who’s Uranus/Mars Saturn t-square will be shaken.
All New Moons urge you to go ahead and start new things and awaken ideas and plans that you have had in the pipeline.The New Moon on the 23rd is a strong one being at the point of a Jupiter/Saturn t-square. Those who may be starting new projects or looking to further their ambition include interestingly the England soccer coach Fabio Capello, who has a hit on his natal Moon opposing his Venus/Pluto conjunction. Straining and changing relationships perhaps? Gary Oldman and Michelle Obama both have hits on their Mars, so this should be invigorating for them both. Graham Gooch the former test cricketer has a hit on his North Node, so fortune and possibly surprise developments for him I suspect, and Thailand’s Saturn is hit in the 12th house. Will new regulations be introduced in that country by the back door?
The rest of the year
The Astrology of February 2012
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Can I take the opportunity of wishing all my loyal readers a very Merry Christmas. Joy should be in the air as we have a lovely trine between the Sun and Jupiter which turns direct on the 25th December. With the Moon also moving into Capricorn on 25th December, here is a time to build ambition and make plans to move forward. Moving forward should be motto for everyone through until 24th January, as for the first time in as long as I can remember we will have every planet in direct motion. Take advantage of this window of opportunity to further your own lives, as it will not last for long.
Enjoy the festive spirit and keep your eyes open for my view of the planets and their movements for 2012 which will be posted up soon.
Best wishes,
Paul
It is rare that a young player in the NFL captures the headlines to the extent that Tim Tebow has in his first full season in the American National Football League (technically this is his 2nd season as he was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2010 but used sparingly). The NFL is a school of hard knocks and reputations are won almost exclusively on merit and harder to keep. However Broncos quarterback Tebow has done that and more in 2011. Not only has propelled his team to the edge of the playoffs but his brinkmanship and ability to grab victory from the jaws of defeat in the final minutes of games has captured the attention of America. Tim’s story is also remarkable because he was lucky to be born at all, and his open show of his personal faith has divided opinion, more so than probably any other sportsman in the public eye at the moment.
Tim was born in Makati City in the Philippines on 14th August 1987. Unfortunately I have no birth-time for him and if anyone reading this article does know it, I would be delighted to receive the information. The story of his birth does reflect this ability to overcome all odds that he has shown on the field of play. Before she knew she was carrying a baby, Tim’s mother Pamela became ill after drinking contaminated water, and went into a coma. The resulting drugs she was administered could have severely damaged the baby, and after she recovered doctors advised her to abort as they feared the consequences. Later during pregnancy, Tim’s mother was told that her placenta had detached itself from the uterine wall, otherwise known as placental abruption. This could severely affect the foetus insider her as it would be deprived of oxygen and the nutrients it needed to develop. Despite the considerable risks, Pamela went through with the birth, and a baby boy was born.
By any stretch of the imagination, it is remarkable that Tim arrived onto the earth in the first place and his chart shows some incredible fighting spirit. He is a Sun sign Leo with his Moon more than likely in athletic Aries. If he was born after 21.35 then he would have a Taurean Moon, however my guess is that is Moon is in Aries. Those with Taurean Moons are calm and collected, and are rarely prone to making emotional displays. As he is known for the visual displays of emotion especially in relation to his faith, my feeling and instinct is that his birth time was before 21.35.
The amazing thing about this chart is firstly that at least 7 and more probably 8 of the 10 planets are in fire signs. Such an imbalance in the elements of the chart is very rare, and leads to some really interesting characteristics in the personality. Obviously with so much fire, Tim will be a hugely positive person. There is a raging inferno inside him and anything he sets his mind to he will strive to do to the utmost. The combination of Leo Sun and an Aries Moon is absolutely the sign of a top sportsman. With this combination, will to win is second to none, and the Leo desire to be king pushes him to the top. The Sun is joined by Mars Venus and Mercury in Leo. Here is a man in a hurry, someone who will wait for no-one. In this combination there is huge pride and passion for all that he does, no little artistry and grace and the influence of Mercury in the sign of the king means he will be outspoken and rather high and mighty in the way he communicates. There is so much self-belief about this quartet of planets. This stellium is part of a grand fire trine. The other corners show a conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Aries and Uranus which is widely conjunct to Saturn in faith based Sagittarius, although Saturn is not fully integrated into the grand trine. Quite frankly, this is one of the most positive charts I have seen in a fair while. The Moon and Jupiter is a very forgiving combination, willing to those who make mistakes a second chance, especially friends. Jupiter through the grand trine fortifies the conjunction of Mercury Sun and Venus bringing great optimism and the very strong identification with an ideal. Now this idealism is one of the main features of Tim’s chart. This ideal can take many forms. In his given sport, the ideal can be the Superbowl ring that he is chasing this season. The ideal can be to work and work to get himself into top shape physically. The ideal can be faith based too. Looking to the third corner of the fire trine, we see the influence of belief in his life. Saturn in Sagittarius takes his studies and his faith incredibly seriously, and the influence of Uranus shows an progressive attitude. Here is someone who wants to push back the boundaries, to challenge the establishment view of Christianity. In faith, his ideal is his adherence to God and to be the best he can be, and at the same time breathing new life into the Church itself. Uranus trine to the four Leo planets and the Jupiter Moon conjunction brings a spark of genius to his creative and athletic ability, and a propensity to be a risk taker and to be lucky when he does chance his arm. Tim is willing to risk everything in the chase for success.
Now I want to examine a couple more thing on this chart. Firstly, as I mentioned earlier on with all this fire comes a lack of the other elements on the chart. No signs in air and just one each in earth and water. How will he handle this imbalance? A lack of water shows that Tim is not an emotional being. Just as low emotional levels can reduce the likelihood of deep and meaningful friendships and relationships, one can get over disappointments far quicker because the do not play on the mind. Maybe this is why Tim has lead the Broncos back from the dead so many times. Just because failure does not affect him, and that positivity to win always comes shining through. This deficiency in water does also sometimes encourage one to find and seek out the emotion and spiritual feelings you require as part of a greater movement, to join with other like minded people in following a cause. In his case, his belief structure is filling this hole in his personality. Tim has been synonymous in kneeling down in prayer during games, a practice which has been nicknamed “Tebowing”.
A lack of earth brings with it a lack of practicality. Coping with the mundane and routine side of life may be difficult for him. People with an earth absence can get overly critical and perfectionist when others cannot reach the standards they want and they tend to over plan and over organise, getting bogged down in the details when something is not going quite right. They tend not to be materialistic, and making money and building up possessions will be of little importance to them.
The complete absence of Air shows that simple learning does not hold interest for Tim unless there is a creative or tangible result of what he is studying. He will lack planning skills planner, and will tends to waste a lot of energy in trying to sort out how he is going to do something. Much better for him is to react to the situation and let his natural ability take over. In those crucial moments in games, when he is being pursued by huge opposition players, here is when he shines .One fault he may have will be to try to please everyone, to over ally himself with people or friends. This overarching attempt to make an impression makes him in general scheme of things stand out from the crowd.
Put all this together and you can see how during a game he can get over technical, over perfectionist and in a hole, yet he has the skill, the fire and the passion to take the risks to bounce back just when his team is down. This man scrambles his way through life, backed up by his faith in his own ability, his spiritual beliefs and the fire in his belly to be better than the rest. It is an oh so powerful cocktail that the American public has latched onto.
Saturn is retrograde on this chart, so we know that Tim’s relationship with his father was lacking in love. Because he (and his wife) were Christian missionaries, it is likely that Tim did not see much of his father as he was growing up. The grand fire trine provides a store of energy, a barrier if you will against the more difficult aspects of life, but you can get rather caught up in the trine and never exploit the talents that lie within unless there is an outlet from it. Here we do have an outlet though Jupiter’s opposition to Pluto in Scorpio. Jupiter opposite Pluto promises great things and financial success, and gives one a global vision to change perceptions. Pluto in Scorpio also is a very physical aspect and in the rough tough world of American Football he has found a channel for all that stored up fire. This opposition forms a wedge formation with Neptune the planet of spirituality, and I very much suspect that one his football career ends, Tim will go one of two way, or maybe both. Firstly into TV and creative pursuits, broadcasting of some sort. Secondly, in following his parents footsteps in spreading the word of the gospel on a wider global stage. There is one more hint that this second option may be Tim’s destiny. Hidden away on the chart, Neptune lies square to the nodal axis. This is the maternal axis, and it is really interesting to note that Tim’s beliefs came in the main from his mother’s teaching. She taught him at home rather than sending him to a state school, and imprinted her spiritual (Neptune) ideas on him. You can see the connection. Neptune sits in Capricorn so his Christian faith is something he takes very seriously. Tim will use religion as a driving force in his professional life and personal life. There are two edges to this sword. On the positive, he will gain great satisfaction and strength from his belief in God, however the South Node connection will always attract detractors and those he is jumping on the band wagon to gain notoriety.
As a final note I looked at his natal chart against that of the US chart. Tim’s Uranus opposes the US Mars and and squares to the US Neptune. Here is the intrinsic link between sport (Mars) and spirituality (Neptune), and the fact that it is Uranus connecting here brings a controversial and electric quality. Safe to say he captures the nation’s attention. Tim’s Mars opposes the US Moon, so the public will be aware and appreciative of his athletic and sporting ability, and the US Jupiter and Venus oppose his Neptune and square his Nodal axis. His beliefs and abilities will bring him fame and fortune. Right now he flavour of the month and long term is the real deal alright, have no doubt about it. With him now experiencing a Jupiter return which brings luck and fortune and lights up his grand fire trine, he should get the Broncos into the playoffs. From then on as transiting Jupiter in mid January starts to move out of range of his natal position, he’s going to have to rely on his talent to get his team much further this season. A bright future however awaits him on the national stage in future years too.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Prince Philip was this evening flown to Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire where he underwent a medical procedure to avert a heart attack after he suffered chest pains during the traditional Christmas Royal family gathering at Sandringham. The 90 year old Duke according to reports had a artery blockage cleared and should make a recovery in the next few days. Looking at the Astrology of the situation, it is easy to see how this came about, however the wider picture shows that the Duke’s role and life in general will change very soon.
Prince Philip was born on the island of Corfu in Greece on 10th June 1921 at 21.46 hrs. He is a chatty Sun sign Gemini with a proud royal Leo Moon and seriously minded Capricorn Ascendant. It is very noticeable that most of his planet lie on the Western hemisphere of the chart, so he thinks of others far more than he thinks of himself. For someone who has had a public role such as his, this orientation I think is why his marriage to Queen Elizabeth has been so successful for so many years. The Leo Moon can be a bit pompous, and the Duke has been known to be rather outspoken and more than a bit blunt shown graphically by his Mercury conjunct Pluto trine to Uranus opposite his Ascendant, however his selflessness far outweighs the odd misplaced comment, Geminis can rarely if ever keep their thoughts close to their chest. After all, their instinct in life is to communicate. With Sun Mars and Pluto in the 6th house of everyday work, the prince has fantastic stamina and he still conducted 400 official engagements in the pat year despite celebrating his 90th birthday. He is very dutiful and hard working with a Sun Saturn square. This is a rather humble aspect especially with Saturn in Virgo, and despite his elevated position I think deep inside he does sometimes feel somewhat inadequate and full of self-doubt. This inhibition would have stemmed in the main from a very strict father and upbringing shown by the square. The Capricorn Ascendant rather echoes this. Sometimes those with Capricorn rising can feel incredible confidence, yet at other times they can feel so inhibited that they fear even going out to face people and situations head on. Saturn in Virgo guarantees that he will be a stickler for order and detail, even obsessively so.
The Ascendant forms the driving force for a wonderfully positive kite formation based around the Ascendant/Pluto opposition on his chart, connected to a Jupiter trine to Venus. This is a man who loves luxury and a loving home. Venus is in Taurus which is very steadfast and loyal in love and Jupiter is in Virgo too, showing that this is a man who can see the bigger picture as well the details within. Being second fiddle to the Queen is not a problem to the Duke, who with this Jupiter has a modest demeanour and is rarely looking to be centre-stage.
There is a second kite formation on his chart based around a lucky Jupiter/Uranus opposition, again completed by aspects to the Ascendant and Venus. This is a wonderful combination, open, free, fun and always willing to take a risk or too. It is also very loving and shows somebody who will keep one’s partner on their toes. Neptune sits in the 7th house square to Venus. Philip would have dreamed as a young man that he would be looking for his Princess, his perfect woman. In Princess Elizabeth as she then was, he found her.
Moving on to today and the current transits, Philip’s heart scare is shown by transiting Mars exactly conjunct to his natal Saturn and square to the Sun, activating his Saturn Sun square. The Sun rules the heart in medical astrology and sits in Philip’s 6th house of personal health and the quick trip from Sandringham to Papworth was shown by Aries (Mars’ sign) being intercepted in the 3rd house of short journeys and transport. Capricorn (Saturn’s sign) sits on the Ascendant so this situation affected his body and person and the danger to his life was shown by the Mars Saturn conjunction in 8th house of transformation & death. The fact that the duke survived and was in the right place at the right time I think was helped by the fact that the transiting Nodes are currently square to lucky Jupiter in medical Virgo and that transiting Jupiter is currently opposite his Midheaven.
Early next year however, transiting Pluto will hit the Duke’s ascendant which will herald a change in his life. It is currently just under a degree from being opposite his natal Pluto, which will herald a slowdown for him and the conjunction to the Ascendant will I believe mean that he will scale down enormously his public engagements. This heart condition should be a shot across the bows for the Duke, especially as Pluto does sit in the 6th house of health. If he does not heed the warning now, he will pay again a higher price when the Ascendant connection is made. Transiting Saturn also sounds a warning as it is circling around his North Node and close to his Midheaven. Normally this would be a time of very hard work and rewards, but considering this health scare and the fact that Saturn is linked to his physical being through the Ascendant sign, he should be very careful of pushing himself.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
This is a very, very emotional piece for me to write, as I count him as the most influential and greatest man (so far) that I have encountered in my life. I was living in the magical city of Prague at the time, and on 17th Nov 91, a freezing cold evening I remember, my girlfriend at the time spotted a small crowd of people walking up Wenceslas Square. Being inquisitive, we wandered over to see what was going on. It was Vaclav Havel and a few colleagues making their way to the top of the square. Of course this day was the 2nd anniversary of the start of the Velvet Revolution, and Havel was there to pay his respects. There was virtually no security, no announcement that he would make such a gesture and no fanfare. Here was the President of Czechoslovakia walking down the street like a normal citizen, with a wreath of flowers to lay at the statue, St Wenceslas on the square where the revolution had taken hold two years earlier. The act of remembrance, and the manner in the way he did it was typical of the man. After he laid down the flowers, my Czech girlfriend and I moved to the front of the throng of people and shook his hand. We said simply thank you, Mr President “děkuju Vám, pane Prezidente” and then he departed.
Vaclav Havel was born on 5th Oct 1936 in Prague at 15.00hrs. He was a Sun sign Libran, with an inquisitive Gemini Moon and an early Aquarian ascendant. The Gemini Moon needs to communicate, to diversify and often has several projects on the go at the same time. Gemini Moons do lack emotion but see things in a rational logical manner. Combined with the social energy of the Libran Sun, here is a sociable, articulate man who needed to be heard and preferred an audience to hear his ideas. Libra can be quite a romantic sign as it is associated with Venus, and will always like to settle any arguments in a civil and peaceful way. Looking at the ascendant sign Aquarius, there was a revolutionary yet gentle quality to Vaclav Havel. Aquarius needs change, but the Libran and Gemini energy here urged change through communication and peaceful methods. The seeds of the Velvet Revolution were inbuilt in the three main planks of his natal chart.
The chart has a mutable grand cross at it’s heart, connecting Saturn in the 1st house to the Moon in the 4th, Neptune in the 7th and Jupiter in the 10th. Think of this cross as one structure. Here we see a grand vision and dream (Neptune) or plan for freedom of expression (Jupiter in expansive Sagittarius opposite Moon in Gemini) for the administration and government (Saturn) of the people in their homeland (Moon in 4th house) through one’s creative work (Saturn in Pisces), communication and information (Gemini Moon), in a strangely spiritual and idealistic way through group participation (Neptune) and using wisdom and education (Jupiter). Put it another way, Havel always had a powerful ideal (Jupiter/Neptune) for the government of the people (Saturn/Moon). To achieve his social revolution Uranus opposite Venus, he had to be openly and forcefully critical (Mars in Virgo) but he was imprisoned (Pluto opposite Ascendant) before he reached a position of power and influence (Pluto trine Midheaven). It is all there if you look.
Of course Havel was ostensibly a writer, shown vividly by the quindecile between his Libran Mercury and his Saturn in Pisces and the sextile between Mercury and his Midheaven. His creativity was a serious one with social overtones, plays about the common man (Mercury sextile Pluto in the 6th) and his struggles in everyday life. That open criticism of his enemies (Mars in Virgo in 7th house) appeared in his work and in his rise to prominence after the Prague Spring of 1968 culminating in his publication of Charter 77, a human rights publication that he co-authored; an open and defiant act of criticism which the ruling Communist regime took great exception to. Through Mars’ position you can see his public struggles against the police and those openly opposed to his views. This he did in a humble and polite manner. Mars in Virgo may raise it’s voice, but rarely resorts to violence and aggression. His Sun sat hidden away in the 8th house in Libra. Here was a quiet fascination with a deep interest with social power with distinct accent on fairness, the rule of law and equality. The Sun in the 8th will not stop until one’s aims in life are achieved, and his determination to continue to fight the unfairness he saw in his society, sustained him through his imprisonment. Pluto in the 6th house shows a man who would compulsively work, and also showed a flaw in his health. It is ironic that during his imprisonment, he contracted pneumonia which affected his health from then on. Pluto rules death and found of course in that 6th house of personal health, his health went slowly downhill from that point.
With the Moon in the 4th house, Vaclav would have had a deep bond with his culture and homeland, the Czech people and nation, and through a quindecile between the Moon and Midheaven, one can see a focused link between this love and his public role. Wether he wished it or not, Havel became the focus of the movement for change in his country. He was a seriously minded man, quite shy and reserved with Saturn in the 1st house with a quirky manner and I think an impish sense of humour with Uranus in the communicative 3rd. With a trine between Mars and Uranus, he was an adventurer and willing to take risks with affairs of the heart. The connecting wedge formation between Uranus, Mars and Venus shows a romantic and impulsive man who could fall in love at the drop of a hat, but all too often that excitement would soon fizzle out leading to emotional and disruptive break-ups. With Neptune in the 7th house too, Vaclav was a romantic wanderer, forever searching out that perfect love.
We find Jupiter in the 10th house of worldly progress. This is a kingly position, one where your wisdom and vision can touch the lives of many people. This he achieved on 17th November 1991 as the Czech people under Havel’s vision swept away years of restrictive communist rule. He brought with him freedom and a wisdom which was recognised the world over, even after he left mainstream politics in 2004.
I personally hold him up there with the greatest people of our generation. With Martin Luther King, with Nelson Mandela, with Aung San Suu Kyi. Maybe his humility and quiet nature did not bring him the worldwide acclaim that his achievements in helping to tear down the Iron Curtain fully deserved. He was a reluctant, peaceful revolutionary. His motto was “Truth and love must prevail over lies and hate”. He was so so right. He wandered, he wrote, he loved, he changed and he achieved. I felt that I had a personal connection with the way he lived his life. Not only did I meet him, but my girlfriend worked in the Divadlo ABC (ABC comedy theatre) in Prague behind the scenes, just as he did years earlier. I had many lovely times in the theatre mixing with the actors, many of whom were contemporaries of his. Had he not done what he had done and taken the risks he did, my life in Prague (times I treasure) would never have happened. He is a true hero of mine, and always will be.
All my love and condolences to his family and to the wonderful Czech and Slovak people. You have lost a great man.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Looking at the race for the US Presidency from the other side of the pond, I think you get to look at the potential candidates with very much an even handed way. For one thing, I have no preference who eventually runs the most powerful country on planet earth. I have no “party bias”, indeed I think it should be down to who is the best man or woman for the job. There are caveats in my opinions though. When somebody runs for office who as part of a Republican lead House of Representatives years earlier shuts down Government and then tries unsuccessfully to remove a serving President from office (through him having an alleged affair) when his own marital record is none too successful, it does rather smack of hypocrisy, doesn’t it? I don’t know about your views, however that type of action in a potential President doesn’t hold quite right with me. The fact that Newt Gingrich now leads the GOP race to be the official challenger to Barack Obama does indeed surprise me. On looking at the astrology, Newt Gingrich is being favoured by the stars right now, but trap doors lay in his path to glory.
Newt Gingrich was born on 17th June 1943 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in the US. Louise Rodden gives an unconfirmed birth time of 11.45pm, rated by her DD so one should take the following analysis with a little care in it being a totally accurate portrayal of Newt. He is without doubt a sharp talking Gemini, with a philosophical Sagittarian Moon and an independently minded Aquarian ascendant. He is someone who is full of enthusiasm with 4 planets in air and 4 in fire signs and with 6 planets in mutual sign; this is a man who is very adaptable and probably hard to pin down. This view of mine is furthered by a t-square on his chart including Neptune squaring a Sun Moon opposition. Slippery he may be but he is also a man who came out of a broken family, his parents (who were just 16 & 19 years of age) separating when Newt was just 3 years of age. With Neptune involved in the t-square and affecting both Sun & Moon I would imagine alcohol abuse may have been a likely cause of the parental split (although at this point I must note that I have no proof of this). A close bond would have existed between Newt and his biological mother, who later met up with Newt’s step father Robert Gingrich. This is shown by the Nodal Axis in conjunction with his Aquarian ascendant.
Being born under a new Moon, Newt’s need to be individualistic shown by the Sun (especially strong with an Aquarian Ascendant) runs at cross purposes with his emotional needs shown by the Moon. The fact that Neptune affects this opposition out of the 7th house of relationships shows that he will suffer in his search for partnership and emotional attachment. He has had two failed marriages already and now finally seems settled with Callista Bisek, his third wife. With the Sun in the 4th house conjunct to Saturn, Newt is an intensely private and sensitive man at home, and I suspect all the speculation over his private life in the past would have upset him enormously.
The Sun Moon combination shows that Newt through his Sagittarian Moon needs to have his opinions respected and he does this through his Gemini Sun in communication and debate. There is a lot of emphasis on Gemini on this chart. Not only do we find Sun and Saturn in Gemini, but also Mercury tightly conjunct to Uranus in Gemini in the 3rd house, a double dose of intense communicative ability. Have no doubt about it, Newt will have a very clever mind with a sharp acerbic way of speaking, and he will in debate be able to slice those slower and less intelligent than himself to ribbons. Mercury in the 3rd house is trine to Neptune again indicating a versatile and rather inventive mind, and is sextile to Pluto which shows great power of conviction and an ability of getting under the skin of any situation. Together with Uranus they make a mini grand trine formation. You know, this combination of planets and their placement with Neptune in the 7th providing a slippery evasive tone and Pluto in the 6th showing a need to work ever so hard very much remind me very much of the classic door to door salesman who will turn up at your house and by the time he is finished, you end up having purchased a vacuum cleaner that works for all of a couple of weeks before it breaks down. You know what I mean? The Moon in the 10th shows that Newt is someone who does understand what the public wants yet needs to run his own agenda no matter what. Again I feel a conflict here, being able to communicate one thing while below the surface having differing needs. Uranus and Mercury in Gemini show a love of technology and an interest in the universe and space related things, a passion Newt has shown since his early years.
There is a second grouping of planets on his chart which needs consideration, those in the sixth house. Here we find Venus Pluto and Jupiter all in conjunction. Here is someone who cares deeply about health issues and this would be one focus area of policy that Newt would be passionate about. These planets also imply a willingness to get down and get one’s hands dirty. Jupiter in the 6th doesn’t mind doing the menial and repetitive tasks in life if it means the job gets done. Pluto here shows someone who can be difficult to work alongside. Along with the 10th house Moon, Newt will hate being subordinate to anyone and will use pretty much any tactics he feels are reasonable to get to the very top. Both Pluto and Venus trine to the Midheaven, so this is someone who would smile in your face and stab you in the back to get your position of power for himself. Such is the way in politics and Newt did get to become House Speaker, second only to the President in prestige in the US. Now he wants the top job. One final point. Venus and Jupiter in the 6th shows a real love for all living creatures, and it was not surprising to find in researching this article that Newt does have a love of animals and has expressed a desire to start his own zoo.
Finally I look at Mars in Aries in the 2nd house. This shows a very entrepreneurial spirit and a savvy go-ahead even reckless personal attitude to money making, although this is tempered by Mars’ sextile to steady Saturn. He will be serious about money controls (taxes) as well as being very pro-active when it comes to military action. This is something I would fear if Newt did ever become commander in chief. He would make George W Bush’s attitude to going ahead with military action look defensive. Mars in Aries goes in to battle often without thinking of the consequences.
So why has Newt rocketed to the top of the GOP standings in the past month? Looking at the transits, he has had transiting Saturn trine to his Sun boosting his personal position, transiting Uranus trine to Jupiter which gets all the luck going, and transiting Jupiter square to it’s own position (Jupiter rules his Midheaven and 11th houses) which I think translates as Newt being able to adapt his views to the prevailing situation just as the other candidates were to have their own problems. This Jupiter square has allowed him to look good just when he needed it. I take great notice of the the transiting nodes and it is interesting to note that back in early November when the transiting South Node was over Newt’s Saturn (which is depressing), he was near the bottom of the pile tracking at about only 9% of Republican voter’s support. Since the Node moved away from exactitude, the effect of transiting Saturn, Uranus and Jupiter moved him up to the top. So what lies ahead? Newt I think will have a good run until Spring however around April, the problems may just appear. Transiting Neptune will start to square his Mercury/Uranus conjunction. Neptune is important as Pisces, Neptune’s sign lies intercepted in Newt’s first house. It’s movement’s affect him personally and of course his Ascendant is ruled by Uranus which does affect him in a similar manner. Also in early May, we find transiting Mars squaring to his Mercury/Uranus conjunction as well as his Midheaven before going on quickly to square his natal Saturn. While all this is happening the transiting South Node will contact his natal Uranus. This is a time of unusual events and one can be especially accident or gaff prone. It may well be that a throw-away comment or mistake could upset someone and derail the Gingrich express at that point. If there is any time that Newt needs to watch his tongue, then May 2012 will be that time. Whether he as a chatty, compulsively driven Gemini can hold back his thoughts and opinions is another matter entirely.
On election day 2012, Newt does not have any transiting planets save Mercury connecting with any of the angles on his chart. As his birth time is uncertain, I cannot say for sure that he will not be successful on that day, however although mildly pleasant, there are no dramatic transits to show a change of direction in his career to say that Newt Gingrich will be assuming office as the 45th President of the US. On progressions, the only aspect that the progressed Moon makes is a square to Mars which is quite tetchy, argumentative and accident prone. It may well be that he does well to get to the final 2 or 3 candidates in the race for the Republican nomination, but even if he does survive what is looking like a very bumpy spring, he may well be damaged enough to make a successful campaign unlikely.
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