Senator John Edwards - Falling from grace

I first posted this article on 4th March 2011

On hearing this story (we here in the UK don’t get much US politics unless there is a big election on) I had to have a look at the astrology. Very interesting as you will shortly find out. Astrology has a funny way of delving behind the scenes and uncovering motivations and the truth that you wouldn’t normally know. The story for those out there in the world who don’t know is pretty shocking. John Edwards was a previous US Vice-Presidential candidate, Senator for South Carolina and a Presidential candidate in 2008. His wife until she passed away in December 2010 was suffering for the last 7 years of her life with breast cancer. During the 2006 Edwards met up with Rielle Hunter to arrange some promotional films of life on the election campaign trail and from that liaison, it was alleged that Edwards and Hunter had an affair, finally culminating with the birth of a daughter in February 2008. If this wasn’t bad enough, the current stories running seem to suggest that Edwards syphoned off several thousand dollars of his pledged campaign money to Hunter to keep her quiet about the relationship and the baby.

John Edwards has quite a remarkable chart. Born in Seneca, South Carolina in the US on 10th June 1953 at 07.02hrs (this time is disputed, however having looked at the events surrounding this case and at the other alleged time of 7.23 I am convinced that 7.02am is correct). He is a Sun Sign Gemini in the hidden 12th house, with his Moon also in the same sign but in the 11th house. I have noticed that people in power who have their Suns in the 12th house invariably have something to hide. Tony Blair and George Bush are two recent examples who immediately spring to mind. Communication is key to Edwards, he will be a smooth talking individual in a hurry (Sun conjunct Mars) and emotionally tied to his Democratic party (11th house rules groups and associations). He is very intelligent with Mercury conjunct the 12th house also in Gemini. It is interesting that all this communication is in the 12th house, a lot goes on behind the scenes which we don’t know about, as if words, news and information is deliberately being hidden. John is a Cancer ascendant, emotionally tied to the security of his family, he will protect them at all cost. It will make him an emotional man and he will use that emotion in tugging at the heartstrings of the voters (Cancer Ascendant conjunct Mercury). Talking of emotions, those emotions will be fickle. Moon in Gemini in the 11th indicate that his relationship with friends will be as important to him as those of his family. The Moon is conjunct Jupiter and so he will show generosity to them.  Uranus sits in his first house so John will be a rebel and against the grain. He will have decidedly left wing administrative ideas, Uranus square Saturn/Neptune and Moon/Jupiter in the 11th house (an emotional attachment & generous to groups like trade unions). Pluto in the 2nd house is an absolute obsession on finance, on making money and the control of it. This will extend to the home and his work via the sextile to Saturn and Neptune in the 4th and “his” money behind the scenes in the sextile in the 12th house. Finally for this section we look at Venus. Venus is in Taurus which is very loyal and warm to the partner, Venus in the 11th shows and attachment to social groups, societies and parties.

Now the amazing thing about this particular chart is it is anchored by a very tight Saturn/Neptune conjunction in the fourth house of the home and the family. Radiating out from this conjunction are aspects to virtually every planet in the chart. Saturn is administrative as I have said many times before and Neptune is visionary, a dream. John has a social dream that pushes forward with vigour (trine Mars), he wants to implement and control (sextile Pluto). This dream is radical (square Uranus) and dear to him personally and his beliefs (trine Sun wide conjunction Moon/Jupiter). The dream is tied to being generous to social groups  and his party (quindecile Venus – bordering on obsession). The thing about Saturn and Neptune is that not only can they push you forward in a positive sense but they can also drag you down in a negative one. Saturn teaches you hard lessons and Neptune in a negative sense can be down right deceptive, pulling a veil over things. We can see the strong sextile between the control of work money (Pluto sextile Saturn) and a deceptive use of it (conjunct Neptune). We can see the twin fickle emotions (Moon in Gemini), the need to be around friends as much as the family and the deceit behind it along with the potential of his alleged “generosity” to them. (the Moon and Jupiter sesquisquare Neptune/Saturn). We can see the obsession to the friend & lover who was the filmmaker (Venus in 11th house of friends quindecile Neptune which rules film and creative pursuits). The funny thing is, I believe he did all this deceit I think to not only protect himself but also his family from the truth, the Cancer thing to do. Unfortunately for him, all this was sitting there all along in his chart waiting to be activated.

Right, we move back to February 2007 when the baby was born. Putting the senator’s chart against the planets of the day is very “interesting”. We have Neptune transiting the 8th house of other people’s financial affairs opposite Saturn in the second. By extended rulership, (Pisces ruled by Neptune) is on the cusp the 10th house of public and career and Capricorn ruled by Saturn is on the cusp of the seventh house of relationships. Saturn is conjunct that money and finance obsessed Pluto. It looks as if there is a deceptive transfer of administrative cash to somebody else. Saturn is sextile itself and natal Neptune (representing Rielle the filmmaker) and sextile Edwards’ Sun hidden in the 12th (the transfer was kept secret). Transiting Neptune connects the Sun and Saturn/Neptune conjunction by trines completing the chain. Notice also the transiting Pluto opposing natal Mars aspect. Pluto through Scorpio is ruling the 5th house of children and risk taking (also highlighted in the conjunction with transiting Saturn) and Mars rules the 10th house of his public career. This child would affect his public standing and ambitions so he took a risk. Also there is a transiting Jupiter opposing natal Sun. Leo (Sun) encompasses the whole 2nd house of money and Sagittarius (Jupiter) is on the cusp of the 6th house representing work colleagues (remember Rielle was not only was a lover, she was employed by Edwards to make films of him too).

The transiting planets of today confirm what is going on. Transiting Pluto is opposite natal Mercury, the risk he took over the child and keeping it secret is now in the media (Mercury). Mercury on Edwards chart rules the 3rd and 12th houses, (communication in the press about something hidden or secret). Uranus also squares Mercury and Aquarius ruled by Uranus encompasses the 8th house of other people’s finance. You can see the whole media storm on those two aspects alone. Saturn later this year will conjunct it’s own position and Neptune’s too. This Saturn will prove to be very awkward for Mr Edwards and transiting Pluto is not far off opposing the Ascendant. Not a good position if you are facing charges at that time.

I give you the evidence and I let you make your own decision on the whole affair, however my personal view is that the actions that Mr Edwards did in cheating his wife and then trying to cover it up with donated money when she was fighting cancer is totally disgusting and reprehensible behaviour.  As for trying to run for President in the middle of all this and expecting to keep it all under the carpet? Well, for once words almost fail me, he deserves everything coming to him.

*** Update 2nd June 2011 *** - John Edwards charged with campaign funds abuse

*** Update 31st May 2012 *** – The trial verdict is announced, well sort of…

The end of May was always going to be a critical time for John Edwards as the transiting South Node made a conjunction with John Edwards’ chart ruler the Moon (he has Cancer on the ascendant). This is normally a depressing influence emotionally and suggested that the news would not be good for him. We also have a nasty inconjunct aspect from transiting Saturn (the voice of authority) to his Midheaven also indicating the law passing judgement on him.

Now there was a complication that has been borne out. John Edwards’ Moon is also being squared by Neptune (which rules his Midheaven) causing confusion in his fate. Just as the planets suggested, the jury came to a decision on just 1 of 6 charges and were split on the other five. It sounds as if the judge has ordered the jury to go back and reconsider their position to see if they can come to a unified position.

I still think it is possible that he may be convicted in some manner. Transiting Pluto is opposing his Mercury which rules his 4th house (through Gemini on the cusp of the 4th) of home and family as well as his ascendant. Pluto can indicate confinement and severe restrictions placed upon him as well as showing a transformation in his life. Transiting Uranus is now square to that Mercury showing a possible change in his place of residence. If there is one saving grace, he has lucky Jupiter sextile to his Midheaven which may just save his skin. Things, if rather delayed however, do not look clever for him.

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Tony Blair – Working his way back into the British political scene.

Yesterday I watched a very polished performance at the Leveson enquiry into the future of the British media industry, one where former British Prime Minister Tony Blair dominated the agenda and set out his views very forthrightly on the future of UK press controls. Calm, calculating and seemingly unruffled by a protester who entered the court chamber at one point, Tony reminded everyone what a incisive and heavyweight political brain he still has. Recently he has been expressing views that he wishes to return to UK political life. Looking at his natal chart and the transits hitting it, these desires may not be as far fetched as they initially seem.

Tony has a really formidable chart. Born in Edinburgh on 6th May 1953 at 06.10am he has a 12th house Sun Taurus with a detached Aquarian Moon and a Gemini Ascendant. This is a go-ahead and determined man with 5 cardinal planets and 4 fixed ones, and the main configurations are two sets of interlocking cardinal t-squares and a wedge focusing on a 5th house Pluto in Leo. The Sun Moon combination shows a bit of a conflict not only because Taurus and Aquarius as signs are square on the chart but also as there is a natal square between the Sun & Moon. There is a sort of tension between constructing and running one’s own life and also running things on behalf of other people and society in general. The Aquarian Moon does life to appear aloof and special, emotionally independent and it contributes a sort of superiority complex to the steady constructive energy of the Taurean Sun. This is an easy going and sociable if rather cool combination, however beware as Tony will not be one to be trifled with. Taureans are hugely possessive and will stand their ground if threatened, and the emotional detachment of the Aquarian Moon allows him wield the knife to get rid of competitors without any compunction.

Ok to the chart. There is a lot of emphasis on the 12th house of service and sacrifice here and this is the driving force behind Tony Blair’s life; we have 5 planets Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter all sitting in an enormous 12th house. It is interesting that several world leaders have had emphasised 12th houses, George W Bush also springs to mind, & I think it shows a need to work for the common good of those in society and to improve their lives.

Mars in the 12th really identifies with human suffering and wants to actively do something about it and Jupiter’s position in the 12th conjunct to the ascendant is especially useful as it indicates all the background work that one does is for the benefit of the public rather than for one’s self. Jupiter brings an international element to the acute position of Mars in Gemini, a position that just cannot sit still and watch things going around you without getting up and wanting to join in, and I have no doubt that this conjunction was behind Tony Blair’s decision to send UK troops overseas (Jupiter) into war (Mars) to fulfil this need for action, more times incidentally (Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq & Afghanistan) than any other living Prime Minister has done.  Much does go on behind the scenes with this chart, secrecy abounds and what you see of Tony Blair in public is not what he is like behind the scenes.

The Jupiter Mars conjunction makes a trine to his Midheaven and his 10th house Aquarian Moon which does instinctively know what the public requires and wants. This is the position of the man who needs to take charge and control his own destiny in a work sense, indeed his life is his work. As I mentioned before, the Aquarian Moon can be very detached and as a boss, Tony will be able to make tough decisions with a cool calculated & even icy confidence. So we have the charming, jovial Jupiter in Taurus that enjoys life, is warm and hospitable combined with a cold ruthless attitude, not uncaring but determined to do what needs to be done.

All the other features here are based on a set of oppositions from Mercury and Venus in Aries in the 12th to a close Saturn/Neptune conjunction in Libra in the 6th. Mercury in Aries makes Tony very direct, clear and decisive in the way he speaks and communicates, and can often indicate someone who will speak out without thinking of the consequences, but this is something that he does not seem to suffer from. Why? Well normally Mercury in the 12th is circumspect and only airs it’s views when it needs to, but there is so much eager communicative energy on this chart with a Gemini Ascendant and Mars in Gemini that I think the influence of the 12th house keeps Tony very much on track and on message. The influence of the 12th house forces him to think things thoroughly before he open his mouth and as a result, he has become an accomplished speech writer and orator.

Venus in the 12th often seeks a indefinable love. Being in assertive Aries, Tony would not have a problem in going out and searching for a partner and his relationship with his wife Cherie has been strong for many years. So what could be this love that Venus in the 12th suggests. I think that this position is the font of his Christian faith which he has openly spoken about. The idea of surrendering oneself to the collective and finding a universal love is well suited to Venus in this house. 

Both Mercury and Venus are opposite to the Saturn/Neptune conjunction I spoke of. This conjunction indicates a fervent vision or dream which one wants to make reality, and I also think it lends itself to a preaching style of pushing this message. Notice where this conjunction is, in the 6th house of routine and of everyday work, the place of one’s labour. Tony’s vision was New Labour, a reinvention of the party of the ordinary man in the UK. Tony’s dream was to make Labour acceptable to the business community & middle England where majority of the votes could be found, but also holding on to Labour’s core support. Here we have the dream (Neptune) and the business sensibilities (Capricorn) underpinned by a focused and direct entrepreneurial philosophy and message (Mercury in Aries). All this was directed onto Tony’s Capricorn Midheaven, an ambitious and administrative focus point.

At the same time we also had Venus opposing Saturn/Neptune so we have a social focus for these ideas enhanced by Tony’s faith and desire to help the less fortunate in society. This opposition squared onto Uranus in the 3rd house. This showed Tony to have an inventive and humanitarian mind, someone who grasped new ideas quickly and understood that politics had to be done in a radical way. This 3rd is the house of the salesman, and the ideas and policies of New Labour were advertised on TV, radio & billboards; I am sure that this approach was down to his initiative alone. Here we find Uranus and the Moon in mutual reception (in each other’s signs) so Uranus was taking it’s lead from the authoritarian Moon in Tony’s administrative 10th house. Many people have said that New Labour project was conservative in all but name and I agree. Saturn is the classic conservative signature, and Saturn & Capricorn’s influence is stamped all over this chart, but dressed up with that 6th house conjunction with Neptune focused on the working classes and drawing a veil over the influence of Saturn, and the con-trick that is Uranus in the 3rd, hiding the truth through clever manipulation of the messages sent out, through the spin doctors like Alistair Campbell who entered his inner circle.

What drives people on in life to the top is the need for power and control. These desires on an astrology chart are indicated by the planet Pluto and Pluto sitting in Leo in the 5th house shows a direct requirement for personal recognition. This Pluto is in a powerful position, sextile to Saturn/Neptune – Tony would not only want to create the New Labour project, he would need to be in control of it. Pluto also squares his 12th house Sun, showing a quite efficient and ruthless streak in Tony’s character that would be carried out behind the scenes. Pluto also trines to Mercury and Venus, showing a deep, serious and penetrating mind (also seen through the Saturn/Mercury opposition) able to concentrate on whatever one need to study in a methodical and careful way. Venus trine Pluto is very manipulative when it comes to dealing with relationships, even quietly threatening. Again with Venus hidden away in the 12th, much of what happened in the inner circles of government never got out into the light of day until much later on after Tony Blair had left his post as Prime Minister.

Above I have the charts for the day Tony Blair became Prime Minister in 1997, the day he announced he would be resigning from the post in 2006 and finally the current position of planets. Have a look at the position of Pluto. When Tony won his first election Pluto was on the cusp of his 7th house. Here his life and relationships were transformed by his election win. On the day he decided to give up office it was on the cusp of the 8th and Tony was looking to move back into the shadows and to benefit from big business. He subsequently became a Middle East envoy and made a fortune from public appearances and from advising corporations around the globe. This financially beneficial time allowed him to set up several foundations for tackling poverty.

Now Pluto as he is looking to get back into British political life, it is on the cusp of the 9th and the transiting Nodes are on his ascendant/descendant axis indicating a new era in his life is about to begin. There seems to be a very clear pattern here in direct correlation to the position of Pluto.

What does this suggest? Well the transit of the 9th is a very powerful one. One’s views from your younger years do tend to get adjusted and the penny starts to drop that your original ideas about life were rather misguided. One’s wisdom does deepen as Pluto enters the house of the higher mind and one’s faith tends to solidify. This transit does encourage one to think about how society can be transformed in a beneficial way & Tony is obviously feeling this and looking to how he can have a renewed influence on British politics again.

When trying to see what sort of role he will have as he enters his 3rd stage of his life (he has just experienced his second Saturn return) it is worth looking at his fixed stars. Tony has the fixed star Castor (one of the twins in Gemini) as his setting star setting the agenda for his latter years and this position confirms the view that Tony will always be looking to expand his breadth of knowledge and to have a voice that will be heard. Mars has paran relationships with both fixed stars Alcyone in Taurus and Acubens in Cancer which will increasingly encourage him to speak out on social issues in the UK as well as suggesting and even creating new solutions to try and alleviate society’s problems. Those stars alone indicate that he does have ambitions into his latter years. Looking back at the current planetary movements, transiting Saturn in now starting it's ascent back through the 6th house and it will not reach the Midheaven, the pinnacle of the chart and the height of one’s career and life until 2020, in 8 years time, just before Pluto hits the Midheaven in 2021. I wonder what this indicates? Is this a rise to a powerful influential position, before a dramatic fall from grace?

Tony Blair, because he became at 43 Britain’s youngest Prime Minister for 200 years is still only 58 should now be in his political prime, being wiser and more astute. If he sticks around for any amount of time, he is sure to cast a shadow over the current Labour leader Ed Miliband, who has on occasions looked rather weak and ineffective against current Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron, and if he concludes he can still play a significant part in British life, how long will it be before the Labour party start looking to their former leader for guidance? Would he accept a lesser role for the sake of his party? Not likely, if we go by the evidence of his natal chart. So then, where exactly do his political ambitions lie? It’s a fascinating question to ponder over…

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Facebook floats and faces the ultimate litmus test of it’s worth.

In going public and floating on the Nasdaq stock exchange, Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg raised around $16 billion of investment for himself and his social media company. Since the launch however, the stock price has dived and alleged hidden financial information about disappointing future profits, primarily based around the rise of Facebook on mobile (cell) phones combined with a lack of an advertising strategy, have surfaced. Zuckerberg and a lot of other rich investors meanwhile cashed in their shares early, possibly saving themselves millions in the process, however Zuckerberg looks like he may pay some of that back as he is now being sued. If he had consulted an astrologer before he chose the launch date, he could have saved himself and his company a whole lot of trouble as I will show you.

This is the chart for the moment Facebook went live on Nasdaq and it tells a story that is playing out already. We have Sun Jupiter (the planets of speculation) and Mercury in money orientated Taurus in the 10th which accurately describes the high hopes of the launch to earn billions of dollars for Mark Zuckerberg and the other founders. Sun Jupiter and Mercury shows an over confidence or an ideal, as if nothing can go wrong. We also have Venus quindecile Pluto in Capricorn, Taurus’ ruler as well as the ruler of money in the 11th house of friends, group & social issues making a focused aspect to Pluto – this is big money, never seen before amounts staked on a share launch. When Pluto gets involved records get broken. Pluto is also part of a grand earth trine connecting Mars and a Moon Midheaven conjunction. I see this as the people or shareholders in a public sense (Moon/Midheaven) finally controlling (Pluto) the actions and direction of the company.

All this seems fine, but there are a few spanners in the works. Firstly this launch was close to the Solar Eclipse, the timing of it was never a good idea as the eclipse a couple of days later would have been conjunct to the position of the Sun at the launch, a bad omen indeed. The other problems are the position of Neptune and Saturn. Neptune is in an awful position, quindecile to the ascendant, sextile to Midheaven  and Moon, opposite Mars in the 2nd house of finance and most importantly square to the Sun (the chart ruler). Hitting the angles and the Sun surely meant that something was awry, something about this launch was hidden and out of view, a choice (opposition) to not to let the cat out of the bag about it’s true financial position had been taken. The Neptune Sun square shows a veil of deception, and weakens this chart quite alarmingly, the company and the stocks will be seen as weak and I suspect that it will be a long time before a price of $38 a share is seen again.

Saturn also causes major headaches on this chart. Saturn is the voice of authority and puts fear and adds restrictions wherever it is found. Making an opposition into the Moon in the 9th and a quindecile to the Midheaven, not only do we have public (Moon) fear (Saturn) over the face of the company (Midheaven) through this lack of advertising (Saturn in 3rd) but not surprisingly law suits (9th house) as well have been issued over the lack of transparency over the floatation. Saturn makes a quindecile to Uranus in the 9th so we have a crisis (Saturn) affecting the technology and social media company (Uranus) and solicitors and courts getting involved (9th).

Saturn also was making a exact trine to Venus at the time Facebook went live on the stock markets. My friend and astrological colleague Aliza at Moonpluto Astrology made a wonderful comment the other day about this trine…

I will quote her – she said that “Saturn trine Venus brings clarity about Venus issues into focus”. As these planets were both retrograde she went on that “the retrograde period is the glue and the test of any situation. She loves you or she loves you not, and this verdict would be decided once and for all !!” 

Indeed you are right Aliza. Now was the time for the markets to decide on the fate of the financial floatation of Facebook, and their verdict so far was not a good one. This decision “to go for the dough” has opened up a whole can of worms and the lawyers will I suspect have a field day over it all, one of only a few potential winners right now. As for the new shareholders and their holdings, the price of those shares and the ultimate fate of Facebook is being decided through the on-going Saturn Venus trine. Will they be loved? Time will tell…

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Bologna Earthquake – Predicted by solar eclipse and seen in the stars

A nasty earthquake of magnitude 6.0 hit overnight just north of Bologna, Italy killing at least 5 people and destroying a lot of heritage and ancient buildings in the process. Many people think that this was a pre-cursor to the Solar Eclipse which occurs tonight but I disagree. The seeds for this earthquake were sown a year ago by the Solar Eclipse of 1st July 2011.

Here’s the earthquake chart from earlier today. The culprits for this event are easy to see with destructive Pluto sitting on the Capricorn Midheaven and Saturn, Capricorn’s ruler making an opposition to the Ascendant, so all 4 angles on this chart are under duress. Saturn was also making a quindecile to Uranus at the time; Uranus bringing intense shock energy to Saturn. I see this as a ripping apart aspect, Uranus tears down the old (Saturn) the make room for the new (Uranus). Pluto was receiving it’s square from Uranus (now 2 degrees apart), a trine from Mars showing incredible unstoppable force and violence and a quindecile from Venus which was also trine to Saturn, probably the trigger; the inner planets do often tend to set these events off.

The key to this earthquake and the link to the last but one Solar eclipse is the degree that Pluto and the Midheaven were sitting on. Pluto last night was at 9:11 Capricorn and the Midheaven 9:23 Capricorn. The 1st July Solar eclipse occurred at 9:12 Capricorn thus Pluto was just one minute from exact from that previous eclipse spot. On this blog for the past year I was predicting that something was going to happen when Pluto moved over 9:11 Capricorn last November. Seems like I did get it right, but one transit too early – just shows you’ve got to have patience doing Astrology!!

Of course there is more than one side to the story and as the earthquake struck, Pluto conjunct the Midheaven (MC in red above on the left hand side) was also in paran relationship with the star Zosma setting absolutely bang on the horizon. Zosma (on the back of the Lion in Leo indicated on the right)  is a very unfortunate star, especially when it combined with Pluto as it signifies the suffering of the people and a nation mourning.

This was not the only planet star association which set off the earthquake. The Sun was conjunct Alcyone, the brightest star in the Pleiades which shows suffering of the people and many tears shed. The Moon was in paran relationship at the time of the earthquake with the star Facies (the nebula in the eye of the archer in Sagittarius) indicating “the wounding of many people”. Neptune was linked with the star Alphecca, the main star in Corona Borealis (the Crown) which can show triumph or disaster, euphoria or great sadness. Seeing as Neptune was in a stressful square to the Sun conjunct the Pleiades (see the wheel above), the latter interpretation takes hold.

There is one other really interesting planet star connection that would have indicated a catastrophe was going to hit. That one is Uranus in paran relationship to the star Ankaa, the star in the Phoenix constellation. Ankaa at this time of the year in Bologna only just rises above the horizon but it was at it’s culmination (it’s highest point in the sky) at the same time that Uranus culminated at the Midheaven on 20th May 12.

As you will know the Phoenix rises from the ashes, and when shocking Uranus comes and connects with it Brady says that there is “a desire to build or rebuild a public place”. How prophetic, especially as Uranus is now square to Pluto which can be so destructive!!

***** Update 29th May 2012 *****

There have been a series of aftershocks in the Bologna region today with one earthquake hitting 5.4 on the Richter Scale which to all reports has killed 15 people. The planets have not moved much since the initial quake, however the aftershocks continue I think as the Saturn/Uranus quindecile and the Pluto/Uranus square continue to tighten in orb. Looking at the fixed stars, Menkar which sits in the mouth of the sea monster in the constellation of Cetus the Whale is now rising over Bologna. Bernadette Brady says that this brings the “eruption or emergence of hidden or violent issues”, accurately describing the nature of an earthquake from the depths of the earth. Menkar stays as the rising star for the next week or so until the fixed star Aldebaran (in Taurus) takes over for this latitude on 8th June, so unfortunately I would not be surprised to see the region shaken by more aftershocks well into the first week of June 2012.

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Jackie Chan - Father time catching up with the master of martial arts.

Out at the Cannes film festival this week promoting his latest film “Chinese Zodiac”, Jackie Chan the king of martial arts has announced his retirement from action films. He says that at 58 he is starting to feel very tired, his body aches and he senses that now is the time to bow out from martial arts movies. After 40 years in the film business and 100 action roles from stuntman to star actor, nobody could argue that he finally deserves a rest. Not that he will stop filming though. Jackie sees himself as the Chinese “Robert De Niro” and will be looking to star in more sedate and less physical roles.

Jackie was born in Hong Kong on 7th April 1954 at 09.45 hrs. He is a Sun sign Aries (honestly for a man of action he couldn’t really be anything else, could he?) and his Moon sits in mutable Gemini in conjunction with his Ascendant. This is quite an interconnected chart and in such cases rather than looking at each individual aspect, I find it better to look at structures of planets to get the meanings.

We have two t-squares which have provided the motivation for Jackie and his movie career. Firstly, there is one based around a Sun Neptune opposition which focuses onto the nodal axis conjunct to Uranus. Sun in Aries opposite Neptune in Libra brings together action and wanting to be pre-eminent combined with the need for peace and spiritual freedom. Neptune of course goes hand in hand with the film industry and stardom in general. Uranus and the South Node at the point of this t-square energizes the whole structure and brings in an element of independence and destiny into the mix.

Now, of course we can see action and athleticism through the Aries Sun, but there is much more here. Jackie has a mini grand trine focused onto his Neptune completed by a trine between Mars and Pluto. Mars Pluto trines are often seen in the charts of people who have anger problems, but luckily for Jackie his Mars is in mutable Sagittarius rather than in fixed Capricorn. When both Mars and Pluto get stuck in fixed signs in trine aspect, that’s when the problems seem to appear. This Mars Pluto sextile is very active, gives Jackie a very quiet but iron will and a great need for success.

The fact that Jackie has become an international star is seen in another mini grand trine which interlocks with the previous one I just explained connecting Jupiter Neptune and Pluto; Pluto at the point brings power and an indication of the controlled violence of his films and the sextiles to Mars and Jupiter shows that he is a serial risk taker, the quality that has given him international fame through the amazing stunts and feats of agility in the action roles he has specialized in. Jupiter trine Neptune also shows a need for faith in one’s life and Jackie is a practising Buddhist. We have a third interlocking mini grand trine featuring the Sun Jupiter and Pluto showing boundless optimism, a need for power and wealth as well as a hugely generous spirit. Jackie is a proud and noted charity fund raiser for the needy and the youth in his home city of Hong Kong.

Moving onto the second t-square which connects a Jupiter Mars opposition to Mercury in Pisces. This is a very far reaching t-square showing boundless ideas and desires, a constant need for action and progress in one’s life. Mars in Sagittarius aims literally for the stars and Jupiter helps get you there. Jackie’s mind is flexible and musical, and his intuition and imagination will be very good with Mercury in Pisces. Jackie has recorded several albums over the years in Mandarin, Cantonese and in English. The Mars Mercury square might make him a little demanding and critical, and Jackie could be quite argumentative when upset, but this is such an inspiring and positive chart that one could forgive such indiscretions within him. Mercury trines to Uranus so he has a very quick brain and reactions, a good sense of fun and humour and independence of thought; Jackie will be inspirational to everyone he encounters.

Venus in Taurus opposes Saturn in Scorpio, so despite being a bit reserved Jackie will be very steadfast in love. Venus in Taurus needs harmony and loyalty, and Saturn in Scorpio fears being emotionally vulnerable. He married actress Lin Feng-Jiao in 1982 and unusually for couples in the film world and despite the pressures and temptations, they have stayed together ever since. Jackie’s Mars makes a solid trine to Venus which makes him a very loving and romantic guy.

Finally I look in this section at Jackie’s Moon sitting alone in Gemini conjunct his Ascendant. Peregrine planets dominate the horoscope, and this Moon sitting in rather unemotional Gemini confirms that Jackie’s emotions are rationally and logically based. This tells me that firstly Jackie is his own man and will want to do things his way (Uranus square to his Sun increases this independent streak), and secondly his emotions generally will not tend to get the better of him. Especially in doing dangerous stunts, and Jackie has done most of own himself without the use of a stunt double, one needs to keep calm, focused and unemotional of the dangers involved. In this case, this Moon helps him concentrate without worrying about any consequences.

 

I still haven’t focused on why Jackie Chan became a martial arts expert in film yet, but looking at the fixed stars I aim to show why. Jackie was born with the fixed star Alderamin which sits in the constellation of Cepheus (the King) at his Midheaven when he was born. This star is associated with gentle power allied with quiet dignity. At the same time Uranus which on his natal chart is conjunct his South Node was at the nadir when he was born, just as the star Hamal (in Aries) was rising. I have highlighted their positions on the chart with Hamal hitting the horizon line as Uranus is conjunct the Nadir (IC in red).

Hamal is a star which displays force, will and determination and connections with the Nodes and Uranus show an independent guy who uses his athleticism and strength in a powerful and public (Nodes) manner. The specific Hamal/Node connection also can indicate hero status, the good guy who saves the day. In his films, this is exactly what Jackie Chan represents. Remember that Uranus/Nodal Axis conjunction is square to the Aries Sun/Neptune in Libra opposition which highlights action done in a gentle and dignified manner. Put it all together we see the controlled use of force, the hero martial arts warrior who fights and defeats evil. Martial arts of course were founded in the Orient and are also associated with those who practice the peaceful Buddhist faith. Action and films, faith and heroism, independence and stardom. It all fits together rather nicely, doesn’t it?

 

There are two indications on this chart that Jackie is feeling it is time to change his priorities. The transiting South Node is conjunct his Moon, so emotionally he is feeling a bit down and melancholy. Whenever the South Node is moving through one’s first house one naturally feels physically a bit drained and soon it will hit his Ascendant (the nodes move clockwise) signalling inner changes. Secondly, transiting Saturn is soon to enter his 6th house and has been conjunct Jackie’s Neptune. This again will sap his strength, and as Saturn enters the 6th one does adjust one’s daily routine and look more closely at one’s wellbeing. Saturn hitting his Neptune, the basis of his film career, brings a maturing in his outlook and the roles he can play. Jackie is also approaching his second Saturn return, a realisation that he cannot do what he once did and he will have to adapt.

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Donna Summer - The last dance. The astrology of the late “Queen of Disco”.

If you think of disco music, there were few more iconic artists than Donna Summer. Hits like “I Feel Love”, “Hot Stuff” “McArthur Park” and “Love To Love You Baby” blared out every Friday & Saturday nights in neon lit discos around the world. She won 5 Grammy awards but a conscious attempt to change her style to a more new wave and rock based style in the 80’s failed, and she drifted out of the mainstream pop charts. Nevertheless, Donna’s impact had been made and she will forever be synonymous with the sounds of  disco, the original dance music pioneered by Donna and her producer Giorgio Moroder at Casablanca Records in the 70’s.

Donna was a double Sun sign Capricorn, born on 31st December 1948 in Boston in the United States at 21.00. It is really interesting that you find a lot of musicians with a lot of Taurus or Capricorn in their charts. Both signs are associated with structure, and Taurus is associated with the throat and voice and the physical act of singing. Capricorn through Saturn rules time – without time and structure we do not have music. Maybe this is one of the reasons why Capricorns make such a big  impact in the musical world?

Donna Summer’s chart just shouts music and entertainment at you and has so many indications that this was what she was destined to do. We have a totally packed 5th house of artistry, entertainment and creative spirit. Over half the planets on the chart are found here including the Sun and fortunate Jupiter. These two made a trine to an exact Saturn/Ascendant conjunction. Here we have ambition and the self combined as one, aimed at the creative 5th house Sun and international links and fame through Jupiter. That Saturn/Ascendant conjunction in turn was square to her Midheaven, showing real ambition to be successful in her chosen career as well as having an attention to detail through the Virgo Midheaven to get her image just right. Despite her fame and fortune, there would have been a serious, quiet, reserved  and very private side to Donna, completely opposite to her showy side on stage. She was a conservative person away from the bright lights, devout for her beliefs (Saturn trine Jupiter) and needing her own space, peace and quiet.

The other three planets in the 5th, Mars, Mercury and the Moon brought emotion, a clear and decisive voice and tons of ambitious Capricorn energy by trine to Donna’s Gemini Midheaven. Her mission in life was to sing, to communicate and perform with feeling in a sassy, sexy manner and in a wholehearted way. We have Venus in Sagittarius in a party like mood making a quindecile to the Midheaven, this was a lady who wanted to enjoy her life and have a good time and it showed. Venus also made a quindecile to Uranus which sits alone in her 10th house; Donna was a solo singer showed by the independence of Uranus. The more outgoing side of her character would have been seen especially in regard to relationships. Venus and Uranus is electrically attractive, and I am sure that this would have taken it’s toll on her. Love affairs at the drop of a hat are common with people who have very stressed aspects between Venus & Uranus, and it is known that Donna went into depression and threatened suicide on several occasions simply because of her “complicated” personal life. Venus and Uranus and this electric theme thoroughly describes the high tension and energetic feel of the disco where Donna ruled.

There is a mini grand trine which connects the outgoing Venus to Pluto in the 12th house and Neptune in the 2nd. Inspirational Neptune in the 2nd house is so often found in people with musical careers and with those who end up appearing on TV and on film. The 2nd house is Taurus’ house, what did I say about Taurus and Capricorn and their connotations with rhythms and songs? Pluto in this mini grand trine added to her fame and power, and Venus showed the style she had. Neptune also squared to the Sun/Jupiter bringing a soft gentle hue to her character as well as strong faith - her father (Sun) was a devout Christian, and quite appropriately her singing career began as a child when she stood up in a church in Boston, and reduced her father to tears with the beauty of her voice. This square also brought with it the temptation to take drugs to excess, and she did become addicted to prescription drugs, brought on by the stress of her fame and fortune. Neptune made one more aspect a square to Mercury, a highly imaginative, creative & dreamy link perfect for singers, poets, writers and performers.

Looking at her fixed stars, she had so many creative connections, I’ll pick a couple. The star Scheat in the constellation of Perseus (The winged horse) was in paran with her Mercury which Brady says made her “far sighted, an innovator and gifted with words and rhythm”. She also has the star Castor, one of the twins in Gemini in paran with both her Sun and Jupiter which made her a “person with the soul of a romantic poet”. Both these influences would have been working for her in her early years, just when she hit the heights in popular music.

I think that the fact that she dominated for a short era in the music world, and could not translate her style as the times changed was shown with the fixed star Sirius the main star in Canis Major (the dog star) in paran with her Sun as it was setting on the day of her birth. Sirius is known as the scorcher, and it brings great success to you, but this success will not last forever; it will “burn” for only for a brief time in your life. The connection being at the nadir of her chart it shows that Donna’s star did shine so brightly, and being at the nadir, she will forever be remembered for the impression on the music world she made.

She passed away after suffering a battle with breast and lung cancer. Just look at the stress on her chart from Pluto and Uranus. Uranus rules her 6th house of health and was square to her Sun and Jupiter conjunction. Transiting Pluto was also bang on her natal Sun trine to her Saturn and ascendant. Neptune in that 6th house was opposing the same Saturn/Ascendant conjunction and it was also being buffeted by a square from the Nodal axis. As ever Jupiter at a time of death, Jupiter was making a significant aspect, trine to her chart ruler, Mercury. Being under so much planetary pressure, I believe that the role of Jupiter is to come along to relieve the stress and take the soul on a journey to it’s next destination. She leaves behind her husband Bruce Sudano and three daughters, Brooklyn, Amanda and Mimi.

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The European Debt Crisis - Exploring the astrological link between Greece and the Euro

Greece is on it’s knees again as an attempt to set up a far left coalition government in Greece failed and now an emergency administration is being put in place to give some direction to the ailing country. As I have indicated in previous posts Greece will be looking down the barrel of a gun for years to come and they still have to experience a very tough Pluto opposition to Saturn and the Ascendant in 2014. This post however takes a quick look at why Greece has been so intrinsically liked to the problems in with the Euro currency.

Have a look at the synastry chart between the Euro and the modern Greek chart of 1974. First thing to say is that back in 1999 when Greece was accepted to join the single currency, the rest of Europe knew that there was a problem regarding Greek debt and told them to sort out their book-keeping but they decided to generally ignore it. The Greek Sun is exactly conjunct the Euro’s Moon, there was a love affair between the creators of the Euro to get as many countries on board at the launch of the currency, and the Greeks I think charmed their way into the picture. Look at the Sun/Venus conjunction opposite to Jupiter on the inside wheel with the Greek Saturn and Mercury conjunction on the outside influencing this opposition. You can see the over optimism through Jupiter opposite Sun/Venus appeasing the Greek Government (Saturn) and believing that all would be ok with the figures (Mercury). The problem was that the Greeks hid so much of the real debt problems behind closed doors. The Greek Neptune, the planet that more than other hiding the truth is opposite the Euro’s natal Saturn – the administration of the Euro was going to be subjected to a test from a hidden Greek problem. On the Greek chart, below, you can see Neptune trine to the Greek Sun, this shows deception and idealism going to the heart of the leadership.

Now when the real extent of the size of Greek debt problems were exposed, what would be the ramifications and what will happen? Uranus on the national Greek chart signifies national debt, as Aquarius sits on the cusp of the 8th house. It is interesting that the Greek Uranus is trine the Euro Uranus, Greek debt coming to the fore caused instability (Uranus) in how the currency was being seen. The Euro chart is ruled by Mercury with Virgo on the Ascendant and the Euro’s Mercury is square to Greece’s Uranus too. Here is yet another  link between rebellion and revolt in Greece and the stability of the Euro. 

Greece has a Cancerian ascendant and the Moon it’s ruler is conjunct to Pluto the planet of death and rebirth. From 1974 it would have been obvious to any astrologer that Greece would be subject at some point in the future to a crisis that would reshape the country. That conjunction is square to the Euro’s Venus, very significant as Venus normally rules finance and money and very appropriately Venus rules the Euro’s 2nd house. This house is the house of self-confidence, any transitions in Greece would no doubt affect the standing of the Euro.

There is a very significant t-square on this synastry chart which may predict the future. Greek expansion and national optimism and overseas trade is represented by Jupiter. This Jupiter is linked to the Euro’s Mars by a conjunction, action by the European Central Bank that runs the Euro is the key to Greece progressing as a country. Greek’s destiny shown the North Node is conjunct the Euro’s Pluto square to this Jupiter/Mars conjunction. In essence, Greece can only progress when the European Central Bank acts (Mars) and the Euro itself goes through a transformation. The fact that Jupiter on the Greek chart conjuncts the Midheaven from the 9th house and trines the Greek ascendant as well as Saturn, Mercury and Venus shows that international factors will affect the national standing of the country, the government, national opinion and the national finances, pretty much confirming my assertions from the synastry chart. Astrologically, it looks very much like the breaking of the link between Greece and the Euro should be beneficial to both.

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Spain – Facing a financial storm in the autumn.

I’ve been looking at the charts of several European nations trying to see if any other countries are due for a difficult time, and facing the upcoming Uranus Pluto with potential financial worries will be Spain. Spain has serious financial problems caused by the explosion of an over inflated housing market back in 2008. Spain also is blighted by 20% unemployment coupled with over 5 million immigrants, who put a great strain on a fragile economy.

I use the 1975 modern Spain chart with a date of 22nd November 1975 at 12.45 cast after the death of General Franco set for the accession of King Juan Carlos. A Scorpio Sun and Cancerian Moon shows a very confident country, one where sensitivity and emotion is on tap at all times. The King does seem to have a magnetic hold on Spain, maybe due to the way he acceded to the throne after years of military dictatorship. The Sun sits proudly in the 10th house confirming that Spain is a constitutional monarchy, and the Moon is in the 6th of the everyday worker along with Saturn showing a link between the common man and the government of the country; Saturn trines to the Sun showing the government’s right to rule. The Moon in the 6th house is also indicative of agriculture playing a big part of the economy. Taurus, associated with farming sits across the 4th house cusp of the land, reinforcing this reliance on cultivating, growing food and building, including house building.

We have two significant t-squares on the chart – one with a Saturn/Ascendant opposition focused on Uranus and the other based around a Jupiter opposition to Pluto and Venus, squared by the Moon. We also have a wedge off this opposition focused on Neptune.

The Saturn/Ascendant/Uranus t-square shows a very progressive autonomous form of federal government. Uranus normally rules groups and committees, independence and individualism, and Spain runs with each autonomous region having substantial powers over their own economies. The second t-square is more problematic as the opposition sits across the financial 2nd/8th houses. Jupiter in the 2nd is very speculative with the nation’s finances and the 8th house Pluto/Venus highlight the problems Spain now faces. Pluto/Venus enhances Jupiter’s power for being wasteful (Venus rules money), and of course there is a link here to the housing bubble and subsequent crisis as Taurus is ruled by Venus. Pluto in the 8th opposite Jupiter in the 2nd also can be linked to a large “black economy” laying hidden below the surface which blights Spain’s economy, fuelled by the huge immigrant population which is shown by the whole t-square - Jupiter square Moon shows a population which is multi-cultural. Both links to Pluto and Neptune as well as a Moon/Neptune inconjunct aspect show the tendency for the amount of immigrants to be unconstrained. How much in taxes is lost through this illegal activity nobody knows, but seeing as the 8th house is also the house of debt, the Venus/Pluto conjunction opposite to Jupiter shows a potential for huge financial problems to pile up.

Moving on to Neptune in the 10th trine Jupiter sextile Pluto/Venus, this wedge highlights the deep (Pluto) Catholic (Neptune) faith (Jupiter) that lies at the heart of Spanish life. Culture is very important in Spain, music, art and dance. Neptune trine Jupiter sextile to Venus shows a real diverse and rich culture, one where the people enjoy life to the full and this is given extra spice by Mars sitting prominently in the 5th house of entertainment. Spain is a sports loving country from football to tennis, motor racing to bull fighting & Mars in the 5th house shows huge passion for it’s heroes.

I think Spain will soon be on the edge of a financial precipice. The reason? Spain’s natal Pluto, the key to the debt problem through the Pluto/Jupiter square sits at 10:55 Libra and in the firing line in the autumn for approaching Pluto. Secondly, we have transiting Saturn in the autumn entering Scorpio and as it does it will square the Aquarian ascendant opposed by Saturn in Leo and then it will hit natal Uranus the chart ruler head on. Thirdly, in the autumn we have the transiting Nodes hitting the natal Sun before being conjunct to the MC/IC axis. Transiting Neptune will be square to the Spanish Sun, this depressing and dissolving influence will sap national confidence. Uranus will itself be inconjunct it’s own position, very nasty and hinting at protests and possibly violence.

This is a lot of planetary pressure focused in a short time span hitting around October/November 2012. How will it play out? Big question, but international financial pressure focused on that 8th house Pluto and Venus which will be battered by the Pluto square to it’s own position I think is more than likely, and I can also see the impending crisis forcing a possible snap election triggered by Saturn’s square to it’s own position and conjunction to Uranus.

Ok I will have a quick look at the stars for Madrid in early November set for Madrid. First up, Uranus will be in paran relationship with fixed Star Algol, the head of the medusa in Perseus. Algol is fierce, passionate and often is associated with unfortunate events. Brady says that this connection shows rebellion and the anger of the common people. In a similar vein, Saturn is in paran with Hamal in Aries which will inflame the public mood even more. Uranus also connects with Murzims in the constellation Canis Major. The dog star has a big bark, and this connection shows the people wanting their voice to be heard, often there are elections held around the time when a link between these bodies is made. Pluto’s relationship to Sualocin brings unforeseen action, which tends to back my assertion that a surprise election could happen.

Mars will be in connection with both star El Nath in Taurus and Bellatrix in Orion in early November showing the potential for industrial action and strikes as well as a very aggressive attitude within not only the people but also the authorities.

Now, if this scenario pans out as I predict, will the government survive? I believe more than likely as Venus will be close to Saturn, the established leader in the sky giving her light and blessing. Uranus makes one more paran to Betelgeuse which traditionally sees that the people favour the existing policies of the day, so Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy may get a reprieve to sort out the impending financial crisis.

Even if he and the current Spanish government can fight on to see another day and to tackle this predicted tough period, Spain is going to have a long hard road to turn the economy around. In the mean time if I am correct, it’s gonna get ugly, the people look as if they are not going to be happy, and a financial hurricane is coming. I suggest the Spanish people and leaders need to start battening down the hatches straight away.

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Yulia Tymoshenko – Being held behind bars but still defiant.

Sometimes you just need to look into the eyes of a person in a picture and you immediately know what they are all about. Look into the eyes of Yulia Tymoshenko, and you see one determined lady. Yulia, the former Prime Minister of Ukraine and one of the leaders of the Orange revolution in Ukraine back in 2004, was rather controversially thrown into jail for brokering an alleged bad deal for her country during her second term in office via an agreement with Russia over the provision of gas supplies. Seeing that Ukraine often shivers under sub-zero temperatures in harsh winters and in 2009 Russia had previously turned off the taps for 13 days, I suspect Tymoshenko's hands were somewhat tied when agreeing to a deal to preserve Ukraine’s gas supply. Her story has hit the headlines as she has been suffering severe back problems, made worse by being allegedly punched by prison guards as she was being taken for medical treatment. In response, she has gone on hunger strike and on finding out her plight, several European countries including Germany have boycotted an international summit which was to be held in Yalta, and the European Football championships which are taking place in Poland & Ukraine this summer may yet be affected too. Yes, the treatment of Yulia is bad and should be condemned, but Yulia herself is no angel as the astrology shows.

Yulia was born on 27th November 1960 in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. She is a Sun sign Sagittarius and her Moon is either in dreamy Pisces or in assertive Aries. I would love to find out her birth time and if anyone reading does know please email me. Her Moon more than likely is close to the Aries point (0 degrees of cardinal signs); this would make sense at the same time pushing her into the public eye. I am not saying that everyone with a planet on the Aries point will get fame and fortune, but the possibility exists. Her Sagittarian Sun brings her an open, generous and lively character, always wanting to learn and experience new challenges. They do have plenty of chances to learn too, as Sagittarians have a penchant for enjoying life to the full which can often lead them into trouble.

Now Yulia’s Sun sits square to Pluto and the Nodal axis. This tension aspect combined with the conjunction of Node and Pluto suggests a very close bond between herself and her mother, and this was true. I am sure that her Moon sits peregrine in her chart disconnected from the other planets, and whenever I see this I know that there was a big split between mother and father which lead to them separating. Yulia’s father left the family home when she was just 3, leaving her mother to bring her up. This a multi faceted conjunction, and I think it is the main pivot on which her chart is based.

After leaving school Yulia, joined the local mining company majoring in cybernetic engineering. Here we see the opposition between Saturn and Mars in operation. This is a very determined and disciplined store of energy and here we see ambition and a career (Saturn) in mechanical subjects (Mars). Mars in Cancer is not very aggressive unless one’s family is threatened, and then your would see Yulia protecting her loved ones with great energy. Saturn in Capricorn is very strong sitting in it’s own sign so Yulia’s ambitions were never going to stay in engineering, she would have wanted more and more responsibility. What type of responsibility? The trines from Saturn/Venus and Jupiter conjunct in Capricorn back to that Pluto gives the key, control and power and international status. It was in her destiny North Node to be a powerful (Pluto) social (Venus) international (Jupiter) leader (Saturn).

Lets return back to that Saturn Venus and Jupiter conjunction. This cools the emotions especially in romantic situations, where one would expect red hot emotions and passion with Mars opposing Venus. Saying that, with a trine between Pluto and Saturn/Venus Yulia’s emotions will run deep and passionately. This will be especially seen in her politics, which she entered into in 1991. Saturn sextile to Neptune shows she is socially aware, but also somewhat conservative in nature. This is balanced out by Jupiter trine to Pluto which is very, very expansionist and shows good potential for making money. We have a shrewd combination here able to administer big sweeping social projects with ease. The sextile from Jupiter to Neptune and Mercury shows that Yulia believe anything is possible, but and this is a big but, it also indicates a naïve side to her character, a tendency to take deceptive risks and to play devil’s advocate.

We have two mini grand trines formed off the Saturn/Venus/Jupiter conjunction trine to Pluto with a conjunction of Mercury and Neptune in Scorpio at the focus point. Mercury and Neptune is imaginative in communication, incisive even surgical in it’s delivery yet also nuanced with a poetic nature. Yulia will be a very powerful orator. This conjunction is not only influenced by Pluto in Virgo bringing an obsession for correctness and detail, but also by a trine from Mars in emotional Cancer and of course authority from the sextile from Saturn. Jupiter adds a dash of optimism and a wider vision, and her speeches may take on a spiritual style or a faith based nature of delivery. Mars trine Mercury loves the cut and thrust of debate, of challenging ideas and arguments (what did I say about Sagittarians loving a challenge?) and when Yulia speaks people will follow her, Mars is clear and decisive in speech and loves to lead from the front.

The one planet I have not touched upon is Uranus, which sits alone in Leo. Planets on their own do dominate a chart, and here we have one and maybe two in Uranus and the Moon. Uranus peregrine in Leo is almost uncontrollable, it is the hooligan of the zodiac. Not only is it a very, very proud placing, it is also fiercely independent, egotistical, hugely stubborn and will insist in no uncertain manner in getting one’s own way. Uranus is the planet of overturning the status quo, of revolt and of revolution. Yulia is a law unto herself, lessons in independence taught to her early on by her mother who had to bring her up in a one parent family, and is it no surprise given the powerful nature of Uranus in her chart that she was the one to lead the Orange revolution of 2004? Just think, what in Astrology is Leo’s prime colour? Gold and orange – the colours of the Sun, reflective of Uranus’ position in the sky. One will never forget the thousands of people crammed in Kiev’s main square all furiously waving their orange flags until the overthrow of the Ukrainian government was complete. This was her mission, this was her calling to overthrow the then government of President Leonid Kutchma and Prime Minister Victor Yanukovich which had decimated Ukraine’s economy, and her alliance with Victor Yushchenko who eventually became President swept to victory. Tymoshenko became Prime Minister but in doing so she had created an enemy in Yanukovich who would exact revenge.

Victor Yanukovich never forgot the way he was pushed from power and when he finally became President of Ukraine in 2010 defeating Tymoshenko in the process, a set of corruption charges were issued against Yulia Tymoshenko over the importation of natural gas with Russia, accusing her of “abuse of power”. Tymoshenko has branded these charges as “selective justice and personal persecution”, but she lost the court case and was sentenced to 7 years in jail. Her current hunger strike in protest to awful treatment she is receiving shows the stubbornness of Uranus present in her character, be sure she will not back down until she gets her way. 

You know, for every action one makes, there is a reaction, what you sow, you reap. Karma is present in all our lives and is represented by the North and South Nodes, however Yulia’s North Node was connected to deep, dark Pluto. Pluto here acted as I explained in several ways, as a motivator for power, giving ability over detail and giving intense passion of emotions. Pluto also restricts, is brutal, unfair and controlling. In being sentenced to years in jail, Pluto was showing it’s dark side to Julia Tymoshenko. Pluto trine to Saturn held it’s promise in her natal chart and blocked her route to power and her authority in office. Her destiny in her obsessive quest for power was not only to taste the authority over people’s lives, but also to face and experience of that power rebounded back onto her.

For the Visual Astrology picture of Yulia’s horoscope, I focus in on the constellation of Leo. Here we have Yulia’s life concentrated into one neat picture. Uranus sits close to the star Regulus, the royal star in the heart of the Lion. Regulus brings one fame and glory, but only if you gain honourably and by not seeking revenge or by abusing that power one you have it. If you do, then all you gain can be lost in an instant. Here is Uranus (peregrine) the rebel who seeks change who gains the crown (Regulus), ripping it off the heads of the leaders of the day through revolution. Brady says that Uranus connecting with Regulus indicates taking the alternative position but also understanding the needs of the people. Even if her protests against electoral fraud in the initial 2004 Presidential elections were admirable in seeking honesty and justice, she still lead the protests of 500,000 people in Kiev and eventually forced a 2nd election which she and Yushchenko won. The seeds of her downfall by gaining leadership by force had been sown.

Pluto sits also in Leo near the star Zosma. Zosma on the back of the Lion which in mythology was crushed by Hercules. To be crushed, to suffer and be made impotent is the fate of any planet in conjunction with Zosma. Zosma is rarely found in connection with the planets of the rich and famous, and only when they are directly or indirectly made powerless or fall from grace. Yulia Tymoshenko’s North Node is also conjunct Pluto, and through the Lord of Darkness connects with majority of the rest of her chart. Her destiny was to be confined in prison by the man who she deposed, to be crushed and to lose all the privileges that Regulus had given her.

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Barack Obama versus Mitt Romney – Who does astrology say will win the 2012 US Presidential Election?

Ok, here we go!!! In the red corner we have the Pisces challenger, the former governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney representing the Republicans and in the blue corner stands the Leo born incumbent and representative of the Democratic party, Barack Obama. Now as promised, seeing as I am currently on a bit of a winning streak, I am going to get out my crystal ball (no, not really), gaze up to the heavens and give my two-penny worth of opinion of who I believe will prevail on 6th November 2012. I am going to look head to head, the astrology on the day as well as the visual astrology picture. I hope to provide the most comprehensive astrological guide on the web to the biggest and most significant political contest that will grip the globe in 2012.

BARACK OBAMA – NATAL CHART

Barack was born on 4th August 1961 at 19.24 in Honolulu, Hawaii. A proud Leo Sun sign, he has a media savvy Gemini Moon and a cool yet sociable Aquarius ascendant. A quick look at the pattern of the chart shows most of the planets in the Western hemisphere; this is a man who thinks of other people before he thinks of himself and with 5 planets in fixed signs he is determined but a little stuck in his ways.

The Sun and Mercury sit in wide conjunction in showbiz Leo. All Leos love to be the centre of attention ( I should know as I am a Leo too) and Barack is no exception. He will be proud, individual and he will want to be the best he can be. Being at the top is natural for most Leo’s it’s the place they naturally believe they should be. Mercury in Leo makes Barack have strong opinions which he will express with gusto, he is a strong confident orator who will like to put on a show. In the sixth house this combination adds a great attention to detail in his day to day work, getting to grips with the smallest problem, Barack is an organizer supreme and quite a perfectionist. He will also be very conscious of his health and will a great fan of keeping fit and healthy and his vision to overhaul the US health system shows this.

Opposite Mercury is Saturn and Jupiter. As well as the small details, Barack will also be able to express the bigger picture and his communication will have a serious, hard-nosed edge with Saturn exceptionally strong in Capricorn. Woe betide anyone who crosses Barack, as he is one tough cookie who will show little mercy. He will have a stern temper with Saturn trine Mars and he has a great store of energy and controlled ambition pushing him to the top. Jupiter is in socially aware Aquarius thus Barack’s big vision and belief is being fair to all, not just those at the top. This is backed up with socially orientated Libra on the cusp of the 8th house of change and taxation. Where Saturn and Jupiter gives someone a balanced outlook, it sometimes holds you back. I often find people with this aspect cannot make up their mind or will go for the more conservative option rather than taking a risk or two. Barack’s catchphrase in the 2008 election was “Yes we can!!”, not “Yes we will!!”. Very Saturn Jupiter in that regard, Barack will always find it rather easier to sit on the fence.

Saturn is retrograde as always this indicated that the love of the father was missing. As we know, his parents separated when he was just 3 years old. With a peregrine Uranus conjunct his North Node, his relationship with his mother was distant and cold. This Uranus will tend to dominate the chart and Obama’s demeanour is strangely similar, kind, sympathetic but with a cool edge. His path in life will be to be very socially aware, a humanitarian and setting a radical agenda.

Those cool emotions are also shown by the Moon in restless Gemini. He will be very aware of “the message”, always wanting to be informed and aware of the latest news. He will also want to control the message and it’s content with the Moon square Pluto in critical Virgo. His family and especially his children will be very dear to him and he will want to keep their upbringing very much in a secure and private environment, shown by the Moon sitting in the fourth house.

Next door in the fifth house we see Venus. This is a very romantic, gentle Venus being trine to Neptune. A lover of romance, he will appreciate the love of his wife Michelle, be a bit of a dreamer and may have artistic or creative flair. For sure Barack will be a big sports fan and appreciative of competition. Neptune in the ninth shows an appreciation of all type of faith, no matter how unusual. It also shows that his education was very confused and disrupted. Interestingly Neptune is square the Sun, here is a possibility for using drugs and or alcohol to escape from reality and the difficult aspects of his life.

Finally I look at the 7th house of partners and marriage. Here we find Pluto, Mars and that peregrine (not connected to any other planet by major aspect) Uranus. I wonder about this combination. Sure he will be attracted to strong feisty and controlling women with Mars and Pluto here, and Michelle is certainly that, but he will also be very irritable man to live with as he is such a perfectionist (Mars in Virgo). That stand alone Uranus here in the 7th tends to say to me that the relationship with his wife may be a bit cooler than we think. Pluto suggests that through marriage Barack’s life was transformed, however in the future, this same Pluto through a malefic transit could also herald a further change of perspective in the direction of his life. We shall see.

MITT ROMNEY – NATAL CHART

Mitt was born on 12th March 1947 in Detroit, Michigan at 09.51hrs. There is a second potential birth time which is known to Astrologers of 10.00am but the difference is negligible, for the moment at least. Like his main rival Rick Perry, Mitt is a Sun Pisces and he has a Scorpio Moon and a Gemini Ascendant. Before I delve into the planetary details, it is interesting to note that Mitt has no planets in Earth signs like Hilary Clinton. Those without any planets in earth often lack grounding (an obvious but true statement) and common sense. Starting things off and leading from the front is not really in the nature of the Governor of Massachusetts too, as he only has one planet in a Cardinal sign, and this is spiritual Neptune. With 5 planets in water, Mitt is someone who feels his way through life. He has tremendous determination and staying power with 5 fixed planets, and he is flexible and can shift his position to suit the situation with 4 in mutable signs.

Mitt’s Sun sits in the 11th house in wide conjunction to Mercury and we also find Mars here as well. His strength is in being a team player. He will work best when as part of a group, association or in cooperation with friends. As such, if he does achieve the nomination, his potential running mate I think will prove crucial to his chances, as Mitt is the polar opposite to Barack Obama who is very much his own man and somebody who prefers to run things by himself. With Mercury and Mars in conjunction, Mitt has a sharp mind, his arguments will be clear and convincing and will snap back with a quick response if challenged; this man is a good debater and has a clever turn of phrase in his armoury. Mitt’s Mars is in Pisces so at heart he is naturally non-aggressive and will hold back if challenged to fight. Mercury retrograde is quite reflective, introspective and deep thinking especially when it comes to personal subjects, or things of an emotional nature. Mitt certainly will have a poetic way of communicating, but I suspect he lacks the real passion of emotion in his speeches to inspire the masses, like a Kennedy, Reagan or Clinton for example. The Gemini Ascendant will make him question every action and concept put to him, make him strongly independent and often seem on edge, he may suffer with nervous tension and anxiety.

The Sun and Mercury square to Uranus in the first house. This man likes to be original, to be an individual standing out in the crowd. He will thrive in a fast paced environment, but his energies and thoughts may become scattered once under pressure. Uranus is in Gemini, he may attempt to sort out too many things at the same time, with the risk of nothing ever getting completed. This is also compounded by the lack of earth in the chart. A Taurean emphasis would be so handy here, a steadying hand on the tiller and this is why I believe that above anything else, Romney will need to choose very carefully a running mate who is going to compensate for his lack of earth signs. Mitt will have a penchant and an interest for science, development and the latest technology.

The Sun makes a trine to the Moon and Jupiter closely conjunct in the 6th house of health and everyday work. Here is an optimistic link, someone who believes that luck and fortune is on his side, and generally it is. He has big visions and and will work and work and work to achieve them. Here is no lack of effort. He will be drawn to help people in whatever way he can, to fix what has gone wrong. The 6th house suggests that health will be one area that he will especially be compelled to sort out. This is a tolerant man who will forgive mistakes in others, a worthy aim but one in a politician which can signal weakness. He is emotionally generous, but also very secretive and he will want to know what is going on all around him. Scorpio Moons need to know everything. Scorpio Moon can cause one to be very controlling and even cruel in situations. The iron fist of a tyrant lurks beneath the gentle watery Piscean air that Mitt will portray. This all leads me to think that this could be a very difficult man to work for, sometimes helpful but also capable of being very ruthless.

The last formation on the chart is an extended wedge formation encompassing the 4 planets I have yet to look at. We see a heavy Saturn/Pluto conjunction across the nadir of the chart opposite to Venus conjunct to the Midheaven with Neptune sitting at the point of the wedge. The Saturn Pluto conjunction is capable of huge success in one’s life, it concentrates power, determination and ambition however, as with all the planets the fall side of these planets can be quite devastating. I have nicknames this formation the crash and burn connection, because I have seen so many people with these two planets in a stressful aspect (conjunction, square or opposition) abuse the power and status that it brings, only to suffer the consequences, Rupert Murdoch just recently comes to mind – he has an opposition. Mitt’s conjunction lies opposite to his Midheaven, so it doesn’t take much genius to imagine that a square aspect or opposition from a malefic transiting planet could cause his lasting harmful damage to his reputation. Saturn in the 3rd house makes Mitt rather staid and serious in his communication, he will like to be strictly accurate and light hearted exchanges of views are not really his thing. Saturn is retrograde, so we know that the love of his father was never very forthcoming. Pluto sits in the 4th house, indicating that the relationship with him was very close and controlling. His father would have had a huge influence over his upbringing, someone Mitt hugely admired and yet feared at the same time.

Venus sits in the 10th house in Aquarius. Mitt is married to his work and commitments as much as he is to his wife. Venus in this sign suggests that Ann his wife is very much his friend and that they got married in unusual circumstances, they married immediately after he returned from travelling abroad as a Mormon missionary in France. The trine from Neptune to his Midheaven shows the spiritual link to his early work, and Capricorn on the cusp of the 9th house shows Mitt’s serious attitude to religion. He will want to be known for contributing something positive to the world. If he does become President, watch out for a huge encouragement to the arts, to entertainment and to American creativity in general. This is something that Mitt will want to be associated with. Neptune trine to Venus shows a dreamy expressive quality that is quite lovely. There is a soft heart to this man, someone who will love movies and music, art, theatre and fantasy. Neptune in Libra can be “influenced” by those stronger or more persuasive around them, there is the potential for gullibility or maybe deception in this position and connected to this powerful opposition in the natal chart, this just could be an achillies heel in his personality that could be exposed in the future.

HEAD TO HEAD ANALYSIS

I started this article in the style of the boxing announcer before a big brawl and with good reason. A picture often speaks for a thousand words and just looking at the amount of blue and purple on this head to head chart, the colours I use to indicate oppositions and squares (in short tension aspects), tells you all you need to know. These two will clash – big time. Let’s look at the Suns, we have a straight forward proud Leo in Obama against an evasive, elusive Pisces. In boxing terms, we have the big hitter who stands upright in the middle of the ring verses the boxer with more skill than strength who jinks in and out wary of the opponent’s sledgehammer left hook (Obama is left handed) and trying to wear out his opponent and land enough punches to take the title on points.

The Moons like the Suns are also in “inconjunct” signs Gemini (Obama) and Scorpio (Romney) so emotionally they work on different levels. We have the same awkward inconjunct combination with either Mercury, Obama in Leo and Romney in Pisces. Indeed in looking at the inner personal planets we do not have one tension free combination. Each other’s Mars are in opposite signs, so we are going to have some verbal clashes there, and Obama’s Mars opposes Romney’s Pluto and Obama’s Mars opposes Romney Sun. Just add in Romney’s Pluto conjunct Obamas’ Sun and Obama’s Pluto in a focused quindecile to Romney’s Sun (a draw in the intensity stakes here) and there are fireworks and huge battles for control just waiting to go off, combined with some dirty underground tactics thrown in just for good measure.

Romney’s Saturn sits conjunct to Obama’s Mercury and Romney’s Mercury is inconjunct Obama’s Sun. These two aspects alone should annoy the hell out of one another. In the TV debates terms, it all sounds rather good and we should get some decent argument if the TV networks allow it & some heavy blows being traded. The signature aspect here mind you between the two is undoubtedly Obama’s Aquarian Jupiter opposed by Romney’s Saturn in Leo. Expansion versus contraction, hope versus fear, liberal versus conservative. Their charts are at cross purposes, and so are their views and politics.

ELECTION DAY – MITT ROMNEY

Above we have Mitt Romney’s natal chart against election day 6th Nov 2012 in Washington, DC. On the plus side, Mitt has the transiting North Node conjunct natal Jupiter and Moon which brings positive emotions and a fair amount of fortune. Transiting Saturn in the 6th house of everyday work will square Romney’s Midheaven and square his natal Saturn. A big question here. Is Saturn pushing him up a step on the ladder, or is Mitt’s progress being stopped in it’s tracks?

Let’s move back to natal Saturn on Mitt’s chart. There, his Saturn (the inner ring) is conjunct to Pluto and opposite to his Midheaven. You could say natally that his ultimate progress and ambitions in life (Saturn/Midheaven) are in effect blocked by Pluto, affected by a slower moving and thus more powerful planet. Is this a prediction for what happens on 6th November? It happened last time in the Republican nomination process when Romney got so far, before he was defeated by John McCain. He has done better in 2011/12, but will his ambitions be thwarted again this time by Obama?

Transiting Neptune will be square Mitt’s Ascendant and Jupiter/Moon conjunction from his 10th house of career, which is significant as Neptune is personal for Romney as he is a Pisces. These connections can be rather over idealistic, falsely confident and ultimately depressing in nature. Transiting Jupiter square Mercury his chart ruler is optimistic in nature and thinks big without having the substance to back one’s ideas and hopes up, and transiting Uranus which rules his Midheaven is trine to Saturn which shows a switch in ambition and work focus, but will this be as President or will he have to realign his priorities after a second unsuccessful attempt?

Looking to Romney’s progressed Moon, if he wins it will be moving into his 12th house of seclusion and sacrifice which is not ideal for a President as often life ideals and plans tend to break down during this progression. It does tend to signify Mitt moving out of the limelight to reassess his life and ambitions, coming back into the light of day in 2/3 years time in 2015 as it finally connects with his ascendant to start a new cycle in his life. 

ELECTION DAY – BARACK OBAMA

Right I move to Barack Obama. Ok firstly the initial thing I see is the Moon sitting in Leo conjunct Obama’s Sun. In mundane Astrology, the Moon suggests the people and this says the people’s mood is in accordance with the Leo nature of Obama’s Sun. This Moon is quindecile Obama’s Saturn bringing a focus onto his experience and authority. Transiting Saturn sits square to Obama’s Mercury and Jupiter and inconjunct to his Moon, so his mood may well be quite sombre and business-like on the day, not wanting to get over enthusiastic and optimistic. Obama’s natal chart is ruled by Uranus with Aquarius on the Ascendant and the transiting Nodal Axis is going to be square his natal Uranus/North Node conjunction which does seem to indicate a time of destiny for him, especially as the lucky North Node will still be in conjunction with his Midheaven giving him a career boost.

There are a couple more nice transits here with transiting Jupiter sextile to Obama’s Sun and transiting Pluto trine Obama’s Pluto. This shows a strengthening of power, especially if you look at his Midheaven and see that Pluto through Scorpio rules Obama’s Midheaven (public persona and career status). Transiting Neptune does sit close to Obama’s South Node which may cast a shadow over his whole campaign, however the conjunction has passed through and may not affect him now. Neptune passed Obama’s South Node at 27 Aquarius  in 2010/11 when he at the time was being seen as weak and ineffectual.

Obama’s progressed Moon will be midway through his 2nd house on election day making a pivotal virtual Yod, a turning point in his life with Pluto (ruling his Midheaven) and Neptune (ruling his 2nd house of self worth). The Moon here tends to see one setting down roots and spending money to enhance one’s surroundings. Doesn’t sound like the progressed Moon is describing him moving his residence anytime soon.

THE STARS & PLANETS OVER WASHINGTON on 6th NOV 2012

This star map shows sunrise on election day and gives the biggest clue to who may win on the day. We have Venus as the “Morning Star” rising before Saturn (the King) representing the established leader (Obama) and the Sun, auspicious for the King (Obama) as Venus is conferring her blessings upon the holder of high office. Normally when Venus rises in the morning, it assists independent action and a chance for those in charge to take a few risks, thus a morning star Venus rising tends to favour established leaders rather than challengers who have to strike deals, make concessions and find the need to cooperate to get the chance to assume the top position. As Venus shines her light on Saturn (representing Obama), Jupiter normally seen in Visual Astrology as the prince in waiting or the challenger to the throne (representing Romney) is nowhere to be seen.

Assessing the fixed stars of the day of the election over Washington we have Uranus at the nadir of the chart as the star Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion is setting. Bernadette Brady says of this combination that the people tend to favour the establishment policies of the incumbent leader; another vote for Obama here. We also have Neptune sitting at 0:22 Pisces on the day directly opposite the star Regulus the heart of the lion in the constellation in Leo which is currently residing at 0:01 Virgo. Amazing coincidence this, as we have a Leo pitted against a Pisces (ruled by Neptune) for the crown of the Presidency reflected so clearly in the stars of the day. Brady says in her interpretation of this connection that “a leader fails, the king is dead”. Which leader fails, the leader of the Republicans or of the Democrats? Whichever one does fall, there are going to be some angry scenes and rather upset people afterwards as Saturn is in paran relationship with Hamal the main star in the constellation of Aries. Through this connection, I am certain that a section of the people are going to be rather angry and disillusioned, and there are going to be some harsh critics of how the population of the US has come to their decision.

Maybe the defeat of one of the candidates and the associated anger that the stars foretell will be down to over-confidence? Mercury on the day will be in paran relationship with the star Sadalmelek which is a star in the urn of the water bearer in Aquarius. Brady says of Sadalmelek/Mercury that “overconfidence will derail a plan considered to be invincible”. I tend to think that this refers to Romney. Not only does he have a Gemini ascendant ruled by Mercury, but also transiting Jupiter as I pointed earlier will be square his chart ruler, bringing him an air of invincibility and over-estimation of his strength and of his position.

MY PERSONAL VIEW

Having looked at the election from every conceivable angle, I can only see one outcome – a win for President Obama.

Romney’s natal chart does show a key to this which may have been sitting in his chart from birth – his Saturn and Midheaven is blocked by Pluto and Obama just happens to have a Pluto Midheaven himself. Obama’s (ambition) natal Saturn is conjunct natal Jupiter so with him there is no impediment to his rise in stature. If you were wondering why Romney lost in 2008 to John McCain, it’s very simple as McCain’s Saturn in Pisces was in direct conjunction with Romney’s Pisces Sun, holding authority and power over him.

The planets rising on election day also favour the President as do the planet’s relationships to the fixed stars and I think that barring some unforeseen events before election day, Barack Obama will be staying put in the White House for 4 more years.

Just as a final note – I am a British Astrologer based in the UK, so I have no preference or allegiance for either party or candidate.

More Articles on Obama vs Romney

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13th August 2012 - Paul Ryan nominated by Mitt Romney as his Vice Presidential running mate.

4th November 2012 - Fixed Star Connections for Election Day 2012

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Please keep your comments around the subject of Astrology and the two candidates please. I have one or two recently which i have had to block, because people’s passions are rising over this upcoming election. I love passionate debate too, but not to the extent that has been written by some readers in relation to this article… Thank you…

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