Neptune in Pisces – The planet of mystery returns home.

On 3rd February Neptune silently & covertly slips permanently into Pisces. Not many people outside those who follow Astrology will realise it, but this will signify a major shift in life on earth. None of us have ever experienced Neptune in Pisces except for the 3-4 months that Neptune dipped it’s toes in the water back in April last year before moving back into Aquarius in early August. This time Neptune stays in it’s own sign until 2025.

Laura Dekker – Born to sail across the oceans

Laura Dekker is a amazing and courageous young lady. Two days ago on 21st Jan 12 at 15.00, she returned home to Saint Martin in the Netherlands Antilles after an epic trip creating in the process a world record. On the record attempt, she set off from Gibraltar on August 10th 2010 on her 38ft boat, “Guppy” crossing the Atlantic Ocean to St Martin. She left on the circumnavigation on 5th Jan 2011 covering a total distance of 5600 nautical miles (10,400 km). At just the age of 16, she had become the youngest person ever to sail around the globe singlehandedly. To sail the oceans is a tough ask for most people and is a truly dangerous undertaking. For someone so young to endure such a feat of endurance is truly unbelievable, showing an indomitable spirit and highlighting her incredible talent for sailing.

Gary Oldman – On his way to receiving the recognition he deserves.

Quiet, unassuming & superbly talented, Gary Oldman stars in the critically acclaimed “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” which hits the UK cinemas back in September last year. Although he has always been lauded as one of the best actors of his generation, until today Gary had never been nominated for an Oscar. I am so pleased that this anomaly in his career has now changed.

George Clooney – Suave, sophisticated and independent.

It’s film awards time of the years again and in the mix to pick up awards as best actor and director this year at the BAFTA awards in London and at the Oscars in Los Angeles is George Clooney. His films “The Descendants” where he takes the lead role and “The Ides of March” where he not only directs but also stars have garnered him critical acclaim this year and he should picks up a fair amount of nominations for them.

Mars Retrograde – Time to reflect on what you’ve done.

Ah Mars, the red planet. The sign of the warrior, the winner, the aggressor. The planet of action, the one which impels us to get of our backsides and go and do something constructive with our lives. The world would go nowhere without the sheer energy and pioneering spirit given by the red planet. Mars moves into retrograde motion tonight at 00.53 London time. What I mean by retrograde motion is that in relation to the movement of the earth, Mars seems to be moving backwards. Just one of those quirks of the orbits that the planets have. Mars goes into retrograde once every 2 years or so for a couple of months.

SOPA – US stop piracy law causes 24 hour internet blackout protest.

“Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut!”" That is the idea that comes to mind when I think about the proposed law to prevent internet piracy in the US which may shortly be implemented. Many large internet sites such as Reddit and Wikipedia (above) have blacked out their pages for 24 hours today (18th Jan 12) in a unified protest against this horrendously overbearing law which could have ramifications not just in the US but worldwide.

Muhammad Ali – A look at the horoscope of the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time.

Last night the news came in that one of the most iconic sports personalities ever had passed away. Muhammad Ali had the most amazing life, from growing up from poor roots in Kentucky, to conquering the world in the boxing ring with skill and grace, in standing up for his chosen religion & dealing with a degenerative and incapacitating illness. Muhammad Ali remains one of the most awe inspiring people in sport and a name that will live on through the ages. Looking at his astrology chart, I want to try and dig a little deeper to try to explain why he was “simply the greatest”.

Costa Concordia – Shipwreck a genuine mistake or a grave error of judgement?

This evening I finally got hold of the time of the Costa Concordia accident close to the Island of Giglio off the west coast of Italy. To all reports, the cruise liner struck an undersea rock on Friday evening at approximately 21.30hrs. The question everyone is asking is what the hell was a huge liner like that doing being in so close to the island of Giglio? Did the captain on such a modern ship (constructed in 2005) really lose his way? The answer possibly was given on UK Sky News this evening reporting that the new captain went close to the island because a friend lived there. To all reports, this practise of sailing close to Giglio seemed to be a tradition on this particular ship as an old officer who worked on Concordia used to live there too, and so the ship would go close to the island’s coastline and sound it’s horn as a gesture. Does this show up on the astro chart? Amazingly there is a hint that it does.

Barack Obama – How the planets have been affecting him in 2011, and are shaping his thinking in 2012.

Astrology can be a hugely complicated subject, so just for once I am just going to concentrate today solely on the position of the planets with the President, as they can still infer a lot of meaning to the chart. Sometimes even I can get bogged down at looking for the hidden meaning and nuances of a chart, when the real truth is staring you squarely in the face. With this look at Barack Obama, I go back to basics.

Steven Spielberg – A lifetime making movies

Another year, another Spielberg blockbuster. The film maestro was in London this week for the premiere of “War Horse” his latest epic set in the UK and Europe depicting a story of a boy and his horse (Joey) at the time of World War One. From Jaws, to ET, the spellbinding Schindler’s List to Saving Private Ryan, Steven has struck gold on the silver screen many, many times, and is now one of the most powerful men in the film industry.

Israel and Iran – Tensions rising to boiling point.

The murder of an Iranian nuclear scientist yesterday, Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan blown up outside a Tehran university has raised the temperature of the already strained relationship between Iran and Israel. Now there is no proof that Mossad agents were to blame for the unexplained attack, however veiled threats coming out of Israel that Iran should “expect unusual events this year” has left the Iranians rather unhappy. Very unhappy indeed…

Johnny Depp & Vanessa Paradis – A relationship under strain from Saturn, Uranus and Pluto.

No matter how stable a relationship may be, when Pluto and Uranus come calling, it can bring huge instability and pressure upon a couple. Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis have been together as partners for 14 years and have 2 children. Press reports say that the atmosphere between the two has been strained, and the astrology backs these reports up.

Stephen Hawking – Defying illness, age and medical expectations.

Professor Stephen Hawking was 70 years old today.  That is 49 years since he first suffered the symptoms of ALS, a variation of Motor Neurone disease. In this regard he is almost unique, as the normal life expectancy of such a condition is normally 10 years. Add to the fact that he is one of the most brilliant cosmologists and theoretical physicists in the world today, and this is a very remarkable man.

Jamaica – Ready to go it alone as a Republic

This is Portia Simpson Miller, the brand new Prime Minister of Jamaica. She has raised eyebrows by openly committing Jamaica to become a republic and pulling away from having Queen Elizabeth as head of state in the year of the Monarch’s diamond jubilee and just before an official visit by Prince Harry. Looking at the placements of the planets, one can see exactly why there is a call for change in the Caribbean nation.

Aung San Suu Kyi – Tied to Burma’s past and Burma’s future.

Today, Aung San Suu Kyi made the claim that democracy in Burma was not too far away. When the day does come, and democratic power is restored, the whole world will celebrate. This lady, in the peaceful dignified way she has opposed the military regime which took power in her country back in 1988, deserves a chance to bring Burma back into the international fold. She is a truly remarkable woman, and her links to Burma through the astrology shows why she caught the imagination of the people, and why the military rulers so feared her.

Aung San Suu Kyi was born on 19th June 1945 in Rangoon, Burma (no birth time known). She is communicative Gemini and has a Libran Moon. The combination of Sun and Moon in air signs shows a person who is sociable and clever and who enjoys debate, discussion, ideas and principles. Her Gemini Sun is conjunct to Mercury in Cancer, so she is someone who speaks and writes with emotion, and is proud of her history her roots and her country. Her Moon is in wide conjunction to Neptune also in Libra, which brings gentle emotions and this Moon is trine to Uranus in Gemini. Here is a link between the gentle spiritual Moon/Neptune conjunction and social revolution and freedom. The Gemini influence on Uranus indicates that she would be vocal in this rebellion against restrictions. Uranus in Gemini is always curious and eager to learn and people with this position  normally are progressive thinkers.

This is a lady with great fortitude and strength. Mars and Venus together in Taurus is a very gentle and peaceful combination. Venus in Taurus is steadfast and loyal Mars is dedicated and determined. Daw Suu “Auntie Suu” as the Burmese nickname her, is like the tortoise in the children’s story “The Hare and the Tortoise”. She will keep plodding along until the day is won.  When someone with Mars in Taurus gets on a mission, it is very difficult if nigh on impossible to stop them. This Mars/Venus conjunction is trine to Pluto which brings limitless compassionate energy to her.

Her mission is to lead and to run her country. Her father was head of the Burmese army who helped gain independence for Burma, however he was assassinated when Aung San Suu Kyi was just one. Her mother later gained prominence within the Burmese Government and became an overseas Ambassador to India, allowing Aung San Suu Kyi to travel and get a foreign education. Her relationship with her mother would not have been easy with Saturn in Cancer conjunct the Nodal (maternal) axis square to the Moon, I don’t think they would have seen eye to eye, but Saturn’s proximity to the North Node not only showed Aung San Suu Kyi’s dependence on her mother as well as pointing out her mother’s responsible position, but also predicted the future. It showed that it was in her destiny to eventually rise to political leadership (Saturn in 10th house) in her home nation (Cancer).

The relationship between her chart and Burma is inescapable. I have put her chart on the outside as we know Burma’s time of formation, 4th Jan 1948 in Rangoon. Aung San Suu Kyi’s North Node and Saturn opposes the Burmese Sun, a karmic connection between her and the nation and her Sun is in a quindecile aspect (150 degrees) to the Burmese Sun and Mercury, a very focused link between her and the leadership of her country. Her Sun sits in the 7th house of open enemies, so she would attract as much opposition as support. Her Moon and Neptune conjunction conjuncts the Burmese Moon and Neptune conjunction in democratic, social and fair Libra in the 10th house of government. The Moon in a country chart represents the people, and leaders of countries often have connections between their Moon and the country’s Moon, showing acceptance and being on the same wavelength as the people. Her Jupiter in also in the 10th house conjunct to the Burmese Midheaven. If she ever came to power, her influence would bring liberty, luck and fortune to the country. Her Uranus sits on the Burmese descendant just into the 7th house, showing her revolutionary stance as someone who would oppose, then overturn the status quo.

Moving on to her relationship with the military regime. In 1988, the Military staged a coup d’état (known as the 8888 uprising) due to their view that the country was being mismanaged. One can understand the profligacy of the Burmese government at the time with the national chart having a Sagittarian Ascendant and Jupiter in the 1st house!! Over expansive or what?? Apparently the day and time of formation of Burma in 1948 was due to the astrologers of the time thinking that having such a Jupiter and Sagittarian influence was lucky. You can have too much of a good thing… Astrology and spirituality has always been a major part of Burmese life.

Immediately you can see Aung San Suu Kyi’s Sun Uranus Mercury North Node and Saturn opposing the military’s Neptune, Uranus, Saturn and Moon, squared by the military’s Mars, like two armies facing each other. You can see the opposition to her authority (Saturn quindecile Saturn) with the military having the upper hand through the square to her Nodal axis and Saturn by their aggressive Mars in Aries. Her compassionate gentle Venus opposed the regime’s Pluto and squared their own Venus is in regal Leo. Did this astrological position predict the future at the time of the coup? The imprisonment (Pluto) of the regime’s most prominent opponent (opposing), who was a peaceful woman (Venus in Taurus), however this woman would capture the attention of the world and her star would rise putting her in the spotlight (Venus in Leo) ready to take control herself once the regime ended (ASSK’s Pluto in Leo conjunct Venus in Leo).

That time is now approaching and looking back over Burma’s history you can see that the country responds to the Nodal Axis, especially when it hits an angle. At the time of the coup, the transiting South Node (a time of detriment) was conjunct the Burmese Midheaven. look at the position of the natal Burmese South Node, in secretive controlling Scorpio hidden away in the 12th house. That is exactly the type of regime that Burma became after the coup.

In 2007 as the South Node returned to connect with the Midheaven and Uranus opposed joining the North Node at the nadir of the chart, the eyes of the world were on Burma again, as the people rose up against Military rule. While under house arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi appeared at the gate of her house briefly to support the monks who were demonstrating against human rights however, as the South Node connected with the natal Mars (the Nodes move clockwise around the chart) in September 07, the military quelled the revolt, killing many of the peaceful protesters in the process, and shocking the world with their brutal response. The message however had I think got through, and slowly but surely the military grip has been weakening on Burma ever since.

In the past week, the British Foreign secretary has been visiting Rangoon, meeting Aung San Suu Kyi, something seen as impossible just a few years ago. This meeting comes as the transiting North Node makes contact with the Burmese Ascendant, and full change is not so far away. Transiting Pluto is approaching a conjunction with the Burmese Sun at 12 Capricorn. Actual contact will not be complete until March 2014, but I expect the controls on the country will be loosened more and more as Burma prepares for free and fair elections. At that point the transiting South Node will be sitting bang on Burma’s progressed Venus. How more appropriate a time for the accession of their beloved female freedom fighter. I expect the transformation of the country then to be complete, and for Aung San Suu Kyi to fulfil her destiny and lead her nation.

Stephen Lawrence – Justice at last.

The case of Stephen Lawrence who was tragically murdered on a London street by a gang of youths in a seemingly unprovoked racial attack shocked the whole of the UK. For years, the murder remained unsolved until new scientific techniques finally found enough new evidence to convict  two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris, for his murder. The astrology is fascinating and explains why it was only now that the men were caught.

Iran lays down the law to America in the Gulf of Hormuz

There is serious sabre rattling in the Gulf right now, and tensions are rising as Iran tested 3 medium range missiles after a week of “military” manoeuvres and then told the US 5th fleet not to return to it’s base in Bahrain, lest Iran may act in retaliation. As if the Iranians are going to engage the Americans when they do go back (they wouldn’t dare), however with Iran flexing it’s muscles and getting potentially closer to building a nuclear device of their own, this is brinkmanship that the region could do without.

Aretha Franklin – Getting engaged at age 69

A lovely story to start the year off. Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul music is getting engaged at the relatively advanced age of 69 to her long time partner William Wilkerson, and will most likely be celebrating her 3rd marriage later this summer in Miami.

India – Parliament trying to clean up it’s act in the wake of corruption. A look at the Astrology of the world’s 2nd most populous nation.

Corruption in India, hmmm. I’ll tell you a story. Many years ago I was a travel representative with a holiday company and I was posted by the travel company out from Britain to India. We had an aircraft that flew into Agra, the city in Uttar Pradesh where the Taj Mahal is found. The chief immigration officer there would not allow anyone through the airport off that tourist plane unless we bribed him!! What could we do? I had the best part of 250 British tourists on a Boeing 757, and to allow them to enter India to enjoy their very expensive holidays, we paid off the official. Yes corruption was endemic, everywhere and I mean everywhere and it seems it still is!! Now in the Indian Parliament, an anti corruption bill (the Lokpal Bill) ended up in argument, stalemate and the ruling Congress party and the opposition BJP accusing each other for failing to get the bill, which gives an independent ombudsman powers to prosecute politicians and civil servants in the case of suspected corruption, through to the Indian upper house for a vote so that it could be passed into law. Do you think turkeys vote for Xmas? This was a mess that allowed each party to do some political points scoring against each other, and realistically there was no way that anyone wanted this through, especially the way things normally work in India.