I have been keeping a close eye on the Turkish national chart over the past few weeks as I suspected that Turkey may hold the key to one or more of the problems in the Middle East region. Now with the Syrian crisis really heating up right on Turkey’s south east border, an area traditionally dominated by Kurdish citizens, I have a distinct feeling that Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister may decide to act before any disturbance spills over into his country.
Thailand has been beset by floodwaters, probably the worst of their recent history. This post was prompted by a question posed to me by one of my readers, thank you John. Bangkok now waits and hopes that the worst will pass, and so a city of 12 million people will escape personal and commercial disaster.
Back on the 5th March I wrote an article about Saudi Arabia, saying that I believed big changes were going to happen in late Summer this year. This was because the 1st July eclipse when relocated to Riyadh found the Eclipse degree bang on the Midheaven with the rest of the cardinal cross formed at that eclipse hitting all 3 other major angles of the chart. At the time I suspected that the revolutions sweeping across the Arab world might hit Saudi Arabia. In that assumption I was wrong, but my feeling that some significant change was due has it seems proved correct. If you wish to see the Saudi natal chart please click the following link – Saudi Arabia
Going back to the Solar eclipse of July 1st, I missed a significant little connection. As you can see above the eclipse hit very close to the Saudi Ascendant, just into the hidden 12th house so some changes to the face of the country were going to happen. The fact that the eclipse was in the 12th house meant that some sacrifice of principles were going to take place. The only other direct hit from a planet conjunct to a Saudi natal planet was from transiting Venus, which formed a conjunction with the Saudi Moon. Both Venus and the Moon highlight women. The natal Moon representing women sits also in the 12th house, hidden away. Women in Saudi culture are all required to remain behind the veil, so apt for the Moon in the house ruled by Pisces and Neptune. Today’s announcement that Saudi women will now be able to vote and even stand for elected positions in society is a huge shift in policy. It also shows that a major sacrifice has now been wrung out of King Abdullah from an increasingly vocal and critical female population.
Now moving to the transiting planets for today, we find Uranus on the Midheaven and opposite the Saudi Sun (the King) signifying an unusual change of direction by the leader. Uranus’ sign Aquarius sits on the cusp of the 8th house, the house of change. Transiting Pluto is square the Midheaven; here is a transformation in the way Saudi Arabia will operate in the future. We also have transiting Neptune making a trine to the Moon and a focused quindecile to natal Venus. Neptune’s sign Pisces sits on the cusp of the 9th house, the house when the laws of the land can be found. Putting things all together, here we have a fundamental change in the law benefitting women. Supporting these transits, we have transiting Mercury conjunct the natal Sun trine to natal Saturn so this indicates the timing of the announcement from the King about the new laws. Transiting Saturn is square to the Saudi Ascendant and makes a sextile to the Saudi Venus, again progressive change for women’s issues. Transiting Jupiter makes a sextile to the Ascendant as well as a trine to it’s natal position and natal Neptune. Jupiter highlights legal issues and bring an optimism to the country and fulfils a dream (Neptune) the women of Saudi have had since the country was formed. Across the world, these changes will be warmly welcomed.
Major changes are still yet on the way for Saudi Arabia, as the Saudi ascendant at 11 degrees Cancer will soon be opposed by transiting Pluto in 2013 and hit by a square by transiting Uranus.
As the European Union lurches from one crisis to the next, the biggest casualty so far looms ever larger on the radar screen. Italy, the third largest economy using the Euro, the 10th largest in the world is seriously in danger of defaulting on it’s debt payments. As it stands Italy’s debt stands at a whopping 130% of GDP. Not much chance of turning that around in the next few weeks, is there? If Italy defaults, this will place huge pressure on France and Germany who will have to carry the majority of the burden, if that is, they decide to do so.
Italy’s chart problems are very obvious if you look at the natal chart. The chart was formed on 2nd July 1871 in Rome at 12.30pm. It features a very strong cardinal t-square with the Sun and Jupiter (the planet of knowledge, wisdom and faith) in close conjunction. Both are in maternal Cancer in the sign of the family. What more appropriate symbol of traditional Italy? That the family is taken so seriously can also be seen with Capricorn on the cusp of the 4th house. That conjunction opposes stern Saturn in Capricorn alongside the emotional Moon (representing the people) in the 3rd house of communication and the press. Here in the opposition we see the influence of strong conservative faith Saturn opposite Jupiter (the planet of religion) in the 9th house, and also in Jupiter opposite the Moon we see the extravagant emotions of the Italian people. This opposition squares Mars conjunct the ascendant. All this emotion, faith, and communication is done with flair and panache. This is a feisty country, passionate and often in crisis.
Uranus in the house of government show the Italian tradition for rebelling against an administration as soon as it has taken it place in Rome, Italian politics are always in a state of flux. With a square from Uranus to Neptune, you can see that corruption and dirty dealing is inbuilt into the Italian system. This Neptune also trines to Venus in the 11th house giving the country and the people a sense of style and a love of beauty and fashion. With Aquarius on the cusp of the 5th house, this creativity is cutting edge, fresh and unusual. Venus makes a square to Pluto in the 8th house showing a real passion for sport, culture and entertainment. This also probably accounts for the liberal & rather sexual attitude to the treatment of women; where else in the world would you get an ex porn star being elected to Parliament? Pluto in the 8th house also gives a clue to what is going on right now. Pluto represents change, constraint, death, destruction and regeneration and the 8th house in mundane (national) astrology is associated with other country’s finance. Scorpio ruled by Pluto sits on the 2nd house of the Italian money and finance supply, so safe to assume that any difficult transits from Pluto or to Pluto would hit Italy financially and Pluto sextiles the Midheaven too, the public face and reputation of the country will be severely affected.
Now, the Italian Saturn (part of this hugely stressful t-square sits at 6 Capricorn, the Moon lies at 8 Capricorn, Jupiter at 8 Cancer, Mars at 7 Libra, the Sun at 10 Cancer and a little further on the ascendant at 13 Libra. All these planets lie at early cardinal degrees and all are at the mercy of transiting Pluto which is gearing up to hit this 7-10 cardinal degree zone in late 2011, through 2012 and into 2013. Pluto is ruthless and will completely shake up the whole Italian economy. This is a transformation on a huge level coming up, and the debt crisis is only going to be the start. The beginning will of this will be as Saturn crosses the Italian ascendant in the middle of this month. Italy has come under greater and greater scrutiny in the past couple of weeks as Saturn has been approaching this point, and in the process activating the natal t-square. Watch out for the default notice to be served on Italy then. The process of Italy’s European partners bailing her out will start as Jupiter enters the 8th house (the other people’s finance coming to the rescue). Behind this generosity, the pain that the Italian economy will have to go through to reform and to repay back the money owed is going to be huge. In simple terms, Saturn is bringing the fear, Jupiter the temporary relief, but Pluto will bring the long lasting change.
Oslo has been hit by a shock bomb blast at the offices of the Prime Minister at around 15.30 today. As I write 7 people are confirmed dead and to all reports people are trapped with the building. Norway has never suffered anything like this in it’s history and it must be a complete shock to the Norwegian people. I look at the astrology to try to make more sense of the situation. There are also reports of shootings at a youth based political meeting on an island called Utoya around an hour from the capital, caused by a lone gunman.
The modern chart of Norway goes back to the country’s independence from it’s union with Sweden on 7th June 1905 at 11.00 in Oslo. This gives a 10h house Sun in Gemini conjunct to Pluto in the 10th house of government and national prestige. Norway is a modern constitutional monarchy and a rich one at that with copious natural resources. With Pluto and Neptune in the 10th house one can see the reliance on natural gas (Neptune) and petroleum (Pluto) as well as having a significant fishing fleet (Neptune) and fishing is an important industry for the country. The Moon representing the people sits in proud Leo in the 11th house and this shows the propensity for the people to rule in a party lead political system to run alongside the monarchy. Jupiter, Venus and Mercury sit in the 9th house of education and wisdom. Norway has always had a reputation for high learning, literature, music and culture and of course is the home of the Nobel awards for peace, science & literature. Mercury sits on the Midheaven in the peace loving sign of Taurus and it is no wonder that Norway is a neutral country and it’s preferred stance has always been non-military, although recently it has acted as a member of NATO in international cooperation (Venus in 9th opposite Mars). Looking at Mars it lies in the 3rd house of the local environment. Mars is retrograde so defence is focused on defending Norway’s own borders rather than looking aggressively outwards. Uranus sits in the 4th house and Saturn in the 6th, so politically Norway will always err on the side of social parties of a more socialist ideology or those with a connection to the working classes (6th).
Now to the blast and gun attacks today. Looking at the transit chart we see transiting Mars exactly sitting on natal Pluto also conjunct the Norwegian Sun. Here is a brutal attack causing death and destruction hitting at the heart of the Norwegian nation and those at the top. Transiting Pluto makes several aspects; opposition to Neptune - death & confusion and maybe links to religious based groups, quindecile to it’s own position – here again is an extreme focus on underground activities and destruction and a trine to Venus – here is a social angle to the attack and a potential link to hitting the people at the top of government (Taurus on the Midheaven ruled by Venus). We also have a square between Uranus and it’s own position, so a shocking event and trine from transiting Uranus to the Moon; the general public are caught up in this. Interestingly transiting Jupiter makes an opposition to natal Mars and a square to natal Moon – is this a faith (Jupiter) based attack (Mars) on the people (Moon) of Norway? Looking at this chart, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a religious group behind this attack. Would it be another Al Qaeda attack like the one in Mumbai?
On the Solar Arc charts, SA Uranus is exactly almost to the minute square Norway’s natal Pluto with is destructive and Solar Arc Mars is trine to natal Pluto, square to natal Jupiter and quindecile to natal Moon – here is an aggressive and destructive link to the people (Moon) – Jupiter hints an international or faith angle. Finally SA Saturn is one degree away from being conjunct to the Norwegian Sun, so a sombre time now awaits and the Solar Arc South Node, opposite the North Node is exactly conjunct the Sun too, indicating a difficult time. The age of innocence is over for Norway.
Looking at the Al Qaeda chart compared to a transit chart in Oslo for 15.30 there are definite signs that the terrorist group could be responsible. The Al Qaeda natal Pluto sits exactly conjunct to the ascendant opposite to transiting Jupiter, this aspect alone says to me a successful (Jupiter) Al Qaeda bombing (Pluto) campaign. Emotionally Al Qaeda would have been ready for a some action as transiting Uranus is trine the Al Qaeda natal Moon, squares natal Venus and sextile natal Jupiter. Putting this together, Moon in the 9th house can mean links to people abroad, social Venus is in the 8th house of death, destruction and change, and Jupiter in the 7th may be dealing with others outside the group (there is the international link again), a franchise group working on behalf of the main organisation? I do admit all this is speculation, but the links are there giving some credence to my feeling that Al Qaeda are involved, backed up by the fact that the coordinated nature of the attacks is their trademark. Transiting Saturn does sit opposite the Al Qaeda Mars, so the Norwegian authorities may catch one or all of the culprits and it may help in identify who actually did the deed. Unfortunately for Norway, the damage has already been done, and the people of this beautiful country are now suffering.
My thoughts go out to the people of Norway, and I hope those responsible will be caught and prosecuted.
***Update 23rd July 2011***
It sounds like the the perpetrator of the heinous massacre of 84 young students and the bombing in Oslo was a 32 year old Right Wing extremist, Anders Behring Breivik (picture below). If he acted alone, and was able to carry out the whole massacre himself, it would show this man to be a very calculating and potentially unstable. To look at the horoscope of the Oslo attacker, please click on the link below
Horoscope of Anders Behring Breivik
Very interesting that my Al Qaeda assumptions (and the astrology in my view still holds out) seem to be totally wrong. If so, I hold my hands up – nobody can be correct all of the time, the prediction business is a risky game to get things spot on and even though the stars and planets allow you to have a glimpse of what may be, human nature and motivations are one thing you can never be 100% sure of getting right.
China, the rising power from the east, has just become the second biggest economy on the globe and is a nation industrializing and growing at an incredible rate. Without China making things, 7 out of every 10 shoes produced on planet earth is made in China, the industrial and economic world would grind to a halt. They say when America sneezes, the world catches a cold. So the same now could be said about China. Hidden from the world’s press for the moment as phone hacking takes the headlines, some local disputes in the east are causing concern in that corner of the globe. So, what are the chances of the actions of China causing economic panic? I look at the astrology.
The Chinese natal chart was formed on 1st October 1949 in Beijing (Peking) at 15.15 hrs. This gives China a Libran Sun in the hidden 8th house, with an cool Aquarian Ascendant as well as an Aquarian Moon buried deep in the 12th house. Libra and Aquarius are social signs, and Libra more than any other is equated with equality – this is the signature of Communism and Socialism. Interestingly though, the Chinese Sun is in the 8th house of big business and other people’s finance. Fascinating how the Communist giant has suddenly transformed into an economic superpower. With an accent on the water houses the 8th & the 12, the Chinese have a way of adapting to a situation, whilst keeping their core values at heart. Very clever. The 8th house is Scorpio’s house, where change and transformation is initiated. We in the West still find the Chinese bizarre, obtuse, unusual and revolutionary – all words associated with Aquarius.
The Moon, representing the people in the 12th show that they are in effect hidden away, they suffer and serve the nation (12th house) and being quindecile to a brutal Pluto/Mars conjunction in regal Leo they are kept under tight control and those breaking the rules suffer terrible punishment. If ever you were to see a signature of human rights abuse, this quindecile is it. Saturn also sits in the 7th house with Pluto and Mars. China tramples over the weak and always tries to dominate in it’s relationship with other countries. The size of the armed forces (Mars) is huge (Pluto) and this enormous force of numbers does the state's bidding in snuffing out any potential rebellion. Saturn is peregrine in perfectionist Virgo. Here are the authorities having eyes everywhere, in every town and village across the country. Everything must be done correctly and precisely in the way of the state. This is a penal, harsh Saturn. It is also a Saturn critical over other countries and the way they do things. The problem with these 3 heavyweight planets in the house of relationships, is that China will be tempted to start to throw her weight around once she feels she is strong enough. The signs are just starting to appear.
Control permeates across this chart. The Midheaven representing those at the top is ruled by Scorpio; we rarely if ever see the rulers of China, as they make decisions away from prying eyes deep within the Forbidden City in Beijing. Pluto/Mars squares out to Venus in the 9th house. The birth rate is controlled. This is a competitive country, and success in sport is rewarded. Culture and art are instruments of pride in showing off the nation. Sextiles from Pluto and Mars go out to Mercury and Neptune. There is no freedom of press and with Mercury retrograde, what news there is will be centred on the nation internally and not on issues outside the borders of China. Neptune in conjunction to Mercury creates a veil of deception over what is communicated – beware, what the Chinese say is not what they will plan to do!! Neptune through Pisces on the cusp of the 2nd house controls the money supply and the economy. Again through the sextile from Pluto & Mars to Neptune, we know that the Chinese will tightly control their finances.
Jupiter in the 12th house and widely conjunct to the Moon shows that faith is present but it lies underground, hidden well away from the rulers and also suggests a generosity to the people, if they were allowed to show it. Finally I look at Uranus. Uranus is square to the Sun showing that the present China was formed under revolutionary conditions (backed up by the Aquarian ascendant). Uranus here sits in the 5th house square to the Sun and this suggests that the creative people, actors and artists will irritate the rulers although China culturally will want to be seen as unique and different. Social gatherings formed to protest will also be definitely shunned upon.
Now what of the present and the future? With a Libran Sun alarm bell start ringing with me straight away. This is a cardinal Sun and as we have seen with the UK and with the US, who also have cardinal Suns (in Capricorn & Cancer) problems have been widespread since Pluto moved into cardinal Capricorn in October in 2008, in the UK and US's cases of a financial nature. As I see it, China’s reaction to this Pluto could be far more worrying than the monetary problems of the western powers.
With the UK and to a lesser extent the US, the situations faced have been generally of their own making, with under regulation of the banking sectors being the main problem so far. This can be seen in the conjunction and opposition aspects from transiting Pluto; the US is currently experiencing an intense quindecile between Pluto and natal Sun seen in the frantic budget negotiations going on. The Chinese Sun is at 7 degrees Libra and as such will be receiving a square aspect. These are tricky as you never have full control over the actions causing you difficulties and/or restraint, as others will be involved. Pluto will stationed 7 Capricorn in March/June this year the first 4 hits to this degree. It will connect again in Jan 2012, Aug/Sep 2012 and finally in November of that year. In working out in what way China will react to this Pluto Sun square, we must look at where Pluto and the Sun are place natally and where the signs that they rule are placed. Pluto is in the 7th house, so action will be taken in relationship to other countries and the Sun is in the 8th house so this revolves around their possessions. This immediately leads me to think of the dispute in the South China Sea over the past few months. With Vietnam China flexed it’s muscles in May over potential oil and gas supplies in Vietnamese waters and just in the past few days, China has been in dispute with the Philippines about the Parcel and Sprawls island chains, both of which China unjustly claims are in their territorial waters. Going back to the astrology, Pluto through Scorpio rules the Midheaven and the 10th house so these disputes will be hyped up to a level of national importance and pride by the leaders and Leo ruling the Sun rules the 7th House; again we have the relationship with other countries highlighted. We know that Pluto is conjunct Mars natally, and the worrying thought is that China might flex it’s considerable military muscle to resolve these disputes, as I hinted at earlier.
Transiting Pluto also opposes natal Uranus at 5 degrees Cancer and Uranus rules the first house. Any action China takes will be a shock to the system, and may induce protests from those who oppose the leadership. Pluto hits and stations on 5 Capricorn, directly opposite from now through to November this year. In 1989 during the Tiananmen Square protests, transiting Uranus was in the position Pluto is in right now and transiting Saturn was square to the natal Sun. Uranus is square to it’s own natal position right now and will return to hit in April 2012 and again at the end of 2012. The set-up now and into next year is eerily reminiscent of those violent days when the student protest were brutally crushed, although this time China is a far more developed and confident country. This time any potential aggression as I see it will be aimed outwards at those around her borders.
Finally on the transits chart, transiting Saturn is due to hit natal Neptune and Mercury at 13/14 Libra in late August early September. This suggests a hit on the Chinese financial scene (Pisces ruling the 2nd house) and authority, regulations or penal rule over 5th and 8th house issues (ruled by Gemini & Virgo on the cusps), these could be social entertainments or events (5th) and the possessions of other country’s money, businesses or even their land (8th) !!
Although seemingly not as severe as the 1989 aspects, the 2011 and 2012 aspects looking ahead seem to suggest that China is preparing to flex her might as a global superpower. Any potential conflict in the South China Sea could send the already jittery money markets around the world explode in a frenzy of panic. Watch this space in the coming months as I keep an eye on China and her horoscope.
The United Kingdom is being buffeted by the current hacking scandal which is extending into Parliament, the press, the police and into everyone’s consciousness. The current situation exploded into life on 4th July when a lawyer for the Milly Dowler family found out from the police that her mobile had potentially been hacked by a News of the World journalist. The latest solar eclipse happened on the 1st July and when put against the UK natal chart one can see immediately why this eclipse is rocking the UK to it’s foundations. So far the eclipse has claimed the scalps of several former News of the World employees (Andy Coulson, Rebekah Brookes), News Corporation and News International employees close to Rupert Murdoch (Les Hinton), John Yates, the assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan police and the fallout may continue to spread to those in Number 10 Downing Street and across the globe to wherever Rupert Murdoch had media interests, maybe in Australia and in the US.
The UK natal chart harks back to the formation of the Union of the UK on 1st January 1801 in Westminster, London at midnight. This gives a Capricorn Sun in the 4th house of democracy directly opposite the Midheaven representing the head of State (the Queen) & the Moon in Cancer which represents the people is in the 10th house of government – the perfect place for a democratic system where the people have the ultimate power to hire and fire. The Cancerian Moon shows a propensity for security of the nation at all cost, hidden emotion behind an outer shell, the “stiff upper lip” we are known for, and a openness for women to get to the top. With a Libran Ascendant, the British play by the rules and expect everyone else in the world play fair too, and as a result the people get rather upset as when those expectations are flouted by others. Saturn showing government and authority is in the 11th house of groups and associations, very representative of a party political system. We find Uranus conjunct the Libran ascendant and this gives the UK a quirky individualism and a national tendency for rebellion and protest. Venus and Pluto in the 5th house is hugely creative as is Neptune in the 2nd house which is in a most musical position, the UK has been at the forefront of music and culture in the world, but Neptune here also shows the propensity to make money through the sea and sailing (the UK once had a huge merchant shipping operation) as well as it contributes confusion over finances – the UK’s financial record has always been very bumpy. Mercury in the third in Sagittarius screams free press an open tolerant attitude to religion (Gemini ruled by Mercury is on the cusp of the 9th house of knowledge & beliefs) and Mars in the 8th in Taurus shows a very steady and dedicated armed forces and an aggressive attitude to financial relations with other countries. Indeed with Aries ruled by Mars on the cusp of the 7th of foreign relations, one can say that the UK has a pioneering spirit, although sometimes too aggressive for it’s own good.
Now as I mentioned the UK has cardinal signs on the angles of it’s chart, the UK Midheaven is at 9 degrees 20 minutes Cancer and the Solar eclipse of the 1st July at 9 Cancer was a direct hit on that Midheaven, and this being a Cardinal cross formation, all 4 angles of the UK chart were affected. Saturn was close in conjunction to the UK ascendant, Pluto close to the IC at the bottom of the chart and Uranus within striking range of the Descendant. Solar eclipses are known to be malefic wherever they strike on a chart, and especially if they hit an angle. This is huge pressure on the UK and with Uranus, Pluto and Saturn involved we could guess that there would be a shock, scandal or shake up of major proportions (causing authority & government to be brought to bare) and eventually leading to a transformation of some kind (Pluto).
Looking at where the eclipse actually hit, it was just into the 9th house of international communications and the law courts (relating to international presence close to the top of UK government), Pluto was in the 3rd house of communications and the press. Pluto of course can refer to underground, sadistic and wholly unpleasant actions. Finally Uranus sits in the 6th house of the workers and also of national services including the police. In addition to the cardinal cross, transiting Neptune was going through the house of celebrity and entertainment and conjunct to natal Pluto. The ascendant of the eclipse was directly opposite natal Pluto.
This scandal and previously hidden and illegal actions (Neptune) started through celebrity (5th) phone hacking (Pluto in 3rd) trials (9th) and spread to the general public (6th), involved the press (3rd) where the shock (Uranus) of the public’s (6th) revulsion to the hacking of the phone messages of murder victims (Pluto) and the families of soldiers (6th) killed in action. The proprietors of the newspapers involved (3rd) came from abroad (9th) and had close connections to the prime minister (Midheaven) and those in administration (Saturn). It lead to the closure of the News of the World (Pluto in 3rd), the shock (Uranus) sacking of it’s employees (6th) and will lead to legal cases (9th), probable controls on the press (Pluto in 3rd), shake up the activities of the police (Uranus in 6th) and will change the whole face of UK society through parliamentary pressure (Saturn in 1st conjunct ascendant). It may even eventually lead to a purge at the very top of government (Eclipse conjunct Midheaven). When an eclipse strikes the Midheaven those in charge may be struck out of office, or at the very least their public reputation is heavily tarnished from then on. As the Independent newspaper so aptly put it soon after all this broke, the UK may be facing it’s own Watergate moment.
My thanks to Astrologer Marjorie Orr who noticed the connection between the Solar Eclipse and the UK chart.
Marjorie Orr astrologer homepage
Other Phone hacking articles - News of the World closes Astrology of the Murdoch family Andy Coulson
Greece is a country in a deep crisis. For the second time in less than a year, the Hellenic nation is facing financial meltdown on a huge scale. Riots are now common place on the streets due to austerity measures in place, the government (or what is left of it) is trying to reform but the debt crisis estimated to be in the region of 350 Billion Euros not only is bringing down Greece herself, but also in time bring down the European currency and will shake the European Union to the very core.
The modern Greek horoscope was formed as the Third Hellenic Republic was initiated on 24th July 1974 in Athens at 04.00 hrs. Of course, Greece has a rich history going back many thousands of years and not one chart has ever been proven to be totally representative. The latest chart of the republic shows up very clearly the problems faced right now.
The 24th July chart is dominated by a turbulent square between an intense close Moon/Pluto conjunction in the 4th house and a triple planet Saturn Mercury and Venus conjunction in the hidden and sacrificial 12th. Moon Pluto drags up emotions from the depths of one’s psyche like a volcano if activated, in a country’s chart this represents transformation (Pluto) through actions of the public (Moon). The same intensity is there though, an intensity of emotion that is being shown on the streets by the general public right across the nation’s capital, Athens as the riots spread. The other end of the square on the natal chart, Saturn is the voice of government, restriction and austerity, affecting commerce (Mercury), social activities (Venus) and trine to Jupiter the wealth of the country. Jupiter sits in Pisces ruled by Neptune, not a good sign for Jupiter to be in a financial sense as Neptune and Pisces shows confusion, deception, underhand dealing and just blind optimism. Even though the national debt was probably a problem, the Greeks would have always believed that things would turn out ok in the end. Neptune is the sign of sacrifice and suffering and trine to the Sun, it shows that the country would have to suffer due to the mismanagement of the economy (Pisces is also on the Midheaven representing the government, those at the top). That mismanagement would cause a great public uprising, see the mini grand trine - Sun/Neptune sextile onto the volcanic Pluto/Moon conjunction at the point. With rebellious Uranus in the 4th house of opposition to the government square to the natal Sun (the leader of the country), there is potential for a revolutionary takeover in the future.
Looking at the current situation, the transits to the natal chart look grim indeed. Transiting Pluto, the planet of transformation opposes Venus and squares natal Moon and its own natal position. This is a sign of social (Venus)upheaval (Pluto) and fronted by the people themselves (Moon), a fight to the death. Revolutionary Uranus opposes the Moon/Pluto conjunction and squares Venus too. More fuel to the raging fire. Transiting Saturn squares natal Saturn and Mercury, showing the hard line being broadcasted by those in power. Transiting Neptune opposes Mars, spreading confusion to the police & military forces allowing uncontrolled mobs to take control.
Transiting Mars squares natal Mars showing that there are industrial disputes and conflicts and despite not being sure how to control the instability (Neptune opposite Mars) , the armed forces and the police have been activated to quell the rebels. Transiting Jupiter squares the Sun as the second financial crisis hits, highlighting the tension over the inflated debts and problems with the money supply.
Looking at the picture overall, transiting Saturn will conjunct the natal Uranus at 23 Libra in Nov/Dec this year and my gut feeling is that Greece may officially go bankrupt as the 8th house signifies the financial relations with other countries. The big question is whether the European Union WILL finally pull the plug on Greece and all the ramifications and problems that go with such a move – Saturn does represent restriction after all?? Significantly looking at a composite chart for Greece and Germany, the composite Sun sits at 20 Libra, so hard decisions may have to be made between the two just before that natal Uranus is hit, and the Descendant on the composite Greece/France chart sits at 19 Libra, so at the same time France may be looking at the relationship as a whole with Greece & will be considering her options too, as Saturn opposes their composite Ascendant.
Transiting Pluto over the next 3-5 years will grind it’s way, towards opposing natal Saturn at 11 degrees Cancer in 2013/14 and finally opposing the ascendant at 13 Cancer in 2014/15. Pluto breaks down old structures allowing new ones to form and by that time, Greece as a country will be completely reformed, however it is going to be a very long haul before Pluto has completed it’s job. Until that time, Greece and the Greek people are going to have to endure a lot of pain and hardship.
Belgium, what do you actually know about Belgium? Not quite France, not quite Germany, not quite Holland but a sort of amalgam of all three. The European parliament is based in Brussels, a compromise sort of place with great beer, chocolates, frites and it’s not too far from London, Paris and Berlin. Belgium is now the holder of an unwanted record, the country which has existed for the longest amount of time without being able to elect a government, they have existed on… a sort of compromise. One look at the astrology, and you can see why all this has happened.
Belgium was formed on 4th October 1830 at 13.52 hrs in Brussels. With a Libran Sun, a Scorpio Midheaven and Capricorn Ascendant, you can see how Belgium was always going to be a legal and diplomatic centre (Libra), one of the first industrial countries (Scorpio), a financial centre (Sun in 8th house) and the seat of government (Capricorn) for the region. The Moon representing the people is in steady Taurus, the sign of the people making things; another signifying factor of Belgium having being manufacturing country in the heart of Europe. The Moon is also exactly at the IC on the cusp of the 3rd & 4th houses reflecting the split nature of the country and the people, opposite the Midheaven (the Head of State).
Belgium is a constitutional monarchy with Saturn representing government in “royal” Leo, but the power lies with the people with the people and the federal government, one keeps the other in check. Taurus never rushes into a decision, it takes it’s time, certainly the Belgian people have not been hurrying this time around. The Sun opposes Pluto in pioneering Aries, and this opposition squares Jupiter & the Belgian ascendant. Belgium as a country had many colonies in Africa, the international exploration link shown by pioneering Jupiter; she exploited (Pluto) it’s colonies wealth (Jupiter/Pluto) for national (Sun) gain. The Sun/Pluto opposition does suggest that Belgium would go through several metamorphosis periods in it’s history, the first and second World Wars when Belgium was a battleground are direct examples. Belgium itself with Mars in non-combative Pisces has never been an aggressive nation. Mercury sits in balanced Libra in the 9th house, Belgium has two regions and two languages, French and Flemish and is a major transport and communication hub across Western Europe.
Looking astrologically at what has been happening to cause the government crisis, both the transit and the solar Arc charts show a clear picture. By transit, transiting Saturn has been hovering around and conjunct to the Belgian Sun for months now. Saturn always delays things and holds things up, allowing you to learn lessons before proceeding. The crisis was started after the government resigned in April 2010. Remember the Sun (leader) is opposite Pluto, so some type of reform in the way of government is needed before normal rule can proceed. Transiting Pluto is also bang on the Ascendant, reinforcing the need for a new direction and way of thinking for the country. Neptune opposes Saturn so there is confusion and a lack of decisive action.
By Solar Arc the picture is strikingly the same. Pluto is approaching a exact conjunction with the Belgian natal Sun in the next 3-4 months. Again, Pluto means complete reform, old structures of governing will be smashed down before new ones are built. Solar Arc Ascendant again in 3-4 months time will square it’s natal position so it will soon be time to make decisions about the whole face of Belgium as a country – it will be interesting to see what new ideas they come up with, possibly more autonomy for the two main regions Flanders and Wallonia? We shall see in the near future.
With just hours just to go, the deadlock over spending cuts between the Republicans and the Democrats in the US House of representatives is on course to derail a budget agreement. If they fail to agree one by midnight on the 8th April, the US will shut down, Government employees will be laid off, the military will stop being paid and even national parks will close. I look at the natal chart of the United States to try and see what is going on astrologically.
There has always been a debate over which chart to use for America as the actual time of the formation of the US is not officially known. I use the US Sibly chart for July 4th 1776 at 17.10hrs in Philadelphia. It gives a Sagittarius ascendant which is the embodiment of the American dream, big wide and expansive. Think of the importance of the motto of the US “in God we trust” – this phrase could only be Sagittarian in my eyes. Think of the wild west, the great outdoors, hunting, fishing – all Sagittarian. Think of the optimism which is so part of the American psyche. With Sagittarius ruling the chart, this brings Pluto into the second house, and we see the intense interest in the finance of big business. Pluto is in Aries and here is the enthusiasm and go ahead attitude to investment in stocks and shares. The Moon in the third house shows the importance of transport on the US, everyone has a car, and I mean everyone. The automobile was developed in the US after all.
The Moon is in Taurus, reflecting the easy going and somewhat conservative nature of the American public. Uranus in the 6th points to independent healthcare, something President Obama has been trying to reform. A full 7th house in Cancer including the Sun and Mars sitting here show that the inclination of the US is to protect it’s homeland and there will be an insular nature to the country, however whether the United States likes it or not, foreign policy will always dictate Government policy – shown by the square to Saturn in the 10th. Mars in this house shows that the military will always be on call to go abroad and sort out world problems. Jupiter and Venus together show a “joie de vivre”, a love of life and freedom for women. American culture and big values will be exported out around the world, reinforced by the square to the Midheaven.
Mercury in the eight shows opposite Pluto shows a media fascination big finance and business, also with the reporting of the macabre or scandalous stories – this is the Scorpio house of death and the unexplained. Neptune in the ninth house shows the importance of belief and spirituality backing up the ascendant. Neptune is also conjunct the Midheaven and the one face we all know of the US is the TV and film industry ruled of course by Neptune. Neptune is square to Mars, there is great energy and charisma in American TV and filmmaking and in the international ninth house, these programmes and films are shown around the globe.
Finally we find Saturn in the 10th house. Government is taken very seriously, and the President, represented by the square to the Sun can have serious disagreement with the Senate and House of Representatives. This is a fundamental design of the American government system to keep the President in check, however as we see today it can lead to stalemate.
Right to matters in hand. The current transits reflect all that is going on and more. Transiting Saturn is conjunct natal Saturn and square the Sun. Here we see the Government (Saturn) at odds with itself (Saturn always make you stop and think) and at the same time it holds the President (Sun) in check. Capricorn ruled by Saturn is on the cusp of the second house, so we know that this blockage will be about the nation’s finances. Transiting Pluto which also has an influence in this chart on the money supply, is opposite the Jupiter/Venus conjunction. Jupiter rules the chart through Sagittarius, so the nation as a whole will be affected. Jupiter can also be seen as an indicator of the nations wealth, being strangled by this Pluto opposition. Uranus is opposing the US midheaven from the 4th house of the official opposition, as well as transiting Jupiter and the Sun form the same house opposing Saturn, so one could safely say that rebels in the Republican party are to blame for the problems going on. Saturn is still retrograde for a couple of months and Pluto does not move quickly so I can see this situation dragging on for a while unless they can find a last minute solution.
Looking at the Solar Arcs, there are worrying aspects just around the corner. Solar Arc Mars is very close to a trine to Saturn which is aggressive and warlike. Mars rules the 4th house through Aries on the cusp and Capricorn is on the second so this could involve a more internal struggle over money rather than military conflict. More worryingly SA Saturn is approaching conjunction in the autumn with natal Uranus which sounds accident prone. Uranus rules the 3rd house through Aquarius, so this incident or incidents could be transport based. SA Pluto is approaching a square with natal Mars which is either very stuck or hugely destructive. This combination of solar arcs due to coincide in September/October definitely indicate that something nasty is lying in wait in the coming months for the United States.
Since the disputed elections held on November 2010, the Ivory Coast or to give its official name, Cote D’Ivoire has been in virtual civil war. To explain the situation, the incumbent President Laurant Gbagbo who took control after winning election in 2000 following a coup in 1999. The Ivory Coast has been effectively split since 2000 with Gbagbo and his supporters coming from the Christian south of the country, whereas his main rival and opposition leader Allasane Ouattara hailed from the mainly Muslim north. Gbagbo has continually refused to hold elections until the ones called in November. In the elections, Ouattara was declared the winner with 54% of the vote, but Gbagbo claimed the vote had been rigged in the north. Thus the current conflict and battle for power between the two bitter rivals and their supporters began. There have been reports of massacres and the international community wanting the conflict to end immediately without intervening have put down stringent sanctions on Gbagbo to strangle the life out of his administration, hoping that he will eventually step down.
One look at the Ivory Coast chart and immediately you can see a divided country. The Sun in Leo is in the insular 4th house and directly opposite it in the 10th house sits the Moon. The leader (Sun) is at odds with the will of the people (Moon). Also this is an 4th-10th house opposition, the 10th house has always in Mundane astrology signified the Government of the day and the 4th house relates to the official opposition – just like the North & South opposition in the actual country. Amazing how just the pattern of a chart can so accurately describe the situation on the ground, isn’t it? The showy Sun is accompanied by Uranus, Venus and Pluto in a packed 4th house. Sun with Uranus shows that the leader (Sun) gained accession after a coup (Uranus), Venus here shows an obsessional love of sport and entertainment by the people (quindecile Moon) and Venus’ influence is strong as Taurus rules by midheaven is on the ascendant. Pluto shows that great wealth and power is gained from the land, indeed major planets located in a 4th house on a national chart always tends to show an agrarian economy. Pluto also indicates metamorphosis, any malefic aspects to this group of planets all connected by conjunction would activate a change in direction of the leadership. That change would be aggressive and maybe bloody with a tight square between Mars in the first house and Pluto, with the militarily involved. Just to clarify which planets and influences would affect that change, I look to Scorpio (Pluto’s ruler) and which house it is ruling and also Pluto’s own 8th house and any planets therein. Scorpio cuts across the 7th house cusp, which indicates a foreign influence and Jupiter sits in the 8th house, Jupiter’s movements would be key on this chart.
Time to analyse the transits and solar arcs to see the situation. Looking back to the election date of 28th Nov last year, the closest aspects by solar arc progression were Jupiter almost exact conjunction with the “opposition” Moon, in essence the will of the people being favoured and Solar Arc Pluto sextile Jupiter, (metamorphosis and change Pluto and 8th house highlighted). One other thing to note, that Jupiter hitting the moon also activated the opposition to the Sun (the Leader) and the quindecile to Venus which through Taurus on the ascendant controls the face of the nation – there would be a change of direction. What did I say about Jupiter being key? The Sun was exact in trine to Mars so the leader activated his military forces, and the progressed North Node was opposite Neptune, confusion and allegations of corruption and dirty dealing about the direction the country would take. The transits echo the Solar Arcs. Saturn square Mercury, the government (Saturn) trying to affect the details of the vote (Mercury), transiting Neptune opposing Venus showing confusion and deception (Neptune) in the country (Taurus Ascendant). Finally transiting Pluto in that 8th house trine natal Pluto. This is very nasty and still in effect today. Death, destruction, genocide affecting the change Ivory Coast needed, the horrors of which are hitting the world newsstands now.
Looking at a horoscope is not always a pleasant site, it shows the very best and the very worst in situations. Ivory Coast will plummet the depths before a solution is found, however I am sure that the people in the end will get what they want and voted for.
An attack on a bus in Jerusalem, then rockets are fired from Gaza into Israeli territory. Tensions are rising again between Israel and the PLO, the Palestine Liberation Organisation. With the PLO, I use the declaration of Palestine chart, set for 15th Nov 1988 at 01.40am in Jerusalem. Looking at the composite and synastry charts between the two, the mistrust and aggressive attitude between the two is plain to see.
The synastry chart is truly horrible. Sun is opposite Sun (both share opposing points of view), Palestine’s Moon is opposite Israel’s Midheaven (the Palestinian people against the rulers of Israel and are under their thumb), Neptune is square Neptune each one trying to deceive the other, the PLO’s Saturn/Uranus conjunction trine Israel’s Mars (the Israel military trying to destroy the PLO’s revolutionary command), The PLO’s Mars is trine Israel’s Moon, the PLO are not afraid of attacking the Israeli people and finally the PLO’s Pluto & Mercury sits on Israel’s South Node square Israel’s Pluto/Saturn and obviously opposite Israel’s North Node. These two are fatefully joined together and the PLO is determined to control and destroy Israel’s rulers. In essence, they are bitter enemies who would like to wipe each other off the map of the world if they could and were allowed to.
The composite chart is not much better, with a nasty Pluto opposite Uranus, Moon conjunct harsh Saturn which is downbeat and depressing and Sun, Mercury Venus square Neptune which is deceptive and underhand. Mars is in a tight square to Jupiter, showing the tendency towards excessive force and violence.
So why are the attacks starting up again? Showing transits to the composite chart, both transiting aggressive Mars and transiting Uranus are conjunct the composite Uranus aggravating tensions between the two, transiting Uranus is opposite Pluto and potentially worse is transiting Pluto is a couple of degrees from hitting opposing the composite Midheaven at 14 Cancer and squaring the Ascendant at 13 Libra. Pluto’s effect is starting to take hold and it will first hit 13 degrees Capricorn in March 2014.
I do worry what will happen in that part of the world this time next year. Obviously we have had the situations in Tunisia, Egypt, currently Libya, Bahrain is unsettled, Syria looks nasty, Iran has the potential for trouble ahead, I believe the situation in Saudi Arabia will worsen and a conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people would plunge the region into utter chaos. Pluto inevitably will slowly start to disintegrate the already nasty relationship between the two as it closes in to exactitude and it’s ultimate role will be complete metamorphosis, maybe even destruction before new structures in the region can be built. With the current nature of the relationship including the mutual hatred shown in the charts, I can see the possibility of a very serious situation occurring. Watch this space…
**Update 27th March 11** Israeli air strike on Gaza Strip this evening killing 2 people even though the Palestinians offered a truce. With the planets in an angry mood as I wrote earlier, watch out for tit of tat violence.
Oh my here we go again. Over the past few weeks the temperature has been rising in Syria. Yet another Arab country with this time the ruling Assad dynasty under pressure. President Bashar Al-Assad has been in power since 2000, when he succeeded his father who had been in charge for the previous 30 years. Seeing what has been going on in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, it seems the people are in a mood for change, however they have a huge obstacle to overcome in the name of President Assad and the Ba’ath party.
The Syrian chart based around the country’s accession from France shows a very dominant and brutal mini grand trine with Pluto being at the point of the formation completed by Neptune in trine to a very disruptive Mars/Uranus conjunction. Often easy going aspects (trines and sextiles) with malefic planets can precipitate violence easier than stressful aspects. The quindecile between Mercury and the 10th house Pluto which is secretive and controlling shows that much of this brutal control goes under the radar than most people see.
The transit charts for Syria are looking quite fraught. Transiting Pluto is approaching the Syrian Sun and is quindecile to natal Saturn, so change of the Assad regime does look a potential on the horizon. Transiting Saturn which has just crossed into the Syrian first house is now square to the Midheaven so pressure will now be brought to bare on President Assad. transiting Uranus is trine to the second house Venus, so there is potential social unrest in the air and it is also opposing the 12th house Neptune, so mobs of groups may now be forming in response to the unrest, however this also may precipitate some suffering too. I suspect the Syrian leader may be readying his forces and the police in response as transiting Mars is now trine to the Moon representing the general public.
President Assad has a brutal chart. Born on 11 Sept 1965 in Damascus (no birth-time), he has a Sun, Pluto and Uranus conjunction in nervous critical Virgo opposite harsh Saturn in deceptive Pisces and maybe Moon forming a wedge pattern with Mars and Neptune in deep dark Scorpio at the point. Here is a man who is sly, sneaky, able to adapt to situations as he has 7 planets in mutable signs, and has no scruples in using brute force (Mars), torture (Pluto), unusual underhand (Neptune) or shock tactics (Uranus) to keep his hand on the levers of power (Saturn). By the astrology, this is someone not to be messed with, and a man who will cling onto power by his fingernails if possible. The transits on his personal chart favour him for the minute. He has a constructive sextile between transiting Saturn and natal Jupiter and a trine between that Saturn and natal Jupiter. It would be nice to see how his Ascendant and Midheaven is affected but unfortunately with no birth-time it isn’t possible. I have to rely on the national chart and it’s aspects to see how the head of State may be affected.
In my view, Assad will see out this wave of protests, however his power and standing will be weakened, and when Uranus comes round at the end of the year to complete it’s retrograde cycle finally stationing on Syria’s Midheaven in December, then it will be crunch time. It is going a lot of force and sacrifices by the people to get the change in power that they so desire.
The situation in North Africa has escalated quite considerably today as French aircraft bombed Libyan military vehicles. The French, wanting to assert their authority in a region where their influence has always been considerable, are now showing their muscle to the Gaddafi regime. Looking at the astrology, you can see the French influence on the current intervention.
First to set the scene a quick glance at the French Natal chart. There are two standout features. As befits a chart which was formed on the back of a bloody revolution, we see a fixed t-square with aggressive Mars at the point conjunct the Midheaven symbolising the bloody execution of the previous monarchical heads of state. Square this Mars is a Pluto/Uranus opposition which represents change by revolution. The other feature is a Saturn opposite Jupiter/Neptune. Here is a clamp on belief hence the secular French society. The national motto is France is Liberté, égalité, fraternité embodied in this opposition. Liberté or freedom shown by Jupiter, égalité or equality is an ideal or dream shown by Neptune in balanced and fair Libra and fraternité or brotherhood shown by Saturn in the third house of siblings (brothers and sisters).
France’s chart is definitely on edge right now with transiting Uranus conjunct the French natal Sun, and transiting Venus which often symbolises diplomacy is activating France’s natal Mars, Uranus Pluto t-square. This diplomatic action has a hard edge. Transiting Mars is opposite her natal Mercury so confirming the aggressive rhetoric coming out of Paris. By Solar Arc, the two aspects which are exact right now are SA Venus trine Mercury in the 8th house and SA Jupiter trine Venus. Not surprising then with France so on alert, NATO leaders and world diplomats met in the French capital. So why are the French so interested in Libya and the awful situation there?
Well, Libya’s natal Pluto sits at 21 Leo, exactly the same degree as France’s Uranus linking into the French t-square. Not only French investment on Libya will be a motivating factor but French I think the French fear the loss of a part of the world where they have had so much influence for a long time, remember they have interests in Morocco and Algeria as well as Tunisia which is in a transitional position. President Sarkozy will not want to see his sphere of influence lessened. That Libyan Pluto sits in the French 7th house of foreign affairs, as such France will feel that this crisis affects their sphere of influence. French military action (Mars) supporting the rebels (Uranus) will cause a major change (Pluto) in the history of Libya, and the same t-square which toppled the French monarchy will now see the toppling of the Libyan dictator.
The largest Japanese earthquake ever at 8.9 on the Richter scale struck at 14.46 hrs in the sea off the east coast of the country. It has caused widespread destruction as the earthquake triggered a huge 10 metre high tsunami that crashed into the Japanese coast, the city of Sendai it seems has been particularly badly hit. That Tsunami is currently making it’s way across the Pacific as I write.
If you ever wanted to see the power of the transits of the outer planets on events here on earth, here is a direct and devastating example. Today Uranus finally changes signs from nebulous Pisces to organised active Aries. Uranus energy is powerful, sudden and shocking but in Pisces all that potential is dispersed, not able to organise itself. As it was going to change signs into Aries after 7 years, all that power is finally pulled together. Aries is a galvanising sign, pro-active, headstrong, rushing in without thinking. Finally all Uranus’ destructive power was able to be concentrated in one burst, the floodgates opened, the power of water (Pisces) being concentrated and directed by force (Aries), a tsunami.
Let’s look at the earthquake chart. The immediate thing I notice is a quindecile between Uranus and Saturn. Quindecile energy is extreme, like a laser beam, very, very focused This is an tug of war between Saturn that refuses to move and Uranus which demands that it does. Normally in a battle between the outer planets where there is tension, the slower moving planet wins. Think of the tension on the tectonic plates, the earth (Saturn) being ripped apart or forced upwards by a tremendous, destructive (Uranus) force. I think this was so devastating, because the aspect between Saturn and Uranus was a quindecile, so exceptionally concentrated. Note on the chart we also have an opposition between Jupiter and Saturn so another two way pull. Square both of these battles was Pluto, so the energy released from Saturn, Uranus and Jupiter battles is transferred down to Pluto which is completely destructive. Pluto was also trine the Midheaven, so the transforming effect of Pluto changes the face of the country with ease and quickly. Pluto also controls nuclear energy – I understand a nuclear power station has been affected. Uranus enter Aires at 21.00 GMT today, 5am in Japan tomorrow, the danger is not over just yet – Uranus in Aries square Pluto in Capricorn does have nasty overtones; destruction or contamination of the earth and infrastructure – the possibility of this getting worse is still possible!! As I have written before, whenever you get the large outer planets in tension aspects, you get major change.
So why here off the coast of Japan? Locating the chart to the earthquake epicentre, Uranus is sitting in the 8th house of change, this is Pluto’s house so destruction, death and a need for reconstruction is focused here. Neptune on the cusp of Pisces was exactly square the Moon, water (Neptune) affecting the people (Moon). Looking deeper at the 4th harmonic chart which is associated with tension we can see the picture just as clearly. Saturn opposite Neptune/Moon formed into a wedge pattern by Uranus, Uranus affecting the earth (Saturn), a large focused body of water (Neptune quindecile Jupiter) and people (Moon).
The last solar eclipse on 4th January relocated to Sendai, Japan shows a destructive picture with Saturn opposite the Midheaven square Mars which was conjunct the eclipse degree, so it showed the potential for an accident or forceful event.
Looking at Japan’s natal chart compared to the earthquake, it looks nasty. Transiting Pluto is trine Japan’s Sun, square Saturn, financial problems and opposite Uranus which is accident prone and destructive. Transiting Uranus is square the Moon, the people affected by a disaster and square Japan’s ascendant, another indicator of a disaster affecting the country. Transiting Jupiter is square Saturn and opposite natal Uranus, a large (Jupiter) disaster (Uranus) causing hardship (Saturn). Transiting Venus is exactly square Mars, financial hardship and suffering (Venus is in the 2nd house) caused by great force affecting the nation as a whole (Mars in 10th). As a final thought, transiting Saturn is conjunct the Midheaven where watery Neptune sits too. Almost as if hardship via the means of water was sitting there waiting to happen.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all those in Japan.
Please also see :- An astrological comparison between Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and current Fukushima alert.
