France rocked by Presidential sex scandal

Everyone loves a juicy sex scandal now and then, and there is a huge one brewing across the channel from us in the UK. Francois Hollande the French President is in the news as you will know after being exposed as having an illicit affair with actress Julie Gayet. He has been spotted on a scooter speeding across Paris to the home of the actress and "Closer" magazine scooped the pictures. Oooh la la !!! The latest reports indicate that their liaison has been lasting since before the time that Hollande was elected.

Dennis Rodman and Kim Jong Un - East meets West...

One of the more bizarre friendships has been reunited this week as former basketball star Dennis Rodman flew out to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un whose birthday is today. Kim as you will know is quickly gaining a brutal reputation after the execution of his uncle Jang Song Thaek before Christmas and yet they seem to all reports like really good friends. How Dennis can condone this kind of action is beyond me, but it is not my place to judge.

Luckily for Astrological purposes I have accurate birth details of Dennis (13 May 61 @ 00:10 hrs in Trenton, NJ) and very interestingly Kim's natal Sun (born 8 Jan 84 at 7.15 Pyongyang, NK) sits within 10 minutes of a degree conjunct to Dennis' Ascendant which does suggest a really strong bond and connection between them.

They have earth Suns which is compatible and Kim's Pisces Moon works well with Dennis' Taurean Moon. Dennis' Moon trine to Kim's Venus is a very easy going and well balanced connection indicating a good friendship and excellent communication and his Mercury opposite Kim's Venus shows understanding as well, especially on creative subjects.

Kim's Moon opposes and his Venus squares Rodman's Pluto so there is a very intense link here, certainly I think that Kim may be in awe of Dennis and could be influenced or even manipulated by him, not that Kim is totally averse to manipulative games himself. His Pluto squares to Dennis' Mars, so there is a very competitive side to this relationship that could get feisty over time. I get the feeling that the Mars (Kim) Saturn (Rodman) square could cause friction and frustration too, this is one of those red flag aspects that always seems to cause problems in any kind of relationship, a friendship or even more between those in romantic unions too.

It remains to see whether these two very prominent people will remain long term buddies, but for the moment at least they seem very much on the same wavelength...

Jupiter conjunct Sirius - Feeling better and more optimistic, for now...

This connection is now active and lasts through until 22nd January 2014. It occurs at 14:17 degrees Cancer.

Sirius is the brightest star in the sky apart from our own Sun of course. Sitting in the constellation of large dog, Canis Major, Sirius is often known as the shining one or the scorcher. This star has always had a reputation for being associated with linking humble personal action which suddenly propels one into the spotlight for a brief moment of time. It is also connected to selfless actions taken in doing something sacred and worthy or in making a sacrifice for the betterment of people around you.

Jupiter is a very expansionist, beneficial and international influence and the combination of this bright star and the largest planet in the solar system will bring a ray of optimism which is much needed in these difficult times. Under this connection you can possibly achieve much more that you think is possible, especially if you are putting yourself out for other people and doing something out of the kindness of your own heart. This is a lovely couple of weeks at the start of this year which can bring some inspiration, creative impetus and an increased desire for physical activity and exploration. This is a favourable time for business and commerce in general and if you are involved in any kind of work or project that involves travel, faith/beliefs, publishing or legal work then you will likely do very well.

In the world this connection lands on the Greek Ascendant so maybe this is a time when the Greek economy will get some good news, mind you saying that the expansionist and reckless attitudes of the past will have been responsible for much of the waste and problems that this country suffered. The same can much be said of the United States in regard to spending and using resources way beyond it's means. This star is not called the scorcher for nothing, remember Greece got burnt big time and the US may feel the same way in the months to come as their financial woes finally come home to roost.

However for the moment, the US Sibly chart (4th July 1776) now receives this conjunction on the US natal Sun, so watch out for an optimistic mood in the White House, in the administration and in the country as a whole, especially as the people show willing and good spirit to help each other out to recover after the appalling weather and storms in the recent week.

Phil Everly passes away aged 74

One of the great names of the pop music scene in the 50’s and 60's and one half of the duo the Everly Brothers, Phil Everly has died in California due to a lung condition. In their heyday, Don and Phil penned a sting of successful hits including “Bye Bye Love”, “Wake Up Little Suzie” and “All I Have To Do Is Dream” and were notable for their close harmony. Rolling Stone said that they were one of the most important duo’s in popular music history.