Generational Synastry

Originally published summer 2004

Looking towards the US Elections

Generational synastry is a peculiar thing. Ever wonder why an institution can go on for ages with no problems and then, no matter who runs it, problems, of a suspiciously similar kind, come thick and fast?

I would look first to see if generational outer planet synastry is involved. Because the outer planets move so slowly most of the political leaders, assuming they’re of a broadly similar age which is usually the case, will have Uranus, Neptune and Pluto is about the same place or at least the same sign.

USA Sagittarius Ascendant

George W Bush

John Kerry

Hilary Clinton

Looking at the Sibly chat for the USA you can see where some problems may be coming from. It has an MC of 1 Libra and both George W Bush and John Kerry have Neptune within five degrees of it. Their Plutos are both in the Sibly eighth house conjunct the highly sensitive north node. They both have contacts with the USA Mars.

Looking at it this way, I’m not sure it matters who wins the November election. With that amount of outer planet contact, I’m not sure either will be able to exert their own will or desire to make true and lasting changes. Transiting Saturn has been square to itself in the USA chat, the last square before the Saturn return. Structural changes need to be addressed but can either of these men even identify the issues let alone formulate a plan? Saturn in the tenth needs to formulate a plan, divine inspiration needs to be backed up by a rulebook which will be obeyed and respected not used as justification.

These contacts look far too much like more holy war for my liking. Waiting for St Hillary to step up to the plate may not be the answer either. She will also have Neptune in the USA tenth house, although not conjunct the MC but close to their Saturn.

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Olympics 2004

Originally published 2004

A major event this summer is the Olympics Games in Athens and the speculation on whether the facilities would be complete by the scheduled start of the games.

Greece is an ancient, perhaps the most ancient, country but it’s most recent incarnation – the start of modern democracy in 1974 – shows clearly the stresses and strains the Greeks have been under.

Greece

Not only is the state having a Saturn return but Saturn is in Cancer, conjunct the Ascendant and Mercury. All the pressure (Saturn) of demonstrating that you are capable of planning a major event (Saturn), demonstrating that you are a modern nation (Saturn conj Saturn conj Ascendant) and communicating all this to the world who doesn’t want to listen (Saturn conjunct Mercury conjunct transiting Saturn).

Chart for Mars conjunct Saturn May 2004

Saturn stationed at 13 Cancer and was conjunct Mars at 11 Cancer earlier in the year. This was around the time when international speculation was at its height that the games would not go ahead as the building work was no where near finished. Perhaps Mars joining Saturn at this time provided the push that was needed to finish in time? It may not have been pleasant but it certainly spurred them into action. Saturn rules the seventh house and it was perhaps too easy to see the gloom rather than the adhearance to the timetable – also Saturn – which would finish in time but with little margin for error.

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Diana’s Memorial

Originally published August 2004

Everyone’s favourite Princess has been back in the news this summer. The August New Moon was a 23 Leo and this picks up her T-square of Moon, Venus and Uranus; it also exactly conjuncts the UK Saturn – no wonder she shook up the Monarchy. This lunation certainly brought her to out attention with several front page stories in the newspapers, Al Fayed making further claims about her death and her memorial being re-opened to the public.

Diana’s Memorial Unveiled

The chart for the unveiling of the memorial is very interesting. The chart shown (next page) is an approximate time but should be within five minutes – I wasn’t paying attention while listening to the radio and did an approximate count back. If anyone was paying attention could you let me know your accurate time? I would be most grateful.

Given the memorial’s problems with drainage and blockages I was not surprised to find Pluto on the IC but it it rather fitting that her ascendant is closely conjunct it. Diana has a disputed chart but it is the Sagittarius rising chart which seems to resonate with her public memorials (Diana, 1 July 1961, 19.45 BST Sandringham, UK, 52N50, 0E30).

Diana, Princess of Wales

Diana’s Minutes Silence

United Kingdom

August 2004 New Moon

During the period of mourning, Venus was approaching her MC and was conjunct it at 23 Libra during her memorial service. The memorial was re opened with a new Moon at 23 Leo, as mentioned earlier, picking up both her Uranus and MC and the UK MC. This is a radical design for a monument and not to the taste of many establishment figures. But Diana wasn’t establishment. What happens next concerning the Diana saga is any one’s guess. But if I was advising Hyde Park management I would get a good plumbing contract in place and with Uranus opposing her natal Pluto, who knows what else will come to light?

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Concorde’s Last Flight

Originally published Jan 2004

Ever get the feeling that the future has been cancelled?

Concorde’s last landing

The last comercial concorde flight took off from New York on 24 October 2003.

Looking at the chart you can see Neptune exactly on the IC. The IC is assoicated with the end of the matter and Neptune with dreams.

The Sun is just rising conjunct Mercury at the start of Scorpio; Mercury is transport and Scorpio brings a certain ruthless quality where ever it is found.

I don’t have any data for the first flights but it was developed during the sixties; this would put transiting Pluto square its natal position indicating a time when the viability of one’s actions must be questioned.

Pluto and Scorpio have a similar type of energy. We have here the ruthless (Scorpio) word (Mercury) of authority (Sun) to end (4th house) our dreams (Neptune) of the future (Aquarius).

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Space Shuttle Lost

Originally publshed 1st February, 2003. 15.30 GMT

Columbia lost on approach to landing; first Israeli astronaut lost.

The space shuttle Columbia lost contact with mission control just before its planned landing. Multiple trails in the sky over Texas suggest that it has been lost on re-entry.

The chart for this suggests that a tragic accident has occured. Mars on the MC and Uranus Ascending brings together the two classic significators of accidents. They also pick up the charts of the USA and Israel.

This mission included the first Israeli astronaut and security had been raised in tune with the current tense climate.

Mars and Uranus pick up the Israeli Mars and Mercury, while Saturn sits on the 9th house cusp next to Uranus. What a graphic description of being prevented from exploring in space. The new moon at 12 Aquarius is opposite the Israeli Pluto; it seems this is a collective experience for the Israeli people.

The American people will also feel this keenly as the USA moon is at 27 Aquarius (for the late afternoon, Sag rising chart).

NASA have admitted that there is no possiblility that the shuttle could have made a controlled landing from the altitude it was last place at. This altitude also eliminates the possibility of it being shot down.

More considerred comment will follow. My thoughts go out to the families of the crew.

16.00 GMT

One of the most experienced members of the shuttle crew was born in India. The new moon picks up the IC of the Indian chart for partition. They will also feel this keenly.

The chart for Israeli legal independence places 14 Aquarius on the Asc, which takes the full power of this morning’s lunation.

Space Shuttle Lost

USA – Sag asc

Israel

Israel – legal independence

India

1 February 2003 New Moon

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March 2001

Originally published March 2001

What went on in March 2001

11 March – 17 March

The most obvious thing which has happened over the past week is the US bombing of Iraq.

Zimbabwe – Independence

Zimbabwe have ordered many foreign journalists to quit the country. The journalists claim that this is due to their reporting on human rights abuses and attacks on the independence of the judiciary. One claimed that the government did not want to be observed while it turned into a dictatorship. Independence was won on 16th April 1980. Journalism and the judiciary are symbolised by Mercury and Jupiter. Jupiter is at 0 Virgo. This will complete the upcoming T-square of Mars, Jupiter and the Sun and turn it into a grand cross – the status quo and legal institutions are challenged. But this hasn’t happened yet, although it was picked up by the Sun on Friday; it describes events which will take place this week. What happened last week? Looking at the midpoints shows transiting Pluto on the Asc/MC – a power struggle in the very heart of the country- transiting Mars and Jupiter on the Mercury/MC – professional communication is challenged by nationalism, militarism and violence – transiting Saturn on the Uranus = Saturn/MC – the point of balance and reform is tipped towards the conservative. Pluto has also recently passed over the Sun and MC, both significators for the leader of the country describing the power struggle and scandal around the leader. Pluto can also describe an underworld figure, possibly involved in organised crime or corruption. Looking ahead, Venus will retrograde at 17 Aries which is in hard aspect to the Mercury/MC point picked up by the current T-square. This does not look optimistic, and it does not take an astrological forecast to see the immediate future is less than rosy for Zimbabwe.

British Labour Party

The British Labour Party is currently experiencing a period of stress. After the exit of Peter Mandlesson, now there is apparent internal descent between members of the cabinet and Alistair Cambell, the Prime Ministers Press Secretary. Looking at the chart of the Labour party several factors meet the eye. The MC of the chart is at 4 Pisces, this will be picked up by the New Moon described in below. The Sun is at 8 Pisces, so this will be transited by Mars, Jupiter and the Sun but not by the T-square. The Sun and the MC are both significators of the Leader and Tony Blair has Mars at 3 Gemini and Ascendant at 4 Gemini. This week will probably be quite rough for the Labour party and Blair in particular. The third house of the chart is ruled by the Sun. This was aspected by Pluto and Jupiter last year, and accounts for the transport and education problems afflicting the party- both third house issues. The last pass of the Jupiter Pluto opposition will take place at 14 Gemini/Sagittarius in May. This also marks the point of transiting Pluto opposing Pluto in the natal chart; usually marking a period of major adjustment and re-evaluation.

18 March – 24 March

Today sees the Sun move into Pisces, which coincides nicely with the first flowers appearing in London. Spring it seems in now on the way. This also puts the Sun at the apex of a T-square with Mars in Sagittarius and Jupiter in Gemini. The opposition is exact early on Monday, the squares to the Sun are exact on Tuesday and Wednesday and Mars and Jupiter also make a contraparallel on Thursday; they are in opposition by zodiacal longitude and in declination. This day also brings us the New Moon at 4 Pisces, when Mars will have moved to 4 Sagittarius. Next Sunday sees Venus trine Pluto and sextile Mercury which is also about to turn direct.

This is not calm energy by any standards and the events involving the US, UK and Iraq do not give reassurance.

March 2001 sees Venus begin her retrograde journey on the 10th – see article about US attacks on Iraq. Pluto will also retrograde and Mars joins him on his station on the 19th. These three players continue to aspect each other over the next few days bring two streams of very intense energy together. Mercury also regains the position it was at before it went retrograde on the 18th so any movement which had been at an impasse will now be able to flow forward.

Areas of conflict which are not resolved before Venus turns will find little room for manouver. Although Venus is the planet of peace, it is also values and the retrograde period usually shows what we will fight for and cannot negotiate away.

Full Moon is on 9 March and the new Moon on 25 March.

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US and UK Bomb Iraq

Originally published 18 Feb 2001

Events surrounding the recent bombing

On Friday, 16th February, just before 9 pm, the US and UK bombed Iraq.

US and UK bomb Iraq

There are some strange correlations between the charts of the USA, Iraq, George W Bush and Tony Blair.

USA: gemini rising

Iraq: declaration of republic

George W Bush

Tony Blair

The node of the USA has long been associated with the USA being involved in conflict. In 1990, the transiting node was at 7 Aquarius, opposite the natal node at 6 Leo. This point is also conjunct the ascendant and Mercury of George W Bush. Tony Blair has his south node conjunct this point too. The USA has node = Mars/Neptune and George W has node = Mars/Neptune at the same point. These volatile points, shown to be very sensitive over the years, are intimately connected with the leader; a position which could present problems when questions of judgement have to be considered.

The USA and Iraq have close synastry as is to be expected by two countries who have been so closely connected. The US Mars is conjunct the Iraq Venus, and the US IC is conjunct the Iraq Ascendant Mercury. These show a compulsive communication which could get under the skin of the US.

George W also has his Uranus and North Node conjunct the Moon and Venus of Iraq. These pitch radical energies against stable, security based energies; never a comfortable position.

The event chart shows Venus at 10 Aries, this is the position that Venus will conjunct the Sun while retrograde. NATOs Venus is at 17 Aries which is the position Venus turns retrograde. NATOs Sun is at 1 Virgo which is picked up by the Jupiter, Mars, Sun T-square on 18-20 March. NATOs MC is at 8 Leo which again fits in with the US node.

The involvement in the patterns of NATO and the Venus retrograde key points point towards a possible escalation of the situation. Despite the condemnation from the rest of the world, it is possible that this situation could get out of hand. The presence of a leader who mirrors the sensitive points of the US will not make this an easy ride.

Iraq is also in the news due to its association with the refugees who ran aground on the French Riviera. Contacts with Pluto at 0 Virgo by the T-square bring issues of tyranny, secrecy and corruption to light.

I believe we can expect many more incidents about refugees this year.

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Iain Duncan Smith ousted

Originally published Jan 2004

The Conservative Party have yet another new leader

On 29 October 2003 Iain Duncan Smith or IDS ceased to be the leader of the British Conservative party. His leadership was never easy although this is not immediately apparent from the astrology – having your MC conjunct someone’s Jupiter is usually taken as a fortunate placement.

Iain Duncan Smith

Iain Duncan Smith vote of no confidence

British Conservative Party

However, for the time the IDS was Conservative leader transiting Uranus was also taking extended rest periods at 27/28 Aquarius and when Uranus is present nothing is as straightforward as it should be.

Uranus represents a radical energy but IDS’s leadership was anything but and the failure to grasp the nettle and develop the vision and direction the Conservative Party desperately needs.

The announcement of the vote saw the degree of IDS’s Jupiter rising, emphasising the Jupiter, Mercury, Mars T-square and his MC/IC: this is trine/sextile the Jupiter/Mars. One can only conclude that this is a missed opportunity for IDS and that to stay based in a traditional, reactionary approach to policy has completely missed the point.

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Grand Quintiles

Originally published October 2004

In October 2004 a very unusual configuration will be seen twice; one either side of the solar eclipse. Five planets will be in quintile aspect to each other drawing out a pentagram in the sky. I was first alerted to this by Bernard Eccles during his Year Ahead presentation at the Astrological Lodge of London in December 2003. There are also many sites on the web talking about this, particularly Ed Gillam and Jill Whitman’s Grand Quintiles.co.uk.

1 October 2004 – Grand Quintile over New York

28 October 2004 – Grand Quintile over New York

New Moon Eclipse 13 October 2004 set for New York

Full Moon Eclipse 28 October 2004 set for New York

I was alerted to the relation to New York by a friend from New York which lead me to look at the Moon rising and setting charts for the days of the quintiles and I was amazed to see the Moon was setting, on 1 October, and rising, on 28 October, over New York. As the Moon is the people, the physical body, the stuff which holds people together and, according to traditional sources, is the final conduit through which energy reaches the Earth it is fitting that the Moon is in Taurus, the sign of the Moon’s exultation, and that this most grounded combination should be the final piece in this particular puzzle.

Quintiles are not dynamic aspects which is why it’s difficult to say exactly what events would go along with this. Associated with the number five and with mental acumen, this is not an energy which will force itself into the world; more likely that only those taking the time to reach for new mental vibrations would notice it. However, Mars will have reached the degree of the New Moon eclipse on 13 October. Mars does work as a trigger and anything which is hanging in the air will tend to be set off by Mars. Mars is approaching the square to Saturn, which will perfect on 6 November at 27 Libra, which is the position of Mercury at the 13 October eclipse and Saturn is angular in the 28 October Full Moon. It could be that the trigger doesn’t actually go bang until the 6th.

This is one to watch as this is so rare. Perhaps people with planets between 11 – 17 Taurus might feel this more? If anyone has any experiences or thoughts please let me know.

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Edwina Currie and John Major’s secret is out

Originally published October 2003

The serialisation of Edwina Currie’s diaries was due to begin in The Times on Monday 30th September 2002. Over the weekend of 28th/29th September, news of her affair with former president John Major hit the news.

Of special note is the station of Venus at 15 Scorpio picking up both her Pluto Mars square and his Mars and MC/IC. The 3rd Quarter Moon shows Venus at 13 Scorpio before it turned retrograde making an exact transiting aspect to these points.

The Conservative Party has Pluto at 15 Taurus. Remember that at the time of their affair, Major was promoting his “Back to Basics” campaign which was rooted in family values.

Edwina Currie

John Major

British Conservative Party

3rd Quarter Moon 29 Sept 2002

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