18 Dec 2011

Vaclav Havel

The death of Vaclav Havel, Czech playwright, political activist and president, has been announced today (18th December). Havel was born in Prague on 5.10.1936 at 15:00. He was instrumental in bringing about the Velvet Revolution in 1989, when Czechoslovakia broke free from communist rule. Havel opposed Soviet rule and the persecution of fellow artists and writers under the communist regime. During the 1980's he spent 5 years in prison for this.

Havel's chart is dominated by the large red Efficiency/Performance square pinned by Jupiter, Saturn, Moon and Neptune. All but Saturn are relatively "soft" planets, but all will have been engaged in tireless hard work and effort in pursuit of something close to his heart:freedom.

These four planets span the 2/8 house axis of possessions and the 5/11 house axis of relationships. Jupiter and Moon are across the 5/11 axis, and with Moon in Gemini in 5th it's not surprising that Havel was loved and respected by his fellow Czechs. Saturn in 2nd is opposite Neptune and hints at an iron fist in a velvet glove where human rights and the good of society (8th house) are concerned.

When he was in the army in the late 1950's Havel realised he could mock the military administration from the stage by writing subversive plays, and this subsequently became his conduit for criticising the communist system. This could be his unaspected Mercury in 8th at work, taking risks but relishing freedom of expression.

Crumpled and casual in appearance, Havel shunned the limelight but his power should never have been underestimated. With Pluto on the DC he could have been a force to be reckoned with, but his motivation was for truth, justice and freedom.

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