Joyce Hopewell Astrological Chart Interpretations

The Fourth Plinth: Antony Gormley's live art project

2009-07-06T13:03:00.011+01:00

Today, at 09.00, artist Antony Gormley's living art project "One and Other" began. For 100 days, the empty Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square in London will be occupied, hour by hour, by a different person who will each become a work of art. The chart is set for 9 a.m. on 6th July 2009, London.

I have a vested interest in this unusual art project as I applied to take part and have been randomly selected!

My hour of fame on the plinth will be on

Monday 3rd August from 3-4 p.m.

The chart for the start of this project shows a strong and somewhat dizzying vertical zig-zag of aspect patterns, indicating perhaps that this is all going on at a height! (8 metres ) .There's a Small Learning triangle and a Search figure in the chart. Jupiter conjunct Neptune on the DC are a part of the Learning triangle, which also involve s Uranus and Mars.

This aspect pattern raises questions about how this art project will be received by the public - it's innovative(Uranus), risky and experiential (Jupiter), art in one of its many forms (Neptune) it could be a learning curve for all who take part ( it feels like that to me as I ponder on what I shall be doing up there!), and it feeds into Mars conjunct Venus as the highest planets in the chart - a blend of male-female energies, the masculine and feminine - straddling the Signs of earthy Taurus and airy Gemini.

Both Sun (mind and will) and Saturn (physical form and fears) stand aside, joined only by a completely separate linear aspect. It's as if the "anything goes" switch is on, and ordinary people can step out of their normal safety zone and put their own creativity on a pedestal. . .or alternatively, just be themselves.

I shall be writing more about Fourth Plinth as my ideas about what I shall do up there evolve. I gather I can now call myself a "Plinther"! You can read my Plinth profile here.

Looking at Jupiter

2009-06-22T06:00:00.000+01:00

Jupiter is the planet associated with sight, perception and sensory awareness. Using this planet as a sensing tool we can perceive and register everything which comes within our range of vision, and can expand our view to encompass the wider, whole picture.

In the Huber Method, we use Jupiter rather than Mercury when we begin to interpret a chart. We use Jupiter to see the whole picture in the chart and gain a sense of the whole person; using Mercury we can pick up facts and snippets, but these don't hang together as a larger "whole".

Jupiter is one of the 3 classical planets of intelligence ( the other 2 are Mercury and Saturn), and as such it enables us to sense, perceive and understand. These qualities are needed before a fully, rounded intelligence can be formed.

Jupiter controls our sensory mechanisms and is the sum total of our 5 organs of sensory perception - hearing, sight, taste, smell, touch. In the endocrine system, Jupiter is associated with the pituitary which controls the adrenals (Mars), the pancreas (Venus) and the thyroid (Mercury).

Jupiter helps us make the most intelligent use of our sensory output. We can be told that something tastes hot, like curry, but we don't appreciate just how hot until we try it for ourselves! The same applies to something that feels hot, like the hot plate the curry is served on. We may be told the plate is hot, but we almost inevitably have to touch it for ourselves, just to make sure!

We observe the world around is and what is going on in it using our senses, and gauge our responses accordingly. Jupiter helps us assess the situation, to evaluate and judge our responses and reactions, based on our own perceptions.

There are some more thoughts on this planet in this video, where I talk about Jupiter and the Art of Risk Taking.

Astrology for Babies: The Family Model

2009-06-16T06:00:00.000+01:00

The Family Model is a technique exclusive to the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology, and it can be very helpful for parents to understand something of what this indicates in the charts of their own babies. This could be especially so for new parents, but the Family Model is relevant at all stages of development, from childhood and way into teenage years. The Family Model of parents and child is represented in the chart by the Sun (Father), Saturn (Mother) and Moon (child).

The Sun represents the outgoing, independent and leadership qualities which the child will look for and seek to emulate as it becomes less dependent on the care and protection of the mother. This normally starts to happen when the child reaches the age of 3 or 4, when he or she seeks independence and tests out how far it's possible to travel away from the security and symbiotic relationship with the mother. Ideally, the Sun is positioned in the upper half of the chart, the higher the better.

Saturn represents the mother figure who provides security and safety for the child as it grows and develops. She is the person who instills in the child the guidelines to help it fit into the world and environment into which it has been born; she sets the limits and boundaries and reminds the child to clean its teeth, wash its hands etc. She makes the child's physical well-being and survival her priority. The love which is vital to the development of every child comes from other aspects of the mother's personality, but it is the mothering and caring, mentoring principle which is associated with Saturn. Because Saturn is concerned with stability and security, it is best placed in the bottom half of the chart.

The Moon is representative of the baby or child itself. It responds to and in the moment, often picking up and mirroring what it senses from the environment. Babies and children have many needs, and the Moon represents the emotional needs which, in young babies and children, are indicated through gurgles, tears, laughter and happy mimicking of the sounds they hear as they develop language and an understanding of the world around them. The child needs to develop and grow through contact with others, so contact and love are vital. The Moon is best placed along the horizontal I/You axis of the chart, in the area of the Ascendant/Descendant, where it will be able to relate to others most effectively and reflect on how this applies to itself.

The "ideal" placement of Sun, Moon and Saturn doesn't happen too often as the child learns and grows through experiencing an environment which will spur it on to move forward and develop in life rather then be presented with something "perfect" to begin with. The Sun might be at the bottom of the chart, Saturn at the top, and the Moon anywhere else in between! The different positions of these planets can offer an understanding for parents, and for the child itself when it's older, of what the environment is presenting, and what there is to learn.

This 3 year old has the Moon right on the Descendant, on the You side of the chart, making it easy to make contact with the world as well as pick up on, sense and mirror what it is learning from the world about feelings and emotions, and its own emotional sense of self.

Both Sun and Saturn are high up in the chart; good for the Sun to be there but maybe not so "perfect" for Saturn, as mother figure to be there too. Saturn is, in fact, the highest of the 3 Family Model planets and is placed strongly on the MC - the highest point of the chart. This suggests, in the context of the Family Model, that the child could view both parents as role models, but with mother coming out strongest! She could appear, to the child, to be the one who "rules" the household. In fact, this is a mum who now works and has her own career (as many working mums do) but who is very mindful of and responsive to the needs of her child and who cared for her child full time before returning to work.

The forthcoming new book on Astrological Psychology and the Huber Method, "Family, Relationships and Health", covers the Family Model in detail. The book is due to be published in July/August, and will be available from the API on-line Book Shop.

D-Day Landings: 65th anniversary

2009-06-04T11:40:00.008+01:00

The 65th anniversary of the 2nd World War allied D-Day landings in Normandy, northern France, is on 6th June 2009. The chart is set up for 06.30, the time the landings began on 6th June 1944, along a stretch of the coast of Normandy near Ouistreham.

The chart image shown in the aspect structure is reminiscent of the landing craft which transported soldiers from the ships standing off shore to the beaches of Normandy. War-like Mars conjunct Pluto is at the blue pointed end of the triangular Ambivalence figure aspect pattern; on the landing craft, this was the fulcrum which opened the ramp which the disembarking soldiers had to move down into the sea and on to the beach, guns raised and ready. Countless numbers were under fire and perished in this brave endeavour. The linear aspects which zigzag across the prow of the landing vessel image look like cross fire.

In 2004, the 60th anniversary of D-Day was celebrated in France amidst much publicity, and with much press coverage. It's interesting to see that the Age Point was conjunct Mercury at the time of this ceremony; everyone seemed to know about it and it was attended by veterans who took part in the landings operation. The veterans were presented with a medal by the Mayor of Caen. Amongst them was Richard Llewellyn, Founder of the UK Astrological Psychology Institute.

The 65th anniversary and its associated ceremonies and celebrations does not seem to be attracting quite as much attention, even though the Age Point is conjunct the 11th House Sun in the chart for this event. 65 years on the 2nd World war might seem a long time ago to many readers, and of little significance. But my colleague and co-author Richard Llewellyn, was involved together with a paratrooper cousin I never knew. Both took part in the landings. My cousin survived the beaches but was later shot by a sniper weeks before the war ended, and before I was born.

I'm taking this opportunity to honour the heroes, survivors and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Chart Image: how to start interpreting a chart

2009-05-18T12:38:00.011+01:00

Here is an extract from "The Cosmic Egg Timer" , the book I wrote along with fellow Huber astrologer Richard Llewellyn, and available from the API Book Shop as well as Amazon and other book sellers:

"One of the most important things we can do when starting to look at a chart is to do simply that - to look. Setting aside and perhaps even temporarily “forgetting” any astrology you already know, the first way into the chart is via the senses, the eyes and the intuition.

Cast your mind back to the time when you were a small child. Maybe you had a coal fire in the house where you grew up. Can you remember looking into the embers of the fire and seeing pictures or scenes, faces or figures? Similarly, you may have done the same thing when looking at clouds in the sky: “That one looks like a dog..........now it’s changed and looks more like a dragon.” and so on. Using your eyes, your senses and your imagination, you were perhaps able to see pictures and images, based on the shapes you saw in the clouds or the embers of the fire.

Using a similar approach when first looking at a chart, we can train ourselves to look for an intuitive picture or image, and we do this by looking at the overall aspect structure which fills the large central area of the chart. In the context of astrological psychology, this area relates to the unconscious motivation of a person. Often the essence of the person is contained within this area of the chart, and through developing the intuition we can gain a sense of the person simply by looking at this central core of the chart and absorbing and reflecting upon the pictures or images that we see there.

You can try this out for yourself using a Huber-style chart. Allow yourself to get a sense of what is in the chart. From this a picture or image may emerge. Some of the images people have seen in charts are as diverse as a flower opening, a tent or marquee, a pyramid, a butterfly, a space rocket, an open book, a yacht, a flag - the variety of images is limitless, and is based upon what has been intuitively seen and perceived from the chart. You may not see an image or picture, but you may have a strong sense of a predominant colour in the aspect structure, or a sense that everything in the chart is spread out, or squashed, or clinging to one particular area of the chart. If you are unable to see an image or picture, be aware of whether you are picking up something in the chart via your other senses.

Prince Charles's chart looks like a "witches hat" roundabout in a children's playground - is life like a never-ending roundabout of waiting to become King?

The approach taught by the UK Astrological Psychology Institute emphasises the importance of taking the time to look at a chart before setting off into the realms of deeper and more technical interpretation. This approach is Jupiterian - using our eyes and our intuition, we look at the chart, taking in the whole picture before moving on to the finer points and details. This is different from a more conventional Mercurial approach to astrological chart interpretation, where facts and detailed information about the chart are considered first and foremost using the logical mind and the overall picture of the chart is not necessarily taken into consideration.

Looking at and absorbing the chart in this way is the first of a series of “foundation stones” or “building blocks” that can be set in place to enable us to find a way into the natal chart. Chart interpretation can be daunting and difficult, especially if there are a mass of other factors to hold in mind all at the same time. Using this Jupiterian approach, where the eyes, the senses and the intuition are engaged first and foremost, we have the ability to begin our exploration of any natal chart in considerable depth, as we start by looking at the very essence and the unconscious motivating energies of the person concerned."

There's lot's more on how to work with charts in "The Cosmic Egg Timer"!

Tennis player Venus Williams's chart recalls the constant movement of both tennis player and ball across her half of the court.

Joanna Lumley, the Gurkhas and Gordon Brown

2009-05-07T16:53:00.009+01:00

Joanna Lumley, British actor and now political activist, was born on 1.5.1946 at 19.30 local time in Srinigar, Kashmir. She has hit the UK headlines recently as she's long campaigned to allow Gurkhas, who have fought for Britain, to settle here.

Yesterday Lumley went to see Prime Minister Gordon Brown to put the case for the Gurkhas, following the government's defeat in wanting to restrict their rights of residence. Gurkhas are Nepalese with a key role in the British army, with whom they have fought for 200 years. Lumley's father fought alongside them in the 2nd World War, as did my older cousin. They were held in very high regard in my family with their reputation is of fearless fighters.

I wanted to look at Lumley's chart to see if there were any significant LifeClock and Age Point aspects to planets at this time of her high profile fight for Gurkha rights; there are. Lumley's Age Point is in the 11th House and in Libra, the Sign which seeks fair play and justice. It is coming into conjunction with Neptune, the planet associated with high ideals, visions of what may be, selflessness and compassion. Lumley is doing something she passionately believes in, and she's doing it for others, not for herself or to advance her career or raise her profile.

At the same time as her Age Point conjuncts Neptune in her natal chart, the Age Point in her Moon Node chart sits on her Mars/Pluto conjunction in Leo. Aspects coming from the Moon Node chart force out our responses to events in the outside world.

Lumley is liked and much respected as an actor and presenter with her glamorous style and intelligence. With Mars /Pluto qualities backing and supporting the Neptunian urge to support Gurkha rights, Lumley spoke of her meeting with Gordon Brown in terms which were like silk and fire:

She said Mr Brown had taken the matter "into his own hands" and would come up with a "solution" to the issue of residency rights by the end of May. Lumley described her meeting with Mr Brown as "extremely positive" and said the prime minister was "wholly supportive" of the Gurkha cause.

Lumley said she wanted Gurkhas to be given the same rights to settle as soldiers from Commonwealth countries who had fought for the UK. She said Gordon Brown was a "man of integrity" and she was "absolutely confident" that an agreement could be struck now that he was intervening personally over the issue.

"I trust him," she said of the PM. "I rely on him and know he has now taken this matter into his own hands."( source: news.bbc.co.uk)

In effect, Lumley has boxed Brown into taking action in a very classy and stylish way, effectively demonstrating a combination of Neptunian ideals underpinned by a Martian and Plutonic-like energy - not unlike the formidable fearlessness of the Gurkhas themselves.

Susan Boyle's Large Talent Triangle

2009-05-03T16:28:00.006+01:00

I've been away, touring round the Scottish Borders and visiting Edinburgh where I gave a talk for the Scottish Astrological Association. While I was there, my Data Queen friend provided the correct data for singing sensation Susan Boyle (many thanks Caroline). It took her many long hours of research in the Scottish Records Office, but the chart shown above is drawn up from the correct data: 1.4.1961, 09.50 BST in Blackburn, Scotland.

Boyle's voice made the hairs on the back of my neck prickle when I heard the opening notes of her song "I had a dream", swiftly putting paid to any preconceived notions about this woman, based on her physical appearance. While I've been away she's had a bit of a makeover, having her dark Aries eyebrows shaped and getting a new hairstyle. The media homed in on this, giving mixed comments, but Susan, the media will damn you whatever you do, so just carry on doing your own thing.

Boyle's chart shows a predominantly Fixed shaping and motivation; there are mainly quadrangular figures in the aspect structure, with a couple of Linear aspects too. These could stand her in good stead when she wants to do things her own way and just goes ahead and does them (like the makeover). But most times she is likely to be wanting stability and security in her life, and she may find it easier to stay with what is known, tried and tested when these needs are uppermost.

Her colour ratio is 4 red: 4 green: 4 blue aspects. Although this might look nicely balanced, it suggests she is quite a sensitive person with a surprising amount of red, active energy which can be directed towards achieving what she wants. Her Aries Sun, which some astrologers might attribute this to, will not necessarily be the front line driving force in this because it is intercepted in the 10th House of the chart. This means it has no direct route out into the environment and has to rely on the other planets it aspects. Moon, which it opposes is no help because this is also intercepted. Both planets aspect Mars and Neptune making these the routes out into the world for the sense of self she can gain through her mind (Sun) and feelings (Moon). Mars and Neptune are both strong by Sign and Mars, a strong ally for the Sun, is also strongly placed by House on the Ascendant. Sun, Moon and Mars together form an Efficiency Triangle.

Mars, together with Neptune and Mercury, forms the blue Large Talent Triangle in Boyle's chart. This figure indicates an ability which the individual has as an innate part of their make up. There will be some skill or talent which they are born with and their task is to use this, develop it and share it with others. If it's not used and shared, it may wither and fade. With this aspect pattern, it can be a case of "use it or lose it", and all too often it's easier for people with this figure to opt for the easy way out and not develop and refine their innate talent. The aspect figure is made entirely of blue aspects which tend towards complacency and laziness.

In Susan Boyle's chart the blue Large Talent Triangle and the red Efficiency Triangle converge at Mars on the Ascendant, offering the red "kick" that is needed to get her inherent talent working. I was fascinated to read that she has, in the past, tried her luck with talent spotting competitions, but it up until now without much success. The Talent Triangle (aka Grand Trine) is pinned by planets in Water Signs, suggesting emotional content and flavour; responses to her singing come from the level of feelings.

It's time that the culture of celebrity took a knock, and in this period of changing attitudes and economic restraint, the quality of Susan Boyle's voice is showing the world that there is much more to someone than their physical appearance.

Michelle Obama

2009-04-14T12:51:00.017+01:00

US First Lady, "Mom-in-Chief" and now fast becoming a style icon, Michelle Obama was born on 17.1.1964 in Chicago. No time of birth is available, so her chart is set up for noon. With Sun and Mercury in Capricorn, she has no less than 6 planets spanning the Signs of Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.

Her chart resembles an open box - the lid is propped open at an angle but is held firmly in place by some of the closely-grouped planets. Although the orientation of the chart would change if her time of birth was available, the image would remain, albeit with the lid facing a different direction. It would be open to a different area of the chart altogether, and not to 11th House as it is here. But let's just stick with the open box image because a great deal of openness comes across from this striking woman when she's seen on TV. I specifically here call to mind her recent visit to the UK when Barack Obama attended the G20 conference in London.

Michelle had her own programme of visits, and the most notable and striking images and footage of her was at a multi-language girls' school in London where she encouraged the girls to become the very best they could. She spoke openly and from the heart and she gave high fives and hugs rather than handshakes.

Her chart, composed of triangular aspect patterns and linear aspects shows a flexible and adaptable motivation, laced with restlessness and the need to go off and do her own thing. Her colour balance of 2 red: 3 green: 3 blue aspects indicates little ability to rest and switch off, with plenty of restless and sensitive activity being most likely. This is not a lady who will sit and twiddle her thumbs for long, as her very active role in the presidential campaign showed.

Michelle has two aspect patterns in her chart: a Learning Triangle and an Ambivalence Figure. The Learning Triangle is pinned by planets Jupiter and and Uranus (which is conjunct Pluto - this conjunction is found in the charts of the '60's generation), with the Moon's Node at the 3rd corner. For me, this aspect pattern suggests learning which will stretch boundaries and bring insights and revelations. If the House where the Moon's Node is placed were known ( we don't know because we don't have the birth time) I could say more about the area of life where she has the greatest and most rewarding lessons to learn. As it is, the Node in Cancer suggests a pull towards involvement with the wider collective and the need to feel part of a family; in Michelle's case this is expressed through her "Mom-in-Chief" role as well as her commitment to her country.

The Ambivalence Figure shows Mercury opposite the Node, and indicates that mercurial pursuits could come easily (she is a lawyer). The work - indeed the struggle - may go on internally between committing to her current role and the pull to have her own career. This aspect pattern has an "escape" corner where the 2 blue aspects meet. Uranus sits here, maybe not offering much restful escape, but it provides an interesting pivotal planet for both this aspect pattern and the Learning triangle. Change was the keynote of Obama's campaign, and is reflected in his Uranus being on the "You" side of his chart in 7th House, and close to the DC. Michelle, too, will embrace change and ride its waves more easily with her adaptable motivation. With Pluto conjunct Uranus, she may actively welcome it.

Her Sun in Capricorn, although relatively weak by Sign at 26 degrees and not strongly aspected, is supported by it's one-way conjunction to Mars. These two Cardinal planets are two of a kind in that they are will-oriented. In Capricorn they will help her stick with it when the going is tough because the long-term goal is what is important, no matter how long it takes to get there.

For more on Planets and Aspect Pattern Astrology see the Huber's books, available on line from the API Book Shop, along with The Cosmic Egg Timer and The Living Birth Chart, which cover all these topics, and more besides.

Astrology Question Time: Uranus in 2nd House

2009-04-02T10:41:00.011+01:00

In response to my last post, and my invitation to Astrology Question Time, I've received the following question from "A":

Hi Joyce! I would like clarity on Uranus in the 2nd House. The information I find on the internet is distressing. Please provide me and your readers another viewpoint on Uranus in 2nd House. – Thanks!

Thank you, "A", for your question, and also for raising an interesting point about the astrological information you've found on the internet about Uranus in 2nd being distressing. On a personal level, I can't comment on this as I've not trawled around looking for astrological information on this subject, but I'm not surprised to hear there is a whole load of alarming and distressing information around. If you read my blog regularly you'll already know that the Huber Method is concerned with positive personal growth, using astrological psychology as a means to this end; negativity doesn't get a look in, but truth and honesty do.

Now to your question. Uranus in the 2nd House is a combination of two component parts of the natal chart - a trans (beyond) personal planet Uranus, representing the drive towards creative intelligence, and the 2nd House, representing the area of expression and life experience concerned with security and possessions.

Uranus, despite all the hoohah about it being the planet or disruption and revolution (which it can be) is actually a Fixed planet. Its energy is directed towards striving for security and stability, yet it goes about achieving this by turning things upside down and causing change and disruption along the way. This probably sounds confusing! Uranus seeks security and stability and ways of making things better and more perfect than they were before by inventing and creating systems and ways of doing things which provide greater security. It may do this by engaging with and using technology (Uranus is a techno-whizz and adept at research). As we all know, our world is awash with inventions and technical aids and gadgets designed to make life easier. And Uranus, positioned as it is beyond Saturn in our solar system, takes things beyond the realm of known security so that new forms of security can be set in place. I write about Uranus, and the other planets, at greater length in my co-authored book The Cosmic Egg Timer.

Now to the 2nd House. This is where our possessions - those things which we hold dear to ourselves and might even represent our very survival - are of paramount importance. They give us our sense of self worth. Some people might gain this sense of self worth and security from the car they own, the dishwasher they have, the diplomas and certificates they have gained, the house they live in, the clothes they wear. All these things are indications that we've acquired something which makes us feel proud and good about ourselves; they make us feel we're worth something. Of course, our possessions don't necessarily have to be tangible, concrete things. They can also be our attitudes and values. As the 2nd House is a Fixed House, we have to be aware of the inherent dangers of becoming tied to the things which give us our sense of self worth because these can make us narrow and rigid. With a healthy attitude towards the material possessions we think we need, we can more easily let go of them and concentrate on developing an internal sense of self worth, drawing on our inherent talents and abilities, which are also our "possessions" - but no-one can take these away from us!

So, "A", if we put together Uranus and 2nd House, we have a potentially very creative combination. Of course, taken out of the context of the whole chart, what I can suggest about this combination is limited to only these two components. If we were to consider the colours of the aspects Uranus receives, which aspect pattern it is involved in, where it is positioned by Sign and House, then there would be a whole lot more information available - and the additional insights to go with it too!

For more information on planets and houses see the API (UK) website as well as the astrology courses we offer. And don't forget to pose more questions for another Astrology Question Time posting!

International Astrology Day & Astrology Question Time

2009-03-21T00:01:00.005Z

Yes! There IS such a day!! It's today! International Astrology Day was founded by AFAN in 1993.

The purpose of this event is to raise the public’s awareness of astrology, aiming to dispel the many myths and misunderstandings that surround the subject and in addition to expand networking opportunities among the astrological community and direct media attention to the positive aspects of astrology.

International Astrology Day is celebrated to coincide with the beginning of the astrological year, the spring equinox, when the Sun enters the tropical sign of Aries. Since astrologers are known for celebrating celestial events, this day should be at the top of our list as a way of not only honoring our profession, but of sharing what we do with others.

In celebration of this day, and to promote astrology, I'm launching

Astrology Question Time

I will answer a question from the first 5 named * people who leave a question about

Zodiac Signs

Planets

Houses

in the "Comments" window. Their questions, along with my responses, will be in my posting headed Astrology Question Time.

I'm not able to answer specific questions about individual charts. But If you want your chart read, visit the API (UK) Consultant's page. There may be someone near to where you live, and if not, you can arrange to have a chart reading by phone.

Get those questions rolling!

Yours Truly running the API (UK) stand (top and right) and speaking (below) at astrology conferences.

* out of courtesy please name yourself - don't be shy, and don't be "Anonymous"!

The Moon and The Living Birth Chart

2009-03-12T12:44:00.009Z

The Moon in astrological psychology represents the sense of self we gain through our feelings and emotions. The Moon signifies our child-like responses, which can be spontaneous and fun-loving, and it also acts like a mirror, reflecting what's going on around us because it can sense and pick up on atmospheres and feelings very easily. It's a sensing tool, the part of us that feels.

Of course, the way the Moon operates and expresses itself out in the world will be coloured by the Zodiac Sign it's in, which acts like a "costume" which clothes the Moon and modifies its expression. On a basic bottom line level, its expression is influenced by the Element (Fire, Earth, Air or Water) of that Sign.

Fire Sign Moons - those in Aries, Leo and Sagittarius - will tend towards optimism and enthusiasm. Fiery Moons want to be noticed! They will be lively, expressive and outspoken with energetic feelings that demand attention.

Earth Sign Moons - those in Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn - will have a strong practical streak. They may be a bit fussy, but they are down-to-earth and generally enjoy sensual things, espcially Taurus Moons! They will appreciate good quality in all areas of life.

Air Sign Moons - those in Gemini, Libra and Aquarius - love to communicate and share ideas with others, so they enjoy seeing friends and family, chatting and catching up on news, attending talks, lectures and events which will stimulate the mind.

Water Sign Moons - those in Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces - tend to be very emotionally sensitive and tuned in to the feelings of others. They can be very caring, needing to express their feelings and regard for others in tangible ways. But they can also be moody, living life through their feeling nature.

The Moon, representing the sense of self we get through our feelings, is often a part of the personality which is neglected or repressed. We may have been brought up not to show our feelings; they might have been regarded as unacceptable or not something to share or talk about in the environment we grew up in. But they are there all the same, and sometimes they need our attention.

In this video I talk about some of the ways we can work on developing and understanding the Moon and our feeling nature. There is more on this in my book The Living Birth Chart.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Blog

2009-03-04T07:00:00.000Z

Happy 3rd Birthday, Blog! I've been writing you since 4th March 2006, and to be honest I didn't like your "birth" chart very much at the time. Someone suggested I should have elected your beginning, but I didn't because I rarely think about using electional astrology, preferring to go with the moment which feels right and then work creatively with that. So at first it was a bit of struggle as you have such a completely red/blue natal chart with no green aspects. That meant I was providing all the ideas and you were sitting there in either blue dormant mode waiting for people to find you and read you, or you were hanging on my apron strings when you were in red mode, demanding attention and input from me.

Over the past 3 years we've come to an agreement and now we work much better together because we both understand more about each other. You'll always be demanding though - you have no green aspects so you'll not have that much awareness that I have a life too and may not always be prepared to give you the attention you crave. Oh yes, it's there alright! Look, you have the Moon as the highest planet in your chart - it's right on the MC - so you thrive on attention and need plenty of feedback. You also have Sun conjunct Uranus in Pisces in the 7th House, so your Uranian, astrologically-oriented sense of self (the Sun) is out there wanting contact and recognition as well as encouraging people to find out more about astrological psychology and the Huber Method for themselves.

Right now it's time to look at your current Age Point, using the Huber Method of timing in the horoscope. At age 3, the hand of your Life Clock is mid-way through the 1st House. You're still busy understanding the world and your own sense of who you are is still being formed. If you were a child, you'd be getting more obstinate and defiant at this age as you sought to assert your own sense of self and your independence. Tantrums could develop as you begin to differentiate yourself from your environment.

You, the reader, can find out more about using the chart as a Life Clock and using Age Progression in LifeClock by Bruno and Louise Huber, and in my co-authored book The Cosmic Egg Timer where you'll find a whole chapter devoted to introducing and explaining this technique in an easy to understand way. Of course, if you want to go the whole hog and really get into it, I recommend the courses offered by the UK Astrological Psychology Institute. You may even end up having me as your tutor!

Charles Darwin's Search Figures

2009-02-12T00:06:00.016Z

There are probably not too many other bloggers who have played the piano, pictured here, which belonged to Charles Darwin and his wife Emma. I was invited to play it whilst on a school trip to Down House, where Darwin lived. The guide asked if anyone could play the piano and as I'd said yes I was taken past the rope barrier and into the parlour where I played Fur Elise rather badly, much to the amusement of my friends. However, it's an experience I've never forgotten and it's come back into the forefront of my mind as the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth is being celebrated this year.

Charles Darwin was born on 12.2.1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK. No time of birth is available, so I've set up his chart for noon. Even without a time of birth, much useful and interesting information can be found in the chart, and what grabbed my immediate attention was the presence of two Search Figure aspect patterns in his chart.

Search Figures are triangular, and are composed of blue/green aspects. As no time of birth for Darwin is available, it's not possible to say where these figures would be accurately located in his chart (that would be interesting as they'd indicate the areas of life where they operated) but we can still infer quite a lot from them from the pinning planets involved. Triangular aspect patterns have a mutable motivation. They behave fluidly rather than rigidly. Composed solely of green and blue aspects, they are bound up with thought, ideas and an on-going search which has an "if only I can find the answer to such and such, I will be happy and satisfied". The search is the spur and the drive. The Hubers say in their book Aspect Pattern Astrology that people with this figure "are suited to working on long-term projects and can wait patiently until success comes of its own accord. They work continuously with the same dedication as at the start and know that everything takes time" - a description which describes the drive behind Darwin's scientific study of evolution.

Darwin's Search Figures cross over each other - look for the crossed green/blue "dagger" shapes. One figure is pinned by Sun, Jupiter and Mars, the other by Saturn/Neptune, Uranus/Node and Venus. There is a scientific flavour to both figures, with Darwin's Aquarian Sun in one and both Saturn and Uranus in the other. It has always been my understanding and experience that the planet at the blue/green corner of this figure is the one which offers possible outlets and expression for the searching involved. In Darwin's Search Figures these planets are his Aquarian Sun and the Saturn/Neptune conjunction. Uranus is also involved in the Search figure and is representative of creative and scientific thought. Uranus is the researcher who breaks boundaries and seeks new horizons; Saturn the methodical scientist who grounds and forms the theories. An Aquarian Sun is unlikely to want to pinned down and if the Sun is working at a conscious level within the individual, there will be a strong urge to explore ideas in a creative way. The presence of Jupiter in one of the Search Figures, and Darwin's lengthy exploration on board HMS Beagle, reflects his drive to study, search and eventually form his theory of evolution.

For a brief biography of Darwin follow this link. To learn how to interpret charts in this way go to the API (UK) website.

Kate Winslet

2009-02-04T09:00:00.003Z

Kate Winslet is currently picking up a swathe of awards leading to speculation that she'll also get an Oscar this year. Her current films on release - The Reader and Revolutionary Road - are attracting much comment in reviews, as is her emotional acceptance speech following her recent Academy award for best actress in The Reader.

Winslet was born on 5.10.1975 in Reading. The time of birth for her that I've found most frequently is 07.15, and although this is not verified, I'm going with it. The visual image I see in the chart is an open mouth with a long tongue sticking out catching an insect - rather like a frog catching a fly! The "insect" is Mars, placed in Gemini - maybe a good placement for an actor? If I were working with Winslet on her chart, I'd want to know about how she experiences that Mars as it's in the 9th house, is loosely aspected but is in a high and visible position.

The chart is "I" sided with a large stellium of planets on and around the AC. This suggests a focus on her personal sense of self, perhaps on her image and how she seeks to portray it, as there are no less than 5 planets in the 1st house, 4 of which are in Libra. Add to this consideration that Sun, Moon and Pluto are closely bound together right on the AC and there is the potential for a powerful person who may initially wrap this up in velvet gloves because these planets are in Libra, which doesn't rush open-armed towards making a big fuss. However, with Sun conjunct Pluto in this configuration, Winslet is no wimp and is not afraid to be outspoken, especially with reference to the way the media have commented on her weight and figure.

Winslet's inner motivation, as shown by the overall chart shaping, is a mixture of Mutable and Cardinal energy. She can be tangential and restless, looking for new paths to follow, new experiences to be had, most probably to add to her acting portfolio. Sitting alongside this is the Small Learning triangle in her chart, which has a Mutable motivation. This means she can draw on this when she needs to learn a new skill or technique and can adapt and mould herself around this new experience. This triangle has a fixed quality to it in that all 3 planets involved - Venus, Saturn and Uranus - have Fixed qualities. The learning journey starts with the planet at the red/blue corner. That's Uranus, which looks for change in order to bring greater security and stability to life at a new level. Saturn will be challenged to shift already- established boundaries in this learning journey and Venus will be called upon to harmonise what is taking place. As the 3 planets involved here are either on, or close to, a Low Point it's very likely that this learning process will take place on a deeply felt inner level.

For more on aspects patterns see Aspect Pattern Astrology by Bruno and Louise Huber.

Times of Change and a Flock of Heavenly Cranes

2009-01-29T17:35:00.012Z

Paper Cranes in Hiroshima by Maylis Curie

Times are changing in all reaches of life. We are challenged on a daily basis with news of global recession, doom and gloom. And we know we need to take immediate action to prevent further damage to our environment and the world we all share. It's been a grim start to 2009.

But let’s not forget, in the midst of the cut backs and the tightening of belts, how much of value we already have. The origami cranes pictured here not only bring a splash of bright colour in the depth of our British winter (where I'm writing this from), but it is said that the practice of folding 1,000 cranes represents a form of healing and hope during challenging times.

Greek and Roman myths tended to portray the dance of cranes as a love of joy and a celebration of life. The crane was usually considered to be a bird of Apollo, the sun god, who heralded the spring and new light. In the Druid animal oracle, the crane is seen to bring qualities of patience and perseverance together with the capacity to focus and be able to concentrate without distraction. The Japanese refer to the crane as “the bird of happiness”; the Chinese as “heavenly crane”, believing they are symbols of wisdom. The powerful wings of the crane were believed to be able to convey souls up to paradise and to carry people to higher levels of spiritual enlightenment.

The rampantly materialistic times we have been living through have had their day, and where we are right now reminds me of the Chinese proverb “Crisis is danger and opportunity”. We may be in the midst of a crisis, there may well be danger of some kind and there will undoubtedly be challenges. But it is no bad thing to take the opportunity to reconnect – to “re-member” in the deeper sense of the word - with things and values which are more spiritual in nature, and allow ourselves to be lifted up a just a little, like that flock of heavenly cranes.

See more of Maylis's images here.

Obama's Inauguration

2009-01-20T06:00:00.005Z

Barack Obama will be sworn in as 44th US President today at around 12 noon. That is when the ceremony is scheduled to take place, so give or take a few minutes, depending on the speed of other parts of ceremony, this is what the chart for this historic event will look like. (Chart set for 20.1.2009, 12 noon, Washington DC).

Addendum: it's 18.15, UK: Obama was sworn in at 12.05, Washington. There are no significant changes to the Inauguration chart.

What I like about this chart are the clean, clear lines. There's no fuss. There are two distinct and separate triangular aspect patterns - the Single Ambivalence Figure and the Ear/Eye. They are not connected so suggest two separate motivations/drives, one towards a work/rest cycle, the other towards listening, observing and gathering information.

There are two conjunctions: Venus conjunct Uranus and Sun conjunct Mercury/Jupiter. The north node of the Moon is attached at the periphery of the second with a gentle hint of the need to put Sun, Mercury and Jupiter to good use. In other words communicate, learn, open the mind and don't limit the perceptions and wisdom that can come from this openness. These planets are in Aquarius after all, and in themselves herald the much-needed fresh start that this new President brings.

Saturn is the tension ruler of the chart, sitting alone but receiving many aspects. Saturn's opposition to Venus/Uranus indicates the work to be done - work much needed for global stability. This planetary combination is all about finding new ways of attaining stability, and with Venus involved this could be via peaceful means, through dialogue and harmonious discussion. Change has been the keynote in Obama's route to the White House, reflected in the placement of Uranus conjunct Venus in this inauguration chart and in the DC, "You" sided position of Uranus in his own chart.

Let today be one of celebration, inclusiveness and good will, and may these qualities be taken forward into a new era where they will thrive and multiply alongside the work that needs to be done and can now begin.

Obama's chart shown here. Also see what I've written about his chart in previous postings via the search facility on this blog.

Joyce Hopewell's Astrochat

2009-01-14T17:54:00.007Z

I now have a channel on You Tube where you can watch me talking about astrology.

I put this down to two things:

my daughter who suggested I should do something different to start off 2009, and

the Dominant Learning triangle in my chart.

The result is the birth of Joyce Hopewell's Astrochat.

The Dominant Learning triangle in my chart offers me endless opportunities to learn new things. This aspect pattern has a natural progressive direction, starting with the planet at the red/blue corner and moving anti-clockwise. I have Uranus at that red/blue corner - change, innovation, new ideas and yes, new technology! Uranus, itself known as the planet of astrology, connects with communicative Mercury via the active red aspect, urging something new to come into being, and egging Mercury on to get involved and get thinking, writing - and in this case talking too!

I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised because the Uranus/Mercury part of this aspect pattern have been active for some time now as I wrote my new book, "The Living Birth Chart".

As for the Astrochat Channel, I shall be adding videos from time to time and in keeping with my Astrochat policy I shall keep them short and to the point. I'm very familiar with teaching and facilitating and talking to a real live audience, but this new way of talking about astrology is something of a learning curve for me. What's missing are the real people that I usually interact with in my workshops, so if you're out there and you tune in, it would be good to hear from you!

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy

2009-01-09T18:08:00.008Z

Singer/songwriter, former model, style icon and first lady in France, Carla Bruno-Sarkozy was born on 23.12.1967 in Turin, Italy. Her published birth time is 6.10 pm, and although not verified, I’m going with this.

Bruni’s chart is predominantly “You” sided with most planets occupying the space between the IC and MC. This suggests she is an outgoing person, well-equipped to make contact with and relate to others, although the stellium of Moon, Pluto and Uranus close to the IC indicate a need to belong and have a base. With Uranus close to the IC and strongly placed in the 4th house she is equally able to uproot whenever needed and move on to a new base.

Bruni’s motivation, as shown in her chart shaping, to is to be flexible and adaptable, open to changes and able to accommodate them. This is reinforced with the high ratio of green aspects in her colour balance of 3 red: 4 green: 4 blue. Her chart is well-endowed with flexible green, “thinking and searching” energy and drives. Again supporting this theme, she has two Learning triangles in her chart which will enable her to approach life as a learning journey, gaining learning experiences and specific skills, depending on which of the two triangles is involved.

Her Capricorn Sun, weak by Sign at only 1 degree, is on the Balance Point of the 6th house. Here she might experience conflict in her ability to attain her own personal goals as well as not always being able to come up to the expectations of others. But this is a Capricorn Sun, and she will not give up easily or quickly. Her Sun is part of the Dominant Learning triangle, so she’ll learn, bringing into play the other pinning planets in this aspect pattern. She can draw on her life experiences via strongly-placed Jupiter, and maybe heed the message of her 10th house North Node, which will encourage her to strive towards autonomy.

In a recent newspaper article, she is quoted as saying (on her marriage to French President Sarkozy), “I said to Nicolas, ‘I cannot choose between you and my music, it’s ridiculous. I’m not going to drop my job and iron my husband’s shirts for the next four years.’ So of course he didn’t ask me to choose, I decided to keep my job.”

Bruni’s chart has some strongly-placed planets by house, none more so than her Venus which is very strongly placed on the cusp of the 5th house. It is conjunct Neptune and both planets are in Scorpio, reflecting the sexy allure she has, all the more fascinating as she is an independent-minded first lady into the bargain.

At age 41, her Age Point is in Aquarius and is approaching conjunction with Mars. When she reaches this planet she will pick up the smaller and skill-oriented of her two Learning triangles and connect also with Venus and with Moon/Pluto at the bottom of her chart. Moon/Pluto could well be involved in her capacity to transform and reinvent herself.

Pluto in Capricorn

2009-01-02T18:21:00.011Z

Pluto entered the sign of Capricorn in January 2008, hung about a bit until June, edged back into Sagittarius until November and then finally took up more long-term residence in Capricorn at the end of November 2008. Now it's 2009, and Pluto will be in Capricorn until 2023.

Pluto in Capricorn - what might this mean? I enjoy working with images, especially with clients whose charts I see, and I aim to help bring their chart to life for them in a hands-on way which reflects real life experience. So Pluto (powerful and transformative) in Capricorn (earth-related, material, mighty structures) for me suggests the potential for volcanic eruptions and upheaval. Fiery power and change coming to shake the very foundations of the earth itself, and bring about cleansing changes can be seen in this image of the Mountain of Fire on the island of Lanzarote.

The effects of Pluto in Capricorn are already being felt. Large structures, organisations and establishments are falling and failing in the current global economic climate. Banks, once regarded as strong, mighty, secure Capricornian set-ups, are buckling. Financial institutions are under pressure from this and are being aided and abetted by the current Saturn/Uranus opposition. Well-known and long-established retail businesses, such as Woolworth's, have already folded. Things are changing fast as this volcanic upheaval hits home, and if those fat cat bankers and hedge fund managers are harbouring illusions about saving their bacon and still getting away with taking large bonuses, then I for one will have a smile on my face when Pluto's heat ray singes their greedy grubby fingers.

But Pluto in Capricorn is not all doom and gloom. It brings bountiful opportunities to start afresh with a clean slate, and to bring about perfection in we humans who in habit the world. Pluto is renowned for its cleansing energies on all levels - the physical, emotional and mental. One of my students once described Pluto by saying it was "like prunes as it goes into the interior and does good works"! If it can clean out our tacky institutions and establishments so that they operate in a more transparent and fair manner, then this is no bad thing.

In Yorkshire (a large county in England, if you're reading this elsewhere in the world), there is a word used for clearing out cupboards, drawers, cellars and attics and getting rid of what is no longer of any use. The word is "bottoming" and I guess it means that as you clear things out you get to see the bottom of the drawer or cupboard. Pluto is about bottoming, getting rid of the unwanted rubbish and starting afresh.

Pluto in Capricorn will offer endless opportunities for us all on a personal level to clear out our own clutter, be it emotional or psychological. In the wider sphere, those Capricornian institutions which form the very fabric of society could also be in for a shake up. Big businesses which are not ethical, bosses who are less than honest, governments who neglect their people, fat cats who take more than they will ever need - watch out.

Pluto doesn't discriminate; it cleanses, and brings swingeing changes.

Addendum: May 2009 - MP's expenses scandal

All of the above applies equally to the current spate of revelations in the British press about many of our MP's apparently milking the system which allows them to claim for expenses incurred by having second homes to allow them to sit in the Houses as Parliament as elected representatives of the people. Pluto in Capricorn, having revealed the rot at the heart of the banking and financial systems is now turning it's heat ray on to another very rotten core and is demanding, via the justifiable anger of the people of Britain, a full-scale cleansing which needs to go to the very heart of British democracy.

Consultant Astrologers

2008-12-15T16:59:00.004Z

When I’m asked by someone to give them a chart reading, I always say to them, before agreeing to do this, pretty much what is written on the sidebar of my blog: that Astrological Psychology and the Huber Method which I use and teach is not about predicting the future, and it won't tell them what's going to happen to them. What it will do is help them to understand more about themselves and what makes them tick. It will also offer a very accurate picture of where they are right now in their lives, and how best to use and direct their innate talents during their current psychological life phase.

I was recently approached by Woman and Home magazine, (a UK national periodical) who invited me to take part in an article they were planning called “What’s Next for You?”. Along with a tarot reader, a psychic and other consultants working in the field of alternatives, I looked at the chart of a woman who wants to return to work, but was unsure of which areas to explore and pursue.

Her write-up of our session is published in the January 2009 issue of Woman and Home:
Astrological consultants trained with the UK Astrological Psychology Institute will have acquired an in-depth understanding of chart interpretation. Many of them have counselling/therapeutic training, and all of them are qualified to work professionally as astrologers. Most of them are willing to offer telephone consultations as well as face-to-face sessions, myself included.

Aspect Pattern Astrology: The Ambivalence Figure

2008-12-08T11:25:00.010Z

I'm posting an extract about an aspect pattern from my new book, The Living Birth Chart. In the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology, aspect patterns offer interesting indications of a person's behaviour. This example uses the chart of a real person. The book has many such examples, with feedback from the individuals concerned on how they experience their own charts.

"The Ambivalence Figure is frequently found in charts. It’s triangular, so has a Mutable motivation, making it work in a flexible way, adapting to change as necessary. But it’s made up of red and blue aspects with no green aspects involved, which gives it with a “black/white” way of operating as it uses the red aspect to get active and “do”, and the blue aspects to enjoy life and just “be”. In the Ambivalence figure, the red working energy is held in tension in the opposition aspect, and much working energy is used here. The more relaxed blue energy in this pattern has a focal point where the two blue aspects meet. The planet here is sometimes called the “escape” planet as the person will use and express the qualities of this planet when they switch off from work, relax and enjoy themselves. The ambivalence in the name for this aspect pattern refers to its work/rest cycle of behaviour. People with this pattern are pulled between two opposing forces - doing and being (the effect of the red and blue aspects). They might be getting on with the job in hand and putting a lot of effort into it, yet all the while they long for some rest and relaxation, looking with longing at whatever the blue “escape” planet represents for them in their lives. When they have completed their work tasks and take some time out, they will enjoy this for a while, but when that niggling feeling comes along that they really ought to be doing something, or that it’s time to get back to work, they flip right back into red, working mode. Then the whole cycle repeats itself again.

Each aspect pattern will be modified and influenced by the planets that are involved, so this always needs to be held in mind when looking at aspect patterns in individual charts.

Gareth - 1.3.1973, 04.45, Crewe, UK.

In this chart, there is an Ambivalence Figure, pinned by Mercury opposite Pluto, with Jupiter in the blue corner as the “escape” planet. The conjunction of Moon with Jupiter perhaps emphasises the need to escape! One visual image we might see in the chart is of the head of a comical cartoon figure, rather like the “Road Runner” rooster, with its wide open mouth or beak pointing towards the “You”. We might also see a flower which is opening up with the tips of its petals reaching towards the “You” side of the chart. Note also that there is considerable vulnerability here as these images show the central core of the chart exposed to the “You” with no aspects to protect it. There are more planets on the “I” side of the chart, so Gareth will not like feeling “invaded” or overwhelmed on first meeting new people. There is a strong focus of planets around the AC and in the 1st House, suggesting he will be more of a private person, and will need time to himself. The planets people first contact on meeting him are Saturn and Pluto on the “You” side; he might be a little cautious and reserved at first, and he doesn’t suffer fools gladly! The direction is mainly vertical, and the chart shaping is triangular, with some linear aspects. He is flexible and adaptable, as the predominantly Mutable motivation suggests, with a touch of restlessness. He has 4 red, 4 green and 5 blue aspects, so there’s quite a lot of sensitivity and nervous energy to expend and he may not always get enough time to relax and “be”.

Gareth works in research, using Mercury and Pluto in the red opposition part of the Ambivalence Triangle. With these he gathers the facts and analyses the data that he needs to produce reports on various topics. He currently works as a researcher in the energy sector, has researched health care, and for many years prior to this he was undertaking intensive research for his PhD. Both Mercury and Pluto are psychologically on the 3/9 Thought axis, reflecting the nature of the work they are applied to and emphasising the theme of thinking and ideas. Periods of intense work involving gathering facts, studying and analysing them have always been interspersed with the need to get away and travel.

With Jupiter as the blue “escape” planet he has often chosen adventurous activities and solo trips as an independent traveller. Gareth has long had a taste for hot-air ballooning, gliding, flying lessons, fast cars and routes less travelled. Jupiter as the blue “escape” planet in this pattern is conjunct the Moon, suggesting that he gets a lot of enjoyment and fun in his time off, which balances out the intense work and mental concentration involved in the red aspect in this pattern."

For more on aspect patterns, see Aspect Pattern Astrology, The Living Birth Chart and The Cosmic Egg Timer, all available from the API Book Shop.

Prince Charles turns 60

2008-11-28T17:47:00.007Z

Prince Charles recently turned 60, and his Age Point entered the 11th house of his chart, where Uranus sits waiting for a direct eyeball/eyeball meeting when he reaches 63. I don’t intend to dwell on his Lifeclock but will share a few thoughts about his chart image and the Family Model in his chart. Charles was born on 14.11.1948 at 21.14, in London. Here is his chart, and beneath it I’m showing a picture of a “Witches Hat” roundabout, the sort that was found in children’s playgrounds in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, but which are not seen so often now (probably another victim of our ubiquitous Health and Safety regulations).His chart image reminded me very much of one of these roundabouts, the sort I used to play on when a child, and which could give a very exciting ride indeed if it was rocked from side to side as it went round and round. Before I found the picture, I’d noticed Saturn in the 2nd house of Charles’ chart, appearing to hold the edge of the conical “Witches Hat” just like the woman in this picture. The Family Model, unique to the Huber Method, describes Saturn as the mother figure, the person who takes care of our physical needs and well-being when we’re growing up and lays down many of the rules, most often with our best interests at heart. (“Eat your greens”; “Wash your hands”; “Look both ways before you cross the road” etc.).

Saturn in the 2nd house - the area of personal possessions and security - seems very appropriate and indicative of the Queen wanting to ensure the safety and continuation of the monarchy. Saturn in Virgo is not flowery or expressive. Feelings are unlikely to be shown. In the deepest recesses of memory I recall a story about Charles, aged about 5 years old, greeting his mother after she’d been away for several weeks on a foreign tour. There was no hug and kiss, maybe a handshake (?) but it was a far cry from the wide open arms Diana greeted Princes William and Harry with on the Royal Yacht after she and Charles had been away on a foreign tour. The Queen is of a generation who learned not to give a public show of emotion, not to rock the boat (or Witches Hat), and she, of all people, would want to ensure the steadiness and safety of her heir.

This is a vertical chart with an aspect structure reaching up to the top of the chart where the Moon is placed as the highest planet. Conjunct the North Node, Charles’ rather lonely and exposed Taurean Moon is very weak by Sign and is intercepted. For him as a child, and later as an adult, his emotional needs may not have been heard or recognised when expressed. When the Moon is the highest planet out of Sun (father figure), Moon (the child) and Saturn (mother figure), the individual can feel they are the most important person in this family triad, but also that they have extremely high expectations laid upon them.

It’s interesting to note that when he married Diana, his Age Point was making a challenging square aspect to his Moon . He joked , when asked if they were in love, “Of course, whatever that means”. When he married Camilla, his Age Point had recently transited his Moon suggesting that she was, as he’d always implied, his true love.

The Sun is low down, right at the bottom of the chart, which is the most challenging placement for this planet. The Sun/father figure and the examples of leadership and autonomy he can give is best placed above the horizon where the Sun can shine and be seen. In Charles’ chart, the Sun is in an entirely separate aspect structure from Moon and Saturn, and it too is intercepted. Whereas Saturn, representing the mother in the Family Model, does have a direct link to the Moon - the child - the Sun does not and appears to be apart and disconnected.

You can find out more about the Family Model in my co-authored book, "The Cosmic Egg Timer" and in my latest book, “The Living Birth Chart”.

The Living Birth Chart - my new book

2008-11-15T00:04:00.007Z

I'm delighted to announce the publication of my new book,

The Living Birth Chart

As a preview, I'm publishing a short extract from the book, which is available from today from the API Book Shop , Amazon and other retailers.

This book is intended as a follow up to The Cosmic Egg Timer, where Richard Llewellyn and I gave an introduction to the Huber Method. Many of the topics covered in The Cosmic Egg Timer are revisited in greater depth, with an emphasis on working practically with the material presented, as well as working in a hands-on way with your own chart.

Here I share my own experience and understanding of this new astrological approach to psychology, based on twenty-one years experience as an astrological counsellor, teacher, correspondence tutor and training facilitator for the UK Astrological Psychology Institute. The practical exercises and activities suggested for the reader have been tried and tested in live training seminars and workshops, and have brought deeper understanding to the people who have worked through them, together with a lot of insight, enjoyment and laughter, as they learned more about their birth charts and themselves along the way. I’ve included the kind of questions that students ask me about various aspects of the Huber Method, and I’ve aimed to respond in a manner similar to the replies I give when I’m teaching, either in a live session or when I’m tutoring by correspondence.

Astrological psychology was developed in Zurich, Switzerland in the early 1960’s by Swiss astrologers/psychologists Bruno and Louise Huber. Using their extensive understanding of astrology, psychology, the spiritual teachings of Alice Bailey and Roberto Assagioli’s Psychosynthesis, they succeeded in combining the very best of traditional astrology with modern growth psychology. Drawing these threads together, and basing their teaching on their own empirical research, the Huber Method evolved organically and is now used by thousands of practitioners and students of astrological astrology throughout the world. It provides a powerful tool for self-understanding and psychological/spiritual growth which is practical, easy to use and which can yield profound insights for the user.

It’s very clear to me that the best way to learn and understand astrology from a deep level is to make it come alive in ways that we can relate to. It’s all well and good to understand what Mars means on an intellectual level. We have a concept of what kind of energy Mars has, and how it might be expressed. But can you spot Mars in action and for real in your everyday life? Can you observe it at work in yourself and in the behaviour of others? Do you watch a TV programme, film or live interview and see Mars in action in some of the characters? If you can do that, then that’s what I call making your astrology come alive and be tangible and “for real”. When it becomes an integral part of your everyday life, then your astrology lives, and you do too, in a more consciously aware and responsible way.

The key feature of using astrological psychology as a tool for personal growth and self-awareness is that it places taking responsibility for ourselves, our own lives and what goes on in them, very firmly into our hands and our hands alone. It offers us choice, and once we’re aware that we can exercise this in our everyday lives, things are unlikely to ever be the same again. We will be in the driving rather than the passenger seat and the responsibility for which direction we take will be entirely ours.

This is a practical workbook, and the best way to gain the most from it is to work through the exercises using your own chart. The content is not intended as a course in the Huber Method of astrological psychology, but if the reader is already a student of API (UK) they will hopefully find the content a useful supplement to the course material. Readers whose appetite is whetted and who want to know more about API (UK) Courses in Astrological Psychology can click on the link. Courses for both personal interest and professional qualification are offered.

Regardless of whether you are a student or not, it is recommended that you have a notebook or loose leaf file to use alongside this workbook. You will certainly benefit from working on your own chart, and if you have a few other charts to work on - maybe those of family and friends - this will help expand and deepen your experience and understanding of using astrological psychology as well as making the learning journey through this book more interesting, insightful and rewarding.

The Armistice 90 years on

2008-11-10T11:02:00.007Z

The signing of the Armistice to end the First World War, also known as the Great War, took place in a railway carriage at Compiegne, France on 11.11.1918, at 11.00 am. Every year since, rememberance of those who died in this most bloody and dreadful war, and in all subsequent wars, has been made in Britain and Europe.

The chart is set up for the signing of the Armistice. The chart image is reminiscent of the zigzagging crossfire that took place across “No Man’s Land” on the battlefields and from the trenches. The chart shaping is predominantly Fixed - a lasting peace was hoped for but war again broke out in 1939 as the Age Point in this chart made an opposition to the Sun. The chart shows an emphasis on red/green aspects, indicating heightened sensitivity and awareness. Pluto is conjunct the descendant - the “You” side of the chart. This to me seems to symbolise the transition and transformation from the power, devastation and destruction of the war, but at the same time it also reminds me of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many in this truly appalling war. Pluto in Cancer is a reminder, too, that few families went untouched by the loss of loved ones, my own included. A whole generation of young men, and young women, too, who went to nurse at the Front, were lost or lost someone close to them.

Rememberance of the 90th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice is currently being featured by the BBC. 90 years on, the Age Point of the Armistice chart is making a square, challenging aspect to Neptune. Remember - yes, and with feeling, but don’t be complacent. Peace and compassion are always worth striving for.

A few personal comments. My Great Uncle Jim fought and died in the First World War. He was a Private in the Royal Marine Labour Corps and was the brother of my grandmother. Here is a letter he sent to her and my grandpa from Le Havre in December 1915, into which he’d inserted a photo of himself in uniform. He signs the letter “Your ever loving brother Jim”, and under his signature adds a note: “Let me know what little thing I can get the children from France”. The children were my dad and my aunt.

Private Jim Small died on 2nd August 1917, and is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery in France. His grave is inscribed with his name, rank and regiment together with the inscription “Not ours but thy will be done”. Another symbolic reminder of Pluto.

Obama: "Yes we can!"

2008-11-05T11:24:00.005Z

I join in celebrating and welcoming Barack Obama's election as 44th President of the United States of America.

He's tapped into the ethos of the time with his message of hope together with the will to implement the much-needed changes in the US and in the world.

His "Yes we can" speech in Chicago was inspiring. He's right on the pulse of the times with his inclusivity and his awareness of the need for justice in our world. He speaks for so many. And we mustn't ignore or forget that John McCain conceded in a gracious way, and acknowledge the part he has played in this memorable and historic presidential election.

Welcome, President Obama!

I'm showing Obama's chart at the top of the sidebar on my blog to honour the choice of the American people. You've elected one very special Leo!