Joyce Hopewell Astrological Chart Interpretations

Mitt Romney

2012-01-20T11:16:00.018Z

Mitt Romney is fast emerging as the favourite nominee for Republican candidate in the 2021 Presidential election. Born in 12.3.1947 at 09.51 in Detroit, MI, his chart shows a lot of red and blue aspects, with just about enough green to deter him from veering into a very on/off, either/or motivation towards life.

The chart image, which can give insights into the person's inner life and motivation, is reminiscent of scaffolding poles around a building and brings to mind ideas of construction, or work in progress as the disconnected aspects seek to complete something and make it whole.

The direction the aspects move in indicates which areas of life the person is motivated tomove towards - upwardly vertical suggests someone who wants to be noticed and recognised as an individual; horizontal aspects show more emphasis is placed on making contact. Romney has both. No less than 4 planets ride high in the chart, with Venus very strong on the MC right at the top. The horizontal reaching out comes via the close Moon/Jupiter conjunction almost on the DC, the point where the person meets the "You" (others) eyeball to eyeball. This is a very useful place for a politician to have pleasant, warm, open and generally friendly planets (pyschological drives) such as Moon (the sense of self gained through emotions) and Jupiter (the drive to genial, open to gaining knowledge and first hand experience). Note, though, that Romney's Moon/Jupiter is opposite his North Node in 1st house, suggesting that his task is to balance out his own needs against those of others, and to not neglect himself along the way.

The chart has only 2 complete aspect patterns: an Ambivalence figure and a Projection figure. The former has his high-up Venus opposite Pluto - is he someone who likes to be liked, to be seen to be friendly and to be recognised for this? With Pluto involved, is there an element of power play at work, maybe at an unconscious level? People with this aspect pattern tend to work hard in the red part of the figure and escape and enjoy in the area where the all-blue planet is - in his case Neptune in 5th. Are there elements of real escapism for him? Time with friends and family and in leisure pursuits - games, sport, art, film, socialising?

And what about the Projection figure? These figures are about putting out into the world what is important to the indivual and they work a bit like a projection screen. The planet at the green apex seeks to project what it wants to achieve on to the blue "screen". So in Romney's chart, Mercury up at the top of the chart and strongly placed on 11th cusp is needing to get its message across to the screen which spans 4th/5th houses and is pinned by Pluto and Neptune. Something of a theme starts to emerge here as both these planets are involved in the Ambivalence figure, suggesting both interact and feed into one another.

Romney is nearly 65. His natal chart Age Point is aspecting both Mercury and Uranus and the Age Point in his Moon Node chart is aspecting Neptune and Pluto, both major players in both aspect patterns in his chart. In anyone's chart, this would be of great interest and potential significance; in the chart of a prospective US President this is certainly so. Watch this space!

Stephen Hawking

2012-01-09T17:34:00.004Z

Scientist Stephen Hawking has turned 70. Born on 8th January 1942 in Oxford, his chart set for noon as his time of birth is not known.

Hawking is highly respected and known for his work as a theoretical physicist and cosmologist. His best-selling book A Brief History of Time is widely known but maybe not so widely read to the end; apparently many people can't understand it. But he is perhaps known equally well for suffering with motor-neurone disease, and for surviving this debilitating disease against the odds for the past 50 years.

Hawking's chart appears as a mass of triangular aspect patterns, dominated by the blue Large Talent triangles. Two conjunctions pin these: Moon/Neptune in Virgo, and Saturn/Uranus in Taurus. Moon/Neptune speaks of sensitivity and the capacity to embrace wider issues, to be open to the unknown, whereas Saturn/Uranus reflect his scientific path and life's work. The triangles are pinned on the third corner by Sun (the creative mind and will) and Mercury (ever-eager to learn and teach and research).

The Talent triangles themselves indicate an inherent talent and ability, which, when developed and used can benefit more than just the individual whose chart they are found in. The Sign the pinning planets are found in suggests the underlying essence of the talent. In Hawking's case, with all pinning planets in earth Signs, the application of the talent will be grounded and practical.

Interwoven with the Talent triangles are Dominant Learning triangles, composed of red, green and blue aspects. These will be active throughout the life of the individual who has them in their chart.

Hawking is a remarkable human being, with a remarkable brain, but what is even more impressive is the use of his will (Sun) which has enabled him to continue with his life's work in spite of the many physical challenges he has.

Uranus square Pluto - Clash of the Titans?

2011-12-28T16:47:00.024Z

In Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of powerful deities, descendants of Gaia and Uranus, and they ruled during the legendary Golden Age. The Titans were eventually overthrown by a race of younger gods, the Olympians.

As many readers will know, 2012 marks the start of an intense and prolonged period of activity between outer planets Uranus and Pluto. For the next 5 years they will be 90 degrees apart, forming no less than 7 square aspects which will sometimes be tight and close, and at others slightly looser and more relaxed (but only slightly). Square aspects (shown in red in Huber-style charts) have a Mars quality in the sense that they need to be actively and energetically doing something. If they are denied this, then expect trouble.

As these heavyweight planets line up to form the 7 square aspects there is no way that we, citizens of the world, can escape some of the effects. They may be direct or indirect, and are likely to have similarities of impact with the clash of the mythological Titans or, if you want a powerful image from the natural world, like two bull elephants seals vieing for supremacy. Bull elephant seals fighting courtesy of en.bestpicturesof.com

Uranus and Pluto have already started the warm up, and I first wrote about them in September 2011. In the pasr year there have been revolutions in Middle Eastern countries and the overthrow of long standing dynasties and harsh regimes. Riots broke out in England in the summer of 2011 and the Occupy movement established its presence in Wall Street and at the London Stock Exchange. Ordinary people are getting restless and plain fed up with financial inequalities and the apparent cavalier attitude of big bankers who lug their bonuses all the way back to their millionaire mansions.The chart is set for noon in London and shows the first exact square of Uranus/Pluto on 24th June 2012. This is a very red chart, dominated by an all-red Efficiency Square. Uranus in fiery Aries squares Pluto in earthy Capricorn. Both make aspects to the Sun in Cancer and Venus in Gemini, forming a * Provocative figure aspect pattern.

This aspect pattern can irritate and annoy, but it can also call forth, awaken and encourage something new. With Uranus in Aries, this could be ideas and a completely new way of thinking about how we seek and manage our own security of life. It's the revolutionary spirit squaring up to, clashing with and challenging the established power structures and authority of Pluto in Capricorn. Something has to give. Power structures have to change and transform. The old established methods have to give way to new reforms, new attitudes, new ideas and ways of thinking, with potentially big changes in the way life is lived. Forget the celebrity culture, the "me, me" attitudes and the cachet of the ££££'s and
In 2012 the next exact square is on 19th September, then in 2013 on 20th May and 1st November. Watch this space and blog as there is surely a lot more to come.....

* For info on the Provocative figure see Aspect Pattern Astrology and Aspect Patterns in Colour both available from the APA on line Book Shop and Amazon.

s as it's likely they will wane in significance over the next few years.

In 2012 the next exact square is on 19th September, then in 2013 on 20th May and 1st November. Watch this space and blog as there is surely a lot more to come.....

* For info on the Provocative figure see Aspect Pattern Astrology and Aspect Patterns in Colour both available from the APA on line Book Shop and Amazon.

Vaclav Havel

2011-12-18T14:11:00.018Z

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.

The Cosmic Egg Timer 2nd edition

2011-12-01T15:45:00.047Z

Second Edition

Now available in paperback and on Kindle

The second edition of The Cosmic Egg Timer, the first book I wrote, along with Richard Llewellyn, has just been published.

Subtitled Introducing Astrological Psychology it does exactly what it says on the cover and gives a comprehensive overview of this unique, psychological approach to astrology and personal growth. What's more, its now available in both a paperback and a Kindle version (available from Amazon).

First published in 2004, and now in this revised edition, The Cosmic Egg Timer provides the best introduction to the psychological application of astrology in the approach pioneered by Swiss astrologers/psychologists Bruno & Louise Huber.

Based on extensive research, Astrological Psychology combines the best of traditional astrology with modern growth psychology, providing a powerful tool for self-understanding and psychological and spiritual growth.

With material that is immediate and illuminating, it is suitable for the enthusiastic beginner as well as the professional astrologer, psychologist or counsellor seeking a fresh approach to working with clients.

Using your own birth chart alongside this book, you will gain insights into the kind of person you are, what makes you tick, and which areas of life offer you the greatest potential.

Authors Joyce Hopewell and Richard Llewellyn at one of the many Astrological Psychology workshops they have facilitated together.

Meryl Streep and Margaret Thatcher

2011-11-21T10:32:00.038Z

In Meryl Streep's latest film she portrays Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female Prime Minister, who became known as the Iron Lady. Streep is highly regarded as a film actress. She has numerous awards and an established, glittering career. This forthcoming film, entitled "The Iron Lady" and due for release in January 2012, is already attracting a lot of attention and interest. Alongside the film previews, here is an astrological overview of the charts of both women.

Meryl Streep was born on 22nd June 1949 at 08.05 in Summit NJ, USA.

The chart image that comes to mind is of the twitching nose of an inquisitive mouse emerging from a crack in a wall. Jupiter at the end of the nose is probing pointedly and directly towards the descendant and could be the first thing people pick up about her. Jupiterian qualities of friendliness and benevolence, along with perception and an openness to new experiences are what she greets the world with. Jupiter would also be a valuable observational tool in helping her gain an understanding of how others live, which could then be ploughed back into her acting roles. It’s also significant that Jupiter is at the apex of the Projection figure.

The planet at the apex is the projection source- in Streep’s chart it’s Jupiter - which transmits it qualities down the sensitive green quincunxes to the blue sextile aspect which forms the screen. The screen, in turn, receives and makes the imagined images visible, but always according to the planets which pin the ends of the screen. You could say that this aspect pattern, with it’s connotations of screen and projector, would make life a cinch for a film actor, but it’s not as simple as that. In charts with this aspect pattern what has to be considered is whether projections are made consciously or unconsciously. I’ll assume that because of Streep’s breadth of experience and her success as an actor, she’s using this Projection figure consciously, and it would be of enormous value to her in the acting roles she undertakes.

In this aspect pattern we can see the possible influence of meticulous Saturn, concerned as ever with form and pinning the screen of the Projection figure. But the Sun/Uranus conjunction at the other end of the screen brings invention, creativity and the ability to move outside the box and assume a wide variety of different roles, not least in her latest role of Margaret Thatcher.

Margaret Thatcher was born on 13th October 1925 in Grantham, UK

Like Streep, who plays her in the film, Thatcher also has a Projection figure in her chart. Whereas the apex planet in Streep's Projection firgure is Jupiter close to the descendant, Thatcher's is Uranus in 4th house, dominating the collective lower hemisphere of her chart and indicative of her drive to change society, something she denied existed in 1987 when she said: "And, you know, there is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families."

Planets forming the screen are Sun/Mercury and Moon/Neptune. Both conjunctions were in evidence during the Thatcher years of power: Sun/Mercury in her forceful delivery once her voice had been lowered to create more of an authoritative tone and she'd developed her tough and immobile stance, as evidenced in the miner's strike and the Falkland's War. A softer side was sometimes visible in her attention to image and more feminine traits. In a film preview of "The Iron Lady" she agrees to give up wearing hats (these were her trademark when she was Minister for Education, before becoming party leader and eventually PM) but she refuses to give up wearing pearls. It's also interesting to see her Moon as the highest planet in the whole chart, and stressed before the MC. People with Moon in this high position expect to be noticed and recognised. They feel important, often because the expectations put upon them as a child were very high.

To find out more about aspect patterns see Aspect Pattern Astrology by Bruno & Louise Huber, and my book, Aspect Patterns in Colour. Available from the APA Book Shop, Amazon, American Federation of Astrologers in the US and Virgo Moon Pages in Australia.

The Scorpio time of year

2011-11-03T14:16:00.008Z

The Sun went into the sign of Scorpio on 24th October, and will stay there until 23rd November - this is the Scorpio time of year.

It's the time of year when the nights grow longer, it gets dark earlier, it's dark in the mornings and if you're like me, it's the time of year to go into hibernation mode. OK, so some readers are in the southern hemisphere, where this is reversed, and some live in parts of the world where there is less differentiation between day and night (like if you live near the Equator) so yes, I'm writing this from my northern European perspective.

What is the Scorpio time of year about (again, as experienced in the northern hemisphere)? In the agricultural calendar, which the signs of the zodiac follow in terms of the tasks and labours that are to be done, it's the time of year when seeds for winter wheat might be sown. The wine, made following the Libran grape harvest, will be poured into vats to mature in storage. It's also the time of year when fungi are harvested, and traditionally truffle hunters would take pigs out into the woods to search out these delicacies which nowadays can fetch small fortunes when sold to restaurants to feed gourmet diners.

Scorpio as a zodiac sign has some distinctive features and is often called the sexiest sign of the zodiac. You can see what I say about Scorpio in this short video on my Astrochat Channel on YouTube.

Steve Jobs, 1955 - 2011

2011-10-07T16:47:00.019+01:00

Steve Jobs, 24 February 1955 at 19.15, San Francisco

People around the world are mourning the loss of entrepreneur and creative, forward-looking technological innnovator Steve Jobs, who died on 5th October. Jobs was one of the originators of the computer revolution, and was the co-founder of Apple Computer Corporation and Pixar Animation Studios. His legacy is the success of Apple; the end products of his creative genius are carried in the pockets, handbags and briefcases of men, women and children all over the world (how old do they have to be before they want an ipod, iphone or ipad? Not that old in my experience!)

Jobs' chart shows something of the inner motivation and drive for which he was famous. Composed of mainly red and blue aspects, he would have had very little time for half measures, approaching life in an either/or way, where it was a matter of all or nothing. He is reputed to have been moody and difficult to work with, and the red opposition aspects spanning the 5/11 house axis of relationships are indicative of this, with Venus stressed just before the 5th cusp and Jupiter/Uranus strongly placed on the 11th cusp.

His chart shows, in the aspect pattern shaping, a mixture of restlessness and the drive to move on, change and grow. But the overwhelming red/blue nature of the aspects indicate that there will be little room for half measures. The one green aspect between Sun and Moon is part of a Small Learning triangle, which is completed by the North Node in 4th. This was the place and area of life for Jobs to move towards and develop in his life - the area of the collective, the human family. The impact that his passing has had reflects his success in tapping into the zeitgeist and tapping into the lives of the ordinary people who would not be without the seductive and attractive Apple technologies.

Before I saw his chart I expected to find some indicators for his technological genius in his chart - and there it is - Jupiter/Uranus are the highest planets in the chart, they are strongly placed on 11th cusp and are opposite Venus. This embodies quite a different expression of these planets to the one I explored above and here we need to look at this oppostion in the whole aspect pattern it is a part of - the Ambivalence Figure. The work - the creative genius, the visionary ideas, the pure aesthetics - take place across the opposition, where the energy is active but held in tension, awaiting release. This takes place via the planet at the blue corner of the figure - in Jobs' chart this is Saturn very strongly placed on 3rd cusp.

Saturn = materialising, grounding and making manifest.
The 3rd house = communication.

What better placement could there be for the man who has been at the forefront of computer technology and has had a huge influence of the way we communicate globally with each other?

Rick Perry - next US President ?

2011-09-27T11:31:00.025+01:00

Chart of Rick Perry born 4 March 1950 at 10.40 in Haskell TX, USA

Rick Perry is the current Governor of Texas, the 47th holder of this position. He's a Republican and on 13th August 2011 he announced that he would be running for the Republican nomination for president in the 2012 presidential election. At age 61 he's got good looks and a youthful charisma and under his belt he has the experience of being the longest serving governor in Texas state history.

What can we learn about him as a person from his chart? The chart is initially striking with a strong vertical direction. Aspect colours show a ratio of 3 red: 5 green:4 blue, giving Perry a high green quotient indicative of thinking, searching and questing. Alongisde this, note his comparative lack of red active, "doing" aspects, the 3 present in his chart are all oppositions with energy held in a stored or blocked state, awaiting release. Possibly this can only happen when the questions posed by the green aspects have been satisfactorily answered.

The overall aspect structure has a seesaw/diabolo appearance with some planets grouped in the lower hemisphere around the IC (giving him good access to the collective) and some in the upper hemisphere (offering the potential for individuation). A good and useful blend for a politician. The highest planet is Venus, in a stressed position by House before the MC - does he strive to be seen as pleasant, fair minded, and does he want to be likeable and be liked?

Mercury conjunct Jupiter are well-placed in 10th House providing the capacity for easy communication, and are part of the Megaphone Aspect Pattern. This pattern is concerned almost solely with communication, both giving and receiving it, and these two planets at this pattern's apex in 10th House could be a politician's dream. Interestingly, Barack Obama also has a Megaphone in his chart.

Striving and aiming high will play a large part in Perry's motivation. He has a Striving Figure in his chart. This is a relatively rare figure and is composed largely of green asepcts, which make it flexible and receptive to external influences.The planet at the apex - in Perry's chart it's his Sun, strongly placed in 11th House cusp - is highly sensitised as it receives only red/green aspects, and it represents his long term objectives. This guy aims high.

You can read more about Aspect Patterns in Aspect Pattern Astrology by Bruno and Louise Huber, and in my book, Aspect Patterns in Colour, now available in the US and Australia as well as in the UK.

But here's one final thought in this brief look at Perry's chart - Uranus is unaspected in 2nd House and stands apart from the rest of the aspect structure. Uranus is concerned with thinking outside of the box, with the potential for creative and innovative solutions to problems. It seeks ways to make life more secure and stable, even if it has to disrupt and upset things along the way. As the year of the next presidential election unfolds, it will be interesting to see if Perry's approach and behaviour echoes any of these speculations.

Uranus square Pluto

2011-09-02T06:02:00.000+01:00

The Square relationship between two planets in astrology is created when both planets are 90 degrees apart. In this diagram, Sun and Saturn are shown square to one another. Using the Huber Method of Astrological psychology, squares are always shown in red, expressive of the active, doing energy they embody. If this energy isn't used, it can fester and turn sour. Squares demand action and require participatory behaviour. If, for instance, you have a square in your chart it's always best to use its energy rather than bemoan the fact that it's there & that it causes problems. It will only cause problems if you do nothing with it - it wants and needs to work.

So what of the current Uranus/Pluto square?

Not since the years of the Great Depression in the late 1920's and into the 1930's have Uranus and Pluto been in the challenging, action-needy, square relationship that they are in now. They will remain so, on and off, for the next 5 years. What we're seeing, in terms of revolutions and the changes that are taking place on a global scale, will be around until 2016.

In the 1930's, Uranus was in Aries, as it is once again now, and Pluto was in Cancer. The Pluto in Cancer generation are now our elders, and many of them remember the times of the Depression and the hard times that went with it. But this time around Pluto is in Capricorn, the opposite sign to Cancer, and this suggests a rather different upheaval and transformation. The areas of life which could be affected are those which are well-established - like banks, governments and other long-founded institutions which have held the power and wielded authority.

Uranus turns things around, upside down, and generally provides an important wake up call. Under the influence of this planet, motivations may change as freedom is sought and people strive to shed the shackles of harsh governance and create new forms of security and stability in their lives, free from fear. The recent revolutions in the Middle East are symbolic of this, along with the fight for freedom in Libya which, as I write this, is in its final stages as oppressor Gadaffi is hunted down.

With Pluto there are no half meaures; it's an all-or-nothing planet. What needs to go, goes. Opportunities abound for clearing out what is no longer useful or valid. With merciless precision, what is outdated or unwanted is dumped. Expect the effect of these two planets working together via the gritty square aspect to be in evidence for some time to come.

Closer to home in the UK, there have already been the riots in England - some of them seemingly about sheer greed with people showing no respect for the property of others and taking what they wanted as they looted in shops. But stop and consider for a moment if that kind of unacceptable behaviour on that level is actually vastly different from rich bankers who are still taking unacceptably huge bonuses.
This chart is set up for the start of the recent riots in England. These started on 7th August 2011 and I've set the time for 6 pm as the rioting began in the evening (but was being orgainised via social networking sites before and during the events). The chart itself looks chaotic with a lot of red aspects - squares and oppositions. I'm not going to anaylse it here, but am using it to demonstrate the Uranus/Pluto square in the lower half of the chart. Pluto is in 1st house, Uranus in 3rd (note the use of modern communication technology in the organaisation of the riots) and, as I recently wrote about Mars you'll see it's in 7th, opposite Pluto and square to Uranus, forming an Efficiency/Perfomance figure. Add the energy of Mars to the already volatile Uranus square Pluto brew and you have something pretty toxic to deal with. Of course, it all depends on which level not just Mars, but Uranus and Pluto are operating at, and this could range from base level to something a lot higher, less personal and more far-reaching in effect.

With this square around until 2016 it's unlikely we've seen the last of it yet.

For more on aspects and aspect patterns see Aspect Pattern Astrology by Bruno & Louise Huber, and Aspect Patterns in Colour by Joyce Hopewell, both available from APA Book Shop and on-line booksellers.

Huber Astrological Psychology in the US

2011-08-24T10:26:00.006+01:00

I'm delighted to announce and let it be known to readers in the US that books on the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology are now available from the American Federation of Astrologers (AFA) based in Tempe AZ.

Details and costs etc. will soon be appearing on the website, but here, as a taster, is a photo of the recently arrived batch of pristine Huber books lined up on their shelves ready for dispatch.

So if you live in the US, read this blog and want to find out more for yourself about the Huber Method, you can now buy Huber astrology books from the AFA as well as from Amazon.

Mars and the England Riots

2011-08-15T12:14:00.015+01:00

The recent riots on the streets of London and several other English cities have shown an outbreak of violent and aggressive behaviour which has shocked and stunned. Alongside this, and in swift response, the taking to the streets of bands of ordinary people armed with brooms, brushes and clean-up equipment has been a welcome antidote and a superb gesture of solidarity within the affected communities.

Expressions of the planet Mars can be found in both the behaviour of the rioters and the behaviour of the clean-up squads, the fire fighters, the police as they stood confronted by the violence and the powerful and dignified plea for peace and no more violence by bereaved father Tariq Jahan in Birmingham.

Mars represents the psychological drive to assert, take action, and survive by either fight or flight. It is associated with the sense of smell, which can alert us to danger, and it rules the adrenal glands which produce adrenalin and enable to us to take action and respond.

Mars operates at 3 distinct levels which can be described as

"Asleep" automatic survival behaviour with little or no self-awareness, such as anger, aggression, action to ensure survival;

"Waking" behaviour which is coming into greater awareness but is largely "me" oriented, such as assertiveness, competitiveness, an awareness of goals, bellicose and conflict behaviour, physical expression of energy and recklessness;

"Awake" behaviour which is fully conscious, directed and focussed, such as courage, focussed leadership and heroic action.

The rioters and looters were expressing and living out Mars at mostly the Asleep level, with some elements of the Waking level included, for example in the bellicose, the expression of conflict when confronted by police and ordinary citizens, and their reckless and mindless "me, me, me" behaviour.

There's an overlap of expressions of the first two levels of Mars between rioters and others - those who confronted the looting gangs. Fire fighters, police and the ordinary people who saw off gangs of rioters to protect their own property were of neccessity being assertive, with the goal in mind of preventing damage to people and property and they were using a lot of energy to do this.

But the main thrust of of Mars' drive and expression for those who confronted and acted in the public good to protect and lead was at the Awake level. At this level, fear doesn't get much of a look in, although it's there. The person will include their fear but not allow it to dominate. Instead it will be directed towards energising them to stand firm, show leadership and heroism and courage in the face of danger.

Rupert Murdoch

2011-07-19T12:13:00.005+01:00

Rupert Murdoch: Born 11.3.1931 at 23.59 in Melbourne, Australia.

Rupert Murdoch and his son James of News International will today appear before a select committee of the British Parliament to answer questions about the phone hacking scandal which is being played out day by day in the UK and now in the US, like an ongoing saga.

A look at this man's chart is timely, since his power and dominance of the press, broadcast media and in the UK, of political life, is due to be thoroughly washed in public and hung out to dry in no uncertain terms. And frankly, about time too.

Murdoch's chart is is dominated by triangular aspect figures, indicating an underlying motivation of adapting to change and the ability to move on and keep moving. The aspect colour balance of 3 red: 4 green: 6 blue aspects suggests more of a thinking, considering and weighing up of issues approach, using the green aspects rather than a knee-jerk response using the red ones. This man is a thinker; some might say, in light of the current scandals coming to light, a schemer.

The aspect patterns fill the lower half of the chart, leaving the top half relatively empty. Only Neptune sits on high, alone. His Neptune is currently having light shone on it by Age Progression as Venus, which it is linked to by the green quincunx aspect, is also aspecting Neptune at the same time. Interestingly, his Nodal Age Point too is making an aspect to Neptune.

The Nodal Age Point often brings to light things which have been hidden or repressed, forcing them out into the light of day via events in the outside world. It's very tempting to look at the symbolism here - Neptune can indicate illusion, even deception, at it's lowest level - and in the 9th house which could be "high places" like the law....need I say more? Neptune in Murdoch's chart is currently a point of focus, and based on his past known record, it's highly unlikely that he would have been using Neptune at a more enlightened and higher level.

His aspect patterns - a Dominant and a Small Learning triangle, and an Ambivalence figure - offer the capacity to learn on a large and a smaller, more specific scale. His Sun is involved in all three patterns, with the most interesting pattern being the Ambivalence figure. The Sun is at the all-blue "escape" point of this pattern, conjunct Mercury, and the planets in opposition in the active, working part of the pattern are Saturn and Pluto, not exactly the kind of duo you'd want to meet with in a dark alley. Pluto, not particularly strong by either sign or house, sits in 7th house of Encounters, flanked by Jupiter and Mars. It's opposite Saturn in 1st house, making this a potentially formidable combination in the area of working and networking with others. Murdoch is known to have had power over many influential people, such as politicians and police. I see his 7th house line up as Pluto with his bodyguards - Mars very strong in 8th house as his "heavy" and Jupiter on the Balance Point in 7th exuding bonhomie, charm and hosting extravagant events.

As I write, events are still unfolding and will continue to do so for some time to come. The cleansing of the Murdoch Augean stables has begun.

Cancer the Crab

2011-06-21T06:00:00.001+01:00

Cancerians - those who are born with the Sun in this sign - are generally closely linked to their family, home or neighbourhood in some way. It is the sign which has affiliations with the collective, and group consciousness.

The symbol for Cancer, the Crab, is described by Louise Huber, in her book Reflections and Meditations on the Signs of the Zodiac as "two bowls merging in an open circle through which everything can flow. The upper bowl shows movement to the left representing a step backwards, a striving towards the starting point, the source of life, the beginning of existence. The lower bowl shows movement from left to right representing a step out into the world in order to prove oneself and realise oneself."

Cancerians can reflect, in their nature and approach to life, the crab as it exists in the natural world. They may approach things sideways rather than head on (as the crab itself scuttles in a sideways direction towards its destination), and at times they may be very sensitive and moody. Ruled by the Moon, the feelings and emotional responses of Cancerians - a Water sign - may ebb and flow just as the tides are affected by the phases of the Moon.

These suggestions, together with what I say about the sign of Cancer on my AstroChat Channel, (see below) are just starters and are not the definitive word about this or any of the signs. For more, see the courses and books available at the Astrological Psychology Association website, where you can learn more about all the signs, planets, houses, and how to interpret charts using the Huber Method for yourself.

Rafael Nadal

2011-06-04T12:21:00.016+01:00

Tennis champion Rafael Nadal was born on 3.6.1986 at 18.20 in Manacor, Spain. He's just turned 25, is currently playing in the major international tennis tournaments and could well be set to win Wimbledon for the second time this year - with his Age Point currently conjunct Jupiter there could be little to stop him!

Nadal's chart image (just look at the aspect structure) is reminiscent of a balancing act, a child's diabolo toy, and it also has the appearance of the trajectory of a ball bouncing across a tennis court, sometimes landing outside of the marked lines.

His overall chart shaping/motivation is a mixture of triangular and linear aspects, suggesting that he can be flexible but also divergent in his motivation and approach to life. There's the potential for a lot of fiery, Cardinal energy. He has an aspect colour balance of 5 red: 3 green: 5 blue, making him predominantly an active "doer". The drive and motivation to be active, assertive and lead the way is strong.

His aspect patterns (see "Aspect Pattern Astrology" by Bruno & Louise Huber, and "Aspect Patterns in Colour" by myself for more on these) are an Ear/Eye configuration which will give him a tremendous amount of sensitivity and the ability to play intuitively alongside his technical prowess. Saturn at the apex of this small but rather interesting and significant figure is opposite his Sun. With Saturn symbolising the drive for organisation and also signifying the physical body - very important in a sportsman - and the Sun the use of the mind, will and the decision-making processes, these two planets in opposition can work well together, utisilising the active red
energy held in tension between them as and when it is required.

The other complete aspect pattern, a Single Ambivalence figure, will keep him hard at work but will also offer the capacity to rest and escape pressures via the planet at the blue corner of this figure - in his chart this is Neptune. This could be the area of life he withdraws to when not playing tennis, although it can also be brought into play, feeding into the intuitive potential of the Ear/Eye, of which it is a part.

Of current interest and significance is Nadal's Age Point conjunct Jupiter, strongly placed in 5th House and suggesting wider horizons, expansion and the ability to draw on his own life experiences.

To find out more, see the Astrological Psychology Association website for books and courses on the Huber Method.

The Festival of Britain - 60th anniversary

2011-05-03T10:48:00.017+01:00

In the UK in 2011, the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain is being celebrated.The Festival of Britain was a national exhibition which was officially opened by King George VI in London on 3rd May 1951. The main site was on the south bank of the River Thames, but there were also exhibitions at other sites in cities around Britain. The purpose of the exhibition was to provide a "tonic for the nation" - an opportunity to celebrate and herald the regeneration of Britain following the end of the Second World War. Rejuvenation of the cities, many of which had been bombed, was needed and British design was encouraged in this process of rebuilding.

Here is the chart for the official opening, set for 12 noon on 3rd May 1951, in London.
The chart has a strong, solid feel. The aspect structure is Quadrangular/Fixed in motivation, reflecting the firm mission statement of the exhibition - to create a new Britain. A noon time also gives Sun conjunct Mars in Taurus on the MC - another strong and practical statement. The colour balance of 7 red: 5 green: 5 blue aspects is top heavy on red "doing" energy - not a bad thing when regeneration and new projects are called for. The relatively high number of green aspects, most of them embedded within the centre of the overall aspect structure, is indicative of the importance of new, fresh ideas and the ability to "think outside the box" in this celebration of renewal.

Most of the green aspects are located inside the Bathtub aspect pattern which sits across the chart and is pinned by Mars, Pluto, Neptune and the North Node. The Bathtub is an aspect pattern indicating thinking, mulling things over and the subsequent agitation of ideas and information. There's a lot of internal stimulation with this aspect pattern, and for an event created to stimulate new ideas and growth it's appropriate for this chart, especially when the qualities of the pinning planets are considered - Mars to get things going, Pluto to regenerate, Neptune to bring inspriation and the Moon's North Node (not a planet, but a point of growth) located in the 7th House, symbolic of the public and populace of Britain.

Now for a brief trip down memory lane. I was a young child growing up in London in 1951. My parents took me to see the Festival of Britain and although I don't remember that much about it, I do recall the general atmosphere of excitement at the open air exhibition centre on the south bank and a few of the things I saw. The main, central exhibition hall was called the Dome of Discovery, and looking at its design and structure, it is reminiscent of the overall shaping of the chart shown above with its zig-zagging struts. It also looks a bit like a flying saucer. Standing next to it is the creation which I have the strongest memories of - the Skylon. This was unimaginably tall and impressive and I loved it!

One final thing I remember seeing and being very fascinated by was the Guinness Clock, a weird Heath-Robinson like contraption which told the time, but had many extra features. The Sun revolved and there was an entertaining array of moving parts - wonderful stuff for children to stimulate the imagination!

For more about the Bathub and all aspect patterns used in the Huber method, visit the Astrological Psychology Association's on-line Book Shop for details of the Huber's book, Aspect Pattern Astrology and my book, Aspect Patterns in Colour.

The Royal Wedding

2011-04-20T06:00:00.001+01:00

This is the chart for the Royal Wedding - the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton - on 29th April 2011 at 11.00am in London.

I'm not going to make any predictions about their life together, just offer a few observations on the chart which marks this point in time. It will be a day of considerable significance for them as marriage is a big committment, even more so if you're doing it this publicly and - in Kate's case - marrying into a high profile family firm with a long trail of scandals and divorces.

Red aspects are predominant in the chart, suggesting the presence of a lot of energy and activity. The triangular aspect patterns indicate flexibility and an easy adaptation to change - something which both Wills and Kate could need to cultivate as the royal family is not held in such high regard as it was 50 years ago. They have already established a more "normal" lifestyle - but will the powers that be want this to change?

The overall aspect structure in the chart is very vertical. There are 5 planets in Aries, on view up at the top of the chart. This gives a strong emphasis to Houses 10 and 4 - the Individuality axis - in 10th there is the ability to stand out and be recognised. But in 4th sits steady Saturn indicating a firm "feet on the ground", practical approach. In this chart Saturn provides the necessary grounding and an anchor point.

With so many planets in Aries, this event rightly looks high profile. The large stellium of planets suggests the potential for something new; hopefully William will enjoy a happy marriage with Kate, something which eluded his mother Diana.

Although this chart is heavy on Aries energy, it's interesting that the Sun is actually in Taurus and stands to one side, slightly away from the the main action at the top. Symbolically, the Sun could be the Queen, herself a Sun Taurus, standing to one side and allowing her grandson his special day in the public eye.

Here's wishing Wills and Kate all the best - a happy,memorable day on 29th, and a long and happy married life together.

For more in this blog on the charts of Kate, William and the Queen, search under "Royalty", or seach for them by name.

The Astrological Houses

2011-03-22T12:24:00.009Z

The Astrological Houses: A Psychological View of Ourselves and Our World

I'm pleased to be announcing a new publication on the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology, and one which acted as my "bible" and main source of additional information when I first became a student of the Astrological Psychology Association back in 1986.

Before this updated version was published, I read it and was as impressed now as I was 25 years ago by the breadth, depth and scope of its contents. I'd term it "essential reading" and a classic in its own right. It's available from the APA on-line Bookshop, and the summary shown below outlines the contents. This book does what it says on the tin, and as one reviewer says:

"This is a book filled with illuminating thinking and having worked with the Huber's approach to chart interpretation for some 30 years, I can assure any propsective reader that it really works!"

Summary:
This is a revised version of the classic book by Bruno & Louise Huber, first issued as 'Man and His World' in 1978. A thorough understanding of the houses is essential for psychological analysis of the horoscope because the houses establish the actual framework of individual personality and relationship to the environment. Unlike earlier approaches, the twelve houses are considered not as a classic space structure but as dynamic developmental tendencies that result from the combination of crosses (modes) and temperaments (elements). This book shows how the houses relate to ourselves and to our life experience in the world, providing a foundation stone for astrological psychology.

Uranus in Aries

2011-03-06T10:45:00.003Z

Uranus is in the last few degrees of Pisces and moves into Aries on 12th March. In their book “The Planets”, The Hubers call Uranus “The World Improver”. The Uranian qualities of improvement through change via the overthrow of old, rigid, undemocratic systems have all been evident in recent dramatic events in the Middle East. Revolution in Tunisia sparked and fired revolution in Egypt. Demonstrations against outdated regimes are now taking place in Bahrain, Algeria, Yemen and Morocco. The current situation in Libya is dangerous and chaotic, developing day by day and moving closer than ever to civil war.

These events are ongoing and unrest in the Middle East is spreading, with people rising up against outdated dynastic regimes.

It's as if Uranus, reaching the final degrees of Pisces, is agitating the fishes’ tails ahead its imminent move into Aries, with its ram’s head ready to butt. This suggests there could be more to come and that the hunger for change is still in its early days.

Aries is symbolic of new plant life shooting forth from the earth as well as being symbolic of the ram's horns. It also rules the head, where new ideas are created, and are sometimes expressed in a headstrong way. The transit of Uranus through Aries could therefore be a time of fruitful new ideas, as reforms are sought and creative ways of providing security are tried out. Of Uranus on the mental level, the Hubers say it “symbolises the power of the independent spirit that pushes forwards over the habitual boundaries of thought and into the transpersonal realm, from worldly to universal thinking”.

The Uranian Spirit is about maintaining security, and people are often surprised by this. They perhaps only know about the revolutionary qualities associated with this planet, it’s ability to turn things upside down, create chaos and move on to the new. Yet Uranus brings about change in order to gain more security in the future - the old and outworn is discarded in favour of new ways of doing things which enhance and improve the living conditions of all. Uranus is associated with technology, and it was interesting to see just how powerful the use of mobile phones and internet networking sites was in the recent Egyptian revolution. Likewise in Libya, where there have been internet blackouts. So threatening were these to the authorities that access to them was shut down, proving that the power of instant communication is undeniably mightier than the sword.

The spirit of Uranus thrives on opposition. Its calling is to right wrongs and improve conditions, seeking divergently to find solutions to problems. Creative intelligence is brought into play and original ideas are put forward to bring about reforms. Uranus is concerned with finding the perfect world, and this it does through research, knowing that there may be no final solution. The search itself is what is truly important. Uranus at its highest level can tap into the pure creativity of the universe, the place where sudden brainwaves come from, and that elusive “a-ha!” moment.

Here's what I say about Uranus and Spirit of Revolution on my YouTube channel:

Colin Firth & "The King's Speech"

2011-02-14T12:32:00.008Z

Colin Firth last night won a BAFTA for his role as King George VI in The King's Speech and is hotly tipped to win an Oscar as well. Update and edit 28th Feb: Last night he won the Oscar for Best Actor - congratulations to Colin Firth!

Born on 10.9.1960 in Grayshott, UK, his chart is set for noon with no time of birth available. It's possible, though, to take a look at his inner, unconsious motivation using the aspect patterns and their colours in his chart, together with the placement of the planets by Sign.

Firth has 3 planets in Virgo - Sun, Mercury and Pluto - making him something of a perfectionist as all Virgo qualities will be reinforced with ruler Mercury in its own sign together with Virgo Sun/sense of self and Pluto adding intensity and depth to his expression of Virgo qualities. This is apparent in his acting, in which he offers an exact and in-depth portrayal of the character he is playing. In The King's Speech I was at times moved to tears by the intensity and sensitivity of his portrayal of a man whose childhood conditioning had stunted his expression of his true self.

Firth's overall aspect shaping is a mixture of triangular aspect patterns and linear offshoots which don't form patterns or shapes. This indicates a flexible motivation with a tendency to be tangential, going off doing his own thing and possibly being changeable; not all bad when you're an actor, with each new role bringing challenges of getting under the skin of the character and requiring this degree of flexibility. The colour balance of 5 red: 1 green: 5 blue aspects suggests a strong either/or approach to life.

The all-red Efficiency/Performance figure, fired up by Jupiter and Mars, and with Mercury at the apex, looks good for an actor, who has to communicate well, powerfully, be physically fit and bring all relevant life experiences to the role he's cast in.

There are 2 Dominant Learning Triangles in the chart - one direct and one retrograde - meaning that some things he'll pick up and learn very easily, others will need more application and trials before the lesson is learned. Both learning triangles include the green quincunx between Moon and Jupiter which, in this very red/blue chart seems highly important. Jupiter will percieve and participate in life, gaining experiences and impressions; Moon will tap into feelings and emotions. It's interesting to see how both these planets connect with Mercury at the apex of the Efficiency triangle, feeding into what and how he communicates.

Uranus, part of the retrograde learning, is also part of the Ambivalence figure which also involves Jupiter and Mars. These 3 aspect patterns, linked as they are, will work together to feed into the whole mode of being flexible and adaptable, but with the red/blue Ambivalence figure there may be a need for independence, freedom involved. For more on these and all 40 aspect patterns used in the Huber method, see my new book, Aspect Patterns in Colour.

Firth's BAFTA is well-deserved; let's hope he gets the Oscar too.

Sun Dogs

2011-01-28T11:30:00.007Z

Sun dogs are also called mock suns or phantom suns. They are an atmospheric phenomenon which creates bright spots of light in the sky, often forming a luminous ring or halo on either side of the sun.

I first heard them referred to in the film "The Deerhunter" and read up about them, but it was many years before I actually saw them for myself. I took this photograph of sun dogs in the far north of Scotland, and was blessed with not seeing them just this once, but on a second occasion later in the trip.

The Wikipedia entry on sun dogs says they "may appear as a coloured patch of light to the left or right of the sun, 22° distant and at the same distance above the horizon as the sun, and in ice halos. They can be seen anywhere in the world during any season, but they are not always obvious or bright. Sundogs are best seen and are most conspicuous when the sun is low." Those were the exact conditions when I took this photograph.

So why am I writing about sun dogs? What's interesting is that they are a natural phenomenon which shows a reflection, a phantom of the real Sun. In astrological psychology it is the Sun which symbolises and represents our capacity to use the mind and will, to make decisions and express our sense of self. If we develop the Sun, we can become more confident and effective in our everyday lives, and we won't need to hide behind, or project "false", mock or phantom suns or a false sense of our true self. Bearing in mind that this is what what sun dogs are, it's possible that we might also have our own personal "sun dogs".

I describe how to develop the Sun in my book The Living Birth Chart and here's what I have to say about it on my AstroChat Channel:

A bright start to 2011: the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction

2011-01-03T16:07:00.008Z

On 4th January 2011, Jupiter will be in close and exact conjunction with Uranus. The chart is set for 12 noon in London. Jupiter and Uranus appear side by side, both at 27 degrees and 2 seconds of Pisces. They are part of a Small Learning triangle, which also involves Venus and Neptune. The rest of the planets stand apart, either bunched together at the top of the chart or - in the case of Saturn - ploughing its own lonely furrow in Libra.

Does this herald a bright beginning to 2011? It does if we let it. In amongst all the gloom and apprehension, financial fears and the need to tighten our belts in order to make ends meet, opportunities do exist to be creative, inventive and to step outside the box in the way we live our lives.

Jupiter opens things up, offers new experiences and urges a spot of risk taking. We may find that we're doing something completely new, that we've never done before, in order to adjust to living in more straitened circumstances (and no, I'm not urging anyone to go out and rob a bank or turn to crime!). Uranus spurs us on to find new ways of maintaining stability and security. You may find that strange, because generally Uranus is associated with upheaval and unexpected events. At its heart are the principles of maintenance and change. Change is needed when the old, tired and outworn is no longer working. Because we seek to return to and maintain a stable state of being, we have to be inventive and creative and help bring in something new which will give us the security we're trying to replace, but in a different and often more innovative way.

Together with Jupiter, Uranus could work in beneficial ways - of course, their conjunction is symbolic but it reflects the opportunities which abound in times of need. For example, making things instead of buying them, like clothes, knitting, DIY, gardening, home cooking rather than fast and restaurant food, just to mention a few. Yesterday I was reading in the New Year editions of the weekend newspapers that this is a current trend in the face of belt-tightening, with baking bread being high on the list in terms of being satisfying as well as saving money.

Note also that this conjunction is in Pisces, the sign associated with caring for and helping others, being more altruistic, less materialistic. This could be a nod in the direction of us all being in it together, but only if we let it be so. There are vast inequalities in western society: the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction in Pisces gives us a chance to even these out a little, take a few risks, be a bit creative and do something new in 2011.

Kate Middleton

2010-11-22T16:58:00.026Z

Kate Middleton (rapidly becoming dubbed as Catherine since her engagement to Prince William on 16th November) was born on 9.1.1982 in Reading, UK. Her chart is set for noon as no time of birth is yet available. If it is publicised officially by Buckingham Palace, I'll update the chart. Watch this space!

After 8 years together, including a split (see my posting on Willam's chart - search for "Royalty" or click on this in the Labels cloud) the couple have decided to wed. The British public are relatively underwhelmed by the news as it's been long-expected, although the media are already working themselves into a frenzy of speculation over the wedding plans. Welcome to life in the big spotlights, Kate.

Middleton's chart offers some interesting speculation on the kind of underlying motivation she might have. With only red and blue aspects (there's an absence of green aspects which offer greater awareness and a more balanced use of the energy available), Middleton will tend to have an either/or approach to life with low emphasis on half measures or shades of grey. Her chart shaping suggests she is flexible and can adapt well to changing situations and circumstances, something which will stand her in good stead as she learns the ropes of the family firm she'll be marrying into. It also shows considerable restlessness and the capacity to move on to new things. Again, this could stand her in good stead but it may also be a source of frustration if she feels tied or bound by her duties as consort to the future king.

Her chart contains one complete aspect pattern, the all-red Efficiency/Performance triangle (aka the T-square if you're a conventional astrologer). This is interestingly pinned by Sun, Moon and Saturn, known as the ego planets in astrological psychology. These relate to our body (Saturn), feelings (Moon) and mind (Sun) and when all 3 are found in the same aspect pattern they can act well together and are interdependent. Middleton may be able to balance out the needs of all 3 aspects of the ego structure, but it's more likely that one of them will dominate. With Saturn at the apex of this figure, it's likely that she will have a strong awareness of duty, structure, organisation, and an ability to be just and fair (Saturn is in Libra) as well as have a certain power and strength (Saturn is conjunct Pluto) which may as yet be untested. Certainly, as a possible future queen, these could be strengths to draw upon.

Her Capricorn Sun says a lot about her ability to wait patiently for William to pick the right moment to propose. Capricorn is the sign which bides its time, carefully making its way towards its goal, in no special hurry to get there. It's also the sign which we could associate with a family business where the younger generation inherit and run the show when the generation above them retires. She comes from a family who run their own business and will be marrying into the royal family firm, taking on a key note role.

Her red/blue chart is complemented by William's more green chart. He will bring more awareness and sensitivity to their partnership; she will provide initiatory energy and "doing" capacity. They share Cancerian Moons and William's Sun is also in this sign, as was his mother Diana's. Cancer and Capricorn are opposite signs but have the ability to complement each other well. The watery emotional Cancerian drives can find grounding in the earthy practicality and organisational abilities of Capricorn. She could prove to be a rock for William, and an important source of support and encouragement. With no time of birth available, it's hard to say in which area of life she might be expressing her Saturn at the apex of the Efficiency triangle, but I'm reminded here of the present Queen's chart which i wrote about some time ago (again, click on or search for "Royalty") which has an Efficiency triangle with apex Saturn right at the very top of the chart.

For more about aspect patterns, see my new book Aspect Patterns in Colour available from the APA on-line Bookshop . And for details of how to learn more about astrological psychology for yourself, visit www.astrologicalpsychology.org

Aspect Patterns: Aung San Suu Kyi

2010-11-16T12:59:00.013Z

Aung San Suu Kyi, Politician, 19.6.1945. Chart set for noon (no time available), Rangoon, Burma.

This is an extract from my new book
Aspect Patterns in Colour
available right now from the APA on-line Book Shop and from Amazon.

Recently released from house arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi has two Small Learning Triangle aspect patterns in her chart. You can read more about her chart and taspect patterns in the charts of many other well-known people in Aspect Patterns in Colour.

Small Learning triangles are found around the periphery of the chart and do not enclose the central core. They are concerned with learning specific skills and the area of the chart that they span will be where this learning will take place, and be applied. Composed of all three aspect colours, red, green and blue, the aspect which is the longest will show which part of the learning process is most important. Red longest will indicate the activity of learning; green longest shows learning takes place for the sheer joy of learning, and with blue longest, the completion of the learning task will give the greatest satisfaction.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s small Learning triangle has the red aspect as the longest, so the actual effort and work involved in the learning task will be the most significant. As the direction of the triangle is retrograde, lessons associated with it may be more challenging; harnessing the energy of Mars and Pluto and discovering how to ground and express these successfully through Saturn comes to mind here. The large Learning triangle which includes Sun/Mercury and Neptune has the green quincunx as the longest aspect, indicating the learning itself is of most importance here. Suu Kyi has studied philosophy, politics, and economics at universities in India, UK and USA, and has a natural talent for languages. She is also a powerful orator.

Aspect Patterns in Colour

2010-10-18T11:18:00.021+01:00

My new book
Aspect Patterns in Colour
is now available

from the Astrological Psychology Association On-line Book Shop (with discount if you're a member)

and from Amazon

First introduced in Bruno and Louise Huber's Aspect Pattern Astrology, aspect patterns provide a key to understanding our inner motivation. In Aspect Patterns in Colour, the individual aspect patterns from that book are fully illustrated in colour, together with the meaning of each figure, example charts and interpretations.

I've drawn on a wide variety of charts to illustrate each of the 40 aspect patterns. Some examples come from the charts of people I know, others include actors, politicians, musicians, scientists, writers and artists. If you want to know more about Barack Obama's Megaphone, Marlon Brando's Large Talent triangle, Clint Eastwood's Irritation triangle, Tony Blair's UFO and Peter Sellers' Bathtub, you'll find them all in this book.

Recently reviewed, the book has been well-received:

I have to say this is a beautiful book – there are some books I don’t want to put down and this is one....it was a delightful experience to open Aspect Patterns in Colour and to find aspect patterns and charts depicted in full colour. The introduction to this book is rather modest: “I aim to present in this book an easy-to-use reference to the aspect patterns given by the Hubers... together with an interpreted example of each individual aspect figure, using a selection of well-known people and people that I know.”

Aspect Patterns in Colour achieves exactly the description set out, as it were, on the tin. However, this introduction underplays the vast amount of research that has gone into finding charts that contain a remarkably clear example of the pattern under discussion – you will not be struggling to find the aspect pattern buried somewhere in the complexities of the chart. It also belies the depth of astrological knowledge and experience that Joyce Hopewell brings to interpreting the example horoscopes.

The book explores each of the aspect figures given in the Hubers’ work Aspect Pattern Astrology. Every aspect figure is illustrated and the essential motivation and features are explained simply and concisely. Forty different charts are used to describe the impact of an individual aspect figure in someone’s character. With her gift for explaining complex concepts clearly, Joyce’s sure hand guides the reader through the aspect patterns, which must be understood if we are to explore the energies animating consciousness.......my students often ask about the availability of material that presents aspect patterns in a way that is easy to understand. This book meets that need and I would have no hesitation in recommending it both to them and to advanced astrologers who would like a quick reference to the aspect patterns of astrological psychology.

Reviewed by Kathy Rogers, Tutor, Astrological Psychology Association

Aspect Patterns in Colour is now available from the Astrological Psychology Association On-line Book Shop (with discount if you're a member!) and from Amazon.

John Lennon

2010-10-08T14:18:00.006+01:00

John Lennon, born on 9.10.1940 at 18.30 in Liverpool, UK

What would have been Lennon's 70th birthday is being celebrated in his native Liverpool by the projection of a previously unseen photograph of him on to the buildings surrounding the Albert Dock at Liverpool's Pier Head. This is the tourist area of the city, where The Beatles Experience exhibition is housed.

Lennon's chart resembles an arrow head, with highest planet Moon as a focal point, receiving many aspects. Lennon's unconventionality was well-expressed through his Aquarian Moon. The overall aspect structure shows a predominantly mutable, flexible motivation, but there is one quadrangular aspect pattern - a Megaphone - which will need and thrive on having some measure of security and stability. Lennon is said to have found this in the home of the aunt who brought him up as a child.

With 6 planets on the DC/"You" side of his chart, Lennon was more attuned to being with and interacting with people - he did have a charismatic presence, perhaps attributable to his Libran Sun close to the DC , this being the energy others would be most likely to pick up on meeting him.

The Megaphone would have made it relatively easy for him to convey his ideas via his artistic talent of song writing and composing. Bruno and Louise Huber say of this figure: "The person is a thinker who extracts a lot of information from communication...." Lennon was also a idealist and a dreamer ("..you may say that I'm a dreamer..." from Imagine), and here the Moon at the highets point in the chart, heavily aspected, in idealistic Aquarius and in 11th house speaks.

For more on the Megaphone and ALL the aspect patterns used in the Huber Method, watch out for details of my new book Aspect Patterns in Colour.

Sun in Libra

2010-09-23T09:00:00.000+01:00

The Sun enters Libra today, 23rd September. Libra is the Sign associated with beauty, harmony, balance, taste, diplomacy, indecision, pleasant interaction, friendship, appreciation of aesthetics, fashion and style...just to mention a few.

To celebrate the start of the Libra time of year, when autumn colours appear in nature in the northern hemisphere making the world looks very beautiful, when the grape harvest is made, and when the fashion-conscious dive into new-seasons' clothing, here are some images which for me have Libran qualities of balance, harmony and beauty.

Elegant Swans by Maylis

Perfect poise - Hummingbird Hawk Moth

. . . and balance - Meadow Brown Butterfly.

The Family Model: David Cameron's new baby

2010-09-11T06:30:00.000+01:00

In astrological psychology, the Family Model is a very useful tool for understanding how an individual might have experienced their family set-up when they were children. All too often, some of the conditioning received during formative childhood years sticks around far longer than is necessary for adults and can cause problems and hang ups throughout life. Working with the Family Model can help people recognise and accept this, enabling them to move forward making their own life choices rather than be quite so heavily influenced by the expectations laid upon them in childhood.

In the Family Model, the Sun represents the father or the person who took on this role, and is ideally placed somewhere in the upper part of the chart. Saturn represents the prime person who looks after the safety, caring, nourishment, stability, structure and well-being of the child. Although both parents do this, it is the mother (or someone who takes on this role) who provides the primary mothering principles. Saturn is ideally placed in the lower half of the chart. The child is represented by the Moon, ideally placed somewhere on the horizontal axis of the chart where contact can most easily be made. For more on the Family Model see my book The Cosmic Egg Timer, available at the APA on-line Book Shop.

British PM David Cameron recently became a new dad unexpectedly early whilst on holiday in Cornwall. Florence Rose Endellion Cameron was born on 24.8.2010 in Truro at 12 noon - time quoted by Cameron in BBC News interview. With a noon birth the Sun is at the top of the chart where it can shine and be seen, a fitting place for a father who is Prime Minister...but will he be able to live up to her Virgoan high standards when she's older?! Her Sun has all 3 aspect colours lighting it up, so potential exists for her to develop her own sense of self with considerable awareness.

Saturn is not best placed as it's not in the lower half of the chart where it can offer optimum stability and grounding. It's interesting to see that Saturn is placed just before the 12th house cusp, indicating that mum Samantha (dubbed SamCam by the media) might prefer, as wife of the PM and mother to Florence and her other two children, to stay in the background and away from the glare of publicity. Saturn receives just red/green asepcts, indicating a touchy sensitivity. The overall shaping of the chart shows a Fixed motivation, so stability is going to be important for Florence.

Moon is in the lower half of the chart and is conjunct Neptune in 4th house. Florence may well enjoy and need the security of home and family, to the extent of not wishing to move far away, even when she's old enough to do so. Neptune conjunct Moon could indicate some special creative talent, but with an Aquarian Moon she could well want to do her own thing. This could prove interesting, as Moon is opposite Sun (she was born on the Full Moon); there could be clashes between her and dad.

Florence's chart has a relatively unusual aspect pattern - the Irritation Rectangle - which is pinned on 3 of its 4 corners by Sun, Moon and Saturn - the planets representing the Family Model. This suggests a close and binding relationship could exist between her and her parents, one she might not easily break away from because of its binding nature and its sensitive red/green combination of aspects.

Astrological Houses - Where in the World are You?

2010-08-28T06:20:00.000+01:00

The 12 astrological houses are divisions of time and space which are applied to the birth chart to divide it into 12 separate areas, each one relating to a specific field of life experience and expression. There are many house systems used in astrology, most of them unequal apart from the equal house system, which is a very basic and simplistic method of house division.

The Koch house system is used in the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology as it gives the most reliable results when working with Age Progression, using the correct time of birth.

The houses are the environment we live in, and this changes all the time, depending where we are and who we're interacting with. We may be in the 6th house when at work - but what if you work from home? Does the 4th house then become your place of work? Or do you have a designated "6th house" room or area in your home where you do your work? Supposing you are a child minder working in your own home? The 5th house is sometimes associated with children and creativity so does your living room treble up as 4th, 5th and 6th house? If you work alone and in isolation like, for example, a night time security guard, you could be on your own and very much in the 12th house - but this is also a 6th house setting as you'll be at work.

This begs the question of whether the boundaries of the houses should be regarded as rigid? Or are they more dynamic, something which is movable and adaptable because one area of life flows into and intersects with another? That sounds much more like real life to me, where astrology becomes far more than a theoretical appraisal of us and our place in the world around us, and takes on tangible shape and meaning as we interact with the environment in which we find ourselves.

Robbie Williams weds

2010-08-10T12:06:00.019+01:00

Pop singer Robbie Williams is going through a significant life phase. He's recently announced that he's rejoining Take That, the boy band (now a very successful group of grown men!) where his career took off, and he's just got married.

Robbie was born on 3.2.1974 in Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK.

His chart is set for noon as no time of birth is available. I wrote about his chart when I discussed it live on air at BBC Radio Stoke 6 years ago, when he was 30. Being a local lad, the media in Stoke-on-Trent are always keen to follow his career and life events. You can read what I said about Robbie's chart in 2003 here, at the Astrological Psychology Association web site, and at the BBC Radio Stoke and Staffordshire newspage archive.

So what of Robbie and Ayda, who wed on Saturday 8th August in Robbie's back yard (aka known as a beautiful estate overlooking the San Fernando Valley in California!). I was invited back once again to Radio Stoke to talk about how these two might fare as a married couple, and you can read a brief news item onwhat I said.

Ayda Field, a TV actress and Robbie's girlfriend of some 3 or more years, was born on 17.5.1979 in Los Angeles. Her chart is quite different from Robbie's - his has a Fixed shaping making him motivated towards security and stability. Ayda's chart is Dynamic, with triangular and linear aspect patterns, making her far more adaptable and flexible. Robbie will tend to need security and to know where he is with things, whereas Ayda will be much more likely to be flexible and go with the flow. This could create a good balance between the two of them.

Aquarian Robbie, with Sun/Jupiter in this sign and at one of the arms of the Kite figure in his chart, will want a certain amount of airy freedom & space; Ayda's strongly emphasised sign of Taurus will be more focussed on earthy practicalities as well as having a yen for good living (she's married a multi-millionaire!). This earthiness, in turn, could provide Robbie with the grounding and security he needs. Robbie is now 36, the time when the Age Point reaches the DC and crosses from the lower to the upper hemisphere of the chart. It's a time of coming into your own and of waking up to the many more possibilities which lie ahead. Life can feel like it's opening up anew, or big time. Robbie's marriage and his return to Take That are both indications of this.

With no birth times for either Robbie or Ayda, I 'm not going to be more specific. All that's left is to wish them both well and say that I'm pleased to hear that Robbie at last appears to have a good woman in his life!

Robbie and Ayda, but not, I assume, on their wedding day!

Saturn in Libra

2010-07-31T15:51:00.006+01:00

Saturn entered the sign of Libra on 21st July 2010, and will stay in this sign until October 2012. The chart is set for Saturn's grand entry into Libra, at 17.20 (when it was just one second into the sign) on 21.7.2010 in London.

Interesting chart with a Double Ambivalence figure dominating. The opposition in this figure includes Saturn conjunct Mars at the top of the chart and close to the MC, opposite Jupiter conjunct Uranus down at the bottom and close to the IC. This particular Double Ambivalence figure doesn't have a green quincunx as shown in the sample here, which means there is a more black/white, either/or flavour to this particular configuration. Saturn and Mars together make a formidable couple - determined, strong, fearless and the conjunction of these two planets always makes me think of Roman Centurion, a military leader. These two stay together for a short while until Mars moves on and away in early August. Jupiter/Uranus stay together for a bit longer, opposing Saturn and presenting challenges to the authority of this stickler of the solar system. Jupiter/Uranus could allow things to get out of hand; Saturn provides the checks and balances and helps in bringing some realism to bear.

What might be some of the manifestations of Saturn in Libra? We're already into times of tightening belts and being far more cautious with spending on luxuries. There is a touch of "make do and mend" about - fashion is not always to be followed slavishly and people are returning to vintage styles, searching charity shops for bargains and making/knitting their own.

If Libra stands for diplomacy and fair play, and Saturn for calling a spade a spade, then it's very interesting that British PM David Cameron has recently ruffled some foreign feathers by his plain, truthful speaking about two countries (Israel with reference to Palestine, and when in India, with reference to Pakistan). This is a refreshing change from the usual bland diplomacy. It's also interesting to learn that women's lib is undergoing a resurgence - fair and equal pay, recognition, treatment and consideration of women is still sadly lacking. Saturn in Libra ? Bring it on!

For more info on aspect patterns, visit the On Line Book shop at www.astrologicalpsychology.org

The Planets go Hiking in Lion Country

2010-06-21T06:30:00.002+01:00

I recently visited the Chisos mountains area of Big Bend National Park in the south of Texas where mountain lions (cougars) and black bears roam. This was the sign by the trail near the cabin where I was staying, and I read it carefully before setting off on a hike, especially as I'd heard that a lion had been seen chasing deer near the reception area the night before! I was hiking with a small group, in daylight, so the likelihood of seeing a lion was pretty small....nevertheless, Saturnian caution was advised. Here's the trail we were hiking along (note: plenty of undergrowth as cover for lions...)

And here's how I was reacting on that hike, very aware of the drives, characteristics and motivations of some of the planets:

Mercury - I was using my ears, listening out for any rustling sounds in the undergrowth and paying attention to all details around me, such as tracks on the ground.

Jupiter - my all-round peripheral sensory awareness was very alert, my senses were primed and I was aware that what I was doing contained an element of risk (but hang on, said my more rational Sun, it's broad daylight, lions usually hunt around dusk, or when it's dark. Never mind that, chipped in Saturn, remember you read an article earlier this year about someone being attacked by a cougar in broad daylight....).

Venus and Saturn were in cahoots for this hike, making sure that what I was wearing was practical and sensible - sensible clothing and shoes, sunhat, sun screen, bottle of water etc. - all tasteful of course...

Sun made the decision to go on this hike, with Mars tagging along to provide the energy and impetus to do so, keeping me going when walking uphill got a bit challenging in the heat, and staying on red alert for fight or flight if I did see a lion.

Did I see a lion? No. But it was interesting to observe my reactions to this situation and the feelings that went with them. The nearest I got up close and personal to the local wildlife was when a skunk crept up behind me in the dark and stood pretty close. And no, it didn't spray.

Sex, Money, Relationships and Scandal on the Fixed Cross

2010-06-07T17:34:00.007+01:00

Have you noticed that many of the current scandals which have beset the British government of late have a strong theme of money, sex, relationships and possessions?

The recent exposure of MP's expenses claims comes to mind, with loud protestations from them that they were only following the rules and hadn't done anything wrong. Acknowledging that the rules may not have been clear, along with prompt repayment on the part of many MP's, there's also been an element of wanting to hang on to what possessions and privileges they have.

The current financial crisis and the dire situation with the banks which went into a tail spin last year is another example of Fixed Cross behaviour. Some bankers are STILL walking away with huge bonuses, while small businesses can't get the loans they need to keep them going and the banks will not lend.

The Fixed Cross in astrology is about hanging on tightly to what you already have. This is usually money and possessions, both personal and shared. The 2nd house, associated with the sign of Taurus, is about personal possessions - all the things you wouldn't want to give up because you've worked for them and they are yours. You want to hang on tight.

The 8th house, associated with the sign of Scorpio, is about shared, communal possessions - like paying tax (please note, any offshore tax evaders who may be reading this - we need your money and it's time to pay your whack if you use UK benefits when you come here but don't contribute to them). Shared possessions are for the benefit and good of all, like street lighting, bin collections, maintaining roads etc. The 8th house is also about large corporations (like banks, already mentioned).... and if you're beginning to wonder where the sex comes in, that's associated with Scorpio too, the sign which is supposedly the sexiest in the zodiac. Or so they say....

Recent scandals in the new coalition government have seen a manifestation of the Fixed Cross at work. The newly-appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury, David Laws, has resigned because of accommodation expenses he claimed which were bound up with his relationship with someone he declared was not his partner, sexual or otherwise.

Enter then the relationships axis on the Fixed Cross. This is found in the 5th house, associated with the sign of Leo, and the 11th house, associated with the sign of Aquarius.

The Fixed Cross is the most difficult one to break away from and not be bound to, because to let go of what we own, what we have, what we are and who we like to associate with is one of the hardest challenges we can face. You can hear me talking about the 2nd and 8th houses here:

The Cameron/Clegg Coalition

2010-05-13T10:18:00.004+01:00

At 09.33 on Wednesday 12th May 2010, in London, the new British Prime Minister, David Cameron, greeted the new deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, at the door of no. 10 Downing Street. Both men shooks hands for approximately 7 seconds, symbolically starting the coalition formed between the Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties. Data from the BBC and the chart is set up for this time.

And what an interesting chart it is. Dominated by a relatively rare aspect pattern - the Striving Figure - it has Jupiter conjunct Uranus on the MC at the highest point of the chart, opposite Saturn on the IC, at the foundation and anchor point. The orientation of the Striving Figure in the chart is vertical, not horizontal as shown in the diagram here, and it has Saturn on the IC at its apex. Spanning the 4/10 Individuality axis of the chart, the opposition acts like a backbone and the figure looks like a dart diving down into the collective. With Saturn at this apex point on the IC, its aim and goal and all it seeks to achieve is security and stability - exactly what Cameron and Clegg are saying their aim is for this country. I was astounded to see this chart when I set it up shortly after hearing the time of this historic and symbolic meeting on the steps of no. 10. The symbolism of this aspect pattern, together with the planets involved, has a rightness about it.

Jupiter/Uranus on the MC speak of change, opportunity and being open to that change and what it brings. They also speak of risk and uncertainty, moving on from the old, assured and tired ways of doing things, staying open to seeing the whole big picture, and the need to stay receptive to what is new and innovative. In short, a potentially exciting combination. The Striving Figure, which appears upside down in the chart, has its inverted "base" flanked by Moon/Mercury (good for communication and expressing feelings & needs) and Neptune (indicative of good will, which this coalition requires to hold in mind all the time).

What of the meaning of the Striving Figure itself? Here I quote from Aspect Pattern Astrology by Bruno & Louise Huber, available from the APA on-line Book Shop. The Hubers say of this pattern "The great sensitivity of the green aspects tends to weaken the "backbone"....for such a figure, salvation lies in using sensitivity and intelligence to strengthen the backbone and develop qualities to achieve goals....The green aspects mean receptivity to the needs of others. It is clear that this requires real self-scrutiny, but also the conversion of possible deep-seated feelings of inferiority into true humility and unselfishness. This is no easy task, but perhaps the highest goal that can be inspired to".

Our new government and leaders do not have an easy task ahead. Let's hope that the positive good will they have already expressed will prevail and guide them through the challenges ahead.

To learn much more about aspect patterns see the home study courses offered by the Astrological Psychology Association.

Nick Clegg's Birth Chart

2010-05-10T16:12:00.010+01:00

I can't vouch for the absolute accuracy of the time of birth I've discovered for Nick Clegg (on the Astrological Association web site), but it's an advance on the noon time I set the chart for in a previous post, when no time of birth was known. I've checked out this time of birth alongside his current Age Progression, and it makes some sense. I'm giving it a go anyway.

Data is 7.1.1967 at 05:56, Chalfont St. Giles, UK.

In view of Clegg's current position as holder of the balance of power as he and the two other main UK political parties are in close discussion about whether or not they will form a coalition with the Liberal Democrats, I'm offering a swift run down on the main features in his chart.

Inner motivation is mutable/dynamic, able to adapt to changes, go with the flow, bend and be flexible.

Motivation by colour of aspects - a predominantly red/blue chart with a lack of green aspects. This contradicts his adaptable & flexible inner motivation. He may be hard to budge (no bad thing if he's driving a hard bargain for electoral reform) and will have quite firm either/or attitudes.

His chart is mainly "I" sided - a more private person but could also be self-aware. No bad thing in a politician.

He has insightful/inner resources in planets Venus, Jupiter and Saturn, which are all on Low Points. Saturn is opposite Uranus/Pluto which are conjunct and straddle the Low Point in the 9th House. These planets are all intercepted - no way out for them apart from via the planets they aspect , which are Neptune and Sun.

At the same time, and to balance these Low Point planets, he has the ability to come on strong with cuspal or near-cuspal planets Mercury, Mars and Neptune.

Mars appears most significant as the highest planet in the chart, right on the MC, and it's going to be working very hard at this point in time, fighting and taking what are hoped will be courageous moves to create something new for our dilapidated country and economy.

Using Age Progression with the birth time of 05:56, his Age Point is making a square to Mars on the MC and an opposition to his Capricorn Sun, forming an Efficiency triangle, which in itself is an aspect pattern about hard work, use of energy and achievement. Sun is conjunct cuspal Mercury, giving it an extra boost when negotiating. And never underestimate someone with a Capricorn Sun. They will explore all avenues of possibility before making a final decision, their risk assessment and damage limitation awareness is second to none, and they tend to be extremely reliable.

Let's hope that's true for Nick Clegg.

UK Election 2010

2010-05-06T18:04:00.002+01:00

As the hours tick down in the UK towards the closing of the polls for this very interesting general election, and in case you're taking a last minute look at the blogs to help you decide who to vote for, here's a joke from Jupiter to bring a smile to your face about politicians.

Courtesy of the BBC website

Brown, Cameron or Clegg?

2010-04-09T09:48:00.025+01:00

The UK general election, to take place on 6th May, is already totally dominating the news and having the effect of turning potential voters off the whole thing. Generally speaking, we Brits are fed up with politicians who don't deserve our trust, and those hoping to get a seat at Westminster are no doubt wishing amnesia on the public about the recent scandal of MP's expenses claims alongside the dire financial situation we are in.

So - Gordon, Dave or Nick for PM? Who are we supposed to be voting for...a party leader, a party, their policies....or the prospective candidates who are standing in the constituency where we happen to live? The campaign is being conducted as though it's one of the first three I've mentioned, so here are the charts of the leaders of the three main parties.

Gordon Brown, Labour party leader, born 20.2.1951, Giffnock, Scotland. You can read what I wrote about Brown's chart when he was 56 by clicking here. Brown has a very green chart. Lots of green aspects indicate sensitivity and combined with the relatively high number of red aspects, a fair bit of touchiness too. But we already know about that - see my more recent post "Gordon Brown a bully?" Brown's chart has an Ambivalence figure (it's part of a larger aspect pattern called a Bijou, but nonetheless, the tendency to ambivalence is present, with the tension of the opposition across the 5/11 Relationship axis of his chart.

What about David Cameron? Conservative party leader, born on 9.10.1966 at 06:00 in London, his chart contains only one green aspect and is largely red/blue which suggests someone with a predominantly either/or approach to life. Interestingly, his chart contains not one, but two Ambivalence figures. The tension in the oppositions here lie across the 2/8 Possessions axis, and the 6/12 Existence axis. Take a closer look,too, at Cameron's and Brown's charts - they both have Saturn close to the DC, placed like a sentinel prepared to defend against all boarders who try to get close before they, the individuals concerned, are ready to reveal things about themselves.

Finally, a look at the chart of Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat party leader, born 7.1.1967, Chalfont St. Giles UK. Birth time unknown so chart set for noon. Can you spot some similarities with Cameron's chart? Very red/blue; only one green aspect...and...another Ambivalence figure in the chart. There's no way we can know which axis the opposition this figure spans as there's no time of birth available, so instead I'll direct you towards the planet at the all-blue corner of this figure, which is often called the "escape planet". It indicates the nature of interests or activities the person gravitates towards when they are in blue "rest" mode as opposed to red "active" mode (hence the ambivalence). Clegg, Cameron and Brown all have Neptune at this point (in Cameron's case, it's at the blue corner of one of the Ambivalence figures; Uranus/Pluto are at the blue corner of the other figure in his chart).

You can read much more about the Ambivalence figure in my earlier detailed post about this aspect pattern, and much more again in the books available on-line at the APA Book Shop . But now it's over to you, if you're a UK voter. What I've written may or may not offer any insights into the charts of the three main contenders, but it does make for some interesting speculation. Bear in mind, too, which of these three men might be willing to cooperate in a hung, minority or, as it's now being termed, a "balanced" parliament. We live in interesting times!

Zodiac Signs: Aries

2010-03-21T06:00:00.003Z

I said I'd be back, and here I am! The reason is today. Today is International Astrology Day and it's the day when the Sun enters Aries on 21st March, crossing the equator and moving into the northern hemisphere. This marks the arrival of Spring in this hemisphere and it is also the Vernal Equinox, when day and night are of equal length.

Aries is the first Zodiac sign. The sign of Aries is associated with the ram

This statue is known as the Moffat Ram, and is in the town of Moffat in the Scottish Borders.

Aries is also associated with new plant life shooting up through the earth, hence the symbol for Aries, which is like the ram's horns, and like the new shoots of a plant.

Here are some more Aries images: Aries carved in stone on the portal of the cathedral of St. Denis in Paris

and Aries and the labours of the month, from Les Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. Look at the top and see the Sun in Aries on the right, leaving Pisces behind on the left. Farmers and land workers are preparing the ground, planting seeds.

More on Aries here in this short video - and plenty more info and how to find out more about Zodiac Signs at the Astrological Psychology Association website.

The Blog, the Low Point and the Nodal Age Point

2010-03-01T11:46:00.006Z

4.3.2006. 16.14 GMT, Knutsford, UK

On 4th March, this blog will be 4 years old. It started life with a dual purpose: to share something of the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology to a wider audience and to keep my astrological interpretation skills oiled and honed. In addition, it offered a discipline and structure (there goes my Saturn talking!) within which I could practise my writing skills.

I started writing it when blogs were very much the in thing; over the past few years they have perhaps become less “flavour of the moment” as Facebook and Twitter have moved to the forefront. However, my blog has proved to be very well read throughout the world, fulfilling my intention of spreading the word about Astrological Psychology and letting readers know where and how they could find out more about this. It’s attracted some new students along the way, some clients for me, and it provides a resource for students of the Astrological Psychology Association and other interested readers as well.

I didn’t elect the time and date to begin the blog; it happened when the time felt right for me. The chart didn’t exactly delight me, as it has no green aspects, but it also has redeeming features, like Sun conjunct Uranus in the 7th house - not bad for an astrological blog! Ah, you might say(especially if you're a student with APA)! having noticed that the Sun is on the Low Point of this house, that’s not so good is it? Well, I’m a great believer in working with what is and facing up to the challenges as they come along. I could have deleted the blog and waited for a more auspicious moment to launch it, but that would have dampened my initial enthusiasm to get it started, so I went with the moment that felt right.

Four years on, 158 blog postings later, and with thousands of hits worldwide, (thank you, thank you all you readers), I know it was the right thing to do. But there is a time for everything and I know it’s time to move on from making the usual regular postings on the blog. I was well aware that the blog's Age Point crossing the Low Point in the 1st house was a probable reason for this; the Low Point is a time to look inward, to connect with different energies and inspirations in order to move forward in new directions.

A look at the blog’s chart also threw some interesting light on the matter. Whilst the natal Age Point is on the Low Point and making an opposition to the Sun, the Age Point in the Moon Node chart is conjunct the Sun/Uranus conjunction in 7th. The nodal Age Point conjunct a planet or planets can be experienced as a nudge and a wake up call to look at, and use, these planets. As I see it, this points - appropriately! - to astrology yet again, but also to a change of mode and method. I shall continue to write, but not so very often for this blog. I need time and space to be creative in other directions and the Low Point right now pulls me towards looking at other ways of doing this. Some possibilities are already taking shape, so watch this space! In the meantime, the blog will stay accessible to all who want to read it, as a means of telling people interested in astrology and astrological psychology about the Astrological Psychology Association, the courses we offer and the way we look at charts, but also as a resource for all who are interested in this amazing 21st century approach to using astrology.

Want to know what Low Points are? And Age Progression? And the Moon Node chart? Read all about it in the books on astrological psychology, available at the APA on-line Book Shop, and also at Amazon. And do watch this space, as I will update as I create, and keep in touch.

Gordon Brown a bully?

2010-02-22T13:59:00.007Z

Chart for Gordon Brown, born on 20.2.1951 at 08.40 in Giffnock, Scotland

The media are currently full of stories of British PM Gordon Brown being a bully. Here's a question for all you astrologers and budding astrologers out there who read this blog:

Where do you see Gordon Brown the bully in his chart?

Leave your thoughts on this in the comments box - I'd really like to know what you think! And I will reply.

Pluto and the art of reinventing yourself

2010-02-11T16:51:00.004Z

I spotted this this graffiti on a boarded up entrance in the city of York. The building on the other side of the enclosure looked like an empty warehouse. It was dilapidated, awaiting attention, demolition, destruction, reinvention, regeneration. If and when someone starts using it again it could take on a different form and have a different use. If you look at the bottom left hand corner you'll see there are already suggestions in graffiti of a hotel, and flats.

I photographed these words as they reminded me of how we, when we're undergoing a lot of change and feel the need to reinvent ourselves, or change direction and do something new, are getting a big nudge from Pluto. Responding to the call of Pluto is not for the fainthearted because making changes often means giving things up, things which are a cosy and safe part of our existence, things through which we identify ourselves. This takes courage and demands we engage our will, through using the Sun, the planet associated with the mind, which we use to choose, decide and ultimately to create with.

The potential creativity of choosing to be something else was what drew my attention to these words. They provoked me to wonder what else I could be if I wasn't a professional astrologer, a writer, a teacher of astrological psychology and all the other things I am that I could list here.

Pluto is not always about tough, cataclysmic destruction. It can be about making conscious changes as and when we know the time is right, and more importantly, when we also feel the time is right and has come. So take away this thought-provoking piece of graffiti and ask yourself, "What else could I be?". Choose wisely, too - you may be starting on the next big step in your life.

Astrological Houses 1 & 7

2010-02-01T11:37:00.018Z

The Astrological Houses are divisions in the birth chart which relate to different areas of the environment around us and are where we express all matters related to this particular area of life. The 1st house begins at the Ascendant, or AC, and is where we develop and nurture our self-image; the 7th house, which is opposite, is where we meet one-on-one with others, encountering them and forming partnerships of various kinds with them.

People with planets in the 1st house may be very self-aware or at least open to learning and knowing more about themselves. They probably won't define themselves through the expectations of others as they already have a strong sense of who they are or of how they would like to become. A focus of planets in the 1st house is shown in this chart.

People with planets in the 7th house may be very outgoing and sociable, not liking to be alone or without others to refer to, as they tend to define themselves and learn about themselves through their interactions with others. This chart shows a focus of planets in the 7th house.

The ideal is to gain some balance between the 1st and 7th houses if we have an excess of planets in one of these two houses. Of course, it's not as simple as that and everyone is different, so a chart session with a qualified astrological consultant who uses astrological psychology will offer help and guidance to anyone who wants to take their understanding and personal development further. You can see me talking about the 1st and 7th houses here, and about all the other houses on my Astrochat Channel on YouTube.

For more info on the houses, all aspects of astrological psychology and how to learn about this for yourself, visit the Astrological Psychology Association website.

Freddie Mercury's Age Point

2010-01-21T17:58:00.012Z

I liked The Beatles, The Rolling Stones were OK, but the best band for me has to be Queen, with lead singer Freddie Mercury top of my list of singers with the most amazing voice ever.

Freddie was born on 5.9.1946 on the island of Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania. His birth time is speculative, but is given as 05.10 in "British Entertainers - the astrological profiles" by Frank C. Clifford. Using the Huber Method of Age Progression I've checked out a few key life events, and find there is some validity in this time, so Freddie's chart is set up for this time.

It shows predominantly linear aspects, with only one complete aspect pattern - the red/blue Ambivalence triangle. This suggests an inner drive and motivation that was restless and adaptable. Freddie's family fled Zanzibar when he was 17 to avoid the dangers of the Zanzibar revolution in 1964, and settled in the UK. This event concurs with his Age Point making a quincunx aspect to Uranus when he was 17, Uranus being the sudden change and upheaval created by a revolution, and the move to somewhere foreign and completely different.

Freddie's contribution to British music is outstanding. He joined Queen in 1970, as his Age Point reached the 5th cusp and was conjunct the Moon. He was reputed to be a very private person, which is perhaps indicated in his strongly "I" sided chart with Sun in Virgo; it's only his Moon in Sagittarius which is up for grabs, just into the "You" side of the chart and more visible to the world. But the Moon is opposite Uranus, the highest planet in the chart and maybe it was this combination which allowed him to perform in an often outrageous and very individualistic style.

The Ambivalence triangle is quite a common aspect pattern in charts. The person feels the tension of work in the red opposition aspect, but they can escape into the planets at the blue corner of this pattern for R&R. With Venus and Jupiter here, Freddie may well have indulged in sybaritic activities.

Another Age Point quincunx to Uranus in 1975 coincided with the release of Bohemian Rhapsody, a groundbreaking and innovative song, which Freddie wrote. His imagination, creativity and wide appeal may well be due to his unaspected Neptune - was he able to tap into something less tangible for inspiration? Was this where his - at times almost heavenly - voice came from? Here I think of him singing Barcelona along with Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballe, who said of him "the difference between Freddie and almost all the other rock stars was that he was selling the voice"

Freddie's lifestyle eventually caught up with him and he contracted AIDS, dying of pneumonia at the age of 45 on 24th November 1991, with his Age Point in the 8th House, approaching the Low Point of the whole chart and making aspects to his Sun and Pluto. The world lost a charismatic performer, a creative writer and performer and a voice which as yet, is unsurpassed.

To find out more about The Huber Method of Age Progression, see the distance learning courses available at the Astrological Psychology Association, and the Huber's book LifeClock, available from the on-line Book Shop.

Saturn and the Search Engine

2010-01-05T16:56:00.012Z

To start this new year of 2010, I'm sharing news of a new search engine which has green credentials and offers users the opportunity to do something positive to help our planet by using their Power of One (that being that you can make a difference, however small, by exercising choice and bringing your will into play; these are core attributes of the Sun).

I've started using an internet search engine that saves 2m² (2.4yd²) of rainforest with each web search I do. Their search results are as good as Google or Yahoo, and it’s free. The address is: www.Ecosia.org

Why am I telling you this? Simply because I think it's important to support such endeavours which are aimed at preserving our planet, and because - as someone who uses astrological psychology - there is a neat link with the qualities of the planet Saturn, our earth, all things material, our resources and the importance of protecting and preserving these.

In their book The Planets Bruno and Louise Huber have this to say about Saturn:

Saturn symbolises the human drive for self preservation...in connection with the Earth and matter, Saturn has been known as the great Mother since time immemorial.

Check this search engine out for yourself. So far I'm impressed. It does what it says in the blurb, there's plenty of information about it, it's supported by WWF - the World Wide Fund for nature - and it enables you to do your bit too.

Go on - give it a try. It's a good way to start the year and if you've not made any new year resolutions, this small piece of action will fill the bill, exercise your Sun/will, and your Saturn will glow with pride.

Capricorn and the climb up the mountain

2009-12-21T00:06:00.001Z

As the Sun enters Capricorn, marking the Winter Solstice and the start of the slow but sure return of the Sun's light to the northern hemisphere, I'm sharing a few images to illustrate the Capricornian journey to the mountain top. These were taken in Alaska and come courtesy of Maylis at www.maylisphotography.com

Capricorn, a Cardinal Earth Sign, is renowned for its determination and staying power en route to attaining the distant goal it has set for itself. Capricorn is symbolised as half-fish, half-goat. Its tail may draw it back towards the watery world where it was spawned, but its head and upper body lead it onwards and upwards towards the distant heights. If you've ever watched goats climbing up a mountainside you'll know that they are sure-footed and determined, leaping from one rock to the next and not always going in a straight line. They take their time, they have a kind of strategy which keeps them on a safe footing as they gradually work their way towards their goal. Observe these traits in people born with the Sun in Capricorn. They don't take unnecessary risks, they suss out all eventualities before embarking on a project and they usually aim high.

The Capricorn traveller sees the goal - the mountain peak. It's in the distance, there's a lot of ground to be covered and there's cloud on the mountain top. All risks and possibilities have to be covered before the traveller sets off. Capricorns are good planners - be creative and imagine what this one might wear and carry with them at the start of their journey! There's a glacier to be crossed before the mountain is reached and the real climb starts.

Crossing the glacier could be fraught with unexpected dangers so the Capricorn traveller needs to plan ahead and have the right equipment. The journey may take longer than planned if the traveller has to make detours to skirt around the crevasses. And if Capricorn decides to leap across, this will not be done without care, attention and risk limitation!

When the mountain top is finally reached, the view is breathtaking and the air refined and of a different quality. Here, Capricorn may well "see the light" and gain a vastly different and far wider view and perspective on the world, life and his or her own reason for being here. But this is a practical Earth Sign and although the spiritual heights can be reached, Capricorn's task is to bring the insights from this journey and experience down off the mountain and share them in some way (perhaps simply by example) with others.

The esoteric seed thought for Capricorn is "Lost am I in light supernal, yet on that light I turn my back" and that more or less sums up what I've tried to relate to you here about the highest expression of this Sign.

Tiger Woods

2009-12-08T16:03:00.013Z

Media speculation is currently rife over what is going on in Tiger Woods' private life, fuelled again today by the admission to hospital of a "blonde middle aged woman" from Wood's house. This follows hot on the heels of his low speed, early hours car crash outside his house and his wife's smashing of the rear windscreen of his car with a golf club. Whatever is going on?!

Tiger Woods was born on 30.12.1975 at 22.50 in Long Beach CA, USA. The aspect structure has a mainly vertical direction reminiscent of an exploding red and blue star or firework. Maybe that's how life feels for him right now. The lack of green aspects in his chart - he has a count of 4 red: 1 green: 7 blue - indicates an either/or approach to life, with very few shades of grey in a very either/or, clear cut attitude to life. This is supported by his strong by Sign Capricorn Sun which aspects both Uranus and Pluto but in linear (Cardinal type) aspect to both of them. Uranus for erratic behaviour and Pluto for power?

I confess to knowing little about golf, but from what I've read and heard about Woods, he has a cool, incisive and very determined style on the golf course. With only one green aspect there is no room for dithering and being indecisive; competitive play (and the success that goes with it) is a matter of either/or with no distractions or deviations.

Yet deviate from his nice clean image is what he appears to have done. Women who claim they have slept with him are emerging from the shadows and are taking centre stage in media interviews and speculation. Woods has 3 Ambivalence figures in his chart. The triangular Ambivalence figure is made up of 1 red and 2 blue aspects; no green aspects are involved so it uses the red part of the figure to be active and "do" and the blue as a route to "be" and enjoy. The blue aspects in this pattern meet at the apex of the triangle, and in Astrological Psychology we see the planet at this blue corner as being the "escape" planet, the one the person will gravitate towards when they need some R&R, to switch off, relax and enjoy. When they are there, identifying with and expressing the energies of this "escape" planet, the urge of the red opposition aspect which demands action, work and "doing" are on hold (hence the ambivalence). Could Woods, with 3 of these figures in his chart, have been heeding the call of those 3 "escape" planets?

In case you can't spot them easily on the chart, they are Venus (signifying relating on all levels, but perhaps in a more specific and intense way in Scorpio?); Neptune, which can confuse things horribly if we're not careful, as well as offering glimpses of something alluringly just out of reach. From some perspectives, Neptune is about pure escapism. Finally Jupiter, placed in 7th house of encounters with others. Jupiter here, in Aries, is quite strong by Sign and is the planet/psychological drive which encourages us to take risks and open up to new experiences. As an "escape" planet in an Ambivalence figure it could well be instrumental in Woods' apparently uncharacteristic behaviour.

For more specific examples of the Ambivalence figure at work, see my book The Living Birth Chart, and for aspect patterns in general see Aspect Pattern Astrology by Bruno & Louise Huber. These and other books on the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology are available at the Astrological Psychology Association's On-line Book Shop.

Bill Gates' Dominant Learning Triangle

2009-11-26T16:15:00.009Z

Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and one of the richest men in the world, was born on 28.10.1955 in Seattle WA, USA, at 21.15. Now known for his philanthropy as well as his connection with IT, Gates' chart provides some interesting insights into what he might draw upon to support his entrepreneurial drives and motivation.

The image his chart offers reminds me of an axe head splitting apart two sections of wood; it comes down firmly with the Scorpio Sun at the sharp cutting point. Gates' Sun is one of the three pinning planets in the Dominant Learning triangle which fills a large area of the chart structure. The rest of the aspects are disconnected and linear, suggesting an underlying restlessness and the ability to think and act decisively and outside the box.

The Dominant Learning triangle is direct - that is, the colour sequence, beginning at the red/blue corner, and moving in an anti-clockwise direction, is red-green-blue. (The shadow triangle you can see behind this one is a retrograde one). Dominant Learning triangles make individuals who have them in their chart lifelong learners. Each journey around the triangle presents new opportunities for deepening understanding and acquiring new perspectives and abilities, depending on what the pinning planets are. In Gates' chart these are his Scorpio Sun in the 4th house, intercepted Moon in Aries at the top of the chart in 10th house and Low Point Uranus in the 1st house. On initial inspection, perhaps not a particularly promising line up by placement for an entrepreneur.

In the Dominant Learning triangle, the activity and the learning process begin with the planet at the red/blue corner - in Gates' chart this is Uranus on the Low Point (LP) in the 1st house. Low Point planets are often not easily expressed in the outside world, mainly because the person has not found a method of successfully expressing them in a way that others can accept or comprehend. A Low Point planet has to be worked on and developed. Although it may not initially be a wow out in the world, it is an invaluable inner resource. Uranus on the 1st house LP could be a source of inspiration, ideas, leaps of insight, sudden "ah-ha!" experiences and a tool to help lateral thinking. It's also the planet associated with innovative technology.

So....Gates' process with this aspect pattern could be (and here I can only speculate and hypothesise, but that's part of the fun!) the sudden bright and innovative idea that comes from Uranus. This demands some action, so the red "doing" aspect between Uranus and Sun is activated, and his mind, will, ability to choose and make decisions in brought into play. Being a Scorpio Sun, these qualities are never shallow or superficial and there may be a touch of shrewed strategy involved at this stage of the process. Action has been initiated, but then searching, questing, mutable qualities become involved as the learning process travels along the green aspect to the Moon to test out the feel of the whole thing.

Gates' Moon is intercepted - it's trapped in Aries, a sign with no house cusps -and has no way out into the world - so it's difficult for him to gauge at this stage how his innovative idea might be received by the environment, which might not want what LP Uranus has to offer anyway! At this point, Moon could be drawing heavily on the Sun - his mind, his creativity and the sense of self he gains through this planet, because it's the only one in this aspect pattern which has the clearest route for expression in the environment. This could be where the entrepreneurship kicks in.

Once this stage has been passed through, it's a matter of completing the third and final side of this pattern via the connection between Moon and Uranus. The blue aspect denotes a sense of achievement and the coming into being of the original idea, but there is a slight hesitancy and possible doubt here shown by the one-way (dotted) aspect between these two planets. The learning and the process involved may end with another question mark; the entrepreneur will start the whole process off again, maybe in a completely new way.

Gates' Sun conjunct Neptune which links to Jupiter/Pluto for me suggests his philanthropy. His unaspected Venus/Saturn present further interesting paths of exploration - but not here and not now. I will look at unaspected planets in a future post.

Learn about aspect patterns (there are over 40 if them!) in depth in the modular courses offered by the Astrological Psychology Association. Also see "Aspect Pattern Astrology" by Bruno and Louise Huber, "The Cosmic Egg Timer" by myself and Richard Llewellyn and my book "The Living Birth Chart" - all available at the On-Line Book Shop at the Astrological Psychology Association web site.

The Living Birth Chart

2009-11-16T06:00:00.001Z

This review of my book The Living Birth Chart appears in the current issue of the Astrological Association Journal, and was written by the Editor, John Green:

This book is a follow up to the 2004 book The Cosmic Egg Timer written by Joyce Hopewell and Richard Llewellyn, which gave an introduction to the Huber Method of astrological work. The Huber Method was developed by Bruno and Louise Huber in collaboration with Roberto Assagioli, the founder of Psychosynthesis. This book expands on the previous one, and is a deeper and more practical workbook. Numerous examples and practical exercises are included which enable the reader to gain an understanding of the approach and to develop their own understanding.

Not being a practitioner of the Huber method, I found the book an interesting read, explaining fully and clearly each of the different techniques a Huber astrologer will use to gain insight into a chart. As such, I think this book will be useful to any astrologer wishing to understand those ideas and would certainly be invaluable to any student looking to embark on learning this particular method.

The book starts with an overview of the Huber Method, a very insightful and holistic way of working with astrology. Further chapters explore understanding the motivation and psychology of the person, integrating the personality, integrating with the environment, reconciling the past, present and future and following the spiritual path.

The text is well written with a lightness of touch that makes it an enjoyable read. There are numerous practical exercises in the book for the student to follow which makes this a real workbook for the student of astrology. It’s an approach that isn’t always found as clearly in other astrological schools, and should be applauded as a great way to write for students. My only criticism is that I found the printed charts in the book to be a little small and fuzzily printed, which made it hard to pick out all the details discussed within the text. That aside, this is a great starter book for anyone interested in discovering more about the Huber Method.

The Living Birth Chart is available from the APA on-line Book Shop, from Amazon and from other booksellers.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

2009-11-09T00:01:00.000Z

9th November 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The chart is set for 18.57 on 9.11.1989 in Berlin, based on data obtained from Astro-Databank. The Berlin Wall divided East and West Germany and split families apart. It was a stone version of the Iron Curtain which divided the Soviet bloc from Western Europe.

The chart is a red/blue one with no green aspects. Red/Blue charts indicate a motivation which is either/or, black/white, with no shades of grey. This wall was set to come down, and no messing; it was the will of the people that it should do so.

The chart shaping is completely linear, giving an edgy, restless, tangential drive and a large burst of Cardinal energy to the events which took place as the wall came down. People chipped at it, bludgeoned it with hammers and whole chunks were torn out of it as holes appeared and people danced triumphantly on the top of it, or climbed through it into the West. Families were reunited and there was a feeling of immense relief that this huge and menacing edifice had started to crumble and fall.

For me, the most enduring memory of this momentous event was the Saturn/Neptune conjunction which was closely applying at the time and was exact in 12th November. This event was a graphic example of the Saturnian stone boundary of the wall being dissolved under the influence of Neptune's close conjunction. Even more graphic was that Saturn itself was in its natural Sign of Capricorn.

Also conjunct Saturn/Neptune was another tight conjunction between Venus and Uranus. Between them, Uranus went about shaking and challenging the very foundations of control and society in Eastern Europe, with Venus symbolising the renewal of relationships and a new era of fairness and balance between east and west. All four of these planets were opposite Jupiter, suggesting that this was the opportune time as well as the optimum time for this event.

Learn Astrological Psychology

2009-10-28T10:36:00.013Z

Foundation chart for the UK Astrological Psychology Association
8.6.1983, 12.30, London

If you've ever wondered how I can interpret charts and write the articles on this blog, you too can learn how to interpret charts like this yourself and really know what you're talking about when you talk astrology! Here's how:

Astrological Psychology, as taught in Astrological Psychology Association’s modular home study courses, can set you firmly on the path to becoming the kind of person you want to be. Starting at beginner level with our newly updated Foundation Course or joining our well-established Diploma Course, here are just some of the things you will learn about yourself:

You’ll understand your true motivation and what drives you from deep within.

You’ll discover where your energy can best be directed, whether towards working with others or towards your own individuality.

You’ll understand your most familiar behaviour patterns so well that you’ll be able to choose whether or not you want to fall into them.

You’ll be able to identify and focus on your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs so you can nurture them and give them attention and expression.

You’ll learn how to be more aware of your strengths and weaknesses and how to use this knowledge in your everyday life.

You’ll learn about your life path and life journey, where you are right now and where you’re heading.

You’ll explore how the family you grew up in could affect your behaviour and the way you relate to others.

You’ll understand how the influences of your upbringing and environment could impact on your life now.

You’ll be able to assess and improve on how you approach everyday tasks at home as well as problem solving and working as a team in the workplace.

You’ll learn which direction to take on your personal path of self-discovery and improvement.

You can also see me talking about this here:

Many people study with the Astrological Psychology Association for their own personal development, and some study the modular courses as part of their career development. A few of our graduate students give feedback here on the effect our courses have had on their life:

It has changed my life, it helped me know myself better, be kinder to myself and to be more accepting of the cycles in my life, the ebb and flow of energies. It has also helped hugely in my relationships, especially with my partner and my children and when the going is tough I can look at what's happening in our charts and it almost always raises a smile, a sense of "oh I see now" and provides some options for getting through and seeing the positive. HL, Manchester

Studying for the Diploma with API did help me grow and develop because I took my time and was able to assimilate things gradually. It was incredible how my chart reflected my life and allowed me to discover things that I may not have been consciously aware of. I studied mainly for personal interest, although it does help me to understand the motivations of family and friends, which increases understanding of their behaviour and leads to a more relaxed attitude and acceptance. JB, Cheshire

Studying the Diploma course has certainly helped me to understand difficulties within my relationship with my partner; it has taught me how to put more direction into my life, how to follow my own personal goals and aspirations, and how to find a deeper meaning to life's difficulties. Studying with API has really given me deep insight into what makes people tick and this has been invaluable in understanding the dynamics of all my relationships especially within my own marriage and extended family. Family relationships can be very challenging at times and having this knowledge has really helped me to deal more effectively with conflicts and disagreements. PS, Western Australia

For information on all the home study courses on offer visit
the APA web site

Planetary Directions

2009-10-21T06:00:00.006+01:00

No, I'm not writing a post about predictive astrology, where the future configurations of the planets are studied in order to glean some insight into what the future might hold for a person. The planetary directions I'm talking about here involve two places I know about which have a walk through the countryside along a marked path which has placed, at appropriate intervals, models and information about the planets in the solar system.

The first time I encountered this novel walk was in Zurich, when attending a seminar at the Astrological Psychology Institute where Bruno and Louise were teaching the Huber Method. They suggested taking a stroll along the Planetenweg, walking from the Sun to Pluto along the top of the ridge of hills which surround the city. Interesting, fun and right on for a group of astrologers!

Then earlier this year, whilst staying in York, I found another planet walk, which doubles as a cycling track, but this was was slightly more dilapidated than the smart Swiss one I walked years ago. However, it does have a certain charm, with signposts pointing to various planets along the way and a bit of graffiti to add to the overall picture. You can see some of the York planet way in the slide show below.

Astrology and astronomy were taught as twin sciences in the universities of the Middle Ages; it is only latterly that astrology has fallen from grace and astrologers can find themselves the butt of the scorn of astronomers...BUT...in the Foundation Course taught by API (UK) we teach some simple astronomy so that students, if by no means near expert on this subject, do have some understanding of it.

Most readers will be aware that Pluto has been demoted as a planet by a group of astronomers. This happened a few years ago, but I wonder how many astrologers have stopped using Pluto in natal charts? I haven't. And I'd be interested to hear if any readers have, or not. Comments please - let's hear it for Pluto!

Can you name the planets in the solar system in their correct order from Sun to Pluto? Now for the slide show, which is not very educational and is meant to be enjoyed in a light hearted way.

Stephen Fry's Small Talent triangle

2009-10-05T17:24:00.015+01:00

If you're reading this because you're interested in finding out more about the aspect patterns used the Huber Method, see my book Aspect Patterns in Colour and take a look at the Astrological Psychology Association's website, where you can learn about these on one of our courses for yourself, under the guidance of a fully qualified tutor.

Actor and presenter Stephen Fry was born on 24th August 1957 in London. Best known in both these roles either side of the Atlantic, Fry is also very popular amongst the Twitterati who follow his thoughts and witty musings.

No time of birth is available so his chart is set up for Noon. This makes for some interesting speculation as the overall aspect structure is small, tightly packed and only fills one of the four quadrants of the chart. Which one this would be, had we the correct birth time, it would be interesting to see. Whichever quadrant is emphasised, this will always leave the remainder of the chart a wide open space where Fry could well feel vulnerable to the inrush of environmental pressures and expectations.

The chart image I see is of a small conical hat, in this particular orientation set at a jaunty angle. The dominant shaping and aspect pattern is the triangular Small Talent triangle pinned by Saturn, Uranus and Jupiter/Venus at the apex. The overall chart shaping/motivation is triangular with several linear aspects making Fry adaptable and flexible but with some strong restless traits too. He comes across as laid back, polite, friendly - almost the quintessential Englishman - but he's also likely, with these linear aspects, to take off at a whim and do his own thing. It's no secret that he is bi-polar, with mood swings, nor that he went missing in 1995 when appearing in a stage play in London, raising concern over his whereabouts. He'd had a breakdown and took off on his own. Aspects of his bi-polar condition could be attributed to the linearity in his chart, but that is purely my own speculation and shouldn't be taken as anything other than that.

Of his ego planets - Sun, Moon and Saturn - his Sun is weak by Sign (Virgo) at just over 1 degree into the Sign, but this may be offset to some extent by its conjunction with Pluto (even weaker by Sign, but with considerable "oomph" to boost his Sun/sense of self when needed). His Leo Moon is strong by Sign and is possibly prone to erratic and inspired responses via the weak conjunction to Uranus. Saturn is by far his strongest ego planet at almost 8 degrees Sagittarius, and it is strongly aspected.

As part of the Small Talent triangle, Fry's Saturn can be instrumental in grounding and making manifest the still-developing talent this figure embodies. The creativity brought by Uranus as the other corner of this triangle, and in conjunction with the Moon, may be significant in his acting roles. However, I've watched Fry acting on TV and in films, and feel he brings a lot of himself to his acting roles, which directs my attention to the Jupiter/Venus conjunction at the apex of this figure. The Hubers, in Aspect Pattern Astrology, say "The apex of the triangle is always a kind of goal direction"; Jupiter/Venus in Libra would certainly want to be liked! They also say of people with this figure "These are happy people who enjoy life without over-extending themselves. They plan their energies, are careful and selective in their goal setting. Once they have decided on something and it has captured their interest, all goes smoothly". All-blue figures do have a harmonious approach to life; Fry's Small Talent triangle is no exception - the potential is there for harmony and creativity and this is supported by the overall rather blue chart.

It's interesting to note that, now aged 52 and with his Age Point in the 9th house of his chart, Fry's latest programme for TV in the UK was a documentary about travelling across and up and down the US in a black cab. It wasn't that good because he had so little time to spend in each place, but it was a fitting topic for the 9th house!

For more information on all topics mentioned in this post visit the API on-line Book Shop.

Family, Relationships and Health

2009-09-29T11:22:00.007+01:00

At last! The book that has been some time in the preparation by yours truly and spouse has now been published and is available from the API Book Shop.

Who could fail to have an interest in topics covering the Family Model, and the effect our upbringing has on us as children and as adults; or in how we can understand more about our relationships, including the Huber Method of "Clicks" in horoscope comparison; and in how using the natal chart can bring greater awareness to our health and well-being. There really is something for everyone in this book. Here is the description from the back cover:

AstroLog II: Family, Relationships & Health

Paperback, 306pp, Cover price £15

This is the second volume of articles from the German-language magazine AstroLog to be published in English, following on from the first book Astrolog I: Life and Meaning. The articles are by a variety of authors, including Bruno and Louise Huber and API tutors Wolfhard König and Ruth Schmidhauser.

The book is in four parts, each containing articles related to a specific theme:

Part 1: The Family - astrological psychology related to developmental psychology and family counselling.

Part 2: Children and Upbringing - how astrological psychology can help with upbringing, from theoretical and practical perspectives.

Part 3: Relationships - the psychology of relationships and the use of various types of 'click' horoscopes, and a particular perspective on mother/daughter relationships and the story of Snow White.

Part 4: Health and Therapies - the use of astrological psychology in the context of health issues and the alternative therapies of Bach Flower Remedies and Tarot.

AstroLog II: Family, Relationships & Health is available from the API on-line Book Shop

Astrology for Babies: What makes your baby tick?

2009-09-14T11:17:00.013+01:00

I've always been interested in the charts of babies, but having recently become a grandmother for the first time, I now have a personal interest in not only looking at my new grandchild's chart, but in looking at the charts of other babies and toddlers that I know.

One of the first things that people notice and comment on when looking at Huber style charts is the colours that are used for the aspects, and these colours offer information about the inner, unconscious motivation of the person:

Red aspects have initiatory, "doing" energy
Green aspects have sensitive, searching, questing, "thinking"qualities
Blue aspects bring the need to maintain the status quo, preserve and simply "be"

It's comfortable and desirable to have these coloured aspects in a ratio of 4 red: 2 green: 6 blue, but it doesn't always work out this way! Some individuals will have an excess (by ratio) of one colour and a lack (by ratio) of another, creating an imbalance of the energies of that particular colour. When this happens, the person will draw on the surrounding environment - in the case of babies and young children, the family and significant others - to provide the qualities/energies of the "missing" colour. How might this be helpful for new parents?

5 red:4 green: 2 blue

This young baby born in 2009 has a high ratio of red/green in the chart, and a lack of blue. This baby could be energetic, busy, always wanting to do something, but this will be laced with a strong degree of sensitivity, perhaps leading to touchiness as the child grows older. There is a lack of blue aspects indicating less interest in sitting back and enjoying life. Parents here could help by ensuring enough emphasis is placed upon resting, "being" and enjoying the moment to offset the high activity.

2 red: 6 green: 4 blue

This baby, also born in 2009, has a high ratio of green and a lack of red. This baby could grow up asking many, many questions! There is potential for much searching, questioning, and a strong motivation to discover and explore ideas. With this comes a heightened sensitivity and the possibility of not always being able to be decisive as, by ratio, the lack of red could make it more challenging to find ways of expressing and acting on the ideas generated within. Parents here can help by encouraging the child to express the ideas, perhaps (drawing on the blue energy) in some tangible form.

4 red: 3 green: 8 blue

This is the chart of a young child who is well past the baby stage and was born in 2006. In terms of Age Point, this child is still in the 1st House of the chart and is gradually separating from the intense closeness of being a baby and is asserting more individuality. This is a very blue chart; by ratio the balance between red and blue aspects is reasonably balanced, but "blueness" may dominate this child's motivation. There is a natural motivation to enjoy and be able to rest and relax, not worry too much about things - the potential is there at an early age to be laid back. Parents could help here by being aware of this and could gently guide the child towards using this energy constructively rather than allow habits if laziness to become ingrained. This chart shows the capacity for developing a specialised talent (there is a Small Talent triangle) so encouraging this as the child grows up would be beneficial.

For more on colour in charts see The Cosmic Egg Timer and The Living Birth Chart, both available from the API on-line Book Shop - and at a discount if you are a member of API !

Canning by the Signs of the Zodiac

2009-08-29T12:33:00.008+01:00

Ever since I wrote about the Signs of the Zodiac and the body parts they are associated with, I've been fascinated to see how many people read this post and I've found out why.

It seems that it's important to can/pickle/preserve food according to the agricultural calendar, which is closely associated with the 12 Signs of the Zodiac and the planting, harvesting and dormant/non-growing times of the year.

I've always been interested in the tasks or labours of the year associated with the different Zodiac Signs, and this approach to canning by the Signs (especially it seems, for sauerkraut) makes a lot of sense. You can read what I write about the Signs and some of the agricultural tasks associated with them in The Cosmic Egg Timer available from the API on-line Book Shop.

You can also read up ideas on canning and preserving for yourself at Appalachian Voices where there is an item about Eula Vines, an elder and an experienced bottler/canner/pickler of vegetables. I quote here:

Eula believes in canning by the signs. It is a long-standing belief among food preservers that zodiac signs can affect the outcome of any batch of canned vegetables, especially those that are pickled.

You can find the signs -marked as tiny fish (Pisces) and lions (Leo) among others- on certain calendars and in many almanacs, often with a corresponding graph of the human body. Each date has a designated zodiac sign, and each sign indicates a relationship to a specific body part.

“I never pickle when the sign is in the feet,” Eula said, flipping through her wall calendar. “I pickle when the sign is in Aries or Leo. One of them’s in the head; one’s in the heart.”

She explained, “I know the signs work. Yesterday was an Aries day, but I’ll pickle through next week because the sign will still be in the neck. I’ve pickled when the signs are in the legs, but I won’t pickle when they get into the feet. I’ve had kraut smell bad and be soft when it’s in the feet.”

That makes a lot of sense. Pickling or preserving when the Sun is moving through the Sign of Pisces, which rules the feet, is the time of year, in the northern hemisphere, when it's still winter and stocks of produce are running low. Freshness and suitability would be doubtful; the produce to be preserved could have been touched and ruined by frosts.

Right now the Sun is in Virgo, the Sign associated with harvest and the bounty of the Earth. This image is of one of the roundels in the Zodiac window in the cathedral of Chartres, France. All 12 Zodiac Signs are depicted in the window, along with the 12 labours for each Sign, which follow the agricultural cycle of the year. Virgo rules the intestines and as a Sign is associated with health, well-being and healing. It would follow, then, that if canning or preserving at this time of year it's important to do so with really fresh produce which has just been harvested and is at its best.

I know that right now I'm picking berries, apples and other soft fruits from my garden and am either eating them right away when their at their best, or am freezing or preparing them for storage on the same day.

Leo time of year

2009-08-14T07:00:00.000+01:00

Summer time. . . .

. . . is holiday time. . .

. . . and Leo time of year

In my co-authored book, The Cosmic Egg Timer, I say of Leo, a Fire Sign:

"Leo simply wants to shine and exude warmth to all. As a Fixed Sign, it is happiest when others are drawn to its warmth and dazzling light. Then all it needs to do is stay put and shine. Like the Lion with which it is associated, it enjoys the regal status of being like king or queen of all it surveys. Leo has a certain air of dignity; the words "majestic" and "distinguished" come to mind, together with a love of the limelight."

Leo rules the heart and spine, and Leo makes a good, steadfast and loyal friend, bringing the warmth of the heart and feelings to their relationships.

There are many manifestations of the Leo personality, and here are just a few of the possible ways in which people with Sun in Leo may express themselves. They could come across as

the star * the playful child * the hero/heroine * the king/queen * the actor * the entertainer
the lover of life * the show- off * "Heart of Gold" * "Miss Bubbly" * the egotist *
"Cowardly Lion" * the romantic* "Queen Bee" * "Centre Stage" * Mr/Ms Confidence

Amongst well-known Leo's are Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Alfred Hitchcock, Mick Jagger, Madonna and Napoleon.

A final thought - with some, not all (!) Leo's in mind - is Joe Cooper's astro-poem

All Hail!

All Hail!

Golden Leo male
Your vast vanity
Is set upon a suspect spine.

Bold is your gaze
The power and the glory
You need as much as praise.

But they
Come from a long way
To warm themselves at your fire.

All hail!
Golden Leo male.

Photo's 2 and 3 are courtesy of Maylis Curie.
http://maylisphotography.my-expressions.com/

The language of astrology

2009-08-06T11:46:00.022+01:00

A few days ago I completed my one hour on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, London, as part of artist Antony Gormley's "One&Other" project (see previous post for the chart of this event).

While I was up there I read out most of the 94 words sent to me by family and friends saying what they would like to see more of in the world. Everyone involved offered words which have qualities and meaning that are universally understood and go beyond the personal. These words can be applied to the qualities and energies we refer to as astrologers when explaining the symbolic meaning of the planets, especially when they are operating at the highest level. Here are just a few of the words I read out.

You can add your own at in1word.blogspot.com

How do some of these relate to planetary qualities? Cardinal ( go ahead, initiatory) planets are shown in red, Fixed ( stable, maintaining) planets in blue, and Mutable ( changeable, fluid) planets in green.

The Sun embodies Goodwill, Understanding, Integrity and Respect. The Sun represents the mind and the will, our ability to think and make decisions in our lives.

Through the Moon we gain a sense of ourselves through our feelings, emotions and how we interact on a feeling level with the world around us, so the words Caring, Empathy and Consideration could all be associated with this planet.

Saturn can give us a sense of the physical manifestation of ourselves through the body, because we are grounded, real and tangible, so Health - one of the words that cropped up - would go here. Saturn is also associated with Commonsense and Responsibility.

Venus embodies qualities such as Harmony, Discernment and Friendship. We use this planet to form relationships and maintain a balance in our lives as well as it being the planet associated with taste and discrimination.

We look to Mars for energy and drive, leadership qualities and also Courage and Enthusiasm, two words which were sent to me by family and friends.

Jupiter embodies qualities such as Generosity, Truth and Justice, and Equality - remember we're looking at each planet operating at its highest level, so forget "luck" being a Jupiterian thing. Luck doesn't happen on its own; we often have to take risks and seize opportunities in order to get lucky.

Neptune, one of the transpersonal (beyond the personal) planets, embodies qualities like Love, Compassion, Selflessness, Inclusiveness and Peace. You can read more about planetary qualities in "The Cosmic Egg Timer" and "The Living Birth Chart", both available from the API Book Shop.

Addendum: While I was up on the Plinth reading out these words, I heard news that I'd become a grandmother for the first time. Here's what the One&Other blog has to say about this, together with a link to the article about this event which appeared in my local newspaper this week:

The stories behind the plinthers

by Holly | 22:11 GMT, Saturday, 8 August 2009

There's been a lot of debate and discussion about what our plinthers do with their hour, but not much about what goes on in their lives outside that hour. Happily, one plinther's hour coincided with her private life, when she discovered that her grandchild had been born while she was 22 feet high! You can read the full story here.

One&Other

2009-07-31T14:00:00.008+01:00

On Monday 3rd August at 3 p.m. UK local time, I will be standing on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, London for one hour, as part of artist Antony Gormley's One&Other project.

This is the chart for that moment in time, and here are just a few observations on it:

* there is a feeling or reaching upwards and forwards in the overall image - a kind of stretching upwards - and the image reminds me of someone on tiptoe with arms raised towards the upper half of the chart (apt for me standing on the Plinth!)

* the colour balance is 2 red: 6 green: 4 blue aspects - a whole lot of awareness/sensitivity there with such a high ratio of green ( yes, it feels a bit like that - I'm putting myself on the line here)

* overall shaping/motivation is triangular, indicating the flexible, mutability of the moment and the need and ability to adapt to changes

* the Sun is in Leo at the top of the chart, but is intercepted. That's OK - I'm not doing this for myself or to massage my own ego - I'm taking the opportunity to be a voice for lots of other people ( see below!)

* I like the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction in this chart as I also have a Jupiter/Neptune conjunction in my own chart - this feels comfortable and welcoming

A Voice for Others
For my hour on the Plinth, I've asked family and friends to send me one word in response to the question "What would you like to see more of in the world?"

To date I've received no less than 94 words, and am busy making cards to write these on and take up on the Plinth with me to read out and display.

If you would like to add your own word to this fast-growing list, log on to "In 1 Word"

This thing is exciting, is gathering momentum and to be part of it, on or off the Plinth, you can have your say by adding your own word now! And you can watch me live on the Plinth on Monday at 3 p.m. by clicking on this link to "One& Other". I hope you'll join me there!

The First Moon Landing and the Kite that never was

2009-07-13T16:43:00.017+01:00

Apollo11 lift off 16.7.1969, 13.32 GMT, Kennedy Space Centre, Florida

Lunar module lands on Moon, 20.7.1969, 20.17 GMT. Chart set for London.

Neil Armstrong steps on to the Moon's surface. 21.7.1969, 02.56 GMT. Chart set for London.

It may be 40 years since the first Moon landing, but this month the event is getting a lot of publicity as this memorable event is analysed and celebrated. I was fascinated, on looking at the charts shown above of the Apollo 11 lift off, the landing of the lunar module and the first step taken on the Moon by Neil Armstrong, to see the presence of what looks like a Kite aspect figure. However, the Kite never quite forms completely, although all the component parts are there.

The Kite aspect pattern is a potentially creative pattern which shows a lot of blue all round the outside, and has a red strut passing through its centre. The blue aspects relate to structure and form, the red to activity and in this pattern, to energy held in tension. But in the lift off and Moon landings charts the Kite never fully forms, thus keeping the component parts - a Large and a Small Talent triangle - appearing to try and dock into position to form the complete pattern. This never quite happens during the time scale shown in the charts.

In "Aspect Pattern Astrology" the Hubers say of the planet at the Kite's tail "...its need and latent abilities make their presence felt. This planet usually indicates the task to be accomplished by the [red] opposition. We call this the peak planet, to which everything in the Kite figure points or is oriented." But in this particular Kite that never quite forms, there is no planet at the Tail, only the Moon's North Node. This has no energy as such, and doesn't operate like a planet at all. It's a signpost, pointing the way. Placed in Pisces, the directions and aims might be a bit vague and beset with idealism. Does this begin to sound just a bit like the aims of being first on the Moon? Especially as no-one has been back there since!

Far be it from me to knock the achievement of having successfully put living humans from Earth on the Moon, and to have brought them back safely. It was an exciting, historic event. The planets at the nose end of the Kite, Jupiter and Uranus, are symbolic of Uranian technological expertise going hand-in-hand with adventuring Jupiter. Their conjunction in these charts speaks of risk, vision and the expansion of our horizons alongside new scientific understanding.

The Moon's Node is opposite Pluto, holding the red energy in the almost-pattern in a state of stored tension, ready to be used and available when required. I see Pluto hovering near Jupiter/Uranus in these charts like the end of a powerful wand being waved by the Node at the tail of the almost-Kite. What's also interesting is the progression of the Moon's Node in these charts through the houses, representing the environment. When Neil Armstrong spoke his now famous and sometimes disputed phrase "That's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind" the Node was in the 10th house, the area of expression associated with achievement, individuality and recognition by the rest of the world.

And just in case you're in any doubt about the the role Pluto might have played in the Apollo 11 mission, here's a shot I took when I visited NASA in Houston last year. It's of the engines on a life-size replica of the Saturn V rocket which blasted off from Cape Canaveral on 16th July, 40 years ago.

The Fourth Plinth: Antony Gormley's live art project

2009-07-06T13:03:00.012+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.

Addendum:And here's the link to the article my local newspaper has written about me being on the Plinth!

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

2009-06-16T06:00:00.001+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

2009-05-18T12:38:00.012+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.