Rafael Nadal

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

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.

Colin Firth & "The King's Speech"

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.

Kate Middleton

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

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

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

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.

The Family Model: David Cameron's new baby

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.

Robbie Williams weds

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

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.

The Cameron/Clegg Coalition

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.

Brown, Cameron or Clegg?

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!

Tiger Woods

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. Click on the tabs at the top of the page to find out more about these books.

Bill Gates' Dominant Learning Triangle

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.

To learn about aspect patterns (there are over 40 if them!) see "Aspect Pattern Astrology" by Bruno and Louise Huber, "The Cosmic Egg Timer" by myself and Richard Llewellyn and my books "Aspect Patterns in Colour" and "The Living Birth Chart" All are available at the On-Line Book Shop at the Astrological Psychology Association web site.

Stephen Fry's Small Talent triangle

If you're reading this because you're interested in finding out more about the aspect patterns used the Huber Method, click on the tabs at the top of the page, 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 APA on-line Book Shop.

The First Moon Landing and the Kite that never was

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.