Louise Huber 1924 - 2016

Louise Huber by Joyce Hopewell

Update 12th March 2016.

Sad news has reached us of the passing of Louise Huber on 13th January 2016. For further details see the APA website
 
http://astrologicalpsychology.org/apa-blog/


I wrote this post to celebrate Louise's 90th birthday in 2014 and will let it stand as a tribute to a very special and rather amazing lady. Louise - thank you - you gave me so much and I am privileged to have known you. May you be at peace and find your bliss.

Many congratulations and a very happy 90th birthday to Louise Huber, born on 10th May 1924 at 03:15 in Bamberg, Germany.

Louise, together with her husband Bruno Huber, taught and developed Astrological Psychology - also known as the Huber Method -  from the Astrological Psychology Institute in Zurich, Switzerland. Today, as we celebrate Louise's birthday, we also take a look at her chart. I first met her in 1985, when she and Bruno spoke at an astrological conference in the UK, and I have known her since 1987. This lovely photograph of her was taken at a seminar she was giving in Achberg, southern Germany, and we were laughing at a joke we'd just shared. The warmth of her Moon in Cancer and her Jupiter in Sagittarius comes across in this image.

Louise Huber, 10.5.1924, at 03:15, Bamberg, Germany

Louise's chart shaping is predominantly Fixed; there is a large quadrilateral aspect figure which dominates the chart. Quadrilaterals indicate a Fixed inner motivation. This, in turn, is reflected in her Sun/Mercury conjunction in Taurus. She can be a very strong lady when her mind is made up!

The chart image suggests a large bucket, basket or receptacle which could be full of interesting facts and experiences (green searching/questing aspects cross inside it). The bucket or basket is lying on its side. The contents can move freely out towards the "You"/DC side of the chart for others to absorb (Louise began teaching astrological psychology in1962). Saturn sits like a guardian in 7th house, filtering what should be shared as well as who should receive information. Louise's early studies included esotericism, and she would be naturally discriminative and cautious about how she shared her esoteric knowledge, as well as who she shared it with.

The chart has 3 red:3 green:5 blue aspects, indicating that blue fixity might dominate - in lay terms it suggests that Louise's enjoyment and satisfaction of what she has learned and done will be significant. Louise has always been immensely proud of what she and Bruno achieved together when they developed and taught astrological psychology. She has every right to be proud as astrological psychology and the Huber Method are known and taught worldwide.

Louise's chart contains 3 Learning triangles which all support her quest and taste for knowledge and information as well as her ability to teach and share it with others. Learning triangles often indicate ongoing learning throughout life. Louise's study of Alice Bailey's esoteric material has been ongoing since the 1950's. In 1956, she and Bruno were invited to help set up the Arcane School in Geneva - this as her Age Point was in 6th house of service, was in Virgo, the sign associated with service to others, and shortly before this it had been conjunct the Moon's North Node. A 6th house North Node points to personal and spiritual growth which can be accessed by working for and with others.

I'm not attempting to interpret Louise's chart in an in-depth way, but have chosen a few significant features for the purpose of this 90th birthday tribute. The last feature concerns Louise's Jupiter in Sagittarius in 9th house. I recall hearing Louise speak of the time she started to write and set down her ideas, knowledge and experience of astrology and esotericism. She told of how, at the time, the words and ideas began pouring out of her, and she felt compelled to write. At the time, her Age Point was conjunct Jupiter in both her natal and Moon Node chart, and Jupiter is in 9th house in both charts. She was connecting with a place, an area of life  experience she already knew (the Node chart taps into the depths of the personality and into accumulated knowledge). The 9th house is concerned with higher learning, study, teaching, and Jupiter with wisdom and experience. Louise's first book Reflections and Meditations on the Signs of the Zodiac was the outcome, and after this she went on to write many more books with Bruno. The featured Book of the Month is The Astrological Houses by Bruno and Louise Huber. Click on the Books by the Hubers tab above to see all their books.

As Louise's current Age Point approaches conjunction with Venus all that remains now is to wish Louise Huber a very happy day, and to send her love, light and power on the occasion of the 90th birthday.

Nelson Mandela

Chart set for 18 July 1918, Umtata, South Africa, at 14.54. Time unreliable.

I first wrote about Nelson Mandela's chart  on the occasion of his 90th birthday in July 2008. Mandela, born on 18.7.1918 in Qunu, Umtata, East Cape reached this milestone almost 5 years ago, and I concentrated on his Age Point and one of his aspect patterns at the time.

The chart image is one of zig-zags, moving to and fro and giving the impression of a flexible structure with the ability to open up and close down. As the time of birth is uncertain, the orientation of the aspect structure could be different from how it appears in this chart, but the inherent colour/motivation and shaping/motivation still offer much information.

Mandela's chart has 2 red: 6 green: 5 blue aspects. It's heavy on green/blue and proportionally low on red. High blue/green suggests visionary ideals and a strong tendency to think, search, question and doubt, often on an internal level. It's interesting to note that the 3 long green quincunx aspects are contained within the central area of the chart and are not directly exposed to the outside. The overall shaping of the aspect structure shows a mixture of Fixed and Mutable motivation - he can dig his heels in and stay his ground, yet be flexible and adaptable. I guess that is a graphic representation of many of the experiences he's been though in his life, and his long imprisonment on Robben Island comes to mind - a Fixed situation, within which he had to adapt.

Mandela has an interesting 4-sided aspect pattern known as a "Stage", pinned by Sun, Moon, Venus and the Moon's Node. This spans the chart and contains 2 of the 3 long green quincunx aspects mentioned. They criss-cross inside the "Stage" like 2 green struts. This 4-sided figure provides the Fixed part of his motivation and it's composed of 1 red, 4 green and 1 blue aspect; this is where the bulk of the green thinking, searching, doubting, questioning, sensitivity and awareness could take place. The Hubers in their book Aspect Pattern Astrology describe the Stage as having ". . . a 'large' heart, but somehow still quite aloof. To be able to be open to everyone and everything, it protects itself from manipulation and prejudice and is very honest with itself. It can understand other people even in their innermost composition, identify their place in society and explain many things very graphically." I have featured this aspect pattern and his chart in my own book  Aspect Patterns in Colour.

Looking at his Age Point in general terms of psychological life phases. 18 years ago, when he was 72, his Age Point was conjunct the AC and had completed one circuit of the whole chart. Crossing the AC and entering the 1st House for the second time around, many people in their senior years experience a kind of re-birth, appreciating all they see and do anew and often though the eyes of a "wise child". Mandela's crossing of the AC at 72 coincided with his release from Robben Island. His Age Point now at 90 years is conjunct the IC, the 4th House cusp and the lowest point of the chart where deep connections with the collective may be felt. The last time his Age Point was at the IC he was 18, a time when he left home and went to study at Wesleyan College. Leaving home at around age 18 is a classic rite of passage, and few pass this place again.

At 90, as he was when I wrote this almost 5 years ago, it was less a case of a leaving of the home and more of a return to the roots from which we spring. The Hubers in their book "LifeClock" say ". . .the approach of the 4th House cusp can dissipate the sense of self to be engulfed by the collective. Many an event which used to be deemed really important now just vanishes into the mists of time, it is totally forgotten. And it doesn't seem to matter greatly whether it concerned our Self, or maybe someone else instead. . . .Many people in this phase of life have moments of true illumination and intuition. They suddenly seem to fathom the deeper meaning of events and surprise others by their wisdom."

Update 6th December 2013 Nelson Mandela has had an indelible effect upon the world. I wrote a brief update earlier in 2013, when there was much concern about his health. Ill and frail, he was an old man nearing the end of his long and eventful life. At the time of his passing, December 5th 2013, I can only reiterate what I wrote at the time - that his passing would be peaceful as he returned "home". Although his birth time is unreliable, it's the time given by Lois Rodden's Databank, and using Age Progression with this chart time, the hand of the Life Clock is currently opposite his 11th House Mars.

He will always be the elder statesman who has won and warmed hearts far and wide, enriching the collective to which we all belong. He was an outstanding figure, offering us all an example of the power and strength of forgiveness.

Details of Mandela’s life can be found at the ANC website, and on Wikipedia.

Pope Benedict stands down

Pope Benedict XVI born on 16.4.1927 at 04:15 in Marktl, Germany

The Pope has announced that he is standing down at the end of this month, February. The last time a Pope resigned was 600 years ago, and this news came out of the blue, taking the world, especially members of the Catholic church, by surprise.

But is it really surprising that an 85 year old man, clearly in ill health and with low energy, wants to stand down from such a high profile office? Benedict, whose real name is Joseph, has not been a particulary charismatic figure, nor as popular as his predecessor. With an aspect colour ratio of 3 red: 3 green: 3 blue in his chart, this might suggest that his energy and inner motivational drive is perfectly balanced, but equal numbers of aspects of each colour suggests there's never enough resting/consolidation time, and that there's too much output of energy. This brings an imbalance which can be sapping to strength and drive.

Benedict's motivation, according to the shaping and aspect patterns in his chart, is to be flexible and restless. He has unaspected Saturn high up in the chart too, which suggests the potential for a lack of feeling and being grounded. The majority of his planets are below the horizon, psychologically in the collective area of the chart. This is where he will feel most comfortable; the demands of high office and of being a prominent figure will have been felt keenly.

Benedict's Age Point is currently in Gemini, in the cardinal zone of the 3rd house of the chart. His Age Point was last here when he was aged 13 - 14, so he's meeting this area of life as an old man, not a young teenager, and with all of his life experience in tow. Decisions such he's made will not have been taken rashly or in a hurry. 

Currently, his Age Point is within orb of unaspected Saturn, to which it is making an opposition. From the psychological perspective of the 3rd house, he is able to view Saturn, and all it may represent for him, from a distance and bow to the needs of his physical body, which needs a rest (Saturn gives the individual a sense of self through the body). Benedict has had the wisdom to acknowledge this and act on it.

Judi Dench

Judi Dench, a dame of the British Empire for her services to acting, is probably currently best known as "M" in the 007 Bond films - although her status changed dramatically at the end of the latest Bond film Skyfall. Dench was born on 9th December 1934 in York, UK. No time of birth is available so the chart is set for noon, putting her Sun conjunct Venus in Sagittarius right at the top of the chart, as this is a noon chart.

Although there's no time of birth, a fair amount of information can be gained from looking at the overall aspect pattern in the chart, together with the aspects, aspect patterns and their colours. All these relate to inner, often unconscious motivation.

The aspect structure has a slightly off-balance, tipping feel to it - there's a sense of movement and fluidity and even though the overall shaping is quadrangular - making her security-oriented - this drive sits alongside the tangential linear aspects. She will not be one to rest on her laurels, probably always seeking new challenges.

There are 4 red: 6 green: 5 blue aspects in the chart. With a surfeit of green, she will have a strong mutable approach to life, always wanting to try or learn new things. This can easily be related to her continued success as an actor, taking on new roles. Now 79, she shows no signs of easing up on her career.

A lesser-seen but interesting aspect pattern that she has is the Striving figure. This is pinned by Saturn, Moon, Venus and Pluto, with Pluto at the apex. The apex planet is usually the one whose qualities the individual strives towards, and at its highest level, Pluto is about the perfection of being. In Dench's case, I'd view Plutonic perfection of being as what she is striving towards in the acting roles she undertakes. The three ego planets - Sun (by default as it is conjunct Venus), Moon and Saturn - are all involved in the Striving figure, indicating that this aspect pattern could be a major driving force in her acting career. People with Striving figures are always aiming high and striving for goals, but don't always reach them, often collapsing or giving up before the target is reached and the goal attained. Their energy may be erratic, and will not always support the drive needed for a final push to the finishing line. In Dench's chart, I'd say she's overcome this potential hazard; her career to date is testament to that.

To find out more about the Striving figure, see my book Aspect Patterns in Colour- available as an e-book and in paperback.

Neil Armstrong - first man on the Moon

The recent passing of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the Moon, has revived an interest for people in this significant event, regardless of whether they had been born when this took place.

Armstrong was born on 5th August 1930 at 00.31 in Wakaponeta, Ohio USA. This puts his Leo Sun right down at the bottom of the chart, on the IC, and perhaps the furthest place you might expect to find it for someone who was a pioneer in space exploration and had been the first to set foot on the Moon.

His dynamically shaped chart tells of an underlying flexibility and indicates he was able to adapt to changes. The chart has the appearance of a rather careful balancing act with the aspect structure being supported at 3 separate points by the pinning planets down at the bottom of the chart. The chart, by aspects, is very blue, indicating a motivation for consolidation, preservation and the ability to switch off, relax and be laid back. Two blue aspect patterns dominate the chart - a Large and Small talent triangle. The Large triangle indicates an innate, complete talent, one that someone is born with. In Armstrong's chart it has a theme of sensitivity when the pinning planets are considered - Moon, Mercury/Neptune and the Moon's Node in 12th house. Mercury/Neptune indicates a visionary potential, along with sensitivity and the ability to express feelings with Moon in Sagittarius in 7th house. The 12th house Node suggests a quiet spirituality.

The Small triangle suggests something entirely different. This aspect pattern speaks of a still-developing talent, one which has to worked at in order to be perfected. It's pinned by Sun, Mars and Uranus, and has a more robust and outgoing feel. The Sun makes decisions and has leadership qualities; Mars offers skill, bravery, courage and Uranus stretched boundaries as well as bringing a scientific theme.

It's both interesting and significant that Armstrong's Age Point was making aspects to two of these planets on 20th July 1969, when he first stepped on the Moon and said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". He was 39, his Age Point was in 7th house, in Sagittarius and it was opposite Mars and trine Uranus. It is fitting that as his Age Point opposed Mars, he was undertaking what was probably the most challenging thing that he had ever done. The Age Point opposite a planet will demand that the individual will be forced to focus on all matters associated with the drive of this planet, and express them in some way, often learning and gaining new experiences at the same time. Age Point opposite Mars would have called on all of Armstrong's skills and energies as he took this momentous step.

Following his recent death, his family issued this statement:  "For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."

Olympics Opening Ceremony

At 21.00 on 27th July 2012, in London, the Olympic Games will officially begin with the opening ceremony. Always spectacular in their own way, and always anticipated with interest, these opening ceremonies have become a big thing, sometimes organised and performed with military-like precision (Beijing) and always timed to perfection both on and off stage. Likewise, the closing ceremonies, where there is the opportunity for the next host nation to offer a taster of their country. Four years ago, in China, Britain gave a taster to the world, with a red London bus and David Beckham kicking footballs into the crowd. So what is in store for the 2012 opening ceremony, and how does this relate to the chart for the event?

The model of the stadium and the proposed scene, "Isles of Wonder", was released in June, and it reflects the green countryside with farms, fields, grazing sheep and cattle and a game of cricket in progress. At one end is a green hill representing Glastonbury Tor and the famous pop festival in the fields below. At the other end is supposedly the floor of the Royal Albert Hall, home to the Promenade Concerts, filled with people standing (promenading) whilst listening to the music. I gather that during the ceremony, the scene will be changed by tech wizardry to show industrial Britain and to represent the Industrial Revolution. Now take a look at the chart for the opening ceremony.

I was struck by the similarities between the layout of the model and the layout of the chart, with its focal point at the top - Pluto close to the MC, this reflecting Glastonbury Tor in the model. Down in the lower hemisphere, around the IC area, are the "promenaders" - Jupiter, Venus and Sun conjunct Mercury. There are many criss-crossing aspects, suggesting the boundaries of the fields and different areas within the scene.

Fantasy aside, what does the chart offer in terms of the event? Like the model, the aspect structure takes up a large area of the chart, filling each of the four quadrants with planets to a greater or lesser degree. This is a very blue/green chart. 4 red: 5 green: 6 blue aspects, suggesting a lot of imagination, which certainly ties in with the amount of creativity that has gone into the planning of this ceremony by film director Danny Boyle. This is reinforced by Sun/Mercury in Leo in 5th  - a great placement for a showbiz-style event. 

Embedded within the aspect structure are several aspect patterns - a Search Figure, a Dominant Learning triangle, and a Model. Yes, an aspect pattern which is called the "Model"! This is because it is concerned with high aspirations and will not be distracted by pessimism. What better figure to feature in the opening ceremony chart? The Hubers say that the presence of a Model in a chart can bring "centred persistence which can give courage and hope to other people". If that had come straight out of an Olypmpic publicity leaflet it couldn't have been more appropriate! 

To find out more about aspect patterns see  Aspect Pattern Astrology by Bruno and Louise Huber, and my book Aspect Patterns in Colour. Both are available from the APA Bookshop, American Federation of Astrologers, Amazon and other distributors. Click on the Books tabs for more details.

A final comment on the chart. Pluto is on the MC in the highest position and it appears to dominate this chart. Pluto looks powerful up there, as if presiding over the entire event. Pluto at a lower level can be about manipulation, power and control. At its highest level, however, it's about achieving perfection and leaving behind the baggage which stops us from reaching this state. Pluto is about aspiring to be the "perfect being" which makes it a fitting planet to be at the top of this chart. In the spirit of the original Olympic Games let's hope that this will be so and that only the higher manifestations of this planet will be present.

Rebekah Brooks

(Photo courtesy of The Guardian)

Rebekah Brooks, former chief executive of News International and former editor of The Sun and The News of the World was born on 27th May 1968 in Warrington, UK. No time of birth is available so her chart is set for noon, which puts the stellium containing her Sun and Moon right at the top of the chart. But beware, they would be far more likely to be somewhere else in the chart with a correct time of birth. 

Brooks has notoriously been close to, and potentially involved in, the phone hacking scandal which emerged after the mobile of a murdered schoolgirl was apparently hacked into by journalists working for her newspaper. Further scandalous details of phone hacking of a variety of well-known people has emerged, as have implications surrounding her friendship with British Prime Minister David Cameron, set alongside her long term close association with News International mogul Rupert Murdoch.

Brooks has been charged today with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice over the phone hacking inquiry. Charges relate to alleged offences in July last year including concealing documents and computers from police.

What can be gleaned from her chart without a time of birth? The overall aspect pattern shows a predominantly Fixed motivation; there are two quadrangular figures which suggests Brooks wants and needs security and strives towards this. The colour balance of the aspects indicates someone who is more strongly motivated to be busy, active, working, with a ratio of 4 red: 2 green: 3 blue aspects. Cardinal, activity-oriented red will dominate, so in order to feel secure, she will need to be busy.

Aspect patterns involved are a Provocative figure, making her never quiet or lazy and with the capacity to be downright annoying and irritating to others. It's a creative figure, and as such can call forth new ideas and provoke others into action. There's also a Decorative figure, a perfection-seeking aspect pattern which is alert and easily able to decode information and present it in a clear form - very useful for a journalist. These and other aspect patterns are detailed in my book Aspect Patterns in Colour (see details on Books page of this blog).

The strong line-up of planets in Gemini are entirely appropriate for a journalist - news is ephemeral, today's scandal is tomorrow's fish and chip wrapping, and the agile focus of interest is good at moving on to what is new. Brooks is approaching her 44th birthday, placing her Age Point on the Balance Point of the 8th house, from where she may be called, within the next year, to reassess her life and re-orientate herself in the context of both her family and professional life.

6 years on and going strong

Today - 4th March - marks the 6th "birthday" of this blog. I started writing about astrological psychology together with astrological chart interpretations on 4th March 2006. The chart is set for 16.14, the time the first posting was published back in 2006.

The chart for the start has a mixture of Triangular and Linear aspects. The linear, disconnected aspect lines give a restless, tangential approach and motivation (yes - I only write when there is something or someone of interest to me) alongside a more flexible, fluid and changeable approach which is part and parcel of the triangular aspect patterns.

There are two complete aspect patterns in the chart: an Ambivalence figure and an Efficicency/Performance figure. Both are triangular. Both include the red opposition between Jupiter and Moon on the IC/MC axis of Individuality.

Moon is high in the chart - the highest planet - so I really do like and appreciate any comments I receive from readers. Moon opposite Jupiter speaks of my enthusiasm for astrological psychology as a method of self-understanding and growth in self-awareness and ultimately getting a whole lot more out of life. In the Ambivalence figure, the planets at the all-blue corner are Sun/Uranus - pleasingly appropriate for an astrological blog written by an enthusiast with 26 years experience of using this approach, and placed in 7th house, where contact can be made with others.

The Efficiency/Performance figure, which the Moon/Jupiter opposition is also a part of, has Neptune at the apex. This means that Neptune is the outlet and conduit for what is written - and it's given out freely, via the 6th house of service. Note that Neptune is also appropriately placed in Aquarius.

A quick look at the blog's Age Progression shows that the hand of the LifeClock has just entered the 2nd house where a sense of preserving what has been established so far is important. This coincides with transiting Jupiter being in opposition to natal Jupiter (Jupiter is currently in Taurus). And the hand of the LifeClock is opposite Mercury in 8th house. If I needed any further encouragement to continue with this blog, there it is!

Some readers may have spotted that this chart for the blog's start has only blue and red aspects - it has no green aspects at all - and this suggests a tendency for an either/or, "on/off" approach. Yes, that's right - I only blog when I want to and when I feel I have something to write about.

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.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

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.

Astrology for Babies: What makes your baby tick?

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 APA on-line Book Shop.

Susan Boyle's Large Talent Triangle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Michelle Obama

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aspect Pattern Astrology: The Ambivalence Figure

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

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

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

Gareth - 1.3.1973, 04.45, Crewe, UK.

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

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

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

For more on aspect patterns, see Aspect Pattern Astrology, The Living Birth Chart and The Cosmic Egg Timer - all available from the APA Book Shop, Amazon and other on-line retailers, in book or e-book format.

The Armistice - 100 years on

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

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

Rememberance of the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice is currently being featured, celebrated and remembered worldwide. 1918 - 2018 - one hundred years, but a drop in the ocean of time. In those years much has happened, and is still happening, to make us aware of the useless futility of war. Remember - yes, and with feeling, but don’t be complacent. Peace and compassion are always worth striving for.

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

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