12 Top Tips for Budding Astrologers

My new Ebook

12 Top Tips for Budding Astrologers 

 is published

It offers

  Ideas and suggestions to get you started on chart interpretation - and keep you going!

   It is available here, at the APA Ebook store, for a modest fee.

 It includes some of the Astrology Tips I've written about on this blog, plus extra material I've added to enlarge on the 12 Tips. There are some practical exercises to do too, to help you focus, and there are illustrations and charts.

 Here is a list of the Contents:

Tip #1 Essential Information

Tip #2  Starting Out

Tip #3 Colour and Motivation

Tip #4 Doorstep Planets

Tip #5 The Quadrants

Tip #6 Unaspected Planets

Tip #7 Conflict and Tension

Tip #8 Low Point Planets

Tip #9 Levels of the Planets

Tip #10 Understanding Life’s Journey

Tip #11 The House Chart

Tip #12 The Low Point and the Mid-Life Crisis

If you buy it and like it, let me know. I hope it helps, hits the spot and offers you some guidance and clarity in your studies. 

From Mark Douglas, Student:
Thanks for your thoughts on the four quadrants, Joyce. I'm just entering Module 4. I have The Astrological Houses book and I was still looking for a bit more practical understandings. Bingo! this does the trick. 

My reply:
Very good to hear my take on the Quadrants was helpful for you. When we used to have workshops as part of the Diploma course, the practical work on the Quadrants we did would always throw up more clarity for those who were struggling with them. I find the Quadrants very useful/revealing in that they offer an instant insight into where someone might be coming from, and also, with empty Quadrant(s) what they might lack in, or seek to avoid (nothing there to encourage them into this area of life, therefore potentially scary/stressful/of little interest).

Good luck with Module 4 - more to the point, enjoy it!
 

 

Where have you come from, where are you now and where are you heading?

Don't we all want to know, when things are either going a bit pear shaped, or when we feel we're at a significant crossroads in life, what this is all might be leading to?

My book, Using Age Progression, will offer guidance on where you are now and where you're heading, as well as helping you look back and reflect on previous, earlier life experiences which will colour and influence your life and the decisions you make. In this book I've distilled the Huber's unique approach to timing in the horoscope. It's written in a concise and easy-to-read style and includes a wealth of  illustrative example charts.


Take a look too at some of the charts in this resource website where I've used, applied and discussed Age Progression. Click on LifeClock and Age Point in the labels cloud on the left. It will take you to a selection of charts, which include those of John Kerry, Nelson Mandela, Tom Jones, Robbie Williams and Freddie Mercury. 

You can use Age Progression to seek meaning in what often feels like the jumble of events in your life. It can show what sort of influences are likely to be at work at different stages in your life. 
 
It provides a tool which can identify precisely where you are in your life journey and it takes into account the psychological and developmental stage you're currently moving through, along with what this means for you as a unique individual. The Huber's book, LifeClock, provides additional depth and detail on this gilt-edged technique.

Both books are available from the APA Book Shop.

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.

What might 2014 have in store for you?

Chart set for 1 minute past midnight on January 1st 2014

The chart for the start of the new year offers an image resembling an arrow head pointing down into the collective area, with a stellium in Capricorn of four planets - Sun, Moon, Mercury and Pluto - plus unaspected Venus sitting to one side. The on-going Uranus/Pluto square is in evidence, and forms one side of the Efficiency/Performance triangle, which includes Mars, with some of the stellium planets at the pointy, business end of this figure. Immediate, gut response to this  line up is "not much chance of a rest there then..."

Aspect Patterns are covered in depth in two books: Aspect Pattern Astrology by Bruno and Louise Huber, and in my book Aspect Patterns in Colour. 

The aspect structure is composed of only red and blue aspects, suggesting a black/white, either/or modus operandi, with little opportunity of viewing things other than in dualistic, good/bad ways. Unless of course, you choose to take on board for yourself your ability to choose and see things differently. If you're reading this, it's more than likely that you'll be able to see beyond the obvious and search for solutions. Astrological Psychology isn't about predicting the future and telling people what's going to happen to them - it's aim is to encourage people to take responsibilty for themselves and their lives, shaping and creating them from the driving seat, rather than sitting helpessly in the passenger seat.

How might you do this in 2014? Looking at the year ahead from the perspective of where you are in your own life journey, and from the perspective of using Age Progression in your chart and you life, how you face up to whatever comes your way in the year ahead will be determined by where your Age Point is in your chart.

For example, if you're in your 30's, between 30 and 36, you're probably working hard at establishing yourself in your career and in the workplace, so you'll be focussed on that. Whatever comes your way in 2014 will be viewed through this lens of where you are psychologically on your life path.

Between the ages of 36 and 42, you may be more focussed on your primary relationships in life, and will possibly be evaluating them. You will be more likely to gain feedback on yourself, at this stage of life, from your one to one interactions with others, so it could also be a time of increased contact with people in all areas of your life. Beyond that, you're likely to be taking stock in a big way when you reach 45/46, and deciding which direction you want to next move towards. This again will colour and flavour your life in the year ahead. In your 50's, you'll be sensing a peaking of attainment and achievement in your work in the outside world, but there may also be a personal sense of satisfaction when you look back on your life to date and see how far you've travelled. If you don't experience this, you may also be looking back with a sense of not having done enough with your life. If that's the case, what's stopping you? Opportunities are there to be seized, and 2014 begins with Jupiter, the planet associated with risk, expansion and adventure at the top of the chart. Use some of this energy to move you forward if that's what you want - but do it yourself, for yourself.

Age Progression covers each psychological phase of life from birth, as the Age Point moves through each house of the chart. It's described in depth in Life Clock by Bruno and Louise Huber and in my most recent book, Using Age Progression - Understanding Life's Journey. Both books are available from the APA Book Shop, Amazon and other retailers.

May your year ahead be one where you guide and create your life in directions of your own choosing, whatever your Zodiac sign. Forget the predictions - create your own!

John F Kennedy 50 years on

The 50th anniversary of the assassination of JFK is being marked and remembered as 22nd November 2013 nears. Many people around the world will recall hearing the news, experiencing the shock and the aftermath of this event.

Kennedy was born on 29th May 1917 at 3.00 pm in Brookline, MA, USA. His chart is sparse and graphic.

The aspect structure is almost completely linear and tangential, with only one aspect pattern, the Small Learning triangle pinned by the Mercury/Mars/Jupiter conjunction in Taurus, with Venus and Moon at the other two corners. The chart image is one which conveys a rather gawky, awkward appearance, and the separate semi-sextile at the top of the chart formed by Saturn/Neptune and Pluto has little chance of being integrated into the overall pattern. It would act as a separate, possibly quite strong-willed part of his personality.

I don't intend to make a detailed anaylsis of his chart, but will focus on features which are interesting in the light of what is known about JFK the person and President. Family expectations for him were high. He came from a weathy and influential background, and was brought up in the Catholic faith. His father is said to have been absent, his mother cold and remote. In the Huber's Family Model, the Sun represents the father and Saturn the mother principle (note - NOT the mother, the protective mothering principle). The child, in the Family Model, is represented by the Moon. JFK's Virgo Moon is tucked away on the AC side of the chart and looks quite lonely and isolated. It is close to the 12th cusp so psychologically would be more interested in 12th house matters than in those of the 11th house where it just about has a foothold. Children with a Moon placement such as this tend towards retreating into their own space. 

The Sun, with its loose conjunction to Venus in Gemini in 8th suggests the experience of a father who is charming and communicative, deeply engaged with the matters of a wider society and a networker/businessman. Saturn is part of the detached semi-sextile which spans the top of the chart. Saturn's conjunction with Neptune may indicate a yearning for love and acceptance on the part of the child (JFK himself) but this could have felt way out of his reach, with her being potentially powerful and scary, taking into consideration the connection with Pluto alongside the dominant position of Saturn at the top of the chart. 

JFK was renowned for his womanising and had great charisma. Mercury, Mars and Jupiter, all strongly placed in 8th house and squaring Uranus could convey his pulling power as well as his charm, and Venus conjunct Sun in Gemini - part of the complete Small Learning triangle - would contribute to this, along with his ability to be a powerful orator.

JFK's Age Progression is worth noting - he married at age 36, as his Age Point in Aries crossed the DC and entered the 7th house. This is often a time of opening up to new horizons in life. Marriage made his selection and election as President more likely - the "Camelot" family of John, Jackie and their young children was very appealing. His renowned long term affair with Marilyn Monroe coincides with his Age Point transitting the 7th house, yet his marriage to Jackie appeared solid. 

JFK was sworn in as President in January 1961. He was 44 and his Age Point was on the Balance Point of the 8th house. The Balance Point experience in Age Progression is one of being able to respond smoothly and easily to the demands of the environment; when the Age Point reaches the Low Point this becomes more challenging. In November 1963, JFK's Age Point had already moved through the Low Point in the 8th house and as he was was driven through Dallas in the open-topped car, waving and smiling at the crowds, with Jackie at his side, he was shot dead.

He was 46 and his Age Point was conjunct his Sun.

Using Age Progression - Understanding Life's Journey

 

I am delighted to announce the publication of my new book  

Using Age Progression - Understanding Life's Journey

The timing system of Age Progression through using the chart as a Life Clock is often the technique which grabs the attention of newcomers and seasoned astrologers the most. You might wonder why this would be so, but stop for a moment and consider this question. If you had a tool which identified precisely where you are now in your life journey, and which took into account the psychological and developmental phase you’re currently moving through, together with what this means for you as a unique individual, wouldn’t you want to use it?

Drawing on the energy dynamic of the houses, not the zodiac signs, Age Progression and the Age Point can be used to trace the developmental and psychological phases of life from birth through childhood and adolescence and on into maturity. Using specific techniques it is possible to chart the life journey and significant life experiences of any individual. Age Progression and the movement of the Age Point can be used for personal development and greater self-understanding when working on your own chart, and as it is not static, it can be a very useful resource if we hit a rough patch in life. It offers insights into what is being experienced, and how, as well as showing that things will move on; we do not need to be stuck there indefinitely, unless we choose to. With study and experience, Age Progression can be used effectively as a personal tool, and it can be used with clients by professional astrologers and counsellors trained in the Huber Method of astrological psychology.

 

Age Progression was developed after extensive research by Swiss astrologer/psychologists Bruno & Louise Huber, and it is probably the most sophisticated astrological approach to understanding what is going on in life at any given point in time. 

The book is in full colour and has a wealth of colour charts and examples illustrating how to use Age Progression. I wrote this book to share some of my experiences of using this technique over the past 26 years on myself, with clients, family and friends. It's never let me down, it never ceases to amaze me and it's a constant reference point which I use in my chart and in my life. I've written about it many times on this blog - look in the Labels list in the sidebar for LifeClock and Age Point to find where.

Using Age Progression is available at the 
APA Book Shop 

 at Amazon in the UK,  
 Amazon USA 
 and other on-line retailers as well as from a local book store near you.

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.

Celebrating 30 years of Astrological Psychology in the UK

APA, founded 8th June 1983, 12.30pm, London

The UK based Astrological Psychology Association (APA) is 30 years old today. Founded on 8th June 1983, in London, it is an established part of the global astrological scene, with students and graduates in many countries of the world.

Richard Llewellyn

Joyce with Pam Tyler, early 1990's

APA was founded by British astrologer Richard Llewellyn and American astrologer Pam Tyler. Pam had been to a seminar given by Bruno and Louise Huber in their native Switzerland, and persuaded Richard to attend a later seminar. Both were so impressed with the Huber's astrological psychology and its connection with the psychosynthesis of Roberto Assagioli, with whom the Hubers trained, they decided to found an astrology school in the UK which would teach in English and be open to a worldwide audience. Richard wrote the teaching manuals and was Principal for many years, later retiring, which was when I became Principal and am now Principal Emeritus. APA has evolved through the years, and at age 30, it's Age Point is entering the 6th house. Let's take a look at the chart.

The 6th house cusp is in the sign of Aquarius. Combine these two facts and already it's clear that 6th house matters, such as work, service, status and standing will be a focus for APA for the forthcoming 6 years, as the Age Point travels through this house. Psychologically, the 6th house in the chart is about making your mark in the workplace, and standing up for what you have established. Career-wise in an individual's chart, it's a time when the person will want to assert themselves in the workplace and secure their niche. For APA, this has already happened; what it will be interesting to see is how this established place in the world of astrology develops over the next few years.

The Age Point is the sign of Aquarius, echoing the nature of the foundation of APA - an organisation which teaches astrology worldwide. Combine the 6th house attitude to work and service with astrological Aquarian energy and you  have almost the perfect match. The Age Point is making a trine aspect to the chart's Sun/Mars in Gemini in the 10th house at the top if the chart. This suggests a beneficial and buoyant period. The Hubers, in their book LifeClock describe the trine aspect as one where "we can sit down and rest for a while, in the knowledge of having provided reserves for future needs. A new confidence emerges..." But they warn against becoming too complacent - trines can be very lazy - but they can also lead to continually hunting for perfection.

Now that could be something worth working towards for APA, as the Age Point transits the 6th house and this trine aspect lights up both Sun and Mars at the top of the chart.

Many Happy Returns 
on your 
30th Birthday
APA! 

John Kerry

Chart of John Kerry, the new US Secretary of State, who was born on 11th December 1943 at 08.03, in Fitzsimons, Colorado.

 
John Kerry has recently become Secretary of State in Obama's second term of administration, replacing Hillary Clinton who has stood down for health reasons. Kerry is no newcomer to high profile politics, having run for President in 2004. Kerry based his 2004 campaign on opposition to the Iraq war, but he and his running mate lost the race, finishing 35 electoral votes behind the Republican ticket headed by President George W. Bush.
 
Kerry's chart shows some interesting features - a Bathtub aspect pattern which fills the upper hemisphere of his chart, leaving the lower half virtually untenanted; a lot of tension with 3 red oppositions on the 1/7 Encounter axis which spans the AC/DC area; a stellium of 4 planets in Gemini; an 8th house North Node conjunct Pluto; Neptune on the MC, and now, at age 69, his Age Point is opposite Uranus.

First the Bathtub, a quadrangular figure with 3 green quincunx aspects. Security comes from learning, asking questions, seeking out information - all features of the Bathtub figure with its excessive green aspects -  but it may be difficult to hold on to all of this as the Bathtub is upside down in the chart, and the contents can easily be lost. Pluto and the Moon's Node in 8th house are on one of the corners of this figure, reflecting the drive to make changes in society - he's not a Democrat for nothing! The Moon's Node here, alongside Pluto, demands a selflessness which Kerry has embraced. He comes from a strong faith background, served in Vietnam and has received military honours.

At the time his Age Point was moving over the 4 planets in the stellium - Uranus, Mars, Moon and Saturn all opposing his 1st house Sun - he was gaining experience and standing in the political field and developing his political career. Appropriate then, that his Age Point was also in the sign of Gemini, renowned for it's ability to gather information and communicate it readily. It looks as if his 1st house Sagittarian Sun, strong by both sign and house, is in control of those 4 stellium planets, decisively directing them from the rear. Idealistic Neptune is the highest planet in the chart and is stressed before the MC so will be drawing on the energies of the planets it aspects - Uranus, Venus and Mercury - and it may well embody a dream or vision that he's working towards. Right now, his Age Point is opposite Uranus - who knows what his ideas for the future are in his new role as Secretary of State? The press say "Secretary of state's choice of maiden voyage – to UK, Europe and Saudi Arabia – has a familiar 20th-century feel" following his recent meeting with UK Foreign Secretary William Hague in London. We shall see....

For more on the Bathtub and all 40 aspect patterns used in the Huber method, see my book Aspect Patterns in Colour available in conventional book format, and as an e-book. See previous post for details!

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.

Tom Jones

Three faces of Tom Jones. Early Jones (before the nose job), with hair and beard dyed, and as he is now. Jones was born on 7.6.1940 at 00.05 in Pontypridd, South Wales.

 

Jones is one of the high profile British singers who will perform at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert in London on 4th June. Veteran performers and relative newcomers have been invited to take part and Jones will be in the company of Cliff Richard, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Robbie Williams, Jessie J, Shirley Bassey and Paul McCartney.

Tom Jones's chart is interesting - completely linear with no complete aspect patterns, indicating a cardinal, go-ahead restless energy which could make him tangetial, seeking after new goals. The aspect structure is firmly focussed on the "You" side of the chart, with a concentration of planets spanning the 5th and 6th houses of relationships, creativity and work/service to others. Possibly a good set up for a successful singer who has often experienced being pelted with their underwear by female audiences.

Jones's sex appeal could be attributed to his Pluto in Leo in 7th house. It's close to the DC - what is sometimes called the "doorstep" of the chart in the Huber Method of astrological psychology - as it's the first planet others will encounter when first meeting him. There would be a sense of allure, of power and sexuality (in Jones's case he's played very successfully on this theme throughout his career). Pluto in this position will draw others in and they will not necessarily understand why - there will be a magnetism, perhaps something about the eyes and the general demeanour of the person - which signals "come hither". Take a look at the picture of the early Jones and the last one where he's (thankfully) letting his grey hair show, and you'll see it in his eyes.

As a Sun in Gemini and a Welshman to boot, having the gift of the gab will be second nature. This will be strengthened by his Moon also being in the same sign. In 1963, when his Age Point (AP) was conjunct the Sun, he began performing as front man/vocalist in a Welsh beat group. The period when his AP travelled between Sun and Moon was busy - he released the hit "It's not unusual", followed by several other hits in the UK and US, and started performing in Las Vegas.

Although he  has a home in the US, 2012 sees him returning more often to the UK's green green grass of home, as he's featured in a BBC talent show on TV, "The Voice UK". And now he's poised to take to the stage at the Diamond Jubilee concert, just before his AP reaches 72 and completes one circuit of the chart. It is in the consolidating and reliable sign of Capricorn, and before very long it will be opposite Pluto in 7th house. The allure is still there, but he'll be seeing and experiencing it from a different perspective as he embarks on the second circuit of his chart.

Want to find out more about Age Progression and using the Age Point? Go to the Bookshop area of the Astrological Pyschology Association website - or use the website to find out more about taking an APA distance learning course which teaches how to use Age Progression.   

Mitt Romney

Writing in January 2012 I said: Mitt Romney is fast emerging as the favourite nominee for Republican candidate in the 2012 Presidential election. Born in 12.3.1947 at 09.51 in Detroit, MI, his chart shows a lot of red and blue aspects, with just about enough green to deter him from veering into a very on/off, either/or motivation towards life.

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

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

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

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

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

Addendum 8th Feb: I said to watch this space and here's a brief update. Romney, I gather, has lost some support over the story of his mistreatment of the family's dog Seamus in 1983. This passed me by in the UK so thanks to a friend in AZ who passed this snippet on to me. He confined his Irish Setter (quite a large dog) to an airtight container and strapped it on the roof of his car, driving for 12 hours with it there - and thought it was OK to do this. Of course, he may have changed since then.....

But today's news is that he's lost to Rick Santorum in the states of Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri (in a beauty contest?!? - the subtleties of American politics are beyond me here), but the question is, how will Romney feel about this defeat? He's also said, reportedly, that he doesn't care about the poor, which won't help his campaign at all, apart from with those who also don't care about the poor. Let's go back to how he might feel, bearing in mind that feelings could be something he brushes aside. His Moon/Jupiter on the DC will have taken a knock, but it's a Scorpio Moon so don't underestimate this guy - he could get nasty. And I wonder if saying that he doesn't care about the poor could be something to do with his Age Point currently aspecting both Mercury and Uranus, so words start coming out inappropriately?

Addendum 24th September: Romney has recently had a week of opening his mouth and putting his foot right in it. The UK press have focussed on his dismissive comments made about those on benefits and lower incomes, and the video of him saying this. He's doing himself no favours and many Republicans must be squirming with embarrassment at his current performance. Things could get very interesting when he and Obama meet for the public debates. Will Romney have got his Mercury under control by then...?

That may be an interesting one to watch as Romney's Age Point is in Aries, not a sign known for restraint. Aries energy often acts/speaks first and considers later, which is not to knock it as it's also a great source of impetus for initiating and getting things done. As well as being in Aries, Romney's Age Point is in the stress zone before the 12th cusp. This is again an area where impulsive, anxious and pushy behaviour may be in evidence, and the individual concerned will be more interested in the qualities and themes of the upcoming house, and not the one the Age Point is in. Does Romney have an eye on 12th house matters? That I wouldn't like to say, but it appears that his current comments and performance do correlate with Aries-like behaviour from the stress zone.