Vladimir Putin

This interpretation of Putin's chart was written by fellow astrologer David Kerr a few years ago, and is also currently available on the APA website. I am including it here, with David as guest author, in view of the current upheaval in Ukraine and Putin's strong stance in this situation.

Vladimir Putin born 7 October 1952 at 09.30, St. Petersburg, Russia

The eye is immediately drawn to the stellium in the 12th house and the aspects which emanate from it are reminiscent of the levers in an old-fashioned railway signal box, quite appropriate for someone who can be quite truly said to have his hands on the levers of power. The aspect pattern consists largely of fixed figures, a Trapeze and a Double Ambivalence figure. This suggests someone who is able to operate on a large stage, can learn much from a wide variety of experiences, but in spite of that is fairly inflexible. We can see that from his handling of the Chechnya situation, the lessons of history from Stalin right back to Tsar Nicholas I have not deviated Putin from his implacable efforts to impose Russian control.  

As befits a former KGB official, Putin is secretive and keeps his cards close to his chest, as shown by the 12th house planets including Mercury. On the other hand, Jupiter in the 7th allows him to present a more affable face to the world. These planets form the poles of the Double Ambivalence figure. This ambivalence is reflected by political commentators who cannot make up their minds whether Putin is a neo-stalinist or a closet reformer. The open and outgoing Jupiter is ultimately controlled from the conservative and secretive blue corner by Sun and Saturn so there is likely to be something in the closet. The enigma is compounded by having an unaspected Moon. Emotion does not obviously figure in Putin's makeup and it this adds to his inscrutability. 

On the 8th of July Putin's age point will enter Leo.[Editorial comment:This was so at the time of writing; Putin's Age Point is now in Virgo]. When the age point enters a sign it activates any planets in that sign, regardless of which house they are in. In this case it is Pluto. Pluto is a transpersonal, spiritual, planet, but when it is on an angle as it is here it can be used, or abused, in the outside world. Currently high on Putin's agenda is the trial of Dmitri Khodorovsky in the Yukos affair. This is ostensibly about fraud and corruption, but in reality is about crushing an attempt by huge commercial interests to take a hand in politics, quite a Plutonic theme. 

Putin's Pluto is conjunct South Node, so there might be an atavistic tendency to exercise power in a Stalinist fashion. On the other hand, South Node is conjunct the IC, firmly in the collective zone, the people of Russia, and the controlling 12th house planets are in Libra, the sign of justice. Putin describes himself as a true servant of Russia so perhaps the evidence of the chart shows the sincerity of his goals, whatever methods he may employ to reach them.
 
Putin's chart, with the Double Ambivalence figure, is featured in my book Aspect Patterns in Colour, which is also Book of the Month, along with Aspect Pattern Astrology by Bruno and Louise Huber.

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.

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.

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!

Obama or Romney?

With the forthcoming US Presidential Election in November, I've added a few thoughts to the posts I've previously written about the charts of  Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. Click on the links to read what I originally wrote, and the more recent updates.

Here, for quick reference, are the charts of both presidential candidates:

Barack Obama

Born on August 4th 1961 

at 19.24 

in Honolulu, HI, USA

Mitt Romney

Born on March 12th 1947

 at 09.51

in Detroit, MI, USA

Rick Santorum

Following the Super Tuesday close result on who will eventually win the Republican nomination as the candidate to run for President, the question on some people's minds is likely to be "Will it be Romney...or Rick Santorum?"

Rick Santorum, Republican hopeful for the nomination, was born on 10th May 1958 in Winchester, Virginia USA. No time of birth is available so his chart is set for noon. What information can it offer about him?

Santorum's chart shows a mixture of restlessness and adaptability in his underlying and often unconscious motivation. It's high on blue aspects which suggests that having things stay put, fixed and the way they are is important, as well as enjoying the fruits of his labours and being able to sit back and rest on his laurels. But it's low on red aspects, which help to get things going and keep them moving. The chart has enough green aspects to help offset any polarisation between doing and not doing; it's important he engages with this ability to see things from all sides and not just rely on the "blue view" which could lead to stasis. This could be helped by the presence of the Dominant Learning triangle pinned by Sun, Moon and Jupiter - he has the capacity to learn and continue learning from life's big lessons.

Santorum's Age Point is right on the Midheaven - the highest point of the chart - and as such there will be a lot of pressure felt to perform and be seen to be an outstanding individual, regardless of whether the person concerned is wanting to run for president. Age 54, which this coincides with, is the culmination point of the chart - the age and stage at which one is psychologically geared to standing alone. This in itself can be challenging, especially if the individual hasn't already been tried and tested in some way in the past to withstand this "head and shoulders above the parapet" stance.

With no time of birth available, it's not useful to speculate in great detail about other features. His Taurus Sun suggests, on a broadly general basis, practicality and an appreciation and enjoyment of the good things in life; his Sagittarian Saturn, on the other hand, could prove to be a bit of stickler and maybe not take too many risks.

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.

Vaclav Havel

The death of Vaclav Havel, Czech playwright, political activist and president, has been announced today (18th December). Havel was born in Prague on 5.10.1936 at 15:00. He was instrumental in bringing about the Velvet Revolution in 1989, when Czechoslovakia broke free from communist rule. Havel opposed Soviet rule and the persecution of fellow artists and writers under the communist regime. During the 1980's he spent 5 years in prison for this.

Havel's chart is dominated by the large red Efficiency/Performance square pinned by Jupiter, Saturn, Moon and Neptune. All but Saturn are relatively "soft" planets, but all will have been engaged in tireless hard work and effort in pursuit of something close to his heart:freedom.

These four planets span the 2/8 house axis of possessions and the 5/11 house axis of relationships. Jupiter and Moon are across the 5/11 axis, and with Moon in Gemini in 5th it's not surprising that Havel was loved and respected by his fellow Czechs. Saturn in 2nd is opposite Neptune and hints at an iron fist in a velvet glove where human rights and the good of society (8th house) are concerned.

When he was in the army in the late 1950's Havel realised he could mock the military administration from the stage by writing subversive plays, and this subsequently became his conduit for criticising the communist system. This could be his unaspected Mercury in 8th at work, taking risks but relishing freedom of expression.

Crumpled and casual in appearance, Havel shunned the limelight but his power should never have been underestimated. With Pluto on the DC he could have been a force to be reckoned with, but his motivation was for truth, justice and freedom.

Meryl Streep and Margaret Thatcher

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rick Perry - next US President ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aspect Patterns: Aung San Suu Kyi

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

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

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

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

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

The Cameron/Clegg Coalition

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

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

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

What of the meaning of the Striving Figure itself? Here I quote from Aspect Pattern Astrology by Bruno & Louise Huber, available from the APA on-line Book Shop. The Hubers say of this pattern "The great sensitivity of the green aspects tends to weaken the "backbone"....for such a figure, salvation lies in using sensitivity and intelligence to strengthen the backbone and develop qualities to achieve goals....The green aspects mean receptivity to the needs of others. It is clear that this requires real self-scrutiny, but also the conversion of possible deep-seated feelings of inferiority into true humility and unselfishness. This is no easy task, but perhaps the highest goal that can be inspired to".
Our new government and leaders do not have an easy task ahead. Let's hope that the positive good will they have already expressed will prevail and guide them through the challenges ahead.

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

Nick Clegg's Birth Chart

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brown, Cameron or Clegg?

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

So - Gordon, Dave or Nick for PM? Who are we supposed to be voting for...a party leader, a party, their policies....or the prospective candidates who are standing in the constituency where we happen to live? The campaign is being conducted as though it's one of the first three I've mentioned, so here are the charts of the leaders of the three main parties.
Gordon Brown, Labour party leader, born 20.2.1951, Giffnock, Scotland. You can read what I wrote about Brown's chart when he was 56 by clicking here. Brown has a very green chart. Lots of green aspects indicate sensitivity and combined with the relatively high number of red aspects, a fair bit of touchiness too. But we already know about that - see my more recent post "Gordon Brown a bully?" Brown's chart has an Ambivalence figure (it's part of a larger aspect pattern called a Bijou, but nonetheless, the tendency to ambivalence is present, with the tension of the opposition across the 5/11 Relationship axis of his chart.




What about David Cameron? Conservative party leader, born on 9.10.1966 at 06:00 in London, his chart contains only one green aspect and is largely red/blue which suggests someone with a predominantly either/or approach to life. Interestingly, his chart contains not one, but two Ambivalence figures. The tension in the oppositions here lie across the 2/8 Possessions axis, and the 6/12 Existence axis. Take a closer look,too, at Cameron's and Brown's charts - they both have Saturn close to the DC, placed like a sentinel prepared to defend against all boarders who try to get close before they, the individuals concerned, are ready to reveal things about themselves.
Finally, a look at the chart of Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat party leader, born 7.1.1967, Chalfont St. Giles UK. Birth time unknown so chart set for noon. Can you spot some similarities with Cameron's chart? Very red/blue; only one green aspect...and...another Ambivalence figure in the chart. There's no way we can know which axis the opposition this figure spans as there's no time of birth available, so instead I'll direct you towards the planet at the all-blue corner of this figure, which is often called the "escape planet". It indicates the nature of interests or activities the person gravitates towards when they are in blue "rest" mode as opposed to red "active" mode (hence the ambivalence). Clegg, Cameron and Brown all have Neptune at this point (in Cameron's case, it's at the blue corner of one of the Ambivalence figures; Uranus/Pluto are at the blue corner of the other figure in his chart).

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

Gordon Brown a bully?

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

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

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

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

Pluto in Capricorn

If, in 2016, it seems like the world is going to hell in a handcart, take a look at what I wrote back in 2009.

Pluto entered the sign of Capricorn in January 2008, hung about a bit until June, edged back into Sagittarius until November and then finally took up more long-term residence in Capricorn at the end of November 2008. Now it's 2009, and Pluto will be in Capricorn until 2024.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Addendum: May 2009 - MP's expenses scandalAll of the above applies equally to the current spate of revelations in the British press about many of our MP's apparently milking the system which allows them to claim for expenses incurred by having second homes to allow them to sit in the Houses as Parliament as elected representatives of the people. Pluto in Capricorn, having revealed the rot at the heart of the banking and financial systems is now turning it's heat ray on to another very rotten core and is demanding, via the justifiable anger of the people of Britain, a full-scale cleansing which needs to go to the very heart of British democracy.

December 2009 - my current thoughts on Pluto in Capricorn from my YouTube channel, Joyce Hopewell's AstroChat.

Barack Obama - a second term?

I first wrote about Barack Obama's chart in early January 2008, when there was no birth time available for him. Since then, verified information about his time of birth as shown on his birth certificate has come to light, and this has been accepted as a correct and reliable source by Lois Rodden's Database(visit to browse for the data of many well-known people!).

So I've set up Obama's chart for the correct time - 4.8.1961 at 7.24pm local time in Honolulu. His strong-by-Sign Leo Sun is now in the right place (not up at the top as it was for the noon chart previously used) but in the 6th house of service, and edging towards the 7th house of contact with others, and very firmly on the "You" or public side of the chart. It is best placed for meeting people, making contact, and being in touch with the needs and concerns of the "You".

Now we have the correct birth time, the orientation of the overall chart structure has changed dramatically from a vertical to a horizontal direction. Vertical charts indicate someone who seeks to get on in life and assert their own individuality; people with horizontal charts are more interested in connecting and communicating with others. They are listeners, "people persons", they have empathy and the planets which are closest to the Descendant (the DC) will suggest the way that others will perceive them. Obama's Sun and Mercury, both in Leo, are just below the horizon and are great energies for people to pick up on if they meet him or see him speak on TV. Leo is not known for it's reticence and shyness; it likes an audience to share some of that natural Leo warmth with. These two planets, placed as they are close to the DC, can both be assets. Note that Mercury is part of the Megaphone aspect pattern which I wrote about in the January posting, and Sun aspects Neptune in a linear aspect pattern. Neptune on the Balance Point of the 9th house and the highest planet in the chart indicates, on it's highest level, compassion, high ideals and forward-looking visions (I'm always more interested in the highest possible manifestation of the planets - that's what we're aiming for after all!).

On the other side of the DC, above the horizon in the 7th house, lie Uranus and Pluto. As transpersonal planets they can convey energy of change and transformation. Obama's message, which many have responded to positively, is of change. His Moon is at the bottom of the chart, close to the IC and connected to the collective. His roots and family are likely to be important to him, and he will have an easy ability to touch base with current collective feelings. The Moon is part of the Megaphone aspect pattern, and the correct birth time sets it in the lower half of the chart where it can pick up on prevailing issues and concerns of the collective.

The Jupiter/Saturn conjunction, which in my January posting I described as probably having a "push-me-pull-you" effect, now resides in the 12th house. This man is going to need some space and thinking time to solve and settle problems, whether his own personal ones or those of state, if he is elected in November (Edit 2012 - and yes, he was)

At the time of writing this he had just celebrated his 47th birthday. His Age Point is in Libra in the 8th house. Justice, fair play and retaining a sense of balance are possible background issues, but at this point in time, his Age Point is making a green learning aspect to Mars in Virgo, which is strongly placed on the 8th cusp. This will not be a quiet or restful Mars - it will want to be out there doing some good, fighting for what it deems to be right in society. Obama may well be learning how to use his ability to do this more effectively and efficiently as he makes contact with other world leaders in the run up to the November election. What is also interesting is that the Age Point in his node chart is lighting up all parts of the Megaphone aspect pattern. Pinning planets Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and Moon are all being activated from a deep level, ensuring that the mental capacity and potential of this figure are kept active, busy and well-oiled, ready for action.

Addendum and update September 2012: With the November Presidential election gradually hotting up, it seems fitting to take another look at Obama's chart and see what is happening, especially with his Age Point. At the time of his election in 2008, he was 47 and I discussed the planets his Age Point was in contact in the above paragraph.

Now things have moved on and Obama is 51. His Age Point has moved out of the air sign of Libra and into the water sign of Scorpio. No-one with their Age Point in Scorpio is going to be a pushover because they will be working with a psychological back drop of forensic determination and tenacity to support them. Obama's Age Point, as well as being  in Scorpio, is in the 9th house, bringing  issues such as justice into sharp focus. When the Age point is in the 9th house, the person can stand up for what they believe in without fear, because they have sufficient life experience behind them to back the stance they take. In addition to this, Obama's Age Point is making a square aspect to his Sun, reflecting the challenge to his authority which the challenge to his election for a second term will bring. On a personal level, his  Leo Sun is strongly placed and forward-looking. It sits in 6th house of service but also has an eye on 7th house matters of contact and communication with others. By November, the challenge of the Age Point square to the Sun has gone, and in its place is a small, hard-working semi-sextile made from his Nodal Age Point to Neptune. As I said  back in 2008: Neptune is on the Balance Point of the 9th house and is the highest planet in the chart. This indicates, on it's highest level, compassion, high ideals and forward-looking visions.