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.

Another Happy 100th Birthday

This must be a record. Two one hundredth birthdays in two months to celebrate, and the charts of two centenarians to talk about on this blog, both of them for people I know. The first was of Sylvia, who reached 100 on 6th March. Today's 100th birthday is of Nellie, a family member and a bright and happy person who it's always a pleasure to see.

Nellie (her full name is Ellena) was born in 29th April 1913, in Lincoln. She doesn't know what time she was born, but says it was during the night. On the strength of that, I've set her chart for midnight, as the Sun would have been below the horizon.

 

Nellie's Taurean Sun is conjunct Venus at the apex of the triangular Ear/Eye figure in her chart. This aspect pattern sits like a small but perceptive radar dish, picking up information from the environment in a fairly random way, and storing it for future use. Nellie is communicative and has a good memory. She's sharp, and misses nothing. She likes to read a lot, and to do crosswords and other puzzles, so her Ear/Eye will provide her with a lot of information which she can draw upon in these leisure pursuits. 

Like Sylvia, who was 100 in March, Nellie's chart also has all three transpersonal planets in the same signs, but a quick comparison of their charts shows that the aspect configurations are different, as the planets have moved and new aspect patterns have formed.

Sylvia's chart 6.3.1913 set for noon

Nellie's chart  29.4.1913 set for midnight

                                                 
Sylvia's chart shows an overall fixed motivation with a dominant 4-sided aspect figure - a complete Detective aspect pattern. In Nellie's chart this aspect pattern is there, but is incomplete as the planets have moved on slightly, leaving the Ear/Eye as the only complete component part. Neptune, in Sylvia's chart, is unaspected; in Nellie's chart it's opposite Jupiter and trine Mars. Nellie's chart is more loosely held together by aspects, but all are included in the overall pattern. Sylvia has just one sister; Nellie comes from a large family of 10 children. How might this have impacted on Nellie's early life as a young child and teenager?

The overall shaping in her chart is mutable and flexible, showing an inner motivation which would have helped her adapt to changes as she grew up, such as taking on helping roles when she was old enough, and was no longer the baby of the family. In a family of boys and girls, she says she needed to survive and be as good as the boys, although she does admit to being a bit timid sometimes.

As an adult, Nellie moved house numerous times and with her Moon conjunct Uranus in Aquarius this isn't entirely surprising. Change was almost a constant thing, making the overall mutable, adaptable shaping of her chart very useful to have.

Nellie revelled in the variety of jobs she's done. In the 1930's she went off to London to work in service with various families, which she enjoyed a lot and was always treated with courtesy and included in the family she worked for. She's run a city-centre pub and loved doing this - hard work but fun because of the people she met. She and her husband also owned and ran an antique shop, living in the flat above the shop. I gather that almost all the items in their flat were also antiques and up for sale, so it wasn't unusual for one of her daughters to come home and find that the wardrobe and/or bed had been sold when they went into their room. The only thing not up for sale was the TV, bought in 1950 when it was rare for people to have something so new fangled!


Like Sylvia, Nellie will be receiving birthday wishes from the Queen, and no doubt the card will be proudly displayed for all to see along with all the other good wishes from family and friends when they visit, as I shall, to say

Happy Birthday Nellie!

Pope Francis I

The cardinals have chosen their new pope. Jorge Mario Bergoglio has become Pope Francis I, naming himself after St. Francis of Assisi. He was born on 17th December 1936 in Bueonos Aires, Argentina. No time of birth is available so his chart is set up for noon. [Edit - see below for update 23rd March as correct data and chart added.]

And what an interesting chart it is visually. A zig-zag linear set of aspects looking like giant legs striding forward, intersected by one complete aspect pattern - an Irritation triangle.

In the chart set for noon it is positioned horizontally, but be aware that it would be in a different position if his correct time of birth was known. Pinned by Mars, Saturn and Neptune, and composed of green and red aspects, the Irritation triangle acts like a small green dagger which comes out and unexpectedly "stabs" by giving vent to something which has irked the individual. It may be that they speak out vehemently about injustice - in the case of Francis this is unlikely to be a personal injustice that is felt and could be far more likely to be about gobal rights and wrongs. I only speculate here....but it's something to watch out for. He comes into office with a record of being refreshingly humble and connected with the outside world. The pinning planets in this figure suggest an ability to stand up for himself (Mars and Saturn) but also to stand up for his faith and for inclusivity (Neptune).

Might there be a sense of humour at work too? His Sagittarian Sun is conjunct Jupiter but is also conjunct the North Node - as a spiritual figure we might expect that he's well aware of fulfilling his personal destiny, but we don't know in which area of life, according to his chart, as we don't know his birth time which would put his Node in the house/area of life which he'd need to develop.

His overall inner motivation shows two modes of behaviour - mutable and able to adapt using the triangular shaping (the Irritation triangle) and cardinal (pardon the pun) and restless, making him potentially edgy and initiatory using the disconnected linear aspects.

For more on how to spot motivation in aspect colour, chart shaping and aspect patterns, see my co-authored book The Cosmic Egg Timer.

Update 23. 3.2013
My thanks to Giovannina Celeni who has contacted me (see comments), saying: The birth time is 21h (9 PM). An hour ago, the Argentina astrologer Claudia Rizzi has sent a copy of the birth certificate. The pictures of it are on the Astro-Databank page. This gives the data the highest AA rating of being accurate.

Chart with correct birth time of 21.00

The updated chart for Pope Francis shows the main features discussed above still in place, but with an additional semi-sextile between Moon and Mercury, giving him an almost-but-not-quite-complete Small Learning triangle. This pulls his Moon/Venus conjunction into a more direct working and ongoing learning relationship with Mercury and Uranus. 

The correct birth time shows some very interesting features. A few initial thoughts on these: 

• Uranus is the highest planet in the chart, in the cardinal area of the 10th house; already he is establishing his own approach and is refreshingly different. He's already shown he has a mind of his own when it comes to pomp and ceremony.

• Neptune is now at the bottom of the chart, very strongly placed on 3rd cusp. Francis is reputed to be a man of the people, and more humble and "ordinary" than his predecessor.

• The new birth time places the Irritation triangle on the 3/9 communications house axis, where he can use it to speak out ( see what I previously wrote about this aspect pattern).

• Saturn is stressed before the 9th house cusp. Will there be issues about control, organisation, protocol, tradition?

• His Sun in Sagittarius is on the Balance Point of the 6th house, where it will find ease of expression in his calling

• The chart direction/motivation is a mixture of horizontal and vertical aspects - good for making contact with others and good for asserting his individuality as a leader.

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.

Neil Armstrong - first man on the Moon

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rebekah Brooks

(Photo courtesy of The Guardian)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rafael Nadal

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

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

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

His aspect patterns (see "Aspect Pattern Astrology" by Bruno & Louise Huber, and "Aspect Patterns in Colour" by myself for more on these) are an Ear/Eye configuration which will give him a tremendous amount of sensitivity and the ability to play intuitively alongside his technical prowess. Saturn at the apex of this small but rather interesting and significant figure is opposite his Sun. With Saturn symbolising the drive for organisation and also signifying the physical body - very important in a sportsman - and the Sun the use of the mind, will and the decision-making processes, these two planets in opposition can work well together, utisilising the active red
energy held in tension between them as and when it is required.
The other complete aspect pattern, a Single Ambivalence figure, will keep him hard at work but will also offer the capacity to rest and escape pressures via the planet at the blue corner of this figure - in his chart this is Neptune. This could be the area of life he withdraws to when not playing tennis, although it can also be brought into play, feeding into the intuitive potential of the Ear/Eye, of which it is a part.

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

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

Colin Firth & "The King's Speech"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

John Lennon

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

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

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

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

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

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

Susan Boyle's Large Talent Triangle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet is currently picking up a swathe of awards leading to speculation that she'll also get an Oscar this year. Her current films on release - The Reader and Revolutionary Road - are attracting much comment in reviews, as is her emotional acceptance speech following her recent Academy award for best actress in The Reader.

Winslet was born on 5.10.1975 in Reading. The time of birth for her that I've found most frequently is 07.15, and although this is not verified, I'm going with it. The visual image I see in the chart is an open mouth with a long tongue sticking out catching an insect - rather like a frog catching a fly! The "insect" is Mars, placed in Gemini - maybe a good placement for an actor? If I were working with Winslet on her chart, I'd want to know about how she experiences that Mars as it's in the 9th house, is loosely aspected but is in a high and visible position.

The chart is "I" sided with a large stellium of planets on and around the AC. This suggests a focus on her personal sense of self, perhaps on her image and how she seeks to portray it, as there are no less than 5 planets in the 1st house, 4 of which are in Libra. Add to this consideration that Sun, Moon and Pluto are closely bound together right on the AC and there is the potential for a powerful person who may initially wrap this up in velvet gloves because these planets are in Libra, which doesn't rush open-armed towards making a big fuss. However, with Sun conjunct Pluto in this configuration, Winslet is no wimp and is not afraid to be outspoken, especially with reference to the way the media have commented on her weight and figure.

Winslet's inner motivation, as shown by the overall chart shaping, is a mixture of Mutable and Cardinal energy. She can be tangential and restless, looking for new paths to follow, new experiences to be had, most probably to add to her acting portfolio. Sitting alongside this is the Small Learning triangle in her chart, which has a Mutable motivation. This means she can draw on this when she needs to learn a new skill or technique and can adapt and mould herself around this new experience. This triangle has a fixed quality to it in that all 3 planets involved - Venus, Saturn and Uranus - have Fixed qualities. The learning journey starts with the planet at the red/blue corner. That's Uranus, which looks for change in order to bring greater security and stability to life at a new level. Saturn will be challenged to shift already- established boundaries in this learning journey and Venus will be called upon to harmonise what is taking place. As the 3 planets involved here are either on, or close to, a Low Point it's very likely that this learning process will take place on a deeply felt inner level.

For more on aspects patterns see Aspect Pattern Astrology by Bruno and Louise Huber, and my new book Aspect Patterns in Colour, both available at the Astrological Psychology Association on line Book Shop. You could also enrol on one of our courses and learn about aspect patterns for yourself, under the guidance of a fully qualified tutor.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aspect Pattern Astrology: The Ambivalence Figure

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

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

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

Gareth - 1.3.1973, 04.45, Crewe, UK.

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

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

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

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

The Armistice - 100 years on

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

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

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

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

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

Monty Python’s Flying Circus, John Cleese, Michael Palin and the need for a bit of laughter

I wrote this post back in 2008, amid the gloom of the banking crisis, when it felt as if a bit of light relief was needed. Have things improved since then? It's debateable. But the 6 remaining members of the Monty Python team have, in late 2013, announced they will be making a come back, and tickets for their scheduled show at the O2 Arena in London sold out in 43 seconds. The Pythons are back in the news, and oldies as they may be by now, the promise of their humour can still draw the crowds. Here's what I wrote in 2008, including a look at the charts of  John Cleese and Michael Palin.

Endless news reports about the credit crunch, failing banks, the global economy and now inflation send me hurrying urgently to find something to make me laugh. I found a page on the BBC website devoted to “What’s making you smile?” together with a jokes page. This one worked for me:

What do you call 12 investment bankers at the bottom of the ocean?

A good start.

And here's another one I've had by email:

What's the difference between a banker and a pigeon?

A pigeon can make a deposit on a Ferrari.

What’s making you laugh, smile, feel a bit better in the face of the current gloom? With Uranus opposite Saturn moving ever closer to exactitude on 4th November, perhaps we need to step away for a while from the heaviness of the Saturnian gloom and look for something to jolt us out of our stasis. We could simply look for some good news, but that’s not always easy to find. You’ll find it here at Positive News, which always provides a refreshing alternative view.

For this post I’ve opted to go back a few decades to Monty Python’s Flying Circus, the outrageously anarchic, satirical and often slapstick TV programme first broadcast by the BBC on 5.10.1969. I’ve set the chart for noon in the event of no actual time of “birth” and in London, from where it would have been transmitted.

What can we see in this chart?

• it’s very red/green in the aspects colour ratio - 4 red: 4 green: 6 blue - lots of reactive responses and plenty of ideas flowing

• there’s a Small Talent Triangle and a not-quite-complete Trapeze aspect pattern (for more on aspect patterns see Aspect Pattern Astrology and Aspect Patterns in Colour in Books tabs at top of page). These patterns indicate creativity and ideas, reflecting the motivation of the high ratio of green aspects

• the stellium of four planets in Libra and one in Virgo has an anarchic/transformative quality with Uranus (the anarchic humour) and Pluto (the cutting edge freshness and change of approach using intellectual and visual humour). In this stellium we also find OTT Jupiter conjunct the Sun and Mercury sits at the apex of the Small Talent triangle as the witty agent of delivery and communication.

I’m including the charts of two of the creators of Monty Python - John Cleese and Michael Palin - partly because they were my favourite “Pythons”, partly because they both went on to develop their careers in film and travel (Palin) and film, TV series and organisational training (Cleese), and partly because they both took part in the memorable “Dead Parrot” sketch . But more of that later.

John Cleese was born on 27.10.1939 at 03.15 in Weston-super-Mare. The aspect structure in his chart covers a large area, indicative of him being able to move into many areas of life. The image reminds me of his appearance in an episode of Monty Python where he worked for the Ministry of Silly Walks. He was seen on his way to work walking in an alarmingly eccentric way, and at the time this spawned a fair amount of imitation from uninhibited members of the public, usually when they’d had just enough drink to loosen their inhibitions.

The chart shaping/motivation is a mixture of fixity and flexibility, suggesting that Cleese best operates creatively within a defined framework. His character Basil Fawlty (who he created) in the brilliant TV series “Fawlty Towers” has something of this about him. Fawlty is mad, eccentric and unbearable, but only when his carefully constructed environment is upset by the unexpected. Cleese has a colour ratio of 5 red: 5 green: 4 blue; the excess red/green drive and motivation echoes that of the Python chart shown above. Outrageous, anarchic and creative Uranus sits on the Balance Point in the 9th house. It’s the highest planet in the chart, so is prominent, and on the Balance Point it gives the ability to work effectively and efficiently. This can be seen in Cleese’s script writing for both Monty Python and Fawlty Towers, along with his acting/performance.

Michael Palin was born on 5.5.1943 at 11.45 in Sheffield. His chart is very different in appearance, with a large, open area on the “You”/DC side and most planets on the more private AC side. Palin might feel vulnerable to the potentially invasive influences of others, preferring his own space, with the aspect structure clinging to the “I”/AC side of his chart. His chart has a restless flexibility to it; he won’t need structure in the same way that Cleese might, and his extensive travelogues for TV give a flavour of how he is able to adapt to new experiences. His colour ratio/motivation of 2 red: 2 green: 6 blue veers strongly to being laid back and relaxed. This comes across in his travel programmes; he seems a real “Mr. Nice” who you’d quite happily invite into your own home.


















As in Cleese’s and the Python chart, Palin’s Uranus is also prominent. Tightly conjunct Mercury, it’s in the stress area before the 11th house cusp, so has its sights set on 11th rather than 10th house matters. This means ideas, people of like mind and shared ideals will be of greater interest. With Python humour having a strong intellectual, satirical and anarchic streak, the 11th house focus for Uranus/Mercury in Palin’s chart not only fits, it pulls in his intercepted Moon. It offers the Moon - our sense of self through feelings, the inner child - a doorway into the world where some of these drives can be expressed, possibly in an outrageous and innovative way.

Cleese and Palin performed he Dead Parrot sketch together in a Monty Python episode. Here’s an extract, just to give you a taster and to take your attention off Saturn for a moment and give you the opportunity to enjoy something more Uranian. The scene is a pet shop. The characters are the customer, Mr. Praline, played by Cleese, and the shop owner played by Palin:

Mr. Praline: I wish to complain about this parrot, what I purchased not half an hour ago from this very boutique.
Owner : Oh yes, the, ah, the Norwegian Blue... What's, ah... W-what's wrong with it?
Mr. Praline : I'll tell you what's wrong with it, my lad. It's dead, that's what's wrong with it.
Owner : No, no, 'e's ah... he's resting.
Mr. Praline : Look, matey, I know a dead parrot when I see one, and I'm looking at one right now.
Owner : No no, h-he's not dead, he's, he's restin'!
Mr. Praline : Restin'?
Owner : Y-yeah, restin.' Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue, isn't it, eh? Beautiful plumage!
Mr. Praline : The plumage don't enter into it. It's stone dead!
Owner : Nononono, no, no! 'E's resting!
Mr. Praline : All right then, if he's resting, I'll wake him up! (shouting at the cage).'Ello, Polly! Mister Polly Parrot! I've got a lovely fresh cuttle fish for you if you wake up, Mr. Polly Parrot...(owner hits the cage)
Owner : There, he moved!
Mr. Praline : No, he didn't, that was you pushing the cage!

You can see the whole sketch by clicking here - enjoy!