Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan's chart has been suggested as one to look at, and the initial chart image that comes to mind is of antennae seeking out information from the environment. There is an angular, sharp pointy feel to his chart along with a sense of movement, in the triangular/linear shaping of the chart which reveals a mobile, sometimes restless motivation.
Dylan was born on 24.5.1941 at 21.05 in Duluth MN, USA (thanks Sara for his data from Lois Rodden's AstroDatabank). Grouped closely together he has 3 planets in Gemini and 4 in Taurus. All, including unaspected Venus, are clustered around the "You" side of the chart, near the DC, with Mercury the closest. When you meet Dylan you meet his words. This man is an amazingly prolific writer and performer of his own work, and he's still going strong after 50 years in the business. With lyrics like poetry, full of philosophical ideas and anti-war protests, phrases and quotes from many of his songs have entered common usage.

The colour balance/motivation in his chart shows a ratio of 2 red aspects, 1 green and 5 blue. There's a lot of potential for relaxation and enjoyment here, plus an underlying need for stability. How Dylan lives this out I can only guess at - but I do know that his music and his performance of it, for me, has always had a "laid back" quality and the chilled out feel of the 60's scene he was so much a part of.

Mars is intercepted in the 3rd House, and the only way it can be noticed out in the world is via his Gemini Sun, which it is square to in a red linear aspect. That could easily sum up not just his protest songs of the 60's but it could also indicate a reliance on his Sun - strongly placed in the 6th House - to be heard.

He has but one aspect pattern and this is a Small Learning triangle which suggests observable on-going learning behaviour. It may be a specific task that is being learned, it may be seeking a better and more effective way of getting his messages across and out into the world via his DC Mercury. The other planets involved are Neptune (also intercepted and indicative of dreams, ideals, visions of how things might be) and Moon - his feelings, emotional needs etc. This strongly suggests that he writes from the heart. Moon is conjunct Saturn, too, and in Taurus which will help in the grounding and manifestation of the ideals, the feelings, and issues he feels strongly about.

But note that this Learning triangle is not direct - its sequence of colours and associated actions involved in the learning process is retrograde. What is done, learned, undertaken may well not come right first time around: several attempts may have to be made before he is either satisfied or successful.

Dylan has recently announced that he is buying a home in Scotland. In view of this, it's interesting to read on his Wikipedia entry that "in his autobiography, Chronicles (2004), Dylan wrote: "What I was going to do as soon as I left home was just call myself Robert Allen.... It sounded like a Scottish king and I liked it."

A full account of his life and work is at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Dylan
and his website www.bobdylan.com
lists all his lyrics - it's worth a browse!

J.K.Rowling

J.K. Rowling, creator of Harry Potter, has been suggested as a chart for me to have a look at, so here goes! Joanne, or J.K. as she is known, is a very Virgoan Leo. She has her Sun in Leo, but with no less than 5 planets in Virgo, she's likely to be someone who pays a lot of attention to detail, and she could be her own worst critic as she'll have high standards in everything she undertakes. I suspect that that this perfectionist streak will have stood her in very good stead as she's developed the Harry Potter books.

Rowling was born on 31st July 1965, near Bristol. No time of birth is available so her chart is set for noon. Without the time of birth it's hard to say in which direction the aspect structure is moving.

Her chart shaping shows a mixture of Fixed and Mutable motivation - an ability to adapt to changes sits alongside a liking for stability. The need for Fixity and for - at times - a less fluid lifestyle may relate directly to needing the time to think and create what she will eventually write. Colour ratio of the aspects is 3 red: 4 green: 4 blue. This gives her a very green/blue chart, suggesting that she has a considerable amount of intuitive sensitivity, that she thinks and maybe connects with ideas which come from within, and that she needs time to be able to do this. She has a comparative deficit of red, "doing" energy which might be challenging when she has deadlines to meet, or when she simply runs out of steam. Again, being able to pause, rest, sit back and think will be a necessary part of the way she goes about her writing - and her daily life.

There are 2 aspect patterns in her chart: a Small Learning triangle and a Megaphone. The Learning triangle (Jupiter, Mars, Moon) will feed what is learned into the Megaphone (Moon, Mars, Neptune, Saturn). The Megaphone is a mainly blue/green figure with only one red aspect. This will be the one that does the work and manifests what has been thought about, imagined and visualised in the blue/green part of this aspect pattern. With no time of birth available, we can't know whereabouts the Megaphone lies in the chart - is it above or below the horizon? On one side of the chart or the other? Knowing this would offer far more information.

The overall meaning of the Megaphone is that it's a very sensitive instrument which can pick up ideas and information from the surrounding environment. With so much blue and green it's going to have strong artistic abilities, and it will rely on the planet at the "sharp" end (in Rowling's case this is Saturn) to direct all the ideas that have been dreamed up out into the world. What better planet could she have there than Saturn to help her ground and manifest what is generated in the blue/green part of this figure!

The other planets in the Megaphone are Moon (emotional needs, feelings, inner child), Neptune (ideals and things mystical) and Mars (active energy, most likely to be thinking/ideas in this configuration). Mercury, one of her Virgo planets, is unaspected and could be a useful tool in bringing in new ideas; Moon is conjunct both Uranus and Pluto, perhaps in the context of Rowlings chart adding the essential Harry Potter ingredients of magic and the struggle of good over evil.

Finally, a look at Rowling's LifeClock. Although we can't be specific as her time of birth is unknown, the general principles of Age Progession can still be applied and noted. In 1995, when she was 30 and her Age Point entered the 6th House, she completed her first book "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone". This was published in 1997 when she was 32, and her Age Point reached the Balance Point of the 6th. This House and these ages include the psychological life phase of establishing one's place in the market or workplace. She certainly did that!

Rowling has announced that her 7th and final book in the Harry Potter series will be released on 21st July 2007, and there is speculation on which characters will die; she's already hinted that two will, but won't be drawn on whether one of them is Harry. This book will be released just before her 42nd birthday, when her Age Point will enter the 8th House of the chart, heralding a period of change and a new orientation in life. In view of this, it seems likely that Harry could meet his end.

Addendum: November 2011. I've just returned from a trip to Edinburgh where J.K. Rowling lived and worked on the early Harry Potter books. She wrote much of these in a cafe called The Elephant House as she was unable to heat her flat and used the warm cafe instead. It's a popular place with a spacious back room whose windows overlook Edinburgh Castle. There are photos of her displayed in the cafe as they are rightly proud of their connection to her and Harry Potter. However, the ladies loo is also of interest, as many visitors have left messages of appreciation for JK on the walls, making a visit to the loo to read them all part of the experience!

Astrological Symbolism - it's all around!

Beach Huts by Maylis Curie

Yes, you'll recognise this image if you look at the header of this blog! But did you wonder why I chose these brightly coloured beach huts to be the headline pic for an astrology blog? Read on....!

A very good, fun way to bring astrology to life on an everyday basis, is to look for astrological symbolism in everyday life. It's something that anyone who has a basic understanding of astrological principles can do, and whether you're a beginner or a seasoned astrologer, it's something that will help make astrology part of your everyday life.

This stunning shot of brightly coloured seaside beach huts shows the colours used in the Huber Method for the Zodiac Signs. On birth charts, the Fire Signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are shown in red, Earth Signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn in green, Air Signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius in yellow, and Water Signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces in blue.

Astrological symbolism is all around if you open your eyes and mind to it. Many years ago as I was driving home from an astrology conference, I saw a large high-sided black lorry lurking in a layby. The only words on its side were "Shadow Transport" - shades of Scorpio there! A conference centre complex on the outskirts of a town in East Anglia boasts on a placard "Saturn conference facilities - let us take care of your organisation".

Friends were going to stay at a holiday hotel complex in Majorca where the 3 hotels on the site were named "Mars", "Jupiter" and "Saturn". As they were visiting for a second time, I asked them to describe the hotels. Mars was noisy, with lots of activities going on and got a bit rowdy at night. Saturn was very prim and proper, a bit stuffy and old fashioned - they didn't want to stay in that one. They'd opted for Jupiter, which was very comfortable, with a friendly atmosphere and plenty of food!

We might have found the qualities of Neptune in a breathtaking sunset, witnessed the presence of Mars in violent outbursts and war torn zones and seen the destructive side of Pluto when violent storms or tornados hit somewhere in the world.

Astrological symbolism can be found in the events and images we see and experience every day. Open your eyes and take a look - it's there for the seeing!

Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren has just been nominated for a BAFTA award. She was born on 26.7.1945 in London. No birth time available, so her chart is set up for noon. Let's have a look at some of its most interesting features.Green aspects are emphasised, indicating a lot of sensitivity and awareness. With fewer red aspects, she may push herself, work hard and risk possible burn out. The chart shaping suggests an inner life motivation to adapt easily and go with the flow, being flexible and able to move on when life situations or the environment demands this. There will be some restlessness too - a need to branch out and do something different, or change direction.

She has two distinct aspect patterns: a Dominant Learning Triangle and a Small Talent Triangle. The Learning Triangle is composed of one red, one green and one blue aspect, indicating potential for growth and on-going learning throughout life. Planets involved are Venus, Jupiter and Moon - and look at her Moon! In Aquarius is is a focal point of the chart, having a large number of aspects and being out on a limb on its own in a different area of the chart from the remaining planets. Such a planet is called a tension ruler, and it filters all information and feeds it back to the planets it aspects.

As Mirren's time of birth is unknown, it's more than likely that the Moon would be in a different position, and not in the 4th House as is shown with the chart set up for noon. For an actor, having the Moon as a tension ruler could be a valuable asset and a rich tool to draw upon, particularly when picking up or expressing feelings. The Moon's placement in Aquarius would also help, giving her the ability to stay personally detached from feelings and emotions, but still to be able to portray them when in role. Of course, this is purely general speculation, and it would be far more rewarding to know her time of birth so that the correct House position of her Moon could be discussed accurately.

The Small Talent Triangle is all blue, with pinning planets Sun, Mars and Neptune. Notably, Sun is at the apex, the outlet point of this figure. The figure itself indicates a still-developing talent, something one has to work on, polish and perfect throughout life - in Mirren's case it surely relates to her acting skills, which continue to reach new heights in the roles she takes on. Her BAFTA nomination for her role in "The Queen" is witness to her skill; she played the Queen with sensitivity and an understated intensity.

A couple of interesting and notable features of her chart are her Sun conjunct Pluto, which is a powerful combination on a personal level, as well as adding the intensity already alluded to, together with the capacity to perfect and transform. And Sun in Leo is a common occurence for actors, performers, and showbiz personalities. Mirren also has Venus conjunct Uranus, endowing her with an edge, an ability to shock, be different or unconventional.

Her LifeClock puts her firmly into the 11th House of the chart where she will be selective about who she spends time with as well as able to enjoy reaping the fruits of her acting experience by commanding the roles she wants at an age when many actors of her age are passed by as being "too old"!

Addendum 27.2.2007Congratulations to Helen Mirren, not only for her BAFTA award for Best Actress, but for the Oscar for Best Actress that she's just won - both awards being for her role as Elizabeth 2nd in "The Queen".

Al Gore - "An Inconvenient Truth"

I may sound like a film critic, but I urge you to go and see Al Gore's film "An Inconvenient Truth". It is essential viewing and is yet another wake up call to the fact that global warming is happening now. Not some time in the future, but right now.

The film is based around Gore's current tour of world cities where he is lecturing on global warming. It's his way of spreading this "wake up" call. The material he shares is scientific fact, intermingled with his own personal experiences and explanations of why he's doing this. In 2006, the film has become a runaway success. The bare and true facts about global warming are set out clearly. Gore's presentation and delilvery is graphic and clear, and it was his impressive presentation, plus what he shared of his personal life and upbringing (all spliced into the lecture theatre scenes) which made me want to look at his chart.

He was born on 31.3.1948 in Washington DC, at 12.53 EST. His chart is visually striking with an "active" strong flavour of someone striding forward, carrying a large wide load in their arms. The direction is predominantly vertical, suggesting his motivation is to individualise, yet he has Moon conjunct Jupiter in the 5th House and closest to the DC, offering the capacity to make contact with others easily. Using the combined sensing ability of these two planets he can connect with prevailing moods and feelings out in the world as well as put what these planets pick up to good use for others - the Moon is approaching the 6th cusp and both planets will be more attuned to and interested in being of service to others. Significantly, his Age Point was conjunct Moon/Jupiter in 1976 when he went into politics.

Gore has a Medium Learning triangle which includes the powerful stellium of Pluto, Saturn and Mars in the 1st House. It is from here that the learning of any new skill or information will start and it will finish here as well - it's where his own sense of "I" will be focussed, and is likely to be constantly under review, growing, changing. This stellium links to the other aspect pattern in his chart, the Single Ambivalence figure, and suggests to me that it will be to himself that he will return time and time again when he needs to review things and check out his own life experiences. He will have the ability to assess himself against what life throws up for him, and with Pluto, Saturn and Mars there at this fulcrum point, he can stay the course, on a personal level, and transform.

In the film he speaks of two significant happenings in his life, both of which brought the importance of family life and how we treat each other as human beings into sharp focus. The first was in 1984 when his sister, 10 years his senior, died of lung cancer. He speaks passionately of how the tobacco companies were allowed to promote smoking, even though there was much evidence of it as a cause of cancer. He was 36; his Age Point was crossing the DC, signifying an opening up of greater consciousness.

The second life changing event was in April 1989 when his 6 year old son was seriously injured when he was hit by a car. Gore speaks in the film of how he spent a month sleeping by the boy's hospital bed, and how this experience brought home to him the importance of life and what we do in life. His Age Point was square Venus, which rides high in the 10th House in his chart but is intercepted. It relies on its quincunx aspect to Jupiter for expression as it has no natural outlet into the world in the 10th House - so we are back again with the Jupiter/Moon conjunction which helped usher him into politics when he was age 28. It's interesting to note that Venus sits along with Uranus in a red/green linear aspect, and that both home in on that Jupiter/Moon conjunction, emphasising its importance.

Venus, too, crops up at significant times in Gore's life - his Age Point was opposite this planet when he married in 1970, was square to it at the time of his son's accident, and in 2006 was conjunct when "An Inconvenient Truth" became the unexpected box office hit of the year. Venus is often described as the planet associated with balance and harmony: Gore's book on the state of the environment is entitled "The Earth in Balance".

There's more - his Nodal chart reveals some signficant correspondences with the path his life has taken, and bears reference and further study in the context of the 2000 Presidential election that he "lost" to Bush.

I could say much more about Gore's charts - both House and Node chart reflect and support many of the points he himself makes in his narration of the film and in the lecture scenes. All I wish to do is to whet your appetite to go and see this film - it may repeat many of the things you already know, but it's likely to tell you a whole lot more too, and it closes by suggesting practical ways that YOU can make contributions to help slow down the process of global warming and help preserve our precious planet.

But without political will, what we do may not be enough. As the person who saw the film with me said: " ...as Gore himself says, the trends have been clear for many years. What is missing, and still seems to be missing despite moving from denial to displacement/ projection, is the political leaders willing to take a leadership role in promoting a way forward. Who will be the environmental Churchill?"

Further suggested astrological reference and reading (books by myself and Bruno and Louise Huber):
Aspect Pattern Astrology; Moon Node Astrology; LifeClock; The Astrological Houses - Man and his World; The Cosmic Egg Timer; Aspect Patterns in Colour; Using Age Progression.
Available from the APA Book Shop.