A Virgo Line-up

It’s the Virgo month, so here’s a line-up of well-known Sun Virgos, past and present. Of course, it’s more than likely to be a neat, orderly line-up - they are Virgos after all! But just how “Virgo” are they? I thought it would be interesting to keep things simple and just look at

• How many planets they actually have in Virgo in addition to the Sun, and

• What the colour balance of red: green: blue aspects is in each chart, as this can give insights into the inner and often unconscious motivation of the individual.

I could find the time of birth of some of these Virgos but not all of them. As I wasn’t sure of the accuracy of the times I found (they weren’t rated/verified in any way) I decided to level the playing field and set up all the charts for noon. This puts those Virgo Suns right at the top of the chart. The orientation of the aspect structure is going to be inaccurate in most cases, but the balance of the aspect colours is more than likely to be correct.

Bearing in mind that the “ideal” balance and ratio of red: green: blue is 4 red: 2 green: 6 blue, and that red = action and doing, green = awareness and sensitivity and blue = stability and maintaining the status quo, here goes! You can read about colour balance and motivation in more depth and detail in my books Aspect Patterns in Colour and The Cosmic Egg Timer - see Books tabs at top of page.

Greta Garbo: Swedish film star, born 18.9.1905, Stockholm. Sun and Mercury in Virgo. 6 red: 2 green: 7 blue aspects. An excess of red “doing” energy there, perhaps offset by the 7 blue aspects, but maybe not much! Image:Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago

Jeremy Irons: British actor, born 19.9. 1948, Cowes, Isle of Wight. Sun and Saturn in Virgo. 5 red: 2 green: 6 blue aspects. Another actor with an excess of red “doing” energy. Virgos work hard at getting things right, perfect and just so! Image: movie.moldova.org














Sophia Loren: Italian film star, born 20.9 1934, Rome. Sun and Venus conjunct Neptune in Virgo. Venus/Neptune seems apt for a steamy, sexy film star! 4 red: 5 green: 5 blue aspects. An excess of green here means she could be very sensitive and touchy as well as changeable, perhaps having people in her surroundings trying to second guess her next move. Image: www.fest21.com















Twiggy: British supermodel, born 19.9.1949. Sun and Saturn in Virgo. 4 red: 1 green: 5 blue aspects. An excess of red, with a slight lack of green. Twiggy, iconic face of the Swinging Sixties, is still working as a model 40 years on. Image: www.dailymail.co.uk














Lauren Bacall: American film star, born 16.9.1924. Sun and Mercury in Virgo. 6 red: 4 green: 3 blue. A lot of red/green compared with her lack of blue aspects, so maybe touchy, driven, and finding it harder to rest and just “be”. Image: navcity.files.wordpress.com














Peter Sellers: British comedy actor and film star, born 8.9.1925, Southsea. Sun conjunct Mars in Virgo - how’s that for a hard-working perfectionist? 4 red: 3 green: 6 blue aspects. Sellers is perhaps best known for his role as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau in the “Pink Panther” films. A slight excess of green suggests heightened awareness and sensitivity. Image: blogs.sfweekly.com













Maurice Chevalier: French singer and entertainer, born 12.9.1888, Paris. Sun in Virgo. 3 red: 0 green: 5 blue aspects. Lacking in green he may have veered between the two opposite poles of “doing” and “being”, with little awareness that he was actually doing this. Image: www.musiqueenligne.com

Amy Winehouse

The first time I saw Amy Winehouse perform on TV, several years ago when she was up-and-coming, I thought she had a whole lot of talent. Much water has passed under the bridge since then, and Amy’s profile has been raised and her lifestyle analysed by that section of the media who feed on the cult of personality.

This is the Virgo month and Winehouse is a Sun Virgo. She was born on 14.9.1983 in Enfield. No birth time is available, so her chart is set for noon, and using the Huber Method of astrological psychology we can still find out quite a lot about her inner motivation and what is likely to make her “tick” without having her birth time.

Her chart has a strongly Fixed shaping, being dominated by a large quadrilateral figure - the Animated Figure - meaning she will be motivated towards security and stability and to preserving and maintaining a structured existence. She needs to feel safe and secure in her life and almost certainly to feel secure about herself. However there is one blue but restless linear aspect between Moon/Neptune and Pluto, and her Jupiter/Uranus conjunction is unaspected. I’ve not studied Winehouse’s life or biography in any depth, but I have seen various media reports on her lifestyle, and it is to this linear and tangential aspect and to the unaspected Jupiter/Uranus that I would look for her more wayward, unpredictable and rebellious behaviour, were I to be working on her chart with her.

Her balance of aspect colours, which reflect the amount of energy available, is 3 red: 1 green: 3 blue. Winehouse lacks in green aspects, which give awareness, sensitivity and the ability to bring some kind of balance between the activity of doing which is the realm of the red aspects and their energy, and the ability to relax, rest, indulge and enjoy, which is what the energy of the blue aspects can confer. It could be useful for her to be more aware of how she’s using the red/blue energy she has available. There’s likely to be a high output of activity through her Sun/Mercury conjunction, and this being in Virgo could suggest she’s something of a perfectionist, being her own worst enemy if she doesn’t come up to her own high expectations of herself as a performer.

The Animated Figure is described by the Hubers in Aspect Pattern Astrology and by me in Aspect Patterns in Colour. The Hubers say of this pattern that it requires “...imagination, patience and a lot of hard work”. They also note that “...a person with this figure can rapidly switch from approval to disapproval”. This sounds a bit like some of the media reportage of Winehouse.

There are some interesting planetary conjunctions in the chart, relating to hot spots of potential in her psychological makeup. In addition to those already mentioned, Winehouse has a Pluto/Saturn conjunction (powerful physical appearance and/or presence - who could ignore that beehive hair and the 1960’s eye makeup?). The Moon/Neptune conjunction is perhaps currently being expressed on its lowest level of being drawn to escapism of all kinds, where feelings can be dulled and their intensity at least held at bay by drink or drugs. At their highest level, Moon and Neptune can be a source of compassionate love. The potential is there for her to develop these qualities. The conjunction of Venus/Mars in Leo speaks of being noticed, appreciated and applauded, something she will need like the air she breathes, and of being equally appealing as a performer to men and women alike. This conjunction also suggests the capacity to combine both male and female energies and without doubt Winehouse is a feisty woman.

Update and comment 25th July 2011: I feel sadness and shock to hear of Amy's passing. A talent is lost for the world, and a young life cut short. In the context of Age Progression and her psychological life phase, Amy was on the Low Point of the 5th house in her chart, a crisis point where the demands of the outside world would have been felt keenly along with professional pressures. In their book LifeClock the Hubers say of this period of life "..there is a real danger that the human being, in self-overestimation expects too much of himself, of the environment, and the future". May she now be at peace.

Suzanne Fischer, Soprano

I confess to having a personal interest in looking at Suzanne’s chart as she is the grand-daughter of my neighbours and I’ve seen how she’s been reaching for the stars over the past few years. Suzanne is a singer, and is developing a blossoming career in opera. In April 2015 she begins a season singing in the chorus with the Glyndebourne Festival Opera.

I first saw her perform in the local high school production of “Les Miserables” and even then was telling her I’d have to have her autograph before she got famous and had her name in lights! I now have the autograph, along with her birth data (7.5.1987. 05.15, London) and her permission to look at her chart.

Suzanne comes from a musical family. Her grandparents, my neighbours, are retired professional musicians. Her great-grandmother played the violin, both her parents are professional musicians and her uncle is a composer and recording artiste. Suzanne studied music in Edinburgh and won a scholarship to train for a year in Milan. She embedded herself in the Italian culture before starting her course there, attending language schools and living and working with an Italian family. Her dream to sing professionally began to be realised when she gave a concert in the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, several years ago, making a CD of the songs she performed. Click here to read more about Suzanne and catch up on her fast-developing career.

Now to her chart. The visual image I see is a juggler or tightrope walker - certainly a performer of some kind - and there is a sense of movement and of balance being maintained. Her chart shaping is a mixture of Dynamic/Mutable and Linear/Cardinal energy. This suggests her inner motivation is flexible, adaptable, restless, forward-looking and enthusiastic. She could be tireless when she gets her teeth into something, and with a colour ratio of 3 red: 2 green: 5 blue aspects, she will need to stay aware of not over-extending herself. She lacks slightly in red aspects, so she may not always achieve as much as she aims for all in one go. The knack may be to take things more steadily and aim for a consistent build up. In terms of voice training this would be important so she doesn’t get over stretched too soon.

The direction of the aspect structure is another mixture, this time of Vertical and Horizontal aspects. The Vertical aspects point towards the planets at the top of her chart - Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Neptune, as highest planet in the chart, can indicate high ideals, visionary aspirations, and could also refer to her “rising star” potential in the field of the arts. The Horizontal aspects pull in her Sun/Mercury in the 1st house and Pluto just before the DC. Don’t mess with this lady - she has a lot of powerful potential and she may well speak her mind and tell you what she thinks, pulling no punches! As Pluto is on the DC, others, when they meet her, may find she can come on strong and they will pick up that she’s not going to suffer fools gladly.

The aspect patterns in her chart are a Search figure and a Single Ambivalence figure. Both triangular patterns have as their outlet point the Venus/Jupiter conjunction in 12th, indicating that this area of her life, where she retreats to recharge her batteries or practise and perfect her art, is going to be very important. The Moon’s Node, as part of this conjunction, may make it easier for her to switch off and take time out for herself. She may have to balance out this tendency by being willing to be out there and “on call” for others; maybe this is something she could bear in mind when she starts performing.

At 21 her Age Point was in the 4th house of the chart, when she was psychologically moving away from the conditioning and expectations of her childhood and teenage years, and began forming her own rules for life. The Age Point at this time was in the Sign of Leo, often associated with artistic expression in the performing arts. Her Moon is also in Leo, a sure fire indicator in her chart that she will enjoy performing and being on stage. Leo can be larger than life, and it seems that Suzanne, en route to the bright lights, is on track here. But I don’t for one moment expect that this will be an easy journey as there is much hard work, discipline and dedication involved. Suzanne’s Taurean Sun will stand her in good stead here, and perhaps the added bonus is that Taurus is generally regarded to be the Sign of singers.

I have featured Suzanne's chart in my book Using Age Progression. This book is packed full of real life examples of Age Progression at work, and is available from the APA Book Shop, Amazon and other retailers.

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.

Venus, Mercury and Beauty

Beauty. Peace. Power. Wonder. Joy. Compassion. What do these have in common? They are all transpersonal qualities, pure manifestations of energies which exist around us and beyond us, yet can find a conduit into the world though us. Beauty is said to be in the eye of the beholder, which places the concept of beauty in a subject/object relationship. If we see something we regard as beautiful, that surely is a reflection of something equally beautiful within us - and in that we should most definitely rejoice. Beauty is all around but is not always easy to see. Urban landscapes and inner city life can mask it; the erosion of natural environments and wild life degrade it; bad taste, bad manners and the cult of personality can deaden it.

The Italian psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli says in his book Transpersonal Development, “The fact that beauty is the essential attribute of the Supreme, Divine Being has been recognised and proclaimed by thinkers since the dawn of history, and by the great mystics and most gifted artists of all ages. . . in all that has been created there must be some vestige, some trace of this essential attribute of the Prime Creator”. And Plato says in The Republic “the aim of all education is to teach us to love beauty”.

Canova's Three Graces, National Gallery images

Beauty is generally accepted to be a combination of shapes, colours, textures, sounds, ideas and qualities which please the aesthetic senses. A piece of music, magnificent natural scenery, a painting or sculpture, an intellectual argument - all of these, plus many more you can probably think of for yourself - can be beautiful. Venus at it highest level of expression is the planet we might associate with the expression and manifestation of beauty. At this level the harmonious blending of all the components (in, for example, a work of art) combine to make an aesthetic whole. A personal favourite of sheer beauty and the expression of Venus at this high level is Canova’s sculpture “The Three Graces”. I had to return to look at it several times during my visit to the National Gallery in Edinburgh, and the astrologer friend I was with at the time was equally bowled over by the beauty and perfection of this piece. Conceptual art leaves me cold and baffled. But maybe that’s because I’m looking at it through Venus eyes; if I switch to viewing it through the expression of Mercury at its highest level I can “get it” because here Mercury is pure creative communication. But to me, alas, it’s not art. Well, not the sort I like, anyway.

In the 6th form I had an English teacher called Tom Gibson who encouraged us as students to be critical. When discussing anything new we’d seen, or read, he told us to ask three questions: What does it say? How does it say it? Was it worth saying? Tom is long gone, but his advice has stayed with me. In the pursuit and appreciation of beauty in art, music, literature, theatre and numerous aspects of everyday life, these same questions can be applied. And maybe that is all you need to know. . . . but here I’m going to let the poet John Keats have the last word quoting from Ode on a Grecian Urn :

“Beauty is Truth, truth beauty, - that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know”