Astrological Houses - Where in the World are You?

The 12 astrological houses are divisions of time and space which are applied to the birth chart to divide it into 12 separate areas, each one relating to a specific field of life experience and expression. There are many house systems used in astrology, most of them unequal apart from the equal house system, which is a very basic and simplistic method of house division.

The Koch house system is used in the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology as it gives the most reliable results when working with Age Progression, using the correct time of birth.

The houses are the environment we live in, and this changes all the time, depending where we are and who we're interacting with. We may be in the 6th house when at work - but what if you work from home? Does the 4th house then become your place of work? Or do you have a designated "6th house" room or area in your home where you do your work? Supposing you are a child minder working in your own home? The 5th house is sometimes associated with children and creativity so does your living room treble up as 4th, 5th and 6th house? If you work alone and in isolation like, for example, a night time security guard, you could be on your own and very much in the 12th house - but this is also a 6th house setting as you'll be at work.

This begs the question of whether the boundaries of the houses should be regarded as rigid? Or are they more dynamic, something which is movable and adaptable because one area of life flows into and intersects with another? That sounds much more like real life to me, where astrology becomes far more than a theoretical appraisal of us and our place in the world around us, and takes on tangible shape and meaning as we interact with the environment in which we find ourselves.

Robbie Williams weds

Pop singer Robbie Williams is going through a significant life phase. He's recently announced that he's rejoining Take That, the boy band (now a very successful group of grown men!) where his career took off, and he's just got married.

Robbie was born on 3.2.1974 in Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK.

His chart is set for noon as no time of birth is available. I wrote about his chart when I discussed it live on air at BBC Radio Stoke 6 years ago, when he was 30. Being a local lad, the media in Stoke-on-Trent are always keen to follow his career and life events. You can read what I said about Robbie's chart in 2003 here, at the Astrological Psychology Association web site, and at the BBC Radio Stoke and Staffordshire newspage archive.

So what of Robbie and Ayda, who wed on Saturday 8th August in Robbie's back yard (aka known as a beautiful estate overlooking the San Fernando Valley in California!). I was invited back once again to Radio Stoke to talk about how these two might fare as a married couple, and you can read a brief news item onwhat I said.

Ayda Field, a TV actress and Robbie's girlfriend of some 3 or more years, was born on 17.5.1979 in Los Angeles. Her chart is quite different from Robbie's - his has a Fixed shaping making him motivated towards security and stability. Ayda's chart is Dynamic, with triangular and linear aspect patterns, making her far more adaptable and flexible. Robbie will tend to need security and to know where he is with things, whereas Ayda will be much more likely to be flexible and go with the flow. This could create a good balance between the two of them.

Aquarian Robbie, with Sun/Jupiter in this sign and at one of the arms of the Kite figure in his chart, will want a certain amount of airy freedom & space; Ayda's strongly emphasised sign of Taurus will be more focussed on earthy practicalities as well as having a yen for good living (she's married a multi-millionaire!). This earthiness, in turn, could provide Robbie with the grounding and security he needs. Robbie is now 36, the time when the Age Point reaches the DC and crosses from the lower to the upper hemisphere of the chart. It's a time of coming into your own and of waking up to the many more possibilities which lie ahead. Life can feel like it's opening up anew, or big time. Robbie's marriage and his return to Take That are both indications of this.

With no birth times for either Robbie or Ayda, I 'm not going to be more specific. All that's left is to wish them both well and say that I'm pleased to hear that Robbie at last appears to have a good woman in his life!


Robbie and Ayda, but not, I assume, on their wedding day!

Saturn in Libra

Saturn entered the sign of Libra on 21st July 2010, and will stay in this sign until October 2012. The chart is set for Saturn's grand entry into Libra, at 17.20 (when it was just one second into the sign) on 21.7.2010 in London.

Interesting chart with a Double Ambivalence figure dominating. The opposition in this figure includes Saturn conjunct Mars at the top of the chart and close to the MC, opposite Jupiter conjunct Uranus down at the bottom and close to the IC. This particular Double Ambivalence figure doesn't have a green quincunx as shown in the sample here, which means there is a more black/white, either/or flavour to this particular configuration. Saturn and Mars together make a formidable couple - determined, strong, fearless and the conjunction of these two planets always makes me think of Roman Centurion, a military leader. These two stay together for a short while until Mars moves on and away in early August. Jupiter/Uranus stay together for a bit longer, opposing Saturn and presenting challenges to the authority of this stickler of the solar system. Jupiter/Uranus could allow things to get out of hand; Saturn provides the checks and balances and helps in bringing some realism to bear.

What might be some of the manifestations of Saturn in Libra? We're already into times of tightening belts and being far more cautious with spending on luxuries. There is a touch of "make do and mend" about - fashion is not always to be followed slavishly and people are returning to vintage styles, searching charity shops for bargains and making/knitting their own.

If Libra stands for diplomacy and fair play, and Saturn for calling a spade a spade, then it's very interesting that British PM David Cameron has recently ruffled some foreign feathers by his plain, truthful speaking about two countries (Israel with reference to Palestine, and when in India, with reference to Pakistan). This is a refreshing change from the usual bland diplomacy. It's also interesting to learn that women's lib is undergoing a resurgence - fair and equal pay, recognition, treatment and consideration of women is still sadly lacking. Saturn in Libra ? Bring it on!

For more info on aspect patterns, visit the On Line Book shop.

The Planets go Hiking in Lion Country

I recently visited the Chisos mountains area of Big Bend National Park in the south of Texas where mountain lions (cougars) and black bears roam. This was the sign by the trail near the cabin where I was staying, and I read it carefully before setting off on a hike, especially as I'd heard that a lion had been seen chasing deer near the reception area the night before! I was hiking with a small group, in daylight, so the likelihood of seeing a lion was pretty small....nevertheless, Saturnian caution was advised. Here's the trail we were hiking along (note: plenty of undergrowth as cover for lions...)

And here's how I was reacting on that hike, very aware of the drives, characteristics and motivations of some of the planets:

Mercury - I was using my ears, listening out for any rustling sounds in the undergrowth and paying attention to all details around me, such as tracks on the ground.

Jupiter - my all-round peripheral sensory awareness was very alert, my senses were primed and I was aware that what I was doing contained an element of risk (but hang on, said my more rational Sun, it's broad daylight, lions usually hunt around dusk, or when it's dark. Never mind that, chipped in Saturn, remember you read an article earlier this year about someone being attacked by a cougar in broad daylight....).

Venus and Saturn were in cahoots for this hike, making sure that what I was wearing was practical and sensible - sensible clothing and shoes, sunhat, sun screen, bottle of water etc. - all tasteful of course...

Sun made the decision to go on this hike, with Mars tagging along to provide the energy and impetus to do so, keeping me going when walking uphill got a bit challenging in the heat, and staying on red alert for fight or flight if I did see a lion.

Did I see a lion? No. But it was interesting to observe my reactions to this situation and the feelings that went with them. The nearest I got up close and personal to the local wildlife was when a skunk crept up behind me in the dark and stood pretty close. And no, it didn't spray.

Sex, Money, Relationships and Scandal on the Fixed Cross

Have you noticed that many of the current scandals which have beset the British government of late have a strong theme of money, sex, relationships and possessions?

The recent exposure of MP's expenses claims comes to mind, with loud protestations from them that they were only following the rules and hadn't done anything wrong. Acknowledging that the rules may not have been clear, along with prompt repayment on the part of many MP's, there's also been an element of wanting to hang on to what possessions and privileges they have.

The current financial crisis and the dire situation with the banks which went into a tail spin last year is another example of Fixed Cross behaviour. Some bankers are STILL walking away with huge bonuses, while small businesses can't get the loans they need to keep them going and the banks will not lend.

The Fixed Cross in astrology is about hanging on tightly to what you already have. This is usually money and possessions, both personal and shared. The 2nd house, associated with the sign of Taurus, is about personal possessions - all the things you wouldn't want to give up because you've worked for them and they are yours. You want to hang on tight.

The 8th house, associated with the sign of Scorpio, is about shared, communal possessions - like paying tax (please note, any offshore tax evaders who may be reading this - we need your money and it's time to pay your whack if you use UK benefits when you come here but don't contribute to them). Shared possessions are for the benefit and good of all, like street lighting, bin collections, maintaining roads etc. The 8th house is also about large corporations (like banks, already mentioned).... and if you're beginning to wonder where the sex comes in, that's associated with Scorpio too, the sign which is supposedly the sexiest in the zodiac. Or so they say....

Recent scandals in the new coalition government have seen a manifestation of the Fixed Cross at work. The newly-appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury, David Laws, has resigned because of accommodation expenses he claimed which were bound up with his relationship with someone he declared was not his partner, sexual or otherwise.

Enter then the relationships axis on the Fixed Cross. This is found in the 5th house, associated with the sign of Leo, and the 11th house, associated with the sign of Aquarius.

The Fixed Cross is the most difficult one to break away from and not be bound to, because to let go of what we own, what we have, what we are and who we like to associate with is one of the hardest challenges we can face. You can hear me talking about the 2nd and 8th houses here: