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.

Liberace

The newly-released film Behind the Candelabra tells the story of the pianist Liberace's life and his relationship with his boyfriend, who had to pose as his chauffeur. Liberace didn't want the world to know he was gay - but with a public image like his, was it ever likely to be otherwise? Liberace is played by Michael Douglas,whose appearance has been made to look uncannily like the glitzy star's. 

Liberace, born on16 May 1919 at 23.15, West Allis, Wisconsin

 

Liberace

Liberace's chart has a strong fixed quality in appearance, as it's dominated by a large 5-sided figure, indicating that his inner and unconscious motivation is to be and feel secure and to seek stability. This need he played out through his extravagant and OTT lifestyle, wearing clothes plastered with sparkling gemstones, and living in opulent surroundings. He also had a Taurus Sun, and Taureans are well-known for their love of the good life, if they are fortunate enough to have the money to fund it. The son of a Polish mother and an Italian father, he started playing the piano aged 4.

Michael Douglas as Liberace

 The dominant 5-sided figure in the chart is made up of a Model  aspect pattern and a Search figure. Green and blue aspects dominant the chart, indicating an imaginative, sensitive disposition as well as giving him escapist tendencies - perhaps that's where the opulent lifestyle, home decor and gem-laden, fur trimmed outfits come in. The Model suggests a person with high aspirations, and someone who will not be sidetracked by pessimism. People with this aspect pattern can offer courage and hope to others, via their persistence in pursuit of their goals. Liberace, a jazz pianist as well as a classically trained one, brought a lot of pleasure into the lives of his audiences. He was hugely popular from the 1950s to the 1980s. He starred in films and TV shows and was a regular performer in Las Vegas.

The Model is pinned by Mercury, Uranus and the Venus/Pluto conjunction. The adjoining Search figure shares the Venus/Pluto conjunction, with Neptune in Leo at the blue/green corner. All these planets share the Moon's North Node as a focal point. More of that later. 

First let's take a look at Venus/Pluto slap bang on the DC. Here they are strongly placed and can't be missed as these are the planetary drives and energies that will be picked up first and foremost by others. For me, Venus here = charm, allure, attraction and a love of beauty; Pluto = power play and allure of a different kind, maybe sexual. These two planets are also placed at the blue/green corner of the Search figure, where the outlet and expression of whatever it is that is being sought is channelled out into the environment.

Let's turn now to Liberace's North Node in the 11th house. The 5th and 11th houses are on the axis of the chart concerned with relationships. If the North Node (shown in the chart) is in 11th house, this usually indicates an important way forward for the individual. In Liberace's chart it suggests that for personal and spiritual growth, he should become far more selective in the friends and associates he keeps company with. The South Node (not shown in a Huber chart using the Huber Method as it relates to the past, and to being comfortably stuck in that place) suggests stagnation and a reluctance to move away from those kinds of relationships with which the individual is familiar. Sad to say, this may have been a contributory factor to Liberace's eventual death as he died from AIDS-related illnesses. His Taurean Sun/Mars conjunction in the 5th house may have proved to be too strong a pull and lure in the arena of relationships and the pursuit of hedonism.

Read more about the Model and the Search figure in my book Aspect Patterns in Colour.

Celebrating 30 years of Astrological Psychology in the UK

APA, founded 8th June 1983, 12.30pm, London

The UK based Astrological Psychology Association (APA) is 30 years old today. Founded on 8th June 1983, in London, it is an established part of the global astrological scene, with students and graduates in many countries of the world.

Richard Llewellyn

Joyce with Pam Tyler, early 1990's

APA was founded by British astrologer Richard Llewellyn and American astrologer Pam Tyler. Pam had been to a seminar given by Bruno and Louise Huber in their native Switzerland, and persuaded Richard to attend a later seminar. Both were so impressed with the Huber's astrological psychology and its connection with the psychosynthesis of Roberto Assagioli, with whom the Hubers trained, they decided to found an astrology school in the UK which would teach in English and be open to a worldwide audience. Richard wrote the teaching manuals and was Principal for many years, later retiring, which was when I became Principal and am now Principal Emeritus. APA has evolved through the years, and at age 30, it's Age Point is entering the 6th house. Let's take a look at the chart.

The 6th house cusp is in the sign of Aquarius. Combine these two facts and already it's clear that 6th house matters, such as work, service, status and standing will be a focus for APA for the forthcoming 6 years, as the Age Point travels through this house. Psychologically, the 6th house in the chart is about making your mark in the workplace, and standing up for what you have established. Career-wise in an individual's chart, it's a time when the person will want to assert themselves in the workplace and secure their niche. For APA, this has already happened; what it will be interesting to see is how this established place in the world of astrology develops over the next few years.

The Age Point is the sign of Aquarius, echoing the nature of the foundation of APA - an organisation which teaches astrology worldwide. Combine the 6th house attitude to work and service with astrological Aquarian energy and you  have almost the perfect match. The Age Point is making a trine aspect to the chart's Sun/Mars in Gemini in the 10th house at the top if the chart. This suggests a beneficial and buoyant period. The Hubers, in their book LifeClock describe the trine aspect as one where "we can sit down and rest for a while, in the knowledge of having provided reserves for future needs. A new confidence emerges..." But they warn against becoming too complacent - trines can be very lazy - but they can also lead to continually hunting for perfection.

Now that could be something worth working towards for APA, as the Age Point transits the 6th house and this trine aspect lights up both Sun and Mars at the top of the chart.

Many Happy Returns 
on your 
30th Birthday
APA! 

Sun in Gemini

It's that Gemini time of year - the Sun entered this sign on 21st May, coinciding with some dramatic events - the tornado which struck Oklahoma with devastating effect, and shortly after this, the gruesome murderous slaughter of an off-duty soldier outside his barracks in London.

Communicate and understand

With the Sun in the sign associated with communication, and heading for its highest point in the northern hemisphere on 21st June - the Summer Solstice - perhaps we should be focussing on the way we comunicate with each other, across nations and races/cultures/religions. The aim, with Gemini-style fast and diverse communication, is to connect, communicate and understand things from other viewpoints, often different from our own.

Understand viewpoints different from our own

The esoteric seed thought for Gemini points the way: "I recognise my other Self and in that waning of that Self I grow and glow". You may interpret that in whichever way has greatest meaning for you; for me the message is pretty clear - put your own self & cherished viewpoints aside for a while and listen to the other side's.

On a personal level, Sun in Gemini has certain traits which are shared, but not necessarily expressed, by those born at this time of year. Here are a few of my takes on this:

That Uranus/Pluto square again

Uranus/Pluto square exact on 20th May 2013. Chart set for noon, London.

Here we go again. Big shots Uranus and Pluto are squaring up again for the next round of their current cosmic dance. You can see what I wrote about them in October 2012, but this time they have a busier chart full of aspects as their background, and they're linking up with Mercury and Venus to form an aspect pattern called a Learning triangle.

Both planets are on 11 degrees of the signs they're in, and in the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology, this is the strongest place for a planet to be, by sign. So we have Uranus potentially firing on all cylinders in Aries, and Pluto doing likewise in Capricorn. The other planets in the Large Learning triangle which has formed are Venus and Mercury, both currently in Gemini. So what might be going on? Learning triangles are made up of all 3 aspect colours used in the Huber method - red, green and blue. This brings the capacity for all-round awareness and in the charts of people, and the capacity to learn a specific subject and learn it well.

As we're not looking at the chart of a person here, I can only speculate on current events, both nationally and globally, that might have some echoes in the current configuration which the two big heavies are currently a part of. What we're learning more about here in the UK are the activities of well-established male broadcasters at the BBC, and actors working with the commercial channel ITV, who are being accused of rape and sexual misconduct with under-age girls and sometimes boys. This took place in the 1970s and 80s, apparently in some instances on BBC premises. 

Pluto in Capricorn: a lot of nasty stuff, aligned with power play and sexual misconduct which took place in one of the most prestigious institutions.

Uranus in Aries: uncovering these shocking and distasteful events. The accused are now mainly older men, some in their 80s, who were stalwart and well-liked figures at the time these events took place.

Venus/Mercury in Gemini: this news is rapidly hitting the headlines in the UK, with tabloid front pages milking it for all it's worth. The sad thing is that if these accusations prove to be true (one long-established broadcaster has admitted his guilt) the lives of mainly young children, now adults, have been despoiled. There's nothing attractive in that.

On a global scale, North Korea is flexing its muscles and being threatening, the conflict in Syria goes on. Israel have made 2 attacks on them and the US, UK and France are beginning to make noises about intervention. There's a way to go yet with this square, but remember this - Uranus, at its highest level, is concerned with creating the perfect world, and Pluto, at its highest level, is concerned with becoming the perfect being, cleansing and shedding unwanted irrelevant baggage along the way.

As an antidote to some of the negativity out in the world, here are some thoughts to ponder:

Real peace is neither

A matter of emotion

Nor a matter of duration

In time.

It is first and foremost

A matter of relationships

From individual to individual

Which contagiously spreads

From group to group,

The idea to share

While being of benefit to each one

Becomes the only means

Of safeguard and survival,

Of future and freedom for all.

Pere Andre Marie 

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!

Jupiter and the Art of Risk Taking

Mr. Peacock by Maylis Curie.

Jupiter, that larger-than-life planet, is in 2016 currently moving through the sign of Virgo. It's the planet which represents our drive to open up, experience, know, perceive, and learn from experience. Often associated with luck, it won't actually bring you good luck, but if you can tune into the opportunities around and are prepared to take a risk and move beyond your usual boundaries, then luck and good fortune may well come your way. But don't bank on it - what we want in life usually requires work and effort as well! 

This is the planet that is associated with sight - how we see and perceive things. Perception can alter depending on where we're looking at things from. They may look rosy and positive, or dark and forbidding. Jupiter, with its innate optimism and large take on life, can encourage us to see things more as wholes, rather than fragmented parts. The way I look at charts, using Astrological Psychology, is Jupiterian because the whole chart is looked at first and foremost, and this offers a rounded and inclusive picture of the potential of the person it belongs to.

Jupiter encourages us to think outside the box, to take some risks and step outside of our normal comfort zones. In most instances, this is the only surefire way to grow and make changes in our lives, and challening though it may be, it's also rewarding as whole new vistas open up and life can become a lot more interesting and rewarding.

Here's what I have to say about Jupiter and risk taking on my YouTube channel:

 

David Bowie

  David Bowie

 8th January 1947 - 10th January 2016

Musician and style icon David Bowie was born on 8th January 1947 at 09.00 in Brixton, London. In 2013 he was the subject of an exhibition at the V and A Museum in central London, where a broad range of Bowie’s collaborations with artists and designers in the fields of fashion, sound, graphics, theatre, art and film  are on show. 

Bowie's change of image was a constant throughout his career, which began with the formation of a his first band when he was 15. One of his most famous alblums is A Space Oddity, and his cult Ziggy Stardust persona was massive in the 1970's.

His chart shows a predominantly fixed motivation which suggests the need for security, but with an excess of flexibility working alonside this. His Capricorn Sun, closely conjunct Mars in 12th house, is on the Balance Point, where both planets can work hard and efficiently together. They receive only blue and green aspects, reinforcing the overall inner, unconsious motivation shown in his chart via the aspect colours. With a high proportion of green aspects, and only one red aspect, Bowie would always have had a wealth of imaginative potential at his disposal. His chart contains two Projection figures; in themselves they create the drive to undertake new and, with so many green aspects, ever-changing projects. This enabled him to express creative and imaginative ideas.

Bowie used his own physical body as a canvas during his career, wearing strange, weird and wonderful costumes as well as stylish and sometimes rakish outfits. A glance at his 7th house Leo planets - Moon, Saturn and Pluto all close to the DC, the area of the chart where the individual and the outside world meet - personifies this use of his body as vehicle. Saturn relates to all things manifest, including the body; Pluto symbolises change and transformation and Moon in Leo suggest great delight taken in this as well as a natural ability to reach out to the "You"/others.

Projection figure

It's also interesting to see that Bowie's Sun/Mars conjunction is at the apex - the projection point - of a Projection figure. Here, these planets seek to project their ideas on to the "screen" formed by the sextile at the other end of this figure. Perhaps no coincidence then that the Moon/Saturn/Pluto conjunction is pinning one corner of the screen.

Bowie's Neptune, part of the large fixed Double Ambivalence figure, is on the Low Point of 8th house, suggesting a potent source of inspiration for him, coming from within. Venus, so fittingly in a linear blue trine aspect to his Moon and Saturn, is the highest planet in the chart. With a style like Bowie's where better to be placed? 

His passing comes with his Age Point in the 12th house, close to his Sun/Mars conjunction in Capricorn. He will be remembered as a true icon in the world of artistic expression, channelled through his music and personal style.

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.

Happy 100th Birthday

I'm sending very special happy birthday wishes today to my friend's mum, Sylvia, on her 100th birthday. Sylvia was born on 6th March 1913 in Harrogate, Yorkshire. She's no idea of her time of birth, so I've set her chart up for noon, just to have a look at the chart of a centenarian who also happens to be someone I know. This is the first time I've known someone who has reached their 100th birthday, so this post is my small tribute to Sylvia on her special day.

Sylvia has recently become a great-grandmother for the first time, and this is probably the best 100th birthday present she could ever have. Let's have a look at her chart.

Sylvia has a relatively uncommon aspect figure in her chart - a Detective - which means the person's motivation is to get to the bottom of things, absorbing information from the surrounding environment and never giving up along the way. Rather than focus on this aspect pattern, I'm going to take a look at the positions of the three Transpersonal planets - Uranus, Neptune and Pluto - because these are generational planets and their placement by sign is shared by people of the same generation who experienced a similar background of national or world events.

In 1913, when Sylvia was born, the world and the social scene in the UK was vastly different from today. If you watch Downton Abbey you'll have an idea of how different it was. The First World War had not started, the Bullnose Morris Oxford car went on sale, women didn't have the vote and Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst was sentenced to 3 years in prison. Later that year, Suffragette Emily Davidson ran to her death in front of the King's horse at the Epsom races and stainless steel was invented in Sheffield.

Uranus was in Aquarius - in Sylvia's chart it's conjunct Mars - and this reflects the spirit of the age in the UK with so much focus on the Suffragette's campaign to gain votes for women. By the time Sylvia was old enough to vote, all women had gained emancipation. New inventions would have been flowering under the generational influence of Uranus in its own sign.

Neptune was in Cancer, and in Sylvia's chart is unaspected (although as we have no time of birth this would not neccessarily be so). The generation of UK women born with Neptune in this sensitive, caring and family-oriented sign grew up to become mothers and housewives - as was expected of them at the time. Many women continued to go into service in this period, but with the start of the First World War this would change, with women taking a more active role in society.

Pluto was in Gemini, the sign of communication and discourse. Communication in all its forms was undergoing big changes as motor cars appeared on the roads, people who could afford telephones in their homes had them installed and the Post Office began parcel deliveries. On the world stage, the second Balkan War broke out in 1913, a precursor to the events which led to World War 1.

Sylvia must have plenty of tales and reminiscences of days gone by and of what life was like before air travel, TV, mobile phones and texting but I hope she gathers upa huge armful of good memories - and congratulations from the Queen - on her special day.

Happy Birthday Sylvia!