D-Day 70 years on

70 years ago, on 6th June 1944, the World War 2 Allied forces launched their invasion into Nazi occupied France, landing on the beaches along the coast of Normandy. The battles fought there were fierce and bloody. Many lives were lost on both sides, and as this year marks the 70th anniversary of this event, ceremonies of remembrance to honour those who took part in the D-Day Landings, also known as Operation Overlord, will be held to commemorate the bravery and sacrifices of those who were there.

Naval ships stood off the beaches, their task being to bombard and disable the guns of the occupying forces. Gliders brought paratroopers who dropped in behind the lines, many of them blown off course because of strong winds. Aircraft bombed from overhead and soldiers were packed into landing craft which headed for the shore. But the weather was so bad that the operation had to be delayed for 24 hours. It was originally planned for 5th June. One of the criteria for the operation was that there should be a full Moon; the exact full Moon was on 6th June, shown in Sun/Moon opposition in the chart.

Chart set for 6.6.1944 at Longues-sur-Mer, Normandy coast, 05.15

Richard Lewellyn, D-Day veteran

I've set the chart for 05.15 for a specific reason. My colleague, friend and fellow astrologer, Richard Llewellyn, who founded the Astrological Psychology Assocation in 1983, was there. A young Midshipman on board HMS Ajax, he took part in the bombardment and disablement of the occupying forces' guns at Longues-sur-Mer on the Normandy coast. This began at 05.15. Richard is a D-Day veteran and he will be returning to Normandy for the 70th anniversary commemorative ceremonies, which will be the last to be held. 

A few observations on the chart: the overall image or chart picture suggests a target, with a focal point at the position of the Moon. The red/blue Ambivalence triangle takes the eye, and the focus is on the direction of this funnel-like shaping. Being ambivalent in nature, the focal point could be the Moon as the target of the bombardment. Or it could equally well symbolise the aim and fire of a gun turret from the Moon's position, with the other pinning planets of this aspect pattern - Sun/Venus/Mercury and Mars/Pluto - coming under fire. Most of the activity is going on in the lower half of the chart, as if under the cover of darkness, with bellicose Mars/Pluto in Leo close to the IC.

The second chart is set for 2 hours later - 07.15 - which is when Richard recalls the landings could start as the guns along the coastline at Gold Beach, where he was, had been disabled. The Sun has risen and is in 12th house; the Moon is setting and falls into 6th. The focus has changed. Saturn is close to the AC, indicating the importance of organisation and plans. Mars/Pluto are in the mutable zone of 2nd house, at the "escape" point of the Ambivalence figure, suggesting that the only way out of the conflict (the symbolic red opposition aspect on the 6/12 houses of existence) is to fight.

Utah Beach by Joyce Hopewell

So many lives were lost, so much bravery was shown, and it's right to remember and honour, 70 years on, those who took part in D-Day  - those who returned and those who didn't. The Normandy beaches  - Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword  -  are interesting but sobering to visit. What happened there in 1944 is part of our world history and for me personally it's worth honouring, remembering and thanking Richard and the countless others who were there on that day in June.

Richard in London. Image zimbio.com

In Richard's own words when interviewed at a recent commemorative gathering of veterans in London, attended by Prime Minister David Cameron: 

 " When people say thank you, it makes me feel very humble, because you know I was just doing my duty, quite literally as most of us were, and it's wonderful for somebody to say thank you because I hope it gives them pleasure in being able to do that, and for me, it makes me feel proud, I suppose.. I'm not very good at feeling proud.." 


Richard, I'm very proud of you. Thank you.

Vladimir Putin

This interpretation of Putin's chart was written by fellow astrologer David Kerr a few years ago, and is also currently available on the APA website. I am including it here, with David as guest author, in view of the current upheaval in Ukraine and Putin's strong stance in this situation.

Vladimir Putin born 7 October 1952 at 09.30, St. Petersburg, Russia

The eye is immediately drawn to the stellium in the 12th house and the aspects which emanate from it are reminiscent of the levers in an old-fashioned railway signal box, quite appropriate for someone who can be quite truly said to have his hands on the levers of power. The aspect pattern consists largely of fixed figures, a Trapeze and a Double Ambivalence figure. This suggests someone who is able to operate on a large stage, can learn much from a wide variety of experiences, but in spite of that is fairly inflexible. We can see that from his handling of the Chechnya situation, the lessons of history from Stalin right back to Tsar Nicholas I have not deviated Putin from his implacable efforts to impose Russian control.  

As befits a former KGB official, Putin is secretive and keeps his cards close to his chest, as shown by the 12th house planets including Mercury. On the other hand, Jupiter in the 7th allows him to present a more affable face to the world. These planets form the poles of the Double Ambivalence figure. This ambivalence is reflected by political commentators who cannot make up their minds whether Putin is a neo-stalinist or a closet reformer. The open and outgoing Jupiter is ultimately controlled from the conservative and secretive blue corner by Sun and Saturn so there is likely to be something in the closet. The enigma is compounded by having an unaspected Moon. Emotion does not obviously figure in Putin's makeup and it this adds to his inscrutability. 

On the 8th of July Putin's age point will enter Leo.[Editorial comment:This was so at the time of writing; Putin's Age Point is now in Virgo]. When the age point enters a sign it activates any planets in that sign, regardless of which house they are in. In this case it is Pluto. Pluto is a transpersonal, spiritual, planet, but when it is on an angle as it is here it can be used, or abused, in the outside world. Currently high on Putin's agenda is the trial of Dmitri Khodorovsky in the Yukos affair. This is ostensibly about fraud and corruption, but in reality is about crushing an attempt by huge commercial interests to take a hand in politics, quite a Plutonic theme. 

Putin's Pluto is conjunct South Node, so there might be an atavistic tendency to exercise power in a Stalinist fashion. On the other hand, South Node is conjunct the IC, firmly in the collective zone, the people of Russia, and the controlling 12th house planets are in Libra, the sign of justice. Putin describes himself as a true servant of Russia so perhaps the evidence of the chart shows the sincerity of his goals, whatever methods he may employ to reach them.
 
Putin's chart, with the Double Ambivalence figure, is featured in my book Aspect Patterns in Colour, which is also Book of the Month, along with Aspect Pattern Astrology by Bruno and Louise Huber.

Louise Huber 1924 - 2016

Louise Huber by Joyce Hopewell

Update 12th March 2016.

Sad news has reached us of the passing of Louise Huber on 13th January 2016. For further details see the APA website
 
http://astrologicalpsychology.org/apa-blog/


I wrote this post to celebrate Louise's 90th birthday in 2014 and will let it stand as a tribute to a very special and rather amazing lady. Louise - thank you - you gave me so much and I am privileged to have known you. May you be at peace and find your bliss.

Many congratulations and a very happy 90th birthday to Louise Huber, born on 10th May 1924 at 03:15 in Bamberg, Germany.

Louise, together with her husband Bruno Huber, taught and developed Astrological Psychology - also known as the Huber Method -  from the Astrological Psychology Institute in Zurich, Switzerland. Today, as we celebrate Louise's birthday, we also take a look at her chart. I first met her in 1985, when she and Bruno spoke at an astrological conference in the UK, and I have known her since 1987. This lovely photograph of her was taken at a seminar she was giving in Achberg, southern Germany, and we were laughing at a joke we'd just shared. The warmth of her Moon in Cancer and her Jupiter in Sagittarius comes across in this image.

Louise Huber, 10.5.1924, at 03:15, Bamberg, Germany

Louise's chart shaping is predominantly Fixed; there is a large quadrilateral aspect figure which dominates the chart. Quadrilaterals indicate a Fixed inner motivation. This, in turn, is reflected in her Sun/Mercury conjunction in Taurus. She can be a very strong lady when her mind is made up!

The chart image suggests a large bucket, basket or receptacle which could be full of interesting facts and experiences (green searching/questing aspects cross inside it). The bucket or basket is lying on its side. The contents can move freely out towards the "You"/DC side of the chart for others to absorb (Louise began teaching astrological psychology in1962). Saturn sits like a guardian in 7th house, filtering what should be shared as well as who should receive information. Louise's early studies included esotericism, and she would be naturally discriminative and cautious about how she shared her esoteric knowledge, as well as who she shared it with.

The chart has 3 red:3 green:5 blue aspects, indicating that blue fixity might dominate - in lay terms it suggests that Louise's enjoyment and satisfaction of what she has learned and done will be significant. Louise has always been immensely proud of what she and Bruno achieved together when they developed and taught astrological psychology. She has every right to be proud as astrological psychology and the Huber Method are known and taught worldwide.

Louise's chart contains 3 Learning triangles which all support her quest and taste for knowledge and information as well as her ability to teach and share it with others. Learning triangles often indicate ongoing learning throughout life. Louise's study of Alice Bailey's esoteric material has been ongoing since the 1950's. In 1956, she and Bruno were invited to help set up the Arcane School in Geneva - this as her Age Point was in 6th house of service, was in Virgo, the sign associated with service to others, and shortly before this it had been conjunct the Moon's North Node. A 6th house North Node points to personal and spiritual growth which can be accessed by working for and with others.

I'm not attempting to interpret Louise's chart in an in-depth way, but have chosen a few significant features for the purpose of this 90th birthday tribute. The last feature concerns Louise's Jupiter in Sagittarius in 9th house. I recall hearing Louise speak of the time she started to write and set down her ideas, knowledge and experience of astrology and esotericism. She told of how, at the time, the words and ideas began pouring out of her, and she felt compelled to write. At the time, her Age Point was conjunct Jupiter in both her natal and Moon Node chart, and Jupiter is in 9th house in both charts. She was connecting with a place, an area of life  experience she already knew (the Node chart taps into the depths of the personality and into accumulated knowledge). The 9th house is concerned with higher learning, study, teaching, and Jupiter with wisdom and experience. Louise's first book Reflections and Meditations on the Signs of the Zodiac was the outcome, and after this she went on to write many more books with Bruno. The featured Book of the Month is The Astrological Houses by Bruno and Louise Huber. Click on the Books by the Hubers tab above to see all their books.

As Louise's current Age Point approaches conjunction with Venus all that remains now is to wish Louise Huber a very happy day, and to send her love, light and power on the occasion of the 90th birthday.

The Uranus/Pluto Square Dance

Square exact 21.4 2014. Chart set for noon, London

The ongoing dance between Uranus and Pluto continues. As you'll see from the chart, it's moving towards a square dance, with the Efficicency/Performance square that is formed becoming exact on 21st April. Other dance partners in this aspect pattern are Mars and Jupiter, with Moon hanging in there briefly alongside Pluto to bring a touch of intense emotion or maybe some heartfelt feeling to the performance.

Upheaval and revolution continue. Ukraine has had its second revolution in 10 years (2004 and now 2014). Russia's hard line is in evidence, but even though some kind of peaceful resolution has been agreed upon Putin and Russia are putting on the pressure and the threat of cutting off gas supplies to Europe once again rears its head. The sabres are rattling in the background and we may well not have heard the end of this issue yet. For a look at Putin's chart see the post about him on this blog - click on Politicians in the labels cloud on the left.

Meanwhile, unrest and inhumane civil war continues in Syria. The global economy is nowhere near healthy yet. And here in the UK the knives are out and being sharpened as Scotland prepares for its autumn Yes/No referendum on independence from the rest of the United Kingdom, challenging the 1707 Act of Union. 

Also significant is the recent announcement, based on hard scientific evidence, that global warming and climate change is here, is happening now, and can no longer be ignored or denied by those who have pooh-poohed the subject. We are warned that winters will bring more unpredictable extreme weather, and that summers will become hotter. The effect on the earth we live on, on a global scale, will be dramatic. We're almost out of time to reverse some of the ongoing changes in the climate. Politicians have to extert the will to DO something instead of burying their heads to the sand.

The ongoing Uranus/Pluto square is part of this wake up call; its intensity will ease off and then return to it's tight square several more times between now and 2019.

Currently, Mars in Libra opposite Uranus could inject a whole lot more energy into getting things moving in all the global issues I've mentioned. Jupiter in Cancer could bring some wisdom, experience and vision to offer direction as to where things are going. Unaspected Neptune in Pisces appears to be sitting on the sidelines and could be the voice of compassion and sensitivity, set aside from the main event, but nonetheless a very important player whose role it may be to counteract the bellicose nature of any conflict. Neptune's presence also acts as a potent reminder - it can remind us all to be compassionate towards others as well as to the environment we live in, where nature is starting to struggle and needs our support as it's part of the web of life upon which our survival depends.

Let's face it, Uranus will remain in assertive and action-oriented Aries for some time yet (2019 according to my ephemeris) and Pluto will be trundling through Capricorn until 2024, giving ample opportunities for the in-depth scouring of established institutions which has already started, as well as for the all-important global wake up that's needed to secure the future of humankind as we know it.

Venus - a matter of taste, beauty and balance

Venus glyph

If you've ever gazed up at the night sky and seen Venus shining bright and beautiful, you will already have absorbed some of the qualities that this planet represents. Cool, silvery and also mysterious, Venus appears sometimes as the evening star, and sometimes as the morning star. The beauty of this planet is elusive and intriguing as it seems to move about in the sky. 

Aesthetics of food

 In astrological psychology, Venus represents the drive to be selective and choose, using discrimination. Venus is associated with our ability to form relationships, to develop and express our aestheic tastes and preferences, to pursue what is harmonious and beautiful and, as a sensory organ, to use our physical sense of taste. The energies of Venus will be as fully engaged when you're eating a meal, as when you're visiting an art gallery, deciding on a colour scheme or forming a new friendship.

17.6.1980 at 14.12 in Lynwood, CA, USA

This is the chart of tennis player Venus Williams. Appropriately her full name is Venus Ebony Starr Williams. Her chart vibrates with energy and the aspects form an image of what could be viewed as the trajectory of her movements and the tennis ball as she runs about the court. What is interesting is that her Gemini Sun is conjunct Venus on the Balance Point of the 9th house. Any planet conjunct the Sun is likely to confer a close identification with the energies and qualities of that planet, so it's not altogether surprising that Williams is glamorous and tastefully attired both on and off the court. Planets on a Balance Point will have an ease of expression.

In the current Book of the Month, The Planets and their Psychological Meaning Bruno and Louise Huber describe the qualities  of Venus, along with all the other planets, in depth and detail. The book is available from the APA Bookshop.

 

 And I here talk about Venus on my YouTube channel.