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.
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| Chart set for 6.6.1944 at Longues-sur-Mer, Normandy coast, 05.15 |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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.
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| Richard in London. Image zimbio.com |
" 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.
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