D-Day 80th anniversary

I'm reblogging the post I wrote 10 years ago, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day on 6th June 1944. You can look at the original here, or you can read this reblogged post which I've updated. 

This commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which is currently very much in the news. Sadly, Richard Llewellyn - featured in this post -  is no longer with us but it feels right to honour his input as a naval officer in the D-Day landings. Several years ago, Richard was awarded the prestigious French Legion d'Honneur for the part he played in the liberation of France, and always spoke warmly of the welcome he and other visiting veterans received from the French people when he was there.

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D-Day 70 years on (first published in 2014)

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 was a D-Day veteran and he returned to Normandy for the 70th anniversary commemorative ceremonies.

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 the time Richard recalled the landings could start as the guns along the coastline at Gold Beach, where he was positioned, had been disabled. The Sun had risen and was in 12th house; the Moon was setting and fell into 6th. The focus had changed. Saturn was close to the AC, indicating the importance of organisation and plans. Mars/Pluto were 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) was 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 - and 80 years on -  those who took part in D-Day. To remember and honour 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 he was interviewed, on that 70th anniversary at a 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, and even though you're no longer with us, this is another "Thank you."

 

Winter Solstice

It's had to ignore dark mornings, short days and dark afternoons at this time of year. Living in the northern hemisphere, we should be used to this. Maybe we are, and  seek solace and light in other forms; you have only to look at the many indoor and outdoor light decorations at this time of year.

As an astrologer, I’m aware – in a non-too-intensive way – of the movements of the planets. The Sun enters the sign of Capricorn on 21st December,  a widely known fact anyway, but it bears repeating because we all, myself included, need reminding of things from time to time. And it’s always good to reconnect with these cosmic events outside of ourselves in the face of the current Omicrom surge.

Acknowledging and connecting with the position of the Sun in relation to ourselves on Earth is something we can do relatively easily at this time of year, especially this year as we live with uncertainty under the speedily darkening shadow of Omicron.

On 21st December the Sun is at its furthest point away from the northern hemisphere, making this is the shortest day and longest night of the year. Meanwhile, down in the southern hemisphere the Sun is riding high in the sky as the exact opposite happens.

The winter solstice takes place in the deepest, darkest part of winter, when daylight is in short supply. Yet it is a festival of light which, in the northern hemisphere, coincides with Christmas. This Christian festival takes place at the same time of year as the pagan celebration of the solstice which celebrates the gradual and at first imperceptible return of the light of the Sun after the long days of darkness.

It’s the turning point of the year and marks the return of the light and the rebirth of the Sun (the Son in Christianity…?), together with the promise of the warmth and energy the Sun brings to make crops – essential to life – grow once again after the earth has lain dormant. Goodness knows, we need a bit of light and promise right now.

This is the time of year when people of all faiths, and none, can express their connection with the earth, our life upon it in relation to others we meet, our life upon it in relation to the other living creatures we share it with, and our place in the solar system.

It's a time when we can share the warmth of friendship at this turning point of the year and bring some light and joy into our own lives and the lives of others.

What  could you do at this time of year to bring a little light into your own life? Could it be time to nurture yourself spiritually? To look further than the superficial materialism of Christmas? What could you do?

Be kind?     Light a candle?     Call a friend?   Get in touch with someone you've not contacted for a while?    Perform a random act of kindness?   Take a risk and smile at strangers as you walk down the street? Listen to some music which touches your soul and warms your heart? Get out into nature, walk in it, connect with it, observe it, appreciate it?

If you begin to express some warmth of spirit, it's likely to be mirrored and come back to you. A random smile often begets a smile in return. A friendly word to a stranger often brings a friendly response in return.Try it!

Greetings of the season to everyone out there, and may the warmth of friendship be wrapped around you at this time of year. We need it more than ever this year, this solstice.

What would you like to see more of in the World?

 

Twelve years ago today, on 3rd Augsut 2009, I completed my one hour on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, London, as part of artist Antony Gormley's "One and Other" project.

I'd been randomly selected from those who applied to stand on the plinth (my  daughter entered my name without me knowing) and on reflection it was one of the most memorable things I've ever done, although it was both scary and challenging at the time.

My granddaughter - my first grandchild - was born while I was on the plinth, making the event even more significant, and today is her 12th birthday. She's now pre-teen, and will be a teenager in a year's time. I'm currently musing on what sort of world - the world we're in right now - she's going to inherit.

Ahead of my stint on the plinth, I asked friends and family "What would you like to see more of in the world" and they provided plenty of words expressing different qualities.  I read these out while I was up on the plinth, many of them receiving cheers and applause from the crowd down below (they also cheered enthusiastically when I announced the birth of my first grandchild, news of which had been shouted up to me by excited family down on the ground).

In these current times of uncertainty, pandemic, upheaval and ever-encroaching climate change I feel the need to reiterate and re-share some of the words I read out as a reminder and a memory-jogger of collectively held aspirations for a better world. We can always do better.

It's easy to be complacent, especially after 16 months of lockdowns and disappointments, so it's good to remind myself (you too if you take this on board) that we all have the power - the "power of one" (ourselves) -  to work towards something more positive in the months and years ahead. And to remember that children - like my increasingly grown up granddaughter -  are our future.

While I was on the plinth I read out most of the 94 words sent to me by family and friends saying what they would like to see more of in the world. Everyone involved offered words which have qualities and meanings that are universally understood and go beyond the personal.

It's time to reconnect with them and live them.

 

The Jupiter/Saturn Conjunction - and watch out for 2021

 

Our star, the Sun, setting over the sea

They're calling it The Great Conjunction because in astronomical terms, it's pretty impressive. 

Not since 1632 have these two planets - both of them mighty, large, heavy masses - been this close together, so close that they appear as a very bright star in the sky. It has long been speculated that a conjunction of these two heavies were the "Star in the East" which was seen and followed by the Three Wise Men (bear in mind if you will, that these guys were probably astrologers/astronomers so they knew what they were seeing and the possible significance of this rare event).

Fast forward to the Winter Soltice (that's today) of 2020, when the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn will be as close and extact as it can be. Both planets have been edging closer together as they move though the home strait of Earth sign Capricorn to cross the fininishing line and enter Air Sign Aquarius today, 21st December. Slap bang on the Winter Solstice, when the Sun (from Earth) appears to stand still. What we experience here on Earth (in the northern hemisphere) is the shortest day and the longest night; a time of wonder for our early ancestors who lived their lives closely attuned to the seasons, to the environment, the movements of the heavens, and the position of the Sun, our star.

I've previously written about significant planetary movements in 2020, and you can read about it here.

But what is happening right now, as we hurtle towards 2021? The cases of Covid-19 are alarmingly on the rise, a new variant of the virus has emerged and in the UK stringent new lockdowns have been established in large areas of the country. The vaccination programme is in the initial stages of being rolled out, and the UK teeters towards the real possibility of a no-deal Brexit with stuttering on/off negotiations on a trade deal with the EU. Many countries have already closed their borders with the UK for fear of the virus spreading beyond our shores, and lorries carrying goods from continental Europe are backed up for mind-boggling miles into the county of Kent, triggering fears of shortages. Merry Christmas? I don't think so.

So let's look at the qualites and energies of this significant Jupiter/Saturn conjunction and how they might throw some light on current events and set the scene for 2021. The pair of them together remind me of the "Push-me-Pull-you" animal in Dr. Doolittle, each side tugging in different directions which are mostly completely opposing.

Jupiter qualities are concerned with largesse, big gestures, adventuring, like the Star Trek mission statement of "boldly going forth where no-one has gone before". Jupiter sees the big picture and takes in the potential of the whole, but may not always look before it leaps, so Jupiterian actions can be risky. It's great on vision, on looking ahead and seeing fresh ways to go, but a touch of casual sloppiness can creep in whilst it's in pursuit of new horizons. With Jupiter, think big, and listen to Holst's Planets Suite, where Jupiter is tagged as "The bringer of jollity". The usic speaks of this and Holst knew what he was writing about here as he had studied astrology - albeit the more traditional style, not the Huber Method.

Saturn qualities on the other hand are almost the complete opposite. Saturn is renowned in traditional astrologky for being the grumpy old killjoy of the solar system, associated with the stiffness and stuffiness of old age (Holst's piece in Saturn is tagged "The bringer of old age", the music correspondingly slow and on the gloomy side). But where would we be be without Saturn, with its qualities and energies of restaint, caution and risk-aversion? Saturn offers structure, form, systems, shape, boundaries (but don't let them become high brick walls), organisation, and a scientific approach so we don't leap in without first checking out the facts, or dangers and drawbacks. There are some pretty useful qualities around there.

So - we have the go-ahead/hold-back aspects of this conjunction going arm-in-arm into the Air sign of Aquarius, itself famous for it's forward-thinking/let-it-all-hang out stamp, thanks to the musical "Hair" and the song "The Age of Aquarius" (and that show was around in the late 60's/early 70s). There's nothing new here - this may be the moment we've been waiting for.

Aquarius, as an Air sign, is concerned with ideas, thinking, communication, freedom, shared-interest groups, independence, science, incongruity - you've probably got your own pet thoughts about this sign and you'll get the drift. But place Jupiter and Saturn, both with the potential to bring out the BEST of their own qualities in on this sign, and we could be in for some more interesting times in the year ahead. 

In the Huber Method, planetary energies and qualities are viewed as being able to operate and be expressed at three levels. These, in astrological psychology, are evident in observable human behaviour; the levels as Asleep, Waking and Awake. So Jupiter Asleep would be indolent, lazy, over-indulgence, but Waking or Awake it could be an astute, clear, inclusive and forward-looking vision of the future and an innate wisdom of how things could be.

Saturn Asleep would be fears, doubts, hanging on to what feels secure, being stuck and not wanting to budge. Waking or Awake it could be carefully researching ways of obtaining better security, ensuring that any safety nets required are of the highest quality to do the job and being like a wise mentor, helping others by sharing knowledge.

Put these two planets operating not at the lower, Asleep level, but at one or both of the higher levels of Waking and Awake, into the "Age of Aquarius" sign that they'll be travelling through together for the best part of 2021, and we have a potentially formidable duo who could work wonders - with, of course, the co-operation of we humans if we are are capable of rising to the challenge of these trying times to help steer way through for us all; the vaccines are already being worked on or rolled out across the world. 

But bear in mind Pluto, still hanging in there in Capricorn, which Jupiter and Saturn have now left, although Jupiter does bob back there a couple of times in 2021, but it moves faster than Saturn and goes on its way into Pisces a year from now. That leaves Saturn to continue more slowly and sedately, perhaps laying down firm structures and systems, based on the adventuring vision of Jupiter. Something our sparkling duo in this conjunction share is the capacity for WISDOM, maybe something to hang on to as a positive on this darkest day of the year.

Pluto stays in Capricorn until 2024, quietly getting on with the job of clearing out the old, outworn and no longer relevant attitudes, structures and organisations that have become crystallised over a long period of time. It's as though Pluto is riding postillion to Jupiter and Saturn, bagging and dumping the "unwanted on board" stuff as it goes. Expect some establishments to fall. In the UK, Scotland is urging for Independence and with a General Election in May the result will be interesting to say the least. In May, Jupiter moves off into Pisces for a short while, maybe after it has prepared the way for the vision of Scottish Independence - and that would certainly involve Pluto's transformative qualities as postilion rider.

These are simply my thoughts on our current situation. I'm not a mundane astrologer so I've viewed the current conjunction, the solstice, and the Zodiac signs involved through a more general lens of what all of this might mean for some of us. It's not a prediction, just my take.

Comment if you like, add to the pot, but only if you have something valid, valuable, relevant and respectful to say.

 

2017 and the echoes of 1933

We live in interesting times, as the saying goes. Anyone paying attention to the on-going parade of changing world events in 2016 will be wondering "what next?" What in heaven's name is coming up in 2017? More change? Less upheaval? More of the same but at another turn of the spiral? Here's the chart for the start of the year - what do you think? 

January 1st 2017, London, 00.01 am

The chart image reminds me of a pterodactyl dinosaur, which was a flying lizard, wings outstretched - but is it flying away into the distance or swooping down to land? Play around with ideas of what the image may be, and what it might mean for you. The aspect colours are predominantly red/blue with two precious green semi-sextiles to help offset the overall either/or colour motivation. The shaping is triangular, suggesting flexibility and change, not stasis, and the dominating aspect patterns are both Ambivalence figures, reflecting the either/or, on/off nature of the colour motivation in the chart.

I'm not interpreting the chart, just setting the scene. At the start of this new year, and following a tumultuous 2016, I'm focussing on the positions of the slower moving outer planets and how they might impact on our increasingly edgy and changing world.

In 2017, Pluto will remain in Capricorn all year, staying in this sign until 2024, with a few occasional forays into Aquarius. I wrote about Pluto in Capricorn in 2009 - you can read my thoughts on this here as well as watch my video on the same subject. I'm still following the unfolding events of Pluto's journey through this sign, and I add some of the events of 2016. The uncovering of corruption is ongoing. The Panama Papers, Philip Greene's disgraceful sale of BHS for £1 and his lack of concern over dumping his staff and making off with their pension fund, the coming to light of sexual abuse by junior team football coaches of young players back in the 1970s, phone hacking, election hacking and police corruption are just a few things that come to mind. You'll be able to name more - please just add them to the comments at the end of this post. Pluto will continue to root out, expose and shake up establishments, businesses, governments and institutions  - maybe the whole world - for the next 7 years. Pluto at its lowest level of expression manifests as ego-mania, manipulation and the use of power for personal gain. At its highest level it can channel spiritual will and motivation; we have to go through the crap before we can rise above it. Maybe that is one of the tasks for the year ahead....

So that's Pluto; now on to Neptune, in its natural sign of Pisces throughout 2017. Neptune at its highest level is seeking unity, to express universal love and acceptance of all living creatures, asserting, as British MP Jo Cox said, "We have more in common than that which divides us". She was murdered by one of her constituents for her outspoken inclusive attitudes a week before the UK referendum in June, shocking the hustings into silence for a short while. But the lower aspects of Neptune swiftly rose again here in the UK with lies, deception and back-stabbing behaviour channelled through politicians as they scrabbled around for power in the referendum vote (oh Pluto, you were definitely there too, adding your two-pennyworth). Globally news was, and probably continues to be, beset with false images, false stories, false claims, illusory realities. Something to be aware of there - "Where is The Truth?" would be a good question to keep in mind in 2017.

Uranus will continue to travel through Aries in 2017, opposing Jupiter in Libra some of the time. This could egg Uranus on to move from its lowest level. Here security is paramount, with technology, defence mechanisms and machines keeping things fixed (Uranus, commonly thought of as being a rebel, is actually a fixed quality planet); at its highest level Uranus moves away from hidebound fixed responses and fires up the explorer in us, the creative spirit, and encourages problem solving. Jupiter expands, poses risks, but it can open up new possibilites. It could be useful. Globally we have plenty of problems to address.

The other planet involved as it's slower moving, is Saturn, currently coming to the end of its journey through Sagittarius. It enters Capricorn in December 2017 joining Pluto, adding weight to the focus on this sign and all it stands for collectively.

If you're wondering how 2017 echoes with 1933, comparisons have been made in the past year between the mood and events in the 1930s and what is going on now. The rise of the far right's extremist views echoes the rise of the nazi party in the 30s; the election of Donald Trump, an unpredictable power-hungry businessman and reality tv performer, as US president, due to be inaugurated on 20th January 2017, echoes the swearing in of Hitler as German Chancellor on 30th January 1993.

I took a look at the charts for both events, but what caught my attention was the positions of the three outer planets - Uranus, Neptune, Pluto. Two are in signs opposite to those they were in in 1933, one is in the same sign and all are very close to the same degree:  

1933 Pluto 21.57 Cancer; 2017 Pluto 17.36 Capricorn

1933 Neptune 9.32 Virgo; 2017 Neptune 10.15 Pisces

1933 Uranus 19.55 Aries; 2017 Uranus  20.46 Aries

Hitler Chancellor 30.1.1933, 11.25, Berlin

Trump inauguration 20.1.2017, Washington DC

Yes, I know things like this happen in planetary movements....and of course it could just be coincidence.

But doesn't it suggest it's time to pause, to think and to be aware because maybe it's time for us all to wake up and speak up for those things we value. These are times to express and promote love and acceptance. Fear and hate are not welcome in 2017.