Showing posts with label Family Model. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family Model. Show all posts

4 Nov 2025

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: an update

 February 2026

I'm adding a few further thoughts in view of Mountbatten-Windsor's current situation. He's been arrested and a police investigation is taking place The story unfolds daily. I've added further thoughts in red. 

Maybe the title for this post should be "Andrew's long and winding road to dis-entitlement". We've had frequent news of the styles, titles and honours he has been stripped of, following Virginia Guiffre's posthumous memoir "Nobody's Girl", published on 21st October 2025.

Once it was published, there was nowhere for Mountbatten-Windsor's already tarnished reputation to go, except lower still. Known as partying "Randy Andy" before he married Sarah Ferguson, he had a much-publicised affair in the 1980s with model and actress, Koo Stark.

His chart is unusual in that it has two parallel linear aspects spanning the I/private side and the You/public side. One red, one green, they link both halves of the chart like zip wires suspended over a canyon, at the bottom of which, hidden, sits unaspected Neptune in the 4th house. 

 


 Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, 19.2.1960 at 15.38, London (RR AA)

What might this tell us? That he is able to zoom across these and switch from being a sociable, outgoing, party-loving person to one who might very much want to do his own thing? Or control his own thing? Both Uranus and Pluto are on the end of the zip wires - but these are transpersonal planets and how they are expressed depends on the self-awareness of the person concerned. Beginning at the base level of how each of the transpersonal planets are likely to be expressed, Uranus at the "asleep" level can be subversive, erratic and fanatical; Pluto on this level suggests egomania, the use of power and imposing the will. And that unaspected Neptune in the collective area at the bottom of the chart suggests either no boundaries, or very flimsy ones, along with the escapism and potentially addictive behaviour at  an "asleep" level.

Mountbatten-Windsor's overall chart shaping shows a mixture of Fixed and Mutable motivation; he could swap from one mode to another, the Fixed drive for security alternating with the Mutable restless drive to do something new and challenging. A public v private side?

The Guardian newspaper helpfully published a timeline tracing Mountbatten-Windsor's naval career, his time serving in the Falkland's war, his marriage, divorce and subsequent friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell which has ultimately led to his downfall, and I shall draw on this to take a look at Age Progression (AP) in his chart/life events.

But first a few speculations - 

1) unaspected Neptune in Scoprio sits at the bottom of the chart, in the 4th house. His AP was conjunct this planet in 1979, when he joined the navy. As a young man of 19, he may at that stage, have had high ideals about service to his country and about his role as a royal. These ideals/dreams could well have become tarnished or changed along the way as he matured. An unaspected planet behaves like a dog off lead, responding to what the environment offers in a non-discriminatory way.

2) in 1981 his AP was conjunct his intercepted Low Point Moon (feelings, emotional needs, the inner child) highlighting his relationship with Koo Stark and also the possibility that those emotional needs were being met, maybe for the first time. The royal family are not renowned for showing feelings. Was Koo his true love? And was he, as some reports suggest, urged to give her up by his mother, the late Queen? He was known as her favourite. In 1986, with AP conjunct his Balance Point Jupiter, he married Sarah Ferguson and was given the title of Duke of York by the Queen.

That intercepted Moon in Scorpio deserves a closer look. Intercepted planets - those in a sign with no house cusps - are more of a challenge to express and are often not seen or heard by the environment and outside world. An intercepted planet may feel ignored, unnoticed, passed by. And if it's the Moon that's intercepted the feeling and emotional needs of the individual will be unrecognised. Their way out will be via other planets the Moon has aspects to - in Mountbatten-Windsor's case these are Sun in 7th House, Mars/Venus in 6th, and the North Node of the Moon in 2nd house.

3) in 1992, he and Ferguson divorced, with his AP conjunct Mars and Venus in Capricorn, in the 6th house of service to others (his role as a royal?) and it was an amicable divorce; they remain friends and until now have shared a home in the Royal Lodge in Windsor Castle's grounds. 

4) his AP moved through the lower part of the chart between the ages of 18 and 36, passing 6 planets along the way.This quadrant of the chart is busy with the aspects pinning two separate aspect patterns - the Detective and the Magic Cap.The Detective is a blue/green figure, more likely to respond to and obey the demands of the environment rather than work on personal development. The Magic Cap, also predominantly blue/green, makes the wearer invisible and inscrutable.

Additionally, the Moon Node Age Point (MNAP) is exactly conjunct the IC. This age point can often bring to light what is happening beneath the surface, below the threshold of everyday consciousness. In this case it does seem a graphic indicator of the undermining and the rocking of the very foundations of Mountbatten-Windsor. 

For detailed explanations of aspect patterns mentioned see Aspect Pattern Astrology by Bruno & Louise Huber, and for more information on Moon Node Astrology click on this link.

Fast forward now to 2000. Mountbatten-Windsor had already met Epstein and, with AP first conjunct his Sun then in 2001/2002 with the crossing point of the natal and node chart Age Points taking place simultaneously, he posed for the now-famous photo with his arm around teenage Virginia Guiffre. This, along with his TV interview with Emily Maitlis and other subsequent  details which have come to light over a period of 15 years, bring his sad and sordid story to this current point in time.

There's much more I could say and speculate on - for instance, the Family Model in his chart. Mother as Queen, father the Queen's consort, both now deceased but with their influence at it's greatest as he was growing against the background of the permissive 60s. Saturn, representing in the Huber Method, the mother and rules, boundaries and adherence to expectations. When your mum is the Queen, all that is likely to be highly magnified. Saturn, strongly positioned before the 6th cusp, is in a separate linear aspect pattern which is disconnected from the Fixed structure. In spite of being her favourite, how close were they?

And the Sun in 7th house, representing the father. It's just into Pisces and opposite Pluto at the other end of the red zip wire but connected to the Magic Cap pattern and to the Moon This suggests a potentially powerful father figure and role model, and perhaps a challenging relationship between father and son.

Current Age Point 

And now? Mountbatten-Windsor's AP made an exact opposition to Saturn at the time of his arrest  on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The police investigation is ongoing; the arrest took place on his 66th birthday as his AP entered the 12th House. In their book LifeClock, the Hubers, in line with other approaches to astrology, describe the 12th House as a place of withdrawal, voluntary or otherwise where ".....a certain isolation is required and if the native will not seek it of his own free will, nature will provide it for him".

 I leave you to speculate further, and leave comments on any insights that arise.

  

18 Nov 2014

Babies, parents and family relationships

From time to time I write about a newborn baby and show the chart, erected of course for the time date and place of birth, not forgetting to correct the time to GMT where necessary.

With one new baby in my own family, and another expected any time now, it's interesting to look at the chart alongside the ongoing Uranus/Pluto square which  currently all new babies have in their charts.

Born 29.10.2014, London, 10.38

This is an uncluttered chart with two complete aspect patterns - a Small Talent triangle (all blue) and an Efficiency/Performance triangle (all red). The Efficiency/Performance triangle includes the Uranus/Pluto square, and in this baby's chart, the Moon in conjunct Pluto. With no green aspects in this chart, the parents will be able to help  by providing the stimulus for the child to ask questions, search, think and generally not get caught into an either/or way of thinking or approaching life.

For more posts on various babies whose charts I've featured in the past, click on Astrology for Babies in the labels cloud on the left, and also click on Family Model. The Family Model describes the significance of  the parents and the environment to the child, and how this relates to certain planets in the chart. Several charts of well-known people are included here, with speculation on how they were influenced by childhood conditioning.

And for more on aspect patterns, click on the Aspect Patterns label which will lead you to a wealth of posts featuring these.

Recommended reading for more information on astrological psychology in the context of family, chidren and relationships is Family, Relationships and Health, available from the APA Book shop


3 Feb 2014

Nature v Nurture - The Family Model

In my book The Cosmic Egg Timer, I include a chapter giving guidelines on how to use the Family Model in the natal chart. Looking at the position of Sun, Moon and Saturn a lot can be learned about the Mother/Father/Child relationships which existed as the individual was growing up.

Sun at the top
The Sun symbolises the will and the mind, and aspects of the personality which relate to "self" - self-confidence, self-esteem and self-identity. When we're young, we're not yet ready to take on board developing these things for ourself, so we project our own Sun on to the person in the family who we assume is playing out that role - it's usually dad, but in these days of changes in family structures, it can also be mum. In such cases, the child will look to the mother to fulfil both parenting roles. Ideally, the Sun in the chart will be placed above the horizon, preferably near the top. Needless to say, it doesn't always happen this way; variations and what they suggest are discussed in The Cosmic Egg Timer.

Saturn at the bottom
Saturn in the chart is symbolic of our physical self (see  post on the ego planets) as well as security in all its different manifestations. Security means different things to different people, but one thing's for sure: we all need to feel secure, especially when a child. Who is the first person to offer such security and protection? Mother of course, so we tend to project our own Saturn on to her. She's the one who gives out the rules and guidelines of how things should be as we grow up. Please don't fall into the trap of gasping and rejecting Saturn as mother when you may be attached to thinking of the Moon as mother. Mum can be Saturnian and loving at the same time. She (or the person who fulfils this role) is usually the one who keeps us on track. Ideally, Saturn will be placed below the horizon in the chart and you can read more of why this is in the book.

Moon in 7th
Moon represents our inner child and how we express ourselves through our feelings (again, see my previous post on the ego planets) so it won't come as a big surprise to discover that the Moon symbolises the child - ourselves as we grew up - in the context of the Family Model. The Moon is best placed in the chart where it can make and receive contact with others. A 7th house placement is ideal, but not too many things in the chart fall into the category of "ideal", so let's say that the Moon is likely to be well-placed if it's somewhere in the region of the DC, where it has the best chance of connecting with others.


You'll find much more about the Family Model in my co-authored book The Cosmic Egg Timer, where family relationships, family dominance, and specific bonding between child and one or both parents is covered. The book is available as an ebook and as a paperback.

Comment by a newcomer to astrology, on The Cosmic Egg Timer:
"This impressive book explains astrological psychology clearly in a logical and progressive manner. It enabled me to examine my own chart, and those of family and friends. I came away with a deeper awareness of myself, and greater understanding of astrology. It has left me wanting to know more!"

19 Nov 2013

John F Kennedy 50 years on

The 50th anniversary of the assassination of JFK is being marked and remembered as 22nd November 2013 nears. Many people around the world will recall hearing the news, experiencing the shock and the aftermath of this event.
Kennedy was born on 29th May 1917 at 3.00 pm in Brookline, MA, USA. His chart is sparse and graphic.
The aspect structure is almost completely linear and tangential, with only one aspect pattern, the Small Learning triangle pinned by the Mercury/Mars/Jupiter conjunction in Taurus, with Venus and Moon at the other two corners. The chart image is one which conveys a rather gawky, awkward appearance, and the separate semi-sextile at the top of the chart formed by Saturn/Neptune and Pluto has little chance of being integrated into the overall pattern. It would act as a separate, possibly quite strong-willed part of his personality.

I don't intend to make a detailed anaylsis of his chart, but will focus on features which are interesting in the light of what is known about JFK the person and President. Family expectations for him were high. He came from a weathy and influential background, and was brought up in the Catholic faith. His father is said to have been absent, his mother cold and remote. In the Huber's Family Model, the Sun represents the father and Saturn the mother principle (note - NOT the mother, the protective mothering principle). The child, in the Family Model, is represented by the Moon. JFK's Virgo Moon is tucked away on the AC side of the chart and looks quite lonely and isolated. It is close to the 12th cusp so psychologically would be more interested in 12th house matters than in those of the 11th house where it just about has a foothold. Children with a Moon placement such as this tend towards retreating into their own space. 

The Sun, with its loose conjunction to Venus in Gemini in 8th suggests the experience of a father who is charming and communicative, deeply engaged with the matters of a wider society and a networker/businessman. Saturn is part of the detached semi-sextile which spans the top of the chart. Saturn's conjunction with Neptune may indicate a yearning for love and acceptance on the part of the child (JFK himself) but this could have felt way out of his reach, with her being potentially powerful and scary, taking into consideration the connection with Pluto alongside the dominant position of Saturn at the top of the chart. 

JFK was renowned for his womanising and had great charisma. Mercury, Mars and Jupiter, all strongly placed in 8th house and squaring Uranus could convey his pulling power as well as his charm, and Venus conjunct Sun in Gemini - part of the complete Small Learning triangle - would contribute to this, along with his ability to be a powerful orator.

JFK's Age Progression is worth noting - he married at age 36, as his Age Point in Aries crossed the DC and entered the 7th house. This is often a time of opening up to new horizons in life. Marriage made his selection and election as President more likely - the "Camelot" family of John, Jackie and their young children was very appealing. His renowned long term affair with Marilyn Monroe coincides with his Age Point transitting the 7th house, yet his marriage to Jackie appeared solid. 

JFK was sworn in as President in January 1961. He was 44 and his Age Point was on the Balance Point of the 8th house. The Balance Point experience in Age Progression is one of being able to respond smoothly and easily to the demands of the environment; when the Age Point reaches the Low Point this becomes more challenging. In November 1963, JFK's Age Point had already moved through the Low Point in the 8th house and as he was was driven through Dallas in the open-topped car, waving and smiling at the crowds, with Jackie at his side, he was shot dead.

He was 46 and his Age Point was conjunct his Sun.

11 Sept 2010

The Family Model: David Cameron's new baby

In astrological psychology, the Family Model is a very useful tool for understanding how an individual might have experienced their family set-up when they were children. All too often, some of the conditioning received during formative childhood years sticks around far longer than is necessary for adults and can cause problems and hang ups throughout life. Working with the Family Model can help people recognise and accept this, enabling them to move forward making their own life choices rather than be quite so heavily influenced by the expectations laid upon them in childhood.

In the Family Model, the Sun represents the father or the person who took on this role, and is ideally placed somewhere in the upper part of the chart. Saturn represents the prime person who looks after the safety, caring, nourishment, stability, structure and well-being of the child. Although both parents do this, it is the mother (or someone who takes on this role) who provides the primary mothering principles. Saturn is ideally placed in the lower half of the chart. The child is represented by the Moon, ideally placed somewhere on the horizontal axis of the chart where contact can most easily be made. For more on the Family Model see my book The Cosmic Egg Timer, available at the APA on-line Book Shop.


British PM David Cameron recently became a new dad unexpectedly early whilst on holiday in Cornwall. Florence Rose Endellion Cameron was born on 24.8.2010 in Truro at 12 noon - time quoted by Cameron in BBC News interview. With a noon birth the Sun is at the top of the chart where it can shine and be seen, a fitting place for a father who is Prime Minister...but will he be able to live up to her Virgoan high standards when she's older?! Her Sun has all 3 aspect colours lighting it up, so potential exists for her to develop her own sense of self with considerable awareness.

Saturn is not best placed as it's not in the lower half of the chart where it can offer optimum stability and grounding. It's interesting to see that Saturn is placed just before the 12th house cusp, indicating that mum Samantha (dubbed SamCam by the media) might prefer, as wife of the PM and mother to Florence and her other two children, to stay in the background and away from the glare of publicity. Saturn receives just red/green asepcts, indicating a touchy sensitivity.
The overall shaping of the chart shows a Fixed motivation, so stability is going to be important for Florence.

Moon is in the lower half of the chart and is conjunct Neptune in 4th house. Florence may well enjoy and need the security of home and family, to the extent of not wishing to move far away, even when she's old enough to do so. Neptune conjunct Moon could indicate some special creative talent, but with an Aquarian Moon she could well want to do her own thing. This could prove interesting, as Moon is opposite Sun (she was born on the Full Moon); there could be clashes between her and dad.

Florence's chart has a relatively unusual aspect pattern - the Irritation Rectangle - which is pinned on 3 of its 4 corners by Sun, Moon and Saturn - the planets representing the Family Model. This suggests a close and binding relationship could exist between her and her parents, one she might not easily break away from because of its binding nature and its sensitive red/green combination of aspects.

16 Jun 2009

Astrology for Babies: The Family Model

The Family Model is a technique exclusive to the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology, and it can be very helpful for parents to understand something of what this indicates in the charts of their own babies. This could be especially so for new parents, but the Family Model is relevant at all stages of development, from childhood and way into teenage years. The Family Model of parents and child is represented in the chart by the Sun (Father), Saturn (Mother) and Moon (child).

The Sun represents the outgoing, independent and leadership qualities which the child will look for and seek to emulate as it becomes less dependent on the care and protection of the mother. This normally starts to happen when the child reaches the age of 3 or 4, when he or she seeks independence and tests out how far it's possible to travel away from the security and symbiotic relationship with the mother. Ideally, the Sun is positioned in the upper half of the chart, the higher the better.

Saturn represents the mother figure who provides security and safety for the child as it grows and develops. She is the person who instills in the child the guidelines to help it fit into the world and environment into which it has been born; she sets the limits and boundaries and reminds the child to clean its teeth, wash its hands etc. She makes the child's physical well-being and survival her priority. The love which is vital to the development of every child comes from other aspects of the mother's personality, but it is the mothering and caring, mentoring principle which is associated with Saturn. Because Saturn is concerned with stability and security, it is best placed in the bottom half of the chart.

The Moon is representative of the baby or child itself. It responds to and in the moment, often picking up and mirroring what it senses from the environment. Babies and children have many needs, and the Moon represents the emotional needs which, in young babies and children, are indicated through gurgles, tears, laughter and happy mimicking of the sounds they hear as they develop language and an understanding of the world around them. The child needs to develop and grow through contact with others, so contact and love are vital. The Moon is best placed along the horizontal I/You axis of the chart, in the area of the Ascendant/Descendant, where it will be able to relate to others most effectively and reflect on how this applies to itself.

The "ideal" placement of Sun, Moon and Saturn doesn't happen too often as the child learns and grows through experiencing an environment which will spur it on to move forward and develop in life rather then be presented with something "perfect" to begin with. The Sun might be at the bottom of the chart, Saturn at the top, and the Moon anywhere else in between! The different positions of these planets can offer an understanding for parents, and for the child itself when it's older, of what the environment is presenting, and what there is to learn.

This 3 year old has the Moon right on the Descendant, on the You side of the chart, making it easy to make contact with the world as well as pick up on, sense and mirror what it is learning from the world about feelings and emotions, and its own emotional sense of self.

Both Sun and Saturn are high up in the chart; good for the Sun to be there but maybe not so "perfect" for Saturn, as mother figure to be there too. Saturn is, in fact, the highest of the 3 Family Model planets and is placed strongly on the MC - the highest point of the chart. This suggests, in the context of the Family Model, that the child could view both parents as role models, but with mother coming out strongest! She could appear, to the child, to be the one who "rules" the household. In fact, this is a mum who now works and has her own career (as many working mums do) but who is very mindful of and responsive to the needs of her child and who cared for her child full time before returning to work.

The forthcoming new book on Astrological Psychology and the Huber Method, "Family, Relationships and Health", covers the Family Model in detail. The book is due to be published in July/August, and will be available from the APA on-line Book Shop.

28 Nov 2008

Prince Charles turns 60

Prince Charles recently turned 60, and his Age Point entered the 11th house of his chart, where Uranus sits waiting for a direct eyeball/eyeball meeting when he reaches 63. I don’t intend to dwell on his Lifeclock but will share a few thoughts about his chart image and the Family Model in his chart. Charles was born on 14.11.1948 at 21.14, in London. Here is his chart, and beneath it I’m showing a picture of a “Witches Hat” roundabout, the sort that was found in children’s playgrounds in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, but which are not seen so often now (probably another victim of our ubiquitous Health and Safety regulations).His chart image reminded me very much of one of these roundabouts, the sort I used to play on when a child, and which could give a very exciting ride indeed if it was rocked from side to side as it went round and round. Before I found the picture, I’d noticed Saturn in the 2nd house of Charles’ chart, appearing to hold the edge of the conical “Witches Hat” just like the woman in this picture. The Family Model, unique to the Huber Method, describes Saturn as the mother figure, the person who takes care of our physical needs and well-being when we’re growing up and lays down many of the rules, most often with our best interests at heart. (“Eat your greens”; “Wash your hands”; “Look both ways before you cross the road” etc.).

Saturn in the 2nd house - the area of personal possessions and security - seems very appropriate and indicative of the Queen wanting to ensure the safety and continuation of the monarchy. Saturn in Virgo is not flowery or expressive. Feelings are unlikely to be shown. In the deepest recesses of memory I recall a story about Charles, aged about 5 years old, greeting his mother after she’d been away for several weeks on a foreign tour. There was no hug and kiss, maybe a handshake (?) but it was a far cry from the wide open arms Diana greeted Princes William and Harry with on the Royal Yacht after she and Charles had been away on a foreign tour. The Queen is of a generation who learned not to give a public show of emotion, not to rock the boat (or Witches Hat), and she, of all people, would want to ensure the steadiness and safety of her heir.

This is a vertical chart with an aspect structure reaching up to the top of the chart where the Moon is placed as the highest planet. Conjunct the North Node, Charles’ rather lonely and exposed Taurean Moon is very weak by Sign and is intercepted. For him as a child, and later as an adult, his emotional needs may not have been heard or recognised when expressed. When the Moon is the highest planet out of Sun (father figure), Moon (the child) and Saturn (mother figure), the individual can feel they are the most important person in this family triad, but also that they have extremely high expectations laid upon them.

It’s interesting to note that when he married Diana, his Age Point was making a challenging square aspect to his Moon . He joked , when asked if they were in love, “Of course, whatever that means”. When he married Camilla, his Age Point had recently transited his Moon suggesting that she was, as he’d always implied, his true love.

The Sun is low down, right at the bottom of the chart, which is the most challenging placement for this planet. The Sun/father figure and the examples of leadership and autonomy he can give is best placed above the horizon where the Sun can shine and be seen. In Charles’ chart, the Sun is in an entirely separate aspect structure from Moon and Saturn, and it too is intercepted. Whereas Saturn, representing the mother in the Family Model, does have a direct link to the Moon - the child - the Sun does not and appears to be apart and disconnected.

You can find out more about the Family Model in my co-authored book, The Cosmic Egg Timer and in my latest book, The Living Birth Chart. Both are available from the APA on-line Book Shop.

10 Jul 2007

The Family Model in Venus Williams' chart

I wrote this post back in 2007 - and 10 years later in 2017, Venus Williams is still winning tennis tournaments on the world stage - she recently won the Wimbledon Championship.
 
Venus Williams won her fourth Wimbledon title on 7th July 2007, grunting and shrieking her way to victory at every smash and volley after a taking a break from the tennis world. What might be seen in her chart that could contribute to her success?

Born on 17.6. 1980 at 14.12 local time in Lynwood, CA, her chart has an intricate tangle of aspects which could resemble the to and fro trajectory of a tennis ball across the court. The aspect pattern that stands out is the red Efficiency Triangle formed by Sun/Venus opposite Neptune, with Saturn/Mars at its apex and outlet point. All planets involved in this aspect pattern are either on or near a Balance Point, or are in the Cardinal zone of the House, and this pattern itself is concerned with activity, production and success.

Her parents have been instrumental in coaching and encouraging both Venus and sister Serena in their tennis - sometimes against all odds and in the face of racial prejudice and opposition - so it's worth taking a look at her Family Model. Sun, representing the fathering principle, is conjunct Venus; Saturn representing the mothering principle, is conjunct Mars. Might this suggest that she experienced interchangeable role reversal in her parents? Each could stand in for the other and both could be equally paternal or protective when this was called for. Her Moon, representing Venus the child, is in the 11th House, sandwiched between Jupiter and the North Node. This suggests the ability to take risks, to perceive, experience life and learn from it....and as Jupiter is in Virgo, the next Sign along from her Leo Moon, perhaps an acute attention to big as well as small details - the use of the eyes, the gaining of knowing and wisdom through experience, which is carefully filed away so that it can be easily accessed.

Her Moon is close in position to Saturn, but only aspects it indirectly. This could indicate a less binding relationship with her mother than the relationship she has with her father. The Moon and Sun directly aspect each other, linked by a blue sextile which could signal a harmonious relationship, but might also hint at adapted behaviour which aims to please.

Venus's Age Point is currently opposite her Moon, with her Nodal Age Point making a quincunx to Jupiter. This is a period of extreme focus and activity on these two planets, and on 11th House in her chart, where selectivity and chosen friends and pursuits reign supreme.

A final thought. The Gauquelin Effect, which looked at the position of Mars in the charts of successful sportsmen and women, says that Mars should fall into the fourth quadrant of the chart, as it does in Venus's. It doesn't do this in her sister Serena's chart, but it does in the chart of Roger Federer, this year's men's Wimbledon Champion, whose chart I shall also be taking a look at this month.

For more on Age Point see the Huber's book LifeClock and my book Using Age Progression. For more on the North Node and the Nodal Age Point, see Moon Node Astrology
by Bruno and Louise Huber, and for more on the Family Model see The Cosmic Egg Timer by myself and Richard Llewellyn. All are available from the APA Book Shop.

21 Mar 2007

Andy Murray, tennis champion


July 2013 - Many Congratulations to Andy Murray on becoming Wimbledon Champion on 7th July 2013, and achieving the goal he's worked towards for so long. With his Age Point in Aquarius, and in the cardinal zone of the 5th house, he fully deserved this win and has worked hard towards it.  Well done Andy!


2012 update
I first wrote about Murray's chart in 2007, when he was 20. This post is now due for an update, with Murray's recent magnificent gold medal triumph in the London 2012 Olympics, swiftly followed by his win at the US Open in Flushing Meadows in September 2012.

Murray has doggedly and determinedly moved on towards his goal of becoming a Grand Slam Champion, and with this we've seen him mellow and become much more lovable and loved. Looking back at where he was by Age Progression when I wrote about him in 2007, his Age Point was at the intersection of his natal and node charts, and I mentioned that his focus would be on aiming to stand out in some way (like a champ!) The Age Point had, at that time, entered the sign of Capricorn, an earth sign, and has been steadily moving through this sign until just recently, when it moved into the air sign of Aquarius. When the Age Point changes signs, it also changes elements. Moving through an earth sign can be good for laying down strong foundations, for building up structures and for being organised and careful. But it can get a bit heavy at times, especially as the Age Point reaches the end of the earth sign. It could feel like wearing heavy boots clogged with mud, so a change of sign and element from earth to air - and in Murray's case, from Capricorn to Aquarius - will feel liberating and things will feel much lighter. So it's not really surprising that Murray has himself lightened up a bit, and in the process has achieved what must be a long-held ambition in his successful Olympic gold followed by winning the US Open.

Congratulations to Murray on his superb achievements this summer and on not being so dour as he's previously appeared!

Here's what I wrote in 2007: Andy Murray’s performance on tennis courts around the world is being watched keenly as British hopes for a Wimbledon victory rise. This young Scot, still only 19, is rated the UK’s best player and his world ranking has recently risen from 14 to 12. Now approaching his 20th birthday (born 15.5.1987, 14.10 BST in Glasgow), his Age Point is in Capricorn and on the Individuality axis of his chart. This should help fuel the determination of the already fiery and determined Murray!

The visual image in his chart is like an explosive firework, bursting upwards from the conjunction of Saturn, Moon and Uranus on the IC. Both Moon and Uranus are opposite Mars at the top of the chart, a combination in opposition which could give rise to explosive reactions and a flaring temper. (the famous John MacEnroe had a Moon/Mars aspect too!). Interestingly, Murray’s Wikipedia entry says he is “known for frequently petulant behaviour”.

The chart shows a strong vertical direction - Murray is motivated to achieve and wants to stand out; Sun and Mars high in the chart and are strongly placed in 9th and 10th Houses respectively. But both are fairly weak by Sign, making the drive towards individuality more of a challenge.

At tennis tournaments, his mother is always present and has been influential and supportive in his career. Let’s take a look at his Family Model. Saturn, representing the mothering principle, sits firmly on the IC alongside Moon, which represents the child. This closeness reflects his mother’s presence and support when he plays, and perhaps indicates Murray’s need for a stable “home”. Moon is sandwiched between Saturn and Uranus - on the one hand, Murray is close to his mother and needing her support; on the other hand, he can be rebellious, unpredictable and want to go his own way. There is a potential “push me-pull you” effect at work here; Murray could go either way. Add to the Moon/Uranus conjunction that opposition to Mars, and the irascible behaviour comes out. But Saturn’s influence sits alongside with his mother perhaps acting as a guiding mentor as well as a psychological anchor for him.

The Sun, representing the father figure, sits high in the chart demanding recognition. Along with Moon, Uranus and Mars, the Sun is part of an Irritation triangle. Could there be a more edgy, uncertain relationship with his father? The motivation associated with Irritation triangles is for the individual to respond quickly and explosively to situations when things start to feel pressured, or there is more going on than can be handled comfortably. The person will feel put upon and a blow up will ensue, followed by a fairly rapid return to normality. It may well be that Murray lives this out quite frequently when on the tennis court. How he might experience this aspect pattern in the context of the Family Model is something that could only be ascertained for sure through discussion with him.

One final profound feature in his chart: at age 8, his Age Point was conjunct Pluto. He was one of the children in the school where the Dunblane massacre of 16 pupils, along with teacher, took place. Understandably, he does not like to speak of this event, but his Age Point bears graphic testimony to this event.

Looking ahead, 2007 could be a key year for him. The Age Point of his natal and nodal chart is currently intersecting on the Individuality axis, so this will focus mind and energies on standing out in some way. And when he played in the Australian Open in January this year, he said that this was the best performance in his career.

7 Aug 2006

Beatrice's chart - and Family Model

Well, here is Beatrice's chart (see previous post). It's a complete mystery to me why it wouldn't upload the last 7 times I tried ( I joke not...!).
A few more thoughts about her chart on the eve of her 18th birthday:
  • Saturn is closely conjunct Uranus; both ride high in the chart. There could be a "push-me-pull-you" effect of craving change and needing security.

In the context of the Family Model, Saturn represents the mother figure. In Beatrice's case, this is Fergie, and according to what can be read in the newspapers, they get along well. But check out the Moon, which represents the child - Beatrice herself - and you'll see that this is opposite the Saturn/Uranus conjunction, hinting at sparky times of conflict and confrontation between the two of them. This could be particularly pronounced in the area of relationships.

Not only that - if Saturn represents Beatrice's mother figure, then doesn't the conjunction with Uranus fit in with what is known about Fergie? Never one to conform to the "expected" norm of a royal-to-be before her marriage to Prince Andrew, she appeared as a bit of a lad, up for a laugh and with a mind of her own.