Neil Armstrong - first man on the Moon

The recent passing of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the Moon, has revived an interest for people in this significant event, regardless of whether they had been born when this took place.

Armstrong was born on 5th August 1930 at 00.31 in Wakaponeta, Ohio USA. This puts his Leo Sun right down at the bottom of the chart, on the IC, and perhaps the furthest place you might expect to find it for someone who was a pioneer in space exploration and had been the first to set foot on the Moon.

His dynamically shaped chart tells of an underlying flexibility and indicates he was able to adapt to changes. The chart has the appearance of a rather careful balancing act with the aspect structure being supported at 3 separate points by the pinning planets down at the bottom of the chart. The chart, by aspects, is very blue, indicating a motivation for consolidation, preservation and the ability to switch off, relax and be laid back. Two blue aspect patterns dominate the chart - a Large and Small talent triangle. The Large triangle indicates an innate, complete talent, one that someone is born with. In Armstrong's chart it has a theme of sensitivity when the pinning planets are considered - Moon, Mercury/Neptune and the Moon's Node in 12th house. Mercury/Neptune indicates a visionary potential, along with sensitivity and the ability to express feelings with Moon in Sagittarius in 7th house. The 12th house Node suggests a quiet spirituality.

The Small triangle suggests something entirely different. This aspect pattern speaks of a still-developing talent, one which has to worked at in order to be perfected. It's pinned by Sun, Mars and Uranus, and has a more robust and outgoing feel. The Sun makes decisions and has leadership qualities; Mars offers skill, bravery, courage and Uranus stretched boundaries as well as bringing a scientific theme.

It's both interesting and significant that Armstrong's Age Point was making aspects to two of these planets on 20th July 1969, when he first stepped on the Moon and said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". He was 39, his Age Point was in 7th house, in Sagittarius and it was opposite Mars and trine Uranus. It is fitting that as his Age Point opposed Mars, he was undertaking what was probably the most challenging thing that he had ever done. The Age Point opposite a planet will demand that the individual will be forced to focus on all matters associated with the drive of this planet, and express them in some way, often learning and gaining new experiences at the same time. Age Point opposite Mars would have called on all of Armstrong's skills and energies as he took this momentous step.

Following his recent death, his family issued this statement:  "For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."

David Attenborough

Chart of Sir David Attenborough, born 8.5.1926 in Isleworth, London. Original chart used was set for noon as no time of birth was then available.

Update June 2015 - Attenborough's rectified time of birth of 02.58 (approx) is now available, with a Rodden rating (RR) of C, which puts his Saturn, which I speculated upon in my original post (see below) firmly and authoratively at the top of the chart and in 9th House.

David Attenborough celebrates his 86th birthday today, 8th May. He's well-known and much-respected as a naturalist and is an ever-enthusiastic broadcaster. In spite of his more senior years he's still making stunning wild-life documentaries which take him all over the world and, for me, he has retained his sense of awe, respect and love of the natural world over many decades of broadcasting.

Although no time of birth is available for him, we can look at his chart and get some ideas about where his apparently inexhaustible enthusiasm for his subject might come from. His chart has a high proportion of red aspects which give him a cardinal, go-ahead energy. This will fire his seemingly unstoppable quest to explore, discover and learn more about all aspects of the natural world.

Note, he has 3 planets in Aries, itself an initiatory Sign which wants to get on with things and keep them moving. Mercury (learning, communication) is there along with Moon (his child-like curiosity and ability to engage energetically with his subject) and Venus (a strong urge to relate). Combine these factors and it's not hard to see how his long-term engagement with his subject, as well as his ability to put it across and share it with others, could be partly attributed to these placements in his chart.

There are three distinct aspect patterns in his chart - a Dominant Learning triangle, a Single Ambivalence figure and a Double Ambivalence figure. I'm not going to discuss them here (you can read about all three in my book Aspect Patterns in Colour), but I am going to speculate on the role of Saturn in his chart, as it is a focal point for several aspects.

Saturn relates to systems, structures and organisation, and as such to a scientific mind. Attenborough is a scientist, and to find Saturn acting as a focal point which connects to many of the other planets in his chart isn't altogether surprising. Saturn feeds into the three aspect patterns mentioned, and it's in Scorpio, a Sign whose characteristics include in-depth, forensic-like investigation - very appropriate for a scientist.

Many happy returns to one of my favourite broadcasters, and long may he continue to inspire and educate both on screen and in his other areas of work (just one of them being President of Butterfly Conservation).

Stephen Hawking

Scientist Stephen Hawking has turned 70. Born on 8th January 1942 in Oxford, his chart set for noon as his time of birth is not known.

Hawking is highly respected and known for his work as a theoretical physicist and cosmologist. His best-selling book A Brief History of Time is widely known but maybe not so widely read to the end; apparently many people can't understand it. But he is perhaps known equally well for suffering with motor-neurone disease, and for surviving this debilitating disease against the odds for the past 50 years.

Hawking's chart appears as a mass of triangular aspect patterns, dominated by the blue Large Talent triangles. Two conjunctions pin these: Moon/Neptune in Virgo, and Saturn/Uranus in Taurus. Moon/Neptune speaks of sensitivity and the capacity to embrace wider issues, to be open to the unknown, whereas Saturn/Uranus reflect his scientific path and life's work. The triangles are pinned on the third corner by Sun (the creative mind and will) and Mercury (ever-eager to learn and teach and research).

The Talent triangles themselves indicate an inherent talent and ability, which, when developed and used can benefit more than just the individual whose chart they are found in. The Sign the pinning planets are found in suggests the underlying essence of the talent. In Hawking's case, with all pinning planets in earth Signs, the application of the talent will be grounded and practical.

Interwoven with the Talent triangles are Dominant Learning triangles, composed of red, green and blue aspects. These will be active throughout the life of the individual who has them in their chart.

Hawking is a remarkable human being, with a remarkable brain, but what is even more impressive is the use of his will (Sun) which has enabled him to continue with his life's work in spite of the many physical challenges he has.

Charles Darwin's Search Figures

There are probably not too many other bloggers who have played the piano, pictured here, which belonged to Charles Darwin and his wife Emma. I was invited to play it whilst on a school trip to Down House, where Darwin lived. The guide asked if anyone could play the piano and as I'd said yes I was taken past the rope barrier and into the parlour where I played Fur Elise rather badly, much to the amusement of my friends. However, it's an experience I've never forgotten and it came back into the forefront of my mind as the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth wss being celebrated in 2009.

Charles Darwin was born on 12.2.1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK. No time of birth is available, so I've set up his chart for noon. Even without a time of birth, much useful and interesting information can be found in the chart (but it's not possible to use Age Progression reliably with no time of birth). What grabbed my immediate attention was the presence of two Search Figure aspect patterns in his chart.

Search Figures are triangular, and are composed of blue/green aspects. As no time of birth for Darwin is available, it's not possible to say where these figures would be accurately located in his chart (that would be interesting as they'd indicate the areas of life where they operated) but we can still infer quite a lot from them from the pinning planets involved. Triangular aspect patterns have a mutable motivation. They behave fluidly rather than rigidly. Composed solely of green and blue aspects, they are bound up with thought, ideas and an on-going search which has an "if only I can find the answer to such and such, I will be happy and satisfied". The search is the spur and the drive. The Hubers say in their book Aspect Pattern Astrology that people with this figure "are suited to working on long-term projects and can wait patiently until success comes of its own accord. They work continuously with the same dedication as at the start and know that everything takes time" - a description which describes the drive behind Darwin's scientific study of evolution.

Darwin's Search Figures cross over each other - look for the crossed green/blue "dagger" shapes. One figure is pinned by Sun, Jupiter and Mars, the other by Saturn/Neptune, Uranus/Node and Venus. There is a scientific flavour to both figures, with Darwin's Aquarian Sun in one and both Saturn and Uranus in the other. It has always been my understanding and experience that the planet at the blue/green corner of this figure is the one which offers possible outlets and expression for the searching involved. In Darwin's Search Figures these planets are his Aquarian Sun and the Saturn/Neptune conjunction. Uranus is also involved in the Search figure and is representative of creative and scientific thought. Uranus is the researcher who breaks boundaries and seeks new horizons; Saturn the methodical scientist who grounds and forms the theories. An Aquarian Sun is unlikely to want to pinned down and if the Sun is working at a conscious level within the individual, there will be a strong urge to explore ideas in a creative way. The presence of Jupiter in one of the Search Figures, and Darwin's lengthy exploration on board HMS Beagle, reflects his drive to study, search and eventually form his theory of evolution.

For a brief biography of Darwin follow this link.

Richard Dawkins

One of the comments I received following my last post says:

“Unfortunately, Dawkins will claim that it is impossible for you to observe his chart in an objective, scientific kind of way because you already know things about him. And you've made judgements about him in response to the programme of his that you have commented on! Therefore, your analysis will only add fuel to the fire of his argument, I fear! Ah well.”

Ah well indeed, and to quote comedian Catherine Tate’s “Lauren the school girl” character, “Am I bovvered?” No I’m not. Dawkins was born on 26.3.1941 in Nairobi, Kenya (no time of birth available so I’ve set it for noon) and I’m going to approach his chart straight, as though it belongs to Mr. A. N. Other and not to Professor Richard Dawkins of Oxford University, who I know little about anyway, apart from what I’ve observed of him in the recent TV programme.

In the chart of A. N. Other, indications are that this individual has an inner drive and motivation to be flexible and go with the flow of life. This approach to life will dominate, but is likely to be offset by the need this person has to feel secure and enjoy the fruits of their labour. The balance of colour (indicating inner motivation) in the chart is 4 red: 1 green: 8 blue aspects, giving a strong emphasis to the possibility of Fixed behaviour and the need to maintain the status quo. So alongside the ability to adapt, there is also a strong drive to keep things as they are.

The lack of green aspects in the chart ( there is only one) and its dominant red/blue appearance suggests a polarised, black and white approach to life. There is a strong possibility of viewing life through a lens of on/off, right/wrong, with little space allowed for shades of grey.

There is a Large Talent triangle ( all blue aspects), with pinning planets in Earth Signs, so his talent, skill, ability may be associated with practicality/reality of some kind. The planets involved, which would be a part of this inherent talent, are interesting: Uranus, Mars and Neptune. This conjures up pictures of creative thinking and ideas (Uranus), sensitivity or confusion (Neptune) depending upon the level of awareness at which this planet might be operating, and strong assertiveness (Mars). The talent embedded within this figure, however, may not be fully expressed if the individual is not using it consciously.

There are also 2 Single Ambivalence figures (red/blue triangles) which include all of the outer planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) and 2 of the ego planets, Sun (mind) and Moon (feelings). The red opposition aspects stretching across the chart indicate where work can be done and energy expended; the pinning planets will be involved in this endeavour. But the planets at the all-blue corners of these 2 aspect patterns will suggest where the person might go to escape the drive and need to work: in A. N. Other’s case these are the transpersonal planets Uranus and Pluto, neither of them particularly enticing or easy as an “escape” route, unless our subject is keen on creative ideas and thinking (Uranus) and power/transformation (Pluto).

With no time of birth, there is no way of knowing which Houses or areas of life the striking red oppositions would point to, but wherever it is, there would be a strong chance of internal conflict involving the psychological drives concerned (as signified by the planets involved - Sun, Venus, Moon, Neptune). It’s noted that the Sun is opposite the Moon’s North Node, and therefore conjunct the South Node. This could indicate that moving outside of a familiar comfort zone might be too difficult, too challenging a task to contemplate, so it may be safer to stay put with what is known, tried and tested in terms of self, mind, ideas, creativity, self-knowledge, self-awareness, responsibility and the use of the personal will.

It’s possible that A. N. Other has a fair amount of charm and charisma, with Sun in Aries conjunct Venus. However, Sun and Venus are both weak by Sign, so it’s possible that the energies and drives related to Saturn and Jupiter could dominate. These planets are strong by Sign and may work together like a “push me pull you”, Jupiter encouraging a wider vision and broader horizons, with Saturn reining things in tightly, always adhering to the rules, requiring a safe structure and being reluctant to relinquish anything (note, they are both in Taurus!). With no time of birth there is no way of knowing the orientation of the chart, nor whether these planets would be strongly or weakly placed to express themselves in the outside world.