Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Nobel Peace prize winner, has died aged 90. A contemporary of Nelson Mandela, he was was one of the driving forces behind the movement to end the policy of apartheid enforced by the white minority government against the black majority in South Africa from 1948 until 1991.
He was born on 7 October 1931 in Klerksdorp, no birth time, with a Methodist preacher father who had a drink problem. He had the notably tough, resourceful and innovative Saturn in Capricorn opposition Pluto square Uranus of the time opposing his Libra Sun and Venus, so he was custom-built to make a difference. His Jupiter in upbeat Leo (and Moon) squared an ultra-determined Mars in Scorpio and trined Uranus so he wouldn’t be scared to take risks.
He always said his motives were religious and not political and he didn’t believe in violent protest. After Mandela became South Africa’s first black president in 1994, Tutu was appointed by him to a Truth and Reconciliation Commission set up to investigate crimes committed by both whites and blacks during the apartheid era. He was also credited with coining the term Rainbow Nation to describe the ethnic mix of post-apartheid South Africa, but in his latter years he expressed regret that the nation had not coalesced in the way in which he had dreamt.
He had a reforming and capable 5th Harmonic; a well-aspected ‘seeking soul’ 7H; and an encouraging leaving-a-legacy-for-history 17H.
When the new South Africa was born on 27 April 1994 11am in Pretoria, his rebellious Uranus fell on its Midheaven fittingly enough. His Mars was conjunct the South Africa Jupiter for a confident new beginning; though his Pluto opposition the SA Uranus Neptune in Capricorn might have given pause for concern as he grew increasingly concerned about the direction the country went in later years.
Given Tutu’s, and Mandelas, trenchant criticism of Israeli apartheid, it’s ironic to say the least neither would be welcome in Starmers Labour Party. The Archbishops long-standing condemnation of Israel was largely airbrushed from the obituaries I read. RIP
I was always amazed what an optimistic, balanced, loving person Desmond was, considering the despicable regime he grew up in.
Speculative birth time of 1:47:13 pm, Asc 14Aq46, gives Mars conj MH,
rebelliousness, activist, Sun in 9th, religion, priest. Sun in a GRAND CROSS opp Uranus and square Saturn opp Pluto.
At death, trans Grave conj Asc; tr Uranus conj IC, the grave; tr Requiem conj 8th cusp; tr Nemesis conj 12th cusp; tr Hades sextile IC; Solar Arc Sun conj 12th cusp; Solar Arc Mars conj Asc.
He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1997.
Hello Marjorie, A Very rewarding New Year to you – and many thanks for all your hard work astrologically via your blog.
That was super fast to put out the chart for Desmond Tutu – and how fascinating see a Grand Cross in action throughout his life – just goes to show that all Grand Crosses are not all destructive or negative and the power if they are used for the good that can come through that person with far reaching consequences for the better for many.
Thanks also to all those who respond with very interesting comments – I read them all with interest – astrology keeps on evolving and it seems at a much accelerated rate now.