TalkTV, launching tonight, marks a return to British TV not only of Piers Morgan, but also his boss Rupert Murdoch. The mogul has been out of the sector since the sale of Sky four years ago and this is seen as his shot across the bows of the BBC as well as other news media. There is some scepticism about whether there is public appetite for opinionated TV news. And despite claims it will be a “news programme unlike any other that currently exists in the UK” there is doubt as to its prospects.

  It launches at 7pm with a heavily afflicted and curiously placed Mercury in Taurus which does not augur well. Mercury is in the hidden 8^th trine Pluto on the IC sextile over over-hopeful Neptune, Jupiter, Venus and square Saturn. Admittedly there is a showy Moon, Mars, Venus in the entertaining 5^th but that hardly seems enough to balance out a battened down Mercury – especially for a news channel.

  Piers Morgan is the undoubted draw opening tonight with a Trump spectacular, hoping to reprise his breakfast show success which came to a dramatic end over his Meghan Markle brickbats after the Oprah interview.

  Born 30 March 1965 he has a charming, if impulsive Sun Venus in Aries with Mercury also in Aries – and has all of Aries renowned rubber-ball prowess for reinventing himself, having had a roller coaster career with three headline sackings followed in each case by a resurgence. His take-no-hostages approach to expressing his unvarnished opinion comes from a volcanic collection of Mars, Uranus Pluto in Virgo opposition Saturn (Moon) in Pisces. Plus he has a sunnily optimistic Jupiter in Taurus opposition Neptune.

  He’s not in his best of phases with a frustratingly trapped tr Pluto opposition his Mars/Node in 2022/23 with a raft of Neptunian disappointments this year and the next two; plus mega-confusion in 2023/2024.  Not ideal.

   The original SKY TV launch on 5 February 1989 had Jupiter in the 10^th conjunct the midheaven and was a robust chart. This is more news and less entertainment but doesn’t have a chart indicating a lasting triumph.

Rupert Murdoch, 11 March 1931 11.55pm Melbourne, AU, is now into his nineties and not at his most successful astrologically with tr Saturn moving through his low profile 1^st Quadrant. Tr Pluto is opposing his 8^th house financial Mars in 2022/23 which will be blocked and risky – though given his age that could apply to other factors than this venture. Though he does also have a couple of mildly upbeat Jupiter midpoints as well.

Draconic astrology has become a hot topic with the emergence of Victor Olliver’s excellent and extensive book. Highly readable, sensible, clear in explanations, stuffed with examples, it humanises and grounds what could be a fairly arcane technique to pin down soul purpose in a life.

  A draconic chart shifts the position of the North Node to zero Aries and moves all other planets by the same number of degrees while keeping the original houses. I pay little attention to complaints that techniques in astrology don’t make sense. There’s no rationale for Solar Arc or Progressions or indeed transits for that matter but they work. The Royal and celebrity examples in the book make a great deal of sense with Victor’s lucid descriptions of the natal (tropical) and draconic charts. He is very definite that the natal chart is the foundation chart and isn’t superseded by the draconic.

  However it’s an area of astrology that needs study before making comment so this will have to be a very preliminary thoughts-in-progress post. I’ll put up a couple of examples below from the book. And hope along the way others will pitch in when they have read the book and it can be returned to on a later post.

 I have two hesitations about the subject. The first is that you can get confused (more than usual) by getting recommended to this technique or that and there are a truckload of possible choices out there. At some point an astrologer, while keeping an open-mind about what might be useful to fill a knowledge gap, has to refine down what they work with. Otherwise they drown in too much information.

   The other is self-centred, since au naturellement, I headed first for my own chart. Where Prince Charles shifts from a Scorpio start in life to Draconic Libra; Karl Marx from Taurus to Aries; and Queen Victoria from Gemini to Taurus, with changes in elements and triplicities, I don’t. The shifts in these individuals are elegantly and insightfully described in the book.

  In my case I shift from Virgo to Taurus with a strong Air element in both; and 12^th house moves to 8^th house with a strong 9^th house in both. So Earth Air stays as is with a leaning towards more fixed – and hidden becomes more hidden in house terms.  I’m just not sure how to interpret that.  Plus the Draconic and Natal charts in synastry aren’t as clear cut as in the examples given, certainly as far as conjunctions are concerned. In an odd way my 8^th house Draconic element makes sense to me especially Chiron conjunct Algol in the 8^th though I’m not sure I could articulate what. Anyway it is early days so will require more pondering.

  Prince Charles has his Draconic Jupiter conjunct his 4^th house natal Scorpio Sun = family brings bounty and success. His Draconic Uranus in his 10^th makes him a trailblazer.

Britney Spears Draconic Jupiter Pluto sits in her natal 10^th for mega-success; as does Nelson Mandela’s Jupiter Pluto. Oprah Winfrey’s Draconic Jupiter is conjunct her natal 8^th house Pluto – for the Midas touch.

  I think I’m confused already so will stop.  All too new and will take time to absorb.

There’s a free calculator if you want to try your own chart.

https://horoscopes.astro-seek.com/draconic-chart-astrology-calculator

Also on astrodienst: https://www.astro.com/astrology/aa_article210601_e.htm

The never-ending saga of Israel versus the Palestinians has exploded into violence again, pushed down the news agenda  by Ukraine, but as destructive and insoluble as ever. Last year it was over Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory. This time it is has been triggered by tensions over the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. Jordan and Egypt, recently drawing closer to Israel, have both condemned Israel’s “unilateral” and “provocative” acts against Muslim worshippers which left 152 Palestinians wounded inside the mosque compound. And led to the death of 25 Palestinians and 14 Israelis in the violence that followed. Hamas then fired rockets from Gaza and Israel retaliated by targeting a Hamas weapons manufacturing site in the Gaza strip.

  The Israel chart, 14 May 1948 4pm Tel Aviv is moving through a turbulent, nervy, aggravated and potentially violent phase, worsening over the next three years. Tr Uranus this year squares the war-like Saturn/Pluto midpoint, then jolts the 10^th house Saturn from late May, on and off into 2023, at which point tr Uranus will conjunct the Israel 8^th house Sun which will be a tremendous upheaval – perhaps partly financial but also existential. Tr Saturn is also this year hitting on the Mars midpoints, opposing the Israel Mars in early 2023 for setbacks and perhaps military associations as well.  Tr Neptune squaring the Israel Uranus and then the Jupiter this year and next will be highly-strung, can-be-fanatical, and will bring disappointments, financial and other. This year also the Israel Scorpio North Node is on a Half Return so should be a moment to pause and take stock.

  The three key Palestinian chart are all heavily Scorpio so in the line of fire of this year’s Eclipses.

  Gaza, 9 November 1917 9am is one day away from the Russia 1917 chart so will be rattled not just by the Eclipses but also tr Uranus in the jolting square to their Saturn now and opposition the Sun from late May onwards; with 2023 stressed and disruptive as well with the Gaza Uranus being jolted.

  Palestine Declaration 14 November 1988 chart has Pluto, Mercury, Sun in Scorpio – all being triggered by this year’s Eclipses as well as tr Saturn squares and next year tr Uranus opposition Sun; with 2024 even more disruptive.

 Hamas 14 December 1987 has Mars Pluto in Scorpio which will be spiked into combative mode by this year’s Eclipses; though an uncertain tr Neptune square the Saturn this year and then Uranus following that don’t indicate great success. Worse in 2025 and beyond.

  It’s like an Dante’s Inferno – eternal suffering that never ends. Tr Pluto moving into Aquarius will only increase the pressure on Israel in future years opposing the 10^th house Moon in 2026 and then a long and exceedingly fraught decade in the 2030s as tr Pluto opposes the Israel Pluto, Saturn, squares the Sun and then opposes the Mars right through to the early 2040s.   It won’t be pretty.

Health is a subject which astrologers tend nowadays to approach with caution when it comes to predictions or definitive statements. Although historically it was one of the principal tools in medical treatment – gauging the individual’s susceptibility on the basis of their chart, matched with the date of onset of the condition. There is still a specialist branch of medical astrology but sites like this would tend only to refer to health conditions in retrospect – what astrology shows now that the ailment is known.

  Despite there being general rules of thumb which often apply – 6^th house, Neptune for allergies and viruses, Neptune Saturn for epidemics, Uranus for accidents and shocks etc etc, Mars Saturn for broken bones, that doesn’t mean these are tablets of stone which hold an immutable truth every time. One individual may be drenched in Neptune and sail through albeit foggily, while another sags with infection. I’ve seen health warning flags on a chart which turned out to be a close relative succumbing. Some individuals ‘somatise’ = act out psychological pressures by getting physically sick, while others process the influences internally. Or they totally externalise, for example with Pluto in hard aspect to the Moon which can affect relationships, or body, or house. The domestic walls start to subside. These are not purely a matter of choice, ie. you can’t blame people for getting sick.

  The ancients were right in thinking that the potential had to be there in the chart before certain illnesses followed and that is not always easy to pin down.  

  The best comeback on doctors warning that alcohol is a terrible sin with deadly consequences is two words – Queen Mother. She sloshed back the champagne and Dubonnet and mixed happily and keeled over at 101. I knew someone who survived on fish n’ chips and gin, never ate a vegetable and live into her mid eighties. What’s sauce for the goose isn’t always sauce for the gander. Know thyself before pushing your limits.

  However looking at a few high profile cases with definite birth times.

 Chris Reeves, 25 September 1952 3.30am New York became quadraplegic after a horse accident on 27 May 1995 and died 7 years later. In 1995 his Progressed Mars was opposition his Uranus which is a classic shock/accident. Tr Neptune was on the cusp of his 6th house starting a long haul through his house of health; as well as tr Uranus which was exactly conjunct his Solar Arc Mars. So a double whammy of Mars Uranus, which in older individuals can also accompany heart conditions – though Donald Trump ambled through the same without incident despite an unhealthy lifestyle.

Prince Friso of the Netherland, 25 September 1968 8.48am Utrecht, was buried in an avalanche while skiing on 17^th February 2021, never recovered from a coma and died a year later. Tr Uranus just into his 6^th house was opposing his Libra Sun; and his Progressed Mars was conjunct his Uranus – for a double strength shock. Tr Neptune was moving to form an undermining opposition to his Mars in the following months.

Rock Hudson, 17 November 1925 2.15 am Winnetka, Illinois, was diagnosed with AIDs on June 5 1984, though presumably the condition was there months before that, and died two years later. When he was diagnosed tr Uranus was conjunct his Progressed Mars for a shock; and the previous year tr Uranus had been conjunct his Moon for an upset. When he was diagnosed transiting Pluto, Saturn, Mars, Uranus, Neptune and Jupiter were all retrograde. There was nothing affecting his 6^th house.

  Patrick Swayze, 18 August 1952 8.10am Houston Heights, Texas, was diagnosed with late stage pancreatic cancer on 1 December 2007 and died two years later. His Solar Arc Mars had been opposition his Uranus two years earlier and was moving to an undermining square to his Neptune in the aftermath of the diagnosis. In 2007 his Solar Arc Uranus and transiting Saturn were conjunct his 12^th house Venus. Tr Uranus had been moving through his 6^th for several years. Having been incredibly fit, it came as a shock and he tried every remedy, alternative and other. Tr Neptune moved to oppose his Pluto in the aftermath which tends to accompany devastating confusion; at the same time as his Solar Arc Pluto squared his Uranus turning his life upside down.

  Billy Connolly 24 November 1942 4.30am Glasgow, Scotland was diagnosed in 2013 with Parkinson’s. At that point tr Neptune had started to square his Uranus Saturn in Gemini and his Solar Arc Neptune was aiming to oppose his Gemini Moon two years after the diagnosis. His Solar Arc Midheaven was conjunct his 12^th house Neptune.  So a very Neptunian experience. Again nothing showing in his 6^th house.

  The accident or shock Mars Uranus collisions by Progression or Solar Arc or transit are obvious and it can be a helpful indicator of the need to take care when it is around. As for the rest, it depends on genes and psychological patterns. All of us are hypochondriacs and tend when maybe health-related Astro-warning flags pop up to panic but it doesn’t always follow.  

Yet another Prince Harry bizarre intervention to ripple Royal calm and irritate family members in its delusional arrogance. He does have a way, whether deliberate or unconscious (or Netflix-prompted), of gatecrashing key events and upstaging the main players. This latest spat would be best ignored except there is an astrological nugget buried in there.

  His risible claim that he was there to ‘protect’ the Queen and ensure she had the right people around her was initially thought to be a sideswipe at his father and brother. But Camilla Tominey in the Telegraph pointed out it could as easily be the ‘men in grey suits’ – the Royal courtiers who evinced such paranoid alarm in Diana, mendaciously stoked up by Martin Bashir to elicit his Panorama interview.

 Harry appears to have it in for Sir Edward Young, the Queen’s Private Secretary and a member of the household since 2004, whom he apparently blamed for disinviting him to a meeting with HMQ during the Megxit furore. Though it could as easily have been the Queen ducking behind protocol in order to avoid a confrontation, given that William was at that point ready to burst a blood vessel over his anger at his brother’s dereliction of duty in bolting.

  Angela Kelly, the Queen’s fashion designer and dresser, also a fixture for 20 years in the household, was another Royal-servant hot spot on the run- up to the wedding over a tiara argument. Meghan picked one not on the acceptable list and Harry kicked up when told she couldn’t have her choice. Given that the Queen is meticulous in her choice of jewellery and its associations, it is beyond unlikely that Angela Kelly was doing other than conveying her boss’s instructions.

  What is striking is how much at odds and in similar ways the errant Harry and Meghan are with their respective adversaries.

 Angela Kelly, 4 November 1957, is a fiercely determined Scorpio Sun square Uranus, with her Uranus conjunct Meghan’s Leo Sun; her Saturn square Meghan’s Venus and her Mars conjunct Meghan’s Pluto – not a cooperative combo, for sure. Their relationship chart has a power-struggling composite Sun, Pluto, Mercury conjunction; and a chilly Venus Saturn. The rancour still lingers there with more pushing and pulling from tr Pluto trine the composite Sun, Pluto, Mercury over this year and next.

  Edward Young, 24 October 1966, has his Scorpio Sun conjunct Harry’s Pluto, his Uranus conjunct Harry’s Sun with his Saturn opposition; and his Pluto Uranus square Harry’s Mars – very combustible. Plus Young’s Neptune is opposition Harry’s Moon so he’ll be tricky to pin down.

  The relationship chart there is equally stark with a composite power-struggling Sun Pluto Mercury Jupiter in a chained-together square to Saturn. Saturn is also in a high-irritation square to Mars.

  That relationship also appears to be still igniting ire ongoing with tr Pluto square the Mars this year and Mars/Uranus in 2023.

  Not only does Diana appear to have infected Harry with her paranoid fears, she’s also bequeathed to him her vengeful inability to let go real or imagined hurts and slights.

 Relations between Harry and Prince Charles and William show no signs of easing for several years ahead. The relationship chart with Charles has this month’s Taurus Solar Eclipse conjunct the composite Moon for a family upset with the confused Neptune also in the line of fire. Into 2023 tr Pluto is conjunct the composite Midheaven for two years which could be terminal for their relationship.

  With William there is a dispiriting and discouraging slog for three years ahead.

  There is a legitimate worry about Harry’s state of mind and no amount of Californian Goop-speak will make up for losing his roots, his old Army buddies and, possibly in future, drifting away from Invictus towards techno-money trees which would lose interest were he to become Mr Windsor.

Add ON: Pondering on Harry’s temperament. Given that he has an 8^th house Sun = direct link to grandparents/ancestors, the Queen’s father King George V1 might be a clue. He was renowned for tipping into inarticulate and unpredictable rages, due to his dysfunctional upbringing, tyrannical father and cold mother, causing lack of self-confidence and a stammer. Throughout his life he was subject to “sudden outbursts of temper, fits of introspective gloom and deep melancholy.” Prince Philip evidently remarked that he thought he was mad, recalling an incident when King George had attacked a rhododendron bush with a pruning knife during a fit of rage.

  George V1’s chart is certainly an eye-opener with a stressed, potentially chaotic Neptune Pluto in the 8^th opposition a Sagittarius Sun and Mercury; with an intense Scorpio Moon conjunct Uranus and Saturn Venus also in Scorpio. While he and Harry aren’t clones, there are similarities with a Sagittarius Scorpio mix and fixed sign Moons. It would make sense of Harry’s ‘quirks’. A form of intergenerational trauma.

See previous post April 15th below.

 Germany, along with the EU, looks likely to suffer worse collateral damage from Putin’s attack on Ukraine than elsewhere given the ensuing energy crisis. The astrological jigsaw is now starting to fall into place. The Germany country chart with the economically disruptive tr Uranus conjunct the 8^th house Pluto from mid this June onwards for a year, followed by a stressed, trapped Bundesbank chart in 2023/24 (see previous post 3 March 2022). As well as this May’s Lunar Eclipse casting a discouraging shadow over Europe (see post on Eclipses 16 April).

  German industrialists are warning of the worst crisis since the second world war with a complete paralysis of certain industry sectors if there is a total Russian gas embargo. Olaf Scholz has indicated a preference for a three year tailing off to avoid catastrophe but as Putin’s barbarity shows no signs of lessening that now looks less likely.

The EU has already imposed swingeing sanctions on Russian hydrocarbons. Coal is banned; oil could be next then gas. A full EU energy embargo would trigger a sharp recession in Germany, wiping out more than 400,000 jobs and forfeit €220bn in economic output in 2022 and 2023, equivalent to 6.5 per cent of GDP.

 Germany are in a fix since under Merkel nuclear power was phased out and  remaining coal-fired power stations given the chop, leaving the country over-dependent on Russia. Even after the Georgia invasion, Crimea annexation, Syrian intervention, Germany continued to expand its energy partnership with Russia.

 Some economists believe that a sudden supply cut-off would permanently damage the EU’s competitiveness and hit Germany and other member states harder than the US and elsewhere.

 The EU chart will have its key planets in the financial houses rattled severely by the Eclipses this year with an 8^th house Taurus Moon –  tr Uranus square the 5^th house (speculation) Venus from early May on and off into 2023; and a debilitating, undermining Solar Arc Neptune conjunct the Sun, exact within months. Tr Pluto conjunct the over-hopeful Jupiter/Neptune midpoint in 2023/24 tends to coincide with financial losses and that will be exacerbated by a blocked Solar Arc Pluto opposition the EU Moon and square Uranus in 2025. It’ll be a long haul of financial punishment, not improved by misguided policies since Jupiter Neptune tends not to be practical.

 

The Denmark of Hans Christian Andersen, with the Tivoli amusement park and the iconic “Little Mermaid” statue, redolent of cobbled streets and half-timbered houses has in modern times become a beacon for progressive policies. It was the first country to grant legal recognition to same-sex unions in 1989, has supported women’s rights, minority rights, and LGBT rights. All university and college (tertiary) education in Denmark is free of charges.

  So far, so enlightened. Yet it has a draconian approach to asylum seekers aiming for a zero intake. Because of an opt out it is not bound by EU mandates on refugees though it has relented slightly over Ukraine. Last year the Danish  parliament passed a law enabling the deportation of asylum seekers to countries outside Europe in the face of heavy criticism from NGOs and the United Nations.

  The Denmark chart has always intrigued me since it never squared with its open-minded, libertarian, sedate reputation – 5 June 1849 12.15pm Copenhagen. A prominent, driving-planet Sun in Gemini opposes a Sagittarius Moon which forms one leg of a Fire Grand Trine to Jupiter in Leo trine a hard-edged, unsentimental Mars Saturn In Aries. Fire Grand Trines tend to be attention-seeking, inspirational, entrepreneurial. A Gemini Sun often coincides with a split country – a la South Africa 1910.  There’s also a chaotic, contradictory, unsettled Uranus Pluto in Aries in the 8^th.

  Like New Zealand, founded four years later, it emerged from the ferment of the mid 19^th century triple conjunction of Pluto, Uranus, Saturn – in Aries for Denmark and mainly Taurus for New Zealand. And the sober New Zealand image like Denmark doesn’t quite fit its chart. And yet both charts track later events well so seem to be sound.

  Much must bubble below the surface in both countries.

Rwanda, site of one of the bloodiest genocides in modern times, presently run by a man described as “an evil genius” and a “despot”, accused of assassinating his opponents, is the surreal choice for a refugee dump of those who arrive on UK shores illegally. Denmark and Israel are also in discussions to follow suit.  

  Paul Kagame, president since 2000, has improved economic conditions and literacy while at the same time facing accusations of widespread abuses. A recent review by the US State Department cites “significant human rights issues” listing arbitrary killings, forced disappearance, torture and life-threatening prison conditions. There is no free press,  the internet is heavily policed and no opposition is brooked.

He does appear to have an uncanny ability to charm the West and was fawned over by Tony Blair, Bill Clinton and more recently President Macron.  This deal, if it comes off, will help Rwanda by filling the void left by young African men leaving. Though the country’s track record of humanely managing Congolese refugees already in Rwanda is not reassuring.

Kagame, born 23 October 1957, is either a last degree Libra Sun or zero Scorpio conjunct Neptune and maybe a Scorpio Moon – slippery and intense. He has an enthusiastic Jupiter Mars in Libra sextile a serious Venus Saturn in Sagittarius. His reforming Uranus squares onto his Scorpio NN and Taurus SNode.

Sun Moon Neptune in Scorpio would certainly fit his reputation.

  Tr Pluto moving into Aquarius will run him into a swamp of confusion and losses as it heads to square his Sun, Sun/Neptune midpoint and then Neptune between 2023 and 2025.

  That would fit with his presidency chart, 22 April 2000, which has a determined, violent and lucky Mars Saturn Jupiter in Taurus square Uranus; and a slippery Sun square Neptune. It looks more than precarious in 2023, with the Solar Arc Uranus square the Pluto, which is destabilizing. Tr Uranus will conjunct the Saturn Mars and square Uranus as well – so extremely turbulent; and will be under exceptional pressure to change come 2024 and on.

 The Rwanda independence chart, 1 July 1962, hints at confusion and disappointment over coming months with the Solar Arc Neptune opposition the Sun, and mayhem in 2024 with a blocked Solar Arc Sun conjunct Pluto and an explosive, insecure tr Uranus conjunct Mars.  So whatever happens life will not run smoothly ahead.

   The relationship chart between the UK and Rwanda is fraught at the best of time with a composite Mars, Sun, Mercury opposition Neptune, trine Uranus Pluto  – and that is being shaken up considerably over the next four years.

  If the scheme goes ahead which may be doubtful, Kagame would find the spotlight shone on his ruthless style of government more than uncomfortable.

What is intriguing is that Boris’s Johnson’s chart relocated to Kigali, Rwanda, puts his politicking Scorpio Moon exactly conjunct the Midheaven with a relaxed-at-home Jupiter in the 4^th and a fun-loving Mars Mercury in the 5^th. [Maybe we could crowd fund his air fare for an early retirement.) Admittedly it puts his Uranus Pluto in the 8^th opposition Saturn in the 2^nd, so not all relaxing or good for finances.

 Although the scheme was assumed to be a risible ‘dead cat’ strategy to divert attention from Partygate it has been on the cards for eight months.

  Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, is gloating over her masterstroke and accusing her critics of having no alternative solutions (which is certainly true), but she is going against the advice of her own civil servants.  Born 29 March 1972 6.48am London, her grandparents were Ugandan Asians, so she’ll be familiar with the region. Like Boris she lurches from one PR disaster to the next and although regarded by him as a loyal supporter, has the usual Boris crony oddity of a chart that clashes badly with his.

   She has an overwheeningly confident Jupiter square a controlling Aries Sun opposition Pluto Moon in Libra. But it is her sharp-edged, short-tempered and chilly Mars Saturn in Gemini in a slippery opposition to Neptune which is the wonder since it collides with Boris’s afflicted Mars in Gemini. Relocating her chart to Rwanda, gives her a grandstanding platform, moving her Pluto to the 5^th but like Boris financial headaches.

  Another tinpot scheme that goes toes up at some point.

Turkey is in an unprecedented financial crisis, wilting under hyper-inflation reckoned at 142%, five times higher than other countries. Food prices are rocketing with the Ukraine crisis adding to challenges.  A series of policy mistakes and ambitious expansionary projects against the advice of experts, as well as revolving doors at the central bank with four chiefs in three years, have piled on the misery.

  The Foreign Minister is pushing hard for EU membership talks to make progress but Turkey still needs to reverse repression of media, civil society and academia and meet five  benchmarks – on corruption, EU standards on personal data legislation, an agreement with Europol, cooperate with Member States on criminal matters, and revise terrorism legislation.

On the Turkey country chart, 20 October 1923 8.30pm Ankara, the next two years look discouraging with a downbeat Solar Arc Saturn square Sun in 2023 and a deprived/stuck Solar Arc Pluto conjunct Saturn Mercury in 2024. If the start time is accurate tr Pluto then moves into the 8^th financial house from 2024 for fifteen years ahead which can be debt-ridden and trapped economically. It need not be a total calamity but generally isn’t too upbeat.

 Recep Erdogan’s 4^th Term chart, 9 July 2018 4.30pm never looked inspiring on the financial front with an 8^th house Sun opposition a 2^nd house Pluto and a 2^nd house Saturn. The next three years will be frustrated, blocked, disappointing and high-risk in 2023/24 in particular. But there’s no strong indication of a major change in terms of toppling the head. Despite the economic woes Erdogan still remains popular.

  His own chart looks suspiciously upbeat this year and next, perhaps explained by him having planets in all three water signs including a Pisces, Sun, Mercury, Venus giving him an ability to live in his own self-created bubble and avoid facing hard truths.

  Though the upcoming Solar Eclipse in Taurus late this month will oppose his Saturn bring a cold dose of reality and responsibility. He will have to face a few mistakes and will be brought further down to earth with a bump from mid 2023 onwards.

See previous post: MARCH 23 2021

A cripplingly shy teenager and school dropout is changing the world of war reporting and espionage using open source videos, maps and pictures and social media for investigations. Eliot Ward Higgins a British citizen journalist and former blogger, founder of Bellingcat, caught media attention when he investigated the chemical weapons used in Syria, then focused on the  2014–15 Russian military intervention in Ukraine, the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 by Russian separatists, the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal and unmasked Alexei Navalny’s would-be killers. From a sofa in Leicestershire he has revealed some of the world’s dirtiest secrets, notably in Russia.

Bellingcat is named after an Aesop’s fable in which mice put a bell on a cat’s neck as a warning system.

Now he is focused on Ukraine, debunking conspiracist claims that the civilian massacres in Bucha were staged or committed by Ukrainian forces, backed up with video evidence. He says he is “frustrated”, because Russian spokesmen “are still treated as serious people. We know they lie in the most absurd and grotesque ways and we shouldn’t give them a platform to lie without challenging them.”

  Bellingcat set up on 15 July 2014, has only a dozen or so full-time staff, and despite criticism that it is an arm of the CIA, or MI6, in reality is funded by grants from the EU to the giant UK trust of billionaire Sigrid Rausing as well as individual donations. The aim is to collect and validate source material of high enough quality for war crimes tribunals and to train other organisations to collect evidence in the same way.

 Higgins was born 8 January 1979 (Companies House) in Shrewsbury, England and has a high-octane, ultra-determined and courageous chart with a Sun Mars in Capricorn square Pluto and probably in an Earth Grand Trine to Saturn in Virgo trine a Taurus Moon; formed into a Kite by Moon opposition Uranus. A driving planet Uranus would make sense of his technological and innovative talents which all the practical (and engineering) ability of the earth planets is focused towards. He’s also got a hope-for-a-better-society Saturn square Neptune.

  His Mercury in last degree Sagittarius is unaspected, giving him a single-tracked mind and what Bil Tierney describes as “ an extraordinary mental facility in a singular area of life.”

  Bellingcat, 15 July 2014, now headquartered in the Netherlands, has a highly Cardinal chart giving it turbo-charged initiative and resourcefulness with a Sun Jupiter in Cancer square Mars North Node in justice-oriented Libra and opposition Uranus with Pluto square in Capricorn. Certainly well-designed to dive into crisis and high-risk situations.

  Higgins is on a confident roll this year and next but it is not a lifestyle without danger and there will be one or two disasters lying in his path as well.