Trump’s grandstanding ‘liberation day’ as he launched a trade war with tariffs for all the world like a gameshow host has fulfilled one of his aims, namely drawing the attention of the world to him.

  He timed his bombshell announcement unwittingly with astrological precision at 4pm Washington, DC time. The destructive Fixed Star Algol was exactly conjunct the Midheaven; and the shipwreck Scheat plus unrealistic Neptune were on the cusp of the financial 8^th. There was a confident Moon Jupiter in the 10^th. With an exact mini Grand Trine of Mars in Cancer in the 11^th trine Saturn in the friends-and-enemies 7^th, sextile Uranus in the international 9^th.

  He also has tr Uranus on his personal birth chart conjunct his Midheaven exactly, suggesting his birth time of 10.54 am may well be accurate. Which would mean that tr Neptune Scheat are also moving into his 8^th – an ominous sign for his financial acuity and progress ahead.

Scott Bessent, 21 August 1962, Treasury Secretary, is having a panicky-failure year ahead with tr Neptune square his Mars running till late January 2026; with jolts and jangles from this July onwards.

Peter Navarro, 15 July 1949, described as Trump’s ‘tariff czar’, is equally nervy from early this June with tr Neptune square his Uranus, extending through and worsening in 2026 when he also picks up a financial-bubble-bursting Solar Arc Jupiter opposition his Neptune and a high tension tr Urus square his Saturn.

 Instant success will not be on the cards.

  Since economics is not my area, some snippets below from informed economic journalists, all of whom are clear that no one really knows what the effects will be.

 “It is hard not to feel, yet again, that part of what drove Trump’s decision was the sheer thrill he gets from his power. He glories in the way the world hangs on his every move, as the world must when its largest economy is controlled by a grudge-bearing man-child with guns who governs by decree.”

“Perilous and chaotic, Trump’s tariffs add up to an attempt to transform a badly broken economic model.”

“Trump’s announcement was awash with insult and rambling nonsense.”

“Things may not look so benign, however, when the rubber hits the road — when the inevitable price hikes are passed on to consumers, when inflation and the cost of mortgages begin to rise, when real wages remain flat, or when investment stalls and the US economy starts to experience a Trump slump.”

“It will be months, if not years, before many US companies or sectors have the confidence and the cash to invest in the way “fortress America” supporters hope.”

“Trump thinks tariffs have a magical ability to transform the US economy but they are more likely to boost inflation, inhibit investment and undermine growth.”

“Tariffs alone are not going to rebalance the entire world economy.”

“A central trade-off not just with tariffs but with any solution to the problem of gargantuan trade and currency distortions: someone, somewhere has to pay. If Trump lets the dollar appreciate, then American consumers don’t have to bear the cost. But then American factories won’t recover either.”

“A crucial question is whether Trump will be able to sustain these aggressive trade policies for an extended period or will eventually reverse them under the weight of economic, market, political and even legal pressure.”

“The instant effect of “liberation day” will be confusion and uncertainty, which for Trump is often intentional. The more chaos there is, the greater his sense of being in control. It is also rash to assume that voters will be immune to economic disinformation. Social media has taken the art of scapegoating to near scientific heights.”

“Irrespective of whether Trump’s trade war chaos is fleeting or gets worse, the diplomatic cost will be enduring. Countries will look to do the serious deals with each other and bypass America. In that sense Trump’s transactionalism is self-defeating. Falling trust means fewer deals.”

Add On: Howard Lutnick, the billionaire commerce secretary, 14 July 19561 New York, has been aggressively defending the tariffs, insisting there would be no postponement and said  Trump intended to “reset global trade”.

 He’s a Sun Cancer opposition Saturn in Capricorn with an ultra-determined and ruthless Mars Pluto in Virgo. He’ll be pushing ahead with sublime confidence till late 2026 with tr Pluto conjunct his Jupiter. But his Solar Arc Pluto conjunct his Neptune also in 2026 will take the wind out of his sails in the midst of devastating confusion. Tr Neptune Saturn in Aries will also square his Mercury in early Cancer from this July through 2026 as well for muddles and evasions. 2027 will start a two or three years run of calamities as tr Uranus squares his Pluto Mars conjunction.

 His relationship with Trump will start to slide within weeks as tr Neptune squares their composite Venus, worsening considerably in 2026 and on.

ADD ON April 9: The tariffs went into force at 12.01 am this morning 9^th April. The Midheaven was at zero degrees Libra exactly opposition unrealistic Neptune. There was an out of element Grand Trine of Pluto trine MC trine Uranus and the destructive Fixed Star Algol, formed into a Kite by Pluto opposition Mars in Cancer in the 8^th exactly conjunct Procyon – making Mars and Procyon the driving forces.

‘Procyon gives activity, violence, sudden and violent malevolence, sudden preferment by exertion, elevation ending in disaster and makes its natives petulant, saucy, giddy, weak-natured, timid, unfortunate, proud, easily angered, careless and violent. There will be sudden fame, sudden violence, a rise followed by a fall; this star gives its natives pride, makes them fortunate and unfortunate.’  

 The Sun conjunct Chiron is opposition BML. The North Node conjunct Venus, Saturn, Mercury and Neptune are conjunct Scheat. ‘This star imparts to its natives’ stubbornness, one who can be headstrong of a combative nature. The native gains and loses friends and acquaintances, may be unfortunate, of a changeable, almost unpredictable nature, has high enterprise, and may be subject to violence. May become of a controversial nature. Fantasizes.’

  The Moon is unsuspected in Virgo in the international 9^th house hinting at emotional disorganization.

Wow, the fixed stars are certainly in action.

 Actor Val Kilmer, renowned for Top Gun and Batman Forever, has died after a long battle with throat cancer. He gained a reputation as “temperamental, intense, a perfectionist and sometimes egotistical.” Numerous spats with directors and co-stars, plus a series of flops, dented his later career.

 Batman director Joel Schumacher called Kilmer “the most psychologically troubled human being I’ve ever worked with”.

And after the notoriously troubled production of 1996 The Island of Dr Moreau, which flopped, in which Kilmer clashed with Marlon Brando, the director John Frankenheimer said afterwards: “There are two things I would never do again in my life. I will never climb Mount Everest and I will never work with Val Kilmer again. There isn’t enough money in the world.”

 Kilmer was also nominated multiple times for worst actor in the annual Razzie awards.

 Born 31 December 1959 7.58am Los Angeles, he did have a difficult chart with a Sun conjunct Saturn in Capricorn in his 12^th trine Pluto in his 8^th, sextile Neptune conjunct his Midheaven from his 9^th. Acting would be a saving grace for him, giving him an outlet for his inner disquiet and depression.  He also luckily had an upbeat and highly adventurous Mars Jupiter Mercury in Sagittarius in his 11^th trine Uranus in his 7^th – not always sensible but a risk-taker.

  His 1^st house loves-to-shock Aquarius Moon was square Neptune and inconjunct Pluto. A charming and seductive Venus in Scorpio in his 10^th square Uranus would help his career but make, along with his difficult Moon aspects and Uranus in his 7th, committed relationships hard to sustain.

Democrat Corey Booker has broken the record for the longest speech in US Senate history after speaking for more than 25 hours without a bathroom break to deliver a marathon protest of the policies of Trump. He said the threats to American democracy were “grave and urgent”.

 Born 27 April 1969 1.10 am Washington, DC (from memory) he is a determined Taurus Sun conjunct Saturn in late Aries in his communication 3^rd house. His Saturn is further emphasized being on the focal point of a yod inconjunct a 10^th house Neptune sextile Uranus Jupiter Pluto in Virgo in his 3^rd house. Plus his Mars in outspoken Sagittarius is square Pluto. A powerful, determined personality who clashes with Trump – with a power-struggling Pluto in their relationship composite 10^th square Sun. On synastry, his Jupiter Pluto squares DT’s Sun opposition Moon.

  He’s looking discouraged this year with tr Saturn Neptune opposition his Jupiter Pluto Uranus, rattled in 2027 and anxious in 2028. If his birth time is accurate he does have a Solar Arc Jupiter conjunct his Midheaven at some point soon but he is not at his most successful on the career front with tr Saturn moving through his low profile First Quadrant from some years ahead.

  For the 2028 election/29 Inauguration the most hopeful is Pete Buttigieg with tr Pluto square his 10^th house Jupiter and tr Jupiter conjunct his Pluto. Though he also has a tricky Solar Arc Jupiter conjunct his Neptune which could either make his dreams come true or dash his hopes. And on a second look, tr Saturn in Taurus opposition his Jupiter for a blockage – so pluses and minuses.

 Alexandra Ocasio-Ortez is also looking upbeat in late 2028 with tr Jupiter moving through her 10^th conjunct her Mars and Sun; though she may be personally disappointed with tr Neptune opposition her Jupiter/Uranus midpoint and hovering around the square to her Saturn. Though she looks upbeat in the July of 2028 when the convention will be held.

 Gavin Newsom also has tr Jupiter conjunct his Sun over the election though tr Neptune conjunct his Saturn won’t help his confidence.

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[Above North East Scotland]

Peter Thiel, entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and political activist, net worth stood  US$16.2 billion, a co-founder of PayPal, gave money to the Trump 2016 campaign but not this one. He is an elusive character, describing himself as a conservative libertarian. He has  criticized economically-liberal attitudes towards free trade and big tech, is pro stricter border control, restrictive immigration policy, funds for veterans, and anti-interventionist foreign policy, among other things.

 Born 11 October 1967 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, no birth time, he is Sun Libra opposition Saturn in Aries; with a fearsomely determined, innovative and unconventional Mars in Sagittarius square Uranus Pluto in Virgo. And a high-finance Jupiter in Leo square Neptune in Scorpio. His Moon is late Capricorn or early Aquarius.

  In many ways he has good crossovers with Trump since his Jupiter is conjunct DT’s Mars in Leo and his Sun is conjunct DT’s 2^nd house Jupiter. Fused together by a love of money and grandiose ventures.

 But Thiel’s Uranus Pluto square Mars in Sagittarius crashes into DT’s Gemini Sun opposition Moon for an aggravated emotional interface. And Thiel’s Saturn opposes DT’s Neptune for a distrustful combination.

  What will be interesting to watch in terms of the Trump/Thiel relationship is what will happen when tr Uranus squares the composite Pluto this July and then opposes the composite Saturn from August onwards, both repeating in 2026. They may appear locked together (composite Saturn square Pluto) by ideology and circumstances but there will be a high-tension eruption and a significant pulling apart.  Essentially they are at odds on the ego front anyway with a composite Mars Neptune conjunction hinting that a win for one is a loss for the other.

  Thiel is in for a lucky break this June, December and March 2026 when tr Uranus squares his Jupiter.  Though will fare less well in 2028/9 when tr Neptune is conjunct his Saturn for losses and uncertainty; with a couple of debilitating Solar Arcs at the same time.

Stock markets across the world fell heavily after Trump suggested that new tariffs he is expected to announce this week would hit “all countries”.

 An explanatory piece in the FT pointed out he is driven by realpolitik which is practical, not moral or ideological. “If Trump thinks tariffs will help him, he won’t care who they’ll hurt.” On this theory, the dollar has to weaken to support re-industrialisation. He also reckons that “burden sharing between America and the rest of the world must shift.” The average US tariff rate on other countries is 3 per cent; Europe’s is 5 per cent; and China’s is 10 per cent. Moving those closer together is the hope. If it can be accomplished without “any major inflationary impact or a market crash, that will represent success to him.”

https://www.ft.com/content/60bf5b3d-5e2b-44b8-a119-ffbd6dd6ba92

  The FTSE, 3 January 1984 10am London, has its high-finance, over-hopeful Jupiter Neptune conjunction under pressure with tr Neptune Saturn both square through coming months into early 2026 which does not suggest a quick recovery. Jupiter Neptune is often involved in bubble-bursting moments. The Solar Arc Pluto is exactly conjunct the Midheaven now fir a meltdown moment; with a discouraging SA Saturn conjunct Jupiter within months.

 The Standard & Poor 500, 4 March 1957, New York, looks jangled every which way from tr Pluto opposition the Uranus exactly now, and on and off till late 2026; plus tr Pluto square the Neptune on and off throughout this year. Plus a turbulent tr Uranus square Pluto in June, December and March 2026; and upsets as tr Uranus moves into Gemini in July throughout 2026 as well square the Mercury Venus.

 The NASDAQ, 8 February 1971 9am New York, is also dismayed with tr Saturn Neptune opposition the Pluto throughout this year into early 2026; plus a jolting Solar Arc Sun opposition Uranus now. Its’ Jupiter Neptune is suffering a deflating jolt throughout 2026/27; and much the same from tr Saturn Neptune square the financial Venus in 2026.

There may be – as elsewhere – a smidgeon of sense behind some of Trump’s intentions. But the wrecking ball effect could well topple over entire financial structures.

   The US Federal Reserve is facing its sinking moment of truth from the final two days of this April and through May as tr Neptune undermines the Saturn Pluto conjunction in Cancer – and that runs on through 2026 as well.

Marine Le Pen, the French far-right leader, has been banned from standing for office for five years and sentenced to jail after being convicted of embezzling EU funds. She was handed a four-year jail sentence, of which two years are suspended, would only begin once no further legal recourse after appeals remains. She was also fined €100,000. The court ruling is likely to block Le Pen from running in the 2027 presidential election, for which she was one of the favourites.

  Born 5 August 1968 11.20am Neuilly Sur Seine, France she is a Sun Leo but more significantly has a yod onto Saturn in Aries inconjunct Neptune sextile Uranus Pluto in Virgo. Her heavily Saturnine nature tends to indicate that any infractions will be heavily punished.

  Her Solar Arc Saturn is exactly square her Pluto now for a dead-halt moment, more so since it collides with one leg of her yod. And her Solar Arc Mars is sitting exactly on her Uranus/Pluto midpoint which again is fairly calamitous. Her SA Neptune is conjunct her IC opposition her Midheaven for a further moment of loss and disappointment.

  The Aries Solar Eclipse is also conjunct her North Node.  By June tr Neptune will square her Moon for another slump, continuing into 2026.

  A destiny-changing moment and not in her favour.

Add On: For all the screeching about a left-wing conspiracy, what seems to be glossed over is what she was convicted for.

“She and her cronies illegally siphoned off about €4.5m (£3.8m) of EU funds (taxpayers money) to fuel their party’s domestic rise between 2004 and 2016. A fake jobs system, with Ms Le Pen at its heart, facilitated embezzlement on an industrial scale.” “In effect using European public money to finance a debt-ridden party domestically. Under a French anti-corruption law passed in 2016, the guilty verdict rendered against Le Pen comes with a sentence of ineligibility to run for office.”

  But whatever the facts on the ground, France is moving into tinderbox territory.  21 September 1792 3.30 pm Paris. It’s revolutionary, vengeful T square of Pluto opposition Uranus square Mars (MC) in Scorpio is already on high alert with the Solar Arc Sun square both Pluto and Uranus this year. Tr Uranus is also about to oppose the Mars from the 6th to 25^th of this month (April) which will be volatile and explosive; with tr Uranus moving on (start time being accurate) into the France 4^th house for several years to come hinting at domestic unrest. As if that was not enough tr Saturn Neptune will oppose the 29 degree Virgo Sun throughout this year into early 2026 – a discouraging, disappointing and uncertain phase. With the September Virgo Solar Eclipse exactly conjunct the France Sun for an existential crisis. Plus the recent Aries Solar Eclipse is rattling the France Venus in Libra for an emotional upset.  And 2026/27 sees tr Uranus opposition the 10^th house Sagittarius Moon for an overly emotional, erratic and high-wire phase for both the electorate and the ruling classes. That last influence will be exact over the 2027 presidential election. After mid 2026 and through early 2027 the Solar Eclipse in Aquarius will be triggering France’s overly-excitable Uranus Pluto Mars T square.

  Jordan Bardella, 13 September 1995 3.42pm Drancy, France, an ambitious and determined Virgo, who may step into her political shoes, is moving out in terms of visibility later this decade but there’s nothing much to suggest a resounding win in 2027. His relationship with Le Pen will start to distance from this August onwards.

  The other right winger Marion Marechal, 10 December 1989 1.05 am St Germain en Laye, France, a Sagittarius with a stellium in Capricorn and a bulldozer Mars Pluto in Scorpio, like Bardella is making progress in terms of career visibility ahead but there’s no great indicators of success around 2027.  

Actor Richard Chamberlain, once renowned as the “king of the mini-series” for his leading roles in Shogun and The Thorn Birds, as well as in the 1960s medical drama Dr Kildare has died aged 90, a day before his birthday.

   He was born 31 March 1934 6.20pm Los Angeles with an alcoholic, emotionally abusive father. Often seen squiring beautiful women at premieres he finally came out as gay in 2003 and talked of the relief he felt at not having to hide his sexuality any more.

  He had a 10 degree Aries Sun catching yesterday’s Aries Solar Eclipse exactly and it was conjunct Mars in Aries and his Descendant. His enthusiastic and encouraging Libra Moon Jupiter were in his 1^st opposition a 7^th house Uranus square an influential/controlling 10^th house Pluto. His Venus in Aquarius was conjunct Saturn in his performing 5^th house. A powerful chart, with plenty of charm plus hints of relationship tensions.

On Greenland: Trump: “It’s an island that we need. And we’re going to have to have it.”

JD Vance: “I think Greenland understands that the United States should own it. And if Denmark and the EU don’t understand it, we have to explain it to them. We need Greenland for international security.”

Greenland, a former Danish colony, is a semi-autonomous territory within the kingdom of Denmark and its foreign and security policies are run by Copenhagen. Trump argues that the US needs the vast Arctic island for national and international security and has refused to rule out the use of force to secure it.

  See previous post: Greenland 8 January 2025.

  The barefaced gall is breath taking though has had the effect of pulling the Greenlanders together, united in their dislike of the American bully boys.

  JD Vance over there with wife on a curtailed visit, having discovered to their surprise they were not welcome, 2 August 1984 8.11am, Middletown, Ohio, has his relocated chart to Nuuk, Greenland with the Gemini Midheaven exactly conjunct his master’s voice Trump’s Sun. It also has Saturn and Pluto in the financial 2^nd; and an argumentative Mars and Uranus in the 3^rd. More about money unsurprisingly than anything else, no doubt homing in on the country’s mineral possibilities.

 JDV is a Sun Leo square Saturn in Scorpio with Mars in Scorpio conjunct his IC; and an overly hopeful, can be scandal-prone Jupiter Neptune conjunction.

 His chart indicates an emotional upset within 8 months from SA Uranus square his Moon; and if his birth time is accurate tr Neptune will make an undermining square to his SA Midheaven through this May and on and off into 2026 when tr Saturn will also square his SA MC – neither of which will do much for his career progress. He will also experience severe turbulence in twelve months with his Solar Arc Pluto conjunct his Uranus. 2026/27 will dent his confidence and optimism, undermining his lucky streak with tr Neptune Saturn square his Jupiter; and worse with panic and high uncertainty in 2027 with his SA Neptune opposition his Sun and square his Saturn.  He may regain his mojo to a degree by 2028 with an opportunistic push from SA Mars conjunct his Jupiter – though that could well backfire with Neptune lurking in the background.

  Usha Vance, 6 January 1986, if anything more resolute than her husband with Mars Pluto conjunct in Scorpio, will not enjoy this coming year with SA Saturn conjunct her Capricorn Sun; and panicky failure from SA Neptune square her Mars. Trump dislikes her and 2026/27 may see eruptions or worse as tr Neptune Saturn are conjunct their composite Sun and opposition the composite Mercury Mars; with swampy moments through this year into early 2026 as well.

 Trump’s relationship with JD Vance won’t be improved by this year’s two Solar Eclipses both of which collide with their composite Mars for mighty arguments and irritability.

 On relationship charts:

Greenland with Trump – rattled badly by tr Uranus moving into Gemini in July, conjunct the composite Sun, Venus and square the Uranus through 2026/27 as well.

Greenland with USA – in turmoil from this June onwards with tr Uranus square the composite Uranus; and roiled by increasingly bitter arguments in 2026/27.

Denmark with Trump – again tr Uranus into Gemini from July will set flairs under what is at best a hostile, power-struggling relationship.  Ditto JD Vance with Denmark right through till late 2026.

Denmark with USA – chilly, separated at the moment and essentially a troublesome, aggravated combination.  

  The Aries Solar Eclipse of March 29^th is certainly living up to its turbulent Saros Series with a major 7.7 magnitude earthquake hitting Myanamar and Thailand with many dead and injured.  It is the strongest quake to hit Thailand since the 1839 Ava Earthquake, of 8.3 in magnitude.

 The Partial Solar Eclipse of 29^th March located to Mandalay has Venus, Saturn, North Node and Scheat all on the chart axis conjunct the Descendant.

 The previous Lunar Eclipse has Mars conjunct the Ascendant and Mercury on the Midheaven.

 The Burma 4 January 1948 4.20am chart has a Capricorn Sun square Neptune catching the Solar Eclipse and tr Saturn square the Uranus.

 Thailand, 24 June 1932 5 am Bangkok, is even more obviously affected with the emotionally upsetting Solar Eclipse square the Venus in Cancer and the Mars in Gemini trine Saturn in Aquarius under assault from tr Pluto conjunct the Saturn now and tr Neptune sextile the Mars. With more problems looming as tr Uranus heads for Gemini.