Hillary Clinton’s bizarre attack on the also-ran Democratic candidate Tulsi Gabbard for being a Russian asset, without offering any proof, only managed to improve Gabbard’s fund raising. While the congresswoman from Hawaii has some oddball and unsavoury associations (pro-Assad etc) and does spout Russian bot language at times, she would seem an unlikely Putin plant. And Clinton throwing the spotlight on her just raises her status.

Gabbard was born 12 April 1981 in American Samoa and is a toughminded, uber-ambitious and determined Sun Venus Mars in Aries opposition Pluto and trine Neptune. She’s in an extremely challenging phase with tr Pluto square her Mars and then her Sun/Mars midpoint this year bringing acute frustrations; and tr Pluto continues to square her Sun and Pluto in 2020 – so she’s under tremendous pressure.

What will be interesting to see how it shakes down is that at the election tr Jupiter Pluto are exactly square her Sun and Pluto which could bring her a major boost. Plus she has a Jupiter Saturn conjunction in Libra which is catching the tr Jupiter Saturn in Aquarius trine over the Inauguration.

She’s certainly a tricky mix with Hillary. Both are controlling women with strong Mars Pluto Venus contacts in their charts; and Aries is not a good mix with Scorpio –  fire and water.

Their relationship chart is horrible reeking with hostile dislike and bitterness. There’s a composite Mars square Uranus, Saturn, Pluto – and it doesn’t get much worse than that. Their connection will slip and slide through 2020 and beyond.

With odd murmurs that Clinton may throw her hat back into the ring – and she’s tone deaf enough to do it – be interesting to see what tr Uranus opposition her Scorpio Sun does in the final days of this December and through January.

The quagmire, train wreck, omnishambles and general clusterf*** that is Brexit sank deeper in the mud with Boris’s “do or die” plan to take Britain out of the EU on October 31 thrown into disarray. MPs voted to delay a crunch vote on his new Brexit deal and force him to seek an extension which he defiantly refuses to do, despite being told he’ll break the law if he doesn’t. He is expected to go for a speedy election. Though the final few days of this month and first week of November are bedevilled by disruptive Scorpio New Moon opposition Uranus, a major setback, accident-prone Mars square Saturn followed by a high-risk, exceptionally aggravated few days running into Mars square Pluto on November 5 – and a retrograde Mercury from October 31^st to November 20^th.

The chart for today’s high noon Brexit Debate today which fizzled out – is set for 9.30 am London and wasn’t too illuminating with a 12^th house Sun trine a late 8^th house Moon, oddly enough the latter being exactly conjunct Boris’s Sun Venus. The over-hopeful Jupiter Neptune square was in place but not well integrated; and Mars was in a road-blocked square to Saturn. Nothing much fits together.

To say Boris is not on a winning streak is putting it mildly. He’s got tr Neptune square his Mars/Node midpoint now till mid November and again mid December to late January 2020 which brings disappointments and undermining of relationships. From mid this November to mid December he has tr Neptune square his Sun/Mars midpoint which is more moments of panicky failure, losses, undermining of career position.

Mid November to mid December seems to be a crux time of unsolvable problems from all of the relevant Boris crony and government charts.

The UK chart looks bemused with tr Neptune square the Mercury and Solar Arc Mars now through till late February 2020; and saddened just before Christmas with tr Saturn opposition the 10^th house Moon. There’ll be a shift of sorts late December to early February as tr Uranus is sextile the UK Pluto, which could act with the force of a hard aspect.

The UK joining the EEC chart, 1 January 1973 12 am, is similarly kerflummoxed with a fogged-up windscreen from tr Neptune square the Venus and square Saturn through till late January 2020.

It’s like being condemned to purgatory – stuck in eternal twilight. Can’t get in and can’t get out.

Suzi Quatro, a rock n’ roll blast from the past, appears amazingly to still be current on the global touring scene after 46 years and 55 million records. She stomps on stage in her iconic leather outfit with her electric bass guitar and wows her ageing audiences. Out of the public eye she lives in a moated 16^th Century Essex manor house and flits across to Hamburg to see her present husband a German rock promoter who has his own establishment.

Born 3 June 1950 at 1.40pm in Detroit, Michigan, she has fittingly a Gemini Sun, a common sign amongst pop singers, in the far-travelled 9^th house. Her Sun is on the focal point of a scattered Mutable T Square to a hates-failure Saturn opposition Jupiter. She will have her ups and downs having to balance on a Jupiter Saturn see-saw but there no doubting the ambitions driving her on with her Sun also trine Neptune and sextile Pluto.

Luckily she’s also got a grounded, bsuiness-like Earth Grand Trine of a dedicated and upfront Mars in Virgo on her Ascendant trine a Capricorn Moon trine Mercury in Taurus. And wayward, unconventional Uranus is conjunct her midheaven in her 10^th so she was always destined to walk her own road and not fit into anyone else’s mould.

Her husband, Rainer Haas, 1 August 1956, is reasonably similar having an independent-minded Sun Uranus in Leo with his Venus and maybe Moon in Gemini.

The pain from whatever Brexit deal is done will ripple across the EU with the economic high-IQs reckoning that the Netherlands and Belgium will be worst hit.

The Netherlands economy has been growing robustly in recent years with low unemployment but is expected to slow ahead because of global uncertainties. The 16 March 1815 chart seems to work better than the 1581 chart. What’s coming up is tr Neptune conjunct the Netherlands Pluto, Mercury and Pisces Sun between 2021 and 2023 – which is similar in one respect astrologically to what was around for the first two years of Nazi occupation after 1940 when tr Neptune was in Virgo. But there were other influences in 1940 absent now. Still it looks bumpy ahead with a major setback Solar Arc Mars opposition Saturn and a jolting, unsettling Solar Arc Uranus square Sun both in 2020 along with a high-tension/sudden change tr Uranus square Saturn. Though for all that there’ll be a bullishly upbeat mood in the country through 2020/21.

The Bank of Netherlands chart, 25 March 1814, looks very enthusiastic right now, though that optimism will fade from late April 2020 on and off for a year as tr Neptune is conjunct the Pluto and Solar Arc Jupiter. There’ll be panics in late 2021/22 with a mighty uphill struggle through 2021 to 2023/4.

The Belgian economy is losing momentum for the second year in a row due to the global slowdown with exports, in particular, suffering. Politically it remains divided and confused.

The 4 October 1830 chart shows muddles, mayhem and indecisiveness in 2018/19 with tr Pluto conjunct the Belgian Neptune; which will be repeated, possibly even more devastatingly, with Solar Arc Pluto square the Neptune in eighteen months’ time. And somewhat similar influences to the Netherlands with the confidence-undermining tr Neptune opposition the Venus and conjunct Mars in 2021/23.

The Bank of Belgium chart, 5 May 1850, looks monumentally stuck now with Solar Arc Sun opposition Pluto and is ploughing through exceptionally heavy seas, feeling cornered and frustrated in 2020/21 with tr Pluto opposition the Mars; plus a financial bubble-bursting Solar Arc Jupiter opposition Neptune in 2020. And the disruptive mood will continue on for two years as tr Pluto moves on to square the Uranus Pluto.

Not easy times. Though Brexit may turn out to be the least of the worries.

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Scotty Bowers, for decades the secret procurer for Hollywood celebrities of both sexes, has died. His memoir in 2012 named reams of names, all dead – Lana Turner, Ava Gardner, Cary Grant, Randolph Scott, Vincent Price, Vivien Leigh, Edith Piaf, Tyrone Power, Tennessee Williams, Noel Coward and George Cukor. Although many thought his lurid tales were exaggerated, Gore Vidal said he hadn’t lied and his services were an open secret in Hollywood, particularly among closeted gay men and lesbians, who had to keep their romantic lives under wraps. He also reminisced about Prince George, Duke of Kent and “Eddy and Wally,” the Duke and Duchess of Windsor: “Like her husband, she definitely preferred homosexual sex.”

Born 1 July 1923 in Ottowa, Illinois, he had a farmer father, forced out in the depression to become a prison guard, who divorced his mother. He fought in World War 11 as a paratrooper indulging his bisexuality along the way which he turned into a lifelong career after he demobbed, though he improbably said he never received money for his services either as a prostitute or a pimp.

He had an extraordinarily tough-minded, bleak and lucky chart with his Sun in a controlling conjunction to Pluto with both in an unyielding square to Saturn; and both also were in a fantasy-bubble and ‘healing’ Water Grand Trine to Jupiter in Scorpio and Uranus in Pisces. He may also have had an Air Grand Trine of Saturn trine Venus Mercury in Gemini trine an Aquarius Moon, so he would be able to detach his feelings from his lifestyle. An Air Water chart is difficult to balance, often ending up in a wobble between feelings and thoughts.

His Uranus was not only in a flirtatious and inconstant square to his social-butterfly Venus in Gemini, it was also on the focal point of a Yod to Neptune sextile Saturn. Such a Yod marks him out as a libertarian and a catalyst, a trailblazer in his way, always fighting against convention and at times the law. He was never arrested since he kept all the information in his head.

A different kind of life, for sure.

(John Lewis)

Elijah Cummings, a Democratic congressman widely respected on both sides of the house despite his criticism of Trump has died suddenly of long-standing health problems. He was a leading figure in the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry and had a long career in Maryland politics and civil rights activism before winning a congressional seat in 1996.

He was born 18 January 1951 in Baltimore, Maryland, with sharecropper parents. In school, a counsellor early on told him he was too slow to learn and spoke poorly, and he would never fulfil his dream of becoming a lawyer. “I was devastated,” he said. “My whole life changed. I became very determined”. He graduated from school with honours, went to college and subsequently took a law degree.

He was a late Sun Capricorn; with a focal point, executive-ability Saturn in fair-minded Libra which squared onto a sharp-witted and outspoken Mercury in Capricorn opposition Uranus. He also had a do-or-die determined Mars in uncompromising Aquarius opposition Pluto. He would face many frustrations and setbacks in his life with a tough Saturn and trapped Mars Pluto but he rose about the challenges and kept on going.

He did not get on with Trump which was unsurprising and obvious with a hostile-dislike composite Mars (conjunct Algol) square Saturn; and a suspicious composite Sun opposition Neptune.

But his Sun was exactly conjunct the USA Pluto making him a key figure for the country through his efforts to change it for the better – against resistance. The relationship chart between himself and the USA had a passionately enthusiastic composite Sun Venus Mars (maybe New Moon) and a confident Jupiter Pluto. More’s the pity he’s the one who went.

Alain Hades, regarded as one of the great French astrologers has died. He was also a prolific author of astrology books as well as over 30 spy and science fiction novels.

I’m not familiar with his work but one critique said he could be overly negative about ‘bad’ aspects in a chart – that he was ‘not very diplomatic and reluctant to think positively when things go wrong.’

Born 6 November 1931 6.20pm St Germain en Laye, France, he was a Sun Scorpio on his Descendant with Mercury, Venus also in Scorpio in his 7^th. He’d be persuasively and powerfully charming but also inclined to be overly penetrating in the way he put his views across. He had the Depression signature of Pluto in Cancer opposition Saturn in Capricorn on his Midheaven square Uranus in Aries in his 12^th – definitely innovative with such an emphasised Uranus, and designed for astrology; also unyielding with a depressive streak.

He was an entertainer and performer with Jupiter in flamboyant Leo in his theatrical 5^th house square his Sun and trine Uranus; with creative Neptune also in the 5^th in a showbusiness, publicity-attracting square to Mars.

An interesting man who certainly had a work ethic.

Michael Collins, a mythic figure in the early-20th-century Irish struggle for independence, a revolutionary, soldier and politician, was born on 18^th October 1890 at 2.30 am Clonakilty, Ireland. His family had republican connections back to an 18^th century rebellion. He fought in the 1916 Easter Rising and the subsequent War of Independence, gaining fame as a guerrilla warfare strategist, directing successful attacks on British forces. After the ceasefire and the creation of the Irish Free State, he moved into politics but a civil war broke out and he was assassinated by forces (IRA) who opposed the Anglo-Irish Treaty. As ever conspiracy theories swirled around his death because the gunman responsible had fought for the British Army before joining the IRA.

Collins had a Libra Sun conjunct Uranus, making him a mix of rebellious and politic; though his Sun square a 5^th house Mars in Capricorn would give him a combative edge; and his Uranus squared Jupiter adding an adventurous, risk-taking streak. What dominates his chart, however, is an Air Grand Trine of Pluto Neptune in Gemini on his Midheaven trine Mercury in Libra trine Jupiter in Aquarius, formed into a Kite by Pluto Neptune opposition a 4^th house Venus in fiery Sagittarius.

It is a delightfully descriptive chart. Air Grand Trines can be ideologues, idealists and wedded to their beliefs. Pluto in the 10^th as well as controlling, can become a legend of their time; and Pluto Neptune was very much at the centre of the zeitgeist when he was born with associations to stratospheric ambitions as well as scandals. Hitler and Mao also had Neptune Pluto in Gemini though in their cases in the 8^th and 5^th respectively. The driving planet of Collins’ Air Grand Trine, formed into an even more talented Kite was the 4^th house Venus – love of country and roots.

His Pluto Neptune opposition Venus also squared onto Saturn in Virgo on his Ascendant which would make him tough minded from Saturn Pluto, wishing for a fairer society from Saturn Neptune; passionate and idealistic from Pluto Neptune Venus. A Mutable Saturn on the point of a T Square on the Ascendant would give him a reserved appearance, an initial suspiciousness on meeting people, and also a humility and a serious approach to organizational matters with executive abilities.

His Moon in intensely emotional Scorpio was sextile Mars on one side and Saturn on the other, so he’d be used to hardship. His mother was a powerful influence and a considerable personality – obvious from his Pluto in the 10^th as well as his Moon aspects.

A complicated man, not an easy temperament, but supremely capable with his moments of levity from two 5^th house planets.

When he was assassinated his focal point Saturn had moved by Solar Arc to exactly square his Mars which in traditional astrology was the classic assassination signature. With tr Neptune in an undermining opposition to his Solar Arc Mars.

Portugal, once one of the EU’s basket cases, is now applauded as a booming success. But behind the economic growth lies chronic under-investment in public services and infrastructure. Tourism is at record levels, there’s an upswing in the housing market, a growing tech sector, strong exports and foreign investment coming in. But the fear is that another recession could prove problematic and despite the recovery and the fall of unemployment, there’s a sense of precariousness with low wages a major worry.

The Portugal October 5 1910 9am Lisbon chart is on tenterhooks at the moment – both buoyed up by tr Pluto square the Jupiter till December, but also nerve-stretched as tr Pluto is conjunct the Uranus and opposition Neptune which is much less predictable and stable. Those run till late this year. Tr Uranus will have a few jolts and surprises in store as it is opposes the Scorpio Moon and is conjunct the 6^th house Saturn between now and early 2020 which may have implications for employment or the health service.

Assuming the start time is accurate then tr Neptune will be in an undermining and indecisive square to the Solar Arc Midheaven till early 2020 as well. It’ll continue up and down on this chart till 2022 is clear with Solar Arc Pluto conjunct Jupiter for a distinct upswing and square the Uranus Neptune for disruptions and anxieties.

The 25 April 1974 5.15pm Lisbon chart is relatively similar with upheavals through 2021/22 as tr Pluto square the Uranus; along with at least some financial good news.

The Bank of Portugal, 15 November 1975, is jumpy at the moment with conflicting policies and erratic circumstances running into next spring; looking more cheerful in 2022 and then facing challenges in 2023 – so ups and downs.