Two Titans of the EU have died. Jacques Delors, who led the EU Commission from 1985 to 1995, promoted an unashamedly federalist, centralising agenda and presided over the Single European Act in 1987; and the Maastricht Treaty. From 1985 to 1995, he was the high priest of “ever closer union” – including the adoption of the single market and the creation of the euro. ‘The EU is so much his creation that one of Delors’s biographers called it “the house that Jacques built”.’
Along the way he fought vigorously with Margaret Thatcher and his policies arguably did a great deal to bring about her downfall.
The other is Wolfgang Schauble, the German statesman, an indispensable assistant to Helmut Kohl and Angela Merkel, who charted the German response to the collapse of eastern European communism in 1989, designed road maps for closer EU integration in the 1990s and crafted emergency measures to save Europe’s monetary union after 2010.
Jacques Delors 20 July 1925 12.30pm Paris, France, had a Cancer New Moon in his career 10th alongside a ‘leadership’ North Node in Leo and Mars also in Leo. Plus a visionary, idealistic Venus, Neptune, Mercury in Leo in his 11th. His pushily-confident Jupiter opposition Pluto clashed badly with Maggie’s similarly forceful Jupiter opposition Pluto and it also squared her Sun Mars. Their relationship chart had a competitive composite Sun Mars conjunction, a oneupmanhship-struggling Jupiter opposition Pluto and an outspoken Mercury opposition Uranus.
Delors’ leaving-a-legacy-for-history 17th harmonic is exceptionally strong with a pulling-together-opposites Saturn opposition Uranus square a successful Sun Jupiter; as well as a do-or-die determined Mars opposition Pluto square Venus. His vision was railroaded through against bitter hostility.
Wolfgang Schauble 18 September 1942 11.45 am Freiburg im Breisgau, was a softer temperament with an intuitive Sun Neptune conjunction in Virgo conjunct Mars in Libra; a good-for-PR Venus in his 10th; and a financially astute and inventive Saturn in his 8th conjunct Uranus.
His 17th harmonic was also strong, hooking him into the zeitgeist, the spirit of his time.
Careering towards a general election with no great enthusiasm for either of the top two choices, the UK is no less confused and uncertain than elsewhere.
This will be due in part to the lacklustre, indecisive Solar Arc Sun square the UK Neptune exact now and fading over coming months. But change is coming for good or ill once Neptune’s sea-fog is blown away by tr Pluto trine the UK Uranus from late February 2024, repeating on and off till late 2025. That influence runs alongside tr Pluto opposing the UK 10th house Jupiter which should bring a surge of confidence and enthusiasm with a renewed push for success.
2024 is the year for a UK Nodal Return bringing a reevaluation of partnerships since the North Node falls in the 7th house of close relationships. It was crucially upended at Brexit so there may be a revisitation of an adjusted EU relationship post the split. It will never be reversed but there could be more cooperation. Though with the Progressed Moon going through the 12th house till late 2025 it will continue to be a time of endings and introspection rather than a leap-ahead into a brave new future.
Transiting and Solar Arc Uranus remain the key influences. Tr Uranus is square the UK 11th house Saturn bringing shock changes to the UK legislature? Or a shift in forward hopes. It hits once May 12 to 28 in 2024 and again December 20 to March 16 2025. Which may or may not be a hint about the House of Lords. But the really consequential aspect remains the SA Uranus conjunct the 8th house Mars in Taurus which comes exact in late 2024/early 2025. Transiting Uranus is still moving through the UK’s 8th house of deeper transformations, joint finances and sexuality (2020 to 2027) which was always going to be roller coaster on the international and business finance front.
When tr Uranus crossed the Mars in 2021/22 it was the anniversary of the previous Uranus in Taurus in 1938 as WW11 approached and before that 1853 when the UK along with France declared war on Russia over the Crimea. In 1853 as well there was a cholera outbreak in London which killed 10,000.
The UK deeply buried 8th house Mars tends to stir up a volcanic eruption of accidents or anger when it is triggered. When tr Pluto in Scorpio opposed the UK Mars in 1987/88 – there was a relentless stream of disasters – Hungerford mass shooting, Zebrugge Ferry sinking, IRA bombs various, Kings Cross fire, Piper Alpha rig explosion, Lockerbie plane crash, Prince Charles equerry killed in skiing accident, Clapham Rail crash. Maggie Thatcher was elected for the 3rd time and the Channel Tunnel was started – no noticeable economic fall out. Admittedly Pluto will have brought a more destructive effect to bear on the Mars than Solar Arc Uranus will – but there is still likely to be a key event or events of a highly unsettling nature.
The Bank of England chart, 27 July 1694 JC, like elsewhere globally is logjammed through 2024 with tr Pluto trine the Mars; and extremely anxious and uncertain from April 2024 into 2025 with tr Neptune square the Saturn. That undermining Neptune transit along with tr Saturn continues on to square the BoE Venus for a downbeat 2025. But a recovery looks likely with a confidence surge and a mighty push forward in 2026 and onwards from tr Pluto square the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint and then the Jupiter in following years. Which timeline coincides with tr Uranus exiting the UK’s 8th house of joint finances so financial stability if not an outright improvement may return.
PM Rishi Sunak, 12 May 1980, will be rattled by tr Uranus conjunct his Taurus Sun mid March to early April and then opposition his Uranus in May 2024. That is when the Conservative Party chart, 9 May 1912, is also in a disruptive phase with tr Uranus and SA Uranus both conjunct the Sun/Saturn midpoint. Which may or may not be a spring election. But the Tory Party chart will continue to be undermined by tr Neptune square the Pluto through 2024 and SA Uranus conjunct the Saturn in 2025/6 – a longish phase of instability and major pressures for change. The April Solar Eclipse is also exactly opposition Rishi Sunak’s Pluto in Libra, bringing heightened tension. And now that I look the Tory Party is also on a Nodal Return – much rethinking of direction and objectives.
The UK are not that enamoured of Rishi Sunak, though oddly they may prefer him to Keir Starmer. Which does not mean Starmer could not get elected this year and rapidly become seriously disliked since his relationship chart with the UK has a strongly hostile Mars Pluto aspect as did Tony Blair. But Starmer is certainly going nowhere good – even in the short term with a disappointed Progressed Mars square his Neptune over coming months; and two cataclysmic Solar Arcs by 2025/26 – SA Mars conjunct his Sun, Pluto and SA Sun Pluto conjunct his Neptune. He is by no means a slamdunk even for a an early 2024 election though he does have one faintly upbeat popularity surge from now till mid March 2024.
His leadership chart, 4 April 2020 10.45am is facing an aggravated uphill slog over the next three years with setbacks galore.
I am not overly fond of political party charts but for what it is worth the LP 12 February 1906 chart will be rattled by the late March Lunar Eclipse opposing its Mars with an all-systems change tr Uranus square the Venus Sun in May 2025. But it is heading for a roadblock of considerable proportions by 2025 with the SA Sun Venus conjunct the Pluto. And 2027 to 2029 looks like a downhill slide.
The LP 27 February 1900 chart is having a Saturnine year in 2024; some shocks in 2025 and setbacks in 2027.
The Liberal Democrats, 3 March 1988, upbeat through 202/23 with tr Pluto square the Jupiter looks completely trapped now and on for a few months with nothing about undermining Neptune’s entry into Aries in 2025 which will suit it through till late decade.
Throw them all into the Thames and start again – I wish
The Royal machine went seamlessly into action for the Christmas Day church service with the extended family out on parade, including grandchildren, mini-cousins, nephews and nieces. King Charles made his annual televised festive speech cheerleading for community volunteers and managed not to step into any political minefields. So far so normal.
Jupiter will be transiting his 10th house until July 2024 so his popularity will stay solid. Tr Pluto will continue to square his 10th house Moon on and off throughout 2024 as his career/life’s direction changes under pressure though with a few family tensions at the same time. Late May to early September 2024 tr Neptune will square his 5th house Jupiter and his Uranus which will dent a few hopes, some financial, but it could also involve children. What will be worth noting is his Solar Arc Saturn conjunct his Sun, exact in 11 months, which suggests a discouraging setback which again may be connected to the family as well as having wider implications.
Queen Camilla is forging ahead confidently in 2024 despite feeling weighed down by duty and hitting a major muddle soon.
Prince William is in full sail with tr Pluto square his Jupiter through 2024 and his Jupiter/Midheaven as well – he clearly intends to hit the ground running and make his mark as Prince of Wales. He also has a Solar Arc Saturn wet-blanket in action like his father, though in his case it is opposition his 5th house Venus in Taurus which is on the focal point of a yod – so it might suggest events which change the trajectory of his life or consolidate his sense of purpose. That is exact in six months. Where he will hit more difficulties will be when tr Neptune and Saturn in Aries make an undermining square to his Cancer Sun and then Moon from 2025 into 2026/7.
His relationship with his notoriously thin-skinned father has not always been easy but seems more stable. Though there may be a few frosty moments over the next few months.
One bone of contention may be Prince Andrew, whom William would be keen to see banished from the Royal scene as he quite rightly thinks his presence is damaging to the monarchy. William’s relationship with uncle Andrew will be aggravated through next month and under pressure throughout 2024.
Charles clearly is more soft-hearted about his brother but that may not last through 2024 with a major disruption from May/June and much worse through 2025.
Prince Andrew will continue to fly in the face of reality with an upbeat tr Pluto square his Jupiter/Pluto midpoint through 2024, but he’s also due for a major upheaval, perhaps involving a house move with tr Uranus opposition huis 4th house Moon from mid June, which he will take badly as his SA Pluto is conjunct his 4th house Neptune after mid 2024 as well which will feel devastating.
Princess Anne and Andrew are also moving through turbulent times from mid 2026 onwards as their relationship is in turmoil with tr Uranus conjunct the composite Sun and square the composite Pluto.
Sarah, Duchess of York, despite being welcomed back into the family fold for the Christmas church parade will be hitting a turbulent patch with all the senior Royals from May 2024 onwards into 2025.
Charles and Edward also mystifyingly look at odds now and for the next three years with their always-complicated relationship going through a muddled and irritable phase.
Princess Anne never gives much away but is going through a tough patch with tr Uranus square her Sun (Pluto) in spring 2024; and her SA Pluto Sun is crossing her 1st house Mars in Scorpio in a longish phase of several years covering the death of both her parents and on till 2026 – so she is grieving in her own way as well as coping with additional public duties supporting her brother.
Meghan and Prince Harry have been covered ad nauseam in previous posts, see dates below.
Briefly Harry has his SA Pluto conjunct his Uranus exact in seven months for a major change in his future plans; with tr Uranus conjunct his Moon in April 2024 for a possible house move. His SA Saturn will square his Sun early in 2025 which is downbeat. And tr Saturn is still trailing through his 2nd house of finances and the lowest point of his chart so he is not out of the woods yet.
His relationship with none of the senior royals looks to be mending anytime soon. Indeed with his father and Camilla it could worsen through 2024. With William, I’d give it another decade.
Meghan ditto and her war-of-envy with the Princess of Wales could escalate through the middle of 2024 and beyond. Where Meghan comes a real cropper will be 2026/27 when transiting Neptune Saturn in Aries start to oppose her Moon, Jupiter, Saturn and her Progressed Mars is conjunct her Sun in 2027. If ever there was a salutary tale about hubris and its downfall in humiliation, this is it. They may pick up a few breadcrumbs of triumph but the rest will turn to dust, all the more painful because the damage has been self-inflicted.
Previous posts
For Meghan/Kate – 1 December 2023, 5 November 2023. For Andrew/Sarah 22 November 2023, 2 March 2023.
Putin’s dream of restoring Russia’s Tsardom glory under Catherine the Great is collapsing with the economy creaking following sanctions and the Ukraine invasion in stalemate. Mothers and wives of conscripts are demonstrating against the war, with outbursts of mutiny amongst soldiers themselves.
[Catherine the Great, who during the previous Pluto in Capricorn in the late 18th Century swallowed half of Poland, extended Russian power to the Black Sea through her wars against the Turks, and annexed the Crimea, allowing the Russian navy dominated the Near East. Her 34 year reign survived almost to the end of Pluto in Aquarius which is unlikely to be the case for Putin. She was a power-hungry Sun Mars in Taurus sextile Saturn inconjunct Pluto, with her Pluto square Jupiter and trine Neptune.]
The Russia 8 November 1917 2.12 am chart has an unsettled, disruptive, rebellious tr Uranus square Uranus from mid this month to mid March 2024 – plus a couple of damaging, collision-type Solar Arcs of SA Sun opposition Mars and SA Saturn square Mars now and for a few months ahead.
The 8 December 1991 7.45pm Russia chart has a similar damaging-setback SA Saturn square Mars in effect over coming months. With a tough/deprived slog from tr Pluto in hard aspect to Venus and Saturn over the next three years.
The Bank of Russia chart, 13 July 1990, looks blighted as well with a frustrated/scary, blocked tr Pluto square the Mars throughout this year and then tr Pluto opposing the Mercury in 2025/26. Plus an imminent devastating SA Neptune square Pluto.
Putin’s 4th Term chart, 7 May 2018 11.05 am Moscow, is looking increasingly unstable through 2024 with tr Pluto square the Uranus – and lucky as well, as is his undeserved wont. His initial Presidency chart, 31 December 1999 is undermined and sinking at the moment, as well as catching lucky breaks; with jolting shocks from mid year onwards.
If his birth date of 7 October 1952 is accurate he has the same mix of positive and damaging influences ahead, so pluses and minuses. His relationship chart with Russia will be unrelentingly strained with increasing hostility from the masses through 2024.
Relationship charts between Russia and Ukraine indicate the agony dragging on through 2024.
The USA now through the exact Pluto Return and pulling away from the fanatical Mercury opposition Pluto mood of the past four years will be coping with new astro-influences.
One is a significant setback, accident, shock or upset courtesy of the Solar Arc Saturn conjunct the USA Mars, exact in six months, followed by SA Saturn in a high-uncertainty square to the US Neptune by late 2025 – this will be a two year phase of mishaps and anxiety. On the 11am start time I use, it is 9th house so suggesting international complications. On the Sibly Sag rising chart, it is 7th house pointing to issues with a close partner.
The second is tr Uranus square the Aquarius Moon anywhere from May onwards depending on which USA chart is used which suggests an excitable and over-reactive public response to events.
The third are the solar eclipses at 19 Aries and 10 Libra in April and October which are within orb of the USA Sun and Saturn. With Saturn there is always a price to pay which sometimes extends to being landed with responsibilities for the actions of others. A time to face up, get real and get rid of old baggage whether in outdated attitudes or policies. Not usually a fun time.
Tr Uranus is also moving to trine the USA Pluto and sextile the Mercury so the rancorous debates of recent times won’t subside altogether but there will be a sense of overdue change in the air.
The USA Federal Reserve chart 16 November 1914 9am Washington, is showing signs of confusion if not outright panic with tr Pluto continuing to oppose the Neptune from early 2023 till the end of 2024. With a downbeat tr Saturn square Mars, Venus in 2024; and tr Uranus in a disruptive opposition to the Scorpio Sun in May 2024, mid December to mid March 2025. By 2025 there will be a calamitous tr Neptune Saturn in Aries square the Fed Res Saturn Pluto running into 2026.
Many other central bank charts are flagging significant problems so it may be the fragile world economy takes a hit from an unexpected flare up, such as the disruption to international freight caused by Houthi rebels attacking cargoes in the Red Sea recently. A global supply shock from whatever cause would have inflationary consequences.
It will, of course, be an election saturated year in the USA to the point of screeching ennui – and existential anxiety as Democrats face the prospect of a Trump victory and Trump supporters get enraged by any hint that his numerous malfeasances might disqualify him.
The Supreme Court is likely to be dragged into the political fray over the Colorado disqualification of Trump for insurrection with calls for Clarence Thomas to recuse himself because of his wife’s January 6th cheerleading. And another abortion ruling is due this year which could favour the Democrats since the reversal of Roe v Wade gained them votes.
What follows is as per usual hedged with innumerable provisos. Biden could blink and retire from the fray or keel over. Trump could be disqualified, keel over or not be nominated. The November 2024 election chart itself is fraught, aggravated and fearful with a close Mars opposition Pluto; a dynamic-change Pluto trine Uranus; a sensible Sun trine Saturn and a hope-for-the-best Jupiter square Neptune. A pot pourri of influences that can be argued any which way. The Inauguration in January 2025 has a controlled/controlling Sun Pluto conjunction opposition a 4th house (mutinous electorate) Mars. Uranus in the 1st also suggests a changed-brand administration, not always stable with Saturn square Jupiter.
Joe Biden, sagging badly in the polls, despite an uptick in employment, is struggling to convince Americans hit by higher gas prices that his policies are working. His Term chart, 20 January 2021 11.48am has a couple of discouraging Saturnine hits over the next six months and is under pressure from tr Pluto conjunct the Sun throughout 2024.
His personal chart looks poleaxed over the early November election in 2024 with tr Pluto square his Sun/Neptune midpoint which is not a winning combination. But he will get his mojo back in the final ten days of November and looks exceptionally confident and upbeat from New Year till the end of January 2025 with tr Pluto opposition his Jupiter/Pluto midpoint. Though January 2025 also sees tr Pluto trine his Neptune and square his Moon so he will still be over-wrought. But that triumphant Jupiter/Pluto midpoint of his will be activated from early 2024 and fish him out of a few tight corners.
Trump, birth time being sound, has a lucky/successful tr Jupiter crossing his Midheaven from May 2024 till mid 2025. But that is a mild enough influence and nothing like the bountiful supply of Jupiter which won him 2016. Over the Inauguration in 2025 (and Super-Tuesday 5 March 2024) he has the discouraging tr Pluto opposition his Saturn/Pluto midpoint; and a downbeat tr Saturn opposition his Mars/Neptune midpoint which does not look jubilant.
He also from early 2025 has his Solar Arc Neptune conjunct his Moon, aiming to oppose his Sun in 2026 which will be lacklustre. Tr Uranus cross his Midheaven late May 2024 on and off to April 2025 hints at a change of career or life’s direction.
What intrigues me is the Republican Convention of 15 July 2024 where the GOP nomination is bestowed. It kicks off on an exact Mars Uranus conjunction in Taurus which is exactly square Trump’s bombastic, showy Mars in Leo. That Mars Uranus also collides with the composite Mars in Trump’s relationship chart with the GOP and the Supreme Court, so the temperature gauge will be flashing red hot. Tr Uranus square Mars can bring a sudden shock to the system, an event which challenges the individual’s self-esteem and often causes an extreme reaction with a retaliatory act of bravado to prop up morale.
There are all manner of ways it could manifest – one being that international events derail the GOP Convention causing a rethink because of changed conditions on the ground. That July period flags up on Middle Eastern and other charts so there could be a knock on effect. Trump’s chart has the same discouraging tr Pluto opposition Saturn/Pluto midpoint over the GOP Convention as he has over Super-Tuesday and the Inauguration. He’ll be pushing boulders uphill all the way.
The astrology is even more of a Rorschach puzzle than usual. I hesitate to say Trump won’t be installing himself back in the White House lest my bias colours the interpretation. But he’s not remotely on the roll he was in 2016.
The top festive slot at last for Wham’s Last Christmas which was beaten four decades ago by the Band Aid’s charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas? Andrew Ridgeley the remaining half of Wham said the late George Michael would regard it as mission accomplished, fulfilling one of his dreams. Wham! were one of the most successful pop acts during the 1980s, selling more than 30 million records worldwide from 1982 to 1986. They split up when George Michael wanted to take a different direction musically.
George Michael, 25 June 1963 6am London had a 12th house creative Cancer Sun and a lucky successful Jupiter in Aries in his career 10th house. But he was a difficult personality and volatile with Uranus, Pluto and Mars in Virgo square his Mercury Venus in Gemini. His Leo Moon opposed an 8th house Saturn squaring onto a musical Neptune in his performing 5th house. Emotionally very complex.
At the moment tr Jupiter is moving across his career 10th, just over a posthumous Jupiter return and his SA Jupiter is conjunct his Mercury Venus conjunction for a reputation boost. He died on Christmas Day 2016 with heart and liver problems.
Andrew Ridgeley, 26 January 1963 is a cool Sun in Aquarius conjunct Saturn (Moon) with Saturn opposition Mars square Neptune. His Jupiter in Pisces is in a confident opposition to Pluto square Venus in Sagittarius.
A completely different temperament to George Michael with AR’s Mars in Leo clashing with GM’s Moon opposition Saturn.
His Solar Arc Jupiter in Taurus is now exactly opposition his Neptune for an enthusiastic high with tr Jupiter soon to join the SA Jupiter.
To brighten this time of family festive cheer a new movie hits the screens on December 22nd called the Curse of the Iron Claw, starring Zac Efron, about the tragic von Erich family, controlled by a hard-driving world champion wrestler father Fritz who outlived five of his six children, three of them dead by suicide. In its heyday wrestling, despite being a pretend sport, was a superstar arena awash with fantasy and riddled with staggering drug problems – steroids, cocaine, and painkillers – all kept out of sight.
Father Fritz was in reality a Texan who adopted a “Nazi” German persona for his public career, pushed his teenage offspring into tough workout schedules, punished them with a leather strap, and blatantly picked favourites. He marketed them as something that – in some cases – they couldn’t live up to and stooped to cashing-in on their deaths.
The film makers were so wary of the darkness of the story they omitted the story of one son altogether.
And the litany is tragic. One son died at 6 being electrocuted after touching a bare wire and drowning in a puddle. Kerry lost a foot in a car accident but continued to wrestle with a prosthetic boot, eventually shot himself when facing prison on drug charges. David, who lost a daughter from SIDs, may have overdosed or died from enteritis. Mike overdosed after not recovering from toxic shock from a surgery. Chris, an asthmatic, shot himself at 21.’ Kevin is the only one still alive.
Fritz, born 16 August 1929 in Texas, had a flamboyant Leo Sun trine Saturn in Sagittarius with Saturn in a hard-edged, can-be-cruel square to Mars – with his Sun conjunct his Mars/Pluto midpoint = relentless, ruthless, brutal. He also had a manipulative Pluto Venus conjunction in Cancer probably opposition a Capricorn Moon square Uranus – both controlling and rejecting in the family, constantly double-messaging his children. Plus he had his constantly-plotting-and-planning Taurus North Node conjunct Chiron, maybe in an Earth Grand Trine to his Moon and Mercury.
The Chiron North Node conjunction may be a key part of his damaging and damaged family life – his development demanded facing his own wounds which clearly never happened. That along with his Moon tied into Pluto and Uranus, Mars square Saturn and Sun conjunct Mars/Pluto.
The children:
Kevin 1957 – a Sun conjunct South Node square Pluto, Sun trine Jupiter – the controlling father, though with Jupiter he’d look for positives about him and his ever-optimistic Sagittarius Moon may also have helped keep him afloat.
David 1958 – Sun square Mars opposition Jupiter – the opportunistic father, aggressive and covering it with a veneer of enthusiasm.
Kerry 1960 – Sun opposition Uranus and a Mars Saturn Venus conjunction trine Pluto – the disconnected and cruel father.
Mike 1964 – Sun Mars opposition Uranus Pluto – a scary father, both control-freaky and rejecting.
Chris 1969 – Sun Uranus square Mars; with Saturn trine Venus trine Mars and Saturn inconjunct Sun – explosive, disciplinarian, self-esteem denting father.
Apologies for the gloom but family dynamics fascinate me. Interesting that Kevin, the one survivor, does not have strong Uranus aspects to his Sun so would not feel quite so distanced from his father and his look-on-the-bright-side Jupiter and Sag Moon would definitely help.
Happy festivities all round and wishing everyone a better new year with less hassle and more fun
Marjorie
“Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.” Alfred Lord Tennyson
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Søren Kierkegaard
“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” Thomas Jefferson
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” Albert Einstein
“Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.” Robin Sharma
Festive good cheer this year is a guilt-ridden distraction from the miseries of Gaza, Ukraine, refugees, climate change and poverty, blasted constantly through the media alongside tinsel froth and gluttonous supermarket largesse for those with money.
2024 sees the continuation of Saturn in regretful Pisces for the second year, from which it exits in mid 2025. Pluto is still hovering on the cusp of Aquarius, dipping a toe in late January to late February, mid July to early September and late November to late December 2024 after which it moves fully into Aquarius until 2044.
Neptune is getting up to the penultimate degree of Pisces in 2024 in readiness for the shift into Aries in 2025. Uranus will follow suit exiting Taurus in 2025 for Gemini.
So we are still standing even more so than usual for the year end with a foot in the old and a foot in the unknown about-to-come.
Looking on the bright side: – Pluto last time round in Aquarius brought social enlightenment and a push for equal rights – the better side of Aquarius, appreciating and living side by side with difference. The emphasis on tribal identity, which reached a peak under the patriotic inclinations of Pluto in Capricorn could hopefully fade.
Astrologer Andre Barbault thought the Neptune Saturn conjunction in Aries due in 2025 would be “the most benefic configuration of the century [which] will work for the best in a splendid relaunch of civilization.” I’m not that lyrical about it though Neptune in Aries last time did oversee humanitarian advances – the Geneva Convention, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Bahai faith, and the emancipation of the serfs in Russia. It also oversaw the US Civil War with the abolition of slavery at its heart.
Uranus into Gemini, also kicking off in 2025, has a track record of key scientific and technological advances which change the face of the culture – and that comes on top of Pluto in scientific Aquarius so the tech age is likely to be moving at hyper-speed for good and ill.
Transformational Pluto is not all sweetness and light, more often than not making the sign switch over on a major war – Crimean War 1853 Pluto into Taurus. World War One 1914 Pluto into Cancer 1914. Spanish Civil War 1938 and WW11 approaches Pluto into Leo. Russia invades Hungary 1956 Pluto into Virgo., UK versus Argentina over the Falklands 1982 Pluto into Libra. Russia invades Georgia 2008 Pluto into Capricorn. The lasting effects can be positive with Pluto in Virgo leading to major medical advances, and before that in Gemini with communication advances. But it tends to have a sledgehammer action e.g the financial crash of 2008; and Pluto into Scorpio in 1984 with the AIDs epidemic, so it can leave its mark in no uncertain terms.
Uranus in Gemini from 2025 has an uncomfortable track record for the USA being in place previously over the American Revolution in 1775/76, the US Civil War in the 1860s; and the USA entering WW11 after Pearl Harbour. There was a heavy cost in all cases but the end result in each opened up a new road.
Accentuating the positive – Aquarius can be humanitarian, Neptune compassionate and Uranus, a freedom fighter.
The final Solar Eclipse in 2023 in late October which is still in effect for the first three months of 2024 was a peculiarly difficult one in a Saros series hinting at ‘immense power, anger and force’, as a crisis emerges suddenly. The Hamas attack and aftermath exploding on the back of a powerful, fated final degree Aries New Moon certainly fitted the astrology. In addition that eclipse had a yod of a highly strung Uranus sextile Neptune inconjunct the New Moon – which tends to induce a mood of hopelessness and despair, being stuck, with the advice being to wait. There was also a New Moon opposition North Node square Pluto – so control-heavy and destructive.
The April 2024 solar eclipse in Aries is inspirational and less stressful though a Mars Saturn conjunction may cause odd mishaps. The October solar eclipse in Libra is about completion and endings, so can be marginally sad, not a time to be for a strenuous push.
The lunar eclipse in October 2023 hinted at a tendency to push religious and other beliefs as an excuse for aggression with the Full Moon tied into a Mars opposition Jupiter, which is often associated with soldiers of fortune. The March 2024 Libra lunar eclipse is determined though still mired in Neptunian aggravation and delusions. The September 2024 lunar eclipse in late Pisces could be over hopeful but also shows signs of a possible move ahead.
Last but not least the one planet to make a definitive move in 2024 is Jupiter, sticking to fruitful, indulgent Taurus until 24 May and then moving into lighter hearted, chatty Gemini for a year into 2025.
The ‘lucky’ Jupiter conjunction Uranus in Taurus of April 23rd 2024 falls on the same day as a Scorpio Full Moon square Pluto so there will be mixed blessings especially given the accident-prone Saturn Mars conjunction in Pisces of a few days earlier.
