Mention love and rom-com fans go weak at the knees, their eyes glazing over. But the myth of Psyche, the mortal wife of Cupid, points to the heroic journey demanded before she can come together with her soulmate. She has to undergo trials and tribulations on the path to true love which can only be gained by acquiring wisdom, temperance or moderation, courage and justice.
Psyche is the latest asteroid to be graced with an astrological exploration in Anne-Marie Chabellard’s book In the Name of Love. A French author she has degrees in biological science and psychology with an interest in the Jungian approach to astrology.
As she remarks ‘the relevance of using asteroids is far from winning unanimous support.’ But her own detailed studies of celebrities and her own clients persuaded her that there is a convincing case for keeping an eye on the asteroid Psyche, especially when it is spotlighted by the progressed Sun. She quotes Howard Sasportas as saying he saw “the progressed Sun as a torch which shines on whatever it is touching.”
Psyche, a giant asteroid, was discovered on 17 March 1852 and has a five year cycle round the Sun, spending a variable amount of time in each sign of the zodiac, varying from two to ten months. A NASA mission, launched 2023, is currently under way with findings expected by 2029.
There are examples of Psyche in operation under the prompting of the progressed Sun from John Lennon to Robert Kennedy and Simone de Beauvoir.
Psyche in aspect to the Sun is explained as pointing up the key relationship with the father for example with Maggie Thatcher. Intriguingly also with Jackie Kennedy whose wayward father ‘Black Jack’ Bouvier may have drawn her to Aristotle Onassis. Her Psyche was conjunct Onassis’s Chiron exactly which may explain a little of a relationship that seemed unlikely. J.F.K also had his Psyche square his Sun with his own father issues and his Psyche was conjunct Jackie’s Neptune.
The USA has its Psyche conjunct the Sun. And the Charles/Diana wedding also had Psyche conjunct the Sun. Father issues looming large?
Psyche in interpreted through the 12 signs with preliminary hints on transits.
The Royals are covered with an intriguing connection between the seniors and the late Queen Elizabeth 11’s conscientious 6th house Pluto. Prince Philip had his Psyche exactly conjunct her Pluto and her Psyche fell close to his Sun Mars in Gemini. Theirs may have started out as a soulmate love match but the strains of a Royal life took its toll. They managed against the odds to go through trials and tribulations to remain even closer at the end of long lives so it is noteworthy to see such a strong connection.
As with all astrological research on asteroids, centaurs and Fixed stars, it takes perseverance to winkle out what is most enlightening. What persuaded me looking at the charts of two couples I know with long-lasting marriages which in no way seemed ‘meant’ but have remained united, there are clear Psyche crossovers.
Even Hillary and Bill Clinton are bound together against the odds. Her Psyche is conjunct his Chiron and widely his Jupiter. While his Psyche conjunct his Pluto is square her Chiron and widely conjunct her Mars Pluto (4 degrees).
The Charles/Camilla match have both their Psyche’s in aspect to the other’s Mars for a spark.
Much to learn with further study.
This book is an admirable deep dive into what Psyche has to offer in a chart.
Starmer’s much lauded visit to China to thaw the ice age of relations and embrace Xi Jinping without managing to address China’s human rights abuses or fears of surveillance on UK territory has left analysts perplexed. Meagre gifts bestowed by Beijing were visa-free travel for visits of less than 30 days; stemming the flow of Chinese motors being used in the Channel; and tariffs on whisky halved, from 10 per cent to 5 per cent.
The relationship chart between Starmer and Xi Jinping may not mean much if Starmer goes soon – but it has an ominous Mars in early Cancer being undercut by tr Neptune in late April at the same time as tr Uranus squares the composite Pluto – so something will go up in the air.
That also shows up as a time of disappointment, uncertainty and upheaval on the China 1912/UK relationship chart with tr Neptune square the composite Saturn and opposition Jupiter as well as tr Uranus opposition the composite Uranus.
One sometimes wonders if Starmer knows what he is doing – he has a tin ear when it comes to political nous.
Saturn Pluto evokes thoughts of war, hardship and deprivation but it has an often overlooked ability to create. Associated with the magician it can wield power for good as well as ill.
Liz Greene talks of the obsessiveness, intense frustration and self-destructive quality of Saturn–Pluto contacts in a chart — purification through ordeal by fire. But the combination does bestow formidable strength and an ability to withstand pressure. Achievements of substance occur through slow, patient hard labour. Stamina counts when they are around.
Out in the world Saturn Pluto conjunctions come round roughly three a century; with Saturn Pluto squares and oppositions every seven or eight years so they are not infrequent occurrences.
Reviewing the list below of events, there are wars and disasters aplenty with the approaching Saturn square Pluto approaching in 2028 causing some consternation. What is missed are the progressive and positive events that also fell under the Saturn Pluto banner at different times.
In the US, the Voting Rights Act was signed. Roe v. Wade: The U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion nationwide. The death penalty was abolished in the UK. The Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. The passage of the Affordable Care Act in the US.
There were also cooperative and peace initiatives. European Expansion: The UK, Ireland, and Denmark joined the EEC. The Hague Peace Conference of 1899. The end of the Great Game between UK and Russia 1907. The Irish Free State born in 1922. Egypt given independence, ditto Morocco, Gambia, Tunisia. Apartheid ended in South Africa.
There were culture-changing inventions – the first compact disc (CD) player was introduced. Wikipedia launched. Apple brought out the first iPod. The launch of the iPad and Instagram.
Dr. Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine was released for public use. The first permanent artificial heart was implanted in a human.
Saturn Pluto hard aspects can be spine-straightening and even when they coincide with wars they need not be global ones, indeed most often not.
1982 as one example with Saturn Pluto conjunct in Libra saw the UK v Argentina Falklands War which drew world attention but was a localised spat. Israel invaded the Lebanon which would raise Middle East tensions but again did not ripple out to affect those outside.
Recent Saturn Pluto hard aspects:
1899 – Saturn in Sagittarius opposition Pluto in Gemini. Start of the Second Boer War in South Africa and the Philippine-American War, following the U.S. ratification of the treaty ending the Spanish-American War. The first Hague Peace Conference aimed for global disarmament.
1907 – Saturn in Pisces square Pluto in Gemini. Major financial turmoil with the Panic of 1907 in the US, sparking bank runs and leading to banking reforms like the Federal Reserve. First universal suffrage elections in Europe in Finland. The Anglo-Russian Convention marked the end of the Great Game = struggle for supremacy in Central and South Asia between the British and Russian Empires. Romania’s massive Peasants’ Revolt
1914 Saturn conjunct Pluto in Cancer. Start of World War 1
1922 – Saturn in Libra square Pluto in Cancer. The Irish Free State officially began, followed quickly by the Irish Civil War. In Italy Benito Mussolini and his Fascist Party took power after the March on Rome. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was formally established. Britain granted Egypt nominal independence, ending its protectorate. The last Ottoman Sultan was expelled, marking the end of the Ottoman Empire.
1931 – Saturn in Capricorn opposition Pluto in Cancer. Two years into the Great Depression. The Empire State Building opened. Spain became a republic, Japan occupied Manchuria.
1939 – Saturn in Taurus square Pluto in Leo. World War 11 begins with UK and France versus Germany. Russia invaded Finland. Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact with secret plans to divide Eastern Europe. Nazi persecution of the mentally ill and Jews.
1947 – Saturn in Leo conjunct Pluto. Major geopolitical shifts, with the bloody partition of India Pakistan, the start of the Cold War with the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, and the UN approval of the Palestine partition.
1955 – Saturn in Scorpio square Pluto in Leo. The start of the U.S. civil rights movement. The Warsaw Pact was signed by Soviet-aligned nations. West Germany joined NATO. Dr. Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine was released for public use.
1956 – Saturn in Sagittarius square Pluto in Virgo
The Suez Crisis with a failed Anglo-French-Israeli intervention in Egypt. Soviet suppression of the Hungarian Revolution. Khrushchev denounced Stalin. Elvis Presley rose to fame. Morocco and Tunisia gained independence. Apartheid Protests in South Africa.
1965 – Saturn in Pisces opposition Pluto (and Uranus)in Virgo.
Vietnam War escalated as did major student protests against it. The Indo-Pakistani War broke out. In the U.S, the Voting Rights Act was signed. Malcolm X was assassinated. The death penalty was abolished in the UK. Gambia gained independence. The Beatles.
1973 – Saturn in Cancer square Pluto in Libra. The Yom Kippur War led to an oil embargo, and an energy crisis in the West. Vietnam War ended. Chile Coup: Pinochet seized power. European Expansion: The UK, Ireland, and Denmark joined the European Economic Community (EEC). Roe v. Wade: The U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion nationwide. The Watergate scandal unfolded leading to Nixon’s resignation in 1974 with Saturn still square Pluto.
1982 – Saturn conjunct Pluto in Libra. The Falklands War between the UK and Argentina. The Israeli invasion of Lebanon with the Sabra and Shatila massacre. The release of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The first compact disc (CD) player was introduced; the first permanent artificial heart was implanted in a human.
1992 – Saturn in Aquarius square Pluto in Scorpio. The Bosnian War began, with the Siege of Sarajevo starting. In South Africa white voters approved ending apartheid negotiations. Bill Clinton was elected US President, and the US/Russia declared the Cold War over. Czechoslovakia began its peaceful dissolution into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. LA Riots after the Rodney King verdict. The Maastricht Treaty forming the EU. The UK left the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) on “Black Wednesday”.
2001 – Saturn in Gemini opposition Pluto in Sagittarius. 9/11 Al-Qaeda terrorists hijack four planes, crashing them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and one in Pennsylvania, killing nearly 3,000 people and launching the “War on Terror”. The U.S. invaded Afghanistan in response. Escalation of the Second Intifada between Israel and Palestine and conflicts in Macedonia. Massive accounting fraud at the Enron corporation was exposed, shaking corporate America. Wikipedia launched. Apple introduced the first iPod. The Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage.
2010 – Saturn in Libra square Pluto in Capricorn. Several major natural disasters – devastating earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, massive floods in Pakistan, the eruption of the volcano Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland, which disrupted European air travel and the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The passage of the Affordable Care Act in the US. The launch of the iPad and Instagram.
2019/20 – Saturn conjunct Pluto in Capricorn. 2019 – The devastating Notre Dame fire, major anti-government protests in Hong Kong and Iraq, political upheaval in Venezuela and Sudan. 2020 – the global COVID-19 pandemic. Major social movements like Black Lives Matter protests after George Floyd’s murder.
2028 – Saturn in Taurus square Pluto in Aquarius.
2035 – Saturn in Leo opposition Pluto in Aquarius.
Deflecting from domestic unrest and failures into foreign forays is standard for unpopular political leaders but having been voted in on an avoiding-military entanglements-abroad platform, Trump’s latest broadside against Iran is unlikely to appeal to his MAGA voters.
A build-up of US military forces in the Gulf with a naval fleet headed by the Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln could be the forerunner to new US airstrikes on Iran within a few days. Despite Trump’s recent supportive rhetoric about anti-regime protestors recently, this chest-beating appears to be more about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The recent unrest with widespread street demonstrations violently suppressed by the authorities has led to many thousands of deaths.
It is the largest increase of US military assets in the region since B-2 bombers dropped 30,000lb bombs on three of the Iran’s nuclear facilities in June last year. At that point Saturn Neptune were in early Aries with Uranus in final degree Taurus.
The Iran 22 December 1501 chart does have tr Uranus opposing the Pluto from the first days of February to the end of the month for extreme turbulence and given that the Pluto is opposing Mars on this Iran chart it does suggest a high-risk time, more so than last June.
The Iran chart also has its Sun at final degree Sagittarius which has just finished the tr Neptune square with tr Saturn following suit within days.
The upcoming February Solar Eclipse located to Teheran has Pluto on the Descendant which is descriptive of relationship tensions and the New Moon itself at 20 degrees Aquarius is also square the Iran Pluto exactly.
Relationship charts between the USA and Iran 1501 and Iran 1 April 1979 both look pressured and turbulent.
The 2025 Inauguration Second Trump Term chart has tr Saturn conjunct the Neptune/Node midpoint exactly now = losses, deceit, untruthfulness. And moving to square the Neptune/Pluto midpoint in March which has a range of meanings from obsessions, mental torment to an association with nuclear issues.
The USS Abraham Lincoln, hull laid down 3 November 1984, has a formidably determined Sun in Scorpio conjunct Saturn on one side and Pluto on the other. It looks edgy at the moment as it awaits orders from the USA with Solar Arc Neptune square the Sun at this year; tr Saturn conjunct the Neptune exactly now bringing uncertainty.
I was pondering on an increasingly-wandered and unhinged Trump’s early indoctrination by his mentor Roy Cohn:
Never admit fault or apologize.
Attack and counter-attack: with greater force.
Use the media: to one’s advantage, even creating chaos.
“Never back down”: and “make stuff up” if needed.
Historical novelist Thomas Mallon, who wrote the 2006 novel Fellow Travelers, the basis for the 2024 The Apprentice film about Trump’s rise via Roy Cohn remarked: “One surprise – not evident when I was starting the novel 20 years ago – is that Cohn would have a vampiric afterlife. And of course he owes that to Trump.” Cohn does keep coming back from the dead. “Insofar as he personally affected Trump’s thinking and behaviour, one realises that Cohn has had an impact on the republic, albeit at intervals, for 70 years.”
‘Cohn is best known now for the lessons he taught Trump, but even before that he was an outsized figure running through US politics and culture (McCarthy etc). To note his most flagrant hypocrisy, Cohn was a gay man who persecuted other gay people out of their government jobs during what became known as the Lavender Scare of the 1950s. Throughout his life, he bullied people and tried to bully facts. He died of Aids in 1986, insisting publicly that he had liver cancer and denying to the end that he was gay, despite taking his lovers along to public events.’
What is notable is that Cohn, 20 February 1927, with five planets in Pisces including his Sun also had his Pluto in Cancer conjunct the USA Sun – a limpet vampire who never lets go. He also had his Mars in final degree Taurus which tr Uranus will be conjunct in March – so interesting to see what happens if his conditioning of Trump goes awry.
His relationship with Trump was unsurprisingly controlling with a composite Sun square Pluto which hooks exactly into the fanatical USA Pluto in late Capricorn; with their composite Mars exactly conjunct the USA Sun. A spooky tie-up tapping into the heart and soul of the USA.
The ICE shooting of two civilians this month has shown up cracks in the support for White House methods of handling the immigration problem.
Greg Bovino, Commander from Border Patrol has been moved out of the front line. Born 27 March 1970 in California, he is a defiant, uncompromising Sun Aries opposition Uranus with a tough-minded, unsympathetic Mars Saturn in Taurus. Which matches ICE’s Saturn opposition Mars Pluto in Sagittarius.
Rennee Good shot in Minneapolis on 7th January was born 2 April 1988 in Colorado, and was a Sun Aries square Neptune (Saturn Uranus) in Capricorn and inconjunct Pluto in Scorpio. Triple conjunction personalities tend to be highly strung, innovative and can be chaotic. Her Pluto inconjunct Sun and opposition Jupiter would tend to run her into conflict with authorities.
Her Mars in ambitious Capricorn in a passionately enthusiastic trine to Venus in Taurus was sextile Mercury in Pisces for an ability to speak for those who needed support. The recent Solar Eclipse in late Virgo was opposition her Mercury was oddly prescient as she stepped forward to support her cause.
[See Minneapolis shooting – twisting the truth. 8th January 2026.]
Alex Pretti, 1 March 1988, shot in Minnesota last weekend, was a kind and determined Sun Pisces trine Pluto in Scorpio; with the highly-strung, generational triple conjunction of Uranus, Saturn, Neptune in Capricorn all in a volatile conjunction to Mars. His showy Leo Moon was probably opposition Mercury and trine a charmingly, upfront Venus Jupiter in Aries; with his Mercury in a dogmatic square to Pluto. Without a birth time there was not much showing on his chart, though as is often the case he was approaching a truly difficult time with tr Neptune now square his Uranus at zero Capricorn and soon his Saturn and Mars later this year.
[The earlier erroneous date of November 1988 was taken off the internet. NB. Be wary of the echo chamber which repeats mistaken information and then sets it in concrete. Thanks for for the correct info JP. The previous November birthdate with a stellium in Scorpio did not seem to fit with reports of his temperament.]
Both Rennee Good and Alex Pretti had Pluto in Scorpio opposing Greg Bovino’s Mars Saturn in Taurus so their stance would get under his skin. Both their triple conjunctions clashed with the ICE Mars in Sagittarius – and were being undercut by tr Neptune Scheat as well as tr Saturn in square. Both their Plutos square ICE’s Neptune, creating confusion for the organisation.
Tom Homan, 28 November 1961, has now been stepped up to take over from Greg Bovino He is certainly tough enough with a Sun Mars in Sagittarius in a never-say-die and can-be-ruthless square to Pluto. His relationship chart with Trump has a composite Saturn opposition Mars Neptune square Uranus – which is a harsh and potentially explosive relationship.
Trump is pulling back from certain of his draconian policies with regard to ICE’s action and getting in a tangle with the NRA by suggesting Alex Pretti should not have gone to the protest with a gun. I’m inclined to agree for once but it hardly sits well with the backwoodsman MAGA ethos.
Insightful piece on Trump recently in the FT. “Trump is the wrong answer to the right questions.”
“Trump isn’t the solution to any of the world’s problems, but he does have an unerring ability to see where the fractures and faultlines in the old order are. By challenging the status quo, he has focused the minds of world leaders on the desperate need to create a new and better order.
Those who oppose the US president and are seeking a better way towards a new world order would do well to think about real answers to the questions he raises. Domestically, for example, Democrats running in the midterm elections this autumn need strong ideas about how to craft a better immigration policy: Trump’s ICE raids aren’t the answer, but nor is a totally open border.”
Mark Tully, the BBC “voice of India” over sixty years, garnered respect with his impartial and knowledgeable reporting from within his adoptive home. Rajiv Gandhi evidently refused to believe rumours of his mother Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984 until Tully confirmed it on the radio. The affection for him transcended political affiliation. He was given one of India’s highest civilian honours and on his death, the nationalist PM Narendra Modi led the tributes to him.
He was born in India, like George Orwell, into a prosperous British family representative of the old Raj so it is all the more to his credit he emerged as a trusted voice in modern India. Sent to boarding school young in a ‘miserable’ England, he eventually ‘came home’ when at 29 he got a job in the BBC’s India bureau in Delhi.
For 24 years, he presented a weekly spiritual programme, on Radio 4. In between, he produced documentaries and wrote a series of books on India. ’His works constitute some of the most vivid and insightful chronicles of India’s transformation from an improbable post-colonial democracy into a major world power.’
Born 24 August 1935 10 am Kolkata, India, he had a stellium in journalistic Virgo ranging from the Sun, Mercury and spiritual Neptune to Venus in his community-minded 11th house. His Sun, Mercury, Neptune opposed a serious, sober Saturn in Pisces in his performing 5th house. His Saturn opposition Sun were in a talented Half Grand Sextile to Uranus in Taurus sextile a Cancer Moon.
His 1st house enthusiastic Mars Jupiter in Scorpio sextile his Mercury Neptune would add an adventurous streak. What is probably most significant is his Pluto conjunct the Midheaven which, used correctly, would be what gave him extraordinary influence.
The modern India chart shares his Jupiter in Scorpio and his sensible Saturn sat in the India 10th bolstering his reputation for balance and probity. His Pluto MC were conjunct the India Cancer Moon producing a strong emotional bond and giving him an interest in promoting a picture of Indian life.
Alex Honnold, an American rock climber, has succeeded in a free solo climb of the Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan, the tallest urban free solo climb in history. He rose to worldwide fame in 2017 when he became the first person to free solo a full route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a climb described in The New York Times as “one of the great athletic feats of any kind, ever”.
Born 17 August 1985 2.19am Sacramento, California, he started climbing in a gym aged five.
In 2016, he was subjected to functional magnetic resonance imaging scans that revealed that, unlike other high sensation seekers, his amygdala barely activates when watching disturbing images. The amygdala acts as the brain’s threat-detection centre and regulates fear, aggression, and anxiety, triggering rapid “fight-or-flight” responses. He confesses to feeling fear occasionally. Through imagination and practice, he has desensitized himself to most fearful situations.
He has an attention-seeking 3rd house Leo Sun square an obsessive Saturn in Scorpio; with a practical ‘worrier’ Virgo Moon. But what is most striking in his chart is his 8th house Jupiter in Aquarius in an energetic, enthusiastic and courageous opposition to Mars Mercury in Leo square North Node in Taurus – with his Jupiter in a confident square to Pluto in his performing 5th. Mars Jupiter and Jupiter Pluto are high vitality aspects but can have a tendency to over estimate abilities and bite off more than the individual can chew. Clearly it has not happened yet and he could not attempt such insane feats without these aspects but ???
His Mars is also trine Uranus which gives a love of excitement, danger and risk.
Had I been asked in advance I would have said not to attempt the latest climb since at the moment his Solar Arc Saturn is in an uncertain conjunction to his Neptune; and Solar Arc Neptune is conjunct his Jupiter which could have led to over-optimism. But he clearly does not process feelings like normal people.
He is married with two children. His mother started climbing at 60.
ADD ON: Fred Dibnah, the legendary steeplejack born 28 April 1938 who died at 66 of cancer, also has an emphasised Jupiter in Aquarius (which often occurs in the charts of top class sportspersons.) He was a Sun Uranus in Taurus; with Venus in Taurus conjunction Mars in Gemini opposition North Node square Jupiter. And similar weighting towards Fixed signs.
“It is a plain fact that astrology is a pack of lies in a literal sense … each and every horoscope … is an attack on the probity of science.”
On the frontispiece of an invaluable primer about astrology by Geoffrey Cornelius and Maggie Hyde are listed the lame and sometimes mendacious brickbats thrown at the ancient art which are systemically picked apart in the pages following.
A revised and updated version of the 1995 Astrology for Beginners with inspired and illuminating new illustrations, The Astrologers Universe is a must-have for beginners. The history is laid out from Stonehenge 3000 BC onwards – how did they calculate the 18.6 year eclipse cycles? – and on through the Egyptians and astronomically aligned pyramids, through Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, into mediaeval times and on. Informative and handy as ammunition in arguments with nay-sayers.
Thereafter working with astrology is laid out lucidly in simple terms with planets, elements (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable), modes (Fire, Earth, Air, Water) and aspects; with each planet and sign explained with key words. The major configurations are graphically illustrated and made understandable.
Thence onto the tricky synthesis when the separate parts of the jigsaw have to be pulled together into a broad pattern. The authors start with a thumbnail sketch of key words for the Sun (= essence), Moon (= habit and response) and Ascendant (= appearance and identity). The example given of Margaret Thatcher is to the point – a reactive Libra Sun, tenacious and vengeful Scorpio Ascendant, and a showy Leo Moon.
Then checking down a list of elements, planets on an angle, major aspects and configurations etc. For beginners it lays out a step by step process through the maze and morass of the 2500 pieces of information contained in a birth chart. It is daunting at the start of the learning process to manage the complexities of assigning priorities and getting to grips with the overall pattern – so this will provide clarity and clear away a good deal of the fog of panic.
There are other concise outlines covering horary, financial, world affairs and relocation astrology.
For anyone who is floundering in the foothills of astrology this short book will be a blessing.
Mars, in mythology the god of war, fiery, competitive, pro-active, high vitality and aggressive, in aspect to slow-moving, cold-hearted, judgmental, stickler-for-rules Saturn is an awkward combination. Whether in natal charts, synastry, composites or in outer events it tends to accompany troubling experiences.
Mars says ‘I want’ ‘I am’ ‘I intend to do’ and dashes impulsively and often courageously ahead without thought of the consequences. Running into Saturn’s delays, setbacks, over abundance of caution and negativity, it results in blocked action.
In a natal chart, hard Mars Saturn aspects lead to frustration and futility in childhood at not being able to express self freely in direct action and in opinions. Usually the parent is the Saturnine force, ready with criticism, put downs, cutting remarks. Unfairness looms large and sometimes outright cruelty.
Destructive is a word often used about the combination, as is harshness, bitterness, self-willed obstinacy, violence. Scottish singer Lulu, with a 4th house Mars Moon square Saturn has revealed that a childhood, living with her parents’ violent relationship caused her to suffer. “I never slept properly. I was afraid my parents would accidentally kill each other. So that fear has ruled my whole life.“ Her Mars was also trine Pluto so she had an added dose of the damaging energy.
Ill treatment does crop up in charts of Mars Saturn individuals who have lived through difficult circumstances either in childhood or later. Winne Mandela, who was brutalised by South African authorities during her long fight against apartheid. Ahed Tamini, the Palestinian activist who has been thrown into Israeli prisons on several occasions. Brigitte Bardot, whose father beat her as a child. Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist for girls’ education who was shot by the Taliban. All Mars Saturn types.
Mars Saturn also crops up in illegal assassinations and more recently terrorist attacks. The Manchester bombing of 2017 and the London Bridge bombing both occurred with a magnified Saturn opposition Mars in place. Other instances were Kim Kardashian’s burglary in Paris, the 2012 Italy earthquake.
Since Saturn, rules the body’s skeleton, there are connections to damaging accidents – Chris Froome, the Tour de France cyclist, crashed badly under Mars Saturn and actor Jeremy Renner was run over by a snow plough with a Mars opposition Saturn in place breaking innumerable bones.
There are, of course, ways of using any astrological aspect constructively. The military is one outlet for Mars Saturn. Mars = aggression, killing; and Saturn = disciplined, controlled, state-sanctioned. Though military types do not always make empathetic parents.
Mars Saturn tends unsurprisingly to give rise to problems with impatience and in adult years a tendency for anger to be switched off and then switched on. Periods of teeth-gritting submission to restrictive circumstances or people after a while result in irritation spilling out sometimes with force. Too little and then too much as the lid blows.
The other effect can be on sexuality since Mars’ unrestrained testosterone does not appreciate being corralled by moralistic Saturn – or sometimes worse, by the goat-god Saturn goading Mars into perverse behaviours. Mars Saturn can lead to masochistic/sadistic behaviour. The Marquis de Sade had a Mars square Saturn. Mel Gibson whose Passion of Christ movie evidently had horror movie quantities of blood and gore has a Mars Saturn in Scorpio admittedly square Pluto which doubles up on the obsession with cruelty.
Net porn also seems infested by Mars Saturn – see in Search.
Where Mars Saturn comes into its own in a positive way is its ability (honed in a difficult childhood) to push on regardless to reach its goals. It bestows incredible self discipline. All of the below had striking Mars Saturn aspects. Donald Henderson changed the world by ‘doing the impossible’ and eradicating smallpox. Henry Worsley in 2016 died just 30 miles short of his goal of a solo, unassisted crossing of the Antarctic. He covered 913 miles in 69 days, hauling a 148 kilo sledge and raised over £100,000 for injured soldiers. Ranulph Fiennes, the trans globe explorer, who holds endurance records for walking to the North and South Pole, and crossing Antarctica. Ralph Bangold, who pioneered desert exploration and walked across the Libyan desert in the 1930s.
There is a never-say-die side to Mars Saturn which can lead to extraordinary achievements against the odds.
While all of the above various manifestations of Mars Saturn occur, they won’t necessarily all affect every individual who has Mars Saturn in their chart. Recent examples of Dolly Parton as well as architects Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid indicate they can result in a long productive life.
ADD ON: Daniel Craig has a Mars Saturn conjunction in Aries giving him the required level of coiled-spring violence to play James Bond. His father was in the navy – often individuals with fathers in the armed forces have Mars Saturn.
Greg Bovino, former US Border Patrol, commander of operations for Trump’s ICE operations, now removed, has a Mars Saturn conjunct in Taurus.
Katie Price, a UK former topless model and TV celebrity, addicted to cosmetic surgery with a car-crash personal life has Mars Saturn conjunct in Leo and Mars sextile Pluto and square Uranus. She has admitted to being sexually abused as a child and raped in adult life.
