Headline-grabbing Kim Mulkey, a successful college basketball coach and Olympic gold medallist, is in a brawl with two US newspapers over their comments about her controversial approach and her team. Known for her exuberant choice of clothes worn during games, she was hardly going to be an understated personality with her Taurus Sun exactly conjunct Algol and exactly square Uranus. Her Uranus is also in a high-vitality, uncompromising and volatile trine to Mars in upfront Aries, sextile Venus.
According to the Washington Post she is ‘known to hold grudges and clash with players, including about their appearances and displays of their sexuality’. Described as “one of college basketball’s most colourful personalities, she is viewed by some as an almost cartoonishly ornery supervillain.” She has not spoken to her father for 37 years, after his infidelity and eventual divorce from her mother. She wrote about it in her 2007 autobiography, “Won’t Back Down.” She walked alone down the aisle at her wedding, and returned notes from her father unread as he pleaded for reconciliation.
Born 17 May 1962 in Louisiana, she has a ‘leadership’ North Node in Leo opposition Saturn in Aquarius square Neptune (and probably Moon) in Scorpio – emotionally intense, though often misreading the signals from others and her own feelings, can be misled by delusions, acutely lonely at an inner level, though capable of being supportive. Plus a super-confident and over-pushy Jupiter opposition Pluto. A curious mix of a bulldozing warrior and an idealist/dreamer.
This year will rattle her up with tr Uranus heading to conjunct her Sun and square her Uranus in that over-heated July meeting of Uranus Algol and Mars – and tr Uranus continues on and off into 2024 trying to jolt her onto a new path.
Coaches can’t be retiring mice and she certainly lives her chart out to the full.
A rare retrospective of Constantin Brâncuși who revolutionised sculpture in the early 20th century opens in Paris this week. Considered as one of the fathers of abstract art, a pioneer of modernism and the patriarch of modern sculpture, he came from unlikely beginnings.
Born on 19 February 1876 in Romania to poor peasants he herded the family’s flock of sheep aged 7 and often ran away from home to escape the bullying of his father and older brothers. Aged nine he left the village to work in the nearest large town, in the service of a grocer, then as a domestic servant. An industrialist who spotted his talent for carving enrolled him in an Arts and Crafts school where he graduated with honors. The Bucharest School of Fine Arts then gave him academic training in sculpture where he distinguished himself as talented. Aged 28 he moved to Paris to join the workshop of Auguste Rodin, though he soon moved out to work independently.
In addition to abstract sculptures he is also renowned for his 1938 memorials to the Romanian First War Dead – the Table of Silence and the Infinity Column.
Fittingly he was born as Neptune had just entered Taurus, the sign of the sculptor, which was sextile his creative Pisces Sun and Saturn in late Aquarius. His Pluto also in Taurus was emphasised as well, being in a used-to-hardship square to Saturn and Mercury and square a revolutionary, original, mould-breaking square to Uranus. He probably also had an inspirational, attention-demanding Fire Grand Trine of Mars in Aries trine Uranus trine a Sagittarius Moon. Jupiter in Sagittarius was square his Sun, trine his creative Venus in Aries and inconjunct Neptune. He was blessed with luck, self-belief and determination as well as talent.
His emphasised Pluto on the focal point of a Fixed T square would make him stubborn to the nth degree, ultra-determined, ahead of his time, inclined to arouse resistance – some of his works were banned as obscene early on. But destined ultimately to lead the way.
I saw an exhibition of his at MOMA in New York in the 1990s and it was mesmerising.
Marvin Gaye fans have sad memories of their idol around April 1st which was the day he was shot by his father forty years ago and a day before his 45th birthday. He was one of the lead stars of the Motown group in the the 1960’s and 1970s and an influential force in the music scene. His greatest duets were with Tammi Terrell, including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and “Your Precious Love,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” and “You’re All I Need to Get By.“
He was born 2 April 1939 Washington, DC at noon (from memory) with an abusive ordained minister father from a conservative Christian sect, who had himself grown up in an abusive home, who gave him daily beatings.
Musical success in the late 1970s was interrupted by a messy divorce, drug problems and challenges from the IRS over his tax affairs. He disappeared off to Europe with tales of his cocaine addiction and erratic behaviour circulating. Inexplicably he returned to live with his parents which sent him unsurprisingly into a suicidal depression and quarrels with his father. His father shot and killed him the day before his 45th birthday. Gay Snr was initially charged with first-degree murder, but the charges were reduced to voluntary manslaughter following a diagnosis of a brain tumor, leading to a suspended six-year sentence and probation.
Marvin Gaye was a Sun, Mercury, Saturn in pro-active Aries with his Sun in a volatile square to Mars in Capricorn. He had Jupiter in musical Pisces opposition Neptune Moon in Virgo and a Scorpio North Node.
When he was killed both transiting Pluto and tr Saturn were moving through his 4th house of family/father as he tried – and failed – to come to terms with his brutal childhood. His Progressed Moon was moving to oppose his 4th house Scorpio North Node and his Progressed Mars was approaching the opposition to his Pluto. Oddly enough tr Jupiter was almost exactly square his Sun.
Marvin Gay Snr, 1 October 1914, Kentucky, was a Sun Libra in an adventurous trine to Uranus Jupiter in Aquarius. But what blighted his life and personality was Mars in Scorpio trine Saturn Pluto conjunct in Cancer with his Mars square Uranus opposition Neptune – violent, ruthless, vengeful, fanatical. To a degree excused by his own savage childhood but not a man in control of his baser urges.
When he shot his son in the middle of a quarrel tr Pluto was exactly conjunct his Mars with tr Mercury in opposition.
Gay Snr’s grudge-bearing Mars in Scorpio was conjunct his son’s 4th house Scorpio North Node which figures. And his unyielding Saturn Pluto in Cancer opposed his son’s Mars so they would trigger each other’s anger.
Marvin Gaye’s creative 5th and 7th harmonic were marked and his 7th often found with musical artists and addictions had a gritty Mars Saturn Uranus link. His ‘victim’ 12th was also starkly aspected. His breakthrough-genius 13H, leaving-a-legacy 17H and global-influencer 22H gave him a lasting reputation.
Intergenerational trauma and the damage it wreaks!
On the other side of the electoral aisle, many of Trump’s erstwhile helpers from his previous stint – Mike Pence, John Bolton, William Barr – have said he is not fit to be president. However he has collected a coterie of advisers moving ahead which the FT usefully listed.
Most don’t have birth times and their astrology could reflect personal circumstances, offers of jobs from whoever wins – or indeed their situation at the time of the election/inauguration in the event of Trump falling out for any reason. Remember also Trump’s fall-out and turnover rate of staff is high.
David Cornstein: has a fair smattering of good luck influences pre-the election and through November and spring 2025.
Susie Wiles: will be devastated from this mid April to late May and February 2025 onwards. Upbeat this August though confused and panicked in November. With hints of good luck across the Inauguration and beyond.
Mike Johnson: Over hopeful running into the election, though cheered up through November and across the Inauguration.
Fred Fleitz: On good form, feels he is winning across the election, upbeat New Year to mid March 2025.
Keith Kellogg: Sagging May to late September; not in good humour through November and generally finding life an uphill struggle and confusing.
Steve Bannon: Stuck through November; gloomy over New Year; a hint of luck from SA Jupiter square his Sun but edgy.
Russell Vought: Pushing confidently ahead late November to end of December; panicked over the Inauguration and discouraged. In better spirits from late February 2025 onwards.
Matthew Whitaker: Calamities in July 2024 and spring 2025; out of sorts through January over the Inauguration.
Robert Lighthizer: a mix of panicky slumps from this September to late November. More buoyant through January with some luck and also irritations across the Inauguration.
John Ratcliffe: Definite no-no through September to late November as he runs into road blocks and disasters.
Ken Hassett: Some upbeat moments and as many downers and insecure-making jolts through this year; with January 2025 looking blocked/pressured as well as lucky.
Jared Kushner: Not winning through September to late November.
Not sure why I thought this would bring enlightenment. But it gives the other side.
Amidst concern for Biden’s progress towards the election, former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have stepped up to help raise a healthy $25 million for campaign funds. He is running neck and neck with Trump though polls are never much of a guide but there are concerns about his fitness and the damage caused by the Gaza calamity.
Assuming Obama and Clinton have a vested interest in the result their charts could be a pointer, remembering though that personal issues may be pointed up in the astrology which are tricky to separate out from jubilation/despair at the result.
Barack Obama, 4 August 1961 7.24pm Honolulu, Hawaii, on the upside has tr Pluto conjunct his Jupiter, exact from November 20th to late December 2024 with his Solar Arc Midheaven conjunct both – which looks like a considerable triumph. He looks upbeat in October before the election but will be on high alert over New Year for a few days with the possibility of disasters and very edgy over the Inauguration itself with tr Uranus opposition his Solar Arc Mars. What is troubling is his Solar Arc Pluto conjunct his Neptune in effect over the election and Inauguration and exact in February/March 2025 which can suggest devastation, confusion and losses. And his Progressed Moon moves into his troubled 8th house just after the Inauguration to stay throughout the next presidency until early 2028.
Bill Clinton, 19 August 1946 8.51am Hope, Arizona, has less of cheer with tr Uranus conjunct his Moon now and then square his Sun from this July onwards – though the effects of those may be less political and more personal. The October Solar Eclipse is conjunct his Venus for a potential emotional upset; with setbacks over early November from tr Saturn opposition his Jupiter/Saturn midpoint; and more negativity over the Inauguration from tr Saturn hitting his Sun/Mars and Sun/Neptune midpoint.
Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate Majority Leader, 23 November 1950 11am New York, has an extremely mixed bag of influences – ranging from a lucky/successful tr Uranus conjunct his Jupiter/Puto midpoint from November 24th to late December; with a disastrous run through January 2025 with tr Pluto square his Mars/Pluto and Venus/Saturn midpoints (at risk and feeling unappreciated) repeating later in 2025. Better luck and success for him picks up from early March 2025 on and off till late 2026 with tr Pluto square his Jupiter/Uranus midpoint.
Election prediction is always a tap dance through a minefield of conflicting influences. External global factors may be at play in the hints of disaster and major anxiety; or personal health issues. Internal unrest may also loom large if a chunk of the electorate decide they have been short changed. But for what it is worth here it is.
ADD ON: Julia Chavez Rodriguez, 7 April 1978 Delano, California, is Biden’s campaign manager. She has a frustrated, trapped tr Pluto opposition her Mars across the election until November 21st and picks up a lucky, relief-bringing tr Uranus conjunct her Sun/Jupiter from December 21st through till mid March. Which on the face of it could suggest a tight result which ultimately turns out the way she hoped.
A kerfuffle about not very much is preoccupying Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, as Tories accuse her of ducking capital gains tax on the sale of a previous house – which if proven would be tax and/or electoral fraud. She said she followed tax advice.
She was born 28 March 1980 in Stockport, England and left school pregnant at sixteen, before working her way up into politics.
Of astro-interest is that her Pluto is catching the conjunction from the April Solar Eclipse which appears to be bringing a different effect to Beyonce’s. Like her as well, Angela Rayner has her midlife crisis tr Uranus opposition Uranus from the middle of this year – which can bring impulsive decisions and upsets. More pointedly she has a Fixed T Square of Venus in Taurus opposition Uranus square Mars in Leo which is being rattled to its foundations as tr Uranus is conjunct her Venus through the middle of this May and again late December to mid March 2025; and tr Uranus also makes an explosive and insecure square to her Mars in July and beyond.
Her relationship with Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, is under acute and frustrating pressure right now with tr Pluto opposition their composite Mars and that rolls on and off to late 2025.
None of which look like sailing the pair to a slamdunk victory whenever the election comes.
Country music is having a moment spearheaded by the unlikely figure of Beyonce who has stepped beyond her rhythm and blues image to deliver a message with Cowboy Carter, her latest album, which has soared to make her the first black woman to top Billboard’s country chart.
Music critics say she “has come not to pay homage to country music but to transform it,” in a “dazzling, genre-defying songcraft, a twisted and magnificent psychedelic shapeshifting folk-rock hip-hop broadside against the conservatism of the country genre.”
Her chart, 4 September 1981, Houston Texas has not a verified birth time, but her Venus Pluto in Libra are catching the opposition to the upcoming April Solar Eclipse, so it isn’t always a negative indicator. She is in the middle of her midlife crisis with tr Uranus heading to oppose her Uranus so her rebel spirit will be surfacing as she aims to fulfil old ambitions which have been pushed aside and step into a new mould.
On astrotheme’s unverified 10am birthtime it puts the eclipse opposition her Ascendant as she revisions her image – so might be feasible.
It won’t all be strumming guitars and roses ahead with tr Pluto opposing her Mars in Leo and North Node this year and next. But she does have a lucky, upbeat SA Jupiter conjunct her Uranus to look forward to in 2026 which is perhaps when the third album of her Renaissance trilogy comes out.
Eclipses come round twice a year, with a Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon) and Solar Eclipse (New Moon) two weeks apart, followed every six months by the same pair. The Solar Eclipses fall into different Saros Series which have their own theme.
On individual charts, the eclipses fall in a particular house and may aspect – conjunction or opposition – natal planets or the chart axis. Since eclipses are Nodal experiences – driven by the movement of the North/South Nodes – they bring challenges to individual development. The South Node represents what is familiar, our unevolved selves, into which we tend to retreat as the line of least resistance – the road to nowhere. The North Node is the unfamiliar towards which the individual must strive if they wish to be fulfilled.
Eclipses can bring crises as a way of forcing change especially if lessons have not been learned and challenges ducked. There is usually a sense of heightened awareness or trepidation when they come round.
The up and coming April Solar Eclipse at 19 degrees Aries is being hyped because its path runs across North America. But is not an especially difficult Saros Series (see post 20th March 2024).
Previous Solar Eclipses around this degree occurred on April 2005 (19 Aries); April 1986 (19 Aries); April 1978 (17 Aries); April 1959 (18 Aries). October 2004 (21 Libra); October 1996 (20 Libra); October 1977 (19 Libra); October 1958 (19 Libra).
Eclipse conjunct natal Sun is a wake-up call, indicating a new path must be chosen, old attitudes junked, a definite decision to let go what is familiar and find the courage to reorganize priorities and make a fresh start. Burying head in sand is only likely to bring forced change, so best get in front of the curve and volunteer.
Eclipse opposition natal Sun – mistakes need to be faced and acknowledged. Finding a new perspective will bring a chance to get off onto a better footing.
Eclipse conjunct natal Moon – will bring into focus Moon areas such as family, mother figures, the past, close relationships, the connection to the individual’s community in terms of public image, sometimes health, what brings safety and security. It will prompt a reevaluation of the past and a need to alter habitual ways of approaching problems. Given the Moon’s nurturing qualities, it could feel as if foundations under a life are shifting.
Eclipse opposition Moon – it may put strain on close relationships with emotional over-reactions. Moving away from the past will help in the long run and more significantly realizing what old emotional patterns need to change.
Eclipse conjunct Mercury – upsets familiar attitudes, opinions, beliefs and ways of looking at the world to force a rethink. Brings added curiosity. Getting out of an intellectual rut.
Eclipse opposition Mercury – communication muddles as loose ends fly around. Effort will be need to maintain order in thinking and in organization. Time to get a grip and get jolted out of familiar ways of looking at life.
Eclipse conjunct Venus – can bring an emotional or financial crisis, feeling isolated for a while, but also a hint that indulging yourself is not a sin.
Eclipse opposition Venus – feeling separated from appreciation, indulgence or a close relationship. Being tolerant, compromising and thinking of other people’s needs, not your own is required.
Eclipse conjunct Mars – will press a red button on energy and anger. If normally over-active, then will need to slow down but for the meek and mild will be a time to find a backbone, put down limits and indicate displeasure at being pushed around.
Eclipse opposition Mars – argumentative, uncompromising, revitalizing. Needs to be handled with caution since an urge for thrills and excitement can cause trouble.
Eclipse conjunct Jupiter – over optimism can be a problem since Jupiter’s tendency to extremes gets out of hand. Need to double check and take nothing for granted.
Eclipse opposition Jupiter – questions of trust come into focus. Have you relied too much on an unreliable friend/institution/belief. Sorting out what to put your faith in and what not is crucial.
Eclipse conjunct Saturn – chickens come home to roost and the price must be paid for past actions. Taking responsibility is key where Saturn is involved. Be realistic and get a grip.
Eclipse opposition Saturn – getting landed with added responsibilities, including for other people’s actions. A need to face up to fears and have a good clean out.
The outer planets are probably less noticeable in effect but worth paying attention to with a hint of problems when the attributes of the planets are ignored. Uranus can offer liberation or if avoided restrict freedom. Neptune points to deeper spiritual understanding or self-deception. Pluto – opportunity for transformation which if ducked leads to stagnation/decay.
Eclipse conjunct Ascendant – a change in image is required, how others see you, whether in changing job, relationship status, wardrobe and appearance.
Eclipse conjunct Descendant – need to be less self-sufficient and more adaptable to make close relationships work, otherwise a separation may occur.
Eclipse conjunct Midheaven which rules career and direction in life – will bring a rethink of how best to fulfil your inner potential by walking a path that suits you. Can precipitate a career change or just a fundamental revaluation of your life’s direction.
If the eclipse falls near your North or South Node it is a key staging post in your development (or should be). The Nodal Returns occur at approximately 18, 37, 55, or 74 years of age. This is when a Solar Eclipse is around the conjunction to the North Node. It will be a time to reconsider your priorities and get yourself onto the right track.
The Nodal Half Return at approximately 27, 46, 64 or 83 years of age will occur with the Solar Eclipse around a conjunction to the South Node. You may be tempted to slide backwards into familiar habit patterns. But more helpfully you can explore the better qualities of the south node without going into reverse gear.
Eclipses through the houses see: Eclipses on top bar or:
Australian actress Rebel Wilson is not backing away from her claim that comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is an “asshole” who misbehaved when they were filming together in the 2016 movie The Brothers Grimsby and is attempting to prevent her from publishing her memoir, which includes a chapter centered around his alleged misconduct. His camp has denied her “demonstrably false claims,” saying they were contradicted by “extensive detailed evidence etc etc.”
And there is another row raging over Strictly Come Dancing with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice in the spotlight after his celebrity partner in the last series Amanda Abington exited claiming health issues and said she had been left with “PTSD” after her experiences in rehearsal and on the show. Debbie McGee on the other hand said her experience with him was positive.
Given that lawyers are front and centre of both disputes nothing that follows should be taken as a commentary on the guilt or innocence of either side.
Two astro-aspects intrigue me. Both Rebel Wilson, 2 March 1980, and Amanda Abington, 28 February 1974, are Sun Pisces – and Pluto is involved in the synastry. Rebel has her Sun in Pisces opposition Jupiter Mars in Virgo so will be exuberant and reactive with a Sun Mars; her Mercury in Pisces opposes Saturn (Moon) in Virgo square Neptune, so she is highly Mutable, inclined to go off on in all directions at once. Plus an emotionally intense Venus in Aries opposition Pluto.
Her Pluto is conjunct Cohen’s Libra Sun Mercury Uranus conjunction and trine his Mars in Aquarius – so his wilful, defiant, mischievous, over pushy streak will press her Pluto button and send up her hackles when she feels pressured or manipulated. Their relationship chart has a composite Mars opposition Algol which will get rattled come this July. And has a chilly, defensive composite Venus opposition Saturn in a high tension, needs-space square to Uranus which is also getting triggered this year and on till 2026.
Amanda Abington has her Sun Mercury in Pisces square Mars in Gemini opposition Neptune – again highly Mutable which is nervy and highly strung. Pisces plus hard Mars aspects are a tricky combination. She also has an Air Grand Trine of Saturn in Gemini trine Jupiter trine Uranus.
Giovanni Pernice, 5 September 1990, describes himself as a perfectionist and is renowned as one of the toughest of the professional dancers in training but was glowingly described by Debbie McGee after her partnership with him. He is a Sun Virgo square Mars and trine the triple conjunction of Saturn, Neptune, Uranus in Capricorn. With his Pluto sextile Saturn and probably trine a Pisces Moon.
His Pluto may oppose Amanda’s Taurus Moon and his Uranus Neptune square her Pluto which is inconjunct her Sun and trine her Mars – so she will be hyper-sensitive to being controlled.
Debbie McGee, 31 October 1958, on the other hand is a Sun, Jupiter, Venus, Neptune in Scorpio with her Mercury in Scorpio opposition Mars in Taurus. Giovanni’s Pluto is conjunct her Jupiter and his Sun widely conjunct her Pluto. Their relationship chart has a composite Sun, Pluto, Venus conjunction tied into Neptune trine Mars and square Saturn – so a heavy Plutonic experience but one which her Scorpionic temperament found to be positive.
Not sure what the conclusion of all this – and it is not to excuse bad behaviour – but relationships are tricky and what suits one person will raise another’s hackles.
And you do NOT get PTSD from Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals.
