Nicolas Cage – a rampant Jupiter that knew no limits

 

 

Actor Nicholas Cage, in the 1990s at the peak of his game, with successes galore and paychecks to go with them, went on a spending spree which spliced through his fortune. At one point he owned 15 residences and made a string of expensive and eccentric purchases – $150k for a pet octopus, shrunken pygmy heads, a dinosaur skull and $450k for a lamborghini. The IRS landed him with a bill for $6.3 million in unpaid taxes and ever since he’s been scrambling for work to keep himself afloat.

Born 7 January 1964 5.30am Los Angeles, to a literary academic father and a dancer/choreographer mother, he’s the nephew of director Francis Ford Coppola, has been married and divorced three times (Patricia Arquette, Lisa Marie Presley + one), no doubt totting up hefty alimony settlements as well.

He has Sun Mercury in Capricorn in his 1st trine the can-be-chaotic Uranus Pluto in Virgo; and Mars in Capricorn in his 2nd house, along with Venus Saturn in Aquarius. His Libra Moon is in the 10th as befits a public figure. Both Capricorn and Libra can be extravagant, though not usually to vast excess. His Mars in the 2nd may have added a touch of compulsion, ditto his Venus. Though his Saturn there might have given him some common sense; though square Neptune might undercut that.

He has Jupiter in upfront, go-ahead Aries on the focal point of a T Square to Mercury opposition a 7th house North Node in Cancer, so he will relish a comfortable home and was possibly spoiled growing up. I’d almost be inclined to say he had a Yod, though it’s wide, of Neptune sextile Pluto inconjunct Jupiter, which if mishandled can give delusions of grandeur and lead to fateful consequences. His Jupiter is probably the key to his problems with imposing limits on himself.

His Moon is square Mars for an irritable approach to domestic life and women; that plus a 7th house Node would indicate that forming long term commitments is a challenge for him.

He’s not moving into an easy time career-wise or financially with tr Saturn now moving below his Sagittarius Ascendant, with losses from mid this year onwards. And tr Pluto is in a trapped conjunction to his Sun/Mars in 2018/2019 before moving on to conjunct his 2nd house Mars by 2021/22 which looks like meeting-a-brick wall-time where cash is concerned. With his Solar Arc Sun opposing his Pluto in 2021 as well.

What a pity he didn’t have a sensible manager, who doled him out pocket money and stashed the rest away. His 9th Harmonic, often super-indulgent with money is very marked.

Sarah Ferguson – piling on the Royal agony

 

 

Sarah Ferguson, former spouse of Prince Andrew, has reportedly demanded £45m ($62.5m) from Rupert Murdoch, claiming his now defunct newspaper News of the World wrecked a series of business opportunities for her when she was caught in a sting offering to sell access to Prince Andrew for £500,000. She claims to have lost out on a private equity deal and work on a film project that would have made her millions of pounds; and had planned to make millions working as a celebrity endorser and launching products under the name House of Ferguson, all of which vanished on her ‘international humiliation.’

Words fail me. Even for her, this is a head-twister too far. Such a case, if it isn’t laughed out of court early on, would turn into a media circus taking the spotlight away from a happy-Royal-weddings-year, with her own younger daughter Eugenie aiming up the aisle in the autumn, after Harry/Meghan. With the exception of her close family, she’s been all but exiled from Royal circles and this isn’t going to put her high on anyone’s invitation list.

Born 15 October 1959 9.03am (from memory) London, her impulsive Sun Mars in Libra is taking a rattling from tr Uranus opposition her Mars now, and tr Pluto starting the square to her Sun from March which will drag her through a trapped, frustrating several years ahead as it squares the Sun/Mars midpoint and then her Mars. On top of that, birth time being sound, her Solar Arc MC is conjunct her Neptune later this year with Solar Arc Pluto following along behind, which is devastating and confusing, certainly not a win. Plus tr Saturn is now moving through her belt-tightening 2nd house, so less successful, cash-strapped and probably psychologically on edge. As if that wasn’t enough, tr Saturn is moving to square her Aries Moon in the 5th, which may involve froideur with her one of her children, whom she tends to use as comfort blankets.

Even the long-suffering Andrew looks well-fed-up especially from mid year with tr Uranus square their composite Moon. Ditto her children, especially Eugenie, with increasing unease from both her daughters in 2019.

HM Queen looks disappointed and alarmed with her at the moment; with Prince Philip gearing up for a tussle. Camilla loathes her at the best of times as does Charles which never augured well for future inclusion. But now all bets will be off as they harden their stance, which may well exacerbate Charles’ always strained relationship with brother Andrew – this year looks like widening that rift for several years ahead.

Prince Harry looks out of sorts with her as does Meghan this year.

What would we do without our own Dynasty on the doorstep to keep us amused and distracted from dreary, inept politicians?

 

Lunar Eclipse – mature women extracting vengeance

   

 

The upcoming Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon) on January 31st at 11 degrees Leo/Aquarius has Venus tied in but none of the outer planets, bar mild aspects to Neptune (inconjunct and semi-sextile) so looks reasonably amiable. I’m informed that the Moon is exactly conjunct the minor planet Ceres, though I can’t verify that.

Ceres was the Roman name for Demeter, goddess of the harvest, whose daughter Persephone was carried off by Pluto to his underground lair. She was so grief-stricken and enraged by her loss, she laid the earth barren until a deal was struck to allow Persephone to come back to her for six months of the year. One version is that Pluto groomed, then raped Persephone, but she also married him and remained happily wedded for part of the year. So it can be seen as a maiden’s initiation into sexuality and mature womanhood. It’s a complex story involving agriculture and food, fierce maternal instincts and vengeful possessiveness. Mama Demeter was a worthy opponent of the masculine Pluto and struck a hard bargain. #metoo, #timesup and Women’s March all fit the picture.

The Partial Solar Eclipse (New Moon) of 15 February at 27 degrees Aquarius is square Jupiter and sextile Uranus and in a Saros Series that is concerned with the enthusiastic expression of ideas, which will flood out. Follow the new with speed should be your motto. (Bernadette Brady: The Eagle and the Lark.)

Neither eclipse looks malefic. Though it will affect those whose charts it impacts. For example, Trump’s Pluto in Leo catches the Lunar Eclipse and his Mars in Leo opposes the Solar, so both will rattle him, challenging him to change. Theresa May is also likely to get a jolt with her Venus, Pluto, Moon in Leo getting shaken. The USA chart’s Aquarius Moon will be triggered, depending on the start time, by either Eclipse; as will the UK chart and the EU, both with heavily Fixed charts.

Pluto in Aquarius – marching towards the future

 

 

Pluto has been grinding its way through Capricorn since 2008, pulling down old structures, financial and political, and constructing new ones. Past experience might suggest we are overdue the justice and culture which flourished on previous Pluto in Capricorns (every 230/240 years). From 2024 to 2044 Pluto moves into Aquarius ushering in a new phase. Events during previous occurrences are naturally steeped in the history of their times, and since planets never move in isolation but are affected by the other outer planets, there are unlikely to be exact matches.

1778 -1797 saw a rebellious Pluto in Aquarius since it opposed Uranus. The USA was in its early struggles after the Independence Declaration of 1776; most notably the bloody French Revolution of 1793 dominated that period, having an effect outside of France. The Industrial Revolution was in full swing having got under way during Pluto in Capricorn with James Watts’ improved steam engine revolutionising production. As to be expected under Aquarius, science made strides forward as well, especially in chemistry. And William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus, which rules Aquarius. Explorers, another Aquarian strength, were also out and about with Captains James Cook and William Bligh leading the way to ‘new’ lands. It was a productive period for philosophical and social thinkers – Emmanuel Kant and Thomas Paine (Rights of Man); with cultural highpoints from Mozart and Scottish poet Robert Burns, who later established a global footprint.

1532 – 1552 was another Pluto in Aquarius opposition Uranus with Neptune in Aries. Henry V111, King of England and Wales, declared himself head of the Church in 1531 and was excommunicated in 1533 by the Pope. The RC versus Protestant schism got under way in earnest, which led to centuries of conflict.

1287 – 1307: Welsh Rebellion against the English. Edward 1 of England put John Balliol on Scottish throne with William Wallace rebellion following.

1041 – 1061: Saturn Pluto in Aquarius, Neptune in Aries opposition Uranus. Macbeth succeeds to throne of Scotland. Great schism between the Western RC church and Eastern Orthodox churches. In the aftermath came the Norman Conquest of England (Battle of Hastings 1066.)

796 – 816: Pluto square Uranus, trine Neptune Saturn in Libra. Charlemagne becomes Holy Roman Emperor in 800. He unites most of Western Europe, laying the foundations for modern France and Germany. He dies just as Pluto is about to exit Aquarius.

551 – 572: Pluto in Aquarius, Uranus in Sagittarius, Neptune in Aries. Mohammed is born.

So world-changing events during Pluto in Aquarius.

This next time round tr Pluto in Aquarius will march in time to Neptune in Aries (2025 to 2038) and initially to Uranus in Gemini (2025 to 2033) – so early on there’ll be a Uranus trine Pluto sextile Neptune after the mid 2020s – innovative and creative. Of the earlier historical happenings which might repeat, we can expect more advances in science and exploration (outer space/bottom of the sea/under Arctic ice?). For the rest – the US and France will have come full circle back to their first Pluto Return or the immediate aftermath, so significant shifts/adjustments, epochal events in both countries. Sometimes empires that rise on one Pluto cycle, fall on the next.

An add on from Hugh Fowler who commented below the previous August post (summarised): The Roman province of Britain was created by an invasion in 43 CE when Pluto was in Capricorn and Neptune in Pisces; and was completed by 61 CE, when Pluto ingressed into Aquarius and Neptune into Aries. This transition does seem to echo down the centuries for the inhabitants of Britain. If the past is anything to go by Pluto moving into Aquarius and Neptune into Aries in the mid 2020s signals some sort of transformation of English identity and its relation to the world if the 1530s is anything to go by since that is the last time it happened. Moreover it all be generated internally (ie the English nation will do it to themselves for good or ill).

Christopher Hemsworth – Mars Pluto rides into battle

 

 

Christopher Hemsworth gives his best performance yet, according to previews for his latest movie 12 Strong, a post-9/11 war drama about US special forces soldiers in Afghanistan who rode into battle on horseback, forming a close bond with an Afghan warlord.

After years of blockbuster success in Thor, and other movies, he’s in a position to make his presence felt in the decision-making process; has the full A-list paraphernalia of Sexiest Man Alive awards, gzillions of social media fans and a more than healthy bank account. He’s returned to his native Australia to give his three children the kind of carefree childhood he had, growing up part of the time in the outback where his father worked as a social-services counsellor. He and his two brothers were left to their own devices. He said in an interview: “We were rabid dogs sent out into the forest to forage for food. We were very physical, very competitive. We lived in the bush, not the suburbs – and we’d entertain ourselves by hurting each other. Or hurting ourselves.”

Born 11 Aug 1983, Melbourne, Australia, he is a Sun Leo; with a fierce and fiery Mars in Cancer in a formidably tough square to Saturn Pluto and trine Jupiter Uranus. He looks a touch downbeat over the next two or three months with Neptune transits to midpoint, but will be set for a mega-success after this in 2019 when his Solar Arc Pluto is conjunct his Jupiter. Next year he stars in Marvel’s Avengers Infinity Wars with another planned for the following year.

Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta Jones – a united front, so far

   

 

Catherine Zeta Jones has hastened to defend her husband Michael Douglas over allegations of sexual harassment thirty years ago. A former employee has claimed that he used sexual language in front of her, including openly discussing extra-marital affairs, while she was running the firm’s New York office, and commented about her body; and allegedly masturbated in front of her during a one-on-one script meeting in his apartment. The last is certainly way across the line; but the rest of it? For heaven’s sake, it was showbusiness. Sexual banter went on all the time and in both directions across the genders. My recollection is that he came out publicly years ago saying he suffered from ‘sex addiction’ and went into rehab to be treated for it.

Whatever Mr and Mrs are saying, they are both alarmed at this turn of events. Both are early Sun Libras with Michael having Sun Uranus in Libra and Catherine Sun Neptune square Mars in Capricorn. All of these planets are being assaulted by tr Saturn, causing a considerable setback at the moment. And Saturn will return from July to November to repeat the discouraging mood. He’s also got tr Uranus moving to oppose his Venus in Libra this March for an emotional upset; and tr Pluto will continue to square his Mars for major frustrations in Sept and October this year. Plus he has tr Saturn moving through his 2nd house, the nadir of his first quadrant, which is often a psychologically trying time and certainly less successful.

Catherine has tr Uranus about to conjunct her IC in April, moving into her domestic 4th house for an unsettled few years ahead. It will put a strain on their relationship with tr Saturn square the composite Sun now and tr Uranus in a disruptive trine to the composite Pluto from July onwards. They did split a few years back for a brief time but came back together, since it’s a strong relationship with a composite Sun, Venus, Jupiter in an enduring trine to Saturn; and a tied-together Saturn square Pluto. Though there are volatile sides to their connection which will be triggered by this – especially with careers at stake.

Ellen Pompeo – a breakthrough success

 

 

Ellen Pompeo, the face of Gray’s Anatomy, the TV medical drama, now into its 14th season and running for several more, being still the network’s No 2 drama generating $3 billion so far, is being trumpeted as the new face of women’s equality in pay. She’s signed for nearly $600k per episode plus plus, will become a producer and co-exec prod of a spinoff, all adding up to a cool $20 million pa.

Born 10 November 1969 1.24pm Everett, Massachusetts, she lost her mother at five from an overdose, was raised by her father and grandparents in downtown Boston and despite a few good roles was broke when she was offered Gray’s Anatomy fifteen years ago.

She has a stalwart Scorpio Sun, Neptune, Moon in the 9th; with a packed 8th house of Jupiter in Libra, Venus, Mercury in Scorpio. She’s intense, lucky despite her fractured childhood, able to project an aura to turn her into a superstar. She’s also got a heavily aspected Mars in Aquarius square a Saturn in Taurus opposition Venus in Scorpio so outspoken, disciplined, quite a bulldozer when she gets going, though would be lacking in self-esteem early on.

She credits Shonda Rhimes, Gray’s creator/producer for helping to empower her. Rhimes, 13 January 1970 has a fearsome Mars opposition Pluto, so not one to back down and be submissive. Her Mars is conjunct Pompeo’s Pisces North Node, so she’d put steel in her backbone. Also Ellen’s Solar Arc MC is now conjunct her Mars giving her extra confidence to demand her due. She’ll be unsettled through 2019 with tr Uranus square her Mars and conjunct her Saturn; and hitting a blockage by 201, perhaps when this run finishes. But whatever the future holds, she’s come a very long way.

Emmanuel Macron – in his glory days

   

 

French President Emmanuel Macron is striding the globe like a colossus, dispensing insults and largesse with equal vigour. He dazzled Trump with military pomp on Bastille Day; schmoozed Putin with the glories of Versailles; a horse to Xi Jinping; and the Bayeux Tapestry on loan to the UK. Fading Merkel, entangled in coalition talks, has left the field clear for his Jupiterian reign. The EU was always a Germany-France axis with the former taking the lead in recent times. Macron’s closer-integration zeal would seem to put him in the driving seat. Unless like Icarus, he flies too high and crashes and burns. Much depends on what emerges from the German electoral stalemate, which after this Sunday’s SPD conference may lead to another election.

Macron’s relationship chart with Germany looks to be his biggest headache from this June onwards with tr Uranus opposition their composite Saturn and square the composite Pluto, extending into 2019; and chills in relations now and across this autumn.

His France Presidency chart suggests his bubble of enthusiasm will start to deflate from this April with tr Neptune starting an eighteen month square to the Presidential Mars; with dents to his popularity this year and hitting his confidence in 2019.

His personal chart, 21 December 1977 10.40am, predominantly inspirational and super-confident Fire signs,  suggests a one term presidency with tr Saturn dipping below his Capricorn Ascendant before the next 2022 election. If he can muster up enough from tr Jupiter through his 1st to make it through, he’ll have a lame duck second term. Before then he looks to be riding high, despite bubbles bursting under his feet in 2019 with tr Jupiter through his 10th. To watch for: The late January Lunar Eclipse will hit his 7th house Mars in Leo, which should provide an eruption or two.  Transits to his midpoints are very gritty from early this February onwards with frustrations, risk and lessening dynamism – running on till late 2019.

His relationship with the UK is deeply conflicted at the best of times with a composite Mars opposition Pluto, sextile/trine both Saturn and Uranus – and won’t improve, despite ancient treasures winging their way across.

But more pertinently he looks out of sorts with the EU, and vice versa, through this year and next, so not getting his way; with huge challenges come 2020 when the EU will be undergoing considerable turmoil. Interesting times.

Emily Maitlis – a Virgo plagued by unwanted attention

 

 

Virgos are being keyed up this week, maybe in part by the Capricornian flush. But it’s astonishing how some weeks are dominated by one sign. First Michelle Williams, Keanu Reeves, then the sad Dolores O’Riordan.

Now Emily Maitlis, a high-profile UK TV news presenter is in the headlines. She has been stalked for an unbelievable and outrageous twenty years by a man she knew at university, who has already been imprisoned for breaching a restraining order and now is back inside for 45 months. She says it’s like having a chronic illness. “He is unwell and has wasted half his life. Stalking is a weirdo glamorised term for what is essentially mental ill-health and so somewhere along the lines we have to change the mechanism.” A convicted rapist was also revealed at his trial to have an unhealthy fixation for Maitlis. But mercifully he’s inside for four life sentences. She must feel jinxed.

Born 6 September 1970 in Canada, she’s a Sun Mars in Virgo with Mercury Pluto also in Virgo trine Saturn in Taurus which is in turn opposition Neptune. Her Mars is sextile Venus in Libra conjunct Jupiter in Scorpio. Her Moon is also Scorpio.

Stalkers are an increasing hazard for celebrities – losers trying to fabricate an identity for themselves by fantasising a connection that doesn’t exist. And there’s no way she set out to attract them. But two things strike me about her chart. One is that her Sun is conjunct her Mars/Pluto midpoint, making her ultra-determined and suiting her for high-risk work. The other is her Sun in aspect to her Neptune/Pluto midpoint, which can be obsessive, impressionable, sensitive to strange influences.

Mars Pluto in its negative manifestation is rape; and Neptune Pluto is prone to fantasy. Both have positive ways of being lived out which she clearly utilises; but they may be a part of the reason why she’s pulled into her orbit unpleasant personalities. The other being, she’s blonde, attractive and constantly on screen and the world is full of disturbed people. What a price to pay for a successful career.

Pic: By Gothick – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10099200