Qatar, UAE, Kuwait & Bahrain – late decade will bring trouble to the Gulf

sh tamin term  khal pres

 

Qatar, tiny but energy-rich and one of the wealthiest Arab countries in the world, has a major stake in Europe in property and businesses. It has been feeling the pinch with the oil price drops recently but is diversifying into infrastructure projects and cutting back on cultural and World Cup 2022 costs. It is an absolute monarchy under Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani who is close to the Muslim Brotherhood and is run under Sharia Law which allows flogging and stoning; with severe restrictions on freedom of speech and faces criticism for its ill-treatment of migrant workers.

The Emir was born 3 June 1980 and has 9 children by three wives. He’s a Sun Gemini trine Pluto, square Mars Saturn in Virgo, so fairly tough. He looks less than confident through this year with tr Neptune opposing his Mars mid Feb to mid March, and again late in 2017; and square his Sun till early 2018. Then he moves into two really challenging and discouraging years until 2020 with tr Pluto trine his Saturn.

His Reign chart, 25 June 2013 8am Doha, looks very upbeat in 2017 with Solar Arc Jupiter conjunct the Sun; though there will be disruptions and upheavals, emotional shocks, from late this March from tr Uranus square Mercury Venus and in 2018 square the Moon. The really tough years look like being 2019 to 2022 with tr Neptune square the Mars, and Solar Arc Sun opposing Pluto and square Uranus. That fits with his personal chart which has fairly cataclysmic Solar Arcs in 2020 of Solar Arc Mars conjunct Pluto; and Solar Arc Uranus opposition Venus.

The country chart, 1 September 1971 12 am, isn’t showing much apart from an image-denting tr Neptune square Ascendant this year; a forced change of direction in 2018. But it does have tr Pluto moving through the 8th for many years ahead which will be very stuck financially and in other ways.

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven absolute monarchies which came together on 2 December 1971 and is now under the presidency of Sheikh Khalifa, born 25 January 1945, who took over on 3 November 2004. Human Rights organisations complain of restrictions on freedom of speech, treatment of migrant workers and disappearance/imprisonment of activists. The UAE is fairly contradictory in its approach since it is traditionally conservative, but likes to look liberal to attract rich westerners and tourists. It is expected to lead economic growth in the Arabian Gulf this year.

The UAE chart has a Sagittarius Sun conjunct Jupiter on one side and Neptune on the other, square Mars in Pisces which tr Neptune is slowly wending its way round in hard aspect, till late 2018 which suggests none-too-solid foundations. Neptune can create bubbles of false happiness, especially financial, which then deflate in a hurry.

Both Sheik Khalifa’s personal chart and his Presidency chart indicate significant and disruptive changes with major upheavals and setbacks between 2019 and 2022.

Clearly the turn of the decade and just before with the recession/war-prone Saturn Pluto in Capricorn won’t leave the autocracies of the Gulf unscathed.

Kuwait is a semi-parliamentary democracy though the Emir can and frequently does dissolve the legislature, and appoints the prime minister. It became independent on 19 June 1961 and the present Emir, now 87 years old, took over on 29 Jan 2006. Like other Arab states it is having to introduce austerity cutbacks and promote non-oil business to combat the price fall. On the Kuwait country chart, this year looks edgy and marginally discouraging; with 2018 much more unsettled and disruptive with a rebellious population. Real trouble spans the years 2019 to 2021 as for Qatar and the UAE above. With a Solar Arc Sun conjunct Uranus and following that conjunct Mars, which looks angry and highly insecure as well as explosive.

The Emir of Kuwait’s reign chart, looks in for a shock this year with the Solar Arc Sun square Mars; and a trapped, frustrating 2018/19 with tr Pluto trine Mars; with 2019 also having the destabilising Solar Arc Pluto square Uranus.

Bahrain, the smallest of the Gulf states, is heavily dependent on Saudi Arabia politically and economically and as Saudi’s growth declines towards recession, it’ll impact heavily on Bahrain, already struggling against junk status and internal unrest. There has been a marked deterioration in human rights since 2016 with opposition leaders and activists harassed and prosecuted. Authorities have not held officials accountable for the mistreatment and torture of detainees, continue to arbitrarily strip citizenship from Bahrainis who have been critical of the government, and subject civil society actors to arbitrary travel bans. One commentator said: ‘The country is sinking into a self-harming cycle of political repression leading to ever deeper economic woes, and there seems to be no impetus for a change of course among the leaders.’ It is a constitutional monarchy, under the rule of the Al Khalifa family since the late 18th Century. It became independent on 14 Aug 1971 and the present Emir took over on 14 Feb 2002.

The Emir of Bahrain’s reign chart is scarily blocked through 2017/18 with tr Pluto square Mars; and even more undermined in 2018 with Solar Arc Neptune conjunct Sun in 2018; and facing a considerable upheaval by 2020 as tr Pluto is sextile the Uranus and tr Uranus square Neptune.

The Bahrain chart indicates a protracted period of high risk, escalating tension, fanaticism and upset between 2020 and 2023. So all of the Gulf charts look to be in the eye of one storm at least at this decade closes and a new ones opens, right through the Saturn Pluto and then Jupiter conjunction.

Theresa May trying to reboot the special relationship with USA

dt tm comp  dt tm syn  dt hm comp  chas dt comp

 

The UK doesn’t know whether to cheer or scream as PM Theresa May in her desperate search for new trade allies post-Brexit bags an early slot in Donald Trump’s visiting dignitary calendar for late this coming week. Politics was always going to win over principle when it comes to economic survival; and from Trump’s point of view the UK offers the unique and glittering prize of a Royal visit.

Oddly enough, Theresa May, for all her schoolmarmy prudery, does appear to blend reasonably well with Trump. Their relationship chart has an exuberant composite Mars trine Jupiter, sextile Venus; with Venus conjunct Sun – so enough friendly positives to outweigh the risks of the composite Sun Mercury Pluto which will turn into a tug of war for the upper hand at points.

TM’s Jupiter in Virgo squares DT’s Sun Uranus opposition Moon and her Sun in Libra is conjunct his Neptune Jupiter, both of which will smooth round rough edges. What may cause some aggro is her rigid Pluto on his Mars Ascendant though her Venus is close by, so maybe she’ll turn on the charm; and could even offer him the opportunity to soften/transform his belligerent approach.

TM’s Saturn in Scorpio sits on his IC as does HM Queen’s Saturn MC, so both will tap into his sense of his roots with a Scottish mother; and indeed German grandmother, both of who were strong women.

His relationship chart with the Queen needless to say isn’t great with a composite Sun opposition Mars, sextile/trine Pluto and trine/sextile Saturn – so rigid, a necessity borne through gritted teeth. That relationship does look ruffled through this year with tr Uranus square Pluto and tr Pluto square the Moon, but HM will no doubt sail on as she does with tricky State visits with icy courtesy. And his Gemini Sun, like Prince Philip’s falls in her 5th which may help.

Prince Charles who is ramping up his climate change campaigning won’t be so enamoured, with DT’s Mars square his Scorpio Sun. Their composite has a smidgeon of friendliness from a Sun Venus conjunction; but also an explosive Grand Trine of Uranus Mars trine Moon, so more fireworks there.

Ashley Judd – fighting her feminine corner with zeal

aj

 

Actress and political activist, Ashley Judd, was in fighting fettle on Saturday’s Women’s March in Washington and didn’t pull any punches in a poem she read out.  Written by a teenager it was called ‘I am a Nasty woman.’  “ I’m as nasty as a man who looks like he bathes in Cheetos dust. A man whose words are a death trap to America. – I didn’t know devils could be resurrected but I feel Hitler in these streets. A moustache traded for a toupee.” URL: goo.gl/9I8gXT.

Born 19 April 1968 1.12pm Sylmar, California, with a country music singer mother and sister Winona, and a father involved in horse racing, she has acted throughout her adult life – Missing, Double Jeopardy, Divergent, Insurgent – and was married for 12 years to racing driver Dario Franchitti. Her humanitarian work has revolved around AIDs in countries like Rwanda, Kenya, Cambodia and has she promoted women’s causes and equality.

She’s a feisty Sun Mercury in Aries in the much-travelled and communicative 9th trine a confidently exuberant Jupiter on her Leo Ascendant. She’s also got Venus Saturn Node in Aries – so very fiery, pro-active and inspirational. Her ambitious and opinionated Mars in Taurus in the 9th conjunct her MC is in a showbiz, publicity-attracting opposition to Neptune and trine a rebellious Uranus Pluto in Virgo. Her Aquarius Moon is in the 6th square her Sun. She’s certainly well-designed to be a spokesperson and a fighter for good causes.

Donald Trump’s Mars Ascendant is conjunct her Jupiter Ascendant so he’ll press her buttons. Both share a determined Taurus MC with her Mars square his Pluto; and his Saturn squares her Sun, Mercury Saturn – so differing agendas and she’s certainly up to the task of confronting him.

She looked enfuriated and frustrated last December post-election with tr Pluto trine her Mars and that influence returns this coming autumn. But she’s in good form with tr Uranus trine her Jupiter on and off through this year and outspoken with tr Uranus conjunct her Mercury. Though it’s an uphill struggle at times with tr Pluto square her Saturn and tr Saturn square her Uranus. 2018/19 see tr Pluto trine her MC which will give her more influence and help her career.

Trump’s NY Black House & Organisation – built to endure but not always happily

tr tower  trump org

 

The ‘Black House’ as Trump Tower is known to New Yorkers was opened to great fanfare on 14 February 1983. It was proclaimed as Donald Trump’s “fantasyland for the affluent shopper” as “flamboyant, exciting and emblematic of the American dream.” The fantasy turned sour fairly rapidly as it was ridiculed by architectural critics – ‘a pink marble maelstrom’ – and abandoned by celebrity residents, who sold their pads to swindlers and felons. Glamorous boutiques bailed out, leaving ordinary ones and empty space in their wake. So it’s had a chequered history from its grandiose start. Trump still lives there and it was the location for television reality-show The Apprentice.

http://nypost.com/2017/01/20/the-bizarre-history-of-trump-tower-and-why-donald-loathes-to-leave-it/

It has a dourly determined Aquarius Sun trine Pluto Saturn, so was clearly built to withstand crises. There’s also a showbizzy Neptune square Venus Mars (and Moon)in Pisces; and an adventurous Jupiter Uranus in colourful Sagittarius. It looks a touch blocked at the moment as presidential security is jamming up the streets surrounding it for the foreseeable future with the Solar Arc Saturn conjunct Jupiter Uranus.

The Tower is facing great uncertainty and major disruption come 2018/19 with tr Uranus opposition Pluto and the following year Saturn; with the Solar Arc Neptune square Saturn in 2019. I have utterly no idea what that might mean, except it won’t be a happy atmosphere, that’s for sure.

The Trump family empire started way back in 1923, with Donald Trump taking over in the 1970s, but the only accurate date I can source is the LLC date of 27 July 1999, which will have similarities to the earlier dates. That fittingly gives a Leo Sun, Mercury and North Node opposition Neptune and Uranus in Aquarius square Mars in Scorpio opposition Jupiter and Saturn in Taurus. With Sun trine Pluto. So an incredibly Fixed and enduring chart, with streaks of nastiness with Mars in Scorpio, a penchant for publicity with Mars Neptune; autocratic from Sat Ur; slippery at times from Neptune; and a tendency to go through periods of great upheaval with Uranus square Saturn and Mars.

It’s ploughing through heavy seas this year (as last) with tr Pluto trine Saturn; will get lucky breaks in 2018 with tr Uranus conjunct the Jupiter; but there will be a rolling series of disruptions and shocks  2019 to 2022 as tr Uranus moves in hard aspect to all the other planets in the Fixed Grand Cross.

Barack & Michelle Obama – a few bumps, then into gear for the future

bob  mob

 

Barack and Michelle Obama have choppered off to a few days sunshine in Palm Springs before returning to Washington for their younger daughter’s final two years at school. They made the handover in typically gracious style, earning plaudits from Trump, which must have been hard given his contemptuous and relentless birther campaign when they first moved into the White House; and in the knowledge that he’s about to take an axe to Obama’s legacy.

It was more of a shock to Michelle who has her Solar Arc Uranus square her Mars in Aquarius; and if her birth time of 1.56am is sound her Progressed Moon is also conjunct her Mars – so she’ll be fuming fit to bust. Obama himself, ever phlegmatic, looks less ruffled immediately, though he’s clearly changing his plans to become more active at grassroots level in the Democratic Party; and will undoubtedly speak out if Trump gets too egregiously unpleasant and damaging.

Obama has the hard-working tr Saturn in his upper quadrant until 2023, which is his peak, so he’ll be consolidating his life’s work in some way and gaining respect. Tr Jupiter through his 9th from later this year for a year could see him travelling further afield more extensively and getting his vision across. His Progressed Moon is going through his 4th for a few more months which is generally quieter, home oriented, and then it moves into his 5th for a more sociable, outgoing two or three years. Then late 2018 for the next year he’s got tr Jupiter through his 10th which will be successful, with appreciation and recognition coming his way.

But for all that he looks fairly trapped with tr Pluto moving now into his 12th to stay there for many years ahead, although it could also see him pulling strings effectively behind the scenes. His everyday schedule will speed up considerably from 2018 onwards with tr Uranus moving into his 3rd and he may become more outspoken in the years thereafter.

It won’t be easy for him this year with tr Saturn square his 8th house Mars in October and a jolting tr Uranus square his Saturn from late April this year, on and off till early 2018; plus a sinking tr Neptune opposition his Mars/Pluto mid point from April, on and off till late 2018. So he will have some bad moments.

What he has managed to achieve in his life is extraordinary given the milieu in which he chose to operate, despite his failings. He does have a strong get-it-together 5th Harmonic; but his most marked is his 11th which speaks of an obsessive dream and the determined need to live it out. His 22nd super-star is also marked.

Michelle looks jangled, argumentative and undermined with tr Uranus square her Capricorn Sun from June onwards for a year; tr Pluto conjunct her Mercury/Mars from Feb for two years (and that is angry); plus tr Neptune opposing her Pluto. She may take till 2018 to get into enthusiasm back.

President Trump – dreams meet realpolitik

dt term

 

The deed is done, the die is cast and the USA (and the world) stand on a new frontier.

Exactly at noon 20th January 2017 Donald Trump swore the oath of office. There isn’t the same enthusiastic Sun Jupiter in the 10th as there was for Obama’s first term; but nor is it as difficult a chart as GW Bush’s muddled, explosively aggressive and dirty-dealing first term. Nor at all like Richard Nixon’s, for anyone hoping for an impeachment.

There’s a 12th house Uranus opposition a 6th house Jupiter which on the one hand could be adventurous in seeking remedies for employment which is his stump and inaugural promise; though it also points to underground rebel movements who don’t share his philosophy of life. That opposition squares onto Pluto in the 9th which tends to be control-freaky, suggests high-tension foreign relations which will certainly be the case if he goes all-out protectionist. But could also indicate rolling legal actions which are not unlikely; as well as a push to reform education; and maintain a firm grip on communications.

There are two ‘wedges’ as well, which are difficult to balance. Uranus opposition Jupiter trine/sextile an 8th house Saturn in know-it-all Sagittarius – shortage of money may get in the way of grandiose schemes; and Saturn is highly resistant to change in the 8th.

The Virgo North Node opposes Neptune and is trine/sextile Mercury in Capricorn. The North Node in the 5th is head-in-the-clouds, a dreamer and a fantasist, impractical. There is a need to let go castles-in-the-sky and get realistic about what it is possible to create. This is especially true given the Neptune opposition and Pisces on the South Node which will exacerbate the tendency to escapism and daydreaming. To work well this Node must work in a spirit of service to others. Neptune is also trine the Scorpio Moon and the Moon squares the Mars/Saturn midpoint as well as being in minor aspect to Mars and Saturn = discontented, unhappy, mistreated women; perhaps also points to the repeal of Obamacare since the Moon falls in the 6th and is afflicted.

Neptune Venus and Mars all sit in the 11th house which rules the legislature and society’s hopes for the future. So confusion in Congress/Senate, along with some good will and a great deal of argument, especially over financial policies since Mars squares the 8th house Saturn. The USA won’t quite know where it is going since Neptune tends to be directionless.

It’ll certainly be an arena for hostile arguments with Mercury in aspect to Saturn/Pluto = Mars/Pluto = Saturn/Uranus = Mars/Uranus.

There will be some heated spats from the middle of next week for a few days as tr Saturn squares Mars; some uplift in March with tr Uranus opposition Jupiter; and a sharp change of direction as tr Uranus squares the MC in May this year, repeating in October and again in early 2018. But the real wobbles will come from Feb 2018 for two years with tr Pluto square Uranus exactly; and in late 2019 when the Solar Arc Pluto squares Uranus. Both of those will de-stabilise his administration, though such a tight-grip Pluto will hang on through thick and thin.

Uri Geller – gold stars from the CIA

uri

 

Uri Geller, best known and much-mocked for his psychic spoonbending and watch-stopping demonstrations on television it now appears from newly released papers undertook trials by the CIA in the 1970s. He was tested for clairvoyant or telepathic abilities in “remote viewing” experiments as part of the CIA’s Stargate programme which was trying to recruit “psychic warriors”. They concluded that “as a result of Geller’s success in this experimental period, we consider that he has demonstrated his paranormal perceptual ability in a convincing and unambiguous manner.” It was always claimed that Geller worked for Mossad and other intelligence agencies as well as commercial mining concerns looking to use his dowsing abilities to determine mineral deposits.

Born 20 December 1946 2.30am Tel Aviv, Israel, he certainly has a very unique chart with Saturn Pluto in Leo on the midheaven. One of the old meanings of Saturn Pluto was the black magician, one who could wield secret power. He also, as one would expect of a psychic, has 8th and 12th house planets. His 12th house Neptune sits on the focal point of a mini Grand Trine of Mercury in Sagittarius trine Saturn Pluto, so sensitive Neptune channels all that powerful energy. His 8th house Uranus opposes his Sagittarius Sun; and his 8th house North Node in Gemini is part of a Half Grand Sextile to Saturn Pluto sextile Neptune sextile Mercury.

He’s also got a determinedly confident and charming 1st house Jupiter Moon Venus in Scorpio square his Pluto, so he could turn on the showmanship to order when required.

His chart is replete with quintiles and septiles (5th and 7th Harmonics) so he’s undoubtedly creative, good at organising for a life for himself and the 7th is an occult number. His two ‘Master’ number harmonics 11 and 22nd are strongly aspected which are difficult numbers to live up to but would certainly power his motivation and imagination.

He looks definitely flourishing in 2017/18 with tr Pluto sextile his Jupiter and Moon Venus.

Angela Merkel – battling on through an unsettled & disappointing year

am

 

The highly significant Germany election is now set for September 24 2017. There’s a panicky Mars Mercury opposition Neptune square Saturn; with Mars trine Pluto – so it will be a good deal more bitterly argumentative and worrisome than usual.

Angela Merkel is aiming for a fourth term, though she’s got huge changes coming long before September as tr Uranus opposes her Neptune and squares her Uranus Sun in Cancer from late this March on for several months. Plus she’s got tr Pluto square her Midheaven exact this month and returning later in the year so she and her reputation are really feeling the pressure. Even more pointed is tr Saturn now moving below her Ascendant into her lower-profile first quadrant for several years ahead. Even if she feels duty calls, her psyche and her body are telling her to slow down and give herself more personal space. Tr Neptune isn’t doing her any good either as it opposes her Solar Arc Jupiter, Sun/Saturn and Saturn/Uranus midpoints in April/May and mid July to late August, all of which are discouraging and will lower her energy and enthusiasm.

But for all that she also has tr Jupiter moving across her 10th till late autumn which should boost her chances.

At the September election tr Jupiter is only two degrees over her Solar Arc Pluto and sextile her Mars, both of which are positive. Apart from that there’s nothing much else showing.

Minor thought: Her Progressed Moon is going through her 7th so she will feel the lack of meaningful partnerships and support. Wonder if that’s a hint about political relationships with other EU countries having elections as well.

UK politics – parties over next three years

Labour  lidem  liberal  ukip  cons

 

Caveat: I’m never entirely convinced by political party charts, here or in the USA, which may be a problem of iffy dates. But for what it’s worth.

Labour Party, 27 February 1900 has a Mutable T Square of Pluto in Gemini opposition Uranus Jupiter square a Pisces Sun; with Neptune in Gemini square Mercury in Pisces. Last year’s tr Neptune square tr Saturn was in hard aspect to the Jupiter Uranus and Sun as muddles and mayhem sank Labour down the polls. This year tr Neptune continues to undermine Pluto with tr Saturn opposition Neptune and square Mercury, throughout the year, so not much joy there. Solar Arc Sun opposes the Labour Party Saturn in 2018; followed by Solar Arc Mars conjunct Neptune – all of which is bad news right through into 2019. There is a Saturn Return in 2018/19 which might be a wake-up call to get sensible and practical.

Jeremy Corbyn’s relationship chart with Labour 1900 looks on edge through this February with tr Uranus conjunct the composite Sun. Since this hardly looks like a split; it’ll wait till 2018/19 as tr Pluto squares the composite Sun and trines Uranus to cause more obvious upsets; with 2019 looking highly aggravated between them. He won’t be easy to dislodge with a composite Mars square Pluto so any separation will cause great bitterness and hostility.

Liberal Democrats: 3 March 1988, or the original Liberals, 6 June 1859. The 1988 chart is sagging through 2017 with tr Neptune conjunct the Pisces Sun, but having better luck in 2018 as tr Uranus is conjunct the Jupiter. The Liberal 1859 chart has a 15 degree Gemini Sun so much the same with tr Neptune square the Sun in the immediate future, though also better luck showing in 2018/2019.

UKIP: 3 September 1993 is in meltdown with tr Pluto conjunct their Uranus Neptune conjunction in 2017/18.

Conservative Party: 12 November 1867 has tr Pluto sextile the Scorpio Sun in 2017/18 which is generally positive progress; with a confident boost in 2018 from tr Uranus sextile Jupiter. But beginning to hit heavy seas by 2019/20 with tr Pluto sextile the Sun/Saturn midpoint, followed in 2021 by tr Pluto sextile Saturn which looks bleak.

Theresa May’s relationship with the Tories is bumping along uncertainly through this year with tr Uranus square the composite Neptune, Mars and Uranus from next month onwards; with more major upheavals in 2018 as tr Uranus opposes the composite Sun; and hitting confusion/devastation also in 2018 with tr Pluto conjunct the composite Neptune, moving on to conjunct Mars by 2020, which looks highly aggravated and stuck.