La France – the day of confusion has arrived

Emmanuel Macrons’ cunning and surreal plan to springboard the French far-right into a modicum of power in a snap election just to prove they were inept has spectacularly backfired. The electorate took fright after the first round when Marie Le Pen’s RN party surged to prominence – as they did in 2002 when her father Jean-Marie Le Pen had a successful first round and faced Jaques Chirac in the run off, only to be overwhelmingly defeated. This time a cobbled together coalition of far-left, centre-left and Green alliance won, with Macron’s Party second.

 Not that Le Pen’s National Rally is facing a wipe out since it is likely to be the largest single party in French parliament; and although disappointed Le Pen thinks they have a solid foundation for a 2027 victory.

 In the near future, parliamentary paralysis is likely along with Macron’s ability to govern effectively; with firebrand leftist Jean-Luc Mélenchon calling on the president to resign. The New Popular Front coalition which won, is calling for controls on food prices, a reinstatement of the right to retire at 60, and wants to raise the minimum wage and increase business taxes. This would cost the country billions of euros – and risk tipping the French economy into a bigger crisis than ever as well as putting France on a collision course with Brussels over tax and spending.

France is already struggling to cut its addiction to borrowing; with a budget deficit widening to 5.5pc of GDP last year. The EU has a goal of annual borrowing reduced to 3pc of GDP by 2027.

 France (see 10th June post) is undergoing a volcanic upheaval at the moment with tr Uranus exactly opposition the Mars in Scorpio now (repeating into early 2025) at the same time as the Solar Arc Sun is squaring the revolutionary, disruptive Uranus opposition Pluto in coming months into 2025. The Solar Arc Sun won’t be finished its explosive move round France’s Uranus, Pluto, Mars T square until late 2028 – which if Macron’s presidency holds till 2027 will make the next election exceedingly bad tempered. And if the start time of 3.30pm is accurate tr Uranus will be opposition the Sagittarius Moon as well in 2027 which will make for an electorate even more unsettled and truculent than usual. By 2029 calm may prevail.

  Marine Le Pen and her sidekick Bardella always did look both pleased and frustrated by this mixed result. High hopes one moment, defeat the next, but still it is progress for them.  By 2027 she is on her Second Saturn Return with her yod focal planet Saturn under a heavy burden of responsibility and probably, despite a confident push, not quite getting her across the finish line first.

 Jean-Luc Melenchon, 19 August 1951 8.20am Tangier, Morocco, is having a discouraging and uphill struggle through the rest of this year with tr Pluto opposition his Mars and trine his Saturn/ But tr Jupiter moving across his Midheaven and 10th from May 2025 along with Solar Arc Jupiter conjunct his Midheaven will keep him buoyant in 2026/27.  Tr Uranus is exactly square his Leo Sun at the moment for this extraordinary twist of fate which has thrust him to unexpected political heights.

  It was never going to be a good run for Macron with tr Saturn moving below the 28 degree Capricorn Ascendant on his personal chart since early 2020. Indeed the surprise is that he won in 2022. Saturn through the First Quadrant for ambitious, ego-centred types is always replete with banana skins and bad judgement calls.

  Will he resign? His Second Term chart from May 2022 has tr Uranus conjunct the Taurus Sun and square Saturn in a tense, disruptive run until April 2025. And his initial Presidency chart from 14 May 2017 has the topple-off-perch SA Pluto square Uranus exactly now, which may well have propelled him into impulsive action. It does not mean he will definitely go but it is the most unstable moment of his reign.  

There do look to be ructions between France and the EU with tr Uranus square the composite Saturn now into 2025 as well as tr Uranus opposition the Pluto and then Mars  this year until 2026 – so a fight back against Brussels’ centralised power and regulations looks likely.

Add On: Useful piece by French journalist Anne-Elisabeth Moutet. “Macron reigns over a field of political rubble.”

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/07/08/macron-reigns-over-a-field-of-political-rubble

Also: Mélenchon, a divisive figure, has been nicknamed France’s Jeremy Corbyn. Suggestions of anti-Semitism have surrounded him as well as pro-Hamas comments.  He has offered tepid support for Ukraine and previously appeared supportive not only of Vladimir Putin, but also of autocratic leaders in South America. Both Hugo Chavez, the late Venezuelan president, and China’s Chairman Mao have won his admiration.

SCOTUS – blind and lacking balance

The Supreme Court’s latest ruling allowing presidents to be unrestricted by legal niceties has been described by the media as “unconscionable” and “bad beyond wildest imaginings”. With an expert on judicial ethics calling SCOTUS “an organization more political than legal.” And saying flatly that the Supreme Court now has a “potential legitimacy problem.” “The traditional notion that we will accept the results of the court whether we agree with it or not … is decreasingly the case.” It was announced with Neptune in final degree Pisces trine Mercury, which is not exactly rock solid or enduring.

 But despite public alarm at the state of affairs within SCOTUS with additional concerns about financial questionmarks over Thomas and at least two justices with blatantly pro-Trump family connections, there seems little possibility of change unless Democrats gain control of both chambers in the November election and retain the White House. Plus whether any retirements from the court lead to a change in the 6-3 conservative-liberal split in coming years.

  The SCOTUS chart, 2 February 1790, looks exuberant at the moment with tr Uranus square the Mars Jupiter conjunction. Though with disappointment (and unpopularity) lurking as tr Neptune is conjunct the Venus (on the focal point of a yod to Neptune sextile Mars Jupiter, so doubly important) from this October to early March 2025.  2026 sees a sharp wake-up call in the form of a major collision from Solar Arc Sun; followed by a rattled 2027 as SA Uranus is conjunct the focal point Venus – and a downbeat 2029 with SA Saturn square Sun.

  My sense from having scanned various associated charts (see below) is that this coming presidential term will be a stormy one vis a vis the Supreme Court with their comeuppance arriving with the next presidency from 2029 onwards. The 2025 Inauguration chart has Mercury in the legal 9th opposition Mars for a term of arguments about justice.  The 2029 Inauguration has Venus, North Node and Mercury in the 9th square Jupiter – with perhaps a hope of putting improvements in place.

 The relationship chart between SCOTUS and the USA hints at a tussle for the upper hand this year and next from tr Pluto opposition the composite Jupiter; with even greater uncertainty and concern from 2026 onwards for three years with tr Saturn Neptune in Aries square the composite Saturn and then the Uranus.

John Roberts, heretofore deemed sensible and reasonable, but now seeing his halo dim, is having a peculiarly difficult 2027 with a blocked SA Pluto square his Sun, at the same time as tr Pluto starts to conjunct his Sun in 2027/28 putting him under immense pressure. And worse in 2028 with a panicky-failure tr Neptune conjunct his Mars into 2029.

Other justices in no particular order:

Brett Kavanaugh, wobbling this year; running into scandals from over confidence in 2027 to 2029 as his SA Pluto hits his Jupiter opposition Neptune.

Amy Barrett, blocked in 2025 from SA Sun opposition her Pluto; with a downbeat 2026 and maximum pressure in 2027/28 from tr Pluto conjunct her Sun.

Clarence Thomas, an angry collision in 2026 and a longish slide from 2026 to 2028 courtesy of tr Neptune Saturn square his Sun, Mercury, Venus in Cancer.

Samuel Alito, excitable and nerve-stretched this year into 2025 with tr Neptune opposition his Mars; erupting in high tension in 2025 with SA Uranus conjunct his Saturn; panicked in 2026/27 as Neptune collides with Uranus; meltdown in 2027.

Sonia Sotomayor, under huge pressure with tr Pluto square her Saturn in Scorpio in 2024/25; sagging badly 2026/28 with tr Saturn Neptune square her Mars and her Sun.

Neil Gorsuch, into a nerve-shredding 2026/27 courtesy of Uranus Neptune cross overs and worse in 2027 with his SA Uranus conjunct his Mars.

Elena Kagan. Her Taurus Sun opposition Neptune is getting the full brunt of a hit from Solar Arc Pluto in 2026/27; as the same time as tr Pluto is grinding its way in hard aspect across both in 2027/28. She looks rattled at the moment by a major setback.

 Ketanji Brown Jackson, upset at the moment; high tensions in 2025; logjammed in 2026; ready to blow a fuse in 2027 and maybe just maybe feeling upbeat by 2028.

It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.” James Baldwin.

There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice.” Montesquieu

Justice will overtake fabricators of lies and false witnesses.” Heraclitus

If we do not maintain justice, justice will not maintain us.” Francis Bacon

Iran’s reformist president – a voter rebellion

A reformist has been elected as Iran’s new president, beating his hardline conservative rival. Masoud Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon and member of the Iranian parliament polled over 50% in the second round with his opponent well behind. The election was called after Iran’s previous president Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in May.

Dr Pezeshkian is critical of Iran’s notorious morality police and has called for an end to Iran’s “isolation” from the world, wanting “constructive negotiations” with Western powers over a renewal of the faltering 2015 nuclear deal in which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in return for an easing of Western sanctions.

  Born 29 September 1954 in Mahabad, Iran,  he is a Sun Libra with a lucky Uranus Jupiter in Cancer square Neptune; and a determined Mercury, (Moon,) Saturn and Venus in Scorpio.

  With tr Pluto square his Mercury till late this year as well as a Solar Arc Neptune square his Sun, he’ll be fighting against disappointment with bitter arguments raging as his life moves into a radically new phase as tr Uranus squares his Pluto. His 2026 looks very blocked with SA Pluto conjunct his Saturn.

  It is certainly a sobering moment for Ayatollah Khomeini’s grip on power. He took up the reins of the Supreme Leadership on 4 June 1989 when there was a grandiose and ego-centred yod on a focal point Sun Jupiter inconjunct Saturn sextile Pluto. Transiting Saturn is square those two focal point planets this year into early 2025 – which is hardly earth-shattering but certainly discouraging. Plus an undermining tr Neptune square the Venus hinting at chills of unpopularity. There is nothing suggesting an imminent disruption though 2025 will see outspoken discussions.

 The Iran 7 October 1906 country chart shares the new president’s Libra Sun and there is a definite sense of shared confidence in reform with a composite Jupiter Pluto square Uranus – and much the same with his relationship chart with the Iran 22 December 1501 chart. Which does not mean he will be the catalyst for radical change but he is a slap in the face for a regime that has ignored the wishes of their people for too long.  

Starmer Cabinet -will it stand the test of time?

Keir Starmer’s Cabinet comprises a record 11 women as befits a chart with a 10th house Moon – reflecting the UK’s 10th house Cancer Moon with its history of notable female monarchs Elizabeth 1 & 11, and Victoria.

 Rachel Reeves, 13 February 1979, comes in as Chancellor, with her Jupiter in Leo getting a boost now and until late 2025 from tr Pluto in opposition. Her Aquarius Sun, Mercury and Mars trine Pluto, sextile Neptune make her super-ambitious and very determined. She will have her hands full with the economy in a precarious state and difficult options lying ahead including tax increases to pay for improved social services. Her Aquarius Sun and Mercury will be rattled by tr Uranus in square this year and next; with a nervy slog through this year from tr Pluto leaning on two Saturn midpoints; and worse after Uranus moves into Gemini from mid 2025 onwards.

 Her relationship to Starmer is up and down at the best of times and more stressed over this New Year into early 2025 and seriously jangled from mid 2025 thereafter. They are very tied together so their respective fates will be fairly intertwined.

Wes Streeting, 21 January 1983, Health, is a Sun Aquarius square Saturn in Scorpio conjunct Pluto in final degree Libra, sextile Neptune; with his Saturn Pluto trine Mars. Hugely determined, ambitious – with a strong Neptune. He will bring an enthusiastic optimism to the NHS though with a few setbacks along the way. His relationship with Starmer is, like Reeves, tied together with a composite yod – and will be OK bar a few blips until 2026 when it runs into major headaches.

David Lammy, 19 July 1972, Foreign Secretary, is a Sun Cancer trine Neptune, sextile Pluto; with Venus Saturn in Gemini trine Uranus and an outspoken Mars Mercury in Leo. The September Lunar Eclipse will catch his Pluto for a test of his influence. His confidence will be undermined as tr Neptune Saturn in Aries squares his Jupiter through 2025/26; with major frustrations 2026/27 as tr Pluto catches two of his Mars midpoints. His relationship with Starmer will be marginally distanced with a minor tug of war in 2025/26.

Yvette Cooper, 20 March 1969, Home Secretary, a final degree Sun Pisces (or Aries)  opposition Pluto and trine Neptune with Venus Saturn in Aries on the focal point of a yod. Plus an adventurous Jupiter Uranus in Libra. A toughie, not always empathetic.  Upbeat with the changes in her life this year and next; though tr Neptune conjunct her Sun will make for a swampy start. On edge in 2025 with tr Uranus opposition her Neptune with her confidence sagging as tr Neptune Saturn square her Sun/Jupiter midpoints; more road-blocked in 2026.

Angela Rayner, 28 March 1980, Deputy Prime Minister, is an Aries Sun with a Fixed Grand Cross of Mars in Leo North Node opposition South Node square Venus opposition Uranus – an odd mix of overly excitable and incredibly fixed. Her Uranus, Mars and Venus will be rattled by tr Uranus in hard aspect until early 2026. Her relationship with Starmer will be frustrating this year and next with tr Pluto opposition the composite Mars; with more irritations mid 2025 onwards. Not the happiest combination.

  This is only a quick skip through and my impression is that after mid 2025 the problems and tensions start to rise with 2026/27 being high stress and blocked.

Keir Starmer – UK into a new scenario

Keir Starmer received the Royal invitation to govern at 12.19 pm this morning after a landslide Labour victory though on a low turnout with only support from a third of the voters. The UK chart with tr Pluto trine the Uranus exactly now was clearly in the mood for a change.

  The Starmer Term chart has a New Moon and Venus in Cancer in the 10th for a charm-offensive and family-oriented administration. There will be confidence (and luck) from Pluto trine Jupiter in the 9th, especially with foreign affairs and education. What is more ominous is Mars and Uranus in Taurus in the 8th on the focal point of a mini-Grand Trine of Neptune on final degree Pisces trine Venus, hinting at a) financial/economic disruptions with international implications or causes; 2) violent disruptions/natural or man made disasters. Neptune hovering on the cusp of the 7th suggests lack of commitment to partnerships and agreements. Saturn and maybe Neptune in the 6th house of health will focus attention on the problems of the health service.

  (Oddly enough Blair came to power after a landslide when Neptune was on the final degree of Capricorn.)  

 Pluto opposition Mercury hints at hostile and bitter debates with intransigent opponents. Jeremy Corbyn is in as an independent MP as is Reform Nigel Farage whose nationalist right party took 14 percent of the vote. Under proportional representation Reform would have won 93 seats. So far left and far right have gained ground. Pro-Palestinian candidates also made inroads into Labour vote. The SNP collapsed.

Additional numbers to ponder: Labour secured just over 700,000 more votes than Mr Corbyn in 2019, one percentage point more, but managed to pick up more than 200 additional seats. Starmer’s vote share is below even the 35.2 per cent which Blair achieved in the 2005 election, when his majority fell to 66 seats. Nigel Farage’s Reform party secured 4.1 million votes but only four seats. The Greens won four seats with 1.9 million votes. By contrast the Liberal Democrats won 71 seats despite with only 3.5 million votes. Combined Reform and the Conservatives gained 37.9 per cent of the vote, but collectively have just 17 per cent of seats. Left-wing parties gained 44.1 per cent of the vote but took up 67 per cent of seats.

  Not only has the UK chart tr Pluto trine the Uranus for a definite change, exact at the moment and returning on and off till late 2025, it also has an upbeat tr Pluto opposition the 10th house Jupiter for a surge of confidence at the same time.  As one commentator remarked: “For the first time in more than a decade, the UK has a stable, centre-left government led by an understated but patently serious premier. After the chaos of recent years, it may take some time for everyone to adjust.” Not quite the wholehearted high that came for six months after Blair was elected (which soon faded) but there will be uplift.

 Not that everything ahead will be down to Starmer’s competence since black swan events are always lurking and on the UK chart with the Solar Arc Uranus drawing closer to a conjunction with the troubled 8th house Mars – same degree within weeks and on the exact aspect in nine months – it will need a steady hand on the tiller to cope with the fallout, financial and otherwise. And by 2026 tr Uranus in Gemini will be poised to square the UK Pluto for another almighty upheaval of a different variety.

Starmer’s own chart does have tr Jupiter conjunct his Sun Pluto in Virgo which are the driving planets of a Kite exactly now for this win.  But ahead is less cheerful with a devastating and confused Solar Arc Pluto conjunct his Neptune within a few months and a confidence slump from his SA Sun conjunct his Neptune probably into 2025. What will be much worse is his SA Mars conjunct his Sun and then Pluto in 2026/27 hinting at a dead halt. 2026/27 is also when tr Pluto is in a discouraging (and then some) conjunction to his Saturn on the focal point of a yod inconjunct Mars sextile Pluto Sun – so he will not have a long run of progressive reform.  

  This is just for starters. More no doubt tomorrow and tomorrow ……..

Royal Mail – unbelievably bought with debt

As a highlight of the Tories swansong, one of the UK national treasures the Royal Mail has been allowed to fall into private hands for the first time in its 508-year history. Even more ominous is that the deal by Czech Daniel Kretinsky has been financed on loans so the future of Royal Mail is set to be hamstrung by surging interest payments. The worry is that the Royal Mail modernisation and investment plans will be jeopardised by its ballooning debt burden, and that its service obligations could be affected as well.

  Who thought this was a good idea??

  Daniel Kretinsky, 9 July 1975, born in Brno, Czechoslovakia, known as the ‘Czech sphinx’ with an estimated $7.2bn (£5.8bn) fortune, is notoriously private. He trained as a lawyer before turning to finance, and grew his business, EP Group, by snapping up unfashionable fossil fuel assets from companies looking to retreat from oil and gas, which paid off handsomely after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. More recently he has branched out into everything from newspapers, football clubs and groceries – Sparta Prague football club, a stake in West Ham United as well as investment in Sainsbury’s, French supermarket chain Casino and Dutch delivery service PostNL and until last year a stake in Le Monde.

 He has a New Moon and Saturn in Cancer square a Jupiter in pro-active Aries opposition Uranus – a risk-taker from Jupiter Uranus, with executive ability from a focal point Saturn and an overdose of initiative from so much Cardinal – with a nose for public trends. He will dislike sharing the driving seat – and with his Mars in determined Taurus on the focal point of a yod inconjunct Pluto sextile Neptune he will be super-aggressive in his approach.

 He’s heading into  muddles and mayhem with his Solar Arc Saturn square his Neptune late this year/into 2025; and hitting major, infuriating, blocked setbacks when tr Pluto squares his Mars in 2026/27. Also in 2026/27 the tr Neptune Saturn in Aries will oppose his Pluto which will produce obstacles from a different angle.  All of which will throw him completely off track as his yod is given an almighty shove sideways.

  There are various charts for the Royal Mail, the earliest being 31 July 1635 JC which makes it a Sun Jupiter in Leo with Pluto conjunct Algol in Taurus inconjunct Saturn in Sagittarius. Tr Uranus is conjunct the Pluto for an almighty upheaval at the moment with an uncertain tr Neptune square the Saturn.  

  The relationship chart with Kretinsky looks jangled this year with tr Uranus opposition the composite Neptune and exceedingly stressed over the next four years with tr Pluto opposition the composite Sun, Pluto, Mercury, Venus

  The reorganized Royal Mail, 25 July 1969 and 26 March 2001 both have planets connecting to Algol with Neptune in Scorpio in the first and Saturn in Taurus in the second. They also both look strained vis a vis Kretinsky for some years ahead.

  Going the way of water. Sigh.

Andy Murray – finally ready to step down

It seems appropriate that Andy Murray’s competitive tennis career should come to a sad and agonising end as the transiting Mars Uranus Algol crosses over his Taurus Sun and natal Algol.

 From an unlikely background, he won three Grand Slam titles and two Olympic gold medals, pushing himself to the limit; and in recent years against constant injuries.  One sports commentator described his career as “a triumph against the odds. The perseverance, the determination, the white-hot raging against the dying of the light.”

  Having withdrawn from the Wimbledon singles he hopes to play alongside Emma Raducanu in the mixed doubles and with his brother Jamie in the men’s doubles; and maybe make it to the Paris Olympics.

  Born 15 May 1987 2.10pm Glasgow, Scotland,  his Taurus Sun and Algol are in the much-travelled 9th house in a strained inconjunct to a 4th house Uranus Moon (Saturn) in Sagittarius. He never looked a man comfortable in his own skin which is partly the result of that quincunx causing him to constantly be making internal adjustments to find a sense of emotional balance.  He also has a volatile, uncompromising and highly ambitious 10th house Mars in Gemini opposition Uranus, Moon and Saturn.   He would constantly be pushing himself in pursuit of risk, excitement, his competitive streak and as a way of channelling his anger.

  His Pluto is also on the focal point of a yod inconjunct his North Node sextile Midheaven – which is obscure but would add to his exceedingly will-driven approach. His saving grace in terms of uplift and optimism is Jupiter in his 8th which will give him sustenance both financially and spiritually/emotionally.

  He does not have the easiest chart in terms of relationships with such a scratchy Moon Saturn Uranus opposition Mars and a 7th house North Node. But he seems to have found a good match in Kim Sears, 10 December 1987, who is not unlike him with a Sagittarius Sun conjunct Saturn and Uranus. Her Leo Moon may be square a staggeringly determined Mars Pluto conjunction in Scorpio which is also sextile her Venus – so she’s used to a high-pressure emotional life and relationships.

 Their relationship chart is affectionate, sparky and close with a composite Sun, Venus, Mercury trine Pluto and opposition Mars. It will be a high-octane bond but seems to work.

 When he was nine he was present along with his brother at the Dunblane school massacre when Thomas Hamilton shot 16 children and a teacher before killing himself. It occurred when tr Pluto was opposition Andy Murray’s Mercury and his Solar Arc Sun so would leave a mark on his temperament and development.

 Hamilton, 10 May 1952 8.50am Glasgow, Scotland, had a Scorpio Moon opposition Algol and Taurus Sun square Pluto. All of which ties into Murray’s Sun and Algol. So facing up to suffering and the least pleasant side of life has been part of Andy Murray’s journey.

  Looking ahead he does have Jupiter moving through his 10th house until September 2025 so sad though his retirement may be he will be in the headlines and getting a boost. With an additional stroke of luck and success from his Solar Arc Jupiter conjunct his Sun in late 2025/26. It won’t be an easy transition since it never is but with his Progressed Moon about to exit his 8th he will feel a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

Hurricane Beryl – Neptune in ferocious form

Hurricane Beryl hit land on Monday as a category four hurricane, with sustained winds of 150mph (240km/h). It reduced Union Island in the St Vincent group to rubble with hardly any buildings left standing and almost all residents left homeless.

  St Vincent & Grenadines, 27 October 1979, Kingstown, Saint Vincent, has startlingly clear astro-indicators. The Solar Arc Sun is conjunct the St Vincent Neptune and SA Neptune is square the St Vincent Sun as the monster from the sea landed. Plus SA Pluto is square the St Vincent Jupiter and SA Jupiter conjunct the St Vincent Pluto to magnify the force.

  The St Vincent Pluto also caught an exact conjunction from the April Aries Solar Eclipse New Moon and Chiron, which was ominous.  And the 8 April Eclipse chart set for St Vincent had a disruptive Uranus on the Midheaven.

  It is not often the astrology is so precise – in this case tragically so.

France – teetering on the brink

Marine Le Pen’s far-right RN is on course to win 33.2% of the vote in the first round of the snap French election, with a left-wing alliance behind on 28.1%, and the Macron alliance on 21%. What she wants from round two this coming weekend is an absolute majority of 289 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly but projections suggest they may fall short. If Macron fails in his hope that the electorate will come to their senses and vote for centre-ground candidates he will be left as lame duck for the next three years alongside the first hard-Right government since the Second World War.

 Much of this was covered in the previous post, copied below, apart from the leftist Jean Luc Melanchon, 19 August 1951 8.20 am Tangier, Morocco.  He has a determined Sun Pluto conjunction in Leo with a rebellious Uranus in his 10th square an over-hopeful Neptune opposition Jupiter. He does have his Solar Arc Jupiter almost conjunct his Midheaven and transiting Jupiter aiming to cross into his 10th from May 2025 for a year thereafter which looks successful if not now then soon. He looks deflated now and stuck from July 17th onwards.  But he is in better shape from mid 2025 onwards with a lucky break coming his way.

  Although Le Pen and her protégé Jordan Bardella have glimmerings of cheer this year alongside admittedly huge frustrations and a few disasters, nothing that follows looks anything but catastrophic for several years ahead.  Macron may be proved right if his assumption was to allow them a seat in the power circle if only to prove what a failure they would be.  

Post June 10 2024.

France was always due for an almighty upheaval this year running alongside panic and disappointment as Emmanuel Macron calls a surprise election in the face of considerable losses in the French sector to the far-right in the EU election (overall the centre-right was the winner). All of which coincides with high-stress turbulence on Macron’s Presidency charts – with the astrology being satisfyingly precise, even if all else looks like chaos.

 Neptune is opposing France’s final degree Virgo Sun and square Emmanuel Macron’s final degree Sagittarius Sun from May 3rd to early this September, then on and off until January 2026 – leading to a sinking feeling and a fair amount of confusion. In addition France’s revolutionary Uranus opposition Pluto square Mars in Scorpio is taking a fair pounding from tr Uranus opposition the France Mars running into and over the 30 June/7 July election; with the Solar Arc Sun square the Pluto and Uranus over coming months into early 2025.

  It will be a roller coaster ride for France and elsewhere. Early July is already on red alert for the Trump trial sentence and the GOP Convention with the approaching Uranus Mars Algol conjunction on the 15th. And the Paris Olympics opening on July 26th.

  Macron’s initial Presidency chart, 14 May 2017, has a destabilising Solar Arc Pluto exactly square the Uranus to within four minutes of a degree as he made his shock decision. And his 2nd Term chart, 13 May 2022 has tr Uranus conjunct the Sun and square Saturn now for another massive jolt.

 He will remain president until 2027 but lost his party’s parliamentary majority in the 2022 elections. His dramatic move is seen as a huge gamble, which could result in more losses and potentially hand right-wing Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella more power. The president has presented it as an existential choice for French voters: do you really want to be governed by the far right? Most analysts predict that the far-right party may emerge with more MPs, but will probably not win enough seats to give it a majority, meaning the next parliament may be even more ineffective than the current one.

 One analysts suggested “It could be that he is looking at a neutralising “cohabitation effect”. If – for example, Bardella were offered the job of prime minister, two and a half years in government may be just enough time to render the far right unpopular too.”

  Macron never did look the right man at the right time for the last election with tr Saturn heading downwards through his lower-profile, less successful First Quadrant – and presently sitting at the nadir. Plus tr Neptune square his Sun and Mercury now into early 2026 will be confused, indecisive, not winning.

 Marine Le Pen, 5 August 1968 11.20am Neuilly Sur Seine, who has cleaned up her party’s image in recent years, pulling away from its former racist, anti-Semitic slant, looks seriously rattled at the moment and jubilant from 8th July onwards with tr Uranus square her Sun/Jupiter midpoint into early August, repeating success in October and disaster in November and both pluses and minuses in spring 2025. September to late November she has the trapped, frustrating tr Pluto opposition her Mars – so not everything going her way. She has a hard, challenging chart with a Keo Sun and a Saturnine yod inconjunct Pluto Uranus in Virgo sextile Neptune and her Saturn square Mars in final degree Cancer. Her 2026/27 look like disruptive, nerve-stretching, grind-to-a-halt years.

France does not look overly enamoured with her this year through till February 2025 with tr Neptune opposition the composite Mars.

  Her young protege Jordan Bardella, 13 September 1995 3.42pm Drancy, France, a Sun Venus in late Virgo opposition Saturn, sextile Pluto and trine Uranus Neptune in Capricorn is rapidly rising in prominence despite being 28.  He has the same mix of positive and negative as Le Pen this year with extreme frustration mid July to early September with tr Puto square his Mars/Node midpoint; and both successful and tripping over setbacks September to late November this year.

 Much has been made of the supposed alliance between Le Pen and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, 15 January 1977 6.30pm Rome. But Meloni’s Capricorn Sun clashes badly with Le Pen’s yod apex Saturn and her Mars in Cancer; and Meloni’s Saturn is conjunct Le Pen’s Sun. 2026/27 look splitting apart years.

 Le Pen’s relationship with Bardella has a super-successful (when pulling together) composite Jupiter Pluto conjunction. But their togetherness will hit a few bumps on the road ahead from July 8th on and off into early 2025; with moments of chill as tr Saturn opposes the composite Sun on and off into January 2025 – with considerable upheavals and maybe a parting of the ways come 2026/27.