Astrology of Today’s News

Bahrain handled its Arab Spring in 2011 with brutal suppression, imprisoning and torturing opponents of its virtual autocratic monarchy. King Hamad bin Isa Salman Al Khalifa, 28 Jan 1950, was mainly school educated in England, Cambridge Univ, Sandhurst and then Leavenworth, USA. He is friendly with the Brit Royals though did not appear at Prince William’s wedding because of bad publicity over his crackdown.

Bahrain gained independence on 14 August 1971 making it a Sun Venus in flamboyant Leo opposition Mars and North Node in Aquarius; with Sun square Jupiter in Scorpio. So grandiose. There’s also a Moon Saturn in Gemini opposition Neptune square Mercury in Virgo – so not a happy population – anxious, uncertain.

2015 has been a tricky year with a Solar Arc Mars opposition Pluto, frustrating and stuck, though that is now moving on. There’s a slight hint of positive change with tr Uranus trine Sun early in 2016. But not much else of note apart from the September 2016 Solar Eclipse falling conjunct Mercury which will bring mental strain.

King Khalifa took over the emirate on 6 March 1999 with a Pisces Sun square Pluto and trine Mars in Scorpio – so controlling and vengeful. There’s a stuck tr Saturn conjunct Pluto this December and square Sun next year which will be downbeat but not much else.

His personal chart, born 28 Jan 1950, only two days after the former Austrian neo-nazi politician Jorg Haider, has a Sun Venus Jupiter in Aquarius opposition Pluto and trine Mars Neptune in Libra – superficially charming, stubborn, controlling, keen on the right kind of publicity. Tr Uranus is trine his Pluto once more into early 2016 which might provoke some change but he has a very fixed chart.

2018/19 is where it gets tougher for him with tr Pluto conjunct his Mercury and trine his Saturn; and a sagging, panicked Solar Arc Sun opposition Neptune in 2019.

Algeria also didn’t handle its uprising well in 2010/11 though they did make some changes in the aftermath but there is still harassment of government opponents and widespread criticism of electoral fraud. The President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 2 March 1937, has now been in power through four terms since 27 April 1999.

Algeria gained independence from the French on 3 July 1962 10.38am Algiers which gives it a Water Grand Trine of Cancer Sun trine Jupiter in Pisces trine Neptune, formed into a Kite by Jupiter opposition Pluto – so inward looking, secretive, driven by power. With Mars conjunct Algol in Taurus square Uranus – so used to cruelty and explosive situations.

Tr Saturn will square that central Jupiter opposition Pluto on the Desc/Asc in December/Jan 2016 for a blocked and discouraging few weeks. Then tr Neptune will oppose Pluto and square the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint in 2016 and conjunct Jupiter in 2017 which will be extended period of power losing its grip and perhaps financial bubble-bursting.

Tr Neptune will also square the MC in 2016 for an uncertain, indecisive year. With the September Virgo Eclipse conjunct the Pluto leading to a crisis.

The Presidency chart from 1999 is unpleasant with a Taurus Sun Saturn opposition Mars in Scorpio square Neptune – not much sentiment or kindness in there.

Bouteflika’s personal chart, is definitely sagging in 2016 which may be age since he’s in his late 70s. Tr Neptune will conjunct his Pisces Sun from April onwards till late 2017 which undermines energy, motivation and ability to make decisions. He’s also got a confused tr Pluto trine his Neptune which is much the same.

His chart has a ruthless Water Grand Trine of Saturn in Pisces trine Pluto trine Mars in Scorpio. He fits the country chart but it hardly makes for an easy lifestyle having him as ruler.

Expectations (and fears) are running high that France’s far-right Front National party will do well in this weekend’s regional elections after the Paris shootings and Charlie Hebdo earlier in the year. The party under Marine Le Pen has cleaned up its act in recent years, moving its image away from the old anti-semitic, neo-Nazi rantings of her now estranged father. She’s even being spoken of as a possible President in 2017.

Marine Le Pen, 5 Aug 1968 12.20 am Neuilly sur Seine, France is a Sun Mercury in Leo with a Capricorn Moon so certainly ambitious. With a heavy Yod of Pluto Uranus in Virgo sextile Neptune inconjunct Saturn in Aries – that gives a sharply focussed purpose in life but needs real maturity to make it work. Fated changes can bring a turning point which will test the individual to the limit and can set them on a path of social responsibility; or it can bring self-defeating actions which end in failure.

She certainly looks successful and confident exactly now with tr Jupiter conjunct her Pluto. Though tr Neptune opposing her Jupiter through 2016 which bring over-confident hopes which are then not fulfilled. She does have good transits to Jupiter midpoints in 2016/17 as well. Though she’ll experience quite a knock from Solar Arc Uranus square her Sun in about 6 months’ time.
What is interesting is that tr Uranus will conjunct her Yod focal point Saturn in 2017 exactly when the election result is due. That will really test her mettle to see if she can rise to the challenge of the Yod or end up in failure. Tr Pluto will be opposition her MC then which might suggest a failure. But maybe that is wishful thinking on my part.
Tr Jupiter will then be in her 1st house which will boost her image.

Her niece Marion Marechal-Le Pen, 10 Dec 1989 1.05am St Germain en Laye, Fr, is also into the family business, hoping for a win this weekend. She’s got Mercury Uranus Neptune Saturn in Capricorn in the 4th opposition a 10th house Jupiter – so highly strung, quite chaotic, emotionally changeable. Though ultimately in life will gain a reputation in her own community. She has a fearsomely angry and bitter Pluto Mars conjunction in Scorpio with Pluto opposition an 8th house Taurus Moon. A loose cannon in some ways and may end up falling out with her aunt.

Brit boxer Tyson Fury won the World Heavyweight title against Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko a few days back.

Fury was born into a travelling family on 12 Aug 1988 near Manchester, three months premature weighing one pound and grew to 6ft 9 inches tall and 18 stone. He said he believes the end of the world is nigh due to war, famine, abortion and homosexuality; insists a woman’s place is in the kitchen and he’d hang his sister if she slept around. He has also battled depression, bulimia and family trauma.

Two things are intriguing about his chart. One is he arrived the day after Al Quaeda was formed so has that hugely aggressive Mars in Aries on the point of a T Square to Neptune opposition Venus; and Mars also inconjunct Pluto. His Sun Moon Mercury in Leo are trine Saturn Uranus in Sagittarius. And has a couple of wide-ish Yods onto Pluto and Jupiter – so pushy and grandiose.

What is strange is that he only has one planet in an earth sign – Neptune. My memory of the old heavyweight boxers were they were Taurus or Capricorn and very earthy.

His opponent Wladimir Klitschko, born 25 March 1976 in Kazakhstan, has a similar chart with an Aries Sun opposition Pluto square Mars in Cancer and no earth planets at all. Just tons of anger.

One story that has come out of the Paris climate change conference is about Kiribati, a Central Pacific republic made up of 32 atolls and a raised coral island, which sit barely six and a half feet above sea level. Rising sea levels and coastal erosion are beginning to make life untenable for the 100,000 inhabitants. Within 20 years it is reckoned they’ll have to move elsewhere as they watch their home disappear into the ocean.
Anote Tong, the President, has bought land in Fiji and ships off citizens to New Zealand every year. He’s committed to building up at least one of the islands, so that even if his countrymen are forced to flee, there will still be a homeland to speak of.

Kiribati was given independence from the UK on 12 July 1979 presumably at 12am. That gives a 4th house Cancer Sun, so very attached to roots, home and family, square Pluto in Libra on the Descendant and trine an 8th house Uranus in Scorpio – so trapped and unsettled. There’s a tricky Mutable T Square of Mars opposition Neptune square Saturn North Node in Virgo – very hard-working, discouraging circumstances in life requiring much focus and good communication. Plus an Air Grand Trine of Pluto to an Aquarius Moon to Mars, formed into two Kites with Mars opposition Neptune and Mon opposition Jupiter. It’s a difficult Trine with Mars Pluto, requiring courage and immense determination, but also talented, good at publicizing with Mars Neptune and at the end of the day lucky with an emphasized Jupiter.

The next three or four years look tough with a sinking, undermining tr Neptune square Mars in 2016; along with a bleak Solar Arc Saturn conjunct Pluto later in the year. With tr Pluto moving behind Uranus to start battering away at the K Sun square Pluto through 2016 to 2018.

The President Anote Tong, 11 June 1952, also has an Air Grand Trine of Sun Mercury Venus in Gemini trine Neptune in Libra trine North Node in Aquarius, which last is opposition Pluto. So certainly determined and good at spreading word of his country’s plight.

Scottish actor James McAvoy is on a career roll, with his latest movie out, Victor Frankenstein, a camp update of Mary Shelley’s classic, also starring Daniel Radcliffe. He’s also been in The Last King of Scotland, Wanted opposite Angelina Jolie, X-Men, Filth.
Though his best work is on stage with Macbeth (2013) and The Ruling Class (2015) which won him the Evening Standard Theatre award for best actor.

Born 21 April 1979 5.25pm Glasgow, he was brought up by his grandparents from 7, his parents having divorced and his mother was ill. Not surprisingly his Taurus Sun is in the 8th (grandparents) square Jupiter in Leo, trine a 12th house Saturn in Virgo. So intense, at times down and at others flying high.
He has Mars in Aries in his 7th opposition Pluto so he is able to play aggressive, ruthless and slightly deranged characters. The Mars Pluto would also involve hostility to his father whom he hasn’t spoken to since childhood. His Aquarius Moon is in the performing 5th square Uranus, again a hint of his ruptured childhood.

He’s got a long career ahead on the Saturn cycle with another 23 years of onwards and upwards.

Andy Murray won the Davis Cup for Britain, the first time since 1936. He says it has been his most emotional win.
What is all the more extraordinary he did it with tr Neptune square and tr Saturn opposition his midheaven (birth time of 2.10pm being absolutely accurate). Though he did have some help from tr Pluto trine his Solar Arc Jupiter and square his Jupiter/North Node. Tr Jupiter is now moving through his 1st. Tr Uranus was just past the conjunction to his natal Jupiter. So lots of Jupiter to give him luck and enthusiasm.

Tr Pluto squares his 8th house Jupiter through 2016/17 so he’ll be pushing hard though that could be on the commercial front as well as in competitions.

Since google reminded me today was St Andrew’s Day with Nessie winking up from the depths of the Saltire in their glyph I thought it might be time for a reprise on Scotland’s astrology. Though facebook got it wrong and managed to celebrate it with the Rumanian flag. Oops.

The SNP government under Nicola Sturgeon are still confidently talking about a second referendum though the longer it takes, despite her popularity, the less likely it is the economics will be favourable. A former SNP chief policy adviser has recently said the arguments were always fudged. “The idea that you could have a Scotland with high public spending, low taxes, a stable economy and a reasonable government debt was wishful a year ago – now it is deluded.”
There are also increasing concerns about the running of the police, the NHS and education.

Nicola Sturgeon’s Term chart, 20 Nov 2014 10.15am Edinburgh, has an insecure, irritable tr Uranus square Mars for one more time early in 2016; though also a lucky tr Uranus trine Jupiter in 2016. Where the real problems hit will be late 2016 when a discouraging Solar Arc Saturn conjunct the Sun will bring setbacks; and more so in 2017 when tr Pluto is conjunct Mars for frustrating and trapped two years thereafter.

Her own personal chart, 19 July 1970 3.16pm Irvine, Scotland, will suffer a popularity dent under tr Saturn square and then tr Neptune in opposition to her 10th house Venus. The first comes in next month and the other from mid January to late Feb 2016. She does have a positive change of direction tr Uranus trine MC from mid 2016 and a decent Jupiter midpoint in 2016/2017 to keep her confidence boosted.
But it’ll be a fairly roller coaster, up and down through 2017 with a jolting tr Uranus square her Sun and an even more tense Solar Arc Uranus opposition her Saturn in Taurus. Worse in 2018/19 with tr Pluto trine her Saturn for a dreary slog.

The two SNP charts have the same feel over the next few years – strokes of luck and huge blocking challenges.

If the two Scotland charts, 842AD and 1034AD hold good, there’s a mix of tr Pluto on Saturn on both bringing hardship for 2016/17; and tr Neptune undermining confidence and motivation, especially this December and through 2016.

Both of the two main UK political parties are in a to-do. Labour is tying itself in knots over Corbyn and the Syria vote, of which more anon next week.
The Conservatives have a nasty scandal on their plate with the suicide of a young Tory party worker with allegations of bullying, with claims centring on Mark Clarke, who organised bussing volunteers round the country pre-election. He has rejected allegations of bullying, sexual assault and intimidation; and has since been expelled from the party.

Mark Clarke was born 29 June 1977 (net sources) and if accurate that makes him a Sun Mercury in Cancer square Pluto in Libra and trine Uranus in Scorpio – controlling and innovative. He also has Neptune (Moon) in Sagittarius trine Saturn in Leo, sextile Pluto on the midpoint. So a double dose of Pluto.
His Uranus opposes Mars in Taurus (Venus) square Saturn in Leo – that’s heavy – ultra-determined, not overly sensitive and wants to be grand. He also has Jupiter in Gemini opposition Neptune so dreams beyond common sense.
Solar Arc Sun is conjunct his Saturn and Solar Arc Uranus conjunct his Neptune – both now which makes the birth date sound likely – discouraging, major obstacle, nervy.

The Conservative Party, 12 Nov 1867, has a Scorpio Sun Saturn opposition Pluto – so controlling, intense, stubborn, secretive and built to last. Clarke’s Fixed T Square rather fits some of the feel of the Party chart, though it also clashes with his Mars conjunct the Tory Pluto and opposition the Sun.

Oddly enough David Cameron’s 2nd term chart has a 10th house Taurus Sun exactly conjunct Clarke’s Mars and it has Mars in Taurus as well at a later degree. So symbolically quite a pointer.

John Lennon was shot dead in New York 35 years ago and since then Yoko Ono, his widow, has established a better image as an artist, rather than as the much-hated Beatles-destroyer. A former BBC disc jockey, the last person to interview to Lennon, has now come forward with some unpleasant things to say about her (see Daily Mail).

Born 18 Feb 1933 8.30pm Tokyo, she has a 5th house Aquarius Sun, with Venus Saturn also in Aquarius in the 5th so likes attention, good organiser, cold. A 10th house Pluto in Cancer squares a 7th house Uranus – so controlling and attracted to unconventional relationships. Her Sagittarius Moon is square Neptune Mars Jupiter in Virgo in the 12th opposition Mercury North Node in Pisces – freedom-loving, short-tempered, evasive.

Quite an odd chart that doesn’t hang together well. Clumps of Virgo and chunks of Aquarius.

When Lennon died there was an exact Saturn Jupiter in Libra conjunction just crossing her Ascendant and her Solar Arc Jupiter was trine her MC – so thrusting her into the spotlight, with benefits. Admittedly there was also a devastating Solar Arc Pluto conjunct her Neptune as well.

John Lennon, 9 Oct 1940 6.30pm Liverpool, was a Sun Libra, with Moon Aquarius opposition Pluto square Mercury so attracted to powerful women. He was born on an exact Jupiter Saturn conjunction in Taurus and died two JupSats later. For a few Jupiter Saturn brings iconic status which throws them too high and they are then cut down.
His Solar Arc Mars opposed his Saturn Jupiter when he died; with his Solar Arc Sun just over the opposition to his Uranus – a troubled time in his life.

His relationship chart with Yoko had a passion-inducing composite Venus trine Pluto. But that apart was irritable, not kind and not mutually supportive, with a Saturn opposition Mars Neptune square Sun.