Astrology of Today’s News

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.

Pakistan has faded from international headlines recently apart from Imran Khan’s divorce and Malala, the teenager who was shot by the Taliban and has now become an activist. And cricket of course. And there has been some indication of a warmer relationship with India.

The Pakistan, 14 Aug 1947 9.30am Karachi, chart has tr Uranus trine the Leo Sun this year and into early 2016 which does indicate beneficial changes. Tr Uranus is square the Pak Cancer Moon in 2015/early 2016 which suggests some emotional upsets amongst the population, which will intensify when tr Pluto moves to oppose the Moon in 2017/2018. That latter looks like internal unrest over government policies or actions.
Though tr Pluto will also sextile the 2nd house Jupiter in Scorpio then which could bring a financial boost for two years and more confidence. That goes along with another sign of hopeful change in 2017 when tr Uranus is sextile the MC – so a decision to change direction.

Nawaz Sharif, the Prime Minister’s Term chart, 5 June 2013 5.32pm Islamabad, has a very secretive, inward-looking feel with a Water Grand Trine in the hidden Water houses – Saturn 12th trine Neptune on the IC in the 4th trine Mercury Venus in Cancer in the 8th. Not always practical, disappointing to the electorate, very focussed on money; and with the unstable Pluto square Uranus

Fatima Bhutto, niece of Benazir, has been outspoken in her comments about the continuing violence and corruption, re-institution of the death penalty but says she has no political ambition. Since her father, aunt and grandfather were all killed maybe it is not surprising.

Born 29 May 1982 3.45am Kabul, she has a communicative 1st house Gemini Sun Mercury opposition a 7th house Uranus – so keen to walk her own path. She’s got a confident though hidden Fire Grand Trine of Venus in Aries in the 12th trine Neptune in the 8th trine a 4th house Leo Moon, formed into a Kite by Venus opposition Pluto Jupiter. So very talented though also self-protective.
Her 5th house Mars in Libra trines her Aquarius Midheaven so she is ambitious though perhaps content to have a platform for her views rather than actively seeking power.

She looks uncertain, confused and downbeat exactly now with tr Saturn square tr Neptune sitting on her Sun though that moves on after mid January 2016. There are major changes coming for her in 2016 with tr Uranus opposing her Pluto and moving the following year to conjunct her Venus. That could be health issues.
There will be a major change of direction for her career-wise in 2018 when tr Uranus squares her MC. But that may not be towards politics. Tr Saturn is moving upwards in her chart reaching a peak by 2020 when she will be taking on heavier responsibilities.
Her relationship chart with Pakistan will position her as a trailblazer but more with words than taking up the reins of power.

Not only is the present Saudi Royal family facing threats of rebellion from a different branch of the family, there appears to be growing rivalry between the two anointed successors to King Salman who is in declining health. It’s like a re-run of the Tudors from mediaeval England.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, the king’s nephew, 30 Aug 1959, is interior minister. While Salman’s son Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 31 Aug 1985, is Defence Minister, pursuing an ill-advised, expensive and destructive war in Yemen (see previous post).

It would explain why King Salman’s Reign chart, 23 Jan 2015 1am Riyadh, has an undermining 4th house Moon Neptune Mars conjunction in Pisces square Saturn – a family which is not mutually supportive. Tr Saturn is squaring that conjunction at the moment till this December; and tr Neptune is conjunct the Mars through 2016. So it’s not getting better. Indeed Saturn will move by Solar Arc to square the Moon by 2018 which may see a cut-off point, if it doesn’t come sooner.

Both the Crown Princes have their Sun at 6/7 degrees Virgo so both are sagging badly and uncertain at the moment with the tr Neptune opposition. If anything Mohammed bin Salman looks to be having most problems with his Solar Arc Pluto square his Mars this year as well as his Solar Arc Saturn conjunct his Uranus. Both of which look dangerous and devastating. Mohammed bin Nayef has tr Neptune opposing his Venus through 2016 so not feeling popular.

Their relationship chart is atrocious with an argumentative composite Sun Mars conjunction square a distrusting and aggravated Neptune Saturn. That again is being chipped away by tr Saturn and tr Neptune through the next year.

There’s an intriguing comment in today’s Independent that the UK may be guilty of war crimes in selling munitions to the Saudis who are killing civilians in the Yemen. It would take an earthquake to stop the present UK government foregoing those massive defence contracts that fill the treasury coffers. But public and media pressure is beginning to build against Saudi executions, abuse of human rights and funding of jihadists.

The relationship chart between UK and SaudiA is under considerable strain in the time ahead with tr Pluto conjunct the composite Sun from early 2016 through till late 2017. With a definite upheaval from mid 2016 with tr Uranus conjunct the composite Pluto.

Woody Allen is 80 on 1 December and still going strong with several movie projects running ahead. Though his most recent got slated by the critics. ‘Half asleep’ and ‘lacking in humour’ were two comments.

Born 1 December 1935 10.55pm New York, he has a 4th house Sun Jupiter Mercury in Sagittarius square a 7th house Saturn in Pisces – which is where he’ll get his neurotic, inadequate image and his tendency to be up and down, sometimes enthusiastic, at others negative. Marriage for him means hard work and his first two were short-lived. There was then a long gap before he married Mia Farrow’s adopted daughter who was 27 to his 62 when they got hitched in 1997.

His Sun is also square a 1st house Neptune making him creative though also evasive. What always astonishes me about his chart is a hugely powerful, ruthless Pluto opposition Mars in 11th/5th houses, which you’d never guess looking at him.

He looks lack lustre in the year ahead with the tr Neptune in 7th square tr Saturn in his 4th hitting on his Sun, which looks like domestic/relationship problems.

It looks an edgy, insecure year ahead with tr Uranus square two of his Mars midpoints; and tr Pluto conjunct his Sun/Moon and Sun/Saturn midpoints – so again marriage strain and a heavy slog to keep up motivation.

He said recently he enjoyed taking a paternal role with Soon-Yi his wife, but it may be the tables are about to be turned and she gets more of the upper hand as sometimes happens with a huge age gap. Their relationship chart shows a good deal of affection; but also an underlying power struggle.

Born 8 Oct 1970, she’s a Sun Uranus in Libra with a Capricorn Moon, Venus Neptune and Jupiter in Scorpio; and a Mars Pluto conjunction in Virgo. So charming but quite maverick, seductive, and highly determined.

Sean Connery’s wife Micheline is in trouble with the Spanish authorities over the sale of their Marbella villa 16 years ago with allegations of tax fraud. They want to prosecute her next year with the possibility of prison time and a swingeing fine. SeanC was initially investigated but is not to be charged. She says it was a simple sale and nothing more.

His chart, 25 Aug 1930 6.05pm Edinburgh, is being rattled at the moment by the tr Pluto square tr Uranus – hitting on his Cardinal Grand Cross. Tr Pluto is square his 3rd house Uranus on and off till late 2016 so a time of mental strain. With tr Uranus opposition his Venus now and again in early 2016, and square his 7th house Pluto in 2015 till spring 2016 -emotional upsets involving a spouse.
Plus tr Saturn has been square his Virgo Sun and Neptune a few weeks back. His Solar Arc Mars will conjunct his Virgo Moon in 2017 when tr Saturn will square both and oppose his natal Mars in Gemini. So all in all a troublesome time.

According to net sources (which may be dodgy) Micheline was born 2 September 1929 so if accurate would also be a Sun Neptune in Virgo. Two Virgo Suns together. It would give a composite Sun Neptune Venus Moon in the relationship chart which does look affectionate and complementary if a little Neptunian.

On this birth date she looks undermined in 2016 with tr Saturn square tr Neptune hitting on her Sun throughout; with a shock in 2017.

But both are elderly so there may be other factors involved.