The betting odds on Starmer’s exit shorten as he is accused of misleading the House of Commons by saying Mandelson has passed security clearances when it emerged that the Foreign Office overrode a ‘don’t go there’ notice. Sir Olly Robbins, head of the FO, has been forced to resign with Starmer stoutly denying all knowledge of the affair.
Mars Saturn is writ large of Stamer’s destiny at the moment with his Mars at 6 or 7 degrees Cancer due to collect the full brunt of the tr Saturn Mars square this weekend. His leadership chart, of 4 April 2024 10.45 am London also has a Mars Saturn conjunction (in Aquarius) as its unlucky marker from the start and the Solar Arc Pluto is conjunct the Saturn exactly now, with the SA Jupiter following behind. Staggering pressure is being exerted on him. Jupiter may come to his rescue but even he has to crack at some point under the weight of a litany of missteps, screw-ups and a self-induced calamities which have dogged his residency at No 10 since mid 2024.
On his personal chart tr Pluto is conjunct his Saturn till late June and again into 2027 which is a pushing-boulders-uphill time of facing mountainous difficulties – and depressing with it. In a way even worse he has his Solar Arc Mars conjunct his Sun Pluto this year – which is completely trapped and frustrated. He will get a jolt in the second half of May with tr Uranus square his Uranus; and a more major upheaval come this August through October with tr Uranus square his Urans/Pluto midpoint and that repeats in 2027.
The pressure on his Pluto could be an indicator, not that it has a set date – but it was Tony Blair’s Pluto being assailed which saw his exit in 2007. At the point he reluctantly handed over the reins to Gordon Brown tr Saturn in Leo opposition Neptune in Aquarius were cornering his 4th house Pluto in Leo.
A stray thought about the long arm of Epstein’s legacy even affecting Starmer who had no connection with him in real life – is that Epstein’s ‘indulgent’ Jupiter in Taurus is exactly opposition Starmer’s Neptune (which Starmer’s Solar Arc Jupiter is fast approaching at the same degree as Epstein’s Jupiter). Wheels within wheels. And now that I look Starmer’s relationship chart with Mandelson has an over-hopeful (scandal-prone) composite Jupiter opposition Neptune. And that relationship is about to take another nosedive with tr Neptune opposition the composite Sun later this month and through May.
I remember when the country was desperate to be rid of Tony Blair and poring over charts attempting to pick THE DAY. And it dragged on for ever before he threw in the towel.
Transit Uranus will square his natal Uranus in May which suggests change could be coming. Starmer was entirely dependent on a small, shadowy clique from the Labour Right (which includes McSweeney and Mandelson) for putting him into power – Sun Pluto individuals can feel as if they are not in control of their destiny, that there larger, more powerful forces at work; and the power that McSweeney held over Starmer was astonishing. The analogy of Starmer sitting at the front of the driverless DLR, believing he is in control, while McSweeney and his aides operate the train is the way his leadership has been characterised. Blair is a Sun Pluto, and Mandelson was very much the manipulative Svengali powerful figure lurking in the background.
Jupiter Pluto can reflect a willingness, or a misplaced confidence that ethics or principles can be bent or corrupted without any accountability.
And his friend Ed Miliband was also influential in persuading Starmer to become an MP, around 2014 I think.
Just to add – Miliband’s Uranus is 8 Libra. In February Marjorie wrote:
“His Uranus is further emphasized being at the apex of a yod inconjunct Mars sextile Saturn which will double up on his urge to be a trailblazer. He could make far-reaching changes but his Uranus could also backfire due to his intolerance and defiant attitudes.”
The tr Saturn, Mars, Mercury in Aries battering ram is setting off EM’s natal Uranus at the moment.
If even a commoner like me felt extremely uneasy about Mandelson’s appointment, how on earth could Starmer have been so lacking in judgment? Does Madelson have some kind of mesmerising ability, like a snake? The photos of Mandelson hobnobbing with the Epstein class on Les Wexner’s yacht, ‘The Limitless’ were published in the tabloids some years ago. Don’t tell me the powers that be didn’t know about the relationship.
The current astrology is doing a number on Starmer’s natal chart. Above all, transit Pluto is conjunct his Saturn at 5 Aquarius and South Node at 6 and having a devastating effect on his position as PM. Mercury/Mars/Saturn conjunction is at 7 degrees right now, square his Mars in Cancer at 6 degrees and opposite his Mercury/BML conjunction in Libra. The transiting South Node in Pisces conjuncts his Jupiter and has been opposing his Virgo Sun/Pluto. It’s his bad judgment and slipperiness which has been his undoing. I’m not sure he can survive the week.
*Transiting North Node in Pisces
Starmer has been able to rise to great heights using the strengths of his chart. Unfortunately the universe is now exposing the weaknesses of the placements. Virgo – can’t see the wood for the trees. Libra – changeable and focused on logical decisions. It’s the chart of a self-contained personality so he doesn’t easily take in outside ideas and there’s the additional issue of Saturn in Aqua not feeling able to fit in with the group. The Peter Principle springs to mind, maybe it should be renamed The Peter Mandelson Principle!
Haha. Yes, there’s that Sun/Pluto in Virgo opposition Jupiter in Pisces – victim-playing when it suits, but applied ruthlessly at the expense of others. The Libra stellium, which rather than take responsibility when they make blunders, tend to want others to share the blame. Then there’s his water grand trine – including the Piscean Jupiter with Mars in Cancer trine Neptune in Scorpio thrown into the mix. Plus, his debilitated Mars in Cancer quincunx Saturn in Aqua – a highly frustrating aspect, where the individual struggles to bring anything into fruition because they can feel ‘everyone’s against me’. It’s not a chart that one would not associate with leadership qualities and I think he may have done better behind the seat of power than in front of it.
Definitely better as power behind the throne – or being a KC as he was. The Mars in Cancer / Libra planets will enjoy being able to battle on behalf of someone else; the Virgo mind along with the Libra mercury good at asking incisive questions.
He always remind me of the middle managers I met in big corporations. Desperate to make it to the top and consequently willing to do whatever it takes to climb the greasy pole. Focused solely on the objectives he’s been given with no interest in doing anything he won’t get rewarded for. No personal interest in the team who work for him – only whether they can get the job done so he can claim the credit and the promotion. And now he’s the CEO he doesn’t have a clue what direction to take.
Good to see you back VF! I agree re feeling uneasy about the appointment when it was originally announced last December. There was much discussion at the time, since the most cursory amateur cruise around the internet threw up quite a few serious questions.
A couple of things I’m wondering about – Mars was retrograde from 6th December – 24th February 2025. It turned Rx at 6 Leo, in the UK’s 10th house. Mars turned direct at 17 Cancer, two degrees away from the UK’s Cancer Moon, again in the 10th house. Traditionally, a bad time to ‘start a war’, but also perhaps a time for reflection on actions rather than forging ahead?
I also wonder about the tricky September 2025 Solar Eclipse in Virgo, opposing Saturn Rx in Pisces and Neptune 0 Aries, all activating the rise and fall fixed star Scheat at 29 Pisces? As I understand it, the Independent published an article suggesting Mandelson had failed security vetting in September? And asked No.10 about this too. That eclipse was right opposite the 1066 UK secretive 12th house Moon in Pisces, square its Uranus in Sagittarius. And with tr Saturn suppressing the Pisces Moon too. Does this suggest hidden enemies or information that proves to be an “enemy”?
What a terrible mess. However, can’t say I’m very keen to see another PM replace Starmer. I’m not exactly impressed with the potential candidates!
Sorry, I think the Independent article was September 2024. But I still wonder about the effects of that Solar Eclipse in 2025.
Thanks Jane. 5 days post op and i can, for a short distance and hobbling somewhat, walk without the crutches already. The NHS have been amazing. I know we hear about all the problems with it, but my care couldn’t have been better and I met some lovely people. The stellium in Aries had just entered my 8th house, but most of all I am feeling the effects of Saturn, telling me to slow down, that I’m no longer 25, that I need to look after my physical body better and be more responsible with my physicality and mindfulness.
Pleased to hear it’s gone well VF
Regarding Starmer and the current government, there is a feeling among the electorate, and has been now for some time that government is not acting in the interests of the people, that they are rather acting with self interest, that they have a ‘hidden agenda’. But I don’t think it’s confined to general mistrust of any particular political party, rather the system itself. I like Andy Burnham, but right now I think whoever was in power would be struggling. And I don’t know frankly why anyone would want the position. Plus this feeling among electorates is widespread, not just confined to the UK.
Glad to hear you’re up and about already and you experienced the best of the NHS.
I think the general mistrust of the system has, perhaps, grown alongside the boom in career politicians – mostly those with little or no experience of life outside politics – whether that’s local or national. Pluto in Aquarius may emphasise the electorate in a collective sense, while the trine from Uranus in Gemini and sextile from Neptune in Aries gives that “all of us” energy a boost? And if politics is an ambitious career choice, how do you factor in any sense of duty, or desire to serve the electorate and the country itself?
We’re constantly reading about various groups being “listened to” or “given a voice” in numerous contexts. Which tends to imply that nobody listened very much before! That sounds like Uranus in Gemini’s job – a revolution in communications? Neptune in Aries also brings a sense of individuality
amidst the foggy ideals and dreams of Neptune?
Olly Robbins the top civil servant fired from the Foreign Office was born 20 April 1975. His natal chart has Pluto at 7 Libra opposition Jupiter at 7 Aries. This configuration squares Starmer’s Mars at 6 Cancer, the Labour Government Moon at 7 Cancer and conjoins the Labour government State Opening of Parliament North Node at 9 Cancer. All these planets are going to be heavily activated by the Mars/Saturn conjunction at 7 Aries. Robbins natal Saturn at 13 Cancer conjoins Starmer’s 5 July 2024 Premiership Sun at 13 Cancer.
The idea that the Foreign Office was hiding Mandelson’s vetting status from No 10 is ludicrous. His appointment as ambassador to Washington was always a political choice made by Starmer and the then Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The civil servants at the Foreign Office would almost certainly have wanted the Washington job to go to one of their own diplomatic corps. As far as vetting goes it is not done on a strict pass/fail basis but more of a risks assessment. My guess is that they highlighted the dangers of appointing Mandelson on a number of occasions but were overruled by the politicians.
Thanks Marjorie
One thought is that the Neptune Pluto opposition in Blair’s chart was a generational factor, which needed something to precipitate the aspect. I suspect that we have something similar here, added to which Starmer’s Virgo brings earthy mutuality which swerves to avoid responsibility.
He is an interesting case and his government is certainly better than its predecessor, not that that is a high hurdle.
Inflation going up; unemployment up, growth submerged under water and business taxes clobbering enterprises big and small. I am sure many small shops and farmers would be prayng for Sunak’s return.
Except if you’re a Mayfair hedgie of course where shorting gilts has proved to be a one way trade
The final nail would be a slice of cake.
Thanks Marjorie. Listening to the R4 news this evening, they mention Peter Mandelson’s alleged business links with China as another area of concern that emerged during the opaque vetting process.
Interesting to see that the China 1912 chart you usually post here has North Node 28 Aries, and Uranus 28 Capricorn (Campion). What piqued my curiosity initially was the House of Commons Uranus, 27 Aries square Nodes 29 Capricorn/Cancer (Campion) – activated by today’s bumper Aries New Moon with Chiron and Eris. And then Mandelson’s natal chart with its 27 Libran Sun, 29 Libran Saturn, and Nodes 28 Capricorn/Cancer so close to the House of Commons Nodes, China’s Nodes and Uranus, and on and on!
Saturn/Mars energising the UK Ascendant/Descendant axis is also stirring things up no end. But Keir “it didn’t cross my desk” Starmer will hold on tight for as long as possible I suspect. I’m not sure we have a viable alternative leader at this point either.
Would be interesting to look at the Labour charts to see if anyone is standing out. Rayner will be the one the party pushes but will she want it at this point. Shame Burnham was blocked from standing, this could have been his moment.
Marjorie’s post, 31 August 2025, re Angela Rayner:
“her relationship with Keir Starmer will be seriously stressed from later this month to early December with tr Pluto opposition the composite Mars; and a high-tension tr Uranus opposition the composite Saturn Neptune from early this August to May 2026.”
I noticed her Sun is 7 Aries. The tr Saturn/Mars conjunction in Aries with its push-me-pull-you energies is right there now. I’d imagine her still unresolved tax affairs would stand in the way of her ambitions, for now at least.
Andy Burnham?
I doubt hypocrisy has a clear astrological marker, but comparing Starmer’s behaviour and performance since he became PM with his wholesale criticism of the previous government when he was in opposition, could almost be turned into a case study.
The irony is that Tony Blair probably would have won again in 2010 had he not been pushed into standing down for Gordon Brown. Wonder how different the country would look now if he had. I bet Brexit wouldn’t have happened.
The financial crash would still have happened and without Alistair Darlings hands on the tiller
It will probably will drag on and on before he throws in the towel. He isn’t going to go willingly. He sees himself as a fighter when in reality he lacks the self awareness to realise everything is against him and he needs to move on. He must be going through hell.
An excellent example of the Buddhist concept of suffering and attachment: the more he clings – the more he will be suffering.
Indeed. And that Pluto conjunct Saturn aspect will make him face his fears and face up to responsibility. Whether he likes it or not.
Meant transit not aspect.
New moon at the bendings of David Lammy’s Nodal axis….is he to be thrown under the bus?
One suspects that Foreign Office civil servants would normally want the job of UK ambassador to Washington to be awarded to a member of their own professional diplomatic corps. It is the ultimate career pinnacle for most people working in that sector. The appointment of Mandelson to the role was therefore always primarily a political decision which Starmer and Lammy must have made. It should be noted that Robbins only became the civil service head of the Foreign Office on 8th January 2025 which is after Starmer had formally announced Mandelson’s was going to be ambassador to Washington on 20th December 2024