Michael D Higgins – Ascending to the top later in life

From just across the water, I always keep my eye when I can on how Ireland are doing. In the recent elections for the Presidency, Michael Higgins came out of nowhere to sweep to victory. He is the 9th president of the Republic of Ireland and having discovered a birth time for him, I today look at his horoscope and also his Presidency chart as he was inaugurated at 12.30 on 11th November.

Michael D Higgins was born in Limerick, Ireland on 18th April 1941 at 15.51 (unverified time). This gives him a Aries Sun combined with a late Capricorn Moon and a Virgo ascendant, the sign of the writer. Most of the planets on Michael’s chart lie in the Western hemisphere, so he will be someone who instinctively thinks of others ahead of himself. His chart is also notable for having no planets in water signs and just one in mutable ones. What he lacks in outward emotion and flexibility, he more than makes up with fiery enthusiasm and dogged staying power, although when faced with a problem, he will stick his heels in and refuse to budge. One suspects he will be holding the Enda Kenny government firmly to task.

Michael’s Sun Moon combination shows that he is a winner, someone who likes to initiate things and make things happen. This he does in a cool detached administrative way. When he has plans, he sees them through to completion. Michael’ s Sun sits in conjunction with Venus in a friendly, yet sparky conjunction in a packed 9th house. Michael is full of life and enthusiasm, he is one who will never let the grass grow under his feet. Also in this 9th house we find Jupiter Saturn and Uranus. Always on the go, he will always have had a passion for learning, education, knowledge personal faith and travel.

Now out of this 9th house we find Sun/Venus at the point of t-square and Jupiter/Uranus as part of a grand earth trine. Looking at the t-square first, we see the motivation which he used to get to where he is now. The Sun and Venus is squared by a Moon Pluto opposition. This opposition shows that Michael by joining party politics, shown by 11th house where Pluto sits went in to change Irish society as he saw it. Of course, Pluto also likes to control and the overriding feeling will be to reform and to change and to be a person of note in the process. This he does with deep controlled emotion. The Moon in Capricorn refuses to hides one’s feelings, and so Michael will be expressive, passionate, coming from deep within. Sometimes the Moon in the 5th house is dramatic, even childlike in it’s enthusiasm, and one can get carried away with taking things a touch too far.

The Pluto Moon opposition can create stormy relationships as well as intense ones. This t-square says so much about Michael’s upbringing. Transformational, difficult, close to his mother through the opposition yet there were problems between her and her husband shown through the Moon Sun square. Michael’s father had drink problems and these are shown on the chart too. The 10th house cusp (part of the parental axis 4th/10 houses)has Gemini sitting there and Mercury Gemini’s ruler is afflicted by a quindecile from Neptune, the planet that rules escapism and alcohol. It is all there if you look hard enough.

Mercury connections to Neptune for all you budding astrologers out there always signify creativity of some sort. The mind (Mercury) can drift off into far away places, imagine fantastic thoughts and dream incredible dreams. There are no restrictions on the mental faculties. You often find exceptional musical ability, creative urges or even psychic ability when these two planets combine, dependent on the rest of the chart. With Michael having a critical and precise Virgo ascendant as well as a Gemini Midheaven, both ruled by Mercury, the power of communication and especially of writing were always going to accentuated in his life. Michael grew up to be a poet, a creative writer and broadcaster, all three so typical of a Neptune Mercury aspect. That he stood out from the crowd is due to his grand earth trine, connecting Neptune Uranus and the Moon. Here we have the cool emotion of the Capricorn moon sitting in the creative 5th house combined with the unpredictability of Uranus in Taurus (the sign of construction and creation) in the 9th house of learning, of wisdom and language and of course Neptune in analytical Virgo. A poet and writer not only has to have ideas but also needs to construct the rhythm of the words and phrases so that they flow out in the delivery of the piece. Grand trines show not only a store of talent, but provide a barrier against the outside world. Michael as a youngster would have been very shy and rather disorientated. Neptune in the first house softens the character immensely and with Virgo so prominent he would have worried and fretted about any disturbance in his life. The creative grand trine is where his mind would drift off to through those creative urges and thoughts in the darker times in his life. Of course even as an adult he still has this grand earth trine to fall back on. All trines do need an outlet for the talent to flow and here the outlets are through the quindecile to Mercury (writing and communication) and secondly through the t-square for self recognition, power and control through knowledge, travel and through groups and associations (party politics).

A couple of other things of note. Mars in the fifth house is very high spirited and loves sport, games and competition and Michael is an avid fan of his football team Galway United. With Mars in the fifth I can imagine he would not be shy in loving a bet too, and I understand is a regular attendee for the Galway races, Ireland’s premiere summer horse racing festival. Michael has stamina and determination with this Mars square to Saturn in the 9th house. That Saturn reflects his work as a lecturer in sociology before he got into politics and the seriousness (Saturn) of his human rights work (shown by Uranus in the 9th as well as Mars in Uranus’ sign Aquarius).

His natal chart sits very nicely with the Irish natal chart with his Sun Mercury and Venus conjunct the same three Irish natal planets which are square to his natal Moon. His Saturn is also trine the Irish natal Sun, so he will be well liked and his leadership will be conciliatory and not authoritarian, yet he will at the same time challenge the Irish people emotionally.

His presidency chart for 12.30 on 10th November shows a 9th house Sun opposite the Moon which does reflect this. What is the nature of this challenge? Well making up a grand cross with the Sun and Moon is Neptune and Mars in opposition. This to me says “be creative!!”. Interestingly the North Node sits in close conjunction to both Mercury and Venus, another creative signature. We also have a grand trine of epic proportions, Pluto, Jupiter and Mars and quindeciles from Moon to Venus Mercury and from Jupiter in the 3rd to the Sun in the 9th house. Here is an extreme outreach of interest in foreign relations and trade with the wider world. Saturn does sit in the 8th house of taxes and other peoples’ money, so there will be a serious note of upholding one’s obligations to pay back what Ireland owes.

Ok, let’s put all this together. I think that Michael Higgins coming from such a creative and humanitarian background will want to this opportunity he has been given to bring some humility back to Ireland. The country was obsessed by making money and got itself into huge debt and a proper mess under previous leaders. I see Michael Higgins as someone who will want to get back to older gentler values. Making a place where religion is truly valued, a place where creativity alongside business can thrive, a country where competition and sport is loved and language is important including Gaelic which Michael speaks fluently. It would not surprise me to see an Irish cultural renaissance reasserting itself, as Ireland goes back to it’s older traditions, ones which it will export around the world through song, through writing and communication, through action and deeds, and maybe the odd pint of Guinness. Gentler times lie ahead, reflecting the man and I think truly reflecting Ireland’s soul, something I think that was lost in the Celtic tiger phase the country went through. I think Ireland under his tenure will slowly but surely start to get herself back on track.

Mitt Romney - Christie endorsement a welcome boost to his chances to win the Republican nomination.

Mitt Romney is on a role, just as I thought he would be. He has just had a ringing endorsement from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who many in Republican circles thought might make a late dash into the Republican race himself. The backing not only gives Romney a real boost ahead of an important New England debate, but will swell his financial coffers too with the financial backers behind Christie, now turning around to lend their support to the former Massachusetts Governor.


Astrologically, this comes right on cue. There are a couple of very supportive trines for Mr Romney. Firstly, transiting Uranus which rules Romney’s Midheaven is still nicely trine to natal Saturn and sextile to his ascendant. It will be here for a while yet, giving Romney solid progression to his ambitions. More crucially for now, Romney is receiving the opposite trine, transiting Saturn along with the Sun being trine to natal Uranus, doubling the effect and heralding the support he just received. This backing is a nice surprise for him, and with both Venus and Jupiter bringing luck, money and social support to this Midheaven (his professional persona) through a couple of invigorating squares (Jupiter also squares natal Venus in his 10th house), Mitt’s bandwagon is starting to really move apace. Jupiter is also making a nice sextile to Mitt’s Mars and Venus makes a trine to Mars too. These are all supportive aspects which are helping his campaign and his reputation, pushing him firmly ahead of the pack. Jupiter through Sagittarius rules personal relationships with others on the cusp of the 7th and investments and dealings with other people’s money on the cusp of the 8th, and through these beneficial Jupiter aspects with more to come as Jupiter is currently retrograde, you can see the cash starting to roll in. Even this early into the race without a primary yet to be decided, he will be on a considerable high, looks very much the clear favourite and in my opinion, is going to take a hell of a lot of stopping.

Also please see my extended astrological analysis of Mitt Romney here - Mitt Romney and his 2012 chances

Mitt Romney – Swimming with the tide. A look at the astrology of the Pisces Massachusetts governor running for President.

Mitt Romney is currently leading the polls in the race for the Republican nomination to take on Barack Obama in 2012. This time 4 years ago he failed in his attempt losing out to Senator John McCain. Are things any different this time around and does Mitt stand any chance of becoming president? I look astrologically at his chances.

Mitt was born on 12th March 1947 in Detroit, Michigan at 09.51hrs. There is a second potential birth time which is known to Astrologers of 10.00am but the difference is negligible, for the moment at least. Like his main rival Rick Perry, Mitt is a Sun Pisces and he has a Scorpio Moon and a Gemini Ascendant. Before I delve into the planetary details, it is interesting to note that Mitt has no planets in Earth signs like Hilary Clinton. Those without any planets in earth often lack grounding (an obvious but true statement) and common sense. Starting things off and leading from the front is not really in the nature of the Governor of Massachusetts too, as he only has one planet in a Cardinal sign, and this is spiritual Neptune. With 5 planets in water, Mitt is someone who feels his way through life. He has tremendous determination and staying power with 5 fixed planets, and he is flexible and can shift his position to suit the situation with 4 in mutable signs.

Mitt’s Sun sits in the 11th house in wide conjunction to Mercury and we also find Mars here as well. His strength is in being a team player. He will work best when as part of a group, association or in cooperation with friends. As such, if he does achieve the nomination, his potential running mate I think will prove crucial to his chances, as Mitt is the polar opposite to Barack Obama who is very much his own man and somebody who prefers to run things by himself. With Mercury and Mars in conjunction, Mitt has a sharp mind, his arguments will be clear and convincing and will snap back with a quick response if challenged; this man is a good debater and has a clever turn of phrase in his armoury. Mitt’s Mars is in Pisces so at heart he is naturally non-aggressive and will hold back if challenged to fight. Mercury retrograde is quite reflective, introspective and deep thinking especially when it comes to personal subjects, or things of an emotional nature. Mitt certainly will have a poetic way of communicating, but I suspect he lacks the real passion of emotion in his speeches to inspire the masses, like a Kennedy, Reagan or Clinton for example. The Gemini Ascendant will make him question every action and concept put to him, make him strongly independent and often seem on edge, he may suffer with nervous tension and anxiety.

The Sun and Mercury square to Uranus in the first house. This man likes to be original, to be an individual standing out in the crowd. He will thrive in a fast paced environment, but his energies and thoughts may become scattered once under pressure. Uranus is in Gemini, he may attempt to sort out too many things at the same time, with the risk of nothing ever getting completed. This is also compounded by the lack of earth in the chart. A Taurean emphasis would be so handy here, a steadying hand on the tiller and this is why I believe that above anything else, Romney will need to choose very carefully a running mate who is going to compensate for his lack of earth signs. Mitt will have a penchant and an interest for science, development and the latest technology.

The Sun makes a trine to the Moon and Jupiter closely conjunct in the 6th house of health and everyday work. Here is an optimistic link, someone who believes that luck and fortune is on his side, and generally it is. He has big visions and and will work and work and work to achieve them. Here is no lack of effort. He will be drawn to help people in whatever way he can, to fix what has gone wrong. The 6th house suggests that health will be one area that he will especially be compelled to sort out. This is a tolerant man who will forgive mistakes in others, a worthy aim but one in a politician which can signal weakness. He is emotionally generous, but also very secretive and he will want to know what is going on all around him. Scorpio Moons need to know everything. Scorpio Moon can cause one to be very controlling and even cruel in situations. The iron fist of a tyrant lurks beneath the gentle watery Piscean air that Mitt will portray. This all leads me to think that this could be a very difficult man to work for, sometimes helpful but also capable of being very ruthless.

The last formation on the chart is an extended wedge formation encompassing the 4 planets I have yet to look at. We see a heavy Saturn/Pluto conjunction across the nadir of the chart opposite to Venus conjunct to the Midheaven with Neptune sitting at the point of the wedge. The Saturn Pluto conjunction is capable of huge success in one’s life, it concentrates power, determination and ambition however, as with all the planets the fall side of these planets can be quite devastating. I have nicknames this formation the crash and burn connection, because I have seen so many people with these two planets in a stressful aspect (conjunction, square or opposition) abuse the power and status that it brings, only to suffer the consequences, Rupert Murdoch just recently comes to mind – he has an opposition. Mitt’s conjunction lies opposite to his Midheaven, so it doesn’t take much genius to imagine that a square aspect or opposition from a malefic transiting planet could cause his lasting harmful damage to his reputation. Saturn in the 3rd house makes Mitt rather staid and serious in his communication, he will like to be strictly accurate and light hearted exchanges of views are not really his thing. Saturn is retrograde, so we know that the love of his father was never very forthcoming. Pluto sits in the 4th house, indicating that the relationship with him was very close and controlling. His father would have had a huge influence over his upbringing, someone Mitt hugely admired and yet feared at the same time.

Venus sits in the 10th house in Aquarius. Mitt is married to his work and commitments as much as he is to his wife. Venus in this sign suggests that Ann his wife is very much his friend and that they got married in unusual circumstances, they married immediately after he returned from travelling abroad as a Mormon missionary in France. The trine from Neptune to his Midheaven shows the spiritual link to his early work, and Capricorn on the cusp of the 9th house shows Mitt’s serious attitude to religion. He will want to be known for contributing something positive to the world. If he does become President, watch out for a huge encouragement to the arts, to entertainment and to American creativity in general. This is something that Mitt will want to be associated with. Neptune trine to Venus shows a dreamy expressive quality that is quite lovely. There is a soft heart to this man, someone who will love movies and music, art, theatre and fantasy. Neptune in Libra can be “influenced” by those stronger or more persuasive around them, there is the potential for gullibility or maybe deception in this position and connected to this powerful opposition in the natal chart, this just could be an achillies heel in his personality that could be exposed in the future.

On first inspection of this chart, I would not really believe that Mitt has the confidence and go ahead authority to make it to the White House. No earth signs and just one cardinal planet is not exactly the driving force that America requires right now as the world financial crisis takes a grip. On the cusp of the 2nd and 8th houses, the financial axis on his chart, we find Gemini and Sagittarius which is very laissez fair in one’s attitude to spending and dealing with other people’s money. It is almost expansionist rather than restrictive!! None the less, the transits and progressions for Mitt Romney seem up to the 2012 election quite kind. He has very few oppositions or squares to deal with until the middle of next year, and in late Summer when the big decisions are being made to whom to chose as Obama’s opponent, Romney has some spectacular transits with Jupiter hitting his Ascendant in June, trine to his Midheaven in July as well as being conjunct his North Node. The fact that his main opponents in the race, Bachmann and Perry are so reactionary in their views may just count hugely in his favour. The tide seems to be flowing in his favour this time around.

In August, on 27th the day of the Republican Convention in Tampa, the transiting South Node will be exactly conjunct his Gemini Ascendant. This is a very uncomfortable place for the South Node to be for the subject. Everyone will be so pleased at the wonderful position he is in, but internally he will want to hide away, to be invisible, to disappear. If Romney does win the nomination, and with these planets in the year before this day it is very possible he will win, will the enormity of the position he will find himself in hit home? I think that they will. At that point, he will know that he faces a lion on the attack, the incumbent Leo President that is Barack Obama. Romney’s progressed Moon at that point will start to enter his large 12th house, a time of unravelling of the life, a time of enforced changes when one is kept in the dark while the world around him swirls with confusion and deception. Once you realise what is going on, often it is too late to react and so you have to accept what is really going on. Because of the size of Mitt’s 12th house, the progressed Moon will not exit into his first house until 2016. It does not fill one with a great amount of confidence looking ahead. At the end of August, Mitt will start to pick up a square from transiting Saturn to his Saturn/Pluto conjunction, just as Saturn enters Scorpio in late September. Maybe his beliefs will come under attack, Capricorn ruled by Saturn sit as I mentioned before on the cusp of the 9th.

Despite a setback around this time, destiny may well be giving Romney a helping hand. On the day of the election 6th Nov 2012, the transiting North Node will be conjunct Romney’s natal Jupiter Moon conjunction, activating trines to his Sun and Saturn. This is wonderfully empowering and at this time and very lucky, he will enjoy popularity and support or help from women. I wonder what this means? Might Romney choose Michele Bachmann as a running mate? I only suggest this as their Saturns are in a very constructive trine, and Michele’s Saturn sits opposite to Romney’s Ascendant just into the 7th house of partnerships and her Venus sits on his Ascendant, which is friendly and non-threatening. A working relationship between them perhaps? Michele’s Sun sits in Romney’s 12th house of working behind the scenes, so this could be a good fit. One other thing is that Michele has 5 cardinal planets, a balance to Romney lack of cardinality – she would provide impetus where it was needed, although here is the threat of her being a back seat driver. Michele’s transits and progressions show success too around the time of the next election, and I wondered in a previous article how her fortunes would pan out. A run for vice president, her financial experience as well as an attack dog role would suit her character very well. On that day, Saturn will square his natal Saturn and is also square to his Midheaven. Sometimes Saturn transits throw you extra difficult responsibility to deal with. Might this be a result of this connection? As a note, the last time Romney experienced Saturn in this position, he became CEO of his own venture capital firm, Bain Capital, so the indications are that he does benefit from this particular square. The problem is that Obama has his transiting North Node just past conjunct his Midheaven on the same day and transiting Jupiter sextile his natal Sun.

Trust me this is a difficult call for an astrologer to make so far out from the actual day, as there are a lot of twists and turns that I may not have seen that are coming, however based on the aspects of just a couple of big events, namely the convention and the day of the Presidential election, a successful outcome for Romney on 6th Nov 2012 is, and will remain for now, a distinct possibility but in no way a certainty.

Then, as I mentioned, the problems may grow. The next Presidency I see as a poisoned chalice, with massive debts to control and the ever present Pluto/Uranus square to deal with through until 2015 as well as a looming Pluto opposition to the US Sun in 2015. It is a time where greatness and immortality can be seized if you do a good job, but also a time where the pressures and instability of a troubled age could be immense. Is Romney the man to seize the day if he wins? As Neptune moves finally moves permanently into the early degrees of Pisces, maybe now it will be the turn of a candidate born under the sign of the fish to take up the baton of protecting the American dream? Fate and the heavens may have chosen him a mighty task to take on and one I believe he may struggle to cope with.   

Rick Perry – Reaching for the stars. The astrology of the Texas Governor turned Presidential hopeful.

The expected news came just before the weekend. Rick Perry has had ambitions to be President of the United States but until last week he had been keeping his gunpowder dry. Just before the Iowa straw poll, news came through that the Texas governor was entering the race to emulate his predecessor, one George W Bush. Is America keen for another gunslinger in the White House? I try to asses wether the Lone Star governor has got what it takes astrologically to make it all the way to the top.

Rick Perry was born on 4th March 1950 10 miles outside of Paint Creek, Texas at 10.40am. This time is not absolutely confirmed, but it comes from a Texas Astrologer, so the source seems like a good one

Ok What do we know about him?

Born in a rural cotton farm community where he lived and worked on the land with his family. Apparently it was a tough upbringing and on the cusp of the 4th house we find Virgo and also here is Pluto. Pluto infers the notion of being trapped or controlled. I can imagine that Rick’s home life would not have been a happy one.

As a boy we know he was an Eagle scout. In the 11th house we find the Piscean Sun, he will be a leader in groups and associations and social activities. Ricks friends will be a source of inspiration to him.

At school he studied animal science where he received a bachelors degree. On the Midheaven we find scientific Aquarius and in the house everyday routine and domesticated animals we find Neptune, conferring a real love for looking after them.

We know that Rick was trained to be a pilot and flew military jets while serving in the US Air Force in the Middle East and in Europe until 1977, he also very nearly became a commercial pilot. Mars is the planet signifying the military, and Mars in May 1950 was in social Libra, he was a military pilot turned social one. Mars sits in the 5th house of sports and physical activity and makes a trine to the Aquarian Midheaven conferring him with great technical skill in flying. Venus in the 9th brings fascination in travel and I am sure the chance to go abroad was one of the factors he used in choosing to go into the forces.

We know that Rick is an evangelical Christian. Jupiter is in Aquarius in the 10th house so Rick makes his faith an integral part of his public role. The Sun is in spiritual Pisces and his very conservative religious views are shown by stern Saturn sitting on the cusp of the 9th house.

We are now getting somewhere. Mr Perry’s appearance is always very clean cut, neat and sharp. Even at 61 years of age he looks like someone in their late 40’s which indicates someone who looks after themselves and their appearance, possibly a bit of vanity perhaps? Taurus ruled by Venus sits on the Midheaven showing that streak within him with Mars and Neptune now in the 9th. I understand Rick is a larger than life character and consistent with idea Jupiter is in square aspect to the Ascendant. This aspect reinforces the faith aspect tot his personality and gives him a bit of a lucky streak. 

Finally, here as they say in America “is the kicker”. Rick was encouraged to run for the presidency by his wife. Why did she have to persuade Rick to enter the race? It is because Rick lives under her thumb. Scorpio ruled by Pluto sits on the cusp of Rick’s 7th house. She controls (Pluto & Scorpio) him!! As I will show, her decision affected the race for the Republican nomination.

Right to the chart. Rick has a Sun in dreamy Pisces, the Moon in critical, conservative Virgo conjunct to Saturn, a Taurean Ascendant and a stubborn and erratic Aquarian Midheaven.

The Taurus Ascendant and Aquarius Midheaven give us a man who is a social organiser and a builder of his own little empire, it is in his nature. This is someone who has a very hard line and a severe public face. Rick is in favour of the death penalty, gun ownership, anti global warming and he wanted to go ahead with a $10 billion building programme of coal burning power stations, plans which were drastically reduced under the potential opposition of environmental litigation. All these issues, death, firearms, big business & heavy industry have been very controversial in nature, something that will follow him throughout his work life, he is a very divisive figure.

The basis of this chart are a couple of powerful oppositions. We have the Piscean Sun, dreamy and elusive in a tight opposition to the Moon and Saturn which is retrograde in the 5th house. A lot here to discuss. This opposition is across the 5th and 11th houses, the house of giving and receiving love. With Saturn in the 5th, this is a very reserved man emotionally. The Saturn/Moon combination tells me that Rick had a strict, hard working upbringing. Saturn and Moon together indicate a mother who was tough and critical on her son. Saturn retrograde shows that love was not forthcoming from his father either. Perhaps he was away a lot (unlikely as this was a family farm), or more likely he too was severe or maybe just cold on Rick as he was growing up. With the opposition to the 11th house Sun, I can assume that Rick’s self worth was severely dented as a child. The proof can be seen as Uranus in the 2nd house is exactly square to the Nodal Axis (otherwise known as the maternal axis). Here is a very cold and unpredictable relationship with his mother. The Moon in Virgo opposite the Sun in Pisces is a very sensitive, even shy combination, prone to being hurt and very self critical. In his soul, Perry sometimes lacks motivation, sometimes he needs to be given a kick up the backside to force him into action. It also makes one over-react, to do too much to overcome one’s weaknesses. The Moon in the 5th shows such an over-reaction. Rick’s will dramatize all his reactions, they will be severely over the top.

Being belittled as a youngster I believe forced Rick into action to join the forces, just to prove to his parents that he was worthy. It is telling that he held back in putting himself forward to join the race, almost as if that self-doubt in his chart was holding him back. It took his wife to push him forward to join the race. I believe that his charismatic nature we know is a front, a smokescreen (a very Piscean analogy) hiding a much more timid and deceptive personality out of the public gaze. That charisma comes from the other opposition on this chart. Jupiter and Mercury in Aquarius opposite to Pluto, forming a wedge with Neptune at the point. Jupiter and Mercury also make a trine to Uranus. This conjunction has great vision, big plans and Perry will be an electrifying, powerful speaker. Jupiter provides the scope, Pluto in opposition the depth, Neptune the grace and a poetic tone and Uranus in trine aspect allows sparks to fly. One thing to notice. This combination is great in rhetoric, but where is the detail behind it? Grand conservative social plans yes (Aquarius, Libra, Cancer) in a rather self-centred way (Pluto in regal Leo). There are no earth planets in this combination giving a grounding to the message. Uranus sitting in the 2nd house of finance rives Rick a rather reckless attitude to money in general. Is this exactly what The US needs in times of austerity? His record in Texas on the face of it does seem impressive, but drill below the surface and the picture is not so clear. The BBC says that Texas although the budget has been balanced still owes a lot of money in unpaid debts, the jobs that have been made are only low paid ones, probably taken up by immigrants and the standard of education has dropped through the floor in the state. Sounds remarkably like the situation in Britain, and see where that has lead us in the last couple of weeks!! Will all this be enough, and will the American system really focus in on what he actually has achieved?

The Sun and Moon opposition also contributes two more things to this chart. Firstly, Perry’s character and his emotions will work at cross purposes, so he will send out mixed messages, causing confusion in personal relationships. Secondly, the most obvious aspects often are overlooked on a chart as people are looking too deeply. We have Sun opposite Moon (conjunct to Saturn), a man versus a woman; a very powerful authoritarian (Saturn) one as well. One of Perry’s challenges will be to fight and defeat Michele Bachmann, who may take enough of the religious right and tea party support away from him, to let Mitt Romney who seems more moderate in his views take the centre ground. Finally before I move to look at current planetary movements, one last connection. Uranus sits square to the nodal axis. This indicates someone who generally is out of step with public opinion. When challenged why their views are so different, they tend to get irritated, insensitive or rebellious. Perry will have to hold his tongue in the Republican debates when his motives and especially his religious opinions are questioned.

I move to the transits and looking at what happened astrologically as Perry entered the race. Last week as Perry mulled over entering the fray, the transiting Sun and Venus were conjunct to Perry’s Pluto just before his announcement on Saturday 13th. A minor connection, but a significant one. With Scorpio on the cusp of the 7th as I suggest, the push from a female influence (Venus) on Perry’s Pluto persuaded him to enter the race. I think she fancies 4 years in the White House? As he spoke, the Sun was exactly quindecile to his natal Venus again highlighting the female influence on him. Transiting Jupiter was square the Aquarian Midheaven, Sun opposite his 10th house Jupiter and the transiting Moon conjunct it. Mars, highlighting communication in Perry’s chart (Aries on 3rd house cusp) was square to the nodal axis, putting his actions squarely in the public eye (sorry about the pun). The transiting Moon was also opposite to natal Pluto again highlighting his wife’s influence (Cancer on cusp of 7th) and his Scorpio Midheaven ambitions. 

How are things going to pan out. Well transiting Saturn is going to contact Rick’s natal Neptune in the middle of September which will be a debilitating influence. Natal Saturn sits in the 5th house and Neptune in the 6th, is this a risk he has taken that will suddenly go wrong, the 5th house is the house of affairs? The 9th & 11th houses are involved too, so does this situation have international connections with friends or groups? We shall see next month.  I believe this will be a critical time for him. In December 2011, Perry starts to pick up a transit that will last for him from that time through until the Presidential election itself. Transiting Pluto will square to Rick’s natal Mars and also square his Nodal Axis. Pluto is operating out of it’s own 8th house of change and transformation, Mars is in Rick’s 5th house of affairs, creativity and speculation and rules the 12th house of sacrifice and service. Pluto rules the 7th house of relationships, dealing with others and of open enemies. This square to the Nodes harks back to events in April 2011, when Pluto stationed exactly on Perry’s node before turning retrograde. This square is very destructive and accurately describes the wildfires which were affecting Texas at the time. Looking back, Perry was considered crazy by some at the time as he officially asked for spiritual help for Texas by declaring a 3 day period of prayer for rain as a cure for the disaster affecting his state. The divine intervention never came as the sun continued to beat down. Watch to see if Perry’s opponents jump on this weakness for using God as a panacea for all the ills and disappointments going on in America.

Looking at election day 6th November 2012 if Rick makes it that far, we have a mixed bag of transits for him. On the plus side, we have a nice sextile between transiting Jupiter and natal Pluto and a trine between Jupiter and Neptune. Jupiter will also square the Sun, Moon and Saturn opposition. I feel the effect of over-confidence on this aspect, and in the process he will get a hit to the self-worth profile. Transiting Neptune will be square to his Taurus Ascendant on election day, not a very happy one and dissolving any dreams he will have. Neptune transiting the 10th house of work is also not an auspicious platform for launching a Presidential campaign. This will be a time when Rick will be unsure of his direction in life, and any deceit that he has been party to will come out, or then again may be deceived himself. Transiting Saturn also will be square natal Venus, this will be an emotionally depressing time.

Having now got a definitive birth time, I am still not convinced by Rick Perry. As an outsider and somebody who is looking at this from a neutral perspective, I do feel that there does seem something false about his chart. A lot of bravado & charisma yes, but not so much substance. I also think he tends to hide behind his religious views too much. The other lingering doubt remaining with me is this. If he was so confident of winning, why didn’t he enter the race earlier, and why did his wife have to push him so much to get him to run? Something tells me he is hiding something. The less time you are under scrutiny, the less time there is to dig the dirt on him. As the competition heats up over the coming months, the planets will find out the truth.

**** Update 10th Nov 11 ****

I sort of knew it would happen somewhere along the line. During a live CBS debate, Rick Perry last night made a huge gaff when trying to remember all three government agencies he would cut if he became President. He remembered two, Commerce and Education but then he stumbled, and even asked his rivals if they could help. Fully 15 minutes later, he finally came up with the answer, the Energy agency. Fifteen minutes too late and his Presidential campaign seems to be falling apart. This happens as the transiting Nodes now are starting to square his Sun opposition to Moon/Saturn, Uranus was almost exactly square (0.04 degrees) to it’s own position and disorientating Neptune was approaching an exact square to his ascendant. I think we can now fully discount his chances (at least this time around) for him having any chance of becoming President in 2012.

Angela Merkel – German Chancellor facing mounting criticism over EU bail out.

Angela Merkel is facing opposition in her own coalition in Germany after agreeing to bail out European member states in the continuing debt crisis. As the one economy which is bucking the trend of downturn and depression, Germany is facing the prospect of using it’s hard earned profits to help out it’s poorer and one would say badly governed neighbours in Southern Europe. It is a strategy that is not garnering support in the German nation.

She was born on 17th July 1954 in Hamburg, Germany at 17.45, a Sun sign Cancerian with a humanitarian Aquarian Moon and a outwardly looking Sagittarius Ascendant. The mix of Sun and Moon shows that Angela has a social conscience, her emotions go out to help people. She is an innovator, very security conscious and will protect her position and those who support her as much as possible. Angela will be very sensitive to the needs of other people & she will do whatever she can to foster good relations. As with all those with their Sun in water signs, if things don’t go the way she wants, she can get very moody as well.

There is much Aquarian influence over Angela. Her Sun is closely in contact with Uranus and the Moon is in Aquarius. You know looks can be deceiving. This lady is very much an individual, quite quirky, plus her instincts will encourage her to go out on a limb and stand her ground. The Sun and Uranus are a very stubborn combination in this regard, and it may get her into trouble if she decides on a course of action in disregard to others advising her. It is very interesting that the Sun and Uranus, as well as Pluto (associated with big business) and Venus (associated with social affairs and personal possessions) are all in the 8th house of other people’s money, and her current stance over the debt bail out is the one causing her trouble. With 4 planets in the 8th, interest in big business, investment & finances will have coloured her life. Uranus here always indicates someone who favours free market economics, Uranus does not like barriers. Angela’s relationships will be emotional, intense and stormy with both Pluto, Venus and Uranus in this house, although you won’t know it. The Cancer Sun and Scorpio influence (8th house and Pluto) will mean that both her husband and any problems will be kept strictly out of the public glare, firmly behind closed doors. Angela will also have a interest in scientific subjects, she studied physics at university and also more taboo subjects too like life after death, maybe astrology and the occult, and I am sure that she will be an inventive cook. Cancerians love their food and Uranus adds ideas and the need to experiment. 

The Sun and Uranus make a square to Neptune and the Midheaven. I always say that the Sun and it’s position show a picture of the father and with Angela’s chart it describes him perfectly. He was a Lutheran pastor, a man of the cloth. The link from Sun to Neptune (the spiritual planet) shows this clearly. The interesting part is that despite living in East Germany, he was allowed to preach in West Germany, travelling across the Iron Curtain border without hindrance. The conjunction of Uranus, the planet of freedom and humanitarianism connecting with both Sun and Neptune indicate the privilege he had. In Angela’s life this square highlights that she has a social ideal and dream that she wants to share through her work in service to others. Neptune is in Libra which if anything accentuates the community aspect of this. It is also conjunct to Saturn. Saturn is in Scorpio the 10th, a very heavyweight placing. Angela has a deep overriding desire to administrate, to control & to be in charge, to be a respected person of stature in the world. Neptune adds a preaching element to the mix and through to the Midheaven we have a connection to being at the top of the tree. A sneaky liking for being in the limelight is also given by Neptune being in the middle of the sandwich between Saturn and Midheaven. She will be very hard on herself and also on others around her. Letting go of that controlling tendency to allow other people to do their job, will always cause friction in her life and in her relationships.

Being a social servant of others is also shown by the Moon in Aquarius which is in the 2nd house of finance and personal possessions widely opposite to Pluto. Her emotions are cool on the outside and turbulent on the inside, as well as being fickle. Sometimes she will be passionate and involved, sometimes cold and uninterested. The connection to Pluto shows that on an emotional level, at least once in her life, she will ditch all her ties and start afresh, and it is known that she divorced her first husband Ulrich, and she then remarried. I can imagine there would have been a battle over finances in the split, Moon in the 2nd opposite Pluto in the 8th will fight for their own possessions and money with fierce determination.

That determined streak to win in any battle is shown by Mars trine to Pluto from the first house. Mars is in Sagittarius showing a wonderful pioneering spirit, a Sagittarian Ascendant needs a challenge to keep them going. There is a definite sense that she is someone with boundless energy, full of grand plans and big ideas; although she must also be careful not to promise more than she can deliver. Angela will get most offended if she is not listened to, and if her ideas and philosophies are rejected, then depression can set in. Mars is retrograde in her chart indicating that the energy she has is internally focused and will be turned in on herself, frustration may well be something that beats her up inside, rather than externally venting it on those around her.

Mars makes a tight quindecile to Jupiter and Mercury in the 7th house. Here is someone who will be aggressive and very quick off the mark in debate with others (7th house). She will love the cut and thrust of discussing theories, philosophies and policies and sharing them with the public. She will not mince her words with Mercury trine to Saturn; she will be a straight talker, getting down to the bare bones of an argument or discussion without any fuss. Her brain will work on a deep serious level and she will be able to handle complex problems and ideas in a thorough and methodical approach. Jupiter and Mercury often indicate a talent for teaching and this is one avenue she may well take up once she leaves politics following her mother. Jupiter and Mercury are in conjunction with the Nodal Axis (the maternal axis); Angela’s mother was a language teacher – Mercury accentuates communication and Jupiter shows the international nature of it. The Moon in the second (the other indicator of the mother) shows that she served the public.

Mercury through the trine to Saturn makes a grand mini trine to Venus in Virgo. She will be interested in and will appreciate beauty & fashion, but her own style will be in a straight-forward and unfussy manner, rather more functional than haute-couture.

Problems do look as if they are on the horizon for Angela on the work front. Looking at the transit chart first, the standout aspect I see is Saturn approaching a conjunction with Angela’s Midheaven at 17 Libra. This aspect which becomes exact in September is a double edged sword. Saturn hitting the zenith of a chart is a time when all the chickens come home to roost, everything that you have been preparing for workwise in the previous months and years comes to completion, with either good or devastating consequences. Looking to where Saturn and Capricorn is placed tells me that Angela during the first pass will lay down the law but in the process, her authority will be challenged (Saturn in 10th house) and as such her self worth will be hit (Capricorn on cusp of 2nd house). Saturn will then go on to conjunct with Neptune at 23 Libra and in the process square to her Sun/Uranus and sextile to Pluto; Saturn will finally return to this degree in May, June and July next year. This is a very depressing, downbeat, disintegrating type of influence that is connected with the finance problems which are surfacing now through the connection to the planets in the 8th house. By extended house rulership, the 2nd, 8th, 11th and 12th houses will be hit most  - self worth 2nd, other peoples money and big business 8th, party issues and alliances 11th, and a lack of personal control over things 12th. What happens to her at this time will be the result of other people’s decisions.

On the Solar Arc Charts, SA Pluto sits on Angela’s Midheaven which shows a transformation in progress of her public image. SA Neptune is also making a sextile with her Midheaven, putting a cloud over her authority. SA North Node and Ascendant are both quindecile Pluto showing her making a stance and putting her firmly in the public eye. Finally in one year’s time, as transiting Saturn completes it connection to Neptune, Sun and Uranus, SA Midheaven will conjunct her Ascendant. A time for appreciating one’s achievements, but also a time for moving on? I don’t think so, although after the latest set of transits her authority will be much weakened. Angela is one tough, tough cookie and will take some shifting, she won’t go without being pushed. However in 2013/14 as SA Venus starts to connect with Angela’s natal Saturn, the time of the next scheduled elections in Germany, I think she will either be voted or forced out. Libra rules her Midheaven and so any transit or progression to or from Venus will affect her position as Chancellor.

Michele Bachmann – Is America ready for a female president?

The race for the Republican nomination to challenge Barack Obama is now on and a surprise woman candidate is starting to steal all the headlines, Michele Bachmann. You know, sometimes it’s the one with the momentum, the one who comes out of nowhere who often steals the crown in American elections. Barack Obama emerged from the pack last time out having relatively little experience as a US Senator to eventually waltz away with the Democratic nomination and then the presidency, and the one I remember the most was Bill Clinton. Back a year and a half before Bill won the presidency, I read a newspaper article about this relatively unknown (unknown to those of us in the UK) politician from Hope, Arkansas who was building up a head of steam in the 1992 race. Twenty years on and the effect is happening again. Is this woman the real deal? Let’s look at the astrology.

Michele is a fiery Aries, born on 6th April 1956 in Waterloo, Iowa. I do now have an unconfirmed birth time for her, of 12.08. Is this am or pm? We have a couple of strong clues that it is pm. The first is an insatiable love for caring for children. She has had 5 herself and cared for 23 foster girls too!! The fifth house is the house of children and in her chart Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter (the planet of generosity and excess) is intercepted in the 5th. We also find Scorpio ruled by Pluto which on the cusp  which if anything increases the effect – Pluto never knows when to stop. Those foster children had eating disorders, born out by the Pluto effect. Saturn sits in the 5th house too showing a serious attitude to looking after children opposite to Venus. You can see the link immediately in the opposition, girls (Moon) with serious health problems (Capricorn ruled by Saturn sits on the cusp of the 6th house of health). Placing Sagittarius squarely in the 5th house of children, confirms the second of the two clues. Michele has strong Christian faith, also ruled by Jupiter. By placing Sagittarius in the 5th, we suddenly find that Neptune the planet of spirituality is on the cusp of the 9th house of faith and beliefs. Serious Saturn sitting in Sagittarius adding a conservative edge to her beliefs. A very nice fit indeed.  She will feel that he rightful place is at the top, and with Leo on her Ascendant and Sun and Mercury conjunct to her Midheaven, it only reinforces these desires. 

Ok, working to the assumption that 12.08pm is a probable birth time, we have a 10th house Aries Sun conjunct to Mercury with an Leo ascendant too. The 10th house Sun is always a position of wanting to run things, her career and reputation will be very important to her. The Sun Mercury combination is a partisan one, she will see things her way and she will be outspoken. Aries ascendants as well as Mercury and Sun in Aries always remind me of the proverb “Look before you leap”. This is the thing that she has to learn to do as Sun/Mercury in Aries often doesn’t, landing those with the conjunction often in hot water. She will say and do things she will regret later, however if ever you want someone to lead you out of difficult situation (as the US is financially in), then there is nobody better than a forthright Aries to lead the way & Michele will be “vey” Aries in nature. That is what they were brought onto this earth to do.

The Sun/Mercury conjunction is trine to a Jupiter/Pluto in Leo conjunction sitting in the 2nd house of money and finance. Here is a need for the control of finance and this conjunction is opposite to her Aquarian Moon in the 8th house of big business and dealing with other people’s money. Michele is a finance and tax expert with huge experience. She has an emotional connection to the handling of other people’s money. With Mars in the 6th house of everyday work and Capricorn as I mentioned on the cusp of this house, Michelle will be extremely very hard working and have a very disciplined attitude. A money expert is just what America needs in these austere times? Returning to Pluto and Jupiter, Michele will have a love of luxury life and will spend hugely on making her own home as comfortable as possible. Pluto and Jupiter hate petty minded people, so watch out for her cutting down critics to size in a forthright manner, and also need to feel power and recognition, especially as both these planets sit in regal Leo.

Saturn is retrograde, as ever indicating that lack of love received from her father in her younger years (as mentioned before her parents divorced) and squares onto Pluto. This square is a profound aspect when activated by transits or progressions. Often losses or disappointments in life lead to some sort of emotional breakdown or depression, frustration and reinvention of the personality. Change comes at a cost, often through great pain – I suspect the parental split would have hit her very hard. Alongside these possibilities comes the potential with Saturn/Pluto for great achievement, high ambition and success. These people strive for the ultimate. With a square from Pluto to Venus indicating deep emotions and potential transformation through relationships, a t-square is formed. I get the feeling that when activated, this t-square has the potential for great heartbreak. Luckily for Michele at this time, that activation is someway off in the future. Saturn also trines onto Uranus, so she will have a knack for keeping the conservative values she holds true, yet pushing forward new radical ideas in the same breath. With the same old faces like Mitt Romney & Newt Gingrich seemingly towards the head of the running, and seeing that last time John McCain rain a pretty lame campaign on behalf of the Republican party, I get a feeling that they will be looking for a fresh new face to battle against Obama. Having got a taste of the female touch with Sarah Palin last time out, I wonder if Michele might just be the right woman to appear at the right time? Will her more controversial views like banning same sex marriage (conservative Saturn in the 5th of love given opposite to Venus and trine Uranus) hold up when opened to scrutiny?

There is one more t-square on the chart based around a dynamic Mars/Uranus opposition. Mars is in serious hard working Capricorn and Uranus accentuates this. Michele is a grafter, highly ambitious, disciplined somebody who will use all her energies and talents to get the job done. She will be an excellent strategist and planner and realistic in her aims. Even if she doesn’t make the top job, I can see her being very influential in the financial planning of a future Republican administration along the way. Mars squares onto Neptune in the 4th, so she has an ideal, a dream that that serious Mars in Capricorn is working towards, and she will have some innovative ideas to back her up vision. That vision I believe is two-fold, a social and spiritual vision for society in general based around her faith (Neptune in Libra) and more pertinently to her own situation a dream home full of peace and harmony. Having come from a broken home, one can certainly wish that she finds that ideal.

Finally Uranus conjuncts her ascendant from the 12th house. This gives Michelle a identification with those who are suffering. There is a very humanitarian response to those in need and her instinct reaction will be always to help. With the US in dire need of someone with financial management experience to pull the debt around, I think that this placing was very powerful and instrumental in her decision to run for the Presidency. She like to be an individual, someone out on a limb, and the conservative Tea Party, part of the Republican party but distinct in philosophy and ideas suits her perfectly.

Michele’s chart stacks up nicely alongside the US natal chart too. Her Aquarius moon is in conjunction (around 3 degrees) of the US moon, so her emotions will be picked up favourably by the American public. Her Sun/Mercury and Midheaven opposes the US Saturn; this is a huge link as her message will sit well with how the US needs to be administered. Her Neptune (dreams) trine the US Moon or public’s perceptions. Her hardworking Mars opposes the US Mercury, I suspect she may have battles with the press. The really interesting aspect is that her North Node is conjunct the US ascendant (using the US Sibly chart). If the US chart I use is correct (there has always been great debate about the formation time of the US as a nation), then I can safely say that Michele and the US are made for each other.

Michelle has been very vocal in the recent debt default crisis. Saturn opposite the Midheaven which is happening right now will encourage criticism of her stance on the matter. Saturn will go on to oppose both Sun and Mercury causing frustration and maybe run-ins with the media (Mercury rules the 3rd house of the press). However Saturn transits cause you to learn and by late autumn these transits will have passed. One other slightly worrying transit for her campaign is the fact that transiting Neptune will be square to her Saturn/Venus opposition for quite a while. Neptune tends to hide the truth until other transiting planets bring things into the open. Maybe there are skeletons in her closet. Michelle’s Solar Arcs are quite remarkable.

At the time of the next Presidential election she will have SA Jupiter opposite her natal Sun & Midheaven which signifies luck, success and recognition, her SA Moon conjunct her natal Sun also giving her illuminated achievements and a female initiated influence. Her Solar Arc Pluto will be sextile natal Jupiter which is extremely lucky and hints at big power. Solar Arc Venus will be opposite natal Uranus which gives excitement and  a sense of being appreciated. All together, these are a very fortunate set of Solar Arc transits all hitting at the same time. It bodes extremely well for her.  Oh yes, one more aspect for you to consider. On the date of the next Presidential election, transiting Saturn will be exactly trine the US natal Venus, the sign of a female influence on the administration of the country perhaps?

Having looked at all the three main candidates, I am siding to the view that Michele will be involved in some way in the shake-up in the end, but maybe not as the Presidential candidate herself. I am leaning the way that she may be ideal vice-president material, possibly to Mitt Romney as the main challenger to Obama, and as a pay off to the tea party supporters who’s influence now have a firm hold within Republican circles. There is a lot of water to flow under the bridge, however Nov 2012 may turn out to be a highlight time for Michele whatever happens. The future in my opinion in the longer term looks extremely bright for her.

Benjamin Netanyahu – Caught between a rock and a hard place.

Whilst the world were straining their eyes on the Capitol building to see if the Americans would pass a budget for the next year, a important concession was rung out of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu by President Obama, namely for Israel to accept the 1967 borders as a starting point for peace negotiations with the Palestinians, although places where Jewish settlers were now occupying must also be taken into consideration. In Israeli terms, this is a seismic shift in policy, after in May Netanyahu flatly refused to accept such an idea and at home & it may have severe consequences for a leader under pressure from his own people.

Benjamin Netanyahu was born on 21st October 1949 in Tel Aviv, Israel at 09.30am. He is a double Libran with both Sun and Moon in the sign of the scales and he has, if the birth time is correct a Sagittarian Ascendant although right on the cusp, quite possibly he may have Scorpio rising if the birth time was a couple of minutes out. Libra is the sign of the diplomat, the negotiator, the one who wants an easy stress free life & Benjamin is very Libran in nature with 4 planets in the sign. Incidentally, you may not know, but wheeling and dealing is in the very fabric of Israeli consciousness too (not that you would have known it in the past few years), as Israel also has a Libran ascendant; one which conjuncts with Netanyahu’s Sun. They go together like peaches and cream. Libra does have one big fault though, not being able to make one’s mind up and wanting to keep people happy and it leads you to sit on the fence when a critical decision does have to be made.

To the chart. Netanyahu has his Sun, Moon and Neptune all in the 11th house in Libra surrounding the South Node and still in conjunction with them but in the 10th sits Mercury. It is funny and quite ironic that the 11th house is both the house of politicians and also of love received, politicians adore all the attention, don’t they? That’s why they get into the job. With such a focus on the 11th house, politics and committees were always going to be an avenue Netanyahu in life would have travelled down. Eleventh house people need appreciation and love shown to them, and in that Libran way he will be able to “bend” or sacrifice principles to get the peace and harmony he inwardly craves as well as position himself to vault himself up the political ladder. Netanyahu is somewhat of a yes man, certainly in regard to his dealings with others in positions of power. Now, this chart does have 6 planets in cardinal signs so Netanyahu will be a go ahead type. It leads me to believe that he will act despite the Libran inclination to prevaricate, but in order to keep others around him sweet and possible at the expense of other more pressing matters. Criticism in Israel of Netanyahu’s tenure as Prime Minister has been of his pre-occupation of keeping his coalition together, rather than forging ahead with new policies.

Sun, Moon, Neptune and Mercury is not only quite a gentle combination but also a slippery one too. This conjunction on this chart gives me the impression that Netanyahu goes very much on his instincts in negotiation and discussion, able to go with the flow. We have the influence of both water and air here, highly tuned in but also extremely flexible, so long as it is in the best interest of Netanyahu (and in turn through the connection of the two charts, the Israeli interest). Netanyahu knows his history, Moon and Mercury (especially in 10th) in conjunction always shows a deeply ingrained love of the past, and he should know what will and won’t be acceptable to his people.

I feel that this passionate love of the homeland and history would have been ingrained into Benjamin by his mother, especially because of the close link of the Moon to the South Node and thus Nodal axis. There would have been an inseparable bond between them. The Sun/Moon/Neptune Mercury stellium make a sextile out to Pluto and Mars in Leo in conjunction in the 9th house of faith, education, wisdom and internationalism. This is a very power driven combination, ruthless & determined to make one’s mark on the world. Netanyahu’s Jewish faith will be very close to his soul, and he will defend it with all his might; as faith and homeland are so intertwined, he would fight just as much for his country shown by Mars sextile to his Sun (conjunct Israeli Ascendant). He entered the Israeli army after leaving school and served in the special elite forces with distinction. With a strong accent on this chart on the 9th house, it is no surprise that a major part of Benjamin’s life was spent abroad, mainly in the US studying. Before he became Prime Minister, he served as a long time as Israeli foreign minister, and the international influence in his life also extended to his relationships as he was to married a British woman, the second of 3 marriages in his life so far. Gemini is on the cusp of the 7th house, so Benjamin was never going to be one who would be emotionally tied to just one woman in his life, Gemini is just too fickle for that, and Mercury ruling Gemini is in conjunction with Neptune, which is always searching for the ideal. This is backed up Venus in Sagittarius square to Saturn. Venus in Sagittarius wanders for love, is never settled, always wants more and is not afraid of taking the odd emotional risk. Along that road, Benjamin would have met a lot of setbacks and disappointments (Saturn) in his search for the ultimate love (remember back to the 11th house and his need for love).

We find Saturn in critical Virgo conjunct the Virgo Midheaven. The Virgo accent here clearly gives the message of serving others by administration. There is a hard critical edge to his work dealings, a penchant for order and correctness. I can imagine him to be a hard and severe task master to those below him. Saturn conjunct to the Midheaven is a statement of ambition to rise to the top of the tree, which he has done. The Saturn square to Venus I wrote of earlier leads us to the first house. There is obviously a very sociable side to Benjamin away from his work, although I feel that Saturn’s influence would get in the way of him being a true party animal. Venus in the first is very conscious of one’s personal appearance, and again rather than being casual and relaxed as you would expect a Venus in Sagittarius to be, I suspect that neat and tidy would be preferred Netanyahu’s style, coloured by that precise, just so Saturn. Venus in Sagittarius does hint at the idea of idealism, and that idealism in Benjamin flows out from Venus through aspects to Mercury and Neptune (political idealism, 11th), to Saturn and the Midheaven (idealism in his ambitions & position in society/work, 10th) and to Pluto (idealism of his strongly held beliefs and faith, 9th). you can see why he took the path in life he did.

The Sun and Moon square to Jupiter in the 2nd house of money. Here is a big spender who will like a lavish lifestyle, no expense will be spared in acquiring quality possessions. This is a generous man with a big, almost self inflated ego. The square hints to a cheerful, optimistic disposition who generally looks to the bight side in life, there’s always another opportunity around the corner. Jupiter in Capricorn is shrewd with money and here we see another link with his work career and Netanyahu served as Israeli finance minister. Uranus sits in the 8th house of big business and points to him being a big advocate of free market policy, Uranus never if fond of restrictions of any sort. Uranus squares back to Mercury giving him a quick thinking brain; he is an original thinker and will be a electric public speaker able to excite a crowd.

Uranus in the 8th house of change and death is a very dangerous position for it to be sitting, especially if one has a Pluto Mars conjunction as well. It certainly hints at a very up and down life, with big highs and lows, three marriages is an indication of the rollercoaster that Benjamin has lead. His brother Yonathan was killed in the forces while in military action (Aquarius ruled by Uranus is on the cusp of the 3rd house of brothers and sisters) and I get the feeling that Mr Netanyahu better be careful in the decisions he makes, there are a lot of enemies he could make whatever he decides on the Israel/Palestinian question, and nationally he is already in a weak situation.

Currently we are approaching one of those very nasty and potentially dangerous periods for his own political ambitions. Transiting Uranus is square Benjamin’s natal Uranus which is also being opposed by transiting Pluto. On 10th/11th August, Mars will conjunct Netanyahu’s Uranus at 5 Cancer and a few days later hit the July 1st eclipse degree of 9 Cancer, still in conjunction with that natal Uranus. Remember, Mars and Pluto are in conjunction in Benjamin’s chart so any Mars transit will be transformational. In this few days we have Uranus, Mars and Pluto all combining. Now Pluto is operating out of the second house of finance and natal Uranus is in the house of other people’s finance and possessions. Netanyahu at home is facing social protests (Uranus) over housing and social benefits (all 8th house and Uranian issues) and he has record low popularity ratings. Pluto’s rules Scorpio which rules the 12th house on this chart, so Netanyahu will feel helpless to stop the terminal decline he is facing. There could be worse to come as Mars connects up with natal Uranus and hits the eclipse degree. The fact that that eclipse hit Netanyahu in the 8th house of change close to natal Uranus could be a fatal hit. Transiting Saturn also shows a similar picture, as it is conjunct natal Neptune (showing weakness) and it will soon hit his 11th house Moon (depressing) and South Node (a spot on the chart which is always a fall position). By agreeing to this so called compromise with Obama, will the coalition in the Israeli Knesset stay together, or will his own Likud party members see this agreement as the last straw, and decide to distance themselves permanently from the embattled Israeli Prime Minister? The stars do not look helpful for him…

Arnold Schwarzenegger – A look at the horoscope at the film star and politician suffering from personal problems.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has had a tough time recently. First he split from his wife Maria Schriver  in May after a 25 year marriage, and then in the past week his 13 year old son Christopher was severely hurt in a surfing accident and the estranged couple broke off divorce proceedings to be at the bedside of their son in intensive care. Luckily he is in recovery now but in the words of Schwarzenegger, it has been a “scary week”.

Arnold was born on 30th July 1947 in Graz, Austria at 04.10am. He is a proud Sun sign Leo in the first house with a hardworking Capricorn moon and a protective Cancerian ascendant. Immediately one can sense that this is a man who would work like a trojan to get to the top at whatever he set his heart on. The Leo Sun wants to be number one, to rule is his “raison d'être”. With Venus also in the 1st house this is a friendly, kind big hearted fellow, a larger than life character for sure. One with a love of a sentimental side, a love of his family and of his nation. With Venus in the first house also a love of his own beauty, definitely someone who would look adoringly at himself in the mirror, yes Arnold would have a touch of vanity. Once he got to the top, he would protect his position with gusto. The Cancerian ascendant is always a little paranoid of anyone impeding on one’s territory, putting barriers up around one to protect what one has.

The Moon sits in the 6th house of everyday work in Capricorn. Here is the need to administrate combined with huge ambition. These type of people can handle several jobs at the same time, they are true workaholics. The feelings are stifled, well at least on the outside and Arnie may appear tough and business like, while inside he is as emotional as the next person. Moon in Capricorn people are afraid of showing emotion. This is a very practical position for the Moon and Arnie will instinctively act to make the lives of those around him better.

The Moon makes two quindecile aspects to Mercury and Mars (conjunct to Uranus) all in the 12th house. The 12th is the house of service. The Moon/Mercury quindecile shows that when he does speak, and I don’t think he enjoys public speaking, he speaks from the heart in tune with his emotional state at the time.  Mercury trines onto Jupiter giving Arnold a philosophical mind as well as a flair for law and diplomacy.  This endears him with the public  and he will instinctively know how to deal with them, and what they want from him. The Mars/Moon quindecile is emotionally charged. Mars in the 12th in Gemini is busy, wanting to know everything going on, doing several tasks at the same time. It is also a position where one wants to help others and with Uranus adding extra impetus to this, Arnold will work tirelessly on behalf of other people, putting his own needs a distant second. The proud and emotional tie to his community as well as the notoriety and drive that Arnold showed in service to others propelled him to the post of Governor of California. Not bad for a boy from a poor family in Austria. Arnold is not without is impulsive side and when frustrated Mars conjunct Uranus can also be indicative of a sharp temper.

The Moon also make a square aspect to Neptune in Libra in the 4th house. Neptune rules Arnold’s Midheaven through Pisces being on the cusp, and also makes a powerful quindecile aspect to the Midheaven. This Midheaven is connected to most of the planets on the chart, you can the aspect radiating out from the top.  Neptune and Pisces (as you will know if you read my blog regularly) rule creativity, TV and films. The powerful square from Mars and Uranus to the Midheaven show his ambition and determination to be a unique talent on the silver screen. This was always going to be his initial career path.

Neptune makes a sextile to a heavy Saturn/Pluto conjunction in the 2nd house which is also conjunct to that first house Sun. The connection between the Sun and this conjunction shows that the young Arnold would have been dominated by his controlling father. Saturn and Pluto in the 2nd house of self worth indicate that Arnie would have felt completely unworthy. Neptune sort of confirms this fact in the 4th showing that the home was a confusing, destabilizing place. Saturn and Pluto in the 2nd also confers a huge need to build up wealth and possessions, because of a fear of not having enough. There is a huge motivational force here if Arnie could find it as Saturn Pluto can move the earth and achieve incredible feats, however it can also bring one crashing down to earth in a huge way (see my post on Rupert Murdoch and his family).

So we have a young lad who feels inferior and wants to prove himself to his father, who has a streak of vanity within himself and has a dream to get to the top. What did he do? He took up bodybuilding to increase his confidence. There is square from Saturn/Pluto to Pluto in Scorpio in the 5th house. The 5th house is the house of sport, games, exercise and creativity. Arnold always like sport and Jupiter here makes one go to extremes. The Scorpio influence would have increased the effect, making Arnold compulsive about developing his physique and doing heavy workouts. As we all know, Arnie became a champion body builder eventually winning the Mr Universe competition. Jupiter trines to the ascendant too and confers a love of children and a rather risky attitude to affairs of the heart. The revelation that Arnie was fathering two children with 5 days of each other with two separate women back in 1997 just goes to show the dangers of Jupiter and it’s need for excess.

Through the transits of today you can see the see directly the problems Arnie has been suffering. Transiting Pluto has been conjunct to Arnold’s natal moon for the past few months, so this is a breakdown in his emotional life. The Moon rules his ascendant through Cancer so this hits him personally and Pluto through Scorpio sits on the cusp of the 5th house of children. The discovery of the previously unknown (Pluto) child (5th) he fathered has broken his long standing marriage. Transiting Uranus is opposing natal Neptune and is square to natal Moon. As we know, there has been an accident (Uranus) affecting his family (4th house) on water (Neptune) bringing him and his wife (Moon) unexpectedly (Uranus) back together as one, just for a while in support of their son. However this reunion will not last for long and when Saturn squares his ascendant in October this year and not long after squares natal Venus, the divorce process will be complete and Arnold will at last be able to move on with his life.