The Stayner Brothers: Part 1

Steven Stayner and Timmy, the little boy he saved

The stayner brothers charts look very different from each other, even markedly so. Steven Stayner, is the younger brother, he was abducted by paedophile Kenneth Parnell, at seven years old, and kept by him for seven years. Young Steven later died in Motor cycle accident when he was 24 years old. Astrologically, he has a pretty tough chart, and was born under a Mars-Uranus-Pluto conjunction in Virgo. To illustrate the difficulty with this conjunction, there are a few examples that come to mind that have this configuration in their birth charts. Princess Diana has it in her 8th house, and she dealt with various turbulent emotions, which erupted in to her daily life and she battled with health issues, such as anorexia. The Princess died in a head on collision with another car crash in 1997. Amy Bishop, also has the explosive conjunction, and without warning, she gunned down her fellow university teachers. Sexy Johnny Depp was also born under the same configuration, he is popularly known for his creative innovativeness and rebellious nature, and he enjoys playing out his energy through some strange and unique characters on our movie screens. Depp also possesses a much darker side, and enjoys blowing on fire with a mouth full of gas.

In Steven’s chart the Mars-Uranus-Pluto conjunction falls in his 7th house of relationships. Furthermore, this planetary line-up is opposite Saturn. This combination of planets, creates enormous anger and rebellion in the individual. The Mars-Uranus-Pluto aspect is particularly attracted to wild and dangerous activities. Mars-Uranus is potentially accidental in nature, and Mars-Pluto contacts can be frequently found in the charts of abuse victims. The power of his will and assertiveness (Mars) is severely thwarted by Saturn and the potential for violence is heightened, it sometimes shows a difficult relationship with authority figures. If the individual can find a healthy and creative outlet, it can help tremendously. Young Stayner was also born with three planets in Aries (ruled by Mars).

On the night of his kidnapping, transiting Pluto in Libra formed an exact conjunction to his 8th house cusp (underworld). Transiting Saturn in the 4th house had formed a square to Pluto in the 7th house. This suggests some kind of power-struggle at home (4th) and involving his relationships with others (7th). Control (Saturn) and domination (Pluto) can be major issues. A threat (Pluto) to safety and security of his roots (Saturn in 4th), is also indicated. It could have equally represented his parents fighting at home, and going through a difficult separation. Perhaps another scenario would be stricter rules and increased authority in his  personal life, that may have involved power-struggles with a father figure. Astrologically, he was experiencing his first Saturn square to its own natal place. Steven was kept for seven years, brainwashed and sexually abused. If we give an orb of 10 degrees for transiting planets, his Mars-Saturn-Uranus-Pluto configuration was active, during his abduction.

On his return when he entered the police station after another boy was kidnapped. Transiting Jupiter was moving over his Mars-Uranus-Pluto conjunction, suggesting a more beneficial situation and more freedom (Jupiter-Uranus). Steven has a Moon-Neptune conjunction in Scorpio (victimisation) and Uranus was conjunct the natal Moon. Again this transit was suggesting greater emotional (Moon) freedom (Uranus) and can also indicate a change of home. Furthermore, Uranus formed an opposition to natal Jupiter, so three hits suggesting more space, freedom and increased possibilities.

Steven got paid $30,000, to share his story, and he later married and had two kids. However, on the 16th of September, 1989, he was killed by a hit and run driver. Transiting Saturn, Neptune and Uranus, were all in Capricorn trining his Mars-Uranus-Pluto conjunction. Transiting Saturn and Neptune formed a square to Mercury in Aries. Steven led an incredibly intense and short life, and I think it was indicated in his birth-chart that he would deal with some challenging energy in his short-lifetime. Yet, astrology can never pin-point the exact events and can only point to symbols and different levels of expression. Why one person lives a traumatic lifetime and another a fairly easy life will always be a mystery.

Magnus Carlsen: The Number One Chess Player in the World

I thought I would do a rundown of some of the top stories of 2010. First up, is Swen Magnus Carlsen, he is a grand master chess player and chess prodigy. The teenager shot to the number one position as one of the greatest chess players, and all at the grand old age of 19. According to his Russian coach, he is the brightest talent in a generation and is dubbed the Mozart of chess. Magnus Carlsen has become the youngest person ever to top the world ranking in chess. Horoscopically, I look for Planets in Gemini and Aquarius for games of chess, it’s fitting for intellectual genius and if we also think along the lines of mental competiveness (Mars), you may not be surprised to find that young Carlsen here, has his Mars and part of fortune conjunct in Gemini, forming a trine to his north node in Aquarius at 00 degrees. Mars in Gemini has a versatile energy which is clever and physically agile; this placement works best when the mind is actively engaged in healthy competition. There is often dexterity in activities, and a liking for debate and mental challenges.

What is also interesting in this chart is that Mercury is in Sagittarius (detriment) and it certainly doesn’t seem to hinder his mental focus. Mercury in Sagittarius understands life based on larger, intuitive concepts, and these people are often enthusiastic on an intellectual level. The young man has reached the heights of Mount Olympus in the chess world, and according to Greek Mythology; Zeus (Jupiter) was the king of the gods who ruled over all the other gods. In Magnus’ horoscope he has Sun in Sagittarius trine Jupiter in Leo. This contact bestows faith, confidence, enthusiasm, but it can give rise to over-confidence. The prodigy was born when Uranus and Neptune were conjunct in Capricorn, and he shares this generational contact with other young and brilliant stars such as Justin Bieber, Dakota Fanning and Brooke Greenberg. Brooke is the little girl who baffled scientists worldwide and was referred to as “The Child Frozen in Time", in a U.S documentary. This 172 year cycle fuses mysticism, art, literature, and idealism, with science, enlightenment, progress and innovation. Astrologer Sue Tompkins says that stories surrounding “frozen water”, such as icebergs, glaciers, snowstorms and ice cream, may also feature at this time. I think this would also represent a child frozen in time, too. So, excellent analysis by Ms Tompkins.

The transits that occurred when Magnus first become world champion, shows transiting Saturn in Libra in exact trine to Mars in Gemini. It formed a grand trine in his natal chart, and it involved Saturn-Mars-NN and his part of fortune. The transiting Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in Aquarius sextiled his Mercury in Sagittarius.

Slavery Abolished: New Independence - Uranus in Aries

On September 25th, 1927, all forms of slavery were abolished after a treaty was signed at the League of Nations Slavery Convention. The astrology of this day is extremely relevant.  There was a line-up of planets in Libra (justice and equality), and transiting Uranus made an early entry into Aries and formed a conjunction with Jupiter. Meaning greater opportunities and increased freedom.

Uranus rules freedom, greater consciousness, and demand for change, along with a new vision for humanity. It’s not that slavery is completely abolished, and we could look at child labour and the illegal factories which  pay very low wages to its workers. The abolishment of slavery is a turning point in our History, and the sign of Aries represents independence and signifies the rights (Uranus) of the individual as a singular identity without bondage to any person, goverment, or system. I believe it was an important point in humanity’s growth and a major step forward, although we still have a long way to go.

The whole period was liberating for the opposite sex, according to astrologer Sue Tompkins, it was the first time that women smoked, drank, cut their hair, voted and went on dates unchaperoned. People with Uranus in Aries are part of 7 year group of people who are highly independent, self reliant and self-willed. It symbolises a rowdy group of individuals who break many time honoured traditions and customs, and many ideas are pioneered and introduced at this time.

Stir of Echoes

Stir of Echoes is one of my favourite films, and after recently reading Liz Greene’s “The Astrological Neptune, and the Quest for Redemption”, it helped me greatly with some of the astrology themes in the movie. The obvious connection involving Neptune is the link with the paranormal, “psychism” and spiritual side of the life. However, the process leading up to this opening of the mind to a profound psychic experience is related to hypnotism. Kevin Baker plays Tom Witzky a phone lineman who is sceptical of all things paranormal and unexplainable. Tom challenges his sister in law to hypnotize (Neptune) him and after putting him under she gives him a post hypnotic suggestion to be more “open minded”. However, this opens the flood gates of his latent psychic ability (Neptune). Tom begins to have visitations by a teenage girl who is trying to communicate with him. The story unravels to reveal that the girl who is visiting him, had a mental disability and regressive childlike personality (Neptune), and she was quite a naïve and innocent girl. I won’t spoil the whole plot-line for those who haven’t watched the move. I do sometimes tend to ruin the story-line for others; it could be my own Mercury-Neptune aspect which is to blame. However, if you haven’t watched it, definitely check it out.



My favourite chapter in The Astrological Neptune, and the Quest for Redemption is, The Discovery of the Unconscious, and I will type up some relevant points about the art of hypnotism, relating to this film:

The term Hypnosis (from Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep) was coined by the Scottish physician James Braid during the 1840’s, coincident with the actual discovery of the planet Neptune. The discovery of this gateway into the unconscious, which had such profound ramifications for psychology, psychiatry, medicine, and spiritualism in the centuries which followed, is a fascinating one. It is useful to examine certain aspects of the phenomena of hypnosis. Sometimes it seems that the Neptune-dominated personality walks about in a state of perpetual semi-hypnosis, terrifyingly suggestible to just about anything passing by. Hypnotists generally agree that certain types of people are extremely difficult to hypnotise. The psychotic, the drunk, and the drug addict may pose insurmountable problems because hypnotic trance requires a relinquishing of ego control to the hypnotists, and in the three conditions mentioned above, there is no ego left to give away. In contrast the hyper rational temperament is equally difficult to hypnotise, although this is due largely to extreme defensiveness rather than lack of suggestibility. By Liz Greene, The Astrological Neptune, and the Quest for Redemption

Subjects in a state of hypnosis show an increased response to suggestions and the hypnotic state can also be used to heal morbid phobias, pain and other health Symptoms. It may even be used as a mild anaesthetic and the person under a trance can be poked with needles and not feel a thing. The hypnotist can even induce the senses into to believing that they feel, itching, burning, and other bodily discomforts. A bond between hypnosis and subject is apparent through the way the individual follows the instructiions of the hypnotist, even it means embarassing himself. According to Liz Greene, sometimes clairvoyant and telepathic phenomena occur. It is highly fascinating exploring how hypnosis works and its relationship to Neptune and the unconscious. It is also suggested that people who have Neptune powerful in the chart, aspecting one of the luminaries (Sun and Moon) or placed on a angle, are extremely open to psychic experiences.

The belief in spirits is widespread and it dates back to ancestor worship (12th house). It is linked to the afterlife. The spiritualist movement reached its peak by 1897, it was said to have more than 8 million followers, this occurred under the Neptune-Pluto conjunction in Gemini. I feel there has been a resurgence of popularity in the supernatural since Uranus’ entry into Pisces. I would say during its sojourn in Pisces we have had some strange imagery on our screens, it has also been in mutual relationship with Neptune in Aquarius. Series like Supernatural, Ghost Whisper and Medium are examples of this. Transits involving Neptune can also be present during psychic activity, and psychics are commonly known as “Sensitives” possessing the ability to perceive things hidden from the conscious and rational mind. Stir of Echoes is a great film that relates to some of the astrological themes relating to Neptune, and the ghost affects are fantastic. This Neptunian individual has it listed as one of her top movies. I watched Paranormal Activity for the first time a few weeks ago. I was putting it off because I hate all the jerky filming, maybe we can blame Uranus in Pisces/Neptune in Aquarius. I wasn’t a big fan of previous camcorder movies. However, after watching the film, it had its genuine scary moments. I should lay off the ghost movies; I won’t be able to sleep at night.

Weather Records

I thought it would be interesting to observe the different weather phenomenon and disasters, astrologically. I recently looked at the coldest day on record, which showed an exact Sun square Saturn contact, and the freezing temperature in Antarctica, dropped to -89.2 C. The quality of Saturn is slow, heavy, cold and dull. The fastest temperature drop appeared when the Sun in Capricorn formed a wide square to Saturn in Aries at the 29th degree. The hottest day on earth was recorded in Africa when the temperature soared to 136 F on the 13th of September 1922. Astrologically there was a wide Sun square Mars contact, Mars rules all forms of heat and rise in temperature. Mars had reached the 29th degree in fiery Sagittarius, but the results are questionable, due to the surface that the machine was built on and previous faulty readings. The fastest temperature rise occurred in Spearfish, South Dakota, and there was another, Sun square Mars contact.

The fastest rainfall in one minute occurred when Mars (speed) was bang in the middle of Pisces (heavy showers). The Sun was in Cancer trine to Mars in Pisces, so perhaps the water sign element of the trine influenced the heavy rainfall. I am noticing a strong connection with the Sun and strange weather phenomenon. The most rainfall in 60 minutes was taken in Holt, Missouri, United States, on the 22nd of June, 1947. Astrologically the Sun was in cancer (water) square Neptune (heavy rainfall). During a tropical cyclone, the most rain that fell in 24 hours reached 71.9 inches. The astrological weather doesn’t appear to be significant; there is a Sun in Capricorn sextile Saturn in Pisces contact. However, the Sun was in trine to the Uranus-Pluto conjunction in Virgo. Actually the more I think about it, the Uranus-Pluto conjunction does describe extreme turbulence, and powerful (Pluto) winds (Uranus). I would consider Uranus to be connected with thunderstorms, and I have covered lighting attacks previously on the blog and found this to be the case. Of course there are probably cyclones occuring without this aspect present.

The fastest ever wind speed reached over 300 mph and happened in Oklahoma City. The Sun was conjunct Saturn in Taurus (slow). However, the Sun was also square Uranus in Aquarius (wind). I am assuming the wind speed picked up dramatically, due to Uranus in Aquarius (Sky-God) forming a sextile to the Mercury-Jupiter conjunction in Aries (increased (Jup) speed (Aries)! The thinkers born during this time must process their thoughts at a super, lightning fast speed and would make quick and ingenious observations, and they would still be fairly young at this point. Mercury is also the fastest planet around the Sun. The deadliest tornado happened on the 26th of April, 1989. The Sun in Taurus was opposite Pluto in Scorpio, and trine Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune in Capricorn. Another Sun-Uranus-Pluto contact was in operation at this time, and it killed 1300 people in Bangladesh. Also in Bangladesh the heaviest hailstone fell, weighing 2.25 lb. The Sun in Aries trines Uranus in Sagittarius, but what I feel may also signify this type of freaky weather, is the Mars-Neptune conjunction in Capricorn (frozen water) sextile Jupiter in Pisces (increase in size). The longest lightning bolt that was ever recorded reached a lengthy 118 miles. A grand air trine occurred between Sun in Libra, Saturn in Gemini, and Uranus in Aquarius. As stated earlier, I would associate Uranus with lighting strikes. This type of study needs the correct birth times of various countries, but through assessing the elements and significant aspects, especially to the Sun, it is a fruitful study. The weather changes all the time, and I believe it is only most useful to attempt these type of studies, under extreme conditions. We also always extremely limited by lack of valid data, which may have helped to refine the results. Still, I thought it was interesting enough to explore, and found the results useful. It doesn’t mean I could apply them to future weather conditions, but worth observing and sharing.

Here is a list of the essential natures of the signs: A Manual of Astrology by Raphael

Uranus - in nature cold, dry and windy
Saturn - Cold and dry
Jupiter - Hot and moist
Mars - Hot and Dry
Venus - Cold and moist
Mercury - Variable and controvertible
Moon - Cold and Moist
Sun - Hot and Dry

New Year's Resolutions

I have been thinking about my New Year's resolutions and wondering if people ever base them on Saturn's sign, house and aspects. Christmas day falls in the month of Capricorn (ruled by Saturn), and it is a traditional holiday that we use to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Traditionally it is a time to bring family together, but it can also be a time of family burden and responsibility (Capricorn). It can generate feelings of guilt if we don't spend the day at our parent's house for Christmas, and it is easy to feel emotionally manipulated (Cancer) at this time of year. So sometimes it feels more of an obligation rather than celebrating it in the spirit it is meant to be celebrated. The Roman's held the festival of Saturnalia around the 25th of December, and decorated their homes with evergreens to celebrate their harvest god, Saturn.

I often feel Christmas is too materialistic now, but I hope this isn't Capricorn's shadow side. Perhaps my  own natal Sun-Saturn is turning into a scrooge, bah! humbug! Charles Dickens who coined that very phrase had Mercury (communication) in Capricorn and this sums up his miserly saying, perfectly. It is often used to describe people who are tight, mean and are dismissive of the festive spirit. The novel A Christmas Carol has become a classic at Christmas time, but Dickens also had Saturn in Capricorn in the 4th house. In England a scrooge type person often refers to a misery guts, and party pooper. The type of person who won't let the spirit of joy into his heart. At the time this book was published, transiting Saturn was in Capricorn, conjunct his fifth house cusp (creativity), and he was probably most likely finishing the book around his Saturn Return.

I love Christmas with children around and it can feel truly magical and exciting, its the heavy expectations around the day that can sometimes ruin it. You can see how I am describing the Christmas holiday in a more negative Saturnian way. I do enjoy the day, the traditional meal, and time with family and friends and so forth. The whole Christmas period with all its preparation is kind of like one big mood swing. You can feel the energy shift of spending wildly, expansiveness and hopefulness, which moves towards a growing responsibility and organization. This is represented by the adjacent signs, Sagittarius and Capricorn. In the month of Sagittarius and in a funny synchronised fashion the Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. The country has a Jupiterian outlook on life with Sun conjunct Jupiter in Cancer and Sagittarius Rising.

Both fair and unfair generalizations of greed and over-optimism are fired towards the American people. On the other hand, England is viewed as possessing a far more reserved, conservative, mean and eccentric nature. I was watching a programme the other day here in the U.K, discussing how the childcare facilities in America, are much better compared to England. Perhaps it is the polarisation of Cancer and Capricorn. Maybe the Americans are more family orientated, although everything is bigger over there and they have more space.

I have a feeling that the depression rate increases around Christmas time, it is ruled over by Saturn. And if you are suffering from severe financial hardship, it can be a difficult and limiting time. The nostalgia of this time of year is probably related to the Cancer-Capricorn axis, as a parent we feel obligated to make it a special Christmas for the children. I think the material pressure on families with low income is extremely hard to face. The cold weather and increasing burdens can make it less than fun. The New Year, also brings us face to face with our unrealized ambitions, another year passes and we assess how closer we are to attaining our goals. This reflection describes Capricorn's sense of worldly achievements and rules our need to be self-sufficient. Where Saturn is placed is where we can be a bit scrooge like in expression and its also where we can achieve our greatest achievements, insurmountable as they may seem, and perhaps in the Christmas spirit, let the joy inside, and learn to be a little bit more generous in this sector of the horoscope.

Articles

To be updated

Pluto in Scorpio

Pluto in Scorpio belongs to a generation of people involved in a major confrontation with the darker aspects of life. Pluto is at home in Scorpio and relates to accelerated change and transformation. It rules violent eruptions, catalytic events, and signifies the inevitable happenings in life that cannot be avoided. Pluto’s astro-vocabulary involves key words such as fate and destiny and this is a power-house combination. This is a recipe in which the danger of famine, plague, and atomic warfare are at its highest. Pluto was discovered in 1930, the beginning of the nuclear age.

Pluto is linked to toxic states, healing and regeneration, nuclear power, deadly viruses, and any means of mass destruction. All forms of power, shared resources, merging, sexuality, survival, finance, banking, death and decay are all ruled by Pluto. Sometimes it is death and then life; it is only when something dies that something new can be reborn, and for every ending there is a new beginning. Astrologer Jeff Green believes that Pluto through Scorpio “intensifies the times”. This intensity is needed as it forces the collective to face issues that must be confronted, eliminated or redefined in order for collective growth, evolution and survival to continue.

“Pluto in Scorpio lay ahead. One of the greatest struggles in the history of the planet faced humanity. Astrological knowledge---understood and used widely--- could have provided a blueprint for responsible action and public education. Ignored and misunderstood, Pluto in Scorpio promised terror, resource wars, class wars, mass deaths, climate catastrophe and possibly mass nuclear contamination from sexual plagues, weapons or other sources---the horrors of all time cultimating in a twelve year period.” By A.T Mann –The Future of Astrology

The most recent transit of Pluto through Scorpio occurred in 1983 to 1995. Pluto penetrates to the root of all things and describes our urge to destroy what we have outgrown. The myth of Persephone represents the descent into the underworld (Pluto) and new development and growth. A virgin goddess was playing in the field, when the earth opened up and Pluto appeared on his black chariot drawn by fire-breathing horses. The goddess is abducted, taken into the underworld and raped. Persephone’s mother, distraught by the loss of her daughter, sinks into deep depression, and forbids the crops to grow or the trees or bear fruit. For seven years the whole world is cold and barren, while humanity starves. Finally the gods intervene and Persephone is allowed to return to the upper world for six months.

The events that happened during Pluto’s transit through Scorpio focus on the themes that have been referred to. A famine devastated Ethiopia between 1983 and 1995, and the drought had destroyed the entire harvest. Thousands died of starvation. Trust issues between governments to distribute food properly delayed the grain arriving in the country. Eventually, aid agencies were forced to buy European grain on the open market. In an attempt to shame Western governments into action, Oxfam donated its largest donation, and widespread television coverage of people dying of starvation in Ethiopia was prompting an exceptional outpouring of private donations. In three days, the British public alone donated 5 million, and within two months, the Western public had donated a total of 100 million. In music, the Band Aid single ‘Do They Know its Christmas?, as well as two Live Aid concerts raised millions more.

On April 23 in 1984, U.S and French Scientists identify the virus known as A.I.D.S. Scorpio’s major influence is human sexuality and detoxification through disease. It was no longer safe to have unprotected sex, and both sex and death were merged together like never before. It was much safer to stay committed to one partner, and this embodied the importance that Scorpio placed on fixity in relationships and powerful sense of survival.

On December 3, 1984, a leak in UNION Cabide’s pesticide plant in the city of Bhopal, India, caused toxic gas (Pluto) to escape, killing and disabling thousands of people. It is one of the worst industrial accidents in history. The toxic gas spread out across the city, burning eyes, lungs, and other organs on contact. Around 3,000 people died in the days immediately following the disaster. Tens of thousands more were permanently disabled, and it is estimated that 20, 000 people have since died as a direct result of the leak.

On October 19, 1987, the world’s financial markets suffered a sudden drop in value. The loss was around £300 billion. In the U.S.A. the chairman of New York Stock Exchange said, “This is the nearest thing to a financial meltdown I’ve ever come across,’ while President Reagan announced he was confident that the U.S economy would survive. The crash came after a couple of years of fast growth in a ‘bull’ market - one characterised by hostile take overs and relentless company mergers. Although it was the most drastic drop in the market’s history, ‘Black Monday’, as it was called, did not lead to depression, and it was not long before interest rates began to fall and investors began to buy again.

Coldest Day Recorded

I am currently sitting in a blanket typing my posts today and having a nice rest. Yesterday, I had to walk quite a long-distance on horrible black ice and my legs are throbbing. The weather has been freezing of late, and it warmed up with the rain, but the resultant effect was icy roads. The climate has warmed up now, but apparently we are headed for more cold weather here in the U.K.

The lowest temperature on Earth is recorded at Vostok Station, Anartica, when the mercury sinked to - 128.6F (-89.2C). On this day, the Sun was in Cancer at 28 degrees in exact square to Saturn. It was the time of the Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Libra and Jupiter conjunct Uranus in Sagittarius. Perhaps the time was ripe for a new cold weather record to break. Astrologers associate Jupiter-Uranus contacts with breakthroughs, new world records and discoveries. Saturn-Pluto is a particularly cold and ruthless combination with impenetrable defences. I am quite upset that such a cold spell should occur under Sun-Saturn and Sun-Pluto.  I have a Sun-Saturn contact and I know we have a reserved nature, that is less warm, and is sometimes considered to be defensive and cold, but not that COLD. I do sometimes have a worldview that the world is a cold and bleak place, more so when I am feeling particularly depressed about life in general. I think a white snowy landscape makes for an absolutely stunning view. The planet Saturn, according to Astronomers, is very photogenic and is considered to be the most beautiful planet of them all.

Neptune in Pisces: The Great Flood

As you all I know I have been reading The Astrological Neptune and Quest for Redemption by Liz Greene. The Great Flood myths that colour our view of the cycle of life are particularly interesting, and these are clearly evidenced through-out history in the ongoing sagas around Apocalypse day, Judgement Day and End of the World predictions. The Neptune symbolism of the slate being wiped clean and starting again is a common metaphor for everything in life that we wish to heal, cleanse and atone. Take the alcoholic anonymous groups and the 12 step programs which support the belief that a greater power than the self is an essential part of recovery. Case studies on the after-life have reported that we face a kind of judgement of the Self when a soul reviews its life-time. The twilight years are viewed as a time when we are more reflective and it is seen as a winding down period as the completion of a lifetime nears the end of its cycle and reaches Pisces. We clean out the psychological closet, so to speak.

American T.V Evangelist Jim Bakker has written a book on the ‘coming’ apocalypse. The preacher has Pisces rising with Mars in Pisces conjunct Jupiter opposite Neptune. Mercury is in Sagittarius in a tight square with Neptune. Jim’s mutable T-square involving Mercury-Mars-Jupiter and Neptune is probably a large indicator of the deception and fraud that landed him in prison. Neptune is prone to being indirect, deceptive and this highly religious individual, siphoned 3.4 million from his ministry. Apart from his nebulous behaviour he very much believed in the end days. Jupiter needs a sense of meaning in life and Neptune yearns to merge once again with that unseen force. Musician Oliver Messiaen created a piece of music which he felt captured the moment of the end of the world in all its terrifying and heavenly manifestations. The music had its premier in front of 5,000 prisoners. I guess in some way it was an appropriate audience. The 12th house (Neptune) rules institutions, places of exile and solitary confinement, and no one awaits judgment day more than those who are guilty of crimes. Messiaen had Moon conjunct Neptune in Cancer and Sun and Mercury in Sagittarius square Jupiter.

The 2012 speculation of the world coming to an end could be insanely heightened due to Neptune’s transition into Pisces. Neptune enters Pisces at the beginning of April 2011, and in August of that year it retrogrades back into Aquarius. It re-enters Pisces in February 2012. This may indicate a more fervent interest in the after-life, judgement day and ‘spiritualism. Perhaps people will be swept away by a new spiritual wave of some kind. I believe we may be entering the end of a cycle and sense a kind of collective sense and general feeling of cleansing, cleaning out the closet and washing away our sins and redemption will probably be in evidence. The onslaught of predictions for the End of the World is looming large due to the upcoming Neptune in Pisces transition and collective feeling of being deluged by the Great Flood.

Compulsive Hunger

I watched an episode of Supernatural called My Bloody Valentine, and it had a demon called the Famine, who inflicted humans with a compulsive hunger for whatever the soul hungered. After the individual died from his compulsion, the demon would gobble up their soul. Some needed love, food and even companionship to feel full. I was thinking about what sort of astrological themes would relate to this type of hunger. I believe we look to the Moon when assessing what we need to feed ourselves with emotionally and physically. In fact, many eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia are usually seen through challenging aspects to the natal Moon. Both Taurus and Cancer are particularly food driven signs and the Moon rules over Cancer and is exalted in Taurus.

The sign, house placement and aspects of the Moon, reveal where we act compulsively and in what manner, especially when we are feeling insecure and unsafe. The Moon in the 2nd house may need possessions, money and physical objects to feel safe. Those with Moon in 7th house crave other people; the Moon in the 11th house might need a social group in order to feel secure. The Moon in Gemini needs to socialize, talk, read and make connections with people. How can we tell if we're acting emotionally hungry in that area? Usually there is a compulsive need, over-dependency, clinging and anxiety in that particular part of the chart. The Moon describes how we habitually react to situations and our automatic responses. The moon also tends to describe what we find comforting or at least familiar. Everyone feels anxiety from time to time and this is only natural. It becomes a problem when lunar hunger dominates the personality

The Moon in one month travels through all 12 signs of the zodiac and has a close relationship to our fluctuating moods and menstrual cycles. The Moon is nocturnal and reflects our emotional side, unconscious, feeling responses and soul nature. The Moon reveals our basic needs. According to some astrologers the shadow side of the Moon is the monster that devours everything.

Too Close for Comfort

The dynamics of this uncomfortable confrontation in Closer, I feel relates to Scorpio, Pluto and 8th house planets. Pluto brings to the surface much darker emotions and forces us to look at the reality of how we relate. After leaving the sign of Libra with all its pleasantness, politeness and compromise, we reach a stage of intimacy in Scorpio when we want the truth no matter how dirty, sordid and ugly. Scorpio also possesses a deadly sting in its tail, and we talk about irrevocable change when describing this sign, so if we do or even say something vindictive just to hurt our partner, there is no way that we can ever take it back. With this in mind, we have to be careful we don’t give our relationships the kiss of death. Still, in Scorpio land you give back as good you get, for it’s the only way to survive. With Julia Roberts she has Sun in Scorpio with Venus conjunct Pluto and so some of her movies do have powerful themes around relationships. With Scorpio, how close is too close?

Aries Rising

Those with Aries approach life impulsively, independently and with enormous mental and physical stamina. This person doesn’t worry about limitations and seeks to be first and best in new situations and walk in with a spirit of competition. An Aries Ascendant comes across as enthusiastic and may have a habit of rushing into the environment without thinking. Fiery ascendants are more robust and energetic than other rising signs. Aries, in particular, doesn‘t like to wait around to get things done. Aries on this point of the natal chart is exciting to be around and you can rely on them to be straightforward and direct.

Urgency and immediacy prevail as the most obvious characteristics of this ascendant. The individual often looks as if they are in a hurry to be somewhere, and these people like to feel as if they are in charge of life. The unconscious half of Aries seeks partnership and to relax in a peaceful environment. However, Aries rising likes to distinguish themselves from the pack, and are oriented towards activities that help to define the Self through a singular identity.

This person likes to initiate situations and move onto the next challenge. Spontaneously moving to the front, Aires needs to act and physically do something that sets them apart. The ruling planet of the Aries Ascendant is MARS and its sign and house position will describe how the individual can best direct their energetic, assertive and ambitious personality.

Moon in 8th House

Those born with Moon in the 8th house are deeply sensitive to hidden undercurrents in the environment, and thee is also an unusual insight into the inner life of other people. There is deep sensitivity to all 8th house areas - taboos, loss, death, abuse, occult, shared resources and sex. The 8th house moon needs to merge emotionally with others, and they become deeply and intensely attached to people, and it takes a very long time to recover from hurts, rejections and losses. They may have come from a family background where these same intense and passionate feelings was frustrated, and so blackened the emotional atmosphere of their childhood. These people tend to love with all of their soul, and have profound insights into helping and healing others. Sometimes this placement represents an inheritance from the mother; the 8th house represents what we inherit from ancestors and signifies deep dark secrets, and all the kinds of abuses that have been poisoning the lives of many generations. Unfortunate situations often destroy love and security, and this is painfult, but they need to be careful not to let these expereeinces of loss destroy that natural passion they have in realtionsgips.

The Moon in 8th house can be a symbol for powerful and unconscious complexes existing below the surface of life, and they may have to dig up painful memories from the past. Ordinarily, they express extreme forms of hatred, passion and jealousy, as well as depression. A “heavy” emotional nature is often present and there may be confrontations of many sorts, such intensity means that they cannot just skim the surface of life. They often possess a more honest and profound understanding of life than most people do.

Difficult aspects to the Moon may indicate emotional conflict in separations and perhaps becoming entangled in power-games, but they will instinctively explore all that is forbidden, hidden and mysterious and there may be some psychic ability. The overwhelming need is to feel intensely and probe the dark depths of the soul, and those with this placement often possess strong healing techniques, powerful gut instincts and nurture growth in others. The Moon in the 8th house has an awareness of danger and over-protective instinct, and on an emotional level responding in a deep, sexual level within partnerships. The 8th house rules the resources of others and so wealth and possessions may be accrued from others and  planets here are often associated with business people, especially if organizational abilities are also shown in the natal chart. 

Taurus Rising

Those with Taurus rising approach life with caution, realism and patience. This person is usually peaceable and slow to anger and hates to be hurried by others. Taurus rising is motivated by material concerns and are fond of luxury, nice clothes and physical pleasures. These people like tactile affection and are highly attuned on a sensual level.

Taurus is the first of the earth signs and the first of the fixed signs. The orientation is towards bringing sustained results and cultivating an artistic appreciation of life. Those born with the bull rising take their time and stays calm, energy is used resourcefully. Taurus has a taste for things that last and can be traditional in love, seeking a sense of substance. The person can be grounded and practical and even a bit of a naturalist. There is also a liking for the simple life and they hate when things get over-complicated. Those with Taurus rising may even have a touch of stubbornness in the way they move forward and won’t be pushed into anything. However, they are very dependable types and earth signs are always reliable to have around.

The environment is perceived as a place of beauty and pleasure, provided the outer world is secure and stable. The unconscious side of the personality houses a more deeper and complex nature and there is a longing to immerse themselves into unknown watery depths. However, this experience usually comes from others. Relationships may be overly-possessive, but deeply committed partnerships are what they value. Permanence is important and Taurus favours pleasure and peace over conflict.

The ruling planet is VENUS and the sign and house position of this planet will further reveal how they express their artistic, sensual and practical nature.

The Astrological Neptune

I have challenged myself to finally read The Astrological Neptune and the Quest for Redemptionby Liz Greene. The book is nearly 500 pages long and contains everything we would probably ever need to know about this nebulous planet, and the author began the process of putting the work together for the book, under a transit of Uranus conjunct Neptune.

Neptune is considered one of the astrological significators for water, and Greene's description is one of the best I have ever read, and water and Neptune are hard to describe. Both its healing, cleansing, redemptive and destructive qualities are succinctly explained. What's interesting is that Greene disagrees that a male god should rule over Neptune and should preferably be represented by a female deity, and some of the less pleasant underwater creatures like Jaws are also compared to the planet Neptune.

The mythical stories surrounding the planet, paint reality as an illusion.

“An individual life is nothing more than a dream among many, dreamt by the cosmic sea; and the events of that life are the emanations of her substance, just as we believe our own dreams arise from the human brain. An individual death is thus only the end of a dream. Just as a psychologically sophisticated Western person might sift through a dream to distill its meaning, forgetting the images once the essence has been gleaned, so the cosmic sea draws the essential meaning from the dream of a human life which is quickly forgotten.”By Liz Greene, The Astrological Neptune, and the Quest for Redemption

Greene also relates the Paradise Garden and Adam and Eve’s extinction from Eden to the longing of Neptune to return home. The story is also compared to Prometheus’ rebellion against the Gods and his excruciating punishment. In addition, the author uses the image of Prometheus chained to a rock in the Greek version of the cards to depict the hanged man, in her other book The Mythic Tarot. In mythology the curse which God inflicts on Adam and Eve as "punishment" is the pain of childbirth and the struggle to earn a living. Liz Greene relates these experiences and the whole process of maturation to the cycle of Saturn.

“On one level, this story describes the first loss we must face - the separation from mother’s womb at the start of existence. In the womb, life is pleasant and without stress or strain. There is no need for clothes, as there is no extreme heat or cold, nor is there any experience of hunger or thirst. Life is peaceful without loneliness, conflict or suffering. And then comes the shock of birth. Just as Adam and Eve are propelled unceremoniously from Eden, so the baby has its first taste of loneliness as well as physical pain.” The Mythic Journey by Liz Greene and Juliette Sharman

It is a fascinating book and is definitely a worthwhile read for astrologers and Neptunians, or both in my case.

Gemini Rising

Those born with Gemini Rising approach life with great curiosity and versatility. They are always questioning and learning,  and are young and alive no matter what their chronological age.

These people have a desire to learn about everything, but they also get bored rather quickly. People born with Gemini Rising like to socialize, talk and have fun. They are the perpetual students of life, and can remain youthful in later years.

Gemini Rising individuals are friendly, flirtatious and need constant feedback and a broad range of contacts as possible. Gemini is the first of the air (communication, ideas, and relationships) and mutable (restless and changeable), signs and they are particularly interested in teaching, writing, reading, speaking and all other kinds of communication.

Information is fun to them and the Twins tend to move through life in a playful, light and humorous manner. In fact, they may seem flippant and unconcerned about matters that others take very seriously. Those with Gemini on the Ascendant are detached and difficult to pin down, but they are always interesting to have around. Full of clever facts and trivia, a party starter and conversationalist, they readily adapt to their social environment.

These individuals don’t enter heavy emotional involvements easy and would rather keep things light-hearted and keep in touch with what’s happening on the surface level and not be too overly-involved. Gemini is famous for experiencing duality in their lives, and many have two jobs, names, identities or phone-numbers.

Furthermore, they love making connections between one thing and another. Those with Gemini rising have a friendly manner and need people around who are as interesting and as knowledgeable as them.

The unconscious side of the personality (Sagittarius) longs to expand understanding and to experience meaning in life. Sagittarius on the Descendant governs their relationships, and others help them to expand their worldview.

Cancer Rising

A person with Cancer rising approaches life with sensitivity and wears their feelings on his or her sleeves, they can act reserved with others until they know them well. One of the main features of Cancer is its changeable moods and protection of feelings under a layer of defensiveness.

The person will not venture forth until the environment is perceived to be safe, and being so highly emotional and responsive to the atmosphere, self-preservation is a big thing. The impact of the environment always affects them personally, and beneath the emotionalism of the sign the unconscious side of them longs to be self-sufficient (Capricorn). Cancer tends to act indirectly or in a sideways fashion when confronted with new situations, and movement is subtle and action is not taken until there is an assurance of security.

The individual approaches others in a sympathetic way and tends to ‘feel’ their way around life. The Moon’s moods are variable and so their reactions to the environment changes depending on the level of vulnerability and protection that is sensed, and their emotions and loyalties tend to colour their perceptions. Those with Cancer rising cannot always mentally detach from their own personal bias and prejudices, and important points in Cancer retain experiences and naturally hold on to loved ones and familiar objects for a sense of belonging.

The rising sign symbolises how we are perceived by others, and their  insecurity, moodiness and defensiveness are immediately expressed. Often this changeable, complex nature is misunderstood and eludes simple definition. It is also likely that this person will initiate feelings first and is protective of others, responding to their needs first. The Moon also rules the mother and so a caring and emotional available aura is often present.

The individual may also exude a soft, dreamy and sentimental appearance and react negatively to cold environments. The person is mistrustful of new contacts and may posses a fearful outlook. The moods fluctuate and change frequently and they are sometimes open, sometimes withdrawn emotionally. Those with Cancer rising communicate non-verbally and pick up the subtle undercurrents and feelings around them.

Leo Rising

A person with Leo rising usually presents a confident and sunny exterior, but how they feel on the inside is another matter altogether. Astrologers describe the Ascendant as the “door to the house”, and astrologer Sue Tompkins uses this analogy to describe the rising sign.

“The Ascendant is the lens through which we view the world and through which the world views us. Imagine you are wearing spectacle with blue-tinted glass, so as you look out on to the world everything will appear to have a blue tint. People looking at you will see you with a blue tint, too. Although you may not be aware of it, other people will be viewing the same world but they will see things differently because they are viewing it through differently coloured glass”.

Those with Leo Rising take pride in their appearance, and project an image of significance and self-importance. Significant points in Leo often have great energy and the individual usually expresses generosity, leadership qualities, courage and creativity. The individual proudly projects himself onto others and many have something distinguishing about their appearance, usually a rich crop of hair is something that stands out. An innate sense of destiny is keenly felt, and the need to make an impact on the environment through personal style and originality is ever-present. The sign projects a dignified manner and regal air, but is vulnerable to rejection and criticism, and takes it rather subjectively. The king of beasts is too proud to show their wounded side in public.

Leo rising people have charisma and personal power, but have a tendency to overlook others at times. The world is perceived as a stage on which everybody else is revolving around them, and experiences are interpreted with a colourful imagination. The type is attracted to theatrical and dramatic circumstances or events. The strength of their personal power is sometimes dominating and overwhelming, but the chart is filtered through the light of creative expression.

Leo symbolizes those things that awaken the childlike spirit and open the heart, so activities such as art, literature, romance, music and drama are all enjoyed. A Leo Rising unable to shine may find admiration and applause for his special abilities in these type of fields. Life can get dull without any room for creative uniqueness, and this person is developing a powerful aura, and strong sense of self without being too over-bearing, self-aggrandising and overly commanding. Leo usually stands out from the crowd and possesses personality and presence. A need to be special can give way to a fear of being unnoticed and viewed as merely one amongst a mass of people.

Virgo Rising

Those with Virgo Rising approach life with a strong need to bring order to the external environment. Well mannered and polite, this individual may be perceived as nervous and situations are dealt with cautiously, and only acting when there is sufficient knowledge of a situation. The analyst is ever-present in first meetings and Virgo can juggle several thousand details around at once, and sort out any mess you care to mention. Sometimes they don’t participate much verbally and may enter a certain situation with the intent to analyse and critique what is happening. Virgo rising usually projects sensitivity and shyness and unless they have the back-up of intellectual and professional skills it may be difficult for them to assert themselves in the right manner. Still, the unconscious side of the personality longs to let go and let feelings flow after a long hard day of work.

This person is discriminate and views life through reason using an intellectual framework. The preferred mode of expression is by utilizing a systematic way of working, sorting, sifting and editing. Unless something is done correctly and the right way, the individual is often far too self-critical. Virgo risings approach others with a keen sense of service and come across as being kind, helpful and useful. Being modest in demeanour these people seek to improve situations, and develop a positively efficient personality. Virgo Risings tend to comment on what’s flawed, unworkable, ’needs seeing to’ and fixed. In fact, they like to sort things out and see to all those little details and are developing better working practices.

Often the first response to a situation is to analyse and break it down, and if there is a problem, Virgo seeks to find the solution. Significant points in this sign have a fluid and flexible approach. Driven to practice and hone its skills, and sometimes through working in private and isolation, often this critical and orderly outlook, masks a fear of chaos and confusion.

Libra Rising

Any person with Libra rising approaches life with idealism, and a desire to cooperate in harmonious interchange with others. Significant points in Libra look for a beautiful world of civil and balanced behaviour. The innate ability is to initiate through reasoning, communication, socializing and diplomatic skills. Libra rising is highly sensitized to the views and judgments of others and sometimes real feelings are concealed to defend against creating a disharmonious atmosphere. The type is always trying to be fair and they have an undeniable social and political outlook. This person is trying to conform to a world of opposites and maintain a sense of equilibrium.

The type is usually graceful in nature and they are sensitive to colour, good taste, love and design. Libra’s view the world aesthetically and the sign rules the principle of attraction as well as the principle of harmony. Partnerships of all kinds are usually important and Libra rising is always looking for the ideal relationship. Everything is approached in an agreeable and sociable way, and having a partner in life is more important than any other rising sign. This person is willing to bend over backwards for a pleasant environment. Typically they take longer to evaluate a situation

The world can be perceived as a place of constant compomises and adjustments to fit in and harmonize. Sometimes there a great deal of indecision, because they are so concerned with making a fair decision. However, the person presents an intellectual, charming and refined manner. Sometimes Librian’s project a cool, aloof and distant manner, although even this side of her can be highly attractive. Libra has the desire to please-to be all things to all men and offensive to none.

Scorpio Rising

The Ascendant is the first point on the chart wheel and forms the cusp of the first house. It represents the face a person presents to the world, and it can act like a mask that hides other parts of the personality. The Ascendant forms one of three most important chart points in natal astrology. A Scorpio Ascendant is the most mysterious, intriguing, secretive and magnetic of all the rising signs. This person has a persona that probes intensely and at the same time guards and fiercely protects their own natures. Scorpio is ruled by Mars and Pluto, the gods of war and death. Scorpio is the sign of sex, death and change, and they approach the world with great passion, depth and intensity, and are not content to skim the experience of life.

People tend to react strongly towards them, and find their penetrating gaze and powerful magnetism intriguing, rather like delving into a good mystery novel, or they mistrust and approach Scorpio warily, questioning their deeper motives. Scorpio will never be an open book or overtly obvious, they tend to be low key on first meeting. This person is self-controlled and is likely to hold back, wait and watch intently, and it also likely that some of these people come across as intimidating. Scorpion’s experience strong feelings of paranoia, similarly, their powerful sense of intuition senses the undercurrents and ulterior motives in any social situation and so they always stay on guard.

The whole personality of this individual is filtered through the sign of regeneration and so major themes in their  life often involve continual re-birthing and sweeping changes. Scorpio is a fixed sign and so they tend to stay in one mode for years and then completely transform into something else. The sign only feels secure when they can maintain control of their environment. Coupled with this, their identity is also based on power and social influence, but they have the ability to become quite unnoticeable, yet still emanate an intense atmosphere.

The Ascendant and First House is often reinforced at birth and in childhood, and may describe circumstances surrounding the actual birth, including who was there and was sort of environment greeted them. These early experiences colour our perception of the world we meet. According to A.T Mann, the Ascendant registers at the moment you take your first breath and parallels the development of your personality as a process.

“The Zodiac sign on your Ascendant symbolizes this synchronistic relationship. The range of interpretations describes personalities derived from the nature of the birth environment. Scorpio - Disharmonious; humid; hot-headed; cautious; industrious; passionate; seperative; violent; surgical; impulsive; dangerous; brutal; forceful; surviving; surgeons and surgery; Caesareans; forceps; tragic events; endurance.” A.T Mann, The Divine Life, Astrology and Reincarnation

Sagittarius Rising

Those born with Sagittarius rising approach life with a keen sense of intuition, optimism, and possess a profound awareness of all future possibilities. This person is friendly and enjoys philosophizing and conversing with others in an intelligent and humorous manner.

Physically and mentally restless, those with Sagittarius on the Ascendant need to roam free and keep their options open. They are not happy confined to the same, safe, secure little world all the time. Idealistic and optimistic they are always expect something better ahead.

With a love of travelling and higher learning they always make interesting companions, but may become impatient if the limits of reality delay further growth. The breadth and scope of their vision is eternal, and they have an uplifting outlook on life. Sagittarius does everything in a big and expansive way and the sign dislikes stinginess, littleness, or pettiness. Sometimes they are seen as wise and expansive people because they don't get bogged down by petty details. The Sagittarian vision is always larger, and they are able to perceive the bigger picture.

The world is perceived as a place full of potential and meaning. The “Don’t Fence me in” philosophy of life applies to those born with Sagittarius' far-sighted vision. But sometimes their aims change before they are fulfilled. There is a fear of missing out on other opportunities, but such an outgoing and adventurous outlook, helps them to gain more from their involvements with others and with this approach Sagittarius attracts people who share the same wit and intelligence.

The unconscious side of Sagittarius has a need to fit all those details into the bigger picture, and communicate their vision in specific understandable terms to others. Sagittarius is outspoken, candid and they will always greet you with warmth and a big smile. The sign is frank, and values honesty above all else. Sagittarius Rising would never approach others with narrow-mindedness and general meanness. Those with important points in Sagittarius have an eagerness to embrace life and strive towards the truth of any situation, feeling a sense of joy and fulfilment in everything they do.

Capricorn Rising

Those with a Capricorn Ascendant are developing a sense of order and usefulness. This person’s approach to life is generally industrious, responsible and serious. The sign of Capricorn has an inhibiting quality to the personality.

They are cautious, prudent and rather self-contained, they are a person who approaches life realistically. The individual is not likely to get carried away by the overly optimistic or idealistic schemes of others. They are wise to the world from a young age, and the world doesn't appear to be a safe and friendly place to them.

Capricorn Rising appears well organized, disciplined and ambitious. All those born with significant points in Capricorn, do need to overcome their fears of failure. The sign is ruled by task-master Saturn and these lessons are learned the hard way. They are generally calculating and careful, and are rarely spontaneous, open and childlike.

The world is often perceived as a hard place where things have to be earned through effort. The individual is willing to work long and hard for what they want, and does everything the hard way. Capricorn rising does not expect others to take care of them, and they refuse outside help. They are responsible and conscientious, and are very concerned with their duties to others and how they appear in society.

Capricorn rising looks out upon the world with dark, serious, often mistrusting eyes. The individual wants to present themselves as a self-sufficient, capable person in the eyes of others, and so they immerse themselves in the practical running of life. Outwardly they are shy and self-conscious, there is nothing flamboyant or flashy about their approach.

To others they seem mature, serious, quiet and reflective. The sign of Capricorn won't openly show their feelings, and always likes to appear in control, and hates to show any sign of weakness. The individual goes through life learning from older and more experienced people, and they expect a lot from themselves. Capricorn doesn't give any room for experimentation and to make mistakes. They have great self-discipline and self-control and do without very well.

Aquarius Rising

Those born with Aquarius rising approach life with strongly held ideals of how the world should be. Often friendly with a tolerant outlook, they consider themselves to be fair-minded, and respectful of the views of others. The individual works best when involved with groups of like-minded people, and Aquarius has a genuine talent for ingenuity and creativity. As a social sign they are interested in making contributions that benefits humanity in some way and also progresses intellectual understanding. Sometimes those with Aquarius on the Ascendant come off as cold and detached in manner, but it’s because they are so involved with observing social situations, behaviours, attempting to understand the nature of laws and patterns. The sign has the least toleration for selfish pursuits, and would rather keep a situation cool and intellectual.

Aquarius on the ascendant holds impartial, logical and intuitive assessments of life, and would be embarrassed if viewed as too showy and self-important. Therefore, partners and close friends may be viewed as more dramatic and self-centred. Aquarius needs to be different and can also converse with a variety of different people. Everybody is the same underneath. Unconsciously people are drawn towards them, who are often creative individuals, intent on developing their own uniqueness. Aquarius’ shadow side seeks to develop a sense of his own destiny and creativity, so that they have something truly unique to offer mankind.

Those with important points in Aquarius value freedom, forward thinking, and progressive attitudes to life. Aquarius is the third of the air signs and the forth of the fixed signs, and can be found in the areas of science, astrology, research, communicating, and social networks. Circulating ideas, organizing, and looking towards the future are all important attributes, and you will find the water bearer looking for ways to benefit the lives of human beings.

Venus in 10th House

Venus in the 10th house is considered one of the best indicators for success. Those with Venus here want to contribute something positive and loving to the world, and pleasure comes from their career or professional life. The individual may be interested in careers that favour the arts, counselling, diplomacy, or design. They want to be recognised for their beauty, financial skills, artistic gifts, diplomatic gifts or loving nature. The person may have a good reputation for being supportive and co-operative of team efforts. The individual's people skills and ability to socialize with people of influence can help benefit them. Venus in the 10th house will enable the individual to establish an immediate rapport with others.

The tenth house is concerned with honor, profession and success in life. It is one of the most important angles in the natal chart. Public relationships are significant in their lives, and the tenth house determines their motivation and push for a successful career. Sometimes the tenth house describes what the individual will do career-wise, alternatively it may signify how they approach and move towards their vocation in life.

The person knows how to turn on the charm in public situations and is talented at making and maintaining contacts. Venus in the 10th house signifies that love and harmony is directed towards their ambitions, but the other side of Venus may show jealousy and rivalry. The Midheaven is the most elevated part of the horoscope and so an individual with Venus here is often considered popular in his or her public life, and they may be liked by authority figures and have a good reputation for being cooperative and supportive of team efforts.

Venus here may also be attracted to partners who are accomplished in some way, older or more established, and marriage and career are closely shared. Traditional texbooks state that this person often marries above their station in life. A harmonious working life is desired, but the aspects need to be examined to see how easily this can be achieved. Venus in the 10th house often describes a loving relationship with the mother and she may be viewed as the beloved and attractive one. In some cases a daughter may have felt that she was in competition and rivalry with her mother. This postion can also favour benefits from parents.

Pleasure is found in their career and they value their social image. Venus in the 10th house may represent a love and respect for structure and establishment. This person easily attracts career opportunities and likes to be admired in their chosen vocation and sometimes the vocational choice has something to do with the female sex and help and support may also come through them.

Moon in 9th House

Those with Moon in 9th house need a worldview or personal philosophy through which the world can be understood. The Moon here can absorb early teachings of religion, political and social views from one of the parents. The emotions and responses are directed towards higher learning, foreign concerns and the individual may feel happier in foreign lands. There is an instinctive urge to roam a field and they may be fond of travel and search for meaning in life afar. The type nurtures themselves through intellectual stimulation and conceptual frameworks and may explore educational fields rather than going on physical journeys.

Holidays and those far away places may hold sentiment memories, and  they are best fed when learning about different cultures, beliefs and religions. Sometimes the individual settles in a home abroad, and perhaps even female relatives are religious and travel abroad. I have a partner with this placement and his mother’s side of the family are very religious/Nuns and have travelled the world, females may also broaden the native’s understanding. The individual may feel comfortable around foreigners and may take care of others abroad.

The Moon in the 9th house often exhibits an uncanny ability to foretell the outcome towards which events re leading. There is a natural receptivity to philosophy and religion and intuitive grasp of concepts and symbols. The feelings give access to what the mind cannot rationally comprehend. Although those with this placement may rely on a faith which has been inherited via the family and culture, they have an ability to adapt the philosophy to changing influences and conditions. By Howard Sasportas, The Twelve Houses

Neptune in 8th House

The individual with Neptune in the 8th house has a water planet placed in a watery house. Neptune dissolves boundaries in the areas of sex, intimacy, shared finances, and death. Neptune can create confusion, deception or disillusionment in all of those areas. This person may feel over-whelmed and susceptible in transactions with others. Sex may used as a way to transcend ordinary reality, or heal emotional wounds from the past. Sexual fantasies longed to be fulfilled through merging with others in a spiritually satisfying way, although Neptune’s longings are difficult to achieve. Sometimes there is a death-wish or suicidal longing in the personality. Demi Moore has an extremely powerful placement of Sun conjunct Neptune in Scorpio in the 8th house. At aged 15, her mother left her stepfather, who committed suicide two months later, a month before Demi’s 16th birthday. Demi also starred in the smash hit movie Ghost, and as most people know the film is about her husband, Sam, who is a banker, he discovers discretions and deception in some of the accounts at work. Sam advises his colleague to investigate, but soon afterwards he and his wife (Demi) are mugged and Sam is killed. However, he remains on Earth as a Ghost and meets con-artist spiritual medium, Oda Mae Brown, and enlists her to help him warn his wife that she is in danger. The film is very descriptive on Demi’s 8th house planets, it’s almost like she was born to play the role.

Those with Neptune in the 8th house may be interested in psychology, occult subjects and yearn to explore the hidden dimensions of life. Some astrologers believe the individual is very open to spirits, poltergeists or other eternal unseen forces. Death and spiritualism may exert a powerful fascination over the personality. Hitler also had Neptune in the 8th house conjunct Pluto. Hitler’s mother’s marriage was close to being incestuous and she called her older husband “uncle” so there was a lot of guilty feelings attached to sex. The women in his life suffered terrible fates (8th), his half-niece and romantic obsession Geli Raubel was found dead in her bed with his gun lying next to her. A mysterious darkness surrounds her death and reporters could not decide whether her death was murder or suicide. Hitler’s sex-life is also surrounded with confusion and it was rumoured he had a huge collection of pornography. Hitler met Renate Muller, 29, an established star in German movies. The actress either jumped 40 feet out of a Berlin window to her death or was pushed. Hitler’s final girlfriend had repeatedly attempted suicide and she followed Hitler into death. Some people with placement my be confused by their sexual identities and find it difficult defining sexual needs. Sex may also be disappointing and never live-up to their fantasies.

The yearning for the source may take the form of literal courting of oblivion - as is often the case in deaths caused by overdose. A sad illustration of this is pop singer Janis Joplin, who died in 1970 from an overdose of heroin. In her birth chart, Neptune, which forms a grand trine with the Sun, Mercury, Saturn and Uranus, and also squares the natal Moon, is placed on the cusp of the 8th house. Neptune’s quest for the waters of Eden was enacted in her life as well as her death in a particularly poignant way. A more horrific example is the chart of Jim Jones, the leader of the People’s Temple cult, who committed suicide with his disciples in 1978 by drinking cyanide. Here we also find Neptune in the 8th, but its only major aspect to other planets is an exact trine to Mercury in the 4th.When Neptune is placed in the 8th, the redeemer may appear as death itself. By Liz Greene, Neptune and the Quest for Redemption

Death, reincarnation, astral experiences, and anything connecting the secretive, mysterious, or hidden side of life are attractive. All types of therapy and healing methods may be sought; the longing for complete transformation through sexual merging, healing and other symbolism may also be explored with this placement of Neptune. There can be great sensitivity towards a partner and even psychic attunement.

Moon in 12th House

Those with Moon in the 12th house tend to be over-sensitive and often feel very vulnerable. Emotional boundaries are extremely diffused, and the psychic and instinctive qualities are likely to be very powerful. At times there may be difficulty coping with daily life and sometimes the home is often a place of seclusion, sanctuary and retreat from the world. The emotional life is flooded with ideas, images and inspiration and they need to withdraw into privacy and stillness at the end of the day.

Many keep their keeping feelings hidden away. Some will experience a sense of loneliness and isolation and may have felt unsupported, helpless and defenseless by by some early event in childhood, looking for a life-line of support. The Moon in astrology  rules the mother,and sometimes this reflects a parent who was hospitalized, in prison or in some other 12th house institution. Mother may have passed away early in life, or sometimes she is very difficult to get hold of emotionally. Mother may have been very sensitive, or perhaps she had to make many sacrifices for the family. A 12th house Moon may work behind the scenes in a caring job that involves selfless giving of some kind - sheltering the poor, caring for sick and calming the disturbed. The Moon in the twelfth house is also strongly drawn to everything that is unifying, irrational, vast and symbolic.

Nothing has a stronger influence psychologically on their environment and especially on their children than the unlived life of the parent." Jung - from The Development of Personality

Astrologically, planets in the 4th, 8th and 12th may suggest energies, patterns and qualities which are inherited but which need individual consciousness to release their most positive dimensions. Left unconscious, they may release more destructive dimensions, impelling the individual into compulsive behaviour which results in events which feel "fated." Liz Greene - from the article "The Oracle and the Family Curse"

Your twelfth house moon suggests that you are a private person, hesitant to reveal your feelings and needs. Often, fearful of your vulnerability, you block awareness of your feelings; you seek refuge from your inner world in habitual activities which you may perform in an automatic manner. Contacting your hidden emotional self may be difficult for you, because you have developed a lifetime of defenses against primitive levels of need and dependency which frighten you. You may feel intense shame in regard to the child-self which is buried within you. By Tracy Marks

Some twelfth house Moon people can be extremely shy and suffer from feelings of claustrophobia and other fears. They may be powerfully connected to their dream life and need a restful and peaceful environment. Those with Moon in the 12th house have boundless compassion and empathy for everyone, but are often swept away by sympathy and play host to every down and out individual. Howard Sasportas describes twelfth house Moons as psychic vacuum cleaners, they ‘suck in’ whatever is circulating in the atmosphere. Twelfth house Moons can feel lonely and misunderstood but need solitude and space to cope with daily life. 

Repressed for a long time, your sadness and longing may sometimes burst forth as infantile tears, which seem regressive and inappropriate. Like Alice in Wonderland drowning in her flood of tears, you feel overwhelmed, and seek to squelch future displays of feeling. “Be strong; don’t cry,” may be your motto. You are afraid not only of drowning in your feelings and your needs, but also of revealing your vulnerability to others, then being rejected and abandoned.” By Tracy Marks, Your Secret Self

Diana's Legacy

I thought it might be interesting to have a look at the transits at the time of Prince William’s and Kate Middleton’s engagement announcement and future wedding in his mother’s, Diana’s chart. As we all know Kate is wearing the ring of his deceased mum. According to the Prince he wanted to honour his mother’s memory and involve her in the wedding. At the time the engagement was announced transiting Chiron and Neptune was forming an almost exact square to Venus in Taurus in the 5th house. Romance and children fall in the 5th house; often it represents the need to re-create one’s own sense of specialness through children and love affairs. When Neptune squares Venus it is indicative of over-idealistic and highly romantic periods in life.

Coupled with this, transiting Pluto in Capricorn is in Diana’s 1st house opposing both her natal Sun and Mercury in Cancer in the seventh house of relationships. I think this is a powerful indicator for family tradition and family legacy in the life of the individual (Pluto). Diana’s son (Sun) is experiencing massive changes (Pluto) in his personal life, with marriage and of course his increased level of social exposure by taking a more powerful role in the royal family through marriage (7th). On the day of the wedding, transiting Saturn (serious commitment) retrogrades back into Virgo and trines Diana’s Venus (relationship) in Taurus in the 5th house (children). At this time, her son William is making a big commitment in a relationship. Obviously there is some strong debate over whether the deceased chart is still affected by transits, but on the evidence of Diana’s transits at the time of her son’s engagement and marriage, it would suggest that the natal chart is still influenced and reflective of current events even after death.

Moon in 4th House

The house in which the Moon is placed is the area of life we tend to express our emotional needs and wish to give and receive support. It can be a very reactive and sensitive point in the chart. Those with the Moon in the 4th house feel home and family life are important and there is a great hunger for emotional security.

The personality is anchored in their roots and the fourth house is the ancestral pool, and so this person may have a strong bond with the land and heritage, and they may want to investigate family history and genealogy.

Childhood experiences are important and the relationship with the parents has contributed to this powerful need for safety and security. The Moon in the 4th house of the chart suggests  that their place of residence is constantly undergoing change.  Moon in the 4th house is descriptive of a strong emotional bond with the father, and he may be viewed as emotional, protective, unstable, or moody and unreliable. The Moon is the mother image and is usually associated with the females of the family - mother, aunts, sisters and the maternal line, and if aspects are favourable this person may benefit from an inheritances through women.

Ties to the early childhood home and parents may still be important even in adult life, and so they sometimes remain emotionally dependent on others, and the instinctive search for emotional security and intimacy dominates everything. The individual needs to feel a sense of belonging, and is powerfully tied to their past and its origins. Those with the Moon here appreciate privacy and often the environment influences their moods in some way.

This placement of the Moon usually feels at ease in the immediate family environment and they need to feel a sense of familiarity, security, and self-protection. The main problem is insecurity, moodiness and defensive emotions. The nesting instinct is strong and the need to withdraw back home is also needed when difficulties arise and they need to find shelter.