Venus in 11th House

Those with Venus in the 11th house enjoy group activities, friendships, having high ideals and hopes. This is a perfect placement for bringing groups together for a common cause, and Venus here helps to foster co-operation between people and find points of similarity. The individual often has a social personality and loves a large circle of connections. Lovers may also be found through friendship and at social events.

Close female friends may be indicated by Venus in the 11th house and the need to maintain beautiful and pleasant friendships are important to these people. It really is a good placement for socialising with women, but it can indicate female rivalry, jealousy, and overindulgence amongst friends. However, it can indicate rapport with the opposite sex, and Venus here may also show gains through such acquaintances.

Venus here places high value on the integrity of the group, and a feeling of happiness. The individual may also seek a connection to artistic or cultural groups. Its position in the eleventh house encourages group activities that accommodate group ideas, love, and they are dedicated to the improvement of their social, political, and radical values. The types of groups they are involved with usually espouse their particular values. The person may amass possessions and give them to their chosen cause and other worthwhile organisations.

The partner needs to be socially concerned, and share an interest, or at least listen to their points of view. The relationship must also provide a level of friendship, intellectual expression and freedom. Sometimes the partner shares in their hopes, goals and vision for the future. However, there can also be impossible ideals in the union.

Venus in the 11th house has the capacity to bring a positive influence to any group, and some with Venus here may derive their self-worth from being seen with the right group of friends. Indeed, friends may be helpful in helping them to achieve their goals and objectives in life. The partner can enhance their social position in life, and they need to be sociable and have a good time with friends. The individual may be a popular person and they are concerned with joining groups which benefit humanity in some way.

Venus in 3rd House

Those with Venus in the 3rd house have a desire for learning and communicating, they usually have a passion for books, writing, magazines, newspapers, languages and the media arts. The 3rd house rules all kinds of communication, links and connections. It rules siblings, neighbours as well as our neighbourhood. Venus in the 3rd house enjoys sharing ideas and likes pleasant communication; they have the ability to create harmonious social situations.

This will be someone who is charming with words and findS talking and sharing ideas a delight and they know how to flatter and seduce with beautiful words. The individual has a lovely verbal expression, and spreads a cheerful environment. They maintain positive contacts and good relationships with siblings, but sometimes there can be sibling rivalry with this placement. Others find benefits through their sister and/or brother relationships.

The person usually knows how to mediate and settle conflicts. Venus in the 3rd house expresses a pleasing, artistic and refined quality to their thoughts and there could be a deep love of literature, interest in art, music or singing. Equally this could be someone who finds enjoyment from casual conversation and everyday affairs. This is a person who attracts others through the art of conversation, curiosity and knowledge. This is also someone who recognizes the value of the local community and enjoys being a part of it.

Love thy neighbour is something the individual believes and some will even fall in love with a neighbour, others have sweethearts from early childhood. Love affairs may be conducted by mail, email or on the phone and this is the combination we associate with love letters. The individual may even meet someone by placing a personal ad in the local newspaper. Venus in the 3rd house enjoys short journeys and weekends away, and travel may be used for pleasure.

They will need a partner who is interested in everyday affairs and is well-informed on many subjects; they relish in discussing topics on mutual interests with a loved one. The person may also enjoy talking about every aspect of the relationship. The immediate environment must reflect beauty and harmony and they give off a loving receptivity to others. This position can be an excellent one for a public speaker or writer.

Venus in 2nd House

Those with Venus in the 2nd house desire material security and may favour investments and collecting, or choose a partner who has financial wealth and makes them feel safe and secure. These people generally value the things which money can buy them, and they may not necessarily be materialistic, but they appreciate beautiful things, surroundings, and comfortable furnishings. It often indicates a love of money, and they have a talent for attracting what they need to sustain them.

Planets in the 2nd house describe skills, talents and resources, and because the 2nd house is an indicator of how we make our bread, it often describes an individual who earns their living through the arts, beauty, relating, social skills, diplomacy or creativity. They may benefit from a talent for finance and business, and have the ability to attract money, either sustaining it for themselves or drawing it from a partner. However, they have to be careful of not being bought, but the person may enjoy spending what they earn on loved ones and the things they really treasure in life. Some might have a talent for finding items of significant value. They can become possessive about companionship, money and property, and sometimes their self-esteem is based on economic or relationship security. A partner that makes them feel safe and secure is necessary.

Venus in the 2nd house may value art and all that is fine and beautiful. This placement will usually describe spending money on fashions, jewellery, beauty products and pleasure. A high income may be valued, and they are willing to pay to have a good lifestyle. The person may take great joy in the physical side of life, and the trappings that feed, sustain, and beautify the body. They are usually proud of what they have gained, and have a talent for finding things of value. Those with Venus in this position have strong values and affection is often expressed tangibly, and they may seek wealth in order to gain social status. If Venus is well apsected they receive help form their friends and money comes easily.

Sun-Pluto Transits: Conjunction

I looked to see what happened in the lives of celebrities when transiting Pluto formed a conjunction to their natal Sun. All these celebrities have Sun in Sagittarius and I tracked Pluto to see what type of changes happened in their personal lives. Astrologically Pluto is the smallest and most dense planet in our solar system. It is linked with the “underworld” and the dark side of the collective subconscious. Pluto reproduces and creates new forms, such as the metamorphosis of the caterpillar, which shrouds itself within a chrysalis and then sheds to become a butterfly.

When facing a Pluto experience, we sense that we are losing control over our lives. For females undergoing a Pluto transit their innocence is stripped down and exchanged for experience and maturity. Pluto is life-changing and transformational; when astrologers see a person who is undergoing a Pluto transit to their natal Sun they would expect some kind of major transition in their life. Pluto is the archetype of the transformative, evolutionary force which releases powerful energy, we may also experience quite a lot of life-changing events packed into a period of two to three years, and sometimes these experiences change our lives irrevocably.

The examples below concerning the Sun-Pluto conjunction often show the experiences can be positively life-changing, but their lives have still changed significantly. The stars tend to travel anyway as part of their vocation, but the level of travelling to different places (Sagittarius) increased during these times. Brad Pitt’s travelling (Sagittarius) is very similar to my natal reading for Pluto in the 9th house and he visited places where terrible crisis and events had occurred. Brad is no longer a Christian and doesn’t believe in the afterlife or God. I am not sure when his beliefs changed, and it’s a very personal change in a person’s life. However, I wonder if these new beliefs occurred when Pluto crossed his Sun in Sagittarius changing (Pluto) his faith (Sagittarius).

Devastation and Regeneration (Pluto)

When Pluto transited Brad Pitt’s Sun he starred in the film Mr and Mrs Smith and met Angelina Jolie who he fell in love with. He travelled to Pakistan with Jolie to see the impact of the Kashmir Earthquake (Pluto rules destruction). The following year he flew to Haiti where they visited a school. He founded the Make It Right Foundation in 2006, organizing housing professionals to finance and construct 150 sustainable, affordable new houses in New Orleans Ninth Ward following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

The Jolie-Pitt foundation to aid humanitarian causes around the world. He also became a father, and adopted Jolie’s children. Brad’s life changed forever when he met and fell in love with Jolie, and with this powerful and significant relationship he became a father for the first time (Sun-Pluto). Pluto rules regeneration and after vising many areas of terrible destruction he wanted to play a pivotal role in transforming their lives.

Life Changing Fame

Singer Britney Spears released her first single and album Hit me Baby One More Time. She became a massive success, and accumulated a large amount of wealth; she was on the cover of Rolling Stone which stirred controversy. However, since this transit her life has never been the same again. Scarlett Johansson made her film debut at 9 years, and the rest is history, she was set on the road to stardom.

Marriage and Children

When transiting Pluto was conjunct Christina Aguilera’s natal Sun she got married, and had a massive 41 date tour around the world, and she also became pregnant, so many changes happened in her life.

Katie Holmes began her highly publicized relationship with Tom Cruise when transiting Pluto was conjunct her Sun. Many people at time joked that he had kidnapped Katy into his cult. We all know the famous Persephone myth when Hades (Pluto) abducted a young maiden and changed her life irrevocably. However, I don’t think Katie was such an unwilling victim and she became pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl around this time, and became the next Mrs Cruise. It was all very romantic and he proposed to her in Paris.

Tina Turner had a successful period when Pluto transited over her natal Sun and she released Wildest Dreams Album. She embarked on a year long tour around the world which broke record sales.

Power-Struggles/Dark Side of Jay Z

Kim Basinger had some difficult powerful-struggles (Pluto) with a man in her life (Sun) when she divorced Alec Baldwin, and the couple have been involved in a custody battles since.

Pluto transited Jay-Z’s Sun when he was accused of stabbing record executive Lance "Un" Rivera for what Jay-Z perceived was Rivera's bootlegging of Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter. The stabbing allegedly occurred at the record release party. On December 9th, Jay-Z's associates at the party were accused of causing a commotion within the club, which Jay-Z allegedly used as cover when he supposedly stabbed Rivera in the stomach with a five-inch (127 mm) blade. In his book Decoded, Jay-Z addresses his assault case. While he didn't apologize for his actions, he did express regret that the incident happened and attributed it to a loss of control (Pluto), saying that there was no reason for him to get into a situation that put him and people who depended on him at risk. He also vowed to never get involved in a similar situation again

Sun Trine Mars

Those with Sun trine Mars have self-confidence and leadership ability, their courage and daring assist them towards success. The individual applies their energy positively and challenging situations are easily overcome; their assertive force combines harmoniously into clear, self-confident determination. Aggressiveness is directed in a healthy manner, and they enjoy new challenges. They have the gift for beginning positive and constructive enterprises. Sun-Mars people are active, dynamic, and goal orientated.

Sun trine Mars initiates new projects and schemes, and can be an effective leader or co-ordinator capable of taking action and making decisions. The sense of self is strong and healthy and this helps them assert and defend their individuality in a way which is not obnoxious, bullying or overbearing. It indicates a powerful spirit, a strong personality, and they are able to go after what they want. The person usually prefers to engage in healthy competition, and enjoy sport or intellectual challenges.

Sun trine Mars people are not frightened to follow their own path in life. Sun sextile or trine Mars generally indicates strength and directness in self-expression. Some Sun trine Mars people seemingly have endless energy, and their creative ideas often find expression. The Sun-Mars’ individual will find their physical vitality keeps them going and it indicates considerable physical strength and bags of energy. There can be benefits through the father and men in general, and they handle situations in their own individual way, and without needing social approval. Sun sextile or trine Mars can bring energy and vitality into the person’s life.

Sun-Mars’ energy is also resource that helps them come back time and again. These people don’t possess a self-defeatist attitude, and they time their action effortlessly even when others are continually struggling to make it. The ability to keep positive, self-champion, and keep going creates a winner, and this healthy amount of self-confidence and self-interest is something we could all incorporate into our lives.

Saturn in 12th House

Saturn in the 12th house tends to feel a responsibility for all the suffering in society. Liz Greene says the twelfth house is always a difficult house unless the path of service is pursued, and that somehow the release of energy in this way alleviates much of the frustration and loneliness which accompanies 12th house planets, and makes the required sacrifices bearable.

Some with this placement take responsibility for the care of mentally ill and others who feel.they are somehow separate from humanity. Saturn in 12th house may find themselves in a hospital or prison, and feel weighed down by the feeling of isolation and loneliness. Saturn here also represents the sacrifice of the individual’s personal goals, which is often this is done because there is a sense of guilt, obligation and responsibility.

Guilt looms large with this placement of Saturn although it is generalized rather than specific guilt. It may cause a man to seek penance through solitude, or there may be religious penance in the literal sense resulting in the monk or the nun. It may apparently be involuntary penance as is the case with incarceration; but the man himself chooses this course although he may not consciously believe he will have to pay. It may result in sickness or withdrawal from conscious awareness through drugs, alcohol, or insanity. Or it may be much more subtle and less drastic, as in the case of the man who is always alone and always feels separation from the rest of humanity and the rest of life, no matter how many people he surrounds himself with. By Liz Greene, A New Look at an Old Devil

The twelfth house brings up uncomfortable images of chaos, insanity, sickness and the eventual loss of the self, and there are deep fears around letting go emotionally, representing the individual who feels they need to protect and defend themselves against the inner chaos of the 12th house. Therefore they may spend some of their time working in solitude and find themselves reviewing the past through a state of deep introspection. Amongst other things the twelfth house rules secrets, all that is hidden, and the subconscious mind. As a cadent house it naturally rules the mind and is optimum for dealing with all kinds of phobias and anxieties dating from childhood, perhaps even further back. This house is about dissolving boundaries and entering the unconscious life; but Saturn abhors dissolution, and fears what lies beyond reality. The individual with Saturn in the 12th house sometimes feels a lack of stability, dread of the irrational, and fear of losing control over oneself and ending up in isolation or imprisoned.

Saturn here can find great inner strength and gradually open up to the vast, unknown, and chaotic depths of one’s own soul. These people are humble and capable of great devotion, service, and selflessness. They have the capacity to work productively behind the scenes, and in private. The task is to learn how to face the unconscious mind, and find illuminating experiences in the vague, the mysterious and unseen, and bring these collective images into some kind of form.

Astrology Circle

I made a list of other astrology blogs to check out with feeds so you can see all the new posts, and read the latest content. It's handy for keeping up with all the astrology blogs out there.

The Astrology Blog List

Happy Reading, Julie.

Heart of the Ocean

Venus has entered Pisces and this is the place of her exaltation, most astrologers find the falls and exaltations to be a little out-dated. The senses are really heightened when Venus is in Pisces and particularly to beauty. We often see a love where no boundaries exist, and dreamlike and unrealistic relationships are also ruled by Neptune. Venus in Pisces is a dreamer, idealist, and believer in love.

Venus in Pisces gives us the most beautiful fantasy that art has ever penned, and we lose ourselves in make-believe. It also reminds us of far-way, elusive and slippery images of love and beauty, like the Princess, beautiful mermaid, and fantasy woman. The Piscean energy feels connected to places and people no matter how far apart. Venus in Pisces describes someone with the capacity for unconditional love, and Pisces loves the magic and mystery of the ocean.

Titanic is a love story which ended in tragedy, but the two lovers crossed social boundaries to be with one another. This is a romantic love story of epic proportions and a working class man, who is also an artist, awakens the passions of the upper class woman. He stirs her emotions and she sees beyond his material station in life. He becomes her secret lover and they profess their devotion to one another. It’s a fictional story set across the real life backdrop of a split between the classes. Back then class differences spelt the difference between life and death.

We also have a story centred on looking for the heart of the ocean (Venus in Pisces). In the film Rose Dawson plays an old woman reflecting back on her life and time on the Titanic, and we see she is stuck in a loveless marriage and needs rescuing. In some ways the story reminds me of the Greek myth where Aphrodite (Venus) and her son Eros are escaping the monster Typhon and find themselves in need of escape. To escape the monster, Venus and Cupid leaped into the River and assumed the form of two fishes, and because they don’t want to lose each other, they hold onto the end of a silver cord.

Pluto in 10th House

Those with Pluto in the 10th house have their compulsive nature focused on worldly ambitions, and expression of authority. They are likely to find themselves in positions of power and there is an insatiable drive towards success. The individual has a strong striving for impact and influence in society, and may be completely obsessed with their calling in life. They can become consumed by their career and their need for professional success is always intensified.

Pluto here has tremendous determination and great organisation skills. Some work in Plutonian areas like psychology, mining, healing, investigating, or business, but usually one deals with the issue of power, and sometimes the individual seeks to expose the establishment, and this placement can indicate a troubling relationship with authority figures. Those with Pluto in the 10th house may face humiliating experiences at the hands of those in power. Sometimes there is a distrust of those in authority, and Pluto in the 10th house needs to periodically tear down structures and rebuild them. In some cases this may mean leaving an established career, and embarking on a radically different one. They may be subject to career upheavals, public disgrace, have their reputation destroyed, or see the destruction of their career.

The individual may face forced redundancy, complete takeover, or witness a business collapsing. Sometimes they can no longer tolerate their career and don’t feel as if they are passionately engaged anymore. However, even in all of these cases the person has the ability to regenerate their career and vocation, pick up the pieces and start all over again.

Negatively the shadowy side of Pluto may enter their career and the individual may be ruthless, manipulative, secretive and underhanded in business. However, for most people they are challenged to learn how to use the right amount of assertiveness to avoid power-struggles when they reach the top. Pluto’s position in any of the houses shows the use and abuse of power, and when Pluto is in the 10th house they are very sensitive to the issue of control.

Pluto in this position may have grown up with a dominant parent, and viewed them as oppressive or controlling. Whatever the case, the parent wields an enormous amount of power in the family. Similarly they may view them as dark, possessive and threatening. In reality the parent may not be this way at all, and she may have struggled successfully with some crisis or trauma, but the individual may feel sensitive and vulnerable in their presence. Sometimes it can mean the death of parent or early emotional problems.

Pluto in the 10th house may be responsible for transforming society and tearing down old systems that have become outworn and out-dated. The individual also lets nothing stand in the way of their ambition, and they want to remake and change the world in some significant way.

Pluto in 9th House

Those with Pluto in the 9th house may go through a philosophical overhaul and dramatic crisis in life come as a result of belief systems. They may be fascinated with alchemy, archaeology, pre-history, magic, or the occult. This is also an excellent placement for anyone involved in psychology, research and things of an investigative nature. The image of God is characterised by deep, personal experience of transformation. The individual holds the belief that knowledge is power, and they are keen on studying, and there is a feeling that one must root out this knowledge for themselves.

Pluto will tear everything apart until it finds the hidden meaning. Higher education may have a profound impact on the individual for one reason or another, and they could dramatically switch courses. They are often insatiable to find answers to some of life’s bigger questions, and need to understand the laws and patterns which govern life. Pluto in the 9th house desperately needs to find some meaning in their lives, it’s as if their very survival depends on understanding the world at large.

Much will depend upon the nature of the ideology they adopt, and at the extreme level they may be a religious fanatic, or a revolutionary attempting to force their worldview on others. Similarly they may also feel persecuted for what they believe, and philosophies are torn down and restructured. Some feel betrayed by the belief system they have followed, and the collapse and deep loss of faith can be overwhelming. The way the individual views and perceives life will undergo major adjustments, and they might even have to face some form of prejudice – either from groups or mainstream society.

There is an intensive struggle for the deeper truths in life, and travelling to places may involve some kind of trauma, crisis or death. Moreover the individual may feel dramatically transformed while travelling and experiencing different cultures. Pluto’s position in the 9th house brings feelings of rootlessness so that the view of life or religion has to be looked for elsewhere. The search for a new vision may become obsessive, and for some there is a deep dislike of hypocrisy. The higher mind goes through periodic purges and at certain points in their lives they follow a course of study, religion or philosophy with conviction.

Pluto in the 9th house wants to discover the meaning of the universe, and they can be adept at understanding the deeper aspects of education, teaching and travelling. The 9th house is also related to the higher courts and legal battles are long drawn out and painful. Sometimes there are even some disputes with the in-laws. There will be times in their lives that they passionately crusade something they deem noble and important. The individual can be instrumental in bringing about change in areas of higher learning, religion, or other studies, and radically alter their own perspective in the process.

Houses of the New and Full Moon - Soon

I will try and get around to writing up the meaning of the New Moon and Full Moon in the houses sometime within the next couple of weeks. I didn't have time to do it for the first horoscope. Hopefully they will be definitely ready by May.

Here is the PDF version of my April 2011 Horoscope; it's a different format to read it in. Scroll down and click the square on the PDF in the right hand corner to enlarge the report, and press Esc when you are done.

April Horoscope 2011

April 2011 horoscope, these horscope predictions for April 2011 are based on the planetary aspects and New and Full Moon.

The Sun is in the constellation of Aries; this is the period running from the 21st of March to the 21st April. Aries is the beginning of new life and all of nature bursts with life and colour. The ice melts, rivers flow, and plants emerge. At the time of the Vernal Equinox, when spring is bursting, and after a long winter, everything is fresh and new. Aries is the sign of new ideas and a sign of change. Sometimes the energy is rash and premature, but the whole world is responding to this new energy emerging. The four cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) traditionally marked the change of season. Springtime is a season of renewal – a rebirth of plant and animal life.

Easter falls in this month and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and new birth. The Aries energy is powerful right now and the collective is direct and forceful, Uranus first entered Aries in 2010 and it will remain there until 2018. The awakening of a new progressive and disruptive energy breaks through. Human beings will change the world according to this brand new vision, and there are likely to be violent eruptions happening everywhere. This revolutionary spirit will felt in all areas. When Uranus was in Aries in 1927, there were new laws enforced which saw the abolishment of slavery. Similarly, we will once again feel a shift towards freedom, liberty and the rights of the individual to be free from oppression and dictatorship.

On April 1st we see planets in pioneering Aries and planets in dreamy Pisces. Pisces energy is sensitive, yielding and sacrificing. Aries is dynamic, and represents assertiveness, and leadership. It will be interesting to see how these two energies act side by side. Deep vulnerability (Pisces) can bring out the fiercest of instincts (Aries) in the collective. We want a cause to champion (Aries), but it may also bring about insensitivity and the vulnerable martyr (Pisces).

On April 3rd it's the time of the New Moon in Aries at 13 degrees; you will need your natal chart to see which house the New Moon falls in. The New Moon represents a time to begin new projects, make new proposals, and is a time of beginnings. The Full Moon is a time of fruition, when issues are resolved and come to completion. We see a line-up of six planets in Aries at the beginning of the month, and the Aries- Libra axis is activated, placing the emphasis on the self and others. The houses of the New and Full Moon pour their energy into these areas of your life. Look to see if the lunation is forming aspects to your natal planets for a more detailed interpretation. 

The Sun in Aries also forms an opposition to Saturn in Libra and individual (Aries) goals and shared ones (Libra) are the focus for this period. There is a very idealistic energy about and issues of personal responsibility, limitation, challenge and change come into play. Aries wants war, action now, and immediate results; Saturn in Libra seeks a diplomatic approach, calm rationality, and fairness for all, but we may also feel our will is ineffectual.

On April 4th - Neptune enters Pisces moving through its own zodiacal sign for the first time in 2011 and will be here until 2025. We will once again be exploring some of the deepest oceans. Areas of the unconscious, spiritualist movements, psychology and hypnosis mark this time. We are dreaming of unity and oneness and seek to lose our boundaries between this world and the next one. A revival of interest in the supernatural, strange, and mystic will be more apparent. Themes of sacrifice, suffering and redemption colour this whole period and we ask how we can take an understanding and compassionate view. Neptune ruled over the fashions, movies, and music which swept us away, and we change from innovative and futuristic Aquarius and move into romanticism and art when Neptune in Pisces takes hold of us.

Mars is also conjunct Uranus in Aries and this energy is courageous and fearless or reckless, rebellious and self-willed. We see this trailblazing energy awakening our need to see change and progress. The Sign and planet are independent and can appreciate one another’s need for change, innovation, and original thinking. The pioneering spirit combines with Uranus’ broad minded interest in human potential. It can be a highly exciting and stimulating time and we will rebel against constraints. It can feel like a collective time bomb ready to go off in a series of disruptive fireworks across the populations. Freedom is very important, and self-expression and it tends to be accident prone, too.

On April 6th we see a Sun-Jupiter conjunction in Aries, signifying a time of new celebration and we feel inspired to see the bigger picture in life. The self-righteous energy of Aries learns to be more tolerant under Jupiter. This is a great time for new contracts, new projects, and new environments. This is an enthusiastic, generous and warm-hearted energy. It may indicate a time of success, growth, and grand vision in independent areas.

On April 9th we have the Sun conjunct Mercury in single-minded Aries meaning the energy is more decisive and quick. Independent communication is highlighted and the emphasis on learning and knowledge is made more intense and urgent. The message needs to be delivered fast,  and there is less patience for slow negotiations and a time to act on your words.

On April 12th we see Mercury conjunct Jupiter in Aries and it’s a time of new ideas and represents an urgent need to travel, so have plenty of suitcases packed. It’s a good time for creative projects to begin and we are not likely to feel tied down, but attending to mundane details may be more difficult. The outlook is more positive, and language, cultures, and other lifestyles are more interesting. It could fire off a pretty hot and heated debate, but hopefully the messenger (Mercury) will bring good news.

On April 18th the issues which began two weeks ago should now be coming to some kind of resolution involving our relationships (Libra). The actions taken under the New Moon start to bear fruit, and its fullness is represented by its rounded nature and sense of completeness. The Full Moon can be a time of illumination and planets aspecting the Full Moon can activate other areas of the chart. Mars in Aries forms an opposition to Saturn in Libra and it’s rather like the proverbial irresistible force meeting the immovable object. If worked constructively Mars’ ability to take risks is nicely balanced by Saturn’s realism and caution. Mars in Aries needs to move into new territory and Saturn is conscious of the rules and limits we live with, and is focused on what is realistically achievable. It can reflect annoying delays and things that appear to take a long time to get moving, and this will present massive frustration to Mars in Aries and creates anxiety, issues and tensions. Mars-Saturn represents a struggle with drive and control. More seriously it can escalate into serious violence when the two “bad guys” are at logger heads. The challenge is to develop greater perseverance and endurance in the face of adversity.

On April 19th Mercury and Mars conjunct in Aries and are opposite Saturn in Libra demanding a decision be made now. It can create heated and explosive arguments and a need to urgently find a compromise.

On April 23rd we have Venus conjunct Uranus in Aries, and the recently deceased Elizabeth Taylor has this aspect and we know the whirlwind effect it had on her love life. This is a time of lovely surprises, and if the aspect plugs into your natal horoscope perhaps there will be sudden attractions, love at first sight, and we will all be drawn to things that are new and different. It might be a socially active time and one where unconventional relationships are formed, but this love in the air feeling could be the budding excitement which is building as we move towards the royal wedding on April the 29th.

On April 28th the Sun is in Taurus trine Pluto in Capricorn representing a good time for material security and self-empowerment. Our Values are in harmony with realism, and this reflects a time for material achievement, money is an important issue and there is a greater degree of constancy. We might become a little fascinated with power and wealth and it’s a lovely time of renewal, and this leads nicely to some royal celebration.

On April 29th Prince William and Kate Middleton get hitched. The Sun is trine Pluto and we have Mars conjunct Jupiter in Aries. Enthusiasm is strong, and this extends to new experiences. There is an abundance of energy and enthusiasm, and this is quite a forceful and dynamic aspect. The energy should keep those journalists very active on the day.

The Box

I watched The Box a couple of months back, and it’s about a couple who receive a mysterious box from a man who offers them a million dollars if they press the button. However, the big moral dilemma is that it will kill someone in the world they do not know. The storyline is interesting if you can manage to believe that the couple believes it WILL actually kill another person. So the 1 Million Dollar question is: Would you press the button? I don’t think moral dilemmas in theory are very difficult, but it’s only when you are faced with a real life dilemma that it really tests your ethics and morals in any situation.

This could mean choosing whether or not to cheat on a partner, taking someone else’s husband, snitching on somebody, taking a person’s job, finding a purse with ID and lots of cash inside, deciding whether or not to hand it in. It appears the only price we pay in these situations is through our own guilty conscious. Choices are made more difficult when we gain something in these situations. We can reason it with ourselves and imagine the other person would do exactly the same thing to us if they had half the chance. However, how can we know if this is really true? And does it make it right?

Jupiter rules over all the big moral and philosophical questions in life, and the planet also believes in the essential goodness of human beings. Jupiter believes that something must be fully justified, and can usually justify anything. Jupiter is also a big gambler, and some Jupitarians really love to push their luck.

Moral dilemmas help enlarge consciousness and we think about the BIGGER picture, and how our choices impact others. Sagittarians usually like to gain prosperity without violating moral and spiritual beliefs. I do wonder if Jupiterian people are thrown into a box more often than others. It’s possible we will all face some moral and philosophical dilemma in our lives. Some astrologers point out the animalistic side of Sagittarius, the greed, large appetite, and having a good time, versus the intellectual side.

The 9th house (Ruled by Jupiter) is where we put information into perspective. It’s through Jupiter that we can learn about higher principles and moral issues. On the other side of Jupiter we may see people being insensitive and passing judgements on strangers, but this can be balanced out by a generous and open-handed nature.

Hereafter

I watched Hereafter the other night and was disappointed by the story, some moments were quite touching, but overall it plodded along quite depressingly. The beginning of the film is probably the best part, and we have a couple of other tense moments, but then it slows back down. The three stories intertwine in the Hereafter, and all eventually reach the same road/bookstore and there comes acceptance and letting go. I think this is probably one of the most important messages when dealing with the death of a loved one.

The death of someone close is something everyone will have to deal with at some point in their lives. We all have questions about what happens to us when we die. Astrologically the 12th house deals with the intangible world of spirits, the afterlife, and the ideal of eternity. The universal longing and search for a spiritual absolute. We are all looking for a sense of meaning to our lives, but I think we all have to learn lessons of living in the here and now. I think Neptune has a harder time with living in the reality of the present. The tales I have read on the afterlife often tell of a flood of past life memories. There is also said to be a sense of weightlessness, and some people claim they feel reborn and cleansed after such an experience.

After my father died my mother took me and my sister to a church with psychics who claimed they were able to talk to the dead. It was disappointing to the least. The guests appeared to be plants in the audience. It was not something I really wanted to attend, but I went for my mother. Genuine people looking for answers left the church feeling ripped off, and left with no response. However, it may be left to the individual to find peace, resolution and acceptance, and not rely on the empty promises of a bunch of fraudulent psychics.

Mercury-Pluto: Secret Intelligence

Ian Fleming is the creator behind James Bond, and he was also a real life spy for the Naval Intelligence. His stories on James Bond led to international fame and out of them came a series of successful movies. One of his other books includes the much loved children’s story “Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang.” Not long ago I let my son watch this movie and he was very frightened by the Child Catcher. However, he was not in Ian Fleming’s version of the book and was created by Roald Dahl. We probably all have imaginary figures that frighten us, and I find clowns to be the most disturbing.

It’s quite fitting to find Mercury conjunct Pluto in Gemini in Fleming’s chart. Mercury-Pluto combinations are secretive, private, and guarded. This guarded nature is found in his communication style, and he knows how to probe beneath the surface. He makes for an excellent researcher, and can be fascinated with hidden subjects. Mercury-Pluto needs to root out information, delve and uncover. Pluto rules the underworld, the shadow and the darkness. Pluto is often affiliated with hidden, psychic abilities, and, when it forms a conjunction with Mercury is tends to give intellectual power, profound perceptions, and mental intuition.

Mercury-Pluto people have the ability to ferret out secrets, see through people, and get to the bottom of situations. They also excel in investigation, analysis, psychology, and possibly the occult. The individual tends to keep their thoughts to themselves, and don’t like to give too much away. They find the other person’s weak spot, but sometimes there can be deep seated phobias, compulsions and obsessions.

Astrology and Superstition

I have a 5 year old son, and lately I have noticed he has developed some superstitious tendencies. It’s not something I would take too seriously, he is still young. However, since he is such an earthy child it is surprising to see this behaviour in such a grounded chart. My son has a grand trine in the element of earth.

"Earth has a longing for what he calls the spiritual, although this is frequently expressed as a secret fascination or "belief" in ghosts, psychism, and other para-psychological phenomena without any understanding of the implications inherent in the existence of this sort of "supernatural" world. He will often be found pursuing a love-object who personifies his idea of the medium, the inspiratrice, the guide who can in someway share with him the secrets of the cosmos and alleviate the dull ache within. Unfortunately those who are in touch with the inner mysteries cannot parcel them out like bread and cheese, because such intuitive experience is wholly individual, intensely personal and cannot be explained in the concrete form which earth likes his explanations to assume." By Liz Greene

My little boy loves anything supernatural, and with natal Mercury in the 12th house square Pluto in the 4th house (conjunct I.C) this might give him an interest in hidden subjects, esoteric type interests, and delving deeply into the mysterious, secretive, and shadowy side of life. I had a look through Carter’s Psychological Encyclopaedia of Astrology and found that people who believe in things too readily are said to have a weak Mercury and it’s very often in a water sign, but we might also consider the water houses in this equation (especially the 12th). Water and fire predominate over Earth and Air signs in the superstitious beliefs. Religious superstition often involves the 9th house, and Neptune has subtler forms of influence.

I think astrology offers startling revelations about the personality and upcoming trends in the future. You don’t need to be extra intuitive or “psychic” to study astrology, and it tends to be more of an intellectual art. Sceptics of astrology call it an unscientific kind of knowledge. Some go as far as to call it an ancient superstition to believe that the planets have any impact at all on our daily lives. The term pseudoscience is another popular term used by the sceptics to describe astrology, and it upsets the naysayers to find that many people still believe in astrology. People have always believed the time of the New Moon was a good time for planting, and as the Moon grows in size so will that which is planted. In some places they won’t sleep under the moonlight as it was believed that it will draw their faces to one side when it is waxing or cause depression of the features when it is on the wane.

I don’t believe in many superstitions and if I break a mirror I don’t worry about having bad luck for 7 years. Still, if you are worried, burying the mirror in the garden is said to reverse it. I would walk under a ladder if I needed to get past. A black cat crossing my path is not something I consider to be unlucky, and I have always been fond of our four legged friends. I step on the cracks and haven’t broken my back. I don’t have lucky or unlucky numbers. I open umbrellas up in the house, and the number 13 doesn’t freak me out. Friday the 13th superstition came about because that number sat at the Last Supper and the first to arise was crucified. Friday was the day of the crucifixion.

I have a habit of crossing my fingers for good luck, and there is no harm in carrying around something if you believe it’s lucky. Real belief in good luck is a form of optimism, and this is often something which can be seen in the birth chart. Many positive beliefs can sometimes help turn luck in our favour, and this has a lot to do with the glass is half empty, half full perception of life. 

There was a study done by Dr Wiseman and he agreed to interview an extremely lucky man and unlucky woman at a coffee shop. Before each one arrived he planted a few dollars on the sidewalk near the door. When the lucky man arrived for his interview, he spotted the money and pocketed it. When the unlucky woman arrived she walked right past it. This kind of looking out for opportunities and negative outlook is something we can observe in the birth chart, and often good connections to Jupiter show someone who is more likely to be lucky. The house placement of Jupiter also shows where we want to expand and also where we are more likely to receive lucky opportunities. In the study, the same opportunity existed for both people, but the unlucky woman didn’t spot her possible fortune.

Superstitions have their origins in the beliefs and practices of the past. Some people generally just have a fear of the unknown and people have all sorts of magic charms and spells as antidotes to ward off evil spirits or to protect them in some way. The superstitions over the years are fascinating to read and many are still here today.

Most of these are simply called superstitions, beliefs, and “old wives tales”. Some people suggest that believing in “fate” is another superstition and takes away the control we have over our own lives. Whether you’re an earthy pragmatist, or rational air type, we probably have all experienced good luck and bad luck, and those people who tend to believe luck favours them more, I would look to Jupiter and those people who feel bad luck influences their lives I would look to a strong Saturn influence. However, I am sure there are many other factors that also come in to play in the wheel of fortune.

Night Stalker: Blunt Force to the Head

Richard Ramirez, also known as the Night Stalker is an American serial killer awaiting execution on death row. I was looking at his chart and seeing what kind of aspects he has for such violence towards others, but usually we see aspects that a lot of people have. However, what came about in my study is that he had a head injury at the age of two after a dresser fell on top of him, and he had to receive 30 stitches. He suffered from seizures and was diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy when he was six years old.

When the dresser fell on his head transiting Saturn was conjunct his natal Mars. Mars is associated with violence and Saturn is associated with heaviness, so a heavy blunt force hitting Ramirez would be descriptive of such a transit. Mars-Saturn transits can be indicative of violence; astrologers describe the energy as a kind of brute force, indication of an accident, and separation by death. It can be a frustrating transit and it has also been described as beating one’s head against a brick wall.

Now, Ramirez has Sun in Pisces at 8 degrees opposite Pluto in in Virgo at 4 degrees. When he was two years old Pluto had moved 4 degrees and was exactly opposite his natal Sun, and appears to represent the forced trauma (Pluto) at this time. I do wonder if these head injuries have anything to do with him eventually becoming a killer. Many people have Sun-Pluto aspects and have no inclination to kill, so it makes sense that there is something else at work. Sun-Pluto aspects are vulnerable, intense, strong and obsessive. They can also be secretive and hidden personalities, and there is often a fascination with having power over others, but usually there is a feeling of powerlessness at some time in their life.

The person can be interested in taboo-like subjects and Ramirez is a Satanist and liked to hang around cemeteries at night. In severe cases, there can be criminal activity, anti-social behaviour, and it may indicate tendencies towards violence and terrorizing. Equally, the strength of will and resourcefulness of the individual are second to none, and when they direct their energies positively there are profound changes in society.

Liz Greene in Dark of the Soul tackled this issue and she studied some interesting statistical Data:

The social services are always attempting statistical assessments of violent criminals with anti-social behaviour and, as we all know, there are lies, damned lies and statistics. However, statistical results can occasionally be helpful. For example, according to recent statistics 80% of psychopaths are male. Now, please remember 80% is not the same as 100%. Women are allowed to join this club, and they often do…But of this group it is interesting to note that 84% suffered childhood abuse. This figure apparently supports the psychopaths-are-made-not born argument, although this does not necessarily contradict the possible presence of genetic or constitutional “tendencies”. Sexual or violent physical abuse in childhood seems to be a major component-or a major trigger-in the development of psychopathic tendencies.

On the psychopaths-are-born-not-made-made side, a number of brain tests have been performed on various groups of criminals with psychopathic behaviour, and around 65% of them have frontal lobe abnormalities of one kind or another…Frontal lobe abnormalities are sometimes related to actual physical damage, caused by factors such as tumours, accidents, birth traumas or hereditary conditions…The “abnormality” is revealed in the way the frontal lobe responds to emotional triggers. In other words, one is presented an emotive trigger, like a film depicting a child being tortured, one would ordinarily react with horror, and one’s emotional reaction would be reflected by increased frontal lobe activity. The psychopath appears not to respond. The brain, although physically normal, does not react in the usual way to visual or verbal emotional triggers.

Elizabeth Taylor: Death

Elizabeth Taylor died yesterday from congestive heart failure; she was surrounded by her children in her last hours. Elizabeth lived a full life and passed away at the age of 79. The actress has always had countless health problems over the years and has undergone over 100 operations. Perhaps this longevity of life, despite failing health, could be due to beneficial Jupiter conjunct the part of fortune in her 8th house of death.

Astrologically the 8th house rules death, but also other people’s money, shared wealth and legacies. Elizabeth Taylor had made a fortune of over 360 million, and she was also considered one of the greatest beauties in Hollywood. With 8 marriages behind her, she had an undeniable magnetic attraction. Let’s take a look at the astrology of Elizabeth Taylor and the transits active at the time of her death.

Horsing Around

Elizabeth has Sagittarius Rising and this gives her a love of adventure, change and exploring new territory. She has a strong restlessness and yearning for something greater than she has already experienced. Elizabeth is gambler in life and she is always on the lookout for new opportunities, and quickly bounces back from disappointment and failure. The actress is friendly and outgoing and has a great sense of fun and playfulness, and she does everything in a big and generous way.

Elizabeth’s Sun in Pisces means that at heart she is sensitive, impressionable and a dreamer. The star has sensitivity, empathy, and deep compassion for the suffering of others. Her gifts belong in the realm of the creative, artistic, or musical and she responds strongly to beauty and to love. The Sun in the 3rd house shows she needs to communicate this deep sensitivity through writing, teaching, and sharing ideas. Acting is another favourite Piscean profession and she communicates well through film. I remember reading somewhere that Neptune people either convey beautifully on the camera or feel the film never quite captures them accurately.

Social Activist for AIDS - Moon in Scorpio in the 11th House

The Moon in Scorpio reveals a secretive, vulnerable and passionate nature underneath. Elizabeth has intense passionate loves and hates, but she can have a habit of holding on to emotional hurts. Elizabeth’s nature is deep and emotional and she is always probing beneath the surface. With the Moon in the 11th house some of this passionate emotional energy is directed towards groups, clubs, organizations, and community activities. Usually with Moon in Scorpio in the 11th house groups are formed through crisis and even death. Elizabeth’s Moon is trine Pluto and she has the ability to draw on her emotional resources through difficult crisis, and she is also interested in the deep rooted nature of emotional problems. There is close intimacy in friendships and personal relationships, and she has had several near death experiences. Elizabeth has spent decades as a social activist, championing the cause of AIDS awareness, research and cure.

Addictive Personality

With Sun conjunct Mars in Pisces it shows a courageous and vital personality, but expressed through Pisces she may have difficulty at times asserting her energy directly and it can sometimes be felt in the body through illness. Elizabeth has plenty of dreams and aspirations and she is motivated towards the intangibles of life. The body can be sensitive and with all the Piscean and Neptune energy she can be prone to addiction, escapism, and avoidance; she needs to maintain more regular health habits. Taylor had smoked cigarettes into her mid-fifties. In November 2004 the star announced she had congestive heart failure a progressive condition in which her heart (Sun) is too weak (Pisces) to pump blood (Mars) around her body.

The Sun is opposite Neptune and she is extremely sensitive and imaginative, and she can get lost in her dreams and fantasies. Sun-Neptune types are drawn to artistic pursuits, and she yearns for a world full of beauty, colour and emotion. Sometimes she can have a weak and diffused self-image, and there can be difficulties with alcoholism, strange physical and emotional problems, and addictions which are too easily formed. Illnesses tend to come easily or sometimes the individual gets married to someone with addiction problems, who is unrealistic or sickly. Elizabeth also had problems with boundaries and she is highly receptive and psychic to spiritual realms.

Mercury in Pisces shows she is more of an artist who tends to think in symbolic terms, she is full of understanding, and her imagination may be one of her greatest gifts. With Mercury in the 3rd house she loves to communicate her insights, and she can be open-minded to the intangibles of life. Mercury is also opposite Neptune and she may enjoy daydreaming and fantasising a little too much, and she perceives things that are not always obvious to other people, and has the uncanny ability to “read” situations without being told anything.

Passionate, Exciting and Controversial Love Life = 8 Husbands

Venus in Aries shows her attractions to others are easily aroused, and she has a strong independent streak in her relationships and won’t be told who she should have a relationship with. Elizabeth has been described as a bit of a scarlet woman in her relationships. Venus in the 4th house shows she needs a loving home and being here makes her happy. Venus conjunct Uranus shows sudden and magnetic attractions, this combination is the love at first sight configuration and so she falls in love very quickly. The first rush of excitement is the most interesting part of the relationship, and she loves the possibilities and potential inherent in each new love affair.

Venus is also trine Jupiter and signifies an optimistic approach to love and she is good humoured and generous at heart. Elizabeth also has Venus square Pluto and this shows compelling emotional and sexual attractions and she may feel that she has little control over her desires. Her love life may be passionate and tumultuous and she probably wouldn’t want it any other way. Elizabeth has an intense need for love, but there can be areas of conflict in relationships, with jealousy, power-struggles, or over-possessiveness.

Elizabeth's Death

At the time of Elizabeth’s Death the Jupiter-Saturn opposition squared her natal Pluto in the 8th house (crises, death, and legacy). Saturn-Pluto transits are common at the time of death. Transiting Pluto (death) was also square the I.C – M.C axis; the fourth house represents the end of life.

Moon-Neptune Aspects

The Sensitive Artist

Those with the Moon-Neptune aspects possess an emotional sensitivity and vulnerability to others, especially through an impressionable, sympathetic, and psychic empathy. Moon-Neptune has a powerful imagination and considerable artistic, creative gifts which needs to be expressed. Suitable releases are music, poetry, and design, or anything which evokes an emotional response from others. There is a refined sense of touch, colour, taste and sound, which find their way in the creative side of the individual. Career wise, there is talent for photography, film, and inspirational work. Moon-Neptune types understand the power inherent in symbols and images, and even their dream life has a prophetic quality. The owners of such an aspect may have some interesting psychic and intuitive experiences.

The tendency to resort to spiritualist practices is common under these configurations; and this I attribute to the inborn desire of the Neptunian to rise above and beyond earthly interests. Moreover the ‘messages’ delivered by mediums are often of a comforting and optimistic character, and this is helpful to the anxious frame of mind that Moon-Neptune afflictions are apt to generate. Further, Neptune, through its connection with the 12th house, has an affinity with death and the dead, and these aspects sometimes cause the native to be obsessed by thoughts of the hereafter. These proclivities seem commoner in women than in men, whose activities depend on solar rather than lunar configurations. By Charles Carter

Heightened Sensitivity

These people need to be in places which are suitable outlets for their highly sensitized nature, because there can be problems with ‘over-sensitivity’, and there can be a longing for reassurance. Through their innate understanding and sympathetic attitudes they are likely to become open to other people’s problems. At heart they are open to the experience of life, and feel suffering, pain and anguish. The Moon and Neptune both symbolise the urge to fuse with others around them, and when these planets are combined it heightens sensitivity to the environment, and the ability to be caring or comforting. Physically the body is also sensitive and there is a propensity towards allergies of all kinds.

The Need to be Needed

Sometimes these people are attracted towards employment in the spheres of social welfare, fostering and care. It is an excellent combination both for the arts and for work in charitable and voluntary sectors. Moon-Neptune may serve deprived people and help the needy in society, but sometimes they can become drained by the demands people make on them. They may need to examine their need to play saviour or martyr and learn to be more emotionally honest with themselves. The need to be needed can be a powerful motivation, and it leaves them open to being used by others.

With the Moon in aspect to Neptune it can be more difficult to exercise discrimination, and they are easily taken advantage of when trying to rescue others, but they also look for the best in people. This combination of “selflessly” loving can generate a great deal of guilt which makes it difficult to be “selfish”. There is this overwhelming need to fulfil the emotional needs of others.

Avoiding Reality

There can be tendencies to evade the harsh realities of life, and the individual wants to escape the drudgery of domestic chores, staying lost in the glamour of dreams and fantasies. Sometimes there can be flights into a dream world, hallucinations, intoxication, and addiction. The main challenge is discriminating between reality and unreality, between fact and fiction. With Neptune influencing the emotions the person sees what they want to see, not what is actually there.

When the person realizes reality, the Neptune sea mist clears and they deal with the pain of disappointment, disillusionment, loneliness, depression and melancholy due to unfulfilled expectations. Quite often a tidal wave of emotion interferes and so the perception becomes clouded. In many ways they often feel they are holding back the floodgates from bursting open. Hard Moon-Neptune aspects can play havoc with the emotions, and because of their deep feeling nature it is difficult for them to remain detached. However, they find solace for these changeable emotions through artistic inspirations.

The person tends to resist accepting responsibility, and prefers ‘running away’ from problems. They may be attracted to substances as a way of escaping difficulties; there is a danger of addiction, and to other available remedies for feelings of ‘divine’ homesickness. Moon-Neptune aspects can also form dependency needs on others, and have a fragile emotional nature. Sometimes there is unhappiness through physical illness and relationship difficulties.

Neptune and Motherly Feelings

Astrologically the Moon not only relates to our feeling nature, but also to the women in our lives – wives, girlfriends, mothers, daughters, etc. In a man’s chart the woman may undergo emotional or physical problems, or drug and alcohol problems. In either chart the individual may experience a needy, dependent, or ill partner. The individual may fall in love with an idealised image of the partner, (and unrealistic expectations) only to find out later that the one they have fallen in love with is hopeless, alcoholic or has emotional disturbances. The partner may be emotional unavailable for a variety of reasons, and they sometimes invite disillusionment, due perhaps to some need for everything to be perfect.

The mother may have had tremendous emotional power over the family, but it may also reflect a woman who has suffered greatly, or she may have been physically or emotionally ill. The mother’s unhappiness greatly affects them, and there can be overwhelming feelings of guilt when trying to express any kind of emotional independence. The mother figure is sometimes experienced as weak, unstable or a victim in some way. The mother may have also been physically or emotionally absent, and the nurturing element in childhood may not have been stable and secure.

It is usually within their more personal relationships where there is some distortion, chaos, and confusion. There is a deep longing for unconditional love, nurturance and security. It is often descriptive of yearning for the ideal and often unobtainable domestic and emotional experience. Neptune tends to cloud the mothering experience and puts a veil around them, and so her image may be unclear and confusing. Often the image of woman is associated with martyrdom and there is much sympathy for the suffering of women. Moon-Neptune is the most compassionate and extremely impressionable, but also emotionally vulnerable. The individual loses his or her emotional boundaries, feels profoundly connected to others, and is easily hurt.

The 4th House

The 4th house is the place of home and family life. Its natural sign is Cancer and its natural ruler, the Moon. The fourth house forms the foundation of life and has a profound influence; it reflects our psychological roots, and not just in a personal sense, but in a way that connects us to our ancestral, national, and even our racial origins.

This house represents our family of origin and a parental figure. In modern astrology it is usually held to represent the father.

This is also the realm of the emotional landscape, moods, the unconscious and imagination. Although all of this is likely to be subliminal, this house nevertheless provides us with our sense of our belonging. The fourth house represents where we go when we need to withdraw from everyday life and reconnect with our inner selves. It is the place we look for emotional support and sustenance. It shows where we retreat, reflect and refill our emotional well, and it provides a kind of shelter from the outside world.

The term ‘nuclear family’ was first coined to describe the ‘average’ family, consisting of a mother and father and 2.4 children. However, the term is out-of-date now and there are many kinds of family, fatherless households, grandparents led households, and adopted children. Whatever the situation, the fourth house is the centre for the formation of human relationships. It’s a museum of memories, and our interactions with our family of origin - those who raised us throughout childhood – can influence all areas of our lives in adulthood.

A family means belonging. A family is people caring about what happens to eachother and letting it show. A family is people giving and receiving love. The fourth house represents the depths of our soul, and most private self. The influence of our family and conditioning that we received while growing up are also the legacy of the fourth house. Planets here reveal what our early home environment was like. It determines how we find emotional security, and our attitude towards nurturing, protection and care. The fourth house shows our past, emotional history, and the imprint of our family. It is important to remember that placements here describe how the individual experienced a parent, rather than who they were as people.

The fourth house describes our need to belong to a tight-knit family, and planets here describe how we find the “home” within. It also signifies how easy or difficult it is to express our inner most needs and feelings. The Sun in the fourth house may present a struggle because the family background is so influential. The Moon in the 4th house needs a place of seclusion, and psychic sensitivity may be strong. The fourth house in general is where we do things on the basis of habit, and it describes the emotional atmosphere which surrounds a person.

Traditionally the fourth house has to do with “endings”: how we bring matters to a close, and represents our later years when we retire.

The fourth house is traditionally associated with the end of life and with endings in general. The fruit and foliage of the tree fall to the ground and once again nourish its roots. In the same way, on a daily basis, the individual might go out in the world and pursue their career (Tenth) during the day but at night will return to their home and their private life (Fourth). On a lifetime basis, we will have some kind of role in society (Tenth). Often this is a career, but towards the later stages of life we retire (Fourth). Sue Tompkins

Taurus and Gemini: Adjacent Signs

I stumbled across this wonderful picture of a Tortoise and a butterfly and it reminded me of the stark differences between Taurus and Gemini. Adjacent signs are often markedly different from one another. Take Taurus she is slow, steady and persistent, and we can rely on her to be strong, dependable and enduring. Taurus tends to plod along and refuses to be rushed, but she can sometimes easily fall into a rut. Gemini is light and airy and possesses glittering charm; there is a youthfulness and quickness of energy.

Gemini is ruled by Mercury and in Greek mythology relates to the god Hermes. Jungian analysts labelled him the eternal puer, and he tends to float through life without any definable purpose. Frequently adjacent signs differ widely in their characteristics, and we will read quite conflicting statements.

Both signs consist of a completely different element and mode. Taurus is fixed earth and Gemini is mutable air. Fixed energy is pretty much unchanging and earth is as fixed to the floor as we could possibly get. Meanwhile mutable energy is changeable and flexible and air is everywhere, free floating, moving with the wind.

We can compare adjacent signs to two contrasting energies. Gemini avoids anything that weighs him down, and Taurus stays with whatever provides solid security. However, being so overly attached to something can lead to stagnation and immobility. Gemini tends to get bored quickly, while Taurus has stamina and sticks with her intended course.

In mythology Hermes (Gemini) fashioned a musical instrument out of the tortoise’s shell and transformed her. The ingenuity and inventiveness of Gemini works well when making something of practical use (Taurus). I believe this is the natural progression of the zodiac wheel, and the first four signs of the horoscope represent the elements at their simplest expression. In Gemini we are first introduced to the INTELLECT, and Taurus is usually rooted in REALITY.

Still, both signs are rational and prefer focusing on facts and they don’t enjoy majestic drama, and both have an eye for beauty. Taurus’ energy is possessive, but Gemini needs to make lots of new contacts, and it can look like flirting to insecure Taurus.

Taurus can be called a “stuck in the mud” type, and Gemini is usually to be found with the latest gadgets and inventions. Taurus can have a calming effect on the nervous energy of Gemini, but air can be too fickle for the earthy, loyal Taurean. However, Taurus really does give shape to directionless Gemini, and the Taurean benfits from some freedom of movement.

Hermes addresses a number of double entendres to the tortoise, all seeming to indicate that Hermes acts in the Tortoise’s best interest, but really describing the death he intends to inflict on it. The poet in his own voice advances this deception, saying Hermes “made the tortoise a singer”.

Lady Gaga: Born This Way

Lady Ga Ga will have a new album out soon called Born this Way, and she has already made a bold statement by saying the album will be the best of the decade. Is Lady Ga Ga so confident and self-assured? I have an inkling it’s that Pluto transit squaring her natal Sun which is forcing such high ambition. Let’s take a look at her natal chart and transits.

Lady Ga Ga has the Sun in Aries and she thrives on challenge and often feels that she must battle her way through life, using nothing but her own strength, intelligence and courage. GA GA believes in being true to herself, even if it means standing alone. She gets fired up by new projects, and she likes to initiate things.

Sun square Mars has aggression, and sometimes sees little room for compromise. Ga Ga is a very competitive, bold, and forceful personality. She can be attracted to lovers who are angry, physical or highly sexed. She is an individualist and will not yield to pressure. Furthermore she stands up for what she considers to be right, and she has a powerful temper.

With the Sun square Neptune she is sensitive to the collective and extremely imaginative, and she can get lost in her dreams, fantasies and imaginings. Ga Ga may have an escapist personality when it comes to dealing with the harsher side of reality. Lady Ga Ga can become easily disillusioned with life. However, with Sun trine Saturn she is also business-like and realistic and she able to see projects through. The singer possesses endurance, persistence, concentration and perseverance.

Mercury in Pisces shows a mind that doesn't function in a linear fashion, and she speaks the language of art, music, or poetry. Ga Ga’s thinking is highly symbolic and translating her language in everyday talk can be extremely difficult. Mercury is square Uranus and she is an original thinker, capable of unique discoveries and inventions. Ga Ga has a revolutionary mind, and her artistic (Pisces) perceptions are experimental, and she loves to arouse, incite and shock those around her. The singer doesn’t enjoy rules or regulations when it comes to her view of the world.

Lady Ga Ga can be high-wired and she has a progressive mind, and may show artistic genius (Uranus), but she can be high-strung, overly-sensitive, and out-spoken. She doesn’t always take advice well, preferring to try the new and fascinating.

Venus in Aries shows her desires are quickly aroused and she has an independent style, and she likes to see sparks fly once in a while. Venus trine Uranus reveals a progressive attitude towards love, and she is spontaneous and free in her love expression. Ga Ga enjoys an exciting social life, and she is open and non-judgemental towards others. The singer does not follow the crowd and feels comfortable with her own style. She needs freedom and independence in relationships and dislikes predictable affairs.

Mars in Capricorn reveals she is serious about pursuing her goals, she is disciplined, tenacious. Ga Ga has ambition and an instinct for organization and business. With Mars conjunct Neptune she has a strong desire to act out her fantasies, artistic aims, and dreams. Sometimes her sexual energy is confusing (Neptune), and many people have questioned it. The singer has an active imagination and excels in art, photography, painting and illusion. She is filled with inspiration, idealism, and her desires are spiritually or mystically directed.

Mars conjunct Uranus craves excitement, and she can be impulsive and highly stimulated. Capable of strong rebelliousness and inventiveness, she likes to do her own thing. Ga Ga is excitable and experimental and she likes to try new things, even if it goes against the norm. Although highly strung she is original, and wants to try the untested and unexplored.

Transiting Uranus is set to conjunct her natal Sun over the next few years, so expect more shocks, and her own life will pick up pretty fast. The star can become consumed with new interests and she experiences a shift in consciousness. Many new opportunities will be coming her way, and she will become more self-willed. This is definitely a transit that can change the course of a life.

Transiting Pluto is square Ga Ga’s Sun right now, and this is a difficult transit, and she can experience a crisis around her life-path. The strength of her ego can be over-powering, and she may engage in power-struggles, and be domineering. There might be threatening behaviour, painful encounters and major problems with the men in her life.

It sometimes describes a death of some kind, or obsessive and controlling behaviour. There will be some difficult changes in her life which she will be forced to overcome. On the positive side she is pushed forward to evolve and she might involve herself in some self-improvement techniques and tap into her greater potential. It will be interesting to see what happens under this transit if the details are revealed publically.

Mercury Trine Uranus

Mercury trine Uranus has a humanitarian, independent and free-thinking mind. They like to put their mental energy into progressive spheres, which they believe will make a positive contribution to human development. This could include scientific work, astrology, or computers and they believe knowledge should improve the quality of life for others. Mercury-Uranus aspects  are often interested in unorthodox subjects and studying human behavior.

Uranus offers flashes of intuitive insight, creativity and brilliance to the mind. And Mercury-Uranus will involve themselves in new ideas, that allow the mind to function clearly and objectively. A Mercury trine Uranus individual may be good in the area of public relations and they are also good at solving problems in Science, electronics, maths, computers, or even the occult. Mercury- Uranus enjoys making new discoveries and their mental powers are greatly speeded up, and so they tend to make connections very quickly. Processing data and disseminating information also come easily to them.

Mercury-Uranus seeks their own truth and theese people are eager to communicate their insights, and are way ahead in understanding subjects that others often study laboriously. The person is an experimental thinker and excels in dealing with abstract concepts. The mind is always open to new ideas and there may even be flashes of real genius. Knowledge is exciting and highly stimulating, but they can become impatient with less informed minds. Mercury combined with Uranus in extremely inventive, with a keen interest in anything unusual, and others find them insightful and discover a great deal through the individual. Technological advances are interesting to these people and they are quite adept at introducing new methods into existing systems and have the knack for reaching the masses through different forms of the media, like the internet, or television.

The individual can be markedly open-minded and unbiased in their viewpoints, and they have the right idea just at the right time. Mercury trine Uranus may be a marker for an enlightened intellect, and they may be great at speed-reading, and intellectually leaping from one idea to another, suddenly making a connection, but they sometimes skip the steps in-between. It can be difficult keeping up pace with them, especially for minds which need more time to grasp a new concept.

The Mercury-Uranus person arrives quickly at their viewpoints and sheds new light on old subjects. They have little patience for boring subjects, and they have a liberal approach to learning. The individual might change others viewpoints by looking at things from a widely different angle, new perspective and uninhibited outlook.

Mars Trine Uranus

Mars trine Uranus has an independent spirit and they usually like to do things their own way. Mars-Uranus aspects indicate a quick excitability and they have a blending of assertiveness with intuition, progressiveness, and inventiveness. They possess daring leadership skills and they are assertive and aggressive in a pioneering way.

Sometimes the individual possesses engineering or mechanical skills. Carter describes this contact as knowing his or her own mind. This is a decisive combination and they can be highly original in action. The contact is great for inspiring other people towards greater potential, and these people can be described as buzzing with energy, and they usually get away with being a little rebellious. The Mars trine Uranus person may be good with computers, inventing, electronics, scientific projects or astrology.

These are the type of people that may make us feel like we are always a step behind them. Mars-Uranus is quick to react to new trends and they enjoy making decisions, guided by superb intuition. The person has a strong feeling of independence, and never follows the crowd. Mars gets electrified by Uranian lightening and their energy is self-willed. Mars-Uranus doesn’t understand limits and only thinks in possibilities and potential.

There is a need for freedom of expression and they are courageous, adventurous and pioneering in whatever field interests them. The person is persistent and they believe in human potential and their “will” conquers all obstacles in the way. Mars-Uranus hates to be bound by rules and tradition and is not afraid to take the unorthodox path towards their goal. The person is uninhibited and out-of the ordinary, restless and has a high strung nature.

The person forges ahead with innovative plans and strategies. The aspect is also said to be great for problem solving and getting out of tight corners. The person has an experimental approach and their willpower serves them well. They can also be dynamic and respond quickly and spontaneously to challenges. The person enjoys physical activities that test the speed of their reflexes. They have a desire to see progress and change and hate stagnation.

Britney Spears: Femme Fatale

Britney Spears seventh album Femme Fatale is currently receiving rave reviews from critics. I have been listening to it over the weekend and it is a great follow up to the critically acclaimed Blackout. Let’s take a look at Britney Spears astrology chart and transits for this successful period in her life.

Britney Spears has Libra rising and has a strong desire for harmonious and pleasant relationships, and she generally wants to be liked by everybody because of her deep need for approval and acceptance. Finding a partner is usually important and finding the right person to share her life with is extremely important. Other people tend to see her as a “nice” person, but there is much more to her than the highly guarded (Saturn-Pluto in 1st house) face she shows the world.

The Sun in Sagittarius makes Britney an optimistic and adventurer, she is often restless, freedom loving and needs a lifestyle that provides opportunities for travel, change and meeting new people. Britney has big dreams and aspirations. Sometimes she can be irresponsible and refuses to take on the burdens and limitations of adult life. However, at heart she is an incurable optimist and she sees the bigger picture.

The Sun in the 3rd house means she loves sharing ideas, communicating, writing, teaching and she is very open to all learning experiences. The Sun conjunct Mercury shows she enjoys expressing her views and needs constant mental stimulation. The Sun conjunct Uranus shows she is innovative, original, and unconventional. Britney insists on a great deal of personal freedom and she needs to feel that she is somehow different from the mainstream.

The Moon in Aquarius shows Britney can be detached from her emotions and she is instinctively futuristic, and doesn’t like to be pigeonholed by others. Deep down she is a progressive person and humanitarian. These futuristic qualities are expressed through the 5th house. Britney’s 5th house Moon is expressed through creativity and she enjoys play, theatrical pursuits, and feels most at home when inventively (Aqua) creating and setting new trends.

Mercury in Sagittarius reveals a mind that is occupied with big ideas for the future, and she is interested in what is “possible” rather than what has already been done before. Britney may find it difficult dealing with the details, and she has a gambling instinct when it comes to trying out new and progressive (Uranus) ideas. Mercury in the 3rd house is forever gathering ideas and she has many diverse interests and can learn things quickly, but she may talk without forethought (Sagittarius) and even excessively at times. However, with Mercury conjunct Uranus she can pick things up quickly, and is excited by new ideas, discoveries and innovations. Britney’s insights often come “out of the blue”.

Venus in Capricorn reveals that she is not one to wear her heart on her sleeve. Britney cares very much what others think and she is serious about love and may desire an old fashioned courtship and love.

Venus in the 4th house shows she likes to create a beautiful home base, and being at home makes her happy. Venus trine Mars signifies that she is received well by the opposite sex, and she knows how to flirt and gain their affection. Astrologer James Braha warns these people about not marrying prematurely, she does have a tendency to jump in enthusiastically in romance. Venus square Jupiter can show some gullibility in love, but this is somewhat tempered by Venus in Capricorn. However, she has a Sagittarian outlook and so always looks at life positively.

Venus square Saturn shows she has difficulty in love relationships and deep down Britney believes she is unlovable. Britney has to work on self-love and self-worth. At times she feels lonely, as if she is missing out on the good things in life. Venus square Pluto means that she sometimes experiences powerful and compelling attractions and she has little control over her desires. There is an intense need for love and she can be emotionally insatiable. Britney’s love life is passionate, tumultuous, and often painful. Jealousies, power struggles, are areas of conflict in her relationships.

Mars in Virgo shows a perfectionist and she has high standards in her work life. This aspect of Britney reveals a modest and humble approach. Mars in the 12th house means that she can sometimes deny her own desires and she may have always been expected to be unselfish in the past. Mars square Neptune needs to do something which stirs the imagination and Britney needs a dream to motivate her towards her desired goals. Artistic creations, drama, are excellent outlets for her bottled up Mars. Britney is quite psychically open on the physical level, but her innocent actions may open her up to deceptive and elusive behaviour from herself or even others.

There is a strong escapist quality and she has to be careful about her addictive behaviour, dependencies, cravings and habits. Britney is easily led and she needs to surround herself with loving and supportive friends. Although Britney has a good relationship with males (Venus trine Mars) she may also have difficulty understanding and seeing their motivations clearly (Mars-Nep).

Saturn in the first house reveals a shy personality and others may have difficulty getting to know the real Britney behind the carefully constructed mask. Saturn-Conjunct Pluto shows she is highly suspicious and there is a part of her that seeks to avoid the limelight, or at least show a controlled persona. Britney will resist attempts by others to control her self-image and she can completely overhaul (Pluto) the way she looks.

Britney is now at her Saturn Return and Saturn trines her Moon in Aquarius in the 5th house and she has reached a stage of creative accomplishment (5th). We see a more mature attitude, and disciplined approach. The album is being received well and it’s critical how she handles this period. Saturn transits represent a time of crystallisation and time to take personal responsibility. Everything she has been working towards since childhood takes concrete form. Britney’s identity, uniqueness and ability to radiate her inner-self to the world is re-examined at this period. Uranus trines Uranus and she has the opportunity for growth and progress and this is an excellent time overall for self-development.