Hiroshima: The 80th Anniversary

On the morning of Monday 6th August 1945  at 08:15am, a bomb was dropped by the USA on the city of Hiroshima in Japan. This was no 'ordinary' bomb. It was an atomic bomb which culminated in the formal ending of World War II on 2nd September 1945 after Japan surrendered. 

This was the very first and thankfully, so far, the only time, a nuclear weapon has been used by one country against another. When an event happens for the very first time, the astrological chart for that moment becomes the blueprint for subsequent similar events. Therefore, the chart for the Hiroshima atomic bomb is the official chart used to predict the possibility of a future nuclear attack. 

Looking at the Hiroshima chart, a few things stand out. Venus and Chiron were conjunct World Points and in a square aspect to each other. In Mundane Astrology (the astrology of world events) Venus is not about just love and beauty, it's about war and peace, head-to-head conflict, and opposing forces. On a World Point, this influence is emphasised and represents global events pertaining to this concept. 

The Sun was situated on what we astrologers call a Trigger Degree and is also conjunct Pluto. Trigger Degrees are situated at 13° - 18° in the Fixed Signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. They trigger - or activate - the World Points which are located at 0° of the Cardinal Signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Again, this elevates the planetary influence to a global level. The Sun conjunct Pluto symbolised great power but that which tarnishes the image of those who wield it. The potential glory was dragged into the bowels of the underworld unleashing hell on Earth.

Probably most telling of all, Uranus was exactly conjunct the Midheaven and also square the Ascendant. To be more accurate, the Midheaven was making a conjunction to Uranus, thus triggering a massive shock. The only problem is that, the transiting angles (Midheaven and Ascendant) form a conjunction to all of the planets, every 24 hours, so why did this particular shocking event happen on that specific date? To find out, we need to look deeper into the other chart components.

Mars was situated in the sign of Gemini, in the 9th house and approaching a conjunction to Uranus. Interestingly, Mars was conjunct Uranus in the USA natal chart which throughout its history has proved to be a very highly charged degree. This influence indicates fighting for survival in a situation which requires extraordinary effort. Extremely high levels of energy which is potentially explosive. 

Click to enlarge

As you'll see, transiting Uranus was also situated in Gemini, the zodiac sign which splits something in two - or brings two things together. This is exactly what happens in the context of atomic energy. The splitting of the atom, known as nuclear fission, and the combining of two or more atoms, known as nuclear fusion. The weapon used on Hiroshima was a nuclear fission atomic bomb.

The Hiroshima chart features several hard aspects, particularly conjunctions. It also contains a strong Mutable sign influence comprising Mars, Uranus and the Midheaven in Gemini, Jupiter, Chiron and the Ascendant in Virgo and both angles being hard aspected by Uranus. Hard aspects make things happen. They are 

aspects of action and initiation. 

As I write this, we are about to enter another window of opportunity regarding the potential ending of the Russia-Ukraine war. Many people have wondered if Putin could be the catalyst for World War III which would bring us much, much closer to nuclear war. So, the big question is: Do I see anything in the coming months that would indicate the possibility of Global Thermonuclear Warfare? The answer is: No. 

Ephemeral Arc - 12 Years

The blog is 12 years old today. Thank you so much for your continued support.

~Sue

Transiting Uranus Through Gemini

Transiting Uranus enters the sign of Gemini today - 7th July 2025 - where it will remain until 3rd August 2032. 

The planet of the higher mind in the sign of education and intellect, will bring a period when travel, transport and communication will radically change. This planetary influence will bring independent thinking, innovative ideas and new techniques.The boundary pushing traits of Uranus when situated in Gemini, will likely be a busy time where thoughts about how to do things differently will really take off.

Uranus in Gemini may highlight feelings of restlessness, leading to frustration and a constant need for change and stimulation. Due to both Uranus and Gemini being connected to technology, expect some exciting, unique and original inventions during the next seven years.

Questioning and challenging accepted beliefs will be a theme of this period. As will free-thinking, humanitarian views and opinions. However, an obsession with finding the objective truth may become a problem due to both the planet and the sign being highly logical and relatively unemotional. Uranus through Gemini will bring intellectual concerns with social issues that could lead to the formation of new groups and organisations. Current allegiances could break apart and new associations will be formed.

The last time Uranus entered the sign of Gemini, the human race was in the midst of World War II. When Uranus reached 11 degrees, the war ended and in the aftermath, technological advances began which were developed during World War II brought momentous changes in surgery and medicine. The devastating scale of both world wars brought about the development of new medical techniques that led to improvements in blood transfusions, plastic surgery, trauma treatment and the large-scale production of antibacterial drugs heralding one of the most important advances in medicine in the 20th Century with the commercial production of penicillin. 

Uranus in Gemini tends to bring an acceleration of change through unexpected or unusual circumstances. It triggers a shocking event which, in turn, brings rapid progress, especially in areas of technology, medicine and science in general. In Gemini, Uranus will bring disruptive and inventive energy forward around many Gemini topics, like education, matters relating to children and of course, to all kinds of technological devices and communication. Gemini is also involved in business and trade, which are two other areas likely to undergo huge transitions during this time. Uranus, the innovator and inventor, will bring new technologies, especially surrounding transport, travel and all kinds of commercial matters. 

The way we acknowledge, see, understand, and make sense of the world around us will be accelerated. It’s possible a whole new system of education will be designed during this period, overhauling older structures and systems. The accessibility of language and the opening of the mind is another hallmark of Uranus in Gemini. 

Uranus in Gemini and Pluto in Aquarius, will repeatedly form a trine with each other until 2028. Neptune in Aries connects the two with a sextile. This positive configuration - called a Double Sextile - will remain active for several years. (More on this in a future post).

Expect revolutions - and revelations. We will be obliged to learn new ways of communicating just as we all had to teach ourselves how to type on computer keyboards and navigate the internet at the end of the 20th Century and into the new Millennium. Back then, transiting Uranus was in its own sign of Aquarius, so this will be the first time it has transited an Air Sign since the end of 2003. Getting acquainted with AI will almost certainly become the new normal and by the time Uranus leaves Gemini, we will quite possibly be working - or even socialising - with androids.

It's a little known fact, but Uranus is the planet of glamour and fashion trends, so when it changes signs, its influence on style takes a new twist. Quite what form this will take over the next seven years is yet to be seen. However, the new fashion will be the opposite of what it is now. 

Your Birthday

If you were born under the sign of Gemini - or have a Gemini Ascendant, you could begin to feel considerable unrest and inner tension during this transit of Uranus as it conjuncts your natal Sun. A sudden impulse to change course and improve your circumstances. A desire for greater personal freedom will be a very powerful force. Your behaviour may become more erratic as your current lifestyle will seem stifling and monotonous. Becoming who you really are will be very important.

The Saturn-Neptune Conjunction

This year transiting Saturn and Neptune will be conjunct on a World Point - this one happens at 0 degrees Aries - the very beginning of the entire zodiac. Although Saturn conjuncts Neptune approximately every 36 years, they have not been conjunct at 0° Aries for over 12,000 years. So, is the Saturn Neptune conjunction of 2025 and 2026 a big deal? You bet it is! 

The Saturn Neptune conjunction started in mid-May 2025 and continues until the end of September when the aspect separates slightly as both planets retrograde in to Pisces. They then come together again in mid-January 2026 before making one final exact conjunction on 20th February 2026. Astrologers have observed that, when Saturn and Neptune are conjunct, it brings massive change to Russia. The last time these two planets were in conjunction, the Soviet Union collapsed, What will happen this time? 

Architecture, engineering and construction are also Saturnian themes - in fact, any grand structures around the world that the human race has designed (including roads and railways) or have been created by nature, are an example of this. But Neptune is the antithesis - it symbolises erosion, disintegration, fragmentation. Reducing what is solid to rubble, dust or sand. So we may see the destruction of large buildings, bridges, monuments, etc, either as a result of natural disaster or human sabotage. On the other hand, large structures which have already been lost may reappear, as shifting sands and decreasing water levels reveal what has been buried or submerged for a very long time. 

Both Saturn and Neptune symbolise fear. However, Saturn's fears are based on reality while Neptune's fears tend to stem from imagination, illusion, delusion, hallucination, etc. When combined, it could be the case that Saturn might bring our collective fears to the surface by making them appear more real. So, what is the human race afraid of? Another pandemic? The start of World War III? An alien invasion? Or could this indicate an end to conspiracy theories which, of course, are specifically designed to provoke fear? The deceptions and delusions of the last few years will be up for scrutiny, that's for sure, and the end of woke is imminent. By the time this decade comes to a close, we will look back and wonder "What the hell were we thinking?"

This Saturn Neptune influence will be extremely powerful as it takes place not only in the sign of Aries but at the very beginning of the zodiac circle. Even the conjunction is an Aries aspect and as it takes place at 0 degrees which is a World Point, this means a massive change for every one of us. With the planet of reality coming together with the planet of illusion, how will this influence play out? One of the possibilities is the discovery of lost or missing people. Anything which has vanished without trace could suddenly reappear. Anything which has been shrouded in mystery may be revealed. Conversely, that which we consider to be real, might be exposed as a fake, a hoax or complete fantasy. I'm also getting the sense of escapology or escapism. What - or who - is trying to escape? 

On a personal level, this major conjunction will affect all of us but will be particularly significant for anyone born between the 19th - 23rd March. Also affected will be anyone born from 20th - 24th June; 21st - 25th September; and 20th - 24th December, and if you were born in the middle degrees (14, 15, 16) of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius. With the Saturn Neptune conjunction in hard aspect to your natal Sun, you may become involved with people who sacrifice themselves (not literally!) for worthy causes, and you'll appreciate people who are not superficial or pretentious. You will seek the basic truth about everything. Under this planetary influence, you will succeed in finding solutions to difficult problems. This could be in either a personal or professional capacity. 

Please remember also, that if any of your natal planets or points are situated on, or around, 0 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, this Saturn Neptune conjunction will be very important in your life throughout 2025 and 2026. 

Transiting Saturn Through Aries

On 25th May 2025, transiting Saturn will enter the sign of Aries where it will remain until 13th April 2028. The last time transiting Saturn entered Aries was 7th April 1996. So what can we expect over the next three years?

Saturn in Aries (1996-1999) was a major period of restructuring.. Aries brings trailblazing energy and Saturn encourages long term growth. As a result, this period brought expansion of the internet and the rise of tech companies like Amazon and Google. 

Advances in technology revolutionised communication and commerce as well as our day-to-day lives. The differences that occurred between 1996-1999 were phenomenal. Home computers - or personal computers known as PCs - became the must-have gadgets. As we accessed the internet, we discovered a new way of communicating through electronic mail - email. You could write a letter and it would arrive at its destination within four seconds. For those of us who experienced this revolutionary technology when previously all we had known was calling on a landline phone or posting a letter which took, at the earliest, three days to arrive and that was assuming it didn't get lost, I can only describe sending an email as mind-blowing. Technological advancements will probably be a defining feature of this transit. Just like the late 1990s, when the internet changed everything, we may see similar game-changing developments.

In many ways the energy of Saturn is a counterbalance to the energy of Aries. Saturn is patient and weighs up the possible consequences of taking action. Aries is impulsive, head-strong and gung-ho. It wants immediate results. Saturn will temper the spontaneous nature of Aries, but in turn, Aries will spur Saturn on to take risks. Together, they will equalise any situation. Both Saturn and Aries are very dominant and ambitious, so perhaps we will see less dithering and more decision-making on the world stage.Opportunities to begin new projects will arise during this transit, particularly in construction work.

This period could bring dynamic new leaders to the fore - just as Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived on the scene in the UK in 1997. During the previous Saturn in Aries transit from 1996 - 1999 a significant number of world leaders resigned. This time we could also see major shifts in political systems. Personal responsibility will become more prevalent in the general attitude of society. That means accepting your current circumstances instead of blaming others or expecting those in authority to pick up the pieces. 

Donald Trump & The USA

Using Synastry to analyse Donald Trump's connections to the USA chart, we can see his natal Sun is conjunct the USA natal Mars.This indicates an action-packed and volatile relationship. There is a lot of anger bursting to get out with this planetary influence. Whatever happens, there is likely to be a rather fiery response if he doesn't get his own way - and a fiery response even if he does. This connection between the Sun and Mars brings impulsive decisions and a fiercely combative attitude.

Trump's natal Sun is in a square aspect to the USA Neptune. This planetary influence shows that, in some way, Donald Trump is causing America to feel confused about it's own identity. His famous slogan throughout his election campaigns, 'Make America Great Again' is somehow implying that America is in a downward spiral and needs to be 'rescued' - by Trump, of course. Interestingly, in synastry, an aspect between the Sun and Neptune indicates a tendency towards a saviour-victim mentality. In other words, one side - Trump - is making the other side - USA - believe that it is weak and helpless. He is trying to convince the people that he is the one to save them. He wants to be an anti-establishment hero. 

With his natal Moon in an opposition aspect to Mars in the USA chart, Donald Trump has a tendency to over-react. This is bad enough in a normal situation but as the President, an over-reaction could trigger all kinds of problems. Together, Donald Trump and the USA are irritable, intolerant, and short-tempered. This planetary combination indicates explosive conflicts - and not just with other nations. There is a strong indication that the citizens of the US will turn against Trump as the USA natal Mars is also in opposition to his Moon. There is a very real possibility that President Trump could end up being 'at war' with his own nation.

Donald Trump has several strong connections from his natal Venus - conjunct Mercury, sextile Neptune, opposite Pluto, and conjunct the Vertex - to the USA chart. This shows his popularity as many people admire Mr Trump because he symbolises everything that Americans aspire to be - successful, rich, and famous. These positive connections to the USA are the reason he is already mega-wealthy and living the American Dream.

However, most of Donald Trump's connections to the USA chart involve Mars, and one very important aspect is a conjunction from his natal North Node to the USA Mars. This indicates a fiery and fated relationship between himself and the nation. This association will make a strong impact on both - whether as allies or enemies. It suggests that, together, Mr Trump and the USA could become involved in a dramatic showdown. Whatever happens, it is destined to change the course of their lives, in particular that of Mr Trump. But will this be for better or worse? Either way, Donald Trump has already whipped up a storm on the world stage. Like him or loathe him, one thing is for sure - Donald Trump is a true patriot who genuinely wants to make America great again. 

Transiting Neptune Through Aries

When a transiting planet moves through certain signs its effects become stronger. This is the case with Neptune which is now at the end of a very long journey through its own sign of Pisces since 4th April 2011, gradually gaining power during the last 14 years. It enters the sign of Aries today, 30th March 2025 and will remain there until 24th March 2039.

Neptune symbolises many things, including breaking down barriers. It fuels our dreams of ascending beyond physical reality. It also brings fantasy, illusion and delusion. And it is this effect which has been evident throughout Neptune's transit with the increase of conspiracy theories, wokism and the blurring of the boundaries between what is real and what isn't. 

For example, look at how AI is changing - and challenging - our view of the world. When you see a photograph, watch a video, or even listen to a recording of someone's voice, you can no longer be sure of its authenticity. This is Neptune's swan song as it prepares to exit Pisces. It is leaving us in a state of confusion as we no longer know who, or what, to believe. Like the fishes in the sign of Pisces, we are going around in circles, trying to find our way towards the future while continuing to make the mistakes of the past. But, fear not, the deception is about to end..... 

As Neptune begins its transit through Aries we can start to wave goodbye to woke. Ditch the delusion. Crush the conspiracy theories. Instead of viewing reality through a veil of fantasy - which is the effect of Neptune compounded by Pisces - we will begin to see clearly which direction we should be moving in. We will know what our goals are and everything will be thrown into sharp focus. More and more people will experience heightened awareness of what's going on around them. 

Of course, this will all unfold over the next 14 years but there are already hints that our current dream-like state of living in an alternate reality, where everything is constantly being denied as fact and replaced by outlandish explanations, is coming to an end. Another thing that is due to disappear is the role of influencers. Neptune is the planet which represents 'influencing the masses' and after it moves into Aries, expect the fog of fantasy to evaporate and be replaced by clarity of thought, concise information and direct communication. 

The last time Neptune entered Aries was in 1861, when the American Civil War began. This eventually led to the formation of the United States of America. Neptune is the planet of fragmentation but situated in the sign of Aries, it brings all the pieces together to create one whole entity. Therefore, Neptune in Aries brings unification and amalgamation. Expect to see countries coming together for a single purpose and the merging of disparate organisations. 

Also, in 1861, colour photography was invented. Neptune rules photography and Aries is the sign of the pioneer. A perfect example of, not just the planet-sign influence, but of what to expect next. So, something that will revolutionise imaging and photography seems more than a possibility. Neptune represents anything that is invisible and Aries symbolises sharp focus. Something which we cannot see will become visible - but what might that be? Get ready for amazing and inspiring new inventions and ideas.