Mark King - Part 1

During the summer of 1986, there was a song I played over and over again: 'Lessons In Love' by Level 42. Recently, I was reminiscing about that period in my life 40 years ago which was a time of self-discovery and definitely a coming-of-age year. That song became part of the soundtrack of my life and I've been a Level 42 fan ever since.

Singer, songwriter, lead vocalist and bassist of the band Level 42, Mark King was born on Monday, 20th October 1958 in Cowes, Isle Of Wight, UK. Birth time unavailable.

With his Sun in Libra, Mark is diplomatic, warm and friendly.  His natal Sun is conjunct Venus, giving him the ability to make others like him. He is very charming, open to meeting new people and will always make time for a conversation or a friendly chat. Making other people happy will make him happy - and that includes showcasing his musical talent.

Mark's Sun is in a sextile aspect to Saturn in his natal chart. With a steady, self-assured pursuit of his goals, this planetary combination indicates patience and reliability as well as dedication. It's through this well organised approach that he has achieved so much success, as his enormous staying power and strong work ethic have ensured unlimited professional respect. 

Although we don't have a birth time for Mark, the Moon didn't change signs on the day he was born, therefore we can definitely say he has his natal Moon in Aquarius. With this Moon sign, he will need emotional space and freedom. Later in life, he may experience some sort of radical transformation. With a powerful sense of moral duty, kindness and compassion, he will also be keen to support others in need. Many famous people have the Moon in Aquarius and they all tend to be outstanding - and unique - in some way.

Mark's natal Moon is in a square aspect to Jupiter in his birth chart. On the positive side, this planetary influence brings great optimism. However, it also brings a clash between the need to be at home and close to his family and the need to satisfy his spirit of adventure. Sentimental about the past, he has a strong sense of family and will seek to create a comfortable environment for his loved ones.

Mark King's natal chart - click to enlarge

Mark's natal Mercury is in the sign of Scorpio and is part of an astrological configuration called a Stellium. This is a group of three or more planets in a single zodiac sign - in this case Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune which are not only in the same sign but in a triple conjunction. So, a very profound astrological influence that combines intense emotional depth - he feels much more than he shows on the surface - and boundless imagination. Mark is deeply intuitive and has tremendous willpower and self-discipline.

With Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune in Scorpio, Mark will think deeply, speak with great insight, and have natural talent for anything he decides to do. He will learn valuable lessons through dramatic life experiences. He has great empathy, and an almost clairvoyant ability to read people and situations. He has a strong need to articulate his thoughts, feelings and emotions through art, writing, or musical expression. 

Mercury is sextile Pluto in Mark's natal chart and this represents laser-like perception. It shows he has a natural gift for investigation, with great psychological insight. He will notice the things other people miss, such as subtle shifts in body language, sensing what isn't being said by reading between the lines, and hidden motives. He will have a great ability for in-depth research. 

Mark's natal Venus is in its own sign of Libra - perfect for a musician. Naturally sociable, he will enjoy gatherings with family and friends. With Venus in a sextile aspect to Saturn, Mark will be good with money, rarely making impulse buys. He will much prefer investments that grow slowly over time. Not easily fooled by flattery, he has a realistic view of himself, building his confidence and public reputation through hard work and perseverance. 

In Mark's natal chart, Venus is also in a sextile aspect to Uranus which signifies harmony and creativity. He is open-minded and progressive with a taste for the unusual. This planetary combination produces brilliant and innovative talent. He will be keen to experiment with new ideas and is not afraid of anything quirky or unconventional. He is accepting of other people with a non-judgmental approach, so it's likely that he has a very diverse group of friends and may be drawn to people that are 'off-the-wall' in some way.

In his natal chart, Mark's Venus is conjunct the North Node - the point of 'future direction' - bringing the experience of karmic, serendipitous and fated connections. Everyone he has ever met will have played a crucial role in pushing him forwards on his life path. Music was never intended to be just a hobby or pastime for Mark. It was always going to be his destiny.

Level 42 released their self-titled debut album on 1st August 1981, so it gives me great pleasure to publish this article today, on the 45th anniversary of that momentous occasion. Some people don't just succeed; they redefine what is possible with a rare combination of innate brilliance and relentless dedication, inspiring everyone around them. Everytime Mark King performs, he provides a masterclass for those who aspire to a career in music while mesmerising everyone with his unique talent.

Part 2 coming soon....

The 'Four Fours' - Reactivation

Important aspects or configurations in astrology don't just influence us while they are present on a certain date. They are constantly reactivated by other transiting planets throughout the months and years ahead - particularly by the Sun, Mars and the New or Full Moon. 

The 'Four Fours' configuration which peaked on 20th July will be reactivated on 27th July by the transiting Sun which will conjunct Jupiter, oppose Pluto, trine Neptune and sextile Uranus. This influence will shift the focus towards economic growth and international diplomacy. Expect sudden progress, or an important announcement. 

Also on the 27th July, the transiting North Node will change signs, moving from Pisces into Aquarius. The North Node - and its opposite point the South Node - change signs every 18.6 months, redirecting our focus to different areas of life, and presenting new opportunities for radical change. When it moves into Aquarius, we will be directed towards innovation and forward-thinking.

On the 29th July, the Full Moon will conjunct Pluto, sextile Neptune, trine Uranus and oppose Jupiter. Together, they will bring deeply buried matters to the surface. This planetary combination can highlight power struggles among leaders and sudden change in public mood. The Full Moon will strip away superficial illusions and therefore corruption, taboo subjects, and previously hidden financial or political schemes could be made public. There might be a surprising piece of good news.

Blog Birthday - 13 Today

It's 13 years since Ephemeral Arc began.

Thank you for your continued support

and for helping to make this blog 

such a success.

2026: July - The Future Starts Now

Astrologers all over the world - and psychics too - are saying that the second half of 2026 will be completely different from the first half. Most years just drift along with the later months bringing the consequences of the earlier months. Sometimes, the second half of the year just seems to repeat the theme of the first half. Not this year!

With a Mars-Uranus conjunction (which began during the final week of June), this is the month that everything has been leading up to since late 2025. A Mars Uranus conjunction represents a highly volatile, explosive, and unpredictable influence. It signifies a clash between assertion and rebellion, often manifesting as sudden breakthroughs, conflicts, or systemic disruptions. 

This planetary aspect is historically associated with an escalation in public unrest, protests, and geopolitical conflicts. Mars rules action, war, and aggression, while Uranus rules revolution, upheaval, and sudden shocks. It is often linked to unexpected technological failures, mechanical breakdowns, fires, and accidents involving transportation or modern infrastructure. National - or international - leadership can face sudden changes, scandals, or challenges to authority. Interestingly, this aspect will be exact on 4th July - the day the USA celebrates its 250th Anniversary. The energy of the Mars Uranus conjunction will also act as a catalyst for rapid advances connected to technological, scientific breakthroughs and human rights.

THE FOUR FOURS

Imagine the scene: four planets, in four signs, each at four degrees. During a two week period - 10th to 28th July 2026 - and reaching its peak on 20th July, this spectacular planetary line-up will take place forming an astrological configuration involving three sextiles, two trines and one opposition. The four planets are Pluto, Neptune, Uranus and Jupiter. The signs they occupy are Aquarius, Aries, Gemini and Leo. These smooth aspects indicate that  obstacles will be removed, and events will flow very quickly. So, let's break it down and take a look at what these planetary connections mean:

Transiting Pluto will be exactly sextile transiting Neptune. This aspect has been around since the 20th December 1942 and won't separate until 2038. It represents spiritual and psychological evolution and enlightenment. 

In a trine aspect to Uranus, transiting Pluto shows that we will collectively experience a period of powerful breakthroughs that will lead to lasting, positive change. It signals an era where society breaks free from outdated systems and steps into more enlightened future. Instead of chaotic destruction or revolutions, the changes happen in a way that feels natural, uplifting, and inspiring. Society easily adopts revolutionary new technologies. This could bring revolutionary medical treatments or radical progress in how the world connects and communicates. 

Click to enlarge

Transiting Jupiter opposite transiting Pluto in Mundane Astrology (the astrology of world events) represents a tug-of-war between expansion and destruction. It will trigger massive cultural shifts in connection to wealth, power, and ideology. As society faces high-stakes power struggles, leaders will be forced to back up their ambitious visions with real action. Also, Jupiter is the planet of law and Pluto is the planet of criminal activity. So, a real fight for justice is on the way. Prepare for the exposure of secrets.....

Transiting Jupiter in a sextile aspect to transiting Uranus will bring a period of global progress and unexpected innovations.in science, technology, or space exploration. Shifts in politics, laws, or civil rights that push humanity toward greater freedom and equality. Sudden positive changes in the international economy, leading to open-mindedness, optimism and a desire to explore new horizons. The human race is about to take a giant leap forward.

In a trine to transiting Neptune, Jupiter will spark a rise in idealism, empathy, spirituality and a desire for social justice. Compassion, mass movements for charity, environmental issues, and human rights will gain extra support. There will be a collective surge in mysticism, philosophy, and alternative belief systems. 

Transiting Uranus sextile transiting Neptune represents an era of major cultural awakenings, spiritual awareness and technological innovation. This will herald a time when traditional systems of politics or religion will be questioned. 

The configuration involving Pluto, Uranus and Neptune will be around until approximately 2030. Pluto and Uranus will be in a trine aspect five times between now and 2028, and there will be three sextiles between Uranus and Neptune between now and 2027. 

What's happening in July 2026 is just the beginning of a wonderful new experience which will unfold over the next few years. A professional astrologer whose work I admire and respect very much says that, by the end of this year, 90% of the world's problems will be over. That is one hell of a claim to make and if anyone else had said it, I would have dismissed it completely. But this particular astrologer has been doing research for 40 years - as opposed to my 30 years - so, I'm backing this prediction. The future starts now.

2026: June - Summer and Lightning

Transiting Venus will be conjunct Jupiter from 5th - 16th June, becoming exact on 9th June at 25° Cancer. This aspect will bring a period of extreme optimism and positive developments on the world stage Diplomatic relations will be enhanced, bringing favourable conditions for the possible signing of international treaties and resolving disputes. The collective focus will be on art, entertainment, public events, and a desire for peace.

In Mundane Astrology (the astrological analysis of world events) Venus represents decision-making, financial matters, diplomatic relations, war and peace. Jupiter represents religion, morality, foreign countries and cultures, and international laws. It does seem that there will be concentrated attempts to ease conflict and regain balance in an out-of-control global situation. Together, Venus and Jupiter bring tremendous hope, so perhaps there will be a positive turning point  soon. On a personal level, this will be a great time to propose - so, go on, get down on one knee!

Since the end of April, transiting Uranus has been squaring the Nodal Axis and this aspect will be exact on 12th June at 2° Gemini. This indicates a period of sudden upheaval where our view of the world will be disrupted by unexpected events and shocking revelations.. As a result, civil unrest, rebellions, political shifts, and protests are possible. 

Major events connected to wind, water and electrical or nuclear power could also be in the news. Uranus symbolises innovation and in a square to the Nodes, it may trigger sudden discoveries or the announcement of new technologies that could drastically alter how we live. 

If you're thinking that 12th June is a familiar date, you're right. It's the day that the new Steven Spielberg film 'Disclosure Day' is due to be released. Coincidence? There's no such thing.....

2026: May - Here Is The News....

For three days - 17th, 18th and 19th of May - there will be certain transiting planets making very positive connections to each other which will bring a spark of optimism for us all. There will be news of exciting events and ideas which will ripple across social media bringing 

Firstly, we have the Moon, Mercury and Uranus in a triple conjunction (Stellium) at the beginning of Gemini. Following on from that we have the Moon conjunct Venus at the end of Gemini and then Mercury sextile Neptune, trine Pluto and in a square to the Nodal Axis.

The Moon, Mercury and Uranus stellium will bring sudden events and excitement in connection with young people or women. A conjunction of the Moon, Mercury, and Uranus signifies sudden and revolutionary changes in public communication, media, transportation, and intellectual trends. This could manifest as shocking, unpredictable events that catch the public off guard, triggering an abrupt evolution in how society thinks, connects, and communicates. Expect sudden flashes of insight, breakthrough technologies, or, conversely, misinformation and chaotic news.

Unexpected mass reactions, erratic public behaviour, or sudden rebellions against authority. Mercury and Uranus combined can indicate problems with communication, transport or  infrastructure. News that seems surreal may alter methods of communication and information sharing may change dramatically. Remember, because this aspect is a conjunction, it symbolises the beginning of a new cycle. So, even when the aspect is over, the influence continues, bringing developments over the coming months.

The Moon Venus conjunction will bring the opportunity for co-operation, fairness and equality. This conjunction often signifies efforts toward diplomatic resolutions and peace initiatives.It highlights increased activity in the arts, music, entertainment, and leisure industries. As both planets relate to femininity, this conjunction can bring focus to women's rights, child welfare, and societal issues concerning women.

Mercury square the Nodal Axis represents a major turning point,and a crossroads regarding how information is processed and communicated throughout society. It may bring a moment where past communications, ideologies, or decisions must be re-evaluated in order to move forward. This aspect frequently triggers the release of important information, news stories, or documents that echo the past. It can indicate disrupted transport systems, scandals, or chaotic communication regarding government policy. A situation from the past - often a previous, failed negotiation - will be brought back to the table for a final, decisive action.

The media may act as a provocateur, challenging existing social structures with new, perhaps disruptive, ideas. There may be inconsistent behaviour or contradictory messages from leaders and the media. Public debates or negotiations could hit a fork in the road, requiring a forced change in perspective. Old scandals or reports could be surfacing again along with a need to clean up the mess..There will be a crucial choice for the public to move towards a new way of handling information. 

Keep watching....,

My Astrological Journey - 30 Years

Today is the 30th Anniversary of my professional career as an astrologer. 

There are many reasons why I began to study astrology, although at first, it was just a hobby. When I eventually decided to take it more seriously, my path to success was littered with obstacles such as ill health, disapproval from family members, feeling as if I was going in the wrong direction and wasting my natural talent as an artist.

However, eventually I realised that astrology was important and I couldn't ignore the desire to make it my career. And the rest, as they say, is history