Doctor Who - 60 Years

The first episode of British sci-fi drama series 'Doctor Who' was broadcast on Saturday 23rd November 1963 at 5:15pm by the BBC in London. An instant hit with the viewers, it quickly became a national institution which ran for 26 series before being cancelled in 1989. Then, like the Timelord himself, the drama was resurrected on 26th March 2005, becoming more popular than ever. 

When Doctor Who began, the Sun had just moved into the 'travel and adventure' sign of Sagittarius, and indeed, this is highly appropriate, as the Doctor's adventures include travelling over vast distances (very Sagittarian) both in time and space. Sagittarius also symbolises people from faraway places, and of course, the Doctor is an alien from another planet whose enemies are also aliens. This Sagittarian influence is further enhanced by the fact that this sign contains more planets than any other in the Doctor Who chart. 

The Doctor Who Moon is in the sign of Aquarius - perfect for a futuristic drama! Aquarius represents everything scientific and electronic, and the Doctor's exploits are positively saturated in scientific data and electronic devices. In many ways, the Doctor is actually a scientist. However, Aquarius is also the sign of humanitarianism and philanthropy, and this too is a major theme of each episode. The Doctor is one of life's 'good guys', he literally wants to save the Universe. This Moon sign brings logical thinking, combined with a powerful imagination, and prophetic insight. 

The Doctor Who Ascendant in Gemini is very intriguing. Gemini is a Dual Sign, and so many things connected to the Timelord symbolise this theme of duality. The Doctor himself has two hearts, and he never acts alone, always having a partner by his side. Also, the very first episode was actually broadcast twice, due to rescheduling because of the media coverage surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy the previous day. This Ascendant imbues the Timelord with eloquent speech and fast thinking. In fact, the Doctor is a lightning-quick communicator who often talks his way out of danger! 

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There are several mysteries associated with the Doctor. Why is he called 'Doctor', for example? Maybe to make people trust him. One of his key phrases when he rushes to help someone in danger is "I'm the doctor" which immediately puts people at their ease. Incidentally, this phrase is often followed by a question from the other person "Doctor who?" - hence the title of the show - to which the Doctor maintains a dignified silence, or replies "Just the Doctor". But, astrologically, it's interesting to see that most of the planets are situated in sector six of the chart - the sector which rules 'medical practitioners'. One of these planets is Mercury in the sign of Sagittarius. So, this character is knowledgeable, insightful, scientific, and will go to great lengths to save humanity. 

Another conundrum is the regeneration process which takes place when the current actor in the role of The Doctor decides to leave. This is how the regeneration idea came about - a way of guaranteeing the show's continuation even if the main actor is no longer there. The Bond movies also use the same technique. However, could there be more to it? With so much emphasis in the chart being placed in Sagittarius, is it possible that the Doctor is symbolic of a religious saviour? Could the regeneration process he goes through be symbolic of immortality - he is over 900 years old but never dies. Or could it represent reincarnation? Interestingly, the Moon, Saturn and Midheaven of the Doctor Who chart are all situated in sector eight - recycling, regenerating, transforming, rising like a phoenix, resurrection.. 

A really interesting area of the Doctor Who chart involves a conjunction between Saturn and the Midheaven, making Saturn the most elevated planet in the chart. Saturn is the planet which rules old age and time - and is often referred to as 'The Lord of Time'.- Timelord. People with a strongly placed Saturn in their charts often study science, mathematics and history - three subjects in which the Doctor excels. Also, Saturn rules people who have titles. So, instead of their surname being preceded by Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms, they will have Lord, Lady, Sir, President, Professor...... or Doctor. One other curious thing: Saturn represents authority - and what guise does the TARDIS take - a Police Box. 

There are so many interesting statistics associated with Doctor Who. For example, three of the actors portraying the Timelord have been born under the sign of Aries - Peter Davison, David Tennant, and the current doctor, Peter Capaldi. Fascinatingly, eight of the 13 actors who have played the role of  the Doctor have had the names of saints - Patrick, Thomas, Peter (twice) Paul, Christopher, David, and Matthew. One third of the actors have had first names beginning with the letter 'P'. 

Now,, this ground-breaking sci-fi drama just goes from strength to strength. Long may it continue. Happy 60th Birthday, to Britain's favourite philosopher, visionary and hero - Doctor Who!

Doctor Who - Update: Part 1

On 16th July 2017, the BBC unveiled the actor who will be taking over the role of Doctor Who when the next series begins in 2018. To many people's delight, the new Doctor will be a woman. Despite what some astrologers have said, the unveiling of the actor is not the regeneration of the character. That took place at the end of the special Christmas episode on 25th December at 6:25pm (more on that later). This radical transformation - the first ever female Doctor in the history of the show - is very evident in the Doctor Who chart. 

When Peter Capaldi's Doctor regenerated on Christmas Day into the first ever female Timelord (or Timelady?) played by the immensely talented Jodie Whittaker (more about her later) there was a lot of feminine activity in the Doctor Who chart. The Progressed Moon - at 18° Aquarius throughout December - is conjunct the natal Midheaven. In the Solar Arc chart Venus and Mars are also conjunct the natal Midheaven, Transiting Venus was positioned on a World Point, indicating that this new female Doctor could stir things up on a global level. As Doctor Who is broadcast in many countries around the world, it will be interesting to see the opinions and feedback from international fans of the show. In the Solar Return chart for Doctor Who, the sign of Cancer is on the Ascendant - the ultimate female sign - and it's ruler, the Moon, is conjunct Pluto - the planet of regeneration. 

However, it's the Doctor Who Annual Degree Projection chart which really shows the momentous changes. The Projected Sun conjunct natal Pluto is a powerful planetary combination linked to events that bring about a major change in direction. I think you could say that casting a female actor in the role of the Doctor will do just that.

The Annual Degree Projection Moon is conjunct natal Vesta. The Moon symbolises femininity and the asteroid Vesta is also very feminine, representing the torch bearer, the eternal flame, the sacred fire. So, this influence suggests that the first female Doctor will somehow be a beacon for feminism, a leader, a trailblazer. 

The main influence in the Doctor Who ADP chart which has perhaps triggered the decision to finally make the Doctor a woman is Projected Uranus exactly conjunct the natal Ascendant. When Uranus aspects the Ascendant in a chart, the subject tends to radically alter themselves in some way - particularly their appearance. Uranus also gives the courage to change by adopting an 'I don't care what anyone thinks' attitude. Uranus turns even the most traditional conformist into a rebellious risk-taker. It brings the urge to break with the past, and to become new and different. The Doctor has always been a man - but not anymore!

With the Projected Vertex opposite the Doctor Who natal Moon it's obvious that a woman was to become very important in the show. Known as 'The Gate Of Fate', the Vertex tends to bring unexpected encounters. Combined with the Moon, this encounter was definitely going to be connected to women. Now we know why.

The Projected Midheaven conjunct the natal Sun and the Projected Ascendant conjunct Jupiter, both indicate that the decision to cast a female actor in such a traditionally male role looks set to be a hugely optimistic, positive and successful one. It will completely reboot what is already a cult drama into a new dimension of popularity.