Aneurin Barnard

Award-winning actor and singer, Aneurin Barnard was born on Friday, 8th May 1987 in Ogwr, Mid Glamorgan, Wales. I don't have his time of birth, so his horoscope will be less than 50% complete.                    

Born with the Sun in the sign of Taurus, and the Moon in Virgo, Aneurin is hard-working, down to earth and modest. Determined, patient and perhaps a bit stubborn, he knows what he wants and has probably always been aware of his innate talents. Although he needs to be emotionally fulfilled by his work, he could have a tendency to allow his head to rule his heart. In his early years, he may have been shy and perhaps this led him to keep his feelings hidden, but his natural creativity will allow him to express himself emotionally through acting and singing. Aneurin is honest, trustworthy, warm-hearted and kind.

 

The Sun in conjunction with Mercury in Aneurin's natal chart shows him to be very intelligent and he enjoys meeting people and discussing various subjects. A good conversation means a lot to him as he has a great need to share his ideas and opinions. However, sometimes he may not listen to other people's views as much as he should. Having said that, he has great skill in commanding attention. Communication comes easy for him, and he expresses himself well. This planetary influence - as well as having the Sun in Taurus and Mars in Gemini - imbues Aneurin with excellent vocal ability. This is evident in his work as an actor - he is extremely proficient at enhancing his performance by using different accents - and also in his beautiful singing voice.

 

With Venus in the sign of Aries, Aneurin is liked because he is genuine, not because he has to rely on fake charm - although he is naturally charming - and superficial behaviour. He is socially dynamic, refined, and needs harmonious surroundings. Sometimes he will be over-accommodating for the sake of peace. He has a competitive instinct, especially in matters of love, and can be prone to impulsive attractions. Venus is in a sextile aspect to Mars and shows that he gets on well with others and has many friends who love him because he makes everyone feel good about themselves, treating them with respect and affection. Aneurin hates any kind of conflict - peace, love, harmony and friendship are vitally important to him..

 

Venus in conjunction with Jupiter indicates that Aneurin is a genuinely warm, generous and affectionate young man. He is faithful to his friends and loved ones, and is an inspiration to many people. This planetary aspect suggests an abundance of wealth, so he will definitely enjoy comfort and all the good things in life - if not now, then in his later years. Love, kindness and understanding are all indicated by this planetary combination. Aneurin would be excellent in public relations, working with young people or as a counsellor. His warm personality will make him popular with almost everybody and they will respect and respond to his honesty. If there's one thing that Aneurin hates it's insincerity.

 

A trine between Venus and Saturn in Aneurin's natal chart reveals that he may be reserved about showing his affections until he's sure a person is worthwhile. Once committed, he will be totally loyal and loving, and he is more willing than most people to dedicate his time and energy to a relationship. Being in a large group of people could make him feel intimidated - he will be at his best in a one-to-one situation. This aspect shows that he has good judgement about people. It's no surprise that he is such a talented actor and singer, as Venus trine Saturn indicates a love of - and success in - music, writing, poetry, painting, and almost any of the arts. 

 

Mars in the sign of Gemini gives Aneurin superior communication skills. This planetary position is often found in the charts of journalists, reporters, and broadcasters. This is the hallmark of dynamic dialogue and is a powerful indication of acting ability. It shows that he has a charming voice that people can listen to for hours. I feel that he may be attracted to languages, and of course he is already bilingual, speaking both his native Welsh as well as English. He's a natural storyteller - acting is a form of storytelling and is the reason he's such a brilliant actor. I definitely see great writing talent in Aneurin's chart. He is young in mind, body and spirit and probably has a great affinity with children.

 Mars is in an opposition aspect to Saturn in Aneurin's natal chart. This is really interesting for many reasons - particularly as it is also present in the birth chart of King Richard III, whom Aneurin so beautifully portrayed in the TV drama 'The White Queen'. I have come across this phenomenon frequently when studying the charts of actors. Particularly if the role they play involves the portrayal of a real person, the actor's chart resonates with that person's own chart. In Richard's chart, Mars is in a Fire Sign opposite Saturn in an Air Sign - in Aneurin's chart Mars is in an Air Sign opposite Saturn in a Fire Sign. A mirror image of the same elements with exactly the same planetary aspect. Not only that - Richard's Saturn is located at 20 degrees, and so is Aneurin's!

 

So what does this mean? With Richard III this planetary influence symbolised his disability - scoliosis, curvature of the spine. Medically, Saturn rules anything to do with bones. But this planetary aspect also gave him great courage, endurance and the ability to deal with the harsh realities of life. Obviously, I don't know Aneurin's medical history, but psychologically this planetary influence provides stamina and determination. Emotionally, there could be repressed anger, and a person with this aspect can feel weighed down by some kind of responsibility. Mars in aspect to Saturn can sometimes be an indication of holding in emotions and feelings of resentment from the past. Usually something in childhood that caused them to feel vulnerable or frightened. If this is true for Aneurin, then it's possible he may still occasionally experience a feeling of inferiority, but his past experiences will also give him great strength of character.                  

 

 

 

 

                                

The Royal Baby - A Daughter For William & Kate

The newest addition to the British Royal Family was born on Saturday, 2nd May 2015 at 08:34am in London, England . Her Sun is in the sign of Taurus, the Moon in Libra, and the Ascendant in Cancer.

With the Sun in the sign of Taurus, Prince George's sister will be calm, patient and determined. Even-tempered but occasionally inflexible and stubborn, the new princess will be a hard-working member of the Royal Family. However, she may have to strive to develop a unique sense of her own self-worth. Positioned in sector 11 of the natal chart, the Sun here will give the princess a very gregarious and sociable nature. She will be very independent, individualistic and have a strong attraction to humanitarian issues. The Sun in a square aspect to Jupiter will bring an easy-going personality. The new princess will be optimistic, generous and have an excellent sense of humour - a proper little ray of sunshine! With the Sun in a trine aspect to Pluto, there will be tremendous creative potential and she will attain some notable achievements during her life. She will be very influential.

The Moon is in the sign of Libra in the birth chart of the new princess. This will give her a love of beauty and elegance, and the kind of social ease and gracefulness that we have seen in her mother Kate, as well as in her late grandmother, Diana. The Moon in sector four of the natal chart will imbue the princess with great emotional strength and sensitivity. She will feel a strong sense of belonging within the family framework - excellent for a member of the Royal Family. She will gain pleasure from her royal status and duties but will value her privacy and view her home as a sanctuary in which to retreat from the public gaze. The Moon in a positive trine aspect to Venus will ensure that the princess is diplomatic and a keen supporter of not only her family but also various charities, organisations and good causes. In an opposition to Uranus and in a square aspect to Pluto, the Moon shows that the princess will have a unique personality which will bring her mass popularity.

At the moment of her birth, the sign of Cancer was rising on the Eastern Horizon. This is the princess' natal Ascendant. She will be kind, caring and compassionate. It's always intriguing how certain astrological patterns occur frequently within families, throughout the generations. The princess' Cancer Ascendant resonates with her mother's Moon, father's Sun and Moon, grandfather's Sun, and her grandmother Diana's Sun. Her Rising Sign is also polarised to her brother George's Moon sign - Capricorn - and is in the same element (Water) as his Scorpio Ascendant. So many strong astrological family connections. 

Mercury is in its own sign of Gemini in the princess' natal chart. This is an amazing planetary position and emphasises everything to do with communication and intellect. She will have a constant need for mental stimulation, and will be extremely intelligent, witty and articulate. Mercury in sector 11 of the birth chart shows that she will be very astute and perceptive. Enthusiastic and outspoken, the princess will be full of original ideas and opinions. Mercury is opposite Saturn in the natal chart indicating that she will be a deeply thoughtful person, reliable, and honest. Mercury in a square aspect to the Midheaven shows that the princess will have a very professional attitude towards her duties, being in tune with the public. However, she may, in later life, be indecisive about which career path to take.

Venus in Gemini reveals that the princess will be very charming, with a love of words, and a sparkling personality. She will endear and enchant everyone who meets her with her instinctive ease of communication and the ability to listen. She will be loved by everyone. Venus is sector 12 indicates a love of - and possibly a talent for - art, music, drama and photography. She will love fashion and be very image-conscious. She will have a rich imagination and be highly idealistic and romantic.

Mars is in the sign of Taurus in the princess' birth chart bringing deep reserves of energy and an enormous capacity for hard work. She will show a strong sense of business initiative and a passionate interest in 'green' issues - conservation, the environment, etc. Perhaps, like her grandfather, Charles, a love of gardening too. Mars in sector 11 will give the princess an ability to undertake projects with great confidence and enthusiasm. She will have a powerful need to contribute to the betterment of society and humanity as a whole. 

The newest member of the Cambridge family will be a force to be reckoned with. A very dynamic, beautiful, young lady who is very likely to become the next 'People's Princess'.

The Equinox Eclipse

Spring - if you're in the Northern Hemisphere - will officially begin this year on Friday 20th March. On the same day, there will be a Solar Eclipse. Eclipses occur regularly around three or four times a year, but this one is exciting for anyone living in the UK, as I do, because we will actually be able to see it without having to take a trip halfway around the world. The last time a Solar Eclipse was visible from Britain was on 11th August 1999. I had the enormous pleasure of viewing it and so, almost 16 years later, I'm looking forward to this one with great anticipation. 

Well, that's the astronomer in me satisfied, but what does it mean astrologically? Do eclipses influence the birth chart? Yes, they do. Any planet or point in your natal chart which is being conjuncted or opposed by the eclipse will be influenced for the next six months. If the eclipse actually connects with a planet or point in your chart on, or within five days of, your birthday, then you'll be affected by it for a whole year, and you should expect major changes depending upon which sector of your chart the eclipse falls in. If an eclipse falls within 5º of a planet or important point in your chart, and aspects it by conjunction or opposition, it will be of special significance. For example, if the eclipse connects to the Sun in your natal chart, your physical vitality, creativity, or anything to do with children could become an important issue. An eclipse brings a turning point.

In ancient times, and throughout history, eclipses were symbols of fear and dread. They were thought to be portents of doom, in much the same way as comets were. A Solar Eclipse actually looks like a giant eye glaring down on everyone, so it's understandable that ancient civilisations believed it to be the 'Evil Eye' - particularly as many people became blind after seeing an eclipse of the Sun. Of course we now understand that the Sun's radiation can destroy the retina, causing a loss of sight, and that's why, in modern times, we are warned to use protection when looking at a Solar Eclipse. As for Lunar Eclipses, they take on a red hue which can look like a face covered in blood - hence the nickname 'Blood Moon'. 

People also believed that certain misfortunes would occur in the months after an eclipse: war, drought, famine, etc. Interestingly, it has been discovered that eclipses do make earthquakes more likely in the geographical locations within the eclipse shadow. There is actually a scientific reason for this. The Earth's crust is actually not as solid as it's name suggests. Relatively speaking, it is quite thin and 'floats' on the surface of a layer called the Mantle  which is mainly composed of magma - molten rock. When the combined gravitational force of the Sun and Moon takes place during an eclipse, it actually pulls the crust upwards and makes it bulge by more than 50cm. It doesn't sound much but this pulling and stretching can weaken the structure of the crust allowing molten magma to seep through at certain points making those areas more susceptible to seismic eruptions.

In the 'old days' eclipses were believed to have a detrimental effect upon people of high status and in positions of power and authority - especially kings and queens. In modern times, this came to include not just royalty, but prime ministers, presidents and religious leaders too - anyone at the top of the social pyramid. Particularly in the case of members of the British Royal Family, many important events happen on, or around, an eclipse. For example, The Prince Of Wales was born two days before a Lunar Eclipse, he married Lady Diana Spencer on 29th July 1981 - two days before a Solar Eclipse, his elder son, Prince William was born on a Solar Eclipse. On 31st August 1997, Diana, Princess Of Wales died two days before a Solar Eclipse. This year we have an extremely interesting royal event taking place two days after the eclipse. On Sunday 22nd March, we will witness the funeral procession of Richard III, a former King of England who died more than 500 years ago whose remains were discovered in 2012 under a car park in Leicester. Nothing like this has ever been seen before and is expected to be a momentous occasion. 

A Solar Eclipse, the Spring Equinox and a unique historical event - next weekend promises to be something quite out of the ordinary!

War Of The Worlds: Astrology versus Astronomy

The human brain is an organ contained within the skull. It weighs roughly three pounds, is composed mostly of water and is the main part of the body's nervous system. It contains approximately 80 - 120 billion nerve cells - called neurons - which coordinate and control all the functions of the body by electrical impulses, and is fuelled by 20% of the daily calories consumed. 

Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun. It's weight is more than 300 times greater than Earth, it is composed mainly of gases - primarily hydrogen - and is the largest planet in the Solar System. It contains a core of ice, rock and metal and is orbited by 67 natural satellites - called moons. Jupiter has a powerful magnetic field and emits it's own radiation. It is situated 778,330,000 km from the Sun and takes almost 12 Earth years to complete one orbit.

Why am I saying all this on a blog about astrology? Have I lost the plot? No. It's because a few weeks ago I had the intensely irritating experience of reading an article written by an astronomer. A very angry astronomer who appears to have 'issues' with astrology, using inflammatory phrases such as "Astrology doesn't work". If it didn't work, I wouldn't be doing it. "It has no basis in reality". It's part of reality. He also claims that it's just a con trick to make gullible people part with their money. He seems to zone in on Sun-sign astrology being particularly bad - which I actually agree with. It's one of the reasons why I set up this blog. Sun-sign and magazine/newspaper horoscopes give astrology a bad reputation. They are vague and misleading. That's why I advocate real astrology. It's personal and unique. As for astrologers taking money off people, it's true, there are some unscrupulous astrologers - just like in any other profession - but there are also astrologers who have to make a living by charging for their work. I personally do not take any money for my chart readings.

Don't get me wrong, I have always loved astronomy and long before I 'discovered' astrology I actually wanted to be an astrophysicist. Many genuine astrologers have astronomical knowledge and we all respect astronomers. That's why it's such a shame that our respect is not reciprocated. The article I read - entitled 'Time's Up For Astrology' - was written with the sole purpose of denigrating astrology and all those who practise it. In fact, the author was totally against anyone who had any interest whatsoever in the workings of the zodiac. 

Now, I'm perfectly used to people criticising my subject, or belittling my work. In fact, when some people ask what I do, I occasionally just tell them I'm a counsellor - which is basically true anyway. You just know that you're going to get a hard time from certain, misinformed, narrow-minded individuals, and unless I'm in the mood for a 'lively debate', I tend to avoid arguing against ignorance. What annoyed me about the article was the fact that, in the 21st Century, it's hard to believe that people are still getting the wrong idea about astrology, and for reasons known only to themselves, astronomers continue to have a problem with astrology - and astrologers.... 

A quick history lesson: Originally, there was only astrology. Ancient astrologers observed the motion of the heavenly bodies and through these observations they discovered that the Sun, Moon and planets appear to exert an influence upon Earth depending upon their relative positions in the sky. They found out that this influence had an effect on the personality, physicality and behaviour of human beings. They also learned that by observing the cycles of movement in the sky they could predict future events. They knew the universe had a purpose, a soul, an intelligence. As more knowledge of the universe became available through modern technology like telescopes, astrology was overtaken by astronomy. You could say that astrology gave birth to astronomy. It was the precursor to this new science. The foundation. The root knowledge. But why do astronomers continue to deny that astrology has any value? They are almost paranoid about it. What have they got to be afraid of? Why do they feel threatened by it? Maybe it's because they only see the universe as a purely physical entity. 

Which brings me back to the beginning of this post. The descriptions of the human brain and the planet Jupiter are their basic, physical functions. But we all know that there is more to the brain than just water and electrical impulses. The brain gives us our inner identity, character and personality. Without it, so many wonderful, yet abstract phenomena would not even exist: art, music, mathematics, language, humour, compassion, love. A physical description of the brain would have you believe that its only function is to control the body, but we know that's not true. The brain doesn't just control - it also creates. 

The same is true for the planets. Jupiter is a fascinating study of facts, figures and statistics - as are the other bodies in the Solar System. It's dimensions are awe-inspiring, it's chemical composition is astounding. But, as we astrologers know, it is so much more than just a giant sphere of rock, metal, ice and gas. Someone once said, "The stars were not placed in the sky just to be admired". This is the philosophy of astrologers. We believe the universe is a mechanism. A fully-functioning machine. A cosmic computer. Maybe one day, astronomers will open their minds and appreciate just exactly how amazing the universe really is. 'Time's Up For Astrology'? Definitely not. 

Onwards & Upwards

Under my blog title there is the phrase: 'Real astrology for the 21st century'. This is a cause close to my heart as I firmly believe that, although astrology has been studied and practised for thousands of years, it's important that astrologers make sure that it continues to evolve. 

Throughout history, astrologers have taken the chance to include new astronomical discoveries in their work. The three outer planets - Uranus, Neptune and Pluto - are, historically speaking, fairly recent additions. As are the thousands of minor planets and asteroids we now have access to. These bodies are now fully integrated into astrological calculations and have proved to be invaluable to advanced chart interpretation.

However, it's not only the amount of planets which has to be updated but also astrological terminology. I cannot believe that in this day and age some astrologers still use statements such as 'Lord of the 7th house', etc. I respect tradition but these out of date expressions from centuries ago are taking things a bit too far. Is it any wonder that some people continue to think that astrology is mumbo jumbo and the people who practise it are a bunch of weirdos?

I remember doing a horoscope for someone years ago and when she'd read it, she said to me, "It's very good, but why do you keep mentioning houses?" Exactly. The chart is a circle divided into 12 equal segments - like cutting a cake into portions. These segments are called 'houses'. Until very recently, possible halfway through this blog, I was still referring to 'houses' but now I prefer to call them sectors. It suits me better from a personal point of view and also seems like a more straightforward way of explaining something to my readers and clients.

As an astrologer, I'm also passionate about astrological research and because of this I have worked consistently to discover new methods and techniques - such as Annual Degree Projection and Initial Indicators. Moving with the times is crucial to the credibility of astrology. If it gets stuck in the past, no matter what we astrologers say, we'll have no hope of our work being taken seriously. There will be no recognition of what we do by astronomers or other scientists. As astrologers, we respect astrology, so it is our duty to ensure that everyone else does too. Only by advancing and modernising can we possibly hope to achieve this aim.

Predicting Pregnancy

As an astrologer, I'm often asked to predict certain events in someone's life. When will I meet a new partner? When will I get married? How can I find my ideal job? One of the most frequent requests is: When will I have a baby? All of these questions are a tough call for any astrologer as they require a lot of extra time spent on calculations and chart analysis. However, they are also the kind of challenge that most of us (astrologers) cannot resist!

There are many indicators of a potential pregnancy in a chart. Transiting planets in the 5th sector of the natal chart or the Solar Return chart, aspects between the Sun, Moon, Venus or Jupiter. These are just a few examples of what to look for, but with 21st century astrology, we have a lot more options, particularly using asteroids. One asteroid is very useful - Ceres. This asteroid symbolises motherhood and nurturing.

At the beginning of this year I was looking at the chart of Julie, a family friend. I noticed a few planetary connections in her chart which suggested she was - or soon would be - pregnant. Transiting Jupiter (expansion and increase) was in conjunction with her natal Moon (family, conception, female hormones). In the Annual Degree Projection chart the Sun (pregnancy and children) was conjunct natal Ceres (motherhood, nurturing), and Uranus was conjunct natal Venus. These last two are actually planets which symbolise fertility, so if they're active, this is a very good clue. Although I don't have Julie's birth time, and I'm therefore unable to calculate her natal chart fully, these planetary aspects were bang on! She announced her pregnancy a few weeks later and the baby is due in September.

Another interesting thing to look for is a transit from Mars to Jupiter in the chart of the woman's partner. This is very common when a man is due to become a father, and it often appears close to the date of the baby's birth.

Mercury Retrograde

Mercury goes into retrograde motion three times every year, and it began a new phase on 7th June which will continue until 1st July. It doesn't actually move backwards, of course, but gives the appearance of going in reverse from the perspective of our position in the Solar System. However, this optical illusion does bring problems in connection with the affairs ruled by Mercury - or any of the other planets in a retrograde phase.

Mercury retrograde does seem to affect us all in one way or another. This is because, of all the planets, Mercury is the one which is connected to so many of our everyday routines. Phones, computers, transport, talking, reading, writing, etc. It's the planet of communication and commerce. So, when Mercury changes direction things go haywire! Phones malfunction, computers crash, cars (and other vehicles) break down. Exchanging information becomes dodgy too - letters get lost in the mail, or maybe you send the wrong email or text message to the wrong person. Say something, and it's more likely than usual that other people will misinterpret your words, or the meaning behind them. It's equally likely that you will take other people the wrong way too. Be careful what you say, read and write under this Mercury influence. 

So, how can we 'survive' this period without going mad? After all, in the 21st century, when we rely on electronic gadgets more than ever before, a broken phone or a wonky computer tends to spell disaster for most people. Well, to ease the pressure, it's important to realise that Mercury Retrograde can actually be a good influence. It's all about reviewing your situation. 

Imagine that you're driving along a road. This is symbolic of Mercury moving forwards. Now imagine slowing down, stopping, then doing a u-turn and driving back along the same road in the opposite direction. This is the real effect of Mercury retrograde. It's not about going backwards - it's about retracing your journey and taking another look at where you've been. Then, you can reassess your progress and decide whether or not you're actually on the right road.  

In essence, Mercury - or any retrograde planet - is not about beginning anything. It's important not to start anything new under this influence, and particularly with Mercury, don't sign any important contracts or documents. Mercury retrograde is not about doing - it's about re-doing what has already begun. It gives us the opportunity to stop and think about where we're going and what we're doing. A second chance to do the right thing. And that's why it can be a very positive influence.