Beware The Square!

If you were planning a special event you would check the weather forecast for that particular date, wouldn't you? Well, astrology works in the same way. It's like a cosmic 'weather' forecast. The problem with pre-arranged occasions, like weddings, for example, is that they are planned several months in advance, and therefore, the weather cannot be predicted until approximately five days before the event is due to take place. Astrology doesn't have that problem - the positions of the planets can be checked weeks, months, years or even decades in advance. That's why it's a good idea to consult an astrologer if you're planning to set an important date for some point in the future.

This year, there is a very difficult planetary configuration taking place which could cause problems for a lot of people. Since the beginning of 2014, a group of four planets have been slowly forming a Grand Cross - or Grand Square. This occurs when two planets are in opposition to each other and are also being squared by another pair of planets which are also in opposition. The four planets involved are: Pluto (in Capricorn) opposite Jupiter (in Cancer) both square to Uranus (in Aries) opposite Mars (in Libra). This tough planetary influence ends in mid-May, but it reaches its peak of activity during the last week in April. If you're planning anything around this time, I would advise you to postpone it, if possible, to a later date. Anything which is begun under this astrological influence could prove to be extremely stressful, potentially dangerous and probably accident-prone.

Please don't worry if you can't get out of a pre-planned activity - just be extra careful around the end of April and take safety precautions. Don't take unnecessary risks. As the saying goes, 'Forewarned is forearmed'!

Under The Moon Of Love

It will be Valentine's Day on Friday. Whether you have someone special to share it with or you're still 'looking' for a potential partner, this could be a very auspicious date.

The reason for this is that, this year, there will be a Full Moon on 14th February. Each sign of the zodiac experiences one Full Moon per year (on rare occasions two) and this one lands in the sign of Leo - the most romantic, sensual and generous of all. So, expect luxurious gifts and big, showy expressions of love. Leo is also the sign that symbolises jewellery, and with Venus now in Capricorn (commitment) and Mars in Libra (marriage) I wouldn't be surprised if this Valentine's Day results in more proposals than usual....

The last time a Full Moon occurred on Valentine's Day was in 1968 - so make the most of this romantic cosmic alignment!

Perfect Timing

The time of birth is what makes an astrological chart unique. Nobody else will have one the same as yours. Occasionally similar, but never identical. Even twins' charts are different from each other. Combined with the other components of data essential for the calculation of an astrological chart - the date and location - your time of birth is a vital piece of information. It makes everything specific to you alone.

For example, if you were to ask someone for their year of birth, there will be millions of other people born in that same year. Ask them which month and you'll narrow it down a bit. Ask them the day and things become much clearer. Ok, you would then know which zodiac sign they were born under, but that wouldn't make them very unique. Find out the location of their birth, at which hour and minute - then you'll have everything you need to calculate their horoscope.

So, what happens next? Using the date, time and place of birth, the planets and points are calculated and a chart is constructed. This is called the birth chart, or natal chart, and it forms the basis for everything the astrologer can tell you - i.e. your personality, how compatible you are with someone else, or what lies ahead in your future. Timing is everything!

The Royal Baby: New Heir To The Throne

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have just announced the arrival of their first child, a boy, who was born on Monday, 22nd July 2013 at 4:24pm in London, England.

With six planets in Water signs, the new prince will be sensitive and emotional - definitely in touch with his feelings. The Sun, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter are all in the sign of Cancer giving him a strong sense of family loyalty and a deep need to help others. He will respect his family's heritage, his country's traditions, and his own place in history.

Born under the influence of a Water Grand Trine - a very rare major planetary configuration which hasn't occurred since the mid-1920s - the new prince will be swamped by very powerful feelings. Instinct, intuition and perception will be a driving force in his attitude to life. He will be idealistic, imaginative and compassionate.

It's always interesting that, in families, people are connected astrologically, almost as if certain patterns in the parents' charts are 'inherited' - or at least reflected - in the charts of their children. The new prince is a Cancerian like his father, William - and also like his late grandmother, Diana. He was born during a Cancer/Capricorn Full Moon - just like his mother, Catherine.

The prince's natal Sun is in a positive trine aspect to his Ascendant. This indicates that he will be happy, likeable and popular. With his Ascendant in the sign of Scorpio, the prince will posses great inner strength and willpower. He will have a radiant personality which will enable him to reach out and influence many people.

Born when the Moon was in the sign of Capricorn, the prince could be quite shy and reserved during his childhood. He will be very sensitive to other people's opinions of him and he will constantly seek public approval.

Mercury in a square aspect to Uranus in the birth chart suggests quite an eccentric personality and also highly strung. However, in no way will this royal ever be considered 'out of touch' with modern attitudes and ideas as he will have a fascination with all things technological and scientific.

Mars in conjunction with Jupiter indicates someone who is open and direct, confident and decisive. A competitive outlook and great physical energy points to a love of sporting activities.

With both Mercury and Mars in an opposition aspect to Pluto, the prince will have a restless and intense mind. He will want to study in great depth anything which fascinates him, almost to the point of obsession. He will have great ambition, determination and courage, but will also be extremely stubborn  and feisty!

For the first time in many years, this newest member of the Royal Family will marry someone from another country. The new prince has an extremely dynamic chart and will become someone who, one day, will make revolutionary changes, not only within the royal household, but also throughout his kingdom.