Phillip & Holly - What Lies Beneath?

There's no doubt that Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby are the best of friends. Her natal Sun is conjunct his natal Moon, he has Mercury and Mars in Pisces and so does she. Her Sun is sextile his Venus, and his Sun is sextile her Venus. All very harmonious and exactly what you wou would want - or expect - to see in two people who are very close.

However, this is not, as appearances would have you believe, a sugary-sweet cosmic connection. There are dark undertones to this partnership with Phillip's Sun in an opposition aspect to Holly's natal Jupiter Saturn conjunction. This can symbolise difficulty in tolerating differences in each other, such as opinions, outlook, lifestyle, etc. A lot of patience and self-discipline will be required to reach a compromise. 

Holly's natal Mercury Mars conjunction in opposition to Phillip's Pluto indicates certain patterns of thinking may clash and will have to be faced head on. There is some sort of unconscious power struggle going on between these two and they both have a need to prove themselves right. Interestingly, there's a sexual component to this aspect which often sustains a relationship despite the fermenting hostility between the two people involved. The problem with this partnership is that Phillip is gay, so there is no sexual attraction to prevent the emotions between them turning into a battlefield. It will be important that they both learn to accept the other's points of view - but have they, or is there simmering resentment lurking beneath the surface? 

Holly's Venus is quincunx Phillip's Pluto and his Venus is opposite her Pluto which suggests there may be a certain amount of coercion involved. Her Nodal Axis is squared by his Neptune which suggests guilt, regret, or betrayal. There's also a hint of sacrifice - but who is suppressing their true ambition and who is making them feel as if they have to?

With Holly's natal Pluto conjunct Phillip''s natal Midheaven, these two are on some sort of power trip. This is a very symbiotic connection as both of them will have seen their careers rise to great success. If one of them decides to leave, there will be a definite power struggle and a ruthlessness of epic proportions. This planetary influence tends to bring stratospheric gains followed by a calamitous fall in popularity.

Coming soon..... Queue-gate and Beyond

Queen Elizabeth II - RIP

 

My Top Tips For Astrology Beginners - Part 2

TAKE THE CIRCULAR ROUTE

In my first article - My Top Tips for Astrology Beginners - Part 1:

Link: 

https://ephemeralarc.blogspot.com/2020/05/my-top-tips-for-astrology-beginners.html

I wrote this:

"Get to know what an astrology chart really looks like. I know this sounds silly but you have to be able to identify every detail in every chart you'll ever encounter as a professional astrologer, so it's important to become comfortable and efficient with the actual layout. The chart is, in effect, a map of space and time with you (or whoever you're studying) at the centre. The more up-close-and -personal you can be with this map, the better. Don't just skim the surface, absorb every detail - the signs, houses, planets, aspects, degrees, etc. In astrology, everything is relevant."

 

What I have come to realise since then is that this advice was far from silly as many amateur astrologers don't actually have a clue what an astrology chart really looks like. Reading social media comments from people who are trying to learn astrology and are posting messages such as, "I don't have an 8th house!" and then seeing the 'chart' which turns out to be nothing more than a list of numbers and symbols. This is NOT an astrology chart and you won't learn anything from it. You must use a round chart - it's called the Zodiac Circle for a reason. That's how the signs are arranged and that's how the planets move - in a circle. A proper chart illustrates the actual positions of the signs, houses and the planets within them. It also shows the angular relationships between those planets, i.e the aspects. Please be wary of astrology apps as that is where these lists come from. It's garbage. 

This is an astrology chart

This is not an astrology chart

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Memorising the associations of the signs, houses and planets is a fundamental part your astrological study. They each symbolise people, places, objects, feelings, etc. A good way of testing yourself is to choose a random letter of the alphabet and name one thing connected to each zodiac sign which begins with that particular letter. So, for example, choose the letter C for meanings of the planets and you may end up with something like this:

Sun = Creativity

Moon = Compassion

Mercury = Communication

Venus = Comfort

Mars = Courage

Jupiter = Community

Saturn = Control

Uranus = Chaos

Neptune = Confusion

Pluto = Corruption

Obviously you could do this by using any word beginning with any letter but this method  makes it more difficult and therefore really focuses your mind on what you know. Memorising astrological information is crucial to becoming a professional astrologer. I know this seems like a pointless chore, but just as with any other subject, the more you practise, the more you'll learn. Eventually, if someone asks a question such as "What does Moon in Pisces mean?", you'll be ready with an answer. Knowledge is power.

FIND A MENTOR

Not an easy task, I know, but if you can find someone who is already a well established genuine astrologer and is willing to give you advice, then please accept the opportunity. Remember, although it seems like a good idea to look for astrologers online, be careful who you trust. There are many fake astrologers out there. Avoid  those who want you to pay for their expertise - being a mentor is not the same as being a teacher and does not take up too much of any astrologer's time, so there's no reason for them to request payment. If they won't answer your question for free, ask someone else. In case you're wondering - yes, I'm available. 

Diana

Transiting Mars Through Gemini

Transiting Mars goes on a long trek through Gemini from 20th August 2022 until the end of March 2023. President Zelenskyy's natal Ascendant and Boris Johnson's natal Sun are in Gemini, so this planetary influence will make a big impact on both of them. President Zelenskyy's natal Ascendant will be conjuncted three times by transiting Mars in Gemini. The final hit will take place in early March 2023. Interestingly, this is when many astrologers predict Putin's demise. We shall see..... Also, keep an eye on Donald Trump. Just saying.

So much that's present in our daily lives comes under the domain of Gemini: Communication, transport, electronic devices, commerce, education, information. The people we see: Neighbours, siblings, friends, colleagues. The places we go to: School, college, university, shops, train stations, the local garage and the equipment we use: Cars, computers, phones, any hand-held tools or gadgets. Having Mars there for seven months will bring a sense of aggravation to all of these. This planetary influence will make people argumentative and outspoken, and impatience could lead to ill-considered actions. 

Mars in Gemini is mentally assertive and competitive. Speaking forcefully or bluntly is a trait of this planetary effect which could bring tension with neighbours - and on the world stage 'neighbours' are countries which border each other. We already have trouble between Ukraine and its neighbour Russia, and China is on the brink of attacking its neighbour Taiwan. Will this escalate or will there be yet another threat somewhere else?

Impulsive decisions, or a lack of attention to detail may cause major problems. Over the next few months there will be a surge in communication output. But could the wrong decision be made, resulting in serious consequences? A cyber attack is one possibility. I'm getting a sense of communication in overdrive, or some sort of dramatic event affecting commerce,  telecommunications or the media. Words and information will be high in quantity but low in quality. There will be an abundance of disinformation and misinformation. Gemini also rules infrastructure: roads, railways and airports.

Sparks will fly, that's for sure!.A tendency to react - or overreact - to even the most constructive criticism will be taken as a personal insult under this planetary influence, making this a bad time for subtle negotiations. A lack of tact may provoke needless arguments or aggression. Social media will go into meltdown - as if it's not bad enough already - and is quite likely to become a virtual warzone. Be careful!

Mars will be retrograde in Gemini from 31st October 2022 until 13th January 2023 - bringing a sense of moving in the wrong direction. Mars symbolises focus, clarity and decisiveness but when retrogrades occur this trait is weakened. In the ambiguous sign of Gemini, the effect is compounded leading to duplicity, switching allegiances, mixed messages, confusion, or doubt. Normal rules might not apply in warfare because of Mars (the god of war) in retrograde. Could there be some sort of mutiny? Will the wrong targets be hit? Perhaps even a surrender?

On a personal level, if you are a *Sun sign Gemini, then over the next seven months, as transiting Mars conjuncts your natal Sun, you'll become much more competitive, compulsive and hot blooded. Full of energy, you'll have the desire to achieve more or be in charge of some important situation, whether this is in your personal life or your work. Be confident - but don't be aggressive. 

*If you want to know exactly when this will happen for you, just comment below this article with the day and month of your birthday. For example: 8th June. 

Boris Johnson - Part 2

With Solar Arc Jupiter in a sextile aspect to Boris' natal Pluto, there was a danger of squandering potential success by using unscrupulous means. Conflict with authority, inflated sense of self-importance and traumatic losses are all indicated. Jupiter is also in a square aspect to his natal Ascendant bringing difficulty in reconciling the need for freedom with obligations to others. Both of these planetary influences will continue until 2024. 

Solar Arc Jupiter began to form a conjunction to Boris natal Midheaven this year. This aspect will be exact in 2023 and will continue throughout 2024 before ending in 2025. Although Jupiter is often seen to have a beneficial effect, it's actual function is to accentuate and amplify. Therefore, it often acts as a destructive influence by producing over-confidence leading to downfall. Former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had this same influence - by transit - when she was forced to resign. 

With Solar Arc Saturn in opposition to his natal Moon until 2024, Boris will be reassessing past deeds and seeing himself in a more realistic light. This planetary influence will be very difficult for him emotionally. He will need to feel a sense of inner fulfillment in his work, but during this period he may experience conflict between the demands of his career, activities in the outside world, and his need for personal happiness. This planetary combination will bring a time of perspective during which he may need to make some adjustments to the organisation of his life. 

There are many aspects involving Uranus in Boris' chart this year, so it was no surprise that there would be a few sudden and shocking developments. Uranus brings change - whether you want it or not - and has a 'flip-over' effect turning a current situation on its head to suddenly become the opposite way around. This is exactly what has happened to Boris as his Solar Arc Uranus has been in conjunction to his natal Moon since 2020 and will continue until 2023, bringing unpredictable, disruptive but liberating experiences. He may not feel positive about his current situation right now but as the months roll by, he will realise that he has been set free from a restrictive environment. 

Boris' Solar Arc Ascendant will be in a square aspect to his natal Uranus until 2024 bringing a highly energetic but frustrating couple of years during which he will fight very hard to assert his independence and personal freedom. He'll be unwilling to conform to the expectations of other people and will be restless, impatient and impulsive when dealing with them. He will want to present himself as a unique individual and as a result he may act in outrageous ways. Relocation is likely too - and I don't just mean moving out of Number 10. There will be a lot more surprises to come during the next two years.

The Mars, Uranus, North Node Conjunction

Starting a few weeks ago and becoming exact on the 1st and 2nd of August, re-activated from 8th - 13th August by the Full Moon in Aquarius, before easing off in the following weeks, there will be a triple conjunction comprising Mars, Uranus and the North Node situated at 18° in the sign of Taurus. On the world stage, unexpected and dramatic events are likely to occur, particularly in connection to food, finance and territory, including natural disasters like earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, lightning strikes or volcanic eruptions. 

The last time transiting Mars was in conjunction to Uranus in Taurus was on 18th January 2021. This took place 12 days after the storming of the Capitol, two days before the Inauguration of President Biden and on the day Twitter banned Donald Trump from its platform. This was also the day after opposition politician and activist Alexei Navalny was arrested upon his return to Russia.

The last time Mars made a conjunction to the North Node was at the end of March 2021. At that time, Facebook blocked the account of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro for spreading fake news related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grounded container ship 'Ever Given' was refloated and towed north, allowing the Suez Canal to reopen. More than 350 ships were waiting to pass through. 

Of course, given the current circumstances, this planetary aspect will also be connected to the war in Ukraine.Transiting Saturn was situated at 18° Aquarius on 24th February 2022, so therefore, it becomes part of the official War Chart. Everything has a starting point including events like the invasion of Ukraine. This means that when transiting Uranus is positioned at 18° Taurus from now, on and off, until May 2023, it will be in a square aspect to the 'war chart' Saturn, which means the war itself will be affected by this planetary influence. But how and in what way? War is not a static situation, it is continually changing and evolving. With the influence of Mars, Uranus and the Nodes in hard aspect to Saturn, we can expect some significant - and possibly shocking - developments. It will be a particularly tense period in the days around the Full Moon on 11th August. 

Because this planetary aspect is taking place in a Fixed Sign, it means that anyone - or anything - with planets in those signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) particularly if they are on, or close to, the relevant degree (18) will be strongly affected by this influence. On the political world stage, I've already mentioned the War Chart but this also includes:Ukraine itself, it's leader President Zelenskyy, Boris Johnson (even though he has resigned), President Macron, Putin, President Biden, the UK, USA, Russia, Canada and Poland. President Zelenskyy gets the most hits from this planetary influence which is not really surprising as he is currently the most high-profile person on the planet. The list is endless and the ones I've mentioned are only the countries and leaders I've had time to analyse. Look out for controversy surrounding other people in the public eye too as I'm sure there will be interesting stories about certain celebrities.

On the positive side, pioneering, scientific breakthroughs often take place when Mars and Uranus line up. This is because they both symbolise innovation, technology, discovery, new beginnings and looking to the future. Another interesting perspective of this triple conjunction is in connection to the entertainment industry. Mars rules ambition, confidence and drive. Uranus rules glamour and the North Node represents the zeitgeist - i.e. being in the right place at the right time and tuning in to what the public wants. Add to that the fact that this aspect is situated in Taurus, the sign of talent, I think we could see a phenomenal new performer emerging. Equally, this person could appear from the science community or the sporting arena. However, their identity will probably not be revealed until later this year when transiting Jupiter makes its next conjunction to 0° Aries. 

Astrology provides the ability to understand the past, analyse the present, and anticipate the future. Throughout the first half of 2022, we have been in turmoil and the second half will be just as dramatic. The only difference - and it's a very important difference - is that because of our experience during the last six months, we have the information and knowledge we need to deal with any new problems that are thrown at us. As the old but very true saying goes: "Forewarned is forearmed". With astrology, we can be prepared. For better or for worse, the next few weeks will be potentially explosive for all of us.