UK Elections, Transit Uranus-progressed Sun and Saturn in 12

On May 7 there are general elections in the UK. It may be hard to form a government as the number of seats required doesn't match with the number of seats of any party in the polls. The conservatives of David Cameron are still number 1 in the polls, today, but they will need a partner. So, David Cameron could win, and still loose. And Milliband can win and never enter Downing Street. At least, that is what I understand about it. It explains the complicated picture in their charts. There is, however, one thing about their charts that makes me very interested in the results of the elections. That is this. 

When David Cameron won in 2010, his progressed Sun was exactly trine transit Uranus. Now, in 2015 the progressed Sun of Ed Milliband will be exactly sextile transit Uranus!

Does it mean who wins and moves into Downing Street 10? Or is a Uranus transit a real surprise? And are trines better than sextile are? We will know it on May 8!

Stuff for study! 

So I started to have a look at the charts of Cameron and Milliband and here I tell you what I found.

Even though Ed Milliband’s chart is B rated and David Cameron’s is A rated, that doesn’t mean that he will be second in the electionsJ. 

WHAT will tell us who will win the elections? 

I compared the charts and noticed that David Cameron has a stronger profile for a leader than Ed Milliband, who is more an ideologist. The transits and progressions of both reveal stress, pressure and tension right now, and that is understandable. 

CAMERON

It seems that Mr. Cameron forgot to please the growing number of people suffering from the financial and economic crisis. Maybe they take their revenge on May 7? Let’s see about the charts. I ‘did’ David Cameron’s chart before and noted:

- Sun is 'calling' (not making major aspects in sign or orb 5 degrees)That is reflecting leadership (drawing attention at any possible level)- Mars is 'calling' too and so is JupiterThe combination of these 3 prominent placements points at successes. 

 OK, he became PM and that is about the highest position a civilian male can get.

MILLIBAND
Now how about Ed Milliband? Here is his chart (December 24, 1969, 14:00 hours in London) with transits and progressions for May 7 2015.

He has Neptune rising before the Sun for the ideology (socialism, in this case) and a Capricorn Sun exactly trine Saturn, accompanied by a ‘calling’ Mercury. This mirrors a serious communicating man of hierarchy and state, especially because of his Capricorn Midheaven. Then we get to the house ruler X: Saturn. With Capricorn on MC and Saturn in 12 we seem to have a problem. But is that so?

Saturn in 12

The 12th house is not supposed to be a pleasant position for Saturn as this is seen so often in the charts of inmates. However, as almost 1/12^th of the people has a 12^th house Saturn, there must be another interpretation.  CafeAstrology mentions ‘plagued with guilt’ and ‘escapism’ and that doesn’t sound good either. IndianAstrology says that with Saturn in 12 you might be afraid of life itself! However, this didn’t stop George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Jacques Chirac and Vladimir Putin  to become the number 1 of the nation! 

So let me interpret Saturn in 12 like this: you are the manager or in control behind the scenes and one of the best pro secret service agentsJ. I see the 12^th house as the house of the media (everything that includes an image and a certain distance from real life out there). With Saturn in that house you can be a professional mediagenic person. Just watch Astrotheme’s long list of VIP Saturns in 12: http://www.astrotheme.com/celebrities/saturn/m12/1.htm including Bono and Robert Redford.

So, Saturn in 12 doesn’t mean that he won’t be MP. On the contrary.

Here is David Cameron's chart for May 7:

Now let’s compare the charts of both.

David Cameron’s Sun-Mars-Jupiter prominence shows a lot of energy and drive and chances of success. Ed Milliband’s chart only has a prominent Mercury in the natal chart. Will communicating skills be able to win?

Both have Out of Bounds Moons, but the Moon of Milliband is more 'out of bounds' than Cameron's is. 

Interesting is the synastry between the candidates: the Sun of Milliband is opposition the Midheaven of David Cameron (he shines when the status of Cameron is involved)? The progressed Sun of Cameron is inconjunct the progressed Ascendant (if that IS the Pr Asc!) of Milliband. 

The synastry doesn’t reveal much about the results, but in my country the press mentions that Cameron’s rather good results in the field of economy are overshadowed by the fact that he forgot about the natural followers of Labour…But will he win?

ELECTION DAY

Let’s see about the transits and progressions!

On election day, Pluto (for politics, power and pressure) is all around.

1. David Cameron has transit Pluto exactly square the natal Sun.

There is also transit Saturn inconjunct his natal Midheaven. That is a very difficult aspect. I have seen this transit before, when people fell off their pedestal or lost their position.  But let me remind you of Obama, winning with heavy bad Saturn transits: they were related to the family.

2.  Pluto is pretty close to the supposed to be (B rated birth data actually means: unsure) MC of Milliband. 

He also has a frustrating and painful Sun semi square Chiron in the progressed chart, exactly (!) and there is in a Saturn inconjunct Saturn period of life (when you have to let go of certain ambitions). 

Both have their problems. Charts don’t ‘predict a winner. 

TRANSIT URANUS - PROGESSED SUN

There is an interesting similarity that is worth studying.  

In the chart of Cameron in May 2010 - when his party won - he had progressed Ascendant square Jupiter. That was also with transit Uranus exactly trine his progressed Sun. 

Now Milliband has transit Uranus exactly sextile Progressed Sun...! And if he was born just 5 minutes later, his progressed MC will be trine Jupiter.

So after May 7 we will know if the harmonious aspect of transit Uranus with progressed Sun means that positive change (and winning!)

(Just thinking: One of the things that leaders in the USA and UK have to face when they win or loose is, that they have to move out of the house. That is stress, that is change and that is suddenly. Very Uranus!)

MORE TO CONSIDER

For a better check, I tried to include the MC of the final moment on Election Day, but there is nothing much to see except that the Moon of that moment is in aspect with the Jupiter’s of both men. Maybe at that time it's still unknown who wins and both are still full of hope.

I also wonder what it means that they both have an angular Ixion in their Solar Return charts. Should this indicate the prominent theme of guests and hosts and ‘the bad guys’? Or does it mean that they point at each other for that? And Cameron has a SR with Sun opposition Uranus (...) AND Mars trine Jupiter, exactly. While Milliband's SR has a perfect trine between MC and Jupiter. 

In June, Ed Milliband will have Jupiter inconjunct his MC and David Cameron's Progressed MC wil receive a trine from Jupiter. 

Very confusing!

SO...

Well, we’ll see it on May 7. There is no real victorious happy aspect, only Pluto for Politics and Power struggle. And as Europe is in charge in many ways, it doesn’t make much difference who wins, I’d say. Except for the persons and parties involved, of course…The fact that Milliband has the same kind of transit/progression as Cameron had in 2010 makes me think that Labor has a better chance. But it is a transit of Uranus and you know Uranus...Uranus is the symbol of a surprise and of sudden change and... of nerves. Uranus transit won't tell us what kind of a change it will be until it is time.

LINKS

http://astropost.blogspot.nl/2010/03/david-cameron-on-june-3.html On David Cameron's chart with transits and progressions for the first days in charge

Also visit: Astromarkt.net All rights reserved

Darts and astrology

I am not a darts fan, even though throwing arrows would fit my sun sign. But as my husband likes it, I see a lot of it. Yesterday I saw Michael van Gerwen against Garry Anderson and a part of Phil Taylor against Raymond van Barneveld. Of course I checked their birth data, transits and progressions, even though there are no known hours of birth. The astrological situation of Michael van Gerwen was clearly nasty and he looked tired and sad. His day of birth is April 25, 1989. His progressed Sun entered Gemini this year and the planet of blockades, Saturn, entered Sagittarius on December 24. That is an opposition. To make it even worse, progressed Mars was exactly opposite his natal Saturn. To finish it, transit Pluto joined his natal Saturn and was opposite his progressed Mars as well. More than 3 difficult aspects to symbolize difficulties in real life were enough, even though he made it to the semi finals. And I don't even know what kind of transits and progressions there were for the Moon, MC or Ascendant! He had bad bad luck.

His fellow country man Barney (Raymond van Barneveld) didn't make it to the finals, either. He was born April 20, 1967 and had transit Mars square Neptune. He was very tired, too.

Phil Taylor had transit Pluto and Uranus in aspect with progressed Sun, so it wasn't easy for him and there was a lot of stress. However, transit Mars sextile Jupiter and Jupiter himself on his natal Sun are a big big help. He might be the champion. Don't bet on it (I don't know his Ascendant, MC or Moon!). 

Garry Anderson (December 22, 1970) will see progressed Sun-Saturn next year. Stressful Pluto is for now. The fact that he won was more related to the nasty positions in Van Gerwen's chart than to happy transits in his. But again, no hour of birth, and the fact that the future changes while I am writing. Speaking of darts, have you ever read that post on the Arrow of time? 

Also visit: Astromarkt.net All rights reserved

Scorpio's best days in 2014

It is Scorpio time! 

Those born in the astrological sign Scorpio will soon celebrate their birthday and some of them (in particular those born between November 3 and 9) start the new solar year with Saturn conjunct Sun in their solar return (birthday chart). That sounds harder than it is. You need at least 3 indications for important changes and I experienced Saturn conjunct my Sun as a beneficial kick (and I won't tell you where, but it is part of the Scorpio symbols).  I was confronted with the end of a period in life and facing the facts, my age, my responsibilities. That is what Saturn does and it isn't always easy to say goodbye, especially when people are involved. I almost forgot to mention that my social position improved as a result of the hard times reflected by Saturn, because of the kick... but I agree that that was much later. Saturn ends and Saturn stops and sometimes it is better that way. If you want to know more about transit Saturn, click the label or here and you get a few examples, or click here for transit Saturn and the Sun.

There is more on Scorpio in 2014 on Astromarkt

As Jupiter is in a trine with Scorpio, those born between November 8 and 22 may need some rest in this time of ups and downs. They could try to get some in the days that Venus is on the side of Scorpio. 

Good times for Scorpio: 

-  in March 2014 (after the 6th),

-  from July 18 till August 11 and 

- from October 24 till November 17 2014. 

- Also, the December 2014 days could be fun. 

But the best thing for most Scorpios is that Saturn is leaving their sign in 2015, right from the start. Often, when Saturn  leaves a sign or a house, it is with giving a present (a bit like Santa or Sinterklaas). You were worried, you did the best you could, you were brave and in the end you get some candy:) or a real present. It is always afterwards.

Jupiter helps, always, and sooner, especially those who celebrate their birthday on November 11, 12 or 13, with Sun trine Jupiter in their birthday chart. Jupiter is the planet of the international traveler, the successful person, the succeeding student and the arrogant know-it-all or cheating winner. The last two are, of course, never born under Scorpio!:) All those who celebrate their birthday between November 2 and November 22 and is planning a big trip: do it in 2014. It is a perfect year, especially in the first half. Later in 2014 Jupiter might overdo it a bit. 

Were you born between November 15 and 22, than you have to wait for a second round of Jupiter, starting in 2015 in July. But the person born around November 8 gets several chances to sail away to the end of the rainbow, because Jupiter hits his natal Sun several times. 

Lucky times in the second half of 2014 for Scorpio's aged between 30 and 60 because Jupiter makes life better, somehow. 

Of course, your own individual chart would give much more insight in how the astrological weather is in 2014. But, apart from the fact that the serious side of life is demanding attention, there is a positive tendency 

for most of you, Scorpio, in 2014.

Please remember that a sun sign is not a person and vice versa. Also think of your progressed Sun sign. Add as many days as your age to the date of your birth and you know what sign that is. Hillary Clinton, for example, is 66 years old. October 26 + 66 days is December 31, around the 10th degree of Capricorn. Her solar return chart has (transit) Uranus and Pluto in a hard aspect with her Progressed Sun. That means a hectic time, nervous stress and change in the way that her life goes on. These transits were there all the way in 2013 already, right now they have a special meaning. Whatever she intents to do, it there might be unexpected problems or umm...challenges. Like bears on the road. It depends on where YOU are, how to deal with that...:)

LINKS

There are a lot of post about Scorpio here... The latest is in Scorpio's defense

Also visit: Astromarkt.net on Scorpio (and Ascendant)
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Astro Travel, holidays in Greece, poll and mythology

I went to Rhodes (Greece) last week because it was one of the few sunny European spots with a temperature of 25 degrees Celcius and more. Never been there before. It was simply the best place  to be considering the weather and the fact that it was a very very last minute. It was a perfect choice: good hotel, nice people, interesting sites and above all: SUN! There must be a reason why Helios is the god of Rhodes! Helios means Sun. Rhodes is a sunny island.

Rhodes is east of my Mercury/MC line in Astro Click Travel. I had the idea that I was talking and reading a lot more than usual. This instead of writing and blogging, I mean. But I also slept a lot:). I finished Dan Brown's Inferno. I shopped on the airport and I had accidentily chosen the English hard cover instead of the paper back, which was in Dutch. (May I recommend Inferno?)
I also read a lot about Rhodos, the history of Rhodos and Greek mythology, unfortunately translated from Greek to Dutch in a way that was very confusing sometimes. I was particularly interested in the myth about Ouranos and Kronos.

Uranus (Ouranos) in astrology represents indepence and revolt, while Saturn (Kronos) is more the symbol of the status quo. The myth is a contradiction of that idea.
In Greek mythology Ouranus was the god of the days before real time began. He was the god of heaven. He was also a terrible father who threw his children to earth's depts because he was afraid that they would take over his power.

It was his son Kronos (Saturn) who - inspired by his mother Gea = earth - bit off the genitals of Uranus, took over the power and liberated his brothers and sisters. So Ouranus was the bad guy and Kronos revolted.
That was before Kronos started to eat his children. This made me think of the concept that the revolution eats his own children (after the revolution, of course:).

It was Zeus (Jupiter), eventually, who conquered Kronos. When he was born, his mother Rea gave a stone instead of the baby to Kronos. That is how Zeus was rescued. Later Zeus liberated the eaten children. In fact, he did a lot more. It is interesting how violent the gods and heroes of mythology are, especially when you consider the fact that the story blames Pandorra for opening the box of evil (like Eva ate the apple, also being curious), closing it just in time to keep hope with us. (Curiosity kills the cat.)

Now how does Uranus become the symbol of independence and being free, while in mythology he is in fact a nasty castrated father who married his own mother! Interesting that we can't see Uranus when we look at the sky above and that Ouranos was deposed by Kronos. It is just a story that tries to explain the beginning of humanity (simply said, I mean). But the concept of freedom doesn't seem to fit in with the story about Ouranos. Erin Sullivan explains it on Astro.com: http://www.astro.com/astrology/in_uranus1_e.htm
Isn't it funny that the planet Uranus turns the other way around and that the meaning of Uranus in astrology also seems to be 'the other way around' when you consider the myth about Ouranos?

ASTRO TRAVEL
OK, back to easy, back to holidays.
Rhodos is near my Mercury/MC, the Costa Brava is my Pluto /Ascendant line and that is supposed not to be relaxed, but stressed. But I like Barcelona! Pluto/Ascendant should ruin relationships or introduce fated ones on that line. This never occured to me over there. Perhaps this is, because it is also east of my Jupiter/Ascendant line and that makes it one of the most pleasant places to stay! As I have Jupiter conjunct my Ascendant in the natal chart, this aspect resonates the aspect in the birth chart, for more effect.
In other words: my Jupiter conjunct Ascendant 'works' on the Jupiter/Ascendant line over Barcelona (and Valencia, Toulouse and Brussels, too).  I don't have a Pluto-Ascendant natal aspect and I don't recognize the effect on the Costa Brava.

Another example: I have a wider MC-Venus (7d+). The Venus-MC line is on Rome, Copenhagen, Venice and Muenich, places where I have been and that I really liked (uh well, who doesn't?:). Maybe that is not a good example. But I intend to look for those destinations with a Jupiter-Ascendant, Venus-MC or Sun-MC line. Considering the fact that I have these aspects, why not use the beneficial side of them?

Now I wonder about you?
1. do the lines of Astro Click Travel correspond with your experiences?
2. do those lines seem to be stronger when there is an aspect in the natal chart between the two components of the line as far as you know?
3. ever visited a place on your Venus-MC or Jupiter-AC line? And, how was it?
4. any more examples, or examples of the contrary?

Please do the poll! It is on the right, until May 7. Later I will post the results in the comments.

EXTERNAL LINKS
http://www.astro.com/astrology/in_uranus1_e.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranus_(mythology)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kronos_(mythology)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeus


LINK
Just for fun: the sunshine sun sign holiday guide

Also visit: Astromarkt.net for example about Saturn and Uranus, the combination of restricted freedom and breaking fee: http://www.astromarkt.net/saturn-uranus.html

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Feel good moments with Saturn

Today my Cancer mother, on bed in hospital, hardly able to move because of her broken hip,  said: "there was a horoscope in today's paper and it was exactly right". I checked the paper, found the horoscope for Cancer and the first sentence was ;" You feel restricted". Clearly true, Saturn square the late Cancer Sun.
There are more ways to feel restricted. Now, Saturn is square my Ascendant/MC and sextile my Venus. I had to clean my mother's house, do her washes and help her brush her teeth without spilling water. That is life, that is Saturn. There is stress and of course I would prefer to take care of my mother but I have to go to work, and it is busy there.... But there is also a feel good thing about it. How can Saturn, the old devil,  make you feel good?

 Well, I like to see how clean her house is now and that she has bright and shine pyamas. It feels good to take care of someone, omce you get used to the daily pattern. Maybe that is Sun/ Moon conjunct Ceres (motivated by the "big mother" principle) or Moon trine Saturn (feeling responsible) or it is my Pisces Ascendant (ok for sea and hospital). Or maybe is it just because I am a woman? In the meantime, my mother finally starts eating (I brought her a strawberry milkshake with a straw and watched her enjoy it) and now she is ready for revalidation in a nursing home. They will see if  there is room for her. Things are getting better. 

That is why I wonder about the final hot of transit Saturn square my Mars on the 15th. Tooth ache? Burn out? Broken leg? Too much work to do? Out of order? Or simply the end of this period of activities? I'll let you know! 

Also visit: Astromarkt.net All rights reserved

Saturn conjunct Saturn: sorry, it's memento mori

Saturn returns remind you of your age and responsibilities. Everybody 'ages' at about age 30 and at about age 60 and 90 when Transit Saturn hits your natal Saturn. But what happens when your Progressed Saturn is retrograding and gets back to the natal starting point (a progressed Saturn return)? Progressed Saturn returns are rare and are rarely discussed. I wrote about it a few months ago, when I approached my progressed Saturn return (see that post: http://astropost.blogspot.nl/2011/01/progressed-saturn-return-p-saturn.html ). It is Saturn time for me now! And I know it. In my situation it is obvious: it is about the responsibility of organizing care and taking care of my mother.

In the building where she lives is an institution for the elderly, too. Yesterday I was in the elevator with an old shrieking lady who apparently didn't make it to the toilet and who didn't know where she was or went until I asked her: 'Where do you live' and she said: 'The third floor'.  It is depressing (and I really wonder how the people who work there are able to deal with the astonishing picture of what might happen to all of us one day). I hope that I die before I get THAT old or that it will get that bad for my mother. One generation...There is so little time left. That is the pressure (or say: the kick in the ass) that is being reflected by transits of Saturn. It litteraly makes me feel sick.

Saturn conjunct Saturn is a memento mori, reminding you not to waste time. 

Saturn is for depressing things and the Moon is for the mood. Saturn is for parents or parenthood and the Moon is for care.

I am happy to see Venus on my IC today (that is when I'll have my hair done and I intend to buy a new perfume - maybe Sun, Moon and Stars:), starting a few days off. But I won't be off for long. Saturn on Saturn is double duties! Or at least: it feels that way. Now I wonder: am I wasting time?

LINKS
All about getting old and aging on this blog http://astropost.blogspot.nl/search/label/old
Progressed Saturn is exactly conjunct my natal Saturn today, while progressed Moon is square my natal Moon. You know about my Moon trine Saturn (feelings of responsibility and duty) and my family's Moon-Saturn (see the Moon-Saturn post)? Perhaps that is why these progressions join to hit me harder than other persons' progressed Saturns do?

BTW When transit Saturn is back to square my Mars, transit Saturn will be on my mother's Midheaven (after begin square her Sun, again). That makes me think that there is more to come... and more to be done.

Also visit: Astromarkt.net All rights reserved

Mars-Saturn and overcoming difficulties

What is Mars-Saturn about? Quoting myself:

 inevitable, obligatory action or inactivity based upon duty, age, fear or caution. Sometimes Mars-Saturn refers to a healt problem.

Heroes have Mars-Saturn aspects. Soldiers have it. I wrote about Mars and Saturn before (see the label or go to Astromarkt to read it). But what does Mars-Saturn do in the charts of musicians? I have two examples.

In this blog I wonder if Mars-Saturn conflicts mirror a  flirtation with death or 'walking on the edges'.   I wonder if Peter Doherty*) is an example of that. And I worry a bit about the Mars-Saturn aspects in the chart of David Bowie.

PETER DOHERTY
Peter Doherty is an example of a conflict between an important Mars and an important Saturn. (Saturn is the apex of a Yod with Venus and Mercury; Mars rises before his Sun). Mars is also opposition Saturn. That means that the theme of Mars-Saturn (the end of all energy or the discipline of how to use it)  is the main issue in his life. I found another famous example of an important Mars-Saturn aspect: David Bowie with Mars quatronovile (160d) Saturn. Both artists have Mars rising before the sun. They are do-ers.

DAVID BOWIE

Now watch the chart of David Bowie. He sings that we could be heroes, just for one day. I remember 'Merry  Christmas, mr. Lawrence' where he acted as a hero. For many of his fans, he IS a hero. And yes,  there is a minor aspect between an important Mars and an important Saturn in his chart, too.  It is a quatronovile, for cheerfully coping with difficulties and setbacks.


There is also a Mars-Saturn activity in progressions and transits now. There have been rumors about his health on the internet and on twitter. His wife says that he is OK. His chart says that Transit Saturn is sesquisquare his progressed Mars and inconjunct Progressed Sun right now. Progressed Mars and Progressed Saturn are getting closer to an inconjunct in the next years. The issue of discipline gets stronger as he gets older.

All that doesn't mean that there has to be clear and present danger right now. I have experienced a few transits of Saturn square my Mars and I didn't feel OK, but I didn't die, either. This transit ' only ' blocked my energy and activity and I felt that. In the chart of Bowie Mars-Saturn (discipline, restricted energy) is a theme, so the present transit and progression might be of importance. If only because his fans worry about him. But, there are also rumors that David Bowie will be singing at the Olympics! And that the biographies about him will be good for selling songs. Maybe he is just gathering some discipline to be able to perform? We'll hope that he overcomes the Mars-Saturn limitations and hopefully see the act!

PS
I searched the internet to find news about Bowie and found Mick Jagger, again (he has a conflict with transit Pholus and his sex life is being highlighted all the time). They appear to have had a long lasting love affair when they were young (see: http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bookworm/mick-jagger-and-david-bowie-s-love-affair-revealed-in-new-tell-all-book_2407.htm )
Transit Uranus is now square Bowie's Ascendant/MC midpoint. He is news!

*) Peter Doherty spent time in prison, and the latest news reports imply that it didn't help much to stop the addictions. He spent a few weeks in a clinic in Thailand in vain. With Mars-Saturn discipline and dealing with limitations and barriers is a big deal. However, he managed to work in those years, to produce albums and to write. That requires at least some discipline.
BTW Isn't it interesting that his first real job was digging graves? And that his father was an army officer? It is very Mars-Saturn (the army and work related to endings).

LINKS
On my site Astromarkt, all about Mars-Saturn...

David Bowie's pattern of artistic talents (he has more than one) on Art&Astrology

I wrote about Doherty before, here on Astropost.

http://astropost.blogspot.nl/2010/04/mars-saturn-and-slapping.html In this blog I show examples of the issue of slapping and Mars-Saturn

http://astropost.blogspot.nl/2010/04/bobby-brown-lives.html
Bobby Brown has Mars inconjunct Saturn. He is addicted to drugs, too and was the husband of Whitney Houston. She left him because of violence.

http://astropost.blogspot.nl/2010/02/synastry-brown-blair-mars-inconjunct.html
Mr. Brown and Mr. Blair didn't like each other much. Is the Mars-inconjunct- Saturn- synastry to blame?

Also visit: Astromarkt.net All rights reserved

Ferry tales

Back from a Mediterranean Sea voyage I have some 'ferry' tales related to astrology. More specific, about Jupiter and Saturn. But first I want to show you something.

ONE DAY FOR A YEAR
In Venice, at San Marco Place, I noticed this clock. Watch the zodiac signs and the 24 hours united... It reminded me of ' one day for a year'. That is term used in progressive astrology where we use a day after birth as an equivalent for a year after birth. Wiki explains it well...This picture shows it.

BTW It wasn't easy to get there, in Venice. It went the Italian way...My husband and I planned to go from our ship to San Marco Place by ferry. So we bought tickets and joined a patiently waiting man in suite and tie, (yes, of course he was an Englishman, and a very nice one:). Meanwhile, the ticket office closed, so that we couldn't ask why there was no ferry at all in 30 minutes. The Englishman said that they were supposed to arrive every 10 minutes, but as there was no schedule around, we couldn't verify this. Finally, a boat showed up. Two busy young Italians on the phone and talking with wild gestures told us that their ferry was not THE ferry (no no no, they absolutely didn't go to San Marco, they went to the airport). So again we waited in the sunshine, wondering if we should simply start walking, until, on the horizon, another boat turned up. After a total of 45 minutes waiting this ferry brought us to San Marco Place. Can you imagine what fun it was when we saw the busy young lads there, on the shore, hanging around a bit?

JUPITER

The trip started with transit Jupiter exactly square my Progressed Sun. Jupiter happens to be the international of the planets. This journey brought me in 5 different countries (Italy, Greece, Turkey, France and Spain) and I met people from Venezuela, England, USA, Philippines, Japan and even more nations. Very Jupiter! Jupiter is also the symbol of optimism. Maybe that is why I dared to sail away during Varuna square Eris (with Varuna inconjunct my Sun). 

SATURN 

In Izmir (Turkey) I saw this man (picture above) carrying a heavy load down hill and I immediately thought of Saturn. Saturn hit my chart, too. While I was traveling from Venice to Athens via Istanbul to Rome and Barcelona, our family dog died. You know that the natal positions of dog respond to transits and progressions as much as the charts of humans do? She was ill since a few months (see the doggy story: http://astropost.blogspot.com/2011/12/doggy-story.html ). She died with transit Saturn again (!) hitting her natal Sun, transit Neptune trine Mars and transit Uranus inconjunct Mars. 

I was told when I got back, last night. Progressed Moon inconjunct Saturn and transit Saturn trine progressed Ascendant say that it was a moment for an 'ending' and a moment of goodbye with a loss involved (inconjunct). Perhaps it is also time to face real life again, after these 13 days of taking it easy. Life is not just about having a good time, seeing highlights and remarkable buildings. In fact, it would be boring if it was, they say. I am not convinced, yet. I have to do the laundry...

Eris in the chart of a government

Wedding of Peleus by Bloemaert (Eris throws an apple)

Eris is the symbol of discord, disagreement and quarrels. Eris is never peaceful and nice. The story is that she threw a golden apple in a group of Goddesses, saying that it was a gift for the most beautiful woman. Then all women started fighting for the apple...*) This symbol of quarrels is in the 22nd degree of Aries right now. The progressed chart of Charlie Sheen had too many aspects with Eris and see what happened...Eris was prominent in the charts of Pearl Harbor and in that of Mohammed Atta (see the label Eris for these examples).

GOVERNMENT AND ERIS
Eris's other name is Discordia...In the chart of a government, the prominence of Eris doesn't help to maintain an orderly status quo, you'd guess. There is a good example: the government of the Netherlands. Just recently, the PM Mark Rutte and his political partner Geert Wilders shouted 'Take it easy, man!' at each other, in parliament. That is unusual behavior in Dutch politics...Both men have Moon in Aries and Eris is in Aries, too. But there is more Eris in the chart of the Dutch government.

The Dutch government was 'born' with Eris opposition Midheaven and Sun. This year the Prime Minister will have progressed Sun opposition natal Eris. In his natal chart the Sun is semi square Eris. Maybe that is too much Eris...Resonating progressions are louder and this one is about conflicts...Could that mean that the 5th government in a row will end untimely? Or could the 'calling' Venus in the birth chart of this government really help to 'take it easy'?

What does Eris do in that chart? Well, she caused a lot of fuss.. There was a lot of discord even before the new government of The Netherlands was 'born', on October 14, 2010. It took months to come to an agreement and even than members of one of the coalition partners threatened to step out. That would have been the end of the coalition.

CHART

Here is the chart of the moment of the photo of the new Dutch government and Queen, right after the establishment of the new team on October 14, 2010. The transits are the positions of the day of birth of the Prime Minister. Watch the position of Eris...

If you have a prominent Eris in your chart (angular, for example or in a very tight aspect with the Sun or Midheaven) you might see more conflicts and be in the middle of it than others do. Do you?

LINKS
It is hard for Dutch governments not to fall, because of the amount of parties and small majorities. All four governments lead by Balkenende fell before...But yes, Jan Peter Balkende has Saturn inconjunct Midheaven...
http://astropost.blogspot.com/2009/10/chart-of-possible-president-of-europe.html
Chart of Jan Peter Balkenende

**)
The symbol of discord also seems to have a fine way to expose vanity:)

For more about Eris, see the label...

(c) http://astropost.blogspot.com/

Saturn-Ascendant, size and Napoleon Bonaparte

Saturn seems to reflect reduced sizes. I first wondered why, since Saturn is the symbol of ambition, too. But then I remembered Napoleon Bonaparte, a small man, they say, with a lot of ambition to expand. I know of three other persons with Saturn close to the Ascendant and they are smaller than usual or don't seem to grow. I know two of them in person. And there is Bono (U2, 1.69m), who has the same seize as Napoleon. The frustrating thing was, however, that Napoleon's chart does not have Saturn on the Ascendant. He has Saturn rising before the Sun. So, I thought, either his chart is not correct (but it is an A-rated chart, though Astrotheme gives 11.00 sharp), or his size is not. I started googling 'Napoleon size' and I was relieved to find the answer to the question how tall Napoleon really was, here... The metric system hadn't been invented yet and there was a difference in French and English 'feet'. Napoleon was not short at all, there was a shortage in communications. In his days he was, in fact, rather tall!
So Saturn conjunct Ascendant is still standing for reducing size. Unless you have a lot of examples of the contrary, of course.

Here is Napoleon's chart:

Did you, BTW, notice that his Sun is 'calling' (not making major aspects in sign or orb 5 degrees)? That is the signal of a person who wants to lead or draw attention, somehow, anyhow. He got what he wanted...I already mentioned the fact that Saturn is rising before his Sun. That shows ambition and points at the importance of management, administration...And  see Quaoar opposition Midheaven: he sure created a new reality in history...The grand trine between Mars, Uranus and Pluto points at successful revolutionary action. The chart of Napoleon Bonaparte shows the man that he was: first of all a man with ambition and a leader at any possible level, with the ability to act by surprise and the goal to create new perspective in his career and position. But it is also interesting to see the afflictions between Mars, Saturn and Pholus. I have seen this combination before. It means a depressing turning point in a battle. Eventually he came to Waterloo...

 Also visit: Astromarkt.net for example about the aspect between Mars and Saturn

Saturn and saying 'Goodbye'

Saturn makes hard aspects in the charts of women who discover that their beloved husbands cheated on them. Saturn is the symbol of restrictions, endings, separation and hard reality. When you are not rich, don't have a job and do have children to take care of, this Saturn will hit you hard. But even independent and rich women experience the reflection of Saturn in the sad period when they face reality and have to consider divorce or keeping up appearances. For example:

Maria Shriver, divorcing Arnold Schwarzenegger: transit Saturn sesquisquare progressed AC/MC and square progressed Sun.

Sandra Bullock, ex of Jesse James, had Progressed AC/MC square Saturn and transit Pholus in hard aspect with natal midpoint AC/MC. 

Mrs Strauss-Kahn (15 July 1948, 16:30 New York) has Progressed MC square Saturn within a few weeks and right now Transit Neptune square Ascendant.

The effect may not be felt in the wallet, but Saturn apparently doesn't make a difference when it comes to feelings. Saturn is hard. Even though transits and progressions of Saturn don't necessarily resonate cheating husbands, they always end a period of time (in family life, business, relationship or health conditions).

With Saturn you have to say goodbye to 'before' when it is too soon to say 'Hello' to 'later'...Like when a stone is thrown into the river, the transit or progression of Saturn will have a longer effect than just for the moment of the 'hit'. 

Also visit: Astromarkt.net about Saturn in a relationship

http://www.astromarkt.net/index.php?id=116

Sun/Moon/Saturn midpoint combinations

When the two lights (Sun and Moon) highlight Saturn, there is a serious undertone. The disadvantages of family life might show up early in life and color the nativity’s heart and soul. With this combination in your chart, you tend to be cautious, take precautions and want control, especially over emotions. You need stability in life. This combination is not uncommon in the charts of famous ‘climbers’ in society and it is also not uncommon to see restrictions and limitations when it comes to enjoying (family-)life. . All depends on your personal chart, background and situation.

Extreme examples are:

-      David Irving (Sun sesquisquare Moon/Saturn)

He spent time in jail for denial of the Holocaust.

-      Charles Lindbergh (Saturn conjunct Sun/Moon) is the famous pilot whose baby son was abducted and killed. President Roosevelt didn’t want him in the army during WWII (because Lindbergh once was decorated by the Nazi’s).

-      O.J. Simpson has Sun semi square Moon/Saturn and we all know what happened in his (family-)life

-      Vincent van Gogh’s Saturn square Sun/Moon not only reflects depression but also the fact that he didn’t have a family of his own (and couldn’t afford to have one).

-      Eva Braun (Hitler’s wife) has Moon opposition Sun/Saturn in the chart. The Moon is the apex in the midpoint yod and in the natal chart there is a trine between Sun, Moon and Saturn. She never had children and she married just before the couple committed suicide.

The longlasting effect is that they are history’s bad memories, even if they couldn’t help it. Even today there are doubts about Charles Lindbergh...Of course it took more than this one midpoint combination to create the lives of the persons mentioned above. In Charles Lindbergh’s chart Saturn is ‘calling’ (no major aspects) and that makes the Saturnal effect even stronger. Here is the chart, with Jupiter (travel/international) rising before the Sun:

However, Sun/Moon/Saturn combination really seem to be a ‘memento mori’, articulating mistakes, losts and failures, even in the lives of those who achieved something important in life. On the whole with Sun/Moon and Saturn you are motivated to be in charge or to be alone, to manage or to construct… or to seek for something solid and certain like a job in the administration. And you won’t be the kind of person to celebrate life. The approval (or punishment and criticism) of others could be a heavy load to carry sometimes.

The good thing about Sun/Moon in hard aspect with Saturn is, that you have an enduring motivation. You won’t give up easy. That is a bad thing, too. You won’t give up even if you are on the wrong trail…

LINKS

Sun/Moon with progressions and transits on Astromarkt:

http://www.astromarkt.net/index.php?id=194

http://www.astromarkt.net/index.php?id=193

Sun/Moon and AC/MC combinations like Sun/Moon-Saturn. Quote:

Motivated for business and management, controlling others. The need to be respected.

And that is the positive interpretation of the midpoint combination Sun/Moon/Saturn.

There is more background info on Astromarkt.net

Disaster Japan and the Emperor's chart

The leader's chart (that of a president or coach) often, if not always, resonates what happens to the nation, club or group of people that he or she is responsible for or taking care of.
The chart of the Japanese Emperor Akihito is also mirroring the nation's situation and of course: his own concern. He was born with the Sun in the first degree of Capricorn. That is exactly square the position of Uranus at Zero Aries, now.
Watch the transits and progressions for March 11, the day of the earthquake and tsunami. 

1. Transit Uranus is square with natal Sun and quindecile Midheaven
2. Progressed Varuna is getting closer to an opposition with Midheaven
3. Transit Saturn is on natal Midheaven and 75d Sun, and opposition  Varuna.
4. Transit Quaoar is square progressed Ascendant.
5. In the progressed chart Mars is sesquisquare Midheaven.
Mars, Saturn, Uranus with Varuna and Quaoar...

Varuna is the symbol of floods (the ancient God of the Waters). This symbol is angular in the natal cart of the Emperor, reflecting the importance of the theme.
Uranus is the symbol of shocks.. And Saturn is the symbol of anything that breaks. With Saturn on Midheaven there is concern and there are obligations/duties. With Uranus square Sun there is a nervous situation. Quaoar-Ascendant refers to perspectives.

Here is the progressed chart with transits:

LINK
See the post about Emperor Akihito and his wife Michik, with the natal chart
http://astropost.blogspot.com/2009/04/famous-couple-akihito-and-michiko-japan.html
See 'Breaking news' above for more about the earthquake 

Also visit: Astromarkt.net

When your (progressed) chart met your partner's...

When you met your partner, did your progressed charts connect with each other or with the partner's natal chart? It is often so. When I met my husband, his progressed Saturn*) was exactly conjunct my natal Descendant (and that is how we got stuck together:). Also, my progressed Mars was trine his natal Sun. There is a time for everything, and maybe there is a time for meeting each other, too...

This month March the interaction between two charts will be in the spotlights here. And just like in a love story I start with 'meeting each other'. 

" People meet or get to know each other at the moment that they share the same kind of situation or period in their life. Both partners are at the same time searching for hapiness or are sharing a good or bad moment and that 'connects' them. At least, you would think so when you see their progressed charts! The moment of meeting a person seems to be connected to the moment that your were born. That is what the astrology of meeting is about: to see the right time for loving."  

 I wrote that on Astromarkt, in: The Astrology of Meeting People and of course you find examples there, about all kinds of relationships and meetings.

Here is another one about love: the meeting of King Harald of Norway and his wife Sonja.

When King Harald V met his wife Sonja, his progressed Sun was conjunct Saturn, ruler 7. Her progressed Venus was inconjunct his Mars. His progressed Mars was trine his progressed Sun and Saturn and his progressed Venus was square her progressed Sun. A rather complicated picture, but it shows controlled passion and a period of strong love.

http://astrology-love-romance.blogspot.com/2009/05/famous-couple-harald-v-and-sonja-of.html

Of course, in order to meet somebody, you must be prepared to meet somebody, or you just don't notice the man or woman. And vice versa! It hurts when you fall in love and the other doesn't.  Take for example the first time that Prince Charles and Camilla met and he didn't notice her. Quote:

In June 1971, during a polo match, Camilla and Charles met for the first time. She had progressed Venus conjunct natal Saturn and semi square progressed Uranus. He had no special progressions at all. Her progressed ascendant is at the time of the meeting exactly sesqui square his progressed Jupiter. This all means that she had a bad period for love and was limited in her choices, but that she had met a chance for being happy (Jupiter), too soon (sesquisquare).

Sometimes, people meet without starting a relationship, yet. A semi square with Venus describes a senseless love. Bernadette Brady refers to semi squares as a 'frustrating not'. Sesquisquares with Jupiter however are supposed to bring advantages in a later stade!

Apparently Charles and Camlla had to marry someone else, first. It is not only for the sort of aspectation that love was not answered at the time. Saturn and Uranus together refer to limitations of freedom and independency. Venus with Uranus often points at falling in love. Saturn is the planet of responsibilities, status and 'timing'. Shall we see this as 'untimy falling-in-love'?

And, if that is so, was all this 'ment to be' or just coincidence?

Also visit: Astromarkt.net for example about *)Saturn in a relationship...