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Astrology

The Christmas Star (Part II)

The Christmas Star is one of the holiday season’s most fascinating and enduring stories. Yet even today, astronomers remain uncertain as to the precise nature of the heavenly event that inspired it.

In a series of blog posts, I’ll be reviewing some key pieces of evidence supporting several of the most likely contenders along with some traditional and not so traditional interpretations.

Yesterday, we investigated the messianic biblical prophecy of Balaam (Numbers 24.17) and how it may be connected, through the Magi, to one of the strongest contenders, a triple Saturn/Jupiter conjunction in Pisces in 06/07 BC.

Yet, because such conjunctions are not really all that rare, the question then became whether or not something else might have been going on.

____________

Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) suggested that there was.

After witnessing a conjunction of the three superior planets, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in 1603, Kepler calculated that this event also occurred in 06/07 BC. Given that this happens only once in 796.4 years, it seems a better fit to the long-awaited ‘star’ prophesied by Balaam. Better yet, it provides evidence for the Western tradition that there were three magi who visited Jesus after his birth.

Interestingly, nowhere in the Bible does it specifically state that there were three magi. This notion must, however, have come from someplace and Hellenistic astrological thinking of the time might provide a clue.

Not only was there a triple conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter but now we have three powerful planets involved in what Ptolemy (c. 87-150) called a doryphory, or a train of important planetary attendants in service to one of the two luminaries (i.e. the sun or the moon). The very nature of the planets comprising a doryphory is that they bring useful gifts to the luminary, and, in the case of our magi, the gifts brought to the luminary (the son or Sun), Jesus, the new king, were three: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy: and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:9-11 (RSV)

With the Matthean pericope, featuring the gift-bearing magi, the plot thickens as we now must account for King Herod.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him.’

Matthew 2: 1-3 (RSV)

Historically, it is accepted that Christ was born during the lifetime of Herod, which is generally acknowledged to have died around 04 BC. So far, so good because the conjunction of the three superior planets that so impressed Johannes Kepler, occurred prior to the death of Herod in 06-07 BC. This would also seem to support theory of the triple conjunction of Jupiter/Saturn that otherwise fit in with Balaam’s prophecy. If we recall, that triple conjunction is clearly noted to have also occurred in 07-06 BC.

Yet when we delve deeper, we also learn that prior to visiting Bethlehem, our wise men, or Magi, first visited Herod. Doubtless when Herod asked them to locate the child and then return with the news so that he too could worship the child, they were pleased. But after having paid homage to the child and delivered their gifts, they ‘departed to their own country by another way’, having been tipped off ‘in a dream not to return to Herod’. Later, according to the Matthean pericope, Herod was not best pleased with this turn of events and ordered the death of ‘all male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under’.

Clearly the Magi and Herod are key players in the story as reported by Matthew although there is little or no historical evidence that Herod actually ordered the reported infanticide. Furthermore, there is even a suggestion that Herod and the Magi (three or not) do not form part of this picture at all. Not only that but, the star seems to have disappeared altogether, potentially replaced by a shining angel.

And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and their were filled with fear.

And the angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to a all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to another ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this this that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

Luke 2:8-20 (RSV)

These two biblical accounts could not be more different. Luke’s is humble, peaceful, and low-key in direct contrast to that of Matthew which is driven by the high political stakes tension of Herod’s reaction to the new born child.

What will early Christian writers make of all this?

The plot thickens more.

Astrology

The Christmas Star (Part I)

The Christmas Star is one of the holiday season’s most fascinating and enduring stories. Yet even today, astronomers remain uncertain as to the precise nature of the heavenly event that inspired it.

In a series of several blog posts, I’ll be reviewing some key pieces of evidence supporting several of the most likely contenders along with some traditional and not so traditional interpretations.

Let’s get started:

‘… a star shall come forth out of Jacob and a scepter shall rise out of Israel…’

Numbers 24.17 (RSV)

This is the messianic prophecy of Balaam (a diviner in the Torah) who, according to Ambrose of Milan (330-397) and Origen of Adamantius (184/5-253/4), was an ancestor of the race of Magi, an ancient priestly caste flourishing on the eastern edge of the Roman Empire.

Evidence suggests the Magi had long awaited the fulfillment of their ancestor’s prophecy. According to the writings of Strabo (43 or 63 BC – c 24 CE), just prior to the birth of Christ the official duties of the Magi included the election of the king of the Parthian empire (a major political power in ancient Iran). Hence not only were Balaam’s Magi sky-watching priests (experts in Mesopotamian astrology) but they also had considerable experience in the business of kingmaking.

Since the Sumerian period ( 3500-2300 BC) planetary tables recorded on clay tablets predicted the future movements of the planets and one such tablet dated from 08 BCE listed a forthcoming Jupiter/Saturn conjunction.

For Balaam’s star prophecy to be fulfilled, the birth of Christ needed to be at night even though at the time, all divine births (i.e. Augustus and Nero) were linked with solar deities and needed to occur at either sunrise or noon. The triple conjunction of Jupiter/Saturn in 07-06 BC was a highly anticipated sky event the fit the bill. Both planets were easily seen by the naked eye in the night sky yet in Mesopotamian astrology,  both Jupiter and Saturn were associated with powerful solar deities  (Marduk and Ninib, accordingly).

Not only that, but this conjunction occurred in the constellation of Pisces, the one of the most ancient of the twelve zodiac signs (first appearing on an Egyptian coffin lid dated c. 2,300 BC) which has since become most closely associated with the Christ.

If one looks closely at the glyph of Pisces, you’ll find that one fish is moving upwards whilst the other is moving parallel with the earth plane.

The symbolism here has been characterized as a formal embodiment of spirit, the penetration and materialization of spirit into the world of duality and form.

And the Word [of God] became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.

John 1: 14 (RSV)

As you can see, this all is quite tempting.

Yet conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn are of themselves not really so rare, occurring every 20 years. True, a triple conjunction makes it a bit more rare and adding in that it would happen in Pisces would make it even more rare. But then Balaam doesn’t seem to have stipulated the necessity of Pisces any more more than he specified that Jupiter/Saturn had to be involved.

So was this particular celestial the subject of Balaam’s ancient prophecy?

Or was something else going on?

Astrology

A Day of Thanksgiving & the Pilgrim’s Pride

In the United States, today is Thanksgiving – a day to give thanks – as well a day to remember the pilgrims who arrived there in 1620. This small band of men and women endured many hardships in order that they might practice their own religion without persecution and for that, we continue to applaud them.

Whilst you’re digesting your turkey and stuffing and pumpkin pie, might you be interested in delving deeper?

Sure, why not – let’s give it a try.

I think it no accident that the pilgrims in question set out from England with the start of a new Jupiter/Pluto cycle:

  • Pluto = fanaticism, obsession, compulsion, and power.
  • Jupiter = relaxed liberalism, tolerance and good will.

Jupiter most certainly can be taken to suggest the strongly-held religious beliefs of the Pilgrims with Pluto representing the Church of England, which after many gyrations (Catholic/Protestant and back again), they found to be impossibly corrupt.

Little wonder.

With the death of Elizabeth I (who had restored the country to Protestantism after the death of her Catholic half-sister, Mary I), James I of England (James VI of Scotland) took the throne. He had been baptized Roman Catholic but was a practicing Protestant and so the Catholic/Protestant conflict raged on.

Initially, Elizabeth I had taken the position of Moderate Protestantism, a comprise that took the middle ground and allowed the Catholics to practice their religion, as long as they kept their heads down. This was too much for some but not enough for others and so eventually after 1580, the noose around the necks of the Catholics was tightened by the government, whether Elizabeth liked it or not.

Willingly or otherwise, James took the same approach, reinforcing ever more strict penalties against the Catholics whilst at the same time seeking a Spanish wife for his son, Charles, which understandably fueled fears that Catholicism would be the state religion again. By 1620, the situation had become impossible. If the Catholics were too bold and brash and mystical for some tastes, Luther and Calvin and the religions they’d spawned were too mean and harsh for others. The government was expected to intervene (again), and it did effectively becoming, at least in regards to religion, a police state.

This is the essence of the Jupiter/Pluto cycle, political power struggles, intense beliefs, and fundamentalism, as a response to fear and uncertainty.

The last Jupiter/Pluto cycle that commenced in 2007 is drawing now to a close. Consider any and all similarities between that time and that experienced by those pilgrims when in 1620, they’d finally had enough.

Next consider that the next Jupiter/Pluto cycle commences in March 2020 in addition to a heavy-hitter conjunction between Pluto/Saturn (the need for endings) in Capricorn in January 2020. The pilgrims did not have to deal with Pluto/Saturn but we will. To give you a taste of what that might entail, consider that a Pluto/Saturn cycle in Capricorn has not occurred since January 1518, just two months after Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg. Thus began the Protestant Revolution that not only radically changed the face of world politics but also fueled those pilgrims to leave home.

Can we expect to see another wave of pilgrims, setting off from regimes they find too intolerant for their taste? Your guess is as good as mine but I’m willing to bet that we’re already seeing the beginning of it with immigrants fleeing…ah, but then you don’t necessarily want to reflect on that on a day of thanks giving do you or, then again, maybe you do?!

Astrology

UK General Election / 12 December 2019

Summary

All change! The end of the current Conservative status quo is in sight but it won’t be pretty. Expect reputations ruined and careers terminated in a flurry of victimization, dirty deals, and scapegoating. The people will have soundly voted against the current government but things will not turn out as they’d hoped or expected. This heralds a brand-new day in British politics, a completely new cycle. Optimism abounds but, unfortunately, is short-lived.

Discussion

The key to this chart (set for when the polls close) is the close conjunction of Venus/Pluto/Saturn in Capricorn in the 5th house. Also, of note is that earlier in the day there was a full moon – i.e. when the Sun and Moon are in complete opposition.

  • The Saturn/Pluto cycle is about the need for endings – the status quo is no longer viable and is swept away to make room for a new political order for the future.
  • This conjunction of Saturn/Pluto comes exact in January 2020 but be prepared for the outcome of this election to set the tone for what is later to come.
  • The last time there was a Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn was in January 1518, just two months after Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg and began the Protestant Revolution that radically changed the face of world politics. The Catholic Church, the then prevailing ‘big government’ had abused its power too many times and so came to an end.
  • Capricorn symbolises not only government and similar bureaucratic structures like the Catholic Church but more specifically conservative governments/structures.
  • Put all this together and it’s likely that we will see the end of the current Conservative government, which arguably has also abused its power.
  • That Venus (which speaks to a nation’s resources) is involved suggests that current Conservative policies re: the national resources has come to an end.
  • Add to that all that planetary energy in the 5th house which among other things is linked with financial speculation and we can expect that current Conservative policies (or those individuals/institutions behind them) that have basically been throwing the ‘dice’ with the nation’s resources will be resoundingly finished. Was the NHS (National Heath Service) really up for sale under the current Conservative administration?
  • The new world-order that is in the making from the ‘ashes’ of the soon-to-be failed Conservative policies might well have something to do with the very prominent Jupiter/Uranus trine (hope/possibility/optimistic rebellion) which also touches the 5th house and the 9th house (foreign relations). Interestingly, the Jupiter/Uranus trine ties very tightly in with the Ascendant, or the cusp of the 1st house, which speaks to the national identity and outlook. We can see the fruits of the whatever was unleashed at the start of this current Jupiter/Uranus cycle in 2010, with the UK general election that is known as ‘the day that changed politics forever’ when the Conservatives (David Cameron) were forced to form a government with the Lib Dems (Nick Clegg). Perhaps this is an indication that the electorate is again so unhappy with any of the party manifestos that a coalition government will again be necessary?
  • It is also worth noting that earlier in the day, there was a full moon. As is often the case, the full moon often serves as the trigger of planetary patterns. In this regard, the voters/common people (Moon) are in OPPOSITION to the sitting government (the Sun) and this has manifested in an outcome that quick frankly, not many will have expected.
Astrology

Female US President?

Will Elizabeth Warren become 1st US female president?

SUMMARY

Probably, but because the chart itself is in questionable territory, if Ms Warren were to become president, the road leading to that position will take unpredictable and highly emotional – COMBUSTIVE – twists and turns.

FIT for PURPOSE

The Moon in this chart is in the Via Combusta.

  • In many horary circles, this would suggest the chart is unfit to be read.
  • Others suggest that the chart is worth reading to get the lay of the land but the issue involved is likely very unsettled – i.e. combustible, literally likely to blow up.
  • Still others suggest that the Via Combusta Moon acts like Moon conjunct Uranus, suggesting sudden, unpredictable and contrary twists and turns. 

DETAILS

Keeping the above warning in mind, let’s see where this chart might take us.

  • With Taurus on the cusp of the 7th house, Warren is symbolised by Venus who is very strong in Libra, a sign that she rules.
  • The US presidency is symbolised by Mercury because the cusp of the 10th house is Virgo, a sign ruled by Mercury.
  • Mercury moves faster than Venus and so the two will not make the desired conjunction.
  • Luckily using a technique known as translation of light, the separating aspect of Mercury and Venus can still be made good. In this case, the Moon – which moves faster than both Mercury and Venus – carries the ‘light’ from Venus to Mercury, rather like the passing of a baton in a relay race. This brings Venus and Mercury favourably back into connection again. The classical application of this technique requires that Venus (the slower planet) must receive the translating planet (Moon) in one of its essential dignities which it does (Venus rules Libra).
  • This means that – YES – Ms Warren will indeed become the 1st female president of the United States if, and only if, this chart is fit for purpose to be read.
  • The aspects made overall by the Moon in a horary chart tell the unfolding story:
    • The first aspect made by the Moon was a conjunction with the Sun which is not favourable. Any planet coming in direct close contact with the Sun is ‘burned’ and suffers grave misfortune. Perhaps this is indicative of what appears to some as the ‘sacrifice’ of Joe Bidden by the Democratic party in respect to what is quickly being referred to as #ukrainegate. 
    • The next aspect made by the Moon was a square to Saturn which is pretty much bad for everything and especially bad for all things Saturnine, which includes governments. 
    • The next aspect that will be made by the Moon is a sextile to Jupiter, which indicates a favourable time for decision-making as well as legal transactions. Keeping in mind this chart is about Ms Warren and her bid for the presidency, this might suggest that the Democratic party will decide to endorse her instead of Biden as the legal challenge relating to #ukrainegate tips in her favour.
    • The next and final aspect that will be made by the Moon is a conjunction with Mercury which will be favourable for communications, contracts, and commercial transactions. Might we be expecting a message from the Democratic party leadership endorsing Ms Warren in the next 10 days or possibly 10 weeks?
Astrology

Impeachment

Will US President Donald Trump be impeached in 2019/20?

SUMMARY

As the result of dark deals (behind closed doors) undertaken by some serious players, probably not. If, however, on the off-chance he were to be impeached, then similarly dark deals will lie at the heart of things even though everyone involved will likely regret it.

DETAILS

This is a current and poignant question in light of the recent US Congressional debates re: Trump, the whistle-blower, and a questionable phone call between Trump and the Ukrainian president.

  • In this chart, Trump is represented by the Moon because the zodiac sign Cancer is on the cusp of the 7th house, the quested.
  • In this case the 6th house of this chart (the 12th house of Mr Trump) would represent his ‘undoing’. Because Gemini is on the cusp of this house, Mercury would represent his impeachment.
  • That there is no aspect formed or to be formed between the Moon and Mercury before the Moon changes sign, would suggest that impeachment will not take place.
  • Note, however, that the legislators (Congress) are represented by the 11th house and thus Jupiter (Sagittarius is on the 11th house cusp and Jupiter is in that house) will come into contact with the Moon (Trump) by square aspect. This suggests frustration, stress, and difficulties between Trump and Congress that will likely result in no impeachment.
  • HOWEVER, squares are high-energy aspects and so sometimes they do indicate ‘perfection’ (i.e. impeachment) but in a manner that everyone involved will regret.
  • To understand more about how this will play out, we look to overall to the aspect that will be aspects the Moon will make with other planets before changing sign:
    • The Moon is at 2 Virgo in this chart and has not, as yet, made any aspects.
    • The first aspect to be made is with Uranus at 5 Taurus and although traditionally Uranus is not used in horary predictions, it can shed additional light on the situation. Uranus suggests surprises, awakenings and their related upheaval to the status quo. This would seem to characterize the nature of the question at hand to indicate that some shocking and unpredictable revelations/events will take place within either the 3 hours or 3 days.
    • The next aspect to be made will be a trine to Saturn (13 Capricorn). This is favourable for dealing with Saturnine people, which includes government officials and indeed the machinations of government itself. Perhaps Trump is saved, at least initially, by some rule of law or other procedure?
    • The next aspect to be made will be an opposition to Neptune. Although like Uranus, Neptune is generally not used in horary, it sheds light on the question and here, that light is bleary, lost in the fog of confusion and possibility, deliberate deceit. Someone is not telling the truth and/or evidence goes underground?
    • The next aspect will be that square with Jupiter (Congress) and in general is not likely to work to Trump’s advantage except to the extent he may get some good advice. As noted above, frustration is the name of this game.
    • Finally, the Moon makes a square to Pluto, which planet again can only be used for illustrative purposes and not to determine outcome. Wherever we find Pluto, we find power plays and here, they come from extremely heavy-hitting quarters. If Trump is not impeached (note as above, sometimes squares do manifest results but not as anyone would have them), then some dark deals will have taken place to save him. Equally, if he is impeached, it will likely be as the result of dark deals. Either way, the dark deals involved will probably never come to the light of day.
Astrology

Rebirth of a Nation

The following chart is set for London at the exact moment of the Sun’s ingress into September on the Autumnal Equinox. If offers a picture of what we might expect to happen in the United Kingdom for the 3-month period from then until 22 December, the Winter Solstice.

Summary

During this 3-month period, we can expect a manifest national crisis that will involve pain, sadness, and sense of loss. Although the prevailing ideology might well have been diplomacy and fair play, that is not what is actually in play. What we see, or more appropriately, what we are told, is not the reality of the situation. We might expect secret, subversive negotiations to have played out in the interests of big business. Whether that is for the overall good of the nation remains to be seen. But we can be sure that whoever is the real power-broker here is not the elected government.

Details

  • Saturn (13 Capricorn) is in the same degree as the nodal axis. The same configuration (albeit at 18 Capricorn) was in the previous ingress chart covering the period from 21 June 2019 through 23 September. The prognosis is again what it was before: a fated quality involving isolation, reluctance to cooperate with others, and inability to adapt. As before, so again, this will play out in the 3rd/9th houses – trade negotiations with neighbouring countries.
  • The Moon, at 15 Cancer, represent the masses, the population of the UK at large. This Moon is tied in with this Saturn/Nodal axis configuration. Everyone is watching and the situation is highly emotional. There is much at stake and it is not going well.
  • The Sun, representing the country’s political leadership is not in aspect with another planet suggesting that the leadership is out, alone, on a limb.
  • Not only that but the Sun along with Venus and Mercury (diplomatic negotiations) are in the 12th house and so what you see is not what you’ll get. The prevailing ideology is subversive to the established order. This reinforces the idea of isolation because the 12th house is where people go, voluntarily or otherwise, to be alone.
  • That is not to suggest that these secret, subversive negotiations will come to naught. Indeed, the reality will be the opposite. Mercury (media, messages, announcements, and speeches) is in many respects, the strongest planetary player in this chart, forming as he does, an aspect to the angles. Whatever is going on behind the scenes will come to fruition and what it might mean for us is shown by the only other strong planet in this chart, Pluto.
  • In any chart, Pluto is the harbinger of evolutionary changes – whatever is past its sell-by date (overripe) will go, whether or not anyone likes it. 
  • Pluto also symbolises corporate affairs, in particular when to selfish advantage. It represents that which is working out of sight, underground. It also associated with trauma, death and rebirth. 
  • Making an almost exact square to the Ascendant (1sthouse cusp), we can be certain that Pluto will manifest in some kind of crisis that will impact both the health and generation disposition and self-image of the United Kingdom, its people, and the ‘national myth’. Because Libra is involved that ‘myth’ will involve diplomacy and fair play. 
  • Because Pluto is involved, to the extent that a national ‘myth’ of diplomacy and fair play is no longer valid, the crisis provoked during this time period will sweep it away. It is impossible to say anything other than to the extent naïve and unrealistic ideals have prevailed (Neptune in Pisces quincunx Mercury), they will now be exposed to the light of day and it won’t be pretty.
  • Finally, the planetary emphasis in the 12th house suggests political and economic problems and reversals.
Astrology

Will Boris Resign as Prime Minister by Monday?

Summary

This chart suggests that the decision to resign has already, at some level, been made even if not yet communicated. Boris is badly damaged by recent events but if, as the chart suggests, he does resign, such move is part of a cleverly strategized and very well plotted ‘exercise’ or ‘game’ that either involves outright deception or at the very least purposeful lack of clarity.

Details

  1. This chart has 28 degrees rising which in classical horary tradition, suggests that it is not radical (i.e. able) to be judged.
  2. This is most probably because the matter in question has already been decided, although such announcement has not yet been made.
  3. Keeping the issue of radicality in mind, I will attempt to read the chart anyway to learn more about the situation.
  4. Boris is represented by Mercury because Virgo is on the 7th house cusp (i.e. I am the querent and he is the queried).
  5. Mercury/Boris is in Virgo, – where he should be strong (by rulership).  However, because he is so close to the Sun (i.e. he is combust, or ‘burned’ by the Sun) he is nonetheless significantly damaged.
  6. The position of the PM (Prime Minister) is represented by Mars because Scorpio is on the 10th house cusp. Mars (or the position of the PM) is likewise damaged or ‘burned’.
  7. Mercury/Boris has already parted with Mars/ the position of PM and is moving away from such position at some speed. It is important to note that the position of the PM and Boris will not come together again whilst the Mercury is in Virgo. This suggests that if Boris were to be PM in the future, significant circumstances would need to change.
  8. The Moon, currently at 6 Sagittarius, is the primary determinant of the overall situation. Its movements during its time in Sagittarius thus narrate the whole story:
  • The Moon has yet to make an aspect with any other planets since moving in Sagittarius. This suggests that whatever Boris’s decision, he has not revealed it as yet perhaps not even to himself.
  • The first aspect made by the Moon will be a square to Mars. This is not favourable for matters of any kind, especially for dealing with authority figures.
  • The next aspect made by the Moon will be a Square to the Sun. Again, this is unfavourable for dealing with influential people.
  • After this, the Moon perfects a Square with Mercury. This aspect is considered to be favourable for sending messages and dealing with influential people.
  • Next, the Moon will perfect a conjunction with Jupiter. Again, this is favourable for dealing with others as well as for winning lawsuits.
  • Although Neptune is not usually used for horary purposes, it is tempting to suggest that when the Moon perfects its Square with Neptune, the truth of the matter in question will be either distorted or withheld for purposes of deception.
  • Finally, the Moon makes a Square aspect to Venus, which is favourable for ‘sports and games’. This suggests that should Boris resign, it is a cleverly strategized ‘move’ in a well-plotted exercise or game. Because this occurs in the 8th house, such exercise regards restructuring.
Astrology

BREXIT with BORIS

Will Boris suspend UK parliament?

Summary

No. In this regard, Parliament is much stronger than Boris and the way forward for the UK is much more likely to be by agreement with the EU than by edict from Boris.

Details

Horary Chart
  1. Boris = the 7th house (the person in question) and with Taurus on the cusp, Venus is the significator for Boris.
  2. The UK government = 10th house and with Leo on the cusp, the Sun is the signficator for Parliament.
  3. Although it would appear that Venus (Boris) will conjunct with Sun (parliament) suggesting that Boris will have his way, the conjunction never perfects (i.e. it never happens). This suggests that Boris will NOT be successful in his attempts to suspend the UK parliament.
  4. Being so close to the Sun, Boris (Venus) is ‘combust’ or burned by the Sun’s rays, rather like a 3rd degree burn and hence greatly weakened.
  5. On the same theme, Venus is in Virgo where she (and Boris) are in Fall and again, greatly weakened. However, Boris regains some strength by Venus being in its own terms.
  6. Unlike Boris, Parliament is not debilitated in any way although it is also not in a position of significant power. It does, however, gain some strength from being in ‘face’ which means that it is at home, comfortably, in its environment.
  7. Overall this leaves Parliament in a stronger position than Boris.

To see how this will play out, we look to the movements of the Moon:

  • The last aspect made by the Moon was a square to Uranus. Although technically Uranus is not used in horary, it can often help colour in details of the situation in question and in this case because Uranus is both rebellious and unorthodox, the announcement just made by Boris that he will suspend parliament is well-represented by this aspect.
  • The next aspect to be made is a trine with Jupiter which suggests favourable dealings with influential people. Because the Moon rules the 9th house in this chart which symbolises both foreign countries and the court system, it is quite possible that the influential people in question is either the EU or the judiciary. If so, then BREXIT will be decided either by agreement with the EU or in the courts and not by Boris.
  • The final aspect made by the Moon before it changes signs is a conjunction with Mercury. This suggests signing favourable contracts and commercial agreements. Because Mercury rules both the 8th and 11th houses of this chart (neither of which is associated with Boris), such contracts and agreements are much more likely to be in keeping with parliamentary sentiment than that of Boris.
  • Indeed, in combination with the Solar Return of Boris that is operative during this period it is quite possible that Boris will no longer be Prime Minister when such agreements/contracts are signed.
Astrology

Spies in the Workplace

I just read a very scary WSJ article about all the ways in which large US companies are spying on their employees – from their first email sent from bed in the morning to the new business contact added on the way home.

Employers are using the resulting data collected in many ways including spotting problem employees and monitoring which teams are the most productive. But it goes further. One of the newest frontiers is dissecting phone calls and conference room conversations.

Apparently, these employers are under little, if any obligation, to share their tactics or gathered information with their employees and there is almost nothing that the employees can do about it.

Workplace spies?

I was forced to agree with one comment in the response thread following the article – i.e. ‘that no employee should expect any privacy at work’. The operative word here is expect –  for any employee would clearly be foolish to believe the situation to be other than it is. But I can’t help but think that employers are shooting themselves in the proverbial foot here because ‘trust’ (or lack thereof) cuts both ways. Traditionally, those companies who have profited most have tried hard to ensure employees at all levels work toward a common goal and share common values. I am pretty up to date on The Harvard Business Review and this seems to be the line that most articles there continue to take. But in light of this WSJ article, the academically inspired ‘advice’ from the creme de la creme is seemingly ignored, perhaps because more than corporate profitability is at stake.

I can only imagine that when Pluto hits Aquarius in 2023 and the proverbial ‘shit’ hits the fan in regards to technology and how it is being used, that it will be the employers who will end up with brown goo on their faces.

Pluto roots out all that is wrong in society in regards to the zodiac sign in which it traverses, concentrating on that which is dark, secretive, taboo, and purposefully hidden. With moralistic, idealistic (black and white) Aquarius, it’s all about doing the ‘right thing’ and I’m guessing that when the whole truth oozes out about the degree of spying and the uses made of it, employee loyalty of any kind will truly be a thing of the past.

If in doubt how this works, consider what happened when in 2008, when Pluto entered Capricorn, the sign associated with business, banking, and government.

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