Goethe
Famous writers include the German writer and poet, Goethe, D.H. Lawrence, and Roald Dahl, Agatha Christie, and the Australian writer and journalist, Charmian Clift. Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein

Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein
It is just over 2 centuries in 1818 since the Virgo, Mary Shelley wrote her groundbreaking Gothic novel, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus inspired by her dream. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (née Godwin; 30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851) was an English novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer. She also edited and promoted the works of her husband, the Romantic poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley. Her father was the political philosopher, William Godwin, and her mother was the philosopher and feminist, Mary Wollstonecraft. She was born on 30 August 1797 at 11.20 pm in London, England. Both her parents were famous in their own right. Mary was the daughter of two social reformers ahead of their time. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, was a feminist and author of The Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) who died shortly after giving birth to her daughter. Her father, William Godwin, a radical philosopher, was a part of an English liberal movement who wrote the book, “Political Justice.” The young poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, was one of the young men who agreed with Godwin’s progressive views and who began to frequent his salon in 1813 where Mary and Percy met and fell in love. They eloped on 28 July 1814, fleeing to Switzerland by coach. After Percy’s wife committed suicide, Mary and Percy were married on 30 December 1816. Together they travelled to Geneva where they met Lord Byron who was travelling with his physician Doctor Polidori. They rented two villas near to each other. On 8 July 1822, Percy drowned in a violent lake storm. After Percy’s death Mary moved back to London, where she processed her grief editing of Percy’s letters and poems. Her other works include “Castruccio,” “Prince Of Lucca,” 1824 and “The Last Man,” 1826. 

When Byron suggested the idea of writing ghost stories, inspiration was taken from a collection of German horror stories, translated under the title Fantasmagoriana.  Mary’s unconventional life up to the summer of 1816 (when she was still only 18), along with the company in which she found herself in June of that year – and even the unusual weather conditions at the time – all contributed to the book’s genesis. The vital spark that gave the novel life however was Lord Byron’s suggestion one evening at the Villa Diodati, as candlelight flickered within the house and lightning flashed across the surface of the lake outside, that those present should turn their hands to the writing of ghost stories.

A Year without Summer
Because the weather in June was particularly bad and denied the possibility of sailing journeys on the lake, the group spent their evenings discussing literary projects, talking late into the night as the rain fell outside. With thunder and lightning rolling down from the mountains and across the lake, the candlelit interior of the Villa Diodati became the home to discussions about galvanism and the principles of animation, with Polidori’s medical knowledge acting as a balance for Byron and Percy Shelley’s more speculative imaginings. As Mary recalled in the Preface to the 1831 edition of Frankenstein: ‘Many and long were the conversations between Lord Byron and Shelley to which I was a devout but nearly silent listener. During one of these, various philosophical doctrines were discussed, and among others the nature of the principle of life, and whether there was any probability of its ever being discovered communicated’. The contemporary interest in galvanism, anatomy and the spark of life, together with the thunder storms outside and the candlelight within, all took root in Mary’s imagination and found their way into her novel.

The late night talks at the Villa Diodati continued as the weather outside remained stormy, and it was following one of these conversations that Mary had the nightmare that gave rise to the central idea of Frankenstein. Mary recounted the nightmare in her 1831 preface to the book, giving a startling example of how the heightened consciousness of terror could be transformed into brilliant and inspirational creativity:

Night waned upon this talk, and even the witching hour had gone by before we retired to rest. When I placed my head on my pillow I did not sleep, nor could I be said to think. My imagination, unbidden, possessed and guided me, gifting the successive images that arose in my mind with a vividness far beyond the usual bounds of reverie. I saw – with shut eyes, but acute mental vision – I saw the pale student of the unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together. I saw the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine show signs of life and stir with an uneasy, half-vital motion …”

Another Virgoan author whose keen powers of observation and attention to miniscule detail were put to good use in her murder mysteries is Agatha Christie, the creator of Poirot, Miss Marple and volumes of detective stories.

A Virgoan who made great contributions to modern education is the Italian woman, Maria Montessori. In 1896 she was the first woman to graduate from medical school in Rome. She began her career teaching hygiene and then moved to the area of education, with the particular goal of providing education for the poor and needy children. Today we see the legacy of her work with Montessori schools established worldwide.

Another Virgo whose tireless labours brought her many accolades is Mother Teresa. The austere life that she and her sisters led is typical of the Virgoan nature. Virgoan entertainers include Buddy Holly and Patsy Cline. Virgoan actors include Peter Sellers, Lily Tomlin, Anne Bancroft, Sophia Loren, Claudia Schiffer, Lauren Bacall, Sean Connery, Keanu Reeves, Jeremy Irons and Hugh Grant.

Baz Luhrmann
Another renowned Virgo is the award winning Australian film director, producer and screen writer, Baz Luhrmann whose box office hits include Strictly Ballroom, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Moulin Rouge, The Great Gatsby and his biopic, Elvis. Luhrmann’s projects span film, television, opera, theatre, music and recording studios. He is the most commercially successful Australian director with four of his films in the top ten world wide grossing Australian films of all time.

Bernie Sanders – a politician on a mission,
A well known Virgo is the American Independent Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont. Sanders was born on 8 September 1941 in Brooklyn Heights in New York, USA at 12.27 pm. Sanders is the longest-serving independent in U.S. congressional history. A self-described democratic socialist, he favours policies similar to those of social democratic parties in Europe, particularly those instituted by the Nordic countries. He caucuses with the Democratic Party and has been the ranking minority member on the Senate Budget Committee since January 2015.

Sanders settled in Vermont in 1968. Since his election to the Senate, Sanders has emerged as a leading progressive voice on issues such as income inequality, universal healthcare, parental leave, climate change, LGBT rights, and campaign finance reform. He rose to national prominence on the heels of his 2010 filibuster of the proposed extension of the Bush-era tax rates for the wealthy. Sanders is also outspoken on civil rights and civil liberties, and has been particularly critical of mass surveillance policies such as the USA PATRIOT Act, as well as racial discrimination in the criminal justice system. He has long been critical of U.S. foreign policy, and was an early and outspoken opponent of the Iraq War.

Born into a working-class Jewish family and raised in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Sanders attended Brooklyn College before graduating from the University of Chicago in 1964. While a student, he was a protest organizer for the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) during the civil rights movement. After settling in Vermont in 1968. He won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1990, representing Vermont’s at-large congressional district, later co-founding the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He served as a U.S. representative for 16 years before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006, notably becoming the first non-Republican elected to the seat in 152 years. Sanders was reelected to the Senate in 2012 and 2018. He chaired the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee from 2013 to 2015 and the Senate Budget Committee from 2021 to 2023. In January 2023, he became chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and the senior senator and dean of the Vermont congressional delegation upon Patrick Leahy‘s retirement from the Senate.

Sanders was a major candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020, receiving the second most votes in each. Despite initially low expectations, his 2016 campaign generated significant grassroots enthusiasm and funding from small-dollar donors, carrying him to victory against eventual nominee Hillary Clinton in 23 primaries and caucuses before he conceded in July.^[2] In 2020, his strong showing in early primaries and caucuses made him the front-runner in a historically large field of Democratic candidates. In April 2020, Sanders conceded the nomination to Joe Biden, who had won a series of decisive victories as the field narrowed. He supported both Clinton and Biden in their respective general election campaigns against Donald Trump.

Sanders is credited with influencing a leftward shift in the Democratic Party after his 2016 presidential campaign. An advocate of social democratic and progressive policies, he is known for his opposition to economic inequality and neoliberalism. On domestic policy, he supports labor rights, universal and single-payer healthcare, paid parental leave, tuition-free tertiary education, and an ambitious Green New Deal to create jobs addressing climate change. On foreign policy, he supports reducing military spending, pursuing more diplomacy and international cooperation, and putting greater emphasis on labor rights and environmental concerns when negotiating international trade agreements. Sanders supports workplace democracy, and has praised elements of the Nordic model. Some have compared his politics to left-wing populism and the New Deal policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Sanders’ and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez’s Role in the upsurge of Democratic Socialist wins in the US primaries
Sanders and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez AOC, along with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani have been influential in the recent surge of Democratic Socialist victories in the US primaries in the lead up to the November mid-term elections. spurred on by the disenchantment by some progressive Democrats with Establishment Democrats who are bank rolled by wealthy donors often supporting Israel. This aligns with the current Pluto Uranus trine which heralds huge transformation in the political landscape, reminiscent of the revolutionary movements in 1968 with anti war protests, the rise of the women’s movement, gay rights, civil rights etc.

Governor General Sam Mostyn who was born on 13 September 1965 in Canberra, Australia exemplifies the best of the Virgoan work ethic and dedication to service. Ms Sam Mostyn AC was sworn in as Australia’s 28th Governor-General on 1 July 2024. Mostyn has been an advocate on climate change and gender equality; she served as the first female Australian Football League commissioner and was president of Chief Executive Women from 2021 to 2022. She was a board member of numerous companies and organisations, including Mirvac, Transurban, GO Foundation, the Climate Council, Virgin Australia, and the Sydney Swans. The Mostyn Medal, for the “best and fairest” AFLW player in the Sydney Swans, is named after her.
Mostyn has held many non-executive roles in business and government, and has also been involved with advocacy organisations and issues that relate to climate change, gender equality, Indigenous reconciliation, and environmental sustainability.^[18] Her work has included roles in business strategy, human resources, culture change, risk management, and community engagement.^[19]

After leaving university, Mostyn trained as a solicitor while working part-time in the Magistrates Court of New South Wales and later as an associate to Michael Kirby in the New South Wales Court of Appeal.^[20] She worked as a solicitor for Freehills and Gilbert + Tobin.^[19]

In 2022, Mostyn was appointed by the Albanese government as chair of its Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce.^[21][7] In 2023, this taskforce recommended that paid parental leave should be extended to a year.^[11] In 1998 the same year, Mostyn was recruited to join Cable & Wireless plc in London as global head of human resources.^[20]In 2021, Mostyn was named by the Australian Financial Review as Australia’s “most influential” company director, serving on boards with a combined market capitalisation of over $480 billion.^[29] She was president of Chief Executive Women in 2021–2022.^[

Mostyn was appointed a director of Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) in April 2018,^[31] and was appointed chair on 3 March 2022, with her term set to end on 2 March 2026. ANROWS is an independent, not-for-profit research organisation which was established in 2013 by the Commonwealth and all state and territory governments in a bid to conduct and encourage research that would help to end domestic violence in Australia.^[32]

Mostyn has served on the boards of the Global Business & Sustainable Development Commission,^[19] the Diversity Council Australia,^[11] Reconciliation Australia, the Australia Council for the Arts, Beyond Blue (including as chair^[11]), the Foundation of Young Australians, Ausfilm, Australians Investing in Women, Australian Volunteers International,^[33][34] the Sydney Theatre Company, and Carriageworks.^[19] She was also National Mental Health Commissioner, and a past president of the Australian Council for International Development.^[33][34][19] She has also served as faculty on The Prince of Wales’s Business & Sustainability Programme,^[33] as a non-executive director and sustainability adviser.^[35] The role involves leading residential seminars of groups of senior executives.
Mostyn was one of the Australia 2020 Summit participants. She is a chair of the Climate Council and has written about bushfires and climate change for the Climate Council.^[37] She is a member of the Climate Change Authority.^[11]

She was an inaugural board member of ClimateWorks Australia^[19][38] (now Climateworks Centre), an independent non-profit research centre focused on climate transition, co-founded in 2009 by the Myer Foundation and Monash University as part of the Monash Sustainable Development Institute.^[39][40] She remained on the board until 2019.^[41]She is also a founding supporter and chair of 1 Million Women, the women’s climate action group.^[19]

Governor-General
On 3 April 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that King Charles III had approved the appointment of Mostyn as the next governor-general of Australia, succeeding David Hurley, and that she would be sworn in on 1 July 2024.^[42][34][17] She is the first governor-general to have been born in Canberra. She was sworn into office on 1 July 2024.
Mostyn has regularly written for, and been quoted in, the media.^[54][55] She has advocated for prevention of domestic violence and for support of Indigenous Australian women.^[56] She was a panellist on the Q+A TV show in March 2021,^[57] when audience members asked whether prime minister Scott Morrison‘s support for women “was genuine”, following marches in early 2021. Mostyn commented that recommendations by Kate Jenkins, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, following the national inquiry into workplace sexual harassment, could be implemented and accepted.^[58]

Mostyn delivered a speech at the National Press Club, in November 2021,^[59] as president of Chief Executive Women, on economic recovery and post-pandemic recovery, describing how Australia can make “the most of its available resources and talent” by investing in care, for paid parental leave, childhood education and superannuation reform, as well as ensuring employees in the care industry, such as teachers, childcare workers and nurses, are receiving well-paid salaries, and respect within the workplace. She described how the pandemic had “left women exhausted and deepened their inequality, particularly in the workplace” and that much of Australia’s “luck” had been due to the undervalued work of women.^[56][60]

She has reported on corporate Australia and the gender diversity within the top 300 companies, with 5% of women CEOs in the S&P ASX200 companies.^[62] She has commented that a large number of woman leaders “sends a message to everybody that women are equal and improves overall culture”. She has stated that, when a significant proportion of women are on boards, issues such as domestic violence policy and sexual harassment complaints are brought to attention.^[63] She has also written in the Sydney Morning Herald about women and the economy.^[64]

Sam Neill – multi talented Virgoan actor
New Zealand actor whose career spanned over five decades, including leading roles in both independent films and blockbusters. Considered an “international leading man,” he was regarded as one of the most versatile actors of his generation.

Born in Northern Ireland to an English mother and a New Zealand father, Neill moved to Christchurch with his family in 1954. He first achieved recognition with his appearance in the film Sleeping Dogs (1977), which he followed with leading roles in My Brilliant Career (1979), Omen III: The Final Conflict, Possession (both 1981), Attack Force Z (1982), Evil Angels (also known as A Cry in the Dark, 1988), Dead Calm (1989), Death in Brunswick (1990), The Hunt For Red October (1990), The Piano (1993), In the Mouth of Madness (1994), and Event Horizon (1997). He came to international prominence as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park (1993), a role he reprised in Jurassic Park III (2001) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022).

Outside of film, Neill appeared in numerous television series in guest and recurring roles, including Reilly, Ace of Spies (1983), The Simpsons (1994), The Tudors (2007), Crusoe (2008–2010), Happy Town (2010), Alcatraz (2012), and Rick and Morty (2019). He also starred as the eponymous character Merlin in Merlin (1998) and Merlin’s Apprentice (2006), and as Major Chester Campbell in the first two series of Peaky Blinders (2013–2014). Additionally , he presented and narrated several documentaries.

Neill was the recipient of the AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, the Longford Lyell Award, the New Zealand Film Award, and the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actor. He also had three Golden Globe and two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He won the Silver Logie for Most Popular Actor at the 2023 Logies.

In March 2023, Neill revealed that he had been undergoing chemotherapy since March 2022 after being diagnosed with stage 3 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, following swollen glands that were first noticed during publicity for Jurassic World Dominion. Neill used his year away from work while undergoing his cancer treatment to write a memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?, published in March 2023.

In 1980, Neill met actress Lisa Harrow and they have a son. He married make-up artist Noriko Watanabe in 1989 and they have one daughter together. He also adopted Watanabe’s daughter from her first marriage. He separated from Watanabe in 2017, and dated Australian political journalist Laura Tingle from 2018 to 2021. As of 2023, he had eight grandchildren. In his early twenties, Neill fathered a son who was placed for adoption. They reunited in 1994.

Sam Neill died on 13 July 2026 at age 78 in Sydney, Australia. He won a posthumous best actor award the 2026 Logies. His long time friend and colleague, Heather Mitchell, accepted the award on Sam’s behalf with a touching tribute to her friend.

Sam Neill’s natal chart
Sam Neill was born on 14 September 1947(birth time not known) at Omagh in Northern Ireland. Since there is no known birth time, I have cast his chart for midday. This means that we pay no regard to the houses but only to the planets in the signs and their aspects to each other. He has a stellium in Virgo – Sun, Moon and Venus. Venus conjunct his Sun would account for his telegenic looks, and charm. His sense of self is closely tied to beauty, pleasure and connection. His Mercury is in Libra so his Venus and Mercury are in mutual reception. Mercury in the sign of Libra would account for his suave manner he was able to project on stage and screen. With 3 planets in Virgo Sam was hard working, a perfectionist with great attention to detail. Sam was blessed with many harmonious aspects to his Venus, the planet of beauty, romance and creativity. With a stellium in Virgo, he may come across as reserved but once he gets to know someone he can show cordiality and affection. Apart from his Venus-Sun conjunction, he also had Venus sextile his Mars and his Jupiter and trine his North Node. Love, beauty and his values flow naturally towards his destiny. The things and people to whom he is drawn tend to be exactly what supports his growth. There is a graceful quality to how purpose and pleasure intertwine in his life. Mars trine Jupiter would have given him a natural confidence and expansive energy that would endow him with great initiative which would inspire others with his boundless enthusiasm. This quality is further enhanced by his Sun sextile Jupiter which bring a lucky journey through life with his knack for making the most of any opportunities that come his way. His natural optimism and openness would attract good fortune which would promote his personal growth and expand his world view. His Mercury-Neptune conjunction in Libra would endow him with strong intuition and imagination which would come across powerfully on screen. Virgo is an earth sign and in the northern hemisphere coincides with autumn and also rules the harvest so it is fitting that he harvested grapes for his wine making. Uranus square his Sun and Venus would give him a rebellious streak where he would value his freedom and individuality and in relationships there could be a push pull between the desire for freedom and intimacy.

Sam Neill’s Numerology
Sam was born on the 14 September 1947 so his day number is 14/5 which gives him the gift of the gab and also reinforces that he is free spirit. His month number is 9 which represents the arts and humanitarianism. His year number 1947 is 21/3 which represents the joys and pleasures of life endowing him with creativity. His life path number is 5+9+3=17/8 which gives him executive ability which he has demonstrated in his directing roles and his wine business. The number 8 promotes growth through challenges in the path which he demonstrated through the resilience he showed during his challenges with his illness.

Virgo Health and Anatomy

Virgo rules the sixth house whose domain is work and health. The part of the body allocated to Virgo is the solar plexus and intestines. The solar plexus lies directly behind the stomach, and from it twelve different nerve ganglia branch off in all directions: that is how the solar or sun plexus gets its name. Each of the twelve divisions of the solar plexus allocates with one of the signs of the Zodiac, and hence with a certain part of the body. The plexus itself is a little Zodiac. It is sometimes called the lower brain. The solar plexus is the great receiving station of energy from the back brain, while the bowels complete the chemicalisation of the food products ready to be assimilated by the blood. Being connected by its nerve ganglia with all parts of the body, the solar plexus reflects the condition of the entire body. It is not surprising then, that the stomach and bowels are affected when a person is worried or upset, or when the brain is

fagged and weary. Virgoans are known as the ‘worriers of the Zodiac’ with a nervous stomach, making them prone to digestive problems, especially if they identify too much with their perfectionist or workaholic nature. Virgoans need to be able to switch off from their work and learn to relax. Meditation, yoga or martial arts are ideal pursuits to bring harmony and balance to the lives of these industrious, fastidious folk. In the book, ‘Astrology and Biochemistry’, Vanda Sawtell states the Biochemic cell salt for Virgo is Kali sulph., and its function is to manufacture and distribute oil. When the body is in health, little jets of steam are constantly escaping from the seven million pores of the skin. A deficiency of Kali sulph.molecules causes the oil in the tissues to thicken and clog these safety valves of the human machine, thus turning heat and secretions back upon the inner organs, lungs, pleura, membranes of the nasal passages, and all forms of catarrh.

Kali sulph. is also present in considerable quantities in the scalp and hair. When this salt is lacking we get dandruff or falling hair, skin eruptions secreting yellowish oily matter, or inactive dry scaling skim, gastro-duodenal catarrh, ringworm, anaemia, and bronchitis. It is an oxygen carrier to the epidermic and epithelial cells of the skin and membranes, and in this it works with Ferrum phos., which is the salt for Pisces, the polar opposite to Virgo. Vanda Sawtell extols the virtues of Kali sulph., claiming it is a wonderful salt; the oil which it manufactures provides a fuel, a solvent, a lubricant and purifier for the body, just as in a machine. Furthermore, she adds; In old age the human body is very low in oil, and hence looks dry and shrivelled. Skin, hair, intestinal tract, bones all require their full quota of oil. She alludes to the parable of the wise virgins who kept their lamps burning, and the cry of the foolish virgins, “ We have no oil!” Moreover, people deficient in this salt cannot stand a warm room as they feel suffocated and must get out into the cool air. Symptoms are usually worse in the afternoon. She recommends Kali sulph. be given in all children’s diseases where there has been a rash or scaling. It helps to form new skin, and in this it works with the Gemini salt, Kali mur.

Overview for Virgo for 2026
Your 12th house of spirituality is highlighted by the karmic South Node and a total solar eclipse which occurred on 13 August while your health and work sector is highlighted by the karmic North Node and an annular solar eclipse which occurred on 17 February. Lucky Jupiter is also moving through your spirituality centre which could see you seeking meaning in spiritual matters. Your joint finances sector is activated by Neptune, Saturn, Pallas Athena, Vesta and Eris. Pallas Athena will bring wisdom and strategy here while Vesta will bring focus. Venus, the ruler of finances, will be in your finance sector until 10 September enhancing your financial prospects. Neptune’s presence here may bring some confusion or deception to your joint finances or taxes here but Saturn’s presence here should mitigate this potential confusion. Unpredictable Uranus has is continuing its passage through your career sector causing potential upheaval here. Transformative Pluto continues its passage through your work and health sector which could bring big changes to health or work routine. . Whatever is grumbling in these areas of your life Pluto will bring these issues to the surface to be faced and transformed. A partial lunar eclipse will occur in your relationship sector on 28 August which could bring issues in this area to light that need to be attended to. Chiron has entered your travel and education centre but will return to your joint finances sector from 18 August. Feisty Mars and Ceres moving though your social sector and Mars will be there until 28 September endowing you with energy for your social life. While Mars can be a bit headstrong the presence of Ceres should bring a nurturing quality in your social interactions. You may use this energy to advocate for environmental causes.

New Moon Solar Eclipse in Leo – 13 August 2026
This powerful solar eclipse tracked across Greenland, Iceland and parts of Europe including Portugal and the UK where people came out to view the phenomenon in great numbers. This was a South Node eclipse where the node was at 29 degrees Leo that is the anaretic degree making it more critical. Key aspects at this time include the Mars-Ceres conjunction sextile Chiron with all three planets located at 0 degrees which would put the spotlight on the need for climate action. This has been made even more urgent with the catastrophic wildfires in Spain and Portugal, incessant scorching heatwaves throughout the Northern summer and crippling droughts in the UK. The solar eclipse is also trine Eris which is likely to feature as fighting for justice and equality. Transformative Pluto is quindecile the solar eclipse bringing up issues of obsession and control. This is even more prominent with Pluto being out of bounds south from August to December which acts an ignition point for revolutionary movements and a shift of consciousness. There is a harmonious grand trine in air between Venus, Pluto and Uranus. This Uranus-Pluto at the exact same degree – 4 degrees trine will repeat five times until 2028 reflecting the revolutionary energy of 1968. The eclipse season often ushers in seismic events such as earthquakes and volcanoes including the recent earthquakes Columbia, the Philippines and two in Indonesia.

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Pisces – 28 August 2026
The partial lunar eclipse in Pisces will occur on 28 August. It will be visible over Africa, Europe, Scandinavia, Greenland, Iceland and the US. It is noteworthy that the eclipse will conjunct the fixed star, Formalhaut, which is connected with the Archangel Gabriel who oversees communication and protection. This eclipse is a North Node eclipse. Uranus in Gemini forms a mutable T-square with the eclipse with the Sun in Virgo and the Moon in Pisces. The Piscean Full Moon is a deeply emotional placement and focusses on compassion. Eclipses serve as a release point. The ruler of Pisces, Neptune, is concerned with water issues that is the ocean, the Strait of Hormuz, oil, water shortages, drought the media and drugs. With so many planets currently in air and fire, they are acting like bellows causing catastrophic wildfires. This will be the last eclipse in Pisces in this cycle as the nodes prepare to move into Leo and Aquarius. With the North Node at the anaretic degree of 29 degrees there is a tendency towards grandiosity and excesses in leadership. This T-square between Uranus and the full Moon lunar eclipse is likely to highlight disruption, revolution and rebellion as people lose trust in their governments. It is also likely to feature more seismic events as we have witnessed the recent devastating earthquake in Columbia, the earthquake in the Philippines and two earthquakes in Indonesia. Uranus is also connected to aviation and IT so there are likely to more disruptions in aviation and power outages. Jupiter is in Leo which rules the heart so the focus is on expansion of the heart and creativity.

There is also a finger of God formed by the Pluto sextile Neptune and a quincunx to the Sun in Virgo which focusses on how we manifest our sovereignty in a practical manner. The finger of God signifies a sense of a spiritual destiny. With the Sun in Virgo and Uranus in Gemini there is an emphasis on our daily work routine and a strong sense of innovation changing our neural networks to blend with the heart. Virgo also represents ancient wisdom and herbal medicine. There is a tight trine between Jupiter in Leo and Saturn in Aries which recalls the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in Capricorn that occurred in January 2020 which coincided with the pandemic. This brings up questions such as how far have we come since then and Saturn always gives us a reality check. Chiron is currently in Taurus which reminds us about the importance of our natural resources or our own physical wounds. There is also a mystic rectangle with Chiron in Taurus sextile the Moon in Pisces trine the Sun in Virgo opposing Haumea in Scorpio. While this configuration can be challenging it also brings a sense of divine harmony and any challenges can be healed by regeneration. Venus in Libra is opposing Eris in Aries which represents a fight for justice and balance for those who feel left out. With Pluto currently OOB South and it will be there until 2035, we can expect increasing revolutionary energy and even more polarisation.

Sources
Virgo Greeting Card Illustrated by Sue Robertson
Virgo Poem by Anne Robertson
Esoteric Astrology Volume 3 Treatise on the Seven Rays by Alice A. Bailey
Soul-Centred Astrology: A Key to your Expanding Self  by Alan Oken
Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology by Alan Oken
Astrology and Biochemistry by Vanda Sawtell
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein and the Villa Diodati by Greg Buzzwell
Insight Newsletter by Michele Finey
The Next Step Newsletter by Pam Gregory
Liz Cheney vows to carry on the fight against Trump after conceding defeat in Wyoming primary by Gregory Krieg. CNN
Bernie Sanders: Politician on a Mission by Joseph Crane
Bernie Sanders Astro-Databank
Liz Cheney vs Donald Trump Why it’s not over yet by Katty Kay US special correspondent
A hundred years on, Charmian Clift’s time has finally arrived by Nadia Wheatley
Charmian Clift by Nadia Wheatley The Australian Dictionary of Biography, ANU
The World of Charmian Clift, The Neglected Books Page,

LEAVE A COMMENTby ANNEFERTITI’S ASTROMUSINGS on AUGUST 23, 2020  •  PERMALINK  •  EDITPosted in UNCATEGORIZEDTagged AGATHA CHRISTIE, DEMETER, GOETHE, KALI SULPH, MARIA MONTESSORI, MARY SHELLEY, PERSEPHONE

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by ANNEFERTITI’S ASTROMUSINGS on AUGUST 22, 2021  •  PERMALINK  •  EDIT

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  • July Astromusings – Happy Birthday Leos! Neptune stations retrograde, Full Moon in Capricorn, Royal Commission Robot debt report, Hollywood actors’ and writers’ strike, New Moon in Cancer, Venus and Chiron station retrograde. Vale Tony Bennett, a true Leo!
  • June Astromusings – Happy Birthday Cancerians! Full Moon in Sagittarius, New Moon in Gemini, Saturn stations retrograde, Pluto in Capricorn – Trump is arraigned, Boris Johnson resigns in disgrace, Berlusconi dies, Nicola Sturgeon is arrested in SNP finance probe and then released, Parliament House Canberra rocked by claims of sexual assault, Blessings for the Winter/Summer Solstice
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Proud Leo claims
the centre stage of life
Sun ruled sun blessed
Strong ardent loyal
Whose noble heart emits
the vital flame
of Love

(c) Anne Robertson 1987

Esoteric Keyword Phrases for Leo
The Personality proclaims its keyword: I rule because I am
The Soul proclaims its keyword: I am that and that am I.

Happy birthday to all the Leos who celebrate their birthdays between July 23 and August 23. Leo rules the fifth house, which represents, creativity, children and romance. It is one of the three fire signs along with Aries and Sagittarius. It is one of the four fixed signs – the others being Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio. The ruler of Leo is the Sun and marks the hottest astrological month in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the heat of Leo’s Sun which ripens the fruit produced during the period of Cancer. Like the sign Leo the heat is constant and intense. There are biblical references to Leo. In the Old Testament the tribe of Judah is ruled by Leo. There are many examples of the cat deity in the Egyptian pantheon. Egyptian King Necepsos claimed that at the Creation of the world, the Sun rose in Leo near the star of Denebola. According to Alan Oken in his book, ‘Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology’, Pliny, the Roman philosopher relates that the Egyptians worshipped this constellation because the Nile rose when the Sun entered the stars.

Hathor, the daughter of the Sun god Ra, was a dual aspected goddess. As well as being the gentle celestial cow, she had a dark side as Sekhmet, the lion-headed goddess, who wreaked havoc and bloodshed on those who dared to dissent against her father’s rule. The two lion deities, ‘yesterday’ and ‘tomorrow’, are depicted as guarding the gate to the shadow world. The lion is the emblem of spiritual power and wisdom. It is a sacred symbol of Buddhism. Buddha is said to have had a pet lion which was endowed with miraculous powers, and when the Great Teacher’s death was upon him, he chose to lay down ‘on his right side after the manner of a lion.’ The imperial lion was a symbol of the power of Rome. The feeding of the Christians to the lions symbolised the might of Rome overcoming and devouring any enemy of the state. Richard the Lion Hearted of England was renowned for his ambition to recapture the holy land from the Muslims (by slaying as many of them as possible) under the newly baptised banner of the ‘Lion of Christ.’

The Constellation of Leo

Unlike the faint constellation of Cancer, Leo is a very bright and easily identifiable constellation, in keeping with Leo’s regal demeanour. It lies between Cancer in the West and Virgo in the East and is best seen, in the Northern Hemisphere, in the late winter and early spring. Leo’s body is rectangular which culminates in a triangle of the Lion’s hindquarters. He is often depicted in a crouching position, ready to pounce. His tail is extremely long and curved, the tip of which is the brightest star in the hind triangle, Denebola.The distinguishing feature of the lion is his mane, which resembles a huge inverted question mark or a giant sickle. The point of the question mark is the exceptionally bright star, Regulus, the heart of the lion. Regulus, meaning the little King, the Ruler or the Lawgiver, is one of the four royal stars.

The constellation Leo has in it ninety-five stars, two of them of the first magnitude. Its Egyptian name meant ‘a pouring out’, the Nile giving its full irrigation at that season. There are three constellations associated with Leo – Hydra, the serpent, Crater, the cup, and Corvus, the raven. In the zodiac of Denderah, Leo and the three attendant constellations are pictured as forming one great sign, for the lion is seen as treading on the serpent. Corvus, the raven, is perched on the lion’s shoulder, while below is a plumed female figure, holding out two cups, the cup of experience and of suffering.

The Leo Hall of Fame
Leos are attracted to positions of power like a moth to a flame. Leo has its share of dictators such as Napoleon, Benito Mussolini, Fidel Castro and Simon Bolivar.

Jacinda Ardern former NZ PM – wise compassionate leader
This iconic image of Jacinda Ardern marked her apart from many world leaders demonstrating wisdom and compassion. Esoterically Leo rules the heart and she has Neptune, the planet of sacrifice and compassion, conjunct her idealistic Sagittarius ascendant. Both her Sagittarius ascendant and her 9th house Sun are ruled by Jupiter in her 10th house of career which is reflected in her spirituality, her extensive travel and living abroad equipping her for her leadership role.

Hodgson claims that New Zealand’s role in the world is to be a standard bearer for inclusive love and unity, an example of how to respond to crises intelligently, but also with inclusivity and understanding. Jacinda Ardern – because she was PM when the massacre occurred, has been directly responsible for sending this message out to the world, in its highest, most altruistic form. More than this, she has shaped that message because of her personal performance. (Venus in Gemini, conjunct New Zealand’s ascendant and natal Pluto). Her speech at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2018, set the tone for her service-work. She called for, among other things, kindness and collectivism as an alternative to isolationism, protectionism, and racism. The previous PM of New Zealand, Helen Clark, calls Ardern the world’s anti-Trump, which brings into sharper focus, what Ardern’s role may be on the world stage at this time. Other ways in which Jacinda Ardern has been an exemplar of compassionate leadership is her reiteration of her offer to take 150 refugees from Manus. In short Jacinda Ardern during her premiership lead by example with focus and compassion symbolised by her Leo Sun and Neptune on her Sagittarian ascendant.

Former Republican Senator Liz Cheney, a prominent and vocal member of the January 6 Committee, was the exception to the rule, challenging Donald Trump’s increasingly authoritarian presidency in both his first and second terms, with Trump ruthlessly campaigning against her. Cheney supported the second impeachment of Donald Trump for his role in the 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol. Such was their opposition to Trump that the response of both Liz Cheney and her father the late former Vice president and arch Republican Dick Cheney, that they took the radical step of no longer supporting their Republican party and transferred their allegiance to the Democrats and campaigned for the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris. Anatomically, Leo rules the heart and the word courage is derived from the French word ‘coeur’ meaning heart and certainly the word courage comes to mind when considering Liz Cheney’s role in being one of the few Republicans prepared to stand up to Trump despite Republican party’s demoting her, as well as her enduring death threats.

Leo is well represented in the British royal family – the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, and the Princess Royal, Princess Anne were all born under the sign of Leo. Other Leos who hold or have held positions of power include Bill Clinton, Arnold Schwarzeneggar,  former Prime Minister John Howard, and the former treasurer, Peter Costello. Jackie Kennedy Onassis with her love of fashion, luxury and power is the epitome of Leo.

Leos, being ruled by the fifth house of creativity, are attracted to the screen and stage, including Robert Mitcham, Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Antonio Banderas, JonathonRhys-Myers, Julian McMahon, Eric Bana, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Helen Mirren, Michelle Williams, Audrey Tatou, Charlize Theron, Hilary Swank, Kim Cattrall, Martin Sheen, Sean Penn, Sandra Bullock, Patrick Swayze, Roman Polanski and Mick Jagger

Helen Mirren, Michelle Williams, Audrey Tatou, Charlize Theron, Hilary Swank, Kim Cattrall, Martin Sheen, Sean Penn, Sandra Bullock, Patrick Swayze, Roman Polanski and Mick Jagger.

Our own Chris Hemsworth, star Australian actor who came to fame for his role as Thor in several Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and starred in Max Miller’s Furiosa A Mad Max Saga (2024). Chris in true Leo fashion with Leo ruling the heart, says what a gift it is to be able to love deeply and to be loved. He spreads his love liberally with 4 brothers who are big fans of his who are visiting him from The Starlight Children’s Foundation spending all afternoon with them swimming and playing games. And fittingly when the journalist from Vanity Fair visited the Hemsworth home in Byron Bay she noticed that there is a large photo of a lion poised in mid leap as if in ferocious embrace of whatever awaits, hanging above the fireplace, a emblem of Chris’s sun sign, Leo.

Austin Butler – star of Elvis
Another Leo who shot to prominence is Austin Butler, the young American actor who played the role of Elvis in Baz Luhrmann’s latest biopic Elvis. Prior to his performance as Elvis in Luhrmann’s movie Austin, an actor and singer, was known for his roles as James Garrett in Zoey 101, James “Wilke” Wilkerson in Switched at Birth, Jordan Gallagher on Ruby & The Rockits, Jones Mager on Life Unexpected, and Sebastian Kydd in The Carrie Diaries portrays Wil Ohmsford in The Shannara Chronicles. Butler embodies – rather than acts as – Elvis. There are similarities between them; Presley had a close relationship with his mother Gladys (Helen Thomson), who died when Presley was 23 – the same age Butler was when his own beloved mother died. And Butler, like Presley, had been a desperately shy child.

Movie moguls are also well represented in the sign of Leo such as Cecil B. De Mille, Dino De Laurentis, Jack L. Warner, Alfred Hitchcock, and Samuel Goldwyn with the roaring MGM lion. Both T.E. Lawrence, ‘the uncrowned King of Arabia’, and Peter O’Toole who portrayed him are Leos.

Writers of note include Percy Bysshe Shelley and Alfred Lord Tennyson, Emily Bronte, and JK Rowling of Harry Potter fame. Mme Helena Blavatsky and Dorothy Parker. Bindi Irwin the extroverted daughter of the late Steve Irwin illustrates the Leo’s ease before the cameras.

The renowned Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Gustav Jung who coined the word,’ individuation’, was a Leo.

Rose Byrne – Leo Golden Globe winner
Rose Byrne (born July 24, 1979, Balmain, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian actress whose performances have straddled weighty drama and side-splitting comedy with equal ease. After beginning her acting career as a teenager, she garnered recognition and acclaim for her roles in Hollywood films such as Troy (2004) and Bridesmaids (2011) and the TV show Damages (2007–12). She has also won several awards and honors, including a Golden Globe for her portrayal of an emotionally drained mother in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (2025).

Born the youngest of four siblings, Rose Byrne is the daughter of Jane Byrne, a former primary school administrator, and Robin Byrne, a statistician with a background in market research. She was raised in Balmain, a suburb of Sydney that followed a somewhat bohemian lifestyle. From an early age her parents instilled in her an appreciation of the arts and travel. Byrne grew up listening to classical music, reading, and going to art galleries and museums with her parents. A born entertainer, she enrolled in weekly acting classes at the Australian Theatre for Young People when she was eight years old. The theater company, a reputed breeding ground for Australian talent, has produced other famous actors, including Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett.

Byrne attended Balmain Public School and Hunters Hill High School before completing her final two years of schooling at Bradfield Senior College, whose drama program helped her hone her acting skills. She then applied to an array of drama schools in Australia but did not make the cut. She went on to study English literature at the University of Sydney but dropped out after two years, determined to pursue acting full time. In 1999 Rose Byrne moved to New York City to study at the Atlantic Acting School, a drama school founded by playwright David Mamet and actor William H. Macy.

Byrne began receiving acting jobs as a teenager, her first at the age of 13 in the film Dallas Doll (1994). She followed that up with a regular role in the Australian soap opera Echo Point (1995) and small guest roles in Australian TV series, including G.P. (1989–96), Wildside (1997–99), and Big Sky (1997–99). In 1999 she played a small-town girl who falls in love with a would-be gangster, played by fellow Australian Heath Ledger, in the independent film Two Hands.

Byrne’s career gained momentum following her turn as a blind and emotionally scarred woman in The Goddess of 1967 (2000), for which she won the best actress award at the Venice Film Festival. She made her Hollywood debut in Star Wars: Episode II—Attack of the Clones (2002) in a minor role as Queen Amidala’s (Natalie Portman) handmaiden Dormé. The role that brought her significantly more attention in Hollywood was director Wolfgang Petersen’s epic Troy, a massive commercial success that featured established actors such as Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, and Orlando Bloom. Byrne played Briseis, a captured priestess of Apollo and Trojan royal who falls in love with her captor Achilles (Pitt).

Following the release of Troy, Byrne shared the screen with Peter O’Toole and David Tennant in the romantic television miniseries Casanova (2005) and took on roles in a variety of films, including the period drama Marie Antoinette (2006), sci-fi epic Sunshine (2007), and the zombie horror film 28 Weeks Later (2007).

From drama to comedy: Damages, Bridesmaids, and Neighbours

Byrne garnered major recognition beginning in 2007 with her role in the television legal thriller Damages. Starring alongside Glenn Close, she portrayed a naive law school graduate who becomes a shrewd attorney and legal strategist. Byrne’s performance in the role earned her two Emmy Award nominations and two Golden Globe nominations for best supporting actress in a drama series.

After starring mainly in dramatic roles for the early part of her career, Byrne began branching out into comedy. She began with the satire Get Him to the Greek (2010) and gained further recognition for her comedic chops in the Academy Award–nominated Bridesmaids, in which she portrayed a competitive, overachieving bridesmaid vying to be named as the bride’s best friend.

In the Neighbors movies (2014 and 2016), Byrne and Seth Rogen play young parents who clash with a party-loving neighborhood fraternity in the first film and a sorority in the sequel. She also starred in the comedy Spy (2015), which won her rave reviews from critics and audiences alike for her deadpan portrayal of the dangerous Bulgarian arms dealer Rayna Boyanov, whom CIA analyst Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) goes undercover to capture.

Later work: X-Men, Insidious, and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

Since 2010 Byrne has been part of the Insidious horror series, playing Renai Lambert, a survivor of a supernatural attack, in four films of the franchise (2010, 2013, 2018, and 2023). In 2011 Byrne played CIA agent Moira MacTaggert in the hit superhero flick X-Men: First Class (2011) and reprised the role in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016). In 2018 Byrne appeared in the family film Peter Rabbit, followed by its sequel Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway in 2021.

Byrne has lent her voice to three films: I Am Mother (2019), Jexi (2019), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023). In the Apple TV series Physical (2021–23), she played the lead role of a housewife who becomes an aerobics instructor. She also stars alongside Seth Rogen in another comedy from the streaming service, Platonic (2023– ), which examines friendship between two former best friends who reconnect after years. Critics have lauded Byrne and Rogen’s portrayals of best friends as they navigate a myriad of midlife challenges. In If I Had Legs I’d Kick You Byrne took on the role of a mother who must grapple with a litany of personal challenges, including her young daughter’s debilitating illness. Her performance won overwhelming critical praise and accolades, including the Golden Globe Award for best actress in a musical or comedy film. She also earned her first Oscar nomination.

Broadway

Byrne made her Broadway debut in 2014, appearing in the comedy You Can’t Take It with You. She later appeared in a revival of Noël Coward’s Fallen Angels, about two married women whose friendship is tested when a former lover of both returns. For her performance, Byrne received her first Tony Award nomination in 2026.

Byrne was introduced to actor Bobby Cannavale by mutual friends in the fall of 2012. They have been long-term partners since and have two sons. The family resides in Brooklyn, New York.

Rose Byrne’s natal chart
Rose Byrne was born on 24 July 1979 at 10.16 am AEST, Sydney NSW. What is striking is that she has a stellium in Leo – Sun, Mercury and Jupiter so it is not surprising that she was destined to be a star who conveys passion and intensity in every role she undertakes. Jupiter, the planet of expansion is conjunct her Mercury so she thinks big and communicates with enthusiasm and vision. Her Moon is at the anaretic degree at 29 degrees Cancer 53 known as the crisis point which would assist her in conveying her emotions. Venus, the planet of love and relationships, is also in nurturing Cancer. Venus is square to her Pluto which would give her relationships a volcanic intensity which she has so successfully portrayed on the screen and stage. She is born during the balsamic phase of the Moon also known as the dark of the moon which signifies karmically an old soul who has a special destiny to fulfil this life time. Her Saturn is conjunct her karmic North Node in Virgo which would indicate her soul;s growth would be derived through hard work, discipline and responsibility and building something lasting. Her Leo Sun is in a tight conjunction with her Cancerian Moon which would indicate her emotions and identity are deeply intertwined. She has a Libra ascendant which makes her pleasing to the eye and charming. This pleasing demeanour is further accentuated with Venus, the ruler of her ascendant, being elevated in her 10th house of career and status. Her Mars the planet of assertiveness initiative forms a harmonious trine to powerful transformative Pluto which would endow her with a deep well of power, determination and resourcefulness. Mars in Gemini is also in a sextile to Jupiter in Leo which would endow her with self confidence and dynamic energy to draw upon in her various roles. Mercury sextile Pluto and Mercury trine Neptune would would make her a deep and intuitive thinker.

Rose Byrne’s Numerology
Rose day number is 24/6 which denotes universal love and carries a Cancerian flavour of the nurturer dedicated to home and family. The number 7 indicates an old soul who brings wisdom in this life. Her year number 1979 is a 26/8 which indicates executive ability. Adding the three numbers together 6+7+8=21/3 so her life number is 3 which gives the keys to joys and pleasures of life and endows creativity and sociability.

Leo Health and Anatomy
Physiologically, Leo rules the heart. Vanda Sawtell in her book, ‘Astrology and Biochemistry’, states that the cell salt for Leo is Mag. phos. which acts upon the motor nerves. Through the sensory nerves we feel pain or sensation, and response to the sensation received through these nerves results in motion or action. It is no coincidence that the Sanskrit root for Magnesium is mag., which means to love, giving it Divine connotations. Mag. phos. is the great anti-pain salt, and is indicated in all cases of cramp and spasm, or where application of heat brings relief. Headaches, neuralgias, earache, spasmodic twitching of eyes or limbs, menstrual colic, convulsions, and all heart troubles are aided by this cell salt. Mag. phos. helps one to let go and relax. Vanda Sawtell claims that the best medicine for Leos is love, peace, and harmony. They need plenty of water, sleep, deep breathing, also recreation and entertainment. With their generous natures and broad outlook they are not suited to occupations requiring petty details. They are capable of rising to positions of trust and responsibility.

The colours for Leo are gold, yellows, royal blue and red. They also respond well to the regal purple which cools their fiery temperament. Leo rules metallic gold, the royal metal. The gemstones for Leo are yellow topaz and yellow sapphire. Healing aromas include basil, cinnamon, frankincense, juniper, neroIi and rosemary. Flowers and herbs include dahlia, yellow lily, red poppy, marigold and sunflower. Homeopathic remedy is chamomilla which is indicated for treatment of colds and fevers and easing digestion and tension. Bach flower essences recommended include vine for bossiness and inflexibility and chicory for possessiveness and attention seeking behaviour. The healing musical note for Leo is E.

Re the Leo diet more vegetables and less meat is recommended to calm their fiery natures. They should avoid meats that are heating such as beef, turkey and lamb. Vegetables that contain iron such as spinach, kale and wheat grass are beneficial. Blue fruits such as grapes, berries are recommended. Nuts, raisins and lentils are also beneficial for the Leo diet.

Overview for Leo for 2026
Lucky Jupiter has just entered your sign and will remain there until July 2027. This should imbue you with a sense of optimism giving you a spring in your step. Pluto has entered your solar 7th house of relationships and partnerships so there could be some transformations in this area of your life. Juno is also moving through your relationship sector which focusses on women’s issues. There was also an annular solar eclipse in your relationship sector on 17 February which also brings relationship into the spotlight. Your solar 8th house of joint finances is also highlighted by the karmic North Node and a partial lunar eclipse which will occur on 28 August 2026. Your solar second house of your finances and values is also highlighted by the karmic South Node and a total lunar eclipse which occurred on 3 March 2026. Nebulous Neptune and serious Saturn as well as the asteroids, Pallas Athena and Vesta, are moving through your solar 9th house of travel and higher education. You could embark of a serious course of study and with the presence of Vesta and Pallas Athena, this would help your focus and wisdom. Chiron has just moved into your solar 10th house of career which could see you being a mentor in your workplace or taking up some healing profession. Feisty Mars and disruptive Uranus are currently moving through your solar 11th house of friends and groups. This could see you drawn to social or political movements. Mars and Uranus will form an exact conjunction at 3 degrees Gemini 2 on 4 July which could be potentially volatile so it would be wise to keep your cool when dealing with friends or associates. Ceres’ presence here could see you involved in environmental causes or in a nurturing role with your friends.

Retrograde Planets
When a planet is in retrograde motion the planets are closer to the earth therefore are felt more intensely. During retrograde phases the energy is turned inwards and are important times to do all ‘re’ things – revise, rethink, remember, reflect, reconsider, reassess, re-evaluate etc. When working with retrogrades consciously we can achieve a natural course correction.

Retrograde Mercury
Quicksilver Mercury stationed retrograde at 26 degrees 15 on 30 June and will station direct at 16 degrees 18 on 24 July 2026. Since Mercury rules communication and transport there is likely to be disruption to travel or misunderstandings or confusion. Therefore, it is advisable to check your travel plans and schedules to avoid unnecessary delays. Strikes are also a possibility during this phase of Mercury. It is not a good idea to sign contracts during Mercury’s retrograde phase. We have already witnessed the massive outage of Telstra and there have been a second strike planned by disgruntled Victorian teachers and miners working for BHP. Sydney’s light rail has been under fire literally and metaphorically with the batteries in trams catching alight. Positively, it is a good time to review or reassess issues depending on where transiting Mercury falls in your chart.

Retrograde Neptune
Neptune stationed retrograde at 4 degrees Aries 25 on 7 July and will station direct at 1 degree Aries 36 on 13 December 2026. At its highest vibration Neptune represents spiritual and creative inspiration. However, at its lower octave it represents loss, confusion, delusion, and disillusionment which could cause some people to lose their bearings and power of discernment . Pisces and its ruler, Neptune, is linked to water, seas and oceans and all fluids, oil, blood, toxicity such as forever chemicals and pollution, drugs, addiction, viruses such as bird flu and the immune system.

Retrograde Saturn
Saturn stationed retrograde at 14 Aries 44 at 27 July and will station direct at 7 degrees Aries 55 on 11 December 2026. Saturn or Greek Kronos or Cronus was the god of time in its sense of eternal duration. Retrograde Saturn provides an opportunity to review your career path, status and responsibilities. The positive attributes of Saturn include the ability to really focus the mind on a particular goal. With Saturn being retrograde there is an opportunity to go over some ground.

New Moon Supermoon in Cancer
The New Moon occurred at 21 Cancer 59 on 14 July. This is one minute from 22 degrees which resonates with the Saturn Pluto conjunction at 22 degrees Capricorn in January 2020 during the pandemic. Since Cancer focusses on our emotional security it reminds us of the loneliness and the lack of human contact during lockdown. This is a Supermoon, with the Moon making its closest monthly approach to the Earth, amplifying emotional sensitivity, especially being in the sign of Cancer. The New Moon is also square Eris, the disruptor, at 25 degrees Aries which demands that everyone is included. Mercury, the planet of communication, is at 19 degrees Cancer 51, in close proximity to this New Moon providing pathways for new conversations. The New Moon is also quindecile Pluto in Aquarius which focusses on people power.

There is a fixed T-square with Jupiter in Leo opposing Pluto in Aquarius square Chiron in Taurus which indicates great tenacity and determination, with opposing forces holding onto their entrenched positions. There was a Jupiter Pluto conjunction during March April 2020 when authorities asserted control over people during the lockdowns. Jupiter Pluto contacts can also signify wealth so it coincided with a big invested money shift in wealth where platforms such as Zoom facilitated communication during lockdowns boosting online technocrats when physical contact was restricted. It is noteworthy that the last time Pluto was in Aquarius opposing Jupiter in Leo was on 14 July 1789 when the storming of the Bastille occurred and Louis xvi who lived in a golden palace was beheaded. With great speed by August 1789 the foundations of democracy were established with the Declaration of the Rights of Man. There is an echo of this elitism today with Trump’s gilded White House which the authors of Regime Change Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, have explored in detail in their recent publication.

The pattern takes its name from André Barbault, a French astrologer known for his work on long-term planetary cycles and collective trends. He studied how outer-planet combinations aligned with historical events and developed a cyclical index to track global highs and lows over decades. Long before we arrived at 2026, Barbault pointed to this period as a turning point, a moment when a heavy phase would give way to something more constructive.

André Barbault’s predictions – Barbault’s Basket formation
Barbault’s Basket and the Architecture of a New Era

How a Rare Planetary Cradle Opens a Reset Window for Humanity

July 2026 brings one of the most talked-about astrological moments of our time: The Barbault Basket. Astrologers describe it as a rare outer-planet cradle involving Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto in the early degrees of fire and air signs, a pattern linked to collective resets, shifts in power, and new ways of organising human life. This isn’t everyday horoscope content. It’s big picture mundane astrology, the kind that speaks to systems, movements, and eras. And still, you’re living inside it. The way you make choices, tend your rituals, and show up in community becomes part of how this sky story unfolds.

Astrologers identify July 15–24, 2026 as the primary activation window for Barbault’s Basket, with the configuration reaching its peak around July 19–20 when the Jupiter Pluto opposition and several key supporting aspects perfect. That mid-month period carries the strongest charge, a time when conscious reflection and aligned action can resonate deeply with the larger currents.

The pattern takes its name from André Barbault, a French astrologer known for his work on long-term planetary cycles and collective trends. He studied how outer-planet combinations aligned with historical events and developed a cyclical index to track global highs and lows over decades. Long before we arrived at 2026, Barbault pointed to this period as a turning point, a moment when a heavy phase would give way to something more constructive.

André Barbault and why this matters

His approach is grounded and observational. He wasn’t promising instant utopia. He was describing times when the sky supports rebuilding, reorganization, and movement after stagnation. That nuance matters. When you hear people call this “the most important transit of the century,” it’s easy to slip into extremes. Barbault’s Basket doesn’t guarantee paradise or collapse. It opens a window. What we do inside that window is where the story is written.

The astrology of Barbault’s Basket

At the center of this pattern is an opposition between Jupiter in Leo and Pluto in Aquarius. Jupiter speaks to growth, belief, and meaning. In Leo, it highlights creative leadership, self-expression, and the sovereign heart. Pluto speaks to deep transformation, power, and the hidden mechanics of systems. In Aquarius, it turns that focus toward networks, communities, technology, and collective structures.

An opposition brings tension and clarity. Jupiter in Leo wants to expand and shine. Pluto in Aquarius wants to expose and restructure the ways power moves through groups and infrastructures. Together, they place big questions on the table. Who leads? Who holds influence? How are resources shared? What does it look like to move beyond outdated hierarchies into something more sustainable?

Supporting this line are Uranus in Gemini and Neptune in Aries. Uranus, planet of innovation and disruption, in Gemini speaks to rapid shifts in information, media, communication, and thought patterns. Neptune, planet of spirituality and imagination, in Aries asks belief to become action, bringing courage and spiritual activism into the mix.

Trines and sextiles among these four planets form the “basket,” a geometric cradle of harmonious aspects in early Leo, Aquarius, Gemini, and Aries. Fire and air together create movement and momentum. Ideas don’t just stay in the mind; they want to be expressed, tested, and lived. For many people, July will feel like the mental and energetic volume has been turned up.

If you have planets or angles in the early degrees of Leo, Aquarius, Gemini, or Aries, this pattern may resonate more pesonally, though its main work is collective. Think of it as a background field. It sets the tone. You decide how you respond.

Planetary themes in plain language

You don’t need advanced technical skills to understand Barbault’s Basket. It helps to translate each piece into simple themes and real-life questions.

Jupiter in Leo:

• Themes: creative confidence, heart-centered leadership, visibility.
• Questions: Where am I ready to lead as myself rather than playing a role? Where does my desire to be seen slip into performance or ego?

Pluto in Aquarius:

• Themes: systems change, collective power, technology, social structures.
• Questions: Which structures in my life or community are ready to transform? Where is power concentrated, and does that still feel honest?

Uranus in Gemini:

• Themes: mental breakthroughs, shifts in communication, new ideas.
• Questions: What stories and information streams need updating? How is my thinking being disrupted in ways that could set me free?

Neptune in Aries:

• Themes: spiritual action, values in motion, courageous compassion.
• Questions: How can I act on what I believe? Where do my spiritual values need clearer boundaries and follow-through?

Together, these threads highlight leadership, systems, information, and spiritual action. That’s why so many astrologers talk about a “reset.” The sky is pushing toward movement. It’s less about keeping things as they’ve been and more about stepping into a different architecture for how we live and work together.

If you have planets or angles in the early degrees of Leo, Aquarius, Gemini, or Aries, this pattern may resonate more pesonally, though its main work is collective. Think of it as a background field. It sets the tone. You decide how you respond.

Utopian turning point or practical rebuild

Not every astrologer frames Barbault’s Basket the same way. Some speak about it as the beginning of a more hopeful era, pointing to resource redistribution, stronger solidarity, and a rise in global cooperation. They emphasize the harmonious aspects and Barbault’s description of this pattern as beneficial, suggesting that the ground will be more fertile for humane systems.

Others lean into a more pragmatic reading. In that view, the basket marks the end of a heavy phase and the start of a constructive one, but the process of change can still be messy and gradual. Jupiter opposite Pluto can magnify power struggles, ethical questions, and tension between ambition and integrity, even inside a supportive pattern. From this angle, July 2026 looks less like the first day of utopia and more like a serious work session on the foundations of our shared world.

You don’t need to pick one story and discard the other. You can let the hopeful interpretation keep your imagination alive while the grounded interpretation keeps your feet on the earth. Barbault’s Basket reads best as scaffolding. The sky offers structure and support. Humanity still has to do the building.

This harmonious formation with Uranus trining Pluto and sextile Neptune exact. The Uranus Pluto connection is reminiscent of the Uranus Pluto conjunction of the revolutionary movements of the 1960s which coincided with civil rights, women’s Liberation and gay rights.

Modi faces his biggest challenge from Gen Z protests in many years
From Mumbai and Goa to London and New York, young Indians have taken to the streets, showing the power of the world’s largest youth population.

At the centre is Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old student who is fast becoming the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12-year reign. On May 16, 2026, Mr Dipke founded the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth movement that launched on social media after remarks made by one of India’s most senior judges. In May, Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant described unemployed young people as “cockroaches”.”There are youngsters like cockroaches. They don’t get any employment. They don’t have any place in a profession,” Justice Kant said.

The comments struck a nerve with Mr Dipke, who was studying in Boston, Massachusetts, at the time.
The formation of the CJP the Cockroach Janta Party coincided with a wave of corruption allegations, after the results of the fiercely competitive national medical entrance examination were cancelled after questions were leaked. It forced about 2 million students to sit the test again.There were 20 student suicides in the wake of the cancelled results. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has been blamed.Youth unemployment has become one of India’s most politically sensitive issues, hitting 40 per cent for graduates aged under 25.

From Mumbai and Goa to London and New York, young Indians have taken to the streets, showing the power of the world’s largest youth population.

Government jobs remain highly coveted because they offer stable, lifelong employment, but competition for them is fierce.Many protesters say opportunities have become increasingly difficult to secure, while repeated exam controversies have eroded trust in the system.”12 million students apply every year for [government exams], but there are only 500,000 jobs. You can see how unfair the ratio is,”one protester said.

Andy Burnham, King of the North is ‘crowned’ UK PM
Mr Burnham officially rose to the United Kingdom’s top political office on Monday, after a weeks-long process to replace the unpopular incumbent Sir Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader. The new PM spoke without a lectern, something that represents a significant break with British tradition, and was surrounded by supporters on Downing Street.Mr Burnham acknowledged the fact he was the country’s seventh prime minister in 10 years.”We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain,” he said. Andy Burnham has said his arrival in power will be a “circuit breaker” moment for Britain, pledging that his government will restore hope to millions of people, as he addressed the country for the first time from Downing Street. After taking over from Keir Starmer, the new prime minister said he would set out a 10-year plan later this year to transform the UK from “where we are now to where I believe we all want Britain to be”.

Acknowledging the cost of living pressures across the country, he said he would start announcing measures on Tuesday to give people “some breathing space now”.After his speech, Burnham told reporters he was looking at cutting energy bills and bus fares as part of a fully funded cost of living support package that could eventually include more radical plans, such as freezing private sector rents.

“We are looking at measures that could make a difference this year … We just want to do some things that people will feel and feel quite quickly,” he said. “It won’t solve everything, it won’t take all of the pressure off, but it just shows the direction of travel and that we’re serious about helping them out.”
In his speech, Burnham announced that his first instruction in power would be to end rough sleeping, after a visit to homeless people in central London on Monday. He made a similar pledge when he became Greater Manchester mayor but oversaw four years of rising street homelessness.

“It requires my generation of politicians to raise our game and rise to the new challenge. Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again, and that is our challenge to make politics work, to make it work better.“I know people at home are fed up with politics. I hear you and I want to be honest with you. We have not been good enough and we need to be better. We will be.“We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last 40 years. A new political model and a new economic model,” he said.

Full Moon in Aquarius
The Full Moon will occur at 6 degrees Aquarius 30 at 0.35 am on 30 July. This Full Moon will be an intense powerful lunation. The Sun, Jupiter and Hygeia in Leo are opposing Pluto, Juno and the Moon. This Full Moon highlights the polarities and extremes and with so much fire in this chart it is coinciding with heatwaves throughout the Northern Hemisphere and wild fires in Spain Canada, Colorado etc. Eris stations retrograde highlighting rebellion, fighting for everybody to be included, We can see this with the rebellion of youth in India with the Cockroach Janta party protesting against the corrupt education system where exam papers were leaked and students suicided as a result. It is an example of people power standing up to the authorities. Mars is also sesquiquadrate to the Moon which indicates a lot of anger being generated. It is also noteworthy that the degree of Full Moon at 6 degrees is activating the Jupiter in Leo in which was at 6 degrees at the time of the French Revolution.

Relationships have been highlighted lately and this Full Moon brings it into focus again. The Pluto, Juno, Moon conjunction fosters deep emotional connections and healing. Venus at 21 degrees 34 is in a tight square with Mars at 21 degrees Gemini 27, so this aspect could ignite relationship tension. This should be mitigated by the harmonious aspect between the Sun, Moon, Jupiter, Pluto, Juno and Neptune in Aries and Uranus in Gemini. Neptune should take the hard edge off any tension while Uranus will energise this Full Moon. These aspects have the potential to be life changing for anyone who has planets or angles in the early degrees of Leo or Aquarius. The Nodal axis has shifted from the mutable signs of Virgo and Pisces back into the fixed signs of Leo and Aquarius, which is another sign of significant change. This nodal axis shift is going to highlight all the Aquarian themes of rebellion, demand for equality, humanitarian issues versus entitlement and kingship. For example the change in leadership in the UK with Starmer stepping down to make way for Andy Burnham to take the mantle as UK prime minister. Chiron is stationary at 00 degrees Taurus and is about to station retrograde and shift back into Aries.

Sources
Esoteric Astrology Volume 3 Treatise on the Seven Rays by Alice A. Bailey
Soul-Centred Astrology: A Key to your Expanding Self  by Alan Oken
Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology by Alan Oken
Astrological Keys to Self-actualization & Self-realization by Clara A. Weiss
Astrology and Biochemistry by Vanda Sawtell
The Mythic Tarot Book: A New Approach to the Tarot Cards by Juliet Sharman-Burke & Liz Greene
Celestial Insight July Newsletter by Michele Finey
The Next Step Newsletter by Pam Gregory
Barbault’s Basket and the Architecture of a New Era – Sage Astrologer
Jacinda Ardern – an Esoteric Astrology Soul-Personality Profile by Leoni Hodgson
A Rectified Birth Time for Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand by Graham Ibell
Gyrating Hunk Austin Butler Was Born for the Role of Elvis by Jane Albert, Broadsheet, 20 June 2022
Chris Hemsworth, Biography, Movies & Thor – Britannica
Rose Byrne – Encyclopaedia Britannica
Narendra Modi facing biggest youth protest movement of his rule, the Cockroach Janta Party, ABC News by Rachel Clayton
Burnham promises ‘circuit breaker’ moment for UK as he becomes PM, by Pippa Crerar and Peter Walker, The Guardian

Annefertiti’s AstroMusings

Astrology & Psychosynthesis, Numerology & Tarot, Spiritual Healing, Mythology

Have you ever met a Gemini?
There’s double trouble there
As there’s two rolled into one
He’s an artful dissembler
But he’s always lots of fun
There’s a sparkle in his eye
Betraying intelligence and wit
With his brilliant repartee
And his fondness for a jest
Every host should have one
To give his party zest

(c) Anne Robertson 1987

Happy Birthday to all the Geminis who celebrate their birthdays between May 21 and June 21. Gemini is one of the three air signs along with Aquarius and Libra. Air is the element which refers to mental qualities. Gemini is one of the four mutable signs indicating the flexibility and changeable quality of Gemini. The others being Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. Gemini is the Latin word for twins which indicates their dual nature. The Gemini can be of two minds or is sometimes believed to have two or more personalities.

In Alan Oken’s book, ‘Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology’, he elaborates on the twin symbology. Among its many meanings, the glyph for Gemini symbolises the two pillars. In ancient times, the Twins were the guardians of the doorways and entrances. Pairs of gods can often be seen at the gates of Babylonian, Assyrian and Egyptian temples. They are often depicted as siblings. The Twin symbology also pervades Eastern mythology. In the ancient Indian epic the Mahabharata where there are two brothers, Sunda and Upsunda who are said to live together and are incapable of being slain by anyone unless they slay each other. In the Ramayana, Rama, the great Indian saint, also has a twin brother. Examples of twins also abound in the Old Testament but one myth about twins which is very significant is the Greek legend about Castor and Pollux because it links up with the constellation of Gemini of the same name.

The Significance of the Myth of Castor and Pollux

Castor and Pollux avenged the carrying off of their sister, Helen of Troy. Leda, the mother of Castor and Pollux, was seduced by Zeus/Jupiter, this time in the guise of a swan. From this union she gave birth to two eggs – from one came Helen and from the other came Castor and Pollux. There was some confusion and scandal about Castor’s real father, for he was mortal, while Pollux, on the other hand, was an immortal, the true son of Zeus. Homer describes Castor as the tamer of horses, and Pollux is the immortal boxer, one who uses his hands and is fleet of foot, which typifies the Gemini. Castor is killed in battle, and Pollux, in great despair, prays to his father to let him also die. Zeus responds by taking them both in the sky as the constellation of Castor and Pollux. Homer writes “They possess their life in turn, living one day and dying the next and they have gotten worship as gods”

The keynote for Gemini, esoterically, is: ‘I recognise my other self and in the waning of that self I grow and glow.’ Alice Bailey comments that it is an astronomical fact that the star, Castor, is waning in brilliancy, while Pollux, the immortal brother, is waxing in brightness and eclipsing his brother. Pollux represents the soul while his mortal brother represents the personality.

The Constellation of Gemini
Alice Bailey has the following to say about the constellation of Gemini: Gemini has in it two stars Castor and Pollux, the Twins. These personify two major groups of stars, the Seven Pleiades, and Seven Stars of the Great Bear, which are two constellations, in the north, around which our universe seems to revolve. She writes these two groups of stars the Pleiades and the Great Bear represent God, the macrocosm, whilst in Gemini, Castor and Pollux were regarded as symbols of man, the microcosm.
Alan Oken adds: The most notable asterisms are the two great stars which bear the names of the Twins, Castor and Pollux. Castor, befitting the nature of Gemini, is really two closely placed white stars which revolve around each other. This phenomenon is called as “binary system” by astronomers, as the two stars seem to revolve around a common centre of gravity. Pollux is somewhat brighter than his brother and is orange reddish in colour. These stars lie only four and half degrees from each other and between the  were long known as the sole representatives of the entire constellation. (They were called the “Mas-mas” or Twins by the ancient Assyrians.) In time the brothers grew and many more stars were added to complete their portraiture. The ecliptic divides the Twins at the middle; their heads (Castor and Pollux) are above and are posited between the left claw of the Crab and the whip of Auriga, the Charioteer. Their feet just touch the Milky Way, above the upraised arm of the great constellation of Orion, the Hunter. The Twins are usually depicted as bound together by each other’s arms.

Mercury the Ruler of Gemini – Mercury/Hermes in Mythology
We can gain insight into the Geminian nature by studying the myths of Mercury and his alter ego Hermes. Howard Sasportas, in the book ‘The Inner Planets’, co-written with Liz Greene illuminates one of the roles of Mercury. Mercury was conceived of an illicit union between Zeus, the King of the gods, and a mere mortal called Maia so he was born out of deceit. As the story goes he was already into great mischief even when he was still a baby in his cradle. He stole his older brother Apollo’s cattle, and by leading them out backwards made it appear as if the cattle were going in the opposite direction. When his older brother accused him of stealing his cattle he acted as if butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He also fashioned a lyre out of a tortoise. When he plays this instrument he charms Apollo out of his anger and he makes a deal with Apollo. In return for teaching him the lyre, Mercury must be allowed to share Apollo’s patronage of the cattle.

The resourceful bargaining qualities of the Gemini nature are mirrored in Mercury’s actions. Apollo agreed to this on the condition that his miscreant younger brother swore an oath. When Mercury complied Apollo made Mercury the patron of oaths and solemn pledges and he also bestowed upon him the gift of the caduceus, a magic wand with two snakes wrapped around it which becomes one of Hermes’ most famous symbols and is an emblem of the medical profession.

Mercury is Zeus’ personal messenger and is often used to rescue others from danger. He is also a magician and charms Cerberus, the ferocious three headed dog who guards the Underworld, so he can slip in and out of the Underworld unnoticed. He is a master of magic words and magic formulas in much the same way the Gemini can charm their way out of tricky situations with their gift of the gab. The derivation of the Greek word, ‘Hermes’, is he of the stone heap, a place where travellers would stop and talk, and eventually where commercial deals took place and magic and rituals were performed hence Mercury’s rulership over commerce, transport and short distance travel. Hermes was known as the god of crossroads, borders and transitions. There is also a figure in alchemy called Mercurius which represents both the transformer and the thing which needed to be transformed. To sum up then, the agility, versatility and ingenuity of Mercury, also known as quicksilver, is very evident in the Gemini individual.
Lungs

Gemini Health and Anatomy
In the human body Gemini rules the bronchial tubes and lungs, the shoulders, arms, hands and fingers. Kali mur., the Gemini Salt, is essential for the formation of fibrin. Every tissue and organ of the body, with the exception of bone, contains fibrin. Man’s whole garment of flesh is built upon the foundation of filaments or fibres. There is an infinitely fine network of these tiny fibres, all branching off from one another, forming the framework, as it were, upon which the tissues are built. This also includes the skin, glands and nerves. Symptoms arising from lack of Kali mur. are catarrh, congestion of bronchial tubes, swollen glands, mumps, sore throats, enlarged rheumatic joints, and swollen tonsils, all children’s diseases where there are exudations through the skin, such as measles, chicken pox, scarlet fever, etc., for these are all disturbances of the fibrin. All cases of a very white tongue and sluggish liver and constipation, and all congestion and swellings need Kali mur. Geminis live on their nervous energy and most of their illnesses are of a nervous character. Therefore, it is vital that they learn to switch off their busy minds and relax. Plenty of sleep and proper breathing exercises would be very beneficial for them.

Gemini rules the colour yellow and also they respond well to the healing orange ray. The birthstone for Gemini is agate, the multi coloured stone and the metal is Mercury in keeping with their quicksilver personality. A homeopathic remedy beneficial for Gemini is Byronia used in the treatment of colds, flu and headaches. Healing aromatherapy oils which will help to promote calm for the excessive nervous energy of the Gemini include bergamot, lavender, lemongrass and lily of the valley. The healing musical note for Gemini is A. Diet for Gemini should include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables especially orange coloured foods such as oranges, peaches, apricots, pink grapefruit, etc. which help decongest the lungs and prevent mucous. Mucous forming dairy products and salt should be avoided. Carrot juices and legumes such as lentils are also beneficial.

Gemini Hall of Fame
Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, has dominion over communication, writing, teaching, and short distance travel. Geminis are attracted to careers which utilise their great mental skills, wit and eloquence such as teaching, lecturing, politics, music, media, journalism, advertising, public relations, publishing, astrology, technology, finance and sales.

Federico Garcia Lorca
Famous Gemini writers include Arthur Conan Doyle, Ian Fleming, Thomas Hardy, Anne Frank, Colleen McCullough, Judith Wright, Salman Rushdie, M Scott Peck, Patrick White. Poets of note include W.B Yeats, Walt Whitman, Federico Garcia Lorca, Alexander Pope, Alexander Pushkin. Queen Victoria who wrote two best selling memoirs Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in
the Highlands was a famous Gemini.

Kylie Minogue
Geminis who also express themselves through music and dance include Igor Stravinsky, Richard Strauss, Isaac Albeniz, Robert Schumann, Richard Wagner, and Isadora Duncan. Singers include Dean Martin, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Prince, Kanye West, Stevie Nicks, Alanis Morissette, Judy Garland, and Kylie Minogue

Novak Djokovic
Geminis are not only agile mentally but also physically as this impressive line up of champion tennis players confirms – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg, Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters, Lindsay Davenport, Steffi Graf and Anna Kournikova.

Marilyn Monroe
The Gemini charisma translates well onto stage and screen with such show business icons as Sir Laurence Olivier, Bob Hope, Clint Eastwood, Errol Flynn, Rudolph Valentino, Joan Collins, Marilyn Monroe, Michael J. Fox, Isabella Rossellini, Kristen Scott Thomas, Hugh Dancy, Geoffrey Palmer, Christopher Lee, and Johnny Depp. Other Gemini actresses include Nicole Kidman, Jacki Weaver, Gia Carides, Pia Miranda and Anna Torv.

Nicole Kidman

.
Amy Schumer
Geminis are also famous for their wit as expressed by the Gemini American comic Amy Schumer.Media personalities include Elsa Maxwell, Hedda Hopper and Joan Rivers.

Politicians and political activists include John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Henry Kissinger, Hubert Humphrey, Rudolph Giuliani, George Bush Senior, Benazir Bhutto, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Che Guevara, Richard Di Natale. the former leader of the Australian Greens is also a Gemini as is Jeremy Corbyn the former Leader of the UK Labour Party.

The science of astrology has also attracted its share of Geminis including Lois M. Rodden, Grant Lewi, Alexander Ruperti and Francoise Gauquelin, the French woman statistician and psychologist, who along with her husband Michel, set out to disprove astrology but instead ended up being some of its strongest exponents.

.Dava Sobel
The astronomer and best selling author, Dava Sobel, featuring prominently in the 2012 Sydney Writers’ Festival is also a Gemini.

Happy 85th Birthday for 24 May 2026 Bob Dylan!

Dylan receives Nobel Prize for Literature
The Swedish academy invoked the Ancient Greek poets Homer and Sappho when awarding Dylan his Nobel prize, and Dylan appropriately ended his acceptance speech with a reference to Homeric invocation — the poet’s request at the beginning of his epic poems for the muse to inspire him. Suitably, Dylan offered his own version of Homer’s famous beginnings:

Sing in me O muse, and through me tell the story.

Bob Dylan’s 80th Birthday
A Gemini who is a musical icon is Bob Dylan who turned 80 on 24 May 2022. After trying to start his music career in Fargo, Bob Dylan sold millions of albums, earned awards, toured extensively and received praise from multiple presidents for his impact on music and popular culture. Some of his songs, including “Blowin’ in the Wind”, “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Mr. Tambourine Man,” were not only popular for him, but also for other established recording artists. Musical ensembles like Peter, Paul and Mary, the Byrds, Sonny and Cher, the Turtles, the Association, and the Hollies all recorded Dylan-composed songs that became hit tunes for them.

After his mentor, Woody Guthrie, died in October 1967, a memorial concert was held at Carnegie Hall on Jan. 20, 1968, and Dylan made “his first live appearance in 20 months” at the concert. Dylan’s next album, “Nashville Skyline,” was released in 1969, and one of the songs, “Lay Lady Lay,” became one of his biggest hits. Also in the album, he sang a duet with Johnny Cash, one of Dylan’s biggest supporters since he began making records.

On Feb. 24, 1969, Dylan worked with Cash for the concert “Johnny Cash in San Quentin,” and when Cash premiered his television show in May 1969, he invited Dylan to sing duets with him. It appears that Cash’s influence on Dylan was profound because, in the 1970s, Dylan began to champion the causes of those people who he believed had been treated unfairly by the law.

The first was George Jackson, a Black Panther who had been imprisoned at San Quentin. He then protested the move by the U.S. Immigration Service to deport John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who had been convicted of possessing cannabis. Dylan also wrote and sang the ballad “Hurricane,” which championed the innocence of boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, who had been given a life sentence for a triple murder that he claimed he did not commit.

Dylan spent much of the 1970s on tours with many of the nation’s leading recording artists of that time. However, he did take time out in 1972 to play a major role in a movie, “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.” For the movie, he also composed and sang the song “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” which became a major hit and earned him a Grammy nomination in 1973.

In 1972, he won a Grammy for best album of the year for “The Concert For Bangladesh,” which was organized by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar. In 1985, Dylan discovered a new cause — famine in Africa — and he joined in the “We Are the World” charity single performed by stars in the supergroup USA for Africa, as well as performing at the Live Aid benefit concert. He also participated in Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid concerts to help debt-ridden farmers.

In 1987, he starred in the movie “Hearts of Fire,” about a “washed-up rock star turned chicken farmer,” but the movie “flopped.” In 1988, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the same year, Dylan, along with George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty, formed a group called the Traveling Wilburys. Their album, “Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1,” was awarded a Grammy in 1989.

At the Grammy Awards ceremony in February 1991, Jack Nicholson presented the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award to Bob Dylan. “Over the next few years, Dylan returned to his roots… covering traditional folk and blues songs.” His 1993 album, “World Gone Wrong,” earned him another Grammy in 1994 as the best traditional folk album.

Dylan had a banner year in 1997, performing before Pope John Paul II at the World Eucharistic Conference, and also receiving three Grammy awards for the albums “Time Out Of Mind” (best contemporary folk album and best album of the year), and for the song “Cold Irons Bound” (best male rock vocal performance.) Dylan capped off the year in December when President Bill Clinton presented him with a special Kennedy Centre award. In tribute, Clinton said, “He probably had a greater impact on people of my generation than any other creative artist.”

In May 2000, Dylan received an Oscar for his song “Things Have Changed,” written for the film “Wonder Boys.” In 2001, he received another Grammy for best contemporary folk album for “Love and Theft.” In 2004, he published his autobiography, “Chronicles: Volume One,” which reached No. 2 on The New York Times’ hardcover nonfiction bestseller list.

The film biography about Dylan, “No Direction Home,” shown in 2005 on television, received the Peabody Award in 2006. Also in 2006, his song, “Someday Baby,” and album, “Modern Times,” received Grammy Awards.

In 2007, the musical drama film “I’m Not There” was released. “It is an unconventional, biographical film inspired by the life and music of Bob Dylan.” The movie received a number of awards, and Dylan was pleased with it.

In 2008, the Pulitzer Prize Board awarded Dylan a special citation for “his profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power.” In 2016, Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.”

Dylan’s records have sold more than 100 million copies, making him one of the bestselling music artists of all time. To think that the Hibbing, Minn., native’s professional music career began in Fargo, N.D., is something we can all look at as being very special.

Bob Dylan, christened Robert Allen Zimmerman, was born on 24 May 1941 at 9.05 pm at Duluth Minnesota. Dylan’s chart reveals his genius for weaving words into song. He has a stellium in Gemini – Sun, Mercury and Venus making him a magician with words. Dylan’s Gemini identity shines through his lyricism, wordplay and humour. In the Sixties he even referred to his electric music as ‘that wild, Mercury sound’ He displays the typical Gemini characteristics ruled by quicksilver Mercury of intellectual curiosity as well as evasiveness, refusing to wear the projections people have tried to pin on him, especially in interviews when he would often give nonsense replies to questions. Bob Dylan has never been short of claims on his behalf.  He’s been hailed as a prophet, poet, genius, mystic and ‘the voice of his generation’.  He’s been ‘the king of folk’ (alongside ‘queen’ Joan Baez, his one-time lover), and made ‘the greatest rock record of all time’ (‘Like A Rolling Stone’). He’s been a traitor (the audience shouts of ‘Judas’ on his 1966 UK tour are rock legend), a has-been, and a survivor.

In Dylan’s case these qualities are magnified. Mercury, the planet of communication, is also in its own sign of Gemini giving him a poet’s eloquence and a barbed wit, and letting him play loose with the truth. He’s a classic ‘unreliable narrator’. With Venus planet of love also in Gemini, monogamy is difficult, as Dylan’s many consorts have discovered – there has invariably been room for more than one lover in his heart. Venus in the sign of Gemini also indicates his love of expressing himself through the written and spoken word and would need intellectually stimulating relationships.

As graphically portrayed in my sister Sue’s illustration and in my poem accompanying it at the top of this blog post he is the twin and an artful dissembler. He changed his identity adopting a different name and claiming he was an orphan or a hobo and not from a respectable middle class Jewish family from the mid-west. Gemini’s nature is dualistic, always exploring, relating, analysing, with a butterfly mind flitting this way and that. Pinning down a Gemini is always difficult. Dylan was very aware of this twin symbolism and used it in his songs. His song ‘Tweedledum and Tweedledee’ was named after the famous twins of Lewis Carroll’s Alice Through the Looking Glass. Earlier, in ‘Simple Twist Of Fate’, he sang of his wife, Sara, ‘I still believe she was my twin, but I lost the ring’, while in ‘Where Are You Tonight’, he went further: ‘I fought with my twin, that enemy within, ‘til both of us fell by the way’.

At the time he wrote those lines in the mid Seventies, Dylan was obsessed by esoteric ideas. It was the era of his confusing symbolist film, Renaldo and Clara, of references to Rimbaud and tarot cards on the back cover of Desire. Astrology seems to have been in the mix. He’s still playing identity games today: for the biopic, I’m Not There, his life was played out by seven different actors, including women!

Jupiter, the planet of the higher mind, is in Taurus conjunct his Sun as well as Jupiter being the ruling planet of his Sagittarius ascendant. The Centaur is the gypsy, the free spirit, the explorer, the adventurer always ‘on the road, heading for another destination’. Sagittarius can also express righteousness as portrayed by Dylan the moralist, castigating the ‘Masters of War’, warning that ‘You Gotta Serve Somebody’, and handing out judgments like an Old Testament prophet. With a birth chart like this, Dylan was always going to find it difficult settling into the routine of family life. The few years he managed it, from 1967 to 1973, coincided with Saturn, the planet of responsibility, crossing most of his major planets with Saturn on his IC. By the time the same planet had reached the 7th house of marriage, he and Sara were splitting up.

Added to this Neptune, the planet of spirituality and the arts, is conjunct his North Node or destiny point in the 9th house of the higher mind. Mars in Pisces ruled by Neptune adds to his intuitive and sensitive nature. The prominent Neptune in his chart would also explain his deeply religious phase. Pallas Athena, the goddess of wisdom and healing, is also in Sagittarius in his 11th house ruled by Aquarius. He was born in the balsamic moon phase that is the dark of the Moon, making him a future-oriented person in which he feels destiny plays a large part in his life, conferring gifts in prophecy and leadership. All this adds to his unique and visionary qualities. He is able to see the big picture. Jupiter trine Neptune gives him the ability to inspire other people’s talents which is evidenced with many other musicians singing Dylan’s songs such as Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary, Sonny & Cher and many others..

He has a stellium in the 5th house of creativity, children and love affairs – Jupiter, Uranus, Moon and Saturn all endowing him with great creativity and playfulness. He has a preponderance of planets in mutable signs of Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces and Virgo which would signify a restless nature. However, to offset this flighty side he also has a stellium in Taurus – Jupiter, Uranus, Moon, Saturn which would give him more stability helping to ground him. Taurus is also a very musical sign. The conjunction between Jupiter and Uranus would add to his rebellious nature. Uranus, the planet of independence. In fact from childhood, Bob was ‘different’, a nonconformist who marched to his own drum regardless of what others thought. Inevitably, this brought trouble (he was sent to a special ‘corrective’ school for a while). His little home town couldn’t contain him, and neither could the folk movement of which he was soon the biggest star. Rock music, too, struggled to contain his talents – Dylan’s brilliance as musician and lyricist left popular music transformed. He remains a one-off, with a body of songs unequalled in pop history.

As usual, Saturn marks several turning points; at the ‘Saturn return’ age of 29, Dylan released Self Portrait, a record calculated to help destroy his reputation as ‘Prince of Protest’ (2). On his second Saturn return, at age 58, Dylan released Love and Theft, arguably his best album since 1975’s Blood On the Tracks, and started to write Chronicles, his memoirs.

Dylan’s conversion to Christianity in 1979 also coincided with several major planetary events in his horoscope, with Neptune, the planet of mysticism, was conjunct his ascendant, while powerful Pluto was on his MC and Uranus opposed his natal Moon. In 1979, Dylan took several months off to attend a Bible school run by the Association of Vineyard Churches. Over the next three years, he released three albums of contemporary gospel music. In 1979, he released the album “Slow Train Coming,” which included the song “Gotta Serve Somebody.” The album shot up to No. 3 on the Billboard charts, and the song was awarded a Grammy for best rock vocal performance by a male.

Dylan’s second gospel album, “Saved,” was released in 1980, and his third “overtly Christian” record, “Shot of Love,” was released in 1981. Both albums were nominated for Grammys for best inspirational performance. At his concerts, Dylan attempted to evangelise, but that did not go over well with his traditional fan base. Also, some of his new Christian fans began proclaiming that Dylan was a prophet, and this made him very uncomfortable, so he stopped evangelising at his concerts. He survived the heart disease that hospitalised him in May ’97, when transiting Pluto opposed his natal Sun.

Another Gemini who has prevailed strongly for both his acting and his documentaries is Scottish born Brian Cox born 1 June 1946 at 2.15 pm in Dundee Scotland who plays the curmudgeon patriarch, Logan Roy in the popular TV series, the American satirical black comedy, Succession. This role of the ruthless media mogul is the very antithesis of who Brian Cox is in reality as his recently televised two part documentary How the Other Half Live reveals. In this documentary Brian shares the story of his own working class roots in Dundee and his own family’s struggle with poverty. He uses his own story as a platform to shine a light on the growing inequality between the extremely wealthy and those struggling with homelessness and hunger in both the UK, the country where he was born and the US where he now resides.

Looking at Brian Cox’s chart, he has a stellium of planets in Gemini – Sun, Mercury, Uranus plus the North Node and Midheaven. This alone indicates a destiny to be a great communicator, especially with the midheaven in Gemini which represents his career and status in the world, He has also published 3 books including an autobiography, Putting the Rabbit in the Hat. Sun, Mercury, Uranus and the North Node, all in the 9th house of the higher mind and overseas travel, reveal his love of philosophy and travel, having relocated to the US. He also has a Virgo ascendant adding to his mercurial nature as Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo, He also has three planets in Cancer – Moon, Venus and Saturn giving a lovely balance with his intellectual side and his emotional nature. With his three planets in emotional Cancer being in the 10th house of career he is able to draw upon a wide range of emotions in the roles he portrays whether it be Logan Roy having an emotional meltdown or a role in some Shakespearean tragedy, He also has powerful Pluto and Mars in the 11th house in dramatic Leo bringing great charisma to the stage or screen. He also has a strongly tenanted 1st house with mystical Neptune, Chiron and Jupiter enabling him to portray a gamut of emotions from sensitivity, vulnerability or sheer joy and exuberance.

His early childhood was marked by hardship and tragedy, He was the youngest of 5 children from a working class Roman Catholic family of Irish and Scottish descent. His mother, Mary Ann, was a spinner who worked in the jute mills and suffered several nervous breakdowns during Cox’s childhood. His father, Charles, was a policeman and later a shopkeeper until the business failed. His father died of pancreatic cancer when Cox was only 8 years old. In relating his story in the documentary, How the Other Half Live, Cox wears his heart on his sleeve as he gives an account of how he and his widowed mother and siblings were so poor they had to scrounge for the leftovers from the local fish and chips shop to survive. After leaving school at 15 he worked at the Dundee Repertory Theatre for a few years before beginning his training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art at age 17 graduating in 1965. The rest is history He went on to become an accomplished actor of both stage and screen winning many awards and nominations including two Laurence Olivier awards, a Primetime Emmy award, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award as well as a nomination for a British Academy Award. In 2003 he was appointed to the Order of the British Empire at the rank of Commander.

Although Cox went onto become a very successful actor bringing him fame and fortune the documentary reveals how he has never forgotten his humble beginnings and how he is using his high profile to advocate for the disadvantaged, especially in the many charities he supports. These qualities are evident in his chart in many different aspects with Mars in the 11th house he would be a champion of the underdog, his Cancerian planets reveal a caring nature and the Virgo ascendant shows his desire to be of service to humanity.

Another famous Gemini is Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, was born 8 June 1955 (time unknown) in London, UK. Tim Berners-Lee (born June 8, 1955, London, England) is a British computer scientist, generally credited as the inventor of the World Wide Web. In 2004, he was awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and the inaugural Millennium Technology Prize (€1 million) by the Finnish Technology Award Foundation.

Computing came naturally to Berners-Lee, as both of his parents worked on the Ferranti Mark I, the first commercial computer. (See computer: The first stored-program machines.) After graduating in 1976 from the University of Oxford, Berners-Lee designed computer software for two years at Plessey Telecommunications Ltd., located in Poole, Dorset, England. Following this, he had several positions in the computer industry, including a stint from June to December 1980 as a software engineering consultant at CERN, the European particle physics laboratory in Geneva.

While at CERN, Berners-Lee developed a program for himself, called Enquire, that could store information in files that contained connections (“links”) both within and among separate files—a technique that became known as hypertext. After leaving CERN, Berners-Lee worked for Image Computer Systems Ltd., located in Ferndown, Dorset, where he designed a variety of computer systems. In 1984 he returned to CERN to work on the design of the laboratory’s computer network, developing procedures that allowed diverse computers to communicate with one another and researchers to control remote machines. In 1989 Berners-Lee drew up a proposal for creating a global hypertext document system that would make use of the Internet. His goal was to provide researchers with the ability to share their results, techniques, and practices without having to exchange e-mail constantly. Instead, researchers would place such information “online,” where their peers could immediately retrieve it anytime, day or night. Berners-Lee wrote the software for the first Web server (the central repository for the files to be shared) and the first Web client, or “browser” (the program to access and display files retrieved from the server), between October 1990 and the summer of 1991. The first “killer application” of the Web at CERN was the laboratory’s telephone directory—a mundane beginning for one of the technological wonders of the computer age.

From 1991 to 1993 Berners-Lee evangelized the Web. In 1994 in the United States he established the World Wide Web (W3) Consortium at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Laboratory for Computer Science. The consortium, in consultation with others, lends oversight to the Web and the development of standards. In 1999 Berners-Lee became the first holder of the 3Com Founders chair at the Laboratory for Computer Science. His numerous other honours included the National Academy of Engineering’s prestigious Charles Stark Draper Prize (2007). Berners-Lee was the author, along with Mark Fischetti, of Weaving the Web: The Original Design and Ultimate Destiny of the World Wide Web (2000).

Since Berners-Lee’s birth time is unknown I have cast a chart for midday. We can see that he has Sun and Mercury in Gemini endowing him with his intelligence and natural curiosity. One standout aspect in Berners-Lee’s natal chart is that he has Jupiter conjunct Uranus in intuitive Cancer. Currently, transiting Jupiter and Uranus are conjunct. As the astrologer, Brian Clark, writes in the March 2024 edition of the FAA journal in his article, Considering the 2024 Jupiter-Uranus Conjunction, the convergence of these two planets evokes images of innovative shifts in education, culture, religion and science, as well as liberation movements, original trends, and collective protests in response to an intensification of social inequality. Clark adds that this Jupiter- Uranus alignment also serves as an image of inventive and ground-breaking solutions to global dilemmas if we can collectively respond to the invitation with integrity and equality. Clark cites the example of another powerful Jupiter-Uranus conjunction – that of the Apollo space mission’s successful landing on the Moon on 20 July 1969 when Jupiter and Uranus were exactly conjunct in Libra 21 hours just prior to the landing. Armstrong aptly described this feat declaring, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Berners-Lee’s work certainly embodies the archetype of Jupiter Uranus with his work with computers leading him to the invention of the World Wide Web.

Ian Fleming – Gemini genius
A couple of years ago I was fortunate enough to do a book review for the FAA journal of the book, The Astrology of Bond – James Bond, by American astrologer, screenwriter, producer and author, Ra Rishikavi Raghudas (see image above) who gave a fascinating insider’s view of what made Bond’s author, Ian Fleming tick. Ian Fleming was born on 28 May 1908 at 12.08 am in London to a wealthy family. Fleming attended Eton where Ra recounts he suffered much bullying and spent much of his youth being dissolute. He drank and smoked heavily and went from one love affair to another, failing miserably at about everything he attempted. He drifted into journalism, was hired by Reuters wire service as a correspondent and went abroad, covering international news and politics. This led into undercover work regarding Russian affairs with Fleming gaining a reputation for being someone who had a deft way of working with hidden contacts. He was drafted by Rear Admiral John Godfrey, head of British Naval Intelligence, to be his second-in-command in the run-up to World War II. Godfrey knew that Fleming was well versed in secret codes. In this role as a prominent agent in British Intelligence, Fleming drew on the experiences he later drew upon to create his suave, hard boiled alter ego, James Bond.

Ian Fleming’s natal chart
Looking at Fleming’s natal chart, we can see that he has a stellium in Gemini – Sun, Pluto and Mercury. He not only has Sun in Gemini but also it is in the third house, the house of communication, making it ideal for being a writer. Ra also attributes Fleming’s Gemini qualities as facilitating his ability to promote himself to become the personal assistant of Admiral Godfrey. The strong Gemini influence in his chart endowed him with his keen intelligence. His Moon in Taurus is also in the third house which is in a tight square to his very independent Aquarius ascendant. Ra lists the fascinating group of eclectic friends and associates with a quirky or mystical bent that were drawn to Fleming, typical of someone with an Aquarius ascendant. He mixed in circles such as with the members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, including WB Yeats; the German mystic poet, Rainer Maria Rilke; Franz Kafka, TS Eliot, and Aleister Crowley. Fleming also knew Carl Jung and gained permission to translate Jung’s disquisition on the 16th century alchemist and magician, Paracelsus. This interest in the occult could also be attributed to the Pluto Mercury conjunction in Gemini in his natal chart.

Ra writes that Fleming’s Uranus Juno conjunction in the 12th house endows him with a natural talent for espionage, and dragging secrets out of people. Ra reveals how Fleming’s aristocratic family connections influence Fleming’s destiny in both his career in intelligence and as an author. His ambitious socialite mother guided Fleming’s education. After Fleming flunks his Foreign Office Exams at age 21 his mother hands him over to the care of a British couple who were not only progressive educators but also actual spies. With his Sagittarius Midheaven, it’s was perhaps his destiny to find his greatest fame through his books, as Sagittarius rules publishing. Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, is in Leo in the 6th house of work making a harmonious trine to Saturn in Aries in the 2nd house ensuring good relationships with those in authority.

What is noteworthy is that Fleming has a fully tenanted 5th house ruling creativity and romance including a house-cuspal Mercury-Pluto conjunction in Gemini (perfect for espionage and writing about it as well as a close Mars-North Node conjunction in Cancer, making Fleming a creative, original thinker despite his personal foibles. Indeed there are apocryphal tales that Fleming actually used astrology against the Nazis during World War II, one including using astrological disinformation to secure the capture of Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s Deputy Fuhrer, in a Scottish field.

After the war, Fleming settled down in his Jamaican retreat called Goldeneye to write his Bond novels. The more seedy side of his 5th house manifested in his romancing the wives of English aristocrats and drinking to excess. One amusing anecdote Ra relates which highlights Fleming’s quirky sense of humour is the fact that Fleming named his dashing secret agent after a well known ornithologist, James Bond. Ra also points out that the word, ‘birdwatcher’, is English slang for spy.

Randa Abdel-Fattah
Randa Abdel-Fattah (Arabic: رندة عبد الفتاح; born 6 June 1979) is an Australian sociologist, lawyer and writer of fiction and non-fiction. She is an advocate for Palestinian people and human rights in general. Much of her work focuses on identity and what it means to be Muslim in Australia. Her debut novel, Does My Head Look Big in This?, was published in 2005, and Coming of Age in the War on Terror was published in 2021. Her 2025 novel, Discipline, came to public attention after Abdel-Fattah was disinvited from the 2026 Adelaide Writers’ Week, leading to a boycott by most of the scheduled participants and the subsequent cancellation of the event.
She grew up in Melbourne, Victoria, and attended a Catholic primary school and then King Khalid Islamic College.^[2] She wrote her first “novel”, based on Roald Dahl‘s Matilda, when she was in sixth grade.^[1] She started writing the first draft of a semi-autobiographical novel at age 15, which was completed and published ten years later as Does My Head Look Big in This?^[4]

In 2002, Abdel-Fattah gained BA and LLB degrees from the University of Melbourne.^[2][9] She was the media liaison at the Islamic Council of Victoria, writing about Muslims in Australia.^[10]
In 2016, Abdel-Fattah obtained her PhD on Islamophobia from the Department of Sociology at Macquarie University.^[9] Her thesis, “Islamophobia and Everyday Multiculturalism in Australia”, was later published by Routledge in 2018.^[11][12]

Career – Abdel-Fattah worked as a solicitor for various firms, including Slater & Gordon (2001–2003), Lander and Rogers (2003–2006), Thompson Playford Lawyers (2006–2009) and Hicksons Lawyers (2009–2012).

As of September 2025 she is a lawyer of the NSW Supreme Court. She is patron of the Racial Justice Centre, the first Community Legal Service focused on racial justice in Australia.^[13]

Writing and Research
In 2018, Abdel-Fattah received two research fundings from the Australian Research Council in the form of their Discovery Early Career Research Award, for studying sociological condition of modern Muslim and non-Muslim youth. Her three-year project was based at Macquarie University with Amanda Wise as her collaborator.^[14][15] Her findings were published by New South Publishing in 2021 as Coming of Age in the War on Terror, and as a paper in the Journal of Sociology in 2024.^[16]

Abdel-Fattah has published research articles in the Journal of Sociology,^[16] the Sociological Research Online and the Journal of Intercultural Studies.^[17][18]

She has written books for children and young adults and also created a series aimed at early readers, called Our Stories, which are written and illustrated by diverse authors and illustrators. Her research inspired another project for young children, leading to Australia’s first Black-Palestinian picture-story book collaboration, 11 Words For Love (2023).^[13]

She has also published novels. Her latest novel, Discipline, was published in August 2025.^[19] Set in Sydney during the Israel-Gaza War, its main characters are a young journalist of Palestinian descent and an academic of Egyptian Australian descent.^[20][21]

She has written articles for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Guardian, Overland, Meanjin, Al Jazeera English online, Le Monde, New Matilda and The New Arab.^[9][22]

As of September 2025 Abdel-Fattah is a future fellow in the Department of Sociology at Macquarie University. Her research areas cover Islamophobia, race, Palestine, the war on terror, youth identities and social movement activism.^[13]

Views and Media Appearances
On Australian television, she has appeared on: Insight (SBS), First Tuesday Book Club (ABC), Q & A (ABC TV),^[10] Sunrise (Seven Network) and 9am (Network Ten).^[25]In 2022, the Australian Research Council (ARC) granted Abdel-Fattah their Future Fellowship^[26] on a research project titled “Arab/Muslim Australian Social Movements since the 1970s: A hidden history”. Abdel-Fattah is the primary chief investigator, contracted to work on the project from 2023 to 2027.^[27][28]

During the Gaza War which started in 2023, she has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government,^[29] accusing it of committing a “Palestinian holocaust” in Gaza.^[30] At an academic symposium organised by the Queensland University of Technology‘s Carumba Institute, Abdel-Fattah spoke of how, instead of organising an academic conference as mandated by her ARC grants, she used the funds to run a workshop for women from multicultural backgrounds. She was reported as saying “I look to ways to bend the rules, and I subvert them.”^[31] Because of the fund diversion remarks, the education minister, Jason Clare, wrote to the ARC board on 31 January 2025 asking it to investigate Abdel-Fattah. On 27 February, the ARC announced that the Abdel-Fattah’s grant was suspended and that it was the responsibility of Macquarie University to resolve the issue^[26][32] and, if the grant had been misused, to refund the entire amount.^[33] After a 10-month investigation led by two independent internationally-respected academics, the university announced on 23 December 2025 that “Based on the rigorous process undertaken and the information considered in the assessment, the university has determined there is no basis for any further investigation of the concerns raised by the ARC. The assessment has been thorough, evidence-based, based on best practice and followed due process”. The ARC restored the funding.^[34]

In August 2025, Abdel-Fattah cancelled her scheduled presentation at the Bendigo Writers Festival in response to a code of conduct imposed by the festival two days before the festival was due to begin. Many other scheduled presenters also boycotted the festival in support of Abdel-Fattah and in protest at the code of conduct.^[35]

Social media controversies
Abdel-Fattah’s social media post from March 2024 which stated that Zionists “have no claim or right to cultural safety” was widely reported and used against her. In an essay on Mondoweiss in January 2026, she wrote of her “fight against Zionism” and restated that Zionists, as she understands the term, are not entitled to claim the right to a culturally safe space.^[8]

In the same essay Abdel-Fattah also defended her changing her Facebook cover to a picture of a paraglider in the colours of a Palestinian flag on 8 October 2023, one day after the October 7 attacks. She wrote that at the time, she was not aware that armed paragliders had landed at the music festival and shot at civilians. “The last short-lived mass breakout was in January 2008, when Hamas destroyed part of a border wall at Rafah, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians poured into Egypt to buy staple goods denied to them by the blockade… Thus, images of these items symbolise freedom ‘and escape from imprisonment'”, and showed that parachutes had been long previously used as “symbols of freedom and prison escape. Thus, on October 7, 2023, fifteen years after the last Gaza ‘open air prison breakout’,^[a] Palestinians breaching Israel’s Erez crossing… was momentous. Palestinians in the diaspora were posting the image as an iconic symbol of an imprisoned, besieged population breaking free; the symbolism of a paraglider to Israel’s high tech militaristic ‘impenetrability’ for decades”. Her profile picture remained unchanged for five months, which she attributed to the fact she does not regularly use Facebook. She wrote in January 2026 that “an image that represented a moment of freedom is not something I will apologise for”.^[8]

Adelaide Writers’ Week 2026
On 8 January 2026, the Adelaide Festival board announced that Abdel-Fattah’s scheduled appearance at Adelaide Writers’ Week in February to March 2026 had been cancelled due to concerns over “cultural sensitivity” following the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting.^[36] There was a strong backlash from writers and the public to the decision, with most of the participants announcing a boycott of the event.^[37][38][36] Abdel-Fattah decried the move as “censorship”.^[39] Due to the controversy over the disinvitation of Abdel-Fattah, Louise Adler, the directer of Adelaide Writer’s Week who had scheduled her appearance and supported her, resigned from her position,^[40][6] and Writers’ Week was cancelled.^[39] The board resigned and a new board was appointed which apologised to Abdel-Fattah.^[41][42] The new board also invited her to the 2027 edition of the event.^[43]

Newcastle Writers’ Festival 2026
Abdel-Fattah appeared at Newcastle Writers’ Festival in Newcastle, New South Wales in March 2026, with two sessions sold out and a third added owing to demand, despite NSW Premier Chris Minns previously opining that her inclusion was “crazy”.^[44]

Sydney Writers’ Festival 2026
Abdel-Fattah will appear at sold out sessions at the Sydney Writers’ Festival in May.

• Awards
  2008: Kathleen Mitchell Award, for Ten Things I Hate About Me^[45]
• 2009: Inky Award in 2009 for Where The Streets Had A Name^[22]
• 2017: Two Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, the Best Young Adult Fiction and the People’s Choice Award, for When Michael Met Mina^[9]
• 2022: Coming of Age in the War on Terror shortlisted for the 2022 Victorian Premier’s Prize for Nonfiction,^[46] and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards‘ Multicultural NSW Award,^[47] and longlisted for the Stella Prize^[48]
• 2023: 11 Words for Love shortlisted for the Children’s Award, Prime Minister’s Literary Awards^[49]
• 2026: Discipline, winner of the People’s Choice in the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards^[50]
• 2026: Discipline, shortlisted for the Multicultural NSW Award, New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards^[51]
• 2026: Longlisted for the Miles Franklin literary award.

Other roles and activities
Abdel-Fattah is a human rights advocate and stood at the 1998 federal election as a member of the Unity Party (with the slogan “Say No to Pauline Hanson“). She has also been interested in interfaith dialogue and has been a member of various interfaith networks. She has volunteered time with human rights and migrant resource organisations, including the Australian Arabic council, the Victorian Migrant Resource Centre, the Islamic Women’s Welfare Council, and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.^[1][10] Abdel-Fattah has also been a member of the Palestinian Human Rights Committee and the New South Wales Young Lawyers for Human Rights Committee.^[2] Randa Abdel-Fattah, along with Antoinette Lattouf and Mohammed Ahmed received a rousing welcome and a standing ovation at the May 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

Personal life
As of 2022 Abdel-Fattah was living in Sydney with her husband and four children.^[52]She is an observant Muslim.^[4]

• Works
  Does My Head Look Big in This? (2005)
• Ten Things I Hate About Me (2006)
• Where The Streets Had A Name (2008)
• Noah’s Law (2010)
• The Friendship Matchmaker (2011)
• The Friendship Matchmaker Goes Undercover (2012)
• No Sex in the City (2012)
• The Lines We Cross (2016)
• When Mina Met Michael (2016)
• “Australian Muslim Voices on Islamophobia, Race and the ‘War on Terror'” (Bibliography, Meanjin Quarterly, 9 April 2019)^[53]
• Arab Australian Other: Stories on Race and Identity, co-editor with Sara Saleh (2019)
• Coming of Age in the War on Terror (2021)
• Maku (children’s fiction, co-authored with Meyne Wyatt, 2022)^[54]
• 11 Words for Love (illustrated by Maxine Beneba Clarke, 2022)^[55]
• Discipline (2025)^[19]

Randa Abdel-Fattah’s natal chart
Since there is no known birth time for Randa Abdel-Fattah, I have cast a chart for midday. She was born on 6 June 1979 in Sydney, Australia. Gemini is the sign of communication and she has the Sun and Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, in the sign of Gemini giving her the gift of the gab and endowing her with great intelligence and curiosity as well as a sense of humour. I can attest to her skills as a powerful public speaker, having attended a meeting at Sydney Town Hall where both she and Yanis Varoufakis were the guest speakers. She has Pluto conjunct Moon in Libra so advocates for her causes with great passion, whether in the written or spoken form. Libra is the sign of the scales ruling law so it is not surprising that she is also a lawyer calling for justice for the marginalised in society whether it be Palestinian journalists or academics who have experienced discrimination by the media or politicians, as the central theme of her latest fictional book, Discipline, explores. Pluto and the Moon make a harmonious trine to her Sun and Mercury in Gemini facilitating her flow of communication. Her Saturn is in industrious Virgo which would make her diligent with attention to detail. Virgo is also about service. Saturn is making a square to her Sun which could cause obstacles in the path but would also foster resilience against life’s hardships. Neptune is also opposing the Sun which may sometimes cloud her judgment but on the other hand her suffering could intensify her compassion and empathy for others who are suffering. Erratic Uranus opposes Mars and Venus so this could bring some unpredictability to her disposition. However, the fact that Saturn is in Virgo and Mars, Venus and Chiron are in steady Taurus would have a stabilising influence.

Randa Abdel-Fattah’s numerology
Randa was born on 6 June 1979 so her day number is 6 which is concerned with unconditional love, home and family. She has four children. Her month number is also 6, emphasising these qualities. Her year number 1979 adds up to 8 which has a Saturnian vibration and which could bring challenges to overcome but also confer executive ability. Adding the three numbers 6+6+8=20/2 so her life path number is 2 which is ruled by the moon which is concerned with the feminine principle which is expressed through nurturing, receptivity, diplomacy and intuition.

Overview for Gemini for 2026
Your social sector is activated by Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, and the dwarf planet, Eris known as the goddess of strife, as well as Vesta, Pallas Athena making it a very stimulating time as far as your social life is concerned. The presence of Chiron, the wounded healer, enables you to be a mentor to your friends. The presence of Eris here would enable you to be a champion of the marginalised and disadvantaged in society. Your travel and education sector is being activated by Pluto, Juno and two eclipses, the first is an annular solar eclipse which occurred on 17 February and the second is partial lunar eclipse which occurs on 28 August so there will be a lot of focus on this area of your life. Pluto may upset travel plans or see you changing your study program. Erratic Uranus has just moved into your own sign so may bring unpredictability into your life. Uranus rules technology and astrology so you may be drawn to these subjects and being in your own sign of Gemini may inspire your take take on some writing project. Bountiful Jupiter is moving through your finance and values sector which could bring increases to your personal finances as long as you are not tempted to overspend. Your domestic sector is highlighted by the karmic South Node and a total lunar eclipse which occurred on 3 March. Your career sector is highlighted by the karmic North Node. Dynamic Mars has just moved into your spirituality sector making it an ideal time to take up martial arts.

Third assassination attempt against Trump – shooting at correspondents’ dinner
It is interesting to note Trump’s transits when the shooting occurred at the White House Correspondents’ dinner. Transiting Uranus was squaring Trump’s ascendant almost to the minute indicating something shocking and unexpected was going to occur. It is also squaring Trump’s natal Mars adding to an already volatile unpredictable situation. The transiting Moon at 29 degrees Leo is void of course was also conjunct Trump’s ascendant and Regulus. Transiting Mercury was also exactly opposite his Jupiter. Transiting Saturn was exactly square his natal Mercury. Transiting Sun was exactly square to transiting Pluto and in an applying sextile to his natal Mercury. Transiting Jupiter was square his natal Jupiter. What is also fascinating is that transiting Neptune is opposing his natal Neptune, the planet of illusion and deception, Trump had hired an illusionist instead of a comedian as he didn’t want to be the butt of jokes,

Full Moon in Scorpio occurred on 2 May 2026
The Full Moon occurred at 11 degrees Scorpio 20 at 3.23 am on 2 May. Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio, is the god of the Underworld ruling earthquakes and volcanoes who when he appeared in the upper world, he wore the cap of invisibility so Scorpio is associated with any issue that is hidden or secret that lurks beneath the surface ready to erupt to the surface. Scorpio is also concerned power, control and manipulation. Pluto in Aquarius is in a fixed T-square with this Scorpio full Moon which could indicate a struggle between top down power and people power. Secrets are likely to be revealed prompting more revolutionary action. The Moon is quindecile the dwarf planet, Eris, the goddess of the marginalised who demands truth and justice. Eris is also conjunct Chiron and Mercury giving voice to our grievances to attain justice. Uranus is also semisquare Mars in its own sign of Aries which is a volatile, potentially rebellious energy. Another signature indicating rebellion is Uranus forming a T-square to the nodal axis. Uranus has just recently shifted from the fixed sign Taurus into mutable Gemini on 26 April. Being the sign of the twins, Gemini is a dual sign which represents multidimensionality, enabling us to see through a new lens.

One Nation’s landslide win in Farrer by-election on 10 May 2026
Closer to home we are witnessing voters give a big thumbs down to the established two party system with disgruntled voters flocked to give their votes to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party by endorsing her chosen candidate, David Farley gaining him more than 40 percent of the primary vote. Right wing populism swept Trump to power and now it has elevated Hanson on the Australian political scene. Like Trump despite her questionable tactics and affiliations, regional voters seem to disregard this allowing their anger and disillusionment to rule their choices. Pauline Hanson has outraged parliamentarians and Moslems with her burqa stunts and she has also been donated a plane by Australia’s wealthiest woman, Gina who along with Hanson has been seen swanning around Mar-A Lago with Trump and his acolytes. Up until now Hanson has not been taken seriously by the political class or the media but now that she has been catapulted into political prominence, she will be under closer media scrutiny. It was a humiliating defeat for the Liberals who had hitherto held the seat under the former Liberal party leader, Sussan Ley from 2001 – 2026 until she resigned on 13 February 2026 after losing to Angus Taylor in a Liberal party spill.

Australia Federation chart and Farrer By-election chart
It is interesting to look at the transits on the day of the Farrer by-election chart on 10 May in relation to the Australia Federation chart which is cast for 1 January 1901 at 1.35.01 pm in Sydney to understand how this by-election is impacting a nation as a whole. One of the most noteworthy transits is Pluto at 5 degrees Aquarius is in a close conjunction to Australia’s MC at 02 degrees which Aquarius which indicates that the goals and direction of the nation are undergoing a transformation. Transiting Chiron, the wounded healer, at 28 degrees Aries is in a tight conjunction to Australia’s ascendant at 29 degrees. This would indicate that the nation’s image is undergoing some painful realisations as it faces some uncomfortable truths as the once seemingly safe status quo of the two party duopoly of Labor and Liberal coalition is being threatened more and more by Independents and upstarts like One Nation. In fact revered psephologist Antony Green has predicted that if One Nation’s momentum continues at this rate One Nation will replace the National party’s hegemony in the regions. The Labor pollster, Kos Samaras, has predicted that it is the end of the two party system with a new era of a multiparty system just as in some countries in Europe. It has just been reported that some of the Independents – the Teals are in discussions about forming a political party mainly in response to the ascendancy of One Nation but also in response to what they see as unfair reforms to electoral funding advantaging the major parties. This further indicates moves afoot to transform the Australian political landscape.

Pauline Hanson’s natal chart and the Farrer by-election chart
It is noteworthy to look at Pauline Hanson’s natal chart and her transits when One Nation swept to victory in the Farrer by-election. Pauline Hanson was born on 27 May 1954 at 3.10 pm in Brisbane, Qld. She has the Sun and Mercury in Gemini in the 8th house which is ruled by Scorpio and the Moon at 12 degrees Pisces 39 with an ascendant at 2 degrees Scorpio 30. It is also interesting to note that Saturn is in a tight conjunction to her ascendant which would indicate that life has not always been easy for her. She has written about her difficult marriage where alcohol and domestic violence impacted her family. She has been accused of having a chip on her shoulder as she demonises minority groups such as First Nations people, Moslems, Asians etc. She used to run a fish and chips shop and various other small businesses so has been able to appeal to the average person. She also has Jupiter conjunct her Venus in Cancer which would enable her to give off an aura of glamour and affability to her adoring fans, clamouring for selfies. She has utilised her Scorpio ascendant and Pisces Moon to foment the politics of grievance, decrying multiculturalism which has been so successful in Australia. She was convicted for electoral fraud in 2003 spending 11 months in jail until her conviction was overturned. Many of the staffers who worked with her fell out with her and quite a few of her One Nation have been of questionable character resulting in their not contesting. She seems to enjoy shocking people opposing mainstream views such as opposing same sex marriage and asking for Australia to help Donald Trump by entering the 2026 Iran war. Her Pluto in Leo in the 11th house often manifests with her having power struggles with colleagues and associates including a bitter fight with Moslem Greens politician, Mehreen Faruqi after Hanson sent Faruqi an offensive tweet, “Piss off back to Pakistan.” Pluto is about power and the 11th house is about groups so she has achieved a cult like status summed up by one of her followers going into raptures over her beauty in person and declaring she had a glow about her. The people who are attracted to her don’t always support all her views but think she is genuine and consistent not changing her views like other politicians. Having the Sun and Mercury in Gemini, Hanson knows the importance of communicating and has succeeded in targeting different demographics with her clever memes in the form of cartoons whereas the major parties have relied more on more traditional ways of communicating.

Looking at the transits for Hanson at the Farrer by-election, we can see why she had such a resounding success. Transiting Jupiter at 20 degrees Cancer is making a tight conjunction with her natal Uranus in the 10th house and also conjuncting her midheaven of goals elevating her status on the political stage. Transiting Uranus in conjuncting her Gemini Sun and transiting Mars is squaring her natal Uranus adding to the further shock factor. Transiting Jupiter is also making a harmonious trine to her natal Moon in Pisces in the 6th house which would have made her jubilant savouring the fruits of her victory. The transiting Moon in Aquarius is making a harmonious trine to her natal Neptune in the 12th house giving her an aura of mystery. Transiting Mars in Aries is in a tight trine to her natal to her natal Pluto endowing her with her fighting spirit. Transiting Pluto in Aquarius in her 4th house is in a very tight trine to her natal Sun in Gemini in her 8th house adding to her empowerment. What is also noteworthy transiting Chiron in Aries in the 6th house is in a tight square to her natal Chiron in the 4th house indicating that a new cycle is beginning in her life.

Nigel Farage’s Reform party’s landslide in UK Council elections
Nigel Farage’s Reform swept to victory in the recent Council elections upsetting the status quo of the Labor and Conservative parties, causing many Labor MPS to clamour for PM Keir Starmer’s resignation just two years after Labor swept to power in a landslide. Farage has three planets in fiery Aries, – Sun, Mars and Jupiter, with Pluto and Uranus on the ascendant so has plenty of oomph whereas Starmer has a stellium in more circumspect Virgo with a stellium in more deliberative Libra – so can come across as wooden and uninspiring no matter how good his intentions are. It is an irony that Farage has benefitted so much from the voters’ disgruntlement with the status quo as Farage along with Boris Johnson and the PM whisperer, Dominic Cummins were the main instigators of the failed Brexit experiment. A further irony is that Farage who poses as the hail fellow well met champion of the working class was from the upper echelons of society and was educated at Dulwich College, a fee paying private school in South London, whereas Starmer although he was knighted bearing the title of Sir Keir Starmer, came from more humble beginnings whose mother was a nurse and his father was a toolmaker. Even as a schoolboy, Farage was notorious for his publicly professed racist and neo-fascist views and behaviour targeting Jewish, Pakistani and African classmates. Farage is a very savvy media operator

Nigel Farage’s transits at UK Council Elections
Nigel Farage had favourable transits on the day of the UK Council elections on 10 May 2026. His ruling planet Mars was conjuncting his natal Sun, Jupiter and making a harmonious trine to his natal Moon. Transiting Uranus was conjunct his natal Venus and making a sextile to his natal Mars. Transiting Pluto trines his natal Venus and sextiles his natal Mars There are few challenging aspects with Uranus squaring his natal Saturn and Uranus, transiting Neptune squaring his nodal axis and transiting Pluto squaring his natal Mercury but Aries thrive on challenges so he is unlikely to be deterred by any setbacks, for the moment just savouring the fruits of his victory.

Keir Starmer’s transits at the UK Council Elections
What stands out with Starmer’s transits is the fact that transiting Pluto is in a very tight conjunction with his natal Saturn which could indicate power struggles which is occurring with Starmer having the fight of his political life with Labour MPs resigning their positions and clamouring for him to resign and others jockeying to take over, after leading his party to such as resounding defeat. Transiting Neptune and Saturn in Aries are squaring his natal Mars in Cancer which would deplete his energy. Pluto is also conjunct his South Node and opposing his North Node which could indicate a radical change in direction for him.

UK chart and UK Council Elections
The chart for the UK is 1 January 1801 at 12.01 am, London, UK. What stands out in this chart is the fact that Jupiter is in a tight conjunction to UK chart’s Moon in Cancer in the 10th house of goals. The Moon represents the people, their emotions and the country so it seems to indicate there is a mood of hope for a change from the status quo of the two party system. Pluto in Aquarius is in a separating square to the UK Mars in Taurus in the 8th house indicating a mood of anger and determination to effect change. Pluto is also trine Uranus in Libra on the UK ascendant which should facilitate change. Uranus in Gemini is also square the UK Pluto in Pisces in the 5th house again echoing changes are afoot. Transiting Node in Pisces in 5th house conjunct the UK Pluto also echoes transformation. Neptune in Aries in the 6th house is an applying square to the UK Sun in the 4th house which could indicate confusion and misinformation.

New Moon SuperMoon in Taurus – 17 May 2026
The New Moon occurred at 25 degrees Taurus 57 occurs on 17 May at 6.01 am AEST Sydney time. This is a potent Supermoon with quite a few aspects likely to be felt. Taurus is a fixed earth sign so positively, it can bring stability but on the other hand can bring entrenched positions where people aren’t willing to budge. Taurus is concerned about finances, possessions and values. Chiron is continuing its close alignment with other planets including the dwarf planet, Eris, and Mars indicating that healing is an ongoing progress. The tight conjunction of Chiron and Mars at 28 degrees Aries indicates that personal wounds may be cut open. The sextile to Venus in Gemini would be an ameliorating factor which will assist the healing. Two days after this New Moon on 19 May Mars will move from its own sign of Aries into Taurus which could bring an opportunity for a cessation in hostilities. The New Moon in Taurus is conjunct Ceres which is likely to highlight environmental issues. The New Moon is conjunct the fixed star, Algol, at 26 degrees which represents decapitation or losing your head where are likely to be more people in power falling from grace and losing their positions. It is noteworthy that Algol is still conjuncting Trump’s Midheaven and Uranus was at the anaretic degree of 29 degrees 59 when the shots rang out at the White House Correspondents’ dinner on 25 April. Mercury and Uranus will make an exact conjunction shortly after this New Moon providing flashes of insight and an abundance of creative ideas. Uranus and Pluto will make an exact conjunction in Pluto. This Pluto Uranus combination is reminiscent of the Pluto Uranus conjunction in the 1960s when we had the hippie movement of make love not war so this revolutionary impulse will be revived.

Full Moon in Sagittarius 31 May 2026
The second Full Moon of May occurs on 31 May at 9 degrees Sagittarius 56 at 6.45 pm AEST Sydney time. This second full moon of the month is called a Blue Moon. Being in the sign of Sagittarius it should project a feeling of optimism, expansion and freedom. Sagittarius is about truth and with Pluto in Aquarius forming a harmonious grand trine to this Full Moon the urge for freedom and truth is highlighted even more. During to the Full Moon secrets often come to light With Uranus conjunct the Sun there can be surprises, unexpected events such as cyber attacks. There have already been two major cyber attacks. In early May education institutions were scrambling to to respond to a global data breach of cloud based Canvas learning management system that has affected Australian universities, TAFE and public schools. Almost 9,000 institutions worldwide. In April France’s national agency managing IDs and passports suffered a data breach. Looking at the Full Moon chart, most of the planets are on the opposite of the chart from Sagittarius Moon and with the Moon sesquisquare Jupiter, the ruling planet of Sagittarius there is a greater sense of freedom. Jupiter in Cancer is also square Eris in Aries so people will want to be heard. Mars in Taurus is squaring Pluto making it very forceful and revolutionary. Sagittarius is a very restless urge for change and with Uranus in Gemini opposing this Sagittarius Moon makes it even more so. Both Sagittarius and Gemini are mutable signs which highlights flexibility and the need for change. It would broaden our perspective enabling us to see the bigger picture. With Mercury also in its home sign of Gemini there is heavy emphasis on the exchange of ideas and communication. Uranus is also in a very tight square to the nodal axis which is again another signature for the urge for freedom on a collective level.

Full Moon in Sagittarius impacts US Sibley chart
What is noteworthy is that this Full Moon conjuncts the Sagittarius ascendant of the US Sibley chart so this Full Moon will shine a light on the US. Pluto is also tightly conjunct the Midheaven of the chart of the Washington DC so there are likely to power struggles. We are already seeing this with the Supreme stacked by Trump with conservative Justices on 29 April overturning a landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 that protected minority voting in Louisiana v. Callais case. As a result of this ruling by the Supreme Court, Republican led states have been rushing to aggressively redraw congressional maps in an unprecedented redistricting “arms race” designed to flip and lock in U.S, House seats ahead of the midterm elections, At least eight states – Texas, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina – have pushed through new heavily gerrymandered maps. There have been huge protests against this decision, especially in states where it will disenfranchise black people represented by Democrats greatly skewing the prospects of the Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections. This move by the Republicans given the green light by the Supreme Court ruling has triggered numerous lawsuits heavily challenging these measures for alleged racial and partisan gerrymandering. The Democrats have responded passing a counter-offensive map in California aimed at gaining 5 seats and warning that if they regain control of the House, they will move to ban mid-decade redistricting and partisan gerrymandering nationwide ahead of the 2028 election cycle. There has been bipartisan outrage over Trump’s $1.776 billion ‘weaponisation slush’ fund sparking a series of legal challenges. Two police officers who defended the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 allege the fund will reward and empower rioters who have harassed them and made death threats. Trump has also tried to protect himself and his family from any future tax audits which has also outraged lawmakers.

Sources
Gemini Greeting Card illustrated by Sue Robertson
Gemini Poem by Anne Robertson
Esoteric Astrology Volume 3 Treatise on the Seven Rays by Alice A. Bailey
Soul-Centred Astrology: A Key to your Expanding Self  by Alan Oken
Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology by Alan Oken
The Labours of Hercules by Alice A. Bailey
Astrological Keys to Self-actualization & Self-realization by Clara A. Weiss
Astrology and Biochemistry by Vanda Sawtell
The Inner Planets by Howard Sasportas & Liz Greene
Why Bill Clinton said Bob Dylan probably had a greater impact on people of my generation than any other creative artist by Curt Eriksmoen, Grand Forks Herald
Gemini: Bob Dylan The voice of his generation by Neil Spencer Insights Newsletter by Michele Finey
How the Other Half Live – SBS documentary by actor, Brian Cox
Tim Berners-Lee – Biography by Michael Aaron Dennis, Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Next Step Newsletter by Pam Gregory
The Astrology of Bond – James Bond by Ra Rishikavi Raghudas
A Cosmic View of Bond – James Bond by Ra Rishikavi Raghudas

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April Astromusings – New Moon in Aries, Jupiter Neptune Conjunction in Pisces, Full Moon in Libra, Happy Birthday Taureans!

Annefertiti’s AstroMusings

Astrology & Psychosynthesis, Numerology & Tarot, Spiritual Healing, Mythology

Taurus, golden-eyed
bull of God
worshipped with song and dance
in ancient fertility rites
slow sure sensual
sow your seeds
ensuring Mother Nature’s bounty

(c) Anne Robertson 1987

Esoteric Keyword Phrases for Taurus
The Personality asserts: Let struggle be undismayed
The Soul sounds its note: I see, and when the eye is opened, all is illumined

Rulers for Taurus
Exoteric Ruler: Venus under the Fifth Ray of Concrete Mind or Science
Esoteric Ruler: Vulcan under the First Ray of Will or Power
Hierarchical Ruler: Vulcan under the First Ray of Will or Power

Happy Birthday to all the Taureans who celebrate their birthdays between April 20 and May 21. Taurus forms part of the triplicity of Earth signs with Capricorn and Virgo. Taurus, the Bull, is the sign of fertility as traditionally in the Northern Hemisphere, it brings the regenerative life force of Spring. The glyph for which represents the full Moon with a crescent moon attached to it. The Full Moon can be seen as the Celestial Mother and the upturned crescent moon as the cow’s horns, another symbol of its fecundity. In the Age of Taurus (C.4220 BC-C.2160 B.C) the Egyptians established their vast agricultural empire through an economy based on slavery.

During the Age of Taurus the cult of the bull and cow was prevalent. The Ancient Egyptians worshipped Isis as the Crescent, crowned with the headdress of the cow horns, the Horned Goddess, the cow, and as such was identified with Hathor the Cow-Goddess who preceded her. Isis’s husband Osiris, was also worshipped as a horned deity, known as the bull god, Apis. The veneration of the Bull was also prevalent in other cultures, for example the Bull of Minos known as the Minotaur of the Cretan Labyrinth. At certain times of the year young boys and girls were sacrificed to the Bull God. During these festivals young people danced upon the bulls and jumped through their horns in the arenas, a custom which was the precursor of the modern practice of bullfighting. The glyph for Taurus also represents the parts of the body ruled by this sign: the neck, throat and the shoulders.

Venus and Vulcan, the Ruling Planets of Taurus
The ruling planet of Taurus is Venus, the Goddess of Love and Beauty and the patroness of the arts. When she is favourably placed in a horoscope she will bestow her bounty of charm, beauty, creativity, sociability and wealth on the recipient. Taurus rules the second house of the horoscope which governs finances, material possessions and values. In keeping with the Law of Attraction, Venus governs desire and sexuality. Because of the earthiness of their nature, Taureans are challenged to overcome their weaknesses on the physical plane i.e. the desire nature and stubbornness to transmute this into aspiration and goodwill.

The esoteric ruler of Taurus is Vulcan, the god of the Hammer and the Forge. His role is to beat “base metal” into a more refined state for spiritual purposes which aids in this transmutation. Esoterically, Taurus is referred to as the golden eyed Bull of God, with its keynote being: “I see and when the Eye is opened, all is light”. This connotes that the goal of the aspirant in the second sign is illumination. The second Labour of Hercules sheds more light on the tests facing the hero in the sign of Taurus.

Hercules Captures the Cretan Bull

The Second Labour of Hercules – The Capture of the Cretan Bull

In the book, ‘The Labours of Hercules’, Alice Bailey elucidates the test of Taurus. Hercules is told by his teacher to capture the sacred Bull of Minos to save it from being sacrificed, and ride it from Crete to the mainland where he is to deliver it to the three Cyclops, Brontes, Steropes and Arges, who dwell in the Holy Place. This, Hercules succeeds in doing by chasing the bull from one corner of the island to another, mounting it and riding it through the waves to the mainland.

There is much symbolism involved in this apparently straightforward labour which Hercules has to complete. Minos, the King of Crete, who owned the sacred bull also possessed the maze which has ever been the symbol of the great illusion. The island of Crete with its maze and its bull is an outstanding symbol of the great illusion. It was separated from the mainland, and illusion and bewilderment are characteristics of the separated self. The bull represents animal desire which must be caught and mastered and chased from one point to another in the life of the separated self. Hercules must hand over the bull to the three Cyclops who represent the initiates, having the single eye which symbolises the third eye. It also refers to the Bull’s eye in the constellation of Taurus. In other words the task of Hercules is to overcome desire, transcending the personality self and aligning it with his Higher Self to achieve illumination.

The Constellation of Taurus

Alan Oken in his book Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology observes that Manilius calls Taurus “dives puellis” – Latin for rich in maidens a reference to the fact that within its demibody are the Pleiades or Seven Sisters and the Hyades, the seven mythological daughters of Atlas and Aethra and half sisters of the Pleiades. The Hyades form the great V of the reddish star Aldebaran often called the “Eye of the Bull.”

Under the title of The Theme of Illumination Alice Bailey explains the esoteric significance of the constellation of Taurus. Taurus is one of the most interesting of the zodiacal constellations, the Cross of the Disciple. The “eye of the bull” in Taurus, the magnificent fixed star, Aldebaran, is one of the reasons why this constellation is regarded as conferring illumination. In ancient days it was called the leading star of the heavens, and Taurus has always been connected with light and, therefore, with Christ, who proclaimed himself as the Light of the World. Light, illumination and sound, as expressed of the creative force: these are the three basic ideas connected with this constellation. The “interpreter of the divine voice”, as Taurus was called in ancient Egypt, can be paraphrased into Christian terminology and called “the Word made flesh.”

Bailey continues: ‘The following is of interest’ she includes an excerpt from The Zodiac – A Life Epitome by Walter Sampson: “The bull or the cow is the symbol of this sign, and in the celestial chart it will be observed that the little group of stars called Pleiades are represented just at the shoulder of the bull. Now, in Egyptian sculpture, or painting, the Pleiades are sometimes represented by the figure of the dove with wings outspread over the bull’s saddle. The dove as we remember, is the bird sacred to Venus, and as the Pleiades are part of the constellation Taurus and as we shall see, more Taurean in nature, if possible, than Taurus itself, the dove becomes a specially appropriate symbol for this little star-group.”

Taurean Hall of Fame

David Attenborough

Venus, the ruler of Taurus, has dominion over the arts, culinary activities, nature, money, and sensuality. Therefore Taureans are attracted to careers in fields such as music, massage, banking, real estate, farming, gardening, and hospitality. An example of the Taurean affinity with nature is evident in the books and documentaries on nature by the famous Taurean, David Attenborough.

.

Mark Zuckerberg

Taureans are well represented in business such as Mark Zuckerberg the chief executive of Facebook/Meta. Taureans are well represented in the field of music with such classical musicians as Brahams, Tchaikovsky and Yehudi Menuhin. The prima ballerina, Margot Fonteyn, and Fred Astaire were also born under the sign of the bull. Other famous musically gifted Taureans include, Irving Berlin, Burt Bacharach, Enya, Cher, Shirley Temple and Barbra Streisand.

Barbra Streisand

Shirley MacLaine, Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Collins, Lesley Gore, Duke Ellington, Glen Campbell, Roy Orbison, Pete Seeger and  the crooners, Perry Como and Bing Crosby.
Actors of note include Rudolf Valentino, Lionel Barrymore, Gary Cooper, Henry Fonda, Orson Welles, Pierce Brosnan, Gerry Seinfeld, Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, George Clooney, Audrey Hepburn, Katherine Hepburn, Glenda Jackson and Uma Thurman. Actors also include Cate Blanchett, Penelope Cruz, Renee Zellwegger, Michelle Pfeiffer and Joanna Lumley.

,

Cate Blanchett

Writers of note include William Shakespeare, Robert Browning, Anthony Trollope, Vladimir Nabokov, Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, Daphne Du Maurier, Charlotte Bronte, and James Barrie who created the favourite children’s book Peter Pan.

Taurus is potentially a sign of power and it has had its share of rulers who have brought stability but it also has had its share of tyrants who have abused their power. The Late Queen Elizabeth II was a Taurean wIth her ascendant in steadfast Capricorn epitomised the stable pragmatic monarch.

Mary Robinson

Mary Robinson, the former president of the Irish Republic and Commissioner for Human Rights for the United Nations, who also exudes this Earth Mother quality, has both her Sun and Moon in steady Taurus. A quality which has reassured many people in times of conflict, both on a national level and in the international arena. Other Taureans who have made their presence felt include Catherine the Great,  Golda Meir,  Eva Peron, Czar Nicholas II, Vladimir Lenin, Hitler, Robespierre, Oliver Cromwell, Ho Chi Minh, Emperor Hirohito, Harry S. Truman, Saddam Hussein. and Pope John Paul II.

Some spiritually inclined Taureans include Gautama Buddha and Krishnamurti and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, the Jesuit priest and mystic.

,

Krishnamurti

One prominent Taurean is Thomas Piketty, a French economist whose work focuses on wealth and income inequality. He is a professor at the The School for Advanced Studies of Social Sciences, associate chair at the Paris School of Economics and Centennial professor at the International Inequalities Institute, which is part of the London School of Economics (LSE). Piketty is the author of the best-selling book Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2013), which emphasises the themes of his work on wealth concentrations and distribution over the past 250 years.

Thomas Piketty released a second erudite tome entitled Capital and Ideology in 2019. In the review of this latest book by Australian Labor MP, Andrew Leigh,  “Seven years on, the 52 year old French economist has produced a meaty follow-up, Capital and Ideology. This time it is ideological, cries the promotional material.” Piketty explores inequality comprehensively in many different countries throughout the centuries and Leigh claims that the point is to remind the reader that inequality is “determined primarily by ideological and political factors, not by economic or technological constraints.  Piketty examines “slave societies” such as Jamaica, Barbados and Haiti and the United States. He also explores the Belle Epoque – the half-century that preceded the outbreak of World War I – the concentration of wealth was exceptionally high. In Britain, France and Sweden, the top 10 per cent owned more than 80 per cent of all private property. Piketty also points out that French inequality was so acute in that era almost no one in Paris owned an individual apartment. Instead a few people owned entire apartment blocks.

Decades of Rising Inequality
Many progressive reforms took place in what Piketty dubs the ‘‘social democratic era’’ of 1950 to 1980. Since then, he argues, we have moved into a ‘‘hypercapitalist’’ era. From 1970 to 2015, the average real income of the poorest 50 per cent of Americans rose only slightly, from $15,200 to $16,200. Meanwhile, incomes of the top 1 per cent more than tripled, from $403,000 to $1,305,000. The world’s largest fortunes have been growing five times faster than global income. In nearly every region of the world, inequality has risen over recent decades.

Leigh asks, Why hasn’t politics kept inequality in check? Here, we come to Piketty’s most provocative findings. Mainstream politics, he argues, has become a battle between the ‘‘Brahmin left’’ and the ‘‘Merchant right’’. Progressives increasingly value intellectual work and academic qualifications. Conservatives are more likely to prize business acumen and negotiating skills.

Take America. In 1948, US university graduates were 20 percentage points less likely to vote Democratic than non-graduates. In 2016, university graduates were 14 percentage points more likely to vote Democratic than non-graduates. Little surprise that Donald Trump crowed after his 2016 win ‘‘I love the poorly educated’’. What’s going on? Piketty suggests that the left-right party system of the post-war era is breaking down. Like prior scholars, he notes that race-based appeals have become more common, and points to a growing cleavage between ‘‘globalists’’ and ‘‘nativists’’. Conservatives have increasingly resorted to exploiting racism for political gain, and attacking international institutions. In Britain, this was most apparent in the case of Brexit. Among the highest-educated Britons, more than 70 per cent voted to remain in the European Union. Among the lowest-educated, less than 40 per cent voted to remain. Across the advanced world, Piketty shows, voters with university degrees tended to support conservative parties in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, electors with tertiary qualifications are far more likely to back parties of the left.

A privileged education system

But Piketty also thinks that progressives have made some crucial mistakes, particularly when it comes to education. Some leading US universities have more students drawn from the top 1 per cent of the income distribution than from the bottom half of the income distribution. By embracing the language of meritocracy, Piketty contends, the US Democratic Party has become ‘‘the party of the highly educated in a country with a hyper-stratified inegalitarian educational system’’.

Piketty is especially scornful of the ‘‘inegalitarian and hypocritical’’ French system, which invests at least twice as much in students who attend the elitist grandes ecoles as in other students. Across the advanced world, he notes, school students from privileged backgrounds are more likely to be taught by experienced and qualified teachers than those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

At the core of Piketty’s proposals is that social democratic parties must radically improve educational access and quality for the most disadvantaged. Teacher absenteeism should not be four times as bad in the poorest schools. Teacher pay ought not be an increasing function of students’ socio-economic status. Parental wealth should not determine whether a child attends university.

Beyond education, Piketty wants to see a crackdown on tax havens, fair apportionment of multinational profits, global cooperation on reducing carbon emissions, and the creation of non-profit media organisations.

It’s not all misery and despair. The past two centuries have seen remarkable progress across the globe. Average life expectancy has almost tripled, from 26 to 72. Average incomes have grown tenfold. Yet inequality has soared, and many are convinced that politics is broken. Ultimately, Piketty’s message is a hopeful one: past egalitarian reforms were hard-won, and the future is malleable. ‘‘The inequalities and institutions that exist today are not the only ones possible, whatever conservatives may say to the contrary.’’

Jessica Watson – Charting her Course
Another Taurean who was featured on ABC’s Australian Story, Charting her Course, on Monday 17 April is Jessica Watson born 18 May 1993 (time unknown) on the Gold Coast Qld Australia. She has Sun and Mercury conjunct in Taurus opposing Pluto in Scorpio both fixed signs which shows her determination and with Mars in fiery Leo and her Moon in Aries reveals her resilience. At the age of 16 she undertook a seven month solo voyage around the world surviving storms and isolation returning to Sydney on 15 May 2010 three days before her 17th birthday to crowds of cheering well wishers including her parents who had complete faith in her ability to achieve her goals. In 2011 Jessica was named Young Australian of the Year and the following year was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Her resilience has been tested in her personal life as she shared on Australian Story the journey she is currently on dealing with the grief of losing her beloved husband and sailing partner, Cameron Dale who died after suffering a catastrophic stroke aged 29 on 30 August 2021. in her interview Jessica shares how lessons learnt at sea helped her navigate the waves of grief over losing her partner. It was in 2011 when Jessica was the skipper of the youngest crew ever to compete in the Sydney to Hobart when she first met her future husband Cam who at 19 was the oldest crew member aboard. They soon became inseparable. In July 2021, Jessica and Cam were on the Gold Coast providing technical guidance for True Spirit, the Netflix drama about the film and keen to make sure the sailing scenes were accurate. Completely out of the blue he started feeling unwell. Six weeks later he died with Jessica and his family by his bedside. The pain was unbearable but Jessica reached out and received help.

She soon realised that you can be so completely crushed and broken but still be incredibly strong, Her father said that she’s managed to tap into and inner strength and he thinks that a lot of those mechanisms have come from her voyage which taught her how to overcome adversity. She realised that Cam would not want her to be unhappy so recently she has stepped back into the limelight to hit the -pink carpet- for the movie of her voyage, True Spirit. She also hopes to make a difference by fundraising for the Stroke Foundation. Both Jessica and Cam were undergoing their Saturn Return when tragedy struck with the death of Cam challenging Jessica to show fortitude to push through her grief providing a steep learning curve for her and inspiration for so many people. Despite having dyslexia Jessica gained a degree and is now an MBA who works for Deloitte in management consulting’

John Muir – John of the Mountains and Father of the National Parks
Another Taurean who displayed many Taurean attributes was the late John Muir born on 21 April 1838 at 9.35 am in Dunbar, Scotland. John Muir (21 April 1838 – 24 December 1914) was a Scottish-born American naturalist, author, and early advocate of preservation of U.S. wilderness. John Muir also known as “John of the Mountains” and “Father of the National Parks”, was an influential Scottish-American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, botanist, zoologist, glaciologist, and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States of America. His letters, essays, and books telling of his adventures in nature, especially in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, have been read by millions and profoundly inspired President Roosevelt, who became one of the first Presidents to make conservation a national issue. His works are still popular today. His direct activism helped to save the Yosemite Valley, Sequoia National Park and other wilderness areas. The Sierra Club, which he founded, is now one of the most important conservation organisations in the United States. His writings and philosophy strongly influenced the formation of the modern environmental movement. Because of his discoveries of Yosemite, he is known as the “Father of the National Park”. He was an outspoken advocate of the National Park Bill, which was passed by Congress in 1890 and resulted in the establishment of Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.

Looking at John Muir’s natal chart, apart from having the Sun, Mercury and Vesta in nature loving Taurus he has most of his planets above the horizon indicating a public transpersonal chart. He was born during the balsamic Moon phase making him future oriented with the gifts of prophecy and leadership. With his Sun, Mars, Pluto and North Node all the the 10th house of career pointing to a prominent career. With his Jupiter in Virgo he is born to be of service to humanity and this is further emphasised by a strongly tenanted 11th house ruled by Aquarius which promotes humanitarian endeavour. He also has 3 planets in Pisces in the 9th house – Uranus, Venus and the Moon which underline his compassion, sensitivity, idealism and love of travel and philosophy. His Cancer ascendant makes him open to the Universe. His sensitivity, idealism and visionary ability is perfectly balanced by his Pluto Mars conjunction in Aries which confers on him his pioneering qualities and gives him his steely determination to achieve his goals of celebrating nature in all its glory thus paving the way for the conservationist movement that is so paramount today.

J. Robert Oppenheimer – Taurean American Physicist and Director of the Manhattan Project
J. Robert Oppenheimer was born on 22 April 1904 at 8,15 am in New York City, New York, USA. The recent biopic, Oppenheimer, by Christopher Nolan has brought the role of Oppenheimer known as ‘the father of the atomic bomb’ into global prominence, sweeping the awards at the 2024 Academy Awards.

Oppenheimer, an American scientist and theoretical physicist, often called the “father of the atomic bomb.” He was the director of the Manhattan Project’s Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico during World War II, tasked with developing the first nuclear weapons. In August 1945, the weapons were used against Japan in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the only use to date of nuclear weapons in an armed conflict. Post-war, he was head of the Atomic Energy Commission’s General Advisory Committee (1947-1952).

After World War II he lobbied for international control of nuclear power to avert nuclear proliferation and a nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union. He opposed the development of the hydrogen bomb during a 1949–1950 governmental debate on the question and subsequently took positions on defence-related issues that provoked the ire of some U.S. government and military factions. Declared a security risk in 1953, his security clearance was revoked following a 1954 security hearing. This effectively ended his access to the government’s atomic secrets and thus his career as a nuclear physicist. He became head of the Institute of Advanced Study at Princeton, 1953-1966, and received the Enrico Fermi Award in 1963.

He made significant contributions to theoretical physics, including achievements in quantum mechanics and nuclear physics such as the Born–Oppenheimer approximation for molecular wave functions, work on the theory of electrons and positrons, the Oppenheimer–Phillips process in nuclear fusion, and the first prediction of quantum tunnelling. With his students, he also made contributions to the theory of neutron stars and black holes, quantum field theory, and the interactions of cosmic rays.

Born in New York City to Jewish immigrants from Germany, Oppenheimer earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Harvard University in 1925 and a doctorate in physics from the University of Göttingen in Germany in 1927. After research at other institutions, he joined the physics department at the University of California, Berkeley, where he became a full professor in 1936.

From 1936 to 1939, Oppenheimer was romantically involved with Jean Tatlock. In August 1939, he met Katherine (“Kitty”) Puening, a radical Berkeley student and former Communist Party member. Kitty married Richard Harrison, a physician and medical researcher, in 1938. Oppenheimer and Kitty created a minor scandal by sleeping together after a party. In the summer of 1940, she stayed with Oppenheimer at his ranch in New Mexico. She finally asked Harrison for a divorce when she found out she was pregnant. When he refused, she obtained a quick divorce in Reno, Nevada, and took Oppenheimer as her fourth husband on 1 November 1940.

Their first child, Peter, was born in May 1941, and their second, Katherine (“Toni”), was born in Los Alamos, New Mexico, on 7 December 1944. During his marriage, Oppenheimer rekindled his affair with Tatlock. She committed suicide on 4 January 1944, leaving Oppenheimer deeply grieved. He died from throat cancer on 18 February 1967 at age 62 in Princeton, New Jersey.

The birthtime of 8.15 am is not certain but it is the one that is given so it is the one most astrologers use. It gives Oppenheimer a Gemini ascendant which demonstrates his high intelligence. He also has Pluto conjunct Vesta in Gemini which would endow him with powerful mental concentration and dedication to acquiring knowledge. He has a stellium in Taurus – Sun, Mars and Mercury which would endow him with his practical skills and determination. He has his Moon and Neptune in sensitive Cancer. An interview with  Steven Shapin, the Franklin L. Ford Research Professor of the History of Science, in the Harvard Gazette gives a further insight into the charismatic and complex character that Oppenheimer was.

“We have used the figure of Oppenheimer as a way to think about science and morality, science and politics, science and religion, science and philosophy, about the role of the intellectual in modern society.”

Shapin claimed that Oppenheimer successfully ran Los Alamos. And many people said afterwards that he was the essential person in the project — his role in organizing people and motivating people and in bridging the world between the scientists and military was absolutely key. I like the British saying “Cometh the hour, cometh the man.” We can see these unique leadership skills with the Sun trining Uranus and Saturn trining Pluto.

Shapin asserted Oppenheimer was recognised as a charismatic leader, but lots of people helped him become a successful leader, and a charismatic one. This unique individual was a collective accomplishment. Uranus, the planet ruled by Aquarius is involved in the collective.

Shapin refers to Oppenheimer being such a compelling character because he’s so enigmatic, so complicated. He says that we have off-the-shelf conceptions of eccentric scientific genius. Oppenheimer fits that mould pretty well. In the natal chart cast for 8.15, Neptune falls in Cancer in the first house and Pluto falls in the Neptune ruled 12th house giving him this enigmatic aura.

Shapin also alludes to the fact that some Los Alamos scientists were moved by Oppenheimer’s presentation of spirituality, of moral vision, and of cultural breadth. Other scientists thought it was a bit too much, that Oppenheimer was something of a show-off. He famously said that when the Trinity test bomb exploded, he remembered a line from the Hindu sacred text the Bhagavad Gita: “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” Some scientists at Los Alamos recognized in Oppenheimer’s thinness a religiously toned ascetic ideal. He had, they said, almost no flesh to him; he was all mind, all spirit. Neptune in the first house sextiling his Sun adds to this aura of spirituality.

 “The military wants secrecy; the scientists want openness.” The truth of matter is there’s never totally been open communication in science, and many scientists were comfortable with military types of secrecy, especially in an enterprise of this strategic importance. But one of the things that Oppenheimer did was to advocate for weekly colloquia in which people in different divisions actually got to talk to each other, and he had to persuade Groves that the project could not be successful if scientists working in different areas were compartmentalised, only knowing what they specifically needed to know. Oppenheimer was right to think the communication of people with different skill sets, addressing different parts of the project, was necessary. And he did much to make that happen.

“He had, they said, almost no flesh to him; he was all mind, all spirit.”

 After the defeat of Nazi Germany, some of the project scientists thought that there was no need to drop the bomb on Japan, that there might be an off-shore demonstration, or that Japan might be clearly told that the bomb existed and what it could do, but Oppenheimer did little or nothing to help them. He had scientific authority but no significant political power. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were military and political decisions. And it is clear — despite the agonizing — that many leading scientists wanted to see not just whether the bomb worked — the Trinity test established that it did — but what it could achieve as a strategic weapon. I think it’s fair to say that there were degrees of ambivalence in Oppenheimer’s own attitude.

Chapin’s response to the question about Oppenheimer’s legacy to the scientific community: I think great scientific leaders, like great political leaders, are made partly by what they bring to the table and partly by circumstance. We have used the figure of Oppenheimer as a way to think about science and morality, science and politics, science and religion, science and philosophy, about the role of the intellectual in modern society. He’s become an icon. And, if not him, who else would it be?

Adding to the potency of Oppenheimer’s birthdate is the fact that he is born on 22 April 1904, 22 is a master number in numerology so is a very powerful vibration which denotes someone who is a humanitarian, the 4 month adds to his practical nature and strong will. His year adds up to a 5 which indicates that he is a free spirit. His birth path number is 22+9 which further demonstrates his humanitarian qualities.

Naomi Klein – Taurean award winning author, social activist and academic in Canada
Naomi Klein was born on 8 May 1970 in Montreal, Quebec Canada (birthtime not known). She is an award winning, New York Times best selling author of nine critically acclaimed books published in over 30 languages. She is a columnist with The Guardian. In 2018 she was appointed the inaugural Gloria Steinem Endowed Chair in Media, Culture and Feminist Studies at Rutgers University – New Brunswick, and is now Honorary Professor of Media and Climate at Rutgers. In September 2021 she joined the University of British Columbia as UBC Professor of Climate Justice (tenured) and co-director of the Centre for Climate Justice.

 Naomi Klein is one of Canada’s most well-known critical thinkers and public intellectuals. She is best known for bringing her big political and economic ideas into mainstream discourse in books such as No Logo (1999) and The Shock Doctrine (2008). She is an author and founding signatory of The Leap Manifesto, a call for Canadian social and environmental justice. She has produced several films, and contributes to many publications including The Guardian, and The Intercept.

Growing up with an outspoken feminist mother, Klein has expressed how she rebelled by being a “teeny bopper” who was addicted to brand names and shopping malls. She has described one of her political awakenings as the 1989 École Polytechnique shootings in Montreal, where a gunman shot and killed 14 women; Klein has said, “it was the moment where I could no longer be this apolitical teenager” (see also Polytechnique Tragedy).

Klein went on to attend the University of Toronto, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the school’s main newspaper The Varsity. She later dropped out of university to pursue a position as a columnist for The Globe and Mail.

Klein lives in Toronto, Ontario, and is married to filmmaker Avi Lewis, with whom she has one son, Toma. Her father-in-law is the politician and diplomat Stephen Lewis, who was the leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party from 1970 to 1978. Her mother-in-law is journalist and author Michele Landsberg.

Having no birth time for Naomi Klein, I have cast a chart for midday. Naomi has a stellium in Taurus – Sun, Saturn and Mercury which she expresses through her passionate advocacy for the health of our planet Earth in her role as professor of Climate Justice and co-director for the Centre of Climate Justice. In addition her stellium in Gemini – Venus, Mars and Moon endow her with her intellectual curiosity, gift of the gab and love of disseminating information whether in written or spoken form in her capacity as a teacher, journalist and author. With both Jupiter and Uranus in justice seeking Libra she is a powerful advocate for issues on the environment and women’s issues. Pluto in Virgo would endow her with a probing, analytical mind while Pallas Athene in Pisces gives a visionary quality to her work. The Saturn Sun conjunction would add to her reliability and practical nature. Venus conjunct Gemini would enable her to convey her ideas in a pleasing and palatable manner to the general public.

Michael Moore – Taurean film producer extraordinaire

Michael Moore (born April 23, 1954, Flint, Michigan, U.S.) is an American filmmaker, author, and political activist, who is best known for a series of documentaries—often controversial—that address major political and social issues in the United States. Following his graduation from high school, Moore, as an 18-year-old member of the Flint school board, began his populist assault on what he viewed as the injustices of American capitalism. In 1976, after having attended but not graduated from the University of Michigan at Flint, Moore started a radical weekly newspaper, the Flint Voice (later Michigan Voice), which he edited for 10 years. He was later hired to edit the San Francisco-based left-wing magazine Mother Jones but was fired after a few months (he later accepted an out-of-court settlement for a wrongful-dismissal suit).

Returning to Flint, Moore filmed his first documentary, Roger & Me (1989), which chronicles the effects of unemployment in Flint due to the closing of two General Motors (GM) factories and the company’s longer-term policy of downsizing. At the centre of the film were Moore’s “in-your-face” efforts to gain an audience with GM’s chairman, Roger Smith. Mixing humour and poignancy with indignation, Roger & Me was a hit with critics and at the box office. Moore subsequently moved to New York City and established Dog Eat Dog Films. He also created an organization to finance social-action groups and other filmmakers.After producing three television series and other limited-release films—including the comedy Canadian Bacon (1995), in which a U.S. president starts a cold war with Canada in order to boost his approval ratings—Moore achieved major success with Bowling for Columbine (2002). The film, which profiles gun violence in the United States, won the Academy Award for best documentary. In his next documentary, Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004), Moore criticized U.S. Pres. George W. Bush’s handling of the September 11 attacks and the administration’s decision to start the Iraq War. Although highly controversial, it won the Golden Palm at the Cannes film festival and earned more than $222 million worldwide to become the highest-grossing documentary.

Entertainment & Pop CultureMovie, TV & Stage Directors

Michael Moore

Michael Moore (born April 23, 1954, Flint, Michigan, U.S.) is an American filmmaker, author, and political activist, who is best known for a series of documentaries—often controversial—that address major political and social issues in the United States.

Following his graduation from high school, Moore, as an 18-year-old member of the Flint school board, began his populist assault on what he viewed as the injustices of American capitalism. In 1976, after having attended but not graduated from the University of Michigan at Flint, Moore started a radical weekly newspaper, the Flint Voice (later Michigan Voice), which he edited for 10 years. He was later hired to edit the San Francisco-based left-wing magazine Mother Jones but was fired after a few months (he later accepted an out-of-court settlement for a wrongful-dismissal suit).

Returning to Flint, Moore filmed his first documentary, Roger & Me (1989), which chronicles the effects of unemployment in Flint due to the closing of two General Motors (GM) factories and the company’s longer-term policy of downsizing. At the centre of the film were Moore’s “in-your-face” efforts to gain an audience with GM’s chairman, Roger Smith. Mixing humour and poignancy with indignation, Roger & Me was a hit with critics and at the box office. Moore subsequently moved to New York City and established Dog Eat Dog Films. He also created an organization to finance social-action groups and other filmmakers.

After producing three television series and other limited-release films—including the comedy Canadian Bacon (1995), in which a U.S. president starts a cold war with Canada in order to boost his approval ratings—Moore achieved major success with Bowling for Columbine (2002). The film, which profiles gun violence in the United States, won the Academy Award for best documentary. In his next documentary, Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004), Moore criticized U.S. Pres. George W. Bush’s handling of the September 11 attacks and the administration’s decision to start the Iraq War. Although highly controversial, it won the Golden Palm at the Cannes film festival and earned more than $222 million worldwide to become the highest-grossing documentary.

In 2007 Moore released Sicko, an examination of the health care industry in the United States. For his next documentary, Capitalism: A Love Story (2009), Moore took a critical look at the U.S. economy, including the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007–08 and the subsequent bailout of banks. Where to Invade Next (2015) unfavourably compared various aspects of daily life in other countries—such as educational practices and the balance between work and leisure—with those in the United States. Moore’s live stage performance about the 2016 presidential election—filmed prior to Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton—was the basis for Michael Moore in TrumpLand (2016). In 2017 Moore made his Broadway debut in the one-man show The Terms of My Surrender, which examined the Trump presidency. The following year he considered the 2016 presidential election and the unexpected rise of Trump in the documentary Fahrenheit 11/9. The movie especially takes to task the policies of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, under whose tenure Moore’s hometown was exposed to dangerous levels of lead.

Moore wrote a series of best-selling books, including Downsize This! (1996); Stupid White Men (2002), which assails the legitimacy, methods, and motives of President Bush’s administration; Dude, Where’s My Country? (2003), a call for “regime change” in the United States; and Mike’s Election Guide (2008), a guidebook to the 2008 U.S. presidential election. In 2011 he published Here Comes Trouble, a collection of autobiographical stories.

Looking at Moore’s natal chart, he has the Sun in Taurus in the 9th house which gives a Sagittarian flavour to his Taurean Sun and anyone who knows about Moore they would know that his prime motivation is to ferret out the truth about worldly issues, as revealed in his documentaries and books such as the nature of capitalism, inequality, gun control in America, the Iraq War, the health care insurance companies etc, Venus, the ruler of his Taurean Sun, is in Taurus in a prominent position in his 10th house of career and goals. He also has Eris, the disrupter, in Aries in the 9th house giving him strong opinions on worldly matters which he would not be afraid to voice and to champion the underdog. He has the Moon conjunct Mars in Capricorn in the 5th house trine the Sun which would give an Aries flavour to his creative projects which are pioneering in the breadth and depth in the topics he tackles. He has Mercury in Aries in the 9th house squaring Uranus and trine Pluto which would make him an independent, original and innovative thinker keen to explore realms of knowledge. He would be a straight shooter and admits in his writing that he has been kicked off some networks for his controversial views. He also has Jupiter in Gemini in the 11th house which would reinforce his constant search for information and his sense of humour. Jupiter is trining Neptune in the 3rd house, the planet which rules the arts, film and media facilitating his ability to express himself creatively and spiritually. He is also born in the Disseminating Moon phase which reinforces his talents as a powerful communicator with his prime motivation being to share his knowledge. He has quite a few planets in fixed signs of Leo, Taurus and Scorpio which would explain his determination to stand his ground even if it stirs up controversy, stating that he would never compromise his principles or work. His Leo ascendant and Pluto in Leo in the 1st house and a strong 1st ray of will would make him a transformative leader and have a strong sense of purpose in his field of film, media and writing. He has a strong 3rd Ray which would make him clever and mentally agile with a good business sense. He also has Pallas Athena in Leo in the 1st house adding to his creative ingenuity. Looking at his numerology taken from his birth date 23/4/1954, he is born on number 23/5 day which would make him a free spirit and a great communicator, he is born in the number 4 month which would contribute to his practical nature and his strong will, his year number is 19/1 which endows him with his leadership potential, independence and a strong sense of individuality. Adding the 5+4+1=1 making him a life path number 1 making him a leader and trailblazer in his field of endeavour.

Coretta Scott King
The late Coretta Scott King, the wife of Martin Luther King Jr, was a civil rights leader and a gifted musician. She was born on 27 April 1927 at 4.00 pm in Marion, Alabama in USA. American civil rights leader with her famed husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She survived many traumatic events including a bombing of their home on January 30, 1956, shortly after the birth of their first child, her husband’s stabbing two years later, on September 20, 1958, and his 1968 assassination.

The middle of three children, King grew up in the segregated south. A good student despite harsh conditions, she graduated high school as valedictorian of her class. She earned a scholarship and attended Antioch College in Ohio. There she joined the Antioch chapter of the NAACP and became active in campus civil rights organizations. With a B.A. in music and education, King won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA. In January 1952, she met her future husband, Martin Luther King, Jr., then a Ph.D. candidate. They married on June 18, 1953 and she completed her advanced degree in voice and violin. In September 1954 they moved to Montgomery, AL, where her husband had obtained an assignment as Pastor of a Baptist Church. After Rosa Parks’ arrest for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery City bus, Martin Luther King, Jr. became a leader of the community protest which began with a boycott of city buses. He formed the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) on February 14, 1957.

Coretta has said that her husband had rather traditional views of a woman’s role and she was busy tending to their four children, Yolanda, born November 17, 1955; Martin III, born October 23, 1957; Dexter born on January 30, 1961, and Bernice, who arrived on March 28, 1963. Nevertheless, she was an active supporter of his work. Putting her musical talents to good use Coretta organized and performed in Freedom Concerts which told the story of the Civil Rights movement. As her husband’s fame grew, hers did as well and in the 1960s she found herself in demand as a public speaker.

On April 4, 1968 her husband was shot and pronounced dead at 7:05 PM CST in Memphis, TN. After his assassination, the grieving widow immediately threw herself into his work. Within two days she led 42,000 in a march of grief and protest. In January 1969 King formed a memorial Center for Social Change in honor of her martyred husband and lobbied for years to make his birthday a national holiday. Her autobiography was published September 25, 1969, “My Life with Martin Luther King, Jr.” Throughout the next several decades she organized and inspired others on behalf of peace, civil liberties, and justice. In a 1985 protest against apartheid, she and three of her children were arrested at the South African embassy in Washington, DC. Ten years later, in 1995 she was witness to Nelson Mandela’s swearing-in ceremony when he became President of South Africa.

On August 16, 2005, King suffered a major stroke. At least one report claimed that she had previously suffered smaller, less-serious strokes. In addition, she had been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and ovarian cancer. She was released from the hospital on September 22, 2005. In January 2006, at age 78, King was admitted to an alternative health clinic in Mexico. The venerable matriarch and activist died there on January 30, 2006 at 8:25 PM PST according to her daughter Bernice who was with her at the time. Religious, political, and activist figures joined hundreds of supporters at a six-hour service in her honor. Her eldest daughter Yolanda died at age 51 on May 15, 2007 of a reported heart problem.

Childhood and education

Coretta Scott was born in Heiberger, Alabama, the third of four children of Obadiah Scott (1899–1998) and Bernice McMurry Scott (1904–1996). She was born in her parents’ home, with her paternal great-grandmother Delia Scott, a former slave, presiding as midwife. Coretta’s mother became known for her musical talent and singing voice. As a child, Bernice attended the local Crossroads School; her formal education ended with the fourth grade. Bernice’s older siblings, however, boarded at the Tuskegee Institute, founded by Booker T. Washington. The senior Mrs. Scott worked as a school bus driver, as a church pianist, and for her husband in his business. She served as Worthy Matron for her Prince Hall Order of the Eastern Star chapter, and was a member of the local Literacy Federated Club.^[4][5][6]

Obie, Coretta’s father, was one of the first black people in their town to own a vehicle. Before starting his own businesses, he worked as a policeman. Along with his wife, he ran a clothing shop far from their home and later opened a general store. He also owned a lumber mill, which was burned down by white neighbors after Scott refused to sell his mill to a white logger.^[7] Her maternal grandparents were Mollie (née Smith; 1868 – d.) and Martin van Buren McMurry (1863–1950) – both were of African-American and Irish descent.^[6] Mollie was born a slave to plantation owners Jim Blackburn and Adeline (Blackburn) Smith. Coretta’s maternal grandfather, Martin, was born to a slave of Black Native American ancestry, and her white master who never acknowledged Martin as his son. He eventually owned a 280-acre farm. Because of his diverse origins, Martin appeared to be white. However, he displayed contempt for the notion of passing. As a self-taught reader with little formal education, he is noted for having inspired Coretta’s passion for education. Coretta’s paternal grandparents were Cora (née McLaughlin; 1876 – 1920) and Jefferson F. Scott (1873–1941). Cora died before Coretta’s birth. Jeff Scott was a farmer and a prominent figure in the rural black religious community; he was born to former slaves Willis and Delia Scott.^[6]

At age 10, Coretta worked to increase the family’s income.^[8] She had an older sister named Edythe Scott Bagley (1924–2011), an older sister named Eunice who did not survive childhood, and a younger brother named Obadiah Leonard (1930–2012).^[9] The Scott family had owned a farm since the American Civil War, but were not particularly wealthy.^[10] During the Great Depression the Scott children picked cotton to help earn money^[9] and shared a bedroom with their parents.^[11]

Coretta described herself as a tomboy during her childhood, primarily because she could climb trees and recalled wrestling boys. She also mentioned having been stronger than a male cousin and threatening before accidentally cutting that same cousin with an axe. His mother threatened her, and along with the words of her siblings, stirred her to becoming more ladylike once she got older. She saw irony in the fact that despite these early physical activities, she still was involved in nonviolent movements.^[12] Her brother Obadiah thought she always “tried to excel in everything she did.”^[13] Her sister Edythe believed her personality was like that of their grandmother Cora McLaughlin Scott, after whom she was named.^[14] Though lacking formal education themselves, Coretta Scott’s parents intended for all of their children to be educated. Coretta quoted her mother as having said, “My children are going to college, even if it means I only have but one dress to put on.”^[15]

The Scott children attended a one-room elementary school 5 miles (8 km) from their home and were later bused to Lincoln Normal School, which despite being 9 mi (14 km) from their home, was the closest black high school in Marion, Alabama, due to racial segregation in schools. The bus was driven by Coretta’s mother Bernice, who bused all the local black teenagers.^[9] By the time Scott had entered the school, Lincoln had suspended tuition and charged only four dollars and fifty cents per year.^[16] In her last two years there, Scott became the leading soprano for the school’s senior chorus. Scott directed a choir at her home church in North Perry Country.^[17] Coretta Scott graduated valedictorian from Lincoln Normal School in 1945, where she played trumpet and piano, sang in the chorus, and participated in school musicals and enrolled at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio during her senior year at Lincoln. After being accepted to Antioch, she applied for the Interracial Scholarship Fund for financial aid.^[18] During her last two years in high school, Coretta lived with her parents.^[19] Her older sister Edythe already attended Antioch as part of the Antioch Program for Interracial Education, which recruited non-white students and gave them full scholarships in an attempt to diversify the historically white campus. Coretta said of her first college:

Antioch had envisioned itself as a laboratory in democracy but had no black students. (Edythe) became the first African American to attend Antioch on a completely integrated basis, and was joined by two other black female students in the fall of 1943. Pioneering is never easy, and all of us who followed my sister at Antioch owe her a great debt of gratitude.^[15]

Coretta studied music with Walter Anderson, the first non-white chair of an academic department in a historically white college. She also became politically active, due largely to her experience of racial discrimination by the local school board. She became active in the nascent civil rights movement; she joined the Antioch chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the college’s Race Relations and Civil Liberties Committees. The board denied her request to perform her second year of required practice teaching at Yellow Springs public schools, for her teaching certificate Coretta Scott appealed to the Antioch College administration, which was unwilling or unable to change the situation in the local school system and instead employed her at the college’s associated laboratory school for a second year. Additionally, around this time, Coretta worked as a babysitter for the Lithgow family, babysitting the later prominent actor John Lithgow.^[20]

New England Conservatory of Music and Martin Luther King Jr.

Coretta transferred out of Antioch when she won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. It was while studying voice at that school with Marie Sundelius that she met Martin Luther King Jr.^[21] after mutual friend Mary Powell gave King her phone number after he asked about girls on the campus. On Valentine’s Day 1953, the couple announced their plans to marry in the Atlanta Daily World. ^[30] In 1964, the Time profile of Martin, when he was chosen as Time‘s “Man of the Year“, referred to her as “a talented young soprano”.^[31] She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.^[32]

Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King Jr. were married on June 18, 1953, on the lawn of her mother’s house; the ceremony was performed by Martin Sr. Coretta had the vow to obey her husband removed from the ceremony, which was unusual for the time. After completing her degree in voice and piano at the New England Conservatory, she moved with her husband to Montgomery, Alabama, in September 1954. Mrs. King recalled: “After we married, we moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where my husband had accepted an invitation to be the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. Before long, we found ourselves in the middle of the Montgomery bus boycott, and Martin was elected leader of the protest movement. As the boycott continued, I had a growing sense that I was involved in something so much greater than myself, something of profound historic importance. I came to the realization that we had been thrust into the forefront of a movement to liberate oppressed people, not only in Montgomery but also throughout our country, and this movement had worldwide implications. I felt blessed to have been called to be a part of such a noble and historic cause.”^[33]

Civil Rights Movement

On September 1, 1954, Martin became the full-time pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. King’s devotion to the cause while giving up on her own musical ambitions would become symbolic of the actions of African-American women during the movement.^[34] The couple moved into the church’s parsonage on South Jackson Street shortly after this. Coretta became a member of the choir and taught Sunday school, as well as participating in the Baptist Training Union and Missionary Society. She made her first appearance at the First Baptist Church on March 6, 1955, where according to E. P. Wallace, she “captivated her concert audience.

The Kings’ first child was born on November 17, 1955, and was named Yolanda at Coretta’s insistence.^[36] After Martin Luther King became involved in the Montgomery bus boycott, Mrs. King often received threats directed towards him. In January 1956, she answered numerous phone calls threatening her husband’s life, as rumors intended to make African Americans dissatisfied with Martin Luther King spread that he had purchased a Buick station wagon for her.^[37] Martin would give her^[who?] the nickname “Yoki”, and thereby, allow himself to refer to her out of her name. By the end of the boycott, the Kings had come to believe in nonviolent protests as a way of expression consistent with biblical teachings.^[38] Two days after the integration of Montgomery’s bus service, on December 23, a gunshot rang through the front door of the King home while the King family were asleep. The three were not harmed.^[39] On Christmas Eve of 1955, King took her daughter to her parents’ house and met with her siblings as well. Yolanda was their first grandchild. Martin joined them the next day, at dinner time.^[40]

On February 21, 1956, Martin Luther King said he would return to Montgomery after picking up Coretta and their daughter from Atlanta, who were staying with his parents. During Martin Sr.’s opposition to his son’s choice to return to Montgomery, Mrs. King picked up her daughter and went upstairs, which he would express dismay in later and tell her that she “had run out on him”. Two days later, Coretta and Martin Luther King drove back to Montgomery.^[41] Coretta took an active role in advocating for civil rights legislation. On April 25, 1958, King made her first appearance at a concert that year at Peter High School Auditorium in Birmingham, Alabama. With a performance sponsored by the Omicron Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, King changed a few songs in the first part of the show but still continued with the basic format used two years earlier at the New York gala as she told the story of the Montgomery bus boycott. The concert was important for Coretta as a way to continue her professional career and participate in the movement. The concert gave the audience “an emotional connection to the messages of social, economic, and spiritual transformation.”^[42]

On September 3, 1958, King accompanied her husband and Ralph Abernathy to a courtroom. Martin was arrested outside the courtroom for “loitering” and “failing to obey an officer”.^[43] A few weeks later, King visited Martin’s parents in Atlanta. At that time, she learned that he had been stabbed while signing copies of his book Stride Toward Freedom on September 20, 1958. King rushed to see her husband, and stayed with him for the remainder of his time in the hospital recovering.^[44] On February 3, 1959, Mr. and Mrs. King and Lawrence D. Reddick started a five-week tour of India. The three were invited to hundreds of engagements.^[45] During their trip, Coretta used her singing ability to enthuse crowds during their month-long stay. The two returned to the United States on March 10, 1959.^[46]

House bombing

On January 30, 1956, Coretta and Dexter congregation member Roscoe Williams’ wife Mary Lucy heard the “sound of a brick striking the concrete floor of the front porch.” Coretta suggested that the two women get out of the front room and went into the guest room, as the house was disturbed by an explosion which caused the house to rock and fill the front room with smoke and shattered glass. The two went to the rear of the home, where Yolanda was sleeping and Coretta called the First Baptist Church and reported the bombing to the woman who answered the phone.^[47] Martin returned to their home, and upon finding Coretta and his daughter unharmed, went outside. He was confronted by an angry crowd of his supporters, who had brought guns. He was able to turn them away with an impromptu speech.^[48]

A white man was reported by a lone witness to have walked halfway up to King’s door and thrown something against the door before running back to his car and speeding off. Ernest Walters, the lone witness, did not manage to get the license plate number because of how quickly the events transpired.^[49] Both of the couple’s fathers contacted them over the bombing. The two arrived nearly at the same time, along with her Martin Luther King’s mother and brother. Coretta’s father Obie said he would take her and her daughter back to Marion if his son-in-law did not take them to Atlanta. Coretta refused the proclamation and insisted on staying with her husband.^[50] Despite Martin Sr. also advocating that she leave with her father, King persisted in leaving with him. Author Octavia B. Vivian wrote “That night Coretta lost her fear of dying. She committed herself more deeply to the freedom struggle, as Martin had done four days previously when jailed for the first time in his life.” Coretta would later call it the first time she realized “how much I meant to Martin in terms of supporting him in what he was doing”.^[51]

Assassination of her husband

Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. She learned of the shooting after being called by Jesse Jackson when she returned from shopping with her eldest child Yolanda.^[74] King had difficulty settling her children with the news that their father was deceased. She received a large number of telegrams, including one from Marguerite Oswald, the mother of Lee Harvey Oswald, which she regarded as the one that touched her the most.^[75]

On April 8, 1968, King and her children headed a march with sanitation workers that her husband had planned to carry out before his death. After the marchers reached the staging area at the Civic Center Plaza in front of Memphis City Hall, onlookers proceeded to take pictures of King and her children but stopped when she addressed everyone at a microphone. She said that despite the Martin Luther King Jr. being away from his children at times, “his children knew that Daddy loved them, and the time that he spent with them was well spent.”^[82] Prior to Martin’s funeral, Jacqueline Kennedy met with her. The two spent five minutes together and despite the short visit, Coretta called it comforting. King’s parents arrived from Alabama.^[83] Robert and Ethel Kennedy came, the latter being embraced by King.^[84] King and her sister-in-law Christine King Farris tried to prepare the children for seeing Martin’s body.^[85] With the end of the funeral service, King led her children and mourners in a march from the church to Morehouse College, her late husband’s alma mater.^[86]

Early widowhood

Two days after her husband’s death, King spoke at Ebenezer Baptist Church and made her first statement on his views since he had died. She said her husband told their children, “If a man had nothing that was worth dying for, then he was not fit to live.” She brought up his ideals and the fact that he may be dead, but concluded that “his spirit will never die.”^[87] Not very long after the assassination, Coretta took his place at a peace rally in New York City. Using notes he had written before his death, King constructed her own speech.^[88] Coretta approached the African-American entertainer and activist Josephine Baker to take her husband’s place in the Civil Rights Movement. Baker declined after thinking it over, stating that her twelve adopted children (known as the “rainbow tribe”) were “too young to lose their mother”.^[89]

Coretta Scott King eventually broadened her focus to include women’s rights, LGBT rights, economic issues, world peace, and various other causes. As early as December 1968, she called for women to “unite and form a solid block of women power to fight the three great evils of racism, poverty and war“, during a Solidarity Day speech.^[90] On April 27, 1968, King spoke at an anti-war demonstration in Central Park in place of her husband. King made it clear that there was no reason “why a nation as rich as ours should be blighted by poverty, disease, and illiteracy.”^[91] King used notes taken from her husband’s pockets upon his death, which included the “Ten Commandments on Vietnam”.^[92] On June 5, 1968, Bobby Kennedy was shot after winning the California primary for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. After he died the following day, Ethel Kennedy, who King had spoken to with her husband only two months earlier, was widowed. King flew to Los Angeles to comfort Ethel over Bobby’s death.^[93] On June 8, 1968, while King was attending the late senator’s funeral, the Justice Department made the announcement of James Earl Ray‘s arrest.^[94]

Not long after this, the King household was visited by Mike Wallace, who wanted to visit her and the rest of her family and see how they were faring that coming Christmas. She introduced her family to Wallace and also expressed her belief that there would not be another Martin Luther King Jr. because he comes around “once in a century” or “maybe once in a thousand years”. She furthered that she believed her children needed her more than ever and that there was hope for redemption in her husband’s death.^[95] In January 1969, King and Bernita Bennette left for a trip to India. Before arriving in the country, the two stopped in Verona, Italy, where King was awarded the Universal Love Award. King became the first non-Italian to receive the award. King traveled to London with her sister, sister-in-law, Bennette and several others to preach at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Before, no woman had ever delivered a sermon at a regularly appointed service in the cathedral.^[96]

As a leader of the movement, King founded the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta. She served as the center’s president and CEO from its inception until she passed the reins of leadership to son Dexter Scott King. Removing herself from leadership, allowed her to focus on writing, public speaking and spend time with her parents.^[97]

She published her memoirs, My Life with Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1969. President Richard Nixon was advised against visiting her on the first anniversary of his death since it would “outrage” many people.^[98] On October 15, 1969, King was the lead speaker at the Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam demonstration in Washington, D.C., where she led a crowd down Pennsylvania Avenue past the White House bearing candles. At a subsequent speech, she denounced the War in Vietnam.^[99]

Coretta was also under surveillance by the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1968 until 1972. Her husband’s activities had been monitored during his lifetime. Documents obtained by a Houston television station show that the FBI worried that Coretta would “tie the anti-Vietnam movement to the civil rights movement.”^[100] The FBI studied her memoir and concluded that her “selfless, magnanimous, decorous attitude is belied by … [her] actual shrewd, calculating, businesslike activities.”^[101] A spokesman for the King family said that they were aware of the surveillance, but had not realized how extensive it was.

Coretta Scott King’s natal chart
Coretta’s chart is Venus ruled with her natal Sun in Taurus and her Libran ascendant. It is not surprising that having her Sun in Taurus she was musically gifted, and especially in regard to her singing as Taurus rules the throat. Venus-ruled Libra has dominion over justice and along with her husband, Martin Luther King Jr, they dedicated their lives to fighting for justice in the area of civil rights, racism, war, poverty, women’s rights and LGBTQ rights. Her Sun is in the 8th house and Pluto, the ruler of her 8th house, makes a lovely trine to her Piscean Moon so she would not be content with skating along the surface of issues. Jupiter is also in Pisces so her compassion and empathy would be a driving force behind her campaigns. Uranus is conjunct her descendant and Chiron is on her 7th house of marriage and partnerships which indicates the grief and loss she would have experienced with the sudden, tragic death of her husband when he was assassinated. Transformative Pluto is in her 10th house of career and goals which was fated to change radically from a career in music when she married Martin Luther King Jr. to joining him in his campaign for civil rights. After his untimely death, she was catapulted to an even more prominent position as a civil rights leader, vowing to carry on her husband’s work. Her Mars is the most elevated planet being closely conjunct her midheaven giving her plenty of drive to achieve her goals. Her nodes are at the anaretic degree known as the crisis point, with the North Node at 29 degrees Gemini 20 so she was destined to be a disseminator and networker in this incarnation.

Coretta Scott King’s Numerology
Coretta was born on 27/4/1927 so her day number is 27/9 which indicates a humanitarian sensibility and a love of the arts. Her day number is 4 which indicates a practical person with strong will and determination. Her year number 1927 is 19/1 which denotes strong leadership potential. Adding 9+4+1=14/5 her life path number indicates a free spirit and a communicator which is also indicated by her nodal position in her natal chart.

Taurus Health and Anatomy
Taurus is represented in the human body by the cerebellum, or lower brain, and neck, ears, lower jaw, throat, liver and gall bladder. In her book ‘Astrology and Biochemistry’, Vanda Sawtell writes that the biochemic cell salt for Taurus is Nat. sulph. and is the first cell salt to become deficient where symptoms of disease in the Taurean native are observed. The chief work of Nat. sulph. is to eliminate excess water from the body. In the hot moist weather the atmosphere becomes heavily charged with water, and is breathed into the blood through the lungs. Blood becomes overcharged with water from an atmosphere overcharged with moist vapour, and not from the water we drink. One molecule of the Taurean salt has the chemical power to take up and eliminate from the system two molecules of water. Therefore, the more surplus water there is to be thrown out of the blood, the more sodium sulphate is required.

Biliousness and malaria are the effects of a deficiency of this salt. Chills and fevers are Nature’s methods of getting rid of surplus water, through violent muscular, nervous, and vascular spasms and perspiration. There are some people who put on weight in spite of careful dieting. This is because the lymphatic system becomes slowly engorged with excess fluid derived from the atmosphere through the breath. These people need plenty of Nat. sulph. to carry away this excess fluid.

One of the weaknesses of Taureans is over indulgence, so moderation in eating and drinking needs to be cultivated. Because Nat. sulph. works with the fluids of the body it is one of the most important salts affecting the digestive organs. The bile of the liver, the pancreatic juices, and the secretions of the kidneys all depend for their normal functioning upon a proper supply of Nat. sulph. Bile disorders of which there are many, range from sluggish liver and tiredness in the early morning, to gall stones, jaundice, stoppage of the bile duct, and constipation. Diabetics need Nat. sulph. because it stimulates the secretions of the pancreas, liver, and kidneys.

When the digestive organs are not functioning harmoniously, then sore throats and colds are frequent. The following are suggestions for liver and throat complaints. Balmony is good for jaundice conditions; Agrimony is good for both liver and kidney troubles and helps the assimilation of food; Centaury is also a good tonic for the liver; A combination of both Agrimony and Centaury is helpful for jaundice conditions, and corrects the kidneys at the same time. Golden Seal is very helpful for bilious subjects; Dandelion is excellent for the liver and as a dyspeptic remedy. Red Sage is helpful for Laryngitis and Raspberry leaves and Mulleins also make good remedies for sore throats.

Taurus rules the colours turquoise, brown and russet. The gemstone for Taurus is emerald and the metal is copper. An ideal homeopathic remedy for the sluggish Taurean digestive system is Belladonna. Aromatherapy oils suitable for the Taurean temperament include patchouli, rose and ylang-ylang. The healing musical note for Taurus is A# (A sharp). Taureans should avoid fattening, starchy foods or liquors because of their proneness to gout. Citrus fruits such as lemon and grapefruit, as well as bananas and melons are beneficial for Taureans. The Taurean diet should include carrots, celery, spinach, beans and peas.

Full Moon Festival in May– Wesak Festival

Taurus is especially connected to the Buddha as Buddha is said to have been born, reached enlightenment and died in the sign of the Bull. The Buddha taught that the path of detachment from the desire is the vehicle for the entrance of Light. These events are celebrated each year at the Wesak Festival, the time of the full Moon when the Sun is in Taurus which in 2026 in the northern hemisphere is on Saturday 2 May. This festival takes place over 5 days either side of the Full Moon time, with the 24-hour period before the exact time. It is so-called as the ceremony of Wesak is held in the actual Wesak Valley in the Himalayas at the time of the Full Moon of May. Wesak, the Sun in Taurus full Moon, is the most powerful Full Moon of the year.

According to mystics the ceremony marks the return of the Buddha to help regenerate the Earth. He is said to return at this time each year to bring new light to the world. He appears above a flat rock on which a great crystal bowl filled with water rests. It is said that He and His great Brother, the World Teacher of Love, work in the closest cooperation for the spiritual benefit of humanity. Through the Buddha the wisdom of God is poured forth. Through the World Teacher of Love, the Love of God is poured forth. At the end of the ceremony the water in the bowl is distributed to all the participants who drink from their cups and share it with others. This beautiful water ceremony of communion is symbolic of the Age of Aquarius which we are entering, the Age of the Water Bearer.

Overview for Taureans for 2026
Your social sector is activated by the karmic North Node, Juno, Pallas Athena and a partial lunar eclipse which occurs on 28 August 2026. Your spirituality sector is activated by Saturn, Neptune, Mars, Eris and Chiron. Saturn’s presence here gives form and structure to your spiritual life helping to manifest your dreams and visions. Chiron, the wounded healer’s passage your twelfth house of the unconscious and karma which brings an opportunity to heal wounds in your psyche. You may undertake psychotherapy or be inspired to keep a dream journal recording the messages from your unconscious, releasing untapped potential. Since the twelfth house is concerned with karma, people and circumstances from your past may reappear where there is unfinished business o be resolved. Also inhabiting your spirituality sector is the dwarf planet of strife, Eris, which could bring chaos but positively, can act as catalyst for transformation. Mars’s presence here makes it an ideal time to take up martial arts. Your creativity and children sector is highlighted by the karmic South Node and a total solar eclipse which occurs on 3 March 2026. The mover and shaker, Pluto, is continuing its passage through your career and goals sector which can bring transformation in this area of your life. It could motivate you to seek a deeply engaging career. Juno, the asteroid that is concerned with women’s issues is also moving through your career sector. Your career sector will also be highlighted by an annular solar eclipse which occurs on 17 February Expansive Jupiter is still moving through your communications, siblings and neighbours sector. Erratic Uranus has retrograded back into your own sign but will resume its passage through your finance sector from 26 April. Ceres which is concerned with nurturing is moving through your own sign. A total lunar eclipse will occur in your domestic sector on 13 August which will put the spotlight on your home and family.

Full Moon in Libra – 2 April 2026
The Full Moon occurred at 12 degrees Libra 21 at 1.11 pm AEST Sydney time on 2 April. Venus-ruled Libra is about justice, peace harmony, cooperation and balance while Aries, its polar opposite is about war, conflict, independence and initiative. There is a line-up of planets in Aries – the Sun, Saturn, Neptune, Chiron and Eris. Neptune in Aries represents spiritual activism and Chiron and Eris being quindecile the Full Moon adds an urgent insistence on inclusion, fairness and balance. With the Chiron-Eris conjunction in Aries there is focus on the potential to heal deep wounds, especially around autonomy and with Eris known anecdotally as the street fighter, we are likely to see people, especially the marginalised or disenfranchised as clamouring for their rights as Eris as the female warrior is uncompromising. With Jupiter squaring this stellium in Aries this tension will be even further magnified. In addition, Jupiter in Cancer is in a tight conjunction with Sirius which is regarded as Earth’s spiritual counterpart. Jupiter is also trine Mercury in Pisces which blends the rational and Higher mind, allowing us to have bigger visionary picture.

The Full Moon in Libra highlights all sorts of relationships and partnerships, including alliances between nations. Therefore, the tariffs that the Trump administration has slapped willy nilly on all nations, and Trump and Netanyahu’s war of choice against Iran, it is upending the economic and political world order, testing many traditional trading alliances. Venus-ruled Libra also rules finances and currencies leading to Trump and his cronies being accused of insider trading by manipulating the market causing the Democrats in Congress to initiate an investigation. The instability of the stock markets has affected people’s retirement savings with thousands of dollars being shaved off their superannuation. Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Pluto in Aquarius is in a tight square to Venus ruling finances and values. With Uranus, the disruptor, in Taurus which like Libra is Venus ruled, financial systems are likely to undergo radical change with crypto currencies with the Trump family reported to have a crypto portfolio nearing $1 billion dollars, saying he wants the world to adopt crypto. He has directed the Department of Justice to roll back regulations on crypto which has accused Trump of a conflict of interest.

Massive landslide win to Opposition leader, Peter Magyar, in Hungary’s elections
Hungary’s opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, has won the election, bringing an end to Viktor Orbán’s 16-year grip on power, in a result that is likely to rattle the White House and reshape the country’s relationship with the EU.

Less than three hours after polls closed on Sunday, Orbán conceded defeat after what he described as a “painful but unambiguous” election result. With 98.74% of the vote counted, Magyar’s Tisza party was projected to have won 138 of the 199 seats in the country’s parliament, giving them a super-majority capable of amending the constitution and key laws, suggesting they would be able to reverse some of the changes made by Orbán and Fidesz, and potentially unlock EU funds. Fidesz won 55 seats, while the extreme-right Mi Hazánk party won six. Magyar, who pledged to repair Hungary’s strained relationship with the EU, crack down on corruption and funnel funds towards long-neglected public services, said Tisza voters had rewritten Hungarian history.
“My fellow Hungarians, we have done it!,” he told the tens of thousands of jubilant supporters who had gathered along the banks of the Danube river to celebrate.

“Tonight, truth prevailed over lies,” said Magyar, 45. “Today, we won because Hungarians didn’t ask what their homeland could do for them – they asked what they could do for their homeland. You found the answer. And you followed through.”

The election was being closely watched around the world as a test of the resilience of the Maga movement and the global far right, many of whom have long looked to Orbán as an inspiration and sought to follow his playbook.

Days before the election, JD Vance had travelled to Budapest, with the US vice-president saying that he had come to “help” Orbán. Donald Trump had also repeatedly endorsed Orbán, most recently on Friday when he vowed to bring US “economic might” to the country if Orbán was re-elected.

US Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, the US House of Representatives minority leader, said the results of the Hungarian election did not bode well for the Trump administration. “Far-right authoritarian Viktor Orbán has lost the election,” he wrote on social media. “Trump sycophants and Maga extremists in Congress are up next in November. Winter is coming.”

Leaders from across Europe hailed the result, with Keir Starmer describing it as a “historic moment, not only for Hungary, but for European democracy” on social media. In recent weeks, the antagonistic relationship between Orbán’s government and the EU had plunged to new lows, after Orbán vetoed further EU sanctions on Russia, as well as an additional €90bn (£78bn) loan for Ukraine. Tensions between Budapest and Brussels had since boiled over, following allegations that Orbán’s government had shared confidential EU information with Moscow.

News of the change in government prompted an outpouring of response from across the EU. “Europe’s heart is beating stronger in Hungary tonight,” said Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission. “A country reclaims its European path. The Union grows stronger.”

Donald Tusk, Poland’s prime minister, welcomed Magyar with a jibe at Orbán. “Back together! Glorious victory, dear friends!” he posted on social media, adding in Hungarian: “Russians, go home!”

Emmanuel Macron, France’s president, said he had spoken with Magyar to congratulate him, while the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said he was “looking forward” to working with Magyar.

From Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country was ready to advance our cooperation with Hungary, even as Magyar has said he would continue Orbán’s opposition to sending arms to the country and fast-tracking EU entry for Kyiv. “We are ready for meetings and joint constructive work for the benefit of both nations, as well as peace, security, and stability in Europe.”

As Magyar crisscrossed Hungary during the campaign, holding as many as six rallies a day, Orbán had consistently trailed in the polls, suggesting the election was poised to end his efforts to transform Hungary into a “petri dish for illiberalism”.

His rightwing populist government used its time in office to steadily whittle away at the checks and balances that constrained its power: rewriting election laws to its own benefit, manoeuvring to put loyalists in control of an estimated 80% of the country’s media, and retooling the country’s judiciary.

Ahead of the election, as the government stepped up its efforts to clamp down on dissent, local resistance swelled, bursting into public view as hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Budapest in June in defiance of the government’s efforts to ban Pride.

Sunday’s election saw a record turnout of nearly 80%, according to the National Election Office. The result was likely due, in part, to the massive number of youths who mobilised against Orbán. One poll suggested that as many as 65% of voters under the age of 30 – many of whom had come of age as the country plunged in press freedom rankings, was accused of being an “electoral autocracy”, and became the most corrupt country in the EU – were planning to cast their vote against Orbán.

On Sunday evening, many of them thronged the banks of the Danube, chanting “We did it!” while others chanted “It’s over!” as they made their way through the city’s metro stations.

“The dictatorship, rightwing ideology and all of that will disappear now, and we have a chance for a better country,” said Nóri, 24, as tears welled in her eyes. “I’m feeling hopeful and happy.”

The view was echoed by Anna, 24. “I really hope these next four years will be better than the past 16.”

The result was also welcomed by Ervin Nagy, one of Hungary’s most well-known film actors. “For the next four years Hungarians can expect safety, peace, freedom, and that no one will interfere in their lives,” said Nagy, who actively participated in Tisza’s campaign from early on.

Analysts were swift to warn that change would probably come slowly. During Fidesz’s 16 years in power, the party stacked the Hungarian state, media and judiciary with loyalists; how they would respond to a change in government was now up in the air.

“The path ahead for Hungary is a complicated one – Fidesz’s control of the business sector, media, public administration, and the judiciary reaches far and deep,” said Dalibor Rohac, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

“The message of this election, however, is a clear one: Orbán’s (and Trump’s) ideological project has had a test run of 16 years, and it has been a spectacular political, economic and social failure,” he said. “The defeat of ‘Orbánism’ is an opportunity to repudiate its iterations existing in other western democracies and to charter a more constructive, less polarised trajectory for pluralistic societies.”

Others pointed to all that Magyar and Tisza had been up against. In the lead up to the election, billboards generated with AI and paid for by the government became a mainstay across the country, depicting Magyar as a danger to the country and a stooge of the EU and the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“Tisza could win against all odds: help from the United States and from Russia, a massive state disinformation machinery, and all state institutions helping Fidesz,” said Péter Krekó, the director of the Budapest-based Political Capital thinktank.

While the super-majority would help the party, the expectations would be “huge and it will be difficult to deliver on some campaign promises due to fiscal constraints. But given that it was dominantly an anti-Fidesz vote, the new government can manage expectations.”

Botond Feledy, a Brussels-based Hungarian geopolitical analyst, said the result was likely to reset the relationship between Hungary and the EU.

“We can count on a Hungarian government that is constructive yet critical, but fundamentally pro-EU and acting as a full-fledged member of the European Union. And this also applies to Nato relations,” he said.

He described the result as a lesson to other populist leaders in the EU. “Patriots for Europe certainly need to study a lesson that adds to the list of challenges in the populist playbook,” he said. “It’s not so easy to make promises to people when the system delivers nothing, and it’s impossible to build a virtual reality that is so far removed from reality.”

Viktor Orban’s natal chart and election defeat chart
Looking at the transits for Viktor Orban’s defeat, a standout feature is transiting Uranus is squaring Orban’s natal Uranus. Uranus is always augurs a shock or a surprise. While Orban may have already seen the writing on the wall with unfavourable poll numbers, the the size of his defeat may have come as a shock. Transiting Saturn, Neptune and Mars in Aries are also conjuncting his descendant. Whenever there is a transit to an angle in the natal chart it is always of greater significance.

Peter Magyar’s natal chart and election victory chart
Peter Magyar also has a Uranus transit but in his case it is transiting Uranus opposite his natal Uranus which is a generational transit that occurs during the mid-life transition. We don’t have birth time for Magyar so I have cast his chart for midday. Transiting Pluto in Aquarius also makes a harmonious trine to his natal Jupiter and Saturn in Libra. It is likely that this Uranus transit which brings about radical change in his life and the size of his victory may have come as a surprise to him while the positive Pluto transit would confer power and responsibility on him. Some commentators have been skeptical about how different Magyar would be from his predecessor since he is also from the same centre right party until he broke away to form his own party, Tisza, in 2024. Looking at his natal chart, he does have a stellium in Pisces – Sun, Mars and Venus which is mutable sign that denotes flexibility. Pisces also denotes compassion and empathy and reports reveal that he went on a listening tour, crisscrossing Hungary during the campaign, holding as many as six rallies a day. His numerology is also interesting being born on a 16/7 day, the month number 3 and 19/1 year adding the 3 numbers, 7+3+1=life path number 11. The number 7 indicates that he is an old soul, incarnating into this life with wisdom. The number 3 indicates that he is endowed with creativity and sociability while his year number 19/1 confers leadership and a humanitarian outlook. His life path number is master number indicating a visionary person with great sensitivity. It will be interesting to see what unfolds.

New Moon occurred at 27 degrees Aries 28 at 2.03 pm AEST on 17 April 2026
What is most most noteworthy about this New Moon is the huge line up of planets in Aries – Sun, Moon, Chiron, Eris, Saturn, Mars, Mercury and Neptune. Aries is ruled by Mars which is about war, conflict, autonomy, sovereignty independence and initiative. Mars energy may be thwarted a bit by its close alignment to Saturn and Neptune. Saturn can block Mars energy and Neptune can sap its drive. However, despite this, this strong Aries energy could pack a punch, especially with Mars closely aligned to Mercury which could cause verbal tirades and explosive outbursts. The Saturn Neptune conjunction has manifested as the global fuel distribution (Neptune) with the war and the blockade (Saturn) in the Middle East.What is noteworthy is that transiting Uranus and fixed star Algol are squaring the ascendant Mars and Regulus in Trump’s chart. Mars also rules Trump’s 9th house of legalities and foreign affairs so these areas are likely to be in the spotlight. In addition. Solar arc Neptune is opposing Trump’s natal Sun which could result in confusion, lower energy and frailty. Adding to the picture is the fact that transiting Neptune is at 1 degree Aries conjunct the IC of the US sibley chart which indicates dissolution of the US foundations.

Trump’s natal chart and New Moon Chart
It is interesting to note that this New Moon at 27 Aries trines Trump’s ascendant and Mars in Leo. In his natal chart erratic Uranus is conjunct his Gemini Sun causing him to be unpredictable and with strong Uranus transit to his natal Mars and ascendant this unpredictability is bound to be even more marked. The New Moon falls in his 9th house of international relations and with the combination of Mars and Uranus it is a very combustible energy. Mars being associated with conflict and war is potentially very ominous. This Uranus Mars ascendant combination could result in Trump making a big turn around taking everyone by surprise or alternatively he himself is shocked causing him to have to make adjustments to his personal perspective and his status. Transiting Jupiter is in Cancer in his 11th house of friends and associates which could infer allies and makes a challenging square to his natal Jupiter in Libra in his 2nd house of finances and values. This combination is often associated with over reach, actions motivated by over-confidence and arrogance. This has already been very much on display with his threat to blow up the entire Iranian civilisation followed by expletive laden blasphemous Easter Sunday tweet which shocked people of all faiths.

He has continued to alienate allies such as Giorgia Meloni, the Italian leader, as well many Catholic leaders and their flock with his nasty verbal attacks on Pope Leo and outraged people of all faiths with his AI generated image of himself as Jesus healing the sick which he later deleted. Meloni has also made two other decisions to break away from Trump by suspending a defence cooperation deal with Israel and signing a letter calling for a ceasefire in Lebanon. It is not only the Italian prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who has become disenchanted with Trump, but Hungary has repudiated Trump’s and Vance’s preferred candidate, Viktor Orban. In France even conservative opposition leader, Marine Le Pen has branded Trump’s war as a “mistake” and is also calling for a ceasefire in Lebanon. In Germany even the far right Alternative fur Deutschland want to break with Trump and the US over the war in Iran. Alice Weidel called the US war “haphazard” and rejected Trump’s call for NATO allies to be part of an international force at the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that Trump’s request would turn NATO into an offensive alliance when it was structured as a defensive pact. Trump has managed to even alienate his far right allies who not long ago sought to borrow the Trump banner to win votes at home. They copied the MAGA brand with their claim to make Europe great again and visited Washington to bond with the Trump camp. In recent months, however, those same parties and their leaders have loosened those bonds. They used to want their friendship and favours but now they know his endorsement can be the kiss of death.

Trump may have been shocked by his wife Melania’s sudden out of the blue brief press statement denying that she and Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were ever friends despite evidence to the contrary with emails from her to Maxwell which she tried to brush off as just casual correspondence. Some commentators have claimed that Trump started the war with Iran as a distraction from the Epstein scandal and were puzzled why his wife, Melania, would suddenly revive it as an issue. Some commentators wondered whether it was a preemptive strike before something was going to be exposed about her association with Epstein. As it turned out social media was abuzz with claims that the UK author and historian, Andrew Lownie, was forced to pull passages from his book, Entitled The Rise and Fall of the House of York, about Melania’s year long sexual relationship with Epstein before he handed her on to Trump. To add insult to injury, Amanda Ungaro, a Brazilian former model who was trafficked by Epstein has initiated legal action against Melania and Donald Trump with an incendiary warning, “Maybe you should fear what I know …about who you are and who your husband is. I have nothing left to lose. I will bring down this corrupt system, Be careful.. bitch.”

Amanda Ungaro was in a 19 year relationship with Paolo Zampoli, a former modelling agent, with whom she had a spectacular falling out, including a bitter custody battle over their 16 year old son which resulted in Zampoli contacting ICE while Ungaro was in detention, ensuring she was kept there until he succeeded in having her deported to Brazil, thereby gaining custody of their son. Trump appointed Zampoli as special envoy for global partnerships. What is also noteworthy is that transiting Uranus is conjunct Melania’s natal Venus which rules love and relationships. The New Moon opposed Epstein’s Saturn bringing the Epstein back into sharp focus just when Trump and his co-conspirators have tried to bury the issue.

What is noteworthy is that this New Moon, Uranus and the fixed star Algol which symbolises beheading conjuncts Trump’s Taurus MC and squares his Mars in Leo on his ascendant, the exact configuration that occurred in July last year when there was an assassination attempt on Trump. Trump’s Mars is in the 12th house which concerns critical health. This will be a challenging time for Trump. Uranus on his MC also signifies the political, economic and social chaos he is wreaking on the US and on the world order, upending traditional alliances that have existed since WWII. Trump’s tariffs which have been mocked by economists around the world have so strongly destabilised the markets that the normally circumspect Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has warned that they are unprecedented in modern history and which the true economic effects will include higher inflation and slower growth. Wall Street has been mired in uncertainty as investors wrestle with the Trump administration’s back-and-forth on trade policy. We can see Trump’s reckless chaotic policy in his conducting the war against Iran trying to bullying Iran into submission, threatening to bomb the whole civilisation of Iran while simultaneously trying to hold negotiations with inept negotiators, his own son-in-law, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff and an arrogant out of touch vice president, JD Vance. First there is a shaky peace deal until Trump escalates the war by having a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, further jeopardising the global economy.

Sources
Taurus Greeting Card Illustrated by Sue Robertson
Taurus Poem by Anne Robertson
Esoteric Astrology Volume 3 Treatise on the Seven Rays by Alice A. Bailey
Soul-Centred Astrology: A Key to your Expanding Self  by Alan Oken
Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology by Alan Oken
The Labours of Hercules by Alice A. Bailey
Astrological Keys to Self-actualization & Self-realization by Clara A. Weiss
Sign of the Times 2020 – Karmic Upheaval by Bob Hunter
Thomas Piketty and the roots of global inequality by Andrew Leigh
Insight Newsletter by Michele Finey
The Next Step newsletter April 2024 by Pam Gregory
Oppenheimer, a complicated man – Harvard Gazette
Naomi Klein – by Adele Tufford, The Canadian Encyclopaedia
Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein
Michael Moore – Encylopaedia Britannica
Europe’s right breaks with Trump – David Crowe, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 April 2026
Hungarian opposition oust Viktor Orban after 16 years in power, The Guardian, Ashifa Kassam and Flora Garamvogyi, 13 Apr 2026

LEAVE A COMMENTby ANNEFERTITI’S ASTROMUSINGS on APRIL 19, 2020  •  PERMALINK  •  EDITPosted in UNCATEGORIZEDTagged AUDREY HEPBURN, BARBRA STREISAND, BUDDHA, CAPITAL AND IDEOLOGY, CATE BLANCHETT, DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, GEORGE CLOONEY, HATHOR, JOANNA LUMLEY, K

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Illustrated by Sue Robertson

Aries, the fearless warrior
ruled by the fiery planet Mars
with pioneering spirit
and youthful brashness
rushes headlong into battle
undaunted by obstacles
in his path

(c) Anne Robertson 1987

Happy Birthday Aries! – Autumn/Spring Equinox
Happy Birthday to all the Aries who celebrate their birthdays from March 21 to April 20. The Sun enters Aries 20 March 2.06 pm AEDT Sydney time. The Sun enters Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac, on March 20/21 at the time of the Spring or Vernal equinox in the Northern hemisphere and the Autumnal equinox in the Southern hemisphere when the days and nights are of equal length. This marks the New Year astrologically as the Sun begins its passage through the twelve signs of the zodiac.

Traditionally linked with the Spring Equinox, Aries, the Ram, represents the procreative force and rebirth. Just as Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac symbolises the last part of the body, the feet, Aries represents the first part of the body, the head. The glyph for Aries has several different interpretations. From a physical point of view it symbolises the eyebrows and nose. The two down-turned horns of the ram are suggestive of the battering power of the ram who fights head on. Metaphysically the glyph for Aries represents a fountain gushing forth water symbolising consciousness in an upward and outward direction.

Jason and the Quest for the Golden Fleece – the Embodiment of Aries

Jason and the Quest for the Golden Fleece

A myth which embodies the Aries courage, pioneering spirit and initiative is the Quest for the Golden Fleece. In the Mythic Tarot Liz Greene portrays the quest of the Golden Fleece as the mythic journey in the suit of wands symbolising fire. Jason has convinced the heroes, Heracles, Theseus and the Warrior twins Castor and Polydeuces, to accompany him on a voyage to Colchis on his daring quest for the Golden Fleece. His heroes who accompany him each possess necessary attributes to ensure a successful outcome. Heracles  represents strength; King Theseus of Athens, a fiery adventurer like Jason provides the creative vision; Castor and Polydeuces have the cutting edge of the clever mind, and Orpheus has the deep feeling and empathy to disarm any foe.

To gain the Golden Fleece Jason and his Argonauts have to endure many challenges on this treacherous journey, including a battle with the dragon which guards the Golden Fleece. Having procured the Golden Fleece, Jason and his heroes must do battle with the formidable King Aeetes of Colchis to be able to bring the Fleece back to Iolkos. Again our indomitable hero, against all odds wins the battle against King Aeetes only to have to face one more challenge before the goal is reached – that of steering the Argo through the Clashing Rocks. Such is the stuff that the Aries individual is made of, never willing to give in, thriving on challenges no matter how difficult they may appear.

Hercules Captures the Man-Eating Mares of Diomedes

The Labours of Hercules – The Capture of Man-Eating Mares

In the first labour of Hercules he has to capture the wild horses and mares of Diomedes, the son of Mars. So wild were these horses and fierce the mares that all men were said to tremble at their sound, for they ravaged up and down the land, wreaking damage and killing all sons of men who crossed their path, and breeding steadily most wild and evil horses. Hercules enlisted the aid of his dear friend Abderis. Hercules succeeded in cornering the wild mares in a field and caught and tethered them while yelling with joy at his success. So great was Hercules’ delight in his prowess thus displayed that he deemed it beneath his dignity to hold the mares or drive them on the Way to Diomedes so he asked his friend Abderis to perform the task. But Abderis was weak and fearful and could not hold them or harness them or drive them through the Gate with the result that they turned on him and rent and trod him underfoot, killing him and escaping into the wilder land of Diomedes.

Wiser, grief-stricken, humble and discouraged, Hercules returned to re-do the labour this time succeeding in capturing the horses and driving them through the Gate himself but his friend lay dead. The teacher looked him over with care and sent the horses to a place of peace to be tamed and broken to their tasks. The people of the land, released from fear welcomed the deliverer, acclaiming Hercules as the saviour of the land.
The Teacher turned to Hercules and said: “Labour the first is ended; the task is done but badly done. Learn the true lesson of this task and then pass on to further service to your fellowmen.”

Alice Bailey explains the esoteric symbolism of the myth. She comments on the fact that the first labour starts with a partial failure, as is so often the case with the inexperienced and impetuous aspirant. This first labour marks the first step upon the “path of translation” Aries governs the head. It is consequently the sign of the thinker, and therefore a powerful mental sign. The aspirant begins the labours when he truly becomes the thinker, and in full awareness proceeds to function as the arbiter of his own destiny.

Bailey notes that the horse in the Indian scripture and mythology is closely connected to the ram and also stands for intellectual activity. The white horse symbolises the illumined mind of the spiritual man and so we find in the Book of Revelations that Christ comes forth riding upon a white horse. Black horses represent the lower mind with its false ideas and erring human concepts. The brood mares, such as we meet in the first labour, indicate the feminine aspect of the mind as it gives birth to ideas, to theories and to concepts. The thought-form making tendency of the mind is here symbolised, embodying the ideas conceived, and which are let loose upon the world, devastating and destroying when emanating from the lower mind, but constructing and saving when coming from the soul.

The exoteric ruler of Aries is Mars, the god of war, and so Hercules acting under the right direction of thought and beginning his work on the mental plane, takes his stand as the warrior. His outstanding characteristic in this sign is the pioneering, militant spirit. The mares were in the possession of Diomedes, the son of Mars. (But the esoteric ruler of Aries is Mercury, which ‘illumines the mind and mediates between the soul and the personality.”)
Bailey sums up the crux of the test in the following way: “The conquest of matter and overcoming illusion loomed large before Hercules and indicated from the very outset of the twelve labours the nature of his final achievement. It has been said that the keynote of the sign Aries is hope and as he has faced his twelve labours, hope was all the guarantee that Hercules then had that he would achieve. Hope, his untried divine equipment, his personal club, and much enthusiasm: so start all disciples.

Hercules had to begin in the world of thought to gain mental control. For ages brood mares of thought had been breeding war horses and through wrong thought, wrong speech and erroneous ideas, had been devastating the countryside. Bailey writes that one of the first lessons that every beginner has to learn is the tremendous power that he mentally wields, and the amount of harm that he can cause in his neighbourhood and environment through the brood mares of his mind. He has, therefore, to learn the right use of his mind, and the first thing that he has to do is capture this feminine aspect of the mind and see to it that no more war horses are bred.

Hercules realised the harm that the brood mares were doing. He rushed gallantly to the rescue of the neighbourhood, determined to catch the brood mares, but he overestimated himself. He did succeed in rounding them up and capturing them, but he failed to realise their potency and strength, so he gave them to Abderis, the symbol of the lower personal self, to hold. But Hercules, the soul, and Abderis, the personality, in unison were needed to guard these devastating horses. Abderis alone is not strong enough, and what had been happening to the people in the neighbourhood, happened to Abderis: they killed him.

Bailey goes on to explain that this is an instance of the working of the great law that we pay the price in our own natures of wrongly-spoken word and ill-judged actions. Again the Soul in the person of Hercules, had to deal with the problems of wrong thought and only when he becomes a one-pointed aspirant in the sign Sagittarius and in that sign kills the Man-Eating Birds, does he really attain complete control of the thought processes of his nature.”
Bailey then quotes from Thackeray to further illustrate the practical significance of thought: ” Sow a thought and reap an action. Sow an action, and reap a habit. Sow a habit and reap character. Sow character and reap destiny.”

Aries Hall of Fame

Frank W. Woolworth

Aries, with their natural zeal, drive, enterprising qualities and ambition, are drawn to careers in business and high finance. Aries are well represented as stockbrokers, venture capitalists and futures traders. J.P. Morgan and Frank Woolworth are Aries billionaires. Mars also rules cutting implements so Aries are also
well represented in medical professions as surgeons.

Colin Powell
With Mars also symbolising war, it is not surprising to learn that Aries can be found amongst the ranks of generals.  Colin Powell, an Aries, was the U.S. chief of Staff during the First Gulf War and a retired four-star general of the United States Army. No matter what career they undertake they pursue it with great passion. Passion seems to be the key-note of great Aries musicians such as JS Bach, famous for St Matthews Passion, and artists such as Vincent Van Gogh. The poet laureate, William Wordsworth, was also an Aries as was St Teresa of Avila who experienced the Mystic Marriage with Christ. With the Aries reputation for amorous pursuits, it is not surprising to learn that the infamous Italian Casanova was an
Aries.

Russell Crowe in the Gladiator
Aries always exude great magnetism on stage and screen as is the case with our celluloid heroes, Warren Beatty, Marlon Brando, Omar Sharif, Spencer Tracy, Peter Ustinov, Charlie Chaplin, Gregory Peck, and Russell Crowe of Gladiator fame.

.

Joan Crawford & Bette Davis
Other notable Aries include Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Dudley Moore, Bette Davis and her nemesis Joan Crawford whose tempestuous relationship was recently portrayed in the TV series, Feud, and the trail blazing feminist icon, Gloria Steinem

Nancy Pelosi raises the gavel on becoming Speaker of the House

Nancy Pelosi, the former Democrat House Speaker has been a force to be reckoned with, born on 26 March 1940 (time not known) in Baltimore, Maryland with her Sun in feisty Aries, the Moon in Scorpio and a stellium in Taurus. Pelosi comes from a strong family tradition of public service. Her late father, Thomas D’Alesaanddro Jr., served as Mayor of Baltimore for 12 years, after representing the city for five terms in Congress. Her brother, Thomas D’Alesandro III, also served as Mayor of Baltimore. She graduated from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. She and her husband, Paul Pelosi, a native of San Francisco, have five grown children and nine grandchildren.

From 2007 to 2011, Pelosi served as Speaker of the House, the first woman to do so in American history. In 2013, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Seneca Falls, the birthplace of the American women’s rights movement. For 31 years, Leader Pelosi has represented San Francisco, California’s 12th District, in Congress.  She led House Democrats for more than 16 years and previously served as House Democratic Whip.

Under the leadership of Pelosi, the 111th Congress was heralded as “one of the most productive Congresses in history” by Congressional scholar Norman Ornstein. President Barack Obama called Speaker Pelosi “an extraordinary leader for the American people,” and the Christian Science Monitor wrote: “…make no mistake: Nancy Pelosi was the most powerful woman in American politics and the most powerful House Speaker since Sam Rayburn a half century ago.”

Pelosi versus Trump
Even before Nancy Pelosi had become speaker the battles lines were being drawn between her and Trump  over the subject of wall between USA and Mexico for which Trump was agitating. The subject was a potential government shutdown, and funding for Mr. Trump’s beloved wall. What followed was a remarkable televised exchange between a veteran congressional leader and a president who is far less experienced but rarely challenged to his face in public, especially by a woman.

Right off the bat, Ms. Pelosi referred to a “Trump shutdown,” knowing full well it would set off the president. (It did.) Then she called Mr. Trump’s bluff — “O.K., then do it, then do it,” she taunted — when he suggested House Republicans could easily pass a spending bill that included wall funding. When he interrupted her, she interrupted him, her voice calm and steady, her “Mr. Presidents” constant, even as he wagged his finger and called her “Nancy.”

And when Mr. Trump tried to undercut her by suggesting she was “in a situation where it’s not easy for her to talk right now,” Ms. Pelosi fired back. “Mr. President,” she said, “please don’t characterize the strength that I bring to this meeting as the leader of the House Democrats, who just won a big victory.”

Pelosi stares down Trump over his border wall
When President Donald Trump delivered his second State of the Union address, he shared the stage with the Democrat who has become his most vexing political rival: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, stark reminder of the precarious state of his proposed border wall, the negotiations to avoid another government shutdown and his legislative agenda for the next two years.

Associates of Pelosi and Trump said the president appears to have initially misread the speaker and underestimated her willingness to stand firm against his demands for money to pay for a border wall. Trump ultimately agreed to temporarily end a 35-day government shutdown last month even though the short-term funding bill included no money for his border wall. Earlier, the two clashed about the timing of Trump’s address. After Pelosi suggested the president wait to deliver the State of the Union until after the government reopened, Trump first threatened to deliver the speech in another venue before he relented and agreed to hold off until Tuesday. Looking at the synastry between Pelosi and Trump there are a few contacts between their two charts – the first being that Pelosi’s Mars in Taurus is square Trump’s Mars and ascendant in Leo – both in fixed signs which would cause them to rigidly hold their positions resulting in a clash of wills. Added to that their Jupiters are in opposition and their Chirons are square indicating they hold opposing worldviews and values. Pelosi’s Uranus is inconjunct Trump’s Moon so her unpredictability is a match for Trump’s erratic nature. Nancy has since stepped down as speaker and has received praise for her years of dedicated service as House speaker.

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Dr Jane Goodall with one of her beloved chimps
Another renowned Aries, Dr Jane Goodall who will turn 91 on 3 April is a warrior for conservation and animal welfare issues as well as a tireless campaigner for action on climate change. She was born on 3 April 1934 at 11.30 pm in Hampstead, UK. 

She has all the hallmarks of a pioneer with her Sun conjunct Mars in Aries in her 4th house. She has Moon in Sagittarius in the mystical 12th house conjuncting her ascendant adding to her spirit of adventure and seer like ability to foresee future trends. To offset her fiery Sun, Mars, Moon and ascendant she has Mercury, the planet of communication, in sensitive empathetic Pisces. Jupiter, the ruler of her Sagittarius ascendant, is prominently placed in her career sector emphasising her idealistic nature and spirit of adventure. With Jupiter in Libra she would be an advocate for justice and fairness. Her Moon in the reclusive 12th house and Mercury in Pisces would cause her to enjoy solitude enabling her to access her intuition in her communications. With her Sun and Mars in the 4th house of home and family for her her family includes not only the human race but the flora and fauna of the planet. In a youtube video Jane declares, “I was born loving animals, it was my passion.”

Jane Goodall supports Greta Thunberg, the young Swedish environmentalist
In a recent speech Jane Goodall declared, “Individuals everywhere must make different choices if humanity – and many of the world’s other species – are to avoid a “bleak” future.”

Dr Goodall, who came to Australia 2019 for a series of talks dubbed Rewind the Future, said “the consumer must take responsibility”, adding “the accumulation of millions of ethical choices will certainly make a difference – and it’s beginning to happen”.

Jane Goodall with Greta Thunberg, instigator of school strikes for action on global warming

The renowned naturalist, said the increase in youth activity – such the global climate movement started by Swedish student Greta Thunberg – was a source of hope that rising environmental threats would be addressed. Ms Thunberg is “completely amazing … she’s brave and she truly, truly believes in what’s she’s talking about”, Dr Goodall said of the instigator of the School Strike 4 Climate.

Dr Goodall blamed an “unholy alliance” between governments and big fossil fuel companies for slowing the advance of renewable energy that could have seen many more people get off the power grid by now.

Pedro Pascal – Aries action hero and activist
Another Aries who has shot to fame is Chilean born American actor, Pedro Pascal who was born on 2 April 1975 (time unknown) in Santiago, Chile. Pascal himself knew his Sun and Moon sign but said he was not sure of his birth time but thought he had either a Gemini or Cancer ascendant. This admission has set astrologers intuiting his rising sign with some feeling he demonstrates all the Gemini qualities of being a good communicator, a writer and director and gesticulating with his hands as well as being bilingual. Other astrologers feel he demonstrates all the qualities of a Cancerian rising with his sensitivity during interviews as well as his nurturing qualities. Regardless of what rising sign he has Sun, Jupiter, Chiron and Ceres all in the sign of Aries which if he was born around midday would put those planets in a prominent place at the top of his chart in his career and goals sector. This would endow him with his enthusiasm, animal magnetism and boundless energy for the action heroes he portrays in The Mandalorian, Game of Thrones, Star Wars and The Last of Us etc. as well as ensure his fame.

He had an interesting upbringing with his mother being a child psychologist and his father a fertility doctor. His mother was related to the former Chilean President Salvador Allende who was assassinated by the dictator Augusto Pinochet. Another relative Andres Allende was a leader of the Movement of the Revolutionary Left, an urban guerrilla movement dedicated to the overthrow of the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. According to Pascal his parents were devout followers of Allende and active in resistance groups against the Pinochet dictatorship. Because of this when Pascal was only nine months old, his parents sought refuge in the Venezuelan embassy in Santiago, and were later granted political asylum in Denmark from which they ultimately moved to the United States where Pascal was raised in Orange County in California and San Antonio Texas. Pascal was involved in competitive swimming in his early years and took part in state championships in Texas at age 11 and then changed his direction to drama. He studied acting at the Orange County School of the Arts, graduating in 1993 before moving on the New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where he graduated in 1997.

Pascal has appeared in several television series including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Good Wife, Homeland, The Mentalist, Law and Order and Narcos to name but a few. He has also had extensive stage experience as both an actor and director. He received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and Garland Award for his role in the International City Theatre production of Orphans, and has performed in classical and contemporary works. In 2010 he wrote a play directed by Sarah Silverman, Flaca Loves Bones. In 2019 he made his Broadway debut in an adaptation of King Lear with Glenda Jackson and Ruth Wilson.

Pascal has Chiron in Aries in a close sextile to Mars in Aquarius so he champions the underdog and is a passionate advocate of LGBTQI+ rights being supportive of his sister Lux Pascal when she came out as transgender. Pascal described himself as agnostic and a liberal, endorsing the left leaning Gabriel Boric in the 2021 Chilean presidential election.

America Ferrera – Aries Award Winning Actress and Activist
“Growing up, I always watched my life as a movie,” says America Ferrera.
An L.A. native, Ferrera is the youngest of six children born to parents who immigrated to the U.S. from Honduras. She was born on 18 April 1974 at 12.08 am in Los Angeles, California, USA. At the age of 5, she told her mother that she was going to become an actress. While Ferrera may have been watching her life as a movie, the movies that she was seeing in real life were not reflective of her childhood dreams.

“I was this short, chubby Latina girl who was not Latina enough or white enough to really fit into any box. And as a daughter of Honduran immigrants, who were poor and unconnected to the industry, I had this crazy dream,” she reflects. “My dream seemed so unlikely to just about everyone around me.”

Ferrera eventually attended the University of Southern California on a presidential scholarship, where she studied dramatic arts and international relations. She made her film debut in 2002’s coming-of-age comedy-drama, Real Women Have Curves, which won the Audience Award for best dramatic film at the Sundance Film Festival, as well as the Special Jury Prize for acting for Ferrera and her co-star Lupe Ontiveros.

After her breakout performance in the film, Ferrera was cast as the lead in the comedy series, Ugly Betty, which soon became a hit. In 2007, she won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance as Betty Suarez, becoming the first Latina woman to win the award.

“I dreamed of spending my life doing something I loved,” Ferrera says, “and making work that makes people feel the way I felt when I watched the movies and TV shows and plays that I loved.”

With Barbie, Ferrera reached new heights. In Greta Gerwig’s hit fantasy comedy, Ferrera plays Gloria, an everywoman who becomes the unlikely savior of Barbie Land. For her performance, she received her first Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

“The Oscars feel like the top of the mountain,” she says. “I remember watching Julia Roberts win, and watching Halle Berry win, and wishing that one day I’d make it there. So, it’s been really surreal and emotional, and it almost feels like I’m in a montage in the movie of my own life, where you’re like, ‘Oh my God, we’re at the part where she made it!'”

In an interview with Glamour as 2023 woman of the year aptly titled “I Can’t Remember a Time When I Didn’t Want to Fight Injustice, America outlines her journey as a actress and activist. Aries, ruled by Mars, is the warrior often embroiled in battles of some kind if not physically, then they will be fighting for causes close to their heart. This was also the case with Pedro Pascal, the actor and activist, previously profiled in this post for Aries. America Ferrera gave this searingly honest account of her life and career:

“When I was five years old, I declared to my mother that when I grew up, I wanted to be both an actress and a human rights lawyer. While I already knew what I was passionate about in kindergarten, it wasn’t until many years later—well into my career as an actress—that I truly understood how these two ambitions could go hand in hand: how I could use my platform to amplify the causes I care about and use the power of storytelling to impact people’s lives for the better.

From a very early age, I experienced inequity. I knew that some people had more and other people had less. Compared with those I grew up with in the San Fernando Valley, I mostly found myself on the having-less side. My early years were marked by moving from one two-bedroom apartment to another, along with my five older siblings and a single mother who worked around the clock to meet our most basic needs.

When I was in fifth grade, we lost our assistance with meals at school. It was isolating and embarrassing to be hungry at school, unable to focus on learning and socializing. Even at that age—and even without the wider context of the world’s inequalities—I understood that it wasn’t because of anything I did or deserved. I knew it was unfair and not right for a kid to be hungry while there were clearly resources all around that could help fix the problem. Adults didn’t see my unmet need, or they did and chose to look the other way. This experience helped shape my desire to be a part of making people’s lives better, to try to forge a world where families and children didn’t have to work miracles to survive or to live with dignity.

In early 2001, when I had just turned 17, I got an opportunity to start my acting career with two movies back-to-back. It was the dream that nobody ever imagined was possible for me. But I had always believed in myself because my mother had raised me to believe that, in the United States of America, being a poor, short, brown, fat daughter of immigrants did not preclude my dreams. If anything, it made me an underdog, and there’s not much that the USA loves more than a good underdog story. I was determined to build a career in an industry that didn’t reflect people like me. I refused to be deterred.

I had a hunger to succeed and a hunger to understand the world. And I knew I would only be truly fulfilled if I pursued education alongside my acting career. So I chose to go to the University of Southern California to study international relations. It was a juggling act that squeezed out most of the fun of either experience and left me mostly with work. There were times I’d get acting jobs and have to finish my term papers on the floor of an airport, flying between sets. Nevertheless, I pursued both, juggling studying, auditions, and tutoring for gas money.”

America has been involved in many other campaigns fighting for people’s rights or other civic issues including campaigning for Hillary Clinton, environmental racism, and access to education and reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy. In 2017 she spoke at the Women’s March in Washington DC about the protecting the rights of women and immigrants, and the importance of defending freedom and democracy. Alongside her husband, actor, writer and director Ryan Piers Williams, and their colleague Wilmer Valderrama they created Harness, a nonprofit organisation building community among artists, activists, and culture makers collaborating to create a more just future through art, influence, and action. She has also founded Poderistas, another non profit organisation and platform dedicated to to amplifying Latina voices and building community. She was also involved in the #Me Too and Time’s Up movement and was also successful in achieving paid parental leave policy.

Looking at America’s natal chart, her passion and pioneering spirit typical of Aries is evident. She has Sun Venus, Eris and Ceres all in the sign of Aries in her third house of communication. The close alignment of the goddesses, Venus, Eris and Ceres endow her with strong feminine energy – the charm of Venus, the street fighter Eris, the sister of Mars, and the nurturing energy of Ceres, the goddess of the grain. She also has Mars, the ruler of her Sun, in the sign of passionate Scorpio adding to her intensity and determination to achieve her goals. Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio, is the most elevated planet almost exactly conjunct her Midheaven ruling her career, status and goals. So from humble beginnings, the daughter of poor Honduran immigrants, she realised her 5 year old’s dream of becoming an actress reaching the pinnacle of being nominated for best supporting actress in the blockbuster movie Barbie. Other awards include 2002 Special Jury Prize Dramatic for Real Women have Curves; 2007 Satellite Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical for Ugly Betty; 2017 Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy or Musical for Superstore; to name but a few. Her study of acting as well as international relations at university has equipped her to be an advocate for many different social and political causes close to her heart. She also has Moon, South Node and Uranus in the idealistic sign of Sagittarius adding to her refreshing honesty, crusading zeal and her study of international relations. Jupiter, the ruling planet of Sagittarius, is prominently placed conjunct her Capricorn ascendant which would infuse optimism and enthusiasm in any activity she undertakes. Moon conjunct her South Node would indicate strong past lives to do with the feminine, while Uranus’ presence there would explain her strong humanitarian ethos and her ability to think outside of the box.

Yanis Varoufakis – charismatic Aries, former Greek finance minister, academic and author
Yanis Varoufakis, charismatic former Greek finance minister, is currently on a speaking tour in Australia promoting his latest book, Techno Feudalism What Killed Capitalism. Yanis Varoufakis was born on 24 March 1961 (time unknown) in Athens Greece. Yanis Varoufakis first came to my attention when he was finance minister of Greece under PM Alexis Tsipras left leaning government in 2015 fighting for Greece’s economic survival when undertaking the Herculean task of renegotiating Greece’s loans. He eventually resigned as finance minister. A few years ago my sister and I attended one of his talks at the Sydney Writers’ Festival where he promoted one of his international best selling books, And the Weak Suffer What They Must?: Europe, Austerity and the threat to Global Stability. My sister bought me his book, Adults in the Room: My Battle with Europe’s Deep Establishment for my birthday. The blurb on the back cover sums up best the impact this book had on and readers and critics alike:

* The Sunday Times #1 Bestseller**

‘One of the greatest political memoirs of all time’ Guardian

What happens when you take on the European establishment?

Read as world-famous, provocative economist, and former Greece finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, blows the lid on his battle with EU officials over the Greek debt crisis.

Varoufakis sparked one of the most spectacular and controversial battles in recent political history with his attempt to renegotiate Greece’s relationship with the European Union. Yet despite the mass support of the Greek people, and simple logic of his arguments, he succeeded only in provoking the fury of Europe’s political, financial and media elite.
Exposing the real business taking place behind the EU’s closed doors, Varoufakis reveals all in this fearless, personal account. Adults In The Room is an extraordinary tale of brinkmanship, hypocrisy, collusion and betrayal that will shake the European and economic establishment to its foundations.

Varoufakis is sending out an urgent wake-up call to renew European democracy before it is too late.

**ONE OF THE GUARDIAN‘S 100 BEST BOOKS OF THE 21st CENTURY**

He is now a figurehead of an international grassroots movement, DiEM25, speaking to audiences of thousands worldwide and campaigning for the revival of democracy in Europe. Before embarking on his his political career Varoufakis lectured in economics at many different universities in the UK. From 1989 to 2000 he was a lecturer in economics at Sydney University with short stints at the University of Glasgow, and also universities in the USA.

He held a captivated audience at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday 13 March as he discussed his latest bold and thought provoking theories in his book Techno Feudalism: What Killed Capitalism. See description of his book in the blurb below:

The #1 bestselling economist opens our eyes to the new power that is reshaping our lives and the world Capitalism is dead. Welcome to technofeudalism. In his boldest and most far-reaching book, the visionary economist and number-one bestselling author Yanis Varoufakis shows how the owners of big tech became the world’s feudal overlords -replacing capitalism with a fundamentally new system that enslaves our minds, defies democracy and rewrite the rules of global power. But as Varoufakis also reveals, technofeudalism contains new opportunities to thwart and overturn it, bringing into focus more clearly than ever the revolution we need to escape our digital prison.

His book has had many glowing reviews:
What an amazing piece of work this is. Ground-breaking, thought-provoking and highly accessible. Everyone should read it. This is where we’re going. The dark, scary, exciting song of our age. 100 out of 100 — IRVINE WELSH

An important new book … that describes what is happening in terms of an epochal, once-in-a-millennium shift … in Varoufakis’s telling, this isn’t just new technology. This is the world grappling with an entirely new economic system and therefore political power — Carole Cadwalladr ― Observer

Arresting … an ambitious thinker and a lively writer … Varoufakis is right that we are in thrall to digital platforms, who hold our data hostage and prevent us from switching to “a competing cloud fief” ― The Times

Varoufakis is a remarkable combination of analyst and dreamer… as always, Varoufakis makes his readers think… an important achievement ― Financial Times, *Books of the Year*

In his characteristically enthralling style, Varoufakis guides the reader through some of the most significant trends in the modern economy, showing clearly how the big tech giants have built an economy that works for them – and how everyone else can take power back — GRACE BLAKELEY

Varoufakis has recently published a new book, Raise Your Soul: A Personal History of Resistance and is emabrking on an Austrlian tour to promote his latest book.

Looking at Varoufakis natal chart, we can see that he has a stellium in Aries – Sun, Ceres, Eris and Venus which would account for his forthrightness, crusading zeal and passion. In addition the Sun squares his Moon and Mars in Cancer, Mars being the ruler of his Aries planets. He also has a grand trine in water from Mars in Cancer trining Neptune in Scorpio and Mercury in Pisces which would endow him with sensitivity and intuition. He also has a stellium in sensitive Pisces – Pallas Athena, Chiron, South Node, Mercury and Vesta which would give him a heightened sense of compassion and visionary potential. He has Jupiter in Aquarius conjunct Saturn in its own sign of Capricorn. This combination gives a nice balance between the practicality of Saturn and the idealism of Jupiter. Jupiter in the sign of forward looking Aquarius would endow him with his humanitarian ideals, his individuality and his challenges to the status quo. The combination of these elements in his chart would enable him to produce ground-breaking and thought-provoking work which enthrall and inspire his readers and audiences alike.

Adrien Brody – Award winning Aries Actor
The latest entrant into the Aries Hall of Fame is American actor, Adrien Brody, 2003 Oscar winner for The Pianist and best actor for the Brutalist in the 2025 BAFTA and winner for best actor for the 2025 Academy awards. Adrien Brody was born on 14 April 1973 in Queens New York. Adrien Brody is an American actor who won the Academy Award for best actor for his portrayal of Władysław Szpilman, the title character of Roman Polanski’s Holocaust film The Pianist (2002).

Early life and education

Brody took acting classes as a child, and he performed in experimental and Off-Broadway plays before he reached high school. He attended the Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and played an orphan in the 1988 television movie Home at Last, about the orphan train program. Brody made his big-screen debut in a small part in the anthology movie New York Stories (1989). He briefly attended both Stony Brook University and Queens College before moving to Los Angeles.
Summer of Sam and The Piano

Brody appeared in the independent film The Boy Who Cried Bitch (1991) and in Steven Soderbergh’s King of the Hill (1993). He took the part of a baseball player in Angels in the Outfield (1994) and starred in the unsuccessful drama Ten Benny (1995). In 1998 he was cast in Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line, but his part largely disappeared in editing. Brody won notice for his performance as an aspiring punk rocker in Spike Lee’s Summer of Sam (1999), and he appeared in Barry Levinson’s Liberty Heights (1999) and Ken Loach’s Bread and Roses (2000).

In The Pianist, based on the real-life memoir of Szpilman, Brody gave a quiet dignity to the character, an accomplished musician who initially appears nonplussed at Nazi encroachment but soon realizes the horrors of the Holocaust. His performance netted him the César Award for best actor in addition to the Oscar. Brody’s later roles included the village idiot in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village (2004), a playwright in Peter Jackson’s King Kong (2005), Leonard Chess in Cadillac Records (2008), and Salvador Dalí in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris (2011).
The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Brutalist

Brody’s subsequent films included the World War II drama Da hong zha (2018; Air Strike) and Clean (2020); he cowrote the latter, which centers on a garbage man with a violent past. During this time Brody also appeared in a number of Wes Anderson’s films, including The Darjeeling Limited (2007), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), The French Dispatch (2021), and Asteroid City (2023). In addition, he voiced the Field Mouse in Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009).

Brody later earned critical acclaim—and a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination—for his haunting performance in The Brutalist (2024), about a fictional Hungarian architect and Holocaust survivor named László Toth, who moves to the United States after World War II. The saga chronicles Toth’s struggles and triumphs as he rebuilds his life and career, the latter with the help of a wealthy client (Guy Pearce).

Television
Brody occasionally appeared on television. He starred as the title character in the miniseries Houdini (2014), and for his performance he earned an Emmy Award nomination. In 2017 Brody had a recurring role on the series Peaky Blinders. He later starred in Chapelwaite (2021), a miniseries based on Stephen King’s short story “Jerusalem’s Lot,” about a sea captain in the 1850s who returns to his family home and discovers that it may be haunted. Also in 2021 Brody earned praise—and later an Emmy nomination—for his portrayal of a billionaire investor in the TV series Succession. In the series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022–23), Brody was cast as Pat Riley, coach of the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA.

Adrien Brody’s natal chart
Adrien Brody was born on 14 April in 1973 at 3.30 pm in Queens, New York, USA. Looking at Adrien’s natal chart, he has Sun conjunct Venus in Aries in the 8th house which is co-ruled by Mars and Pluto which would endow him with charisma and intensity. Mars, the ruler of his Sun, is in Aquarius in the 5th house of creativity conjuncting his Jupiter which would endow him with an abundance of creative energy, courage and initiative and would fight for just causes. Indeed he would have a tendency to go where angels fear to tread, approaching life with gusto regardless of the consequences It is interesting to note that anatomically, Aries rules the head and he has Chiron, the wounded healer, is also in Aries which could indicate his suffering head wounds. This came to pass in 1992 when he was seriously hurt in a motor cycle accident in which he flew over a car crashing head first into a cross walk and spent months recuperating. He has broken his nose three times doing stunts. Pluto in Virgo is in a wide conjunction with the Moon in Libra in the first house which would enable him to portray his roles with passion and intensity. His Venus and Sun are in opposition to unorthodox Uranus which would give him an unpredictable and impulsive nature where freedom and independence would be paramount. His Mercury in Pisces would endow him with a strong imagination which he would convey in portraying his roles. Communication and versatility are reinforced by his planets in the mutable signs of Virgo, Pisces and Gemini. Saturn in Gemini is in a prominent position as his most elevated planet conjuncting his Gemini Midheaven emphasising the importance of communication in his career. Saturn makes a harmonious trine with his Mars bringing self discipline and hard work to his acting. Vesta in Gemini in the 10th house would bring complete dedication to his work. Networking and coordinating are two key factors in his work. He is born on 14/5 day which would add to his need for freedom, he is born in the 4th month which indicates a practical strong willed individual and the year he is born 1973 adds to a 2 which indicates sensitivity and an ability to cooperate, Adding the 5+4+2=11 which is his life path number. The number 11 is a master number indicating Brody is a sensitive and visionary individual.

Chloe Zhao – Aries award winning director
Chloé Zhao (born Zhao Ting, in Chinese: 赵婷;^[a] 31 March 1982) is a Chinese filmmaker. She is known primarily for her work on independent films. For her film Nomadland (2020), Zhao became the second woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director.

Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015), her debut feature film, premiered at Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim and earned a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. The Rider (2017) was critically acclaimed and received nominations for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Film and Best Director.

Zhao garnered international recognition with the American film Nomadland (2020), which she wrote, produced, edited and directed, and which won numerous accolades, including the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. Earning four Academy Award nominations for the film, Zhao won Best Picture and Best Director, becoming the first woman of color to win the latter.^[1][2][3] She also won awards for directing at the Directors Guild of America Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and British Academy Film Awards, becoming the second female winner of each of them.^[4][5]

Zhao co-wrote and directed the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Eternals (2021).^[6] Her 2025 film, Hamnet, premiered at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival to critical acclaim. It won Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama in 2025, BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film and is nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Early life and education

Chloé Zhao was born Zhao Ting (赵婷; Zhào Tíng) on 31 March 1982, in Beijing, China. Her father, Zhao Yuji (赵玉吉; Zhào Yùjí), was a successful executive at Shougang Group, one of the country’s largest state-owned steel companies. After amassing significant personal wealth, he moved on to real-estate development and equity investment.^[7] Song Dandan, her stepmother, is a well-known Chinese actress who was in various sitcoms, mostly known for her appearance in Home with Kids.

According to her own description, Zhao was a curious child who was drawn to Western pop culture, especially in the realm of film and music. Zhao was uninterested in school in Beijing, as she focused on art and her own pursuits instead.^[8] As a teenager, Zhao described herself as a “rebellious and lazy student” who was more interested in drawing manga-style comics and writing fan fiction than in academics. She was strongly influenced by the films of Wong Kar-wai, particularly Happy Together. During this period of her life, her parents divorced. Her father remarried Song Dandan. Although she was still learning English at the time, her parents sent her to Brighton College in 1998 at the age of 15.^[9][10] Zhao later moved to Los Angeles by herself in 2000, living in a Koreatown apartment and attending Los Angeles High School.^[11] Afterwards, she attended Mount Holyoke College, where she majored in politics and minored in film studies, graduating in 2005.^{[12][13][14][15]}

Post-graduation, while bartending and working odd jobs, Zhao realized she enjoyed meeting people and hearing about their lives, giving her the push to attend film school.^[16] A Vulture article reported that “Four years was enough to turn her off of politics…she found herself drawn more to people than to policy”.^[17] In 2010, she followed up on her undergraduate film minor by joining the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television Graduate Film Program^[18] at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.^[19] While attending Tisch, Zhao studied under director Spike Lee.^[16] She told USA Today that she appreciated Lee not sugarcoating anything, saying that “he will just tell you as it is”, something that she claims she needed.^[16]

Career

Zhao’s first short film The Atlas Mountains, released in 2009, was about a woman who develops a brief yet passionate relationship with an immigrant worker who comes to fix her computer.^[20] In 2010, while at New York University, she released a second short film, Daughters, about a 14-year-old girl living in rural China who is forced into an arranged marriage and attempts to break free.^[21] It won First Place Student Live Action Short at the 2010 Palm Springs International Short Fest and Special Jury Prize at the 2010 Cinequest Film Festival.^[22]

In 2015, Zhao premiered her debut feature, Songs My Brothers Taught Me, at the Sundance Film Festival as part of the U.S. Dramatic Competition.^[23] Shot on location at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, the film depicts the relationship between a Lakota Sioux man and his younger sister. Partially improvised, around 100 hours of footage was collected as Zhao worked with the real residents of the reservation to draw inspiration from their lives and personalities in order to help shape the story.^[24][25] Zhao noted that her experience leaving China to study abroad helped her connect to the story of a character struggling with the decision to leave his hometown.^[26][27][28]

The film was praised for its intimate storytelling and its portrayal of Lakota Sioux life.^[29] After the Sundance premiere, it was later played at Cannes Film Festival as part of the Director’s Fortnight selection^[30] and was nominated for Best First Feature at the 31st Independent Spirit Awards.^[31]

In 2017, Zhao directed The Rider, a contemporary western drama, which follows a young cowboy’s journey to self-discovery after a near-fatal accident ends his professional riding career.^[32] The film was executive produced by her father, Yuji Zhao.^[33] As with her first feature, Zhao engaged a cast of non-actors who lived at the filming location, in this case on a ranch.^[34][35] The film was praised for being an innovative spin on the Western, with Zhao’s perspective as a Chinese immigrant revitalising the “oldest genre.”^[36]

The film premiered at Cannes Film Festival as part of the Directors’ Fortnight selection and won the Art Cinema Award.^[37] It earned her nominations for Best Feature and Best Director at the 33rd Independent Spirit Awards. At the same ceremony, Zhao became the inaugural winner of the Bonnie Award, named after Bonnie Tiburzi, which recognizes a mid-career female director.^[38][39] The film was released on 13 April 2018 by Sony Pictures Classics and was critically acclaimed.^[40] Peter Keough of The Boston Globe wrote: “[The film] achieves what cinema is capable of at its best: It reproduces a world with such acuteness, fidelity, and empathy that it transcends the mundane and touches on the universal.”^[41]

In 2018, Zhao directed Nomadland, starring Frances McDormand.^[42] Adapted from Jessica Bruder’s non-fiction book Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century, it was shot over four months with many actual nomadic workers.^[43] People interviewed for Bruder’s book played themselves in the film.^[44][45][46] Zhao and McDormand met the day before the 2018 Independent Spirit Awards, where McDormand was nominated for Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead and Zhao received a $50,000 grant for women directors. During the event, they hinted at their future project together.^[46]

Nomadland premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim and won the Golden Lion award,^[47] and subsequently played at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the People’s Choice Award.^[48] The film was released on 19 February 2021, by Searchlight Pictures.^[49] Zhao won the Golden Globe Award for Best Director for Nomadland, making her the first woman of Asian descent honored,^[50] and only the second woman to win a Golden Globe for directing since Barbra Streisand in 1984.^[4] In April 2021, Zhao won the Academy Award for Best Director, becoming the second woman to do so (Kathryn Bigelow being the first). The film did not receive a theatrical release in China, with speculation that it was due to her past comments on the nation. News of her Best Director win at the Academy Awards was also censored.^[51]

In September 2018, Marvel Studios hired Zhao to direct Eternals, based on the comic book characters of the same name.^[52] The film follows the events of the 2019 Marvel movie Avengers: Endgame, featuring a new team of superheroes that must reunite in order to fight an ancient enemy of the human race.^[53] Zhao named Ridley Scott‘s Prometheus and Nick Cassavetes‘ The Notebook as influences on the film.^[54] It was released on 5 November 2021. Zhao is both the director and one of the four writers of the film, the others being Patrick Burleigh, Ryan Firpo, and Kaz Firpo.^[55] Eternals received mixed reviews. The New Yorker stated that Zhao’s style of directing dialogue scenes “reveals the absurdity of the script,” saying “it might as well have been done via green screen, for the little tangibility and texture that it offers the characters and viewers alike.”^[56] The article also claimed that the film has reportedly been banned in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait due to the relationship between two male characters, Phastos and Ben.^[57] In spite of negative reviews, it still made $161.7 million during its opening weekend and became No. 1 at the box office.^[58] Critics noted Zhao’s efforts to integrate her own visual realism into a classic superhero genre format.^[59]

In 2023, Zhao served as an executive producer on The Graduates directed by Hannah Peterson.^[60]

In April 2023, Zhao was announced to be directing a film adaptation of Hamnet, with Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal in talks to star in the film and Amblin Partners to be producing.^[61] The film premiered at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival to critical acclaim. It subsequently played at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the People’s Choice Award, making Zhao a director to win the TIFF’s People’s Choice Award twice.^[62]

In February 2025, it was announced that Zhao would be directing the pilot episode for a revival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Hulu.^[63]

Filmmaking styles and techniques

Human connection and realism

Zhao’s films consistently explore themes of loneliness, identity, displacement, connection, and the search for belonging. Her characters are often positioned as domesticated people in society and are portrayed through natural lighting and lived-in locations, often blurring the line between fictional storyline and documentary. Believing filmmakers tell their stories to not feel alone, she focuses on the themes of authenticity and places an emphasis on real stories.^[8][64]

Frances McDormand told Rolling Stone that Zhao is “basically like a journalist…she gets to know your story, and she creates a character from that” and that she “draws a razor-sharp line between sentiment and sentimentality”.^[65] A Filmmaker article quoted Zhao as saying, “I want to find new ways to place the camera to evoke more of a feeling. My goal is to put the camera inside of [the character]”.^[26] An example of her process can be found in Eternals when she saw the connection between actors Lauren Ridloff and Barry Keoghan, who play Makkari and Druig, respectively. She states, “It’s the same as I did with Nomadland and The Rider. I would see how they interact and I would write that into the film”.^[66]

Zhao’s style of character-driven realism was also influenced through the scriptwriting process of Andrea Arnold‘s adaptation of Wuthering Heights for the way its characters are shown interacting with their environment. In a fantasy realm perspective, she mentions The Lord of the Rings, praising the series for their immersive landscapes. She mentions the films had an emphasis on scenic cinematography, as they inspired her for that immersive visual approach with vivid storytelling.^[67] These influences also explain her tendency to center characters with their surroundings, which allows emotion and settings to coexist.^[68]

Female gaze

Zhao’s style also leans on perspective of the female gaze. In a 2023 interview with Brut America, she mentions, “For me, there is a yin and yang in all of us, feminine and masculine strength and I think often in our society in our industry, the masculine strength is being celebrated, and that’s a painful way to exist both for women and men.” On directing these myriad of characters from the female perspective, she says, “I always try to find a way to give them a chance to be in touch with their feminine side…We must also allow our male characters to access their softer side, I think that’s the true female gaze.” ^[69]

Influences

Zhao cites Wong Kar-wai‘s romance Happy Together as the “film that made me want to make films. She was also influenced by Spike Lee, who was her film professor while she studied at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.^[70][71] She cited Ang Lee as an influence as well, saying, “Ang Lee’s career has been very inspiring to me — how he’s able to bring where he comes from to all the films that he makes”. She also has mentioned Werner Herzog and Terrence Malick as key influences.^[72][73] In a January 2026 episode of The Interview podcast, Zhao revealed that Malick had called her — despite the two never having met before — on New Year’s Day that year. During the conversation Zhao told Malick that she was a part of his storytelling “lineage”.^[74] As for her early introductions to American cinema, they were The Terminator, Ghost, and Sister Act.^[70]

Chloé Zhao’s natal chart
Chloé was born on 31 March in 1982 at 4.25 pm according to a rectified chart, in Beijing China. Zhao told an astrologer that she has a Virgo ascendant so the chart has been rectified for this time. Zhao has the Sun conjunct rebellious Eris in her natal chart endowing her with a pioneering spirit which she has demonstrated in her movies and the awards that given her many firsts for female directors and women of colour.  Zhao won the Golden Globe Award for Best Director for Nomadland, making her the first woman of Asian descent honored,^[50] and only the second woman to win a Golden Globe for directing since Barbra Streisand in 1984.^[4] In April 2021, Zhao won the Academy Award for Best Director, becoming the second woman to do so (Kathryn Bigelow being the first). Her natal Mercury is at the anaretic degree in Pisces which rules film, the arts and the imaginal realm. She also has Sun in a lovely trine with Uranus which would give her unique approach and her future oriented sensibility. Her Moon is right on the cusp of Gemini and Cancer which forms a grand trine with Pluto and Saturn in Libra and Venus in Aquarius. Her Jupiter is in Scorpio which would cause her to dive deep into her subject matter as is evident in her movies, Nomadland and Hamnet.

Chloé Zhao’s Numerology
Zhao’s day number is a 31/4 The number 4 is the builder and also endows the individual with a strong will and determination to achieve their goals. Her month number is 3 which indicates creativity and sociablity. The year 1982 is a 20/2 which is ruled by the Moon, a feminine vibration indicating receptivity and intuition. Adding the three numbers 4+3+2=9 which is her life path number indicating a humanitarian and artistic sensibility.

Aries Health and  Anatomy
As well as ruling the head, Aries rules all important organs associated with it, i.e. the brain and the eyes. In matters of health Aries are especially prone to injuries to the head and face as they often rush in where angels fear to tread. Mars rules body heat so the Aries individual is very susceptible to fevers as well as headaches and sinus. The Aries individual needs to switch off the engine and learn to relax. Yoga, meditation or martial arts are ideal activities for this hyperactive fire sign.

In her book, ‘Astrology and Biochemistry’, Vanda Sawtell outlines the health challenges for Aries and the biochemic cell salt which serves as a remedy.” The biochemic cell salt for Aries is Kali phos. which creates the grey matter of the brain by uniting with albumen and oxygen. Kali phos is so important that without it, the brain simply cannot function because there is no grey matter to function unless Kali phos. is there to create it. All mental disorders require Kali Phos, as do nervous complaints of every kind; depression, insomnia, irritability, hysteria, sensitiveness, and headaches. It is also invaluable for concentration. It is naturally indicated in all cases of paralysis in order to rebuild cells of the brain which serve the affected area. Since Kali phos. builds the brain cells, it is obvious we cannot have clear and definite thoughts without it.

The very name is significant, for Kali means ‘mother’ or ‘mater’ from which we get ‘material’, and phosphorus means ‘light bearer’.” Vanda Sawtell claims that because of its antiseptic properties, Kali phos. should be given in all skin troubles, especially if there is irritation, and in conjunction with ferrum phos. the cell salt for Pisces.

Since the fire of Kali phos. burns in the oxygen attracted by Ferrum phos. it is difficult to separate these two salts, Kali phos. and Ferrum phos. just as the signs, the first and the last of the zodiac seemed locked together as though it were their function to unite the Zodiac in a circle. Nerve impulses to all organs of the body are generated in the brain, therefore the range of symptoms covered by Kali phos is very wide. The sensory organs of sight, hearing, taste and smell all come under its influence. It is of great assistance in menstruation and pregnancy and in respiratory troubles such as bronchial asthma, whooping cough, hoarseness and loss of voice. It is also vital when nervous symptoms arise due to the fact that the nerve fluid has been exhausted.”

Overview for Aries for 2026
There is strong focus is on your spirituality sector with the karmic North Node, Mars, Juno and Pallas Athena as well as a lunar partial eclipse which occurs on 28 August 2026. It would be an ideal time to take up martial arts while Mars is in your spirituality sector. Pallas Athena’s presence here would assist you in accessing your wisdom and healing potential. Powerful Pluto continues its passage through your social sector which could bring up power issues with your friends or groups. Positively, you could act as a catalyst for your friends’ transformation or vice versa or it may cause you to completely transform your goals. Unpredictable Uranus continues its sojourn through your finance and values sector which could cause upheaval here. Ceres presence here may draw attention to your needs in regards to your finances. Your social sector is also highlighted by an annular solar eclipse which occurs on 17 February 2026. Jupiter continues its passage through your communication and short distance travel sector, giving opportunites for study, writing or teaching. Your solar 6th house of health and work is highlighted by the karmic South Node and a lunar total eclipse which occurs on 3 March 2026. Eclipses are bit like wild cards, so can present crises in this area of your life. Chiron, the planet of wounding and healing, and Eris, the dwarf planet of strife, continue their passage through your sign. Chiron and Eris in close alignment could bring up wounds that you need to face, especially where you have felt disregarded or left out. However, Eris’s rebellious energy will fire you up to stand your ground where you feel you have been wronged. Serious Saturn and nebulous Neptune have just recently joined Eris and Chiron in your own sign. Saturn and Neptune are diametically opposite, so you may be challenged to integrate these two energies. Positively, you may be able to manifest your spiritual or creative aspirations in a practical manner. Your creativity and children sector will be highlighted by a solar total eclipse on 13 August 2026. Juno’s presence in your career and goals sector could bring your attention to women’s issues or association with female colleagues.

Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, also rules trade and commerce and the chief architect of the tariff trade wars is none other than the Gemini, Donald Trump. His aggressive on again off again tariffs against so called allies such as Canada, Australia and Europe as well as “enemies” such as China has ignited a bitter trade war which has caused the stock markets to become very volatile.

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Virgo 3 March 2026
This Full Moon occurred at 12 degrees Virgo 53 on 3 March which represents the start of the Astrological New Year. Eclipses represent a completion and can be like wild cards with events coming out of left field. They usually bring about permanent change and can last up to 6 months after the eclipse. This eclipse is visible from North East Asia, US East Coast, Australia and the Pacific and northern China. The Virgo Pisces axis is the health axis, as well as the signs of service. It also concerns systems which we are witnessing collapsing. Virgo is about daily routine, habits and employment and we are already witnessing AI cause redundancies and loss of income on a global scale. Virgo is about discernment. There are 5 planets in water with Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars in Pisces and Jupiter in Cancer. Neptune at 1 degree Pisces and Saturn at 2 degrees Pisces is on the world axis, so Saturnian and Neptunian issues will be highlighted on a global scale. Pisces represents compassion, spirituality and also disillusionment. It also indicates fluids, blood, floods and oil. With the outbreak of war in the Middle East and the blocking of the Straits of Hormuz there will be challenges with the global supply of oil and the sharp increase in oil prices. Venus is exalted in Pisces and being conjunct Neptune is a harmonious aspect indicating universal love. Jupiter which is exalted in Cancer at 15 degrees is also conjunct Sirius, known as Earth’s spiritual star. Jupiter is also semisquare Uranus indicating truth and awakening. Jupiter is also trine Mercury which is the ruler of this lunar eclipse. It indicates an expansion of consciousness and with Uranus moving into Gemini on 26 April this will be magnified. Jupiter is still retrograde but will station direct on 11 March. Mercury is retrograde and will station direct on 21 March. Therefore, we can expect more travel chaos as the result of the Middle East war. Chiron is still closely aligned with Eris as well as with Ceres which indicates the potential for personal healing as well as environmental issues being highlighted. Commentators have said that a crisis represents an opportunity so it is an ideal time to upscale renewables and diminish our dependence on fossil fuels. Mars in Pisces is in an out of sign square with Uranus which is a very revolutionary energy bringing in a very strong impetus for freedom. Adding to this thrust for change and freedom is the fact that Mars is also sesquisquare Jupiter which denotes fighting for our beliefs. From 16-17 March 3i Atlas will fly close to Jupiter before leaving our galaxy.

New Moon in Pisces – 19 March 2026
The New Moon occurred at 28 degrees Pisces 27 at 12.23 pm on 19 March 2026. There is a stellium in Pisces -Sun, Moon, Neptune, Mercury Mars and Vesta plus the North Node. What is noteworthy is that Neptune and Saturn are on the world axis, that is 0 degrees of cardinal signs or within orb of cardinal signs making it even more significant. The Saturn-Neptune conjunction which made an exact conjunction on 21 February 2026 will reframe the political landscape. The stellium in Pisces, a mutable sign, keeps things fluid. With the Saturn Neptune alignment in Aries making a sextile to Pluto, more people in power are likely to be held to account. In Australia we have witnessed the coalition marriage partners, the Liberals and the Nationals break up and then make up only to break up again before reuniting in an unsteady alliance. Both the players Liberal leader, Sussan Ley and Nationals leader, David Littleproud, have departed the scene making way for the election of Angus Taylor and Matt Cananvan. Meanwhile Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party is making big gains in the polls with punters showing their increasing distrust of the two major parties. In the UK there is an ongoing investigation into the abuse of power of the King’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, and Peter Mandelson lost his high paying job as the UK ambassador to the US because of his close association with the disgraced Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile in the US Trump continues to plummet in the polls due to the Epstein cover up, and the escalating war in the Middle East which he along with Netanyahu initiated that is now threatening not only global fuel supplies but food supplies, paper, plastics, cosmetics and medicine. He has not only suffered humiliation at home but has also been snubbed by European and Asian leaders when he tried to bully them into bringing ships to the Strait of Hormuz. To add insult to injury, Trump appointed Counterterrorism Centre Director Joe Kent resigned over the Iran War, saying that Iran posed no imminent threat. Aries is concerned with leadership and with Neptune here for the next 13 years we are likely to witness further erosion of those who cling to power and sense of entitlement.

Autumn/Spring Equinox and Aries Ingress 20/21 March 2026
A new astrological year commences each March as the Sun crosses the Equator. Each Equinox provides a symbolic picture of the coming twelve months. Since Mars rules Aries, the red planet offers clues as to the likely manifestation each March. We have a strong emphasis in Aries with more planets in Aries than ever before the Sun, Moon, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Chiron, and Eris all in Aries. What is noteworthy about this equinox is that Mercury stations direct on the same day which allows information to flow more freely. It also suggests that more information will be revealed. This could indicate more revelations about the Epstein files Neptune will play a key role in this equinox and solstices for the forseeable future. The outer planets or the transpersonal planets as they are commonly to represent collective trends. The last time Neptune was in Aries in 1861 it coincided with the American Civil War, therefore its return to this position could mark a very significant turning point in the history of the US. This stellium in Aries represents a strong pioneering energy promoting courage, self sufficiency and independence. Chiron is here every 51 years while Eris is here every 556 years, marking a new beginning for humanity. This could bring up very intense emotions which could result in power struggles. Pluto’s presence in Aquarius should bring about a qualitative shift in our collective trajectory towards a progressive future. We will be moving away from rampant materialism to where there will be more investments in people rather than profit, moving into much more galactic communication with everything being accelerated.

The Impact of the Equinox on Trump’s natal chart
At this Aries ingress, transiting Saturn is opposing Trump’s stationary Neptune suggesting burnout and frustration. This is also consistent with opposition from regulations, including the US constitution and people in positions of authority. Transiting Eris and Chiron in Aries are squaring his Saturn-Venus running interference to his values and finances, and transiting Jupiter is squaring his second house stellium, suggesting he is overreacting with overreach. There is certainly evidence of that in his conducting of the war against Iran and his unrealistic expectations of allies whom he and and his cabinet have consistently denigrated and disregarded. Overblown with hubris, he and his War secretary, the incompetent former Fox media bufffoon, Pete Hegseth, were completely taken by surprise when they weren’t able to pull of a Venezuela type operation in Iran. Despite the adults in the room warning Trump of the consequences of initiating a war against Iran, he ignored that advice and was completely taken aback by the retaliation by Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz and sending missiles to all the American bases and assets in the Gulf states. Previous US presidents had been courted by the wily Netanyahu to join him in the annihilation of Iran but they all had the sense to see that this action could escalate out of control, involving many more countries in this harebrained exercise. Trump in a fit of pique tore up the nuclear agreement that Obama had made between Iran and the US so this fiasco that the world is now faced with is all of Trump’s own making. Trump’s motive may be in part to distract from the Epstein files but Netanyahu and his hardline Zionists have another motive altogether and that is to create a Greater Israel

Pete Hegseth’s natal chart
It’s worth looking at the natal chart of Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of War, as he has labelled himself. He was born on 6 June 1980, at 8.28 pm in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has his Sun in Gemini with a Sagittarius ascendant and Moon in Pisces. Phillip Lindsay, in his article on Hegseth notes that he imagines himself to be a Knights Templar with the Jerusalem cross indelibly stamped upon his chest. Lindsay writes that Hegseth is an archetypal Sagittarian religious fanatic. He also has Neptune in Sagittarius. Hegseth is facing accusations of violating domestic and international laws prohibiting war crimes by declaring “no quarter” or mercy would be given to Iranian forces. Hegseth, like Trump has the Sun in Gemini – the most potent of signs for telling lies, further compounded by his Sun oppositie deceptive Neptune. He has been doggedly sticking to the US’s narrative about Iran and constantly sprouts aggressive and threatening rhethoric. He seems to be totally unrestrained, a dangerous ideologue who serves as an attack dog for his Zionist masters.

Sources
Aries Greeting Card Illustrated by Sue Robertson
Aries Poem by Anne Robertson
Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology by Alan Oken
The Labours of Hercules by Alice Bailey
Astrology and Biochemistry by Vanda Sawtell
Insight Newsletter by Michele Finey
Pam Gregory Monthly Newsletter
‘Barbie’ Star America Ferrera’s Top 5 – AFrame Oscars.org
America Ferrera: ‘I Can’t Remember a Time When I Didn’t want to fight Injustice’ Glamour 2023 Women of the Year – Emily Maddick
Adults in the Room: My Battle with Europe’s Deep Establishment by Yanis Varoufakis
Techno Feudalism: What Killed Capitalism by Yanis Varoufakis
Raise Your Soul a Personal History of Resistance by Yanis Varoufakis
Esoteric Astrologer Pisces New Moon 2026 by Phillip Lindsay





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Happy Birthday Aries & Easter Blessings! Full Moon Lunar EclipseMarch 18, 2016In “Autumnal Equinox”

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  • February Astromusings – Happy Birthday Pisceans, Happy Chinese New Year of the Green Wood Dragon, New Moon SuperMoon in Aquarius, Mars conjunct Pluto, Full Moon in Virgo, A notable Piscean – UK Poet, Pam Ayres,
  • January Astromusings, Happy Birthday Aquarians, Mercury stations direct, New Moon in Capricorn, Pluto re-enters Aquarius – a paradigm shift, Pluto conjunct the Sun, Full Moon in Leo, Uranus stations direct, Two notable Aquarians – Patrick Dodson, Queen Mary of Denmark
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Illustration by Sue Robertson

Pisces the two fish
swim through
the unfathomable depths
Body and soul bound by
the silver cord
The soul struggles to
break free of its earthly bonds
to reunite with the Source
and bring Light to the World

(c) Anne Robertson 1987

No fairy tale relates the soul’s journey of Pisces more poignantly than Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Little Mermaid’. She undergoes sacrifice, great physical pain and personal suffering in return for the attainment of an ideal. She surrenders her beautiful voice, severs her links with her loved ones, and endures unbearable physical pain with every step she takes in return for an immortal soul and the love of a mortal prince who is unattainable. Redeemed from her suffering, she spends the rest of her life in service to others. Both Pisces and its polar opposite sign, Virgo, symbolise service.

Happy birthday to all the Pisceans, who celebrate their birthdays between February 18 and March 20. Pisces, whose symbol is the two fish swimming in opposite directions, is one of the three water signs. Pisces is one of four mutable signs the others being Gemini, Virgo and Sagittarius.

The constellation Pisces comprises the northern and the southern fish, joined together by a rope attached to each of their tails. The fish and the cord form a giant horizontal “V,” at the apex of which is Pisces’s brightest star, Al Rescha, an Arabic word meaning “the Cord” Esoterically the two fish symbolise the Body and the Soul held together by a band – the Sutratma of Eastern philosophy, the Silver Cord in the Bible. The journey of the two fish is symbolic of the journey of humanity toward evolution in consciousness as the soul tries to free itself from the bondage of the ego.

The Age of Pisces
The outgoing Age of Pisces was marked by the birth of Christ, and Christianity commemorates His crucifixion and resurrection, so Pisces is the archetype of the Saviour which represents great suffering and redemption. Pisces falls during Lent, the period of fasting which precedes Easter. During the 500 years before Jesus’ birth, many of the founders of today’s religions were born, including Buddha, Zoroaster, Lao-tse and Confucius. Jesus’ ministry not only laid the foundation for the 2000 year period now coming to a close but for a 26,000 year period referred to as ‘the Great Year’. The Piscean symbolism permeates Christianity. ‘Icthys’, the Greek name for Jesus, means fish. The twelve disciples of Jesus were from the ranks of fishermen. Jesus is said to have fed the multitudes with loaves and fishes. In the early days of Christianity in Rome, Christians, fearing persecution, would identify each other by drawing a picture of a fish in the sand or have a fish painted on the palm of their hand. The Age of Pisces has been marked by religious devotion and worship whereas the Age of Aquarius will focus on cultivating the Divine within humanity.

Neptune the Ruler of Pisces
Pisces’s ruling planet, Neptune, or Poseidon as he was known to the Greeks, ruled over his watery domain with his trident in his hand. In Greek mythology the universe was divided into three realms assigned to the three brothers. The heavens were assigned to Zeus-Jupiter, Hades-Pluto ruled over the Underworld, and Poseidon-Neptune ruled the oceans. The glyph for Neptune is a pictograph of the trident held in the hands of Poseidon. Neptune’s trident is his attribute of power reflecting the lunar crescent which links him to the realms of the instincts and watery depths of the unconscious.

Before the planet Neptune was discovered in 1846 Jupiter ruled Pisces. When each planet is discovered it indicates a new level of evolution in the consciousness of humanity. As mentioned in my previous article, Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, was discovered at the time of the French revolution and the American War of Independence, while the discovery of Neptune coincided with the spiritualist movement and the founding of the Theosophical Society. Neptune’s two moons, Oberon and Titania which bear the names of the King and Queen of the fairies in Shakespeare’s ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ are symbolic of the dream-like, elusive quality of Pisces and its ruler, Neptune. We can gain an idea of the power of Neptune from the Tower card as depicted in Liz Greene’s Mythic Tarot in which Poseidon, portrayed with a fish’s tail, points his trident at the tower, causing lightning to strike it and cracks begin to appear in its edifice. Neptune rules spirituality and the arts. In its capacity as the planet of spirituality it teaches us non-attachment, because as soon as we identify with a thought, a possession, or a loved one, Neptune can dissolve it.

The Lesson of Neptune in the Myth of Orpheus and Eurydice
Neptune’s lesson of non-attachment is nowhere more powerfully evoked than in the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus and Eurydice, the newly weds, are very much in love, but instead of fulfilling their wedded bliss, Eurydice steps on a snake, is bitten and dies. The devastated bridegroom, Orpheus, who cannot accept his fate, sets out to retrieve his beloved. Orpheus is the typical Neptunian hero, a poet and musician whose songs and music uplift the spirits. With his music he charms the dog, Cerberus, that guards the Underworld, and persuades its inhabitants, Pluto and Persephone, to allow him to bring Eurydice back to the Upper world. They grant his wish on one condition – that he does not turn around and look at her until she has arrived in the upper world again but he cannot resist the temptation to gaze into the eyes of his beloved and she dissolves before his very eyes and with it his hopes for future happiness. There are always sacrifices and adjustments demanded by Neptune. The promise of happiness and fulfilment is often illusory. Neptune is the higher octave of Venus so requires a selfless love rather than self-gratification.

The Twelfth Labour of Hercules – The Capture of the Red Cattle of Geryon

In this the last of the twelve labours of Hercules the Teacher said to Hercules, ” Before the last gate now you stand, One labour yet remains before the circle is complete, and liberation is attained. He is told to proceed to Erytheia where great Illusion is enthroned where Geryon, the monster of three heads, three bodies and six hands, is lord and king. Unlawfully he holds a herd of dark red cattle. Hercules is told by his teacher that he must drive the herd from Erytheia to their Sacred City. He is warned to look out for Eurytion, the shepherd and his two headed dog Orthrus. His Teacher advises Hercules to invoke the aid of Helius which Hercules does, making offerings to Helios the god of fire in the sun. His offerings were rewarded with the gift of a golden chalice which provided safe protection for his journey across the tossing seas to Erytheia.

Hercules killed the double headed dog Orthrus which guarded the cattle but spared the life of the shepherd Eurytion. Hercules then proceeded to kill the monster Geryon. Hercules placed all the cattle in the golden cup in which he had sailed over to the island, took them to the Sacred City, and offered them in sacrifice to Athena, Goddess of Wisdom. The Teacher greeted Hercules with the words, “Welcome, O Son of God who is also a son of man. The jewel of immortality is yours. By these twelve labours have you overcome the human, and put on the divine. Home have you come, no more to leave. Upon the starry firmament your name shall be inscribed, a symbol to the struggling sons of men of their immortal destiny. The human labours end and your cosmic tasks begin. From out of the Council Chamber came a voice that said, “well done, O Son of God.”

Alice Bailey explains the symbolism of the red cattle as that of the lower desires which are guarded by the shepherd, which is the mind, the two headed dog representing the matter aspect and the psychic nature. The reason that Hercules spared the shepherd symbolising the mind as the mind can still be the shepherd of the cattle but the two headed dog the psychic-emotional nature and the matter aspect, Hercules killed, which means that they were deprived of any power. The keeper of the cattle, the form aspect was killed but the shepherd and the cattle were raised up in the golden cup which symbolised the Holy Grail. Bailey goes onto explain that Hercules the World Saviour has fulfilled his function of lifting up humanity.

The Constellation of Pisces
Alice Bailey explains that the sign of Pisces marks a triangular place in the heavens, a symbol of reality. The sign rules the feet hence the idea of treading the Path and attaining the goal has been the underlying spiritual revelation of the Piscean age. Pisces symbolises the death to the personality and also the death of the world saviour for it is the sign of crucifixion and marks the end of the zodiacal cycle.

The first constellation in Pisces is that curious cluster of stars called “The Band”, connecting the two fishes, one fish headed straight to the north and the other swimming on the horizon. The fish headed toward the north is the symbol of the aspirant to the mysteries while the fish on the horizon represents the average person.

The second constellation is Andromeda, the chained woman.  Alice Bailey alludes to three women among the constellations and explains their symbolism: There is Cassiopeia in Aries representing matter seated in her chair, dominant; Coma Berenice in Virgo who sacrificed her hair to be of service, representing the soul only beginning to assert itself. Andromeda the chained woman in Pisces represents matter harnessed.

The third constellation in Pisces is the King named Cepheus, the husband of Cassiopeia and the father of Andromeda. Bailey claims this suggests that “The King” represents the Spirit or Father aspect.

Alan Oken in his book ‘Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology’ has this to say about the constellation of Pisces: The waters of space obscure this constellation even more than they do in Aquarius; however because of its very distinct shape it is easier to identify. Although it is one of the faintest of the twelve zodiacal asterisms it is one of the longest measuring about 41 degrees of celestial longitude. It is composed of the northern and southern fish joined together by a rope attached to each of their tails. The northern fish is the smaller of the two: it swims toward the constellation of Andromeda and the great nebula which lies within its boundaries. The southern fish swims under the great square of Pegasus the Flying Horse, and points its nose in the direction of Aquarius.

South of Al Rescha (also called “the Knot”) is Cetus the Whale, and east of the upper arm of the “V” is Aries.

Piscean Anatomy and Health
Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac and if we take into account the Universal Law, ‘As Above So Below’ it follows that Pisces rules the feet, the last part of the body. Added to this is the fact that March, the month in which Pisces falls, is derived from the Latin word, ‘margo’, which means extremity, limit, edge, boundary, or attainment.

Metaphysically, Pisces is related to understanding, and good understanding is necessary before we can travel far mentally. Pisces is one of the most sensitive signs of the zodiac, often referred to as a psychic sponge so they need to protect their boundaries to avoid being overwhelmed by other people’s negative vibes. They need to have periodic retreats from the world to recharge their batteries.

Anatomically Pisces also rules the pineal gland, the lymphatic system, the aura and parts of the nervous system receptive to psychic impressions. An afflicted Neptune can lead to auto-immune disorders or conditions difficult to diagnose. In her book, ‘Astrology and Biochemistry’ Vanda Sawtell describes the role of the cell salt related to Pisces: “The Biochemic cell salt related to the sign Pisces is iron or Ferrum phos. Iron has an affinity for oxygen which together produce red blood. When iron is lacking the blood is pale and anaemic. Physiologically, iron, which is related to Pisces, is in charge of the transport system of the body, just as our feet have charge of the transport of the body as a whole. Deficiencies of iron in the blood can cause inflammation or congestion, injuries and haemorrhages, dull throbbing headaches, insomnia, sore throat, lumbago, heart palpitations, emotional disturbances, colds and chills especially when feverish, rheumatism, fractures, cuts, sprains, bruises anaemia, depression, or listlessness.”

Pisceans can be prone to allergies caused by foods such as milk and dairy products. They need to include foods in their diet which keep their lymphatic system flowing, such as fish, a good source of protein, lemon, lime, cranberry and apple juice, leafy green salads and vegetables such as cabbage and celery, and grains such as brown rice, and potatoes and kumara. Exercises that encourage deep breathing such as yoga or pilates would also be beneficial. Neptune rules drugs and alcohol, therefore Pisceans or people with strong Neptune placements can be very prone to addictive behaviour.

Because of their compassionate natures they need to be discerning in whom they help and beware of a tendency toward martyrdom. The gemstone for Pisceans is aquamarine.  Bach flower essences that can relieve the Piscean tendency toward physical and mental exhaustion are hornbeam, and scleranthus for changeability, indecisiveness and moodiness. A homeopathic remedy indicated for heat exhaustion, headache, nausea and cramps, Veratrum album, would be beneficial for the  Piscean. Aromatherapy oils that would be a healing balm for the sensitive Piscean include sandalwood, jasmine, myrrh and ylang-ylang. The healing musical note for Pisces is B.

The Piscean Hall of Fame
Neptune rules the 12th house which deals with sacrifice, the unconscious mind, mysticism, imagination, illusion, intuition, confinements and past lives. For this reason people born under the sign of Pisces or having strong 12th house placements are often drawn to careers in the arts or spiritual endeavour. Anatomically Pisces rules the feet so it is not surprising to see that the famous ballet dancers, Nijinsky and Nureyev were Piscean. Pisceans exude an aura of glamour and a certain mystique which makes them well suited to the stage or screen.

Famous actors include Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Caine, Drew Barrymore, Leo McKern of Rumpole fame, Glenn Close, Liza Minnelli, Lynn Redgrave and Julie Walters.  Famous Piscean singers include Johnny Cash, Neil Sedaka and George Harrison. Piscean composers in the Hall of Fame include Chopin, Handel, Vivaldi, Ravel and Rossini. Piscean writers who have entranced their readers with their vivid imaginations include Kenneth Grahame, the author of The Wind in the Willows, the poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Dr Seuss whose stories have enchanted many children. Those Pisceans listed amongst the famous painters are Michelangelo, Botticelli and Renoir.

Pisceans who have contributed to the mystical realm include Edgar Cayce, the Sleeping Prophet, a very gifted healer and medium; the Dutch psychic, Gerard Croiset; the Indian mystic, Meher Baba; Rudolf Steiner, the founder of the Anthroposophical movement; and Roberto Assagioli, the visionary Italian psychiatrist who developed Psychosynthesis.

One standout Piscean who gained accolades during the 2019 – 2020 NSW bushfires is RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons born 22 February 1969, Sydney, (time unknown). In a recent interview with the SMH journalist, Deborah Snow entitled Lunch with RFS boss Shane Fitzsimmons: Tears on the darkest days, she reveals the story of man at the helm in charge of fighting the catastrophic NSW bushfires. She begins by describing Shane Fitzsimmons as a teenager tearaway: :”One wonders what his teacher would make of her wayward pupil now, observing him night after night on the TV news, flanked by the Premier, steering the state with apparent steely calm through the most destructive bushfire season NSW has seen.”

As fate would have it Shane married Lisa Simpson the daughter of the local council fire control officer Keith Simpson, who was also the employer at the time of Shane’s father George. Shane has had his share of suffering with his parents divorcing when he was in primary school because of family violence. Not long before Shane reconciled with his father tragedy struck on June 8, 2000, when a prescribed burn at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park went horribly wrong and Shane’s father, George perished, in the flames along with three other firefighters.

At the exceptionally early age of 19, Fitzsimmons was elected brigade captain. This created a dilemma back at headquarters because, technically, a captain had to be 21 before getting the keys to the local fire station. Rules were bent, and Fitzsimmons threw himself into every course the service could offer him, while continuing TAFE studies at night.

In 1994, ferocious blazes along the eastern seaboard prompted the government to put the old bush fire brigade system under review. Fitzsimmons, already on the radar as a standout volunteer, was brought into the management fold in September of that year and given a job in risk planning before moving into operations.

In 1997, the RFS was set up and Fitzsimmons, under the mentorship of then commissioner Phil Koperberg, became an assistant commissioner a year later at the age of 29. He took over the top job in 2007 and somewhere along the way acquired a masters in management from Macquarie University.

In answer to how he’s handled the enormous burden of responsibility that has rested on his shoulders during these catastrophic bush fires, with the safety of tens of thousands of people in his hands, Fitzsimmons said,“Don’t get me wrong,” he adds. “The enormity of damage, despair and tragedy – you feel that personally, but somehow you have got to compartmentalise that because you have got a dynamic and unfolding situation that’s not going to go away.” During the “darkest moments” he has been on the phone to Lisa, in tears.

Those moments have included driving to the scene of the fatal fire truck accident that claimed the lives of two young fathers, RFS volunteers, in the days just before Christmas, and the unutterably sad task of calling on the bereaved families afterwards.

Then came the funerals during which Fitzsimmons, in full dress uniform, had to pin medals on the small children of those men. Such times take him back to his father George’s death, when Lauren, the older of his two daughters, was also just a tot. The funerals are particularly hard, but he says: “I would never forgive myself for the day it got any easier. I think I would have lost a part of myself.”

Both Shane Fitzsimmons’ natal chart and numerology reflect his compassion, his desire to serve his community and his leadership skills enabling him to calmly steer the ship of the RFS in a crisis. As well as having his Sun in sensitive Pisces he also was born on number 22 day, which is a master number known as the Master Builder and the Practical Idealist. The number 22 is the number of the humanitarian and this is further emphasised in his numerology when adding the month February (2) and the year 1969 (7) which makes a total of 9 also a number denoting selfless service to humanity. The person born on the number 22 day is here to learn to remain calm and balanced in all situations of stress and ultimately achieve self mastery. Looking at Shane’s journey from teenage tearaway to a compassionate and calm leader as NSW RFS Commissioner he has fulfilled his karma this lifetime. Since writing this in 2020 Shane Fitzsimmons has resigned from his job as NSW RFS Commissioner to take up a new position as head of Resilience NSW as well as the state’s deputy secretary for Emergency Management. This position ended in 2023.

Amanda Gorman performs her poem, The Hill We Climb on Inauguration Day

For there is always light.
If only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.

A Star is Born – Piscean Poet Laureate – Amanda Gorman shines at Joe Biden’s Inauguration
Amanda Gorman the young black American poet flashed across our screens like a comet with her poem, The Hill We Climb, presaging love and hope at the very place where on 6 January just two weeks prior to the Inauguration Trump’s followers had caused carnage and mayhem in the Capitol, the citadel of democracy where lawmakers had to run for their lives. Amanda is a Piscean born on 7 March 1998 ( birth time unknown) in Los Angeles in California. She had a speech impediment as a child and has an auditory processing disorder which makes her hypersensitive to sound. She was chosen as the youth poet laureate of Los Angeles in 2014, published a poetry book in 2015, won a scholarship to Harvard to study sociology and was named the first national youth poet laureate in 2017. She founded the non-profit One Pen One Page, which runs a youth writing and leadership program. As well as being a poet she is an activist who focusses on issues of oppression, feminism, race, marginalisation and the African diaspora. In an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper who was left speechless Gorman shared with him her powerful mantra as she says before every public performance: “I am the daughter of Black writers. We are descended from freedom fighters who broke their chains and changed the world. They call me.”

Gorman also commanded the spotlight on one of America’s biggest stage, the Super Bowl, dedicating her poem, entitled The Chorus of Captains to three people for their contributions during the pandemic: educator Trimaine Davis, nurse manager Suzie Dorner and marine veteran James Martin.

She has Sun, Mercury and Jupiter in Pisces with a Cancer Moon – creative and emotionally sensitive. She also has fiery Mars in its own sign of Aries making a harmonious trine to Pluto, sextile Neptune, Venus, Uranus in Aquarius, and independent Saturn in Aries which is widely trine Pluto and possibly squaring her Moon. Mars the red planet, the ruler of Aries rules the head and the fiery qualities in her chart were reflected in her bright red silk hairband and her bright yellow coat was like a ray of sunshine on a bleak wintry day. The asteroid Ceres, the Universal Mother and goddess of the grain and corn fittingly, conjunct her Mars. There was a double whammy of Sun Neptune with her Neptune in Aquarius conjuncting the Inauguration Day Sun as well as by transit nurturing Ceres was in an exact conjunction to glamorous Neptune, her ruling planet next to her Sun. The electrifying Mars Uranus conjunction, exact on the day of the Inauguration, was conjunct her natal Vesta, the goddess of the flame and Amanda literally referred to the torch that was passed from one poet to the next. On her right hand she wore a ring of a caged bird to remind her of a former poet laureate, Maya Angelou – who also happens to have an exact Mars-Ceres conjunction.
Amanda was recommended by first lady Jill Biden and amended her poem after the Capitol assault on January 6th. She is a very gifted young woman who has achieved so much at a young age. Her three planets in Aquarius, Neptune, Uranus and Venus, seem to symbolise this Administration and her youth a nod to bridging the generation gap as she saluted the incoming president Joe Biden 56 years her senior. Her numerology is also very interesting. Being born on a number 7 day would indicate that she is an old soul and brings much wisdom from previous lives, She is born in number 3 month which is the number of creativity and sociability. The number three is said to provide the keys to the joys and pleasures of life. Her year number 1998 adds up to a 27/9. 9 is the number of humanitarian endeavour. Her life path number is a19/1, a very powerful vibration indicating that she has great leadership potential.

Pam Ayres
Pam Ayres MBE, the celebrated English poet and comedienne, songwriter and radio and TV presenter is the epitome of an imaginative Piscean. Pam Ayres was born on 14 March 1947 at 9 pm in Stanford in the Vale, Berkshire in the beautiful Cotswolds which has featured in her recent TV documentaries, The Cotswolds and its sequel and The Cotswolds and Beyond pictured above. Her 1975 on the TV talent show Opportunity Knocks led to a wide variety of appearances on radio and TV shows, a one woman touring stage show, publication of six books of poems and performing before the late Queen Elizabeth II. Her poetry has a simple style and deals with everyday subject matter, Her poem, “Oh I Wish I’d Looked After Me Teeth“, was voted into the Top 10 of a BBC poll to find the nation’s Favourite Comic Poems. In the UK Arts Council’s report on poetry, Ayres was identified as the fifth best-selling poet in Britain in 1998 and 1999. Her autobiography, The Necessary Aptitude, A Memoir, was published in 2011. It traces her life and career from growing as the youngest of six children in a council house in the Vale of the White Horse, Berkshire and the number of times she was told in her life she ” did not have the necessary aptitude.” In the 2004 Birthday Honours, Ayres was appointed a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to literature and entertainment.

Looking Pam Ayres’ natal chart, we can see that she has a stellium in Pisces – Sun, Mars, Mercury and Ceres all in the fifth house of creativity which endows her with her rich imagination, compassion whimsicality and her flair for the dramatic. In addition Venus makes a lovely trine to Neptune in the 12th house, the ruler and the ruling house of Pisces. which confers sensitivity and a romantic sensibility. Her Moon is in adventurous Sagittarius which can cause her to be outspoken but would be tempered by her Libra ascendant enabling her to come across and charming. Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, is in Scorpio which would cause her to want to delve deeply into issues. Her Moon in Sagittarius is opposed by erratic Uranus which would indicate upheaval in her childhood. Her South Node is in Sagittarius and the North Node is in Gemini which karmically points to a career as a communicator and networker. Pluto in dramatic Leo in the 10th house of career indicates a prominent career. Saturn is also conjunct her Midheaven indicating she may have had to put a lot of effort into achieving her ambitions as well as providing stability and practicality to her Piscean sensibility. Her numerology confirms her gifts for communication and creativity, being born on a 14 number 5 day in the three month giving her a life path number 11, a master number that confers visionary potential.

Professor Brian Cox – Piscean physicist extraordinaire
Professor Brian Cox was born on 3 March 1968 in Oldham UK (time not known). Brian Edward Cox (born 3 March 1968) is an English physicist and musician who is professor of particle physics in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester^[2][3] and the Royal Society Professor for Public Engagement in Science.^[4] He is best known to the public as the presenter of science programmes, especially BBC Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey Cage and the Wonders of… series^[5][6] and for popular science books, including Why Does E=mc²? and The Quantum Universe.

Cox has been described as the natural successor for the BBC‘s scientific programming by Sir David Attenborough.^[7] Before his academic career, Cox was a keyboard player for the British bands Dare and D:Ream.

Early life and education

Cox was born on 3 March 1968 in the Royal Oldham Hospital, later living in nearby Chadderton from 1971.^[8][9][10] He has a younger sister. His parents worked for The Yorkshire Bank, his mother as a cashier and his father as a middle-manager in the same branch.^[11] He recalls a happy childhood in Oldham that included pursuits such as dance, gymnastics, and plane and bus spotting. He attended the private Hulme Grammar School^[8][12] in Oldham from 1979 to 1986.^[13][14][15]

Cox has stated in many interviews and in an episode of Wonders of the Universe^[16] that when he was 12, the book Cosmos by Carl Sagan was a key factor in inspiring him to become a physicist.^[9] He said on The Jonathan Ross Show that he performed poorly on his maths A-level exam: “I got a D … I was really not very good … I found out you need to practise.”^[17]

Music

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Cox was a keyboard player with the rock band Dare.^[18] Dare released two albums with Cox – Out of the Silence in 1988 and Blood from Stone in 1991. He subsequently joined dance act D:Ream,^[19] a group that had several hits in the UK charts.^[20] Cox wrote the foreword of the official Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark biography, OMD: Pretending to See the Future (2018), having been an “obsessive” fan of the band in his youth. He said of their songs, “They shaped my character and inspired me to make music.”^[21]

Cox continues to perform sporadically. In 2015, he appeared as a guest keyboardist during a performance of the song “Your Silent Face” by New Order.^[22] He played a live rendition of OMD’s “Enola Gay“, alongside frontman Andy McCluskey, in 2022.^[23] On 29 June 2024, Cox appeared at the Glastonbury Festival with D:Ream to perform “Things Can Only Get Better“.^[24]

Higher education

Cox studied physics at the University of Manchester during his music career. In 1991, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with first-class honours in physics. After D:Ream disbanded in 1997, he completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree in high-energy particle physics at the University of Manchester in 1998.^[25] His thesis, Double Diffraction Dissociation at Large Momentum Transfer,^[25] was supervised by Robin Marshall^[25][26] and based on research he did on the H1 experiment at the Hadron Elektron Ring Anlage (HERA)^[25][27] particle accelerator at the DESY laboratory in Hamburg, Germany.^[28]

Career and research

Cox is a particle physicist at the University of Manchester.^[29] He worked on the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)^[30][31] at CERN,^{[32][33][34][35]} near Geneva, Switzerland.^{[36][37][38][39][40]} He previously held a Royal Society University Research Fellowship and a Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) advanced research fellowship.

Cox has co-written several books on physics including Why does E=mc²?^[41] and The Quantum Universe, both with Jeff Forshaw.^[42] He has supervised or co-supervised several PhD students to completion including Tamsin Edwards.^{[1][43][44][45][46][47]}

Broadcasting

Brian Cox at Science Foo Camp in 2008

Cox has appeared in many science programmes for BBC radio and television,^[5][48] including In Einstein’s Shadow,^[49] the BBC Horizon series,^[50] (“The Six Billion Dollar Experiment”, “What on Earth is Wrong with Gravity?”, “Do You Know What Time It Is?”, and “Can we Make a Star on Earth?”) and as a voice-over for the BBC’s Bitesize revision programmes. He presented the five-part BBC Two television series Wonders of the Solar System in early 2010 and a follow-up four-part series, Wonders of the Universe, which began on 6 March 2011.^[51] Wonders of Life, which he describes as “a physicist’s take on life/natural history”, was broadcast in 2013.^[52] He co-presents Space Hoppers and has also featured in Dani’s House on CBBC.^[53]

Cox also presented a three-part BBC series called Science Britannica which sees him explore the contribution of British scientists over the last 350 years, as well as the relationship between British science and the public perception thereof.^[54]

BBC Two commissioned Cox to copresent Stargazing Live, a three-day live astronomy series in January 2011 – co-presented with comedian Dara Ó Briain and featuring chat show host Jonathan Ross^[55] – linked to events across the United Kingdom. A second and a third series featuring a variety of guests ran in January 2012 and January 2013.^[56]

Since November 2009, Cox has co-presented a BBC Radio 4 “comedy science magazine programme”, The Infinite Monkey Cage, with comedian Robin Ince.^[57] Guests have included comedians Tim Minchin, Alexei Sayle, Dara Ó Briain, and scientists including Alice Roberts of the BBC show The Incredible Human Journey, Callum Roberts,^[58] a chief scientific advisor for Blue Planet,^[59] and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.^[60] Cox also appeared in Ince’s Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People. He was a regular contributor to the BBC 6 Music Breakfast Show (and the Afternoon Show since 2019) with Shaun Keaveny, with a weekly feature, and an annual Christmas special^[61] with Keaveny and Brian Eno. He appeared on 24 July 2009 episode of Robert Llewellyn‘s CarPool podcast series.^[62]

Cox has also appeared numerous times at TED, giving talks on the LHC and particle physics.^[63][64] In 2009 he appeared in People magazine‘s Sexiest Men Alive.^[65] In 2010, he was featured in The Case for Mars by Symphony of Science. In November 2010 he made a promotional appearance in the Covent Garden Apple Store, talking about his new e-book set to accompany his new television series as well as answering audience questions.^[66]

Cox gave the Royal Television Society‘s 2010 Huw Wheldon Memorial Lecture on “Science, a Challenge to TV Orthodoxy”, in which he examined problems in media coverage of science and news about science. It was subsequently broadcast on BBC Two. On 4 March, a talk entitled “Frankenstein’s Science” at the National Theatre featured Cox in discussion with biographer Richard Holmes on Mary Shelley‘s exploration of humanity’s desire to bring life to an inanimate object and whether the notion is possible, in both the 19th century and today.^[67]

On 6 March 2011, Cox appeared as a guest at Patrick Moore‘s 700th episode anniversary of The Sky at Night. He has said that he is a lifelong fan of the programme, and that it helped inspire him to become a physicist. On 10 March 2011, he gave the Ninth Douglas Adams Memorial Lecture.

Cox was the science advisor for the science fiction film Sunshine. On the DVD release, he provides an audio commentary where he discusses scientific accuracies (and inaccuracies) depicted in the film. He also was featured on the Discovery Channel special Megaworld: Switzerland. In 2013, he presented another series of Wonders of Life.

On 14 November 2013, BBC Two broadcast The Science of Doctor Who in celebration of Doctor Who‘s 50th anniversary, in which Cox tackles the mysteries of time travel. The lecture was recorded at the Royal Institution Faraday Lecture Theatre. The BBC subsequently broadcast Human Universe and Forces of Nature also presented by Cox.

A longtime fan of the Monty Python comedy troupe, in July 2014 Cox appeared on stage on the final night of their 10-date live show, Monty Python Live (Mostly). He also appears on the documentary telefilm Monty Python: The Meaning of Live.^[68]

In 2017, Cox appeared in the children’s television programme Postman Pat, voicing space expert Professor Ryan Farrow.^[69]

Brian Cox’s natal chart
Since there is no known birth time for Brian Cox I have cast the chart for 12 midday. Brian Cox was born on 3 March 1968 in Oldham, UK. He has the Sun in Pisces as well as Chiron and the asteroid Vesta in Pisces. Vesta in Pisces would see his best work in the service of humanity. Neptune, the ruler of Pisces, is in the sign of Scorpio making a harmonious trine with Chiron in Pisces endowing him sensitivity and empathy. Pisces rules artistic activities such as music, dance, drama, writing and film, all pursuits with which Brian Cox has been involved. This strong creativity is reinforced by his numerology, being born on the 3rd day of the 3rd month and a number 6 year. Adding the three numbers together 3+3+6=12/3, making him a triple 3 with a life path number 3. The number 3 is the number of creative self expression and is referred to as providing the keys to the joys and pleasures of life. Brian Cox exudes this enthusiasm for all forms of life in all his endeavours with his creative talents being expressed in all his undertakings, whether he is is waxing lyrical about the wonders if the Universe or playing the keyboards with the rock band Dare at the 2024 Glastonbury festival. Before he became a particle physicist he was well known as a keyboardist with the rock band Dare.^[18] Dare released two albums with Cox – Out of the Silence in 1988 and Blood from Stone in 1991. He subsequently joined dance act D:Ream,^[19] a group that had several hits in the UK charts. Having his Moon in Taurus, the sign that rules the throat and singing, would add to his musicality. With Venus, the ruler of Taurus, conjunct his Mercury, this would enable him to express himself in a pleasant manner whether through singing or enchanting audiences with his scientific adventures. He has his Mercury and Venus in future oriented Aquarius which also rules science so it is not surprising that he has pursued a career in science. Mercury in Aquarius would have him brimming with unique and original ideas which he would enjoy sharing with others.

He also has a stellium in Aries – Mars, Saturn and the North Node which would endow him with his pioneering spirit in his scientific endeavours. Mars, the ruler of Aries, in its own domicile would give him a strong drive to initiate activities. Saturn in Aries would make him resourceful and capable of applying new methods in a practical manner. He has Pluto, Uranus and Pallas Athene in analytical Virgo. The change agents, Pluto Uranus, are conjunct so he belongs to the generation that would bring about revolutionary change in society. Pallas Athena’s presence here would endow him with a keen analytical mind which he would be able to apply to detailed and exhaustive projects which he has demonstrated in all his work. Professor Brian Cox is like a modern day polymath with his natal chart and numerology enabling him to succeed in all his various projects making him the perfect advocate for all his creative and scientific endeavours, delighting and enlightening audiences wherever he goes.

Piscean Sanae Takaichi becomes first Japanese female prime minister
Sanae Takaichi stunned pundits when the 64 year old conservative politician won in a landslide snap election. She was first elected to the office of prime minister on 21 October 2025. Then she called a snap election for 8 February 2026 winning in a historic landslide victory for the Liberal Democratic Party, securing a two thirds supermajority and the largest number of seats ever won in postwar Japanese electoral history. This was her third attempt to become prime minister so third time lucky. How did she achieve this? She had a carefully curated, dynamic image drawing on the media management skills of her mentor, Shinzo Abe, the influential Japanese leader, who was assassinated in 2022. Her first weeks in office were a flurry of activity: attending summits overseas, hosting President Donald Trump in Japan, making policy pronouncements and managing to pass a supplemental budget that had plenty of sweeteners for voters.

Surging prices for food and fuel over the previous year had battered Japanese households already pressed by stagnant wages and low pensions. She offered cash handouts to families, subsidies for household energy bills, and rice coupons. She slashed the gasoline tax and targeted inflation, the main concern of voters. Takaichi’s countermeasures brought timely relief and won over skeptics.

The snap election—a calculated wager to preempt economic headwinds and voter disenchantment—caught the opposition unprepared. The election was unmistakably a referendum on Takaichi’s qualities and decisiveness, posing the question to Japan’s voters: Whom do you trust? Takaichi or her hapless opponents?

Early Life

Sanae Takaichi was born on 7 March 1961 in Yamatokōriyama, Nara Prefecture, to a dual-income middle-class family. Her father, Daikyū Takaichi,^[1] worked for an automotive firm affiliated with Toyota. Her mother, Kazuko Takaichi (1932–2018),^[2] served in the Nara Prefectural Police [ja].^[3][4] Takaichi graduated from Nara Prefectural Unebi High School [ja]. Despite qualifying to matriculate at Keio and Waseda universities in Tokyo,^[5] she did not attend as her parents refused to cover tuition fees if she left home or chose a private university because she was a woman.^[6][5]

Instead, Takaichi commuted six hours from her family home to attend Kobe University, paying her way with part-time work.^[7] During her university years she joined a band, playing the drums and was once a member of a heavy metal band.^[7] In 1984, she graduated from Kobe with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, then enrolled in the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management.^[8][9]

In 1987, with sponsorship from Matsushita Institute, she moved to the United States to work as a congressional fellow for Democratic congresswoman Pat Schroeder.^[4][10][11] In 1989, upon her return to Japan, she worked as a legislative analyst with knowledge of American politics, and wrote books based on her experience. In March 1989, she became a presenter for TV Asahi, co-hosting the station’s Kodawari TV Pre-Stage program with Renhō. In November 1990, Takaichi was employed as a presenter for Fuji Television, later serving as anchor of the morning information program Asa Da! Dō Naru [ja].^[12][13]

Celebrity Status wins youth vote
She is a bit of a paradox as even though she has been described a a conservative or ultra conservative politician has garnered the youth vote in almost a cult like way. She has described the Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher as her idol but at the same time, she was a heavy metal drum player in her youth and described as a ‘biker chick’.

Fashion Icon – Sanae Takaichi’s handbag and pink pen go viral
The handbag she carries is sold out, her pink pen has gone viral and even her favourite snacks are in hot demand: Japan’s 64-year-old leader Sanae Takaichi has sparked an unlikely youth-led craze that would have ensured her big election win. Polls suggest ‘sanakatsu’, roughly translated as ‘sanamania’, helped give Japan’s first female prime minister a decisive mandate in the election. Takanori Kobayashi, director at Hamano, the company that makes the $900 black leather bag that Takaichi regularly totes, says he has been stunned by the young people clamouring to buy the item on a nine-month backlog.

“The bag is usually bought by people in their forties or fifties,” Kobayashi said at the company’s factory in Nagano, central Japan, where press clippings of the prime minister are pinned to a notice board.”But since it became well known, probably through social media, we have seen a lot of interest from customers in their twenties and thirties.”There has been a similar online buzz around the pink ballpoint pen she uses to scribble notes in parliament and the shrimp rice crackers she was seen clutching while riding a train.

Social Media Savvy
Takaichi has built a social media following that dwarfs those of her rivals, both inside her ruling Liberal Democratic Party and across the opposition. She has about 2.6 million followers on X, compared with around 64,000 for Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition party.
Takaichi’s personal approval ratings are almost double that of the LDP, traditionally a male-dominated party, according to a poll released on Monday by public broadcaster NHK.

Her viral posts stand out in Japan’s usually staid politics, such as clips of her drumming to the hit song Golden from Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, or serenading Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with ‘Happy Birthday’ in Italian.

When Takaichi announced the snap poll on January 19, she cast the vote as a de facto referendum on her leadership and policies, including fiscal expansion and a plans to strengthen defences to counter China’s growing military might.

“Can you entrust the management of the nation to Sanae Takaichi? I ask the people directly to judge,” she said.

She surprised voters and politicians with an election “to get an endorsement in a way that is actually rather presidential,” said Koichi Nakano, a political science professor at Sophia University in Tokyo.

Takaichi’s approach has won over Haruka Okuyama, a 32-year-old office worker who attended her first campaign rally in Akihabara, an anime and gaming culture hub in central Tokyo.

“A lot of young people follow social media these days, and I think there’s been an increase in conservative thinking among them,” Okuyama said, pulling a magazine from her bag that she said she bought because Takaichi was on the cover.

Perched atop a campaign truck outside Akihabara station, Takaichi spoke about her modest upbringing outside Japan’s political elite, and covered topics from the cost of hair salons to controlling immigration.

Takaichi, whose mother was a police officer and father worked at a car company, has said she has drawn inspiration from Margaret Thatcher, the daughter of a shopkeeper who became Britain’s first female and longest-serving modern premier.

“She has a clear, decisive way of speaking,” said Takeo Fujimura, a 24-year-old clerical worker who had volunteered to hand out paper Japanese flags at the event. “She communicates in a bright, positive way and I think that energy resonates with young people.”

“The power of her personality seems to be transcending politics,” he said.

Sanae Takaichi’s Natal Chart
Takaichi was born on 7 March 1961 at Nara, Japan, (birth time unknown). Since we have no known birthtime, I have cast her chart for midday. She has the Sun, Ceres and Chiron in Pisces with her Sun making a watery trine to Neptune, the ruler of Pisces, in Scorpio. This configuration would denote sensitivity, inthuition and compassion. She certainly has charisma with a bit of Piscean fairy dust to win over the youth to vote for a stodgy conservative party. However, she also has Pluto in Virgo closely aligned with her North Node sextiling Mars in Cancer which would endow her with courage and a steely determination. In addition she has a Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in ambitious Capricorn squaring Venus in fiery Aries so she would advocate for her causes with passion. With her nodal axis in Pisces (South Node) and Virgo (North Node), karmically she would be needing to learn to integrate Piscean qualities of compassion, intuition and sensitivity with the Virgoan attributes of diligence and attention to detail. She has certainly gained a reputation for being a hard worker, claiming that like her idol, Margaret Thatcher, she survives on only a few hours sleep. She has also had to demonstrate toughness and determination to break through the glass ceiling of patriarchal ruled Japan. She has also showed her hawkish side standing up to China ruffling their feathers. Hopefully, her Piscean sensibility will temper the more hard line policies she is advocating.

Sanae Takaichi’s Numerology
Takaichi was born on a number 7 day which denotes an old soul who is endowed with wisdom, sensitivity and intuition who has acquired specialised knowledge. It can denote someone who is reclusive but in her case this would be somewhat moderated by the fact that she was born on number 3 month which denotes creativity and sociablility. Her creativity is expressed with her musical talent, playing the drums and singing. She certainly seems quite outgoing. Her year number 1961 adds up to a 17/8 which indicates power and good management skills. Adding the 7+3+8=18/9, the life path number 9 indicates humanitarian endeavour and artistic ability. It will be interesting to see how she approaches her premiership, as both her natal chart and numerology indicate a sensitivity beneath the tough exterior she is projecting, in contrast to her idol, Margaret Thatcher. The jury is out on this. We will have to wait and see what unfolds.

Overview for Pisces for 2026
Soulful Neptune has entered your solar second house of finances and values. Neptune, the planet of losses and sacrifices teaches us non-attachment so you may be challenged in your attitude to your finances. However, serious Saturn is closely aligned to Neptune in your finance sector which should assist you in handling your finances in a practical fashion. Ceres, Chiron and Eris are also closely aligned in your finance sector. Jupiter, the planet of good fortune, has moved into your creativity, children and romance sector which allows for expansion in this area of your life, encouraging your playful side. Erratic Uranus continues its sojourn through your solar 3rd house of communication and the immediate environment so there could be some disruption in this area of your life. Positively, Uranus could give you sudden inspiration in your writing and communication skills. Pluto, the planet of transformation, continues its passage through your spirituality sector. Dynamic Mars, Vesta and an annular solar eclipse are also activating your spirituality sector. Vesta known as the Vestal virgin would be very comfortable in your spirituality sector as it represents devotion and focus, while Mars’ presence here would be channelled with activities such as martial arts. Your relationship sector is highlighted by the karmic South Node and a total lunar eclipse which occurs on 3 March. The karmic North Node and Pallas Athena are in your own sign. Pallas Athena should help inspire your wisdom and strategising skills. There is also a partial lunar eclipse in your own sign on 28 August, as well as a total solar eclipse in your health and work sector which ocurs on 13 August. Eclipses are like wild cards and can bring issues to a head to be resolved. Juno, the goddess of marriage and women’s issues, in your social sector putting the focus on women friends and women’s issues.

Full Moon in Leo
The Full Moon occurred at 13 degrees Leo 03 on 2 February at 9.09 am AEDT Sydney time. Potent Pluto and dynamic Mars have recently joined forces in a stellar line up of planets in Aquarius – Sun, Venus, Mercury and Vesta. This a particularly volatile combination in Aquarius which represents revolution, rebellion, freedom, truth and human rights, so there will be a crescendo of people demanding their rights and freedom. Pluto has not been fully in Aquarius conjuncting all these planets since 1798. Aquarius represents youth and the new order, whereas Capricorn, ruled by Saturn or Cronos represents old age and the old order. Aquarius ruled by Uranus represents power to the people, whereas Capricorn represents top down authority. We have seen the power of dissent largely social media, driven by the younger Gen z generation, sucessfully unseating corrupt leaders in Bangladesh, Nepal, Moroco, Madagascar and parts of Africa. Uranus is at a virtual standstill being stationary, adding to the unpredictability. When Uranus finally leaves Taurus on 26 April and enters the dual sign of Gemini forming a sextile with Neptune, it indicates there are spiritual choices to be made.

Epstein’s Global Fallout – Corruption and Blackmail of the Global Elite ensnaring Royalty, Heads of State and Tycoons
The Full Moon, being in Leo, throws the spotlight on leadership – government, royalty, celebrtities, business, technology etc. As more shock revelations come out about the network of powerful people who have been tangled up in disgraced paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein, with its tentacles reaching as far as in the UK with the former Prince Andrew and now UK’s former US ambassador’s Mandelson’s criminal activity linked with Epstein threatening to engulf UK PM Keir Starmer and the Labour Party, and Norway’s crown princess Mette-Marit’s long association with Epstein and her son facing a trial for rape.

It has also claimed the scalps of Miroslav Lajcak, Slovakia’s national-security adviser, Jack Lang, boss of the Arab World Institute, a Parisian cultural centre. A Dubai tycoon has been replaced atop the massive cargo-logistics firm DP world. The chief legal officer of Goldman Sachs, Kathryn Ruemmler, has resigned after her affiliations with Epstein including advising him on handling sex crimes accusations, media scrutiny, and accusers was revealed.

Former Norwegian diplomat and politician and key architect of the Oslo Accords, Terj Rod-Larsen, is under investigation after it was revealed that he facilitated visas for Epstein’s victims has resigned which has sent shock waves through the diplomatic community. The transactional nature of the relationship between Epstein and Rod-Larsen was explicit. Documents show Epstein loaned Rod-Larsen $130,000 in 2013 and even more damningly, reports indicate that Epstein’s last will and testament included a clause bequeathing $5million each to Rod-Larsen’s two children – a total of $10 million. This has now caused Palestinians to question whether Oslo’s foundational agreements of the two-state solution were brokered by a mediator vulnerable to elite blackmail and foreign intelligence pressure. Mustafa Barghouti, general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative political party, told Al Jazeera he was not at all surprised at all by the corruption allegations and that he had no doubt that Rod-Larsen was being influenced by the Isaeli side all along. Barghouti argued that the revelation of millions of dollars flowing from a Mossad-linked figure like Epstein to the Rod-Larsen family suggests the corruption was” directed to serve Israel’s interests against the interests of the Palestinian people.

The ties between disgraced Epstein and Israel have come into sharp focus after release of millions of documents which have revealed more details about Epstein’s links with members of the global elite, including former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Document also show Epstein funding of Israeli groups, including friends of the IDF and the settler organisation the Jewish National Fund, as well as his ties to members of Israel’s overseas intelligence services.

Governing by blackmail
Analysts argue the Rod-Larsen case is symptomatic of a wider system of global governance driven by systematic blackmail and intelligence operations. In the US itself, Howard Lutnick the Commerce Secretary, caught out in a lie about when he severed his ties to Epstein, Brad Karp, head of a large law firm in New York. Epstein billionaire associate, Les Wexner and so the list goes on.

Martin McSweeney in his newsletter Truth Matters, not to be confused with Trump’s Truth Social which spews out lies and misinformation, sums it up this way. “If we are to understand the Epstein Class, we need to live for a moment in a parallel world in which Greed takes priority over everything and everyone. A world where all but you are expendable. The Epstein Class is a network of individuals who have a code in which they help each other enrich themselves in an environment where the only rules that exist are those of the elite club, where tax evasion is a badge of honour, and the rule of law plays no part. Evidence suggests it was a world where the sole objective was to transfer wealth to the top. They created a ‘no rules’ club in which corruption was normalised, while taking advantage of the knowledge organised crime as they developed state-sponsored leverage operations to hide and launder money. Epstein became the go-to guy for facilitating the theft of taxpayer money through complex tax-evasion schemes. he concludes that in 2024 the US installed a government in which Trump became the new facilitator of the Epstein class.

Independent experts who work for UN Human Rights Council warn alleged acts in Epstein files could amount to some of the gravest crimes under international law
In a statement these independent experts claimed that the reported conduct could amount to sexual slavery, reproductive violence, enforced disappearance, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, and femicide. “So grave is the scale, nature, systematic, and transnational reach of these atrocities against women and girls, that a number of them may reasonably meet the legal threshold of crimes against humanity,” they said.

One mitigating factor to this volatile mix is the fact that Uranus is sextile stable Saturn. Neptune silently glided into feisty Aries on 27 January and is fast approaching its reunion with Saturn in Aries on 21 February which will mark a significant paradigm shift within political and social systems. It is worth remembering that the last time Neptune entered Aries, it coincided with the beginning of the American Civil War.

Astrocartography = the Full Moon
It is noteworthy to see that Uranus was conjunct the MC of Greenland at the time when Trump has declared he must have Greenland for security reasons only to be rescued from being appropriated by Trump by strong resistance by Europe initiated by Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Other nations in the spotlight at this Full Moon are Iran which has been in the headlines over their brutal crackdown on protesters. Transiting Saturn is on Iran’s Mercury which manifested as the Iran government retaliated with a complete media blackout shutting down the internet. This was in Iran’s 2nd house of finances with dire economic situation triggering the protests.

New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aquarius
A New Moon solar eclipse occurred at 28 degrees Aquarius 10 on 17 February at 11.01 pm AEDT Sydney time. What makes this a very significant event is the fact that the New Moon is almost at the anoretic degree which is known as the crisis point. Erratc Uranus at 27 degrees Taurus 32 makes a tight fixed square with the Aquarius New Moon which is likely to bring unexpected events in its wake.

This New Moon also coincides with Chinese lunar New Year of the Fire Horse. The Chinese New Year always occur on the 2nd New Moon of the year. This New Moon occurs just 4 days before Neptune and Saturn make an exact conjunction in Aries. All these events add up to a combustible concoction. The Fire Horse conjures up a vastly different image than the 2025 year of the wood snake which represented the snake shedding its skin. It is interesting to note that the last time the Fire Horse occurred was in 1966 which was a year of revolution and demands for freedom and equality. It conjures up images of wild untamed horses that cannot be restrained and bent on breaking away from the old order. The Fire Horse represents a paradigm shift in consciousness, bringing truth to light in a big way. Things that no longer represent the new consciousness will be discarded or transformed. The New Moon represents new beginnings, and even more so with this shift of Saturn and Neptune into fiery Aries with its pioneering spirit. What makes it even more powerful is that Saturn and Neptune at 0 Aries 23 are on the world axis, indicating it will have a global impact.

Pluto is out of bounds south from August – December 2025, repeating this pattern for the next 10 years until 2035, and Pluto will be in the sign of revolutionary Aquarius until January 2044. This solar eclipse also conjuncts the US Moon at 27 Aquarius representing the people which indicates an awakening for them. Neptune indicates deception and disillusionment. The solar eclispe is also sesquisquare Jupiter in Cancer which is also conjunct Sirius known as the spiritual star. What is noteworthy is that this solar eclipse is conjunct the ascendant descendant of Trump which is also the health axis and this could involve cardiac issues or challenges with the circulatory system. It is reminiscent of the conjunction of the Solar eclipse with the US Cancer Sun which coincided with the American revolution when people rose up against the taxes imposed on them by King George.

Retrograde Mercury
Mercury, the planet of communication and transport, stations retrograde at 22 degrees Pisces 33 on 26 February and stations direct at 8 degrees Pisces 29 on 21 March which coincides with the autumn/spring Equinox. This can mark a time of confusion and misunderstandings and industrial strikes. If planning to travel you need to make sure that you check your travel schedules to avoid delays or cancellations.

Chinese Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse
In Chinese culture, the Horse is known for its energetic and dynamic nature. It symbolizes vitality, speed, and perseverance. People born in the Year of the Horse are believed to possess similar traits, such as being hardworking, warm-hearted, and independent.

The Horse is also associated with success and good fortune. There is a phrase “马到成功” in Chinese. It represents achieving success swiftly and smoothly, just like when a victorious horse arrives at the battlefield. It implies that success can be achieved rapidly and effortlessly. Some people may wear clothing or accessories depicting horses or incorporate horse imagery in their homes for positive energy and fortune.

People born in a year of the Horse are extremely animated, active and energetic.

Most horses love to be in a crowd, and they can usually be seen on such occasions as concerts, theatre performances, meetings, sporting events, and parties. They are generally sociable, friendly, and possess good communication skills. Usually they can easily make friends with their warm and open nature.

In addition, horse people are often inclined towards taking risks and seeking new experiences. They have a sense of adventure and crave excitement, making them willing to try different things and explore uncharted territories.

Moreover, those born in the year of the Horse usually value honesty and loyalty. They tend to be straightforward and sincere in their interactions, making them reliable and trustworthy friends.

obs involving communicating with others attract Horses most. The Horse sign stands for leadership, management, and decision-making. Horses dislike taking orders.

Horses can make it in any career that demands neither solitude nor meditation, for they are extroverts and need to be surrounded by people who approve of them and flatter them.

Famous people born in the Year of the Horse (1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002) are known for being energetic, independent, and charismatic, often thriving in spotlight roles. Prominent figures include Emma Watson, Jennifer Lawrence, Paul McCartney, Jackie Chan, Halle Berry, Warren Buffett, and historical figures like Theodore Roosevelt and Neil Armstrong. 

Actors and Entertainers

• Emma Watson (1990): Actress.
• Jennifer Lawrence (1990): Actress.
• Margot Robbie (1990): Actress.
• Halle Berry (1966): Actress.
• Jackie Chan (1954): Actor and martial artist.
• David Schwimmer (1966): Actor.
• Helena Bonham Carter (1966): Actress.
• Cindy Crawford (1966): Model. 

Musicians

• Paul McCartney (1942): Musician.
• Jimi Hendrix (1942): Musician.
• Annie Lennox (1954): Singer.
• Sinéad O’Connor (1966): Singer. 

Historical and Political Leaders

• Theodore Roosevelt (1858): 26th U.S. President.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882): 32nd U.S. President.
• Vladimir Lenin (1870): Russian revolutionary.
• Angela Merkel (1954): Former Chancellor of Germany.
• Joe Biden (1942): 46th U.S. President.
• Nelson Mandela (1918): Former President of South Africa. 

Business, Science, and Others

• Warren Buffett (1930): Investor.
• Neil Armstrong (1930): Astronaut.
• Sir Isaac Newton (1642): Scientist.
• Thomas Edison (1847): Inventor.
• Greta Thunberg (2002): Environmental activist.
• Gordon Ramsay (1966): Chef. 

Key “Fire Horse” Individuals (1966)
The Fire Horse (appearing every 60 years) is known for exceptional passion and, at times, stubbornness. 

• Halle Berry
• Janet Jackson
• Cindy Crawford
• Gordon Ramsay 

Sources
Pisces Greeting Card Illustrated by Sue Robertson
Pisces Poem by Anne Robertson
Esoteric Astrology Volume 3 Treatise on the Seven Rays by Alice A. Bailey
Soul-Centred Astrology: A Key to your Expanding Self  by Alan Oken
Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology by Alan Oken
The Labours of Hercules by Alice A. Bailey
Astrological Keys to Self-actualization & Self-realization by Clara A. Weiss
Astrology and Biochemistry by Vanda Sawtell
Lunch with RFS boss Shane Fitzsimmons: Tears on the darkest days by Deborah Snow
Amanda Gorman: On Fire by Oxford Astrologer
Amanda Gorman – rising to the occasion by Marjorie Orr
Insight Newsletter February by Michele Finey
The Next Step February Newsletter by Pam Gregory
Handbags and Hashtags: Japan’s Takaichi rides youth-led craze into election by Tim Kelly and Joseph Campbell, Reuters 4/2/2026
Compromised peace? Oslo Accords figure deeply linked to Epstein network, by Mohammed Mansour, Al Jazeera, 12 Feb 2026
Who can we trust in a world where all roads lead down the same path? Truth Matters newsletter, Martin McSweeney, 16 Feb 2026
The Year of the Horse, China Highlights

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Aquarius the water carrier
pours forth the Waters of Life
that fountain of Light
which purifies the minds
of women and men
awakening in their hearts
the Divine seed of Love

(c) Anne Robertson 1987

The male and female water carriers pouring the waters of consciousness, an act which symbolises the equal contribution of masculine and feminine energies, the rational and intuitive, the union of which is vital for the psychic harmony and evolution of all planetary life in the Age of Aquarius.

Esoteric Keyword Phrases for Aquarius
The Personality sounds his note: Let desire in form be ruler
The Soul proclaims: Water of Life, I am poured forth for thirsty men.

Rulers for Aquarius
Exoteric Ruler: Uranus under the Seventh Ray of Ceremonial Law and Organisation
Esoteric Ruler: Jupiter under the Second Ray of Love Wisdom
Hierarchical Ruler: The Moon under the Fourth Ray of Harmony through Conflict

Aquarians – The Age of Aquarius – Cycles of Uranus

Happy birthday to all the Aquarians whose birthdays fall between January 20 and February 18. Aquarius, known as the water bearer, is one of the three air signs often mistakenly thought be a water sign but Aquarius, the water bearer, an air sign, is pouring the waters of consciousness for the evolution of all humanity as we enter the Age of Aquarius. Aquarius is ruled by the planet Uranus and its co ruler is Saturn also the ruler of Capricorn.

Uranus was discovered in 1781 which coincides with the French Revolution and the American War of Independence. Thus, Aquarians are often seen as reformers or revolutionaries or non-conformists. Aquarians are renowned for their eccentricity like their ruling planet, Uranus, which travels in a freakish way – instead of spinning like a top like any other planet, Uranus rolls on its belly making it appear as if its five moons revolve backward. Uranus is named after Ouranus, the sky father in Greek mythology. Hence, Uranus symbolises lightning and can unleash a force more potent than anything previously known. While Uranus was transiting the sign of Capricorn, representing the establishment, the Berlin wall came down. In February 1962 there was a line-up of planets in Aquarius which could cause people born at this time to be either genii or ‘mad’ or at the very least downright eccentric!!
Aquarian Hall of Fame

Galileo Galilei

There is a saying, “ As the Aquarian thinks so the rest of the world will think in fifty years time.” Over seventy percent of people in the hall of fame have their sun or ascendant in Aquarius. When we look at the hall of fame of Aquarians we can see that this indeed is the case. Galileo was a famous Aquarian whose scientific theories threatened the religious thought of the day – he was so ahead of his time. Another famous Aquarian scientist, Charles Darwin, whose theories on evolution challenged the existing scientific and religious thought caused a schism in the Christian church.

Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln’s revolutionary stand on slavery split the United States and Roosevelt’s radical new economic program was met with bitter opposition by the establishment.

Oprah Winfrey Receives Cecil B. de Mille Award at the 2018 Golden … 9:40https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN5HV79_8B8Jan 7, 2018 – Uploaded by NBC

 9:4

Jan 7, 2018 – Uploaded by NBC
Another Aquarian whose impassioned speech for universal equality electrified the Golden Globes in 2018 is Oprah Winfrey which led to speculation of her taking a tilt at the presidency in 2020. In her speech Oprah made reference to the impact it had on her as a little girl watching Sidney Poitier whom she described the most elegant black man she had ever seen receive the Oscar for best actor at the 1964 Academy Awards. At that stage her mother cleaned other people’s houses for a living.

Oprah went on to pay tribute to two remarkable black women: “And there’s someone else: Recy Taylor, a name I know and I think you should know too. In 1944, Recy Taylor was a young wife and a mother. She was just walking home from the church service she’d attended in Abbeville, Alabama, when she was abducted by six armed white men, raped, and left blindfolded by the side of the road coming home from church. They threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone, but her story was reported to the NAACP, where a young worker by the name of Rosa Parks became the lead investigator on her case. And together they sought justice. But justice wasn’t an option in the era of Jim Crow. The men who tried to destroy her were never persecuted. Recy Taylor died 10 days ago, just shy of her 98th birthday. She lived as we all have lived, too many years in a culture broken by brutally powerful men. For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dared to speak their truth to the power of those men, but their time is up. Their time is up. Their time is up.

Oprah’s conclusion was inspirational and had a prophetic ring to it. It was also sounded a note of optimism in keeping with her Sagittarius Moon and ascendant and : “And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say, “Me too” again. Thank you.”

Rosa Parks, the civil rights activist to whom Oprah paid tribute in her Golden Globes speech is also an Aquarian born 4 February 1913 in Tusgekee, Alabama at 5.12 am. Rosa Louise McCauley Parks (February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005) was an activist in the Civil Rights Movement, whom the United States Congress called “the first lady of civil rights” and “the mother of the freedom movement” due to her sparking of the Montgomery bus boycott, leading to a 21/12/1956 Supreme Court order outlawing discriminatory practices on Montgomery buses. It was on 1 December 1955 that the soft-spoken 42-year old seamstress left work to catch the bus home. When the bus became loaded the driver told her to give her seat to a white man – and she refused – almost single-handedly starting the modern civil rights movement. She said, “I had been pushed as far as I could stand to be pushed. I had decided that I would have to know once and for all what rights I had as a human being and a citizen.” She displayed great courage in opposing the status quo in keeping with Mars on her ascendant.

Parks’ act of defiance and the Montgomery bus boycott became important symbols of the modern Civil Rights Movement. She became an international icon of resistance to racial segregation.

Rosa & Raymond Parks

She and her husband, Raymond Parks, also an Aquarian born 12 February 1903 organized and collaborated with civil rights leaders, including Edgar Nixon, president of the local chapter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People); and Martin Luther King Jnr, a new minister in town who gained national prominence in the civil rights movement.

Parks received national recognition, including the NAACP’s 1979 Spingarn Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and a posthumous statue in the United States Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. Upon her death in 2005, she was the first woman and third non-US government official to lie in honour in the Capitol Rotunda. California and Missouri commemorate Rosa Parks Day on her birthday February 4, whilst Ohio and Oregon commemorate the occasion on the anniversary of the day she was arrested, December 1.

Germaine Greer
Both Aquarians, Germaine Greer and Betty Friedan, challenged the tenets of patriarchy and pioneered the modern feminist movement. Enough said!

Vale Lisa Marie Presley
Another famous Aquarian is the late Lisa Marie Presley who sadly passed away only a few days after what would have been the 88th birthday of her beloved father Elvis and after she attended the Golden Globes with her mother Priscilla to celebrate Austin Butler’s award as best actor for his role as Elvis in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic Elvis. Lisa Marie was born on 1 February 1968 at 5.01 pm in Memphis Tennessee, USA. She is noted for her humanitarian work which is in keeping with her Aquarian sensibility. What is noteworthy is that as well as having her Sun in Aquarius she has a stellium in Pisces – Mercury, Moon Mars and Chiron. This would have endowed her with a compassionate, artistic nature and describe her struggle with addiction to opioids and pain killers. She also has a T-square between Neptune, Mercury, Moon and Jupiter. Neptune in the fourth house ruling the home and family would make her innately Neptunian and portrays the absent father with Elvis’s untimely death when Lisa Marie was only 9 years old. Neptune also rules dance, music, film and theatre which is such an integral part of the Presley family legacy. Neptune also rules spirituality and faith and it well known that Elvis read many books on esoteric subjects including the works of Madame Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophical Society. Neptune is also about loss, sacrifice and grief.

In 2003, she told the Los Angeles Times that following her father’s death, her mother sent her to a series of private schools when “she began acting out and experimenting with drugs”.

“I was kind of a loner, a melancholy and strange child,” Lisa Marie told the newspaper.

“I had a real self-destructive mode for a while. I never really fit (sic) into school. I didn’t really have any direction.”

She opened up about the addiction in the foreword for the 2019 book The United States of Opioids: A Prescription for Liberating a Nation in Pain.

“Many more people are suffering silently, addicted to opioids and other substances. I am writing this in the hope that I can play a small part in focusing attention on this terrible crisis,” she wrote.

Searing essay on grief


Lisa Marie leaves behind what could be described as a story of tackling and often overcoming tragedy.

In an essay about grief following the death of her son Benjamin, Lisa Marie wrote in August 2022: “Grief is something you will have to carry with you for the rest of your life, in spite of what certain people or our culture wants us to believe. You do not ‘get over it,’ you do not ‘move on,’ period.

“I’m saying this… in the hopes that maybe today or as soon as possible, you can reach out to someone who is grieving someone they loved and lost. Whether they lost a child, a parent, a spouse, a sibling, a fiancé, anyone.

“Ask them how they’re doing, ask them to talk about their person. Yes! We DO want to talk about them. That’s how we keep them alive in our hearts, that’s how they don’t get forgotten, that is what keeps us alive as well.

“And do me a favour, don’t tell them that ‘you can’t imagine’ their pain. The truth is, oh yes you can – you just don’t want to.”

Perhaps that message will end up as her legacy, as her family now deals with one more tragedy.

Charity work and humanitarian efforts
The Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation (EPCF) was formed by Graceland/Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. in 1984 to continue Elvis’s own tradition of generosity and community service and to honor his memory. The EPCF was overseen by Lisa Marie Presley, chairperson, and the management team of Graceland/Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. In 2001, Presley Place opened to its first residents. Presley Place provides homeless families up to one year of rent-free housing, child day care, career and financial counseling, family management guidance and other tools to help them break the cycle of poverty and regain self-esteem and independence. Also funded by the EPCF is the Elvis Presley Music Room, where the youngsters of Presley Place and others may enjoy access to musical instruments and instruction and participate in special related programs. The EPCF created the Elvis Presley Endowed Scholarship Fund at the College of Communication & Fine Arts at the University of Memphis to assist students majoring in areas of the arts. “All of us with the EPCF and Elvis Presley Enterprises are extremely proud of this amazing facility,” stated Presley. “The work that MIFA (the Memphis-based Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association) does truly has an impact on peoples’ lives and we look forward to this collaboration.”^[35]

Presley joined Oprah Winfrey and her Angel Network and was active in the relief efforts after hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and surrounding areas. Presley gave a helping hand in Memphis, Tennessee. “I’m here,” she said, “because I definitely needed to do something, and it just so happens this is where I’m from. I’m going to do everything I can. People need help—this is a huge catastrophe and everyone needs to stand up.” Her first stop was a food bank, where, with the help of FedEx and Kroger, Presley loaded a truck with groceries. Then it was time for a pit stop at Target for toiletries and clothes. “I thought I was going to grab a couple things at the store,” Presley said, “and I ended up filling up a truck. I went a little crazy.” Presley’s final destination was the Grand Casino Convention Center in Mississippi to distribute the supplies to people who had lost everything. One evacuee said, “I really appreciate everything Ms. Presley is doing for us. We have nothing, so we’re very grateful for everything she’s doing”.^[36]

In 2011, Presley became a patron of the Dream Factory, a charity based in Hainault, London.^[37] Presley was one of the celebrity guests at the Snowball held at the Prince Regent in Chigwell in aid of the Dream Factory. Actors Ray Winstone and Sid Owen, who are both patrons of the charity, and Amanda Redman were also among guests at the star-studded event, which raised $59,000 towards granting the wishes of terminally ill children and those with life-threatening illnesses or disabilities. Organizer Avril Mills said: “We have granted 83 dreams in under three years, so the money is going to go towards a lot more dreams. It costs between $500 and $5,000 for a dream. Lisa Marie Presley was very nice and she now wants to become a patron of the charity. We talked about the charity and she brought a big framed picture of Elvis, which she got flown over for the Dream Factory from Graceland, and that raised $5,000.”^[38]

Grammy Foundation
Presley was involved with the Grammy Foundation’s Gold Grammy Signature Schools program, which recognizes top US public high schools that are making an outstanding commitment to music education during an academic school year.^[39] On October 22, 2005, Presley presented a special award to Isaac Hayes at the Memphis Recording Academy Honors. A host of hometown stars gathered to see Presley, Justin Timberlake, Isaac Hayes, and David Porter honored by the Memphis chapter of the Recording Academy. Presley and music producer Jimmy Jam presented the award to Hayes.^[40]

On November 11, 2005, Presley participated in a Grammy SoundCheck at LA’s House of Blues, during which she and other industry professionals met with a group of music students to discuss career opportunities available to them within the music industry.^[41]

Awards and honours
On June 24, 2011, Presley was officially honored by the governor of Tennessee, Bill Haslam, who proclaimed a day of recognition for her charitable efforts.^[42] Two days later, she was issued a Certificate of Proclamation by the mayor of New Orleans, Mitchell J. Landrieu, in recognition of her dedication and contributions to the city.^[42]

A proclamation received from the City of Memphis on June 28, 2011, stated:

“Lisa Marie Presley is a humanitarian and philanthropist who continues to focus her efforts on the hometown she knows and loves, Memphis. Through her efforts and time she has improved homelessness, literacy, and raised funds for local charities and organizations. She raises awareness for Memphis and continues to set an example of what one person can do when they put their mind to it.

“Now, Therefore, I, A.C. Wharton, Jr., Mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, do hereby recognize the lifelong service of this illustrious humanitarian and philanthropist.”^[42]

Senator Patrick Dodson
One Australian who demonstrates the best of the Aquarian qualities of a humanitarian who has spent his life championing the causes of his people, is Australian Indigenous leader Senator Patrick Dodson known as the “Father of Reconciliation.”

Patrick Dodson (born January 29, 1948, Broome, Western Australia, (time unknown) Australian activist and politician who became one of Australia’s most influential Indigenous leaders and who is known as the “Father of Reconciliation.”

A member of the Yawuru people, Dodson was the son of an Irish-Australian father and an Aboriginal mother. When Dodson was age 2, his family moved from Western Australia to Katherine in the Northern Territory to escape the Western Australian laws which prohibited mixed-race families. Both of his parents had been imprisoned in the early years of their relationship as a result of their refusal to adhere to government-imposed racial segregation. In 1960, Dodson, then age 13, and his six siblings were orphaned. Although an aunt and uncle of Dodson’s battled with authorities to prevent the children from being sent to live in a Catholic mission settlement, Dodson, his younger brother Mick—who would become a renowned activist and scholar in his own right—and two of their siblings were made wards of the state.

In 1961, two priests from the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart arranged scholarships for Patrick and Mick to finish their education at Monivae College, a Catholic boarding school in Hamilton, Victoria, at which they were the only Aboriginal students. At Monivae, Dodson not only proved to be a conscientious and accomplished student, but he also was elected college captain and served as captain of the school’s Australian rules football team. At this juncture he was already displaying strong leadership skills and the potential to become a powerful voice for Indigenous rights.

After graduating from Monivae, Dodson studied for the priesthood. When he joined the order of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in 1975, Dodson became the first Aboriginal person to be ordained a Catholic priest in Australia. As a priest, Dodson sought to balance and blend his faith in Catholicism with his Aboriginal spirituality. However, after many years of struggling to reconcile the two, Dodson left the priesthood. This marked the beginning of his journey of activism for Indigenous rights and his commitment to the reconciliation movement. In 1981, Dodson joined the Central and Kimberley Land Councils, and eventually he was appointed the director of both influential land rights organizations. In that capacity, Dodson successfully negotiated the return of the giant monolith Uluru/Ayers Rock to its traditional owners, the Anangu people.

Dodson made some of his most acclaimed and influential contributions to the pursuit of rights for Aboriginal peoples as a royal commissioner appointed in 1989 to investigate the deaths of Aboriginal persons in custody. It was his work as the founding chairperson of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (CAR) from 1991 to 1997, however, that led to his becoming known as the “Father of Reconciliation.” He also served as co-chair of the Expert Panel for Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians (2010–16). Dodson was devoted to building constructive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples through mutual respect and dialogue. His achievements in this realm were profound, as he brought fundamental issues of the country’s past to the forefront. After retiring from the CAR, Dodson continued his advocacy for constitutional change and recognition of Indigenous rights. He served as chairperson of Nyambu Buru Yawuru Ltd. (2010–16).

In 2016 Dodson was appointed as the Australian Labor Party’s replacement for Joe Bullock as a senator representing Western Australia when Bullock stepped down over differences with his party on the issue of same-sex marriage. Dodson also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame in Broome. Dodson was recognized as a National Living Treasure, and in 2008 he was awarded the Sydney Peace Prize.

Senator Dodson played a pivotal role in advocating for the Uluru statement from the Heart released in 2017 which called for a representative body to be enshrined in the constitution to advise policymakers on indigenous issues, known as the Voice which failed to pass in the referendum held on 14 October 2023. Dodson was appointed Special Envoy for Reconciliation and the Implementation of the Uluru Statement by the Albanese Labor government. Unfortunately Senator Dodson became very ill which prevented him from being as active as he would have liked in the months running up to the referendum. After the defeat of the referendum Senator Dodson told a news conference the referendum defeat left “a problem for Australia.”

“That 60-40 spread of that vote makes it an Australian problem. It’s not an Aboriginal problem,” he said.

“We need to seriously think now of the way in which our civil society knits together with this diversity and differences.”

Asked how the country should chart a way forward, Dodson pointed to three things in Indigenous affairs.

One was closing the gap in relation to the social inequities First Peoples suffered as citizens. The second was to go back and look at the human rights declaration on Indigenous people’s rights.

“The third matter that we should seriously start to look at […] is how to enable First Peoples to create the economic independence that they can do by leveraging up their asset bases, and that’s not only those physical asset bases they hold, but also those ones that have been alienated from them.”

Patrick Dodson’s natal chart
When he announced that he would retire from politics on 26 January which was close to the date of his 75th birthday on 29 January 2024, tributes flowed to him from all parts of the country. Looking at his natal chart he has both Sun and Mercury in forward looking Aquarius as well as Venus in compassionate Pisces. His Moon is in practical Virgo which would explain his life of service whether as a priest or advocating for his people. He has Jupiter in its own sign of Sagittarius and Pallas Athena in Pisces endowing him with the gift of prophecy, innate wisdom and an ability to speak the truth. The difficult T-square between his Moon, Uranus and Jupiter is indicative of his traumatic childhood who were orphaned when Pat was only 13 and he and his brother Mick were forcefully separated from his family home. He transcended the disadvantages dealt out to him in childhood taking advantage of the offer to educate himself and in turn advocated tirelessly for his people. Colleagues who paid tribute to him praised him for his dedication, wisdom and compassion and may be best summed up by his fellow indigenous colleague, Linda Burney: “I pay tribute to my dear friend and Yaruwu man Senator Patrick Dodson, who has announced his retirement from the Federal Parliament. Patrick has dedicated his life to improving the lives of indigenous Australians, and deserves our deepest respect and gratitude.”

Mary Donaldson – from Tasmanian law & commerce graduate to Bondi Junction realtor to Queen of Denmark
Another Aquarian of note is our own Australian Mary Donaldson who is now Queen Consort of Denmark after her husband Crown Prince Frederick acceded to the throne becoming King Frederick X after his mother Queen Margrethe abdicated on 14 January after 52 years on the throne. Queen Mary was born Mary Elizabeth Donaldson on 5 February 1972 time unknown in Hobart, Tasmania.

How Mary Donaldson rose from Tasmanian girl to soon-to-be queen of Denmark and ‘took the hearts of the Danes’

Mary Donaldson’s early years growing up in suburban Hobart in the 1970s and 80s had a sense of ordinariness — particularly compared with what was to come.

The daughter of a mathematics professor and an executive assistant, with two sisters and a brother, she went about her schooling with confidence and a growing ambition.

And as a student at Taroona High School, the teachers could sense her potential.

“The people who do remember working with Mary as teacher and student, they remember a person who was very engaging, very outgoing, very amiable, obviously a leader to be in the student council of that year,” the school’s then-principal Robin Fox told the ABC in 2003. But none could have predicted what lay ahead for Mary.

How Mary met Frederik

After finishing her law and commerce studies at the University of Tasmania, Mary worked in advertising in Melbourne, Edinburgh and Sydney.

She lived in Sydney for seven years and shifted to working in luxury real estate in 2000, just before her life was turned upside down as a 28-year-old.

How she came to meet Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik has become the stuff of legend — a highly unlikely five degrees of separation.

Frederik was in Sydney for the Olympic Games, and was out for drinks at Sydney pub, the Slip Inn, on September 16, 2000, with his brother Prince Joachim, his cousin Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark, Princess Martha of Norway and Prince of Asturias, Felipe VI — now the King of Spain.

Felipe VI had an Australian friend. That friend invited her sister, who in turn invited her own friend, who happened to be Mary’s flatmate. He then invited Mary.

‘I’ve never had a good picture taken’

Frederik and Mary’s romance appeared to blossom immediately. She was at first unaware of Frederik’s royal status, but this soon became apparent.

Perhaps sensing the immense change that was coming, a few weeks after their meeting, Mary entered into a six-week course with a deportment agency called Starmakers to build her confidence.

Transformation coach Teresa Page told the ABC last year that Mary knew she had great potential.

“We asked Mary, ‘Why do you want to do the program?'” Ms Page said.

“[She said] ‘I’m 28 years old, life is passing me by and I want to change my life.’

“She said to me, ‘I’ve never had a good picture taken’. And it was true!”

Mary was taught how to make an impact every time she walked into a room. It proved a highly useful skill for the coming years.

Over the next 12 months, Frederik returned to Australia to meet up with Mary in secret.

His earlier bachelor lifestyle — earning him the nickname the “turbo prince” — meant he was a source of much interest among European media.

It was inevitable that his journeys to Australia would raise suspicions.

In late 2001, Danish royal magazine Billed Bladet sent a journalist to Sydney to find out about Frederik’s “secret Australian girlfriend”.

They broke the news that it was Mary Donaldson, a “pretty, outgoing, gifted and perhaps future crown princess”.

‘She took the hearts of the Danes’

Mary moved to Denmark in December 2001, and their relationship became more public.

In 2003, Frederik came to Hobart to compete in the World Dragon Championships on the River Derwent.

They were engaged on October 8, 2003.

Danish journalist Kristian Ring-Hansen Holt said Mary quickly became popular among the Danish public.

“We love Mary so much that I think Australia actually came closer to Scandinavia when we learned of her,” he said.

“One of the things she did very fast and very well was to learn Danish.

“She almost spoke Danish instantly, and she took the hearts of the Danes.”

They were married on May 14, 2004, at Copenhagen Cathedral, when Mary became the first Australian to ever stand in line to be a queen.

The couple have four children – Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

Queen’s abdication takes Denmark by surprise

The abdication of Queen Margrethe II – Europe’s longest-serving monarch – caught Denmark by surprise.

The 83-year-old made the announcement in her traditional New Year’s Eve address to the nation, having undergone hip surgery recently.

She abdicated on January 14, Denmark time.

Mr Ring-Hansen Holt said no-one saw it coming.

“Everyone is gathering around the TV at 6 o’clock in the evening,” he said.

“And then at the end of the speech, she began talking about how her operation has hurt her … and that she felt it was time now to pass on the job.

“Nobody knew.”

In a statement, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen offered a “heartfelt thank you” to Queen Margrethe II, and said she welcomed the new royal couple.

“In the new year, Crown Prince Frederik will be proclaimed king. Crown Princess Mary will become queen. The kingdom will have a new regent and a new royal couple,” she said.

“We can look forward to all of this in the knowledge that they are ready for the responsibility and the task.”

Frederick will become King Frederik X, and Mary will be known as Queen Mary.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff also congratulated the couple and acknowledged the longstanding reign of Queen Margrethe II.

“Princess Mary is a wonderful ambassador for Tasmania,” Premier Jeremy Rockliff said in a statement.

“Fifty-two years at the helm is an amazing feat. Queen Margrethe II has dedicated her life to changing her country, and making the world a better place.”

“I look forward to watching the next generation, and Tasmania’s own born Queen lead Denmark’s future,” he said.

Queen Mary’s natal chart
Looking at Queen Mary’s chart, like Patrick Dodson, she has both Sun and Mercury in Aquarius. She also has her North Node conjunct Mercury in Aquarius which indicates that her destiny is to be a spokesperson for social causes. She is highly respected for the work she does through the Mary Foundation that she established in 2007. The opening statement says, ” At the Mary Foundation we fight for a society where everyone feels they belong. The issues her foundation champions include women’s rights, domestic violence, bullying and well being, loneliness, sustainable fashion to name but a few. From her early days of being a mother she won public affection by rejecting nannies and sending her children to public schools. Mary has also become a powerful advocate for women’s reproductive rights – historically a taboo for a future queen – as well as maternal health, sexual and reproductive rights in developing countries as well as LGBT rights. Some, like royal historian Sebastian Olden-Jorgensen from the University of Copenhagen, have dubbed her a “woke princess, with progressive issues such as climate change high on her agenda but he concedes she has been very clever at what’s she’s decided to take on, bringing the royals in line with mainstream Danes. Jorgensen concedes that she has been a very progressive representative for Denmark. “The royal family has always been internationally minded, but she has really immersed herself in work of a big scale and global nature,” he observed. There is a saying that goes, “As the Aquarian thinks so the rest of the world will think in 50 years time. The Aquarians are the trailblazers and this is what Mary has demonstrated in her work. She received both fierce praise and piercing criticism for becoming patron of World Pride in Copenhagen in 2021 and the LGBT event’s director, Lars Henriksen, said the presence of the crown princess made a huge impression. “She was a star that day,” he says and the fact that she made herself available to so many people taking selfies with her meant a lot to people who are often the outcasts and the marginalised.” In her speech at the Pride Event she said, “We must be united in the fight against discrimination in the hopes of a life of dignity for all. Another event where Mary made her mark occurred in October last year when she visited New York, making headlines with a speech marking United Nations Day. She addressed a reception at the UN Mission highlighting her country’s role in raising awareness of the consequences of climate change, including the impact of sea level rise on low-lying communities.

In a Youtube documentary, 2020 Visionary Leaders, Mary was interviewed by Eva Kruse about her work on sustainable fashion during the pandemic. Mary acknowledged that when a crisis occurs it strikes the most poor and vulnerable who are the most disproportionately affected. Mary cited the example of Bangladesh where 80% of their exports are textiles of which 85% of their workers are women where one million have been laid off. The sudden unemployment of these female workers affected their financial independence and their ability to provide for their children’s health and education. Mary stressed that money was not the only criteria by which to value a garment, but of even more importance is what was the environment in which the product was made, and were the workers treated fairly, a non monetary value. She stressed the need to bring about behavioural change which she acknowledged Covid has escalated. She concluded that collectively we need to be strong and resolute. This is a very Aquarian response focussing on the collective efforts of the community.

Combatting loneliness has also been one of Mary’s passions, having talked openly about how she dealt with isolation and depression when at 25. she lost her mother following heart surgery. Mary has strong fire in her chart with Chiron, Mars and Eris in Aries as well as Jupiter in its own sign of Sagittarius which would explain her enthusiastic approach to her various patronages and her global reach. Mia Kristina Hansen, the head of SIND, Denmark’s national association for mental health said it is clear that the next queen’s heart is in her work. “She has put put matters of the heart on the international agenda,’ noted Berlingske, one of Denmark’s oldest newspapers. “Where her husband for years has balked at his innate destiny, Mary has fully embraced the unexpected and the unknown.” This could also be a result of her being born on number 5 day an energy which enables her to easily embrace change and endows her with the gift of communication.

One interesting serendipitous event revealed in the biography of Frederik, Under the Beam, published in 2017 revealed that two weeks before Mary and Frederik had that first fateful encounter at the Slip Inn in Sydney during the Sydney Olympics Mary walked into a tarot reading place and came out with a series of predictions. The woman who read her tarot cards told her that she would meet a very worldly man and that it also on the cards that Mary would move to Europe and become a star that people knew. “A star” straight up. Mary herself said she actually believed in destiny because of where she is today, “It makes me believe that there is something behind it. I mean just the way Frederik and I met – it took many little things that had to fit together. “There has to be something – supernatural? – that took charge. As if destiny is tapping me on the shoulder.” Mary declared in an interview with the Danish newspaper Politiken in May 2004. With her South Node in royal Leo she may well have been a royal or a leader of some significance in a past life. Her goal this lifetime is to integrate the energy of the South Node in Leo representing past lives with the North Node in Aquarius that is in Mary’s case being a ruler but with the common touch championing the causes of all communities, especially the marginalised. With her Venus in Pisces squaring her Jupiter in Sagittarius conjunct the part of fortune this is romance writ large.

Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono, the other half of the famous Lennon couple is a great example of the rebellious spirit of the Aquarian. Yoko was born on 18 February 1933 at 8.30 pm in Tokyo Japan so will turn 92 this year. Most people of a certain age will remember the iconic image above of Yoko Ono and John Lennon’s ‘love in’ inviting the press into their bedroom to protest against the Vietnam War with their mantra, ‘Give Peace a Chance’, from the song of the same name. Who is Yoko Ono and how does she embody the Aquarian spirit?
Japanese conceptual artist, musician, designer, composer, poet and performer, the widow of ex-Beatle John Lennon.

Ono was the daughter of a prominent Tokyo banking family and enjoyed an privileged, aristocratic childhood. When rumours of a Tokyo bombing began to spread during World War II, her parents send her to the countryside to keep her safe from attack. The family moved to Scarsdale, NY in 1951, where Ono studied art at Sarah Lawrence College for three years but left without a degree. Striking out on her own, she began creating the austere, experimental pieces that were to become central to her oeuvre while studying independently under artist John Cage. Revelling in the creative process, Ono began to show her avant-garde work at public exhibitions.

Ono married Japanese musician Toshi Ichiyanagi in 1957, already well ensconced in a bohemian lifestyle that included casual affairs. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1964. Later that same year she married artist and filmmaker Tony Cox who won custody of their child, Kyoko, when the marriage officially ended in 1969. Ono then became an ardent member of the Fluxus movement, an international affiliation of radical artists that synthesised Dada, Duchamp, and John Cage and operated in the U.S. from 1960-1978 under the stewardship of artist George Maciunas. As a successful conceptual artist, she was exhibiting her work in London where she met married Beatle John Lennon in 1966 at her gallery show. It was love at first sight, and their private meeting after the show prompted Lennon’s classic “Norwegian Wood.”

The sparks didn’t fizzle out between the couple, and “other woman” Ono became the target of scathing criticism in the wake of Lennon’s inevitable divorce and the break-up of the Beatles. Marrying Lennon in Gibraltar on 20 March 1969, Ono suddenly became world-famous. The couple began a crusade for peace, collaborating politically and musically by staging elaborate anti-war protests and recording “Give Peace a Chance,” under the name “The Plastic Ono Band.” They settled in New York and continued to record and perform their own music during the ’70s, yet whenever Ono performed her decidedly experimental music on her own, she received negative reviews. Their son, Sean, was born 9 October 1975, when Lennon retired to raise him full-time. Ono successfully supervised Lennon’s loosely managed finances and handled all business matters of recording, royalties and revenue. The couple publicly emerged from all-consuming parenthood in 1980 with their album “Double Fantasy.” When Lennon was assassinated on the sidewalk outside their Manhattan apartment building on 8 December 1980 at 10:50 PM EST, it sent shock waves across the planet.

Ono then withdrew to raise Sean as a single mom, putting her musical career on the shelf in the late ’80s after the release of her albums “Starpeace,” “Season of Glass,” and “Rising.” “It’s silly to bring out something when there’s no demand.”

After several reclusive years, Yoko Ono re-emerged. In 1989 the Whitney Museum mounted a retrospect of her conceptual art. She produced an off-Broadway musical, “New York Rock,” that opened in April 1994. In 1996, 62 year old rock-and-roller, Ono, toured nationally with son Sean’s band “IMA”. She makes her home in New York with companion Sam Havadtoy.

Yoko Ono’s natal chart
Looking at Yoko Ono’s birth chart, she has a stellium in Aquarius – Sun, Venus, Saturn and Pallas Athena giving her a future oriented outlook as well as strong individualism and an unconventional streak. Her Sun is at the anaretic degree 29 degrees Aquarius in the 5th house of creativity. She also has Venus conjunct Saturn in Aquarius which would enable her to have discipline and give form to her creativity. Pallas Athena in Aquarius gifts her with her innate wisdom. Her Moon and part of fortune are both in idealistic, freedom loving Sagittarius and is in the 3rd house of communication enabling her to find fulfillment in expressing hers emotions through her art and music. She has a Libra ascendant which would give her a pleasing disposition and a desire for peace and harmony. Her planets in the 5th house endow her with her creative talents and fun loving nature as well as a love of children. With her Uranus in the 7th house of relationships, she found the perfect partner in Libran John Lennon with whom she collaborated musically as well as finding creative means of expressing their political views. Pluto is in the 10th house of career and goals giving her prominence in her career as an artist and musician.


The Age of Aquarius
Most people would remember the words of the famous song from the musical, Hair, which was staged to much acclaim in the early 1970’s: “We are at the dawning of the Age of Aquarius.” Some people were under misapprehension that the Age of Aquarius was something that occurred then and is now over but it was actually referring to the fact that we are on the cusp of Age of Aquarius, and the outgoing Age of Pisces which began around the time of the birth of Christ.

According to Dane Rudhyar in his book, ‘Astrological Timing of the Transition to the New Age’, during the incoming Age of Aquarius, calculated to be from the year 2060, there will be a return to the principles of the great spiritual teachers such as Jesus, Buddha, Pythagoras, Lao Tse and Confucius who represent the seed period of the Age of Pisces. Each Age has a seed period – at the turn of the 20^th century there appeared Illuminati such as Helena Blavatsky who founded the Theosophical Society, and wrote books under the guidance of the Masters of Wisdom as did Alice Bailey who established an esoteric school and the International Goodwill Movement. Other great spiritual teachers dedicated to reviving the Ancient Wisdom teachings include the Indian sage, Krishnamurti, Rudolf Steiner who founded the Anthroposophical movement, and Roberto Assagioli who formulated Psychosynthesis, a transpersonal form of psychotherapy with branches worldwide that focusses on aligning the personality Self with the Higher Self.

The Eleventh Labour of Hercules

A clue to the role of the Aquarian and the meaning of the Age of Aquarius can be found in the esoteric teachings of Alice Bailey in her book, ‘The Labours of Hercules’. Each labour corresponds to the task to be undertaken by each of the twelve signs of the zodiac. The eleventh labour for Aquarius is to clean the dung out of the Augean stables which symbolises purging the planet of the all the excesses of the outgoing Age of Pisces i.e. materialism, dualism, emotionalism, religious fanaticism, glamour, lower psychism, to prepare humanity to embrace the Aquarian concepts of group consciousness, universal brotherhood, humanitarian endeavour, planetary awareness, the reunion of science and spirituality, and the equal representation of masculine and feminine energies.

Dane Rudhyar, prophesised that the Age of Aquarius would be an Age of androgyny. Each Age lasts approximately 2,000 years and we are in a transition period between the two Ages which is currently causing much stress and tension on the planet so it is vital that we evolve in consciousness by aligning our personality Self and Higher Self to cope with the accelerated changes in keeping with the Age of Aquarius which will be an age of synthesis.

The Ages proceed in the opposite direction to the zodiac because of what is called the precession of the equinoxes. Supporting this concept of purging or cleansing is the fact that the month that Aquarius falls in – February, derived from the Latin word, Februarius, means purification. The glyph for Aquarius, the two wavy lines represents the ankles, the serpent of wisdom, and the Egyptian hieroglyph for the Nile. The top line represents the feminine i.e. intuition and the bottom line represents the masculine and the rational. Aquarius also rules science, technology, telecommunications, electronics, telepathy and astrology, careers in which Aquarians are strongly represented.

Aquarian Health and Anatomy

Anatomically Aquarius rules the ankles, the calves, circulation, and electrical waves in the nervous system, the pituitary gland and the aura. The biochemic cell salt for Aquarius is Natrum Mur; or what is usually known as common salt. Vanda Sawtell, in her book, ‘Astrology and Biochemistry’, explains the function of Natrum Mur:  “Natrum Mur is found in every tissue and fluid in the body and this cell salt regulates the flow of fluid through the tissues. Therefore, Natrum Mur is needed in all cases where there is a disturbance in the distribution of water, where the surface is either too dry or too moist which can cause colds, dryness of mouth, constipation, shingles, blisters, eczema, indigestion, anaemia, hay fever, cracking joints, restlessness and irritability. Lack of Natrum Mur may cause sleeplessness when too little fluid is present, and the brain tissues become dry, or it may cause a heavy tired, drowsy feeling if too much water is present in the brain tissues.”

Foods which stimulate the circulation of blood are beneficial for Aquarians. These include chilli, cayenne pepper. Red coloured foods such as beetroot, radishes, red peppers, strawberries would also be of benefit. Exercises such as Yoga, Pilates, and qigong which encourage regular breathing and purify the blood will enhance the Aquarian well-being. Bach flower remedies indicated for Aquarians are impatiens and patchouli water violet. Aromatherapy oils that would be soothing for the Aquarian include lavender, lemon verbena. Gemstones for Aquarians are Turquoise, Amazonite and Malachite. Tuning forks developed in Switzerland which sound a note corresponding to each of the planets audible to the human ear provide a means of healing with sound. The healing musical note for Aquarius is G.

 Overview for Aquarians for 2026
 Your solar first house is highlighted by a stellium in Aquarius – Pluto, Vesta, Pallas Athena as well as an annular solar eclipse which will occur on 17 February 2026. Pluto’s presence could signal radical transformation in your life while Vesta will bring focus and Pallas Athena will enable you to tap into your wisdom and strategic skills. Saturn, Neptune and the karmic North Node continue their passage through your finance sector. A partial lunar eclipse will occur here on 28 August. Neptune’s presence in your solar second house of finances, possessions and values will encourage you to re-evaluate how you handle your finances and possessions. You may find that if you were always very organised with regards to your finances that Neptune will teach you to go with the flow rather than calculate every last dollar when doing your budget. Its lesson of non attachment may encourage you to donate to charities or use your finances in a more altruistic fashion. Saturn’s presence here will help mitigate the effects of Neptune encouraging you to economise. Chiron, Ceres and Eris continue their passage through your solar third house of communications, siblings and the immediate environment. Chiron’s presence here may bring up wounds in your relationships with siblings. Eris will help you to stand your ground while Ceres’ presence fosters a nurturing energy. Jupiter, the planet of good fortune, has moved into your health and work sector bringing opportunities in this area of your life. Uranus, the planet of sudden change, continues its passage in your solar 4th house of home and family. The presence of Uranus, the disruptor, in your domestic sector, especially is likely to bring surprises, exciting and unexpected events in this area of your life. It could involve moving house, renovating your home or older children flying the coop or even a new addition to the family. Your 7th house of relationships and partnerships will be activated by totsl solar eclipse on 13 August. The karmic South Node is in your joint finances sector where a lunar total eclipse will occur on 3 March 2026. Dynamic Mars pays a visit to your spirituality sector from 15 December 2025 to 24 January 2026 making it an ideal time to take up martial arts.

Uranus Transits
Regardless of what sign we are born under we all experience Uranus transits, which like the Saturn transits represent a rite of passage. Uranus, along with the two other outer planets, Neptune and Pluto, are often referred to as the ‘Ambassadors of the Galaxy’ or transpersonal planets. Accordingly, when we have Uranus, Neptune or Pluto transits they involve collective issues not just personal ones. Unlike Pluto transits which build up to a climax causing transformation, Uranus transits are more cataclysmic, bringing sudden unexpected change of a liberating nature, jolting one into awareness.

We experience Uranus transits at age 14 which coincide with puberty and then again around age 20 which mark the end of adolescence and a drive toward autonomy and individuation. Another Uranus transit accompanies the first Saturn Return around age 28 supporting the changes that need to be made at this time. A major Uranus transit occurs between 38 and 45 depending when one is born, which, along with the Pluto square to Pluto, heralds the midlife transition. When this occurs it marks a time of disassembling the self and putting the self together again in a new form, and integrating the previously unrealised parts of the psyche into conscious awareness. Uranus transits occur again around 56 and then again in the early sixties and seventies coinciding with retirement and liberating the individual from the expectations of society. At age 84 one will experience the Uranus Return i.e. Uranus returns to the place where it was at the time of birth. This indicates that a major cycle of life is completed – symbolising a time of reviewing one’s life and preparing for the next phase

Betty Friedan
It is interesting to note that the famous Aquarian feminist, Betty Friedan, died on her 85^th birthday in February 2006, not long after her Uranus Return, having accomplished her mission for this life time.

Amal Clooney – an awesome Aquarian Human Rights Lawyer
Amal Clooney (née Alamuddin; born 3 February 1978)^[1] is a French-British-Lebanese^[2][3][4] international human rights lawyer.^[5] She has represented several high-profile clients, including former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed,^[6] WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange,^[7] former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko,^[8] Yazidi human rights activist Nadia Murad,^[9] Filipino-American journalist Maria Ressa,^[10] Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova,^[11] and Egyptian-Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy.^[12]

Clooney is Professor of Practice in International Law at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford^[13] and a Senior Fellow at the Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice, an institute she co-founded to harness the power of AI to increase access to justice.^[14] In 2016, she and her husband, American actor George Clooney, co-founded the Clooney Foundation for Justice.

Early life and education

Amal Alamuddin was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on 3 February 1978.^[15] Her father is Lebanese Druze and her mother is Sunni Muslim. When she was two years old, her family moved to the United Kingdom to escape the Lebanese Civil War, settling in Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire.^[16] She has three siblings: one sister (Tala Alamuddin) and two half-brothers from her father’s first marriage.^[17].

Her father, Ramzi Alamuddin, received his MBA degree at the American University of Beirut and returned to Lebanon in 1991,^[18][19] one year after the Lebanese Civil War ended. Her mother Baria (née Miknass), is from Tripoli in the North Governorate.^[20][21] She was a political journalist and foreign editor of the London-based newspaper al-Hayat, which is owned by Saudi Arabian prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Saud.^[22] She is also related to the late Ziad Takieddine, a Lebanese-French businessman and arms broker, who was her father’s first cousin.^[23][24]

Clooney attended Dr Challoner’s High School, a girls’ grammar school in Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire. She then studied at St Hugh’s College, Oxford, where she received an exhibition grant and the Shrigley Award.^[25][26] In 2000, she graduated with an upper second-class degree in Jurisprudence and is an Honorary Fellow of St Hugh’s.^[27][28] Speaking in 2023, Clooney commented “St Hugh’s took a chance on me and it really opened my eyes; it opened my mind; and it has opened so many doors. I have always been so grateful to St Hugh’s for giving me my shot and my legal compass.”^[29]

The following year, she enrolled at the New York University School of Law to study for an LLM degree. She received the Jack J. Katz Memorial Award for excellence in entertainment law.^[30][31] While at the university, she worked for one semester in the office of American lawyer and jurist Sonia Sotomayor, who was then a judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and an NYU Law faculty member.^[32]

Legal career

Clooney is qualified to practice law in New York and England and Wales. She was admitted to the New York Bar in 2002.^[33] In 2010, Clooney was called to the Bar of England and Wales, Inner Temple. She is a practising barrister at Doughty Street Chambers.^[6][34][35] She has also practised at international courts in The Hague, including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.^[30] She worked at Sullivan & Cromwell in New York City for three years as part of the Criminal Defense and Investigations Group, where her clients included Enron and Arthur Andersen.^[26][30] In 2024, Clooney was the recipient of a Legal 500 lawyer of the year award in recognition of her outstanding work and contributions in the field of international law.^[36]

Clooney completed a judicial clerkship at the International Court of Justice in 2004, serving under Judge Vladlen S. Vereshchetin from Russia, Judge Nabil Elaraby from Egypt,^[37][38] and ad hoc Judge Sir Franklin Berman from the United Kingdom. She was subsequently based in The Hague working at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia,^[39] where she was Judicial assistant to Judge Patrick Robinson, Presiding Judge. The case charged the former President of the former Republic of Yugoslavia with crimes allegedly committed in Kosovo, Croatia, and Bosnia during the war in the former Yugoslavia.^[6] Clooney also worked as a Prosecutor at The Special Tribunal for Lebanon. She prosecuted the case against five members of Hezbollah, accused of assassinating former Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri and others in 2005.^[40]

Clooney’s practice focuses on human rights.^[34] She regularly represents journalists and was appointed in 2019 as the inaugural Deputy Chair of the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom by Lord Neuberger.^[41] In March 2018, Clooney joined the international legal team that represented the Pulitzer Prize-winning Burmese journalists for Reuters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were sentenced to seven years in prison in Myanmar for reporting on the murders of ten Rohingya men by Buddhist villagers and Myanmar paramilitary police in the village of Inn Din in September 2017.^[42][43][44] They were released in May 2019.^[43] In July 2019, she and Irish barrister Caoilfhionn Gallagher became the leaders of the international legal team that represented Filipino-American journalist Maria Ressa.^[45] Ressa faces legal charges that could lead to decades in prison.^[46] Ressa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 for her “courageous fight for freedom of expression in the Philippines”.^[47]

Clooney represents victims of mass atrocities, including genocide and sexual violence. In January 2015, she became a member of a legal team that represent Armenia on an appeal before the European Court of Human Rights against Turkish politician Doğu Perinçek who was convicted of denying the Armenian genocide.^[48] In November 2021, Clooney was co-plaintiff’s and victims’ counsel in the first case in which an Islamic State member, Taha al-Jumailly, was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity. Al-Jumailly was sentenced to life in prison.^[49] Clooney was also co-plaintiff’s counsel in the case against Al-Jumailly’s ex-wife, German-born Islamic State member Jennifer Wenisch, for her role in crimes against humanity, war crimes and membership in a foreign terrorist organization. She was sentenced to 14 years in prison.^[50]

Clooney previously represented 126 victims of the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, in a case at the International Criminal Court against Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, who was a senior leader of the pro-government “Janjaweed” fighters.^[51] This is the only trial that has, in October 2025, resulted in a conviction for crimes against humanity in Darfur.^[52]

In December 2023, Clooney filed a civil case on behalf of over 800 Yazidi-American plaintiffs against French cement manufacturer Lafarge for conspiring to provide material support to the Salafi jihadist group Islamic State.^[53] The lawsuit seeks to hold Lafarge accountable for its admitted criminal conspiracy with ISIS and obtain compensation for the Yazidi people.^[54] Clooney’s long time client Nadia Murad is the lead plaintiff in the case.^[55] Clooney provided a statement on Sexual Violence in Conflict during the 8514th Meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Women, Peace and Security.^[56]

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Clooney and other prominent international human rights lawyers led a legal task force created at the request of the Government of Ukraine to provide legal advice on the potential avenues to secure criminal accountability for Russia in national jurisdictions, the ICC, and the United Nations.^[57] She was also appointed to a group of international legal experts by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to advise on legal mechanisms for survivors of the conflict to claim compensation.^[33] On April 27, 2022, Clooney delivered remarks at a UN Security Council Arria-Formula Meeting on Ensuring Accountability for Atrocities Committed by Russia in Ukraine.^[58]

In May 2024, it was announced that Clooney had served on an advisory panel that reviewed the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court‘s investigation into potential war crimes committed in the Gaza war.^[59] The panel was convened by the ICC in January 2024 at the request of ICC Prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan.^[60][61][59] She and five other legal experts unanimously recommended that an application be made for arrest warrants against five individuals: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar, two other Hamas leaders and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.^[62] In her statement, Clooney said there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that all five individuals committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.^[62] On 20 May 2024, Financial Times published an op-ed article written by Clooney and the other panel experts.^[63]

In 2025, Clooney was appointed Professor of Practice at Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government.^[64] In October 2025, Clooney Co-Founded the Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice, a collaboration between Oxford University and the Clooney Foundation for Justice to harness AI and new technologies to increase access to justice.^[65]

From 2015-2025, Clooney was a visiting faculty member as well as a senior fellow at Columbia Law School‘s Human Rights Institute, where she co-taught the Human Rights Course with Professor Sarah H. Cleveland.^[66] Clooney has also lectured students on international criminal law at the SOAS School of Law in London, the New School in New York City, the Hague Academy of International Law, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.^[30]

Appointments

• Senior Fellow, Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice.^[67]
• Appointed to the UK Attorney General’s Office Public International Law Panel (Panel C from 2014 to 2019 and Panel B from 2020 and Panel A from 2026), a panel of experts on international law which is called upon to advise and represent the UK in domestic and international courts.^{[68][69][6][70]}
• Honorary Fellow of St Hugh’s College, Oxford.^[71]
• Appointed to the United Kingdom’s Team of Experts on preventing sexual violence in conflict zones (PSVI).^[6]
• Appointed as UK Special Envoy on Media Freedom (2019–2020) by the UK Foreign Secretary (2019–2020).^[72][6]
• Appointed as Deputy Chair of the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom (2019–2021) by Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, former President of the UK Supreme Court.^[73][6]
• Appointed as Special Adviser to the International Criminal Court Prosecutor, Karim Khan KC.^[74]
• In 2013 she was appointed to a number of United Nations commissions, including as adviser to Special Envoy Kofi Annan on Syria and as Counsel to the 2013 Drone Inquiry by UN human rights rapporteur Ben Emmerson KC into the use of drones in counter-terrorism operations.^[75][6][76]
• Appointed to the Human Dignity Trust Bar Panel, a small panel of barristers who act pro bono and provide advice on cases challenging discrimination against the LGBT community.^[6]

Clooney Foundation for Justice

In 2016, Clooney co-founded the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ)^[77] with her husband, George Clooney. The Foundation provides free legal aid in defence of free speech and women’s rights in over 40 countries.^[78] CFJ focuses on two initiatives: TrialWatch, which provides free legal aid to journalists who are unfairly imprisoned to secure their release and uphold freedom of speech;^[79] and Waging Justice for Women, provides free legal aid to women and girls to defend their rights, including their right to be free from discrimination, child marriage, and violence.^[80] Its work has led to dozens of journalists being set free and thousands of women receiving free legal support to defend their rights, including their rights to freedom from abuse, economic discrimination and child marriage. In 2022, the Foundation partnered with the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance and Melinda French Gates to advance gender equality and reduce levels of child marriage worldwide.^[81] The Foundation also provides a fellowship program to help young women lawyers across Africa launch careers in human rights.

Professor of Clinical Law Margaret Satterthwaite ’99, UN special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, said that CFJ is doing “crucial work…to make sure brave justice advocates can continue to advance human rights despite threats, criminalization, and harassment.”^[82]

Philanthropy

She partnered with the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative in beginning the Amal Clooney Scholarship, which was created to send one female student from Lebanon to the United World College Dilijan each year, to enroll in a two-year International Baccalaureate (IB) programme.^[83]

Clooney and her husband sponsored a Yazidi student, Hazim Avdal, whom she met via her work with Nadia Murad as Avdal worked at Yazda. Avdal was attending the University of Chicago.^[84]

In 2017, the Clooneys awarded a $1 million grant to the Southern Poverty Law Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, to combat hate groups in America.^[85]

In 2018, following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, the Clooneys pledged $500,000 to the March for Our Lives and said they would be in attendance.^[86] They also donated $100,000 to the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, through the Clooney Foundation for Justice, to help migrant children who were separated from their families at the Mexico–United States border.^[87]

Amal and George Clooney donated $100,000 to three Lebanese charities, the Lebanese Red Cross, Impact Lebanon, and Baytna Baytak, who helped provide aid to those affected by the 2020 explosion in Beirut.^[88]

In 2020, the Clooneys donated $1 million to coronavirus relief efforts.^[89] This included money for the NHS to help provide assistance to frontline workers and to The Lebanese Food Bank which helps single mothers, the elderly and vulnerable people who could not work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[90] The couple also made a donation to The Mill at Sonning Theatre, located close to their Berkshire home, which helped ensure its survival through the pandemic.^[91]

In 2022, Clooney, along with Michelle Obama and Melinda French Gates, launched the ‘Get Her There’ campaign that seeks to catalyse educating and empowering teenage females.^[92][93]

Personal life

Clooney is a citizen of the UK, Lebanon,^[2][4][94] and France.^[95] She is fluent in English and French and is conversational in Arabic.^[6][96]

On 28 April 2014, she became engaged to American actor George Clooney,^[97] whom she had first met through a mutual friend in July 2013.^[98] On 7 August 2014, the couple obtained marriage licences in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London.^[99] Two days after their high-profile wedding ceremony,^{[100][101][102][103]} the duo married on 27 September 2014 at Ca’ Farsetti in the city of Venice;^{[104][105][106][107]} they were married by Clooney’s friend Walter Veltroni, an Italian politician who served as the country’s deputy prime minister between 1996 and 1998 and as the mayor of Rome between 2001 and 2008.^[103][108] In October 2014, it was announced that the Clooneys had bought the Mill House on an island of the River Thames at Sonning Eye^[109] at a cost of around £10 million.^[110]

In February 2017, it was reported by the American television talk show The Talk that Clooney was pregnant.^[111] American actor Matt Damon, a friend of the family, confirmed the pregnancy on the American television series Entertainment Tonight shortly thereafter.^[112] In June 2017, Clooney gave birth to fraternal twins: a girl and a boy, Ella and Alexander.^[113]

Published works

Books

• Special Tribunal for Lebanon: Law and Practice, co-edited with D. Tolbert and N. Jurdi (Oxford University Press, 2014).^[114]
• Clooney, Amal; Webb, Philippa (2020). The Right to a Fair Trial in International Law. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-198-80839-8. OCLC 994411014. The book was awarded the top prize in academic book publishing, the American Society of International Law Certificate of Merit for High Technical Craftsmanship and Utility to Practicing Lawyers and Scholars, and has been cited by the UK Supreme Court. Clooney and Webb discussed the book at St. Hugh’s College in a panel titled Waging Justice in an Age of Authoritarianism.^[115]
• Co-editor with D. Neuberger of Freedom of Speech in International Law (2024)

Book chapters and journal articles

• “Human Rights”, chapter in I. Roberts (ed.), Satow’s Diplomatic Practice (8th Edition, Oxford University Press, 2023).^[116]
• “The Right to Insult in International Law?”, with P. Webb, in Columbia Human Rights Law Review, 2017, Vol. 48, No. 2.^[117]
• Alamuddin, Amal; Bonini, Anna (2014). “Chapter 4: The UN investigation of the Hariri assassination: The relationship between the UN investigation commission and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon: Problems of Principle and Practice”. In Alamuddin, Amal; Jurdi, Nidal Nabil; Tolbert, David (eds.). The Special Tribunal for Lebanon: Law and Practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 50–72. ISBN 978-0-19-968745-9. OCLC 861207456.
• Alamuddin, Amal (2014). “The role of the Security Council in starting and stopping cases at the International Criminal Court: problems of principle and practice”. In Zidar, Andraž; Bekou, Olympia (eds.). Contemporary Challenges for the International Criminal Court. London: British Institute of International and Comparative Law. pp. 103–130. ISBN 978-1-90522-151-6. OCLC 871319445.
• Alamuddin, Amal; Hardman, Nadia (February 2014). “Separating Law and Politics: Challenges to the Independence of Judges and Prosecutors in Egypt”. Report of the International Bar Association Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), Supported by the Open Society Foundations Arab Regional Office. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
• Alamuddin, Amal; Webb, Philippa (15 November 2010). “Expanding Jurisdiction over War Crimes under Article 8 of the ICC Statute”. Journal of International Criminal Justice. 8 (5): 1219–1243. doi:10.1093/jicj/mqq066. ISSN 1478-1387. OCLC 775833494.
• Alamuddin, Amal (2010). “II. Before the Trial Begins; 6. Collection of Evidence”. In Khan, Karim A. A.; Buisman, Caroline; Gosnell, Christopher (eds.). Principles of Evidence in International Criminal Justice. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 231–305. ISBN 978-0-19-958892-3. OCLC 663822377.

Selected articles and blogs

• Clooney, Amal, Fulford Adrian, Meron Theodor, Friedman Danny, Kennedy Helena, Wilmshurst Elizabeth (20 May 2024), “Why we support ICC prosecutions for crimes in Israel and Gaza” Financial Times
• Clooney, Amal and Wolosky, Lee (17 December 2023), “Why We’re Helping Yazidi Americans Get Justice” New York Times
• Clooney, Amal and Skilbeck, Rupert (19 October 2023), “Amal Clooney and Rupert Skilbeck on why Britain fails to hold war criminals to account” Economist
• Clooney, Amal (29 July 2021). “Don’t Let the Autocrats Win – How Biden Can Use the Democracy Summit to Build Back Media Freedom”. Just Security.
• Clooney, Amal (17 May 2021). “Yazidis Deserve Justice for Genocide: How Biden’s Team Can Lead the Way”. Just Security.
• Clooney, Amal (11 May 2021). “An ISIS torturer was complicit in genocide. The U.S. is making it hard to bring her to justice”. The Washington Post.
• Clooney, Amal (12 June 2020). “A test for democracy in the Philippines”. The Washington Post.
• Clooney, Amal (22 September 2017). “Finally, We Have a Coordinated Effort to Bring ISIS to Justice”. Huffington Post.
• Clooney, Amal (14 October 2015). “Maldives Backslides Into Repression as the World Calls for President Nasheed’s Release”. Huffington Post.
• Clooney, Amal (2 August 2015). “It Is Time for Sisi to Set Al Jazeera Journalist Mohamed Fahmy Free”. Huffington Post.
• Clooney, Amal (30 April 2015). “Release Mohamed Nasheed – an innocent man and the Maldives’ great hope”. The Guardian.
• Clooney, Amal (26 February 2015). ““Egypt Should Send Canadian Journalist Mohamed Fahmy Home”. Huffington Post.
• Clooney, Amal (18 August 2014). “The Anatomy of an Unfair Trial”. Huffington Post.
• Alamuddin, Amal (10 December 2012). “Will Syria go to the ICC?” (PDF). The Lawyer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
• Alamuddin, Amal (April 2012). “Does Libya Have to Surrender Saif Al-slam Gaddafi to The Hague?” (PDF). Mizaan: The Newsletter from Lawyers for Justice in Libya (1). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2014.

Awards and recognition

Organizations	Year	Award	Result	Ref.
ABC News	2014	Barbara Walters‘ Most Fascinating Person	Honored	[118]
British Fashion Awards,	2014	Best British Style alongside David Beckham, Kate Moss, Keira Knightley and Emma Watson	Shortlisted	[119]
World Economic Forum	2016	Young Global Leader	Honored	[6][120]
United Nations Correspondents Association	2018	Global Citizen of the Year Award	Honored	[121][122]
Charles III	2019	The Amal Clooney Award to celebrate “incredible young women”	Honored	[123]
The Simon Wiesenthal Center	2020	Humanitarian Award	Honored	[124]
Committee to Protect Journalists	2020	Gwen Ifill Award	Honored	[125][126]
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press	2021	Freedom of the Press Award	Honored	[127]
American Society of International Law	2021	Champion of the International Rule of Law Award	Honored	[6]
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center	2021	International Freedom Conductor Awards Gala Tribute	Honored	[128][129]
Society of Writers to His Majesty’s Signet	2022	Fellow of the WS Society	Honored	[130]
Time Magazine	2022	Woman of the Year	Honored	[131]
Article 3 Human Rights	2022	Global Treasure Award	Honored	[132]
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven	2023	Doctor Honoris Causa	Honored	[133]
BBC	2023	100 Women Inspiring and Influential Women	Honored	[134]
Legal 500	2024	Lawyer of the Year Award	Honored

Amal Clooney’s natal chart
Amal Clooney was born on 3 February 1978 (birth time not known) in Beirut, Lebanon. Since there is no known birth time, I have cast the chart for midday. Amal Clooney has Sun conjunct Venus in Aquarius which would indicate her charm and striking looks. Being in the sign of Aquarius, it would give her a forward thinking, humanitarian sensibility. Uranus, the ruling planet of Aquarius, features strongly in the aspects of her chart, squaring her natal Sun and Venus which would indicate her strong individualism, uniqueness and independence. Her Moon is in goal-oriented Sagittarius conjunct visionary Neptune, so her emotions would be closely linked to her visions. This combination would indicate her sensitive, compassionate nature. Pallas Athena is also conjunct her Moon and Neptune, enabling her to tap into her wisdom and strategising skills. Her Moon and Neptune is making a harmonious sextile to her Aquarian Sun, making an easy flow between her ego and her emotions. With her Mercury in pragmatic Capricorn, she would be able to communicate in a practical and logical fashion in her advocacies for her clients. Her Jupiter is in Gemini which would enable her to marshall a vast array of facts in her advocacy. The Mercury-Mars opposition would enable her to communicate with passion. The Jupiter-Saturn sextile would enable her to manifest her goals in a practical fashion. Pluto in Libra, making a lovely trine to her Sun and Venus, would empower her to fight for justice for the marginalised and underprivileged in society. Vesta, which represents dedication, is in late Sagittarius makes a harmonious sextile to her Mercury and trine her Mars endowing her with boundless mental energy and focus for her work.

Amal Clooney’s numerology
Amal is born on the number 3 day which denotes creativity and sociability. She is born in the 2nd month and her year of birth is 1978 which adds up to 25/7. Adding the day month and the year 3+2+7=12/3 giving her life path number 3. The number 3 is referred to as the key to joys and pleasures of life. The number 2 month is ruled by the vibration of the Moon denoting sensitivity, receptivity and. The number 7 vibration indicates an old soul, with great wisdom and sensitivity.

Full Moon in Cancer – 3 January 2026
The Full Moon occurred at 13 degrees Cancer 01 at 9.02 pm AEDT Sydney time on 3 January. What is noteworthy is that there are 4 planets in water at this Full Moon – Saturn, Neptune in Pisces and Moon and Jupiter in Cancer. This could manifest as very wet weather or the expression of strong emotions or compassion. The Virgo Pisces axis is about service and health. The South Node in Virgo asks us to trust our own judgment of events while the North Node in Pisces guides us to tune into our intuition, compassion and empathy. What is noteworthy is that Chiron stations direct on the full moon and is still conjunct Eris, the goddess of strife, while Jupiter is squaring them both, magnifying this energy of woundedness and discord and expanding revolutionary energy. Saturn and Neptune are still closely aligned in Pisces, moving towards an exact conjunction at 0 degrees Aries on 21 February this year. This once in every 36 year conjunction triggers a global paradign shift, heralding that political changes are on the agenda this year. With Uranus sextile Saturn and Neptune, there will be will likely be increased communication and discussion regarding these changes.

Full Moon Effects on US chart
Looking at the US Sibley chart at this full Moon in Cancer, the Moon in Cancer falls exactly on the Sun of US Sibley chart at 13 degrees. The Sun represents the leader, in this case Donald Trump who at the precise time of the Full Moon carried out an extradition of the Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, taking them into custody in New York. Although the Trump administration claimed that it was a bloodless coup, the Venezuelans and Cubans claimed that during the operation about 100 people were killed including officials and civilians. Looking at the chart of Venezuela

Twelve hours after the culmination of the Full Moon Jupiter made an exact conjunction with the Moon in Cancer, magnifying emotions. Neptune which is at the anoretic degree 29 degrees Pisces is known at the crisis point and is conjunct the US IC which represents the country’s foundations. Trump and his administraton have threatened other Caribbean countries including Cuba, Mexico and Columbia with similar action and also Greenland. It is noteworthy that Uranus will be conjunct the fixed star Algol all month which represents decapitation, literally or metaphorically, indicating the potential fall from power of other leaders. In fact, the period of 7-10 January will be very dynamic with the triple conjunction of the Sun, Venus and Mars at 19 degrees Capricorn in opposition to Jupiter in Cancer. This is particularly significant with the degree of the stellium being the same degree as it was in January 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic.

Astrocartography of the full Moon in Cancer
Geographical areas that are under the infuence of the Full Moon include Eastern Europe, the East coast of Australia, and Saudi Arabia, Uranus conjuncts the IC of Columbia, New York and Canada while Uranus conjuncts the MC of Russia, Mongolia, China and Thailand signalling potential upheaval in those places

___

Nationwide Protests in Iran
Beginning on 28 December 2025, demonstrations erupted across multiple cities in Iran amid nationwide unrest against the Islamic Republic government and a deepening economic crisis. The events have been described as the largest uprising since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.^[e] The ensuing crackdown, carried out under Ali Khamenei‘s and senior officials’ direct order for live fire on protesters, resulted in massacres that left thousands of protesters dead, making them some of the largest massacres in modern Iranian history.^[42][40][52]

Initially sparked by frustration over record-high inflation, food prices, and currency depreciation, the protests quickly evolved into a broader movement demanding an end to the current regime.^[53] Beginning with the bazaari (shopkeepers and merchants) in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and later university students, the demonstrations soon spread not only to major cities but also small settlements chanting anti-government slogans^[54][55][56] and destroying symbols of the government and the IRGC.^[57][58] Although largely leaderless, the protests escalated on 8 January following the call for unified protests by Reza Pahlavi and the subsequent call for a general strike by the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan.^[59][60][61] Pahlavi has called for a peaceful transition and a referendum to decide Iran’s future political system.^[6] The Iranian government has cut off Internet access and telephone services in an attempt to prevent protesters from organising.^[61] It has accused the United States and Israel of fuelling the protests,^[57] which analysts suggest may be a tactic to increase security forces’ willingness to kill protesters.^[21]

As of 9 January, millions took to the streets in protests across all 31 provinces. By 10 January 2026, Iran International reported that at least 2,000 protesters had been killed nationwide over the previous 48 hours amid the internet blackout, as Iranian security forces escalated their use of live ammunition against demonstrators.^[62] Hospitals in Tehran and Shiraz were reported to be overwhelmed by injured protesters, many suffering gunshot wounds.^[63] Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed security forces fired on protesters, raising international concern over human rights.^[64] In addition, thousands were arrested during the violent crackdown.^[65] Despite the blackout, on 10 January 2026, The Guardian documented multiple reports of security forces opening fire on demonstrations, with one eyewitness stating they saw “hundreds of bodies” across Tehran.^[66] On 11 January, Time reported that an expatriate group of academics and professionals estimated the death toll at 6,000, based on reports from hospitals, without including bodies taken directly to morgues rather than hospitals.^[67] On 13 January, Iran International reported that at least 12,000 had been killed; CBS News reported on the same day that activist groups in Iran estimated at least 12,000 deaths and possibly as many as 20,000.^[40][42] On 17 January, The Sunday Times reported that a network of Iranian doctors within the country had compiled figures revealing that “at least 16,500-18,000” people had been killed.^[41]

Background

Economic crisis in Iran

Beginning in 2024, Iran’s economy experienced sharp inflation, a devalued currency, and an energy deficit, culminating in repeated electricity and gas disruptions and apologies from Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran had also suffered from major declines in global influence such as with the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, a major ally.^[68] In the final months of 2025, Iran’s economy experienced an unprecedented surge in exchange rates, a sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial with the US dollar reaching approximately 145,000 Iranian tomans.^[69][70] Additionally, the country’s state statistics centre reported a year-on-year inflation rate of 42.2% in December 2025, an increase of 1.8% compared to November.^[47] Food prices rose by 72%, while health and medical goods increased by 50% year-on-year.^[47]

Iran is experiencing a mismanaged water crisis.^[48] Reports in Iranian media also indicated that the government planned to raise taxes with the start of the Iranian new year on 21 March, fuelling further concern among citizens.^[47] Some protest messaging linked economic hardship to criticism of the government’s foreign policy priorities; during the December 2025 demonstrations, some participants chanted “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, My Life for Iran“.^[71] Discontent in Iran has also been alleged to have been due to political corruption, with protesters accusing the Iranian government of authoritarianism and prioritising proxies such as Hezbollah and Hamas over domestic needs.^[49] Additionally, Iran faces challenges from ethnic secessionist movements from the Kurds, Azerbaijanis, Khuzestani Arabs, and Balochs and from major powers like the United States and Israel.^[72]

Inflation had surged to 48.6% in October 2025 and 42.2% in December, straining household budgets.^[47] On 29 December, the Iranian rial reached its lowest value (1.45 million to the US dollar), then by 3 January, the government increased the value of the rial to 1.38 million in an attempt to control the people. This had no effect, and on 6 January, the rial broke its record low again (reaching 1.5 million to the US dollar), causing a sharp increase in prices, including food and other essential goods.^[73][47] The economic crisis, which had been developing over several years, is accompanied by fears of renewed conflict following the June 2025 Twelve-Day War with Israel and renewed UN nuclear-related sanctions imposed through the “snapback” mechanism.^[74][47]

Economic analysts cited government monetary and fiscal policies, economic mismanagement, chronic budget deficits, and the continuation of international sanctions as key contributing factors. These conditions directly affected trade guilds, particularly businesses dependent on imports. Severe exchange-rate volatility left many merchants unable to price goods, secure supplies, or continue economic activity.^{[75][76][77][73]} Economic uncertainty grew in Iran throughout 2025. During the 2025 Twelve-Day War Iran’s nuclear programme was targeted, and its nuclear facilities were also struck by the United States.^[78][47] In September 2025, the United Nations reimposed sanctions on Iran through the snapback mechanism, freezing Iranian assets abroad, halting arms transactions, and imposing penalties related to the country’s ballistic missile programme.^[74][47] Many Iranians fear a broader confrontation involving the United States, which contributed to market instability.^[47]

According to The Guardian, the economic crisis was the catalyst for the protests; however, they had expanded into an expression of grievances against government corruption.^[53] It further reported of voices calling for the overthrow of the government, and distrust in the government’s calls for dialogue, seeing them as self-serving and deceptive.^[53] NPR reported that months before the protests, public anger and frustration had been mounting due to severe energy shortages, civil rights abuses and widespread corruption, and that the protests sparked concerns that they could deteriorate into something much more serious.^[79]

According to The Atlantic, the political character of the protests was manifested by protesters chanting “Death to the Dictator” in reference to Supreme leader of Iran Ali Khamenei,^[80] and their loss of faith in Pezeshkian, who was elected in 2024 on the platform and promises of good governance, but had overseen water and electricity cuts, while failing to deliver on the promise of lifting internet censorship.^[80] Pezeshkian also promised to meet with protest representatives, and recognised “the constitutional right of peaceful protest”,^[80] although he lacks control over Iranian security forces. By 1 January 2026, dozens of protesters had been arrested and there were several documented cases of security forces firing live ammunition at protesters, including students, pensioners, and members of Gen Z.^[80] Students at Shahid Beheshti University released a statement declaring that “This criminal system has taken our future hostage for 47 years. It won’t be changed with reform or with false promises”.^[80]

Comparison to previous protests

The protests were described as Iran’s largest since 2022, when nationwide demonstrations erupted following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly.^[47] On 30 December, Ellie Borhan, a British-Iranian activist, viewed this wave of protests as stronger than previous ones.^[81] Iranian public faith in their government faded since the 2022 crackdown on the Woman, Life, Freedom movement during the Mahsa Amini protests.^[68] Protests were previously held in May 2025 by truck drivers beginning in Bandar Abbas, who blocked roads and ports in Iran due to discontent over low salaries, high insurance rates, and possible hikes in fuel prices in the future.^[82]

Protest slogans have shifted ideologically compared to the 2022 protests. Some new chants increasingly reflect monarchist sentiments.^[83] Already in June 2025, during the Iran–Israel war, the exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi had intensified his political efforts and appealed to the international community to help the Iranian people force out Ali Khamenei‘s religious dictatorship offering himself up as interim leader to take over running the country.^[84] In comparison to the Mahsa Amini protests (2022–2023) which were mainly fuelled by girls and women, young men played larger roles in later rounds of the 2025–2026 protests.^[85]

Market traders were influential during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, helping to mobilise public support that ultimately led to the overthrow of the monarchy.^[47] The demonstrations were notable in the context of a large-scale government crackdown on dissidents, including arrests of prominent opponents and the highest number of executions in nearly 40 years.^[78] Executions in Iran have reportedly doubled in 2025 compared to 2024; the execution trends were on the rise since 2022, with activists alleging that the Islamic Republic aims to use executions to instil fear in their population and therefore suppress internal opposition.^[86]

Kurdish-majority regions in Iran have previously undergone severe repression stemming from the Amini protests in 2022, leading to fears of ethnic crackdowns from the government. This was in part due to Iran’s accusing Kurdish opposition groups of having incited the 2022 protests. Despite this, Kurdish opposition groups have continued to call for solidarity in the nationwide protests and strikes. Iran has also repeatedly accused Kurdish militias from Iraq of attempting to incite unrest, including in the protests in 2026.^{[87][61][28][88]} Likewise, Baloch regions in Iran, long suffering from underdevelopment and political exclusion, have also previously been subject to violent crackdowns in the Amini protests.^[89] On 10 December 2025, Iranian Baloch-Sunni militant groups like the Jaysh al-Adl announced a merge into a united organisation called the Jebhe-ye Mobaarezin-e Mardomi (People’s Fighters Front). In its coalition video, the union rejected Shia Islam-led clerical rule in the Islamic Republic. The same day, the group carried out an attack on an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps regional command, killing four of its soldiers and wounding three others; it announced responsibility for the attack the next day.^[90]

Protests

Initial bazaar

28 December 2025

On 28 December, groups of shopkeepers and merchants at Alaeddin Shopping Centre in Tehran and other commercial centres, including Charsou Mall, went on strike by closing their shops. Simultaneously, protest gatherings formed around these locations, and images and videos of widespread shop closures circulated on social media.^[76] According to reports, protesters cited the rising dollar exchange rate and market instability, warning that continued conditions would lead to the bankruptcy of many small and medium-sized businesses. Some gatherings extended into surrounding streets, including Jomhuri Street.^[75][91][92] Other people had joined in with the shopkeepers to protest against economic conditions at Jomhuri Street. Elsewhere, iron traders at Iran closed their shops in similar protests of the devalued currency.^[93]

Around the time that the protests began, the value of the Iranian rial sunk to a record low of 1.45 million per US dollar before slightly recovering to 1.38 million.^[94] The rial had lost approximately 40 percent of its value since the Iran–Israel war, in part due to the sinking of oil revenue from US sanctions. The year on year inflation rate was up at 42.2 percent. The protests were first started by shopkeepers who sold electronic goods in central Tehran who shut down their stores.^[73] State media revealed blurred footage of initially smaller-scale protests from merchants.^[94]

Videos and eyewitness accounts showed groups of merchants chanting slogans against economic mismanagement and in some cases expressing anti-government sentiments.^[91] Protesters also chanted “Law Enforcement, support, support”, calling on security forces to back the protests.^[95] The protesters’ main demands included stabilising exchange rates, addressing merchants’ economic hardships, creating a predictable business environment, and preventing losses caused by market volatility.^[75][91] There were no reported clashes with security forces on this day and it remained peaceful.^[96]

29 December

The protests continued into their second day on 29 December and expanded across various parts of Tehran, including the Grand Bazaar. Merchants and shopkeepers closed their businesses and gathered in the streets to protest the unprecedented collapse of the rial and sharp increases in currency and gold prices. Protesters voiced opposition to economic conditions and government management, citing declining purchasing power and rising living costs. Videos shared online showed continued gatherings around Lalehzar, Chaharsouq, and Jomhuri Street, with participants largely non-violent while conveying critical messages toward government economic policies.^[97][98][99] The merchants at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran joined the electronic goods shopkeepers who had started the protests the previous day.^[73]

Footage verified by independent sources showed crowds at malls near Tehran’s Grand Bazaar chanting “freedom” (Persian: آزادی, romanised: Âzâdi).^[78] Law enforcement forces used tear gas to disperse demonstrators outside the Alaeddin Shopping Centre.^[99] Protests also spread to other cities in Iran.^[100] On the night of 29 December 2025, protests were reported in several regions across Iran, including Qeshm in the south, and Zanjan and Hamadan in the north. Demonstrators chanted slogans critical of the supreme leader, including “Death to the Dictator” on Qeshm Island and “Seyyed Ali [Khamenei] will be toppled this year” in Zanjan.^[101][78] A video and photo of an unidentified protester went viral, who defiantly sat in the middle of the Jomhuri Eslami Street at Tehran and refused to move for motorbike security forces, but later was beaten and forced to leave. The protester became known as Tehran’s Tank Man, a reference to the Tank Man during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre.^{[102][103][81][104]}

Spread across Iran

30 December

By the third day of protests, strikes and security measures had expanded, with shops closing in parts of Tehran such as Shoush and Molavi, as well as in Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Square. Heavy security deployments were reported in Tehran, Mashhad, and at Khajeh Nasir University. Government responses included ordering temporary closures in 11 provinces, including Tehran province, due to cold weather and energy constraints. Security forces fired on protesters in Hamadan and deployed tear gas in Tehran and Malard.^[100][105]

Demonstrations spread to additional cities, including Kermanshah, Shiraz, Yazd, and parts of Tehran such as Shadabad and Shush. Students from universities including Amirkabir, Beheshti, Khajeh Nasir, Sharif, Science and Culture and Tehran Science and Technology as well as Isfahan University of Technology and Yazd University joined rallies, chanting slogans such as “Death to the Dictator”, “Death to Khamenei“, “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, My Life for Iran“, “We are all together”, and “Seyyed Ali (Khamenei) will be toppled this year”.^{[105][106][107][108][109]} President Masoud Pezeshkian, called on the government to listen to citizens’ demands. In response, a government spokesman said a Communication Group would be implemented.^[110][111] Pezeshkian’s comments do not appear to have appeased the protesters, whose demands go beyond just economic stability.^[108] Furthermore, some Iranians have expressed scepticism in the government’s ability to solve the economic problems, citing previous government statements that they are unable to do much about solving the economic problems.^[112]

Human rights organisations and Gen Z student groups reported that 11 protesters were arrested in the Shoush Square area in Tehran and that five students were detained and four were later released.^{[113][114][115]} Another news report published that one student was severely injured at Tehran’s Amirkabir University during a crackdown on a campus gathering by members of the Basij militia of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.^[113] Videos on social media appeared to show students chanting slogans critical of the government, removing signs associated with the office of the Supreme Leader’s representatives, and confronting security forces at university entrances.^[113]

31 December

The people of Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Fasa gathered on the fourth day of protests. In Fasa, people held a large rally in front of the governor’s office, and in Kermanshah, the markets went on a complete strike. According to reports, police fired live ammunition and tear gas, at the protesters.^[116][117] At the same time, in Shirvan, working and retired teachers gathered in front of the Education Department. In Kermanshah, repressive forces have been deployed from Ferdowsi Square to the garage (about 8 kilometres), and the heavy presence of security forces is noticeable.^[118] One person named Mahdi Samavati was reported to have been killed outside the governor’s office protest in Fasa. The semi-official Mehr News Agency quoted the governor of Fasa as denying this report.^[119] Video recordings disseminated online and distributed by the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran depict severe confrontations between demonstrators and security forces in several cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Kermanshah.^{[citation needed]}

Protester Amirhesam Khodayarifard was killed by a handgun shot to the head by an Iranian security force member in a protest in Kuhdasht, Lorestan province on 31 December.^[120] The state-run IRNA news agency and Mehr confirmed the death and stated that Khodayarifard was a member of the Basij.^[121] Government authorities pressured Khodayarifard’s family to state that he had been a Basij member and called for online social media silence on the topic.^[120] The shooting occurred during clashes with protesters. According to Mehr, 13 police officers and Basij members were injured.^[121][122]

The government ordered nationwide total business shutdown in most of the country due to “cold weather”,^[123] although some analysts say that the real intention is to stifle protests.^[124] The shutdown was applied to 21 out of Iran’s 31 provinces.^[125] The government began threatening to crack down on protesters,^[112] and the US State Deparment stated that they were concerned about protesters “facing intimidation, violence, and arrests”.^[126] Video footage records protesters like merchants, women’s rights activists, and students commonly shouting the slogans “Death to the dictator” and “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life for Iran”.^[49][53] In response to the ongoing protests, the Iranian government appointed Abdolnasser Hemmati, a former economics minister, as the new governor of the Central Bank of Iran, following Mohammad Reza Farzin’s resignation.^[127]

2026

1 January

On the fifth day of protests, workers and employees of the central fruit and vegetable market in Tehran stopped working and joined the nationwide uprising by stopping the distribution cycle. Chanting the slogan, “You know with zeal, support support”, the protesters called on marketers and the general public to strengthen the national will for change by expanding the strikes. Police officers used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.^[128] According to reports, Sarira Karimi, secretary of the faculty council of the Faculty of Law and Political Science and a member of the faculty council of the University of Tehran, who had been arrested on 31 December 2025, was released on 1 January 2026.^[129]

Protesters were reported to have gathered in Marvdasht and chanted slogans against the Islamic Republic government, such as “This is the year of blood, Seyyed Ali is overthrown”.^[130] In Mashhad, protesters gathered at Saadi Metro Station, where riot police attempted to disperse the crowd with force.^[130] In the Sistan and Baluchestan province, a group of Baluch prisoners released a statement calling on locals to join the wider protests and urged for slogans like “Death to the dictator” and “Baluchestan is awake and despises dictatorship”.^[131]

In Lorestan, home to the Lur minority, protesters were reported lighting fires in the streets while also chanting, “This is the year of blood, Seyyed Ali is overthrown”. Additional reports claim officers used live ammunition against protesters.^[132] In Lordegan County, gatherings took place in several parts of Lordegan City, including around the governor’s office and the municipality square. According to these reports, as tensions escalated, some individuals attempted to damage government and bank buildings. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowds, and clashes were reported between the two sides. Several people were injured during the unrest, and unconfirmed reports suggested that multiple deaths had occurred.^[133] At least three people, including a boy, were killed in Lordegan.^[134][135] There was a heavy presence of government forces in Qom.

2 January

On 2 January, according to credible media reports, protests continued in large numbers in Tehran, Qom, Isfahan, Shiraz, Ilam, Mashhad, Karaj, Zanjan, Hamadan, and Qeshm.^[136] In Zahedan and Tehran, protests became active again. Funerals for protesters killed by the security forces were held in Fuladshahr, Kuhdasht, and Marvdasht, during which participants expressed opposition to the government, including chants of “Death to Khamenei”. At the Kuhdasht funeral for Khodayarifard, Basij and IRGC forces were chased away from the funeral with stones and chants. Khodayarifard’s father confirmed that his son was not a Basij member.^[137] In the Sadaf district of Hamadan province, protesters were seen setting fire to a Quran and attempted to attack a mosque before being stopped by authorities.^[138]

3 January

See also: 2026 Malekshahi massacre

Protests on 3 January were greater in geographic spread and numbers of protesters than on previous days, and the security presence was also greater.^[139] The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) named some of the locations of demonstrations, including Kazerun, Malekshahi, Kermanshah, Shiraz, Mashhad, Arkavaz, Isfahan, Tehran, Hafshejan, Karaj, Shahrekord, and Fardis. HRANA reported a cumulative count of 16 fatalities since the beginning of the protests, including one member of government security forces.^[140][139] The themes of the protests, as represented by slogans chanted on 3 January, ranged from economic injustice and governance problems to calls for freedom and justice. HRANA viewed the protest aims as having evolved, with “the boundary between trade-related and everyday demands and political demands ha[ving] become blurred, and [the] ongoing protests hav[ing] taken shape on the basis of accumulated, multilayered grievances.”^[139]

Following statements by US president Donald Trump, where he warns Iran that if they shoot protesters, the United States will come to their rescue,^[141] Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei responded on 3 January by saying “We will not yield to the enemy“, and stating that the “rioters must be put in their place.”^[142][143] On the same day, the US State Department made a statement condemning suppression on protesters’ funerals.^[144] Cloudflare reported a 35% decrease in internet traffic in Iran, with Iranian internet users reporting frequent outages and slow connections.^[145]

4 January

There was a heavy presence of security forces in the Grand Bazaar of Tehran.^[100] Protests and strikes took place in at least 20 major cities and small towns throughout Iran.^[146] Donald Trump said that Iranian authorities would be “hit very hard” should additional protesters be killed.^[147] In Shiraz, videos showed the police assaulting and beating a man on the ground. When protesters threw projectiles at the police, officers moved toward them on motorcycles. Moments later, a protester poured gasoline on one officer setting him alight.^[148]

5 January

On the ninth day, the protests continued throughout Iran. In Tehran’s Bagh-e Sepahsalar neighbourhood, voices echoed chants of “Death to Khamenei”. Near Tehran University, special forces stood on high alert, while reports of widespread strikes emerged from cities such as Marvdasht, where resistance pulsed through daily life.^[149] In Yasuj, security forces confronted the families of detainees gathered outside the governor’s office. Reports say that the protests have reached the smaller towns of Saman, Sangsar, and Kushk, as part of dissatisfaction of the Iranian people.^[150]

In addition to the cities previously mentioned, protests were reported in several other locations across the country, including Saman in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Sangsar in Semnan Province, Zahedan, Fardis in Karaj, Meshkan in Fars Province, and Noorabad in Mamasani. Demonstrations were further documented in Qazvin, Hamedan, Ilam, Mashhad, Neyshabur, Abadeh, Bushehr, Babol, Bojnourd, Kushk in Isfahan Province, Shazand in Markazi Province, as well as the northern cities of Rasht and Sari. According to reports, protesters in these areas gathered in public spaces, chanting slogans and expressing dissatisfaction with the Khamenei government, reflecting the continued spread of nationwide unrest.^{[151][152][149]}

6 January

In a joint statement, several major Kurdish political groups, including the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI), Komala, the Revolutionary Toilers Association, the Kurdistan Toilers Association, the Khabat Organisation, the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), and the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), expressed support for the protests and called on Kurds in Iran to carry out strikes and demonstrations.^{[14][15][153]} The cities of Abdanan and Malekshahi, both in the Kurdish region of Iran, were abandoned by the country’s security forces, leaving control of the cities to the protesters.^[154]

A sit-in was conducted by protesters at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran.^[155] Merchants at the market held strikes, in particular with many shops in the corridors of the gold and currency, fabric, and footwear and home appliances markets partially or fully closed. The strikes appeared to be spontaneous, and according to some reports the Bazaar became a “war zone”.^[156][157] The sit-in was dispersed by security forces using tear gas.^[155] The total number of protest locations over the ten days was estimate by HRANA to be 285 locations in 88 cities^[158] across 27 provinces, with protests having taken place in 22 universities. The slogans of the protests continued to cover a wide range of economic, social and political grievances.^[156]

In Yazdan Shahr, locals reported that police used excessive force against protesters, initially deploying tear gas and later firing live ammunition at civilians.^[157] The security forces’ raids on the Sina Hospital in Tehran and on the Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam, aiming to arrest injured protesters, gained national attention. In Ilam, families and medical staff resisted the security forces. Security forces’ methods of attack at the Ilam hospital included firing tear gas inside the buildings and hospital grounds. The Minister of Interior was ordered to investigate the Ilam raid and provide a report.^[156]

On 6 January, a total of 15 forced video confessions by arrested protesters had been broadcast on official media.^[156] On online social media, Reza Pahlavi called for chants to take place from homes and in streets at 20:00 (8 pm) IRST on the evenings of 8 and 9 January. He explained the aim as being to “keep [the] demonstrations disciplined, and as large as possible”. He promised to “announce the next calls to action” depending on the response to his call.^[159]

7 January

According to HRANA, street gatherings, protests and strikes took place in 37 cities in 24 provinces, bring the total since the beginning of the protests to 348 sites across 111 cities in 31 provinces. Ten universities joined the protest on 7 January, making a total of 45. The total number of televised forced confessions by arrestees rose to 40. Artists and teachers published statements supporting the protests and criticising the security forces’ repression against protest participants.^[160]

HRANA interpreted the continuation of the protests despite arrests and violence by the security forces as showing that “a significant portion of [Iranian] society [had come to view] the cost of protest as lower than the cost of silence and inaction”. Key themes continued to be economic and governance grievances, seen as “two facets of a single issue”. HRANA interpreted the artists’ and teachers’ statements as showing that “professional and cultural sectors [we]re increasingly aligning themselves with the protest narrative”.^[160]

Militants of the Baloch nationalist militant organisation People’s Fighters Front (PFF) assassinated Mahmoud Haqiqat, the police chief of Iranshahr.^{[17][18][153]} IRGC-affiliated media reported that protesters killed two Law Enforcement Command officers during protests in Lordegan as well as an unspecified security force member in Malekshahi.^[153] In Mashhad, protesters were seen lowering a massive flag of the Islamic Republic and later ripping it in half.^[161]

The Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan called for a general strike in Iran, receiving support from six other Iranian Kurdish opposition parties. The authorities attempted to forcibly disperse the existing protests over economic conditions in the cities of western Iran (Iranian Kurdistan) ahead of the announced date, reportedly with the use of live ammunition.^[59][60]

8 January

Protests escalated after 20:00, the time specified in Reza Pahlavi’s calls for demonstrations. Immediate telephone line and internet cuts occurred in several cities, following a common government practice before it commits intense crackdowns.^[31] Starlink satellite internet service was unaffected, allowing some users to bypass government-controlled internet blackouts.^[162] Crowds chanting in Tehran appeared to be mainly pro-Pahlavi. CBS News described the protests as reaching “a possible tipping point“,^{[163][164][165]} and according to Euronews it represented “a new escalation in the protest movement”.^[31] In Qaemiyeh, protesters pulled down a statue of Qasem Soleimani, an IRGC commander who was assassinated by the United States in 2020 and declared a martyr by the Islamic Republic shortly thereafter.^[166] In Mashhad, a group of protesters had taken down and torn up a large flag of the Islamic Republic.^[167]

Norway-based human rights organisation Hengaw claimed that two IRGC Ground Forces members were killed during the protests in Kermanshah.^[28] A police officer in Malard County at the Tehran province was killed from a stabbing after attempts to control local unrest.^[168] Human rights groups have also verified a video showing “distressed family members” in Ghadir hospital in Tehran, looking through a body-pile of protesters killed by Islamic Republic security forces.^[66]

9 January

Protesters took to the streets of Iran on Friday night, videos and eyewitness reports show.^[169] Pahlavi asked US president Donald Trump to support the Iranian protesters.^[170] The Economist reported that the protests had grown to be the biggest since 2009, while “some veteran Iran-watchers thought the protests were the biggest since the overthrow of the shah in 1979.”^[171] NDTV 24×7 reported a viral protest trend of Iranian women lighting cigarettes to burn pictures of Khamenei in videos, gaining popularity on social media platforms like X, Reddit, Instagram, and Telegram. Because burning Khamenei’s image is illegal in Iran, observers have interpreted the videos as deliberate acts of defiance, with the women rejecting state authority over their personal freedoms.^[172] The trend has been recorded by multiple other news outlets, which similarly note rejection of strict religious and governmental standards over women.^{[173][174][175]} Khamenei addressed the protests in a brief televised appearance.^[176][177] In his address, Khamenei called President Trump “arrogant”, saying that his hands were stained with the blood of Iranians, and further stating that Trump would be overthrown like other arrogant leaders.^[176][177] He described the protesters as harmful individuals and rioters.^[178] A fire broke out at an Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting office in Isfahan.^[179] Protesters also set fire to buildings in Tehran, including mosques in the Gholhak and Sa’adat Abad neighbourhoods.^[180] Opposition media reported that clashes between protesters and security forces in Kermanshah Province had killed at least 10 IRGC Kermanshah Nabi Akram Corps members.^[27] Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, Iran’s judiciary chief, stated that protesters would face decisive and severe punishment, applied to the fullest extent of the law.^[181] Senior officers of American intelligence told Axios that their evaluation that these protests were not capable of destabilising the regime was “being reassessed”.^[182]

US president Donald Trump warned Iran’s authorities against killing demonstrators while praising Iranians as “brave people” amid nationwide protests on Thursday.^[169] The Twemoji emoji library changed the Iran flag emoji from the flag of the Islamic Republic to the modern design of the Lion and Sun flag.^[183] Airline flights from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Turkey to Iranian cities were cancelled amid the mass protests.^[184] As of 9 January, protests across all 31 provinces left millions in the streets, with at least 217 killed in Tehran alone, while hospitals in Tehran and Shiraz were overwhelmed by injured protesters, many with gunshot wounds.^[185][63] In addition, thousands were arrested by the violent crackdown.^[65] Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi warned that, under the Internet blackout, the Islamic Republic may massacre the protesters.^[186] Despite the internet outage, on 10 January 2026, The Guardian documented multiple reports of Islamic Republic security forces opening fire on demonstrations, causing many casualties among the protesters, with one eyewitness stating they saw “hundreds of bodies” throughout Tehran.^[66]

Doctors at hospitals in Tehran and Shiraz reported being overwhelmed by large numbers of injured protesters, with some facilities suspending non-urgent admissions and surgeries due to the influx of patients, many of whom suffered gunshot wounds to the head and eyes.^[63] In an audio message sent to CNN, an Iranian doctor in the city of Nishapur stated that Iranian security forces killed “at least 30 people” and “among them were children”, they further stated that “a 5-year-old child was shot while in their mother’s arms.”^[187] According to the doctor’s description, security forces had shot pedestrians and bystanders as well.^[187] They added that “Hospitals are extremely chaotic and patients terrified to admit and be identified, for this reason, we are trying to inform people and treat them privately in clinics.”^[187] The Kurdistan National Guard announced that its Zagros Tornado units attacked an IRGC base in Nourabad, Lorestan Province, and injured three IRGC members.^[16]

10 January

During the midnight until dawn, Tehran municipality workers were reportedly tasked to clear and collect the cartridge cases off the streets and to deliver them to security forces.^[188] Despite the continued internet shutdown imposed by Islamic Republic authorities, thousands of protesters gathered in Tehran and throughout Iran overnight on 9–10 January, chanting “Death to Khamenei”, and “Long live the shah”.^[66] This followed a call by Reza Pahlavi for protesters to seize control over the city centres and hoist the pre-regime Lion and Sun flag, with a promise he would return to Iran soon.^[66] The Internet blockade disrupted everyday life, including digital transactions, as well as the functioning of hospitals, pharmacies, banks, and bureaus. Many businesses did not open.^[188]

The Internet outage has also prevented proper documentation of the size of the demonstrations, as well as the extent of police brutality against the protesters;^[66] Iranian Nobel peace prize winner Shirin Ebadi had issued a warning on 9 January 2026, about the possibility of a planned “massacre under the cover of a sweeping communications blackout”, stating that she had already heard testimonies reporting hundreds of wounded protesters at a single Tehran hospital.^[66] On 10 January 2026, The Guardian received additional reports via Starlink, stating: “We’re standing up for a revolution, but we need help. Snipers have been stationed behind the Tajrish Arg area [one of the affluent areas of Tehran].”^[66] Another protester testified that throughout the city, many protesters had been shot, stating, “We saw hundreds of bodies”, while a third testimony from a protester confirmed this by saying that they had witnessed a “very high” number of protesters being killed as security forces opened fire on them.^[66] Human Rights activists stated that the testimonies were consistent with the reports they had received.^[66] The Guardian stated that despite the Internet blackout, protesters had requested that international media cover the reports of increasing police brutality, with one activist saying “please make sure to state clearly that they are killing people with live ammunition.”^[66]

According to The Guardian, much of the international community, including the EU and the US, showed clear support for the protesters.^[66] US Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X (formerly Twitter), “The United States supports the brave people of Iran”,^[66] and US president Donald Trump “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”^[189] Mohammad Movahedi-Azad, attorney general of Iran, stated that protesters may be charged as the “enemy of god”, or moharebeh, a crime prosecutable by death, according to CBS News, which also reported that state media’s reports of order and “no news of any gathering or chaos in Tehran and most provinces” were contradicted by a photo of ongoing demonstrations in Sa’adat Abad, Tehran, obtained by the Associated Press, and a surveillance video from Fars News Agency in which protesters in Isfahan threw petrol bombs and at least one appeared to be firing a long gun. The Young Journalists’ Club, associated with state media, reported that protesters killed three members of the volunteer Basij militia of the IRGC in Gachsaran. Reza Pahlavi called for protests to continue through Sunday, while also stating in a social media post that he was “preparing to return to my homeland” and that the goal of the protests should be to seize city centres.^[190]

According to an analysis of photos by BBC Persian, the protesters in different cities were engaged in violent conflict with government forces until dawn.^[191] A video from Punak neighbourhood of Tehran shows that as the government turned off the street lights, the protesters set off fireworks and created a sea of light using their smartphones in defiance.^[191][192] Deutsche Welle later fact checked and confirmed that the video was fabricated using artificial intelligence technology and old footage, with the aim of misleading people’s understanding of the protests in Iran.^[193] Videos published by BBC Persian shows explosions amid protests in Kerman and gunshots in Mashhad.^[191] Unlike previous days, on Saturday mostly IRGC and Basij were mobilised, who use live ammunition, according to witnesses in Tehran and Karaj.^[194] On 10 January, Iran International reported that at least 2,000 protesters had been killed over the previous 48 hours alone amidst the internet blackout, as Iranian security forces escalated their use of lethal force against demonstrators nationwide.^[62] As a result all online service have been shut down too, including ATM machines, international phone calls, credit card transactions and business networks, as well as most news sources and social media.^[195]

11 January

See also: 2026 Los Angeles ramming attack

Khamenei and senior Iranian officials said they were willing to talk to the protesters about economic issues, but also characterised the unrest as incitement by “rioters” and said the protests were funded by foreign powers (the United States and Israel). Iranian state media reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian gave a speech accusing foreign “terrorists” of inciting the protests; Pezeshkian also mentioned: “We are determined, and have decided, to resolve economic problems by any means possible”^[196][197]

Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf gave a speech during a parliament session in which he warned of United States military bases and regional ships and Israel would both be subject to retaliation if Iran is attacked by the United States in reference to Trump’s prior threats. In the session, hardliner politicians went at the dais and shouted “Death to America“. Demonstrators rallied in Paris, Vilnius, and London in solidarity with the ongoing protests in Iran and urged Western governments to support the Iranian people seeking freedom.^[198] The New York Times reported that Trump was briefed on military options on Iran but did not yet make a final decision.^[199]

Forbes reported that the Iranian government successfully shut down the Starlink internet amidst the internet blackout.^[200] Other sources say Iran has successfully disrupted Starlink network connectivity nationwide, reporting that up to 80% of Starlink traffic was interrupted due to coordinated jamming operations.^{[201][202][203]}

During a solidarity rally in Los Angeles on 11 January, a U-Haul truck was used to ram into protesters at Westwood.^[204][205] In Iran, fighters from the Balochi People’s Fighters Front killed one Law Enforcement Command officer and injured another in an attack on an LEC patrol vehicle in Dashtiari County, Sistan and Baluchistan Province.^[21]

12 January

In Tehran, tens of thousands of people participated in a pro-government rally after being called by leaders to counter the protests. People are seen flying the Iranian flag and chanting Islamic slogans and figures like Haydar, referring to Ali.^[29][39] However, reports from Iran International stated the images and videos were altered.^[206][207] President Masoud Pezeshkian was seen taking part in the rally.^[208]

US president Donald Trump stated that Iran has reached out to the United States to negotiate its nuclear programme, following his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its violent crackdown on protesters.^[209] Also Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, publicly confirmed that security forces had directly fired on protesting citizens, statements that drew widespread attention and concern both domestically and internationally, highlighting criticism of the Iranian government’s handling of the demonstrations, raising questions about the proportionality of its response, and drawing scrutiny from human rights organisations regarding the broader state of civil liberties and fundamental rights in the country.^[64]

13 January

On 13 January, Iran International reported that at least 12,000 people had been killed, describing the massacre as the “largest killing in Iranian contemporary history“.^[42] CBS News reported that 12,000 people have been killed, and possibly 20,000, as Iran’s phone services were being restored, and new information was being released.^[40]

President Trump urged Iranians to keep protesting and stated that help was on the way, with no details. Trump said in a post on Truth Social:^[210][211]

“Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA [Make Iran Great Again]!!! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP”

When a reporter asked Trump what he meant by “help is on its way”, he simply replied, “You’re going to have to figure that one out. I’m sorry.”^[212]

14 January

See also: 2026 Iran massacres

The Kurdistan Freedom Party assaulted the IRGC’s headquarters in Kermanshah and, allegedly, according to the KFP’s own claims, successfully infiltrated the headquarters and caused severe IRGC casualties.^[213] Armed Kurdish groups designated as terrorists by Turkey clashed with the IRGC while seeking to cross the border from Iraq and Turkey into Iran; the IRGC had received warning about their movements from Turkey.^[214]

A video, analyzed by BBC Verify and BBC Persian, showed, according to forensic examination, nearly 200 bodies scattered in the morgue, many with obvious wounds, including one victim who was only 16 years old.^[215] The Iran Human Rights Organisation (IHRNGO), based in Norway, said that at least 3,428 protesters were killed by Iranian security forces and at least 10,000 protesters were arrested during the peak of the unrest in Iran from January 8 to 12.^[216] The head of Iran’s judiciary stated that those arrested during the nationwide protests would be swiftly tried and executed.^{[216][217][218]} Washington has threatened military action in response to the crackdown.^[217][219]

British and American troops withdrew from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.^[220][221] The US stated that the withdrawal was a precautionary measure.^[221] “It’s a posture change and not an ordered evacuation,” a diplomat told Reuters.^[220] Italy and Poland, among other countries, have been urging their citizens to leave Iran “immediately”.^{[222][223][224][225]}

Donald Trump said in the Oval Office that he had been informed that killings of protesters in Iran had ceased, and he believed that there were “no plans for executions”.^[226]

According to AFP, Iranian state television broadcast footage of Donald Trump’s attempted assassination at the 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania rally, accompanied by the Persian message “This time, [the bullet] won’t miss,” which angered Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz and other close allies of President Trump.^[227][228]

15 January

The Iranian government imposed a nationwide curfew to prevent any protests and deployed security forces and tanks to patrol towns and cities across the nation.^[229] ISW recorded zero protests on either 14 January or 15 January.^[230][229]

16 January

The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that 22,104 protesters had been arrested.^[231]

In Zahedan, a small protest was reported after a Friday prayer sermon by Iranian Sunni cleric Moulana Abdol Hamid, during which he condemned the Iranian government’s response to the protests.^[232][233] In Tehran, the Friday prayer Imam, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, called for the execution of detained protesters.^[234][235]

A very slight uptick in internet activity to 2% was recorded by HRANA, despite the restrictions.^{[236][237][238]}

17 January

On 17 January, Iran International reported that security forces were visiting homes and businesses to identify protesters and pressuring them to hand over CCTV footage, while also setting up checkpoints in public areas to detain citizens found with protest images on their phones.^[239]

Methods

Protesters

National strikes

Nationwide strikes were conducted by businesses, stores, cafes, and workers as well as by online shops and social media influencers.^{[243][244][245][246][247]}

Demonstrations

Protests are in the form of street demonstrations chanting slogans, car honking,^[248][249] lighting fires,^[248] and removing surveillance cameras.^[250][251] In order not to be identified and later arrested, many protesters wear masks and dark clothes, reminiscent of V for Vendetta.^[194] As the street lights are turned off by the government, the protesters defiantly set off fireworks and create a sea of light using their smartphones in the darkness of the city.^{[248][191][192]}

Slogans and symbols

During the protests, several notable slogans were chanted by demonstrators, reflecting anti-government sentiments, calls for the restoration of the monarchy, and unity among protesters. These slogans were frequently documented in videos and reports by Persian-language media outlets such as Manoto and Iran International. Many drew on historical references to the Pahlavi dynasty, while others directly targeted Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei or the Islamic Republic’s leadership. Symbols associated with the protests included the Lion and Sun flag, which was waved in several demonstrations as a sign of monarchist aspirations and opposition to the government.^{[241][56][252]} On 9 January 2026, X changed the Iran flag emoji from the Islamic Republic flag to the modern design of the Lion and Sun flag.^[183]

• “Death to the Dictator” (Persian: مرگ بر دیکتاتور, romanised: Marg bar Diktâtor)—a general anti-authoritarian chant targeting the government’s leadership, reported in Tehran, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Malard, Nahavand, Noorabad, and Karaj.^{[253][254][255][256][257][55][258][259][260]}
• “Death to Khamenei” (Persian: مرگ بر خامنه‌ای, romanised: Marg bar Khâmene’i)—direct call against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, heard in Isfahan, Farsan, Arak, and other protest sites. Previously used during the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 protests.^{[261][262][263][264]}
• “Reza Shah, may your soul be blessed” (Persian: رضا شاه، روحت شاد, romanised: Rezâ Shâh, ruhat shâd)—a slogan honouring Reza Shah Pahlavi, founder of the Pahlavi dynasty, chanted in Hamadan, Tehran, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and other locations.^[265][262]
• “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, My Life for Iran” (Persian: نه غزه نه لبنان، جانم فدای ایران, romanised: Na Qazze na Lebnan, jânam fadâ-ye Irân)—a chant that expresses the opposition of some Iranians to the Islamic Republic’s military, financial, and political support for Palestinian militant groups, neglecting the needs and interests of Iran itself.^[71][266]
• “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, we are all together” (Persian: نترسید، نترسید، ما همه با هم هستیم, romanised: Natarsid, natarsid, mâ hame bâ ham hastim)—a chant promoting unity and courage among protesters, chanted during nighttime gatherings in Isfahan.^[267][259]
• “Dishonourable, dishonourable” (Persian: بی‌شرف، بی‌شرف, romanised: Bi-sharaf, bi-sharaf)—directed at security forces or government officials.^[268]
• “Freedom, freedom, freedom” (Persian: آزادی، آزادی، آزادی, romanised: Āzādi, āzādi, āzādi).^[269][264]
• “Long live the Shah” (Persian: جاوید شاه, romanised: Jâvid Shâh)—repeated chants calling for the return of the monarchy, heard in Hamadan, Arak, Nahavand, Dehloran, and other cities during nighttime protests.^{[56][270][271][272][8][273][274][84][275]}
• “This is the final battle, Pahlavi will return” (Persian: این آخرین نبرده، پهلوی برمی‌گرده, romanised: In âkharin nabarde, Pahlavi barmigarde)—a phrase conveying determination for regime change and the return of the Pahlavi family, chanted in Arak, Rasht, Khorramabad, Isfahan, Nahavand, and Dorud.^{[54][276][277][262][56][259]}
• “The Shah is coming home, Zahhak is overthrown” (Persian: شاه می‌یاد به خونه، ضحاک سرنگونه, romanised: Shâh mi-yâd be khune, Zahâk sarnegune)—referencing Persian mythology (Zahhak as a tyrant) to symbolise the overthrow of the current government and return of the Shah.^[278]
• “Death to the oppressor, whether Shah or Rahbar” (Persian: مرگ بر ستمگر، چه شاه باشد چه رهبر)—a general anti-Islamic Republic and anti-monarchy chant mainly by expressed by supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).^{[11][12][non-primary source needed]}

Organisation

As of 7 January, HRANA viewed the protests as being networked.^[160] The Associated Press viewed the first steps of protests as “broadly leaderless” before 8 January, and described Reza Pahlavi’s influence after the call for demonstration on 8 January as unclear; however, when the time clocked at 8 p.m., chanting broke out across Tehran, with crowds shouting anti-regime slogans and expressing support for the shah’s return.^[279] IranWire viewed Generation Z Iranians as “one of the most visible and active groups” in the 2025–2026 protests, whose political views were strongly impacted by the Mahsa Amini protests of 2022–2023.^[280]

Territorial control

According to human rights activist Hamid Enayat, Malekshahi and Abdanan effectively came under protesters’ control on 6 January when security forces fled from the protesters.^[281]

Suppression, persecution and executions

Internet blackouts

On 8 January 2026, the government imposed significant restrictions on telephone and internet access to limit communication and the dissemination of information. Unlike the Twelve-Day War, there has not been an official internet shut down nationwide. However, connectivity was heavily disrupted in cities experiencing active demonstrations, making it difficult for citizens to send messages, share media, or organise further protests. These measures were widely seen as part of the authorities’ efforts to suppress dissent and control the narrative around the unrest.^[282]

The next day, on 9 January, it was reported by multiple media outlets that Iran, in a largely unprecedented measure, had activated military-grade jammers to disrupt civilian Starlink signals.^{[200][283][284]} Initially, only 30 percent of the media traffic was affected but it rose to 80 percent within several hours.^[200][283] However, from the morning after the blackout began, Islamic Republic authorities issued a “white list” which allowed government affiliated institutions and accounts limited access to the internet, included were government aligned media and Telegram channels, as well as some universities.^[283] Forbes quoted VPN expert Simon Migliano^[285] as saying that “Iran’s current nationwide blackout is a blunt instrument intended to crush dissent.”^[200] Migliano also addressed the cost of the internet shutdown, saying “this ‘kill switch’ approach comes at a staggering price, draining $1.56 million from Iran’s economy every single hour the internet is down.”^[200] By 11 January, Iran shut down the Starlink internet for the first time.^[200] Thereafter, security forces started door-to-door operations, seizing satellite dishes amid the blackout to block any external access.^[286] On 14 January, reports emerged that the government was finalising their internet kill switch project, which was intended to cut the nation completely off from the global internet for extended periods; this plan was being coordinated with Huawei and China.^[287] By 16 January, after more than 200 hours of the blackout, NetBlocks reported a very slight internet connectivity uptick at 2%.^[237][238] Reports also indicated that the government was planning on permanently cutting internet access, with only vetted individuals being permitted filtered and censored access.^[288]

Recruitment of foreign militias

The presence of Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces, Arabic-speaking mercenaries, Lebanese Hezbollah, the Pakistani Liwa Zainabiyoun, and the Afghan Liwa Fatemiyoun in suppressing protests was reported.^{[289][290][291][292][293]} Iran International reported that on 2 January 2026, Iraqi militias affiliated with the Iranian government recruited forces to assist Iranian security forces in suppressing protests in Iran.^[291] On 6 January 2026, it was reported that approximately 800 members of Iraqi Shia militia groups, including Kata’ib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba, Sayyid al-Shuhada, and the Badr Organisation had been sent to Iran.^[291] The troops were reportedly transported through the border crossings of Shalamcheh, Chazabeh, and Khosravi, officially under the cover of a “pilgrimage to the holy sites of Imam Reza in Mashhad“, while in practice they were gathered at a base in Ahvaz before being dispatched to various regions to assist in suppressing protests.^[291] According to Iran International, “The reason behind this move by the Islamic Republic could be its concern that the Iranian police might not follow orders to attack unarmed, ordinary people, or simply because its forces are insufficient to stop protests in more than 100 cities”.^[294] On 9 January 2026 the United States warned Iran against using foreign militias to crush protests.^[295] According to The Media Line, Iraqi Shiite militia members were recruited to help suppress Iranian protesters, receiving $600 each. By 11 January, more than 60 buses, each carrying about 50 people, had crossed the Iraq‑Iran border.^[296] On 15 January, an Iraqi source stated to CNN that “nearly 5,000” fighters from Iraqi militias had crossed into Iran over the preceding weeks.^[38]

Internal propaganda and coercion

The Iranian government has been accused of using footage of protesters’ bodies in morgues to demoralise future protests.^[297] Families trying to receive the bodies of their loved ones have often times been forced to pay compensation for the bullets that killed their relatives.^[297][298] Reports stated that security forces and Revolutionary Guard members raided and intimidated the families of protesters who were killed, imposed restrictions on the retrieval and burial of bodies, and warned that families would be charged fees.^[298] There have been reports that families were unable to locate the remains of their relatives after authorities buried them in locations far from where the deaths occurred.^[297] Reports have also indicated that the authorities retained the remains until families consented to official accounts describing the deceased as aligned with the government and Basij rather than as protesters.^[297][299] Likewise, images and videos from the pro-government rallies were reported to have been altered.^[206][287]

Direct order for live fire on protesters and killing of hospitalised protesters

Sources close to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and the presidential office report that the killing of protesters was carried out on the direct order of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with full approval from senior state officials. The council allegedly authorised live fire, which was executed mainly by the IRGC in what is described as a deliberate, organised operation exceptional in scale and intensity.^[52]

On 13 January the Guardian reported that Islamic Republic security forces were documented using shotguns and rifles with live ammunition,^[300] as well as heavy DShK machine guns against protesters,^[301] with a Tehran doctor stating that security forces were “shooting to kill”.^[300] A spokesperson from the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights cited evidence that even when using “less lethal” weapons, security forces were deliberately shooting at the heads, eyes, genitals and vital organs of the protesters, so as terrorise protesters by mutilating them and causing them permanent disability,^[300] reusing the tactic employed in the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests.^[300] At least one young girl had been shot in the pelvic area and was in critical condition.^[300] and a medic in Tehran reported that there were “direct shots to the heads of the young people, to their hearts as well.”^[302]

Additionally, multiple testimonies have revealed Iranian security forces raiding hospitals to arrest,^[303] and in many cases execute, hospitalised protesters.^[304][301] On 4 January, according to Namdar Baghaei Yazdi, vice president of the Iranian Medical Society UK, security forces in full riot gear stormed Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam, attacked medical personnel with tear gas and shotgun pellets and arrested injured protesters,^[305] with another similar assault being carried out by security forces on 6 January in Sina Hospital in Tehran.^[305] Yazdi was quoted as saying “Hospitals are no longer sacred in Iran, and we are very concerned for our medical colleagues there who are already at risk from the regime.” ^[305] A doctor from southern Iran reported that security forces had “finished off” protesters who had been hospitalised at the time,^[301][304] further stating “they killed many, arrested many, and many are on the run. The situation is very bad.”^[304] According to The Times, another doctor from Tehran stated that security forces had “gone into hospitals and forcibly taken the corpses of protesters with them”, and some of the wounded protesters treat their injuries at home and avoid being admitted to the hospital out of fear of being arrested.^[306] Iran Human Rights reported that in Rasht, security forces surrounded and trapped protesters inside the Rasht Bazaar, set it on fire, and killed people attempting to surrender or escape, while also “finishing off” wounded survivors in the streets and in hospitals.^[301]

Persecution

On 5 January 2026, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, head of the judiciary in the Islamic Republic, stated that there would be no leniency for “rioters” despite the right to demonstrate,^[307][308] and the judiciary’s Mizan news agency quoted him saying “I instruct the attorney general and prosecutors across the country to act in accordance with the law and with resolve against the rioters and those who support them (…) and to show no leniency or indulgence,”^[307][308] and stressing that the penalty would be “decisive” and “maximum”.^[309][309] Regarding the rapid trials and executions or protesters, Iran state television shared a video in which Mohseni-Ejei said “If we want to do a job, we should do it now. If we want to do something, we have to do it quickly, if it becomes late, two months, three months later, it doesn’t have the same effect. If we want to do something, we have to do that fast.”^[310][311] On 10 January, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that the demands of protesters in the country are “completely fair,” but “rioters” should “be put in their place.”^[308] On 13 January, in a televised statement from the office of the Tehran prosecutor, the office declared that an undeclared number of protesters would be charged with “moharebeh“, or “waging war against God”, an offence punished by death in Iran, and used extensively in the past by the regime’s judiciary.^[312] According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, as of 14 January 2026, over 18,400 people had been arrested.^[310]

According to Iran International, on 10 January 2026 the “One Word” lawyers’ network, citing the internet shutdown isolating protesters from the outside world, called on the international community and Iranian judges to prevent the show trials and extrajudicial executions of protesters following the orders of Ali Khamenei and senior judicial officials.^[313] In its statement, the network detailed new orders from Khamenei instructing security forces “to deal harshly with protesters in recent gatherings” as well as separate statements from the Head of the Judiciary, the Attorney General of the country, and the Tehran Prosecutor calling for “extraordinary, out-of-order proceedings and the imposition of the most severe punishments in the cases of detained protesters.”^[313]

Executions

According to rights group HRANA, Iran carried out at least 52 executions during the protests between 5 January and 14 January.^[314][315]

According to the BBC, on 8 January 2026, clothes shop owner Erfan Soltani was arrested in his home for being connected with the protests in Fardis. He was denied a lawyer and his family was not notified of the charges brought against him.^[316] Several days later, Soltani was notified that he was to face execution on 14 January, less that a week after his arrest.^[316] Shortly before the execution date, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied any plans to hang people, and Soltani’s family was notified that his execution had been postponed, while the judiciary stated that the charges against him only consisted of “colluding against national security” and “propaganda activities against the establishment” which are not punishable by death in Iran.^[316] The state broadcasting company IRIB claimed that reports of Soltani’s pending execution were a “blatant act of news fabrication.”^[316

Casualties, arrests, executions, and injured protesters

31 December

On 31 December 2025, during a protest in Fuladshahr, Dariush Ansari Bakhtiariwand was shot with a Kalashnikov rifle by security forces. He died before reaching medical care.^[317] While participating in a protest in Kuhdasht on 31 December, Amirhesam Khodayarifard (reported to be 21,^[121] or 22 years old)^[120] was shot dead with a bullet to the head by a plainclothes retired IRGC agent.^[318] Eyewitness testimony and video evidence showed that Khodayarifard was among the protesters.^[120] Government media stated that protesters had been throwing rocks at security forces, and that Khodayarafid was killed after the rocks had been thrown.^[319]

Governmental media, including Mehr News Agency,^[121] claimed that Khodayarifard was a member of the Basij. The governor of Kuhdasht, an Imam of Friday Prayer, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members visited Khodayarifard’s family. Permission for the family to access Khodayarifard’s body and carry out a burial was conditioned on the family making a televised statement stating that Khodayarifard had been a member of the Basij.^[120] Governmental authorities gave warnings on Telegram and Instagram forbidding the publication of information about Khodayarifard’s killing.^[120] As of 5 January 2026, the authorities, who were pressuring Khodayarifard’s family to state that he was a Basij member, had not given the body to Khodayarifard’s family, according to IranWire.^[318]

1 January

Two protesters, Ahmad Jalil, 21, and Sajjad Valamanesh, 28, were killed in Lordegan on 1 January 2026. Both were shot by security forces with live ammunition and died later from their injuries.^[320][321] On the evening of 1 January, two men and a teenage boy, Shayan Asadollahi, 30, Vahab Musavi, and Mostafa, 15, residents of Azna (in Lorestan province) were killed by gunfire from security forces.^[135] The IRGC-aligned Fars News Agency stated that the protesters had either tried to attack a police station^[322] or had tried to disarm the security forces.^[135] Ahmadreza Amani, 28, was shot in the chest by security forces at around 18:00 IRST in Azna and died in hospital.^[323]

Khodadad Shirvani, 33, a Marvdasht resident, was shot with shotgun pellets by security forces on the same evening in Marvdasht. He died after being transferred to a hospital.^[324] In Nurabad (Lorestan province), Ahad Ebrahimpour Abdoli, 35, was lethally shot the same evening with three bullets (one to his heart) by security forces during a protest in Ba’ath Square in Nurabad. Security forces and the Imam of Friday Prayer pressured Abdoli’s family to say that he was a Basij member and that he was shot by “enemy forces”.^[325]

2 January

On 2 January, a 42-year-old protester, Ali Azizi Jafarabadi, a Kurdish man from Harsin County was shot dead by security forces in Harsin.^[326]

3 January

On 3 January, the total number of arrested protesters had increased to 132 according to Hengaw^[327] or 582 according to HRANA.^[139] Iran International estimated the death count of protesters to be at least eight, the number of locations to be 113 locations in 46 cities across 22 provinces, with at least 44 people shot and wounded by live ammunition or pellet guns fired by Iranian security forces.^[100][328] Four protesters were shot dead with “military-grade” weapons by IRGC members at protests in Malekshahi County in Ilam province; forty were injured and many taken to hospital.^[329]

4 January

By the early morning of 4 January, Iran International reported the death toll from the protests to have risen to at least 16.^[330] HRANA estimated that since the beginning of the protests there had been 990 arrests and 51 cases of injuries to protesters, mostly from pellet and plastic bullets.^[146]

5 January

The total number of arrested protesters rose to 1,200 on 5 January.^[331] Iranian authorities claimed to have arrested a Mossad agent partaking in the protests, with the agent allegedly confessed to being recruited, trained by, and continuing communication with Mossad, and said that Mossad handlers told him to go to people’s residences, but was later instructed to move his “operations” to local marketplaces.^[332]

6 January

On 6 January, a total of 2,076 protesters had been arrested, and at least 34 protesters and 2 police officers had been killed, according to HRANA.^[156]

7 January

HRANA estimated 140 new arrests of protesters or identifications of previously arrested protesters, making a total of 2217, including 165 minors and 46 university students. HRANA counted at total since the beginning of the protests as 38 deaths, including 29 adult protesters, 5 minor protesters, and 4 security officers.^[160]

8 January

This section is an excerpt from 2026 Fardis massacre.[edit]

In response to intensified protests on 8 January 2026, the government initiated a nationwide outage of internet and telephone services, a tactic often used prior to using deadly force against protesters, in order to suppress news and evade scrutiny. According to social media reports, a massacre began in Fardis, where government forces allegedly killed 50 protesters with a machine gun.^[333]

9 January

On 9 January, HRANA estimated that a total of 2,311 protesters had been arrested and at least 65 were dead.^[1] Time reported that they were in contact with a Tehran-based doctor who informed them that over 217 protester deaths had been recorded across six hospitals in the city, while Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi warned that authorities might carry out a massacre under the cover of the widespread internet blackout.^[185][186] Reports from two hospitals in Rasht and Tehran indicate overall 110 dead bodies being transferred to these two hospitals during 8 and 9 January. Some wounded people had military-grade bullets in head and neck, indicating that the shootings were intended to kill.^[334]

10 January

Amidst the internet blackout during the protests, Iran International stated their most conservative estimates indicated that at least 2,000 people had been killed by government forces over the past 48 hours alone.^[62] On 10 January, HRANA estimated that 2,638 protesters had been arrested and confirmed that 116 fatalities had occurred.^[335] The Centre for Human Rights in Iran warned that a “massacre is unfolding.” It said hundreds of protesters had been killed since the government cut off internet access, and security forces, as in the past, shot people in the eyes with metal pellets and rubber bullets. It reported that hospitals were overwhelmed, and that casualties continue to rise.^[336]

11 January

According to a US-based rights group, more than 500 people have been killed in Iran’s protests, with 579 additional deaths under investigation (raising the total to 1,123), while over 10,681 people have been arrested.^[337]

The People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran reported that more than 3,000 people had been killed in the protests by 11 January. Their figures, based on local sources, hospitals, and families, show the regime even displayed some bodies on state TV, falsely blaming protesters for their deaths.^[338][339]

By 11 January, Time reported that, starting with reports from a handful of Tehran hospitals, an informal, expatriate group of academics and professionals calculated that protester deaths could have reached 6,000 through Saturday the 10th.^[67]

12 January

On 12 January, CNN reported that given the government’s internet shutdown and the slow trickle of information emerging from Iran, the full scale of casualties remains unclear.^[340]

13 January

On 13 January, Iran International reported that at least 12,000 people had been killed, describing the massacre as the “largest killing in Iranian contemporary history“.^[42] CBS News reported that activist groups in Iran estimated 12,000 people to have been killed, and possibly 20,000, based on medical reports.^[40]

15 January

By 15 January, fatality reports saw a significant increase as minimal internet connectivity was restored.^[341] While confirmed figures from HRANA stood at approximately 2,000-2,500 deaths,^[342][341] other rights organisations such as Iran Human Rights (IHR) reported at least 3,428 fatalities.^[301] At the same time, leaked internal documents from the Supreme National Security Council and the presidential office, reported by Iran International, suggested that as many as 12,000 people may have been killed during the peak crackdown between January 8 and 10.^[343] CBS News cited sources within Iran claiming the total death toll could potentially reach 20,000.^[344][345]

Executions

According to HRANA, Iran carried out at least 52 executions during the protests between 5 January and 14 January.^[314][315]

On 12 January 2026, it was reported that 26-year-old protester, Erfan Soltani, was sentenced to be executed on 14 January, making him one of the first of these protesters to be handed an execution sentence.^[346] Soltani was arrested during protests in Fardis on 8 January.^{[346][347][348]} Human rights groups and activists reported that Soltani was denied access to a lawyer, a fair trial, or any opportunity to appeal.^[346]

Government forces

Government authorities repeatedly presented fatalities during the protests as members of the security forces killed by protesters, after which evidence from witnesses and family statements showed that the victim had been shot by the security forces.^[349] Government media claimed that Amirhesam Khodayarifard, killed on 31 December, was a member of the Basij.^[122] Eyewitness reports and video evidence, collected by Hengaw, contradicted this claim, in particular showing that he was standing among the protesters and was killed by a shot to the head by a security forces member.^[120] Initially, authorities conditioned family access to Khodayarifard’s body on the family making a televised statement that he was a Basij member.^[120] During the funeral, which took place on 2 January, Khodayarifard’s father confirmed that his son was not a Basij member.^[137]

On 3 January, Agence France-Presse referred to a statement by Mehr that IRGC member Latif Karimi was killed during clashes in Malekshahi County,^[350] during which four protesters were killed by the IRGC.^[351] On 4 January, eyewitnesses and other sources clarified that Karimi was present among the protesters when he was shot by IRGC members, and died in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam. Karimi was a retired brigadier-general by profession. Karimi’s son stated on Telegram, “My father’s only ‘crime’ was telling [the government security forces] not to shoot at the people.”^[349]

On 7 January, militants of the Baloch nationalist militant organisation People’s Fighters Front (PFF) assassinated Mahmoud Haqiqat, the police chief of Iranshahr.^{[17][18][153]} IRGC-affiliated media reported that protesters killed two Law Enforcement Command officers during protests in Lordegan as well as an unspecified security force member in Malekshahi.^[153] On 8 January, Norway-based human rights organisation Hengaw claimed that two IRGC Ground Forces members were killed during the protests in Kermanshah.^[28] A police officer in Malard County at the Tehran province was killed from a stabbing after attempts to control local unrest.^[168] On 9 January, Opposition media reported that clashes between protesters and security forces in Kermanshah Province killed at least 10 IRGC Ground Forces Nabi Akram Unit members.^[27] On 11 January, fighters from the PFF killed one Law Enforcement Command officer and injured another in an attack on an LEC patrol vehicle in Dashtiari County, Sistan and Baluchistan Province.^[21]

Reactions to the protests ranged from calls for dialogue and economic relief to warnings of force.

• Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said officials should talk to protesters, but added that “rioters must be put in their place”.^[355]
• As the unrest continued, President Masoud Pezeshkian announced economic measures including changes to foreign-exchange subsidies intended to shift support directly to consumers.^[356]
• Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref attempted to resign during the first days of the protests, but it was not accepted by President Pezeshkian.^[357]
• Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly , said “Malicious individuals and organised movements want to turn any kind of public demand and protest into chaos and chaos using their trained agents in the square, but the Iranian nation has repeatedly demonstrated its vigilance, awareness, and compassion for the country’s security”.^[358]
• On 10 January 2026, the IRGC warned that safeguarding security is a “red line”.^[359]
• Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, the head of Iran’s judiciary, said that the punishment for rioters would “be decisive, maximum and without any legal leniency”.^[360]
• Attorney general Mohammad Movahedi Azad warned that anyone taking part in demonstrations is an “enemy of God“, a crime that carries the death penalty under Iranian law.^[361]

•  United States – US president Donald Trump warned that the United States would intervene if Iranian authorities violently suppressed “peaceful protests”.^[362] On 9 January 2026, Trump stated on Truth Social that the US was “locked and loaded and ready to go” if the Iranian security forces killed protesters.^[363] Trump later said that US is considering “very strong options” as a response to the Iran protests, among them possible military intervention, and he said: “we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before”.^[364] On 15 January, multiple sources reported that Carrier Strike Group 3 was expected to arrive in the Middle East in “about a week”, and The New York Times reported that an array of combat and refueling aircraft “were expected to start flowing into the region soon”.^[365][366]
• 

Intergovernmental and international organisations

• European Union: The European External Action Service urged Iran’s security forces to exercise restraint and called on authorities to uphold rights including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.^[380] The EU also co-signed the aforementioned joint statement issued by Australia and Canada.^[373]
  • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urged the release of imprisoned Iranian protesters, condemned the violent crackdown, and called for internet access to be restored, saying Europe stands “fully behind” those demonstrating.^[381]
• The  United Nations criticised Iran’s internet shutdown and violation of civil liberties.^[382]
• Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch condemned the violent repression and documented indiscriminate killings and arrests.^[383][384]

On 30 December, Iran International suggested that the protests were a “historic break” of Iranian bazaar merchants, historically a critical and old ally of the Islamic Republic, from the Iranian government. Such breaks, the news agency suggested, were fuelled by the Islamic Republic’s blame towards the merchants as “price gougers” for rejecting state-standardised pricing and being unable to restock market inventories if they complied to their demands. Anger towards the government by merchants were also caused by the proposed 2025–26 Iranian budget, which would prioritise deficit spending and large tax increases to make up for a decline in oil revenues for government funding.^[403]

On 2 January, Iran International cited the opinion of analysts, including intelligence analysts and journalists, who suggested that Iran might have entered the early stages of regime collapse.^[404] On 4 January, according to the New York Times, Iranian officials, including foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, described the government as being in a “survival mode”, with difficulties in either reversing economic problems or handling the military threat of attack by the United States or Israel. Pezeshkian held two emergency meetings following the start of the protests. Some of his advisers recommended that he publicly criticise the role of Khamenei as supreme leader.^[264] A 5 January analysis in Foreign Policy argues that the 2025–2026 protests differ from the Mahsa Amini protests in that the 2025–2026 protests are more geographically widespread, including small towns rather than just major cities, and involve a broader range of groups, including students, workers, women, and ethnic minorities. The analysis also saw differences in the international context as significant, with Trump’s unpredictability and overt willingness to violate international law as a factor differing from Biden’s approach, and the fall of the Assad regime as a weakening of Iran’s regional support. The authors also saw the focus of the 2025–2026 protests as shifting from social reform to regime change.^[7]

In early January 2026, The Times referred to intelligence reports stating that Khamenei had an escape plan, for him and about twenty close associates and family members, including Khamenei’s son Mojtaba Khamenei, ready to flee to Moscow in case security forces defected to the side of the protesters. Beni Sabti, a former Israeli intelligence officer, stated that he expected Moscow to be Khamenei’s preferred location of exile if he fled.^[266] Social scientist Mali Rezaei viewed the protests as showing a “deepening rupture between society and the ideological foundations of the state”. She argued that one of the factors behind the protests was the context of Iran’s multi-millenial history and ethnic and cultural diversity, in which the seventh century CE Muslim conquest of Persia left in place “a persistent resistance to absolutism”. She pointed to a 2020 GAMAAN study that found that irreligion in Iran and support for secularism was growing. In addition to economic factors, Rezaei saw environmental crises such as the disappearance of Lake Urmia as playing a role. She viewed the Iranian government’s destruction of some elements of Persian culture and a “passivity in defending [cultural] legacy” as a weakening of the government’s protection of “the nation”. Rezaei saw the Mahsa Amini protests and the Woman, Life, Freedom slogan as a key turning point in which the protest movement evolved to avoid cooptation by either the government and individual celebrities. She viewed the pro-Pahlavi slogans as mainly representing a desire for a secular democracy, not absolute monarchy, that would recover national agency.^[405]

View of the protests as an uprising

On 10 January, human rights activist Hamid Enayat suggested that “dozens of instances” of disarmament of security forces during the protests, and the “breakdown of the deterrent function” of the Iranian state’s monopoly of violence indicated a transition to a new phase, that of an uprising. Enayat cited cases of protesters stopping security forces on buses, disarming them and tying their hands, and a case of a stun gun being taken from a security forces member and used against him. He argued that Malekshahi County effectively came under insurgent control on 6 January when security forces fled from the protesters. He saw the protests as having shifted to a phase in which the Iranian state had lost its power to frighten citizens into obedience.^[281]

On 11 January, historian Mark Almond disagreed with comparison of the Iranian protests to the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989. He argued that it would be more like the Storming of the Bastille, because, if successful, the overthrow of the Islamic Republic would be a rebellion against an internally developed regime, rather than one imposed internationally. He argued that the protests already qualified for the term “revolution”.^[406] In contradistinction most Israeli analysts believed that the conditions for successful revolution had not yet been met, the existential threat to the regime notwithstanding.^[407][408] A minority view, such as held by retired Brigadier General Amir Avivi, chairman of the Israel Defence and Security Forum (IDSF), is that the Iranian regime faces imminent collapse.^[409

“What’s New About This Wave of Protests in Iran”. Foreign Policy. A notable development in late 2025 was the ideological shift within the protest slogans themselves. While ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ remains symbolically powerful, new chants increasingly reflect monarchist sentiments. Calls such as ‘Javid Shah’ (Long Live the King) and ‘This Is the Final Battle / Pahlavi Will Return’ have echoed through the cities where the protests are concentrated. These slogans point to a renewed interest in the Pahlavi legacy and open calls for the return of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, representing a significant departure from the largely republican and rights-based framing of the 2022 movement. When combined with economic desperation, political exhaustion appears to be pushing parts of society toward alternative visions of order and stability.

Natal Chart of the Republic of Iran

The Islamic Republic Iran has the Sun in Aries so it a Mars ruled nation. Iran’s Moon is at the anoretic degree at 29 degrees of Taurus. Transiting Uranus, the planet of revolution, is exactly conjunct Iran’s Moon which represents the people and emotions so their world has been rocked by the extreme violence of the Islamic state in reponse to their protests. Mars and Mercury are in Pisces with transiting Saturn and Neptune conjuncting them both. Transiting Jupiter is squaring Iran’s natal Pluto in the 11th house magnifying any turbulence, pushing the country to its limits where there is a strong consensus for regime change, especially for the younger generation to whom a theocracy is an anathema. Adding to this intense pressure cooker of a desire to overthrow this brutal clerical regime is the opposition from transiting Mars to Iran’s natal Jupiter. There are some positive aspects which should contribute to change Jupiter trining Uranus and Jupiter sextile the karmic North Node and trining the South Node is a strong indicator of sudden change in the country’s direction.

Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi
It is worth looking at the natal chart of Reza Pahlavi’s chart since his name has been constantly called out in slogans by demonstrators in Iran. Reza Pahlavi is the Iranian born eldest son of the late Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi who is now an American citizen. He has been quite vocal in his support of the demonstrators, offering his advice on strategy and for a transition to a democratic Iran. He has the Sun and Neptune conjunct conjunct his Scorpio midheaven, so his Sun is his most elevated planet, giving him prominence and leadership potential. His Sun in the 9th house would make him idealistic and able to see the bigger picture. He also has Mercury is Scorpio in the 10th house so he would be an impassioned communicator and spokesperson for his people. Pluto, the ruler of his Sun, is in his 8th house, Scorpio’s own house, conjunct his North Node, adding to his potential power. Mars, the co-ruler of Scorpio, is in Cancer conjunct his descendant. Mars in Cancer is a very protective and loyal position, as evidenced in his advocacy for his fellow Iranians. He has Saturn conjunct his Capricorn ascendant with expansive Jupiter also in Capricorn which would make him both practical and ambitious to achieve his goals. With both Jupiter and Saturn secreted in the 12th house, he would prefer to work behind the scenes. He also has Pallas Athena and Vesta in Capricorn indicating his innate wisdom, strategising skills and focus. His Moon is in the anoretic degree of Pisces signifying a sensitive, intuitive and compassionate individual. His Moon is in the 2nd house of finances and values so his emotional security would be linked with material stability. Harmonious Saturn and Jupiter aspects enable him to manifest his visions in a practical fashion. Looking at Pahlavi’s transits, it is noteworthy that transiting Neptune and Saturn is currently conjunct his natal Moon which would have deeply affected him emotionally while Jupiter was conjunct his natal Mars, no doubt galvanising him into action. It is noteworthy that transiting Uranus in Taurus is squaring his natal Uranus in Leo which is a signal for sudden change. Not all Iranians are in favour of a return to the monarchy but they would prefer other democratic systems rather than the current repressive theocratic regime.

New Moon in Capricorn – 19 January 2026
The New Moon occurs at 28 degrees Aquarius 43 at 6.51 am AEDT on 19 January. There is a huge line-up of planets in Capricorn and Aquarius at this New Moon – with Sun, Moon, Mercury and Mars in Capricorn and Pluto and Venus in Aquarius. All of this stellium is trine Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius. Capricorn rules hierarchical structures, the establishment and institutions while Aquarius, its polar opposite, represents rebellion and revolution. This energy will become more extreme from February to April. Mars and Venus are equidistant from the Sun. Uranus in Taurus is in mutual reception to Venus in Aquarius which could bring potential turbulence in the financial markets.

The US government has launched corruption charges against the Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powell . It is interesting to note that the MC of the Wall St Crash was at 29 degrees Capricorn, the degree of this New Moon. The Federal Reserve chart is noteworthy being founded on 23 December 1913 at 6.02 pm Washington DC. Looking at the Federal Reserve chart, we can see that the Saturn-Neptune conjunction which will culminate in February will be exactly conjunct the MC of the Federal Reserve chart. This Saturn-Neptune conjunction also squares the Sun of the Federal Reserve chart and the Sun in the chart represents its leader, that is Jerome Powell who is in under criminal investigation. As well as this significant transit, this New Moon conjuncts Pluto in the 2nd house of the US Sibley chart representing finances and worth. Uranus in Taurus puts focus not only disruption in the financial markets but also potential seismic events.

Trump causes chaos at home and abroad – ICE terrorises US cities, Trump bullies Greenland and blackmails NATO with the threat of tariffs and sets up a “Board of Peace” to rival the UN

There is growing outrage over the thuggish behaviour of ICE in America, especially since an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good, a mother of three in the face through her car window in Minnesota as she tried to drive away. The Trump administration tried to spin it, claiming that she was a domestic terrorist who was attempting to run over the agent. Innocent citiizens are being caught up in these ICE raids, especially in Democrat ruled states. The response has been strong in condemning the ICE agent’s actions with the Mayor Jacob telling the ICE to get the f.ck out of Minnesota. The DOJ has retaliated opening a criminal investigation into both Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey. Trump has gone even further threatening to use the Insurrection Act, the most powerful emergency powers at the disposal of a president, who can use it to deploy the US armed forces and the militia to suppress insurrections. The latest outrage is the footage showing ICE agents dragging an elderly male US citizen out into the freezing cold in just his underwear pushing into their vehicle after later releasing him with no charges. Another young 16 yearl old male citizen, a child of an undocumented Mexican was so violently held in an illegal choke hold that he had to be hospitalised to undergo medical treatment for an injured neck and spine while his father was deported to Mexico.

Trump has also caused outrage amongst European members of NATO with his brazen bid to take over Greenland which belongs to the kingdom of Denmark. Greenlanders have demonstrated saying they are not for sale and do not want to belong to America and are offended that Trump thinks they are a commodity to be bought and sold to the highest bidder. Trump’s petulance and vindictiveness have been exposed in a leaked scathing letter he wrote to Norway’s Prime Mininster Jonas Gare Store, claiming that since they didn’t award him the Nobel Peace prize after he ‘stopped 8 wars PLUS’ he no longer feels an obligation to think purely of peace.” The EU is considering using the anti-coercive instrument also known as the trade bazooka which is similar to NATO article 5 where Europe would put $93 billion euros of extra tariffs on the US. ABC news journalist, cJohn Lyons, quoted former diplomat Richard Haas, who has claimed that Trump and Vance see Europe like elite, sophisticated Ivy League woke lefties as well as a major trading competitor.

Trump’s Board of Peace
Invitations to nations by Trump to join his Board of Peace has been met with caution and suspicion as it is viewed as a threat to the peace keeping role of the UN. It seems but yet another power grab by Trump who would be chairman for life, with permanent membership available for states that pay $1 billion. A mandate for a Board was authorised by the United Security Council in November 2025 but only through 2027 and solely focused on the Gaza conflict. One diplomat said “It’s a ‘Trump United Nations’ that ignores the fundamentals of the U,N, charter.” Three other western diplomats said it looked as if it would undermine the United Nations if it went ahead. Another senior U.N. said that the United Nations was the only institution with the moral and legal ability to bring together every nation, big or small. On the first anniversary of Trump’s second term as president alarms bells have been set off as Trump in his interviews and tweets has not ruled out taking Greenland by force. He has also posted fake images of Greenland, Canada, Venezuela and Cuba covered in the American flag and referred to Canada as America’s potential 51st state. Commentators have slammed Trump’s ballroom in the White House and his obsession with coveting the Nobel Peace prize and Greenland as a vanity project.

Trump’s natal chart and current transits
Trump is already well known for his belligerance with aggressive Mars in Leo on his ascendant. Currently erratic Uranus is making a square to his natal Mars and his ascendant, adding to his already reckless, bullying behaviour toward not only Americans but also against the EU and NATO, his supposed allies. The fixed star Algol which represents decapitation is also still conjncting transiting Uranus on his midheaven. Transiting Jupiter in Cancer is also squaring his natal Jupiter in Libra which would explain his massive overreach, trampling on all domestic and global norms and institutions. Added to this is the fact that Neptune is at the anoretic degree of Pisces conjunct the IC of the US Sibley chart, undermining the very foundations of the nation. It is interesting to note that this New Moon coincided with the first anniversary of Trump 2.0.

Sources
Aquarius Greeting Card Illustrated by Sue Robertson
Aquarius Poem by Anne Robertson
Esoteric Astrology Volume 3 Treatise on the Seven Rays by Alice A. Bailey
Soul-Centred Astrology: A Key to your Expanding Self  by Alan Oken
Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology by Alan Oken
The Labours of Hercules by Alice A. Bailey
Astrological Keys to Self-actualization & Self-realization by Clara A. Weiss
Astrology and Biochemistry by Vanda Sawtell
Insight Newsletter by Michele Finey
The Next Step by Pam Gregory
China Highlights
Lisa Marie Presley How she turned personal tragedy into hope BBC news by Helen Bushby
Patrick Dodson I Biography & Facts by Jeff Wallenfeldt,Encyclopaedia Britannica
‘Father of Reconciliation’ Pat Dodson to quit parliament by Michelle Grattan, The Conversation
How Mary Donaldson rose from Tasmanian girl to soon-to-be queen of Denmark and ‘took the heart of the Danes’ ABC NEWS, Mon 1 January 2024
Mary: the making of a queen News Review, Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday January 6, 2024

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by ANNEFERTITI’S ASTROMUSINGS on JANUARY 3, 2023  •  PERMALINK  •  EDIT

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