Hilaire Belloc probably isn’t everyone’s cup of tea right now, but in the first half of the last century he was one of the leading writers of tradition, yet with eclectic tastes.
Born in France but living mostly in England, he had strong feelings for both countries and their traditions. He was a great scholar and Catholic, abhorred by the disappearance and deliberate dismantling of the old religion and the culture associated with it.
He became a Liberal MP in 1906 for four years and also served in the French army.
His wide range of interests and ability are shown by the Sagittarius ascendent, with his ruler Jupiter in a seventh house Gemini, opposed to Saturn in the first – he could not be pinned down to being a typical patriot and traditionalist, he was too restless, yet remained conservative in outlook.
Great Intellect
And with Mercury closely conjunct his ninth house Sun in Leo, he had a naturally expressive, creative intellect of great ability.
Moon conjunct Uranus, Venus conjunct Mars, plus the Moon’s North Node in Cancer in the eighth house, reveal how deeply invested his strong emotions were; he was both eccentric and caring, passionate and tender. He was able to instinctively home-in on the shared feelings and inheritances of England, France and their respective cultures, his life’s work. Little wonder that his patriotism and traditional sensibility stretched across The English Channel and beyond.
In other words, he epitomised the true patriotic spirit which cares for the integrity of all nations, not just its own, and due to this he was most insightful in his writings.
This chart, set for London (and therefore Great Britain) is a bit of humdinger.
I don’t often sensationalise but this is a really tense and trying looking chart, with the Sun/Moon falling exactly on the ascendant/descendant, and with the sun very close also to Algol – the demon star – in a Taurus first house, along with revolutionary Uranus and the North Node, insisting that we look at ourselves realistically, whilst trying to refrain from extremes.
Things are really coming home to roost right now and change is afoot which may seem difficult to deal with, especially with Moon conjunct the South Node – we really do have to learn to let go emotionally.
Epoch Making Times
And for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, we are living in pretty epoch making times, so watch out – but this also goes for the world too. The activated and very tense Taurus/Scorpio axis is likely to highlight and bring about drastic changes in financial markets and the world economy around now.
Added to that, the Sun and Moon are square to Saturn in Aquarius in the 10th house. There are likely challenges and counter challenges to authority and leadership and in diplomatic circles too, but with Mercury now retrograde in Gemini, beware also of rumours of wars and other disasters, economic or otherwise – they may not be true, or, we may only find about what really went on when Mercury turns direct next month.
Something Has To Give?
Something has got to give around now, with all this fixed sign activity and racking up of tension to a crescendo.
There is also an emotionally volatile Mars/Neptune conjunction in Pisces in the 11th house, also aspecting the Sun/Moon, and acting almost like a pressure valve release. We may see a very difficult, emotional event occur which will affect the general public, but make sure to read all sources of information.
Drastic Action
For Britain (London) the midheaven is conjunct awful Pluto too, only undermining the government and other authorities, which may prompt them into drastic action.
And with Uranus also at 15 degrees Taurus in the first house, these are changeful times indeed for Great Britain, and we should expect sudden events.
Saving Grace?
The only saving grace in this chart is the 12th house Jupiter in Aries, along with Venus conjunct Chiron. We are probably going to have to dig deep, especially in Britain around this period, but so long as we have confidence in ourselves and look forward to new beginnings we can get through most eventualities. We are likely going to feel wounded to some degree, especially within ourselves and in relating to others an even as nations, but it will be an important lesson to learn, one which can help other peoples in the future.
I also drew a three card spread for the May 16 Full Moon, which cast an alternative light upon possible events. If we are broadminded, with courage and confidence, I think we can get through any crisis. There will be new opportunities emerging in the background which can result in overcoming problems and create the circumstances for new relationships and agreements which will put us in a much better place than we are at present.
I certainly hope the latter is the case, but we may have to experience a moment of shock first.
In the chart set for London and the United Kingdom here, the eclipse falls in the 7th house conjunct Uranus.
This highlights a period of change, even unexpected upheaval in economic, financial and diplomatic affairs. Partnerships of all kinds will be affected and karmically related, because the the north node lies almost exactly on the descending degree. This may also well relate to events in eastern Europe as well as at home.
But the eclipse is also in good aspect to Mars, the chart ruler, in the 5th house, hinting that there could be some interesting more positive developments in regard to speculation and our lives in general.
The triple conjunction of Venus, Jupiter and Neptune in Pisces in the 5th house, in good aspect to Pluto, highlights this positivity even more, indicating a time of some unexpected easing in British life, but in less obvious, deeper, contemplative ways, like finding solace in a window of peace.
The three card spread I drew confirms the astrology in my view. We may well see some swift change in regard to the economy and finance, which might seem almost like a blessing in disguise. Partnerships are highlighted but also a parting of the ways, most of which may not be too obvious to begin with.
I was more than a little surprised at the time of the Vernal Equinox this year, the First Point of Aries, or the first moment of spring: 3:33:33 PM GMT (set for London).
Even on the 24 hour clock it is 15:33:33, the 1 and the 5 adding up to 6 which is two threes. The ‘coincidences’ in the numbers of late have been off the scale – but what does it all mean? I keep seeing 11:11 all the time too.
The chart is also interesting. The MC is exactly conjunct the North Node in Taurus, hinting that the aspirations of the United Kingdom, at least, are heading in ‘right’ karmic direction. The Spring Quarter will see Britain (and hopefully its ‘government’) looking to be more practicable, out in the garden, securing financial down to earth issues as best it can. It is where our focus should be.
The Sun is cusping the eight house, therefore putting emphasis on shared securities and inheritances. Karmically, we should be getting back some of the stuff we are owed, but we also need to read the finer detail.
The ruler of the chart, Mercury, is conjunct Jupiter in the seventh house of diplomacy and enemies. This actually bodes well for the next three months in regard to diplomatic negotiations, and treaties, with a fair chance of success.
A Virgo ascendant means that health and work will be strongly featured. The sixth house of the nations health and work is a little problematic. In this house there is a Venus Mars conjunction which is square Uranus in the ninth house. There will be shocks in regard to health information, some sudden changes too, perhaps, although Saturn’s presence here in its own sign may help to bring some stability and realism as well.
And finally, a void of course Moon indicates there will be delays, perhaps some quite frustrating ones. This Moon inconjunct the Sun means the ‘government’ may still not be wholly transparent about certain financial issues (pensions, investments etc) to begin with in this period, whilst the people (Moon) will want to have clarity of information sooner than it is forthcoming. (void of course Moon in second house on cusp of third house).
I believe this 7 Day Week spread largely backs up the above astrology.
8 of Cups overall, in Sun position: Second decanate of Pisces ruled by the Moon; an overall sense of emotional achievement, having got through this.
10 of Coins in Moon position: Third decanate of Virgo ruled by Venus; the people will feel a sense of relief that something has been completed, or taken down – a gathering, in preparation for something new.
Strength card in the Mars position: A time when positive action will reap many benefits in a short space of time, but beware of some of the consequences.
Two of Swords in Mercury position: Dilemmas in media, in short distance travel too (transport, buses, the tube etc), but which narrative do you believe? Dilemmas in health and work related issues too. Use discernment.
The Fool in the Jupiter position: Longer distance travel issues should become a lot easier, with many areas open for discussion. A blank piece of paper. A good time to look around for that higher education course too, or seek fundamental spirituality, or philsosophy.
Five of Cups in Venus position: The second decanate of Scorpio ruled by Jupiter; changes in emotional relationships will be discomforting temporarily, but probably needed.
Eight of Wands in Saturn position: The second decanate of Sagittarius ruled by Mars; by the end of the quarter around June, there will be a sense of achievement, having got somewhere, and having done it through our own volition.
Today’s Moon: The Moon is in Libra until 4:18 AM, after which the Moon is in Scorpio. A void Moon period occurs from 12:01 AM to 4:18 AM today. 42 more words
The date of February 20 2022 marks the exact point of Pluto’s return to the place it was when the Declaration of Independence was signed at Philadelphia on July 4 1776, in late Capricorn.
Back then, the United States, primarily because of punitive British tax laws, was trying to wrestle free from the straitjacket of imperial control.
Some might suggest that right now the USA is fighting a similar battle for independence from an even more insidious controlling power, where even money, the creation of it – in fact the very nature of it – is in dispute.
Certainly, few would argue that the country is not divided, culturally and economically in a way it hasn’t been since the Civil War in the 1860s. Can a lot of this really be seen symbolised by Pluto’s return?
Bad Star
First of all, I do not believe that Pluto is a bringer of anything good. Many try to sanitise it as ‘transformative’, a force for necessarily destruction and renewal. That these are some of the symptoms of Pluto’s influence is undeniable.
However, in reality Pluto is a bad star, it can bring disaster, which is a word literally meaning ‘bad star’ in Latin. Pluto, a bit like its mythology, undermines, distorts and usually in secrecy, behind the scenes – and in a mask.
Unfortunately for the US, Pluto’s presence in the second house of finance and security, has always been and will always be, problematic. The very security of the nation has undergone many economic disasters and is experiencing another right now, along with the rest of the world, where inflation and debt are spiralling.
Drastic
And in Capricorn, which is about similarly practical, material, business and political concerns, the drastic distortions and divisions of our time have reached absurd levels, where there is seemingly no common ground left between liberals and conservatives. This is true worldwide too because Pluto’s transit through the highly political Goat has been common to all.
What is more, because Pluto represents hidden enemies and fifth columnists, it is not easy to see who you are up against. The one benefit of Pluto’s return may just be that, however; in the current exreme distortions being faced, the enemy could be revealing himself in a way not seen previously, or at least not since Independence.
There are some conditions in the US’s favour. Firstly, in the 1776 chart, Sagittarius is rising. Freedom is a word very much traditionally associated with America, and the country is going to have to reappraise what that word actually means.
Freedom
Sagittarius is the sign of freedom, ruled by the Greater Benefic, Jupiter, which in the July 4 chart is in Cancer, conjunct Venus in the 8th house of inheritance and investments. Here is the love of home, family, of being in love with the homeland and investing a lot of effort in it. It is this traditional national trait which is now being reinvigorated and will need to be, to essentially save what America is – or was?
The Sun (identity) is also nearby to Jupiter in the 1776 chart, with the fixed star Sirius in between. Sirius has a guardian-like nature and Americans are going to have to resort to this approach, this love of home, with pride, honour and committment if they are to save the traditional essence of their country in the long run.
So Pluto’s return, is in fact a window in a long process of drastic, traumatic financial and economic change, which began way back in 2008 when Pluto entered Capricorn.
Green Shoots
Pluto enters Aquarius in 2023, when we should begin to see, with some perspective, just what has been happening in recent years, and especially from 2020 to 2022, when Pluto was so close to that point of return.
And right now, there is a conjunction between Venus and Mars in Capricorn in the second house of the US chart. If ever there was a time to begin again, financially, it is now.
But the north node of the Moon in late Taurus, close to Algol the demon star, also warns us of the dangers of this time. Always proceed with caution, but we will have to wait until the spring to see true signs of those green shoots.
Today’s Moon: The Moon is in Virgo until 10:50 PM, after which the Moon is in Libra. A void Moon period occurs from 6:19 PM to 10:50 PM today. 42 more words
The Elloe Recorder 