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.
Jupiter takes nearly 12 years to move around the zodiac and 12 is a significant number.
Its Aries ingress on May 11 2022 marks an important new beginning for travel, enterprise, philosophy and religion, just as the Sun’s entry into Aries each year marks a new beginning.
For Aries dominant individuals, a new phase of opportunity is upon you. Look to expand your interests, over the next year, bearing in mind that Jupiter will retrograde back into Pisces for a time later in the summer.
For people in general, we need to start looking more at ourselves, ways to improve who we are, how we appear and what we do.
For the world in general, this marks a phase for more opportunity, for greater leadership which is both benevolent and broadminded, whilst taking care of the sovereignty of nations.
For Great Britain, the ingress chart above indicates that the nation itself has now the opportunity to improve itself from the bottom up, and there will be practical openings to do this beginning quite soon.
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.
For me the aces in tarot represent the four cardinal points of the zodiac.
The Ace of Wands is the first point of Aries, the Vernal Equinox around March 20, when the sun strides across the equator into Aries’ cardinal fire and martian power. This is the most important beginning of all, a primal energy, a spiritual energy, a thrusting energy, a positive energy. The sun is exalted in Aries, which is ruled by Mars.
The Ace of Cups represents the northerly solstice around June 21, when the sun reaches its most northern point at the tropic of Cancer and begins to turn south. This is primal care and protection, to hold what you have and to nurture with all your heart. Jupiter is exalted in Cancer which is ruled by the Moon.
The Ace of Swords is the autumnal equinox around September 22, when the sun moves south across the equator into Libra‘s cardinal air and venusian relativity. This is primal rationality, consideration, judgment, an important new thought or idea, or subject of study. Little wonder that the school/university year begins around this time. And Saturn is exalted in Libra which is ruled by Venus.
The Ace of Coins is the southern solstice around December 21, when the sun reaches its most southern point at the tropic of Capricorn and begins to turn north once again. This is primal materiality, a coalescence of all that is practical, manifesting substance, reality. Mars is exalted in Capricorn which is ruled by Saturn.
The Elloe Recorder 