Night falls much later
The gloaming sighs, glass of wine;
swifts dart overhead
Copyright Francis 2022
Haiku: Gloaming
Tag: moon
Frida Kahlo: Is There a Price to Pay for Genius? Astrology Musings
Frida Kahlo is one of the most iconic and celebrated symbolic-realist artists of the 20th century, but her short life was painful and ultimately tragic, yet nevertheless full. Is there such a thing as a trade off between genius and pain?
Such was her fame that even during her lifetime, in 1942, one of her paintings sold for over $3 million at Sotheby’s.
When I first looked at her chart I noted that the three so-called outer planets (which are invisible to the naked eye and therefore not luminaries) are in key sensitive points.
I have long thought that Uranus, Neptune and Pluto and their supposed influences are something to be avoided, or overcome, even though they might put the individual in touch which certain deeper, darker and ultimately dangerous forces of our universe. Uranus may bring originality but can disrupt suddenly; Neptune may inspire but confuses and befuddles; and Pluto might provide intensity but undermines darkly.
At the age of 6 Frida contracted polio which left her with one leg shorter than the other. Later, through sports, she built up her body strength with characteristic resolve and went to one of Mexico‘s best schools.
A Life Changing Accident
Then fate intervened again when she was severely injured in a horrific road traffic accident in Mexico City in 1925. It was a life changing experience which she never truly overcame, but such was her intense lust for life and experience, she got through it, despite numerous operations, including a leg amputation later on.
During this early period following the accident, she began to paint and this was the beginning of her career which saw her later exhibiting as far a field as New York and Paris.
Due to the intense pain and the resulting depression she also developed a drinking habit but always lived life to its fullest.
‘The Heroine of Pain’ What Does the Astrology Say?
There is little wonder that in her native Mexico she is referred to as ‘the heroine of pain‘ – ‘la heroina del dolor’. She certainly seems to have had that air of greatness about her which only few achieve during their lifetime – but at what price?
She has Leo rising with Mercury in the 1st house. Here is the lust for life and creativity and to express it.
However, her ruler the Sun is immersed in the ocean of a 12th house Cancer conjunct Neptune, forming the most difficult and trying figure in the chart.
This subconsciously embedded conjunction is opposed by a practical Mars conjunct Uranus in the 6th house of health and efficiency. This activation of the 6th/12th house axis might well have been behind the motivation to seek a career in medicine in her early teens.
A Potential Career in Medicine
She would appear to have been as much interested in mental as well as physical health, especially so as an exalted Jupiter is also in the 12th house quite close to her north node; she might well have become a doctor of psychology or psychiatry if things had been different, yet other medical paths could have suited. But it wasn’t to be. Any aptitude toward practical medicine was firmly rebuked by fate, steering her toward creative art with a symbolic edge.
Whilst Neptune close to the Cancerian Sun might at best be inspirational, its major influence is to subconsciously confound and upset, affecting her psychologically. This may suggest the subconscious symbolism of her art. Sun Cancerians are family orientated but happiness in this area of her life was to prove elusive.
Opposing the Sun/Neptune conjunction, Mars/Uranus only antagonise and disrupt, the martian strength being exalted in Capricorn, yet is physically embattled and irritated by revolutionary Uranus. The exact opposition between the Sun and Mars illustrates the intense attraction to men she had but also the difficulty in maintaining steady relationships, even though she only married one man – twice.
This opposition of conjunctions effectively energises the whole chart, mimicking the explosive drama of her life.
A Ribbon Around a Bomb?
Psychologically Frida was deep, intensely emotional but had an exacting attitude too. Her Venus, ruler of the MC and 10th house of career, is closely conjuct the undermining influence of Pluto in the 11th house, challenged by Saturn from the 8th. This also reflects her intense relationships and friendships, her difficulty with them, as well as her interest in feminine identity. Venus Pluto and a Taurean MC suggest the intense realism and symbolism of her art.
Her Moon exalted in Taurus in the 10th house is also void of course in the last degree of the Bull. Whilst this might add a certain steadiness to her emotional responses, she might also have felt as if she was always fighting against time. Void of course Moons are difficult to assess in natal charts, but this is my take.
She was once described as being a ribbon around a bomb. Whether that is accurate or not, she was certainly one of the most naturally gifted, intensively creative female artists of any period. Iconic indeed.
Copyright Francis 2022
Every Cloud: The Partial Solar Eclipse of 30.04.2022 for Britain
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.
Copyright Francis 2022
Catch the Moon
Yellow butterfly
You are not given a name
I will catch the moon
Copyright Francis 2022
March 20 Vernal Equinox @ 3:33:33 PM GMT – Plus Tarot Insight of Spring Quarter
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.
Copyright Francis 2022
The Elloe Recorder 