A most important link to my ‘partner in crime’: here Milly Reynolds and here Milly’s Website who produces crime fiction and other genres.
This is Us
Tag: writing
Astrology Musings: Mercury conjunct Mars in the Crab – Take It Easy!
Today marks the meeting of Mercury and Mars in Cancer: Communication and energy combine in an emotive, sensitive way.
Mercury in Cancer in itself may tend to favour, or promote, more emotional thought, less emphasis on rationality. The poets among us might be just that bit more inspired right now, perhaps by family, nostalgic or patriotic concerns.
Combining with the Martian energy, this may be a time when issues to do with the home, family, our countries, become that bit more inflamed and vocalised, such as the long running Brexit situation, for instance. So we might expect to see more emotive output in the media right now.
The conjunction also occurs almost exactly opposite Pluto in Capricorn, so this probably only increases the tendency for political stirrings, speculations and perhaps secrets to be exposed in quite sensational ways. The Moon’s presence in Capricorn right now also brings emphasis on political and business issues.
Short distance travelling, or commuting, and our neighbourhoods too, are likely to become more active than normal, even aggravating, which may make us more prone to loss of temper due to the emotive influence of the Crab.
And as Cancer is a water sign, maybe travel by that mode, either by river or ocean, could be that bit more of an issue.
It might be a good idea for all us to exercise a little bit of caution in such circumstances.
Poem: Anonymous Lines
Downstairs any morning;
sunlight and smoke
in slow swirling clouds.
The cat wanders in,
cries and wanders out,
flopping down the step
toward shrill sparrow sounds.
An open passage door
through which I follow
into a past, or no time at all.
Gooseberries hairy in the mouth,
that sour shock at the crunch.
Raspberries sweet on the tongue;
peas plucked from the pod,
sitting between rows of green.
His shadow blots out the sun,
a tall silhouette, cap pushed back
as a match is struck.
I follow to runner beans
and strawberry rows,
where the cat rolls over and over.
He is distant now, never hurried,
where it all opens up,
when I cling to his leg
looking down on the dyke
where the moorhen struts.
Out onto prairie fields,
anonymous lines of roads
and pylons. A relentless horizon.
copyright Leofwine Tanner 2019 and 2011
*If you would like personal astrology report, please contact me at: leoftanner@gmail.com for details.
Astrology Musings: Mr Brexit… on Fire!
He is sometimes described as the most significant – and most controversial – British politician of the last 20 years.
He has been a sitting MEP in Brussels and Strasbourg for sometime, and has tried also, unsuccessfully so far, to become a Member of Parliament.
And yes, he’s a man who greatly divides opinion, a bit like Marmite, as the British might say, but then he’s been a leading exponent of Britain leaving the EU. Mr Brexit.
Lots of Fire
So what can a little bit of astrology reveal about this controversial character, called Nigel Farage?
Well, his Sun is in Aries, along with Mars and Jupiter (not conjunct), all in the 8th house. His Sagittarius Moon is in good aspect to that Jupiter.
So there’s plenty of fire here, enthusiasm, energy, drive and much high spirits.
All of these qualities are extremely useful for leadership, and the fact that he has led UKIP more than once and is now leading the Brexit Party to electoral success, show that leadership comes quite naturally and successfully to him.
The Sun, Mars and Jupiter in the 8th house points to very strong feelings and an interest in serious investments. This may perhaps also tie in with his former career in the City of London. The positivity of Jupiter trine Moon in fire certainly hints at a liking for speculation.
Hyper Critical Outlook
Also fascinating is his Virgo ascendant exactly conjunt Pluto. The ascendant shows how we project ourselves into the world, our personality.
Virgo here hints at a critical, detailed approach, the ability to analyse, assess quickly what’s in front of him. Pluto will probably only intensify that focus. (Pluto’s actual ‘influence’ is itself controversial).
His ruler Mercury in Taurus, reveals a practical, earthy mentality too. There is constructive thinking here, supported by Saturn, meaning he will want concrete results. Mercury in the 9th house of long distance travel and philosophy, strongly hints at mental interests and involvement in foreign concerns – the EU, for instance.
A Radical
And like all politicians born around this time, there is a Saturn Uranus opposition, albeit a little wide. In his case, it’s close to being angular, too, meaning that he will probably feel strongly that dichotomy between radicalism and conservatism. He might see himself as the radical organiser, opposing a totally inefficient establishment. Some see Pluto’s influence as ‘elimination’, stripping away, clearing out…
Pluto and Uranus close to his ascending degree point to a personal magnetism, an intensity, which is possibly one of the prime indicators as to why he is controversial.
Leadership Ability
So in summary, I think we see here genuine leadership potential (Sun, Mars, Jupiter in Aries), proven more than once in Britain and in the courts Brussels.
Yet he is not all ‘fire’. He’s a practical thinker (Mercury ruler in Taurus), expects results, and has a very strong grasp of detail, plus a flexible, hyper critical approach to everything he does (Virgo ascendant conjunct Pluto).
In a nutshell, there’s an emphasis on fire and earth: he sees something needs doing, setting off with great energy (fire) and a plan to implement it practically (earth). He’s a doer.
All in all, a recipe for success, I think.
copyright Leofwine Tanner 2019
*If you would like a personal astrology report, please contact me at: leoftanner@gmail.com for details.
Astrology Musings: A Political Leader in His Element. Who’s For Boris?
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. I mean, who would want it – really?
One of the names touted around for some time is the former Lord Mayor of London, former British Foreign Secretary, leader of the Brexit campaign in 2016, prominent journalist, editor and author, Mr Boris Johnson MP.
Does he have what it takes, astrologically speaking, to lead United Kingdom PLC? Well now he’s thrown his hat in the ring, here’s my take on it, my musings.
Lots of Air – but where’s the Fire?
Let’s begin with the chart basics. There’s lots of air: Libra on the ascendant; Sun, Mercury, Venus (the chart ruler) and Mars in Gemini in a pretty full ninth house; Moon in early Scorpio in second house, but still trine the Sun and Venus conjunction.
There is a lack of the fire element.
So what might all this mean?
Obviously the birthchart of any leader will necessarily apply itself to the fortune’s of that nation. So who do we have here?
Affability
Libra rising and all that Gemini; the affable, likeable, quick-witted, humorous fellow we all see. Nevertheless, this outer affability should not disguise the significant substance within: this is no ‘shallow’ Gemini.
He’s obviously great company, as well as a serious intellectual, with a penchant for foreign matters and history, especially classical history – all ninth house affairs.
He is a particular operator from the higher mind, though always approachable (Libra, Gemini), intelligent, able to give full, well argued, discursive answers, probably without notes, all delivered with humour (lots of Gemini), argumentative fervour if need be (Mars in Gemini ninth house) but with grace (Libra rising).
Communicator
He’s charming, a naturally enthusiastic communicator, who could make you be interested in virtually anything. He might have been a salesman in another life.
But he’s also a diplomat, a negotiator (Libra) and probably a very good one, too.
And at the end of the day, that Sun conjunct Venus in Gemini will always make him likeable, even to many of his political enemies. The Sun Venus trine the Moon also means he’s pretty much at peace with himself, too, I think.
But let’s look at that lack of fire. As a potential leader, I would be happier to see some Aries or Leo, or a prominent Mars, so this may be a problem. I don’t see here a natural leader, but he understands both sides of an argument, with persuasive, intellectual power in droves. He’s very comfortable in the heady world of intellectual debate (Air signs, ninth house): He may have to rely on it.
So what might a Johnson premiership be like?
Well, with all that ninth house activity, he will naturally gravitate towards foreign affairs, and this area of UK policy is not going to change very soon. No surprise there, you might say. The difference being, I’m pretty sure, is that the EU negotiators this time would know they’ve been danced with, so to speak. He’s no pushover when it comes to arguing over a point.
Libra (on his ascendant) has a reputation for indecision, yet it is often prominent in charts of leaders and generals. The key factor here is weighing up, literally the balancing of options, a fundamental part of deciding on any action.
Fence Sitting
His ruler (Venus) in Gemini might even seem to exacerbate this tendency for fence sitting; maybe this is why he’s waited until now for what he sees as the appropriate time, rather than trying to oust the incumbent premier earlier.
With the emphasis on Gemini and the ninth house, he would be able to respond quickly to events, have a broad grasp of any situation. These are good qualities.
In recent times he’s published a biography about Winston Churchill. Most interestingly both men have a prominent Saturn Uranus opposition, Boris Johnson’s almost exact.
Here we might see the fundamental problem that would face any leader at the present time though, and perhaps particularly a Johnson premiership. Saturn represents the existing order, Uranus stands for a radically new one that may be thrust upon us without warning. They are fighting each other, and we can see similar situations in Europe and the world, as well as within individuals.
Not a Firebrand
In his own chart, this plays out in the sixth/twelfth house axis, but could be highly significant for the country’s health if he’s leading it, how it functions as a nation, and whether it can face the deep psychological rifts that may be going on with Britain’s changing status in the world.
There is another near exact opposition also between Jupiter and Neptune in the second/eighth house axis. This hints at financial and security instability, confusion.
So to summarise, he’s not a firebrand, inspirational type leader. He leads with reasoned argument, persuasion and oodles of wit and charm.
And sometimes luck comes strongly into play. If Mrs May could be described as being unlucky, maybe taking the job at precisely the wrong time, perhaps Mr Johnson’s timing is spot on. We shall see.
copyright Leofwine Tanner 2019
*If you would like a personal astrology report, please contact me at: leoftanner@gmail.com for details.
Ciscography 