This inclines me towards using the first method in future “contests”. Let me recap:
I assigned the 1st house to Julia – for she was the one I asked the queston about – and the 7th house to Kevin, her opponent. Julia is the Sun in Pisces in the 7th house and Kevin is Saturn in the 3rd house. On angularity alone Julia has it won, even though she is in Kevin’s house. Saturn is also retrograde and moving backwards in a cadent house that gives Kevin no power. Julia is stronger.

Julia wins – by more than a nose

Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd are the only contenders.

Rudd was PM from 2007 to 2010, but when Julia announced in June 2010 she would contest the leadership Rudd stepped down knowing he would lose. The Labour caucus were concerned that Rudd couldn’t lead the Party to win the next election. The 2010 federal election saw the first hung parliament since the 1940 federal election. With the support of an Australian Greens Member of Parliament (MP) and three independent MPs the Gillard Labor Partywas able to form a minority government and defeat the Liberal/National Coalition opposition led by Tony Abbott. Julia became the first female PM of Australia but she does not enjoy public popularity. “Kevin ’07″ was our most popular PM and his win was coined a “ruddslide” by the media. Right now, opinion polls show he is more popular with the public by a huge margin BUT this is a caucus vote and apparently the majority of them don’t like Rudd. How will the Caucus vote? … for Julia’s style of leadership … or Rudd’s public popularity, which could help Labour win the next election this year.

Here is the chart at the time I asked the question.

There are two ways of delineating this chart so I will look at both. First of all, this is a contest between two contenders. I can assign the 1st house to Julia – for she is the one I have asked the queston about – and I then assign Kevin to the 7th house, her opponent. Julia is the Sun in Pisces in the 7th house and Kevin is Saturn in the 3rd house. On angularity alone Julia has it won, even though she is in Kevin’s house. Saturn is also retrograde and moving backwards in a cadent house that gives him no power. Julia is stronger.

The second method is to assign Julia the MC and Kevin the 4th. Julia is Mercury in Pisces in the 7th and Kevin is Jupiter in Taurus in the 9th. Again, Julia is angular but also in detriment and unaspected. Jupiter is peregrine and in a cadent house. Neither is terribly strong but I believe Julia is marginally ahead.

I believe it will be close but Julia will win … by a nose !

Whitney Houston’s birth details are:
9 August 1963, Newark,
New Jersey +4hrs

Both her Ascendant (self) and Midheaven (career) are ruled by Jupiter, the greater benefic. At the same time, Jupiter (greatness) aspects the Midheaven indicating career success. Jupiter also sits at the bendings of the Moon’s nodes. Kevin Burk, in The Complete Node Book (2003), says: “…. a planet that is ‘at the bending’ must be given careful consideration, because that planet, and the issues associated with it, will tend to take center stage repeatedly in the individual’s life.” This is further enhanced by the luminaries, ie. the Sun (in Leo – in rulership) and Moon, in aspect to the Midheaven. She is destined to both shine (Sun) and be in the public eye (Moon). Note that this fiery Jupiter in Aries is stationary so it’s influence is intensified, and, accompanied by the Moon, emotions are exaggerated. While success came easily she couldn’t accept it – it proved too overwhelming for her.

Jupiter specifically sits at the south bending of the nodes showing difficulty with self expression and the internalisation of events in her life. Like the South Node, this placement invites her to sacrifice something, to give it away freely. How does one internalise a fiery Jupiter or express it freely? Perhaps not very well on both counts. She was certainly known for her cantankerous, diva-like behaviour, which is supported by Jupiter trine the Sun conjunct Venus in drama-queen Leo.

The line in one of her best known songs – “learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all” – proved to be so true for her. Yet a lack of self-love was clearly shown in her chart. She has Chiron in the first house conjunct Neptune – self love was something that eluded her. Mars in Libra (detriment) rules the 2nd house of self-esteem describing someone who put her partner before herself, as well as being prone to self-destructive behaviour. And her Moon (needs) is ruled by that badly-behaved Mars. The Sun, while powerful in the sign of Leo, is situated in and rules the house of illness. Therefore Sun-Venus is prone to heartache, so her health and confidence were strongly affected by her relationships. Her tempestuous marriage to Bobby Brown would have taken its toll.

Pisces rising finds the world a harsh place. Injustice and suffering upsets their sensitve natures, and they have a tendency to martyr themselves. Chiron in her first house may have taken this more personally than even she realised, and in contact with Neptune the energies surrounding her were freely absorbed. No one would enjoy being in this position. Did she know what to do about it? Perhaps to put a ‘cap’ on it she turned to drugs, an instant fix. Alcohol is effective at creating a barrier to block out psychic energy. It also builds esteem, albeit false bravado or ‘dutch-courage’. The trouble is, the block also dissolves our ‘normal’ self-set boundaries alerting us to danger. Drugs and alcohol and water do not mix well …

There were few indicators that such an event was likely to occur. However, when planets transit the 8th house there is always a possibility of a meeting or close encounter with the grim reaper. On the 12th, the Moon ingressed into Scorpio (endings) whilst in Whitney’s 8th house (death). Concurrently, she is in a Sun firdaria, sub period Moon. Natal Sun is in the house of health and the Moon is in the house of self. The danger to her health was clearly there at the time she climbed into the bath.

Rest in peace Whitney.

PS. Where did her extraordinary and powerful voice come from?
1. Angular Mercury 2. in rulership in Virgo 3. conjunct Pluto. Her voice was technically perfect but she suffered for her talent – this conjunction was opposed by Chiron (the primal and incurable wound).

For 9 years, Kerri-Anne was the host of “Mornings with Kerri-Anne” on Channel 9. In October 2011, Nine boss Jeff Browne ordered a revamp of Kerri-Anne’s long-running show. In fact her last show was Friday 25th November. After being axed from her show she was offered a role on Nine’s Celebrity Apprentice but instead she signed up with the Seven network.

After the shock of it all, Kerri-Anne appeas to be her normal bouncy self, but it must have caused her some pain and heartache. If Kerri-Anne had consulted an astrologer like me early last year I would have told her that her career was definitely in for change. She could have in fact jumped ship and avoided the “crash”.

In July 2011, Uranus hit the Midheaven in her chart – the point that indicates career-vocation-status. Uranus represents sudden change, and in the sign of Aries the change is often harsh or delivered in a brash way. Plus, the Nodes were sitting on her Asc-Dsc axis. This combination of contacts suggests a separation from certain relationships, namely her boss or employer.

The signs were very literal mid-last year, but there’s more to come. Uranus will once again hit the Midheaven in mid-March, alongside Mercury. She will be responding quickly, perhaps before she has time to think. The deal will be settled when the Sun joins Uranus a week later securing a lucrative financial deal for her. And last, but by no means least, she has a Mars return in April that will see Kerri-Anne back in full force. Uranus, Pluto and the Sun clash in late June but this should see her rise from the ashes – the reinvention of a star. At the same time Mars will join with her natal Sun, and Mercury hits the Nodes – look out for news items at this time about Kerri-Anne.

As early as 221CE and definitely by 354CE the birth of Jesus was connected to December 25. The earliest written mention of December 25 as Jesus’ birthday comes from a mid 4th century Roman almanac (The Philocalian Calendar) that lists December 25 as: natus Christus in Betleem Judeae: (Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea). In fact, no one knows the true birth date of Jesus but even historians believe it to be somewhere in September through Biblical description. It is written that, at the time of his birth, shepherds were tending their flock, implying warmer weather. December 25 is in the heart of the cold Judean winter when shepherds are inside and so is the flock.
And if we go back to the story of Jesus’ birth, he was said to be born of the virgin Mary. In astrology, the virgin refers to the constellation of Virgo (Latin for virgin), commonly depicted as a maiden with a sheaf of wheat, but Virgo is also known as the ‘house of bread’. Note that the Sun is in the constellation of Virgo during August/September, the time of the harvest in the northern hemisphere. Jesus’ alleged birth place Bethlehem means ‘house of bread’, therefore Bethlehem also relates to an area of the sky (Virgo), not necessarily a place on Earth.

The prominence of December 25 begins with Emperor Aurelian who made Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun) the state religion of Rome on December 25 in 274. In 313 Constantine made Christianity legal and by 380 Theodosius declared Christianity the religion of Rome. Naturally December 25 became the celebration of the birth of Christ, not Sol Invictus. And similarly, some years later, Charlemagne was crowned Emperor on Christmas Day in 800, King Edmund the Martyr was anointed on Christmas Day in 855, and King William I of England was crowned on Christmas Day 1066, the chart we use for England today.

We now associate Christmas with Christianity but what are the origins of Christmas and how is it related to astrology?

Before Christians adopted December 25 as the celebration of the birth of Christ, the northern hemisphere Winter Solstice was celebrated at this time of year. At the time of the winter solstice the days are short, the nights are long and cold and it’s a time for indoor activities and inner reflection. On the day of the solstice, and the 2 days following (22, 23, 24), the Sun ascends to the same point in the sky, which is also its lowest point south, and during this time it is closest to the constellation Crux (cross). The Sun appears to die on the cross. On the 3rd day, December 25, the Sun rises 1° higher in the sky and the day is slightly longer. Before the Solstice, the Sun is said to be “conquered” by the dark but, soon after, daylight hours begin to increase in length. The Sun is said to be reborn – the return of the Sun as King. At the March Equinox / Spring / Easter, the Sun officially overpowers the darkness, ie. is ‘resurrected, as the days become longer than the night. Hence our Sun’s yearly journey parallels the life of Christ (or is it the other way around?).

The pagan origins of Christmas stem back to ancient Babylon with the feast of the Son of Isis (Goddess of Nature), which was celebrated on December 25. Wild partying, gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift-giving were traditions of this feast. The Romans celebrated the solstice with the Saturnalia honouring Saturn, the god of agriculture. This whole celebratory season into January was called Dies Natalis Invicti Solis, the Birth of the Unconquered Sun.

And in ancient Egypt, the god Horus was born of the virgin Isis on December 25,
- his birth was accompanied by a star in the east, which 3 kings followed to adore the newborn,
- he began teaching at 12, was baptized by Anap at 30
- had 12 disciples that he travelled around with performing miracles (like healing the sick and walking on water),
- he was known by many names such as ‘the lamb of god’, ‘the light’, ‘the good shepherd’ etc,
- after being betrayed by Typhon, Horus was crucified, buried and was resurrected 3 days later…

But Horus is not alone; many other deities have a very similar story, for example:
- Attis the Phrygian
- Krishna
- Dionysus
- Mithra of Persia
- Odin
- Tammuz
to name a few. Jesus is just one in a long line of ‘solar’ messiahs.

In fact the ‘story’ of the birth of Christ as it relates to Christmas is purely astrological. The story begins with the bright star in the east that led the three wise men / kings to the baby Jesus. This bright star is Sirius. On December 24 it rises and aligns with the 3 brightest stars in Orion’s belt, commonly known as the 3 kings. They all point to the place where the Sun rises on December 25. The 3 kings follow the star in the east to mark the sunrise ie. the birth of the Sun. This brings us back to the pagan celebration of the Unconquered Sun, and let’s face it, without the Sun there’d be no light, no life and nothing to celebrate !

All hail the mighty Sun of God, and long may it reign in our skies, feed our crops, and bring bountiful harvests to all.

Hope you enjoy the season according to your own tradition and share it happily with your folk and kin.

Happy, Merry Solstice

2nd and 3rd image courtesy of Zeitgeist: The Movie (2007)

P4 was first seen in a photo taken with the Hubble Telescope on June 28, and confirmed in subsequent Hubble pictures taken on July 3 and July 18. It has an orbit of 31 days – our own moon has an orbit of 29 days.

NASA’s New Horizons mission is scheduled to fly through the Pluto system in 2015.

The discovery chart has the Sun at 7°Cancer. The Sabian Symbol for this degree speaks of imagination and the play of invisible and mysterious forces – so appropriate for a body under Pluto’s influence.

reference – http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/20jul_p4/

While an eclipse always occurs close to the Nodes of the Moon this new (and very partial) eclipse is a wide 16° away. Each eclipse moves closer to the Nodes until a total eclipse occurs on the Nodes and at the equator. Subsequent eclipses progressively move away from the Nodes until the last (partial) eclipse of the series.

The eclipse itself occurs at 10° Cancer, and the Sabian symbol is “A large diamond in the first stages of the cutting process”. It deals with the evolution of consciousness at a preliminary stage. There is potential but first the conscious mind must become solid in order to be honed by mentors and teachers. This development is slow and often painful but like the diamond, the finished product is not only beautiful but enduring and valuable. This is the stage of training towards craftsmanship and perfection.

The chart for the birth of this eclipse series features a Grand Cross involving the New Moon in Cancer, Saturn in Libra, Pluto in Capricorn and Uranus in Aries. The Moon square Saturn creates a melancholic mood where emotional responses are depressed and a general feeling of lack prevails. At least the Moon is in rulership and Saturn is exalted but the two are incompatible and struggle to interact well. Moon in Cancer is emotional, inclusive, security driven and needy – Saturn in Libra remains at a safe distance by objectifying every interaction and staying impartial. Then there is the square of the Moon and Uranus – this is a highly neurotic, erratic and abrupt aspect that inspires knee jerk reactions with little logic and plenty of fire. And to top it off, Pluto opposes the Moon causing mistrust and power struggles, manipulation and control. In all, a difficult Grand Cross, a sign of challenging times ahead, especially for countries highlighting 10° cardinal, such as Algeria (Sun), Canada (Sun-Uranus), England (Sun), Germany (NNode), Indonesia (NNode), Italy (Sun-Jupiter), Kenya (NNode), Netherlands (NNode), Spain (Moon), Turkey (Asc-Pluto), and USA (Sun-Jupiter-Venus).

The closest midpoints in the chart are Jupiter on the midpoint of Sun|Neptune, Mars on the midpoint of Sun|Jupiter and Pluto on the midpoint of Mars|Jupiter. First of all we have optimism and success with little effort, followed by the urge to succeed, with the ability to tackle large projects. Despite the Grand Cross, these midpoints change the playing field making this eclipse series highly dynamic and capable of achieving great things, both in a positive, creative way and also in an undermining and destructive way. As always it depends on how the people involved choose to express the energies unleashed. Be creative, inventive, think outside the square – draw on skills and talents while trying new methods.

References:
Predictive Astrology – the Eagle and the Lark by Bernadette Brady
www.zyntara.com/VisualAstrologyNewsletters/van_June2011/van_june2011.html
www.astrologyweekly.com/countries/

The recent unrest in the World is very Arian and it all began when Jupiter ingressed into Aries in late January (Egyptian uprising). Then further eruptions occurred when Uranus moved into Aries 2 months ago (the earthquake and Tsunami in Japan). Aries is ruled by Mars and Mars was in Aries until today. We have ‘enjoyed’ a stellium (cluster) of planets in Aries since early April. And they have all been opposed by Saturn in Libra. The authorities (Saturn) in the Middle East region have put on their ‘nice’ faces (Libra) but all the while they’ve been very manipulative and aggressive (Aries) towards their own people. They think the world is unaware but modern technology has enabled the struggle to be published globally through the internet. Aries is a ‘me-first’ impetus and while it shows initiative it is also competitive and can turn aggressive when challenged. The revolutionaries and rebels have stood up to the authorities despite the bloodshed, violence and propaganda unleashed upon them.

May 16, Mercury and Venus will leave Jupiter’s side and join Mars in Taurus. So the revolutionaries and rebels will dig their heels in and become more determined than ever. The irresistible force (government) will meet the immovable object (people) and, just as there are several planets working together, there is safety in numbers for the people if they truly pull together.

Note that this is the season of comfort food, sensual pleasures, and hard work – slow and steady wins the race. Taurus might be docile, but wave a red flag at a bull and suddenly you have a solid angry entity charging towards you. Never underestimate the old adage – slow and steady wins the race.

At the end of the month on May 30 the New Moon in Taurus joins the chorus forming a congenial line-up in the early morning skies. A sight to behold, and a very rare one at that. So set the alarm and rug up – it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The cycle starts with the New Moon, when the Moon sits between the Earth and the Sun. This is the zero point, and the beginning of this 28-day cycle. From a barely perceptible sliver, the Moon grows (waxes) and builds to the Full Moon (opposing or 180° from the Sun), then wanes (decreases) until it finally disappears into another invisible New Moon. In astrology we recognise 8 phases of the Moon. Each phase lasts about three and a half days or 45 degrees, and everyone is born with the Moon in a particular phase. As the Moon rules the mind, the phase describes one’s mental focus and outlook. The cycle itself as the light increases and fades is like an awakening in consciousness, the changing tide or the life cycle of a plant.

To calculate your Moon phase, count the degrees anticlockwise from your Sun to your Moon.

New Moon: 0°– 44°59’
Keywords: beginning, winter
The seed is responding to nutrients; life is stirring in darkness; acting on instinct; immature, naïve, spontaneous, forward seeking; open to possibilities and new ideas

Crescent Moon: 45°–89°59’
Keywords: initiative, breakthrough
The sprout breaks through the earth; life is newly visible but also vulnerable; focus develops; weeding out unnecessary ideas; striving to achieve yet reluctant to leave the ‘nest’

1st Quarter Moon: 90°–134°59’
Keywords: growth, spring, crisis-in-action
A point of crisis and a time for action – forge forward, or die; the halfway point; leaves, stem and roots form; the unfurling of a plan; confidence builds; challenges encountered; work required

Gibbous Moon: 135°–179°59’
Keywords: perfection, analysis
The flower bud is visible; perfecting; plan is analysed and tweaked to achieve the imminent goal; work load reaches a peak; expectations are high; confidence is tested

Full Moon: 180°–224°59’
Keywords: objectivity, clarity, summer
In full flower as fruit forms; fulfillment phase; the goal is reached; imminent harvest; you reap what you have sown – rich pickings or rotten weeds; instinct gives way to consciousness; sun and moon oppose each other creating balance or instability

Disseminating Moon: 225°–269°59’
Keywords: harvest, sharing
Fruit ripens fully; distribution of the harvest; sharing with others; innate objectivity and conscious awareness; wise-one or know-it-all; publicist / reporter / teacher / philosopher

3rd Quarter Moon: 270°–314°59’
Keywords: decline, alchemy, autumn
The crop has withered; winding down; the fruits of labour are turned into wine and conserves, etc; dissatisfaction if the crop has failed; a crisis in consciousness; moving inwards, releasing worldly concerns; elimination begins

Balsamic Moon: 315°–359°59’
Keywords: passing, retreat, endings
End of the cycle; the soil is turned, the new seed is buried; let go of the old to make way for the new; a time of retreat and inward silence; bridge between past and future; karma is realised, synthesised and released; the guru