Uranus squares Pluto: Rock our world again

If there is any possibility for enlightenment, it’s right now.  Not at some future time.  Now is the time.
– Pema Chodron

Uranus squares Pluto,  becoming exact for the final time March 16, at 9:50 P.M., EST at 15 degrees of Aries-Capricorn. I count 10 times this square has been, or will be within 1 degree of being exact between July of 2011, and January of 2016. Many astrologers are focused on the periods the square is exact, but it does not have to be exact for major events to occur in the world and in our lives. Events generally happen when it is within a 3 degree orb or less, (but can occur when it is wider.)

While this is the last exact hit, the square will return again in January of 2016 again, aspecting at 16/15 degrees of Aries/Capricorn. Then as it moves on in 2016, we will finally be free of this tumultuous energy.

The Uranus-Pluto square affects the charts of many people-about half or more of those I speak with, the United States chart, and the charts of many other countries and entities as well. So, we know this aspect will bring societal change in many respects to large masses of people who are going through their own changes. Changes will occur on two levels: change in the world or the collective, and change personally to individuals. This article  will deal with both.

 This is the most tumultuous and challenging aspect of the decade, perhaps generation, and its effects have changed the world since 2011 and will continue to do so throughout early 2016. This square occurred in 1934, and it was conjunct Pluto in the mid-1960's. Both periods of time coincided with major change in society and the world as well as the lives of individuals.

Look for events in March to be similar in nature to April and December of 2014, and we may see many of the same types of situations: air crashes, threats of war, potential of terrorist attacks, revolutions, cyber attacks,  partisan politics and a very polarized US and for that matter, a polarized world, extreme weather conditions, disasters and in general sense some very angry/hostile individuals.

Uranus is in Aries (revolutions, sudden, unexpected, explosive and shocking events and change, personal desires acted upon and drives for freedom), and Pluto is in Capricorn (regeneration, death and change beyond personal control, bullies, unabated power of all kinds, secret agendas, nuclear energy and power, earth related weather or manmade events.

This year, things will be a little different with this square, in that we are not only dealing with Uranus and Pluto,  but we are dealing with two squares, in fact. The other square involves Saturn and Neptune, and it too is in aspect during this same period.

Saturn square Neptune

The Saturn-Neptune square was 'set off,' mid-January and will continue to be in aspect through about mid-April the first time. This square will affect those who have mutable planets in their personal charts at 3-7 degrees. The mutable planets are Sagittarius, Pisces, Virgo, and Gemini. If this square affects your chart look for aspects of your life that you have depended on to fade out over time: Your personal realities will change,  depending on what this square aspects in your chart and could affect any areas. One reality will dissolve over time into something new, and you are likely to be cognizant of what this is at this time. March 15-17, could be significant days if you are experiencing this transit.

In the world, the square involves religion and ideology, particularly that of the terrorist group ISIS or ISIL and their activities. Neptune rules religion and the ideas behind religion will be challenged in many ways. For example, Is ISIS practicing a twisted view of Islam, do they want to be agents for the apocalypse, or are they just psychopaths, liars and murderers killing Christians (and others). While, this transit seems to relate specifically to ISIS,  other issues and challenges concerning religion will arise as well, especially fundamentalist types of religion, not just Islamist extremists, but they will be front and center. There could be an increased backlash by Christians against ISIS and Islam as the questions are pondered.

Neptune also rules pictures, photography, lies, lack of clarity, disappointment and misguided actions, all of which can relate to terrorists groups who post their pictures on the internet and the reactions toward them. While ISIS will eventually be defeated, a clear and well directed policy is needed, all the while they (ISIL) continue to promote lies and deception directed at misguided youth across the world, trying to convince them their 'religion,' is the truth.

Neptune in Pisces squared Saturn in Sagittarius on another occasion when 'religion' was questioned in the world, and that was  1692-93. The occasion: the Salem Witch trials in the US. Wikipedia states, "The episode is one of the nation's most notorious cases of mass hysteria, and has been used in political rhetoric and popular literature as a vivid cautionary tale about the dangers of isolationism, religious extremism, false accusations and lapses in due process. It was not unique, but simply an American example of the much broader phenomenon of witch trials in the Early Modern period. Many historians consider the lasting effects of the trials to have been highly influential in subsequent United States history.

More than once it has been said, too, that the Salem witchcraft was the rock on which the theocracy shattered.—George Lincoln Burr"

So, while in 1692 under this same transit, innocent women were burned at the stake or hanged for 'being witches,' in 2015 innocent men are being burned in cages or be-headed for not following ISIL's brand of so called religion, just like the 1600's, or even worse the Middle Ages.

By  November of this year, the Saturn-Neptune square is exact at 7 degrees of Sagittarius-Pisces and it falls on Uranus in America's chart. I believe this transit will deal with ISIL or some other similar organization, and we will be fully engaged in a war against them, directly or indirectly. This is a major transit and I will write more about it later.

History always repeats itself as do astrological transits. The only question is how long will we as a collective (not just America) allow these activities to go on before taking enough action to stop them?

So, we are dealing with two squares this time, rather than one and the influence of each will be evident in terms of events. But, back to the Uranus-Pluto square.

At the time of this post February 26, both Uranus and Pluto are at 14 degrees of Aries-Capricorn, and we can see events in the world heating up every day, and some of us see it in our own lives.

In April 2014 the Grand Cross involved Uranus, Pluto, Jupiter and Mars in Libra. In March 2015, the Uranus/Pluto square will be 'set off' by Mars and Venus in Aries.

Mars in Libra is considered to be at its debility, and it was retrograde last year in this sign. While Mars is considered the 'warrior planet,' it was more of a people pleaser, and weaker in this sign and it was retrograde to boot.

Action will be much more decisive and quick with Mars in Aries, as this is the sign of Mars rulership.

The most important dates of this powerful square will be:

March 4-Venus conjuncts Uranus and squares Pluto setting off the square. Venus rules love, money and women. We can hear news of both, and this could be a turning point in some relationships.

March 11-Mars conjunct Uranus and squares Pluto.  Mars-Uranus is explosive and volatile, and issues, power struggles and unexpected situations will be front and center. This is a crisis transit, but it will affect you personally only if it is aspecting your chart.

March 20, a solar eclipse occurs at 29.27 degrees of Pisces, the sign ruling religion. As this eclipse is less than a degree away from Aries it will set off the Uranus-Pluto square.

April 4, a lunar eclipse occurs at 14 degrees of Libra and this opposes Uranus and squares Pluto. Expected issues surrounding women, changeability, unexpected events and relationships of all types may be the focus.

April 5, the Sun conjuncts Uranus and squares Pluto. Sun-Uranus transits deal with unexpected issues, and Sun-Pluto transits generally relate to change and power struggles.

Events can occur a few days before and after these dates, and astrological events can occur weeks before or after an eclipse.

If the Uranus-Pluto square affects your chart, not all events are negative. Uranus generally brings unexpected and shocking situations that are in fact, often the inevitable conclusion of a situation, and Pluto brings change and transformation, often change beyond our personal control. We generally have some idea of what the change is, even if we are not 100 per cent certain.

The outcome of this transit will also depend on what else is in your chart at this time.

If this transit affects you this year, it likely affected you in April 2014, and December 2014. Go back to these dates and try and remember what happened, although it may not be exactly the same. And if you do not have personal planets from 12-18 degrees of Aries, Libra, Cancer or Capricorn this transit will not personally affect you, but could well affect those you associate with, therefore affecting you.

If this transit aspects your chart my advice is to take the bull by the horns, so to speak. If you are in a job that you hate, make a move and go on a job search. If you are in a bad relationship, start to think about your life after the current relationship and reach out to new possibilities and situations. This way, we retain more control of our own lives and are at least making an effort to take a positive step forward, rather than waiting for the change to be made for us. Change is the most difficult to those who resist it, especially if you know you are in a negative situation that you are trying to hold on to. Many things will end during this period, but new things will begin as well. For many, this time will be a turning point, or a fork in the road in some way. You can depend that this will be an important time where clear thinking and good decision making will be important.

I have seen marriages and divorces, breakups and new relationships begin under this square. Job changes can be a major theme, start ups, or companies can close. This transit affects the first, fourth, tenth and seventh houses of personal development and desires, home and family, partnerships and marriage and business and priorities.

The US chart and the Uranus-Pluto square

The Uranus-Pluto square falls within one degree of the US natal Saturn at 14 degrees of Libra, and the US Sun at 13 Cancer. The US chart has a natal Sun-Saturn square which in part accounts for the phenomenal  work ethic America has been known for.

Saturn in the US chart signifies state execs, law enforcement agencies, justice and order, and structure. Saturn falls in the eleventh house ruling the legislature and Congress, and has relevance to foreign countries and affairs with distant connections. The Sun in the US chart falls in the seventh house of open enemies and represents the President, as well as those who are considered enemies of the country, such as terrorist groups.

The Uranus-Pluto square forms a grand cross involving both of the above mentioned planets and Mars.

So, this transit is crisis prone, and will involve the President and our leaders, law and order, those considered 'open enemies,' and our basic stability as a country. The critical dates are the ones that were mentioned earlier, and the eclipse periods.

It is probable that not one, but many events will occur, like in April of last year.

I advise all of those living in large cities to use caution, and be aware of our surroundings and situations. I would avoid malls, and after a quick look at the chart of the Mall of America, ( which was threatened) I would especially avoid that one.

Jupiter trines Uranus

Jupiter trines Uranus for the second time becoming exact March 3. This is a positive transit in every way, and if this aspects your chart at 14 degrees of Leo-Aries, you can expect many positive things, and new situations during this period. After March 3, the influence of this transit will still be evident, even though Jupiter continues to retrograde through the end of the month.

If there is a silver lining, or some type of 'planetary intervention,' at this time it is the fact that Jupiter is a positive and protective influence and it sextiles Saturn in the US natal chart lending support. This transit will also lend support to individuals whose chart is aspected.

Jupiter retrogrades to 12 degrees by the end of March where it will remain over the next month. Jupiter turns direct April 9, amping up the protective energy and by the second week of May it sextiles the US natal Saturn once again. It will make its final positive trine to Uranus at 19 degrees of Aries-Leo the third week of June.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February's New moon occurs on February 18, at 6:47 P.M., EST, falling at 29.59 degrees of Aquarius. This is the second new moon in Aquarius in less than a month in the same sign.

As this moon falls at 29.59 degrees this is the Anaretic degree, considered a critical degree in astrology that can be crisis oriented. This degree can be associated with a sense of urgency, and poor decisions and vacillation can occur.

There can be an explosive quality about Aquarius in world events as well as personal situations and this is considered a Supermoon." A SuperMoon is a perigee-syzygy, a new or full moon (syzygy) which occurs when the Moon is at 90% or greater of its mean closest approach to Earth (perigee). SuperMoons are noteworthy for their close association with extreme tidal forces working in what astrologers of old used to call the sublunary world: the atmosphere, crust and oceans of our home planet - including ourselves, of course. From extreme coastal tides to severe storms to powerful earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the entire natural world surges and spasms under the sway of the SuperMoon alignment - within three days either way of the exact syzygy, as a general rule. SuperMoon solar eclipses tend to have a wider sphere of impact, extending roughly a week before and after the actual event+-Richard Nolle

At the time of this post on February 17, a tsunami warning has been issued after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit off the Japanese coastline.

Additionally,  Mars is at 29 degrees as well, also placing the planet of action at a critical degree. Some consider the 29th degree karmic in nature.

Aquarius rules the 11th house, or the collective and we may be associated with groups, group activities and will see events that concern the world at large. Aquarius is the sign often associated with war and revolution. Aquarius is ruled by Saturn and Uranus.

This new moon peaks at 6;47 PM, (EST) and within a few minutes moves into the sign Pisces, the 12th sign of the zodiac. At 6:50 P.M, EST both the Sun and the moon move into the sign Pisces shifting the energy to 12th house matters.

The 12th house concerns matters and issues that are secret and hidden, issues in the subconscious mind and Pisces rules religion, spirituality and compassion, as well as drugs and the seamy side of society. The moon will conjunct Neptune and we will see more water related weather conditions and the Saturn-Neptune square will be set off.

I call the Saturn-Neptune square dissolving realities. For those individuals with early degree mutable planets in their charts-Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces, confusing issues may occur and you could find yourself at a turning point.

The few days leading up to the new moon is often a period of low energy for many.

 

 

 

February 2015- Uranus square Pluto: play it again Sam

As we begin the second month of 2015,  Uranus and Pluto are within one degree of being exact which means the energy of the Uranus-Pluto square is powerful and by month's end (February 20) both planets will be at 14 degrees of Aires-Capricorn, and the orb between them less than 1 degree. This is strong, explosive energy and we will see the results of change play out in the world and our lives.

This energy will change the world just like it did in the 1930's and the 1960's. If you don't believe me, just turn on the news. This is volatile period I have written about it many times before, and is responsible for much if not all of the major turmoil in the Middle East, political upheaval, and many other situations in the world and our lives, including the rise of ISIS and other terrorist organizations.

If you have a personal planet at 12-15 degrees of a cardinal sign (Aries, Cancer, Capricorn or Libra) this energy is shaking up your world on a personal level and you will experience many life altering changes depending on what else in your chart. By March this energy is exact at 15 degrees and this powerful square will be set off by Mars and Venus in Aries next month. March is going to be a volatile month.

Everywhere I look on the internet I see astrology articles proclaiming March will be the last time we experience the Uranus-Pluto square. This is incorrect information. March will be the last time this square is exact with both Uranus and Pluto at 15 degrees of Aries/Capricorn.

This cycle will not actually end until however until after January 2016, as at that time Uranus and Pluto are within a 1 degree orb of each other at 16-15 degrees. Major transits like this do not have to be exact to have an effect, and at this time (2016) they are nearly exact and this powerful square will be set off yet again by the Sun and Mercury. So, it ain't over until it's over! Sometimes the last swing of a powerful transit such as this is the most important.

In addition to the Uranus-Pluto square, the Saturn/Neptune square is within orb this month, and this energy will continue into 2016 as well. Any major square between outer planets will have an effect as long as it is within 1-3 degrees (at least). Saturn and Neptune are within a 2-3 degree orb throughout February.

This energy was set off by Mars the weekend of January 17, and will be  "set off " the weekend of January 31- February 1, as Venus squares Saturn and conjuncts Neptune and yet again February 23-26 as the Sun squares Saturn and conjuncts Neptune.

If the weekend of January 17, was significant these days may be significant as well.

As Neptune squares Saturn this energy will affect the world and our lives, especially if you have mutable planets between 3-7 degrees. The mutable planets are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

Neptune dissolves things, situations and even people from your life in some cases. Saturn brings a dose of reality to the situation. Many things, people and situations will change or evolve in the world and this transit has the potential to create great changes. As this square progresses we will discover there are situations we have been incorrect about-or lied to about- (on the world stage) and you may discover this in your own life as well. In some cases we may discover that self-deception has been occurring.

I call this transit 'dissolving realities,' and  (if this aspects your chart) many things will change, before evolving into something else. This can include situations, jobs, even people you are used to. While Neptune clouds issues, Saturn brings the truth. The truth may not be what you want but it will always set you free, one way or another.

The first transit of this month  is Venus conjunct Neptune on February 1. Neptune rules dreams, illusion and confusion and love and social relationships can become confusing. On the other hand, this transit has the potential to soar and can represent dreams, creativity and the highest of spiritual love. This transit sets off the Saturn-Neptune square and if it aspects mutable planets in your chart at 3-6 degrees, major situations/events can occur, and some situations may be revealed for what they are at this time. If the weekend of January 17 was significant this period may be important.

February 2, the Sun sextiles Uranus and this is a great transit for new ideas and situations. It is positive in nature and a great transit to start the week on.

This month's full moon falls at 14 degrees of Leo on February 3. Leo is the natural ruler of the fifth house of love, creativity, children and fun. Leo is about drama and show, and since it opposes Mercury conversations and situations can get blown out of proportion, and some will come across as arrogant. Much about this full moon (specifically your love life) will depend on how you experienced the past few days. My advice is to make the most of it and have some fun in a world filled with too many problems, when the full moon supports this.

February 5, Mercury sextiles Saturn This transit is for getting down to business, and taking care of what needs to be done. Basically, positive but not flamboyant.

February 6, the Sun opposes Jupiter This is the classic transit for things getting blown out of proportion. You could get sloppy or be overwhelmed. Moderation is the key in all things. This can be experienced as positive energy as long as things are kept in perspective. Question any major promises made on this day.

 

February 8, Venus sextiles Pluto and this transit often causes to look for deeper or greater meaning in things-typically relationships, but could affect other situations as well. For some, thoughts could become obsessive.

 

February 11, Mercury turns stationary direct.  Things may move forward now, but this is the period where things generally get wackier before they get better. Secrets can be revealed now, and things previously unknown can come out into the open now and over the next few days.

 

February 14, Happy Valentines day!

 

February 18, this month's New Moon occurs at 29 degrees of Aquarius, peaking at 6:47 P.M., EST, and this is a Supermoon. As Aquarius is ruled by Uranus (and Saturn) there may well be an unexpected element to this New Moon. As Aquarius rules the 11th house of the collective, we will hear many things that concern the world or the whole. New moons are typically about new beginnings. Expand your mind and ideas now.

 

February 18, the Sun enters Pisces, the mutable sign of the winter months at 6:50 P.M.

 

February 19, Mercury sextiles Saturn, a positive transit for business and critical thinking. Mars enters Aries, the sign of its rulership and it will be very powerful in this sign.

 

February 20, Venus enters Aries. Love energy becomes more ardent and less passive. Great for Aries and all Fire signs.

 

February 22, Venus conjuncts Mars. Many people will become interested in love and sex, but there could also be trouble between the sexes. If you meet someone on this day it will not be lukewarm. Jealousies can occur and now is the time to think before you act. Self centeredness could be a problem one way or another.

 

February 23, the Sun squares Saturn This is a negative, tiring and depressing planet and there will be bad news in the world. If you have a mutable planet at 3-4 degrees (Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, Pisces) significant events can occur depending on what else is in your chart. If the weekend of January 17 was significant, or January 28-31 was significant, this day may be significant also.

 

February 24, Venus trines Saturn This is a positive transit for business, money and friendships, especially old ones.

 

February 25, the Sun conjuncts Neptune. This can be a confusing and discouraging day. On the other hand, the potential exists for creativity, compassion and great creativity or spirituality. Mars conjuncted Neptune January 5, Venus conjuncted Neptune February 1, and if those days were significant this one may be as well. Expect water related weather conditions. Mars also trines Saturn and this is a steady flow of energy, great for work or physical activity.

 

 

 

Love Illusions or is it real?

Venus entered Pisces January 27, in the sign that rules water and the sea, dreams, spirituality, compassion, and creativity, as well as the imagination and sensitive feelings.

Venus in this sign is considered exalted as love energy is romantic, tender and sensitive.

But, Venus squares Saturn in the early morning hours of January 30, and this energy will be felt a day or two before. Venus square Saturn is not a good placement for love, and in many cases we may feel tired, agitated and this is not a good time for love, social events and in some cases money. Venus-Saturn transits make us feel reserved, shy at times, cold and some love relationships will come to an end.

This will definitely be a few days of looking at love with "realistic eyes," which is not all bad.

By February 1, Venus conjuncts Neptune and this is another tiring and confusing transit. Communication could go awry, or be misunderstood, discouragement and confusion can occur, and situations can be revealed for what they really are over the next few days. Take nothing for granted and if you start something new you must let it withstand the test of time or risk being disillusioned.  Everything is probably not exactly as it appears.

On the other hand at its highest, this can be a transit of compassion, and the highest form of spiritual love, dreams, creativity and a connection with the higher power.

These transits come on the heels of a full moon in Leo on February 3. This moon falls at 6:09 P.M., EST  at 14 degrees of Leo in the sign that rules the fifth house of love and creativity, children, fun and social affairs.

This moon points to love and social affairs being prominent over the next few days. How well the full moon works for you will depend on the events of the past few days. Either way, love will likely take prominence in your thoughts.

If these Venus transits aspect your personal chart and mutable planets at 3-6 degrees (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces) the transits over these few days will set off the Saturn-Neptune square and events may be large in your life at this time. If the weekend of January 17, was significant, this weekend will likely be significant as well.

I refer to the Saturn-Neptune square as "dissolving realities.' Some things will dissolve from your life and be replaced by other things and that can include people. Relationships, situations and people may leave your life to make room for the new, if this transit aspects your chart. If it aspects your Sun, Moon or Venus, in particular love relationships may be affected.

This aspect will also play out in the world, setting off the Saturn-Neptune square. We could hear news of water related weather conditions, women in particular, scandals, religion and terrorism, as the Saturn-Neptune square appears to related to 'religiously  inspired' extremism.

 

Hayat Boumeddiene: Girl turned terrorist

As I was thinking about the recent events in France and  Belgium, and the fanatical groups (ISIS and al-Qaeda)  recruitment of women, I began to wonder what kind of young woman would join such a group and be drawn to the horrific activities promoted by these killers and fanatics--monsters, actually. What exactly would be in a woman's chart that would cause her to turn in this direction? I decided to take a look at the chart of Hayat Boueddiene who was connected with the recent terrorist attacks in France.

Hayat Boumeddiene, born June 26, 1988 (no time) at Villiers-sur-Marne, France, and she is the lone female terrorist who escaped police after the slaughter at a French market connected with the Charlie Hebdo killings. According to news reports she was the accomplice of Amedy Coulibaly, who held hostage and murdered four Parisians at the kosher market after the attack on Charlie Hedbo and is believed to have escaped into Syria via Turkey.

Boumeddiene is a 4 degree Cancer Sun with Neptune opposing her Sun. These individuals often are born with a desire to do or be something special and out of the ordinary. Generally the early childhood is a source of trouble. The father may have been missing or distant,  or goals, boundaries and direction not clearly defined during the formative period.

According to Wikipedia, Boumeddiene was born into an Algerian family of seven children, in the eastern suburbs of Paris. Her (devout) mother died when she was 6, and subsequently she, and some of her siblings, were taken into foster care. Her father was an infrequent visitor, even more so after re-marrying. She moved often between foster homes because she proved troublesome and violent, according to reports. An investigative source said she altered her surname in her teenage years to "make it sound more French." (Wikipedia) So apparently, even in her early years, she was striving to be more glamorous and clearly felt that she did not fit into French society, nor did she have a stable home life.

She is alleged to have been married to Amedy Coulibaly, who was killed in the raid on the Kosher market in Paris after the attack at Charlie Hedbo magizine.  According to Wikipedia she met him in 2009 while working in Southern France as a cashier, and they married in a religious ceremony not recognized by France that year. She  began covering herself in a niqab, a piece of cloth that veils the wearer from head to toe, including a veil over the face. For refusing to appear at work in regular clothing she lost her job.

Typical of a person with this transit (Sun-Neptune) is a gravitation toward the wrong people in life, and in the case of a woman, she often gravitates toward the wrong men, impossible types, or those who lie and take advantage of her for their own ends.

They can be led astray easily as their values are not defined, and they can be attracted to Neptunian types of people and behaviors such as drugs, alcohol,  affairs, over the top religious or other influences,  liars and con-men, those with unrealizable dreams, or who are psychologically disturbed.  

Neptune rules religion and Neptune-Sun an attachment to something that promises recognition and a place of importance and this would drive Boumeddiene.  By playing a role (helping Coulibaly)  in the murder of Paris innocents in the name of religion would be a motivating factor to her and she would have conceived this as a way to become a person to be reckoned with and remembered.

In reality, these individuals can be quite sensitive and easily hurt and their early childhood experiences may contribute to this as well. Their egos are weak, often as a result of not feeling significant in the early life.

In certain cases these individuals are totally deluded, but otherwise they are driven to find a way to glamorize their role in the world, thus overcoming a weak ego and satisfying their greatest desire to become someone special the world will recognize. (Edward Snowden has a Sun opposing Neptune)

A report by a psychiatric expert prepared for a Parisian court found her partner, Amedy Coulibaly had an "immature and psychopathic personality" and "poor powers of introspection." (Wikipedia)

It is clear as a result of her change in appearance and dress that Coulibaly exerted a great influence over her after they met in 2009, and she became a convert to extremist religious viewpoints after their meeting.

Coulibaly met Chérif Kouachi ( a known terrorist) in prison, while serving his sentence for a 2005 armed robbery, and is believed to have converted to radical Islam at the same time as Chérif (Wikipedia).

Coulibaly was born in a notorious housing project Feb 27, 1982, the one boy among 9 sisters. He was an 8 degree Pisces with Pluto, Saturn and Mars in a stellium of Libra planets in his 8th house from 18-26 degrees opposing his Moon in Aries.

This transit could be characterized as a controlling, obsessive, explosive, depressive, insecure and determined personality, driven by emotions and compulsions. His relationships with women would be difficult, stormy, angry and controlling, and the problems would have begun with his early relationships with his primary caretakers at home.  These same traits would have carried over into his relationship with Hayat and it appears, even at the time of their unrecognized marriage, there were major difficulties between the two.

This stellium of planets would show many emotional problems and difficulties in life, a person easily angered with many upsets. As the eighth house rules death, Pluto, Mars and Saturn here is the classic transit that would show death in a gun battle. He died in a shootout with police January 9.

 By 1999 Coulibaly had done long spells of prison time, with six separate convictions for robbery, armed robbery and drug trafficking and another on terrorism-related charges.

Venus in his eleventh house  is square Pluto, Saturn and Mars and this would show insecurity, possessiveness, obsessiveness, and difficult romantic relationships with the opposite sex.

His Venus however, sextiled Hayat's Mars showing an attraction between the two. Her Moon is Scorpio was conjunct his Jupiter and trine his Sun showing a degree of compatibility and an emotional connection. Her Venus and Mercury at 15-18 degrees of Gemini would sextile his Moon, and trine his Libra stellium also showing compatibility.  None of this however, would overcome his personality disorders, possessiveness and violent tendencies.  Based on published information about his life, he was forever moving toward the destiny his 8th house held-a violent death in a hail of gunfire and Hayat would be at his side.

 Going back Boumeddiene's chart,  Saturn is conjunct Uranus in her sixth house of work and service from her Sun. Saturn/Uranus shows a rebellious personality who finds it hard to accept any authority except their own, and there is a constant battle going on within an individual with this transit, between the world - all of its laws and limitations, and what it would ideally be for them.  

Coulibaly also had a Sun square Uranus making him a rebel and giving him a dislike of authority figures that drew them together. This is a person that might consider himself, or herself an agent of change.

Hayat's Jupiter falls at 25.04 degrees of Taurus placing it in an almost exact conjunction with the fixed star Algoal.  Algoal is associated with the figure Medusa. "It causes misfortune, violence, decapitation, hanging, electrocution and mob violence, and gives a dogged and violent nature that causes death to the native or others. It is the most evil star in the heavens." (Robson)

Astrologer Marina Macario wrote, "Algol rules heads of states and beheading, it rules treason and replacing one idealogy with another. The head contains the brain so it’s about wisdom and of course snakes in the hair represent higher knowledge, even antennae also. Even the product of Medusa, Pegasus signifies far out ideas way ahead of their time. I think Algol is also about information that blows your mind. This is where Algol becomes horrific, when our intelligence evolves quicker than our consciousness." Algoal conjunct Jupiter has been associated with  the ability to find spiritual meaning in  hardships and tragedies, thus giving these natives a measure of satisfaction.  

Hayat's Moon falls in Scorpio in the 5th house of children and love affairs and is conjunct Pluto at 9 degrees Scorpio. Scorpio is the sign that is not afraid to wade into deep and turbulent waters. As it is conjunct Pluto this gives her an intense, jealous and obsessive quality. Pluto in Scorpio lies in her 5th house of children, yet Scorpio Pluto deals with the 8th house of death and transformation. She is a driven individual who would not give up, and this is the sign and Planet (Pluto-Scorpio) associated with revenge.

Her Venus and Mercury are conjunct at 15-18 degrees of Gemini giving her intelligence, wit and the ability to speak well.

Hayat has a powerful T-square in her chart that involves Mars (20 degrees Pisces) square Saturn and Uranus on one end, and Venus and Mercury on the other.

A T-square is formed when there are two planets in opposition and one planet is square to (or in the middle of) the opposition. The planet at the apex, which squares both ends of the opposition, functions as the catalyst, mediating between the planets in opposition. This is an open, unstable, stressful aspect pattern but, can be extremely effective and dynamic.

In her case the apex, or the catalyst is Mars, the planet of action, aggression and war. Individuals with a t-square in their charts experience great struggles, but they never give up.

Mutable T-squares can produce restlessness, whims, and frequent changes of mind, but can be very adept at adapting to circumstances.

Venus and Mercury produce a quick mind, pleasant personality and ability to communicate well, but are at war with Saturn/Uranus, producing upheaval, changeability,  a desire to overthrow conditions, instability and insecurity.

Mars is at war with Mercury-Venus producing a passionate nature and much personal anger that can be expressed as verbal abuse and an often irritated mind.

On the on other end Mars squares Saturn-Uranus giving dissatisfaction, a temper, revolutionary tendencies, but discipline.(Saturn)

If she remains free she will probably 'marry' or connect with another male before early summer. I do not see any grief at all in this chart for her deceased partner Amedy Coulibaly.

While I am at a disadvantage without her time of birth which could show something different, her greatest period of peril will come early 2016, then again late again the same year. It is possible she will 'marry' another jihadist who could also be killed in 2016.

 

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Surviving retrograde Mercury January 21-February 11

Mercury turned retrograde January 21, at 17 degrees of Aquarius. Mercury goes retrograde 3 or 4 times a year, and generally has a bad name and elicits groans when mentioned.  To an extent this is perfectly understandable, as retrograde Mercury is the planet that causes delays, glitches, breakdowns in computers and equipment, relationships, slowdowns and brings hidden factors to the surface. Plans can be put on hold, miscommunication can occur, relationships can end or change, and cars, computers and other machinery can break down at the most inopportune moment. 

All of this will occur, but this period does not have to be the disaster many believe it to be with some basic knowledge ahead of time.  The four most important things are to 1)understand what retrograde Mercury means 2)know what to expect 3) know what to avoid and lastly 4)understand what you can gain from it. With this basic information available, you should be able to make the most of the time, and benefit from the retrograde as oppose to being caught off guard.

The first step is to know what retrograde Mercury means. In the strictest sense of the word, the planet of communication does not actually go backward, it only appears to. This will occur three or four times every year.  A planet is described as retrograde when it appears to be moving backwards through the zodiac, and this is referred to as apparent retrograde motion.  When planets retrograde, their effects on humans are different than when in direct motion. Thinking is deeper, situations often appear to go underground for a time, or change altogether, and sometimes our focus shifts. Mercury retrograde is the most talked about retrograde, because it is a fast moving planet that controls our thinking, speech, travel, and cognitive skills. When Mercury retrogrades, there are several phases.  The first phase is the pre-retrograde shadow period which began January 5.  This period is where Mercurial energy starts to shift and it is time to start wrapping up new projects for the time being and focusing on what is at hand. The second phase of retrograde Mercury is the stationary retrograde period, when Mercury starts to shift into apparent backward motion. This period begins January 21-22, when Mercury starts its retrograde. This is the period most glitches start to become evident, and if you have a prominent Mercury in your chart, thinking may become foggy. Mercury continues to retrograde in Aquarius through February 11, when it turns stationary direct. This is the second period when glitches, breakdowns and changes in direction may well occur. Mercury begins to move forward again on February 16, but remains in the shadow direct phase until March 3. Mercurial energy does not pick up its normal pace until completion of the second shadow period. So, the retrograde Mercury period is actually a much longer cycle than most people understand. Changes will occur at the juncture of each retrograde phase.

The second step in surviving a retrograde is to know what to expect. What you can expect and prepare for are slowdowns, delays, miscommunications, interference with travel and travel plans and appointments, and the breakdown of machinery, situations and even relationships. If your car has been limping along and you have been putting off a repair, know this is the likely time it will become obvious that you have to fix it. If your computer is slow or having problems be sure and back up everything important. (I learned this one the hard way several times!) If you are in a relationship that is tottering on the brink of ending, this may well be the period that can occur, and often does. Of course, I always tell people, ‘Mercury retrograde is a wild card.” Sometimes, relationships can be fixed and problems brought out into the open if it is worth saving. Expect delays, changes of plans and try and not have situations set in stone.  In other words, prepare to be flexible.  Mercury retrograde is often a frustrating time to be looking for a job.  Don’t give up though, just keep plugging on and stay on top of all communication. And make sure you are direct and to the point in your communication with others.  If you don’t understand what someone is telling you, by all means ask for clarification.

The third and perhaps most important step in surviving retrograde Mercury is to know what to avoid. Don’t get married, start a new business, start new projects or begin anything you hope will become permanent during the most important three week phase of the retrograde. Don’t purchase high ticket items, important Christmas gifts, paint, or anything you expect to be there for a long time if you can avoid it. Retrograde Mercury is not the time to start new projects, but rather finish up the old, and redo, re-organize or re-work. Go against this advice and you may wish you hadn’t. I chose the paint color in my office on retrograde Mercury just to test it, and as I write this post, I wish I had time to get out a paintbrush today.

The fourth step to surviving retrograde Mercury is to understand what you can gain from it. Know that retrograde Mercury is part of the natural cycle of life and it is not anything out of the ordinary. Everything serves a purpose and the point of a retrograde Mercury is to slow down a bit, reflect, rethink, re-do, re-plan and reorganize and reconsider. It is a period of correction. Rather than starting new projects it is time to look at what is on the drawing board. Often during a retrograde, thinking changes direction and a more appropriate course of action can be mapped out. Often new information comes to the surface that must be considered.  Sometimes secrets are revealed, and the truth comes out into the open.  The truth may not be what your want to hear, but it can set you free. Retrograde Mercury is a time to plan, work on you, and delve into the spiritual side of life. Sometimes important contacts with people from our past can be initiated, and there is generally a focus on the past or past situations that can come back up to be resolved. Just focus on what is at hand rather than starting new situations.  If you are forced to start a job during a retrograde, it could be altered when Mercury goes direct, or you may not have all the facts. If you begin a new relationship on a retrograde, it may end or change when Mercury goes forward, time will tell. 

All in all, retrograde Mercury is a period where we should reflect on our current state, and plan rather than initiate new ventures. Reconsider your options, re-write, re-organize, and re-think. If you follow these basic principles, I can’t guarantee you won’t experience frustration, but you will survive the retrograde and perhaps come out of it better than you had believed possible.