GORDON RAMSAY'S HELL - the astrology

Gordon Ramsay (8 Nov 1966) is a perfectionist and quite possibly a control freak. His desire to bring the most superb service to the public and his insistence on delivering exquisite plates of food is shown by his ruling planets Mars and Pluto being in the sign of Virgo (Virgo = attention to detail).

Unfortunately the proximity of Mars to Pluto in this mercurial sign (mercury ruling all forms of communication) also accounts for the debasement of our language and his foul mouthed tirades. Not everyone would utilise these planetary placings in this way; some might speak or write about subjects we normally think of as taboo. A focus of the Mars/Pluto energy into explosive sex or spy stories ánd/or exposes comes to mind. In this case Gordon is living this aspect out to the full - Hell's Kitchen, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and The F-Word all have direct correspondence to the dark underworld topics that we associate with Mars and Pluto. As, unfortunately, does the revelation of his (alleged) 7 year extra-marital affair with a woman who found fame as a mistress. Virgo is the sign of services of all kinds!

Gordon's natal Mercury, ruler of Virgo, is in a fire sign (Sag) in trine to Jupiter in Leo (trines are associated with fire as well, hence the flames of Hell in the opening sequences of his programme). This gives the over-the top-impulsive delivery to his speech. It also accounts for his flamboyancy; when 'on', he's loud, arrogant and overbearing. If you look closely at him you'll also see the obvious leonine look in the hair and posture - in many ways it's a regal bearing and he demands a lot of respect from those he associates with. As Gordon well knows however, if you play with fire you are eventually going to get burned - in this case in a right royal fashion! As I write this, one of his adverts for his show at Excel popped up on the TV screen. In this advert he, Tana and his children are preparing for Christmas. Swiftly moving on though....

Charisma is usually shown by Neptune. Gordon has Sun, Venus and Neptune in Scorpio and this points to sexual charisma in particular and it's also the seat of his creativity and vision. However, this trio of planets in Scorpio are ultimately tied up with with the aforementioned mercurial planets, hence we have the sexually alluring (not to me I might add!) showman who works in the arena of food service and preparation - transforming ingredients, creatively. Jupiter in Leo also speaks of someone who is a very proud and protective man with a ferocious roar when angered. Knowing his Venus is in a fixed sign tells us that he would find walking away from his marriage very difficult indeed but in many respects the drama now playing out has the potential to either shatter all he has built up or transform it into something far more 'sensible'.

The revelations of his (alleged) trysts will affect him far more than anyone would naturally assume from his outer demeanour. For at heart (and with Jupiter in Leo he has a big heart), Scorpio's are far more likely to push the self destruct button and then sit down and admit to having betrayed the one they love, than they are to quietly calling it a day and deciding to be faithful in the future. The reason for this is that Scorpio's cannot live a lie without it profoundly affecting them on the emotional level, so they engineer a conflagration from which they can then see the unwanted past burned ( completely annihilated) and then rise from its ashes to try and create a better future. This is where his opportunity for transformation of his marriage is shown.

His desire to stick with his marriage would have nothing to do with protecting his money or reputation but an awful lot to do with the loyalty he feels towards his wife. Even if Tana already knew of the affair (and one suspects she did) he would do anything to protect her and their children from the adverse press, which is probably why he has recently been talking of moving his family out to Dubai. Together they may be able to talk out a practical solution but it would have to be radical ( tr Saturn opposite Uranus straddling his Saturn and Moon).

With Venus as the significator of any Scorpio's marriage partner, and Gordon's Venus in Scorpio sextile Mars in Virgo, it points to a strong earthy (virgo= earth) woman who can handle the honest truth but who can really be verbally explosive if she is lied to. The good side is that there is the possibility of an easy flow of communication between him and his wife and practical solutions can be reached to deal with the fall out. As any counsellor knows communication is key to fixing a broken marriage, so if Gordon and Tana can dedicate time to meeting each other's needs there may be a way to salvage this.

A lot is revealed about Sarah Symonds in his chart but I have to be careful not to transgress the laws of libel. What I would say is that there is something outstanding in Gordon's chart which may help us all to show some form of forgiveness and understanding towards this lovable rogue. If you look at the chart you will see that I have circled a planet. This is Saturn and it is on its own and if you look at the gestalt of the chart we can see it is like the handle of the bucket of other planets. Click to enlarge

This Saturn is in Pisces and is retrograde. Saturn is what we fear and where we feel limited. It's also where we are at our most controlled. Saturn on its own like this often points to someone who feels isolated and separated from their own sense of authenticity. In positions of responsibility they feel like a fraud and fearful that one day the child within will be exposed. Erin Sullivan , an expert of Retrograde planets informs us ' Saturn retrograde acts as a shaky container for a strong ego drive, the abreaction in this case is megalomania, obsessiveness with ones ego development and a striving for acclaim, with the secret fear that if anyone found out who they really are, all awards would be withdrawn'. Keeping up that kind of facade 24/7 is tough,eventually something has to 'breakdown'.

The really interesting thing is, especially for those who have been following my Saturn/Uranus opposition posts about people like Jennifer Hudson, is that Gordon's Saturn is in direct opposition to Uranus and all this expose probably kicked off with the Saturn/Uranus opposition on 4 November. Gordon's 12 noon Moon is at 19 Virgo, the exact degree of the opposition which is strongly associated with breakdowns and unexpected alterations to one's stability.

With this Saturn, Gordon would also either fear, or tightly control, Piscean ruled things. Among these are chaos. He would have a great fear of losing control, emotionally or in his kitchen. It is also suspected that he fears water after almost drowning and known that he has a hatred of dancing. Pisces rules water and feet!

He doesn't hate football though and that is a prime example of controlling one's feet or showing flashes of brilliance in these fields (Uranus in Virgo)! Something else that is ruled by Pisces is drink and drugs. He may be something of an expert or authority on these topics but equally we have read he has had fears around becoming a drug addict like his brother ( Saturn rules 3rd of brothers in a Scorpio chart). Often we are most drawn to what we fear!

Saturn Rx (retrograde) also means that the father is in someway inaccessible to the child. This can sometimes be because of divorce, death or a job that takes the father away from the home. Sometimes the father is physically present but looked upon as being distant by virtue of the fact that the child feels he can never get close to him. Whatever Gordon's situation, when retrograde as it is in his chart, the Saturn principle is internalised and the person grows up with a burning desire to prove themselves. They can become ambitious, and driven.

Uranus coming to conjoin Gordon's natal Saturn is going to shatter this ego and revolutionise his reputation. It could break him but one suspects that he could also redefine himself if it is used properly. The best way that he could utilise these energies is to shock us all by showing us the pussycat that lurks beneath his controlled 'loud mouth' image and showing others how to come through a difficult marriage and transform it for the better.

If Tana still wants him all it takes is the same hard work and determination he exhibited in forging his empire. His chart shows that in 2 years time things in his marriage will either have transformed or finally be over forever.

With Pluto's move into Capricorn this week for the next 17 years, what's for sure is that he needs to get some control over his style of communication and be brutally honest with Tana.

If you want to know the real reason why people enter into affairs in the first place, and the unconscious role that the 'betrayed' (i.e. Tana) also has has in the triangle, please read this in-depth article by Liz Greene. Knowledge is power and Liz's article informs the reader, enabling them to consciously transform patterns of behaviour, if they so choose.

POVERTY OR ABUNDANCE - it's your choice

In November 2008 and throughout 2009/10, we are entering one of the most exciting periods in recent history in which to implement change. Most of us are starting to see the winds of change blowing through our external lives already, but the principles of astrology tell us that everyone, everywhere, will be responding at the internal level during these next 2 weeks to the move of Mars into Sagittarius (it transitioned this past weekend and stays until after Xmas) and the movement of Pluto into Capricorn (25th Nov for 17 years). Additionally, all this is taking place against the ongoing backdrop of the Saturn/Uranus opposition (to 2010).

Change may happen particularly quickly with these aspects and the change is likely to be radical. It will most likely impact us through a relationship, whether that's a personal or a work one, and undoubtedly involve a review of our values and beliefs about the way we project ourself in society (Cap). For many the external manifestation may involve a change of job . It could be a change of actual job or of a role, or maybe the departure or arrival of an authority figure or boss. If the latter is true then the new boss will be very different to the one you had before.

You may also experience a change of residence or family and emotional shifts (births and deaths) and the coming month of December will involve tying up loose ends (12th from 10th) involving legalities and legal moves, foreigners or matters at a distance. The areas of religion,publishing travel, sport, trade and higher education are also highlighted.

The internal manifestations however will be around questions of a philosophical nature and many will find themselves doing a lot of soul searching asking those eternal question 'What's my life all about? Why am I here? Why do these things happen to me? How can I find happiness and security? Some may call it an identity crisis. There may also be a focus on our moral code of conduct i.e., What constitutes right and wrong in your world?

The Mars in Sagittarius 'lesson' however, is to broaden our understanding of how we fit into the bigger picture. It is also a portent of great hope and optimism because the overall planetary picture suggests there's a huge paradigm shift making it's way to us in the coming years. All the signs are that part of this will be a confirmation, via scientific circles, that time and reality are not what we previously believed. In fact Pluto into Capricorn is likely to demolish both as we currently understand them, within the next decade.

In 2006 the 'thoughts are things' movement started to sweep the collective, facilitated in part by the film and book 'The Secret', which was conceived of in December 2004 when planets were again in Sag. Obviously the knowledge The Secret imparts had always been there but it didn't spread widely in the populace until the advent of the Internet allowed old books containing esoteric knowledge and their 'secrets' (Scorpio) to become widespread teachings - Sag. Now as Mars sweeps back around in its 2 year cycle and Jupiter heads to Aquarius for all of 2009, there will once again be a resurgence of interest in broadening our outlook to include philosophical and metaphysical viewpoints.

We will be reminded that in order to change our life and to experience happiness we have to open our mind to the possibility that what we see around us, and the way our lives are panning out, is the result of the way we view the world. Consider this: the amount of money that is circulating in the world since the economic crisis took hold has not decreased, what has changed is the way in which it is being distributed and the amount of attention and belief many are giving to the media reports of a lack of it. Why do you believe (if you do) that any less is due to reach your wallet or that you will have to suffer because of it? Read any news headlines about job layoffs and low sales figures and that sounds like a really dumb question but please consider it anyway- what do you believe? The money is going somewhere, why should it be going away from you?

Astrologers like myself may be writing about the aspects such as Pluto in Capricorn 'demolishing' things like our banking system but there is always polarity. Demolishing something or losing something gives the opportunity to rebuild something new or to find something else. One can choose to remain in the one realisation (reality) or immediately invoke the opposite. In other words when anything seemingly bad happens look immediately for the positive in it - there will always be something. Your job may be ending but someone, somewhere is just starting a new company up. When one person dies you don't fall to the floor and say oh my gosh we are all doomed, you know that somewhere a birth is occurring and you trust in the natural balance and order of things. It's the law:

Energy can be changed from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed. The total amount of energy and matter (that includes money) in the Universe remains constant, merely changing from one form to another.

This is where astrology is a unique tool that allows the astrologer to become - as I recently tweeted about - an Astrotherapist. Therapist means 'One who specializes in the provision of a particular therapy'. Astrologers can offer insight into the inherent belief systems that one carries around with them and how it impacts on the reality they perceive. It is therapeutic to 'Know thyself'

Astrologers/Astrotherapists can discern information about a person's 'patterning' in a much shorter time than it would take conventional psychologists to arrive at the same conclusions. For a general example, those who have Venus in Earth signs (Virgo. Taurus and Capricorn) are far more attached to the material world and concerned with their security than say the Venus in Sag people. People who have a predominance of fixed sign are more likely to cling tightly to ways of thinking that don't serve them well, especially if Mercury is in a fixed sign or the 3rd, 9th or 11th cusps are involved in fixity. Fire signs are likely to have more natural enthusiasm and innate optimism etc.

By understanding one's natural propensity to resist change or to dwell in negativity, it becomes easier to see how to subtly shift, internally, the way in which one is approaching life in order to see different results in the outside world.

So, don't be worried about what may be in store for you. Instead recognise that whatever occurs which seems be be outside of our individual control has a polarity. Our reaction to any event, and any actions we set in motion as a result, are entirely of our choosing! Choose thoughts of prosperity and abundance because if each person makes a change eventually it permeates the collective and all manner of paradigm shifts will start to occur.

JU/UR - STROKES OF LUCK

Keep an eye on the Jupiter/Uranus sextile which is making its presence felt this weekend. JU/UR aspects can be the luckiest going and often bring major coincidences and/or change as well as weird, wonderful and unexpected happenings into our lives. Usually they are positive surprises but, as always, the possibility of the polar opposite is present.  

Here are a few recent examples......

A golfer in Illinois has apparently scored 5 holes-in-one within the last 5 days, 2 on one day alone. A certain Mr Obama, resident of Illinois, just had a 'miraculous' (JU/UR) end to his campaign in Grant Park, and sadly the Chicago born science fiction/futuristic (JU/UR) writer Michael Crichton died this week, so Illinois is certainly responding to these planets.

Then I read of a pilot who had a stroke (sudden cerebral strokes and sudden strokes of luck are both JU/UR) whilst flying his plane (solo) in the UK. He was rendered blind by the pressure building up on his optic nerve and put out a Mayday call. The RAF managed to guide him in to the runway by flying alongside him and radioing step by step instructions. It took a few attempts but, miraculously, he landed safely.

My own experience was of a strong JU/UR coincidence. I have just been to spend some time at the airport (JU/UR) with someone I know who was waiting for a flight to Delhi, India. I then went and picked my daughter up and she said "I have to take something to school on Monday which originates  from India". We walked in the door, turned on the TV and there was an advert we have never seen before promoting - yes you guessed it - India. These things often happen in threes.

I'm used to synchronicities but the focus on India intrigued me, so I looked up the chart of India and I noticed Tr Uranus is currently square to the Jupiter of India (Jan 01 1877) 18 Pisces to 18 Sag. India's chart itself has a Jupiter Uranus trine. This begs the question, is anyone else is having any 'India related' experiences or is something of a JU/UR nature about to happen there, or maybe I need to look more carefully at my personal chart and it's synastry to India. I'll let you know what I find. 

The aspect can manifest for anyone but those who have the two planets in aspect natally are more likely to respond to the planets coming to sextile each other, as, obviously are countries like India which have a 'birth' chart with Jupiter/Uranus contacts.

Anyway, have a great JU/UR week and in order to help luck along you could ensure you buy a lottery ticket!

* * * * *

Update: Betting shops have already been deluged with people trying to 'get lucky' in the most sick way possible. They are wanting to place bets on Barack Obama being assassinated. Thankfully the bookies say they always refuse to take this type of bet as it is not only morally wrong but would also incite corrupt people, who have placed bets, to somehow try and bring this fate about. It will take a good few weeks for us astrologers to look at all the aspects of what the coming years may portend for Obama now that he has been elected, but one thing I can say for sure is that until 2010 he will be deep in battle with the 'old' establishment (those who would prefer not to see change) in trying to bring his vision about - so don't expect really quick results. Using several techniques the astrology however, also points to - with almost certainty - the assessment that Barack will be in office for 2 terms. 

REMAKING A NATION - BLUE IS BACK

My daughter can claim dual nationality - her father is American (from the East Coast). When she first saw his blue passport, and was old enough to understand what it represented, she asked if she could have one. Yes, of course he replied.

As her mother however, I flatly refused. I had, indelibly etched on my mind, what happened on Pan AM flight 73

The unpalatable truth is that holding an American passport in many countries across the world has been a dangerous thing for a long time and that danger grew under the misguidance of the Bush dynasty and their administrations. Why would I want to even risk the potential of my precious offspring being singled out to be the recipient of the anger and tensions that their oil wars, arrogance and short sightedness produced, if she had an option?

1986 aside, many educated American's know that the international standing of the USA had eroded so much in the last 8 years that some citizens would have been well advised not to openly display a US passport, for another reason, fear of ridicule. Although McCain was an obviously worthy contender, one cannot underestimate how much Sarah Palin was adding to the legacy of Bush, in turning the country into a laughing stock from an international perspective. Palin was more unbelievable as a choice of VP for the mood and needs of this time than even the 'might makes right' policies of her ultimate boss.

Today, however, everything changes and I will tell my daughter she can indeed apply for that passport and even actively encourage her.

Many of the past fears and considerations simply melt away with the election of a calm, sensible, articulate, peace abiding leader called Barack Hussein Obama - and I'm sure many other people across the world feel the same.

I personally have little doubt that this man's ethnicity and ancestry, his given middle name, the fact that he has spent time outside of America, his grasp of international relations, religious differences and respect for them; his transparency, dignity, spirituality, intelligence, eloquence, authenticity and inspirational leadership qualities, will help in continuing to transform the way many of America's enemies (and allies) see the country.

If he had lost this election all hope would have been lost for America.

New life has been breathed into the country and it now has a leader (elect) to be proud of. One I really believe in and know will give his heart and soul in an attempt to guide America back to being the greatest country in the world. He may not do it, it will be a tough ride, but he's obviously willing to die trying, such is his vision and commitment*.

I am confident, despite what you read by political pundits, that we have now seen the last of Palin on the world stage. Soon Bush will follow suit with his tail between legs (but hopefully wiser for the experience). A new era really has dawned for America today and with it a chance to alter people's perceptions of authority, democracy and the US - across the globe.

To paraphrase Obama, 'Because of what you did on this day, in this election, at this moment, change has come to America'.... and on this side of the pond many (not least the Kenyan's, Syrians, Iraqi's and Iranians of this world) are very grateful to those of you who voted him in . Thank you.

* * * * *

As the great synchronicity of life would have it, the planet Jupiter on Sep 5 1986 was at the same degree as Uranus opposing Saturn is today - restoring what changed in international perception in '86

*Sadly I fear Obama's greatest threat will now come from within the US

UPDATE: Dec 1 08 Due to recent events in Mumbai where the terrorists were asking for British and US passports it would seem I am being a bit idealistic but change will, hopefully, come

THE PRESIDENCY

In various locations across the web - and in print media - I am reading some inaccurate information about two current and highly significant, astrological aspects. Just to set the record straight...........

Firstly, the Saturn/Uranus opposition on 4th November 2008 is not a flash in the pan. It is the first of FIVE oppositions. The dates are:

4 Nov 2008

5 Feb 2009

15 Sep 2009

26 April 2010 ending on

26 July 2010 on the World Point of 0 Libra ( info on World Points can be found in the newsletter archives on my website).

Many astrologers have, based on the exactness of the opposition of Saturn and Uranus on Election Day, warned of the likelihood of a dramatic event in the USA. I think that this aspect is more of a backdrop speaking about the forces of change (UR) pitted against the forces which would like to preserve the status quo (SA). This battle is going to be ongoing whoever wins the US election. We should also remember that it isn't only the US that is the recipient of this planetary energy. The same SA/UR aspect is triggering tensions and calls for change across the globe. Just two quick examples; in the Maldives the long term ruler who has governed for three decades has just been voted out. In the Congo rebels are currently engaged in a brutal and bloody rebellion against the Government. Same versus Change encapsulates the meaning of a Saturn/Uranus opposition anywhere in the Universe.

Only those who have planets (natally or by progression) at 18/19/20 of Virgo/Pisces will likely be most directly affected at this time by the SA/UR opposition. One of those is actress and singer Jennifer Hudson whose Sun is at 19 Virgo. There will be many aspects in her chart besides the SA/UR that mirror the tragic events that have befallen her family, but the shattering nature of Saturn/Uranus is there for us all to see. Other people with their Sun at 18/19 Virgo will be passing through a period of sudden, potentially life-altering, exciting tensions to accept or implement change, so please don't be alarmed if you have a natal planet involved. I have a client with a natal Saturn/Uranus opposition who had a very stable life but his job is to renovate (UR) old, traditional buildings (SA) so there are many ways that the forces of 'change' can operate.

Forewarned is always forearmed though and here's another type of example.....

As it is half term I looked at taking a short break to the nearest hot sunshine this week and that had me looking to the Canary Islands. I decided against it when I saw that the chart of the islands Aug 16 1982 puts the progressed Sun at 18 Virgo. I didn't look closely into it I just knew from experience that the islands would hit the news for some SA/UR related event, so probably best to give it a miss than worry all week that it might be negative rather than positive. A few hours after this decision a Spanair flight aborted takeoff twice from Tenerife and a plane (UR) skidded off the runway today at Lanzarote. I wouldn't have been in either aircraft but it shows how a location can be singled out using astrological charts.

The other aspect to note at the moment, and arguably the more important one as far as election day is concerned, is Neptune stationary at 21.28 Aquarius. Stationary means that it appears from our Earthly vantage point to have stopped in its tracks. An ephemeris will tell you that it will appear to go forward (direct) on 2nd Nov at 6.36GMT. However, because of the Earth/Sky mechanics it will not actually move from 21.28 until the 6th November. This is a very important point because symbolically a stationary planet becomes a tremendous, focal point of energy in the sky and on election day Mars forms an exact square ( 90 degree angle) to this Neptune, indicating that by the time of the 6/7th November, when the planet goes forward and the energy is released, it will be virtually uncontainable. There will be an almost (and I'm going to use a string of adjectives here) overwhelming, hysterical, deluge of images (NE) travelling around the world (AQ) but there will also be a tsunami of emotional reaction.

Now this could take the form of reports of an overwhelming turn out of voters which deluge the system and then takes until 6th November to fully sort out and confirm. It could be an hysterically happy reaction to the result, but the fear (and that is a Neptunian subject all to itself) is that the supporters of the 'side' who lose will be very reactionary (uncontainably angry).

How I wish astrology could pinpoint for sure who is going to win this. I believe and hope it will be Obama by an unprecedented margin. The fact that Sarah Palin has her Sun at 22 Aquarius and therefore Neptune and Mars poised like a gun right on it would suggest that it will become clear to the world by 6th Nov that she undermined (Ne) her boss's position (Sun) as voters were unsure of her and her religious views (Ne). It is likely that her disappointment will be huge(Mars/Neptune) as the hype around her is unmasked. I've been in this profession long enough however to know that planetary aspects can manifest their nature anywhere along the spectrum and Neptune is also the planet of the diva with devastating charisma and the planet of disbelief. So, along with the rest of the world I will hold my breath, trust that the voting system will cope (and be fair) and wait and see.

May the person (and their running mate) who is best poised to lead America and the world to a better future win!

The chart at the top of the page is Barack Obama's synastry with The Presidency. Click to enlarge