Happy birthday, NHS

The National Health Service is 65 years old today, though hopefully not ready to retire. How fitting that it should be a Cancerian institution, with Sun closely square Neptune. Benevolent Jupiter in Sagittarius ruling the nominal Pisces ascendant (chart set for 0hrs) also fits the bill. The NHS is part of the national safety net, and we see it as being here to rescue us. 

2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony

The NHS Sun at 12 Cancer is exactly opposite the UK 1801 Sun, and conjunct its Moon, further stressing the maternal tie. The UK's emotional attachment to the NHS borders on mystical reverence, or some would say, an unattainable ideal. The strong Jupiterian influence also explains its image as an over-inflated bureaucracy - 1.3 million staff make the NHS the world's fifth highest employer*.  

12 Cancer remains in the eye of the Uranus-Pluto storm until September 2015, when Pluto makes its last opposition. Clearly tough times, where the NHS's fortunes are bound up with those of the country as a whole. Pluto oppositions invariably mean surgery - cuts, both material and emotional. Challenging the NHS is acutely politically sensitive for any government, and attempts to make people more responsible for their own health-care are always met with howls of protest. 

Jupiter in Cancer until mid-2014 may be a saving grace for the Service, particularly with supportive aspects from Saturn (and to some degree Neptune in Pisces). We all need saving sometimes and the NHS ensures nobody in the UK gets bankrupted by a hospital bill. Universal health insurance is the hallmark of a civilized society, yet a should a society growing healthier not also need fewer hospitals?  

National Health Service, 5th July 1948, London, UK

*********

Behind Walmart, McDonald's, The Chinese People's Liberation Army, and the US Department of Defense, in case you wondered.

Astroboogie Stars 30th June 2013

Jupiter in Cancer, the recovery starts here. Read your
rising sign too, if you know it.

Cancer

Persistence rewarded, you have earned your wings and results come at last. Broad-ranging Jupiter gives you relief, a sense of anticipation and sheer lady luck. And you deserve it all. Think big and international, and a philosophical outlook lifts you above the day-to-day ritual. Remember Mercury retrograde protocol and keep your options open before putting a project in the can. A fluid situation sees an even better deal on the table when you take matters to the brink. Grab a nugget of information that passed you by last time, and a peace offering on Monday straightens things out in love.

Leo

Domestic duties distract your attention and authority breathes down your neck. You seek to put roots down, but somebody close has a different idea - talk it over. Venus, planet of diplomacy, gives you all the moves and you steer between opposing views. An invitation arrives from a forgotten friend and a memory lane trip sparks your imagination.

Virgo

Your social life gets a lift and all good things come from your circle. As Mercury, your ruler, retreats, missing information comes to light that lets you fill in the puzzle. Join forces with like-minded humanitarians and you find a new cause and new friends. Still, private time with one carefully chosen person is a different kind of delight.

Libra

You are caught in the crossfire of opposing ambitions. Torn between freedom in love and commitment at home, welcome to life in a tumble-drier. So jovial Jupiter gives you new options and now it doesn’t have to be either-or. A humble opening at work turns into a bigger deal and you get stroking for a private job perfectly executed.

Scorpio

You are carrying the weight for everyone and trying not to show it. Monday sees a clash between duty and fun, and friends wonder why you are so driven. Goodwill builds up in your account, but make sure that you are working for a worthwhile cause. Jupiter, planet of grace, brings a delayed travel plan forward and somebody to share it.

Sagittarius

Someone pressures you to commit and you tap dance around each other. Velvety Venus gives you sure touch and you keep the peace while ring-fencing your freedom. Grab a siesta midweek and beware of falling into past romantic patterns. Your energy returns with a surge on Friday, and creative accounting gets your business started.

Capricorn

Luxuriate in company, as a familiar face comes back for a re-run. You decipher a message from the past and have relationship knowledge that was missing last time. An attractive world-view comes with a guru figure to explain it. Jupiter, planet of wisdom, makes you generous and the love you take is equal to the love you make. 

Aquarius

You have a subtle touch in love, even when intrigue sparks. Spell your message out clearly on Monday, even if it means going against the flow. Especially so! An assertive touch hides underneath your charm. Day-to-day work has unexpected rewards and tuning up old skills parts the clouds. The long route at work leads to the top.

Pisces

Everyone sees you are a dreamer, but you keep a steady ship. A stellar line-up of water planets announces your talent and your creativity brings in a cosmopolitan flavour. Stop crying, count your blessings, and think on a galactic scale. Jupiter, your ruler, gives you a talent-spotter's instinct, as you revive your artistic mojo.

Aries

Sincere but contrary, you are aching to break away. Make the leap and take charge of your life - building your home base up gives you freedom to move.  A delayed message from a family member arrives in its own time. Monday’s Aries Moon gives you the advantage and you weigh a romantic liaison with a touch of the political.

Taurus

You are spending up a storm, but are you getting the best deal? Waiting is smarter than plowing ahead, and getting the rights to a good idea beats working. Tuesday’s Taurus Moon sees you on comfortable territory and pressure to perform eases up. You have served your time, now think about a cause closer to your heart.

Gemini

You are full-on and focused, and amaze everyone with your take-charge style. Feisty Mars, gives you traction and your competitive streak sees you break usual boundaries. Security lands in your lap and a smart investment makes your luck last longer. Haggle on the fine-print, and leave signing on the line until you can see the full board.

Astroboogie Stars June 23rd 2013

Super Moon bonus! I will answer the first five people who send in their 

time, date and place of birth below.

  Cancer

A turnaround is required before your good luck kicks in. Sunday 23^rd’s super full-Moon hits your emotional centre and you celebrate being alive. You see career and romantic dilemmas in perspective, and a solution appears on a different level to where the problem arose. Guaranteed. Royal Jupiter hitting your sign brings longed-for release. A helicopter vision takes you above the day-to-day and your sense of grandeur is perfectly in order. Diva time! Quicksilver Mercury turns backwards on Wednesday and an expected answer takes longer to arrive. Stick to your guns and defer a decision until all the data is in. Your generous gift hits the spot by the weekend.

Leo

Doing less so often beats doing more. Quality time in private brings inspiration bubbling up, and serving a bigger cause gives you kudos and satisfaction. An unexpected message inspires a delve into your past and you withdraw to mull things over. Venus, planet of love, hits Leo on Friday and your forgiving touch resolves a nagging doubt.

Virgo

Confusion about what you want in love leads you down a different path. Fantasmagoric Neptune makes you believe, yet your faith is rewarded in the real world. Unite around a political goal and a family feeling comes from your friends. A psychic connection on Friday brings you closer and you end up finishing your partner’s thoughts.

Libra

Payoff time comes from the merry-go-round in business and at home.  Visionary Jupiter climbs to the top of your chart on Wednesday and your leadership qualities are on display. Think big, stay open to advice, and consider a foreign posting. Your communication is smart and romance sparks with someone who shares your vision of the world. 

Scorpio

Deadlines ratchet up as your career train is leaving the station. Now or never time for your ambitions gives you courage and you break through set reservations. Majestic Jupiter comes to the rescue and a touch of élan sets you apart from the workaday crowd. You are a crowd-pleaser on Saturday and chemistry with the boss opens a door.

Sagittarius

Sunday’s Sagittarius Full Moon is a marker in the year and you owe it to yourself to celebrate. Nobody does it like you, and sheer joie de vivre makes you a hot ticket. Your romantic pitch is upfront and your target finds your candour refreshing. Modernize your ambitions, and using work facilities after hours boosts your business cause.

Capricorn

An old flame stages a return and you sense new promise from the past. Take an offer on its merits - fate doesn’t force you to commit just because someone asks. Wrap up unfinished business, but keep looking forwards. The slate is wiped clean and Monday’s Capricorn Moon combines a sensitive touch with social awareness savvy.

Aquarius

Delays at work mount up and you take twice as long to go half as far. Still, you have signed up for a marathon and a career detour is worth the effort. People gather together and chicanery in your love life is best treated coolly. Wednesday’s Aquarius Moon sees all change and a hot job offer comes from a forgotten application.

Pisces

A ‘told you so’ moment comes for all the right reasons. Nobody believed your vision of the future but the fantasy scenario comes together as if  ordained. Jupiter, your ruler, gives you a cavalier touch, guided with a sure sense of direction. Friday sees you on top form and your romantic faith sees a miraculous transformation.

Aries

Getting things right at home puts a rocket under your career quest. Investing in property is a good bet and the picture-book scenario can be yours. Your restless heart gives you a faraway look and you break away from the formal and familiar. Sunday’s Full Moon inflates your emotions and a sociable moment puts it all in perspective.

Taurus

The pressure rises and you spin the wheel for high stakes. Saturn, planet of discipline, narrows your focus and everything peripheral to success takes second place. Your physical energy is stretched and you only have time for rewarding avenues. Home entertaining goes smoothly at the weekend and a sibling shares words of love.

Gemini 

Lay low on Sunday’s Full Moon and a familiar face is the only one who gets it. The temptation is to pull up trees, but pace yourself and focus your energy. A payoff comes from investing smartly and making a rainy-day fund makes your good luck last. Hold on to your fantasy career and a generous gesture goes into your karmic account.

Astrology and the Astrologer

Anyone who read the comments to my weekly stars June 16th will note the similarities between the three people who wrote in. Specifically, they all had natal Venus at between 11-13 degrees Scorpio. What are the odds against this?

Transiting Saturn is currently in Scorpio, having stationed already at 11 degrees in February, and it passes again over this point again in October 2013. Two of the readers asked specifically about relationships, which is normal for astrology advice. Plus, who doesn't have relationship questions with Saturn-Venus? It's practically mandatory. But regardless of the personal issues, the synchronicity of the different charts is striking.

To astrologers, of course, this is nothing new. How many times have we done events or phone-line sessions where a theme emerges from the shift? A bunch of people with Saturn in the same house, ie, not purely a generational matter? Days where everyone is asking the same horaries? I once did a benefit gig for recovering drug abusers, and naturally there were many charts with a prominent Neptune. At The College of Psychic Studies, your average punter has a more than averagely populated Eighth House.

People come for readings at certain times, for specific reasons. You come across a new interpretation technique or rule, and your next client has a textbook example of it. It's weird. Astrology is a spiritual path and the astrologer learns as much as the client.

But the real thing that freaked me out is that my own natal Venus is, yup... 11 degrees Scorpio.

Astroboogie Stars June 16th 2013

Give your time, date and place of birth, plus a question about your chart, and I will answer personally the first three people who write in below.

Gemini

A surge of competitive spirit propels you into the elite. You enjoy upending the peace, and rambunctious Mars sees you staking out your territory. Still, use your head and pick your battles carefully. Finish up old projects and don’t kick off major changes until you are a hundred percent about the outcome. Your ruler Mercury keeps pace with tactful Venus and a business powwow brings you a financial coup. Pay over the odds if you must to get your prize on Friday. Your fantasy career is grounded in the real world, so keep your eyes on the dream.

Cancer

You have the gift of speech and pouring your heart out sees success. Thursday tunes up your negotiation skills and your user-friendly approach invites new offers. An agitator at work provokes you into a overdue skills rethink. Venus, planet of delights, gives you a invisible aura and flirtation comes to find you in the supermarket queue. 

Leo

Studying behind the scenes is a delight and you are transported to a special place. A telepathic link with your lover shares at deeper level than words. Overbearing bosses make their presence felt, but a smart suggestion cements your position. Your ruler, the Sun, heads into your spiritual zone on Friday, perfect for yoga session intensity.

Virgo

Your independent spirit keeps the career flame alive. Insist on full credit for a shared scheme, otherwise go it alone. Mercury, your ruler, focuses on hopes and wishes, and joining with like minded souls makes a win-win proposition. You know the difference between self-interest and self-sacrifice, and your generous gesture is noticed.

Libra

Getting rich with elbow grease is only half the picture. Sober Saturn takes you down the conventional route, but injecting an element of fantasy is the smarter way. Believe in your cause and investing in imagery is the real gold mine. Tuesday’s Libra Moon tips the scales your way and simple manners have a miraculous beguiling effect.

Scorpio

The impact of your work isn’t obvious while you’re in the thick of it. You are stress-tested and world-weary, though outsiders can see you going places. On-the-job experience makes you dangerous and Wednesday’s Scorpio Moon gives you an edge. Keep burning midnight oil and a benevolent romantic figure comes to your rescue.

Sagittarius

Your irreverent romantic appeal breaks down boundaries. Get straight to the point and your target says yes before they can say no. Make your plans for Saturday’s lucky Sagittarius Moon, a landmark moment in the year. Forget about the past and working on yourself in private gets you accepted into an exclusive inner sanctum. 

Capricorn

Striking a truce in times of rapid change is tough. Your inclusive touch brings friends together and a telling conversation comes in casual guise. Someone close is cajoling and you are happy to play along. The Sun hits your partnership zone on Friday and a big personality lights up a hidden romantic truth.

Aquarius

You direct operations with a light leadership touch. Cash in on your energy flow and you strike a tough deal while keeping everyone onside. Take the high road at work and the longer route gives you a firmer grip of success. Aquarian activism finds the perfect outlet, as your charitable gift combines with real-world savvy.

Pisces

The world is vivid, yet unreal and you are tempted to surrender to the first likely cause. Neptune, your ruler, sets your imagination on fire and you go beyond the call to help a friend. A big hitter loves your work and becomes an agent and benefactor. You sell yourself smartly on Thursday and your enchanting vision becomes a fact.

Aries

Make your home beautiful, but keep an open mind. Listen to advice and hold off the final say until you have all the angles covered. You itch to break away midweek, but a family occasion goes smoothly with you playing  peacekeeper. Mars, your ruler, has you attacking a paperwork backlog and a forgotten invitation drops into your hand.

Taurus

Your tight schedule keeps you working and you weigh the cost of ambitions still to fulfil. The solution lies within and an unanswered prayer lets you focus on your real mission. Catch your breath on Wednesday and good news lands on the mat. An unlikely romantic match grows on you, and only those who are for real need apply. 

Astroboogie Stars June 9th 2013

Gemini

In the grip of a genius idea, you are right to push your luck. Jupiter, planet of faith, gives you a vision that outstrips your usual view of the world. Act on the plan and don't look back. Pay attention to emotions in your career quest, and reading between the lines gives you the edge. Bosses see there is more to you than a smart all-rounder with the gift of the gab. Still, count to ten before you speak. You are in full competition mode and somebody quickly finds out what you really think. Lazy Sunday’s Gemini Moon gives you a laid-back time and your proposal is put through.

Cancer

Coming out of your shell is a tough test for any Crab. You are caught in the crossfire and staying put is not an option. But a creative gift you take for granted gives you long-term luck. You can be charming and frivolous, realistic and visionary all at once. Monday’s home-territory Cancer Moon is the parsley garnish on a pivotal week.

Leo

A secret liaison lets you get things straightened out. You show a face to somebody quite unlike your public image and they appreciate what they see. Target Wednesday’s Leo Moon for a delicate negotiation and get more than you bargained for. An avant-garde plan goes smoothly and you overcome resistance from the white-collar crowd.

Virgo

Find a cause to serve without sacrificing too much. Ego-oriented attitude is only half the story, and something you believe in helps you feel good. Keep it real. Your decisions are influenced by fantasy notions quite unlike your usual prudent self. Sense reigns on Saturday 15th as the fortunate Virgo Moon puts both your feet on the ground.

Libra

A touch of the artistic turns your career prospects around. Instead of kow-towing to the corporate monkeys, step out and flaunt your native talent. Your ruler Venus cements your reputation as you gauge the group mood in a high-pressure situation. A long-distance trip broadens your world and a guru figure has knowledge to share.

Scorpio

Friends complain that you are all focused on the job. Overbearing deadlines keep the pressure on and tunnel vision allows no respite. Still, as charismatic Venus and Neptune align, you find the best of all possible worlds. Schedule some quality time on Friday and the contrast to work, work, work, lifts your performance and popularity.

Sagittarius

A pushy partner makes their feelings plain and the chemistry crackles. Mars, planet of action, enjoys an argument and you clear the air where before you would let it slide. Still, it's a good time for love and you look forward after a spell of romantic nostalgia. Talk nicely to your bank manager and a great first impression swings the deal.

Capricorn

A meeting of minds adds intrigue and you pinpoint exactly what you want in love. People –planet Venus adds a softer note, but be aware of a tricky partner who spins the situation their way. Monday returns you to old romantic patterns, and a familiar face understands. Decide where you come down between old and new working styles.

Aquarius

Your scheming boss embodies everything you are against, but you have to fit in. All-action Mars gives you energy and you assert your power and keep the peace. Smart work. Romance stirs in an unlikely area and a shared fitness kick finds new friends. Lie low on Thursday and a weekend renaissance soon follows.

Pisces

You combine dreams with practical moves and a long-cherished ambition finally gels. Believe you can have what you want and don’t compromise. Saturn, planet of reality, sits kindly and earning credentials for the long term makes you the expert. A friend acts out on Wednesday, but you enjoy an exotic change of pace.

Aries

The bigger your shock value, the happier you feel. Uranus, planet of rebellion reverse any compromises with conformity, and it’s your way or bust. You are looking for excitement, but make sure your romantic signals are understood. Tuesday sees a trade-off between mixing with high rollers at work and finding your heart at home.

Taurus
A veteran in your field, you’re looking around for a new scene. Backs-to-the-wall time has galvanizing effect and you find a foothold you would otherwise miss. Dust off your DIY skills and press an old item into service. The boy or girl next door has unexpected promise and a message sent on Wednesday has your special eloquent touch.