With a bit of honest self-observation and awareness, the transits of the Sun, Venus, Mercury and Mars to points in the natal chart are often very obvious, particularly the conjunctions, squares and oppositions. I can remember one exceptionally pleasant afternoon when, while working as a nursing assistant on a hospital ward, the Sun was approaching an exact aspect to my natal Venus and Venus was likewise aspecting my natal Sun. With no other corresponding astrological indicators around at the time – love was everywhere around me! Similarly, the days when Mars approaches an exact square to my natal Saturn in my 12th are often a time of frustration or even temporary depression and isolation. A Mercury conjunction to natal Pluto brings a few hours or a day of Plutonian thinking and communication. And so on.

Monthly transits of the Moon’s cycle can also be fascinating to observe in yourself and in your environment. Everything gets a little bit dark and intense when the Moon moves through your 8th house, then all the paranoia disappears and everything lightens up when it moves into your 9th house for two or three days. Every month I always look forward to the Moon moving through my 5th house, a fun few days in some way, even when the rest of my life is falling apart!

No introduction is needed for those who remember the progressive rock band Marillion and their charismatic front man in the eighties (the big hit was “Kayleigh”), or the many loyal fans who have followed Fish’s solo career since he left them in 1988. Astrologically this was just past his “Saturn return”, an important time of re-assessment for everyone at around age 29 or so.

Fish (born Derek William Dick, 25th April 1958, 5.07 pm, Dalkeith in Scotland) has all the planets scattered fairly evenly around the birth chart, pulling him in many more different directions than most of us. He has difficult aspects to both his 8th house Taurus Sun and Cancer Moon, indicating that security and stability is not easy to achieve. Like many driven famous individuals, Fish’s chart shows the likelihood of more than his fair share of problems to overcome.

There is a close T-square in fixed signs of the zodiac, involving his Taurus Sun with Uranus and Neptune, both planets of “higher consciousness”. Here is a challenge to combine the visionary spiritual gifts of Neptune with the electric revolutionary energy of Uranus, a combination that could equally lead to enlightenment or madness. From his lyrics, Fish seems to have embraced a good deal of both!

The intelligent, independent and revolutionary Mars in Aquarius is in close aspect to several planets. An explosive opposition to Pluto indicates powerful, even ruthless, self-assertiveness. Fish is capable of eliminating anything that stands in his way. On the other hand, Venus in Pisces and his Moon show the selfless romantic – kind, compassionate, and vulnerable. Fish’s Moon in Cancer is prominent in his 10th house, a sign of popularity with the public.

I recommend his excellent 2008 album “13th Star”, probably the best thing he’s done since leaving Marillion.

Contrary to many people’s idea of astrology (often based on Sun signs and horoscopes in the media), it can actually be most useful as a tool for self-awareness when looking backwards at the past. Although astrologers “predict” the meaning of planetary cycles and patterns for the future, much of this is inevitably unknown and open to change. The events of a person’s past on the other hand, can be clearly interpreted using astrological correspondences, often with startling accuracy. Serious astrology can offer a greater understanding of the meaning of previous life experiences.

The Saturn return at around age 29 is a good example of this. Anyone over 30 can look back at that time (the exact period depends on the individual birth chart) as a major turning point of some kind. Issues of commitment, responsibility and “growing up” are themes at this time. People get married, get divorced, change career, start a family… the individual chart reveals more specific information, the changes may be relatively smooth or difficult. Or we can look back at where Jupiter was 12 years ago, the last time round, giving us an idea of where we might be ready to expand and grow in our lives now. And so on.

In fact astrology can help us see how the past, the present and the future are all connected. By understanding our past better, we can hopefully use this self-knowledge to consciously create a better future.

Taken from Stephen Arroyo's "Chart Interpretation Handbook"

I am still waiting to meet someone who has investigated serious astrology for themselves first hand, and not come to the conclusion that there is a large amount of demonstrable truth involved.

Of course there are millions of people who don’t believe in astrology. When I first became seriously interested in 1986, I did not believe in it. I still don’t, as such. Someone saying they “believe” or don’t “believe” in astrology is missing the point really – it’s not a religion! Perhaps it is a “belief system” of sorts – at the same time, serious astrology is based firmly on observation. This careful definition by astrologer Robert Currey is as good as any:-

“Astrology is the study of the correlation between the positions and movements of celestial bodies and life and physical processes on Earth. Though some astrologers work with stars and constellations, western astrologers work with the Sun, the Moon and the planets (including Pluto) within the Solar System. This is not Sun-Sign astrology that you read in newspapers and magazines. Astrology should not be confused with fortune telling, psychic reading, palmistry or tarot reading.”

Of course many scientists and “rational sceptics” happily dismiss astrology (or more accurately, what they believe astrology to be) for a large number of reasons. As it happens, my educational scientific background played a part in me developing my enthusiastic interest – there was way too much evidence from first hand observation to ignore!  For many other well-educated people in the west, astrology is so obviously superstitious nonsense that it is not even worth dismissing. Obviously it’s rubbish!

These issues are explored in more detail in Why it is no longer acceptable to say astrology is rubbish on a scientific basis by Robert Currey.

At this time, Neptune squares its natal position in the chart. This can be very confusing and disorientating. Around the age of 40, deeply held dreams and ideals can suddenly seem empty or no longer relevant. Disappointment and disillusionment is common, and a letting go of old attachments is necessary before the individual can begin to develop a restored sense of faith and philosophy of life.

The Uranus opposition Uranus transit at this time is often even more disrupting and in a different way. It has often been described as one of the most important astrological phases of one’s life. Uranus is the great awakener, that stirs up our reality so that we are never the same again afterwards. Sudden shocks, realizations, and complete changes of life direction are common at this time. Re-discovering one’s freedom and unique sense of individuality is important. Some people leave a marriage, relationship, or job. The challenge is to be able to make the necessary changes without “throwing the baby out with the bath water”.

However, for the generation born around 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, the powerful 2011-2016 (strongest from late 2012 to early 2015) Uranus square Pluto effect will add extra and extreme challenges to the astrological mid-life crisis! Pluto in Capricorn will also be square this generation’s natal Uranus in Libra – the economic and political changes taking place in society will be playing a huge and potentially explosive part in the personal lives of many now reaching age 39-42.

Triggered by the widespread crises, these individuals (who are born with a heightened sense of justice from Uranus in Libra, triggered as Uranus moves through assertive and angry Aries) will breakout and demand more fairness in society. This could be on a small local level in their day-to-day lives or on a much wider scale. During 2011-2016 (along with many others of all ages) they are likely to become revolutionary in one form or another, in fact they may feel they are being forced to do so by economic and political circumstances beyond their control.

Impersonal fanaticism is a danger at this time! Sweeping changes are likely. Perhaps the universally compassionate nature of Neptune entering Pisces in 2012 will help. Good luck to all.

1st house Venus in Libra

Although astrologers are not all in agreement over whether David’s Ascendant rising sign is late Virgo or early Libra (a few minutes either side of the given birth details – 5.55 a.m., 9th October 1966, London – makes a difference in this case), the prominence and importance of his 1st house Venus in Libra is in no doubt. David also has the Sun in Libra.

A few days ago, with Pluto moving towards the first exact square transit of Cameron’s Venus in a few weeks time, Cameron caused a major political uproar by excluding and isolating the UK from a new European economic union. Depending on your point of view, David has either protected the UK’s interests (particularly the City of London), or caused huge long-term damage to a number of relationships, both at home and abroad. Relationship problems of a deep and complicated nature are the classic territory of a Pluto transit to Venus, with long-term resentments often coming to the surface to be healed or eliminated. The UK has often seen itself as a reluctant and distanced member of Europe, separated by land and it’s memories of Empire. Whether on Europe or other issues, there will be more relationship struggles and conflicts of values for Cameron in August, September and October of 2012.

But things could well be even more difficult for David when transiting Uranus opposes his natal Venus from his Aries 7th house. The first pass in May 2012, then the retrograde phase in early September (likely to be a very difficult month as the above Pluto will also be active), with a final pass in March 2013. Relationship breaks, unexpected excitement, brief unusual involvements, upsets and shocks are likely… as always it will largely be up to the individual concerned as to how well these are handled.

All this is a bit tough on Cameron’s Venus! A well-placed Venus in Libra (it sextiles Cameron’s Leo Moon, with little in the way of stressful natal aspects) is charming and eager to please everyone, driven by a need to create harmony and build bridges through relationships of all kinds. In the 1st house, these personality traits are fundamental to David Cameron’s Libra identity. He will not be remotely at home with the sometimes unpleasant emotions and relationship problems. 2012 is a difficult year for Cameron.

Of course there are also less extreme and easier astrological indications for next year. The progressed Sun moves into a nice trine with Jupiter, Uranus trines the Leo Jupiter in January 2012, Uranus also trines Moon in Leo. David’s innate confidence and leadership instincts will help him cope. Saturn is also supportive for most of the year.

There’s related previous blogs on Uranus square Pluto 2011-2016 and Pluto in Capricorn.

In addition to the Sun, Mercury and Neptune in Scorpio (and depending on the time of birth, possibly his Moon), Steve also has a close Venus conjunct Pluto aspect, further emphasizing the potential power and charisma of his personality.  The deepest and darkest emotions are confronted, social taboos are explored. As any fan of Porcupine Tree or his other projects can tell you, Wilson continually probes the dark hidden depths with his music and lyrics, turning these into something still sad, but beautiful. In true Scorpionic fashion, Steve is very much in touch with life’s continual transformational cycle of birth, decay and re-generation. Everything changes.

Wilson is well known for being something of a workaholic and this is confirmed clearly by a close square between Mars in Capricorn and Saturn in Aries in his chart. Astrologically, this is the ambitious driving force that will have him working on a Porcupine Tree album in the morning, a Blackfield track in the afternoon and a King Crimson re-mix in the evening – or something along those lines! Anyone with Mars in Capricorn is a shrewd operator, with the potental for tremendous achievement as a result of self-discipline, patience and careful planning. Virgo is also a strong sign in Steve’s chart, bringing modesty, practicality and attention to detail.

The sign of Aquarius features strongly for Peter and Steve. The essential Sun sign is there, together with traditionally the two luckiest planets Venus and Jupiter. Typical Aquarian qualities include originality, experimentalism and humanitarianism. Venus and Jupiter here show artistic expression and personal development that is eccentric and unorthodox, qualities obviously expressed to the full, both with Genesis and throughout their solo careers.

In terms of the four elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water, the social and intellectual development of Air is very much the strongest, with Water the weakest (perhaps paradoxically, as Aquarius is sometimes known as “The Water Bearer”). Aquarius is known for a certain emotional detachment, and possible emotional difficulties for Peter and Steve will not be helped by a relative lack of planets in Water signs. Peter is likely to suffer more here, due to the rather heavy and depressing Moon in Capricorn on 13th February. By contrast Steve was probably born with the emotionally lighter and more optimistic Moon in Sagittarius the day before.

Other strong features of their charts are a beautiful Mars and Neptune conjunction in Libra (the drive to turn a beautiful dream into reality, with somewhat magical talents) nicely linked to a Jupiter and Pluto opposition. The latter combines an egoless, humanitarian optimism with a darker, deep-rooted drive for personal power that is all about Big Time ego!

These two gentlemen remain a unique inspiration to many people on many levels. Thank you Mister Hackett and Mister Gabriel.

A slightly different version of this originally appeared in Eclectic Moonlight, a 2007 online magazine.

It’s a mighty big festival, with 300 new bands at over 30 venues around Brighton, over three days. Headliners included Sufjan Stevens and DJ Shadow. All the smaller acts we shot were of a very high standard (except, for my taste, maybe one) and deserve to go on to greater things. There was the sad and soulful Antlers from New York, the experimental Thus:Owls from Sweden, some fascinating “treated piano” from a German chappie whose name escapes me, another American band Cults, Alexander Tucker(what a nice bloke) and his looping cello. All these bands are up and coming, mostly on their first or second albums with small record companies.

I’m not sure about “the music business”, but actual new music is very much alive and well.