Tag Archives: UK

Alex weighs in on the Liz Truss Debacle

Prime Minister Liz Truss Official Portrait
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss. in No10 Downing

The United Kingdom is currently going through a great national crisis, and that can mean only one thing: it’s time for Alex Sumner to exercise his Astrology chops once again! Specifically: what do the stars have to say about Liz Truss’ meteoric rise and fall as Prime Minister?

Mary Elizabeth Truss was born on 26th July 1975 in Oxford, England. I could not find birth-time data: however, a 47-year-old woman will not normally be going through transits to her natal planets, so I am willing to bet that her career flushed down the pan the way it did yesterday because Saturn was transitting her MC. On this basis, I have created a Rectified Chart for her with an estimated birth-time of 2.16am, hence:

On first glancing at this chart, I would say that this is not the chart of a woman born to be Prime Minister! Firstly, Saturn and Mercury conjunct in Cancer in the second house suggest that her professional talents would best be applied not making public pronouncements, but instead communicating in a safe, sensible and measured manner: in any event, avoiding saying anything rash or ill-considered.

This is unfortunate, as – assuming my rectification is accurate – with Gemini as her rising sign, she feels naturally inclined to present herself as a great communicator: so having Saturn conjunct the Lord of her Ascendant must be a bit of a downer.

Secondly, the same Saturn/Mercury conjunction is in a “T-formation” with regard to Jupiter in Aries (11th house), and comedy planet Uranus in Libra (5th house). Jupiter indicates her desire to win friends and admirers through some sort of leadership role, whilst Uranus points out a propensity to behaving unconventionally when performing in public. However, the need to speak and act cautiously is a drag on her leadership ambitions, as well as a challenge to her going on the public stage, as it were.

Ironically, Square aspects can inspire an individual to achieve greatness if they are able to solve the conflicts provoked thereby. More specifically, a “T-formation” like this indicates that an individual is likely to experience both Great Success and Great Failure in her life, often coming quickly one after the other – as a transitting planet, when forming an aspect with one natal planet, will inevitably form aspects to a whole load of other planets at the same time.

In conclusion, if I were to analyse Liz Truss’ personality based on this chart, I would summarise it as follows:

You are a warrior and a ringleader, but your emotions are rather extreme. Art is what makes you emotionally happy. You think in a deep way and express your needs and thoughts in an emotional way. You express your energy in an abiding way: you are destructive when you get angry. In love you are helpful, and you seek respect.

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Where to Market your Ebook

Instead of a post about occultism, for a change I will deal today with “Voodoo Statistics” (i.e. please don’t shout at me too much in regard to my methodology) – in order to answer the question, what are the Top 10 Countries in which market an ebook in the English language?

By my calculations they are (biggest potential market first):

Rank Country % of potential world market for English language ebooks
1. United States 42%
2. United Kingdom 10%
3. Germany 8%
4. Canada 4%
5. France 4%
6. Australia 3%
7. Philippines 3%
8. The Netherlands 3%
9. Italy 2%
10. Spain 2%

“Wait!” I hallucinate that I hear you ask. “Germany above Canada? How can that be so?” Quite simple: there are more people in Germany who speak English as a second language than there are in Canada who speak it as either a first or second language. This indeed is the reason why non-anglophone countries make it onto the list at all.

Other factors used to determine ranking include % of people with Internet access and relative poverty / richness. India for example has 125,000,000 English speakers, but because over half the population live below the Poverty line (defined by the UN as earning less than $2 / day) and only 7.5% have access to the internet, the potential market for ebooks must logically be a mere fraction of this number.

Of the countries of the rest of the world, most of the member states of the European Union ranked highly. The highest ranked country in Asia was Turkey at number 14. The highest ranked country in Africa was Nigeria at number 22, whilst Brazil was the highest ranked country in South America at number 23.

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How to predict the General Election Result – part 3

The real battle in the UK general election is hotting up. No – not between the rival parties: I’m talking about rival astrologers! Russell Grant predicts a win for David Cameron this Thursday, using the time-honoured astrological technique of noticing that the Tories are in front in the opinion polls.

Still I notice that he agrees that the election has been called at the worst possible time. On May 6th itself there will be a T between the Moon, Sun and Mars: i.e. the Moon is square to the Sun, which is square to Mars, which is in opposition to the Moon. The people (Moon) will be challenging the Government (Sun) to action, but warfare etc (Mars) will be holding it back – which in turn will upset everyone. Whoever wins on Thursday is going to have a tough time of it in the new parliament.

I still think that Clegg is going to do well – and note that I predicted this a month ago at the start of the campaign, before all the TV debates started!

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How to predict the General Election 2010 result

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced that the United Kingdom is going to the polls on May 6th 2010. I therefore present my predictions as to what is going to happen, especially to the leaders of the three main political parties.

The Day of the Election Itself

The Sun is square to both the Moon and Mars (which are in opposition to each other). The Moon, incidentally, is in its last quarter. This means that the day is good day for getting rid of things. There will be upset and quarrelling. Moreover, Jupiter and Uranus are conjunct, but both are opposed by Saturn. There will be a revolution in the state of the British Government, which will be at the expense of old ideas – or indeed, older men.

Hence, the day of the General Election will be very acrimonious. We will certainly have a new government – younger contenders will fare better than older ones.

Gordon Brown

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Gordon – leader of the Labour Party and the current Prime Minister – is badly affected by the Saturn-Jupiter opposition. Saturn opposes his natal Venus and Mars, whilst Jupiter is conjunct to them. This means that Gordon will be facing a time of tests and trials – he will find it difficult to attract the things and people he wants in his life, and he will suffer a series of set-backs that cast doubt on his ability to win.

Conversely, however, he will feel a strong urge to socialize and indulge himself, but become lazy with regard to work and his career. It would also be a good time for him to take up a new physical activity.

In summary, the stars are telling Gordon that it is worthwhile taking up a new hobby – after all, come May 7th he will have plenty of time to pursue it.

David Cameron

David Cameron – Conservative leader and current leader of the Opposition – shares a lot in common with Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats (vide infra). In both cases Jupiter is conjunct their natal Saturn. This is both a good and a bad thing – Cameron (and Clegg) will become aware of increased opportunities, but also of increased responsibilities as well. Moreover, both men have the Sun conjunct their natal Caput Draconis – the signifier of Destiny. Both are hungry for growth and direction. Also, according to one source it indicates a time of connecting with others who share common interests – particularly another male or authority figure.

Cameron however does differ from Clegg in significant respects. Neptune opposes his natal Mars. This would indicate that he can bring an unusual degree of imagination and idealism to his work right now, but needs to stay realistic, in case he overstretches himself.

Nick Clegg

Clegg is the leader of the third largest party, the Liberal Democrats. The last time they had the merest whiff of power was in 1978 – thirty-two years ago, when they briefly had a pact with the then Labour government (it fell apart). They have not actually been in Government since the First World War.

Despite being the also-rans of British politics for close to a hundred years now, Nick Clegg of all the three party leaders is personally in the best position astrologically speaking. Like Cameron, he shares the Sun / natal Caput Draconis conjunction, and the Jupiter / natal Saturn conjunction. However in his own right he also has a number of favourable aspects peculiar to himself. Saturn is trine to his natal Venus – signifying it is a good time to curb spending and cut away accumulated debt – also, relationships begun during this time are likely to prove long term.

Uranus is trine to his natal Moon and Sextile to his natal Venus.  This indicates a time during which he can discover new and different reasons or ways to enjoy and appreciate life. Also – that he could receive unexpected help or support from someone younger or a woman – perhaps this means the youth vote, or female voters. Given that Jupiter is conjunct Uranus, it shares the same aspect to Moon and Venus: Clegg is popular right now, and has the opportunity to make a good impression on others.

The only warning note is sounded by Neptune, which is square to his natal Moon. He could get the wrong idea, develop false ideals, and let his imagination carry him away to the point that those who support and care for him are neglected or hurt.

Conclusion

My predictions can be summarised as follows:

  • Gordon Brown – cheerio.
  • David Cameron – could do well, although it will be a difficult time for him.
  • Nick Clegg – will come out of this election very well.
  • Probable result: in the statistically unlikely event of a hung parliament, there will be a Conservative / Liberal Democrat coalition – this will see Clegg rewarded with a senior Cabinet post.

Finally I should point out that in regard to my prediction about older men having to make way for younger ones, it should be noted that Brown (born 1951) is the oldest of the three party leaders; Cameron (born 1966) is second but Clegg is youngest (born 1967).

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