This part of my web-site gives you an in-look at the current astrological events. I have tried to make it as readable and useful to astrologers and non-astrologers alike but this may not always be achievable. If you do come across some terms that you do not understand, you should be able to find a definition in the SCIENCE BIT. And, of course, you can always e-mail me directly with your queries and comments.

I thought that a week containing a new moon, two hard angles to explosive Uranus, not to mention a conjunction of the sun and corrosive, double-dealing Neptune would produce a few banner headlines.

In England, a scandal abruptly ended the political career of Northern Ireland Minister, Peter Mandelson; in Washington the Bush Administration entered the White House to be greeted by scenes of abject vandalism and India experienced its worst earthquake in fifty years. At the time of writing (27th January) the death toll stands at 2,500 - and rising. As for the ancient and beautiful city of Bhuj, with its population of 150,000 there is not one building left standing.

The last few cosmic updates have been dominated by the US presidency so I'm going to side-line George W for now and take a look at the earthquake in Gujarat.

Earthquakes are the stuff of the planet Uranus. This eccentric, anarchic planet is often in the ascendancy when earth-moving events occur. And while earthquakes are common enough occurrences and frequently cause little damage, when the big ones hit - those measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale like this one - and in areas where there are no structural defences against large tremors, the devastation is incalculable. And we would expect to see the signature of such an event in a horoscope.

Events, like babies, have their characteristics imprinted in a horoscope, which is calculated for the date, time and place of 'birth'. Towns, cities, countries, governments, marriages and acts of nature et al all have their signature in the 'stars'.

At the moment the earth moved in Bhuj Mars - a planet whose 'nature' is violent and certainly activating - was in exact alignment with Uranus (a 90 degree 'square' aspect to be precise). Not only this but the moon had just passed across Uranus.

Now, this probably seems like indigestible jibberish to non-astrologers but to the initiated it speaks volumes. The one planet you expect to carve its signature on an earthquake was more than present.

A PREDICTION!

The only trouble is, when it comes to predicting an earthquake, as opposed to reflecting sagely in retrospect, we astrologers have a rather dismal success rate. After all the moon makes at least four major contacts to the planet Uranus every month and Mars-Uranus aspects are hardly rare. However, I am going to put my money where my mouth is, so to speak, and suggest that when the full moon contacts Uranus (8th/9th February) we should see some more earth tremors, very probably in the same area, or on the opposite side of the globe.

Click To See Peter Mandelson's Chart In Greater Detail

Now, before I make a few comments about PM I must tell you that I only know his birth date; I do not have the time of birth so I cannot produce an accurate chart. However I have guestimated the time as 6. 45 pm since this puts Gemini on the ascendant. Why Gemini?

GEMINI RISING

Well, Mandelson has a Peter Pan aura about him; his mental dexterity and a certain Machiavellian quality also epitomize Gemini rising. (And this could also be a factor in his close friendship with Tony Blair - who definitely does have Gemini rising. Two peas in a political pod, you might say and certainly kindred spirits.)

More importantly, if we look at the planets alone on Mandelson's date of birth there is little to explain such a set of cataclysmic professional and personal events. This way, with 14 degrees of Gemini rising, Pluto is currently sitting on the cusp of the seventh house of relationships - also known as the house of open enemies - revealing the certain truth that he was brought down by his political opponents.

NEPTUNE AND THE MID-HEAVEN

Using this 6.45pm time of birth produces a Mid-Heaven (highest point of the chart) of 8 degrees of Aquarius. Thus, not only was Pluto causing the severance of professional and personal bonds (we should also note that Mandelson was simultaneously experiencing the rupture of his gay relationship with his live in Brazilian lover) but Neptune currently at 6 degrees Aquarius was eroding his position in the world. (Perfect timing too in light of the sun-Neptune conjunction of the 26th January, which came within twenty-four hours of his resignation from the Cabinet.)

MOON IN ARIES

Also, with an early evening time of birth the moon in Aries will be at 17 degrees of the sign and therefore a sitting target for the eclipse on the 9th of January. (See Cosmic Update archive.)

This Aries moon is certainly a factor in the way he opened the door for his opponents to put the boot in (sorry about the mixed metaphor!). Aries moons, like Aries suns and Aries ascendants, invariably suffer from chronic foot and mouth disease. If Mandelson had admitted making the call about the expediting of Hinduja's British passport application the issue may have remained a minor talking point as opposed to a political furore.

We could say that Mr Mandelson has finally discovered that hubris isn't just an ancient Greek word for karmic comeuppance.

HIS FUTURE

Bleak. But only temporarily. He and members of the government may be stating publicly that he will have no involvement with the General Election - rumoured to be in early May. But, as in times past, his advice will be sought by Tony Blair and fed into the campaign, albeit by an untraceable route. I am also looking at the fact that Mandelson will have Jupiter returning to its original birth chart position in June and Venus will be spending a good four months in his moon sign of Aries (exact in mid-to-late May) so he will not be down and out for long.

Who said you couldn't make more than one political come back!

HELP!

I do not like referring to speculative charts so if you have any information about Peter Mandelson's correct time of birth, please e-mail me.

RETROGRADE MERCURY

Mercury, currently at 0 degrees of Pisces will be heading off in reverse motion on Sunday the 4th so we can expect to experience some hiccups with travel, transportation and communications until the end of February.

Here in Britain it seems a severe cold front is on its way, so icy conditions on the roads and railways etc.etc will produce all sorts of delays and problems. Endeavour to tie up all loose ends before the weekend. Then just be patient and philosophical.

MARS-SATURN OPPOSITION

Mars and Saturn are not happy bunnies when they're at opposite ends of the zodiac. My tip for these two is not to cut corners in any aspect of life; play by the rules and expect a tough and hard-working week.

And the plus side? You get results, whether you like them or not!

MONEY MARKETS

There are some astrologers who specialize in financial astrology (I'm not one I hasten to say) but there is a theory that markets boom or slump in synch with major Saturn aspects. I'd veer on the side of caution here and assume the stock-markets will be going down not up during the next two weeks. Just how seriously is even more difficult to guage… I have to say I'm not overly optimistic about the economy for 2001, especially in the US and the United Kingdom. Let's hope I'm wrong.

COSMIC UPDATE: FEBRUARY 2ND

VENUS ENTERS ARIES (2nd February 19hrs.15 GMT)

If you’ve ever looked into the night sky and seen one very bright ‘star’ it’s almost certainly Venus. (This beautiful planet can be seen above left of the moon at the moment, just to give you a better idea of its location.)

GOOD NEWS FOR ARIES

Far more important as far as we astrology-buffs are concerned is that Venus changes signs on the 2nd - it moves out of Pisces and into Aries. This is very good news for Arians since Venus truly brightens up existence during her transit of your sun-sign. And this year Venus is going to be in Aries until the first week of June so there should be no complaints from this zodiac group about not having a lucky break or two and certainly a more optimistic view of life.

ALSO GOOD NEWS FOR LIBRA

Librans will be another group to benefit from Venus’s change of sign. Not only is Venus Libra’s ruling planet but with this transit the solar area of relationships will be brought into focus, rather pleasantly, in fact. And for a whole four months. Wedding bells, falling magically in love and perking up your love life are a few of the possible treats in store.

VENUS IN ARIES

Babies born between the 2nd of February and 5th of June will have their Venus in this fiery and passionate sign. So, even if he or she is supposedly a cautious, down-to-earth Taurean or a cool and logical Gemini, when it comes to love they will be headstrong, conquest-driven and anything but a blushing violet.

Men with Venus in Aries will be rather puppy-like where their affections are concerned. They are not the game-players of the zodiac and they can be read like a book. If they like what they see, they’ll go straight for her: no messing. And, indeed, they may be drawn to women who have a strong Arian theme in their charts. Venus in Aries in a man’s chart says: I like women who are warm, funny, dominant and bright - women who personify the element fire.

Venus in Aries women wear their hearts on their sleeves. They are the serial monogamists of the zodiac, believing each man they fall in love with is ‘the one’ - until a few bruises and a broken heart later that is. Women with Venus in this fire sign do not believe in guile or artifice. If the man they find attractive is too shy to ring them, they’ll ring him. Playing hard to get is something they just don’t understand.

JENNIFFER ANNISTON

I was looking at Miss Anniston’s chart the other day, who happens to have Venus in Aries. Her alter ego, Rachel in Friends, is the quintessential Venus in Aries woman and since her character is infused by the real Jennifer you only have to watch every episode of the series to discover all you ever wanted to know about this placement.

Rather worryingly Jennifer’s Venus is opposed by Uranus in her natal chart - the classic divorce aspect - not the best of omens for her marriage to Brad Pitt. (Maybe we’ll look at their synastry on another occasion.)