Congrats Will & Kate!

Huge congratulations to Will and Kate!

What a breath of fresh air! It's so uplifting for the world to share their happiness after witnessing a series of disastrous events occuring across the globe, from the Libyan protests to the Japanese Earthquake, to name but a few.

I was tempted to analyse their charts and synastry but as Kate's birth time is still unknown, I thought it best to leave the delination until that piece of information becomes available.

Though thousands of miles away from London, I am now following the royal wedding live on TV. I cannot describe this warm feeling I'm experiencing in my heart - maybe it's the fact that a third of the population in the world (as it is allegedly claimed by the BBC!) is expected to watch this joyous event, and so I feel it is the opening of our heart chakras as we sincerely bless this couple a wonderful future together.

Case Study: Sir Richard Branson

The birthchart is often referred to as a map of potential pathways for one to live out. In a given lifetime, one tend to explore a few possible routes depicted in the chart. That is why it is important to have an interactive consultation with a client, as a way of discovering which potential has been chosen. I feel in the case of Sir Richard Branson, his ceaseless appetite for adventure has motivated him to live out many of his astrological potentials. From the depths of the ocean to the far-reaches of outer space, he wants a piece of every action (Uranus in Cancer in 11th house trine Jupiter in Pisces in 8th house; Uranus ruled by and sextile the Moon, of which oppose Jupiter).

Known to be shy in private (Sun in Cancer locked up in 12th house), this man has accrued an immense amount of cash and power with his global enterprises (Pluto rising in Leo; Saturn-Jupiter opposition across 2nd-8th house axis). Though not always successful, Branson displays his keenness to live life to the full by dabbling into a myriad of investment opportunities (Venus in 11th trine Mars in 3rd but square Saturn in 2nd), from travelling (Virgin Atlantic Airways) to music (Virgin Megastores), telecommunications (Virgin Media) to beverages (Virgin Cola).

With his Mercury in Leo, he communicates with flair and has a knack for grabbing attention. His 3rd house is ruled by Virgo, which naturally co-rules communication, a conjunction pair between Neptune and Mars in Libra further adds another layer to his style of thinking - creative and bold. He has the determination to transform his ideas into reality. A highly self-motivated individal (eastern hemisphere and cardinal fire emphases), Branson has the confidence and assertion to find his own niche in the public arena (Aries MC). If he can dream it, he can make it.

Case Study: Bruce Lee

A local documentary series on Bruce Lee has spurred me onto the path of unrivalling this kung-fu legend's astrological constituents.

A Sagittarian with his Sun conjunct the Ascendent, Lee had a philosophical approach to life. Lee's wife recalled her husband's passion in martial arts and how he injected his life philosophy into his work (Sun trine and rules Pluto in Leo in the 8th house). As a guest on The Pierre Berton Show, Lee compared the movement of martial arts to the mutability of water. 'Be formless, be shapeless like water. [...] Be water, my friend.' With his Neptune in Virgo in the 10th house and Pisces on the 4th house cusp, Lee had creatively and comfortably immersed the idea of fluidity into his kung-fu work.

'Don't think, feel.'

Looking at Lee's chart, it is interesting to note the conjunction between his Moon (feelings) and Mercury (thinking) in Scorpio, with the former in detriment. Thinking and feeling are merged and undistinguishable. His emotions ran deep, as did his thinking. He was likely to be incisive and precise with his mental power. With both these planets ruled by Pluto and further receiving a square from it increases the intensity. Luckily, this intensity is ameliorated by the trine to the Sun. Therefore, Lee knew it was his destiny to carry out his mission in life without the extra heaviness. His perfectionistic tendency was likely to have stemmed from his MC in Virgo and Mercury oppose Saturn in Taurus. Being perfect and asthetically pleasing were likely to be what he sought in his work.

Lee's iconic image changed the way westerners perceive Chinese people back in the 60s (Moon, Mercury, Venus & Mars in Scorpio packed in the 11th house, all received a square from their ruling planet Pluto in Leo in the 8th house). His success was earned through his sheer determination and diligence (Jupiter-Saturn Taurus conjunction in the 5th house oppose the 11th house bundle; fixed T-Square in 11th-8th-5th houses). Lee was the first Chinese to play a significant role in a Hollywood movie. In the TV series 'The Green Hornet', his chaffeur-like outfit caused a westerner to mistake him for an insignificant worker on the set. Lee shrugged off the insult in a typical Saggitarian manner, and explained he wasn't upset by the incident because he was Bruce Lee.

When Coco met Douglas

My astrology tutor said studying charts of famous people is an effective way of honing one's astrological skills. Work commitment mixed in with a sprinkle of procrastination has delayed me in carrying out this task. However, if something is meant to happen, it will, no matter what excuse is being presented. Almost a year ago, I was invited to a Chanel event which sparked my interest in analysing the chart of Coco Chanel. Attending the event allowed me to learn a lot about the fashion icon without needing to do much of my own research. http://cosmicpotential.blogspot.com/2010/04/coco-before-chanel.html

Last week, I had the great fortune of attending yet another Chanel event. It began with a photo exhibition of Coco Chanel, taken by Douglas Kirkland. In the summer of 1962, Kirkland, an American photographer, was assigned by Look magazine to shadow Chanel for three weeks. I was given an extensive tour of the exhibit by Amy Lai (Customer Relation Management manager, fragrance & beauty division). Amy was able to provide an impressive amount of information on each photo because she was lucky enough to have met the photographer a few days before.

Chanel was in her 70s when she met the 27-year-old Kirkland. From an astrological veiwpoint, the transit picture included a grand cross in fixed signs. The period in question is likely to have been significant to Chanel, which may or may not be unrelated to the encounter with Kirkland (further research needed here as there may have been something else going on in her life at the time in question).

Idealistic when it comes to creating beauty in her life (Moon in Pisces in 2nd ruled by Neptune in Taurus in 4th, which in turn is ruled by Venus. This natal Venus conjunct her Sun in Leo with an orb of 9 degrees. Her natal Moon oppose the methodical Mercury in Virgo, which in turn trine Neptune, repeating the theme of beauty and idealism, not to mention the Libra MC), Chanel was apparently a perfectionist. She would wear a pair of scissors round her neck so impromptu alterations could be made to her models' garments. Furthermore, to ensure he was good enough to take pictures of her, Chanel asked Kirkland to do a trial-run on her models before allowing herself to pose for his camera.

During the three-week period, one could see that Chanel's solemness gave way to a more relaxed demeanor as she gradually felt more comfortable in Kirkland's presence. Photography was not allowed at the exhibition, but I chanced upon the photo in a magazine, I call it 'Cheeky Chanel' (photo taken by me from East Week Magazine):

I was surprised to learn that Chanel was very much into the occults. Her displays of crystals and lion ornaments in her private office inside the House of Chanel, Paris reflected this interest. A leo, Chanel naturally had many ornaments of lions and the colour gold in her private office. This practice is still evident in some of the shops:

Thinking of you all

As an astrologer, my automatic response to any world disaster is to analyse the cosmic factors behind the catastrophe. However, with the recent Japanese earthquake, I found myself unable to do so straightaway. I have spent three years of my life living in Japan and it absolutely pains me to see the news coverage of the disaster. I began to get in touch with all my friends still living there, and luckily, they are all safe and sound.

We take life for granted. Those hundreds and thousands of Tohoku inhabitants were going about their lives, oblivious to the imminent danger. In the blink of an eye, their lives were turned upside down. I can still recall when my Japanese friends were reporting the news on Facebook, I had a few 'problems' playing on my mind. However, those 'problems' disappeared completely when I discovered the magnitude of the quake and what now lies ahead of Japan as a nation.

My thoughts go out to you all in Japan.

Hoppy Chinese New Year - it's the Rabbit's turn

Happy Chinese New Year to you all. It's the Year of the docile Rabbit, ushering in a different kind of energy from the Tiger, but just like a bunny, it's still full of vigour.

Astrologically, we are at another new moon, which symbolises a new cycle, a new start. This time, the Sun and Moon are conjunct at 13 degrees Aquarius, the sign of unconventionality and suddenness. To add to this mix, we also have Mars, the god of war, bringing aggression and vitality. In mundane astrology (astrology of world events), Mars signifies war and violence. Globally, we have the Egyptian riots. More locally, and personally, I have encountered the police on several occasions this past week. Once at the local wet market, a couple of uniform officers were taking notes of an incident of property damage, where a butcher had to cease business for the day due to having red paint splashed all over his stall. Butchers and the colour red are governed by Mars. Then, the next day on the train, some police and train officers were trying to settle a dispute between a Hong Kong Chinese lady and a family of tourists from Mainland China, where the latter had allegedly pushed the former onto the floor in order to get seats on the train. Verbal insults ensued with lots of anger hanging in the air - all ruled by Mars again.

Thanks for all the excitements Mars!

Capricorn Solar Eclipse

2011 is finally here. Have you reviewed 2010 and made a wish list for 2011?

Four days into 2011 is a Solar (or New Moon) eclipse in Capricorn. It also happens to be my friend, Natalia's birthday - Happy Solar Return Nat!

The Sun and Moon are conjunct at 13 degrees Capricorn. New Moon is the time to start afresh, which is highly appropriate as we have just stepped through the threshold of 2011. We are reminded to leave the old behind - all that no longer work, and embrace the new. What do you need to get rid of and make a clean start on? This solar eclipse happens to fall in my 6th house of workplace, daily routine and health. Perhaps I need to consider starting a new exercise regime and watch what I eat? The house where this eclipse falls in is the area of life you may like to consider some changes. Why not take advantage of this solar eclipse energy and create a plan of action?

It is also important to note that Saturn in Libra squares this solar eclipse. If you are feeling lethargic about making a target list for 2011, perhaps people around you may somehow urge/force you to evaluate the area of life in question.