{"id":1554,"date":"2020-11-17T15:08:03","date_gmt":"2020-11-17T16:08:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/malvinartley.com\/blog.malvinartley.com\/?p=1554"},"modified":"2020-11-17T15:08:03","modified_gmt":"2020-11-17T16:08:03","slug":"the-changing-fortunes-of-no-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/malvinartley.com\/blog.malvinartley.com\/2020\/11\/17\/the-changing-fortunes-of-no-10\/","title":{"rendered":"The changing fortunes of No. 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

There have been some goings-on at No. 10 in London over the past days. Cain and Cummings have \u2018resigned\u2019 \u2013 actually have been summarily dismissed. That\u2019s \u2018Dom\u2019 Cummings and Lee Cain, the dynamic duo of Brexit and the fingernails-on-blackboards for Ministers and journalists alike. Apparently, not too many people are sad to see them go. Regarding their departure, as a friend of mine used to say, \u201cGlad to see your back!\u201d In other words, good riddance. Then, to top it off, Boris is self-isolating again, something about exposure to a mild flu virus. \u2018Where\u2019s Boris?\u2019 is trending again on Twitter. We\u2019ll look at the astrology of all that here and what it means.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a long string of articles<\/span><\/a> that describes all the ins and outs of the fandango that led to the dismissal of Cummings and Cain. The articles describe tears, tantrums, celebrations, a memorable moment with a cardboard box, something about the Chernobyl reactor, cosy drinks with Carrie, \u2018Princess Nut Nuts\u2019, an expected explosive stunt before Christmas, spads, Kim il Dom \u2013 you know, the best that tabloid journalism has to offer. You get all the goss just on that one link. So, you won\u2019t get bored with all those details here. We\u2019ll cover what the possible meaning of their leaving means a little bit toward the end. What interests us more here is the astrology of Boris, his administration and the UK, and what to expect toward the end of this year. It\u2019s real cliff-hanging, nail-biting stuff. But, poor Dom…you know\u2026he just had to go.<\/span><\/p>\n

This article is actually a follow-on piece from a post last year on the Premiership of Boris Johnson<\/a><\/span>. There were several points of interest in that post that apply here, but in particular the Sabian symbol for the solar degree of his administration: \u201cAn epidemic of mumps.\u201d Well, there\u2019s an epidemic alright, but it\u2019s not the mumps. And that epidemic has bedevilled his administration almost from the start. With that, we\u2019ll get right into the astrology.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boris Johnson tested positive for the coronavirus on 27 March<\/a><\/span> this year, speaking of mumps, I mean epidemics. His experience with the virus was worse than was reported. He said the doctors at the time were preparing to announce his death<\/a><\/span>, and that he only survived with \u2018litres and litres of oxygen\u2019. Of course, he also had the help of the best of British medicine. Now, in another twist of fate, he is self-isolating again after coming into prolonged contact with a minister who later tested positive for the virus. His self-isolation is at the behest of medical advice. The MP in question is one Lee Anderson<\/a><\/span>, who had met with a small group on MPs at Downing Street this past Thursday morning (12 Nov). That meeting preceded the dismissal of Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain<\/a><\/span> the next day. The events described here are probably not related, but may be in a roundabout fashion. But Boris\u2019 self-isolation bears a closer look.<\/span><\/p>\n

The diagnosis of coronavirus on March 27th<\/sup> is shown in Johnson\u2019s astrology, below (bigger<\/a><\/span>):<\/span><\/p>\n

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His brush with COVID is clearly shown in the chart. Transiting Neptune was just over in the 6th<\/sup> house (health in general), squaring his natal Mercury, the latter ruling the 12 house (hospitalization). Neptune rules his 6th<\/sup> house anyway. There were two t-squares formed by transits and directions to natal planets and an angle. The first were transits of Pluto and Saturn squaring his natal Saturn across the chart, showing extreme pressures and separations caused by a major force \u2013 a virus in this case. Saturn rules his 4th<\/sup> house, which under other circumstances would represent the illness that finally took his life. However, the directions for a death are not there.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second t-square just mentioned is formed to his natal Vertex by directed Saturn on the Vertex and Uranus on the Antivertex. Transiting Mars was activating those directions on the day, squaring both of them. At the same time transiting Mars was quincunx Boris\u2019 natal Sun, indicating an acute infection\/fever, with the directed t-square showing a drastic change in his life-view. It is also a combination that can show a sudden restriction of freedoms and feelings of isolation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The directed MC was on Boris\u2019 natal Uranus, showing the sudden shift in his public life, with transiting Uranus trine that conjunction, implying a positive outcome, possibly with a more humanistic view of life after the fact. That would take time to show, though.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, there was transiting Saturn square his natal Moon, which is a very sobering transit. And finally, the coup de grace<\/em>, a direction of the Mars\/Saturn (death) axis to his natal Pluto: \u201cThe intervening of Higher Power, bodily injury or harm<\/strong>.\u201d His illness certainly was an intervention. Whether it really taught him anything remains to be seen. But with the combination of factors just described, this was not \u2018little bug\u2019 with \u2018moderate symptoms\u2019. Boris got a taste of the real deal, the COVID which finishes people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who knows what would have gone through Boris\u2019 mind at that point? Perhaps when he writes his memoires we might get a glimpse. But if we look at what has intervened in the months since his illness, we note he has been more subdued. People comment that he still looks unwell. He has had quite a lot to deal with between the pandemic and Brexit negotiations, too, neither of which appear to be going particularly well. Most of the directions just described are still in effect. And that brings us to today.<\/span><\/p>\n

As to Boris\u2019 present stint with isolation, the directions to his chart would still largely apply, but the transits would differ. For his current exposure we see transiting Mars quincunx his natal Neptune (possible health issues, Neptune ruling his 6th<\/sup> house), and transiting Saturn quincunx his natal Sun, showing isolation and a dip in his vitality, and with natal Saturn squared by his progressed Ascendant. It is crunch time for Boris, and decisions (Saturn and Ascendant) loom large, what with the surge in the virus and the Brexit deadline upon the nation, and still without a deal. He had to act, and with no time to waste.<\/span><\/p>\n

The transits and directions present when Cummings and Cain left the cabinet are shown below in the Johnson Premiership chart (bigger<\/a><\/span>):<\/span><\/p>\n

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The directions to Johnson\u2019s premiership would have had little time to develop. So, we look to the transits instead. The main transit is that of Saturn opposite event chart Mercury, the latter ruling the 10th<\/sup> house (authority and the sitting government). Transiting Ceres is square the event\/premiership Ceres, showing a crossroads. Transiting Mars had just made its direct station square the premiership nodal axis, showing the tensions in the relationships involved in the dismissal. And lastly, the progressed Moon had moved to within 2\u00b0 of a square to the premiership Mars, showing there will be fallout from this move over the next couple of months.<\/span><\/p>\n

The transits to the event (premiership) chart definitely show a rupture and reorganization of the cabinet. Cabinets are ruled by the 8th<\/sup> house (administration cabinets in distinction to storage cabinets), and that house as well as the 10th<\/sup> is ruled by Mercury. The premiership Mercury as well as the north node are both also in the 8th<\/sup> house. This was definitely a power struggle within the cabinet. What is the wider meaning for the UK, then, if any? The directions and transits for the UK are shown below (bigger<\/a><\/span>):<\/span><\/p>\n

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The first obvious thing that shows is the direction of Mars to the UK Mercury being squared by transiting Neptune: \u201cThoughtlessness, nervous weakness (in consequence of drugs or misuse of energy<\/strong>), weakness of mind<\/strong>, sensitive nerves, (a receptive mind). Many plans without a chance of realization<\/strong>.\u201d But the dismissal also shows as a positive turn of events, indicated by both Jupiter and Pluto transiting trine the UK Ceres. The transit takes place from the UK 4th<\/sup> house (infrastructure and the public). That would apply to pandemic policy as well as to Brexit negotiations.<\/span><\/p>\n

The combination that is affecting the UK most strongly at present is the solar arc of Pluto forming the midpoint, Pluto=Asc\/MC: \u201cAn unusual person in unusual surroundings, a fascinating personality. – The power to exercise a strong influence upon the people in one’s environment.<\/strong>\u201d There certainly is a sort of fascination with the current government, though not in a kind way amongst the general populace of the UK. But the government is<\/em> exercising a strong influence on the people in the nation \u2013 again, not in a positive sense.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brexit is just over a month away. There is no deal as of yet. The COVID epidemic there is out of control, as it is over much of Western Europe. Economies are crashing. And now, if all goes according to the present trend, there will be a new administration in the US, one more in favor of cooperation with the EU. We\u2019re speaking of Biden here, of course. Then, in mid-December of this year, the Pluto direction will move off the midpoint and to the square with the UK Meridian axis, which is about when Brexit will happen, deal or not.<\/span><\/p>\n

A month after Pluto goes within orb of the MC, in mid-January, it also completes a direction to Ceres (sesquisquare) and Saturn (semisquare) \u2013 \u201cA fateful struggle<\/strong>, a struggle ordained by destiny<\/strong>.\u201d It will definitely mark a turn in the destiny of the UK.<\/span><\/p>\n

If the preceding sounds ominous, it may or may not be. But there is another set of combinations present at that time, too \u2013 the direction Sun=Venus\/Uranus: \u201cEmotional receptivity, intuition through feeling, a nature quickly aroused. – The love-adventures of the male.\u201d This is one of the \u2018birth combinations\u2019. And while it is generally applied to intimate relations, it can apply to a kind of national rebirth. If the UK leaves without a deal, it will take \u2018love adventures of the male\u2019 to secure enough trade deals to keep the UK\u2019s exporters going, and to keep the wolves from the door in terms of import duties and the like. Having had some experience in counseling people astrologically over legal matters, deals usually come just before deadlines or court appearances. That would appear to be the case here.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at the transits from mid-December through the first quarter of next year, and reading between the lines, it would appear as though the government is going to pull something out of the hat for the UK. Who knows what they have waiting in the wings? But the sudden departure of Cummings and Cain paints a picture that has some interesting overtones to it.<\/span><\/p>\n

In one newspaper it has been suggested that perhaps the election of Biden had some bearing on the departures, especially of Cummings. That would appear to be doubtful. The Trump administration did not have stellar relations with the UK. In another take, apparently \u2013 or so we are told \u2013 his leaving was the result of a row over the new communications advisor and who would take the role of chief of staff. Cummings wanted to leave that post and hand it over to Cain so Cummings could focus on other matters<\/a><\/span>, \u201cpreferring to concentrate on specific projects like rewiring the civil service<\/em> and reforming defence procurement<\/em>. Usually with conservative governments, \u2018rewiring\u2019 means cutting staff and \u2018streamlining\u2019 operations, while \u2018reforming\u2019 often means raising defence spending. UK readers may correct me on that one if they know anything different.<\/span><\/p>\n

The biggest thing people notice about the departure of Cummings and Cain is that they were both heavily involved in the Leave campaign for Brexit. Their departure is seen as a sort of purge of Leavers, which implies that Johnson wants to appear more amenable to a Brexit deal with the EU. It would be in both parties\u2019 interest. And a deal may actually come about right at the finish line, with the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn taking place trine the UK\u2019s Uranus. Uranus is posited in the 12th<\/sup> house of the UK\u2019s chart \u2013 behind the scenes deals \u2013 and the conjunction takes place in the 4th<\/sup> house \u2013 infrastructure, food production (as in fisheries), housing and so forth. One of the big sticking points in the Brexit negotiations is the subject of Britain\u2019s fisheries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Early in next year directed Mars will be exact on the UK\u2019s Mercury. Transiting Neptune begins to slowly move off the square to that direction in early January. At the time of the Great Conjunction (21 Dec), it will be just under a degree off the square. It makes its direct station at the very end of this month, after which the UK will begin to see the negotiations pick up speed again. So, with all this in mind, the dismissal of these two characters, Cummings and Cain, would appear to be a smart move. Unless the government or the EU are foolish and want to play hard ball, the UK and EU will have a trade deal, at least in rough form, by the end of this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is much we could say about the character of Cummings ad Cain and why they left, but it would only detract from what is evolving out of the situation. But as to the character of Cummings, the more important of the two men, we should probably add the following.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dominic Cummings is a Sagittarian, born 25 Nov 1971 in Durham, England, time unknown (chart<\/a><\/span>). The Financial Times gives a pretty good rundown on him<\/a><\/span>. There are two combinations in his chart that speak to much of his character. The first is a close Sun\/Neptune conjunction opposite Saturn, forming the midpoint, Neptune=Sun\/Saturn: \u201cpsychical or inner peculiarities<\/strong>, lack of vitality. – A mental, emotional or physical crisis\u201d That in turn is sextile Pluto, adding a more positive and visionary tone. But the base midpoint structure still holds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cummings was portrayed as an alien<\/a><\/span> in a satire series, and in government also invited weirdos and misfits<\/a><\/span> into government as an attempt to shake up the staid corporate establishment and management style as it has existed. It is not altogether a bad idea, but his abrasiveness in doing so was off-putting, shown in the Mars\/Saturn\/Uranus combination to be considered. The Moon may also be involved in that planetary combination, but not having the time of day for his birth, we don\u2019t know if his Moon is in Pisces or Aquarius. Given his views, Aquarius would be a more likely bet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cummings had some good ideas, as in increasing STEM education, investing in tech and so forth, as well as his view that London had lost touch with the British heartland, the latter winning Johnson the election in a landslide, albeit with quite a bit of help from the Murdoch press machine. That same sentiment also was decisive in the Brexit vote. But his ideas are also held by some to be out of step with financial and political realities<\/a><\/span>, being a tad too idealistic, shown by his Venus\/Mercury conjunction in Sagittarius and the Sun\/Neptune conjunction.<\/span><\/p>\n

The other combination that shows strongly in Cummings\u2019 character is the midpoint, Uranus=Mars\/Saturn: \u201cExtraordinary and unusual powers of resistance<\/strong>, the ability to give as well as to take under provocation, the inclination to apply brute force.<\/strong> – A test of nervous strength<\/strong>, intervention by Higher Power<\/strong> or by Providence, a sudden illness, a sudden accident, separation or case of death.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What appears to be the case now is that the economic \u2018shock therapy\u2019 Cummings had planned for the UK prior to the pandemic is at least now in question, if not dead. Russians<\/a><\/span> and Chileans<\/a><\/span> can tell horror stories about their experience with shock therapy, Chicago School-style. Be that as it may, the UK is now facing economic shocks anyway, between Brexit and the pandemic. But now, due to his belligerence and combative behavior with key sectors of British politics and society, Cummings is seen as political poison, hence his ouster \u2013 and probably not a moment too soon, the way negotiations and the pandemic were going.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cummings may be gone for the moment, but we shouldn\u2019t be at all surprised to see him show up somewhere else in the future in a position of influence. He\u2019s an \u2018ideas man\u2019 and politicians like to have people of his nature around, at least in the background. With his being gone, we\u2019ll see if Boris Johnson\u2019s talk of FDR-style reforms<\/a><\/span> has any substance, or are just a lot of jawbone, or if he even has the capability to push something like that through a political and elite establishment that is largely hostile to such reforms. The next few years in the UK are going to be very telling as to the future of the UK and capitalism in general, needless to say.<\/span><\/p>\n

We leave this post for now, with a favorite from my Aussie home town, Adelaide, when I lived there. This one is the polite version (Aussies will get the meaning). If you want the true sentiment with the Aussie response chant, probably felt by many British citizens with regard to Dominic Cummings, do a search on a live version of the song.<\/span><\/p>\n