Astrology Think Tank: Britain and the EU

Astrology Think Tank: Britain and the EU – Part One

On June 23rd 2016 the British people will be asked to vote on whether or not they want to remain a member of the European Union.  As an astrologer, I question David Cameron’s wisdom in electing to hold a referendum in June. I would have advised him to wait. On September 9th, Jupiter enters Libra and embarks on a year long planetary reception with Saturn which has the potential to create strong, positive working relationships. Jupiter represents the larger whole, legal issues, foreign affairs, collective values – Saturn relates to the structures necessary to keep societies together. The change in sign does a lot for Jupiter: it lifts it out of its detriment in Virgo and into the sphere of dialogue and co-operation with Saturn. It does a lot for Saturn as well as it provides more balanced situations and makes one’s allies more reliable. Furthermore, David Cameron is a Libran and Jupiter in his own sign would have given him a much needed energy boost. Jupiter aids popularity and popularity tends to go hand in hand with success. As it stands, the contest is being held under very, very different and much more difficult planetary circumstances.

Astrology Think Tank: Britain and the EU – Part One

A mutable t-square (a configuration that produces friction & tension, involving two planets in opposition (180 degree aspect) and square (90 degrees) to a third planet) is reaching a climax in June. This can quite literally bring things to a head. Lets look at the two planets in opposition first. Neptune in Pisces talks to us about oneness, the big picture, we are all in this together and presents an almost utopian view of Europe.  On the other hand, Neptune in Pisces is expert at generating the free floating anxiety that breeds insecurity. Jupiter in Virgo wants to separate, to break things down into tiny little details and analyse it all. Jupiter in Virgo can be quite neurotic in its desire to clean up a perceived mess and its fact finding mission often leaves people unable to distinguish the wood from the trees. Enter the third planet, Saturn.  Neptune’s – square to Saturn, generates fear about weak borders and tsunami’s of unwanted immigrants flooding the country. Jupiter’s square to Saturn raises important questions about the day to day of Europe and demands accountability. Burning questions are ‘does this work?’, ‘is it functioning for us?’ ‘is Europe democratic?’ and perhaps more importantly  ‘are we getting our money’s worth?’. Last but not least, Saturn ringed, mysterious, cold and distant is ruler of the UK’s Capricorn Sun. To a Capricorn, identity is paramount. Capricorn refuses to merge too much with others because it needs to preserve a sense of its own separate identity. We are still an island remember.

Astrology Think Tank: Britain and the EU – Part One

The last time we had this exact set up of planets within orb of exactitude was in 0545  almost 1500 years ago (see horoscope below). Europe was in the wake of the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Borders were non-specific, it was impossible to say where they lay. The infrastructure fell apart, fields were untended, trade suffered. The rule of the iron fist – started to give way to papal power: the rise of monasticism perhaps as a reaction to the worldliness of the late Empire. Justinian (527-565) a native Latin speaker, was the last great emperor. It is interesting and certainly worth considering that this same configuration is once again in play as the UK moves ever closer towards its Referendum on Europe. Has the EU – like ancient Rome – over extended itself – and is this an indication that the Union is starting to break up? This might very well be the case.

Astrology Think Tank: Britain and the EU – Part One

The UK horoscope
Deeply attached to its history and culture, the Capricorn Sun on the IC in the UK horoscope (see chart below) instinctively puts its own  interests first.  The idea of sovereignty, that is the absolute right to govern oneself without outside interference, is an important Capricorn theme. There is one goat on the mountain top. The importance of sovereignty will always make it difficult for the UK to accept laws that seem to bypass Parliament. The Capricorn Sun and its insistence on being its own authority explains in part – Britain’s uncomfortably ambiguous relationship with the EU, a relationship which leaves some complaining that Britain has one foot in & one foot out of Europe.I believe it was Winston Churchill who said ‘We are with Europe but not if it’. The ruler of the Capricorn Sun is Saturn in Leo in the 11th house (in mundane astrology related to friendly nations and to Parliament itself). Modern government has its origins in the Curia Regis; parliament descends from the Great Council later known as the parliamentum established by Magna Carta in 1215.  The British parliamentary system is often referred to as the mother of all Parliaments. With regal Leo prominent, I suggest on an archetypal level that Britain is impressed with its own importance. Leo is a fixed sign – and the British are quite set in their ways. We are not a nation well known for our ability to easily compromise or more positively, to capitulate. Britain did have a penchant for lording it over other countries, what remains is the commonwealth (of friendly nations – the 11th house)  which reminds us of the empire on which the sun once never set. However, this desire to impress our identity on a larger group also explains Britain’s attraction for the EU. We want to help shape policy and if we leave, Britain’s dissenting voice will be missed.

Astrology Think Tank: Britain and the EU – Part One

Britain has always been a nation of traders. Mercury in the radix chart is in far reaching Sagittarius – and it rules the ninth house (foreign countries). Our language, English, is our best global export – but more generally trade with foreign countries, which include Britain’s former colonies, has always replenished the government’s coffers. That trade continues to be important to us is logical and it was with good reason that Napoleon called the British a nation of shopkeepers.  

The second part of this article – which I hope to publish later this week – will look at the astrology of Britain’s EU membership and at the first referendum, held on June 5th 1975  just two short years after Britain finally gained entry to the club.

Elizabeth Hathway, MA, DFAstrolS, Horary Craftswoman, (Amsterdam, June 1st 2016)

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