Stories of Royal illegitimate children can usually be discounted as a fantasist or opportunist claims for fame. But the recurring rumours of Queen Victoria’s romantic relationship with servant John Brown after Prince Albert died persist. With a further twist as suggestions are being made that there was a child, spirited away to New Zealand by Brown’s brother.
Victoria, 24 May 1819 4.15.am London, reigned for 63 years over the UK at the height of its powers commercially and globally. She produced 9 children, 42 grandchildren whose marriages she arranged tying the Royal Houses of Europe together.
She had an extraordinarily difficult chart. A 12th house Gemini New Moon conjunct Ascendant is sextile a tough-minded Saturn Pluto conjunction in late Pisces, which is turn is square a Uranus Neptune conjunction in Sagittarius. She would be restless, nervy, highly strung, stubborn, autocratic, rebellious, neurotic and communicative with a sharp, bright mind. What softened the rougher edges of her chart and her life was a successful Jupiter in Aquarius in the 10th on the point of a mini grand trine to Mars in Aries trine Uranus in Sag – so she would be adventurous. Her Venus was in upfront Aries so behind the austerity was a sparky emotional nature.
Her childhood was scholastic but restricted by her oppressive mother who feared assassination attempts on her life and wanted to control her every move to promote her own interests in money and power. Victoria said later her tough childhood prepared her for what came next and on succeeding to the throne she banished her mother to separate accommodation.
She proposed to and married her cousin Prince Albert, 26 August 1819 6am Rosenfeld, Germany, which was portrayed as a great love affair producing nine children. He had a Virgo Sun with a Scorpio Moon; and Mars in Gemini opposition Uranus Neptune square Saturn Pluto so would be a curious combination of highly strung and utterly determined, probably given to depression. His Venus in Leo was trine Victoria’s Venus in Aries which hints at good feelings between them and his Sun falls in her 4th house which would bring her home comfort as well as a solid base for his life. Her Gemini New Moon is conjunct his midheaven so she undoubtedly helped him to prominence and shaped his career.
In their relationship chart the composite Venus is opposition Uranus Neptune and square Saturn Pluto which looks very difficult – though a Royal lifestyle probably needs a tough approach. Venus was in the 1st so there would be an appearance of love though many separations (Ur Nep in 7th) and far too much duty (Sat Pl). There is admittedly an 8th house Jupiter (good for money and sex) squaring onto Mars, opposition Moon which would provide a few indulgences.
When he died Victoria’s Solar Arc Neptune was conjunct her natal Saturn Pluto conjunction she would be devastated. And her Solar Arc Pluto just into her natal 12th was conjunct her Mercury making for the deep depression which sent her into seclusion for years thereafter.
At which point John Brown, the Scottish servant, 8 December 1826, Perth, Scotland, seven years younger than Victoria, arrived to become an intimate confidante and supporter. He was a Sagittarius with an Aries Moon so picked up her passionate Mars and Venus in Aries. His Mars in Aquarius was also conjunct her Jupiter which would boost her morale and perhaps lead both into taking risks; and his Jupiter falling in her 5th house of fun would undoubtedly help. His Venus Neptune fell in her 8th for a passionate connection. Most significantly his Sun fell in her 7th house of close relationships which is ideal for a marriage.
The relationship chart had an affectionate Venus Sun conjunction with the Sun also conjunct Mars and an adventurous Jupiter square to Mars and Sun. In many ways it was a more affectionate and vital relationship than the one she had with her husband. But also one which was able to survive in secret without the constraints of a burdensome Royal existence.
[Two things surprise me about Victoria – one was her reputation for enjoying the pleasures of the bedchamber which is not entirely obvious from her chart – producing children being an unwanted distraction. Secondly how ‘Victorian’ came to be emblematic of an uptight, moralistic culture when she clearly lived a more indulgent lifestyle behind the scenes.]
The post Queen Victoria – hidden secrets first appeared on Astroinform with Marjorie Orr – Star4cast.
