Andy Burnham was announced as Labour leader today at around 12.15pm and will become prime minister on Monday after Keir Starmer resigns at Buckingham Palace, presumably around 11.30 – 12pm.
In a speech he promised “the most significant change moment in our politics for 40 years”, arguing that the UK took a wrong turn in the 1980s under Maggie Thatcher. His policies are vague to date but seem to revolve around more devolution to the regions (which considering what a dog’s dinner devolved Scotland and Wales are, may be naive); more nationalisation and a revamped social care set up (presumably expensive).
The political/economic auguries are not great and yet the astrology seems – at least better than for poor Keir Starmer whose leadership chart had a Mars Saturn in Aquarius square Uranus which transiting Pluto was heading to pummel.
Burnham’s leadership chart from today has a Midheaven close to the UK IC and tr Saturn in Aries exactly conjunct the UK 7th house North Node – so does look ‘significant’ in terms of persuading the UK to leave its past behind – maybe in terms of relationships within and without the kingdom. But it may also suggest a degree of discipline and hard work which won’t sit comfortably with an electorate wedded to welfare benefits and split into tribal communities, who don’t want to compromise. His leadership Sun is conjunct Procyon which is the wheel of fortune Fixed star – what goes up must come down.
Barbault’s Basket does not seem to be providing much in the way of global hope even in seed form. And Burnham’s leadership chart does have Mercury retrograde; as well as Moon Venus square Uranus Mars in Gemini which hints at emotional upsets, uncompromising attitudes and a tendency to leap into decisions which have not been thought through.
Jupiter opposition Pluto which forms Half of the Grand Sextile of the moment is not always positive – on the negative side it is associated with fanatical aims, wastefulness, squanderers. In aspect to Uranus – an obsessive, uncritical striving for improvements. In aspect to Neptune – disappointment, deception. Those are the absolute worst sides but there is a tendency to be overly hopeful especially in gloomy times.
On the synastry, Burnham’s Uranus is conjunct the UK Ascendant so change will be his mantra; with arguments from his Mars square the UK Mercury. His Venus is conjunct the UK Sun for a friendly connection. Though I wonder about his Jupiter in the UK 2nd = over spending, opposition his Saturn in the UK 8th = dampening effect on business finances, due to Saturn opposition Jupiter’s usual failing of poor planning, bad timing and lack of experience.
Burnham’s relationship chart with the UK has a high-vitality, argumentative Sun square Mars and an enthusiastic Sun trine Jupiter; with simmering-resentment Mars trine Pluto. But it is considerably better than Starmer’s UK relationship chart which has a toxic-dislike Mars opposition Pluto and is riddled with doubt from Saturn Neptune.
But what is most noticeable in the Burnham/UK relationship chart is a yod of Neptune sextile Venus inconjunct Saturn which again leans heavily on the notion that discipline, responsibility and hard work will be required on both sides to make it work. Mending the division within communities, immigrant and other, will be one test.
Time will tell but I confess to being somewhat ambivalent at this point.
[Maggie Thatcher took over as PM when Jupiter was conjunct the UK Jupiter, as is the case at the moment.]
More on Monday.
The post Andy Burnham – grandiose ambitions first appeared on Astroinform with Marjorie Orr – Star4cast.
