A Chinese astrological portrait of Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928 at 2:10 PM. The Chinese astrological signatures of the year, month, day, and hour of her birth are Earth Dragon, Wood Rabbit, Wood Dog, and Metal Sheep, respectively. Her birth stars are 6 Metal, 2 Earth, and 9 Fire. This, in a nutshell, shows a proud, independent, rather eccentric, and highly complex personality.

The chart has a predominance of Wood element, which expressed itself in Maya Angelou's writing, Wood being the element of writers, musicians, and painters. She had 4 yin Wood, and 1 yang Wood, showing that she was full of plans and designs, and forever coming up with new ideas.

Born in a yang year, on a yang day, but with a yin/yang balance of 4 yangs to 10 yins, we can see how complex Maya Angelou was, and how she was the type to take up an already existing cause and fly with it. She is a powerful voice for the intellectual and artistic movement that was already flourishing at the time of her birth.

Maya Angelou's chart style is characterized by what is called the competitive deity. Competitive deity says that she started out at a disadvantage, receiving less than she deserved, but that through her self-confidence, extroversion, independence, pride, individualism, and sheer will power she cut out an independent career for herself. She was adventurous, and hated all kinds of constraints.

The chart has a configuration called knife blade. What this means is that she had a pronounced eccentric streak in her, and could become very impatient and irritable. She obviously had a lot of experience from which she learned, as seen from the richness of her wisdom. The knife blade shows up in the area of her career. It means that she was totally unique, and would react against any negative criticism coming against her from anyone; she was totally self-assertive. Knife blade came out in the cyclic period starting at age 17 and running to her mid 30s. It was in this time that she cut through and made herself known. It appears in her later teens that she went through a very challenging time; she even changed her name.

The element balance in her chart is 6 Wood, 2 Fire, 4 Earth, 2 Metal, and 1 Water. The predominance of Wood and Fire show her to have been extremely lively, a romantic soul, loving to shine out.
Because of the particular balance of elements in this chart, we also find that Metal was her vital element. Metal being vital, we also see that Maya Angelou loved to be challenged. She loved to stand up and confront the world with her vision. Being born on a day of Wood element, with Wood predominant, she was a romantic thinker, and a visionary.

Metal element came up very strongly in Maya Angelou's life in her 40s, and 50s. This shows that she was at the peak of her vitality in those years. Metal began to wane in her 60s and 70s. Her 50s was a pivotal cycle in her life. There was a lot of Metal and Fire in it. She had to have made some bold moves in those years. But, even if Metal was waning past 60, there was a large cycle, starting at age 52 and running through the rest of her life, in which there was sufficient Metal to keep her vitally active to the end, and which contributed to her continuing rise to fame. It also appears that she was very generous toward others especially in her later years. It also appears that she became quite wealthy.

Metal in Maya Angelou's chart also represents marriage. Marriage, in Chinese astrology, doesn't necessarily mean a formal, legal affair, but it does mean a union of souls, as in love. There being two Metals in the natal chart, it is certain that there were at least two significant others. The period of 30 to 40 shows a time of many pleasures. Also, because Metal grew very strong from age 40 and remained present through to the end of her life, it is probable that there were a number of loves through all these years, the ten year cycle of 60 to 70 being of particular interest, as the star of romance showed up then. Love, to say the least, was vital to Maya Angelou's life and creative work.

Water was the weakest element of Maya Angelou's chart. The cycle of 80 to 90 had Fire and Earth. Water is killed by Earth, and is exhausted by Fire. The three shars, or killing signs, in Maya Angelou's chart were Snake, Horse, and Sheep. Snake year was 2013, Horse year is 2014. This year, the year of Wood Horse, generated too much Fire for her. Fire kills Metal. So, this year Maya Angelou's vital element gave out, and she passed away. Horse also signifies the life stage of death for Maya Angelou. Horse years had have always been low ebb for her. Had she held out beyond this year, she could have lived to 90, 91. Age 90 brings up total Fire; it would have ended her life. Had she wanted to prolong her life, following the rules of fengshui, she would at least have to have moved to a cool, dry climate where she would live quietly for some time, something she would probably not have cared to do except she could have written some more works.

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The new moon in Gemini as seen in western and Chinese astrology

The new moon comes on May 28 at 7:41 PM GMD. It is at 7 degrees Gemini in conjunction with the star Aldebaran, denoting great energy, gains through business, and high material honors, but danger of quarrels that could undo what good this may bring. The new moon is in the 6th lunar mansion, called Athaia, good for establishing all kinds of foundations. Despite whatever untoward indications there are Athaia offers protection.

The dispositor of the new moon, Mercury, is at 29 degrees Gemini giving a very impatient air to the configuration; he is at the end of his tether at 29 degrees. Mercury is also exactly sextile Venus at 29 degrees Aries saying "carpe diem." Don't hesitate where there is opportunity. Opportunities will be fleeting.

The new moon is trine Mars at 9 degrees Libra adding positive force and encouraging us to put our best foot forward and enter new territory, start new enterprises, accept challenges, take a stand, have the courage of our convictions, accepting aid from allies, and taking no chances that lead to danger. This aspect ushers in a period of personal success for you if you have any significant planet at or near 7 degrees Gemini, Leo, Libra, Aquarius, or Aries.

The new moon is exactly square Neptune at 7 degrees Pisces, warning of deceptions, confusions, fraud, and losses through unscrupulous persons or agencies.

Looking at the new moon in the UK and in the EU we see it in the 7th house. Mars is in the 10th, and Neptune is in the 3rd. Mars is involved in a T-square with Pluto and Uranus adding tension. What this says is that international relations in the UK and EU are at a new juncture. There is considerable tension in it. Mars in the 10th house is an evil position. Opposite Uranus in the 5th house, it shows diplomatic tensions. Square Pluto in the 2nd house, it concerns financial complications and losses. Trine the new moon, it encourages positive, constructive action.

Looking at the new moon in the US we see it in the 9th house trine Mars in the 1st and square Neptune in the 6th. This is challenging for international trade relations. Mars in the 1st house is square Pluto in the 4th and opposite Uranus in the 7th suggesting turmoil among the people and troubled international relations. Mars in the 1st house warns of strikes, angry demonstrations, fires, and a spike in crime. People will tend to be aggressive. Mercury is in the 10th house conjunct the mid-heaven, both being at 29 degrees Gemini exactly square the Ascendant at 29 degrees Virgo denoting disgrace to public officials and scandals in high places. Mercury rules the 10th house; it involves the President whose mood will be understandably irritable. Jupiter in the 10th house, however, protects him.

In Chinese astrology, this is the month of Metal Horse. The year is Wood Horse. Horse clashes with Horse, and Metal clashes with Wood. This month is one of high energy with sharply clashing energies. The first day of the month is Metal Rat. Metal Rat is at maximum clash with Metal Horse and Wood Horse. It points to violent events in the world.

The energy of Metal Horse in Wood Horse year encourages great activity. Much like the indications of Mars, it warns not to take chances leading to danger, but encourages taking positive action. Horse favors Tiger, Dog, and Sheep. It gets along with Rabbit, Dragon, and Snake, and it challenges Rat, Ox, Horse, Monkey, Rooster, and Pig. Where there are challenges there are opportunities.

Reduced to an I Ching hexagram, the new moon at Washington DC gives us hexagram 52, line 2. Hexagram 51 is Thunder. It is a good hexagram, especially for summer season, which we are already in, according to the Chinese calendar. Thunder is an image of shock and movement. Line 2 tells us that new ideas will bring new conditions if we act. It also says that evil is at hand, and that while there may be losses you will later regain what was lost.

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The 4/29/14 solar eclipse as seen in Chinese astrology

The solar eclipse on April 29 at 8 degrees Taurus comes at a time of sharp cosmic tension due to a grand cardinal cross involving the planets Uranus, Jupiter, Mars and Pluto in Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, respectively. The eclipse is visible over Antarctica, Indonesia and Australia. It presages crises with forced changes in the world over the coming months; also increasing seismic activity and storms. This eclipse presages trouble in business and trade, and destruction to corn and other food crops as well. There is growing tension between west and east. Western sanctions against Russia would be a very bad sign if they happened.

As seen in Chinese astrology we are in the year of Wood Horse; and the eclipse, being a new moon, marks the month of Earth Snake. Earth Snake, in itself, is a violent combination. The combination is called Knife Blade. In the earth it indicates violent events like earthquakes and storms. In the human world it indicates bad-tempered, arrogant people being angry and reactive. In the political and business spheres we will see insane behavior increasing over the coming months.

Earth Snake and Wood Horse combine to generate strong Earth and Fire. It is hot and dry. We will see great heat developing the coming months that will cause disastrous storms especially in the Indian ocean and western Pacific.

Looking at this from another angle, Earth Snake is a combination that produces Wood. And Wood Horse is a combination that produces Metal. Metal kills Wood. The sign of the year clashes with the sign of the month. This clash forces change. The Earth in Earth Snake also combines with the Horse of the year to produce opportunities for prosperity through all this discord. This means that this is a time for aggressive opportunists. Crisis brings opportunity. The force generated by this eclipse is very dynamic and should be used intelligently.

To see how this eclipse moon interacts with you personally you want to have your own western and/or Chinese astrological chart drawn up and read. But, generally speaking, Earth Snake interacts most favorably with Ox and Rooster, more or less favorably with Rabbit, Dragon, Horse, Sheep, and Dog, and it clashes with Rat, Tiger, Monkey and Pig, and, because Earth Snake is a knife blade combination, it clashes with Snake. Knife blade means no tolerance. Be careful of getting into fights.

The year, month, day and hour of the eclipse, according to the Chinese calendar, when reduced to an I Ching hexagram gives us hexagram 21, line 6. Hexagram 21 is called Biting Through. It is am omen of disaster. It advises making sacrifices to get rid of evil spirits and bad influences. In other words, it means let go of bad attitudes and behaviors now. Worry will dissipate; happiness will come. The hexagram also speaks of criminals thrown in jail.
The 6th line of this hexagram warns of the danger of being deaf to counsel. It gives the image of someone's neck being locked in an instrument of torture and unable to hear. It means bad luck for the heedless and arrogant. Incorrigibility brings bad luck.

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The spring quarter as seen in astrology

Today, April, 1, 2014 an 8.2 earthquake hit Chile. We find the Sun coming to exact conjunction Uranus at 12 degrees Aries. That conjunction will be exact at 3:09 AM on April 2. The conjunction of Sun and Uranus is particularly violent, as it puts the Part of Catastrophe (Asc. + Uranus - Sun) on the Ascendant everywhere in the world. What this means is that early April brings violent events, not only earthquakes but dangers of accidents and so on. This phenomenon is part of a development that leads up to the cardinal grand cross in the third week of April. The grand cross is at 13 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn involving Uranus, Jupiter, Mars and Pluto, respectively. 13 degrees of cardinal signs is a critical degree. It means a crisis in the world. Being cardinal, it also means out front action. As noted in an earlier article, in the political sphere, this does involve Russia, Putin, NATO, and Ukraine. The Chinese astrological predictions made for this year also pointed out violence in Ukraine and the east in general.

During the period of the grand cross we have two eclipses, a lunar and a solar eclipse. The lunar eclipse is the more important. The lunar eclipse, on April 15, is fully visible over the Pacific Ocean; most of North America, especially the west coast; Central America; and the west coast of South America. This focuses on the center and eastern side of the Ring of Fire. We may anticipate earth quakes and volcanic activity to develop up to and beyond this lunar eclipse.
The path of the solar eclipse, of April 29, travels from South Africa, through the southern Indian Ocean, and Antarctica to the east coast of Australia. It is partially visible in Indonesia and in all of Australia. Indonesia is prone to seismic and volcanic activity.

The two eclipses occuring during the cardinal grand cross carry its tensions in the world theater for several months. In other words, the tensions building up in the world in April will take a long time to resolve in the collective sphere.

Looking at the vernal equinox chart of March 20, we see the grand cross just beginning to form. At the vernal equinox it is a fairly tight T-square involving Uranus, Jupiter and Pluto. So, the tensions felt worldwide were already in formation. Other interesting aspects in the vernal equinox chart include Mercury in conjunction with Neptune, bringing no small degree of confusion into the world. Lots of misinformation has been floating about, for example, the mysterious disappearance of the airplane, not to mention all the reports around the situation in the Ukraine. Another noteworthy aspect in the vernal equinox chart is the Moon square to Venus and in conjunction with Saturn in Scorpio. It shows unfavorable, secretive and complex diplomatic activities. 13 degrees cardinal is the key degree to note in the matter of Russia and NATO. At the vernal equinox Pluto was at 13 degrees Capricorn. When Pluto arrives at 14 degrees Capricorn we need to watch what develops in Berlin and in Rome. Italy is unstable.

Looking at the new moon chart of March 30 we see the new moon in conjunction with Uranus telling us to be aware of the dangers of sudden violence. In the chart made for Washington DC this conjunction of Moon, Sun and Uranus is in the 9th house in Aries. This may point to an air crash, violent storms, and increased seismic activity, especially when the Moon is in Taurus. The Moon is in Taurus on April 1, 2, and 3.

The lunar eclipse on April 15 is at 25 degrees Libra. A lunar eclipse in the 3rd decanate of Libra is traditionally considered to signal the death of a renowned man; we will wait to find out who that is. The eclipse chart also shows Mercury involved in the grand cross of Uranus, Jupiter, Mars and Pluto. Mercury is in conjunction with Uranus. The most positive side of this is that it encourages brilliant break through thinking. On the other hand, it tells of critical arguing and fighting. Whichever way you slice it, the world is in a crisis, and this eclipse is showing it up. The effects of the lunar eclipse will last three months, in other words, into the summer.

Looking further out at the new moon of May 28 we see the planetary configuration becoming diffused. The tension is beginning to let up. But, we see, in the Washington DC chart 29 degrees Virgo rising, Mercury at 29 degrees Gemini square the Ascendant, and Venus at 29 degrees Aries. 29 degrees any sign is a weeping matter and it says that someone, or everyone is at the end of their patience. Mercury rules the chart, and the 10th house of the chart, and is in the 10th house. The people in great number are fed up with the President, and the President is at the end of his tether. The incumbent party is also at the end of its tether. Everybody is at wits end. Please avoid unnecessary arguments. This is confirmed by Mars in the 1st house square Pluto and opposite Uranus. Mars is trine the new moon. Mars afflicted, in the first house says that the people are angry and aggressive. The new moon of May 28 is in the 9th house pointing to international trade and diplomatic relations.

All in all, the world looks tumultuous this spring; the world is in crisis. The earth is also turbulent. We can expect more earth quakes and volcanic activity.

For people whose natal charts have planets at 12, 13, and 14 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and/or Capricorn, most especially 13 degrees, April will be challenging and transformative. Break off what cannot work, and embrace what can and will.

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Crimea annexation

On March 21 Russia annexed Crimea. Looking at an astrological chart for the event we find that the Moon is void of course. What this means is that this event in itself leads to nothing to worry about. It is a gesture in an unfolding drama involving Russian relations with the west and the far east. The situation is far more complex than this.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Putin-signs-Crimea-annexation-law-as-Russian-investors-take-fright/articleshow/32439784.cms

The involvement of NATO in the developing crisis in Ukraine and Russia

We see in the chart of NATO above that the cardinal grand cross forming at 13 degrees Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn directly aspects NATO's Neptune in the 12th house. Mars will be in conjunction with NATO's Neptune, and Uranus will in opposition with it, involving NATO in secret activity of a violent nature. How much of this will be made known is probably very little.

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The unfolding situation in Russia and Ukraine astrologically

To get a sense of what is developing charts for the spring equinox, the chart of Vladimir Putin and the charts of Russia and the Ukraine were made. The significant degree, because of the cardinal grand cross coming in April is 13 degrees. The grand cross will be at 13 degrees Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. 13 degrees of cardinal signs is a critical degree; it shows a crisis. The planets involved are Uranus at 13 degrees Aries, Jupiter at 13 degrees Cancer, Mars at 13 degrees Libra and Pluto at 13 degrees Capricorn.

Looking at the national charts of Russia, December 21, 1991 and December 25, 1991 we find Uranus at 13 degrees Capricorn. Russia is under the sign Aquarius. Uranus is the ruler of Aquarius, and therefore of Russia. As the two charts for Russia have Aquarius on the 9th and 7th house cusps, respectively, the crisis involves Russian foreign relations. We see Pluto in conjunction with Russia's natal Uranus from February 26 through June 4 complicating Russia's international monetary, trade and diplomatic relations. Pluto turns retrograde in mid-April timing repercussions.
The Ascendant of the spring equinox chart at Moscow is at 13 degrees Libra exactly square Pluto in Capricorn. This shows the crisis developing. Mars is rising in the 1st house of this chart, showing the people in an angry mood.

An interesting aspect in the spring equinox chart worth noting is between the mean lunar node and the Sun. The mean node is at 00:06 Scorpio, and the Sun is at 00:00 Aries. This shows a fatality coming. This, compounding the indications of the grand cross, spells something explosive likely to happen.

The spring equinox chart for the Ukraine, like the chart for Russia, has Mars rising in the 1st house. The people in the Ukraine are in turmoil. Uranus is afflicted in the 7th house. Uranus is square Jupiter and Pluto, and opposite the Ascendant. This brings disruptive trouble to Ukraine through foreign interferences.
The national charts of the Ukraine, August 24, 1991 and December 1, 1991 have Uranus at 10 and 11 degrees Capricorn, respectively, while Neptune is at 14 and 15 degrees Capricorn, respectively. While the grand cross doesn't come to exact aspect these positions, it does point to worsening trouble in Ukrainian economic conditions as well as to worsening foreign relations and to a lot of confusion coming out of that country through misinformation reported in the news. The spring equinox position of Uranus is exactly square Ukraine's natal Uranus showing that country in a social and economic crisis.

From looking at the charts of the Ukraine and Russia it appears that the worse crisis is happening in Russia. The Sun's aspect to the mean lunar node may involve both countries. The flight of ethnic Russians from the Ukraine and the Crimea into Russia, and the flight of money out of Russia does not help Russia.

Looking at the birth chart of Vladimir Putin we find his Sun at 13 degrees Libra. His natal Sun is in the 11th house and rules his 10th. His natal Sun is directly involved in the coming grand cross, showing that his career is being challenged. He has a huge problem on his hands.

Looking at the 1776 Gemini rising chart of the US we see the Sun at 12 degrees Cancer in the 2nd house. The grand cross will adversely affect the financial condition of the US. How much money the US can afford to throw at the Ukraine is questionable.
From the look of the spring equinox chart the US is unlikely to become any more deeply engaged in the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine than it has already. Instead, the spring equinox chart has afflicted and intercepted Uranus in the 10th house showing potentially disruptive developments inside Government circles which, if not handled carefully, can lead to resignations or defeat. This also holds true for leading corporate circles in the US during the spring quarter. Mars afflicted in the 4th house of the chart confirms the above.

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