Syd SYd Syd, would you believe me if I said your chart boasts of a well-rounded individual? Here’s the thing ladies and gentlemen - When reading a birth chart you cannot know how evolved a persons soul is, or how badly they may cope with their challenges or even if they are genetically predisposed to a psychiatric disposition. Now we know that Syd did struggle as his erratic behaviour become so off the wall that he eventually sought the isolation and sanctuary of his Mums house, be it thanks to the over-use of psycho active stimulus such as LSD or indeed because of an inherent condition, or perhaps a mixture of both. It is interesting that of all the sufferers of schizophrenia I have ever known personally (which is about four in total) they’ve all been drawn to the consummation of drugs; drugs which take them even further away from this reality. One really doesn’t need to be well versed in ‘tales of the insane’ to know that this is never going to be a good idea. So what is it that is so compelling beyond the veil of ordinary perception? 

In the case of Syd, we can see that he is naturally very academic and prone to thinking outside the box. His Uranus in Gemini meant that it was likely he could be a receiver of illuminating flashes of insight and logic that is so ahead of it’s time people may see him as off the wall. This trait has been well documented - so was it his destiny?

Now, I’m sure we all know a few Moon in Aquarius characters, right? Always intelligent, always slightly electric and eccentric, not really fitting in, but at the same time; being an inspiration to many. Moon in Aquarius and Uranus in Gemini people are very likely to be intrigued by alternative knowledge. From the occult, to mysticism; things like astrology and psychic phenomena would definitely strike a vast glimmer of interest. With the added curiosity of Gemini Syd would wish to continue the search to find pure truth, he did this perhaps at the cost of living a conventional life (but strong Aquarian and Uranian energy wont be deterred by just such a prospect).

Syd’s Mercury in Sagittarius is a classic for mental highs, often very academic and quick to grasp huge concepts and theories these mental explorers will go to great lengths for the sake of discovery and learning. Mentally he’s brave, fluid and buoyant. So what’s the downfall? He may not have known when enough was enough. Mercury in Sagittarius can make people overly optimistic, in an unrealistic kind of way at times. Having too much of a good thing can indeed harm the mind. Especially the mind of a Capricorn - One that thrives when their feet are actually on the ground. Tempting fate by being his own Lab Rat perhaps?

Syd has a fantastical Neptune making a stressful aspect to the beautifying Venus. Under normal circumstances one would say that he had a vast imagination and eye for beauty, most likely a very strong artistic talent and like most artists a need to explore the beauty found in the world of imagination or beyond the veil or ordinary life and into spiritual dimensions or fantasy. Indeed with a difficult aspect such as this (even though it’s not normally considered that difficult) it could be that he could express his artistic nature through the pain of living life with such an extreme existential dilemma thrust upon him. It may well be a cliche, but it could also be true as his Art was something he continued to do passionately throughout his entire 30 years living outside the scrutiny of the public eye. Art and music, both come under the rulership of both Venus and Neptune. 

The Capricorn Sun is such a fascinating thing to find in the chart of Syd. It is certainly not what one would expect at first glance. However, a Capricorn Sun is often evident in people who are high achievers and those who receive public recognition. He certainly was successful at a very young age. No doubt at some stage he had to have worked hard to learn his craft. Of all the people in the world, could anyone else come off a tour with Jimi Hendrix and say that he’s not too involved in music through lack of good musicians to play with?  What an outrageous thing to say! Perhaps Being in Pink Floyd and touring with Jimi Hendrix spoilt him a little bit. Typical Capricorn high standards!

It is commonly known amongst astrologers that there are two types of Capricorns, ‘grazer the goat’ and ‘climber the goat’. It’s clear to see that he made the opposite journey that most Capricorns make, he started out ambitious but became ambivalent later on, perhaps he just couldn’t justify being a star, as it could not have held as much meaning if he were truly seeking something profound to live by. That, or maybe he just couldn’t hack it due to his illness. Most Capricorns thrive in just such a situation of recognition and material success (it’s what they aspire to) but then most Capricorns take their careers very seriously and are not hell bent on ruining their brains with mind-altering substances. Plus, to be fair schizophrenia has it’s own unique way of destroying people careers. 

Capricorns can go to the dark side in ways that even a Scorpio has never imagined. Often these souls have had to mature beyond their years through hardships as they often bare the weight of misfortune on their shoulders. These heavy burdens can make them morose. Syd was perhaps prone to hermit like behaviour, being away from the judgments of others he could then be in total control of his environment and live true to his own nature and calling; this alone can bring immeasurable peace. After his death in 2006 his sister commented “he found his own mind so absorbing that he simply didn’t want to be distracted from it”.

If you would like to find out what your artistic potential is or likelihood of success will be, then book a reading with Val Aviv today. www.valaviv.com

Mata Hari’s chart has a secretive Ascendant in the sign of Scorpio. With Jupiter in the first house of Scorpio, it is likely that she was blessed with a tremendous sense of self confidence and personal will power which at times could have been accentuated to varying degrees of excess. A very strong well placed Sun in Leo, in the adventurous 9th house and making a very strong connection to the fiercely energetic, brave but impulsive planet of Mars also conjuncting Mercury a highly communicative planet, is it any wonder that she foolishly admitted to spying long before she was ever convicted. Perhaps she was rather boastful or liked the idea of being an intriguing character, it was never proved that she was a spy. 

Her natal Pluto was in opposition to that first house Jupiter and she would often find herself magnetized to powerful figures as indeed they were also drawn to her. She was known as a high class courtesan, which is of course how it was deemed that she had access to important information. Using her well placed Venus in Cancer (sensitive lady charms) in her 8th house of hidden agendas, it would have perhaps have been all too easy.

Around her capture in Feb 1917 The wound was felt deeply as Jupiter connected to her chiron and Neptune. The years of deception had caught up with her. She faced the firing squad in September of that same year when Saturn (planet of limitation and karmic lessons) was on her Sun, Pluto - God of the underworld was transiting the 8th house of death and transformation making a noticeable trine to her Saturn in Pisces. No matter of deception or escape could save her. She was found guilty and ordered to death - shot by firing squad.

Perhaps spy’s will have strong Scorpio and Pluto elements in their charts, but if they are going to become famous for it, it does make sense that as in the case of Mata Hari, there are 4 planets in Leo with a leo Midheaven. She half got what she probably wanted, to be noticed, remembered and talked about.

Although people with a strong Scorpio or prominent Pluto are often drawn to the darker side of life due to the fact that they are not scared by it, in fact they have a leaning towards power and danger, it seems to make them feel more alive and help them to grow through feeling empowered. Not all people will use their personal will in quite that way. That energy is best used for the good of the masses and not for personal gain. I’ve no doubt that as Mata Hari had a Moon in pisces which can be quite Martyr-ish, i can only speculate that in some way she may have thought she was doing the right thing, if indeed she was actually guilty. But that is only a speculation. The Moon in Pisces could have admitted to being a spy originally as she loved the idea and was, enjoying the deception as perhaps it was a character she wanted to imagine herself being.

There is no question that she did admit to spying. Was she telling the truth? Would a real spy admit to that? It’s a fascinating story and from her chart, although we cannot know what really happened, we can certainly see that she was impressed by powerful people, fancied herself as a powerful person or a spy and did foolishly admit to it once which was perhaps the beginning of the end for her. Her chart also shows how she had an incredible imagination (good for casting a deceptive web while spying) A strong and commanding sense of herself (easier to believe your own hype) and of course an adventurous streak which loved juggling fire. 

If you would like to find out what’s in your chart and how well you would fair as a Spy, then Book a reading now or enter your email address and you could win a free reading. www.valaviv.com 

Now you all know I’m an Astrologer by day and a Presenter by night - right? Well, on today’s adventures in bringing home the bacon-rind I had the task of interviewing the lovely June Brown AKA Dot Cotton from Eastenders. The subject matter was a slightly awkward: AGING. But it’s like I keep telling everyone “it’s a BIG important thing and I’m really worried about it” I’m 33 and dying. Dying to get some positive feedback about what I’m starting to think is a really detrimental process.

I have to admit I was expecting a grey faced lady to sidestep into the room shiftily but the minute June walked in I realised she was far, far lovelier! Before even taking off her coat she sat next to the air extractor fan and…  you guessed it… she broke the law! She’s a rebel!! Lovely. Living up to her Aquarian Sun I suspected quietly, while hoping she wouldn’t get caught. 

Once smoking a fag she seemed at home when the proprietor waltzed in shaking his head. He said all the right legal protests “You mustn’t do that here” etc. But he knew she had him by the balls. How did she do it? I’ll tell you how; she’s like the Queen Mum. It would seem that when Dot Cotton wants to smoke a fag, she smokes a fag - no one is enough of a jobs-worth to take the power out of her hands. She continued to smoke.

It struck me that she was a real special lady, I happened at that point to busy myself with the clearing up of bottle tops and empty beer cans (as I suddenly felt painfully aware of how crummy the green room was; it wasn’t even green) when her producer friend regarded me briefly enough to engage by way of a question “you the cleaner?” I pretended I didn’t speak English; I’ve been a cleaner and I know that if people are speaking to you, it means they want you to do something that you probably don’t want to do.

Now I knew she would be unpredictable as indeed only the best Aquarians are. She surprised me with her warmth and enthusiasm. When we threw a vague suggestion of the Aging interview at her she cottoned onto it with lightening bolt reflexes and was instantly obliging - June obviously likes surprises, or is at least used to them.

Her Moon is in Leo, so she was born at a full Moon and from what little I saw, she bears the traits of a closet lunatic (I mean that in the best possible sense of course, the crazy ones are often the sharpest and most interesting of all - everybody knows that!) When Moon in Leo people are at their best, they have a really wonderful gift to make everyone around them feel tremendous love towards them. Plus, they are Fun People! She is without a doubt NO EXCEPTION to this rule.

From what research I did about June, I found that she has not had an easy life. With a lot of Planets in Pisces too, I can see that she’s probably hit rock bottom a fair few times. Yet lurking behind the veil clearly lies a deeply spiritual and wise woman. When I asked her which she enjoyed more, the first half of her life or the last, she was very specific that her 20s she loved as well as her 40s, 50s and 60s! This means that in the first 40 years of her life, there were only 10 really great years, yet in the second half of her life there have been 30. Encouraging?! I think so!

She says being in her 80s is terrible by the way. But while we’re not on the subject I did observe her muscle definition was superior to my own. 

She drank Guinness from a plastic cup (that’s how Brighton Venues welcome Royalty these days) Moon in Leo people are regal, also natural performers from birth; born with big generous warm loveable hearts  - they are crowd pleasers. I was really taken aback by how graceful, elegant, charming and beautiful she really was. I think if by the time I am 84, I have half of her grace, strength, wit and charm - I shall be thankful indeed.

If you would like to find out where the Moon was at your birth, or what the Stars can say about how you will age? Then book a reading today.

If the Sun has all the other planets revolving around it, it’s not unkind or unrealistic to say that it is self-centred. Thus the Sun in all his shining glory actually relates directly to our ego centre. Due to the upsurge of psychological popularity it must then be further clarified and defined that when we as Astrologers say ego, we don’t meant it necessarily in a derogative sense. The Ego is that within the self, which is conscious of itself. It is Selfhood, that which makes us an individual. It’s the “I” when I say what I feel and what I think. It is the concept of who is actually experiencing life and living within your body.

These excerpts are from essays written by Val Aviv about The Souls Evolutions Through ALignment with Planetary Life Lessons..

To find out more about your souls fundamental expression go to www.valaviv.com and book a Personal Reading. 

The Sun is grand and of course of utmost importance when you consider that The Sun is pivotal at the centre of our Solar-system. There would be no life on earth if the sun imploded or overwhelmed us with any more of its rays. When we say “it’s grand” we’re not talking about the comparative difference between a Starbucks Regular Latte VS Latte Grand. The facts are staggeringly beyond that; if you compiled 333,000 flaming balls of burning gas each one the size of earth, then you would have just compiled the Sun. That’s Grand by any standards this side of our solar system!

Now just for the heck of it, it might be of interest for you to know that our Majestic Sun is only a dwarf Sun in comparison to others in our Galaxy. When we say dwarf what we really mean is that if our Sun was a large speck of dust, it would look rather miniscule when standing along side an orange, the orange being a comparative representation of Betelgeuse; an unimaginably gargantuan Star in the constellation of Orion, but before you pale into insignificance, let us consider the implications of the Sun in our lives from an Astrological point of view because that too is Big… 

If you would like to find out what the Astrological implications are of The Sun in your birth chart, then book a reading with Brighton’s most sought after Astrologer and TV Presenter Val Aviv.