Taurus and the Second House

New Moon in Aries April 17th 2007
New Moons are a time for new beginnings, and we can usefully begin something symbolised by the sign that each new moon falls in. So what is this new moon in Aries asking us to consider starting? Perhaps we could have a go at being more assertive and dynamic in our projects and actions. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac series, the sign of new life and new energy, so it's the ideal time to do something you've been considering for a while but just haven't got around to yet. Aries asks us "what are you waiting for?!" What indeed - we're all practiced experts at procrastination at times. It's useful to ask what lies behind that procrastination. Are we afraid of failing, for instance? Aries the warrior counsels us that "he who dares wins". The tribal brave can't bring home the kill for the tribe without staring death in the face in the battle with a wild animal, but equally, what are the risks of not facing that challenge? In a tribal setting, the tribe starves and the brave fails to fulfil his life purpose within the tribal system. That's often a good way of looking at things for all of us. Whilst we might not face starvation and being shunned by our peers for not bringing home the bacon, what will we have lost in terms of self-made opportunity if we don't give it a go?

Shortly after the new moon, on April 19th, Saturn, the planet of structure and duty, finally makes his way forward after backtracking in the sky since early December. We've hopefully being revising our situation and deciding what dead wood we need to get rid of in order to move forward within a more positive life structure. The Sun's trine to Pluto, planet of truth and transformation, should also encourage us to examine ourselves honestly and be ruthless about letting go of whatever it is that's holding us back. Amidst all this self-examination and push for personal success, Mars, ruler of the new moon, is in Pisces, gently reminding us to be receptive and keep attuned to the needs of those around us.

Sun moves into Taurus 20th April
Hot on the heels of the manic thrust of the Aries new moon, we can heave a sigh of relief as the Sun slides into calmer Taurus. This is the opportunity to consolidate what we've set forth to do, put our grand ideas and inspiration into practice. Taurus is the sign which symbolises the material world in all of its guises, whether that be the realm of nature or the solid foundations in bricks and mortar that most of us in the modern western world derive our personal and financial security from. It being an earth sign, those born under Taurus are generally practical, reliable and solid sorts, not given to impulsiveness or grand gestures. It's also a fixed sign, so those with Taurus prominent in their charts are likely to be quite stubborn - determined is perhaps a more positive way of putting it! Whatever they set their minds to, Taurean types will battle with dogged determination until they've achieved their goal (and don't forget this means those with any planets or prominent placements in Taurus, not just the Sun). The tangible is very important to Taurus too, so unless you can see it, touch it or feel it Taurus is going to be sceptical about it, they require hard evidence - astrologers beware!

Each sign has some "cliché" connections with certain aspects of life, for example Sagittarius with horses, Gemini with twins or doubles, and so on. As an astrologer I might on occasion venture to ask someone with a certain sign prominent in their birth chart whether they have an interest in this particular area of life, but it's by no means the case that they always will (the chart is far more complex than that). So when it does work out that someone has the cliché interest of their sign, it's a joy to discover! A case in point is the Taurean connection to the natural world, and in particular gardening and cultivation. As I was flicking through my files I pondered, "wouldn't it be amazing if Alan Titchmarsh had some Taurus in his chart ..." and lo! Mr Titchmarsh does indeed live up to his Taurus-in-the-garden symbolism, having the Sun, Mars, Venus and Descendant (point of "other people" and partnerships) in Taurus! Other famous Taureans who are less known for their love of gardening and more for their ability to accumulate material wealth, another Taurean trait, are Queen Elizabeth the second, David Beckham and George Clooney.

The Second House
Onto our romp around the astrological houses. The twelve houses, as I explained in the first of the series last month, represent different areas of life, the arena in which the energies of particular planets will play out.

The second house is notable and of interest to many clients I consult with, as it represents our talents and resources. That happens to be a phrase that covers a multitude of sins ... and in astrology it can mean the skills we possess, the people we have around to support us, the circumstances life throws at us, and notably our attitudes towards and ability to generate money. Money in the chart isn't signified by the second house alone, but it's one of the components I would consider if personal finances were of particular interest to a client (and let's face it, who isn't interested in personal finances!)

Planets contained in the second house often symbolise what we're going to be good at, or known for doing. With Uranus (rebellion/eccentricity/difference) conjunct Venus (love, values, the feminine) and Mars (sexual urges, drive and the masculine) in flamboyant Leo in his second house, it's no surprise that singer Marc Almond of Soft Cell fame excelled himself in blurring gender lines and highlighting sexual transgression in his songs. Soft Cell's biggest hit, "Tainted Love", is a case in point. His 2nd house Venus also rules creative but shady Neptune in the 5th house of lovers, emphasising the theme. On the other hand, the unpredictablility and volatility of Uranus in the 2nd is at least partly responsible for his changing fortunes, his career and therefore monetary position being less than stable. But the Uranian quality of the rebel is also precisely what put him in the spotlight in the first place. In Q magazine in August 1992 he stated: "…if I have a love affair and roses are growing round the door, I have to cut the heads off the roses." Tainted love indeed!

In contrast, the late Ronnie Barker was an entertainer who has enjoyed enduring popularity over many decades. He has no planets in the second house, but has Capricorn on the edge of that house, so we look to the ruler of Capricorn to find out more about his personal resources. Firstly, note that Capricorn is all about durability. It's about sticking with something for the long term and working steadily to achieve outcomes. Capricorn indicates that among Mr Barker's talents are practicality, capacity for solid application and a good head for finances. On to the ruler of this second house, which is Saturn, prominently rising in the chart in Sagittarius. This is where solid and dependable meets broad minded and adventurous. Saturn in Sag. ensures his status as an enduring figure in British comedy. Saturn is the friend of time, and also represents the "wise old man" in its positive expression, and Barker certainly earned the respect of audiences and other entertainers alike in programmes such as The Two Ronnies and Open All Hours.

Back to Articles Home