As I was teaching in Sydney this past weekend, there was lots of discussion about recent developments with Aussie swimmer Ian Thorpe.
Part of the workshop was about cycles in astrology. There are a couple of interesting trends playing out in Ian’s chart right now.
As always, we start with a look at the natal chart. Ian is a super Libra – one of those people that has multiple planets in one sign.
Ian’s Libra planets fall in the 10th House, which can propel someone into the public eye. Underneath this 10th House focus however is an 8th House Moon, just into the balsamic phase.
Herein lies some of the contradiction in Ian’s chart. With a stellium of 10th House planets, including the Sun, and the Moon in the sign of Leo, being seen, or on stage, is appropriate.
However, the 8th House Moon placement, along with the balsamic phase energy of the Moon are both testaments to a desire to not be seen, to operate off stage or behind closed doors.
This struggle likely plays out through his life, sometimes more or less intense depending on other factors.
Moving to the current cycles, Ian is in the progressed balsamic Moon Phase, a time when regardless of your natural inclination, it’s time to retreat or move away from normal duties. In addition, his SP Moon is to make an exact conjunction with natal Saturn in the coming month. This occurs just once every 27 years, and is a time of melancholy or morose energy.
Transit wise, Ian’s Venus is at 13 Libra, which will be touched by the Uranus/Pluto roller coaster in 2014. This energy builds through the first half of the year, which may bring unexpected developments or out of character experiences.
These will ultimately help create new freedom, and support Ian to cut ties with baggage or old issues. Getting there may take some work though – every Pluto transit demands depth, and increasing honesty.
Towards the end of 2014, Saturn will square Ian’s Moon at 29 Leo (exact in December).
His 2014 is bookend-ed by two different Saturn/Moon triggers. This may bring a reality check about a problem, and what needs to be done to solve it.
Given the Moon is in the 8th House, this may have to do with deeper emotional matters, as well as finances.
In client work, a Saturn/Moon event often manifests in loneliness, worry and melancholy.
In addition, as a student pointed out, the Moon does rule the 7th House, as such there may also be a relationship theme in the background.
The combination of Ian’s personal progressed Moon phase being Balsamic, combined with the Uranus/Pluto/Venus transit and the Saturn/Moon transit will make this a defining if at times heavy year.
Personally I think Ian is a living treasure and hope he gets the support he needs, and that he connects with any courage required to navigate his current reality.
Over to you. Do you also have planets at 13 degrees of a cardinal sign? Do you know your progressed Moon Phase?