desmond tutu born oct 7 1931, (no specific time available - 12pm used here) Klerksdorp, South Africa.. uranus the freedom loving planet sits opposite a cluster of planets in libra – sun venus conj and mercury about 11 degrees away from sun.. uranus is also a part of a major astro configuration – the grand square which puts a person at the center of energies pulling in very different directions looking for a way to harmonize.. the t square of the early 30’s is similar to what we are headed for in the next few years. in tutus chart saturn is opposite pluto, with both squaring onto uranus… this is someone who will seek a path to freedom, which is indeed what he worked towards for his country...  in the present situation 2010-2012 it is saturn opposite uranus both squaring onto pluto.. this creates a new world order backdrop to much of what is happening today with a concentration of power in the hands of corporations and elite groups appearing to be much more deeply embedded and unlikely to change.. humanity struggles to break out of this oppresive yoke, but it doesn't come easy.. the challenges we face collectively are helped by alternative media outlets.   staying positive while watching the underbelly of our world at work is a challenge.. i think it was jesus who said 'resist not evil' ..not many seem to have ever taken those words very far..  instead it's usually a question of how to overcome these forces that are working to do us in? a 64,000$ question reappears..

tutu also has a moon in leo, probably close to jupiter also in leo which is a sign known to gravitate towards pomp (jupiter in leo anyway) and leadership.. both planets square onto his warlike mars in scorpio and of course he would be no stranger to the difficult struggles his fellow citizens worked to overcome having lived them himself… in his case these leo placements seem to have helped him to a high position in the church which is where he made his (moon) home and also from where he worked to usher change for south africa…  he was able to express his political outlook(jupiter) with a desire for change (uranus) by helping to overthrow an apartheid regime (saturn/pluto).. jupiter/moon is the release point to this grand square in his chart.. it is aspecting the uranus/libra opposition in a harmonious way through the sign leo which is complimentary to the signs aries and libra…

he is only 1 of 2 people to receive the nobel peace prize in south africa.. an amazing man by all accounts and someone i'm not too familiar with although i've heard his name countless times… he has decided to withdraw from the public sphere at this time which coincides directly with saturns transit into libra.. this 2 1/2 year approx cycle through the signs of saturn just happened the last day or so.. saturn remains in libra for a couple of years and can signal changes in the life of anyone with  planets in libra, but especially those with sun, moon or ascendant in this sign..

artichokes in the garden, next to the broad beans.. this one has 4 heads.. i wonder if this is where some got the idea of monsters with many heads! i don't care for them, but i like the look of them.. susan loves them, but is going to have to get enrique to show her how to cook them up, or eat them raw..

meanwhile, 2 rehearsals tonight, and one which includes a focus on mine and others original music.. i will get to play my new song after all...

susan insisted on a few colours for the small deck we have off the house and i am happy with the results of her work.. the grape vine in front of it was planted about  1 year ago and already has grapes on it! we got a cutting off a very large vine next door that has delicious green grapes that my sister loves and may see this plant take over that whole area including the paint job susan did! of course i helped some, but it was mostly her thing here to which she can be proud.. ps - those are mason bee houses on the far right side of the porch... they are amazing bees that pollinate everything in the vicinity of the house and more hopefully!

staying focused entirely on music is not my thing.. music is central to my life, but i do other things as well.. astrology is an activity i have been involved in since my late teens and it continues to hold a special place in my life.. i like the research part and the ongoing search for a rhythm to life on a broader scale beyond music.. i like symbology, a word that is apparently not a word yet. the images/symbols used to represent astronomical /astrological dynamics are rich with meaning and mythology.. i suppose i could be absorbed in the mythology too, a word that apparently gets a pass here with spell check.. i have been and i think that is yet another part of why i maintain a strong interest in this area.. the reason i got involved in astrology in the first place was out of a desire to understand myself...'know thyself' is something i took to heart a long time ago and while i need regular reminders to stay awake - the coffee only goes so far - i continue to believe that the highest calling a person could be drawn towards is to be the light that shines brightly, regardless of whether it is dark out or not... just saying 'spiritual enlightenment' makes me feel a sense of warmth and peace that i am immediately drawn towards.. it is easy to lose sight of ideas like this unless you make them a regular part of your world view, which they continue to be for me... the astrology is an ongoing step in this direction.. meditation, dancing, music and expressing gratitude for all that comes my way is also, if done with spirit..