November 4: Sun conjunct Mercury

This could be a mixed bag with illuminating insights on the one hand, maybe even creative or investigative revelations with a significant impact; on the other hand, Mercury being scorched by the Sun in secretive and “nocturnal“ Scorpio could be detrimental to communication and clarity. Squaring Mars and Jupiter in Leo, there could be serious conflicts or clashing of egos, aggression, sudden outbursts of hostility or words that can be used as weapons. I would be careful as to what is being said (or written online) as harsh words could cause unnecessary friction. While Jupiter is a benefic and squares to benefics are much less challenging, it is conjunct the malefic Mars acting upon its own domain in Scorpio. The lesser benefic, Venus, is retrograde in Libra and unable to mitigate the Scorpio planets because it’s in the neighboring sign. With a positive yet weak sextile to Mars-Jupiter, there isn’t much diplomacy or harmony to be expected. This may be a very positive thing for exposing dirty secrets, hidden motives or revealing some otherwise obscured information, but it is not auspicious for peace or balanced communication.

November 9: New Moon in Scorpio – see extra post

November 13: Mercury goes direct, November 14: Venus goes direct

This retrograde seemed rather emotionally heavy for many people as Mercury was in Scorpio’s deep waters that sometimes can get too dark and intense. With the direct motion, anger held in silence or issues that were internalized can now finally be digested, so to speak, and expelled. When Venus goes direct, the possibly uneasy quality shifts from turning inward and reviewing relationships or lack of harmony to Venus being fully able to express her generous, beauty-oriented nature in her domicile. We might even experience a bit of financial relief, or may be able to afford a little extra something that brings us joy.

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The individuals whose charts I am examining in this series range from the involuntarily (in)famous to more or less shady eccentrics and scammers right to the crème de la crème of evil, such as serial killers or cult leaders.

This is not a conventional reading, but one where the Moon’s eye view through the Arabic Lunar Mansions is the starting point for unraveling the chart’s tapestry.

I am incorporating methods from the Hellenistic and Medieval traditions into my analysis as a counterbalance to the many modern chart readings that are available everywhere.

Contrary to the oversimplified mainstream astro-fluff, it is always a matter of specific combinations and the interplay of certain factors that determines how a chart’s story unfolds. Not to mention free will.

Jeffrey Epstein has been examined more than enough from all sorts of angles, which is why I will get right into the astrology. Does this chart show the placements that turn its potential into a dark, power-hungry and sexually violent expression? What truly motivated him? And, probably the most interesting question, is he really dead?

Disclaimer: According to probably the best website for prominent people’s birth charts, astrotheme.com, Epstein’s birth time was reliably verified. However, it is not entirely certain that what has been made public is truly his birth date and time to begin with. We can never be sure with high profile individuals who may or may not have made their true birth data public. Having said that, I treat this as his chart, but with a tiny bit of doubt in the back of my mind.

Spoiler alert: Sexual impulse gratification and violence is not the first thing that jumped out to me, which was surprising given how Epstein is portrayed as an insatiable monster. Instead, the chart is much more nuanced, and aligned with a relentless pursuit of ideas or technology in the name of progress, and a thirst for power as the dominant theme.

Epstein’s lunar mansion is called the Two Signs, and is the first of the 28 Arabic Lunar Mansions, embodying the energetic Aries spirit to the full. Quoting from my article about Alain Delon, who happens to have the same mansion: “…it is associated with Mars and Saturn, giving the textbook definition of a blend between the warrior/ killer Mars and Saturn’s coldness, detachment, and core of steel.“

In true Aries fashion, the mansion favors decisive movement, force, a strong inner motivation for change, and bears the potential for an aggressive temperament. It is not regarded as positive for love and friendship since it can manifest in a destructive manner where personal relationships are concerned. It’s extremely favorable for career advancement, traveling and doing business. What enriches and intensifies the mansion’s story is how the malefics are acting:

For his night chart, Saturn is the greater malefic and Venus the most favorable benefic. This matters as the malefics and benefics can significantly influence the direction of a chart and steer it pretty clearly towards certain tendencies.

Venus is exalted in Pisces and tightly conjunct Mars and thus acting in a more indirect, concealed, strategic and emotionally pressured way in the mutable water sign, with the Part of Spirit co-present. Spirit is ruled by the Sun, in the 1st house in Aquarius, denoting a love of independence, individualism, progressive and inventive thinking, a strong interest in global and societal developments including technology, even a knack for utopian ideas, a visionary and futuristic streak, commitment to beliefs, and a natural tendency for emotional detachment.

The following is for paid subscribers only. Please consider a paid subscription for just €5 per month that will allow you to read the full Notorious Lunatics articles (published monthly), the complete Monthly Mood, as well as more exclusive content that I am going to be adding over time. Sincere thanks for your support.

Paid subscribers will learn what the astrology says about Epstein’s death…

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On October 10, we have a New Moon in the cardinal air sign Libra. This sign is the first in the zodiacal order that is concerned with one on one relationships. It is ruled by Venus and combines Venus’ love of harmony, balance, diplomacy, beauty and aesthetic sophistication with the air element’s sharp intellect and rationality. Despite being usually described in the aforementioned terms that focus on the finer things, Libra’s character is by no means submissive. Harmony, yes, but the big lesson and question is at what cost, and Libra is definitely capable of outwitting others while wearing an excellent poker face. Along with a natural inclination for finding solutions that benefit all parties and are logically solid instead of purely emotion-driven, Libra’s appreciation of beauty can be a very inspiring influence when it comes to our own lives and how we see ourselves.

During the lunation, Libra’s ruler Venus is retrograde and in detriment in Scorpio (amplifying insecurity, lack of self esteem, and feelings of envy or revenge in the darkest case), clashing with an extra bold and confident Mars in Leo. We may not be feeling like our needs are met, or may be confronted with a decision about our own will to compromise. When is it too much? When are we called to stand up for ourselves and redefine our attitude in a healthier and more productive way, and how do we integrate self-preservation and healthy openness to the needs of others?

The Moon is in an Arabic Lunar Mansion called the Claws, which is associated with Mars and Saturn. Mars has support by Saturn through a trine, but Saturn isn’t exactly happy in Aries and thus, an element of frustration can come into the picture. Since the New Moon marks the beginning of a new chapter, we can see this as highlighting an area ( = house in our chart) where we need to do something so that we get something. Meaning, we may need to use logic and rationality, fueled by self-esteem and both feet set on reality’s ground, to get important things in order. Be it our career goals, our daily routine or how we approach the world in general, this is a very auspicous (albeit not unchallenged) New Moon for anything related to business, wealth, planning with a good head on one’s shoulders and awakening the fighting spirit required to attain wealth in a balanced way. This mansion happens to be in the natal chart of legendary music manager Colonel Tom Parker, almost a pop culture icon in his own right, about whom I have recently written an article. Although in his case, all the gifts and talents for business bestowed by the mansion were expressed in the most negative way.

There is a slight warning here to not become driven by old grudges or feelings of jealousy and insecurity through Venus retrograde in Scorpio. On the other hand, there is strong potential for removing old baggage and creating a new and better order by confronting something head on. The latter is not really Libra’s favorite thing to do, but this New Moon is fueled by the malefics, which can ultimately be quite productive.

All in all, this is a New Moon that favors clear thinking, sound planning, and courage to emerge from our shell and go for what we want, including a personal makeover that might very well change our course in life for the significantly better.

General outlook for Sun, Moon and rising signs:

♈️ Aries: 7th house. Areas of influence: Partnership (steady), marriage, known enemies, one-on-one relationships in general, also your personal vocation/ mission

♉️ Taurus: 6th house. Areas of influence: Daily habits, how you adapt to everyday reality, health & health practices, work, healing, critical thinking capabilities, body-psyche balance, pets

♊️ Gemini: 5th house. Areas of influence: Self-esteem and -expression, creativity (career for creative professionals), relationship with children, fun in existing or non-committal relationships

♋️ Cancer: 4th house. Areas of influence: Your past, family, home, childhood, your concept of home and what you’ve brought with you into adulthood from your earliest home environment

♌️ Leo: 3rd house. Areas of influence: Communication, mentality, travels and means of transport (short distances), your relationship with siblings, neighbors and neighborhood

♍️ Virgo: 2nd house. Areas of influence: Material and moral values, money from your own income, moveable property, any decisions/ values pertaining to saving or investing

♎️ Libra: 1st house. Areas of influence: Your identity, appearance, how others perceive you, how you present yourself to the world and approach change

♏️ Scorpio: 12th house. Areas of influence: Past-life or karmic realm, subconscious drives/ fears, places of isolation, tendency for self-sabotage, hidden enemies

♐️ Sagittarius: 11th house. Areas of influence: Friends, social groups including social media and your position therein, society, your wishes, hopes and ideals in life

♑️ Capricorn: 10th house. Areas of influence: Your career/ business, public appearance/ image, reputation, your position in the public realm in general, the fruits of your beliefs

♒️ Aquarius: 9th house. Areas of influence: Beliefs (leading to later success), spirituality, travels far outside your known terrain, higher education (formal or not), legal dealings

♓️ Pisces: 8th house. Areas of influence: Self-transformation, “death & rebirth“, sexuality, intimacy, secrets and grief/ sorrow, shared finances, inheritance

© Olivia Solner

Get a personalized reading: www.sunmoonself.com

October 2: Mercury, Mars and Pluto T-square

Tensions could arise on the personal as well as the global scale, with individual interests clashing with figures of authority, the collective, or power structures. Words can be used like weapons, old grudges can surface, and communication is likely fueled by self-preservation rather than diplomacy. On October 30, Mercury will be squaring Mars once more during its retrograde motion, during which time we may see a reappearance or continuation of the themes brought to light early in the month.

October 3: Venus goes retrograde

Venus is in detriment in Scorpio, and during the retrograde period, themes of love, friendship, money and pleasure may not be easy to deal with. Topics surrounding our partnership or past, unresolved issues could be revisited and old wounds opened. We may find our current relationships a bit lackluster whereas there is also a possibility of unpredictable emotions coming up, such as bouts of jealousy or passion. Venus prefers a lighthearted and free-flowing environment whereas Scorpio is anything but, and can seemingly erupt out of the blue after nursing resentment or dissatisfaction for a long time. Money-wise, we might become obsessed with ideas or attach emotional heaviness to money where there should not be any. Therefore, it’s a good idea to be careful and not invest too much too soon where either money or feelings are concerned.

The following is for paid subscribers only. Please consider a paid subscription for only €5 per month that will allow you to read the full Notorious Lunatics articles (published monthly), the Monthly Mood series, as well as more exclusive content that I am going to be adding over time. Sincere thanks for your support.

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On September 26, we have a Full Moon in the cardinal fire sign Aries. Ruled by Mars, this sign is all about change, renewal, and uncompromising courage.

The Moon is located in an Arabic Lunar Mansion called the Two Signs, which is associated with new beginnings, fierceness in battle and business, movement and overcoming inertia. It is auspicious for anything requiring a great deal of energy to initiate, which may very well extend to life-altering changes or at the very least, a change of mind leading to bolder and clearer action. There is a warning implied, as with anything concerning Aries’ nature, about not allowing aggression, impatience or unexpressed frustration to become a source of destruction rather than the impulse to build something new. Overall, the influence favors disagreements and quarrels, but it is highly energetic and fearless.

The planets belonging to the lunar mansion are Saturn and Mars, both not placed ideally in Aries and Cancer, respectively. Mars is the ruler of Aries, and in Cancer, the Moon’s domain, the negative mutual reception represents a need for action that is not immediately met (especially with Saturn conjunct the Moon). Feelings and actions are closely intertwined with this aspect, which can cause friction, ultimately making it impossible to rest and let things continue as they have before.

A period where we may have had to exercise patience or were subjected to emotional and circumstantial fluctuations can now come to an end. What has been unexpressed has to be externalized, so that we can interact with others (Sun in Libra) in a way that is harmonious instead of driven by swallowed emotions and endured compromises. We are going to have to make a decision between waiting, planning and clinging to apparent peace or the past on the one hand, or finally asserting our independence, taking the lead and daring to leave what has been a trap more than true comfort if we’re being honest. Ideally, a balance is struck between our need for autonomy and harmony within our relationships, and this Full Moon shines a light on where it’s time to start driving at full speed.

The house into which the Moon falls during this lunation shows the life area where we can feel a clear pull towards decisive action or an audacious makeover, because the old structure simply cannot contain an outdated version of ourselves any longer.

General outlook for Sun, Moon and rising signs:

♈ Aries: 1st house. Areas of influence: Your identity, appearance, how others perceive you, how you present yourself to the world and approach change

♉ Taurus: 12th house. Areas of influence: Past-life or karmic realm, subconscious drives/ fears, places of isolation, tendency for self-sabotage, hidden enemies

♊ Gemini: 11th house. Areas of influence: Friends, social groups including social media and your position therein, society, your wishes, hopes and ideals in life

♋ Cancer: 10th house. Areas of influence: Your career/ business, public appearance/ image, reputation, your position in the public realm in general, the fruits of your beliefs

♌ Leo: 9th house. Areas of influence: Beliefs (leading to later success), spirituality, travels far outside your known terrain, higher education (formal or not), legal dealings

♍ Virgo: 8th house. Areas of influence: Self-transformation, “death & rebirth“, sexuality, intimacy, secrets and grief/ sorrow, shared finances, inheritance

♎ Libra: 7th house. Areas of influence: Partnership (steady), marriage, known enemies, one-on-one relationships in general, also your personal vocation/ mission

♏ Scorpio: 6th house. Areas of influence: Daily habits, how you adapt to everyday reality, health & health practices, work, healing, critical thinking capabilities, body-psyche balance

♐ Sagittarius: 5th house. Areas of influence: Self-esteem and -expression, creativity (career for creative professionals), relationship with children, fun in existing or non-committal relationships

♑ Capricorn: 4th house. Areas of influence: Your past, family, home, childhood, your concept of home and what you’ve brought with you into adulthood from your earliest home environment

♒ Aquarius: 3rd house. Areas of influence: Communication, mentality, travels and means of transport (short distances), your relationship with siblings, neighbors and neighborhood

♓ Pisces: 2nd house. Areas of influence: Material and moral values, money from your own income, moveable property, any decisions/ values pertaining to saving or investing

© Olivia Solner

More information about personalized readings: www.sunmoonself.com

The individuals whose charts I am examining in this series range from the involuntarily (in)famous to more or less shady eccentrics and scammers right to the crème de la crème of evil, such as serial killers or cult leaders.

This is not a conventional reading, but one where the Moon’s eye view through the Arabic Lunar Mansions is the starting point for unraveling the chart’s tapestry. The title alludes to the lunar perspective, not to the claim that the charts examined here belong to lunatics. I am incorporating methods from the Hellenistic and Medieval traditions into my analysis as a counterbalance to the many modern chart readings that are available everywhere.

Needless to say, not everyone who happens to have the lunar mansions presented here is dangerous or otherwise a red flag. Just like with the zodiac signs, and contrary to the oversimplified mainstream astro-fluff, it is always a matter of specific combinations and the interplay of certain factors that determines how a chart’s story unfolds. Not to mention free will.

Before I dedicate an article to another heavyweight in the upper echelons of evil, here is my analysis of a showbusiness heavyweight, Colonel Tom Parker.

The certified psychopath and unofficial murder suspect went on to become one of the most iconic figures in the entertainment industry not just as Elvis Presley’s manager, but as the almost comical archetype of the devious showbiz entrepreneur – the fat man with a cigar and cane, breezing in and barking orders, looking at you with those beady, unreadable eyes that always seem to be smirking at an inside joke no one except for him was in on. Then there was the legendary shrewdness, of course, that turned his most famous client into the first real megastar in music. Parker had an uncanny talent for carving out previously unheard of deals while getting an unprecedented 50% commission and holding absolute financial (some say psychological) leverage over every aspect of Elvis’ career.

It has been speculated that he held the sword of Damocles over Elvis by telling him he’d lose everything if he fired him, his mastermind manager without whom he’d still be a nobody driving a truck in Memphis. One particular incident stands out as extremely damning of Parker’s character, occurring in 1967 and purported as evidence of the man’s diabolical, parasitic influence: When Elvis tripped over a cable and sustained a severe concussion, Parker spent more time with him than he ever had before during his convalescence. He allegedly used manipulation and coercion (some say hypnosis) to get Elvis to abandon his spiritual pursuits, stop putting off his marriage to Priscilla and continue making the silly, but extremely lucrative Hollywood movies that made Elvis miserable.

Parker’s ability to make people do things they did not want to do was allegedly witnessed by people in Elvis’ entourage who claimed that Parker hypnotized them into acting like dogs or other animals. However, this begs the question of how much of that was due to Parker’s hypnotic acumen and how much was performed by people who were afraid of the consequences if they refused to fall under his pretend spell. In any case, no psychologically regulated person would feel the need to humiliate others by making them act like animals, in case that needs to be pointed out, and it doesn’t take much to imagine that he’d know exactly which buttons to push in order to get what he wanted from people.

Tom Parker was born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk in Breda, Netherlands. The title “Colonel“ was never awarded by the military, but by a governor as an honorary title in return for Parker’s political support. He served in the US Army under his newly adopted identity so as to avoid being exposed as an illegal immigrant who had never obtained US citizenship. After two years without incident, he ended up in solitary confinement for going AWOL and displaying psychotic behavior, which had him admitted to a mental hospital. He was subsequently discharged from the army with the following medical diagnosis: “Psychosis, Psychogenic Depression, acute, on the basis of Constitutional Psychopathic State, Emotional Instability.“ Much like his true identity, this piece of information was carefully guarded by Parker, whose demeanor incorporated both grandiose confidence and impenetrable secrecy.

His early life in the Netherlands was marked by a determination to escape his home and make his fortune in the Promised Land, the USA. There is a more sinister speculation concerning his desire for a fresh start: Parker happened to leave the Netherlands around the time of a murder that had taken place in close proximity to his home. He had been a delivery boy for a grocery shop where a young woman had been killed, and because of the extraordinary lengths Parker went to to conceal his Dutch identity, some researchers believe to have found the key to a dark and sordid secret. This theory is not unchallenged, though, and the case has never been solved nor was there ever any evidence for Parker’s involvement.

Having arrived in the USA, Parker soon started working at a carnival where he developed a popular “dancing chickens“ act, which meant putting the poor animals on a concealed hot plate so they had to “dance“ in order to not burn their feet. He later became a promoter, and managed the country artist Eddy Arnold before he encountered an untapped goldmine in the form of a very young and very ambitious Elvis Presley.

Despite his oddball flamboyance, Parker had an almost magnetic aura that could easily veer on the intimidating. By all accounts, he loved toying with people and enjoyed bamboozling them like the carnie that he was at heart. People feared and mocked him, but the latter never to his face, or else. While some found him convivial and likable, others were taken aback by how ruthless and coldblooded he could be. One of his most dominant characteristics was his impressive ability to be persuasive and to make people feel like they were in the presence of a truly extraordinary man, for better or worse. Moreover, Parker was unpredictable, and could act so off-kilter at times that even those who believed they knew him were puzzled. No one was ever let in on who he really was, because of the way he controlled people’s perception of him. Much like a stage magician never revealing all the details to everyone around him, people only saw the curated fragments that were tailored for the respective audience. In business and beyond, he was known to obsessively and endlessly analyze every tiny detail, to have seemingly indefatigable energy and coming up with ideas that others never would have dreamed of.

Parker cared nothing for his client’s artistic sensibilities. It has been assumed that he actively prevented Elvis from touring abroad despite several million dollar offers, because then he couldn’t have traveled with him (unacceptable for his control freak tendencies) due to not having a US passport. Regardless, his main interest was how to keep the money machine going, and if bad movies and subpar songs raked in the dough in the 1960s, or the endless 1970s Las Vegas engagements and US tours that became a soul-sucking and health-destroying ordeal for Elvis, then so be it. Parker was also a serious gambler and lost big at the tables, which prompted the suspicion that his mounting casino (and supposedly Mafia) debts had to be repaid by Elvis through performing insane schedules.

Witnessing his client’s physical decline left Parker completely unfazed, because the circus had to keep going, and everyone had to dance to his tune. In 1977, Elvis lost consciousness before a show, and as his doctor was desperately trying to revive him by dunking his head in a bucket of ice water, Parker’s only reaction was, “You listen to me, the only thing that is important is that that man is on that stage tonight!“ When “that man“ died a few months later, it was business as usual for Parker who continued to run the enterprise at a hefty personal profit until he was finally sued by Elvis’ estate over allegations of mismanagement, self-dealing, and breach of fiduciary duty.

His astrology is, let’s say, revealing.

The following is for paid subscribers only. Please consider a paid subscription for just €5 per month that will allow you to read the full Notorious Lunatics articles (published monthly), the complete Monthly Mood, as well as more exclusive content that I am going to be adding over time. Sincere thanks for your support.

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On September 11, we had a New Moon in the mutable earth sign Virgo. Ruled by Mercury, this sign is all about analytical faculties and a pragmatic, no-nonsense approach. Virgo is empathic and service-oriented by nature while having no time for pretense and dishonesty. It also embodies the archetype of the healer, and somewhat of a hermit who exists outside of the hustle and bustle of mundane life. Despite being extremely rational, Virgo can sometimes tend to lose sight of priorities and get lost in details, which can lead to mental overwhelm and a restricted, timid attitude for fear of taking a false step or inviting disaster by not eliminating every thinkable risk first.

This New Moon receives no challenging or stressful aspects whatsoever and is therefore most likely not one that stirs up too many emotions or discomfort. Having said that, people whose charts have strong tendencies towards nervous dispositions or mental health themes might be more strongly and negatively affected.

The lunation takes place in an Arabic Lunar Mansion called the Unarmed, which is auspicious for romantic love and friendship (though not marriage as it can support conflict), moving house, distancing oneself from dysfunctional work or relationships, and healing. Generally, it is a transitory quality that is characterized by movement of external elements, our bodies, circumstances, or our thoughts and attitudes. In essence, it is about improving the status quo through prudence, analysis and taking responsibility.

Representing a new beginning or the potential thereof, the New Moon in practical Virgo can be a good catalyst for clearing out what has become obsolete, whether that is connected to our physical bodies, environments, social contacts, our daily habits or how we manage our finances, for example. The house into which the New Moon falls in our individual charts shows the life area in which the New Moon’s influence is felt in the strongest way. The message is clear-cut: Stop wasting time on overthinking, get going even if you don’t feel ready. Do the work, do your best and then get started, and try not to be disproportionally critical about it.

General outlook for Sun, Moon and rising signs:

♈️ Aries: 6th house. Areas of influence: Daily habits, how you adapt to everyday reality, health & health practices, work, healing, critical thinking capabilities, body-psyche balance, pets

♉️ Taurus: 5th house. Areas of influence: Self-esteem and -expression, creativity (career for creative professionals), relationship with children, fun in existing or non-committal relationships

♊️ Gemini: 4th house. Areas of influence: Your past, family, home, childhood, your concept of home and what you’ve brought with you into adulthood from your earliest home environment

♋️ Cancer: 3rd house. Areas of influence: Communication, mentality, travels and means of transport (short distances), your relationship with siblings, neighbors and neighborhood

♌️ Leo: 2nd house. Areas of influence: Material and moral values, money from your own income, moveable property, any decisions/ values pertaining to saving or investing

♍️ Virgo: 1st house. Areas of influence: Your identity, appearance, how others perceive you, how you present yourself to the world and approach change

♎️ Libra: 12th house. Areas of influence: Past-life or karmic realm, subconscious drives/ fears, places of isolation, tendency for self-sabotage, hidden enemies

♏️ Scorpio: 11th house. Areas of influence: Friends, social groups including social media and your position therein, society, your wishes, hopes and ideals in life

♐️ Sagittarius: 10th house. Areas of influence: Your career/ business, public appearance/ image, reputation, your position in the public realm in general, the fruits of your beliefs

♑️ Capricorn: 9th house. Areas of influence: Beliefs (leading to later success), spirituality, travels far outside your known terrain, higher education (formal or not), legal dealings

♒️ Aquarius: 8th house. Areas of influence: Self-transformation, “death & rebirth“, sexuality, intimacy, secrets and grief/ sorrow, shared finances, inheritance

♓️ Pisces: 7th house. Areas of influence: Partnership (steady), marriage, known enemies, one-on-one relationships in general, also your personal vocation/ mission

© Olivia Solner

More information about personalized readings: www.sunmoonself.com

September 1: Mars square Saturn

Mars being in fall in Cancer while Saturn retrograde is in fall in Mars’ domain, Aries, can give us an impression of stalled action, annoying delays or a feeling of being thwarted where our ambitions and plans are concerned. This can be frustrating, but it may come to benefit us if we take the time (because we are being forced to do so) to revise things and be patient.

September 10: Venus enters Scorpio, Mercury enters Libra

Venus is in detriment in Scorpio, where her generous and free-flowing nature becomes more prone to passion and an ambitious drive towards self-preservation. None of this is negative, of course, but it tends to give our emotions greater intensity and a potential for more “spice“ in our relationships.

Mercury in Libra emphasizes rational thinking, diplomacy, seeing the other side of an argument and finding solutions that benefit all parties, even if that means taking longer to arrive at such solutions. Libra is the great aesthete and logical mastermind, and its nature is almost offended by ugliness and crudeness. Therefore, we might find ourselves looking for ways to make our surroundings more beautiful, or we could increasingly engage in creative and artistic activities.

September 11: New Moon in Virgo – see extra post

September 15: Venus square Pluto

Venus in Scorpio can lend a more aggressive (albeit not necessarily overtly) and feisty quality to our relationships, while the square with Pluto can indicate butting heads with groups of people or institutions and figures of authority. We may not be very open to collaboration at this time, even though Mercury in Libra is trine Pluto: there might be openly harmonious or compromise-oriented communication while something else is brewing underneath, possibly related to issues with control, hidden motives and power dynamics.

The following is for paid subscribers only. Please consider a paid subscription for only €5 per month that will allow you to read the full Notorious Lunatics articles (published monthly), the Monthly Mood series, as well as more exclusive content that I am going to be adding over time. Sincere thanks for your support, free or paid.

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On August 28, we had a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Pisces. The mutable water sign is the most “otherworldly“ of the zodiac, transcending the mundane and the material. On a personal level, Pisces holds introspective, mystical and spiritual qualities that can help us understand what we have been carrying with us that is now ready to be left behind once and for all. A Full Moon is seen as the culmination of a theme, or the finalization of a cycle, and in an eclipse, its meaning and effect in our lives is much stronger. This can be connected to attitudes, relationships, or old attachments that may have served as an emotional crutch or perceived shield from the world’s crudeness. We may find ourselves tired of finding excuses or escapes from something that we really should deal with. This is nothing negative in itself as the Sun is conjunct Mercury in rational Virgo, supporting emotional detachment and analysis.

The Arabic Lunar Mansion involved in this eclipse is called the Lower Spout of the Waterbucket and is regarded as auspicious for business, commerce, farming and healing. It is not favorable for starting a new project or building something new, because it carries a symbolism that entails completing an undertaking rather than initiating it, as well as allowing something to flow freely, and transitioning from one phase into another. Its associated planets are Mars and Mercury, the latter in a close conjunction with the Sun in Virgo, making a T-square with Uranus in Gemini and the Moon in Pisces. Mercury rules both Virgo and Gemini, so this is a very mind-driven aspect where some unexpected element has the potential to bring sudden clarity or inspiration. Mars, in fall in Cancer, cannot act decisively in the water sign trine the Moon. Cancer is ruled by the Moon, so Mars is anything but comfortable in this intuitive, archetypal feminine realm. What this means in practical terms is that outward action seems harder and wrought with baggage of the emotional or material kind, especially given that Saturn is in retrograde and thus, both malefics have a restricted quality. Thankfully, Saturn is in aversion to the Sun and Moon, meaning, it is not affecting either directly, but still marking the general influence.

When taken literally, it’s like the Sun ( =self) is looking into the “water“ of Pisces, seeing its reflection and realizing something important that may have been hidden before – including something we may have been trying to hide from ourselves, which of course never works indefinitely. This is also very much a “you reap what you sow” situation.

This is likely not an eclipse that will make huge waves in our personal lives as far as events are concerned, but it is more of an internal refocus of our lens, so to speak, with bigger implications for those in whose charts the eclipse has a significant placement.

General outlook for Sun, Moon and rising signs:

♈️ Aries: the Moon is in your 12th house. Areas of influence: Past-life or karmic realm, subconscious drives/ fears, places of isolation, tendency for self-sabotage, hidden enemies

♉️ Taurus: the Moon is in your 11th house. Areas of influence: Friends, social groups including social media and your position therein, society, your wishes, hopes and ideals in life

♊️ Gemini: the Moon is in your 10th house. Areas of influence: Your career/ business, public appearance/ image, reputation, your position in the public realm in general, the fruits of your beliefs

♋️ Cancer: the Moon is in your 9th house. Areas of influence: Beliefs (leading to later success), spirituality, travels far outside your known terrain, higher education (formal or not), legal dealings

♌️ Leo: the Moon is in your 8th house. Areas of influence: Self-transformation, “death & rebirth“, sexuality, intimacy, secrets and grief/ sorrow, shared finances, inheritance

♍️ Virgo: the Moon is in your 7th house. Areas of influence: Partnership (steady), marriage, known enemies, one-on-one relationships in general, also your personal vocation/ mission

♎️ Libra: the Moon is in your 6th house. Areas of influence: Daily habits, how you adapt to everyday reality, health & health practices, work, healing, critical thinking capabilities, body-psyche balance, pets

♏️ Scorpio: the Moon is in your 5th house. Areas of influence: Self-esteem and -expression, creativity (career for creative professionals), relationship with children, fun in existing or non-committal relationships

♐️ Sagittarius: the Moon is in your 4th house. Areas of influence: Your past, family, home, childhood, your concept of home and what you’ve brought with you into adulthood from your earliest home environment

♑️ Capricorn: the Moon is in your 3rd house. Areas of influence: Communication, mentality, travels and means of transport (short distances), your relationship with siblings, neighbors and neighborhood

♒️ Aquarius: the Moon is in your 2nd house. Areas of influence: Material and moral values, money from your own income, moveable property, any decisions/ values pertaining to saving or investing

♓️ Pisces: the Moon is in your 1st house. Areas of influence: Your identity, appearance, how others perceive you, how you present yourself to the world and approach change

© Olivia Solner

More information about personalized readings: www.sunmoonself.com

The individuals whose charts I am examining in this series range from the involuntarily (in)famous to more or less shady eccentrics and scammers right to the crème de la crème of evil, such as serial killers or cult leaders.

This is not a conventional reading, but one where the Moon’s eye view through the Arabic Lunar Mansions is the starting point for unraveling the chart’s tapestry. The title alludes to the lunar perspective, not to the claim that the charts examined here belong to lunatics. I am incorporating methods from the Hellenistic and Medieval traditions into my analysis as a counterbalance to the many modern chart readings that are available everywhere.

Needless to say, not everyone who happens to have the lunar mansions presented here is dangerous or otherwise a red flag. Just like with the zodiac signs, and contrary to the oversimplified mainstream astro-fluff, it is always a matter of specific combinations and the interplay of certain factors that determines how a chart’s story unfolds. Not to mention free will.

When I came up with the concept for this series, I wanted to leave some room for unexpected candidates that have been involved in notoriety and flirting with crime instead of exclusively highlighting the big boys/ girls such as serial killers. So, if you’re wondering why the iconic French actor Alain Delon has made it into the Notorious Lunatics, here goes:

After reading Murder In Paris ‘68: A true story of death and glamour by Edward Chisholm, I was intrigued by the story outlined therein as well as Delon’s on- and off-screen personality and how they were intertwined in a complex man who publicly claimed, “J’ai un très, très mauvais caractère” (“I have a very, very bad character”). Murder In Paris ‘68 reads like a fast-paced novel, but the story is entirely true, and meticulously researched. It begins with the plastic-wrapped body of 31-year-old Stevan Marković being found in a public dump in Élancourt, west of Paris, in October 1968. Marković, a Yugoslav immigrant whose handsome looks could have made him fit for the silver screen in his own right, had been a bodyguard, chauffeur, jack of all trades, and close companion to Alain Delon and his then-wife, Nathalie. What started as a standard crime investigation for the local police quickly turned into a scandal implicating the highest echelons of French politics and entertainment. Before his death, which Marković had reportedly been absolutely paranoid about during his final days, he had sent a letter to his brother in which these lines unleashed a scandalous avalanche:

“If I get killed, it’s 100% the fault of Alain Delon and his godfather François Marcantoni.”

François Marcantoni, a high-ranking Corsican gangster and lifelong friend of Delon, was immediately suspected to have targeted Marković because he had an affair with Nathalie Delon and thus had tainted his friendship with Alain, and also because he was heavily involved in blackmail: Marković had been organizing wild parties (or rather, orgies) for Paris’ high society during which he allegedly set up secret cameras in order to catch the elite of entertainment, money and politics in compromising positions. Following his death, the most salacious of rumors circulating among all levels of society was that Marković had snapped a few shots of Claude Pompidou, wife of former Prime minister and future President, Georges Pompidou. Delon was rumored to have been caught on film and in the act with male partners, although no genuine photographs of any of the alleged participants have ever surfaced.

For those unfamiliar with Delon’s background, him being tight buddies with known gangsters might come as a surprise, but Delon did not come from “respectable“ society. He grew up in a dysfunctional home, was expelled from schools and began associating with street gangs in his youth. Delon’s involvement with the Corsican mafia (the so-called milieu) was well documented by French Intelligence, eventually making its way into more or less public knowledge that the star had, at the very least, a soft spot for tough guys. Marcantoni, given his status as Delon’s “godfather“ (as per Marković’s infamous letter), was jailed for the murder of Marković, but was later released due to lack of evidence. Pre-fame Delon met the mobster and former bank robber in Toulon in 1953, shortly after Delon had been dishonorably discharged from the French Navy for theft and a variety of disciplinary offenses that placed him in and out of jail all throughout his military service.

Having made powerful friends in low places, Delon frequently expressed his admiration for the milieu’s code of conduct that was built on absolute loyalty, being true to one’s word, respect for authority (not the government’s, of course) and the rule of secrecy known as omertà in the Italian mafia. He famously stated that he preferred the company of gangsters to politicians because, “at least criminals have a sense of honor“. As he became famous, Delon’s entourage grew into an illustrious band of top tier society figures and some very shady types, including networks of bodyguards and fixers that helped keep his personal life well shielded from prying eyes. While Delon played upon the “bad boy“ image that accompanied his striking beauty, sex appeal and charisma, he had a very real affection for and affiliation with the underworld.

The Marković affair had a strange effect on Delon’s career in that it exposed a dangerous side of his private life, but ultimately, it did nothing to damage his success. Prior to the scandal, he was famous for playing calculating, even sociopathic, anti-heroes, most notably the impostor Tom Ripley in Plein Soleil (Purple Noon) and the icy hitman in Le Samouraï. If anything, the Marković scandal pulled back the thin curtain separating fiction from reality, lending a chilling undertone to Delon’s own proclamation to only ever play characters he can identify with. Not to mention his words “J’ai un très, très mauvais caractère” that come to sound more and more sincere the deeper one digs. Delon’s post-scandal movie, La Piscine (Swimming Pool), with a plot revolving around the cover-up of a suspicious death, was a massive commercial hit.

Delon’s astrology ticks quite a few boxes that confirm his self-description as well as the way others have come to experience him. There are various accounts of Delon’s less than formidable qualities as a romantic partner, family man and father, but I chose not to delve into that and focus on the part instead that might offer an idea of the likelihood that he may have “done did it” in connection with Marcović.

Delon’s Arabic Lunar Mansion is called the Two Signs and is associated with Mars and Saturn, giving the textbook definition of a blend between the warrior/ killer Mars and Saturn’s coldness, detachment, and core of steel. Since this is a night chart, the most cooperative malefic is Mars, exalted in Capricorn in Delon’s case, denoting an extreme determination, the ability to tame one’s impulses and being motivated by a desire to leave a legacy, command a sense of power and authority, and attain status.

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On August 12, we have a Solar Eclipse in the fixed fire sign Leo. At 20° Leo, it falls into an Arabic Lunar Mansion called the Mane of the Lion, which represents power, respect, authority and strength. It favors all endeavors that require courage and self-assertion, but not necessarily stable fortune. It is also not considered a good mansion when it comes to women’s health. As always with Leo and the mansions associated with it, there is the danger of becoming too fixed in one’s position and demanding more than one’s share, but the positive influence is highly useful when it comes to showing one’s strength of character, resilience and confidence.

Ancient astrologers would interpret eclipses in relation to kings and rulers, powerful or prominent people, the prosperity of a country, or vitality and abundance in general. The Sun itself represents the life essence, visibility, and public status and is literally being obscured and forced to operate in the dark until it can reemerge. What this implies is that themes connected to the eclipse can possibly trigger an important event. For an interpretation to be most accurate, though, not just the eclipse’s sign, but also the condition if its ruler etc. and especially the house in which it takes place would be taken into consideration. This goes completely against the New Age viewpoint that generally paints eclipses as some kind of portal opening and firing up our chakras with cosmic energies, leading to spiritual ascension.

The New Age view is also flawed because eclipses are traditionally regarded as significant for the locations where people can see them, and not equally for everyone, and certainly not willy-nilly because of vibes or energies. This eclipse will be visible along a relatively narrow path across the Northern Hemisphere, with its path of totality crossing Northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, the North Atlantic Ocean, Northern and central Spain and a small part in northwestern Portugal. It will be partially visible in most of Europe, much of Canada and in the northern parts of the USA.

In the “royal“ sign of Leo, it would certainly concern the powers that be as well as personal power. A classical interpretation would focus on some kind of transition of power, maybe things that were obscured coming to light or having run their course, instead of promising the download of cosmic information or activation of light codes etc. ... Since Leo also represents honor and loyalty, it could hint at something less than honorable being exposed, and a new form of leadership being established. Jupiter’s co-presence in Leo can indicate a majorly beneficial influence, offering some ease and possibly also mitigating Saturn retrograde’s limiting influence, and the potential confusion or extreme fixation of Neptune. Saturn and Neptune are making a trine to the eclipse, which is not a stressful aspect, but Saturn is in fall in Aries and retrograde, meaning that it cannot operate as efficiently and can impose tests of patience and resilience, or reality checks. Ideally, maturity and discipline go hand in hand with the Sun’s role in the spotlight of Leo. Jupiter’s expanding and amplifying influence and Mercury also being in Leo can be interpreted as having your mind on the money, so to speak, and coming into your power, but not without challenges from Saturn/ Neptune.

For our personal charts, the eclipse can represent a significant change in attitude concerning our confidence, sense of self, how we exercise and handle authority, liberation from what limits us, but also expose things like vanity, pride, corruption, biting off more than we can chew, or excessive desires in general. With Saturn’s influence, there can be circumstances involved that force us to slow down and act from a place of maturity and discipline, no matter how much we’d like to step into the limelight. This can be connected to having to give up on something that has served its purpose (or was never that useful to begin with, but part of your identity), or redefining your own position and status. The house in your own chart into which the eclipse falls shows which life area is most affected by it.

General outlook for rising signs:

♈ Aries: 5th house. Areas of influence: Self-esteem and -expression, creativity (career for creative professionals), relationship with children, fun in existing or non-committal relationships

♉ Taurus: 4th house. Areas of influence: Your past, family, home, childhood, your concept of home and what you’ve brought with you into adulthood from your earliest home environment

♊ Gemini: 3rd house. Areas of influence: Communication, mentality, travels and means of transport (short distances), your relationship with siblings, neighbors and neighborhood

♋ Cancer: 2nd house. Areas of influence: Material and moral values, money from your own income, moveable property, any decisions/ values pertaining to saving or investing

♌ Leo: 1st house. Areas of influence: Your identity, appearance, how others perceive you, how you present yourself to the world and approach change

♍ Virgo: 12th house. Areas of influence: Past-life or karmic realm, subconscious drives/ fears, places of isolation, tendency for self-sabotage, hidden enemies

♎ Libra: 11th house. Areas of influence: Friends, social groups including social media and your position therein, society, your wishes, hopes and ideals in life

♏ Scorpio: 10th house. Areas of influence: Your career/ business, public appearance/ image, reputation, your position in the public realm in general, the fruits of your beliefs

♐ Sagittarius: 9th house. Areas of influence: Beliefs (leading to later success), spirituality, travels far outside your known terrain, higher education (formal or not), legal dealings

♑ Capricorn: 8th house. Areas of influence: Self-transformation, “death & rebirth“, sexuality, intimacy, secrets and grief/ sorrow, shared finances, inheritance

♒ Aquarius: 7th house. Areas of influence: Partnership (steady), marriage, known enemies, one-on-one relationships in general, also your personal vocation/ mission

♓ Pisces: 6th house. Areas of influence: Daily habits, how you adapt to everyday reality, health & health practices, work, healing, critical thinking capabilities, body-psyche balance

© Olivia Solner

www.sunmoonself.com

August 6: Venus enters Libra

Venus rules the cardinal air sign and is therefore right at home, fully expressing her generous, sensitive, confident and beauty-loving nature. This transit is great for anyone who is creative, but it can inspire all of us to actively seek out beauty and refinement in whatever way appeals to us. For some, it may be promoting harmony with friends or partners, openness to new relationships or igniting more pleasure and passion in existing ones, spending money on things that make our homes more beautiful, etc. It’s overall a lovely and peaceful transit on a personal level that helps find beauty in the world during times when there isn’t much of that on the surface.

August 9 + 10: Mercury enters Leo

Leo represents self-assured leadership qualities, a solid ego that can verge on the grandiose when unbalanced, loyalty, honor, generosity, and zero problems with being the center of attention. With Mercury (mental processes, communication, money, business) joining Jupiter and the Leo’s ruler, the Sun, there is a lot of fiery energy about that can help us assert our will and move with resolute determination. This transit may even seduce some to think about, or execute, a makeover of some kind, investing more in appearance, polishing the presentation of one’s business, or being more generous with money spent on oneself and others in general. We might find ourselves being more focused on independence and communicating clearly with a sense of authority. Since Leo is a fixed sign, our own opinions and convictions can become a tad rigid, making it harder to admit mistakes or change our minds. However, this can be a very helpful influence for those who are quick to doubt themselves or have difficulties sticking to a path, because it lends a certain stubbornness to our enterprises (the trine with Saturn retrograde in Aries, demanding patience and stamina, only emphasizes this quality).

August 11: Mars enters Cancer

Mars is in fall in Cancer and not at all comfortable in the most feminine of signs (ruled by the Moon, symbolic of the mother archetype). Mars’ impulse towards action is heavily diluted by Cancer’s emotional approach to problems, the total opposite of Mars’ go-getter warrior attitude. Consequently, the influence of this transit can show itself in a lack of discipline, contrasting the fire signs’ nature discussed above while adding a degree of emotional instability and volatility. Our responses might be more passive-aggressive than usual, with a greater tendency to brood and revisit the past. There could also be some instability or conflict where our home and family is concerned, and health-wise, we could be more prone to inflammation or ailments affecting the stomach, chest or digestive tract. Anything that makes our blood boil should be avoided and rather, diffused by grounding activities and thoughts. If possible, avoid physical exertion and draining or “triggering“ social contacts.

August 12: Solar Eclipse in Leo – see separate post

August 15: Mercury conjunct Jupiter

With Jupiter being the amplifier of anything close by, the Mercury-in-Leo qualities described above are only expanded and heightened. It is overall a very positive transit on a personal level, but a bit of caution is in order so as not to become too hot-headed, literally.

The following is for paid subscribers only. Please consider a paid subscription for only €5 per month that will allow you to read the full Notorious Lunatics articles (published monthly), the Monthly Mood series, as well as more exclusive content that I am going to be adding over time. Sincere thanks for your support, free or paid.

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On July 29, we have a Full Moon in the fixed air sign Aquarius. This sign is ruled by Saturn and, while very progressive minded, Saturn’s stoic and unsentimental nature makes its mark on it much more than the New Age version of astrology suggests. Yes, Aquarius loves freedom, is inventive, thinks out of the box, etc., but the way it operates is highly structured and based on rationality above all. The negative expression is an unyielding conviction that it’s my way or the highway, which can turn into delusion. With the Moon conjunct Pluto in Aquarius, this can especially pertain to societal themes like social justice, ideas of societal progress or what constitutes as such, and even underworld/ criminal or otherwise shady areas.

Saturn is currently in fall in Aries, and retrograde, so pressure or resistance can be expected, forcing detachment and clarity instead of impulsive action. With the trine to the Sun conjunct Jupiter in Leo, the desire for self-expression and doing things on one’s own terms is dominant at this time, and the opposition to the Moon-Pluto conjunction challenges that in a major way. However, given the interplay of the fire signs Aries and Leo, with Leo’s ruler in domicile and greatly amplified by Jupiter, there is enough fuel to keep going instead of feeling thwarted.

The Moon is located in an Arabic Lunar Mansion called the Luckiest of the Lucky or the Foster Mother. It favors increasing one’s income, building something new, nurturing others and fulfillment of one’s own desires and needs. This mansion can bring about the birth of a fruitful project and indicate that construction of something material or immaterial is bound to yield profitable results as long as it is based on prudence, discipline, patience and care.

While early Arabian star lore portrays this mansion as expressing nature’s abundant and nurturing side, medieval and Renaissance interpretations focused more on the dark aspect of Saturn (referring to the mansion as the Wretched of the Wretched) since the mansion’s boundaries lie between late Capricorn and early Aquarius, both ruled by Saturn. This is where a degree of hardship, drawn-out periods of not seeing results or feeling impeded and deprived plays an integral part. It doesn’t have to mean physical suffering, but can extend to having endured some kind of trial connected to one’s resilience and clarity of mind. When approached with impatience, carelessness or a sense of entitlement, this feels like constantly getting knocked down by Saturn’s painful reality checks, whereas it builds stamina and strategic power when seen as making solid progress in the face of resistance.

In medical astrology, the Moon as the distributor of the life force can be quite erratic in Aquarius unless one pays careful attention to one’s physical and emotional health (and avoids the constant, stressful buzz of overexposure to technology, social media, crowds etc.). Mental capacities such as imagination are fueled significantly now, but it’s important to take good care of one’s nerves.

Marking the end of a cycle or having finally completed a tough chapter, this Full Moon can feel like something HAS to give after having experienced vulnerability, grief, hardship or a time during which tangible success seemed like a distant dream. It also reminds us that being confident (Sun + Jupiter in Leo) without getting unreasonably self-assured is the way to go.

The house in which the Moon is in your own chart shows the life area where the Full Moon is in effect. General outlook for Sun, Moon and rising signs:

♈️ Aries: 11th house. Areas of influence: Friends, social groups including social media and your position therein, society, your wishes, hopes and ideals in life

♉️ Taurus: 10th house. Areas of influence: Your career/ business, public appearance/ image, reputation, your position in the public realm in general, the fruits of your beliefs

♊️ Gemini: 9th house. Areas of influence: Beliefs (leading to later success), spirituality, travels far outside your known terrain, higher education (formal or not), legal dealings

♋️ Cancer: 8th house. Areas of influence: Self-transformation, “death & rebirth“, sexuality, intimacy, secrets and grief/ sorrow, shared finances, inheritance

♌️ Leo: 7th house. Areas of influence: Partnership (steady), marriage, known enemies, one-on-one relationships in general, also your personal vocation/ mission

♍️ Virgo: 6th house. Areas of influence: Daily habits, how you adapt to everyday reality, health & health practices, work, healing, critical thinking capabilities, body-psyche balance, pets

♎️ Libra: 5th house. Areas of influence: Self-esteem and -expression, creativity (career for creative professionals), relationship with children, fun in existing or non-committal relationships

♏️ Scorpio: 4th house. Areas of influence: Your past, family, home, childhood, your concept of home and what you’ve brought with you into adulthood from your earliest home environment

♐️ Sagittarius: 3rd house. Areas of influence: Communication, mentality, travels and means of transport (short distances), your relationship with siblings, neighbors and neighborhood

♑️ Capricorn: 2nd house. Areas of influence: Material and moral values, money from your own income, moveable property, any decisions/ values pertaining to saving or investing

♒️ Aquarius: 1st house. Areas of influence: Your identity, appearance, how others perceive you, how you present yourself to the world and approach change

♓️ Pisces: 12th house. Areas of influence: Past-life or karmic realm, subconscious drives/ fears, places of isolation, tendency for self-sabotage, hidden enemies

© Olivia Solner

www.sunmoonself.com

As promised, here is the follow-up to last month’s article in which I have examined Myra Hindley and Ian Brady’s charts individually. This is what their composite chart has to tell us about the nature and outcome of their relationship:

The Manzil in this chart happens to be the same as Ted Bundy’s and is associated with Saturn, which is placed in the 12th house in Taurus. This entails worship of power, and is very much oriented at sensual pleasure (Taurus), but concealed in the 12th house. With the 12th house being quite crowded, a lot is happening behind closed doors. Venus, for example, in detriment in Aries, denotes pleasure in the pursuit much more than in the accomplished conquest. In non-psychopaths, this can simply mean that someone is quite ambitious and bold when it comes to getting what they want, which is by no means negative in itself. Here, however, it plays into a much larger theme of predatory behavior combined with cruelty. With Jupiter co-present in Aries and amplifying the sign’s nature as well as strengthening Venus’ influence, joy and fulfillment is found in Aries’ terrain, which is competition, impulse gratification, and the hunt.

The following is for paid subscribers only. Please consider a paid subscription for only €5 per month that will allow you to read the full Notorious Lunatics articles (published monthly), the Monthly Mood series (full version for paid subscribers only from June 2026 onward), as well as more exclusive content that I am going to be offering. Thanks a lot for your support, free or paid, I sincerely appreciate it.

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On July 14, we have a New Moon in the cardinal water sign Cancer. Ruled by the Moon, Cancer represents the maternal, instinctual, nurturing, and a deep connection with our home(land), ancestry and family. Cancer doesn’t like conflicts, but when it comes to defending loved ones, a cause that is important, or one’s home, beware the fierce fighter that is hidden beneath Cancer’s sensitive exterior.

With Mercury retrograde co-present in Cancer, there is a clear emphasis on the emotional instead of the rational side, and the risk of not seeing clearly when perceived notions triumph over objectivity. Cancer tends to brood and compensate for emotional distress and lack with an overindulgence in comfort eating/ shopping or internalizing feelings instead of finding an outlet. There has to be a balance or else the weight of the world can get too much, which is especially relevant in these times when it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer craziness of the world. The square with Saturn in Aries is a tense aspect that can feel like our patience is being tested, or we may not get what we look for. The important thing is to understand how we can nurture ourselves, and become grounded instead of allowing external events to affect us deeply and viscerally.

The New Moon takes place in an Arabic Lunar Mansion called the Glance of the Lion’s Eye or the Gaze. It’s associated with confrontation with authority, frustrations, disappointment and defense. This is not so much a truly negative place, but more like a signal for increasing self-reliance and strengthening one’s defenses, which also touches upon health. Where do we find a lack of nurturing in the broadest sense, what do we need in order to feel strengthened and “well fed“, and what do we need to do, or revisit (Mercury retrograde has entered the chat), for more security? Themes of family, home and hearth, or ancestry can become prominent now, inspiring internal growth and understanding.

A New Moon represents the potential for a new beginning, and the house into which it falls in your individual chart shows the life area where it can express its influence most dominantly. General outlook for Sun, Moon and rising signs:

♈️ Aries: 4th house. Areas of influence: Your past, family, home, childhood, your concept of home and what you’ve brought with you into adulthood from your earliest home environment

♉️ Taurus: 3rd house. Areas of influence: Communication, mentality, travels and means of transport (short distances), your relationship with siblings, neighbors and neighborhood

♊️ Gemini: 2nd house. Areas of influence: Material and moral values, money from your own income, moveable property, any decisions/ values pertaining to saving or investing

♋️ Cancer: 1st house. Areas of influence: Your identity, appearance, how others perceive you, how you present yourself to the world and approach change

♌️ Leo: 12th house. Areas of influence: Past-life or karmic realm, subconscious drives/ fears, places of isolation, tendency for self-sabotage, hidden enemies

♍️ Virgo: 11th house. Areas of influence: Friends, social groups including social media and your position therein, society, your wishes, hopes and ideals in life

♎️ Libra: 10th house. Areas of influence: Your career/ business, public appearance/ image, reputation, your position in the public realm in general, the fruits of your beliefs

♏️ Scorpio: 9th house. Areas of influence: Beliefs (leading to later success), spirituality, travels far outside your known terrain, higher education (formal or not), legal dealings

♐️ Sagittarius: 8th house. Areas of influence: Self-transformation, “death & rebirth“, sexuality, intimacy, secrets and grief/ sorrow, shared finances, inheritance

♑️ Capricorn: 7th house. Areas of influence: Partnership (steady), marriage, known enemies, one-on-one relationships in general, also your personal vocation/ mission

♒️ Aquarius: 6th house. Areas of influence: Daily habits, how you adapt to everyday reality, health & health practices, work, healing, critical thinking capabilities, body-psyche balance, pets

♓️ Pisces: 5th house. Areas of influence: Self-esteem and -expression, creativity (career for creative professionals), relationship with children, fun in existing or non-committal relationships

© Olivia Solner

www.sunmoonself.com

July 4: Mars conjunct Uranus

This could bring some upheaval, disruption, revelation or a significant shift with technology connected to transport, communication, travel, cyberspace, AI, and business. Furthermore, misunderstandings or accidents due to being distracted or overwhelmed, possibly also aggression through words/ communication, either personally or through media, publicity, etc. Mars in Gemini fights with words, and Uranus as the disruptor of the status quo can throw a curveball and unexpected new developments into negotiations or the way we handle information. Another possibility is a sudden scandal or revelation (true or not) that becomes prominent in the public sphere. With Mercury as Gemini’s ruler being retrograde, Mars operates in a way that is strongly affected by Mercury’s condition and therefore, things could feel like they’re getting out of control or experience unexpected developments, delays etc.

July 6: Sun square Saturn

The Sun in Cancer expresses nurturing tendencies and protection of one’s family, home and what feeds us on an emotional level, whereas Saturn in Aries is in fall and can manifest as frustration when things don’t go as planned or there are too many obstacles preventing decisive action at the right time. There could be a conflict between preserving our security and the need for independent, decisive action. We might feel impeded by fears, less than optimal circumstances or reality checks demanding patience, discipline and restraint.

July 7: Neptune retrograde

This is a global and collective influence rather than an immediately personal one. Neptune represents deception, glamour, media, the entertainment industry and also fanatical or extremist views. Going retrograde in the sign of the warrior and powerful initiator, Aries, there could be a revisiting of power plays and alliances within global politics, for example. Another possibility is the reemergence of propaganda or increased efforts at shaping public opinion with not-so pleasant intent behind the scenes.

July 9: Venus enters Virgo

Venus is in fall in Virgo, since the sign of the hermit, healer, virgin, scholar, or generally a figure removed from the mundane and carnal affairs of the world is too repressed and timid for Venus’ fully fledged, sensual and confident nature to emerge. What this can mean for us personally is less focus on enjoyment and gratification in relationships as well as money matters, and a bit of a restrained quality that need not be a bad thing, though. We might not feel too adventurous, passionate or fired up in relationships, but on the other hand, this can be a good influence for getting our daily lives in order and curbing our spending on unnecessary expenses. We might be more critical of other people, our partners or ourselves during this transit, which could diminish our capacity for pleasure and self-confidence, especially if we’re not normally on the very confident side, so a word of warning is in order to not be too nitpicky about perceived imperfections or small details that don’t really matter that much.

July 13: Sun conjunct Mercury

The Sun can literally illuminate issues within our home, family, ancestry, our sense of security, and possibly also bring out emotionally charged conversations. We might have to pay renewed attention to things within Cancer’s domain such as the aforementioned, and thus can get a chance to correct or review decisions. But, since Mercury is combust aka dominated by the Sun, clarity and straightforward communication might not be easy, or heavily colored by emotions. Mercury being retrograde can bring various hiccups and misunderstandings, so this is not a good time for making any big decisions concerning our home, family etc.

July 14: New Moon in Cancer – see extra post

The following is for paid subscribers only. Please consider a paid subscription for only €5 per month that will allow you to read the full Notorious Lunatics articles (published monthly), the Monthly Mood series, as well as more exclusive content that I am going to be adding over time. Sincere thanks for your support, free or paid.

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On June 29, we have a Full Moon in the cardinal earth sign Capricorn. Ruled by Saturn, this sign’s nature is focused on advancement through hard work, ambitions towards leaving a lasting impact, material stability, traditional values and a strong foundation of principles. Capricorn doesn’t play, and can have a penchant for the darker aspects of life that others shy away from.

The Moon is in an Arabic Lunar Mansion called the Lucky One of the Slaughterers or the Fortunate Assassin, viewed as favorable for healing, traveling, and resolving difficulties. It is also connected with liberation through sacrifice, as well as both physical and spiritual liberation and progress, but not without pressure. The mansion’s planets are Saturn and Venus. Both currently in fire signs (Saturn in Aries and Venus in Leo), the mansion’s expression is clearly headed towards personal liberation and dealing with what limits or “imprisons“ us. Saturn in stubborn, individualistic and impatient Aries makes a T-square with the Moon in earthy Capricorn and the Sun in emotional Cancer, creating a tension that can be resolved by logical, rational and cool-headed compromise instead of withdrawal or blindly charging forward. When clarity sets in, this lunar mansion is very auspicious for quick and goal-oriented movement that can help us resolve an uncomfortable situation without sacrificing our wellbeing.

Symbolizing the closing of a chapter or something that is about to be finalized and healed, we could find that we have gained a lot of personal power in the life area (house) where the Moon and Sun transit our own chart. There may have been a time of stress, pressure or otherwise less favorable events behind us, and even if we carried a few bruises or have been feeling stuck, this is a time for freeing ourselves through our own efforts where creativity and personal power is concerned.

General outlook for Sun, Moon and rising signs:

♈ Aries: the Moon is in your 10th house. Areas of influence: Your career/ business, public appearance/ image, reputation, your position in the public realm in general, the fruits of your beliefs

♉ Taurus: the Moon is in your 9th house. Areas of influence: Beliefs (leading to later success), spirituality, travels far outside your known terrain, higher education (formal or not), legal dealings

♊ Gemini: the Moon is in your 8th house. Areas of influence: Self-transformation, “death & rebirth“, sexuality, intimacy, secrets and grief/ sorrow, shared finances, inheritance

♋ Cancer: the Moon is in your 7th house. Areas of influence: Partnership (steady), marriage, known enemies, one-on-one relationships in general, also your personal vocation/ mission

♌ Leo: the Moon is in your 6th house. Areas of influence: Daily habits, how you adapt to everyday reality, health & health practices, work, healing, critical thinking capabilities, body-psyche balance

♍ Virgo: the Moon is in your 5th house. Areas of influence: Self-esteem and -expression, creativity (career for creative professionals), relationship with children, fun in existing or non-committal relationships

♎ Libra: the Moon is in your 4th house. Areas of influence: Your past, family, home, childhood, your concept of home and what you’ve brought with you into adulthood from your earliest home environment

♏ Scorpio: the Moon is in your 3rd house. Areas of influence: Communication, mentality, travels and means of transport (short distances), your relationship with siblings, neighbors and neighborhood

♐ Sagittarius: the Moon is in your 2nd house. Areas of influence: Material and moral values, money from your own income, moveable property, any decisions/ values pertaining to saving or investing

♑ Capricorn: the Moon is in your 1st house. Areas of influence: Your identity, appearance, how others perceive you, how you present yourself to the world and approach change

♒ Aquarius: the Moon is in your 12th house. Areas of influence: Past-life or karmic realm, subconscious drives/ fears, places of isolation, tendency for self-sabotage, hidden enemies

♓ Pisces: the Moon is in your 11th house. Areas of influence: Friends, social groups including social media and your position therein, society, your wishes, hopes and ideals in life

© Olivia Solner

www.sunmoonself.com

Mercury goes retrograde on June 29. In the final degrees of Cancer, it will remain in the cardinal water sign until entering Leo in early August. Mercury, representing the mind and our mental processes, is focused on Cancer’s themes surrounding emotional bonds, family (especially maternal), and care in the physical as well as emotional/ psychological sense. As a period of revision and correction, the retrograde motion gives us an opportunity to revisit these themes where they affect a certain area of our lives, shown by the house in our chart where the transit takes place. This period is notorious for coinciding with significant delays, hiccups, misunderstandings, and a lack of clarity and straightforwardness in general, which is especially the case when Mercury is in a water sign that operates intuitively rather rather than rationally. Cancer is nurturing, but needs to be nurtured as well. Depending on where the transit falls in our individual chart, we may see things going less smoothly, taking longer than anticipated, people going back and forth on their statements, our own ideas not coming to fruition as planned, or business going slower and less predictably. Mercury’s domain extends to business, money, travel, technology and communication, which is exactly where the retrogrades are known for potential chaos and disruption.

What we need now is to allow ourselves to withdraw and reorganize our internal, emotional world even if the external world puts pressure on us. We don’t have to perform like trained seals just to function and fulfill obligations; we also need to take enough time for ourselves and cultivate something, whether that’s our own inner world, a small garden where we can watch things grow, or an interest that is important to us. Mercury “thinks“ in Cancer’s terms, and therefore, we must not forget to feed our own souls. It’s also possible that emotional wounds from the past are revisited during this retrograde, connected to the life area where it happens for us personally. The worst we can do in this case is try to sweep things under the rug or become emotionally reactive and frustrated. Instead, we’re faced with the chance to clear the air once and for all, even if it may not be the easiest thing to do at first. Given that Cancer rules the stomach and digestive process, it’s very possible that we’re challenged to verbalize emotions or to stop looking for false comfort and find what truly nurtures us instead. Contrary to the more drama-centric version of modern astrology, the grounded and pragmatic view is to put the retrograde in perspective as a time of course correction and revealing something that isn’t healthy or aligned. Yes, it can be unpleasant, chaotic or annoying, but it doesn’t have to be.

Mercury goes direct on July 23, but the shadow period lasts until August 7, which is why we might still see the themes of the retrograde lingering until then. Since the retrograde indicates a literal (optical) change of direction, so does Mercury on a personal level. Meaning, decisions made under this influence might not be of a lasting character, and therefore, astrologers have always advised against making big changes, starting something new, undertaking major dealings in business or money, or getting married under a Mercury retrograde. Of course, common sense and discernment are to be used in any case.

General outlook for Sun, Moon and rising signs:

♈ Aries: 4th house. Areas of influence: Your past, family, home, childhood, your concept of home and what you’ve brought with you into adulthood from your earliest home environment

♉ Taurus: 3rd house. Areas of influence: Communication, mentality, travels and means of transport (short distances), your relationship with siblings, neighbors and neighborhood

♊ Gemini: 2nd house. Areas of influence: Material and moral values, money from your own income, moveable property, any decisions/ values pertaining to saving or investing

♋ Cancer: 1st house. Areas of influence: Your identity, appearance, how others perceive you, how you present yourself to the world and approach change

♌ Leo: 12th house. Areas of influence: Past-life or karmic realm, subconscious drives/ fears, places of isolation, tendency for self-sabotage, hidden enemies

♍ Virgo: 11th house. Areas of influence: Friends, social groups including social media and your position therein, society, your wishes, hopes and ideals in life

♎ Libra: 10th house. Areas of influence: Your career/ business, public appearance/ image, reputation, your position in the public realm in general, the fruits of your beliefs

♏ Scorpio: 9th house. Areas of influence: Beliefs (leading to later success), spirituality, travels far outside your known terrain, higher education (formal or not), legal dealings

♐ Sagittarius: 8th house. Areas of influence: Self-transformation, “death & rebirth“, sexuality, intimacy, secrets and grief/ sorrow, shared finances, inheritance

♑ Capricorn: 7th house. Areas of influence: Partnership (steady), marriage, known enemies, one-on-one relationships in general, also your personal vocation/ mission

♒ Aquarius: 6th house. Areas of influence: Daily habits, how you adapt to everyday reality, health & health practices, work, healing, critical thinking capabilities, body-psyche balance

♓ Pisces: 5th house. Areas of influence: Self-esteem and -expression, creativity (career for creative professionals), relationship with children, fun in existing or non-committal relationships

© Olivia Solner

www.sunmoonself.com

On June 15, we have a New Moon in the mutable air sign Gemini. Probably the most misunderstood and unfairly maligned of all the zodiac signs, Gemini’s true nature lies in the synthesis of the rational and the intuitive, not shallow gossip or flaky unpredictability. There is an element of the unexpected, because Gemini is a mutable sign, after all. But since the air element is involved (mind, words, intellect, logic), this unpredictability is more directed towards mental inspiration rather than erratic behavior or being “two-faced“. The so-called two faces really indicate the ability to hold two differing viewpoints at once without collapsing or siding with what seems (but may not truly be) right, seeing things from different angles that are equally valid, and coming to conclusions that are evidence-based instead of emotionally reactive. A potential weakness within Gemini’s nature is to become too scattered and thus unable to put the pieces together into a coherent picture, or not translate ideas into concrete form. The chatty gossip lover and unfocused scatterbrain is the lowest and least grounded manifestation of Gemini, not the default setting. This principle goes for all the zodiac sign clichés where the least balanced version was picked for commercial purposes rather than actual understanding of the signs and how they function.

What the New Moon, representing a new beginning, can show us is an area where a literal breath of fresh air comes in to dissolve old structures that no longer serve us. They can be material or mental, and even emotional. Air signs, contrary to popular astro-lore, are very much capable of feeling emotions deeply; however, they do not lose themselves in them and are able (sometimes to their detriment) to rationalize them.

The New Moon takes place in an Arabic Lunar Mansion called the Forearm or the Seed of the Branch, and is associated with Mercury. This mansion is said to be highly auspicious for love, friendship, healing, and success in trade. According to ancient texts, one should sow seeds (literally or proverbially), make a point of wearing new or different clothes and bring some fresh element into one’s life, clean oneself and seek alliances with others that are based on trust and mutual understanding.

All in all, this is a very positive “vibe“ as the New Moon is not challenged by any stressful aspects, and therefore, it makes for a beneficial time to start something new in the spirit of communication, curiosity, learning something new and seeing our lives and ourselves with fresh eyes.

General outlook for Sun, Moon and rising signs and the area of life ( = house) the lunation affects the most:

♈ Aries: 3rd house. Areas of influence: Communication, mentality, travels and means of transport (short distances), your relationship with siblings, neighbors and neighborhood

♉ Taurus: 2nd house. Areas of influence: Material and moral values, money from your own income, moveable property, any decisions/ values pertaining to saving or investing

♊ Gemini: 1st house. Areas of influence: Your identity, appearance, how others perceive you, how you present yourself to the world and approach change

♋ Cancer: 12th house. Areas of influence: Past-life or karmic realm, subconscious drives/ fears, places of isolation, tendency for self-sabotage, hidden enemies

♌ Leo: 11th house. Areas of influence: Friends, social groups including social media and your position therein, society, your wishes, hopes and ideals in life

♍ Virgo: 10th house. Areas of influence: Your career/ business, public appearance/ image, reputation, your position in the public realm in general, the fruits of your beliefs

♎ Libra: 9th house. Areas of influence: Beliefs (leading to later success), spirituality, travels far outside your known terrain, higher education (formal or not), legal dealings

♏ Scorpio: 8th house. Areas of influence: Self-transformation, “death & rebirth“, sexuality, intimacy, secrets and grief/ sorrow, shared finances, inheritance

♐ Sagittarius: 7th house. Areas of influence: Partnership (steady), marriage, known enemies, one-on-one relationships in general, also your personal vocation/ mission

♑ Capricorn: 6th house. Areas of influence: Daily habits, how you adapt to everyday reality, health & health practices, work, healing, critical thinking capabilities, body-psyche balance

♒ Aquarius: 5th house. Areas of influence: Self-esteem and -expression, creativity (career for creative professionals), relationship with children, fun in existing or non-committal relationships

♓ Pisces: 4th house. Areas of influence: Your past, family, home, childhood, your concept of home and what you’ve brought with you into adulthood from your earliest home environment

© Olivia Solner

www.sunmoonself.com

The individuals whose charts I am examining in this series range from the involuntarily (in)famous to more or less shady eccentrics and scammers right to the crème de la crème of evil, such as serial killers or cult leaders.

This is not a conventional reading, but one where the Moon’s eye view aka Luna and her mansions is the starting point for unraveling the chart’s tapestry. I am incorporating methods from the Hellenistic and Medieval traditions into my analysis as a counterbalance to the many “normal”, modern chart readings that are available.

Needless to say, not everyone with the lunar mansions presented here is dangerous or otherwise a red flag. Just like with the zodiac signs, and contrary to the oversimplified mainstream astro-fluff, it is always a matter of specific combinations and the interplay of certain factors that determines how a chart’s story unfolds. Not to mention free will.

Myra Hindley and Ian Brady have gained horrific notoriety thanks to their killing spree, referred to as the Moors Murders, which has taken the lives of five confirmed victims between the ages 10 and 17. The most striking and disturbing aspect about their crimes is the casual sadism with which they were executed, along with meticulous, cold-blooded planning beforehand.

While Brady is mostly seen as the initially dominant partner who introduced his girlfriend to his worldview and predilections, it’s Hindley’s nature that is particularly disturbing, because as a woman, she seemed to completely lack any type of protective instinct towards children and, on the contrary, used a mask of easygoing kindness and apparent trustworthiness to lure them to their demise. Theirs was a complex relationship in which both partners’ predatory instincts and pathologies intertwined, creating an entity the monstrosity of which can easily be described as demonic. I’m going to examine the couple’s relationship astrology in Part 2 for next month’s installment.

Here, I’m going to look at Brady and Hindley’s individual Arabic Lunar Mansions.

Ian Brady

Ian Brady’s Manzil is called The Good Fortune of the Swallower, The Dog-Cat and The Hybrid. Associated with Mercury and Saturn, its themes center around loss, separation, destruction, internalization, a propensity for leading a hidden life, and the danger of being devoured by one’s desires and conflicting instincts.

The Moon in Capricorn alone is usually seen as not inherently empathetic (but also not inherently cruel by any means) because the sign is ruled by Saturn, oriented at hard facts and not emotions. Therefore, if other factors support this tendency, a Capricorn Moon can lack empathy, be drawn to overly dark aspects of life and belong to a brooding, sardonic type who doesn’t wear their heart on their sleeve.

This is supported by Mercury, representing the mind and way of communicating. We find the planet in retrograde in Saturn-ruled Capricorn, showing a person that is definitely not talkative.

Saturn can be found at the very last degree of Pisces in the “malefic“ 12th house and displays the most secretive character therein, and one that is the least rooted in physical reality. In other words: loneliness, delusions, addictions and lack of discernment that can become Brady’s undoing since the 12th house represents subconscious urges and the potential for self-sabotage.

With the Sun (life essence and outward life path orientation) also in Capricorn, the case for the brooding loner type is even more supported. Plus, this Sun is extremely tough and can be a very hard worker fond of structure, discipline and tradition. In this combination, however, it tends towards the hardened and severe.

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