Sir Fred: a Napoleon for our times

Troubled former chief executive of the Royal Bank of Scotland, Sir Fred Goodwin. is in more hot water over the size of his pension.

Under his watch, the bank's star shone but came to ground in the credit crunch with a resounding bang. It clocked up the largest ever loss in UK corporate history. And now Sir Fred refuses to relinquish any of his vast £693,000 annual pension despite a major public outright.

You could say this was a stance of Napoleonic proportions.

I'm sure you're getting my drift, Sir Fred shares the same I Ching Astrology profile as the redoubtable French leader: the tenacious 6-8-3.

His 6 Heaven Birth Star sees him take the moral high ground - no matter what!

His 8 Mountain Inner Star gives him the courage, determination and strength of a Mountain.

His 3 Thunder Outer Star gives him the drive and stamina to take on any challenge.

And for 2009 his 6 Heaven Birth Star resides in the South West, the House of planning and contracts. Sir Fred is well positioned for such a provocative stance!

Liz Taylor at 77

Legendary Hollywood actress Liz Taylor turns 77 today. Her classic beauty and turbulent love life are revealed in her 5-2-8 I Ching Astrology profile.

Her 5 T'ai Chi Birth Star always puts her in the driving seat of any relationship. Her eight marriages are testimony to that. Always central and commanding she has been the centre of attention in Hollywood for decades.

Her Inner Star is the ultra feminine and delicate 2 Earth Star. This Star is born out of the Mother Trigram in the I Ching and common to many of the world's most beautiful women.

Doing things her way and often against the odds is very typical of those with the 8 Mountain Outer Star. Stubborn, ostentatious but ultimately resilient, this Star has given Liz (pictured in her 1956 movie Giant) the determination to succeed over the years.

Earthy Sandie is 62 today

Bare-foot pop phenomenon, Sandie Shaw, is 62 today.

As a 17-year-old, Sandie was launched into the spotlight in the 60's and endeared herself to the British public by always performing "shoe-less". Was this earthy style manufactured by her manager or was it the real Sandie?

All her Stars in I Ching Astrology are drawn from the Earth Element. Her profile is the 8-2-2 .

Her 8 Mountain Birth Star makes her tenacious and tough.

Her Inner and Outer Stars are both the ultra-feminine 2 Earth Stars. These Stars are drawn from the Mother Trigram in the I Ching which brings out not only earthiness but the warm, gentle and loving side of the female principle.

The 8-2-2 profile is very strong. Others like Sandie Shaw. who have learned to adapt to life's challenges, include: Lord Nelson, Joseph Conrad, Grace Kelly, Oliver Reed and Helena Sukova. Their resilience is legendary.

And, yes, Sandie was definitely doing it her way!

Picture courtesy: www.sandieshaw.com

The Come Back Kid!

Brazilian born soccer player Eduardo da Silva is 26 today. He has had a very turbulent year both in and out of the spotlight.

His I Ching Astrology profile is the resilient and earthy 8-2- 2. And he has needed all his power as an 8 Mountain Birth Star these past 12 months to overcome one of the worst injuries ever seen on live-TV - just before his birthday last year.

Fresh from a move to Arsenal from Croatia, some thought he would never play again and others even feared he might even lose his ankle.

But true to form for an 8 Mountain Star, Eduardo returned to play for Arsenal a week ago and scored two goals!

Happy Birthday, Eduardo!

The Oscars - another star quality

Star quality of a different kind helped Oscar winners this weekend.

Danny Boyle, director of best picture, Sean Penn, best actor, Kate Winslet, best actress and Penelope Cruz, best supporting actress, all had very well aspected Stars according to I Ching Astrology.

In this ancient system, each Star moves to a different position or house on an annual basis.

When a Star is in the South or Fire House, it brings fame and success.

When in the East or South East positions it is very easy to "grow" and enjoy success.

Of the nine different houses it is these three positions are associated with success.

Incredibly, these are the houses occupied by the main winners at Sunday's 81st Awards Ceremony.

Sean Penn's 4 Wind Star is in the House of Fame to the South! Danny Boyle and Penelope Cruz with their 8 Mountain Stars are both in the East with its bright horizons. Kate Winslett, a 7 Lake Star, in the South East which represents success and growth

How to calculate your own Birth Star

Now that we're into the New Year by the I Ching Astrology calender, it's the perfect time to calculate your own Star. There are nine different Stars in I Ching Astrology and they all relate to one of the eight trigrams in the I Ching and the T'ai Chi itself.

It is important to remember that the I Ching Astrology year begins on the first day of the Chinese Solar Year, 4 February, annually. Therefore, anyone born between 1 January and 3 February, actually belongs to the previous year...

Take an example, such as John Lennon or Pele, who were both born in 1940.

Start by adding all the digits in their year of birth:

1+9+4+0 = 14

Add them again to get a figure below 11:

1+4=5

Now take away from 11:

11-5 = 6 Heaven Birth Star

This formula can be used to look at any date.

The 6 Heaven Star represents: clarity, dominion, leadership, focus, clarity and accuracy. For mini profiles of all the Birth Stars go, click here>>

And to order a full I Ching Astrology profile giving you insights into your whole persona and a road map for the year ahead, click here>>

Indomitable Kennedy makes it 77

Senior Senator from Massachusetts, Ted Kennedy , turns 77 today.

The survivor of the three tragic Kennedy brothers, he has had his fair share of challenges in his life. His grounded and tenacious nature is well noted in his I Ching Astrology profile of 5-2-8. All these Stars are from the Earth element enriching his warm, generous, charismatic and campaigning qualities.

His 5 T'ai Chi Birth Star gives him complete control in most situations. He can command attention in any room or in a debate.

His 2 Earth Inner Star - drawn from the Mother Trigram in the I Ching - gives him warmth and generosity.

But his 8 Mountain Outer Star makes him appear stubborn and confrontational, making him indomitable in his stance to protect the down-trodden.

Frasier is a modest 54 today!

Five times Emmy Award winning actor, Kelsey Grammer, celebrates his 54th birthday today. Star of "Cheers" and "Frasier", Grammer is fun, lively, witty - like his 9 Fire Birth Star.

However, Fire needs feeding and there are times when his character nosedives into self-doubt and despair which is the down side of the irrepressible spirit of Fire.

Grammer's part as Frasier is a perfect fit! His Birth and Outer Stars are the inspiring and breathless 9 Fire Stars. Always in a hurry, full of vanity and continually dreaming of a better world - and periodically racked with angst and frustration.

Grammer is lucky to have the 5 T'ai Chi Inner Star which acts as the glue to hold his temperament together. Always in control on a deeper level, while his actions and appearance would suggest the opposite!

Nascar Legend turns 75

Bobby Unser was born today in 1934. An incredibly competitive and thrilling driver, this 75-year-old legend, is one of only seven drivers to win the famed Indianapolis 500 on three occasions. He is a household name in the US.

So what from an I Ching Astrology perspective has been the driving force in his life?

At a glance he is driven by Thunder! Both his Birth Star and Outer Star are the brash, speedy and youthful 3 Thunder Stars. Always on the go and the last to give up!

But central to his character is his tenacious 5 T'ai Chi Inner Star. This Star gives him stability and control under immense pressure. The idea of pushing a racing car beyond 200 mph for him has never been a problem with this combination of Stars!

Picture from: www.motorsportshalloffame.com

Harriet's Time?

Senior British politician, Harriet Harman, has been jostling of late to position herself as a candidate for the leadership of the Labour Party. This would involve ousting current Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, a 4 Wind Star.

I Ching Astrology illuminates both public and private life with sharp insights into who we are and how we relate to others. And as our Birth Stars migrate through the Houses - by day, month and year, we can map out the best course for our lives

Harman has the powerful 5-6-4 profile. It is her 6 Heaven Inner Star that gives her tenacity and drive. Margaret Thatcher shares the same Inner Star in her 3-6-2 profile.

But in 2009 the 5 T'ai Chi Birth Star of Harman's languishes temporarily - in the North House, ruled by winter. Not a good time for her to take on this kind of challenge. Last year she was in the Fire position and then her ambition looked realistic.

As one commentator said yesterday, Harman's leadership would put the Labour Party back in opposition for at least 15 years.

It is all about timing! And it's all in the stars. What more can I say.

Stuttering Thunder

The England Rugby Union team was defeated for the second time in a month on Saturday. The cause was indiscipline and rash play under astrological duress.

Both coach Martin Johnston and the captain Steve Borthwick (pictured), who must both take the full rap, are both 3 Thunder Stars. And throughout 2009, their Star is badly aspected in the house of the Northeast, or Mountain, signifying poor communication and the spinning of wheels. I looked at the profiles of all the team only to discover that many other players share the same star: Nick Easter, Paul Sackey and Mark Cueto.

The best qualities of the 3 Thunder are speed, agility, flexibility and inventiveness. There is, though, a downside, as we saw over the weekend, which includes rashness and temper..

I Ching Astrology point to the victorious ways of the highly successful Welsh team, the players are mostly 2 Earth Stars and this year their position is in the West - known as Joy or Celebration in the I Ching.

Borthwick pic from www.saracens.com

A Churchillian response

Troubled top English soccer giants, Chelsea, seemed to have found a new winner in their ever-changing management stakes. Dutch man Guus Hiddink took them to an encouraging 1-3 win over Watford in his first outing on Saturday.

Having just sacked their World Cup winning Brazilian boss, Scolari, Russian oligarch Ambramovic , a 7 Lake Star, has little patience and lots of money. Hiddink, who has the same I Ching Astrology profile as Sir Winston Churchill, has delivered thus far.

Talk about pressure on the job! His appointment comes in the wake of two sackings. What's more Hiddink has two managing gigs, but he's determined to change Chelsea's fortunes while at the same time managing the Russian national team.

Is it possible? Well I think it is. Hiddink shares the same resilient and motivational 9-5-9 profile as Sir Winston. It is also a 9 Fire year in I Ching Astrology.

It is his time... if he can keep his feet on the ground!

" You cannot be serious!"

I am afraid we can, John. Time and tide wait for no man, including you. And you've reached the big Five Oh today.

On the tennis court no one has ever provided more entertainment value than confrontational New Yorker, John McEnroe.

During an explosive career he won seven singles Grand Slams - three of them at prestigious Wimbledon.

What does I Ching Astrology reveal about his personality? His profile is 5-2-8. His 5 T'ai Chi Birth Star gives him control and a central position, on and off court.

Deep down there is a sensitive and caring side born out by his 2 Earth Inner Star - his yin side! As demonstrated by his new career as empathetic and insightful media tennis commentator.

But it is his robust and argumentative 8 Mountain Outer Star that we all saw - and loved or hated. When an 8 Star is provoked, it is best to stand back and watch the Mountain explode!

But this all begs a couple of major questions: how much were his tantrums an act to disconcert and wrong-foot his opponents. Or were they just simply brattish fits of pique and temper?

Jane Seymour is 58 today

British Bond actress and LA devotee, Jane Seymour, has all the chance of fame and success this year.

Her I Ching Astrology profile is the same as British premier Brown but she has the edge in the beauty stakes!

Her profile is: 4-8-1 Stars

Her Birth Star is the 4 Wind Star. Drawn from the Eldest Daughter in the I Ching , women with this Star are usually very beautiful, alluring and have incredible sensitivity.

Her 8 Mountain Inner Star will force her to retreat emotionally under pressure.

But her 1 Water Outer Star gives the world the impression that she is easy going, bubbly and flexible. This is true until her Inner Star takes over, which they often tend to do as they rule our inner lives!

Explore your Passion on Valentine's Day

This year is a special Valentines as the 9 Fire Star rules the Year! Fire brings with it clarity, vision, warmth and, of course, passion.

However there are eight other Stars in I Ching Astrology. How do they feel about Fire?

The 2 Earth, 5 T'ai Chi and 8 Mountain Stars are all from the Earth Element and are therefore fed or supported or nurtured by Fire's presence.

The 1 Water Star clashes with Fire - they make steam together! But opposites do attract!

The 6 Heaven Star and 7 Lake Star are both warmed up by Fire becoming more flexible and playful.

The 3 Thunder and 4 Wind Star are exhausted by fire. They love it but it drains them.

Finally, put two Fire Stars together and you have quite a blaze!!

Find out your Star Sign on my new site IChing-Astrology.com, and, of course, the Birth Star of your Valentine, new, old or dreamed of - to see what is in store for your during this exciting and passionate Fire Year.

The Inner Star of 2 Earth

All of us have 3 Stars that make up our I Ching Astrology profiles: a Birth Star, an Inner Star and an Outer Star. And each reveals a different part of our individual make-upu

Today is the birthday of four extraordinary men with differing personalities but the same Inner Star of 2 Earth - drawn in the I Ching from the Mother Trigram.

Despite their Birth Stars and Outer Stars being different- it seems that on a deep level all four shared the softer, helpful and nurturing qualities of the 2 Earth Inner Star. Reliability, caring, concern - all speak of the Mother Trigram. Although, perhaps on the surface, we could have all been fooled.

But maybe, just maybe, there is or was a softer, more vulnerable side, after all!

These men are: Chuck Yeager, Oliver Reed, Jerry Springer and our own Robbie Williams.

Earthy Abe - a profile of destiny

Abraham Lincoln, born today in 1809, had a double Earth profile in I Ching Astrology.

In I Ching Astrology, the Trigram Earth represents the Mother in the archetypal family hierarchy. This nourishing quality embraces a sense of family and real interest in the welfare of others. In a politician the 2 Earth Star further develops these qualities and brings them into still sharper focus.

JF Kennedy, Karl Marx, Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Prince Hussein of Jordan all had the 2 Earth Star.

But Lincoln had two of these Stars! The 16th US President's profile was 2-2-5. His Birth and Inner Stars were both the helpful and reliable 2 Earth Star. His third or Outer Star was the controlling and effective 5 T'ai Chi Star. Definitely the profile of someone who could and did make history.

7 Lake Stars Hit Thunder

Lake Star Adams and Scolari felt the Thunder this week

Top UK soccer managers Tony Adams, Portsmouth, and Felipe Scolari, Chelsea, felt the full impact of the move into the 9 Fire Year on 4 February: they lost their jobs!

Every year, and indeed by month and even day, all Stars rotate to a different House or palace in I Ching Astrology. These positions assume the character of the seasons and the forces of nature.

2009 is a 9 Fire Year, and it is the 7 Lake Star, the Birth Star of both Adams and Scolari, that has moved to the House of East, known as Thunder, dawn, creativity and rapid movement.

For the past two years the 7 Lake Star has been hibernating. Last week, it was wake-up time. These new dawns can be brilliant or they can come as quite a shock.

On Monday, two of the UK's best known soccer managers, both Lake Stars, were fired in very rapid succession...

Adams picture from www.fa.com

BAFTA: surprises and more surprises

Sunday night's award ceremony in London for the BAFTAs threw up some certainties and indeed uncertainties from an I Ching Astrology perspective.

2009 is a 9 Fire Year which means that everyone's Stars migrated to a new position last week on 4 February.

Winning positions during a Fire Year are the East and the Southeast. The least likely positions to gain recognition would be the North or the Northeast as these are dormant this year. True to form Kate Winslett - her 7 Lake Star is in the East - and Danny Boyle - his 8 Mountain Star is in the Southeast - celebrated with major gongs.

However the unpredictable Mickey Rourke, deep in the stillness of the North East, scooped best actor. And that, wonderfully enough, is the Yin and the Yang of it. The Greeks called it "enantiodromia" - when things move to an extreme they suddenly switch to the opposite, as in when things seem impossibly bad, the tables turn and everything works out for the best.

Keep following the Tao, Mickey!

A quick look at the new 9 Fire Year: it will bring insight, clarity and changes worldwide. From the relative coolness and stagnation that 1 Water influence brought in 2008 , I believe that the 9 Fire Year will bring about major shifts in global consciousness which will promote clarity and common sense. And as a result we will see credible and progressive change where it has been needed for a long, long time.

Pic of Danny Boyle from www.bafta.org

Campaigning Mia turns 64

Today Mia Farrow, one of Hollywood's most influential actresses, turns 64. She has appeared in over 40 films and has been a voice of reason in many world conflicts. In recent years she has highlighted the plight of the people of Darfur (pictured there, right).

Her I Ching Astrology profile is the deep and sometimes brooding 1 8 7 combination of Stars.

Her 1 Water Birth Star brings depth, soul and intuition to the screen. Water can be changeable, bright and bubbly. Yet it also can be slow and deep. Her 8 Mountain Inner Star evokes her stand for change, justice and fair play.

Her Outer 7 Lake Star reflects her more superficial nature, and is symbolised by the archetypal Youngest Daughter in the I Ching family, who is sweet, charming , outgoing and sometimes naive.

Happy Birthday, Mia!

Image from: www.unicef.de

Natural born rebel

Born today in 1931, James Dean went on in his short life to "lead" a generation. In his short film career he epitomised alienated youth. His best remembered movie, "Rebel Without a Cause", was, in the 50's, almost revolutionary.

When asked, in the film, what he was rebelling against, he uttered the immortal words: "What ya got?"

So, what gave him his edge from an I Ching Astrology perspective?

I believe it was the two powerful 6 Heaven Stars that he possessed. This Star reflects leadership and innovation. John Lennon had it, as did Jack Kerouac, the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon Bonaparte. These are people who can influence and lead a generation.

His I Ching Astrology profile was 6 5 6.

His Inner 5 T'ai Chi Star effectively doubled up the already powerful influence of the two 6 Heaven Stars. A natural born leader, who died aged just 24, he was nominated for two posthumous Oscar.

The New 9 Fire Year

Just a reminder that the new I Ching Astrology Year began on 4 February and heralds new changes for all of us.

As the 9 Fire Star swings into gear, it will influence all the Stars.

As our own individual Birth Stars also move - what is the influence on us?

Begin by finding your own Birth Star here and then listening to the FREE audio that I have recorded which covers the year ahead.

This can help you with strategy and also back up your own intuition!

Bob Marley - well remembered

Born today in 1945, Bob Marley brought reggae into mainstream music in the 1960's and 70's.

He died at the age of just 36 in a 1 Water year (1981) and was born in a 1 Water year (1945).

Such nine year cycles are not uncommon in I Ching Astrology often heralding big changes. And sometimes these are not always for the best. Others who died on a nine year anniversary include: Jim Morrison, Princess Diana and Marilyn Monroe.

Marley had depth and soul-found in his 1 Water Birth Star and his 8 Mountain Inner Star.

His Outer Star of the 7 Lake gave him his enormous laid back and reflective appeal.

Groundbreaking Facebook turns five!

Launched yesterday in 2004, Facebook has taken off as the social networking phenomena of the 21st century.

The launch date was actually perfect - on the I Ching Astrology New Year - and I am sure no coincidence!

Founder, Mark Zuckerberg (pictured), has the sociable and reflective 7 5 7 I Ching Astrology profile.

His Birth and Outer Stars are both the outgoing, sociable, hip and indeed witty 7 Lake Star - always the best listeners and communicators.

However his Inner Star is the tenacious and controlling 5 T'ai Chi Star, which makes sure that he is reliable, in charge and totally focused. This 5 Star also doubles up the impact of his 7 Lake Stars.

Amongst his many achievements is making social networking the most popular destination of web users, overtaking porn some months ago!

Happy New Fire Year!

The New Year in I Ching Astrology begins today at 00:52 GMT. This now heralds the beginning of a whole new cycle of change in I Ching Astrology.

The new 9 Fire Year will bring insight, clarity and changes worldwide. From the relative coolness and stagnation that 1 Water influence brought in 2008 , I believe that the 9 Fire Year will bring about major shifts in global consciousness which will promote clarity and common sense. And as a result we will see credible and progressive change where it has been needed for a long, long time.

All the Stars will now move to a different House today. I have recorded a forecast for your own Birth Star and its positions in 2009.

To listen to it complete FREE of charge, please click >>>here

Happy New Year to you all, from Jon and the team

The Day The Music Died

The loss of three of pop music’s seminal figures in a plane crash 50 years ago today is immortalised in Don McLean’s plaintive “American Pie”.

Buddy Holly. Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper all died en route to a gig on their “Winter Dance Party” tour.

Poignantly, 3 February is also the last day of the year in I Ching Astrology, and popular music history echoes McClean’s refrain recognising that these untimely deaths marked the end of an era.

Buddy Holly had the deep and brooding 1 Water Birth Star.

Ritchie Valens had the vital 5 T’ai Chi Birth Star and shared an identical profile with Bob Dylan.

The Big Bopper had the fun-loving, outgoing and influential 7 Lake Birth Star.

Image: Tour poster and scene of tragic crash on 3 February 1959

Focus on a literary giant

That towering, and once highly controversial, literary figure, James Joyce, was born this day in 1882

His influence on English literature was profound and his masterworks, “Ulysses” and “Finnegan’s Wake” changed the course of modern writing.

A Dubliner (pictured as a “revolutinary” around 1918) who lived most of his life as an expatriate. he had the I Ching Astrology profile of 2-9-7.

This gave him the 2 Earth Birth Star making him dedicated and reliable – a trait that all publishers appreciate! His passionate 9 Fire Inner Star was reflected in his writing. And his 7 Lake Outer Star gave him a deep, reflective quality and, indeed, some of his extraordinary insights and wit, as well.

Capra and his cosmic connexions

Fritjof Capra, the brilliant Austrian physicist, was born today in 1939. His ground-breaking book "The Tao of Physics" was published in 1975.

Does I Ching Astrology reveal how he had the brilliant insight to assert the connexion between physics and metaphysics, which had gone unnoticed by scientists for centuries?

His I Ching Astrology profile is 8-9-4.

The 8 Mountain Birth Star brought out the revolutionary spirit of enquiry in him. His 9 Fire Inner Star gave him enlightenment, brilliance and the capacity to express his ideas. His Outer 4 Wind Star made him very influential.

However, the 4 Wind Star would also make him difficult to pin down. Typical to his Star, in his recent work he has moved away from physics to the study of the integration of the biological, cognitive and social dimensions of life.