Astrology of the Brexit Referendum: Mars Retrograde Edition
Astrology Predicts the Brexit Referendum
On February 19, the European Union agreed to concessions to keep the UK in the European Union. Now, the UK will hold the “Brexit referendum” (a popular vote) on whether to stay in the EU on those new, special terms. If the UK votes to leave the EU, the changes will be more immediate and dramatic. If the UK stays, there will be no major immediate changes, but other countries are less likely to remain in the EU while the UK receives special privileges not available to other members. As Le Figaro wrote in their front-page editorial
If Britain remains in the EU on the conditions it has been offered, it kills it [the EU]. If it leaves, it kills it too…the Brussels compromise puts the worm into the fruit.
No-one has reason any longer to bend to the common rules, since one can escape them by means of a little blackmail.
It has been said that the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, wants the UK to remain in the EU, but has been giving in to the Brexit voice to appease that segment of the UK constituency. Essentially, Cameron has made the bet that he can assert UK’s wishes in the EU parliament, but the vote will be to stay in the EU.
The Brexit referendum is scheduled for Thursday, June 23, to be preceded by months of campaigning.
The astrological indications for the referendum are momentous and potent. The specific concessions were agreed by UK and EU on February 19, with Mars at 23 Scorpio. Remember this degree, for it will come back to haunt us often in 2016. Mars is an important planet for England, which is traditionally ruled by the sign Aries. Mars is especially appropriate in matters of severance and divorce, as it is the planet of war.
23 Scorpio is important because is the exact degree at which Mars will station direct in June. So, this week, while Mars transited 23 Scorpio, we got a preview of coming attractions for this spring’s Mars retrograde.
Mercury and 23 Taurus
Mercury will trigger this degree repeatedly by square and opposition in 2016. Mercury will square 23 Taurus from Aquarius on February 29, then conjoin it on April 23. Then, Mercury will station retrograde at 24 Taurus on April 28, directly opposite 23 Taurus. Mercury will be at 23 Taurus April 30-May 2, and once more on June 6th. These dates will likely mark important events and turns in the debate leading up to the referendum, both on the EU and UK sides of the fence.
Meanwhile, Mars will be going through his own retrograde period, and will remain exactly in 23 Scorpio from June 21 through July 7.
Brexit Referendum: Gamble with Care
Mars will be nearly stationary (though still moving very slowly) on the date of the Brexit referendum, June 23. The retrograde motion of Mars will give the vote an unexpected turn of events. Obviously, putting UK membership in the EU up to a popular vote is a gamble any time, but especially during a period of popular dissatisfaction with the EU. Remember: under a planet retrograde, events go contrary to nature and plan. William Lilly says that a planet retrograde “shows a great change in the air and…sudden alteration.” (Christian Astrology p. 107) Expect anomalies as a result of the referendum; perhaps the UK will actually vote to leave the EU, upsetting Cameron’s big bet. Even if they stay, this spring will mark an important turning point in the EU climate, as it will embolden the so-called Euroskeptics in all countries.
The EU is listed as founded (in its present form) on November 1, 1993, in Maastricht, Netherlands, with the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty. The EU existed in a more limited form before 1993, but this chart is on the nose given this year’s vote. Note Saturn at 23 Aquarius square Mars at 24 Scorpio. For outer planet watchers, Pluto is at 24 Scorpio as well. Mars’ transit to this chart is deeply confrontational, as Mars at 23 Scorpio will square the EU Saturn, oppose the EU Moon, and conjoin the EU Mars. This year’s vote will cause deep and broad fissures in the EU, whether they happen immediately or more gradually. This spring will be one for the history books.
February 20, 2016 @ 5:00 pm
In the UK 1801 chart, which seems to be the standard one, Mars rules the Desc – foreign affairs. In the prog 1801 chart, prog Moon will be within half a degree of prog Asc – in Gemini: the people speaking. Moreover, the UK MC and Moon are in Moon-ruled Cancer. So a decisive moment for the people.
Cameron has Sun at 15 Libra (and Venus at 8 Libra). He’s the negotiator, and with tr Pluto squaring his Sun, this is his moment of destiny, his legacy. It’s his last major transit for now, so I think he’ll be gone soon.
February 20, 2016 @ 6:59 pm
Barry,
Very interesting! I just took a look at the 1801 chart and it is very telling. In a way, the actual outcome of the vote doesn’t matter; as Le Figaro says, “the worm has been put into the fruit.” Certainly a Pluto-square-Sun transit would not be a great time for Cameron.
Kind regards,
Nina
February 20, 2016 @ 5:58 pm
Hi Nina,
Great article.
There is a ‘typo’ of confusion in the last paragraph. As in Mars at 23Scorpio will actually be CONJUNCT the EU Mars not Opposite.
” as Mars at 23 Scorpio will square the EU Saturn and oppose the EU Mars. ”
Blessings,
Robyn Lee
February 20, 2016 @ 6:55 pm
Thank you, Robyn – I fixed it and added a pithy quote from Le Figaro for good measure.
Kind regards,
Nina
February 20, 2016 @ 11:52 pm
Thank you for this very interesting article, Nina. I looked into matters shortly after the date for the Brexit referendum was announced yesterday. My conclusions are published here:
https://starsandstones.wordpress.com/2016/02/20/aries-ingress-of-the-sun-2016-for-uk-and-usa/
Although I used slightly different astrological methods, my judgment concerning the outcome is quite similar to yours.
Sincerely
Peter
February 21, 2016 @ 7:07 am
Peter,
Thanks for your comment…and just wait until you look at the Cancer Ingress, since the UK election follows on its heels!
Kind regards,
Nina
February 22, 2016 @ 10:17 am
Thank you so much for this interesting and informative article. I’m very far from being an expert in Mundane Astrology but had noted, with interest, the role of Mars in the charts for polling day (in the ‘contest’ 5th at the opening of polls; conjunct M.C at closing of polls) so your article confirmed my tentative first impression (or, maybe, hunch) and has inspired me to read and study more. Thanks again.
February 22, 2016 @ 5:07 pm
The treaty was signed one day (in Feb of the same year?) And went into force on the date you cite. Presumably you would use a midnight chart, as the treaty would go into force at that time. The chart of the actual signing is a different matter, of course.
February 22, 2016 @ 5:11 pm
Thank you, Josh! A friend just emailed me with the same comment. I’ll go in and replace the chart when I have a few minutes. Interestingly, it places the Moon in Taurus in close opposition to Mars.
Nina
February 22, 2016 @ 8:02 pm
Interesting; and this would make the Moon (“The People”) very a propos in your discussion above.
Thanks for the interesting post.
February 22, 2016 @ 9:51 pm
Great point, Josh, and very apropos for this particular transit of Mars. Wow!
February 27, 2016 @ 3:13 pm
Hi Nina, I have also noted the long Mars station – in the 24th degree from 19th June til 11th July – and in its own sign. Lot of bite there. I also find transit Mercury an interesting player on the day: one of the main reasons for the UK originally wanting to join the EEC- was connected to trade. I believe it was that great French politician – who twice succeeded in blocking Britain’s bid to enter Europe – Charles De Gaulle – who called the English, ‘a nation of shopkeepers’. Mercury is the natural ruler of trade – and it’s up there in the 9th house – in its own sign. We want to be in Europe – but on our own terms – and this is something that cannot be. Though Mercury transit – is not normally viewed as a a major player – it is conj. sec.prog. asc – and opposite radix Mercury in Sag. It’s that loose mutable grand cross Mercury is playing into that makes things around the time of the vote highly volatile and unpredictable. However, Britain’s relationship to Europe – has always been tense. British sovereignty – has always been a major point for us. That prolonged Mars square to UK Sun’s ruler – Saturn ruler of the 4th and speculative 5th. Will we take a gamble?
February 29, 2016 @ 11:54 am
Dear Elizabeth,
Your point about Mercury is well-taken. I agree that Mercury is often underestimated, and it is interesting that it is conjunct the progressed Ascendant. I fully agree that this vote and surrounding tension is just the high point of a long-simmering relationship. We’re all watching with great interest.
Nina
June 18, 2016 @ 8:36 pm
Dear Elisabeth Hathway,
“Nation of shopkeepkers” is not a statement from Charles de Gaulle but from Napoléon Bonaparte, in his “Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène”.
Still worse ?
February 29, 2016 @ 9:57 am
Hello Nina
I am not an expert on mundane astrology but find this very interesting. Could you say something about the fact that, with Pluto in Capricorn, there is an added emphasis on major changes being forced on big institutions and governments and the U.K. is a Capricorn country. Also, if the U.K. votes to leave the EU there could be pressure from Scotland for another independence referendum if the Scots decisively vote to stay in the EU causing more problems for David Cameron’s government.
February 29, 2016 @ 11:50 am
Dear Sandra,
Pluto in Capricorn is a long-term placement, of course, but I would expect it to leave its mark on all countries ruled by the cardinal signs, once all is said and done. The traditional texts say that England is an Aries country, but your point still stands – Pluto squares Aries. I agree about the Scotland referendum; presumably Scotland would wish to be independent so they could stay in the EU. Oh my.
Nina
February 29, 2016 @ 3:56 pm
Dear Nina
Thank you for your reply. I was referring to the Chart for the Acts of Union of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (now Northern Ireland) effective from 1 January 1801 which includes Scotland and Wales as well. England does, of course, have the largest electorate but we will all be voting. Incidentally, referring to Elizabeth Hathway’s comments, I think it was Napoleon who called us “a nation of shopkeepers”. I will continue to read your pages with interest now that I have discovered your site.
February 29, 2016 @ 4:01 pm
Thank you, Sandra. I believe Barry (see first comment) also utilizes the 1801 chart; I am sure you will find additional interesting connections as well. Thank you also for your kind words 🙂
Kind regards,
Nina
May 6, 2016 @ 6:37 am
Dear Nina,
While the EU Maastricht Treaty Horoscope is handy on the page, I think that the outcome of the referendum should affect primarily the United Kingdom itself whatever the outcome is decided by the electorate. Consequently for knowledge’s sake, will most welcome that the UK astro chart of January 1, 1801 in London be posted so readers can have the opportunity to evaluate the interplay of the transiting planets on the day as it is bound to reflect the reality of the time.
Regards Jose
May 9, 2016 @ 2:08 pm
Dear Jose,
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I don’t have the January 1 1801 chart, though if someone wants to send me the data, I am happy to post it.
Kind regards,
Nina
June 3, 2016 @ 9:00 pm
As usual it’s all about England! Scotland will vote Remain and England can do what it wants Scottish independence is coming.
June 3, 2016 @ 9:01 pm
Paul,
I am with you on this point. Do you have astrological reasoning for this?
Kind regards,
Nina
June 3, 2016 @ 9:13 pm
No not really but the Westminster model is so corrupt with it’s broken electoral system and the almost constant stream of expense fiddling and unaccountability re Carmichael up in Orkney and the election scandal involving election expenditure in 29 seats in the South of England meaning the Tories stole the election. The feeling in Scotland is that the Scottish referendum was rigged hence the refusal of the Scots to go quietly back in their box and that Westminster can just go back to default mode. The same forces The establishment and big business that rigged the Scottish vote will do the same to this one and the E.U. ISSUE WON’T GO AWAY. hope this helps.
June 4, 2016 @ 11:21 am
Paul,
Okay, but this is an astrology website. There are already many non-astro forums where people can go vent. I’m letting this comment stand but I would ask that you respect the purpose and appropriate tenor of the forum. Thank you.
Nina
June 4, 2016 @ 9:33 am
As a Scot myself who campaigned for independence I dont accept some of Paul Wilson’s analysis of the Scottish referendum. It wasn’t ‘rigged’. We got massive public engagement in a way most democracies could only dream of with a turn out of over 85% of the electorate. But yes the same corporate capitalist interests supporting a Remain vote also intervened in the Scottish referendum arguing for the status quo eg IMF, World Bank, OECD, EU, Bank of England, CBI and President Obama also got involved there too. I saw the astrology was against the independence movement so found myself in the quite awkward position of campaigning for independence but writing an article in the AA Journal which amongst other things predicted a no vote! This time round though I feel the dynamics are very different. Firstly, unlike the Scottish referendum it is the older voters who are strongly pro the exit option. As we saw in Scotland they are more likely to actually vote. Secondly, the print media is if anything more pro-exit. In scotland not a single daily newspaper was pro-independence. Thirdly, the Leave support has started from a much better position in the polls than the Scottish independence movement. In Scotland there was a massive gap in the polls to make up and we achived a remarkable momentum that almost closed the gap on polling day 45-55% . The Leave sentiment has been in higher in the polls in the last few years although it slipped a bit in the last year.
June 4, 2016 @ 11:26 am
Mark,
Understood. Let’s leave the discussion of “was it rigged” and focus on the astrology. Thanks for your understanding.
Regards,
Nina
June 4, 2016 @ 9:43 am
Looking at this from an astrological perpective I have predicted a Brexit (Leave) vote on June 23rd. I have analysed the opening of poll chart. Although looking at the natal charts of Boris Johnson and David Cameron lead to this view too. Especially their perfections and solar return charts.
My analysis of the opening of poll was put out on the astrology website Skyscript in April on this thread: http://skyscript.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9084&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 I will add in my natal analysis. I have also had some very interesting comments on Facebook to my post of the opening of poll analysis from Steven Birchfield which I have permission to put up on Skyscript.
June 4, 2016 @ 10:56 am
Your point about retrograde planets is even more significant if we take the Aries ingress into account. While interpretations differ (Peter Stockinger takes Mars as LOY for UK while Sharon Knight and Steven Birchfield take Saturn as LOY) the fact both are retrograde at the time of the referendum reinforces your above comments.
June 4, 2016 @ 1:38 pm
Just to clarify I was referring above to natal profections not perfections (!) in Cameron and Johnson’s charts.
June 5, 2016 @ 3:36 pm
Hello! I know this is a discussion about Brexit but do you think perhaps Greece will finally have the guts to leave the EU? I am Greek and I think the EU is killing countries like mine so that Germany’s economy will stay afloat. Thank you!
June 5, 2016 @ 4:17 pm
Mikhail,
Thanks for chiming in – there is no Greece post, so this thread is fine to use for discussion.
I have been trying to answer this exact question for years, and I don’t have an answer for you. Though I am not Greek, I have devoted substantial time to this issue, as I feel that the status quo in Greece is untenable. And yet, it continues, year after hard year. Peripheral EU countries are staying in the Euro despite clear evidence to the contrary. If I have time this summer, I may look into the indications for a similar event in the 19th century, when the Austro-Hungarian empire created and then eventually lost control of a monetary union that dissolved in 1919 and 1920 under highly chaotic conditions. There might be some clues there, though note that that dissolution occurred only after a massively devastating World War. Thank you for bringing up this essential question, Mikhail.
Regards,
Nina
June 6, 2016 @ 5:16 am
Thank you Nina. I wil stay tuned!
June 18, 2016 @ 8:31 pm
Hi, I’m French but I follow the Britih debate about Brexit with some interest. To speak the truth and without wanting to interfere in a question that comes under the British sovereignty, I think of the EU as an undemocratic monster, and I would like to know if France can expect her freedom from the EU. Thanks a lot.
June 19, 2016 @ 7:33 am
Sébastien,
Thanks for visiting! We don’t get that many native French speakers in the astrological community, I assume because of the language barrier, so I am especially glad to have your voice as part of the discussion. My impression is that a lot of (perhaps most) Europeans are fed up with the EU, and I am sure that whether or not the UK actually leaves after this vote, it will embolden other nations to eventually break away. I think that the first country to leave will have to be one of the first tier economies, like UK, France, because they are the only ones with a hope of negotiating acceptable terms of departure with the EU.
What horoscope do you use for France? The most recent chart I have is the one for Oct. 6 1958, the Fifth Republic, but the chart of the proclamation of the First Republic on Sep. 21 1792 is powerful as well. If you know which one is standardly used by French astrologers, I am happy to take a look.
This year, the Mars-Saturn conjunction in Sagittarius falls on the Midheaven of the 2016 Aries and Cancer Ingresses in Western European capitals, including Paris. I can’t help but think that this promises a certain level of break-up type of discussion. Of course, it can have other effects, too, such as the football fan violence we saw as part of the UEFA 2016 tournament.
Kind regards,
Nina
June 20, 2016 @ 3:58 pm
Hello Nina,
Thanks for your answer. It’s a little difficult to give you a definitive answer. For the Fifth Republic, the day most used is the 28th september ,1958, which is the day of the referendum during which the People adopted the Constitution. A few astrologers use the 4th or the 6th October, which are the day when the Constitution was promugalted and sealed, respectively. For the First Republic, it is also a little complicated: some use the 21st September, 1792, some use the 22nd (day of the abolition of monarchy for the 21st; day of the decree of the Convention that proclaims that all public acts will be dated of the year I of the Republic).
Most people prefer using the chart of 28th Sept. 1958, but I have some tenderness for the one of 1792 and its revolutionnary romanticism.
France is an old country, with a complicated history (such as the UK) that makes she as many natal charts (such as the UK also).
Anyway, thank you for taking the time of answering me
June 20, 2016 @ 4:12 pm
Thank you, Sébastien, for that very thorough list. I will look at the Sept 28, 1958 horoscope. I found that online, the given time is 10 PM. Do you know if that is right?
If that time is correct, this is very interesting. The chart has a number of mutable elements (Ascendant, Mercury, Venus, and then Saturn), which are becoming activated all throughout this year due to the Mars-Saturn conjunction and the two mutable eclipses in September. Now, does this mean that France will leave the EU this year? I don’t think it’s time yet. I will take a look at the 1792 horoscope as well. Thank you so much for raising this issue; you have really piqued my interest in this topic!
Kind regards,
Nina
June 21, 2016 @ 2:16 pm
Hello Nina
I guess 10PM is the hour at which the results of the referndum of 28th sept.1958 were known.
I’m not surprised to learn the chart of 1958 has many mutable elements ! The political situation in France is, according to me, even more explosive than it seems to be and many people in France are very anxious… But I also guess that EU is a little my personnal obsession, although shared by a signifiant minority in France.
Kind regards…
June 21, 2016 @ 10:30 pm
After examining the UK astro chart of 1/01/1801 elsewhere, I am now in a position to share the following comments. The two main configurations which clearly illustrate the two contrasting political currents influencing the referendum are:
Primo: The transit of Uranus in the seventh House of partnership affecting Radix Saturn in Leo sign in the eleventh House of group activities. The slow movement of Uranus there can be identified with David Cameron latest attempt to initiate some degree of freedom for the UK within the E.U. parameters and also his current position to initiate future changes by remaining in the E.U. Thus the In camp is astrologically defined.
Segundo: As succinctly expounded by yourself earlier, Retrograde Mars @ 23 Deg Scorpio importantly squares Radix Saturn. Of note, Saturn is ruler of the fourth House of the people and Mars rules the seventh House. In my view it represents the challengers Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage who are passionately advocating a breakup of partnership with the E.U. despite all its ramifications.
Having identified the two contrary poles, it is appropriate to ask which one carries more people power as they are both astrologically strong configurations. In my opinion, the answer lies with the inner planet Mars as “dispositor” of Uranus.
Another keen observation is the transit of the sun, highly elevated on the chart and in an almost exact square with natal Uranus operative for a couple of days. It does suggest a strong element of surprise but of a difficult nature.
Regards
June 25, 2016 @ 8:06 am
OK, now we know that Brexit is indeed here! What is going to happen next? Will Scotland and N.Ireland go on with their threat of yet another referendum? What will the impact be on the economies of UK and Europe? Will more countries make an exit?
Thanks!
June 25, 2016 @ 8:14 am
Mikhail,
I am not sure astrology has an answer to most of your questions, and besides, it’s too early yet. We could probably talk about what happens to specific countries, but that is about it. We’ll just take it as it comes, one day at a time…
Regards,
Nina