Conversations with Friends: Eclipsed Leaders & Royal Astro
My friend Gina joins the pod to discuss how Tuesday's Aquarius eclipse and tomorrow's Saturn-Neptune conjunction are playing out in the news. For new members, this podcast series is a simple phone recording when I'm in the middle of chatting astro with friends. It makes the pod informal and fun, but TW for any audiophiles new to my pod.
We recorded a few days ago and well before former Prince Andrew was arrested this morning. Still, my friend Gina (a projector, of course) forecasted that this eclipse would have an impact on the British royals. So I did a deep dive below on Prince William and King Charles' chart. Check that out if you're interested! William is going through a cycle that suggests he will be elevated to the throne soon. And the Aug. 12 eclipse squares Charles' Sun, which is not a signature you want as king.
GLOBAL IMPACT OF THE SATURN-NEPTUNE CONJUNCTION
Gina and I jumped around while discussing India, the UK, U.S. politics, and the ongoing revelations in the Epstein Files. Gina offered a metaphor describing the files as a "supernova" with a global impact. I thought that name was brilliant because a supernova eventually implodes and implosion is a key signature of Saturn-Neptune conjunctions. (The USSR imploded from a broken economy and leadership vacuum shortly after the 1989 Saturn-Neptune conjunctions.)
Plus, tomorrow's Saturn-Neptune conjunction is happening at the start of the entire zodiac, so we've been expecting a global impact. And as the day finally arrives, it's clear (in a soul-shivering, grotesque way) how much the Epstein Files, him as a person, and the elite are connected worldwide. Almost every country is impacted. Every industry from Hollywood to politics to crypto is affected. Even the heavily redacted files are showing us how everything, everywhere, is connected, all at once. We'll look back and see the Epstein Files as a key part of this rare Saturn-Neptune conjunction.
ECLIPSE IN AQUARIUS
As to Tuesday's eclipse, part of me is still waiting for more news, even though numerous leaders have stepped down, been forced out, or arrested (at least in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's case). And that's exactly what we expected given that the eclipse happened in Aquarius, which is the sign of the collective, opposite Leo, the sign of leaders. Heads were going to roll (metaphorically, of course).
We also saw multiple avalanches this week, which unfortunately makes sense given the eclipse was square to earth-rumbling Uranus in Taurus. Gina and I didn't get a chance to speak about these natural disasters, but it's such a clear connection to the eclipse, I can't ignore.
Still, the planet of change and disruption likely has more in store. Maybe everyone in the astrosphere was expecting so much, Uranus is misdirecting. Or maybe major changes are happening behind-the-scenes and will be triggered later.
My best guess for more news to drop: First, we have the Moon in Aries crossing Saturn and Neptune today right before the planets conjoin tomorrow. And then next week, Mars will square Uranus on Friday (Feb. 27) before crossing the eclipse point (28 degrees) on Saturday. Mars is often a trigger point for events like an eclipse. Lastly, the energy will only build toward a Full Moon lunar eclipse on March 3.
Will the U.S. even have a State of the Union next week? Is a potential conflict between the U.S. and Iran happening? Is that conflict even related to the Epstein Files? All these questions have unclear answers, a signature of any Saturn-Neptune conjunction, but especially this powerful one at zero degrees Aries. I'll come back next week with more thoughts on how it's all playing out.
DIVING INTO ROYAL CHARTS
Since Gina and I discussed the royals, I'm including two charts below for fellow politicos. The first chart is for Prince William. He was born on a solar eclipse in Cancer. The Windsor monarchy has a consistent history with new beginnings and endings on eclipses: births and deaths; resignations and coronations. William has been dealing with the Nodes in his 10th whole sign house of career and fame and 4th house of family and father since early 2025.
The past year has been a major transition for William and could culminate around the Full Moon eclipse in Virgo (March 3) or the Pisces eclipse on August 28, especially if that coincides with Charles' death or resignation (Pisces is connected to father in William's chart).
Notice that William's MC (career point) is in Scorpio. It will be squared by Jupiter this summer. Perhaps that means an uncomfortable, expanded role is in store for William. Plus, when the Nodes change to Aquarius and Leo in late July, they will eventually square William's MC too. Something fundamental about his life's purpose and role as a monarch could change. Maybe even the monarchy itself.
Lastly, emphasizing what a consequential year 2026 is for William, we note that Queen Elizabeth II was coronated in 1953 right in the middle of a series of Saturn-Neptune conjunctions. And as we all know now, Saturn and Neptune conjoin tomorrow too. Repeat cycles in astrology are one of the best ways to understand historical events. If Prince William is coronated this year, the Saturn-Neptune conjunction suggests his rulership has something in common with Elizabeth II.
King Charles was also born on an eclipse (!) but a lunar one. Charles' chart shows that his 10th whole sign house (career) is Taurus, which Uranus has been moving through since 2018. The past 8 years have seen disruptions, surprises, and changes in his career, including his coronation. When Uranus leaves Taurus on April 25, will something about Charles' role as monarch fundamentally change? It could. Uranus can go out with a bang.
Most importantly, the August 12, 2026, eclipse in Leo will square Charles' Sun in Scorpio within two degrees. Ancient astrologers studied the planets for the benefit of the kings, and eclipses at a hard angle to a ruler's Sun, Moon, or rising were moments of caution. There is even historical evidence that some cultures would remove the king during an eclipse and put a "fake king" on the throne for days.
The Sun also represents kings and rulers in astrology, so to have August 12's eclipse square Charles' Sun is not an auspicious sign for his longevity, at least as figurehead. I'm not the only astrologer to look at the royals' charts, but it's quite clear that the UK British monarchy will have a transition in the next couple years. This summer could be it, given the close contact with Charles' Sun. Next year's eclipses in Aquarius and Leo will also square Charles' North Node (fate, long-term life plan) and Moon (body, among other things). Not a great signature for a King's health.
Charles' actual MC (the specific career point and public perception) is in Aries, and Saturn will cross that point on June 14, which is another serious moment. The last time Saturn crossed Charles' midheaven was in April 1997, i.e., four months before Princess Diana's death.
I call this Saturn transit the "up or out" moment at work. If you're about to go through this yourself, don't fret. It's different for everyone. Plus, if you put in the hard work, Saturn on your MC can be an incredibly powerful transit. You will be seen, granted authority, and find success. But just like academic tenure, Saturn on the MC usually either elevates people or shows them the door.
Lastly, I note that Saturn has been moving through Charles' 8th whole sign house since 2023, and during that time he was diagnosed with cancer. The 8th house can correlate with death (although not always; there are many other aspects of this house). Also, the 8th house deals with inheritance, and Charles inherited the throne during a coronation that happened two months after Saturn entered Pisces.
