Doctor in the House: Malaysia's Father of Modernization

The next outstanding global leader we will look at is Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the Prime Minister of Malaysia from the year 1981-2003. A brilliant economic strategist, gutsy leader and visionary thinker, Dr. M is celebrated for transforming Malaysia into a booming economy in the 90's, modernizing the nation and making daring reforms which put Malaysia on the world map. We shall now attempt to analyze his natal chart. Although no official birth time is found. the interplay of planets, aspects and signs is more than enough to construct a picture of the longest-reigning Malaysian premier.  

First off, he has a "bucket"-shaped chart. The cluster of planets at the bottom half are held by the "bucket handle", Jupiter. As the most dominant planet in the chart, Jupiter has the power to siphon and direct the energy of the other planets in the life of Dr. M. It controls the major events in his life. Jupiter is the luckiest planet in the cosmos, blessing its natives with great optimism, success and wealth. Jupiter is the cosmic Santa Claus, it expands whatever it touches beyond its limits. The keywords for Jupiter are "big" and "lucky." Everything needs to be done in a big way, growing in size, breaking its limits, going further and further, and becoming successful beyond your wildest dreams. It is by nature, a very generous and protective planet.

We can immediately see how Jupiter has impacted the life of Dr. M, blessing him with the ability to excel in his chosen field, conferring him a good education and upbringing (Jupiter is the patron of education), and giving him a "lucky break" into politics, protecting him in times of political crisis and expanding his career in politics beyond imaginable limits. Furthermore, we see that Jupiter is the only planet in an earth sign, Capricorn. Earth is the element of organization and business. This earthy sign endows Dr. M with good management skills and business acumen. It allows him to manage the economy of Malaysia systematically and efficiently, like a Capricorn CEO. He bolstered national income and expanded the heavy industries (automobile, petrol and gas, etc). During the 1998 Asian financial crisis, he pulled the country out of recession much quicker than other neighbouring ASEAN countries. He is a genius in terms of finances and material assets. He delivers a Midas touch to anything that has material form and structure. He set up to construct world-class infrastructures, buildings and architectural wonders (Petronas Twin Towers, Sepang F1 Circuit, KLIA, etc).

Next, we see the Sun conjuncts Pluto, and making a sharp opposition to Jupiter. Now, we know that Pluto is the planet of extremes - all or nothing at all. It causes the individual to do everything in a very forceful, intense manner. Dr. M is a natural daredevil, a trailblazer, a leader who steamrolls everything in his path, bulldozing and crushing all obstacles in the way. Grass does not grow under his feet! Pluto also gives the "firepower" to mow down opponents and enemies, being the most fearsome planet in the cosmos. There is also a very strong charisma in a Plutonian person, pulling and sucking others in like a vortex. They make very charismatic leaders, building a cult-like persona and larger-than-life icon. 

One very striking feature of the chart is how 4 planets (Mars, Venus, Mercury & Neptune) are clustered in Leo, a fire sign. Leo the lion is perhaps the most dramatic sign of all. Like a King, he enjoys doing everything in a "grand" and "flashy" way, and receiving public acknowledgement. Leo prefers to be in the spotlight in whatever he says or does. Similarly, Dr. M has never failed to create headlines in the media for saying things. He has a very flamboyant personality which generates a lot of hype and attention from the public. He is a rock star. 

Lastly, we see a grand water trine, a blue triangle formed by joining the signs of Pisces, Cancer & Scorpio. Like Lee Kuan Yew, his Singaporean counterpart, you will notice the grand trine popping up again and again in the charts of famous world leaders throughout history. A grand trine is considered the luckiest aspect in astrology, and it bestows gifts of rare instincts, vision and insight into the charts of prominent statesmen. It is written in the stars that Dr M is destined to be a leader of a nation.

Death of a Patriot: The Founding Father of Singapore

The world mourned the lost of a great statesman today. The Architect of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital at 3.18am. His death was a day right after the Solar Eclipse and Supermoon in Pisces, denoting the end of an era and the start of a new epoch. I feel compelled to pay tribute to this colossal figure of a man who almost single-handedly build up Singapore from a tiny city post to a major world economic power within 3 decades.  

Let us examine his natal chart in brief. The first thing that caught my eye immediately was the "bucket" shape of his chart, led by the "bucket handle", or the most dominant planet, Uranus. This means Uranus is the strongest planet in his life, and a major part of his character. All major life events will dance according to the tune of Uranus. We know that Uranus is a gutsy reformer, a rebel, a visionary, a genius, a pioneer, an inventor, a maverick who likes to say "Out with the old, in with the new!" Uranus loves to shock others with his unconventional ideas. Uranus is very scientific and progressive, always looking to the future. This is why most scientists have Uranus and Aquarius energies in their charts.

Next, we see Uranus is part of a grand water trine activating his 1st, 5th and 9th House of self-confidence and self-identity. This is a guy who was very, very sure of who he was and what he wanted to be in life. He was talented in creating identities - labeling, repackaging, branding, etc. He became very confident and emboldened (did I mention Uranus is very gutsy?) to go ahead with his reform plans no matter what. Moreover, Uranus in Pisces is associated with prophetic visions and clairvoyance - ability to see the future. This endowed psychic-like qualities to him. This enabled him to become a prophet of a progressive new era. However, Uranus in Pisces could also mean a rebel against religion, a religious reformer, someone who wiped out the old religions and created a new set of beliefs. As a result, Singapore has no official state religion, being a Neo-Confucius nation.     

To spice up the plot, we have Uranus making harsh aspects to his Sun, Mars & Venus. This only amplifies his Aquarian nature, making him extremely Aquarius. His intelligence, speed of thinking, speed of action, originality, eccentricity, etc gets a big boost from this! Plus his insistence on being a rebel with(out) a cause. Trust me, James Dean would have nothing on him. And Uranus rules physical separation as well. He was "separated" from Malaysia in 1965 and formed Singapore, spending the first few years as a maverick in the wilderness. Bear in mind, however, that Uranus is the type that would turn the tables on everyone and everything to eventually "stand out" from the flock, to become outstanding, unique, original, etc. 

Then we have Saturn being exalted in the chart. Ah-hah. Saturn is a prison warden. Saturn is the judge, jury and executioner of the zodiac. Saturn loves law, order, discipline, structure, hard work, etc. Saturn is another name for Judge Dread. But Saturn is also the lord of material gain. And he is exalted in the natal chart, guys, I repeat, EXALTED. This can only mean one thing, folks. Saturn loves Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. Saturn loves Singapore. As long as you keep the cosmic warden happy, he shall bless you with untold riches and material wealth. The way to please Saturn is to keep his laws - order, discipline, hard work, efficiency. Saturn leaves no room for mistakes. As the symbol of old age, Saturn is regarded as the father of the zodiacs. In fact, patriarchy is a system established by Saturn. That is why Capricorn (ruled by Saturn) is the sign for father and fatherhood. And we are gazing at the chart of the Father of Singapore.

On the day of his death, Mars is making a sharp 180 degrees aspect against his Ascendant Scorpio. Now, the AC is his physical body, literally, and Mars is violence. To exacerbate matters, Mars is the ruler of his AC (Scorp), so the effect of having your own AC ruler opposing your AC is doubled. Finally, the ruler of his 8th house of death, Mercury, is transiting his Uranus. As you all know, Uranus is the dominant planet symbolizing himself in the chart. At the same time, even transiting Uranus is opposing his natal Mercury (ruler of 8th), so his life came to a natural end.     

The Ascendant, The Self and Love

The Ascendant is the mask that you wear and show to the outside world. It is a portrayal or representation of yourself that others see around you. The Ascendant is the image of yourself that you project to the external world.  It is everything from the way you walk, talk, laugh, eat, sit, breathe, etc. However, the significance of the Ascendant goes beyond that of a mere mask. The Ascendant rules your physical self. It is literally your body. A short or tall, fat or thin person can be seen from their Ascendant and planetary aspects to it. In short, it is your bodily rhythm, breathing pattern, skin temperature, etc. Because the Ascendant is your physical body, it is extremely powerful in medical astrology. Sickness or health can be diagnosed from aspects afflicting the ruler of the Ascendant. 

The Ascendant (AC) begins at the cusp of the First House in your natal chart. It is also called the Rising Sign. Since it is a material manifestation of yourself, it represents your first contact with the world as a baby. When a newborn baby first takes a breath outside his mother's womb, the AC energies are absorbed by the child's body. The AC governs your looks, habits, self-expressions, etc. This is a natural process, and a person will express himself in such a way that matches his AC sign without realizing that they are doing it. Most people are not aware of their AC. As such, the give off wrong messages to the outside world. For example, a woman with Aries AC may come off as a tough, aggressive tomboy to strangers she meet. However, only her close friends and relatives will know that she is in fact, a soft lady at heart (Moon in Pisces) and a talented artist (Sun in Taurus). The AC mask, in short, creates a protective shell which often misrepresents the individual to the rest of society. 

Another notorious aspect of the AC is that it governs sexual attraction. Surprised? Sexuality, after all, is something very physical and has to do with your body. The AC is the strongest factor determining attraction, instant chemistry or love at first sight since it gravitates towards individuals that matches the biological rhythms of your body. However, I must say this is a purely sexual and superficial aspect of love. Although the AC controls the "animal" attraction, it is the Moon, ultimately, that determines compatibility in a couple.  

Ascendant in Fire 

The AC in fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sag) have an active, energetic and extroverted image. They are instantly attracted to fiery type of partners. The example above shows a Leo AC woman who goes for the active, "showy", sporty type of man who probably likes children and animals. Alternatively, a Leo AC may also go after rich partners. The whole idea is to get a partner that she can be proud of so she can shine in his glory. If your partner's Venus falls into your First House, you can call it a love-at-first-sight scenario. Or lust-at-first-sight, whichever is more applicable. The chemistry is usually instantaneous.  

Ascendant in Water 

The AC in water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) have an emotional, sensitive and introverted image. They can go after the "soft", nurturing type of partners who embodies certain artistic notions. The exception is of course, Scorpio, who is really the fiercest sign in the entire universe. The example shown is that of a Scorp AC man who is attracted towards strong, domineering, even manipulative ladies. He is magnetized by sexually-aggressive women. Of course, the opposite example would be a Pisces AC man who is drawn towards gentle, artistic and dreamy women with a sad past. Water AC folks tend to like spiritual partners.

Ascendant in Earth 

The AC in earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) have a very sensible, practical and reliable image. They are attracted to partners with earthy qualities like good management skills, level-headedness and money-making abilities. Let's face it, earth signs are all about the $$$. The example above show a Taurus AC man who gravitates towards domestic, motherly women who can cook delicious meals for him. He is looking for the ultimate Martha Steward who can spoil him with good food and great sex while decorating the home beautifully and taking care of the kids. Additionally, Venus is placed inside his First House, making him a very handsome man indeed. 

Ascendant in Air

The AC in air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) are very talkative dammit. They have a friendly image, and are seen as sociable diplomats. They get invited to parties all the time. They can be attracted to witty, intellectual partners. The above example shows a Gemini AC woman who goes after charming men who can engage her with funny conversations at parties. She falls for guys who are fast in words, and enjoy traveling like her. In short, air AC folks admire intellect and wit in a partner.