Tomorrow's full moon, known variously as a buck, thunder or hay moon, will be exact mid afternoon in the UK which means if you wish to see it then you will have from 21:06 on Tuesday evening until 03:22 Wednesday morning and again from 21:24.

It is a powerful moon that aligns very well with Andy Burnham's natal, progressed and solar return charts which can be translated, as we have already begun to see, with his

  • increased institutional responsibility,
  • visible public leadership,
  • reform of governance,
  • practical measures aimed at everyday living conditions.

Furthermore the image above showing the conjunction of the Moon and Pluto in Capricorn on the left hand side and below the horizon with the Sun and Jupiter together in Cancer in opposition have aspects emphasised in his own charts especially the moon which is exactly conjunct his progressed moon.

  • Cancer/Capricorn Full Moon: balancing care for people with the machinery of government. His first speech emphasised putting "the care of people at the heart" of government while also restoring stability and effective administration.
  • Capricorn progressions: assuming executive responsibility. Rather than campaigning from outside government, he's now carrying responsibility for the institutions themselves.
  • Mercury–Pluto: reshaping the national conversation. His first week has been characterised by an attempt to redefine what government can realistically do, particularly on the cost of living, devolution and rough sleeping.
  • Aquarian themes: the emphasis on devolution seems especially relevant. His "No 10 North" concept and broader devolution agenda fit the symbolism of distributing power rather than concentrating it.

I don't wish to 'labour' this subject as I remain staunchly apolitical but I would like to demonstrate how astrology can reflect how a person's destiny can be 'written in the stars' and that it would suggest that his time has come.

So what is the relevance of the dead badger you may well ask?

It comes under the 'tales from the towpath' category of this blog. The extended drought we are experiencing has led to serious issues with water levels on the canal which for me personally has meant that my flome (floating home) has been listing to port by around twenty degrees for three consecutive days. Fortunately this situation was remedied earlier today at the cost of another section of the canal the next lock up - I went to look for myself and saw two 'pounds' (the name for the sections between locks) which had been virtually drained leaving many boats sat completely on the canal bottom.

The summer holidays are upon us and consequently the towpaths are very busy during the daytime with couples and families enjoying the weather and the scenery also being shocked at the water levels.

It was during my walk, photographing the state of the canal along with the flora and fauna, that I ventured on to a pathway that took me along the railway line which runs parallel to the canal. In the middle of the westbound track was the sad sight of a badger lying belly up between the rails. Since badgers are nocturnal creatures and symbols of self reliance I've been trying to ascertain if there's a message or an omen in this sighting.