A look at the new administration

Today's weather was surprisingly sunny and the sky was cloudless. So was this an "auspicious sign" for the new Chief Executive CY Leung and his team who swore in today?

I timed the exact moment when CY Leung finished taking his oath. It was 9:08am when the Leung era dawned.

True to what he has promised, the birth chart of his administration indicates a far more amiable approach in exercising authority and in matters of public image (Venus conjunct Jupiter in 10th house). Some people would call that "populist", but I would think it means that top government officials in Hong Kong will finally become more accessible to the general public, rather than making important policy decisions from the comfort of their armchairs.

Uranus and Pluto have been squaring each other exactly these days and this definitely will leave its mark on everyone and everything "born" around this time. This radical and almost "revolutionary" energy features significantly in the chart of the new administration: The chart ruler, the Sun, is in Cancer in the 11th house (which is associated with collective goals and wishes, usually social and political ones), opposes Pluto in Capricorn in the 5th (the house of individual self-expression), with both squaring Uranus in Aries in the 8th - the house of "joint resources" and total transformation.

What does this mean? This T-square indicates the meaning and purpose of this new administration is emotion- and security-driven (perhaps often looks towards the past too), and is best expressed with regard to collective goals, but this conflicts strongly with the administration's own need for power which tends to be expressed in an authoritative and matter-of-fact way. This inner tension will drive the new government to innovate and overthrow the old in a headstrong (or bold?) manner, particularly in terms of taxation and monetary matters. The change could be quite sudden, in fact. Interestingly, maybe even "secrets" of the government will be leaked out as in a flash of lightning too!

Another possibility is, top officials may come and go rather unexpectedly (as part of the accountability system?), as a result of some serious social and political controversies. It is also possible that because of these controversies, the administration's political alliances and partnerships are made and broken very suddenly.

Meanwhile, the Moon in the 4th house opposes the Venus-Jupiter conjunction in the 10th, with them all squared by Chiron and Neptune in the 7th. This means the Leung administration will feel an inner tension between security needs in private (like the comfort of staying in the office rather than going out to meet the public?) and the need to be popular under the limelight, leading to its allies or opponents feeling left out and hurt. However, if this energy is mastered successfully, it also means the new administration carries a great talent for healing "dashed dreams".

Mercury is in Leo in the 12th house, ruling the 2nd and 11th house. The Leung administration is likely to find its own creative ideas (especially those about the Government's fiscal situation and the community's social and political goals) "behind the scenes". Maybe this means Mr Leung and his team will often go in retreat for brain-storming sessions?

One interesting point is, Leung's own Sun and Pluto are conjunct the Ascendant of his administration! He will certainly be a very strong and powerful leader of his team, dominating the entire outlook of his team. This close astrological connection between Leung and his own administration is an excellent example to show nothing is random in this world.

Overall, what would I say? Frankly, I think the new administration will introduce a totally new approach to governance. Officials will be more willing to get closer to the ordinary people and hear their views. However, turbulent political storms are likely and some officials may have to bow out rather abruptly. This may bring about radical breaks from the past and perhaps, an opportunity for general renewal and transformation for the city too. Friends and opponents of the new administration may feel alienated and disillusioned, but the birth chart also indicates a great potential to heal and be inclusive.

Let's see how things will turn out...

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Stephen Lam's calling

The headline news for today is obviously the announcement by the Chief Secretary for Administration Stephen Lam that he will step down when the term of this administration expires on June 30 this year. He will go to Oxford with his wife to study theology.

Considering Lam's chart, this should not come as a surprise at all. His Sun is in Sagittarius, meaning that his life path is linked with the pursuit of wisdom and the understanding of universal laws, often through religion, the law and philosophy. Moreover, his Moon is in Pisces which is a sign closely related to the spiritual and non-materialistic. It is therefore no surprise that he is a devout Christian and wanted to study theology. Actually, given this Sun-Moon combination, it would not have been impossible if he had pursued a career in the church, instead of in the civil service.

Another astrological indicator for his decision to study theology is that, his Sun is now being squared by transiting Neptune. His identity and ego will be re-defined during this time and he will become even more receptive than usual to spirituality and other-worldliness. This represents a pretty long period of time in which his old self will be let go of, transformed and refined. The effects could be most deeply felt during April-August 2011, February-April 2012 and August 2012-February 2013.

Is there anything else in his chart that indicates why he has chosen to pursue a career in government and politics, and has become so successful in this that he serves as the right-hand man to Hong Kong’s top leader?

Although Lam is not well-liked by the public and generally not considered "very competent" or "outstanding", his chart reveals quite another matter. This should explain why he has been promoted by a series of bosses and was already a bureau head in his 40s.

His Sun (in Sagittarius) is conjunct Mercury and Saturn (both in Scorpio), all squared by a tight Jupiter-Pluto conjunction and are in a trine with Uranus. This indicates an ambitious personality, an excellent strategist who plans everything thoroughly, and capable of outside-the-box thinking. A very smart guy indeed!

However, why has he been dubbed by the Chinese media as a "human recorder" who constantly repeats the official stance over and over again? This is indicated by the T-square in his chart: the Chiron-Uranus opposition is squared by Mars-Neptune in Libra. This exactly means that Lam tends to fight (or defend his position) through an evasive and slippery approach. When Mars combines with Neptune, it is like adding water to fire. There is just smoke and nothing else is in there! This is especially so whenever he feels alienated, estranged or "wounded" suddenly or through others' disruptive behaviour (Chiron-Uranus opposition). In psychological terms, we can say this "human recorder" approach of his is his "defence mechanism" (i.e. psychological coping method) to whatever alienation he may feel under the circumstances.

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