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The Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 - Isandlwana
The sun turned black in the middle of the battle; we could still see it over us, or should have thought we had been fighting till evening. Then we got into the camp, and there was a great deal of smoke and firing. Afterwards the sun came out bright again - Zulu warrior's account of the Battle of Isandlwana.
Index
Rorke's Drift background
Rorke's Drift was a small outpost near a crossing of the Buffalo River in South Africa, which came under attack from a force of 3,000 - 4,000 Zulu warriors in the aftermath of the Battle of Isandlwana which had been a crushing defeat for the British Army on 22 January 1879. Defended by 139 soldiers, mainly from the 24th Regiment of Foot, the British held out from approximately 4pm that day until morning on the 23rd, winning 11 Victoria Crosses in the process, and becoming the basis of the 1964 film Zulu starring Michael Caine .
There was a solar eclipse on that day, at 2:30 pm, towards the end of the Battle of Isandlwana, the worst defeat of the British Army by an indigenous foe equipped with vastly inferior military technology. Approximately 1,800 British and Native troops were wiped out by over 20,000 Zulus armed with spears.
What makes Rorke's Drift such a great example?
The most telling thing is that the solar eclipse occurred immediately before the defence of Rorke's Drift, which was just a few miles West from Isandlwana. Additionally, there are some great appropriate transits for those involved, and there is some important synastry between many of them. NB. we do not have times for any births, and so must largely ignore the Moon and Ascendant [the Earth], except of course for the eclipse.
In the context of a battle, the planets should probably be interpreted as follows:
- Earth: Whatever point is ascending on the eastern horizon accentuates the personal perception/experience of the moment through its sameness to that point in the individual. However, in most historical cases we do not know times accurately enough to make use of this.
- Moon: in individuals is the emotional response to what is known of the situation, in the moment is its emotional content. In battles this would indicate levels of fear, etc.
- Sun: consciousness of the situation
- Mercury: questioning and communicating.
- Venus: desire for glory or safety, individual or collective bravery.
- Mars: the desire, need, and ability to act, or be acted against.
- Jupiter: judgment of the reality of the situation, assessment of the foe.
- Saturn: perception of the situation, the fog of war.
- Chiron: wounds received and given.
- Uranus: realizations about war, and recall of procedures learned.
- Neptune: feelings of duty, including delusion and altruism.
- Pluto: power, the application of reality, death.
Isandlwana background
The Battle of Isandlwana was the battle that immediately preceded the defence of Rorke's Drift, and which saw the defeat of the British Army by an army of Zulus armed mainly with spears.
Lieutenant Nevill Coghill VC, escaped Isandlwana along with Teignmouth Melvill, ostensibly to save the regimental Colours. Nevill Coghill died when he turned back while crossing the Buffalo river, to aid his comrade, but both were killed. For this act he was later posthumusly awarded the VC.
Lieutenant Teignmouth Melvill VC, escaped Isandlwana along with Nevill Coghill, ostensibly to save the regimental Colours, but died when while crossing the Buffalo river. For this act he was later posthumusly awarded the VC.
Lieutenant-Colonel Anthony Durnford was the commanding officer of No. 2 Column of the soldiers defending the camp at Isandlwana, who perished alongside his men.
Private William Griffiths VC had been awarded the VC for bravery at sea in saving life in storm off Andaman Islands, but died at Isandlwana.
Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Pulleine was the commanding officer of No. 3 Column of the soldiers defending the camp at Isandlwana, who perished alongside his men..
Surgeon Major Peter Shepherd was the army doctor at Isandlwana, who perished attempting to save a wagon of injured soldiers.
Private Samuel Wassall VC risked his own life to save that of his comrade, Private Westwood, when having escaped Isandlwana and crossed the Buffalo river, he turned back to recross the river, rescue Westwood from the river, and then recross the river with Westwood. For this he was awarded the VC.
George Hamilton-Browne was a volunteer battalion commander of the Natal Native Contingent, who survived the battle due to having been sent out on reconnaissance the previous day, and returned to observe the battle from some 3 miles away.
What makes Isandlwana such a great example?
The most noticeable thing is that the solar eclipse occurred during the battle of Isandlwana, which was just a few miles East of Rorke's Drift. The thing that makes it such a great example of astrology is that not only is it an extreme event, but the many winners and losers illustrate many of the workings of astrological principles.
Nevill Coghill VC
and the Battle of Isandlwana

So what can Astrology tell us about Nevill Coghill VC
and his death following the battle?
The most telling thing, perhaps is that Nevill was born with an opposition between Sun and Mars, and that this was triggered by the eclipse.
- Transiting Sun opposite Nevill Coghill's Mars

- Transiting Sun square Nevill Coghill's Uranus
- Transiting Moon conjunct Nevill Coghill's Sun
- Transiting Moon opposite Nevill Coghill's Mars
- Transiting Mercury conjunct Nevill Coghill's Mercury
- Transiting Mercury sextile Nevill Coghill's Neptune
- Transiting Mars perhaps square Nevill Coghill's Moon
- Transiting Saturn square Nevill Coghill's Chiron
- Transiting Chiron square Nevill Coghill's Sun
- Transiting Chiron sextile Nevill Coghill's Venus
- Transiting Chiron square Nevill Coghill's Mars
- Transiting Uranus opposite Nevill Coghill's Venus
- Transiting Neptune sextile Nevill Coghill's Neptune
The chart shown is the birth of Nevill Coghill set at midday with transits for his death set at 3:30pm.
Teignmouth Melvill VC
and the Battle of Isandlwana

So what can Astrology tell us about Teignmouth Melvill VC and his death following the battle?
The most telling thing, perhaps is that Nevill was born with Mars trine Pluto and that at the time of his death Mars was trine both his natal Mars and natal Pluto.
- Transiting Earth trine Teignmouth Melvill's Moon
- Transiting Mercury conjunct Teignmouth Melvill's Saturn

- Transiting Mars trine Teignmouth Melvill's Mars

- Transiting Mars trine Teignmouth Melvill's Pluto

- Transiting Jupiter conjunct Teignmouth Melvill's Neptune

- Transiting Saturn opposite Teignmouth Melvill's Mercury
- Transiting Saturn conjunct Teignmouth Melvill's Uranus

- Transiting Neptune trine Teignmouth Melvill's Saturn
The chart shown is the birth of Teignmouth Melvill set at midday with transits for his death set at 3:30pm.
Frederic Thesiger and the Battle of Isandlwana

Frederic Thesiger, 2nd Baron Chelmsford was the commanding officer of the British Army in South Africa, leading the invasion of Zululand, and it was he who carries most responsibility for the disaster at Isandlwana, because he underestimated his enemy, and failed to set sufficient defences, instead taking the bulk of the fighting force out on a wild goose chase that allowed the camp to be overrun with close on two thousand lost. What can Astrology tell us about Frederic Thesiger and his actions and reactions to the battle?
The most telling thing, perhaps is that Frederic was born with an opposition of Jupiter and Pluto, forming a T-square with Saturn. Also a trine between Mercury and Uranus, with Uranus squared by Chiron. From an astrological perspective the former suggest's ineffectual judgment about the power of others, while the latter suggests a questioning of others intelligence leading to an inability to take advice, causing harm to himself.
Frederic Thesiger would not respond to pleas for help until it was too late to do anything, and then he decided to avoid the battlefield - perhaps it was all too much for him. The transits do not suggest good judgment, rather Mars being opposite natal Mars by transit shows he wanted to be doing, but should have been doing somewhere else [back at camp as it turned out].
- Transiting Earth conjunct Frederic Thesiger's Mars

- Transiting Moon trine Frederic Thesiger's Jupiter
- Transiting Venus perhaps opposite Frederic Thesiger's Moon
- Transiting Mars opposite Frederic Thesiger's Mars

- Transiting Saturn sextile Frederic Thesiger's Mercury
- Transiting Saturn sextile Frederic Thesiger's Uranus
- Transiting Chiron conjunct Frederic Thesiger's Venus

- Transiting Chiron sextile Frederic Thesiger's Saturn
- Transiting Uranus sextile Frederic Thesiger's Saturn
- Transiting Neptune conjunct Frederic Thesiger's Venus

- Transiting Neptune sextile Frederic Thesiger's Saturn
The chart shown is the birth of Frederic Thesiger set at midday with transits for the eclipse during the battle set at 2:30pm.
Anthony Durnford
and the Battle of Isandlwana

So what can Astrology tell us about Anthony Durnford's death during the battle?
The most telling thing, perhaps is that Anthony was born with .
- Transiting Sun trine Anthony Durnford's Sun
- Transiting Moon trine Anthony Durnford's Sun
- Transiting Mercury square Anthony Durnford's Pluto
- Transiting Mercury trine Anthony Durnford's Chiron
- Transiting Venus opposite Anthony Durnford's Saturn
- Transiting Jupiter sextile Anthony Durnford's Venus
- Transiting Uranus square Anthony Durnford's Sun
- Transiting Neptune conjunct Anthony Durnford's Chiron

- Transiting Pluto trine Anthony Durnford's Neptune
The chart shown is the birth of Anthony Durnford set at midday with transits for his death set at 2:30pm.
William Griffiths VC
and the Battle of Isandlwana

So what can Astrology tell us about William Griffiths's winning a VC earlier, and his death during the battle?
The most telling thing, perhaps is that William was born with Uranus trine Chiron square Mars opposite Pluto, and possibly with Pluto conjunct Moon. These aspects were activated via his natal Mars at the time of his death at Isandlwana, but 12 years earlier, when he won his VC as part of a rescue crew, the transits were more about Venus and Neptune, and what others are doing.
- Transiting Sun sextile William Griffiths's Uranus
- Transiting Sun sextile William Griffiths's Chiron
- Transiting Mercury trine William Griffiths's Mercury
- Transiting Venus square William Griffiths's Sun
- Transiting Venus trine William Griffiths's Jupiter

- Transiting Saturn square William Griffiths's Venus
- Transiting Chiron square William Griffiths's Saturn
- Transiting Neptune opposite William Griffiths's Mars
- Transiting Neptune sextile William Griffiths's Neptune
- Transiting Pluto square William Griffiths's Neptune
The chart shown is the birth of William Griffiths set at midday with transits for actions leading to his VC set at midday.

- Transiting Earth opposite William Griffiths's Mercury
- Transiting Earth trine William Griffiths's Venus
- Transiting Venus conjunct William Griffiths's Neptune

- Transiting Mars conjunct William Griffiths's Mercury

- Transiting Mars sextile William Griffiths's Venus
- Transiting Jupiter trine William Griffiths's Mars

- Transiting Jupiter conjunct William Griffiths's Neptune

The chart shown is the birth of William Griffiths set at midday with transits for his death set at 2:30pm.
Henry Pulleine
and the Battle of Isandlwana

So what can Astrology tell us about Henry Pulleine
and his death during the battle?
The most telling thing, perhaps is that Henry was born with Sun conjunct Venus, and both square Mars. Also with Jupiter opposite Pluto. At the time of his death at Isandlwana Mars was conjunct his natal Sun, while Jupiter was trine his natal Jupiter, suggesting that while he wanted to act a certain way, his judgement was subject to another's judgement.
- Transiting Earth opposite Henry Pulleine's Sun
- Transiting Sun sextile Henry Pulleine's Saturn
- Transiting Moon sextile Henry Pulleine's Saturn
- Transiting Mercury conjunct Henry Pulleine's Mercury

- Transiting Mercury sextile Henry Pulleine's Uranus
- Transiting Venus trine Henry Pulleine's Jupiter
- Transiting Mars conjunct Henry Pulleine's Sun

- Transiting Mars conjunct Henry Pulleine's Venus

- Transiting Jupiter trine Henry Pulleine's Jupiter

- Transiting Jupiter sextile Henry Pulleine's Pluto

- Transiting Saturn square Henry Pulleine's Chiron
- Transiting Uranus square Henry Pulleine's Saturn
- Transiting Neptune sextile Henry Pulleine's Uranus
- Transiting Neptune square Henry Pulleine's Neptune
The chart shown is the birth of Henry Pulleine set at midday with transits for his death set at 2:30pm.
Peter Shepherd
and the Battle of Isandlwana

So what can Astrology tell us about Peter Shepherd's death during the battle?
The most telling thing, perhaps is that Peter was born with Mars trine Uranus .
- Transiting Earth opposite Peter Shepherd's Moon
- Transiting Earth square Peter Shepherd's Uranus
- Transiting Earth sextile Peter Shepherd's Pluto
- Transiting Mercury sextile Peter Shepherd's Earth
- Transiting Venus conjunct Peter Shepherd's Neptune
- Transiting Mars perhaps conjunct Peter Shepherd's Moon
- Transiting Mars trine Peter Shepherd's Pluto

- Transiting Jupiter conjunct Peter Shepherd's Neptune
- Transiting Saturn trine Peter Shepherd's Chiron
- Transiting Chiron trine Peter Shepherd's Sun
- Transiting Uranus conjunct Peter Shepherd's Sun
- Transiting Pluto sextile Peter Shepherd's Uranus
The chart shown is the birth of Peter Shepherd set at midday with transits for his death set at 3:30pm.
Samuel Wassall VC and the Battle of Isandlwana

So what can Astrology tell us about Samuel Wassall VC
and his actions following the battle?
The most telling thing, perhaps is that Samuel was born with Venus trine Jupiter, with Venus almost conjunct the Sun, while Jupiter was square Saturn. But also, Chiron was nearly opposite his Sun. At the time of his escape and rescue of Private Westwood he had the eclipse on his natal Chiron, and Chiron on his natal Pluto.
- Transiting Earth sextile Samuel Wassall's Pluto
- Transiting Sun conjunct Samuel Wassall's Chiron

- Transiting Moon conjunct Samuel Wassall's Chiron

- Transiting Mercury square Samuel Wassall's Jupiter
- Transiting Mercury opposite Samuel Wassall's Saturn
- Transiting Mars square Samuel Wassall's Neptune
- Transiting Chiron square Samuel Wassall's Sun

- Transiting Chiron conjunct Samuel Wassall's Pluto

- Transiting Chiron square Samuel Wassall's Chiron

- Transiting Neptune square Samuel Wassall's Sun
- Transiting Neptune square Samuel Wassall's Venus
- Transiting Neptune sextile Samuel Wassall's Saturn
- Transiting Neptune conjunct Samuel Wassall's Pluto
- Transiting Pluto sextile Samuel Wassall's Mercury
- Transiting Pluto conjunct Samuel Wassall's Uranus
The chart shown is the birth of Samuel Wassall set at midday with transits for the battle set at 3:30pm.
George Hamilton-Browne and the Battle of Isandlwana

So what can Astrology tell us about George Hamilton-Browne's avoidance of death following the battle?
The most telling thing, perhaps is that George was born with Mercury trine Chiron, and Venus trine Jupiter. He had the same Pluto position as many of the other army officers, so it was affected by transiting Mars, but his personal natal Mars was unaspected, so he was less involved.
- Transiting Sun sextile George Hamilton-Browne's Uranus
- Transiting Moon sextile George Hamilton-Browne's Uranus
- Transiting Mars sextile George Hamilton-Browne's Neptune
- Transiting Mars trine George Hamilton-Browne's Pluto

- Transiting Chiron square George Hamilton-Browne's Saturn
- Transiting Neptune square George Hamilton-Browne's Saturn
- Transiting Pluto opposite George Hamilton-Browne's Venus
- Transiting Pluto sextile George Hamilton-Browne's Jupiter
The chart shown is the birth of George Hamilton-Browne set at midday with transits for the battle set at 3:30pm.
The 24th Regiment of Foot
The 24th Regiment of Foot, so involved at both Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift during the Zulu Wars, started life in 1689 as Sir Edward Dering's Regiment of Foot. It is illuminating to consider the start of the regiment against the eclipse at Isandlwana, and against the commanding officers. While it is true that others, such as the British Government and the British High Commissioner, were involved in the major decisions about the Zulu War, they were not there in person, in Zululand, and so necessarily had less personal involvement.
Edward Dering and the The 24th Regiment of Foot

So what can Astrology tell us about Edward Dering
and his regiment?
The most telling thing, s.
- The regiment's Moon perhaps sextile Edward Dering's Mars
- The regiment's Moon perhaps trine Edward Dering's Jupiter
- The regiment's Mercury trine Edward Dering's Uranus
- The regiment's Mercury sextile Edward Dering's Pluto
- The regiment's Mars perhaps square Edward Dering's Moon
- The regiment's Saturn opposite Edward Dering's Mars
- The regiment's Saturn conjunct Edward Dering's Jupiter
- The regiment's Chiron square Edward Dering's Chiron
- The regiment's Neptune square Edward Dering's Neptune
- The regiment's Neptune square Edward Dering's Pluto
The chart shown is the birth of Edward Dering set at midday, with transits for his founding the regiment set at midday.
The 24th Regiment of Foot and the Battle of Isandlwana

So what can Astrology tell us about the regiment and the eclipse?
The most telling thing, s.
- Transiting Earth trine the regiment's Jupiter
- Transiting Venus square the regiment's Venus
- Transiting Mars sextile the regiment's Jupiter
- Transiting Jupiter sextile the regiment's Mercury
- Transiting Saturn conjunct the regiment's Sun

- Transiting Saturn trine the regiment's Pluto
- Transiting Chiron sextile the regiment's Moon
- Transiting Chiron opposite the regiment's Saturn
- Transiting Uranus opposite the regiment's Moon
- Transiting Uranus sextile the regiment's Saturn
- Transiting Pluto sextile the regiment's Earth
- Transiting Pluto trine the regiment's Mars
- Transiting Pluto conjunct the regiment's Chiron

The chart shown is the commissioning of the regiment set at midday, with transits for the eclipse set at 2:30pm.
The 24th Regiment of Foot and Frederic Thesiger

So what can Astrology tell us about the regiment and Frederic Thesiger, 2nd Baron Chelmsford?
The most telling thing, s.
- Frederic Thesiger's Mercury sextile the regiment's Sun
- Frederic Thesiger's Mercury sextile the regiment's Pluto
- Frederic Thesiger's Venus opposite the regiment's Saturn
- Frederic Thesiger's Mars trine the regiment's Jupiter
- Frederic Thesiger's Saturn trine the regiment's Saturn
- Frederic Thesiger's Chiron square the regiment's Pluto
- Frederic Thesiger's Uranus sextile the regiment's Sun
- Frederic Thesiger's Uranus opposite the regiment's Pluto

- Frederic Thesiger's Neptune square the regiment's Mercury
- Frederic Thesiger's Neptune sextile the regiment's Neptune
The chart shown is for the commissioning the regiment set at midday, with transits for the birth of Frederic Thesiger set at midday.
The 24th Regiment of Foot and Anthony Durnford 

So what can Astrology tell us about the regiment and Anthony Durnford?
The most telling thing, s.
- Anthony Durnford's Venus conjunct the regiment's Mercury
- Anthony Durnford's Jupiter square the regiment's Mercury
- Anthony Durnford's Saturn square the regiment's Venus
- Anthony Durnford's Neptune trine the regiment's Chiron
The chart shown is for the commissioning the regiment set at midday, with transits for the birth of Anthony Durnford set at midday.
The 24th Regiment of Foot and Henry Herbert

Henry Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon, was the ex-Colonial Secretary [having resigned in 1878], the Government man back in London who was responsible for initiating the amalgamation of the various states of Southern Africa, and so who was perhaps most responsible for what happened to the regiment, at Isandlwana.
Astrology tells us the following about the effect of Henry Herbert on the 24th Regiment of Foot:
The relationship between politician and regiment, taken as synastry.
- Henry Herbert's Sun trine the regiment's Moon
- Henry Herbert's Venus trine the regiment's Mercury
- Henry Herbert's Venus square the regiment's Venus
- Henry Herbert's Jupiter conjunct the regiment's Jupiter

- Henry Herbert's Jupiter square the regiment's Chiron
- Henry Herbert's Chiron conjunct the regiment's Venus
- Henry Herbert's Chiron sextile the regiment's Neptune
- Henry Herbert's Uranus square the regiment's Venus
- Henry Herbert's Neptune conjunct the regiment's Mars

- Henry Herbert's Neptune trine the regiment's Chiron
The chart shown is for the creation of the regiment set at midday, with transits for the birth of Henry Herbert set at midday.
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