For a version of Transit that can be saved on your machine and printed out for comfortable reading, click here to download the PDF version. Hallo! I'm Val Dobson and I'm the new editor of Transit, taking over from Kim Farnell - an act that will be difficult to follow.
The new design of the Transit website is all down to me, as is the new design of the PDF edition. So any complaints about either should be directed to me at transit@astrologicalassociation.com, or via the Astrological Association office at Unit 168, Lee Valley Technopark, Tottenham Hale, London N17 9LN.
In this issue, we have Gavin Palmer's analysis of the Hutton affair and an article from Dr Andrew Black on time, space and how it relates to astrology; if that's all too heavy for you, relax with Paul Newman's take on two highly successful British sitcoms. There are also details of upcoming astrology events, plus news and announcements from groups and organisations - the COA summer School looks highly tempting......! If you want to relax with some reading, and have access to the internet, I have gathered a list of astrological texts that can be downloaded freely - there are some real classics of traditional and ancient astrology amongst them.
Unfortunately, pressure of work has kept back both Nick Campion's Media Watch and Jenni Harte's World News. They will be in the next issue.
All astrology news and data for publication is welcome - see the Submissions page for guidelines. The Astrological Association is holding its annual Conference in September, at the Bath Spa University College. Speakers so far booked include Judy Hall, Robin Heath, Richard Tarnas, Dennis Harness, Liz Greene, Patrick Curry, Bob Mulligan and many more. The many optional attractions include: special "MA track" and "back to basics" sessions at the Sophia Centre, with Nick Campion, Bernadette Brady, Garry Phillipson, Liz Greene, Bernard Eccles, Patrick Curry and others(numbers are very limited for these); a guided tour of Avebury and Stonehenge; a fundraising "black tie" Grand Ball & dinner; a walking tour of Bath; a support workshop for consulting astrologers. The deadline for the best discount prices is March 31st, so go to the main AA site where you will find full details along with online booking and payment. Congratulations are due to Nick Campion, who has just been made a PhD! Bitz & Bobs:
From www.astralis.it:
"Sunny day for a wedding", by Didier Castlle. A very interesting statistical research on all couples who got married in France in a certain period (that's a very large number to test) showing a very interesting astrological connection. Here it is a short summary to give you an idea: 'The marriages which were contracted in France between 1976 and 1997 have been examined as a whole, especially according to the zodiacal longitudes the Sun had at the birth time of the spouses. From this experimentation, it emerges an indisputable correlation. Marriages between people having the same solar longitude (more or less 30°) are more numerous than one would expect. On the other hand, the analysis according to the lunar longitudes reveals no statistical link. Very strong interrelationships appear after having distributed the marriages according to the signs in which Mercury or Venus happened to be at the birth of the spouses.' More at:www.astralis.it/news

In February www.StarIQ.com carried a story about an Australian insurance company's study that ranked car accident claimants by Sun sign; Geminis were the worst drivers, apparently, and Scorpios and Capricorns tied for the position of best drivers. Of course, that only counts the drivers who made accident claims. Scorpios, for instance, might very well try to hide a small accident or even sneakily re-arrange the evidence to point the blame elsewhere, Capricorns might bribe their way out of trouble and Geminis with a badly-aspected natal Mercury would quite possibly talk their way into trouble! Actually, this "study" isn't new news - it was conducted two years ago. But it still makes for quite interesting reading: www.stariq.com/Main/Articles/P0005117.HTM