John Guilsher was the case agent assigned to contact and work directly with Tolkachev. His parents had come from Russia. He spoke fluent Russian. He had joined the CIA in 1955 and had worked in many locations in preceding two decades. In that time he had honed his skills at ‘trade craft’ as on-the-street-operations-with-agents was called. The package from Tolkachev was given to the CIA on March 1st, 1978. Approval to work with this new agent was approved a couple of days later. Guilsher was a prime target of the KGB as they recognized the difficulties in trailing him. They bugged his apartment and trailed him everywhere whenever he left the Embassy or his apartment. Yet, their dogged persistence revealed all of their methods to his highly trained mind. He learned to spot their cars, their people. He could shed tails faster than a trapped salamander. It was not unusual for the KGB to use several cars when tailing him about the city. An example of the details he noted can be provided: The KGB used powerful Volga sedans with powerful V-8 engines. Volga’s driven by civilians use 4 cylinder engines which had a distinctly less-than-powerful noise. His hearing told him when the KGB was tailing him. At times other cars used by the KGB included a variety of small sedans. These could be identified by a peculiar characteristic of the government car wash station; the car wash mechanisms always left a small triangular patch of dirt on the grill area. It was by noting details such as these that Guilsher was so successful in spotting KGB followers.
Tolkachev’s instructions were for the CIA to call him at a specific time on the evening of March 5, 1978. Every phone line in Moscow was bugged or could be bugged if an alert was made by a surveillance officer. So, use of a specific phone would have to be chosen ahead of time but not approached or used until the proper moment.
An elaborate scheme was developed. John and Kissa, his wife, planned to attend the Bolshoi Theater for a performance of Anna Karenina. John would excuse himself during the performance, ostensibly to visit the men’s room. He would instead make a pay-phone call from the lobby to Tolkachev at the designated time. The suddenness of this action would preclude any agents from arranging a phone tap. He knew that he would be tailed by an agent of the KGB that night, a issue that would have to be dealt with when the moment arrived.
As it turned out, their designated KGB agent was known to them; she worked as a civilian clerk at the U.S. Embassy under the direction of John’s wife, Kissa. Kissa and John were both aware of her covert assignment. Upon his abrupt leaving during the performance, the woman agent stood up to follow him. Kissa held her sleeve and noted that big crowds were likely be there as the intermission approached. She would be better waiting a bit. The woman reluctantly sat down, not wanting to blow her cover. As she left later she passed John Guilsher returning to his seat.
Guilsher had followed Tolkachev’s instructions to the letter, calling at the correct time, using the correct ‘name.’ Tolkachev was assured that all of his material was interesting and deemed to be very valuable. He was thanked. A relationship had begun. The March 5, 1978 t/Moon-opposite-n/Sun in the 8th house Return chart coincided with the March 5th phone call arranged by Tolkachev’s March 1st information package passed to the CIA.
The t/Moon-opp-n/Sun in the 8th house offers a ‘theme’ for us to consider; Managing investments brings conflicts if one strays from areas of capability. Confidence in the face of competition. Emotions are kept in check. Others may show stress, you have to show assuredness. Drawing upon one’s own resources. Team player. Much of this generic theme applies here when we nuance it to fit the context of Guilsher’s life. We could say “Managing conflicting situations by using one’s established capabilities. Having confidence, not letting one’s emotions to show. Using your own resources. Being part of a team effort.” Although these ‘theme’ statements, given in my book “Personal Moon-to-Sun Returns 2” are applicable in very many situations, they do have to be adjusted to fit unique situations and the context of the subject’s life.
Note that there are no angular planets on the horizontal axis. t/Neptune-conjoins-n/Asc. in the first house. Neptune here can indicate deception and behind-the-scenes activity. This pattern squares t/Mercury in the 3rd house; a message or contact has to be delivered or made under uncertain circumstances. The chart’s MC angle is populated. t/N.Node-n/PoF-t/PoF all oppose n/Chiron at the IC angle. In cyclic and event charts, the Moon’s North Node (N.Node) is indicative of engaging with an associate or a friend. Here, that doubled-up PoF indicates the excitement level of Guilsher as he makes contact with Tolkachev.
At this point I am going to do something I have never done before with t/Moon-n/Sun Returns. Normally we ‘Advance’ these charts from the date that the cycle starts. In this instance I am going to ‘Regress’ this chart to March 1st when Tolkachev’s letter and intelligence package was handed off to Hathaway and his wife as they were entering their car. This pre-arranged phone call (date and time) was designated by Tolkachev’s instructions in the March 1st contact. For Guilsher, who did not receive the Talkachev-package himself, what do we find in his regressed t/Moon-to-n/Sun Return?
Regressed chart for March 1st, 1978
NOTE that this is not the same March 1, 1978 chart that was given in the last posting. That March 1st chart was an Advanced chart from the previous Return chart. This March 1st chart is a Regressed chart from the to-follow March 5 t/Moon-opp-n/Sun Return.
First the angles of his relocated birth chart are matched up with the transiting Regressed chart’s angles. This marks a significant ‘life-changing event’ for him and should be strongly emphasized. n/Mars is at the MC angle; he will be taking physical action relative to this date’s events. Since n/Mars squares t/Mars, this will not be easy for him. t/Chiron is at the IC angle. His life will need to accommodate changes in his routines and work.
It would seem that the cyclic-start of a t/Moon-n/Sun Return does pick up on prior events in what would normally be another cycle. Since the March 5th phone call to initiate the start of Tolkachev’s spying activity was directly linked to the instructions he passed in this successful attempt to gain the CIA’s interest, it is intriguing to see the linkage between the charts. Astrology always amazes and delights us if we are curious and choose to explore its possibilities. This will have to be explored more fully in future charts which have linked events. Dave
When the natal chart angles happen to match up with any of the Return or Advanced chart’s angles we have a very special condition to consider. In this case the n/Asc. is at the chart’s Ascendant, the n/MC is at the chart’s MC. This does happen but it is rare. What might it mean? Most simply, it is much like being born again; the chart should be treated as if “Life is at an inflection point; it will likely express itself in some new way, or perhaps in a much more dramatic manner than the way one normally lives their life.” Treat this as being a very significant moment.
Other natal angles at chart angles can occur just as easily. Consider natal MC at the chart’s Ascendant. One’s public image and goals in life (the MC) have to be dealt with on a personal level (the Asc.). Perhaps the subject changes jobs or takes over a company or promotes himself in some way.
On the other hand, if the n/Asc. appears at the chart’s MC angle we have a different condition. The subject will likely be a spokesperson for a project or a corporation, or he will have a need to explain himself and his goals (a politician would do this).
The Ninth House 3 