Some further research has revealed the following fascinating diurnal chart. On the 16th January 2023 Sturgeon's attempt to introduce a Scottish gender equality bill was met with opposition from Westminster. Using Section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998, the government blocked the introduction of the Scottish legislation.
For more details see:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/16/nicola-sturgeon-accuses-uk-ministers-of-using-trans-people-as-political-weapon-scotlandFrom an astrological point of view this date is very instructive in terms of the diurnal transits to Sturgeon's chart.
Note that the diurnal meridian at 24 LE-AQ is very closely aligned (< 1 degree) with Sturgeon's own meridian axis at 24 LE-AQ. However Sturgeon's IC is conjunct diurnal MC. However the real power of diurnal transits is shown by noting that diurnal Saturn is precisely conjunct diurnal MC and Sturgeon's IC. It is on this day that the full import of Sturgeon's Saturn transit to her natal IC was made plain.
Sturgeon is experiencing an extremely powerful waning square to her natal Saturn opp Neptune. The midpoint of these planets is the meridian axis. Sturgeon's political goal was to make the dream (Neptune) real (Saturn), and I think it is on this day she began to realise (tr. Saturn) that she might have achieved as much as she was going to achieve without further great cost to herself.
The reversal of the meridian axis (natal IC conjunct diurnal MC) does speak of Sturgeon's statement in her speech that "“A first minister is never off duty. Particularly in this day and age, there is virtually no privacy. Ordinary stuff that most people take for granted, like going for a coffee with friends or for a walk on your own, becomes very difficult. And the nature and form of modern political discourse means there is a much greater intensity – dare I say it, brutality – to life as a politician than in years gone by."
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/feb/15/nicola-sturgeon-in-her-own-words-key-moments-resignation-speechThe alignment of the meridians of the two charts is perfect symbolism for the above statement - with the natal IC on the diurnal MC, transited by Saturn, it is clear that what Sturgeon says is true - 'never off duty', 'virtually no privacy', 'ordinary stuff...becomes very difficult', 'brutality'.
Again this chart warrants in depth study - Sturgeon's natal Saturn emerging from the diurnal twelfth house; diurnal Jupiter's transit to natal Uranus square the diurnal horizon. This is freedom. Diurnal Sun/Pluto square natal Jupiter and opposite natal Sun - all from the diurnal eighth house. This is the power struggle that finally overwhelmed Sturgeon.
The formal announcement of the government's decision was made on Tuesday 19 January, but it seems likely that the actual choice was made on the day of this chart.
This chart makes a fascinating piece of evidence for the power of diurnal charts as a forecasting and analysis tool. Nicola Sturgeon's midpoint trees are also attached below. Of particular note is the MC tree in the 90 degree sort.