Featuring this Sunday’s Premier League fixture between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur.
Although Wolves are the home team, Spurs are widely considered the favourites and are therefore awarded the first house and ruler the Sun at 06 Capricorn 30.
Wolves, as the underdogs, are represented by Saturn (ruler of the opposing 7th house) at 01 Aquarius 09.
Mars, strong in his own sign of Aries and placed directly on the cusp of the 10th house (victory to the favourites), is a positive testimony for Spurs who can be expected to put in a strong performance regardless of the final outcome.
However, the Moon (significator of events during the match) inclines to favour Wolves: She applies to oppose the antiscion of Fortuna (12 Sagittarius 42) and then moves on to oppose Venus (ruler of the 4th house; victory for the underdogs). This suggests that the home team will have the opportunity to confound the pundits and steal an unexpected victory. The Moon has just under 6 degrees to travel before her opposition with Venus perfects; a slightly wider orb than usually allowed for a 90 minute football match: Wolves’ best chances will occur in the latter stages of the game, perhaps even in extra time.
Unlike contest charts, which are event charts cast for the time of kickoff, questions about the overall performance of a particular football team are best answered using a different astrological technique, that of horary astrology: A chart is cast for the time the question is received and understood by the astrologer, and once the planet representing the team concerned is found, its strength by sign and placement together with any aspects it makes within the bounds of its current sign provide an indication of how well (or otherwise) that team can be expected to perform for the rest of the season.
This example question was asked by a Manchester United supporter, who wondered where Manchester United would finish in this season’s league, and if they would win any trophies.
Because it is asked by a supporter of Manchester United, the question is essentially; “How will we do? Will we win a trophy?”: For this reason, Manchester United are described by the 1st house (representing the self) and its ruler. Had the question been asked by someone who did not support United, they would instead have been signified by the planet ruling the 7th house (which represents any team other than the one you support).
With Cancer on the cusp of the 1st house, the planet which describes Manchester United in this question is the Moon. Her condition, and any aspects she makes (within the bounds of her current sign) indicate what we can expect from United for the rest of this season. The Moon is at 22 Capricorn 25, the sign of her detriment. This is not a promising sign for United: Despite recent improvements, the weak condition of the Moon indicates that their performance still leaves something to be desired. Any honours or trophies Manchester United might win are symbolised by the 10th house (the house of victory) and its ruler, Jupiter. The Moon applies to conjunct Jupiter, but her way is barred by Pluto, who intercedes and prevents the aspect.
In horary questions, which generally deal with matters of the moment, the slow-moving outer planets usually play less part: They do not rule houses and are only considered to have meaning if in close aspect to a significant planet. Here, Pluto’s close proximity (just over a degree) to Manchester United’s main significator must have meaning: Pluto is not usually a favourable planet in sporting contests, but as the planet of endings and new beginnings he points to the transformation that United must undergo before glory is again within their grasp. Although they are unlikely to win honours this season, the process of rebirth has begun, and United supporters can look forward to a return to form in the future.
In the above chart, the same question was asked by a concerned supporter of Crystal Palace, who asked if their fortunes would improve. Because the question is asked by a supporter of the team, Palace are awarded the 1st house and its ruler Mercury. At the time the question was asked, Palace had taken up residence in the lower half of the Premier League, a position reflected by the poor condition of Mercury, combust (within 8 degrees of the Sun) and in the sign of his detriment at 26 Sagittarius 22. There is no aspect between Mercury and Saturn (Lord of the 10th, house of glory and victory) and the late degree ascending (28 Gemini 39) indicates the die is cast: There is little Palace can do to better their situation this season.
In contest charts, the importance of the Moon as significator of events cannot be underestimated and frequently supercedes any other role she may have for the match in question. The following chart, for this Saturday’s League One fixture between Rochdale and Gillingham, illustrates this perfectly.
The pundits predict a close match, with Gillingham (currently placed ahead of Rochdale at 23 points to 19) considered to have a slightly better chance of victory.
Even though they are the away team, favourites Gillingham are awarded the 1st house and its ruler Mars, strong in his own sign at 22 Aries 23. Their hosts Rochdale are represented by the opposing 7th house and ruler Venus, placed at 04 Sagittarius 49.
The Moon applies first to trine Fortuna: A testimony for favourites Gillingham which also holds promise of an early lead. Here, the Moon’s role as significator of events takes precedence, and her rulership of the 4th house (victory for underdogs Rochdale) is discounted. However, her next and final relevant aspect (over the usually workable orb of 5 degrees for a 90 minute football match) is a square to 7th house ruler Venus for Rochdale.
In a game expected to be as close as this, and with strong testimonies for either side, a draw cannot be ruled out of the equation. However, the Moon’s trine to Venus gives hope to Rochdale supporters that they will have even greater cause to celebrate.
NEW BLOG POST COMING SOON: How will my team fare this season? A method of astrological prediction using worked examples.
The alignment of the stars hints at a few surprises in this weekends featured matches; Manchester United vs Manchester City, and Everton vs Chelsea.
Manchester City are tipped to win easily against local rivals United, but the heavens have another story to tell.
The Moon being otherwise engaged as significator of events, her dispositor Mars is called in from the substitute’s bench to represent favourites City. Mars is strong in his own sign of Aries, a testimony in support of the favourite’s cause.
The Moon makes two aspects of significance; a sextile to Jupiter (Lord 10, victory for the favourites), then a further sextile to Saturn, Lord 7. This last aspect favours underdogs United and, being just beyond the limit of the 5 degree orb allowed for a 90 minute football match, augurs that the best chances for the Reds will occur in the latter stages of the game, their hopes of victory increasing further if extra time is possible.
Overall, expect a low-scoring war of attrition: Both teams look set to score and, if Manchester United can keep up the pressure on their rivals, a win may be within their grasp if they seize opportunities presented to them in the closing minutes of the match.
Mars again allies with the cause of the favourites in Saturday evening’s match between Everton and Chelsea. As Lord 10 (Victory for the favourites) placed in his own sign and on the cusp of the 10th house, he lends considerable support to Chelsea, who are tipped to win against hosts Everton.
However, the Moon (who signifies the flow of events during the match) has other ideas: She first applies to conjunct Venus (Lady of the 4th house; victory for the underdogs) and then applies to sextile Saturn, Lord 7; both strong testimonies for Everton.
Chelsea will play well, but should not count on victory; when the final whistle blows it is very likely that Everton will be the ones with most cause to celebrate.
The Part of Fortune and its dispositor often play significant roles in contest charts when aspected by the Moon or planets of significance. In this Saturday’s match between Chelsea and Leeds, they look set to decide the result:
Hotly tipped to win, Chelsea are the favourites and are awarded the 1st house and its ruler the Sun (at 14 Sagittarius 08). Rivals Leeds are represented by the opposing 7th house, ruled by Saturn. In Capricorn, Saturn has more strength by sign but this is less crucial in contest charts than significant aspects or house placement.
The Moon’s progress describes the flow of events during the match: She applies first to square Venus (Lady of the 4th house; signifying victory for the underdogs), a powerful testimony for Leeds which may indicate an early goal for the visitors. However, the Moon’s next aspect – a trine to Mars – should prove even more favourable to opponents Chelsea.
As ruler of the 10th house (victory for the favourites), Mars’ trine with the Moon would (at very least) allow Chelsea an equalising goal. But here his role as dispositor of the Part of Fortune (at 09 Aries 58) makes their outright victory more probable.
There should be goals for both sides, with a win for Chelsea the likely result.
ASTROLOGY BY LOUISE OF ARABIA 