Jupiter in Leo

30th June 2026 - 26th July 2027

Jupiter, South Node and Mars through Leo 2026 -2027

Jupiter is leaving the sign of Cancer on June 30th to begin its year long transit in the sign of Leo. Climbing down from its pedestal, he moves into the Sun’s sign marking a dramatic dignity change.  In the lunar home of the Moon, Jupiter was exalted, lifted up and held in high esteem.

Jupiter’s twelve year cycle is one new sign every year.  When we want to predict; we always look back.  What was happening twelve years ago, when Jupiter was transiting your Leo house?   From a lunar home to the royal throne room,  Jupiter will find it easier to deliver consistently.  The Jupiter in Cancer transit was perhaps drenched in hyperbole, whereas the nature of Leo is more consistent.  Cancer is a lunar sign and its ruler the Moon's nature is one of flux.  Being in charge of all that goes on in her home sign, any planet residing there will be subject to her inconstancy. The Sun rises and sets each day, without fail; so the concept of consistency is attributed to the sign of Leo, which the Sun rules over.

What does Jupiter represent in astrology? As the greater benefic he will always try to bring goodness to the astrological chart.  Vettius Valens, one of our most ancient hellenistic astrologers writes that Jupiter signifies:

“childbearing, engendering, desire, loves, political ties, acquaintance, friendships with great men, prosperity, salaries, great gifts, an abundance of crops, justice, offices, officeholding, ranks, authority over temples, arbitrations, trusts, inheritance, brotherhood, fellowship, beneficence, the secure possession of goods, relief from troubles, release from bonds, freedom, deposits in trust, money, stewardships”. 

He writes that Jupiter and the Sun together (Leo’s  ruler) bring forth “noble and distinguished men”.  Here we see Jupiter expanding the core principles of Leo; its preoccupation with visibility; which can be indicative of rank and fame.  Jupiter in Leo is not demure.  He is assertive and can teeter on the edge of haughtiness.

Temperament with Jupiter in Leo

Using temperament theory and the qualities hot, cold, wet (moist) and dry we can take a look to see how this change in sign is manifesting.  Shifting from a water sign (cold & wet) to fire (hot & dry) will propel Jupiterian topics in a more outwardly expression.  With a hot & dry expression, the quality of heat induces more activity, stimulation and passion.  Coupled with the dry temperament which tends to separate there will be less focus on what's good for the group or tribe; independence and authority taking the lead.  

Jupiter’s  intrinsic temperament is hot & wet, sharing with Leo the quality of heat which initiates and begins.  What differs is the lack of moisture (wetness), which Jupiter jovially seeps into in Cancer.  Moisture seeks to bind things together, which could take the form of trying to connect with another or those familial bonds with kin.  With Jupiter in a drier climate now, there is less flexibility, more independence and perhaps a self-serving agenda which honours the solar principle.

Leo marks the middle of summer (in the northern hemisphere) like all fixed signs are placed; half-way through a season.  Taurus for Spring, Scorpio for Autumn and Aquarius for Winter.  These signs are essentially trying to ‘hold’ the season in place; this is the peak embodiment of what that time of year represents.  Late July marks the beginning of Leo season, where temperatures soar as well as tempers.  Heat can propel and initiate but can also be demanding and draining of your energy.  As an example, Jupiter in Leo could be transiting the native’s 9th house and propel them into beginning a university degree or going on a long distance trip. 

Fixed fire wants to burn forever.  It's like the hearth in the home, that must be attended to day in, day out, never going out. Jupiter being the biggest traditional planet, we have an energy here that is dynamic, bold and wants to show up.  Heat requires oxygen and as the planet of expansion, the greater benefic wants to enlarge anything it touches, whether that be ‘good’ or ‘bad’. This is where there can be overindulgence or opulence with a Jupiter transit.  Be mindful not to overdo or over consume topics in that Leo house in your chart.

Jupiter in Leo is LOUD.  I know someone who has this placement in their 10th house and they just fill up the room with their presence.  There is no mistaking an angular leonine Jupiter, they will make sure they are known and that they are seen. With the visibility, there is also the warmth.  This individual also teaches which makes them jovial, a larger than life quality to them which is utterly infectious.  

Jupiter in Leo can leave no room for anything else.  In the sign of the Sun, Jupiter is in a royal sign.  Some famous Jupiter in Leos include Celine Dion who has Jupiter in her first house.  Powerhouse vocals and a flamboyant stage presence, she commands the stage like the Queen she is. Jupiter is associated with high rank and honour, so while exalted in the sign of Cancer, in Leo there is a more direct, masculine expression of the sign.  Arrogance can be associated with this state of Jupiter.  Getting a little too big for your boots or simply just having so much confidence, it's hard to hide it.  However Jupiter is generous and can exude munificence; “great gifts” as Valens writes. 

Jupiter as the planet of faith believes that ‘everything is gonna be alright’.  By transit, the Leo house in your chart could be asking you in the next year; where do I need to take a leap of faith?   Jupiter says ‘why not’ as opposed to Saturn who cautions  ‘are you sure?’.  It's easy to get swept up in Jupiter’s optimism and sometimes in astrology he's used as a ‘get out of jail free card’.   It's true, Jupiter will try to bring goodness but there is sometimes an over reliance on him. 

We can determine Jupiter’s baseline effectiveness using the concept of Sect.  This is whether you were born during the day or night.  In traditional astrology, this is a fundamental principle which serves as the start of interpreting a natal chart.  If you're a day person, Jupiter is going to show up a little louder for you; at night it's going to be a little quieter.  There are many other factors to consider; an astrology consultation can clarify how Jupiter is technically showing up in your nativity. 

Sagittarius and Pisces risings will feel this change of sign, as Jupiter is the traditional ruler of both those signs.  With annual profections, if Jupiter is activated as a timelord, this change will be impactful too. Jupiter’s most ancient associations were with children and the ‘begetting of children’.  So for instance, if Jupiter is transiting your 1st/5th/11th houses, this can be a simple pregnancy transit but this has to be in conjunction with other timing techniques. We must have multiple testimonies, in order to say there is a good chance of something coming to fruition. That's where an astrology consult comes in handy; a responsible astrologer will use multiple timing techniques before making a prediction; transits alone will not suffice.

Jupiter as a ‘releaser from bonds’ like the ancient authors write can be two sided coin.  I have seen Jupiter transit the seventh house; where marriage is indicated or it can easily be about freedom from a relationship that no longer serves. He can bestow gifts or give us a way out and deliver us our freedom.

Jupiter is the preacher, the guy on the street reciting bible verses; hoping to convert someone because they want them to have the same transcendent experience they have had.  It isn’t always coming from a place of ‘I know everything’ but more from a place of ‘I need to share this amazing thing with you, it's going to change your life’. This isn’t always how it comes across to the recipient; the zeal of Jupiter - amplified in Leo, can be exhausting to some or admirable to others.

Icarus and Temperance

Icarus Falls - The Louvre, Paris - Slices of Light - Flickr

We can overdo it with Jupiter; it can speak to excess and hubris.  The story of Icarus comes to mind.  He was the son of Daedalus;  an inventor who designed and built the labyrinth that held the Minotaur for King Minos of Crete.  Legend goes that King Minos did not want Daedalus to reveal the secrets of the labyrinth; so he imprisoned both him and his son. Being the creative that he was, he fastened wings from feathers and wax so they could fly away. He warned Icarus to not fly too low to the sea as the salt from the ocean would erode the feathers and to mind staying far enough from the Sun; so as not to have the wax melt that held the makeshift wings together.  Exhilarated by being able to fly, Daedalus' son flew too close to the sun’s rays and the wings fell apart.  He fell into the ocean and perished. Temperance and moderation is what I take from that story and with the South Node's entrance into Leo, this is perhaps the balancing act to Jupiter's opulence.

South Node

What's unique with this alignment of Jupiter in Leo is the presence of the South Node, which will enter Leo on the 27th July 2026.   The South Node is a mathematical point, tied to the Moon’s orbit in relation to the ecliptic. Its opposite is the North Node, they move in tandem. In astrology, the South Node is associated with release, emptying out, drainage and decrease.  So while Jupiter is promising all this increase and expansion; the South Node is declaring decrease. The nodes are most potent when they make conjunctions to actual celestial bodies but as they mark (most of the time) the place where eclipses take place, they are at their core disruptive and unpredictable.  

So what does this mean for Jupiter in Leo? It says on a very basic level that something must be let go in order to let in Jupiter’s gifts.  Something has to give.  That could be a long held dream or hope that needs to be let go of.  We can't have everything, all at once.   Jupiter wants to provide, the South Node wants to take away.  It's a balancing act.  The nodes don’t change signs again until early 2028, so their story is a little longer in comparison to Jupiter’s stay in Leo but this will be the first time Jupiter is co-present (in the same sign) with the South Node for a full Jupiter cycle in Leo since 1077-1078.  

There was a short three month period from 18th August 1990 - 8th November 1990 and also a longer period from 5th September 1729 to 25th February 1730 when Jupiter and the South Node were co-present in Leo.  Astrologers get accused of hyping certain transits as ‘rare’ but in this case; it's appropriate.

Mars' Retrograde

Mars will first spend time (direct in motion) in Leo from 28th September 2026 to 25th November 2026. It will then begin its retrograde in the sign of Virgo on 10th January 2026, before returning to Leo here on the 21st February 2027. Mars will station direct in Leo on 1st April 2027, and will finally leave Leo on 14th May 2027, continuing on to finish tracing its steps through Virgo.

To state the obvious; the Leo part of your chart from June 2027 - July 2027 is going to be loud.

Mars retrogrades tend to bring frustration and inaction.  Mars likes to go, cut and separate.  As the planet of action it likes getting things done.  When the god of war has to turn backwards; this is the antithesis of Mars' nature.  So your Virgo and Leo houses are going to experience frustrations, delays, having to go back over things, redos, or experience a lack of momentum when Mars is retrograde.  Retrograde Mars can force us to slow down, especially when we don’t want to leading to agitation. Mars is a nocturnal planet, so it does better when it's tempered in cooler signs like Virgo.  In Leo, it tends to be more abrasive and ‘in your face’.

Ares' journey through Leo echoes South Node stories, speaking to separation and doing away with things. Mars' approach is more direct especially when it will first ingress into Leo. Retrogrades are about the planet retracing its steps, going over old ground. Something needs cut or some decisive action be taken surrounding Leo house topics, perhaps having to be revisited or revised. Mars can speak to battles and where we must muster courage. Perhaps this retrograde is asking us to put down the sword; surrender a little of our pride and exercise patience, no matter how frustrating that can be.

This will be the first time in a very long time, we experience the full transit of Jupiter in the sign of the Lion, with the influence of diminishment that the South Node brings. Alongside Mars' retrograde dance through the signs of Virgo and Leo I think these celestial combinations are going to speak to themes of power shifts, solar figures falling away, especially in Royal institutions.  Over at my Youtube channel, I've done deep dives into royal figures, using predictive techniques which speak to the importance of the sign of Leo.

The Leo solar eclipse in August 2026 I believe is going to be indicative of a  massive shake up with monarchy and how it functions in the 21st century.  This last year we have seen incredible scandals rock the British Royal Family especially surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.  Tied in with the Epstein files, those in power are being checked and exposed.  

King Charles alongside his brother are Leo risings, so these eclipse cycles are happening in their angular first houses, alongside the Jupiter transit and Mars retrograde.  The sign of Leo permeates royal family charts; being the sign of the King there is a literal connotation here regarding royalty.  Leo also corresponds to authenticity and leadership, so the concept of fame and what that means is changing with this co-presence of Jupiter, the South Node and Mars. 

There is a reckoning in our culture; power and those who hold it are under scrutiny. Whether anything comes of this exposure; visibility as a leonine trait; remains to be seen.  

Live From London: An Electional Reading of SNL UK’s Birth Chart

An astrological analysis of the moment the show began and what that moment may promise.

I have been a huge fan of Saturday Night Live for a long time. As someone from Belfast, SNL is a great way to keep in the loop about Americana through sketch comedy. A staple of US television for fifty years, the show has ebbed and flowed in popularity. It has served as a real-time capture of the culture with its week-to-week turnaround; focused on pop culture, politics and showcase writer’s quirky characters who defy definition. It launched the careers of some of the biggest names from Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Kristin Wigg to name a few.

So when I read about a UK version in the works, I was nervous. Our culture here, across the pond, is well let’s say a little more muted. We aren’t perhaps the best at cheerleading. We wish people the best to their faces because it’s polite but there is a British/Irish cynicism that’s inherent. However, when the first episode launched I was pleasantly surprised, along with the rest of the critics and public. I think most of us had forgotten that we do comedy extremely well. Sketch comedy in particular.

As an astrologer, that unceasing question arose, “I wonder what their chart is?”.

SNL UK BIRTH CHART

The birth chart of an event is called an inception chart. Natal astrology looks at the birth charts of humans but we can also look at a ‘thing’ or an event. We can enquire about the nature and fortune of SNL UK through its ‘birth chart’, its nativity. I will being looking at this chart through the lens of electional astrology; the art of picking an auspicious time to begin something. SNL UK launched at 10pm on Saturday 21st March 2026 in London. We have all that we need: time, date and location.

Scorpio was rising on the horizon as SNL UK premiered with its ruler Mars in Pisces in the 5th house. The ascendant and its ruler Mars, is SNL in the chart. Scorpio rising can describe intensity, secrecy and things that are taboo. The ascendant sign, the show’s identity, is a production that isn’t afraid to ‘go there’ and have a delivery that can ‘sting’’ much like the scorpion, which is required in comedy. Scorpio is strategic, being the nocturnal sign of Mars.

Mars Takes the Lead: Main Character

Mars as the helmsmen of the chart, steering the show towards its purpose is located in the 5th house, in the sign of Pisces. The 5th house is primarily associated with children and therefore creation. It’s a house of creativity, delight, where the act of pleasure can create new life. Here it is representative of the entertainment and joy that the show provides, so it speaks to the life direction of the show flowing to 5th house pursuits. The house where Venus has her joy; its purpose is to bring laughter which connects us, a Venusian principle.

Mars is a sharp planet, like the surgeon’s knife. As the god of war, he tends to separate things, cut a new path. The show itself has to constantly be in motion, initiate action, make decisions and this ascendant ruler instills the chart with a sense of intensity. This describes the very essence of a television production like this. As a malefic planet, Mars lends towards extremes. Week-to-week they have to write, produce, rehearse and then perform live, a multitude of sketches in front of a live audience. Mars in Pisces, a mutable water sign describes the versatility a show like this requires and vast imagination. The outfit changes alone! I read that they never have laced shoes as part of their costumes, slip ons or velcro is the standard.

A night chart, Mars has triplicity rulership in the water signs illustrating the intrinsic collaborative nature of SNL. ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ is an interesting proverb that can speak to the idea of triplicity dignity. Triplicity is based on the elements and specifically the trine aspects between elemental groups. Scorpio, Pisces and Cancer all form a trine to each other, like all signs that share the same triplicity. The trine aspect belongs to Jupiter who is the planet associated with friendships and alliances. SNL is at its core a martial entity that operates from a place of community and collaboration. Many cogs in the wheel.

SNL UK HOUSE MEANINGS

Jupiter Bonifies Mars

Staying with triplicity, we can look to the ruler of Mars which is Jupiter. The King of the Gods is placed in the 9th whole sign house, exalted in the sign of the Moon, Cancer. Exaltation in traditional astrology is a form of essential dignity; it indicates how the planet expresses its essence. Exalted planets indicate prosperity, good fortune and speak to themes of high esteem and respect. Jupiter rules Mars. So what ‘rules’ SNL UK? Where is there a place they can access resources or support? Jupiter I believe is Lorne Michaels. Lorne Michaels is the creator of the original SNL and has steered the ship since its 1975 inception. He is placed in this nativity, held in high esteem, in the 9th house of foreign places, so literally a highly placed, benefactor (very Jupiterian) in a cadent house. A powerful influence but operating from a distance, from a foreign place. Michaels spoke that he is “incredibly proud” and that the show “...keeps getting better every week”.

Mars and Jupiter trine by whole sign aspect but also form a very special degree based aspect which is known as bonification by connection. Demetra George writes in Vol 1 Ancient Astrology,

“the bonified planet is not only protected from harm, usually by the agency of the benefic planets, but also enhanced in its capacity to bring forth the best of fortunate outcomes for the individual”.  

This occurs when a faster moving planet (Mars) makes an applying trine or sextile to one of the benefics (Jupiter) within three degrees. Bonification is a condition that bestows great assistance. This is indicative of the immense power and influence that Michaels has with his stewardship of a fifty year old institution; his wealth of experience, expertise and the connections he brings to SNL UK. He’s the big boss. Big Daddy Jupiter Vibes. This is a highly auspicious configuration and indicative of “notable nativities”.

A Maiden Moon: Sect Light of the Chart

One of the defining features of SNL format is the guest host component that employs actors to comedians, musicians to athletes who take a hand at playing silly characters and debuting their comedy chops. This keeps the show fresh and speaks to its nature of changeability. You never know how the host will land; whether they’ll flop or pleasantly surprise you.

In the chart we look to the 7th house which is the house of partnership, collaboration and open enemies. As a night chart, the Moon is the sect light of the chart. She draws out attention to the 7th house, where she shines. The luminary of the sect can speak as a secondary indicator for what the native is known for, sharing some associations with the MC angle/10th house.

Another exalted planet, the Moon in Taurus, waxes in its new moon phase. It has passed the Sun’s burning path but still holds little light. While in fixed earth, the Moon is changeable by nature and speaks to the rotating guest host dynamic. The Moon here is also illuminating the inherent changeability of the shows premise - changing and shifting into different characters.

There is a nascent quality to this luminary, indicative of the search for an identity as she emerges from the Sun’s light. When an astrologer elects a chart, they are choosing an auspicious moment to begin something. In every branch of astrology, the Moon is paramount. She brings things into being and takes them away. A Moon that is waxing, increasing in light, is ideal for the beginning of something you wish to be successful.

This exalted Moon indicates they won’t have trouble finding hosts/musical guests that are well respected, well known and who have an international and wide-reaching influence, as the Moon rules the 9th house. The Moon in general represents the people. Applying to Jupiter, Lady Luna is bestowed with bonification like her sect mate Mars. The Moon possesses a special orb of 13 degrees (as she moves so fast) as opposed to the 3 degree rule of application which applies in the bonification doctrine.

This Moon is very powerful; its the sect light, exalted, angular and further empowers Jupiter as its domicile host. Jupiter and the Moon in such excellent condition is this chart speaks to a ‘fertile’ energy in the nativity, conducive to creative pursuits.

Venus has the final say

The Moon takes residence in the 7th house but its landlord Venus holds the domicile rulership of Taurus. Planets in the sign speak to more immediate or perhaps obvious manifestations of the topics of that house. The planet that rules the sign has the final say on the house topics outcomes. Venus is the benefic of the chart, in the 6th place, in the sign of her detriment, Aries. She also rules the Libran 12th house and the Lot of Fortune. Having the final say in 7th house matters, there could be inconsistencies with viewing figures, guest hosts (who perhaps try to dominate or assert themselves in a non-colloborative nature) or perhaps rival shows depleting audience share. There is no aspect between the ruler of the chart and the 7th, which isn’t ideal but the Moon somewhat mitigates this.

Lot of Fortune

This chart is littered with planets that are dignified and it’s easy to get caught up in the hype of exalted energy but in traditional astrology, the Lot of Fortune has a lot to say about what ‘befalls’ the nativity. The LOF is placed in the difficult 12th place. This house pertains to isolation, suffering, hardships. Saturn traditionally has its joy here, so it’s a place where there is difficulty and in the chart of a TV show would speak to behind the scenes activity. This is a house where hidden tensions would reside and with that 6th house stellium, the LOF would speak to things outside the show’s control or what they are ‘blind’ too, with its aversion to the ascendant.

Venus in detriment isn’t in great shape even though she is a benefic. This can be an echo of that 6th house ‘grind’ becoming even more important in regards to perhaps not having the luckiest or most fortuitous set up in the chart. While keeping in mind testimonies of bonification and exalted planets, when Fortune isn’t well placed, there can be instances of just bad luck. Just shitty things can happen to us, that’s an expression of a challenging LOF. While SNL UK has been renewed for a second season, I hope this LOF isn’t indicative of the ‘quick to cancel’ culture that permeates television and executives that only see the ‘overnight figures’ and aren’t willing to let a creative production grow and find its legs. Ten signs from the LOF marks the sign of Cancer, 10th from fortune. This makes Jupiter, angular to fortune which further empowers this already well resourced planet.

Public Image: The Midheaven and Its Ruler

Concerning success and reputation we investigate the 10th house and the MC degree. In SNL UK’s chart we have the MC in Leo. A natural sign of the performer and sometimes drama (no shade to Leos), visibility and being in the ‘spotlight’ is archetypal for the sign of the Lion. There are no planets in the Leo, so we look to the ruler, the out of sect luminary, the Sun, in Aries. Another planet in its sign of exaltation in the 6th house of illness, labour, and servitude. This Sun is in mixed condition and though exalted he is placed in a cadent, difficult house.

It is able to witness the 10th by trine and therefore the MC degree which helps its management responsibilities towards granting honours and speaks to reputation. The 6th house in this chart indicates the show and its daily grind of the production. It will be known for its intensive labour and perhaps well respected for it. It’s a monumental undertaking to produce a show like this, week-to-week, a very Aries endeavor. The Sun’s exaltation signs marks the start of spring in the northern hemisphere, the return of the light. Saturn and Venus co-present with the MC ruler is illustrative of a labour of love.

The Engine Room: A 6th House Stellium

With the Sun, Neptune, Saturn and Venus all together in the 6th place, this is an example of a stellium. A stellium works like a boomerang. Like the return arc of a boomerang, life may move outward through many topics, but because the rulers of those topics are lodged in one place, experience keeps curving back toward that house. The immense labour that is required for a production like this to be made will be the overarching theme, everything will return back to it. It saturates the chart with not just intense effort and toil but it can also signify accidents and misfortunes. The bonification of Mars is a excellent mitigating condition that softens the overall outcome of 1st and 6th house topics, as the planet has the final say in these matters.

While there are three planets in exaltation, signalling eminence for the owner of the nativity, there is no perfect chart. The curious thing with Scorpio rising charts is that Mars will always rule the 1st house and 6th house in whole sign houses. Therefore the topics of the 1st house (the show, identity, tone, presentation) and 6th house (writers, crew, rehearsals, technical strain, exhaustion, production problems, the brutal weekly labour cycle) are intrinsically linked. This is a night chart, making Mars the malefic of the sect which tempers his malefic nature, working more favourably for the native. If this was a day chart, I would worry more about the longevity of the show.

We can’t ignore the Sun/Neptune conjunction in the 6th house. In electional work we wouldn’t necessarily pay attention to outer planets, unless they are conjunct an angle or a very tight applying aspect to a planet like we have here. Neptune has associations with glamour, fantasy, film, music and artistry. Ren Butler writes in ‘The Archetypal Universe’, that Sun/Neptune connections have

“enhanced access to imagination and inspiration” but “tendencies towards self-deception… lack of purpose or direction”.  

Neptune confuses. I would caution SNL UK if they were my ‘client’ to cultivate and endeavor to create a clear identity. Neptune can obfuscate and distort. Being conjunct the ruler of the MC, there is a potential for their reputation or standing to become muddied. An Aries Sun knows what it wants. It is born to lead but entwined with Neptune, that confidence is diffused. Exalted planets, while renowned, also have a long way to fall from their pedestals. Neptune tends to dissolve what it touches and washes away. There might be issues surrounding the leadership of the show where perhaps not is all what it seems.

Audience, Fandom, and Public Reception: The 11th & 7th Houses

What I noticed with this chart is that both the 7th and 11th house ruler, Venus and Mercury are both in their signs of detriment (Mercury also being in their fall in Pisces). Planets in detriment lack resources. What the planet is seeking to accomplish and bring forth, is filtered through a non-traditional approach. It can speak to a lack of consistency or stability, a meandering route. Detriment can also show us a planet that is going against the grain. So when it comes to audiences and ultimately ratings, this show will, like I stated earlier, will experience inconsistency. Good ratings = more advertisers. What detriment can show is in this case, audiences are experiencing the show outside of the traditional ‘tv ratings space’.

The show has managed to cultivate their audience through catchup services and particularly social media, where there are millions of views on their YouTube channel. Detriment can speak to going viral, attracting an alternative audience. SNL UK just finished its first season, after having a surprise two episode extension. News of renewal for a second season with a twelve episode order was welcome news to fans. This speaks to how those exaltation signatures come through but not without its criticisms. This is a production in its infancy, I can’t wait to see what becomes of it.

There were many doubters if it could translate and land in the UK; I was one of them. I think the show has done incredibly well. Jack Shep’s impression of Diana in the debut episode had me in stitches and the Louis Theroux sketch, especially Larry Dean’s impression, was superb. I’m glad he got to shine towards the end of the season. I think it has reminded us here in the UK and Ireland that we do sketch comedy very well. We have a long history of dressing up and acting silly. That isn’t exclusively American at all. In fact, it’s very very British.

https://youtu.be/lILVObugHtQ?si=nOZExIW7GKL-jCd0&t=70

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHVGkAXbdQ4

Astrology allows us to look at the ‘birth’ of anything, the moment something begins. This is the power of electional astrology, where we can choose the most auspicious moments when we decide to begin something. However, an astrologer if skilled in their art can pick a most fortuitous moment to begin say a wedding or the launch a business. This is where astrology meets the world in a practical way; where fate and free will cross paths.

I wonder if there is an astrologer on retainer at Sky headquarters because this is a an excellent electional chart in my opinion. There are problems but no chart is perfect. There’s no such thing! Choices have to be made, like my teacher Kira Ryberg would say.

While things can be fated, picking a moment in time can help us ‘plug in’. When it comes to electing for an individual an experienced astrologer will ‘root’ to the natal chart of their client. This is fundamental. Just because there is an ‘excellent’ electional chart, doesn’t mean that it will work for everyone. We must ‘root’ it to the nativity and work within the conditions that were allotted to us.

For example, this chart of the birth of SNL UK will have an interaction with all the people who work on the show. The cast, writers, costume designers, makeup artists, set dressers, executives and everyone who has a part to play, all have their own nativity. This inception chart (the beginning point) will interact with those nativities, in a myriad of ways. Electing isn’t easy but it can pay dividends if you get it right.

Elect the Best Moment

If you are interested I am offering a new electional service for those who want a great date for an important event in their lives. If you have something you want to begin, to launch and bring about the best possible conclusion I invite you to work with me with my new offering.

Click here for more: Electional Offering

Sources:

Rackham, A. (2026). SNL: Saturday Night Live UK met a sceptical crowd - but has it won them over? BBC News. [online] 17 May. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj0p7q080yno.

George, D. (2019). Ancient astrology in theory and practice : a manual of traditional techniques. Volume 1, Assessing planetary condition. Auckland, New Zealand: Rubedo Press.

Butler, R. (2018). The Archetypal Universe. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.

Why Princess Catherine Is Being Honoured in Italy This Year.

https://youtu.be/GLUQ3KqmV2M

For some time, I have wanted to explore Catherine, Princess of Wales’ birth chart, and yesterday I read about how she was to embark on a two-day solo trip to Italy from 13th to 14th May 2026. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to see how annual profections, monthly profections and her solar return might be showing up for her with regard to this trip. I intend to show how Princess Catherine is honoured in Italy and how this is reflected in her astrology.

What caught my attention about this trip is that it will be her first official overseas working visit since her cancer diagnosis in 2024. The trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy is completely focused on her early childhood development charity work and where the teaching method, the Reggio Emilia Approach, was developed post-WWII. What I thought was especially significant is that the future queen is to be a recipient of a very prestigious award, the Primo Tricolore, Reggio Emilia’s highest civic honour, which they do not dish out very frequently.

Princess Catherine is a Leo rising. She is in her 44th year, which means that the sign of Aries becomes the profected sign, her 9th house natally. Mars then becomes her annual time-lord, who sits in the sign of his detriment, Libra, in the 3rd house. In my YouTube video, I go into how this Mars’ condition is dramatically improved, being placed in its place of exaltation, angular and especially honoured by being in the ‘heart of the Sun’, otherwise known as Cazimi.

In this post, I wanted to add a little extra with regard to her monthly profections.

She is in her 5th month from her birthday, so profecting from the profection, we arrive at the zodiacal sign of the Lion. Her monthly time-lord therefore is the Sun from 9th May 2026 to 9th June 2026. Catherine is a Leo rising, so this month will be very Catherine-orientated. The rising sign of the chart and its ruler are indicative of all things related to the native’s body, how they move in the world, health and vitality.

Her Capricorn Sun is located in the 6th house of service and illness, making a whole-sign square to her natal Mars, linking both her annual and monthly time-lords through aspect. Her Sun is not in the best shape. It is the out-of-sect luminary, which faces quite extreme challenges with its conjunction with the South Node, which, when a planet is near, can indicate themes of depletion, emptying out and a draining nature. The 6th house signifies illness, service and that grinding nature of work that is not entirely pleasant, but needs to be done. Her natal promise shows us that those topics will take a great toll on Catherine’s body and vitality, and this is where I would caution someone to manage their expectations around output and labour.

The ascendant ruler also has to contend with maltreatment by overcoming from both malefics from the 3rd house, which puts a lot of pressure, responsibility, misfortune and hardship on her body, energy and vitality.

We can see this with regard to her cancer diagnosis, where there was obviously a much-needed retreat from public life, and how, over the years, she has perhaps performed fewer ‘royal engagements’ on paper. I would imagine that, over the years of being a working royal, she has come to learn that, to be at her best, she must ‘put on her oxygen mask first, before she can be of use to others’.

So, the annual and monthly profections are telling a story regarding 9th house topics, education, foreign places, long-distance travel, and 3rd house topics, traditionally siblings, but also primary education, early life experiences, and where the Moon joys, which is naturally associated with infants and early life. Mars and the Sun are telling a story here. She is being recognised for her advocacy for early childhood development in the city where the development of the Reggio Emilia Approach (child led, relational, collaborative - very Mars in Libra/Detriment/not-the-norm) has chosen to award her with its highest civic honour.

With this monthly profection activated, in the real-time sky we are nearing the end of Taurus season, with the Sun travelling through Catherine’s natal 10th whole-sign house, which is a lovely indicator of a monthly time-lord whose management of 1st house topics manifests through the house of public honours, reputation and public life.

Being born at a Full Moon eclipse, her Sun is especially potent and connects the Moon to this monthly profection story.

Her sect light, being born at night, is in her home sign of Cancer in the 12th house. Her work surrounding early childhood development is a lovely expression of that sect light in the 12th, where the luminary in charge can be a secondary indicator of career and what we are known for.

A Full Moon eclipse hidden away in the 12th place is not easy; a place of retreat and isolation, but also where themes of service and shining a light on themes of family and early life can emerge (Moon in Cancer). The 12th house is also a place of ‘exile’ in ancient times, which translates into modern speak as a place abroad. When combined with 9th house activity, this echoes themes of being in foreign lands, yet illuminated and visible.

With Mars and the Sun being ‘in charge’ for her this month, what is present in the solar return further echoes and brings forth more auspicious conditions. That Mars Cazimi is being echoed in the annual and monthly profections, but I would argue that, as the natal promise indicates, this trip might take a lot out of Catherine, especially regarding the body, while simultaneously being a much-admired success. This month indicates a time of the native being well received and honoured due to the solar return conditions. The solar return Sun is also angular, giving it a much-needed boost this year compared to the natal condition.

Mars Cazimi the Sun - also kinda Venus too :)

As a little extra I noticed that in the SR chart, Leo is held in the 5th house, the place of children. SR Jupiter also mutually applies very tightly by opposition to the SR Sun. Jupiter is naturally associated with children and also rules the 5th house natally.

The important thing to remember with solar returns is that they do not override the natal promise; they can only modify it. Mars being Cazimi, in its place of exaltation and also dynamically angular in the 10th whole-sign house, greatly increases the natal Mars condition for the solar year, indicating success and being ‘raised up’ regarding 9th house and 4th house matters.

There is also this Aries emphasis in her 44th year, with both the annually profected sign and her SR ascendant being in the sign of the Ram. Mars is both the time-lord and solar return ascendant ruler. This doubles up on the monthly profection because, once again, the sign of Leo is activated for the monthly return.

This is a solar year where independence is a focus for Catherine, where she is not just the wife of the heir to the throne, but where her solo achievements are being recognised in their own right.

Repetition and echoes are key to seeing how a solar return, the ‘real time’, is intersecting with the time-lord. Profections are the symbolic. The solar return shows us how it unfolds throughout the year.

I hope this added a little more to what I presented in my video. Be sure to check it out and see what you think. Is there anything else in the solar return chart that you think I might have missed? How have monthly profections manifested for you?