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

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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.