Today, astrology is mostly known from tabloid magazines, but in the past, it was of much greater esteem. A horoscope was not only about love affairs or daily life and astrology was considered an art, and astrologers served as advisors to kings and queens. Their predictions could influence a monarch’s destiny and the fortune of an entire kingdom. Astrologers cast horoscopes for questions about crops, battles or missing ships. In addition, events like coronations, peace treaties, and military campaigns often had astrological justification, sometimes thanks to an astrologer. Same for a king’s horoscope. It was not merely a personal chart, but it was a crucial element in the strategy, politics, and also important due to symbolism. What might seem like a silly fortune-telling today could in the past determine who ascended to the throne and who lost their life or titles.
While royal horoscopes may appear unnecessary today, most countries have democratic systems. Yet, there are still some countries in Europe and around the world still maintain monarchies. Even today, some monarchs might consult astrologers for guidance, while others may remain unaware of the celestial influences impacting their careers.
In this post, which title is inspired by one of the chapters of Mathesis by Firmicus Maternus, I will explore the key factors that contribute to a favourable horoscope for a monarch. Additionally, other guidelines that could benefit those aspiring to succeed on the throne will be explored. Such rules may be applied not only to monarchs but also to those who occupy high positions in companies and state structures, e.g. presidents or mayors but also e.g. president of the gardeners’ association. You may be surprised what kind of “Game of Thrones” is going on in such tiny local organizations.
Monarch’s horoscope
With the birth of a future king or queen, their natal chart is also created. Before the monarch ascends the throne, one can already attempt to predict what their reign will be like, whether they will achieve honours, whether they will be powerful or under strong influence, etc. The key factors are the Moon and the Sun, their position and their location relative to benevolent and malevolent planets.
King of Denmark Frederik X
The first example to discuss is Frederik X, who has reigned since his mother, Queen Margrethe II, abdicated in 2024. His proclamation continues a legacy of the Danish monarchy that lasts over a thousand years1, and is one of the oldest in the world.
The King’s Sun is in Gemini, together with the Moon, Mars, and Mercury. Mars and the Luminaries sit together in the 4th house. Venus, on the other hand, sits in Taurus and in the 3rd house.
In King’s horoscope, luminaries are established in the masculine sign, and they dwell in the angular 4th house. Moreover, they are preceded by benevolent planet – Venus at the time of rising. According to Firmicus Maternus3, this may not be the perfect alignment, yet still, these factors make the King fearsome and powerful as well as subjugating regions or the greatest cities. It is unlikely that the Danish Monarch will seek to conquer other nations. As Maternus suggests, if the planets in the horoscope had been situated on the Medium Coeli, the King would have been able to conquer foreign nations. However, the King’s horoscope might reveal his strict policy towards the United States, regarding their ambitions to take over Greenland4. Anyway, the king is rated quite well5, he seems not to be involved in some spectacular scandals, so it appears that at least the beginning of his reign is going well.
King of the United Kingdom Charles III
Better known, however not as well received, is the King of the United Kingdom – Charles III. With Leo rising, he might make a noble impression. However, his luminaries are positioned in feminine signs – the Moon in Taurus and the Sun in Scorpio – but both located in angular houses. According to Firmicus Maternus, in a diurnal chart, it is essential for the Moon to receive support from benevolent planets to enhance the King’s authority, but such support is lacking in this horoscope. Neither Venus nor Jupiter preceded the Moon, and neither makes any aspect to it.
With such a horoscope, it is not surprising that the King’s popularity is not as high as of his mother7 or his first wife. In addition, Charles III is not the King of only the United Kingdom but also of the 14 Commonwealth realms. Following the death of Elizabeth II, a discussion arose within the Commonwealth countries regarding the purpose of their bond with the British monarchy8. It seems likely that since the reign of Charles III, the United Kingdom will begin to lose its influence and moreover may have to compensate for the damages caused during the colonial era.
King of Spain Felipe VI
Felipe VI was born in Madrid at 12:45 CET, according to Wikipedia9. He was the third child and only son of the King Juan Carlos I.
The Spanish monarch has the Sun and Moon in the angular 10th house. Both luminaries sit in the masculine sign of Aquarius. In addition, Venus and Jupiter precede the Sun. This is a planetary alignment similar to the one in the natal chart of Frederik X; quite a good horoscope for a person holding such a position as a king.
Felipe VI managed to improve the image of the monarchy and distance himself from his father’s scandals, which made him one of the most popular public figures in the country11, and support for the monarchy remains fairly strong.
Coronation
According to the 30th aphorism of the Centiloquium by Pseudo Ptolemy12: Among the monarch’s children, the one whose ascendant is in the same sign as the ascendant at the time of the monarch’s coronation will inherit the throne.
And this statement is reflected in the horoscope of the Felipe VI’s coronation and the natal chart of his oldest daughter – Princess Leonor. The ascendant of the King’s coronation is in Leo. In Princess Leonor’s natal chart, the ascendant is in Leo too, unlike her sister Princess Sofia, whose ascendant is in Virgo14.
What does William Lilly say?
William Lilly in his Christian Astrology devotes one chapter 144 to whether the native will have dignity or privileges16. Lilly explains to the reader the factors determining dignity and honours of a native, and these are:
- luminaries, especially the Sun
- planets making an aspect to luminaries, especially to the Sun
- ruler of the Midheaven
- planets in the 10th house
- fixed regal stars of the first or second magnitude placed near the Midheaven
Such significators, if are supposed to bring dignities, should be well-placed in the natal chart so in domicile or the sign of their exaltation. If they have less essential dignity, native will be merely of average social status. Similarly, debilitated planets will make a person of a minimal or no respect. The positions of the planets in the houses are also important here. Of course, the most favourable are the angular houses. Lilly also writes about a five-degree orb for fixed regal stars near significant significators. Five-degree orb appears to be wide for me, at least it is much more than what I was taught. Lilly also highlights the importance of beneficial aspects between planets, especially luminaries, Venus and Jupiter as well as the importance of them being located in fiery signs.
So, let’s have a look at how these principles apply to the birth charts of another kings.
Donald Trump
I think there is no need to introduce the President of the US – Donald Trump. Following Wikipedia17, “His political positions are populist, more specifically described as right-wing populist.”. In his horoscope, the President of the United States has both luminaries in angular houses: the Sun in 10th and the Moon in 4th. Both luminaries are peregrine giving the President Trump “very small or no dignities at all”. However, despite that luminaries are peregrine in their particular degrees of the zodiac, they sit in angular houses giving social advancement to Trump. In addition, the Sun as a ruler of the first house dwells not only in the angular house, but he is in the 10th house, the house of fame and honours, which gives him respect.
The Sun is in conjunction with Capella while Venus, ruler of the 10th house, conjuncts Procyon. Both stars are of the nature of Mercury and Mars which may explain the “let’s make a deal” approach of the head of the US. There is also Algol on the Midheaven. All of these stars are not regal, but it is striking how many fixed stars are close to the key element of this chart.
House system: Regiomontanus
So, it appears that Trump may not be liked19 but has to be respected by the world leaders due to the power he holds in his hands. His behaviour breaks the rigid and established conventions, leaving other politicians stunned. Well, a Mars-Mercury nature of the fixed stars in his horoscope does the job here.
Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani is an American politician newly elected mayor of New York City. According to Wikipedia20 he is “progressive and left-wing populist, his policies have been characterized as left-wing” which match perfectly the Moon in Aquarius.
In his horoscope, Mamdani has only one luminary in a cadent house which is the Moon in the 7th house. The Moon is not well dignified since she is peregrine. The Sun, in turn, sits in the cadent 4th house and in Libra, which is the sign of the fall of the Sun. This gives the young politician very little honour or reputation. In addition, there are no benefic planets in the 10th house.
House system: Regiomontanus
So how did he manage to climb so high? There is one detail in his chart – regal fixed star Spica in conjunction with his Sun. Spica is one of the most beneficial fixed star among all, so this may explain Mamdani to be successful in his career. Since he is in his 30s I think there are still many opportunities waiting for him.
Conclusions
The concept of a perfect royal horoscope is more or less about the condition of luminaries and their house placement. 10th house as the house of fame, social advancement and fame, should be highlighted by beneficial planets or fixed regal stars. In addition, its ruler should be in a degree of its dignity. Obviously, the sign of Leo and other fiery signs are the most desired in such horoscopes, but as it can be seen in the above examples it is not necessary to take the throne but rather to keep it and rule well.
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References:
- denmark.dk ↩︎
- Birth data from Astro-Databank Rodden Rating AA ↩︎
- Firmicus Maternus, Julius. Mathêsis. Edited by Benjamin N. Dykes. The Cazimi Press, 2023. ↩︎
- bbc.co.uk ↩︎
- welt.de
english.elpais.com ↩︎ - Birth data from Astro-Databank Rodden Rating A ↩︎
- newsweek.com ↩︎
- theconversation.com
bbc.co.uk/news ↩︎ - wikipedia.org ↩︎
- Birth data from Astro-Databank Rodden Rating A ↩︎
- musicmundial.com ↩︎
- “The Liber Fructus or Centiloquium: The 100 Aphorisms Attributed to Ptolemy” on renaissanceastrology.com ↩︎
- kingscoronation.com ↩︎
- Birth data from Astro-Databank Rodden Rating AA ↩︎
- Birth data from Astro-Databank Rodden Rating A ↩︎
- Lilly, William, and Jindřich Veselý. Křesťanská astrologie. Vydání první. 1. Volvox Globator, 2015. Book 3, chapter 144 pages 670-676 ↩︎
- ↩︎
- Birth data from Astro-Databank Rodden Rating AA ↩︎
- Pew Research Center: Views of the U.S. are favorable across many of the 33 countries we surveyed in 2019, although confidence in U.S. President Donald Trump is low. ↩︎
- wikipedia.org ↩︎
- Birth data from Astro-Databank Rodden Rating A ↩︎
Charts generated with Urania PRO.
Featured image: The Reign of Jupiter, ca. 1550-70, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public Domain.