Elizabeth Tudor was born on September 7th, 1533 at Greenwich Palace, London. The exact time of birth was not recorded or else was kept deliberately secret - but most likely it was around 3pm. The astrologers would have studied her birth chart, or chart of nativity as it was called, with great interest. The chart, or rather a modern version of it, is shown here along with a brief analysis of what it tells us about the character of Elizabeth herself.


The Part of Fortune


An astrologer looking at this chart would be impressed straight away by the  well-placed, elevated Sun (signifying royalty and leadership) and Jupiter – planet of good fortune and intellectual authority in its own sign of Sagittarius. Jupiter, known particularly in Tudor times as the 'Greater Fortune' is also in a perfect trine (120 degree separation) to what is called the Part Of Fortune – a hypothetical point calculated using the coordinates of Sun, Moon and Rising Degree. It signifies where one’s 'fortune' lies, and here it is in Leo, the sign of royalty. The trine aspect from Jupiter can only add still more strength to this placement.


Goddess of Love and other Passions


Venus is also in its own sign of Libra – so a strong placement again. Venus, as most people know, is the Goddess of love in Greco/Roman mythology. She also represents harmony and proportion. A fortunate and sensitive character.

natal chart of Elizabeth

But there is a forceful, robust part to this chart as well in the form of the trine aspect between Mars (planet of virility, strength and warfare) to Mercury (speech, learning, communications). So one would expect a powerful, passionate and forceful speaker here – somebody who knows their mind and is not afraid to express their ideas. By the time she had reached adulthood, Elizabeth was already a fluent speaker in at least five languages, and skilled in the understanding of mathematics. A deep and abiding sense of justice and fairness is also indicated by this configuration.


Mars signifies the father in this chart (being ruler of the 10th House) and the warlike planet is, indeed, well demonstrated by her father Henry VIII – an aggressive, belligerent spirit if ever there was one, and very unkind to his daughters, as we know.


Perhaps the saddest part to this otherwise excellent chart is the placement of Saturn in the 7th House. The Houses in astrology indicate the more intimate and personal spheres of influence in an individual chart – and the 7th shows partnerships. One would not expect particularly successful partnerships from this chart, and possibly a life without marriage. At the best it would indicate an elderly or difficult partner, or a difference in ages of cultures between partners that result in difficulties, setbacks and delays. Being in the sign of Cancer (motherhood) it would also confirm Elizabeth’s sorrow at the loss of her mother, the unfortunate Ann Boleyn.


Saturn and Partnerships


Because we do not know exactly the time of Elizabeth’s birth, the rising sign or Ascendant as it is called which is dependent on it, is not certain. Here, with a birth time of PM at Greenwich, we have Capricorn rising. Although some astrologers have preferred to move things forward in time and give Elizabeth a Sagittarius rising sign, Capricorn, it must be said, is more appropriate in terms of physical appearance, especially from the portraits available of Elizabeth in old age.  (Sagittarius would suggest a more fleshy, rounded figure) Elizabeth was celebrated for her long slender fingers and hands – and these were in proportion to the rest of her appearance. Capricorn also lends a certain gravitas and seriousness to the personality which Elizabeth certainly possessed.


It is a good chart, suggesting a wide range of experiences and interests; good fortune against all the odds and a sensitive and intellectual disposition, practical but also no stranger to the world of magic and intrigue - a mind able to express itself clearly and decisively when needed, yet thoughtful and meditative. Intelligent and brave.

An Exciting New Novel about Elizabeth and her Astrologer


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