Gareth Southgate

More sport this week… I am looking at what makes Gareth Southgate such a wise and wonderful manager of the England football team, leading them to the final of the Euros today.   He not only gets results, but walks his talk as a sensible leader.  More than once I have heard people say he should be a politician in government (if not Prime Minister), for his good ethical ways.

Birth Chart

We do not have a birth time for Gareth, but will make do with what we can glean from a Noon chart.  Half his planets (5) are in Earth signs, so he is very grounded.  He has 0 planets in Fire signs, hence his reputation for being calm, and not too excitable (except when his team wins).  He has the Sun in Virgo, and fashion-wise waistcoats and spotted ties are very much the Virgo style.  He has an immense attention to detail (Virgo), checking on the well-being of each individual player, and studying the form of the opponents carefully before selecting his team.  His Sun in Virgo is unaspected, so he is very individualistic and able to think outside the box.  With the Moon in Libra, again he is equable in mood, and has diplomatic skills – he says he adopts a listening approach. However, his Moon is conjunct Uranus, so he mixes that cool emotion with a high intuition, and is responsive to people.  Mercury (his mindset) is also in Virgo, conferring an analytical way of thinking.  It trines Saturn, so he is methodical and systematic in thought, and a good planner.  Mercury is his ruling planet, for his Sun sign, and has further qualities: a close sextile with Neptune means he is capable of receiving inspiration, and an exact conjunction with Pluto adds depth of thought and perception.  His Venus too, representing his ability to relate, is well connected: it is in Libra, the sign of diplomacy, exactly sextile the Galactic Centre, which may give him added power.  Venus sextiles Mars, providing some passion; it is conjunct Jupiter, giving him a love for humanity in general; and it is trine his North Node, making relationship and negotiation part of his karmic mission.  Mars is in Virgo, representing the economic use of  energy, and sextiles Jupiter (a sporting aspect).  In addition, Mars on the South Node shows he has built up the skills teamwork in past lives (e.g. on the battlefield).  Saturn trines Pluto in his chart, revealing great strength, an aspect I associate with good managers generally.

Life and Career

Gareth was born in Watford, and made a name for himself in football playing for Aston Villa and Middlesborough, then became captain of Crystal Palace.  He made 57 appearances in the England team.  In his time, he played in the World Cup, and the Euros.

He finished his playing career in May 2006, with interestingly three Pluto transits (signifying endings): Pluto square his Mercury, sextile his Venus, and square his natal Pluto.  He stepped in as temporary England Manager on 27th September 2016, with Mars trine his Mars (taking charge), Saturn square his Sun (taking responsibility), and Neptune opposite his Sun (uncertainty).  Two months later, he was given the job permanently.  Though he has received some criticism (there are always naysayers), the team have gone from strength to strength under his tutelage.

Walking his Talk

Gareth has been clear about his ethics, and tried to adopt a positive philosophy.  His autobiography (“Anything is Possible”) notes:

“When working with the England football team, we focus on what we might achieve instead of worrying about what might go wrong. I honestly believe that with the right mindset, a willingness to learn from our mistakes, and the ability to cope with the highs and lows, every one of us can make the most of our lives.”

It has been noted that the current stock of players in the top team has been transformed.  In the Guardian, Simon Hattenstone has written this week:

“But there is something even more impressive about this group. After decades of seeing players get rich quick and keeping stumm in the face of social injustice, here is a generation of footballers with values. Many struggled in their childhoods, experienced first-hand what the years of Tory austerity stripped from society, and stood up to racism. Now they are determined to use their clout and wealth to support today’s disadvantaged kids.”

He has honourably kept the practice of players taking the knee before matches, on behalf of the Black Lives Matter movement (despite criticism).  And during the coronavirus outbreak, Southgate agreed to take a 30% cut in salary.

The Transits

I am not making any predictions, as I thought Ashleigh Barty wouldn’t win Wimbledon (!)

But Gareth does have a good line up for tonight’s match: Jupiter on his North Node (a karmic reward) and Pluto trine his Pluto (self-empowerment).

Pluto trines the U.K. chart, which may add import to the proceedings.

Italy

Of course, it is a big day for Italy.  News reports say that the continent largely favours them, which is not surprising.  Not only are the Italian team playing England at the football, but Matteo Berrettini of Italy plays Novak Djokovic in the men’s final at Wimbledon.

The transits for Italy shows Mars sextile their Sun (they’ll be on fire!) and Jupiter trine their Mercury (excellent coordination).  The North Node will be on Berrettini’s Venus, which is nice.

Where was I fifty five years ago when England won the World Cup?  I was camping with a schoolfriend in Bournemouth in a tent, with the match playing on the radio!  Today I will be watching the men’s final, and then listening out for the cheers from hubby in the evening.

“A force for good that comes from the heart, kindness changes lives. It opens up opportunities and can be our greatest strength.”

~ Gareth Southgate

Aspects

Mercury goes into Cancer this evening, so you may need to attend to family matters in detail, such as documentation related to that area of your life.  The collective mind will be more able to encompass emotion when considering an argument.  For example, if you have set your mind on a belief because it seems logical, you may be presented with a situation which helps you see the need for compassion for the other side of the argument.  The rights and welfare of children, for instance, may be put under the microscope.  Mercury will be moving quickly and leaves the sign of Cancer on 28th July, so make the most of this particular opportunity.  During this time, charity begins at home.

Tomorrow evening (Monday 12th) Mercury will trine Jupiter, which will help business transactions, and expand our horizons, minds and philosophies.  This is an upbeat vibe mentally, one that takes in great wads of information, produces good ideas and may incline one to travel (if you are off to a green or amber country).  Positive thought pays off.

Venus conjoins with Mars at lunchtime on Tuesday (13th), an amorous entanglement.  Peace and harmony may break out between the sexes, but there may still be a need to respect boundaries and personal space.  Art and music may be imbued with sensuality.

More uplift is to be had on Thursday (15th) morning with a trine between the Sun and Neptune.  This is a sparkling trine, especially good for receiving creative inspiration (and writing film scores – or writing about them?).  Expand your consciousness, and allow your imagination to embellish your work, or project in hand.

Chiron is stationary that day, prior to going Retrograde. This will see us start to retrace some steps on our healing pathway.  A particular healing issue may crop up today to highlight this; perhaps you have gone as far as you can with a particular line of healing, and may need to revise or go over old ground for a while.  There may be more understanding to be achieved, for instance, about the emotional component of the healing issue.

Late on Saturday evening, take good care, for Pluto opposes the Sun, and you may have had an eventful or dramatic day, and still need to vigilant despite tiredness.  The day suits sober reflection and unearthing the deep psychological significance behind events.  Of course, there is a lot going on in our lives, both personally and globally, and our minds may go to issues which affect us more immediately.  Being an opposition, there is a requirement to balance two opposing forces, and possibly blend them or transcend the polarity.

The week in bullet points:

  • Today – family details
  • Tomorrow – optimism
  • Tuesday – sensuality
  • Thursday – inspiration; revising healing
  • Saturday – caution
Date: Jul 11th, 2021 · Comments RSS · Tags: Sport