World Cup Final 2022

Strictly Come Dancing over, and the best person (Hamza) won…(sigh)

I don’t watch the football, but someone in my house does, and it can hardly escape my notice that there is a World Cup final today.  They are billing it as Mbappe for France versus Messi for Argentina, though both players are signed with Paris St. Germain.  Mbappe was born in 1998 and Messi was born in 1986, so there are 12 years (a Jupiter cycle) between them.  So they both have Jupiter in Pisces, actually conjunct with each other, and Jupiter is currently in Pisces (just about).  The World Cup 2022 has been a high tide for both of them, but how does the astrological picture look for them?

Kylian Mbeppe

Mbeppe has the Sun in Sagittarius, and therefore Jupiter is his ruling planet.  But what marks him out as a football player from his chart is Mars (the planet of football) rising, within 3 degrees of his Ascendant (which is in Libra).  He is also a leader (North Node trine his Sun), and a diplomat (Libra rising, with the Moon exactly conjunct Venus).  He has quick emotional reactions (Moon closely square Mars) and is close to his roots (Moon closely conjunct his I.C.)  He has a lightning quick mind (Mercury sextile Uranus) but also a mind which has depth (Mercury conjunct Pluto).  At school, he was regarded as “academically gifted but unruly”.  Mars closely trine Uranus gives him abilities in engineering (whether in science, or social engineering), and Mars sextile Pluto gives that huge super-charged store of energy (he is known to have exceptional speed).  Uranus is so well positioned, exactly on the 5th House cusp (ingenuity in sport) and trine his Ascendant.  Many of these features are what you would hope to find in a top class athlete.  He is also reported to be the highest paid footballer in the world; his 2nd House of Finance shows Chiron and Mercury/Pluto occupying that space.

Mbappe has a Solar Return within a day of the final, which can be a position of strength.  He has Mars trine his natal Mars, so his energies will be at their best.  Jupiter currently trines his Chiron (in the best of health) and  sextiles his Neptune (spiritually also on good form – he is a practising Catholic).  However, Saturn squares his Pluto, so the responsibility may be weighing heavily on his shoulders.

For the chart of France, Jupiter opposes its Sun (high spirits), Mars trines its Venus (great patriotic fervour), Chiron opposes its Venus (there may be a wound), Saturn opposes its Uranus (a possible disappointment) and Saturn transits its Pluto (a downbeat note).  So while Mbappe’s star is shining, that of France is not so much.

He has important transitions and opportunities to deepen his consciousness in 2023, as Pluto almost transits his natal Neptune at 0 degrees Aquarius, reaching that exact point for him on 10th February 2024.  As it takes place in his 4th House of Home, it is possible he may re-locate at that time.

Lionel Messi

Mbappe may be on the rise, but for Messi this opportunity is being hailed as a possible swan song.  It is considered important for him to achieve a win at this World Cup final, as it is the only trophy which has eluded him in his glittering career, which has been compared to that of Maradona.

I have written about him, for a previous World Cup (in 2014):

”Lionel Messi Is being hailed as Argentina’s finest hope now.  His footballing brilliance chartwise is shown by Jupiter (success) exactly sextile Mars (football)… Messi has an inspirational exact conjunction of Neptune and the Part of Fortune in Capricorn in 8th House. ”

The Neptune/Part of Fortune exact conjunction may be indicative of his unique skill at widening his consciousness to encompass the whole situation in a match, in order to deliver what is needed.  In addition,  he has precise emotional control (Moon exactly sextile Saturn) and the willingness to take chances (Jupiter square Uranus).  His natal Sun is in Cancer.

His transits at the moment show Pluto opposing his Mercury (a lot weighing on his mind), the Nodal Axis squaring his Venus (an important time for him karmically), and Neptune on his natal Jupiter (surrendering to his faith).

The transits for the chart of Argentina at this time show the North Node sextile its Venus (good for morale) and Jupiter trine the Ascendant from the end of the 4th House (patriotism) and beginning of the 5th (sporting competition).  So the prospects are looking good for Argentina, though challenging for Messi himself.

“He is 35 now, and we haven’t got much longer of him left, so let’s savour every second.”

~ Gary Lineker

Aspects

So this is the run up to Christmas week, a week we’ll be trying to get right so that we can eat, drink and be merry on Christmas Day, or whatever kind of Christmas we plan.  We have just got our Christmas tree out of the loft, so I will begin in earnest after writing this blog…

Our first aspect of the week, Venus square Chiron, appears tomorrow (Monday 19th).  This highlights self-nursing and relationship issues.  You may, for instance, be having to rest a knee through over-exertion, or you may be having to examine a relationship wound.  If there is an emotional crisis, then healing could be nearby – if in doubt, go within.

Another Chiron aspect tomorrow involves Mars, in a sextile, and although Mars is retrograde, it can still contribute benefits through the unclogging of stuck energy.  This aspect may see you on a healing mission of some sort.  Compassionate action may be the tone of the day, a day where physicality combines dynamically with healing.  A hug or demonstration of affection may be just what’s needed.

Venus, meanwhile, also makes another aspect tomorrow: It trines the North Node.  Though wounds need to be addressed (Venus square Chiron), this can make way for personal karmic breakthroughs (e.g. through forgiveness).  This links karma with harmony and love, and reminds us that love is a force underlying a great deal of human interaction.  In the words of Jo Cox  “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us”.  It also reminds us of the Hindu law of ahimsa, or harmlessness, required to neutralize and promote good karma.

Tuesday (20th) is quite literally a new day, with refreshing Jupiter re-entering Aries, the sign of the new.  I wrote in May:

” If you know the House occupied by Aries in your birth chart, you should find an expansion of its affairs this year: more joy, luck and protection in that area.  Jupiter in Aries is super-adventurous, devil-may-care, desiring to throw off the shackles which have been holding us back.”

And Wednesday (21st) brings back the light, with the Winter Solstice.  This last week has been harsh physically with the cold, bringing travel problems and heating problems.  I am currently wearing 2 pairs of fingerless gloves to type, and wearing 4 jumpers!  I also had to cut down to one run per day instead of 3, after some of the frost had melted away.  So I am looking forward to the forecast rise in temperature this week, though it may be linked with climate change.  We often feel a sense of relief that the light is returning to our lives, and a special connection with the natural beauty of the winter season.  Practicality is the theme, looking at the general structure and order of things, and your relationship with authority and the institutions which govern our society: all Capricorn provinces.

The Sun’s entry into Capricorn sets up a conflict which we may need to navigate on Thursday (22nd).  In the very early hours, the Sun squares Jupiter in Aries, so that newly found or re-found confidence and enthusiasm from Jupiter in Aries is challenged by authorities (the Sun in Capricorn).  This smacks of the frustration of those who will be on strike at that time with those they are negotiating with, or trying to negotiating with.  For pity’s sake, I would like the government to put the nurses at the top of their priorities, they deserve it, and to stop their “jobsworth” attitude to waiting for the independent pay review body.  This period is crucial as the strikes hit home, and the government may find themselves rather than the unions under fire.  For those not directly involved in the disputes, it could be a jolly scenario, with some over the top behaviour, in the mode of “devil may care”.  Throwing snowballs with impunity?

After breakfast, an altogether easier vibe arrives in the shape of Venus trine Uranus.  This can bring spontaneous exciting meetings!  The aspect may set you up with insights for the Christmas period, or bring encounters of the illuminating kind.  In the field of the Arts, it can bring originality and surprise, e.g. to a performance of music or a pantomime.  Ideas for assisting the problems in our society may also crop up, such as community based solutions. You may aim to get shopping early for those last minute finishing touches, and bump into an old friend.

Time for a breather on Friday (23rd) when we have a New Moon at 1 degree of Capricorn.  This is helpful for planning a constructive month ahead.  New beginnings are possible in relation to the structures and organization of your life, relations with authority and the institutions of society.  Politicians may announce good new intentions.  You may evaluate that you are making headway, either with Christmas plans or New Year planning.  Put your feet up and savour the moment, with a Bailey’s or a non-alcoholic designer water.

All that remains is for me to wish you a Happy Christmas, as you may be too busy to join me next Sunday.  But I will be blogging, Christmas morning… xx

The week in bullet points:

  • Tomorrow – wounds and healing
  • Tuesday – a new day, a new dawn
  • Wednesday – a seasonal celebration
  • Thursday – enthusiasm and challenge
  • Friday – new beginning
Date: Dec 18th, 2022 · Comments RSS · Tags: Sport