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The Battle of Waterloo - David Porter

The 18th June 1815 must be one of the best-known dates in History.

Napoleon Bonaparte, escaping his brief Elban exile, was welcomed back as Emperor by the French but was branded a criminal by his international enemies. He was determined to destroy British and Prussian armies in Belgium before the larger Austrian and Russian forces could reach the scene.

Napoleon surprised his enemies by crossing the Sambre (gaining 'twenty four hours march' on a 'humbugged' Wellington who was attending a ball), then on the 16th June he saw off (or so he thought) a superior Prussian force at Ligney while Marshall Ney dislodged the British and Dutch from Quatre Bras. Leaving Marshall Grouchy to pursue Blucher to Wavre, Napoleon now turned his principle attention to Wellington who barred the road to Brussels in a defensive position on the Ridge of Mont Jean the village of Waterloo.

Contemporary witnesses differ over when the battle really started: the consensus among historians is about 11.30am for the preliminary attack by the French left, under Marshall Ney, upon the fortified Chateau d'Hougoumont.

Seeking a signature for a famous battle in the chart erected for this moment, we may note Capella culminating and the Sun in the degree of Betelgeuse, both fixed stars traditionally linked with military honours. Mars and Pluto on the Descendant are appropriate for the climax of twenty-three years near continuous warfare: it would be nearly forty years before major European powers would next be in conflict (in the Crimea) and nearly a century before another World war.

Degree symbols, psychically derived visual representations associate with each degree of the Zodiac, once often cited in Lodge astrology, are nowadays neglected. There are several series, and in this chart Pluto scores a hat trick of relevant images: La Volasfera: a 'warrior in a helmet', Charubel: ' a column of smoke... a terrible burst of flame...an explosion'. Kosminsky: 'heaps of broken arms and military trappings lying in a muddy pool'.

The main attack was delayed until 1pm so the ground might have dried out after the previous day's rain (grand trine in water), even so the French artillery caused less damage than intended: cannon balls would not bounce off sodden earth.

In the chart of a contest the attacking side who elect the time with the first shot are represented by the Ascendant. Virgo rising fits Bonaparte's strategy of keeping potentially superior forces divided and defeating them in detail. The Ruler Mercury conjoins Pollux, another combative fixed star, in a degree symbolised by Charubel as 'A king, an emperor, a commander on horseback'. However, the sign placing of Cancer may suggest his unwonted reluctance to risk his reserves missing opportunities in battle.

The Pisces Descendant suits Wellington's polyglot army: Dutch, Belgian and various Germans as well as British. Their ruler Jupiter rising in the Libra indicates success through co-operation: the timely arrival of the Prussians saved the day and Marshal Blucher would have liked the battle to be remembered after the inn of 'La Belle Alliance'.

In discussion, John Frawley pointed out that the Pisces angle suits Wellington who is remembered for the waterproof boots he introduced. His resources (8th house) are ruled by Mars in the 7th: his Prussian allies give support. Napoleon's reserves (2nd house) are ruled by Venus, opposed by Saturn and in the fixed sign of Leo: their commitment to battle having been delayed, the proud Old Guard were beaten forced to retreat, 'La Garde Ridicule!' effectively ending the action.

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