Game of Signs: An Astrological Look at Game of Thrones
Part One
I’m a big fan of George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire and I’ve looked forward to the third season of the television adaptation of those novels, Game of Thrones. I thought it might be fun to match some of the characters from this series with astrological signs. If you are not familiar with the books or the television series then proving my matches right or wrong might be an excellent reason to start watching and/or reading.
We’ll start with the character’s whose shocking death at the end of the first season set the tone for the entire series, Eddard “Ned” Stark.
To my mind, Ned Stark is the consummate Taurus. He’s a strong man whose loyalty to his family and friends is unbreakable. It was in defense of his friends that he went to war but he claimed no prize from the battle. He let his buddy Robert have take the throne while he returned to the frost-bitten land that he ruled by birthright. Stark is serious about his duties to his people and to his ancestors and when he is ordered to move south to become the Kings “Hand” (chief minister) he balks.
Taurus people are loyal to those they love and and will "go to war" for them if necessary. They don't usually covet titles or power. Instead, they prefer the familiarity of home. Most of all, Taurus people don’t like change.
Ned Stark is a man of principle and it with those principles firmly in place that he attempts to do his duties and the Hand of the King. He objects to the lavish spending and massive debt that others on the King’s council find unremarkable. He has no patience of with the frivolity and display of court life. Most of all Ned objects to the lifestyle and methods of his old friend, King Robert, who has become a bitter alcoholic. At one point his objections have the King calling for his head.
Taurus people live by their principles. They are practical, down to earth people and their principles usually reflect these values.The problems Taurus folks encounter in life often come out of their inability to adapt their principles to different circumstances. Ned Stark sees no reason why the hard and fast divide between right and wrong that served him back home in Winterfell shouldn't also be applied to the King Robert and the conniving conspirators who surround him. That inflexibility eventually leads his downfall.
That’s my take on Ned Stark. What sign you think best sums up this character? Your comments are always welcome.
