The signs of success and power

Birth dates linked to wealth

THERE are many cynics out there who refuse to believe that the moment of their birth directly affects their future. Yet there is an undeniable astrological pattern among the Rich Listers.

Linda Shaw, the Sunday Times’ tireless astrologer, says earth signs — Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn — are “motivated by money, power and the need to control, and will therefore be more likely to attain them”.

Of the top 10 individuals on the list, four are earth signs: Christo Wiese, Desmond Sacco and Lakshmi Mittal are Virgo, while Adrian Gore is Taurus. That’s a 40% hit rate.

But these are just sun signs, which determine a person’s “ego and soul”.

The numbers that make up a person’s birth date indicate business acumen and wealth

The position of the moon, which represents “emotional needs and secret desires”, and the planet Jupiter — “luck, fortune and opportunity”— are also critical.

If you include these two factors, the charts of eight of the top 10 indicate a powerful need to be seriously wealthy.

The various combinations of these planetary forces produce an energy that is practical, reliable (mostly), hard-working and determined.

Such people apparently have great endurance and will sacrifice personal comfort for as long as it takes to reach their goals.

But there’s more. The numbers that make up a person’s birth date are another indicator of business acumen and wealth.

“If a person is born on the 22nd of a month, or if their entire birth date adds up to 22, they are literally born for success and power,” Shaw said.

The same goes — though to a lesser extent — for people with the numbers 1, 8 or 19 in their birth dates.

Assore boss Desmond Sacco was born on the 22nd day of the month, and Stephen Saad’s entire birth date adds up to 22.

Shaw said this number is known as “master energy” and it manifests in the strong need to accumulate enough wealth and power to make a difference in the world.

The problem, though, is that a lot of people forget about the last part of the deal, especially when their egos take over.

Shaw said Sacco was a particularly interesting case — as well as his numerological determination, he also has his sun, moon and Jupiter in earth signs.

“This is not a man to be argued with — or beaten,” she said.

Patrice Motsepe, chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, has the number 1 in his birth date, which Shaw said indicates a pioneering spirit and a willingness to take risks.

He also has several planets in Aquarius, which gives him the energy of a “maverick who is happy to ignore the rules and do things his own way” — a possible explanation for why a mining magnate would want to own a soccer club.

Shaw said he was probably a handful in his youth although he is now redefining the principles of success.

Laurie Dippenaar, co-founder of FirstRand Limited, fits none of the profiles. At number 10 on the rich list, Shaw said he was driven almost completely by his extraordinary instincts.

“He is extremely controlling, hates failure and will literally go to any lengths to prove that he’s right,” she said. Someone to back then; not someone to mess with.

Looking at the top 100 richest people, Aquarius, Scorpio and Capricorn appear 11 times each — a greater frequency than any other sign. Sagittarius appears the least of 10.