Astrology of the Erin Patterson Mushroom Murder Trial
Trial Chart: Key Astrological Insights From Court
Australian woman Erin Patterson is charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder after allegedly serving beef wellington containing death cap mushrooms to her in-laws for lunch on 29 July 2023.
Erin Patterson’s date of birth is not in the public domain. However, there’s no need for natal charts (or, for that matter, ”public interest” horary questions) when you can look at the commencement of the opening arguments in court and assess the horoscope according to the same principles as a battle chart.
Despite a reasonably enthusiastic look around the interwebs, I couldn’t find an exact reported time for the beginning of the mushroom murder trial, but the jury was selected on the 29th April and opening arguments began the following day. Victorian court proceedings begin at the civilised hour of 10 am. Even though it’s rounded to the listed hour rather than the actual start time, this chart should be serviceable for our purposes.
Astrological chart for the opening of Erin Patterson’s mushroom murder trial, revealing significant transits and planetary alignments.
Astrology of the Prosecution vs the Defence
The prosecution is signified by the 1st house and the defendant by the 7th house. This means Erin Patterson is Sagittarius (enthusiastic, philosophical, moralistic) and Jupiter, which is conjunct the Gemini ascendant. Jupiter is in detriment in Gemini which weakens the defendant; her signifying planet is in exile and her fate rests in the hands of the prosecution.
This makes sense according to legal principles. The prosecution must convince the jury that defendant is guilty beyond reasonable doubt, rather than the defendant having to prove they are innocent. Ms Patterson is innocent until proven guilty and it is the prosecution’s case to lose.
Jupiter is a natural significator of truth and justice, the angular position of this planet suggests the trial will be fair – despite the heightened interest from devotees of true crime across the globe, and, it must be said, curious astrologers.
Mercury, ruler of the Gemini ascendant, is riding high at the top of the chart in Aries, with dignity by term. In trial charts, the 10th house represents the judge. The prosecution’s planet in this position indicates a straightforward and forceful argument of the evidence.
Jury Deliberations and the Astrological Indicators of the Verdict
Notably, the Moon in Gemini is applying to Mercury in a received sextile from the 12th house. The Moon signifies the jury, so this aspect shows that they are likely to be receptive to the prosecution’s logical and compelling evidence. The 12th house is associated with imprisonment, and the Moon located in this house suggests that a conviction is likely.
Jupiter is applying by square to malefic Saturn, which is unfortunate for the defendant as Saturn is a planet of endings, hardship, and fear. However, Saturn is in Pisces conjunct exalted Venus and Neptune, buffering the most extreme consequences. Perhaps this indicates a lenient sentence? Or a spiritual realisation? Uranus on the cusp of the 12th house (and sextile to Saturn) also suggests some kind of surprise or unexpected outcome.
Neptune, Mushrooms, and Poison
Another curious observation is Neptune on the MC. While this may describe something about the judge’s personal habits and the viral interest in the trial itself, I wondered about the possible associations between mushrooms and Neptune. In traditional texts, mushrooms are generally ruled by the Moon, but Culpepper mentions garden mushrooms specifically as being ruled by Mercury in Aries (a feature of this chart).
Modern planets don’t fit neatly into this schema, but given Neptune borrows heavily from the Moon’s domain – the moisture, the magic, the irrationality, the illusions – it’s not inconceivable that fungi might make astrological use of Neptune. The spores are invisible; they spring up magically overnight; and are portals to otherworld. Mushroom also make lovely furniture for fairies, can be consumed as food or for intoxication and spiritual journeying, and potentially lead to illness or death (intentionally or accidently).
Poison is traditionally connected to the 8th house. While the 8th house of the trial chart hosts only suitably ominous Pluto, Saturn (ruler of the 8th and 9th houses) is busy besieging exalted Venus with (let’s face it) a malefic Neptune, as well as being in aspect to unsettling Uranus and prominent Jupiter.
Lunch Chart: Astrological Connections to the Fatal Meal
There are some interesting connections between the trial chart and the lunch chart, which I’ve taken some astrological license with and rounded to the likely time of noon:
The trial’s Gemini Moon, ascendant, and Jupiter activate the 8th house cusp of death and poisoning in the lunch chart.
The trial Moon is opposite the lunch’s Sagittarius Moon which is conjunct the descendant (defendant) in the trial chart – the jury mood opposite the mood of the alleged crime.
Trial Mars (a lordly defence witness) is conjunct the lunch’s midday Sun in Leo.
Trial Sun is conjunct the lunch Jupiter – the light of truth combining with planet of justice.
Astrological charts comparing the moment the trial began and the date of the fatal lunch, revealing symbolic patterns and planetary links.
Astrological Predictions: What’s the Likely Outcome?
Several astrological indicators in the trial chart point to the judgment or outcome of the case:
Justice-loving Jupiter rising
Truth-revealing Sun steady in Taurus in the fortunate 11th house
Ruler of the 10th house, Mars, in Leo in the 2nd house forming a partile trine to the midheaven.
Together, these chart features suggest a clear resolution. The stability of the Sun and Mars, both in fixed signs, suggest that the verdict won’t be a major surprise. It appears the jury will be convinced by the prosecution's evidence. We might even see a self-confident, Mars-in-Leo type witness – possibly the sole survivor, Ian Wilkinson – play a key role in convicting Ms Patterson.
There’s something unusual about the sentencing though, with Uranus on the 12th house cusp and the proximity of the fae Neptune/Venus combo near Saturn. Venus rules the 11th house of freedom, as well as the 4th house (end of the matter), and this group of planets is close to the Aries point, a sensitive degree of the zodiac associated with public visibility, social impact, and fame or notoriety.
There is significant global media attention in the case. Do the public sympathise with the “everywoman” relatability of the defendant? Most people I have (briefly) conversed with about the case assume Patterson is guilty, but seem to also sympathise with her situation – difficulties with in-laws, the strained relationship with the ex, issues with child support, distrust of the medical system.
With no clear motive, the case is certainly intriguing! Intriguing enough for a dramatised mini-series, according to film-loving Neptune on the midheaven, probably with a dynamic Mars-in-Leo lead actor.
I hope this astrological exploration has shown that you don’t always need natal data to uncover interesting information and offered you some further food for thought – hold the mushrooms though.
Addendum:
Since publishing, I’ve been advised via a reader (thank you, Rita) that the listed start time was 10:30 am, which puts 22°57' Gemini on the ascendant (with Jupiter) and 13°08’ Aries on the midheaven, further emphasising Mercury (which also becomes 12th house ruler).
Intrigued by the astrological layers of criminal cases?
This is just a quick taster of my astrological analysis on the Erin Patterson mushroom murders. In January 2026, I’ll be taking a much deeper dive in “The Astrology of the Mushroom Murders” for the Cosmic Intelligence Agency, tracking the magic and menace in the charts—from the trial and natal signatures to the murderous transits, the verdict, and the coming appeal.
👉 Join me live:
The Astrology of the Mushroom Murders – C*I*A Webinar
References:
Houlding, Deborah. The Houses: Temples of the Sky. The Wessex Astrologer, 2006.
Lehman, Lee. The Book of Rulerships: Keywords from Classical Astrology. Whitford Press, 1992.