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In
the countdown to the games in Sydney, sprinter Marion Jones is already
way ahead of the pack. She’s so fast, she even gets ahead of herself.
This determined young lady has set some lofty goals for September. She
wants to bring home five gold medals from Sydney, more than any woman
has ever won in track and field in a single Olympiad. Jones has qualified
to represent the U.S. in three individual and two team events: both the
100 and 200 meter sprints, the long jump and the 4x100 and 4x400 meter
relays. She has dominated the women’s sprints for some time now, and on
a good day, she can jump as well as anyone. Can she do it in Sydney? And
what drives this competitive dynamo? These questions are perhaps best
answered by looking at her chart.
The
Amazon Within
Marion Jones was born October 12, 1975 in Los Angeles, California. Her
chart is dominated by an opposition from her Sun in Libra to Jupiter in
competitive, fiery Aries. Sports is hardly the first thing that comes
to mind when we think of Librans. They’re supposed to be artistic, charming
and gracious, socially deft and never sweaty! But there are many great
athletes who were born with the Sun in Libra, for instance, Brett Favre,
Nancy Kerrigan, Grant Hill, Evander Holyfield and both Steve Young and
Jerry Rice. These are all attractive, likable people, with more than their
fair share of charm—typical Librans in that respect. But underneath that
amiable Libran exterior is a unique competitiveness, always judging how
they measure up and rebalancing the scales.
Libra
is possibly the most “other-oriented” of the zodiac signs. The sense of
personal identity we associate with the Sun is not so much found within,
but rather in relationship to others. Remember, Libra is the opposite
sign of Aries, a fiercely competitive sign with few identity problems.
Perhaps it’s helpful to think of a Libra as an Aries in a mirror. They’re
exactly alike, but in completely opposite ways! Libran athletes define
themselves in competition with others, and that, along with their seemingly
effortless grace, is the secret of their success.
In
that sense, Marion Jones is the consummate Libran athlete, the perfect
balance of physical beauty and the will to win. Her fair looks belie the
Amazon within. Her dominance of women’s track and field in recent years
comes on the heels of her previous dominance of women’s college hoops.
As a point guard for the University of North Carolina, she led her team
to three conference titles. She could easily be playing in the WNBA, or
on the Olympic team, but her loyalty lies on the track. She abandoned
basketball in her final year at UNC to focus on perfecting her running
and jumping skills. Are there no limits to this woman’s talents?
Jupiter
is not about limits, but freedom and no fences. That defining opposition
between Jones’ Libra Sun and her Jupiter in Aries constantly expands her
horizons and her competitive opportunities. A good Jupiter is essential
for athletic success, for the planet Jupiter rules many of the attributes
and activities that contribute to winning; for instance, good coaches
and teachers, a good reputation, higher education, long distance travel
and most of all, good fortune! There is never any substitute for hard
work and talent, but sometimes it seems like dumb luck is the only difference
between one athlete with a world record and another with a torn hamstring.
Because
the planet Jupiter is so essential in sports, many athletes have close
Sun-Jupiter connections in their birth charts. Three-time Super Bowl champion
Troy Aikman has Sun trine Jupiter; his Sun is in a harmonious, easy 120
degree angle to his natal Jupiter. Both Brett
Farve and Nancy Kerrigan, mentioned above, have natal Sun conjunct Jupiter
in Libra. Baseball’s home run king Mark
McGwire was born with the same alignment as Marion Jones,
with Sun in Libra opposite Jupiter in Aries.
Her
Chances in Sydney
Marion
Jones has made the most of her opportunities so far, but how will she
fare in Sydney? The good news is that her chart will be getting some support
from transiting Jupiter during the games. Jupiter will be at 10–11 degrees
Gemini throughout September, making a helpful trine aspect (120 degrees)
to Jones’ natal Mercury at 11 degrees Libra. This could be just the boost
she needs to excel in the short sprints.
Five
gold medals is a lot to aim for, and some are of the opinion that Jones
overextends herself, scattering her focus. The reach that exceeds the
grasp is also typical of the Sun-Jupiter opposition. Too much of a good
thing is still too much, and it is a wise man who recognizes his own limits.
Jones should dominate the sprints, but she’ll need some luck to medal
in the long jump. The relays are a team event, and even if she anchors
the teams, the outcome is not entirely under her control. She’s going
to bring home some hardware all right, but five is a longshot. Still,
you can’t fault the girl for aiming high, and she is sure to add to the
honor and glory she has already brought to both her sport and her country.
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