A multiple conjunct Sagittarius, Ada Lovelace was the prototypal computer programmer. She was also a mathematician, inventor, and a multiple Sagittarius. Her Sun, Neptune, Mercury, and Uranus were all in this lightning-fast Mutable Fire element sign. Mercury conjunct Uranus is already a genius-indicator but with visionary Sun + Neptune alongside, it’s next-level.
She foresaw artificial intelligence, published the first algorithm, and worked with Charles Babbage on his Difference Engine – the frontrunner to contemporary programming. Awed by her contribution – which had originally been supposed to be scant, a bit of translation here and there, he called her the Empress of Numbers.
Lovelace had aristocratic privilege that allowed her the time to work with scientists and enabled her to flout convention by even being interested in maths. But her early life was sad – her father, the notorious although genius poet Lord Byron abandoned her as a baby, purportedly because she was a girl. A sickly child, her mother resented her ever after. Young Ada was, however, pushed into science and ‘logical subjects’ in an attempt to prevent the ‘mad, bad’ Byronesque side of her heritage from developing.
I may remark that the curious transformations many formulae can undergo, the unsuspected and to a beginner apparently impossible identity of forms exceedingly dissimilar at first sight, is I think one of the chief difficulties in the early part of mathematical studies. I am often reminded of certain sprites and fairies one reads of, who are at one’s elbows in one shape now, and the next minute in a form most dissimilar.
From Ada Lovelace’s letter to a tutor about her differential calculus research.
The computer language, Ada, used by the U.S. Department of Defense, was named after her and she is a favorite protagonist in many cool novels. Tom Stoppard’s heroine in Arcadia is based on her and she is arguably the history crush of cyberpunks.
Most poignantly, in a development that would presumably have delighted this unwanted daughter, her name is attached to girls’ coding courses and women in STEM initiatives all over the world.
Two classic Saggo indicators: She made a deathbed confession to her husband that was so outrageous he left her on the spot and she became obsessed with creating a gambling algorithm via the perfect numerical formula.
great post. I actually know a lovelace I wonder if they are related?
Linda?
FUQ YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
really, mystic, you do the most interesting astro profiles everrrrr
Anyone who calls you pseudo-intellectual can shove their attitude up their hash pipe and smoke it. You’re brilliant. May I add, you’ve change my life?
YES.
Had it not been for your chart-work and horoscopes I would never have had the courage to change my life in the way I have done so recently. I am forever in gratitude. (I’m also a little drunk, but this virgo will still spell correctly)…
You’ve empowered me, with astro.
Countless others, no doubt.
It’s social AND metaphysical. It’s like atoms in space and time. Like the beating of butterflies’ wings (the butterfly effect). Long may you reign, Astro Queen.
Yeah and though i was drawn to the language and take in the stars i used to read in the Weekend Aust mag, i think Mystic has stealth bombed me. I’m a notorious cynic in some aspect.
Do you think as you come into your power there gathers a group and from there you channel and draw collective power, which ups your awesome?
Reading Mystic over time makes me think so.
Oh and not a cynic over Mystic, of course, just as a general part of my nature. A weird thing for someone also trusting 🙂
awesome well-researched comic about Ada and friends at 2dgoggles.com!
what an amazing woman, she had a lot of sagg like me 🙂 i have uranus, mars, neptune and jupiter!
Hey Google are honoring Ada Lovelace today as well! I love that! Has anyone else seen this or am i hallucinating?
I see it! S’awesome!
i did, love google’s doodles!
Wow, go you channelling the world consciousness via google filter!
Brilliant!!
I was just reading about her the other day during some research. I never knew before that she was Lord Byron’s daughter! Her mom was so hurt by Byron that she made it her mission to over-educate Ada in math and science so that Ada would be hyperrational and never go mad…or date poets. lol
MY TWWINN!!!!!! My first Astro Twin!
I’m a sag sun-merc-venus-uranus-neptune AND a moon in ARIES and Cancer Risinnngg babbay. I also have jupiter in Scorpio like this lady too. I’m currently a professor at a prestigious university, a dancer, a super lover, and multi-media artist….never married, at the age of 30 I was wondering if I was just living out my dreams as a wanderlustful woman. Reading this soothed my sometimes anxious nerves!!!! nice 🙂
I think my father was a romeo back in his day too, and an ultra brainiac. My mother was a beautiful trophy to him so I suppose I’m one of those rare birds just living in my own dimension. Always a party with me.
Go Lana! Thank goddess for fiery mercury conjunct uranus types, extra bright stars in the firmament.
i know someone with mercury conj uranus in sagg and he truly is awesome!
Somehow this makes me think of Boswell’s London journal. perhaps the issue/consequence of STDs and random sex in the park. I bet her journal is more interesting/enlightening than his
Was it Lord Byron who was ‘mad, bad and dangerous to know”?
Yes. He was said to be the first real celebrity and some of his out-there behaviour would stands the test of time because it would still be scandalous even by present standards. Mainly that he had an affair with his half-sister which resulted in a child (or so they say).
The Saggo thing got passed on…her daughter Lady Anne Blunt did important work in the breeding of Arabian horses.
The arabian horse 🙂 my lifes passion
I love them so much! I grew up competing in rodeos and always had Quarter Horses and Appaloosas, but it’s always been my dream to have an Arabian someday.
Many rodeos only allow Quarter Horses to compete (which is way stupid, imo) but there was an organization I competed in that allowed any horses. One girl had a gorgeous black Arabian that was soooo fast! Beating Quarter Horses left and right.
Arabs just have this elegance and beauty that sets them apart from all other horses.
Is Emily Blunt related hmmm