Maggie Hyde has been named as the new astrologer for The Sun’s daily horoscope column, succeeding Maggie Innes, who took over three years ago following the death of the original columnist known as Mystic Meg. Hyde will begin providing horoscopes to millions of readers starting tomorrow.

Raised in Sunderland, Hyde’s early exposure to astrology was limited, with her father expressing strong scepticism toward the practice. Despite this, her personal interest eventually blossomed after studying English literature at Ulster University. While unemployed post-graduation, she turned to an astrology book that sparked a deeper curiosity, leading her to immerse herself in the astrology community upon moving to London in the 1980s. There, she became involved with both the Astrological Lodge of London and The Astrological Association.

In 1983, Hyde co-founded The Company of Astrologers, where she currently serves as director and mentors aspiring practitioners. She has also authored the book *The Astrologer’s Universe* and has contributed horoscopes to various magazines over the years. Hyde’s parents held differing views on her career: while her late father, Monty, considered it impractical, her mother, Peggy, prioritized her happiness.

Hyde’s personal life has intertwined closely with astrology; she met her late husband Geoffrey Cornelius, former president of the Astrological Lodge of London, through their shared involvement in the field. The couple moved to Herne Bay, Kent, in 1995 and married in 2019. Geoffrey passed away two years ago, and Hyde has described taking on this role as part of her process of moving forward.

While some may expect traditional crystal-ball predictions, Hyde’s expertise lies primarily in Horary astrology—an ancient method involving analyzing the moment a question is posed to reveal answers. She recounts using this technique with notable accuracy, such as when advising a client about a ship that ultimately had a previously undetected leak.

Hyde also addresses common misconceptions surrounding astrology, emphasizing that it is not a belief system but rather a symbolic framework that encourages individuals to make positive choices. She dismisses notions of psychic communication, stating that she does not engage in mediumship.

In the current context of increasing global uncertainty, Hyde suggests focusing on smaller, more manageable aspects of life rather than attempting to tackle overwhelming issues. Her commitment to this new role was affirmed through a reading of the Chinese *I Ching*, which she interprets as a positive omen for her forthcoming tenure.

With her extensive background and personal connection to the field, Maggie Hyde is poised to guide readers through their daily lives using astrology’s symbolic insights.