Maya Angelou’s Venus in Pisces and Much More

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Ant

Introduction

Maya Angelou lived a very complex and noteworthy life. She experienced life’s lowest lows and highest highs, keeping her humanity in tact along the way. Because he life has such low lows and high highs, and a well-timed birth chart is available for her, her chart is instructive one for understanding the complexity of significations.

Maya Angelou was born on 04/04/1928 at 2:10 pm (standard time) in St. Louis, Missouri. Her birth time is said to be from a birth record (AA rodden rating).

Note About Objectives

I read Angelou’s debut novel, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” when in my late teens. Additionally, I had the pleasure of seeing a lecture by her about 15-20 years ago. I recall that she emphasized the importance of letting those around us know we love them. She also discussed how all women can tap into the feeling of sexiness no matter their appearance. As the experience was long ago, much of the biographical information about Angelou’s life which I discuss, has been gleaned from online sources.

In this article I’ll explore the complex way that her chart reflects important points in her life. There are lessons on the site which explore the symbolism and this symbolic approach to astrology. My objective is to show how timing techniques enable us to better evaluate competing interpretations of factor meanings.

In Angelou’s chart this is particularly instructive. Her highs and lows were documented in an earnest fashion across seven autobiographies. She also has an exalted Venus and a Mercury in fall. These are particularly pivotal planets in her chart, as she is someone known particularly for her writing (Mercury), as well as art, entertainment, and sexuality (Venus).

Ages of Man

I recently completed an article that broadly surveys her life using the Ages of Man technique. In that article, it was clear that she was quite vulnerable and downtrodden during her Mercury and Venus periods of her youth. The solar period found Angelou much more empowered, as a globe-trotting entertainer and activist. The Mars period saw a full transition to very active writer and poet. We will consider again the Venus period in this article.

Future Articles?

Here I will particularly focus on some strong activations of Venus in Angelou’s life. The major activations of Venus in Angelou’s youth coincided with some of the most difficult events of her life. Perhaps at some point n the future, I’d like to look at many of the other planets in her chart in greater depth, especially Mercury.

Angelou is known for her wisdom (Jupiter), personal triumphant story (Sun ruling 1st house), and fight for civil rights (Mars) as much as for her art (Venus) and writing (Mercury). All of these things are, however, strongly related to each other in her chart (Jupiter rules Mercury-Venus and is conjunct the Sun; Mars rules Sun-Jupiter). I hope to show the distinctiveness of some of these complex indications.

Venus Exalted and Afflicted

The significations of Venus have been prominent in many of the most important difficult events of her life, but also some of the good ones. Angelou was raped at the age of 7 1/2 by a boyfriend of her mother. Also, later as a young adult she worked as a sex worker and a pimp at different points. Venus is the planet of sexuality.

Maya Angelou is also known as an artist and entertainer. Venus rules her 10th house of actions, recognition, and profession. Venus is symbolic of artists and entertainers.

In this article, I want to start by zeroing in on Angelou’s Venus. It is all too easy to associate the successes in Angelou’s life with Venus’s exaltation. How do we untangle the complicated mix of a planet’s significations, anyway? Timing techniques enable us to separate out and distinguish many of the different, often even contradictory, indications of a planet by what is activated at different points in time. Here we will focus on the significations of Angelou’s Venus for her early life experiences.

Dignity Interpretation

Angelou has Venus in Pisces, the sign of its exaltation. I’ve noted in many articles on dignity and in some on sexuality, that reinforcement by dignity tends to make the planet’s natural significations a bit more prominent (raised up in prominence) in the life.

This is different from the way that dignity is typically interpreted, where it signifies social or political value (high status) or associates the signification with gain or pleasure (benefic). Rather, my interpretation is that exaltation is making the significations of Venus, both natural (sex, art) and accidental (8th house, rulership of X and III, aspects, etc.) a bit more prominent in the life.

Maya Angelou’s Natal Chart with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

Benefic?

Since my work on dignity many years ago, I’ve noticed that it has generally become less emphasized in traditional astrology. I’ve also noticed that when it is emphasized, it is at least re-interpreted. While these are positive developments, some of the reinterpretations have also been concerning.

One of the more popular recent reinterpretations of dignity is that positive dignity shows something coming easy or naturally, while negative dignity shows something that one struggles with. I would caution against this interpretation. It is actually a re-working of the interpretation of dignity as benefic. Many of the arguments I’ve made in the past against the benefic/malefic interpretation of dignity apply also to this interpretation.

Struggle?

The interpretation also tends to diminish the accomplishments of those with planets in dignity. If, for instance, a writer has Mercury in fall and becomes a great writer, then it is seen to be due to their own perseverance against adversity. However, the same writer with Mercury in dignity supposedly just had it come easy. When one is successful, it is then attributed to dignity (easy talent) or negative dignity (improvement through struggle) when “success” itself is reflected by other factors in the chart, such as those pertaining to eminence. Therefore, too much is attributed to dignity or negative dignity in disservice to actually reading the chart.

Up and Down

When it comes to exaltation and fall, there are some special considerations. Fall was the only sort of “negative dignity” for most Hellenistic astrologers. Exaltation has a sense of raising up and fall of bringing down or depressing. These need not be benefic or malefic in signification. Rather it is again keeping with the interpretation of dignity that I advocate, pertaining to prominence; a type of raising up and putting it out there vs. a type of bringing it down and hiding it away. The planet in exaltation has its matters made more prominent in some way in the life, while the planet in fall may signify a type of being brought low, suppressed, or hidden.

As planets are in signs for extended periods, these are weak significations in themselves. However, when there are multiple similar indications then they can become more significant.

Exaltation as a Form of Prominence

Exaltation does not make significations better, easier, more beneficial, or more socially or politically normative. For example, both Jeffrey Epstein (Venus at 16 Pisces in partile conjunction with Mars) and Harvey Weinstein (Venus at 4 Pisces conjunct the twelfth-part of Saturn) were born with Venus in exaltation. Sexual circumstances in their lives, like those in the life of Angelou, became quite prominent. As Venus was also strongly connected with malefics, these circumstances tended to pertain to adverse circumstances (not “dignified” ones).

This is not to say that Angelou’s Venus has no benefic significations. All planets in any chart have both positive and negative indications. It is just that the positive or benefic associations of Venus do not necessarily pertain to “exaltation”. Rather, they include being a benefic herself and being ruled by Jupiter (and having a twelfth-part in Jupiter’s bound) among other things. Distinguishing the positive and negative associations of a planet in the chart is very important as different types of meaning will be activated at different times.

In any case, exaltation applies to a planet over a prolonged period of time (in theory one-twelfth the population could have Venus exalted). Therefore, it should be considered an overall relatively weak indication of prominence. Always look for repeat indications of any particular meaning in the natal chart and through predictive techniques.

Turning to Venus in Angelou’s Early Life

Venus and the 7th House in Angelou’s Chart

When it comes to the rape at age 7 1/2 and other such adverse sexual events we are most interested in Venus and the 7th house. This is because Venus is the natural significator of sexuality and the 7th house is the house of sexuality. Some also associate the 5th house with sexuality (it is the Joy of Venus), making the 5th possibly also relevant.

The adverse symbolic associations with Venus in the chart include her being out of sect, in the 8th house (a dark house), in the bound of Mars, domination by Saturn which closely aspects by superior square, and her twelfth-part in Scorpio which is the Place of Affliction in her chart and ruled by Mars.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

Maya Angelou’s Natal Chart with Select Lots

The 7th house also has its share of adverse indications. Mars, the out of sect malefic, is present in the 7th house and is in the bound and home of Saturn. It (Mars) rules and squares the twelfth-part of Venus from the 7th house. The twelfth-part of Mars is in the dark 6th house, pertaining to health and accidents, opposite the twelfth-part of Saturn. Mars also connects its significations of violent adversity to the Moon (her twelfth-part is in the 7th). The partile conjunct between Mars and the Lot of Spirit is also noteworthy.

In conclusion, Venus has a lot of adverse meanings in the natal chart pertaining particularly to her location and aspect with Saturn, but also associations with Mars in the Place of Affliction. The adverse associations with the 7th house itself are primarily through Mars, but also its ruler Saturn.

Age 7-8 : Rape, Death, and the Start of Silence

One of the most well-known and pivotal events in Angelou’s life was her rape recounted in her first book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In multiple interviews, Angelou has stated that she was 7 1/2 to almost 8 when the rape occurred. The event and its aftermath altered her life forever.

Angelou was raped at nearly 8 years old by her mother’s boyfriend. Shortly after telling her family, the man was beaten to death. The rape was extremely traumatic for Angelou but the death of the rapist was as well. She believed he was killed due to her reporting the rape to her family. This tormented her as she came to view her own voice as responsible. She in turn went nearly mute for about the next 5-6 years. She spoke sparingly, only with her brother, during those years.

The events bring forth much of the symbolism of the Venus-Mercury conjunction (sexuality; voice) in the 8th house (death) in a mute sign (Pisces) sharply squared by Saturn (death, muting), ruler of the 7th house.

Planetary Years: Venus

The 8th year (age 7) and age 8 are interesting as 8 is the planetary years of Venus. Therefore, the 8th year represents an activation of Venus by planetary years. This points to the significations of Venus as particularly important when it came to events of the time. This indication fits well with the events of the year.

Profection: Pisces 8th House

The annual profection at age 7 is to the 8th house (age 0 is the 1st house). Therefore, the rape occurred at a time when the annual profection was to Pisces, her 8th house, occupied by Mercury and Venus, ruled by Jupiter. Therefore, the year of the rape was not only reflected by the activation of Venus by planetary years, but also symbolized by the activation of the 8th house Venus in Pisces by profection.

The annual profection puts a clear focus on the themes of death, harm, and idleness (8th house, superior square of Saturn, Mercury-Venus in bound of Mars), as well as their relation to sexuality (Venus) and communication (Mercury). Additionally, as we’ll see, after and out of the harm of the 8th house comes an escape to a vast world of wisdom and sense of identity (Jupiter as ruler, in 9th conjunct Sun, ruler of 1st).

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

It is also notable that the profection coincided with Maya briefly living with her mother. The rape occurred due to this brief stint of living with her mother and was at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend at the time. The 8th house, Pisces, is the Lot of the Mother.

Maya Angelou’s Natal Chart with Select Lots

Solar Return: Age 7

The meanings that are reinforced become clearer in the solar return for age 7.

Angelou Age 7 Solar Return as Transits Around the Natal Chart

Saturn in Pisces

Transiting Saturn had entered Pisces, the sign of the year. This was an activation of the dominating square from Saturn to the 8th house, and particularly to the Mercury-Venus conjunction.

Mars in Partile Opposition to Jupiter, Lord of the Year

The lord of the year, Jupiter was in Scorpio, the natal Place of Affliction, conjunct the natal twelfth-part of Venus, and opposed by return Venus, putting a focus again on Venusian events. When it comes to Jupiter natally, the capacity for upset to Jupiter is through Mars, as Mars is the out of sect malefic and rules Jupiter’s house (Aries). The return Jupiter is similarly “subject to” Mars, being located in Scorpio.

Natally, Jupiter, the lord of the year, is in very bad shape. Mars, the out of sect malefic, is in the return at 16 Libra retrograde, applying a partile opposition to natal Jupiter at 16 Aries. The position of Mars in Libra is significant for other reasons as well. Libra is a house of Venus and is the location of the Moon, indicative of the body. The rMars conjunct natal Moon also reflects the natal twelfth-part Moon with Mars in the 7th house (bodily harm in the house of sexuality).

Additionally, those with a good sense for twelfth-parts will realize that the position of Mars at 16LIB27 actually has its twelfth-part at 17 Aries, conjunct natal Jupiter.

In conclusion, we see an emphasis on the conflictive and malefic side of the Mars-Jupiter relationship. This is very significant as Jupiter is the lord of the year. Jupiter is also the ruler of the Mercury-Venus conjunction, so both the conjunction and its ruler are afflicted in the return.

Angelou Age 7 Solar Return as Transits Around the Natal Chart

Venus in Focus

I’ve noted a few ways in which Venus was in focus for the year, from the activation by planetary years, to the activation of the 8th house by profection. The solar return greatly intensifies this focus on Venus. It also reinforces what I’ve said about being wary of interpreting dignity as ease or beneficence.

The solar return had the Moon rising and conjoining Venus in Taurus, with the actual bound of Venus on the Ascendant. Additionally, the degree of return Venus is 17 Taurus, the same degree as Angelou’s MC. This is a “status” changing year, but not for the better. Saturn’s twelfth-part in the return also falls in Taurus by the Ascendant (5PIS47 -> 9TAU), again reinforcing the Saturn-Venus natal configuration.

Maya Angelou Age 7 Solar Return

Mercury-Saturn

Of course, looking beyond the Saturn-Venus indications, we find that the Saturn-Mercury indications are also in focus for the year. Mercury is in return in the 8th house, while Saturn is also there. Due to the tight applying Mercury-Venus conjunction in the natal chart, the significations of both planets are often strongly related to each other. Return Saturn and return Mercury together in Pisces further emphasize the themes of suppression and muteness associated with natal Mercury in Pisces square Saturn.

Angelou Age 7 Solar Return as Transits Around the Natal Chart

Primary Directions: Saturn to the Moon

The primary directions for the period are revealing as Saturn (by sextile) directed to the natal Moon. This connects Saturn’s significations of affliction to the personal life and sexuality. The Moon is located in the house of Venus and has her twelfth-part in the 7th house with Mars in Aquarius, ruled by Saturn. Saturn’s difficulties pertain particularly to sex, communication and death due to Saturn’s square to the 8th house Venus-Mercury).

Angelou Age 7-8 Primary Directions

Aftermath of Experience

I’d like to take a moment to note the transformative effect that the year had on Angelou. The events were traumatic on multiple levels and would drive her to become a near mute. However, over the subsequent years, Angelou would immerse herself in reading and writing. She would also meet a teacher, Mrs. Flowers, who would become a pivotal role model, eventually coaxing her to start talking again at age 13.

Much of the aftermath is reflected by the natal Sun-Jupiter conjunction in the 9th house and the Moon in the third (female school teacher). The beneficial aftermath consisting of near constant reading and writing would transition to more difficult periods in her late teens and early twenties. Note that the period from age 4 to age 14 is the period of Mercury, planet of communication and study, in the Ages of Man (see below).

Age 14-22: Teen Pregnancy and Struggles

Ages 14-22 are interesting when looking at Venus. Ptolemy viewed the ages of 14-22 as particularly tied into the symbolism of Venus. A scheme that he noted called the Ages of Man creates a set of correspondences between the planets and stages in every person’s life. In this scheme, Venus is representative of the late adolescence, a time puberty puts sexuality and relating into focus and one physically transitions into an adult.

This is a time lord technique used by Ptolemy for sketching the broad outlines of the life. You can find Ptolemy’s full explanation of the Ages of Man in Book IV of Ch. 10 of his Tetrabiblos (follow the link).

For Maya Angelou, these years were some of the darkest in her life, as detailed in her second autobiography, Gather Together in My Name. The period is marked by teen pregnancy, dropping in and out of school, despair, suicidal thoughts, and resorting to crime, even prostitution to survive.

Age 14: Moves in With Mother

At age 14, kicking off the Venus years, Angelou moved from her grandmother, who had raised her since age 3, to her mother in San Francisco. This would have been an annual profection to the 3rd house, Libra, ruled by Venus, and occupied by the Moon. The symbolism of the chart fits, as the Moon, in her Joy in the 3rd, is very symbolic of Angelou’s mother. This would have been the first profection to the house occupied by the Moon since Maya moved in with her grandmother 11 years prior.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

Age 15 or 16: First Black Streetcar Conductor

Around age 15 or 16, Angelou became the first black streetcar conductor in San Francisco. This was a job she was very proud of. It is sometimes reported as happening in 1943 (she turned 15 in 1943) and at other times in 1944 (she turned 16 that year), and typically reported as when she was 16. As she got pregnant when she was 16, I’m guessing that this event took place when she was 15, during the profection to Scorpio, occupied by the twelfth-parts of Mercury and Venus, significant for a job (Venus ruled 10th) pertaining to street cars (Mercury).

Age 16: Teen Pregnancy

Angelou’s Venusian troubles didn’t end at age 8. She got pregnant at age 16 (another activation of Venus by planetary years; 2 x 8) by a neighborhood boy, and gave birth to her first and only child at age 17. Note that age 16 was an activation of the Sagittarius 5th house of children by profection (occupied by Saturn), and age 17 of Capricorn (Saturn as lord of the year).

The solar return for age 16 sees Saturn at 21 Gemini, opposite natal Saturn within 3 degrees. It also sees Venus at 22 Pisces, in exact return within 2 degrees. The lord of the year, Jupiter, a planet that confers children, is transiting through the 1st house of the body and closely trine its natal position. Clyde, who later went by Guy, was to be her only child.

Maya Angelou’s Solar Return at Age 16 as Transits Around Natal Chart

Venus as Distributor: Ages 16-28

The teen pregnancy was not just an activation of Venus by planetary years. It also occurred just after the distributor changed to Venus for the first time. The distributor of the Ascendant had been Mercury since about age 7 1/2, around the time of the rape and the silence. At about age 16, it switched to Venus.

Maya Angelou’s Distributors of the Ascendant Over the Entire Life

The period which began with the pregnancy, also included the desperate years of her late teens and early twenties, as well as her first marriage, and the start of her entertainment career. We see darker elements of the Venusian signification during the Venus developmental years (by Ages of Man), while themes switch to marriage, publicity, and travel in relation to entertainment during the solar ones.

Ages 17-21: Struggles and Criminality

In the late 1940’s, as a young adult (about age 17-21) she worked odd jobs to support her child. This included exotic dancing in night clubs and even serving as a madam and sometime prostitute at a brothel.

Using the Ages of Man technique, we find that the Venus developmental years are largely marked by obscure struggle to survive; a desperation to make a living and support her son. She came face-to-face with poverty, racism, and having to resort to crime to survive, even resorting to prostitution. Almost as soon as the period ended, circumstances changed for the better.

This is the contrast between the heavily afflicted Venus and the very strong and prominent Sun which is conjunct Jupiter. Angelou married a Greek sailor who was an aspiring musician, at age 23, just after the Sun period started. Her and her husband immersed themselves in the study and performance of dance and music. She also changed her name from Marguerite Johnson to Maya Angelou. This change involved her childhood nickname of Maya, together with a modified version of her Greek husband’s last name Angelos.

Age 26: The Venus-Pisces Activation

While the activation of the exalted Venus at age 8 by planetary years was tragic, we may suppose that this was an isolated incident. Perhaps activation of Venus together with the sign that she is exalted in (Pisces) would produce a much different scenario.

One traditional Hellenistic means of looking at an activation of the planet together with the sign is to look at the planetary years of Venus plus the rising time of the sign. The rising time for Pisces in her chart is 18.57 years, which together with the 8 planetary years of Venus is 26.57 years. What happened at about age 26 in Angelou’s life?

Rising Times of the Signs at Angelou’s Birth

Marriage Dissolution

In 1954, at age 25 or 26, Angelou got divorced from her first husband and briefly went back to exotic dancing (1954-1955). This was a difficulty and a setback, keeping with the symbolism of Venus in her chart. It was also a liberation that would make way for her career as a traveling entertainer.

There are some important significations related to the combination of the solar significations of the development period (by Ages of Man) and the Venusian significations of the Venus in Pisces activation. Actually, age 26, the 27th year, is also an activation of the Sun-Venus relationship by planetary years (19+8). One point of contention in the marriage (Venus) was religion (Sun-Jupiter in IX), as her husband was an atheist. Additionally, just after the marriage dissolved, Angelou didn’t just feel freer to worship (Sun-Jupiter in IX) but also to travel as an entertainer (Venus ruled by Jupiter in IX).

Career Takes Off

Starting at age 26, Angelou joined a production of Porgy and Bess which toured Europe. This was one of the highlights of her early entertainment career. While she didn’t complete the entire tour due to a need to return to her son, she visited 22 countries over about a year’s time. It was a significant time for career, travel, and Venus.

Profection to Libra

I’ve already noted how the Sun-Jupiter in IX and Venus in Pisces fit into the equation. However, the annual profection continues the themes of Venus and travel. The profection was to the 3rd house, Libra, occupied by the Moon and ruled by Venus. The Moon and the 3rd are both significant for journeys, while the ruler, Venus, lord of the year, signifies the arts and entertainment. The twelfth-part of Jupiter is also in Libra conjunct the Moon, further reinforcing the themes noted by other indications.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

Age 26 Solar Return

The solar return for age 26 shows the divorce and separation from child (she didn’t take her son on tour), as well as the career focus and glory. First of all, 19 Scorpio rises in the return, putting a focus on Maya’s 4th house and her twelfth-part Venus (20 Scorpio). Saturn is transiting in the natal 4th house at the return, indicating a break-up and ending of the home life. This is further reinforced by a partile opposition between the Moon in the 7th house of the return and Saturn in the return 1st house.

Maya Angelou’s Age 26 Solar Return

Libra, the sign of the year is occupied by only the Lot of Fortune (and twelfth-part of return Mercury at 8 Libra). It is unafflicted by the malefics. Venus is lord of the year, and in the return she is opposed to Saturn. I take this as showing a separation from (Saturn and opposition) the difficult home life (Saturn transiting through 4th), through entertainment career (Venus transiting in X) and travel (Moon with Venus in X; natal Moon and twelfth-part Jupiter in Libra III).

Maya Angelou’s Age 26 Solar Return as Transits Around Natal Chart

A Complicated Web

The return Jupiter graces natal Venus with a very tight (within a degree) applying inferior square from the natal 11th house. All in all, we find a very mixed year. The significations of Venus for family and partnership are clobbered by Saturn. Return Mars has a superior square to Pisces which also plays out a return to some of the 8th house Venus themes of sexual exploitation. However, as a stripper she is discovered by a production company and her entertaining career hits a new high.

The distinct career benefit orientation of Venus is shown by return Venus (and her twelfth-part) in X, finally calling the shots in that house sheReadability rules. Therefore, there is a distinct polarity between career success and family upheaval playing out. The malefic reign in the lower chart and the benefics up high.

Exaltation

What can we gather about exaltation from all this? On the one hand, the activation of sign and planet together coincided with some Venusian lows, including divorce and a return to stripping. Yet, on the other hand, it coincided with Venusian highs of career opportunity (Venus ruled 10th) and globe trotting as an entertainer.

Again, I would argue that chiefly what we see is that an exalted Venus is one in which the sign gives the planet more prominence. The activation by sign + years brought forth an explosion of important themes represented by Venus in the chart. An annual profection to Libra certainly reinforced these. However, this is a very complex Venus, and one quite loaded with symbolism of affliction. Many of the themes of affliction through Saturn were reinforced for marriage and home life. At the same time, many beneficial significations follow from Jupiter in the natal chart and its relation to Venus.

Raised Up

It is important to first consider the role Jupiter may be playing. That is, before crediting “exaltation” with all manor of benefit as astrologers are apt to do. The profection falls to Jupiter’s twelfth-part and Jupiter in the return aspects natal Venus within a degree. Natal Jupiter in the 9th conjunct the Sun (recognition, fame) also accords with the nature of the travel and significant opportunities of the year.

In the sense of being “raised up” to prominence, perhaps the exaltation can signify more. As I’ve noted before, it signifies weakly in itself. Planets are continuously in a sign over an extended period, so the signal is not very distinctive. Still, we may see a broader signification of raising up in some sense. In this case, a raised up signification is reinforced by Jupiter, which also signifies loftiness, and return Venus in the 10th house, the loftiest of houses. Angelou was literally raised out of her home and circumstances to tour the world for entertainment (Venus-Moon in X).

A Note on 1965 and the Sign+Planet Technique

Very few astrologers today use symbolic techniques like planetary years and rising times of signs. However, I think they are missing out. For instance, combining rising times with planetary years, we might also want to focus on the time that is about the 37th year and the age 37, 1965. That year combines the planetary years of Mars (15) with its natal house Aquarius (22.18 years), as well as the Sun (19) with its natal house Aries (18.57 years).

Rising Times of the Signs at Angelou’s Birth

1965 is interesting as it marked Angelou’s return from Africa to the US. She had lived in Ghana with her son for the preceding few years. Upon her return to the US she worked with Malcolm X on the new civil right organization, Organization of Afro-American Unity. However, he was assassinate in February of that year. Devastated, she moved to Hawaii to sing again. Yet, she then moved to the Watts neighborhood of LA to focus on writing. There she witnessed the Watts riots of the summer of ’65, the worst LA unrest until the Rodney King riots of 1992.

These events clearly show the importance that the Sun and Mars hold for political activism in her chart. I touched upon how her Aquarian Mars and her Aries Sun relate to her career in activism in my exploration of the Ages of Man. Similarly, we see the value in using planetary years and ascensional times as a form of planet in sign activation.

Jupiter, Saturn, and the 5th House of Creative Fruits: Some Key Years

I won’t be looking at every activation of Venus in Angelou’s life, as that could fill a book. However, I do want to note that many landmark years actually coincided with profections to the 5th house, Sagittarius, occupied by Saturn and ruled by Jupiter. In the article on the Ages of Man, I noted how the 5th house can pertain to creative fruits of all sorts. I also mentioned that Angelou directed her first film to kick off her Saturn Ages of Man period (age 68; also a profection to the 9th house, occupied by Jupiter). AI also noted that Angelou’s teen pregnancy occurred during a 5th house profection.

Yet, the significance the 5th house Saturn extends well beyond her teen pregnancy or the 68 year old directorial debut. Angelou recorded her first CD in November of 1956 (Miss Calypso), which would have been during a profection to her 5th house (age 28). She also acted in her first film the same year (Calypso Heat Wave), which would be released after her 29th birthday.

Angelou wrote her first book, and most famous autobiography (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings) when she was 40 (1968-1969), another 5th house profection. 24 years later, in January 1993, at age 64, she delivered her landmark public recitation of a poem, at Clinton’s inauguration. The performance catapulted her fame and the recording of the poem won her a Grammy the following year.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

Why Jupiter-Saturn?

I bring up these Jupiter-Saturn 5th house activations because they point to an often overlooked part of her chart. Saturn is a malefic and contributes to the harsh significations around Maya’s 8th house Venus. However, Saturn is also a planet in sect, ruled by Jupiter, involved in a trine with its sect mates the Sun and Jupiter. Together with Mars in the VII, we find that activations of these planets have much more to do with productive and successful periods in Angelou’s life than Venus.

This highlights the symbolic complexity of a natal chart. We must go beyond “good planets” and “bad planets” to specify just how certain combinations can symbolize in difficult or beneficial ways. Saturn in this chart is quite mixed, being very harsh in relation to Venus but extremely beneficial in relation to the Sun and Jupiter.

A Couple Key Activations

That first book was not only written when Angelou was 40 but it was published when she was 41 (her 42nd year), an activation of Saturn with Jupiter (30+12). Angelou most memorable acting role was in early 1977, during her 49th year, an activation of Saturn with the Sun (30+19), in Roots.

Venus, Mom, and Character

I want to end this article with a look at character analysis in the chart, as well as some of the significations pertaining to Venus, especially as regards her mother.

Character

In some of the other explorations of character on the site, I’ve noted the key importance of the rulers of the Ascendant for self-identification. There are other factors that are important as well. These include Mercury, the twelfth-part of the Ascendant, Mercury, and the Ascendant lord, the planetary day and hour rulers, the Lot of Spirit, prominent fixed stars, the sect light, and more.

The Sun

The Ascendant lords are always a good place to start though. Angelou was born with the Ascendant in the Mercury bound of the Sun’s home, Leo. The Sun is a key planet for the character in her chart, as both the Ascendant lord and the sect light. We see the Sun’s natural significations of confidence, attention-grabbing, leadership, boldness, and flair in the character.

There are also its natural significations pertaining to its conjunction with Jupiter in the Mercury bound of the 9th house, Aries. We see religion, wisdom, travel, internationalism, courage, teaching, bluntness, honesty, and communication as tied up with these accidental significations.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

Mercury

Mercury is the other most significant key planet for character in her chart. It is not only the bound ruler of the Ascendant, but also the bound ruler of both lights, and Jupiter, and Saturn. In addition to being the bound lord of the Sun, Mercury also rules the Sun’s twelfth-part (in Virgo). Mercury can even naturally signify the conscious or rational mind.

Day and Hour?

Even more significantly, Mercury is the planetary day and hour ruler. While these symbolic day and hour rulerships are not strongly emphasized today, they were in the past. Hellenistic astrologers like Valens, Paulus Alexandrinus (Chs. 19-21), and Rhetorius (Ch. 56) noted the planetary day and hour rulers. The day lord was said to preside over the day, while the hour lords managed affairs for their period. These day and hour lords were also given significant weight in some later medieval point-based techniques for finding a chart lord.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

Complex and Verbose

Mercury is clever, communicative, and complex. From Angelou’s self-identification as a poet to her teaching and her influential period of near muteness, Mercury in the chart says a lot about who she is. Mercury is conjunct Venus in the bound of Mars, in fall, in the 8th house, dominated by Saturn, but ruled by a lofty and fiery Jupiter. Much of what Angelou has to say is described by this proximity to love and art, and rulership by a planet granting broad opportunity, yet familiarity with abuse, desperation, prejudice, and loss.

Mars

Mars is the most prominent planet in the chart in one sense. This is because it is so strongly advancing toward the Descendant and is the only planet in an angular house. In fact, these two factors render Mars an important career significator. This is further reinforced by the conjunction of Mars with the Lot of Spirit. The Lot of Spirit can signify in relation to the character but also in relation to profession.

Maya Angelou’s Natal Chart with Select Lots

As Mars does not rule the Ascendant, its significations regarding the character are a bit more indirect. Its prominence makes martial affairs prominent in the life in a way that suggests Mars is “busy” in the life. Angelou is very familiar with violence, masculinity, struggle, conflict, and courage. She even had relationships (Mars in VII) with revolutionary men. Aquarius, a human sign, makes the struggle largely a humanitarian one, and connects it with the oppressed and minorities (Saturn).

In the Ages of Man article, I noted that Angelou’s writing career didn’t fully materialize until her Mars period started at age 41. The Mars period saw her as highly productive and extremely politically active. Mars represents the activist, fighter, and hard-working side of her character.

Venus

Venus also has no rulership of the Ascendant so its significations too are a little more indirect. She does rule the twelfth-part of the Ascendant though, which gives he some importance for the character. However, Venus is more important when it comes to the career. Venus and Mercury, like Mars, have significance as career significators. There is more identification with Venus-Mercury for matters of career because of their connections with the Ascendant and MC, despite the greater prominence of Mars. Venus-Mercury also both have their twelfth-parts in the 4th house, a stake of the chart. See the first article in the series on career significators for more information about these placements.

The 10th house, Taurus, is ruled by Venus and both her and Mercury closely aspect the MC. Angelou identified with being an artist and entertainer, especially in her early years. She was a singer, dancer, and actor. Even her forays into being a madame, an exotic dancer, and prostitution indicate her associating Venus with making her way in the world (X). Therefore, I take Venus as being less relevant for describing the character itself than in describing an identification with using Venus for the career.

She was eventually able to combine her more personal identification with Mercury with her need to incorporate Venus into her career. Her role as poet and creative autobiographer/memoirist fits the bill. Few professions are a better fit for the symbolism of her Mercury-Venus conjunction in Pisces.

Maya Angelou’s Natal Chart with Select Lots

A Closer Look at Venus and Mom

Angelou’s Venus is significant on a number of other levels as well. I’ve noted that exaltation, rulership by Jupiter, and its rulership of the 10th house all serve to increase the prominence of Venusian matters. Less obvious is the connections between Venus and Angelou’s mother. This is itself a matter of afflicted hard feelings with prominence, much like Venus.

Pisces is the Lot of the Mother, and Venus is there. Venus has her twelfth-part in the 4th house of roots, and as a feminine planet in the house of roots this is significant for the mother. The Moon, a natural significator of mothers, is in Libra, ruled by Venus. The Moon has her twelfth-part in Aquarius with Mars. There’s much Mars and 8th house in these significations, but also a lot of importance and prominence. The Moon, and Jupiter, tend to show the pleasant side of things here while Venus the more problematic.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

A Pivotal Complex Relationship

Angelou felt abandoned by her mother as a child. Her rape occurred during her brief time living with her mother again, and at the hands of her mom’s boyfriend. Her mother disapproved of her marrying a white foreigner. There was a lot of conflict with her mother in her early life. Yet, Angelou’s final autobiography centers entirely on her complex relationship with her mother. It is title Mom & Me & Mom and was published in 2013.

Maya reconciled with her mother and they were crucially supportive of each other. Her book is a testament to her profound admiration of her mother. It befits a birth chart with a Full Moon in its Joy in Libra conjunct the twelfth-part of Jupiter. She laid out the good and bad of her mother and their relationship in the book, while leading with the theme of her mother’s profound influence and wisdom.

Astrological Predictive Techniques | The Ages of Man with Maya Angelou

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Ant

Introduction

Many of the predictive techniques of Hellenistic and medieval astrology seek to time out specific major events indicated in the natal chart. A focus on specific years is particularly prominent, as exemplified in a suite of annual techniques from profections and planetary years to solar returns and secondary progressions. However, there also existed time lord techniques which sought to characterize larger spans of time and broader life developments. These include the use of triplicity rulers to show shifting support, and longer term time lords like decennials, firdaria, and distributors.

The Ages of Man

One such time lord technique which describes the life in broad strokes is known as the Ages of Man. As far as I know, our earliest reference to it is found in Claudius Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos (2nd century CE). It is one of the time lord techniques explored in the last chapter of that work, Book IV, Chapter 10, “Of the Division of Times”.

In that section, Ptolemy first discussed how astrological indications must be couched in terms of context. Context includes what is normative of the culture, race, age, etc. of the native. He then went on to discuss how the ages of the individual are characterized by the planets.

“For in the matter of the age-divisions of mankind in general there is one and the same approach, which for likeness and comparison depends upon the order of the seven planets; it begins with the first age of man and with the first sphere from us, that is, the moon’s, and ends with the last of the ages and the outermost of the planetary spheres, which is called that of Saturn.” (Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, IV, Ch. 10, Robbins trans., 1940)

Ptolemy concluded the section with a look at his predictive suite combining primary directions, profections, and ingresses.

Upward to the Stars

The simple scheme has each of the seven planets rule a set number of years from birth to old age in order of the spheres of the planets.

The Moon rules the pliable infant and toddler (ages 0-3). Note that by age 3, I mean until the 4th birthday. Therefore, the Moon rules the first 4 years of life. Mercury rules the flexible mind of the young school child (ages 4-13). This is the next 10 years of life.

For Venus, the Sun, Mars, and Jupiter, the number of years they rule correspond with their minor planetary years. Venus rules the passionate pubescent young adult (14-21), according with her planetary years (8 years). The Sun rules the prime of life (22-40), according with his planetary years (19). Mars rules the crisis of passing one’s prime (21-55), according with his planetary years (15). Jupiter rules the wise years of renunciation, rest, and reward (56-67), according with his planetary years (12).

Saturn then rules the declining years of bodily breakdown (68-death), regardless of how long this period may last.

Classical Impact

The Ages of Man does not appear to have been a popular approach among Hellenistic astrologers. Ptolemy may have even made it up himself. It is simple. Also, it is unclear whether Ptolemy intends it as a serious time lord technique or simply as an instructive teaching tool, showing how human development mirrors the spheres of the planets. It was mentioned by some later medieval astrologers. It was even alluded to by Shakespeare (see below). But its overall impact on the practice of astrology has been slight.

All the World’s A Stage

We can read the poetic description of the seven stages as given by Shakespeare. The division of life into seven stages was commonplace in the arts by Shakespeare’s time (16th century). This was Ptolemy’s legacy as it had been more common to divide life into 3, 4, or 5 stages in the classical world. It is found in the famous “all the world’s a stage” monologue of Jaques in Shakespeare’s comedy “As You Like It” (Act II, Scene VII):

“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.
Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the bard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”

Differences

Note that Shakespeare associated the 4th stage (Sun) with the soldier, which we would associate more with Mars. Though he did associate it with seeking reputation, which is solar. He also associated the 5th stage (Mars) with the justice, which we may associate more with Jupiter. Still the use of seven stages and their seeming correspondence with the ages noted by Ptolemy belie the antique origins.

Usage

My experience has been that most traditional astrologers don’t put much stock in the technique. It is used more often as a metaphor for describing development than as a type of developmental time lord. However, Ptolemy clearly intended it as a type of time lord. He noted that particular qualities can be gleaned from the natal chart, in addition to the fact that the planets naturally reflect the developmental stages.

“And in truth the accidental qualities of each of the ages are those which are naturally proper to the planet compared with it, and these it will be needful to observe, in order that by this means we may investigate the general questions of the temporal divisions, while we determine particular differences from the special qualities which are discovered in the nativities.” (Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, IV, Ch. 10, Robbins trans., 1940)

In other words, the planets in the chart have “something to say” about each life stage.

Ptolemaic View of Astrology

Some psychological theories perhaps are doubly indebted to Ptolemy who not only associated the first 4 years of life with the Moon, but also associated the Moon with the irrational mind. Modern psychological astrology also owes a huge debt to Ptolemy for his emphasis on the significations of planets. Ptolemy took the planets as causative of their indications, which is similar in practice to the more prominent view of the planets indexing the underlying causes. In either case, a planet shows the roots of the situation.

This view was at a variance with more typical Hellenistic and early medieval astrology. Typically, many factors had similar indications and would be examined together. Planets, houses, lots, twelfth-parts of planets, and so forth could all say something about a topic. They would have their indications compared and analyzed.

Reductive Simplification

The focus on a planet as the locus for the topic, with the corresponding de-emphasis of houses, lots, and other such symbolic redundancies, was a Ptolemaic reductive simplification that accorded more with the scientific worldview. It became more popular in the late Renaissance, becoming dominant with the rise in esteem for Ptolemy’s astrology. Morinus, in the 17th century, was criticizing it in favor of greater consideration for the combination of house and planet significations.

I note some of these issues with the Ptolemaic view, as well as the indexical view, which it helped foster, in my 8th Lesson, on signs. There I point to how a symbolic view, in which the factors “talk about” matters rather than index them, and indications come about compositionally, is more consistent with ancient astrological practice. I raise these issues here because oversimplification toward natural significations runs into issues in delineation.

Chart Context

It is important in such techniques to consider not just the planet, the context of time and place, and the chart context as Ptolemy would judge it. We want to also include the greater chart context that includes the houses and lots occupied by and ruled by the planet. Additionally, we should consider the twelfth-part of the planet, aspects by antiscia, and possibly other similar matters.

Is it Useful?

The Ages of Man is certainly compelling as a planetary representation of the stages of life. For one, it nicely ties together a number of other planetary significations, naturally relating them to life stages. The stage of the infant and toddler are signified by the same planet that can signify the mother and body. Those of the young school child are signified by the same planet that signifies language, learning, and siblings. And so on. The later years are less obvious but still intriguing. Newly elected US Senators and Representatives (see Table 1) tend to be in their late 40’s to early 50’s (Mars years). The breakdown of the body tends to accelerate after age 68 (Saturn years).

I have also found the Ages of Man to be a useful time lord technique. However, it has its own peculiar features which set it apart from many other time lords. It has a distinct emphasis on the individual and their developmental experience. It talks of their development and the distinctness of the stages of their life. I’m not saying it is only psychological, but it does seem to be particularly close to character and identity.

When looking at your own chart, you may want to consider how you changed and developed as a person during the period. How is this reflected by the planet in the chart?

Maya Angelou

Now, I’d like to take a closer look at each period. We’ll examine the periods with some brief notes about Maya Angelou’s life and chart. I will also include what Ptolemy said about each period.

Angelou’s life is instructive when it comes to this technique because she has an accurate birth time, lived to old age (86), and wrote 7 autobiographies encapsulating different stages of her life. These autobiographies don’t follow the 7 Ages of Man but are instructive in understanding it.

Her Autobiographies

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings covers up to age 17, the complex years of the Moon, Mercury, and the start of Venus.

Gather Together in My Name covers ages 17 to 20, some particularly trying Venus years.

Singin’ and Swingin’ … covers ages 21 to 27, the end of Venus and the beginning of solar years of travel and discovery.

The Heart of a Woman and All God’s Children, covering ages 29-33 and 34-37, deepen the journey of the solar years.

A Song Flung Up to Heaven ends the exploration of the solar years. The solar years end with Angelou’s transition from traveling entertainer and activist to author of her first book at age 41.

Her final autobiography Mom & Me & Mom is about her relationship with her mom throughout her life. Unfortunately, none of her autobiographies deeply explore the years after the solar years. However, those are also some of the most publicly well-documented years of her life as she became increasingly well-known as a writer.

I have only read her first autobiography, and that was about 20 years ago. I’ll be largely relying on online sources for details of the stages of her life.

Her Chart

Maya Angelou was born on 4/4/1928 at 2:10 pm CST in St. Louis, MO (source: birth record). She was born with the Mercury bound of Leo rising, during the Mercury hour of a Mercury day. Her Sun is in the 9th house, Aries, the sign of its exaltation, conjunct the sect benefic Jupiter, in the bound of Mercury.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

Maya Angelou’s Natal Chart with Select Lots

The Moon: 0 thru 3

“For up to about the fourth year, following the number which belongs to the quadriennium, the moon takes over the age of infancy and produces the suppleness and lack of fixity in its body, its quick growth and the moist nature, as a rule, of its food, the changeability of its condition, and the imperfection and inarticulate state of its soul, suitably to her own active qualities.” (Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, IV, Ch. 10, Robbins trans., 1940)

Maya’s Moon

Maya Angelou was born with a Full Moon in the 3rd house conjunct the twelfth-part of Jupiter. Its significations are very important, and mostly beneficial, but also mixed. The Moon has her twelfth-part with Mars in the 7th house. She also has her rulers (Venus and Mercury) in the 8th house severely afflicted (dominating square from Saturn).

Angelou’s first four years were quite mixed. On the one hand she admired her mother’s beauty and was close with her older brother bailey from whom she got her “Maya” nickname. This may be reflected by the Moon ruled by Venus and in the Mercury bound of the 3rd house of siblings. However, her parents marriage was also combative and they divorced near the end of the period. Sun-Moon opposition (father-mother conflict) and Moon’s twelfth-part in the 7th house of marriage ruled by Saturn and occupied by Mars.

To Grandma Momma

She and her brother were sent to live with her grandmother at the end of the period. They were sent by train without their parents at only ages 3 and 5 (the Moon in the 3rd being strongly connected to journeys, here with the brother). Angelou felt abandoned by her mother.

The trip however brought her under the care of her grandmother (paternal) who was a very Jupiterian figure. She prospered during the Depression due to her store and her wise investments (Moon-Jupiter connections). The father’s mother may also be indicated by the twelfth-part of the Moon (mother) in the 4th house (parent) from the 4th (father), in the Jupiter bound of Aquarius, with the Lot of Fortune but also Mars.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

Mercury: 4 thru 13

“In the following period of ten years, Mercury, to whom falls the second place and the second age, that of childhood, for the period which is half of the space of twenty years, begins to articulate and fashion the intelligent and logical part of the soul, to implant certain seeds and rudiments of learning, and to bring to light individual peculiarities of character and faculties, awaking the soul at this stage by instruction, tutelage, and the first gymnastic exercises.” (Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, IV, Ch. 10, Robbins trans., 1940)

Maya’s Mercury

Interestingly, Maya lived was under the care of her grandmother thru about age 13, the Mercury years. These were particularly formative years for Maya’s relationship with literature and sense of identity. We see the importance of Mercury in the chart by the bound of the Ascendant, planetary day, and planetary hour. These are elements that pertain to self-identification and character. These are pivotal times of high highs and low lows explored in her first autobiography.

Angelou’s Mercury is very complex. It is quite afflicted being in the 8th house, closely squared to Saturn. However, it is also conjunct Venus and ruled by Jupiter. It has its twelfth-part in the 4th house. This period sees Maya laying down new roots in Stamps with her grandmother. While her grandmother is a woman of means and takes good care of her, she also comes face-to-face with the racism in the region. Mercury is illustrative here, as Maya grows up in the store and her brother (Mercury), with grandmother and her disabled son (Venus-Mercury in 8th square Saturn), but in the bound of Mars (violence, racism).

Life Interrupted

At age 7 (sometimes reported as 8, but Maya says 7 in interviews), she was taken away by her father and brought to live with her mother. Soon after this she was raped by her mother’s boyfriend, who briefly jailed and then beaten to death by Maya’s uncles. The trauma of the rape and the violence which she felt she caused by telling her brother of the events, led her to virtually stop talking for the next 5-6 years. She spoke only sparingly to her brother.

So much of the Venus-Mercury conjunction in the 8th house is symbolic of the events. Mercury in a water sign (mute), in fall (hidden, suppressed), and square Saturn (obstacle) all point to the time of silence. The closeness with Venus, aspect of Saturn, and rulership by Mars (especially in twelfth-part) pertain to the rape.

She went back to stay with her grandmother again for most of the remainder of the period. The period ended positively (rulership by Jupiter showing eventuality). She met a teacher, Mrs. Flowers, who furthers her love for reading and poetry. Flowers also eventually gets Maya to start talking again. It is ultimately a period of the voice, both its loss and its discovery. It is the main period of focus for her first and most famous autobiography.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

Venus: 14 thru 21

“Venus, taking in charge the third age, that of youth, for the next eight years, corresponding in number to her own period, begins, as is natural, to p445 inspire, at their maturity, an activity of the seminal passages and to implant an impulse toward the embrace of love. At this time particularly a kind of frenzy enters the soul, incontinence, desire for any chance sexual gratification, burning passion, guile, and the blindness of the impetuous lover.” (Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, IV, Ch. 10, Robbins trans., 1940)

Maya’s Venus

Venus is a similarly afflicted and yet mixed planet in Angelou’s chart. I often hear astrologers point to her Venus being exalted and ruling the 10th house of career and actions. These are certainly two significations with Venus pertaining to prominence and raising up (also her rulership of the Moon). However, the activation of Venus by planetary years (8th year) and profection (to the 8th house at age 7) corresponded with her rape, a characteristically Venusian form of violence.

Venus is a benefic and is ruled by a benefic. However, Venus also is out of sect in the 8th house, dominated by Saturn in a tight square, in the bound of Mars, has her twelfth-part in the house of Mars. The period sees the good and bad of this Venus. She lives with her mother in San Francisco.

Exalted Venus Brought Low

The good is a landmark job as the first black female streetcar conductor in San Francisco (10th house, conjunction with Mercury). She also studied dance and drama at school (Mercury-Mars) and eventually graduated.

The difficulties, however, are great. Actually, they are some of the greatest in her life. She got pregnant at age 16, having her son at age 17. As a young adult she struggled badly to make ends meet and to care for her son, even descending into crime, being a madame, and prostitution to make ends meet. It was a particularly desperate time in her life, pertaining largely to the afflictions of Venus in her chart, particularly by a Saturn in the 5th house of children.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

The Sun: 22 thru 40

“The lord of the middle sphere, the sun, takes over the fourth age, which is the middle one in order, young manhood, for the period of nineteen years, wherein he implants in the soul at length the mastery and direction of its actions, desire for substance, glory, and position, and a change from playful, ingenuous error to seriousness, decorum, and ambition.” (Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, IV, Ch. 10, Robbins trans., 1940)

Maya’s Sun

The solar years are a long and complex period of Maya’s life which has been explored in depth in four of her autobiographies. At the start of the period she gets a more stable job and moves back with her mother to spend more time with her son. She also falls in love and gets married to a Greek sailor, but there are significant clashes with her husband over religion (he’s an atheist) and they end up divorcing. The Sun in a woman’s chart can show the partner and here is in the 9th house of foreigners and its ruler is in the 7th of marriage. It is also with Jupiter and the 9th, signifying religion, and her partner not being religious ended up being a point of contention.

The period is most marked by entertainment, travel, and political activism. Maya’s Sun is in the 9th house which pertains to long distance travel, foreigners, wisdom, and religion. Jupiter there also connects it strongly to positive and lofty opportunities and important people. The rulership of the Sun by Mars in the 7th in Aquarius (air sign) connects it with the fight for humanitarian rights.

A New Woman

During this period Angelou truly changes her name from Marguerite Johnson to “Maya Angelou” for her new dancing and singing career. The Sun rules Angelou’s first house so it pertains strongly to the character and self-identification.

She traveled as a performer to 22 countries in a European tour of Porgy and Bess. The period is marked by a lot of travel, not just for entertainment, in numerous plays and other gigs, but also for political activism and to get to know Africa. While an entertainer she becomes increasingly politically active, helping to organize rallies for Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. She also lives for a few years in Ghana at one point in the period.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

Mars: 41 thru 55

“After the sun, Mars, fifth in order, assumes command of manhood for the space of fifteen years, equal to his own period. He introduces severity and misery into life, and implants cares and troubles in the soul and in the body, giving it, as it were, some sense and notion of passing its prime and urging it, before it approaches its end, by labour to accomplish something among its undertakings that is worthy of note.” (Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, IV, Ch. 10, Robbins trans., 1940)

Maya’s Mars

As Ptolemy noted, this is the age when one sees oneself passing one’s prime and seeks to due something notable. Politics, activism, or maybe just freaking out and trying to recreate oneself are all hallmarks of the period. Angelou had been a writer and editor at times during the solar period. However, it was in 1969, at about age 41, when her first autobiography was published. She immersed herself in writing over the next 15 years. Maya published her first four autobiographies during the period, but also screen plays, articles, documentaries, short stories, poetry, musical scores, and more. She received thirty honorary doctorates and became a full-time professor. Not bad for someone without a bachelor’s degree!

Mars is the out of sect malefic in the chart, so this course of events may come as a surprise to many astrologers. However, while Mars afflicts many other planets, it is itself in relatively good condition. It is also the most prominent planet in the chart, strongly advancing toward the Descendant. Mars rules and is seen by the Sun and Jupiter, while it is ruled by Saturn which it also sees, and is with the twelfth-part of the Moon.

The Bridge

Mars connects the 4th house origins with the twelfth-parts of Mercury and Venus with the 9th house Sun-Jupiter. It is a powerful crux of the chart.

Maya went back into the difficult conflicts, violence, and struggles of her past. She relived them as she wrote and sought to present a picture that was as honest as it was politically forceful. In some ways, she used her own story as a potent force for change and to give the oppressed a voice.

She married (her longest) and divorced during the period (7th house). It was also a politically potent one. However, much of the personal development pertained to bridging together Mars and the houses it rules, the painful but creative roots and the soaring illuminating wisdom. We also see a pull toward work for work’s sake, shown by Mars’s twelfth-part in the Capricorn 6th house in the bound of Mercury. Maya Angelou is a work horse on fire during the period.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

Jupiter: 56 thru 67

“Sixth, Jupiter, taking as his lot the elderly age, again for the space of his own period, twelve years, brings about the renunciation of manual labour, toil, turmoil, and dangerous activity, and in their place brings decorum, foresight, retirement, together with all-embracing deliberation, admonition, and consolation; now especially he brings men to set store by honour, praise, and independence, accompanied by modesty and dignity.” (Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, IV, Ch. 10, Robbins trans., 1940)

Maya’s Jupiter

Maya’s Jupiter in the 9th is a wise Jupiter. It is also an outspoken and political Jupiter, one conjunct the Sun, ruled by Mars, and in the bound of Mercury.

The period saw Angelou concentrate primarily on teaching and public speaking. She was on the stage and sharing her wisdom. A particularly pivotal point was her public recitation of a poem at the presidential inauguartion of Bill Clinton in 1993 (she was 64). As opposed to the prior period of intense focus on works, this was a period of celebrity and lecture.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

Saturn: 68+

“Finally to Saturn falls as his lot old age, the latest period, which lasts for the rest of life. Now the movements both of body and soul are cooled and impeded in their impulses, enjoyments, desires, and speed; for the natural decline supervenes upon life, which has become worn down with age, dispirited, weak, easily offended, and hard to please in all situations, in keeping with the sluggishness of his movements.” (Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, IV, Ch. 10, Robbins trans., 1940)

Maya’s Saturn

Jupiter rules Maya’s Saturn which is trine Sun-Jupiter. Both Jupiter and Saturn are also in the bounds of Mercury. There was largely a smooth transiting between the Jupiter period and the Saturn. Maya continued to teach and lecture, though there was also a push toward greater commercialization.

She directed her first feature film in 1996 to kick off the period. The 5th house is the Joy of Venus and the house of children, pertaining strongly to creative works. It is interesting that the period would mark her foray into a number of different types of creative works, starting with film direction, but extending also to greeting cards and new album appearances. She also published her two last autobiographies during the period.

Angelou wrote four books in her last ten years of life despite being in constant pain, as her son noted at her memorial service. She died without any apparent breakdown of her senses and intellect.

Maya Angelou Natal with Twelfth-Part Positions Outside the Wheel

Conclusion

While the Ages of Man will not point to the specific years of major events, it is still useful as a time lord technique. People change as they go through life. Much of what we perceive as the more static unchanging character may just be representative of those prime 19 years. Few feel they are the same person as an adult as they were when they were 14 years old. How did early development impact one? How might middle age change one? These are questions for such a time lord technique of life stages and ages.

Are there other techniques like this? Yes, in Hellenistic astrology there were other long-term time lord techniques, such as triplicity lords and decennials. There was also the use of the quadrants of the chart to indicate four stages of life. However, the Ages of Man has a unique personal focus on the self’s journey outward through the spheres of the planets. I think it’s worth a consideration.

References

Ptolemy, C. (1940). Ptolemy: Tetrabiblos. (F. E. Robbins, Trans.). Cambridge, MA: Loeb Classical Library. Retrieved from http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Ptolemy/Tetrabiblos/home.html

The featured image is Orbium planetarum Terram complectentium scenographia by Andrea Cellarius (17th century) and is in the public domain.

Prince | Part 1: Character and Occupation

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Ant

Prince Part 1: Life

Prince should require no introduction. He began his 40 year recording career by signing a contract with Warner Bros. at the young age of 18. For his debut, he played all 27 instruments on the record. His second album, Prince, released when he was only 20, went platinum. Prince’s discography is eclectic and innovative, while his persona has always been both bold and elusive.

His sudden death on April 21st, 2016 (at age 57) came as a shock to his millions of fans. He died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, a prescription opioid pain reliever. Apparently, Prince had been struggling with opioid addiction for some time prior to the event.

In this article, I’ll be looking at a character and profession in his natal chart. I’ll also take a look at a few notable moments of his career. In the next article, Part 2, I’ll be analyzing the time of his death in terms of the symbolism of traditional predictive astrology.

Prince’s Birth Chart

Prince was born Prince Rogers Nelson on June 7, 1958 at 6:17 pm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. His birth data has a Rodden Rating of AA (from birth record). He was born as 16 Scorpio was rising, the Sun was at 16 Gemini, and the Moon was at 1 Pisces.

Prince’s Natal Chart

Venus as Prince’s Professional Significator

Prince has Venus in Taurus as his professional significator. As discussed in the articles on the astrology of profession, this is because Venus is in a stake and has some rulership at the first house (first triplicity lord). Mars (in VI) is also relevant for professional matters as he is in an eligible place, rules the Ascendant, and rules the bound and decan of the MC. However, note that the twelfth-part of Venus is also in X confirming her greater importance for characterizing the profession. Also noteworthy is that the twelfth-part of the Ascendant is in Taurus, Venus’s home which she occupies. I’ve discussed the use of the twelfth-parts in profession in a prior article.

Prince’s Natal Chart with Twelfth-Parts (outer)

Some Notes on Character

Four particular traits help characterize Prince. First, he had a strong alignment with art and love in all its forms, from sex and fashion to the highest spiritual love of humanity. Second, he was a extremely private and elusive. Third, Prince was not afraid to stir the pot and provoke strong reactions. Fourth, he was very controlling when it came to his image and artistry.

The Loving Prince

While Prince was born during the day, all his diurnal planets are in dark houses (those that don’t aspect the Ascendant). Only Venus and the Moon are not in dark houses. Venus is particularly prominent in his chart. She is the only angular planet, she is the first triplicity ruler of the Ascendant (Scorpio), and she has her twelfth-part in the 10th house conjunct the Lot of Fortune. Venus is also in her own house (Taurus) in the 7th house of marriage and partnership. Prince’s twelfth-part Ascendant is also in Taurus with Venus. Therefore, Venus, goddess of art, beauty, sex, and love is the most personally prominent planet in Prince’s chart.

Prince Twelfth-Parts Outside Natal

Prince was also born with the Moon strongly advancing toward the IC in Pisces. Pisces is the house of Jupiter and kingdom of Venus. The Moon is also in the bound of Venus. This prominent Moon shows a focus on the subjective, emotional, humane, wild, and idiosyncratic (Moon) while reinforcing the stress on the arts, creativity, and femininity. The sign Pisces evokes the intersection of spirituality (Jupiter) and beauty (Venus). The 5th house orients it toward creative fruits. Additionally, the Moon rules the 9th house of God and travel. This connects this prominent advancing Moon with a lot of international activity as well as personal religious orientation. There are also connections between Mercury (bound lord of the Ascendant; ruler of sect light) and the 9th house.

A Few Striking Lots

One of the more striking features of Prince’s chart is that the Sun is conjunct the Lot of Love in the same degree (partile). The Lot of Love concerns relationship, alliances, and coming together in general. Coming together in alliance to take a stand for love and our humanity was a common theme in Prince’s work.

Additionally, the Moon is in partile conjunction with Prince’s Lot of Spirit, while Venus is in close conjunction with the Lot of Fortune. The Lot of Spirit pertains to mentality, social life, and goals while the Lot of Fortune pertains to health, personal life, and material circumstances. We see Prince materially seeped in the world of Venus in Taurus and mentally seeped in the world of the Moon in Pisces, while shining a spotlight (the Sun) on a dualistic Gemini Love.

Prince Natal Chart with Lots

The Private Prince

Prince was notably one of the most private celebrities. His 1st house of character is Scorpio, a sign not known for its openness. This nocturnal sign ruled by Mars tends toward introversion and peevishness, though other factors can overcome this such as a prominent Sun or Ascendant Lord. However, in Prince’s chart the Sun is in a dark house (the 8th) and the Ascendant lord, Mars, is also hiding away in a dark house (the 6th). In fact, 5 of the 7 classical planets in Prince’s chart are hidden away in dark houses. Prince would like to keep most aspects of his life hidden from view.

I have already noted that Venus and the Moon are exceptions to this. Venus particularly stands out due to her connection with his career and his character. Prince would like us to know the role of Venus in his life, and maybe the Moon, but the rest is off limits.

The fact that Mars is the domicile lord of the Ascendant and is itself in one of its own signs adds a bit of combativeness to this need for privacy. Prince didn’t just need privacy but prying or meddling in his affairs was likely to provoke some anger.

The Controversial Prince

Prince stirred up his fair share of controversy. Whether it was shaking up sexual norms, battling his record company, or defending his religious beliefs, Prince was not afraid of a fight. I think this trait is also reflective of his Mars ruled 1st house. However, it is additionally reflective of the prominence of out of sect planets in Prince’s chart. As we saw in the movie Purple Rain, Prince was not above playing a rather unsavory character, seething with jealousy and mistreating his girlfriend. The prominence of out of sect planets, including the all-important Venus, lends a sense of the revenge of the rejected or the return of the outcast mistreated by the establishment. Prince was unbelievably successful from a young age, but would continue to cast himself as the misfit and the underdog.

The Controlling Prince

The control that Prince exerted over his name and image are in the same vein as the last two traits. They follow largely from his focus on privacy and his casting himself as subject to the exploits of the establishment.

Prince’s Ascendant is a fixed sign and his Venus is also positioned in a fixed sign. While not necessarily rigid or stubborn generally, Prince was likely to be quite rigid and stubborn in relation to his works and relationships Venus, 7th, 10th) and his image (1st house). His Mars in the 6th house made him a highly productive work horse behind the scenes, but when it came to the image and the name (1st house) it had to be protected.

Prince often saw himself as enslaved by his record company that “owned” his image and his name. This seemed to provoke a lot of animosity and ire in him. It is so vividly symbolized by his Scorpio 1st house, ruled by a Mars in the 6th house. The 1st house pertains to the image and the name. Mars adds warlike combativeness to the topic. Mars is in the 6th house of work and slaves which does not directly see the 1st house, adding a sense of disjointedness. A laboring away for a name and an image that one does not fully own. This theme would resurface at multiple points in Prince’s career.

A Few Notable Years

While this article is focused on the timing of Prince’s death, it is also presents a good opportunity to explore the timing of a few particularly notable years in his career.

Age 18 – Venus 7th House Activation

First, Prince is reported (here and here) to have signed his first record contract at age 18. 18 is very significant as it represents the annual profection to the 7th house. In Prince’s natal chart, the 7th house is ruled by and occupied by Venus. I have already noted that Venus, the planet which most pertains to the arts, is the career significator. Venus has her twelfth-part in the 10th house of actions and occupation.

Notable in the solar return for the year was the occurrence of Jupiter (fortune) and Mercury (contracts) in the house of the year (Taurus) with natal Venus. Additionally, return Venus was conjunct the Sun (authority, power, recognition).

Prince Age 18 Solar Return

Age 24 – Superstardom – 1999

It was not until the release of Prince’s 5th album, 1999, that he entered the US top ten and really became a superstar.

The album was released in October of 1982 when Prince was 24 years old. 24 is notable as a profection back to the 1st house (Scorpio), as well as an activation of the Moon (25th year) by planetary years.

Prince Age 24 Solar Return

The solar return for the year is complex. It sees Venus in return in Taurus and Jupiter in Scorpio (house of the year), while the Moon is in the 2nd house of money (Sagittarius). Prince’s Sun (fame) is propelled to the top of the chart with the Moon Full at the root, while the Ascendant of the return is Virgo, the 11th house of friends (fame, popularity). The lord of the year shows demands as it is with Saturn (burden), but also tying into natal Jupiter (natal occupant of Libra; money) and Venus (arts), the ruler of the house.

Prince Age 24 Solar Return Outside of Natal

Mid-Twenties: Distributors

When we consider the distributors of the Ascendant and the sect light, we find that Prince’s mid-twenties as a whole were indicated to be quite fortunate. The Ascendant was directing through the Jupiter bound of Sagittarius from when Prince was age 17.5 to almost age 33. The sect light, the Sun, was directing through the Venus bound of Cancer (which Venus herself casts rays into) from age 22.5 to about age 28.5.

Prince Distributors during his Mid-Twenties

Age 26 – Purple Rain

Shortly after Prince’s 26th birthday (in June and July of 1984) he released the album, then the film, Purple Rain. The profection was to the third house, Capricorn, as sign ruled by Saturn and not typically associated with fortunate happenings. However, as luck would have it, Jupiter was transiting in Capricorn (in the Jupiter bound of the sign) at the time of the solar return. This return also saw another Venus-Sun conjunction prominent on an angle.

Prince Age 26 Solar Return

Saturn, on the other hand, was conjunct Mars in the return in Scorpio, Prince’s 1st house of character and identity. The image did much for characterizing how Prince would be perceived by the public. Prince actually presented himself as a somewhat fragile, somewhat cruel, and always controversial figure. This image was in line with Saturn and Mars, both retrograde, in Scorpio in the return. The figure is that of an artist damaged by an alcoholic father (Saturn in water), mistreating his adoring girlfriend (Mars in water), and seething with jealousy over his rivalry with another musician (Scorpio).

The movie was the most risky proposition of Prince’s career. Its soundtrack album was his magnum opus.

Prince Age 26 SR Outside of Natal

Age 34 – Birth of the Symbol

Prince had a career full of rocky relations with his record companies and contractual spite. His 14th album, released in fall of 1992 bore a symbol on it which he termed the Love Symbol. The album would end up being his most commercially successful since Purple Rain.

Due to increasing issues with his record company, Warner Bros., he changed his name to the same symbol in 1993. He claimed that he was a slave to Warner Bros. who owned his name “Prince”.

Prince was 34, so it was another profection to his 11th house of friends, networking, and fame. Fittingly, Prince’s 11th house, Virgo, is ruled by Mercury (duality, symbolism). The solar return was marked by a Moon-Jupiter conjunction in Virgo. Solar return Mercury was at 24 Gemini, the position of the twelfth-part of his natal Jupiter. All in all, following on the heels of a hit record, this publicity stunt of symbolism was very successful in generating quite a bit of publicity.

Prince Age 34 Solar Return

Conclusion

While one could easily go on to look at many more notable years in Prince’s life and career, I have to leave it here for now. Prince’s chart shows the activity of a prominent and powerful, but out of sect Venus. Prince always made art and celebrated love on his own terms. This many with Scorpio rising and Gemini Sun ever remained an enigma in the public eye. Secretive and at times even a little peevish, Prince was a working man behind the scenes and meticulously original in all his artistic undertakings.

In the next article, we’ll take an in depth look at the timing of his unexpected sudden death at age 57 in 2016.

Featured Image Attribution

Featured image by jimi hughes from ballymena, n ireland – https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimieye/ [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Bio Shorts | Jim Carrey and the Astrology of Comedy

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Ant

A Life of Kidding

I’ve been meaning to take a look at Jim Carrey’s birth chart for some time. Showtime’s “Kidding” is my favorite new show. Carrey’s character and performances make every episode memorable. Jim is best known as a comedian and comedic actor, but his more serious acting roles, such as in The Truman Show (1998), have also garnered critical acclaim.

His chart and life bring up some interesting astrological questions. What factors are relevant for comedy? How do we find factors relevant for career in someone’s chart? Which factors are most relevant for spiritual faith?

Some of these questions have been addressed in prior series of articles. The series on the planet of actions addressed finding the career significator. The series on faith and religion addressed the basic starting points for a look at faith in the chart. We can see these things at work in Carrey’s chart, as well as the importance of other factors such as antiscia and twelfth-parts. I’ll dig into some predictive techniques in this article as well. Let’s look at the astrology.

I. Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey was born on January 17th, 1962 at 2:30 am in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. His birth information has an A Rodden rating.

Jim Carrey’s Birth Chart

Mercury as Career Significator

According to the technique of Paulus Alexandrinus, Mercury is the main planet relevant to career indications. This is because Mercury is in the 4th house of the chart, which is one of the eligible places, but Venus and Mars are in the 3rd house which is not. For more on the technique for finding the planet (or planets) most relevant to occupation, see the series of articles on that topic. It is also noteworthy that Mercury is in phasis (left the beams just under 7 days before birth). Mercury also received the last aspect of the Moon in the chart (and rules her).

Planetary Influences on Mercury

Mercury is relevant to any occupation involving oration, such as comedy. Acting particularly was usually more associated with Mercury in association with Venus. Carrey’s Mercury is most closely associated with Jupiter, as it is conjunct Jupiter within a degree from inside of Jupiter’s bound. This is akin to them being joined at the hip in the same room. Saturn is also influential as Saturn in in the same house (Aquarius) and rules the house. Mercury characterizes the general backdrop of the life situation, as Mercury has the separation of the Moon (sect light).

Mercury’s Sign and Antiscia

Mercury is in Aquarius, a fixed air sign. As an air sign, Aquarius associates Mercury with social matters and human culture. Aquarius as a fixed sign indicates staying the course, so there is continual stable progress with Mercury’s significations. Mercury has focus and depth, but can also be rigid or inflexible.

There is a strong self-identification with Mercury in the chart, as well as Mars. Mars rules the rising sign (Scorpio) and is with Venus (the arts) and the Sun (honors; authority). They are in the 3rd house of siblings, neighbors, and associates (some add communication). However, Mercury rules the Ascendant as well, by bound. Strikingly, Mercury, with Jupiter, is antiscia the Ascendant, as well as square the Ascendant, each within a degree. This antiscia by degree between Mercury-Jupiter and the Ascendant symbolizes a strong connection between the individual and the matters symbolized by that conjunction.

Jim Carrey’s Birth Chart with Antiscia Positions Outside Wheel

Mercury’s Associations by House

Mercury is in the 4th house, pertaining to the father, land, and ancestors. In fact, Carrey’s father was a big influence on him. His father was a musician and accountant who was very supportive of Carrey and is signified in part by that Mercury. However, Saturn naturally signifies fathers, and is in and ruling the place. Saturn in the bound of Mercury and with Jupiter and Mercury, so many of the associations also come through Saturn for the father.

8th House

Mercury also rules the 8th house of death, harm, idleness, and stagnation. The Moon, the main significator of the mother, is in the 8th. The Moon is in sect and strong so she often signifies in positive ways. However, the fact that she is void of course (not applying to any planet) and in the 8th associates her with secrets, loss, and confusion. Carrey has opened up in interviews about his mother’s addiction to pain killers and that his comedy became at times a way to cheer her up when he was a kid. The Moon rules the 9th house and has her antiscia there, connecting the Moon’s powerful influence with his search for truth. The Moon’s association with the 9th also shows a lot of international activity (the Moon and the 9th both signify travel).

The significations of the Moon concerning the mother are reinforced by the fact that the Lot of the Mother is also int he 8th with the Moon.

Jim Carrey’s Birth Chart with Select Lots

11th House

Mercury rules the 11th house of friends, popularity, and general good fortune. The 11th house (the Joy of Jupiter) associations of Mercury reinforce its connection with Jupiter’s social benefits.

9th House and Spirituality

Mercury’s twelfth-part is in the 9th house. Jupiter’s twelfth-part is there as well. These positions reinforce those of the rulership of the 9th by the sect light and the position of the Moon’s twelfth-part there. It all points to an identification with a spiritual faith. Carrey is an advocate of Transcendental Meditation. He has also expressed his belief in the law of attraction. TM shows a more idiosyncratic and contemplative approach to spirituality (lunar) while law of attraction type spirituality is Jupiterian all the way. An identification with Mercury and Mars shows a more critical orientation and possible dislike of organized religion. For more information on finding faith in the chart, see the series on the astrology of religious belief.

Jim Carrey’s Birth Chart with Twelfth-Parts (outside wheel)

II. Mercury-Jupiter and Comedy

We have seen the importance of the Mercury-Jupiter conjunction in Carrey’s chart. It is very relevant to his career and also connects with his self-identity and even his faith. Mercury, the planet of messages, complication, and rationality, pertains to communication and imitation generally. This includes things like characterization and imitation upon which Carrey based his career. Jupiter, the planet of loftiness, benefit, and expansion, also often pertains to popularity, wealth, and opportunity. Exaggeration and charisma also pertain strongly to Jupiter. For more on the signification of the planets see the lesson on the planets.

Jupiter: Planet of Comedy

What may surprise many is that Jupiter was associated with humor in ancient astrology. However, references to humor and comedy in ancient astrological texts are rare. Jupiter pertains to mental and social “good vibes” generally. Comedy is in this same vein. Just imaging a pre-teen Jim Carrey cheering up his depressed mom with his expert impressions.

And he signifies […] joking, banter […]. Also joy and laughter and a multitude of speaking and keenness of the tongue. (Abu Ma’shar on the significations of Jupiter, from his Great Introduction, VII.9.1425-54, Dykes trans., 2010, p. 241)

In Abu Ma’shar’s Abbreviated Introduction he similarly said that Jupiter’s nature is humorous.

Beyond Jupiter

Some additional references to jokes and humor are found in other astrologers’ works. Valens associated Mecury-Venus connections (especially when ruled by or ruling Mars) with humor. He also associated Capricorn with a love of jokes and Venus with laughter.

We can surmise that to actually be a comedian involves more than having a good sense of humor and a love of joking though. Mercury often plays a central role, especially when the comedy has significant oral, improvisational, and/or clever components. When the comedy is at another’s expense, is dark, or pertains to hardship then the malefics are also involved. Saturn laughs at our morality and limitations (Murphy’s law), while Mars uses humor at another’s expense.

III. Comedian Charts

Not all comedians have Mercury as career significator, but most do. Those without Mercury as significator have a strong connection between Mercury and the career significator. A Mercury-Jupiter connection and some identification associated with it is an indication of comedy.

Unfortunately, there is no single signature for a comedian. This supports the view that astrology is a language. There is more than one way to say someone’s career path is inclined toward comedy. Obviously, Mercury must play a huge role in career significations, as expressed through the significator and/or MC. Additionally, we expect Mercury and the person themselves to be connected to the benefics (joy), especially Jupiter.

I’m going to look briefly at the charts of 9 more famous comedians. All of these comedians are very famous and have A or AA rated birth data. Each of these charts could be the subject of a book worth of analysis, so please excuse the fact that I’ll be running through just a few chart features on each. I’ll be mainly looking at connections between Mercury, Jupiter, the professional significator, and the character and self-identification (especially as pertains to the 1st house).

Robin Williams

Robin Williams (birth info AA rated) was also born with the Mercury bound of Scorpio rising, like Carrey. Additonally, Robins had Mercury as the main career significator. Mercury was conjunct Williams MC in its own bound in X. One can certainly get a sense of that Mercury strongly advancing right on the MC in brilliant Leo, with its volume turned all the way up, from Williams’s comedy acts.

Interestingly, Jupiter is in a superior trine with Mercury and Mercury’s twelfth-part (and that of the Asc and MC) are in Aries with Jupiter. Additionally, Jupiter is in Mercury’s bound and the twelfth-part of Jupiter is in XI, Virgo (ruled by Mercury). We also see a Saturnine component with the twelfth-part of Saturn in X and Jupiter’s twelfth-part in XI with Saturn.

As noted, the twelfth-parts of the Ascendant, MC, and Mercury are in Aries with Jupiter. Additionally, the Lot of Spirit (not pictured) is there in Jupiter’s bound (1° 14′ Aries). Fascinatingly, the Lot of Spirit was in Jupiter’s bound of Aries in Jim Carrey’s chart as well (see Carrey’s chart earlier with the lots).

Robin Williams’s Birth Chart with Twelfth-Parts (outside wheel)

Kevin Hart

There are many parallels between the charts of Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, and that of Kevin Hart (birth time AA-rated). Like Carrey, Kevin Hart has a Mercury-Jupiter conjunction. Like Robin Williams, Hart’s Mercury is in Leo. Additionally, as both of those comedians had Mercury ruling the bound of the Ascendant, Hart has Mercury ruling the rising sign. Hart also has the Lot of Spirit in Aries like those other comedians, though this time not in the bound of Jupiter.

We don’t see Mercury as the main career significator in Hart’s chart though. In fact, Mercury is the least pronounced of the three planets of actions. Mars is the main planet of actions in the chart. However, Mars is ruled by and most closely aspected by Mercury. Mars also has its twelfth-part in Leo with the Mercury-Jupiter conjuction. Therefore, Mercury is strongly associated with Mars. Mercury also rules the 10th house, and the bound of the MC and the Sun, while additionally ruling the Ascendant, connecting it strongly to the sense of self and career matters.

Jupiter plays a significant role in the chart. Not only is Jupiter in a close applying conjunction with Mercury but the twelfth-parts of Jupiter, the Ascendant, Moon, Sun, and Saturn are all together with the natal Moon Jupiter’s house, Sagittarius.

Kevin Hart’s Birth Chart with Twelfth-Parts (outside wheel)

Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor’s chart (birth time AA-rated) has all three planets of actions in the 9th house, and none of them in phasis, stationing, or strongly advancing. Mercury most closely regards the Ascendant (23°44′ Pisces), while Mars rules the bounds of the Ascendant and MC. As I noted in the article on difficult cases with the professional significator, the twelfth-parts should be examined. In this case the twelfth-part of Mercury is conjunct an angle and in a stake, so Mercury is most relevant.

Mercury is in the bound of Jupiter and is opposed by Jupiter. Mercury is with Mars and Venus in Scorpio, while Mars-and Venus are both strongly opposed to Jupiter within a degree (applying in the case of Venus). All five non-luminaries are located across the 3rd-9th access, interconnecting the themes of many of the planets in life events. The very prominent Sun (sect light) is in the Jupiter bound of Sagittarius, with its twelfth-part conjunct the Pisces Ascendant. The MC and twelfth-part Ascendant are also in Sagittarius. Therefore, Jupiter’s houses are strongly associated with honors and the sense of self.

Richard Pryor’s Birth Chart with Twelfth-Parts (outside wheel)

George Carlin

Mercury, in X, strongly advancing, and square the Ascendant (within 5 degrees) is the main professional significator in George Carlin’s chart (birth time A-rated). Mercury is in Jupiter’s bound and is overcome by a superior trine from Jupiter. Mercury’s twelfth-part is also in Sagittarius, with Mars and its twelfth-part. Mercury-Mars together in Sagittarius helps to characterize his performances (5th house). When Mercury is very combust, as it is in this chart, I also look to the Sun in regards to Mercury’s significations.

Carlin’s self-identification is more with the Sun and Saturn than Mercury or Jupiter. Carlin was known for his interest in important political issues and his brilliant treatment of them (Sun) with a typically black comedy style (Saturn). Like Pryor, Carlin had a very prominent 10th house Sun but in this case in the bound rather than sign of Jupiter. The twelfth-parts of the Sun and the Ascendant are in Capricorn with Jupiter. Through the twelfth-part of the Ascendant (only a few degrees from Jupiter) we see the personal connection to Jupiter. Additionally, the Capricorn Jupiter, the position of the Ascendant and twelfth-part Ascendant in bounds of Saturn, and the connection between Venus and Saturn, all show the emphasis on dark humor.

George Carlin’s Birth Chart with Twelfth-Parts (outside wheel)

Lenny Bruce

Lenny Bruce (birth time AA-rated) had Mercury strongly advancing in XI. It was also the planet most closely aspecting the Ascendant. Compared with Mars (retreating in the same house) it is more relevant for professional matters. Venus is in the 1st house so she is also relevant for professional matters. Therefore, both Venus and Mercury are professional indicators, as well as Mars to a lesser extent.

Mercury is in the bound and house of Venus in XI (Jupiter’s Joy). Mercury is square to Jupiter. The twelfth-part of Jupiter is at 24 Gemini, in Mercury’s house and overcoming Mercury with a partile trine (Mercury is at 24 Libra). Mercury is very combust, while the Sun is in the bound of Jupiter and is more closely square Jupiter.

Lenny Bruce’s Birth Chart with Twelfth-Parts (outside wheel)

Venus is in the bound and house of Jupiter (Sagittarius). Her twelfth-part is in the same house. Venus out of sect in the 1st here pertains to Bruce’s good looks as well as to his popularity with artists (Venus rules XI) and propensity toward pleasure-seeking (Venus). Venus rules drugs, especially liquid ones. Her being out of sect, square the Moon, and connecting the 1st and 6th, associates her with self-inflicted health problems.

Identification with Jupiter is strong. Jupiter rules the Ascendant and the bound of the 1st house Venus. Additionally, Jupiter’s twelfth-part is conjunct an angle (the Dsc). The role of Mars (trying to offend; out of sect malefic) in Bruce’s comedy is evident in the chart. Mars is with Mercury and its twelfth-part is with Jupiter. The twelfth-part of Mercury in the 8th squaring natal Mercury also speaking to the mischievous significations of Mercury in the chart.

Steve Martin

Steve Martin (birth time AA-rated) has both Mercury and Mars as professional significators. Mercury is relevant due to its advancing location in the 2nd with a close trine to the MC. Mars is relevant because it is in the 11th and advancing. Mercury is in its own bound and in its own house (Virgo) together with Jupiter. Mercury’s twelfth-part (at 26 Virgo) is very closely conjunct Jupiter. Mars, which dominates Mercury and Jupiter (right side square) is in XI (Jupiter’s Joy) in Mercury’s other house, Gemini.

While his personality is primarily solar (Sun in Leo rising), Jupiter’s twelfth-part is also in the Jupiter bound of the 1st house. Jupiter is also the leading triplicity ruler of Leo (a fire sign) by night.

Steve Martin’s Birth Chart with Twelfth-Parts (outside wheel)

Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman (birth time A-rated) was born with the Sun rising in the Jupiter bound of Sagittarius (house of Jupiter). Mercury is also in the 1st house and rules the 10th house. Therefore, Mercury is the main professional significator, though Mars (in XI; Jupiter’s Joy) is also relevant. Mercury is not only in the 1st house, but the twelfth-part of the Ascendant is closely conjunct Mercury. Therefore, there are strong Mercurial and Jupiterian themes pertaining to the 1st house and the Sun.

The desire to offend is evident with a Mercury that is very closely aspected by Mars. Additionally, the twelfth-part of Mercury is closely conjunct Mars (in XI; Jupiter’s Joy). Jupiter’s main tie to Mercury in the chart is by rulership (house and leading triplicity lord).

Sarah Silverman’s Birth Chart with Twelfth-Parts (outside wheel)

Bill Burr

Bill Burr (birth time AA-rated) was also born with Mercury in the 1st house of self. Mercury is the professional significator as Venus and Mars are in the 12th house. Mercury is in the 1st while its twelfth-part and that of Jupiter are also in the 1st house. Jupiter is the exalted ruler of the rising sign. Therefore, Mercury and Jupiter connect with each other, the identity, and the profession through the rising sign.

Additionally, the Moon (ruler of the 1st) and the twelfth-parts of the Ascendant, MC, and Venus are in Sagittarius. The Moon’s twelfth-part is in XI (Joy of Jupiter).

Bill Burr’s Birth Chart with Twelfth-Parts (outside wheel)

Andy Kaufman

Andy Kaufman and Jim Carrey are known to share a birthday (Jan. 17th) so their Sun’s are just within a degree of each other’s. Amazingly, Andy Kaufman (birth time A-rated) was also born with Mercury at 16 Aquarius, just 2 degrees from Jim Carrey’s Mercury-Jupiter conjunction (14 Aquarius; same Jupiter bound). In Kaufman’s chart, Mercury is strongly advancing in the 7th house, conjunct the Descendant. Mars is also in VII (conjunct Dsc) and Venus is in VI trine the MC and ruling X. Therefore, all three planets have some relevance to the profession. However, Mercury has the most relevance as shown by its strong advancement and its twelfth-part which is conjunct the Ascendant in the 1st. As noted, Mercury is in the Jupiter bound of Aquarius with Mars. The twelfth-parts of Jupiter and Mars are in the 11th (Joy of Jupiter) ruled by Mercury.

Kaufman was born with Leo rising. Only Mercury’s twelfth-part occupies the rising sign. The Ascendant lord (Sun) is with Jupiter and Venus in Capricorn (VI). The twelfth-parts of the Ascendant, Sun, and Moon are all in Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter.

Andy Kaufman’s Birth Chart with Twelfth-Parts (outside wheel)

Some Surprising Findings

From this brief look at the charts of 10 comedians we see some additional interesting trends. There are factors I didn’t previously discuss which were rather unexpected. Less surprising findings included the prevalence of Mercury as professional significator and important associations between the Ascendant (and its lord) and Jupiter.

Jupiter with Malefic Associations

One surprise was that all of the comedians either had Jupiter out of sect, in a bad place, and/or severely afflicted by malefics. Typically, more than one of these situations. They all had Jupiter as relevant to the self and the significations of Mercury though. It seems that there is something about a mistreated good guy (Jupiter made malefic) that connects it strongly to comedy. A sense of irony, perhaps? Additionally, none had Jupiter very strong, and many had Jupiter quite weakened.

In what follows, note that “overcome” indicates a right side whole sign sextile or trine, while “dominate” indicates a right side whole sign square. The planet on the right in such configurations is the more influential one which is why it is noteworthy when it is a malefic. For more on planetary aspects, see the lesson on configurations.

Jupiter in the Examples

Jim Carrey has Jupiter out of sect and with the out of sect malefic Saturn in the 4th house.

Robin Williams had Jupiter in sect but in the 6th house (a bad place) in a tight (2 deg.) applying square to Mars (the out of sect malefic).

Kevin Hart has Jupiter in sect but in the 12th house (bad place) and overcome by Mars (out of sect malefic).

Richard Pryor had Jupiter in sect (but below the horizon) in the 3rd house, but conjunct Saturn (about 2 deg.) and in partile opposition to Mars.

George Carlin had Jupiter in sect (but below the horizon) in the 6th (bad place) in Capricorn, square Saturn.

Lenny Bruce had Jupiter in sect (but below the horizon) in the 2nd (bad place) in Capricorn dominated by Mars and closely aspected by Saturn (within 1 deg.).

Steve Martin has Jupiter out of sect in the 2nd, dominated by Mars, and overcome by Saturn.

Sarah Silverman has Jupiter out of sect in the 12th (bad place) opposed by Saturn (within 4 deg.).

Bill Burr has Jupiter in sect (but below the horizon) in the 2nd (bad place) overcome by Mars and Saturn.

Andy Kaufman had Jupiter out of sect and in the 6th (bad place) while overcome by Saturn.

Other Factors

The house of friend and the Joy of Jupiter, the 11th house, is a particularly significant place in many of the charts of comedians. Many had the domineering influence of a luminary or Mars present there. Perhaps a drive to be the life of the party.

Similarly, while an emphasis on Jupiter or Mercury from the rising sign is not surprising, there were also many comedians with signs of the luminaries or Mars rising. By contrast, no one from this set of comedians had a sign of Venus or Saturn rising. This may pertain again to the more dominant and showy natures of the luminaries and Mars.

IV. A Few Significant Times in Jim Carrey’s Life

Let’s return to Jim Carrey’s life and chart now to apply some ancient predictive techniques.

Early Life and Career: 1972-1996

Carrey’s teenage years were disturbed by his father losing his job when Carrey was about 12 or 13 (in or before 8th grade). He left school at about age 14 (9th grade). Carrey started into comedy at a young age to help support his family in the aftermath of his father’s job loss and ensuing financial problems. He started performing at 15 and got his first big breaks into touring at 19.

Jim Carrey’s Birth Chart with Twelfth-Parts (outside wheel)

Distributors

As noted in the article on early primary directions, the bound lord of the directed Ascendant is a primary consideration for characterizing one’s situation. The bound lord of the directed Ascendant is the distributor or jarbakhtar. Looking at Carrey’s distributors, we see a happy Jupiter distribution from about age 5 to 11.5, then things get difficult with the Saturn distribution.

I’ve already noted how Saturn connects very strongly with the father in Carrey’s chart, and secondarily to the sense of self. We see a lot of the Saturnine themes come forth from age 11.5 to age 19. Saturn is out of sect so it is very difficult. Saturn connects strongly with the 3rd house (primary education) and 4th (father, home, roots), and during the time Carrey is forced to quit school and his family is even homeless at one point. Additionally, age 14, the year he left school, would have been an annual profection to his 3rd house, Capricorn, ruled by Saturn.

Jim Carrey’s Distributors

It is interesting that Carrey started performing at the young age of 15. Interestingly, the Sun directed to the Ascendant by sextile at that age. At age 17, Carrey moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in comedy and acting. About age 17 saw the direction of the Mercury-Jupiter conjunction to Carrey’s Sun.

Significant Primary Directions for Carrey Ages 15-17

Age 19-40: Benefic Years

The distributor of the Ascendant changes at age 19. At that age the directed Ascendant moves into Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, and specifically, the first bound of that sign, also ruled by Jupiter. It is during this period (age 19-34) that Jim becomes a star.

Significant Primary Directions for Carrey Ages 19-22

Around age 19, he started to open for Rodney Dangerfield in Vegas. The period coincided with an activation of the Sun by planetary years. Also, there were a number of important directions concerning the profession, focused on the MC and the Sun. These included the square of the Moon and trine of Mars to the MC, as well as the trine of the Moon to the Sun. Following that were some B-movie appearances. In 1983, at age 21, he also debuted on the Tonight Show. The performance, coincided with the direction of Saturn to the Ascendant (by sextile). Andy Kaufman had previously done impressions of Elvis on the show. Carrey starred in The Duck Factory in 1984 (age 22) but the show was short-lived.

Romance and Marriage

Late 1984 through 1985, after the cancellation of the Duck Factory, saw a bit of a low point in this period overall. However, in 1986 he met actress Melissa Womer and they married the next year (age 25). His wife also gave birth to their daughter in the fall of that year. The profection at age 25 was to Sagittarius with Jupiter as lord of the year. The 2nd is also occupied by the twelfth-part of the Moon. The marriage and child coincided with the direction of the trine of Venus to the MC.

Venus (trine) directs to the MC: Carrey marries at 25

Jim Carrey’s Birth Chart with Twelfth-Parts (outside wheel)

In Living Color Years

Carrey was an original cast member on the sketch comedy show In Living Color, featured in nearly every episode that aired. It was a huge role for Carrey’s career. He starred in the series from 1990 to 1994 (ages 28 to 32). His start coincided with the profection to Pisces (5th house), with Jupiter as lord of the year. Carrey’s signing to the show also roughly coincided with the direction of the Sun to the MC (by trine).

Direction of Sun to MC when Carrey is about age 28

Movie Star

Starting in 1994, with the demise of In Living Color, Carrey starred in a number of successful big budget films, starting with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. The Mask and Dumb and Dumber followed in 1994. Batman Forever, Ace Ventura’s sequel, the Cable Guy, and Liar Liar followed over the next few years. Carry was 32 in 1994. Note that the planetary years of Mercury are 20 and those of Jupiter are 12. Therefore, age 32 marks the activation of the Mercury-Jupiter conjunction by planetary years, coinciding with Carrey’s break out year as an actor.

32 also makes the annual profection to Cancer, occupied by the twelfth-parts of Mercury and Jupiter. The Moon was lord of the year.

The secondary progressed Moon is of interest as the Moon is lord of the year. The spMoon was in Leo (X) opposed to the Mercury-Jupiter conjunction.

Secondary Progressions for Jim Carrey at Age 32 (outer wheel)

The solar return chart for age 32 is also fascinating. Venus is cazimi in the return to the minute of a degree! The chart also marks a return by sign for every planet except the Moon and Jupiter. srJupiter was in the 1st house of self. sfMoon, the lord of the year, was applying a partile sextile to the Sun-Venus conjunction from Pisces, the 5th house.

Jim Carrey’s 1994 Solar Return

Family Troubles

In terms of primary directions during the movie blitz of 1994, Saturn directed to the MC (by trine) from the Saturn bound of Libra. Additionally, Mars directed to the Moon (by opposition). The MC’s entry into Libra and its Saturn bound, as well as its superior trine to Saturn’s position seems to reflect the discipline, work ethic, and demands involved with a busy acting career. However, these malefic directions, also point to events in his personal life.

In 1994, Carrey’s father passed away. I have noted how Saturn symbolizes Carrey’s dad. The direction of Saturn to the MC is poignant.

In late 1993, as Jim Carrey’s multi-million dollar movie offers came in, he moved farther and farther away from family life with his wife and daughter. From simply not coming home to a rumored affair with a Dumb and Dumber co-star (Lauren Holly), his wife found his meteoric rise left her behind. Their divorce was finalized in early 1995.

Jim Carrey’s Significant Directions in 1994

The period of their separation began during Saturn’s transit through Jim’s 4th house of home, family, and roots. Note that Carrey’s Lot of Love can be a difficult one. Love is at 4 degrees Aquarius, ruled by and conjunct Saturn, the out of sect malefic. At the time of his divorce, his wife had stated that his attitude toward the marriage went back to his father who felt held back by his mother for his inability to pursue his aspirations as a saxophone player. Saturn’s connection with Love echoes this close association of the demands of partnership (Love) with suffocating restriction (Saturn).

Jim Carrey’s Birth Chart with Select Lots

Man on the Moon

Note that mid-1996, saw the shift of the distributor from Jupiter to Venus. The Ascendant would occupy the Venus bound until Carrey was about 40 1/2 (2002). The Venus distributor years saw a shift to more critically acclaimed performances.

1998 (age 36) was the year that Jim Carrey starred in The Truman Show. In 1999 (age 37), he starred in Man on the Moon portraying Andy Kaufman. Obviously, portraying Andy Kaufman has been one of the high points of Carrey’s career. Amazingly, the release coincided with the direction of the Mercury-Jupiter conjunction to his Ascendant (by sextile).

Jim Carrey’s Significant Directions Ages 36-38

Note that Carrey and Kaufman also share the same birthday, so their Suns are strongly connected. The 38th year (age 37) and age 38 are significant as activations of the Sun by planetary years (two times 19). The release also occurred when Carrey’s secondary progressed Moon was at 26 Libra, in superior square to his Sun. Additionally, age 37 was the profection to the 2nd house, Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, and occupied by the twelfth-part Moon.

Mercury Years: Then and Now

The shift to the Mercury distribution, from 2002 to 2007, also saw a continued shift to more serious and versatile acting roles. The Mercury years additionally marked his first work with Michel Gondry for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind in 2004.

Interestingly, 2017 saw a return to Mercury as distributor. It was in that year when Carrey first reunited with Michel Gondry to work on his new Showtime series, Kidding. The series is Carrey’s first starring TV role since In Living Color (24 years ago).

Production coincided with yet another significant Mercury-Jupiter direction for Carrey. This time it was Mercury-Jupiter to his Moon (by opposition).

Jim Carrey’s Mercury-Jupiter Direction to Moon 2017-2018

References

Dykes, Benjamin, trans. and ed., Introductions to Traditional Astrology: Abu Ma’shar & al-Qabisi (Minneapolis, MN: The Cazimi Press, 2010).

Images

Featured image by Noemi Nuñez [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Difficult Charts | David Carpenter

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Ant

Thank you to reader Iago Pereira for bringing this chart to my attention.

Challenging Assumptions

Some charts challenge our assumptions. These charts can be very frustrating, especially for beginners, as they find that basic chart analysis leads them in the wrong direction. However, more than any other charts, challenging charts push us to refine our art. Without such challenges, our astrology does not grow and simply becomes dogmatic. We ignore such charts to our own disadvantage.

David Carpenter

In this article, we are going to look at one of the most challenging charts which I’ve come across. Life is complex and contradictory. This chart is one of a serial killer, rapist, and pedophile. Additionally, he was a victim of childhood abuse. Amazingly, he has also been unusually lucky in his life, in the sense of catching breaks. He was released from jail multiple times after horrendous crimes. He’s been married twice and has had three kids. Furthermore, he’s a reportedly well-behaved prisoner who has been on death row for decades (34 years) without execution, and still maintains his innocence. These days, he even has a penchant for religion.

The Trailside Killer

David Carpenter was born on May 6, 1930 at 9:16 pm in San Francisco, CA (AA-rated source). He is infamous as the “Trailside Killer”, owing to a string of murders which took place on hiking trails in some of San Francisco’s most scenic parks. Strangely, the murders took place when Carpenter was 49 and 50 years of age. He was caught shortly after his 51st birthday.

David Carpenter’s Birth Chart

Note on Biographical Sources

Information on Carpenter’s life and criminal record prior to the killings is somewhat hard to come by. I rely heavily on the collection of news stories at Murderpedia.org (see Information PDF). However, some stories are inconsistent or riddled with minor errors. For instance, a couple stories state he was born in 1930 but also that he was 33 years old in 1960. The Criminal Minds Wiki also has some conveniently organized information on his crimes and behavior. Additionally, for insight into his prison life, I read an interview with him that was conducted by a fellow prisoner. Note that there are also some minor errors in the Wikipedia article on Carpenter.

Issues with this Chart

Carpenter’s chart challenges in a number of ways. The bulk of my analysis is going to be focused on individual problem areas. I’ll present my solutions or at least some food for thought. After exploring the main issues, we’ll look at the chart in terms of timing.

Many of the challenges pertain to things I’ve previously written articles about. For instance, the interpretation of sign dignity is significant in the chart, as he has 3 planets in domicile. I’ve written many articles on how dignity is often mis-used by traditional astrologers. This chart raises some of those issues anew. Additionally, I’ve written on the importance of twelfth-parts and the lots, including the Lot of Boldness in the charts of murderers. I’ve also highlighted how mutable signs were seen as a destabilizing influence on the character by some Persian astrologers. I’ll explore these important considerations with this chart.

However, there are other ways in which the chart is challenging, particularly for me. I follow the approach of Hellenistic and Persian astrologers. They rely heavily on the Ascendant Lord, Mercury, and the Moon for character delineation. The Lord of the Ascendant is Jupiter in a somewhat benefic place. Additionally, Jupiter is with the sect benefic and its ruler, Mercury is with both benefics. The Moon is dominated by both benefics and her ruler. This is a pedophile turned rapist and murderer – hardly a benefic character. Reading character in this chart is complex.

I. Character

Jupiter is the domicile lord and main (first) triplicity lord of the Ascendant. Jupiter also closely aspects the Ascendant within about 5 degrees. Therefore, Jupiter is an important significator of the character. Jupiter is in the 7th house (a stake of the Ascendant) and is strongly advancing, so it is quite strong. Jupiter is out of sect, but it’s still a benefic, and one that is with the sect benefic (Venus), as well as its own ruler, Mercury. This would appear to bode very well for the character, but this guy is a pedophile, rapist, and serial killer. What gives?

Mercury too is typically used for the character and rational mind. Here Mercury is in the 7th place, in its own house and bound, with both benefics. None of the malefics aspect it with a hard aspect (square or opposition). Therefore, one the surface, Mercury is perplexing.

First, we have to seriously consider whether Jupiter and Mercury are saying something meaningful about the character and the life. Next, we have to look deeper at the “hidden placements” of these planets by twelfth-parts, and possibly even antiscia. Finally, we also have to consider special techniques specific to aggressive behavior.

7th House: Sex and Marriage

Jupiter is in the 7th house, which in ancient astrology is the house of marriage and sex. Many indicators (especially Venus with Mercury) in the 7th tended to show a preoccupation with sex. One thing noted frequently with Carpenter is that he was an uncontrollably lustful character. Even in his first marriage he was said to want sex constantly. He started stalking other women while married. The lord of the 1st and Mercury (two significators of the self and mind), in the 7th, with Venus, mathces this emphasis.

Jupiter’s role in the 7th is also interesting in the sense that Carpenter was able to marry and have children given his notorious past. He was a convicted pedophile prior to meeting his wives. He was also very abused as a child and suffers from an extreme form of stuttering. That he could get married, twice, and father three children is somewhat remarkable. Benefics in the 7th house are an indication of some undeserved luck in this area.

Well-Behaved?

While Carpenter was a depraved pedophile and stalker from early on, he seemed able to get off on good behavior time and time again. Prior to a string of murders, his stints in prison were rather brief compared with his crimes. He is noted as being a somewhat model inmate and one who is religious. It is thought that his victims may not have originally suspected he’d harm them because his mild manner and stutter made him seem harmless. He has molested many boys, raped many women, and killed at least 8 people. Now, at age 88, he has survived 34 years on death row without execution. He maintains his innocence and fights for his own release.

We see the role of Jupiter strongly advancing in many of these facts (see also the chart of OJ Simpson). Jupiter is loud in the life, granting lots of opportunities and breaks. It is quite likely that his character is one that does seem to align with Jupiter ruled by Mercury. Someone who seems friendly, even helpful, as well as knowledgeable or judicious. Jupiter is not indicating that he is a “good guy” but Jupiter is indicating that he can come off as one, and that is part of what makes Carpenter so dangerous.

Mars Influence

Jupiter is in the bound of Mars and is most closely aspected by Mars, from the right side. Therefore, Jupiter is linked strongly with Mars, and Mars is the more influential of the two in the relationship. Mars is the closest aspect to Jupiter from the right side and it is an applying aspect, so it is a Jupiter colored by Mars. The Mars bound of Gemini is particularly associated with blood and destruction.

The fourth term, 7° belong to Mars: much-burdened, with no brothers, having few children, a wanderer, with a good income, destructive, bloody, inquisitive. (Valens, Anthology, Riley trans., 2009, p. 6)

Mars itself is in sect and in a good place, but Mars is very strongly afflicted by Saturn. Saturn is out of sect, in the dark 2nd place, and it dominate Mars. This is exacerbated by the fact that the aspect is applying within 3 degrees. Therefore, Mars is strongly colored by and connected with Saturn.

Mutability

This chart was brought to my attention in reference to another article of mine on Mercury and mutability. Mutability was associated with instability and fickleness in Hellenistic astrology (see Ptolemy, Book III, Ch. 13). Some of the Medieval astrologers additionally associated the Lord of the Ascendant or Mercury in a mutable sign with anger, fearfulness, and an unsound mind. The passages pertaining to that are quoted in the article.

In the case of David Carpenter, we see the Ascendant, its lord (Jupiter), Mercury, the Moon, and Venus in mutable signs. Most of the planets, including the most important character significators are in mutable signs. Furthermore, three of the seven planets are ruled by Mercury, including the Asc Lord and Mercury itself, adding more instability to the mix.

Missing Pieces

Obviously, we cannot get the full story on character from the apparent state of the Lord of the Ascendant and Mercury in the chart. For the most part they indicate positively. It is in fact troubling that they can apparently indicate positively for the most part but we can end up with someone like David Carpenter. We do see that the strongly advancing Mars is very loud in the life and influential upon the character, but there are plenty of missing pieces. Remember this before assuming that you can judge character based on the apparent state of a few factors that signify character.

Twelfth-Parts

I have written extensively on the twelfth-parts. I have discussed how you don’t know the full story about a planetary placement until you’ve examined the twelfth-parts. These additional positions were used by nearly every Hellenistic astrologer, with some of them stressing that they hold the secret to hidden information. Carpenter’s chart emphasizes the importance of these positions.

David Carpenter’s Birth Chart with Twelfth-Part Positions Along Outer Wheel

A few notable things are revealed in the twelfth-parts. Twelfth-part Jupiter is conjunct Saturn, the most malefic planet in the chart, This ties the Asc Lord to Saturn’s significations. The Ascendant and Saturn’s significations get tied to the Sun (publicity) in the dark 6th house by way of their twelfth-part positions. Mars has its twelfth-part square its natal position, intensifying it. Furthermore, its twelfth-part is in the harmful 8th house of death. That twelfth-part is also opposed to Saturn and the twelfth-part of Jupiter. Venus has her twelfth-part conjunct the Moon in Virgo, confirming the strong instinctual need for sexual gratification.

Dark and Fallen

Some interesting things occur with the twelfth-parts when dark houses and zodiacal fall are considered. The Sun and Moon end up conjunct in the dark 12th house. Actually, the twelfth-parts reveal 5 of 7 planets in dark houses, with all involved in hard malefic aspects. Additionally, the twelfth-parts put 4 of the 7 planets into the signs of their fall.

The Lot of Spirit

A look at the lots is vital to an analysis of any topic in the natal chart. The Lot of Spirit is particularly relevant to matters of character. I’ve explored the Lot of Spirit in depth in the article on the Four Principal Lots and the lesson on the lots.

David Carpenter’s Birth Chart with a Selection of Important Lots (Affliction and Mother at top of chart – names cut off)

As noted by reader Iago Pereira, Carpenter has the Lot of Spirit with and ruled by Mars, while dominated by Saturn. In terms of character, Spirit shows an aggressive martial character dominated by a bitterly dark and malefic Saturn. Mars is in the bound of Venus tying the violence to women and sexuality. As noted, Mars has its twelfth-part in the 8th house, connecting it with harm and death.

The Lot of Boldness

I have written an article on the Lot of Boldness as a possible indicator of capacity for bloodshed. The Lot of Boldness and Mars were the main factors explored by Abu’Ali for delineation of aggressive behavior. Additionally, many planets significant to the character in masculine signs was said to exacerbate aggressiveness. Mars in the 4th was also said to be significant for bloodshed. We may wish to consider Mars advancing toward the IC in a similar fashion, as quadrant houses were starting to be used during the period in which Abu’Ali practiced.

Carpenter, like the mass murder James Holmes, has Boldness with and ruled by Mars, while Mars strongly advances toward the IC. The Lot of Spirit additionally connects this with the character. Furthermore, the Ascendant, Lot of Spirit, Lot of Boldness, and 4 of 7 planets are in masculine signs, including the Asc Lord (Jupiter), Mercury, Mars, and Venus. Therefore, this special technique for assessing numbness to violence appears to be a promising one.

Additional Factors

Planetary Day and Hour

It is hard to look at Carpenter’s chart and not notice that he was born on the planetary day of Mars and at the planetary hour of Mars. Many Medieval astrologers included the rulers of the planetary day and hour as significant in their techniques for finding an overall chart lord. Vettius Valens also advised to look at the planetary day and hour rulers of the natal chart (see my article on planetary days and hours). We may consider this another indication of the importance of Mars in characterizing Carpenter’s life.

Antiscia Chart

Julius Firmicus Maternus (4th century) advised that the secrets of the chart can be found in the twelfth-part and antiscia positions. Many Hellenistic astrologers used the twelfth-part positions, and I’ve discussed them in this chart. However, only Maternus appears to have used the antiscia positions as additional body-doubles, or shadow points, for the planets. While I don’t normally use the antiscia points in practice, Carpenter’s chart has made me wonder if maybe I should. I’ve touched on the use of antiscia by Firmicus in an article on the twelfth-parts, and I’ve discussed antiscia in more detail in an article on symmetry in ancient astrology.

David Carpenter’s Birth Chart with Antiscia Positions Along Wheel

The Ascendant and Saturn are antiscia each other. This connects Saturn, the most malefic planet in the chart, with the nature of the self and character. Even more striking, Saturn is contra-antiscia Jupiter to the degree (i.e. they are the same distance from 0 Aries). This is seen as an opposition in the antiscia chart. Therefore, Saturn pertains strongly to both the Ascendant and its lord (Jupiter) by antiscia.

Additionally, Mars has its antiscia in the 10th house with the Moon, connecting it with the appetites and irrational mind as well as Carpenter’s role in the public eye. Similarly, the Moon’s antiscia is with Mars (i.e. the Moon and Mars are antiscia each other by sign). Also, both benefics and Mercury have their antiscia in the 8th house linking them with harm and death.

II. Mercury and Communication

One of the other perplexing things about Carpenter is his severe stutter. He is said to have been a severe stutterer since early childhood. This speech condition has caused him immense suffering due to the difficulty of communication as well as bullying in his school years. However, Carpenter has Mercury in sect, with both benefics, in domicile, in its own bound, and unafflicted by malefics.

David Carpenter’s Birth Chart

Before getting to the possible ways Mercury could indicate stuttering, let’s look at the ways Mercury may be indicating true things about the life. It is well known that IQ is not a strong predictor of intellectual success in life. Carpenter is reported to have an IQ of 125 (very high) and to have gotten good grades in school. Additionally, he got a degree in computer printing and was trained as a typesetter, a very mercurial profession. He even taught classes on these matters.

These things all suggest that Mercury is indeed prominent in his life. That prominence is reflected in Mercury’s position in a stake, in its own place, ruling the Moon and MC. Its benefits through association with both benefics are also well-attested in the life.

Mutability

As noted above, mutability, as well as rulership by Mercury and a position in an air sign, can all destabilize Mercury. Mercury is complicated enough, while Carpenter’s Mercury (and its twelfth-part) in a mutable sign, in air, and ruled by itself vacillates so much that it causes difficulty.

Retrograde Station

In the lesson on planetary prominence, I noted that whether a planet is direct or retrograde is not as significant as whether it stations within a week of birth. Additionally, a direct station within a week of birth is very strengthening, while a retrograde station is the opposite. Amazingly, astrologers often discuss how a planet is retrograde but miss that it is actually stationing direct (powerfully strong). In Carpenter’s case, it is too easy to see that Mercury is direct and miss that it is stationing retrograde.

Two Days After Carpenter’s Birth – Mercury Stations Retrograde

Mercury stations retrograde less than 2 days after Carpenter’s birth. It is this debility of Mercury which may be the symbolic key to Carpenter’s severe speech impediment.

III. Parents

Taking an approach which stresses the importance of the 4th house, the Sun, and the Moon for parents can lead to surprising results. The 4th house is ruled by Jupiter, a benefic, which is in a strong house. The Sun is in the weak and dark 6th house but is ruled by Venus and in the bound of Jupiter. The Moon is the sect light, very prominently positioned in the 10th house, dominated by the benefics and her ruler. However, Carpenter was notably abused by an alcoholic father and had a domineering strict mother.

Saturn and the Father

Both the Sun and Saturn are relevant as natural significators of the father. By night, Saturn often becomes the more important significator. Both the Sun and Saturn are in dark places (6th and 2nd places respectively) and out of sect. Saturn is also the only planet making a right side aspect to the house of father (4th) and to the Sun (trine). Therefore, Saturn has a significant influence over the significations of both the 4th and the Sun. Saturn is very malefic in this chart, exacerbated by being out of sect, in the dark 2nd place, and in an applying close aspect with Mars. As we’ll see with timing, Saturn activations also relate strongly to Carpenter’s crimes.

The Moon and the Mother

Little is known about Carpenter’s family, though his mother is characterized as domineering and physically abusive. Note that the Moon literally dominates the 1st house of the self in the chart. Additionally, the Moon is trine that malefic Saturn, signifying friendship between the Moon and Saturn. Also, the Moon rules the 8th place of the chart, which is occupied by the twelfth-part of Mars.

Twelfth-Parts

Again, the twelfth-parts provide plenty of additional insights. The Sun and Moon are together in the 12th house of enemies and undoing. The twelfth-part of Saturn is with the Sun, reinforcing their strong relationship.

Lots

Interestingly, the Lot of the Father is conjunct the Lot of Boldness. Both together are with and ruled by Mars. They are also both with the Lot of Spirit. Above I discussed how Spirit linked the character with the influence of this Mars. We’ve also seen how indicators of the father connect with the sense of self (Jupiter as ruler of the 4th and 1st, Asc antiscia Saturn). Now we see the occurrence together of Boldness, the Lot of the Father, and Lot of Spirit, with and ruled by this strongly advancing Mars. Violence, the sense of self, the role of the father, and a numbness to violence are all connected in this house.

There is a similar connection between the Moon, the Lot of the Mother, and the Lot of Affliction in Virgo. The Lot of the Mother in the 10th house confirms that the Moon in the 10th is the main significator of the mother. The Lot of Affliction connects the Moon with with crises in the life. As they are in the same degree, it would seem that the mother is connected with crisis-inducing situations in the life.

Antiscia

The antiscia chart also shows the mother linked with harm. The Moon and Mars are antiscia each other by sign. As already noted, the Saturn-Ascendant antiscia shows self-identification with the father.

Important Time Periods

Let’s change gears and look at the timing of Carpenter’s crimes and life relative to indications with ancient predictive techniques. A thorough analysis of these time periods could fill a book. I’ll keep the analysis brief to focus on just a few techniques for each year in order to investigate if factors are activated which were singled out in the delineation above. The timing of events explored is from a work-up with a timeline from Radford University.

Age 17: Molestation Conviction

The details are unclear, but by age 17, Carpenter molested two of his young cousins (ages 8 and 3). He was sentenced to the California Youth Authority.

Profection

The annual profection of the Ascendant at age 17 is to the 6th house. For Carpenter that is Taurus, occupied by the Sun, ruled by Venus. Venus is posited in the 7th house of marriage and sexuality. The public significations of the Sun, sexual themes of Venus, and themes of harm and illness of the 6th fit this period.

Solar Return

The solar return for the year sees srVenus conjunct nMars in Aries. It even has srMars with her in an applying conjunction. The srMoon in the sr12th applies to srVenus. All of these configurations further highlight the significance of Venus and give her a strong link for the year with Mars and sexual violence (Venus-Mars).

David Carpenter Age 17 Solar Return

The srAscendant is with nSaturn, ruled by Saturn, and in the bound of Venus, highlighting the natal Saturn’s themes. srSaturn is very malefic in the chart, as it is in the 8th of the return, out of sect, and strongly advances toward the Descendant. Therefore, Saturn in the chart is also highlighted in the solar return.

Secondary Progressed Moon

Using the Valens technique for secondary progressions, we pull up the chart 17 days after birth. We are particularly interested in the relationship to the natal chart.

Carpenter’s Age 17 Secondary Progressions Along Wheel

The spMoon progressed to conjoin Mars in Aries. In this we see Mars highlighted yet again. The spSun also progressed to conjoin Mercury in Gemini. Mercury rules the 10th house of reputation and we see an important event in this year in terms of developing Carpenter’s public reputation.

Primary Directions: Distributor

The distributor of the Ascendant by primary directions from ages 14-18 was Mars. In other words, the Ascendant directed through the Mars bound of Sagittarius during that period. At age 14, Carpenter was hospitalized for committing sex offenses and by age 17 he got his first sentence. Therefore, we see a confirmation that Mars in his chart is particularly linked to sexual violence.

Carpenter’s Youth Distributors of the Ascendant

Age 25: Marriage

Carpenter was married at age 25 to a 19 year old Ellen Heattle. She gave birth to their three children over the following 5 years.

Planetary Years

25 marks the activation of the Moon by planetary years. The Moon is the sect light of the chart and separates from Mercury (ruler of VII in VII) to apply to Venus (in VII). The Moon naturally signifies the mother and personal life, and here is accidentally connected with status/reputation (10th house) and marriage (Mercury-Venus in VII) among other things.

Primary Directions

The marriage was on November 5th, 1955, when Carpenter was 25.5 years old. By primary directions, Venus directed to the natal Sun within a week of the wedding.

Carpenter’s Direction of Venus to the Sun at age 25.5

Age 30: Assault and Attempted Murder

While still married, Carpenter attacks a woman. He tied her with a clothesline and tortured her with a knife and claw hammer. A military officer responds to the screams. Carpenter tries to shoot him but misses and then is shot twice by the officer. Later in the year, he is tried and sentenced to 14 years (only 8 will be served). Additionally, he is diagnosed with sociopathic personality disorder at this time.

Planetary Years

30 marks the activation of Saturn by planetary years. I have noted that Saturn is particularly associated with the father, sense of identity, and the worst malefic significations in the chart. Saturn and Mars are in an intense applying square with Saturn dominating. Saturn also signifies isolation (imprisonment).

Primary Directions

Interestingly, Saturn directs to the Ascendan while the square of Saturn (11 Libra) directs to the Moon, both at age 30. Again, the activation of Saturn reflects the native having to come to terms his actions and do hard time.

David Carpenter Age 30 Directions of Saturn

Age 39: 2nd Marriage and Multiple Rapes

Unfortunately, Carpenter was paroled after only 8 years. Less than a year later he was married to his second wife, Helen. However, less than 6 months after marriage, in late January and early February 1970, he was involved in many violent crimes. The period is of interest for its intensity with two rapes, multiple attempted rapes, stolen cars, home invasion, and kidnapping all within the span of a week. The crime spree culminated in his arrest on February 3, 1970. He also briefly escaped from jail in April. He was convicted at age 40 through a plea bargain.

Profection

His lucky break of being paroled, his marriage, and his out of control sexual aggression relate to activation of Venus and Jupiter in the chart. The profection is to the 4th house, Pisces, making Jupiter lord of the year. Jupiter is with Venus and both are influenced by Mars. Note that by Valens-style profections, it is also the case that Jupiter and Venus profect to the Moon (House of Affliction), Saturn profects to Mars, and Mars profects to its twelfth-part and the Moon (ruler of the 8th). The strong role of the benefics in the year make it a complex time – one of a release from prison, a marriage, and a sudden slew of rapes.

David Carpenter’s Birth Chart

Primary Directions: Distributor

During the release from prison, the marriage, and the rapes, Venus was the distributor of the Ascendant. Around the time that Carpenter was convicted, Saturn took over as distributor. This echoes the benefits of Venus running into the problematic sexuality of Venus, then the dark isolation of Saturn.

David Carpenter Distributors in his thirties and early forties

Solar ReturnThe solar return has echoes of many of the Venus and 7th house themes discussed. Gemini, the natal 7th house, rises in the return. Return Mercury is in Gemini conjunct natal Venus. Jupiter is advancing in the return and rules the MC (gift of status).

David Carpenter Age 39 Solar Return

However, we also see some echoes of the themes of sexual aggression. Return Mars is in the 7th of the return, 1st house of the natal chart. It is in the house of the other for the year from the house of the self in the natal chart. There is an application between srVenus and srMars echoing he natal chart. Importantly, srVenus is at 11° Aries conjunct natal Mars within 2 degrees and ruled by natal Mars. The srMoon is with nSaturn while srSaturn is with the nSun.

Transits

We know that the crimes of the year took place in a short period of time from January 27th to February 3rd of 1970. A look at the transits kicking off the crime spree reveals many interesting things.

David Carpenter 1-27-70 Transits Along Natal

The crime spree takes place during a Mars return as tMars entered Aries just a few days prior. It actually kicks off with the tMoon’s opposition to nMars. Jupiter, the lord of the year, was transiting in Scorpio, Carpenter’s 12th house, ruled by Mars. Mercury transits in Carpricorn with natal Saturn. Saturn is transiting in the 6th through the house and bound of Venus, with his malice directed along sexual dimensions. Transiting Saturn overcomes the Moon by trine, echoing the natal Moon-Saturn trine.

Arrest

The entire crime spree took place during the period between the transiting Moon’s opposition to natal Mars and her conjunction with natal Saturn. Carpenter is arrested soon after.

02/03/1970 Day of Arrest Transits

Age 49-50: Serial Killer

Sadly, Carpenter was paroled to a halfway house shortly after his birthday in 1979, after serving less than 9 years. Within months of his release he had become a serial killer. Previously, he had not killed anyone. It is believed that he killed at least 10 people between August 1979 and May of 1981. Most of his victims were women hiking along scenic trails in the San Francisco area. Many of the victims were raped. He was arrested just after his 51st birthday.

Planetary Years

Age 49 is an activation of Sun-Saturn relationships by planetary years. On its own Sun-Saturn configurations often crop up at time of death, as the Sun signifies vitality and Saturn signifies loss. As noted previously, the twelfth-parts of Saturn and the Ascendant are in Taurus with the Sun. Additionally, the Sun and Saturn are trine each other across the dark 2nd and 6th houses, with Saturn overcoming the Sun. I had noted how this configuration relates to the father as well.

David Carpenter’s Birth Chart with Twelfth-Part Positions Along Outer Wheel

Profections

Ages 49 and 50 are profections to the 2nd and 3rd houses. Therefore, Saturn was the lord of the year for both years that Carpenter was an active killer. Additionally, Saturn occupies the 2nd house, further highlighting Saturn’s significance the year the killings began.

David Carpenter’s Birth Chart

Solar Return Age 49

We see the lucky Jupiter and the aggressive sexuality highlighted in the solar return. The return has srVenus in srVII and ruling the return Ascendant. It also has srJupiter on the srMC (gift of status; release from prison). However, note that srVenus is in Aries, ruled by and occupied by nMars. Additionally, she is with srMars and srMercury, indicating aggression with intent. Additionally, we see the lunar return in the solar return, but one with srSaturn, emphasizing the Saturn-Moon relationship noted in the natal chart.

David Carpenter Age 49 Solar Return

Conclusions

I could go on and analyze each murder and the ensuing arrest. For instance, the Moon and Mars were transiting in Cancer at the time of the 1st murder. However, due to time constraints I will wrap things up.

Beyond the Superficial

The chart of David Carpenter is interesting on a number of levels. I believe it is impossible to accurately see the key associations in this life without using the twelfth-parts, lots, and other such hidden factors. Additionally, we see the importance of detailed delineation in which things like possible stations, twelfth-parts, antiscia, and the lots are checked. In fact, it may be that much of the key information in every chart is actually less apparent. Such hidden information tends to be more individualized and to indicate things that are less superficial. By contrast, easily apparent indications like dignity by sign can easily lead one astray if misinterpreted.

Additionally, we see the importance of special techniques. Unusual features of a life don’t typically stand out at face value in the natal chart. Special techniques such as that for finding unusual aggression in the chart are vital. We see additional promise with the technique of using the Lot of Boldness, as we did for James Holmes.

Confirmation through Timing Techniques

Even when delineation is difficult, we find that the principles behind the best predictive techniques can help us make sense of important events. We see repeated and reinforced activation of the relevant factors that were identified in the delineation. In fact, we can use timing techniques to test our hypotheses about the significance of certain houses and other factors in the natal chart.

For example, on a superficial level Carpenter’s Moon appears strong and even benefic. Through timing techniques and a closer look at indications involving the mother we see Virgo, the Moon’s house, crop up time and again. Many of the events are true to its role as the House of Affliction. For instance, see the lunar return with Saturn conjunct the natal Moon at the 49th solar return. Factors are often mixed in signification, and sometimes their significations can have a very broad range across positive and negative dimensions. In Carpenter’s case, the wide range of significations may be exacerbated by the mutability of signs of many factors (dualistic or vacillating).

Loose Ends

While it is grim subject matter, all astrologers should check this chart out and keep it in mind. Delineation is very difficult and we still have many unanswered questions. A big part of delineation is understanding the central tendency and spread of various factors. We compare indications, look for repeat indications, and try to come to some conclusions about the most probable possibilities. In all of this we need to know the relevant factors for a given subject matter and how to prioritize and integrate them.

As you come to refine your own art of chart interpretation, return often to this chart to test your methodology. Carpenter is a complex individual but a severely damaged and destructive one. In untangling the web of his chart one faces many tough interpretive decisions. Ultimately, we want to make the same decisions, with the same interpretive principles and priorities, with every chart. Otherwise, where shall we start with the chart of someone we don’t know?

References

Valens, V. (2010). Anthologies. (M. Riley, Trans.) (Online PDF.). World Wide Web: Mark Riley. Retrieved from http://www.csus.edu/indiv/r/rileymt/Vettius%20Valens%20entire.pdf

Featured image is cropped from a documentary on serial killers.

Update 1/28/19: Added note about Jupiter-Saturn contra-antiscia and link to new article on planetary days and hours.

Bio Shorts | Lana Del Rey

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Anthony

Update 02/26/2020: A Note on Birth Time Controversy

Original Instagram Source

At the time that this article was written there was an A-rated birth time of 2:46 am (Gemini with Taurus rising) which was from a supposed comment made by Lana Del Rey on Instagram to an inquiry for her birth time or rising time. However, a couple years after the article’s publication, the accuracy of that time was called into question and the rating was changed to a C on AstroDataBank (and I added a note as to that fact in this article).

This is because the link to the Instagram comment no longer turned up the comment. However, it should be noted that a link to any deleted comment will not turn up a comment. So, the most likely scenario is that the comment was deleted rather than that someone fabricated an entire Instagram thread in order to give Lana Del Rey an inaccurate birth time.

New Twitter Source

To further complicate matters, on June 6, 2019, when someone posted a screenshot of the Instagram correspondence on Lana’s Twitter feed (see here), Lana Del Rey responded that she is actually a Cancer, born at 4:47 pm (again, see here). AstroDataBank then updated their record with the new birth time and gave it an A rating, since it came from Lana herself.

Two Possibilities

This leaves us with two possibilities. One, someone went through a whole lot of effort to manufacture a fake Instagram screenshot just to give Lana Del Rey the wrong birth time. Two, Lana Del Rey is somewhat into astrology, as supposedly she indicated on Instagram, but was really unhappy once she saw her life laid so bare with it all over the internet. She then deleted the post where she provided the time, and when that proved to not be enough, much later did she provide a false time.

Both scenarios are quite possible. Until we have a birth record, it is difficult to say which is the case. I certainly understand and sympathize more strongly with the second scenario. I’ve done similar things myself – both deleting instances when I’ve provided my birth time and given false birth and/or chart info. If you the reader witnessed the original Instagram post, then let me know. I’m assuming that if it was real then multiple people probably remember seeing it on her feed before it was deleted.

Vitriolic Comments

I also lean more strongly toward the second scenario because of the strong wording of the comments on this article and other non-related ones I’ve received in regards to her article and birth time. I’ve had people send me nasty comments that I was trying to intentionally mislead my readers. I’ve also had comments on unrelated articles that I need to change the birth time on Lana’s article, despite having already included a comment regarding the rating change.

My experience has been that interested astrologers tend not to be so harsh about such matters. The vitriolic nature, especially after I had already added a clarifying comment on the source, speaks more to some personal involvement.

Take With a Grain of Salt

In conclusion, this article may be based on bogus birth data, so take it with a grain of salt. If the data had been controversial at the time then I wouldn’t have used it in an article. As I noted, it was A-rated at the time. It became controversial about 3 years later. However, the article is written now, so here it stands for better or worse. I’m not re-writing the whole thing every time Lana Del Rey offers up a new birth time on social media. Sorry.

The Two Charts

I will note that the two charts have some similarity. The new time basically flips the Asc-Dsc, so Venus is on the Dsc instead of Asc. Venus is still the professional significator. Both charts have the Mercury bound of a fixed sign rising. The new time, however, puts the Sun into Cancer rather than Gemini, and flips the chart to a diurnal one. There is also no primary direction of Jupiter to the MC at age 22 anymore. Fool around with both charts and tell me which you think best fits.

Here ends the update and starts the article.

—-

Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey was born on June 21, 1985 at 2:46 am in New York City (see 2020 update above on controversy with this birth time). She was born with Venus rising, in Taurus. Also, the Moon was in Leo and the Sun was in Gemini. In this quick look at her chart, I’ll examine career indications and character. I will not be providing a biography or deep analysis of her life. You can find a bio on Wikipedia.

Natal Chart

Lana Del Rey’s natal chart is picture below with the twelfth-part positions around the outside of the wheel.

Lana Del Rey – Natal Chart with Twelfth-Parts

Career

Venus as Planet of Actions

Venus is conjunct the Ascendant in Taurus within a degree! This is one of the most striking features of her chart. You may recall from a past article on the career significator that Mercury, Venus, and Mars are the most significant planets for career. In this case, only Venus is in one of the places noted in that technique. Mercury and Mars are both in the 3rd place, Cancer, the house of the Moon.

Venus is the most prominent planet in the chart, being in the 1st house and strongly advancing. Additionally, Venus is the domicile and triplicity ruler of the 1st house. Therefore, there is a strong identification with matters that Venus symbolizes (the arts, aesthetics, sexuality). Venus is clearly the career significator, signifying an artistic pursuit.

The Role of Mercury

Mercury is in phasis as Mercury departed from the beams of the Sun within 7 days of her birth. This is a form of prominence for Mercury. Also, Mercury rules the bound of the Ascendant (13TAU), so there is an identification with Mercury. Additionally, Mercury is a triplicity ruler of the 10th house, Mercury is in its own bound, Mercury is in the house of the sect light (the Moon), and it is the domicile ruler of the Sun. All of this indicates that Mercury is prominent.

Mercury is in a tight aspect (under 3 degrees) with Venus. Therefore, these two planets have a strong relationship with each other in the chart. This extends to the role of Venus in relation to career. Mercury-Venus combinations with Venus dominant can signify musical careers. Venus is more prominent and is behind Mercury in the aspect so is more dominant in the relationship. The Venus-Mercury combination can also indicate singing as Mercury signifies vocalization.

The Promise of the Directed Jupiter

Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon are all in stakes of the chart, so can also be significant in relation to the career. Jupiter is particularly significant as it is in the 10th place. The 10th place is the most pertinent place for career-matters. Jupiter also closely dominates Venus with its tight right-hand square, and rules Venus by bound.

In relation to Venus and the career, Jupiter promises a fortunate event to be timed to when it culminates at the MC by primary directions (click here for a summary of how to use primary directions).

Jupiter culminated at the MC by primary directions in 2007.

It was in 2007 that Lana Del Rey signed her first record contract.

Character

Mercury and the rulers of the Ascendant are typically the most important planets to examine in relation to the personality. Someone who is famous may use a “stage persona” that is more linked with planets pertaining to the career shown by the lights. The Sun and Moon signify things put more prominently on public display.

In Lana Del Rey’s case, Venus and Mercury are the most important planets for indications concerning career as well as personality. There is a lot of overlap between herself and her stage persona. While she has described her persona as a sort of “gangster Nancy Sinatra”, which implies some theatrics, she has also discussed how autobiographical her music has been.

Mercury with Mars in the 3rd House

There is a notable dark side to most of her music, especially in the lyrics. Mercury is with Mars in the 3rd house, Cancer. Mercury with Mars puts that “gangster” edge of violence and crassness to her lyrics, set amidst the lunar Cancerian backdrop of emotional nurture, subjectivity, and dreamy sentimentality.

Saturnine Love

Additionally, her Venus is opposite Saturn, signifying the strong association of her image with coldness, control, darkness, sorrow, and even depravity. Saturn is in the 7th, the place of partnership and marriage and Venus is also the natural significator of partnership and marriage. Therefore, we see the heavy sorrow of Saturn expressed in terms of relationships, through both Saturn’s place (the 7th) and Saturn’s opposition to Venus.

Cover image attribution

By Jaguar MENA (Jaguar F-TYPE) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Bio Shorts | Karl Marx

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Anthony

Remembering Karl Marx and his Ideas

I recently read a couple of books on Karl Marx. I came away itching to look at his chart. It is vividly reflective of his life. In my own personal opinion, Marx was a great economist who helped to inspire important positive changes in labor conditions and business regulation. Drawing on Hegelian dialectics, while critiquing its spiritual aspects, his “dialectical materialism” helped to expose inherent contradictions in the competitive enterprise. He showed that competition itself can foster economies of scale and mechanisms of cohersion that result in anti-competitive monopolies. However, his analyses are often overshadowed by the abuses of tyrants who misused them (e.g. Stalin).

A Controversial and Paradoxical Character

Marx was often unsure of his own theoretical and pragmatic stances, very frequently reversing positions, sometimes paradoxically. Perhaps this is to be expected of someone whose philosophy was so strongly based in dialectics. He was adamant about philosophy being used to transform the world rather than just to think about it. But for all his urgings to transformation, he was known to advocate revolution and then do an about-face and oppose revolutionary action. Similarly, he was an ardent critic of revolutionaries and “Marxists” in his own day.

He exhibited a rebellious zeal against capitalist powers but was from a wealthy bourgeois background. He recklessly spent his ample allowance given to him from his friend Engels (from Engel’s family industry) sometimes even speculating on the stock market. His wife retained her baroness title and they kept on a housekeeper. While he advocated ardently for the working class, he refused to stoop down to laborious work himself.

In many ways, he was irresponsible. Four of his seven children died in childhood. This was in part from very poor living conditions despite his receiving more than a typical clerk’s salary in regular money from Engels. He also possibly fathered a child with his housekeeper. Additionally, he constantly avoided paying his bills and rent.

All in all, I found him to be a good-humored somewhat selfish, impulsive, and irresponsible person, though one with a strong sense of social justice and a keen mind for abstract economic analysis. His most mature work, taken up late in life, is the three-volume Capital. Capital is also known to be terse and prone to ambiguity.

The Natal Chart of Karl Marx

Let’s analyze Karl Marx’s natal chart. If you are not familiar with the techniques of ancient Hellenistic and Persian astrology, then please check out the free lessons before proceeding.

The Ascendant is the point most symbolic of the individual in the chart and it shifts by an entire zodiacal degree about every 4 minutes of regular clock time so the birth time must be accurate. Thankfully, the birth time of Karl Marx is from his official birth record, so we have good reason to believe it is very accurate (given a Rodden Rating of AA for accuracy on AstroDatabank).

Karl Marx’s Natal Chart

The First House: Aquarius

He was born at night with 23 Aquarius rising. Aquarius is the day house of Saturn, and is a fixed air sign. Fixed signs are known for tenacity/focus/steadfastness. Air signs are associated with the humanities and movement. Mercury, the planet of movement, rationality, and commerce, is the primary triplicity ruler of air signs by night (Marx was born at night). The Ascendant is in the bound of Mars, the planet of aggression and inflammation.

The twelfth-part of the Ascendant is at 6 Scorpio, the night house of Mars. Scorpio is also fixed and a water sign. Water signs are ruled by Mars at night (first triplicity ruler) and that twelfth-part of the Ascendant is also in the bound of Mars. The twelfth-part Ascendant is in the 10th house of the chart, which is that of heights, achievement, authority, and rule.

Karl Marx’s Natal Chart with twelfth-part positions along outer wheel.

Character Analysis in Ancient Astrology

The rulers of the Ascendant and the 1st house inform us of the particular importance of Saturn, Mercury, and Mars in relation to studying Marx. However, the rulers of the 1st house are not the only factors of relevance to the self. Planets in the 1st and those aspecting or “regarding” the 1st, particularly in more influential ways are also very relevant. Additionally, Mercury is relevant because it signifies rationality. Prominent planets are also generally influential, including the Sun and Moon which are naturally prominent. One important distinction often made is that the 1st house has more relevance to the body/temperament, as does the Moon, while the ruler of the 1st house has more relevance to the mind/direction, as does Mercury.

Mercury and Saturn on the Mind

With an air sign rising, Saturn and Mercury will be important by default. They are made even more important here by the fact that Saturn rules the house itself and Mercury, the primary triplicity ruler, is in his own house (Gemini), bound, and triplicity. There is significant reinforcement to Mercury which makes it more prominent. Saturn is lord of the Ascendant and one of its triplicity rulers, though it does not regard the Ascendant. Saturn is also one of the most prominent planets in the chart by advancement.

There are no planets in the 1st house. The Sun, Moon, Venus, and Mercury all regard the 1st house, they do so from an inferior position so I don’t consider the aspectual influence to be particularly pronounced. The Sun and Moon, while prominent, are in the house of family and origins (the 4th), being particularly relevant in relation to the parents, and are in the bound of Mercury further signifying Mercury’s importance in the life. Mercury is also in phasis (crossing under the beams of the Sun within 7 days of birth, another mark of planetary prominence). Mars provides noteworthy indications for the self but these are more covert.

Therefore, an astrological analysis of Karl Marx’s life and character should focus upon Saturn, Mercury, and to a lesser extent Mars. This is in contrast to a focus on his Sun and Moon in Taurus as might be done in a modern analysis. This also fits his life. Saturn is the planet of doubt, loss, fear, constriction, critique, poverty, and imprisonment. Mercury is the planet of commerce, movement, theory, writing, and all forms of rational analysis.

Indications of Atheism

As was noted in my series on the charts of atheists, an identification with air, Saturn, and Mercury is characteristic of a rational worldview doubtful of religion. Marx was irreligious and critical but sympathetic to religion, seeing it as deluded but serving a function for the oppressed. We see many of the typical marks of an atheist chart, with Jupiter weak and afflicted. Jupiter is in the 12th house, in fall, stationing retrograde, and opposed by the malefic Mars (with Mars in “domination” over the 9th).

Saturn Prominent in the House of Capital

Saturn, besides being a key point of identification for Marx, is also one of the “loudest” planets in the chart. It is the planet most advancing, being about 20 degrees from rising. In this sense, Saturn has a sort of general prominence and persistence in the life, shedding something like a dark cloud over it with Saturn’s natural significations of doubt, negativity, death, loss, poverty, and stern cold authoritativeness. Saturn is a complex planet in the chart.

Most noteworthy, Saturn is in the 2nd house of the chart which is that of money matters, directing Marx persistently into this sphere of life. The 2nd house is directly impacted by its occupant Saturn. Some indications of this are poverty, loss of capital, obstructed capital, money worries, and criticism or challenges to wealth and possessions. Marx identifies with being this Saturn in the house of money. He feels a need to consistently challenge and critique those with the means of production. This is one of the most persistent and certain of his identifications, even before his philosophical ideas were well-developed.

The 2nd house itself is buried deep in paradox, akin to his own monetary paradoxes in his life. He was from a wealthy background but chose to live in poverty, while at the same time constantly begging for money from his friend, receiving money in generous amounts, and eschewing his responsibilities with money.

Mutability and Back-and-Forth

The 2nd house is Pisces, a mutable water sign. The water element can connect it with emotional and familial ties. The mutability signifies fluctuations between two poles, such as multiple sources of income. For much of Marx’s life he was receiving income from Engels and from writing articles.

That both Saturn and Mercury are in mutable, or double-bodied, signs, would also signify a certain back-and-forth quality to his manner of thinking. This made him prone to reversals/flip-flops, and would likely be related to the great appeal that dialectical theories held for him.

The Jupiter-Saturn Exchange

The 2nd house, while mainly and most directly impacted by Saturn, is ruled by Jupiter. Saturn is also in the bound of Jupiter and Jupiter closely overcomes Saturn (aspecting within 3 degrees). Jupiter is in a bad place, the 12th house of the “bad spirit” pertaining to enemies and obstacles, and is itself ruled by Saturn. This creates a bit of a bounce back between Saturn (constriction, doubt, poverty) and Jupiter (expansion, wealth, faith). Saturn holds the upper-hand in this strong association and is also the planet Marx identifies with more strongly.

In any case, Jupiter’s role in the 2nd place does add some indication of aid and luck connected with money matters. Jupiter also rules the 11th of friends connecting it with the 2nd place of money. However, the overall sentiment is the sense of wealth going sour. Saturn is out of sect, which tends to increase Saturn’s tendency toward malice. We expect Saturn to have dark significations, including those in relation to money; the doubt is deeper, the negative associations more intense, the difficult events connected with Saturn more painful. Jupiter’s activations provide the more beneficent connections with Saturn which abate the general state of difficulty.

Saturn’s Twelfth-Part in the 8th of Death

The twelfth-part of Saturn, is in the 8th house of death with the twelfth-part of the Moon. The Moon is a significator of physicality and mothering. Saturn’s position in the 8th with the twelfth-part of the Moon emphasizes Saturn’s association with actual deaths, which no doubt had a big impact on Marx.

Mercury Prominent and in the 5th of Works

Mercury in Marx’s chart is in the 5th house which is the place associated with pleasures, performance, and children. Mercury’s connections with the 5th and the 1st pertain to writing, oration, or analysis as a pleasurable pursuit or “art”. Mercury in its own sign, bound, and triplicity (an air sign). Marx has an identification with Mercury, indicating cleverness, intellectuality, and a bit of the trickster or even con man. Mercury’s quick and elusive nature is very much ramped up. You would expect a Mercury that will do anything to avoid being too narrowly defined or pinpointed.

Note that Mercury in Gemini was not considered good for the intellect by some ancient astrologers, as it is a wandering mind and prone to unpredictability and anger. It is true that Marx was a middling student, unpredictable, provocative, frequently in trouble, flip-flopping, and prone to misinterpretation. However, the identification with Mercury and its prominence show an overall preoccupation with the world of thought, ideas, and communications.

Mercury and Children

The 5th house is also showing the prominence of children. Mercury indicates a playful relationship and one inspiring intellectualism. Mercury is a duplicitous planet, and is here in a duplicitous sign, which can signify many children. It also pertains to the possible fathering of a child with his housekeeper (two women). However, this is contrasted by the relationship indications in his chart show steadfast focus on one partner, with Venus, the 7th, the Moon, and all their rulers in fixed signs. Mercury is rather neutral but the 5th house is also dominated by the out of sect Saturn. This is one of the important connections between children and death that is in the chart.

Fiery Mars in the House of Labor

Mars when identified with shows a certain domineering competitiveness and desire to get rowdy and stir up trouble. Marx was an avid drinker and smoker from his teenage years. He was frequently in trouble with the law, to a notorious degree. Additionally, the twelfth-part of his Mars is in the 2nd house. This can show a desire to irk those with money and to damage others’ property. He was known to do these things in this life. Mars is in sect so some of its inflammatory tendencies are tempered and can be channeled productively.

Mars is located a bad place, the 6th house of illness and labor. This place is ruled by the Moon (physicality). So there is an indication of bothersome difficulties with accidents and disease, particularly of an inflammatory nature. Its position in the 6th and his identification with it also pertains to his identification with labor. The 6th is traditionally a house of servants. Workers are the servants of the industrial infrastructure. Its location in the bound of Jupiter and its domination (superior square) of the 9th house is another indication of dislike of religion.

Image attribution:

The featured image of Karl Marx is in the public domain.

Bio Shorts | David Lynch

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Anthony

Man on the Moon

Industrial Symphony No. 1 is a very ethereal musical play created by David Lynch. It features music by Angelo Badalamenti with vocals by Julee Cruise. It was performed in 1989, after Wild At Heart and foreshadowing, musically and thematically, the Twin Peaks series. I missed it on its release to VHS in 1990 but it’s also been released in the Lime Green Box Set and a lower quality version floats around on YouTube (below).

The Moon through a Loud Speaker

The irrational is pervasive in Lynch’s work. Watching his films is akin to a swim through the sphere of Yesod on the kabbalistic tree of life. It is of little wonder to find the Moon as the loudest and most influential planet in his life.

General Lunar Prominence

There are many factors that make the Moon the most prominent planet in Lynch’s life in a general way as if her volume has been turned up. The sect light is the Moon (Lynch was born at night), and she is above the horizon in a feminine sign (i.e. in haym). Luna is very prominent as she is strongly advancing on the MC (conjunct MC within 2 degrees). The Moon is in the place of the Good Spirit (the 11th house; pertaining to friends and social benefit). She’s also in the place of Love (i.e. place occupied by the Lot of Love, one of the 4 principal lots, and actually within 2.5 degrees of the lot).

Lynch’s Natal Chart with 4 Principal Lots (CTRL-click to enlarge)

Personal Lunar Prominence

The Moon is also one of the planets that impact the character and sense of self. The Moon’s twelfth-part is in the most important place, the 1st house, which pertains to the self. She also is a lord of the Ascendant (participating triplicity lord with a regard by sextile). Additionally, she regards and rules the lord of the Ascendant (Mars in Cancer) and she is conjunct the twelfth-part of Fortune.

Lynch’s Natal Chart with twelfth-parts (CTRL-click to enlarge)

Lunar Themes

Lunar themes of vivid depths of subjective experience, instinct, and irrationality permeate Lynch’s work. Also, lunar themes of the familiar and habitual (i.e. sentimentality) are also apparent in his life and work. I am thinking particularly of his repeated use of familiar actors, the non-linearity of his work, and the thematic grappling with the relationship between role and real-life. He also explores the complex and paradoxical subconscious evocations of rural life and nature, as well as the influence of dreams, visions, coincidences, and spiritual experiences on life.

Diving Deeper into Lynch’s Birth Chart

His birth data is rated AA for accuracy. I also provide his chart with twelfth-parts and with four principal lots.

David Lynch’s Natal Chart

More on the Moon

The Moon is in Virgo, a mutable sign, thus the Moon tends to express through interactivity, as opposed to through powerful changes (cardinal) or stable developments (fixed). Virgo is an earth sign, evoking the land, tradition, and the body. Virgo’s ruler, Mercury, is the messenger. He is in the 3rd House, the Joy of the Moon. The Moon is herself a traveler, while Mercury delivers and communicates. This adds a lot of movement, interaction, communication, and consultation to the prominent relationship between the Moon and Mercury. The Moon rules Cancer, the 9th house, which is the place of God, pertaining to truth-seeking, spirituality, and foreigners.

Mercury in Capricorn with Sun and Venus

Mercury is in phasis and is most directly influenced by Venus and the Sun, with which he is assembled in the third house, Capricorn. Venus pertains to love and art; the Sun to influence and publicity. This is especially so with Venus, as she is most closely assembled with Mercury and rules his bound (as well as being a triplicity lord of Capricorn). The combination of Venus, Mercury, and the Sun in a place of connection and conveyance is evocative of many important professional aspects of Lynch’s life, from the artistic direction of important projects to his bold use of music.

Capricorn, the 3rd house, is mostly benefic in the chart. It is occupied by the sect benefic and dominated (right-side square) by Jupiter. Meanwhile, Mercury applies an opposition to both malefics, and it is ruled by an out of sect Saturn (in the 9th house of God). This lends an aura of foreboding ethereal terror over matters of Mercury, Venus, the Sun, and the 3rd House.

Echoes in Life and Work

The Moon pertains to family and childhood, especially the mother. The Virgoan Mercurial influence and prominence of the 3rd house fits with Lynch’s mother being an English tutor and his father and agricultural research scientist. Additionally, the prominence of the 3rd House, the Moon, mutability, and Mercury, all evoke travel and movement. This fits with his experience of moving a half dozen times with his family as a child and embarking on some formative trips as a young adult. The land, tradition, the elderly, fear, and handicap are all very Saturnine themes evoked in his work. They are linked with the supernatural and lurking in the shadows, contrasted with human innocence.

David Lynch’s Natal Chart

Malefics in the Lunar House of God

When it comes to personality analysis, the main indicators are the lord of the Ascendant (Mars in this case), Mercury, and the Moon. Mars is in sect and in a good place in the chart, but conjunct the out of sect malefic, Saturn. It is also strongly influenced by both benefics (benefics are in the stakes of Mars), and ruled by the very benefic Moon, while in the bound of the benefic Jupiter. The overall sense with Mars is of an ambitious nature and one which can be irritable and rebellious, but very beneficial and noble (sect, good place, benefic influence). Yet Mars is also touched by the dark, dreadful, and macabre (Saturn). All in all, there is incredible complexity to the character because of all the planetary influences on the lord of the Ascendant. Mars additionally occupies the 9th Place, the House of God, drawing Lynch to spiritual matters.

The 9th House of God

Spirituality itself is a complex and prominent matter in Lynch’s life. On the one hand, there would seem to be animosity toward religion given the strong association between spirituality and evil. This is signified by the presence of both malefics in the 9th, the retreat of Jupiter in the 12th house of the Evil Spirit. Also, there is an identification with rebellious Mars and intellectual Mercury. However, there is an overwhelming prominence and personal investment in matters of spirituality, truth, belief, and dream in his life.

Note that most of the planets in his chart (5 of 7) are in the 9th and 3rd houses. This includes both Mars and Mercury. Also, the sect light (the Moon) rules the 9th, lending additional prominence and associating spirituality with her significations. While Mercury is strong in some ways, it lacks the overwhelming pervasiveness of the more subjective and irrational lunar influence over the life. Through twelfth-parts, we also find the identification with the Moon and Venus, as their parts are in the Ascendant. Additionally, we find Jupiter, the planet of faith and spirit, playing a more prominent role in career and administrative aspects of the life, with its twelfth-part positioned in the 10th of actions and authority.

Lynch with twelfth-parts

Darkness

Fear-inducing (Saturn) and violent (Mars) spiritual entities (9th place) tended over by nature, night, and instinct (the Moon) are frequent themes in his work. The connection with art pertains to the fact that the malefics oppose and rule his Venus, the goddess of beauty and art. Venus is in the 3rd House, the Joy of the Moon, in the nocturnal house of Saturn (Capricorn), in the bound of Mars, and with the Moon as the primary triplicity lord. Her twelfth-part is in the 1st House, that of the self, in the nocturnal house of Mars (Scorpio), in the bound of Jupiter.

Venus is the primary planet pertaining to his aesthetic and it is fitting to find her dominated by subjective and spiritually-tinged maleficence (Mars and Saturn in the 9th, in the bound of Jupiter, ruled by the Moon) and irrationality (Venus in the Joy of the Moon, general pervasiveness of the Moon, Venus and Moon twelfth-parts co-present in the 1st of self and identity). The 3rd house journey/transportation themes also occur frequently in Lynch’s work. Wild At Heart, Lost Highway, and even The Straight Story are road movies, while main characters are often visiting outsiders.

A Couple Key Years

1966: Age 20

In my opinion, a pivotal year in Lynch’s life was 1966, when he moved to Philadelphia to attend an art school which held more promise than the last one, got his future wife pregnant, created his first short film (Six Men Getting Sick), and became acquainted with the fear of crime-ridden urban living.

9th House Profection

He would have been Age 20 at the time, thus the annual profection would have been to his 9th House, Cancer, occupied by the malefics, Mars and Saturn, with the Moon as lord of the year. These are all key influential planets in his chart and especially in terms of relationship and artistic matters (Venus). Lunar years are typically quite varied and eventful, as the Moon is prominent and moves quickly. In this case, the Moon herself profected to the 7th of partnership, ruled by Venus. It was as if in this year Lynch stepped into the house of the Moon, finding Mars and Saturn there creating fear and violence. The Moon lorded over everything as its guide, in terms of pregnancy, bonds, and the artistic promises of the 3rd house.

Solar Return Moon in the 3rd

At the time of the solar return, the Moon was in the 3rd house, conjunct natal Mercury. This put a spotlight on the work of that house. Mars and Venus of the return were both in the 4th of home and family, while Saturn was in the 5th of children just as Saturn’s natal twelfth-part is. This signaled weight and apprehension in the house of children.

David Lynch’s 1966 Solar Return Transits

Zodiacal Releasing of Spirit to Cancer

The importance of a year in terms of one’s professional objectives is primarily seen through zodiacal releasing of Spirit. In October of 1965 the 1st Level of Spirit’s releasing made its first transition from its starting period in Gemini to its new period in Cancer where it would stay until 1990. This started off with a 2nd Level period also in Cancer until October 1967. Therefore, both of the two main levels of Spirit’s releasing were to the 9th House, Cancer, ruled by the Moon, occupied by both malefics, and additionally activated at the Age 20 profection.

Venus-Jupiter and Mercury Activation by Planetary Years

The activations by planetary year were also interesting. Age 20 is most prominently a Mercury year, while also a year in which Venus-Jupiter (8+12) relationships come into play, such as his Jupiter in sign and bound of Venus and dominating her, signifying artistic benefit and children (both planets confer children, and both are the main rulers of the House of Children, the 5th, Pisces).

1990: Age 44

9th House Profection

There were many other pivotal years in his career but 1990 stands out as particularly important and prolific. He won the Palme d’Or at Cannes for Wild at Heart, Twin Peaks was hitting TV audiences, he released the Industrial Symphony No. 1, and his early paintings were in an exhibition. Interestingly, 1990 marked another profection to the 9th House, Cancer. The Moon, lord of the year, was transiting through the 1st house of the Self at the time of the solar return, which was also a Venus return, as Venus was at 27 degrees Capricorn in the return, almost exactly conjunct her natal position at 26 Capricorn, strongly realizing Venus’s artistic birth promises.

Lynch 1990 Solar Return

Zodiacal Releasing of Spirit to Leo

When we look at the releasing of Spirit for 1990, we find that it marked the next Level 1 transition. It went from Cancer (the period which started in 1965) to Leo, the 10th house, ruled by the Sun. Thus this next major transition in his professional life marked a new period, ruled by the Sun. The Sun is with Venus in the 3rd and the Sun rules the 10th house of actions, honors, and authority. It was as if Lynch had received his king’s (the 10th and the Sun both pertaining to rulership/kings).

Image Attributions: Eraserhead poster image (cropped) is in the public domain.