Astrology chart Vaclav Havel (playwright)

When you see the natal chart of Vaclav Havel (former President of the Czech Republic, born October 5 1936 at about 15:00 hours) you immediately see the political leader*). Perhaps that is why when we are asked who Havel is, we think of the President first.

But Vaclav Havel also is a playwright and poet (after studying drama). That part of Havel is shown by the fact that Mercury (planet of the writer) doesn't make major aspects in sign while Neptune's oriental position is reflecting the imaginary world of fantasy, beliefs and idealism. There is also the Moon in Gemini (need to communicate) in the 5th house of creativity, square Neptune (fantasy, fiction) and Neptune septile Venus. Venus is half semisquare and Neptune is quintile the Midheaven. Here we have a complete pattern of artistic talent used as a professon!

However, Mercury only makes a soft aspect with Midheaven. Pluto is trine Midheaven (out of sign) and Mars makes a square. His career involved political (Pluto) discussions (Mercury-Mars) and later in life he remained political active (Mars-Pluto). But I think he uses creative thinking to be good at it!

*)THE POLITICAL LEADER IN THE CHART
The Sun does not make major aspects in sign
The Sun is quintile Pluto
Pluto is on the Descendant

It bareley takes mare to describe a person who will always draw attention and who wants to be in the center of it (the star: Sun) and who is also a strategist when it comes to it (Pluto on an angle).

Astrology chart D.H. Lawrence

Lady Chatterly's lover was written by David H. Lawrence. Was his book a piece of art, or was it an erotic piece of art? His chart tells us that he had sense of style and beauty and perhaps loved the ladies (Moon conjunct Venus in Libra). Moon and Neptune are ruled by Venus. There is no other connection of the pattern of artistic talent with Midheaven than a minor aspect of the Moon (67.5 degrees, sesquisemisquare). He used to be a teacher (the Moon is also the symbol of children). He died very young of tuberculosis. His health forced him to stop teaching. But his health did not stop him to have 'free sex' (in those days very controversial). His Scorpio Ascendant might be the key to that. Pluto (ruler 1) is in the 8th house of sex, life and death. Pluto is trine Uranus (symbol of controversy and freedom).

D.H. Lawrence was a writer. The Midheaven is ruled by the Sun in Virgo and the Sun is ruled by Mercury - planet of communications - in it's own sign Virgo (the sign of the critic; he worked as a critic, too).

The ruler of Midheaven is conjunct Jupiter and Jupiter is the oriental planet (in other words: the planet that rises before the Sun). Jupiter is the symbol of traveling. The last 10-15 years of his life D.H. Lawrence was visiting various countries in Europe, America and Australia. He wrote several books about his voyages. He died in France.

His most famous work was not appreciated until decades after his death.

Astrology chart Louis Ferdinand Céline

Doctor and controversial (anti semitic) talented writer Louis-Ferdinand Celine was born in the 19th century with Mars oriental. He started his career in the First World War as a soldier. He was honoured with medals. This inspired him later in 'Journey to the End of the Night'. He was an outstanding writer at least when he wrote his first book. Where do we find that in his chart? I found his hour of birth on Astro.com but I get another degree of ASC and Midheaven that they do, using my computer program (astrolab)_. The reason that I remembered Celine is that Sarkozy quoted him.

Controversy is indicated by the position of Uranus 157.5 degrees from Sun/Moon. He was motivated by rebellion, change and independance. Uranus happens to be the ruler of the 5th equal house (the creative house). The racist in the chart is perhaps illustrated by CERES (symbol of genes) conjunct AC/MC JUST LIKE NEPTUNE. Neptune is the symbol of the ideal. Idealisation of the family and racial background (Ceres) is one of the ways the Neptune-Ceres relationship with AC/MC could .

Celine has a Pisces Moon for empathy and fantasy.
The Leo Midheaven has Mercury in Gemini as final dispositor. Mercury is strong in Gemini and Mercury is the planet of communications.

Venus is opposition Ascendant. This crucial angular placement contributes to style and art.

Neptune is square the crosspoint of the chart: AC/MC. That means that art, fantasy and fiction is of crucial importance.

Venus and Neptune are septile to reflect inspirational artistic talent.

The Libra Ascendant helps to see the world more beautiful or 'arty' as it is.

That is the astrological pattern of artistic talent. One might wonder if the Midheaven is in Cancer perhaps, with the Moon in Pisces ruling the MC and again Mercury in Gemini final dispositor.

WRITER
Mercury is strong in Gemini, but there is another reason why communicating (writing) is so important for this chart. Sixty percent of the placements is in air signs and air signs symbolize communicating. Gemini is a movable sign and 70% of the placements in this chart is in movable signs.
In 1932 he published for the first time: he became an artist. That was the year that progressed Venus joined his natal Sun. His book was a success. Later works were very anti semitic so that he had to leave France in June 1944 untill amnesty in 1951. In 1951 his progressed Sun changed sign, just like his life style changed.

More about Journey to the End of the Night on Wikipedia...

Quote:

“If you aren't rich you should always look useful.”

Astrology chart Guy de Maupassant

Guy de Maupassant was a writer and a poet, born August 5, 1850 at 8:00 a.m. LMT im Miromesnil. It doesn't matter when you were born. The same planets, signs, positions and aspects tell about the astrological pattern of artistic talents. In the chart of De Maupassant the pattern is like this:

1. He has an elevated Moon
2. The Moon is in Cancer (strong in own sign)
3. The Moon is exactly trine Neptune (for sensitive senses)
4. Venus is angular (on the Ascendant (or has some creative astrologer invented this hour of birth? it is just to 'fitting'!)
5. Venus is quindecile Neptune (for artistic talents)
6. Gemini rules Midheaven (for communications envolved in the career)
7. Venus square Midheaven? (with just a few minutes difference)
8. Mercury half semi square Sun/Moon (for being motivated by words/communicating)
9. Neptune opposition Mercury/Jupiter (a midpoint yod pointing at Neptune = fantasy) for successful communications.
10. Almost forgot: the Moon is rising before the Sun for a keen 'feeling' for what the public wants and needs most (because his public and people come first).

Venus is conjunct Jupiter on the Ascendant (Just like in the chart of Rajmata Gayatri Devi of Jaipur the popular and charming royal 'socialite'). Guy de Maupassant was popular, too.

Astrology chart George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw was a dramatist (a writer of drama or plays). He was also a socialist and a feminist. (Three female symbols are important in his chart. Venus is conjunct the Sun. Juno is conjunct Midheaven. Pallas is conjunct the Ascendant.) He died in 1950 but you can see him walking and talking on YouTube.

The astrological pattern of artistic talent*) in his chart is like this:

The Moon is in Taurus (sign ruled by Venus)
Neptune is strong in Pisces
THe Moon is sextile Neptune
Neptune is square Ascendant (elevated)
Moon quintile Venus
Venus sesquisquare Neptune

This can be read like this:

A man with empathy and fantasy (an idealist or artist above all), who has a creative sense of style and beauty and artistic talents.

In addation:
- Mercury is half semi square Sun/Moon (for being motivated by communications i.e. writing).
- Mars doesn't make major aspects in sign or orb 5 degrees. That is reflecting activism.

*) The pattern is constructed by aspects of Moon, Venus and Neptune (and the signs that belong to them: Cancer, Taurus, Libra and Pisces) related to Midheaven.

Astrology chart J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter)

There is no writer in the world who achieved what J.K. Rowling did. She is a million seller! For all those who want to follow into her footsteps: here is her natal chart. Let us see what it takes to become as famous as she is.

SUN, JUPITER, MERCURY and PLUTO
The Sun is the most elevated object in the chart (square Ascendant).The Sun doesn't make major aspects in sign. That signifies that she will draw attention at any possible level.

Jupiter is rising before the Sun, for a positive attitude, success, travelling (the international; she was married to a Portugese man in the 90's).

Jupiter is also sesqui semi square Sun/Moon and semi square Sun, square the Moon and sextile Midheaven. The combination of Sun, Moon and Jupiter comes back 3 times (Sun/Moon 67.5 Jupiter, Sun/Jupiter 67.5 Moon and Moon/Jupiter conjunct Sun. This combination promises success because the nativity is motivated by optimism, growth and development.
Mercury, the planet of communications, is 'calling'. Mercury is conjunct the midpoint Sun/Moon. That makes her in heart and soul a writer (someone with a message).

Sun, Mercury and Jupiter are prominent in her chart and they are connected by hard aspects. The Sun is half semi square Mercury and semi square Jupiter. The Sun is also semi septile Pluto. This combination of Sun, Mercury, Jupiter and Pluto is a combination for many many words and great success in communicating.JUPITER, NEPTUNE and MIDHEAVEN
Mars, Jupiter and Neptune are in aspect with Midheaven. Neptune is square MC. That strongly relates fantasy, empathy and vision to the career. Many astrologers say that Neptune-MC aspect reflects a negative attitude to the profession (and gives a tendency to run away from the usual job).Perhaps, but it is also a strong indication for artistic talents. Jupiter and Neptune together, related to Midheaven, show 'the believing audience', the fans and the followers. Mars-Jupiter makes highly productive. Mars-Neptune however points at wasted energy (or: energy used for a fantasy:).

The Moon is tightly square Jupiter; that is for growing popularity and being used to successes.

PROGRESSIONS
She finished her first book in 1995 (with progressed Mercury conjunct Midheaven and progressed Sun conjunct Venus). A year later she found an editor (progressed Midheaven conjunct Moon and progressed Uranus conjunct Pluto are two signs of change).

In June 1997 the first Harry Potter was printed. Transit Uranus was opposition Sun at the time and Jupiter trine Jupiter. Later that year her progressed Midheaven was square Jupiter (the planet of editors and success). That is when she became famous. The first time that she thought of writing about Harry Potter was in 1990, with MC conjunct Pluto. From 1990 to 1997 she lived between Pluto and Jupiter, the combination of great success, but she was not aware of it. In December of 1994 she returned, divorced and depressed, from Portugal to Edinburgh and that was exactly in the middle of the period from the start of her 'vision' till the moment that the book appeared. (There were thorns on the rose bed: J.K. Rowling had a bad time after her divorce. Mars inconjunct Saturn is the reflection of that. The Mars-Saturn combination is the combination of energy ending, of death and of a blockade.) Even that dark period was a period of inspiration. She 'invented' the Dementors...

CHILDREN's BOOK, WHY?
Why is she writing a book for children? I think that it is because of the fantasy. Her works (MC) have an aspect of fiction (Neptune). Neptune happens to be the ruler of the 5th house of games, play, entertainment and ...children. You can read this combination of Neptune ruler 5 square Midheaven as follows: work related to children's fantasy...

ARTISTIC/CREATIVE PATTERN
She has Venus quintile Neptune (70d04m), Neptune square Midheaven and sextile Moon. Notice the position of Pallas on the IC. Pallas is often angular in the charts of talented people.

EDUCATION
Jo Rowling has a BA in French and Classics.

CONCLUSION
She was talented and telling stories from the start had a good education and was strongly driven and never stopped trying to get her book in the shelves. A Scorpio Ascendant for pushing. She has a very positive attitude (Jupiter oriental in aspect with Sun/Moon; you may notice that her chart is strongly reflecting the positive personality of Harry Potter).. She is a communicator in heart and soul at any possible level and she drew attention (in a positive way)....It will be difficult to copy all thát...

Astrology chart Charles (Charlie) Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin made us smile. Where in his chart is the clown, the director and the composer of the music of Smile? And where is the artistic pattern? Why was he the 'little man'?

The artistic pattern is constructed by Moon, Venus, Neptune, (the signs that they rule) and Midheaven for the professional output. In the chart of Chaplin the pattern is like this:

1. Crucial position of the Moon on the Ascendant (popular, being able to 'act')
2. Venus strong in Taurus (possible sense of beauty and arts)
3. Venus final dispositor of Midheaven (field of entertainment)
4. Venus square Midheaven (profession requiring style, looking good or making fun)
5. (Venus inconjunct Uranus for the sense of rhythm).

And that is it (or perhaps I should add Neptune trine AC/MC to the list). It is not much compared to the patterns in other artists' charts that you see on this blog. I think that that is because we known him most of all because of the character (Moon) of Charlie. The Moon is also a symbol of the family (imitation, upbringing, education). The important position of the Moon might reflect the importance of his familiy background. His parents were (poor) artists. His environment (ascendant) contributed to his talent and to the choice of his career.

Also: Charles Chaplin was a timeless and international icon. He is different from the artists on this blog. His performance is more fun than beautiful. To find the key to that perhaps we need to find another pattern. We need to combine the family background, the feeling for style and the strong character. It is that unique combination that made the little man famous. Ambition and drive were very important to get to the top.

ASTRO IDENTITY
First let's see how his Astro I.D. looks like. The Astro I.D. is the combination of the key positions in the chart. In his chart the calling Sun, oriental Jupiter, angular Moon and elevated Saturn are the keys. They tell us about the ups and downs of a man who was in the center of attention and who knew what the people wanted. They wanted a smile:)... See the specification of the Astro I.D. below.

CHARACTER
His chart has Sun in Aries, Moon and Ascendant in Scorpio...That is the character of someone who is using force and influence with intense energy. It is a strong character. And he needed to be strong. He also had Mars in Taurus square Saturn in Leo. He was confronted with the disadvantages of his efforts and had to fight a lot of barriers (even the real ones). He was the little (Saturn) man (Mars)...

MARS SQUARE SATURN (the little man fighting against restrictions)
Mars square Saturn is the tightest aspect in the chart of Charles Chaplin. It is the aspect of 'hitting hard', 'working too hard', finding obstacles on your way and being limited in your drive (by law for example). Mars-Saturn aspects are frequent in the charts of those who fight (for or against) the law. There were many obstacles to conquer for Chaplin. He had no formal education and was a very poor boy. But as Capricorn is ruling the 3rd house of 'learning' he thought himself later and he managed to write his own scripts, books and soundtracks. He thought himself how to play musical instruments. He was a self made man and he HAD to fight the law. He had to pay for a child that was not his and he was a victim of the crusade against communists in the USA in the 50's. He could not return to the USA freely and chose to stay in Europe for the rest of his life, but not in England. He went to Switzerland (Jupiter oriental, first of all an international!).

SPECIFICATION OF Astro I.D.
1. Jupiter is the first outer planet rising before the Sun (oriental)
That makes him a traveler, an international, someone who wants to have success in the first place and wants to guide others (he was a director).

2. The important Moon in Scorpio, conjunct Ascendant
The Moon is important when memorizing (and acting) is involved. The Moon is also an important symbol of 'the people' and popularity. The Ascendant is the symbol of presentation and the Moon has many faces. That is why the Moon on the Ascendant shows a capability of acting.

3. Saturn is on top of this chart.
Saturn in Leo tells us that he had ambition and management talent. The position and aspects of Saturn tell us that there might be a lot of restrictions, limitations, barriers and goodbyes in the life of Chaplin. But his job was to make us smile (like a clown has to do).

4. The Sun does not make aspects in sign or orb 5 degrees (Sun is 'calling')
When the Sun is 'calling' you want to be in the center of attention as a leader or performer. Charles was a performer and he was a director.

From this Astro ID you clearly get the picture of an ambitious man who wanted to draw attention, presenting himself in different ways, but always in a positive (guiding way) teaching us how to keep on smiling and to make an advantage of a disadvantage. The little man that he used to be became the symbol of his success.

See Charlie on You Tube and Smile with the voice of Michael Jackson...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu-rLA4POkI

Charts of Michael Jackson and Lenny Henry (born on the same day)

Lenny Henry was born on August 29, 1958, the same day as Michael Jackson. He is a British actor, writer and comedian.

Quote:
"Henry has said he saw parallels between himself and Othello.

"I’m used to being the only black person wherever I go...There was never a black or Asian director when I went to the BBC. Eventually I thought ‘where are they all?’ I spent a lot of time on my own. Things have changed a bit, but rarely at the BBC do I meet anyone of colour in a position of power."

That special position is one of the parallels with the life of Michael Jackson, who was the first black world famous super idol (perhaps only beaten by Barack Obama:). Both men are/were used to being 'special' (Sun half semi square Uranus; being different or ...controversial) and making a change, changing their world (Sun half semi square Uranus AND square Pluto*). Another similarity is that Lenny Henry has six siblings. Lenny Henry 'did' Michael Jackson's Thriller in 1984, on stage. That was the year of the Pepsi Cola incident (Michael Jackson's hair was set on fire) but MJ also had his Victory Tour in 1984 and received eight awards.

Another similarity is their talent and generalism. Henry is an actor, writer, stand-up comedian, entertainer, and director and lately graduated in English literature and ...he is studying to be a screenwriter. Michael Jackson was a songwriter, dancer, singer, actor, screenwriter and choreographer. Was he also a director? Perhaps! They are 'multiple talents'!

Also, Lenny Henry cares about children (Children in Need) and so did Michael Jackson.

PATTERN
The artistic pattern in the chart of Lenny Henry is the artistic pattern in the chart of Michael Jackson, partly. Partly, because the hours of birth are not known. Both men have the Moon in Pisces for sensitivity and empathy. They both have Venus 75 degrees from Neptune (artistic talents), Venus conjunct Uranus (artistic aspirations, sense of rhythm) AND Venus 15 degrees from Pluto. Venus semi square Jupiter/Pluto promisses success in arts or entertainment.

Many positions in their charts are similar (though not the most important onces!). There are differences between them. They will not have the same Ascendant, Midheaven, position of the Moon and angularities and there will be other tight aspects and midpoint combinations (like Sun/Moon and ASC/MC). And of course: there is also a big difference in the way that they were educated and brought up. They have different genes, other backgrounds (and culture), other experiences in life...It is the fine combination of all that that makes a person an individual.

BTW As far as I can see the most important difference is that Lenny Henry looks so much happier than Michael Jackson ever did.

*) The combination of Sun, Uranus and Pluto is frequent in cases of arrests (cariac arrest AND imprisonment) as it refers to a sudden and unexpected dramatic change.
(No, Lenny Henry was never arrested).

Astrology chart Oriana Fallaci

Oriana Fallaci was a writer and a journalist. She was more a publisher and a journalist than a poetic writer. That is why the planet of the messenger and the facts, Mercury, is very prominent in her chart (more than the astrological pattern of artistic talents).

Mercury, the symbol of communications is:
1. Opposition Midheaven
2. Strong in Gemini
3. Rising before the Sun
4. Not making aspects in sign or orb 5 degrees ('calling')
That is why Mercury is the most prominent planet in her chart.

The artistic talent (or should I say her style and empathy) is reflected by the position of:
1. Venus in Taurus,
2. Venus conjunct Sun/Moon and
3. Venus in aspect with ASC/MC
4. Moon biquintile Neptune
5. Moon 105 degrees from Midheaven

Her father fought against the facist regime of Benito Muselini. During WWII she had progressed Sun conjunct Pluto. Her life was in danger, too, because she helped him. When she was 16, with Progressed Sun sextile Venus, she started writing. But the experiences during the war made her active and alert against any sort of decay in liberty. (Sun square Uranus) Later in life the same aspect made her rather controversial. After 0911 she started writing against islam and the sharia.

She was a heavy smoker, just like Obama (Has he quit smoking yet?)
In his chart the signs for smoking are: Neptune on top, square Mars with Moon square Pluto. In her chart the Pisces Ascendant and Mars conjunt Neptune might be blamed.

Astrology chart Ruth Rendell

Neptune and Pluto, I said it before on Astropost.blogspot.com, often have a starring role in the charts of authors of detectives. As an example I named Agatha Christie. In her chart, that you can see on Astropost (click the link), Neptune and Pluto are on top. I found another great example: Ruth Rendell.

NEPTUNE/PLUTO FOR MYSTERY

The midpoint Ascendant/Midheaven in her chart is 3d45m Pisces. Neptune is situated on 2d19 Virgo (opposition Asc/MC, Neptune is the apex of a midpoint 'yod', the finger is pointing at Neptune). Pluto is on 17d47 Cancer (semi square Neptune and related to ASC/MC.Venus is 157.5 degrees from Neptune/Pluto and Mars (ruler 1) is opposition Neptune/Pluto for a passion (Venus+Mars) for mystery (Neptune/Pluto). And there is even more Neptune/Pluto in her chart. Neptune is 112.5 and Pluto is 157.5 degrees from Sun/Moon so that she is in heart and soul mysterious:)

PLUTO FOR POLITICS (WITH SATURN)
Pluto is (on his own) the symbol of power, influence, money and politics. Ruth Rendell is a member of the House of Lords for the Labour Party. Please see Saturn on the Midheaven for the importance of ambition, status, administration and career making.

MURDER, SHE WROTE...
Now take a good look at her chart and see which planets are prominent. Mars is oriental (= rising before the Sun). Pluto has a crucial spot down under. Saturn is on Midheaven. The combination Mars, Saturn and Pluto is the combination of unnatural death, danger of death and violent death. It is what she writes about.

ARTISTIC PATTERN
The artistic pattern is made by Moon, Venus, Neptune and the signs they rule (Taurus, Libra, Cancer and Pisces), in connection with Midheaven (for the career). We see Venus in Pisces in her chart. We see the Moon in Libra (ruled by Venus). Venus is opposition Neptune. And Neptune is 112.5 degrees from Sun/Moon and opposition Ascendant/Midheaven.

MERCURY, THE MESSENGER

And why is she a writer? Because Mercury is the most elevated planet in this chart.

Astrology chart Dante Alighieri

Neptune had not been discovered yet, at the time that Dante Alighieri was born, so there is little chance that his chart is corrected to fit the 'frame' of an artistic author. Neptune has a crucial spot in his chart (opposition Midheaven), while Mercury is conjunct Ascendant (another important spot in a chart). Mercury and Neptune together symbolize 'telling tales' as they combine the symbol of communications and the symbol of fantasies.
The artistic pattern is completed by the aspect of the Moon 105 degrees from Neptune (a minor aspect) and by the semi quintile between Venus and Neptune.

MERCURY, JUPITER, NEPTUNE

Mercury and Neptune are corner stones of this chart and Jupiter is prominent because he is rising before the Sun. Notice that Jupiter is related to the midpoint ASC/MC and to Mercury/Neptune, so that international success was integrated in the concept of telling tales.

Neptune is 67.5 degrees from Mercury/Jupiter, Jupiter is 45 degrees from Mercury/Neptune and Mercury 22.5 degrees from Jupiter/Neptune. This midpoint combination of Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune tells us 3 times that he was communicating with a devoted audience, that he was successful in telling tales and that he was a great communicator of visions or fantasies.

BAN
Dante Alighieri wrote La Divina Comedia (the holy comedy) that is still read all over the world. His grave is in Ravenna, as his home town Florence banned him in 1302. In that year transit Neptune was inconjunct his natal Sun (ruler of IC, symbol of backgrounds and home). The inconjunction is a symbol of lost. He never returned. In the natal chart the distance between Sun and Neptune is within orb of the minor aspect of 67.5 degrees (45+22.5), That explains the impact of the transit. In a way he was forced to become the traveller who is indicated in the natal chart by the position of Jupiter, rising before the Sun...

For more about the inconjunction, see Astropost.

For more about the charts of authors, click the label 'writer' below.

Astrology chart Winston Churchill

We all know Churchill. He is a famous politician. But he also was a painter and a writer. The artistic pattern in the chart is indicated in the drawing above. Moon and Neptune are in aspect with Midheaven and each other. The Moon is in a 112.5 (square + half semi square) with Venus.

See Astropost for the complete reading:http://astropost.blogspot.com/2009/01/project-reading-chart-of-winston.html

Astrology chart Frederico García Lorca

Frederico Garcia Lorca is a Spanish poet, executed during the Spanish Civil War (Guerra Civil). This blog Art & Astrology is about the 'artist in the natal chart'. The artistic talents of García Lorca are reflected by the prominence of the Moon, Venus and Neptune. These three objects do not make Ptolemaic aspects in sign or orb 5 degrees. Unaspected objects are what I name 'calling' planets or lights. They draw attention and have a prominent effect. The combination of Moon,Venus and Neptune refers to sense of art (Moon and Venus), sensibility and empathy (Moon and Neptune) and artistic talents (high sensitivity: Venus and Neptune). Jupiter is square Venus/Pluto and that is an indication for being successful as an artist.

Interesanting poems: http://www.los-poetas.com/a/lorca.htm

Astrology chart Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens has the pattern of artistic talents. Venus is on the Descendant, square Moon and Neptune on the IC. And Venus is in Pisces, sesquisquare ASC/MC. The Gemini Midheaven makes hard aspects with Moon, Neptune and Venus. This all shows us that there is possible artistic talent.

Charles Dickens's Venus in Pisces on the Descendant is related to the Moon, Neptune and Midheaven. With the Midheaven in Gemini and Jupiter on top, 'calling' (= not making aspects in sign or orb 5 degrees) the publishing and writing becomes part of the pattern. Another interesting observation is that the Sun is right in the middle of Mercury and Venus (Sun = Mercury/Venus) and that means that he was a communication talent. The prominent placements of Jupiter and Pluto make us aware of great success.

PS Dickens always ended his books in a positive way (all is well that ends well:) but he always started describing poverty and ill situations. Saturn is his oriental planet, rising before the Sun. That makes a person look at bad things, responsibilities and disadvantages, first. But as he was above all (Jupiter on top) an optimist, things ended well.

Astrology chart Harold Pinter

Harold Pinter died yesterday. He was a famous writer, actor, poet and director. Directors need an important Sun in their charts to lead the play in their direction. Harold Pinter had the Sun on top of the chart, square Ascendant and in Libra, ruled by Venus (planet of esthetics and style). The chart of Harold Pinter shows various talents, and he used all of them.

MERCURY FOR THE MESSENGER, VENUS FOR THE TALENT
In his chart Mercury (symbol of the messenger and the author) is important. Mercury is opposition Aries Point and rising before the Sun. Mercury rules the 5th house of plays and entertainment. And Mercury is tightly sextile Venus, the symbol of style and refinement. This aspect tells us that he had a talent (Venus) for communications (Mercury).

ARTIST
The pattern of the artist in the chart: Moon in Taurus (ruled by Venus and opposition Midheaven) 105 degrees from Neptune. It also can be found in the positions of Sun and Moon in signs ruled by Venus and in the position of Neptune.

The artist in the chart is in the elevated Sun in Libra, conjunct the midpoint Venus/Neptune and half semi square Venus/Jupiter and Venus/Pluto.

Also see the semi square of Jupiter and Neptune (for the devoted audience). Jupiter and Neptune are both in aspect with the Midheaven.

ACTING
Sense of art is demonstrated by the Moon in Taurus, on a crucial angular spot in the chart. The Moon is the symbol of acting (of keeping memories alive and of 'pretending').

SUCCESSES IN THE FIELD
The successes as an artist are reflected by:
Jupiter trine Midheaven
Jupiter sesquisemisquare Venus/Pluto
Venus sesquisemisquare Jupiter/Midheaven
ASC 112.5 degrees from Venus/Jupiter and Venus/Pluto
Mercury sesquisemisquare Mars/Jupiter and Jupiter/Pluto
Jupiter is related to Sun/Neptune and Sun/Pluto
and more...

The chart of Harold Pinter does not point at one strong direction only. The various ways that he showed his talents to the world go together with various indications in the chart. All together they indicate that on his day and hour of birth it was time for the birth of a man who had talents for communications, who could draw attention, who could 'pretend' or 'act' and who could make a success of it, either way helped by the prominence of Jupiter (symbol of progress), close to the Descendant and trine the Midheaven.

Astrology chart Edgar Allen Poe

It takes fantasy to invent tales and Edgar Allen Poe had fantasy. Neptune is rising before his natal Sun and related to the Moon in Pisces. We see the pattern of artistic talent in his chart in various ways:

1. The oriental Neptune
2. The Moon is in Pisces
3. Venus in Pisces
4. Moon conjunct Venus
5. Venus square Neptune
6. Jupiter and Neptune in mutual reception (Jupiter in Pisces, Neptune in Sagittarius)
7. Jupiter and Neptune on the end of the vocational routing through the Midheaven (for having a public with fantasy)
8. And why not: Sun septile Neptune for being inspired by fantasies.
9. Venus trine Uranus (sense of rhythm, he was also a poet)
10. Sun, Neptune and Pluto are parallel (on the same level) for 'magic' and 'mystery'
And of course several midpoint combinations complete the picture of an artist who uses fantasy and 'mystery' for a believing audience.

The tightest aspects in his chart are Sun conjunct Mercury and Venus trine Uranus. He was an intellectual and fond of tension. Moon/Venus square Uranus symbolizes sense of art related to rhythm or sensations and having the need of new sensations. He had several bad habits and died young. But that is not what THIS blog is about.

Astrological chart of Molière

Venus and Neptune, often with Moon and Venus, are part of the pattern for artistic talent that I found in many charts of artists. Molière, writer and actor, has the pattern of the artist in his chart, too.

Neptune is the first important planet that is rising before the Sun (Neptune is the oriental planet). Venus is in mutual reception with Neptune (they rule each others' sign) and both are final dispositors of the Midheaven. Moon in Pisces conjunct Venus adds sense of art in a romantic or fantastic way.

Just like Rubens he knew how to draw attention (unaspected Sun) and notice the creative quintile between Mercury and Mars, telling us that he is skilled in communication techniques.

Neptune, the romantic planet (killing you softly)

In the charts of most artist, Neptune has a major role. Neptune is connected to fantasy, dreams, visions and everything that is in the mind (amorphous). This article is about a poet and a woman who inspired him to write one of his best poems.

Let me introduce you into the world of romantic love. Once upon a time there was a poet in my country (Herman Gorter) who wrote a very impressive poem about the death of a female friend. It was called 'In the black night' and it describes the way she died, drowning herself. I cannot fully translate it, and what I present to you will not be 'arty', but I will give an impression of the sentences that I like most of all.
In the black night
a human being came
the black nightly clouds drifted
the black nightly trees bended
and the wind blew, heavy and wearing black mourning clothes
(...)

she was standing, very still
and the tree, born long ago,
had guessed it by then -
and the wind and the clouds stood still
they had not thought of it before,
or else they would not have flown
and they would not have taken her there
(...)
Wow, that is romance.

Herman was a friend of the family and he was struck by the death of the young singer, Anna Witsen, on March 5, 1889. She threw herself into the water, because of grieve out of love for a married man. And I have her chart.


She was born February 3, 1855 at 11:00 LMT in Amsterdam, the sister of a painter. She was talented and well known. Venus was high up in her chart, Jupiter was oriental. You can easily see the drama in her chart:

1 Passion!
Venus conjunct Mars (for passion) square Moon and Ascendant (unusual passionate behavior)
2. Emotion!
Prominent Moon in Leo, tightly square Ascendant, with only oppositions (for the troublesome drama queen; that was perfect on stage, less welcome at home…)

Please consider the period in time (the ROMANTIC period) and the position of women (who should not be involved with married men, if they ever wished to be married themselves).And who knows, maybe she was pregnant.

SATURN AND NEPTUNE
On March 5, 1889, the ticking biological clock in the shape of Saturn was opposition her natal Sun and inconjunct Neptune. (Do we see something sick, sad and ill?)
Neptune was of importance that day. Her natal sun was semi sextile Neptune. And there was transit Sun conjunct Neptune that day, to activate the issue. And yes, transit Neptune was also square her progressed Midheaven for the illusions.

It is unusual 'romance', even for the romantic 19th century. Her tragic death inspired one of Holland’s' best poets and that is why I posted it. Her Neptune was trine his MC**). Suicide may be a source of inspiration, but for most of us, the ultimate effect of a sad Neptune can be missed, like tooth ache!

PS In the chart of Anna, Venus-Mars is 75 degrees from Uranus, adding a sort of an obsession or compulsion to the passion (and maybe this is relating the passion to an impulse?).

**)Herman Gorter, 26 November 1864, 02:30:00 GMT, Wormerveer

Astrology chart Milan Kundera

Milan Kundera is the famous writer of 'The unbearable lightness of being'.
Kundera was born April 1, 1929 in Brnö. I don't know at what hour. But there is always something found in the positions of the day of birth that will be multiplied with the positions in the individual natal chart. So where is the writer in the positions of April 1, 1929?

Answer: there are no placements in air signs! Mercury does not make aspects in sign or orb 5 degrees, so Mercury is 'calling'! Look at the article on my site Astromarkt (see link below). No aspects with Mercury or no placements in air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) means a focus on contacts and seeking ways to communicate (= speaking and writing). And Milan Kundera has both (no aspects with Mercury and no placements in air).
Of course there are more clues and if we knew his hour of birth, we might find others.

For the controversy about Kundera's behaviour under the Communist regime, see Astropost.blogspot.com.

For more about not aspected planets, see Astromarkt...

Astrology chart Ian Fleming

Ian Fleming was born May 28, 1908, at 10 past midnigth in London (Mayfair). He created James Bond. In his birth chart you see the angular formula for successes: Sun and Jupiter are prominent in his chart. He had but a few years to enjoy it.

The writer in this chart can be found easily. Mercury is the final dispositor of th the MC-routing (through Jupiter in Leo, Sun in Gemini, Mercury in Gemini). and watch the pattern:
Mercury is conjunct Pluto
MC is quindecile Pluto
Being a writer is strongly connected to politics, danger, power and force.

The tighest aspect in his chart is Venus conjunct Uranus (love adventures). I liked to find on Wikipedia that he started writing about Bond with his marriage. He married late - in his forties -, afraid to loose his adventurous and flamboyant life style. So he created an alter ego who could do what he could not do as a married man...That explains the Bond-girls! And Venus-Uranus is an indication for the love for adventures and tension.

Venus-Uranus-connections in a chart also indicate a certain sense of 'being artistic' and is not uncommon in the charts of pop artists.