Charlie Chaplin: Venus conjunct Mars in Taurus!

Charlie Chaplin; 1920; Strauss-Peyton Studio [Public domain]

These days, with power-grasping, creepy Pluto plodding through the sign of governmental Capricorn (on one level this placement denotes The Dictator), it seems appropriate to consider the two possible natal horoscopes of the very famous film pioneer and masterful actor, writer, and producer, Charlie Chaplin. Two because Chaplin's birth date is in question (RR: XX) although both natal charts have 8:00 pm GMT as Charlie's birth time. So it's either April 15 or April 16, 1889 in London with Moon in Libra or Moon in Scorpio and since his mother was a defining element in his life, perhaps we're tempted to assume a Scorpio Moon as more problematic than a Venus-ruled Libra Moon. She did perform in vaudeville after all (Venus and Libra = the arts) as did his father but early on, Charlie had to take over the money making duties age 5, due to mother Hannah's illness. And of course, illness can very well point toward brooding Scorpio for a Mum and yet Libra is a mental Air sign that perhaps is not particularly suited to the harsher side of life. Back in Charlie's day, Victorian hard times were really hard times.

Of course a person's Moon sign is only one factor when attempting to judge a natal horoscope that's unreliable because of inaccurate birth data. But in a sense, Charlie's Moon sign is a primary clue that distinguishes between the two charts and dates especially if we want this to remain a mere post and not a book!

Besides, other features of both horoscopes are pretty much the same except for the Moon sign since both charts are set for the same hour and location and are dated only 24 hours apart. So let's consider a few astro-notes on the two potential personality blends a la Charles and Suzi Harvey's book Sun Sign-Moon Sign while keeping in mind Chaplin's lusty, passionate Venus-Mars conjunction in the comfort-loving, possessive, often materialistic sign of Taurus (the Bull):

Right away the 'live-wire' Fire-Air Sun Aries-Moon Libra blend of April 15, 1889 puts an emphasis on relationships. This combo of energies tends to 'wear its heart on its sleeve' (like a certain silent film star we both know!) and often displays a 'hoping for the best' vibe (yep!). As a Full Moon blend, head and heart can work against each other and may indicate one who tends to be overly accommodating in relationships due to a deep desire for harmony. Flirtatious, romantic, and devoted, we see such traits within the love-struck characters Chaplin played so well in his films while expressing grand heroic gestures toward his lady loves, and yet there's an awkwardness, too.

This is a charming and sociable blend that invests much in gaining the approval and adoration of others and success is made possible by a great amount of artistic imagination and creative talent. Idealism is present yet there may be a tendency to allow the need for appreciation to feed vanity rather than creativity, plus, vacillation or indecision can be an issue within creative projects.

Now here's a quote from someone born under the Sun Aries-Moon Libra blend: "The love of liberty is the love of others; the love of power is the love of ourselves." - William Hazlitt. Reminds me of Charlie's stirring speech of selflessness in The Great Dictator (below)!

Meanwhile...

If born on April 16, 1889 (the birth date most folks use for Charlie), a steamy Fire-Water Sun Aries-Moon Scorpio blend held sway. This personality blend denotes an intense, witty, passionate and highly motivated fellow with charisma and an inherent love of self-dramatization. To this mixture of bright laughter and cynicism is added driving ambition and great energy. Committed to a chosen path, some consider those born under this blend as pushy and brash while others see a private and quietly purposeful individual whose emotions can turn brooding and bitter if his plans are blocked or if accolades are not forthcoming.

For Sun Aries-Moon Scorpio, life is a drama and a theater the perfect place to shine. A natural leader (with partners, Chaplin founded United Artists Studio), a sharp and penetrating approach to life is notable and a single-mindedness helped garner the success he craved. This blend needs physical exercise and the acrobatic stunts and dancing onscreen show an amazing amount of agility and dedication as his film character The Little Tramp saved 'maidens in distress' and easily avoided punches from opponents and jealous boyfriends!

For a quote from one born under Sun Aries-Moon Scorpio, let's hear from Henry James: "Live all you can...it doesn't so much matter what you do in particular, so long as you have your life. If you haven't had that what have you had?

I can imagine the great Charlie Chaplin saying and asking much the same thing, can't you? As for which Moon sign and birth date are accurate for Charles Spenser Chaplin, is it possible that he played a love-struck Libra Moon in his films while actually hiding a brooding Scorpio Moon underneath? It might be possible - especially if he studied the Astrology of it!

Now, born only four days apart from Herr Hitler, here is the famous scene from Chaplin's film The Great Dictator: his uplifting and inspiring 'Message for Humanity' - what many folks have called The Best Speech Ever:

And below you see Charlie Chaplin at the 1972 Academy Awards accepting a well-deserved, long-time-coming Honorary Oscar--the only time he returned to America; I remember watching this award show back in the day and how it felt that one of my all-time favorites was finally being recognized by his peers after all that the "Red Scare" fiasco had put him through and how America had cruelly exiled him from the country-- at least in part for his preference for 16-year-olds. Apparently, America's Puritan streak just can't stop judging other people and you know how that sets us up for hypocrisy:

And if you check out 15 Things You Don't Know About Charlie Chaplin you'll discover among other things that his eyes were not brown but a lovely piercing blue!

Then for those who prefer more depth to their bio of this complex creative genius don't miss Charlie Chaplin: The Tragic Life of the Little Tramp.

Blog Note: if either video is deleted from this post, both are worth a search on YouTube!