An Astrological Tribute to Gregory Peck: The Philosopher

Gregory Peck 1948; Studio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

March 20, 2022

by Jude Cowell

Perhaps you've noticed that there are several interesting YouTube videos available for fans of legendary film star Gregory Peck. One that I recommend gives details on his life and stellar career, all in less than 30 minutes: Gregory Peck: His Own Man. For you see, the wise Mr. Peck never allowed himself to come under the control of any one Hollywood film studio and always acted in films that he himself had selected. This was quite unusual back in the day, as you may agree. So let's see how such individualism is expressed in his natal horoscope with perhaps a bit of Neptunian romance as well!

Below: Horoscope of Gregory Peck born April 5, 1916 8:00 am pst La Jolla, California; RR: AA for accuracy; ASC 2Gem30 with Venus rising, chart-ruler Mercury @6Aries00 in 11th house of Groups (film-making is a group endeavor); Midheaven ('MC': The Goal) @13AQQ52 offers his 8 North Prenatal Solar Eclipse ('PE') @13AQ30 on the World Stage with 8 North themes of 'flashes of genius; visions; vivid dreams; insights; intuition; a need for temporary freedom causes strain in private relationships' (paraphrasing B. Brady). An obvious expression of such solar-lunar energies could have been his acting career requiring that he work away from home and family during filming.

Now if you wish, consider my study notes penned and color-coded on the chart for not all of them are mentioned in this text:

Individualism

Immediately we find Uranus, planet of freedom, individualism, disruption, and excitement, in Peck's 10th house of Career and Public Status - and strong in its own sign of progressive Aquarius! Here Uranus leads the tilt of a BOWL shape of his natal planets with Mars, planet of desire, energy, and motivation, in opposition, and conjunct the IC (Foundation) of his chart - Mars in romantic, dramatic Leo. The BOWL shape has a mission or advocates for a cause and is discernible, as you see, with all planets on the self-selecting side of the chart (choosing his own movie scripts and stage roles), and with a majority of his planets in the Public sector. As a pair, Mars-Uranus can be revolutionary and when in opposition as here, Peck's ability to stand out from the crowd is a positive expression of an individualist mindset, plus, an interest in Politics is also suggested. A lifelong Democrat, details may be found via Peck's Wikipedia page.

Then there's powerful Pluto @1Can19, within orb of the Aries Point of Fame, Fortune, and Recognition in his 2nd house of Earning Ability; Mr. Peck had for a talent for fund-raising. Yet restrictive Saturn is in 2nd house as well which suggests a conservative approach to finances, although some Saturnian boundaries may have been more difficult to establish or maintain than others (Saturn in watery Cancer also indicates family problems - tragically, the Pecks lost a son due to probable suicide). Had a father's financial overindulgence been a part of the problem? Certainly, a Mercury-Saturn square of 'the worrier' (A. Oken) denotes sobering issues in his life along with his natal Mercury conjunct sad Orpheus.

Yet from his acting debut in 1944 onward, Gregory Peck enjoyed critical success, then handsome leading-man status, but I believe it was his role as Atticus Finch in 1962's To Kill a Mocking Bird that has earned him his most popular acclaim and lasting fame through the years. Based on the novel by Harper Lee, the book and film dealt with an oft-neglected topic in our country: America's original wound - her fatal flaw - racism. Peck's career success, plus, a talent for philosophical topics (Mercury conjunct Jupiter = 'The Philosopher' who can see the larger issues) may be viewed through his expansive, enthusiastic Sun-Jupiter conjunction of Salesmanship in 11th house of Groups. And his 9th house of Foreign Lands, Higher Education, and Philosophy contains the North Node of public contact @5AQ12 (opposing the dreamy, romantic Mars-Neptune duo conjunct his natal South Node of inherited talent!).

That his Nodal Axis opposes by sign that of America (July 4, 1776) - South Node to North Node, and vice versa, implies that Peck and the American public could bring out either the worst, or the best, in one another. My suggestion is that this cosmic condition relates to his role as Atticus Finch, a script he obviously chose for himself, and which for many Americans brought out our best reactions, or at least, a still-active reconsideration of the difficult issue of racism, and of the inequality that existed, and still exists, within our two-tiered legal system.

Meanwhile, let's credit the Mutual Reception (on friendly terms!) between his natal Sun and Mars, which are beneficially trine one another in creative Fire signs, for his ability to reach to the heart of matters, plus, Jupiter in Aries suggests a man of nobility of character and integrity. And Jupiter in Mars-ruled Aries provides support for his Mars-Jupiter trine, a cosmic picture of endowment.

As for the personality blend of Gregory Peck, that is in part revealed by his intense Fire-Earth combo of conscious-unconscious energies - the Sun Aries-Moon Taurus combo, a Mars-Venus pairing. This blend describes a man with a tough vs tender demeanor and an intuitive yet pragmatic approach. Self-confident and ambitious, Gregory Peck possessed staying power and a charismatic magnetism which can still be viewed on-screen. In fact, taking center stage was a natural activity for him and he did it with grace and style as his long Hollywood career attests!

April 5, 1916 - June 12, 2003, age 87

Well, many more chart factors are there for your consideration if you so desire but let's close this astrological tribute with a link to the extensive Filmography of the legendary Hollywood star, Mr. Gregory Peck, long a favorite around here.

May he R.I.P.

For more personality information, you may wish to consult Sun Sign-Moon Sign, by Charles and Suzi Harvey #ad.