Clara Bow: A Radiant Star with a Leo Sun

Harold Dean Carsey (1886-1947), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

My Astro-Tribute to the First "It" Girl Clara Bow

by Jude Cowell

When we check out the A-rated natal horoscope of legendary silent film actress Clara Bow we find Hollywood's "IT" girl of the Jazz Age to possess a steamy, passionate fire-water Sun Leo-Moon Cancer personality blend. With her mega-popularity and appealing beauty, Clara Bow successfullly transitioned to talkies. Born into abject poverty in a Brooklyn, NY (Kings County) tenement with restrictive Saturn rising in Pisces, Bow broke into acting at around the age of 16, and at age 22 the film "It" paved her a glowing path to major stardom.

As a sparkling, elegant flapper extraordinaire, Clara Bow epitomized the let-loose spirit of the Roaring Twenties era (horoscope shown) with her insouciant style and verve - always dancing, always romancing. She was a mere 18-yo when the Roaring Twenties Eclipse manifested in 1923 while many American women bobbed their hair and copied Clara Bow with her bright red lipstick and heavily made-up eyes. Significantly, her sexy Venus-Pluto Conjunction in sparkling Gemini added much excitement to her allure.

Bow's Sun Leo-Moon Cancer personality blend suggests a woman of passion, a creative woman with a rich imagination; a true romantic - a "loveable radiant star". Self-dramatizing and sociable yet self-absorbed, Clara Bow was always a self-assured lady who could be moody upon occasion, and who was possibly on the sentimental side (Cancer Moon). Even today, her vulnerable quality comes across readily on the screen, and she could "turn it on" whenever a script called for it. Those big eyes!

So if you wish, check out Clara in the 1927 film It:

Here's a link to the film in case the video is removed at some point.

As for Clara Bow's worldwide stardom, we might glance at the electrical, exciting planet of novelty and technology, Uranus, for on the day of her birth, the rebellious planet of disruption conjoined one of the Cardnial World Points of Fame and Recognition, 00Capricorn! She was something of a disruption to the film industry, I'd say, and she wrote her own scripts, an unusual circumstance in those days.

Of Course, The Roaring Twenties Were Pre-Great-Depression Era

As for societal conditions during her time, Bow was born during an opposition phase of Uranus and Neptune (across the early Capricorn-Cancer axis), revealing that society was acting under the influence of mystical, confusing, mass delusional vibrations. The Wikipedia page of Clara Bow supplies us with quite a few biographical details concerning her film career, her multiple scandals, and her difficult final years of health issues and other troubles.

Then on September 26, 1965, Clara Bow passed away from a heart attack in Glendale, California, her life cut short, age 60. So with this astro-tribute to a legendary film star of the Silver Screen, I take this opportunity to say, May Clara Bow R.I.P.

For more personality blend info, see Sun Sign-Moon Sign, by Charles and Suzi Harvey #ad.

An Astro-Tribute to the Legendary Rudolph Valentino

Re: Rodolfo Filiberto Raffaello Guglielmi di Valentina d'Antonguolla

by Jude Cowell

Rudolph Valentino; Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

After watching Biography's Rudolph Valentino: The Great Lover I had to wonder why the pioneering silent film star, the "Latin Lover" who stole the hearts of American women across the land (to the chagrin of American men) had yet to appear on Neptune's Silver Screen. This oversight must be addressed! A kind and charming man, Valentino was talented with smoldering good looks that can still mesmerize from the silver screen.

Indispensible for our astro-portrait is a glance at Valentino's natal chart (RR: AA: accurate!) where we find that his Nodal Return chart of November 30, 1913 occurred very near the day Valentino arrived in New York Harbor on the oceanliner Cleveland (December 23, 1913), ready for new contacts and alliances which a Nodal Return with its joining qualities often inspires. Obvious is his restless nature leaving family and friends behind in Italy in order to seek his fortune in the US - and, I believe, to pursue romance, new adventures, and big dreams. In his early days, he is known to have felt that Italy was too small for him!

And so it was.

Of course, dance was his intro into a new life and career in the US, and silent films would follow so peruse Valentino's Filmography if you wish!

Now as I was saying, a Nodal Return occurs approximately every 18.6 years and times a period when old business and relationships may come to an end, and a new phase of life begins. Finding a love match often occurs during this period! So I'd say that emigrating to America, entering romantic relationships, and finding a career in the blossoming entertainment industry of the era qualifies as a new phase of life, wouldn't you? And a rather spectacular one, as it turned out, however brief it sadly was. Check out Valentino's profile page on Wikipedia for more biographical information including the tragic details of his illness and death at age 31. As it happened the day he collapsed in his Manhattan hotel room and was rushed to the hospital, he received the wrong diagnosis ('Jupiter-Neptune') of appendicitis (nope), plus, stomach ulcers (yes); perforated ulcers had mimicked appendicitis; then peritonitis of the abdominal lining had developed after surgery, pleuritis weakened his left lung, and later on it was found that he had developed a sepsis infection due to his weakened condition.

So below is a horoscope of the morning he collapsed, speculatively timed for 8:00 am edt Manhattan, NY with his natal planets and points highlighted around the chart in magenta (which may look pink or red on your screen). Rising at 8:00 am is Valentino's natal South Node of separation @20Vir33, then his Ascendant @00Lib53 (physical body), Anti-Vertex, Chiron, the wounded healer centaur, and then his natal Moon @14Lib21. As you know, natal Moon also represents an individual's physical body and is a health indicator.

Also marked in magenta is his Secondary Progressed ('SP') IC of Endings conjunct his SP Saturn Rx, planet of endings, separation, and loss. Saturn to IC in this case seems to have acted as a timer - by the Lord of Time himself: Saturn, aka, the Great Chronocrator. Was an inherited weakness from his paternal side underlying his medical issues at age 31? If so, taking good care of oneself would be an imperative, while indulging in negative escapist habits such as alcohol would only complicate matters.

Another factor to consider is that Valentino's Saturn Return (3Sco01), which had occurred on October 10, 1924, showed two health aspects to natal Saturn: a sesqui-square (135 degrees) from Uranus (0A25) and a semi-square (45 degrees) from Jupiter (2A05), both signals to act responsibly in matters of health. Plus, one midpoint picture appears in his Saturn Return Horoscope (not shown in this post): Mars-Uranus conjunct MC: an operation (R. Ebertin). Had he needed surgical intervention back in late 1924 but failed to heed Saturn's warning - or was he unaware of his condition?

Well, perhaps we might agree that there are astrological indications implying that Valentino had not been taking as good a care of himself as he should have (despair over a broken heart: Venus-Uranus square = divorced people; plus, possible employment problems? he'd been feuding with a journalist who had questioned his masculinity, a sore spot for the Latin Lover).

Meanwhile, as noted in the above horoscope there are multiple health indicators for those who care to look so please enlarge or print the image for easier reading, if you wish. This is a speculatively timed chart of his collapse on August 15, 1926 with my study notes penned on. Plus, you may wish to view the Last living footage of Rudolph Valentino (1926) which includes, of all things, a boxing match.

Events of August 15, 1926 Manhattan, New York

So as noted, Valentino collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, surgery was done immediately, and he seemed to be recuperating on August 18 (transit Mars sextile natal Mars: doctors were optimistic), but on August 21st pleuritis hit his left lung, plus, peritonitis had developed in his abdominal tissues (a rumor circulated: arsenic poisoning!). After surgery, his condition worsened and he passed away in a coma (Uranus-Neptune) on Monday August 23, 1926. As you see, Uranus Rx @28Pis32 is in his natal 6th house of Health conjunct Descendant (Angular, in Pisces, sign of infections and illness, ruled by 'Jupiter-Neptune', as noted, above: ultimately, sepsis overwhelmed his immune system: Moon-NN) following his collapse which shows in the horoscope via Moon-MC = Neptune at 8:00 am. Add to this, veiling Neptune in Leo conjuncts the Sun (vitality) and hides asteroid Hygeia, so apparently substandard hygiene may have been a factor in the undermining of his health - bacteria-wise, of course, as his multiple infections suggest.

Then among the chart's other midpoint pictures are four that conjunct the 8:00 am 'collapse' Midheaven, and thus are prominent - along with his natal Pluto @10Gemini - with midpoint picture potentials messily penned on and highlighted in blue, top of the chart: 'catastrophe, lowered status, notoriety, enforced separation' - a pile up of afflictions.

Also penned on the chart is a major transit: Saturn conjunct natal Uranus Rx @18Sco01 in Scorpio, sign of surgery and regeneration (unless negative factors interfere, which tragically they did).

A Saturn to Uranus transit denotes a time of limitation, delay, and frustration including in group activities such as film making, and of course, restrictive Saturn is a karmic planet signifying stoppage, blockage, and loss, while Uranus represents freedom, independence, and the future. This transit doesn't always end with death but as noted, Valentino's health condition was weakened physically, and, I believe, emotionally and mentally due to the heart break and loneliness of divorce which must have been very difficult for him because on the personality level, Valentino's Sun Taurus-Moon Libra blend (double Venus, planet of love and beauty) reveals a man with a deep need to be loved within a perfect relationship, a sociable, devoted fellow and an idealistic artist. Harmony was his 'jam', and discord was deeply upsetting to him.

Valentino, signed; James Abbe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

And because of Valentino's untimely death just prior to Hollywood's introduction of the talkies, the question remains: would Rudolph Valentino have made a successful transition from silent films to sound? Well, here's a brief video revealing how Valentino sounded thanks to the fact that he was recorded singing: Rudy's Voice. What do You think? My suspicion is that after minor adjustments, the exotic Latin heartthrob would have acquitted himself just fine!

Related Horoscopes include: actress Pola Negri, a double Capricorn born during a Saturn-Uranus Conjunction, and here's my previous astro-tribute to another of Valentino's famous contemporaries, the great Gloria Swanson. And if you hanker for a view of Valentino dancing in The Four Horsemen (the tango, no less!) check out, Swanson and Valentino which also includes home movies and more.

Son of the Sheik; United Artists, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

So in closing, this post ends as do all such astro-tributes to long-ago stars of the Silver Screen: may the much-loved Rudolph Valentino R. I. P.

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!

Now Playing on Neptune's Silver Screen: Neptune's Daughter (1914) - clip

All the way from 1914, here's a 1-minute clip of Neptune's Daughter, a silent film that I hardly know how to describe:

Actually did you know there's an entire genre of mermaid films? A small "rare footage archive" of them is available at Mermaid FX if you're curious! Another of Annette Kellerman's star turns is Venus of the South Seas so here's a 1-minute clip from that silent Venusian relic:

I suspect that photographing (Neptune) people swimming and admiring themselves in mirrors underwater (Neptune) for silent films (Neptune) was quite an intriguing novelty in its day, don't you?

And though quite forgotten nowadays, the aquatic pioneer and "perfect woman" Annette Kellerman has an interesting bio if you care to check her out! After all, Hollywood goddesses may approach the ideal but when it comes to perfect women and sea goddesses nobody plays Aphrodite better than Venus, right?

To illustrate here is Botticelli's famous painting The Birth of Venus including her favorite, pearls:

Sandro Botticelli [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons