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Data News

Lois Rodden's printed newsletter, Data News, completed its commitment with Issue #100, April 2003. It is now available online as "AstroDatabank Update"


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Charlie Chaplin
by Frank Clifford

Born Charles Spencer Chaplin, 16 April 1889, 20:00 GMT, Walworth, London, England, 51N29, 0W05.

Source: From Chaplin's autobiography, 'My Autobiography'
(Penguin, 1966), p.13. RR: B.


[EQUAL HOUSE CHART. ASC: 8 SCORPIO]

Each planet and sign is associated with a particular brand of comedy, and extensive research* shows that the planet(s) or sign(s) most prominent in our horoscope will reveal the type of situations that make us laugh and the ways in which we can humor others. Virgo, for example, will revel in the comic delights of chaos, disorder, neuroses and verbal misunderstandings (note the exploits of John Cleese, Peter Sellers and Woody Allen, who all have Virgo rising).

Not surprisingly, anarchic comedians intent on turning expectation on its head, tearing down traditions and established rules (social, comedic or otherwise), have Uranus dominant. Uranus and its sign Aquarius are the most common significators in the charts of comedians and funny people. Saturn in comedy? Saturn is seen as the straight man and 'reactor', with a recognisable trait, catchphrase or look. The Saturn/Capricorn comedian, 'cursed' with bad luck and forever finding himself in 'why me' situations, elicits laughter and pathos by employing a laconic, ironic or hard-done-by sense of humour (think of Mary Tyler Moore, with Saturn rising). The Mars/Aries/Scorpio type is a physical comedian who fights for the underdog, exposes injustice and directs a biting wit to shoot down a specific target (consider Lenny Bruce, with his Mars-MC). Or perhaps comedic Mars has sex and 'the chase' forever on his mind (see Benny Hill, another Mars-MC). The Lunar/Cancerian comic taps into the public mood and relays everyday life situations (sitcoms), finding crazy, slapstick humour in habits, routines or the domestic set-up (picture Lucille Ball, who has the Moon rising).

Charlie Chaplin's horoscope has all four planets (and associated comedy types) dominant**. Uranus has risen and opposes Mercury (the genius, innovator and mimic who was censored for 'radical' ideas); Saturn is on the MC (the sad, hapless, little tramp); Mars is angular and accompanied by a strong Aries/Scorpio overtone (the incisive, political wit and agile comic); and the Moon rises (the 'every' man).

* See my book British Entertainers: the astrological profiles, 3rd edition. ** To judge the strength of a social or outer planet, consider when it falls in one of the four cadent houses and/or in strong dialogue (conjunction, square, opposition) with an inner planet.

Before the list of life events and planetary positions, let's consider some important events and their planetary triggers. Elevated Saturn appears to be the key player in Chaplin's professional life, and the natal square to Mars and Venus in the 7th is indicative of the weight of the law coming down on his lifestyle choices, relationships with teenagers and political stand. Transit Saturn signalled some of his most successful periods until the tide (and authorities) turned against him. The transits of Pluto (in their most non-negotiable guise – the Government or IRS) changed his life irrevocably. Pluto transits to his 10th and MC threatened to overshadow his comedy legacy when the government targeted Chaplin and his beliefs. When activated by transit, the weak Jupiter brought lurid lawsuits, notoriety and an unwelcome spotlight on his private life. Transiting Neptune saw him focus on moving pictures and realising his dream of film stardom.

Planet Date Event Astrological Correlation
SATURN Fall 1917 He begins building his own studio tr. Saturn conjuncts n. Saturn
April 1919 United Artists is incorporated tr. Saturn conjuncts n. MC
August 1925 'The Gold Rush' is released tr. Saturn conjuncts n. Asc and Moon
December 1947 The Govt. considers deporting him tr. Saturn conjuncts n. MC
January 1953 Cinemas cancel his latest film tr. Saturn opposes n. Sun
December 1977 Dies; in March 1978 the body is stolen s.a. Saturn conjuncts n. Asc
PLUTO April 1927 Agrees to pay $1 million in back taxes s.a. Sun conjuncts n. Pluto
s.a. Chiron conjuncts n. Saturn
February 1944 Indicted on immoral charges tr. Pluto conjuncts EQHS 10th
s.a. Pluto squares n. Sun
December 1944 A paternity trial begins tr. Pluto conjuncts EQHS 10th
April 1947 Chaplin fights a smear campaign tr. Pluto conjuncts EQHS 10th
December 1947 The Govt. considers deporting him tr. Pluto conjuncts n. Saturn
s.a. Neptune squares n. Sun
September 1952 Hounded by Governement for being un-American tr. Pluto conjuncts n. MC
June 1956 The IRS seeks $1.1 million in back taxes s.a. Pluto conjuncts EQHS 10th
September 27, 1991 His wife dies  tr. Pluto opposes n. Venus
s.a. IC conjuncts n. Neptune
JUPITER April 1920 Charged with mental cruelty in divorce tr. Jupiter conjuncts EQHS 10th
December 1926 His wife leaves with their two children tr. Jupiter conjuncts n. IC
February 1944 He is indicted on immoral charges tr. Jupiter conjuncts n. MC

NEPTUNE
December 1913 Chaplin signs a film contract tr. Neptune squares n. Sun
April 1915 'The Tramp' is released tr. Neptune squares n. Sun
s.a. Moon opposes n. Pluto
January 1919 Plans to form United Artists are unveiled  tr. Neptune conjuncts EQHS 10th

Key:
n. = natal
tr. = transit
s.a. = solar arc
EQHS = Equal House

Events

Date Event Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto
Jan 1894 Charlie first sings in music hall, rescuing his mother when her voice cracks onstage during a performance 21 Ta(R) 24 Li 14 Sc 11 Ge(R) 9 Ge(R)
Mar 1894 His father dies from alcoholism 24 Ta 24 Li(R) 15 Sc(R) 10 Ge 8 Ge
Jun 1896 His mother is hospitalized following a breakdown (she later dies on August 28, 1928); Charlie is sent to a workhouse with his brother; two years later he joins a troupe of child dancers 5 Le 13 Sc(R) 21 Sc(R) 17 Ge 12 Ge
Mar 1909 Performs at Folies Bergere, the Cigale and the Olympia in Paris 9 Vi(R) 8 Ar 19 Cp 14 Cn(R) 23 Ge(R)
Sep 1910 Tours the USA and Canada with the Karno Troupe until Nov 29, 1913 14 Li 6 Ta(R) 21 Cp(R) 20 Cn 27 Ge
Dec 1912 He is offered a film contract with the Keystone Film Company, which he signs a year later on 29 Dec 1913 22 Sa 29 Ta(R) 0 Aq 25 Cn(R) 29 Ge(R)
Jan 16, 1914 His completes his first day on set for his debut film, 'Making a Living' 28 Cp 11 Ge(R) 6 Aq 26 Cn(R) 29 Ge(R)
Nov 1914 Signs a contract for $1250 per week to produce 14 films in 1915 13 Aq 2 Cn(R) 7 Aq 0 Le 2 Cn(R)
Apr 11, 1915 'The Tramp' is released 15 Pi 27 Ge 15 Aq 27 Cn 0 Cn
Fall 1917 Begins building his own studio on LaBrea Avenue, Los Angeles, which he occupies in Jan 1918 11-6 Ge(R) 11-14 Le 19 Aq(R) 6 Le 5 Cn(R)
Oct 23, 1918 Marries Mildred Harris 15 Cn 26 Le 23 Aq(R) 9 Le 6 Cn(R)
Jan 15, 1919 Announces plans to form United Artists with Douglas Fairbanks, D.W. Griffith and Mary Pickford 9 Cn(R) 27 Le(R) 25 Aq 8 Le(R) 5 Cn(R)
Apr 17, 1919 United Artists is incorporated 8 Cn 21 Le(R) 0 Pi 6 Le(R) 4 Cn
Jul 7, 1919 His first son is born, but dies 3 days later 24 Cn 25 Le 1 Pi(R) 8 Le 6 Cn
Apr 4, 1920 Mildred Harris begins divorce proceedings, charging mental cruelty; she sues Chaplin on Aug 3 and obtains a divorce on Nov 13, 1920 8 Le 5 Vi(R) 3 Pi 8 Le(R) 5 Cn
Oct 30, 1921 Chaplin is sued for plagiarism; wins case six years later on Nov 15, 1927 7 Li 2 Li 5 Pi(R) 15 Le 9 Cn(R)
Mar 1924 Marries Lita Grey in Mexico; their sons are born on May 5, 1925 and Mar 30, 1926 17 Sa 2 Sc(R) 17 Pi 18 Le(R) 10 Cn(R)
Aug 16, 1925  'The Gold Rush' is released 13 Cp(R) 8 Sc 24 Pi(R) 22 Le 14 Cn
Dec 1, 1926 Lita Grey leaves with their two children and begins divorce proceedings the following day (granted Aug 22, 1927); Chaplin is rumoured to be suffering from a nervous breakdown 20 Aq 29 Sc 25 Pi(R) 26 Le(R) 15 Cn(R)
Apr 20, 1927 He agrees to pay $1 million to the government for back taxes 21 Pi 6 Sa(R) 1 Ar 24 Le(R) 13 Cn
Jan 30, 1931 'City Lights' is released and Chaplin embarks on a worldwide promotional tour 12 Cn(R) 17 Cp 12 Ar 5 Vi(R) 19 Cn(R)
Feb 5, 1936 'Modern Times' is released 18 Sa 9 Pi 1 Ta 16 Vi(R) 25 Cn(R)
Nov 11, 1936 Confirms that he married Paulette Goddard secretly in 1935 (they divorce on Jun 4, 1942) 25 Sa 15 Pi(R) 7 Ta(R) 18 Vi 28 Cn(R)
Sep 9, 1939 House of Un-American Activities Committee begins investigating Chaplin; he begins filming 'The Great Dictator' (which will be released on Oct 15, 1940) 6 Ar(R) 0 Ta(R) 21 Ta(R) 22 Vi 2 Le
Jun 4, 1943 Chaplin is named as the father of aspiring actress Joan Barry's unborn child 24 Cn 15 Ge 5 Ge 29 Vi(R) 5 Le
Jun 16, 1943 Marries Oona O'Neill, aged 18 26 Cn 17 Ge 5 Ge 29 Vi 5 Le
Feb 10, 1944 Indicted for transporting a minor (Barry) across state lines for immoral purposes (acquitted on Apr 5, 1944) 22 Le(R) 19 Ge(R) 4 Ge(R) 3 Li(R) 7 Le(R)
Dec 19, 1944 Barry's paternity trial begins (mistrial on Jan 4, 1945); second suit begins April 12, 1945, which she wins 5 days later 26 Vi 8 Cn(R) 10 Ge(R) 6 Li 9 Le(R)
Apr 15, 1947 Chaplin denies he is a Communist and fights a smear campaign 26 Sc(R) 2 Le 18 Ge 9 Li(R) 10 Le(R)
Dec 18, 1947 Justice and State Depts are urged to arrange his deportation 12 Sa 22 Le(R) 24 Ge(R) 12 Li 14 Le(R)
Sep 18, 1952 Chaplin embarks on a world cruise; Attorney General McGranery orders a probe of Chaplin's subversive activities to determine his readmission to the USA; Chaplin moves to Vevey, Switzerland and vows never to return to the USA 20 Ta(R) 15 Li 17 Cn 20 Li 22 Le
Jan 1953 Showings of Chaplin's film 'Limelight' are cancelled in various theaters 11 Ta(R) 26 Li 16 Cn(R) 23 Li 22 Le(R)
Jun 15, 1956 The IRS announces it will seek $1.1 million in back taxes and interest from Chaplin 26 Le 27 Sc(R) 0 Le 27 Li 26 Le
Sep 1964 He publishes his autobiography 25 Ta 1 Pi(R) 10 Vi 15 Sc 13 Vi
Apr 1972 Returns to the USA to receive awards including a Special Academy Award 7 Cp 2 Ge 16 Li(R) 5 Sa(R) 0 Li(R)
Mar 4, 1975 Knighted by the Queen of England 26 Pi 12 Cn(R) 2 Sc(R) 11 Sa 8 Li(R)
Dec 25, 1977 Dies in his sleep, Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland 0 Cn(R) 0 Vi(R) 15 Sc 16 Sa 16 Li
Mar 1, 1978 His body is stolen from its grave (and is found 16 days later) 26 Ge 26 Le(R) 16 Sc(R) 18 Sa 16 Li(R)
Sep 27, 1991 Oona O'Neill dies 3 Vi 0 Aq(R) 9 Cp 13 Cp 18 Sc

(Where only the month is given, the planetary position at the first day of that month has been listed; (R) = retrograde)

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