Chart Profile

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Click to view to the chart. (If fuzzy click again to zoom.)

In celebration of the great composer's 250th birthday, I'm making him my first example of a chart profile, a new section of Star Pearls. In these chart profiles I will point out a few prominent features, especially emphasizing traditional techniques. These profiles will not be complete analyses which would be dozens of pages.

First, the time - is it accurate? The time of 8:00 pm is from a biography. I haven't researched enough to rectify the time and it is quite likely that it is a little different that 8:00 pm (such a round number begs to be a little off). However, from the basic facts of Mozart's life it is likely that this time is quite close.

We see 12 Virgo 43 on the Ascendant, the point at which spirit enters matter and thus the focal point for the entire chart. The exaltation degree of Mercury is 14-15 Virgo. This tells us that this person is arriving into the world quite literally exalting the principle of mind and communication. It is my experience that the exaltation and fall degrees are active within the chart and can be set off in a number of ways. The planet itself doesn't have to be there. In fact a planet on another planet's exaltation or fall degree is a part of their life story. The Dragon's Head also on the ascendant shows a highly inquisitive character with an ever present drive for greater perfection.

With Virgo rising, we look to Mercury as an especially important factor in Mozart's life. Mercury is just separating from the Sun in Aquarius, moving rather quickly at 1.44 degrees per day. Planetary speed, especially involving Mercury, is a frequently overlooked by many astrologers. While 1.44 degrees is not off the charts (highest possible is a bit over 2 degrees per day) its position relative to the Sun means it is moving as quickly as it will go in that season. A fast Mercury in Aquarius is a sure sign of a speedy wit and an adept learner in any century.

While Mercury near the Sun is combust, when this occurs in signs where Mercury has dignity like Gemini, Virgo, Libra and Aquarius (Mercury is night-time triplicity ruler of Air signs, which we have here) the debility is said to be removed and instead means the mind is strengthened. The facts are that this man was a genius who revolutionized music. If the astrology doesn't fit the facts, then the astrology is wrong. There are many people with profound minds who have Mercury quite close to the Sun. If you are one of those people who have labeled your Mercury combust then take this chart to heart.

We also see with the time of 8:00 pm that Mercury trines the midheaven. This trine is especially powerful since Mercury rules Gemini. The midheaven is the career point, an indicator of action and what we are known for. It goes without saying that Mozart's name is known the world over.

It is the receptions, antiscia and other techniques like duodecima that tell his story so well. Mozart had Moon applying to sextile Jupiter. What makes this so powerful? Because Jupiter rules Sagittarius, and thus will bestow his essence upon planets that travel through this sign as long as he can see them by traditional aspect. What can Jupiter give? All round success and beneficial qualities, prosperity, luck, faith, good relations with teachers, all because of Jupiter; and love of balance, harmony, relationships and esthetic pleasures because Jupiter is in Libra. The Moon absorbs all these qualities in a notable way because the aspect is so tight. But Jupiter itself as indicator of prosperity is not so easy, because of the aspect from Pluto.

Looking to the antiscia, we see something very interesting with that Jupiter. It looks to be Jupiter in Libra, fine enough. But what explains Mozart's revolutionary effect on music? The antiscion of Uranus (look at the box on the bottom right) falls at 16 Libra 48, within 2 degrees of Jupiter. Ah ha! Jupiter conjunct Uranus is one sign of sudden changes and breakthroughs, which is exactly what he did in music.

I am also quite fond of the technique of duodecima, or duads for short. Firmicus Maternus, a 4th century Sicilian lawyer turned astrologer writing in Greek, highly recommended both of these techniques. It is my experience that he was right. Here is a nifty example. The exact duad position (duads function somewhat like a harmonic) of Uranus lands at 8 Leo, just one degree from Neptune. Neptune definitely is active in the charts of many artists. So how was he revolutionary (Uranus)? In music (Neptune)! The story is clearly told with the antiscia and the duads.

If you are interested in these techniques, I gave a talk for NCGR in San Francisco last fall which was professionally recorded. Tapes are available from Steve Pincus and Sun Recordings at 650-968-4513 (no website).

Back to Mozart. Another lost technique of traditional astrology is declination. Many astrologers will argue against this, but since markers at Stonehenge set off the declination of the Moon I think we indeed can consider this as a technique of traditional astrology. The declination of Mozart's Mars (again check the box on the bottom right) is 27 degrees, which is way, way, way out of bounds. Mars represents drive at best and hostility at worst. Mars in Cancer tends to rile up the emotions; it is true Mozart had a temper. I also find Mars in Cancer in many artists, because the inner turmoil and passion of the warrior in the sign of the insides means there is abundant creative material, and even a compelling need to express. With Mars out of bounds in Cancer, we see that Mozart could dare (Mars) to be different (out of bounds).

Why is this Mars acting on an artistic level instead of involving him in duels and whatnot? Yes Mars is in Cancer which tends to involve the arts more than outright hostilities, but also check the antiscion of Venus -  0 Scorpio. This is in exact trine to Mars with reception since Mars gives to planets in Scorpio. I have found this to be true even by antiscia, and we have a prominent case here. What can Mars give to Venus? Mars gives both courage and a temper because this is the nature of Mars; it also gives a wildly different emotional expression because it is so out of bounds in Cancer! (What does out of bounds mean? Here's a great website that explains). His Venus, planet of art and beauty, absorbs all these qualities. His creations changed music forever and 250 years after his birth still captivate listeners today.

Continue to Page 2 to see effects of transits during the summer of 1788, when Mozart composed his three most famous symphonies.