FAMOUS
The flamboyance of the Sun in Leo is exaggerated in Madonna’s chart by its application to Jupiter on the nodal axis, giving the potential for the great celebrity status she has achieved as an actress, performer and best-selling female recording artist of all time. But with the Sun in the 12th house, Madonna’s self-expression has inevitably involved dark journeys and her initial fame was gained as much from the exploitation of taboos and prohibitions, as her obvious talent, unflagging drive and ruthless ambition. The midheaven ruler, transmutative Mercury, is strongly dignified and powerfully placed upon the ascendant, demonstrating Madonna’s proclivity for reinvention – and with Mercury conjunct Pluto and the Moon, her transformations have usually found ways to permeate the dark and painful elements of public subconsciousness.
Madonna’s first successful album ‘Like a Virgin’ resonates to the theme of her ascendant and 1st house Moon – and that ascending Moon speaks volumes about the motivation of a woman whose trademark is that of the ultimate mother. Madonna’s own mother died when she was five, as the Moon, by solar arc direction, hit the trine of 8th-ruler Mars and Uranus, by transit, came to her Mercury-Asc-Moon conjunction. Heavy parental issues are also indicated by Saturn in the 4th house, and after the death of her mother, Madonna simultaneously craved for and rejected the attention of her father, his staunch Catholic views often featuring as a source of conflict between them.
Where the Moon is in trine to Mars there will always be an instinct to fight for one’s quarter, and ‘hit where it hurts’ if necessary. With Madonna's Mars squaring Uranus on the 12th cusp, this has often involved shocking society by exploding and mocking religious conventions. Through her nativity, we see this is not merely attention-seeking for the sake of promoting her career, but an irresistible, seemingly self-destructive need to violate religious inhibitions in order to find her own spiritual freedom. The trine from Saturn in the 4th house to her 12th house Sun and Uranus demonstrates her compulsion to relieve emotional pressures through creative acts that smash perceived inhibitions stirred by painful memories of the past.
It was not until the birth of her own daughter, Lourdes, that Madonna admitted to feeling truly aligned with herself, after which her Virgoan ascendant was seen more clearly as the signature of a woman of sharp intellect and fine attention to detail.
Madonna’s Mercurial gift for duality and reinvention has spawned success in writing songs, children’s books, designing fashion and as a businesswoman running her own, highly successful label. Yet she still maintains her solar status as ‘the Queen of Pop’ and continues to generate controversy and critical acclaim, now in her fifth decade as a globally renowned iconic performer.
Leos think big, and Napoleon expressed his Sun in Leo - conjunct the majestic ‘king’ star Regulus - in attempts to take over the world. You need a very grandiose and determined sense of expansion for this, so his Jupiter in Scorpio trining the midheaven (on the sextile midpoint of a Mars-Pluto trine) helps here. But to truly epitomise the spirit of revolution, you need Mars in trine to Uranus and to have that planet ‘come to life’ in your lifetime (Napoleon was 12 when Uranus was discovered in 1781). Later astrologers could observe a final flourish of fanatical Pluto on the IC forming a grand trine between revolutionary Uranus and the emblem of war-leaders: Mars.
Like many hugely successful Leos pursuing immense visions, Napoleon was aided by a grounded, earthy Moon. With his Moon ruling the MC from the 4th house and opposing 4th-ruler, Saturn, Napoleon clearly had a problem with territorial boundaries, and much has been made of the theory that emotional insecurities may have fed a maniacal ambition to dominate through his glorious military career – whatever the cause, Napoleon did so with true Leo panache.
There is conflicting data recorded for Napoleon. That used here is sourced from the report of the contemporary astrologer Thomas White in his 1811 book Occult Science Investigated, p.428. There is a full astrological analysis and progression report provided there, along with the report that the time was “given by himself to an eminent astronomer in Corsica”.
Mick Jagger’s stellium in Leo, on the IC, marks the dramatic, self-aggrandising style of an outstanding artist who, in his heyday, was the undisputed ‘prince of rock’. Mars trine Venus gives an easy expression of sexual charisma while Uranus rising, on the sextile of that dynamic Sun-Jupiter-Pluto conjunction, gives the power to make an explosive impact and rock the status quo. As lead vocalist of the Rolling Stones, Jagger defined a new generation with an original, gritty, ‘in your face’ image, preening with raw energy, and a free-spirited combination of machismo and camp irony. This is a chart of fire and earth finding expression through the communication powers of Mercury and Gemini.
Though no stranger to controversy or relationship upheavals, the Moon in Taurus and heavy emphasis on fixed signs allowed Jagger to maintain a solid grasp on reality and a seemingly endless career (the Stones are widely seen as one of the greatest as well as one of the longest-running rock bands of all time). But with Mercury and Uranus the most angular planets, and both empowered by connection to the Sun-Jupiter conjunction in Leo, Jagger’s larger than life ‘Rubber Lips’ persona bristles with creativity that is stimulating, startling and markedly elastic. According to academic studies reported on Wikipedia, Jagger’s performance style “opened up definitions of gendered masculinity and so laid the foundations for self-invention and sexual plasticity which are now an integral part of contemporary youth culture”.
“I think the biggest part of being a girl boss in the office, at home or anywhere you go is just knowing your value” – says Meghan Markle, whose regal 1st house Sun in Leo, sextile Jupiter on the IC, shows someone who might consider a ‘behind the scenes’ role, but never a back-seat one. The expansive nature of that Sun-Jupiter dynamic mixes charm, radiance, and confidence with an aura of cordiality, and gives instinctive alignment with a sense of self-worth.
A prominent champion of women’s rights, falling into ‘girl-boss’ mode is easy for Markle, although some who experienced her ‘bossiness’ complain about a domineering attitude and lack of sensitivity. Long-standing allegations of bullying staff or precociously demanding privileges rose to prominence in 2022, with the release of Tom Bower’s darkly titled biography, Revenge. Whether true or exaggerated by the ill-will of those that have been close to her, Meghan’s horoscope does show an affable air masks strong will and tenacious determination, and that leanings towards self-preservation are underpinned by (possibly justified) fears and insecurities. With her MC-ruler, Mars, fallen in Cancer in the debilitating 12th house, both the suffering and employment of adverse propaganda and negative manipulation seem embossed into matters of public persona. ... Despite her bright vivacity, comfort with celebrity, and easy, open manner of expression before the camera, the ‘under the Earth’ emphasis of Megan’s nativity shows a much deeper and introspective person than appears on the surface.
Read the full analysis: Meghan Markle: Beneath the Sparkle, by Deborah Houlding.
The 20th century British astrologer Alan Leo took his sun sign as a pseudonym, and his rectified chart has a conjunction of Saturn with the fixed star Regulus on the degree of the ascendant. He then wrote a glowing report of himself and anyone who, like him, has Leo rising on the ascendant:
“This gives you an open, candid and honourable disposition, magnanimous and generous. You have dignity and self confidence that will sustain you in trouble and difficulty, and that will bring you to the front in life if you use your opportunities wisely. You do not underrate your own value, but are ambitious and masterful with large and far reaching aims and schemes. You have some degree of pride and fondness for display and ostentation at times, and the sense of the dramatic is strong in you. You have a warm heart and ardent affections and make a very faithful friend, one not liable to change or vacillate. You are compassionate, tender and sympathetic, and anxious to give help to those who need it and to protect those who need protection. Your pride is rather easily touched, and anger is sometimes quick to rise, but you are a forgiving enemy and prefer peace to war. You have a firm strong will and do not readily change your course when you have once decided on it, but are capable of persistent effort extended over a long period You are cheerful, hopeful, sociable and companionable. Your feelings and emotions are quickly roused, you are rather fond of luxury and pleasure, and may need to put some curb upon this side of your nature.” (The Key to Your Own Nativity, A. Leo, 1920)
Read the full article exploring the life and work of Alan Leo, by Kim Farnell.
LEO
by Deborah Houlding
How does the Sun in Leo play out in the charts of famous people?
For the deep-dive into 
see the Sign Symbolism of Leo
see the Sign Symbolism of Leo
Madonna
The flamboyance of the Sun in Leo is exaggerated in Madonna’s chart by its application to Jupiter on the nodal axis, giving the potential for the great celebrity status she has achieved as an actress, performer and best-selling female recording artist of all time. But with the Sun in the 12th house, Madonna’s self-expression has inevitably involved dark journeys and her initial fame was gained as much from the exploitation of taboos and prohibitions, as her obvious talent, unflagging drive and ruthless ambition. The midheaven ruler, transmutative Mercury, is strongly dignified and powerfully placed upon the ascendant, demonstrating Madonna’s proclivity for reinvention – and with Mercury conjunct Pluto and the Moon, her transformations have usually found ways to permeate the dark and painful elements of public subconsciousness.
Madonna’s first successful album ‘Like a Virgin’ resonates to the theme of her ascendant and 1st house Moon – and that ascending Moon speaks volumes about the motivation of a woman whose trademark is that of the ultimate mother. Madonna’s own mother died when she was five, as the Moon, by solar arc direction, hit the trine of 8th-ruler Mars and Uranus, by transit, came to her Mercury-Asc-Moon conjunction. Heavy parental issues are also indicated by Saturn in the 4th house, and after the death of her mother, Madonna simultaneously craved for and rejected the attention of her father, his staunch Catholic views often featuring as a source of conflict between them.
Where the Moon is in trine to Mars there will always be an instinct to fight for one’s quarter, and ‘hit where it hurts’ if necessary. With Madonna's Mars squaring Uranus on the 12th cusp, this has often involved shocking society by exploding and mocking religious conventions. Through her nativity, we see this is not merely attention-seeking for the sake of promoting her career, but an irresistible, seemingly self-destructive need to violate religious inhibitions in order to find her own spiritual freedom. The trine from Saturn in the 4th house to her 12th house Sun and Uranus demonstrates her compulsion to relieve emotional pressures through creative acts that smash perceived inhibitions stirred by painful memories of the past.
It was not until the birth of her own daughter, Lourdes, that Madonna admitted to feeling truly aligned with herself, after which her Virgoan ascendant was seen more clearly as the signature of a woman of sharp intellect and fine attention to detail.
Madonna’s Mercurial gift for duality and reinvention has spawned success in writing songs, children’s books, designing fashion and as a businesswoman running her own, highly successful label. Yet she still maintains her solar status as ‘the Queen of Pop’ and continues to generate controversy and critical acclaim, now in her fifth decade as a globally renowned iconic performer.
Chart time based on Tashi Grady's report from Madonna's father, who looked up the time from hospital records.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Leos think big, and Napoleon expressed his Sun in Leo - conjunct the majestic ‘king’ star Regulus - in attempts to take over the world. You need a very grandiose and determined sense of expansion for this, so his Jupiter in Scorpio trining the midheaven (on the sextile midpoint of a Mars-Pluto trine) helps here. But to truly epitomise the spirit of revolution, you need Mars in trine to Uranus and to have that planet ‘come to life’ in your lifetime (Napoleon was 12 when Uranus was discovered in 1781). Later astrologers could observe a final flourish of fanatical Pluto on the IC forming a grand trine between revolutionary Uranus and the emblem of war-leaders: Mars.
Like many hugely successful Leos pursuing immense visions, Napoleon was aided by a grounded, earthy Moon. With his Moon ruling the MC from the 4th house and opposing 4th-ruler, Saturn, Napoleon clearly had a problem with territorial boundaries, and much has been made of the theory that emotional insecurities may have fed a maniacal ambition to dominate through his glorious military career – whatever the cause, Napoleon did so with true Leo panache.
There is conflicting data recorded for Napoleon. That used here is sourced from the report of the contemporary astrologer Thomas White in his 1811 book Occult Science Investigated, p.428. There is a full astrological analysis and progression report provided there, along with the report that the time was “given by himself to an eminent astronomer in Corsica”.
Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger’s stellium in Leo, on the IC, marks the dramatic, self-aggrandising style of an outstanding artist who, in his heyday, was the undisputed ‘prince of rock’. Mars trine Venus gives an easy expression of sexual charisma while Uranus rising, on the sextile of that dynamic Sun-Jupiter-Pluto conjunction, gives the power to make an explosive impact and rock the status quo. As lead vocalist of the Rolling Stones, Jagger defined a new generation with an original, gritty, ‘in your face’ image, preening with raw energy, and a free-spirited combination of machismo and camp irony. This is a chart of fire and earth finding expression through the communication powers of Mercury and Gemini.
Though no stranger to controversy or relationship upheavals, the Moon in Taurus and heavy emphasis on fixed signs allowed Jagger to maintain a solid grasp on reality and a seemingly endless career (the Stones are widely seen as one of the greatest as well as one of the longest-running rock bands of all time). But with Mercury and Uranus the most angular planets, and both empowered by connection to the Sun-Jupiter conjunction in Leo, Jagger’s larger than life ‘Rubber Lips’ persona bristles with creativity that is stimulating, startling and markedly elastic. According to academic studies reported on Wikipedia, Jagger’s performance style “opened up definitions of gendered masculinity and so laid the foundations for self-invention and sexual plasticity which are now an integral part of contemporary youth culture”.
Meghan Markle
“I think the biggest part of being a girl boss in the office, at home or anywhere you go is just knowing your value” – says Meghan Markle, whose regal 1st house Sun in Leo, sextile Jupiter on the IC, shows someone who might consider a ‘behind the scenes’ role, but never a back-seat one. The expansive nature of that Sun-Jupiter dynamic mixes charm, radiance, and confidence with an aura of cordiality, and gives instinctive alignment with a sense of self-worth.
A prominent champion of women’s rights, falling into ‘girl-boss’ mode is easy for Markle, although some who experienced her ‘bossiness’ complain about a domineering attitude and lack of sensitivity. Long-standing allegations of bullying staff or precociously demanding privileges rose to prominence in 2022, with the release of Tom Bower’s darkly titled biography, Revenge. Whether true or exaggerated by the ill-will of those that have been close to her, Meghan’s horoscope does show an affable air masks strong will and tenacious determination, and that leanings towards self-preservation are underpinned by (possibly justified) fears and insecurities. With her MC-ruler, Mars, fallen in Cancer in the debilitating 12th house, both the suffering and employment of adverse propaganda and negative manipulation seem embossed into matters of public persona. ... Despite her bright vivacity, comfort with celebrity, and easy, open manner of expression before the camera, the ‘under the Earth’ emphasis of Megan’s nativity shows a much deeper and introspective person than appears on the surface.
Read the full analysis: Meghan Markle: Beneath the Sparkle, by Deborah Houlding.
Alan Leo
The 20th century British astrologer Alan Leo took his sun sign as a pseudonym, and his rectified chart has a conjunction of Saturn with the fixed star Regulus on the degree of the ascendant. He then wrote a glowing report of himself and anyone who, like him, has Leo rising on the ascendant:
“This gives you an open, candid and honourable disposition, magnanimous and generous. You have dignity and self confidence that will sustain you in trouble and difficulty, and that will bring you to the front in life if you use your opportunities wisely. You do not underrate your own value, but are ambitious and masterful with large and far reaching aims and schemes. You have some degree of pride and fondness for display and ostentation at times, and the sense of the dramatic is strong in you. You have a warm heart and ardent affections and make a very faithful friend, one not liable to change or vacillate. You are compassionate, tender and sympathetic, and anxious to give help to those who need it and to protect those who need protection. Your pride is rather easily touched, and anger is sometimes quick to rise, but you are a forgiving enemy and prefer peace to war. You have a firm strong will and do not readily change your course when you have once decided on it, but are capable of persistent effort extended over a long period You are cheerful, hopeful, sociable and companionable. Your feelings and emotions are quickly roused, you are rather fond of luxury and pleasure, and may need to put some curb upon this side of your nature.” (The Key to Your Own Nativity, A. Leo, 1920)
Read the full article exploring the life and work of Alan Leo, by Kim Farnell.
more celebrities: 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
With his Leo Sun rising on the Ascendant, Cecil B. DeMille, the ‘showman of all showmen’ or ‘father of Hollywood’ had no reservations about expressing his autocratic tendencies – “You are here to please me; nothing else on earth matters!” being one of the famous quotes that reveal his less-than-subtle form of management.
DeMille rose from humble beginnings, determined to make his mark in the world. Full of big plans and schemes that failed him in his youth, he eventually moved to Hollywood, where he rented an old barn to make his hugely successful early film, The Squaw Man, in 1914. This big break was a prelude to a career that flourished through to 1956 and earned him the reputation of being the world’s greatest and most influential movie director. His chart reads like a signature of Hollywood itself: the Sun squaring Jupiter in the 10th house and the culminating Saturn-Neptune conjunction perfectly symbolise his artistic bent (described as “a heady combination of escapism and reality”).
DeMille’s success was attributed to a mixture of self-confidence, ambition, passion, artistry, and gutsiness, and his results were said to consistently exceed everyone’s expectations but his own. But DeMille was also a very astute businessman; in typical Sun-square-Saturn style, he was careful with expenses and always keen to employ fresh, undiscovered talent at minimal expense. His Sun translating between Saturn and Jupiter served to ground his ambitions, and the Moon’s only applying aspect being a sextile to Pluto, from the 8th to the 10th house, also gave him a leaning towards ruthless self-centredness. He frequently put the lives of artists in danger in his quest for cinematic impact; when one actor objected to using live bullets in a scene where other actors were in the line of fire, DeMille responded with typical Leonine self-interest: “They won't be there when you actually shoot – unless you miss your cue, or they do!”.
Although DeMille was archetypically Leonine in his lack of sensitivity, he is remembered for his integrity and honest exposure of himself. His life was colourful, remarkable, dynamic, and completely committed to his creative endeavours, which most of all benefited from his total belief in the power of his own self-will.
“I did not have sex with that woman” will be the defining remark of Bill Clinton’s upended presidency. He maintained that stance to the end, making it all depend on how one defines sex, and demonstrating that remarkable Leonine capacity for holding a fixed and resolute position and seeing things in very simple terms of black or white. With the Sun well placed in the 11th house in sextile to Jupiter, and a stellium of planets rising in Libra (including Venus sextile Pluto in Leo), Clinton – as a youthful president – had a remarkable ability to charm and attract, and he would naturally find it hard to resist flattering amorous advances.
These planets reveal a deeply charismatic disposition and easy ability to win people over. But he was dicing with high stakes and even the most likeable chap is going to have enemies in politics. Ultimately, the Moon, ruler of the MC, moving to the square of the Sun from the 8th house, reveals a fall from a position of power as truth is revealed. Neptune rises on the ascendant in a partile conjunction with Mars, ruler of the 7th house of partners and enemies – a clear indication that his life would be marked by problems with intimate relationships, battles with opponents, and issues concerning lies and deceit.
Shelley’s Sun in Leo is coloured by the surrounding conjunctions of Venus and Uranus. Its placement in the 5th house is a testimony to Shelley’s creative brilliance, but there are numerous indications of tragedy in this chart, and the affliction of the 5th house ruler, the Moon – weak, peregrine and void of course in the 12th house – reflect how his children and his love affairs became the source of great sorrow and private grief.
“That he was able to convey the depth of his emotions through artistic expression was probably of small recompense to Shelley the man, but became the major accomplishment of Shelley the poet. Public acclaim and professional achievement are marked by the position of the 10th-house ruler, Saturn, on the ascendant. Saturn on the trine of Mercury, ruler of his third house, shows an easy ability to find success through writing and communicating ideas. Otherwise, Saturn is not especially dignified, and for one so young, would seem hardly capable of denoting the level of lasting fame that Shelley aspired to…”
Read the full analysis: Shelley: A Tragic Romantic; a study in fixed stars, by Deborah Houlding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cecil B. DeMille
With his Leo Sun rising on the Ascendant, Cecil B. DeMille, the ‘showman of all showmen’ or ‘father of Hollywood’ had no reservations about expressing his autocratic tendencies – “You are here to please me; nothing else on earth matters!” being one of the famous quotes that reveal his less-than-subtle form of management.
DeMille rose from humble beginnings, determined to make his mark in the world. Full of big plans and schemes that failed him in his youth, he eventually moved to Hollywood, where he rented an old barn to make his hugely successful early film, The Squaw Man, in 1914. This big break was a prelude to a career that flourished through to 1956 and earned him the reputation of being the world’s greatest and most influential movie director. His chart reads like a signature of Hollywood itself: the Sun squaring Jupiter in the 10th house and the culminating Saturn-Neptune conjunction perfectly symbolise his artistic bent (described as “a heady combination of escapism and reality”).
DeMille’s success was attributed to a mixture of self-confidence, ambition, passion, artistry, and gutsiness, and his results were said to consistently exceed everyone’s expectations but his own. But DeMille was also a very astute businessman; in typical Sun-square-Saturn style, he was careful with expenses and always keen to employ fresh, undiscovered talent at minimal expense. His Sun translating between Saturn and Jupiter served to ground his ambitions, and the Moon’s only applying aspect being a sextile to Pluto, from the 8th to the 10th house, also gave him a leaning towards ruthless self-centredness. He frequently put the lives of artists in danger in his quest for cinematic impact; when one actor objected to using live bullets in a scene where other actors were in the line of fire, DeMille responded with typical Leonine self-interest: “They won't be there when you actually shoot – unless you miss your cue, or they do!”.
Although DeMille was archetypically Leonine in his lack of sensitivity, he is remembered for his integrity and honest exposure of himself. His life was colourful, remarkable, dynamic, and completely committed to his creative endeavours, which most of all benefited from his total belief in the power of his own self-will.
Bill Clinton
“I did not have sex with that woman” will be the defining remark of Bill Clinton’s upended presidency. He maintained that stance to the end, making it all depend on how one defines sex, and demonstrating that remarkable Leonine capacity for holding a fixed and resolute position and seeing things in very simple terms of black or white. With the Sun well placed in the 11th house in sextile to Jupiter, and a stellium of planets rising in Libra (including Venus sextile Pluto in Leo), Clinton – as a youthful president – had a remarkable ability to charm and attract, and he would naturally find it hard to resist flattering amorous advances.
These planets reveal a deeply charismatic disposition and easy ability to win people over. But he was dicing with high stakes and even the most likeable chap is going to have enemies in politics. Ultimately, the Moon, ruler of the MC, moving to the square of the Sun from the 8th house, reveals a fall from a position of power as truth is revealed. Neptune rises on the ascendant in a partile conjunction with Mars, ruler of the 7th house of partners and enemies – a clear indication that his life would be marked by problems with intimate relationships, battles with opponents, and issues concerning lies and deceit.
Percy Byssche Shelley
Shelley’s Sun in Leo is coloured by the surrounding conjunctions of Venus and Uranus. Its placement in the 5th house is a testimony to Shelley’s creative brilliance, but there are numerous indications of tragedy in this chart, and the affliction of the 5th house ruler, the Moon – weak, peregrine and void of course in the 12th house – reflect how his children and his love affairs became the source of great sorrow and private grief.
“That he was able to convey the depth of his emotions through artistic expression was probably of small recompense to Shelley the man, but became the major accomplishment of Shelley the poet. Public acclaim and professional achievement are marked by the position of the 10th-house ruler, Saturn, on the ascendant. Saturn on the trine of Mercury, ruler of his third house, shows an easy ability to find success through writing and communicating ideas. Otherwise, Saturn is not especially dignified, and for one so young, would seem hardly capable of denoting the level of lasting fame that Shelley aspired to…”
Read the full analysis: Shelley: A Tragic Romantic; a study in fixed stars, by Deborah Houlding.
Skyscript chart images may be freely used for any purpose without seeking permission.
