The horoscope of Charles Dickens

The horoscope of Charles Dickens: The writer and social reformer Charles Dickens was born 200 years ago today – an event of some magnitude it seems since even the search engine Google is commemorating it. Charles Dickens, super star and global personality. What does his horoscope have to tell us about the great man himself? Charles Dickens, 7 Feb. 1812, 7.50 pm, Portsmouth. (click to enlarge image)

The horoscope of Charles Dickens: The presence of Virgo rising and Gemini on the midheaven seems to appoint a special role to Mercury – while Jupiter ruled Mercury in the house of career – indicates the area that will bring success. Mercury rules writers and here in Capricorn, seriousness and social insight is linked to Uranus – the great reformer. Uranus is also the modern ruler of Dicken’s Aquarian Sun – to which it stands in square. A Sun/Uranus square can make a person restless and the energy can be difficult to handle. Uranus is after all a trans-personal planet. So perhaps by setting himself the challenge of increasing social awareness of the cruelty inherent in modern industrial society (Uranus) – Dickens was able to deal constructively with Uranus.

The horoscope of Charles Dickens: A recnet BBC documentary examined Dicken’s relationship with his wife and with his mother. Dicken’s father went bankrupt and to help support his family Dickens was forced to spend a few months as a child worker at Warrens Blacking Factory – where he packed boot polish 10 hours a day, six days a week. This experience devasted the young Charles – who up to that point had considered himself a young gentleman. He never forgave his mother for sending him here.Dicken’s marriage to Catherine Hogarth – with whom he fathered 10 children – ended painfully. Catherine mistakenly received a gold bracelet that Dickens had intended for his (probable) mistress Ellen Ternan. Dickens separated from his wife in 1858 – and was extremly vindictive towards her – even denying her access to their children. Biographers of Dickens recognise the huge impact his painful childhood experiences had on him. The Moon conjunct Neptune – squaring Pluto – once again link two transpersonal planets with the most emotionally personal of planets the Moon. That the Moon applies to Neptune/Pluto – possibly explains why Dickens was unable to move away from those tearful childhood places. Saturn in Capricorn in the 4th house is a further indication of a disciplined and harsh as opposed to a warm and loving home environment. However it can also be argued that it was personal experience of difficult childhood that made Dickens not only identify with the poor – but extend so much effort (Saturn square Mars) into improving their conditions.

Of all of Charles Dicken’s books, David Copperfield draws the most on Dicken’s own life experience. Speaking through David Copperfield, Dickens gives us his insight into what he considers the values necessary for a successful life:

 “My meaning simply is, that whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do well; that  whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself to completely; that in great aims and in small, I have always been thoroughly in earnest. 

I have been very fortunate in worldly matters; many men have worked much harder, and not succeeded half so well; but I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one object at a time, no matter how quickly its successor should come upon its heels, which I then formed.

Some happy talent, and some fortunate opportunity, may form the two sides of the ladder on which some men mount, but the rounds of that ladder must be made of stuff to stand wear and tear; and there is no substitute for thorough-going, ardent, and sincere earnestness.”

Elizabeth Hathway, DFAstrolS, QHP