Using what we’ve learned from Part I and II, let’s look at an example chart and apply our understanding to a planet’s strength in Part III.
I’ve chosen to look at the chart of American actor Timothée Chalamet. Why? Because he will play Paul Atreides, the lead character in the extraordinary & epic remake of Dune !!! Release date: October 22nd which can’t come quickly enough. We also have a birth time which significantly helps us in delineation.
Can you say Capricorn?!
Timothée Chalamet, a legend in the making, was born December 27, 1995 at 9:16pm in Manhattan, New York. What’s most striking in his chart is the notable stellium in Capricorn. In the 5th House, we could say he is absolutely serious about play, self expression, courtship, children and creating. He will work hard to shine bright. Especially with a Mars exalted in Capricorn conjunct a strategic Mercury and sextiling Cap’s ruler Saturn for tenacity. Incredible! If I had to put my money on any actor in their 20’s today in terms of discipline, outstanding work ethic, longevity and perseverance, it would be Timothée Chalamet.
Steersman Mercury
As a Virgo Rising, we know that Mercury—ruler of Virgo—plays an important part in his life. As his chart ruler, Mercury steers the ship, as Demetra George likes to say. So let’s take a look at Chalamet’s steersman to calibrate its strength using the principles we’ve learned.
Above is the line for Capricorn taken from the chart created by Gregory Rozek. Click on it for the full PDF version.
Let’s evaluate Mercury at 24°8′ Capricorn:
- Exile? Mercury is not in exile. The Moon is in exile in Capricorn.
- Fall? Mercury is not in Fall. Jupiter is in Fall in Capricorn.
- Domicile? Mercury’s domiciles are Virgo and Gemini. Hence, Mercury is not in domicile here.
- Exaltation? Mars exalts in Capricorn, which we see here.
- Triplicity? Chalamet was born at night so the Moon is triplicity ruler with Mars assisting in the sign of Capricorn. Mercury does not have dignity by triplicity.
- Bound Ruler? Saturn. Chalamet’s Mercury abides by the rules Saturn sets for these degrees of Capricorn. We can imagine that his style of communication is thought-out, measured, contemplative and succinct.
- Face: Most of his stellium is in the face of the Sun.
Chalamet’s Mercury doesn’t have any planetary dignity or detriment, a condition called “peregrine”—see the Q&A below for more. Peregrine which is rooted in the idea of wanderer and outcast, is a less than desirable state. So to further evaluate Mercury in this chart, we would look at aspects. The Q&A section looks more closely at how Chalamet’s peregine Mercury expresses itself as well.
Aspects
In this chart, Mercury works together with a driven and ambitious Mars on one side and visionary Neptune on the other giving his 5th House a myth-like stature. There’s one foot in extravagant fantasy (Neptune/Uranus with a sextile to Saturn in Pisces) and another in the very real hard-working psychic terrain of Capricorn. Mars offers muscle for tactical, determined effort. Also, it’s good to remember that as the Sea Goat, there’s a lot of magic, mystery and history to Capricorn as well. It feels very King Arthur to me.
Further, Mercury sextiles the 5th House Ruler Saturn. This means that Saturn keeps a close and supportive watch on his guest from Pisces, providing that support in the imaginative, sensitive and shape-shifting style of Pisces… a style that translates well for acting.
Even though Chalamet’s chart ruler is peregrine, at just 25, the actor’s list of nominations include an Academy Award, three BAFTA Film Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four Critics’ Choice Movie Awards! Mercury has no essential dignity here, but being assisted with aspects to other planets has created an accomplished steersman.