IF YOU KNEW LEO LIKE WE KNOW LEO

The Leo I speak of in this article is Leonardo Di Caprio, not the astrological sign. As an astrologer, an observer of human character, I take exception to Betsy Sharkey’s criticism in her August 10 piece in the Los Angeles Times. She opines that DiCaprio, the 35 year old screen star, has lost his way in his career and should diversify his acting roles in order to increase his range. From her vantage point, Di Caprio falls short of greatness because he has become stuck on intense roles where his characters are so tortured that many of his leading ladies have succumbed (in their onscreen roles, that is). Sharkey suggests that DiCaprio “lighten up.” She proposes that DiCaprio model De Niro and Streep in role selection, expanding his movie genres to incorporate comedy and romance in his repertoire.


If indeed one’s natal chart reflects our “operating instructions” for this lifetime, then Leonardo DiCaprio is doing a splendid job of fulfilling his life’s mission. The sun sign represents our vitality, our essence, where we need to shine, and it symbolizes the destination of our life’s journey. DiCaprio’s sun sign is in Scorpio, a sign that explores the realms of the underworld. Leonardo’s roles embody Scorpionic energy, a drive to investigate that which needs to be brought to light. His characters delve deep into the issues that plague their psyches, whether issues are dealt with or not. Scorpios have great insight, and they can successfully navigate the realms of power (often times politics) and wealth. Scorpios can transform from one character into another. It is important for DiCaprio to master this Scorpio energy, and he has chosen cinema as the realm in which this will be done, at least in part.

Below is Leonardo Di Caprio’s natal chart.

Even without a knowledge of astrology, the reader will notice that the bottom left of Leo’s chart has more symbols than any other section of this circle. These symbols are planets, the energy reflecting different human motivations (the urge to reason and communicate, the urge for freedom and uniqueness, the emotional urge, etc). First and foremost, the concentration of so many planets in this sector (northeast) of the chart indicates that DiCaprio makes his decisions independently and based on his own preferences. Leo’s Ascendant is in Libra, the sociable air sign that incorporates the art of relationship, harmony and balance, justice and beauty. DiCaprio’s personality (Ascendant) reflects these qualities. Four planets in Libra occupy Leo’s first house of identity. Various motivations represented by these planets make up Leo’s identity including the urge to purge and transform, the emotional urge, the urge for authenticity and the communication urge. DiCaprio expresses his identity urges in a Libra way. This house is where we find the romantic Jack Dawson, who won our hearts in Titanic. Given so much planet activity in this house, one can concur with Betsy Sharkey that DiCaprio is naturally well-suited to romantic roles, and how often he receives offers for such roles is unknown to me. Perhaps he favors the “tortured soul” roles more than romantic leads, but only DiCaprio can answer that question with full accuracy.

Three planets occupy DiCaprio’s second house of personal resources. These are Mars, the planet of pursing one’s desires, the Sun, which I spoke of earlier, and Venus, the planet of attraction and resources. Clearly, Leo’s assets are his ability to shine, act, and attract in a Scorpionic way. Here we see our subject’s desire to express his talents in ways that delve deeply into his characters. Beyond acting, these positions of the planets would also explain DiCaprio’s deep involvement in environmental and social issues, where he donates large sums of money for solutions in these problem areas.

Neptune in DiCaprio’s third house of local environment and communication illustrates his need to express service and idealism. His third house urge is related to the aspirational, as reflected by the sign of Sagittarius. This sign is concerned with expansive thinking and leaping into grand journeys (think Jack Dawson), whether that involves the body, mind or spirit. Neptune’s occupancy in the third house reflects DiCaprio’s spiritual journeys. Sagittarius explores various cultures and belief systems. Here DiCaprio is philosopher and teacher. In fact, I remember reading that Al Gore was impressed by Leo’s breadth of knowledge in the realm of the environment. This sign is both madcap and diligent, and it is here that we could see Leo playing more lighthearted roles relating to adventure and sports, the realms of Sagittarius.

Leonardo DiCaprio has the ability to play characters beyond his stereotypic roles, but I doubt that there is the natural propensity to be the lighthearted comic that Betsy Sharkey may want to see. Leo’s characters may be charming (Libra), intense (Scorpio) and philosophically madcap (Sagittarius) but they will more than likely be of significant substance. There may be occasional deviations from his natural tendencies, but it is doubtful that DiCaprio will venture into slapstick or superficial romantic roles. Betsy Sharkey and I will be witnesses to Leonardo DiCaprio’s transformations.

HAVE WE CLIMAXED YET?

Planetary alignments this summer have been leading up to the formation of what astrologers refer to as the cardinal cross or the “cardinal climax,” which can be represented by today’s energies as reflected in the event chart below. The term “cardinal” refers to the mode of the signs that form the aspect of the current event chart. Cardinal energy is new and initiating, and represents the beginning of a new season. This cardinal cross is an uncommon occurrence, and its effects not only impact the present but will linger for some time to come. It may be the prelude to major shifts in both our personal lives as well as in the collective.

The Cardinal climax will affect those individuals who have planets around the zero degree of cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn). Without getting too technical, suffice it say that Saturn (restrictions, limits, commitment) in Libra has been opposing (180 degrees apart and symbolizing “awareness of the other”) Uranus (freedom, innovations, sudden change, radical actions, and authenticity) in Aries. Jupiter (expansion, the higher mind, the provider of benefits, enthusiasm) is conjunct (within close proximity) Uranus. At the same time, Pluto (purging, transformation, the underworld) in Capricorn is squaring (forming a 90 degree angle) both Uranus and Jupiter and Saturn. The faster moving planets Mars and Venus are conjunct Saturn in Libra. Mars and Venus often represent the forces of attraction (one active and the other passive or receptive), and more specifically romantic or sexual attraction. Since these planets are presently in early Libra, the theme of the “other” or relationships is particularly important. This planetary formation is characterized by great tension, because the signs occupied by these planets have characteristics which are at odds with each other.

Has someone new gotten under your skin unexpectedly (Uranus) and you feel the tension of doing something about it? For those in relationship, has the subject of commitment (Saturn) been surfacing, or has the need to give the relationship greater depth (Pluto) been voiced? Have couples in long-term committed relationships felt the need to make their understandings more authentic (Uranus) or entirely break free (also Uranus)? If you have planets in these sensitive points (early cardinal degrees) you may have felt great tension and the need to resolve this tension by taking some form of action. This tension may also be felt outside of romantic relationships, where there is the pull of doing what you need for yourself (Uranus and Jupiter in Aries) versus taking into consideration the interests of others (Saturn in Libra).

I myself have experienced jittery energy for a number of weeks, and it seemed to have begun subsiding today. The moon (although very fast moving) is at the release point of this cardinal cross. The moon is currently in Cancer, which rules the moon. The moon’s involvement in this formation, although very temporary, may have “soothed” some of the tension of conflicting energies.

Astrology is a tool to help us become aware of the energies we are experiencing. The symbolism for this period indicates that we may feel overwhelmed by all this cardinal cross tension and fears may surface with the issues brought forth at this time. This fear may take the form of resistance. We can address this resistance by understanding that the forces of growth are favoring the initiation of new phases in our lives, although we may not at this time be aware of its full scope. May you all benefit from the unfolding of this process of major change.