I’ll admit it, I’m a sci-fi junkie. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated with space travel. My great-uncle worked at the Kennedy Space centre and would often send me newspaper clips and souvenirs. I devoured every single sci-fi series in rapt silence, shushing anyone who dared to speak during the show. Star Trek, Dr. Who (Tom Baker was my doctor), Space 1999 (I wanted to be Maya!), Blake’s 7, Battlestar Galactica, Logan’s Run, Mork and Mindy… If it had aliens and space travel, I had to watch it.
Star Trekkin’ across the universe…
Still pretty much obsessed with sci-fi and fantasy, my own writing (and reading) has always favoured these genres. The charts of writers are often quite fascinating. The natal astrological symbolism often spills through into their characters sometimes voicing aspects within the chart. For a little bit of fun as the new Star Trek movie release date draws near, I thought I would take a look at the chart of Star Trek writer and creator Gene Roddenberry.
It’s life, Jim, but not as we know it…
Cancer on Roddenberry’s Ascendant is indicative of this affectionate man who is fondly remembered for giving great big hugs. Pluto (conjunct the Ascendant) along with Venus, quickly gives a picture of someone who had the tenacity and the determination to transform his own life as well as lending itself to the cult status that he enjoyed with the birth of Star Trek. Initially staying close to his roots, he became police officer (Pluto = crime) before turning to writing.
There’s Klingons on the starboard bow…
Ruling planet the Moon, lies close to the edge of the 8th house in Pisces indicating an emotional understanding of deep psychological motivations which would have helped him as a policeman and as a writer. The Moon however is conjunct Uranus in the 9th house and here’s where it becomes quite fascinating. Uranus feeds not only to his ruling Moon but also back to Pluto and Venus in the first.
Uranus is considered to be the higher octave of Mercury and the 9th house is associated with overseas travel, communication through symbolism (as opposed to words in the 3rd house) and broadening the mind. It is the house of the visionary. Note that Neptune, ruler of Pisces and dispositer of both the Moon and Uranus is conjunct Mercury. These iconic words float back to me…
Space – the final frontier…These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its five year mission… to boldly go where no man has gone before.
It is perhaps within this Moon-Uranus conjunction that Mr. Spock was born. He belongs to an alien race, one closely related to humans yet they have developed the ability to switch off their emotions and deal with life in a coldly rational way. Uranus conjunct the Moon is associated primarily with emotional detachment.
Uranus of course is also noted to be the planet of invention. It is future orientated and futuristic so no wonder then that Roddenberry created a story far in the future with a the teleport system (‘beam me up Scotty!’) as a way of moving his characters easily from one place to another.
Ah! We come in peace, shoot to kill…
Roddenberry developed the idea of Star Trek so that he could “deal with important issues such as sex, religion, and union-management without upsetting the network.“. In effect, Gene peacefully raised cultural issues in an innovative way. The prime directive of Starfleet is that they cannot interfere with the social development of any alien race they encounter. This natural urge towards peaceful co-existence is a manifestation of the Moon-Uranus conjunction in Pisces. When Star Trek began in the 1960’s, it was revolutionary that he chose to have a multi-racial cast and an ultimate agenda towards peace in a divisive, warring climate. Whilst Roddenberry had no planets in air signs, his North Node in Libra spoke through his urge towards equality for all. With the North Node conjunct asteroid Astraea (Star Maiden) who left earth to dwell within the stars because she couldn’t bear the injustices upon Earth, once again we see how the astrological symbolism plays out.
Roddenberry’s deep understanding of our psychological roots helped him to create a world where we can battle our shadows. In this case, the shadows (Pluto) that threaten to disempower our society, were moulded into aliens. Often wearing recognisably human faces, the various aliens could bring up the issues that Roddenberry was concerned about in an acceptable way. For example, Mr. Spock’s people (the Vulcans) have incredibly powerful emotions (Moon in Pisces) which threaten to violently overwhelm them (Moon ruler Neptune conjunct Mars in Leo – perhaps with a dash of Pluto in Cancer conjunct the Ascendant thrown in!). As a result, they have learned through intense self-discipline (Mars semi-square Saturn) to detach from their emotional selves (Uranus conjunct the Moon). In the Star Trek mythology, Vulcans saved the people of Earth after World War 3 had almost obliterated us by eliminating poverty, disease and suffering – all Piscean issues.
Ye cannot change the laws of physics…
Back down in writer’s corner in the 3rd house, Roddenberry had a fabulous Jupiter-Saturn conjunction. This shows he had the discipline to put pen to paper and that he most likely enjoyed the process of developing his stories. Given the proliferation of books and websites which list every aspect of back-story, this configuration in the chart shows his careful appreciation to detail in character development and plot-lines. Both Saturn and Jupiter are conjunct the IC giving him the deep-down belief and attitude to create a long running story that manifested through both the small and big screen.
“You know, there are some words I’ve known since I was a schoolboy: ‘ With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably.’ Jupiter conjunct Saturn in Virgo
It’s worse than that, he’s dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead, Jim…
With the Sun shining brightly in Leo in a packed 2nd house, Roddenberry had a gift for drama which not only made him money but also created heroes who could fight our own imaginary demons. Neptune dispositing the Moon and ruling the 9th gave him a hunger to create imaginative, archetypal stories.
Captain Kirk himself was Starfleet’s youngest Captain (Sun conjunct Mercury), given to occasionally bending the rules of Starfleet command when he thinks it necessary (Sun in Leo semi-sextile Saturn). In opposition to the Moon, Kirk was pretty much led by gut instinct to action which occasionally Mr Spock had to curb (back to Uranus conjunct the Moon).
“It isn’t all over; everything has not been invented; the human adventure is just beginning.” Uranus in the 9th House trine Pluto
Only going forward, still can’t find reverse.
Chiron in Aries in the 10th house is in an interesting position trine both Mars and Neptune and square Pluto and Venus. Chiron in the 10th indicates that Roddenberry’s success came not without struggle. Star Trek was initially cancelled after dismal ratings but a core following revived the show. Even once the show was revived, it as not without difficulties. Eventually, after the first movie was made and the studio saw its money making potential they “forced Roddenberry to relinquish creative control of future sequels.” Chiron of course, could be the character Bones who was given to a more fatalistic outlook (Chiron square Pluto). ‘Bones’ however are also the jurisdiction of Saturn so it’s interesting that Saturn lies in health-conscious Virgo.
“Reality is incredibly larger, infinitely more exciting, than the flesh and blood vehicle we travel in here. Gene Roddenberry. Jupiter conjunct Saturn in Virgo!
Star Trek Asteroids (yes really!) and their placements in Gene Roddenberry’s chart.
In researching for this post, I discovered that there are several asteroids with Star Trek inspired names not to mention an asteroid named after Gene Roddenberry himself. You gotta love that there’s an asteroid called Mr. Spock! 🙂
4659 Roddenberry – 22GEM40 (12 house)
2309 Mr Spock – 16LEO23 (2nd House)
9777 Enterprise – 8CAN43 (1st House)
7307 Takei (after George Takai who played Sulu – 11LIB56 (4th house)
68410 Nichols (after Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura). 05SAG57 (6th house)
The asteroid which really caught my eye is Enterprise which is exactly conjunct Gene Roddenberry’s powerful natal Pluto. How expressive! The ship herself (always referred to in the feminine in the original series) carried our glorious heroes into the blackness of space and on into the unknown to seek out new life (Pluto rules the 5th house). It was to be a journey that would transform Roddenberry’s life and influence generations after it.
“It is the struggle itself that is most important. We must strive to be more than we are. It does not matter that we will not reach our ultimate goal. The effort itself yields its own reward.”
Pluto in Cancer in the 1st House
Star Trek – Into Darkness is released on the 9th May 2013
Whilst writing the post I found myself giggling at this song which was released some years ago. If you are a Star Trek fan, I’m sure you’ll remember…
Resources
Memory Alpha Star Trek Wiki
Gene Roddenberry on Astro Databank
Gene Roddenberry Quotes
Spock Image
Fascinating. Especially as I have always been a Star Trek follower.
Thanks Kathleen. I had a lot of fun writing this post. I really need to re-watch the old series of Star Trek.
Thanks, Leah.:) Who knew there were Star Trek asteroids? Fun! In my natal chart, asteroid Roddenberry is conjunct (-1) my 12th house Pluto, ruler of my 3rd.
It figures I’m also a big Star Trek fan. Much as I enjoyed the original, I think I loved “The Next Generation” series even more, probably because I appreciated Jean-Luc Picard’s noble character. Then there’s Star Trek Voyager’s “Seven of Nine”. There’s some deep stuff there for my Aquarius-Scorpio squares to sink their teeth into. And the movies have been great too – looking forward to the next one due out in May.
Kind of off topic, but have you ever seen the movie, “Moon” starring Sam Rockwell? It’s a quiet little movie (science fiction drama) with a lot of heart.
I did see that movie LB. I loved it. Very different from the norm in sci-fi but fascinating.
I have to agree – who can resist Jean Luc’s gorgeous accent 🙂
“I have to agree – who can resist Jean Luc’s gorgeous accent ”
Yes. And his humility. I forgot to mention how I noticed Gene Roddenberry’s nodal axis lines up with my own (Libra NN, Aries SN) – within 2 degrees but in different houses. I recognize that ongoing struggle to find the humane balance between the two in the characters and storylines he’s created. Thanks for another illuminating post!
Oh yes.. of course we are all on a Star Trek, as we travel through time & space, filled as it is with ‘dark matter. The Universe being comprised of something like ‘80% ‘dark matter.’ How interesting indeed, with Gene’s 1st house Venus-Pluto in Cancer.. He was dealing with the ‘dark side’ of human nature & the mind.. Human nature, the good, the bad & the ugly, Venus-Pluto in Cancer, trine Uranus-Moon in Pisces.. And, all this as I also sit here watching the orginal movie, Star Trek, The Motion Picture, once again. ie. With it’s eternal human story dealing with the great dilemma of the Age of Aquarius, the Age of the Mind, as we transition from the Piscean Age, the Age of ‘Belief”.. Or as Steven Forrest would say, the Mystic, the Dreamer or the Poet. And, this same film also cementing Star Trek into the hearts & minds of the world, with 6 TV series, over 700 episodes, & now 12 films. This has to be the most significant franchise of the modern world. And, what about the final deeply mystical or ancient alchemical symbolism at the end of the film where Dekker & Ilea perform the final work of the great alchemical opus, the union of the masculine mind, the Solar principle, with the feminine or Lunar prinicple of human feeling & emotions etc.. This is such a deeply significant story for the Aquarian Age.
While, it is also interesting to also note the Sabian Symbol from Dane Rudhyar’s book ‘An Astrological Mandala,’ for the Sun’s degree at the time of this films premiere, back on December 6, 1979, according to IMDB, the day before its general release, with the Sun moving between 13 & 14 degrees of Sagittarius. So I see the core, the Sun in these degrees, symbolism of this film, revealing essence or the meaning of the Age of Aquarius.. Beginning at *13degSag, A WIDOW’S PAST IS BROUGHT TO LIGHT.. The karma of past actions as it affects opportunties presented by a new cycle.. Mankind is ‘the Widow,’ because our soon to be concluded Piscean Age has buried most of the ideals it once revered & proclaimed. Yet the ‘New Age’ will have to deal with many oppressive ghosts. This is a symbol of RETRIBUTION.. While also moving towards the next degree, at *14degSag, THE GREAT PYRAMID & THE SPHINX.. The enduring power of Occult knowledge & of its quasi-Divine Custodians, “Seed-men” of a previous cycle of existence.. This symbol suggest that Occult knowledge & the traditional processes of attaining it is still available, & that by accepting their principles modern ‘man’ can best meet the challenge of our present world crisis.. the greatness of a Soul’s past achievements & the value of trying to reevoke the past. What is revealed is THE POWER OF SPIRITUAL ANCESTRY…
While here is also a link to my latest blog, or one might say, my ‘love letter,’ to Star Trek.. at http://whatsitallmeanthen.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/star-trek-leading-us-all-into-age-of.html#!/2013/05/star-trek-leading-us-all-into-age-of.html
Well then, I was the only Space:1999 fan in Portugal I knew for quite awhile… my first exposure to it, after a forced year and a half in Africa with my parents and siblings (after the 25th of April ’74 revolution, my paternal grandpa, a real life Portuguese colonial figure, trusted my father to go and try to hold on to quite a few farms and stuff that was there. My father, a typical solar Aries, took us all yonder and fairly blew it) was a total revelation. I was just pushing through puberty then and fell in love with Zienia Merton during Year One. Then, a fateful evening around ’76, having cleaned all traces of dust off the tv screen with religious zeal, and sat in wait an hour before the given screening time, I watched the first Year Two episode! Needless to say, Zienia and I remained on good terms, but I blushed and felt quite uncomfortable whenever Maya turned up. No, I was not in love, it’s because I simply revered her voice and accent, quite understandably.
When Star Trek turned up on the national screens, it was a after a successful run of 1999’s seventies glitter and Kubrik fetishism… and I really looked at it in a different way, to say the least. I remained a science fiction devotee till my around my thirties, when pagan lore, and way more, took over from sci-fi. Fascinating read Leah, thank you very much.
Ah Zienia Merton was lovely too. Yes, Catherine Schell had a wonderful voice. I have just discovered she has come out of acting retirement to star in a new version of Dracula out in January, so I will have to see that.
You ARE kidding. I’ll look it up.
There you are:
https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-10-09/meet-the-cast-of-the-bbc-and-netflixs-dracula/
Thanks Leah, you just made my day.