James Joyce’s birth chart

What his chart says about him

1. Who he was

   ☉Sun in Aquarius, the Free Thinker

   Independent, inventive and quietly idealistic. Asks why things are done this way and imagines a better one. The self he knew and the image others saw drifted apart at times, and he worked to keep hold of the real one.

   The Sun square Neptune (almost exact at 0.2°)

2. What he needed

   ☽Moon in Leo or Cancer, the Warm Heart

   Wears his heart where people can see it. Needs warmth, praise and a little attention, and gives all three back. Feelings came second to duty: he held himself to a high standard, even in private.

   The Moon square Saturn (almost exact at 0.6°) · For a birth before 12:39 a.m., his Moon was in Cancer.

3. How he loved

   ♀Venus in Aquarius, the Kindred Spirit

   Loves friend-first. Falls for a mind, needs room to breathe, and is drawn to people who are a little different. Love felt like something to be earned, and he held back until he was sure of it.

   Venus square Saturn (close at 2.9°)

4. How he thought

   ☿Mercury in Pisces, the Poet

   Dreamy and perceptive. Remembers how a moment felt better than what was said in it. His words had force: he spoke to persuade, and he kept his own counsel until the right moment.

   Mercury square Pluto (wide at 3.5°)

5. What drove him

   ♂Mars in Gemini, the Multitasker

   Restless, quick and clever. Does several things at once and wins with words. A quick, direct mind: he made decisions fast and said what he meant.

   Mercury trine Mars (wide at 3.9°)

6. The shape of his chart

   In his chart, his optimism, his discipline, his imagination and his intensity (Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto) gather in Taurus, and that part of life drew his attention first. The weight of his chart sits in earth signs: the practical and the solid.

Your own chart, read the same way

The sky the day he was born

The chart

Point at a body or a sign to see its connections.

The chart is cast for noon on the day, and everything shown here held all day long.

James Joyce’s chart in full

Every planet, point, pattern and aspect