Saturn and the Astrology of Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde in his Lady Windemere's Fan days; public domain photo

As we see in the natal horoscope (RR: AA) of famous playwright Oscar Wilde (October 16, 1854--November 30, 1900), he was born under the auspices of an Air-Fire Sun Libra-Moon Leo blend of conscious and unconscious energies with Virgo rising and Gemini at Midheaven (both signs of writing and both ruled by Mercury - his in intense Scorpio). Although Journalism was his first love, he is widely famous for writing a total of nine plays between the years of 1879 and 1894, several of which are still much enjoyed to this day - onstage or on film.

The Romantic and Creative Mr. Wilde

And what of Wilde's Sun Libra-Moon Leo personality blend? Well, we know that Venus-ruled Libra loves the Arts, beauty, luxury, and romance while Sun-ruled Leo is the sign of drama, entertainment, creativity, romance, performances in the spotlight - and vanity. And since the sign of natal Moon reveals clues about a person's 'reigning need', it's safe to say that Oscar Wilde harbored a deep, emotional need for attention, applause, and approval for his creative work, and perhaps, for his lifestyle choices.

Yet as the historical record attests, approval of his lifestyle choices was not forthcoming and he was put on trial and sentenced to two years in prison because of them, from 1895, leaving prison a "broken man," as all his biographers note. Subsequently, Oscar Wilde passed away in Paris, France on November 30, 1900 at age 46, where he is interred; his Tomb in Paris is much visited.

His Saturn in Mercury-Ruled Gemini

Now in his horoscope linked, above, you'll note Wilde's 10th house Saturn Rx which many astrologers relate to a prognostication of a "fall from grace." In Mercurial Gemini, Saturn gives a facility with studies and communications (both serious and silly), a lightening-quick wit, and a liberal measure of reasoning ability, but also suggests little capacity for adapting to changed circumstances (ex: prison conditions). And perhaps with Saturn in a parental house (10th), Wilde's father resembles these Saturnian remarks as well, and the planet's retrograde condition suggests that Papa was strict when gentleness was needed, and slack when discipline was called for. Or, was simply absent during Oscar's childhood.

Utopia!

Meanwhile, we know that Air-Fire individuals are full of ideas - they are "live-wire" personalities with a visionary quality to them but they do need grounding of some sort in order to turn their creative dreams into reality. As Utopian idealists, Air-Fire folk tend toward lofty heights and vast vistas in all that they do and hope for. But too much excited giddiness and an intense sociability can exhaust them (as it can anyone), however, boredom is to be avoided at all costs! As for the creative realms, his Mercury-Neptune trine describes his amazing talent as a story-teller and tends to bring success with writing while his Mercury-Uranus opposition reveals innovative ability, verbosity, and a restless nature.

Wilde's Solar Eclipse in Chatty Gemini: Fluid Communications

As for making his creative dreams real (bwo his published and performed writings), Oscar Wilde was born during a 19 North Solar Eclipse Saros Series (@5Gem12 - closely conjunct realistic Saturn @5Gem13!) with 19N themes of 'realism; coming down to earth; seeing an old situation for what it really is; tackling the truth' (paraphrasing B. Brady) and while this must have aided him in his creative pursuits (exs: his works concerning mistaken identities revealed, pretense, earnestness, fans which are actually a type of mask, etc), such eclipse themes may also have been a cosmic part of his downfall at the hands of Britain's legal system, ruled by Saturn, planet of karma, blockages, and loss. Plus, perhaps Gemini's well-known potential for superficiality, deception, and/or caprice may have played a part in the difficult court proceedings and the outcome of having to bow to accountability.

And yet, for a 10th house Saturn to bring a native public downfall, other factors must be involved. Of course, a major one is that he must neglect the demands and commands of Saturn, planet of responsibility and accountability - at least two more factors are necessary for an event to transpire in the real world. Sad to say, such neglect is indicated in the Astrology of Oscar Wilde. Admittedly, the other planetary conditions and personality traits involved are beyond the scope of this limited post so perhaps you, dear reader, will check out the intriguing natal horoscope of Oscar Wilde for yourself for there's much more to discover in the natal chart of this 19th-century literary genius, may he R.I.P.

So for now I'll simply close this post with one of Mr. Wilde's more famous quotes,

"It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious."

Here's hoping this astro-tribute hasn't been overly tedious for you to read!

(For more personality blend details, consult Sun Sign-Moon Sign, by Charles and Suzi Harvey. #ad)