Analysis of Salvador Dalí's astrological chart

A Powerfully Embodied Taurus

It needed a natal chart full of paradoxes like Salvador Dalí's chart to illustrate the eccentricity of this emblematic figure of surrealism.

First, it is not a surprise that the artist is influenced by Taurus, a sensual and aesthetic sign drawn to arts. Four planets, all of them personal, are indeed in this sign of warmth and sensuality attached to the matter; there is a conjunction of three planets, i.e. the Sun, Mercury, and Mars, as well as the planet Venus, ruler of the sign.

Dalí is mainly famous for his painting skills. He also practiced sculpture, drawing, photography. He was even interested in architecture and in theatre. In other words, he kept on increasing the number of explorations that his multifaceted gift made possible.

In order to satisfy a rather precocious vocation, Dalí moved to Madrid at 18. He intended to study at the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and became a resident there. He met several future great geniuses who quite rapidly noticed Dalí's first paintings, particularly for their cubist influence.

However, in his early stages, Dalí revered classical masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, or Vermeer. The Italian Renaissance – a very Taurus thriving period – remained for Dalí the absolute reference to which he referred later in his career, despite the very different styles he developed afterwards.

During the years 1922-1924, as a brilliant intellectual, Dalí felt drawn to the works of another Taurus who was very much talked about in those days, Sigmund Freud. What the latter wrote about our unconscious prompted Dalí to translate it through images. It must be mentioned that throughout his life, Dalí also chose many themes in affinity with the second zodiacal sign: woman considered as a sensual creature, sexuality and food, among other topics, took center place in his works.

A Lunar Personality Heeding Emotions and Impressions

Let us analyze the Moon. In Dalí's chart, there can be no debate. The planet largely dominates the sky map and outshines almost all the other planets. The Moon is posited in the energetic and hot-headed sign of Aries – a paradox since their significators are in contrast.

Moreover, she is in tight conjunction (less than 1° of orb) with the Midheaven, the pillar of a T-square involving at the same time Neptune in the 12th (the end of things) and above all Uranus in the 6th (work and health). A highly dynamic pattern.

An eternal child, not always easy to understand, prone to rapid mood changes (The Moon in Aries), very early Dalí showed the features of a quite peculiar lunar influence in his approach as a painter as well as in his private life. As a young adult, probably driven by the Moon-Uranus square, he enjoyed getting dressed like an offbeat dandy, slightly provocative.

Some people claimed they saw indications of madness or genius (proper to such an aspect). Dalí put them in their place using a scathing wording of his own: "The only difference between a madman and me is that I am not mad". Anyway, he had a wry sense of humor, quite typical of the Moon in Aries challenged by Uranus, and he relished naughtily his interlocutors' stare, astounded by Dalí's slightly caustic remarks, or at least as spontaneous as unexpected.

Furthermore, the Moon-Uranus link prompted Dalí to disrespect codes as he followed the surrealist movement, of which he started to be the central figure. He became the creator of paranoia-criticism that he defined himself as "a spontaneous method of irrational knowledge based on critical and systematic objectification of associations and delirious interpretations", which sounds, here again, very Uranian.

One must not overlook the effect of Neptune, who adds another tendency, that which consists in cultivating deliberately a distorted representation of reality. Actually, Dalí wanted to show us that reality is not what it seems to be. One of his most renowned surrealistic paintings, Persistence of Memory, which alludes to the smooth perception of time, with clocks appearing as if they were dissolving into space, is very Neptunian.

Neptune, and perhaps Uranus too, can be found in Dalí's inclination for myths; that he concentrated on transforming to such an extent that he turned them into caricatures, or in some cases, into very personal interpretations.

Mars and Mercury Provide Meaning and Might

In Dalí's chart, Mars, who symbolizes action, works hand in hand with Mercury, who relates to the mind. Both planets express themselves in the style of Taurus we mentioned above: the processing of the matter, of shapes, and of colors, which find here strength (Mars) and undoubtedly a quite immediate quest for meaning (Mercury).

His most celebrated paintings provoke in people reactions which are at the exact opposite of indifference. We could mention among them The hallucinogenic Toreador, The Temptation of Saint Anthony – which looks like a strange parade – or his Living Still Life. All of them display many traits pertaining to this planetary duet.

Both planets are in square with Saturn. This means that rules, old age, and the end of things are a source of questioning for this Taurus, normally full of vitality. This ambivalence can be noticed almost in all his paintings.

Saturn's Barely Visible Doubts and Frustration

The square of Saturn in the 8th House affects even more strongly the natal Sun. As we have expounded in a recent article about this topic, this dynamic aspect is usually associated with a lack of self-confidence, and with doubts about one's own capacities.

We also know that as a defensive reaction, if the rest of the chart agrees, such inferiority complex may manifest itself, consciously or not, through an opposite reaction, through provocation and/or exaggerated extroversion. All this allows to hide one's weaknesses from people's eyes. Given the force of the chart and its exuberant sides, it is obvious that it was the case for Dalí who, although he probably was aware of his limits, like all of us, did not hesitate to always do more, so as not to reveal this possible vulnerability.

Saturn in the 8th House, fortunately supported by Jupiter in the 10th (social status and income through career and fame) may also explain his love for money or for spending, for the same reason. This excess, that he assumed easily, also came from Uranus' need not to do what everyone does.

The Role of Women as Muses

Females aroused in Dalí a strange feeling of fascination and sensual attraction. As he turned Gala into his muse, he thumbed his nose again at the proprieties. Gala was older than him and enjoyed an extremely significant influence. She was not the muse who was satisfied with being an image. She may have embodied the impact of the Moon regarding the good and bad facets that we discussed earlier.

But with Gala, we see the link with Dalí's Venus, posited at the beginning of Taurus, in trine with Uranus at the end of Sagittarius. So, indeed, the aspect is a bit off, between two signs, and as a consequence, its interpretation requires adjustments. However, this harmonious aspect remains active, and enabled Dalí to benefit from the original contribution of a woman like Gala. Similarly, afterwards, he had atypical but interesting exchanges with other muses, including Amanda Lear, who formed a weird love triangle with his couple, until Lear went away as Dalí's career took off.

Of course, scores of things could be added about Dalí, who kept on increasing the number of experiences, who travelled a lot, who spoke his mind according to his evolution, even if it meant upsetting people.

With Pablo Picasso, he was the only artist to whom two museums were dedicated during his lifetime. Thus, he reached the cenacle of the greatest artists, and never left it.

Lastly, it must be noted that he spent the end of his life in his native village in Catalonia. With the Ascendant in Cancer, he remained deeply attached to his roots. This is logical, because this sign is under the rulership of the Moon in Aries. Dalí needed to return to the primal source.

Salvador Dalí

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Author: Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964.
Credits: This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division
under the digital ID cph.3c16608.
This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information.
Licence: Public domain

Wednesday, May 11, 1904

Figueres (Spain)

20°13' Taurus

2°28' Aries

22°15' Cancer

3°11' Aries

DominantDom. Signs

DominantDom. Planets

DominantDom. Houses

DominantDom. Elements

Wood Dragon

Birth Path

5' 7½" (1m72) tall

218,756

Biography of Salvador Dalí (excerpt)

Salvador Felipe Jacinto Dalí Domènech Marquis of Pubol (May 11, 1904 – January 23, 1989), popularly known as Salvador Dalí, was a Spanish surrealist artist renowned for his technical skill, precise draftsmanship and the striking and bizarre images in his work. Born in Figueres, Catalonia, Dalí received his formal education in fine arts in Madrid. Influenced by Impressionism and the Renaissance...

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Lois Rodden

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^* A planet less than 1° from the next House cusp is considered to be posited in the said House. 2° when the AS and the MC are involved