Analysis of the Astrological Chart of Vincent van Gogh

A Solitary Sun in Aries

Today, Vincent van Gogh is considered a genius painter: his works sell for millions, and exhibitions dedicated to him draw crowds from around the world.

Yet he died young, at just 37, having received only modest recognition for his immense talent. This paradox is reflected in his birth chart, which reveals a complex personality, caught in strong inner tensions.

The master of Impressionism was born under the sign of Aries, with an unaspected Sun, a rather rare feature worth noting. In exaltation in the first sign of the zodiac, the planet feels at ease. But here, it can only rely on itself, forming no aspects with other planets.

This outsider quality enhances the typical flaws of Aries, sometimes pushed to the point of caricature: self-centered, indifferent to others' opinions. Admittedly, it gives the artist a magnetic aura, but it probably did not make his life any easier.

As a child, Vincent already stood out for his difficult and withdrawn temperament. Eager to learn, he took an interest in drawing while showing a strong need for independence and sudden changes. His passion for art led him to become an apprentice at Goupil in The Hague at the age of sixteen, leaving the family home.

Between Fire and Water, a Fragile Balance

His chart strongly highlights two elements: Water and Fire. These opposing forces are hard to reconcile: one is sensitive and empathetic, the other passionate and action-driven. This internal tension creates behavioral challenges while deepening his attraction to beauty, according to Stephen Arroyo, who wrote an enlightening book on the subject^*.

Although van Gogh's Sun is in Aries (a Fire sign), he is influenced by a very strong Mars in a Water sign. The red planet culminates at the Midheaven in Pisces, placed on this major axis of destiny and conjunct Venus. This configuration is one of the main keys to his chart.

However, this Mars forms a square with Jupiter and the Moon in Sagittarius, which is another Fire sign! In van Gogh's life, this dynamic expresses a deep need for emancipation and freedom, while the Water of Pisces and the Cancer Ascendant amplify an intense, sometimes hypersensitive, inner world.

Mars and Venus: The Creative Impulse

Mars is clearly the major dominant planet of the chart, due to its high position and aspects. Its very close conjunction with Venus, at the end of Pisces, is especially meaningful.

This charismatic pair reveals itself in his professional life: his first calling pushed him toward art. But the square between Mars and Jupiter, and the Moon, which rules the Ascendant, introduces instability. Van Gogh quickly becomes passionate about new projects. He even considered a theological career and tried to meet his family's expectations (his parents saw him as a future bookseller).

These paths, although aligned with his inner demands, were likely too conventional for him. He soon realized he was on the wrong track, unable to find lasting fulfillment there.

A Wandering and Inspired Moon

His Moon in Sagittarius provides valuable support. It is accompanied by the sign's ruler (Jupiter) and forms a pleasant trine with the Sun. Something within him always urged him to go further, never settling for ease. This configuration may partly explain his spiritual inclinations.

The exuberance of Sagittarius, combined with Aries energy, is reflected in his painting style. A passionate autodidact, he was constantly striving to improve.

Exoticism fascinated him: in Paris, he discovered Japanese prints and absorbed the ideal of that distant country into his palette. The painting Les amandiers en fleurs is a fine example, showing how he adopted this aesthetic.

But it was above all the discovery of southern France, with its explosion of color and light, that marked a turning point in his work. He left behind a prolific body of work: more than 2,000 paintings and drawings, reflecting an unending artistic quest.

The Darker Side of Aries

Although it is impossible to predict the effects of challenging aspects with certainty, astrology can, in hindsight, highlight vulnerabilities. Van Gogh suffered from physical ailments from an early age, but above all from psychological distress. Some even suggest a form of schizophrenia. He was also prone to self-harm, as tragically shown in his self-portrait with a bandaged ear, after a violent argument with Gauguin.

Since Aries is associated with the head, it is not surprising that his suffering manifested through mental disorders. Overall, his chart was rich and promising, without overwhelming tension. But much of the strain was focused on Mars, ruler of Aries, which dominates the rest of the chart.

Mercury and Brotherhood as a Guiding Thread

Finally, it is well known that Vincent van Gogh was very close to his brother Theo. Their deep bond is revealed through an extensive correspondence, full of closeness and loyalty. Despite distance, disagreements, and hardship, Theo remained his most steadfast support until the end.

Astrologically, attention turns to Mercury, positioned at the end of Aries, well aligned with the Moon–Jupiter duo in Sagittarius. The planet is also in conjunction with Pluto, newly entered into Taurus. This aspect, though wide, highlights van Gogh's mental depth, inner demands, and certain darkness. Mercury, ruler of siblings and of the third house, perfectly symbolizes his unique bond with Theo.

Vincent died two days after shooting himself in the chest. Theo followed him six months later, on 25 January 1891. They now rest side by side in the cemetery of Auvers-sur-Oise. United in life as in death.

^* Stephen Arroyo, Astrology, Psychology and the Four Elements: an energy approach to astrology and its use in the counseling arts, 1978. French translation: La psychologie et les quatre éléments, Éditions du Rocher, 2011.

Vincent van Gogh

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Author: Vincent van Gogh
Credits: mwF3N6F_RfJ4_w at Google Cultural Institute maximum zoom level
Licence: Public domain

Wednesday, March 30, 1853

Zundert (Netherlands)

9°39' Aries

20°44' Sagittarius

21°06' Cancer

22°00' Pisces

DominantDom. Signs

DominantDom. Planets

DominantDom. Houses

DominantDom. Elements

Birth Path

5' 7" (1m70) tall

339,971

Biography of Vincent van Gogh (excerpt)

Vincent Willem van Gogh (30 March 1853 – 29 July 1890) was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter, renowned as one of the most famous and influential figures in Western art history. Creating around 2,100 artworks, including 860 oil paintings mostly in his last two years, van Gogh's work encompasses landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and self-portraits marked by vivid colors and dramatic...

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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