Analysis of James Dean's astrological chart

Although he did not have the build, he was a giant! Who is it? James Dean, of course. Giant is precisely the title of the last of the three films in which he played throughout his short life, and which reveal his astrological profile.

Of all the natal charts we have analysed here, perhaps this one describes most clearly the extraordinary destiny and the death which turned Dean into a legend.

Born on 8 February 1931 in Indiana, he is a typical Aquarius, with a Sun in the 11th House (in connection with this sign) and an overpowering Uranus (ruler of Aquarius) conjunct the Ascendant in Aries. We immediately get a general impression which speaks volumes, as we note that all indicators point to the same direction.

This "case in point" of a pure Uranian explains the strong impact Dean has had on an entire generation.

Coming from a rural family, while he resented his father's coldness and aloofness, he felt very close to his mother. But she died of cancer – in those days a taboo illness, which was concealed to him – when he was only 9. A harbinger of the sudden tragedies that were to come... To get rid of him, his father sent him to his uncle and his aunt, who were Quakers. The child could not bear the burden of religion, like of any constraint.

Contrary to the image one may keep from America in the 50's, it seems that being young is not a piece of cake. Although there were few possibilities to break away from a preordained destiny, an Aquarius such as James Dean managed to seize every opportunity. It is logical that the life and the career of the actor were lit up with flashes of lightning.

The Ascendant in Aries adds a touch of determination to Aquarius' traits. There he is, impatient to spread his wings, flouting conventions. He leaves his foster home and passionately dedicates himself to learning the craft of acting.

He takes his first steps in a commercial then obtains small roles, including in a stage play, The Immoralist. Although it does not run for long, Dean earns a first award, which is enough to draw the attention of Elia Kazan, who is looking for a rebellious character for his film East of Eden. Everyone knows what happened afterwards. This film, after the eponymous novel by Steinbeck, promotes new values: individualism is considered to be highly desirable. Prejudices and the hypocrisy of established relations, including in the family circle, are denounced. Who else, except a Uranian Aquarius having an Ascendant in Aries could better embody Cal, whose destiny is so similar to Dean's? He is so amazing in this role that he is nominated for an Oscar in the best actor category. Five comedians only have been honoured like him with such an award straight off. He will get it posthumously, but without delay, his career takes off like a whirlwind.

He then gets THE role of his life, that for which he becomes a myth, that of Jim Stark in Rebel without a cause. As by a strange quirk of fate, it is the car chase scene, where he challenges his rival, which impressed people's mind forever. How is it possible not to link it to Dean's own death?

It must be underlined that his natal chart is shining bright with its two powerful angular planets, but that it also contains tragic aspects. As far as the angles are concerned, we have already mentioned the impact of Uranus at the Ascendant. Furthermore, this planet forms a T-Square with Jupiter, angular also in the 4th House, and with Saturn in the 10th House. The battle between the titans of the heaven reflects the opposing forces that Dean personifies marvellously well: progress, desire to find family love, constraint and stiffness of the social system. And in the middle, the human being, so lonely...

In the affective area, the Moon in Scorpio brings about a tormented facet. She sextiles Venus in Capricorn and at the same time squares Mars. It is obvious that overweening pride leads Dean to isolation. Sexuality is ambiguous, romance, difficult, amid rumours and love affairs he is supposed to have with other big stars.

More than anything else, it is extremely interesting to analysis the chart, even sixty years after Dean's death. It was so striking that everything had been deciphered and kept.

On 30 September 1955, James Dean takes the wheel of his new sports car, a Porsche 550 Spyder that he baptised Little Bastard. At 5:59 p.m., it is the "stupid" collision: a student crosses Dean's way while he is driving fast. Dean dies instantly, thorax and skull injured. On that day, precisely, Uranus was conjunct natal Mars. Therefore, we have a tie between the two rulers of the chart, two planets known for their aggressive urge and their connection with speed.

It is obvious that this does not imply that any similarity would result in this sort of conclusion. We emphasise the fact that Dean's chart is very emblematic and peculiar. There is a reason why he became a legend. He is the masculine equivalent – though in a different style – of Marilyn Monroe, his life brutally taken in his prime, eternally young and handsome. It must be noted that additional parameters were tough on the day of the demise, and equally symbolic of its impact on the media. Indeed, the Sun was exactly square the MC. In addition, Venus, at 15° of Libra, in the 7th House (angular House), had started to square Saturn while still in waning square with Uranus and Jupiter. In other words, this transit completed the natal T-Square, which then became a Grand Square. This configuration releases wild and clashing energies... The rebel bore the brunt. Venus probably meant the public's love for this actor no one has forgotten.

James Dean

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Author: In-house publicity still
Credits: Warner Bros. publicity still for for the film Rebel Without a Cause
Licence: Public domain

Sunday, February 8, 1931

Marion, Grant County (IN) (United States)

18°54' Aquarius

5°44' Scorpio

12°13' Aries

6°30' Capricorn

DominantDom. Signs

DominantDom. Planets

DominantDom. Houses

DominantDom. Elements

Metal Horse

Birth Path

5' 7½" (1m71) tall

271,939

Biography of James Dean (excerpt)

James Byron Dean (February 8, 1931 (source for his time of birth: Steven Przybylowski, birth certificate)) – September 30, 1955) was an American film actor. Dean's mainstream status as a cultural icon is best embodied in the title of his most cited role in Rebel Without a Cause as a troubled high school rebel filled with teenage angst. The other two roles that defined his star power was awkard...

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Birth certificate or birth record

Stephen Przybylowski

You can also read the Astrotheme astrological portrait of James Dean.

You will also find below the interactive horoscope of James Dean:

^* 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