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Astro-Databank: Art Buchwald
« on: 28.09.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

Discussion about
Art Buchwald, born 20 October 1925 at 1:00 PM in Mount Vernon New York

This discussion is imported from the comment board on the previous astrodatabank.com website.

Art Buchwald has been amusing his fans for decades with his witty take on politics, human foibles and, more recently, dying. He is a perfect example of the humorist who points out the absurd as a way to deal with his pain, the satirist for whom any politician is fair game, the writer who, with a few choice words, makes us see the ridiculousness in many of society's golden calves. Over the last year he has taken on the prospect of his imminent death and has made it seem like a lark.

Where in the chart do you see his unfailing sense of humor and his brilliant use of language to poke gentle fun at political decisions and actions, human foibles and himself? Where do you see his battle with depression? Are the two (humor and depression) linked astrologically in his chart?
Buchwald has a cardinal T-square comprised of Jupiter above the Ascendant opposing Pluto below the Descendant, both forming a square to Mars. Now throw in Saturn conjunct the Midheaven, forming a sextile to Jupiter and a trine to Pluto. What might this combination reveal about his personality and his life?
What in his chart describes his difficult childhood that included a hospitalized mentally-ill mother, time in an orphanage and foster care, and his running away into the family of the Marine Corps?

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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #1 - on: 28.09.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User Marjorie Orr

Are you sure it's Ipm not 1 am for the birth time? A late Scorpio Moon conjunct Saturn trine Pluto and Uranus in the 8th would make more sense of an institutionalised mother, his depression etc. The Sag Moon makes sense of his light hearted sense of humour but I confess I'll have to ponder longer if this really is the birth time. Neptune in the 8th might make him a bit fey and other worldly at times but isn't really depressive. Interested to hear the comments. Libra can be a bit wobbly in my experience as a sign, quite delicately balanced psychologically, but there would have to be other aspects to push him towards a suicide attempt, which I'm clearly missing. That pile-driving Jupiter Pluto Mars is also in Maggie Thatcher's chart since she's only 7 days older than him and indeed Lenny Bruce's since he's the same date as Mrs T, which is an astrological puzzler in itself. But clearly a power house of energy, determination and ambition. www.astroinform.com

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Astro-Databank Global Moderator Astrodienst Staff Adb editor Posts: 204	re: Art Buchwald « Reply #2 - on: 29.09.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] » reply by Astro-Databank staff member We are sure that the time recorded on the document in our files says 1:00 PM--it is quite clearly marked. Pat Taglilatelo AstroDatabank Editor
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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #3 - on: 28.09.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User sue j thomas

Regarding his Mother: The ruler of the Moon is so very highly afflicted and that configuration has the potential of too much energy which can signify too much energy. (Isable Hickey has an interesting discussion of this aspect of mental illness). Also, Moon conj Venus could turn to laziness in Sag and often that is another marker for mental illness. Porbably The Man Who Would Not Die is in the t-square! That signleton Uranus in Pisces--so much perspective.

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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #4 - on: 28.09.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User Lilli

Pluto and Mars afflict the Ascendant, making for ill health and for a difficult beginning of life. Jupiter on Ascendant brought him fame and saved his life at the last minute, giving a protective influence. Saturn right on the MC gives difficulty with the parents, one or both. It can give a lack or shortage of parenting.

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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #5 - on: 28.09.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User Lilli

Mars in detriment in Libra could show a bad kidney, pancreas, or other organ in the lower back and abdomen. Mars is afflicted. Jupiter is in a fall in Capricorn, and in the twelfth house of prisons and hospitals. Since it disposits his Moon, this may point to the mother being hospitalized. Humor is shown by Moon and Venus in Sagittarius.

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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #6 - on: 28.09.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User Penelope

For anyone interested: Steve Irwin, 2/22/62, 1:00AM AEST, Essendon, Victoria, Australia, 37S45, 144E55, from www.theastrologypage.com, from Steve Irwin's memory, by way of Michael Wolfstar, from Australian Milton Black who corresponded with Steve Irwin. Not a Birth Certificate in hand chart, but a real newsmaker right now - no offense intended to Art Buchwald - a very funny man.

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Astro-Databank Global Moderator Astrodienst Staff Adb editor Posts: 204	re: Art Buchwald « Reply #7 - on: 29.09.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] » reply by Astro-Databank staff member Irwin's data are currently rated DD as we have two conflicting times for him, including this one. Pat Taglilatelo AstroDatabank Editor
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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #8 - on: 29.09.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User Natalie

1. Sense of humor: Moon and Venus in Sagittarius with Sun and Mars in Libra is a good start. Brilliant use of language: Mercury in Scorpio, unaspected, heavy emphasis on Mercury and the need to communicate with sarcastic, subtle political humor. Also, the t-square of Mars squaring Jupiter opposite Pluto shows strong will and anger (suppressed is depression) which expands into farce and humor. Grand square of Sun opposite Chiron squaring the Nodes in Leo-Aquarius brings a need to teach and a great awareness of his own woundings.
3. I suppose the Sun-Chiron-Nodes square is enough to put anyone's mother in the hospital but I use Placidus Houses so I get the Sun-Chiron opposition in H3 and H9. Placidus also puts Moon in the 10th house which could show a depressed mother.
I checked his transits for 3 months after he was born: Sun-Jupiter-Mercury in H1. You wonder if he didn't learn about language in some way during this 3d month. I guess the eclipses explain his first year better than his transits. Maybe someone else will take a look?
You look at his recent progressions, transits for 2005: T.Jupiter on n.Mars and Prog.Sun on n. Jupiter (H12-institutions, hospitals). Jupiter-Pluto-Mars does like to go through crises so in his case I think Jupiter triggers, especially with Sun are difficult for him. I didn't check when Pluto passed over his Moon and Venus.

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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #9 - on: 29.09.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User M

Capricorn risings despite being a fairly somber sign are known to have excellent senses of humors, traditionally, the sun and moon capricorn are a bit more dour...Queen Elizabeth II is notriois for having a terrific sense of humor, despite appearing a bit dour...others include Alan Alda, Candice bergen, Liberace etc... Capricorn tends to be serious but the nervousness and often challenging existence, provides for a sense of humor to mitigate lifes seriousness..that they say is the secret to old age which is tied to Capricorn, taking it in stride and never forgetting to laugh..
T-square is tough...Mars in detriment squared by Jupiter in Fall and Neptune...shows a conflict between action and judment and action and illusion and of course illusion and judgment with action making the decision and getting the brunt of the pressure...I find a weak Jupiter to be more Jovial than a strong one, for the weak one is overly compensated...same with a weak Mars being a bit more rash and agressive than a strong one..
Saturn on the midheaven, ruling the chart, shows the prominent life and the many hurdles to get there, Saturn on the midheaven, with the traditional ruler of the midheaven in detriment and at the apex of a t-square shows the absent and weak mother...Neptune and jupiter both rulers of Pisces shows the mentally ill mother who was probably dillusiona or a fanatic of some sort...
Mercury makes no major aspects, showing the incessant chattiness, sparkling personality and good humor...in scorpio, we find a sharp tounge, a bitter enemy and one a but stubborn...lot of food in mouth problems no doubt
lively Moon and Venus in Sagittarius shows the good humor, in herent optomism despite the sarcasm of Capricorn rising and the giving heart..
Capricorn rising provides wonderful senses of humor and depression together (I should know my capricorn rising degree is the same as his, exactly)for a mix of ups and downs
Uranus kicked in the third house, the apex of a rather wide Yod, shows the tubulent childhood...Uranus are swings and ups and downs...thrird house is youth and early childhood and Pisces is terribly position for Uranus because it can show swings in things often unexplained (the mentally unbalanced mother)and of course also bouts with depression, as Pisces rules everything psycosomatic..
Capricorn is very resilient...He has a bit of time left..might even make it to his Uranus return with Uranus so prominent, and the apex of a wide Yod..thats probably when hell be called home..but then again the science of death is always inaccurate...
Great Chart...im sure hes happier in old age then he ever was in youth

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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #10 - on: 29.09.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User Stands Pat with Full House

When something drastic removes the mother from the childhood, that is, interrupts the mothering, I expect to see an important Moon/Uranus connection. Under Moon/Uranus, Robert Hand comments, "disruption of nurture". Many astrologers do not use midpoint pictures, but those who do know how important are those which contain Sun or Moon, or both Sun and Moon.
In this chart, Sun squares the Moon/Uranus mipoint, which is a midpoint picture, according to cosmobiology, containing both Sun and Moon. Jane Fond, whose mother committed suicide while Jane was a youth, has Sun opposed Uranus/Moon. Hitler, who lost his mother early, had Pluto squaring the Sun/Moon midpoint, but Uranus, which is in nearly exact sesquiquadrate to Pluto, was semi-square the Sun/Moon midpoint. In all cases, these represent important, indeed dominant, midpoint pictures.
I usually associate comedy with Saturn/Mc or Saturn/Asc (ironically) and Mercury/Neptune or Mercury/Jupiter. Mercury/Mars sharpens the wit then it is added atop these other factors. Saturn is at the Mc here. Mercury/Neptune opposes the Aries point. Venus conjuncts the Mercury/Jupiter midpoint. The last one is a particularly delightful combination. Mercury/Jupiter/Venus is a delightful and intelligent conversationalist with an entertaining wit. It can confer asthetic gifts. Between bouts of depression, he will be merry at least.
Also, Moon in Sagittarius has a reputation for its humorous nature and perpetual bouyancy. A crowded Ninth House ought to add bouyancy.
One can suffer depression by several avenues. An angular Saturn can be depressing. Moon/Saturn and Mercury/Saturn aspects can be depressing. Saturn/Neptune aspects are depressing. Mars/Saturn is outstandingly moody. Moon in Capricorn or Moon in Tenth House can be depressed. Here we have Saturn at the MC, a stellium containing Mercury/Saturn with Sun at the Mercury/Saturn midpoint and Mercury at the Mars/Saturn midpoint. With Saturn at the Jupiter/Neptune midpoint, his depression might be complicated by chemistry -- perhaps hypoglicemia. And finally, we have the Tenth House Moon.
There is no guarantee in life or in astrology, but the closest thing to a guarantee of large-scale success is a Sun/Jupiter/Pluto picture or one of the following, Sun/Jupiter/Mars, Mars/Jupiter/Pluto. Even in the case of a T-square like the Mars/Jupiter/Pluto T-square we find here.
Art's life is a paradox by being a blend of comedy and depression. The chart reflects both elements as they existed side-by-side. People are complicated.

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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #11 - on: 29.09.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User Pete Watson

The possibility of depression is not obvious in this chart. There are powerful links, however, between the Moon, Mars, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto.
Pluto and Neptune are separated by a novile - 40 degrees (11' from exact), Neptune and Mars by 50 degrees (7' from exact), Mars and Saturn by 30 degrees (20' from exact) and Saturn and the Moon by 20 degrees (7' from exact). Thus all five planets, including, crucially, the Moon, are linked by angular separations of multiples of ten degrees. These angular separations all relate to the ninth harmonic, which concerns, amongst other things, our striving for joy and our acceptance of life (and, of course, death). Set up this man's 9th harmonic chart and you find, because of these extremely close aspects, a t-square in which the Moon opposes a conjunction of Saturn, Neptune and Pluto. All of these planets square Mars. The orbs are very tight.
Anyone with a chart containing such a heavy t-square would be expected to live through some emotional challenges; seeing this in a natal chart any astrologer would talk about the mother, childhood, emotional problems. Harmonic charts show aspects of astrology's reality that are easily missed, they bring out resonances in the chart and life that are hard to spot any other way
Research the date of Buchwald's birth and you find, amongst other things that "The Popular Magazine" issued that day had a cover story on deep sea diving and that it was the birth date of a US Marine who died by throwing himself on a grenade to save his men in battle (see www.arlingtoncemetery.net/rdreem.htm ). Such synchronous births and events resonate to the ninth harmonic t-square on the day Buchwald was born, a t-square that was only in orb for the couple of hours around the time he was born.
In 1963, the year of his first hospitalisation and childhood memoir writing, transit Neptune was conjunct his Saturn, setting off the entire t-square. This year Pluto has spent much of its time exactly 20 degrees from his natal Moon, whilst squaring the Moon's Node (sharing (Node) experience of one's imminent death (Pluto)). Jupiter and Uranus also formed an exact trine at 14 degrees Scorpio and Pisces, also exactly triggering the 9th harmonic t-square. In December Saturn will station within a degree of a conjunction to his natal Neptune, again setting off all the ninth harmonic aspects.
My site: www.starscan.plus.com

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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #12 - on: 30.09.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User LWood

On astrology and depression:
Is depression a condition of birth or is it a developmental process? Perhaps both since depression can be an organic disturbance or behavioral disorder.
I have used a technique for several years as one measure of depression. I use the progressed Moon and transiting Saturn aspects. It's an easy macro-setup to use with today's computerized astro programs. In a personal chart those two bodies can move together for long periods of time. I noted from 1933 to 1955 (age 12-30)Art's prg Moon and transiting Saturn were semisquare.
Additionally in Art's early development: At age 15 months tr Saturn conj his Moon; at 18 months tr Saturn proceeded to make a station on his Mo/Ven midpoint at 7 Sagg Saturn, and made a total of three cnj to his Moon during his infancy.
At age 3 tr Saturn sqr his Uranus.
At age 5 Art experiened the historic T-sqr of Sat-Pluto-Uran which made aspects to his Mars in Libra forming a Cardinal Grand Cross. Simultaneouly tr Nept was squaring his Moon contributing to feelings of being lost and the lost bonding with mother would have been puncuated with this transit. This historic T-sqr (to be repeated in 2010) signified the beginning of a long economic depression too from which many in our society suffered psychological depression for years to come.
During his 5th year Saturn made a station exact on his asc.
Liz Greene has pointed out that the two signs most given to depression are Scorpio and Capricorn. Art has both signs prominent and occupied. Scorpio can be suppressed rage and Capricorn a matter of numerous or significant disappointments, unrequited grief. _

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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #13 - on: 30.09.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User Jacque

Very much correct. Depression carries the genes of behavioral disorder, and passed on from the mother, directly from birth, and stays as a dormant behavioral disorder, until conditions on the chemical-cellular-level are triggered, by either external influences or internal unfulfield wants, from birth,as chemical make-up of As,Cs,Ts, and Gs, in the building blocks of the DNA. Many people,feel worst during the winter months, and does have a winter pattern of seasonality, with the following configurations occuring, Moon-Saturn-Neptune,Moon-Pluto-Saturn, Moon-Neptune-Nessus, or Moon-Mercury-Neptune-Nessus,etc. Mr Art does have Moon/Saturn=Neptune-Nessus 0 orb. Nessus-Neptune=Moon/Saturn 0 orb. Moon/Saturn=Nessus-Asbolus =orphannage, 0 orbs Sun/Neptune=Saturn axis of illeness, 0 orbs.

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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #14 - on: 01.10.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User lucia

I see Art Buchwald as a happy loving man, infatuated with life,letters, intellectual persuits and charming to women. His MC/mercury/conq & saturn all in the 10th hs. all falling between his libra sun, burning a hole in it's top placement. (9th/hs14/Libra/mars falls in the degree of the marter and I'm sure he felt like one)
Moon approaching venus, (11/hs) speaks of international fame/friends. He also has a lovely jupiter/pluto/uranus/saturn/MC/ grand trine+++...so why the 'black butterflies'? expecially with 10/hs/sun & 8hs/neptune sextile.
The pluto/jupiter opp cancer/capricorn, 12/6 is double institutional, and the cancer/pluto generation is notorious for spending their entire adult lives recovering from the traumas of childhood.
I'm always suprised to find the happiest people have wreached pasts. also Art had problems with nutrition...jupiter opp pluto is rough that way....11/hs/Jupiter can't get nourishment to the AC, SN on the 1st is about an undersized body. Depression can stem from malnutrition.

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Adb web user Ex Member	re: Art Buchwald « Reply #15 - on: 02.10.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] » reply by Astrodatabank Web User Jotown "Irwin's data are currently rated DD as we have two conflicting times for him, including this one. Pat Taglilatelo AstroDatabank Editor" Thanks Pat for stemming the confusion.
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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #16 - on: 02.10.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User Jotown

This from Michael Wolfstar regarding the birth time for Steve Irwin posted by Penelope: 
"**This birth time should be considered a ballpark figure, and comes to me through Australian astrologer Milton Black: "I wrote to Steve a number of years ago, and he thought it was very early in the morning, around 1:00 am"."
And to me this time does not look like the man.

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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #17 - on: 02.10.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User Paula R. Gassmann, Moderator

To Wayne Penner (and others who may be interested): Regarding the discussion of soul which we have had on other pages here, I came across a book you might be interested in (if you haven't read it)--"The Spiritual Universe: How Quantum Physics Proves the Existence of the Soul" by Fred Alan Wolf, a physicist. Although I have not read it, and do see this as quite a claim, it comes highly recommended.

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re: Art Buchwald
« Reply #18 - on: 02.10.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] »

reply by Astrodatabank Web User Jotown

1.) " Where in the chart do you see his unfailing sense of humor and his brilliant use of language to poke gentle fun at political decisions and actions, human foibles and himself?"
Jupiter conjunct the Ascendant square Mars along with Moon conjunct Venus in Sagittarius show the humor. He has a Quintile Yod with Mercury in Quintile to both Jupiter/ASC and Neptune I look here for the brilliant use of language. The Moon/Venus conjunction in Sag further emphasizes both of these issues.
" Where do you see his battle with depression?"
His Libra Sun (in its fall) is in an unaspected duet with Neptune; if you want to be generous with orbs you could call it an unaspected trio with Sun/Mercury and Neptune. the Self (Sun) which is fragmented due to its only true connection being to Neptune (this also shows his imagination and emphasizes the poet).
His Moon/Venus are also in an unaspected duet. That his Sun (Self) and his Moon (feeling nature) are both in unaspected duets creates a huge disconnect between the Self (Sun) and his ability to access his feeling nature (Moon).
 " Are the two (humor and depression) linked astrologically in his chart?"
Yes and this is outlined above.
2.) " Buchwald has a cardinal T-square comprised of Jupiter above the Ascendant opposing Pluto below the Descendant, both forming a square to Mars. Now throw in Saturn conjunct the Midheaven, forming a sextile to Jupiter and a trine to Pluto. What might this combination reveal about his personality and his life? "
This T-Square dominates this chart. Mars and Pluto are the co-rulers of his Midheaven and Jupiter due to its proximity to the ASC should be called the ruler of the chart. The tension between the opposition of Jupiter and Pluto - greatly agitated by the squares from Mars - could be a fatal combination if not for the fact that Saturn at the MC is exactly at the release point of this opposition.
That Saturn is in trine to Pluto and sextile to Jupiter creates a way for the T-Square to resolve and it is one of the reasons for his successful career (Saturn conjunct the MC) and his powerful position (Saturn/Pluto equals POWER) and career in the publishing (Jupiter) industry (Saturn)
3.) " What in his chart describes his difficult childhood that included a hospitalized mentally-ill mother, time in an orphanage and foster care, and his running away into the family of the Marine Corps?"
Again the T-Square; Mars rules the third house of childhood and its squares to Pluto/Jupiter and the ASC/DESC axis. This shows the difficult childhood. The Moon (Mother) is in an unaspected duet with Venus (Love) and Venus is semisquare the Sun and sesquisquare Chiron. This shows that Mothers (Moon) Love (Venus) would be separate and isolated from the self (Sun).
That this lack of love from an unavailable Mother is his wound is shown by the Venus Chiron Aspect. His unaspected Sun/Mercury/Neptune trio shows the orphan.
As far as running away to joint the Marine Corps; Mars, (ruler of the 3rd house of childhood) is in the 9th house of long journeys and Mars is the archetypical warrior/soldier.

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Adb web user Ex Member	re: Art Buchwald « Reply #19 - on: 02.10.2006 at 13:30 [UT+1] » reply by Astrodatabank Web User M I agree Jotown, 1:00 am points Steve Irwin with a very early Capricorn ascendant, Saturn in Aquarius...doesnt seem such a good fit..hes not at all stoic or cynical like a Capricorn rising, much more sagittarius certainly than Capricorn, more a risk taker id suggest...any other thoughts?
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