1.
Hans Christian Anderson—Danish Author and Master Story-teller:
(1805-1875) April 2, 1805, Odense, Denmark, 1:00 AM, LMT (Source: recorded).
Rectified time of approximately 1:11 AM is suggested by the author.
Died of cancer, August 4, 1875.
(Ascendant, Sagittarius with
Jupiter in Sagittarius, H12; MC in late Libra with Uranus and Saturn
conjunct to each other also in Libra; Sun and Mercury in Aries; Moon
in Taurus conjunct Ceres; Venus in Pisces; Mars in Leo; Neptune in Scorpio;
Pluto in Pisces; Chiron in Capricorn conjunct the North Node)
The Life of Hans
Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Anderson was
a world-famous Danish author who flourished during the middle nineteenth
century. Today he is remembered chiefly for his imaginative, profoundly
poignant fairy tale stories which have been translated into more languages
than any other books except the Bible. His works have even been translated
into Chinese and Japanese and are loved and appreciated by school-children
in China and Japan. He had the special knack of turning ideas into tales—in
a particularly Nordic, melancholy and, at the same time, witty way. His
fairy tales are philosophical, told with amazing narrative joy and sparkling
imagination in beautiful, elegant language. Anderson was also a novelist,
playwright and writer of numerous widely read travelogues based on his
own experience as a traveler. :Early in life he aspired to a life in the
theatre and auditioned (without success) to become an actor.
Though Hans Christian Andersen was an amazingly successful author, his
life, in one sense, was a tale of personal frustration and painful unfulfillment.
He was a man filled with love and longing (“my blood is burning”)
and yet he never had a single physically intimate relationship with either
woman or man. He became a world-renowned author because he was able to
translate the deep pathos of his experience into uniquely narrated stories
which touched the hearts of both children and adults. He dared to write
in a new idiomatic style, introducing sad and even tragic themes which
the authors of his day would have considered inappropriate for children’s
books. And yet an enthusiastic response was immediate. People were deeply
moved. His sense of fantasy, power of description, and acute sensitivity
contributed to his mastery of the fairy tale. His international success
and universal recognition compensated in some measure for his personal
disappointments in the sphere of relationship, but could not compensate
entirely. His life was a fairy tale whose silent, underlying theme was
unrequited love.
He was a tall, delicate man with small blue eyes and a large, sharp nose.
He was extraordinarily ungainly and many considered him “ugly”.
Perhaps, more importantly, he considered himself “ugly”. His
arms and legs were disproportionately large for his body and his feet
were huge. He attracted nicknames that were descriptive, such as “stork”
and “lamp post. One of the most beloved of his fairy stories was
“The Ugly Duckling”, growing out of his own rueful self-perceptions
and his dreams. In the story the “ugly duckling” is not really
ugly at all because the little duckling (so rejected by all the other
ducklings) is really a swan—growing into a bird of greater beauty
than any mere duckling. Hans Christian Andersen spent most of his life
trying to be recognized for the “swan” he longed to be—and
which, at heart, he knew he was. It would seem that he was never entirely
successful (no matter how great his popularity), though the world has
gained immeasurably from the sadness he carried in his heart.
Some of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories are “The
Emperor and the Nightingale”, “The Emperor’s New Clothes”,
“The Little Match Girl”, “The Red Shoes”, “The
Tinder Box”, “Thumbelina” and, of course, “The
Ugly Duckling”.
The Choice of Astrological
Chart
a. The usual time of birth given for Hans Christian Andersen
is taken from parish records and is, thus, considered a recorded time.
Lois Rodden gives it a “AA” rating. The time is 1:00 AM.
b. One must be suspicious,
however, of any time of birth which is given as occurring exactly on the
hour. Although some such times must exist (the odds are 1/60), further
examination is invited.
c. Research into the timing of events in a chart based upon this time
demonstrates it to be quite accurate (at least in the estimation of the
author).
d. The actual time of birth probably occurred somewhere between 1:00 AM
and 1:11:45 AM. In those days, birth times were not generally recorded
with accuracy, nor written down “to the minute”. It was not
the habit and not considered important. The author leans towards a time
closer to 1:11 AM and thinks the actual time was between 1:11 AM and 1:11:45
AM, although there are certain instances in which the 1:00 AM chart works
very well, and of these the author makes note.
e. When such discrepancies between possible times of birth exist, the
author feels the best he can do is offer the reader his considered opinion
and then expect the reader to decide the issue for himself/herself.
f. Whichever time we choose, however, we shall not be far off, and for
the purposes of esoteric astrology, we can be assured of having the correct
Ascending sign, and Midheaven, if not the correct ascending decanate.
e. The twenty-first degree
ascending gives us a strange symbol: “A CHILD AND A DOG WEARING
BORROWED EYEGLASSES” “The use of imagination and make-believe
in anticipating higher stages of development”. “LEARNING THROUGH
IMITATION”. There is something here about the relationship of children
and animals. We could say that children learn to see through the eyes
of the animal characters found in fairy tales. Rudhyar’s interpretation
is quite different, however.
a. It seems quite certain that the correct chart for Hans Christian Andersen
lies somewhere between 1:00 AM (the time recorded in the Parish document)
and 1:11:45. It is difficult to be conclusive about the various charts
that can be generated between these times. Sometimes the eclipses tell
one story, the transits, another, and the solar arc directions yet another.
The number of planets in use is as yet far complete. The ‘mesh of
the net’ is still not fine enough. Astrologers are not playing with
a “full deck”. Still, we advance by using what we have.
b. The time which will be used is 1:11 AM. There are many good indications
to be found in this slightly later chart, but at times it fails to look
as good as even the 1:00 AM Chart. A few of the discrepancies will be
noted. While it may be impossible to arrive at complete lack of ambiguity,
the cyclic dynamics referenced will certainly appear reasonable, and confirm
that the correct time of birth is within the eleven or so minutes chosen.
c. The chart of Hans Christian Andersen may be one of those cases in which
the Sabian Symbols do not give telling evidence of the correct Ascending
degree. The nineteenth degree which appears on the Ascendant when 1:00
AM is used is interpreted by Dane Rudhyar in terms of ecology: “PELICANS
MENACED THE BY THE BEHAVIOR AND REFUSE OF MEN SEEK SAFER AREAS FOR BRINGING
UP THEIR YOUNG”. One could stretch the point by saying that the
sensitive nature of HCH had to flee the grinding poverty of his humble
home for an environment in which his talents could be nourished. We would
not attempt to apply the obvious ecological meaning to HCA’s life.
d. The twentieth degree seems altogether inappropriate, and yet when the
20th degree rises, a number of contacts in the dynamic chart seem convincing.
The Sabian Symbol reads, “IN AN OLD-FASHIONED NORTHERN VILLAGE MEN
CUT THE ICE OF A FROZEN POND FOR USE DURING THE SUMMER”.
f. None of these is entirely convincing. The first symbol could perhaps
indicate a dynamic in which HCR was forced to ‘flee’ his impoverished,
at times squalid, home environment. The final symbol (for 21°) could
point to the use of the imagination (of which
HCA was a master) and introduces the child; his most popular stories were
written for children and a number of them had animals as the main character.
g. The middle symbol seems far too pragmatic and not appropriate, but
just because it seems symbolically inappropriate does not mean that dynamic
contacts occurring when that degree rises will also be unconvincing. On
a number of occasions such contacts are most convincing.
h. Perhaps as we proceed, either the first or third symbol will seem more
convincing.
i. But, as usual, we cannot rely entirely upon symbols; they are usually
qualitatively indicative but imprecise in terms of the finer points of
timing.
j. If the time 1:11 AM is chosen, a chart emerges with 20°Sagittarius
33’ rising. This brings into focus the Leo decanate of Sagittarius,
and it, ruler, the Sun. Master DK has the following to say about the Sun
ruling the last decanate of Sagittarius: “The Sun, typifying the
solar Angel remains constant both through the exoteric and the esoteric
processes and therefore astrology recognises it as a constant pressure
and presence. This fact in itself indicates a significant truth. The soul
remains eternally present—in the past, in the present and on into
the future.” (EA 192) To what extent can we detect the presence
of soul, of Solar Angel, in Hans Christian Andersen’s works? In
his most abiding and universally popular works, to a great extent. Perhaps
it is the soul, ‘beneath’ it all that gives his stories their
magnetic, haunting, endearing quality.
k. Sagittarius gives the vision and helps the reader ‘see’,
or imagine, and Leo is the master storyteller. From a more mundane perspective,
perhaps entry into the Leo decanate is, somehow, appropriate, for one
who so much sought recognition of his talents, and struggled against all
odds to become an actor, singer, dancer—a performer. It also fits
his eventual celebrity status and the way in which Danish society “lionized”
him; in fact he was acclaimed internationally and acquired a patrons among
the nobility and upper classes.
l. Of course it is not possible to escape the Mars influence, as the exoteric
ruler of the Aries Sun is Mars and it is place in Leo. So all the fire
signs are strongly represented, and it is difficult to say that one is
any more powerful than the other—except at different times.
m. The proposed time of birth has been rounded off to 1:11 AM. It could
be about ten seconds earlier, for the sake of one very impressive aspect
occurring at HCA’s mother’s death on October 7, 1833.
n. We will, however, begin with the death of HCA father’s death
on April 26th, 1816.
MonLEcl (X) Tr-Tr Dec 16
1815 NS 21:55 23°Ge46' D
MonLEcl (X) Tr-Tr Jun 10
1816 NS 10:13 18°Sg58' D
Sun SEcl (X) Tr-Tr Nov
19 1816 NS 19:17 27°Sc02' D
We note two eclipses during that general period, both falling across the
proposed Asc/Dsc. Another eclipse, later in the year, November of 1816,
and after the death, falls on Neptune causing, no doubt, pain and confusion.
n. We also note T-Neptune hovering near the Ascendant. HCA’s father’s
disease was not new. He had brought it with him when returning from the
Napoleonic Wars. Neptune crossing and re-crossing HCA’s Ascendant
represents, among other things, the lingering illness of his father. At
the time of the death, Neptune is about a degree away from the proposed
Ascendant and moves backwards towards it, re-crossing it twice in the
next several months—once retrograde and once direct.
o. We note as well that
the progressed MC has reached 10°Scorpio36’ while progressing
Pluto is found at 10°Pisces and natal Pluto at 10°Pisces. This
is a close trine and Pluto is Pluto—the planet of death. If the
time of birth were moved back about a minute and twenty seconds there
would be almost an exact trine between the progressing MC and progressed
Pluto. We realize that the MC archetypally represents the father (though
it equally can mean the mother and the fourth house the father). In any
case the MC/IC is the parental axis.
p. However, to move the time of birth back by a minute and twenty seconds
to about 1:09:40 AM, we would sacrifice something else. Solar arc directed
Uranus is considered a very good and exact timer and we wish to keep it
as close to the MC at the time of death as possible (and still retain
the Libran MC, which, exoterically ruled by Venus and placed in the sign
Pisces in the third house of writing, is a far more indicative MC ruler
than either Mars in Leo {on the cusp of the eighth house} or Pluto in
Pisces in the second). The need to retain a Libran MC will be discussed
later.
q. Since any manipulation of time by a few minutes of clock-time here
or there will not alter the position of SAD Uranus at 00°Scorpio06’,
a position of the MC in the thirtieth degree of Libra is the best we can
do to keep SAD Uranus near it at the time of the father’s death.
The birth time would have to be about a minute and twenty-two seconds
later to arrange that SAD Uranus (having entered Scorpio) would be on
the MC at the time of the father’s death. This, of course, would
put the MC into Scorpio which, for a variety of reasons, is not considered
correct by the author. Further, the farther ahead we move the MC/IC axis,
the less other significant directions work. Rectification, in the words
of Charles Jayne, is like trying to catch a “greased seal”!
r. The principle is that events work out in time and space at approximately
the time when astrological indicators come into significant positions.
Uranus, however, may be a relatively exact timer, but not necessarily
‘exactly exact’. The indicators of HCA’s career as a
writer, poet, novelist and teller of tales are far most connected with
Venus and Uranus (considering the exoteric and esoteric rulers of the
MC) than they are with Mars and Pluto.
It is significant to note
the position of SAD Pluto at 20°Pisces53’. Here we see that
it would be exactly square the Asc/Dsc axis at the time of the father’s
death if we advanced the time, but if we advanced the time, we might move
the MC out of orb with natal and progressed Pluto, and, more importantly,
we would have to sacrifice the Libran MC to a Scorpio MC. We do see, however,
that Pluto, the planet of death, was involved in this death. We also note
that the progressed Ascendant is almost into Capricorn. Six months later
it would be there with Neptune still hovering on the Ascendant. We know
that HCA learned was shortly to learn the cold hard realities of the world.
His mother was forced to go out washing clothes for people and he was
forced to go out and work. When did this change occur? Probably shortly
after the death. We are not told exactly when. But we can see that with
the progressing MC moving towards Capricorn, a new and harsher reality
would be dawning.
s. The next significant date on which a chart can be set is Hans Christian
Andersen’s departure for Copenhagen. He went forth to seek his fortune
(following, some say, his belief in a fortune-teller). He wanted to be
an actor. Actually, he had a fine soprano voice (before it “broke”
the next year), but his appearance and manner were entirely unsuitable
for the stage or for dancing. In his first audition he is said to have
performed a “grotesque ballet” which proved to all concerned
that he could never become a dancer.
t. We are told that the year 1819 was most significant, first for his
“Confirmation” in the Christian Church and second for his
departure. During that year we find SAD Jupiter at the Ascendant strengthening
both the religious and the travel themes. Of equal importance, we find
T-Uranus crossing and re-crossing the Ascendant. We realize that Uranus
is natally very close to the MC and is the esoteric ruler of the proposed
Libran MC, so it will be an important planet. In fact, Uranus crossing
the Ascendant by transit is always important.
u. The Confirmation occurred on April 18, 1819 and the departure from
Odense to Copenhagen on September 4th. If we check the eclipses for the
period, we find the following.
Sun SEcl (X) Tr-Tr Oct
30 1818 NS 02:06 05°Sc42' D
Sun SEcl (X) Tr-Tr Mar
26 1819 NS 08:44 04°Ar30' D
MonLEcl (X) Tr-Tr Apr
10 1819 NS 22:07 19°Li49' D
Sun SEcl (X) Tr-Tr Apr
24 1819 NS 20:32 03°Ta26' D
MonLEcl (X) Tr-Tr Oct
4 1819 NS 00:13 09°Ar34' D
Sun SEcl (X) Tr-Tr Oct
19 1819 NS 12:26 24°Li55' D
v. The Scorpio eclipse in October of 1818 is within six degrees of the
natal MC; it is an indicator and within about seven degrees of the progressed
MC. It is, therefore, at the midpoint of the two MCs—one natal,
one progressed. The solar eclipse of March 1819 is on dedicated Vesta,
found in the third house of communication and travel. The lunar eclipse
in April of 1819 includes Uranus and 19°Libra14, and is about midway
between the natal Sun and the progressed Sun. The solar eclipse in April
of 1819 is near the IC and conjunct the asteroid Ceres (and indeed, HCA
did find people to help take care of him in Copenhagen—Ceres the
asteroid of nurturance). The lunar eclipse of October 1819 includes the
natal Sun and SAD Venus. (Incidentally, we see artistic Venus moving by
SAD towards the natal Sun indicating HCA’s artistic aspirations).
Finally, just before his departure, we find the solar eclipse in October
of 1819 exactly opposite his natal Sun in Aries. If the MC/IC were earlier,
then the eclipse would fall closer to the MC, but even so, it is within
range.
HCA’s Confirmation
Chart
w. One of the very important
points concerning the departure to Copenhagen is the position of T-Uranus
on the Ascendant and the conjunction of SAD Jupiter with both the Ascendant
and T-Uranus. He was setting off with high hopes, which the combination
of Jupiter and Uranus indicate. Like so many characters in his fairy tales
and the fairy tales of ages, he was going forth to “seek his fortune”.
Many bitter disappointments awaited him, but at length he succeeded magnificently.
x. A different kind of aspect must also be considered here. If we study
the transiting declinations (and it is important to do so), we shall see
at the time of his confirmation an exact conjunction between the transiting
declination of Uranus and the natal declination of the Ascendant. His
Confirmation was socially important for him. It helped him rise, principally
because of his acquaintance with Laura Tønder-Lund, the
daughter of a wealthy
and important Councillor of State. Later she was of great help to him.
y. There may also have been a spiritual impression made at the Confirmation,
as the transiting Neptune was within a degree of the proposed progressed
Ascendant at 29°Sagittarius33’
z. If we go to September 4th, the day of his quixotic departure for Copenhagen
we shall find the transiting declination of Uranus again returned quite
close to the declination position of the Ascendant and the transiting
declination position of Jupiter also parallel the Ascendant’s declination
position. Thus, there is a double reinforcement of Jupiter and Uranus,
both by longitude and by parallels of declination.
aa. If we refer, for instance, to the chart erected for 1:00 AM we shall
find that, at the time of his departure, SAD Jupiter had moved beyond
the Ascendant by about two degrees, signaling that for that chart, the
opportunity for HCA to widen his horizons should have occurred about two
years earlier—but it did not. At that time he was slaving away at
all kinds of jobs just to help his family survive. If we are convinced
of the value of solar arc directions this will be a most telling point
for choosing a chart later than 1:00 AM.
bb. We can understanding the value of solar arc directions. They move
slowly and deliberately about one degree of longitude per year. They do
not retrograde, and when they cross the angles, things happen (though
not necessarily at the exact moment of their crossing).
cc. If the Ascendant had been 18° plus or even up to 19°Sagittarius
48’, then something very Uranian or eventful should have been happening
in the early part of 1818. But it did not. The first such event was, perhaps,
his mother’s remarriage later on July 8, 1818. This was not for
him a Jupiterian advantage (and Jupiter by SAD had not reached the proposed
Ascendant (though it had in the earlier chart). Rather the re-marriage
is signaled by the progressed Moon in troubled Scorpio conjunct the progressed
MC, and also by a lunar eclipse in April of 1818, within one degree of
his proposed MC/IC axis bringing not liberation but difficulty.