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Charles Dickens Bicentennial Birthday 8 February 2012
Charles Dickens was born near Portsmouth 200 years ago. He is generally recognised as the greatest novelist of the 19th Century. He was the author of such famous books as Oliver Twist, Pickwick Papers, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities and The Old Curiosity Shop – all of which are frequently on the prescribed reading list of school children. Dickens had an upbringing of mixed fortune. This was occasioned by his father who could not live within his means and ultimately spent a period in prison. Charles was taken from school to work long days at a blacking factory where pots of blacking paste had to be labelled. His hours were long and the factory was overrun with rats. When later he was left a small legacy and was able to be in a position to leave this dreadful job, his mother did not want him to leave. This hardness and cruelty of attitude was to leave a mark on Dickens who using the medium of David Copperfield reflected on this part of life in these terms: “I had no advice, no counsel, no encouragement, no consolation, no assistance, no support, of any kind, from anyone, that I can call to mind, as I hope to go to heaven!”
In addition later, when attending Wellington House Academy in London the headmaster showed poor class discipline, punctuated by his sadistic brutality. This was a most unhappy part of Dickens life but one which formed the basis of the characters which appeared in his novels.Dickens adult life was very rich and full of significant incidents that to detail them would require an article on its own. Here are some which are important. Dickens often serialised his novels as he was writing them having them published monthly something which he himself helped to popularise. His work was often praised for its realism, mastery of prose and concern for social reform. In fact, what he was doing was taking the great difficulties of the impoverished of London, dramatising their difficult situations so that the better off became well informed about the poverty, injustices and living hell of the poor. Thereby, he was able to raise awareness here and champion social reform. On one occasion he was approached by the heir to a banking fortune, Angela Coutts, about setting up a home for the redemption of “fallen” women. As opposed to the harsh conditions which would otherwise be the norm for these women, they were taught to read and write and become proficient in household chores. Dickens became involved in day-to-day running of the home, doing its accounts and managing the home which ultimately helped some 100 women to live much improved lives prior to emigration. Interestingly, for astrologers, the home was named URANIA COTTAGE. Another philanthropic project Dickens became involved in was assisting Great Ormond Street Hospital when it had its first financial crisis. He visited America twice where he gave readings taken from his books and was in the one coach that survived intact in the Staplehurst train crash.
As for the astrology, it is really very significant. Dickens was born on 7th February, 1812 at 19-50 LMT near Portsmouth (001W05, 50N48) and this gives an Ascendant of Virgo 18-50. Mercury, ascendant ruler, is found in 5th House in Capricorn and is very well aspect by sextiles to Uranus, Pluto and Venus. Clearly, the astrology here describes much of his literary brilliance. Uranus in his horoscope is very strong. It sextiles the ascendant and Saturn which is conjunct the Sun/Uranus midpoint, highlighting his originalityHowever, Uranus also squares Sun and Chiron symbolising situations of adversity which he was required to overcome in unorthodox ways. Uranus also forms a sesquiquadrate (square and a half) with Mars in the 7th House. Once again, Dickens’ originality and unusual approaches to so many things is highlighted. Dickens has a very close conjunction of Moon to Neptune which symbolises early life difficulties later described in his novels, and of course, the lack of emotional support from his mother.
The conjunction is square to Venus and Pluto which suggests difficulties in his relationship life with women but Venus as ruler of 2nd House, being blessed by Pluto, also describes his ability to make money. The brilliant trine from Jupiter to Chiron reveals his generous and benevolent nature in helping those who are disadvantaged. Pluto in opposition to the ascendant signifies his ability to take on with drive and enthusiasm the projects he applied his will to. His Moon conjunction with Neptune may well have been the significator for his near photographic memory. RM
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