Solunars by Aldebaran Sidereal Academy

Last night, Marion and I much enjoyed watching three three-part Netflix bio-doc on Arnold Schwarzenegger. Arnold was born July 30, 1947 in Graz, Austria. We use 4:10 AM CEDT, which is called A data because it came directly from him.

But is it right? Maybe it is... but I want to start a short inquiry here on it. On principle, I almost never question "from the source" birth data, but I have a serious problem with this chart, so I'd like to let the astrology of events speak for it. The time matters to me because he's one of the sample charts in my nearly 1,000-strong Example Chart Catalogue.

According to Astro.com, the 4:10 AM time - rated A because it came from him - came from astrologer Doris Chase Doane who quoted an unnamed colleague that got the time from Arnold in 1979. I think we can allow that there is room for error in that. Ultimately, the provenance of the data is pretty uncertain with an unnamed intermediary.

What is my problem with the chart? It has no Mars! No Mars at all of importance. And yet (as the bio-doc made abundantly clear), Mars is the ONE planet we should be able to count on being strong for Arnold. Three traits alone suggest this: He crafted his body into the most perfect male muscle specimen on modern times; both he and those close to him give competitiveness as his primary trait; and he has shine uninterrupted iron will throughout his life. (There are more details, but this is enough.) That his most famous movie character (the one with which he is most intimately identified) was a metallic killing machine and his breakout role was a barbarian adds more to it. There's gotta be Mars!

When I say there is no Mars, I skipped over a 1° Sun-Mars semisquare. OK, that's some Mars - but not enough to have it dominate his entire being. Mars itself is in Taurus, the sign of its detriment, in the background (high in the 12th house). Can a minor aspect be enough to define his entire character? I think not.

The luminaries show well: He has a Cancer Sun (he is SUCH a Cancer!) and the ambitious Sagittarius Moon fits equally well. I've long been happy with his birth time because Mercury rises closely, exactly trine Jupiter, and he has had an uncanny instinct for business, succeeding in real estate independent of his body building and film careers; and his instincts as governor of California were far better than he often gets credit for. So maybe the chart is right after all.

But I'd like to test it and see how it performs.

I'd just like half a dozen good dates for testing, preferably ones with locations so I can test the time against lunar returns. Here's a list compiled from a combination of Astro.com and Wikipedia. - BTW there were important dates displayed on screen during the bio-doc, but I didn't stop and record them - things like first winning Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia that would be good dates if I need to go back. (If anybody takes my tip and watches the film, it would be helpful if you jotted down dates and places displayed for the big events.) I'm excluding some events because I don't know where Arnold was living (family events in Austria while he was in America) but I suspect he was in or adjacent to LA for most of them.

Maria Shriver (wife, and what appears to have been an excellent partnership and remarkable romance until it broke) was born November 6, 1955, 5:12 PM CST, Chicago, IL.

1971 May 20 - brother's death (car wreck, driving drunk) - Arnold lived in Santa Monica
1972 Dec 13 - father's death from stroke
1986 Arp 26 - married Maria in Hyannis, MA
1989 Dec 13 - daughter Katherine born in Los Angeles (or Santa Monica?)
1993 Sep 18 - son Patrick born in Santa Monica
1997 Apr 16 - heart surgery (apparently LA)
1999 Aug 2 - mother's death (apparently living in Brentwood)
2001 Dec 9 - motorcycle accident broke six ribs, hospitalized four days
2003 Aug 6 - announced candidacy for governor on The Tonight Show (Burbank)
2003 Oct 7 - elected governor of California (lived in Brentwood) (assumed office Nov 17, 11:23 AM, Sacramento)
2006 Nov 7 - re-elected governor
2006 Dec 23 - ski accident, broke his leg (Sun Valley, ID), surgery to repair (Santa Monica)
2011 May 9 - end of marriage (Maria moved out that day)
2018 Mar 29 - emergency heart surgery (apparently LA)



This is a long list. I'm going to trim it a bit to things I think should show strongly and where I have confidence in the location:

Maria Shriver was born November 6, 1955, 5:12 PM CST, Chicago, IL.

1971 May 20 - brother's death (car wreck, driving drunk) - Arnold lived in Santa Monica
1986 Apr 26 - married Maria in Hyannis, MA
1989 Dec 13 - daughter Katherine born in Los Angeles (or Santa Monica?)
1993 Sep 18 - son Patrick born in Santa Monica
1997 Apr 16 - heart surgery (apparently LA)
1999 Aug 2 - mother's death (apparently living in Brentwood)
2001 Dec 9 - motorcycle accident broke six ribs, hospitalized four days (LA)
2003 Aug 6 - announced candidacy for governor on The Tonight Show (Burbank)
2003 Oct 7 - elected governor of California (lived in Brentwood) (assumed office Nov 17, 11:23 AM, Sacramento)
2006 Dec 23 - ski accident, broke his leg (Sun Valley, ID), surgery to repair (Santa Monica)
2011 May 9 - end of marriage (Maria moved out that day)
2018 Mar 29 - emergency heart surgery (apparently LA)

First, I will scan for obvious transits and solar arcs, and test lunar returns for the given birth tie of 4:10 AM CEDT.

1971 May 20 - brother's death (car wreck, driving drunk) - Arnold lived in Santa Monica
d Asc = r Saturn 23', Pluto 47'
SLR (Score 0) ambiguous at best: t Ur = r Ne on angles

1986 Apr 26 - married Maria in Hyannis, MA
Demi-SLR (Score 0) is unpersuasive, emphasizing Uranus to natal Ma-Ur
The prior SLR (Score 1) isn't bad with Moon, both Suns and his Neptune, but not a square hit

1989 Dec 13 - daughter Katherine born in Los Angeles (or Santa Monica)
The same day Demi-SLR (Score 1) emphasizes Moon then a mix of unrelated planets
The prior SLR (Score x) is mixed, strongest being Moon-Jupiter-Uranus aspects moderately foreground, but also Moon-Saturn-Neptune. This might be a bad event because I don't know the emotions involved - if the given time is right, this shows deep disappointment (not a son?). Hard to draw conclusions.

1993 Sep 18 - son Patrick born in Santa Monica
t Sun co r IC
Demi-SLR (Score 0) is a mix of almost unreadable things, not standard for a child's birth
Prior SLR (Score 0) has the closely angular Moon and the rest is contrary (0 or -1)

1997 Apr 16 - heart surgery (apparently LA)
Many solar arcs including d MC-Ur = r Sa-Pl, d/p Sun op r MC
Demi-SLR (Score 2) fits convalescence with natal Neptune plus two Moons and a Saturn
Prior SLR is again lunar plus r Mars, hard for me to read. I won't score it.

1999 Aug 2 - mother's death (apparently living in Brentwood)
d Pluto sq r Moon 34'
SLR is worthless - almost nothing - certainly not fitting. (Score = 0 or -1)

2001 Dec 9 - motorcycle accident broke six ribs, hospitalized four days (LA)
d Mars co r Pluto 9'
Demi-SLR (Score -2) is all wrong, emphasizing benefics plus SOME malefic
Prior SLR (Score 2) was good, though, with transiting Saturn exactly angular (Sa-Pl co)

2003 Aug 6 - announced candidacy for governor on The Tonight Show (Burbank)
d MC-Ur op r Jupiter
Demi-SLR (Score ?) had two Venuses conjoined 2' on Zenith. Maybe good but can't read it. The widely angular two Suns are more impressive: Benefit of the doubt is this is OK.
Prior SLR is wrong unless it implies his undecidedness, with transiting Neptune strongest and a mix of Saturn and Jupiter. I won't rule it out, maybe OK (but t Ne = r Sa 2' is a problem).

2003 Oct 7 - elected governor of California (lived in Brentwood) (assumed office Nov 17, 11:23 AM, Sacramento)
d MC-Ur op r Jupiter
SLR (Score 2) is a winner with two Jupiters, but transiting Mars and Uranus strongest

2003 Nov 17, 11:23 AM - assumed office (Sacramento)
Demi-SLR not an obvious fit: Mostly Mercury, some transit Ur & Pl, natal Ma & Ur. Main aspect is Mercury-Uranus, plus Uranus-Pluto to natal Mars-Uranus. Not an obvious fit.

2006 Dec 23 - ski accident, broke his leg (Sun Valley, ID), surgery to repair (Santa Monica)
SLR two days before accident (Score 3) is excellent: Transiting Mars-Uranus exactly angular with many other transiting planets especially Pluto. Best chart yet.
Relocating to Santa Monica for the surgery (and it may have set up near there), it's all good.

2011 May 9 - end of marriage (Maria moved out that day)
Mixed but precise solar arcs, including d Asc-Mercury sq r Mars, d/p Sun co r Neptune 38', but d Jupiter op r Asc 36'
Demi-SLR (Score 2) not terrible - it does involve surprises with two Uranuses, also fitting for a split - though it doesn't seem a big enough chart. But the one foreground aspect being t Saturn conjunct r Neptune is probably right on, even if more widely angular.
The prior SLR is mostly wrong - angularities are all off but SOME aspects are OK for event.

2018 Mar 29 - emergency heart surgery (apparently LA)
Demi-SLR (Score ?) is mostly positive - transiting Jupiter is closest, natal Sun next. Is this what it should show?
Prior SLR is natal Mars and Uranus strongest, plus some transiting Mars. Physically strenuous, lots of cutting, probably fits surgery. I suppose it's OK.

Maria Shriver was born November 6, 1955, 5:12 PM CST, Chicago, IL.
Nothing to his angles.

Some of the solar arcs are impressive, though the ones involving angles are compromised because this time has a natal MC-Ur sq and Asc-Me conj, so it could have been the planets. For example, becoming governor under MC = Ju is great, but Ur = Ju might have been good enough to do it alone. The absence of significant transits to angles for any of these events is despiriting.

It's the lunar returns, though, that draw my attention most. Most of them are "who can tell" or bad. A few are quite on track. My skepticism of the time remains.

If he was not born at 4:10 AM, but at some time that put Mars closely angular, the closest - the one that does least damage to sensibility - is to put Mars square MC just a few minutes earlier at 3:54 AM. This even keeps the rising Mercury I like. Could so small a difference change the charts dramatically while keeping the good stuff? (And, if so, why would he have had or given a time 16 minutes late? It would be easier to swallow of the correct time were easy to confuse with what he allegedly gave. I suppose, for example, he could have heard it was "ten minutes to 4" and remembered (or was misquoted as saying) 10 minutes after 4.

Anyway, here are the times of day that put Mars exactly on an angle:

1:58 AM - Mars on Asc
3:54 AM - Mars on EP
4:10 AM - reported birth time
9:38 AM - Mars on Z
9:47 AM - Mars on MC
3:53 PM - Mars on WP
5:37 PM - Mars on Dsc
9:47 PM - Mars on IC
10:10 PM - Mars on N

As an easy check, does any of these put Maria's planets closely on his angles meaningfully? There basic synastry shows the eventual split but doesn't show the decades of what seemed to be exceptional partnership and romance. For Mars setting (5:37 {M), her Mars is 3° from MC. Her Mars squares his Asc for Mars on EP (3:54 AM, near his stated birth time). Ah, but her Venus closely conjoined Asc for his Mars on WP time of 3:54 PM (and that feels like an exactly fitting aspect).

It would be surprising (unless he totally bluffed and made something up when asked about his time) for the time to be the other end of the day (e.g., afternoon or evening). Nonetheless, as an experiment, I'm going to take the two most prosing - for when his Mars was square MC (i.e., on EP or WP) at birth - and rerun the events to see what fits. Maria's chart fits the 3:53 PM best, and the 3:54 AM would have been the easiest mistake in his stating his time.

Testing for the approximately 3:54 AM theoretical birthtime. In transits and solar arcs, I'm most interested in Asc (21°55' Gem), since the MC-Mars is exact and could give false impressions. Of course, the SLRs are what matter most.

1971 May 20 - brother's death (car wreck, driving drunk) - Arnold lived in Santa Monica
SLR (Score = 2) puts Moon and Neptune closely angular (and t Ur = r Ne on angles). Better than given time.

1986 Apr 26 - married Maria in Hyannis, MA
t Uranus op r EP-a a few minutes.
d MC sq r Venus +0°56' [suggesting a couple of minutes earlier is better]
Demi-SLR (Score 1 at least) is mixed: r Jupiter is strongest, with a mix of other things including t Saturn. Aspects hold up for the event. Way better than for given birth time.
Prior SLR (Score 2) is better than for stated time, with Moons, natal Venus, and two Neptunes the closest. Actually pretty good.

1989 Dec 13 - daughter Katherine born in Los Angeles (or Santa Monica)
The same day Demi-SLR (Score -1 or 0) is mostly natal Mars. At best, this could be Sun on his Mars as "pride of masculinity."
The prior SLR is pretty bad overall as if this were a depressing blow.

1993 Sep 18 - son Patrick born in Santa Monica
Three planets at 23-24° Spoke (vs. theoretical 22° Gem Asc)
Demi-SLR (Score 1) has Moon plus natal Neptune close.
Prior SLR (Score 0?) is weak at best, only natal Mars widely angular

1997 Apr 16 - heart surgery (apparently LA)
Many solar arcs including d MC-Ur = r Sa-Pl, d/p Sun op r MC
Demi-SLR (Score 2) seems convalescence: Both Moons close, then t Saturn op r Neptune more widely angular. Maybe not quite as good as the stated birth time.
Prior SLR is transiting Mars sq r Mars moderately foreground. Score 1 at least.

1999 Aug 2 - mother's death (apparently living in Brentwood)
d Pluto sq r Moon 26'
SLR is mostly transiting Uranus. Nort sure how to score.

2001 Dec 9 - motorcycle accident broke six ribs, hospitalized four days (LA)
d MC-Ma to r Sa-Pl (but the Mars alone could signify this)
Demi-SLR (Score 2 or 3) is t Neptune op r Sun tightly angular, with natal Saturn-Pluto exactly angular.
Prior SLR (Score 1) is transiting Saturn and Pluto, but wide.

2003 Aug 6 - announced candidacy for governor on The Tonight Show (Burbank)
Demi-SLR (Score 2) had two Venuses conjoined 2' near Zenith, with wider angularities of transiting Sun and natal Mercury. Sounds good for an announcement!
Prior SLR (Score 3) is great! Two Jupiters 100%, natal Saturn and Pluto each 100%, natal Sun also strong. WAY better than for given birth time and pretty perfect.

2003 Oct 7 - elected governor of California (lived in Brentwood) (assumed office Nov 17, 11:23 AM, Sacramento)
Various solar arcs, but not involving angles to help with timing
SLR (Score 2) is a winner with natal Jupiter and Pluto closest, then transiting Mars. The Mars-Uranus conjunction isn't clearly correct, though, so slightly weak.

2003 Nov 17, 11:23 AM - assumed office (Sacramento)
Demi-SLR is not as obvious: Mostly Mercury-Uranus plus natal Mars-Uranus. Main aspect is Mercury-Uranus, plus Uranus-Pluto to natal Mars-Uranus. A strange chart, for what people unreasonably thought a strange event - not sure how to score it.
Prior SLR is stronger, though, with transiting Jupiter and Pluto strongest. Pluto on is Mars isn't unreasonable, but it's the transiting Jupiter that shines.

2006 Dec 23 - ski accident, broke his leg (Sun Valley, ID), surgery to repair (Santa Monica)
SLR two days before accident (Score 2) is excellent: Transiting Mars and Pluto exactly angular with many other transiting planets; only t Jupiter is unclear. Not as good as for stated time, but good nonetheless.
Relocating to Santa Monica for the surgery (and it may have set up near there), it's all good. Transiting Jupiter and natal Mars are the strongest, other things fit.

2011 May 9 - end of marriage (Maria moved out that day)
d Pluto applying to r Asc but not in orb yet. Others fit the event like Sun to Neptune.
Demi-SLR (Score 2) has natal Mars and Uranus exact (on Nadir and IC, respectively - the family blew up). Some transiting Uranus.
The prior SLR (Score 2) is probably exactly right (depending on how amicable things were) but it centers on a Moon-Venus-Uranus triplet and some other disruptive things. I think this deserves a good score

2018 Mar 29 - emergency heart surgery (apparently LA)
d Asc sq r Uranus 3'
Demi-SLR is positive - two Jupiters closest plus natal Sun. Jupiter to his Sun means "it was really good for his heart," I suppose. Probably a clean, solid hit but I'm not going to score it.
Prior SLR (Score 2) is natal Mars and transiting Sun strongest, Sun to his Mars and Mars to his Uranus good fits.


OK, this is clear: At the very worst, these lunar returns are better than the ones for the stated birth times, and generally good on their own. - On to the PM time.

Testing for the approximately 3:54 AM theoretical birthtime. This is the time that puts Maria's Venus on his Asc. In transits and solar arcs, I'm most interested in Asc (5°59' Sco), since the MC-Mars is exact and could give false impressions. Of course, the SLRs are what matter most.

1971 May 20 - brother's death (car wreck, driving drunk) - Arnold lived in Santa Monica
SLR (Score = 2) puts natal Mars mostly angular (a little Uranus). I think the AM version is better.

1986 Apr 26 - married Maria in Hyannis, MA
d MC sq r Venus +0°34', t Pluto co r MC 13' [but Pluto could just be squaring Mars]
t Uranus co r EP-a a few minutes, t Venus op r Asc [!]
Demi-SLR (Score 3) has natal Jupiter and transiting Venus both angular with a few other things like natal Pluto at MC. Transiting Venus opposite natal Jupiter and transiting Pluto square natal Sun are foreground. This is good (the best yet)!
Prior SLR (Score 0?) doesn't seem to pertain to this event. Transiting Mars and natal Mercury closest. However Jupiter conjoins natal Saturn in the foreground.

1989 Dec 13 - daughter Katherine born in Los Angeles (or Santa Monica)
The same day Demi-SLR (Score -1 or 0) is mostly natal Mars. At best, this could be Sun on his Mars as "pride of masculinity."
The prior SLR (Score 2) is pretty much better. Uranus dominates but all three transiting benefics and natal Venus and Neptune are foreground.

1993 Sep 18 - son Patrick born in Santa Monica
Demi-SLR (Score -1 or 0) transiting Sun foremost, then two malefics. Mixed or bad.
Prior SLR (Score 0?) is no better and seems a little afflicted.
This chart does terribly for this event overall.

1997 Apr 16 - heart surgery (apparently LA)
Demi-SLR (Score 2 or 3) is outright surgical with two Marses and an exact Uranus. Mars to natal Uranus foreground.
Prior SLR (Score 3) is two Marses, Pluto, natal Uranus. Very surgical!

1999 Aug 2 - mother's death (apparently living in Brentwood)
d Moon sq r Asc 29'
SLR (Score 2) is his Moon-Neptune square on angles plus transiting Mars. Had to argue with the basic emotional impact of mother's loss - a lot of emotion, some rage, no open grief though.

2001 Dec 9 - motorcycle accident broke six ribs, hospitalized four days (LA)
d MC-Ma to r Pl (but the Mars alone could signify this); d Neptune co r Asc 59' sep; d Venus co r MC 52' ap
Demi-SLR (Score -2) is transiting Jupiter and natal Venus exact. Natal Moon-Neptune and (fittingly) Mercury-Neptune foreground. I like the AM much better.
Prior SLR (Score 2 or 3) is transiting Neptune and natal Sun exact - in partile opposition across horizon - with other mixed planets. Foremost, t Mercury-Mars square and Mars transit to his Uranus foreground, so the aspects are perfect for a vehicular accident!

2003 Aug 6 - announced candidacy for governor on The Tonight Show (Burbank)
t Venus co r MC 50' sep
Demi-SLR (Score 1) had two Venuses conjoined 4' near Zenith and some natal Mercury. It's OK (AM time is slightly better).
Prior SLR (Score ?) is confusing. The SLR for the AM time is much, much better.

2003 Oct 7 - elected governor of California (lived in Brentwood) (assumed office Nov 17, 11:23 AM, Sacramento)
Various solar arcs, but not involving angles to help with timing; d Venus 60' sep MC
t Mars and Uranus straddle natal Nadir.
SLR is a bad chart: It has two Venuses moderately angular, but also transiting Saturn. The AM chart is WAY better (it was a great chart).

2003 Nov 17, 11:23 AM - assumed office (Sacramento)
Demi-SLR (Score 2+) has natal Jupiter strongest (immediate rising) and nothing contradicting it. Transiting Sun is second strongest, with Sun conjunct his Jupiter rising. Way better than for the AM chart.
Prior SLR is less clear but transiting Venus is strongest (natal Mars next). I won't rate.

2006 Dec 23 - ski accident, broke his leg (Sun Valley, ID), surgery to repair (Santa Monica)
Among others: d Saturn sq r Moon 12', but also co r Neptune 38' [could do it alone]
SLR two days before accident (Score 0+) is not as persuasive as the chart for the AM time. Transiting Neptune. Natal Jupiter and Pluto. Only a secondar (but strong) transiting Saturn. AM chart is better.
Relocating to Santa Monica for the surgery (and it may have set up near there), it's more convalescent - natal Saturn and transiting Neptune most - but not as good as for the AM time.

2011 May 9 - end of marriage (Maria moved out that day)
d/p Sun co r Neptune 10', sq r Moon 59' ap
t Neptune sq r Asc almost to the minute!
Demi-SLR has nothing - literally nothing! (Non-angular, Saturn hits the natal Moon-Neptune.)
The prior SLR (Score 2) is transiting Neptune on Nadir - good enough but not stunning.

2018 Mar 29 - emergency heart surgery (apparently LA)
d Mars sq r Asc 61', suggesting a few minutes earlier
Demi-SLR (Score 3) is great - transiting Saturn and natal Neptune most angular, backed by luminaries and Mars. Moon-Saturn-Neptune op and Sun-Mars sq foreground. WAY better than for the AM time.
Prior SLR has two Jupiters rising but not closely conjunction. I won't score this one - it could go either way and wasn't the immediate chart.

Transits and solar arcs are in some cases phenomenal - the wedding and separation being some of the best examples. The lunars are mixed. Some of them are spectacular. A substantial minority were better for the AM time. I have to spend more time looking over these, though the transits, solar arcs, and most of the lunars are awfully good for this one.