Written by the Cosmic Muffin and submitted by Tracy Diamond, this article was published in the January 1999 Atlanta Astrologer,
the MAAS snail-mail newsletter.
I happened to be talking to a friend recently, and somehow, the movie Gone With The Wind came up. I simply commented on the fact that I had watched the movie after learning about the author’s astrological influence, and the movie suddenly took on a whole new level of fun for me. “What are you talking about?” she asked me. Silly me – I forgot that not everyone knew the story I uncovered in 1978 in Atlanta, so let me share that with you.
As a teacher at a convention for the American Federation of Astrologers, I was approached by a college student and fellow astrology enthusiast. She offered me some notes she had painstakingly copied from Margaret Mitchell’s library. Margaret Mitchell, the renowned author of the book, was also an astrologer in Atlanta. The notes I held in my hands were a Xerox copy of her initial character development for the book. This personal connection to the author’s work was a profound moment for me.
Mitchell took the archetype of each astrological sign and developed a character around it. It was a brilliant idea, for when you think of it, there are 12 signs of the zodiac, and you instantly have 12 characters to work with. Do not confuse this with Sun Sign Junk, but here are the characters as Margaret Mitchell developed them astrologically.
Aries: Scarlett O’Hara
Taurus: Scarlett’s father, from his Earth sign Tara Plantation
Gemini: Prissy and Aunt Pitty Pat
Cancer; Melanie Hamilton, of Ashley and Malanie fame
Leo: Rheitt Butler
Virgo: Scarlett’s mother
Libra: Belle Wattling, the madam and friend of Rhett
Scorpio: Mammy
Sagittarius: Scarlett and Rhett’s daughter, Bonnie (killed while riding a horse – remember the centaur represents Sagittarius
Capricorn: Ashley Wilkes
Aquarius: Mr. Kennedy, Scarlett’s 2nd husband who owned the hardware lumber store. Also India Wilks.
Pisces: Scarlett’s sisters, Scarlett’s first husband, and really numerous minor characters. Doctor Meade – also a Pisces
Not every character is neatly packaged as your typical Gemini, Leo, etc. For example, early in the story, twin boys hang around Tara, vying for Scarlett’s attention, obviously from the concept of the sign Gemini. And Mitchell was clever enough to even name Ashley Wilkes’ family plantation 12 Oaks – for the 12 zodiac signs.
There are tons of lines from the movie that are just plainly out of some astrological Sun sign book or beginning astrological text.
- Scarlett’s father, in true Tauruan fashion, always talks about his “love of the land.”
- Prissy’s now famous Gemini quote: “I don’t know nothing bout birthing babies.”
- Cancerian Melanie always insists that Scarlett is misunderstood.
- Ashley’s Capricon-like adherence to honor.
- Ashley’s sister, India Wilkes, gets in a few—but potent—Aquarian lines in the film. She hates Aries Scarlett.
Even Scarlett’s Virgo mother is a pillar of efficiency who makes sure they say the Rosary every night and runs the entire plantation. And don’t overlook the strength of the character Melanie, for here is a brilliant portrayal of the archetype of the Cancer personality.
I can only guess that the oversights of Piscen characters were simply due to the fact that the driving characters of the book revolve around the Aries, Leo, and Capricorn triad of Scarlett, Rhett, and Ashley. Pisces really doesn’t fit into this triad well.
Watching this movie with only a little information about each sign will open up a whole new world of fun. Surprisingly enough, there is quite a bit to be learned about how Margaret Mitchell portrayed the archetype of each sign.
One last note on this is that you can’t confuse Belle Wattling’s character and assume that the sign of Libra is somehow associated with prostitution. Belle’s character is one of intelligence and compassion, and she understands Aries Scarlett better than most other characters.
Please watch this movie again, but don’t forget there is no reflection on your own sign by the characters in the movie and know that the book is even better reading for all the astrological innuendoes. I think you’ll be amazed once you see it again and pay special attention to the very beginning of the movie, for the characters are introduced in rapid fashion and make some profound statements from their zodiac sign.
I hope this didn’t bore you, and if it did – well – there is always Leo Rhett’s line, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn!” ~ The Cosmic Muffin
Do You See an Astrologer in Margaret Mitchell’s Birth Chart?
Margaret Mitchell, the author of Gone With The Wind, was born on November 8, 1900, at 2:12 PM EST in Atlanta, GA.
Margaret Mitchell: Born on November 8, 1900, at 2:12 PM EST in Atlanta, GA.