Garfield’s a cat you’d love to hate, but don’t, instead you find him charming. Garfield is funny with a sarcastic sense of humor, but he’s also smug, arrogant, cynical, grouchy, disagreeable, pessimistic and seems to find the negative even in the best situations. He’s a lazy loafer who’s self-centered, doesn’t handle insults or commands very well and will usually respond to what others say or do with either a smart-aleck comeback, some sort of threat, or an out-and-out slapping attack.
Garfield is known for conversations in his mind, that are revealed through thought bubbles that leave readers laughing at his blunt, ironic, pithy, deadpan comedic thoughts.
Jon Comic Strip
Garfield was conceived by cartoonist Jim Davis in the Jon comic strip, which was first published locally by Indiana’s Pendleton Times on January 8, 1976.
As Garfield became so well liked that cartoonist, Jim Davis, began giving him bigger roles in the Jon comic strip and eventually Garfield was born and became the star of his own cartoon strip, which appeared on the pages of 41 American newspapers on June 19, 1978.
Garfield went on to star in his own Emmy-winning animated TV specials, a couple movies, and the Saturday morning cartoon, Garfield and Friends. There was also and still is an onslaught of Garfield merchandise – t-shirts, posters, coffee mugs, games, books, dolls etc. that feature the swaggering and obnoxious yet imminently lovable cat.
Garfield’s Birth Chart
“Garfield was born on June 19, 1978 in the kitchen of Mamma Leoni’s Italian Restaurant, weighing five pounds and six ounces. Later, Garfield would be abandoned by his owner and sold to a pet shop, where Jon Arbuckle would have to choose between adopting Garfield and an iguana. ‘I love cats. I wanted a cat… So, what do I do? I go to the pet store and ask for a cat. What do they give me?… A lasagna with fur and fangs,’ Jon said in a comic strip from November 1978.” (source)
Scorpio Rising
Just for fun, let’s imagine his birth place was Pendleton, Indiana and his time of birth was 4:25 PM, which puts Uranus conjunct his Scorpio Ascendant.
Why Scorpio Rising? Because Garfield has a demeanor of quiet intensity that gives an impression of charm, power, secrecy, mystery, suspicion, skepticism, and seriousness at the same time. He’s also determined to get what he wants, and with Uranus in Scorpio conjunct his Ascendant, he’s a unique dark comedic genius who’s eccentric, rebellious, and never satisfied.
His ASC and Uranus are in the second decan of Scorpio, the Pisces decan, which indicates that Garfield has a lot of sensitive depths inside him that he seldom displays. The old adage, “walk softly but carry a big stick” could be considered Garfield’s approach to life.
Pluto in Libra
The ruler of his Scorpio Ascendant is Pluto in Libra. Yes, Garfield is a member of the Pluto in Libra generation which means he’s subject to attachment detachment issues.
Garfield is prone to keeping his eyes on others and has no problem nuking them when he gets angry.
North Node in Libra, Venus in Leo
With his North Node and Pluto in Libra, ruled by Venus in Leo, Garfield is arrogant, controlling, dramatic, arrogant, bossy, loves attention, and gets it in any way he can!
Chiron in Taurus
Venus also rules Chiron in Taurus. Chiron in Taurus is all about nurturing the self. Garfield is chubby, lazy, hates to exercise, loves to sleep, and has a passion for food. Still, Garfield’s love of these pleasures isn’t motivated by greed. It’s motivated by his need for security and control, and his fear that it will all be taken away.
South Node in Aries, Mars in Virgo
With his South Node in Aries, and its ruler, Mars in Virgo it’s natural for Garfield to be an assertive (even aggressive) and self-centered, “crusty old curmudgeon.” But he’s not overly intimidating on the surface and he doesn’t shout or make loud declarations, but he does think them and can sometimes be quite critical, cynical, and negative.
Saturn in Leo
Garfield doesn’t really know how to have fun or how to love. Of course with Saturn conjunct his Leo Midheaven and Scorpio Rising, he may feel somewhat leery and unworthy of his international STAR status, but he definitely wants to be the “Big Shot” and has an endearing quality of arrogance that makes him garner love and respect.
Gemini Sun: Double the Trouble, Double the Fun
Garfield is clever, funny, always has something to say and is prone to witty and spontaneous retorts. Like most Geminis he’s naughty and nice, great at spicing things up and will do almost anything to prevent being bored. Garfield has two speeds: full tilt crazy or sleeping like the dead.
His Gemini Sun is ruled by Mercury in Cancer. Jupiter is also in Cancer.
Mercury and Jupiter in Cancer
With Mercury is in Cancer, Garfield does not take perceived insults lightly, can be moody, overly subjective, reactive and good at off-the-cuff spontaneous remarks. His feeling-drenched observations and his intuitive knowing adds some depth to his often sarcastic humor. Because Jupiter is also in Cancer, Garfield is a security seeking, overly indulgent cat, who genuinely considers himself the pillar of strength and the “master” of the house.
Moon and Neptune in Sagittarius
With a Gemini Sun and Sagittarius Moon, Garfield is funny and timing is his forte. Still with his Moon in Sagittarius, he’s actually a bit like a preacher and being “right” is his favorite pastime. Garfield’s Moon is conjunct Neptune, which indicates that he’s emotionally vulnerable, sensitive, empathetic, and the pain or distress of others easily tug on Garfield’s heart strings.
Garfield Holds a Mirror Up in Front of You
Garfield’s comedic thought bubbles put you in touch with those aspects of yourself that you don’t like or want to be associated with. You might even deny them as being a part of you. They can range from the fact you’re a bit arrogant, critical, bossy, and controlling, all the way to having a drive towards dominating your world and those in it. His creator Jim Davis says:
“I hold a mirror to the reader and show them [their lives] back with a humorous twist, that’s all. We’re made to feel guilty for overeating, not exercising, and over-sleeping. Garfield relieves our guilt by enjoying all of those things. More often than not, when someone laughs at a Garfield gag, it’s because they’re thinking, ‘Isn’t that true?!’” ~ Garfield: the Story Behind the Coolest Of Cats