Astro-Notes on Claude Monet

Houses of Parliament, London: The Sun Shining Through the Fog, 1904, Claude Monet [Public domain]; Musee d’Orsay

The natal horoscope of Impressionist painter Claude Monet (November 14, 1840–December 5, 1926) is untimed and thus rated AXX with no ascending (rising) sign. This mysterious circumstance prevents knowing in which houses of life to place his planets. However, his Sun at or about 22 Scorpio and his Moon in either Cancer or Leo make it possible to ascertain information about Monet’s personality for those who may be interested yet some sleuthing may be necessary in the lunar department!

For Your Consideration: Two Possible Personality Blends of Claude Monet

Sun Scorpio-Moon Cancer, a double Water blend of feelings and imagination, easily able to “go with the flow.” Gushing with emotions or suddenly becoming misty and teary-eyed are features of a Water-Water personality. Right away we think of his fascination with water and water-lilies as a topic for his paintings and the lily pond he created at this home in Giverny.

The Water element is feminine-oriented and highly creative yet men with Water strong in their natures often become ultra-rational and proud of showing little if any emotion. If so, emotional types would be found in his environment, acting out emotions in his stead. With Sun Scorpio-Moon Cancer a streak of clannishness would be in evidence, along with shrewdness, secretiveness, and a passionate commitment to his creative projects and to the people in his life–although his own survival needs would come first.

With this blend extreme subjectivity would triumph over objectivity and negative emotions could overpower the thought processes; sinking into abject self-pity is a negative potential. If this is the personality blend of Claude Monet, he shares it with US president Theodore Roosevelt and body-builder Charles Atlas!

So let’s consider Sun Scorpio-Moon Leo, a steamy Water-Fire combo of elements–steam which can cleanse and sterilize or scald. This elemental blend reveals an artistic temperament of volatility, romantic passion, and wildly changing moods. Thriving on love, this type is warm and emotional with a life that is rarely smooth-running. For positive results, this much volatile emotion must be channeled into creative pursuits and if this describes Monet, he definitely did it well! Of course, with Moon in Sun-ruled Leo, his reigning need would be for applause, approval, public attention, and recognition for his talent, plus, dramatic changes in his love relationships may also have been a factor during his lifetime.

Now Sun Scorpio-Moon Leo personalities can be bright and brooding, ambitious and intense, and exhibit a strong sense of self-dramatization. If this blend describes Monet’s personality, he felt he deserved a central place in society yet protected his privacy once the limelight was directed upon him (his lovely home at Giverny would have been the private place of serenity and calm, oui?) A desire to give expression to his feelings would guide his creative projects and compulsive workaholism would be evident. Perhaps this may be seen by his tendency to paint the same subjects in a series of images, showing the passage of time by the movement of light over forms. This blend has the ability to “see and encourage light” from within the “blackest darkness.”

And with Sun Scorpio-Moon Leo, a strong anarchistic streak would cause a ‘do my own thing’ vibe in the man although an ability to outwardly conform for the sake of his career would be helpful for achieving personal and economic success.

If the Sun Scorpio-Moon Leo pair of conscious-unconscious energies is the natal blend of Claude Monet then he shares it with poet Ezra Pound and actress-genius Hedy Lamar and one of two ‘Images for Integration’ seems quite applicable here:

“A Samaritan mirrors sunshine into the depth of a dark pit bringing hope to those who live there.” (Sun Sign-Moon Sign, Charles and Suzi Harvey).

Any thoughts? Well, perhaps you’ll agree with me that the stronger case is made for Claude Monet as a Sun Scorpio-Moon Leo native!

Note: the Wikipedia bio of Monet is an excellent resource containing a large variety of his paintings along with biographical details of his life, relationships, career, and creative techniques.