A chart analysis of Brooke Shields, Clara Bow and Taylor Swift’s Song

James Hillman saw myth as living realities within the human psyche to gain a deeper understanding of oneself and the world. He believed that these archetypes provided symbolic narratives that revealed deep psychological truths guiding individuals on their own journeys. When you bring this concept into astrological context, using the fixed stars is one approach to enter into the imaginal world of myth and make connections to the stories. Brooke Shields and Clara Bow have fascinating charts demonstrating the characteristics of the fixed star Bellatrix, especially considering the dramatic and public nature of both women’s lives. Bellatrix, with its themes of ambition, success, and potential downfall, played a significant role in shaping the way their experiences unfolded mirroring living myth.

Before going into the birth charts of Brooke Shields and Clara Bow, it is important to go over the fixed star Bellatrix in the constellation of Orion. The constellation of Orion is often depicted as a hunter in many mythologies, but in ancient Egypt, it was seen as representing the myth of Osiris, the god of the dead, resurrection, and afterlife. Osiris, the king of Egypt and god of the dead was killed by his jealous brother Set. Osiris' wife, Isis, collected the scattered pieces of his body, reassembled him, and resurrected him, allowing Osiris to rule the afterlife as the god of the dead. Their son, Horus, then avenged his father's death by defeating Set, becoming the ruler of the living and symbolizing the eternal cycle of kingship passed from father to son. To read about the myth of Osiris and how it relates to the constellation of Orion READ HERE.

The key stars of Orion (Rigel, Betelgeuse, and Bellatrix), also individually hold a symbolic mythological significance associated with the myth. Bellatrix is a blue giant star located on the left shoulder of Orion and Its name comes from Latin, meaning "female warrior" or “the Amazon star”. Its current location is at 21° 17’ Gemini (based on 2024 calculations, though its position shifts slightly over time due to precession).

When connecting Osiris’ myth to Bellatrix, it is often associated with strength, skill in battle, and strategic victory, representing the warrior aspect of Horus, the god who fights and ultimately defeats Set, his uncle. Horus’ journey to avenge his father and claim the throne mirrors Bellatrix’s association with struggle and triumph in battle. This star may also symbolize the warrior spirit within the myth—both in Osiris’ eventual return from death and Horus’ eventual victory over chaos.

Ptolemy associates this star as the nature of Mars and Mercury, “Quickly coming or swiftly destroying”. Bellatrix brings courage, honor, bravery, strength, and potential to rise to great heights through sheer willpower, but it can also show the possibility of a dramatic fall due to pride or reckless ambition or impulsive actions. It is about success while facing one’s shadows, but it can also signify struggles with authority or issues arising from aggressive or overly assertive behavior. In addition, this star does bring forth positive expressions such as a determination to succeed, warrior energy, sudden success, the ability to face challenges head-on, and success through bold action, especially in careers or areas that require bravery and leadership. Ultimately, its is about personal growth for the price of success.

Case Study - Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields life is a great example of Bellatrix, as her life was marked by early fame, beauty, and challenges associated with growing up in the public eye as an actress and model. Her beauty was central to her public persona, but also a source of conflict and controversy (e.g., her provocative early roles in films like Pretty Baby and Blue Lagoon). She may have had to fight for control over how her beauty was perceived and used, especially with her mother’s heavy involvement in her career. Brooke’s early rise to fame came with emotional challenges, which Bellatrix's warrior energy helped her face. She had to develop resilience to handle public judgment and personal emotional wounds.

Moon Conjunct Bellatrix:

The Moon represents emotions, inner life, and the maternal figure. Conjunct Bellatrix, this can indicate emotional struggles tied to public scrutiny or family dynamics (especially with her mother’s heavy involvement in her career). Brooke’s early rise to fame came with emotional challenges, which Bellatrix's warrior energy helped her face. She had to develop resilience to handle public judgment and personal emotional wounds.

Venus Conjunct Bellatrix:

Venus relates to beauty, relationships, and self-worth. For Brooke, Venus conjunct Bellatrix in her chart likely amplified her physical beauty and public persona but also brought intense scrutiny of her relationships and appearance. Bellatrix’s influence suggests she may have had to fight for control over how her beauty was perceived and used (as seen in her early, controversial modeling and film work). This could also indicate relationships marked by power struggles or a fight to be valued for more than just her appearance.

By Progression:

As you can see Brooke Shields has her natal sun at 10 Gemini and when Brooke was 11 years of age, Bellatrix began speaking in her chart. By secondary progression her sun would have been conjunct her natal moon and midheaven both at 21 gemini on Bellatrix when she starred in the movie “Pretty Baby”. At 13, she began filming Blue Lagoon that came out when she was 14 years of age and her progressed sun was conjunct her natal Venus at 23 Gemini. These progressions demonstrate how Bellatrix reflected the source of conflict and controversy Brooke had to endure due to her mother’s ambition influencing her to take on the provocative films early on in her life.

CLARA BOW

Clara Bow, the “It Girl” of the silent film era, had a life marked by intense highs and lows, scandal, and public fascination. She was the epitome of beauty and sex appeal that made her an iconic figure in Hollywood who refused to conform to society’s expectations. Clara faced constant scrutiny and was condemned by the media in a way that male stars never were. She was one of the first Hollywood sex symbols and celebrities, and received 35,000 letters per month at her peak. Later on in life, she was haunted by a traumatized childhood, scandals and struggled with how her sexuality and beauty were exploited by the film industry. After a number of scandals and a mental health breakdown, Bow retired from acting in 1933 and lived the rest of her life away from the spotlight

One of the most prominent placements in Clara Bow’s chart is her Venus/ pluto conjunction on Bellatrix in the 4th house her overwhelming public image as the epitome of beauty and sex appeal is tied to this configuration. The Venus/pluto Bellatrix link likely gave her a magnetic, warrior-like allure, but it also came with struggles regarding how her sexuality and beauty were exploited by the film industry. Clara faced constant scrutiny and was often reduced to her physical attributes, which echoes Bellatrix’s themes of ambition followed by the risk of disgrace or downfall.

Pluto represents transformation, power, and destruction suggesting a life marked by profound change and power dynamics in the home or private sphere. Clara Bow’s career and personal life were both transformative and destructive, as she endured a lot of abuse in childhood, as well as intense scrutiny and public scandal that plagued her life. These events are what let to her burnout and mental health struggles contributing to her eventual retreat from Hollywood. Yet, Pluto also points to her power as an enduring icon, transforming the perception of women in cinema despite the tumultuousness of her career.

“Clara Bow” song release by Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift released the son “Clara Bow” on April 19, 2024, 12:00am, in New York, New York. This song warns you starlets that fame has its downsides like being held to impossibly high beauty standards and even the biggest eventually become replaceable. It centers around how the entertainment industry builds up and breaks down its “it girls” like Clara Bow, Stevie Nicks and now, Taylor Swift. Below is the chart of Clara’s birth chart as the inner wheel and the album release of the Tortured Poets Department “Clara Bow” as the outer wheel.

As you can see, at the time of the album release, there are several aspects that are activated Clara Bow’s chart today in 2024. Neptune often associated with movies, music, dreams, illusions, spirituality, inspiration, and sometimes confusion. Transiting Neptune was conjunct Clara’s Part of Fortune, a sensitive point that indicates where one can find the most material and emotional prosperity, often through alignment with one’s true purpose or natural talents. It's an entrance point in the chart or an area of life where you experience happiness, success, and fulfillment. If Clara was alive today, she would experiencing spiritual fulfillment or a deepening sense of inner peace with Taylor’s song. This transit also speaks to a song being written about Clara, as well as the fact that peoples chart continue to be alive after their passing.

Another interesting transit is that Jupiter entered Gemini on May 25, 2024, entering her fourth house and activating her 10th and 1st houses. In addition, this would have been a Jupiter return as her natal Jupiter is at 1 Gemini and transiting Pluto was conjunct her natal Chiron. Clara’s wounds remained more private and unhealed during her lifetime, but this transit could have provided some healing around her woundedness.

With Brooke Shields and Clara Bow charts, you can see similar themes between having to deal with Public Scrutiny and Scandal and a fighting warrior like spirit. Both women faced intense public attention and scrutiny, with their beauty and personal lives becoming subjects of controversy. Bellatrix’s influence suggests this came with both success and challenges, forcing them to fight for their autonomy and dignity. Bellatrix’s warrior energy helped both women navigate the volatile worlds of fame and beauty. Whether through emotional resilience (Moon, Venus, Chiron for Brooke) or power struggles and transformation (Venus, Chiron, Pluto for Clara), they both embodied Bellatrix’s theme of fighting through adversity.

In both cases, Bellatrix adds a layer of intensity and struggle to the lives of Brooke Shields and Clara Bow. While it granted them success and recognition, it also exposed them to the darker side of fame, including personal wounding, public scrutiny, and the constant battle to maintain control over their lives and identities. Through their resilience and warrior-like spirit, they both were pioneers in their field and left lasting legacies.