Leo Season - Joanne Kathleen Rowling

For those that know me, it does not come to any surprise how much I love JK Rowling and her writings of the Harry Potter Series. So much so, that a part of why I moved to Scotland for all those years was because I wanted to explore the stomping grounds of where she wrote the book (in Edinburgh). 

I find her story incredibly fascinating, and such a "hero archetype" to look up to in regards to not giving up on your dreams despite the hardships you face. It is for this reason that I have chosen her for the public figure of the month of Leo season. She perfectly encapsulates the "hero journey" that Leos often go through in their lifetime. To understand more about that hero journey or just the archetype of the typical Leo, read my monthly astrology report for Leo season --> Click here.

Her hero journey:

First off, JK Rowling was born to be a writer (something we will get into in her chart). She wrote her first novel at the age of 11 called the "Seven Cursed Diamonds" (you can tell she has always been connected to that number), where she grew up on the English/Welsh border in a small village. 

She first went to University in Edinburgh to study modern languages, then later got a degree in French and Classics from Exeter University (with a year abroad in Paris). I read years ago (although I can't seem to find any trace of it on the internet) that when she went to the University of Edinburgh, she would often spend most of her time in the extensive library reading esoteric books on mysticism, which later lead her to have the idea of the "restricted section" in the Harry Potter books. I know that this must be true and that I must have read this about her, because her books are so deeply intertwined with the esoteric realm and ancient folklore. She uses numerology, her characters uniquely suit their astrological sign (she lists their birthdays in the books), and many of the magical creatures represent myths. For example, the Three Headed Dog that guards the trapdoor which leads to the Philosopher Stone, very clearly represents the Greek myth of Cerebres (the 3 headed dog who guards the gates of Hades, which represents the underworld). Not only that, but there is a myth of the god "Orpheus", who charms Cerebres with music in order to make him fall asleep so he could gain entrance into the underworld to bring back his wife "Eurydice". This coincides with The Philosopher Stone book where Quarrel used a harp to make the 3 headed dog fall asleep in order for him to get through the trap door. And that is just one example, there are hundreds scattered throughout the book series which coincides with hidden esoteric patterns, myths, and realms. It's one of the many reasons why I admire her so much as a writer. 

Moving on, she got the idea for Harry Potter while on a train in London--and it quickly flooded her with ideas upon ideas and she went into a frantic writing stage. It took her about 5 years to write the first novel, and through that time, she lost her mother, moved to Portugal, married a Portuguese man, had a daughter, got divorced due to abuse, moved to Edinburgh with her daughter, and lived in low income housing while trying to raise her alone. Her abusive ex husband tried to lock away her manuscripts of the first Harry Potter series in order to try to get her to stay with him. Even through all that, she never gave up on writing that book. Spending hours a day writing in a small coffee shop in Edinburgh or at home in her low income housing with her daughter beside her in the pram, she dedicated herself to seeing it through. However, that was only the first hurdle of her journey.

She finally finished the book in 1995, where she spent 2 years trying to get it published. She sent it to 12 publishers before it finally got published by Bloomsbury in 1997. Even so, Bloomsbury had hesitancy to even publish her book and it was the daughter of the chairman who loved the book and fought for it to get published. The reason she goes by the name "JK Rowling", rather than her full name, is because the publishers told her that boys may not read the book because of she was a female. They thought by her using her initials only, that they could reach more readers. 

It ended up working in that publishers favour (obviously), as it took off immediately after its' release, and prompted the book series to be made into a series of 8 movies--with the first one being made in 2000 and released in 2001. Every single movie became a multi-million dollar hit in the box office, with people lining up nights before to see the films release, her book releases would also prompt overnight campers, and the series came out with merchandise AND a theme park. 

Her previous abusive relationship and the struggles she went through with being taken seriously as a female writer, likely points towards her feminist activism that she has partaken in throughout her career. Sadly, when you try to research this side of her nowadays, all that comes up is how "transphobic" or "TERF" she is. She became caught up in the social media world after "liking" a tweet that was deemed "transphobic", and following prominent feminists that were against the expansion of the transgender movement. She remains incredibly controversial today, with some of the cast members speaking against her views. Even through the online and public hate she receives, she continues to stick to her own values against trans people in womans' sports and public restrooms. Sadly, there is minimal nuance to this subject, considering she has been sexually abused in her past by a man and has pushed for woman movements into the work force. It seems that the attacks for cancelling her for something as small as "liking" a tweet, has moved her towards fiercely defending her own belief systems and roaring much louder online which sort of digs more of her own hole. However, I admire someone who knows their values and remains firm--even if I don't agree with the approach method. If she has to be the fall person for voicing opinions that others are too scared to voice, then clearly she will -- very "Leo" or "Lioness" of her. 

Now, lets get into her astrology chart:

Joanne is a Leo Sun (obviously), Virgo Moon, and Aquarius Rising. In a short summary of that, this means she wants recognition for her achievements, she needs order and routine to function optimally, and she goes about getting these things in an out of the box and surprising way.

Her ruler is Saturn (and Uranus), Saturn being in her 1st house (and conjunct Chiron the wounded healer). This shows that the development of the identity is a major struggle and will go through constant wounds in order to individuate throughout the lifetime. Because her Saturn is in Pisces, in order to develop that identity, she must work through her fears of isolation, not feeling like she belongs anywhere or to anything, and possible passed down religious beliefs that she may not truly resonate with. She is likely to be taken advantage of and not understand how to use her boundaries wisely for the first 29 years of her life, but through her Saturn return, she is faced with karmic situations that force her to find her inner spiritual reserves to light her path and way. She finds something much bigger to believe in and hold onto--this is the start of her individuation process and where her gift is in healing others (through her writing we later discover). 

Now, her Saturn also opposes her Moon, Pluto, Uranus, (slightly) Venus, and very loosely Mercury stellium in Virgo in the 7th house of partnership and business partners. This means that karma (Saturn) and wounding (Chiron)(for some of the connecting aspects), deeply affect her one on one relationships with others. Because her moon is in the 7th house and conjunct Pluto and slightly Uranus, shows how the surprising death of her mother deeply affected how she shows up in her personal relationships. This likely created trust issues, which may have (or still does) make her possibly controlling, discerning, and nit-picky in her relationships. She likely needs to feel like she has control of her relationships in possible fear she may lose that person if she doesn't. There is very clearly a deep seeded fear of vulnerability within close relationships. She may be someone who needs everything to be perfect and organized to feel emotionally safe. However, this also would be mirrored by her partners--a projection that she puts onto them for being that way (when in reality she is like that).That is because Pluto placed in the 7th house creates a very large shadow in relationships that bring intense dynamics like control to work its' way through relationship dynamics.  I would be inclined to think that her ex husband had many Virgo traits, or that their relationship had this theme of trying to perfect each other through coercion or control (like how he tried to lock away her manuscripts in order for her to stay with him). A quick google search shows that she went through her divorce and chaos of her ex marriage when she was 28 years old, which is often the Saturn Return is most intensely felt, as it's the lead up to the Saturn Return that brings the outward events to unfold---and the actual period of Saturn Return (at 29) is working through the hardships that have come your way. 

Another thing to note is her Jupiter and North Node are conjunct in Gemini (the writer) in the 4th house. She very clearly was meant to be a mother (4th house), but also it is fitting how she raised her first daughter while writing the series in her home in Edinburgh. It was karmic in a way (with the North Node there), that was where her biggest growth (Jupiter) in life was to take place. She was destined to be a writer with her North Node and Jupiter there, and that is where her greatest abundance came from (Jupiter). Here is where it gets even more interesting, her MC (career line), goes through the opposite sign of Sagittarius (the philosopher, teacher, far away lands, and spiritual leader). She began writing the book while she was away in a foreign land (Portugal) and mixing in esoteric and philosophical topics into her book). The first book actually being called "The Philosophers Stone". A part of her needed to be away in these foreign lands to create the ideas for this book. Sagittarius is also known as the "adventure sign". The one that goes on adventures to uncover hidden layers of the world we live in. In her books she has many undertones of how the world truly works, the politics of society, and the constant battle between good and evil-- very Sagittarius themes (but also mixed with Scorpio where she has Neptune (the dreamer) in her 8th house). 

Her Jupiter (and North Node) exactly squares Chiron (and Saturn), showing how she must go through the wounding of her identity in order to grow to her destiny. This is something we see consistently from her. Always going through a struggle of her identity (even today with how much she is criticized). But, her chart tells her to keep going and that through these wounds she will constantly rise. Her North Node also squares her Saturn, showing that she must struggle for her growth and abundance. 

With her rising sign of Aquarius, we see those themes written throughout the books and her identity. She is a HUGE advocate for freedom. And very much speaks out on unfair political structures in society and brings that into her books. Especially in her later books when she starts writing about the control that the Ministry of Magic begins to have over Hogwarts while Delorus Umbridge takes over as the school Dean. She shows how dangerous it is when the state controls the freedoms of the mass and then writes in how the underground network of "the people" (Dumbledores Army and The Order of the Phoenix) work together (Aquarius) to rebel and fight against control and darkness. She is very much a visionary as much as she is a philosopher and writer. I often reflect back to themes she has written in her books and see the parallels in society today. 

There is SO much to go on and on about dissecting her chart and how it relates to the character she is today. Pay attention to this upcoming eclipse season, as we are likely to see her in the spotlight for something controversial with it happening over her stellium in Virgo. Within the next 7 years, she will also be highlighted in the limelight for something growth related (considering Uranus will be going through Gemini over her North Node and Jupiter). 

Something to note: I find it incredibly fascinating that the character Harry Potter is indeed a Leo as well. He also goes through his own hero journey and chooses to take the hero journey by sorting himself into the house of Gryffindor (symbolized by the Lion and known for the house of Bravery and Courage (Leo themes). Its' almost like she puts apart of her own soul into his character and constantly writes about his constant choice to choose good over bad, even while going through hard times. Maybe next year I will choose to write on the character of Harry Potter for Leo season, WHO KNOWS!:P

Anyways I hope you enjoyed! I write these to show you how a chart reading works, and more specifically, the route I personally take when reading charts. It also shows you how your astrological chart really makes up your dynamics of personality and life path. 

How to support my business: 

• If you enjoy my astrology and want to see how I would read and analyze your own birth chart, then book in for a reading!
• I will be graduating this month from my 3 year long diploma study of Clinical Herbalism at Pacific Rim College. I will be opening up to accepting clients who want the support of customized herbal formulas to support their health journey. My speciality is in mental health and supporting antidepressant withdrawals, however, I also work with hormonal issues, thyroid imbalances, digestive issues, and many others that are the underlying basis of nervous system disorders. Email me for more details.
• Spread the word! My instagram page for herbalism is @elliesherbalshack and my astrology will now be under the business name of @seedofpotentials . Give me a follow, where I share more information, and keep you informed of other projects I will be apart of.
• Donate to buy me a coffee — where I use that money to invest more into expanding my business, and save up for property to grow herbs for a future apothecary.
• Subscribe to my sub stack of “Ellies Herbal Shack”, where I share more articles (including scientific papers) about the use of herbal medicine.