Sidney Poitier was a legend. He was an Oscar winning actor and Hollywood’s first Black movie star. He was born on February 20, 1927 at 9:00pm in Miami, Florida. He was in 42 films and wrote three autobiographies. He had six daughters from two marriages. After acting for many years, he founded a production company and went on to direct numerous films.
Let’s take a look at his chart to see what it shows us about his life.
Sidney was a Virgo ascendant. This becomes his first house. He has his Moon in his first house which makes everything in his chart stronger. Moon in his first house could have given him a great amount of sensitivity and he may have been overwhelmed by the feeling senses. He likely felt most calm when by the water. He may have felt that his home was a refuge from the world and his safe place to reset and recoup. In his life there could have been many unpredictable events with constant changes in his daily activities. He may have been easy going, imaginative and out-of-the-ordinary. He was likely very intuitive and a very good conversationalist. He may have at times gotten too in his head and sometimes forgotten to verbally communicate with others what he was thinking. Mercury rules his first house and goes to his sixth house indicating he was someone who would work hard and long hours. He had a respect for discipline that gave him his strength of character. This placement gave him a strong capacity to deal with opposition and adversity, with the ability to come out ahead in conflicts. Moon rules his eleventh house and in the first indicates that organizations would be a major part of his life and take up time. He was someone who could get advantages and opportunities throughout his life from well-placed people. He was someone who could create a positive environment with fresh ideas and a hopeful vision of the future. His ascendant is in the lunar mansion of Hasta. This indicates he was someone who was thick skinned, self-motivated and intelligent. He could have had a great sense of humor and made an entertaining speaker. His early life could have been plagued by hardships and restraints. His Moon is in the lunar mansion of Chitra. This indicates that he may have been drawn to serious subjects of philosophy and social thought. He likely possessed a charisma and personal charm. He was someone who would be motivated by opportunities outside his place of birth.
In his third house, Scorpio, is Saturn. This indicates he was someone who was determined, deliberate and considerate. He likely had an intense focus with the ability to tune out chatter from others. His early education may have been more difficult but he likely learned a discipline from this that helped him throughout life. He was someone that had the ability to achieve financial success over time. He had the capacity to work hard and fast with a powerful ability to focus in order to get things done. Saturn rules his fifth and sixth house and being in the third house indicates that creativity was a major aspect of his life. He likely had a strong need to express himself. He could benefit from writing, music and entertainment. He could be very determined and courageous. He is someone who would succeed through his own efforts with a drive to overcome obstacles. Mars rules his third house and goes to his ninth house indicating that world travel would be a way for him to get a different perspective on the world. His father could have had many difficulties or been a source of conflict for him. Saturn is in the lunar mansion of Anuradha. This could indicate that he was brave and also would again benefit living away from his place of birth. He could be focused on his goals and have good leadership and organization skills. He was someone who was good at working with large groups of people and his friendly cooperation could bring him recognition.
In his fourth house, Sagittarius, is the node of the Moon, Ketu. Ketu in the fourth house can be unsettling. He may have always felt that there was a sense of loss around the home, family or his mother. He may have constantly tried to search for this security through home and family but just never have fully felt it was found. He could have had many changes in residences or had a desire to live in more remote regions. Jupiter rules his fourth house and goes to his sixth house indicating that his family could have struggled or had a lot of debt. His mother likely worked hard. He personally could be someone who was emotionally uplifting to others and likely knew what was bothering them. Ketu is in the lunar mansion Mula which gave him a passionate nature and he may have desired to get to the bottom of things. He was determined to succeed.
In his sixth house, Aquarius, are the Sun, Jupiter and Mercury. Sun in the 6th house can indicate him having had a strong vitality especially since it is the only malefic in this house. He could have a powerful work ethic and drive to achieve. He could be creative, intelligent and analytical. He was hardworking and may have thought in new ways. He may at times have been prone to low self-esteem and undervaluing his own talents. Jupiter in the sixth house indicates that he could have a strong desire to help others. He likely had humanitarian efforts that were near to his heart. He would need to have watched his weight. He had the ability to face problems with optimism. He could have a strong resistance to diseases. He likely could be organized. He could be diplomatic and a good friend or supporter. Mercury in the sixth house can indicate that stress could take a toll on his body so it would have been important for him to find a way to manage his stress. He could be clear-minded with a desire to improve things. He likely had a quick mind and speech. He may have enjoyed picking intellectual fights. He had the ability to look at things in a new way and could examine things deeply. The Sun rules his twelfth house and goes to the sixth house indicating that he could have been sensitive to his environment which could include allergies.
The Sun and Jupiter are in the lunar mansion Shatabhishak indicating that he could be meditative, philosophical as well as secretive and reclusive. He may have had times when he was lonely, moody or more depressed. Mercury and Venus (which we will talk about next) are in the lunar mansion Purva Bhadrapada. This can indicate that he was someone with good logical skill. He could be good at “reading” people. It could give the potential to live a long life. He could have excellent speaking abilities and might sacrifice for a higher cause in order to make a difference in the world.
In his seventh house, Pisces, is Venus. Venus is at its strongest in Pisces. Venus can indicate that he was polite and unpretentious. He could have a good sense of humor and cared deeply for others. He was someone who was full of compassion for others. He could have good business relationships and could have good business skills. Venus rules his second house and is in his seventh house indicating that money matters could have been a hot topic in his relationships. He could accumulate money through business transactions. Jupiter as ruler of his seventh house goes to his sixth house indicating that there could have been some conflicts and struggles within his relationships. He could have a high sense of service.
In his ninth house, Taurus, is Mars. Mars in the ninth can indicate that he could be self-sufficient. He could have an expansive vision. It could indicate that his father had a stressful life. It could make him charming, persuasive and give him a youthful disposition. He could be very caring and instinctive. He could have a good earning ability. Venus rules his ninth house and is in his seventh house indicating that he could do business in foreign lands. He had the ability to relate well to people. Mars rules his eighth house and is in the ninth house indicating that he likely had an interest in understanding the purpose and meaning of life from a more spiritual perspective. He could have a good accumulation of wealth from working well with those that are in charge. He could have had times when he had difficulty with authority figures or his father. Mars is in the lunar mansion of Krittika. This could give him a determined and tenacious will to achieve. He could be proud and passionate. He is someone who took pride in what he did and could be a good leader. He would need to watch his health for burnout as at times he could set his goals and expectations too high. It can indicate that he would rise to places of fame and prominence.
In his tenth house, Gemini, is the node of the Moon, Rahu. Rahu can be an indicator of an entertainer and being in the tenth house can indicate his career in movies. He could be part of unprecedented activities or ideas. He could at times be prone to self-isolating. He can indicate that success could come from an unusual career. He may have had a deep ingrained insecurity that drove him to prove himself. His career and finances could grow overtime. He could at times have faced a lack of respect or understanding from others. Mercury rules his tenth house and goes to his sixth house indicating that he could get paid well to tackle hard jobs. He would need to work hard for his success. Rahu is in the lunar mansion of Ardra. This can indicate that he is quick acting with a good memory. He could get real satisfaction through overcoming hardships.
Quick note: Neptune, the ruler of movies, is in the twelfth house which is the house of movies and tv. This can be another indicator of his career given it is in the lunar mansion Magha. This lunar mansion is considered the lunar mansion of Kings and Sidney is considered one of the greats.
Let’s take a look at the transits of the first Oscar he won in 1964 as well as his death in 2022.
On February 24, 1964 Sidney won an Oscar for best actor for his role in Lilies of the Field. On this date transiting Jupiter was in Pisces with Venus the ruler of his second house. Transiting Jupiter was sending its energy to his eleventh house of great gains. It was also in exact opposition at 25 degrees 53 minutes Pisces to his natal Moon at 26 degrees Virgo. The Moon rules his eleventh house of great gains. At the time he was in his Rahu Maha Dasha and Jupiter sub-dasha. Rahu is in his tenth house of career and natal Jupiter is sending its energy to his tenth house by trine. In his D10 chart, which is an even deeper chart we can look at for career success, Rahu sits on the ascendant. This indicates that during his Rahu Maha Dasha he could have success. We also look to the tenth house of this chart and what planet is in the tenth house of his D10 chart, Jupiter. This was a powerful time for Sidney.
Sidney passed away on January 6, 2022. When looking at the transits on his day of death I will say that the nodes of the Moon Rahu and Ketu were a trigger. These nodes have been a trigger in a lot of actor’s charts including Betty White and Bob Saget. Transiting Rahu was at 6 degrees 29 minutes of Taurus exactly conjunct his natal Mars at 6 degrees and 40 minutes. His cause of death is listed as heart related and Mars is one of the indicators of the heart. In Jaimini astrology Mars is considered his GK, gnati karaka, planet which is an indicator for health. Transiting Ketu was sending its energy to his seventh house, a maraka house. Transiting Saturn, a potential indicator of death, was sending its energy to both maraka houses, house two and seven. At his time of death, he was in his Venus Maha Dasha and Jupiter sub-dasha. Both these planets rule his maraka houses.
Sidney Poitier was a pioneer and stood up for the roles he wanted while turning down many he didn’t agree with. He lived a long life and will always be remembered for opening the doors for many who came after him.
