HAPPY BIRTHDAY RIH!
The Barbados Music Industry page on Facebook (I know, not that salient of a source and clearly biased lmfao) made a post yesterday claiming Rihanna as modern day Elizabeth Taylor, citing her obvious beauty, her inspirational appeal, her talent and business endeavors. By the end of the article, it was clear that Rihanna's empire had surpassed that of the late Elizabeth Taylor, but I wanted to explore their connection as provocateurs of sexuality, charm, and class.
I knew Neptune had to be highly involved, and I noticed that they both have Neptune as an elevated planet, the planet closest to their Midheaven (MC). Astrologer Ray Grass describes the most elevated planet as such:
Because of its exalted position, any planetary body located here “lords over” all the other planets in the chart and can exert a powerful influence over someone’s entire life. And while that’s true, to some extent, of any planet occupying the highest point above the horizon, it becomes even more important if that body is near or conjunct the Midheaven, or MC (Medium Coeli) — the zenith point of the horoscope. Any planet aligned with this angle, some have claimed, is “accidentally dignified” in that its innate qualities are amplified in potentially constructive ways.
Neptune as the archetype of glamour, fame, and elusive je ne sais quoi certainly describes both Taylor and Rihanna, who both have Neptune as their most elevated planet, with Taylor's Scorpio Moon also in contention there (more on the Moon connection later below). Taylor's Neptune in Virgo qualifies her appeal as more service oriented, and she was involved in and awarded for her many philanthropic endeavors. She stated:
I decided that with my name, I could open certain doors, that I was a commodity in myself – and I'm not talking as an actress. I could take the fame I'd resented and tried to get away from for so many years – but you can never get away from it – and use it to do some good. I wanted to retire, but the tabloids wouldn't let me. So, I thought: If you're going to screw me over, I'll use you.
This is a lovely Virgo sentiment. Cashing in on that fact that fame has made her commodity and paying that forward to help others. Mutable Earth. Taylor also had a very involved hand in the production of her fragrances, which later became her biggest profit driver, worth over one billion dollars. Perfumery and production are both highly skilled Virgo tasks.
Rihanna's Neptune in Capricorn qualifies her appeal as more entrepreneurial in nature, breaking new ground. Her Fenty make-up (and now skin) line smashed preconceived notions about what it means to have complete skin color inclusivity. Her lingerie line was similarly inclusive, featuring bodies of all sizes, shapes and abilities. She is also the first black woman to ink a deal with the prestigious LVMH fashion group. Capricorn as cardinal Earth can both destroy and create new paradigms for society to adhere to. Rihanna has clearly done so, and continues.
Both women have their Neptune in Earth signs, making it apparent that they have/had similar approaches to their fame and status, using it to make things make sense in a world that adores them, and setting the stage for their legacies to speak for them long after they are done here. Taylor has.
(I also feel like Neptune describes both of these women's hella dreamy eyes).
Rihanna and Taylor both have Venus in Aries, conjunct. It is perhaps most apparent in Rihanna, who took the word "savage" (Fenty x Savage) and turned it into an emblem of female empowerment. Taking the raw, straight-forward, unapologetic and independent nature of Aries and making it sexy. But Taylor also used this fierce nature, not only to advocate for others (as quoted above), but in the roles she portrayed on and off-screen. She was a vixen, a siren, but also a complex and outspoken protagonist. She ran through marriages like an Olympian. And didn't care. Both women are fighters, the star of their own lives, and simply do not and did not give a fuck. Venus in Aries in an asset for any woman trying to get ahead in the male-driven world of entertainment and business.
They also both have Venus on the angles, with Rihanna's conjunct her ASC and Taylor's conjunct her IC. Any planet that is on an angle plays and important role in the life of the native. Taylor's is exactly conjunct her Uranus, explaining her multiple marriages--the need for relationship and then the need to be set free.
The Pisces connection. Both women have Sun in Pisces, conjunct. Modern rulerships aside, Pisces can rule over all that is romantic, dreamy, and beautiful. As the exaltation of Venus, Pisces can represent not only artistic endeavors made transcendent, but also a larger than life beauty, and as much as I loathe this word, and for lack of a better one: exotica. Both women appear(ed) to exist on the world and yet clearly embody something otherworldly. And it is now that I will point out that both women have become identified for their connection to diamonds, a jewel that exists in physical form but has also come to signify something ethereal beyond value : Rihanna's hit song Diamonds and Taylor's fragrance, White Diamonds.
Rihanna's DC angle is Taylor's MC angle, both Libra. Of course planets draw the strongest connections. But I couldn't overlook the symmetry in their angles. In synastry, conjunction between the angles can create a binding effect. Taylor's Libra MC was a conscious activation of justice, fairness, and balance--also, her clear beauty. Rihanna's Libra DC is more an unconscious desire to embody the same.
The “Diamonds” singer is following in the footsteps of one of her role models*, late actress and advocate Elizabeth Taylor, who co-founded amfAR, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, and other HIV organizations. In fact, at the 2014 amfAR LA Inspiration Gala,* Rihanna bid $100,000 on a photograph of Taylor, which was signed by artist Willy Rizzo.
“Everybody loves Elizabeth Taylor!” Rihanna said. “She’s very glamorous. She’s the best that’s ever done it. But it was for a good cause. I didn’t mind spending every penny on it, because it all went to charity.”
I wanted to emphasize role model, a person who embodies all the traits you admire, someone you emulate. That is the DC/MC connection made manifest. What Rihanna saw in Taylor (MC), is what she too hopes to be (DC). To note, but not really as important as the conjunction, they both have fire ASC trine the other's fire ASC. Both women had/have extroverted/assertive/yang ways of interfacing with a world.
Luminaries in the 12th. Rihanna has her Pisces Sun in the 12th, and Taylor her Scorpio Moon in the 12th. Water signs. Both of these positions are ripe for tapping into the collective unconscious, an ability to be aware of, exploit, and deeply touch the consciousness of humanity, the world. As creative people, Rihanna and Taylor have an influence that will ripple through time, that will be embedded in the zeitgeist. And even while living, both women are/were phenomena--something extraordinary that you just can't put your finger on, a 12th house vagueness and elusiveness. I'm also inspired by the 12th house as the limbo between wakefulness and dream, the merger of fantasy and reality. As described above, both women invoke(ed) this otherworldly beauty, charm, and isness that leaves others in awe. And in water signs, it provokes an emotional reaction from the world. Taylor perhaps more embroiled in controversy (Scorpio), and Rihanna less embroiled in anything, the vastness and possibility of Pisces.
Luminaries in the 12th isn't a smooth ride. Both women have suffered greatly, and in the public eye. It is perhaps this turmoil that fuels their endless rebounds and success.
Moon as master projector. Rihanna has her Moon right on the ASC, and as alluded to before, Taylor's moon was very close to her MC, making both women ripe for the absorption of others' fantasy. Rihanna and Taylor are both women that other women aspire to be, and that men aspire to be with. Outside of heteronormativity and gender norms, both women still encourage a human authenticity. Both are north stars, pointing the way of what it means to fully cultivate a life richly lived, and never regretted.
To end, both women (omg how many times is she gonna say BOTH WOMEN in this post), have strong Mars energy in their charts, owing to the Aries, the Scorpio, and its contact with both of their Suns. Mars in the chart of a woman shows a directness, and forcefulness, a willingness to rise to the occasion, and the cultivation of courage. Rihanna's Good Girl, Gone Bad era (which let's face it, is less of an era and more of a lifelong personality) embodies this martial archetype to fight for an identity of ones own, to challenge what is expected. During this time, Rihanna cut her hair and changed her style much to the chagrin of her management team. This would be what ended up making the Rihanna of then become the Rihanna we love so much now. Playing with edges. Avoiding ego crushing deference to others.
Though perhaps unaware at the time, Taylor's film career has come to light as being "pre-feminist", with her roles introducing to a broad audience, for the first time, many feminist ideals. Some of her roles also subverted stereotypes about women and minorities. But it was mainly her celebrity and self-hood that elevated her as larger than life, a force to be reckoned with. She had a disorienting amount of moxy, sexy, and nerve that invited revolt (unfairly), yet, paved the way for the Rihanna's of today.
I believe in life and I’ll fight for it. I believe you have to put up your dukes and fight, even if you don’t know what you’re fighting against.
-Elizabeth Taylor, Sun conj. Mars
Thanks for reading!