Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell was first published as a novel in 1936. The film version starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh as the star-crossed lovers was released in 1939 and is regarded as one of the best films of all time.
It was only in 1978 that a US astrologer by the name of Darrell Martinie was shown notes from Margaret Mitchell’s library which contained clues suggesting that the book was an astrological allegory and that the characters of the famous novel were based on the signs of the zodiac. The following excerpt is taken from Neil Spencer’s excellent book True As The Stars Above
“Scarlett O’Hara is a dashing Aries named after the colour of her ruling planet Mars. Her father is a Taurus who not only owns a farm in earthy Taurean fashion but named it the Tara plantation… Scarlett’s two twittering aunts, Prissy and Pitty Pat, are a pair of Geminis whose names comply with the sign’s love of wordplay. Rhett Butler, the great love of Scarlett’s life, is a passionate Leo and a fellow fire sign who in true don’t-look-back Leo style delivers the line, ‘Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.’ Their daughter, Bonnie is the third fire-sign Sagittarius and, born under the sign of the Centaur, meets her end in a riding accident. Ashley Wilkes, the rival for Scarlett’s love, is a wealthy Capricorn whose plantation Twelve Oaks, reflects both solidity and, perhaps, the twelve signs of the zodiac.”
Margaret Mitchell isn’t the only novelist to be a closet astrologer and there’s been much talk about J K Rowling’s immensely successful Harry Potter books and the astrological references within. Hogwarts is a school of Wizardry after all and the Ministry of Magic plays a key role in Harry Potter’s world.
It’s fairly easy to deduce that Harry Potter is a Leo with the same birthday as J K Rowling, the 31st July. Plus in 2010, a detailed personal horosocope analysed and illustrated by the author at the time she was writing her first Harry Potter novel came up for sale. The auctioneer commented that J K Rowling “displays a detailed knowledge of Western astrology which was later to play an important part in her books.”
[photo from flickr.com]
Sally, I posted one time about how Bella (in the Twilight series) couldn’t possibly be a Virgo as the author says she is. One of my fave Aussie authors Kerry Greenwood published a horoscope for the star of her detective series Phryne Fisher. I have to say in writing my chick lit, I have in my head a birth chart for my lead characters rather than a full back story. As I work through the drafts they seem to be growing into it. It’s an interesting process.
That’s interesting, Jo, about Bella. I wouldn’t have put her as a Virgo having read the books. Love the fact that the author Stephanie Meyers was born on an eclipse! Look forward to reading your book. A signed copy, please!
I must confess I’ve never seen Gone with the Wind, at least if I did, I don’t remember it! But I am impressed with J K Rowling’s knowledge of astrology. How wonderful! Thanks for this info Sally, your research is brilliant 🙂
Thanks, Yvonne. I’ved loved writing this series so thank you fellow bloggers for the challenge & encouragement. I think you need to add Gone With The Wind to your list of films to watch. One of the greats!
Sally, Gone With The Wind was my Mother’s favourite film. She took me and a school friend to see it in the school holidays when we were both still quite young. I remember it was very long and there was an intermission during which we ate sandwiches out of tin foil! Presumably our supper? I think I was overly-influenced by Scarlett O’Hara and have been her ever since, perhaps my Mum was too now that I come to think of it. So all relationships have been Scarlett/Rhett-esque, not a good model and frankly, my dear, I’m not sure I give a damn either.
I did go to see a fabulous new digitally re-mastered version of the film at the BFT a while back and took my best friend who is a whole decade younger. She didn’t get the whole thing and sat patiently for however many hours it is while I blubbed my way through it all again. It was perhaps not as good as I remember either, but powerful cinema when I was a teenager, no doubt. I have loved film ever since and that was definitely something I inherited from my Mum and, for me, it still needs to be in the dark really so complete escapism.
Scarlett was a rather evil manipulator it must be said but Rhett had the measure of her.
They don’t make ’em like this any more, Sally!
J
Maybe it’s the original “Fifty Shades of Grey”, Judith! I saw it years ago and loved it and will watch it again, although I’m not sure whether it will fascinate me quite as much second time around. Still a classic…