The Astrology of Sagittarius in Black Liberation: Shirley Chisholm
For this astrology of Black Liberation throwback post for originally meant for the 2020 Sagittarius season. However since March is women's history month, it works out. I will be talking about Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to take a position in Congress and to run for president of the United States of America.
The astrological themes and energy of Sagittarius in Black Liberation is one of breaking boundaries, of freedom seeking, and achieving higher planes of existence. Sagittarius is the archer, the centaur, half man, half beast explorer that shoots his arrow out. Jupiter traditional ruler of both Sagittarius and Pisces. If you want to get technical and gritty Jupiter themes and what it rules over is the following: LUCK. EXPANSION. TRAVEL. BELIEFS. FAITH. HIGHER EDUCATION. WEALTH. ABUNDANCE. GROWTH. RISK. OPPORTUNITY. GENEROSITY.
I chose Shirley Chisholm for the Sagittarius Sun for my Astrology of Black Liberation archetype because she represents the true spirit of mutable fire sign Sagittarius, the archer that is constantly breaking boundaries and going higher.
Shirley Chisholm is a 1st generation "foreign" American woman who symbolized both the American Dream and the American Nightmare. Who soared past her social coding, and was the exception to a system designed for her to fail.
If you don't know Shirley Chisholm is a pioneering Caribbean American politician who was the first black woman elected to the United States Congress, the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination and the first African American candidate for a major political party's nomination for President.
She is of Guyanese and Bajan origin (with her dad being Guyanese raised in Barbados and her mom from Barbados). She was born in Brooklyn New York but moved and lived in Barbados from aged 5 (in 1929) until 1934, so until around age 9 and a half, 10 years old. This led to her developing a slight Bajan accent that lasted throughout her entire life.
She went to high school and college in Brooklyn New York. In college she was known for her debating skills and advocating for her people. Her stances at the time included courses focusing on African American history, and the inclusion/integration of black soldiers in military in World War II (because you know black soldiers exist). Education and politics were important to her partly because her father was a supporter of Marcus Garvey, trade unions and anti colonialism independence movements.
Shirley Chisholm is a 1st generation "foreign" American woman who symbolized both the American Dream and the American Nightmare. Who soared past her social coding, and was the exception to a system designed for her to fail.
If you don't know Shirley Chisholm is a pioneering Caribbean American politician who was the first black woman elected to the United States Congress, the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination and the first African American candidate for a major political party's nomination for President.
She is of Guyanese and Bajan origin (with her dad being Guyanese raised in Barbados and her mom from Barbados). She was born in Brooklyn New York but moved and lived in Barbados from aged 5 (in 1929) until 1934, so until around age 9 and a half, 10 years old. This led to her developing a slight Bajan accent that lasted throughout her entire life.
She went to high school and college in Brooklyn New York. In college she was known for her debating skills and advocating for her people. Her stances at the time included courses focusing on African American history, and the inclusion/integration of black soldiers in military in World War II (because you know black soldiers exist). Education and politics were important to her partly because her father was a supporter of Marcus Garvey, trade unions and anti colonialism independence movements.
Her early career she was a teacher and educator. During this period of time she got a Masters in Elementary education at Columbia University. Holding many child care positions such as a Teacher's Aide, Director at a Childcare Center and an education center. During this time she advocated for wider education and child welfare/wellness.
She entered politics in 1953 advocating to elect the first black judge, Lewis Flagg Jr. in Brooklyn. Her stances were against housing and economic discrimination against blacks and for more women decision makers. She got involved in white dominated women's political groups including being the Brooklyn branch president of Key Women of America. She used her position to recruit more black people and to get black people more involved structurally in political organizations.
She ran for the 1964 New York State Assembly winning and became a member from 1965-1968. She won by appealing to and mobilizing women voters despite pushback because of her gender.
During this time she was against English language only state literacy tests which unfairly discriminated against non English speakers. She also advocated unemployment benefits for domestic workers and access to higher education for disadvantaged students.
In 1968 she ran for Congress and won in a close race with her slogan Unbought and Unbothered. She was the first black woman elected to Congress and made sure to hire only women to her office staff; half being black women. She was assigned to the House Agriculture committee, an assignment she was unsure of due to her more urban background (being from and serving communities in Brooklyn, NY and NYC). She used this position to help and advocate for feeding the poor. Some of accomplishments include expanding the WIC and food stamps programs. Later she was assigned with the prized Education and Labor committee.
She entered politics in 1953 advocating to elect the first black judge, Lewis Flagg Jr. in Brooklyn. Her stances were against housing and economic discrimination against blacks and for more women decision makers. She got involved in white dominated women's political groups including being the Brooklyn branch president of Key Women of America. She used her position to recruit more black people and to get black people more involved structurally in political organizations.
She ran for the 1964 New York State Assembly winning and became a member from 1965-1968. She won by appealing to and mobilizing women voters despite pushback because of her gender.
During this time she was against English language only state literacy tests which unfairly discriminated against non English speakers. She also advocated unemployment benefits for domestic workers and access to higher education for disadvantaged students.
In 1968 she ran for Congress and won in a close race with her slogan Unbought and Unbothered. She was the first black woman elected to Congress and made sure to hire only women to her office staff; half being black women. She was assigned to the House Agriculture committee, an assignment she was unsure of due to her more urban background (being from and serving communities in Brooklyn, NY and NYC). She used this position to help and advocate for feeding the poor. Some of accomplishments include expanding the WIC and food stamps programs. Later she was assigned with the prized Education and Labor committee.
In 1971 Shirley Chisolm decided to run for president and in 1972 she did. Her slogan was Unbossed and Unbought
She was of course met with resistance. Speaking of her experience she received more resistance for being a woman than black. Many of her black male colleagues did not support her. Her campaign was underfunded and people saw her more as a symbolic figure than a serious choice.
In 1983 she left Congress because of President Ronald Regan and his policies that directly affected her job and interests.
She became the Purington Chair Mount Holyoke College (an all women college) in Massachusetts. Over those years she taught classes and also gave speeches visiting over 150 college campuses.
She campaigned for Jesse Jackson for the presidential elections in both 1984 and 1988
Shirley retired from everything in 1991. She was made an US Ambassdor to Jamaica by President Bill Clinton in 1993 but declined because of her poor health. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993.
Shirley Chisholm unfortunately died on January 1st 2006 at the age of 80.
Bio aside let's get into her astrology
Born: November 30, 1924, New York, NY
Died: January 1, 2005, Ormond Beach, FL
Sun in 8 Degrees Sagittarius
Moon in 3 Degrees Aquarius
Mercury in 26 Degrees Sagittarius
Venus in 3 Degrees Scorpio
Mars in 19 Degrees Pisces
Jupiter in 26 Degrees Sagittarius
Saturn in 9 Degrees Scorpio
Uranus in 17 Degrees Pisces
Neptune in 22 Degrees Leo retrograde
Pluto in 13 Degrees Cancer retrograde
Lilith in 9 Degrees Gemini retrograde
North Node in 16 Degrees Leo retrograde
https://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Shirley_Chisholm
Themes in her chart
- Stellium in Sagittarius (Sun, Mercury, and Jupiter in Sagittarius)
- Venus conjunct Saturn both in Scorpio
- Mars conjunct Uranus both in Pisces bastardly squared Sagittarius stellium
- Bastard Water Grand Trine: Venus & Saturn in Scorpio. Mars conjunct Uranus both in Pisces and Pluto in Cancer
- T Square: Opposition between Sagittarius stellium & Lilith in
Gemini and squared Pisces
Gemini and squared Pisces
- Neptune conjunct North Node both in Leo trine Sagittarius stellium
Stellium in Sagittarius (Sun, Mercury, and Jupiter in Sagittarius) Mercury exact conjunction with Jupiter in Sagittarius
Shirley has a stellium with Sun, Mercury and Jupiter in Sagittarius. She's a super Sagittarius optimistic, born lucky/to win, and the fascinating ability to venture out and achieve past her position in society.
The emphasis on Sagittarius/Jupiter energy can show success and achievement for foreign born/foreign people that achieve success in another country.
She literally embodies the themes of Sagittarius and the 9th House (ruled by Sagittarius). Travel, higher education, justice, and crossing boundaries (in her case borders).
She's a first generation American with a unique foreign perspective. Her foreignness and her being a first generation American born is a much different experience and perspective than being an American without foreign influence. The most important and meaningful early primary years from 5-10 (the years where a child learns to socialize, read, write, taught values and belief systems was spent in Barbados). This is very Sagittarius/Jupiterian because this energy represents having international perspectives outside your home country and an early upbringing/education/home outside your native country
Her parents wanted the American dream for themselves and herself. So she also grew up with a different mentality than those of her peers.
She literally embodies the themes of Sagittarius and the 9th House (ruled by Sagittarius). Travel, higher education, justice, and crossing boundaries (in her case borders).
She's a first generation American with a unique foreign perspective. Her foreignness and her being a first generation American born is a much different experience and perspective than being an American without foreign influence. The most important and meaningful early primary years from 5-10 (the years where a child learns to socialize, read, write, taught values and belief systems was spent in Barbados). This is very Sagittarius/Jupiterian because this energy represents having international perspectives outside your home country and an early upbringing/education/home outside your native country
Her parents wanted the American dream for themselves and herself. So she also grew up with a different mentality than those of her peers.
Shirley pursued higher education which is very 9th House and again Jupiterian. Imagine how difficult but really how unusual it was for a black woman without as much connections other than grit, intelligence, and occasional support/opportunity to pursue and have access to quality and higher higher education (she not only earned her Bachelor's degree but also her masters) in the 1930s and 1940s pre civil rights era. So she has higher, higher education.
Her early career is was an educator (more 9th house higher education themes) and then pursued a career in government which is also very 9th House. It's amazing how astro synchronicitistic Shirley Chisholm's ego/personality (Sun), mind/thoughts/communication (mercury), and sense of belief systems, education, travel, justice (Jupiter) were aligned to help achieve her life's purpose.
Her Sagittarius stellium gave her a no limit mentality, where she had the confidence to take a gamble on and take risks for herself and also to have faith. The downside to Sagittarius/Jupiter energy is making promises you can't keep, having dreams you can't live up to, and self-righteousness.
Moon in Aquarius sextile her stellium in Sagittarius ( Sun, Mercury and Jupiter in Sagittarius
Moon square Venus & Saturn
Shirley had her Moon in Aquarius which I think held down and grounded her flighty changeable Sagittarius nature and created a more stable sense of self. Moon sextiled her Sagittarius placements so it's like a good/close friend kind of relationship between her moon and Sagittarius stellium.
Genderless, gender fluid sign Aquarius placed in the realm of emotions points to a more genius detached, cool intellectual who intellectualizes emotions instead of allowing feelings to fully feel/ be felt.
Moon in Aquarius could be at odds with the traditional female/feminine archetypes/habits and more in favor of more unconventional and unexplored feminine archetypes/habits.
She said she received more pushback being a woman then black in her career which is why she leaned more into her womeness and didn't run away from it. She advocated for women, because she is a woman. Her womeness gave her strength and the necessary emotion, drive, and pushback to go after what she wanted and to prove others wrong.
Moon square Venus & Saturn
Shirley had her Moon in Aquarius which I think held down and grounded her flighty changeable Sagittarius nature and created a more stable sense of self. Moon sextiled her Sagittarius placements so it's like a good/close friend kind of relationship between her moon and Sagittarius stellium.
Genderless, gender fluid sign Aquarius placed in the realm of emotions points to a more genius detached, cool intellectual who intellectualizes emotions instead of allowing feelings to fully feel/ be felt.
Moon in Aquarius could be at odds with the traditional female/feminine archetypes/habits and more in favor of more unconventional and unexplored feminine archetypes/habits.
She said she received more pushback being a woman then black in her career which is why she leaned more into her womeness and didn't run away from it. She advocated for women, because she is a woman. Her womeness gave her strength and the necessary emotion, drive, and pushback to go after what she wanted and to prove others wrong.
Her moon is squared her Venus and Saturn both conjunct Scorpio. So Shirley's emotions/feelings/habits (emotions) was at odds with her sense of beauty/relationships (Venus), and her sense of discipline, limitations, and responsibilities (Saturn). Aquarius is detached, personal on a global/group level but impersonal on a personal level. Scorpio is intense, personal on a personal/one to one level and impersonal on a global/group level. Aquarius likes to be in the center, middle, and on the outskirts of attention. Scorpio prefers to be behind the scenes.
In terms of positives of her Moon in Aquarius squaring her Venus conjunct Saturn in Scorpio is that it allowed her to be less changeable and more steadfast. It gave her strong willed, reliability, a practical and focused mindset, and tenacious/fierce nature.
Venus conjunct Saturn both in Scorpio
Shirley has Venus conjunct Saturn in Scorpio
I think this a major part of her staying power. Mutable Sagittarius energy is flighty and doesn't want to be held down preferring a more nomadic and non traditional existence. A downside to mutable energy is the tendency to run off, change course or bow out when things get tough.
Shirley having Venus conjunct Saturn in Scorpio allowed her to be focused, intense, intentional in her pursuits and passions. Scorpio is a very intense, focused sign and Saturn strengthens the resolve of the Scorpio and reinforces Scorpio's natural power and ability to control things.
I think this a major part of her staying power. Mutable Sagittarius energy is flighty and doesn't want to be held down preferring a more nomadic and non traditional existence. A downside to mutable energy is the tendency to run off, change course or bow out when things get tough.
Shirley having Venus conjunct Saturn in Scorpio allowed her to be focused, intense, intentional in her pursuits and passions. Scorpio is a very intense, focused sign and Saturn strengthens the resolve of the Scorpio and reinforces Scorpio's natural power and ability to control things.
She was definitely in control of image. Shirley Chisholm ironic style uniform where she had a bouffant hair style, cat-eye glasses, bows, pearls, on top of bright colorful, bold and interesting prints on her suits.
Her Venus with Saturn gave her a serious approach to what she found beautiful and pleasurable and a sense of wanting quality in her relationships.
Her Venus with Saturn gave her a serious approach to what she found beautiful and pleasurable and a sense of wanting quality in her relationships.
Venus conjunct Saturn can represents limitations and issues regards to their own self esteem and perception of their beauty in regards to relationships.
Venus conjunct Saturn can also represents a more mature, pragmatic, fearful, dutiful, strategic, and disciplined approach to love, beauty and relationships (Venus) and needed/wanted these things to give her a sense of responsibility, duty, and limitations (Saturn). Saturn aspected people often times feel more comfortable with limitations (as long as they are in control of what they are limiting and not being limited).
Maybe she didn't think she was as attractiveness or had legitimate access to the traditional feminine wiles. I think it was more probable that she couldn't, wouldn't, and refused to rely on her looks and romantic relationships so decided to focus on her other beautiful and bountiful less popular feminine traits such as intelligence, ambition, resourcefulness, willingness to collaborate and listen to the needs of others, and work ethic which helped her achieve the career she wanted.
Especially with her Scorpio energy she had intuition, and knew how to size people up and find supporters/people that she needed on her side.
Bastard Water Grand Trine Venus & Saturn in Scorpio. Mars conjunct Uranus both in Pisces and Pluto in Cancer
Shirley has a bastard Water Grand Trine Venus & Saturn in Scorpio. Mars conjunct Uranus both in Pisces and Pluto in Cancer.
This shows she was intuitive and could emotionally tap into the collective unconscious.
Her Mars is in Pisces, so she had a strong need to serve and to help others. She did it by advocating for others and through her public service. Specifically for the working class and for families/children
With her Pluto in Cancer she had a nurturing/maternal energy towards her. Looking out for others
Neptune conjunct North Node both in Leo trine Sagittarius stellium
Shirley has Neptune conjunct North Node both in Leo trine Sagittarius stellium (Sun, Mercury, and Jupiter in Sagittarius)
The traditional ruler of Pisces was Jupiter before Neptune was discovered in 1846
Her higher idealism (Neptune) was aligned with her life's purpose and destiny (North Node). In Leo her destiny was to stand out and to be brave and confident enough to break down certain boundaries that kept black women and black people from achieving.
I chose her for my pick for Sagittarius energy in Black Liberation because 1. she's inspiring and inspirational and 2. because she truly represents Sagittarius energy in Black Liberation. She was a teacher/educator (higher education), she was in Congress (justice)
Her story also particularly hits home for me because like her I am also a 1st generation American born. I was born here in the United States and my parents are both "foreign born" from the Caribbean (Haiti and Jamaica). Both sides of my family came here to pursue the American Dream.
Technically all Americans are foreign because we are all on stolen land. Since the Caribbean is part of the "Americas/Southeast North America." if you really think about it; I am also not really that foreign because both sides of my family are from the Americas via the Caribbean (which is in North America). Foreign to the United States but not to the North America region. The people of Caribbean have majority African blood, a little European, and very very very very very distance native Arawak and Taino indigenous blood. Rambling aside, her "foreigness" didn't stop or prevent her from going after her goals. She was able to appeal to different kinds of people because she wanted to help people and reach as many people as she could.
Technically all Americans are foreign because we are all on stolen land. Since the Caribbean is part of the "Americas/Southeast North America." if you really think about it; I am also not really that foreign because both sides of my family are from the Americas via the Caribbean (which is in North America). Foreign to the United States but not to the North America region. The people of Caribbean have majority African blood, a little European, and very very very very very distance native Arawak and Taino indigenous blood. Rambling aside, her "foreigness" didn't stop or prevent her from going after her goals. She was able to appeal to different kinds of people because she wanted to help people and reach as many people as she could.
Sagittarius does things and breaks boundaries that people think of as impossible
She's the prototype for a Jesse Jackson, a Barack Obama, a Hilary Clinton, or a Kamala Harris. She lost so they can win or learn.
Sagittarius does things that people are afraid to do because they know that the possibly of an reward or even a lesson is motivation enough for them to at least attempt it. Sagittarius is philosophical so they understand that the effort and the journey is worth it no matter if they win or lose.
Anyways RIP to Shirley Chisholm!. Cheers to the end of Women's History Month and Pisces Season!
