BILL GATES
Capitalist Entrepreneur: Computers & Work
(This excerpt comes from the book "Stars Over America".)

What about Bill Gates made him capable of leading the computer revolution? What can be seen in his astrological chart that shows how he achieved such monumental success?

Astrology cannot predict exactly what will happen; however, Bill Gates' chart is startling in its degree of focus and power, showing the seeds of great potential. His chart shows creativity, commitment and intellectual power. It also shows his fierce competitive drive, his originality and his broad vision. Although it may not be clear just how very smart he is, nonetheless the chart does show someone with a sharp and incisive mind as well as an aggressive bent, someone who thrives on intellectual combat and competition.

Born on October 28, 1955, at 10:00* pm, Bill Gates embodies the emotional intensity and commitment typical of someone with the SUN in SCORPIO.

Gates, Bill: 10/28/55, 10:00 pm PST, Seattle, WA (from AstroDatabank) (view chart)

SCORPIO'S tendency toward total commitment can lead to triumph or disaster. The two "Ruling planets" of SCORPIO are MARS and PLUTO. Therefore, the sign of SCORPIO encompasses the aggressiveness of MARS and the ruthlessness of PLUTO.

SCORPIOS, and this is true for Bill, are capable of laser-like focus. SCORPIO'S deep intuition and desire to be in control give Bill the ability to manipulate other people, whether in a positive or negative sense, a capacity which is excelled by no other sign. This can be invaluable in business and any negotiating situation. The forceful character of a SCORPIO, even when greatly modified by other qualities in the chart, is usually apparent from early childhood. Bill, like many Sun sign SCORPIOS, wants to play the game by his own rules.

Bill Gates' chart, however, is also a perfect example of why it is so critical to know more about someone than only their Sun sign. Without knowing the complexities of Bill's MOON, one would miss the essence of his character. In every chart the MOON is important; in Bill's case it plays a dominant role.

Bill's MOON in ARIES is at the top center of the chart, in his 10th house of career. The MOON is the fastest moving planet in the heavens, and ARIES is the fastest moving sign. With this combination, its no wonder that Bill's emotional reactions are ardent and impulsive, and also that he had a fast and early start in his career. ARIES is the premier sign of action and its motto for living is "me first right now."

The MOON, the RULING planet of his CANCER ASCENDANT, is in a dominant position alone at the top of his chart. All other nine planets are bunched in a Fan shape in the bottom half. The combined forces of the planets in the lower hemisphere funnel their energy into a release of maximum energy through that one "handle" planet, the MOON, in the 10th house. This means the natural flow of Bill's energy is available to focus on career and achievement.

It is common to have one or several conjunctions in any chart (a conjunction is formed when two planets are very close to each other, or when a planet is close to the Ascendant or Midheaven. The combined energy of the two then become more powerful that either would be alone); it is highly unusual to have, as in Bill's chart, every planet in a conjunction.

Bill Gates has six conjunctions, or POWER PAIRINGS, in his chart. Not only does he have this amazing number of conjunctions, but he has no unconnected planet operating independently from the others. For Bill, there are no "wild card" planets. Bill's six POWER PAIRINGS reinforce the cohesiveness in his chart and show his vision (SUN-NEPTUNE), ambition (MOON-MIDHEAVEN), sharp mind (MERCURY-MARS), emotional control (VENUS-SATURN), power (JUPITER-PLUTO) and originality (URANUS-ASCENDANT).

Although understanding Bill's SUN, MOON and POWER PAIRINGS is critical to understanding Bill's chart, it is the placement of the planet URANUS which describes his originality and the strongest theme shared by Bill and the US. Both Bill and the U.S. have Uranus conjunct the Ascendant. URANUS in considered "the" planet of modern technology, especially of computers, bringing to the identity of each chart exciting, innovative and unique qualities.

*There remains debate over Bill's actual birth time.

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