By Jeff JawerProvided by Tarot.com
Shaquille O'Neal was born with the Sun in super-sensitive Pisces. The grace of his sign helps him move his mountain of a body with skill on the basketball court, while gracious Venus rising in his chart provides the warm personality that makes him so likeable.
Shaquille O'Neal, whose first name means "Little Warrior" in Arabic, grew up to be a giant warrior who fights his battles on the basketball court. He has won every accolade in his sport thanks to unparalleled power and surprising grace for a man of his size. At more than seven feet tall and well over 300 pounds, his dominant play and ebullient personality contradict the common notion that all Pisces are quiet and humble individuals. Born March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey, Shaq's uncharacteristic boldness stems from a highly-active Mercury. The planet of communication forms significant angles -- called aspects -- to intense Pluto, poetic Neptune, serious Saturn and expansive Jupiter. This unusually complex pattern explains O'Neal's diversity of interests and his plethora of nicknames. 'Diesel,' 'Superman,' 'The Big Aristotle,' and just plain 'Shaq' has dabbled in both music and movies, and maintains a serious interest in police work. It's a good thing he wants to be on the right side of the law.
The big man's smiling countenance is due to the strong presence of sociable Venus, which was rising at the moment of his birth. This prominent influence tends to make him likeable. His Pisces Sun is quite sensitive to others' reactions, too, which adds a dash of humility to his otherwise oversized persona. He's been intemperate with his speech at times, which is to be expected when verbal Mercury is in impulsive Aries and bloated by expansive Jupiter. Overstatement and provocation -- Jupiter and Pluto, respectively -- are games he likes to play off the court, although he makes it hard to tell when he's joking and when he's being serious. This behavior is also connected to his Moon in Scorpio. The Earth's satellite is the symbol of emotions and habits, and Scorpio is a deep and mysterious sign. Revealing one's true feelings is uncommon for male athletes, but Shaq's shifts between straightforward speech and word games makes him harder to read than most. Big guys get hurt, of course, but it's hard for Goliath to garner much sympathy in a world of Davids.
The big man's smiling countenance is due to the strong presence of sociable Venus, which was rising at the moment of his birth. This prominent influence tends to make him likeable. His Pisces Sun is quite sensitive to others' reactions, too, which adds a dash of humility to his otherwise oversized persona. He's been intemperate with his speech at times, which is to be expected when verbal Mercury is in impulsive Aries and bloated by expansive Jupiter. Overstatement and provocation -- Jupiter and Pluto, respectively -- are games he likes to play off the court, although he makes it hard to tell when he's joking and when he's being serious. This behavior is also connected to his Moon in Scorpio. The Earth's satellite is the symbol of emotions and habits, and Scorpio is a deep and mysterious sign. Revealing one's true feelings is uncommon for male athletes, but Shaq's shifts between straightforward speech and word games makes him harder to read than most. Big guys get hurt, of course, but it's hard for Goliath to garner much sympathy in a world of Davids.
Shaq's dad was a military man, a martial profession reflected by a close aspect between Shaqs Mars and his Sun, the symbol of father. The harmonious connection -- a 60-degree sextile -- from the warrior planet in Taurus to his Pisces Sun is excellent for a champion athlete. He can direct his Solar will with Martian strength and control, concentrating his tremendous force in a constructive way.
Shaq learned to control his temper at an early age, which is essential for a giant who could do great damage with the flick of one of his massive arms. But don't confuse such discipline with a lack of passion. No one with a Scorpio Moon is detached emotionally, nor is anyone with a Mercury-Pluto aspect without dark thoughts. Thanks to the inherent sensitivity of his Pisces Sun and the peacefulness of his Mars in Taurus, though, his power has been at the service of a sport where we can all enjoy it safely.
About the Author
Jeff Jawer is the co-author of Barnes & Noble's "Your Astrology Guide 2006." A professional astrologer since 1973, his articles have appeared in astrology journals and magazines and websites around the world. He holds a B.A. in The History and Science of Astrology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and teaches and lectures both in the U.S. and abroad.
Shaq learned to control his temper at an early age, which is essential for a giant who could do great damage with the flick of one of his massive arms. But don't confuse such discipline with a lack of passion. No one with a Scorpio Moon is detached emotionally, nor is anyone with a Mercury-Pluto aspect without dark thoughts. Thanks to the inherent sensitivity of his Pisces Sun and the peacefulness of his Mars in Taurus, though, his power has been at the service of a sport where we can all enjoy it safely.
About the Author
Jeff Jawer is the co-author of Barnes & Noble's "Your Astrology Guide 2006." A professional astrologer since 1973, his articles have appeared in astrology journals and magazines and websites around the world. He holds a B.A. in The History and Science of Astrology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and teaches and lectures both in the U.S. and abroad.
