I Will Always Love You
A Tribute to Whitney Houston
This post is part 4 of a 4 part Leo season series. If you missed the first three posts, you can read them here: Celebrating Leo, Leo Through the Houses, Planets and Points in Leo.
We’ve all collectively spent the last four weeks basking in the joy of Leo season, so to close out this series I thought it was appropriate to provide you with a real-life example of a Leo we all know and love - the one and only, Whitney Houston.
I have fond memories of drunk college friends belting out “And IIIIIIIIIIIIIII will always love yyouuuuuuuUUUuuuuu” to a case of their favorite beer, “Higher Love” is one of the first songs on my manifestation playlist and has anyone NOT had a dance party to “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”? Yes, I’m bobbing my head to it as I write this, asking her to guide me as I attempt to do her story justice.
Had she not left her body in 2012 to return home, Ms. Houston would have celebrated her 61st birthday this August. But even though we no longer have her in physical form, her impact and her legacy will forever live on.
That is what this post is about.
Whitney Houston’s Natal Chart
For the purposes of this case study, we are going to focus on her Sun in Leo, Moon in Aries, Pisces Ascendant and Sagittarius Midheaven. Notice that three of these four placements are in fire signs. Jupiter, the ruler of Whitney’s Midheaven is also in a fire sign. The element of fire burns brightly, thrives in freedom, and can’t help but to blaze new trails.
Leo Sun: The Shining Star
Leo is the sign of the performer. Leo thrives when they are on some kind of stage and recognized for the light they bring into this world, and boy did Whitney shine hers. She was magnetic, with undeniable charisma that drew the attention of a global audience. Her powerful voice and commanding stage presence were a testament to the influence of her Leo Sun.
Bonus: Notice how much of Whitney’s creative expression was in the theme of love - and her Sun in Leo is conjunct Venus, the planet of love (conjunctions blend and amplify the energy of the planets involved) and her Mercury (communication) is in her 7th house of partnerships. Coincidence?
Whitney was undeniably a performance artist, known not only for her music but was able to use her fame as a launching pad to expand into a successful acting career, as well.
Aries Moon: The Trailblazer
And no wonder, because with an Aries moon, Whitney needed the freedom to explore her passions and try new things. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. While Leo wants to be the best, Aries wants to be first… and she did both.
Aries Moons are known for their enthusiasm and drive, which you could see in every one of Whitney's performances. She became an icon for more than her talent, she inspired the world around her by being unafraid to take risks, whether it was experimenting with new musical styles, tackling challenging roles, or breaking through barriers.
Case in point: Whitney was the first black woman to break through the “color bar” at MTV, as they almost exclusively only played white artist's music.
She valued her independence and made career decisions that reflected her desire to carve her own path while her Leo sun gave her the courage to make take the actions to make her dreams a reality.
Pisces Rising: The Dreamer
Whitney had all that fire wrapped up in a watery, dreamy Pisces rising, giving her an aura of true artistry and deep compassion for humanity. The role of a Pisces rising is to inspire and uplift others to believe in themselves or the magic of their dreams and are deeply empathetic. Whitney’s ability to connect with her audience on an emotional, even soul-level was a key aspect of her appeal that she will always be remembered for.
There was an undeniable layer of sensitivity and creativity to her persona, contributing to her unique style and emotional depth in her music. I’ve literally cried more than once listening to her while I write this. Her voice really seems to touch something deep within our emotional core.
Sagittarius Midheaven: The Explorer
The Midheaven is the highest point in your chart, marking the height of your impact, the legacy you’re here to leave and how your perceived by the public.
The impact of a Sagittarius Midheaven, what they become known for - is bringing back the knowledge or expertise they have learned through lived experience and using it to expand others’ horizons of what is possible for them and for the world. The key to success for a Sagittarius midheaven is to choose personal freedom over the acceptance of others… and based on the success Whitney experienced on the material plane, I think it’s safe to say she mastered this.
She was unafraid (or at least courageous enough to move through her fear) to seek growth and adventure. Her career was marked by her willingness to explore new territories, both musically and geographically. Her impact reached audiences worldwide, making her a global superstar known not only for her music, but also acting and producing.
In a nutshell,
Whitney is a shining example of what it looks like to live and work in alignment with what your soul came here to do. Her natal chart reveals a blend of charisma, passion, sensitivity, and adventurous spirit. Her Leo Sun and Aries Moon made her a powerful and pioneering performer, while her Pisces Rising and Sagittarius Midheaven ensured she connected deeply with her audience and sought to make a global impact. Whitney's astrological profile provides a fascinating lens through which to view her remarkable career and enduring legacy that will forever live on in our hearts.
We will always love you, Whitney.