Victor-Marie Hugo, Author of Les Misérables

When it comes to literacy, the 3rd House in horoscopic astrology is where we always look at, without fail. However, we must not overlook the 9th House of Wisdom, Publishing and the 5th House of Creativity. These 3 astrological houses often intertwined or comes together in the horoscopic birth charts of writers or book authors. Let's take a look at the birth chart of Victor-Marie Hugo. Born in 1802 France, author, poet, essayist, playwright, and politician. His most famous works are the novels "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" and "Les Misérables". 

He was born with Scorpio rising, with Mars as the ruler of his 1st House of Self. Mars is in the 3rd House, which speaks of his pursuit or focus on the 3rd House area of life. Not only is Mercury, the natural signification of literacy, in the 5th House but also in Mutual Reception with the 1st House ruler, Mars, bringing together the 1st House of Self, the 3rd House of Literacy and 5th House of Creativity.

Saturn, the 3rd House ruler, is in the 10th House of Career and Public Recognition, which highlights the association of literacy and his career. Saturn is together with Jupiter, the natural benefic, providing positive influences and expansive opportunities in his literacy career spanning more than 60 years and producing extensive works across many genres. Not forgetting, Jupiter happens to be the 5th House Ruler as well, further strengthening the affinity between the said Houses.

Moon is the ruler of the 9th House of Publishing. She is in a positive trine relationship with, once again, Jupiter and Saturn. Furthermore, Moon is in the 2nd House of Finances, where literacy and creative pursuits can be positive means of monetary gains.  Biographer David Bellos claims Victor Hugo earned 300,000 francs (roughly $3.8 million in today’s money) for an eight-year license for his masterwork “Les Misérables”.

A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in; what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars. ~ Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

In 1851, Victor Hugo was forced into exile that would last 19 years for opposing Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte's coup d'état. While in exile, Hugo published his famous political pamphlets against Napoleon III, Napoléon le Petit and Histoire d'un crime. We see the challenging opposition between the Sun, Venus and Saturn, Jupiter coming into effect. It happened during his Sun-Saturn Fidaria period. Saturn is the ruler of his 4th House of Family and Home.

Victor Hugo c. 1870 by Nadar (Gaspard-Félix Tournachon)

Though more can be said about his dominant theme in his writings, his exile and other aspects of his life, I shall leave that for some other time, and in particular interest, on his children, which is also a 5th House topic. From this, we can see how the delineation of different topics in life but belonging to similar astrological house in the birth chart can be different in the manifestation and outcome. 

On a humorous note, the 5th House of Creativity is also the House of Pleasure, Fun activities, Romance and Love affairs. Perhaps the birth charts of the four 风流倜傥的"江南四大才子" during the Ming Dynasty are not without the weaving of these astrological Houses.

Comedy/Drama - 1993, Flirting Scholar