MIRTHMAKERS ~ Eddie Murphy & Billy Connolly

I've chosen to put these two comedians together because they both make me laugh, in spite of their occasional, or sometimes frequent, descent into crude language and vulgarity. They can, by some personal magic, get away with almost anything. There's an underlying kindness and child-like delight in their own fun - at least that's what comes over to me. Both take on stand-up comedy and acting with equal ease. They are born clowns and entertainers.





Does any clear astrological similarity link to the feeling I get from both comedians? Not at first glance - not really....erm....no wait...both have Uranus conjunct Saturn ! I have to report though that the interpretations of that aspect in two volumes from my bookshelf do not fit the Eddie and Billy the public know and love. My version would be that they both are able to find the ridiculous (Uranus) in everyday practical, routine matters (Saturn), because these two planets are so close in their natures, they blend rather than fight.










Both have Sun and Venus in a Fire sign (Aries and Sagittarius) they show great energy and enthusiasm in all they do. Both have a dollop of Scorpio in their charts - Mercury and Mars for Billy, Moon and Neptune for Eddie, adding an inner passion and intensity which has no doubt helped them reach the heights they have.

Eddie has a Grand Trine in Water signs linking Mars, Moon/Neptune and Mercury. This points to an emotional and softer character than the persona we know. I feel pretty certain that Eddie is a soft-hearted, kindly individual, underneath all the flash of his Leo ascendant.

Billy's Jupiter in sensitive Cancer trine Mercury in Scorpio could well be his "soft-spot".

I suspect that it's this underlying softness which helps these two comedians get away unscathed with more than the average comedian. I can't recall ever thinking that their humour was cruel or mean-spirited. For me, that's the litmus test of good comedy.

Billy Connolly & X-Files Movie #2

On Friday night we went to see the new X Files movie, "I Want To Believe". We've both been fans of "The X Files" TV series from early on, though from different sides of the Atlantic Ocean. We had high hopes for this movie, but left the cinema somewhat unsatisfied.

It wasn't a bad movie, but it just didn't have the weirdness we've come to know and love, which has always been part and parcel of "The X Files". If it hadn't been for the main characters, Mulder and Scully, played expertly as always by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, the movie could well have been a jazzed up episode of Law and Order: a run-of-the-mill thriller. The plot did include a psychic, which I expect was meant to supply its X-Files credentials, but it didn't work for me. I've seen too many episodes of TV's "Medium" with much cleverer and more complex plots.

It was good to see Billy Connolly again though. He plays a rather unsavory character who claimed to have psychic visions. He's an amazingly talented guy. I've always found his stand-up comedy hilarious and totally infectious. He obviously finds everything in life so funny himself, this is such an endearing quality! He's a natural actor too. After seeing him in "Mrs. Brown" I was surprised how convincing he'd been in the role of John Brown, servant and confidant of Queen Victoria. His performance in this X Files movie was equally good.



Billy Connolly was born on 24 November 1942 in Glasgow, Scotland. Astrotheme gives his time of birth as 4.30am(Libra rising).



Billy's jovial attitude to life is reflected by a Sagittarian Sun, (ruled by Jupiter), conjunct Venus and opposite Saturn and Uranus in Gemini. Some opposite signs are quite different in approach (Leo and Aquarius for instance) but I see Sagittarius and Gemini as much more compatible, they're mutable signs, with flexibility built in. An opposition between them then is likely to bring a useful pull of energy into things, rather than a challenging or obstructive one. Uranus forming an important aspect to his Sun is indicative of Billy's often unexpected, sometimes outrageous, style of humor. If the time of birth supplied by Astrotheme is accurate, his Libra ascendant brings charm a-plenty - sufficient to allow him to get away with comedy which might well be classed as offensive in other hands. Saturn, the strait-laced planet, keeps an eye on things close by, ensuring that any outrageousness is chanelled so as to fill the coffers - good business sense brings method to his madness! Four personal planets in 2nd house of finances, possessions, property, etc. underlines his good business sense. 2nd house is ruled by Venus, as is the Libra ascendant, and in addition his natal Sun conjoins Venus - it all ties in rather well!

Natal Moon was in versatile Gemini, along with Saturn and Uranus, when Billy was born, it's not surprising that he possesses another major talent: acting, as well as comedic skills. I notice that Mercury(communication) in Scorpio is trined by Jupiter (publication and excesses) in Cancer - these personal planets in harmonious aspect in Water signs bring emotional depth to his personality blueprint - another hint as to the source of his acting talent.

The movie trailer: "I Want To Believe":