Shaggy Milou Member
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#1 · Posted: 22 Nov 2006 08:03
Benoit Peteers claims in his book that Herge (a Gemini) had a keen interest in astrology. If this is so, I'm sure at some point he must have thought about the star signs of his characters. I enjoy studying astrology myself, and I think a connection between such iconic fictional characters and the myths associated with the zodiac can be really powerful in terms of symbolism and archetypes (I've been reading Carl Jung lately, in case you couldn't tell). Has there ever been any discussion on this? I thought I'd share my thoughts in case they are of interest.
Of course, I'm assuming most people don't have a concrete belief in the real world significance of astrology (or at least those quack horoscopes of popular journalism), but this is all ultimately at a symbolic level.
The series itself was concieved under Capricorn (early Jan, 1929). To be literalist, you could assume that Tintin himself was born under this sign. It's true that he has some attributes of the sign (determination, a strong sense of morality and a good work ethic). But given that this sign is ruled by Saturn (Chronos in Greece), and thus is all about the father figure and restriction, I don't think it's ultimately him.
I'd imagine Tintin as Sagittarius the archer, a fire sign ruled by Jupiter. it's the sign of the explorer-philosopher, all to do with expansion and learning, as well as fortune and luck (which Tintin pretty much depends upon). His rising sign could be Virgo the virgin, ruled by Mercury (also to do with the intellect and travel). Given that it's an earth sign, it would give him that grounded, calculating edge he sometimes has. Also, the animals associated with Virgo are small domestic animals such as dogs (Milou).
There's no question that Haddock would be a Cancer. He'd certainly be a water sign, but despite his name I don't think Pisces the fish fits him quite so well. Cancer is all about being stubborn and highly emotional, with a hard shell on the outside and soft mush on the inside. Being ruled by the moon, it's all to do with the mother (when we first meet the Captain, in Crab with the Golden Claws no less, does he not bawl for his mummy?), as well as ancestry- which we clearly see Haddock's appreciation for in Unicorn/Red Rackham. And given its influence under the moon, I find it deliciously ironic that Haddock is so reluctant to travel to said celestial body. His rising sign also clearly seems to be Leo. Not only because he both looks and sounds like a lion, but also because of the pride, temper, and need for a noble homestead that are associated with the sign.
Calculus/Tournesol would probably be Aquarius the water bearer, ruled by Uranus, because this is THE sign associated with the offbeat genius (your Obi-wans, Dumbledores, Gandalfs etc). It's a sign frequently linked to science fiction and space exploration, such as his work on the moon rocket. His rising sign, I imagine, would be Capricorn the goat, not only because it's the sign of discipline and the superego-esque father figure, but also because, well, he acts the goat. :D Just think of that little beard of his and the bleating way he talks in the Nelvana series.
Castafiore I imagine as Taurus the bull, ruled by Venus. Given this planent's influence, one of its major aspects is about beauty and beautiful possesions (such as jewellry). It is also associated with the arts, and in the body it rules the throat, so it's an ideal sign for an opera diva. I think she would share Haddock's rising sign of Leo- perhaps it's because the two are both ostentatious, dogmatic, warm-hearted drama queens. They say you can never tolerate someone who is too similar to you!
I'm tempted to call the Thom(p)sons/Dupont(d)s Gemini the twins, but given that a major part of this sign is intelligence an quick wit, I don't think it fits. Two other signs about duality- Libra the scales and Pisces the fish- seem to fit better. The scales, of course are about justice (the two are detectives), but also indesicion. Pisces is even better: the image of the conjoined fishes swimming in different directions without any common progress seems to suit the two fools like a glove (not that I'm asserting that all Pisces are idiots, mind you).
Wow, that was a lot of text. I apologise for prattling on, but I do find this quite interesting.
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