A search for mother (or the experience of mother) in a birth chart will focus on the Moon house position and aspects and 10th house planets.
This is a quick skip round main features which can be amplified by reading elsewhere.
Where the Moon falls house-wise is what brings nurturing and protection (the mothering energies). Different children born at different times in a marriage or in the mother’s changing circumstances will reflect on the children (and their chart), sometimes producing a radically different experience of the same mother to different siblings. Also the different temperaments of each child will sit comfortably or less so with the mother so where one child may feel accepted, another may feel rejected through no fault of their own.
Moon aspects: A Moon aspected (conjunct, square, opposition) by Jupiter gives a rosy view of mother, perhaps because of lax boundaries or spoiling, over indulgence though tends to have a superficial feel. Mother feeds sweeties but not genuine deep affection. The adult child will have a tendency not to see the reality of mother/women and will resist looking at the shadow.
Moon Saturn (Princess Anne and Queen Elizabeth 11) is an emotionally distant mother distracted by duty, responsibility and perhaps difficult circumstances, so instilling in the child a sense of discipline and an acceptance that hard work is expected.
Moon Uranus is an unpredictable mother, can-feel-rejecting mother, sometimes there, sometimes not, which lays the ground for independence early on and a tendency to be restless, in need of constant change emotionally and domestically.
Moon Pluto is a possessive, controlling mother which is not felt as emotionally supportive but suffocating and results in emotions in the child being shut down and firewalled off from invasion – and defensively becoming over controlling themselves.
Moon Neptune is a mother lacking in psychological boundaries so the child finds it difficult to distinguish between ‘my’ feelings and ‘mother’s’ feelings and indeed others in adult life. Mother may be seen as needy, sick, weak or head-in-the-clouds.
Moon Mars is a mother who blocks assertion and anger, thus building up a reservoir of resentment and anger in the child who will react impatiently with women of all varieties in adult life.
Moon Venus, astrologer Richard Idemon described as ‘the poisoned apple’ – mother offering maternal affection with a streak of sexuality wrapped up in it.
Moon Chiron – the wound is the mother who may have been inadequate and like Moon Neptune tends to make the child more aware of others’ needs than their own which continues into adult life.
New Moon mother will result in the child seeing both parents as a single unit, or perhaps being brought up by a single parent who has to be both mother and father.
Sun opposition or square Moon – parents very different in temperament, almost incompatible and could be divorced, which leaves a lifelong struggle in the adult child to reconcile their masculine and feminine sides. What I want and what I ought to do are always at odds. It does find a resolution but usually only later in life.
An unaspected Moon gives a sense of disconnection, being detached, not at home, less demonstrative emotionally. Can feel vulnerable or unstable, not secure or supported.
Houses: An 8th house Moon suggests a grandparent (mother) was the one with whom there was the strongest maternal connection. An 11th house Moon has mother as a friend rather than a parent/or friends acting as the main emotional support. A 9th house Moon brings support from books and knowledge. A 12th house Moon points to a mother who was emotionally absent during the gestation of the baby and who will struggle to form a strong bond after birth. A 3rd house Moon brings mothering from siblings or mother feels like a sister. A 4th house Moon suggests that the wider family and sense of roots is what offers emotional security. A 2nd house Moon – mother and attitudes to to money are intimately connected. A 6th house Moon can bring a connection between emotional states and physical stamina so mother may have been overly anxious or had health issues? A 5th house Moon brings nurturing from children in adult life. 7th house Moon maybe mother as partner rather than parent? Produces in adult life a need for security and support of a close partner.
Planets in the 10th or the ruler of the sign on the cusp of the 10th –
Moon in the 10th – mother who instils a need for outer acclaim, often found in politicians’ charts or in public careers.
Mars in the 10th – assertive, ambitious, angry mother who engenders a competitive instinct in the adult child.
Jupiter in the 10th – a flamboyant, drama queen mother, who instils confidence and brings luck in later life.
Saturn in 10th – disciplinarian mother, instils a work ethic, but not good for relaxing or playing, pays off in later life in success.
Uranus in 10th – zany, erratic, changeable mother, not good for stability or reliability but suits the adult child for an exciting, changeable career.
Neptune in 10th – a mother who needs support and sympathy, suits adult child for either the healing professions or creative ones.
Pluto in 10th – a controlling mother who once her domination is escaped produces a strong personality in the adult which can make for a career of influence, though there will always be an issue around power and control.
Celebrity examples are not always a good guide to ordinary living or psychology but the Kardashian family do give some pointers.
Mama Kris Kenner 5 November 1955 6.42 am San Diego, CA has a determined Sun and Saturn in Scorpio straddling her Ascendant with a flamboyantly confident, ambitious and controlling Jupiter Pluto in her 10th house of career.
Of the five girls –
Kourtney, 1979, an Aries, has Neptune in the 10th and an 11th house Capricorn Moon square Mars in Aries, trine Saturn – not a great chemistry with mother who comes across as needy (Neptune in 10th) as well as cold, overly-hard-working and unfair in her expectations.
Kim, 1980, despite being a Sun Libra, is the closest to mother in career aspirations with Jupiter conjunct her Midheaven and Saturn in her 10th as well. Her 4th house Pisces Moon opposes Jupiter so she’ll see Kris through rose-coloured glasses although a hint of the workaholic mother comes through in Moon opposition Saturn and trine Uranus.
Khloe, 1984, a Sun Cancer with Mars Saturn in Scorpio, she has unpredictable Uranus conjunct her midheaven for a restless, changeable mother who would feel abandoning at times. Her 4th house Moon opposes Neptune for a mother with too few boundaries who needed nurturing herself.
Kendall, 1995, a Scorpio, with a highly-strung Uranus Neptune in Capricorn in her 10th has a 12th house Aries Moon trine an 8th house Pluto Venus and widely Mars. Mother at an awkward time in her life, very wound up with intergenerational issues flooding in.
Kylie, 1997, an 8th house Leo Sun with a 10th house Scorpio Moon square Uranus Jupiter and her Sun.
The first two children had the more Saturnine mother perhaps struggling to make a career for herself and she mellowed as she grew older and became more successful. The sense across all five is of a surprisingly needy mother who required her children to mirror her (rather than the other way round) and give her a stronger sense of identity. Their success became her prize.
The all-time horror mother was Natalie Wood’s stage mother who put her through nightmares as a child star to achieve success for mother rather than herself. Natalie, 20 July 1938 11.16 am San Francisco, had her Cancer Sun conjunct a ruthless Mars Pluto conjunction all in the 10th and square a Taurus Moon. It’s a miracle she lived as long as she did.
From previous posts. In search see: Moon Pluto, Moon Uranus, Moon Neptune, Moon Saturn, Moon Mars in different posts from a year or so ago.
I have Scorpio moon in 10th house, square Jupiter in 1st and square Uranus in 7th. A difficult relationship, my mother was overbearing and highly critical of my appearance, often in public. She wanted a pretty feminine daughter who would make a good 50s style housewife. I was academic and fiercely independent. I have also had bad relationships with female bosses. And like Devi, I have a wide sun moon trine. My parents appeared ill suited, and my mother had affairs when we were children, which seriously embarrassed my sister and I.
Mercury opp Pluto, Moon Sq Uranus, Moon Sq Mars…lovely stuff.
My dynamic, frustrated, demanding though never possessive Aries mum moon is in my 12th house Aries opp Jupiter (trined with Mars/Saturn in Cancer 3rd) with stellium of Chiron, Neptune, Juno, Lilith in 6th house Libra, conj stellium of Venus, Mercury, Vesta, and Sun (Aqua dad) in 10th. Complicated(!) but deeply attached, still long after her death the most important in my life. Strangely as I’ve got older my life events parallel hers, even through chance living in the house next door to hers! I like it though. It gives me a chance to try to understand the enigma that was my mum.
Brooke Shields (post by Marjorie on 27 March 2023) has Venus conjunct Moon. Her Venus is in 10th, Moon on cusp.
What about sadistic mother?
There r mothers who r jealous of daughters as they have what the mother couldn’t achieve..at times even the love of her husband..and she becomes sadistic…snow white s mother
doesn;t pluto/mars enter into the picture with that?
Thank you Marjorie for all your detail.
I have a stellium in the 10th house including the moon. I had my horoscope done by Liz Greene many years ago. She suggested after we discussed my parental relationships that in my case the 10th house might fit my father better. I wondered if this is something anyone else might have come across?
Almost…Neptune in sag in 10h..sag is my mother’s sun sign but then Neptune deciever- that’s my dad ..he will use “sympathy waves”(as his favourite sister says) to fool people while pretending to be victim of mad women in family who oppress him while he enjoys their earnings and others pity and help financially so his income becomes savings ..for his fantasies. Using God and emotions to fool people
Aries Moon conjunction Chiron in the 1st, square Virgo Sun in the 7th. Mother wanting to live out her life through the child? Father the nurturing one stoking the home fires?
Patsy Ramsey, Moon conj Venus….’the poisoned apple’ (Richard Idemon)…
mother offerinc maternal affection with a streak of sexuality wrapped in it.
Patsy also had Mercury conj 10th….famous child.
JonBenet Ramsey….Moon on 10th cusp….a mother who instills a need for
outer acclaim.
isn’t that called transference?
Thanks Marjorie. Very Helpful. I have a Gemini Moon in the 11th sextile Uranus in the first, Conjunct Mercury, Sextile Venus in the 9th. 10th house Sun. Mom could run hot and cold, but always encouraged intellectual development, and liked me much better when I was independent and conquering the world. We shared a love of books.
What if you have no planets in 10th?
Any comments on how transits or progressions to the Moon or 10th house affect one’s relationship with mother? I note from my own chart that leaving home at 18 for an exciting new job – and escaping a controlling mother – coincided with the transit of Uranus across my IC.
As a new mom whose little boy was born with Moon Saturn Mars in Pisces in the 5th house, it’s really disheartening to read all of this. I’m a warm, demonstrative mom, I adore my baby boy and it breaks my heart to think he might one day see me in the light presented here. I myself was born with a Cap moon widely conj Mars in Aqua, also in my 5th house, and I’ve indeed experienced my mother as cold, and sometimes explosive. I will admit to temper flares which still happen even after years of therapy, but it’s unconscionable to me to ever treat my boy the way i and other commenters here were treated. Both my husband and I are self aware, loving people who are really doing our best to break our intergenerational trauma patterns.
As our baby also has Pluto in the 4th, I’ve been thinking that maybe these aspects could actually indicate an impending family tragedy that might leave me overwhelmed with responsibilities, or that he might lose me at a young age.
These are all nightmare scenarios to ponder. Is there really no positive interpretation at all?? No one who’s had a good experience with their mother?..
@Teodora
I have been touched by your comment, please do not worry or read too much into the astrology because from your own comment you are already on the right road with your little boy. You and you husband are already providing the most important thing, a loving home and that beats most odds even if there were any. My reading is that both of you are doing the best for the baby and that will help you all to enjoy the magic of childhood which is the best start for anyone, perhaps a few pointers from the positions will give you an idea which areas you could work with, but nothing beats the maternal instinct. All the best to the three of you.
Toedora, Marjorie herself writes on another post “ Astrology has its limitations”. My own interpretation of birth chart astrology is that aspects cannot be seen in isolation. Please don’t fret ( the moon aspects above only chimed with one of my family!)
Teodora, I am not comfortable discussing personal charts on a public forum. It does sound to me as if discussing your situation with a therapist – which you are already doing is the way to go. Your anxiety about disasters that have not happened and are never likely to will communicate themselves. Staying calm and secure, will help your baby.
Hi Teodora, Finding tough aspects in our child’s charts can be anxiety inducing, especially when they are young. I’ve worried about one aspect or another and, all I can say about it is, none of the aspects have ever worked out the way I though they would. My daughter also has Pluto in the 4th and there’s been no big drama.
From memory Andy Murray has a tough Moon Saturn opposite Mars and he’s very close to his Mum – in fact, she’s been his biggest supporter (moon). His life was completely dedicated to the hard work and sacrifice (saturn) that comes with being a professional athlete (mars). So, for some it’s a very dynamic and sucessful aspect.
Just love, nurture and enjoy your child and don’t worry.
It’s very generational. You are giving your son a foundation for his future that weren’t even considered when my mother was young. Her family was impoverished and that alone can create stresses.
I loved my mom very much. But we would’ve been at loggerheads even if she wasn’t my mom.
First of all, your role as a mother and the connection you have is deeply meaningful – no clinical framework, let alone astrological aspect, could capture the depth of that love and influence. I’m sure that’s part of what makes this conversation feel so sensitive. And quite frankly, no wonder you feel this way.
Motherhood has never been so publicly scrutinised and judged. Every parenting choice – from feeding to discipline – is subject to public commentary and debate in ways that were impossible before.
Alongside that you are expected to fulfil a wide range of roles, often contradictory in nature – be nurturing and self-sacrificing, but also independent and career driven etc. Society now demands that mothers perform in multiple spheres but provides little support, making them more vulnerable to criticism.
The rise of “expert culture” means there is a dizzying abundance of parenting advice, making motherhood a battleground of opinions, increasing scrutiny over every decision. This has replaced “the village”, the support from extended family and community we used to have. This can feel very isolating and leaves self-criticism unchecked.
And then us astrologers come along and it feels like we’re telling you that you can’t even give birth at the right time? I get it 🙂 Astrology can feel a bit cold and clinical applied to this area, especially for you at this time.
As I approach the last stretch of the child raising years (mine are teens), I’ve learned to tune out the noise and you will too. You will learn to give yourself a break and let go of the things you can’t control. When you look back and realise everything you achieved, you will see that your son had the experience of being raised by a hard working and compassionate mother who prepared him well for the road ahead. And it may be that that was what the astrology was telling you all along, but most importantly you and your son will know it for a fact. Take care
Bruno Bettelheim, the child psychiatrist initially blamed mothers for many of his child patient’s’ problems. But along the way he softened his views and came up with the notion of the ‘good enough’ mother. Mothers can’t be perfect and they bring their own experiences as children into the mix.
It fits in with Carl Jung’s notion that the child is handed the task of sorting out the unfinished business of the parent. So the more the parents sorts out for themselves, the less is handed down to the next generation.
But with that comes the acceptance that a) not only are mothers not perfect; they b) will never sort everything out, so some family patterns will be handed on.
I’m so touched by all of your replies. I’ve gone through every line and it’s made me feel like I have “the village” with me. I do accept that no effort of mine will completely shield my son from his ancestry, or indeed from the world, and as scary as that is, I’m betting on a solid foundation of love, wisdom and trust in his own resources, to mitigate that.
From my heart to yours, a big thank you.
@Teodora
I am glad we have been able to give some reassurance, the stars are working for you, please remember that the best thing you can do for yourself and your young family is to keep well and balanced, all the best.
Teodora, thanks for sharing here. To me, your Capricorn Moon wisdom and realization about your own upbringing and emotions, though painful, has taught you well (via a negative example) just how important it is to be a loving, consistent, and self-controlled mother for your son. Stay strong & best ahead with the parenting.
If Pluto in his 4th House does not aspect a personal planet its significance may be more connected to his growing feelings/perspective/participation in his generation’s change or reform of social values.
For you and all of us with natal Capricorn placements, I am reminded that Saturn is transiting in Pisces, a time when we may define our goals and ideals as we manage our fears and doubt.
I’ve my moon in the 4th in Gemini with an aspect to Uranus. It fits me pretty well in terms of me and my mom. No planets in the 10. Both my sons have their moons in the 7th. One has his moon in Gemini like me and the other has his moon in Sagittarius. One has a Jupiter aspect & Jupiter in the 10th. The other son has Saturn & Mars aspects with his moon and no planets in his 10th house. They both have aspects with the moon to their midheaven and the sun. (I have an aspect to my rising sign.)
Very interesting stuff. I’m a Taurus sun with Gemini moon, Aquarius rising. My first born is Libra with Gemini moon and Taurus rising. My younger son is Sagittarius sun and moon and Gemini Rising. We are a chatty little group.
I have Moon in the 8th square Pluto by about 3 degrees. It makes no aspects to any other planets although interestingly it does aspect all my chart angles.
I am wondering if with an 8th house Moon the influences described above by Marjorie may apply to grandparents instead of parents as that would align with my experiences more to some extent. Interestingly my grandmothers were both ten years apart but both had Venus conjunct Pluto (one in Gemini, the other in Cancer).
Sorry I meant both born ten years apart (typo).
I should also note that my Moon does quincunx Neptune but this is not a major aspect.
This is very interesting. It explains why i hate my mother.
Moon/Mars/NN 2nd House Capricorn. Only daughter. Mom placed such a high value on HER possessions (You’re the reason I can’t have nice things) the 9th House Virgo Sun trine the trio. I never felt as important as the tchotckes, which are still here 12 years after her passing. I’m still more afraid of her than miss her. I would never fight with her. She never apologized.
She was a Pisces Asc, Aries Sun 2nd square Pluto in Cancer on the 4th. Her moon/Jupiter/Mercury were 12th house square Gemini Mars in the 3rd.
Born right before the Depression, one of five sisters who had to share one doll between them, she was very generous in her later life, but still had anxiety over her treasures. If one broke, it would be repaired, never thrown out. Taurus Venus in the 2nd, she didn’t want to let me go, either.
Yes I agree with LC Marjorie 2025 has you on fire. Is there any reason why you left out some houses? 1, 2, 6 and 7.
Time is often the reason for omissions
Have added a few thoughts.
Thanks Marjorie
Moon in 1st house?
Thanks Marjorie. What does an unaspected moon and no planets in the 10th indicate?
I would like to know too. No moon aspects, no planets in the 10th. Good or bad?
Have added thoughts above
My mother’s 4th house Sagittarius Moon has only one aspect, a quincunx to Pluto in the 11th (she also tended to have overbearing and unkind friends) in Cancer. Her mother, my grandmother had numerous miscarriages and a baby boy who died of spinabifida as an infant, and so my mother was an only child. She told me of her memories of going to see her little brother in hospital when she was a child and how perfect he looked. This really broke my heart, as she had always longed for siblings, and my Scorpio Moon is in the 3rd with Placidus. Some time ago, I watched an astrologer online who spoke about Moon quincunx Pluto and how the child with this aspect may have in some way felt unsafe in the womb for this reason – the mother may have experienced repeated miscarriages.
What Marjorie says about Moon/Chiron is very accurate as my mother sort of unintentionally brought me up as a typical middle child to put my sibling’s needs above my own. I was very aware that my brother was a challenging child for my parents and that they weren’t equipped to cope. I was extremely good at occupying myself, keeping my head down and ‘coping’ with a sometimes volatile home. But I knew my imperfect parents loved me.
My mother’s Moon trines my Moon. Her Jupiter was in sextile to my Moon. Her Neptune is in a tight conjunction with my Venus/Uranus conjunction . Although, she suffered ill health all her life, and my siblings and myself – adopted two and one real sibling – suffered a motherless childhood to a great degree. I have been the only one to let go completely and view her with compassion. She died well over 50 years ago. I decided to let go and learn from my childhood and move on in my 30’s. Perhaps it was easier because of our Moon’s in trine and Venus/Uranus conjunction next to her Neptune? I have never really looked at her Astrology, it was the right approach for me to deal with her my way.
Thanks for this article, a comprehensive analysis of the moon placement and aspects, for humans moon shows the mind, psychology of the individual.
Moon square Sun gives internal struggles which are not at all easy to overcome, parents act out the square making family / internal dialogue a constant challenge. Moon square Mars could give impulsive decisions and reactions which make things worse.
One wonders would Moon trine Sun mean parents didn’t really get along but managed to keep up appearances, because not all of those who have this aspect have parents who actually loved each other.
Moon square Neptune is not an easy aspect in one instance the native’s mother was a life long martyr never able to break out of the bad marriage, the person had physical issues right from teenage years messy home life.
Like you mentioned, Moon conjunct Jupiter gives a view of the mother through rose tinted glasses. Moon conjunct mercury can give good make one grasp ideas and express quickly but there is a lot of verbal communication.
What do people think of how Venus in the 10th plays out in terms of the mother? I know 3 people with this placement, all have tricky relationships with their mother and only got positive feedback when they were happy helpful and a joy to be around. This could of course be other factors in the chart, I also recall reading somewhere that Venus/10th can invoke jealousy and one-upmanship from the mother.
Him will ponder and find examples. Venus in mythology was not all sweetness and light. She was lazy, indulgent, expected others to do the heavy lifting so she could enjoy herself. Strong Venus wants seamless harmony and dislikes difficulties and unpleasantness.
Ouch! I have Venus in Cancer / Home . I have led all day with the dirty plates surrounding me! Lazy? It does square Saturn/Neptune. I do feel guilty, with empathy for them!
Thanks Marjorie, I had a feeling about Drew Barrymore so checked there first and there it was! 10th house venus on the final degree Pisces. But she also has Moon opposite Mars and trine Jupiter and that tracks, she was a stage mum who also liked to party with a young Drew in tow.
Fabulous!
Moon–Mercury?
So interesting, thank you!
I have Moon-Jupiter-Saturn-Uranus-Pluto-Neptune and Venus!!! (albeit some of them are minor aspects).
Any thoughts on Moon-Chiron? (I have that too).
Yes, Moon/Chiron would be interesting as my moon has an exact aspect with it, plus it exactly conjuncts my mother’s Pisces Sun.
Otherwise my Moon is conjunct Mercury, Mars and Neptune, sextile Uranus and Pluto. We were a crazy family.
My father’s Moon was in the 5th, he was eccentric and could be childlike and just as Marjorie wrote, my sister and I kind of nutured and mothered him.
As the birth mother of four children it’s interesting for me to note the Moon’s position in their charts to see what differences there are in my own aptitude and behaviour as their mother over the eight year span of their births. The signs they are in is also revealing as three of their Moons are conjunct in Leo and the other Moon is in Aquarius, and the one with the Aquarius Moon has her Sun and Mercury in Leo, both conjunct the other three children’s Leo Moons. My Pluto conjunct my North Node is conjunct all their Leo Moons and her Leo Sun and Mercury, and my Jupiter is also in Leo. I like to think this is a karmic link rather than me being a control freak, but at least we all get on well, though when they were at school together their teacher said they were the most extrovert family in the neighbourhood…My own Moon is in Gemini!
You are absolutely on fire Marjorie.
My moon in 11th so absolutely wrong for me but move it to 12th and spot on description! Whole houses. However, with my parents lovely Pluto on my Sun in Cancer and my mother’s Saturn on my ic opposing my Pluto on my mc square my Saturn. What can I say!
When Uranus hit my ic my Mother died after a very long illness. I was the parents scapegoat, it took me a long long time to understand that in astrological terms. Not nice at all.
I didnt realise it till my adulthood when my sister bemoaned that as I was now leaving for higher studies there would be none to place blame on in family…that hit me like a rock and since then I haven’t returned because it’s same.
No logic works at all. My siblings spent quarter life in other continents yet my mom blamed me for their failures in personal relationships and career.
Even today, she only has same complain that i didnt do anything for her as in make her all wishes financially fulfilled while she gave all inheritance to my siblings and they live with my parents.
She wasn’t this when I was a kid. She would gift me and ask me for my wish on birthday gift but somewhere she became like my father- selfish- sucking from anyone especially relatives like parents to siblings inguise of their duty and enjoying free stuff and money from them-same trait my siblings learnt. He and my mom both had extremely well forever paying govt job but the thinking of bleeding relatives better off out of jealousy ..now I m the one since I m alive only but then that’s indians mindset who have govt jobs….free money makes one greedy