Warren Buffett (born Aug 30, 1930 3:00PM Omaha, NE) is one of the best known investors in the world. As a humanistic astrologer, I was curious about how astrology reflected his unique strengths. In this article, I’ll share my findings from analyzing his horoscope while studying his biographies. I’ve grouped my findings into 3 chapters:

• Chapter 1: Unique Strengths and Psychological Traits (Natal Chart)
• Chapter 2: Significant Relationships (Synastry)
• Chapter 3: Major Turning Points (Transit/Solar Arc)

Chapter 1: Unique Strengths and Psychological Traits

What are some of the traits that helped make Warren Buffett so successful? How is his unique, down-to-earth personality reflected in his natal chart?

Parental Influence:

Like many people, Buffett received strong influences from his parents. His father Howard Buffett became a stockbroker shortly before the crash of 1929, and was successful despite the economic challenges of the time. Howard prized integrity over all, and later was elected to Congress. According to Warren’s biographer, “of all his father’s characteristics, it was how he stuck to his principles and expounded on his beliefs that Warren Buffett would emulate throughout his life.”

But his family wasn’t perfect by any means. Both his parents frowned upon any kind of emotional displays from their children. In addition, his mother was verbally abusive toward him and his sisters. As a result, Warren developed “an aversion to conflict, and a lifelong fear of disappointing others”.

Astrologically, here are some points worth noting in his natal chart:

1) Saturn in First House: Integrity and Ambition

As 1st house is our self image, we tend to identify strongly with a planet in here. In Buffett’s chart Saturn is in Capricorn, the sign it rules, so it is an especially strong planet. Saturn has to do with self-discipline and integrity, and it values logic and facts over emotions. Throughout his career, Buffett developed a reputation for his integrity and principles.

Saturn also represents ambition, and this reflects the fact that Buffett was focused on his goals – that of building wealth – from a very young age.

Saturn also represents the father in astrology, and its strong placement reflects how important Buffett’s father was in the formation of his own identity (1st house). However, note that Saturn is also retrograde. A retrograde Saturn usually means some kind of discontent with the father figure, either because he is distant, passive, or too authoritarian. In Warren’s case, the emotionally distant nature of his father seems to be reflected here.

2) Neptune square Moon: Sensitivity and Intuition

Neptune square Moon may reflect a mother who is going through emotional issues, or she is somehow vulnerable so that she cannot be fully available for the child. In Warren’s case, his mother was emotionally cold and verbally abusive.

Moon Neptune aspect suggests a sensitive nature, and it partly reflects Buffett’s aversion to conflict (in addition, note his Mars is in security-conscious Cancer, which increases the sensitivity of this horoscope).

On the other hand, Neptune-Moon contact often suggests strong intuition, and this in addition to his Neptune-Sun conjunction reflects Buffett’s intuitive gifts, which manifested as his ability to envision the growth potential of a business – it strongly complements the facts-and-research orientation of the rest of his horoscope (more on this below).

Love of Numbers and Statistics

Buffett’s biographer states “as an introverted child with an abusive mother, young Warren found safety in the hidden world of numbers.” Warren was fascinated by baseball statistics and calculating odds in games such as bridge. This fascination with numbers served him well in his career as a security analyst.

Astrologically, we associate numbers and mathematics with intellectual functions of Mercury and the higher mind facilities of Uranus. In Buffett’s natal chart, we see Mercury squared by Saturn, as well as Mars: His is a highly energized (Mars), practical (Saturn) intellect. In addition, Uranus opposes the Midheaven, making higher mental functions (Uranus) a key part of his career (MC) expression.

It also helps that his Sun is in Virgo, which rules Mercury and has a strong analytical orientation.

Focus on Acquiring and Growing Wealth

One thing that’s clear in any biography you read about Warren Buffett is that he was focused on acquiring and growing wealth from a very young age, and he never deviated from that focus. He started selling chewing gums door-to-door at age six, before moving up to magazines and coca-cola and eventually delivering newspapers in his teens.

He filed his first tax return at the age of 14. While he was in college, he invested his savings into a building supply company and a sharecropping farm. In 1951 he traveled in person to the offices of GEICO to speak to the company’s financial vice president, before investing three-quarters of his money into its stock.

This type of single minded focus is often the key for highly accomplished careers. What are the astrological factors that reflect this kind of focus?

1) Saturn Quindecile Pluto: an Obsessive Focus

We already discussed how Saturn represents ambition, and its strong placement (1st house, in its own sign Capricorn) in Warren’s chart. Another factor is that Saturn receives an exact quindecile (165 degree) aspect from Pluto.

A quindecile aspect represents intense, almost obsessive focus. Pluto represents power, and Pluto Saturn aspect merges the two planets into strong ambition for power (in Buffett’s case, it manifested as a desire for financial empowerment rather than political power).

2) Jupiter Pluto conjunction: Expanded Desire for Wealth

Buffet’s natal chart also has a somewhat wide Jupiter-Pluto conjunction. As Pluto represents power (including wealth) and Jupiter represents expansion and the “reward hoped for”, this aspect typically suggests resourcefulness, and we can also see it as an expanded desire for wealth and success underneath the studied air of the Virgo Sun.

Drive for Independence

From a young age, Buffett knew that becoming wealthy would grant him independence from other people’s demands and expectations. From what I’ve read, it is this desire for independence, more than any desire for glory or greed, that drove Buffett’s decisions.

After graduating from Columbia Business School in 1951, he worked at his father’s investment firm for a few years, but he disliked selling stocks to other people. He then went to New York City to work with his mentor Benjamin Graham as a security analyst. In 1956, Graham retired and offered Buffett a place as his firm’s junior partner. Though he was grateful, Beffett declined and decided to start his own investment partnership back in Omaha.

After founding Buffett Associates, Ltd, in which he’d manage his own money and that of his friends and family, his prowess at beating the market quickly became known and more investors wanted to join. Although he was transparent in his business dealings, he kept his investment decisions to himself and did not give others a say in how he invested.

In these and many other episodes in his biography, Buffett’s strong desire for independence is clear. Astrologically, we associate the drive for independence with Mars (independence and self sufficiency) and Uranus (individuality and freedom from constraints), as well as signs such as Aries, Sagittarius and Aquarius. Here are natal factors that reflect Buffett’s desire for independence.

1) Uranus on the IC, opposing MC: An individualistic drive

Uranus is positioned strongly, on the MC-IC axis of Buffett’s natal chart. Buffett’s known as a contrarian investor, where he ignores the emotional market fluctuations and stays true to his investment principles. This is a very Uranian trait, as is his desire to strike out on his own.

2) Moon in Sagittarius: Desire for Freedom

Moon in Sagittarius is another signal that indicates a strong need for freedom. As disciplined and structured as Buffett is (reflected by the strong Saturn), his Sagittarius Moon suggests he places a high value on independence and freedom.

Strong Action Orientation

It’s clear that Buffett was a man of action from a very young age, showing his entrepreneurial spirit from age 6. Astrologically this is clearly shown by having 7 planets in cardinal (action oriented) signs. He has 2 cardinal T squares (one between Saturn, Mercury and Mars, and another between Uranus, Venus and Jupiter-Pluto). T squares add dynamic tension and increases the energy level of the cardinal planets.

Our vocations are often the result of combining our unique strengths and psychological traits. Looking at just these few traits, it’s already clear that researching and investing in stocks combined Buffett’s love of numbers, his desire for acquiring wealth, and his drive to be free from other people’s demands and expectations.

Chapter 2: Significant Relationships

What were the important relationships in Buffett’s life? How did they impact him to be the person he became? Growing up in an emotionally distant family, it seems Buffett had a need for close emotional bonds, which he forged with his close friends and loved ones. Here are three that seem especially significant:

Susan Thompson – Warren’s First Wife

In 1950 Warren fell for Susan Thompson (June 15, 1932, birth time unknown) . He felt awkward with women, and studied public speaking in the hope of overcoming his awkwardness. When that didn’t work, he wood her parents instead. Warren eventually won Susan over and they married in 1952. His biographer claims that Susan had an urge to take care of others, and she wanted to give him the love and support he never received as a child (in the chart below, note Susan’t Venus in maternal Cancer conjunct Warren’s Jupiter in his 7th house).

Here are a few of the powerful synastry contacts between Warren’s and Susan’s charts

• Note how her planets light up Warren’s 7th house (marriage), and her Sun and Mercury are on his Descendant, as well as her Venus on his Jupiter. These are impossible-to-ignore contacts that brings her presence into his awareness.
• Susan’s Uranus is on Warren’s MC-IC axis, and opposes his Venus. Uranus acts as the lightning bolt of “awakening”, in this case intensifying his desire for love (Venus) as well as his emotional needs (IC, 4th house).
• Her Neptune is conjunct Warren’s Sun. This suggests strong inspiration and idealization.

In an interview, Buffett said Susan “helped him grow up” from a time when he didn’t have a good opinion of himself (see the section about parental influence above). Even though they later separated without divorcing, they spoke on a regular basis and appeared together at public functions. They remained friends and supported each other until Susan’s passing in 2004.

Benjamin Graham – His Mentor

Ben Graham (May 9, 1894, birth time unknown) is known as “the father of value investing,” and his investment principles deeply influenced Buffett. Instead of speculating on the ups and downs of the market, Graham advocated knowing the value of the business itself, and finding and purchasing undervalued stocks.

Buffett studied under Graham in Columbia Business School, and later worked in Graham’s investment firm for a few years before starting his own partnership.

Note how Graham’s planets light up Warren’s 6th house (work relationships, including a mentor-mentee relationship), and his Jupiter-Pluto conjunction makes a square to Warren’s Sun, expanding (Jupiter) and empowering (Pluto) Warren’s identity (Sun).

Note Graham’s Saturn is on Buffett’s Midheaven, suggesting Graham’s guiding influence over Buffett’s career direction(MC). Saturn represents authority and discipline, and it’s a fitting synastry contact for a mentor-mentee relationship.

Charlie Munger – His Business Partner and Best Friend

Buffett described Charlie Munger (January 1, 1924, 6:55AM Omaha, NE) as “part older brother, part loving father.” A lawyer and a successful investor in his own right, he and Buffett met in 1959 and clicked right away. They shared many of the same values, including their drive for financial independence.

• Note Munger and Buffett share the same Ascendant and MC, almost an exact conjunction. I see shared Ascendant between married couples too, and it’s an indicator of strong compatibility that comes from sharing similar style of personal expression (Ascendant).
• Munger’s Sun conjoins Buffett’s Saturn. Saturn conjunct Sun in Synastry is another indicator of long term association.
• Munger’s Jupiter conjoins Buffett’s Moon, suggesting a positive, encouraging emotional influence.
• Munger’s Pluto empowers Buffett’s Jupiter in the 7th house of business partnership.

These are very positive contacts that reflect the strength of their friendship.

In astrology, synastry contacts show how two horoscopes connect and influence each other. Our relationships shape our character, perhaps more than any other influence in our lives. You can see the emotional or intellectual influence Buffetts received from each of these individuals.

Chapter 3: Major Turning Points

What were the major turning points in Buffett’s life? We’ll study the astrology during moments of major accomplishments and challenges.

Age 10: Vision of Financial Success

When Warren was 10, his father took him to the New York Stock Exchange, which impressed him and gave him a vision of future financial success. At age 11, he announced to his friends that he wanted be a millionaire by age 35 (he achieved this and much more).

At age 10 Warren was experiencing solar arc Mercury = Jupiter (“Thinking about success”) as well as solar arc ASC=Saturn (Incorporating ambition into his developing self-image). The experience of seeing NYSE fired up Warren’s vision, and gave him the dream to be financially successful (note natal Neptune Sun conjunction, which suggests “a dreamer” except both planets are in pragmatic Virgo, so he approached his vision by gaining practical understanding of investing.)

1950: Studying with Benjamin Graham

After being rejected by Harvard Business School in 1950, he enrolled at Columbia Business School to study with Benjamin Graham.

At age 20. Buffett’s chart had strong activities:

SA (solar arc) Mercury = Venus. This is “studying (Mercury) about money (Venus)” Mercury is in natal 9th house of higher education and Venus rules the Midheaven, his career, which is exactly what was going on (i.e. studying investing for his career development).

Incidentally, this solar arc was also in effect when Buffett fell in love with Susan Thompson in 1950, which makes sense, as it activated his natal Venus (thinking about love).

SA Mars = Pluto. Mars (“the hunter”) in this case is his capability to act, to make money. Pluto represents empowerment and hidden depth, and in this case the knowledge he gained from studying with Ben Graham became the foundation for his success as an investor.

1952: Married Susan Thompson

Warren fell for Susan in 1950, and they married in April of 1952. There are strong transits (in the chart below, inner chart is Buffett’s natal chart, and the outer wheel shows the transit on the day of his marriage):

Transit Neptune is conjunct his Sun/Moon midpoint, which is a significant relationship indicator, and I’ve seen this transit during marriages multiple times in my practice. Tr Neptune is also conjunct his natal Venus (romantic love).

Transit Uranus conjunct natal Jupiter in the 7th house although it looks a few degrees away from Jupiter, it actually already made a conjunction, retrograded, and is about to make a final pass. Jupiter is in the 7th house of marriage and partnership, and Uranus is activating it strongly, making it a positive period.

1956: Started his own partnership Buffett Associates, Ltd

From 1954, Buffett worked in Benjamin Graham’s firm in New York as a security analyst, specializing in finding undervalued stocks. Graham retired in 1956 and offered Buffett a place as his firm’s junior partner. Ordinarily this was a great opportunity. But Buffett, being the independent spirit he is (see chapter 1), decided to go back to Omaha and start his own investment partnership, Buffett Associates, Ltd.

This was a major new beginning, and astrology of that period clearly reflects it:

(inner wheel: natal chart. outer wheel: solar arc for 1956)

SA Ascendant = Pluto: In 1956, Solar Ascendant was directly opposite his natal Pluto. This is his identity (ASC) incorporating his sense of power (Pluto). By choosing to go the independent route (ASC), Buffett empowered himself to succeed at an entirely new level (Pluto).

SA Moon = Aries Point: In the same year, solar arc Moon was on the Aries Point (0 Capricorn). A solar arc planet reaching the Aries Point (0 degree of a cardinal sign) is a time when that planet’s potential blooms outward in a visible way. In this case, Buffett’s need for freedom and adventure (natal Moon in Sagittarius) was on full display as he started his own firm.

Transiting Jupiter conjunct Sun: In 1956 Buffett also experienced transiting Jupiter conjunct Sun, which is a beginning of a new 12 year cycle, and a major reward period, as well as a time of new beginnings.

1969: Dissolved His Partnership Buffett Associates Ltd

In 1966 Buffett stopped taking on new partners, due to the fact that it was becoming harder to find undervalued stocks. In 1969 Buffett announced he’d dissolve his partnership completely, and shifted his focus on running Barkshire Hathaway, which was a textile manufacturing company that would end up becoming one of the world’s largest conglomerates.

This was a major turning point, and from this point on he would no longer be responsible for anyone’s money but his own. This was another step toward increasing his freedom and independence, which has been one of the strong themes of his life.

Transiting Uranus was activating Buffett’s natal T-square (Mars, Mercury and Saturn). This was a time for bold action toward an independent, new direction (Tr Uranus square Saturn typically means replacing old structure with a new one).

In addition, Solar Arc Moon was opposing his natal Jupiter signaling the need for expansion and adventure.

1978-1980: Joined Forces with Charlie Munger

Warren Buffett met Charlie Munger in 1959, and they’ve been fast friends since then. In 1978 Munger became the vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway – a position he retained until his death in 2023. In early 1980’s, to simplify the many joint holdings Buffett had with Munger, Blue Chip Stamps merged with Berkshire Hathaway, making them partners.

During this period of transition, Buffett was experiencing transiting Pluto conjunct MC, a multi-year transit that transformed and empowered his business position. Buffett’s and Munger’s 45-year partnership is considered one of the most successful in business history (see their synastry chart above).

Recommended references:

• The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life
• Warren Buffett (Wikipedia article)
  

Closing Thoughts

There was an innate drive and a series of fortunate encounters that made Warren Buffett successful and gave him a fulfilling life. It was gratifying to see these factors reflected in his natal chart and synastry analysis, as well as witness major turning points through an astrological lens.

From a humanistic astrologer’s perspective, it’s useful to study traits of people that you admire, as you can see how they’ve successfully expressed the potentials of their birth charts.

Have you found some pattern in Buffett’s natal chart that you yourself have? How have you been able to express its potential, in your own special way? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.