Ophelia 171

Ophelia is named for a character from Shakespeare’s epic tragedy “Hamlet.” She is daughter to Hamlet’s chief counsellor Polonius, sister to his friend Laertes, and a potential bride for the Prince of Denmark himself. Hamlet’s intentions toward Ophelia are never clear, but he is so given to his grief and revenge for his father’s death that he never considers her seriously in a romantic sense. Ophelia, devastated by Hamlet’s rejection and further stricken by her brother’s absence and her father’s death, goes insane, eventually falls from a willow branch into a brook, and drowns.

Astrologically, Ophelia represents insanity and death by drowning, which can be rendered metaphysically as a feeling of being “inundated” or overwhelmed by circumstance. It can also indicate high drama or hysterics, over-reaction, and feelings of doubt, insecurity, or lack of self-worth.

Alex Miller is a professional writer and astrologer, author of The Black Hole Book, detailing deep space points in astrological interpretation, and the forthcoming Heaven on Earth, a comprehensive study of asteroids, both mythic and personal. Alex is a frequent contributor to “The Mountain Astrologer”, “Daykeeper Journal”, and NCGR’s Journals and “Enews Commentary”; his work has also appeared in “Aspects” magazine, “Dell Horoscope”, “Planetwaves”, “Neptune Café” and “Sasstrology.” He is a past president of Philadelphia Astrological Society, and a former board member for the Philadelphia Chapter of NCGR.

Leave a comment