Analysis of The Godfather (1972) in Light of Vedic Astrology
Planetary Influences
1. Sun (Authority, Ego, Power)
The Sun, representing authority, power, and leadership, is embodied by Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) throughout the movie. He is the patriarch, the central figure of authority in the family and the mafia world.
Scene Reference: In the opening scene where Vito is approached by Amerigo Bonasera, we see the Sun’s energy in full force. Vito is sitting in his dimly lit office, commanding respect and authority as people come to him for favors. His ability to control others and command absolute loyalty shows the strength of the Sun in his character.
2. Mars (Conflict, Aggression, Violence)
Mars governs action, conflict, and violence. In The Godfather, Mars is a powerful influence in shaping the entire plot, from gang wars to vendettas. Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) embodies Mars’s influence as he moves from a passive family member to the ruthless head of the family.
Scene Reference: The restaurant assassination scene, where Michael kills Sollozzo and the police captain, highlights Mars’s violent energy. This moment marks Michael’s transformation as he takes aggressive action to protect his family, leading him deeper into the world of crime and violence.
3. Saturn (Discipline, Karma, Longevity)
Saturn represents discipline, hardship, and karma. Vito Corleone’s life reflects Saturn’s endurance and lessons in discipline. His slow rise to power and strict moral code of protecting the family, even at the cost of suffering, are rooted in Saturn’s influence. His legacy of discipline is passed on to Michael.
Scene Reference: In the final scenes of the movie, when Michael consolidates power by eliminating all of his enemies, Saturn’s influence is felt. This sequence marks the fulfillment of karmic debts—Michael ensures the survival of the family but at the cost of his soul and relationships.
4. Mercury (Intelligence, Communication, Strategy)
Mercury governs intellect, strategy, and communication. Vito’s intelligence and Michael’s strategic brilliance in navigating the family’s affairs are evident throughout the film.
Scene Reference: The meeting between the heads of the five families shows Mercury’s influence. Vito uses diplomacy and his keen intellect to negotiate peace and end the mafia war, even though he harbors plans for revenge. His ability to communicate and navigate through this situation shows Mercury’s cleverness.
5. Jupiter (Wealth, Wisdom, Growth)
Jupiter symbolizes wisdom, growth, and wealth. Vito Corleone’s accumulated wealth and wisdom are the bedrock of the Corleone family’s strength. Michael, too, takes on Jupiter’s energy as he grows into his role as the family head.
Scene Reference: After Vito’s death, Michael expands the Corleone empire significantly, reflecting Jupiter’s expansive energy. His decision to move the family’s business to Nevada to take advantage of the burgeoning casino industry showcases Jupiter’s association with growth and wealth.
6. Rahu (Illusion, Deception, Ambition)
Rahu governs deception, ambition, and shadowy activities, all of which are central themes in The Godfather. Michael’s rise to power is filled with manipulations and betrayals, embodying Rahu’s energy.
Scene Reference: Rahu’s influence is strongest in the baptism scene, where Michael, under the guise of being a godfather to his nephew, eliminates all his enemies. This scene epitomizes deception and ambition as Michael maintains an innocent exterior while ruthlessly eliminating rivals.
7. Venus (Love, Relationships, Wealth)
Venus governs love, relationships, and material pleasures. Michael’s marriage to Kay (Diane Keaton) reflects Venus’s energy, as does Vito’s deep love for his family.
Scene Reference: Venus’s influence is evident in the wedding scene at the beginning of the movie, where family and loyalty are celebrated. However, as the movie progresses, we see Michael’s inability to maintain Venusian balance in his relationships, especially with Kay, reflecting how power overtakes love and connection.
8. Ketu (Spiritual Detachment, Isolation, Loss)
Ketu represents isolation and detachment. Michael’s character arc is marked by increasing isolation as he rises to power. Ketu’s influence pulls him away from his family’s emotional connections, leaving him spiritually empty.
Scene Reference: The closing scene of the movie, where the door is closed on Kay as Michael assumes his new role as the head of the family, perfectly captures Ketu’s energy. Michael has lost his humanity and become spiritually detached, symbolizing the ultimate cost of power.
Astrological Houses in the Plot
1. 1st House (Self-Identity, Ego)
The 1st house, representing identity, is key in Michael’s transformation. He begins the film as someone distant from the family business but gradually shifts his identity, becoming the new Don.
Scene Reference: When Michael decides to take charge after his father’s assassination attempt, his identity transforms. His 1st house energy shifts as he embraces his new role.
2. 2nd House (Wealth, Family, Resources)
The 2nd house governs wealth and family values, crucial themes in The Godfather. The Corleone family’s wealth and status are central to the plot, and much of the conflict arises from protecting and growing their resources.
Scene Reference: Vito’s decision to enter the olive oil business to generate legitimate wealth reflects the influence of the 2nd house. The family’s constant need to protect its assets from rivals drives much of the action.
3. 4th House (Home, Mother, Emotional Security)
The 4th house is about home and emotional security. The Corleone estate serves as a safe haven and a symbol of the family’s strength. However, Michael’s emotional detachment from his wife and children as he rises in power indicates a loss of 4th house harmony.
Scene Reference: When Michael moves the family to Nevada, it signifies the 4th house's displacement. His emotional security deteriorates as he distances himself from his wife and children.
4. 7th House (Partnerships, Relationships)
The 7th house, ruling relationships and partnerships, is seen in Michael’s troubled marriage to Kay and the alliances between different mafia families. Michael’s neglect of his partnership with Kay shows how the 7th house is compromised in favor of power.
Scene Reference: The strained relationship between Michael and Kay reflects the breakdown of 7th house values. Michael’s increasing dominance and secrecy create tension in their partnership, especially when Kay discovers the truth about his criminal activities.
5. 8th House (Secrets, Death, Transformation)
The 8th house governs death, transformation, and hidden things. The Corleone family’s dealings are full of secrecy, death, and power struggles, reflecting the strong influence of this house.
Scene Reference: The 8th house is most prominent during the iconic baptism scene. While Michael participates in a sacred family ritual, his henchmen are executing a series of murders. This scene embodies the transformative and hidden nature of the 8th house.
6. 10th House (Career, Reputation, Authority)
The 10th house, related to career and public standing, is vital for both Vito and Michael as heads of the Corleone empire. Their reputation in the mafia world defines much of the family’s power.
Scene Reference: Michael’s public acceptance of his role as Don during the film’s conclusion signifies the 10th house’s culmination. His career trajectory solidifies as he steps into his father’s shoes, forever altering his public image.
7. 12th House (Isolation, Loss, Secrets)
The 12th house governs isolation, loss, and hidden enemies. Michael’s isolation from his family and the constant threats from rival families reflect the 12th house’s energy.
Scene Reference: The final scene, where Michael is physically isolated from Kay, showcases the 12th house. His rise to power has come at the cost of personal connections and emotional fulfillment.
Character Analysis Through Planetary Traits
1. Michael Corleone (Mars, Rahu, Ketu)
Michael’s journey reflects Mars’s aggression, Rahu’s ambition, and Ketu’s detachment. His transformation from an innocent son to a ruthless mafia leader is marked by violence, deception, and ultimate isolation.
Scene Reference: The restaurant assassination scene and the final baptism scene highlight Michael’s violent rise to power (Mars), his use of deception (Rahu), and his emotional detachment from his loved ones (Ketu).
2. Vito Corleone (Sun, Saturn, Jupiter)
Vito’s leadership is defined by the Sun’s authority, Saturn’s discipline, and Jupiter’s wisdom. He commands respect and maintains control through patience, strategy, and family values.
Scene Reference: Vito’s negotiation during the Five Families meeting showcases his Jupiterian wisdom and Saturnian restraint. His leadership style contrasts sharply with Michael’s more aggressive approach.
3. Kay Adams (Moon, Venus)
Kay Adams (Diane Keaton) embodies the feminine energy governed by the Moon and Venus. Her relationship with Michael represents the emotional (Moon) and loving (Venus) aspects of life, though both are constantly challenged by the darkness of Michael’s world.
Scene Reference: In the scene where Michael returns from Sicily and reunites with Kay, their romantic connection is initially Venusian—filled with warmth and love. However, as Michael becomes more embroiled in the family’s violent affairs, their relationship grows distant. The final scene of the movie, where the door is shut on Kay as Michael assumes his role as the new Don, signifies the ultimate breakdown of their relationship. Venus’s love and beauty are lost to the cold detachment of Ketu, leaving Kay emotionally devastated.
4. Sonny Corleone (Mars, Rahu)
Sonny Corleone (James Caan) is ruled by Mars, as his impulsive and aggressive nature defines much of his character. He embodies raw Mars energy, with little control over his temper, often leading to chaotic consequences. Rahu’s influence is seen in his ambition to protect the family, but his lack of foresight leads to his tragic downfall.
Scene Reference: Sonny’s temper is evident when he brutally beats up Carlo in a fit of rage after learning about his sister Connie’s abuse. His Mars-driven aggression becomes his downfall in the toll booth ambush scene, where his inability to think rationally (a Rahu characteristic) results in his death. The violent nature of his demise further reflects Mars’s energy at its most destructive.
5. Tom Hagen (Mercury, Saturn)
Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall) is the voice of reason and intellect in the Corleone family, ruled by Mercury’s intelligence and Saturn’s discipline. As the family consigliere, his strategic mind and calm demeanor serve as a balance to the chaos around him.
Scene Reference: Tom’s negotiation skills are on display during the meeting with Jack Woltz, where he calmly and methodically attempts to secure Johnny Fontane’s role in the movie. Mercury’s influence is evident in Tom’s ability to communicate persuasively, while Saturn’s discipline ensures that he remains loyal and composed even in the most challenging situations.
6. Connie Corleone (Moon, Venus)
Connie (Talia Shire) represents the emotional and vulnerable aspects of the Corleone family, ruled by the Moon and Venus. Her tumultuous relationship with Carlo is marked by emotional highs and lows, with her love and loyalty constantly tested.
Scene Reference: The scene where Connie discovers her husband Carlo’s betrayal and their ensuing confrontation shows the intensity of Moon and Venus energy in her character. Her emotional outburst and grief reflect the vulnerability of the Moon, while her desire to maintain her marriage despite the abuse shows Venus’s attachment to love and relationships.
Summary of Planetary and House Influences
Planetary Influence:
Sun: 15% – Vito’s authority and leadership.
Mars: 25% – Conflict, violence, and aggression, primarily seen in Michael and Sonny’s actions.
Saturn: 10% – Discipline, endurance, and karmic consequences, seen in Vito and Tom Hagen.
Mercury: 10% – Intelligence and strategy, highlighted in Tom’s character and Vito’s negotiations.
Rahu: 15% – Deception and ambition, embodied by Michael’s rise to power.
Jupiter: 10% – Growth and wealth, seen in Vito’s empire-building.
Ketu: 15% – Detachment and isolation, particularly in Michael’s journey.
House Influence:
1st House (Self-Identity): 15% – Transformation of Michael from outsider to Don.
2nd House (Wealth, Family): 15% – Family loyalty and the accumulation of wealth.
4th House (Home): 10% – Emotional security and the Corleone family estate as a sanctuary.
7th House (Partnerships): 15% – The strained relationships between Michael and Kay, and the mafia alliances.
8th House (Secrets, Death): 25% – The central theme of death, secrecy, and transformation in the plot.
10th House (Career, Reputation): 10% – The public image and authority of the Corleone family.
12th House (Isolation, Loss): 10% – Michael’s increasing isolation as he ascends to power.
Conclusion
The Godfather is a rich exploration of Vedic astrological themes, particularly those of Mars, Rahu, and Ketu. The characters and plot embody the energies of aggression, ambition, and detachment, while the 8th house of death and secrets dominates the narrative. Ultimately, Michael Corleone’s journey is one of transformation, where power comes at the cost of relationships and emotional fulfillment, leaving him isolated in his role as the head of the family. The balance of planets and houses creates a complex web of karma and consequence, making The Godfather a masterclass in the interplay of celestial forces.
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