Eric Clapton – Patti Boyd – George Harrison

A Love Triangle

“Friends are all souls that we’ve known in other lives. We’re drawn to each other. That’s how I feel about friends. Even if I have only known them for a day, it doesn’t matter. I’m not going to wait till I have known them two years, because anyway we have met somewhere before, you know”

~ George Harrison

In the well documented love triangle between Eric Clapton, Patti Boyd and George Harrison, I am starting by looking at Eric Clapton’s life and chart, because if it had not been for his obsession with Patti, there would not have been a story.

Eric Clapton

Birth Chart

Eric has the Sun, Mercury and his Descendant in Aries, so it would come naturally for him to focus on his own needs, just as for George Harrison as a Piscean it was natural for him to focus on transcendence and otherworldly things. Eric’s Sun is sextile exactly his Uranus, providing the brilliance and speed of his skilled guitar work.  His intensity is shown by the Sun closely trine Pluto, an intensity which almost brought him to self-destruction, and his Moon in Scorpio in 1st House.  His Moon, Mars and Saturn form a close Grand Trine in Water, making him very emotionally driven.  The Moon opposite Venus forming a T-square with Pluto hints at the difficult relationship with his mother, and the abandonment issues engendered by that relationship, and the turbulence of his own love life.  Mercury conjunct Venus reveals the Songwriter Archetype in his chart.  He has musicality from Venus in her own sign of Taurus.  An unaspected Jupiter, makes him a bit of a Maverick, going his own way.  Neptune conjunct Chiron is possibly a pointer to his drug addiction.

Life and Loves

Eric Clapton, hailed as one of the greatest guitarist in the hall of fame enhanced many groups and supergroups in his era.  He began with the Yardbirds in 1963, joined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in 1965, formed the band Cream in 1966, then moved on to Blind Faith (1969).  He later joined Derek and the Dominos (1970), as well as pursuing a successful solo career.

By 1968 he had become close friends with George Harrison of the Beatles, and was on friendly terms with all the Beatles.  In 1969, Eric bought the house Hurtwood Edge in Surrey, and became a near neighbour to George and Pattie Harrison. They spent a great deal of time together, and it was during that time that Eric fell in love with Pattie and became infatuated.  He recalls in his autobiography:

“I remember thinking that her beauty was also an internal thing…It was her entire being, and the way she carried herself, that captivated me…I also coveted Pattie because she belonged to a powerful man who seemed to have everything I wanted – amazing cars, an incredible career and a beautiful wife.”

He became addicted to heroin, however, and she resisted his advances for some time, though he sensed that she was not happy with George.  It was while he was with Derek and the Dominos that he wrote “Layla” (1970), about unrequited love, with her in mind.  He started living with Pattie in 1974, around the time of his Saturn Return in Cancer.  In 1977 he wrote the song Wonderful Tonight for her.  They married in 1979, but he soon became unfaithful, just as George had been unfaithful.  Eric began to drink more and more heavily.

In January 1982 he took himself to the Hazelden Treatment Center in Minnesota.  When he arrived, he omitted to declare that he took Valium, with the result that they did not wean him off it gradually and he suffered a grand mal seizure from its withdrawal.

He and Pattie tried to have children together, but were unsuccessful even with attempts at IVF.  However in 1985, around the time of his Uranus Opposition, he met model Lori del Santo, who would give birth to his son Conor in 1986.

On a second trip to Hazelden in 1987, towards the end of his stay there, he discovered the power of prayer and surrender, and he states in his autobiography “In all this time that I’ve been sober, I have never once seriously thought of taking a drink or a drug.”

Eric was a doting father to Conor, but on 20th March 1991 while in the care of his mother Conor died, aged four, from a fall from an open window of a Manhattan apartment.  At the time, Saturn was square to Conor’s Pluto, and Uranus was conjunct Eric’s South Node.  This tragic event proved to be a turning point spiritually for Eric, building on the earlier religious awakening.  The only tool Eric had for healing himself was through music:

“I almost subconsciously used music for myself as a healing agent, and lo and behold, it worked … I have got a great deal of happiness and a great deal of healing from music.”

His Chiron (Inner Healer) is in Virgo in 12th House, between his Jupiter and his Neptune.  He wrote the poignant song “Tears from Heaven” in honour of Conor.

Healing was to come in his relationships, too.  In 2002, he married Melia McEnery, with whom he had three daughters and a grandson.  The transits for this marriage included Saturn sextile his Midheaven (a settling of life direction) and Neptune trine his North Node (karmic serenity).  The marriage has brought him peace and happiness:

“At the age of 54, I had probably made the first healthy choice in a partner in my entire life.”

Pattie Boyd

Birth Chart

Pattie Boyd was one of the right people at the right time during the swinging sixties.  Model Pattie and her sister Jenny had the look of the times.  I remember her well from the Smith’s crisps adverts!  As a Sun in Pisces, there was something otherworldly about her, as there was about fellow Piscean George.  She had 0 Earth planets, and 7 Mutable planets (showing great adaptability).  Her Ascendant however was in Earth sign Capricorn, sextile her Venus (beauty).  Her Moon was  in Sagittarius in 12th House, trine exactly with Jupiter, but opposite her natal Saturn.  For her and her siblings, childhood was very troubled, and the family spent time in Kenya.  Her North Node was conjunct Pluto in her 8th House,  which might be a factor pointing to her being an object of obsession.  Neptune (her ruling planet) at the top of the chart in Libra square exactly Ascendant, 9th House side, a sign of great glamour.

Life and Loves

“George and I, both Pisceans, were like the symbolic fish swimming in opposite directions. George seemed torn between the deep beneath us and the glitter on the surface, and I was so dazzled by what sparkled above that I couldn’t look down for fear of what might be lurking there”

~ Pattie Boyd

While working as a shampoo girl at Elizabeth Arden’s salon in London in 1962, she began to aspire to a modelling career.  Soon she was modelling for Vogue and Vanity Fair, and being photographed by David Bailey and Terence Donovan.  She appeared in the television advertisements for Smith’s crisps in 1964, and met George Harrison on the set of the film A Hard Day’s Night, where she was cast as a schoolgirl, in the same year.  She met George on 2nd March 1964: Mars was trine her Midheaven, Jupiter was sextile her Saturn, and Neptune was square her Jupiter.  For him, notably, Venus was trine his North Node, signifying a karmic meeting, and Jupiter was square his Mars.  She moved with Harrison into his house Kinfauns in Surrey soon after he bought it in July.

Pattie was engaged to George on Christmas Day 1965, and married him in 1966. The transits for George at the time were harmonious and happy (with Jupiter sextile his North Node and his Chiron).  However, Patti’s were much more difficult (including Saturn opposite her Chiron, Uranus square her Saturn and Pluto square her Moon).

They married on 21st January 1966, with Neptune square George’s natal Mars, and Pluto still square Pattie’s Moon.   Not an easy position for a start of a marriage.

She and her sister joined the Beatles in India on their spiritual quest, and spent time with Ravi Shankar while George pursued his study of the sitar.  The couple studied yoga, and embraced vegetarianism.  Pattie was the muse for songs George wrote, such as “I Need You” and “If I Needed Someone” (both 1965) and “Something” (1969).  Pattie and Harrison also tried unsuccessfully to start a family, and George ruled out adoption.

They divorced on 9th June 1977: Uranus was on Pattie’s I.C., the finality of changing the foundations of her life.  This was the year that Eric wrote “Wonderful Tonight”.  The Solicitor who handled the divorce observed:

“There was no overreacting, no greed or playing with each other’s emotions – I wish all divorces were so well handled.”

She married Eric Clapton in 1979.   George referred to Eric as his “husband-in-law”.  By this time, Eric was drinking heavily and this marriage too began with difficulty.  Having eventually “won” her, the reality of life, Eric’s own wounds, and his addiction interfered with any happiness they could have derived from their relationship.

She left him in 1987 and they divorced in 1989.  She published her autobiography “Wonderful Tonight” in the same year as Eric’s.  She too found later happiness, with Rod Weston (a property developer) who she met in 1991 and married on 29th April 2015.  This time, Saturn was sextile her Neptune, and trine her North Node (stability), and Uranus was trine her Moon.  In addition, Uranus was trine her Jupiter (a happy opportunity) and Neptune was trine her Midheaven (serenity in her life direction).  She has worked in photography and supported charities, most notably founding a charity with Ringo Starr’s wife Barbara Bach for addiction recovery.  Eric Clapton also founded a recovery centre in Antigua, so they both used their experiences in that area of healing.

“Eric and I were playmates, but  George and I were soul mates, and I had let something special go without analysing what was happening between us”

~  from “Wonderful Tonight”

Her sister Jenny connects with another Soul Group I have written about, centred around Fleetwood Mac, as Jenny was married to Mick Fleetwood.  Jenny Boyd brought out her autobiography this spring, entitled “Jennifer Juniper” (she herself was the muse of Donovan).   She writes about Pattie’s life from a different angle, and comments about Pattie’s relationship with Eric:

“Throughout the weekend Eric systematically attempted to cut through the bond between my sister and me, trying to make her jealous as he paid me unwanted attention.  He had been used to having Pattie to himself, in his world, while I was desperately seeking her in mine.”

In the Synastry between Eric and Pattie, there were difficulties, such as her Saturn square his Jupiter in Virgo in his 11th House, her Uranus square his natal Mars in Pisces in his 5th House, and  her Ascendant opposite his Saturn on her Descendant (a major block to relationship).

George Harrison

Birth Chart

George Harrison had Chiron exactly conjunct the North Node in Leo in 10th House, giving him a karmic mission of healing through creativity, channelled through his career.  Like Pattie, he had the Sun in Pisces, but his Sun was exactly square Saturn, making his inner world complex and his life difficult.  Saturn was conjunct Uranus, denoting personal earthquakes, with Uranus in his 7th House of Close Relationships.  The Sun was trine his Ascendant in Scorpio, on the cusp of his 5th House, showing tremendous creativity.  Like Eric, he had the Moon square Pluto, both having intense issues around women.  His Moon (woman) was conjunct Eric’s in early Scorpio, symbolic of their shared interest in a particular woman, Pattie.  Their Moons were trine Pattie’s Venus in early Pisces, so their was a similar pattern in the way they related emotionally to her, and she to them.  George’s Moon conjunct his Ascendant in Scorpio from the 12th House accounts for his introversion, reserve and desire for his own space – he was known as “the quiet Beatle”.  George wrote about this need:

“That is the trouble with partnerships, you get roped in on other people’s trips. Completely roping everyone into a whim. Then you start getting into it and they can’t handle it any more. It is very important to try and minimise the aggravation and spaciness in our lives.”

Pluto square the Ascendant in the 10th House side, points to his mega career, as the member of the supremely successful Beatles.

Life and Loves

George grew up in Liverpool, the youngest of four siblings, and had a happy home life, but disliked school.  His parents were supportive of his musical direction, though initially his father had other plans for him.  George met Paul McCartney travelling on the school bus, and they forged a bond over their musical interests and aspirations.  The rest of the history of the Beatles is, of course, legend…

His creative expression was stifled somewhat by his position alongside the Lennon/McCartney songwriting machine, but he averaged two of his songs on most of their albums.  However, his musical tastes and spiritual path lay in a different direction, though he did take them part of the way, with their involvement with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.  Musically, he became a student of Ravi Shankar, and these directions were all very Piscean in nature.  In friendship, he shared a great deal with Eric Clapton, they collaborated musically (including on a tour of Japan in December 1991), and of course, during a phase of their life they shared a love of Pattie.

George’s greatest work was the triple album of 1970, “All Things Must Pass”, which gave him free rein to express his spirituality through music.  The unforgettable, dreamy, mood of the album included such hits as “My Sweet Lord”, “If Not for You”, “Isn’t it a Pity” and of course “All Things Must Pass”.

He too made a later, successful marriage, to Olivia Arias, on 2nd September 1978.  For this marriage, Jupiter was exactly trine Venus, the perfect transit for marriage.  Pluto was sextile his natal Midheaven, signalling a profound change in his life direction

In 1980 he wrote an autobiographical book “I Me Mine”, which is quirky and interesting, though does not include reflections on his life with Pattie.  In his marriage with Olivia, George found the contentment he lacked with Pattie, and they had one son together, Dhani.  On 30th December 1999 he and Olivia were attacked at home by a paranoid schizophrenic: Saturn was square his Mercury (his lung was punctured in the attack) and Neptune was square his Ascendant on his 4th House cusp (his home).   George died of lung Cancer in 2001, leaving an estate of nearly £100 million.

In George’s Synastry with Pattie, his Sun square Pattie’s Uranus (perhaps destined to part), and his Uranus was square her Venus (again, perhaps destined to part).  Like Eric, his Moon was trine her Venus, the love they shared, and George’s Ascendant was exactly trine with Pattie’s, which would have brought their lives together originally for karmic purposes and to live together for a time.

George’s Synastry with Eric shows Eric’s Moon close to George’s Ascendant, and they would have had a fundamental emotional understanding with their Moons conjunct.  Eric’s Venus exactly opposite George’s Ascendant may show the rivalry for love.  Eric’s Uranus trine George’s Mercury shows an almost telepathic sharing of interests, and Eric’s Ascendant sextile exactly George’s North Node emphasizes the karma between them.

“There is a lecture where Yogananda was talking in 1939 in a self-realisation fellowship Book about friends explaining that the vibration the soul sets up, and the love and equally the hate we feel causes the attraction of souls to one another – from one life to another. Those people who you know much more easily or more quickly are people whom you’ve known in other lives. It is very specific. There’s more to this than meets the eye.”

~ George Harrison

Sources:

Eric Clapton,  “The Autobiography” 2007, Publisher Century

Pattie Boyd, “Wonderful Tonight” 2007, Publisher Three Rivers Press

George Harrison, “I Me Mine” 1980, Publisher Weidenfeld & Nicholson

Jenny Boyd  “Jennifer Juniper” 2020, Publisher Urbane

Lili Fini Zanuck “Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars”  2017, documentary film

Aspects

Tomorrow (Monday 24th) there may be obstacles cropping up on your intended path, with a square between Mars and Saturn.  This square may also produce some tension.  You will need to think before you act, to avoid clumsiness.  And observe others carefully, who may not be astrologically mindful.

Tuesday (25th) is a different prospect altogether, with Mercury trine Uranus uplifting the mind, and ringing the changes.  Uranus will add extra spice to your mind, ideas, plans, and documentation.  Computers and technology should be on sparkling form and assist your expression.

Late on the same day, Jupiter opposes Venus, so there may be some late night socializing in the offing.  This may include an awkward gaffe, but hopefully on the right side of humour.

On Wednesday (26th) Mars will be sextile the North Node, bringing direct karma, possibly connected with warriorship.  The warriorship can be expressed reasonably constructively.  You may be able to get your message across directly and actively, in speaking your truth or setting an example.

A beautiful trine follows on Thursday (27th) in the shape of Venus trine Neptune.  Socially, you find spiritual links with people.  Artistically or musically, you can achieve inspirational heights.

Finally, more good news on Saturday (29th) as Mercury trines Jupiter, which expands our minds and philosophies.  This is an upbeat vibe mentally, and one which could just make your weekend one to remember.  It can also help the currently beleaguered teaching profession and educational policies, foster dialogues between nations, and even support struggling businesses.

The week in bullet points:

  • Tomorrow – obstacles and tension
  • Tuesday – brilliant minds; social gaffes
  • Wednesday – karmic courage
  • Thursday – inspiration of the arts
  • Saturday – expansion of the mind
Date: Aug 23rd, 2020 · Comments RSS · Tags: Celebrities · Soul Groups · Synastry