Jesse Williams‘ zodiac sign charms make all the ladies scream ‘Take Me Out.’
The actor, activist and subject of swoon is a man of many talents. Born August 5th, 1981, Williams’ birth chart shows us he is a magnanimous Leo sun with a cardinal Libra moon. Leos are ruled by the sun and those that fall under the sign are born to shine and Williams is no exception.
In our troubled age of celebrity consumerism, you ain’t a star until the world has seen you naked without your consent. Enter stage right (and full frontal ladies and gentlemen) Williams swinging bats and breaking hearts as Darren Lemming, a professional baseball player who comes out as gay to his teammates in Broadway’s “Take Me Out.”
Footage from the play, captured illicitly, shows the star on stage and sans pants in an in the buff locker room scene. The stills and video clips have gone viral and sparked ovation and outrage in equal measure. Coincidentally, the footage was leaked on the same day Williams was nominated for his first Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a play.
For his part, Williams has taken the nudity controversy in stride, an easy confidence characteristic of his leonine nature. Leo energy is majestic with a show must go on vibe, as Williams told reporters “I’m not down about it. Our job is to go out there every night, no matter what.” Leos like Williams understand that to a certain extent, all press is good press and his redirect of media attention towards professionalism, optimism and the stage that he shares with his fellow actors is proof positive of his benevolent sun sign.
Leo is an active, energetic fire sign that must be forged in challenge and fortified by change. Confident though they are, they require adulation from others and need to constantly prove their own worth to themselves by pushing past limitations. Fear and discord are motivational, rather than devastating forces in their lives.
We see this energy present in Williams who decided to leave the relative safety and financial security of his twelve-year stint on “Grey’s Anatomy” in order to transition to the brave new world of theatre, “I was terrified, but then I noted that that was what I asked God for. I asked to be terrified. I asked to do something that was scary and challenging and made me earn it and made me feel alive and not comfortable.”
Clear eyes, lion heart, can’t lose
In terms of the physical body, Leo rules the heart and natives, in turn, tend to lead with theirs. These people love hard and go hard as Williams did during his years-long marriage to ex-wife Aryn Drake-Lee. In a segment filmed for Jay-Z’s “Footnotes for 4:44,” Williams revealed the depth of his devotion and his ire at media reports of his alleged infidelity,“I was in a relationship 13 years, 13 real years, not 5 years, not 7 years, 13 years and all of a sudden motherf–kers are writing think-pieces that I somehow threw a 13-year relationship—like [the] most painful experience I’ve had in my life like with a person I’ve loved with all of my heart—that I threw a person and my family in the trash because a girl I work with is cute.” This all in, long run, defend what is sacred mentality is indicative of a lion’s heart.
Venus in Virgo
Leo loves love but Williams’ Venus, planet of attraction and attachment is in the strategic sign of Virgo. The influence of Virgo tempers Leos more exuberant or demonstrative qualities, adding a certain reserve. Virgo is the sign of observation and solutions and those with Venus in this sign lean towards acts of service as their love language. Feeling essential is essential for this lot. We see Williams’ tendency towards tenderness expressed in this clip of him helping then girlfriend Taylour Paige take her braids out.
Williams’ need to be of service extends beyond his most personal partnerships and into activism. Coupled with his Venus in Virgo, Leos like Williams are at their best and brightest when they stand in their power and shed light on causes that deserve attention. We see this pattern of illumination in Williams’ incendiary speech condemning police brutality at the 2016 BET Awards. Williams’ speech was delivered as he received an award in recognition for his documentary work spotlighting social justice and the Black Lives Matter Movement.
In addition, Williams is on the board of directors of The Advancement Project, a social reform organization whose initiatives include immigrant justice and ending the school to prison pipeline. Williams is also an executive producer of Question Bridge: Black Males, “a transmedia art project designed to represent and redefine Black male identity in America.” More recently, his Tony nominated turn in “Take Me Out” has created dialogue around LGBTQ+ representation on stage and in the arena of sports.
Whole Lotta Libra
Williams’ desire to bring these issues into the light of public consciousness and discourse is very much in alignment with his Libra stellium. Libra is the sign of scales and balances, it is driven by partnership and ever seeking the resolution of disparity. Jesse has his moon, Pluto, Jupiter and Saturn all in the sign of Libra. This clustering of energy suggests that it is through partnerships and the pursuit of equanimity that Jesse will find restriction, expansion, regeneration and emotional fulfillment. In this way, with this stellium, the regal lion is imbued with the refined, resolute spirit of the diplomat.
Williams reflected on the power of collaboration in an interview with NPR, “I’m inspired by other people, right? I’m not doing anything alone…It’s a real heroic effort happening collectively. And that’s something I’m proud of…I’m proudest of collaboration; I’m not proudest of any independent action.”
Honoring the heroic efforts of the collective to bring about positive change and total equality is perhaps the most quintessential blending of the energies of Leo and Libra and the most powerful aspect of Williams’s birth chart.
Nude or not, on stage or on screen, we bow to your beauty Jesse, and revere your roar.
Astrology 101: Your guide to the stars
- The 12 zodiac signs
- What are the astrology houses?
- Here’s what each planet represents
- Sun, moon and rising signs: Get to know your Big 3
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience. She is also an accomplished writer who has profiled a variety of artists and performers, as well as extensively chronicled her experiences while traveling. Among the many intriguing topics she has tackled are cemetery etiquette, her love for dive bars, Cuban Airbnbs, a “girls guide” to strip clubs and the “weirdest” foods available abroad.
