I watched 2004’s The Machinist recently and was shocked by how skinny Christian Bale was. He reportedly lost a whopping 62 pounds for his role as Trevor Reznik. I thought it would be interesting to briefly examine his chart to see if any indicators for extreme weight loss could be found.
We don’t have a birthtime for Christian Bale. In these instances, I like to use a Sunrise chart. This just positions the Sun on the Ascendant. We can then derive houses as “places from the sun”.
I usually use equal houses when I do a sunrise chart. It is NOT perfect, but it does work pretty well, in my opinion.
Christian Bale began his “diet” months prior to filming. But I’m setting the transits for around the time that filming began: Late May 2004.
The Transit Chart
Saturn
Transit Saturn is in the 6th house, square to Natal Pluto
Generally speaking, Saturn square Pluto is a harsh – sometimes CRUEL – aspect.
Saturn = Hardship, restriction
Pluto = Extremes, control.
6th House = Health, diet, routines.
Neptune
Transit Neptune is square to Natal Mars.
This is an aspect sometimes associated with physical weakness and the wasting away of muscles.
Additionally, Neptune in the first can either dissolve the identity or allow more fluidity or “shape-shifting” in a person’s identity.
The Solar Arc Chart
Some of Christian Bale’s significant Solar Arcs at this time are as follows:
Arc Uranus=Moon/Saturn: This can show nervous tension along with mental and emotional suffering. This is what The Machinist is about, when it comes down to it.
Arc Saturn also formed a T square with Natal Moon and Venus. This combination can show “cold feelings”, depression, and suffering through women – especially mothers. This is another very strong theme in The Machinist.
Moon also represents habits, comfort, and instincts – While Venus shows sensuality and comfort.
Saturn in aspect to both creates a barrier to these things.
