Whitney Houston has the Sun in Leo, the Moon in Aries and Pisces rising: one of the greatest singers of her time, with a fire-sign Sun and Moon in close harmony and a sensitive, gospel-trained soul underneath.

She was born at 8:55 in the evening on 9 August 1963 in Newark, New Jersey. Astro-Databank rates the time AA, from a birth record in hand. Her mother, Cissy Houston, was a gospel and session singer, and Whitney sang in the choir of New Hope Baptist Church in Newark as a girl. Her first two albums both went to number one in the United States, The Bodyguard (1992) became the best-selling soundtrack album of all time, and her performance of the national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl is still remembered. She died in 2012, aged 48.

Sun and Venus in Leo

Her Sun is at 16 degrees of Leo with Venus nearby at 11, both in the 6th house of work and craft. Leo is the sign of the performer and the heart, and Venus there brings warmth, glamour and a love of the grand gesture. The 6th house adds discipline: a voice trained from childhood, used with great technical control. Venus also squares Neptune, an aspect of a romantic, idealistic heart that can be easily hurt.

Moon and Jupiter in Aries, in the 1st house

Her Moon sits at 17 degrees of Aries, in a close trine to her Leo Sun: two fire signs in easy agreement, so what she wanted and what she needed pulled the same way. Jupiter, the planet of growth, is right beside the Moon in her 1st house. It gives an open, warm, larger-than-life presence and an emotional power that reached huge audiences. Aries also brings a quick temper and a fighting spirit.

Pisces rising, with a Sagittarius Midheaven

Pisces rising is soft, receptive and deeply musical, and it often belongs to people who absorb the feelings around them. Her Midheaven, the public role, is in Sagittarius, the sign of faith, which fits a singer whose sound came from the church. Mercury and Pluto meet in Virgo in her 7th house of partners: a sign of intense, life-changing relationships. Her marriage to the singer Bobby Brown, which ended in divorce in 2007, was often in the news, and she spoke openly about her struggle with addiction.

Compare your chart with hers

If you share her Leo Sun, her Aries Moon or her Pisces rising, add your details below to see how your chart meets hers. Aretha Franklin, a friend of the family and another singer raised on gospel, has her chart here.