Trixie Mattel - A Medieval Islamicate Astrology Birth Chart Reading
Trixie Mattel, a birth chart reading beyond the Sun, Moon and Rising
Who is Trixie Mattel?
Trixie Mattel is the stage name of Brian Michael Firkus, an American drag queen, television and YouTube personality, musician, DJ, and entrepreneur. In 2018, she won RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 3 and is arguably the most successful international drag artist to emerge from the Drag Race series.
Trixie Mattel’s A-Rated Birthchart from: AstroDatabank. Born on Wednesday, August 23, 1989, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, at 8 AM.
Trixie’s natal temperament reveals the foundation of her personality.
I’ve calculated Trixie’s natal temperament as mostly cold and dry. It tells us that she is drawn inward and keeps her cards close to her chest. She is grounded in what is objective and factual, and less driven by emotions when making decisions. She has the patience to see things through and a pragmatic, organized way of expressing herself and ordering her life.
The dryness in her temperament can make it difficult for her to cry or show vulnerable emotions outwardly. She may be slow to forgive and can hang onto hurt. The dryness and the coldness can make her rigid and stubborn, and someone who treasures their alone time. She can be overly critical and demanding of herself.
Trixie Mattel’s natal temperament, the foundation of her personality.
While this is her baseline, each of us changes in temperament from year to year. I would calculate her solar return temperament and compare it with her natal temperament to reveal how her personality shifts and how her soul changes its expression from year to year.
Trixie’s Moon reveals her inner world
This queen was born with her Moon in Taurus, which tells us she’s someone who is very in tune with physical comforts, she’s highly sensitive to smells and tastes, and may enjoy activities that bring her closer to nature. Fixed Earth Moons LIKE WHAT THEY LIKE and may resist change. This makes her fiercely loyal to her inner circle. She may also hate being rushed.
The ruler of the Moon (Venus for Trixie) is one of the Governors of the Soul.
Her Moon is ruled by a Venus in Libra in the 2nd whole sign house of finances, and material things that support her. With Venus ruling her Taurus 9th of long-distance travels and the exalted ruler of Pisces, the 7th house of partners, we can say she has made her living through key 1:1 partnerships, on a global/international scale.
Since her Moon is ruled by Venus, the goddess of glamour, love, music, friendship, hosting gatherings, art, and fine clothing, we can say these Venusian elements form a big part in the foundation of her inner world.
Ibn Labban says having the ruler of the Moon in a succedent house, and in good condition, makes for “natives who love being social, love praise, and are praiseworthy and are intelligent.” Al Rijal adds that she loves things that are “of the people”.
We see this in Trixie’s YouTube makeup tutorials, where she prefers many products that anyone could afford from CVS. Brands “of the people” like Wet n’ Wild, NYX, and Maybelline are among her favorites in her kit.
Her Moon is in the 5th Lunar Mansion — Al-Haqqah ﭐلْهَقْعَة
According to the ancient astrologers Abu Ma’shar and Al Buni, Trixie “will have struggled in the first part of their life, but find success in the second part of life. They will be able to make bad situations into good, and their luck will be mixed with struggle, and their struggles will conceal hidden fortune. They will be of good humor with a strong laugh.” (translation by professor and historian Dr. Ali Olomi)
Trixie has been open about her early years growing up with a verbally abusive step-father, who tormented the young Brian and mockingly called him “Trixie” for being effeminate and queer. Brian turned this experience into something positive by adopting the Trixie name professionally. Fans of her YouTube channel The Bald and the Beautiful will instantly recognize Trixie’s loud and iconic laugh. With the channel well on its way to 1M subscribers, she is hilarious and good-humored.
Even with all of this success, Trixie is frugal. Her strict self-control over her finances plays out in her chart with Venus squaring Saturn by close degree. Saturn is the planet of restriction, austerity, anxiety, and discipline. When asked how her relationship with money has changed since her win on Drag Race, Trixie says:
“I was the poorest kid in my school, poorest kid in my town, poorest family. That stayed with me forever. Even my highest-paying gigs now, I will still fully fight someone for $10. I don’t do anything expensive. I don’t do anything exciting.
I love guitars. I probably have nine guitars now. I love buying instruments but I write all that off. I’m very business-minded. I think that’s something that sets me aside from other drag queens.” —Trixie Mattel [3]
This tension between Venus and Saturn adds nuance and color to HOW this part of her personality is expressed.
Her Moon is found in the 3rd Decan of Taurus, which, according to astrologer Austin Coppock, “Their understanding of tragedy forces them to struggle with fear, but with time these natives develop not only a psychic sturdiness, but abundant foresight and an ability to lay plans which account for misfortune’s occasional visits.” [4]
Trixie’s Moon is in the 3rd Decan of Taurus, which corresponds to the 7 of Pentacles in the Tarot.
This Decan is ruled by Saturn in the astrological tradition and Saturn is the planet that signifies legacy and time. Trixie is mindful to build wealth and material support for herself that lasts for the long run.
The 9th Part of Trixie’s Moon is in Mercury.
The 9th part of the Moon tells us what she is naturally drawn towards. Mercury rules Gemini (her 10th house of reputation and career) and Virgo, the first house of personhood, physical appearance, and selfhood.
It’s so fitting that her 9th part is ruled by transformative Mercury, with its mutable signs validating that there is more than one physical expression of Trixie (male and female), and multiple career trajectories.
Furthermore, Mercury signifies technical skills, the non-binary, business and commerce, communication, translation, and transformation. As a drag artist, Trixie is an expert makeup artist with strong chops in business, songwriting, comedy, and broadcasting. All of these Mercurial traits color her personhood and help define how she’s made a name for herself.
Trixie’s Lot of the Hidden is in Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter in Cancer
The ancient astrologer Abu Ma’Shar says the Lot of the Hidden: “Speaks to the nature of the soul, the condition of the body's effect upon the soul, the values and creed of a person, the prophecy, God-consciousness, hidden matters, secrets, the inner thoughts, things which receive praise, and dignity, and the impulses of the person.” [5]
In her chart, the Lot of the Hidden is receiving a sign-based square from Mars. This can indicate a hidden, inner turmoil within her spirit, despite her popularity and outwardly showing that she’s doing ok.
We then examine the condition of Jupiter, the Lot's ruler. Jupiter is found in the east of her chart, in a succedent house, in Cancer, the sign of Jupiter’s exaltation. All this to say: This Jupiter is THAT GIRL. The astrologer al Isfahani (translated by Olomi) says that Jupiter draws the individual towards generosity, curiosity, and the joys of learning, study, and the mysteries. The Lot in Sagittarius tells us her soul is inclined towards younger people, scholars, the wealthy, and the powerful.
What’s more, Jupiter is in the 11th house, which is the place of its joy. Planets in their joys give gifts. For Trixie, it grants the favor of rulers, allies, and the will to accomplish all that she seeks. This is especially true since her Jupiter is powerful in Cancer, and very well supported by a powerful Moon in Taurus.
Jupiter does not have sight of the Lot of Hidden in her chart, suggesting Trixie may not always know how to pursue these matters, which she’s drawn to.
The astrologer Masha’allah writes: “If the Lord (of the Lot of the Hidden) is easterly or upon the angles, or found in the cardines or succedent places, then they are inclined towards following their destiny with satisfaction.” This is the case in Trixie’s chart, and she stands out as one of the few drag queens who has faithfully blazed her own trail, and has been steadfast in following her destiny.
The Medieval Islamicate methods of reading a birth chart can pull ALL THIS information JUST from the Moon and the Lot of the Hidden alone. We haven’t even touched her Rising or Sun sign.
Trixie’s Mercury reveals her intellect.
The second Custodian of the Soul is the planet that rules over the sign that Mercury is in.
Trixie’s Mercury is self-ruled in the sign of Virgo, giving Mercury double duty as it’s also the Governor of the Horoscope and a Custodian of the Soul. Mercury is also in the place of it’s joy, granting her “knowledge of the mind, enchanting speech, and discernment and rejoicing in conversation”. [5]
Al Rijal tells us that having the Custodian of the Soul in Virgo, a mutable sign, gives her the ability to be changeable as she pleases. She can be quick to change her mind, making her highly adaptable. She is a lover of many interests, including music. There’s a restlessness here, literally relocating from place to place. [1]
Masha’allah says that when the Custodian is in the east and angular (as her Mercury is), it makes her good-natured and skillful. It enables her to do whatever she sets her mind to do. This placement of Mercury in the Ascendant can explain the staying power she’s had in business.
She has many pursuits, but she has an unwavering focus thanks to this Mercury being angular in her chart and in its own sign.
Trixie’s Rising sign reveals the expression of her soul
Her birth chart has Mars in the first house with strength by angularity and triplicity. Al Rijal says this placement describes natives who will work alongside high society and will receive honors from them. He also says with Mercury, lord of the acendant in Virgo, near the ascendant degree that the native will live peacefully in their own home, in their own city. The native will be honored among their people and kin. [1]
This has come to pass as Trixie has purchased homes not only for herself in her hometown of Milwaukee but also for her mother. In Los Angeles, she’s also recently purchased a beautiful 1922 home, which she has renovated in a style that would make Venus proud. In the video below, we can also see the expression of Mercury in her Virgo, with exquisite order and careful attention to every detail.
Trixie’s Ascendant and Mercury is in the 3rd Decan of Virgo, which corresponds to the 10 of Pentacles in the Tarot.
This is another card that points to matters of legacy, age, time and prioritizing material stability for the future.
The 12th part of her Ascendant is in Taurus
Abu Ma’shar (translated by Olomi) says:
[Trixie] “will have a mark on their neck or shin, they will be joyous, and their laugh will be full of life. They shall tend to grow fast and their mind will be steady, able to weather difficulties. They will face the cruelty of an enemy in their youth and many will experience a bad fall when children. Their wealth will come from two sources and they will spend much of it on food and pleasures.
They will work in a trade with skill but repetition. They are quick to fall ill and quick to heal. They tire easily. They will have a great lust for sex. They will travel more in their youth than when they are older. Many are unchanging in their ways.” [5]
Without knowing Trixie personally, just this translation alone from Abu Ma’shar tells us so much of what we already know about Trixie Mattel. It speaks of her ability to weather difficulties, her wealth coming from more than one source, her busy travel schedule, and her steadfast, unchangeable nature.
Trixie is born with the Sun above the horizon, also angular in the first whole sign house, well-placed in the eastern part of the chart. When the Sun has a good placement in the chart and is within sight of Mercury, it boosts the good of this already-powerful Mercury.
With Mars and Mercury together in the same sign, she could have a tendency towards gossip or slander.
This reading barely scratches the surface.
This reading only scratches the surface of what a natal chart reading can reveal through the lens of the medieval Islamicate techniques restored and taught by my teacher, Dr. Ali Olomi. These techniques move us far beyond the basics of pop astrology’s Sun, Moon, and Rising. We can go into the hidden nature of a person’s soul, what they are secretly drawn to, and a deep, meaningful personality analysis.
I didn’t even get to the decan of her Ascendant from Abu Ma’shar, her Lot of Fortune, or the fixed stars, her indicators for fame and eminence, the triplicity lords of her destined light, the peaks and valleys of her firdaria, or her Lot of Religion, which would tell us how she orders her worldview. There’s SO MUCH MORE we could dig into, just in a natal consultation.
Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for more natal chart deep dives like this. My books are open for birth chart readings with limited availability over the holidays.
Next, I will be delineating the birth chart of Drag legend, and Trixie co-conspirator: Katya Zamolodchikova 💄
Sources:
[1] Al Rijal, El Libro Complido, Book 4, page 64, translated from Spanish by Ana Armendariz
[2] K ̄uˇsy ̄ar Ibn Labb ̄an, Introduction to Astrology, Edited and Translated by Michio Yano
[3] Ask a Genius: Why Trixie Mattel Never Checks Her Bank Account
[4] Austin Coppock, 36 Faces, page 85
[5] Dr. Ali A. Olomi podcast Head On History
