Recently I heard a program on NPR about Billy Williams, the amazing man who spent years with the elephants in Burmese jungles. A book about him made the New York Times bestseller list. James Howard Williams (“Elephant Bill” or “Billy” Williams) was born on 15 November 1897 in St Just, Cornwall, UK (time unknown). He died on 30 July 1958).
His chart is striking for its stellium in Scorpio, showing great determination and intensity. Williams had a profound sensitivity to the secret language of elephants who are able to communicate over long distances through low frequency vibrations which are inaudible to the human ear. Williams could apparently feel such vibrations in his chest as the elephants spoke to one another.
I’m not sure what astrological factors show his great love of elephants who became his mentors and best friends. Intimate one-to-one relationships are shown by the house opposite the Ascendant. Since we don’t know his time of birth, we can’t determine the sign ascending. It is interesting, though, that his Scorpio stellium in the 3rd decan of that sign lies opposite the 3rd decan of Taurus, which Ibn Ezra and Picatrix associated with elephants.
Billy Williams Natal Chart, Noon positions (time unknown), Solar sign houses.
Here is a quote from a review of the book about him entitled Elephant Company:
“Billy Williams came to colonial Burma in 1920, fresh from service in World War I, to a job as a “forest man” for a British teak company. Mesmerized by the intelligence, character, and even humor of the great animals who hauled logs through the remote jungles, he became a gifted “elephant wallah.” Increasingly skilled at treating their illnesses and injuries, he also championed more humane treatment for them, even establishing an elephant “school” and “hospital.” In return, he said, the elephants made him a better man. The friendship of one magnificent tusker in particular, Bandoola, would be revelatory. In Elephant Company, Vicki Constantine Croke chronicles Williams’s growing love for elephants as the animals provide him lessons in courage, trust, and gratitude.”
“But Elephant Company is also a tale of war and daring. When Imperial Japanese forces invaded Burma in 1942, Williams joined the elite Force 136, the British dirty tricks department, operating behind enemy lines. His war elephants would carry supplies, build bridges, and transport the sick and elderly over treacherous mountain terrain. Now well versed in the ways of the jungle, an older, wiser Williams even added to his stable by smuggling more elephants out of Japanese-held territory. As the occupying authorities put a price on his head, Williams and his elephants faced his most perilous test. In a Hollywood-worthy climax, Elephant Company, cornered by the enemy, attempted a desperate escape: a risky trek over the mountainous border to India, with a bedraggled group of refugees in tow. Elephant Bill’s exploits would earn him top military honors and the praise of famed Field Marshal Sir William Slim.”
If you have thoughts about elephants in this chart or about the amazing stellium in Scorpio, please leave a comment below.
Anthony Louis - Astrology & Tarot Blog 
I once read somewhere that the constellation the west named Scorpio was named Elephant by the east, India.
Reblogged this on Grandtrines.
I also have a Scorpio stellium of 5 planets. No elephant connection, though, lol. Being at home in “altered states of consciousness”, yes. I think that the South Node is associated with Ganesha, the elephant god in Vedic astrology, and his Moon is conjunct the South Node and makes the only square in the chart with Venus (who is at the bending of the nodes).
Beautiful and interesting! The stellium, of course, provides the laser focus. Fascinating that Ibn Ezra said that they were ruled by Taurus.