Only Scorpios Allowed: The Astrology of Grace Kelly’s 1969 Birthday Party 

The infamous Scorpio Ball took place on November 15, 1969, to mark Grace Kelly’s 40th birthday. As the crowned Princess of Monaco and Hollywood royalty, she threw a gala that would go down in history as the most decadent and mystical event to take place at the upscale Hotel Hermitage in Monte Carlo. It is often seen as a stunning display of the golden age of glamour’s infatuation with the stars, as well as our ongoing fixation with the cosmos.

It was so profound at the time because the Princess of Monaco limited the guest list to Scorpios and their dates, who didn’t have to be the same sign. The attire was strictly black and white to match the vibrant red decor, a dream for the scorpion, who uses profound sentiment to aspire to transcendence and intrigue. Their stingers, represented by their intense aura and red hues at the ball, reflect their insatiable thirst for power; nothing says that more than a clandestine soirée for the elite with strict entry rules. It is a definite, defiant flex for the sign that makes its own rules.

Josephine Baker and Rock Hudson were present, adding to the total head count of 40 people. If the red walls could talk, there would be a lot of scandalous gossip circulating, which is all the more reason for a medium to do a reading in the arena. I bet you can’t guess which signs attended that weren’t Scorpios. Richard Burton, a Scorpio, brought his wife, Elizabeth Taylor, a Pisces, as his date. Prince Rainier III, a Gemini, attended with his wife, the guest of honor. Beyond that, we really don’t know what other zodiac signs were at the reception, only that the party was kept under wraps, except for a few photos.

Of course, Princess Grace married a Gemini: the two signs are an odd pairing that connects easily. Gemini’s planetary ruler is Mercury, the only deity welcome in the underworld, where Pluto, the modern guardian of Scorpio, resides. Their love affair defies time because they share a similar sense of humor and enjoy an intellectual and emotional battle of wits. Plus, they never judge their mischievous actions.

Pisces and Scorpio are kindred spirits, possibly one of the best astrological pairings. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton had an affair that many, including themselves, regarded as soulmate material. Another Scorpio-Pisces couple at the bash was Hjördis Paulina Genberg and David Niven. See, I told you the water signs have an enigmatic and intuitive association that endures.

As we are in the thick of Scorpio season, it’s important to note that Grace Kelly’s iconic celebration was brought back into the limelight at the time of Mercury retrograde in Scorpio, due to Kris Jenner wearing the iconic cape that Elizabeth Taylor sported in 1969 at the All’s Fair premiere, which highlighted a reimagining of the party in the first episode. Most of the characters relate to being a Scorpio and claim that it is part of their “core identity,” which is the reason for the drama in the scene.

The party was such a success because a Scorpio stellium occurred on November 15, 1969: the sun, Mercury, Venus, and Neptune were all in Scorpio, adding mysticism and enchantment to the energy. The moon in Aquarius highlighted the need for a community to pay homage; the Scorpio planets connect with the event’s secrecy. Grace Kelly, who was born on November 12, 1929, was undergoing immense transits at the time; her natal Uranus in Aries was opposing transiting Uranus in Libra, offering a change of tune, and her Neptune in Virgo was being aspected by Pluto in Virgo, revolutionizing her interest in the occult. One thing is for sure: Princess Grace was undergoing her own transformation and revival, which her astrologer Carroll Righter probably drew to her attention.