Traditional astrologers seem to like to predict death. Because traditional astrology is based in prediction and the concept of fate, the question of when a person will die becomes a subject of inquiry and analysis in the traditional modalities, whereas modern branches of astrology and certainly what I call "transformational" 'astrology is more concerned with the evolution of the personality and the soul and our ability to transform our karma and create our destiny. (You might be interested in my earlier article on this topic as well.)
In my personal theology, the chart is the karma that we are given, and our dharma, or soul work, is to maximize the potential of the chart and integrate the individual pieces that are often in conflict. As we begin to make conscious choices rather than using reactive impulses in our day-to-day life, we are able to change our destiny and create a magnificent life. This has been my experience as someone who has Saturn conjunct the Sun, Moon conjunct Pluto squared by Venus and Jupiter, and lots of other "bad" stuff in my chart, and this is what I teach my clients and students.
Theo White is a classical astrologer who has a new article out regarding the sudden rise of celebrity deaths over the past week, with the loss of major icons of popular culture (including Ed McMahon, Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Billy Mays within a 5-day period in June).
I have talked in these pages about the association of Jupiter with death. Although I do not believe we can predict death from the birthchart (the "malefiic" planetary cycles that are said to predict death are experienced by people every day without resulting in death), we can often look back at the transits at the time of death and see what the quality of the death experience would have been for that individual. Pluto can show a violent death; Saturn can bring a difficult one. Jupiter in the death chart often shows a liberation of the soul, and when Uranus is present there can be a surprising event that causes sudden death.
Theo makes an interesting connection to the nodes of the Moon and this cluster of celebrity deaths:
These rising death rates often accompany the transits of Jupiter, and are also associated with the transiting Nodes of the Moon at this time, are along the Aquarius/Leo axis and reducing towards changing quality onto the Capricorn/Cancer axis in late August 2009.
During the month of June 2009, the Lunar Nodes are at their strongest along the 0-1 degrees along the Leo/Aquarius.
The Leo/Aquarius axis is ruled by the Sun, Saturn, and Uranus, and is often associated with congestive heart failure, and accidents. Many of the notable deaths have been reported as involving those who suffered heart attacks.
The lunar Nodes (these are actually points where the Moon's orbit intersects with the orbit of the Sun) travel at a variable rate of speed but they slowed down to a crawl in June, making an effective station (standstill) at the zero point on the Leo/Aquarius axis. The Nodes will remain at the zero point into the middle of August, coinciding with the strongest linkage of Jupiter, Chiron and Uranus.
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Cindy the correlation of the opposition of Jupiter and Pluto is interesting with your sister having almost died (Pluto) and then having been rescued (Jupiter), potentially to fulfill her destiny (Nodes). I'm sure that as Viator says there were other factors involved but in the context of this comments section not everyone is an experienced astrologer, and we like to give these people an opportunity to experiment and discuss things without jumping all over them.
My goodness ! So much to comment on here, and another interesting choice for an article.
Seems like Viator is trying to *apply* 'traditional' parameters to the 'modern' version of astrology...which is probably not a very useful exercise. Comparisons may be educational, but trying to *apply* sounds futile.
I like to say that modern astrology is an art / science because I think it is more or less that. But that's just a label. No matter what you call it, or claim it to be, the real test for your choice of astrology (which of course may be a mix of types and methods, hopefully mixed with awareness) is empirical. On that score I can say with confidence that with modern astrology, it is possible to predict the event of death in a human life, just as it's possible to predict the death of anything else...the life of a building, a pet, a relationship, and so forth (although 'predict' is a loaded term and needs to be qualified).
This prediction, however, may not be possible when one merely 'thinks' one wants to do it. It's a matter of whether Fate *allows* one to do it. The entry of Fate into the picture of astrological prediction is the entry of a special dimension into one's practice.
To change the subject...for relationships Lynn has some real tough natal aspects, for sure. Of course she cannot provide in the context of a short online article all the data needed to prove the point cited re. the life of relationships with her close others. But to create a brief scenario here as an example...if a person has had 'unsatisfactory' relationships of the significant kind for 40 years, and by the end of this period transit Uranus has come to the cusp of the 7th House, you can pretty well say there will soon be a change to that particular status quo (and time it to boot), especially as the native's own Uranus will be at / near the Ascendant if the Uranus opposition is also present...in which case there may first be a crisis of personality. And depending on other accompanying factors, and if the native does not at the time have a significant other, you might well be able to add whether the entry of Uranus into the 7th will bring a new relationship and whether it will be more promising than those of the past (because, e.g., there is a chance to make it so with a renewed personality and the more hospitable accompanying energies).
Thanks Yoshi, these are excellent points. I'd also like to add that the choices that the individual makes in a lifetime has tremendous bearing on how the chart unfolds. For example, a client has Mars conjunct Pluto and has experienced abuse in her life. She repeatedly attracts situations and relationships that will play out this dynamic of abuse. Once this pattern is called to her attention, she can make the choice to change that pattern in a conscious way, and delve more deeply into the fears that keep her locked in the negative pattern. Or she can continue to react instinctively from the emotion of the chart and remain stuck forever. THIS is where free will comes in. The karma is in the chart - that is fated. But what we do with the chart becomes our destiny.
Yes, Lynn...it's true...choice is important...if we are living in our normal dualistic world.
Things cannot be left to slide on their own without untoward consequences, usually.
My feeling, though, is that so-called 'free will' is not actually as free as we like to assume. Everything is all determined as to what takes place...our choices, or lack of them, and the consequences...yet we must choose (by choosing to play the game of making choices...and our choices may lead to more or less acceptable results and thus we may experience some satisfaction, or even happiness). This predetermination is revealed by accurate predictions of the future made in the present moment (by prophets, clairvoyants, etc).
This does not make sense from a logical point of view, but only if we bring in paradox.
Otherwise, how would something like 'wu wei' work...the way of not-doing, of not imposing our 'will' to act, our effort in making a difficult choice ?
Wu wei only works if one lives within the dimension of paradox. And if it works, then paradox must be a reality...a dimension of existence, so to speak.
The reality of paradox will always be a mystery...and a mystery is essentially unexplainable. As they say it is with life as Tao / Tao as one's life ( whereby astrology might become unnecessary...fancy that !!! ).
A little late in the life of this article maybe, but wanted to get back
to set this down...thanks !!!
Hi Cindi and Yoshi
As a final comment: the method shown here is merely playing tags.
An event perspires, some transits are active, conclusion: they must be responsible for what happened! Somebody almost died, hey, that’s Pluto! But she didn’t die: hey that’s Jupiter! It must be her destiny; hey that’s the nodes!
Nobody has to be an experienced astrologer, but you can at least show some respect to the métier you’re presenting here.
Don’t make it a game of tags and then claiming that’s proof of anything.
Now I’m of to France.
Fare well
Viator
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