Gryphon Astrology Blog

James Kim’s death is shocking and tragic, and it stands as a harsh reminder of the dangers of untamed nature. When an astrologer sees a tragically early death such as this one, the inevitable question always arises: Could an early death be located in James Kim’s natal horoscope? The answer is yes, and ancient astrologers spent much of their time doing just that, looking for death in all manner of birth charts. People, and especially children, up to a hundred years ago in the West, and still in many places today, often died unexpectedly and prematurely. As a result, many parents wanted to know whether their children would outlive infancy, or whether a potential wife would survive birth of any children.

Below is James Kim’s horoscope set for Louisville, Kentucky, for noon. I do not have the precise time of James Kim’s birth, and noon charts are quite satisfactory when it comes to public events. However, if you have a reliable source for his time of birth, do let me know (nina@gryphonastrology.com).

Indicators of an Early Death in James Kim’s Horoscope

There are several alarming factors here, none of which would be problematic on its own, but when we get to about five indicators that show health problems or threats to life, we start to worry.

First, we notice that Venus, ruler of the first house of the body, is conjunct the malefic South node, and afflicts (and is afflicted by) the Sun. The Sun, of course, is the Lord of life, and afflictions to it will often show that the individual’s grasp on life is tenuous to some degree. Second, this whole mess opposes Mars in Aquarius in the fifth house of pleasure. Mars in Aquarius is in the detriment of the Sun, so we can see that Mars, a violent planet, afflicts the Sun not only by opposition, but also by negative reception. Mars opposite Sun, especially when combined with other difficult indicators, can give us accident proneness. Aquarius signifies places that are high and wild. Given the fact that James Kim met death in the wilderness, we can see the influence of Mars in Aquarius in full force.

There are also additional indicators specific to this noon chart, so while they are helpful, they must be taken with a grain of salt. Together, however, they are quite suggestive. We notice that the Lord of the ascendant, which is the Lord of life, also rules the eighth house of death. The Moon is in the malefic sixth house; as the secondary indicator of life, this is not good. Finally, we notice that the antiscion of the Sun is conjunct the cusp of the eighth house of death. Yikes!

Prima Hyadum: The Chief of the Weeping Sisters (Pleiades)

I am also concerned about the fact that Saturn, which in this chart is placed in the eighth house of death, is conjunct Prima Hyadum, a malefic fixed star. It is of the nature of Saturn and Mercury, so one interpretation would be death (Saturn in the 8th) from journeys (Mercury). Further, it is said to give “tears, sudden events, violence, fierceness, poisoning, blindness, wounds or injuries to the head by instruments, weapons or fevers, and contradictions of fortune.” Because Saturn moves so slowly, many people have Saturn on this violent fixed star. However, Saturn’s location in the eighth house indicates that Saturn and any associated stars will describe the manner of death.

The next installment in the series will discuss the progressions in James Kim’s horoscope at the time of his death, and the way that the natal chart was triggered to indicate an untimely, tragic death.

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