Death in the Horoscope: James Kim (Progressions)
December 11, 2006 by admin
One of my astrological interests has long been determining death in the chart; many other astrologers (and people in general) prefer not to go there. This may have to do with our modern attitude toward death. We are simply not very comfortable with it. And yet, it is a huge part of life, and I feel is best to come to terms with it sooner rather than later. This is one reason why I have been very interested in the chart of James Kim, the Californian who died in Oregon a few weeks ago, while trying to get help for his stranded family. Specifically, I wanted to understand exactly what it was in his chart that would show such an unfortunate fate.
Last week, I looked at potential influences in his natal horoscope, and today, I will look at what was going on in his progressed chart, which is simply the natal horoscope moved forward to a specific point in time. That point will have been the approximate date of death.
We see an odd combination of factors at work in his horoscope, with factors showing bodily danger but also indications of fame. It is fair to say that Kim was never so famous as after his death. Most ominously, we notice that progressed Venus, which rules the natal eighth house of death, opposes the natal Moon in the malefic sixth house. I did not like this Moon much in the natal chart due to its essential weakness and bad location. Regardless of what Kim’s horoscope looked like and where that Moon is actually placed (since we are using only a noon chart), it is clear that a potentially difficult contact to it would be very serious.
We also see that the progressed Sun is entering the highly malefic 12th house – as the Sun is the indicator of life, entering the house of self undoing is not a good thing.
And yet, we also see indications of fame, at least in the noon chart, which seems to be fairly efficacious for this purpose. The Sun is about to sextile the Midheaven, a traditional indicator of fame or enhanced public standing. The progressed Moon is approaching the Midheaven, another hint of renown. I imagine that it can had not died, this would have been a very good year for him in his career. Sadly, it proved otherwise.
Death in the Horoscope: James Kim
December 8, 2006 by admin
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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