I was deeply moved two weeks ago when presenting a death chart to my client Leslie (I only use pseudonyms) because I was able to witness astrology’s profound capacity to bring about healing and transformation.
Leslie lost her beloved daughter, Meredith, who died at age 43. When a parent loses a child, even when the child is grown, it creates a rupture in the natural order of life. Parents expect to outlive their children. When they don’t their grief is heavy. In Leslie’s case, the circumstances around Meredith’s death made it even more difficult.
In our initial correspondence Leslie mentioned that one of the reasons for setting up the appointment was that she kept forgetting that Meredith was dead, even though fifteen years had passed. To me this was a possible indication of unresolved grief.
When I cast the death chart for Meredith, it was truly stunning. There were five planets in the 12 house, associated with murkiness and a marker for endings. The Moon, the planet of emotions, which also represents the body, was closely conjunct Pluto, a symbol of death and loss of control. Also, in close conjunction to the Moon-Pluto was the Moon’s North node, representing movement towards the soul’s evolution. These three points close together suggest that Meredith was embracing death emotionally, physically, and on a soul level. The Sun, representing her vitality and consciousness, was also conjunct Pluto, another affirmation of being in alignment with death, all in the twelfth house of endings.
In the first house, the immediate situation surrounding the death, Neptune was conjunct Chiron-an indicator of health problems or illness along with the planet of illusion and disappointment. This symbolism suggested that the death was complex, confusing, and possibly even disturbing.
When Leslie and I met, I started with two most important things I thought she should know. First that her daughter was physically, emotionally and spiritually aligned with her life ending, and second that the situation surrounding her death was very complicated and unclear. Tears ran down Leslie’s face as she heard this.
She shared that Meredith began having health problems centering primarily around fatigue and exhaustion in her late thirties. She visited doctors who told her to exercise, more, eat better, and prescribed anti-depressants. When nothing improved, she was prescribed a new anti-depressant. By the time she was 42 she was too ill to work and moved in with her mom. After visiting specialists Meredith was diagnosed with a rare and difficult to treat heart condition. One fateful night when Meredith suffered from extreme difficulty breathing Leslie rushed her daughter to the emergency room. During surgery she suffered a massive stroke and was put on life support.
Days passed until finally the doctors told Leslie there was no chance of recovery. She had to make the terrible decision to terminate her daughter’s life support. After holding Meredith’s hand and saying her goodbyes, she gave permission. Meredith’s life ended. For the next fifteen years she blamed herself for her daughter’s death.
Leslie grieved and went to therapists. She joined bereavement groups, but nothing helped. The Death Chart information, with its intense Pluto conjunctions, allowed me to see very clearly the cosmic correspondence between Meredith’s final breath and her complete readiness to transition to the other side. It affirmed that Leslie would experience confusion and disappointment about the illness and the death. (Chiron conjunct Neptune.) When the session was complete Leslie shared her profound gratitude. She said that hearing what was mirrored in the heavens at the final moment of Meredith’s life, gave her permission to forgive herself.
The death of a loved one is devastating, and often the person left behind questions decisions they made, has regrets, and struggles with guilt. Understanding the horoscope cast for the date, place and time of death can bring a cosmic perspective and help the client move towards healing.
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