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Kennedy & Oswald: The Sudden Violence of Uranus/Mars

45 years ago today, President John F. Kennedy was murdered in Dallas, TX by Lee Harvey Oswald. Though far from his choosing, Kennedy is forever linked to Oswald in history. In this blog, we'll look at the central astrological theme between Kennedy and Oswald.

I have seen the combination of Uranus and Mars appear in instances of sudden violence repeatedly. It is no surprise to me how pronounced these planets are in looking at Kennedy (5/29/1917, 3pm, Brookline, MA) and Oswald (10/18/1939, 9:55pm, New Orleans, LA). JFK had his Uranus in Aquarius square Mars in Taurus, while Oswald had Uranus in Taurus square Mars in Aquarius. So, they had both Uranus and Mars triggering (no pun intended, sorry Jack) each other! If you cast a composite chart, you'll find a Uranus/Mars conjunction in the 8th House, which is associated with not only death, but also with a variety of hurtful exchanges, including assassination.

At the time of the assassination (approximately 12:30pm on 11/22/1963), Uranus was conjunct Pluto, and this combination was squaring Mars. When Oswald fired, Aquarius was rising, making Uranus the chart ruler, while Mars was in the public 10th House. Transiting Uranus was less than 2 degrees from squaring Kennedy's Sun. Oswald had transiting Saturn/Moon conjunct his 8th House Mars.

The solar return chart outlines the biographical themes a native may expect to experience in the coming year. Kennedy's solar return for his 46th year began in May, 1963. This chart features a Uranus/Mars/Moon/Pluto stellium on the Midheaven squaring a 7th House Sun. I don't believe events are cast in stone and JFK was destined to be murdered. Astrology portrays the themes, what I term the "energetic tendencies," or probabilites, that are relevant. We get a say in how things turn out! Nevertheless, this solar return chart is an ominous sign of impending catastrophe. The sudden violence of Uranus/Mars is paired with the deep-seated emotional wounding indicative of Pluto/Moon. All of this in aspect to a 7th House Sun does point to highly combustible interpersonal relations.  

So 45 years later, we honor JFK. In fact, we are welcoming another young President who promises hope and unity. I think Kennedy would be proud. Afterall, one of his greatest legacies was championing civil rights.