The Astrology of Jeff Buckley: A Study in Life and Death
#2 in a series on the astrology of famous historical figures
Jeff Buckley was an American singer-songwriter born on November 17th, 1966 in Anaheim, California on the 33rd parallel. He first emerged from New York City’s avant-garde scene in 1993 when he recorded his first EP for Columbia records. He was soon recognized as one of the most remarkable music artists of his time. His first full-length album Grace was released in August of 1994 and brought him critical acclaim and commercial success. In 1997 he moved to Memphis Tennessee and was preparing to begin rehearsals for his second album. On the day that rehearsals were to begin he drowned in a tragic accident while swimming in the Wolf River Harbor. In the years since his passing his musical legacy has continued to grow.
On November 12th 1966. five days before his birth, there was a total solar eclipse at 19° Scorpio. The eclipse squared his natal ascendant located at 19° Leo. The North and South Nodes are the points at which eclipses occur. These eclipse points are where the Moon’s orbital paths crosses the path of the Sun. The Nodes are also known as Rahu and Ketu, the Dragon’s Head and the Dragon’s Tail. The Nodes play a significant role in the astrology of Jeff Buckley’s life and death.
Jupiter/Moon opposition
The Moon in a natal chart describes the emotional nature. When in an air sign it shows an individual who gains emotional satisfaction through communication and understanding (Harvey p.74). Aquarius brings “expression that is distant, individualistic, and with a great tendency toward abstraction” (p.49 Avelar).
The planet Jupiter bestows growth, opportunity, and benevolence (Harvey p 82). When Jupiter is in Leo, there is a need to follow the heart’s lead in search of grand visions of love (Arroyo p 93). Moon with Jupiter brings optimism and a philosophical outlook; the native has a desire to protect and ‘shepherd’ others. They are emotionally expansive and restless (Tompkins 144). There is a tendency to exaggeration and unrealistic expectations in matters of the heart (Avelar 126). The Jupiter/Moon opposition creates tension between the desire for inner personal satisfaction and the need to express an idealized version of the self.
This Intellectual curiosity combined with artistic intuition would lead to an exploration of a wide range of musical styles. Early on Jeff worked with Captain Beefheart guitarist Gary Lucas in the band Gods and Monsters that they formed together. Later he would work with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, renowned Pakistani singer of qawwali music. Jeff would also draw inspiration from his own semi-famous father, Tim Buckley, who had recorded innovative music in a jazz-folk fusion style during the 1960s and early 70s.
Mars/Saturn opposition
This is a good combination for a life that requires strength, force, and courage. When young the individual may find themselves in situations where control and discretion must be used (Tompkins). Jeff grew up in a chaotic living environment; his mother moved often and her interpersonal relations could be explosive. Competitive and self-conscious, the Mars/Saturn person has the ability to control the will so that great things can be accomplished. However, if the will is thwarted for too long, violence or mental illness may ensue (Tompkins). Buckley described his upbringing as white trailer trash. Even though physical resources were limited, he did grow up in an emotionally supportive atmosphere that encouraged his interest in music. His mother was a trained musician and his step-father introduced him to the music of Led Zeppelin. The Mars/Saturn pairing is a notoriously difficult one. The dark energies that emanate from these two planets may have been held at bay by the warm aspects connecting them to the Sun, Mercury, and Venus.
Pluto/Uranus conjunct with Mars
Pluto and Uranus add themes of ruthless ambition, and innovation. Combined with Mars’ ability to get things done result in the development of special technical skills. Hard work and mastery of a new modern vocal style made for band performances that Jimmy Page once described as frightening.
Sun/Venus conjunction
This placement gives popularity with the women due to the easy going, loving, and affectionate nature that it brings. Refined tastes with artistic talent is common. Peace loving types who are charitable and giving, they must be careful not to draw in a more negative sort who would take advantage of them.
Sun/Mercury conjunction
Here we find the infamous Icarus who flew too close to the Sun on the wings made for him by his father. Another character representing this combination is Bellerophon who was thrown from the winged Pegasus for his presumptuousness.
Mercury/Mars (sextile)
This is a particularly incisive contact for turning ideas into beneficial projects worth the time and effort required. In this chart Mercury is in the sign of Scorpio and Mars is in Virgo. When two planets are in each others domiciles, and they are in aspect, it is called mutual reception. Mutual reception allows for a supercharging of potentials as the planets are granted access to the place where they draw the greatest power (Avelar).
Leo Ascendant
The natal ascendant or rising sign is at 19° Leo. The Sun as the ruler of Leo is also the ruler of the nativity as a whole. The Sun in this chart is at 25° Scorpio and is in the 4th house. This placement brings respect for foundational principles, ancestors, grand-parents, parents, and the father in particular. Early childhood experience will prefigure later life experience. The Sun is well placed in the strong angular 4th house. This increases the confidence that naturally comes from having a Leo rising. An authoritative and self-assured manner is made reflective and emotional because it is in a water sign. The Scorpio Sun is guarded, persistent, and intense. The Sun symbolizes the mind. When he is strong he will know his own unique life’s direction (p 70 Harvey). Drawing from the well of his talented musician parents, he was exposed from the beginning to past musical genius. A music critic once wrote of his father, Tim Buckley, that he and Van Morrison were the two most expressive voices in contemporary music.
Neptune
Neptune in the 4th house brings great sadness around the experience of the father due to his actual or perceived unavailability and uncommunicative nature (Greene p.378). Jeff’s father died when he was quite young. In 1975 he succumbed at the age of 28 from what was probably an accidental heroin overdose. There was no evidence that he had injected the heroin; it was speculated that he snorted the drug thinking it was cocaine.
Neptune conjunct Mercury
The planet next to Neptune is Mercury. This is the signature of the gifted storyteller. Neptune’s inner world of symbols and images is brought to life by Mercury. Through his story telling capabilities Mercury creates a world of ideas more vivid than the one we live in (Greene p.420).
The 4th House, South Node, and Neptune
The 4th house signifies the father, the home, ancestors, the end of life, the circumstances surrounding it, what happens after death, and the grave. Death by drowning is particularly relevant (Houlding p.69). The South Node appears first in the 4th house at 15° Scorpio followed by Neptune at 22° Scorpio. When the South Node is joined by a malevolent planet the evil is extremely augmented (CA p.34). Neptune, Uranus and Pluto, are considered by traditional astrologers to have a largely malefic influence over our lives. Neptune, the God of the Seas, represents illusion, addiction, confusion, diffusion, dissipation, ship wrecks, and drowning. The South Node magnifies these dark potentials.
We might hope for a more positive sign somewhere in the chart to help counter all of this bad energy. Instead we get a trine from Neptune at 22° Scorpio to Saturn at 22° Pisces in the 8th house of death. In addition, Neptune and Saturn both complete a trine to the 12th house cusp located at 22° Cancer giving us a grand trine in water signs. The 12th house is a malefic house that signifies hidden enemies and incapacitation.
28 Aspects!
If we exclude the Sun and Moon and look at the other eight planets we find a rather unique characteristic of the chart. Each of the eight planets makes an aspect to the other seven planets. For example the Sun is conjunct Neptune, Mercury, and Venus; sextile to Pluto, Mars, and Uranus; and trine to Saturn. All of these aspects are with a 5° orb and most are in a remarkable 2°-3° orb. If we add up all of the other aspects that each of the planets make, there are 28 in total. Perhaps all of this cosmic energy worked in Jeff’s favor helping him to evolve into a singular and highly evocative artist.
Fixed Stars
“The influence of the fixed stars differs from that of the planets in being much more dramatic, sudden and violent. As a rule planetary effects are gradual and operate, comparatively slowly, one might almost say softly, where is the stars appear to exercise most of their influence in sudden, hard, vehement bursts, producing tremendous effects for short periods, and, after raising the natives to a great height, dropping them suddenly and bringing a series of dramatic and unexpected disasters. In other words, the fixed stars may elevate from poverty to the extreme height of fortune or vice versa, whereas the planets do not do so (1).”
The stars do not operate alone except when found on an angle. When a planet and a star are conjunct, the star’s effects are transmitted by the planet. The extent and magnitude of the effects are greatly magnified when the nature of the star and planet are the same. If their natures are different then the effects upon the planet are decreased or modified (p.94).
The following are descriptions of eight fixed stars associated with Jeff Buckley’s natal chart.
Almach (Alamak) — located at the left foot of Andromeda it is of the nature of Venus. It gives honor, eminence, and artistic ability (p.128). A magnitude-2 star, at 13° Taurus 46`, it is located 7` of arc past Jeff Buckley’s Medium Coeli (MC) or Midheaven.
Menkar — located in the jaw of the whale, it is of the nature of Saturn. Menkar brings disease, disgrace, ruin, injury from beasts, sickness, and loss of fortune (p.176). A magnitude-3 star, at 13° Taurus 51`, it is 12` of arc past his MC.
Ras Elased Australis (Algenubi) — located in the head of the Lion in the constellation Leo. It is of the nature of Saturn/Mars and has been called “He who rends”. It gives a bold and destructive nature with artistic appreciation and power of expression (p.123). A magnitude-3 star at 20° Leo 14`, it is 1° 4` past Jeff's ascendant.
Denebola — located in the tail of the Lion, it is of the nature of Saturn/Venus. It is associated with nobility and good judgment; it can also bring despair, regret, and anxiety (p.160-161). A magnitude-2 star, at 21° Virgo 9`, it falls 11` of arc before Jeff's Mars.
Unukalhai — is in the heart of the snake in the constellation Serpens. It is of the nature of Saturn/Mars. It is associated with intrigue, jealousy, and accidents. When this star is conjunct Neptune it brings “…genius, courageous, persistent, intuitive, evil environment, often criminal, trouble through opposite sex, bad for gain and marriage, violent death” (p.213-214). A magnitude-3 star at 21° Scorpio 36`, it falls 26` of arc before Buckley’s Neptune. When Jeff died on May 29, 1997. Unukalhai had moved 26` of arc to become exactly conjunct his natal Neptune.
Agena — is located in the right foreleg of the Centaur. It is of the influence of Venus/Jupiter. It gives position, friendship, refinement, morality, health and honor. When conjunct Mercury, gives great mental ability, sarcasm, material gain, speaking, writing, and championing the masses (p.116-117). A magnitude-1 star, at 23° Scorpio 19`, it falls 13` of arc before Jeff's Mercury.
Toliman (Bungula) — located at the left forefoot of the Centaur. It is of the nature of Venus/Jupiter. It gives beneficence, friends, refinement, and a position of honor. When combined with Venus “popular, artistic, and musical abilities, benefits from friends, danger from love affairs” (p.148-149). A magnitude-1 star at 29° Scorpio 03`, it is 1° 16` past Jeff's natal Venus.
Markab — located on the wing of Pegasus, it is of the nature of Mars/Mercury. It gives honor, riches, fortune, danger from fevers, cuts, blows, stabs, and fire, and a violent death. Combined with Saturn “born in poverty, prison, or asylum, may be abandoned, hard life, in prison for crime, few friends, unfavorable for domestic matters, death under similar conditions to birth” (p.174-175). The constellation Pegasus is associated with drowning, accidents, and catastrophes. A magnitude-2 star at 23° Pisces 01`, it is located 3` past Jeff's natal Saturn and both are in his 8th house of worries, obsession, and death.
Stars 1-3 are of the nature of Venus, Saturn, and Saturn/Mars, because these stars fall on angles they do not modify any planetary energies. They do however emphasize the malefic energies found elsewhere on the chart.
Star 4 Denebola is of the nature of Saturn/Venus, primarily Saturn as it is listed first. This malefic Saturn energy combines with his natal Mars to emphasize the more negative qualities of anxiety, regret, and despair.
Star 5 Unukalhai is of the nature Saturn/Mars and brings out the already malefic energies of Neptune and its connotations of intrigue, jealousy, accidents, and violent death. This conjunction placed in the angular 4th house of beginnings/endings, drownings, and family legacy would seem to be especially unfortunate considering the tragic ending of Jeff Buckley’s life.
Star 6 Agena is of the nature of Venus/Jupiter. Here the Star modifies the planet of Mercury, associated with the intellect and communications, adds refinement, friendship, and honor.
Star 7 Bungle is also of the nature of Venus/Jupiter and here modifies the planet Venus to make her even stronger in the characteristic strengths of music, art, and friendship. Interestingly when Bungle is combined with Venus it brings danger from love affairs, perhaps due to having too much of a good thing.
Star 8 Markab is of the nature of Mars/Mercury, primarily Mars. Combining with the malefic planet Saturn brings increased danger from violent accidents and death. In Buckley’s natal chart Mars and Saturn form a close opposition to each other. The opposition brings themes of conflict and division. Both planets are positioned close to malefic stars allowing for dramatic expansion of negative energies. The Mars/Saturn opposition is strikingly mirrored in the pairing of the stars. Mars with Unulkalhai and its Saturnine influence; Saturn with Markab and its Martian influence. It is unfortunate that the circumstances surrounding Jeff Buckley’s death confirms these particular celestial influences of violence and intrigue.
The 27 Club
Jeff was not a member of the 27 club, the group of famous musicians, singers and other celebrities that all famously died at the age of 27. The club includes Robert Johnson, the influential bluesman who was alleged to have sold his soul at the crossroads.
The astrological explanation given for the early demise of these famous personalities relates to each of them having strong Uranus/Saturn connections on their birth charts. These connections to Uranus help to explain their unique personalities and ground breaking artistic visions. after the 27th birthday Uranus transits its natal position by trine (120°) while at the same time Neptune transits its natal position by sextile (60°). In addition to rebelliousness and eccentricity, Uranus signifies violence, evil, and separation. Neptune adds in illusion, diffusion, and uncertainty to the mix. Activating these energies in a chart where they are already strong may result in disaster.
Saturn in the 8th House
In Jeff’s chart, Uranus is in a partile opposition to Saturn in the 8th house. Pluto and Mars join Uranus to make an explosive four-some. This fierce quartet of planets should have made Jeff an excellent candidate for the 27 club. Even though he did survive the Uranus/Neptune transits of his 27th year, there may have been other astrological factors that contributed to his eventual demise at the age of 30.
The Solar Return Chart
The Solar return chart is cast for the time when the Sun returns to its exact natal position on a given year. The chart gives information for what lies ahead in the coming year. Looking at Jeff’s solar return chart for his 30th year shows the possibility of troubles ahead.
The inside wheel is the birth chart. The outside wheel shows where the planets were transiting on Jeff’s 30th birthday. We can see that transiting Saturn has returned to the sign of Pisces and is in his 8th house. When Saturn is transiting through the 8th house it is not uncommon to lose someone close. Usually someone older and closer to the grave such as a grandparent. The malefic South Node is also in the 8th house and conjunct Saturn. The South Node increases Saturn’s evil. Further inspection of the chart reveals transiting Neptune to be within 01` of arc to a perfect sextile with the natal Sun. This provides the third testimony of possible disaster. This final bit of information affecting the natal Sun would raise concerns of safety for the owner of the chart himself.
Transits on May 29, 1997
On the day of Jeff Buckley’s death there were multiple planets in the sky activating the Pluto/Mars/Uranus/Saturn conflagration on the natal chart.
Mars had returned to within 1° of its natal position. The transiting South Node at 25° Pisces was within 2° of the group of four while the Moon at 18° Pisces was approaching from the other side 2° away. Transiting Venus was squaring at 23° Gemini. All of these transiting planets are in the mutable signs of Virgo, Pisces, and Gemini. They are mutable signs because they come at the end of each season and indicate the coming change.
The other stellium of planets in the natal chart is also being activated. Transiting Mercury is within a 1° opposition of the South Node. Transiting Jupiter at 21° Aquarius is within a 1° square of the natal Neptune and Unukalhai, the Head of Snake. Jupiter is also about to descend over the western horizon giving a symbolic representation of things ending. As if to emphasize this symbol of ending, transiting Pluto, planet of death and rebirth, is at 04° Sagittarius in a partile trine to the natal Jupiter. Sagittarius is another mutable sign. Transiting Neptune is within 2° of a sextile to the natal Venus.
The final section of the natal chart is the Moon/Jupiter opposition. We have already mentioned that transiting Pluto is in close contact with Jupiter. The transiting Sun along with the transiting Uranus are in a partile trine at 08° and are both forming close aspects to the natal Jupiter/Moon opposition.
The only transiting planet that does not have a close contact to the natal chart is Saturn at 17° Aries. Even here we find an important signifier as Saturn is applying by trine to the natal ascendant at 19° Leo.
I am not sure how an event chart, showing the transits at the time of death, could have more bad omens presaged. Astrology brings us to the unfortunate conclusion that events are sometimes out of our control. Then again, you have to wonder if an astrologer had come to Jeff that day and told him not to go swimming if he might still be alive.
Jeff Buckley and friends' dedication playlist