John Lennon's divine gift

John Lennon with his collaborators

One of the greatest artists, if not the greatest, of the 20^th century was John Lennon. He rose to fame as the founder and creative force of the Beatles, a band whose contribution helped to redefine the world in the 1960s. Based on first hand information about his birth time, an Aries rising horoscope has been rectified for him. It explains perfectly his significant personality, contributions and life events.

Biography

John Winston Lennon was born in the “early evening” of October 9, 1940 in Liverpool, England [see appendix]. He was raised by his Aunt Mimi, as both of his parents were incapable of raising him. His mother, Julia Stanley, died in an accident when he was a teenager, after having re-entered his life. His father, Alfred Lennon, a sailor, appeared in his life after he had become famous, but Lennon rejected him. Lennon married his art school sweetheart, Cynthia Lennon, in August 1962 and had a son by her, Julian, on April 8, 1963. Lennon gained worldwide fame as the founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles. His songwriting partnership with Paul McCartney remains the most successful in history. A close friend, Stuart Sutcliffe, a painter and bass player with the band in Hamburg, died in April 1962, as the Beatles were already local celebrities in Liverpool. In January 1962, Brian Epstein became their manager. He grew to become a close friend of John. After the Beatles stopped touring, Epstein's management role faded, and being troubled in his private life, he overdosed on pills in August 1967, when the Beatles were at a yoga retreat in India. Loss of loved ones was thus a running thread of Lennon's life. In turn, without Epstein holding the band together, the Beatles drifted apart. Lennon announced his intention to his mates to leave the band in September 1969, but the completion of remaining projects prevented its announcement to the public. Paul McCartney reluctantly announced it on April 10, 1970. By that time, Lennon had started the Plastic Ono Band with his second wife, Yoko Ono Lennon, who became the second significant creative relationship of his life, as he changed his name to John Winston Ono Lennon. Their son, Sean Lennon, was born on Lennon's birthday in 1975, when Lennon took a five year break from his musical career as a "house husband". John Lennon was shot and killed at 10:50 p.m. on 8 December 1980 in New York City. Three weeks earlier, his final studio album, Double Fantasy, was released. News of his death were received with a global outpouring of grief. 

Musical journey

In the summer of 1957, John Lennon formed a skiffle band, the Quarrymen, with some of his friends. Upon meeting Paul McCartney, before his new band were about to perform at a local festival for the first time in the evening of July 6, 1957, John was immediately impressed by Paul's talent and invited him to join the band. Paul, equally impressed with John's performance, accepted the offer on the following day. The band's evolution into the Beatles had begun. Paul introduced John to his friend, George Harrison, who joined the band on February 6, 1958. Despite being a few years younger, George had attained impressive guitar skills. In May 1959, the band's name was changed to the Silver Beatles. In August 1960, the Beatles became their name, coinciding with their first performance in Hamburg, Germany, with Pete Best as drummer. In August 1962, Ringo Starr was invited to join the band. While Best had a charging drumming style and his own fan base, the other band members preferred Starr's creative drumming style, as well as his easygoing and charming personality, which helped to round out the collective personality of the band. The Cavern club became their initial venue. Lennon was the group's de facto leader, but he gradually ceded the role to McCartney, especially after he met Yoko Ono. After meeting a highly sophisticated music producer, George Martin, they began recording a string of hits in September 1962 until their final recording session on January 3 1970. Their first no. 1 hit, Please, Please Me, was released as a single in January 1963. An album with the same name, which contained 10 songs, was released in February and it became a runaway best seller. In February 1964, the Beatles went to the USA. Their overwhelming reception was later termed the British Invasion. In the summer of 1964, their first feature length movie, A Hard Days Night, became a world wide sensation. A year later, their movie Help cemented their place as culture icons. All told, the Beatles released 22 albums, containing 213 songs, of which 131 were composed by them. In the mid 1960s, at the peak of their fame, the Beatles began to use drugs, which affected their musical output. Lennon met Yoko Ono in September 1966. They became lovers in May 1968, and married in March 1969. The Beatles 17th and final no 1. hit was The Ballad of John and Yoko in May 1969. Lennon published two books during his time with the Beatles, In His Own Write and A Spaniard in the Works, both collections of nonsensical writings and line drawings.

Personality and post-Beatles life

Lennon and McCartney rose to fame with their energetic, melodic and joyful compositions. As their musical collaboration evolved, and each became more independent, the rebellious nature and acerbic wit in Lennon' music, writing, drawings, on film and in interviews, became more apparent. He created controversy through his views. His off-hand remark in a March 1966 interview in the UK, that the Beatles had become more popular than Jesus Christ, caused fury ahead of the Beatles tour in the USA in August 1966. Later, his peace or anti-war activism, linked to Yoko Ono's influence on his lyrics and actions from 1968, also created controversy. It is reflected in their "bed-ins," and songs like Give Peace a Chance, Happy Xmas (War is Over) and Imagine. Lennon produced more than a dozen records with Ono. After moving to New York City in 1971, his criticism of the Vietnam War resulted in a three-year attempt by the Nixon administration to deport him. Lennon won the battle and on July 27, 1976, he was granted the status of Resident Alien, or the Green Card. Reflecting on his government enemies, Lennon displayed his ascerbic wit, with the observation that "Time wounds all heels." On October 9, 1985, Lennon's contribution was honored by the City of New York with the creation of Strawberry Fields, a two acre tract in Central Park, across the street from his last home, The Dakota building.

Astrology of the chart

John Winston Lennon was born on October 9, 1940 in Liverpool, England. The time of 6:55 p.m. has been rectified for him, giving the 11th degree of Aries in the ascendant. Aries is the first sign and thus rules the head and brain. The fiery planet Mars rules this moolatrikona sign, lending its qualities to the person. The planet Mercury, as ruler of the 6th house, becomes a functional malefic (FM) planet for Aries, along with the Moon's nodes, Rahu and Ketu. In the karmic vedic astrology, FM planets represent setbacks when afflicting in a chart. Moreover, the indications of planets placed in the dusthana houses, 6th, 8th and 12th, become weak. In contrast, the functional benefit (FB) planets, rule moolatrikona signs that are in good houses. For Aries rising, these are Mars (ruling the 1st house), the Moon (4), the Sun (5), Venus (7), Jupiter (9) and Saturn (11). These planets bring good karma when strong and placed in good houses. When FB planets aspect other planets or houses, their blessings, as per their indications, grow. 

As authors & astrologers V. K. Choudhry and K. Rajesh Chaudhary explain, the sign Aries, ruled by Mars, makes the person energetic and enterprising. This is further seen in the fact that the Sun, the significator of vitality, is exalted in Aries, while Saturn, a planet of lethargy, is debilitated there. As a result, Aries rising individuals tend to be active, strong, aggressive and healthy, especially if Mars and Mercury are strong in the chart. Aries people have strong preferences and tend to be independent, adventurous and skillful in what they do. They can become authoritative as leaders, through their initiative, industriousness and ambitiousness. Their impetuosity, bravery, fighting nature and competitive streak can propel them to perform heroic acts. Their mental clarity can make them visionary.

As 1st lord Mars is placed in the 6th house, John Lennon, tended to have strong views, making him controversial. This is more so as the 6th lord Mercury is placed in the MEP of the 7th house, contributing to Lennon's strong personality. Moreover, with 7th lord of partners in the 5th house and 5th lord Sun in the 6th house, Lennon's life was singularly focused on creative partnerships but involving conflict. An early expression of this is seen in his management, creative efforts, romance and related to his children. It was primarily John who decided to replace Pete Best as drummer, explaining it by publicly faulting his abilities. He promoted Alan Klein to replace Brian Epstein as the Beatles managers, against Paul's strenuous objections. In the winter of 1969/70, he supported Phil Sector's "wall of sound" post-production of Let it be, further alienating Paul McCartney, who had sought a "back to basics" approach. Both actions contributed to the break up of the Beatles. The divorce of John and Cynthia was hard on their son, compelling Paul to write Hey Jude, originally Hey Jules, to cheer the boy up. He attracted great controversy in 1966 with his Jesus comment. He also endured secret opposition from the US government for promoting the anti-war movement while living as a foreigner in the USA. In addition to his conflict with his first wife over their son, Lennon and Ono became estranged in mid 1973, with John moving to LA with their personal assistant, May Pang, who became his companion, with Yoko's knowledge and consent, during his so-called "lost weekend." In early 1975, the couple reconciled and Yoko bore him a son in the fall. Given the affliction of 6th lord Mercury in his 7th house of spouse, Yoko was for a long time blamed for the break up of the Beatles. More recently, she has become recognised as a partner in his creative contribution.

The 4th lord, Moon, has a powerful and dynamic influence for Aries ascendants. In Lennon's chart it is placed in the MEP of the 10th house, granting him immense public approval and fame for his soothing contributions. It gave him love from his mother and aunt, as well as every comfort in life.

With Venus, as the planet of art and 7th lord of partnerships in the MEP of the 5th house, Lennon formed strong creative partnerships, first with Paul and then with Yoko. John was blessed with beautiful and artistic spouses and partners, focused on music and adventure.

With Jupiter as 9th lord in the first house, impelled John to practice the principles of religion. In a recent interview, Yoko has described him as having been "essentially a christian". Indeed, this placement of Jupiter lent divine qualities of kindness, generosity and honesty to his personality. As Jupiter is conjunct a debilitated Saturn, as 11th lord of friends, it gave him luck in his friendships. It is the influence of Saturn that is seen to propel people with Aries rising to become entrepreneurs. They can earn lot of wealth by their persistent efforts. The combination also explains his good karma of bringing Paul, George and Ringo as collaborative friends into his life. Together, they worked intensively to create some of the most beautiful music of their time. Saturn, in the lucky embrace of Jupiter, also provided Lennon with abundant financial resources and the fulfillment of his desires. John became a house husband during the start of his Jupiter period.

With Rahu in the 6th house, materiality stirred up the energy of conflict, while Ketu in the 12th house disturbed him with losses. The problems were less as the nodes did not afflict in the chart. Importantly, Rahu is frequently associated with material advancement in its period when not afflicting in the chart. However, the gains may also be lost as the period closes. Lennon's rise to fame occurred during the favourable sub-periods of Jupiter and Saturn in his Rahu major period. It is also true that Beatlemania had died down in the 1970s, but it was due to his strong FB planets that he enjoyed a good life during his Jupiter and Saturn sub-periods in his Jupiter major period from March 1975, including the birth of his second son, Sean, that fall. A well placed and strong FB Jupiter in a chart is said to grant male progeny and happiness from the same. 

Significant events in the life

Meeting Paul McCartney. The meeting of John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the evening of July 6, 1957, is considered a turning point in the history of art. Together, their talents mixed to produce such beautiful harmonies, melodies and lyrics that it seems to defy logic and involve a divine mystery.

In the horoscope of John Lennon, the Rahu-Rahu period had begun. Rahu is associated with material desires and advancement. It is placed in the 6th house of diligent work. The transits were very favourable, with transit 4th lord Moon was placed in the MEP of the 7th house, while transit 7th lord Venus was conjunct transit 1st lord Mars in the MEP of the 4th house. Transit Rahu was in the 7th house of partnerships. A powerful new creative partnership and friendship was established.  

Death of mother. John Lennon's mother, Julia Stanley, had given him to her sister, Mimi, to raise when he was a young boy. She re-entered his life after she had remarried and had more children by her second husband. She encouraged his artistry, giving him musical instruments. After visiting with him at her sister's home, she returned home but was struck and killed by a car as she crossed a road at around 9:55 p.m. on July 15, 1958. Her death was a tremendous blow to the young Lennon, who dealt with the news by bursting out laughing in his room. He later penned a beautiful song, Julia, about her. 

The Rahu-Rahu period was running, with transit Rahu in 7th house aspecting transit 4th lord Moon, ruling mother, in the 3rd house of transportation. Natal Ketu in the 12th house of losses, was also aspecting transit 6th lord Mercury in the 4th house.  We may also note that his friend, Stu Sutcliffe, also died at the end of this major and sub-period, while Brian Epstein was lost in the Rahu-Mercury period.

Ed Sullivan Show.  The Beatles has conquered their home country, and their fame was spreading. In the evening of February 9, 1964, the band appeared on the Ed Sullivan show in New York City. It was a watershed event in their career as it exposed them to tens of millions of American viewers, followed by an explosion of their record sales in the country. 

In Lennon's chart, the Rahu-Saturn period was operating, with transit 11th lord having entered its own moolatrikona sign, Aquarius and 11th house, representing fulfillment of goals, boosting his resources. An exalted transit 1st lord Mars was conjunct transit 5th lord Sun in the 10th house of public acclaim. Transit 7th lord Venus and 9th lord Jupiter were in the 12th house of foreign countries, with Jupiter aspecting natal Sun.

More popular than Jesus. "More popular than Jesus" is part of a remark made by John Lennon of the Beatles in a March 1966 interview, in which he argued that the public were more infatuated with the band than with Jesus, and that Christian faith was declining to the extent that it might be outlasted by rock music. His opinions drew no controversy when originally published in the London newspaper The Evening Standard, but drew angry reactions from Christian communities when republished in the United States in late July of that year. Lennon's comments incited protests and threats, particularly throughout the US Bible Belt. Some radio stations stopped playing Beatles songs, records were publicly burned, press conferences were cancelled, and the Ku Klux Klan picketed concerts. The controversy coincided with the band's 1966 US tour in August and overshadowed press coverage of their newest album Revolver. Lennon apologised at a series of press conferences and explained that he was not comparing himself to Christ. The controversy exacerbated the band's unhappiness with touring, which they never undertook again. Lennon also refrained from touring in his solo career.

The dual malefic Rahu-Mercury period was operating, with transit 6th lord Mercury closely conjunct transit 5th lord Sun in the MEP of the 4th house of inner harmony, and in aspect to the 10th house of public career. Indeed, Lennon was hard pressed to manage the fallout, but could not fully contain it. Transit 11th lord Saturn was also badly placed in the 12th house, suggesting problems for goals, friendship and incomes abroad.

Death.  On the evening of 8 December 1980, John Lennon was fatally shot in the archway of the Dakota, his residence in New York City. The perpetrator was Mark David Chapman, a recently unemployed resident of Hawaii. Chapman stated that he was incensed by Lennon's lifestyle and public statements, especially his much-publicized remark about the Beatles being "more popular than Jesus" and the lyrics of his later songs "God" and "Imagine". Chapman planned the killing over the course of several months and waited for Lennon at the Dakota on the morning of 8 December. During the evening, he met Lennon, who signed his copy of the just-released album Double Fantasy. Lennon then left with Yoko for a recording session at Record Plant Studio. Later that night, the couple returned to the Dakota. As they walked toward the archway entrance of the building, Chapman fired five hollow-point bullets from a .38 special revolver, four of which hit Lennon in the back. Chapman remained at the scene until he was arrested by the police. Lennon was rushed in a police cruiser to Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

At the time of death, Lennon's Jupiter-Mercury period was operating. Transit 6th lord, Mercury was in the MEP of the 8th house of death, with transit 5th lord Sun also there. In the 6th house were transit Jupiter and Saturn, conjunct natal Rahu and under aspect from transit Ketu in the 10th house. A divine spark was put out.

Appendix - The author's first hand information on John Lennon's birth time.

In the evening of October 9, 2013, the author had the opportunity to meet Yoko Ono in Videy island for the annual Imagine Peace Tower lighting ceremony. As Ono is said to have cast horoscopes for people visiting them while John Lennon was still alive, the author asked her what time John Lennon was born. In turn, she asked "what do you know?" The author said "Early morning or early evening". She then replied "He was born in the early evening."