Beatles Break Up

Astrology speaks to us of the immutable laws of nature. The law of karma that compels our evolution as conscious human beings. The Biblical story of Cain and Abel speaks of a fateful blow of one brother against another, followed by a life altering reaction. 

The story is symbolic of our actions in life and reactions to them. The wrongful actions may cause us to encounter the pain of separation. Over time such actions purify us, and alter our understanding of the goal of life. The sages have long understood that only the purest actions will propel us ever higher towards the penultimate spiritual goal of unity with the God consciousness. 

The astrological birth chart is the blueprint for our karma. It signals what challenges we need to overcome in life in order to grow as human beings.

When the Beatles broke up, it was principally due to a falling out between John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the alternating leaders of the band. After creating some of the most beautiful music of their or any time, the two friends had a falling out, using their musical craft to clear out their heads. Due to their high profile partnership, once they broke up, each felt compelled to work out his own issues in the context of the other.

In this article we explore the dynamics of their personalities, as seen in their horoscopes, resulting in a 12 year long creative partnership that ended in a way that surprised Paul, resulting in a public exchange of acrimony in 1971. Fortunately, they were able to recover their friendship before John Lennon's untimely death in December 1980.

CREATIVE PARTNERS

The creative partnership of the two leading Beatles was forged from July 1957, resulting in the groups rise to world fame by February 1964. 

John Lennon has Aries rising making him a natural leader.  Not only did he bring the nascent Beatles together, but he was their original manager, lead singer and played the rhythm guitar to drive their music forward. Paul McCartney, two years his junior, has a Leo ascendant, and is thus also seen to be a born leader. As fire signs, their strong spirits produced a creative explosion. Their output was so prodigious that many songs were handed out to other artists, bringing them fame.

Over time, Lennon conceded a lot of creative leadership to McCartney. In the beginning it was only natural, as the result of their collaboration was so magnificent. Songs like If I Fell, composed by Lennon and McCartney, and recorded at that pinnacle moment of February 1964, embody the enduring beauty of the Beatles melodies, lyrics and vocal harmonies. The compositions of Lennon and McCartney likely served as a huge inspiration for George Harrison and Ring Starr. For instance, the song I Need You, written by George Harrisons, and recorded a year later, fully matches the bands other output. 

However, over time things changed. Following the death of Brian Epstein, the manager of the Beatles, in August 1967, tensions had begun to develop between John and Paul over the creative direction of the band. George Harrison also felt his songs were left out by their artistic control of the band. Meanwhile, it fell increasingly up to the congenial Ringo Starr to hold things together in the studio. The Beatles experimentation with drugs, the burden of fame, and growing creative differences seem to have come to head in August 1969 when the Beatles were recording Paul's Maxwell's Silver Hammer, John, George and Ringo had seemingly had enough. In particular, John was no longer feeling the musical spark that had propelled the band. 

But perhaps the decisive thing was the fact that John had earlier met and married Japanese artist Yoko Ono, who had begun to show him a new outlook on life. In his chart, it is the 7th lord Venus, the ruler of art and partnership that is in the 5th house of creativity, romance and children. John only had room for one such partner in his life, and John's decision to quit the Beatles, to devote his life to his new partner, was more uniquely felt by  Paul, his prior creative partner, than the other Beatles. As Paul later said, John's decision set him off on a spiral into depression.

Yoko, John, Allen Klein, Paul & Ringo on 20/9 1969

In the event, it was at a Beatles business meeting on 20 September 1969 that things came to a head as John Lennon announced he was leaving the Beatles.  The photo, taken at this meeting, reveals a confident John, who has just reclaimed his leadership role, by deciding to end their creative partnership, while Paul and Ringo are visibly shaken by the announcement. 

An agreement was reached with John to keep the decision secret until their recording projects had been finalised. On 10 April, 1970, a week prior to the release of his first own solo album, Paul publicly announced the end of the Beatles. In some way, it was his way to reclaim his sense of leadership over the decision. Understandably, there was a public outcry of disappointment. In May 1970, the Beatles final studio album, Let It Be, was released. Many projected their hurt feelings at Yoko Ono, blaming her for the break up the band. In reality, as John later explained, it is normal for a man to leave his gang after getting married. 

FEUD

In the fall of 1969, Paul went to his remote farm with his wife Linda and their children. After a few months of drink, drugs and depression, Linda coaxed Paul back into their home-made studio, where he began work on his first solo album. It was his effort to reassert his dignity after the painful ending of his partnership with John. While Paul slowly emerged from under the weight of the Beatles legacy, he wasn't quite over the split.

John and Yoko issued in December, the Live Peace in Toronto 1969 album. Later they formed The Plastic Ono Band, which released an album by that name in December 1970.

That said, Paul's announcement of the end of the Beatles irked John. In the May 14, 1970 issue of Rolling Stone, he lashed out at Paul in a way he’d never done publicly: 

“He can’t have his own way, so he’s causing chaos,” John said. “I put out four albums last year, and I didn’t say a f***ing word about quitting.”

The stage was set.

In November 1970s, Paul and Linda had begun work on his second solo album.  "Ram" was a studio album that would be released on 17 May 1971 by Apple Records. During the November recording sessions, Paul had penned lyrics to the song "Too many people" that contained criticism of John and Yoko. In some sense, Paul was echoing the public disappointment with the break up of the Beatles. As Paul later observed:

"I was looking at my second solo album, Ram, the other day and I remember there was one tiny little reference to John in the whole thing. He'd been doing a lot of preaching, and it got up my nose a little bit. In one song, I wrote, "Too many people preaching practices", I think is the line. I mean, that was a little dig at John and Yoko. There wasn't anything else on it that was about them. Oh, there was "You took your lucky break and broke it in two".

It didn't take John Lennon long to react, with a much more stinging, hurtful song, "How Do You Sleep?" which was recorded between 26 May and 5 July 1971 and released on 9 September 1971. The song appeared on the legendary Imagine album. The song makes angry and scathing remarks aimed at his former Beatles bandmate and songwriting partner, Paul McCartney. Indeed, Lennon piled it on thick. The song begins with the ambient sounds evocative sounds of those heard at the beginning of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album, followed by the line "So Sgt. Pepper took you by surprise." John then refers to the "Paul is dead" rumour by observing "Those freaks was right when they said you was dead".  He then adds "The only thing you done was yesterday / And since you've gone you're just another day" are directed at McCartney, referencing the Beatles' 1965 song "Yesterday" and McCartney's hit single "Another Day", released in February 1971. Adding insult to injury, Lennon had a photo of himself made holding a pig with its ears, making fun of Paul's photo holding a ram by its horns.

ASTROLOGY OF GENIUS

The saying "There's a fine line between genius and insanity" fortunately did not apply to these artists. Neither succumbed to mental problems. However, both men were marked with emotional hurt, including loss of mother. That said, John's upbringing was likely more difficult and he is said to have had anger management issues.

In Paul's 28° Leo rising chart, there is not much that involves anger, except the placement of his 12th lord Moon of losses in the MEP of its own 12th house, which signifies the loss of his mother at a tender age. The placement suggests Paul can lash out when hurt, creating conflict. 

However, at the recording of Too Many People, he was enjoying a Venus/Saturn period. His 3rd lord Venus is strongly and well placed in the most effective point (MEP) of the 9th house, giving luck and preferment to his activities. Moreover, his 7th lord Saturn, representing partner, is strong and well placed in the 10th house, suggesting a publicly visible partner.

The transits on that day were generally very good, with 3rd lord Venus in conjunction with his 5th lord Jupiter and 11th lord Sun in the MEP of the 3rd house, in opposition to his 7th lord Saturn in the MEP of the 9th house. 

In short, a lot of good karma is seen at that time. The song Too Many People is generally rated quite high in the McCartney panetheon of songs. However, transit Rahu was in the 7th house of partners in close aspect to his 5th lord Jupiter and 11th lord Sun in the 11th house of friends. Paul couldn't help but express his hurt in a veiled but not hard to read criticism of John, his immensely significant creative partner and friend.

In the case of John Lennon's Aries rising chart, shortcomings are seen related to anger. His 1st lord Mars is badly placed in Virgo and MEP of the 6th house of conflict. Aries can make the person aggressive, especially with such a placement of the ascendant lord. It makes the person carry emphatic sentiments and tend to react aggressively to perceived slights. 

In the article John Lennon's divine gift it says:

"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." 

It also made Lennon confrontational, sometimes harsh. Importantly, at the time of the writing of this song, John was running the Rahu/Venus period. It puts emphasis on the planet Venus in his chart. As it is 7th lord of partnership, those matters come to the fore. At that time, transit 7th lord Venus was in the 1st house conjunct transit 6th lord Mercury, in opposition to John's natal 6th lord Mercury in the 7th house MEP. This dual affliction of Venus likely made Lennon's anger over Pauls more veiled criticism blow up. Moreover, his transit 5th lord Sun in the 6th house, was afflicted by transit Rahu in the 10th house, while transit 7th lord Mars was in the 10th house under aspect from his natal Rahu in the 6th house. It certainly was a time when his patience would have served both men better. In any event, the event helps students of astrology to better understand the role of ascendant signs, the placement of ascendant lord, and other influences.

George Harrison, who also had 1st lord Venus exalted in Pisces and 6th house, and had sided with Lennon in the dispute over manager Allen Klein, lent his guitar talents to the recording. His conflictual issues were, however seen to be less in his chart, as Pisces is a non-Moolatrikona sign, and hence there is no MT ruler to complicate matters as was the case for John Lennon, including having other planets in the 6th house.

EPILOGUE

When John increasingly pulled back in the Beatles in 1968/69, Paul gladly assumed creative control. As a Leo ascendant, Paul was willing to serve as primus motor of the Beatles. However, he likely didn't realise the onerous demands he was making of the others in the studio. In his mind, the Beatles were a permanent institution. However, John, didn't feel that way. He was becoming ready to move on. Moreover, he was courageous to declare his independence to the others, in order to chart his destiny as an artist with his new wife, despite what the public may have wanted. Paul was both hurt by the decision, as much as he was surprised by it. In coming to terms with it, he declared his own independence, but also his hurt. John, being who he was, hit back twice as hard. Fortunately, the two Beatles had reconciled before John Lennon's untimely death. As such, the pain of their separation was partially overcome, to give way for the heartfelt expression of their love and respect for each other. More than anything, these two artists have given so much to the world. Their immense good karma is undoubtedly lifting their souls towards the  loving God at the time of death. 

Understanding the Beatles

In the 1950s and 60s, a cultural revolution swept the world. It involved young people finding their voice and imparting a new existential vision. Accelerating the trend in the early 1960s were the creative personalities, beautiful songs and positive lyrics of the Beatles. The wave crashed as the decade closed, influenced by social upheaval and the rampant drug use and impractical outlook of the hippies. Nevertheless, the legacy of its surge lives on, notably of the Beatles. Below is a Vedic Astrology reading of the horoscopes of the four individuals that made up the Beatles, and how their group dynamic resulted in a sum that far outstripped its parts in spreading their novel, joyful, beautiful and exciting music around the world. The focus here is on the rising sign to bring out their personalities, but also on a few special combinations in each chart that add further insight to them and their contribution.

John: Leader and driving force

As an Aries rising, John Lennon, was a born leader. He founded the group by attracting the others. This is seen in his 9th lord of luck, Jupiter, being conjunct his 11th lord of friends, Saturn, in his 1st house of self. His 7th lord Venus was also in the most effective point (MEP) of the 5th house, aspecting his 11th house of friends. Indeed, he required close partnerships in his life, first with Paul McCartney and later with Yoko Ono. Having created the group, John Lennon led them to the top. There is a story about how he, as their early leader, kept the band's spirits high when it was still struggling to break out. John Lennon was also the band's original lead singer, which is seen in clips of their early performances, with Paul McCartney and George Harrison adding harmonies. Another interesting fact is that John´s instrument was the rhythm guitar, where his energetic and upbeat guitar playing made the songs soar. It was no accident; he is quoted as having said "Rhythm Guitar can really drive a band." At the same time, he was an immensely creative musician. All these expressions are consistent with his Aries rising personality and chart placements, notably Venus, as 7th lord, in the most effective placement of the 5th house. His 4th lord Moon was in the most effective point of his 10th house, explaining his enormous public appeal.

Paul: King of harmonic melodies

As a Leo rising, Paul McCartney soon became Lennon's equal and full partner in their musical creations. Indeed, his 1st lord of self, the Sun, is placed in the 11th house of friends, along with the 5th lord of creativity, Jupiter. His cheerful presence and enormous musical abilities impressed Lennon. He also added a feeling of majestic splendor to the overall effect, by e.g. adding brass sections to certain songs. In his 2019 book, The Beatles from A to Zed, Peter Asher mentions Paul's love of brass bands. McCartney himself says the orchestral arrangement of A Day in the Life, is one of his favourite memories in Abbey Road Studios. With Paul's 3rd lord Venus in the MEP of the 9th house, made him fortunate in his expression and songwriting. Meanwhile, his 2nd lord of status, Mercury, in the 10th house MEP made him supremely famous. While he played bass throughout, he also sometimes played the guitar "full of reckless abandon and bravado" on Good Morning, Good Morning, while on songs like Blackbird, he used "succint phrasing". His abilities knew no bounds. Lennon and McCartney shared writing credit for most of the Beatles repertoire, even when they increasingly began to write independently. Paul wrote and sang their biggest hits, like Yesterday and Hey Jude. Brian Epstein's death and Yoko Ono beginnig to eclipse Paul's creative partnership with John, set in motion the end of the band. As John withdrew from 1968, Paul increasingly took over the creative helm, befitting his Leo ascendant.

George: Exotic innovator of beauty 

As a Libra rising, George Harrison became the bands virtuoso guitar player. His 11th lord of friends and goals, the Sun, was placed in the MEP of the 5th house of creativity, boosting his creative abilities. With 10th lord of fame, the Moon, in the MEP of the 1st house of self, he had wide public appeal. Like Paul, he has Jupiter as 3rd lord of expression, in the 9th house of fortune, making him the most religious of the band, bringing in exotic sounds from India through his sitar playing. As the youngest of the group, he became known as the "quiet Beatle". Even so, he impressed the others with his skills as a guitar player, including parts that added depth and refinement to the songs. Over time, he began to bring out his own compositions, but the others were initially reluctant to include them on the LPs. However, songs like I Need You, Something and While My Guitar Gently Weeps, now stand among the best songs of the band.

Ringo: Rhythmic fountain of unity 

As a Pisces rising, Ringo Starr was the most sensitive and congenial member of the group. He joined the line-up in 1962 already an accomplished drummer, reflecting his conjunction of three functional benefic planets, the 2nd lord Mars, 5th lord of intelligence, Moon, and 7th lord of others, Mercury, in the creative 5th house. His 10th lord of fame, Jupiter, is well placed in the 2nd house of status, bringing wealth and fame. His charming and quietly funny personality fit well with the others, and later served to defuse tensions and keep the band together. More than that, he contributed drumming licks and rhythmic hooks, with a unique feel to them, that rounded out the genius of the others contributions, to make the songs as amazing as they are.

Conclusion

Early days (June 2, 1960)

The spirit of the Beatles was expressed in a creative fusion of their immense personalities and natural talents in over 200 songs. John Lennon brought a compelling force that drove the group to the top, Paul McCartney lent his melodic genius to all of their efforts, George Harrison added his refined virtuosity and beautiful parts and songs, and Ringo Starr rounded out the picture with his unique and feel laden drumming. Additionally, we may note that two of the Beatles, John and Paul, have fire signs in the ascendant, making them focused on the creative spirit, George has an air sign, making him focused on ideas and Ringo has a water sign, focusing more on the emotive side. Furthermore, John and George have cardinal signs in the ascendant, making them interested in change, with John focusing on promoting peace and George on introducing Indian cosmology and music, while Paul has a fixed sign, making him interested in preserving what is, as seen in e.g. his emphasis on mining existing musical canons in his creative activity, while Ringo has a mutable sign in the ascendant, allowing him to focus on the here and now while inter-mediating between the others. Without these diverse talents and creative elements being brought together, the Beatles would never have reached the pinnacle of their field while creating music that continues to delight to this day. This 'sum is greater than its parts' factor, is also seen in the fact that even if each of them was an outstanding artist in his own right, their solo material, while also great, is nevertheless judged to fall short of their collaboration as the Beatles.