Michael Jackson: Life and Death: Astro analysis

Michael Jackson was born on 29th August, 1958 in Gary, Indiana, USA.

The details of his horoscope are as follows:

The reason I have picked up this horoscope for analysis is because it reflects the classical principles of Vedic astrology clearly. Hence, it is a good horoscope for academic interest also.

In my article “Rahu and Film Industry: Astro Analysis” I stated that for artists, the role of Rahu is of paramount importance. Rahu is placed in the lagna in the horoscope of Michael Jackson. Classically, Rahu in lagna also signifies a person who keeps on changing his looks. Michael Jackson took help of plastic surgery to transform his personality completely from a Negro to a white. Then he changed his looks again to look like an American lady.

Mercury in the Nakshatra of Ketu and Moon-Mercury affliction are classical combinations for skin problems. In the horoscope of Michael Jackson, Mercury is placed in Magha Nakshatra which is ruled by Ketu and there is affliction of Moon and Mercury in 6/12 axis. We have witnessed that as a result of numerous plastic surgeries that Michael Jackson underwent; his skin was full of diseases. Rahu in lagna is also a combination for diseased skin. The medicines that he took also affected his skin adversely.

Moon in the 6th house suggests Bala Aristha yoga as per Vedic astrology. We have heard stories of childhood misery and abusive father which Michael Jackson has affirmed many times. His personality was greatly affected by his family history.

Michael Jackson made major strides in his career in the Mahadasa of Saturn which started on 12th January 1979 and continued up to 12th January 1998. He earned his fortunes during this period.

In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African American entertainer to amass a strong following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and "Thriller" helped bring the relatively new channel to fame.

Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made Jackson a big name on MTV in the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists across several generations.

In his horoscope Saturn is the benefic 5th lord placed in the 3rd house signifying grand success in performing arts (Please refer to article “Transit of Saturn, Bollywood during Recession). He was a great crowd puller and tickets for his show sold like hot cakes.

Being under the influence of Saturn he always had keen interest in charities also. On May 14, 1984, Jackson was invited to the White House to receive an award presented by U.S. President Ronald Reagan. The award was given for his support to charities which helped people overcome alcohol and drug abuse. Jackson donated and raised millions of dollars for beneficial causes through his foundations and charity singles. He also supported 39 other charities.

Jackson co-wrote the charity single "We Are the World". The single became one of the best-selling singles of all time, with nearly 20 million copies sold and millions of dollars donated to famine relief.

However, the dasa of Mercury from 12th January 1998 did not give very good results to him. The reason being that even though Mercury happens to be the lord of the lagna it is placed in the 12th house and happens to be retrograde.

Mercury being placed in the house of expenses and losses made him behave most extravagantly during its dasa. He also had to fight legal battle against child abuse and his image was negatively affected during this period. The person who grossed more than 100 million dollars earning per year became debt ridden when the dasa of Mercury placed in the 12th house started on him.

He died when the dasa running on him was Mercury / Rahu. In Vedic astrology Rahu means poison. Overdose of drugs / medicine comes under the ambit of Rahu. Hence, it is believed that he had a cardiac arrest as a result of overdose of pain killers.

Written by: Anand Sagar Pathak

Astrologer
Dated: 2nd July 2009