Above photo from returnofrock.com. A basic conclusion is at the end for the uninitiated. In comparison with the Beatles business horoscope I use, Venus is the key placement for both The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. Both charts have Venus in the ruling sign of Libra, and both Venus placements are within two degrees of the same star placement (which is star of Diadem) in the sign of Libra. Venus rules "artwork, legal connections, and social gatherings," and rules strongly in the sign of Libra. As mentioned earlier, note that both business horoscope charts of Led Zeppelin and The Beatles have Venus positions near the star of Diadem (known as "The Wreath of Jewels" in [the constellation] Berenice's hair). For a musical group, this is considered a fortunate position, especially in the Libra areas such as the arts. But the types events of significance were VERY DIFFERENT for deciding the two primary business horoscopes. The Beatles business horoscope featured the event taking place with the firing of Pete Best and replacing him with Ringo Starr. The Led Zeppelin business horoscope used in this presented analysis is based on their first public performance event, which was called "The New Yardbirds" (and the ticket for the event read the headlining act as "The Yardbirds," possibly to fulfill a contract requirement left over from the British group The Yardbirds [with Jimmy Page as the only genuine member of The Yardbirds in the group at that time]). Note that The Beatles first public performance event (with Ringo Starr on drums) featured chaos and property destruction from the fans of Pete Best, while Led Zeppelin's first public event as "The New Yardbirds" was reportedIy well received with lots of foot stomping. Adding to that was both Robert Plant and Jimmy Page having good feelings about the group after this performance; it was around this time Keith Moon (and possibly John Entwistle) of The Who stated that the group would go down "like a lead balloon" (or a lead zeppelin). But back to the "different event problem" with both horoscopes: is there a similarity between the approaches used for defining the business horoscope for both Led Zeppelin AND The Beatles? Yes there is. It is known as the concept of "the opening of the door" in terms of timing of events. The Beatles business horoscope event chart I use takes place when Beatle's drummer Pete Best opened the door of Brian Epstein's office at 10:30 am on August 16, 1962. Pete Best was told he was fired and replaced with Richard Starkey (and Brian Epstein was a fanatic about eveyone being on time). With Led Zeppelin, it was at a time of a somewhat similar change in personnel creating a group called "The New Yardbirds" (and going under the old name of "the Yardbirds" [possibly required by contract] which was present on all tickets for this event). The event stated that the doors opened at 7:30 pm for their first headline show as "The Yardbirds," and thus this was the decided time . This event took place at a gymnassium in Gladsakse, Denmark. This business horoscope is below.
Venus in Libra forms a Square with the Midheaven (Mc) placed in the 9th House of "legal proceedings." Venus is in the ruling sign of Libra, and artwork sucess is often associated with this placement for a business chart. But this Square placement with the Mc can also represent a great amount and a great impact of legal matters and open court trial involvement for this business (in addition to success with artwork associated with Venus in Libra). This Venus placement represents a "double-edge sword" of Venus in Libra with much success in artwork BUT accumulation of legal expenses as the group made a lot of money. The Beatles would also experience this double-edge sword of Venus in Libra placement as they made a lot of money from their artwork AND accumulated legal expenses (especially after Brian Epstein's death). Now onto Mars. Mars is a very important component in the business horoscope since it represents the ability to compete. Mars is placed in the entertainment-ruling sign of Leo AND placed in the entertainment-ruling 5th House. The hard Sesquiquadrate aspect of Mars to the Midheaven (Mc) and the Mars Trine Ascendant (As) aspect are both very well-placed for Mars in Leo (and in the 5th House) as this Mars placement with the As and Mc defines a substantial competitive presence in the entertainment business for both the environment (As) and the reputation (Mc) aspects of this business organization. The hard semi-square aspect between Mars and Venus may represent success in "artistic activities," but the semi-square is an aspect of tension (and hard Venus/Mars aspects can sometimes invite sexual tension issues. It is reported that Led Zeppelin may have had lots of paternity suits from 1969 to 1974). The Mars Square Neptune aspect can indicate "activities with drugs," and this was a reported problem with two members of Led Zeppelin. The Sun represents "the C.E.O., the director of operations, or the main shareholder" of the business. In this case, the Sun Conjunction Jupiter placement may represent Jimmy Page, who paid for the Denmark event out of his own pocket. The lucky Sun Conjunction Jupiter placement (in the 5th House of entertainment) would prove to be a very beneficial placement. Note that another interpretation of the Sun for event charts is one that defines "the day of the event" (and the type of day of such an event to be defined by aspects applying to the Sun of the event chart, and in this case it was lucky Jupiter applying hardest to the Sun). Note that some writings on astrology election chart events request that an angle between the Sun and Jupiter be present to assure a little luck for the event. Additional strength for the Sun representing Jimmy Page is the production role he had with the group; Jimmy Page produced Led Zeppelin I (which featured a lot of songs from this first performance as "The New Yardbirds" prior to the official name change to Led Zeppelin). The Moon placement on a business horoscope chart represents "the customers" and "the employees" of the business, and yes, the Moon can also represent "women." The opposition of the Moon with the midpoint of Uranus/Pluto (within 05' minutes) is very significant, as it defined both the employees (i.e. group members and manager) and the customers and fans of Led Zeppelin as "revolutionary" and "transforming in a shocking way." As far as "women" represented by the Moon being a concern in this business horoscope, note that the employees of Led Zeppelin (or the group members of Led Zeppelin) were reportedly very shocked at how submissive (and also outright psychotic in some cases) that some female groupies and fans of Led Zeppelin were and what they would do to meet the band or certain band members. Below are additional notes about this chart above.
Below is the release date for the album Led Zeppelin I (outside wheel) applied to the "The New Yardbirds" horoscope chart (inner dial). This 1968 chart would become the business horoscope for Led Zeppelin.
Transiting Saturn on the Ascendant (of the business horoscope of Led Zeppelin) may have defined certain "restrictions in the environment," but at this time these restrictions may have been those imposed by Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant on others. Peter Grant was an ex-wrestler who watched the wrestling industry dispose of injured wrestlers (and stole money from them) in manner similar to the way the music industry disposed of some musical artists (and stole money from them). Led Zeppelin cut out a lot of "middle men" that the group would have to financially deal with at this time, and I suspect that this is what the Saturn Conjunction Ascendant transit represents. Jupiter Conjunction Venus and Jupiter Square Midheaven (Mc) are outstanding transits for "artistic luck" as both transits get stronger after the Led Zeppelin I release date. Chiron and Uranus are both associated with radio-play and radio waves; the transit of Chiron Opposition Uranus may have defined much radio play of Led Zeppelin I (which contributed to their great success at this time, along with the two Jupiter transits [and Peter Grant making sure the group got paid properly]). Below is the release date for Led Zeppelin IV, their biggest selling album of all time.
The very huge airplay of songs like "Stairway to Heaven" and "Rock and Roll" was apparent with transits of Jupiter Trine North Node with Chiron Conjunction North Node (at the same time). The North Node represents "connections with others" for business astrology chart interpretations, and both of these transits to the North Node combined to spread the music of Led Zeppelin IV in a very big way. Also note the harmonious transit of North Node Trine Mercury; natal Mercury can represent "business and general communications of the organization" (a.k.a. music) to be well connected with others. And yes, we have another lucky Sun/Jupiter aspect with the transit of Sun Sextile Jupiter (as well as Sun Sextile Sun). Now onto the founding of the groups own record company, Swan Song Records. That horoscope is below (outer wheel) and applied to the Led Zeppelin business horoscope (inner wheel).
In addition to "artwork," Venus can also represent "legal connections" or "legal proceedings" on many business AND individual charts. The 7th House (or "the house of Venus") is especially noteworthy of representing legal proceedings and trials for both business and individual horoscope charts as well. The T-Square transit of Venus Opposition Venus (applying to the Midheaven [Mc]) and the transit of Uranus Opposition Saturn (near the East/West horizon plane, with Uranus in the 7th House) implies many lawsuits and legal work (and the presence of LOTS of lawyers) taking place with this new transition of the business with their new record label known as Swan Song Records. Fights with management over touring frequency and disputes over the types and amounts of music to be produced were probably at high numbers from 1974 to 1979 (and 1979 was when Led Zeppelin would break up due to the death of drummer John Bonham). This same time frame (1974-1979) may have also marked the beginning of the fall of legendary drummer John Bonham with alcohol and drugs. Per natal horoscope, John Bonham would get the transit of Neptune Opposition Sun ("drug and alcohol abuse") very shortly after Swan Songs Records was founded. Note in green ink above the placement of the star of Aldebaran (also called "Archangel Michael" and "The Watcher of the East"); this star is in Conjunction with Led Zeppelin's natal Black Moon Lilith placement (in the 2nd House) AND ALSO in Conjunction with John Bonham's natal Sun on his horoscope. This star of Aldebaran (at 09 degrees Gemini) is a significant star; JFK had this star in Conjunction with his natal Sun position (as did Bonham). While Aldebaran is a Royal Star of Persia (and thus can can define fame), note that Aldebaran is also considered to be an unfortunate star due to "substantial increased responsibility roles" that are associated with the star. The Led Zeppelin chart transit of Neptune Opposition Black Moon Lilith may indicate drug problems within the group to manifest or grow after the start-up of Swan Song Records. This start-up of Swan Song Records took place at a time when guitarist and producer Jimmy Page was reportedly doing large amounts of heroin (and he reportedly had to be chained to a toilet for several days in order to get off the addiction). Alcoholism was reported to be a problem with drummer John Bonham, and he would have the transit of Neptune Opposition Sun a few months after the start-up of Swan Song Records. With Neptune representing "drugs and alcohol" and transiting the 8th House of the Led Zeppelin business horoscope chart, this was a dangerous time for the presence of drugs with this business organization. Please note that the 8th House can also represent "long-term investments," as well as "tax liability, death or termination of obligations, wills and estates, and bankruptcy." Talk about a bad omen with Neptune transiting in the 8th! John Bonham reportedly missed his family with all of the new demands being imposed on the business of Led Zeppelin from 1974-1979, and Bonham may have developed a really bad drug and alcohol problem during that time frame. This tension to drink was probably also added on in lieu of heavy competition in the rock music industry from 1974 - 1979. Bonham reportedly would drink heavily and tell others that "there are drummers out there who are better than me." Let's look at the death of John Bonham applied to the business horoscope below.
Uranus Conjunction Neptune is within 02 degrees. While not significant (since I like transits less than 01 degrees), there is enough tension with this transit to define "a disappointing surprise" with this weak Uranus Conjunction Neptune transit. Transiting Neptune (in the 8th House of "termination of obligations, crisis, and bankruptcy") forms a very hard Trine to the Ascendant. Trines involving Neptune (on both a natal and transiting basis) are not always harmonious (as defined by the Trine aspect) because Neptune can and will fool you. Also note that with drug-ruling Neptune transiting "the house of Pluto" (or the 8th House) of the horoscope of Led Zeppelin that there is probability of a crisis due to the possibility of "crisis with drugs" representing this transit. John Bonham reportedly drank 4 quadruple vodka screwdrivers (or 40 shots of vodka) after a breakfast stop on September 25, 1979. He would be found dead the next day due to choking on his own vomit that took place while he was sleeping.
Conclusion
The business entity known as Led Zeppelin strongly reflected on an old expession about artists: "good artists copy, great artists steal, and rich artists get sued." Led Zeppelin had a "Venusian double-edge sword" that implied fantastic artwork with a great customer base, but the other side of this sword was huge legal bills and lots of legal proceedings faced by the business as the group made lots of money with their artwork. Drugs and alcohol were also problems faced with the business organization, and possibly something that would slow down the group's success (and even eventually end the group). But overall the business horoscope defined that the business organization would contain factors that defined great competitive success, as long as they monitored and took care of many drug issues and many legal conflicts that would wear down the success of the organization known as Led Zeppelin.
Thanks for reading.
Love to all,
Malcolm
21st Century Astrology Consulting LLC
Comments