“The harder I push, the more I find within myself. I am always looking for the next step, a different world to go into, areas where I have not been before. It’s lonely driving a Grand Prix car, but very absorbing. I have experienced new sensations, and I want more. That is my excitement, my motivation.”
Ayrton Senna
http://www.biographyonline.net/sport/motor/ayrton-senna.html
The enormous influence of Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna, arguably the best Formula 1 driver of all time, was a very charismatic and loved person all over the world. He brought incredible passion and took competitiveness to another level, not just with other drivers, but with himself.
I vividly remember the day of his death. Something happened then, it was as if a big gap in reality appeared, a gap filled with unending grief. Senna was so much so adored in Brazil that the government declared 3 days of national mourning. 3 million people attended his funeral, the largest number in modern history to attend such an event.
When Brazil won the Football World Cup later that year, they dedicated it to Ayrton Senna.
I am writing these first words not as Ancient Astrology practitioner, but as a human being, recognizing how special Senna was, not just behind the car, but in general. The extent to which such Souls touch the public is indeed rare.
That is much more what drove me to write this article and not that Senna was my favourite driver and I pretty much stopped watching Formula 1 after that.
I plan on writing other articles some time in the future about such Souls which have touched the public in a major way (such as Dan Kolov – the greatest wrestler of all time, Georgi Asparoukhov – Gundi, one of greatest and most loved football players of all time, Andre Agassi, one of greatest tennis players (and humanitarians).
Ayrton Senna’s chart
Note: I have moved the time of birth 3 minutes earlier, making it 2.32 AM. The reason why will become clear when I examine the length of life.
And here is Ayrton Senna’s nativity with whole sign houses:
Here is Ayrton Senna’s horoscope with Porphyry Magus 2 software:
Here are the 12th parts of Ayrton Senna’s chart:
Astrological indications for short life as well as violent death in Ayrton Senna’s chart
There are a few strong indications for a short life and violent death in Ayrton Senna’s natal chart as examined by Hellenistic and Medieval Astrology.
1) Both Lights as well as the Asc domicile lord in violent zoidia is an indication of violent death;
2) The Moon applying to a malefic (although we have reception here which mitigates) and the Sun being overcome (while applying) by a malefic is indication of violent death;
3) Only malefic Ares is at the stakes of the The Deadly Place, with no benefics helping.
4) Hermes opposing the Whole Moon SAN while being witnessed by a malefic is an indication of violent death;
5) Ares being Kurios and/or strongly advancing and/or holding Spirit or Fortune and/or the MC and/or being a professional significator, shows a higher probability of violent death given that there other supporting testimonies.
The domicile lord of the 8th place opposed to it is an indication of death abroad.
There is also this indication from Liber Hermetis part 2, page 34, translated by Robert Zoller (having in mind that the Fixed Babylonian Zodiac is meant and thus the 17th portion of Capricorn/the Goat Horned One = 10 Aquarius/the Water Pourer, which is the Ascedant of Ayrton Senna:
Manner of death in Ayrton’s Senna’s horoscope
As for the manner of death, the Ram is destroyed by the Scorpion, that is, Ares destroys itself as it rules both the Fortuna 1st and 8th. Needless to say, the Ram/Aries rules the head and Ayrton Senna died from a head injury at the speed around 280 km ph.
Quoting from Book II of the Anthology of Valens Chapter 41 translated by Riley:
“Aries is destroyed by Scorpio. Since they are both domiciles of Mars, Mars is a destroyer of itself.
Therefore causes suicides, those who throw themselves from heights, and those ready for death; accomplices in crime, bandits, and murderers (i.e. those who bring a cause of death on themselves), plus those perishing from animal attacks, from fires, or from collapsing buildings. <It also causes men to die> from animals, bleeding, or attacks.”
Underlining is mine. Obviously, cars did not exist back then, but it does not take much imagination to make the connection between large animals that can be ridden and cars/motorcycles/tanks etc.
The length of life in Senna’s chart with Ancient Astrology
As for the length of life, this chart is extremely tricky. There are many reasons for that, not just the disposition of the Hylegiacal places, one being that the SAN is an eclipse. This merits a more ancient and flexible approach.
So I took the distance between the SAN and the Setting pivot and, inclining to it as well as due to other considerations, I departed from it using the ascensions of the zoidia. The length of life came out to be about 33 years and 10 months. Senna lived 34 years 1 month and 10 days, which is extremely close.
Then I found Fortuna cadent and gave her the ascensions of the zoidion she was traversing as months; her domicile lord being pivotal in the Horoskopos I granted its minor years as well as the ascension of the zoidion in months; then I found the dispositor of the lord of Fortuna in the Bad Spirit but in its domicile, oriental and culminating from the Lot, so I gave his major years as months as well the ascensions of the zoidion it was in, in months, and to this added the middle years of the Sect Light as months as she was of the sect and applying to her dispositor. Thus Ayrton Senna’s length of life came to be about about 33 years 8 months and 11 days.
Thus I have two testimonies of length of life about 33-34 years. Later in the article I will present other concurring, dynamic testimonies that Senna’s life would end at precisely that time.
Astrological indications for eminence in Ayrton Senna’s chart
Initially, one is puzzled. Where is the eminence in Senna’s nativity? Yes, both Lights are full of bodyguards but are cadent, which automatically excludes the first 3 levels of Ptolemy and even gives slavery indications, as both the Sun and the Moon apply to cadent planets, although there is mitigation.
However, this is an extremely concentrated and tight chart which more than compensates for this lack of eminence at first glance.
First, there is huge amount of reception going on: both Lights apply to their dispositors (Zeus has trigon and confine rulership of the Sun), Aphrodite having honour of exaltation, trigon and bound applies to Hermes, pushing its power and lifting him of his depression, then applies to Kronos and receives him by trigon and bound and lifts him from his cadency, the Moon applies to its domicile lord Kronos
Ares is Kurios (the Lord of the Chart as per Porphyry/Antiochus), holds Fortune, Spirit and the MC and is strongly advancing in the Horoskopos.
Even though the Lights and their dispositors are cadent, all of them are in the Fortune 1st and 10th places and Ares, the domicile lord of the Lot, is in the Acquisition.
The Moon holds Basis and is the Sect Light while culminating from Fortuna, so this is further indication of eminence, as is to some extent the presence of the lord of the MC in the Asc, of the sect, oriental and swift.
Moreover, all the planets are astronomically visible in Ayrton Senna’s chart, which is rare. This is especially for Hermes, who on top of that made a heliacal rising the day he was born, and 3-4 days later turned direct. Visible Hermes in an indication of a remarkable intellect as Rumen Kolev says. Keep that Hermes in mind when I get to the fixed stars.
One notices that Zeus and Kronos are together in the Goat-Horned One, which is highly significant given the eminence of the chart and calls for looking at the previous conjunction. It took place on the 15th of February 1941 at 6.38 AM at 9.07 Tau. So the conjunction is closely tetragonal to the Horoskopos of Ayrton Senna, in equally rising zoidia and conjunct the IC (one of the places of death as well as what happens after death) of this Brazilian genius. Moreover, the lady of the conjunction Aphrodite (at 10.30 Aqu) is partile conjunct the Ascendant of Ayrton Senna’s chart – this is a major indication of a nativity touching the public.
Fixed stars in Senna’s chart
Fixed stars are rarely missing in nativities of this grandeur.
One might consider the Moon, the Sect Light and incidentally the lord of the Asc. I can’t ignore the latter, even though Hermes said to use only the Lights and the 3 pivots without the subterraneous one. Hermes also said to use the Sun, Moon and the three angles when in the same degree as the major fixed stars (see Hermes Trismegistus on the Fixed Stars, page 14, translated by Rumen Kolev). The Moon is conjunct by longitude with Vega of the constellation of Lyra. But Vega is too from the ecliptic yet some consider the stars by simple projection.
However, looking at the last star which rose heliacally before the birth I find that it was Deneb, the alpha star of Cygnus/ the Swan – 3 days before Ayrton Senna was born. I consider this extremely significant and pertinent for Ayrton Senna’s chart. Moreover, both these fixed stars – Vega and Deneb are of the nature of Aphrodite and Hermes.
Here are some quotes from the sources I have used for this article:
“Beyond his driving genius Senna was one of the sport’s most compelling personalities. Though slight in stature he possessed a powerful physical presence, and when he spoke, with his warm brown eyes sparkling and his voice quavering with intensity, his eloquence was spellbinding. Even the most jaded members of the Formula One fraternity were mesmerised by his passionate soliloquies and in his press conferences you could hear a pin drop as he spoke with such hypnotic effect. His command performances were captured by the media and the world at large became aware of Senna’s magnetic appeal.
Everyone marvelled at how he put so much of himself, his very soul, into everything he did, not just his driving but into life itself. Behind the wheel the depth of his commitment was there for all to see and the thrilling spectacle of Senna on an all-out qualifying lap or a relentless charge through the field evoked an uneasy combination of both admiration for his superlative skill and fear for his future.”
http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/hall_of_fame/45/
Here is a translation from the Anonymous of 379 about the stars of the nature of Venus and Mercury:
“Since all these stars have the temperament and nature of Venus and Mercury, if one of them rises at the horoscope 9, not only does it make the natives well-known, famous and resourceful, but also very learned and erudite, fond of philosophical dissertations, eloquent, creative, perspicacious, ingenious and clever, keen on music and arts and good-hearted. These natives are also nice and pleasant, they like fine and voluptuous things, they have a delicate palate and prefer peaceful and soft activities, they are cheerful and merry, wise, sensible and reflective as well as able, skilful and lucky. They learn utterly by themselves and are esteemed for the virtue and quality of their reasoning; they have inclination to all that is virtuous, their speech and language are pleasant and people willingly listen to them, they are loveable, gracious and well moderate in their morals and behaviour, they are solicitous and careful, they have the knack of considering all the aspects of life with wisdom and sense and behaving in a reasonable way and they are generous (10).”
http://www.cieloeterra.it/eng/eng.testi.379/eng.379.html
This describes certain qualities of the Soul of Ayrton Senna really well. But there are more contributing factors, namely Aphrodite disposing and applying to Hermes as well as to the lord of the Horoskopos. Some might consider that Aphrodite is conjunct Deneb by longitude too, but I disregard that.
Quotes about Ayrton Senna
Nevertheless Senna will probably not be remembered mainly for these gentle qualities. Here are some more quotes, having in mind that Ares holds Spirit and is unaspected and is Kurios and holds Fortune and the MC:
“He drove like a man possessed – some thought by demons. His ruthless ambition provoked condemnation from critics, among them Prost who accused him of caring more about winning than living. When Senna revealed he had discovered religion Prost and others suggested he was a dangerous madman who thought God was his co-pilot. “Senna is a genius,” Martin Brundle said. “I define genius as just the right side of imbalance. He is so highly developed to the point that he’s almost over the edge. It’s a close call.”
Even Senna confessed he occasionally went too far, as was the case in qualifying for the 1988 Monaco Grand Prix, where he became a passenger on a surreal ride into the unknown. Already on pole, he went faster and faster and was eventually over two seconds quicker than Prost in an identical McLaren. “Suddenly, it frightened me,” Ayrton said, “because I realised I was well beyond my conscious understanding. I drove back slowly to the pits and did not go out anymore that day.”
He said he was acutely aware of his own mortality and used fear to control the extent of the boundaries he felt compelled to explore. Indeed, he regarded racing as a metaphor for life and he used driving as a means of self-discovery. “For me, this research is fascinating. Every time I push, I find something more, again and again. But there is a contradiction. The same moment that you become the fastest, you are enormously fragile. Because in a split-second, it can be gone. All of it. These two extremes contribute to knowing yourself, deeper and deeper.”
http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/hall_of_fame/45/
Senna’s character
It is very rare to see such a concentrated chart. I dare say in a similar way, just as Porphyry says that when the same planet is both the Ruler/Kurios of the Chart and of the Predominator it makes for illustrious nativities, so there is a great opportunity for this when a planet that controls that much of the chart is strongly placed in relation to the horizon, the Sun and the Zodiac, as it is with Ares.
So those that are interested in the so called “free will” might want to study Ayrton Senna’s chart for it is exemplary in this respect, adding that Ares is in is confines and averse to all its dispositors!
So we have Ares, swift, oriental, unaspected, of the sect, in a human zoidion. Add to this the contribution of the Swan constellation and that the Lot of Spirit is in the persistent, obsessive, extreme and insightful Scorpio and the picture becomes quite clear.
Here is a quote about the Swan:
“In the myth concerning Cygnus the friend of Phaeton, it was said;
“after Phaeton died, Cygnus dove repeatedly into the river Eridanos attempting to retrieve Phaeton’s body. The gods turned him into a swan”.
In reality swans seldom dive but they plunge their head and neck below the surface with tail tipped up to feed on roots or pondweeds. This habit of the swan sailing around in a pensive manner and thrusting its head in the water was seen as having another purpose as explained by the author of The Glorious Constellations;
“this story (of Cycnus searching for Phaeton) explains why swans wander over water seemingly in search of something and deep in thought and occasionally plunge their heads below the surface”.
http://www.constellationsofwords.com/Constellations/Cygnus.html
Add to this the predominantly melancholic temperament, which retains slights, is a workaholic, perfectionist, wants to be on top and is willing to suffer. Also, that that the melancholic planet Saturn is in its domicile and thus independent, plus Ares being Kurios. Combining this, you get an extremely strong-willed individual, stubbourn, obsessive, planning ahead, driven by competitiveness, the desire to break new frontiers and dismantle obstacles, prone to violence, taking way too much risk in a consistent manner, unwilling or unable to listen to the input of others. Only then can you start to get the picture why there were simply no limits to Ayrton Senna.
To finish on the eminence part, Senna would reach his peak in the second part of his life, and this is because of the disposition revolving around Fortune places and not the ones belonging to the Horoskopos, as per Rhetorius. This is confirmed by examining the unfolding of the natal promise as per predictive techniques, which I will do shortly.
Moreover, as the death will be violent and he would die young, it follows that this will have a huge impact on the life he lead. And it will be positive because Aphrodite disposes the subterraneous pivot, is super dignified, of the sect and applying to the lord of the Asc and offering reception. This is why Senna will always be remembered in a good light.
Marriage and Children
It is not surprising at all, when one studies the Ayrton Senna’s chart according to Hellenistic and Medieval Astrology, that the Brazilian racing driver genius would have problems in those areas. I mean conventionally speaking, that is, most people want children and a partner.
I don’t want to get much in this as it is not the purpose of the article. However, it will suffice it to say that the places productive of children are empty (the Culminating place, the Good Spirit and their diameters). Also, all the planets giving children fall amiss, just like the Lot of Children (in Capricorn), while Ares is pivotal and in a masculine zoidion (as per Firmicus). All this combined indicates Ayrton Senna will not have children. Even if he would, he would have one at most and grief on account of the child, and most probably a short life due to the afflicted situation.
As for the marriage, the Moon being cadent and applying to a cadent malefic (though with reception) does not bode well at all. And neither does the Lot of Marriage falling on the Tail of the Dragon and its lord falling in the Bad Spirit, in its depression. Still, Senna would be sought as the lord of the 7th applies to the lord of the Asc and is swifter, though the tetragonal testimony is a further negative indication that marriage does not last. One cannot ignore Ares diametrical to the place of marriage. I pretty much don’t use Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. (Uranus is in the 7th place and Neptune is closely conjunct the MC).
Nevertheless, Aphrodite, one of the general significators of children, applying to the lord of the Asc and to Hermes, ruler of the place of children, along with these 2 fixed stars, in the 2nd place of finances do show finances and expenditures related to children. The prolific zoidion indicates huge amounts, just as Ares in the Acquistion. I also note that Zeus rules the place of possessions and is in the Bad Spirit of illness, suffering, handicapped people, etc. He also rules the 11th, which is the place of the children of other people. Also, note that the 12th part of the Asc and the Moon fall in the place of children in Ayrton Senna’s chart.
“His self-absorption did not preclude deep feelings for humanity and he despaired over the world’s ills. He loved children and gave millions of his personal fortune (estimated at $400 million when he died) to help provide a better future for the underprivileged in Brazil. Early in 1994 he spoke about his own future. “I want to live fully, very intensely. I would never want to live partially, suffering from illness or injury. If I ever happen to have an accident that eventually costs my life, I hope it happens in one instant.”
Unfolding of Ayrton Senna’s chart using predictive techniques
I will be very brief and show just one technique, but how crucial it is! Readers of my blog have noticed how incredibly useful and insightful Zodiacal Releasing from the Lot of Spirit or Fortune can be, as shown in my articles. It is indispensable in Ayrton Senna’s chart.
Having in mind that Senna will live about 34 years, here is the chart for Spirit Aphesis:
So Ayrton Senna will reach the Fortune 10th on October 31 1986 and therefore this is when he would really make his mark and come into prominence. This is confirmed by the fact that the Sect Light the Moon is there and it is the primary trigon lord of the Sect Light. Also benefic Zeus is present. Senna became World Champion for the first time in 1988.
Notice that this happened after the loosening of the bond (LB) from darkness to light, that is, when Kronos handed over to the Moon on the second level.
Here comes the truly beautiful and amazing part. Note what happens in January 1989. Aquarius becomes the 2nd level and thus both malefics are controlling the times. Moreover, Ayrton Senna has now lost pretty much all benefics, as the hexagonal connection of the Sun is too weak. Yet at the same time the natal lord of Spirit is encountered, which is a major testimony that the native will meet his life’s work or have major dealings with it in this period. This is all the more emphasized due to the extremely dominating role of Ares in Ayrton Senna’s chart.
This is crucial. It is impossible to escape such a concentrated Fate, if I may put it this way. So, regardless of how eminent Ayrtons Senna’s chart is, everything acts according to its nature – the nature of the period being almost totally malefic. Remember, this is the Ruler of the Chart, the path in life the natives walks.
So Ares being very fast, strongly advancing, oriental and in a human zoidion and ruling the MC does show strong, persevering, intense quarrels and violence coming from humans or having to do with humans and that the native loses money because of it, and his own actions and character as well, etc. The point is that this is what the life of Senna is about: controversy, power struggles, competitiveness, dismantling of obstacles, taking risks, needing a cause to channel all that energy and drive into.
Need I say what happened, given that both malefics were controlling the times? Senna had the big falling out and scandal with Alain Prost and undeservedly lost the title. He was crushed.
Here is a quote:
“Prost took the 1989 world title after a collision with Senna at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan, the penultimate race of the season, which Senna needed to win to remain in contention for the title. Senna had attempted an inside pass on Prost who turned into the corner and cut him off, with the two McLarens finishing up with their wheels interlocked in the Suzuka chicane escape road. Senna then got a push-start from marshals, pitted to replace the damaged nose of his car, and rejoined the race. He took the lead from the Benetton of Alessandro Nannini and went on to claim victory, only to be disqualified by the FIA at the insistence of Prost who ran into the race marshals’ office after seeing Senna rejoin the race. Senna was disqualfied for cutting the chicane after the collision with Prost and for crossing into the pit lane entry which was not part of the track.[56][57] A large fine and temporary suspension of his Super License followed in the winter of 1989, and an irate Senna engaged in a bitter war of words with the FIA and its then President Jean-Marie Balestre.[58] Senna finished the season second with six wins and one second place. Prost left McLaren for rivals Ferrari for the following year.[59] “
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayrton_Senna#Death
Senna won his 2nd and 3rd world championship in 1990 and 1991. Why?
Well, look what happened, again! The LB again from darkness to light – from Aqu to Leo, for the 1990 title, with the level 2 lord the Sun with Fortune and exalted.
For the 1991 title, he moved to Cap-Pis – thus level two being pretty much completely immune from the malefics, the second trigon lord being there and the domicile lord culminating from the Lot.
Note this quote:
“In 1990 Senna extracted revenge at Suzuka’s first corner, winning his second championship by taking out Prost’s Ferrari at Suzuka’s first corner. Senna’s third title, in 1991, was straightforward as his domination as a driver became even more pronounced, as did his obsession with becoming better still”.
What a beauty!
Again and again, I find this breathtaking and more powerful and telling than anything, especially when the dispositio of the chart is like this one.
The death of Ayrton Senna
Here is the revolution for the year of death:
- It is extremely telling that death will occur this year (the previous and the next are no way near close as telling as this one):
- Both malefics ingress onto the Distribution of the Horoskopos, with Ares adhering;
- Zeus, the Lord of the Year (LoY) is in the SR 8th, being scrutinized by SR lord 8, incidentally the same Ares;
- The Fortune 1st rises, partile conjunct Fortuna;
- SR Fortuna opposes the Asc;
- SR Hermes opposes by antiscion Fortuna;
- SR SAN opposed to natal SAN (potential Apheta/Hyleg) and with both malefics
- Fortuna and the Sun hand over to the Horoskopos
With Fortune Aphesis we have:
Gem/Cap- LB -Can/Leo/Cap, so Hermes, ruler of the 8th, the Moon taking over the 2nd level after the LB and showing the body, Leo opposing the Horoskopos and being opposed by Ares and Capricorn on the day of death, containing the contrary to sect malefic and the Moon, significator of the body. Amazing!
Senna died on May the 1st 1994, at 34 years 1 month and 10 days. He was in a 12th place monthly profection, which is ruled by Ares by exaltation and trigon, and Ares rules the natal Deadly Place and the place of death in the SR.
Conclusion
I reserve the right to get back at some future time to this chart, be it by itself or in comparison with other Formula 1 drivers, such as Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher or other sports persons.
In the mean time I will watch the two documentaries about Senna and probably buy his biography book.
In parting, here is another gem from Ayrton Senna:
“I’m very privileged. I’ve always had a very good life. But everything that I’ve gotten out of life was obtained through dedication and a tremendous desire to achieve my goals…a great desire for victory, meaning victory in life, not as a driver. To all of you who have experienced this or are searching now, let me say that whoever you may be in your life, whether you’re at the highest or most modest level, you must show great strength and determination and do everything with love and a deep belief in God. One day, you’ll achieve your aim and you’ll be successful. [youtube int]”
http://www.biographyonline.net/sport/motor/ayrton-senna.html
Written in August 2013
