During the 1900s, Polio had reached epidemic levels. With no cure or preventable vaccine, it was considered a highly contagious disease. It could cause permanent paralysis, deformed limbs, and death due to the inability to breathe. In July 1913, Frida turned 6 years old, and it was at this age she contracted Polio. While there was no way to specifically predict Frida Kahlo would have contracted a deadly disease, it is worthwhile to study the planetary conditions during this year of her life.
Frida Kahlo Birth Chart and Progression
Since the angles are considered primary points for energy to manifest, eventful years often occur with planetary contact to the angles. In Frida’s natal chart all four of her angles were connected by a rare Fixed Grand Cross. Thus, when one of her angles was stimulated by a transit, eclipse, or progression, it would impact all four of her angles and set the stage for events of magnitude or a cataclysmic nature to occur.
In 1913, Frida Kahlo’s birth chart, her natal ascendant had progressed to 29 degrees Leo. In progressions, the twenty-ninth degree always signals a year of crisis, change, or adjustment. In fact, all four of her angles and an additional four house cusps reached 29 degrees beginning in August 1913. With eight of her twelve houses indicating change, there was the potential for dramatic events to unfold.
Fixed Stars Regulus and the Pleiades
With her ascendant now at 29 Leo, it was conjoined the Fixed Star Regulus. For centuries, it has been considered both auspicious and the most Royal of all the Fixed Stars. It gives one such power that they seem essentially protected. In ancient times, Regulus was one of the Guardians of Heaven, and its energy is associated with the Archangel of healing, Raphael. For Frida, this alignment heralded a year of massive change; yet in her corner, she had the Archangel watching over her. Coincidentally, as Frida’s ascendant progressed to conjoin Regulus it also squared her natal Moon and the Pleiades. Since it is joined in aspect to both the Moon and the Pleiades there is an increased risk for accidents, violence, and events that can be life-threatening.
Her progressed midheaven, representing an event, was also at 29 Taurus conjunct her Moon and the Pleiades. The Pleiades, also referenced as the Seven Sisters or Alcyone, is a configuration of fixed stars from late Taurus to early Gemini. Known as the weeping sisters, these degrees are associated with tragedies. This is especially true for a natal conjunction with the rising sign or the midheaven. It carries the symbolism of violence, injury, and something to weep about. Unfortunately, Frida’s Moon was conjunct the Pleiades, and that can denote extreme sickness.
Transits to Frida Kahlo’s Birth Chart
In 1913, there was a cosmic storm brewing with the progressions, transits, and eclipses. With no definitive data stating exactly when she contracted polio. I decided to pinpoint the timing for when her natal planets were under stressful aspects. So, I will review the transits during September 1913.
First, Transiting Neptune was at 27 degrees of Cancer exactly trine her natal Saturn. This was important due to the domino effect. Neptune was the ruler of her Saturn in Pisces, which ruled her 6th house of health and her Mars/Uranus conjunction. In addition, Neptune was also making aspects to all four of her chart’s angles, as well as, her Moon in Taurus and the Pleiades. This is a wow factor! To take it a step further, Neptune rules the immune system, feet, and her 8th house of death. Often, Neptune aspects can symbolize when medical tests are inconclusive, and no diagnosis can be determined for a mystery illness.
Chiron and Mythology
On a final note, Saturn trined the asteroid Chiron in her 6th house of health. While an aspect to Chiron was a stretch for a polio diagnosis, it did bring the archetype symbolism full circle and showed how it unfolded in her life. In Greek Mythology, Chiron was a Centaur known as the healer and mentor to those in need of healing. Ironically, he was wounded by a poisonous arrow to his leg that led to agonizing pain for the duration of his life. In Frida’s case, it is well-known that it took months for her to recover. The disease left a lasting effect, and her right leg never fully healed or developed. Her leg was shorter, she developed a limp, and she endured pain throughout her life. Unbelievable how the archetype symbolism played out in her early childhood and left her with a wound for her entire life.
Eclipses
Whether you start your analysis reviewing the eclipse cycles of 1913 or just dive into Frida’s progressions and transits, you will still see the symbolism all circles back to her health. Keep in mind eclipse energies can begin to manifest 4 – 6 weeks prior to the eclipse and remain sensitive for at least one-two years post-eclipse. In 1913, five eclipses occurred in the elements of air, fire, earth, and water.
1913 Eclipses
- March 22, 1913 – Lunar Eclipse 1 Libra
- April 6, 1913 – Solar Eclipse 16 Aries
- August 31, 1913 – Solar Eclipse 7 Virgo
- September 15, 1913 – Lunar Eclipse 22 Pisces
- September 30, 1913 – Solar Eclipse 6 Libra
March 1913 – Lunar Eclipse at 1 Libra
First, the Lunar Eclipse at 1 Libra was aspected by transiting Saturn at 29 degrees of Taurus. At this point, Saturn was the Lord of the Eclipse and its symbolism would be imperative in how events unfolded. Transiting Saturn signified karmic events due to it being conjoined with Frida’s Moon and Midheaven. The eclipse aspecting her Moon symbolized upheaval and change in her domestic life and home. Saturn aspecting her planets could have resulted in feelings of abandonment, depression, and a sense of being weighed down with life’s circumstances. For some, it brings too much responsibility at an early age. One essentially has to face reality and grow up. Pluto also made an out of sign hard aspect to the eclipse, it could have brought trauma and crisis into the picture. In June 1913, the Sun would have been entering Cancer and triggering this eclipse point.
April 1913 – Solar Eclipse at 16 Aries
The Solar Eclipse at 16 Aries was troublesome for her. Occurring in her 8th house of death (among other topics), the eclipse made hard t-square to her natal Cancer/Capricorn axis of planets. This was worrisome as it was now causing significant stress to five of her planets. This eclipse also brought the Fixed Star Sirius into the mix. Frida’s Sun was conjunct Sirius, thus making an important component of the eclipse’s energies. Keep in mind Sirius symbolizes the hottest part of the year. According to Homer, the downside of Sirius brings fevers, plagues, and death. The Dog Star signified the summer solstice and brought with it the dog days of summer.
The ruler of the eclipse, Mars was in Pisces and its ruler Neptune was transiting Cancer opposing Jupiter in Capricorn. Again, circling back to this important axis in her chart. Finally, the eclipse also made aspects to her natal Venus and Pluto. In total, seven of her planets were all under this eclipse’s cosmic vibes. That’s quite the combination! Furthermore, the eclipse was conjunct her Sun/Mars midpoint at 13 Aries, another critical degree. This is concerning due to their natal placements and it reinforces the emphasis on her natal planets that are on the Capricorn/Cancer axis. With multiple planets making difficult aspects to the eclipse, it was apparent the seeds for something eventful was in the cosmos for her, especially during the summer months.
Lunar Eclipse – September at 22 Pisces
The Lunar Eclipse in September at 22 Pisces was also another indicator that her health was going to be a focal point. At 22 Pisces, the eclipse was again in her 8th house of death. It was conjunct her natal Saturn, the ruler of her 6th house of health, and the ruler of her Mars/Uranus conjunction. In addition, Transiting Saturn made a difficult aspect with the eclipse and her natal Saturn. Finally, the eclipse made a difficult square to Pluto! Pluto represents many things including transformations, metamorphosis, and deep emotions. It is also the modern lord of death and rules epidemics. It is safe to say the eclipse triggered the dormant energies in her chart.
With so much happening, she had to have an angel by her side. While she was bedridden for nine months, she was blessed to have Jupiter transiting Capricorn. While it did go retrograde and direct, it was all occurring within degrees of her Mars/Uranus conjunction. She was born with a positive and super lucky Sun conjunct Jupiter. Thus, the luckiest planet of the zodiac could bestow gifts during her lifetime. In my opinion, Jupiter hovered in aspect to her Sun to protect her from falling victim to the disease.
Solar Eclipse – September 1913 – at 6 Libra
The Solar Eclipse in September 1913 occurred at 6 Libra and again made challenging aspects to her Sun and Cancer Stellium, as well as her Mars and Uranus. If the natal Sun is strong in the birth chart and supported by good aspects to other planets it is less impacted during an eclipse. If the Sun is weak in the natal chart, it is difficult for the individual to continuously fight off the barrage of circumstances that keep coming their way. For instance, the Sun represents vitality, and with multiple challenging eclipses and transits to this planet, it signified a weakened physical state. Neptune represented a lowered immune system, and Pluto can signify toxins or disease. While Mars is a hot planet, it also symbolizes fever, or burnout. Uranus is unexpected events, and it has rulership over the knees and ankles.
Solar Return
While a progressed chart will always trump a return chart, I do like to see if it mirrors the progressions. Typically, it can help to pinpoint the timing of events or activities. A Solar Return is another tool to see the cosmic energies that can manifest from one birthday to the next. Frida’s 1913 Solar Return chart was uncanny and phenomenal in how all the signs and symbolism were intertwined with her natal chart.
She had Capricorn rising, thus bringing her natal 6th house of health to the forefront. With Capricorn rising, it brings increased responsibilities, and a higher possibility for issues related to her health to manifest. The planets involved in her natal Cancer/Capricorn axis were all activated by this chart. Thus, opening the door for something to manifest. Since this is a Solar Return, the house of the Sun is very important, and it was in the return’s 6th house. Again, a repetitive theme was that her health was at the forefront.
In her return chart, Neptune at 25 Cancer was the only return planet conjoined an angle. It also made aspects to her natal chart, including a sextile to her natal midheaven, Moon, and Algol. Typically, planets that are on an angle in the return chart, have a greater chance of manifesting during the year.
Solar Return + Lunar Nodes
The year a Lunar Node is on the rising sign means it will be a year of significant activity. In the return, she has her natal South Node conjunct the return chart’s ascendant, and this strongly indicated a weakness or loss. It most likely played out as a weakness to her physical well-being. Then, the return’s North Node was exactly conjunct her natal Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn. A North Node connection brings protection, advancements, and rewards. Since it was conjoined with Saturn, it was indeed offering protection. Saturn is the ruler of her Solar Return Ascendant representing physical body and health. As the ruler of her natal 6th house and the Nodes, a beneficial aspect was a source of protection from the worst-case scenario. A year of significant activity is also expected when the nodes are on the rising sign. Saturn can bring the weight of the world, a source of karmic conditions with heavy-duty circumstances.
There are two Jupiter placements that I want to mention. First, the solar return Jupiter was conjunct with her natal Mars/Uranus. Second, her natal Jupiter was 1 degree away from an exact conjunction with the solar return’s descendant. Thus, a trend was being reinforced with her natal Cancer/Capricorn axis, sixth house, and Saturn.
Solar Return Venus was conjunct her natal Midheaven, Moon, and Algol. It was also opposing her natal Vertex and indicating an appointment with destiny or events out of her control. Oftentimes, aspects from Venus and Jupiter can bring luck, protection, or improved circumstances.
Frida Kahlo Part I
The natal chart and star symbolism
