Malaysia Airline Flight MH370: An astrological analysis

By Rey Dela Merced

The inception chart[1] was based on Flight MH370’s departure time[2] at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. We will examine the 4^th, 7^th and 8^th houses which have been associated with death in Traditional (Hellenistic and Medieval) Astrology.

The End of Things and the Perpetrator

Regarding the 4^th house, al-Qabisi (Alchabitius) in his work Introduction to the Science of Astrology he wrote, “al-Andarzaghar said the first Lord of the Triplicity of the house of the father signifies fathers, the second cities and lands, and the third the ends of things and prisons.” (Italics mine)

In this regard, we will start with the 4^th house which signifies the “end of the matter” for Flight MH370.

Looking at the chart, the Sun is below the ASC/DESC axis (Ascendant at 7 deg 48 min of Sagittarius) indicating a Nocturnal chart. In the 4^th house we have Pisces, a water sign. From the Dorothean Triplicities Table below, we have the following Triplicity Lords for Pisces in a Nocturnal chart: Primary Lord is Mars, Secondary Lord is Venus and Moon as the Cooperating or Participating Lord. Since we are interested on the topic “the ends of things,” we have Moon signifying “the end of things.”

The Heliacally Rising[3] Moon, which is also the Domicile Lord of the 8^th house of death, is angular and opposing the Ascendant which signifies Flight MH370, its crew members and passengers. Moon is aspected by an afflicted Mars ruler of the 12^th of suffering, sorrow, loss, isolation and deception. Mercury ruler of the 7^th house of enemies and her dispositor is casting a trine on her. Take note that Mercury is being harmed by Mars and Saturn. In traditional thought, whenever Mercury is aspected by afflicted Mars and Saturn, it is an indication of “violence.” Both Mercury and Moon represents our perpetrator.

The Western Setting Angle

In the eyes of the Egyptians, the 7^th house/Desc is where the Sun (signifying Life and Light among other things) dies each day as it sets.  Ptolemy even mentioned that “… it causes the lord of the life to vanish.” Imagine yourself at the beach, watching the Sun set on the horizon. As the Sun sets, it would appear as though its light is being extinguished and drowned by the sea. Perhaps it is because of this powerful imagery that the 7^th house/Desc has been associated with the “act of drowning.”

The House of Death

In the 8^th house we have Jupiter, who is the Lord of the Ascendant. Jupiter being in the 8^th house is in Aversion to the Ascendant. Jupiter the Greater Benefic cannot “see” or form an aspect to its own domicile. So the master of the house is away and cannot give protection and support to its house. Even though Jupiter is in the Fortune 11^th by derivative house[4] and in Exaltation, it is contrary to the sect in favor (therefore restrained in its beneficence) and afflicted by two Malefics: Mars and Saturn[5]. Mars is in Libra its detriment. Mars and Saturn are both stationary retrograde[6] (Mercury went stationary direct on 28 Feb). Mars is also conjunct the North Node which increases its maleficence. Jupiter exalted in the 8^th house of death tells us that Flight MH 370 and the tragedy that befall it will remain etched in our memory for a long time.

Saturn on the 12th

Saturn, the Greater Malefic, is contrary to sect in favor. It is in the 12^th house of subterfuge, sabotage and betrayal of trust. It also forms an inferior trine to Jupiter. In antiquity, the aspect trine was considered malefic because it is associated with the unbridled flow of energy for good or evil. Modern astrology made it into a beneficial influence because of the seeming “ease” it provides in bringing about the significations of the planets involved[7].

Saturn trines both the Sun, Lord of the 9^th house of long distance travel and Jupiter, Lord of the 1^st and significator of the flight. It tells us that the malice directed at Flight MH370 was probably executed with ruse, relative ease and perhaps even went relatively unchallenged.

Saturn has a superior square (Overcoming) to Mercury the Lord of the 7^th house. According to Haphaistion of Thebes[8], the 7^th house also represents the end of matters in an inquiry. This superior square is like having somebody you are afraid of looming and trying to gain control over you. Mercury may be a Morning (Rising Star) and Lord of the Lot of Fortune but it is contrary to sect, cadent and cannot “see” the Lot of Fortune. Remember what I mentioned about the trine? Whatever nefarious influence Mercury has, flowed unimpeded to the Descendant and Moon. Saturn and Mars harming Mercury could also represent the perpetrator’s emotional and mental state, i.e. depression, isolation, displeasure and anger.

“Angles for Analyzing Inquiries”

In his book, Hephaistion of Thebes[9]wrote, that one way to predict the outcome of an inception chart is to look at the 9^th, 10^th and 11^th house. They represent the past, present and future respectively. The 9^th house is empty.  He also said: “Should no star (planet) be found on the said places, one must take those that look on (aspects[10])…of such kind will the end and the operation of the matter sought be brought about.”  Mars which is in detriment, retrograde and conjunct the North Node[11] cast a whole sign sextile aspect to the 9^th house. Meanwhile, retrograde Saturn in his 12^th house of Joy regards the 9^th house with a square. The person (or people) responsible for this tragedy seems to have no connection with any terrorist organization. The culprit planned for this and had no the intention of bringing his passengers safely to their destination.  

The 10^th house represents the moment of departure – the “present.”  With Mercury - Lord of 10^th house and Lot of Fortune - heavily afflicted, it is an ill-fated flight.

For the outcome of the departure, our 11^th house, we have seen that already from the previous analysis of an afflicted Mars.

Summary

From this chart analysis, we can glean what possibly happened to Flight MH370. Although different methods and approach were used, all indicated that Flight MH370 was doomed the moment it took off. The tragic loss of Flight MH370 is not a terrorist act and neither caused by conventional equipment failure, but rather a deliberate act by someone who may have emotional and/or psychological issues.

One final note: the Saturn and Jupiter trine configuration is also present in the charts of Flight QZ8501 (8^th and 12^th houses) and the recent earthquake (1^st and 9^th houses). In the Parliament Hill shooting chart, Saturn squared Jupiter (1^st and 10^th house). This not to say that all Saturn and Jupiter configurations are bad. When delineating charts, it is imperative that we always consider the condition and location of the planetary significators before drawing any conclusions. If we have only one indication then the event is only possible and it is changeable or preventable. With two indications, then the event may be difficult to change or prevent and it is now probable. If thrice, the event cannot be changed or prevented because it is certain.

“In whatever is signified, this must be noted: if it has only one testimony, it is routine; if two, it will be stronger; if three, complete-only if the Lords themselves or the significators are strong and not impeded.”  Abu 'Ali Al-Khayyat (770-835) in his book On the Judgments of Nativities (see p.331 of Persian Nativities Vol. 1)

Dorothean Triplicities

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[1] Inception (Greek – Katarche. Meaning beginning and inception). It is an analysis of events that have already occurred. The chart is cast in Whole Sign House division. Whole Sign aspects are used in the analysis. 

[2] The chart was calculated using Delphic Oracle.  The figures at the center of the chart are Ascensional Times. These are used for timing events. The colored outer signs are the Bounds, Confines or Terms.

[3] Heliacally Rising planets in a chart are notable, direct and powerful in their effects. The Moon Heliacally Rose on 2 March 2014.

[4] Lot of Fortune is in the 10^th house (17 Virgo). If the LOF is placed in the Ascendant, the 7^th house containing the Moon and 8^th house containing Jupiter becomes the 10^th and 11^th house respectively. Both derived houses are considered eventful, strong and significant placements.

[5] In Traditional Astrology two kinds of aspects are used: “whole sign” and “degree-based” aspects. (Degree based aspects is further subdivided into “orb-body” and “moiety” systems.) The difference between the two is one of intensity and connection. Whole sign aspect is less intense and intimate but nonetheless effective. Just imagine sitting across a 300 lbs scruffy and tough looking fellow staring at you (whole sign based) versus this same fellow engaging you with verbal assault and threatening you with physical harm (aspect based).

[6] Stations of a planet whether stationary direct or retrograde are useful in timing events.

[7] In general, aspects describes whether the effects or significations of a planet are achieved with corresponding difficulty (square and opposition) or ease (sextile and trine). 

[8] Referred to as “Angles for Analyzing Inquiries.” Chapter III.4 Hephaistion of Thebes: Apotelesmatics Book III: On Inceptions.  Trans. E.J. Gramaglia. Ed.  B. Dykes.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Whole sign aspect.

[11] The North Node increases the effects or influence of the planet it is conjunct with. The South Node decreases.