On October 18, 2021 we lost a man who helped shape American foreign policy in the later half of the 20th century and first part of the 21st century. General Colin Powell was the first black US Secretary of State for the United States. He started his career fighting in the Vietnam War and worked his way up to becoming Secretary of State. He Not only has he received such honors as the Purple Heart but he was also knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. He married his wife Alma on August 25, 1962 and they had three children together.
Let’s take a look at his chart and what it shows us about his life.
General Powell has no known time of birth. For this article we will be using the Moon as his ascendant. This will set up his chart and the houses to follow.
When we use the Moon to indicate his first house. We see that General Powell is a Capricorn ascendant. He has Jupiter in the first house as well. Moon in the first house can indicate that he found his home to be a refuge from the world. It was likely his place to escape and recoup. There can be many unpredictable turns and events that created a constant change in his daily activities. He was someone who was curious, modest and likely sought out change and new experiences. He was someone who would perform his duties constantly and completely using a methodical approach. Jupiter is at its weakest state in Capricorn. However, this is uplifted by the fact that Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, is in Jupiter’s sign of Pisces creating a beautiful yoga that uplifts his Jupiter. Jupiter in the first house can indicate that he was someone who was larger than life. He likely had a jovial nature and could see the glass as half full instead of half empty. He was likely conversant in all different forms of knowledge and was someone who set positive goals and was able to attain them. He was generous. He could at times have had the need to have others see things his way and felt that his view was the only view. The Moon is in the lunar mansion of Shravana. This indicates that he was someone who wanted to seek out knowledge and information. He may have been more traditional in his approach at times. He had the ability to truly listen. He was someone who could have a good marriage and helpful partner. Jupiter is in the lunar mansion of Uttara Ashadha. This likely made him bright, modest and devoted to his friends. He was likely interested in learning and advocating for topics that he felt were important. He was someone who would benefit through travel. He had the potential to be very patient.
The ruler of the first house, Saturn, goes to his third house. This indicates that he had a strong courageous drive that empowered him for success. He was ambitious and could have a strong and powerful, athletic body. He could be humorous and had skills in writing, speaking and communicating. He enjoyed adventures. Jupiter rules his third house and in the first house indicates his ability to be persuasive and a good speaker and communicator. For him confidence was likely gained through difficulty. He is someone who would be successful through his own efforts. He may not have always taken the best care of his own health. Jupiter also rules the twelfth house and in the first house indicates that he may have enjoyed working for activities that benefited the world at large. He could be generous and broad minded. He was someone who needed to watch his health as weakness in physical health could come at an earlier age. The Moon rules his seventh house and being in the first indicates partnerships of all kinds would be important in his life but that he could lose himself in the process. He could identify closely with his wife and she had the ability to add power to his life. He was someone who could be skilled in relating to others. For him business travel had the ability to bring him success but he could have become fatigued due to too much traveling.
In his second house, Pisces, are Saturn and the Sun. Saturn in his third house indicates he was someone who was determined, deliberate, systematic and a careful planner. He likely communicated thoroughly. He had the ability to really focus and tune out the constant chatter from others. Communication had the potential to be a huge part of his life with this placement although it may have been overly structured at times. Sun in the third house can indicate that his communication skills were highly developed and played an important role in his life. It can indicate that he is someone who is adventurous, determined and ambitious. It can indicate that he could be a writer, whether of articles, books or contracts. It could indicate that he had the potential for issues with his hearing at some point in his life. He is someone that could have been adaptable, well liked, contemplative and a popular leader. Saturn rules his second house and in the third house indicates that money could have been made through traveling, writing or teaching. He is someone who would make money through his own efforts and benefit through using his own voice. There could at times be the potential for him to have been a bit impatient, however, there are some offsets in his chart. This was likely triggered more by transiting planets when it occurred. Saturn is in the lunar mansion Uttara Bhadrapada indicating that he had the discipline to write and speak well. It indicates an ability to control his anger and aggression. He was likely someone who was very protective of his loved ones. He likely needed solitude and seclusion to recoup and allow him to think. It indicates good problem-solving ability and the ability to be an impressive speaker. Sun is in the lunar mansion of Revati. This indicates that he could be a very caring and responsible friend. He may have loved small animals like dogs or cats. It can indicate that he could have been promoted quickly and was someone who was brave in the face of setbacks.
In his fourth house, Aries, are Mercury and Venus. This conjunction can make him someone who people are naturally drawn to, verbally proficient and very good at communication. Although in Aries he would have needed to be careful that his communication didn’t have an aggressive undertone. Mercury in the fourth house can indicate that he was devoted to his family and loved ones. It could indicate that he may have had trouble fully expressing his emotions to others, preferring to keep them to himself. This can indicate that there could have been many changes in residence in his life. He likely had quick problem-solving abilities. Venus in the fourth indicates that he likely enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle. He likely had a love of his family and mother. He may have been drawn to luxury items such as homes and cars.
Venus rules the fifth house and in the fourth indicates that he could have a comfortable home and a good family. Venus also rules the tenth house and in the fourth indicates that he could do well working with vehicles or as a geologist. Mercury rules the sixth house and in the fourth can indicate that he was thick-skinned. It can indicate dealing in the military or defense related activities. He could have a strategic mindset and be an impatient learner. Mercury rules the ninth house and in the fourth house indicates that his father and mother were likely close and stayed together. His father led by example. He could have good luck with cars, real estate, education and things that come from beneath the ground. Mercury and Venus are both in the lunar mansion of Ashwini. This indicates that he was a pioneer who had a zeal and zest for life. He could have had a restless and stubborn side. It can indicate that he was self-sufficient, intelligent and had a desire to do things his own way. He would have needed to watch his speed as this lunar mansion can have a desire to go fast.
While I wouldn’t normally point this out, the above information is more relevant than I realized as I did some research after writing this piece. General Powell got his Bachelor’s degree in Geology and he loved fixing up old cars.
In his fifth house, Taurus, is the node of the Moon, Ketu. This can indicate that he was someone who was more spiritual then religious. He likely had a profound understanding and compassion for others. His mind may have been more obsessive and could have had the ability to think of all potential conspiracy potentials. Ketu, in the lunar mansion of Mrigashira indicates that he could have a love of collecting things. He may have enjoyed working to find that special deal. It can indicate a high intelligence and the ability to research. He may have been overly critical at times. He was someone who needed plenty of exercise and fresh air to stay balanced.
In his eleventh house, Scorpio, are Mars and the node of the Moon, Rahu. Mars in the eleventh house indicates that he could have great wealth from his career that came from his drive and ambition. His father may have been a motivating source for career success. He could be someone with many friends and links to influential people. He could have many opportunities in life and be very inspiring for others. He likely had a “try anything” attitude. He could solve problems quickly and may have enjoyed resolving opposition. Rahu in the eleventh house indicates that he could receive many opportunities from very influential and powerful people in life, all his for the asking. He could have connections to people who were in control and the movers and shakers of the community. Mars rules his fourth house and, in the eleventh, can indicate that the more he continued to learn the greater his earnings could be. He was someone who was able to fulfill his dreams. Mars also rules the eleventh house and is in its own sign and house. This indicates that friends can be an important part of this life, however, at times they may be disappointing. He could have influential friends but they may be offering support for ulterior motives. He could have plenty of opportunities in life and be around well-placed individuals. Mars is in the lunar mansion of Anuradha indicating that he was popular, devoted and enjoyed a social life and being involved in organizations. He could be focused on his goals and have great leadership and organization skills. He had the ability to work well in large groups of people. This could bring him many opportunities to travel and the gift of dealing with people as well as the ability to work with numbers. Rahu is in the lunar mansion of Jyeshta. This indicates he could be the most successful in his family. He could build a good support network around himself and keep friends. He was likely very protective of himself and his loved ones.
Let’s take a look at some events in his life and the transits that triggered them.
On August 25, 1962 General Powell married his wife Alma. Saturn was in Capricorn conjunct the ruler of his seventh house, the Moon. This can indicate a marriage based on security and the ability to have a long-lasting marriage. Transiting Rahu was in Cancer, his seventh house. Transiting Rahu was in opposition to his natal Moon, ruler of his seventh house. What we don’t know on this date was the aspects based on his ascendant but from the Moon there are strong indications this was a good day to marry.
On December 16, 2000 it was announced that General Powell would become Secretary of State under incoming President George W. Bush. On this day transiting Jupiter and Saturn were both in Taurus his fifth house. They were sending their energy to his eleventh house, of great gains and promotions, and the ruler of his eleventh house, Mars. When Jupiter and Saturn both send their energy to a house it becomes a point of manifestation. Transiting Jupiter was sending its energy to his first house with his natal Jupiter and Moon. This can bring opportunities to him. Transiting Mars was in Libra, his tenth house of career, indicating that he could have the drive and ambition to get what he wanted during this time. He was in his Saturn Maha Dasha and Mars sub-dasha. This activated his eleventh house as well making the transits even more powerful.
On October 18, 2021 General Powell passed away. On this day transiting Saturn, a potential indicator of death, was in his first house. Transiting Saturn was conjunct his natal Moon ruler of his seventh house, a maraka house. Transiting Saturn was also conjunct his natal Jupiter, ruler of his twelfth house of loss. Transiting Saturn was sending its energy to his natal Saturn ruler of his first house, who he is, and the second house another maraka house. Transiting Saturn was also sending its energy to his natal Sun. While the Sun is our life energy it also rules his eighth house, which can be a house of death. On this day he was still in his Mercury Maha Dasha and Saturn sub-dasha. This made the Saturn both in his chart and in transit more powerful. Transiting Ketu was in Scorpio sending its energy to his natal Saturn and Sun indicating a loss. Transiting Ketu was also sending its energy to his seventh house, which is a maraka or a killer house. He was in a nodal inversion which can be a period of change for people.
What is most interesting about General Powell’s chart is that while we did it off the Moon it really depicts his life. He was a speaker and author of two books. He had a bachelor’s degree in Geology and had enjoyed restoring cars in his free time. He traveled the world for his job, both in the military and once in political office. He was someone who was known as being humble but also an inspiring and powerful leader. He had strong family values. He decided, when asked, not to run for President of the United States because of his family.
General Colin Powell was an inspiration to many and helped to shape the United States. He will be missed but not forgotten.
