Astrology of the Jonestown Massacre

On April 28th at 10:30pm MDT transiting Mars will conjunct Neptune, and this is the last time in our lives that this aspect will happen in Pisces. By the time Mars comes around again, Neptune will have ingressed into Aries. One of the charts where this aspect is particularly determinative is the chart of the Jonestown Massacre. If you’re unfamiliar with Jim Jones or the People’s Temple, I recommend you read the Wikipedia article about it. There are also several films about it, including one put out by PBS in 2006 called “Jonestown: The Life and Death of People’s Temple.” It’s definitely worth watching. 

Jonestown was the name for the primitive settlement created by members of the People’s Temple in Guyana. The People’s Temple was a political and religious organization founded in Indianapolis in 1954 by Jim Jones. The Temple moved three times, from Indianapolis to Ukiyah, California, then to San Francisco, and finally to the Guyanese jungle. While Jones was an outspoken proponent of racial integration, he was also deeply suspicious of his followers. His followers were forced to work long hours and were discouraged from speaking to one another. This made them easier to control and manipulate. On November 18, 1978 Jones would  convince 909 of his followers to drink Kool Aid laced with cyanide and other poisons.

Mercury sextile Pluto

This is an aspect of exposition and of secrets being revealed. Mercury sextile Pluto probes for information and doesn’t shy away from intense subjects. Family members of those in Guyana had been urging members of the government to investigate Jonestown for sometime. The commune didn’t have a telephone, and in fact there wasn’t one for many miles away. Sporadic, cryptic letters were the only means of communication between members of the People’s Temple and the outside world.

A lot was exposed through the congressional visit. Journalists and a camera crew were in tow. They interviewed Jim Jones and a number of his followers. At least one member passed a note to a member of the media, asking to leave with them on their plane. This encouraged other followers to do the same. 

Mars conjunct Neptune

This is the most telling aspect. Mars is applying to a conjunction with Neptune, in Sagittarius. The symbolism here is aggressive delusion, manipulation, or feelings of persecution. Mars signifies action, drive, conflict, and even violence. At its best, Neptune signifies creativity, mysticism, or idealism, but more commonly it shows up in charts as confusion. Together, these planets create the energy necessary for burning witches at the stake, or starting a holy war. (In fact, this aspect appears about two months before the start of the first crusade in 1095, as Mars was about to station retrograde.)

In Sagittarius the combination of Mars and Neptune has top notes of organized religion. Today, Sagittarius has a reputation for being jovial, and fun-loving. We tend to forget that this is also the sign of the missionary and the zealot. Sagittarius and Pisces are two signs that care about the human soul, but Pisces is at least willing to listen to another point of view. Pisces cares about the outcome for your soul, but can admit that it doesn’t have all the answers. Sagittarius already knows the best method for saving souls, and doesn’t care to hear other’s opinions. 

This fits perfectly with the outcome of the day. Jim Jones convinced his followers through manipulation and fear to drink kool aid laced with cyanide and other poisons. He had been rehearing what he called a “white night” for years, wherein he compelled his followers to prepare for a mass suicide. On this day, he went forward with something he’d been teasing for a while. 

Mars square Saturn

This is a volatile aspect that frequently acts as a catalyst or an ignition switch. Mars and Saturn are the two malefics of the zodiac. Saturn is in Virgo, in the superior position. Saturn can represent endings and even death. Mars is the trigger, and Saturn here is the outcome, which is grim and grisly. Mars aims and shoots; Saturn kills. 

Aquarius MC

The 10th house shows how this event is seen and understood by others; it is the house of one’s reputation. Aquarius is the sign of the unconventional, non-conformist, and the stand-alone.

The actions of November 18, 1978 were radical, but so was the People’s Temple. Jim Jones had been a prominent activist for gay rights and racial integration. While still in California, he had been recognized by Harvey Milk and Angela Davis for his service to the working class and for his willingness to demonstrate and organize. 

Conclusion

Mars and Neptune conjunctions have the potential to be news-worthy events. The last time this conjunction occurred was on May 18, 2022. Just three days beforehand, a mass shooting occurred at the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, California. April will be a busy month, for sure.