Jack La Lanne, ‘The Godfather of Modern Fitness,’ lived to the ripe old age of 96 and reportedly was in great physical condition until a week before his death on January 23, 2011. When I heard of his passing I wanted to study his birth chart for clues as to why he was known as ‘the first fitness superhero.’ But alas, no birth time! That was the end of the story back then.
Since that time, however, I have learned a thing or two about natal astrology :) And, guess what? Mr. La Lanne has an agenda-driven planet in his chart. Care to guess which one? That’s right: it’s Mars.
A planet is agenda-driven (John Frawley’s term) when at birth it is about to change sign or has just changed sign and the sign change brings about a big increase or decrease in essential dignity. Mr. La Lanne’s birth chart, cast for noon as is the convention for untimed charts, appears at bottom (September 26, 1914 in San Francisco, California).
Regardless of his birth time, La Lanne’s natal Mars is at 28 Libra, within two degrees of becoming super-strong in its own fixed-water sign of Scorpio. Because Mars will soon be able to do Mars stuff with great strength, it is motivated to push forward, as if to say, ‘Let’s get going—the Promised Land is just ahead!’ By itself this testimony explains a lot about La Lanne’s superb fitness and many physical feats.
What else are we able to see from this untimed chart? I’m sure the Moon exalting Mars is important. Venus is ruled by Mars as well, giving Mars considerable sway in La Lanne’s internal parliament.
I’m intrigued by the Saturn-Pluto conjunction. Pluto is the underworld god who snatches the beautiful maiden and carries her home with him. We must interpret any testimony in context, and I'm limited in my knowledge of La Lanne; but to me this looks formidable, as if conferring a stubborn resistance and serious staying power.
I wonder if La Lanne is running fitness groups up in the heavenly realm? You never know ;)
PHOTO CREDIT:
Above, By Photographer: Cliff Riddle, Hollywood. - eBay itemphoto frontphoto back, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16893911
Below, By Photographer-Cliff Riddle, Hollywood. - eBay itemphoto frontphoto back, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19053117
For more information on Mr. Lanne: http://jacklalanne.com/
A version of this post was first published Jan 24, 2011 on silvestreastrology.blogspot.com.
