Merv Griffin: Prostate Cancer
Since prostate cancer is relatively slow growing (in 3 out of 4 cases) in comparison to other types of cancer, we can look for astrological early warning signs more than 3 years prior to diagnosis. Often times in cases of prostate cancer, we can see astrological indicators occurring approximately 5 to 8 years prior to its detection.
Such is the case, I believe, with Merv Griffin (born July 6, 1925 at 4:45 AM PST in San Mateo Park, CA; Asc 10 Cancer 59).
Merv Griffin was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996. A second reoccurrence of the cancer occurred in 1999 and now within the last several weeks his third bout with cancer detected.
In Griffin’s natal horoscope a tight conjunction between PLUTO and the Sun (in Cancer) sit just below the Cancer Ascendant. Opposing this configuration is the Moon (ruler of the Ascendant, in Capricorn in the 7th house). The Moon links up through a quindecile with Mercury (in Leo in the 2nd) ruler of the 12th house of critical illness, and finally natal Saturn in SCORPIO forms a square to Mercury. Pluto and Scorpio rule over the reproductive organs in both sexes (the prostate gland in men).
When we look back to 1991 (5 years prior to his 1st diagnosis in 1996) and follow Saturn’s arcing position, we see that in 1991 Solar Arc Saturn was opposed the Ascendant. Two years later in 1993, SA Saturn opposed Pluto and the next year in 1994, SA Saturn opposed the Sun.
Leading up to the 2nd reoccurrence in 1999, we see SA Saturn quindecile Mercury (r. 12th) in 1997, and two years later in 1999, SA Saturn conjunct the Moon (r. Asc).
Now in recent months, SA Saturn is quindecile the Ascendant (exact in October ’06). In terms of important transits corroborating the probability that cancer may have begun to form as early as 1991/1992, at that time we see tr. Saturn opposed Mercury (r. 12th), tr. Neptune conjunct the Moon (r. Asc), and tr. Pluto square Neptune (always a difficult transit for health concerns).
With the 2nd reoccurrence occurring in 1999, tr. Saturn was square the Ascendant, Pluto, the Sun, Moon and Mercury from 1997 through 1999, and tr. Neptune was opposed Mercury (r. 12th) as well.
Perhaps Griffin’s most recent decline can be linked back 3 years to 2004 when tr. Saturn was conjunct the Ascendant, Pluto and the Sun, and opposed the Moon. In 2005, tr. Saturn was conjunct Mercury. The rulers of the Ascendant and 12th house joined together through solar arc contact as well (SA Mercury square the Moon), and finally adding to the difficulty, SA Pluto was semisquare Saturn and square the MC.
Now in August 2007 at the age of 82, we find tr. Saturn semisquare the Ascendant, Pluto and the Sun.
