David Cook, Pluto & American Idol

One week to go, and David Cook (see my earlier blog including natal chart) will be competing with David Archuleta in this season's finale.

David's natal Sun and Neptune at 28 and 26 degrees of Sagittarius respectively will be in the path of retrograding Pluto throughout the coming summer months. Pluto is creeping slowly back to the last degrees of Sagittarius for another short stay, and has been close David's Sun for months, during all of this American Idol series. He has been under additional strain throughout the series. His elder brother is battling advanced brain cancer which has spread to his spine (see here). David himself was taken to hospital last month suffering from heart palpitations and stress. His brother's illness must have affected David very deeply and has no doubt transformed his way of looking at life (very Plutoesque). As Pluto retrogrades to meet his Sun again, what he experiences may act as a kind of healing balm, or buffer against continuing stress.

When Pluto transited my own natal Venus some years ago, first I lost a loved one, then things turned around. I met the person who became my husband as Pluto re-traversed its earlier route. I hope current events will help David, his parents and two brothers get through difficult days ahead. Winning American Idol, or being runner-up can't possibly make up for having to watch a loved one's suffering, but perhaps it will re-energise the family, giving them a new source of physical and emotional strength.

Here is David singing the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby".

David Cook - 2008's American Idol ?

American Idol has whittled down its contestants to the last 6 now. My own favourite, Michael John was very unexpectedly voted off last week. We watched the results show from our hotel in Oklahoma City, the evening before my supposed interview at USCIS. I commented, as the audience expressed their shock and disapproval of Michael's elimination, that I hoped this wasn't a bad omen for my interview. As it turned out it was! My interview was postponed.

It seems now that David Cook is quite likely to be the annointed one. The judges favour him consistently, and sure enough, he's good.

Singer song-writer David was born in Houston, Texas on 20 December 1982. Here's a 12noon chart for his birth date. Without an accurate time we can't be sure of the Moon's position or know which sign was rising.



David has a tightly bundled chart, with all planets sitting within less than half the chart's 360* span. This type of configuration is often found in the charts of successful people. I think the reason may be that these folk have more ability to focus directly on a particular aim and ambition than people with more scattered planetary placements, who may be more versatile, but less driven.

David's natal Sun in a late degree of Sagittarius is conjunct Neptune - a very good combination for creativity. I've noticed lots of artists, in all spheres, with Sun conjunct Neptune. Venus and Mercury in Capricorn indicate a down to earth side of his personality, with some business acumen, qualities which would be invaluable if he is to be thrust into the spotlight in the wild world of popular music.

Sun and Jupiter at 28* of neighbouring signs, Sagittarius and Scorpio, are in semi-sextile which is thought to be a mildly helpful aspect, Jupiter is David's Sagittarius Sun's ruler, too, so a tinge of Scorpio depth and passion is added to his happy-go-lucky Sagittarian side.

The Moon's position is in doubt. If David were born before 8pm it would have been in Aquarius, a later birthtime would take natal Moon into Pisces. I can't hazard a guess which is more likely. Mars is in Aquarius too, though, so there's going to be a little of the rebel in his makeup anyway, as well as an inbuilt need to be original, right up to date, and even well ahead of the crowd in his style.

Here he is on the show a couple of weeks ago, singing "Billie Jean"