My great-grandmother died in the 1918 pandemic, well before my father was even born. We only have a few records of her life, though her original birth certificate actually has a time, so astrology can tell us more.
Mariantonia de Stasio was born in Montecalvo Irpino in Avellino, Italy in 1870. The country was unified in 1861, but the south had a high tax burden, limited medical care, transportation problems and land shortages. About a third of the town’s residents left for the U.S. between 1892 and 1924.
I’m not sure of the accuracy of the 11:00 a.m. birth time on Maria’s birth record. But it gives her Leo rising, which seems appropriate, as her photo shows that she had good taste and presented a polished appearance. She wore a beautiful lace collar and earrings, and her hair is perfectly swept up.
Maria’s Sun in Taurus conjunct Pluto, as well as her Moon-Venus-Saturn T-square, suggest some trauma and limitations in her life. Her father died before she married at the age of 20. Her husband, my great-grandfather Donato, travelled to New York City in 1895, and their second daughter died in Italy only a few months after he left. But with Jupiter trine her Moon and conjunct her Sun, emigrating to the U.S. was probably a good choice for Maria.
Maria and Donato had six more children in New York, one of whom died in infancy. Census records show that they lived in tenement apartments in Manhattan’s Little Italy on Mott Street and Hester Street. By 1915 they had moved to Bridge Street in Brooklyn’s Vinegar Hill, on the other side of the Manhattan Bridge.
Maria’s mutable Moon in Virgo square Saturn in Sagittarius could also indicate their less than ideal housing situations. She had been trained as a tailor and must have been skilled, with a strong work ethic. Her oldest daughter Rose was working as a coat finisher when she was only 13. Like many women of the time, they probably sewed piecework in their home.
The Moon rules Maria’s 12th house relating to the immune system, and Saturn rules her 6th of illness. Saturn is then placed in her 5th of children. It seems like her many responsibilities may have weakened her health. She might have also suffered from anxiety or even depression.
The flu pandemic hit NY in the spring of 1918, and became much worse that fall. With transiting Jupiter and Pluto in Cancer and Saturn in Leo, both youthful signs, it was more dangerous to children (as opposed to the 2020 pandemic with Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn affecting seniors more strongly).
Maria’s Sun helpfully conjoins Jupiter, but Jupiter in its detriment in Gemini makes it less benefic. Mercury is dignified in Gemini and disposes the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn, so she probably overcome her limitations with common sense and the help of friends (since Mercury conjoins the 11th house). But mutable signs can affect the lungs: Saturn in Sagittarius might constrict her breathing, while Jupiter in Gemini presents potential lung congestion. She contracted the flu and died of pneumonia less than two weeks later, on October 24, 1918. Transiting Saturn conjoined her Ascendant, lowering her vitality, while transiting Uranus in the 7th opposed it. The doctor visited but was unable to help her; she was only 48 years old.
At the same time, Maria’s progressed Midheaven at 25+ Gemini opposed natal Saturn, and her progressed Ascendant at 26 Virgo conjoined her Moon, both activating the natal Moon-Saturn square. (It seems that her 11:00 birth time may not be that far off.)
We often find close connections with the horoscopes of family members. I never met my great-grandmother and we have only one photo to tell us what she looked like. But her Pluto is only a few minutes from my Moon and the connection is both genetic and after her death!
I wrote more about the 1918 pandemic in New York City here.
Medical astrology information in this post is from Diane Cramer’s book, Managing Your Health and Wellness.
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