Diana: The People's Princess

On Sunday 31st August 1997 millions of people around the world were left in a state of shock and emotional devastation. The reason? The sudden and untimely death of a beautiful, compassionate, and charismatic young woman called Diana. Now, 20 years later, here is my analysis of The People's Princess.

Diana Frances Spencer (she did not become Lady Diana until the age of 13) was born on Saturday, 1st July 1961 at 7:45pm in Sandringham, England, UK. 

Diana's natal Sun was in the sign of Cancer making her sensitive, emotional, and intuitive. Naturally caring and protective, she wanted to reach out to people and help wherever, whenever, and in any way she could. On a personal level, her family - particularly her children - were the love of her life. The Sun was situated in sector seven of her chart making her diplomatic, idealistic and romantic. This position of the Sun also showed that being in a partnership would enhance her individuality, and when she got married, this was indeed the case as she blossomed from a shy teenager into a sophisticated young woman. Among other things, this position of the Sun indicated that the person she married would be very dignified, and that professional progress and personal success would come about through that relationship.

Her natal Sun in conjunction to Mercury brought Diana an independent mind and the need to express her thoughts and opinions. She loved meeting people and not just talking to them, but listening too. Forming a good mental rapport with people and exchanging ideas was very stimulating for her. Her insight and perception were razor-sharp. Diana's natal Sun in a sextile aspect to Pluto made it easy and natural for her to find and pursue things which interested her. Many people with this aspect feel they have a special calling, vocation or destiny, and Diana probably felt this too - first as the mother of a future king, and then later as a humanitarian ambassador. She had an eagerness to experience more than just an ordinary life, and was quite ambitious. 

With the Sun in a trine aspect to Neptune in her natal chart, Diana had a dreamy, inspired, and sensitive side. An appreciation for music and the arts is represented by this planetary combination  and of course Diana loved dancing, especially ballet. Naturally compassionate, she was sensitive to those who were suffering. She had an attraction to spirituality and metaphysical subjects, and it's a well-known fact that Diana regularly consulted psychics and astrologers. 

With her natal Moon in Aquarius, Diana became an icon of style, beauty and glamour, and had her life continued, she would have been an icon of humanitarian work too. Many famous people have this planetary influence in their charts as it tends to produce someone who is 'different' in some way. Out of the ordinary, charismatic and unique, Diana was a trailblazer. She was very sociable and extremely sensitive to the opinions of others. Yet at times she could be impulsive, rebellious and unconventional. Intuition, empathy and a sense of humanity came naturally to her. 

The Moon in sector three of her natal chart shows that Diana was very responsive, communicative, and curious. This position of the Moon suggests a talent for imitating others and being able to communicate on an emotional level. Her decisions would often have been made from a 'gut feeling' or instinctive standpoint. Intuition and sensitivity influenced her thoughts a great deal and this made her comfortable when talking about feelings and sharing confidences, which in turn enabled others to express their own. Diana had tremendous psychological insight.

With her natal Moon in an opposition aspect to Uranus with both squared by Venus and thus forming a planetary configuration called a T-square, she will have tended to be emotionally impulsive. Her early upbringing may have been unusual and unstable. As a result, her desire to be cared for and her need for emotional independence brought inner psychological conflict. This configuration symbolises Diana's quest for motherhood and also her sudden rise to fame and popularity. The Moon trine her natal Midheaven gave her an instinct for what the public wants, a powerful link with family tradition (her own family as well as the royals) and an innate sense of history. Above all, this planetary influence brought the urge to nurture.

Diana's Ascendant was in the sign of Sagittarius at the time of her birth. Sagittarius is one of the four Dual signs (also called Mutable Signs) and they tend to bring a double life of some sort. Sagittarius symbolises travel, profound subjects, and philosophical thoughts. With this sign on her Ascendant, Diana was drawn to social and moral issues. She led by example - who could forget the groundbreaking scenes of her shaking hands with AIDS patients. At that time, this was a huge deal and totally unprecedented. She took the initiative and inspired others with her faith in people from all walks of life.

With her natal Venus in the sign of Taurus, Diana was imbued with beauty and charm. She was passionate and loyal in love, a touch possessive, and had very powerful emotions. In sector six of her natal chart, Venus is a wonderful planetery placement for finding happiness through work and the daily routine. Diana loved her royal duties, particularly after the breakdown of her marriage when she received love and appreciation from the public that was no longer present in her private life. Also as the planet of attraction, Venus in the sixth sector indicates work involving beauty and you could almost say that Diana's beauty became part of her work. Venus in a trine aspect to Saturn in Diana's natal chart shows her strong sense of duty and commitment as well as her traditional views of love and marriage. 

Diana's natal Mars was in conjunction to Pluto - a planetary combination that produces explosive or destructive energy. On the positive side, it shows great courage and remarkable achievements against all the odds. It's easy to say that Diana had a wonderful life - wealth, beauty, fame, etc - but she was virtually abandoned just three years into her marriage. Her husband, whom she adored and wanted to spend the rest of her life with, resumed his affair with his former girlfriend. Diana's in-laws shunned her, and even her own family didn't want to know. On top of that, she had to attend official functions with her husband, smile and pretend that everything was normal. So, she showed tremendous resilience and courage by 'going public' about everything which had happened, and exposing the truth about the British Royal Family.

It is my firm opinion that this particular planetary aspect in Diana's birth chart was a major - although not the only - astrological factor in her death. When she died, Pluto had moved by transit to form a square aspect to her natal Mars, triggering the effect of the natal Mars Pluto conjunction. Another astrologer told me many years ago that astrology charts often reveal literal information and to look for symbolism. The symbolism here is 'violent death'. It's important to remember that violence is not always a deliberate act perpetrated by another person. It is physical damage to the body by great force. Which is exactly what occurred during the car crash in Paris.

As a rule, I hardly ever include Fixed Stars in someone's chart unless that person is very high-profile. In Diana's natal chart the North Node was conjunct the 'Royal Star' Regulus. This indicated that she would be connected in some significant way to royalty - it was in her destiny. Another Fixed Star which made an impact in Diana's natal chart was Spica in a conjunction to her natal Midheaven. It brought success, fame, wealth, and unexpected honours. This star has the nickname 'Queen of Heaven' but also 'The Lonely One'. I think both of these are highly appropriate descriptions of the woman we all came to admire and adore as the unique, dedicated, inspiring and breathtakingly beautiful Princess Diana.