Mark King - Part 1

During the summer of 1986, there was a song I played over and over again: 'Lessons In Love' by Level 42. Recently, I was reminiscing about that period in my life 40 years ago which was a time of self-discovery and definitely a coming-of-age year. That song became part of the soundtrack of my life and I've been a Level 42 fan ever since.

Singer, songwriter, lead vocalist and bassist of the band Level 42, Mark King was born on Monday, 20th October 1958 in Cowes, Isle Of Wight, UK. Birth time unavailable.

With his Sun in Libra, Mark is diplomatic, warm and friendly.  His natal Sun is conjunct Venus, giving him the ability to make others like him. He is very charming, open to meeting new people and will always make time for a conversation or a friendly chat. Making other people happy will make him happy - and that includes showcasing his musical talent.

Mark's Sun is in a sextile aspect to Saturn in his natal chart. With a steady, self-assured pursuit of his goals, this planetary combination indicates patience and reliability as well as dedication. It's through this well organised approach that he has achieved so much success, as his enormous staying power and strong work ethic have ensured unlimited professional respect. 

Although we don't have a birth time for Mark, the Moon didn't change signs on the day he was born, therefore we can definitely say he has his natal Moon in Aquarius. With this Moon sign, he will need emotional space and freedom. Later in life, he may experience some sort of radical transformation. With a powerful sense of moral duty, kindness and compassion, he will also be keen to support others in need. Many famous people have the Moon in Aquarius and they all tend to be outstanding - and unique - in some way.

Mark's natal Moon is in a square aspect to Jupiter in his birth chart. On the positive side, this planetary influence brings great optimism. However, it also brings a clash between the need to be at home and close to his family and the need to satisfy his spirit of adventure. Sentimental about the past, he has a strong sense of family and will seek to create a comfortable environment for his loved ones.

Mark King's natal chart - click to enlarge

Mark's natal Mercury is in the sign of Scorpio and is part of an astrological configuration called a Stellium. This is a group of three or more planets in a single zodiac sign - in this case Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune which are not only in the same sign but in a triple conjunction. So, a very profound astrological influence that combines intense emotional depth - he feels much more than he shows on the surface - and boundless imagination. Mark is deeply intuitive and has tremendous willpower and self-discipline.

With Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune in Scorpio, Mark will think deeply, speak with great insight, and have natural talent for anything he decides to do. He will learn valuable lessons through dramatic life experiences. He has great empathy, and an almost clairvoyant ability to read people and situations. He has a strong need to articulate his thoughts, feelings and emotions through art, writing, or musical expression. 

Mercury is sextile Pluto in Mark's natal chart and this represents laser-like perception. It shows he has a natural gift for investigation, with great psychological insight. He will notice the things other people miss, such as subtle shifts in body language, sensing what isn't being said by reading between the lines, and hidden motives. He will have a great ability for in-depth research. 

Mark's natal Venus is in its own sign of Libra - perfect for a musician. Naturally sociable, he will enjoy gatherings with family and friends. With Venus in a sextile aspect to Saturn, Mark will be good with money, rarely making impulse buys. He will much prefer investments that grow slowly over time. Not easily fooled by flattery, he has a realistic view of himself, building his confidence and public reputation through hard work and perseverance. 

In Mark's natal chart, Venus is also in a sextile aspect to Uranus which signifies harmony and creativity. He is open-minded and progressive with a taste for the unusual. This planetary combination produces brilliant and innovative talent. He will be keen to experiment with new ideas and is not afraid of anything quirky or unconventional. He is accepting of other people with a non-judgmental approach, so it's likely that he has a very diverse group of friends and may be drawn to people that are 'off-the-wall' in some way.

In his natal chart, Mark's Venus is conjunct the North Node - the point of 'future direction' - bringing the experience of karmic, serendipitous and fated connections. Everyone he has ever met will have played a crucial role in pushing him forwards on his life path. Music was never intended to be just a hobby or pastime for Mark. It was always going to be his destiny.

Level 42 released their self-titled debut album on 1st August 1981, so it gives me great pleasure to publish this article today, on the 45th anniversary of that momentous occasion. Some people don't just succeed; they redefine what is possible with a rare combination of innate brilliance and relentless dedication, inspiring everyone around them. Everytime Mark King performs, he provides a masterclass for those who aspire to a career in music while mesmerising everyone with his unique talent.

Part 2 coming soon....