JOURNAL
Astrological Portrait of Princess Diana: Insights into the People's Princess
Lagna: Scorpio, Jyeshta Nakshatra
Moon: Aquarius, Dhanista Nakshatra
Born on July 1, 1961, at 19:45 in Sandringham, United Kingdom
by Olya Perkovic
To understand the profound impact of Princess Diana's life and legacy, a detailed analysis of her astrological chart reveals how planetary influences shaped her journey and enduring contributions.
In the Vedic natal chart of Princess Diana of Wales, the planet Mars holds significant power. Princess Diana was a Scorpio Ascendant, with her Ascendant ruler, Mars, positioned in the 10th house in Leo, in Magha Nakshatra. This placement signifies the highest prominence, social status, and influential power—literally royalty, as Magha Nakshatra is associated with kingly status.
Not only is the ruler of the Ascendant in the 10th house in Leo conjunct Rahu, but Mars also aspects the Ascendant with its 4th aspect. This makes Mars one of the key planets in the chart. Mars is placed at 8° Leo, while Rahu is at 6°, forming a close conjunction of these two malefic planets. Rahu amplifies name, fame, and public spotlight but also introduces significant challenges and dangers to the native. The Mars-Rahu conjunction in fiery Leo in the 10th house opposes the Moon-Ketu conjunction in the 4th house, in airy Aquarius. This axis is one of the most significant placements in her chart, determining many life events. The contrasting energies of Aquarius (freedom, rebelliousness, social agenda, human rights, equality, communal life) and hierarchical powerhouse Leo create significant tension.
The Moon alone in the 4th house is generally considered a favorable placement. However, Princess Diana’s Moon was adversely influenced by its conjunction with Ketu and opposition from Mars and Rahu, which created significant disturbances in her home life. These aspects particularly affected her relationship with her mother. The Moon, Ketu, Saturn, and Rahu shape her emotional profile, with Saturn and Rahu ruling the 4th house, amplifying the impact. The interplay between these malefic planets and the Moon led to deep conflicts, emotional isolation, separation from her mother, and challenges with mental health.
The Moon-Rahu combination endowed her with a charismatic persona and immense fame, while Mars provided her with bravery and strength. Conversely, the Moon-Ketu conjunction contributed to her inherently introverted nature—so much so that she was often referred to as "Shy Di" by the public.
With the Moon in the 4th house and the Ascendant ruler in the 10th house, Diana was caught between her private life and her public role. Her inner life was rich and spiritually fulfilling, and her need for withdrawal was intensified by the Moon-Ketu conjunction. Nevertheless, Rahu’s expansive influence from Leo, along with Mars, redirected her focus toward the public sphere and her prominent public engagement.
Diana's Moon is placed in Dhanishta Nakshatra, bestowing her with notable fame, wealth, and a strong commitment to her causes, along with a deep love for music. Known as “the star of symphony,” Dhanishta is associated with many famous musicians, reflecting Diana's well-known affection for rock and roll. Public records also reveal her skills as a pianist and her studies in ballet and tap dance, talents supported by her chart. However, Dhanishta also emphasizes her relationship with her mother, which, given the Moon's and Mars's affliction, suggests significant strain.
Rahu Mahadasha
Rahu, being highly prominent in Princess Diana's chart, triggered numerous significant events in her life. At age 6, in 1967, her parents divorced, leading to a custody battle that resulted in her living with her mother in London during the separation. Eventually, her father gained custody. (The 10th and 4th axis reflect parental dynamics, with MA-RA opposing MO-KE.)
In 1975, at age 13, Diana was given the title of Lady following her grandfather's death and her father's inheritance of the title of Earl of Spencer and the Althorp estate. This event correlated with the activation of the 1st house (age 13), with Mars, its ruler, positioned in the 10th house in Leo, and the Sun, ruler of Leo, in the 8th house of inheritance and legacy. (MA in 10th in LEO, SO in 8th)
At 16, in 1977, Diana met Prince Charles. She was in Rahu–Venus period. Venus in her chart is in the 7th house and aspecting the Ascendant, indicating that her spouse would have a significant influence on her. Venus, receiving a beneficial aspect from Jupiter, further emphasized this connection, especially with Jupiter ruling her 5th house of children.
In 1979, at age 18, the activation of the Moon and the 6th house, alongside the Rahu-Moon period, highlighted major changes, including her relationship with Prince Charles and significant shifts in her home life.
Biographer Ingrid Seward described Diana’s pre-wedding life at Buckingham Palace as "incredibly lonely," likely exacerbated by the Moon-Rahu/Ketu combination, which caused mental suffering, disturbed digestion, and sleep issues. The Rahu-Mars period activated her 10th/4th house axis and brought immense public attention but also intensified her loneliness, as the MA-RA conjunction in Leo in the 10th house is opposing the MO-KE conjunction in Aquarius in the 4th house.
Her engagement to Prince Charles in February 1981 marked the beginning of her public life. This rise to fame, initially sparked during the Rahu-Sun period (August 1978–July 1979) and intensified during the Rahu-Moon period (July 1979–January 1981), continued throughout her life. Her natal chart underscores this prominence, featuring the Ascendant ruler placed in the 10th house in Leo, Rahu also in the 10th house in Leo conjunct the Ascendant lord, and the Moon in Dhanishta Nakshatra receiving these aspects.
Jupiter Mahadasha
Princess Diana entered her Jupiter Mahadasha on January 30, 1982, marking a significant shift in her focus towards children, education, and charitable work. Jupiter, the 5th lord of children and creative expression, aspects Venus, the 7th lord of marriage and public appearances. In June 1982, Princess Diana gave birth to her first son, Prince William, and in September 1984, she welcomed her second son, Prince Harry.
Jupiter emphasized her children and family life while also intensifying her public speaking and engagements (Jupiter rules the 2nd house of speech and the 5th house of children). Jupiter is placed in Capricorn, in Shravana Nakshatra.
Shravana Nakshatra, known as the "Star of Listening," resonated with Diana’s compassionate approach to addressing the needs of the impoverished and underprivileged. Her commitment to humanitarian causes reflected the nurturing qualities of Shravana, allowing her to connect deeply with individuals and communities worldwide.
During the Jupiter-Venus period (December 1989 to August 1992), Venus, ruling the 7th and 12th houses, enhanced her involvement in charities, children's hospitals, and fundraising projects abroad. Diana travelled extensively (Jupiter in the 3rd house) for her PR engagements, significantly contributing to impoverished communities.
As the significator of spouse and romance, Venus, being the 12th lord, brings themes of loss, secrets, isolation, and physical separation, as the 12th house is linked to distance and hidden matters. While this placement supports spiritual work, long-distance travel, and life overseas, it is not ideal for marriage. Venus is positioned in Kritika Nakshatra, ruled by the Sun, while her Sun is in the 8th house alongside Mercury in Ardra Nakshatra (the star of tears), highlighting relationship secrets and hidden affairs.
The Jupiter-Sun period (August 1992 – May 1993) emphasized further her public engagement and public life (as the Sun is the 10th lord) but was detrimental to her marriage. The Sun is placed in the 8th house with Mercury, amplifying issues related to secret events, scandals, and major changes in her life.
In 1992, Buckingham Palace announced the separation of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Diana's 1995 BBC interview with Martin Bashir, in which she famously remarked, "Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded," highlighted the 8th house themes of major change in her life and emotional turmoil she was experiencing.
Jupiter’s placement in the 3rd house led to numerous media appearances and publications about her life and marriage. Additionally, Diana openly acknowledged her struggles with depression, bulimia, and self-harm, reflected astrologically by her Moon in a Saturn-ruled sign, afflicted by Mars, Rahu, and Ketu.
The 4th house, which governs comfort, security, and happiness, faced significant challenges, exacerbating her emotional distress. Additionally, her Sun and Mercury in the 8th house, positioned in Ardra Nakshatra (ruled by Rahu), highlighted her mental health issues. Mercury, ruling Jyestha Nakshatra (the Ascendant Nakshatra) and located in the 8th house of accidents and sudden events, intensified the challenges associated with this placement.
Her mental health was notably affected during these periods:
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Rahu-Moon (July 1979 – January 1981)
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Rahu-Mars (January 1981 – January 1982)
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Jupiter-Saturn (March 1984 – October 1986)
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Jupiter-Mercury (October 1986 – January 1989)
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Jupiter-Ketu (January 1989 – December 1989)
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Jupiter-Sun (August 1992 – May 1993)
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Jupiter-Moon (May 1993 – October 1994)
The divorce was finalized on August 28, 1996 (JU-RA period). After the divorce, Princess Diana sought independence and personal fulfillment, pursuing a relationship with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan and finding solace with close friends while dedicating time to travel and supporting charities. Despite intense media scrutiny, her post-divorce years focused on achieving a more private and peaceful life, balancing her duties with personal aspirations.
The Car Accident and Death of Princess Diana
Princess Diana tragically died in a car accident on August 31, 1997. The 4th house, which signifies vehicles and is ruled by Saturn, plays a key role here. Saturn, positioned in her 3rd house of short trips, aligns with her being in Paris at the time. The Moon-Ketu conjunction in the 4th house indicated impaired visibility and danger, exacerbated by the malefic influences of Mars and Rahu.
Saturn activates at age 36, and as the lord of both the 4th and 3rd houses, it emphasizes travel and vehicles. Rahu, co-ruler of the 4th house, was conjunct with aggressive Mars in Leo and opposed by the Moon and Ketu.
At 36, Princess Diana was in her Jupiter-Rahu-Sun period. The combined influence of Mars, Rahu, and Ketu on the Moon in the 4th house, the Sun’s placement in the 8th house, and Saturn’s activation pointed to a violent accident and her untimely death (Apamṛtyu).
Princess Diana's Work
During Princess Diana's Jupiter Mahadasha, her professional efforts and travel intensified. Jupiter was retrograde in Capricorn (Sravana) and conjunct Saturn, which rules her 3rd and 4th houses. The 3rd house governs media, communication, and travel, while the 4th house relates to education.
This conjunction, with both planets being retrograde, intensified their effects. Notably, while Saturn is in its own sign, Jupiter is debilitated.
Consequently, Saturn's dominance highlighted themes of major illnesses and challenges associated with underprivileged groups in her engagements.
With Saturn in Uttara Ashada, ruled by the Sun, located in her 8th house, it is evident that her efforts would leave a significant legacy.
Princess Diana's charitable efforts, fundraising activities, and awareness campaigns spanned the globe, leaving a profound impact on numerous humanitarian causes. She tirelessly championed the fight against HIV/AIDS, famously breaking social stigmas by holding the hands of patients and visiting clinics worldwide.
Through her high-profile engagements and heartfelt interactions, Princess Diana raised substantial funds for these causes and used her influential platform to bring global attention to the suffering and needs of the most vulnerable populations.
In March 1997, Princess Diana visited South Africa, where she met with Nelson Mandela. Their meeting laid the groundwork for a significant partnership between the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, aimed at supporting those affected by AIDS. This collaboration, announced by Mandela on November 2, 2002, was planned a few months before Diana's tragic death. Mandela praised Princess Diana for her unwavering dedication to the HIV/AIDS cause, highlighting her compassionate efforts to bring attention and aid to those suffering from the disease.
In June 1996, Princess Diana traveled to Chicago as president of the Royal Marsden Hospital to support breast cancer initiatives. At a fundraising event held at the Field Museum of Natural History, she helped raise over £1 million for cancer research. She also visited patients at Cook County Hospital, offering them comfort and support. Additionally, she delivered an impactful speech at a breast cancer conference at Northwestern University Chicago, following her meeting with a group of dedicated breast cancer researchers. Her involvement in these activities underscored her commitment to advancing cancer research and supporting those affected by the disease.
Princess Diana, as patron of the HALO Trust, played a pivotal role in raising global awareness about the dangers of landmines. In January 1997, her visit to an Angolan minefield drew worldwide attention. Despite being criticized by officials for her involvement in political matters, Diana's advocacy brought international focus to the plight of landmine victims. She delivered a significant speech at a landmines conference in June 1997 and supported the American Red Cross's anti-landmine efforts in Washington, DC.
Just before her death in August 1997, she visited Bosnia and Herzegovina to further highlight the issue. Diana's influential work contributed to the signing of the Ottawa Treaty, establishing a global ban on anti-personnel landmines. Her efforts were honored posthumously, with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines winning the Nobel Peace Prize shortly after her passing.