Amy Winehouse

“We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to black”

~ Amy Winehouse

It is ten years since the passing of Amy Winehouse from alcohol poisoning, at the tender age of 27.

I wrote at the time:

“Amy Winehouse is the Janis Joplin of her generation (at the age of 61, I have seen too many of these over the decades), dubbed a member of the “27 Club” of music greats being cut short at this age.  This is the age just before the Saturn Return marker, which is a challenge to the structure of one’s life.  She had not been able to find the right structure for her life, and in addition was facing a Nodal Reversal, which involved the Mars/South Node conjunction around that weekend (so there was a significant karmic element to the timing of her passing).  Let us hope for a breakthrough in the understanding of addiction, and the true role of Rehab for the next generation, so that such huge talents are not snuffed out before time.”

Birth Chart 

I did not analyse her chart at the time, so I’m taking a new look at it now.  She was very mercurial, with Sun/Mercury in Virgo and Ascendant in Gemini.  Her father commented on her perfectionism in the studio.  Sun/Mercury square Neptune may have described her addictive personality, while Neptune conjunct the Moon gave her sensitivity and imagination.

Her outstanding musical talent is shown quite clearly in her birth chart: Venus (music) is in (performing) Leo; it is in the 3rd House, signifying songwriting and a love of words.  With Leo on the cusp of the 3rd House, she performed her own songs.  Her Ascendant in Gemini added to her facility with words.  Venus trine Neptune showed musical talent, and Venus sextile the North Node  pointed to music as her karmic mission.  Mars in Leo gave her a strong Performer Archetype, and she set up Lioness Records.

Saturn conjunct Pluto in 5th House brought a sense of melancholy Scorpio to her creativity and songs.

Life and Career

Amy was born to a Jewish family in Enfield, in a jazz orientated background on both sides, and her grandmother had dated Ronnie Scott.  Her parents separated when she was 9 years old, and in an interview she told how it encouraged her wilfulness.  Her influences included Dinah Washington, Macy Gray (both of whom were also Virgo) and Salt’N’Pepa.  At 18, she signed a contract with Simon Fuller, and released her first album “Frank” in 2003.  Her first hit single was “Stronger than Me”.  The follow up album “Back to Black” in 2006 established her success, and the song “Rehab” earned her a second Novello award.  “Valerie” was subsequently nominated for a Brit Award.

The years 2007 and 2008 saw highs and lows.  Her addiction to drugs saw her fall apart in performances (in this period, my nephew worked in a nightclub where she regularly appeared, and was difficult to manage).  She was forced to take a break in November 2007.  But on 10 February 2008, she won 5 Grammy Awards.  Uranus was at the top of her chart (often a transit of success) and Pluto was exactly on her natal Moon to the day (public recognition).  But these two transits were also very destabilizing.  She performed “Valerie” with Mark Ronson soon afterwards at the Brit Awards, followed by the haunting “Love is a Losing Game”.

She replaced drug addiction with alcohol addiction, whilst also suffering from bulimia.  By June 2011 she was forced to take another break to sort herself out.  Her last recording was as a duet with Tony Bennett for his second Duets album.

Relationships 

She married Blake Fielder-Civil in 2007, in a destructive relationship, but one which had inspired the album “Back to Black”.  However at the time of her death, she was in a healthier relationship and looking forward to possibly starting a family in the future with her partner Reg Prentiss (his Mars trine her natal Chiron, encouraging her Inner Healer).

Style

What a voice!  It has been desribed as contralto, but her expression spanned several genres, such as soul, R & B, and jazz.

She had the look!  Her distinctive Beehive hairdo and eyeliner were derived from the style of the 1960s Phil Spector girl bands, especially The Ronettes.  She said:

“I like old Sixties heartbreak songs, girl-group comfort music.  Songs that you can sing into a bottle of whisky”.

Death

Her death through alcohol poisoning was recorded as misadventure.  It may have been a pattern repeated from a past live or lives, as she had Neptune on the South Node in her natal chart, but is not thought to have been suicide.

My words at her passing: “Let us hope for a breakthrough in the understanding of addiction, and the true role of Rehab for the next generation, so that such huge talents are not snuffed out before time.” are still something to hope for.  Ten years on, there is more recognition of the need for concern regarding mental health, of which the need to address addiction is an important component.

“Love, it is a fate resigned

Over futile odds
And laughed at by the gods
And now the final frame
Love is a losing game”

~ Amy Winehouse

“I know Amy Winehouse very well. And she is very different to what people portray her as being. Yes, she does get out of her mind on drugs sometimes, but she is also a very clever, intelligent, witty, funny person who can hold it together. You just don’t see that side.”

~  Lily Allen

“The last real individualist around”

~ Bob Dylan

Aspects

This evening Pluto opposes Mercury, which can bring mental storm clouds as well as inclement weather (certainly in the U.K. we have yellow warnings of storms).  Watch your mental processes carefully, and be mindful in conversation.  Travel too could be problematic.  Something could appear to be a minor snag on the surface, but may give you pause for deeper thought, leading to more psychological awareness.  Don’t skirt over it.  Examine the issue carefully, and the resulting insight could be a gift.

Mercury is happier on Wednesday (28th), when he or she (a fairly androgynous planet) enters Leo in the early hours of that day.  This enlivens communication and debate and applying the mind to summer hedonism.  Enjoy this trend, which lasts until 11th August.

At lunchtime that day,  Jupiter Retrograde into Aquarius, bringing back some of that lightness and futuristic intuition, which may help you complete certain projects which were started before Jupiter entered Pisces in Mid-May of this year.

On Thursday (29) the North Node squares Venus.  This focuses on karmic relationships, particularly in relation to groups.  You may find yourself within a group situation which seems predestined, or pondering the significance of your relation to a group, possibly linked with past life experiences.

In the afternoon, Jupiter opposes Mars, which is a high energy feature, with the emphasis on enthusiasm and sporting interests.  The Olympics combined with current relaxation of restrictions from coronavirus, may result in a new surge in gym membership and attendance, for instance!  Keep fit regimes will be re-ignited.  Watch a possible tendency to over-react.

The evening brings a change of pace, with Mars entering Virgo.  Whereas Mars in Leo just went for it energetically, Mars in Virgo will be more analytical, and economical with energy and effort.  For all that loss of excitement, there will be greater efficiency.  We are entering a consideration of the Autumn work schedules, and what that might mean in terms of plans for ecology and sustainability, and that means thinking ahead.

Saturday (31st) brings a pleasing sextile between the Sun and the North Node, which favours right action on a karmic level.  It is a good day to look at your life path as a whole, your creativity and self-expression and where you would like it to go.

The week in bullet points:

  • Today – stormy
  • Wednesday – lively communication and intuition
  • Thursday – karmic relationships and high energy
  • Saturday – looking at your karmic path
Date: Jul 25th, 2021 · Comments RSS · Tags: Celebrities · Obituary