The Astrology of Serial Killers

When we read about the chilling exploits of serial killers like Pisces John Wayne Gacy, Sagittarius Ted Bundy, Gemini Jeffrey Dahmer, Pisces Richard Ramirez or Gemini Sam Berkowitz, it’s only natural to wonder if astrology could’ve provided insights into what contributed to their madness. The answer, in fact, is yes; but since there’s no one size that fits all in astrology, it’s impossible to pin a “serial killer” alert on any one set of signs or factors in a person’s chart. Yet there’s still something to learn from noticing trends with known serial killers.

If you look at the birthdates for the men named above,  you’ll notice an interesting trend that even proves true with a longer list of serial murderers as well: all their Sun signs are mutable, that is either Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces.

Mutable signs thrive on variety, versatility and a need to convert insatiable mental stimulation into real world experiences. If  those traits are combined with a troubled childhood and psychotic breaks, a killer with a prolific track record of disaster could erupt out of a once innocent, curious soul.

The mutable signs are unique in the Zodiac because all 4 signs are divided between two planets only: Mercury and Jupiter. Expansive Jupiter is the traditional ruler for both Sagittarius and Pisces (with Neptune being a modern co-ruler). Quick-minded Mercury is the ruler for Gemini and Virgo. Both planets signify how we roam and perceive the world. One consistent trait among serial killers is a need to roam and it’s usually matched with a unique (and damaged) perception of the world.

Since Mercury symbolizes how we think, you’ll often see how a set of normal-range of anxieties, thoughts and feelings can grotesquely become full blown psychoses that can be symbolized in a serial killer’s astrological chart.

For instance, Sagittarius Ted Bundy’s volatile Mars pairs up with a rootless, philosophical Sagittarian Moon by conjunction and opposes his aloof Uranus in Gemini. Certainly a fitting symbol for someone known as a murderous “stranger.” His Mercury and Jupiter were both in obsessive and passionate Scorpio. Another appropriate symbol for someone who could not stop thinking about his dark sexual needs and travelled far and often to fulfill them.

Pisces John Wayne Gacy had his Mercury in Pisces (ruled by Jupiter) and his Jupiter in Gemini (ruled by Mercury). His deadly, planetary switcheroo combined with his own repressed murderous lust found young hitchhikers and hustlers (all Mercurial archetypes) ideal victims. This same love of versatility allowed him to slip into a number of occupations, like a show salesperson, fast food restaurant owner, community volunteer, amateur clown, and his last one as a well-paid painter on death row!

Of course, the mutability of many serial killers doesn’t make someone with a mutable Sun sign more of a likely suspect than anyone else. After all, most serial killers are men, but that doesn’t make all men likely suspects. Yet mutability is all about following curiosity’s lead, and perhaps an astrological understanding can help a potential serial killer find a road that leads to creativity and self-knowledge rather than killing.