Born 6 months apart and dying just 11 days apart, they form an unlikely duo - Prince the lithe, charismatic, seductive and intensely private musical genius from Minneapolis and Jonathan Cainer, the loquacious, jovial and larger-than-life British astrologer. But the two had many things in common – their signature colour was purple (colour of the crown chakra); they were both vegan and highly spiritual; both had Neptune conjunct the North Node in Scorpio and their Ascendant rulers conjunct the Midheaven (fans often talked about how they felt these men were addressing them personally);  both came from broken homes (Prince was 10 when his parents separated, Cainer was 12); both were going through their second Saturn return when they died and despite international fame and fortune, both experienced personal tragedy in their thirties. Cainer’s wife Mel died after a car accident in 1992, leaving him with 7 children, while Prince’s baby son, Boy Gregory died in 1996, at just 4 days old.

The deaths of Prince and Cainer came as a complete shock to their millions of fans all over the world, even though those close to them knew they had serious health issues. Here's a brief astrological portrait of these two famous and charismatic men who offered others so much pleasure and joy during their brief spell on planet Earth.

Crown Prince

Prince Rogers Nelson was born on 7^th June 1958 at 6.17 pm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA with Sun and Mercury in youthful Gemini, Moon in spiritual and creative Pisces and magnetic Scorpio rising. Those born under the sign of Gemini are generally flirtatious, quick, clever and good with words. Prince always looked younger than his years, had seemingly boundless energy and penned hundreds if not thousands of songs.  Powerful Pluto ruling his Scorpio Ascendant and placed on his Midheaven in fiery Leo gave him a glamourous and commanding stage presence. Prince believed his inspiration came from God. He told CNN's Larry King in December 1999, “I've always known God is my creator. Without him, nothing works."  The Scorpio Ascendant describes a seductive persona and intense need for privacy.

Prince’s Moon in water sign Pisces at the base of his birth chart forms a square with Mercury in air sign Gemini, meaning the way he felt inside was completely different from the way he expressed himself to others. Gemini is the sign of the twins – the dark side and the light side. Fellow worshippers at the Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall in St. Louis Park describe Price as exceptionally shy, understated and dressed in a simple black suit, while his adoring fans worship him for his innovative and eclectic music, flamboyant stage presence and extravagant dress and make up. Close friends say the musician led an extremely healthy life style and was completely drug free, while others claim Prince suffered from depression, anxiety and chronic pain and was addicted to pain killers, which eventually killed him.

So who was the real Prince?  We will probably never know. Scorpio rising individuals are notoriously private and Prince’s birth chart is full of oppositions, showing a person racked by inner conflict. The Sun opposes Saturn, suggesting he had issues with authority and perhaps a strained relationship with his father; the Moon opposes Pluto, indicating explosive emotional highs and lows and an obsessive need for control, perhaps resulting from the early life relationship with his mother and Venus opposes Neptune, a combination that idealises eternal love and beauty and the promise of a better world, but often finds the reality of daily life a disappointment. Whatever the truth, his death is a great loss to the music world.

Jonathan Cainer - Rock Star Astrologer

Jonathan Anand Cainer was born on 18^th December 1957 at 8 am in Surbiton, UK, with the Sun in optimistic Sagittarius, Moon in Scorpio and Sagittarius rising. Sagittarians have big visions and ideals and Jonathan was no exception with ruling planet Jupiter conjunct the Midheaven. A hugely successful astrologer, Cainer had built up a massive business through his website, books, phone lines, TV appearances, and newspaper columns with a turnover of £2 million a year and a staff of 30. Like a true Sagittarian he loved travel, freedom and philosophy, lived life to the full and hated being told what to do. In his youth he ran a night club in L.A., visited India, enjoyed life as a hippy, played bass guitar in bands and was part of the free festival movement.

On the surface Cainer was an amiable, friendly, generous and good-natured man, but he had four planets in secretive Scorpio (Moon, Neptune, North Node and Mars), suggesting hidden depths, a need for control and a private side to his nature, just like Prince. Scorpio is one of the most psychic signs and Jonathan’s talent was to make people feel he was speaking directly to them.

He died following a massive heart attack in his office in Yorkshire on a Sunday evening. It was his third heart attack and those close to him had advised him many times to slow down, something Sagittarians hate to hear. Colleague and friend Kathryn Cassidy said: “I can’t grieve for Jonathan - his faith was too strong. I think he must have wanted to get out on top. The strain of doing that sort of output day in, day out was huge. He managed it well but it was relentless and with such a huge family and a growing number of employees and a big generous streak, I think it was only a matter of time before he knew it would reach a tipping point…. He was an absolutely top man. Never met anyone like him and never will.” RIP JC!