Morbid Podcast

Episode: Stars over Whitechapel with Special Guest Aliza Kelly

Release Date: November 13, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

In this special crossover episode of Morbid, hosts Alaina Urquhart and Ash Kelley welcome celebrity astrologer and author Aliza Kelly to apply the lens of astrology to the notorious Jack the Ripper case. Drawing uncanny parallels between birth charts, death charts, and the astrological climate of Victorian-era Whitechapel, the trio investigates the infamous murders from a cosmic perspective. The episode blends true crime research with spooky insight and lighthearted humor, all while critically examining prevailing theories about the case—including the oft-repeated claims about DNA evidence—and exploring how astrology might provide a new dimension of understanding for the enduring mystery.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. On the Jack the Ripper "Solution" and DNA Controversy

• Alayna’s detailed take-down of recent headlines claiming DNA evidence has solved the case, specifically debunking the Aaron Kosminski theory and the validity of the infamous "shawl" (06:00–08:23).
  • "That shawl that they're claiming they have this DNA from…there is nowhere that says there is like an 8 foot long, really expensive shawl…found on her person. Nowhere. So if we don't have that, then how do we know that this thing is hers? And how do we know that it was found at the crime scene? Here's your answer. We don't." – Alayna (03:26–06:23)
  • Explains mitochondrial DNA can exclude, not identify, suspects, and criticizes researcher Russell Edwards.
• A critical media literacy discussion on how misinformation recirculates, comparing the Ripper DNA saga to recurring news cycles debunking astrology (09:14–10:13).

2. Introducing "Stars Over Whitechapel": Astrology Meets True Crime

• Aliza Kelly returns to analyze the astrological profiles of the canonical victims, suspects, and the Ripper "event", noting the powerful resonance between astronomical alignments and life, death, and infamy (15:27–17:46).
• The episode is framed as both a blend of rigorous research and cosmic fun—"Maybe we're just going to solve it tonight." (10:38, Ash)

3. Canonical Victims: Chart Analysis

Mary Ann (Polly) Nichols (26 Aug 1845)

• Virgo sun, Gemini moon; murdered during a Virgo sun, Gemini moon phase—an astrological rarity.
• Significance: Her birth and death charts are nearly identical, suggesting “no coincidences” and cosmic mirroring around beginnings and endings (18:11–18:31).
• Insight: Pattern of “stumbling and picking herself back up” is echoed in the Ripper case overall.

Annie Chapman (25 Sept 1841)

• Libra sun, Virgo moon; murdered right before her birthday under a Virgo sun, Libra moon—another astrological mirroring (36:54–37:12).
• Noted for "just can't catch a break," with a strong theme of resignation and struggle in her chart—"there was a little more giving up" (38:16; 39:10, Aliza).

Elizabeth Stride (27 Nov 1843)

• Sagittarius sun, Aquarius moon; known for her unconventional, “ballsy” approach to life—"She was philosophical…unconventional…weird" (49:07–50:15).
• Killed in an incomplete fashion, likely due to an interruption—"This isn't the vision I had. I have to keep moving." (53:46, Aliza).

Catherine Eddowes (14 Apr 1842)

• Aries sun, Gemini moon; Sun conjunct Pluto.
• Identified as a “firecracker,” remembered for how she died—"To have your sun connected with a force like Pluto...of course you're going to be remembered for how you die." (56:52)
• Eerie true crime moment: She wrote ‘nothing’ as her name when arrested the night of her death.

Mary Jane Kelly (1863)

• Youngest, murdered indoors and most violently; murder took place under Scorpio season ("veil between worlds").
• The only murder during Scorpio season—linked to endings, transformation, and intensity in astrology (83:33–85:01).
• Ripper took her heart—discussion about the symbolic theft of humanity and love.

4. Astrological Climate of 1888

• Rare Neptune-Pluto conjunction in Gemini (24:23–26:26)—occurs less than once every 400 years.
  • “Neptune represents illusion, delusion, fantasy…Pluto is the underworld. This is Whitechapel.” – Aliza (24:58)
  • The case’s endurance and mythic status linked to this mystic, shadowy conjunction.

5. Themes of Communication, Silencing, and Power

• Victims had strong communication placements; many were strong-willed, outspoken, or “ballsy.”
• All had their throats cut—literal and symbolic silencing; discussed as a possible psychological “trigger” for the killer.
  • “Maybe that's a clue…something about speech and doesn't want to hear it” (33:38, Aliza).
• Theory: The Ripper's rage and method may be rooted in misogyny, maternal issues, or personal trauma.

6. The From Hell Letter and Theatrical Communication

• Dissects the timing and astrology of the infamous "From Hell" letter and the sending of a kidney (67:02–69:47).
• The letter’s theatricality parallels Neptune in the chart—glamour and mystique; “truly from the bowels of hell.”

7. Suspects: Astrological Deep Dives

Aaron Kosminski

• Virgo sun, Gemini moon—identical to Polly Nichols and the Ripper "event" chart (109:12–109:27).
• Matching cosmic signatures, but biography does not fit crime: frail, no history of violence, non-English speaker, institutionalized years after last murder.
  • "He is part of the story, whether or not he is Jack the Ripper." (114:52, Aliza)

George Chapman (Severin Klosowski)

• Sagittarius sun, Scorpio moon. Saturn/moon conjunction in Scorpio, intense issues with women; fits “mutable sign” serial killer pattern (123:36–124:11).
• Convicted later for poisoning his mistresses and abusing his wives, showing both brutality and clinical approach (124:11–125:36).
• Abberline (lead investigator) believed Chapman was the Ripper.
• Chapman’s Anglicized name and the frequent “clerical errors” with suspect identities feed the fog of the case.

The Investigators

• Sir Charles Warren, Donald Swanson, and Robert Anderson all have notable astrological triggers during the case—Jupiter returns, key conjunctions, echoing chaos and confusion of the investigation.
• Frederick Abberline (Capricorn sun, Aries moon; moon conjunct Pluto) cast as the “avenger”/women’s ally of the case—raised by a single mother, gave money to protect local women (119:36–120:27).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (With Timestamps)

• On recurring Ripper "solutions":
  “That shawl that they're claiming they have this DNA from …there is nowhere that says there is like an 8 foot long, really expensive shawl…found on her person. Nowhere.” – Alayna (03:26)
• Setting the tone:
  “Maybe we're just going to solve it tonight.” – Ash (10:38)
• On cosmic coincidence:
  “She was murdered when the sun was in Virgo and the moon was In Gemini.” – Aliza (17:18)
• On the mythic feel:
  “This doesn't happen in most people's lifetimes… Neptune represents illusion, delusion… Pluto is the underworld… This is Whitechapel.” – Aliza (24:23)
• On the killer’s psychology:
  “Maybe that's a clue…something about speech and doesn't want to hear it” – Aliza (33:38)
• On the escalation of violence:
  “He was slowly making them not a person… which is so fucked up.” – Alayna (63:03)
• Debunking Kosminski:
  “He is part of the story, whether or not he is Jack the Ripper." – Aliza (114:52)
• On George Chapman:
  "Might be George Chapman, guys." – Alayna (129:41)
• Astrology meets justice:
  “You can solve cases, too… Listen to horoscope weekly and solve murders, period.” – Aliza (131:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:26–08:23: Alayna’s epic rant on the DNA and "shawl" evidence
• 17:10–18:31: Aliza introduces cosmic coincidences in victim charts
• 24:23–26:26: The Neptune-Pluto conjunction’s lasting impact
• 36:54–39:10: Annie Chapman and the tragic patterns in the victims' lives
• 53:46–55:25: Analysis of Elizabeth Stride, killing interrupted
• 67:02–69:47: The “From Hell” letter analyzed astrologically
• 83:33–86:22: Mary Jane Kelly’s murder as the cosmic crescendo
• 109:12–110:53: Kosminski’s chart and the uncanny cosmic alignments
• 114:47–115:52: Kosminski’s fate as part of the Ripper legend
• 123:36–125:36: George Chapman’s chart and profile as possible killer
• 127:03–128:05: Name coincidences (Chapman / Klosowski / Kosminski)
• 119:36–120:27: Abberline as the “women’s avenger” of the investigation

Episode Tone & Dynamics

• Language/Tone: Spirited, irreverent, and darkly funny—true to Morbid’s signature style.
• Atmosphere: Mix of serious analysis, chilling details, and playful banter (“We love a neighborhood watch!”).
• Guest Dynamic: Aliza’s expertise is consistently celebrated, with Ash and Alayna marveling at astrological revelations and engaging in thematic speculation.

Conclusion

The episode closes with the hosts and Aliza marveling at the uncanny cosmic correlations and contemplating George Chapman as perhaps the most compelling Ripper suspect, thanks to astrology’s unique lens. The case is positioned as not simply a story of horror, but an enduring legacy shaped by planetary alignments and human failings, inviting listeners to both question official narratives and consider new, even mystical, angles of history’s most infamous mysteries.

"You can solve cases, too. Listen to horoscope weekly and solve murders, period." — Aliza Kelly (131:15)

For more from Aliza Kelly, check out her podcast HOROSCOPE, with weekly sign-by-sign and astrology education episodes.