The Astrology Podcast
Host: Chris Brennan
Episode: Eclipses and Downfalls: The Astrology of the Fall of Public Figures
Date: February 20, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Chris Brennan explores the enduring astrological belief—rooted in ancient tradition—that solar and lunar eclipses are linked with the downfall or death of public figures. Brennan presents contemporary and historical cases, illustrating the striking recurrence of these events during eclipse seasons. He reflects on how ancient symbolism and empirical observation have intersected, and how eclipses not only mark endings for prominent people, but also sometimes set the stage for new beginnings or the rise of new figures.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Ancient Symbolism of Eclipses

• Eclipses viewed as omens, especially for rulers and prominent figures.
• The Sun and Moon: represent the king and queen in astrology.
• When eclipsed, negative omens for leaders were expected.

"In ancient astrology, astrologers associated the sun and the moon with the king and the queen. And sometimes when one of the two luminaries was eclipsed, it was viewed as a negative omen, indicating that something negative would happen to the king or to the queen." – Chris Brennan [01:59]

• The tradition originated from observations, not just symbolism; Mesopotamians and later Western astrologers recorded patterns and outcomes around eclipses.

Recent Examples: Eclipses and Public Downfalls

• Prince Andrew’s Arrest [00:15–09:45]
  • Arrested Feb 19, 2026, two days after a solar eclipse in Aquarius (Feb 17).
  • Astrological significance: eclipse falls in his 7th house, on his birthday (solar return).
  • Leo rising, now in a 7th house profection year, activating Aquarius.

"His birthday was literally today. So he was arrested the day of his birthday and his solar return." – Chris Brennan [06:12]

• Jesse Jackson’s Death [04:03–08:55]

  • Died on the day of the eclipse (Feb 17, 2026).
  • Connections with previous Saturn-Neptune conjunctions in the late 1980s, both at his career’s height and at his passing.

• Former South Korean President Sentenced [09:46–12:25]

  • Life imprisonment announced Feb 19, just after the eclipse.
  • Attempted martial law act coincided with Mars retrograde in 2024.

• Definition and Timing of Eclipse Season [12:26–15:54]

  • Eclipse season: about one month, from first lunar square before the first eclipse, through the two eclipses (typically two weeks apart), ending a week after the second eclipse.
  • Critical for tracking events.

"Eclipse season is something astrologers talk about, but it's not very well defined. But...eclipse season really seemed to start getting really intense around the time that the moon reached the square before the first eclipse..." – Chris Brennan [14:39]

Historical and Recent Examples of Public Downfalls

UK and US Public Figures

• Liz Truss (UK Prime Minister) Resignation
  • Resigned Oct 20, 2022, five days before a solar eclipse (Oct 25).
• Eric Adams (NYC Mayor) Indictment
  • Indicted Sep 25, 2024; eclipse followed on Oct 2.
• Jeffrey Epstein Arrest and Death
  • Arrested July 6, 2019, four days after a total solar eclipse (July 2); died within a subsequent eclipse season.

Celebrity Downfalls

• Kanye West [22:01]
  • October 25, 2022, Adidas terminated partnership the day of a partial solar eclipse (Scorpio).
  • Marked his financial and reputational collapse.
• Sam Bankman-Fried [25:20]
  • Resigned from FTX Nov 11, 2022, three days after a lunar eclipse (Nov 8).
  • Guilty verdict Nov 2, 2023, five days after a partial eclipse (Oct 28, 2023).

Other Notable Downfalls

• Sean “Diddy” Combs [28:00]
  • Mansion raid March 25, 2024, the day of a lunar eclipse in Libra.
• R. Kelly Arrest [30:01]
  • July 11, 2019, five days before a partial lunar eclipse (July 16).
• Ashley Simpson’s SNL Lip Sync Incident
  • Oct 23, 2004, five days before an eclipse.

Media Personalities Firing Near Eclipses

• Chris Cuomo (CNN): Fired Dec 4, 2021, day of a total solar eclipse.
• Don Lemon (CNN) and Tucker Carlson (Fox News): Both fired Apr 24, 2023, four days after a solar eclipse (Apr 20).
• James Gunn (Filmmaker) Firing and Rehiring: Fired July 20, 2018, seven days before eclipse; eventually rehired, showing sometimes downfalls are temporary.

Political Setbacks

• Donald Trump First Impeachment: Dec 18, 2019, eight days before an eclipse.

The Dual Role of Eclipses: Downfall and New Beginnings

• Eclipses as turning points that can signal endings, but also beginnings.
• Sometimes the “downfall” leads to a new phase or a future comeback.

"While sometimes it can be the finality of a really major ending...sometimes it can be the closing of one chapter, but also the opening of another." – Chris Brennan [41:39]

Eclipses and Prominent Deaths (as Related to Downfall Theme)

• Three British Kings in the 20th Century

  • Edward VII: Died May 6, 1910, three days before eclipse (May 9).
  • George V: Died Jan 20, 1936, 12 days after eclipse (Jan 8).
  • George VI: Died Feb 6, 1952, five days before eclipse (Feb 11).

• Princess Diana: Died Aug 31, 1997, one day before an eclipse.

• Other Political Figures:

  • Abraham Lincoln: Assassinated Apr 14, 1865, three days after an eclipse (Apr 11).
  • Pope John Paul I: Died Sep 28, 1978, four days before an eclipse (Oct 2).
  • Martin Luther King Jr.: Died Apr 4, 1968, seven days after an eclipse (Mar 28).
  • Indira Gandhi: Killed Oct 31, 1984, eight days before an eclipse (Nov 8).
  • King Henry I Eclipse (1133 CE): Departed England on the day of the eclipse (Aug 2), never returned alive; event cemented eclipse lore for rulers.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On empirical tradition:

  "...there was actually empirical reasoning behind this, where ancient astrologers actually saw these things happening in their time and then recorded them based on their observations." – Chris Brennan [05:27]

• On the reverberation of eclipses:

  "...subsequent eclipse seasons after his [Epstein's] death have continued to reverberate in weird ways almost as recurrence transits." – Chris Brennan [20:11]

• On defining eclipse season:

  "...an eclipse is not just a singular date, but instead it's often opening this window seven days before the eclipse. And seven days after the eclipse." – Chris Brennan [17:16]

• On the cyclical nature of prominence:

  "...while sometimes an eclipse marks the end, it can also mark a beginning. You'll only recognize the importance of a new beginning in retrospect." – Chris Brennan [52:42]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [00:00–04:02] — Ancient astrology, symbolism, and omens
• [04:03–09:45] — Current headlines: Prince Andrew, Jesse Jackson’s death
• [09:46–12:25] — Former South Korean President sentenced
• [12:26–15:54] — Definition of eclipse season, eclipse calendar diagram
• [15:55–41:38] — Case studies: Liz Truss, Eric Adams, Epstein, Kanye West, Bankman-Fried, Diddy, R. Kelly, Ashley Simpson, media and political figures
• [41:39–45:51] — Eclipses as turning points—downfalls and potential for comebacks
• [45:52–52:41] — Historical deaths connected to eclipses (UK royalty, politicians, global figures)
• [52:42–End] — Reflection: Why the tradition persists, advice for eclipse season, invitation for listener participation

Structure and Flow

Chris Brennan deftly interweaves historical and recent events, illustrating a clear astrological pattern. The tone remains thoughtful, reflective, and precise, focused on empirical support and the broader philosophical implications of eclipse symbolism for astrologers and laypeople alike.

Summary Takeaways

• Eclipses have been symbolically and empirically linked to the downfall or death of prominent public figures across centuries.
• "Eclipse season"—the approximately month-long window around paired eclipses—is critical when watching for such turning points.
• Not all downfalls are permanent; eclipses can also sow the seeds for recovery or the rise of new influential figures.
• Awareness of these cycles provides both historical perspective and practical guidance for astrologers and individuals navigating periods of significant change.

For listeners, this episode provides a rich intersection of astrological tradition, empirical observation, and contemporary news—offering both caution and insight into the cycles of rise and fall that play out under the shadow of eclipses.