Chinese astrological portrait of Fidel Castro

Upon hearing the news that the much loved and hated leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro, had a stroke, a Chinese astrological chart was drawn up to view his life and see how much longer he has to live. Fidel Castro was born on August 13, 1926 in the hour of Ox. The Chinese astrological signs for the year, month, day, and hour of his birth are Fire Tiger, Fire Monkey, Wood Dog, and Wood Ox, respectively. He was born in the year of 2 Earth star and the month of 5 Earth star, and his tendency star is 2 Earth. The combination of Fire Tiger year and Wood Dog day made Castro a passionate, creative character who was full of surprises, and who loved adventure; he was tremendously optimistic. The combination of birth stars, 2-5-2, allowed Castro to persist and develop his vision gradually, following the examples of those political figures he most admired. Oddly enough, he was a conservative, and detail oriented man, and he had the support of some powerful magicians on the island. He was oriented to service, was hardworking, and single minded. And he felt deeply connected to the people and to the land that he so zealously ruled, although his chart shows major conflict with his parents and with figures of authority when he was growing up; he didn't have the support of his parents.

The balance of elements in Castro's chart are 4 Metal, 2 Water, 3 Wood, 4 Fire, and 4 Earth. Water is weakest, and Wood and Metal are the strongest at his birth. His vital element is Metal. Metal was strongest in his life in his first 29 years, and then again from age 39 to 59. In the 10 year period from age 29 to 39, which for Castro was a pivotal cycle, he won his war, and made an enemy of the USA. Having won control of Cuba in that period, he established a Government that has proved to be long lasting. Anything established in a pivotal period lasts long. Breaks and fallings out also happen in such periods.

The balance of yin and yang elements in Castro's chart show 10 yang and 6 yin. Castro is an initiator. The balance shows that yang Fire and yang Earth are overbalanced. This adversely affected his digestion and circulation. This, combined with Castro's weakest element, Water, ruling the brain, and blood, shows how he came to have a stroke which will invalid him for the rest of his life. This year, 2012, Water Dragon, having a superfluidity of Water, is attacking the elements of the year of Castro's birth, Fire Tiger, and is overwhelming Castro's circulation and brain, hence a stroke; he is very weak now. The elements of the current 10 year period that he is in, from age 79 to 89, Wood Dragon, fight with the elements of the day of his birth, Wood Dog. And with his vital element having been absent since he was 59, Castro is in fragile condition. Still, the sequence of 10 year cycles in his life show that he reached his peak of personal power and strength between 69 and 79, and that, while he is declining, he is still capable of holding on. How long he does is a question.

Death could come between now and 2016, sometime between 2013 and 2014 being likely. The sequence of years shows a steady decline of strength between 2011 and 2016. It would be a miracle if he held on past 2016. The 10 year cycle of Castro's age 79 to 89 shows him reclusive. If he survives past his 89th birthday he will die in that period. Castro will be 89 in 2015.

What will become of Cuba beyond Castro's death, according to his chart, is a modification and undoing of his ideas about how to rule the country. His original conflict with his family, and, by extension, the wealthy class from which he came, is not over. When he dies, those people will try to reassert themselves in Havana.

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Raphael is available for private readings and consultations. To find out more, visit www.raphaelsimons.com.