George Michael (June 25, 1963 – December 25, 2016)

We watched the Netflix documentary Wham! last night. I’d forgotten how instrumental “Top of the Pops” was in making this duo the success they were in the UK and later the whole world. I moved to England in the very middle of their rise to prominence. Their Christmas hit, “Last Christmas” got pushed off the number one spot in the UK charts by Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” That must have hurt, since George Michael was part of the assembled singers on that record, too.

Then George went solo.

This timing is considered excellent. That Moon opposition Saturn probably explains a lot about George’s emotional issues. His father was strict and his mother was tolerant. George probably tried to please his father, but went against his wishes by teaming up with Andrew Ridgeley, a childhood friend. Years later, George’s father would be so proud of him, but the bad boy image may have stuck. There are two inconjunct, both involving Neptune.

Mercury Inconjunct Neptune

The challenge of this aspect is to make your thinking and communication with others more clear. Your rational mind is strongly influenced by your sensitivity, imagination and ideals, although you aren’t always sure how this happens. You tend to spend too much time in your own imaginary world that no one can share, and this confuses your dealings with others. You will have to learn to face reality, so that you can at least communicate with people. Otherwise you will have a very lonely life.

Your self-confidence needs to be built up as much as possible so that you can face people without fear, tell the truth about yourself and be honest in other ways as well.

Venus Inconjunct Neptune

This aspect means that your attitudes about love and affection are very idealistic, as will become clearer later in life. Also it can be a sign of creative artistic ability if there are other indications of creativity in your chart.

This aspect will work out with the fewest problems if you get a great deal of emotional support from your parents and other loved ones. While you are young, this attitude (of needing to make sacrifices) is likely to show up only as a feeling of unworthiness and shyness toward others, especially those who seem to like you. When you are older, you may have severe problems in love relationships, because you feel that you are only good enough for society’s losers, people who badly need help or have severe emotional problems. You must learn to take a clear, objective view of the people you are attracted to and to realize that you deserve a positive love relationship as much as the other person does, for you are as worthwhile as anyone.

(There it is, in black and white.)

During the closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics, George sang this song…

I took notice.

Four years later, he died. I wonder if he saw the White Light then? I expect so.

Strange, though, his personal last Christmas ended with a literal broken heart.

Four years after that the song, “Last Christmas,” finally reached number one in the charts. It only took 36 years. I guess that’s proof the the music goes on, even after you’re gone. Rest in Peace, George.