James Van Praagh

It is widely believed that on Halloween, the separation between the living and the dead is the thinnest, and psychic sensitivity for communication between the two worlds is at its highest of the year. To celebrate Halloween, the holiday of remembering and honouring the dearly departed, I want to analyze the chart of the highly gifted spiritual medium and clairvoyant, James Van Praagh. He communicates messages between the living and the dead, easily shifting between the two worlds. He is a world renowned spiritual medium and clairvoyant who has achieved success with his numerous New York Times bestselling books, TV and radio show appearances, hosting his own radio show, and co- producing the hit show “Ghost Whisperer”. His website is http://www.vanpraagh.com/

Astrology


Moon conjunct Saturn in Sagittarius in the 12th house. Saturn is the chart ruler and its being placed in the 12th house will make 12th house activities a major focus of interest. In addition since the 1st house governs our appearance and how we appear to people on first impression, people will likely sense that there is something “otherworldly” about him. Saturn is stationary and therefore brings the significantly enhanced capacity for the goal setting, discipline and perseverance that was critical in him writing so many books and having such an active schedule filled with media interviews and teaching, and of course to promote work based on 12th house activities. Planets in the 12th house give more power to 12th house themes such as sensitivity to otherworldly realms and the potential to have fewer mental barriers between the “real and unreal”. These people will see things when they believe them and are visionaries. For example, James often sees things about people but they do not become apparent until years later, he admits it is an inexact science but the abilities he does have can still help people immensely. For example, he told Barbara Walters that she would have some problems regarding blood flow in hear heart after doing her talk show in 2008. Barbara went to the doctor and she said the doctor cleared her of any trouble. She later called James “dangerous” on her show and questioned his abilities. In 2010, it became public knowledge that Barbara needed a heart surgery due to a faulty valve (1). 
 
The Moon is exceptionally well integrated and prominent: It is making nine aspects with every one of the planets, is angular (conjunct the Asc 4d) and is sextile the North Node 1d. The Moon represents emotions, feeling, intuition, security, natural instinct, gut reactions, moods, imagination and deeper thoughts that can’t be expressed in words. His depth and range of emotion is very impressive and when the moon is so prominent, it is a sign of psychic ability and receptivity to hidden knowledge. The sextile to the North Node shows that these qualities are beneficial for his soul’s evolution and spiritual growth.

Ruler of the 12th house Jupiter is conjunct Neptune (ruler of the 3rd house) and the North Node in the 10th house (career). This combination is a direct reflection of James’s successful career combining communications with spiritual mediumship. The connection of these houses and planets with the North Node show that these activities are oriented towards his spiritual growth as a person and that he is in alignment with his soul’s purpose. Notably, James has the N. Node in a partile conjunction with the MC!  The North Node conjunct the MC is one of the most fortunate places for it to be, inclining the person towards leadership, confidence, prominence, fame and riches (2). He has a degree in communications and broadcasting from San Francisco State University. James has been on several radio and talk shows including: Larry King Live, the Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today, Entertainment Tonight, the Insider, 20/20, 48 Hours, Unsolved Mysteries, A&E’s Mediums: We See Dead People, John Edward Cross Country, and many more. In 2002, he produced and hosted his own syndicated show, Beyond with James Van Praagh. He was also co-executive producer of the CBS-TV hit drama, Ghost Whisperer, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt (3). He has a talk radio show on Hay House Radio titled “Talking to spirit with James Van Praagh” where he answers listener’s questions. He has numerous books including New York Times Bestsellers “Talking to Heaven”, Ghosts Among Us, Reaching to Heaven, Healing Grief, Heaven and Earth, Looking Beyond, and Meditations With James Van Praagh. These books have been translated in many languages (3). His skill for creative self- expression, interest in the entertainment industry and penchant for drama likely stems from his chart shape being a locomotive with lead planet Mars. Mars is exactly conjunct the 5th house cusp. He excels at self- promotion and Mars gives him the considerable ambition, drive and courage to act on his dreams. He has 9 planets in the South hemisphere, further emphasizing his love of the spotlight. His success in communications is also partly due to the fact that Mercury is conjunct fixed star Regulus in the 8th house, is retrograde and is exact on the 8th house midpoint. Regulus is the most benefic star and is traditionally thought to bring glory, riches and fame (4) in the area of life of the planet’s domain that it conjuncts. Mercury represents eloquence of the spoken and written word as well as broadcasting so naturally James has found incredible success in this area. Mercury is also retrograde and this influence causes a person to be very introspective, analytical and notice subtle things that other people often miss (5). They also have a rare depth of nonverbal understanding (5). I have found Mercury retrograde in many talented and famous authors. 
 
In his chart the 8th house is very prominent and powerful. There are 5 planets here, including the ruler of the 8th house (Sun) and Pluto’s qualities are able to work in their best form as it tenants its natural house. In addition, his chart signature is Scorpio, Scorpio is the natural sign of the 8th house and shares the same characteristics. The 8th house governs all types of occult, esoteric subjects, knowledge that is only available to a select few. Notable family legacies are probable with a strong 8th house and in fact there is a history of esoteric ability in his family- his grandmother on his father’s side read tea leaves, his grandmother on his mother’s side was psychic and his sister can see spirits that show up in photos (6). The 8th house represents death,
secrets, and transformation; very fitting as James tells the living person secrets that only the dead person would have known. He also communicates things that the dead person wants the living person to know but maybe never told them when they were living. This knowledge can have a transformational effect on the living person, perhaps giving them closure or changing the course of their lives. We see that the ruler of the tenth house Venus is conjunct the 8th house cusp exact and also conjunct the vertex. There is a link showing that these 8th house matters will play a direct role in his career and reputation and that this is destined to occur (vertex). Venus is at critical degree 9 Leo giving it extra sensitivity and command. In fact, his first experience with a medium was not intentional but as it turned out was a critical part of his destiny and turning point in his life. After moving to L.A because he was promised a job, he learned that wasn’t the case and ended up having to take a temporary job. A lady he worked with recommended he see a medium. He told her he didn’t really believe in those things but saw the man to humour her. The medium told him as soon as he walked in the door "You, you're a psychic, you're a medium. In two years’ time, they're going to give you messages and help you communicate." James was very impressed and started reading and meditating, soon after he began seeing auras like he did when he was a kid (6). It was 2 years later to the exact day when he saw a lady behind a girl at the counter, he began to describe her to the girl and the girl freaked out because James was describing her grandmother in a very specific way: "There's a lady behind you and she's telepathically giving me thoughts about a house in Idaho, a yellow house with white shutters and a needlepoint" (6). Another aspect connected with his destiny is Mercury conjunct Sun and Pluto in the 8th house. Sun conjunct Pluto is an aspect bestowing the potential to heal others, the individual can inspire others toward their own transformation. With Mercury also conjunct it suggests that the healing will be done through the oral/ written form. This is an aspect giving potential to be a thought leader and a desire to have a deep and lasting impact on people’s lives. Through his magnetism and willpower, the individual is often successful in that goal.

Eight planets are in the water houses. The water houses represent emotional intelligence, imagination, the depth and range of emotions as well as your ability to be empathetic to people. People who have many planets in water houses often report that they are clairvoyant, have psychic visions and extremely vivid dreams. They are extremely sensitive to the energy of people (auras) and places. In fact, when James was a child he reported that he frequently saw lights around people (auras) and angels at the edge of his bed (6). Even as an adult he still can see auras and spirits (6). The show Ghost Whisperer is partly based on his own life- the lead character can communicate with spirits that have passed into the light (6).

Neptune is very well integrated, making 7 aspects to the planets, is conjunct the North Node 7d and is square the vertex 9d. Neptune is the planet representing clairvoyance, dreams, visions, psychic ability, imagination, mediumship and spirituality. Neptune is the ruler of his third house of communications and is placed in the tenth house- we can observe a great influence of Neptune on the topics and quality of his communication both orally and written. Moreover, these communications are directly linked to his career.

Numerology

James’ expression, personality and intensity numbers are 1. The first letter of his first name is J which also is 1. I think that he has set himself apart in the field of mediumship with his ambitious, enterprising and entrepreneurial spirit. He has created a brand with all of his books, and his radio and TV show. He is definitely a thought leader and constantly comes up with exciting and innovative ways to relate his messages to people. He is very independent and cherishes his freedom, he would hate to be tied down in a routine because he can become bored quite easily.

James’ soul urge and life path numbers are 9. This number is reflected in his ability as a healer and teacher. He has written a book specifically devoted to healing titled “Healing Grief, Reclaiming Life after any Loss”, this book became a New York Times bestseller. He hosts formal spirit healing circles which give people a sense of peace and trigger new insights. As mentioned before, his ability to relate messages between worlds and between loved ones does help give closure to people still living. These messages could transform the way they live and help heal old wounds. Number 9 is emotionally sensitive and is very compassionate towards people. James certainly displays these characteristics when helping people deal with their grief. James teaches mediumship classes/ workshops in which he helps a diverse group of people develop their skills of relating to the spirit world, the mechanics of mediumship, trance states, learning about one’s guides and protecting yourself from harmful energies among other topics (7).

James’ birthday number is 5. Five is Mercury’s number and is reflective of his eloquence in relating his experiences and knowledge with the public. Through his popular books, mediumship classes and various media enterprises, he has taught people a lot about mediumship and clairvoyance. He is very versatile, concurrently getting involved in many different ventures. At the time of one interview when asked about whether he has any projects going on, he replied that he was working on his show Psych Out, he was developing different TV shows, he had a Halloween special, and was working on 3 different books (6). He hosts cruises to spiritual destinations worldwide and travels the world to teach and lecture (8), illustrating this number’s love of adventure, foreign cultures and people.


Have a bewitching Halloween!!

References

1.http://www.accesshollywood.com/james-van-praagh-on-barbara-walters-she-owes-me-an-apology_article_32255

2.Teal, C. (2008). Lunar Nodes, Discover your Soul’s Karmic Mission.     Woodbury, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications.

3.http://www.eomega.org/workshops/teachers/james-van-praagh

4.http://darkstarastrology.com/regulus/

5.Tierney, B. (1983). Dynamics of Aspect Analysis. Sebastopol, California: CRCS Publications.

6. http://tvdramas.about.com/od/ghostwhisperer/a/jvanpraaghinter.htm

7. http://www.vanpraagh.com/events/classes-workshops

8.http://healingwiththemasters.com/v11/james-van-praagh/