Merle Haggard

I have enjoyed Merle Haggard's music ever since I played his music as a country dj in the 1970s. His music is honest and straight forward touching on themes of what Wikipedia refers to as "love, loss, regret, and redemption." This weekend marks the Labor Day holiday and I am particularly reminded of one of Merle's songs, "Workin' Man Blues" in which one of his verses goes:

I keep my nose on the grindstone, I work hard every day
Might get a little tired on the weekend, after I draw my pay
But I'll go back workin, come Monday morning I'm right back with the crew
I'll drink a little beer that evening,
Sing a little bit of these working man blues

Merle certainly has a knack for connecting to the common person his songs. He has received numerous music awards including the Grammy's Lifetime Achievement Award.

His early life was punctuated with the loss of his father and numerous run-ins with the law resulting in his eventual release from imprisonment in 1960. He was eventually pardoned by California Governor Ronald Reagan.

He has been married five times and is considered somewhat of a loner, not interacting much with the public.

In his chart, Sagittarius rises with it's mooltrikona ruler, Jupiter, in infancy and debilitation (both rasi and navamsa) in the house of status. This combination shows both the fame and the shame he has enjoyed/endured throughout his life.

The nodes play a big role in Merle's chart as they are debilitated and aspecting the even-numbered houses and the Sun (from Rahu). These formations present many challenges and took away his father early in life during a Sun subperiod. The Sun, in addition to being significator for father also rules the 9th house of father. This same Sun, though has given him public acclaim as it shines directly on the 10th house (public, profession) angle.

His many marriages can be attributed to the nodal aspects to his 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 12th houses.

His reclusiveness comes from the weak ruler of his ascendant, Jupiter.

He makes his money (11th house ruled by Venus in the 5th house of creativity) by creating music (Venus).

Posted 08/30/2008

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