The Hoax of Benjamin Franklin

by Jude Cowell, Daughter of the American Revolution

Dear SO'W Reader,

Have you ever looked at the Sun-Moon combinations of four of America's founders in order to ascertain their personality blends for the sake of nosing into their relationships? I refer to the Personality Blends of Franklin, Washington, Paine, and Jefferson, a previously discussed topic here on SO'W.

The reason I ask is because our nation has been infiltrated and infested by enemies and We the People are perilously close to losing what our Founding Fathers established for posterity and I'm feeling more than a little nostalgic these days for our founding Enlightenment principles. How about you?

Ben Franklin: 1st American and Hoaxer!

Now perhaps you've noticed that Benjamin Franklin's bio page is quite extensive describing the polymath, scientist, inventor, printer, writer, Almanack publisher, statesman, diplomat - well, the list goes on.

Yet the fellow born way back in 1706 was quirkily humorous as well, and not above playing tricks. In fact, one of my favorites of Ben's shenanigans is the one where he printed a death forecast for his "friend" Titus Leeds saying that "Titus" would soon pass away - on October 17, 1733 at 3:29 pm, to be precise. Cheeky!

So as you may know, "Titus" responded in print with the result that Ben's Titus hoax continued into 1734 with a second Almanack printing. Copies were sold and a fortune was made! (See lower left corner for transit Neptune opposing his natal Mars). Other transits include a 1733 Solar Eclipse conjunct his natal North Node in money-loving Taurus (see lower right corner for details), and 1733 Saturn Rx is at the "Through Imagination a Lost Opportunity Is Regained" degree - and this may be at the basis of Ben's super-creative imagination with which he invented this unusual publicity stunt for selling copies of Poor Richard's Almanack. In addition, there's 1733 North Node in Scorpio which has hit his natal 14 South Prenatal Eclipse, a Series that tends to bring success and acceptance of an obsessive idea (B. Brady). Plus, you'll spy other contacts between the charts, I'm certain:

So even though Benjamin "missed" with his original prediction, above you see the Horoscope of the alleged passing of Mr. Titus Leeds as prognosticated by Mr. Franklin writing as "Richard Saunders" in Poor Richard's Almanack - but as a transit chart (outer) to Mr. Franklin's natal Horoscope (inner); a few astro-notes are penned on for the curious reader.

As always, Thanks a Bunch for reading! jc