Abraham Lincoln's Horoscope

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)—16th President of the United States, emancipator of enslaved people, preserver of the Union during America's Civil War—stands as one of history's most transformative political leaders. Raman's summary captures the arc: "Born in a log cabin, in turn woodman, flat boatman, surveyor, village postmaster, legislator, country-lawyer, member of Congress and finally President."

Lincoln's horoscope demonstrates how Subhavesi Yoga (benefics in 2nd and 12th from the Sun), Saturn in the 10th house aspected by Jupiter, and the exaltation of Venus (yogakaraka for Aquarius) can elevate someone from extreme poverty to world-historical greatness. It also shows the tragic side: classical combinations indicating death by assassination.

What makes this chart particularly instructive is its demonstration of dwirdwadasa positions (lords of 1st and 10th in 6-8 relationship)—showing how Lincoln "faced the difficulties and terrors of his high office with detachment and strength with which he had earlier paved his way as a poor man." The horoscope teaches that great destinies often manifest through struggle, not ease.

Birth Data and Planetary Positions

Vimshottari Dasa at Birth: Sun Dasa, balance of 2 years, 1 month, 6 days remaining

Key House Positions:

• 1st House (Aquarius): Sun, Mercury (5th and 7th lords)
• 2nd House (Pisces): Jupiter, Venus (both benefics—Subhavesi Yoga)
• 9th House (Libra): Mars (10th lord), Rahu
• 10th House (Scorpio): Saturn (Lagna lord)
• 12th House (Capricorn): Moon

Special Features of the Horoscope

1. Aquarius Lagna: The Humanitarian Mystic

Aquarius (Kumbha) Lagna is a "mystic sign" ruling humanitarian ideals, unconventional thinking, and principled action. Raman writes: "The mystic sign Aquarius rising with Mercury placed very near the ascending degree made the native firm in principles, benevolent and humanitarian."

Lincoln's defining characteristics flow directly from this Lagna:

• Firm in principles: Refused to compromise on slavery despite political pressure
• Benevolent: "Malice toward none, charity for all" (Second Inaugural Address)
• Humanitarian: Freed 4 million enslaved people via Emancipation Proclamation
• Queer and peculiar: Raman notes: "The sign Aquarius has the quality of usually making one somewhat queer and peculiar in his nature. True to this characteristic, 'taste and minor sensibilities were a little deficient' in Lincoln."

The physical appearance also matches Aquarius traits combined with Saturn (Lagna lord) influence: "Consistent with the nature of Lagna lord and the sign occupied by him, which is one of long ascension, Abraham Lincoln had an 'ungainly figure, with long arms and large hands and relatively small development of chest', but he possessed immense physical strength."

2. Saturn in 10th House: The Champion of the Downtrodden

The most powerful single placement: Saturn (Lagna lord) in the 10th house (Scorpio), aspected by Jupiter from the 2nd house. Raman declares: "Slavery came to be hateful to him because the planet of the downtrodden Saturn, happening to be lord of Lagna, occupies the 10th aspected by the divine planet Jupiter from his own sign."

This combination explains Lincoln's life mission:

• Saturn = the downtrodden, oppressed, laborers, enslaved people
• Saturn as Lagna lord = his personal identity merged with their cause
• 10th house = career, public life, legacy
• Jupiter's aspect = divine purpose, moral righteousness

Raman notes that Saturn in the 10th also creates Mrityu Yoga (death yoga): "Saturn, by virtue of his position in the 10th, has caused Mrityu Yoga... the disposition of Saturn in the 10th points to death by weapon." The same placement that gave him his mission also foreshadowed his violent end.

3. Subhavesi Yoga: Wealth of Character Over Material Riches

Subhavesi Yoga forms when benefics occupy the 2nd and 12th houses from the Sun. Here:

• Sun in Aquarius (Lagna) at 4° 06'
• 2nd from Sun = Pisces: Contains Jupiter (2° 16') and Venus (17° 46')—both strong benefics
• 12th from Sun = Capricorn: Contains Moon (5° 20')

Raman emphasizes: "The most notable combinations are the presence of a very powerful Subhavesi Yoga caused by Jupiter lord of the 2nd, in the 2nd and Venus, the yogakaraka, exalted in the 2nd."

This yoga confers:

• Eloquence and oratory: The 2nd house rules speech—Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural are literary masterpieces
• Self-education: "The 4th lord Venus is exalted in the 2nd and is in association with Jupiter lord of the 2nd. This evidently reveals that Lincoln was struggling with self-education." (He read law books by candlelight.)
• Wealth of character, not money: "As the 2nd lord Jupiter and the 12th lord Saturn are in mutual trikonas he never developed even a reasonable desire to be rich, though he suffered from poverty in his early career."

4. Venus Exalted in 2nd House: The Yogakaraka's Blessing

For Aquarius Lagna, Venus is the yogakaraka (owning 4th and 9th houses—a kendra and trikona). Venus is exalted in Pisces at 17° 46' in the 2nd house.

Raman connects this to Lincoln's mother: "The 4th lord Venus exalted is in a trine from Lagna lord denoting a sensitive, good looking and pious mother, but as Matrukaraka Moon is afflicted the mother was short-lived." Lincoln's mother Nancy Hanks died when he was 9 years old—Venus exalted (quality) but Moon afflicted (early loss).

Venus's yogakaraka status also explains:

• Dharmic purpose (9th lordship): Lincoln saw ending slavery as a moral imperative
• Education (4th lordship): Though formal schooling was minimal, he became one of America's greatest self-taught intellects
• Political success: Exalted yogakaraka in 2nd (wealth house) brought political capital

5. Mercury-Sun in Lagna: Political Astuteness

Mercury (5th and 7th lord) and Sun (7th lord) are both in Aquarius Lagna. Raman notes: "The association in Lagna of the 5th lord Mercury and the 7th lord Sun, the political planet" is a key yoga.

This combination creates:

• Political intelligence (Mercury): Lincoln was a master strategist, timing the Emancipation Proclamation perfectly
• Public persona (Sun in 7th house role): The 7th lord Sun in Lagna made Lincoln a public figure
• Blending of tolerance and humor: "Mercury is in Lagna with the Sun. Thus there was, in his mind, a blending of tolerance and humour with a singular purity of life."

6. Mars in 9th House: The Struggling Father

Mars (10th lord) is in the 9th house (Libra) with Rahu. The 9th house represents the father. Raman writes: "The 9th is occupied by two malefics. Lincoln's father was illiterate, shiftless and of no great help to the boy."

This is a classic example of malefic affliction of the 9th house indicating a difficult relationship with the father or paternal hardship. Thomas Lincoln was indeed an illiterate farmer who provided little support or encouragement.

However, Mars as 10th lord in the 9th is also a Raja Yoga (lord of kendra in trikona), contributing to career success through dharmic action.

7. Moon in 12th: Occult Tendencies and Emotional Struggles

Moon in the 12th house (Capricorn) in Uttara Ashadha nakshatra (ruled by the Sun) creates several effects:

Occult tendencies: "Another interesting combination in his horoscope is the position of the emotional planet in the 12th subject to the aspect of Saturn. This indicates 'occult' tendencies. He believed in dreams as omens." Lincoln famously had a premonitory dream of his own assassination days before it occurred.

Mental struggles: "The Moon's situation in a saturnine sign and his affliction by Mars and Saturn, without any neutralising effects, denote that he was subject at times 'to unrestrained emotional reaction, morbid depression and even temporary insanity.'" Lincoln suffered from what modern medicine would call clinical depression, which he called "the hypo" (hypochondria).

8. Assassination Combinations

Raman identifies a classical combination: "According to classical works like Jataka Tatwa, when Saturn, Sun and Mars are in the 10th, 7th and 4th respectively, death takes place by assassination. Here we find Saturn is in the 10th; Mars aspects the 4th and the Sun aspects the 7th."

This is a variant of the standard rule (adapted for aspects rather than occupations), pointing to death by violent public attack—which is exactly what occurred on April 14, 1865, when John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln at Ford's Theatre.

Important Events: The Dasa-Bhukti Timeline

Moon Dasa (Birth to ~Age 7): Mother's Death

Mother's Death (Age 9, 1818): "The first and the most important event is the death of Lincoln's mother when he was 9 years old in Moon Dasa Saturn Bhukti."

The astrological logic:

• Moon is Matrukaraka (significator of mother) and is "considerably afflicted" (12th house, saturnine sign Capricorn, aspected by Mars and Saturn)
• Saturn (sub-lord) is in a maraka place from the 4th house (4th = mother; 2nd from 4th = maraka)

Nancy Hanks Lincoln died of "milk sickness" (tremetol poisoning) when Abraham was just 9 years old, a traumatic loss that shaped his character.

Mars Dasa (Age ~7-14): Poverty and Hardship

"Throughout Mars Dasa, especially that Mars is afflicted by his association with Rahu, Lincoln had a chequered career and was poverty-stricken which continued almost right upto the end."

Mars is the 10th lord (career) placed with Rahu (affliction) in the 9th house. This period saw Lincoln working as a manual laborer, splitting rails, doing odd jobs—the "log cabin" years.

Rahu Dasa (Age ~14-32): Military Service and Early Political Career

Black Hawk War (1832, Age 23): "As soon as Rahu Dasa commenced, Lincoln was appointed Captain of a company to serve in the Black Hawk war. Mark the excellent position of Jupiter who has caused Subhavesi Yoga."

Rahu is in the 9th house (dharma, fortune) with Mars (10th lord = career). Rahu can give the results of planets it's associated with—here, Mars's career results.

Illinois Legislature (Jupiter Bhukti): "As soon as Jupiter Bhukti commenced, the native was elected to Illinois Legislature." Jupiter is the 2nd and 11th lord (wealth, gains) in the 2nd house (Subhavesi Yoga), inaugurating political success.

Marriage (Venus Bhukti, 1842): "As soon as Venus sub-period in Rahu Dasa dawned, Lincoln's marriage took place with Mary Todd." Venus is Kalatrakaraka (spouse significator) and exalted yogakaraka in the 2nd house.

However, marriage was challenging: "Kalatrakaraka Venus is exalted in the 2nd, while the 7th lord Sun is in the nakshatra of Mars. The 7th itself is aspected by Saturn. Consequently, though Mrs. Lincoln 'had a high temper' she was an admirable wife for her husband. But as Venus is in the constellation of Rahu, Lincoln discovered that marriage 'is a field of battle and not a bed of roses.'"

Jupiter Dasa (Age ~32-48): Political Rise and Presidency

Presidential Candidacy (Jupiter Dasa, Venus/Saturn Bhuktis): "It was again under the directional influences of the yogakarakas Jupiter and Venus that Lincoln making speeches began to be talked of as a candidate for Presidentship."

Jupiter (Subhavesi Yoga lord) and Venus (yogakaraka) working together created the political momentum.

Elected President (Moon Bhukti, 1860): "It was in Jupiter Dasa Moon Bhukti that Lincoln became the President of U.S.A. Mark the excellent position of Jupiter both in Rasi and in Navamsa."

The Moon is in the constellation of the Sun (7th lord = public life, presidency). Though Moon is in the 12th house (often challenging), it's in the nakshatra of the political Sun, delivering executive power.

Re-election and 13th Amendment (Fag End of Jupiter Dasa, 1864-1865): "The fag end of Jupiter Dasa was equally remarkable because he was elected President for the second time and Lincoln succeeded in having passed the amendment to the Constitution which ended slavery in America."

This was the culmination of Jupiter's promise: Saturn (Lagna lord = downtrodden) in 10th aspected by Jupiter (dharma) = ending slavery through political action.

Saturn Dasa: Assassination (April 14, 1865)

Death (Saturn Dasa, Mercury Bhukti): "As soon as Saturn Dasa Mercury Bhukti started, Lincoln was assassinated."

The maraka analysis is complex:

• Saturn occupies the 10th house (Mrityu Yoga position), owns the 2nd from Moon (maraka), and is aspected by Jupiter (2nd lord from Lagna = maraka)
• Mercury (sub-lord) is in the 2nd from Moon (maraka) with the 8th lord Sun, is the 8th lord from Lagna, and 8th lord from Navamsa Lagna

Raman concludes: "These influences justify death in Saturn Dasa Mercury Bhukti."

Lincoln was shot on April 14, 1865, and died the next morning. He was 56 years old.

Philosophical Remarks

Raman's concluding analysis focuses on how astrological combinations explain Lincoln's rise from poverty to greatness:

Dwirdwadasa: Success Through Struggle

"Lords of Lagna and the 10th are in dwirdwadasa. Consequently he faced the difficulties and terrors of his high office with detachment and strength with which he had earlier paved his way as a poor man."

Dwirdwadasa (6-8 relationship): Saturn (Lagna lord) is in Scorpio (10th house), Mars (10th lord) is in Libra (9th house). They are in 6th-8th relationship to each other. This creates friction between self (1st) and career (10th), manifesting as:

• Struggle in achieving status: Lincoln lost multiple elections before winning
• Detachment in power: He maintained humility despite presidency
• Paradox of poverty and greatness: Material poverty coexisted with moral wealth

Harmonious Yogakarakas: The "Signal Benefactor"

"The harmonious disposition of the lords of Lagna and the yogakaraka Venus and the creative planet Jupiter made him 'a signal benefactor of posterity, statesman, ruler and liberator.'"

Raman identifies the triad of power:

• Saturn (Lagna lord): Principled identity, service to oppressed
• Venus (yogakaraka): Dharmic purpose, beneficent action
• Jupiter (creative planet): Wisdom, divine aspect, educational self-improvement

The three planets work in harmony (Jupiter aspects Saturn, Venus is exalted in Jupiter's sign), creating a unified force for transformative good.

Jupiter's Aspect on 10th House: Conviction and Providence

"It is Jupiter's aspect on the 10th that made him firm and absolutely independent where his conviction was concerned. It is again due to Jupiter's position that Lincoln had an intense belief in a vast and overruling Providence."

Jupiter in the 2nd house aspects the 10th house (where Saturn sits) with its 9th aspect (full strength). This:

• Protected his principles: Lincoln refused to compromise on slavery
• Gave religious faith: His speeches invoke Providence repeatedly
• Sanctified his career: The 10th house became a dharmic mission, not just political ambition

Aquarius Lagna: Universal Humanity

"It is birth in Aquarius Lagna that accounts for his benevolence, forgiveness and world-wide humanity."

Raman attributes Lincoln's most famous qualities—mercy ("malice toward none"), forgiveness (generous Reconstruction plans), and universal humanitarianism (equality for all)—directly to the Aquarius ascendant's influence.

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Conclusion

Abraham Lincoln's horoscope demonstrates how planetary combinations can elevate someone from the humblest origins to world-historical greatness. The chart teaches several universal principles:

• Yogas manifest through lordships, not just signs: Saturn's power comes not from exaltation but from being Lagna lord in the 10th house
• Benefic aspects transform malefics: Jupiter's aspect on Saturn (10th house) sanctified political power
• Dwirdwadasa creates struggle-born strength: The 6-8 relationship between 1st and 10th lords meant success required immense effort
• Exalted yogakarakas deliver both material and dharmic results: Venus exalted in 2nd gave education, eloquence, and moral purpose
• Assassination yogas are specific and classical: Malefic placements/aspects in 4th, 7th, 10th simultaneously indicate violent public death

For students, this chart illustrates B.V. Raman's teaching that great destinies are written in planetary yogas, but manifest through human choice and character. Lincoln's chart gave him the potential to serve the downtrodden (Saturn in 10th aspected by Jupiter), but he chose to actualize that potential by ending slavery—fulfilling the promise written in the stars.

As Raman concludes: The horoscope made Lincoln "a signal benefactor of posterity, statesman, ruler and liberator"—one of the few leaders whose impact truly altered the course of human history.