The Fallen Madonna ~ Story of Zosma

by Milo Tomi
Zosma, also known as Dhur (the Lions back), Wadha (the wise), or its astronomical
name, Delta Leonis, is a star of the constellation Leo. (1) As the fixed stars move at the
speed of 1 every 72 years, Zosma currently is at 1120 Virgo.
Vivian E. Robson wrote that this star has an impact similar to the combined influences
of Venus and Saturn, bringing shame and public lynching followed by some gain or
benefit. As this star is located on the back of the constellation Leo, it is connected with
the mythical Heracles because, according to Greek mythology, he jumped on the
Nemean lion from the back and killed him by breaking its neck. (2) Hera, who had given
Heracles twelve almost impossible tasks, was chagrined at this act and placed the
Nemean lion in Heaven to spite Heracles. In addition, Zosma is associated with those
who willingly enter into a dangerous situation; they are willing to make sacrifices or to be
a victim. It is often emphasized in charts of people who are seriously concerned with
faith, which leads to Zosmas connection with the Virgin Mary (Madonna).
However, just as every coin has two sides, a Madonna may fall and become a
sinner. In the horoscope, if Zosma is conjunct a malefic planet or with a severely
afflicted planet, the person may be self-centered, spiteful, immoral and deviant, or rude
and full of hatred for him/herself and others. Mile Dupor, a Yugoslavian astrologer from
the mid 20th century, states in his book, Influence of the Fixed Stars, that if an afflicted
light (i.e., the Sun or Moon in a bad position) conjuncts Zosma, those individuals are
unfortunate, both within themselves and for others. (3) Zosma can give a melancholic
nature, a depressive state of mind, fear of life, and fear of death, particularly from
poisoning. A planet without dignity on Zosma can bring isolation and/or mental illness.
We can say that Zosma carries a whiff of Uranus, because of its prominence in the
charts of people who destroy the established systems and taboos, who question
religious systems, or who openly show their eccentricity. Their work or personality may
shock the world.
The queen of pop music, the legendary Madonna, has the Ascendant and the Moon
conjunct Zosma. (4) Her artistic name, her eccentric performances (which often include
religious motives), her open practice of Kabbalah, all point to the strong influence of
Zosma in her natal chart.

John Travolta also has a Moon conjunct Zosma, and Tom Cruise has Zosma conjunct
the Sun/Neptune midpoint; both are well known as major supporters of the Church of
Scientology. (5) (6)
Zosma is associated with homosexuality. Freddie Mercury had Zosma conjunct his Sun
and George Michael has Mars and Pluto conjunct Zosma. (7) (8) Elton John has Zosma
conjunct the Neptune/Pluto midpoint, as well as on the more significant midpoint of the
Ascendant and the North Node (Asc/NN). John Travolta reportedly had an affair with his
masseur, which caused a scandal (another sign of the impact of Zosma in his chart).
The star Zosma, as well as the sign of Virgo, causes problems with the digestive
system, especially the small intestine. American singer Cass Elliot had Zosma conjunct
her Moon; she suffered from a stomach ulcer and her weight often fluctuated.
(9) Austrian Archduke Maximilian I of Habsburg had Saturn conjunct Zosma. (10) He
renounced his Austrian crown and sailed off to Mexico, where he was invited to become
the emperor. This hints at the Uranian influence of Zosma, i.e., demolition of established
systems of governance, such as the law of succession. Eventually Maximilian I lost
power in Mexico and was executed. After the execution, his wife, Charlotte, suffered a
nervous breakdown and spent the rest of her life in isolation at the court of her brother,
Leopold II. (11) In Maximilians chart, Saturn is the ruler of the Descendant, which
represents spouses, as well as other significant people in ones life. Saturn conjunct
Zosma manifested as his wife having a nervous breakdown. Charlotte also had the
Moon in Virgo; her birth time is unknown, so we cannot be certain that the Moon was
conjunct Zosma in her nativity.
For contemporary examples, we can look at the natal charts of Kate Winslet and Ralph
Fiennes, whose roles in the movie The Reader correspond to the symbolism of
Zosma. The character played by Winslet is the former head of a womens concentration
camp during World War II, who is brought to trial after the war. (12) She allows the court
to blame her, convicting her for the deaths of 300 Jewish women in the camp. By doing
so, she hides her greatest flaw the fact that she is illiterate. The natal chart of Kate
Winslet shows Zosma conjunct the Mercury/Saturn midpoint Mercury (writing,
reading) and Saturn (restriction, illiteracy). The character played by Ralph Fiennes
selflessly records audiobooks that he regularly sends to jail, and Winslets character
eventually learns to read and write. In Fiennes natal chart, Zosma is surrounded by
Uranus (5 Virgo) and Pluto (12 Virgo), which are both generational markers, but

Zosma becomes more important in his chart because Pluto in Virgo disposes Venus
and Neptune in Scorpio. (13) Another consideration is that as the time of birth is
unknown, Zosma might have been triggered by the Ascendant, MC, or some other
significant point.
These are just a few examples of Zosmas influence. Basically, it symbolizes a victim,
and in order to judge if one will achieve the redemption of sins, or will become a victim
of ones own actions, we must look to an overall impression of the chart and the
interaction of Zosma with other elements of ones horoscope.

Footnotes and References:

(1) For more on the star Zosma.
(2) Heracles is the Greek name for the divine hero who became Hercules to the
Romans. Wikipedia.
(3) Mile Dupor wrote 20 astrology books, none of which have been translated into
English.
(4) Madonna: August 16, 1958; 7:05 a.m.; Bay City, Michigan, Rodden DD
(5) John Travolta: February 18, 1954; 2:53 p.m.; Englewood, NJ, Rodden AA
(6) Tom Cruise: July 3, 1962; 3:06 p.m.; Syracuse, NY, Rodden X
(7) Freddie Mercury: September 5, 1946; 5:10 a.m.; Zanzibar, Tanzania, Rodden X
(8) George Michael: June 25, 1963; 6:00 a.m.; Finchley, UK, Rodden A
(9) Cass Elliot: September 19, 1941; 9:00 p.m.; Baltimore, Maryland, Rodden A

(10) Austrian Archduke Maximilian I of Habsburg: July 6, 1832; 4:00 a.m.; Vienna,
Austria, Rodden AA
(11) Charlotte of Belgium: June 7, 1840; birth time unknown, Brussels, Belgium
(Wikipedia)
(12) Kate Winslet: October 5, 1975; 7:15 a.m.; Reading, UK (data from AstroTheme)
(13) Ralph Fiennes: December 22, 1962: birth time unknown, Suffolk, UK (Wikipedia)