Ronnie “The Hawk: Hawkins passed away May 29, 2022 at age 87 in Peterborough, Canada. He was truly one of the greats, playing R &B, rock, blues and rockabilly. He was famous in his own right, as well as mentoring one of the greatest bands in Rock N Roll history, namely The Band.

Ronnie was born January 10, 1935 in Huntsville, Alabama. I could not find a time for his birth so the chart I have included is, as is the custom if no time is available, noon. I will look at planets and rulership rather than houses to describe who Ronnie was.

It is interesting Ronnie Hawkins was born just two days after Elvis Presley and both have a Thor’s Hammer with their North Nodes, Uranus and Neptune. Right away we see Neptunian creativity and great insight showing in their music, as well as a rise to fame that was chaotic and surprising. The North Nodes are in Aquarius and South Nodes in Leo, so both the Hawk and Elvis Presley come from a core being of showmanship in prior incarnations. This North Node in Aquarius brings in technology. The birth of the electric guitar happened when jazz guitarist Charlie Christian used his acoustic guitar with a pickup attached to the body in 1936, just one year after the Hawk was born. On August 10, 1937 the Electro String Corp patented the first electric guitar, just two years after The Hawk was born. He was literally the same generation as the electric guitar which featured so prominently in his rockabilly and rock sound. The Hawk’s Mars, Venus and Chiron are all in Cancer - his home and foundation. This is important to who he became. His father and other family members played the honky tonk circuit and were influential on the Hawk.

The Hawk played in bands in high school, was in the military, and played in a band named the Black Hawks which was racially integrated when few bands were. Levon Helm was in this band. Hawkins made his way to Canada, signed a record contract and had a couple of hits. Robbie Robertson became a member of the Hawks as a teenager, then Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson. Hawkins left the Hawks in 1964 and the members of the group named the new band Levon Helm and the Hawks (including the five members which in 1964 would become “The Band”). The Band backed Bob Dylan on tour and became famous in their own right. The Band was able to play as a background band incredibly well but when they took the stage as The Band and played their music, they owned it!

The Hawk continued to play and record music, was in the movie “The Last Waltz” which was the Band’s last concert, hosted a TV show, played at Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1983 and his last album was in 2002.

Although Presley was somewhat more famous, Hawkins gave much more to music - playing in more genres, developing a rockabilly style and most of all mentoring The Band. Each member of The Band agreed - he was their mentor . Only two members of the Band are alive at this time - Robbie Robertson (78 years old) and Garth Hudson (84 years old).

If you look at Ronnie Hawkins astrology chart, his South Node is in Leo suggesting his core being is the entertainer and showman. Leo is ruled by the Sun which is in Capricorn suggesting hard work, down to the earth principles, and a good manager of his and others’ music. Looking at the rulership chain of the Sun - where he will shine, Capricorn is ruled by Saturn suggesting hard work and obstacles. His Saturn is in Aquarius (technology with music at his core) which is ruled by Uranus, suggestive of his chaotic and unexpected rise to fame. Uranus is in Aries which is ruled by Mars. His Mars is in Libra suggestive of a love of art, beauty and music, balance and fair play but with a lot of energy and drive. His Mars in Libra is ruled by Venus. His Venus is in Aquarius, technology and humanity, and we are back to Aquarius ruled by the Uranus in Aries.

His rulership chain contains two of the three planets in his Thor’s Hammer, described as a gift from God but only for the brave. His Thor’s Hammer is his North Node in Aquarius, his Uranus in Aries and his Neptune in Virgo. This brings in his technology, humanity and philosophical thinking, drive and chaos or the unexpected and his Neptunian vision combined with practicality. Since his South Node is in Leo, his Thor’s Hammer is really a strong aspect for entertainment.

I have chosen the five members of The Band’s natal charts (two of for which I have the birth time and three of for which I have used noon for the chart) to discuss in synastry with Ronnie Hawkins natal chart. I will only use a few placements in each chart that are all demonstrative of the whole. It should be noted that all of these men are of the same generation (born within a ten year time frame), with the Hawk born in 1935, Hudson born in 1937, Helm born in 1940, Danko, Manuel and Robertson born in 1943. In the span of less than ten years they represent the economy of the 1930's and the children of WWII. Thus, the outer, slow moving, generational planets will repeat themselves in each individual chart and are a large part of what made The Band.

First let’s look at Levon Helm, the first member of the Band to play with the Hawk. Both men are from the South. Levon Helm played the drums (mostly), mandolin and guitar and was the wonderful voice in such songs as The Weight, Up on Cripple Creak, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, and many others.

Levon Helm: May 26, 1940, Elaine Arkansas

I could not find a time for Levon Helm’s birth so I again used 12:00 PM as is custom. I will look at planets but not houses. There is a wonderful conjunction with Levon’s Helm’s Pluto at 1degree Leo with the Hawk’s South Node at 1 degree Leo - both showmen suggesting this is not their first rodeo together. Levon will try to have more control or reform their band a bit. There is also another conjunction with the Hawk’s Mars at 13 degrees Libra conjunct Helm’s North Node at 17 degrees Libra - suggesting balance, the beauty of the music and the drive of the Hawk pushing on their music. The Hawk’s North Node and Venus are at 1 and 2 degrees, respectively, Aquarius and although not conjunct (5 degree orb) they are close to Helm ‘s Moon in Aquarius suggesting another tie to what is balanced, beauty and technology. The Hawk’s Moon is 5 degrees Aries conjunct Helm’s 5 degree Eris - there is a tension here with drive and sometimes tension with ideas of how their Band should develop. It appears that Helm may try to manipulate things a little, but they are brothers in music and their ideas of what the music should be. The Hawk’s Ascendant is conjunct Helm’s Astrea with a 2 degree orb in Aries, they have the same moral compass when it comes to fame and the Hawk personally will be a large part of Helm’s future in music. The Hawk’s Uranus in Aries which is part of his Thor’s Hammer is conjunct Helm’s Jupiter at 2 Taurus, thus Helm expands the Hawk’s work and drive with this connection to his Thor’s Hammer. This is quite strong and these are just some of the conjunctions! The Hawk’s Moon is trine Helm’s Pluto which Pluto is conjunct the Hawk’s South Node, thus changes will flow easily between these two men despite Plutonian issues of control. This trine is in fire signs so there will be a lot of drive. The Hawk’s Sun is Square Helm’s North Node so whey will have to work hard but squares are where good things can come when you overcome obstacles. The Hawk’s Saturn is square Helm’s Uranus and this is difficult - one wants to take is slowly and sees obstacles and the other wants to just throw the chips in the air and let them fall. There is a tremendous astrological connection between these two men.

Garth Hudson: August 2, 1937, Windsor, Canada

Garth Hudson played keyboards, accordion and saxophone. Again, I do not have a time for Garth Hudson’s birth so I am using 12:00 PM as is customary. Levon Helm described Hudson as the “heart and soul” of The Band. I will look at the synastry between Hudson and the Hawk to see the Hawk’s influence on this heart and soul of the band.

Hudson’s Sun is in Leo, the showman, and this puts Hawkins South Node almost conjunct his Sun or conjunct by a wide orb. Thus, here is the strong karmic link to a luminary and in Leo they almost seem destined to be famous together. Hudson’s Pluto is in Cancer suggesting his foundation is key to his power and control issues and is conjunct Hawkins Pluto within three degrees so I can see some foundational control issues between the two but also working together for the good of the band’s foundation. Hudson’s Mars and North Node are both in Scorpio with Mars a co-ruler to Scorpio along with Pluto. Hawkins Pluto is trine Hudson’s Mars so there is an easy energy flow between these planets suggesting that the driven Mars is good for their Pluto conjunction. Although the Plutos may vie for control, Mars energy will give impetus to work out their issues smoothly because of the trine. According to Reinhold Ebertin in his book The Combination of Stellar Influences, the positive Mars/Pluto combination is, “attainment of success through excessive effort.” I consider this positive due to the trine aspect. The Hawk’s Moon is also trine Hudson’s Sun adding emotion and intuition into the mix. Their Neptunes are within three degrees of each other in Virgo so this generational planet gives both down to earth practicality and hard work combined with the dreamer and an intuitive knowledge of how to work together.

The Hawk’s Midheaven, Sun, Astrea and Mercury (all in Capricorn) are conjunct Hudson’s Jupiter so there is an expansion of where the Hawk will shine and his career, a common morality and thought processes. If the Hawk’s success is expanded by Hudson, this is a two way street - his planets help Hudson expand what he wishes to do and this is where the Hawk is such an influence on Hudson’s career. I can see why the Hawk’s mentoring helped Hudson become the heart and soul of The Band. The Hawk’s Sun is also trine Hudson’s Neptune which suggests he will help Hudson’s dreams shine. The Hawk’s Moon is conjunct Hudson’s Saturn and Eris suggesting a tendency to build upon family traditions even if you feel the family may not always be what you want them to be. This combination is in Aries so there may be a lot of energy here and perhaps tension as well. Obviously with the generational Pluto in Cancer, there is a lot of foundational (family type) meeting of the minds between these two.

Hawkins Mars is trine Hudson’s South Node and Moon so again here is a lot of communication, a lot of karma and family/emotion/insight and with Mars a lot of drive helping Hudson develop into who he is influenced by past incarnation(s).

Richard Manuel: April 3, 1943, Stratford, Ontario, Canada

Manuel was keyboards, drum, lap steel guitar and vocals. Again, I used a 12:00 PM chart since I was unable to find a correct time.

Hawkins Pluto at 25 degrees Cancer sits within ten degrees of Manuel’s Jupiter in Cancer so foundational and core matters are relevant and where Manuel may wish to expand, the Hawk’s Pluto will try to reform or control. However and more importantly, the Hawk’s South Node in Leo is conjunct by 3 degrees Manuel’s Pluto in Leo. Here is the karmic/core connection to showmanship with Manual wanting reform and control this time. The Hawk’s Saturn is 25 degrees Aquarius and Manuel’s South Node is 22 degrees Aquarius so here is the technical musician, the one who works hard and the karmic connection between the two. There is a conjunction at 5 degrees Aries for both the Hawk’s Moon and Manuel’s Eris. The changes in the band within which they both played, as well as the drive and ambition may be both friendly and at times adversarial between the two. However Manuel’s Mercury at 12 Aries and the Hawk’s Chiron at 16 degrees Aries suggests thoughts and actions although driven were also healing. Also Manuel’s Sun is 13 degrees Aries which is a lot of energy and Aries ruled by Mars, so this affects his Mars in Aquarius which is conjunct the Hawk’s 1 degree North Node, again suggesting a lot of karma, drive and technicality in music and what they both want. The Hawk’s Chiron is at 5 degrees Gemini and conjunct both Manuel’s 1 degree Uranus and 8 degree Saturn (both in Gemini), so again there is a healing factor to the chaos of Manuel’s mind and his feeling of obstacles and difficulties.

As an aside, Richard Manuel had just finished playing a venue in a bar/club in Winterland Park, Florida - very much a disappointment after the large venues previously played by The Band. Sadly, he committed suicide early the morning of March 4, 1986. At that time his natal South Node was at 22 degrees Aquarius and his progressed South Node was at 20 degrees Aquarius; thus, his core being did not relate to his station in life at this time with both of the North Nodes in Leo, the showman and the performer. Progressed Chiron was at 23 degrees Leo showing his tremendous need for healing at the time.

I do have birth times for the following two members of The Band and I have included a little regarding their house placements as well.

Rick Danko: December 29, 1943, 5:31 AM, Simcoe, Ontario, Canada

Rick Danko was bass guitar, vocals and fiddle. Unfortunately his lifestyle took its toll and he passed away December 10, 1999. He had several important aspects including several T-squares, a grand trine and two Yods. One of his T-squares was Neptune in Libra in his tenth house, the Sun in Capricorn in his second house and Eris in his fourth house in Aries. Neptune can be drugs and alcohol which was very common with any band at the time but affected some more than others and Rick was one of them. He wanted beauty and had a great imagination with Neptune in Libra which was opposite his Eris in Aries in the fourth house of foundation and I feel there was conflict and tension along with drive, and the Sun in Capricorn also suggests drive and hard work, as part of his personal values. There appears to be conflict on a fourth house foundational level leading to his troubles. He had successfully completed rehab but passed away extremely overweight and due to his lifestyle for so many years.. Eris is the “frenemy” and there was a frenemy quality to his foundation. His two Yods are The Sun in Capricorn in the second house, Mars in Gemini in his seventh house and Pluto in Leo in the ninth house. Here we have his Martian energy in Gemini, communication with partnerships and Pluto in Leo the showman, pointing toward the Sun in his house of values, money and in Capricorn, his hard work and determination. This is a pretty good Yod. Also, Hawkin’s South Node in Leo sits in Danko’s ninth house creating a wide orb to Danko’s Pluto, thus another member of the Band with a connection to Hawkins past life showmanship. The second Yod includes Uranus which is conjunct to the exact degree Mars in the first Yod and creating a Yod with the other two planets. This adds the element of chaos, the unexpected and surprise. This is in the area of partnerships which of course the Band was. He also has a Rosetta with the Midheaven , the Sun in Capricorn in the second house, Eris in Aries in the fourth house, Mars in Gemini in the seventh house and Uranus in the seventh house in Gemini, both Mars and Uranus conjunct at five degrees. There is a suggestion of friendly planets and planets that are difficult and the energy just goes around in circles. I feel that although the Band was a great place to be even though he may have had personal feelings of despair, frustration, as well as the best partnership ever with the other members of The Band, along with chaos, surprise and mental tension. The Hawk’s MC, Sun, Astrea and Mercury all sit in Danko’s second house of personal values and fortune which should have helped him with the Rosetta energy. Astrea helps his moral compass. Their Mercury planets are conjunct by 2 degrees which suggests Hawkins could really communicate with Danko. Danko probably struggled a lot when Hawkins and The Band parted. Hawkins also has Chiron at 10 Gemini in Danko’s seventh house (where Danko’s Uranus and Mars, part of his Rosetta sit). This helps Danko’s communication and to sooth any difficult feelings with the other band members. Hawkins South Node is conjunct by a very wide orb Danko’s Pluto and North Node in the ninth house in Leo - again suggesting a core feeling of showmanship between the two. Also Danko’s Jupiter is in Leo in the ninth house so his higher consciousness is expanded and he has great opportunity with music, and The Band was an international success.

Robbie Robertson: July 5, 1943, 10:25 PM, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Robbie Robertson was guitar, vocals and wrote many of The Band’s songs. After The Band broke up, he went on to have a long career on his own, including individual albums, writing songs and production, as well as writing the scores for Matin Scorsese’s films.

His Sun and where he will shine is in the fifth house in Cancer - his creativity is where he will shine. Cancer suggests his music comes from his foundation where he often visited the Six Nations Reserve and learned guitar from family members.

Robertson has a Grand Trine (Pluto/Jupiter, the Midheaven and Eris). His Pluto at six degrees Leo, his Jupiter at one degree Leo (again a showman) - both in the Sixth house of work and service (with Pluto he will want power and control over his work and probably The Band and with Jupiter comes opportunity), his Midheaven at two degrees Sagittarius and Eris in the second house of money and personal values. Since Eris has that frenemy factor, his values may at times conflict with the band members and in Aries, he will have a lot of drive to have control possibly over finances. This is a grand trine so energy flow will be easy for him, no matter what, with his career. His South Node (where he is coming from) is in the first house in Aquarius thus technology and humanity, his North Node, Moon, Chiron and Venus are all in Leo in the seventh house of partnerships so his place with band as well as emotions, love and beauty are all influenced by showmanship. He also has Neptune in this house in Virgo so he will have vision and work hard to achieve these visions with his partners, as well as having important insight into his partnerships.

Since he was born in 1943 like Danko, his Pluto is also conjunct Hawkin’s South Node both in Leo and this sits in Robertson’s sixth house of work - both the showman and a karmic link as well. Robertson’s Jupiter is conjunct Hawkins South Node at one degree. Here is a lot of opportunity between both men. The Hawk’s Uranus is 27 degrees Aries and conjunct Robertson’s Mars at 28 degrees Aries in the second house of money and personal values. Here is a lot of drive, chaos and the unexpected combined with some tension in personal values and money but there is so much strength here that Robertson benefits by this placement. Hawkins Eris, Moon, Chiron and Ascendant also sit in this house. He is personally very good for Robertson. Together their energy and drive is on point and the Eris frenemy is almost like two brothers sparing but so connected by emotion and common interest.

Perhaps the most interesting house in the synastry between the Hawk and Robertson is Robertson’s twelfth house of subconscious ( among other things), where the Hawk’s Midheaven, Sun, Astrea, Mercury all sit in Capricorn (doggedness and practicality) and the North Node and Venus in Aquarius (forward thinking and technology) also sit. Robertson has no planets in the twelfth house but all of the Hawk’s planets that sit here suggest such a core feeling of the Hawk’s vision of career, where to shine, morality, technology and humanity, love and beauty for Robertson. Robertson’s Pluto in Leo (wanting to be in the spotlight with work) is contra-parallel the Hawk’s Mercury in Capricorn so the core feeling of the work ethic is a very important influence on Robertson and Astrea as the moral influence is important as well.

Robertson once said that, “Hawkins trained The Band so well that they outgrew him” and went out on their own. That is when they became Levon and the Hawks. I feel this was the karmic fulfillment point of the Hawk’s relationship to the Band - what a mentor the Hawk was.

Their Suns are actually opposite each other and their strengths balance each other out; however, they have to work hard and may feel tension. There is a lot of energy between them. Sometimes difficult aspects are good since they do make you work hard. The Hawk’s Jupiter is trine Robertson’s Sun by a wide orb and here is the opportunity afforded Robertson that will help him shine. It is also square his Moon and the North Node so there may be expansion of emotions and a lot of karma to work out.

Interestingly, Hawkins Pluto sits at 25 degrees Cancer, with Hudson’s Pluto at 28 degrees Cancer, with Levon Helm ‘s Pluto sits at 1 degree Leo with the other members’ Plutos at 4, 6 and 8 degrees Leo. Thus, this generational planet changed from Cancer representing home and foundation to Leo representing the showman for the majority of The Band. Robertson was right. The Hawk was their foundation, where their music grew up and then The Band went out on its own.

Of course there is a lot more to their stories. This article is a brief sketch of why and who they were together and afterward.

References:

“Rocker Flew North to Fame” by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Los Angeles Times, May 31, 2022

Wikipedia - The Band

Astrodeinst - the astrological charts

Reinhold Ebertin, The Combination of Stellar Influences, 2004 American Federation of Astrologers

Thomas Canfield, Eris, 2012 ACS Publications

My own knowledge of music

Movie The Last Waltz (this movie is a must see)