Meet the Hackers

Kevin David Mitnick is a computer security consultant and author. He was a world-famous controversial computer hacker in the late 20th century, who was, at the time of his arrest, the most wanted computer criminal in United States history. At the age of twelve Kevin Mitnick used social engineering to bypass the punchcard system used in the Los Angeles bus system. After a friendly bus driver told him where he could buy his own punch, he could ride any bus in the greater LA area using unused transfer slips he found in the trash. Social engineering became his primary method of obtaining information, whether it be user names and passwords, modem phone numbers or any number of other pieces of data.

In high school, he was introduced by "Petronix" to phone phreaking, a method of manipulating telephones, which he often used to evade long distance charges. Mitnick also became handy with amateur radios; using radio equipment, Mitnick reportedly managed to gain unauthorized access to the speaker systems of nearby fast food restaurants. Mitnick gained unauthorized access to his first computer network in 1979, when a friend gave him the phone number for the Ark, the computer system Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) used for developing their RSTS/E operating system software. He broke into DEC's computer network and copied DEC's software, a crime he was charged and convicted for in 1988. He was sentenced to twelve months in prison followed by a three year period of supervised release. Near the end of his supervised release, Mitnick hacked into Pacific Bell voice mail computers. Mitnick fled after a warrant was issued for his arrest, becoming a fugitive for the next two and a half years.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice while a fugitive Mitnick gained unauthorized access to dozens of computer networks. He used cloned cellular phones to hide his location and, among other things, copied valuable proprietary software from some of the country’s largest cellular telephone and computer companies. Mitnick also intercepted and stole computer passwords, altered computer networks, and broke into and read private e-mail. Mitnick was apprehended in February 1995 in North Carolina. When arrested he was found with cloned cellular phones, over one hundred clone cellular phone codes, and multiple pieces of false identification.



Astrology chart

The Sun is in Leo opposite Saturn in Aquarius, when the Sun is opposite Saturn it can show trouble with the Government, and authority, can be viewed, as limiting his self-expression. The opposition in fixed signs is more rigid in expression. According to Carter in his book: Essays on the Foundations of Astrology. "Leo-Aquarian oppositions have produced great men, distinguished for courage and endurance, Leaders (Leo) of men (Aquarius) in difficult circumstances (the opposition). It is a sign of one who will attempt the seemingly impossible. Often the aim is through Scientific research, and always seems to indicate elevated powers". We can further the Aquarian archetype of Science, and add in another astrological key word for Aquarius - and that is an involvement with computers (Uranian). The only way to combat his opposition (Sun-Saturn) is for him to become an authority/expert in his field, and own his Saturn, otherwise he will persistently meet the law of limitation in the outside world. I have a Sun-Saturn opposition and in certain situations it pays to play by the rules and follow social conduct, this does not mean losing all individuality or an innovative mental life.

Kevin's Saturn in Aquarius shows the lone wolf, he is overly concerned with social acceptance. Perhaps in childhood he felt different from others, and the opposition between his Sun (ego) and Saturn (denied) can show an 'inferiority' complex here. Kevin can set himself apart from the rest of the crowd or herd. And "others" can identify him as geeky, intellectual, or someone who appears "different" to them. Saturn could stifle Aquarian energy, and this may contribute to his rebellious behavior. Saturn in Aquarius is a strong placement for a Scientist or someone who is seriously gifted with intuition, and there can be career goals in things of a Uranian nature, like computers. This is doubly true because Kevin's Mercury is in the analytic sign of Virgo in EXACT conjunction to Uranus, and this describes an original, inventive mind, his mental capacity woks at lightening speed. Mercury in aspect to Uranus can depict brilliance, but also difficulty in following the rules of the status qua (a rebellious mind).

Everything Kevin learns is stored away and can be used in practical and useful ways, he can provide a service involving computers, combined with his powerful analytical abilities (Virgo). Mitnik was born at the time of the Uranus-Pluto conjunction, an aspect associated with revolutions in technology and Science. Kevin also has Mercury conjunct Pluto, and he has a probing, intense, obsessive and secretive mind. He can ply information out of others, in a manipulative manner by not revealing his true motives. To summarise, Kevin can get in trouble with authorities (Sun-Saturn) for hacking (Mercury-Uranus) and reading information that was not open to the public (Mercury-Pluto). The conjunction also describes his new career of raising awareness (Uranus) of computer threats (Pluto). The Sun-Saturn opposition forms a t-square to Neptune in Scorpio - and a t-square to Neptune is one indication of deception in a natal chart.

Keanu Reeves

The absolutely gorgeous Keanu Reeves was first recognised for his role in “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” he played the part of Ted a lovable airhead. However, in later roles it was hard for many people to take him serious because of his accent and earlier movies. Undeterred Keanu continued to work hard, and has proven he is a force to be reckoned with in the film industry. After his role in the blockbuster movie “Speed” he proved he could deliver intensity and drama on the big screen. Keanu is now taken seriously as leading man in any movie he auditions for.

Keanu is most famous for his role in “The Matrix” a futuristic film that broke new thresholds in movie making. Keanu was cast in the role of Neo (One) he played a computer programmer and hacker. There is a prophecy that one human being (Neo) once connected to the computer world can override the system rules and manipulate the code directly. Throughout the trilogy of Matrix movies we see Keanu awakened and thrust into the role of savior, and he comes to terms with his role as a messiah in some sense and his own humanity and love for trinity.



The Natal Chart

Keanu has his Sun in Virgo conjunct Mercury, Uranus and Pluto. Planets in a stellium reveal great focus and intensity upon the sign, house and planets involved. Early life had it’s fair share of instability for Keanu, he has dyslexia and never focused on academics; he had also been expelled from school and dropped out of college (EXACT Mercury-Uranus conjunction). The stellium is in wide opposition to Saturn in Pisces. This archetypes his role in the Matrix, as the computer hacker and leader of the rebellious group (Uranus) against the agents of control (Saturn)…

Family History

Keanu's family background was an unstable one; his father abandoned the family when Reeves was three years old. The Sun relates to father in astrology and is conjunct two outer planets (Uranus and Pluto) sudden abandonment can be one symbolism of this configuration. He also has Saturn in Pisces, and statistically this has been associated to cases of a father disappearing or vanishing completely. Keanu's’s father did spend time in prison for selling heroin (Saturn in Pisces again).

Tragedy Strikes

Keanu’s sister is sadly battling Leukaemia, and further tragedy was in store: In December 1999 Reeves girlfriend gave birth to a stillborn daughter who he named Ava. It was a particularly hard few years for Reeves as transiting Pluto the planet of death, change and transformation was moving through Sagittarius and squared his stellium of Virgo planets (Sun, Mercury, Uranus and Pluto). Pluto transiting the Sun (life force) can indicate a time when your life is being transformed by the birth of a child, or the birth of new creativity, but unfortunately the baby didn’t survive. When an outer planet moves into a mode where you have a stellium (i.e. mutable) your life becomes a lot more eventful, and it can indicate a phase in life where you may experience uncomfortable change or testing challenges.

In 2001 tragedy struck again when his ex girlfriend was killed in a car accident, she was later buried next to their baby daughter. Transiting Saturn squared his natal Saturn in Pisces, and this can describe times of loss and separation, and a difficult period. Transiting Jupiter was in the mutable sign of Gemini and square to his natal Sun, Mercury and Uranus. For Keanu this would have indicated a restless time, and unexpected time - as Jupiter stirred up his Virgo stellium. Jupiter-Uranus can foretell major change and disruption.

Permanent Home

Keanu has mostly lived in hotels, and this pattern changed when he bought a home in 2003, this was a good time to put down roots as Saturn was transiting through Cancer (security, home, family) and sextiled his Sun and Mercury in Virgo. Overall Keanus has had massive success in sci-fi films, and he even received positive reviews for his role in “The Gift”, in his part he played an abusive husband. I watched this movie and was stunned by his emotional intensity and explosive rage. Natally Reeves has Sun conjunct Pluto and this worked well for his powerful yet brief performance.