Solunars by Aldebaran Sidereal Academy

FOR SHEER HORROR, a chart cast for 6:30 AM EST, August 6, 1890, Auburn, New York, just about takes first prize in any collection of horoscopes. It is the epochal chart of execution by electrocution.

THERE WAS NOTHING outstanding about the capital crime for which William Kemmler was convicted (a routine case of working over his mistress with a hatchet), but the way he was to pay the penalty became a subject of world-wide interest and discussion. The Empire State had approved a newfangled contraption called "the electric chair" which would eliminate the agony of hanging and streamline the whole messy process of carrying out executions. Seems as how the lethal device itself was a by-product of a feud between two tycoons of the then new electric industry. Thomas Alva Edison was spending a fortune on nation-wide drumbeating for his DC current, to counteract the advertising in behalf of the AC current developed by George Westinghouse. AC current, according to Edison, was "a dangerous killer" and unsafe for general use. As a propaganda gimmick, Edison employed a man who toured the United States electrocuting stray dogs and cats with AC current in order to dramatize what he wanted the public to believe was the deadliness of the Westinghouse product. The strategy was to backfire, of course, for Edison ultimately had to eat crow and admit the superiority of high-tension AC. Also, that bit about the electrocution of stray animals immediately attracted officials and penologist to the possibility that here, finally, was a truly humane way of doing away with condemned men. So in 1888 the New York legislature passed a bill calling for electrocution to replace hanging.

WILLAM KEMMLER WAS accorded the judicial honor of being the first to die this way. This very first case was to set the pattern that is so familiar now along every death row - Kemmler spent fifteen months in the death house, during which he was sentenced and resentenced half a dozen times. The furor and controversy by this time became an international debate. As a backdrop to it all, Edison and Westinghouse were taking potshots at each other's vested interests.

FINALLY CAME THE dawn hen all hope for another reprieve had waned. At 6:30 in the morning William Kemmler was taken from his cell and strapped in the weird, wired furniture, quite as much martyr to science as condemned murderer. Of course, the execution was horribly bungled. After he had been pronounced dead, Kemmler started breathing again, so was strapped back in the chair and given another dose. The second charge proved too enthusiastic and the body was badly burned - but it did the trick.

PHRASING OF HEADLINES and eye-witness accounts in newspapers both here and abroad poignantly illustrate the world's reactions, viz., "revolting exhibition," "awful spectacle, far worse than hanging," "convulsive agony," "disgrace to humanity," and like language. George Westinghouse had vainly opposed the use of his current for electrocution because the association might hurt business, and commented of Kemmler's death, "They could have done better with an ax."

MACABRE SCENES COINCIDE with macabre astrological patterns. And the sky's layout in relation to Auburn when William Kemmler became the first to "fry" was indeed grim. We do not know the exact minute when the juice was first turned on, but it must have been several minutes past the appointed hour of 6:30 AM. At 6:36 the Midheaven at Auburn coincided with the longitude of the ghoulish star Algol. At about 6:42, Saturn at 10°57' Leo (sidereal zodiac) was in exact mundane conjunction with the eastern horizon. Notice the grisly T-square of Saturn with Mars at 11°22' Scorpio in the 4th house, Neptune and Pluto being in the 10th at 13°11' and 14°19' Taurus, respectively. As if to emphasize the dominance of malefics, the three benefics were bene4ath the horizon in subdued positions. In fact, Uranus near the 3rd cusp and Jupiter deep in the 6th house were at the weakest possible places.

Jim Eshelman wrote: Sat Oct 01, 2022 3:10 pm We do not know the exact minute when the juice was first turned on, but it must have been several minutes past the appointed hour of 6:30 AM. At 6:36 the Midheaven at Auburn coincided with the longitude of the ghoulish star Algol. At about 6:42, Saturn at 10°57' Leo (sidereal zodiac) was in exact mundane conjunction with the eastern horizon.

At 6:38 a.m., Kemmler entered the execution room and warden Charles Durston presented Kemmler to the 17 witnesses in attendance. Kemmler looked at the chair and said: "Gentlemen, I wish you all good luck. I believe I am going to a good place, and I am ready to go."

Witnesses remarked that Kemmler was composed at his execution; he did not scream, cry, or resist in any way. He sat down on the chair, but was ordered to get up by the warden so a hole could be cut in his suit through which a second electrical lead could be attached. This was done and Kemmler sat down again. He was strapped to the chair, his face was covered and the metal restraint put on his bare head. He said, "Take it easy and do it properly, I'm in no hurry." Durston replied, "Goodbye, William" and ordered the switch thrown.