Tecumseh’s Curse and Astrology
Presidents Elected Every Twenty Years, 1840-1960, Died in Office
Some say this happened because of a Shawnee Chief's curse; others, that it is destined by planets. Tragic coincidence? From 1840 to 1960, there was a cycle of death....
Twenty-year Cycle
With the exception of Reagan, every President elected in a year ending with zero since 1840 died in office. Not all died in their first term.
- 1840 – Harrison
- 1860 – Lincoln
- 1880 – Garfield
- 1900 – McKinley
- 1920 – Harding
- 1940 – F. D. Roosevelt
- 1960 – Kennedy
- 1980 – Reagan survived an assassination attempt
The deaths of these Presidents occurred in years ending in 5, 3 and 1. The attempted assassination of Reagan happened in 1981.
Some attribute the 20-year cycle to Tecumseh’s curse; others to astrological configurations. There are those who say this is coincidence. Statistical analyses show the cycle is more than chance.
Astrological Aspects
Aspects are specified angles planets are in position with others based on a circle of 360 degrees. The Sun is the center of the circle. The chart is a graphic representation of the planets’ positions at a specific time and resembles a twelve spoked wheel. The spaces are called Houses. Each House is ruled by an astrological sign. When the chart is interpreted, the influences of the House and aspects on the planets are two factors which are considered.
Jupiter, planet of expansion, and Saturn, planet of limitation, are in conjunction, an angle of 0 to 8–9 degrees, every 19.8 years. The only time the conjunction wasn’t in an earth sign was in 1980 when it occurred in an air.
- 1840 – Capricorn
- 1860 – Virgo
- 1880 – Taurus
- 1900 – Capricorn
- 1920 – Virgo
- 1940 – Taurus
- 1960 – Capricorn
- 1980 – Libra
Astrologers predicted the death of the President who would be elected in 1960 using the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction.
Jean Dixon was an astrologer who gained fame as a “psychic” after Kennedy’s assassination when people recalled a 1956 prediction she made in Parade magazine. This was that a Democrat would be elected in 1960 and die or be assassinated while in office, maybe not in his first term. It is likely that she knew about the Jupiter/Saturn aspect and the Presidential deaths when she made this prediction.
Tecumseh’s Curse
Shawnee Chief Tecumseh accurately spoke of the disaster that would be called the New Madrid earthquake. Legends surround his curse or, as some believe, prophecy.
One legend is that, following the Battle of Tippecanoe, Tecumseh, forced to release his prisoners, said Harrison would be elected President in 1840 and die in office. After that, each President elected every twenty years would also die while serving his term. When they died, everyone should remember the deaths of the Native Americans, meaning not only those who died in battle, but also for all who were killed by settlers and soldiers.
A variation of this is the Shawnee Chief cursed the Presidents as he was dying during Tippecanoe. Not true. After the battle, Tecumseh went to Canada to join the British forces fighting against US troops. He was killed in the Battle of Thames in 1813.
Another version is Tecumseh’s brother, Tenskwatawa, AKA The Prophet, a Shawnee Medicine Man, created the curse. It was revenge for the Harrison-led troops causing Tecumseh’s death.
There are no historical documents evidencing Tecumseh or his brother cursed the Presidents. It is possible, if they existed, they were lost, kept secret or destroyed. Maybe someone noticed the 20-year cycle and created a legend. Perhaps different people invented other versions. The only legend that can be debunked is that Tecumseh uttered the curse or prophecy while he was dying during the Battle of Tippecanoe.
Related articles:
Curse of the Evil Witch of Yazoo City
Shawnee Chief Cornstalk’s Curse
Tecumseh and the New Madrid ‘Quake
Sources:
The Astrologer’s Handbook, Frances Sakoian and Louis S. Acker, (Harper & Row, Publishers, 1973)
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Dee Brown, (Bantam Books, 1972)
The New Compleat Astrologer, Derek and Julia Parker, (Harmony Books, 1984)
