Still Hard as Hell – An LL Cool J nativity analysis, Part Un

James Todd Smith, better known to all as LL Cool J, is many things : a legendary rapper, charismatic actor, naturally-gifted performer. To be honest, even that short series of job descriptions is underselling this man’s impact. I’m not here to tell you anything about LL Cool J that you couldn’t learn on your own with a few strokes of a keyboard into a Google search bar. What I am here to do today is my best effort as a fan of hip-hop, to honor this statesman of the culture. We’re going to interpret his nativity in order to get a picture of the man behind the name, as well as the indicators of fame within. Nothing much left to say for this little introduction, so let us jump into the breakdown!

Like we did with Queen Latifah, we will begin this breakdown by taking a look at the Moon. LL Cool J’s Moon is placed in Cancer, which is already significant enough on its own. The Moon finds its domicile in Cancer, which inclines it to express its essential nature in a conventional manner in the nativity. In regards to the native’s character, this tells us that LL is a person who is characterized by inner flux ; someone whose moods change easily and whose feelings are powerful. The Moon being in Cancer would also give us the impression that LL might be somewhat restrained in his expressions of his thoughts and feelings in general, choosing to keep them close to his chest until he finds it necessary to share them. Family would also be of the utmost importance to LL, as the Moon can indicate family and community in general, which would be strengthened by its presence in Cancer. We can delve a bit deeper into the Moon’s indications for character, though, by looking at its lunar mansion. At 16’49 Cancer, LL’s Moon is in the lunar mansion of Tarf. Referencing Dr. Olomi’s translation of astrologers Abu Ma’shar and Al Buni’s description of this lunar mansion :

“Those born under this Mansion will find troubles in work and with friendships. They will be rough in manners and guarded. They are protective of family and friends, suspicious of mind, and able to divine people’s true intentions.“

Here we can see recurring indications for guardedness which extends to family as well – that particular protective tendency is a defining quality of Cancerian love. Highly poignant because the Moon is also associated with one’s private life, their sphere of control – indicating the home and the sense of security that one would require in order to truly relax while in it. This is an indication that we saw come to fruition quite literally in 2012, when LL encountered an intruder in his home and broke their nose, jaw, and ribs while detaining them. The capability to divine one’s true intentions is emblematic of the Moon, which is a luminary that is connected to omens, messages, premonitions. This is also doubly prominent because the Moon travels through the bounds of Mercury ; Mercury’s essential nature is that of systemization, and this planet works to translate the unintelligible. Being able to determine the intentions of others with gut feelings seems rather apropos for the luminary’s expressions while under the influence of Mercury. Speaking of the bounds of the Moon, however, we can pull some more insight about LL from Mercury being the ruler. Again citing Dr. Olomi’s translation of the astrologer Junawadi’s interpretation of these bounds :

“They will have a great many thoughts, inclinations, wants, and their heart will be pulled in many directions. They shall thrive in writing. They will become a teacher to nobles and rulers and other teachers and writers will hold them in great esteem.“

I interpret the first portion of this excerpt as indicating an inner restlessness – which is something that makes sense when you consider that the Moon is characterized by changeability and instability, but this would be further reinforced through the inherent malleability of Mercury. LL Cool J is a man who has embarked on many different endeavors throughout his career – being a successful rapper, actor, performer, host, festival organizer, and brand owner. This restlessness feeds LL’s ambitions, as he appears to set goals for himself on a whim and will put forth his all to fulfill them. He often touches on this in interviews and conversations.

“His grandmother, who helped raise him, taught him a maxim that he still recites eagerly: “If a task is once begun, never leave until it’s done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all.” “I heard that damn near every day,” he said.”

– excerpt from New York Times article LL Cool J Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop (And Why Would He?)

“I’m obsessive, I’m very very very very aggressive when it comes to going after what I want.”-LL Cool J to Big Boy LL Cool J Documentary on Hip Hop Beefs, Origin of the GOAT, Hip Hop Stories | Off Air Interview

The Moon and Mercury sharing influence also often denotes a writer, someone who brings legibility to their thoughts – a messenger of sorts. LL has been a prolific rapper, something that is rooted in his formidable pen. He might even be characterized by his ability to maintain and temper versatility with a solid quality of music throughout his 40-year tenure ; there is very little doubt that LL Cool J is the progenitor for artists like Drake. This is notable due to the elements of adaptability and changeability, again, that belong to the Moon and Mercury. As both serve as indicator of LL’s soul, their essential natures would extend to his character. Junawadi is on the money again, as LL Cool J has certainly managed to thrive off of his writing, considering his hip-hop prowess is the cornerstone of his social status. Further testimony can be drawn from Mercury occupying its own bounds, which also indicates someone who experience elevation as a result of their writings. Again, we can find an alignment in these stacking testimonies as the Moon is in the bounds of this Mercury, This is further emphasized by the Moon making a sextile to the Ascendant, as well as Mercury governing the Ascendant, which is in Virgo. The Ascendant is the point that is indicative of one’s character and perspective, as well as general physical health and constitution. LL has also authored several books throughout his career, including two lifestyle books – one about his workout routine and another about changing up the diet to make it healthier. Testimonies stack once again as the Moon is associated with layers of health as well ; authoring books about topics like routines related to the body would fit the bill for the luminary in the bounds of Mercury, which governs the Ascendant. LL himself has stated that he works out at least 4 days of the week, and it isn’t difficult to confirm that when you take a look at him.

The Moon also indicate the native’s mother. Ondrea Griffith was a single parent, raising young LL with the assistance of her own parents Eugene and Ellen. LL cites her support as being pivotal in his journey to stardom, as she utilized her tax refund to buy him a drum machine after seeing him crestfallen following a string of rejections from various different record labels. Ondrea herself worked as a nurse assistant, which aligns with the Moon being associated with the profession of a healer, as well as Cancer being the domicile of the Moon and reinforcing the Moon’s conventional expressions. Further testimony for this lies in LL’s Lot of Mother, which is located in Aquarius, the 6th house of the nativity. The 6th house is associated with health irregularities, maladies, and afflictions – none of which are rare to encounter in any hospital-based job.

However, the Moon is also under the bonds in LL’s nativity ; it is being scorched and concealed by the opposition to the Sun. The Moon is in its domicile of Cancer, so it is somewhat protected from the bulk of the damage ; however, it would still be obscured by the Sun. LL’s Lot of Mother is governed by Saturn in Aries – the greater malefic’s essential nature ties it to elderly figures like grandparents , but it also indicates secrets and hidden matters. On top of that, Saturn governs Mercury, which serves as the primary triplicity lord of the 10th house – this would mean that Mercury also speaks to the condition of Ondrea as LL’s mother. The theme of secrecy and hidden matters is perpetuated by Saturn’s residence in the 8th house, as well as Mercury’s own in the 6th house, as both houses make no visual connection to the Ascendant. Both dark houses do make major aspects to the 4th house of family roots and lineage. Laying out all of this groundwork is key because on an episode of Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr., LL discovered that Ondrea was adopted by Eugene and Ellen, meaning that those were not her biological parents OR his biological grandparents. Eugene and Ellen kept this a secret from them both.

If you’ve made it this far, I appreciate you giving me your time and attention. It means so much to me. Stay tuned for the next part of this nativity breakdown, in which we’ll dive a bit further into LL’s character and the circumstances that built them by looking at his Ascendant. I hope you all enjoy and may you have an excellent day.