McKuen Rod Vedic birth chart profile
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Cancer Lagna

McKuen Rod

April 29, 1933 · Oakland, California
15views
Moon Sign
Gemini
Sun Sign
Aries
Ascendant
Cancer
Nakshatra
Ardra
Birth Star
Current Dasha · Sun / Rahu / Moon · Sep 2026 – Oct 2026
MilitaryEntertain/MusicEntertainmentWritersPoetDirectorProducerSinger
Biography

Who is McKuen Rod?

American composer and writer of songs and verse who doesnt call himself a poet, although his books of poems are best sellers. Some of his works include "Stanyon Street and Other Sorrows" and "Fields of Wonder," 1971. At the height of his composing career, in 1981, he was doing 300 concerts. After his peak, however, he dropped out of sight and kept a low-profile by writing and doing film, as well as V-O commercials. Rods unmarried mom supported him as a waitress, phone operator and dance hall hostess. He suffered a very lonely childhood, moving from town to town throughout the West. At the age of seven, he was sexually abused by an uncle. He dropped out of school at 11 to become a youthful drifter, doing odd jobs. At 16 he played Romeo with the San Francisco Young Players, then became an all-night disc jockey and dispenser of advice to the love-lorn. In 1953 he was drafted, seeing service in Tokyo and Korea. Beginning to scribble, he wrote songs, books of poetry, got into films and became a popular balladeer. Creative and prolific, he has written over a thousand songs. Though the sophisticated are cool toward his work, he sells well. His bouts of depression started in 1982, lasting for a decade. A bachelor and bisexual, he never married the mother of his two children. In the 80s, he was living in an old-world style Beverly Hills mansion with his brother-manager, Edward. Their Spanish house built in 1928 housed one of the worlds largest private record collections. News reports state that he died of respiratory arrest, a result of pneumonia, at a hospital in Beverly Hills on "Thursday morning" 29 January 2015. Link to Wikipedia biography
Latest Info

Latest Updates

Update at: Sep 8, 2026

Rod McKuen

Born: April 29, 1933 — Oakland, California, United States. Rod McKuen was an American poet, lyricist, singer and songwriter whose work gained widespread popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. He became known for bridging poetry with popular culture through accessible verse and spoken-word style performances.

Public profile highlights

  • Poet, lyricist and performer whose mass-market poetry helped bring contemporary poetry to a broad audience.
  • Prolific author of poetry collections and song lyrics; notable album: Stanyan Street & Other Sorrows (1969).
  • Wrote English lyrics for songs such as If You Go Away, an adaptation of Jacques Brel''s Ne me quitte pas.
  • Contributed to film and television projects and released numerous spoken-word and musical recordings.

Notable works and influence

McKuen''s work blended intimate verse with pop sensibilities, earning him a wide readership. His poetry and songs were frequently recorded and performed by popular artists of the era, helping to popularize poetry as an accessible, daily-language art form.

News and public activity

Rod McKuen passed away in 2015. Since then, there have been no new public works from him. Estate and publisher actions have focused on archival releases and reissues of his back catalog, rather than new projects from the author.

Social media and online presence

There is no official Rod McKuen-managed social media account. Fan pages and tribute sites exist, and publishers or estates sometimes post retrospectives or catalog updates. For verified material, consult established publishers, archives, or museum collections.

Recent projects and availability

Posthumous publications or anthologies collecting his poetry have appeared over the years, but there are no contemporary new works authored by him. Readers can explore archived recordings, literary collections, and authorized editions from major publishers.

Which Raj Yogas are in McKuen Rod's birth chart?

3 FOUND

McKuen Rod's chart shows 1 Raj Yoga and 2 challenging combinations, including Sasa Yoga.

Planetary Combinations

Which dasha is McKuen Rod running now?

VIMSHOTTARI

McKuen Rod is currently in the Sun mahadasha, running from Sep 5, 2026 to Oct 2, 2026.

PREVIOUSAug 19, 2026 - Sep 5, 2026
Sun / Rahu / Sun
NOWSep 5, 2026 - Oct 2, 2026
Sun / Rahu / Moon
NEXTOct 2, 2026 - Oct 21, 2026
Sun / Rahu / Mars

What do McKuen Rod's numerology numbers say?

McKuen Rod's core numbers are Life Path 4, Destiny 11, Soul Urge 9, Personality 2, Kabbalah Number 5, Birth 11.

Life Path
4

Chaldean Life Path 4 is Rahu-like in intensity—work, order, and practical building. It indicates results through discipline, structure, and steady effort.

Destiny
11

Chaldean Destiny 11 indicates inspired expression and intuitive leadership. It supports visionary guidance, teaching, and spiritual creativity when grounded.

Soul Urge
9

Chaldean Soul 9 desires purpose and compassion. It seeks to serve, forgive, and complete cycles with wisdom.

Personality
2

Chaldean Personality 2 appears gentle, diplomatic, and cooperative. Others often see empathy, tact, and calm support.

Kabbalah Number
5

Kabbalah Number 5 reflects an inner spiritual code of change and freedom. It supports adaptability, exploration, and growth through experience.

Birth
11

Discover Birth Number 11 in Vedic astrology: traits, gifts, challenges, and karmic insights shaping your destiny and life path; explore career, relationships, and growth.

Life Events & Planetary Transits

Key events mapped against the active Dasha and planetary transits at the time.

1971
Career
Published/ Exhibited/ Released 1971 ("Fields of Wonder")
1982
Mental Health
Depressive episode 1982 (Bouts started)
2015
Death
Death by Disease 29 January 2015 (Respiratory arrest/ pneumonia, age 81)
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this profile's Vedic astrology, birth chart, and numerology — answered by our astrologers.

What does McKuen Rod's life path number reveal about his fundamental nature?

McKuen Rod's life path number is 4, which represents stability, practicality, and a strong foundation-building energy. People with life path 4 are natural builders who thrive on creating structure and order in their lives and work. This numerological influence shaped Rod's multifaceted career as a poet, singer, director, and producer, grounding his creative talents in disciplined, sustained effort rather than fleeting inspiration.

How does McKuen Rod's astrological chart influence his approach to love and partnership?

McKuen Rod's Cancer ascendant endows him with deep emotional sensitivity and a strong need for security in relationships, while his Gemini moon adds intellectual curiosity and communication skills. His Taurus western sun provides loyalty and devotion. These placements suggest a person who seeks meaningful, emotionally grounded partnerships, though the Gemini moon's dual nature may create internal tension between the desire for stability and the urge for mental stimulation and variety in love.

Which Vedic moon sign does McKuen Rod possess, and what does it indicate?

McKuen Rod's Vedic moon sign is Gemini, the sign of communication, intellect, and versatility. Gemini moon natives are naturally curious, expressive, and drawn to multiple interests and pursuits. This placement perfectly aligns with Rod's diverse career spanning poetry, music, theater, and film production, reflecting the Gemini tendency to explore many avenues of creative and intellectual expression simultaneously.

What career directions does McKuen Rod's birth chart suggest for his professional life?

McKuen Rod's chart reveals a powerful capacity for creative expression and communication. His Gemini moon fuels versatility across multiple artistic disciplines, while his Aries sun sign provides initiative and pioneering spirit. The Cancer ascendant adds emotional depth and audience connection, making him naturally suited to entertainment, writing, and performance. His Sasa yoga further strengthens his professional ambitions and ability to achieve recognition through sustained effort in the public sphere.

What significance does McKuen Rod's Cancer rising sign hold in his overall life expression?

McKuen Rod's Cancer ascendant makes him appear nurturing, emotionally intuitive, and deeply sensitive to others' feelings. Cancer rising natives are protective, family-oriented, and seek to create emotional security around themselves. This placement gave Rod a natural ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level through his poetry and music, while also drawing him toward protective and caregiving roles both personally and in his artistic work.

How would you characterize McKuen Rod's core personality and primary strengths based on his astrological profile?

McKuen Rod's Aries sun, Gemini moon, and Cancer ascendant create a complex personality combining initiative, versatility, and emotional depth. He was a multi-talented individual with exceptional communication skills, capable of expressing profound emotions through poetry, song, and performance. His chart shows both creative brilliance and emotional sensitivity, along with the determination to build lasting work. However, the presence of challenging yogas like Chandal yoga suggests he also faced inner conflicts and psychological struggles throughout his life.

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