The psychologist Abraham Maslow contributed a great deal to the newly developed field of Transpersonal psychology. He formulated a Hierarchy of Needs that profoundly influenced the fields of social work and social behavior. He was born under a balsamic moon in the fiery, pioneering, independent sign of Aries on April 1, 1908 in Brooklyn, New York.[1]

His lessons and his experience were with the self (Aries sun, moon and Saturn all conjunct). As an Aries, he was compelled to go forward, to see what was around the next bend. However, he had compassion for others and knew there had to be something beyond his own experience (Mercury in Pisces trine Neptune in Cancer).

He felt, sensed, emoted and experienced something beyond his own ego. It was compassion and a sense not only of freedom, but of awareness too. This is associated with Neptune the planet of subtlety and illusion in opposition or in awareness to Uranus the energy of non-conformity in Capricorn the sign of matter and structure. Both these planets conjunct his north and south nodes respectively and square his Aries sun, moon and Saturn. In other words, for Maslow, the tension of these planetary aspects propelled him into daring to dream (Neptune) that what he felt could possibly be shared by others. His Hierarchy of Needs theory illustrates very clearly that he felt basic needs (Cancer) needed to met in order for a person to fly free (Uranus) and transcend them. As a person experiencing the Great Depression he was very aware of his own position of physical comfort and security (Mars conjunct Venus in Taurus) while others hopped trains, bummed for food or otherwise went hungry. He acknowledged the lot, or condition of the human family, knowing that he had food on the table while others didn't. His association with European intellectuals fleeing WW1 and WW2 connected him further with the concepts of safety and biological needs. 

Maslow’s great challenge was to heal the human family (Chiron the centaur wounded healer in the social sign of Aquarius). His thinking was in many ways “before its time” and yet as a pioneering Aries he went ahead and presented his gift. Chiron has a 50 year orbit around the solar system and is back in Aquarius where it was when Maslow was born and where we the people are connecting for social healing. He would be enjoying his second Chiron return this year if he were still alive.

Pluto, the planet associated with power and transformation was in the communicative sign of Gemini in perfect relationship to Chiron when Maslow was born. In the air signs of the intellect Maslow presented his challenging mental paradigms of an entirely new (Aries) mental creation (Gemini and Aquarius).

Maslow was in the field of transpersonal psychology [2] in a very personal way. He felt compelled (Pluto) to present his ideas. It was his duty and he took it personally with Saturn the energy of karma in Aries within 10˚ of his Aries Sun.

It’s interesting to note that when Maslow first lectured on transpersonal psychology in September of 1967 he was experiencing his second Saturn return, a period of time associated with testing, leadership and authority. He spoke and wrote about the importance of time, work, study and commitment[3], all Saturn words.

Maslow died because of a faulty heart. The heart is associated with Leo and bravery, which Maslow certainly was. He was born with Jupiter the planet of abundance in the courageous and heart centered sign of Leo. The transiting Moon connected with his Jupiter, a planet associated with both death and blessings, when he passed. Traveling Neptune, the same planet that caused him to feel and intuit the unitive sense that is transpersonal psychology, opposed Mars his ruling planet.

With his Mars, or life force, in steady Taurus, Maslow was a rock that could not be shaken. But when the nebulous God of the sea began to lap at his sea shore, his house of sand, his mortal body, succumbed to the sleep that Neptune promises.

[1] Boeree, C. G. (2006). Abraham Maslow:1908-1970 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Maslow

[1] Ruled by Aquarius, Uranus, Mercury, Neptune, Mars and Pluto. Rex Bills The Rulership Book 1971
3 Maslow, A. H. (1969). The farther reaches of human nature. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 1(1), 1-9. 

http://www.sonoma.edu/users/d/daniels/Maslow_summary.html