Phillip Hughes: Australian batsman dies

Australia Test batsman Phillip Hughes has died aged 25, two days after being struck on the top of the neck by a ball during a domestic match in Sydney. Australia team doctor Peter Brukner said he passed away in hospital, never regaining consciousness. Hughes, who also played for Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire, was hit by a delivery from bowler Sean Abbott. "It's an understatement to say we're completely devastated," said Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland. BBC; Nov.27  http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/30219440

A chart for the current New Moon of Nov. 22 at Sydney is shown here. Notice that the New Moon [0sa] in Sagittarius is placed in the 5^th house connected with sports [1]. It is conjunct the star Kornephoros, beta Herculis [1sa]. With strongman Hercules providing courage, energy, physicality and a daring all-or-nothing that needs and seeks expression, many here become dancers, acrobats and sports champions (a Latin epithet for Hercules was saltator, “leaper”), but some lacking a sense of moderation, may “go for broke”, risking their health and/or their reputations in their headlong passion to win. Diana Rosenberg lists “sports injuries” under this star.

The Sun is conjunct Saturn [26sc] and square Neptune [4pi]. Saturn is conjunct epsilon Serpentis [25sc] in the neck of the Serpent and omicron Lupi [24sc] referred to as “The Beast of Death”. It is reported that Phillip Hughes collapsed after being hit by a cricket ball at the top of his neck and the base of the skull [2].

Resonating with the theme of death is Neptune is the eighth house associated with death. In addition Neptune is conjunct the Chinese asterism  Wei that presided over death, demise, dangers and misfortunes. 

[1] http://www.skyscript.co.uk/temples/h5.html

[2] http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30227612