ruisen.pdf - Jan Ruis, PhD - Statistical Analysis of Birth Charts of Serial Killers

Oct 12, 2026

Astrologers’ hypotheses about the predominance of specific astrological factors in the birth charts of serial killers are tested using two male datasets. One dataset has a reliable birth time (N=77) drawn from AstroDatabank and an astrological publication; the other uses assumed times (12:00 AM) for missing birth times (N=216) from specialized Internet sources. Control groups are generated via shuffle, time-shifting, and sampling 6,000 individuals, with bootstrap probability-density functions estimating significance. Findings indicate higher frequencies for Mutable signs, 12th-house placements, and Moon-aspect deviations, and some claims cannot be rejected.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages38

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Hypotheses and expected astrological factors

Datasets and control-group design

Statistical significance and results

Conclusion

Introduction

Background and motivation

Psychological traits of serial killers

Jan Ruis: Serial Killers

Childhood behaviors and adult psychopathy traits

Distinction from rampage, mass, and spree killers

FBI and National Institutes of Justice definitions

Statistical analysis of the birth charts of serial killers by Jan Ruis, PhD Submitted November 2006, final revision May 2008 Abstract In this study, hypotheses of astrologers about the predominance of specific astrological factors in the birth charts of serial killers are tested. In particular, Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces), the 12 th principles (12th house, Pisces, Neptune) and specific Moon aspects are expected to be frequent among serial killers as compared to the normal population. A sample consisting of two datasets of male serial killers was analysed: one set consisting of birth data with a reliable birth time (N=77) and another set with missing birth times (12:00 AM was used, N=216) . The set with known birth times was selected from AstroDatabank and an astrological publication. The set with unknown birth times was selected from three specialised sources on the Internet. Various control groups were obtained by shuffle methods, by time-shifting and by sampling birth data of 6,000 persons from AstroDatabank. Theoretically expected frequencies of astrological factors were derived from the control samples. Probability-density functions were obtained by bootstrap methods and were used to estimate significance levels. It is found that serial killers are frequently born when celestial factors are in Mutable signs (with birth time: p=0.005, effect size=0.31; without birth time: p=0. 002, effect size=0.25). The frequency of planets in the 12 th house is significantly high (p=0 . 005, effect size=0. 31, for birth times only) and the frequency distribution of Moon aspects deviates from the theoretical distribution in the whole sample (p=0 . 0005) and in the dataset with known birth time (p=0.001). It is concluded that, based on the two datasets, some of the claims of astrologers cannot be rejected. Introduction This investigation is stimulated by astrological research articles about the birth charts of serial killers (Marks, 2002; Wickenburg, 1994) . Unfortunately, the hypotheses by astrologer Liz Greene and others about the natal charts of psychopaths and serial killers (Greene & Sasportas, 1987a,b; Greene, 2003) are not tested in these research articles. I feel the challenge to do that in a more detailed study. Evidence for astrology is largely lacking, though some studies have reported small effect sizes (Ertel & Irving, 1996) . It could be reasoned that if some of these astrological effects are genuine, higher effect sizes are to be expected in samples that are more homogeneous with respect to certain behavioural or psychological factors. Serial killers can be considered quite homogeneous with respect to common psychological traits, which manifest at an early age, and with respect to background, which is mostly dysfunctional, involving sexual or physical abuse, drugs or alcoholism (Schechter & Everitt, 1997; Schechter, 2004) . If astrology works, then one would say that serial killers should display common factors in their birth charts. Jan Ruis: Serial Killers Specific sorts of behaviour, such as animal torture, fire setting, bed-wetting, frequent daydreaming, social isolation and chronic lying, characterize the childhood of serial killers. As adults they are addicted to their fantasies, have a lack of empathy, a constant urge for stimuli, a lack of external goals in life, a low self-control and a low sense of personal power. The lack of empathy or remorse, the superficial charm and the inflated self-appraisal are features of psychopathy. Serial killers have also been said to have a form of narcissistic personality disorder with a mental addiction to kill (Vaknin, 2003) . In many psychological profiles of serial killers the central theme is frequent daydreaming, starting in early childhood and associated with a powerful imagination. It leads to the general fantasy world in which the serial killer begins to live as protection against isolation and feelings of inadequacy ari

FAQs

What astrological factors were tested in the study?

The study tests hypotheses focusing on Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces), the 12th-house principle (12th house, Pisces, Neptune), and specific Moon aspects, expecting them to be more frequent among serial killers than in the normal population.

How were the two birth-data samples constructed?

One dataset uses reliable birth times (N=77) selected from AstroDatabank and an astrological publication. The second dataset uses a fixed assumed time (12:00 AM) where birth times were missing (N=216), selected from three specialized Internet sources.

What statistical methods were used to estimate significance levels?

Control groups were created using shuffle methods, time-shifting, and sampling birth data of 6,000 persons from AstroDatabank. Probability-density functions were derived using bootstrap methods to estimate significance levels and compare observed frequencies to theoretical expectations.

Oct 12, 2026

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