David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Rene Angelil, Dan “Grizzly Adams” Haggarty, Glen Frey, Maurice White, George Kennedy, Bud Collins, Nancy Reagan, George Martin, Keith Emerson, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Ken Howard, Gary Shandling, Patty Duke, Merle Haggard, Will Smith, Doris Roberts, Joanie “Chyna” Laurer, Prince, Guy Clark, Morley Safer, Alan Young, Muhammed Ali, Gordie Howe, Bill Cunningham, Pat Summit, Scotty Moore, Garry Marshall, Youree “Miss Cleo” Dell Harris, Gene Wilder, Hugh O’Brian, Charmian Carr, Curtis Hanson, Arnold Palmer, Tom Heyden,  Janet Reno, Leonard Cohen, Robert Vaughn, Leon Russell, Florence Henderson, Ron Glass, Greg Lake, Gwen Ifill, John Glenn, Alan Thicke, Craig Sager, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and so many more through the powerful energy of death . RIP ALL

I’ve been writing about it all year… the death of so many beloved celebrities! And it has been especially painful and brutal. 2016 started off with an eerie sequence of the deaths right at the beginning of January at breakneck speed with the deaths of the iconic David Bowie on January 10th, the beloved actor Alan Rickman aka Serevus Snape on January 14th, Eagles lead singer Glen Frey on January 18th and Celine Dion’s husband Rene Angelil on January 22nd. With 71 celebrity deaths this year, I felt the theme of 2016 should be associated with the Death Card from the traditional Rider-Waite Tarot card deck.

These shocking celebrity deaths were sudden, unforeseen and unexpected right at the beginning of the year that it made our heads spins and our hearts mourn in quick succession. It was hard to get our bearings from day-to-day and we began to wonder about our own mortality in the aftermath, and of those we love and hold close to our hearts.

We began to wonder when we would stop saying “not another one,” but as the year relentlessly went on, the death toll did not let up. As of today, the total death count is at 114 of famous and notable people who have died in 2016. Of those, 71 were celebrities. We also said goodbye to Prince, Muhammad Ali, Leonard Cohen, John Glenn and Alan Thicke.

Death is a natural part of the cycle of life, but when a celebrity dies, it feels personal. When they pass we grieve not only at their loss, but for their families  and the collective grief of the world. It’s like a triple whammy and we turn to social media for comfort and consolation.

2016 is a Universal Year of 9

A 9-year triggers endings, transition, and is about completion. Therefore, it seemed that in 2016 we got warmed up very quickly to the meaning of sudden endings very early into the year. I don’t think there was even a warm up period. It was just Bam! We lost other giants during the course of the year like Prince, Leonard Cohen, Muhammed Ali, Patty Duke, John Glenn and Zsa Zsa Gabor. However, the scope of celebrity deaths in 2016 was especially cruel. We are at a loss right now and wonder when the next blow will be and who. It’s like holding your breath and not knowing if it’s safe to exhale.

In numerology, the number Nine represents mankind’s last earthly lesson and is the heart and harmony of God’s plan. Disappointments often color the the experience of the number nine, but it is ultimately about fruition and attainment. Death is necessary to the attainment of our own spiritual evolution.

But with endings come new beginnings and a fresh new outlook on life. There are nine days left in 2016 and anything could happen – another celebrity could die. But for now, let’s take stock of what 2016 as an ending year  has taught us. Bring things to a close, finish things up, get rid of what doesn’t work and look forward to the renewing energy of a number 1 universal year in 2017.

Kathleen Lamoureux is one of the Bay Area’s leading Numerologists and spiritual life coach. To get a reading with her, click on any Book A Reading link in the menu bar.