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Jonathan Cainer
Jonathan Cainer
Jonathan Cainer
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Jonathan Cainer (18 December 1957 – 2 May 2016) was a British astrologer. He wrote astrological predictions six days a week for the Daily Mail, and forecasts for three Australian newspapers: the Sydney Daily Telegraph, the Melbourne Herald Sun, and the Perth Sunday Times. Cainer's predictions were also published in Hello, the Auckland Sunday News, the Botswana Echo, and Misty Magazine (Japan). It has been estimated that over twelve million people read his predictions.[2]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Cainer was born to a Jewish family and grew up in Surbiton[1][3] (then in Surrey), one of six children of David who worked at Barclays Bank and Ruth who was a medical secretary and spiritual healer. Aged 13, he followed his mother to Leeds where he attended Allerton Grange School which he left at 15 without qualifications. He then worked as a petrol pump attendant, school nursery assistant and factory worker. He also played bass guitar in a band called Strange Cloud, attended rock festivals and helped to relaunch the 1960s underground newspaper International Times. He then managed a nightclub on the outskirts of Los Angeles.[1][3]

Career

[edit]

He was working as a session musician when an acquaintance read his birth chart to him. Amazed by how accurately it summed him up, Cainer went on to study with the Faculty of Astrological Studies. He was interested only in drawing up full horoscopes, based on people's exact date, time and place of birth. Indeed, when first approached, back in 1984 to write a sun sign forecast column, he turned down the offer, opting instead to write books designed to help students learn the language of planetary symbolism. Cainer also co-designed one of the first astrological computer programs.[citation needed] In 1985 he wrote Jonathan Cainer's Love Signs,[4] and a cookbook, The Junk Food Vegetarian.[5]

In 1986, when Eddie Shah launched Today, Cainer was approached once more to write a daily Sun sign column. Assured that he would also have the chance to introduce his readers to the deeper side of his subject, Cainer took the post, and his column proved a great success. He left Today in January 1992 and joined the Daily Mail in December of the same year. His Times obituary said that he was "arguably the only hippy ever to write a leading column for the Daily Mail".[6] Cainer disliked the editorial stances of the Daily Mail, he "never once agreed with an editorial they have published".[6] Cainer was a philanthropist who supported the Steiner School in York, a school based on the spiritual and philosophical principles of Rudolf Steiner. In January 2000, he moved from the Daily Mail to the Daily Express. The change was the subject of a contract dispute with the Mail, leading to the newspaper group's unsuccessful legal action that year. It was believed by their executives that Cainer's switch might lead to a loss of 4% of the Mail's circulation to the Express. After Richard Desmond became the proprietor of the Express titles, Cainer joined the Daily Mirror in March 2001. Promised a high-profile position on page 9 by Mirror editor Piers Morgan, Cainer's column was soon shifted to a more remote location in the paper. He returned to the Daily Mail in June 2004.[6][7] Cainer's book, Cosmic Ordering,[8] was published in 2006.[9] He made frequent appearances as a pundit on British TV and radio stations, whenever astrology was in the news. At the Mail, he was the highest paid journalist in Great Britain.[6]

He was also a regular guest on Jools' Annual Hootenanny giving his opinion on what might happen in the up-and-coming New Year.

From 1999 until 2014, Cainer owned 35 Stonegate in York, initially selling horoscopes from the shop. In 2004, he worked with Uri Geller to relaunch it as the Museum of Psychic Experience, but the venture was not a success. In 2007, he transformed the building into Haunted, a haunted house attraction, which closed in 2014.[10]

Cainer had six children. In the 1990s his first wife was killed suddenly in a car crash leaving him alone to care for his young children. On 2 May 2016 he was found dead in his home office by his wife Sue, of a suspected heart attack.[11] An inquest found that he had taken cocaine shortly before his death, the cardiotoxic effects of which may have contributed to his heart attack. An open verdict was returned.[12] Following his death, his nephew Oscar Cainer, whom Jonathan trained as his successor, took over his newspaper column and astrology website.[13]

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Jonathan Cainer

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Jonathan Cainer (18 December 1957 – 2 May 2016) was a British astrologer renowned for his daily columns that reached millions of readers worldwide through major newspapers. Born in , , he left school at 15 without qualifications and initially pursued a career as a before discovering in his early twenties after a friend's chart reading inspired him to study the subject extensively, earning a diploma from the Faculty of Astrological Studies in . Cainer's professional breakthrough came in 1986 when he began writing horoscopes for the Today newspaper, followed by a prominent role at the from 1992 to 2000, where his witty and insightful predictions earned him a massive following. He briefly worked for the (2000–2001) and the (2001–2004) before returning to the in 2004, where he continued until his death; his columns were syndicated internationally, reaching up to 12 million readers daily, translated into languages including Spanish and Japanese, and he was reputedly the highest-paid in British history. In the digital age, Cainer pioneered online by launching cainer.com in the mid-1990s—one of the first dedicated websites of its kind—which grew into a multimillion-pound enterprise offering personalized readings, , and I Ching services. He also authored books like Love Signs and appeared frequently on television, blending traditional with accessible, philosophical commentary. On a personal level, Cainer led an unconventional life marked by personal tragedies, including the early departure of his mother and the 1992 death of his second wife, , following a car crash, with whom he had seven children; he ultimately fathered eight children across three marriages, his third wife, Sue, in 2014. A self-described vegan and enthusiast with a liberal worldview, he resided in at the time of his sudden death from a heart attack at age 58, discovered by his wife. His legacy endures through cainer.com, now continued by his nephew Oscar Cainer and family members including his daughter as of 2025, preserving his tradition of empathetic and predictive astrological guidance.

Early life

Family background

Jonathan Cainer was born on December 18, 1957, in , , , into a Jewish family. His father, David Cainer, worked at Bank, initially in the computer room and later as a manager. His mother, Ruth Kaye Cainer, was a medical secretary who later became a spiritual healer working for the NHS in . Cainer was one of seven children, with six siblings including a twin brother and two younger brothers. When Cainer was 12 years old, his mother left the family home in , taking two younger brothers with her, which left him initially with his father and the remaining siblings. A year later, at age 13, Cainer and his twin brother followed their mother to , where the family effectively relocated amid the parents' separation. This upheaval marked a significant shift in his early upbringing, transitioning from suburban to the industrial city of . Cainer's early exposure to esoteric topics stemmed from his mother's longstanding interest in , which she pursued professionally as a healer and which influenced the household environment during his formative years. Despite the family's Jewish heritage, Cainer developed an aversion to attendance from a young age. As a child, he also showed an early interest in music, playing and aspiring to a in it before other paths emerged.

Education and early jobs

Following his family's relocation to Leeds at the age of 13, Jonathan Cainer attended Allerton Grange Comprehensive School, from which he left at 15 without any qualifications. His formal education thus ended early, and he turned to the scene, including rock festivals, for informal learning and inspiration. After leaving school, Cainer held a series of entry-level jobs to support himself, working as a petrol pump attendant, a nursery assistant, and a factory worker. He also pursued musical interests, playing in the Leeds-based Strange Cloud during his teenage years. One from this period involved his mathematics teacher reprimanding him for inscribing the band's name in "finest hippie bubble letters" on his exercise book cover. In his early 20s, Cainer relocated briefly to the seeking music-related opportunities, eventually managing the Bla Bla Café nightclub on the outskirts of in the early . This stint abroad marked a transitional phase before his return to the .

Career

Entry into astrology

In the early , Jonathan Cainer discovered through a personal reading conducted by a friend of a friend, which profoundly impressed him with its accurate depiction of his personality and life circumstances. This experience, occurring amid a period of personal transition after earlier pursuits in music and manual labor, motivated him to explore the subject professionally as a potential career path. Inspired by this encounter, Cainer began with self-study before pursuing formal training, enrolling in the Faculty of Astrological Studies in , where he completed both the foundation and diploma courses. His education emphasized detailed natal chart interpretations using precise birth data, rather than simplified sun-sign , aligning with his interest in providing insightful, personalized guidance. By the mid-1980s, Cainer had transitioned into early freelance work, writing horoscopes for small publications as he honed his skills and built experience. During this phase, he developed his distinctive astrological style—characterized by an upbeat, positive tone that made cosmic insights accessible and encouraging—which was influenced by his mother Ruth Kaye's background as a spiritual healer and her own engagement with esoteric practices.

Newspaper horoscopes

Cainer's entry into national newspaper horoscopes began in 1986 when he secured his first major contract with the Today newspaper, launching a daily sun sign column that marked his breakthrough into mainstream media. This opportunity allowed him to refine his approach to astrology for a broad readership, transitioning from smaller publications to larger audiences. In December 1992, Cainer replaced Patric Walker as the astrologer for the Daily Mail, initiating a prominent tenure that lasted until January 2000. During this period, his columns became a staple feature, drawing on his training to deliver predictions that resonated widely. He returned to the Daily Mail in 2004 after a stint elsewhere, continuing until his death in 2016, and was reputedly the highest-paid writer in British journalism, with earnings boosted by revenue-sharing from associated premium-rate services. Cainer's columns shifted publications amid competitive bidding wars; in January 2000, he joined the following a disputed departure from the , where he was offered £2 million to stay. His time at the was brief, ending in March 2001 when he moved to the , promised a prime page position by editor , though legal negotiations delayed his start. These transitions highlighted the commercial value of his work, as newspapers vied to retain or acquire his audience. At the , Cainer's horoscopes reached over 12 million readers daily worldwide, including syndication in Australian papers like the Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun. His accessible, optimistic style—focusing on empowering, positive predictions rather than dire warnings—contributed to this popularity, generating substantial revenue for the publications through increased circulation and ancillary services. This broad appeal established him as a key figure in elevating astrology's presence in .

Books and publications

Jonathan Cainer authored over a dozen books on , , and esoteric topics, many of which were published by prominent houses including Piatkus, , and . His writing career in print began in the mid-1980s and continued into the 2000s, with titles that expanded on the practical and accessible style of his astrological work. These publications often drew from his expertise in celestial influences, blending traditional with modern self-improvement advice. One of his early works, The Junk Food Vegetarian (1985, Piatkus Books), offered quick, convenient recipes for vegetarians, reflecting Cainer's interest in lifestyle topics beyond . This was followed by The Psychic Explorer: A Practical Guide to the Magical Arts (1986, Piatkus Books; co-authored with Carl Rider), which provided an introductory overview of six esoteric practices including , , and ESP, aimed at beginners seeking down-to-earth explanations. In the , Cainer focused more directly on with Jonathan Cainer's Guide to the Zodiac (1997, Piatkus Books), a comprehensive exploration of sun and signs, relationships, and planetary influences, later updated in editions through 2009. This book emphasized personal insights derived from astrological charts, making complex concepts approachable for general readers. Similarly, The Complete Book of the Zodiac (1999, ) detailed zodiac characteristics with visual aids and compatibility analyses, serving as a reference for enthusiasts. Cainer's later publications shifted toward integrated with cosmic principles, notably Cosmic Ordering: How to Make Your Dreams Come True (2006, ), which outlined manifestation techniques by aligning personal desires with universal energies, promoting practices like positive visualization and intention-setting. The book received praise for its motivational tone and simplicity, with readers noting its empowering approach to achieving goals through "ordering" from the . His works collectively sold well, bolstered by the popularity of his newspaper columns, and were lauded for democratizing and psychic exploration without requiring prior expertise.

Other ventures

In the mid-1990s, Cainer launched cainer.com, one of the pioneering websites that offered personalized readings and interactive features, significantly broadening his audience beyond traditional print media. The platform quickly gained prominence, becoming one of the most visited sites in Britain and facilitating global access to his astrological services through online consultations and premium content. Cainer also made frequent appearances on British television and radio programs, such as This Morning, discussing astrology whenever the topic was in the news. Cainer expanded into physical ventures by acquiring the historic 35 Stonegate building in in 1999, initially operating it as a psychic museum before converting it into a haunted house attraction known as "The Haunted" around 2002. The attraction, open seven days a week, drew visitors with immersive ghost tours and supernatural exhibits tied to the building's reputed hauntings, operating successfully until its closure in 2014 when Cainer sold the property to a developer. These entrepreneurial efforts, including lucrative premium phone lines integrated with the website, substantially boosted Cainer's earnings, establishing him as one of the highest-paid journalists in Britain at the time.

Personal life

Marriages and children

Cainer's first marriage, to Marion, was brief and produced no children. His second marriage was to the astrologer , with whom he had three children, including seven-month-old twins at the time of her death; Melanie also brought three children from a previous relationship, leaving a blended of six that Cainer raised. In 1992, Melanie died following a car crash in which she collided with a lorry while running errands. This tragedy left Cainer a widower confronting the challenge of single parenthood for a large young family. Cainer later entered a relationship with Sue, whom he initially employed as a for his children; they had a daughter together and married in 2014. Across his relationships, Cainer fathered six children in total, though details about their names and professions remain largely private to protect their ; his daughter has become an astrologer. The family maintained a blended in a rambling home in , where Cainer balanced his career with devoted fatherhood. His experiences raising children amid personal loss contributed to the empathetic and positive tone in his astrological writings, which emphasized hope and comfort for readers facing difficulties.

Residences and lifestyle

Jonathan Cainer was born in , , in 1957, but following his parents' separation, he moved with his mother to in during his childhood. In the early , he briefly relocated to , where he managed his brother's music career and ran a café. By the 1990s, Cainer had settled in the area, purchasing property there in 1999 and establishing Fulford as his local base. In his later years, Cainer's primary residence was a rambling farmhouse on the River Ouse in , where he lived with his large family and worked from home. He also maintained a flat in for occasional professional needs but preferred the seclusion of the Yorkshire property, which provided space for his six children from multiple relationships. Cainer was found collapsed at his York home in 2016, underscoring its role as his main living and working space. Cainer led a low-profile despite his fame, focusing on family, writing, and personal pursuits while avoiding public appearances. A strict vegan and self-described "unreconstructed hippy," he embraced a spiritual outlook influenced by his mother's practices and his own beliefs in the . His daily routine centered on home-based work, producing horoscopes and managing his astrological business from the farmhouse, often in a dedicated .

Death and legacy

Circumstances of death

Jonathan Cainer died on 2 May 2016 at the age of 58 from a suspected heart attack at his home in , . He was discovered collapsed in his home office by his wife, Sue, on the evening of 1 May, and was pronounced dead at in the early hours of the following morning. Initial media reports emphasized the suddenness of the event, noting that he had collapsed while working on his daily . There had been no prior public indications of serious health issues, though Cainer, previously widowed after the 1992 death of his second wife following a car crash, and father to eight children, had been managing the demands of a large family alongside his professional commitments. His decades-long career in the high-stress media industry provided broader context for the unexpected nature of his passing. News of Cainer's death prompted an outpouring of tributes from readers, celebrities, and media outlets, underscoring his profound influence on millions through his astrology work. Fans shared personal messages of grief on social media, with many highlighting how his horoscopes had guided them through life's challenges, while figures like astrologer Russell Grant described him as a unique talent in the field. Coverage appeared prominently in major publications including the Daily Mail, The Guardian, and the BBC, which noted his status as one of Britain's highest-paid columnists and the reach of his predictions to approximately 12 million readers daily.

Inquest findings

The inquest into Jonathan Cainer's death was held on 31 August 2016 at Coroner's Court in , presided over by Coroner . The proceedings concluded with an , as the precise could not be definitively determined beyond the primary medical findings. Toxicology tests revealed a low concentration of and its metabolite in Cainer's urine, indicating recent recreational use shortly before his death, though testimony indicated occasional use over a long period, approximately once a month. Medical experts testified that this cocaine use was highly likely to have contributed to the fatal event by exacerbating underlying heart conditions, though no signs of foul play were identified. The primary cause was ruled as sudden due to atherosclerotic , consistent with a massive heart attack. The took place at the coroner's court following the discovery of Cainer's body at his home in .

Succession and influence

Following Jonathan Cainer's death in 2016, his nephew Oscar Cainer assumed responsibility for the astrology column and the operations of cainer.com, fulfilling Jonathan's expressed wishes to maintain the family tradition and brand. Oscar, a qualified trained by his uncle, continued producing horoscopes in a similar accessible style until the end of 2024, when he stepped away at the start of 2025 to pursue interests in music and . By 2025, Jonathan's daughter Jemima Cainer had taken over the column, writing daily and weekly forecasts while drawing on her father's legacy. Meanwhile, cainer.com persisted under a longstanding team of astrologers and staff, preserving Jonathan's approach through ongoing content like annual "Guide to the Future" publications. Cainer's work significantly contributed to the mainstream acceptance of popular in the UK and beyond, as his long-running columns in major newspapers like the —reaching an estimated 12 million readers daily at their peak—normalized horoscopes as a staple of daily media. His optimistic, empowering tone inspired millions of fans, who often credited his readings with providing personal guidance and motivation during challenging times. This enduring appeal is evident in post-2016 developments, including website expansions with personalized tools and interactive features, as well as the continued availability and sales of his books such as and The Astrology of You. Cainer's influence extended to cultural references in media, with members like reflecting on his impact in 2024 articles and obituaries portraying him as a pioneering figure who blended and stars to foster positivity. He received praise for democratizing , making it approachable for non-experts through witty, non-dogmatic prose that emphasized over . However, skeptics in the critiqued his predictions as , arguing they lacked empirical basis and promoted unsubstantiated beliefs. Beyond the into his death, no major controversies marred his professional reputation.

References

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