To see whether astrological birth signs are associated with suicide & the method used, data was collected on verdicts of suicide & open verdicts between 1989-2000 from the Public Health Department in North Cheshire. The observed occurrence of deaths due to natural causes & suicide, in relation to birth signs, did not differ significantly from what would be expected by chance. However, the distribution of suicide by hanging appeared significantly higher in those with a birth sign of Virgo & lowest in Sagittarius & Scorpio. The distribution of violent & non-violent suicides in relation to star signs showed higher occurrences of violent death in persons born in the summer months. (6 refs.)