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Hi there Moon Children, The month of Cancer has arrived, and along with it (for us Southerners), the cold. Winter chills seem to have penetrated most of our local community - you’ll see a lack of local content this month (except for our favourite regulars) but a lot of you have promised me articles for next month, so I’ll await them like a patient double-Taurean and try not to nag. Nonetheless, our line-up for this month is fantastic: I urge you to read Yolande’s waxing/waning article (bear in mind she hasn’t even completed her course and she thinks like an experienced pro!); Das Goravani gives us a simple effective lesson on the astronomy of retrogrades (I loved the diagrams); Bob Makransky introduces us to ‘Mental Chemistry’ and Kelley Hunter divulges the secrets of Lilith; my personal favourite (which I have re-read often) is Steven Forrest’s article on Electional Astrology ... Talking about elections, I had a look at the chart for my baby’s due date (29 August) and realised that sometimes being an Astrologer is equivalent to living inside a horror film ... she’s in for a Scorpio Moon, Venus/Saturn conjunction and a pile of Virgo if she arrives by the mid-wife’s prediction (that’s enough to give any mom-to-be a coronary!!). Fortunately, according to her Astro-Granny Cynthia, she will choose EXACTLY the right chart for her and she knows what’s coming ... I’m not so convinced and am playing with charts, chanting mantras, programming crystals, burning all sort of herbs, casting spells, and plying the gods with offerings to appease them. At least her North Node will be loosely conjunct my Venus so maybe my biggest lessons are to have faith in the wisdom of the cosmos and thank my higher self for the insight not to have an electional caesarian! Happy Reading Love & Light Isabella
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: Isabella Beyers : Yolande Korsten : Yolande Korsten : ShadowRain Design
Contributors Steven Forrest, Cynthia Thorburn, Das Goravani, Fanny Flame, Bob Makransky, M. Kelly Hunter, Purohit Jaya Tirtha Charan dasan, Theodore White, Ilona Thorndike, Yolande Korsten, Fritz Duminy, Isabella Beyers, Cindy Lubner.
On the Front Cover An international team of astronomers used the Hubble Space Telescope to help make a precise measurement of the mass of a planet outside our solar system. The Hubble results show that the planet is 1.89 to 2.4 times as massive as Jupiter, our solar system's largest orbiting body. Previous estimates, about which there are some uncertainties, place the planet's mass at a much wider range: between 1.9 and 100 times that of Jupiter's. The planet, called Gliese 876b, orbits the star Gliese 876. It is only the second planet outside our solar system for which astronomers have determined a precise mass. Image Credit: NASA/ESA and G. Bacon (STScI) - www.spacetelescope.org
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[email protected] The information is available on the ASSA website at www.AstrologySociety.org.za Note The opinions & philosophies expressed by the writers published in Aspects are not necessarily a reflection of the opinions and philosophies of ASSA or the Aspects staff. Diversity is welcomed in the spirit of catalysing discussion. Aspects role is to be a resource and to provide a forum for the South African astrological community. In addition, readers should exercise good judgment when purchasing a product or service advertised in these pa g e s , a s w e d o n o t investigate each product or service. All articles © Aspects Magazine or their respective authors as detailed. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the express permission of Aspects or the Contributors.
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Contents Features 3
Electional Astrology : The Fine Art of Seizing the Moment
by Steven Forrest
Electional Astrology is not used to determine whether we should do something or not - that’s a Horary question. We use Electional astrology for only one reason: to time the beginning of an action to which we are already committed. It is tactical astrology, in other words, not strategic astrology.
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Seventh House Planets in Synastry
by Cynthia Thorburn
If one birth chart is superimposed upon the other, which of his planets fall in her seventh, and which of her planets fall in his seventh? This exercise provides illuminating information about the nature of the ‘silent’ or ‘unwritten’ contract between the couple.
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Vedic Astrology : The Planets - Part 1
by Das Goravani
The planets are the largest things around. Besides them, in our whole big multi-million mile expanse of space there is nothing. It's just the planets here, and we're on one of them. And the movement of these large bodies defines our lives through Astrology.
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Finding the Dragon’s Belly
by Isabella Beyers
There is a difference between Karma and Destiny. Both can be seen in the Natal Chart. Isabella illuminates the native’s journey on the Nodal Axis - one which can clarify the entire life cycle without looking at anything else.
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Mental Chemistry in the Birth Chart
by Bob Makransky
We’d all like to believe that we’re mentally alert, on the ball and nothing can sneak past us. Bob shows us the chemical make-up of the mental sphere by looking at the birth chart. Sorry to say, some of us are definitely slower than our counterparts. But being too quick isn’t a good thing either.
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Exploring the Four Conditions of a Single Aspect
by Yolande Korsten
Just when we thought we were getting to grips with the dynamics inherent in an aspect by identifying it as ‘applying’ or ‘separating’, the universe decides to throw a spanner in the works.
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The Dark Goddess Lilith
by M. Kelly Hunter
It’s been called the Three Faces of Eve, the Triple Goddess and the ancient trinity of Maiden, Mother, Crone. But who is Liltih and why is she the Dark Goddess? What is the connection with the Dark Divine Feminine?
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Vedic Astrology: Functionary Properties of the Nakshatras - Part 1
by Purohit Jaya Tirtha Charan dasan
Each moment possesses it’s own special potency. In order to maximise the benefic potential, one needs to place the moon in a favourable constellation, sympathetic towards the activity.
Regulars 11 12 21 31 32 33 38 39 40 41 42 42 43 40
Revelations Along the Journey of a Complete Cosmo-Peasant by Fritz Duminy Talk Review : Finding Amrita byYolande Korsten Apologies and Corrections Planetary Diary by Cindy Lubner Beginner’s Corner : Putting the Chart Together by Isabella Beyers VoC Moon for the Month Tarot Connection : Neptune in Aquarius by Isabella Beyers Monthly Forum : Summer Solstice 2006 - A New Nodal Era by Theodore White Letters to the Editor Ask an Astrologer by Isabella Beyers New Moon in Cancer by Ilona Thorndike Randomosity : Starting with Interpretation by Yolande Korsten Book Review : Understanding the Birth Chart Astro Gems
Humour 21
Do you have SVDS - Severe Venus Deficiency Syndrome?
by Fanny Flame
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"We’re getting married. Can you help us pick a day?" I hear that message on my answering machine at least once a month. People with the slightest openness to astrology seem to know that certain moments in time are more auspicious than others. They are right. For any major undertaking, it’s wise to consider "planning its birth" through the judicious use of Electional astrology. Any action that we volunteer for and exercise authority over in terms of timing is fair game. Getting married. Opening a business. Leaving on a trip.
I’ve been asked on many occasions to pick a moment for entering a lottery or a contest. Personally, I’m not very interested in that kind of astrology, but Electional techniques can be used this way. I’ve never been successful at helping a client to win a contest, nor do I really expect to be. The odds are just too long. I have no doubt that I have boosted the client’s chances of winning - from ten million to one ... all the way up to maybe a million to one. Which leads us to Principle Number Three: A realistic, non-astrological assessment of simple probabilities is essential for keeping perspective about Electional astrology.
When am I likely to meet the sort of person whom I might choose to marry? That’s not an Electional question - that’s in the domain of transits and progressions. Should I get married? No, that’s not Electional territory either - again, use transits and progressions, along with the birth chart, to find the answer. Should I marry this particular person? Use synastry and perhaps Horary techniques. Many people get confused about the differences between Horary and Electional astrology, so it’s important to be clear about them. In a nutshell, Horary is about whether you should do something, and Electional is about when to do something that you’ve already decided to do.
If someone asked me to elect an auspicious moment to steal money, ethics would obviously forbid my doing so. Say, for the sake of argument, that I did it anyway and that the person got away with the crime. This raises ethical and metaphysical questions. (If the ethical ones stump you, please stop reading this article and consider a career in politics!) But metaphysically, we get into some very complex terrain with Electional astrology. Stealing money sets cosmic wheels turning. Astrology may help us to dodge the consequences this year or even in this lifetime, but in the end those consequences will catch up with us. So Electional work can actually create karma.
We use Electional astrology for only one reason: to time the beginning of an action to which we are already committed. It is tactical astrology, in other words, not strategic astrology. We’ve figured out what we are going to do. We just want to know when to make the move to bring the most "luck" to bear upon the situation.
The best Electional work can also be undone by previous karma. If it is important for you to be single in this lifetime, for evolutionary reasons, a marriage performed under a fine marital Electional chart will still probably come undone. This is philosophical territory, and I certainly honor your right to your own attitudes and beliefs. I do encourage you to think deeply about these questions before launching into a serious study of Electional astrology. Which leads us to Principle Number Four: With Electional astrology, we are practicing magic, pure and simple. We are playing with the natural laws of karma and the universe. It is wise to do so cautiously and consciously.
It works powerfully. Ronald Reagan’s astrologer, Joan Quigley, used this technique extensively for Reagan during his presidency. The media couldn’t ignore his incredible "luck." Of course, they ridiculed astrology when the truth emerged about its influence on Reagan. The media’s more "objective" explanation was that he was coated with Teflon. So, back to our question: "We’re getting married. Can you help us pick a day?" Everyone with an IQ above the price of dinner knows that it takes a lot of sanity, patience, and commitment to make a marriage work. Common sense dictates that even the "best" chart in the world cannot create happiness between two people who are fundamentally incompatible, ambivalent about the commitment, or simply not psychologically or spiritually ready. Which leads us to Principle Number One: Electional astrology works within the limits of the consciousness of the individuals using it; it does not override the basic principles of natural law or common sense. What constitutes happiness in a marriage? For a very mild couple, "never fighting" might be a legitimate ideal. A standard kind of "good" chart might work for them - lots of trines and sextiles, a big glorious Venus ruling a Libra Ascendant. But what if two Plutonian types are getting married? Would they want that kind of marriage? Probably not. With marriage, or any other truly epochal existential undertaking, an effective modern astrologer seeks to understand precisely the goals of the individuals involved and does not succumb to the platitudinous assumptions about "good" charts that we’ve inherited from the literature. A "good" chart can lack dynamism; it can be boring. Which leads us to Principle Number Two: Although Electional astrology can shape and flavor outcomes, to use it wisely, we must know specifically what kind of outcome is desired by the client.
"When is the best time this evening to brush my teeth?" Well, yes - you could actually do valid Electional astrology on that pithy question. Make sure the 6th house and its ruler are strong, and so on. But down that road lies madness. Which leads us to Principle Number Five: The effectiveness of Electional astrology is most marked when it is applied to the truly pivotal strategies of one’s life. Choosing the Date When choosing the date for an action astrologically, we are selecting the moment for an action to be born. Once our goals are clear, we pick the chart that seems to support them most effectively. We let the action take its "first breath" at a moment we have chosen with specific intentions and outcomes in mind. You wouldn’t want a big adventure to be born with a timid, reflective chart. You wouldn’t want a meditation retreat to be born with a noisy, chaotic chart which might be the perfect one for a wild party. In practical terms, there will usually be a time limit involved. "I need to open my business sometime in the month of April." "We want to go to Europe this spring." Once you’ve gotten that information from a client, you have determined the first and last days when the action might be undertaken. That’s your scope of inquiry. Your task is to pick the strongest moment of time within that framework.
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Naturally, the wider the range of time the client provides, the more powerful this technique becomes - you simply have more choices. Conversely, suppose the client says: "We’re getting married next Saturday afternoon - is that okay?" Under those circumstances, you should probably just congratulate the happy couple and change the subject. For Electional astrology to work, you need some breathing room. I’ve often ranted in these pages about the foolishness of thinking in terms of "good" and "bad" aspects in the charts of individuals. Cancer always loves Scorpio? Give me a break! Capricorn always has trouble with Aries? Ha! Give them a joint project and stand back. Still, in Electional astrology, we actually err in the direction of thinking in terms of traditional "good" and "bad" aspects. Generally, when people set out to achieve a goal, they would prefer fewer obstacles rather than many. Thus, it is wise to emphasize trines and sextiles and to be cautious about oppositions and squares - although I would quickly add that the latter have their uses. They often represent strengths that are forged in experiences that test our mettle. For a marriage between two conscious people with a strong evolutionary orientation, I wouldn’t be unduly concerned by some "hard" aspects in a wedding chart. For a fun adventure trip to Europe or South America, though, give me trines and sextiles - I don’t want the bus to break down for ten days in some backwater, nor do I want my passport stolen. Here’s the first step: If someone is planning a wedding, the planet Venus obviously plays a central role in the considerations. I’d immediately scan the ephemeris for days when Venus is involved in trines or sextiles. That is the key, very simply. Pick the planet connected to the person’s intention. Find the times during the period you are considering when that planet is most strongly supported by aspects to other planets. Then, build your possible Electional charts around those days. When beginning a major project, look for a strong, wellsupported Saturn. Speculation or risk? Jupiter. Starting an educational or literary endeavor? Mercury. An adventure? Mars - and, ideally, Jupiter too. Domestic or familial actions? The Moon. Creative work? Venus and Neptune. Psychotherapy or a necessary confrontation? Pluto. As we will soon see, Electional astrology is complex. Venus might be looking great, but other, darker factors could eclipse the Venusian possibilities on those days. You will hardly ever find a chart that feels truly "perfect." You do hope to find one that looks significantly better than any of the other possibilities. In a moment, we’ll mention some of those darker factors. Right now, let’s continue with the heart of the technique: finding the planet that naturally rules the action and making it as strong as possible in the chart for the moment the enterprise begins. Say Venus passes through a trine to Jupiter during the period a couple is considering for their wedding. That’s obviously a merry discovery. The more exact the Venus Jupiter aspect is, the stronger its action will be, so it would be desirable to schedule the wedding close to the day of exactitude. But practical issues may intervene - most people would prefer their wedding to be on a weekend rather than on a Tuesday, for example. Everything else being equal, an applying aspect is stronger than a separating one; it’s
better to choose the weekend before the aspect is exact than the one following it. Various factors might vex this simple scenario, but let’s continue to assume a "best case" situation. You’re electing a wedding date, and you have a strong Venus - Jupiter interaction as the basis of your timing. Any wedding occurring during those few days will be supported by a powerful harmonious aspect. Chances are good that you’ve found the basis of the chart you will eventually choose. You’ve narrowed it down to a period of several days. Choosing the Minute Within those few days when Venus is applying to the trine of Jupiter, which minute represents the peak of the energy? Our aim is to make that Venus - Jupiter energy as central to the chart as possible. The aspect will be exact at a certain moment on a certain day, but that is probably not your answer. The practical key is to realize that the daily transits of the planets around the horizon put them either in the spotlight or in the background, minute by minute. Any planet is strongest when it is in an angular house (the 1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th), especially when it is actually conjunct an angle - rising, setting, culminating, or crossing the lower Meridian. Perhaps you can place either Venus or Jupiter on an angle, thus strengthening the planet. Planets also have specific house rulerships - Mercury loves being in the 3rd house, but Saturn isn’t so excited about it. Venus would love to be in the 7th house, of course, though Jupiter prefers the 9th. Furthermore, the planetary ruler of the Ascendant is always a critical factor. If you want to emphasize Venus, choosing a chart with Libra or Taurus rising will accomplish that. If Sagittarius or Pisces is rising, Jupiter would be very energized. Say that Saturn is currently squaring Jupiter. You will want to use that Venus - Jupiter trine as the basis of your Electional chart, but you don’t like that hard aspect from Saturn. Both of those planets are fairly slow, so waiting for the square to break up might not be a realistic option - the couple is eager to be married in the spring. If you were to elect a chart with Capricorn rising, Saturn then becomes the chart ruler, and you’ve really emphasized the problem - not a good move. So, having Venus-ruled Libra or Taurus on the Ascendant would be a better choice. The same can be said for having Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius or Pisces there. Tuck Saturn into the background as much as possible. You’ll notice that I am using the traditional rulerships. Our modern love of Neptune as the ruler of Pisces has eclipsed our sensitivity to Jupiter’s association with the sign. In practice, my recommendation is to think in terms of "corulership." If Pisces is on the Ascendant, then both Neptune and Jupiter are emphasized. In a nutshell, choose a day that looks strong because of some fundamental supportive planetary aspect involving the planet that is most closely associated with the action being considered. Then juggle the time (and thus the Ascendant and planetary house placements) to make that planet as central as possible to the chart, meanwhile doing your best to minimize the impact of anything that looks dicey.
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The Role of the Computer As in all things astrological, apart from chart interpretation itself, the computer is a blessing in Electional work. You can easily set up charts on screen, adjusting the time until you see something that works. Most modern programs also have a Rectification module, which is very helpful in the Electional process. This allows you to adjust the chart quickly, going forward or backward on the screen in increments of hours and minutes. Of course, the whole process can also be done with an ephemeris, a Table of Houses, and plenty of patience. Bad Moon Rising We’ve just covered the core process of Electional astrology. In the end, you will probably discover a few periods of a few days each, when the door seems to be open for an action. You will also come up with a variety of specific times on those days when the Ascendant and planetary house placements all look encouraging. How should we choose among these days and times? To answer that question, we need to go deeper into the Electional process. Then, we will learn that other factors come into play - some of these can potentially turn your Gold Medal chart into a catastrophe, leading you to fall back on your Silver or your Bronze. The Moon plays such a dominant role in Electional astrology that it can effectively rule out a chart that otherwise looks perfect. You simply cannot ignore the Moon. The most critical concept here is perhaps the notion of the Moon being void of course. This refers to a situation where the Moon will not make any more major aspects before it leaves the sign it currently occupies. This is a simple concept, but it’s absolutely pivotal that we understand it perfectly. Let’s say the Moon is in Aries. If it won’t make a conjunction, sextile, square, trine, or opposition to any other planet before it enters Taurus, then it is void of course. That’s all there is to it. It is important to understand the precise meaning of a void Moon. Never think of it as "bad" per se. What it tells you is that "nothing will come of the matter." In Horary astrology, there’s a dictum: No aspects, no action. It’s a very solid and reliable principle in Electional astrology, too. Of course, with a wedding, one typically hopes and expects that something will come of the matter - a long, happy life together, prosperity, perhaps children. To accept a void Moon in a wedding Electional chart would be a real blunder. On the other hand, imagine that a client needs to schedule a professional meeting where she fervently hopes that nothing will happen - the company is considering transferring her from her Hawaiian paradise to its new office in Greenland. Pick a void Moon for that meeting! Please note that having a void-of-course Moon in your birth chart is an entirely different matter. Exploring its meaning would take us too far afield in this article. Suffice it to say that a natal Moon void of course does not mean that your entire life will come to nothing. Even when the Moon for an Election is not void of course, we need to be careful how we handle it. Pay attention to the last aspect the Moon makes before leaving the sign it currently occupies. That aspect is always relevant to how the matter turns out in the end. Say you have the Moon moving toward
an opposition to Uranus in a wedding chart. That’s suggestive of the marriage ending explosively. Better to have the Moon moving toward a trine, sextile, or a happy conjunction. The ideal would perhaps be a conjunction with Venus - that would evoke something much closer to the desired loving outcome. Remember: This procedure applies strictly to aspects that the Moon will make before leaving the sign through which it is currently passing. If the Moon crosses the line into the next sign before it conjuncts that Venus, it loses its deepest relevance. You may have a series of days that all look pretty good from the perspective of all the planets other than the Moon. You find that when, say, Libra is rising on those days, the charts are especially strong. Which chart should you choose? A close consideration of the Moon will almost always resolve that question - you’ll find that the Moon is void or going toward a scary last aspect in several of the charts, so you can toss them out of the running. In summary, regarding the Moon, there are two principles to keep in mind. First, steer clear of a void-of-course Moon in an Electional chart, unless you have good reason to use it. Second, make sure that the final aspect the Moon makes, before leaving the sign it currently occupies, supports the results you are seeking. Generally, that means you are looking for the Moon to make a trine or sextile to any planet or a conjunction to a gentle one. The Querent and the Quesited These delightfully archaic terms are commonly used in Horary astrology, and Electional is a close cousin. The querent is the person asking the question, usually represented by the Ascendant and its planetary ruler. The quesited is the thing being asked about. Depending upon what that thing is specifically, it can be represented by any house and its ruler. If the question is about another person, the quesited will be the 7th house and the planet ruling the sign on its cusp. If it’s about a career move, it will be the 10th house and its ruler. The basic idea, in Horary, is that you want an easy aspect forming between those two planetary rulers. We import this procedure wholesale into Electional astrology. Here’s how: A wedding is naturally a 7th-house affair. We have tentatively chosen a chart with Libra rising, for example. That places Aries on the cusp of the 7th house, with Mars as its planetary ruler. Mars thus becomes the quesited - a wedding. The querent is Venus, because it rules the Ascendant. Now, here’s the question: Is there an aspect between Mars and Venus? In the best of all possible worlds, Venus would be moving into a sextile or trine with Mars. If a hard aspect were forming between them, that would be ominous - although here I would instantly advocate sensitivity toward the intentions and desires of the couple. A square isn’t "bad" as much as process-oriented; by this I mean that such aspects usually require negotiation and serious efforts by the couple to understand each other and to find a respectful middle ground - not such bad skills to develop in a marriage. Some people are better suited to the intensity of that kind of chart than others. A conjunction between Mars and Venus in a chart such as this would be easier by far than a square or opposition but not nearly as encouraging as a trine or sextile. At least, the couple would tend to agree on what subject they were fighting about!
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If no aspect is forming between the two planets, the chart is a candidate for rejection. Try changing the Ascendant to see whether you can get the querent and the quesited to dance together. You can often do this by simply altering the hour, without starting all over again with a new day. Aspects that are currently applying - getting closer to exactitude - are more powerful than ones that are separating. In Horary astrology, one basically ignores separating aspects - the trine that is one degree past exactitude is forgotten. In Electional work, that extreme attitude is unnecessary. But the ideal is to see applying trines, sextiles, or conjunctions between the planetary ruler of the Ascendant and the ruler of the house that represents the action the client is undertaking. In our example, we’ve been considering a wedding, which is a 7th-house affair. Career questions would focus our attention on the ruler of the 10th house. Questions about health or pets would focus on the 6th house. Questions about actions involving children would turn our attention to the 5th house. Long trips, the 9th house. And so on. All the "Astrology 101" principles apply, in other words. Planets in the House that Rules the Matter Say that someone elects a chart for a wedding, and the chart has Saturn in the 7th house. A lot of astrologers might gasp. That’s an overreaction, I think - but I would like to see this particular Saturn supported by lots of easy aspects and relatively free of hard ones before I breathed easily about it. The general principle here is that any planet lying in the house of the quesited assumes a great deal of power in the chart. That’s a fairly obvious idea, intuitively. The trick is to be cautious about any knee-jerk assumptions about which planets are good and which ones are bad. We would love to see Jupiter in the 7th house of a wedding chart but if Jupiter is currently passing through some tense aspects, you probably don’t want to put it in the spotlight. Doing so could suggest unrealistically high expectations of the marriage, which can lead quickly to disillusionment. A solid, happy Saturn might serve your intentions a lot more effectively. Keeping One Eye on the Birth Chart Once you’ve come up with a possible chart, it must pass one more test. How well does it fit with the client’s birth chart? That Electional chart represents the current transits at a given moment of time, and those transits are affecting the birth chart of the person asking the question. Maybe there’s a transiting traffic jam in the individual’s 12th house right at the time you are electing for opening a new business or tying the marital knot. If so, you might want to reconsider your Electional suggestion. The moment you’ve selected could very well be an excellent time for someone else to undertake the action, but not your client, who simply isn’t sufficiently clear regarding his or her own intentions to make such a commitment wholeheartedly. A complete treatment of this final dimension of Electional astrology would actually require a book, because it blurs into the vast territory of transits, progressions, and solar arcs. If you are fuzzy about how these factors impact a birth
chart, I’d suggest that you spend a little time with my book, The Changing Sky. [i] Conclusion That is the heart of the Electional process. If you find a chart that covers all the bases, you’ve done your job. The rest is up to the people involved. That, in my opinion, is astrology’s glory - reality, as we experience it, is created at the interface of consciousness and planetary forces. Remember Principle Number One: Electional astrology works within the limits of the consciousness of the individuals using it. Even a "perfect" chart can turn sour. That’s not astrology’s fault - or yours. In the real world, you probably won’t find many charts that seem truly perfect. You just do your best and then discuss the results honestly with the client, balancing the pros and cons, just like everything else. If you could "elect" over a period of a decade or two, you might be able to come up with a chart that seemed flawless. That’s not the real world, though. In practice, you always have to choose the "lesser evil." The art lies in learning to recognize it! Sometimes, you will simply not come up with any workable chart at all. I remember a summer not long ago when Saturn was in Pisces and Venus went retrograde in Virgo, opposing it for several weeks - I couldn’t, in clear conscience, recommend any marriage dates under that energy. That frustrated some people, but I felt that I had to be truthful about what I saw. Patience was the lesson! When my wife, Jodie, published the first book in her trilogy, The Rhymer and the Ravens, we wrote a local "rock opera" based upon it. I elected a chart for our first performance with Jupiter rising in Sagittarius. Almost instantly, everything went ballistic - Jupiter-fashion! We were flooded with volunteers, creative ideas, and enthusiasm. We sprouted a big band, a troupe of 15 dancers, costumers, lighting technicians everything but an elephant. At one show, we played on a 40-foot, three-level stage designed as a Viking dragon ship. At our final performance, we sold out the best of the local performance venues and turned away a hundred people. The whole experience was like having the proverbial tiger by the tail. It completely dominated our lives in every way for a couple of years, which wasn’t what we had really intended. I felt like Mickey Mouse in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, casting his spell on those ever-multiplying brooms. It was a good experience, but it taught me a valuable lesson: Never underestimate the power of Electional astrology! Reference [i] Steven Forrest, The Changing Sky, San Diego, CA: ACS Publications, 1998. © 2001 Steven Forrest - all rights reserved Steven Forrest is a well-known astrological writer and teacher and the author of The Inner Sky, The Changing Sky, The Night Speaks, and The Book of Pluto. He co-authored Skymates with his wife, Jodie Forrest, and most recently published Measuring the Night, co-authored by Jeffrey Wolf Green. Steven is Chair of the Advisory Council of Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences in Seattle. He maintains a busy astrological practice in his home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. You can contact him at P. O. Box 2345, Chapel Hill, NC 27515; e-mail:
[email protected]; or visit his Web site: www.stevenforrest.com
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One of the strongest considerations in the art of synastry is the nature of the planets, if any, that fall in each others’ seventh house of relationships - more specifically, marriage. If one birth chart is superimposed upon the other, which of his planets fall in her seventh, and which of her planets fall in his seventh? And what does this mean? Any interchange provides illuminating information about the nature of the ‘silent’ or ‘unwritten’ contract between the couple. Filling gaps and living out scripts for each other is a valid characteristic of all relationships - “If you live out Mars for me, I’ll do the Venus stuff for you.” But what makes the difference is whether those projections become constructive or destructive in effect. Because the seventh house describes very clearly what needs we project onto our closest partners to act out for us, any exchange of planets (archetypes) between charts lies at the very core of the relationship. What follows is a cookbook type layout of the possible effects of the planets falling in another’s seventh house. The implicit qualification is that these guidelines are given out of context, without any reference to the wholistic view of the chart. It makes sense to say that these psychological agendas cannot be too accurate when we put only the slither of the seventh house under the microscope and ignore the etiology of the rest of the chart. All other things being equal, read on … THE SUN The Sun of one falling in the seventh house of the other is traditionally regarded as the karmic indicator of favourable marriage, the inevitability of fate being the strongest factor. Popularly known as ‘made in heaven,’ this contact is generally fortunate bringing personal advantage, protection and privilege - especially materially. Strengths are a vital yet balanced union of lasting companionship, elevated mutual interactions, and a firm enduring bond of love and approval.
Within a Moon dependency framework, the subtle exchange is that one is cosseted emotionally by practical caring energies, while the other fulfils familial needs by being needed and indispensable. The one holding the Moon is seen as the ideal wife-mother-helpmeet or husband-fatherprotector who will provide the necessary support system. There is a strong element here of maintaining the unit in domestic bliss against the onslaughts of the world. At best, the outcome is a protected and secure married life, and the full comforts of a home environment where human priorities come first and family responsibilities are lived up to, especially to children. The home becomes a supportive background, which encourages a highly functional family, with major emphasis falling on the child and parenting qualities. The offspring of the union are important because with the Moon psychology, ‘the child’ constitutes the family. Without children, these marriages tend not to last, and are prone to disintegrate under the ‘empty nest’ syndrome, when the children grow up and leave home. MERCURY Happily points to a strong and enduring communications bond, an innate ability to solve problems by ‘talking them out’. Whatever other differences exist, the couple enjoy a mutual appreciation of attitudes, opinions, and intellectual slant. The Mercury person is the one who is more articulate, has the brain power, and puts the most effort into keeping circuits of communications up and working. They are able to break through mental barriers of misconception, crossed lines, double messages, and preconceived ideas, and establish realistic contact. The person who receives Mercury, clearly needs this script played out for them. Common factors are mental interests, literary or business matters, friends and peer group activities, a basic curiosity about life, writing and research, education and travel. Favourite topics of conversation are partnerships, channels of information and how both think and react to life.
Because the Sun is yang and symbolises all that is dynamic and dominant, it is preferred that the Sun be the man’s so that the male-female energies are properly aligned, such an auspicious link can successfully outweigh other destructive patterns in the synastry. The good fortune in the relationship lies on the side of the person who receives the Sun of the other. It is almost as if the Sun person ‘owes’ the other a pleasant and joyful debt.
If the couple exchange both Mercuries this is one of the best gestalts for teaching and learning from each other. Because Mercury is never far away from the Sun, both planets often fall together in the seventh - as if the one is a necessary complement to the other. The strength of this pattern is that vital lines of communication are not a sometime thing but endure as long as the marriage.
THE MOON
VENUS
The Moon is associated with needs or the dependency factor, with the person who receives the Moon representing the ‘dependant.’ They see the Moon person as a protector and expect to be nurtured, even ‘parented’ by them - and it is probably their karmic due. Because the Moon is yin and symbolises all that is vulnerable and sensitive, it is preferred that the Moon be the woman’s, since this seems biologically more conducive to success.
Venus’ connection with love and affection makes this the significator par excellence of warmth and unconditional caring. It is a superlative contact, a beautiful influence, indicating a relationship imbued with deeply loving feelings. If the makeup of a couple is regarded as chemical, with this ‘pure love’ combination, the Venus person is not able to give anything else but sympathetic devotion and idealistic romantic love - does not spiritual law state that whatever is given out is received back tenfold?
In marriage, there is little giving without getting i.e. cohabiting according to the rules of the unconscious, unarticulated, emotional contract. Successful marriages are those where the mutual exchange of needs is self-fulfilling and pleasing. If one partner starts to break the ‘hidden contract’, the marriage becomes impoverished.
This ideal pattern activates qualities of loyalty, harmony, emotional identification, friendly companionship, the mystique of female physical beauty, and the capacity for quality in love. It could perhaps be said that the Venus person loves more thoroughly. At worst, there is a suspicion here of
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narcissism or the strain of maintaining a constantly adoring stance. Again, because Venus is distinctly feminine, it is preferred that it be the woman’s Venus that falls in the man’s seventh.
on sound values and moral principle. The beauty of a Jupiter contact is that the couple expand in the round through travel, specialised physical cultures, the ecology (the body), adult education, intellectual pursuits (the mind), philosophy, religion, social ethics (the spirit).
MARS There can be little doubt that the Mars person will be ‘the boss’, and automatically attach themselves to the concept of supreme authority figure and most dominant partner. They play the role of organiser and decision maker for all the power they can muster, yet take full responsibility for the consequences of such a stand and for the material wellbeing of the family. Mars at best is the defender and the one from whom all strength and power flows. In our patriarchal culture, if the marriage is to be a success, it seems advisable that the one holding Mars be the man. Ideally, a Mars exchange indicates a powerful sexual attraction and sustained sexual activity throughout the marriage, especially on the side of the Mars person. At worst, because Mars correlates so readily with the male chauvinist principle, it too often generates unceasing anger, argument, accumulated hatreds, and sexual violence after the first flush of romance has worn off. The couple should be warned against allowing unpleasant aggression, blind obstinacy, uncompromising attitudes, and the ‘I am always right’ syndrome to set in. Common sense dictates that Mars points to a war zone. If the woman holds Mars the prognosis is not good, usually leading to sexual infidelity and highly competitive behaviour - as if she wants a strong man and then compulsively fights him tooth and nail for dominance. She usually wins the battle but loses the war, and the marriage can explode like a hand grenade. She should always be on her guard against sexual violence or ‘marital rape’ as the extreme manifestation of the Mars complex. A woman who attracts men through her Mars is in any event inclined to quarrel with men as authority figures, and can unconsciously enact a life script of ‘punish men’. After many confrontations she should not blame men entirely but have the good sense to recognize something in her own makeup that provokes them, and actually attracts the type of man with whom she can quarrel, and try to emasculate or dominate. JUPITER
The person who holds Jupiter plays the role of benefactor by providing not only the environment but also ‘permission’ for free expression and ongoing expansion. In the more spiritual sense this partner is the magnanimous provider, the one from whom symbolic wealth flows. Because Jupiter correlates with the benevolent male principle, it is preferred that it be the man’s Jupiter that falls in the woman’s seventh, so that the more traditional role of benevolent authority figure in the home is easily enacted. Less ideally, factors of excess and extravagance mar the union and stretch it into ‘obesity’. Over-indulgence in the good things of life, overreaching opportunism, arrogance and pretentiousness, social climbing and keeping up with the Joneses can get out of hand. Jupiter is associated with the exaggeration factor, and to be avoided above all else is the destructive situation where an insidious hedonism in the one who holds Jupiter causes them to approve, egg on, and overindulge the other’s faults and weaknesses. SATURN It is said, “Never marry one whose Saturn falls in your seventh!” It is true that this is a link found in couples who pair off primarily to compensate for their shortcomings and lacks. The unconscious motivation is to ‘use’ the other, or to see them as being ‘of use’ in the scheme of things. Thus, a Saturn partnership is utilitarian or materialistic (or cold and miserly), tending to attract the other for practical purposes. The one who holds Saturn is inclined to smother their partner’s ambitions, or to harm them in some way without even intending to do so. They are seen as unspontaneous or pessimistic or boring, weigh down the other’s spirits, and constantly need draining cheering and support. Usually the one who receives Saturn is fairly optimistic and confident, and puts up with this negativity because they enjoy projecting onto such a willing audience. Perhaps because Saturn symbolises the disciplinary male principle, the man should hold Saturn. But, unfortunately, a woman’s affection is born full-blown from the ocean of love, like the mythical Aphrodite, and cannot be acquired or encultured, and a man’s Saturn in her seventh is hardly conducive to the spontaneous gift of love.
A superior contact leading to expanded consciousness, material privilege, and great expectations leading to great opportunities. The one who holds Jupiter consistently displays goodwill, sees the best in the other and thus tends to bring out the best in them. Life together has its trials but is generally busy and extended, flowing with abundance, and seldom dull.
Many restrictions in the marriage, from penury to mean spiritedness, bring arguments and miseries - often disaster. Great stress is placed on the life force of the union by having to cope with over-consolidation, debilitating depressions, circumstantial restraints, blows of fate, and personal limitations.
The union tends to exude fun and good humour, broad understanding and tolerance. The world and his wife are invited into the home circle, while charity and generous help to those in need is typical. The couple enjoy themselves hugely when on holiday or travelling, especially abroad. The ideal state seems to be a successful relationship based
With the passage of time bitter quarrels, heavy duties, boredom and fatigue undermine the union. Inevitably, the Saturn person becomes a burden, hardship, and an unwelcome liability. It is almost as if fate brings the couple together for a slowly culminating resolution of a mutual death wish’.
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More ideally, this can be a most successful tower-of-strength relationship which endures to the bitter end. The one who holds Saturn approaches marriage seriously as a major life step and will surely live up to all marital obligations. Strengths are realistic attitudes, a fine sense of obligation, undying loyalty and fidelity, and a high productivity level. With Saturn, the initial attraction starts very slowly but can end well, or there is a substantial age difference (Saturn = the father). This union works best when the pair marry in middle age, or are workaholics and dedicate their union to a work ethic e.g. science, education, politics, business. Life together needs to be a journey of mutual discipline, repeated organisation and consolidation, with arduous responsibilities willingly accepted. Solid achievements are built brick by brick on the mortar of total commitment. CHIRON It is doubtful if anyone would want this contact, since it clearly points to painful wounding and scarring in close relationship. The particular danger is that the person who has Chiron projects old emotional complexes onto the love partner in a living-it-out transference. They evince a compulsive need to displace the shadow self and engage ad nauseum in love-hate games. This is the ‘band aid’ psychology, where another person is invested with the power to ‘make it better’. Needless to say, this seldom happens, since healing can only start from the inside-out and not from the outside-in. The Chiron person repeatedly sets himself or herself up as the victim or scapegoat, or engages in futile power struggles. The union does not usually last long and partners are rapidly exchanged. The essence of the problem is the necessity for stab wounds inflicted by relationships to be healed in relationships. As always, the potential for therapy and healing with a Chiron contact is just as powerful, and the unconscious wish and need is that the partner will be the one to resolve the old imprinted hurts. The prognosis is a cataclysmic love experience which is a mirror reflection of what happened earlier in life. More ideally, the one who holds Chiron becomes, for a short time, a valuable counsellor, therapist, or teacher for the other. Whatever form the relationship takes, many yin-yang lessons in how to relate will take place.
mutual interest develop in scientific, technological, humanitarian, or occult fields with both being willing to involve in progressive group activity. The one who holds Uranus intends to bring the whole world and its collective problems into the marriage, be this socially or professionally. They are often too uncompromising, and unwilling to sacrifice their cosmic ethos and lifestyle for the sake of cementing the marriage. In times of stress they become highly eccentric, autocratic, unpredictable, and emotionally uncommitted. Although very exciting and stimulating, this combination tends to break easily under stress and is better suited to platonic friendships based on mutual interests. More ideally, the couple mutually hypnotise and intrigue each other, which is what makes the relationship so unconventional - almost a mismatch in the eyes of the world. High sexual interest is a powerful bond. However, Uranus being what it is - eccentric and notoriously fickle with the sustained propinquity of marriage, what attracted both at the start can turn out in the end to be a major irritation or thorn in the flesh. On this criteria alone, it is a moot point whether this special enchantment can endure within the walls of marriage. What needs to be assessed is whether other alignments are stronger and will lend the necessary glue and mortar. NEPTUNE When well used, this contact results in an idealistic and empathetic love - the ultimate, idealised, ‘soul mate’ romantic union. Here is the potential to keep the marriage on an exalted level of affinity, faithfulness, and devotion. The subtle subliminal effect the couple have on each other shows in shared aesthetic and spiritual values, and productive cooperation in creative areas -art, music, literature, drama, dance.
URANUS
The negative mirror image is one of an overly idealistic and unrealistic love bond of unknown factors and undercurrents - confusion and deception, emotional embarrassments, sexual deceit. A dissolving kind of vagueness and evasion, an opting out of everyday responsibilities can afflict the relationship until both become isolated in a dream world of their own myths and fantasies. Escapism and dissolution are the keywords. Because of Neptune’s lack of boundaries, peculiar psychological complexes of hopelessness can distort and undermine the union in such an insidious way that it eventually disintegrates.
There is something unusual or out-of-the-ordinary about this pairing. Very typical is a marriage between diametrically opposite types - or across culture, creed, colour, or age barriers - or without benefit of clergy. The couple can meet under unique or peculiar circumstances, and it is often the case of ‘love at first sight’. The marriage itself can also be sudden because Uranus correlates with magnetic fascination, stability and endurance are not strong features. Uranus, after all rules alienation and divorce, and symbolises fleeting attractions of orgasmic but ephemeral quality.
The traditional view is that the one who holds Neptune represents the ‘lost lamb, black-sheep, lame-dog’ or addictive factor in the relationship. It often happens that they do indeed suffer from a peculiar physical or mental handicap, or emotional affliction. If not highly talented and creative, or religious and spiritually committed, the Neptune person can be linked in some way to alcohol, drugs, extra-marital sex, drifting, gambling, hypochondria, negative occultism, or even milder forms of obsessive reading, over-eating, or TV watching.
For such a marriage to work, it needs to be founded on the basis of complete and total freedom, with the day-to-day reality built on each partner expressing individuality in work areas, or new and broadening experiences. It is best that
The one who holds Neptune mystifies and confuses the other and in some way has a disorienting impact on their life. The partner is seldom able to predict which way Neptune will jump or even what they are always doing. There are
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definite compartments to Neptune’s life which are kept private, even secret, and the partner will find that there is a threshold in the relationship beyond which they may not step - a ring pass-not. At worst, the Neptune person would be totally ineffectual and passive, promising much more than they can deliver. Failing one person being the ‘weak link’, the couple unconsciously but destructively encourage just such dependencies in each other. Somehow, the bond is built on false pretences that lead nowhere in particular. As always with Neptune, we find one extreme or the other - spiritual or aesthetic transcendence, or a subterranean flooding of the psyche by illusion and delusion.
nothing, maybe because it originally seemed the easy or obvious way out and was based on lines of least resistance - like marrying a friend’s brother or the girl next door, or someone everybody says is meant for you, or someone who has always been around. ASCENDANT
PLUTO
Since this point represents self-interests, self-image, the actual person and their direct relationship to the environment, it follows that the one who holds the Asc has and gives the freedom to expand as an individual within the marriage. This is an excellent contact for social image and looking good together in the eyes of the world - something each might not have developed quite so successfully on their own.
Denotes an intense and total body-mind-soul involvement in an all-or-nothing relationship rooted in powerful sexual attraction and great mutual compatibility. The person who holds Pluto is the driving magnetic force and has a profoundly controlling but therapeutic influence on the partner towards growth and transformation. The best of Pluto is regeneration and grassroots change through love that matures slowly, and is geared to bring out the best in each other. Symbolically, both can rise like the phoenix from the ashes or, translated, love will triumph over disillusionment.
In some subtle way, each causes the other to be at their best in public. The Asc person improves the partner’s environment and generates a thread of favourable connections and circumstances. They heartily believe in independence, and automatically provide for the mate the scope and opportunity to achieve this. Even though there is some basking in reflected glory albeit with much pride and affection, there remains a hidden injunction for each to remain their own person and an individual in their own right.
The shadow side of Pluto is degeneration and ‘death’, a dark-night-of-the-soul experience, a type of total elimination. A Pluto exchange can point to disruptive circumstances beyond the control of either, or mutually destructive forces which prove totally irreconcilable. Typical are conflicts over money and resources - painful clashes about earnings, expenses, settlements, investments, real estate, assets, taxes, legacies or alimony.
MIDHEAVEN
Intense and passionate feelings give rise to terrible jealousy, possessiveness, grudges, and the desire for revenge - not to mention fanatic sexual concentration in the union, or certain sexual problems that need to be resolved. Perhaps the Pluto person tries to reform or remake the other, and a battle of wills to the death ensues in the struggle for dominance. There is something about the nature of Pluto which makes it impossible for people to compromise or reconcile, once the relationship goes bad. Any schisms that arise are serious and irreversible. It happens too often to be a coincidence that the one who holds Pluto is much older or wiser, and perhaps ‘annihilation’ simply means that in the natural course of events the couple with a large age gap eventually grow in different ways and part company. NODES The North Node indicates a positive and growth-promoting love association, but since it takes time to move in the right direction, there will be initial difficulties and obstacles. The marriage demands skills and issues challenges never met before. There is a lot of resistance at first but the longer the liaison lasts the better it gets. The South Node points to a relationship involved in old, unfinished business, with an old too-familiar partner. Such a union tends to start well and end poorly petering out to
Since this point symbolises the career, worldly status and reputation, and standing in the community, it follows that the one who holds the MC benefits the partner materially in this way, improving their social and professional position. Alternatively, the couple work together, or in related fields, or are successful business partners, or simply function very well in all areas of life where ‘working together’ is required. Cynthia Thorburn has established herself as one of South Africa's foremost astrologers. Originally a teacher by profession, she obtained the Diploma of the Mayo School of Astrology (with Distinction) and won the Roy Allin Award for the best paper world-wide. She has attended the London Faculty's Oxford Summer School and has been published in their prestigious Astrological Journal. Cynthia was a founding member of the Astrological Society of South Africa and served as its chairperson for four years. She established the Thorburn School of Astrology in 1986 and has dedicated her life to teaching and promoting astrology as a means to individuation and self-integration.
MENTORSHIP HELP LINE: ASSA has introduced an Astrology Advice line for all those burning questions and conundrums that novice astrologers face when starting out. Whenever you are in doubt or completely stuck with an interpretation or astrological concept you can contact us for free advice. Contact Isabella on 082 565 5109. The advice is free - you only pay for the call. Questions which arise repeatedly or are of particular interest will be published in our monthly ASK AN ASTROLOGER column. This column will aim to cure the common astrological aches and pains. Let us know what your symptoms are!
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Stardate: Two Thousand Something +8, Cosmo-Peasant’s Log. If Jack Frost was hanging around my ankles the last time I wrote, this morning he has called in his whole family and all the troops. The cold is not slowly creeping up my legs; it is in rapid advance like a cohort of Roman legionnaires storming the battlements sweeping everything in its path. Except in this case it is not ‘sweeping’ it is ‘freezing’. So, like any good lord of the castle I call in the defences, ‘longjohns’, woolly socks, jeans and granny blanket ... as well as a cup of coffee, but I'm considering soup. I can’t drag out my chart, my fingers won’t grip, so I call it up on the screen. I stare at it again but the inspiration fails to materialise, no doubt frozen into immobility somewhere between the spirit world where it originates and the stagnated confines of my mind. This morning rather feels like the prison of the Grand Cross and still no Grand Trine has miraculously appeared to ease the burden of the chart. My mind starts dwelling on aspects.
encounter little resistance and are relatively very lucky, says Hamaker-Zontag. At this point I am ready to tear up my chart and challenge the universe to give me another one containing at least one of these babies. I am even prepared to give up being one of a rare breed and sacrifice a grand cross. But not all can be moonlight and roses. Sure there is the thing of overcoming laziness and avoid jumping into conflict, but there has to be a gremlin in the works somewhere, a situation where it moves closer to the symbolic significance of 3, change and movement. I mentally run through 2 years of Monday mornings at the feet of my mentor, then it strikes me. In a tight grand trine, i.e. within an orb of 2 degrees or less, each of the planets finds itself at the Midpoint of the other 2 in the triangle, and Midpoints are a different kettle of fish, perhaps introducing disharmony into the happy huddle and turning the scrum onto a disorganised ruck! I scramble for COSI and dig for a chart with a tight Grand Trine.
The opposition splits the circle into two equal halves, forming a 180° angle causing the planets to face each other across the chart. Karen Hamaker-Zontag (Aspects and Personality) says it signifies tension and doubt, vacillation and uncertainty. That figures. Numerologically and symbolically 1 represents unity or wholeness, but it births the 2 which brings into being the ‘other’ duality, and through it tension and challenge of opposites - right/wrong, black/white, male/female. However, the 2 can lead to the stasis of becoming stuck between two equally attractive or unattractive options or finding oneself on the horns of a dilemma. (It is said that in the Garden of Eden, Eve could not stand the perfection and consequent non-movement, hence the snake and apple.) In order to create forward movement from the tension of 2, a third element needs to be trined in. So the 3 represents the introduction of disharmony in aid of movement and change. This seems to be in contrast to the Trine in Astrology, where the circle is divided into 3, giving an angle of 120° and of which Hamaker-Zontag says the traditional meaning is Harmony and represents a gift on which we can fall back, a resting place ... which holds considerable promise and in which a great deal of creativity is locked away. She goes on to say all the same, the absence of tension leaves little incentive to action, therefore this aspect is said to encourage laziness. It is easy to see why this may be regarded as the most comfortable of all aspects in the chart. Then of course there is the proper 3, the granddaddy of trines, the Grand Trine involving 3 planets mutually trine to one another, usually within an orb of 8°, and all in the same element. Not only 2 but 3 planets huddle up in peace and harmony and scrum together for the native. Niiiice. All things to do with a grand trine come easily, these people
I come up with a very familiar chart with a nice tight Earth Grand Trine comprising Moon in Virgo in the 10th, Mercury in Capricorn in the 3rd and Jupiter in Taurus in the 6th. Talk about a happy huddle!
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Bil Tierney (Dynamics of Aspect Analysis) says the calming, comforting, attracting power of the trine is emphasised ... it seeks to preserve the status quo of existing conditions it feels securely supported by. Both element and aspect do not respond well to drastic, critical changes in life affairs. The individual ... is bound to field a deep sense of inner security and stability in the physical world ... he's readily able to be sustained upon the material level due to an abundance of opportunity to receive tangible support and worldly position if so desired. They can be the phenomenal builders of life who sense their own power and creative strength best when they witness it through lasting material achievements or worldly attainment.
Again I am astounded by the dynamics of the cosmic energies at play in our lives. How easy it would be to just look on the bright side and think I have chosen well ... life owes me ... roll on good times, after all an Earth Grand Trine brings effortless (almost) material wellbeing ... Dream on. I am confronted by the realisation that nothing in the Natal Chart is inconsequential - the more we know, the more tools are given to us to help understand this wondrous cosmos and the human miracle. On reflection though, I actually think I may prefer a loose cardinal grand cross to a tight grand trine ... earth or otherwise. May your Mercury never go Rx and your Moon never be VoC.
An important aspect of this grand trine is the ability to manifest in the physical, even though it may lack imagination and flair and be quite routine. They are often delegators who gravitate towards positions of organisational management because they do not like to exert themselves. In this instance, looking at the nature of the trines, the Moon would be very happy. Combining with Mercury, expression is fluent in repartee and the individual has an innate gift for the spoken and written word. In addition they impart greater flexibility of mind and body. The Moon is further strengthened by Jupiter giving inner harmony and optimism and added composure. The person is usually so confident that everything will turn out right that he or she attracts good fortune. These two aspects contribute to a large dose of self-reliance and inner strength. Jupiter/Mercury makes the individual cordial, jovial and enthusiastic and very likeable to others with an encouraging style of speaking and a very coherent and wide view of things. A Grand Trine is supposed to be the Big Easy - Mohammed doesn’t go to the mountain, it comes to him. So, somehow, knowing the native of this chart, this ‘big easy’ huddle does not quite gel. Great plans are conceived but do not readily manifest. He is a hard worker but solitary and does not delegate easily. An outgoing, talkative disposition, optimism and composure is not a constant hallmark. My logic says this is not accounted for even by the negative aspects writers mention in terms of this trine configuration. So where might the pitfalls lie? Mercury at the midpoint of the Moon/Jupiter is prone to making far-reaching plans, having a large sphere of thinking and may seek success through speaking or writing. However, it may run up against the indifference, negligence, and unpopularity as well as the inner conflicts with regard to one's outlook on life and the world in general when it senses opposition characteristic of the negative psychological correspondence of this midpoint. Jupiter at the midpoint of the Moon/Mercury may lead to sound judgment and constructive thinking as well as successful plans, but may run foul of the negatives of changeable thinking, changing views as well as a sensitivity and vulnerability to criticism and gossip. The Moon at the midpoint of Mercury/Jupiter may make for a pleasant conversationalist and liveliness resulting in a lively exchange of ideas, but it hits the same wall of sensitivity to gossip mentioned above, absent-mindedness and lack of foresight and prudence, resulting in failures through negligence or clumsiness.
Cosmo-Peasant signing off. Fritz is one thesis short of finishing his diploma through the Thorburn School of Astrology (not to be confused with one card short of a full deck) and an apprentice in the Twisted Hair tradition . A student of human behaviour and a philosopher, his background in mythology, tarot, various alternative healing modalities and counseling brings interesting synergies between astrology and other methods to light. He can be contacted on 082 341 7019 or
[email protected]
Being a recent initiate into the mysterious art of modern astrology, the opportunity to learn more about the enigmatic lunar nodes was enough to draw me out of the house to the Old Edwardian Society for Isabella’s talk on the Nodal Axis held in May of 2006. If you think about it, the Moon is one of the most studied objects in the astrological chart, with more books being written about it than on any other planetary body. Not that weird if you consider the fact that it is the closest object to the earth and can be studied without the use of a telescope. Add to the fact that it has an immediate observable influence on the tides and you’ve got a recipe for intense study and interest. And that’s where our journey begins... The North and South Nodes are the points where the moon’s orbital path around the earth, crosses the ecliptic (the earth’s orbital path around the sun). These deceptively simple mathematical points might hold the key to the entire karmic journey of a person’s life. At the hand of an engaging Vedic myth and the natal chart of Jim Morrison, Isabella sets out to explain how the Nodal Axis and the aspects to the nodes enable you to build up a picture of what this person is here to do in this incarnation. And she succeeds. Without reference to much more than the nodes, the houses and the aspects to the node, she paints a picture of a man who was living his karmic intention. Admittedly, there are a lot of mysteries around the nodal axis that still need to be unravelled. But Isabella has started us all on the journey of discovery that has an unknown ending.
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The planets are the largest things around. Besides them, in our whole big multi-million mile expanse of space there is nothing. It's just the planets here, and we're on one of them. We are stuck on the surface of the Earth, which is just a small ball in a huge expanse of space, and we're rotating around on the surface, trying desperately to hold onto our lives by constant work and struggle, and all in futility, as we all die. So, we're on one ball, but there are a number of other balls, and they're all whirling around in a circle around one bright star. They are balls in a system of balls, a group of balls, and within a certain space surrounded by the Zodiac. We're very small players - dependant players - in a larger system. Small items within a larger framework are dependant on the larger framework … where it goes, they go. For example, a chip in my computer is burned if I burn my computer, it goes downtown if I take my computer downtown, and it was bought when I bought my computer. Similarly, as things go in this universe, so it goes for us. We are dependant. The planets are splintered up parts of a greater whole. They each are representatives of different parts of a natural whole system. Their gravity pulls on each other - for example, every one knows that the Moon affects the tides. Well, guess what, it also affects the water inside us making our water-influenced emotions rise and fall with its 27 day cycle around the Zodiac. You were born on one of the spinning balls. The influences of all the parts of the Universe led to your appearance. You, like me, are totally dependant on the environment we live in for life - if the Sun stopped shining you and I would die, period. We are dependant on many things we cannot see. The planets are the significators of the unfoldment of all things in the Universe - reading their dance is to read the plan of unfoldment of all things - the plan of God, the Light of God, or Jyotish.
Red Circle with a line through it? In addition, the stone of Mars is Red Corral. Once you learn Jyotish, you will know the planets by all of these kinds of things as well. You will see the planets in colors, in people's faces, in the way they dress, in the sound of music, in the pace of a city, in the mood of a handshake - everywhere. Everything is working under the strict control of the modes of material nature - that means astrology - or more specifically, the unfolding Universal seasons based on the Universal clock. About motion/speed/stations/retrogrades The planets orbit at fairly steady speeds and each on their own orbit band so that they don't collide, and in this way, with the Sun in the centre they are orbiting around and around, year after year. In fact, what is our year, but the time it takes for our ball to go around the Sun once? See, astrology is the basis of the calendar that is running your life already! In astrology, the speed a planet is travelling relative to our planet affects how strongly it acts in a person’s life. A planet is like a strong beam of light in your chart. The beam, if held still on one point, can ignite a fire. However, if we just run the beam of light quickly across the dry leaves, nothing happens. It is exposure over time that allows a strong beam of light to begin to burn the object on which it focuses. Therefore, when planets are either moving slowly in relation to us or standing still in space, then their effects are heightened in the chart. Yes, planets seem to slow down, stand still, then proceed backwards, then again stop, turn around and go forwards again. This is because of the law of retrograde motion. The Planetary Movements
Veda doesn't use the outers The Vedic Astrological system doesn't use the three outer planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. These are mentioned in some old books I'm told, but that's not important. I believe these planets may have effects - I believe that just because they exist they are certainly meaningful and probably have a God personality behind them as the other planets do, but since the Sages don't talk about them, we don't use them. It's that simple. Dictators of most natural patterns such as music, color, cycles, natural phenomena The planets we do use, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu, have colors they rule, as well as notes, sounds, metals, elements, and more. You see, the wavelengths of the planets, again, because they are the biggest and significant objects in the Universe and are affecting our world entirely, are to be found in all things. For example, Mars rules Red, and Mars rules all Martial activities such as war and police work. Isn't it funny that Red is always used in the kind of urgent areas of work where Mars people are often found - Red Cross, Blood Red, Red Fire Trucks, Red Flashing Lights, Red Hats, Red Stop Signs,
Image 1 : Planetary Movement
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A Jyotishi must have a good idea of how the planets move. I am going to briefly explain the basics to you. In the picture on the previous page, notice Aries is at the top, Taurus is the pink "bulls head" at about 11 o'clock, and Gemini is the “2 green pillars” at about 10 o'clock and so on. Those are the signs. They are in space. They are the constellations of the Zodiac. The Sun is in the Centre, and the other planets are rotating counter-clockwise as in the arrow coming from Saturn. This is all physical fact - this is astronomy, no tricks here. Now, pinpoint the Earth in the previous picture and draw a line in your mind from the Earth to all the other planets, each one directly, then continue each of those lines through the planets and on to the zodiac sign behind them. You will end up with a drawing as below:
Image 3 : Vedic Chart
This is the Geocentric, or Earth Centred drawing of the planets at the same moment as the previous Sun Centred Universal drawing. Notice we are placing the planets in the signs as they appear from Earth, not the Sun. Astrology is about the effects the planets are "beaming at US", not at the Sun. The signs of the Zodiac are ALWAYS in the same order. The stars don't swim around at all, and in fact, Nakshatra means "doesn't change". They stay in the same places. Only the planets travel around. Once you establish the rising sign, the rest of the signs just follow around in order filling the remaining 12 spaces or houses in the chart.
Image 2 : Earth Centric View of the Planets
Notice the yellow lines now coming from the Earth through each planet, and onto the signs behind each planet. When we speak of the signs the planets are in, we are speaking "Geocentrically", which means, "Earth as the viewing centre". Notice the red line coming from the Earth over near to the Cancer symbol - this is my representation to talk about "The Ascendant", which is also fine to call "The Lagna" or "The rising sign". Looking directly East from the place of a birth, we will see (or not see if it's night time) a certain sign rising - one of the signs of the zodiac is ALWAYS rising on the Eastern Horizon from EVERY point on Earth at ALL TIMES. Trust me on that. So, the sign that was rising at the moment of a birth becomes the degree point of the ascendant, and the sign involved takes over as the First House of the chart. The above chart has something like 25 degrees Gemini rising because that's where the red ascendant line touches the zodiac circle. Then notice that the line through the Moon ends up at around 20 degrees Taurus, and see all the others. Here's what the chart would look like Vedically:
In Jyotish, there are 12 houses because there are 12 signs. The houses and signs are synonymous. Whichever one is rising is the first house. It doesn't matter how much of that sign is rising - whether the first part or the last part has already come; whatever that sign is becomes our rising sign or the first house. The rest of the signs just fill in using their natural order. The apparition of Stations and Retrograde Consider the drawing on the next page (image 4). As Mercury moves along on the other side of the Sun, notice the points in the background signs that it hits or points to, are moving forward from Scorpio to Sagittarius. Now when Mercury comes up alongside the Sun and is heading towards coming between the Sun and Earth, there is a point where for a short time, it is cresting on the edge of its orbit in relation to us, it appears to stand still which we judge by looking at the sign behind it. This is called "Stationary". It happens at about the point shown in image 5 on the next page.
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In image 5, the spot of about 27 degrees Sagittarius is focused through Mercury upon the Earth. We would say, in astro-jargon, "Mercury is Stationary Retrograde at 27 degrees Sagittarius". Retrograde verse Direct The planets are actually never changing direction, they just appear to. After "stationing" as in the above drawing, Mercury comes up between the Sun and Earth and appears to be moving backwards if we just judge from the sign "behind" Mercury. See this in the drawing below:
Image 4 : Mercury Direct
Image 6 : Mercury - apparent retrograde movement
Notice that as the days roll by and Mercury is orbiting around the Sun, it appears to be moving backwards when we judge by the sign and sign part that appears behind Mercury as viewed from our viewpoint here on Earth. Now if you think about the other planets, those circling inside our orbit such as Mercury and Venus and those outside our orbit such as Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, you'll find that they all do this. The Sun and Moon never go retrograde in relation to us.
Image 5 : Mercury Station
At this point, what really happens is this: The energy from the sign behind the planet is focused by the planet onto Earth (much like a prism would do if angled just right). The planets are reflector points, and the Zodiac signs give off certain types of rays or influences. This is what's always going on. But what's happening at the time of a planet’s "station" (that's when it appears to standstill against the Zodiac backdrop) is that we are getting an extra long dose of time of just one spot in a sign being focused through that planet at us.
In Jyotish, a retrograde planet is generally considered to be strong, although retrogression is also sometimes causing "exact opposites" as it represents a travel direction opposite to the norm. Generally, however, retrogression, which appears in charts very frequently, serves to make planets stronger. A planet that was stationary on or around the day of birth is very prominent or powerful to do whatever the chart says it will do, and if a planet was recently stationary and at the time of birth is just starting to move again, same thing, very strong. This is just one point of Jyotish. I'm not trying to over-stress it; I am just covering the movements of the planets so that these physical realities will have some home in your brain as you proceed to talk about them in Jyotish.
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Retrogression is not "good" in the truest sense of purity. If you take this Vedic Jyotish, then take the Vedic conception - this whole place, the material creation, is fraught with imperfection. The nature of this place encourages illusions. Firstly, we are not these bodies, but nobody likes to live based on this fact. Anyway, the retrogression of the planets represents the odd things that happen due to the interactions of the souls being here. The Earth is separate from the Sun, which represents the person travelling in a body, which appears to be separate from their own soul (or not their soul). The other features of ourselves, which we find governed by and represented in the planets, sometimes have to "turn around" because of our strange movements. If all were aligned and perfectly correct and good, there would be no disharmonious and crazy paths for the various parts inside us, nor the planets. You could say therefore that retrogression results in reactions inside us; they are adjustments that are necessary to bring things "back on track". Therefore, in life they represent the reactions to our actions. They tell us in a chart that this part or parts are making adjustments in this life so that other parts of the chart can be where they are. Indeed, once you know the astronomy well, you realize that for the planets to be where they are in a chart, they MUST be AS THEY ARE - whether that is retrograde, moving fast or slow, high or low in latitude, and so on. It is not at all accidental - at each moment in time the planets must be where they are to keep going in their paths. In one chart I know, Jupiter and Saturn are retrograde in the ninth house. The other planets are where they are and are not retrograde. You could say therefore of this chart that although these planets are in the ninth house, they are acting in a reactionary manner because of the rest of the person. This tells us that we must at least consider that these planets have to give in, or over-act, in order to do what they are going to do for this person. It will either make their ninth house matters a little extreme, or defensive, or odd, not standard. And so it is. Retrogression is not normal, its results are various types of extreme-ness or odd-ness. More powerful is ‘stationary’; if the planet is standing still or just starting to move retrograde from standstill it may be read as ‘powerful, going odd’; if a planet is starting to move slowly forward again it may be read as ‘powerful and becoming normal’. What is normal and what is odd is understood correctly only by those who actually know the VEDAS’ OWN standard for what is normal and odd. Eating flesh for example is very odd in Vedic standards or soul-standards, which are the basis of Vedic standards. Thus modern society is pretty odd by Vedic standards. Homosexuality is odd, violence is odd, not serving others, and not loving others are odd. Many types of modern mentality are considered odd - such as competitive noncaring aggression as found in large cities and certain careers. Often the oddness caused by retrogression is thought of as good and powerful, inasmuch as Rahu for example can sometimes cause WONDERFUL MATERIAL results, when in fact in terms of Vedic conception purely, it cannot be "good". However, materially speaking, or anti-spiritually speaking, it can be very good. Sometimes it is necessary to remember how our life here,
and our needs and concerns here, can be very opposite to pure Vedic thought. Some books coming from India however, are flipped upside down because they have been preconverted to the modern materialistic angle of vision. For example, if a reading says "This Venus placement will provide you with comforts, wealth and happiness". Is that "good" or what? Well, Venus always spins backwards on its own axis (its own personal rotation not its orbit around the Sun) compared to the other grahas (planets). This is because, I think, Shukra is the "Asura Guru" or guru of the demons. He encourages pleasure and enjoyments here in this life more than others, and grants same, and this is a cause of bondage for the soul, so ultimately not a good idea. His philosophy is, “Enjoy now, pay later”. This is a good example of anti-Veda sounding "good" but not being ultimately “good”. In some places you have more pure thinking being conveyed, and in other places you have the kind of speaking which is what the kings wanted to hear from the astrologer - authors they were supporting, who wrote many of the "classics" we read. The original pure revelation is another thing. Retrogression is very common. It's hard to escape because it happens so much. It is normal for all of us to have some of it in our charts. It's not a bad thing or an embarrassment at all. It just indicates a place in the chart where there will be some extremities to handle. We (almost) all have some of that somewhere. When judging planets, there are 30 or 40 such points of interest to look at - and no one thing is so important as to cause alarm or overshadow the other things. Ashtaka Varga, Shad Bala, Retrograde, Transits, on and on it goes. There is so much to look at which, as a unit is causing the final result. If nothing else, remember that retrogression increases overall strength of the planets placement - making its results a little more biting or intense. Look out for Part 2 in our Leo Edition when we set out on a journey to discover the Vedic archetypes of the Planets.
Humbly written by Das Goravani with Love and Respect for Sri Krishna, and all His devotees everywhere. And for all souls, and the Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya. Das Goravani is an American living in Oregon. He was profoundly swept over by the spread of Hinduism in the 1970s and 80s, primarily through the Hare Krishna movement. He is also a computer programmer and creator of Goravani Jyotish Software. His computer skills and knowledge of Hinduism and Jyotish has led him to his current career of teaching Jyotish and Hindu Spiritual concepts. His website at http://www.goravani.com contains many of his writings. He can be reached on
[email protected].
GET ASPECTS IN HARD COPY Get your hands on a printed copy of your favourite ASPECTS issue. Price: R 25 per issue (ASSA members) R 50 per issue (non-members) To order, contact Gloria Ford on
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My interest in the Dragon’s head and tail began early in my astrological career. I have always wanted to solve the elusive mystery of spiritual people’s two favourite words karma and destiny. I started my study of ‘the stars’ seriously after the loss of my niece whilst I was also dealing with the final dregs of what was considered a ‘good’ marriage. As soon as I met the Nodes in astrology class I knew that Cauda and Caput Draconis hold a secret not yet revealed to most Western Astrologers and my quest to unlock the essence of these two imaginary points began. I admit that I’ve probably only taken some baby steps in my understanding thus far but I’ll spend the rest of this life and probably the next few incarnations searching for the diamond tipped key to the nodes. At the first Argo Conference in 2005, I attended a talk by Komilla Sutton, a Vedic Astrologer, who was talking specifically on the Nodal Axis. A completely new world of knowledge and research was opened to me. Western Astrology seems to have only a few basic keywords to interpret the nodes: · South Node: The past, karma, ‘what you come in with’ · North Node: The future, destiny, networking, social contacts, ‘where you are going’ I believe that either our Western system doesn’t know what the nodes do or perhaps we are too afraid to find out! Archetypes are always easier to grasp once you know their ‘story’ and how they relate to our subconscious minds through the magic of myth. The Vedic myth of Naga Vasuki illustrates some of the deeper meanings of the North and South Node:
So let’s flick through the dictionary: · Snake: any member of the order Ophidia · Serpent: treacherous, smooth-tongued tempter, the devil The word ‘serpent’ immediately lends personality and energy to the description of Vasuki - we know that the god Vasuki is not just any old snake, he is a serpent, the Devil himself. Maybe the reason we are all afraid of serpents is that they represent to the unconscious the dangerous energy of the KUNDALINI (the knowledge of this energy is, after all, the reason for Adam and Eve’s eviction from the Garden of Eden). In this light, we know that Naga Vasuki is the holder of immense and dangerous primeval power. His power is aptly used by the other gods to ‘churn up the ocean’ of the unconscious which, hidden in its depths contains the ‘AMRITA’. Naga Vasuki is split in two by Vishnu (the main god) whilst the Amrita is in his belly, but he survives the attempt on his life because he has already ingested the nectar of immortality. The two halves of his body become the Dragon’s Head (North Node/Rahu) and the Dragon’s Tail (South Node/ Ketu). If we look at the correspondence of Kundalini energy with the 7 major chakras in the body, we might divide Naga Vasuki’s body (the nodal axis) in the following way:
Root Chakra Sacral Chakra Solar Plexus Chakra
Corresponding to the Dragon’s Tail
Heart Chakra
Corresponding to the wound/cut where the Dragon is split into two halves
Throat Chakra Third Eye Chakra Crown Chakra
Corresponding to the Dragon’s Head
THE MYTH OF NAGA VASUKI [i] There was once a great war between the gods and the demons for the control of the universe. Naga Vasuki was a demon serpent who ruled the Patala Loka, the underworld. At some point (and no doubt for his own motives), he decided he would help the gods in their search for Amrita, the nectar of immortality. He allowed the gods to tie his snake-like body around the spiritual mountain, Mandara, so it could be used as a rod to churn up the ocean during the course of the search. When they found the nectar the gods wanted to keep this great prize for themselves for they rightly felt the demons would only use it for personal and materialistic gratification. They plied the demons with wine, women and song to distract their attention, but they hadn’t reckoned with wise Vasuki. He wasn’t fooled by the gods’ ploy and he slunk away to drink the nectar in secret. The Sun and Moon discovered what he had done and complained to Lord Vishnu, creator of the Universe, who grew very angry at this deception. He threw a wheel called the Sudharshan Chakra at Vasuki and cut him in two, but of course Vasuki was now immortal as a result of drinking the Amrita and could not be killed. He remains in the skies as Rahu (the head) and Ketu (the body), a permanent reminder to the other planets (gods) that the darker side of life has to be defeated in the pursuit of immortality. A further investigation of this myth is required. The first question is, 'Who/what is Naga Vasuki?' The word NAGA is indicative of a ‘serpent’ and we have to make a distinction between the word ‘serpent’ and the similar word ‘snake’.
If we can stretch our imaginations to accept this correspondence we notice that the Heart Chakra or point of wounding would be where the ‘AMRITA’, the nectar of immortality would be held. The lower three chakras correspond to the South Node and the higher three chakras correspond to the North Node but ‘which point in the astrological chart is the Heart chakra, the elusive gift of immortality?’ ... I hope to answer this question later on! As we know, the South Node is symbolic of ‘karma’ and the North Node of ‘destiny’ so let’s also have a quick look at the dictionary’s textbook interpretation of the two words: · Karma: the total effect of a person’s acts in one life, which decides his fate in his next existence. · Destiny: the fate to which a person or thing is preappointed; the inevitable power which governs and determines action; the personification of this power. Thus ‘karma’ shows the ‘baggage’ you already have and ‘destiny’ indicates what you DO with the baggage. Note that the two words are not interchangeable, they have different meanings.
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Something else, which should be mentioned, is the astronomical correspondence of the Lunar Nodes. The nodes are the two points where the orbit of the Moon crosses the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun). Nodal points are the only two points where eclipses can occur. The Moon’s path and the Nodal Axis
Descending (South Node)
Ascending (North Node)
We may conclude that the nodes are points where we encounter a ‘meeting’ of sorts between the Sun’s path and the Moon’s orbit around the earth. We also know that the Sun is symbolic of our soul essence and the Moon represents a reflection of our soul essence, our emotions, (primitive cultures believed that the Moon was the abode of the soul, the place where souls went to wait to be incarnated and to where they returned at death to await their next lifetime). Another interesting question to consider is why both the nodes are considered MALEFIC in Vedic texts but most Westerners consider the South Node as malefic and the North Node as benefic. The Vedic explanation for this is simple: the Sun and Moon (like the earth) are always in direct motion but the nodal axis has a mean retrograde motion - almost as if our karma/destiny journey is symbolic of the soul’s struggle with physical incarnation. In addition, the ancients believed that the Sun and Moon where swallowed by the dragon during an eclipse. My personal opinion is that the entire axis is malefic until the ‘heart chakra’/amrita quality in a soul’s life is accessed; the heart chakra sets you free to follow the route of least resistance along the Nodal Axis. I am also of the opinion that we always complete our nodal journey - this is the nature of karma & destiny - we do not have choices along the way except for minor everyday decisions. Each soul’s physical manifestation is predetermined, we will always get from point A to point B (South Node/North Node) the only free will we have is whether we enjoy the journey or whether it is painful. If we are unable to access the gift of the heart chakra (unconditional love), we will experience the most difficult (malefic) route in completing the path between A and B. Moving on to our last and most important question … how do we interpret the Nodes in a natal chart?
Almost all the books I’ve read manage a sketchy interpretation of the Nodes by their sign and house placement. Apparently Western astrologers think that’s it. In my research, I have discovered that you can base an entire consultation on the nodal axis alone by using the following method (leant from the Vedic approach): 1. Interpret the South Node and North Node based on SIGN. 2. Interpret the South Node and North Node based on HOUSE PLACEMENT; pay a lot of attention to the meaning of the house axis (refer to appendix at the end of the article) along which they occur. This is more important than sign placement as the Nodes remain in the same signs for approximately eighteen months, which makes their sign placement quite general for a large percentage of the population. 3. Interpret the DISPOSITORS of both the South Node and North Node in detail by looking at the condition of each and considering the house, sign and aspects they make carefully. 4. Interpret important ASPECTS made to the Nodal Axis. Since I have quite an obsession with Jim Morrison, (for which, I might add I can be excused, as I was born on the day his soul-mate, Pamela Courson, died, thus I entered my life on the Nodal axis along which she left!), I will use his chart to illustrate the interpretational method: Jim Morrison 08 Dec 1943 11:55 am EWT + 4.00 Melbourne Florida USA
Placidus Tropical True Node
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1. SIGN AXIS South Node Aquarius/ North Node Leo = Social versus Individual pleasure, love received versus love given. His sign axis will immediately encompass the questions - 'Do I please society or do I please myself? Do I receive enough love to be able to give love to others?’ 2. HOUSE AXIS The Nodes are conjunct the Ascendant but from the 12th house, so use both the 1st/7th house axis and the 12th/6th house as both will be valid = Service to God versus Service to man and the ‘I’ versus the ‘Thou’. His house axis shows where the conflict of karma versus destiny will take place. His life was traumatised by relationship conflict, which was increased by the stress of whether he should focus on himself or on others. Added to this Jim Morrison came from a place of knowing God but had a destiny to serve man, it seemed like he was seeking to return to the 12th house of spirituality but perhaps the self-undoing was a script which could not be altered. 3. SOUTH NODE DISPOSITOR Saturn in Gemini in the 5th house retrograde. He ‘comes in’ with an ability to create order out of the chaos of the mind. His innate talents lean towards writing, communication and poetry and these activities were an ideal outlet for his karma. With Saturn retrograde, the gift would be internalised and would be experienced very much ‘in his own head’. Saturn in the 5th would be a signature of ‘the perfectionist artist’. A quick glance at Uranus (the affinity ruler of Aquarius) tells us that he also arrives in this world with advanced individuality and a need for rebellion, chaos and destruction. Uranus is placed in the 4th house of home and father suggesting a difficult home life and much change in this department (also Saturn was retrograde) and we might guess that there was a clash of wills between him and his dad and that their home life was unstable. It is no surprise to hear that his father was a navy general and that the family moved around a lot. In addition, Jim despised authority and was in turn unloved by his father because of his refusal to conform. 4. NORTH NODE DISPOSITOR The Sun in Sagittarius in the 11th. His destiny was to express himself through the 11th house of the masses, which he certainly achieved. He literally belonged to the public, and was required to sacrifice himself for fame. NB: His South and North Node dispositors are in opposition highlighting the tension in his personal soul journey.
his Moon is exalted in Taurus, it could be considered as heavily afflicted by this square to the malefic nodes, indicating tension with the mother principle and with communication (Moon in the third). Nodal axis square Venus in Scorpio - I think the tension from the Moon square was displaced onto his Venus, and found an outlet through Scorpionic sexuality in relationships. Jim Morrison was famous for his dark liaisons and the fixed grand cross between the nodes, Pluto, the Moon and Venus gave rise to his weird sexual obsession with the mother archetype, which continued to be displaced onto his other more ‘normal’ relationships. South Node trine the Uranus (sextile North Node) Again, we see individuality, chaos and originality as a karmic requirement. North Node trine the Sun (sextile the South Node) Jim’s talent to hypnotise the masses with his soul essence is highlighted. (Note that a ‘mystic rectangle’ is formed by the Nodal axis, the Sun and Uranus. Mystic rectangles are known to be indicative of ‘the guru’ personality and Jim Morrison might not be considered as a moral guru but he was certainly worshipped as an idol by the public. The fact that the nodal axis is involved in this pattern shows that he was unable to escape this path for his life.) South Node trine Neptune (sextile North Node) - In this aspect I think Jim’s fall into the temptations of wine, women and song is easily explained. Neptune is in the 8th house - a typical ‘drug addict’ placement. A kite is formed with the Nodal axis as the spine and Pluto/North Node at the apex, my personal insight here would be recognition for talents through death or ‘the making of a legend because of his circumstances of death’. [ii] It is probably possible to make all the above points fit his life story in greater detail but I don’t want to bore my audience or underestimate their intelligence so please ‘play’ with the chart some more. For interest sake, at the time of Jim’s death the South Node was approaching a conjunction to his natal North Node/Pluto conjunction. If we rectify his birthchart by a few minutes to adjust his Ascendant degree to 15 degrees Aquarius, the ‘death day’ North Node would be exactly on his Asc. I also noted that Jupiter on this day was at 27 degrees Scorpio (conjunct Jim’s natal Mc) and exactly square his natal Jupiter. (See chart on next page) Along my research journey I have also noted that when the Nodal axis occurs along the Ascendant/Descendant axis of a birth chart, a strange theme of being stuck in a difficult life script seems to occur, almost like a butterfly on a wheel.
5. ASPECTS TO THE NODAL AXIS Examples of famous people with this ‘omen’ in their chart: Pluto conjunct the North Node (opposing the South) Immense personal (Leo) power to assist the journey, the ability to transform the self through others, fascination with death and possibly an important death of the soul. Unfortunately for Jim, this aspect leant itself towards morbidity and an obsessive destruction of the self (in Leo) and others (conjunct the 7th).
·
South and North Node square the Moon - The entrapment into his karmic destiny was emotionally stressful. Although
I don’t think I’ve answered the question of, ‘Which point in the birth chart indicates the Heart Chakra of the Nodal axis (or AMRITA which imbues immortality)?’
·
North Node conjunct the Ascendant: Buddy Holly, JFK jnr., David Koresh, Mozart, Nancy Reagan. South Node conjunct the Ascendant: Christopher Reeve, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, John Lennon, Grace Kelly, Queen Elizabeth II, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison.
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I suspect it to be the EARTH POINT IN THE CHART for the following reason: The astronomy of the Nodes takes into account the Moon’s orbit interfaced with the plane of the Sun’s movement along the ecliptic but our lives as humans are summarised by three spheres of existence: The soul/spiritual (the Sun), the emotional (the Moon) and the physical (the Earth).
Inner Wheel Jim Morrison - Birth 08 Dec 1943 11:55 am EWT + 4.00 Melbourne, Florida USA
I believe that we could make our nodal journey a joy if we are able to access the deepest parts of our shadow selves through our Earth point. A sense of peace with and acceptance of our DESTINY and the repayment of our KARMA would ensue. After all, it is impossible to escape the wheel of fortune no matter how hard we try to convince ourselves that we have freewill! References: [i] Komilla Sutton, The Lunar Nodes, Crisis and Redemption [ii] Thanks to Carol Cardoso for reminding me about the Kite Pattern
APPENDIX: HOUSE AND SIGN AXIS INTERPRETATION 1st/7th House (Aries/Libra) RELATIONSHIP AXIS: The ‘I’ versus the ‘Thou’ 2nd/8th House (Taurus/Scorpio) RESOURCE, VALUE AXIS: My possessions and talents versus your possessions and talents 3rd/9th House (Gemini/Sagittarius) MENTAL AXIS: My thoughts versus those of the world, Knowledge versus Philosophy, Left versus Right brain
Outer Wheel Jim Morrison - Death 03 July 1971 05:00pm, CET -1:00 Paris, France
Isabella Beyers studied through the Thorburn School of Astrology. She has had a life-long interest in people and their psychological motivations and uses Astrology as the key to advancing spiritual awareness. She is also acquainted with the tradition of the Tarot and teaches Astrology and Tarot privately. She is currently researching the deeper meaning of the Nodal axis in natal charts. You can contact her on 082 556 5109 or
[email protected]
4th/10th House (Cancer/Capricorn) PARENTAL, WORLDLY AXIS: Home & family versus career, status and ambition 5th/11th House (Leo/Aquarius) SOCIAL AXIS: Individual versus social pleasure, Love given versus love received 6th/12th House (Virgo/Pisces) ATONEMENT AXIS: Service to man versus service to God
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. - Chief Seattle
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Editor’s Note: Aspects has been unable to locate Ms Flame for a follow-up interview on the advances in the study and treatment of SVDS and its variants (this article was first published in 1999). Investigation has not turned up any new research nor (unfortunately) a cure for this illness. We would advise extreme caution in dealing with the people afflicted with this disease. Do not try and subdue them yourself ... always take back-up :)
organizations. Astro-scientists around the world (that would be two people) are now studying the Leo portion of human DNA for a cause to this. It is my sincere wish (believe me!) that those in our field with SVDS and DNCV will have a cure available by the year 2001. Otherwise, what hope can there be for our field to mature? References
Attention all astrologers: are you an abrasive, combative person, someone who regularly threatens others, someone whom no one wants to have anything to do with? Have you regularly used phrases like, "They stole my technique" or "What do you mean I’m a control freak? You’re the control freak!" Do you secretly believe that the next planet discovered should be named after you? Is your idea of the perfect article one in which you interview yourself? Was your last self- published book almost entirely a personal attack against someone with a competing theory? Is your lawyer on your phone’s speed-dial? Do you believe that 90% of the astrologers you know are trying to steal the four clients you still have? Well, it may not be your fault. New research has shown that there is a genetic anomaly that creates a condition called SVDS - Severe Venus Deficiency Syndrome - which may be to blame for your anti-social behavior and your career problems. [i] Chromosomal Clues People with SVDS are missing the Venus chromosome and in its place there is an extra Mars chromosome. This condition is usually found in men who have been practicing astrology for more than five years, but lately, more women are exhibiting this syndrome, too. In the progressive stages, the SVDS person, drawn to others like them, begins to compulsively e-mail, desperately seeking someone to blame for their perceived lack of power. But there is good news. A humanitarian project is being organized to put megadose Libra supplements into the food at the next big astrological conference, and hopefully that will help civilize the field. In a related discovery, some people have now been found to have Saturn missing in their horoscopes, and an extra Neptune there instead. This contagious malady, caused by DNCV - the Double Neptune Chart Virus - is also common in astrologers, especially in New Agers. The primary symptoms of this condition are the willingness to believe anything one hears or reads, and a tendency to use the word "ascension" in every other sentence. Epidemics have been reported in the Southwest United States. Recent studies have shown [ii] that it can only be passed from one person to another on the Internet or in a room where channelling is going on. We have found some scientists and skeptics with a reverse version of this virus in which Neptune is entirely missing, but I will leave that to a future article. Worldwide Search As I write, a fervent worldwide search is underway for the medical cause of the territorialism and power-grabbing so prominent in recent interactions between astrological
[i] A variant of SVDS has been shown to lead directly to road rage. This is the Double Mars Virus, more commonly known as DMV. [ii] There is no study. I made it up. © 1999 Fanny Flame - all fights preserved Triple Aries Fanny Flame is a 60-year veteran of the astrological wars. She is proud to be self-taught, and now teaches classes on how to teach yourself astrology. She earned the Medal of Slander at The Battle of Sidereal, and has written the bestselling books You Started It!, What's So Bad About Gloom and Doom, and It's Because You're a Pisces. Those outraged at this article may post a complaint on her new web site at: www.IfTheShoeFits.com/mefirst.html
During the course of May/June, it had come to our attention that the articles submitted for inclusion in Aspects Magazine by Pundit Roshan Singh as his own work, appear to be copied from other people's work without due credit for their intellectual property. We have contacted the authors of these articles to verify prior copyright for the works submitted. In order to maintain the honesty and ethics of our publication, we had removed the offending articles from the website pending the outcome of the investigation. The articles in question are: What is Vedic Astrology - Aries Edition Author : Satrajit Majumdar © Cyber Astro Pvt. Ltd http://www.cyberastro.com Vedic Astrology: What you Need to Know - Taurus Edition Author : Das Goravani - http://www.goravani.com The authors have graciously consented to allow Aspects to make the articles available on the website again with the correct accreditation. The PDF versions of the magazine will be corrected and re-uploaded to the website within the next couple of weeks. The Aspects Team would like to apologise for these errors and express their appreciation to the authors affected for their kindness and understanding in dealing with the issue.
Among most astrology groups, there seems to be an almost suicidal urge to discredit themselves through ill-conceived actions, immature behaviour, and a lack of any concerted research efforts. - Malcolm Dean page 21
Life is like bodysurfing: Most of the time, you're just standing there, waiting for the right wave to come; then when it does come, you have to hurl yourself into it at precisely the correct moment and ride it to shore. If you're a little too slow or a little too fast - or if it wasn't the right wave - you're left standing right where you were. Dr. Marc Edmund Jones came up with a simple technique that indicates whether a person is too slow, too fast, or just right in grabbing and riding the waves of life. [i] He called it "mental chemistry," and it is shown by the combination of two horoscope factors: 1. Whether the Moon is relatively slow or fast in its daily travel; 2. Whether Mercury rises before or after the Sun. The Moon's relative speed shows a native's perceptual capabilities: how a person processes information, whether his or her perceptions are alert (fast Moon) or deliberate (slow Moon). The Moon's daily travel is simply the difference between the Moon's longitude at midnight (or noon) Universal Time before birth and its longitude at midnight (or noon) UT after birth. Because this averages 13° 10' (13.37°) per day, we will define a native's perception to be alert if the Moon was moving faster than this on the day of birth - and deliberate, if the Moon was moving more slowly than this.
the cover of confusion. Where the alert types act like sharks, the deliberate types act like octopuses - hiding on the bottom and masking their intentions in a cloud of murk. In conflict, these individuals refuse to expose themselves but rather outwait their opponents, letting them make the errors. The other horoscope factor that makes up a person's mental chemistry is Mercury's position relative to the Sun at the moment of birth. If Mercury is located earlier than the Sun in the zodiac - so that, at dawn on the birthday, Mercury has already risen (is in the 12th house) - then the native's attitude is said to be eager. Whereas if Mercury is located later than the Sun in the zodiac - so that, at dawn on the birthday, Mercury is still beneath the horizon (in the 1st house) - then the native's attitude is said to be certain. (See Table below.) The difference here lies in how people categorize information, interpret it, and fit it into preconceived patterns, whether these be individualistic (eager) or conventional (certain). This is a process of reason or selfconsciousness rather than one of knee-jerk response. Mental Chemistry "Table of Elements" BODY
FACTOR
TYPE
Moon
Fast
Alert
(relative speed)
(moves more than 13° 10' in 24 hrs)
Slow In the words of Al H. Morrison: "The 'fast' Moon...scans rapidly with a wide-open search pattern. If there is anything going on, anything new or unfamiliar, anything different from expectation, it is instantly perceived. In a complex environment, as most social environments are, there are so many details and processes to notice that the 'fast' Moon native has his mind receiving an avalanche of input, fresh data." [ii] On the other hand, "Where the Moon is slow in its apparent motion, the native's perceptual capabilities are focused, or directed toward observing whatever the native is motivated to seek, or has been conditioned to pay attention to, or whatever he fears. Other information is simply not perceived, not observed. This leaves the mind relatively lightly burdened, with minimal input of perceived data to process." [iii] The Moon's speed, however, does not merely symbolize how fast information is gathered and processed; it also describes how people gather themselves together and gird themselves for action. The natives whose perceptions are alert move quickly to get on top of a situation: Their immediate impulse is to attack. They like things to be clear and definite and aboveboard, so they are nonplussed by subtleties. When they have a bee in their bonnet, they have no patience for any other point of view, nor are they interested in exploring possible consequences and ramifications - they don't even want to hear about such things. They move by impulse and instinct; they make up their minds immediately, and once their minds are made up, they cannot be budged or moved to reconsider. In conflict, they try to take their opponents by storm, to overwhelm them, to give them no space in which to move. Their actions and reactions are quick and decisive. In contrast, natives whose perceptions are deliberate move slowly and hesitatingly: Their immediate impulse is to draw back. They approach things by indirection, by outflanking the situation, by bogging things down and operating under
Deliberate
(moves less than 13° 10' in 24 hrs)
Mercury
Rises before the Sun
(relative to the Sun)
(earlier in the zodiac)
Rises after the Sun
Eager Certain
(later in the zodiac)
Note: When the Moon moves at, or very close to, average speed, the alert/deliberate distinction blurs; likewise, when Mercury is conjunct the Sun, the eager/certain distinction is of less importance. At these points, therefore, the Mental Chemistry technique is not as revealing as it is at the extremes. In the words of Leyla Rael, "The Epimethean [certain] Mercury type of person tends to react to life more cautiously and based on past experience (either his or her own personal experience or according to traditional, cultural patterns). But while such a person is at best thorough and objective, mentally free from many purely emotional prejudices, at worst he or she can cling almost obsessively to obsolescent ideologies or display a conservatism bordering on rigidity. The Promethean [eager] Mercury type of person tends to leap into life with his or her mental antennae fully extended to receive information. While such a person may be able to act based on a compelling inner vision of what is possible - and at best may be flexible, prophetic, and responsive to the needs of the moment - at worst he or she may be merely conniving, facile, and crafty, going this way or that according to his or her own advantage." [iv] Another way of saying this is that the "certain" natives need to be sure of themselves before they act - they need to feel that their actions will meet the approval of their social milieu. Thus, they are restrained and oriented toward goals and purposes. These natives interpret the world in terms of a guiding philosophy of social responsibility in which each member must do his or her own share, and they are scrupulous in observing their part of the bargain. They play
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the game by the rules - whatever they conceive those rules to be. They are wary and dutiful, and they put their faith in principle and obligation. The "eager" natives, on the other hand, are unrestrained and experimentative. They don't need any social authority to sanction their actions, but rather they follow their inclinations of the moment. They do what is expedient or convenient rather than what will be thought praiseworthy by others. They are optimistic and freewheeling and able to bounce right back whenever life slaps them down. The Mental Mix When there is a perceptive alertness combined with a rational certainty (fast Moon and Mercury rising after the Sun), then the native is quick to react but possesses a powerful governor on his or her impulses. An example of this alert-certain type is Abraham Lincoln: He was a shrewd and opportunistic politician, but his conscience and sense of responsibility for the consequences of his decisions made him a target for the radicals and extremists surrounding him. Contrariwise, when there is a perceptive deliberation combined with a rational eagerness (slow Moon and Mercury rising before the Sun), then the native is slow to react but possesses compensatory flexibility and adaptability. Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln as president, is a good example of this deliberate-eager type: He held fast to his principles in complete isolation but always managed to come out on top - first, as the only Southerner to remain in the U.S. Senate after the secession of the Southern states and, later, by successfully defending himself against a trumped-up impeachment.
become flustered, and the deliberate-certain types become obstinate. In either case, these unbalanced natives tend to fall out of synchronization with the speed of their environment: Alert-eager natives move too fast, and deliberate-certain natives move too slow - their suggestions and actions are inappropriate. Whereas the balanced types have self-control or an instantaneous analysis that reacts to sudden changes by stiffening to attention, the unbalanced types tend to either overreact or underreact - alternating between overweening cockiness and fierce indignation - with no middle ground of calm discernment. Thus, they tend to waste their energies in ineffectual posturing and are more interested in proving something or making an impression than working with other people. These natives are too set in their manner of being, too wrapped up in their own self-images, too self-satisfied, to make allowances for changing conditions or different types of people - they don't really know how to interact. So, they tend to be escapists - to obsess over a niggling sense of personal privilege - rather than effectively deal with the realities of the situations and relationships in which they find themselves. John Brown 9 May 1800 3:00 a.m. LMT Torrington, CT USA
In both of these cases, there is a healthy balance between the perceptual and rational faculties: These natives are able to resolutely hold their ground in the face of confusion and to marshal their resources effectively to deal with situations as they arise. They are able to grapple directly with the problems of life and to take things as they come - to recognize which waves are the right waves and to know when to hold back and when to jump forward. But when perceptive alertness combines with rational eagerness - fast Moon (alert) and Mercury rising before the Sun (eager) - or when perceptive deliberation combines with rational certainty - slow Moon (deliberate) and Mercury rising after the Sun (certain), then the perceptual and rational faculties are out of balance. Natives of these types are easily thrown off their stride or confounded by situations requiring quick decisions. They don't really pay attention to what is going on around them, but rather only to their own reactions. The alert-eager types
Placidus Sunrise Chart
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In the words of Dr. Jones, "When the effective set of mind ... shows the combination of rational eagerness and perceptive alertness, the life is usually characterized by an altogether unnecessary impatience. The native is inclined to stumble over his own toes most of the time, and he is apt to end up with actions and associations that not only fail to fulfill their promise but often handicap him very seriously by exhausting every potentiality of his make-up."[v] Basically, what happens is that these natives are overly intense and pushy. They tend to blow minor issues out of all proportion and, conversely, to trivialize matters of the greatest urgency and seriousness. They run around in circles and don't get anywhere. They set up a myriad of compulsive routines and are greatly annoyed whenever these are challenged or abrogated by circumstances. They have a fitful, flighty energy that is never comfortable or in repose; they are constantly fluttering and fussing about, making this or that unnecessary adjustment to the environment, to arrange everything neatly so that they can finally relax - but of course, they rarely do. They are constantly preparing for a future that never comes.
They delight in phlegmatic wrongheadedness, in controlling things by being in no particular hurry. They make good diplomats, because they are willing to spend years holding out for the precise shape of the conference table or the order of seating around it. They are more concerned with form and decorum than with substantive issues. They tend to confuse indifference with disinterest, obduracy with strength, stodgy pride with nobility of spirit. They will not budge an inch from their inflated sense of dignity and righteousness until they are completely overwhelmed by events, and then their responses are usually too little, too late. They tend to be preoccupied with self-congratulations, gloating with smug pride over a past that never happened. William Jennings Bryan 19 March 1860 9:15 am LMT Salem, IL USA
"Chemical" Imbalance John Brown affords an extreme example of the alert-eager type (see Chart on the previous page): His natal Moon was very fast (15° 13' per day), and his Mercury was six days from Greatest Western Elongation, which is as far from the Sun on the "eager" side as it can get (earlier in the zodiac). [vi] Brown was a rabid abolitionist and the instigator of the Potawatomi massacre in Kansas, where many innocent people were killed; he then led an abortive attack on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, aimed at fomenting a slave insurrection. John Brown, likely more than any other single person, made any last-minute reconciliation impossible between the North and South. He pushed an already strained situation beyond the point of no return: "The John Brown raid had jangled Southern nerves fatally. It started a chain of hysteria like the 'great fear' of 1789 in the French Revolution. Rumors of slave insurrection popped up on every side … Extremists on both sides whipped up hostile sentiment between sections." [vii] The alert-eager types are not so much ignorant of consequences as they are contemptuous of them. They shoot from the hip, push things to the limit, and stampede other people with their impatient absolutism. In contrast, consider the opposite unbalanced type. According to Dr. Jones, "When the reason demands a continual certainty and the perceptivity tends to be deliberate, the individual is apt to withdraw within himself to an extent that hardly is to his interest and perhaps indeed to slip off into altogether abnormal practices and points of view." [viii] Such deliberate-certain natives are perverse and contrary.
Placidus Sunrise Chart
William Jennings Bryan (see Chart above) provides a very extreme example of the deliberate-certain type: His natal Moon was very slow (11° 47' per day), and natal Mercury was three days past Greatest Eastern Elongation, which is as far from the Sun on the "certain" side as it can get (later in the zodiac). Bryan is principally remembered today as a thrice unsuccessful presidential candidate and the butt of defense attorney Clarence Darrow's ridicule during the famous Scopes Monkey Trial; however, Bryan championed many Populist causes that were later adopted. Still, in typical deliberate-certain style, he tended to look back rather than forward. Although he was well versed in the Bible, he was ignorant of many other topics - particularly economics, his supposed specialty.
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In Theodore Roosevelt's words, Bryan represented "a kind of rural Toryism, which wishes to attempt the impossible task of returning to the economic conditions that obtained sixty years ago." [ix] Historian Richard Hofstadter points out that Bryan's problem as a politician was that, despite his brilliance in focusing the popular sentiment of the times, he always followed behind his public rather than leading it. [x]
[v] Jones, The Essentials of Astrological Analysis, p. 383.
What counsel can astrology give to these "unbalanced" natives? This is not a terrible affliction, nor is it uncommon - half of all horoscopes are "unbalanced." These natives are likely quite content with exactly how they are. They may seek respect more than effectiveness or economy of action. This counsel is directed more toward the "balanced" half of the population who might wonder how to understand and deal with the unbalanced types. The alert-eager natives need to have their quirks indulged; learn to tolerate their little obsessions and prerogatives - that is, be as alert as they are and thus avoid their tripwires. Conversely, the deliberate-certain types require a lack of bother or hurry a patience greater than their own. This will prove to them that you mean business and thus win them over. In either case, you can get the unbalanced natives' attention and cooperation by outdoing them at their own games: giving them the respect they need, so that they feel comfortable and can open up and relax into a situation or relationship. Dealing with the unbalanced types is a good spiritual lesson in flexibility and agility - exactly the qualities needed to catch life's waves and ride them rather than get thrashed by them.
[vii] Samuel Eliot Morison, The Oxford History of the American People, New York: Oxford University Press, 1965, p. 605.
[vi] "Elongation" is the apparent angular distance of a planet (east or west) from its center of motion, the Sun. Mercury's greatest elongation from the Sun is only about 28°, but at times, the maximum can be as little as 18°. For a complete explanation of the elongations, conjunctions, and stations of Mercury in the natal, progressed, and transiting horoscopes, see Bob Makransky, Thought Forms, available from http://www.dearbrutus.com/
[viii] Jones, The Essentials of Astrological Analysis, p. 383. [ix] Theodore Roosevelt, as quoted in Morison, The Oxford History of the American People, p. 812. [x] Richard Hofstadter, The American Political Tradition and the Men Who Made It, New York: Vintage Books, 1989 (originally published in 1948). Bob Makransky started out as a systems analyst and computer programmer and has been studying astrology for 30 years. He is the author of Primary Directions (1988), a treatise on celestial sphere mathematics and house division, and Thought Forms (2000), an explanation of the theory and practice of magic from an astrological point of view. Bob lives on a farm in the highlands of Guatemala and runs a small resort hotel, which also offers instruction in channeling, conducting past life regressions, and working with nature spirits. He is available for astrological consultations at: http://www.dearbrutus.com/
© 2001 Bob Makransky – all rights reserved First published in Mountain Astrologer :Au8g/Sep 2001 Chart Data and Sources (Note: The author's delineations herein are not birth-time sensitive; sources should agree only on the date and place of birth.) Abraham Lincoln, February 12, 1809; 7:13 a.m. LMT; Hodgenville, KY (37°N34', 85°W44'); DD: M. E. Jones, The Scope of Astrological Prediction, p. 173 (according to the midwife, the birth occurred "about sunup"); other sources give different times. Andrew Johnson, December 29, 1808; 12:35 a.m. LMT; Raleigh, NC (35°N46', 78°W38'); C: Caution, accuracy in question; Circle Book of Charts quotes Doane's Horoscopes of the U.S. Presidents. Karum writes in AO-Science, Fall 1942: "Born at night, after the ball," from a biography by R. W. Winston. John Brown, May 9, 1800; 3:00 a.m. LMT; Torrington, CT (41°N48', 73°W07'); DD: Penfield; Old File has 6:45 p.m. William Jennings Bryan, March 19, 1860; 9:15 a.m. LMT; Salem, IL (38°N37', 88°W56'); B: Dewey quotes Star of the Magi; attending physician Dr. Hill gives "a little after 9 in the morning." Sabian Symbols No. 148 gives 9:04 a.m. References and Notes [i] Dr. Marc Edmund Jones, The Essentials of Astrological Analysis, Stanwood, WA: Sabian Publishing Society, 1970, pp. 382 ff.
www.AstrologersApprentice.co.za is a website dedicated to chronicle the journey of novice astrologers as they venture into the fascinating world of Astrology. A scratch pad to share your ideas, thoughts or questions with your fellow novice astrologers. Share your passion for Astrology at www.AstrologersApprentice.co.za All submissions are welcome! And if there’s something specific you’d like information on, I’ll see what I can do to get it for you. Contact Yolande on 082 610 3261 or
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[ii] Al H. Morrison, "The Hankar Crystal," in The Astrological Review, Vol. 44, No. 1 (Spring/Summer 1972), p. 24. [iii] Ibid. [iv] Leyla Rael, "Discover Your Problem-Solving Style," in Dell Horoscope magazine, December 1978, p. 49.
Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. - Samual Ullman page 25
If one were to view the chart as a stage, the planets would be the actors and the aspects between them would be the dialogue. As if we didn’t have enough on our plates with interpreting the spider web of interaction between the various planets there are an additional 4 considerations that can and do influence the tone and loudness of the conversations they’re having. Those considerations can be broken down into two pairs: · Applying and Separating · Waxing and Waning Most of us are familiar with the classification of an aspect as applying or separating. To whit: an applying aspects has a dynamic, immature, expectant feel where a lot of energy is expended, while a separating aspect feels mature, wiser and complete, where the focus is on energy conservation and resting. What about the waxing & waning? There isn’t a whole lot of information available on this - a Google search only brings up a couple of results - mostly just a mention of the nature of the aspect in someone’s interpretation. But, no real explanation of what it actually means. So, what I have is: Waxing - you are learning, it requires effort and a need to be pro-active; Waning - you are coming home, you are in a closing down stage and reactive. It doesn’t give you much to work with when trying to tease out the differences in how the aspect would play out in the native’s life. There are 4 possible combinations that the aspect can exhibit (see illustration chart): 1 - Applying Waxing 2 - Separating Waxing 3 - Applying Waning 4 - Separating Waning
MC
Waxing
B 10°
Asc
x 08° x 12°
1
4
2
3
12° X 08° X
Desc
To get a feel for each of the conditions, consider the parallel to going on a journey: Applying Waxing Aspect You’re about to embark on a new experience and the excitement is palpable. You’re running around all over the place, checking and rechecking everything to make sure that you’re prepared. Your expectations are high and you’re looking forward to the journey. Separating Waxing Aspect You’re a couple of weeks into the new experience and while you’re still learning and it requires effort in order to keep going, you have realised that you need to be more conservative with the expenditure of energy. You’ll need to be able to stay the distance in order to complete the journey. You have become wiser and more mature but you remain pro-active. Applying Waning Aspect You’ve passed the half way mark and you’ve reached the downhill stretch of the journey. You’re not as excited about the experience anymore. You’re used to it; it’s nothing new. You’re no longer pro-active. The realisation that the end is in sight has you purposefully forging ahead to reach your destination - using a lot of energy. Separating Waning Aspect You’ve reached your destination, you’ve achieved your goal and you have arrived. Now it’s just a question of unpacking your luggage, putting your feet up and contemplating the experience. You can now say ‘Been there, done that and have the T-shirt’. Now is the time to conserve your energy and rest for the next journey. There is another way to look at this: · Applying Waxing - pro-active energy expenditure - spring: nature is actively putting a lot of energy into the new growth. Everything is fresh and new, immature. · Separating Waxing - pro-active energy conservation summer: nature puts on its full glorious display of colour in order to facilitate pro-creation. Yet, there is a conservation of energy, as this needs to go into the production of the fruit, and the fruit is the storage of energy for the seeds to mature. · Applying Waning - reactive energy expenditure - autumn: The fruit is maturing, storing up energy to feed the seed it houses. This is a time of harvesting, a reactive expenditure of energy in order to bring the fruits of your labour into storage. · Separating Waning - reactive energy conservation winter: everything has died back to the bare minimum to survive and lies fallow. Energy expenditure is at an all time low - everything is in hibernation until the new growth of spring. It helps, somewhat, but not that much. Suddenly, I remember reading something in one of John Frawley’s books:
Waning
IC
Generally the more light the moon has - the closer to full the stronger it is and so more able it is to act. It is also stronger if it is increasing in light (moving from new to full Moon) [waxing] than if it is decreasing in light (moving from full to new) [waning]. [my comments] [i]
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If this is the case for the Moon, wouldn’t it to some extent be applicable to the other planets as well? Therefore, one could argue that a waxing aspect would in some way be one where the planets are more able to act out the dynamics of the aspect, while a waning aspect would be an inhibitory one. Combine that with a pro-active energetic or reactive conservation frame of mind and it starts to come alive a bit more. A bit of further investigation into my (admittedly limited) library of astrological literature, I came across the following: The effects of aspects are always stronger when they are applying and weaken considerably as they separate. … It should be remembered that a planet applying at a distance of, let us say, 7 degrees to a major aspect will be much stronger in its effects than one separating by 7 degrees. [ii] So putting all of the above into play we’ve got: · Applying Waxing : Strong, ability to act out dynamic · Separating Waxing : Weak, ability to act out dynamic · Applying Waning : Strong, inhibited to act out dynamic · Separating Waning : Weak, inhibited to act out dynamic So now we have a whole bunch of thoughts, ideas and keywords for teasing out the dynamics of an aspect within a native’s chart, based on the 4 conditions. Here’s where the crunch comes in - how to apply all of this within an actual interpretation. The differences are subtle. So let’s try it out on Alan Oken’s cook book interpretation of Mercury square Mars - how can we rephrase the interpretation to take the condition into account? First the baseline - Mercury square Mars Communication challenges Personal Drive. This square gives the compulsion to speak one’s mind. Such natives may talk so much that it is easy to lose track of what has been said, so that constant repetition results. This aspect often characterizes a nervous and unstable mind with a sharp tongue. The Chatterbox. [iii] Mercury making an applying waxing square to Mars: Natives with this square are constantly talking; they never shut up. We’re looking at a particularly strong compulsion to speak their minds at every opportunity. They don’t necessarily have a lot to say, but what they’re saying is rooted in a strong conviction that they’re invariably right and this is repeated over and over. They can suffer from classic foot-in-mouth disease as their thoughts run away with them and they speak before engaging their brain - they tend to be tactless. The Gossip
Mercury making an applying waning square to Mars: Natives with this square have a strong compulsion to speak their minds, but they tend to be inhibited in actually voicing it. They prefer to be reactive rather than pro-active and can be drawn out into an argument without much effort, especially if you challenge their intelligence or their convictions - they will vociferously defend both, expending a lot of energy in the process. The Reactionary Mercury making a separating waning square to Mars: It is quite difficult to get a rise out of natives with this square in their chart as it’s just too much effort and energy to actively defend their ideas. They speak their minds when moved to do so. They have learnt to navigate the minefield of social niceties and rarely stick their foot in it - unless seriously provoked. They tend to have a pessimistic outlook and are sceptical of ideas that fall outside of their accepted parameters. The Cynic And just as I thought I’m getting to grips with all of this, I come across the following: Waxing aspects are aspects where the fastest planet is pulling away from the slower planet. These aspects refer to personal “activity”. Waning Aspects are those where the faster planet is approaching the slower planet. These aspects refer to personal “ideas”. [iv] So how does the difference between Personal Activity and Personal Ideas change the dynamic of the dialogue? I’ll leave that to some other intrepid apprentice to follow up on. PS: As always, you can send your thoughts, ideas and feedback to
[email protected]. References and Notes: [i] John Frawley, The Horary Textbook, London, Apprentice Books, 2005 - p64 [ii] Alan Oken, Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology, New York, Bantam Books, 1998 - p394 [iii] Ibid - p 414 [iv] Myrna Lofthus, A Spiritual Approach to Astrology, Canada, CRCS Publications - p 248 Yolande Korsten is a novice astrologer studying her diploma at the Thorburn School of Astrology. With Pluto conjunct her Asc in Libra, her intense passion for all things astrological is focused on the impact it has on a person’s ability to create positive transformation in their lives. You can contact her by email on
[email protected], by phone on 082 610 3261 or visit www.AstrologersApprentice.co.za
Mercury making a separating waxing square to Mars: Natives with this square tend to speak their mind more often than not. You don’t have to wonder about what they’re thinking as it tends to spill over into speech without too much of a delay. They have learned to edit their thoughts before voicing them. Affecting a mental superiority complex, they wield sarcasm as the ultimate in witty repartee. They have the courage of their convictions to back them up and don’t particularly mind if others disagree with them; they’ll simply talk faster in order to drown out the competition. The Wit.
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[email protected].
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A female tiger. She is magnificent, powerful. We treat her with respect, awe. She can hurt, but we are allowed to stroke her. She is surrounded by a round enclosure, trapped. A number of male cats come in and rape her. She is covered in blood after the second attack. After, she is left encaged, her heart destroyed. Anyone who approaches her is met by a terrible, hateful, warning snarl. She is dangerous, ferocious, destructive, defensive. Why is one of such a royal upbringing led to this fate? Thus Lilith entered my dreams. One of the dark goddesses, like Persephone, Hecate, and Kali, Lilith expresses the feminine power of the divine, creative life force. If we follow the mythological trail of these dark goddesses back in time to find the source of their darkness and negativity, we discover not only the possibility of a major shift in the collective human image of the feminine, but also some deep undercurrent of unease that needs to be acknowledged and healed in our personal lives. Lilith first appeared in Sumerian mythology about 5,000 years ago. As "handmaid" to the Goddess Inanna, Queen of Heaven, she would gather men in from the fields for the sacred rites. In another Sumerian story, Lilith lives in the sacred huluppu tree that Inanna has planted in her holy garden, accompanied by the snake who cannot be charmed and the wild Anzu-bird and her young. These creatures are part of Lilith's untamed nature and have knowledge to give Inanna, who is not yet ready to accept it. So Inanna calls in her brother, Gilgamesh, to cut down the tree. The serpent is killed, the Anzu-bird and its family fly off to the mountains, and Lilith departs for the wilderness. [i] This story may be the foundation of the most well-known Hebrew myth of Lilith as the first wife of Adam. According to one version of the story, Yahweh creates both Adam and Lilith from earth, but with one important difference: he uses impure sediments to create Lilith, whereas Adam has been fashioned from pure dust. Because of this, Adam expects Lilith to be submissive to him, but, claiming equality, she will not be put beneath him and flies away to lifelong exile near the Red Sea, where she mates with evil spirits and bears scores of demonic children. Meanwhile, Yahweh again tries to create a partner for Adam, this time taking one of his ribs and turning it into Eve - now she is a creation from Adam and not one in her own right, like Lilith. Myth has it that the jealousy and rage generated by Adam's rejection motivate Lilith to come in the night for her revenge, strangling babies and giving men wet dreams to sap their strength. Amulets were worn to ward her off. [ii]
Another figure in Hebrew mythology is the Shekinah, God's Beloved, known as Sophia in Gnostic Christianity. She is the Wisdom principle, a feminine aspect of divinity. [iii] Later Christians came to call her the Holy Ghost. I see Lilith as the "lower" Shekinah, the root of the tree that seeks sustenance in the soil, while Sophia is the sky-reaching branches and fruits. As the Judeo-Christian religions elevated the masculine aspect of divinity, they de-spiritualized material, sensual reality. The "lower" Shekinah became unclean, unholy. The Hebrews had infiltrated the Sumerian and Babylonian lands, where they became familiar with the Venusian goddesses Inanna and Astarte. These goddesses were celebrated as embodiments of love in a sacred marriage ritual between their priestesses and kings. In these cultures, as well as the Celtic culture, it was the goddess who gave the king his power through her love and special favors, but the cultural transition to masculine gods made these love rites blasphemous. However, the sacred marriage comes down to us even in the Bible, as Solomon's Song of Songs. [iv] This Biblical material was incorporated into a play created by Vermont's Dragon Dance Theater, which is based on the Sumerian myth of Inanna. I played Lilith, creating a character to give voice to my dream and to the pain of the female vital life force betrayed and suppressed, now to be acknowledged and redeemed. I blended material from my dreams, the Biblical Song of Songs, the Gnostic Gospels, and other sources. From this work I learned that Lilith is the Tree of Life, offering true wisdom rather than ego-fed knowledge. She may offer direct experience of wisdom if we can flow with her beyond our fears from the past, beyond our fear of the unknown, beyond even our fear of death. Working with this Dragon Dance material for eight months was a profound experience that illuminated other facets of my life and relationships, luring me into deeper aspects of my unknown self. This creative work provided a way to process an inner and outer transformation that brought the recognition of some darker emotions, as well as more authentic action from my personal center, a more full expression of sexuality, and the clarification of appropriate levels of intimacy in relationships. It became clear that Lilith challenges both women and men to connect with their instinctive passion for life, for this natural force turns destructive when it is denied, unfulfilled, caged, or exiled. I still give voice to Lilith in the form of a dramatic monologue. The intriguing circumstances that occur whenever I present this piece continue to open me to her timeless mysteries. The Three Liliths Astrologically, there are three Liliths and you need three different ephemerides to find them. She doesn't make it easy. These include the Asteroid Lilith, found orbiting in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter; the controversial Dark Moon Lilith, said to be the Earth's second Moon by those who have claimed to see it over the last four centuries; and Black Moon Lilith, an abstract, geometrical point in space (see diagram next page). ASTEROID LILITH Asteroid #1181 bears Lilith's name and orbits around the Sun approximately every four years. I think of the femalenamed asteroids as aspects of the Great Goddess, and
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Lilith is one of the most ancient. The asteroid seems to represent split-off, demonized aspects of the feminine, the result of long-standing cultural projections that perceive feminine roles and attributes as shameful, untrustworthy, and dangerous. Our personal Lilith placement may show where we struggle with social judgments that define how the feminine qualities should be expressed in order to "fit in." These cultural projections define us, but are not us. Here we may not be seen clearly. A prominent Asteroid Lilith in the birth chart may indicate a person who does not fit the cultural stereotype, leading to some kind of exile from the community. One woman with the asteroid on her Ascendant has a dark, gloomy visage and her straggly hair adds an unkempt look. She does not speak much and is uncomfortable in social situations. She lives simply in the country and works best in the outdoors. This woman could not and would not conform to social expectations. The symbol for Asteroid Lilith is a stylized hand that signals warning, greeting, or blessing. [v] Perhaps it is how we approach her that will determine what this hand gesture means. In the classic book, Asteroid Goddesses, Lilith is described as signifying resentment and inner rage; she sets herself apart, flies into exile. She is fiercely independent. She refuses to submit to the assumed authority of another or to compromise her beliefs. Lilith asks us to deal with confrontation and issues of equality in relationship. Her asteroid ephemeris can also be found in this book. [vi] DARK MOON LILITH Some say there is a second Moon circling Earth, a mysterious dark moon that is only seen on rare dates when it is opposite the Sun or when its shadowy silhouette crosses in front of the Sun. Although its existence has not been verified, those astronomers who claim to have viewed it say it is one-fourth the size of our familiar Moon and three times as far away.[vii] It takes 119 days to orbit Earth, about ten days per sign. This is Dark Moon Lilith. Supposedly sighted as long ago as 1618, this body came to broader attention through the work of astrologer Sepharial in 1918, and more recently through the writings of Delphine Jay, who also published an ephemeris for the Dark Moon Lilith. [viii]
Black Moon Lilith is defined by the Moon’s Orbit around the Earth Moon Earth Lunar Perigee
Lunar Apogee Empty Focus (Black Moon)
The Moon’s elliptical orbit around the Earth is shown here (not to scale.) Every ellipse has two points of focus. Earth is one of them. The other point, which always aligns with the lunar apogee as seen from Earth, is Black Moon Lilith.
Like a dust cloud, Dark Moon Lilith absorbs the light into itself, a very different process from that of our Sun-reflecting Moon. Whereas the reflective Moon represents personal, subjective feelings, the Dark Moon represents a primal, impersonal, creative instinct that seeks identification apart from the physical and emotional realms. According to Delphine Jay's research, the effect of Dark Moon Lilith is distinctly impersonal. When her expression is self-centered, she can be quite negative; when the emotional content is directed to higher centers, she enhances creative, mental, aesthetic, and even spiritual expression. "Lilith strictly symbolizes the objective thinking approach. Anything else is unsuccessful." [ix] The Dark Moon position is where we must grow beyond our habitual patterns of our early Moon conditioning in order to remember the ancient exaltation of our true spiritual parentage. BLACK MOON LILITH Perhaps the most subtle and intriguing of the three Liliths, Black Moon is not a physical body but an abstract, geometrical point, like the Ascendant or the Vertex. Because the Moon's path around the Earth is elliptical, as opposed to circular, it has two foci, or centers, the Earth being one and Black Moon Lilith the other. We can also describe this point as the apogee of the Moon's orbit - the place where it is farthest from Earth. The center of gravity between the Earth and Moon is inside the Earth. As part of the Earth-Moon system, Black Moon is a point or energetic vortex intimately bound to the center of the Earth. Within this context, Lilith is a twin to the core energy of the Earth, the deep heart of fire that feeds and sustains our bodies and the body of the Earth. The creative vitality of the Sun gives life to the Earth and fuels this central core fire. As a centerpoint of the Moon's orbit, Black Moon Lilith works in relationship with the Earth-Moon system and with the Sun. As a second center of reference, she gives a sense of rhythm to the Earth, taking the dynamics of relationship beyond the personal Moon-Venus energies into more subtle dimensions that are essential to our lives. For this reason Black Moon Lilith has a strong impact on relationship dynamics. Representing the closest reach of the Moon to the Sun, she is also a reference point in our personal lives that brings us into relationship with the heart of our Sunfueled experience on Earth, an emotional intelligence informed by the wisdom of earthy instinct. Since our culture has lost - even rejected, as Lilith was rejected - this kind of natural wisdom, it is more difficult to tap into and trust it. Relationships that carry the Lilith energy are initiatory, soulto-soul meetings that open into a deeper center where personal and impersonal experience merge. Can we trust this energy that is unraveling our edges, tapping into such a deep well? Can we trust ourselves? The Black Moon point is where we are lured into our more self-centered illusions for the purpose of purging negative desires, thereby leading us to the deeper truth within our hearts, the longings and yearnings of our souls. She insists that we feel through, let go, and surrender to something essential and transparent in us that is primary - the bedrock beneath the shifting sands, the passion of the soul.
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Mean or True? Like the Moon's nodes, Black Moon Lilith has both Mean and True positions, and the difference between them can be significant, even up to 30 degrees. I understand that most Europeans use the Mean Black Moon. Of course Lilith can be Mean, but I think she is also True. In her True position, she moves very quickly - up to 6 degrees per day - and retrogrades often. I will have to do more research before speculating on the meanings of these two positions. Sabian symbols are one way to start. For now, I propose considering a Black Moon corridor, using the section of the zodiac encompassed by the True-Mean section of the chart. For some people Lilith would cover a larger territory, sometimes even expressing through two signs, with transiting planets making a longer passage. Others, with a narrow band of Lilith influence, may have a more focused, intensified experience of her energies. Triple Goddess Lilith I find the three Liliths intriguing as a mirror of the triple goddess. Essentially Tantric, Lilith transforms energy to higher octaves. Her impersonal energy opens transparent areas of the mind, not clouded by the weight of collective judgment or the limitations of ego identity. The three aspects vibrate at different frequencies and open channels to clear and spiritualize the emotional body. Dark Moon has the fastest orbital cycle, like clouds passing across the face of the Sun. It represents highly individualized soul desires that are denied satisfaction on a personal level in favor of a higher expression of social and spiritual values. Asteroid Lilith is the most embodied Lilith, and signifies repressed elements, often relating to sexuality, anger, and assertion, that require full, embodied expression. Black Moon is an energy vortex that cuts through the veils of illusion with the sword of truth. Its orbital cycle of eight years and ten months correlates with the Moon's nodal cycles and has a similar karmic impact. I have been working with all three Liliths in charts to discover how they work together to evoke this deep, dark, mysterious realm of soul. Much work is yet to be done with such new material, but what I have seen so far is quite provocative. Astro-mythologist Demetra George suggests that, although each Lilith contains the entire symbolic meaning of the archetype, each one may also represent different phases of her mythology, in which "the cycle of our Lilith experience is initiated by the asteroid Lilith, developed by the Dark Moon Lilith, and completed by the Black Moon Lilith." [xi] I believe this is a good initial approach. Personal life stories will show the intertwining of the three with unique individual coloring. I've learned a lot from my own experience. I have Asteroid Lilith in Scorpio on my 4th-house cusp. I associate this placement with memories of my mother, a Scorpio, muttering darkly under her breath in the kitchen. It is after cocktail hour and she is cooking while my father calls out instructions from the living room. This inherited, soul-damaging image of the feminine has haunted me in my search for full expression of my feelings and mutual respect in relationships. I have Dark Moon Lilith in the 4th house, very close to the 5th-house cusp and conjunct Chiron and Sun in Sagittarius. During a New Moon eclipse that fell on this point in my
chart, my young son died. The eclipse was conjunct his Sun as well. In earlier times, Lilith was known as a childkiller, her revenge for having had her own children taken away. In the Middle East, amulets were worn to ward off her danger. I had to face and give voice, again and again, to the guilt, emptiness, and release within me that was so deeply stirred by this death. This is when I first began to speak for the Dark Goddess through writing and performance. In another version of her story, Lilith takes children out of this dark, lower world and returns them to the Lord. I came to know my son's death as an initiation, even a gift. One of my male clients had a fascinating Lilith encounter that helped to transform his experience of life. He has Dark Moon Lilith conjunct an Aries Sun and square Black Moon Lilith, Mars, and Juno in Capricorn. He often confided that he felt emotionally abused by his wife over several years of their marriage. One night he dreamt that a 15-foot scorpion emerged from her vagina, which prompted intensive therapy where he worked through what he called "a murderous rage." Inner visions then revealed the Divine Mother with many faces giving birth to a huge star-like egg. This new and healing female archetype transformed his emotional body, "enabling me to hold the whole," to delight in the "erotic, creative, juicy life force, beyond judgment." A Fourth Lilith? On yet another frequency, and to leave you with a tantalizing thought, as Lilith would, I'd like to mention the possibility of a fourth Lilith. The star Algol in the constellation Perseus has a reputation as the most evil star in the sky. Most often envisioned as the Eye or Head of Medusa, Algol was also called Lilith by Hebrew star watchers.[xii] Such an Eye perceives "with an objectivity like that of nature itself and our dreams, boring into the soul to find the naked truth, to see reality beneath all its myriad forms and the illusions and defenses it displays." [xiii] Lilith indeed. All the better to see you with, my dear. You can read Kelley's Lilith Monologue on http://www.mountainastrologer.com/lilithmono.html © 1999 M. Kelley Hunter - all rights reserved Kelley Hunter has studied the sky as a professional astrologer, mythologist, and amateur astronomer for over 30 years. She was co-founder of the Roots of Astrology experiential conferences, which were held in Vermont for several years. With degrees in Drama and Depth Psychology, she has counselled and taught adult students at Norwich University and other colleges. In addition to astrological consultations, she now offers a correspondence mentorship program in the language of astrology. Kelley is co-author of the book, Astrology for Women. Contact her at P.O. Box 37, St. John, USVI 00831; 1-888-7ALTAIR, or
[email protected]
We suspect that all known ephemerides for the Black Moon Lilith are now out of print. A book entitled Asteroid Ephemeris 1900-2050, with daily positions for the four principal asteroids, Chiron, and both True and Mean Black Moon Liliths, was released by San Diego's ACS Publications in May 1999. Computer software Solar Fire and Janus feature the Mean Black Moon, and the Win*Star program calculates the True Black Moon.
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References and Notes
Sun Enters Cancer - Ingress June 21 at 14:27
[i] Diane Wolkstein and Samuel N. Kramer, Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth, New York, NY: Harper and Row, 1983.
Expression of self is creatively conveyed through emotion. Levels of vitality are dependent on moods and are very difficult to maintain. Go ahead and nurture those sensitive mothering qualities, not only for the cosmic family (that of course being human kind), but for the self as well.
[ii] Barbara Koltuv, The Book of Lilith, York Beach, ME: NicolasHays, Inc., 1986. [iii] Ibid.
Jupiter square Saturn June 22
[iv] "The Song of Solomon," The Holy Bible, King James Edition. [v] J. Lee Lehman and Al H. Morrison, Ephemeris of Lilith, New York, NY: CAO Times, 1980. This is probably no longer in print. [vi] Demetra George with Douglas Bloch, Asteroid Goddesses, San Diego, CA: ACS Publications, 1986, pp. 301-320. [vii] For more details regarding these sightings, see Delphine Jay, Interpreting Lilith, Tempe, Arizona: AFA, 1981. [viii] Delphine Jay, The Lilith Ephemeris, Tempe, Arizona: AFA, 1983. [ix] Delphine Jay, Interpreting Lilith, pp. 13-14. [x] Susan Griffin, Unremembered Country, Townsend, WA: Copper Canyon Press, 1987. [xi] Demetra George, Asteroid Goddesses, pp. 301-320. [xii] Bernadette Brady, Brady's Book of Fixed Stars, York Beach, ME: Samuel Weiser, 1998. [xiii] Sylvia Perera, Descent to the Goddess, Toronto: Inner City Books, 1981, p. 32. [Editor's Note:
Actions may show a lack of courage, which comes from a tendency to compare your own abilities to the skills of others, believing that you are less competent. Faith is the greatest ally when nothing seems to work, it will sustain you and assure you that your goals are achievable if you only trust. Venus enters Gemini - Ingress June 24 at 02:32 Affection is articulated verbally, cleverly, lightly and playfully. Venus is now attracted to changeable curiosity, talkativeness and friendliness. No point in cementing lasting relationships, a need for variety and constant new stimuli might prove to be a distraction! Mercury enters Leo - Ingress June 28 ay 21:58 Communication is coloured by a sense of drama, humour and creative flair. On the reflective side, the ego’s involvement with the thinking process can obliterate objectivity and limit flexibility and the retention of facts. Mercury Retrograde - Ingress July 4 at 21:34 - Direct July 29 at 02:41 In retrograde the planet of intellect is already less inclined to objectivity, moving from Leo into Cancer (July 10th) a water sign causing information to be highly subjective. No matter how factual we think we are, the filter of feelings tends to bend reality in a way that’s harder for others to understand. Jupiter Direct - Retrograde since 6 March 2006 Hidden treasures are revealed with Jupiter in Scorpio. Unpleasant secrets may be divulged especially for Scorpios (but then nothing is more healing than a heartfelt confession of past sins). Honesty can transform even the most embarrassing revelations from deep dark deficits into copious assets. Venus enters Cancer - Ingress July 19 at 21:42 There is a need to nurture and be nurtured, to feel part of a family in order to be comfortable. The ‘goddess’ herself becomes rather sensitive and can be easily hurt. With a dignified exterior she will hide behind her vulnerability, not revealing her sensitivity and pain. Demonstrative affection will comfort her and reveal a sense of security. Cindy Lubner has been involved in her Spiritual walk since she was 8 years old. She has studied many therapies, including Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Shiatsu, Chakra cleansing, Feng Shui, Numerology and her heart’s desire Astrology. Presently Events co-ordinator of the ASSA Committee she hopes to be a part of the progressive path of taking South African Astrology to new dimensions. You can contact her on
[email protected] or 082 563 666.
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Last month we dismantled John Lennon’s natal chart astrologically by noting all the facts, this month we are on an interpretation mission, so fetch Gemini’s ASPECTS before we start! Elementally we know that John’s chart has a high earth and low water count, which would have made him very practically minded with little need to be overly emotional BUT Mercury is a singleton in Water. This means that he will focus most of his energy through the mental (Mercury)/ emotional (water) function - quite fitting, for the person that wrote at least 50%, if not more, of The Beatles’ lyrics and music. When considering only the Sun, Moon and Asc we see someone who is Air and Fire dominant therefore he would need to express himself in a passionately intellectual way. John’s chart has a lack of mutability so we also know that we are dealing with someone who is stubborn, determined (high fixed) and able to initiate things (high cardinal). However, Venus is another singleton (the only personal planet in a mutable sign) as a result John might overcompensate in the Venusian department, which explains his artistic expression well. John’s Aries Asc makes Mars in Libra (in detriment) in the 6th house his chart ruler. We immediately realise that this placement would show a conflict between himself (Aries Asc) and others (Mars in Libra); he is required to express his personality through relationship. Being an Aries Asc, he would want to be top of the class (the leader) and doing this through personal interaction at work on a daily basis (Mars in Libra in the sixth) would place a huge demand on his ability to interact with others. I’m not surprised that The Beatles were rumoured to split due to clashes between John and Paul McCartney. John would have an issue with anybody else trying to be No. 1.
makes the Sun aware that every time it tries to express its individuality, it has an impact on other people [i]. The Sun is conjunct the North Node placing an extra karmic demand - his destiny requires and demands that he sacrifices himself to ‘the journey’ of others. No choices here, John Lennon has to lay himself off to become what others want him to be. Stressing the Sun even further is an inconjunct to Jupiter (orb 2 degrees 34’) and Saturn (orb 3 degrees 13’). I would venture the following interpretation here: John’s self-image is damaged (Jupiter and Saturn both retrograde) and this adds to a constant need to prove his authority (Saturn) and talent (Jupiter), making him ‘irritable’, short-tempered and demanding both of himself (the Sun) and others (Sun in Libra, the 7th). The first house is as important as the Asc and Sun in judging someone’s ability to express themselves efficiently as individuals, and Saturn, Jupiter and Uranus all retrograde in Taurus would cause big trouble here. Saturn and Jupiter are conjunct the fixed star Menkar (a victim of the unconscious) and Uranus is conjunct Algol (female passion and intensity, a star of ‘blindness’). In addition, Saturn rules the 10th, 11th, and 12th houses and disposits the Moon, and Jupiter rules the ninth so the trouble in the first house will play out in the world (upper hemisphere rulerships) through emotions (Moon a singleton by quadrant) - is Mr. Lennon transferring all his own personal and emotional stuff onto the world’s shoulders? John Lennon 9 Oct 1940 06:30 pm BST -1 Liverpool, UK Placidus True Node
Mars also rules the 8th house of other p e o p l e ’s r e s o u r c e s a n d t h e Ascendant conflict is played out in this department too - I’m sure that despite denials, most of the arguments within The Beatles were centred on John Lennon being unhappy in the financial department. He would also be the type of person who feels that he has worked harder and contributed more talent to the group than the rest. I think he battled with a bit of jealousy and a need to control the people around him. Added to (and emphasising) the conflict of Mars, notice that the Sun is in ‘double’ fall in Libra bearing down on the cusp of the 7th (opposing the Asc). The Sun in Libra expresses its individual identity through harmony, balance, and one-to-one relationships. The Sun in Libra is not necessarily weak; it is simply in a situation where it is not able to express itself in the way that it would like. Planets in fall are the victims of circumstances beyond their control. Libra
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“Nothing is my fault (even though I suspect it is) and I’m going to make myself feel better by making sure that everyone knows that I’m a good person”, might be what he was feeling and thinking most of the time. All the first house planets in Taurus as well as Mars (Asc ruler) and the Sun are disposited by Venus (one of the singletons), which is in turn disposited by Mercury (the other singleton). So, the two singleton planets are the outlets for all his energy; there is an AHA moment in interpreting the chart - He has little choice but to express his energy INTELLECTUALLY (Mercury), INTENSELY (Mercury in Scorpio), AESTHETICALLY (Venus) and in a PRACTICAL ANALYTICAL manner (Venus in Virgo) - a fantastic combination for a musician, songwriter, artist, and poet! In addition to the Mercury dispositing Venus (which in turn disposits 5 planets and the North Node), Mercury is also the apex planet of a T-square and sits almost exactly conjunct a critical degree (8 degrees 34’ fixed - strong ability to overcome difficulty and obstacles). WOW! It is as if John Lennon’s chart lives through Mercury! Some textbook quotations on Mercury might help: 1. The biggest challenge for Mercury in Scorpio is learning how to translate the powerful emotional energy of Scorpio into words. Mercury in Scorpio is fascinated by the darker, hidden motivations of both the self and of others. By sharing these emotions and feelings, Mercury in Scorpio hopes to create an emotional and spiritual connection with another individual [ii] 2. Because we’re dealing with other people in the seventh house, we have a tendency to give away planets in the seventh house to other people. [iii] 3. T-square with apex Mercury: The apex Mercury depicts someone with an ongoing drive to learn a dynamic skill, technique or intelligent body of knowledge that enables him to expressively communicate to others in life. This individual is apt to focus much attention in educational or scholarly matters where he can energetically expend much mental or verbal energy. Usually, his mentality is highly stimulative and curious, but is seldom at rest. This person is normally continuously preoccupied with his thoughts in an analytical discerning manner and actively seeks out mental challenges that are thought provoking or even controversial. It is his critical attitude that is often a main source of his difficulty in relationship problems, along with an ability to rationalize his behaviour in close unions to the point that he fails to comprehend his own subtler motivations. He needs to stay in touch with his feeling nature, his gut-level instincts, and his intuitive hunches if he is to understand life from a greater level of depth and perception. While his evaluations of the surface conditions of current affairs may be highly intelligent, clever and keenly observant, he tends to lack the warmth, sympathy, and depth of understanding needed to unify his concepts in a manner that allows him to feel one with the world. He tends to feel apart from that which he is compelled to scrutinize. In addition, he often has difficulty comprehending intangibles that operate beyond the normal level of reason. And, if he does accept abstract reality, he still feels driven to reduce it to limited concrete terms that only he is able to express.
If in a Fixed T-Square, apex Mercury denotes one who does not like to have his thoughts challenged or modified by others. This individual is hard to impress or influence mentally, due to the strong resistance ability of the fixed mode. He tends to over-value his own thoughts and can be very one-tracked in how he applies them. He needs to be careful not to allow his resourceful mind to fall into rigid, rut-bound patterns since Fixed Apex Mercury can readily become narrow-minded, dogmatic, and too absolute in its thought processes. Life will teach him that his mind has the power to deeply affect others, but it can also shut him off from expanding conscious understanding of matters due to his stubborn adherence to his opinionated attitudes. [iv] Remember, that the T-square with Mercury at the apex is activated by the Moon (in Aquarius in the 11th) Pluto (in Leo in the 5th) opposition. The inner conflict that John Lennon has to resolve is his public emotion versus his powerful private creative expression. Mercury is sextile the Mc giving career opportunities. The Moon is inconjunct critical Venus in Virgo ... All these aspects add up to a ‘tortured artist’ and his song IMAGINE - a perfect expression of John Lennon’s innerself into the outer world! References: [i] Understanding The Birth Chart, A Comprehensive Guide to Classical Interpretation by Kevin Burk (refer to our ASPECTS book review) [ii] Ibid p114 [iii] Ibid p179 [iv] Dynamics of Aspect Analysis, by Bil Tierney – p 113, 114, 115 Isabella Beyers studied through the Thorburn School of Astrology. She teaches Astrology and Tarot privately. She is currently researching the deeper meaning of the Nodal axis in natal charts. She can be contacted on
[email protected] or 082 565 5109
Jun 2006 27 Jun 2006 29 Jun 2006
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27 June 2006 30 June 2006
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CONSTELLATIONAL TRANSITS
THE NAKSHATRAS
Whatever activity we begin at a particular moment retains the qualities of relationship with the surroundings of that place and moment of time. Each moment possesses its own special potency; hence, the importance of starting our enterprises at an auspicious and favourable moment to ensure a more fruitful and successful outcome to our undertakings. Actually, the beginning of any important enterprise has its own birth chart, and in this chart, one can see the life of that enterprise.
1. Ashwini [Aries 0 to Aries 13-20']
When electing favourable moments for beginning our activities, it is important to place the Moon in a favourable constellation, sympathetic towards the activity we wish to enact. To know which constellations are especially favourable to you, it is necessary to first know your Janma Tara or Birth Constellation. This is easily derived from your birth chart made according to the Sidereal Zodiac. All calculations in Vedic astrology are made according to this zodiac. MOON'S CONSTELLATIONAL TRANSITS Uttaraphalguni, Uttarasadha, Uttarabhadrapada and Rohini are FIXED constellations and are favourable for digging wells, laying foundations or cities, expiatory rituals, planting trees, coronations, buying lands, meritorious deeds, sowing of seeds, installation of Deities, the building of a temple, or any other activity desirous of a lasting or permanent effect. Mrgasira, Citra, Anuradha, and Revati are SOFT or GENTLE constellations good for fine arts, learning, making friendships, sensual pleasures, decorations, sexual union, wearing new apparel, marriage, singing and dancing, processions, auspicious ceremonies, festivities, dealings of agriculture, and journeys. Asvini, Pusya, and Hasta are LIGHT or SWIFT constellations and are good for sports, enjoying items of luxury, starting industries, skilled labour, medical treatments, starting education, starting journeys, seeing friends, buying and selling, the performance of spiritual activities, decorations, fine arts, exercise, and for giving or receiving loans. Ardra, Aslesa, Jyestha, and Mula are DREADFUL constellations and are suitable for success in warfare, invocation of elementals and other spirits, imprisonment, separations, acts of destruction, and the breaking of alliances with superiors. Purnavasu, Svati, Sravana, Dhanistha, and Satabhisa are TEMPORARY, MOVABLE, or QUICK constellations and are favourable for undertaking travel, acquiring conveyances, gardening, going on processions, visiting friends, and anything of a temporary nature. Bharani, Magha, Purvaphalguni, Purvasadha, and Purvabhadrapada are FIERCE or CRUEL constellations and are suitable for acts of evil, deceit, and conflict, destruction of enemies, incarceration, poisoning, arson, battle, setting fire, acts of destruction, ill-repute, and cruelty. Krtttika and Visakha are MIXED constellations and good for routine duties, one's professional responsibilities, and any activities of day-to-day importance.
Actions: Installing a Deity / idol (avahani), thread ceremony (upanayanam), parting of hair on the head (Simontan), shaving (cuda karanam), education (vidya rambhan), etc., agriculture. Nature: Masculine, Vaishyas, spiritual, gentle, looking forward, sight weak, lunar, no. of stars 3, ruled by demigod the Ashwini kumars, traders, shaped like a horse's head, short, Kul. Direction: looking forward. ASHWINI is a deva or godly star, auspicious in nature, and is related to the Ashwini-Kumaras, demigods/devas who ride in a golden chariot, healing people, bringing light and happiness. Ideas to be gleaned from this star are the light of dawn, the transport of goods, and performance of miracles. When this star is on the ascendant, we find a likeable person with a lovely appearance, well dressed and ornamented, efficient in work, living by respectable means, and the prominent member of the family. It is a resolute person, able to control eating habits, happy, carefree and modest, though more financially successful than most. The star Aswini rules horses and their dealers and riders, physicians (this star presides over the celestial physicians, the Aswini Kumaras), merchants, attractive personalities, attendants, astrologers, and commandants. 2. Bharani [Aries 13-20' to Aries 26-40'] Action: Violent, nefarious activities, entering a cave, tunnel; reconcilement, swindling, killing, poisoning others, distilling poisonous medicines, work related to weapons, fire. Nature: Masculine, outcast, material, looking downward, sight average, lunar, ordinary, no. of stars 3, ruled by demigod/deva Yamaraj, shaped like female sex organ, violent, Akul. Places: Ponds, wells. Direction: looking downward BHARANI is a manusya or earthly star with a dreadful nature. It is the star of restraint. It is symbolized by the womb, indicating that this star can hide or eclipse things. It carries the ideas of struggle and suffering. It is ruled by Yamaraja (the lord of death) indicating a person who is entangled in the material world. Its animal symbol is the elephant and it represents the worker class. When this star is on the ascendant, we find a fickle-minded person, addicted to the opposite sex, proud, courageous and with good longevity. The native is fond of kinsmen, helpful to friends and usually having few children. This vital character is easily led by others, with questionable moral behaviour and troubled by others' jealousy. When the Moon is in the star of Bharani, the person is free from disease, clever in doing work, happy and dutiful. Bharani rules those who feed off flesh and blood, cruel men, those men engaged in killing, torture, incarceration, the lowborn, cereals, and those devoid of courage and nobility.
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3. Krittika [Aries 26-40' to Taurus 10-00'] Action: Violent, nefarious activities, separation, battle, and reconcilement. Nature: Masculine, Brahman, carnal, looking downward, sight good, lunar, ordinary, soft/harsh mix, no. of stars 6, ruled by god Vahni, violent, shaped like a dagger, Kul. Direction: looking downward, Places: Mines. KRTTIKA is of rakshasa or lower-class nature but with potencies of a mixed nature. Krttika means "the axe." It represents physical and creative force or the energy to achieve greatness. It is ruled by Agni, the fire god, and it brings burning sensations to the body or mind. The animal symbol is the sheep and the caste it rules are intellectuals. When this star is on the ascendant, it indicates a proud, dignified and honourable type of person, full of ambition for power, who is angry but truthful, with a strong appetite and a wavering mind but much skill and many possessions. When the Moon is in the star of Krttika, the person is well known and of brilliant appearance, eating heavily, being fond of other's mates, having strength of purpose but of unstable mind. Krttika presides over white flowers, qualified brahmanas, those who possess knowledge of sacred hymns and mantras, sacrificial offerings, grammarians, miners, barbers, potters, holy men, and astrologers. 4. Rohini [Taurus 10-00' to Taurus 23-20'] Actions: Installing a Deity / idol (avahani), thread ceremony (upanayana), parting of hair on the head (simontan), constructing a house (griha rambham), marriage (vivaha), coronation, buying an elephant, work of permanent nature - admestikas, sthapanam, etc. Nature: Masculine, Shudras, salvation, looking upward, sight blind, solar, fixed, powerful, no. of stars 5, ruled by demigod/deva Brahma, shaped like a cart, Akul. Direction: looking upward Places: Hills, mountain, bar rooms, hotels, restaurants, lodging houses, boarding houses. ROHINI is an auspicious star ruled by Brahma, who engineers the creation of the universe. Rohini is manusya or earthly and it is connected to the Moon, indicating one who serves the public. It is fixed in nature, so this person may be strong and responsible. Rohini suggests a person involved in agricultural or factory production and the shipment of goods for public sale. It stands for growth and development. When this star is on the ascendant, the person is sensually attractive and becomes a charismatic leader of others. There may be a faultfinding mentality and early separation from parents or the tendency to be unhelpful to the mother. Rohini indicates a wealthy, popular and religious person, who may have weak eyes, talent in earning and a romantic, alluring quality, being well built, productive and virile. When the Moon is in Rohini, one is truthful, pure, sweettongued, of a settled mind and of lovely appearance. Rohini rules over merchants, kings, aristocracy, those who
practice the Yogic processes and perform austerities and vows, cows, bulls, aquatic animals, mountain ranges, farmers, and men of authority and wealth. 5. Mrigsira [Taurus 23-20' to Gemini 6-40'] Action: Installing a Deity / idol (avahani), thread ceremony (upanayana), parting of hair on the head (simontan), shaving (cuda karan), constructing a house (griha rambham), marriage (vivaha), travel, work of or with camels and elephants. Nature: Masculine, servants, salvation, looking forward, sight weak, solar, soft, no. of stars 3, ruled by god Chandra, shaped like a deer's head, Kul. Direction: looking forward. Places: Income tax, sales tax departments, lethal chamber. Objects: Platinum, diamond, rubies, corals, sandal powder, snuff, tobacco. MRGA means "the deer." It indicates one with an attractivelooking face like a deer. It is a soft and deva or godly star, creating a gentle and peaceful person, who can do research and is poetic and creative. The animal symbol is the serpent, indicating a thin body and satirical nature. Mrgashira is ruled by the Moon, giving a sensitive or perceptive nature. When this star is on the ascendant, the person is attractive, inquisitive, a seeker of truth and beauty, with good intelligence and feminine appearance, much enthusiasm, a vacillating mind, sickness in childhood and many enemies. The body may be thin, and the nature is talkative, whimsical, devoted to the mother, and this could be an orator or singer. When the Moon tenants the star of Mrgashira, one is fickle, sharp-witted, timid, eloquent in speech, afraid of confrontation, industrious in work, wealthy and indulgent in sensual pleasures. Mrgasira presides over beasts, birds, flowers, fruits, musicians, lovers, clothes and fragrant articles, products of the sea, gems, the forest and its dwellers, those who drink the nectar of the gods (Soma rasa), and messengers. handsome, possibly obese. 6. Ardra [Gemini 6-40' to Gemini 20-00'] Action: Reconcilement, separation, surgical operation, and chemistry Nature: Feminine, detestable, carnal, looking upward, sight average, lunar, harsh, detestable, no. of stars 1, ruled by demigod/deva Shiva, shaped like a shining ruby, Kulakul. Direction: looking upward. Places: Flag, canopy, fort. ARDRA is a sharp natured star, earthly in nature, and can be translated as "the teardrop," indicating one who can cause others pain. The class of person it represents is the hunter and animal-killer. This star can indicate one who torments others, or one who feels for the suffering of others, but usually the former indication holds true. When this star is on the ascendant, the person is proud, long-lived, receiving money from the government, with few children, a thief of other's goods, of crafty speech and fickle mind, of robust body; it is usually an athlete or manual labourer, not suited to intellectual work. Such a person is usually poor, deceitful, critical and has a good memory.
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When the Moon is in Ardra, the person is perfidious, haughty, ungrateful, mischievous and sinful. Ardra (Arudra) rules over thieves, rogues, cruel and adulterous men, liars, hunters, those who kill or create disorder, cereals, enchanters and sorcerers as well as those well versed in the art of calling spirits.
and thoughtful and religious, stubborn but eloquent, learned in the scripture, independent and successful in the profession. One with a Pushya influence helps relatives and rises to a good status in the world. When the Moon tenants the star of Pushya, one has a composed mind, is learned, wealthy, virtuous and liked by all.
7. Punarvasu [Gemini 20-00' to Cancer 3-20'] Action: Installing a Deity / idol (avahani), thread ceremony (upanayana), parting of hair on the head (simontan), shaving (cuda karan), constructing a house (griha rambham), changing places or moving out. Nature: Masculine, Vaishyas, material, sight good, looking forward, lunar, movable, powerful, no. of stars 4, ruled by goddess Aditi, shaped like a building, traders, Akul. Direction: looking forward PUNARVASU: Puna means "repeat." Punarvasu is known as the "star of renewal." It suggests someone who changes residence often, who undergoes a change of personalities or a purification of self during life. Punarvasu is a deva or godly star, ruled by Aditi, the mother of the demigods. It is a moveable star connected with the merchant class of people. The animal symbol is the cat. Punarvasu is translated as "the good," or "the brilliant." When this star is on the ascendant, the person is freedom loving, not able to be tied down, and changes partners frequently or moves from place to place. Punarvasu creates a good, charitable and intelligent character, easily satisfied and somewhat weak-minded, poetic, of a passionate temperament, faithful, fun loving and careful in business but only moderately successful financially. When the Moon tenants the star of Punarvasu, the person is self-controlled, happy, friendly, dull and easily contented, diseased and unable to bear thirst. Purnavasu rules over merchants, servants, artisans, the famous, the truthful, the generous, the pure and clean, the attractive, the intelligent, the wealthy, the high-born, and varieties of cereals.
If Pushyami falls on a Thursday, then it is preferred for all kinds of auspicious / sat kriya karmanis. Pusya rules over grains such as wheat, rice, and barley, sugar-cane, forests, advisers and ministers of kings, fishermen and the like, those that are virtuous and engaged in sacrifices. 9. Ashlesha [Cancer 16-40' to Cancer 30-00'] Action: Gambling, argumentation, commerce, falsehood, addiction, burning, anger. Nature: Feminine, outcast, spiritual, sight weak, looking downward, lunar, harsh, detestable, no. of stars 5, ruled by god Sarp, shaped like a wheel, Akul. Direction: looking downward Objects: Artificial articles, fire, poison, liquid. ASHLESHA is a rakshasa or demoniac star, sharp in nature and symbolized by the coiled snake. This suggests an antisocial, tactless character who can be penetrating in knowledge and austere in habit. It is translated as "the entwiner," and its predominating deity is Sarpa, the god of the serpents, representing the lower classes. Ashlesha can bring pain but also good transcendental aspirations. When this star is on the ascendant, the person is cruel, fickle, with few children, unsociable, having awkward manners and being unable to adapt to the environment. The native is capable of much exertion, but is unkind and needs to develop tact and needs to do humanitarian deeds. This person can cause some anxiety to the parents, and will accept some service position in society. When the Moon tenants this star, one is insincere, unable to control eating, sinful, deceitful and ungrateful.
8. Pushya (Pushyami) [Cancer 3-20' to Cancer 16-40'] Action: Installing a Deity / idol (avahani), thread ceremony (upanayan), parting of hair on the head (simontan), travel, entering new house (griha pravesham), marriage (vivaha). Nature: Feminine, Kshatriya, spiritual, looking upward, sight blind, lunar, short, gentle, no. of stars 3, ruled by the priest of the demigods/devas Brihaspati, shaped like an arrow, Kul. Direction: looking upward Places: Forests. PUSHYA is considered the BEST of the 27 stars. It is deva or godly, and is ruled by Brhaspati, the chief priest of the demigods. It is symbolized by the udder of the cow, indicating that this is a productive and nourishing star. A person born with this star's influence may live a flourishing life, can provide for many others and makes a good teacher or advisor. Usually there is a well-built or plump body. When this star is on the ascendant, the character is earnest
Ashlesha (Ayilya) presides over insects, reptiles, poisoning, robbers, all kinds of physicians, bulbs, roots, herbs, fruits, and artificial things. 10. Makha (Magh) [Leo 0-00' to Leo 13-20'] Action: Agriculture, commerce, collection of something, marriage - vivaha, singing, dance, battle, killing, swindling, poisoning others, distilling poisonous medicines, work related to weapons, fire. Nature: Feminine, Shudras, material, looking downward, sight average, no. of stars 5, ruled by Pitar, shaped like a house, violent, lunar, Kul. Direction: looking downward Places: Granaries MAGHA is translated as "the mighty one." It represents people in important positions. It is a rakshasa or demonic star, dreadful in nature, but seems to have good effects when placed on the ascendant. It is symbolized by the
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king's chamber. It represents a proud and dignified person who carries on the family's traditions, and who has lordship over the masses. When this star is on the ascendant, we find a person who has servants and wealth and who enjoys the pleasures of the world, who is devoted to God and to elders, and who receives praise from good people. Such a person is learned and respectable, but susceptible to the allurements of the opposite sex, will have some deep-rooted dislike for certain people, and is known for doing work thoroughly. When the Moon is in this star, a similar description applies. Such person will live in comfort, do some important work and is physically strong. To Magha belongs wealthy people, granaries, mountaineers, and those devoted to one's parents and ancestors, traders, heroes, carnivorous beings, and women-haters. 11. Poorvaphalguni (Pubba) [Leo 13-20' to Leo 26-40'] Action: Argumentation, violent and nefarious activities, war, selling meat, swindling, poisoning others, distilling poisonous medicines, Killing, work related to weapons, fire. Nature: Feminine, Brahman, carnal, looking downward, sight good, solar, no. of stars 2, ruled by Bhag, violent, shaped like a scaffold, Kul. Direction: looking downward. Objects: Merchandise, commodities, cotton, honey, salt, poison, weapon of strike, fire. Places: Museums, lethal chamber, slaughter house. PURVAPHALGUNI is earthly in nature, and is ruled by the beautiful planet Venus, thus indicating an attractive person with the ability to sway others or to deal sweetly with people. It is a dreadful star but it is also lucky by nature. One translation of it is "the fruit of the tree." It bestows good karma and is ruled by the demigod Bhagya, which means fortune. When this star is on the ascendant, we get an active, physical person or someone always on the go, which is well known, able to command others, inclined towards the "natural" life, and generous in the distribution of money. Good health and love for sports may be seen. When the Moon tenants this star, the person will be a wanderer, loyal to one's leader or to a cause, liberal and of bright appearance. Purva Phalguni rules over actors, young women, friendly and amiable persons, musicians, artisans, commodities, cotton, salt, honey, oil, and boys.
Equipments: Loudspeakers, megaphones. UTTARAPHALGUNI is a manusya or earthly star, sometimes translated as the "fig tree." It is fruitful and generates good qualities. It is ruled by the Sun and is a star that creates leaders in their fields. It is also translated as "the star of patronage," for it signifies one who can give assistance to others. It is a fixed star, indicating that the person born under this constellation is stable and successful. It is symbolized by a bed, which suggests participation in healing others. When this star is on the ascendant, the person is handsome, learned, with a good amount of money and a number of mates or partners, generous but proud, intelligent but ungrateful, and inclined to perform penances for material rewards or to achieve mystic powers. Talkative and sensual, such person may have some talent in business and handicrafts. When the Moon tenants this star, one earns money by learning, is well liked, voluptuous in appearance, happy and friendly, owning self-acquired property. Uttara Phalguni signifies the kind-hearted and those who live purely, those who are modest, charitable, learned, very wealthy, devoted to their duties, kings, heretics, and finecorn. 13. Hasta [Virgo 10-00' to Virgo 23-20'] Action: Installing a Deity / idol (avahani), thread ceremony (upanayana), parting of hair on the head (simontan), shaving (cudakaran), constructing a house (griha rambham), marriage (vivaha), coronation. Nature: Feminine, Vaishyas, salvation, looking forward, sight weak, solar, short, gentle, no. of stars 5, ruled by god Sun, Karpanchak, shaped like an arm, traders, Akul. Direction: looking forward. Objects: Merchandise, commodities, conveyance, dresses, ornaments. Places: Embassy. HASTA is represented by the clenched fist. It indicates a person of purity in thought and deed mixed with the power to control. It is deva or godly in nature. It indicates the ability to create, heal or remove ignorance. Hasta is a light star giving a pleasant temperament. It is of merchant caste. When this star is on the ascendant, we get a likeable character, skilled with the hands, sociable and entertaining but fixed in purpose. A Hastan is handsome in appearance, orthodox in behavior, sensitive, artistic and inclined towards public service. A Hastan is able in contests, fond of foreign lands, eloquent in speech and of a thievish mind.
12. Uttaraphalguni [Leo 26-40' to Virgo 10-00'] Action: Installing a Deity / idol (avahani), thread ceremony (upanayana), entering the new house (grha-pravesh), constructing a house (griha-rambham), coronation, marriage (vivaha). Nature: Feminine, Kshatriya, salvation, looking upward, sight blind, solar, fixed, powerful, no. of stars 2, ruled by god Aryama, shaped like a bed, Akul. Direction: looking upward. Objects: Dress, iron, stone.
When the Moon tenants this star, the person is thievish, merciless, impudent, industrious in work and inclined towards intoxication. To Hasta belong thieves, elephants, those who travel in conveyances, chauffeurs, artists, commodities, cereals, scholars of the Vedas, traders, and men of prowess.
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14. Chitra [Virgo 26-40' to Libra 6-40'] Action: Installing a Deity / idol (avahani), thread ceremony (upanaya), parting of hair on the head (simontan), shaving (cuda karan), entering the new house (griha pravesham), constructing a house (griha rambham). Nature: Feminine, agriculturist, carnal, looking forward, sight average, solar, soft, no. of stars 1, ruled by god Twasta, Karpanchak shaped like a pearl , Kul. Direction: looking forward Objects: Dresses, ornaments. CHITRA is a rakshasa or lower nature star translated as "the brilliant," or "the beautiful." It suggests pretty pictures or something pleasing to look at. It confers artistic talents or the ability to arrange things nicely. Its predominating deity is the demigod Visvakarma, who is an architect. Chitra is soft in nature. When this star is on the ascendant, the person wears colourful clothes and jewels, is liked by the opposite sex, is engaged in a variety of pursuits, has a wicked or critical streak, and lives away from the birthplace. When the Moon tenants this star, one has a beautifully formed body with attractive eyes, and is well decorated. Chitra rules over persons skilled in ornamenting, jewellers, gemologists, painters, writers, singing, perfumery, mathematicians, weavers, surgeons, and kings corn. Purohit Jaya Tirtha Charan dasan (dasadasanudas) is a Minister of Religion for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, recognized by the Justice Dept. of New Zealand to perform marriage ceremonies, etc. JTCd has been trained to perform Vaishnava - Vaidik ceremonials according to Sat Kriya Sara Dipika, Pancharatriki viddhi and Agama Tantras of ritual symbology. He has studied under the guidance of various gurus. He is an instructor of Pancharatriki viddhi and the Agama Tantras, religious-cultural anthropologist, New Zealand representative for the Australasian Council for Hindu Clergy and Laity Inc. JTCd was formally initiated into the Brahma-Madhwa-Gaudiya sampradaya in April 1978 and having made a thorough study of its purpose, method, and effect - being conversant is its developmental history, members pastimes and function of the sampradaya.
CARD ON WHICH TO MEDITATE: XII The Hanged Man (Neptune) - see Aspects Gemini XVII The Star (Aquarius) Neptune in Aquarius from the end of the last millennium to February 2012. I often refer to THE STAR card as the HOPE card. The Star promises good fortune and soul replenishment through harmony with earthly rhythms. It reminds mankind of the laws of abundance - what you receive in your life is in direct proportion to how much you have given. Take notice of some of the symbols present: 1. The ‘Star’ lady rests with one foot on land and the other upon water. She is in touch with both her physical and emotional side but is in control of both - she is definitely not a ‘drama queen’. She is able to balance her practical and intuitive nature and looks relaxed, peaceful and contemplative - she is present ‘in the moment’ of her task. 2. Her legs form a square - symbolising her ability to manifest a reality of her choice. 3. She pours water onto the earth and back into the pool. It is as if she understands the laws of abundance and works through the principle of giving. The water in the jars seems to have a mysterious source (one does not get the impression that it is water obtained from the pool); it is as if her gift to earth is ‘unearthly’. 4. Eight stars appear above the woman, representing the seven Ptolemaic planets and EARTH. 5. The ibis in the tree is the sacred bird of Hermes who was the father of alchemy and magick. It symbolises the communion of heart and reasoning. In the Egyptian tradition, the Ibis represents Thoth, the secretary of the gods, whose primary job was to weigh the heart of a person after death. 6. The pool of water relates to the great unconscious.
In 1990 JTCd re-established his alliance/affiliation to Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad through being initiated by one of his foremost disciples, HH Jayapataka Swami.
The Star relates to the Aquarian understanding of ‘brotherhood’. Enough resources exist in the world for each person to live a life of abundance. The problem we all have to overcome is our ability and willingness to GIVE to others in the true Aquarian spirit of equality.
Some of his main services include; performing and advising regarding samskaras, marriage synastry, putting on and overseeing festivals and functions celebrating Krishna consciousness. You can contact him on
[email protected] or visit his website http://www.hknet.org.nz
If we look at the two cards representing Neptune in Aquarius (The Hanged Man & The Star), we are able to interpret this period as being one of:
Speaking of which, imagine the need to guard hell, anyway. Who in their right mind, according the mythic/theological representations of what hell is, would want to sneak in there? - Philip Sedgwick
Changing perceptions through letting go of control and allowing the wishes and hopes of higher consciousness to guide us towards a true state of harmony with our environment.
This is courage ... to hear unflinchingly what heaven sends. - Euripides
If you are willing to be guided by Neptune’s message you will be able to find YOUR TRUE VOCATION ... So go ahead and wish upon a STAR!
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Editor’s Note : For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, that would be the Winter Solstice. As always, we’d really enjoy hearing your perspectives and ideas. Please send your thoughts to
[email protected]. My own take on the coming Summer Solstice event is more along the lines of presages for the coming 18-19 months (and beyond in some global areas) as we enter into the new lunar nodal "era" of the Dragon's Head in Pisces, and the Dragon's Tail in Virgo from 22 June 2006 to 18 December 2007. The strong Sun at 0-Cancer and Earth at 0-Capricorn on 21 June squaring the Lunar Nodes presages an intense and short summer season - while also announcing the end of the last era (Dec. 2004) and the coming new 18-19 month nodal era. Within this stage, we find the fixed cross positions of MarsJupiter-Saturn-Chiron with Uranus and Neptune playing maverick roles. (Excuse the pun.) The Yod from Mercury/Venus to Pluto signals many events that transcend on all levels throughout the world - personal, societal, cultural, and global. On the personal level - those affected will see old situations coming to an end, and have to prepare toward transitions into new ones. Relationships that have served out their functions are now seeing people moving on. This is happening on the professional level as well, i.e., people changing vocations, careers, or positions, and moving into new ones, new jobs, new homes, etc. Students moving on to new schools, the roles within families maturing, people are ready to move on towards new things. It has been building for about two months leading to the nodal slide towards Pisces/Virgo, and will peak from June to September 2006 before the new situations are fully accepted, and people begin settling in to the new nodal era - the change to mutable quality function - North Node in Pisces and South Node in Virgo. The problem this summer is the Mars-Saturn conjunction, and the Mars transit over the transiting Southern Lunar Node in Virgo (end of August, early September 2006.) These are violent summer transits, and the June 21 solstice marks this with the Mars/Vesta/Saturn conjunction. It is important for those involved or witnessing personal relationships that could become violent to be keenly observant of the emotions of others, and negative situations in order to help prevent violent reactions by mid-to-late August, and especially the first ten days of September 2006. Mars touching the Dragon's Tail (South Lunar Node in Virgo) presages sad events that could involve deaths that could've been prevented with slight and simple assistance to others, such as helping a friend out, or having them not be where they should not. Helping people to avoid situations like these means pre-acting prior to transits such as the coming Mars transit to the transiting South Lunar Node. Try to accentuate the "positive" early and repeatedly, so that those who are fixed in thought/action (Mars/Saturn in Leo, Chiron/Aquarius, Jupiter/Scorpio) are able to ease themselves out of fixed, and mostly negative views towards
the Lunar North Node in Pisces, where Jupiter (judgement/common sense, knowledge, justice and peace) allows the person(s) in trouble to see and experience this alternative route. Doing so greatly helps to sidestep the malefic Mars conjunction over the transiting South Lunar Node in late August and early September. Mars, now "fixed" in tropical Leo, marks this presage with its conjunction to Vesta/Saturn on Solstice Day. This indicates the Mars energy throughout summer in the northern hemisphere. The strong violent energies here become displaced by the time Mars enters Virgo (23 July) and during its transit there through August, begins to conjoin the South Lunar Node at 25-Virgo at the end of August, and beginning of September. These are dangerous transits and should be noted ahead of time, and prepared for generally. Fights, jealousies, and frustrations (refusal to accept closings of relationships through stubbornness, possessiveness, headstrong, closed views, over-emotionalism, hot-headed impulsive actions) are common this summer. It is wise to note the emotional stabilities of others, and to calm situations down early. Many situations can get out of hand and some will erupt into violence this summer, especially at the end of August, into September. Mars, especially in Virgo, is hard on the South Lunar Node in Virgo (ruled by Mercury) and can be highly stressful, nervous, and detail-oriented. This indicates over-emotional males who can become violent due to the harshness of what they would perceive as hostile and picky communication (Virgo/Mercury). Mars in Virgo is noted for using weapons, poor judgement around firearms, explosives, powerful firecrackers, etc. It would be wise to avoid and discourage use of these types of things during the entire Mars transit through Virgo (22-23 July to 10-11 September 2006). What is also playing a strong role is Saturn and Neptune. In August 2006, they begin a year-long opposition from Leo to Aquarius. This is a malefic transit and does not bode well for the above-mentioned Mars contact with the South Lunar Node. Saturn-Neptune oppositions heighten problems in personal relationships, confusions, emotional depressive energies, painful memories, irrational fears, lack of trust, poor attitudes, and sometimes neurosis. A nasty and deceptive transit, it lasts for about one year - August 2006 to August 2007, on and off, before Saturn pushes on, out of orb, and enters tropical Virgo in September 2007. The best way to handle this Saturn-Neptune opposition is with ‘clarity’. Try to avoid people who constantly blame others, and guard against depression, feeling down, and sticking too much to past situations, and relationships that have completed themselves. Using the coming change of lunar node through Pisces can easily solve, and resolve problems. Because Uranus has been transiting in tropical Pisces, look for the solutions to be "creative" and "alternative." However, for many, this will work well. Those who fail to apply the North Node's transit will fall strongly into the Saturn-Neptune square, which is touched, off and on, by Jupiter's square from tropical Scorpio. Time will be wasted on excessive brooding, drug use, oversleeping, and generally worrying about matters that should have been transcended. Avoid people who seek to undermine one's movement forward.
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There are also several ways to deal effectively with the events of late August and September 2006: One, is to note the activities of people who show the transit stress associated with things such as drugs, gambling, excessive and negative social behaviors, and stubbornness (through the summer months of June, July, to the days of August 11, 12, 13, and August 13 to 20), when Mars opposes a retrograde Uranus in Pisces. The mutable "release" of negative energies will arrive at the end of August, and from September 1 to September 10. Critical days are September 7-10 as Venus enters Virgo (Sept. 7) and Mars moves to southern declination (September 10) in tropical Libra. Mercury follows to southern declination on September 13. This is the end of summer in the northern hemisphere. Autumn arrives early this year, and so does winter. Treating mid-August as the "end of summer" could help to diffuse many situations. Ending a vacation in mid-August, rather than late August, and taking the time to work quietly during the first 10 days of September, rather than participate in public events (where tempers are hot) and avoiding unstable, over-emotional people, is helpful. Moreover, for that solstice date of June 21 - the Part of Fortune at 11-12 Leo (in sunrise charts) is most helpful and indicates the ability to change negative and violent events (signaled by the Mars' transit at the end of the month of August, and the first 10 days of September). Personal relationships are highlighted overall as the nodes change quality from Aries (Mars) and Libra (Venus) to that of Pisces (Jupiter, Neptune) and Virgo (Mercury). The positive change of the North Lunar Node to Pisces will be colored by the influence of Uranus, already transiting there. A unique time exists from June 2006 to December 2007 that, if applied well, can help a person(s) throughout the hard years of the decade of the 2010s. The four years that remain until the start of the 2010s should be applied towards savings, improving family situations, relationships, careers, and applying positive actions with new creative ideas. The first seven-and-one-half years of the 2010s are difficult, and indicate economic recession, and depression in some global areas. Preparation between 2006 to 2010 overall can literally save lives, careers, families, etc., by being farsighted and using the positive transits between now and then to prepare in advance. Therefore, the Solstice of June 2006 is asking us to use this positive nodal transit through Pisces/Virgo, to look ahead, and to prepare accordingly, not allowing relationships, situations, jobs, etc., that have outlived their purposes to interfere. By making changes earlier rather than in late summer, many situations can be resolved peacefully, with a smooth transition in the new nodal "era" of Pisces/Virgo. Theodore White - Judicial Astrologer. Born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Specializing in theological astrology, classical astrology, natal astrology, Secondary Progressions, Mundane astrology, and Astrometeorology. Theodore has a client practice and can be contacted at
[email protected].
Hullo Isabella In the Gemini ASPECTS several possible birth times are given for the late Pope John Paul II. His biography stated that he was born in Wadowice, Poland on 18 May 1920, while the Vespers hymns were being sung in the church opposite his parents' home. Vespers are the evening prayers, so I set up a chart for 5 p.m., ignoring any daylight saving which would be immaterial because a chart is set for sidereal time, although clock time could well have been 6 p.m. which is the normal time for Vespers. I note that the AZ directory - Mountain Astrologer Feb/Mar 2006 - gives a time of 17:30, which would be close enough if daylight saving were applied. At 5 p.m. the Sun was in his 9th House, and a simple little tweak adjusted the time to bring the Sun to the MC on the date of his election to the Papacy, giving him a birth time of 4.45 p.m. I had no other events to confirm this, but the chart LOOKED right. The progressions and transits for his death in Rome, Italy at 9.37 p.m. CET on 2 April 2005, also triggered off his angles, nodes and various planets in appropriate houses. I throw this out so that all those intellectually curious astrologers out there can have a look at it. Regards, Lynette Rens Isabella Replies: Thanks for this information. I am going to ask Yolande to place it in the letters page. I appreciate all the feedback we are getting from your side - I wish all our readers would show this much enthusiasm and interest. I hope I get a chance to look at your chart this weekend. And thanks for the compliment about my Jupiterian smile the other night - it was worth more than you think, I've been a bit down lately but it helps to know that it doesn't show and that people experience me as friendly and open! Hi there I would like to thank you both very much, Isabella for kindly sending me the written version of her talk and Yolande for putting all of the ASSA talks right up to date onto the ASSA website so that we can download them. I downloaded all of them and started by listening to Isabella's as I need the input on the Nodes for my next assignment. I really appreciate both of your help with this. Maybe we don't say it often enough. But, I for one really appreciate all that the two of you do for the Aspects magazine every month and Yolande for keeping our website up and running and all of the info which we can download off it. Thank you both so much. Love, Yvonne Yolande Replies: Thanks for the feedback. Its always great to hear from our readers. At the end of the day, it’s a labour of love from us all in order to share the joys and insights of Astrology with as many people as possible. It’s a pleasure to be a helping hand :) We look forward to many more issues of Aspects for your reading enjoyment.
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Dear all,
astrologer. No information is shared by the astrologer, the partners can choose to discuss with each other.
With reference to the issues on ethics, here are my personal views.
Should we develop a code of ethics?
What can be regarded as ethical practice in astrology? A well trained astrologer's main specialization should be to be of assistance to the client. [We could develop an astrological Hippocratic Oath]. This assistance will be based on the core question that the client asks. We should emphasize that astrology is a two way street and that we are not “fortune tellers” but the art of astrology greatest use is to assist the client to know themselves and their circumstances better so as to empower themselves to take the correct action. Should astrologers belong to a regulating body? Yes, preferably an internationally recognized one, so as to keep the art and science of astrology in high esteem so that charlatans and fakes do not make astrology the laughing stock of the world. [One can understand how the average person still sees astrology as some mumbo jumbo, with what is available out there]. Should astrologers be allowed to warn other practitioners against clients who want “unethical readings”? Yes, a blacklist system should be used, via the e-mail if necessary or by phone, if not only for the protection of the astrologer and the unsuspecting member of the public, the astrologers safety may be at stake. It is easy to say to the client, “I will have to inform others that you want me to do this, and it is unethical”. Whose permission do you need to do a synastry reading? Both parties concerned. Whose permission do you need to do a natal chart?
Yes, this protects the astrologers and the clients. A committee to collate the input of the democratic majority. Would you voluntarily sign such a code of ethics? Yes. What is your opinion on formal certification? It will be necessary in the future, and there should be a grandfather clause which includes those who have been practicing for a long time, in the understanding that there is no formal course accredited as far as I know in SA. Internship? It depends on the circumstances, a very young astrologer who has no life experience, such as 25 years and younger should do some internship, as lets face it until the 1st Saturn return, there are very few people with great life experience. I think that we should do as much as possible to inform the public of the helpful and serious nature of astrology, so that it can take its place in society as a profession as it did in ancient history. Kind regards, Bernie Rowen [Ms] Yolande Replies: Thanks a million for the feedback. Interestingly enough, there seems to be a consensus emerging that the Astrological industry needs to have some form of regulation or forum where questionable practices can be reported. This topic will always remain a contentious one ... simply because the definition of ethical vs unethical behaviour can be interpreted in many different ways. Your feedback is always welcomed.
The bearer of the chart or parent, legal guardian. i.e. a mother may want to know which way to best understand her 5 year old child, the astrologer may be of great assistance. May we look at the charts of people under the age of legal consent? On the parents or legal guardian’s request. What type of information, if any, are astrologers allowed to divulge to the parents of an under age client? It depends on the circumstances, if a child is having problems for which the solution can clearly be seen within an astrological chart, then depending on the child’s age, one can ask if this is something that they can all discuss. For example, finding a “way out through the apex of a T square” etc ... [We could take advice from the Medical and dental council psychology section.]
Question: What is the ‘Earth point’ in a chart? Do I need to interpret it? Answer: The Earth point is not marked in astrological charts because it always sits exactly opposite the Sun. Thus, any point opposing the Sun is conjuncting the Earth and astrologers interpret the point from this perspective.
What type of information, if any can be divulged to either partner in a relationship?
Although I have never heard an astrologer say, “My Earth is in Aquarius”, the point is indirectly interpreted when they speak of their ‘shadow sign’ or ‘polar opposite’. This slant to interpretation is often discussed by psychologically orientated astrologers who place a lot of emphasis on familiarising yourself with your dark side and working with the qualities of the sign opposing your Sun.
If we observe confidentiality as though we were consulting psychologists, those boundaries should be respected as an
I don’t think you need to interpret it formally for a client that comes to a reading, as a thorough natal interpretation will automatically include a look at ‘the shadow’.
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25 June 2006, 18:07 - Cape Town Sun & Moon 3 Cancer in the 6th house; trine Jupiter in Scorpio in the 11th house; Asc. 9 Capricorn (ruled by Saturn in Leo in the 8th house conjunct Mars, opposing Chiron). HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS: Feeling and emotions unite the heart and mind. Cancer is the 1st Water sign, and considered fruitful (manifesting in the physical). The Sun, as co-creator of your world, and guide through the zodiac, reaches the end of the first 90degrees/90 days of the zodiacal year. What has transpired in Aries (as the concept of self), been determined in Taurus (as what is valued/desired and real), and ideally expressed and shared in Gemini (with others), is now revealed at the end of this 1st phase, in Cancer. “You don’t always get what you want, you get what you need”, goes the song (and sometimes when you get what you need, you find that’s exactly what you want!). During Cancer connecting to the true inner feelings of your soul (4th h) in any given situation is important - use feelings as a barometer to determine if you are closer or further from what you need. Whilst feelings and needs are cyclical, and relate to moods and the moon (they wax and wane), recognize that they are akin to Maslow’s ‘Hierarchy of Needs’ on an emotional and physical level, and the basis of contentment ULTIMATE SURVIVAL. What do you need and how do you get it?
As an apprentice astrologer, your first foray into interpretation can be daunting. We all start with a list of keywords for each sign, planet and house. Not necessarily an exhaustive one, but a list that gives you a basic understanding of each archetype represented. With interpretation of a chart, it’s very difficult to know where to start; the amount of detail in that chart can seem especially overwhelming. My advice - start small and with a chart of someone you know. Take a couple of aspects and see if you can pull together a short interpretation based on what you know of the person. Run the interpretation past your lecturer or the person in question and see whether you’ve captured the essence. Only by doing this will you be able to build confidence in your own ability to synthesize the amount of information that a chart can contain. Here’s an example: Elements: Sun in Taurus in the 3rd house Moon in Taurus in the 3rd house Saturn in Leo in the 6th house Chiron in Taurus in the 2nd house Aspects: Sun square Saturn Moon square Saturn Interpretation:
Cancer’s home is the 4th house and associated with the father, the home environment, the tribe (where I come from), ‘the end of the matter’ and new beginnings - A NEW HOME AND SENSE OF SELF. With the Sun and Moon in Cancer, trine to Jovial Jupiter in the 8th sign of Scorpio, the cosmic alignment is supportive of ‘Big New Beginnings’. The Cape Town chart places the Luminaries in the 6th house of daily routine and service, trining Jupiter in the 11th (hopes dream and wishes, like-minded types, friends and associations). Mercury in Cancer enhances a sensitive connection of thoughts with Soul needs; and Mercury’s sesquiquadrate connection to Uranus in Pisces has intuition and dreams at an all time high for solutions and realizations. Note that Mercury’s movement slows towards retrograde from the 4th - 29th July. Saturn rules the Asc and 2nd and 3rd houses and has strong authority with a compelling aspect (sequiquadrate) to Pluto in Sagittarius (8th - 12th house), uncovering the truth of the soul and subconscious to take action (conjunct Mars) for a fresh start. Sabian Symbol: 4 Cancer: “A cat arguing with a mouse” - an attempt at self-justification. The house position of Cancer shows where to examine your feelings and soul purpose. Affirmation for Cancer New Moon: 'I build myself a Lighted House and therein Dwell' Contact Ilona for a personal horoscope reading. For a general daily living guide - ask about Moonlight Calendar and for bimonthly Moon reports delivered to your inbox, contact Ilona via email:
[email protected] or phone: 082 7222 568. Ilona offers personal consultations and telephone readings.
With Saturn in Leo in the 6th house of work and duty, she keeps wanting to be the leader or decision maker (Leo) in her working environment (6th), but she’s going to experience frustration and limitation (Saturn) no matter which position she finds herself in even if she’s the ‘king of the hill’. With both the Sun & Moon in Taurus in the 3rd house, her material, physical (sun) and emotional (moon) security is wrapped up in her basic thinking and attitudes (3rd house) towards gathering material possessions (Taurus). With both Sun & Moon squaring Saturn she’s experiencing a conflicting need to be in a working environment that gives her that security and the limitations that being in that environment comes with. There is a fear of taking risks that could result in the loss of that security (Chiron in the 2nd in Taurus) and impact on her money and finance, her earning capacity and socio-economic level. At the end of the day - she battles to make any decisions that would impact on her earning capacity and therefore every decision becomes a life or death one, for fear of making the wrong decision. So she’s perpetually stuck in a cycle of evaluation and cannot see the opportunities available to her. Yolande Korsten is a novice astrologer studying her diploma at the Thorburn School of Astrology. With Pluto conjunct her Asc in Libra, her intense passion for all things astrological is focused on the impact it has on a person’s ability to create positive transformation in their lives. You can contact her by email on
[email protected], by phone on 082 610 3261 or visit www.AstrologersApprentice.co.za
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The subtitle says ‘Comprehensive’ and comprehensive this book certainly is. A quick glance at some of the chapters reveals that nothing has been neglected by Mr. Burk. He covers the history of astrology, each planet in detail, retrogrades, dignities, aspects, aspect patterns, eclipses and detailed chart synthesis. One of my favourite sections covers dispositors in detail and shows you how to set up dispositor tree diagrams. The process really cements ‘who’s the boss of whom’ in the chart and after trying it out on my own chart, I’m convinced that I’m a lover, not a fighter (Venus is chief executive officer)! The Aspect chapter successfully explains the difference between orbs and moieties in simple language. Burk embarks on a logical discussion about which approach to use but concludes that the reader should use his/her own intuition when considering whether a particular aspect is applicable in a chart. He also inspects the validity of the ‘harmonic’ quality of aspects: “When using harmonics, both in music and in astrology, the closer the two vibrations are to being exact, the more pronounced and powerful the harmonic is; also, the higher the harmonic, the more subtle the effect and more precise the vibration must be. This is where the whole question of orbs came about. The closer two planets are to the exact angle of aspect, the more powerful and pronounced the harmonic effect is. The question becomes, however, at what point does the harmonic influence fade to insignificance? There is no answer to this question. The only rule of thumb is that based on the laws of harmonics (from physics): the widest “orbs” should be allowed for conjunctions (first-harmonic aspects)...” Mr Burk points out something quite valid where mutual receptions are concerned, “the ancients only considered planets to be in mutual reception when the planets both receive each other and are in aspect to each other at the same time. The mutual reception on its own, without a supporting aspect, was evidently not considered a particularly strong connection.” He also explains Antiscia and ContraAntiscia. However, I am not so sure I agree that these points may be considered in the same light as ‘soft aspects’. He also briefly describes parallels and contra-parallels; I wish he had spent a bit more time here. The chart synthesis sections I found a little sketchy but it would suffice for beginners. Overall, it would surprise me if this book doesn’t become the basis of many beginners’ astrology courses. I would certainly recommend it as a textbook to new students, but
well-versed astrologers might get bored because many of the basics are revisited. Mr Burk’s knowledge is thorough and I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for any other books he might decide to write, hopefully a predictive or horary manual is in the making. Book Details · Title : · · · ·
Author Publisher Language ISBN
: : : :
Understanding the Birth Chart - A Comprehensive Guide to Classical Interpretation Kevin Burk Llewellyn Publications (February 2001) English 1567180884
The realization that bursts upon anyone who researches astrology deeply is that he is dealing not so much with processes and laws as with mighty thoughts. Not only the ultimate nature of each sign, but the way the entire zodiac locks together in a complex system of relationships, suggests that its reality consists of mind-stuff, and that in turn suggests the existence of a Universal Mind. This is an audacious concept, but one which I believe will force itself on any astrologer who abandons the onlooker standpoint and tries to get to the heart of the principles known by the names of the planets and the signs of the zodiac…Whatever else he is-as a result of his heredity, environment, training, and opportunity- man is larger than he guesses: cosmic thoughts think in him. - Dennis Elwell, Towards a New Science of Man The one absolute ban is anything to do with the subject of astrology: It is the No.1 taboo. The big one. It’s never been broken. Half the people in this country totally believe in astrology. The other half think it’s crazy. So either way, if it goes on television, it is sure to offend half the people in this country. No network wants that. - Garry Marshall, top Hollywood producer Knowledge which does not take into consideration the knower can cause incalculable harm, especially if forced prematurely on the other person. Many astrologers think of astrology as a definite system of “knowledge” which is based on a multitude of observations recorded by generations of theoretically careful, scientist-astrologers. They feel that this system is “true” and that it can definitely predict events. Furthermore, many astrologers unquestionably believe that “forewarned is forearmed,” regardless of who the person is and what his feelings and way of thinking are when the future event is announced to him, and regardless of the way in which the prediction is made. - Dane Rudhyar It is irrational to declare that astrological work should not be charged for. The effect of such a rule would deprive us all of astrological help, except such as would be provided by amateurs. - Charles Carter
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