There are several other predictive techniques in use - in addition to transits. They are “Solar” and “Lunar Return” charts, “Progressions” and “Directions”, and the more recent, “Cartography”. Of these, Solar and Lunar Return charts are erected correctly according to astrologic conventions.
Astrologers use the term “transits” to mean the positions of the major planets that are overhead (in the sky) right now and their relationship to our birth chart. Transits are very important indicators of the current situation in which we find ourselves. They can provide insight into what we are now going through. Here are the dates when the next major transits for the planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are exact in your chart. Some dates will have already passed and some are still to come. Remember, with these large planets transits don’t just happen on the day when they are exact. They cover a wide span of days, weeks, months, and sometimes years, depending on which planet is involved.
In general, transits of Jupiter take from several days to a week or two to complete, while those of Saturn take from two weeks to a month to play themselves out. With the outer planets, the period of activity is even longer: transits of Uranus take about two months, Neptune three or four months, and Pluto takes about a year. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto move so slowly that the complete transit experience may take a year or two to complete itself. So be prepared to work with these situations.
Transits is one of many techniques of time analysis. As a planet moves through the sky, it is said to be in transit. Thus transiting positions (in relation to natal positions) reflect developments over time. A transiting planet’s position is its “actual-time” position (as opposed to “symbolic-time” positions of - for example - secondary progressions). Thus transits deal with actual or objective time. In interpretation, they represent the external pressures or forces that act upon one, events and situations that are encountered, etc.
Progressions. No phase of Astrology is subject to such differences of opinion and practice as that which treats of the changing influences resulting from the various moving bodies of the solar system, as they affect the individual through the sundry sensitive points produced by the impact of planetary rays during his first day of life. Chief among these are three basic systems: Transits, Primary Directions, and Secondary Progressions.
Transits are based upon the actual motions of the various bodies, whereby Saturn, for example, with a revolutionary period of approximately 30 years, will in that time return to the place it occupied on a day of birth; during which period it will transit over each one of the sensitive points of the Birth Figure. Thus when it passes over the radical position of Venus there results a Saturn impulse through a Venus expectancy; and so on for all the moving planets in relation to each of the sensitive points. There is no controversy concerning transits, other than their relative strength and importance as compared to Directions and Progressions.
Directions and Progressions are based on a theory that since each actual day’s revolution of the Earth finds the Sun advanced one degree beyond the point where it was on the preceding day, and since the extra four minutes of rotation required to traverse this degree is the equivalent of the day required for the Earth to traverse the degree in its annual revolution, one degree of rotation is equal to one day’s revolution. Out of this it is deduced that since a degree is equal to a day, and a day is equal to a year, a degree is equal to a year. There is also biblical authority for some such statement. On this assumption is founded an elaborate system of calculations, all of which come to naught in case the original premise is rejected.
The Primary System, so called, is thus a calculation of the number of four-minute intervals during which a given planet will move from its birth position to the place where it conjoins or aspects a sensitive degree - usually the birth-position of some other planet. Then since each four-minute arc represents a year of life, it is assumed that in a given year there will be in force a directed aspect between these two bodies. Since each of these calculations are separately made and applied, the term “directed” is employed, such as “Jupiter directed to the place of Saturn,” and so on. These arcs of Direction must be computed in fractional divisions of the semi-arc, since in various latitudes at different seasons of the year the arc from the horizon to the Midheaven may be variously more or less than go". Instead of calculating a day as 1°, the distance travelled in 4 minutes is calculated at one-ninetieth of the arc which the sunrise degree must traverse in order to reach its Midheaven point on that day; or if below the horizon, for the degree on the Imum Coeli to reach its horizon-point.
Secondary Progressions, much easier to calculate, are based on the theory that the positions of the planets on the third day of life, for example, will represent a correct Progressed horoscope for the third year of life, and so on. In this system one casts a Progressed Figure for the year desired, by casting it for that many days after birth, using the ephemeris of the year of birth. One of the first observations is the evident fact that in ancient times the astrologer did not have the availability of ephemerides for different years, and this was a simple means whereby to secure an approximation. One modern adaptation which combines features of both systems is the so-called Radix System, which assumes an Ascendant degree that is advanced for every year an amount equal to one day’s average travel of the Earth around the Sun, which in advancing sweeps the whole scheme of sensitive points along with it. This unit is 0° 59’- or 360° of the circle divided by 365¬ days of the year. Also, as the Ascendant moves downward, carrying the planets to new positions, the original places of the planets move upwards - thereby creating double the number of sensitive points, and allowing for directions to be figured in both direct and converse motion. To these sensitive points the Sun is directed at the rate of its average daily travel - the major arc of 0° 59’; and the Moon at the rate of its average daily travel - the minor arc of 13° 11’.
Another method is the Annual Solar Revolution, a Figure cast for the exact moment in any given year on which the Sun returns to the exact degree, minute and second which it occupied on the day of birth. A derivation of this system is the so-called “Key-Cycle” devised by Wynn.
There are other systems of calculating the supposed accents which are imparted by the changing cosmic conditions that mark successive years, but a detailed discussion of the problems involved in the various systems of Directions and Progressions would make a ponderous volume in itself.
Every system has its exponents, but the chief reason for all of them is found in the effort of the astrologer to foretell future events. The more conservative of the modern scientific astrologers confine themselves largely to known factors, such as transits, interpreting them as subordinate to the Birth Figure, and delineating both of them in terms of psychological tendencies, the control of which is within command of the individual who seeks to rule his destiny rather than to be ruled by it.
To such, the most satisfactory method, other than the transits, on which to base deductions concerning the changing influences of each year, is perhaps the Solar Revolution Figure, on the assumption that since with each successive year the Sun becomes the predominating influence on the unfolding destiny of the individual, the moment of its return to its exact birth position represents an anniversary marked by a sub-conscious recheck of the pattern of receptivities which was stamped at birth, and which bas been noted and revised with each annual return of the Sun. On the very first anniversary, the relationship of the Rising Degree and the Solar Degree was found altered; hence, one of them had to be revised. In early life it might be possible to ignore the Sun and to continue to measure from the Ascendant; but with the advance toward the age at which one attains to his majority, it must be apparent that the Sun will have asserted itself as the most compelling of all sources of cosmic stimulation - as regards consciousness of the dictates of destiny, if not emotionally - and thereby will have supplanted the Ascendant degree as the individual point of reference. There is this to be said for the Solar Revolution Figure, that the planetary positions are those the planets actually then occupy, and not some symbolic approximation - hence such a Figure cannot offer a contradiction to transits which will continue from these points throughout the year. It also coincides with the observations of a considerable number of modern astrologers, to the effect that in tracing adult character development the Solar Houses give more reliable testimony than those of Houses based upon either a birth or a Progressed Ascendant.
To make vivid the difference between the Primary and Secondary systems, they can be summarized as follows:
Primary Directions are based on the “first motion,” the Primum Mobile of Aristotle, the apparent nightly trek of the planets across the sky from East to West. This means that calculations are made in Right Ascension along the Equator, and that an error of four minutes in the actual birth moment makes a difference of one year in the timing of a prognosticated condition or event.
Secondary Progressions are based upon the actual motions of the planets along the Ecliptic, on the assumption that the conditions encountered on the second day of life will be those which will govern the second year of life; hence an error of four minutes in the actual birth moment makes a difference of only one day in the timing of the prognosticated condition or event.
The crux of the matter is whether or not you accept the one degree for a year Arc of Direction as having a scientific justification, and if this unit is rejected both the Primary and the Secondary systems go into the discard as far as you are concerned.
The Transits in effect in any year of life are the actual positions the planets then occupy, considered in relation to the places they occupied on a given date of birth.
Radix System of Directing. This system refers all Directions to the radical places of the planets. The Midheaven, the Sun and all the planets and bodies are moved forward at a mean rate of diurnal progress, of 59’ 08" - the Naibod arc, and the Ascendant is brought up by Oblique Ascension under the latitude, as shown in the Tables of Houses for the birthplace. The Moon is also moved forward in the Zodiac at its mean rate of 13° 11’ per year-termed the minor arc. While moving forward in the heavens all the bodies except the Moon preserve their radical relationships, at the same time forming aspects to the radical places of the Significators, while the latter form aspects to the radical places of the Promittors. By this means the arcs are simultaneously equated to the mean motion of the heavens, the radical relations of the celestial bodies are preserved, and the radical significance of a planet remains undisputed. By this method many events for which neither Primary nor Secondary Directions could be obtained have been clearly indicated and predicted. The method is worth the close attention of all students. All planets act from the Sign and House to which they have attained by direction, but when their radical places are directed they act in terms of their radical positions.
Gustave Lambert-Brahy of Brussels and Henry J. Gouchon of Paris have confirmed the belief that the progressing of the Ascendant “carries with it all the rest of the sky.” They propose as a logical procedure that the Ascendant be advanced on the basis of 4’ of S.T. per year, adding the same arc to each planet’s position.
Recessional Directions. A term applied by P. J. Harwood, a British astrologer, to H. S. Green’s system of prenatal directions, in which the day prior to birth corresponds to the first year after birth.
Progressions is one of the most popular techniques in astrology. It is based on a premise that postulates the following: “each day after birth is equivalent to a year in life.” Thus, if a person wants to know what is in store for him or her at age 40, a Progression chart is prepared for a date 40 days after birth - using the same time of birth. This is it!
Progressions owes its popularity to “famous” British astrologer Alan Leo, who promoted it in his book, “The Progressed Horoscope”.
One of the earliest sources is a booklet titled “Transits” by Dr. Heber J. Smith. Dr. Smith suggests (on page 37) that “day = year” is derived from the relative motions of Saturn and the Moon. That is, at 12 degrees per day it takes the Moon 2.5 days to traverse a sign. This, he states, is equivalent to (approximately) 2.5 years it takes Saturn to traverse a sign.
Recommendation:
Use transits: real planets, in real signs and houses, and real aspects. It is the most reliable “real-time” predictive tool, in spite of the presence of gray areas which significantly limit the effectiveness and accuracy of predictions.
Any of a number of systems that advance the birth date using proportionate astronomical cycles. Progressions equate “progressed” planetary positions on an event date (usually a current date) to those which occurred at some other time (usually the birth moment). For a birth chart, the planetary positions at an epoch are related to an event date so that the differences (epoch-birth) and (event-birth) are in a specified, fixed ratio.
Alterations in the birth chart aiming to show the changing influences that result from motions of the celestial bodies after birth.
Progressions vs. Directions
To clarify astrological terminology it is perhaps well to emphasize a distinction between these two terms so often loosely applied to the same process: Directions, to indicate the theoretical advance of some one body or point in a chart, by applying to it an arc of direction for a given period of time, or by measuring the arc between it and some other sensitive point, cuspal point or place formerly tenanted by a planet, and by reducing it to time by some such measure as that employed in the Primary System of Directions. Progressions, indicating the advanced positions of the Ascendant, Midheaven and planets as shown in a Progressed Figure cast for a given date, as employed in the system of Secondary Progressions (q.v.). Alan Leo employs both terms rather indiscriminately, defining Directions as “calculations made from the Nativity for the purpose of ascertaining the time when events will happen. Properly speaking this is predictive Astrology, since it is concerned with the future of the person for whom the calculations are made. Directions are classed under two heads: Primary and Secondary. The former is similar to the small hand of a clock which marks off the hours, while the latter are like the long hand which marks off the exact time.”
Although Alan Leo wrote an imposing volume on the “Progressed Horoscope” he says in his Dictionary that “the question of the progressed birthday at the rate of a day for a year needs investigation.”
Any method, for determining the changing influences of the altered relationship between the cuspal and the planets’ places on successive days or years after birth, that is based upon the diurnal rotation of the Earth upon its axis, arc known as Primary Directions. The measure employed is the elapsed time during which one complete degree of Right Ascension passes across the meridian, or approximately 4 minutes of Sidereal Time. The calculations are too complicated and too laborious for the average astrological student. All Primary Arcs which can be formed between the sensitive points in a Nativity during an entire lifetime are formed during some 6 hours after birth, and are produced solely by the rotation of the Earth on its axis: the planets retaining their radical places and thus carried round the heavens to form aspects to the places of the significators. For its reliability the method is dependent upon the correctness of the birth time to within a fraction of a minute, since an error of 4 minutes in the birth time results in an error of a year in the timing of an event.
As actually described by the ancients, the planets, by motion of the Primum Mobile are gradually carried round the Earth past the cusps of the Houses, and are brought into sundry successive mundane aspects one with another. The calculation of these aspects and their times of formation is termed “directing”; the result is described as “the directions in force” for the calculated time. The number of degrees and minutes of Right Ascension passing over the meridian between the moment of birth and that when the aspect is complete, constitutes the Arc of Direction, each degree equivalent to one year of life.
There are various systems of Primary Directions, their one object to determine the times of events. Ptolemy’s system of measurement employed arcs of direction based upon the apparent motion of the heavens about the Earth by virtue of the rotation of the Earth on its axis, in which the body of one planet is brought to the place of another in a proportion of its ascensional or descensional time as measured by its semi-arc. Thus a planet will progress to the Midheaven by degrees of Right Ascension, while one below the horizon will progress to the Ascendant by degrees of Oblique Ascension, which takes cognizance of the latitude of the place of birth. Since a planet must be directed under the Pole (elevation), due to its proportional dis- tance from the meridian, one on the Midheaven has no Pole, while one on the Ascendant has the same Pole as the Ascendant, which is the latitude of the birthplace. All others between the Midheaven and Ascendant, whether above or below the horizon, have a Pole proportionate to their distance therefrom. Ptolemy confined his directions to aspects between the bodies and the places of the planets.
Placidus de Titus added mundane aspects. In his system one third of the semi-arc of a planet was equal to the space of one House. In both systems the motions of the planets are due to the motion of the Earth on its axis after birth. The radical positions of the planets, taken in connection with the planet to which direction is made, are held to determine the nature of the event. The Significators - Sun, Moon, Midheaven and Ascendant - were directed to the points where conjunctions or aspects would form to mundane and zodiacal positions.
Most Primary Directions can be worked to within 15’ of arc, or 3 months’ time, by means of Tables of Houses, provided one knows the Poles of the various planets: the degree of elevation in the Nativity in proportion to the latitude of the birthplace.
To direct the Ascendant to an aspect with a promittor first bring the longitude of the point of aspect to the horizon. This can bc done roughly from the Table of Houses for the latitude of birth. Observe that the passage of the Midheaven is uniform while that of the Ascendant is irregular.
Take the Ascendant degree, find the related Midheaven, then find the degree of the point of aspect and its related Midheaven; whence deduct the difference in time at the rate of 1° per year. That these calculations involve the use of so uncertain a factor as the exact moment of birth is a perpetual hindrance.
For that reason resort has been made to easier methods. The method most generally employed is that on which is based a system of so-called Secondary Progressions.
It is probably the most widely favored progression technique used by present-day astrologers. Also known as “day-for-a-year” progressions, secondary progressions are derived by equating one rotational cycle of the Earth on its own axis (one mean solar day) to one orbital cycle of the Earth around the Sun (one tropical year); that is to say, each 24-hour period after birth is seen as symbolically representing one year of life. Aspects forming among the progressed planets on these days, as well as those being made by the progressed planets to the natal chart, are seen as reflecting developments taking place in the life at the corresponding age. Since secondary progressions are based on a relationship between the solar day and the solar year, the information derived from this system is likely to be conditioned by the dominance of the solar factor, suggesting a focus on issues of identity development.
A method of progression based on the formula “1 day equates to 1 year.” Thus the positions of the planets 22 days after birth are related to the 22nd year of the person’s life.
Zodiacal aspects formed by the orbital motions of the planets on successive days after birth, each day accounted the equivalent of one year of life. Aspects are calculated to the birth positions of the luminaries, planets and angles, and mutual aspects are formed between the progressed planets. The application of this system of forecasting future conditioning that may be expected to crystallize in events, involves the directing of the Midheaven, Ascendant and the Sun by their natural progress in the heavens after birth. The Sun and the Midheaven progress at an average rate of 59’08" per day (the so-called “Naibod Arc”), to form aspects to the radical positions of the planets, while the planets move at varying rates to form aspects to the radical positions of the Significators. The most dependable factor in Secondary Progressions is the advancing of the progressed Moon, forming aspects to the radical and progressed places of the planets and to the places of the Significators, which are interpreted according to the places in which the aspects fall by Sign and House.
With specific reference to the progressions of the Moon it is generally considered: that such aspects produce strong though gradual effects of about one month’s duration; that the month when the progressed Moon is approaching a square to her own radical place is generally marked by accidents and infirmities, the next preceding semi-square usually giving an indication of the nature of the crisis or physical ailment that can be expected to develop; that trine and sextile aspects of the transitory and of the progressed Moon to the radical Moon generally outline favorable days and months; and that square and opposition aspects also strongly influence and that adversely, forming critical periods around the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day and year.
In general it is held that directions act in terms of the Radix and that when the Nativity is unfortunate no favorable direction can have the same efficacy as an adverse one; and vice versa when the Nativity is fortunate. In other words, the accidental good cannot overcome the radical evil. (v. Radix System.)
The revised Sepharial Dictionary defines Secondary Progressions somewhat misleadingly as those based upon the progress of the Moon in the zodiac. However, the aspects formed by the Moon in the Secondary system are important, and some authorities hold that unless they are of the same nature as the Primary Directions, hence tend to strengthen their operation, the primary directions will have little effect; but when they do coincide, a decided influence will be traceable in the life of the person whose chart is under con. sideration. According to this a Primary Direction would not func- tion until such time as the progressed Moon forms an aspect of a similar nature. v. Directions.
In calculating Progressions by the system of taking the positions of the planets as given in the Ephemeris for the next day following birth, as the equivalent of their progressed positions at the end of the first year of life, use may be made of this table:
| 01 day | =1 year |
| 02 hours | =1 month |
| 30 minutes | =1 week |
| 04 minutes | =1 day |
| 01 minutes | =6 hours |
| 10 seconds | =1 hour |
| 01 second | =6 minutes |
Tertiary progressions are day-for-a-month progressions based on a symbolic correspondence between one rotational cycle of the Earth on its own axis (one mean solar day) and one orbit of the Moon around the Earth (one sidereal lunar month). Thus the positions of the planets 22 days after birth will symbolically relate to conditions in the life 22 lunar months after birth. Since tertiary progressions are based on a lunar cycle, the information derived from them is likely to be influenced by the nurturing needs and emot- ional security concerns traditionally associated with the Moon.
Minor progressions are month-for-a-year progressions, thus relating the sidereal lunar cycle (the Moon’s monthly return to the same degree) to the yearly cycle (the Earth’s orbit around the Sun). This means that the positions of the planets 15 lunar months after one’s birth are related to the 15th year of one’s life. As in all measurements based on lunar cycles, the symbolism of the Moon, with its links to nurturing activities and emotional needs, can be expected to find expression through the issues and developments arising under these progressions.
This is a first of the two “day for a year” progression types with one sidereal cycle involved. It is based on the formula: 1 sidereal day = 1 tropical year (slightly quicker than secondary progressions). While measurements based on the solar day and tropical year traditionally relate to mundane matters, sidereal measurements (made in terms of the earth’s relationship to the stars outside our solar system) introduce a “cosmic” dimension into the symbolic “day for a year” equation. With Quotidian-1 progressions, the cosmic conditions present immediately following birth reflect their imprint on mundane developments in the individual’s life at the corresponding years.
This is a second of the two “day for a year” progression types with one sidereal cycle involved. It is based on the formula: 1 mean solar day = 1 sidereal year (slightly slower than secondary progressions). While measurements based on the solar day and tropical year traditionally relate to mundane matters, sidereal measurements (made in terms of the earth’s relationship to the stars outside our solar system) introduce a “cosmic” dimension into the symbolic “day for a year” equation. Quotidian-2 progressions symbolically reflect the influence of the mundane life on the individual’s cosmic awareness and the place of the individual in the Universal Process.
A Solar Return chart is a transit chart for the exact moment at which the transiting Sun reaches the position it occupied at birth. It is a once-a-year occasion - of “happy birthday...” - in everyone’s life. Similarly, a Lunar Return occurs once every month, when the Moon reaches the position it occupied at birth. A Return chart is theoretically feasible for every planet. For example, a Saturn Return occurs about every 35 years.
The requirement that the Sun’s position must be known accurately “in seconds” is meaningless. In practice, the time of birth, even as shown on a birth certificate, is likely to be off by several minutes. But even if a birth is recorded scientifically in seconds, would it really make any difference if the Sun is stated at 22 Cancer 31 or at 21 Cancer 31 minutes and 11 seconds?
What Solar Return chart really represents? It is a transit chart that applies at a specific moment. When that moment passes, the patterns on the chart become “past history,” because, after all, these are only patterns formed by transiting planets.
What must we be careful about Solar returns?
Suppose you are a 31-year old married woman, and a Capricorn -births from about December 20 to January 20. It is your birthday and you want to know about what is in store for you. You go to an astrologer. The astrologer prepares a Solar Return chart. Let us suppose that the chart shows wonderful patterns: transiting Jupiter is trine to your natal Mars, transiting Sun and Mercury are conjunct to your natal Sun, and transiting Venus is trine to your Moon. The chart shows no adverse patterns.
What does this wonderful Solar Return chart “say” about your 31st year which is just starting? Specifically, since the Solar Return chart looks wonderful, does this also mean that your entire 31st year will be just as wonderful? Indeed, the astrologer who promotes Solar Return charts would predict a “wonderful year ahead of you.” He or she may be right, but only by coincidence. The transiting patterns which form later in the year may be very favorable for you. But, he may be also very wrong. The point is that the Solar Return chart says nothing about the year - nothing. It says only “enjoy your day, for it is really a nice day for you...”
Let us complicate the planetary picture. Suppose on Feb 7 (say 15 days after your birthday) transiting Saturn moves to your 7th house, approaching conjunction to natal Venus. In July Pluto forms a square to your Moon, and in September Uranus moves into opposition to your Mars.
If this is the planetary picture of your 31st year, you can (please!) forget about “a wonderful year...” It would be wiser to prepare yourself mentally a for “a few” mid-life crises on your 31st, 32nd, and 33rd years. These are all long-term cycles which continue, on and off (i.e., direct-retrograde-direct...), for a long time. This conclusion applies regardless of the accuracy of the Sun’s position - i.e., in minutes, seconds, or nano-seconds.
The transiting cycles always dominate the Solar Return patterns, for the latter are only a “snap shot” of transits at a particular moment. What other sensible explanation is there? If planetary influences are so powerful that they can mark a people for their entire life (i.e., natal charts of babies born during your 31st year), then they are also powerful enough to play a role in your resent outlook. To refute this is to refute astrology.
Life is seldom all positive or all adverse. Many astrologers interpret astrologic influences as if they are a series of disconnected events. Life is never a static snap-shot. It is a dynamic and continuous process of interconnected events, of “cycles within cycles.” The “mid-life” crises should be interpreted in this context. All marriages do not dissolve, all people do not die of illness... “Crises” mean that this will be a period of major changes in your life. They may induce you to resolve major problems. Life may become an arduous process on some days. But when you look back at this period a few years later, indeed you may appreciate the changes you achieved. Adverse cycles are conceptually similar to “hard work” required for a post-graduate degree. There is no diploma at the end of this process, but there is a “sense of achievement.”
In conclusion, it would be so easy for you to blame the planets for outcomes like “why you began drinking, became an alcoholic, and exacerbated your problems on your 32nd year...” Mr. Churchill defined courage as “dignity under adversity.” Adversity is frequently nothing but an opportunity and impetus to grow, to make things happen...
Sun versus Ascendant: Solar Charts
Traditional astrology suggests that as one ages the Sun gradually becomes the more dominant element, and one begins to project an amalgamated image of “what one is” and “what one has become.” In this case, especially when analyzing the charts of older and more mature persons, a sun-based Solar chart replaces the ascendant-based natal chart. The transformation is simple. Instead of using the ascendant on the 1st house cusp, the position of the sun is placed there. For example, if the Sun is at 22 Cancer 31, then this position becomes the ascendant, 22 Leo 31 the 2nd house cusp (in Equal house system) ... Therefore, the Sun is moved to the 1st house and the other planets are shifted to their new positions. Some astrologers also practice with the 0-degree of the Sun-Sign as the solar ascendant. This method is also used by the authors of the predictions in the newspapers and magazines. Since the authors cannot know the true ascendant of all of their readers, for example, Cancer (Sun) readers, the predictions are made for 0-degree Cancer as the reference (Ascendant) for Cancer readers, 0-degree Leo for Leo readers ...
Next section is a brief introduction to SunSign astrology...
Please note that my intention is not to advocate this branch of astrology, but the fact remains that it is popular and sometimes the way to make money, or to begin astrological career for someone who is skilled astrologer, but there is no clients to work with...
What is SunSign Astrology?
Generalizations Sun Sign astrology is a much-maligned branch of astrology. How can people be grouped into 12 categories and have generalisations made about them? Many people - and many astrologers - ridicule the idea. Yet much simpler generalizations exist and are accepted. What about naive generalizations about being “introvert” or extrovert". Or about being “typically” American, French, Indian etc.
A Comfortable Living The extraordinary fact is, that most sun-sign columns in newspapers are written by very skilled astrologers, who excel in their field whether giving consultations, holding seminars or writing articles. Some keep a low profile about their sun sign work - some even have aliases like Orion etc. One of the nice things about writing a sun-sign column is that the astrologer is paid at going journalist rates - and that means well-paid. And God knows an astrologer deserves to be able to live a reasonable life - without having to be supported by a loving spouse or odd jobs.Full-time astrologers can develop truly professional skills which are of benefit to everyone.
Sun Sign skills One point that critics do not realize is that writing sun sign analyses is difficult. Apart from considerable language skills and the ability to express universal ideas in a succinct manner, you have to have your finger on the pulse, you have to know exactly what’s going on in the heavens, and you have to have an incredible grasp of the 12 solar houses, their rulers - and the dispositors of these rulers. Talking to a skilled sun sign astrologer is an awesome experience. This person will be able to tell you the major themes in your life at any given moment - and give precise dates - whilst you, struggling with transits and progressions cannot even identify these changes with advanced methods.
How to do it In this short article, I would like to show something of the complexity of this process. Take a look at the horoscope below: This shows the general situation when the Sun moved into Leo in July 1997. The secret of Sun Sign Astrology is to place zero degrees of the Sun Sign on the Ascendant, make a horoscope with Equal Houses and judge circumstances according to the relationships of Solar House Rulers, and, most importantly, concentrating on the “traditional” rulers for Scorpio (Mars), Aquarius (Saturn) and Pisces (Jupiter).
So what’s going on for Leos then? Well, for example Mars is in Leo’s 3rd House, and...oh, dear...opposition Saturn. So here comes a detailed interpretation for a Leo:
Trouble with authority in all education matters. An enormous workload. Brothers have a tendency to bully. Your partner (7th House Ruler Saturn in 9th) is under extreme severe attack (opp. Mars). This is a recurrence of circumstances which popped up in February 1997, only to recede again. (Why? Because Mars was opposite Saturn in February but went retrograde, and is now repeating the aspect) Recommended solution for partner: more freedom, alternative healing, travel. (Saturn is after all sextile Jupiter in Aquarius in the 7th) It is important for your partner to retrace his/her steps to pick up opportunities which presented themselves previously. (Saturn is now stationary and goes retrograde until 17 December) Of course there is much more - that was just about Leo’s partner.
Another Example If analysing another sign, just place zero degrees of that sign on the Ascendant and go for it. Take a look at the following solar horoscope for Libra ... same planetary positions, but the horoscope has been moved around. So how’s Libra (and Taurus, for that matter)? Well, Venus is changing signs from Leo, where she has been romanced, wined and dined, had fun with friends, and perhaps a little bit of travel too with the opposition to Jupiter in Aquarius. But, oh!..., she’s heading into her fall in Virgo, and to make matters worse hits a square to Pluto when already weakened. So here is the prediction:
The days of sunny romance are over, and you have to get down to practicalities. An existential crisis threatens (Venus is in the 12th) and it is time to abandon impractical beliefs and convictions. Avoid fanatical obsession with details. Traumas in your work life - secret enemies undermine your security. Be prepared to take a loss or make a break.
Well it’s not much fun for the Venus-ruled whilst Venus is in Virgo. No good aspects until the trine to Neptune at the end of the sign. (And she’ll need a drink by then!)
Dispositors Those who are really skilled will be able to take dispositors into account. For example Venus in Virgo definitely suffers, but at present Mercury, the dispositor of Venus, is exalted in Virgo. Therefore she can expect honourable treatment from people who count. On the other hand, Mars’ situation, which is already appalling (in exile and opposition to Saturn) will be weakened further when Venus which disposes of him gets broken down in Virgo. It’s like being in a crumbling hotel in Baghdad, under siege by aggressive fundamentalists.
Go forth and practice! Well, that’s how it’s done. Go forth to parties and other informal meets and astound your friends. If you know your stuff, you will always hit the mark.
Phase NewMoon
Moon 0 to 45 degrees ahead of the Sun.
Now is the time for new beginnings. You may start new projects or sow the seeds for future projects.
Phase Crescent
Moon 45 to 90 degrees ahead of the Sun.
It’s time to allow your light to shine. Projects recently started now begin to gain momentum.
Phase FirstQuarter
Moon from 90 to 135 degrees ahead of the Sun.
It’s time for action rather than relaxation. Restlessness may prevail as you are eager to see recent projects flourish.
Phase Gibbous
Moon 135 to 180 degrees ahead of the Sun.
Confidence is required as other people begin to recognise your recent efforts. Now is the time to believe in yourself and express your opinions.
Phase FullMoon
Moon 180 to 135 degrees behind the Sun.
It’s time to reap the benefits of seeds sown earlier. Now you will discover whether or not your seeds have been sown on fertile ground. The fruits of your labour are being harvested.
Phase Disseminating
Moon 135 to 90 degrees behind the Sun.
Now it’s time to share the knowledge and wisdom gained from experience. Others can benefit from your wisdom. Experience may have taught you that it is also time for you to change directions.
Phase ThirdQuarter
Moon from 90 to 45 degrees behind the Sun.
It’s time for action based on wisdom. You have learnt much about yourself and the projects that you have undertaken in recent times. Now it is time to put this wisdom into action. This may mean further developing your skills, or it could be a change of direction.
Phase Balsamic
Moon less than 45 degrees behind the Sun.
This is the end of a phase of life. It’s time to slow down and take stock - a time of contemplation. This may mean letting go, saying good bye to a phase of your life. You are experiencing a winter period in your life before the next season starts.
Harmonics are techniques for viewing an entire chart of planets in terms of one aspect (or portion of the zodiac circle). For example, you might want to view planets from the point of view of a square; this so-called 4th-harmonic or 90° chart shows planets’ disposition to the square aspect for a particular date and time.
There are two main type of harmonic charts: dials and traditional. E-Z Charts produces the latter, which views the harmonic planets in terms of the 360° zodiac, rather than from the reference of “dial,” which numbers the 360 degrees of the zodiac as increments matching a particular division of the circle.
