Sunday 30 January 2011

The 36 decans of the zodiac signs.

There are different traditions of dividing the zodiac signs into parts, but one of the most enduring and suggestive is that of the 36 decans. According to this idea, each sign is split in three. The first part of the sign represents the "purest" type, whereas the second is somewhat influenced by the following sign in the same triplicity (element), and the third part again by the next sign of the element in counter-clockwise motion. This means that the first ten days of the sign of Aries is the purest Arian decan, the following ten days lends some qualities from Leo, the second fire sign in order, and finally the third decan has some affinity with Sagittarius.


While not in any way uncontroversial astrologically speaking, the idea is interesting and should be considered. Don't give it too much importance though. If you are born within the beginning ten days, you belong to first decan of your sign, the middle ten days the second, and so on. The notion can be applied to any planet placed in a zodiac sign, but is mostly used with sun signs.

Medical Astrology

Healing by the Stars
What if your body came with its own owner's manual - a personalized guide for optimum health maintenance and disease prevention? It does! That personalized owner's manual is your natal horoscope, or astrological birthchart.

Medical Astrology has a long tradition of use in Greek Medicine, as well as in other traditional healing systems like Ayurveda. In ancient Greece, Medical Astrology was called Iatromathematica, or "Doctorly Calculations", since it involved calculating the positions of the planets to arrive at an assessment of the patient's condition.

Medical Astrology grew out of Hermetic philosophy, with its guiding principle: As above, so below. As within, so without. In other words, the microcosm of the human body reflects the macrocosm of Nature and the cosmos. The aim of Medical Astrology, like all the world's great traditional medical systems, is to harmonize the health of the individual with with the Universal Life Forces of Nature and the cosmos.

Medical Astrology could be considered as a subspecialty of Greek Medicine. Some, like Hippocrates, were staunch advocates of Medical Astrology, whereas others, like Galen, were of a more dubious and skeptical bent.

Medical Astrology encompasses all uses of astrology in health and healing. Either the natal chart, or horoscope, is used, or a decumbiture chart, drawn up for the place and moment the patient first fell ill, is used.

Uses and Benefits of Medical Astrology

Medical Astrology has a number of distinctive uses and benefits:

Socrates said, "Man, know thyself." The natal horoscope depicts one's individual constitutional nature and temperament, which is the key to all diagnosis and treatment in Greek Medicine, with incredible depth and sophistication.

Medical Astrology also elucidates the psychosomatic relationship between mind and body with unparalleled sophistication and depth. The deeper psychological and karmic reasons behind the individual's illness or condition are also revealed.

Each person, according to their own individual psychosomatic makeup, will respond differently to different therapies and treatments. Individual affinities for various therapeutic modalities are also shown in the natal horoscope. Truly, each individual's life is a personalized healing journey.

Through planetary transits and progressions to the natal horoscope, the Medical Astrologer can also tell what kinds of health challenges the individual will face, and when they are likely to manifest. Through astrological forecasting, preventive medicine is taken to a whole new level, and the client can take specific preventive measures beforehand.

Special decumbiture charts are drawn up for the exact time and place the patient first fell ill; an interpretation of this chart sheds valuable light on the nature of the illness or affliction, and its prognosis and probable outcome.

A knowledge of the cycles of the Sun, Moon and other planets is used to choose the best time to undergo surgeries, fasting and purification treatments, conception and pregnancy, or any other major medical procedure. This maximizes chances for a positive healing outcome, and minimizes the risk of complications.

The Four Dimensions of Astrological Symbolism

Astrology is a symbolic language with four dimensions, which are like the four parts of speech. Each part or dimension has a different role and function within astrology's symbolic language.

The natal horoscope depicts the basic nature or essence of the individual in body, mind and spirit. While most forms of astrology read the natal horoscope to divine the nature of the individual's mind and spirit, Medical Astrology focuses on the body and its state of health or disease.

And so, every planetary configuration in the natal horoscope can be read in two ways: psychologically and physiologically. Actually, the two - mind and body - are interconnected, and nowhere does this show with as much depth and sophistication as in Medical Astrology.

The four dimensions of astrological symbolism are as follows:

Planets are the What, or the nouns of astrological symbolism. They're the main actors on the stage of the birthchart. Each planet is a significator that depicts an essential function of the individual's bodymind. Planets also have affinities of humor and temperament, and associations with certain internal organs and organ systems.

Signs are the How and Why, or the adjectives, adverbs and modifiers of astrological symbolism. Basically, signs deal with qualities, conditions and perspectives. In Medical Astrology, these are primarily conditions of humor and temperament affecting the overall physiology and metabolism of the organism. In addition, the signs also rule certain parts of the body, which often have a deep archetypal or symbolic relationship to the sign's essential meaning.

Houses are the Where of astrological symbolism, and function somewhat like predicates and prepositions. The houses divide the stage of life up into several different areas or arenas of outer activity and manifestation, and show where the planetary energies tend to play out in the individual's outer life. In Medical Astrology, the houses show how these life areas impact on the individual's health, through their associated pathogenic risk factors, as well as the healthcare relationships involved. In addition to showing how the the individual's nature and temperament will evolve over the course of his/her lifetime, the houses also have affinities with various parts of the body.

Aspects are the conjunctions of astrological symbolism, and weave the natal horoscope together into one interconnected whole. They show the essential functional relationships between the planetary energies in the birthchart, and the essential structure of the individual's bodymind. Midpoints, a very useful and highly specialized type of aspect, pinpoint certain specific areas of health weakness and vulnerability.

The secret to all clear, effective interpretation of the natal horoscope, medically or otherwise, lies in a clear differentiation of the four dimensions of astrological symbolism and their respective functions. Interpretation is a fine art, involving the integrated use and interweaving of all four dimensions of astrology's symbolic language. In Medical Astrology, more general factors showing the basic physiological and metabolic terrain of the individual and their basic predispositions are combined with more specific indicators, like planetary signatures and midpoints.

Your Natal Horoscope as Your Guide

So, join me on a journey as we explore the fascinating field of Medical Astrology. Your guide on this journey of discovery will be your own natal horoscope - the personalized owner's manual to your own body and mind.

You should know your body well, because you've been living in it for so many years. Likewise, you should also be familiar with your own medical history, and with your own health strengths and vulnerabilities. But even as well as you know your own body and its health, Medical Astrology may shed light on certain deeper aspects of it about which you may have only been dimly aware.

Your natal horoscope will give you the golden opportunity to verify the truth, accuracy and usefulness of Medical Astrology for yourself as you read through these pages. Don't accept whatever I'm saying blindly on faith; test it out on your own natal astrology chart!

http://www.greekmedicine.net/medical_astrology/medical_astrology.html

Understanding your horoscope in 10 steps

You’re new to this. You have come to the fascinating conclusion that astrology is not really reading your daily horoscope. Well here it is, one method of getting down to business with astrology and one's birth chart. For the sake of simplicity, let’s assume it is your own horoscope.



Horoscope in color
1. Find out your time of birth
Make sure it is the right time of birth. What does this mean? Hospital statistics are the best, your parents’ combined reassurance the second best, and something collected from that nostalgic piece of cloth knitted by your grandmother...well the third best. Time of birth doesn’t mean between 2 and 3, it means something like between 2.35 and 2.40. Astrology can in a sense be done without an accurate birth time, but not done very well.

2. Draw up your horocope
Unless you’re a big fan of calculations and tables, there’s not really any need to do it manually – use a computer program or a free service on the internet, such as http://astro-software.com/cgi-bin/astro/natal. This will give you the positions of all the planets and, given that you have a pretty exact time of birth, the sol called ascendant and house cusps. Print a list of all this, or better, print the graphic horocope wheel that you will see, with the planets all spread out over the circle, as well as a list with positions. (Such as: Moon in Scorpio, 21.20 degrees).

3. Planetary patterns, overview
Now, interpretation. What you see in front of you is You. Yes you, astrologically speaking, in the form of a wheel representing the planets orbiting around the sun (or around the earth, because that’s the perspective we use in astrology. Take a look at the structure, the patterning of the planets – how they are spread out. This gives the backbone, the ”frame” of opportunity, character and motivation. Are there planets grouped tightly together in a few places? These are usually known as stelliums and will indicate important concentrations of energy or characteristics. Late great astrologer Marc Edmund Jones deviced 7 general figures in the patterning of planets. I highly recommend his books, for example Guide to Horoscope Interpretation. You can also find info on planetary patterns with celebrity examples here: http://www.astrotheme.com/files/planetary-patterns.php

4. Elements and hemispheres
In astrology, we use the four elements of classic greek thought, fire, air, earth and water. These were and are believed to correspond to four basic psychological temperaments that are somewhat connected to the so called choleric, sanguine, melancholic and phlegmatic personality types. Anyway, what is highly important is to determine what or which are your own dominant elements. This is done by checking what signs most of your planets are placed in. Especially the Sun, (star sign) Moon (moon sign), Ascendant. Every sign belongs to an element, as the following shows:

Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
The dominance of one or two elements in your horoscope will be highly important and determine the basic temperament and ”matter” of the personality, a deep and fundamental, instinctive perception and ”feel” of the world. You can read about it here, and get a comprehensive idea about the dominance of one or two elements: http://astrology-numerology.com/elements.
The hemispheres are the upper, lower, left and right parts of your horoscope. A gathering or many planets in one or another will also give a big, general idea of how you go about your life and so on. Check here: http://cafeastrology.com/articles/hemisphereemphasis.html for a short summary, but beware, a single planet alone in one hemisphere is sometimes believed to make that whole hemisphere dominant.

5. Zodiac signs
Yes, the ”Star sign” is important. But its real name is the Sun sign. Of about equal importance is the Moon sign and ”Rising” sign, or Ascendant. Then follows the personal planets: Venus, Mercury, Mars. Jupiter and Saturn have less weight as private influences, but are still important. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are generational planets and their sign placement matters less for the personality of a single individual. You should read carefully about the meaning of every sign placement in your horoscope (i.e. Mars in Taurus makes a person…etc) after seeing where the planets are placed. A fun and not very heavy website that appears to be new (to me at least) is
http://www.alwaysastrology.com/index.html
It focuses on planets in signs (Mars signs, Moon signs, etc). Otherwise there is always the comprehensive cafeastrology:
http://www.cafeastrology.com/natalastrology.html

6. Sun/Moon sign combination
This is of super importance, since it becomes the synthesis of the two most defining elements of your inner personality. There are a few good books on the subject of the 144 Sun/Moon combinations, but you could go to
http://astrology-numerology.com/sun-moon.html
and get yourself a very good approximation completely free.

7. Rising sign / Ascendant
The zodiac sign that rose to the eastern horizon at the moment of birth is typically known as the rising sign, (or, a little misleadingly, the ascendant). This is a pivotal point or part of the horoscope, since it indicates the external persona, the face to the world, the intuitive projection and expression of the personality. This may not represent the inner being, but in the world that we live in it determines a whole lot of how we function. The exact rising point of the ascendant is a very important and personal ”point of view”, that works sort of like a lens for the rest of your personality, guiding it through a certain stance or attitude to the world. And thereby forming a good deal of the self’s limits and potentials. Check out interpretation of your rising sign here:
http://www.astrologycom.com/asc.html

8. Aspects
The aspects are absolutely essential for any astrologer or student in understanding the dynamic patterns of thought, emotion and action in the life of a person. However, for the beginner, it may be a bit much to take in, especially without the knowledge of what aspects are the strongest and most important. Hence it only makes it to number 8, whereas it otherwise may have been much higher. If you feel motivated, check it out, but try to find out what aspects are the strongest. It is those that are most exact and involves at least one personal planet (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars). As always, astrology-numerology.com can be counted on.
http://astrology-numerology.com/aspects.html

9. House postions
As a beginner I would probably leave this one out, since the houses introduce another substantial level of confusion. The houses are like the signs, yet different. There are twelve houses, just like signs, but the houses indicate not so much personality as form, or area of activity. If you have the Sun in Leo you are an expressively dramatic and proud person. But if your Leo Sun is in, say, the twelfth house, this creativity is somehow likely to take place in the hidden, or along less conventional paths, or subtly, suggestively. Well you get the point, interaction between signs and houses is complex. If you like, here is an in depth resource:
http://www.cafeastrology.com/natal/planetsinhouses.html

10. Perspective, summary
You can relax. For this doesn't concern you. Only an experienced astrology student can put things together and create a synthesized and unified image of a horoscope. Persons are highly complex and we all know it. But you will have to do with the pieces and parts until you know much more, or hire a good astrologer.
Back to Astroroom


Soulmates

One of the most fascinating topics to study in astrology is synastry, or the comparison of two people's charts to determine their likely compatibility and relationship. Synastry is the astrological answer as to why we are strongly drawn to certain people, why we feel these deep, often inexplicable, attractions.

Though I'm far from perfecting this art, I've discovered there are key factors in charts that tend to indicate powerful connections between people, and can point to possible soulmate relationships. The following is a discussion of these potent astrological aspects.

The angles of the chart marked by the Ascendant-Descendant axis (first and seventh house cusps) and the Midheaven-Nadir axis (tenth and fourth house cusps) are the most personally defining points in a chart because they are drawn from the exact birthtime and place. A strong connection occurs when a planet, Node (see paragraph below) or angle of one chart is conjunct the partner's Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven or Nadir. I look for at least one of these angle contacts within a reasonable orb of six or seven degrees; but the tighter the orb (within three degrees of exact) the more powerful the connection.

Another thing to look for is a sharing of the angular signs (signs that rule the angular houses: Ascendant/first house, Nadir/fourth house, the Descendant/seventh house, and the Midheaven/tenth house). For example, let's say a person has Libra/Aries on the Ascendant-Descendant axis and Cancer/Capricorn on the Midheaven/Nadir axis; and their partner has Sagittarius/Gemini on the Ascendant axis and Libra/Aries on the Midheaven axis. They have Libra/Aries in common. I notice this happens quite often in marriages, between parents and children, and also among siblings.

The Nodes of the Moon — which also form an axis in the natal chart — are considered to be of special significance to our psychological and spiritual evolution. They have a very powerful role in synastry. Many astrologers think that the Nodes carry past life implications, and therefore indicate soulmate connections. If a planet or angle in one chart conjuncts or forms a tight square to their partner's North or South Node, the relationship can feel extremely binding, a strong sense of belonging together, especially if the Sun, Moon, or an angle of the chart is also involved.

One person's Sun, Moon or Ascendant in the sign of the partner's Sun, Moon, or Ascendant provides a sense of familiarity and common ground in which to relate. A conjunction here (within six degrees of exact) is an especially powerful force. I find that one person's Moon in tight conjunction or opposition to the other person's Sun, Moon or Ascendant is the most powerful. The Moon is particularly important in relationships because it represents basic needs and one's emotional nature.

Saturn, the dreaded planet of depression, restriction, and fear, surprisingly plays a very important role in synastry. Saturn provides structure and purpose to the relationship. I like to see at least one tight Saturn aspect: one person's Saturn aspecting one of the partner's personal planets or an angle (and this includes the hard aspects as well: conjunction, square, opposition, along with the more welcome trine). Saturn provides the glue, and a relationship needs Saturn to grow. It will not usually stand the test of time without it. Too much Saturn influence, however, can be a problem because of the control and manipulation the Saturn person can exert over their partner.

I've just started Noel Tyl's Master's Certification course and he puts great emphasis on theSun/Moon midpoint in regard to relationships. It's no wonder as this point represents the integration of the polarity between the masculine (represented by the Sun) and feminine (the Moon) — the yin and yang of the psyche. When a personal planet (especially Sun, Moon, Venus) or the Ascendant makes a hard aspect, in particular a tight conjunction, to their partner's Sun/Moon Midpoint this relationship will be extremely important.

Another very interesting thing to note is the timing of a couple's meeting. Check the transits to and progressions of both charts for this date. Look at the eclipse tables and note the sign and degree of those nearest to their meeting date. You will find, with startling regularity, that a couple's most powerful synastry point was being activated at the time they met.


Thursday 27 January 2011

Chiron

By Cafe Astrology

Chiron in Astrology: Symbol Glyph
The glyph, or symbol, for Chiron resembles a key and is comprised of an "O" and a "K", representing "Object Kowal", which was what Chiron was originally named (Charles Kowal discovered Chiron in 1977).



Chiron's Aspects in the Natal Chart

Chiron in the natal chart represents our "deepest wound". It shows an area of our lives and part of our psyches in which we lack self-esteem or even self-respect and tend to overcompensate as a result. We tend to give and give and give in these areas of life, until we learn to build our confidence. Chiron represents insecurity, guilt, and, to some degree, subservience. We feel a seemingly endless need to prove ourselves in these areas of life, until we learn that proving ourselves simply never works! In fact, it ends up making us feel even more ineffective.

With Chiron-Sun hard aspects, for example, we tend to feel ineffective when it comes to expressing our creativity. In youth especially, there is a shyness about performing, about "being seen", about being allowed to shine. These are children who hide their work in school or in art class. Very often, they are "middle children", and feel that their creativity was stifled in youth! People with these aspects often worry unnecessarily about their performance, and are often left feeling devastated when they are criticized. They are often very good at boosting others' confidence, yet neglect to build their own! This is where the "teacher" side of Chiron comes into play. People with strong Chiron are often very good at inspiring others, giving them pep talks, offering very friendly and sincere advice, and so forth--yet they have a hard time healing themselves.

With hard Chiron-Moon aspects, there is a feeling of awkwardness about expressing our emotional needs. These people may easily tell others "I am really fine", and then privately resent them when they can't see the hollowness of that statement! There is a tendency to dramatize the emotions. Depending on the position of the Moon in the chart, this may take place on the inside or might be apparent to others. There can be a "bottomless pit" feeling on an emotional level--a feeling that emotional satisfaction is always just out of reach. Mothers with these aspects may often feel guilty that they are not doing enough for their kids. There can be a tendency for people with these aspects to pour their feelings out, and then feel guilty or awkward about doing so and they proceed to cover it up and avoid the issue.

With Chiron-Mercury aspects, we may rarely feel satisfied with how or what we communicate. To express ourselves, or not to express ourselves--that is the question with Chiron-Mercury hard aspects. We may talk someone's ears off one day, and then feel guilty about it later, at which point we retreat into ourselves and become uncommunicative. We might review conversations we had with others and kick ourselves for what we said, or what we didn't say.

With Chiron-Venus aspects, there is a tendency to give, and give, and give again in close personal and love relationships, and a tremendous fear of rejection from a lover. No matter how much these people do for a partner, they never feel it is enough. Early experiences of rejection or other problem relationships helps these people to learn a tremendous amount about love and relationships, and they can easily be turned to for very insightful advice about human interactions. Applying this wisdom on a personal level is the challenge, as Chiron-Venus people need to first heal their own deep fears of not being "good enough". They need to learn to love themselves and to make sure their partners are meeting them halfway. They might also be attracted to partners who need help, but with the hard aspects, it might be hard to get back the same kind of attention or appreciation.

Asking for what we want, or self-assertiveness, is the main challenge for people with Chiron-Mars aspects. They might find themselves apologizing after an "outburst" of anger, self-assertion, or statement of desire--somehow feeling ashamed. The Mars expression can be unusual and come across as outbursts because of the lack of confidence in the validity of their desires or whether their personal desires deserve to be met. There can also be some physical clumsiness or awkwardness. The main challenge for Chiron-Mars people is to learn to accept their own desires and feelings of anger as valid so that when they do express them, they express them naturally and with confidence.

Chiron in the Houses of the Natal Chart


Chiron in the First House

!Chiron is associated with the emotional wounds we receive early on in our lives. The sign Chiron is in will dominate but the house placing will show in which area the personality is motivated and into which they will put their efforts. In the first house, it may indicate a journey of self-discovery. Possibly, there were restrictions in early childhood that will have had the effect on you of either retreating into yourself or having to fight to be noticed. There will be a need to find personal meaning in existence. Some will do this by being overly aggressive, others by withdrawing. Having a job or interest that is really enjoyed will give a positive direction to your life.

Chiron in the Second House

!Chiron is associated with the emotional wounds we receive early on in our lives. The sign Chiron is in will dominate but the house placing will show in which area the personality is motivated and into which they will put their efforts. In the second house, it can indicate great self-confidence, so long as there are physical comforts. There may have been little or no affection or even inappropriate affection, in childhood. This could now be shown through stubbornness and a dismissive attitude to others opinions. You could be a great teacher of self-worth, when you have dealt with your own issues.

Chiron in the Third House

!Chiron is associated with the emotional wounds we receive early on in our lives. The sign Chiron is in will dominate but the house placing will show in which area the personality is motivated and into which they will put their efforts. In the third house it may indicate, perhaps unintentional, criticism by parents or siblings about the way you expressed yourself, producing a lack of self- confidence. There may have been some injury to your voice or you may have been too shy to speak. Your thoughts and words may take time to be expressed so as to be correct. Any errors you make will be excused so as not to appear to be in the wrong. Do not let yourself be hampered by technicalities, and learn to admit to mistakes.

Chiron in the Fourth House

!Chiron is associated with the emotional wounds we receive early on in our lives. The sign Chiron is in will dominate but the house placing will show in which area the personality is motivated and into which they will put their efforts. In the fourth house, it may indicate an insecure early family life, so much so that feelings of abandonment or being the 'black sheep' persist. A lack of self- confidence may make you think doing anything with your life is a waste of time. You probably have a lot of time for other people and have great empathy. Try to bring out the unique you by using this feeling of being 'different'.

Chiron in the Fifth House

!Chiron is associated with the emotional wounds we receive early on in our lives. The sign Chiron is in will dominate but the house placing will show in which area the personality is motivated and into which they will put their efforts. In the fifth house, it may indicate a feeling of having to take life too seriously, too early. You are easily deflated due, probably, to parents who told you that you could not do 'that' - though you would have known that you could. There will be a need to draw boundaries for ego survival. Though do not go so far as to cut yourself off from people completely. You are very creative but do not recognize it. Just do it.

Chiron in the Sixth House

!Chiron is associated with the emotional wounds we receive early on in our lives. The sign Chiron is in will dominate but the house placing will show in which area the personality is motivated and into which they will put their efforts. In the sixth house, it may indicate a pre-occupation with health issues, maybe to do with accidents when you were young. You tend to obsess about your own health. You have great healing ability and when you have come to the point of dealing with your own issues, you will achieve great success in this field.

Chiron in the Seventh House

!Chiron is associated with the emotional wounds we receive early on in our lives. The sign Chiron is in will dominate but the house placing will show in which area the personality is motivated and into which they will put their efforts. In the seventh house, it may indicate a feeling of rejection to do with relationships, maybe the parents split-up or were distant with each other. You may marry early and there may be more than one marriage or close relationship. You are quite empathic and even psychic. There is a need for finding a balance between you and your partner - you are not one person. Find your 'self'.

Chiron in the Eighth House

!Chiron is associated with the emotional wounds we receive early on in our lives. The sign Chiron is in will dominate but the house placing will show in which area the personality is motivated and into which they will put their efforts. In the eighth house, it may indicate losses through the death of loved ones but also gains through births. Personal desires will be very important to you, to the point of 'anything goes'. You will have psychic abilities that, when trained, will be a great force for good. You could be a mystic with great insight.

Chiron in the Ninth House

!Chiron is associated with the emotional wounds we receive early on in our lives. The sign Chiron is in will dominate but the house placing will show in which area the personality is motivated and into which they will put their efforts. In the ninth house, it may indicate some crisis to do with spiritual teaching. A strong belief of one sort or another that must be channeled correctly to give the right balance. Being the eternal student should be enjoyable, not stressful, so take time to relax. You could be a very good teacher, if your extreme opinions are modified.

Chiron in the Tenth House

!Chiron is associated with the emotional wounds we receive early on in our lives. The sign Chiron is in will dominate but the house placing will show in which area the personality is motivated and into which they will put their efforts. In the tenth house, it may indicate a strong desire to prove your self-worth because of childhood rejection. Your need for status may become obsessive, and your good leadership quality needs to be controlled. Improving the lot of others, close to you, is admirable but not if it brings you down. It will only make you feel resentful and bitter. Try to accept yourself as you are.

Chiron in the Eleventh House

!Chiron is associated with the emotional wounds we receive early on in our lives. The sign Chiron is in will dominate but the house placing will show in which area the personality is motivated and into which they will put their efforts. In the eleventh house, it may indicate rejection from peers because of being 'different'. You may feel some discomfort in large groups, so you only associate with people of like mind. You have a capacity for leadership, if only you would loosen-up with strangers - we are, after all, connected to everything and everyone. You have a special thing to do in this life, you 'just' have to realize what it is.

Chiron in the Twelfth House

!Chiron is associated with the emotional wounds we receive early on in our lives. The sign Chiron is in will dominate but the house placing will show in which area the personality is motivated and into which they will put their efforts. In the twelfth house, it may indicate nervous tension, perhaps picked up from a close family member. You probably have psychic, empathic and healing abilities. Don't keep shutting yourself off from people - they need your unique abilities. Help others by learning to use these 'gifts' - it will give great, personal benefit but you will need to be emotionally strong and mature.

Chiron Transits: Predictive Astrology - Techniques for Predicting the Future

Chiron takes approximately 50 years to come full circle. This slow-moving planet's transits are fairly long-lasting, and each transit takes its time to unfold. As Chiron transits a point in our chart, retrogrades back over it, and then hits it again in direct motion, it imparts its own special wisdom upon the point in question�the areas of lives and parts of our psyches ruled by that point.

How Chiron affects our lives depends very much on whether we resist its influences or we try to work with its energies.

Chiron acts to open up wounds in the parts of our lives and of our psyches that it touches, especially by hard transit, and then Chiron asks us to work on healing them. Initially, hard Chiron transits can make us feel weakened or ineffective. As the transit progresses, we begin to learn what it is that is holding us back from healthy expression of the traits associated with the transited planet or point.

Under heavy Chiron transits, we feel ineffective and encounter situations in which we feel we need to prove ourselves to others. The trick is to prove ourselves to ourselves first�to build our own self-respect. Efforts to prove ourselves to others will backfire--they simply won't work. We will appear less effective to them, and we'll exacerbate our own feelings of unworthiness. It's an endless loop. We have to take a step back, be patient, and let our characters speak for themselves. If others are not seeing us in a particularly positive light right now or if they are doubting us (which can very much be the case during these transits), the only way to solve the problem is to resist the urge to prove ourselves to them. Under heavy Chiron transits, we also need to avoid a tendency to follow others, to "suck up" to them. Chiron activates, by hard aspect, our "wounds"—areas where we feel weakened and unsuccessful-�and while it shines its light on these wounds, we may be inclined to blindly follow others' advice or to get ourselves into subservient roles.

The following are interpretations of Chiron's transits to planets and points. As always with interpretations of this type, remember that the transited planets' natal aspects and position by sign and house need to be considered. These are generalized interpretations.

Chiron-Sun Transits

Chiron transits to the Sun - Conjunct, Square, Opposition act to uncover fears and wounds with regards to our ego and our life path. We discover our "weaknesses" in the foundation of our very identity. Insecurities, fears, perceived failings, and unresolved issues about our sense of purpose in life are uncovered. In some cases, women experiencing these transits deal with issues surrounding their fathers and his effect on their identity and adult relationships with men. Our creativity, self-expression, and independence are questioned.

Look for Leo in your natal chart, as the Sun rules Leo, and this is an area of life that will be directly affected by the transit (in addition to the houses where the transit actually takes place).

Initially, circumstances in your life tend to make you feel weakened and ineffective in the world. There can be a feeling that you just don't have the courage to make it on your own, or to express yourself creatively. As the transit progresses, you begin to gather the courage to express yourself and your needs, and your doing so may surprise everyone around you! Chiron acts to pull up courage and bravery, but your initial expression of this newfound bravery may be so abrupt and unrefined that you seem to be acting completely out of character. During this period, you come fact to face with patterns that you have been repeating in your life, especially with regards to relationships with men (and/or your father figure), addictions, and co-dependency issues. Relationships with men that leave you feeling insecure or ineffective may be dealt with now. Addictions that undermine you may need to be dealt with. You may need to deal with your own wounded pride.

These transits may bring "teachers" into your life in some manner. With the Sun, these people who are very willing to offer you advice are often males. With hard aspects, you need to be careful about blindly following someone's advice at this time, simply because you are feeling weakened and in need of help. Later, you may resent the fact that you didn't stand up for yourself. You are bound to open yourself up to an entirely different perspective on your life, but be careful not to fall into the role of victim and let someone else "save" you. By transit's end, you will have uncovered your own power and effectiveness, and the decisions you made following someone else's advice may not look so good anymore!

Very commonly with these transits, you deal with others doubting your character, and you could feel like you're forced into a position of proving yourself. This may take place on either professional or personal levels. Your first reaction is to do just that�prove yourself to others. However, you eventually realize how fruitless this effort is. Others are likely to interpret this effort as weakness, and this can only exacerbate the problem. Eventually, you need to learn to stand up for yourself by not falling into a pattern where you are essentially "sucking up" to people. Ideally, you recognize that stepping back and letting your character speak for itself will earn you far more respect, as well as self-respect. In fact, self-respect is what this transit is truly about.

In contrast to hard Chiron transits, under Chiron transits to the Sun - Easy Aspects (Sextile, Trine), we tend to be looked upon favorably by others. We have the chance to shine, largely because we are projecting ourselves with self-respect and modesty at once.

You are especially appealing and charming during this transit just by being yourself. Opportunities�both personal and professional�are likely to present themselves as a result. You are not looking for credit for what you do, which frees you up to get it anyhow!



Chiron transits to Venus: Hard Aspects (Square, Opposition, Semi-square, and Sesquiquadrate): Very commonly with these transits, you deal with others doubting your character in your love life, and you could feel like you're forced into a position of proving yourself. Your first reaction is to do just that�prove yourself to a partner or lover. However, you eventually realize how fruitless this effort is. Others are likely to interpret this effort as weakness, and this can only exacerbate the problem. Eventually, you need to learn to stand up for yourself by not falling into a pattern where you are essentially "sucking up" to people you love, or who are supposed to love you. Ideally, you recognize that stepping back and letting your character speak for itself will earn you far more respect, as well as self-respect. There is no forcing matters, even if that's your first instinct. It can be a time of discreditation, when a lover or partner fails to see your value, or at its worse, sees you as a liability, and overall you "look bad". Try your best not to get caught up in a downward spiral of trying too hard to make the people you love return that love, or of trying to hold onto a relationship that is no longer worthy of your devotion. If this transit comes at a time when you are single, it can be a period in which new people in your love life are unable or unwilling to commit to you, who fail to see you as worthy of partnership material. Some might get caught up in a new relationship in which they feel the need to prove their worth, which is unhealthy and destructive. This is a long-term transit, and a hard one, which can be very frustrating. However, at the end of it, you will be able to see whose love was true, and whose wasn't strong enough. It's a hard lesson to learn, but one that is necessary in your path towards wholeness in love and partnership."



Solstice Points/Antiscia

How to Find the Solstice Point (Antiscia) of a Planet or Point

To find the Antiscion Point or Solstice Point of the Sun in your chart, for example, you would subtract the degrees in longitude of the Sun from 30 degrees and finding the corresponding sign from this list:
Gemini-Cancer
Leo-Taurus
Virgo-Aries
Libra-Pisces
Scorpio-Aquarius
Sagittarius-Capricorn

My Sun's position is 25 degrees Virgo 21 minutes. I find the Antiscia of my Sun by subtracting 25 degrees 21 minutes from 30 degrees (or 29 degrees 60 minutes) to arrive at 4 degrees 39 minutes. From the list above, we find that the Antiscia of the sign Virgo is always Aries. Therefore my Solstice Sun is 4 degrees Aries 39 minutes.

My Moon's natal position is 28 Pisces 25. To find the Antiscion point, I subtract this degree from 30 degrees, to arrive at 1 degree 35. The Antiscia of the sign Pisces is always Libra, so I arrive at the degree of my Solstice Moon: 1 Libra 35.

Planet PositionsSolstice Points/Antiscion Degrees
My planet (and asteroid) positions are shown in the first column and my Antiscion points in the second column. 

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Determining Parallels and Contra-Parallels

Parallels and Contra-Parallels in Declination

You might want to consider determining parallels and contra-parallels between planets in synastry. I generally do consider them, although I don't always use them if I am doing a quick analysis. If you want to know how to determine parallels and contra-parallels in declination, click here.

Parallels are likened to conjunctions, and contra-parallels to oppositions. When planets form an aspect to one another in synastry and are also parallel to each other, the parallel acts to reinforce that aspect.

I read parallels in synastry as easy, natural, and spontaneous connections between the two energies represented by the planets involved. The interplay is easier than the conjunction, and the affinity is spontaneous. I have also found that Saturn parallels to personal planets are a little easier than the conjunctions in synastry. The Saturn person is not as inclined to criticism or control as is often the case when it is an interaspect in synastry. The stabilizing influence of Saturn is more prominent. When the planets involved are yin and yang (such as Sun with Moon, Moon with Mars, Venus with Mars, etc.), we have some wonderful connections.

To illustrate how to determine whether or not a planet is parallel or contra-parallel in declination, we use the following example:



This is a list of the natal positions of my planets (and asteroids) from the Kepler software program.
To find out which planets are parallel and contra-parallel, we look to the listing with the heading "Declin" for Declinations.

We are using a one degree orb.

My Sun's declination is 1N51. Scanning down, we see that Saturn, at 1N32, is numerically close to the Sun. We can say that my Sun is parallel Saturn. My Sun is also parallel Uranus, Juno, and Chiron.
My Moon's declination is 3S00. Scanning down, we find Uranus numerically close at 2N42. We have an aspect here, but because one is South and the other is North, we know that Moon is contra-parallel Uranus.

If we were to compare my planets with those of another person, we would use the same basic method. Here's a second person's planet position listing:


If we take his Sun with a declination of 14N09, and then scan down my list for something numerically close (within one degree, which is 60 minutes), we find that his Sun is parallel my Jupiter at 14N04, for starters. We can go through the lists and determine all of the parallels and contra-parallels in synastry in this manner.


For those of you who use the software at Astrodienst.com, you can determine the declinations by clicking on their Extended Chart Selection after you've entered both people's birth data. Make sure that both people are selected, and then you can select the chart type, "Synastry Chart (2)". This will bring up a bi-wheel chart. Somewhere near the top, you can click on the link "Click to get the additional tables". You'll come up with planet lists that include declinations for both people (plus an aspect grid) all on one page. Very handy!

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The "First Meeting Chart"


by Gary Williams

As an astrologer and clairvoyant for over thirty years, I am always looking for new ways to predict the outcome of events for my clients, whether it be psychically or through astrology. Most people who contact me for a consultation have a particular issue in mind, and need to see a clear picture of what may transpire in the future. This often involves a job, a relationship issue, or a new boyfriend or girlfriend the client is curious about.

The traditional way of looking at the relationship between two people is through synystry, or a comparison of the planetary positions of one chart to another. But another more powerful, and far more effective diviniation tool is a type of event chart known as the First Meeting Chart. The First Meeting Chart is simply a chart cst for the moment we first meet someone. Within the framework of that chart all of the potential and/or destiny of that relationship will be shown. It is my experience that this is even more clearly shown than the aspects between the two natal charts themselves.

A First Meeting Chart can be between two people in a business relationship or a love affair, even a friendship. Pay particular attention to the angles of the chart to see if the relationship will be a significant one.

A good example which I can give here is that of the first meeting between myself and the person who took on the job of overhauling my website. In the chart Jupiter was conjunct the seventh house cusp, indicating a very positive and rewarding business relationship wherein both people would benefit. Mercury of communication was exactly conjunct the Midheaven indicating a very powerful tenth house relationship.

Pay particular attention to the Nodes in the First Meeting Chart. The nodes often indicate "fated" or karmic relationships. In particular, the north nodes seems to be ties up with "unions" and "coming together," where the south node is more separation or coming apart. I believe the first meeting chart is an overlooked resource in predictive work. Even when the client comes for a straight psychic reading, I always ask: Do you rememeber the time when you first met? Try it.

Gary


First meeting charts

Electional or event astrology


Defining the first meeting chart

As a rule, relationships only start when the two people meet in the real world, therefore a chart be erected for the respective time, date and location. However, a very frequent situation in the modern world with so many methods of communication people may get in contact with each other by means of chat, instant messaging, email, phone, letters, SMS and may continue to write or talk to each other this way for a long time. There is no way to have a single relationship chart for reference until the two people actually meet in person. And it is this chart that is most effective in analyzing the development and outcome of the relationship.

Let us go through a couple of astrological tips and tricks for first meeting charts: whether electional or event astrology charts, they are delineated just the same. Just remember that in astrology the practical experience is invaluable and you'll get much insight and understanding by studying first meeting charts of people you know, having already sound theoretical knowledge of the basic principles of horary and electional astrology.

Some things to keep in mind while delineating or electing a such chart:

Moon aspects: Positive Moon aspects play a very important role in first meeting chart because, as they say, the first impression counts. In practice, it actually counts a lot, because usually if the first impression is bad, things don't get further... so that people might find out further than looks and behaviour.

The Moon aspects that are very good for relationships are the positive aspects to the Sun and Venus. Other aspects can improve certain secondary relational areas such as the Moon - Mars or Pluto Positive aspects with important influence on the sexual level.

However, Moon's aspects are not a reliable indicator of the evolution of the relationship in the long run. It just tells about how it starts. But you would certainly want it to kick off immediately.

Dignified planets are planets in their own essential dignities, of which a particular importance are the domicile and the exaltation. You may have all trines and sextiles in the chart, but if there're no dignified planets, but only planets in detriment (exile, fall) things will not go as planned, for lack of motivation, energy, desire... and the relationship will brilliantly fail.

Planets' strenght is so important. Any planet in detriment can be malign. As we're talking about relationships now, Venus is of a particular interest.

Venus is the love planet and we would want it to see Venus dignified in a happy relationship chart, but fact is that first meetings happen also while Venus is other signs than Taurus, Libra or Pisces and people are happy.

Just remember that Venus' position by sign and its aspects represent an indicator of the harmony and love in the relationship.

Planets in houses

Another aspect to consider is planets' position by house. Each house represents a field of experience for the couple and portends information on couple's activities and interests.

Of all houses, the 1st house - 7th house axis is of paramount importance.

In an electional chart, try having the rulers of the 1st and 7th houses as strong as possible (by essential and accidental dignities) and if possible - in aspect with each other or at least with as much (mutual) reception as possible - this will ensure that the two persons will show interest and there will attraction/compatibility.

In an event chart investigate how the two significators (1st and 7th houses' rulers) relate to each other by reception in the five essential dignities.

Angular planets talk about the overall outside conditions influencing the relationship. Two persons I know first met with Saturn in Leo in the first house in applying square with Mars in Taurus in the 10th house. Woman's father, a very proeminent person, never accepted his daughter's relationship with the man for political reasons.

This is why in an electional astrology chart for a first meeting, try having benefics (Venus, Jupiter) in angular houses and malefics (Saturn, Mars) in cadent houses.

Getting closer to the end of the article, I'll add that many times when it comes to plan a meeting there isn't much room for adjusting, a few days at most, so mainly the only things you can control are the Moon's aspects [and the Ascendant]. This is already an elementary level of electional astrology, so useful in our every day life.

Don't worry about "forcing destiny's hand" with electional astrology by electing a perfect electional chart for a otherwise lousy relationship/compatibility. The destiny is way stronger than our weak "electional magic". The better term for this is probably collaboration. Just do your astrological homework trying to make a difference in your life and let the destiny take care of the result.

Timing with the Moon

Electional Astrology - Techniques for Determining Ideal Days

The Moon is the fastest moving planet (luminary), and it is used extensively for timing in predictive astrology (in progressions, for example), horary astrology (charting the moment a question is posed), and in electional astrology (choosing the best time to do something, such as start a business).

The Moon changes zodiac signs approximately every two and a half days, and completes its cycle approximately every 28 days.


The Void of Course Moon.

The Moon is considered "Void of Course" when it doesn't make any major applying aspects before changing signs. When determining the Void of Course Moon period, traditional astrology only considers major aspects (that is, the conjunction, sextile, square, trine, and opposition) that are applying. Applying aspects occur when the planets forming the aspect are moving closer to the point of contact. In practical terms, the faster-moving planet (when the Moon is involved, it is always the faster-moving planet) is at a degree that is less than the slower-moving planet. For example, if the Moon is at 25 degrees Aries, and the Sun is at 26 degrees Libra, the Moon is forming an applying aspect (an opposition) to the Sun.

After the Moon has made its last major aspect before changing signs, the Void of Course phase begins. Therefore, in our example, if the opposition to the Sun is the last aspect the Moon will make before it changes signs (in this case, moves to 0 degrees Taurus), the Moon will enter the Void of Course phase (at 26 degrees Aries until 0 degrees Taurus in our example).

According to theory, most activities should be initiated when the Moon is not Void of Course. Activities started during the void period generally don't work out to our liking, or they need some serious adjustment in order for them to meet any success. Therefore, if possible, one should avoid going on a first date, a job interview, starting a business or project, and so forth, during the Void of Course Moon. In Horary Astrology, in which a person asks a question and then the astrologer draws a chart of that moment in order to find an answer, if the Moon is Void of Course, we generally consider that "nothing will come of the matter".

When is the Moon Void of Course? Refer to our chart below for the current months. Notice that our charts show the last major applying aspect the Moon makes before changing signs (for example, it squares Mars). You can also use this table to see the Moon's sign for the months shown! The date and time the Moon changes sign is shown in the chart.



Electional Astrology using the Moon:

If you are interested in timing the initiation of a project or important activity according to a favorable Moon position, you should consider 2 major factors:

The Moon's first applying aspect after you begin your activity, which will symbolize how your undertaking begins. You should aim for that aspect to be a sextile or trine, and in some cases (depending on the nature of the planet), a conjunction.

The Moon's last applying aspect before it changes signs (shown in the tables below), which will symbolize the outcome of your undertaking. You should also aim for that aspect to be a conjunction, sextile, or trine.

In addition to the nature of the aspect, the nature of the planet that the Moon is aspecting should be considered. It will describe the circumstances surrounding your undertaking.

Another important timing factor involves the phase of the Moon. As a general principle, starting a project is more favorable during the waxing period of the Moon (from New Moon to Full Moon). You will want to conclude projects or do preparation work for a new project (not start a new one) during the waning phase of the Moon (from Full Moon to New Moon).

Each phase of the Moon is associated with a particular power or purpose. The New Moon is a time to begin new things, to be spontaneous. The Crescent Moon phase is an information-gathering phase, and a time to implement initial plans. The First Quarter Moon is a confrontational period when problems should be addressed, and laying of the foundations of plans is favorable. The Gibbous Moon phase is a time to make adjustments and refinements. The Full Moon Phase is a time for fulfillment. It is a point of unveiling and revealing. The Disseminating Moon phase is a social period and a time when sharing and understanding is highlighted. The Last Quarter Moon is a time of letting go, and the Balsamic Moon phase is a time of rest and reflection.

Is he the yin to your yang? Get your free sample Chinese Relationship Analysis for two and find out for sure!


The Moon's Sign on a Particular Day:

The Moon favors these kinds of activities:

In Aries, quick actions that yield immediate results. Undertakings that involve the self and the personality. (Staying power may be lacking). Self-assertion, taking on challenges, beginning short-term projects.
In Taurus, substantial and material actions that yield solid results. Financial activities, and those involving personal possessions, applying for a loan, beginning a potentially long-term relationship, music, home decor.
In Gemini, mental and communicative actions, and more than one activity at once. Reading, learning, letters and emails, errands.
In Cancer, domestic activities, those that involve awareness of personal needs. Home decor, family get-togethers.
In Leo, creative activities, activities involving children, generous undertakings, undertakings in which personal recognition is desired, and risk-taking.
In Virgo, mental pursuits, work activities, services, and routines. Activities that would benefit from tending to details.
In Libra, relationship issues, activities involving teamwork and cooperation, activities that involve self-examination, activities related to beauty.
In Scorpio, taxes, accounting, intimacy issues, psychological examinations, research, self-examination, getting rid of old things.
In Sagittarius, adventurous activities that involve "winging it", travel, higher education, advertising, sports, physical activity.
In Capricorn, long-term activities that yield slow but steady results, practical undertakings, career issues, making a business plan, practical investments.
In Aquarius, unusual or radical undertakings, social pursuits, group projects, trying something new, joining a group.
In Pisces, imaginative undertakings, mystical or spiritual pursuits, inner development, music and drama, going on a retreat, activities involving water.



Using the Moon to see where a Relationship is Headed:

The condition of the Moon by sign, its first and last applying aspect, the phase of the Moon, and more can be used to predict where a relationship is headed. The theories behind the Moon in Electional Astrology can be applied to the "first meeting" chart of a relationship. 


Part of Fortune

Part of Fortune - Fortuna Symbol
In astrology, the Part of Fortune, sometimes called Fortuna, is the most popular Arabic Part. Arabic Parts are sensitive points in a chart, and are calculated using specific formulas whereby two planets or points are added together, and a third planet or point is subtracted from that result.

The Part of Fortune is calculated as follows:

For day charts, Ascendant + Moon - Sun
For night charts, Ascendant + Sun - Moon

Note that a chart is considered a day chart when the Sun is above the horizon (occupying any house from house 7 to 12), and a night chart when the Sun isbelow the horizon (occupying any of the first six houses).

The Part of Fortune represents worldly success, and is associated with the physical body and health as well. It can be indicative of the career or vocation. The condition and placement of the ruling planet of the Part of Fortune (that is, the natural ruler of the sign in which the Part of Fortune is placed) is important to factor into the interpretation of this Arabic part. Worldly success and prosperity are associated with the Part of Fortune, and both its sign and house placement suggests innate abilities and talents--areas of life and qualities that are expressed naturally.

The Part of Fortune lies the same distance in longitude from the Ascendant as the Moon lies from the Sun. Therefore, if for example the Sun is conjunct the Moon in the natal chart, the Part of Fortune will lie close to the Ascendant; and if the Sun and Moon are in opposition in the natal chart, the Part of Fortune will lie close to the Descendant.

It is interesting to note that the Arabic part, the Part of Spirit, is calculated in an opposite manner, and also symbolizes the reverse or opposite theme of spiritual well-being.

If the Part of Fortune is not listed or included in your natal chart wheel, you cancalculate the Part of Fortune (and other Arabic Parts) with this online Arabic Part Calculator. It's easy and accurate.

Keys to the Interpretation of the Part of Fortune:

As noted above, the Part of Fortune points to innate talents that set us on a path to worldly success.
  • First look to any planets or points that are tightly conjunct or opposite the Part of Fortune as significators of vocation, career, and natural talents--keys to success.
  • Second, determine the ruling planet of the sign of the Part of Fortune, and consider that planet as another significator.
  • Consider the sign and house placement of the Part of Fortune as qualities and areas of life where we possess natural and innate talents or abilities, and that can be considered keys to worldly success and prosperity.
  • Look to any planets or points posited in the same sign as the Part of Fortune, whether or not they are conjunct the point. These will also play a role in our profession.
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