The Chart Ruler; the most important planet:
The most important factor in the astrology chart is the chart ruler(s). The planet(s) ruling the ascending sign(s) and planets (if any) in the 1st house. There can be more than one ascending sign, in the case of an intercepted sign in the 1st house. In a natal chart, the ruler represents whosever chart it is. In predictive charts the ruler represents the person/entity the chart is drawn up for.
What sign is the ruling planet in? Unless there is a stellium, or more than 2 planets in another sign, the personality will be influenced most by the sign the ruler is in. If there is more than one ruler, this will add another aspect to the personality, blend the two. Three or more and the individual is complex, with different aspects of the personality and reactions at different times. If the signs are very different from each other, ie, Aries and Pisces. On one hand the individual can be outgoing some of the time and introverted at other times.
The sign the ruler is in is more iportant than the sun or moon sign.
What house?
Whatever affairs are ruled by this house, they will assume importance in the life. For example, the chart ruler in the 12th will give psychic ability, the need for solitude, behind the scenes activity.
What degree?
If on a bad degree, the person will have a hard life, but the rest of the chart must be taken into consideration.
Is it intercepted or retrograde?
If the ruler is intercepted or retrograde, the latter half of the life will be better than the early years. A retrograde ruler and the person is a late bloomer, especially if more than two planets are retrograde.
What other planets aspect it?
What is the tightest aspect?
The tighter the aspect, the more pronounced it is in the personality and/or life. Tight aspects, especially if exact, set off events when transited by other planets. Look to the house placements for the type of event and the natures of the planets involved.
Is it conjunct any fixed stars? nodes?
This will be influenced by the fixed star. The south node is bad. The north node is positive and indicates special ability/talent. See sign and house placement.
STELLIUMS: Three or more planets in a certain sign. In a natal chart, the sign will be dominant in the personality.
When the stellium is transited by other planets, major life events will occur, as to the nature of the transiting planets. The house that contains the stellium; the areas of life represented by the house will assume importance in the person's life. The stellium adds much emphasis to the house affairs in the person's life.
TIGHT ASPECTS: Aspects occuring 2 degrees or less, add emphasis to that aspect. Exact aspects, especially if more than two planets tie in, are indicative of a life event that is fated.
THE MOON'S NODES: Planets conjunct the nodes are of special importance. The nodes are of fate.
Planets conjunct the north node are benifitted. The south node is bad and when conjunct a planet, especially if tight, this is very bad for the affairs ruled by the house with the sign ruled by the planet.
There will be misfortune here.
What houses are the nodes in?
Do the nodes line up with anything?
Again, this is fated, especially if they line up with 2 or more planets, angles, house cusps. The year this takes place can be seen in the solar return. More on this in prediction.
PLANETARY CONFIGURATIONS: T-Squares, grand trines; the focal/apex planet, etc.
OVEREMPHASIS/LACK OF AN ELEMENT, QUALITY, ASPECT, UNASPECTED PLANETS
HEMISPHERE EMPHESIS:
The majority of the planets on the eastern half (The directions are backwards on an astrology chart) MC (Midheaven) to IC, this person runs their own life and hates interference from others. They are independent, self starters and rely upon themselves.
Majority on the western half (IC to MC) indicates a need for others, others have a say, in extreme cases, control in a person's life, or dependence on others for survival (rare).
Majority in the north (bottom half, ascendant-decendant)
Personal privacy is important here. This person needs time alone and a sense of security regarding personal things an private life.
Majority in the south (top half) Here we have the outgoing people. Those who don't mind being the center of attention, or before the public. Most are extroverted and enjoy leadership roles.
CHART SHAPE
PLANETS OR/OR HOUSE CUSPS ON BAD DEGREES, OR FORTUNATE DEGREES
Bad degrees are unfortunate for the affairs ruled by the planet and the house placements. These areas of life are where we will find trouble and problems. For example Mars on a bad degree is bad for the affairs ruled by the house with Aries on the cusp. Fortunate degrees should be noted to find where sucess will pay off and where natural gifts, talents and abilities are.
PLACEMENT OF AND ASPECTS TO SATURN
Saturn is where we get our ass kicked. Hard aspects, ie, conjunctions, semi-squares, squares, sesi-squares, inconjuncts and oppositions from Saturn to other planets, the tighter the aspect, the more problems/misfortune involved for the expression of the planet's energies and the house the planet rules and sometimes the house it is in.
IMPORTANT/SENSITIVE POINTS:
VERTEX/ANTI-VERTEX- These are important to fated relationships. Often loved ones or others for good or ill will have an important point or planet conjunct the vertex/antivertex. At the first meeting/beginning of a relationship, many times the other person's progressed planet(s) will cojoin this point.
EAST POINT/WEST POINT
A planet conjunct one of these points is emphasised in the chart. When conjuct either of these points, the planet becomes stronger, also the affairs ruled by the house with the sign on the cusp ruled by the planet assume more importance.
PRENATAL ECLIPSE
This is much like the vertexes. Relationships.
MIDPOINTS
Midpoints are important when there is a planet conjunct them or coming into conjunction by transit or progression.
