What’s Essential For Judging A Chart And How To Sum It Up
Condensed information on what’s essential for judging a chart and how to sum it up. What are the general principles in any chart? Does our astrological orientation equal our astronomical orientation? And finally, what are our basic philosophic values which shape our interpretation of life and charts? Our convictions as to how the universe is shaped can help or prevent us from benefiting from any method for searching for realities.
Composite Talents: Summarizing Angles & Aspects & Constellations
A good, basic framework for understanding a nativity in the Star Constellation Zodiac (as distinct from the “signs”) is as follows:
- A> Aspects to the lights (Sun & Moon);
- B> Angular planets/lights & their aspects.
- C> Constellations of lights & ASC.
Within that frame- work, I began looking for indicators of intellect [a ‘how-fancy-is- your-Mercury?’ question] and noticed the multiple ways Mercury is emphasized in those who specialize in mental activity. That search broadened to other talents. Currently the concept of different learning styles is filtering through to public awareness. Just one book, educator T. Armstrong’s IN THEIR OWN WAY defines at least 7 learning styles, a valuable way of understanding other talents than mentation, and a rich research field for comparison to astrological talents.
When a person has an outstanding quality (talent, or characteristic) it is astrologically indicated MORE THAN ONCE by planetary and/or constellation archetypes.
Again, this is within the basic STAR CONSTELLATION framework, and with 15 DEGREE (ecliptic plane) ASPECTS to the lights, and with planets/lights “ON” (not to) the mundane angles. The angles (ASC=East, MC=South, DSC=West, & IC=North) are ‘derived’ from the Earth’s daily 24 hour rotation in relation to the Sun, as Sunrise, Noon, Sunset, & Midnight.
Let me also note that each archetype has in its virtue the seed of its vice, both the expressions of its principle; and likewise in the vice the seed of its virtue.
For instance, Michelangelo, (Sun in starfield PISCES for creative imagination) saw in a block of stone the form of David and hewed it out. And yet, PIS/NEP folk are often accused of seeing things that aren’t there. An actor by virtue of NEP conveys a truth thru illusion, and yet NEP is accused of unreal feelings. The paradox is the key here. If a talent is strong, it will be more of an asset and more of a liability, both simultaneously.
Within each planetary expression, there is that vice-virtue continuum.
For instance:
- MERCURY, a youthful playfulness can also used as games-manship; quick intellect can be virtuoso trickery.
- VENUS’ loving sociability can be spineless compromising.
- The MOON’S empathy & emotional support – emotional dependence.
- MARS’ bravery – brutality.
- JUPITER’S positive outlook – selective snobbery.
- SATURN’S conservatism – blockage.
- URANUS’ individuality & creativity – eccentricity & nuttiness.
- NEPTUNE’S sensitivity – spacecase foolishness.
- PLUTO’S laser focus – fundamentist radicalism.
Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied; And vice sometime’s by action dignified (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.
Do not think however that 3 or 4 points of emphasis for one talent is more important than 2 points. It depends on what is tallied.
MOST BASIC philosophic point of Astrology
A final and MOST BASIC philosophic point, one cannot emphasize enough that no archetype is good or bad in itself. Venus can do you in with arsenic in your best chocolates sweetly, and you are just as dead as if Mars&Saturn chops you up into little pieces with a hatchet. Any horoscope is comprised of the elements of time and space.
One cannot tell if that horoscope is for a barn raising, or any other event, an animal’s birth or a human’s. GIVEN THAT IT IS FOR A HUMAN, NEITHER CAN ONE TELL IF THAT PERSON IS MALE OR FEMALE, GENIUS OR IDIOT, SAINT OR SINNER. The intent is in the person; the horoscope shows only those talents that a person will use for accomplishing his or her purposes. But given that you know it is for a man or woman in a particular century, in a particular culture, there are universal (general) qualities which can be known. And in this study of universals as expressed through character is the great joy of expanding one’s understanding beyond the everyday personal limits.
For instance, the tendency of URANUS to be evident in engineering charts would not be as common for women (if in the U.S.) because of cultural restraints on womens’ occupations. Nor for most folk in other cultures. One has to go to character to see the quality of mind that is inventive & unique. Perhaps in the existing hunter-gatherer cultures, a medicine-person with Uranus strongly emphasized may discover new herbs or new ways of using herbs. Though understanding more of one’s and/or another’s character is greatly interesting and rewarding, the accompanying concept of the universality of such qualities gifts one with the sense of the continuity and universality of consciousness itself.
As a corollary to the above premise/s, let me address the bugaboo of “prediction,” which for many people and astrologers defines whether an astrologer or astrology is valid. All too many astrologers fall into the ego-trap of pinning their ability as an astrologer on trying to “predict” events for folk.
I simply find that many astrologers are psychic and, however impeded or aided by symbol systems, can often sense situations for other folk. When they are “wrong,” does that disprove them as an astrologer? Yes, if that’s the limits of what they think astrology is. But this view does not allow for choice and our ability to change events in our lives which we do daily, particularly if we heed forewarnings of any kind. So one best virtue of a dire prediction may be in the impetus to change the predicted outcome, thus seemingly invalidating the prediction.
An astrologer who claims great percentages in accurate predictions is a laughable liar who discredits the study of astrology; he’s not dealing with astrological archetypes to begin with. A psychic reader, perhaps another matter. In accord with my understanding of the general nature of the archetypes and my preferred focus to understand the inner nature of a person and/or event, it seems stupid to try to name the event as if that were already written.
Events to a large extent depend on an individual’s choice and/or reactions which can and does cause, change, prevent and/or affirm events. Such expectation pressures an astrologer to be all-knowing and totally disregards commonplace observation of people’s ability to change their lives.
So following my philosophy, should this section be bare? What can be known about future events? If a Mars Transit occurs (to one’s lights and/or natal or locational angles), is this a terrible indication of aggressive energy resulting in anger or accidents? For an athlete, it might be devoutly hoped and prayed for, and at the Olympics may result in crowning glory. It is in an individual’s use of Mars energy which indicates whether he be trophy winner or trophy, hero or bully.
Whereas a Venus Transit, thought to be “benefic,” may only result in a nice time at the Olympics. Generally one can find if there will be, figuratively speaking, cloudy, or stormy energy, or sunshine to come. Given that, one can plan a picnic or sandbag one’s psyche. But to say a literal picnic is forthcoming is to misinterpret; better to say that “the genial Venusian feeling which finds expression in picnics (or other parties and social connections) may be forthcoming.”
What can be (miraculously revealed) calculated in time and space is the kind of energy available to an individual at a particular time and space. To know this is to enter into a positive and conscious personal witness and living of archetypal energy. But this understanding, wonderful as it is, requires that an astrologer direct a “client” in the study of energies rather than telling him or her what will happen or what he should do. Not many pay for a tutor, they want a reading. Re-education is necessary in all facets of life. This is an unpopular view, of course, but a necessary one if astrology is to be understood at all. We should cultivate at least the minimum respect which does not demand that the Mystery of the universe conform to our understand- ing of it. This is Celestial, Stardust Stuff that we are all made of– afterall.
Kay Cavender
Last updated on June 19, 2015 at 9:05 pm. Word Count: 1404