“Stir but not Shaken is the way I blend Planetary Sect with my Delineation of the Natal”

Being brought up in modern astrology, I found my way to traditional astrology very late in my studies. I would not call myself traditional in anyway, but I would tag myself, modern with a twist of the traditional. Stir, but not shaken, is the saying associated with the popular cocktail which summarizes my kind of astrology, especially working with the planetary sect. I guess the real truth of the matter is that I am the kind of person that will adopt any technique that is going to make me a better predictive astrologer. The bottom line is it going to work and will I be able to merge it with my other techniques, where I will feel comfortable with it. I will adopt and use any system that works. To me the truth of the matter is that the modern astrology is a simplified form of traditional to meet the needs of the modern world.

Modern astrology has dropped and laid aside many of the rules and regulations they felt no longer was necessary in today’s lifestyle. My problem with taking out what is no longer viable, are they the basics that might be needed to accurately predict? Or at least give us some understanding where our foundation came from, in order to understand where we are heading towards. As a beginning artist learning the craft I was always was told one must first learn and master the basics of drawing and painting. After one has the technique under one’s belt, only then can one throw out and begin to create one’s own style. My problem, have we thrown out too much and have handicapped ourselves in being better astrologers? What I realize in my research and study of the old manuscripts and translations that it does no harm in studying it thoroughly, and then deciding the next step one needs to take.

The system of planetary sect has been rediscovered in recent years in which one would categorize the seven traditional planets into two different camps: daytime or diurnal, or nighttime or nocturnal sect. Diurnal or the day time planets, which include the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn, are more comfortable and powerful when the Sun appears above the horizon. The nocturnal planets or the night time planets are more comfortable and powerful when the Sun is below the horizon, which includes the Moon, Venus and Mars. Mercury is the versatile and adaptable planet and its sect is determined by whether it rises before or after the Sun. Rising before the Sun, it is considered diurnal a morning star and after the sun is considered nocturnal an evening star. The planet’s sect indicates it course of action and will determine the quality of the planet and the degree of benefic or malefic influence it will have. In effect, sect determines which of the two is in control of the chart and which plays more of an advisory or auxiliary role.

I personally feel this makes sense as I consider myself a day person who operates better in the early morning. I can empathize with the planets, as I don’t do well as a night owl. Understanding what I lack and have difficulties with, allows me to work with what I can do to achieve my goals. So by using this system we can determine how well and to what degree each planet is performing at, and what we need to supplement or work with in order to fulfill the promise of our natal chart. By knowing beforehand the possible problems and liabilities we may encounter, we are able to come up with better solutions. The value of this technique is that in the majority of charts one can quickly determine with a degree of accuracy which planets will be helping the individual and generally acting as positive and constructive influences and those planets that will be creating difficult or negative and destructive influences in one’s life.

“Convey and Sustain Our Beliefs Repeats the 21 Cap 45 New Moon on Jan 11 2013”

 

Starting from scratch or restarting over, one needs to begin with a clean slate, and this is demonstrated and exemplified as it is akin to the start of a calendar year or a New Moon that marks the beginning of a new cycle of possibilities, opportunities, potentials, discoveries and advantages that is within one’s reach.  Throwing out the clutter, the thoughts and the confusions that accumulate through time and assorting those that are kept, according to one’s present priorities.  These feelings and concepts are still within our consciousness and are backed by our New Year resolutions just recently made.  In this atmosphere the first New Moon  in the calendar year makes it’s appearance at 21 Capricorn 45 on January 11^th 2013 at 11:44 am PST repeating and embellishing the thought that we need to convey and sustain our beliefs, as we begin a New Year and new epoch of growth, if we hope to maintain balance in our world.

 A stellium is a conjunction of planets and with this period of time in the night sky includes the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Pluto, Venus and Juno in Capricorn.  It is concentrating its energy and power, indicating a period of renewal and reenergized effort in getting things completed and finished.  With this force and power directed by the Universe, we as individuals need to work with these energies to improve and to reach our own dreams and desires.  These planets are asking us to help transform, transcend and to make a commitment to our beliefs, our relationships and to what we consider that has influence and meaning in our lives.  How we and others around us, see our energies, our time, our talents, our assets, our resources and how we work with these qualities will determine our results, our success, our happiness, our satisfactions and what we consider to be important and what we will achieve during this period of time.

“The Sabian symbol for the 22^nd degree of Capricorn is taken from “The Sabian Symbols in Astrology by Marc Edmund Jones”, and what follows are my comments.

Capricorn 22  A general accepting defeat gracefully  This is a symbol of the immediate opportunities by which the human will develops the real power, and of its underlying and uncompromising loyalty to the long-range ends in view.  A realistic practicality is made effective through a self-disciplined grace of spirit, so that men are won over very often by the enemy they have defeated.  The individual exalts his destiny as he finds its roots established in values accepted by his fellows as well as himself.  The keyword is expediency.  When positive, the degree is a genius for learning from experience and transforming setback into accomplishment, and when negative, irresponsible acceptance of the worst and insensibility to self-inadequacy.

This symbol is so timely, as it is implying and at the same time insisting that we see and consider the whole picture and situation we are in, and by deciding on a strategy before any decision or action can be made.  It is asking us to face the facts of the circumstances, and if it is inevitable that we need to admit to defeat or to retreat, one needs to lay a side one’s pride and strategically plan and devise other avenues and solutions.  It illustrates and demonstrates the principle that to lose a situation or several in a row does not mean that we do not successfully accomplish what we set out do in the first place.  In its most positive aspect, it is turning every loss to an advantage and every defeat to a victory.  To remember that every set back is temporary and is something we learn from and learn to overcome or work with.  The key is our strategy and our ability to adapt and improvise when needed.  This Capricorn New Moon is repeating, reminding and embellishing that how we convey and sustain our beliefs is the foundation of our strategy in life and how we put it to use in achieving our goals and wishes.

“Delineating a Solar Return Chart as if was a Horary Chart is Mind-boggling”

One of the methods in delineating what is going to happen in the coming year besides the method of profections, progressions, firdaria, transits, my favorites are the solar and the lunar returns for the period of time in question.  Morin felt that the method gave him many clues to the coming year, and with the confirmation of at least three other indications would substantiate what is about to occur, as long as the promise of what was going to happen was indicated by the natal chart.  In that sense I feel Morin thought destiny could not be change if the promise of what was to come was not indicated by the natal birth chart.  What could changed and to be improved upon, is how we would live our destiny and the quality of the promise given at birth.  Any suggestions or methods that will help me in working with the returns, I become very excited about and I usually need to practice and use it with my delineation to see if it would improve and increase the accuracy of my forecasting of the influences for the coming year.

So I became very excited when I came across a question in one of the astrology forums on the internet in which the person asked about delineating the return as if it was a horary chart.  As I thought about it, I began to realize how mind-boggling it was, and why I didn’t see this before in dealing with this technique.  A Solar Return chart is calculated for the exact moment of the individual’s birth time for the year in question to forecast the general outlook the person may look forward to during that period of time.  The return becomes a map pointing to where the action is, by the emphasis on certain houses, planets and signs.  This is very similar to a horary chart, as the horary chart is the birth map of the question asked by the individual of the astrologer.  The solar return is also asking the question, the question involves the condition of the individual for the coming year.  By seeing it as a horary chart, certain aspects of the chart immediately will jump out and become the focal point we need to deal with first.  The ascendant, the midheaven, the Sun, the Moon, and the houses the planets are in, gives us a quick clue to the in-depth delineation we are about to embark upon.

With the attitude of approaching the solar return delineation as a horary, one can get to the point of the question immediately without any hesitation, describing the conditions and the events of the period in question.  Seeing it in this way we get rid of the clutter, and begin to concentrate and to deal with what truly concerns us at the moment.  And that is the conditions, the potentials, the possibilities, the discoveries and the adventures that await the individual during this period of time.  It also gives us a picture of where the person is at mentally, physically, spiritually and how quickly if at all, the individual will react to any situation during the coming period of time.  Looking at the return chart as a horary, one begins to see the period of time in relation to the individual, instead of the individual first, and then relation to period of time.  In this way the delineation of the coming year leaves the ordinary and may become the extraordinary.  In working with several charts in this way, it is mind boggling how much more colorful, more precise and more detailed the delineation becomes when using all the steps and rules associated with this method.

“A Time of Reckoning is at Hand Depicts the 6 Taurus 48 full Moon on Oct 29th 2012”

The darkness and coldness of the approaching winter seems to be only a few days away as the visions and memories of the last harvest are almost completely gone.  During this period the early settlers with the limitation the weather had on their ability to keep enough provision to last through the wintry weather needed to hunt and to process their food to last them until the spring begins to unfold.  As serious preparation to provide for the coming months was by hunting game, the 6 Taurus 48 Hunter’s Full Moon makes its appearance at 12:50 pm PDT on October 29^th 2012 in opposition to the Sun conjunct Saturn in Scorpio.  Emphasizing and depicting a reckoning of some sort is at hand.  Reckoning as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as follow “A settlement of accounts: a day of reckoning”.  Saturn in Scorpio is associated with responsibility, restitution, reconciliation and to take an assessment of any situation.  This moon phase is spotlighting and forcing us to confront and to account for our fears, to account for our habits, to account for our limitations and is asking us to address it or let it go.

“The Sabian symbol for the Moon in 7^th degrees of Taurus and for the Sun in 7^th degrees of Scorpio is taken from “The Sabian Symbols in Astrology by Marc Edmund Jones”, and what follows are my comments.

Taurus 7  A woman of Samaria  This is a symbol of the unimpeachable divinity which characterizes man’s nature at root, represented here by his instinct for higher things as he yet plumbs all experience to the depths and welcomes life almost indiscriminately into the uttermost inner reaches of his being.  Implicit in the reversed symbolism of this famous amoral figure of Biblical times is an indomitability of striving for real and gratifying self-fulfillments.  The keyword is awakening.  When positive, the degree is absolute and wholly impersonal self-giving in the hope of an honest self-realization, and when negative, a debasing and carefree dissoluteness accepted in compensation for the unattained and more enduring satisfactions.

Scorpio 7  Deep-sea divers  this is a symbol of the absolute integrity of man’s nature at root, dramatized here by his insatiable determination to plumb all experience to the depths and to uncover the illimitable reaches of potentiality in his world of everyday relationships.  Implicit in the symbolism is a challenge to self-refinement through a subjection of the skills of self to every possible test or opportunity for a further perfection.  Self-fulfillment is through an ever-increasing interest in day-by-day problems.  The keyword is involvement.  When positive, the degree is a persistent penetration to the very vital core of human motive and make-up, and when negative, fundamentally unsocial instincts and a resort to wholly absurd escapism.

This symbol speaks to us of the sacredness of man ever thirsting for spiritual nourishment and the enlightenment of seeking fellowship with kindred spirits.  It speaks to us of reaching out and demonstrating and living our beliefs and being an example to others in what we stand for.  The accent is on being of service and putting aside our fears, our limitations, and our prejudices and in giving our assistance and support to others in need, whether they share the same convictions or not.  It is also asking us to take an account of our spiritual beliefs and our concepts of what is truth, and if it is hindering us from addresing our values?  Is our ability to assist and to listen to others dependent on whether they share the same views as us?  At the same time the symbol speaks to us of the need to investigate, to explore and to unravel any mystery to its core value for our self improvement and growth.  Curiosity and persistence gives the momentum to scrutinize things out before acting upon it.  As the Taurus Full Moon makes its presence felt, let us remind ourselves that the time of reckoning is coming from within.  That we are our own judge and jury, and the outcome is in our hands.

“Imparting Knowledge Inspires Change Encourages the 22 Libra 32 New Moon Oct 15th 2012”

As the chill of the winds begins to gather, and the summer breezes begin to fade, and with the last of the summer harvest being picked, the cold dark winter days are almost upon us.  This was the time period in the early days of this country, that the preparation to hunt for game, in order to store up for the months ahead, was about to begin.  If the families were to survive the winter, care in deciding and storing up provisions was an important factor for the days ahead.  In this day and age as the summer activities come to an end, a need to prepare for what will be needed to carry us through the wintry weather, is essential in renewing our physical and spiritual bodies for the coming spring.  Regrettably, unlike the days of old, in this modern world, there is a lot to amuse us and the importance and need of refreshing and renewing our inner life has taken a backseat, to the wonderments and excitements of being entertained during the coming months.

Fortunately the Universe in its wisdom and foresight has a plan for us and has given us some difficult aspects to work through and at the same time the Universe also has given us other aspects to help us to successfully accomplish our goals.  Our responsibility is to listen and to work through the messages, which our higher self is communicating to us.  One of the blessings the Universe has selected for us is the up coming 22 Libra 32 New Moon on October 15^th 2012 at 5:02 am PDT encouraging and emphasizing that imparting knowledge inspires change.  It is not only the imparting of our knowledge, but at the same time to listen and to learn from others.  We need to remember that we are all connected and need to work together for the benefit for all.  That Mother Earth, the Moon, the Sun and all creation has a message to share, and that message is we all need to focus and to work together in unison, for the benefit of all that inhabit the earth.

“The Sabian symbol for the 23^rd degree of Libra is taken from “The Sabian Symbols in Astrology by Marc Edmund Jones”, and what follows are my comments.

Libra 23  Chanticleer  this is a symbol of the soul’s ultimate self-realization through a basic integrity of its own insights or judgments, and of the unchallenged acceptance it is able to gain for its particular role in human affairs.  Implicit in the symbolism are the practical rewards which come from the more effectively dramatized distinction of everyday living, and the enduring significance which the self achieves for itself through the place in life it succeeds in making its own.  The keyword is fervor.  When positive, the degree is a fearless self-affirmation which gains a sympathetic attention and wins immediate allegiance from the hearts and minds of everybody, and when negative, ill-starred conceit and ineffective bombast.

The definition of Chanticleer taken from the American Heritage Dictionary is 1.) The rooster  2.) To sing, and I believe the author is implying the rooster is the master of his domain signaling the dawn of day with a loud and boisterous crow.  This symbol speaks of the confidence of the self image and the need for others to recognize and to acknowledge this perception the person has of them self.  The image dramatizes the enthusiasm, ambition, assertiveness, and the pride and the purpose of the position the person holds in the community. It also stresses the need to draw attention to what is important to all involved, and a secondary and more subtle implication, is that a wake-up call to what is important is vital at this moment in time.  The keyword, fervor is the answer to our success at this time, as passion and dedication is the impulse to continue when the going gets a bit rough.  This symbol emphasizes the message of this 22 Libra 32 New Moon that the knowledge is power and that imparting that knowledge inspires change.  Although change is in the air through the aspects that have been lingering in the night sky, knowledge is it’s impetuous.

“Sun in the Solar Return Tenth House is an Accomplishment and Success Well Earned!”

 

As the financial atmosphere still seems a bit shaky and apparently recovery seems further away than most people were hoping for, the need to secure our own future is eminent in all our thoughts.  Even those who should have no apparent reason to be worried about their situation are giving second thoughts to their circumstances and are cautious of what the future has in store.  All are affected by the lingering cloud of the unknown and the unrest that seems to prevail everywhere, and the ineffective decisions that have so far not been able to turn the financial situation around.  More and more people are beginning to see the light that they need to take control of their own destiny in hand, if they are to avoid some of the trials and tribulations that may be in store for all of us.  Some of us in anticipating what the future has in store are making decisions to change our course, before we are pushed into it.  This was in the message I had received from one who sees the handwriting on the wall, and felt she needed to do something before the wall crumbles in front of her.  Realizing she had no other choices she began using astrology to pick the appropriate time in making her decisions to decide when the changes should come about to bring the best results. 

 

For the coming year she saw that she had the Sun in the solar return tenth house and began to make her plans.  As with all major decisions, no matter how good one is at delineating a chart, doubt comes in and a second opinion is always needed to calm the fears when making a radical decision or change.  There have been many times I have sought a second opinion, as I have never felt I could be objective in delineating a chart for myself.  I am always hesitant in advising a major change, as I have always felt the individual needed to make that decision from the surrounding circumstances that may appear on the horizon.  I do not believe our life is predestined in such a way that we lose the freedom of choice.  I believe we can make it better or worst what lies in our path, by the choices we make along the way.  Seeing that the decision was already made, I felt better and more comfortable about giving my opinion on the chart. Seeing her chart was exciting for me, as this was the first time I have seen a chart in a pattern similar to my own.  Marc Edmond Jones categorizes natal charts into seven zodiacal patterns with certain traits and characteristics.  I felt I was among a kindred spirit, especially with both of ourNeptune’s in our natal first, given both of us an open door to all the traits and the characteristics this planet encompasses. 

 

I began to wonder if even with our differences, and in the end, the outcomes may turnout to be different, would we experience and anticipate each of the situations in similar ways?  With this thought along side the axiom of Morin, that to predict a major event, one needed at least another aspect to prove the indication was feasible.  With the Sun in the solar return tenth house, exact on the midheaven and with Uranus and Pluto near the angles, an important and active year is indicated.  Sun in the tenth indicates the right time for career decisions and changes and the possibilities of becoming self-employed.  The solar return Sun square the solar return Uranus which is in opposition to Pluto, indicating an end of one situation and transforming it to something very different, giving new life and new energy to that which once seem ordinary.  With a full Moon in the solar return, the individual can expect a lot of hard work and surprises, and at the same time a period of satisfaction, accomplishment and joy. 

 

Working with an old traditional timing method called profection, the individual focus for the year is the tenth house with the ruler Mercury located in the solar return tenth, confirming the importance of tenth house matters in the coming year.  One of the unfortunate things about the Sun in the tenth, unlike Jupiter or the Moon, if one can call it inopportune, is that everything good or bad that happens to the individual is through their own efforts, and not depended on others or blessings laid in front for their use.  The person needs to become aware and attentive of the circumstances, the surrounding influences, and to be able to improvise at a moment’s notice, to take advantage of the benefits in the coming year and to be able to reach the goals it has set for itself.  My conclusion to the solar return tenth house Sun is good and beneficial for tenth house matters, but the outcome is depended on the individual’s ability to work with the assets given to him, and the person’s accomplishment and success is well earned.  The real importance is not the end result, but how we work with what we have, that will give us the confidence and knowledge to a successful completion of our hopes and dreams where the tenth house is concerned.

“The 165 Degree or Johndro Aspect is Considered a Minor Aspect in the Major League”

 

I have always felt that life and everything in it is synergistic with the laws of the Universe, and if one could quiet one’s self long enough to listen and to be aware of it, its secrets will slowly be revealed.  My thoughts have always been if I am open, then at the right time, the right thing will come along into my life.  As of late, the intensity to learn all I can in astrology has been my main ambition and goal.  In the last issue of the Mountain Astrologer Magazine issue #163 June/July 2012, an article entitled “The 165 Degree Aspect” by Zane B. Stein, a leading authority on Chiron, was featured.  I have glanced at the article several times, without really reading it with my full attention.  I usually only use the major aspects in my delineations, and only use the minor aspects to confirm what I already suspected.  For myself, I have always tried to keep my delineations as simple as possible, as too many ingredients in the mixture would usually confuse me and my interpretations became too complex and less to the point of the matter.  For some reason, I felt I needed to pay more attention to this minor aspect of 165 degree, or quindecile, also known as the Johndro Aspect and or the Tao aspect.  Maybe it was the word Tao, which I have always associated with a way of life, which one needed to work with and to be in control of, which attracted my attention

 

Quoting from the article the keywords associated with this aspects are as follow: “determined, persistent, single-minded, dogged, unyielding, unrelenting, unwavering, persevering, uncompromising, reacting intensely to events by becoming all the more focused; unable to quit under any circumstances, not fazed by the apparent reality of a situation (not letting apparent reality interfere with one’s purpose); potential for becoming truly obsessive; believing that there is no such thing as a non-negotiable issue; continually to get up and return to the fray no matter how many times one is knocked down; not afraid of controversy.  When at its most negative, refusing to be swayed from one’s course by the realties of a situation can lead to self-destructive behavior.”  After reading this description, I saw myself within its words, which I always attributed to my ascendant square my Midheaven, with Neptune square the Moon and Mars in the sixth house square the tenth house, as the cause of my affliction.  I am now convinced it is because I have an almost exact 165 degree orb between Neptune and Mars.  In truth I never considered this affliction as totally bad or totally good.  In some instances I felt it was God sent, in that it helped me continue to the finish line of any difficult project I decided on.  At other times I thought it was a nuisance, as I could not seem to give up hope on any desire or wish, no matter how impractical it appeared.  Even when it seems fruitless, I wanted to wait until the next turn in the road, and even then would not give up my expectation that it would come to pass.  This was a light bulb turned on to high, illuminating a new avenue of discoveries.

 

Because it is happening in my own chart and with my own experiences, usually gives me the momentum to look into things, concepts, and ideas with a more open and concerted effort to uncover the truth and the validity of it.  Looking at a friend’s chart who was always very deliberate and directed in his philosophy and spiritual life, and that this was his main focus and objective in life, above anything else, appears to others as an obsession and a commandment of truth to proselytize others with.  Although he was not doing that, it appeared to others who did not know hi well that this was his main objective.  This made me wonder if the aspect was what we experience as individuals, or what others think they see in us because of the aspect working through us in unexpected ways?  I was not surprised to find an exact orb of a few seconds from his Sun in Gemini to Jupiter in Scorpio.  The keywords to this aspect seem to be more destructive then positive, but I have always had the conviction, nothing is absolutely beneficial or malefic, it is the way we put the attributes to work in our lives that determines the good or bad of it.  As I continue to read the article, it appeared that those who achieved something in life either had one or several of these aspects in their chart.  I could see where this aspect is needed to achieve anything worthwhile in life, as it keeps us going when hope is diminished and the light at the end is not in sight, until our goal is reached.  At the same time it can be an annoyance, in that we continue with something that has no end.  For those who have this aspect in their charts, I wonder what your thoughts are on the matter?

“Is The Ascendant Me or the Me I Want Others to See, or Things I Can Not Change?”

As an astrologer who realizes that one is studying a subject that seems never ending as one continues the journey, one begins to take for granted the steps one has put to memory, and uses almost daily.  This came to my attention recently when I was asked the question: Please define the ascendant and explain how it is connected to astrological theory.  A simple question I thought at first, but then when I actually thought about it, I realized it wasn’t as simple to answer.  If I were asked the same question when I first started in my studies, my answer would be different.  How I see it now, and what I was taught seems to be as different as the shades of gray from black to white.  It all depends where in the shades of gray really defines what you mean.

The ascendant or what we as astrologers normally call the rising sign is the zodiacal degree and sign ascending on the eastern horizon at the specific time and location of the birth of whatever type of chart we are studying.  The chart could be calculated for the birth of an individual, horary question, an event, or a beginning of a project.  In one word, the ascendant indicates the time of a beginning, and the description of that beginning.  Since the ascendant is specific in its calculation, its description, environment, conditioning and the circumstances particular to that particular moment and place is expressed and revealed.  The ascendant is important in the delineation of any type of chart, as it gives a quick summary of what the situation is at the moment without synthesizing the whole chart.  One should never give an opinion of a chart without completely studying it. 

If one is considering a natal chart, it describes the physical appearance and the overall health of the individual and those qualities which the individual deem important to express in his everyday dealings with others.  The ascendant is how each individual has learned to express those qualities in order to cope with unfamiliar and uncomfortable circumstances.  The ascendant becomes a shield and a mask as a defense mechanism to make life easier and to guard the sensitive areas that make up our character and personality.  In describing a horary, question, an event, or a beginning of a project, the ascendant describes the surroundings, the atmosphere, the location, and the state of affairs happening at the moment.  Especially with a horary, the description if accurate, will determine if the calculation of the chart was correct, and give the delineator confidence that the interpretation is on the right track.  This is also definitely true and important in working with a natal chart,

Unfortunately, most people think the Sun sign or the ascendant will give a true picture of the individual, but the truth of the matter, they only give one side of the personality, and not the whole picture.  It is like looking at one side of a building, one is not getting a full picture of what we are seeing.  The same is true in delineating a chart, one needs to synthesize everything to come to the true picture of the individual.  Originally I felt like other astrologers that the ascendant is what the individual in question wants you to see, and not necessarily who the individual really is.  And the tenth house is the individual that the person wants the world to see in public.  I have slowly begun to change my opinion of the ascendant, in that I still feel, it is what the person wants others to see.  But, that the ascendant also shows those characteristics the person wishes to hide, but the person can not, for what ever reasons that exist.  For example, if we are taller or shorter then we wish to be, our height is something we can not hide.  I have noticed through my delineations that the ascendants exposes more than what we wish others to see.  In summation, the ascendant expresses the person, the individual wants others to see and those he may wish to conceal, but can not hide or change.

“Night and Day, You Are the One Sings the Sun’s Position in Your Natal Chart”

Astrology like any other subject one decides to study, because one loves and enjoys it, becomes second nature that continues to grow, until one no longer can control the urge, but to allow it to go its merry way.  This has become my obsession, in that the more I learn, the more I have realized that I have not scratched the surface with so much available at our finger tips through the internet as paperbacks, hardbound, eBooks or PDF downloads.  There are so many areas to be discovered and to be mastered that one begins to wonder where one should start?  My choice was to begin with the very early writers of the art, and I am lucky to commence at a time when the translations of early writings into English are beginning to be more plentiful and easier to obtain.  Some of the translations are still difficult for me to comprehend and to get a handle on the meaning, the transcripts hoped to convey. 

 

How bless are we, who desire to acquire more information and knowledge, that by diligently studying what is available we will have a better grasp and understanding of where we came from and where we are going.  As more traditional and classical astrology manuscripts have become available, a surge of interest has gained a momentum and continues to grow, and more is sure to come.  Although I still consider myself a modern astrologer, my deep desire to study the classics has made me a hybrid that works well with what I have already learnt and mastered.  Working with both systems and not giving preference to either is my goal.  Since I was born in a culture very different from my parent’s, I am comfortable combining the two worlds, so that it would work for me, and represent who I really am.  It comes naturally to me to see both sides and to reconcile the apparently opposites to work together as one unit.

 

With this in mind, the traditional system of sect is determined by the placement of the Sun in a chart to decide on the order of placement, the amount of energy, the amount of power, the qualitative performance of each planet, is implemented by dividing them into two categories.  One consisting of the planets that work in sympathy and empathy with the daytime, which is termed as diurnal, which is led by the Sun followed by Jupiter and Saturn, while the Moon, Venus and Mars, comprise the nighttime or nocturnal team of planets.  Mercury is considered neutral, depending on whether it  appears on the horizon as a morning star, in which it allies itself with the diurnal sect, and likewise if it appears as an evening star in the chart, the nocturnal sect. 

 

An important point to note is that planet’s sect whether it is considered malefic or benefic is a qualitative measurement of how well it will perform.  It is said that a planet in its own sect, whether benefic or malefic will perform better, and in its opposite state, be in a weaker position to carry out its duties.  Malefic planets appear to be more problematic and can be quite benign and at the same time even beneficial if not more constructive then the benefic planets in some circumstances.  Lately my thoughts about a planet out of sect have changed, and have taken a twist I did not expect because of my own personal experience.  I have always felt the axiom “As above, so below” to be true and is demonstrated all around us, every moment of the day. 

 

All my life I have considered myself a day person, who performs everything better in the daytime.  Late one evening I needed to think and work something out and was at a point of exhaustion when I finally thought I had the project finished.  The next morning with a clearer mind and hoping to see and benefit from my hard work, I was disappointed with the outcome.  Not only did I have to redo the project, but for some reason it seems that what I was trying work out, gave me the inspirations for other avenues in approaching any solution to any problem.  I began to wonder if this would apply to a planet in the wrong sect, is it possible that not only does it operate in a weaker position, but would it operate in a more erratic and unexpected way then anticipated? 

 

Whether it was a benefic or malefic, could it perform as it’s opposite and out perform it, depending on the situation and aspects?  Studying and looking at my own natal chart applying the essential dignities and the bounds, I found this to be true.  Mars in my day chart below the horizon and Venus on the midheaven seems to display attributes of Uranus, surprising me at every turn, but I find that my stellium in Gemini finds this quite agreeable.  My conclusion on the matter, is when ever I see a chart with planets out of sect, I will proceed with caution, and not jump to the obvious conclusion and see if it might act in a more erratic manner than one might expect.  The keyword is caution, as the assumption of what dos and don’ts a planet should follow and stick with may derail one’s delineation of a chart.  My personal opinion is that one needs to use caution, wisdom and intuition to separate a great delineation from a good one when applying the technique of sect.

 

“Saturn a Malefic, Influences How Successful We Will Fulfill Our Destiny and Goals”

 

I have always had a fascination with Saturn since I have always associated the planet with the very strict God of our forefathers from the past, which gave us the laws to abide by.  Judgment and punishment would be dispensed if we did not follow the rules exactingly to the letter.  My thoughts are that as we were created in the image of God and as time went on our perception of our maker gradually transforms into a Jupiter type God that had more understanding and compassion.  As we continued to grow and learn, the concept of God became associated with the Sun planet as an all loving and forgiving being which incorporated all the attributes that came before.  The planet Saturn is considered the dispenser of discipline, structure and growth.  Saturn is considered extremely malefic of the planets and is barren, cold, dry, masculine, mysterious, secretive and a builder and destroyer at the same time.  The planet creates disharmony, disappointments, disputes, difficulties, differences, and may deny and delay that which one hopes for.  At the same time the beneficial attributes are stability, endurance, persistence, perseverance, responsibility, accuracy, precision, perfectness and self control with a sense of duty which permeates the planet. 

 

In my thinking Saturn is the father of cause and effect, and is considered saintly when things turn out or devilish when things go wrong.  These qualities as stated above are the essential elements needed to accomplish our hopes, wishes and our destiny.  How we use these qualities of this planet determines how well we will achieve our goals and our purpose in this life.  The truth of the matter is that we are the ones that are responsible for either making the decision or going with the flow of the general consensus which would have instigated the cause in the first place, and the effect of that action automatically follows.  Once we realize and understand this truth we will apprehend that we do have a choice in our future, and that with the Universe, we are co-creators of our own destiny.  Our direction in life may be unchangeable as the course may have already be charted, but how and the way we experience it is up to the choices we make along the way.  The decisions that are made in life are accomplished with the help and energy of Saturn. 

 

This is why it is the condition of the planet Saturn in our charts which effects how well we perform and accomplish our wishes and fulfill our destiny.  Is Saturn happy in the sign, house and the aspect it is in with the other planet?  Is it in aspect to its depositor and near an angle?  If the Saturn is in an unhelpful way, what planet in the chart may be of help?  My first teacher always emphasized that the Universe always balances the chart, in that for every malefic a beneficial aspect was given to help offset the trials and difficulties.  It is the choice of the individual how the assets, liabilities and talents to achieve the goals and the desired wishes are used.  In my opinion and thinking Mercury is the planet to help us understand what was communicated to us, the planet Jupiter gives us the reason and purpose of the message.  Saturn helps us to structure and gives us the momentum, and Mars gives us the energy to bring it to fruition.  Understanding the condition of our Saturn in our chart is the first step to successfully fulfilling our destiny in this life, by using the planet to its fullest potential and by accepting its abilities and its limits.