The modern approach to birth charts involves describing an individual’s personality and psychology based on what planets in signs, planets in houses, and planets in aspect are said to mean. This is known as the 'cookbook' approach. Scores of books and computer programs have been written with the purpose of delineating all possible planet, sign, house, and aspect combinations. Thus the seeker of self-knowledge who orders a computerized birth chart report will receive some thirty pages of material claiming to describe him in detail.
There is a major flaw in this approach. To illustrate it, let's take an example. Suppose an individual was born with Venus retrograde in Virgo in the tenth house. A modern report would describe what Venus in Virgo is said to mean, what Venus in the tenth house is said to mean, and what any aspects with Venus are said to mean. However, at least one key point would be ignored entirely: How well does Venus function in this sign? She is in fall. Being also retrograde, she is in bad shape indeed. The consequences for the individual of Venus being in this condition would not be addressed at all.
Dignity and reception: As I learned from my teacher, no chart can be truly understood without a careful analysis of both.
There are two kinds of dignity. Essential dignity tells us what condition the planet is in: good or bad? This determines how that planet will ‘behave’ in any of its roles in the chart, which include its natural significations (e.g., Venus = romantic relationships) and the matters signified by the houses it rules. Accidental dignity involves the planet’s placement within the chart: strong or weak place from which to act? This tells us the scope of the planet’s potential for good or ill in the life areas which it signifies.
Reception is how we understand the planets’ relationships to each other. Which planets like or dislike each other, and who has the power in the relationship? Imagining them as characters, we then come to understand what motivates them and how they will interact with and affect each other.
Traditional natal interpretation begins with an assessment of the individual's temperament. In the classical typology there are four temperaments, each corresponding to one of the elements: choleric (fire), sanguine (air), melancholic (earth), and phlegmatic (water). Each of us is a mixture of all four; the assessment determines which is dominant. This is the backdrop against which everything else in the chart is examined and understood.
Along with the analysis of dignity, reception, and temperament, traditional natal work also involves careful examination of any fixed stars that fall in prominent places in the chart, and of the important relationship between Moon and Mercury, which together signify how the mind functions.
To learn more about traditional astrology, read John Frawley’s books: The Real Astrology, The Real Astrology Applied, Sports Astrology, and The Horary Textbook. The latter provides an excellent summary of astrology basics in Part 1.
Reading these books is a great place to start, yet if you truly wish to study there is no substitute for one-to-one instruction with an expert. For this, I am at your service. Information about the course I teach is on my website, www.kathrynsilvestre.com, which I invite you to visit.
Originally posted on April 25, 2010; rewritten on March 3, 2013 by the author.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
"When will my husband come home?"
Horary continues to amaze me with its accurate reflection of reality.
In this horary, the querent was upset that her husband had not come home after a night out with coworkers. When the agreed-upon arrival time came and went, she called him on his cell but got his voicemail—several times. This was unusual; he always had his cell on and with him. In fact, it was so unlike him to be late or irresponsible that querent had worked herself into a panic. Feeding the panic was their child's anxiety and disappointment that daddy had not come home to tuck him in.
Virgo rising makes Mercury our querent and Jupiter the husband (ruler of Pisces on the Descendant).
Jupiter is peregrine at 29.34 Aquarius and in the 6th house. The next sign is Pisces, which Jupiter rules. Therefore, hubby will return to his own house—literally—soon. Timing is always the tricky part: How soon?
I interpreted .5 degree as half an hour and predicted a return home by 10 p.m. Not so. The husband returned home at around 11:45 p.m., two and a half hours later. The only way I can figure this is to consider 0 Pisces as the start of the next day at midnight, but this is, of course, in retrospect.
As it turns out, querent's hubby had WAY too much to drink, hadn’t heard his cell (which was in his coat pocket at the bar rather than on his person) and completely lost track of time. Note the receptions between the two main significators. Querent is Mercury. What is she interested in? Saturn, Lord 5: her child. The kid's anxiety was what prompted the question. How does she feel about hubby right now? Mercury is in Jupiter's fall in Capricorn—she loathes him.
What about Mercury conjunct Pluto; does it figure in? Querent’s emotions turned from panic to fury when hubby arrived home drunk. In fact, she had never seen him so drunk. She relates that she was quite beside herself and verbally ranted at hubby for his lapse of judgment. Mercury conjunct Pluto, hating Jupiter, seems to signify her intense verbal fury.
Things returned to normal the next day, although the hubby was quite sick and voluntarily abstained from alcohol for about a month afterwards!
In this horary, the querent was upset that her husband had not come home after a night out with coworkers. When the agreed-upon arrival time came and went, she called him on his cell but got his voicemail—several times. This was unusual; he always had his cell on and with him. In fact, it was so unlike him to be late or irresponsible that querent had worked herself into a panic. Feeding the panic was their child's anxiety and disappointment that daddy had not come home to tuck him in.
Virgo rising makes Mercury our querent and Jupiter the husband (ruler of Pisces on the Descendant).
Jupiter is peregrine at 29.34 Aquarius and in the 6th house. The next sign is Pisces, which Jupiter rules. Therefore, hubby will return to his own house—literally—soon. Timing is always the tricky part: How soon?
I interpreted .5 degree as half an hour and predicted a return home by 10 p.m. Not so. The husband returned home at around 11:45 p.m., two and a half hours later. The only way I can figure this is to consider 0 Pisces as the start of the next day at midnight, but this is, of course, in retrospect.
As it turns out, querent's hubby had WAY too much to drink, hadn’t heard his cell (which was in his coat pocket at the bar rather than on his person) and completely lost track of time. Note the receptions between the two main significators. Querent is Mercury. What is she interested in? Saturn, Lord 5: her child. The kid's anxiety was what prompted the question. How does she feel about hubby right now? Mercury is in Jupiter's fall in Capricorn—she loathes him.
What about Mercury conjunct Pluto; does it figure in? Querent’s emotions turned from panic to fury when hubby arrived home drunk. In fact, she had never seen him so drunk. She relates that she was quite beside herself and verbally ranted at hubby for his lapse of judgment. Mercury conjunct Pluto, hating Jupiter, seems to signify her intense verbal fury.
Things returned to normal the next day, although the hubby was quite sick and voluntarily abstained from alcohol for about a month afterwards!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Duke won (big sad face)
But wow, what a game! Butler had a chance to win in the last two seconds and ALMOST pulled it off... but the shot didn't go in. As the TV announcers said, this game will go down as one of the greatest championship games ever. Every moment of the game was exciting!
Please remember that the astrology was not wrong; the truth of what happened is in the chart. It was my judgment that missed the mark.
I think because I favored Butler I did not weigh the evidence properly. Yes, Lord 1 opposing Fortuna favors the underdog, but this alone was not enough for a win. The Moon's action must tell the story. The final aspect of the Moon was a conjunction with the North Node, and this signified a win for the favorites.
I'm having my typical oh-how-awful-for-the-losers empathy for Butler and its fans. To come so close and not win! But they played a fabulous game, and I hope in time they will come to realize that (after the pain has faded).
Well folks, that's it for sports predictions for a while. I don't like pro basketball and I'm not much of a baseball fan. I'm happy to have gained some experience with sports contest charts, which are new to me (having done only sports horaries previously). Many thanks to my readers for bearing with me during this learning curve, and I hope it has been fun!
Please remember that the astrology was not wrong; the truth of what happened is in the chart. It was my judgment that missed the mark.
I think because I favored Butler I did not weigh the evidence properly. Yes, Lord 1 opposing Fortuna favors the underdog, but this alone was not enough for a win. The Moon's action must tell the story. The final aspect of the Moon was a conjunction with the North Node, and this signified a win for the favorites.
I'm having my typical oh-how-awful-for-the-losers empathy for Butler and its fans. To come so close and not win! But they played a fabulous game, and I hope in time they will come to realize that (after the pain has faded).
Well folks, that's it for sports predictions for a while. I don't like pro basketball and I'm not much of a baseball fan. I'm happy to have gained some experience with sports contest charts, which are new to me (having done only sports horaries previously). Many thanks to my readers for bearing with me during this learning curve, and I hope it has been fun!
Duke vs. Butler
The game just tipped off at 9:24 p.m. EDT (8:24 p.m. Milwaukee time). The chart is adjusted just slightly. Here it is:
Duke is favored. Based on Lord 1--Mars--at 04.02 Leo applying to oppose Fortuna at 04.21 Aquarius, I predict a Butler win. Please see my previous post for a fuller analysis.
See you after the game!
NCAA Championship Game: Duke vs. Butler
Tip-off time for the NCAA men's basketball championship game in Indianapolis is publicized as 9:21 p.m. EDT tonight (8:21 p.m. here in Milwaukee). I have cast the chart and will post it once the game actually starts. Rising sign is 00.33 Scorpio, so we know for sure that Duke--strongly favored--will be Mars, and Butler--the underdogs--Venus. Cusp 10 (Duke success) is Leo, making the Sun Lord 10. Cusp 4 (Butler success) is Aquarius, making Saturn Lord 4.
Butler is the 'cinderella' team this year and public sentiment seems to be on their side. I will certainly be rooting for them myself.
When we look at the chart, what jumps out is Mars closely applying to cusp 10. This suggests Duke is strong in its own power. However, Mars is applying immediately to oppose the Part of Fortune (Fortuna). Per Sports Astrology, this is clear and strong testimony in favor of the underdogs.
The Sun at 16.09 Aries will make an immediate square to the North and South nodes at 16.32 Capricorn/16.32 Cancer. Frawley doesn't address this configuration in the book, but intuitively this looks like a challenge for Duke.
The Moon in game-start charts is the flow of action. I reviewed the section about the Moon after calling the Butler vs. Michigan State game incorrectly. The book claims that the type of aspect is irrelevant. If that is true, then the Moon square Jupiter (MSU) in that chart should have favored MSU--but it didn't. In tonight's chart we have another such square with the Moon: Moon square Sun (Duke success). This is supposed to favor Duke, but now I am skeptical. Then the Moon appears to conjunct its own North Node (possible only if consider NN as standing still). This, too, should favor Duke.
To summarize, then: We have one major testimony which should favor Butler: Mars opposing Fortuna. We have two testimonies that should favor Duke: Moon square Sun and (if valid) Moon conjunct NN.
I'm calling the game for Butler. Somehow Lord 1 opposing Fortuna feels like stronger testimony to me. In a few hours we shall see what actually happens.
Happy viewing, college basketball fans!
Butler is the 'cinderella' team this year and public sentiment seems to be on their side. I will certainly be rooting for them myself.
When we look at the chart, what jumps out is Mars closely applying to cusp 10. This suggests Duke is strong in its own power. However, Mars is applying immediately to oppose the Part of Fortune (Fortuna). Per Sports Astrology, this is clear and strong testimony in favor of the underdogs.
The Sun at 16.09 Aries will make an immediate square to the North and South nodes at 16.32 Capricorn/16.32 Cancer. Frawley doesn't address this configuration in the book, but intuitively this looks like a challenge for Duke.
The Moon in game-start charts is the flow of action. I reviewed the section about the Moon after calling the Butler vs. Michigan State game incorrectly. The book claims that the type of aspect is irrelevant. If that is true, then the Moon square Jupiter (MSU) in that chart should have favored MSU--but it didn't. In tonight's chart we have another such square with the Moon: Moon square Sun (Duke success). This is supposed to favor Duke, but now I am skeptical. Then the Moon appears to conjunct its own North Node (possible only if consider NN as standing still). This, too, should favor Duke.
To summarize, then: We have one major testimony which should favor Butler: Mars opposing Fortuna. We have two testimonies that should favor Duke: Moon square Sun and (if valid) Moon conjunct NN.
I'm calling the game for Butler. Somehow Lord 1 opposing Fortuna feels like stronger testimony to me. In a few hours we shall see what actually happens.
Happy viewing, college basketball fans!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Duke wins, as predicted
Duke dominated throughout the game and won by a wide margin--21 points.
It's Butler vs. Duke for the national championship on Monday night (4/5/10). Signing off until then!
It's Butler vs. Duke for the national championship on Monday night (4/5/10). Signing off until then!
Duke vs. West Virginia
Big difference between estimated tip off and actual--27 minutes! Actual tip off was 9:15 p.m. EDT in Indianapolis.
Here's the chart:
Duke as the favored team is Venus (Lord 1), their success is the Sun (Lord 10). West Virginia is Mars (Lord 7), their success Saturn (Lord 4). Mars is just inside the 10th house, suggesting that Duke is in control. Moon makes an immediate square to Jupiter, but this is not directly relevant here (that I can see). The Moon will sextile Fortuna, but in just under seven degrees--too wide, perhaps, to matter.
Going on the major testimony of Mars inside the 10th, I predict a Duke win.
Here's the chart:
Going on the major testimony of Mars inside the 10th, I predict a Duke win.
Butler won, and here's why
Learnng is good--and so is humility. Butler won by two points in a great and close game.
Somewhere after the 2nd half began I had an, "Oh no!" moment and realized where I went wrong. Because of primary motion (planets rising in the East, setting in the West) the Moon is actually moving AWAY from cusp 4, not toward it. We can see this when we animate the chart: Cusp 4 gets farther away from the Moon, even as she continues forward in secondary (zodiacal) motion.
The first and only aspect that the Moon makes, then, is a square with Jupiter (Michigan State). Square being a difficult angle, this works against Michigan State. There is no other testimony involving the Moon as flow of action, and Butler is favored, so Butler wins. Congrats to Butler and its fans!
I've predicted a Duke win in the next game. I'll check the actual tip-off time and post the chart soon thereafter.
Somewhere after the 2nd half began I had an, "Oh no!" moment and realized where I went wrong. Because of primary motion (planets rising in the East, setting in the West) the Moon is actually moving AWAY from cusp 4, not toward it. We can see this when we animate the chart: Cusp 4 gets farther away from the Moon, even as she continues forward in secondary (zodiacal) motion.
The first and only aspect that the Moon makes, then, is a square with Jupiter (Michigan State). Square being a difficult angle, this works against Michigan State. There is no other testimony involving the Moon as flow of action, and Butler is favored, so Butler wins. Congrats to Butler and its fans!
I've predicted a Duke win in the next game. I'll check the actual tip-off time and post the chart soon thereafter.
Butler vs. Michigan State
Actual tip-off time was 6:11 p.m. EDT, Indianapolis.
Cusps do not change significantly, so significators are the same. The distance Moon has to reach cusp 4 is now just under four degrees. Prediction is the same: Michigan State wins.
NCAA Semifinal predictions
Estimated tip-off times for tonight's games are 6:07 pm EDT for Butler vs. Michigan State and 8:47 p.m. EDT for Duke vs. West Virginia. The games are being held in Indianapolis, IN. Butler is favored over MSU and Duke is favored over WV, neither by big margins.
We have learned that actual tip off can vary from the official estimate. Here are my predictions *IF* games tip-off at these times. If they don't, I will post revisions as quickly as possible after actual start times.
Butler vs. Michigan State
Butler is Mercury (ruler of both 1st and 10th houses); Michigan State is Jupiter (ruler of both 7th and 4th). Moon is the flow of events. Jupiter is within three degrees of its own cusp 7, suggesting that MSU is in control of its own destiny. More importantly, the Moon at 15.53 Sag will square Jupiter at 17.55 Pisces, then conjunct cusp 4 at 18.42 Sag: Michigan State wins.
Duke vs. West Virginia
Duke is Venus, West Virginia is Mars. Moon is Lord 10, Duke's success; per Frawley's advice, we will leave the Moon as the flow of action and do without a Lord 10. WV's success, Lord 4, is Saturn.
The only clear testimony here is that Moon, 17.18 Sag, immediately squares Jupiter at 17.57 Pisces (relevance unknown), then makes a sextile to Fortuna at 19.05 Aquarius. Moon sextile Fortuna favors the favorites: Duke wins.
I will post the charts once they are final (with tip off times confirmed).
We have learned that actual tip off can vary from the official estimate. Here are my predictions *IF* games tip-off at these times. If they don't, I will post revisions as quickly as possible after actual start times.
Butler vs. Michigan State
Butler is Mercury (ruler of both 1st and 10th houses); Michigan State is Jupiter (ruler of both 7th and 4th). Moon is the flow of events. Jupiter is within three degrees of its own cusp 7, suggesting that MSU is in control of its own destiny. More importantly, the Moon at 15.53 Sag will square Jupiter at 17.55 Pisces, then conjunct cusp 4 at 18.42 Sag: Michigan State wins.
Duke vs. West Virginia
Duke is Venus, West Virginia is Mars. Moon is Lord 10, Duke's success; per Frawley's advice, we will leave the Moon as the flow of action and do without a Lord 10. WV's success, Lord 4, is Saturn.
The only clear testimony here is that Moon, 17.18 Sag, immediately squares Jupiter at 17.57 Pisces (relevance unknown), then makes a sextile to Fortuna at 19.05 Aquarius. Moon sextile Fortuna favors the favorites: Duke wins.
I will post the charts once they are final (with tip off times confirmed).
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