The Draconic Chart - The Path of Purpose & Development of Character at 0 degrees Aries Node

 

THE  DRAGON'S  TALE

OR A FEW NOTES ON DRACONIC CHARTS

                       by Bette Denlinger © Copyright 1997

**My comments: have a look at your Draconic chart--or order a "natal draconic chart". Why? I'm living it: mine is in the 4th house--in Aries, as a draconic chart shows where an individual's Life Path (akin to the North Node) will emphasize a Purpose and Action to be taken. So: I have moved SO many times and have JUST been informed again that I must make a decision to relocate from a beautiful view in the San Bernardino mountains--because Pluto and Mars at zero Aquarius are activating my 0 degree Aries Draconic Node--in the 4th house of the Home. I have to accept my life path as a "pull up roots and relocate" way of existence.

 Oh, and my Aries draconic 4th house conjuncts my asteroid Athena; the advocate for those in need. I teach online from home. And I'm well aware that upcoming Saturn entering Aries--and Neptune too--will conjunct my Dragon's Node. I'll leave my suitcase packed.

Once upon a time....there were three zodiacs: the Sidereal, the Tropical, and the Draconic. The Sidereal zodiac takes into account the precession of the equinoxes and is the zodiac used by astronomers. The Tropical is based on the traditional positions of the demarcations of the zodiac and is primarily used by astrologers. The Draconic Zodiac, used by some astrologers searching for hidden spiritual truths, is a symbolic zodiac rather than real. Rumors abound, however, that the Draconic Zodiac is the oldest of them all.

The term DRACONIC comes from the Latin terms for the Lunar Nodes. Caput Draconis, is the dragon's head or Moon's North Node, and Cauda Draconis, the dragon's tail or South Node. It is traditional to place these points in a chart although they are often ignored and considered insignificant by those looking for indicators of "events". Or we may alternatively hear the terms "karma" or "fate" tossed about in regards to the Nodes. Those who use Arabic Parts in their practice may feel an affinity with the sensitive points created in a Draconic Chart.

Draconic degrees show you exactly where you can grow, widen, fulfill, and enhance your life. These are the important points that can show where you may initiate individual growth of spirit and travel from what was into what will be. We can choose to make our futures brighter and happier by searching for the critical points upon which that future may hinge.

Use your Draconic Chart as a sign post pointing to relationships and experiences that will help you become rather than just be.

A Draconic Chart is calculated by subtracting the TRUE NORTH NODE in absolute degrees of longitude from 360 degrees and placing the node at 0 degrees Aries. The difference between the North Node and 360 degrees is added to all the planets and house cusps, and a new chart is erected.

The planets will appear in the same houses, but the degrees and signs will change in direct proportion to the distance of the True North Node to 0 Aries. The TRUE NODE is always used because this is the position of the Node after correction for the perturbations caused by the gravitational forces of Sun and Moon.

"It is said that life lessons which surface when comparing the Draconic to the Tropical chart will always manifest in the charts of those with whom we form close relationships. Transits and progressions to the Draconic chart may manifest as major events which alter the course of our lives."

What is the Node then? Why is it important? The Nodes are astronomically, and in reality, the two points on the plane of the ecliptic that the Moon crosses on its daily orbit. If the ecliptic is where events happen, then those Nodal points are of importance as an indicator of trends in the world around us. 

The Node is the point of awareness of common events, daily occurrences, and perhaps could be termed the area of what’s happening in the world. The transits of the nodes give us the flavor for the day, the week, the month....the subjects for personal reflection...the activity and moods of the common people (i.e., the Moon). 

Though they do not produce events, they produce a feel, an aura, a sense of the rhythms around us which we can tune into and harmonize with. The Nodes are where the Sun’s path and Moon’s path meet along the planes of the ecliptic; where Light path meets Light path. The symbols for the Nodes are two circles, symbols of the spirit, linked by a crescent which is the esoteric symbol of the soul, or the emotional and desire nature.

One Node is associated with intake and the other with an outward flow, like respiration with the breathe going in and out or the tide’s ebb and flow..... In some opinions the South Node represents the past and those areas of life we have experienced in a previous incarnation. Those areas if emphasized in this lifetime prevent growth, since we have already become accomplished in this area. The South Node tells you, in essence, "been there, done that".

The North Node represents the future and what we need to strive towards to balance our personalities, and to empower our souls on a forward path. The North Node shows us the direction where we will become whole, internally united and empowered, if we choose to go. 

The South Node then, according to this philosophy looks backwards, relying on abilities one is already comfortable and competent with, but by adhering to the tried and true we miss out on a whole realm of experience and become one sided. The North Node points to new, unexplored territory, which may be daunting to the timid, but which if embraced creates joy, fulfillment, and coalescence. 

The South Node represents abilities and aptitudes we are born with in this life, and the North Node is the direction in which we can build or realize new skills and strengths that complement and enhance our natural ones.

It then follows that to accentuate the area of life represented by the North Node via its house and sign will benefit the growth of the soul as it struggles on its spiral towards perfection.

The South Node may show what we possess innately, and the North what we lack, but only by striving for those very qualities which are the antithesis of our nature may we become a whole person, at one with the universe, and at peace. In every opposition and every duality one side both balances and needs the other to maintain its own balance. We often do not know just what our strengths and positive attributes are until we project them outward and utilize them with the other as represented by the opposition aspect.

Why is the Draconic Chart focused on zero degrees Aries? Consider that Aries is the starting gate, the Cardinal Sign of spring, the turning point of fresh beginnings, and symbolizes taking action that will lead to growth. Even the symbol for the sign Aries appears as a fountain of life gushing forth with vital force. 

In the Draconic chart the North Node moves symbolically to zero Aries, and we reorient the chart to the starting point. Now, what actually happens when the North Node is at 0 Aries? That is the time the Node starts a new 19 yr. cycle, isn’t it? It is also when the Nodes are simultaneously on the ecliptic and equatorial planes. Powerful forces, magnetic and otherwise, are at work when planes coincide. An eclipse is an alignment of Sun and Moon along the same planes of ecliptic and declination. Other planes may coincide and intersect, creating areas that are conduits for energy transmittal.

The Vertex, called a point of fateful encounters over which we have no conscious control, is the intersection of the great circles of the ecliptic and the prime vertical in the west at the time and place of birth. In the Draconic Chart the ecliptic plane of the Sun, the equatorial plane of the Earth, and that of the Lunar orbit are all brought together....Light paths meet Earth.

 Compare the Tropical chart to the Draconic to examine the theme of the life search for actualization. If the Tropical planetary positions of another person’s chart coincides with a Draconic placement in your chart, this person will in some way teach or challenge you to use the abilities of your Draconic planet in a way that sows seeds for future flowering. 

The same may be said for transits and progressions to those Draconic degrees. Aspects between charts retain their basic interpretations. If by trine; in positive, easy ways that inspire. If by square, by creating tension and cross purposes which may test your resolve. If by opposition, a choice must be made, balance must be created, and if by conjunction the lesson may be for good or ill, but certainly important.

 Since we have choice to set out on this quest to fulfill our spiritual needs and as the Draconic chart is based on the Aries point which represents taking action, it follows that to manifest the best and highest of our nature we must deliberately seek the characteristics and concepts of the planets and signs Draconically pointed out.

Each individual walks his own unique path, and only by self-searching and reflection will you understand the particular lesson that is yours to learn. Below there are some guidelines, but choose what makes you feel right on target, trust to the voice of your Higher Self , and you can never go wrong.

 When the Sun sun is highlighted in a Draconic comparison, you may reach out and achieve your potential through taking pleasure in creative abilities. One may create on many levels; you may visualize your goals, take pride in leadership and worldly accomplishment, raise either a child of the body or the mind, or simply enjoy and enlighten those around you. Whatever you focus your whole heart on will be successful if you will concentrate on the matters associated with this placement by house and by sign.

Should the Moon be notably aspected, the expression of feelings and emotion will lead you on a path by which you may find completion. Attuning to the rhythms of the world around you, cherishing those people and things which surround you in daily life, and being receptive is the way to fulfillment of your Draconic road. Opportunities are presented for you to nurture and feed others as well as the self, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. Learn to listen and reflect on what you hear and feel.

 Mercury as a focus planet directs one towards using logic and precision in everyday matters. Strive for clarity of thought, use the mind as a tool for accomplishing your visions. What you say and write may have importance for your future. Information may be a springboard for consolidating your conflicts. The handle for improvement may lie within the immediate environment. Thoughts are things, so direct your mind along pleasant paths.

 Venus lights the way of potentiality via relationships, social activities, and the ability to love. Pay close attention to people and things attracted into the life through no effort of your own. While you walk on a road with another being, harmonize and agree with them. Appreciation of beauty and the arts may catapult you into new and untried directions. Your gaiety and kindness may attract friends that help you in times to come.

When Mars is the planet accentuated work and effort will be the rewarding areas of life to concentrate on. There may be higher implications in actions taken. Push forward your personal desires, assert yourself and go after those things you want. Your own initiative may produce a turning point for your future. By pleasing yourself first you may become a pleasure for others. Accept challenges and bravely face struggles as you can grow by overcoming strife.

Jupiter in the Draconic chart gives deeper meaning to the development of philosophy and faith. How you react to the opinions of others and their words has a deeper portent for you. Acts of generosity to and from other people, especially family, may be signposts to future rewards. Learning to refine your judgment, weigh what is wasteful and extravagant versus what empowers others, and expanding your horizons are all areas to explore. Educational opportunities are avenues of positive portent.

 The only way to deal with Saturn in any form is to accept the limitations put upon you and learn to follow the rules. As you become aware of the value of public recognition or accept the fact that a reputation is built and not given without merit, you grow in wisdom. Obstructions and responsibilities are placed in your path so that you may become stronger, more capable, and more organized. Learning to plan for the future is your vehicle for gaining self-respect. Ethical considerations are important to your fulfillment.

 Uranus brings sudden changes and unusual circumstances into life, and by meeting these face-on, you grow and fulfill the other side of your personality. Accept the new and different. The key to future possibilities lies in chance meetings and temporary friendships that spark new thoughts and goals. Embrace change, progress, and humanitarian endeavors. Refuse to stick with the tried and true out of fear. Learn to adjust to change. Let your innate independence shine.

 The Draconic chart with Neptune exchanges indicates that seeds may be sown through an awareness of compassion and sympathy. Once we realize that all mankind is swimming together in a sea of similar consciousness, we may touch the pain of others from within ourselves. Acts of kindness stemming from imagined needs may be catalysts to our future. Confusing or glamorous situations may arise where things are not as they appear, but by accepting these without fear one may walk a path of higher ideals. Don’t shirk from sympathy or accepting charity. Walking a mile in another’s shoes may help you advance on your own road.

  In Draconic charts Pluto dominating the delineation may point to accepting major upheavals as the route to satisfy the soul’s quest. There are people, situations, and things which must be eliminated and discarded to clear the road for future accomplishment. Pluto may represent abandonment of an element of the life that is the key to the future performance. The proverb, As we sow, so we reap reminds us to banish resentment from the past before we replant. Purity of purpose is all important with Pluto.

The Vertex involved in a Draconic combination blends the meaning of the Vertex with Nodes. There is no personal control whatsoever over the situation. The power over our own future lies in the hands of someone else. Another person is thrown into the life and we are swept up into a relationship that may, by surrendering ourselves to the influence of the other, fulfill our personal dreams and bring them into actuality.

Meeting the aspects as Conditions of Reaction to Human Responses: The Sun/Moon

Some musings/observations/perspectives, if you will allow me, on the exchange of energies between two planets. As I've mentioned throughout this site, I've taken a holistic and psychological approach to my studies, chart analyses, and educational overview that (1) the planets are Indicators of Human Responses, and that (2) the aspects chosen by an astrological consultant or student-in-training-learning are Indicators of Reaction to those Responses. To this end, rather than analyze each planet in aspect, I'm staying with the Sun and its partnerships with the others. 

To that end, I'm doing a breakdown of MY thoughts regarding the aspects of a conjunction, sextile, square, trine, inconjunct/quincunx, and opposition. I use these as primaries; I could also involve the declinations, as I do use them. However, for this response/post, I'm sticking with the Ptolemaic group of six. For the sake of declination analyses, I would say the parallel/contraparallel are in the fashion of the conjunction. 

I want to emphasize that these are MY thoughts and overviews, provided again for educational and consultational purposes. As anyone who has studied the art and psychological ramifications of astrology can and should (in my view) say, it's a never-ending skill of combing layers of Intuition, methodology, and Wisdom. I'm doing the  Sun as a separate endeavor to allow for my own writing to flow and also to accommodate any learners/readers.

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In a Sun-Moon conjunction, also known as the New Moon, I would say there are several possibilities. For one, this is a potential indicator that the parents were in alignment with each other in starting a family: the Sun as the father-figure and the Moon as the mother-figure. There's also a likelihood of similarities in comfortable role models as male and female. In general, I would suggest here that the individual's Self-Identity is in harmony/union with his/her emotional needs and also in response to social contacts that involve subconscious responses. 

One special consideration: depending on whether or not the Sun or Moon are in the same polarity (male-female by signage), one may expect an individual to be more "solar" and outgoing or more "lunar" and internally responsive. If they are in different signage, depending on the outcome, the individual may be more inclined to the dominant outcome, such as a Sun in Aquarius and a Cancer-Crab Moon. (In this case, the Sun is in detriment and not fully expressed, while the Moon rules Cancer, and to my overview, dominating the psyche.) 

In a sextile pattern, I'd say the individual feels comfortable with both parents, and also with Self-Identity awareness and emotional needs being met. In a square pattern, there's an internal conflict: both challenging the Self-Identity and Emotional-Subconscious needs. Again, this may be a reflection on the relationship of the parents with each other and on how the individual/child was raised.

In a similar way, the Sun-Moon square is a potential indicator that the parents were at odds in some form or display in their relationship with each other at the time of birth--and most likely, during the formative months prior to birth. In my view, the psyche is well aware of this interaction. But even though there may be behavioral clashes that both or one parent may have presented, this still continues over after birth has occurred, and the individual may unknowingly try to find ways of appeasing one or both parents. This may carry over to formative or adult relationships. But in my view, even though the square is an indicator of potential frustration, it may give the individual great insight and encouragement to develop cooperative social skills and behaviors to overcome subconscious responses that are not fulfilling to the Self-identity or emotional needs. It's more than likely that counseling in some form for the adult individual with a Sun-Moon square will be both helpful and provide a resolution to psychological challenges. I'd also say there's a potential here for various levels of conditions on the spectrum which also include autism, or at least, difficulty in being comfortable with social interactions. Neuro-divergency is the key here: there are both strengths and challenges as potentials. It's one of the reasons I coined the term "Fluid Learning" to describe both myself and others as individuals who are comfortable in expression of both left-and-right brain hemispheres.

The trine can be both an obvious and subtle outcome, as I see it: both cooperation and a possible indulgence to excess within the psyche regarding "I am Who I Am" from the Sun and "This is What I Need from the World" via the Moon. One parent may have been more active regarding the expression, if other indications are shown, for this as an indulgence, or even an addictive response if the individual shows possibilities. As much as a trine is a favorable aspect, it can also indicate laziness on the part of the individual to act on his/her behavior and responses to decision-making. In any case, we could expect by elemental nature that a fire trine Sun-Moon would be more enthusiastic and possibly volatile; an earth trine would be more grounded and resolute in practical matters; an air trine would be more accommodating in mental activity or social exchanges of ideas; and a water trine would offer greater intuitive sensitivities. Again, I would note that even though I think a trine will work harmoniously, if the Sun-Moon are in different elements, I would be aware there may be an undertone of tension in resolution of this outcome.

The quincunx/inconjunct, as I understand it, is more about tension without a clear successful resolution. In regards to the Sun-Moon in aspect, I would think it is more of a personal and social frustration that "I can't comfortably be Myself no matter how I try." Sometimes, this is possibly not as much an internal challenge as it is an expression that society-at-large has not yet caught up to patterns that reflect ongoing changes in behaviors that may be decades ahead. Issues may be possible with gender roles or choices as well as relationship needs. I do not want to categorize the LGBTQ as such because in my view, there are no specific signages or aspects that indicate these choices as fulfilling outcomes. Again, as a parental indicator, this may be an indication that one or both parents were at subtle odds with each other but unable to comfortably fulfill their respective roles as each saw fit for the needs of the individual as a child.

As I understand, the opposition is an external challenge, and for sure, the possibility that one or both parents were at odds with some outside force, possibly economic or social in nature. For the individual, there may be clashes between "I am Fiercely Defending my Identity" and honoring one's emotional needs. This may be overtly obvious with a Sun-Moon which are beyond elemental qualities and contradict each other: for example, a Fire sign sun and a Water Moon. Even an Air Sun and Earth Moon could find challenges in trying to fulfill mental and social images and being practical and stabilizing.

Houses as Lessons of Spiritual Growth to gain Character of Identity

T

Master astrologer and psychologist Steven Arroyo has written about the nature of the elements and their impact on the psyche.  Credits and thanks to this wonderful teacher.  The material below is from my book Psychological Astrology for the Psyche.

Identity as material for social intellects

(“I am a social intellect” or I.M.S.I.)

The houses can also be considered as training modules (much like a 3D reality experience) for the individual’s soul.  Three unique and different observations can be made in the study of the houses as living environments of experience and their effect on the psyche.  

One pattern involves learning experiences that define I.M.S.I. lessons, or Identity, Material, and Social-Intellectual Learning Environments.

Identity means the soul has four different types of Identity Resolution issues to face:  Self, Core Self, Other-Self, and Global Self.  (By core self, I mean where the individual finds and applies the growth experience of being born and raised in the human environment. The Global Self means that facet of the soul that wishes to contribute toward the preservation and continuation of society, thereby creating a structure to add to the collective whole group’s efforts.)

     This takes place in the 1^st, 4^th, 7^th, and 10^th houses.

Material means the soul is using lessons to create something of substance; not necessarily a tangible, but gaining substance of character in a way that translates into results.  This takes place in the 2^nd, 5^th, 8^th, and 11^th houses.

Social-intellectual means that the soul is gaining wisdom through interactions with society by being involved as a group member.  Information is being received and transmitted; ideas are being born, stretched/extrapolated, and exchanged.    This takes place in the 3^rd, 6^th, 9^th, and 12^th houses. 

The houses are also identified in a triad by their respective focus as primary, secondary, and tertiary centers of impact upon soul coursework for learning life lessons.  The 1^st/4^th/7^th/10^th houses, also referred earlier as Direction Markers of Life (and corresponding to the Four compass points of N/S/E/W), indicate key areas where the soul builds the cornerstones of learning and growth.  

This is the ASLS method, or the “Actions of Elements.”                 

(ASLS=actions of elements)   

It also stands for Action to Secure Learning for the Soul.

Fire – Action Lessons – 1^st, 5^th, 9^th

Earth – Security Lessons – 2^nd, 6^th, 10^th

Air – Social/Intellectual Lessons –  3^rd, 7^th, 11th

Water – Emotional-Soul Lessons – 4^th, 8^th, 12^th

Action lessons from the 1^st/5^th/9^th houses with a fire-based Aries/Leo/Sagittarius energy give the soul challenges regarding momentum and inertia.  Procrastination and impulsiveness are two extremes.   

Security lessons from the 2^nd/6^th/10^th houses with an earthy Taurus/Virgo/Cap quality will require the soul to learn “sticking with plans,” persistence, determination, and endurance to see a goal through and finished.  Responsibility is strengthened and developed here.  

Social-Intellectual Learning in the in the 3^rd/7^th/11^th cerebral heights of air and Gemini/Libra/Aquarius) means the soul is engaged in examining cause-and-effect, principles of ethics, social conduct, and the capacity to exchange and share both tangible and intangible concepts, including communicating.

 

Emotional-Soul lessons from the 4^th/8^th/12^th come to us from Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces’s realms to provide awareness of empathy, compassion, affection and love, and self-control.  Emotional-soul lessons are water-based, signifying their theme as a means to bring sensitivity to the subject’s life.  Interactions that create deep feelings are experienced here; the awareness of life-and-death cycles, physical ecstasy through sex, and strong attunement to one’s inner intuitive voice are found here.

However, I believe Emotional-Soul lessons also carry a secondary level of depth in that they carry with the lesson the personal elemental balance of the individual.  To me, each dominant element within an individual will color the way he or she experiences an Emotional-Soul lesson from the respective water-based house.  A fire-based intuitive-action type will respond to lessons one way; an earthy grounded-to-Nature type will feel/handle lessons through their senses and appetites to satisfy or sooth pain or happiness; an elevated-mind of an air type would spend much time in the communicating or sharing how he or she felt about significant life lessons.

Furthermore, the nature of a water-based house and its emphasis on emotions and sensitivity, along with the larger principle of a powerful Emotional-Soul lesson, is slightly different because of human physiology.  A water-based empathic type could be even more vulnerable to sadness, depression, or euphoria.  The mood swings and physical changes that take place when the endocrine system is flooded with emotional charges of energy are at work here; hence the fluid levels of the body are affected—and this includes neurotransmitters as well as hormones.  The need for security/safety in home’s home for self and family, the explosive and primal forces of sex and survival, and the fears and dark hidden places in the psyche are all heightened in their respective water houses when activity in them is indicated by planet placement.  


(C) MDLOP8 2010

The chart wheel: window to the psyche and timing events

 

The natal chart (birth chart) is a tool unto itself:  a 12-way, 12-level blueprint of seeing how to build “you” into a better person.  It offers a 4-way mirror for viewing the profile of the psyche:  head-on (the ascendant), the view from behind closed doors at home (4th house), relating to others (7th house), and at work (10th).  Each view will provide a different view of interpreting how the subject sees his or her world-at-large from these major vantage points of social engagement. 

This is the primary advantage of psychological astrology:  having the flexibility of interpreting the psyche but being accurate enough to stay within a tight enough range of cause-and-effect patterns that can be anticipated as well as managed. 

Timing can be prepared for as a means of establishing behavior as well as building emotional structure for the inevitable crises that are part of the Life Cycle.  Choices and decisions can always be applied:  it’s never too late to Learn and Change; one is always going to happen anyway!

Three other blueprint options are also available and very popular:  Transits, Progressions, and Solar Returns, also known as “Now, Eventually, and Yearly.”  Transits let us see what activity is being stirred in life areas of responses (houses) to activate or initiate a Life Lesson and how it will be applied.  Progressions show how the soul has evolved: what lessons the psyche is meant to “graduate” and advance through over time, usually by age 30 and beyond.  Timing phases of social challenge can be pivotal here and narrowed to the month.

A solar return comes as a birthday gift of sorts from the Universal Life Source:  “Take these challenges and gifts for one year and see what you can do with them.”  A window of three months approaching the date will manifest if the subject is aware and willing to be responsible and active, with the arrival of the year’s life events beginning within six weeks after the birth date itself.

(c) MDLOP8 2010

Houses: the "Cities of the World" as Areas of Life Experience

Antero Alli, a fantastic author on astrology, wrote a book where he had the idea of the chart houses (those "wedges," as I call them) as "states" of existence, much as I've outlined in a prior post.

 But what I found helpful was to turn the idea of houses into "cities" around the world.  To me, the chart IS a "world view" of our lives on an individual level.  Here are my ideas for the 12 "city-states" of the world of our lives, along with the dynamics of each.

 In each “city” or house, we all find a new means of understanding a particular experience or Life Lesson that is crucial for our growth as individuals and also for the Four Primary Objectives/Goals of being born on Earth: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual learning.

 It is said that these are unique in their strengths because of the vibrations of the Earth Herself as a Living Entity (She grows Life in multiple forms), and therefore, our capacity to experience the houses (or “cities”) is vital to our knowledge of “how and why” we react and respond to the astrological messages of signs and planets in each house. 

1st House = Aries 

New York City:

"The Big Apple" & New York Yankees #1

(Personality & Physical Embodiment)

Early childhood years

2nd House = Taurus

Las Vegas/Monte Carlo: $$, indulgences, music; View toward sex & needs Self-values, attitude toward assets; Attitude toward earning capacity and its expression.

3rd house = Gemini

Minneapolis-St. Paul or Philadelphia

“Twin” Cities or the City of Brotherly Love;

 (siblings and communications; short travels)

4th house = Cancer-Crab

Rome

“No Place Like Home”

“Have you called your mother lately?”

(home environment; end of life; mother-figure influence)

5th house = Leo

Hollywood…Rio…Paris!

Creativity (physical and mental)

Activities of luck (gambling); arts and crafts skills,

Children and romantic nature

6th house = Virgo

Boston 

“Hahd wehk nevah huht nobahdee 

(Yes, that's their accent in "Bah-stun")

("Hard work never hurt nobody").

Work ethics, Day-to-day service and activities to humanity; Health and dietary needs

7th house = Libra

Hawaii & Polynesian Islands

Partnerships (Marriage, Business & Social Engagements) 

Dealings with Significant Others & Soul Mates

8th house = Scorpio

Moscow; Chicago (in the 1920s--and now); Miami, Florida 
Values of Others

Death-Rebirth Cycles

Sexual Dynamics

Sharing of Self: Assets, body, energy; Attunement with world of spirit; Deep intensity of character

Intuitive mind; perceptive “radar”

Destructive use of power: criminal mind

9th house = Sagittarius 

Notre Dame, (school and cathedral); Jerusalem, Mecca, the Vatican; Harvard. Higher Education and values of learning.

Social regulations and order of ideals.

Morality; Spirituality keys;

Philosophical Issues;

Interest in other cultures and values

10th house = Capricorn

Washington, D.C.; London; Cairo; Beijing; Athens

Status/Occupation

Career/Ambition; 

Need for a legacy

Parent (of same sex) relationship

 11th house = Aquarius

Los Angeles - San Francisco; Seattle; Amsterdam; 

Humboldt County, CA (Eureka-Arcata)
Group Affiliations and networking

Humanitarian Endeavors & interests; 

Friendships and bonding ideals; Openness toward social change

12th house = Pisces

Eden; Never-Never Land; Shangri-La, Casablanca (the movie).

Undoing; self-destructive habits.  Self-limitations, Secrets and fears about oneself; Destructive habits and tendencies; 

abuses of soul/spirit. Unconscious mind: 

memory recall from prior life awareness; Retreat for privacy

(c) MDLOP8 2010; 2014

Birthday "cousins" that match your birth date

 

Astrological "birthday cousins" are more in line with numerology, but they sometimes explain why some signs do/don't get along with each other when they seem to go against standard presumptions. It's based on the total number value of the birthday itself--so in cases when an individual with an apparent inconjunct/quincunx that might indicate a stress pattern of interaction DOES find a social-emotional-physical connection with a partner, this might explain it. You should know your range of inconjunct planets. I'm not saying these are exclusive, and for sure, some folks do not engage well with their squaring planets, and even opposition planets. This is just a possibility idea of mine.

To start, take the single number value of the birthdate itself. For example, a "14" is minimized to 1+4 = 5. The same for a "23" as a total value of 5. Anyone born on any three of those dates (5, 14, 23) are "astrological cousins". Similarly, a person born on the 1st would be in synch with a person born on the 10th, 19th, and 28th. Only 11/29 have their dual pairing.

Only one birthday is not reduced: the Master Birthday 22. These individuals are unique in their own way: they have a singularity of focus that is both powerful and specialized (said to be either a spiritual-religious or a financial/materialistic goal in mind). A connection with another 22 birthday would be very intense.

The (Magi) Astrology of the Beatles

I know they're back in the music news (yet again!) because of a long-lost track that was part of John Lennon's legacy: it's been modified by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to "fill in" their perhaps-last-ever for our listening enjoyment. But there's been something on my mind for over 15 years: a perspective I found in a book on Magi astrology (the kind from the Shaolin monks of China's studies) about declinations. Declinations, as I've mentioned on this site, are the degrees of alignment that are close to the equatorial balance of the northern/southern hemispheres of a chart. And I'm an avid Beatles fan; I have a library of unreleased material on audio format.

In this article in the Magi book, it said that the Beatles as a collaborative group had very unique declinations--and I didn't quite understand it. So I just redid their charts in that fashion in order to try and find clues as to what might have inspired their bonding connections as friends and bandmates. To do this, I only use their birth dates and not the time, per the Magi system. It's done on a solar chart, and I run an equatorial chart instead to find the declinations.

What I found was incredibly unique to my understanding: there are synchronicity ("super linkages") matches with George/Paul between the Sun/Chiron, which indicate a trusting level of identifying with someone else in a relationship; Chiron-Neptune (for a 'reunion' with a long-ago soul mate'; with George/John with Venus-Mars, indicating a close personal "bromance"; John/Ringo's Moon-Jupiter-Saturn, indicating an emotional past-life connection of growth and responsibility, possibly parental; Paul-John's Moon-Mercury-Venus-Jupiter, surely indicating their emotional connection, mental attunement to each other's musical/artistic styles, and growth opportunities and the ability to prosper from it; and Ringo/Paul's Moon-Mercury-Venus-Chiron-Saturn, indicating their emotional-mental-relationship bonds, social appreciation of each other's musical styles, but also, the longevity that they are the last two remaining members with us today. Finally, there's a connection of financial success between Paul's Chiron (relationship with a soul mate) and John's Venus (social pleasure and enjoyment/arts). No wonder they were the premier songwriting duo of their time!

Whatever someone wants to say about astrological techniques or analysis: the Beatles once again come to the foreground in the subject. The union of these four men as a social institution has its origins and validations in the stars.

How to interpret a chart; the processes of delinations

 

"How do you interpret a chart?"

I don't know there's a definitive answer. Everyone has his/her own style. Some say to look at the ascendant first and planets nearby/conjunct; others say to look at houses (depending on what system/style is used); then there are those who look at other patterns: amounts of elements, rulerships, hemispheres, and signages with planetary match-ups.

I do all of that. At once. I can't say my way is better, but it's how my mind works. Sometimes the planets in signs appear to me like a chessboard configuration--and then they (the planets) figuratively rise up as though they're in 3D and not a flat 2D image. And they start to yell at me: "HEY! Look HERE! LOOK at my placement! Look whom I'm in aspect with and how it's making me react!" I also look at declinations (which is ALSO mentioned on this web page). And I consider the aspects, elements, and the houses--several times over. 

(I DO see patterns, and I mentally connect with the symbolism of the glyphs. You do the same thing with the letters of the alphabet. Letters in language (or symbols) are the same to me as glyphs. I mentally connect with the mythic-psychological-archetypical representations of the glyphs. Why? I'm ADD with a learning disorder, but I'm also a Fluid Learner. You'll have to look that up on my education web site here.)

And so much of this happens in a rush of information. Remember, I'm a Virgo ASC--and Mercury in Aries. I think at two levels: either nanosecond speed or delayed comprehension. High-functioning Virgo; Vulcan Rising. (You can look that up on this site as well. Just scroll down to 'V' and you'll see it alphabetized.)

I let the chart talk to me; I use my Intuition as well as my Cognition. 

So I would say to anyone: find your own method. Nurture it. Let it work within you. Let it work externally; learn how to share what you see and what you feel. And express what you know and then learn more.

And have fun. And apply it with care, wisdom, and sincerity. Help others, and in turn, help yourself learn about who and why they are and the same for yourself.

Saturn and Neptune in Aries: Responsibility confronts Escapism and Deception; Spring 2025/2026

 

Sometimes it hurts to look ahead via transits and feel the Intuitive knowledge that lies in possibilities. No one wants to be Cassandra, but the responsibility of knowledge has its own levels of dissemination. You have, as a reader of this site, every reason to disagree with me. You also have every right and reason to consider what I'm sharing and why. One of us is either very correct or very wrong. I'm taking my chances on that. It's like betting on the financial markets: if you're wrong, you lose money and clients. If you're right, you gain assets and investors. I also remind people that in older times, if the astrologer was wrong, he was executed. If he was right...the ruler of the kingdom praised and sustained his counselor. I prefer the second option.

I’ve already shared my thoughts about Neptune in Aries: the rise of the Misguided Spiritual Warrior who wants to fight for an illusionary noble cause. In classic literature, this can be seen in the representation of Don Quixote fighting a windmill and thinking he’s dueling with a giant. In the legacy of the United States, this last occurred in 1861, when the Confederacy was born as an act of rebellion for economic rights and ownership of slaves versus freedom of the human being as an entity.

I’ve also stated that I foresee a rebellion again from the political right-wing groups who want to maintain their sense of white supremacy and domination of women, among other things. And I include the repeated loss of the party that endorses a narcissistic, selfish candidate who wants to destroy everything because he can not have it all, for these reasons and their own misplaced sense of values. If you've never studied world history and the fall of Berlin in the last days of the Reich, then you don't need to read any further: you've made your decision. 

There’s more: what I see with Saturn’s sense of Responsibility going up against Neptune’s Avoidance of Responsibility via Escapism is that there will be challenges in the Areas of Life Experience (houses) that contain the Self-Identity (Sun) and Saturn/Neptune. These two areas are the 8th house Sun in Cancer for the U.S. and the 4th house (home-family) of the transit of Saturn/Neptune. Because these two planets are in the fire sign Aries, I foresee there may be some type of natural disaster with catastrophic implications. Because the U.S. is a Cancer-Crab Sun, I believe this will impact the “Crab’s outer shell” of existence: the two coastlines of the U.S.—in some form of “fire from below” that may well be an earthquake that splits apart the two regions. There is enough validation from scientific and geological research that the west coast is due. I consider that the CENTRAL portion of the U.S. may also undergo a radical change: the New Madrid fault line runs through the Mississippi River causeway. This could possibly be the impact that unleashes what Edgar Cayce foretold of the Great Lakes region breaking apart and flooding down the Mississippi all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.

From my book: Saturn in the 4th brings these lessons:

4th house - Home State

Fear: no home or family; • no “roots”

• “belonging” anxiety; not close to group

• distrusting attachment

• Avoiding grounding and establishing the foundation of self

“I have no place to call my own.”

Duty: Emotional commitment and dependability; building a home base; owning land; Ability to live by oneself

Mastery: Manifestation of home and family as a social hub for transition; safety

What I foresee also with this may be the reunification of displaced peoples into communal living conditions where survival is based on life skills and not “money-payment”. Children and their well-being will be the ruling factor. Women will also likely have a greater say in these matters versus the authoritarian levels of patriarchal dominance.

There will likely still be those who cling to old outdated values and belief systems. Their fate may be decided by their unwillingness to let go of dominance and subjugation.

Regarding the rest of the world (including Europe and Asia): we already know that ocean temperatures and salinity levels are at the tipping point of change and transition. This may be reflected in even greater significant levels of climate change and the inevitable alteration of seasonal patterns. In my view, humanity must begin to finalize a decision of maturity (Saturn) and leave behind the “Heaven will be your salvation and bliss” siren’s call of Neptune.

Uranus in Gemini (July 2025+): There's a Change on the wires a'comin'

 

Uranus in Gemini (July 2025+)

 The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind

It’s never easy nor accepted when change comes to our lives—but it is inevitable. That is the basis and foundation of our human experience. How we respond to it is easy enough. Cardinal signs: “Give me your best shot!”; Fixed signs: “I do NOT want to adjust and I’m going to resist!”; or Mutable signs: “Well, whatever happens, will be…” With this in mind, let’s look ahead at another upcoming Agent of Change: Uranus in Gemini, starting in July 2025.

Consider first the nature of the planet as an Indicator of Life Experience. Uranus represents in our life all that comes with the Unexpected; the Surprises and Startling Occurrences; Acts of Rebelliousness; Genius; Originality; the Unpredicted; and Eccentricity. It’s also about electrical energy, breakthroughs in science, technology, and especially, social trends. As the primary ruler of Aquarius, Uranus brings awareness of movements in the collective behaviors of the group at large. We’re seeing this in increasing volume with the changes in the identity of many individuals who are declaring themselves non-gender assigned. This is because, in an evolutionary pattern, we are shedding some of the limitations of our polarity-based existence. People who are living in this understanding are sharing this as a glimpse of what is further ahead. No matter how we want to fight or resist, it is an inevitable trend that awaits us in the human experience here on Earth. Aquarius also knows the secrets of the universe, and this includes the knowledge that many life forms on other worlds are NOT gender-assigned. Part of our Aquarian awareness as Pluto enters this sign in 2025 also will bring future knowledge of this idea.

Gemini rules messages, information exchanges, exploring ideas, communications, and the energy of the nervous system and upper limbs. The world will likely see new developments in the transfer of information that are both revolutionary and exceptionally unique. Reflect if you will on the emergence of the internet and personal computers, and you can see where this has taken us in our social patterns and experiences. (Personally, as a writer and astrologist, the capacity of a personal computer has completely changed my life in boundless measure.) Historically, the beginning of the last shift of Uranus into Gemini began in July 1776, and the foundation of what would become the United States emerged with the writing and signing (both Gemini qualities) of the Declaration of Independence. (Note that independence is also a Uranian quality.)

Therefore, expect that there will again be profound Gemini-like information exchanges and ideas flying around about all of the above—and that our lives will once again change in remarkable outcomes. I’ve already mentioned in the Neptune-in-Aries post where I feel this will go, and as much, with the advent of Pluto in Aquarius: a shocking (Uranus) rebellion against the status quo in political, social, economic, and global attitudes that transforms (Pluto) the collective awareness (Aquarius). The latter half of this decade will surely see our views of each other and our world in ways that are likely to be talked about for the rest of the 21st century.

 

The "new" astrological signs revisited ahead for 2023

Remember this? I'm STILL being asked "Aren't there 13 signs now?" and "Am I still my original sign? I thought they changed me!"

So...once again...in honor of all the uproar…I am announcing yet another system, the PSYAP way of interpreting your birth sign for the 21st century.  This is my idea, and anyone who disputes it can do so. If anyone cares to reproduce it…send a chunk of crypto (I don’t expect the U.S. dollar to have a long lifespan thanks to Pluto in Capricorn).

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Ramses the Ram – Known for knocking their heads against the wall and wondering why they have migraines, and also found in hat stores trying on styles that don’t fit or make sense.

Taureen the Bull – Found at the dinner table sampling everything that tastes good (and going for second helpings), and also throwing elaborate sports parties where everything is made on barbeque grills.

JimiNye the Twins – These individuals have the potential to play a right-handed guitar with their left hand, and also possess great urges to steal candy from stores, but turn themselves in after being spotted arguing aloud with themselves about right vs. wrong.

Canseer the Crab – These individuals are found crying at weddings, funerals, and at the maternity ward where babies are kept overnight for observation; also known for making phone calls to total strangers and saying “I was worried about you; did you have a bowel movement today?”

HighlyLo the Lion – Often found in department stores behind the perfume counter and in clothing stores, they help themselves to samples and bring armfuls of items to the dressing room to try on and don’t put anything back on hangers.

Where-go the Virgin Maiden – Often noticed in personnel departments and human resource offices rummaging through the trash bins for lost papers and near the copy machine; they can’t stand to pass by the cleaning storage room without wanting to straighten out the supplies and be sure everyone has a sharpened pencil in their desks.

Libraian, the 2-sided Coin - Over-polite when driving (the Seattle area is known for this), and not moving at a 4-way stop sign. Often found at summer camp as geeky counselors, they are dominated by the kids, who are more cool than their leader. Libraians also collect and maintain libraries of hardcover books by color, not author.

Scorch-you-up the Scorpion – Often seen glaring at long lines of people and yelling at sports figures at ballparks; also noticed in school as youngsters who swear that standardized tests are a form of code.

Sloggytarius the Centaur – Fond of mules, donkeys, and burros, these individuals have a yearning to own animals who refuse to cooperate unless they get their own way.  Also found on farms where they sit in the mud and wait until someone says it’s the right thing to get out of the rain.

CaptainCorneous the grounded Goat-fish –  These individuals are the masters of junk yard recycling:  “Just because it’s broken don’t mean it can’t be used.”  Also seen in the fertilizer business and in the pastures of Sloggytarian farmers:  “One man’s waste shouldn’t go to waste.”

Aquire-ous the social networker – Often seen in community centers, schoolyard soccer, basketball, football, or baseball games as referees, coaches, and umpires who rule against the home team, their motto is “We will extend our neighbors a helping hand.  We will extend two hands, and help ourselves to our neighbors!”

Piskees, the two fish – Known for collecting wading pools and filling them with frogs and other amphibians, and fishing in barrels and swimming pools and wondering why they haven’t got a bite.

(C) MDLOP8 2011; 2022