House sign interceptions: "caught in the middle" for growth patterns

The topic of interceptions has come up (and no, this is not like the kind in American football games): this appears in the chart when two signs are "caught in between" respective house cusps. As I understand, this is due more so to the mix of latitude/longitude/day/time and the result of timing itself.

An interception throws two signs in polarity in the "middle" of the cusp between two houses. The psychological-spiritual lesson that comes with this involves an "extra" measure of those two sign's dynamics that need development, growth, and emphasis for the individual. It's a "doubling-up" effect of Lessons that has been provided for the individual's life experiences and soul growth.

 A new client of mine has Sagittarius on her ascendant. However, Capricorn is "caught in the middle" of the 1st house cusp--and in polarity, Cancer is also "caught in the middle" of her 7th house cusp. She needs to develop her Capricorn qualities in her personality (and also to be aware of the physiological emphasis on her bones, knees, and skeletal system; the first house also involves the appearance and body).

Furthermore, she needs to bring forward more of her caring, nurturing, intuitive-emotional, and family-domestic qualities in her relationships, both personal and if so emphasized, professional, as the 7th house relates to this. She also needs to be more receptive to these influences from someone who wishes to be involved with her in a relationship. She needs to let someone "mother-care" for her and to be open to giving more of this to them.

In summary: when a house shows an intercepted sign, look to the opposite house and see where its complementary sign needs development. Note the quality and nature of the signs involved, and also which planets are contained in those houses, as they will be influential keys for the psyche's growth patterns.

Mars in Aries says "We've got the Power!"

Are you a self-starter who knows the meaning and purpose of "Let's GO for it"? (Or are you someone who says, "If I only had a bit more energy--the things I could accomplish!") Is Mars positioned in Aries in your chart?
This means "YOU have the power to put the pedal to the metal and ACTIVATE!" With Mars giving that shot of adrenalin to its ruling sign and a fuel source that's incendiary, this is a call to show the world that you can give the spark of Initiative for those who are asking for the words of Jim Morrison and the Doors, "Come on baby, Light My Fire!" (Or better yet: just ask the Fantastic Four's Human Torch: "Flame On!")

If there's a project, plan, endeavor, or concept that you want to see that radiates, illuminates, and vibrates with power, assertion, energy, and vitality, you are unleashed with potential with Mars in Aries. And remember: the Sun moves into Aries on March 20th, so the time frame from the first day of Spring until the Sun shifts into Taurus is ESPECIALLY stoked for the hottest and brightest you can get to kick it into overdrive. Burn, baby, burn!

The Chart Ruler: Leader of the horoscope display

All hail the Chart Ruler! This is the leading planet: the "Coach" of the chart--a Sponsor, Director, Primary Owner, Main Influence, and "Follow Me!" Indicator which shows the primary focus of the psyche that the chart will follow.

Found on the cusp of the 1st house (the ascendant or rising sign, or the 'Western directional Point' of the compass), the Chart Ruler has a unique emphasis because it sets the pace for the energy of the psyche as displayed in the chart's placement of planets and signs. It truly is "the Key" that unlocks the chart. 

(*And yes: some planets have more than one sign under its rulership. This hopefully will be corrected as more planets are identified.

 It is also mentioned by key astrologers that the Earth should rule Taurus, or that the asteroid Juno should rule Libra. This duality of rulerships came about partially because the early origins of the zodiac did not include the outer planets beyond Saturn.)

The Chart Ruler's sign follows the zodiac rulership as follows:

Aries is ruled by Mars, and co-ruled by Pluto.
Taurus is ruled by Venus.
Gemini is ruled by Mercury.*
Cancer is ruled by the Moon.
Leo is ruled by the Sun.
Virgo is ruled by Mercury.*
Libra is ruled by Venus.
Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, and co-ruled by Mars.
Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter.
Capricorn is ruled by Saturn.
Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, and co-ruled by Saturn.
Pisces is ruled by Neptune, and co-ruled by Jupiter.

Once the (primary) ruling planet is identified, consider the qualities of that planet. Then look at the house (or "Area of Life Experience") where it is located. That area is a primary emphasis of the psyche above and beyond all other houses, planets, and signs in the chart. As an example, my chart has Virgo rising, therefore my chart ruler is Mercury, Indicator of Mental Abilities and Communications. It's found in the 7th house of Partnerships & Relationships--which is my primary influence.

By learning the signs, planets, and house meanings, it becomes very easy to pick out the Chart Ruler in anyone's horoscope!

Pluto transiting the 10th House of Career Changes Everything Planned

"How safe is my career, and what can I do to keep it that way?" is a question I field almost every week. When the client's chart shows transiting Pluto, Indicator of Change, Transformation, Regeneration, and Rebuilding in the 10th house, my response is usually along the line of "Whatever you're doing now will NOT likely be your pattern of work in the long-term future. Be prepared for modifications that are vastly different from what you expected." This is an especially difficult message for me to deliver to someone who is very business-minded, or who has status and achievement as their focus.

As a second influence, I've already noted the economic and social impact of Pluto in Capricorn. But here's what Robert Hand has to say about the transit of Pluto in the 10th house. Also, take note of the last paragraph below: most astrologers assign the 10th house to the parent of the opposite sex of the client (although I think it depends also on whether the Sun or Moon is placed there by birth): 

Pluto in the 10th house of Career and Status achievements

This is a most important time in your life, for you will strive to achieve more now than you ever have before.  You aim to make the greatest possible mark upon the world, and now is the time to do it—but only if you have truly found out who you are and what your life is about.  If you haven’t found out yet, now is the time to do so.  Pluto gives you either the power to achieve your life goals or the insight to find out what they truly are.  Consequently, if you are secure and know about yourself, you have the opportunity for great success as long as you heed certain warnings.  If you do not know your goals, you will probably change your path.  You may change jobs rather often and spend several years apparently quite lost while you find out what you are supposed to be doing.

However, in regards to your striving for success and realization, Pluto arouses your ambitions; the desire to take control and dominate.  Its action can be quite ruthless, like a force of nature that has no regard for human standards of morality and ethics.  But people who act like this under the influence of Pluto are often quite tragic.  Having thrown away their humanity, they discover that they can expect no quarter from others who unite to oppose them, and they are brought down.  It is essential that you avoid wreaking havoc or even bending the standards of ethics with this transit, for Pluto’s energies are too powerful to play games with.  Play the game fairly and according to the rules, but continue to pursue your goals.  Do not take shortcuts.

If you experience the other side of this transit as altering your life direction, the important idea is not to get discouraged.  You may undergo considerable changes during this transit, and you may feel that you have become a different person, which is probably true.  Take all the time you need to find the right course.  If you hurry, you will only get into another wrong place, and your life will be much less than it could have been if you had taken enough time to find yourself.

The 10th house also has connections to one parent.  You may find a relationship with one of them dramatically changing now: perhaps in the capacity that you find yourself becoming the adult provider and being a caretaker for them in a “child is father to the man” type of role.  They may now require medical or other care service needs, such as assisted living.

Saturn Retrograde: Time off to Internalize Deep Life Lessons

Saturn deals with karma, limits, responsibility, tradition, conservatives, authorities, long term goals and accomplishments patiently created, taking responsibility, creating structure, and setting boundaries. Once a year Saturn goes into retrograde for about four-and-a-half months. During this influence, you will probably find it unwise to attempt sudden changes or to rush through things. Take practical steps and accept limitations while you take serious steps toward your long term goals. Saturn retrograde can cause you to become your own hardest taskmaster, limit your actions or leave you feeling blocked and pessimistic. 

In Scorpio, Saturn will teach us how to handle

Life lessons to learn to deal with power and intimacy. You may overcome obstacles through insight or the exercise of power; you may also transform problems into opportunities by getting at their roots.  You may often find yourself blocked by power of others or thwarted by secrecy; you are vulnerable to betrayal; the misuse of power may be your undoing; your blockages may tend to be deep-seated. While retrograde, Saturn will help us clear out issues over sexuality, power, control, and knowing hot to let go of something (someone?) who needs to be discarded.

Saturn also deals with mastering and accomplishing difficult Life Lessons that we often try our best to avoid. Yet there is no negotiating with the Lord of Karma (Saturn): we only end up encountering the same obstacles that we thought had been disregarded. With Saturn retrograde, we internalize and absorb the meaning of the "life classroom experience" we have been shown in order to build some character and moral-spiritual backbone of foundation for our soul and psyche.  Saturn retrograde makes us look at what we SHOULD be doing and why we haven't accepted it as a hurdle to learn to get over, rather than deny. 

With Saturn retrograde, "All talk and no action" becomes the reminder that "Walk your talk" means getting another chance to "put your money where your mouth is." Even better: think of Saturn in retrograde as Hamlet's famous query, "To be or not to be? That is the question." Saturn, ever as strong as can possibly be as the Taskmaster of Lessons, will surely provide the retrograde as an opportunity to give every one of us the time to come up with the answer as well as WHY it matters "to be!"

Venus in Aquarius: Love you like a friend in my Global Family

When Venus enters Aquarius and while She's there, the planet of Love, Beauty, Pleasure, and Social Enjoyment has a detached nature that isn't "me and you" at all. Instead, the Aquarius side has an interest in "the global relationships" that are possible--and a 1:1 commitment isn't a priority.

Venus in Aquarius by nature is loyal and committed; the fixed nature has a steady quality that knows the meaning of holding true to one's values. However, the focus is more about "us" as part of the Family of Man and Womankind--so activities and support is given to social networking and a collective unity with a communal theme of "I love everyone, but not anyone who takes away my sense of freedom and sharing my love for a dedicated cause." 

In a different way too, Venus in Aquarius also recognizes the need for love in ways that defies and rejects current standards of society that are restrictive and limiting. Alternative choices in relationships are a natural understanding. Also, Venus in Aquarius has "techie love": using the vast array of electronic devices that connect people to enhance and develop a sense of All Man and Woman Brothers and Sisters. The view that "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child" also reflects a perspective of Venus in Aquarius: "aunts and uncles, grandfathers and grandmothers" are not just relationship titles, but an understanding that a child can receive love from a non-related member of the community.

Finally, Venus in Aquarius love can also be extended to the Galactic Family that awaits our understanding and acceptance: the multitude of beings in human and non-traditional human form who live on other planets who will finally be accepted by their Earth neighbors much like the Federation of Planets in the Star Trek series. And for that matter, Capt. James Kirk showed advanced Venus in Aquarius love with all those passionate romances he had with alien women. If a female with green skin could make his heart beat faster and raise his arousal, Venus in Aquarius will show us that love will go where no man has gone before when we reach for the stars--or let them connect with us.

Scorpio rising: the Laser-beam look

The "Medusa Stare" (my phrase) for a Scorpio ascendant--I also credit this to a Scorpio Sun, Moon, Mars or Venus in Scorpio, 8th house Sun or Pluto (especially in a harmonious energy pattern to the ascendant), and even a midheaven in Scorpio: "I'll burn a hole through you or anything that irritates me--and don't try to hide behind a wall, door, tree, building, or any other object because I'll scorch that too in order to burn you with my eyes."

Scorpio Ascendant people have a lot of presence. There is something about them that tells the world that they are not to be pushed around. Their manner commands respect, and in some cases, fear. Scorpio-rising people can be quiet or loud, but they always seem powerful and determined.

You either love or hate Scorpio-rising people— they are rarely people who go through life unnoticed. In fact, some of them are confused when faced with the fact that they get such strong reactions from others. They seem to look right through people, seeing through superficiality. This can be quite intimidating to some, and intriguing to others.

Scorpio-rising people, in their dealings with others, look for answers by reading between the lines. Surface details are discarded when they are getting a feel for people and situations around them.

Scorpio-rising people value their privacy so much, it can border on paranoia. They have a strong need to control their environment and are experts at strategy. Rarely, people who will blow their chances with impatience, they plan out their moves carefully and deliberately, relying on their awesome ability to feel out others and situations.

With Scorpio on the 1st house cusp (Scorpio Rising), life is viewed as a battle in which triumph and defeat often feature. Intensity is a key mode of your self-expression. You need to balance this with some stability and practicality. You project yourself with energy and willpower and are willing to stake your life to accomplish your aims. It’s futile to try to convince you that something cannot be done since you will do it or die trying. You fortify your objectives with a tremendous, fixed, emotional intensity. You have the ability to draw on hidden sources of power to reach your goals.(A dear friend of mine, a great-grandmother, has given her Scorpio ascendant and Sun genes down through the generations: even the newborns in her family have "the eyes.")

Scorpio-rising natives are drawn to down-to-earth, natural partners. Reliability with their partner is very important. They generally look for complete commitment and have little patience with flighty partners.

Scorpio ascendant candidates:
George Harrison
Chevy Chase
Charleton Heston
Al Pacino
Ashton Kutcher
Maria Callas
Martha Stewart
Joan Crawford
Bette Davis
Diana Ross
Jackie Kennedy Onassis

Chart Patterns Part II

Anybody play dice games like craps? Sevens, 11s, Little Joe; Boxcars. Snake Eyes. Each throw produces a different spread--just like the chart can show by the placement of planets with signs in the houses (wedges). 
   I don't know the original author, but this is a simple way of looking at another way of interpreting the psyche from the pattern of the chart. I also wrote on this at http://psyast.blogspot.com/2011/02/chart-patterns-can-also-indicate.html

The positions of the planets fall into seven types or patterns--bundle, bowl, seesaw, bucket, splash, locomotive and splay. Marc Edmund Jones first described these patterns, associating them with distinct personality types (in natal charts) and prognostic indicators (in transit, progressed, returned or horary charts).

• Only the ten planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune AND Pluto) are considered in determining patterns. Leave out the Nodes, POF, asteroids etc. to get the essence of the 'whole view'. 

     Seesaw - Planets occupy two opposing areas of the chart. Focus is on binary opposites requiring objectivity, awareness and balance.

`Bucket - Bowl pattern with one planet in the opposite arc--the 'handle to the bucket. A strong focus with much energy pivoting around the singleton planet.

Splash - Planets evenly distributed around the chart - scattered interests, diversity, flexibility and wide range of interests.

Bundle - Planets all within 120 degrees. Focused interest in the houses occupied. Intense, determined, relentless.

Locomotive - Planets occupy 240 degrees of the chart, the remaining 120 is empty. Emphasis is on the first and last planet to rise. Much drive, energy and enthusiasm.

Splay - Planets create three points of emphasis - highly individual, grounded and confident. Focus on occupied houses. If grand trine, the element dominates.

Uranus direct (and Uranus transits): Thrill-seekers and Wild Rides

Here we go again: it's time for "Uranus goes Direct," and YOU get to be the rider on the the Unpredictable, Unexpected, Unusual, and Exciting Roller Coaster planet. Up-is-down & down-is-up once again.

During the transits of Uranus to your natal chart, you will experience phenomena that are out of accord with your everyday life.  The events that occur will be unusual, upsetting, sudden, and unexpected.  For this reason, astrologers are often reluctant about giving precise consultations about Uranian activities.  Almost all that can be said for sure is to “expect the unexpected, and let the craziness be your guide.” 

But the transits of Uranus are not to be feared or harmful; rather, they confront us regarding our extent of what we are unwilling to accept regarding newness and change in our lives.  Uranus challenges the rigid structures in life that most people work so hard to build.  Many people value regularity and predictability so much that they will even sacrifice personal happiness to get it.  (Think of all the unhappy marriages that continue only because both persons are afraid of the insecurities that breaking up would bring.)

But this kind of rigidity is ultimately destructive to life in its highest sense—change is inevitable, and the potential to adapt to it and continue is vital.  Life is—or should be—a constant, ongoing confrontation between yourself and the world, with an energy that keeps everything fresh and lively.  The problem with this confrontation, however, is that there is always the danger of losing, so most people avoid the confrontation or circumstances within if they can.  To survive half-dead, they reason, is better than to lose.  However, those are not the only alternatives:  it is only fear that makes it seem that way.

Some birth signs are more intuitively understanding of a Uranus transit:  the Cardinal signs (Aries-Cancer-Libra-Capricorn) are governed by major life events and change, so even though an upheaval may come, they seem to be ready to face it. (Aries may say, “Oh, a new adventure that I never considered--but it's something I can sink my teeth into!”; Cancer will think of how it will affect their home and security ("I didn't plan on yet another home improvement!"); Libra will anticipate how to keep peace with the relationships it has established--or how to handle that exotic new connection; Capricorn will look to see how it affects a long-term legacy that has been a lifetime goal--and how to manage the challenges to the long-term project.) 

The Fixed signs (Taurus-Leo-Scorpio-Aquarius) often resist the hardest (especially Taurians, who do not like to change until they are ready—and Uranus does not give any chance for planning this; a Leo may wonder how it will reflect upon their need for attention and love given and received; a Scorpio will fight it relentlessly, then cast off the old conditions as though they were a dead issue, but Aquarians, being ruled by Uranus, often go with it after an initial stand-off, anticipating a new sense of freedom of self. 

The Mutable signs (Gemini-Virgo-Sagittarius-Pisces) are more adaptable to a Uranus transit time.  (Gemini might find an opportunity to learn something new and wild; Virgo will incorporate the maintenance of schedules into their calibrating-sorting mindset to ensure things get done--sort of a "chaos management"; Sagittarians may seek new unique and visionary venues of philosophy of lifestyles and values that are socially advanced; and Pisces may sigh quietly and just consider it another burden to be accepted in a lifestyle that requires sacrifice regardless--and that the storm will someday mellow when Life's demands are done.

Neptune transits the 7th house of Relationships & Partnerships: "I'm confused about Someone"

I've had a plethora of requests regarding clients with Neptune transiting the 7th house of Relationships & Partnerships, and I want to "clear the air" from this foggy type of Life Event. As Neptune is the planet that represents (to me) "our existence as Spiritual Beings having a Human Experience here on Earth," it's not easy at all to understand the subtle-but-significant messages that this transit brings. It's even harder because we tend to glamorize the circumstances, and especially with the 7th house, it's more likely a Significant Other or someone with whom we share interests in a common endeavor--like a business effort.

To that end, I've again turned to Robert Hand (and some edits of my own) to help make some sense of this transit. I also need to point out that no matter what house cusp system you use, a Neptune transit lasts for YEARS, and with the patterns of retrograde, there are all kinds of periods of "I can't see my nose in front of my face" bewilderment and fuzzy thinking about our dealings with that Special Person.

Neptune in the 7^th house of Personal and Professional Relationships, Partnerships, and Open Enemies

This transit can have several effects, but in general it affects all the one-to-one relationships in your life. These include your marriage or living with someone, other partnerships (including business), conflicts with others, and relations with people whom you consult, such as medical or legal professionals, and other counselors. In any or all of these relationships there is the danger of poor communications, misunderstandings, and misrepresentation.

If you are married, you may have problems because resentments are not brought out into the open where they can be handled. Remember: Neptune confuses, clouds over, disguises, and weaves webs of fantasy over your perception of reality! One or both of you keeps your feelings hidden and acts in a concealed manner, making it difficult for the other to help solve the problem. There is also the danger of over-idealizing your relations, which can be a problem even if you are not married. You may simply idealize your relationship out of proportion to the facts and reality of the situation and think everything is just fine when it isn’t. This is the old Neptunian problem of thinking that what you want to be true is there before you, and therefore, it’s a valid fact and reality. If you are truly attentive to what is really happening in the relationship, you will be able to see the truth. (This is how and why a Neptune transit to this Area of Life fogs over our view by creating an illusion: we see the mirage instead!)

Also during this transit, you may have to take care of someone close to you who is sick or has some other problem that requires care. This person is most likely to be your living partner, but it could be someone else who is close to you.

If you are in business, be very careful about forming any new partnership at this time. It is not very likely to work out as you want it to, and your partner may be more of a problem than a help. In extreme cases this transit can even indicate being swindled or otherwise financially manipulated or deceived by a partner. An established partnership that has worked out well in the past will probably continue to do so, but be careful to communicate clearly with each other. 

Misunderstandings are a standard consequence of a 7^th house Neptune transit. This transit is normally not preferable for dealing with lawyers and lawsuits because the 7^th house rules people whom you consult, as well as lawsuits. You probably won’t get a good deal if you do hire a lawyer to represent you. 

Also, the factions that will determine the outcome of you case would be difficult to discover, let alone deal with. This same advice applies to other people whom you hire for consultation. This includes astrologers too: a consultation done while Neptune is transiting your 7th house is a good reason for YOU to take ownership of decisions that we suggest, rather than you creating an image in your mind that that we are unerring seers.

Astrological Relocation: Changes in Your Life Chart

 

Made any significant relocation to another country or state since your birth?  Your astrological chart may have changed dramatically. When we move across lines of latitude or longitude, our birth charts may vary in ways that affect timing phases and impacts of major events in our lives.  What can happen is that you create a sort of "alternate reality" where timing runs simultaneously both in your "relocated" position and your place of birth. . 
The planets stay the same, but the house cusps and signs often--but not always--change.

Magi astrology for marriage

 I am often asked, "Am I compatible with this person? Will we marry?" It's the kind of answer that gets the most accurate response with Magi astrology and the energy patterns of success/failure with the planetoid/comet Chiron. Chiron is the "planet" that symbolizes love, soul mate, children, the spouse, pregnancy and karmic ties! 

(*Note: the asteroid Juno describes WHO you want to attract as a Life Partner--not "will we be married." Venus describes how we are attracted to someone and how we enjoy sharing/receiving love; Mars describes our sexual energy with a partner.)

Formed in China in 1625, Magi astrology differs from other astrological techniques because exact birth times are not necessary to do competent astrology within the Magi astrology system. While having an exact birth time is helpful, it is not crucial to providing accurate astrological information.

Magi astrology ONLY considers the dynamics of cooperation/union as successful indicators--especially when patterns are formed to Chiron from Venus, Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto; the other planets are helpful, but not as significant. Stressful patterns indicate an unhappy resolution to a relationship or possible marriage.

Decanates (or "Decans") - 1/3 of each sign

The 30 degrees allotted for each zodiac house can be divided into three groups of ten degrees each as 0 to 9 degrees, 10 to 19 degrees and 20 to 29 degrees. These divisions are termed as Decanates. The first ten degrees are called as the First Decanate, the second ten as the second Decanate and the third ten degrees are the Third Decanate. (Another way of seeing a decanate would be "which day in 30 is this?" Example: April 1 would be @11-12 days = 2nd decanate).

The first decanate of any sign corresponds to to the sign being studied: for example, the first decanate of Aries will relate to Aries. The second decanate of any sign takes on the characteristics of the next sign in the same element, and hence, the second decanate for Aries is Leo. The third decanate of any sign is the last sequential sign within the same element and so for Aries it would be Sagittarius. Just follow the pattern below for your sign and its decanates.

Each decanate in a sign gets the traits or qualities of the sign ruling it. The first decanate is the strongest, and it corresponds to the double strength of the sign. A person born during the second and third decanate will be less typical of the sign under consideration.

The decanates are said to have psychological and physical significances and are related to the mind, body and soul.

0 to 9 degrees - This decan corresponds to the physical side and relates to the body.  When a person has many planets in these degrees, they would be practical, materialistic, and sensible. These degrees are very powerful. The 0 degree represents the beginnings and the 9th degree represents the endings and the physical aspects.

10 to 19 degrees - This decanate corresponds to the mental or the Mind side. Those with more planets in this decanate are said to be intelligent and concentrate more on mind activities. They are logical thinkers and are well-informed about the latest trends. Degree 10 represents new pursuits and degree 19 represents the peak of mental activity.

20 to 29 degrees - This decanate corresponds to the spiritual aspects of a person.  When many planets or in this decanate, the native would be spiritually inclined. Some might have problems like addiction and self-destruction.  Degree 29 relates to the spiritual peak or an acute nature: the 29th degree is often referred to as an intense representation of the sign's action and energy.

Aries                            Aries-Leo-Sagittarius

Taurus                         Taurus-Virgo-Capricorn

Gemini                         Gemini-Libra-Aquarius

Cancer                         Cancer-Scorpio-Pisces

Leo                               Leo-Sagittarius-Aries

Virgo                            Virgo-Capricorn-Taurus

Libra                             Libra-Aquarius-Gemini

Scorpio                         Scorpio-Pisces-Cancer

Sagittarius                  Sagittarius-Aries-Leo

Capricorn                    Capricorn-Taurus-Virgo

Aquarius                     Aquarius-Gemini-Libra

Pisces                          Pisces-Cancer-Scorpio