The Language of Astrology
Reference
A guide to the details for Aspects, Planets, Signs & Houses — the building blocks of the language. Don keeps this growing.
Please feel free to question, or to consider suggesting additions to this material.
Aspects
Basis for color of aspects:
RED – (0 – 90 – 180) CARDINAL. Active, Eager, Tense, Performance Oriented Energy & Stress Activity. Doing, Energy, Vibrant. Tension producing. ENERGY. These aspects have the same Quality in common.
BLUE – (60 – 120) FIXED. Substance, Pleasure. Resting, Relaxed, Easy Opportunity, Seeking Harmony & Enjoyment, Substance, Talent, Enrichment, Flowing, Body at Rest. Security. Tension releasing. RESOURCES. These aspects are either both masculine or both feminine. The trines have the same Element.
GREEN – (30 – 150) MUTABLE. Changeable, Informational. Communication. Sensitivity. Seeking. Searching, Questioning, Sensing. Undecided, Intellectual, Problem Solving, Adjustment, Adaptive. These take longer to develop due to lack of energy and relatedness and difficulty in finding common ground to work with. Questioning. CONSCIOUSNESS. These aspects have no Quality, Element or Modality in common.
Detailed description for each Aspect:
CONJUNCTION: 0-9 degrees - Red/Orange - Blended energy, concentration of power. Linking together of components. Inner intense binding contact. Inner tension. Operating together. However, some planets work together better than others. So this can be either easy or somewhat conflicting. SUN
SEMI-SEXTILE: 30 degrees – Green – irritational, meditative, gathering, perceptive, unresolved small. “Little step in thinking”. Individual pieces of information are gathered and added together. The two planets have nothing in common but have to find a way to work together. Like neighbors who you do not choose but have to deal with. Use meditation. The two planets work together however to simply gather information. MERCURY
SEXTILE: 60 degrees – Blue - A mix of harmonious/compatible elements with same polarity that creates opportunity through creativity. Fire/Air or Earth/Water. Active exchange between two elements eager to work together. Growth. Assimilation. Relaxed opportunity. “it has to open the door”. Striving for harmony unlike Trine which has easy harmony. Fear of conflict. Willing to compromise. Sextile by degree but not by sign brings more stress. VENUS
SQUARE: 90 degrees – Red – Planets with same Quality but incompatible Elements. Energy in abundance. Compulsive. Energy and release based on stress and tension. The planets tend to challenge each other to work together without compromise. Performance based friction/tension/release. Tremendous growth possible but only through aggravation. Aggression. Not happy but motivated to change. MARS
TRINE: 120 degrees – Blue - same element, same polarity. Only difference is Quality. Abundance. Harmony. Pleasure. “Walking through open door. Easy talent, enjoyment, couch potato, addiction to enjoyment. Ease of communication requiring no effort. Sensorial excess. Downside is that they are so comfortable that they can get lazy, spoiled and boring or exhibit perfectionism, sensorial excess or addiction. You need other aspects to them to get them off the couch and to bring to perfection. JUPITER
QUINCUNX: 150 degrees – Green Big unresolved energies. “Big step in thinking”. Again, nothing in common which creates the need to figure out what is being offered information wise but the message involves larger life issues. Not confined to outer part of chart so much bigger issues. Adjustment needed due to mental tension. The adjustment creates understanding. These aspects are projective and molding. Searching. Longing. Frustrating. Situations of crisis requiring decisions, especially early. Will building. More potential for resolution after Saturn return. Never lets up. Subliminal motivator. Not much choice or release. Can bring on health issues. SATURN
OPPOSITION: 180 degrees – Red - Concept of both sides of same energy having to find a way to work together. Same Quality and harmonious Elements but opposite Polarities. Concept of Dichotomy. Opposite but possibly complimentary signs. Balancing or mirroring. Dual, suppressed blocked energy. Have to learn need for balance. Dual suppressed possibly blocked energy. Not as stressful as the Square because compromise is more easily possible. Charts without oppositions have hard time seeing things from view of others because they never have the opportunity to learn how to do so. Other lateral aspects create pathways. SATURN
Huber orbs: Used with Inner-Psychological Map
March-General orbs: Used with OuterWordly Map
DEVELOPMENT OF ASPECT MEANINGS
The five Ptolemaic aspects, are the conjunction, sextile, square, trine & opposition. Some say that the reason for only including those aspects was because they were the only ones that could inscribe a shape which is enclosed and complete within the zodiac wheel. Each of them was able to inscribe a polygon, that enclosed shape, within the wheel. This does not totally eliminate the use of the semi-sextile which fulfills the requirement as a twelve-sided figure but most ancient and traditional astrologers dismissed the semi-sextile as too weak to be of noticeable influence. The quincunx, also called the inconjunct, which literally means “unconnected”, was also not usually considered, I believe primarily because they thought of it as simply not seen.
Interestingly, the Ptolemaic aspects were based on the element and modality relationships between the signs. This can also be defined as temperament and motivation. This Planets in trine aspect share the same element which indicated an easy-lowing energy relationship, considered beneficial. Planets in sextile aspect shared “compatible” elements, either Fire & Air or Earth & Water, that is either masculine (Yang) or feminine (Yin). They had similar polarity and, therefore, common ground, but you did have to apply effort to get them to work together. Planets in square or opposition aspect to each other have the same modality, the same Quadruplicities, (Cardinal, Fixed or Mutable). They share the same form of motivating energy making them dynamic. The specific energy was based on the specific modality. Squares created more conflict-based stress because they had incompatible elements. Oppositions were more tension-based stress having only to resolve differences that shared forms of compatibility. Since semi-sextile and quincunx aspects do not share either modality or any compatibility of elements, it seems that, for the most part, they were simply not considered traditionally.
The Ptolemaic aspects are represented by the colors red and blue in my system. The flowing aspects are colored blue and the energized aspects are colored red. I also use the semi-sextile and quincunx aspects as part of my aspecting process. They are colored green in my system. I consider these green aspects to be more about learning, communication, thinking and the need to use the intellect to find common ground with energies or themes that offer no commonality of motivation or temperament.
The Renaissance corresponds with the beginning of the age of individualism. For astrology this meant that the consulting of horoscopes began to be focused on horoscopes for individuals and about individuals. Horoscopes had been cast and used for individuals for a long time but the focus was on traits and life events and potential changes and opportunities. As the world evolved and Enlightenment advanced, astrology faced increased skepticism but it found new life in the 19th and 20th centuries when it resonated to a surge in focus on spirituality and the occult. This led to the interpreting of astrology through the lens of contemporary psychology. Astrology become useful as a tool for self-exploration and personal growth. This focus gave meaning to the semi-sextile and quincunx as they both relate to the thinking, communication, and learning functions. Semi-sextiles relate to gathering information. Quincunxes use information to resolve life issues. This can help lead to more conscious living.
I am following the Huber Method and System in my use of colors. The Huber System aligns well with other systems on the meanings of the various aspects. In fact, there is not much variance within different systems for the meanings of the aspects. The Hubers, however, provided a figure, a map of sorts, (see below) which illustrated how they represented, at a very basic and deep level, the relationship between the energies of the signs of the zodiac, the planets ruling those signs, and how the aspects can be organized and described based on the energies or urges of the planets.
Huber Aspect Schematic
You will see that the planetary rulers are the “traditional’ rulers, not the “modern” ones. Reference to that Huber Aspect Figure below shows the 30-degree aspect to be related to Mercury through Gemini and Virgo. This is the learning aspect. The 60-degree aspect is tied to Venus, through Taurus and Libra. This is all about the use of talent and resources. The 90-degree aspect is tied to Mars through Aries and Scorpio. Here we are working with the concept of tension and energy. The 120-degree aspect is tied to Jupiter through Sagittarius and Pisces is another flowing concept involving talent and enjoyment. The 150-degree aspect relates to Saturn through Capricorn and Aquarius with Saturn symbolic of the learning process that comes with having the discipline to create structure out of not fitting parts. I have always found this figure and set of concepts to be symbolic of the cosmic order that can be found in astrology.
Planets
Traditional Western Astrology breaks down the planets as: THE PERSONAL PLANETS: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus & Mars. Of these, the Sun & Moon are also called THE LIGHTS. THE GENERATIONAL PLANETS: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune & Pluto. Of these, Uranus, Neptune & Pluto are also called THE TRANSPERSONAL or TRANSCENDENTAL PLANETS.
This segregation makes sense given that the personal planets move through the signs much faster whereas the generational planets truly take at least a generation to complete a cycle. The transpersonals take at least a lifetime to complete a cycle and are too far away to be seen visually without some form of visual aid. Saturn not only describes the initial structure and limitations for each of us in our natal chart, it also is a beacon of the limitations for our physical system in a visual sense.
Bruno Huber breaks down the planets in a different way. I will describe the energies of each planet, which is generally the same no matter which way you break them down, and group them by the way Huber does.
SUN/MOON/SATURN are seen as the Ego Planets by Huber. - You need balanced development of these in order to truly begin to experience ourselves and find our potential. We have to be careful not to allow our lives to be controlled by our Emotions (Moon), by a feeling of superiority and desire to dominate (Sun), or by our greed or manipulation (Saturn). We are striving for a balance between our Mind, our Emotions and our Body.
SUN: Chief/Managing Director The Outer Boss. – THE PLANET OF LIFE. Your core, essential self. “True Self”. Real Self. The Life Force within us. Your basic identity and conscious purpose. Sun wants to shine. It illuminates. Simply the circle of Spirit. EGO planet – Our self-awareness through the mind. Self-expression. Individuality. Your inner identity. Rules the Heart, upper back and circulatory system. THE URGE IS FOR POWER, TO SHINE. Best: take ownership or Magnanimity. Worst: Dictate or Egotism. Huber: “Self-awareness through the Mind”. The Father in terms of basis for ego creation. March: “Where you find the Sun in the chart is the life and heart of the horoscope. This is where you want to shine”. The Masculine = Power”. The power that brings the desire for self-improvement. The final authority. Tarnas: The Sun represents the central principle of vital energy and conscious selfhood. It is the center of personal identity, conscious ego, the autonomous conscious selfhood, one’s personal identity and will, associated with one’s sense of individual self-directedness and self-expression.
MOON: The Power behind the throne. The Inner Boss. - THE PLANET OF FEELING. “The Reigning Emotional Need”. How one feels about oneself. The emotions, emotional expression. Instincts, The feminine principle. The interior self. The subconscious mind. The storehouse of memory in that all memory is held in the subconscious mind. How you want your needs met. Memories, fears, dreams. Daily habits. Rules the breasts, ovaries, womb, stomach, digestion, body fluids. THE URGE IS DOMESTIC, TO NURTURE. Best: adaptability & sympathy. Worst: Inconsistency & Moodiness. The desire to connect. Huber: “Self-awareness through the Emotions.” The Child. March: “Where you find the Moon in the chart shows where you are subject to emotional ups and down”. The Feminine = Response”. Growth and fecundity. Tarnas: The Moon is closely associated with the emotionally and instinctively responsive personality. One’s underlying psychological character—those parts of oneself that are more hidden to one’s conscious ego. Receptive and spontaneously reactive or responsive in nature. It is archetypically associated with what the modern self tends to be unconscious of: the psyche’s emotional, physical, imaginal, familial, and ancestral ground or matrix. It governs one’s sense of belonging (or not), how one tends to nurture and be nurtured. The nature of one’s intimate relationships and one’s homelife.
SATURN: The Learning Director. The Enforcer. THE PLANET OF CONTRACTION & REALITY. Structure/Order, Responsibility. Limitation. Conservative. Timing and Discipline. Judicious, Grounded, Pragmatic. Saturn is all about discipline, it is consistent and always realistic. The capacity to create order, form and discipline in life. Saturn is often misunderstood. He offers success and abundance but only via learning limits, structural requirements and responsibly based needs. I cannot overstate the importance of Saturn in the natal chart. We all overcompensate where we find our Saturn placement. People always bemoan their troubles with Saturn but if one seeks to understand what the purpose of Saturn’s message is they will find that he is attempting to teach them by way of limitation, constraint and the need to be responsible. Saturn is not fun but can be amazingly useful in building whatever it is one wants to build upon. Safety and Protection are necessary precursors to success. Learn to use the system. Rules the skeletal system, the skin, teeth & knees and auditory organs. THE URGE IS SAFETY & SECURITY. Best: Utilization & of structures and people. Worst: Manipulation and Selfishness. Remember that Saturn represents the physical limits of our solar system. We cannot visually see further. Huber: “Self-awareness through the Body.” The nurturing Teacher. March: “Where you find Saturn in the chart is where you can best focus and assume responsibility or where you feel least secure and tend to over-compensate”. It also is about stagnation, crystallization. Tarnas: Saturn represents the principle of limit, structure, and necessity. It governs material world, time, tradition, the past, aging, death, and the endings of things. Saturn contracts and inhibits. It is conservative and strict. It oppresses. It opposes and limits, but in doing so, it grounds, forges, gives our soul substance and gravitas, makes us real. Saturn is the archetype that rules the structure of our lives. It defines things. It is the superego inside us—our inner judge and conscience, that complex reflection of internalized social convention, religious tradition, and moral law. As Nietzsche said, “He who cannot obey himself will be commanded”. It is Saturn alone that can give us that special sense of inner authority which can only be purchased through time and experience.
MERCURY/VENUS/MARS/JUPITER are seen as the Tool Planets by Huber. I like this way of describing them. These planets function to preserve our existence & life and support our physical needs. Initially they act instinctively but, using the concept of Maslov’s hierarchy of needs, once the basic needs are met, these planets can aid in our creative search for individual meaning.
MERCURY: The Data Collector & Disseminator. The Director of Communications - THE PLANET OF MIND. The deductive side of learning. Formulation and information gathering. The Lower mind. What we learn from others. Intelligence obtained through teachers, and available material via memorization. This learning leads to Knowledge. Reasoning. Rational thinking. Rote learning. Mercury represents our rational, intellectual and communicative side. The way one thinks, computes and reasons. The interpreter of internal and external stimuli. Utilizer of the senses for identification and retention of data generated by them. The Messenger. The Bookkeeper. The Secretary. The capacity to think, speak, learn and reason. Mercury gives data to Jupiter. Rules the nervous system, hands and arms, sight, brain. THE URGE IS INTELLECTUAL. Best: Expression & Discernment. Worst: Restlessness & Variability. Huber: The life supporting function is the learning mechanism via computing. March: “Where you find Mercury in the chart shows where and how you communicate best”, Gathers and distributes information, data, news. Rote learning and learning the teachings of others. Thought processes. Tarnas: Mercury represents the principle of mind, thinking transmission of ideas through speaking, writing and other forms of communication. The capacity to conceptualize and communicate, to articulate, to use words and language, to analyze and comprehend, to learn and perceive, mediate, transport and connect.
VENUS: The Attractor & Social/Enjoyment Director - THE PLANET OF LOVE & ENJOYMENT. Harmony. Affection. Attraction. Energy input. Feminine receptive energy. The capacity for love and to attract people and things that I love and value. How we give and receive love and affection. Our form of Beauty, Sensuality and Values. Our Aesthetics and Moral Character. Our unions. The form of our Talents and the type of Assets we value. Also, how we approach and handle our assets and finances. The Lesser Benefic. What we enjoy. How we get the comfort we want. How we get the social interaction we want. What we appreciate. How we attract “the other” and others. Social relationships in terms of relating. Rules the throat, chin, cheeks, sense of taste. THE URGE is Attraction & Social. Best: Affection & Grace. Worst: Complaisant or Self Indulgent. Huber: “The life supporting function of Assimilation by striving for harmony”. March: “Where you find Venus in the chart shows what you really enjoy.” Love of things through Taurus and Love of the Arts through Libra. Rules the facilities we use for comparison in relation to form, proportion, color and harmony. Planet of pleasure and friendship. Feminine reproductive instinct. Tarnas: Venus represents the principle of love and beauty; rules the desire to be involved in romantic and social relations, to attract and be attracted to others., to engage in artistic activities, to seek harmony and aesthetic or sensuous pleasure.
MARS: The Energy, Activity & Self Defense Director – PLANET OF DYNAMIC ENERGY. The Warrior. Aggression. Anger. Physical energy. Ceaseless activity. Energy output. Masculine initiative energy. The animal nature, desire & sexual energies. Zeal and fervor in general. Defines our assertiveness. The capacity to act and assert myself based on personal desire. How we initiate, work & compete. The power and strength to reach one’s goal. Its action is sudden, disruptive and self-assertive. Practical Impulse. Direct and impersonal. Learns by trial and error. Social relationships in terms of sexual targets. It is our initiative and our strength and courage but also our anger, possible destructive energy. Impulsiveness, injury, violence. Rules external reproductive organs, head and face. THE URGE is Action & Projection. Best: Vigor & Initiative. Worst: Aggression & Harshness. Huber: “Life supporting function is the motor function; action & energy”. March: “Where you find Mars in the chart is where you expend the greatest energy”. Tarnas: Mars represents the principle of energetic force, that part of the psyche which impels us to act, to assert ourselves, to struggle, to press forward and against, to be courageous and vigorous, to be competitive or combative.
JUPITER: Director of Expansion, Growth & Development - THE PLANET OF WISDOM & FORTUNE. The mental senses. The Sensory side of learning, evaluation and perception. The Higher Mind. Higher learning. What we learn through observation using our senses that is transformed so to becomes one’s own vision. This is the learning that leads to Wisdom. Our social conscience. How you interact with society, community and broader social structures. Your ethical beliefs. How you find your place in a group. Philosophy. Luck. Optimism. The search for meaning, truth and ethical values. The Greater Benefic – where and how we expand what we touch whether it be physical via growth & abundance, material via increased resources, or emotional via optimism & enthusiasm, or mental as described above. What we are good at. House location shows area of good fortune and where positive energies can be focused for growth and abundance. The Judge. The Lawmaker. Negative traits are: entitled, vain, selfish, egocentric, reckless, possessive, attention-seeking and domineering. Rules the liver, thighs, hips. Jupiter gives meaning and direction to Mercury. THE URGE is Benevolence & Protection. Best: Benevolence & Optimism. Worst: Extravagance & Conceit. Huber: The life supporting function is the learning mechanism via Sensing”. March: “Where you find Jupiter in the chart is where you often experience good fortune and like to spend your leisure time”. Tarnas: Jupiter rules the principle of expansion and success; governs the tendency to expand and grow, to elevate and uplift, to seek that which is better or higher, to improve and magnify. It also governs the tendency to experience success, honor, abundance, happiness, and good fortune, and is connected with the capacity for magnanimity, liberality, pride and optimism. A concern with moral and philosophical ideals and principles, the urge for intellectual and cultural breadth and striving for breadth of experience. Negatives are excess, inflation, extravagance overconcern with wealth and status, self-indulgence, complacency, overconfidence and personal superiority.
URANUS/NEPTUNE/PLUTO are seen as the Higher Transpersonal Planets by Huber as well as many others. They are also known as the outer planets, being located beyond Saturn. These planets move very slowly, influencing generational, rather than individual, patterns and are associated with a collective, higher-dimensional, or cosmic level of human experience. They signify broad shifts in consciousness, innovation, societal structures, and the transcendence of individual limitations to achieve growth and a connection to universal forces.
The Trans-Saturnians, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, are transpersonal in both a socially collective and individually transcendent sense. They represent three ways in which Saturnian boundaries can be supervened through vision, faith, and action (respectively). The concept here is that the energy of these “higher” planets either come into our lives at the unconscious level at times of crisis due to transits or progressions, or because of placement in natal chart on angle or tightly aspected to other planet(s) wherein we find them coloring the energy of the planet they are touching. When attempts to harness the energy of these transpersonals are made in ways other than due to evolvement of the native towards more conscious self-aware states, it can create disastrous situations. Huber uses the examples of terrorist for Uranus, false guru for Neptune and dictator for Pluto.
URANUS: The Awakener. The Creative Change Director – THE PLANET OF TRANSFORMATION, THE AWAKENER. our individuality at the level of consciousness. Creative ingenuity. Originality. Individualism, Originality, Invention, creative genius brilliant mental insight. Breaking away from the usual. The capacity to liberate yourself from past limitations; your unique individuality. We come into our culture and initially our actions tend to be shaped by it. However, at some point, potentially, we initiate the formation and expression of our own uniqueness. This can become our personalized “vision”. Not properly harnessed this energy can create deviance or deviant eccentricity. Properly harnessed it is inventiveness or innovation. Expansion of the “I” boundary. The Awakener. It is also bohemian, utopian, humanitarian or autonomous. Innovation, intuition unconventional. Uranus breaks up the structure and order put in place by Saturn. Insight. It rules technology, astrology, magic. Its energy and action are sudden, unexpected or rebellious. Rules lower part of legs, calves & ankles; also, the nervous system along with Mercury. THE URGE for freedom. To expand the “I” boundaries. Best: Originality. Worst: unhinged eccentricity. Huber: “The aspirational energy is through meditation or individual method”. March: “Where you find Uranus in the chart is where you tend to do the unusual”. Tarnas: Uranus represents the principle of change, of freedom, rebellion, and revolution. It is associated with unexpected phenomena of all kinds, with sudden surprises and awakenings, with breakthroughs--intellectual, psychological, spiritual. It governs the sudden breakup of established structures, and tends to have an exciting and electric quality. Its influence inclines one to be changeable, restless and unpredictable—sometimes irresponsibly so, in a constant quest for personal freedom and new experience. When not integrated, Uranus can be experienced as something that happens to one from without in upsetting disruptive ways.
NEPTUNE: The Mystic Dreamer. The Spiritual Director and Escapist/Transcender - THE PLANET OF TRANCENDENCE & SPIRIT. The spiritual urge. The form or makeup of your religion or spiritualism. Idealism. Compassion. Deeper truths. Heightened perception. Center of our intuition, dreams, imagination. Glamour, movies. Seeks the ideal. Inspiration, dreams, psychic receptivity, illusion, confusion. The capacity to transcend the finite self through feeling unity with a greater whole. Rules the pineal gland & feet. THE URGE: Compassion & Bliss. Dissolution of the “I”. Best: Spiritual fulfillment. Worst: Escapism and Vagueness. Confusion. Huber: “The aspirational energy is identification via comprehension”. March: “Where you find Neptune in the chart is where you tend to deceive yourself and/or others; it is also where you seek the ideal”. Tarnas: Neptune is the archetype of the transcendent, of ideal reality, of imagination and the spiritual. It represents the ocean of consciousness that dissolves all boundaries between self and other, between self and universe, between self and God, and between this concrete reality and other realities. Neptune represents both Nirvana and Maya. It can illuminate one with the highest spiritual truths that transcend the everyday world, any yet also lead one into escapist fantasy, illusion, and deception. It can fuel the addictive impulse as well as the spiritual quest.
PLUTO: The Transformer. The Director of Metamorphosis. One’s personal Underworld – THE PLANET OF TRANSFORMATION & RESURRECTION. The unseen powers. Sex, Death & rebirth. Psychological coercion. Reincarnation, recycling, regeneration rejuvenation. Catharsis. The masses. The evolution of collective consciousness. Pluto is magnetic, transformative, intense, controlling, probing. He compels, empowers, overwhelms, transforms, destroys and resurrects. Seeks to uncover secrets not yet found. The capacity to transform and renew oneself. Rules the eliminative and reproductive systems. THE URGE: Power, Control & Transformation. Best: Resoluteness & using power for good. Worst: Coercion & destruction for personal gain. Huber: “The aspirational energy is metamorphosis via contemplation”. March: “Where you find Pluto in the chart is where you will find complexity; it is where you will have to solve problems alone and unaided”. Tarnas: Pluto is the archetype of primordial energy, the universal life force which impels all evolution and transformation. Pluto represents the principle of power itself, of elemental force, of primal libido and aggression, and is essentially identical to Freud’s notion of the id. Pluto governs the instincts and the forces of nature. It rules the biological processes of birth, sex, and death, and at its deepest level it involves the mystery of death and rebirth.
NORTH NODE: What we are meant to become in this life, what we are growing into. (SNode is what we are growing from). The experiences we can potentially be placed into that will help us grow into our future spiritually. A point to strive to for fulfillment. The NNode points to the spiritual direction of the individual in this life, the “true path”. The NNode is where we take in new knowledge, ideas and even ideals. It becomes a place for intake. The NNode symbolizes your developmental path, personal growth, and the challenges you need to overcome in this lifetime. The SNode is where we give out knowledge and what we are familiar with. SNode is about past lives, karmic lessons that we bring into this life. We have to try to remember that it is easier to move towards what is familiar and comfortable BUT this goes against the path being pointed to by the NNode. The house position of the North Node shows the area of life focus for these challenges, and the sign position reveals the qualities we need to develop. This is the karma that we are creating in this life. The level of involvement in the Inner Map will speak to the role of internal wiring in reaching for our spiritual path. Any planet found conjunct the NNode will be directly involved in outer world activities associated with the spiritual path. Note: however, that the higher ideals of the Ascendant Sign and the placement of the transcendental planets also speak to these issues.
HUBER PLANETARY MATRIX:
The Hubers created a matrix for the planets depicting their view that the planets correspond to our psychological drives and needs and, additionally, showing their understanding of the planets operating at one of three levels: the Conscious level, a lower or Sub-Conscious level, and a higher or Super-Conscious level. When I first studied the Huber Method around 1986, they had a matrix that Initially that took the following form:
Huber breakdown Schematic of Planets
The above matrix was shown in the book Aspect Pattern Astrology originally published in 1999, and in English in 2005. With the revised edition was published in 2014, the matrix had evolved. I show this below and show both because I believe that that there is valuable information available in both and in seeing how it evolved. Here is the updated version:
PLANETARY DIGNITIES:
NOTE: I do not place a lot of seriousness with the exaltation and fall of the outer planets. Uranus, Neptune & Pluto are sometimes classified as the “transpersonal” planets. They are outside of Saturn and not visible to naked eye. Before their discovery Astrology utilized Saturn as Ruler for both Capricorn and Aquarius, Jupiter as Ruler for both Sagittarius and Pisces, and Mars as Ruler for both Aries & Scorpio. I still use both signs for each of these planets when seeking understanding from the chart. For example, I see Aquarius as benefiting from the structuring nature of Saturn as well as the individual free-roaming mentality offered from Uranus. Neptune benefits from the expansive spiritual vision offered by Jupiter as well as the more transpersonal release to spirit offered by Neptune. And Pluto benefits from the physical power available with Aries as well as the more transformational psychological power offered by Scorpio. If you look at the “Huber Schematic of Planets” below you will see that the planets are broken down to three levels. Sub-Conscious, Conscious and Super-Conscious. Man has evolved to a point, more or less, where the more basic needs are now met. Once one “feels” safe with basic needs taken care of, they can then focus more on personal freedom and creativity, spiritual life and/or actual transformation. The transpersonal planets are connected to the development of higher consciousness that moves an individual past personal concerns towards consciousness and awareness tied to the whole human family. Bottom line is that I do not put much weight onto exaltation or fall with the transpersonal planets.
DIGNITIES: Every planet is strong in the sign that it rules. It is dignified by the sign it rules. This is its DIGNITY. You can control and utilize the energy through this placement. It feels like home.
EXALTATION: Every planet (except Neptune & Pluto) also has a sign other than Ruler where it expresses very harmoniously. Complimentary energies are at work and the positive energies of the planet are easily nurtured. It feels like when you are in the company of your good friend who is there supporting you and helping to show you in your best light. This is the EXALTATION.
DETRIMENT: When a planet is in sign opposite its Ruler it is in it’s DETRIMENT. Astrology is built on polarities to some degree. Opposite signs provide opposite sides of the same concept. When in the sign opposite of its ruler a planet will be forced to conform to a setup containing elements directly opposed to its comfort.
FALL: When a planet is in sign opposite it’s sign of Exaltation, it is in it’s FALL. Again, using the concept of polarity, the planet finds itself in sign opposite concept that works harmoniously with it. It is harder to manifest the natural nature of that planet’s energies here.
Angular planets (Gauquelin) see (“http://www.planetos.info)
(Credit to Kenneth Irving)
The doctrine of angularity. Again, from Margaret Hone: “The strength of Angularity is better expressed by saying that the planets are undoubtedly strong when they are close to one of the angles, especially to the Ascendant or Midheaven, irrespective of which side of these they may be on.” The same doctrine of angularity is central to the Western sidereal astrology of Cyril Fagan, who began an effort to restore a kind of proto-classical, pre-Greek astrology several years prior to Michel Gauquelin’s first publication of his findings. Consider this, again from Recent Advances: “Angularity is one of the oldest, most fundamental and least disputed of astrological concepts....” p. 371
Note that Hone defines angularity in a way that makes it independent from houses and that she also considers it to encompass a zone on both sides of the Ascendant and the Midheaven, a point which can be found in astrological writings as early as Vettius Valens.
More interesting than angularity is the fact that where Gauquelin's findings on the planets were concerned, he very clearly delineated structural relationships between the planets in his first book and very clearly outlined a research program meant to explore and understand that structure more fully in relation to professions and to demonstrate its existence in other areas (e.g. planetary heredity and character traits). Until the early 1990s, few paid much attention to this aspect of his work. However, at that time Graham Douglas (in the UK), Kenneth Irving (in the US), and Arno Müller (in Germany) pointed out that the structure of Gauquelin's results very specifically displays a form which is found quite often in ancient philosophy and astrology but which has disappeared for the most part from modern astrology, a form based on two unrelated sets of opposite qualities (a more modern terminology would be two "orthogonal" dimensions - a set of cosmic Cartesian Coordinates by which we define certain fundamental differences between planets, such as benefic/malefic).
Consider the following table, in which + indicates a significant excess in the Gauquelin "key sectors" and - indicates a significant deficiency in the same region. Note that when Jupiter and Saturn are both significant for a given profession they are significant in opposite directions, and that Mars often shows significance in the same direction as either Jupiter or Saturn, but not with both at the same time. Results in parentheses are tentative findings by either the Gauquelins or Ertel. The angle brackets in the entry for the Moon under sports indicate two important but little-noted exceptions to the so-called eminence factor: 1) The Moon was found significantly low for athletes regardless of eminence. 2) Though this is true for Gauquelin's rising and culminating sectors as a pair, the rising sector has the lower significance for that professional group, regardless of eminence. See the chapter "Résultats de la Lune" in his second book, Les Hommes et les Astres. and the same chapter ("Results for the Moon") in Written in the Stars. He also notes a similar situation for the Moon and the military, but marks that as a provisional finding.
Signs
Traditional Astrology comes at this division of 12 as foundational. Contemporary astrology condenses this to the 4 elements and 3 qualities.
In the chapter on the Signs in Rudhyar’s book “The Astrology of Personality” he does an admirable job of describing the difference between foundational Astrology (Ptolemaic) and modern astrology which came with the Renaissance.
Before the public discovery of the Earth’s rotation around its polar axis at the beginning of the Renaissance, the Signs were the markers of movement in a Sun centered world with the planets being members of the band in the symphony under the leadership of the Sun. As such, the meanings of the Signs as related to various times of the year (in northern hemisphere) was central to their meaning. Also, as the sun passed through the signs during the year, those signs became associated with different parts of the body, moving from the head down to the feet as the months of the year passed.
With the knowledge that the Earth rotated on its axis came the beginning of individuation and also the beginning of the concept of the dial of the Houses as the external outer world. Planets became lights that moved due to rotation around the Sun and the Signs (the zodiac) became the one thing that did not move either through the hours of the day or the days of the year as the Earth revolved around the Sun. As such, the zodiac became an expression of the collective. It is also the fixed in place celestial sphere that sets the outer limits between individual man, the Earth and the outer universe. It is the outer end of our neighborhood!
The sphere of the zodiac, which includes the 12 Signs of the zodiac, is utterly invisible. These 12 signs divide the zodiac into equal sections. Each covers a 30-degree division of the total 360 degree sphere. The stars that make up the backdrop of these 12 divisions are constellations that the signs have taken the names of but there are no stars in the zodiac itself. I find that John Frawley in his book “The Real Astrology” on page 53 describes this situation in a very primal way:
"Traditional descriptions of the cosmos always start at the outside and work inwards, as if peeling away layers from an onion, because the creation consists of a series of concentric spheres created by God. The outermost of those with which we need to concern ourselves here is the sphere of the zodiac. This sphere is utterly invisible, are the signs of the zodiac, which have no connection with the constellations that bear the same names. . . . The signs of the zodiac are a division of the zodiac into twelve equal sections. They are differentiated one from another by the process of creation. The primal matter of the created cosmos is not itself manifest. It comes into manifestation as (what appears to us as) hot, cold, moist and dry. Onto these four possibilities fall the three modes of creation: the out-going which carries the initial impulse from the source into the creation; the expansive, which maintains and explores within the creation; and the returning, which returns the impulse back towards its source. (note: he's referring to cardinal, fixed, and mutable for those moderns amongst us) These three principles falling on the four qualities of hot, cold, moist, (Cardinal, Fixed & Mutable) and dry give (3 x 4) twelve combinations each of these combinations has its own distinctive nature: for each an image was revealed which describes -- one picture is worth a thousand words -- that nature. These are the signs of the zodiac."
Moderns will group the 12 Signs by temperament which divides them by grouping them within different Elements: Fire, Earth, Air & Water. They can also be grouped by dividing them into groups using the Qualities: Cardinal, Fixed & Mutable. Each sign has one element and one quality attributed to it such that all of them are different. Although not necessary in order to create the twelve different signs, the signs can also be grouped by polarity which divides them into either masculine or feminine signs.
Please remember that these descriptive breakdowns are very general and, even though one might have a fire sign Sun, for example, other parts of the chart many times overrule these energies. I am not an advocate of Sun Sign Astrology or cookbook astrology wherein one attempts to simply generate a description of the whole by describing each separate individual part!!
ELEMENTS:
NOTE: Lack of an element means not having any planets in that element. The lack many times indicates a different expression of the energies. Also lack of an element in signs can be compensated for by finding the placement in houses with that essential element.
FIRE: Hot. Fiery. Initiative and intuitive. Energy and charm. Enthusiastic. Unfolds latent potentialities through creativity. Burning and/or refining energy. Eliminating the unnecessary. Animal kingdom. TO DO IT. Extrovert-spontaneous.
Lack of Fire: Fire is about initiation and expression of energies. The native could simply have a different mode of operating or it could be compensated for by great intellectual development. (air). TO THINK IT UP.
EARTH: Cold. Substance. Things. Sensations. Learning through the physical organism. Rooted in matter. Care of the body and materials. Mineral kingdom. TO MAKE IT WORK. Introvert-concrete/practical.
Lack of Earth: The earth signs are all about the usual sources for practical, pragmatic or materialistic approaches to life situations. Many times lack of this will be compensated for by great spiritual insight (fire) creating a mystic or philosopher.
AIR: Dry. Thinking. Intellect personified mental & supramental. Thinking concerned with inner and outer peace. Human kingdom. THE FEELING OF IT. Extrovert-talkative/abstract.
Lack of Air: The air signs are all about mental functions and communication. Many times the lack of air is speaking of a need to use emotional insight (water) to be able to get to what you are working through, and/or to use your response to those feelings to get the communication out. Many times this is a precursor to artistic or musical genius.
WATER: Wet. Feeling. Emotional response growing altruism. Concerned with divine and natural laws. Plant kingdom. Introvert-receptive.
Lack of Water: It is hard to compensate for lack of emotions and emotional values.
QUALITIES:
CARDINAL: Out-going initial impulse.
FIXED: expansive which maintains and explores within that creation.
MUTABLE: Returning which returns the impulse back towards its source.
MODALITIES:
MASCULINE: The Fire and Air signs are considered masculine in modality.
FEMININE: The Earth & Water signs are considered feminine in modality.
SPECIFIC SIGNS
Where you find the Rudhyar Abstract, Traditional & Mansions descriptions for each sign, they come from: Dane Rudhyar’s “Astrology of Personality” pg 247.
ARIES: Key Phrase: “I AM” Keyword: Activity.
Ruler: Mars
My need to be independent and develop self-awareness.
Attack, struggle & assertion.
Anatomy: Head, face, brain, upper teeth, eyes.
Cardinal Fire.
Sun Exalted. Venus Detriment. Saturn Fall.
Best Quality: Leadership
Worst Quality: Intruding aggressively
Aries and planets in Aries are good at initiating but not eager to finish. Need physical outlets. They are Brave, Impetuous and Direct. Self-oriented. Self-reliant. Competitive. Eager. Impulsive. Independent.
Live in the present moment. They can also be Domineering, Egotistical, Quick-tempered, Intolerant, Reckless, Careless, Violent, Argumentative, Arrogant or Brusque.
The beginning of Spring. The initiatory single pointed release of energy toward new experience. Self-willed urge for action. Self-assertion.
Rudhyar Abstract: The idea of self. The primordial archetypal structure of the individual. The Will-to-be-manifest.
Rudhyar Traditional: Desire, pioneering, initiative, courage. Forceful entrance into things. Rashness & impulsiveness. The male power.
Rudyhar Mansions: TO BREATHE
TAURUS: Key Phrase: “I HAVE” Keyword: Stability.
Ruler: Venus
My need to be resourceful, productive & stable.
The routine and joy of familiar things.
Anatomy: Neck, throat, jaw, mouth, ears, vocal cords, thyroid,
lower teeth.
Fixed Earth.
Moon Exalted.
Best Quality: Stability
Worst Quality: Obstinacy
Taurus and planets in Taurus are Patient, Conservative, Domestic, Sensual and Dependable. They are Artistic, Aesthetic, Loyal, Earthy, Deliberate, Persistent, Consistent, and they love beauty and nature.
They can also be Possessive, Self-indulgent, Stubborn, Materialistic, Fixed, Bull-headed, Sluggish, Greedy or Passive.
Spring in its fullest expression. Green everywhere. Blooms abound. Creative forces of nature. Physical manifestation given to Aries initiation.
Rudhyar Abstract: The primordial substance of manifestation for the self. The synthesis of the past as inherited tendencies. All basic possessions.
Rudhyar Traditional: Inertia, practicality, concreteness, bondage to the Earth and the energies of the Earth. Determination. Energy. Fruitfulness. The female power.
Rudyhar Mansions: TO OWN
GEMINI: Key Phrase: “I THINK” Keyword: Versatility.
Ruler: Mercury
My need to communicate with and learn from others.
Curiosity and the joy of acting as a mediator.
Anatomy: Hands, arms, lungs, breath, nervous system.
Mutable Air.
Jupiter in Detriment
Best Quality: Versatility
Worst Quality: Changeableness
Gemini and planets in Gemini are Communicative, Dual in nature, Adaptable, Mental & Intelligent. They are Verbal, Congenial, Curious, Expressive, Quick-witted, Dexterous, Inquisitive, Alert, Logical, Rational & Knowledgeable. They have innate curiosity and the skill to adapt.
They can also be Superficial or Shallow, Changeable, Indecisive, Unemotional, Over-intellectual, Restless, Scheming, Nervous or High-Strung, Flighty, Scatterbrained, or lacking in concentration or follow-through.
Transition from spring to summer. Flowers in full bloom.
Rudhyar Abstract: The relaxation between self and substance. The function of linkage and the urge to integrate through rhythm and form.
Rudhyar Traditional: Intellect, sensation and nerve-action. Changeability. Duality. Restlessness. Cleverness. Literary and artistic ability. Skill.
Rudyhar Mansions: TO KNOW
CANCER: Key Phrase: “I FEEL” Keyword: Devotion.
Ruler: Moon
My need to give and receive emotional warmth and security.
Solicitude & helpfulness but also ambition.
Anatomy: Chest, breasts, stomach, gall bladder.
Cardinal Water.
Jupiter Exalted. Saturn in Detriment. Mars in Fall.
Best Quality: Tenacity
Worst Quality: Touchiness
Cancer and planets in Cancer are Emotional, Tenacious, Receptive & Sensitive. They are Nurturing, Warm, Sympathetic, Helpful, Protective, Security oriented, Maternal, Domestic, Patriotic, Retentive, Traditional.
They can also be Insecure, Touchy, Brooding, Manipulative, Cautious, Selfish, Sorry for self, Moody, Defensive, Clinging, Dependent, Hoardful, Timid & Easily hurt.
Summer Solstice. The great surge of the primary life-force stops and a secondary growth process begins; enlargement and maturation of plants.
Rudhyar Abstract: The concrete foundation for the expression of the I AM. The living organism and its power of growth.
Rudhyar Traditional: The home and all domestic feelings. The soul and all psychic feelings. Imagination. Receptivity. Sensitiveness. Mediumship. Suggestion.
Rudyhar Mansions: TO ESTABLISH
LEO: Key Phrase: “I WILL” Keyword: Magnetism.
Ruler: Sun
Anatomy: Heart, spinal column, upper back.
My need to creatively express myself & be appreciated.
Joy in creativity and generosity.
Anatomy: Heart
Fixed Fire.
Mercury in Fall
Best Quality: Kindness
Worst Quality: Domination
Leo and planets is Leo are Self-assured, Self-confident, Powerful, Radiant & Authoritative. They are Charismatic, Fun loving, Generous, Exciting, Risk takers, Creative, Proud, Regal, Dramatic, Idealistic, Dignified, Romantic, Flamboyant, Ardent, Loyal, Dignified.
They can also be Prideful, Self-centered, Vain, Selfish, Conceited, Domineering, Arrogant, Pompous, Aristocratic, Autocratic, Childish, Egocentric, Melodramatic, Boastful & Pretentious.
The middle of summer. The heat ripens the fruit brought forth by Cancer. Crops developed to most abundant state of growth before harvest.
Rudhyar Abstract: The power to express the I AM. All modes of self-expression and creative activity. Man, the Actor & Performer.
Rudhyar Traditional: Imperious self-expression. Assumption of authority. Love of pleasure and luxuries. Speculation. The Arts. Child-bearing. Intuition. Dynamic Intensity.
Rudyhar Mansions: TO RELEASE
VIRGO: Key Phrase: “I ANALYZE” Keyword: Practicality.
Ruler: Mercury
My need to analyze, discriminate, and function efficiently.
Joy in details.
Anatomy: Intestines, abdomen, spleen, digestive system
Mutable Earth
Venus in Fall.
Best Quality: Analysis
Worst Quality: Criticism
Virgo and planets in Virgo are Practical, Efficient, Pragmatic, Analytical, Differentiating & Industrious. They are Organized, Studious, Precise, Meticulous, Dexterous, Technical, Methodical, Scientific, Clean, Humane, Skillful, Serving, Dutiful, Sanitary, Health conscious, Seek perfection.
They can also be Messy or Sloppy, Critical, Petty, Trivial, Skeptical, Judgmental, Perfectionistic, Obsessive-compulsive, Neurotic, Hypochondriacal, Prudish, Pedantic, Melancholic, and Fear disease and Germs.
The time of harvest, the end of summer and beginning of transition to autumn.
Rudhyar Abstract: The judgement of self and of life on all creative activities. Discrimination through the critical analysis of the fruits of action. Adjustment.
Rudhyar Traditional: Critical discrimination of the mind. Analytical faculties. Susceptibility. Readiness to serve or to be served. Selfishness. Orderliness. Fastidiousness. Utilitarian outlook.
Rudyhar Mansions: TO IMPROVE
LIBRA: Key Phrase: “I BALANCE” Keyword: Harmony.
Ruler: Venus
My need to cooperate with others and to create beauty, balance and harmony.
Love of beauty.
Anatomy: Kidneys, lower back, bladder skin, buttocks.
Cardinal Air.
Saturn Exalted. Sun in Fall.
Best Quality: Affability
Worst Quality: Needing Approval
Libra and planets in Libra are Cooperative, Diplomatic, Artistic, Sociable, Balanced & Fair. They are Affable, Refined, Considerate, Aesthetic, Relating, Persuasive, Impartial, Gregarious, Easygoing, Agreeable Peace-loving. They also can have detached, almost clinical objectivity.
They can also be Fickle, Apathetic, Indecisive, Dependent, Unable to act alone, Fence-straddlers, Over compromising, Superficial, Vain, Hesitant, Pouting, Love intrigue, Peace at any price & Easily deterred.
Advent of fall. The harvest is over and night begins to prevail. The landscape becomes a work of art.
Rudhyar Abstract: The realization of the Not-Self. Meeting “The Others” Objectification of consciousness through association and partnership.
Rudhyar Traditional: Social consciousness. Affableness. Love of beauty. The longing for comradeship. Sympathy. Equipoise. Justice. Spiritual Devotion. Operative wholeness.
Rudyhar Mansions: TO RELATE
SCORPIO: Key Phrase: “I DESIRE” Keyword: Intensity.
Co-Rulers: Traditional: Mars; Modern: Pluto
My need for deep involvement and intense transformations.
Impulse into the depths.
Anatomy: Reproductive system, genitals, rectum,
Fixed Water.
Venus in Detriment. Moon in Fall.
Best Quality: Resourcefulness
Worst Quality: Revengefulness
Scorpio and planets in Scorpio are Resourceful, Penetrating, Powerful, Probing, Passionate, Intense & Sexual. They are Investigative, Motivated, Scientific, Transformative, Regenerative, Magnetic, Erotic, Emotional, Determined, Deep, Mysterious & Psychological.
They can also be Compulsive, Vengeful, Troublesome, Secretive, Violent, Suspicious, Jealous, Intolerant, Suspicious, Deceptive, Power hungry, Fixed, Extreme, Obsessive, Lustful, Distrustful, Vindictive & Cruel.
Night now rules. Autumn is firmly manifested. Beginning of regeneration of plants becoming soil and fertilizer. Time to start moving indoors.
Rudhyar Abstract: The substance of association and marriage. Manifestation of the urge to unite with others. Regeneration of the attitude of self-centeredness.
Rudhyar Traditional: Sex. Occultism. All types of power and magical operation. Regenerative function. Will, Obstinacy. Revengefulness. Jealousy. Driving force.
Rudyhar Mansions: TO RENEW
SAGITTARIUS: Key Phrase: “I UNDERSTAND ”Keyword: Visualization.
Ruler: Jupiter
My need to explore and expand the horizons of my mind & world.
The search for meaning.
Anatomy: Hips, thighs, liver, upper leg.
Mutable Fire.
Mercury in Detriment.
Best Quality: Loyalty
Worst Quality: Mischievousness
Sagittarius and planets in Sagittarius are Philosophical, Freedom-loving, Enthusiastic, Optimistic, Knowing & Wise. They are Benevolent, Philanthropic, Merciful, Broadminded, Athletic, Generous, Just, either Religious or Spiritual, Scholarly, Straightforward, Ethical, Visionary, Buoyant, Explorers, Seekers, Speculative, Outspoken, & they love animals.
They can also be Extravagant, Idealistic, Self-righteous, Gamblers, False Prophets with blind faith & delusion, Wanderlust, Extravagant, Opinionated, Blunt, Dogmatic, Zealous, Condescending, Pompous, Tactless, Exaggerative & Argumentative.
Period of long nights and short days. Transition to winter’s sleep. Time of contemplation. Land is quiet and cold winds speak to snows coming.
Rudhyar Abstract: Expansion of relationship. The relation between relationships. Abstract linkage and interpretation through perspective.
Rudhyar Traditional: Open-mindedness. Vision. Honesty. Tendency to generalize. Compassion. The will to conquer new fields. Passion for ideas. Love of outdoors and travels.
Rudyhar Mansions: TO UNDERSTAND
CAPRICORN: Key Phrase: “I USE” Keyword: Ambition.
Ruler: Saturn
My need for structure, organization, & social accomplishment.
Feeling of responsibility.
Anatomy: Joints & skeletal system, Knees, lower leg, bones, teeth,
Cardinal Earth
Mars Exalted. Moon in Detriment. Jupiter in Fall.
Winter’s sleep has come. Winter Solstice. Nights are long but start to shorten. Outer stillness but an inner restlessness for the desire to live & survive is present.
Best Quality: Diplomacy & Utilization
Worst Quality: Manipulation
Capricorn and planets in Capricorn are Responsible, Organized, Practical, Disciplined, Serious, Cautious, Hardworking and Structured. They are Dependable, Industrious, Pragmatic, Conventional, Traditional, Businesslike, Realistic,
They can also be Deceitful, Manipulative, Controlling, Overcautious, Domineering, Unforgiving, Inhibited, Status-seeking, Rigid, Fearful, Materialistic, Miserly, Inhibited, Undemonstrative, Self-doubting, Overly ambitious & Distrustful.
Rudhyar Abstract: The concrete foundation for relationships. Life in the social organism. The sustainment of marriage.
Rudhyar Traditional: Ambition. Perseverance, political genius. Reserve. Strong reliance upon social factors and all permanent structures - including spiritual ones. Industry. Stability.
Rudyhar Mansions: TO ACHIEVE
AQUARIUS: Key Phrase: “I KNOW” Keyword: Imagination.
Co-Rulers: Traditional: Saturn; Modern: Uranus.
The need to be innovative, original, & to create social change.
Originality and a hunger for knowledge.
Anatomy: Ankles, calves, circulatory system, veins.
Fixed Air.
Mercury Exalted. Sun in Detriment.
Best Quality: Altruism
Worst Quality: Intellectual snob
Worst Quality: Intellectual snob
Aquarius and planets in Aquarius are Altruistic, Independent, Inventive, Progressive, Humane, Unique & Rebellious. They are Friendly, Social, People-oriented, Tolerant, Unconventional, Eccentric, Experimental, New-age progressive, Revolutionary, Mental, Quick, Brilliant & Scientific, individually unique.
They can also be Unpredictable, Disorganized, Anarchistic, Undisciplined, Rebellious, Radical, Temperamental, Opinionated, Overly eccentric, Impractical, Thoughtless, Erratic, Aloof, Cold & Impersonal.
An abundance of snow and rain as world is washed clean. Longer days becoming very apparent. The beginning of new ideas, wishes and plans initiated by Capricorn are developed and grow.
Rudhyar Abstract: The power to express ideals and to create, in terms of social behavior. The creativeness of relationship and marriage.
Rudhyar Traditional: Idealism. Humanitarianism. Self-expression through collective movements, brotherhoods. Group-feelings. Sensationalism. Dramatic sense. Creative genius, as a mouthpiece of the race.
Rudyhar Mansions: TO TRANSFIGURE
PISCES: Key Phrase: “I BELIEVE” Keyword: Understanding.
Co-Rulers: Traditional: Jupiter; Modern: Neptune
My need to commit myself to a dream or ideal and work towards its realization.
Longing to leave the prison of the body.
Anatomy: Feet, Lymphatic system.
Mutable Water.
Time of atmospheric turbulence as torrents of rain and winds descend upon the land. Snow & ice begin to be washed away. Some warmer weather with land becoming fertile. Beginning of receptivity to spring. Also a restlessness in anticipation of this.
Pisces and planets in Pisces are Sympathetic, Compassionate, Empathetic, Emotional, Sacrificing & Introspective. They are Mystical, Spiritual, Selfless, Unselfish, Sensitive, Dreamy, Imaginative, Unifying, Dissolving, Boundless, Ethereal, Transcendental, Visionary, Healing.
The can also be Melancholy, Nebulous, Confused, Chaotic, Vague, Drifting, Unconscious, Impractical, Procrastinating, Pessimistic, Timid, Indolent, Feel misunderstood, Unrealistic, Ungrounded, Reclusive, Secretive, Deceptive, Vulnerable, Indecisive, Hypersensitive, Martyred, Gullible, Indiscriminate, Passive and lack faith in self and worry too much.
Best Quality: Sympathy
Worst Quality: Worry
Rudhyar Abstract: The judgement of society upon ideals and their modes of operation. Relationship judging itself and “the two” withdrawing, each in his or her own self-mediation.
Rudhyar Traditional: Openness to life. Resignation. Psychism. Mysticism. Memory. Conventionality. Devotion. Introspection. Self-abnegation. Inferiority complex. Other-worldliness.
Rudyhar Mansions: TO TRANSCEND
Houses
4 Quadrants
1st Quadrant - Awareness of Self
2nd Quadrant - Experience of Self
3rd Quadrant – Awareness of Others
4th Quadrant – Experience of Others
3 Quadruplicities/Modalities
Cardinal/Fixed/Mutable or
Angular Succedent Cadent
Usually: The Signs are seen as Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable
The Houses are seen as Angular, Succedent and Cadent.
As mentioned above, the houses represent the different life areas in which the planets will play their function. The houses where you have the most planets in your birth chart represent the dominant areas that will bring the most lessons, transformations, and experiences into your life.
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The angular houses are considered more powerful and relevant, as they drive us to take action and responsibility for our lives. They are initiatory. They initiate the action or focus of each quadrant.
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The succedent houses are responsible for bringing a sense of stability to our life circumstances. They carry the substance that we can utilize to further work on the initiatory impulse given in the angular house of that quadrant.
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The cadent houses represent the process of learning and communicating our experiences before embarking on a new cycle. These are the tools you need to attempt to complete what has been initiated and has been worked on with the tools at hand.
As an example, the 1st House is all about I/Me and how I present myself to the world. This includes our physical body, our personality or persona, as well as our appearance. The 2nd House is about what talents and resources I have at hand or can develop that will hopefully improve the personal image and presentation to the world. The 3rd House involves sorting and evaluating the information received in using the tools of 2nd to work on initiated action in order to formulate a better way to present and communicate your personal self to that world.
1st House: I/ME – SELF-AWARENESS. Physiognomy. How I present to the world and how the world sees me. Outer Personality. Identity. Appearance. Physical Body. Self-Awareness. Self-Assertiveness. Outlook on life. Beginnings. Self-observations. How I present myself to the world.
Awareness of Self
Rudhyar: Traditional: Bodily form; personal appearance and outlook on life. Philosophical: Awareness of self; subjective viewpoint. “The Sower”. Form-principle. The particular destiny.
2nd House: MINE – ATTACHMENT. Basic Equipment. My resources, Income, Finances, Money, Possessions, Material security. Talents and Resources, Values, Self-worth, Attachment, Self-determination, Earning ability. Knowledge of material world.
The talents and resources I have to work with in presenting myself.
Rudhyar: Traditional: Health; possessions; gain or loss. Philosophical: The life-substance to be used by the self; the material to be redeemed. “The Soil”. The heredity. Energy management & supply. The social substance disposable to work out the destiny (wealth, possession). The chemical substance of the body. Food. Metabolism.
3rd House: HERE – ASSOCIATION. Natural Contacts. Learning to better present self. Knowledge of physical world and local environment, especially early environment (neighbors, siblings, side-by-side relationships, relatives. Communication, how I associate, my versatility. Early education. Learning verses Understanding. Learning by memorizing and mimicking. Collective thought norms. Conscious mind. Short trips.
How the use of my personal resources works in my local world.
Rudhyar: Traditional: Brethren, neighbors, short journeys, letters; lower mind. Philosophical: Relationship of personal self to physical substance, of Sower to Soil; the Seed. The formative intellect synthetizing sense-impressions and bringing together individual destiny and social elements. The environment.
4th House: PRIVATE LIFE – PERSONAL INTEGRATION. Origin. Home. The cultural root. The Home, Soul. One of Parents-the supporting parent. Foundations, Roots, Cultural Environment and Connection. Collective belonging. Emotional Self-Image & personal integration. Real Estate/property. Latter part of life, Endings. Unconscious culturally defined Self.
Expression of Self.
Rudhyar: Traditional: Home and the parents; the father; end of life. Affairs regarding land and estates. Philosophical: Concretization of self; the Soul. Its base of operation. The father whose seed carries the astral pattern, the play of the body.
5th House: LOVE GIVEN – SELF-EXPRESSION. Pleasure. Kind of Activity. Expressive & Creative Self. Love & Romance. Affection. Children, Sports and other physical expression. Impress behavior. Speculation, Amusements & entertainment. Avocation, Self-love.
Tools available for expressing self.
Rudhyar: Traditional: Offspring, children, artistic creations; speculation, amusements. Philosophical: Exteriorization of self. Creative and procreative activity. Recreations.
6th House: PHYSICAL HEALTH – PERSONAL CONFLICTS. Fight For Existence. Health/Work/Service given to others. State of the body, Nutrition, Food. Habits. Illness. Type of work/Work space/ Occupation. Employees, personal conflicts. Psychosomatic processes. Pets, Wardrobe, learning through analyzation. Discrimination. Unconscious mind.
What we end up doing with our self in our personal world.
Rudhyar: Traditional: Sickness. Servants and dependents. Private enemies. Philosophical: Conflicts resulting from exteriorization of self. Enmity of other personal selves, including the cells of one’s own body. Sickness. Relation between master and slave, employer and employees.
7th House: YOU/US – RELATIONSHIP. Legal Bonds. Others. One-on-one relationships, both Marriage and business partnerships. Open Enemies. Description of Legal Matter. The Shadow. How you relate to others, the qualities you seek in a partner. Your approach to negotiation, commitment and open and known enemies. Dealings with specific others.
How I am aware of Others and they of Me.
Rudhyar: Traditional: Marriage and partnership. Philosophical: The sense of human relationship on a basis of giving and taking. Interchange of vital energies and of ideas.
8th House: YOURS/OURS -IDENTIFICATION. Outside Substance Affecting Us. Other Peoples Resources at your disposal. Support from others. Sex, Legacy, Inheritance, Taxes, Endings, Big & Little deaths, Endings & regeneration. Secret forces of Nature. Responsibilities towards the “you”. Mysteries of life (psychology, occult)
Resources available to relate to Others and how they relate to Me.
Rudhyar: Traditional: Death and legacies. Philosophical: Destruction of personal limitations as a result of human interchange. Enlargement of view-point. Regeneration and death. Practical occultism, also modern business based on contract and installment buying.
9th House: THERE – UNDERSTANDING Kind of Thinking. View of life. Personal Vision, Higher Mind, Self-Learning. Higher Education, Understanding verses Learning. Aspiration, long trips, foreign lands, Philosophy of life/Religion. The Law, Study of Law, Laws, in-laws. Superconscious mind.
How I resolve my relationship to Others and the world and make use of the tools in the world to come to a higher understanding and use of Myself.
Rudhyar: Traditional: Religion, philosophy. Science, writings distant travels. Philosophical: The abstract mind and the sense of relationship between relations. World-wide contacts; mental adjustment to racial ideas and collective needs.
10th House: PUBLIC LIFE – RESPONSIBILITY. Calling. Point of Individuation, Public Image, Social Image, Recognition & Honor. Advancement, Profession, Career, Prestige. Position in community. Reputation, Status, Form of public responsibility. One of Parents-the controlling parent. Authorities, the Boss.
The basic expression of Myself in the world and my attempt at Individualization.
Rudhyar: Traditional: Honor, preferment, fame; public position; also the mother. Philosophical: Concretization of relationships. Base of operation in human society. Business, state affairs. The mother in whom racial consciousness and the national Soul are concretized.
11th House: LOVE RECEIVED – SOCIAL EXPRESSION. Our community. Our social network. How we align with others for shared goals. Freely Chosen Relations. Friends, Peers & Associates. Acquaintances. Large groups & Organizations. Group relationships and definition. Political & Humanitarian causes. Hopes & Wishes, Aspirations, Goals & Objectives. Moral position. Altruism Humanitarian endeavors. Social expression. Circumstances beyond control.
The resources I have to use my position in world and/or my Individuation to good use.
Rudhyar: Traditional: Friends; wishes and hopes. Flatterers. Philosophical: Exteriorization of social position. The circle of acquaintances and the friends. New ideals of human and social relationship. The Reformer’s dreams and efforts.
12th House: MENTAL HEALTH – REDEMPTION. Introversion. Isolation. Hidden Strengths and Weaknesses. State of Mind. Behind the scenes activity. Service to humanity. Servict to non-material world. Contemplation, Meditation. Limitations, Frustration. Secret enemies. That part of self we do not approve of and try to hide. Where and how needs are initially not met. Redemption. The Super-Physical. Learning by letting go. Beyond the Ego. Endings. Sub-Conscious mind.
How we do or do not come to a final solution in our attempt to express our work in the public world and our attempt to use our individuation to better the world.
Rudhyar: Traditional: Hidden enemies. Fate. Imprisonment. Philosophical: Conflict with the inertial forces of society. The limiting power of the race’s level of consciousness and the rising above it by individual efforts of will occultly exerted. Karma, and the fatality of rebirth in a limited form of selfhood, either to neutralize failures, or in compassionate sacrifice. Forces which brought the self into incarnation. The overcoming of Karma. Liberation.
NOTE: The Rudhyar part of houses breakdown is directly from Astrology of Personality pgs. 208-210. He also notes that attribution of father to 4th and mother to 10th has been strongly disputed. He says, and I agree, that he would be inclined to believe that these co-relations are interchangeable. As an example, the mother may dominate the physical home but the father may form the psychological home.
Western tropicalist astrologer with Huber overtones and some Rudhyar influence tossed in. Practical, pragmatic and innovative approaches that focus on personal growth and self-development, including the use of triangular and quadrangular figures created by geometric relationships between planets.
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