Solar/Lunar Astrology

Solar / Lunar/Astrology

(c) Thomas Muldoon

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All ‘characters’ and ‘scenarios’ contained in this publication are fictitious and for illustrative purposes only, any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental. No responsibility will be taken by the author, publisher or website content for those who act or fail to act on any of the information contained herein

CONTENTS

Introduction

You’re Sun Sign

Elements

Quadrants

House Cusp Key

Elusive Element

Looking for a Soul Mate

Astrological Houses 1-12

The Subconscious Mind

Transits = Visitors

The Four Minute Window

Planetary Principles

Working with your Sun & Moon

Communications

How to say ‘No’

The Progressed Moon

A change of Pace

Astrology for the Purists

Glossary of Terms

Sexual Astrology

Ascendants

Writing your 1st book or Blog

Aries to Pisces in Mythology

Introduction

Planets tell you what House’s tell you where Signs tell you how

Welcome to my world of Solar/Lunar Astrology

This book has been written to help grasp the art/science of Astrology. If you’re looking for detailed calculations – if you’re looking for complex equations - look elsewhere, if you’re looking for an understanding of the signs, houses and other ‘jargon’ made simple, this book is for you. Think of it this way – Astrology is the language of symbols just as a flag is a symbol of a country. The reality - it is a piece of cloth with a design but 1,000’s have died for what it symbolises – the nation, its people, its values etc. Same is true with the planets, the reality - they are nothing more than lumps of rock or gaseous masses swirling around our solar system (as they have done for a millennium) what they have come to symbolise is what Astrology is all about – never forget this. The planets (including Sun and Moon referred to as planets for ease of reference) don’t send beams of energy to your brain – maybe they do maybe they don’t - think about it! If they do, it’s so subtle you couldn’t measure it and if they did (and we could measure it) we’d blame them for everything right or wrong in our world. The light and heat from the Sun can be measured; the waxing and waning of the Moon can be felt. Personally, if you only ever come to understand and use the Sun and Moon in Astrology you’re be going a long, long way to understanding this ancient yet modern Art/Science.

Rule One: There aren’t any. Rule Two: Whatever you come to understand as having meaning to you is as valid as any writer, author, teacher or presenter. When something resonates with you stick with it. That’s it. No more rules! Most people know their Sun/Astrological Sign - if you don’t - where have you been? There’s enough information on the World Wide Web to gratify any appetite or satisfy any astrology junkie! I won’t be giving you complex interpretations or multifaceted explanations – no way, keeping it simple has been and always will be my philosophy and the system I’m going to introduce will give you many a dinner party conversation. What you are about to read is based upon many years of personal experience, observation and explanation – tried and tested - offered for your exploration. We’ll be talking about what it means to be an Aries, Taurus, Pisces (whatever), exploring the ‘houses’ of astrology (if you cannot understand the houses you’ll never understand Astrology). We’ll be looking at transits (I call visitors) and what they indicate. We’ll explore the power of the Moon (like the Sun, influences life on earth in a measurable way) to bring us what we desire. The words I use are only words – for ease of reference – the experiences are mine and belong to me – your experiences are yours to own. Forget the workshops you've attended forget the self-improvement books you've read and forgotten. Forget the motivational speakers you've listened to, for it's YOU and only YOU who can change your life.

This book will help you but it's you and only you who can make any difference to the life you're living now. Ask yourself if you want something different or, if you're content with the same ol' same ol.' There are no 'magic bullets' no miracles; the Universe helps those who help themselves so keep this one and only thought in your head: this is your life. It's the life you chose, start living it, no excuses and no cop-outs; it’s your life, start living it – NOW... You may not always like what you read, you may not always agree with what I have to say but what the hell, I love a good debate. When any author puts together a book he or she usually wants to thank this and that person well, I thank you, the reader for purchasing this book and wish you every success in applying its principles. I'd like you to give yourself a little thank you note every now and then for getting up in the morning and facing each and every day. For going to a job you hate, for living with someone you detest, for coping with your mounting debts and going to bed each night, getting up the next day and doing it all over again! It's time for a change, don't you think? If you won't look after YOU who will?

If you don't believe in YOU, who will? If you've lost the plot - get over it and if you're still looking for unconditional love, buy yourself a pet…Curl up in bed or, make yourself comfortable in your favourite chair and enjoy the journey, for I hope to make Astrology as interesting, informative, enlightening and as entertaining as I can. First of all, you need to know you’re Astrological Sign. Do you? Why do you need this I hear you ask? Well, it makes everything a lot easier to follow. If you know your Astro Sign you can proceed, if not find out from your ‘friendly Astrologer’ or Google ® your date of birth to the numerous astrological websites out there and find out, (don't concern yourself about being on the cusp, that's like saying you're a little bit pregnant!). Once you know your Sign it’s up to you to become the best possible sign you can be. In my way of thinking, your Astrological Sign has more to do with your Soul than the person you are. Personally speaking, it’s your Soul that holds you together and it is your Soul which motivates you. Your Soul contains ALL your memories (of all the lives you’ve ever lived) your Soul has a purpose (we’ll discover yours later) and you’re Soul ‘talks’ to you when you’re all alone...

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You’re Sun Sign

When all alone it’s your SUN sign you respond to and when in the company of others (in public) it’s your MOON sign you relate to (yes, your Sun and Moon might be in different signs adding a layer of complexity to who you are and how you behave). We’ll come to all this in time for the moment; let me ask you again, do you know your Astrological Sign? Let’s proceed. I won’t list the interpretations for the signs – you can visit any website for that or, read the many books out there on what it means to be an Aries through to Pisces, keeping in mind, when you discover your SIGN it’s your responsibility to be the best possible sign you can be. There’s a classification of the various signs and you need to know the difference between what it means to be a FIRE sign as opposed to be an EARTH sign, to being an AIR sign as opposed to being a WATER sign. No-one is entirely all fire, earth, air or water (we’re all a mixture) yet, when you know your BASIC element you’ll come to know what challenges you and who challenges you – all of this will become clear as we proceed. I now ask you to put all you’ve read or learnt about Astrology to one side and consider my approach with an open mind. The chart I’m going to introduce is the Solar Chart – based upon your date of birth. We won’t be talking about your Ascendant Chart – based upon your date time and place of birth. We won’t be talking about the differences between Western or Eastern Astrology, Occidental or Oriental or the validity of one method over another for when you a system that works for you – stick with it.

This is what is called the FLAT CHART where Aries is always on the cusp of the 1st House. Allow me to present the Solar Chart where your SUN is always placed in position one (unlike the Ascendant Chart) where it can be anywhere on the wheel. The reason I find this method advantageous for the beginner is the mere fact that when an ‘astrologer’ doesn’t have your time of birth he or she will conveniently use this method (or something similar) often as not berating him or herself for doing so.

I remind you once again, Astrology is a symbolic language and if you want to complicate it, do so, if you want to confuse or convolute it, be my guest, keeping it simple is my motto and I want to share this simplicity with you, as I asked above – put all you’ve read or learnt to one side for the moment.

From here we’ll be building the SOLAR CHART by placing your Sun Sign in position one. The order of the signs ALWAYS remains the same, the order of the houses likewise...Copy the diagram onto a piece of paper placing your Sun Sign in position one, constructing your Solar Chart accordingly by entering each sign in succession around the wheel. I’ll give you an example – let’s say I was born in Taurus I would put the symbol for Taurus in position one then Gemini in position two, Cancer in position three, Leo in position four and so on around the wheel with Aries ending up in position twelve. Keeping in mind each sector is 30 degrees! You can do this for anyone, at any time without anyone’s permission! When you’ve completed your own Solar Chart do a few examples for your loved ones, family and friends – all you need to know at this point, is their Sun Sign – it’s that easy. (The more practice the more you can do this in your head or, when having your next dinner party conversation!)

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The Elements

I mentioned the word ‘permission’ in another chapter – we’ll come to understand this as we progress with Chart Construction for the moment you don’t need anyone’s permission to construct a Solar Chart...Some charts are more FIRE than WATER, more EARTH than AIR (when we consider the placements of the Sun, Moon and planets) for the moment let’s focus on the element of your Astrological Sign – Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are known as FIRE signs. Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are known as EARTH signs. Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are known as AIR signs. The signs Cancer Scorpio and Pisces are known as WATER signs. Are you true to your sign? Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn are known as CARDINAL signs. Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius are known as FIXED signs. Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces are known as MUTABLE signs. Knowing the above, are you a FIXED EARTH sign (e.g. Taurus), a CARDINAL WATER (e.g. Cancer) a MUTABLE AIR (e.g. Gemini) discover your element and modality of expression so when the next time you’re asked your sign you can say. I’m a FIXED FIRE LEO or a MUTABLE WATER PISCES and so forth. Allow me to share this with you, in doing so you’ll come to know what I refer to as: A challenge to the soul In understanding this basic information you’ll surprise all and sundry with your insight into human interactions along with being the guest most likely to be invited again to the next friendly soiree... Here are a few guidelines and if this is all you can remember - you’re still in front...

Fixed Signs: The fixed person dislikes change for change throws him or her off balance, there’s need to stabilise or control the environment (and everyone in it) to make safe and secure, to be protected against or to endure obstacles, in their highest expression are builders. Perhaps their greatest strength is their ability to endure and persist in their own dogged way, anything they do. Negatively, these qualities of endurance and persistence can turn into stubbornness and narrow-mindedness.

Mutable Signs: The mutable person sees the environment as something to be adapted to, changing your pattern of behaviour to meet the varying changes of life. This mode gives you flexibility (whether you use it or not is another matter) basically, the mutable mode brings balance into one’s life unless, your flexibility turns into vacillation or, our adaptability becomes diffused nervous energy, never knowing where you’re going.

Cardinal Signs: The cardinal person sees the environment as something to be acted upon, to be altered and changed.

Blank Chart Following the instructions from the previous chapter the more practice you have the better, find the information relating to YOUR date of birth (from an ephemeris or computer read out) just remember, we’re working with the SOLAR CHART - your time and place of birth are not necessary at the moment.

Place your Astrological Sign in position one – with the succeeding signs following around the wheel (you can do this for anyone at any time) and place the information regarding the planets (energies) where they belong on the wheel. Once you’ve done this take a break and a long look at your efforts – a little study won’t go astray at this point – look at what you’ve created, see which houses are filled and those which are not. See if you have more than one planet /energy in one house, what does this say to you? Is everything in the upper or lower, left or right hand side, of the wheel, can you see an emphasis on one sector over another? Is this an Earth chart, a Fire chart, a cardinal, mutable or fixed?

Consider the following: when a planet is in the sign it rules; it’s said to be ‘dignified’ meaning you control your circumstances or, you’re the ‘head’ of the house. When a planet is in the sign opposite to the one it ‘rules’ it’s said to be in its ‘detriment’ meaning where you must conform to the rules and regulations of the house it’s in…When a planet is in its house of ‘exaltation’ is where you are ‘comfortable.’ When a planet is in the opposite sign to its exaltation it’s said to be its ‘fall’ - where you’re uncomfortable. Look at where the planetary ‘rulerships’ of your houses are located on the chart and see where you’re comfortable/uncomfortable. Where you’re being ruled or are the ruler!

The Sun in your chart is the life of the horoscope, the real YOU. The Moon in your chart is where you are subject to emotional fluctuations. Mercury is where and how you communicate. Venus in your chart is what you love to do, what you really enjoying doing. Mars in your chart is where you’ll find your energy. Where you find Jupiter is where you’ll find good fortune and where you can ‘relax.’ Saturn tells you where you feel least secure and where you’ll overcompensate. Where you find Uranus in your chart is where you want to be different/unique or rebellious. Neptune is where you’ll find deception, deceit or where you’ll seek your ideal. Pluto is where you’ll find complexity and where you have to solve problems alone and unaided. As you progress with your studies you’ll be able to do all this in your head for all you need to remember is the basics – keep it simple, express what you understand in your own words and you’ll come a long way. When you listen or converse with Astrologers they’ll mention ‘aspects’ well, here are the main ones – once you get your ‘head’ around the interpretations you’ve come a long way. The ones I consider important for the beginner are:

Conjunctions: Two or more planets in the same sign increase the potential of that sign, you can see it; you can feel it. Opposition: Awareness, balance, cooperation yet conflicts are all indicated by the oppositions. Like the name implies there are opposing factors at work yet, you need to learn from them and when they present challenges it is what you NEED to experience in order to grow. Imbalance becomes balance when you come to realise that what you think you lack in yourself you attract to yourself (no matter who or what they might be). Reconciliation of the opposites is always achieved through awareness and understanding…Square: Challenges, tension, action, accomplishment and a turning point

The potential in any chart lies in understanding the squares for if you don’t understand them they become stumbling blocks (square) but if you can understand them they become building blocks. It’s important to note whether the square is a cardinal, fixed or mutable. In cardinal the action is quick, in fixed it is slow and deliberate and in mutable it’s variable (depending on other factors at work in the chart) understand the squares and you’ll come to understand your life.

Trines: Indicating a ‘flowing’ and ‘ease’ of expression, considered favourable for the trine permits an easy interaction between the planets, signs and houses involved. However, there’s often no compulsion to use the energy advantageously for the lack of tension can produce ‘laziness’ or indolence. Trines go with the flow indicating creativity, talent and the ability to express things easily… There are a lot more ‘aspects’ than the ones I’ve mentioned above – any textbook on astrology will tell you – this is not a textbook, take your time. Remembering the basic meaning of each sign, planet and house never changes, the keywords always remain the same and as you progress in your technique it’ll soon make perfect sense. There are numerous aspects you’ll read about in the meantime, stick to the ones above, for in becoming familiar with these aspects you’ll come to understand / interpret a chart a lot easier than you would if you were to go looking for arcane or complex aspects. Where to start I hear you ask?

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The Quadrants

Well, the first thing you need to do is construct a chart where you need a date of birth and an ephemeris or, if you have access to a computer call up your birth data and enter it onto the Solar Chart. Remembering, we’re not concerning the time of birth for this exercise – we’re constructing a Solar Chart. No matter where or when you were born the Sun, Moon and planets were in a position for everyone on planet earth. Before we do this let me outline the various quadrants for when you have one or more planets (and we refer to the Sun and Moon as planets only for convenience) in one or more or the quadrants or sectors the following can be deduced:

The first quadrant (1-4) is the most subjective, personal, self assertive or self absorbed sector of all. (In using the SOLAR CHART the Sun will always be here). In the positive types there’ll be independence, a tendency to please oneself, doing one’s own thing regardless of what others think or of the consequences. The focus for this lifetime will be inward in preparation for meeting the world at large at a later date; this is the self- improvement phase. The negative reaction to this quadrant is to think nothing goes the way you want it and if you keep blaming others for your ‘bad’ you have some issues to deal with. This is the inward quadrant so you might as well look for your inner strengths.

The second quadrant (4-7) is the most dependent of all the quadrants for if you won’t express your SELF you’ll find yourself ‘dependent’ upon others for your well-being! In the positive types there’s a strong individuality yet, learning about yourself from your relationships with others. You’re receiving your inner training, your inner development from the people you meet and associate with. Your relationships are likely to be personal based upon likes and dislikes. In the negative types we find the personality ‘weak’ for you’ll be dependent too much on what people say or do that makes you happy or sad. Remember, this is the Self Expressive sector and if you won’t ‘express’ what you’ve come to know about yourself - what can you expect?

The third quadrant (7-10) this is the self expansion sector and in order to ‘expand’ you need to cooperate with others. This is the ‘partnership’ phase for in order to succeed you’ll need someone in your life (you cannot do it alone!). This sector is where you must learn to adapt, to accept and to have faith that all will be well (if you’re willing to reach out, that is). In the positive types there’s an acceptance of what’s to be will be and they’ll change their inner attitudes making the most of whatever situation they find themselves in! The negative types resent having to cooperate, resent having to adjust and adapt, they’ll experience failure and disappointment until they learn one of life’s major lesson and that is - cooperate or, go it alone.

The fourth quadrant (10-12) here we find the most ambitious of all (whether they’re achieved or not is another matter) yet, having many planets in this sector makes for an independently minded personality. Born leaders (or always having something to say) they’ve usually learnt from the lessons of life (if not, this life is one of Self Development) wanting to encourage others onwards and upwards. The positive types are idealistic, visionary and entrepreneurial. The negative types are ruthless and overbearing often taking on or pushing for something they are not adequately trained for or, lacking in experience…Keep in mind what I’ve said is a ‘generalisation’ but effective nevertheless in coming to understand the various quadrants of the chart. Again let me remind you: the upper part of the chart indicates the objective/worldly and the lower indicating the subjective/personal side to the personality. The right hand side of the chart is all about relationships with others and the left hand side of the chart is all about relationships with the self.

I can hear the cries of the purists, sceptics already: with only 12 signs there are millions of people born in the same ‘sign’ and they cannot all be the same. Of course not – someone born male will be different to someone born female, someone born into the lap of luxury will be different to someone born into poverty and someone born healthy will be different to someone born with ill health. This argument has been going around for years and the only thing I have to say in response is this: we’re all different yet we’re all the same I won’t buy into this debate for it’s the same as asking which came first, the chicken or the egg?"

Back to our basic chart construction and the easiest way to do this is to give an example (straight from the ephemeris) of someone born today 24th July 2011 Sun = 1 degree of Leo: Moon 9 degrees of Taurus: Mercury 27 degrees Leo: Venus 24 degrees Cancer: Mars 23 degrees Gemini: Jupiter 8 degree Taurus: Saturn 11 degrees Libra: Uranus 4 degrees of Aries: Neptune 0 degrees Pisces: Pluto at 5 degrees Capricorn.

On this date some planets were in retrograde motion (check your ephemeris) ’this is another factor to consider when you study Astrology