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The Anatomy of an Astrology Chart

The Qualities of the Two Hemispheres

MC Above

Objective
Left Self Other Right
AC DC
Subjective

View IC View Below

The Vertical Axis: The Meridian The Horizontal Axis: The Horizon
Separates left and right hemispheres. Separates upper and lower hemispheres.
Sense of Identity. Awareness of Self and Other. Perspective. Subjective and Objective point of view.

The Qualities of the Four Quadrants

Quadrant IV Quadrant III
Collective Solutions Human Commonality
The power of co-creation through Personal expansion through
group efforts is harnessed in order participation in relationships. Finding
to create new social structures that inner strength and sustainment
serve the greater good. This MC through group purpose. Continuing
inspires the ongoing search for to expand personally by learning and
new horizons in preparation for a valuing what's good in others.
better future. Quality of Mastery: Relationships.
Quality of Mastery: Co-creation. IV III
Co- Other
Creation

AC DC

I II
Self Creativity

Quadrant I Quadrant II
Independent Functioning Creative Power
The search for independent The Self expresses what’s been
centeredness through the IC established within. Successful
development of resources and the
discovery of new avenues of I creativity is dedicated to personal
improvement and flows from an
integration between oneself and empowered, stable and integrated
one’s environment. center.
Quality of Mastery: Embodiment. Quality of Mastery: Creativity.

Elizabeth Schermer The Alchemy Mystery School September 2018

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The Four Axis Points

MC - Mid-Heaven
Outer Power

AC - Ascendant DC – Descendant
Inner Essence Reaching Out

Es

IC – Nadir
Inner Power

The Four Axis Points & the “Cross of Dharma”

Mid-Heaven: Your Outer Power
Expresses your action and purpose in the world.
How you show up and explore your purpose and
Mid-Heaven
personal power through alignment within.
“Why am I Here?”

Ascendant Descendant
Your Inner Essence Your Connection
Expresses the inner Truth of who Expresses the ways you reach out
you are. The Self you are bringing and connect with the world.
forward from past lifetimes. Learning who you are through the
“Who am I” mirror of relationship.
“What inspires me?” “Where can
I connect?”
Nadir
Your Inner Power
Expresses how you ground your essence within and
create a foundation for your identity. Empowerment
and embodying the truth of who you are.
How do I belong?

Elizabeth Schermer The Alchemy Mystery School September 2018

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Themes of the Twelve Houses

Responsibility Meaning

New Horizons Group Purpose

10 9
11 . 8
Rebirth &
Participation
Perpetuation 12 7

1 6
Selfhood . . Reorientation
2 5
1 .
3 4
Resources Creativity

Discovery Centeredness

Theme of Each House The Individual’s Experience in Each House (w/Ruling Sign)

1. Selfhood 1. Finding one’s personal center of being. (Aries/Emperor)

2. Resources 2. Building an individual identity through material resources. (Taurus/Hierophant)
3. Discovery 3. Integrating one’s identity through discovery and cooperation. (Gemini/Lovers)
4. Centeredness 4. Establishing oneself as an independent and stable global being. (Cancer/Chariot)
5. Creativity 5. Expressing one’s personal creative power in the world. (Leo/Lust)
6. Reorientation 6. Commitment to self improvement and service in preparation to transition into
something greater. (Virgo/Hermit)
7. Participation 7. The individual expands through participation in relationships. (Libra/Adjustment)
8. Group Purpose 8. The individual experiences inner power through group purpose. (Scorpio/Death)
9. Meaning 9. Expanded understanding by exploring all forms of meaning. (Sagittarius/Art)
10. Responsibility 10. Expanding power through commitment to group efforts. (Capricorn/Devil)
11. New Horizons 11. Expanded consciousness seeks inspired new horizons within society.
(Aquarius/Star)
12. Rebirth & Perpetuation 12. The individual prepares for rebirth by attending to unfinished business for the
opportunity of expansion into a new cycle. (Pisces/Moon)

Elizabeth Schermer The Alchemy Mystery School September 2018

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The Seasons & The Wheel of the Year

The Four Cardinal Points The Four Cross-Quarter Points

Anchoring Energy Activating and Releasing Energy
1° ♑
Dec. 21
15° ♒ 15° ♏
Feb. 3 Nov. 7

1° ♈ 1° ♍
Mar. 21 Sept. 22

15° ♉ 15° ♌
May 5 Aug. 7

1° ♋
June 21

The Twelve Zodiac Signs The Twenty-four Guardians

Earth’s Energy Field Divided into 30° Segments 15° Signatures that express two complementary
qualities for each Zodiac Sign.

♑ ♐
♒ ♏

♓ ♎

♈ ♍

♉ ♌
♊ ♋

Elizabeth Schermer The Alchemy Mystery School September 2018

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Some Key Aspects to Consider When Reading a Chart

1. Sun Sign. Represents your “fuel;” the quality of consciousness (light) that feeds your life purpose.

2. Moon Sign. Represents processes of change; your capacity to adapt, grow, and transition in life, through
daily activity as well as every present moment.

3. Ascendant. Represents your essence; your pure potential, and what you’re bringing forward in this life
from your past lifetimes.

4. Descendant. Represents connection; how your express your Essence through relationship to the world,
and how you discover who you are through your connection to others and your life circumstances.

5. Nadir. Represents inner power. The way that you ground, find security, and make decisions. The inner
realms of your being. In the body this is your root chakra.

6. Mid-Heaven. Represents outer power. The realm of realization through external action and activity. The
way you contribute to the world.

7. North Node (True Node). Represents a new path for growth and expansion in this lifetime. The “leading
edge” of self development and creation.

8. South Node (located directly opposite the North Node). Represents areas of past mastery. What helps
create your foundation in this life. Can also represent resistance or inertia in terms of old patterns that
you are releasing in order to move forward.

9. Part of Fortune. Signifies an area and aspect of life in which you will have natural success. Your Part of
Fortune is derived from an ancient calculation combining your Sun, Moon, and Ascendant.

Pay Attention to Geometric Patterns and the Overall Distribution of Planets

 First Impression: Pay attention to your general first impressions of the chart.
 Overall Geometric Pattern: Note the shapes and patterns, as well as groupings and distribution.
Concentration and distribution of planets within each house as well as quadrants and hemispheres.
o Lower Hemisphere: Subjectivity - Development of Perspective through the Inner Realms.
o Upper Hemisphere: Objectivity - Development of Perspective through outer Observation..
o Left Hemisphere: Inner Self: Developing mastery through the inner realms.
o Right Hemisphere: Other: Developing mastery through the mirror of relationship.
o Modes of the 4 quadrants: First: Intuition; Second: Feeling; Third: Sensing; Fourth: Thought.
 The Horizontal Axis: Ascendant and Descendant; The line of consciousness; the axis of inner
significance, meaning, and purpose.
 The Vertical Axis: Nadir and Mid-heaven; The line of power; the axis of activity and action in the world.

Elizabeth Schermer The Alchemy Mystery School September 2018

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An Advanced Application: The Five-Step Process of Transformation

Every sequence of five degrees within an astrology chart comprises a 5-step process of transformation. There
are 72 groupings of 5 within the 350 degrees of a chart, and six such groupings within each of the 30 degree
zodiac signs. The five-step process is associated with the planet Mars, the fifth body in our Solar system. The
number five is associated with transformation, change, and the energy of life.
The five-step process of transformation described here is the most powerful and direct growth cycle within
the entire system of astrology. With this system, every 30 degrees is organized into phases of five, shown in
the chart below. Based on this principle of the transformative power of five, when you locate the degree of
any planet or point in a chart, using the table below, you can determine which of the five phases it supports.
In this way you have a specific understanding of the ways in which you can access the power of this planet or
position in your chart. For example, the power of 7° Taurus is accessed through the process of learning,
while 8° Taurus is accessed through practice and repetition of what has been learned.

New Purpose Learning Integration Mastery of Skill Transformation

1° 2° 3° 4° 5°
6° 7° 8° 9° 10°
Zodiac Degree

11° 12° 13° 14° 15°

16° 17° 18° 19° 20°
21° 22° 23° 24° 25°
26° 27° 28° 29° 30°
To Apply: For any aspect of a chart, first identify the step of transformation involved (using charts on this
page), and then apply this information with the other factors of this aspect. Example: North Node located
at 8° Sagittarius in the 2nd House. The North Node supports a new path for growth and expansion in
your life. In this example, the North Node is utilizing the quality of Sagittarius, by exploring new ideas,
philosophy, alchemy. This happens through activity in the realm of resources and possessions in the physical
world (2nd house). At 8°, the process of Integration will be significant in realizing this potential.

Example: Using the Nadir of a chart. The following are general examples The Degrees Associated with
of how to apply the Five Steps of Transformation to the Nadir of a chart Each Phase or Process
which is located in the zodiac sign of Gemini (The Lovers in Tarot).

I: New Purpose Using your inner power as a foundation is a brand new 1° 6° 11° 16° 21° 26°
process involving momentum, inspiration, & understanding.
The understanding of relationships is paramount.

II: Learning Finding your inner security through relationship. Having to 2° 7° 12° 17° 22° 27°
learn the nuances. Seeking new experiences. Desire to seek
understanding and experience.

III: Integration Once something is learned it has to be practiced. The 3° 8° 13° 18° 23° 28°
process of integration involves repetition and practice in
order to apply what you have learned and make it your own..

IV: Mastery Refinement and continued practice for mastery. Achieving 4° 9° 14° 19° 24° 29°
skill. Developing the muscle.

V. Transformation The maturation that follows mastery and transforms the 5° 10° 15° 20° 25° 30°
individual, the skill and/or the process into something
greater. Preparation for the birth of a new process.

Remember: Always round UP when determining a planet’s degree from what is written in a chart.

Elizabeth Schermer The Alchemy Mystery School September 2018

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Glyphs for the Zodiac and Planets

Elizabeth Schermer The Alchemy Mystery School September 2018