INTERPRETING THE ASPECTS 2 Robert C. JanskyFOREWORD While it is relatively easy to look up the meaning of some particular aspect (the angular relationshie between two planets in the horoscope) in any of a number of astrology textbooks: there is very little currently in print to guide the student beyond these generalized descriptions. Yet if we are ever to really understand Aspectingr it is absolutely essential ‘that we get down to fundamental issues here. We also are trained that cer- tain planetary configurations (Grand Configurations) are of prime import- ance in delineating the natal horoscoper but when it comes to textbook material covering them: we are left hanging in space. No one seems to went to tackle their interpretation. This iss I think» largely because it 1s impossible to write “cookbook” descriptions for the many possible varieties that can exist. Takes for examples the T-CROSS. There are about 1/000 possible varieties of T-CROSSESs and this number increases fantastical !y if one also chooses to consider the variation in interpretation if one of these three planets is Retrograde. Since no two natal horoscopes are ever identical» how then can anyone hope to ever write an astrological reference book that would cover all of the possibilities that can exist? Obviousty» this would be an impossible task. Yet» to tackle this problem is not an impossibility if we approach the Problem from the point-of-view of teaching the student BASIC PRINCIPLES. That is precisely what I have attempted to do in this book. By applying these principles: you ought to be able to come to some rather specific conclusions redarding the nature of your own aspects and Grand Confieur- ations. While I cannot give you ali of the answers, I can point you in the right direction. I can dive you a point of departures and a kind of euidebooks to discoverine the secrets of your own individual horoscope. I originally wrote this textbook for my own students at the Experimental Colleges California State University at Northridge. Having completed the basic course in Astrology: they too were perplexed by having to interoret all of their natal aspects. Andy I too was perplexedy for it was impossible to refer them to any good textbook that stressed principles. None existed. I was thus encouraged to write this book in an attemot to fill this void. On the basis of the Original Version of this book» I was invited to ¢ive over 100 lectures on this subject in various parts of the United States» and in other countries. In the process of giving these lectures and work- shops» a number of interesting questions have been raised by those who have graciously consented to attend. Their questions brought me to the realization thats in the First Editions I had left a number of important questions to them unanswered. In the rewriting of this booky I have tried to dive a clearer explanation to these auesticns. It has also become apparent during these workshop/lectures that there is 2 real question with many students regarding what to think and do with mid- points» in the more traditional astrological sense. In this revised editior I have tried to address these questions. Mideoints are very importants anc ‘they deserve attention and explanation. I have tried to do this here. alIn the original editions I nediected to address the subject of Conjunctionsy multiple Condunctions (Stelliums)s and the Fanhandle Configuration. I have here attempted to remedy this situation with a brand new Ninth Lesson on this topic. I have also attempted to share with you more of my basic philosophy regard- ing aspects than I did in the first edition. Any author that revises what he has written previously leaves himself open to criticism from those who have bought the First Edition of his book. I accept this criticism. Howevers the information given by any author in any book is rarely cast in concrete. To deny this fact is to deny personal growth and I cannot deny the fact that I am constantly learning from my students. One of the greatest blessings that comes from teaching any subJect comes from our students. They ask questions that force the teacher to re-examine Principles that were heretofor taken for granted. What may seem clear to me does not necessarily guarantee that it will be as clear to my students. This stimulus can finally become overpowering. Just as the inventor can never be perfectly satisfied with his invention and always seeks to improve upon ity so does the author constantly seek to improve upon his writing. Beine the Publishers as well as the author of this book, I have the opportunity not normally available to most writers. I cans when I choosey arbitrarily decide to rewrite what was previously written. I have seized upon this prerogative and done so in this book. However» ultimately, I am forced to accept your conclusion as to whether a revised edition is “better” than the original version. This particular book has continued to ber throughout its iifetimes one of the best-selling books I have ever written. Whenever this is a matter of facty any revision to the book is a matter of trepidation, Why upset a " good thins” by revisine it? Ifs however» you are to be true to yourself» and follow your consciencer you must periodically share what you have learnedy during the interim periods with your readers. That is the sole reason why I have chosen to revise the ori- inal version of this book. Andy I must also thus leave it to you to judey whether ‘this révision is indeed an improvement on the original writing. I thus continue to rely upon your personal judeementy as to the value of this revised version of this book. Baio Mealy ROBERT CARL JANSRY Van Nuys» California March 15» 1978LESSON ONE— Midpoints LESSON NO. 2 INTRODUCTION Because an understandiné of MIDPOINTS is fundamental to a real understanding of ‘the meaning behind many of the basic planetary structures» we shall devote our attention in this first lesson to how planetary midpoints are to be calculated and interpreted. Ali of the structures» or grand confieurations» that we shall be studying in the later lessons in this book haver as their basis» the midpoint of two (sometimes more than two) planets that are in major aspect to each other. While much has already been written on midpointsy especially by the Cosmobio- logists and Uranian astrologers, much still remains to be rediscovered and then verified through observation. That midpoints ARE importants there seems little doubt. However which midpoints are importants just how important they arey and for what purpose they ought to be useds remains the goal of considerable resear- ch doing on today al! over the world. There iss for example the whole new schoo! of Cosmobiology in which the planetary midpoints are given primary im- portances to the exclusion of signs and houses. Reinhold Ebertiny in his book THE COMBINATION OF STELLAR INFLUENCES; does into the specific interpretation of each possible midpoint in great detail. One can certainly make a dood case for the information derived from Cosmobiological methods and some very remark- able predictive work has been done by Cosmobiologists. Let us therefores first turn our attention to what midsoints are. and how they are normally calculated. WHAT IS_A MIDPOINT? If we select any two planets in the horoscopes or the position of some planet and one of the major angles (Ascendant or Midheaven)s this pair will have at some point on the horoscopic wheel (exactly between them) two points that fall eauidistant from the two points. See FIGURE 1-1 below. a Short~Are Midpoint ——> <— Long-Are Midpoint % FIGURE 1-2 These two midpoints are in exact opposition to each other. Note that the points have the same number of deérees and minutess but opposite signs. -4-LESSON NO. 2 =z MIDPOINTS: If the two planets that you have selected are in major aspect to each others i.esr condunctions opposition: squares triner sextiler etc. and at the same time we find a third planet very close to this midpoint in the charts we have an important eeometricy or GRAND» configuration. For examples a GRAND CROSS» a T-CROSS+ a GRAND TRINE, a YOD» etc. HOW ARE MIDPOINTS ACTUALLY CALCULATED? To calculate midsoints is not a difficult process - it is quite easy. After you've selected the two planets whose midpoint you wish to determines you must first determine the distance in longitude between them. This distance is next divided by two to find the half-distance between them. Finally this half-distance is added to the loneitude location of the planet or point that is earliest in the zodiac to det the midpoint. The second midpoint will have this same number of degrees and minutess but it will be in the opposite sin. Let us start with an example to illustrate a typical midpoint calculation. Let us suppose the Jupiter is located at 10° 20/ and that Saturn is locat~ ed at 15° 101s and that we wish to find the midpoints between these tvo Planets. This is actually written: Jupiter/Saturn = ?» or *+/h h 15° 101 195% - 101 Ts - 15° - 401 24-109 Zor “OF mere simply= “799 - a9, °F" 35 - 10° - 20/ Jupiter in Gemini occurs in the zodiac before Saturn in Librai thereforer we must subtract Jupiter/s location from Saturn’s location. In order to sub- tract thems these longitudes must first be converted into either (4) the actual location on the wheel expressed in degrees and minutes (195° 10/ and 70° 20/)4 or more simply into sien numbers as in (2)y using S for sien (Libra = 7S for the 7th sien» and Gemini = 3S for the 3rd sien). From my teaching experience I have found the latter method to be the best one because there is less chance of error. There is one more step that needs to be performed before we can subtract these numbers from each other. Note that 20/ cannot be subtracted from 10/ - thus we must borrow some more minutes from the degrees column; thus? 7s - 15° - 101 7s - 14° - 70 (1 degree = 60/) =0R- 195° 107 194° Tor Thus+ we are now ready to subtract these two terms: 194° - 70" 78 - 440 - 70" = _709 = 201 = 38 = 100 - 201 4249 - Sor 48 - 49 - 501 We now know that Jupiter and Saturn are separated on the wheel by a lonei- tudinal arc of 124° 50/ or 4S - 4° - 5O/, Step two is to find the h distance between Jupiter and Saturn or 1/2 of 124° 50’, 1202 2501 ogo = ps, SALE BOL 2e 20 = a5)LESSON NO. 2 Sr MIDPOINTS, We are now ready to proceed with the final step. In this step we take the |o- cation of Jupiter: being the earliest position of the two slanets in the zad- iacs and we add to it the half-distance just obtained in the last step, thus: 70° - 201 38 - 109 - 201 + 620 - 251 + 23 - 20 - 251 132° - 451 5S - 120 - 451 5S - 12° - 451 -or- 132° 451 = 12°. 45!. This gives you the first mid- point. The second midpoint will contain the same number of degrees and minutes+ but it will have the opposite sien. Heres the opposite sign of Leo is Aquarius thus the second midpoint will be 1292: 457, Stating the results of our problem in astrological notation, the midpoints of Jupiter and Saturn in this example would be written simoly: % Ph = 1298.45) and 12922 45) Since the Leo midpoint is closer to Jupiter and Saturn than the Aquarius midpoint» we would cal! the Leo midpoint the near or short-arc midpoint» and the Aquarius midpoint the far or loné-arc midpoint. In the second step of this problem: on Pade 2s we divided 4S - 49 - 50/ by 2. Note that in order to do thiss all of the numbers had to be divisible by 2. What do we then do if we find a number likes for example: 5S - 15° - 17/7 The answer is simple} we must again borrow as we did in step 1, 5S - 15-471 = 5S - 149 - 771 = 45 - 449 - 777 (19 = 60") (1s = 30°) 60 + 47 = 777 14 + 30 = 440 Dividing 45 - 44° - 77/ by 2 = 2S - 229 - 39/, the 77) is treated as if it were the nest higher number for purposes of dividing it by 2 evenly. We suggest at this point that you practice doing severa! midpoint calculations until you become comfortable in doing them. There are several more example in ‘the review problems at the end of this lesson. You/l! find the answers to the problems in the Appendix of this book. INTERPRETING THE MIDPOINTS It is easy to see that if two midoints are calculated for each possible pla~ netary combination: using al! 10 planets plus the Midheaven and Ascendant: we soon have a very large number of midpoints that will pretty well blanket the horoscopic wheel. 132 midpoints in all! The Cosmobiolosists use them alls and they even add in the 0° point of Aries and the Moon/s Nodes as well. With so many midpoints» theny how are we to use them in some sensible ways in tradition- al astrological terms, that will make sense and give us additional information from our horoscope? The idea of the importance of midpoints is not new. Lone before the Cosmo~ -3-LESSON NO. = MIDPOINTS — biologists stressed the importance of midpoints in their works traditional astrology was using certain of them in their delineative work. The mid~ points that weres and still ares given greatest stress and importance are those at which a third planet in the chart 1s actually located. The mid- point that we calculated on Pages 2 and 3 at 12° SL.45! and 12°: 45) would be of particular importance if in the chart a third elanet was actually |o- cated aty or very nears one of these midpoints. Why is this so? Note that Jupiter and Saturn (in our example) are 124° 50! apart} in other words: in Trine asoect (2209), if a third nata! planet fell close to the midpoint 120 2 45! we would have a GRAND TRINE (see Lesson 7). In this drand configurations all three of the planets would be in Trine aspecty one to the other twor see FIGURE 1-2. Aiso note in this Figure that any planet that you might select is at the mitsoint of the other two planets. Figure 1-2 Tf however: Jupiter and Saturn were not in major aspect to each other to start off withy a third planet at their midpoint would have much less meaning to the traditional astrologer. Thereforer in working with midpointsy we can eliminate from primary considerations all of the 132 midpoints that are formed by planets not in important aspects one to the other. And in addition the re~ maining midpoints not actually tenanted by a third planet or having a natal Planet in close proximity to the midpoint. This dives us: as a remainder a workable number af midpoints to consider in our del ineations. All of the important planetary structures we shall consider in this book in succeeding lessons will all have as their basis two planets in major aspect to each others with a third planet occupying one (sometimes two) of the midpoints. Note that in each of these situations: the third planet will also be in import- ant aspect to the two planets forming the midpoint. Take for example the T-CROSS shown in Figure 1-3y below. of &—Apex PlanetLESSON NO. ZT Emome MIDPOINTS: The T-CROSS is a structure in which one planet (called the APEX PLANET) is in square aspect (90°) to two other planets that are in opposition (180°) to each other already. we can state this another way: when two planets are in opposition to one anothers their midpoints will always be in square aspect to the two opposing planets as shown in FIGURE 1-3. And thus» when a natal planet falls at one of these midpoints we have a T-CROSS. When both points are occu- pied by natal planets (as sometimes happens infrequently)» we have a GRAND cross. While we now know how to select the important midpoints in the charts we stil! have not explained why they are important. Let/s do that now. when two planets are in major aspect there is an eneréy exchange between the Planets» each elanet representing an energy that must be given expression some- where in our lives. These energies may be thought to merde at the mideoints of these two planets. When a third planetary body occupies one or both of the midpoints it serves as a collector of the energies of the other two planets. It actually acts as a focal point of those enerdies and serves as a point of outlet for them. ‘The planet Mars» in FIGURE 1-3 is at the midpoint of Jupiter/Saturn. It serves as (1) a focal collector of the combined Jupiter/Saturn energies in this per- son/s lifes and (2) as the point of the expression of the Jupiter/Saturn ener- ies» combined with Mars! eneréys through Mars’ sign and house location. Mars is the APEX PLANET in this configuration. This is a very powerful combination of planetary energies» and Mars! location in the chart thus becomes a point of very important emphasis. In a natal horoscope it remains an imeortant point of emphasis throughout the lifetime of that individual. When a planet reaches a midpoint of two planets that are in natal aspect to each other by PROGRESSION or TRANSIT at some period during the person/s lifes that Planet becomes a temporary collector or apex planet and focus of the energies of the natal planets: and that point becomes a temporary point of emphasis while the progressed or transiting planet remains in proximity to the midpoint. ‘THE CLOSER THE APEX PLANET IS LOCATED TO THE EXACT MIDPOINT, THE GREATER IS ITS EMPHASIS. There is a second principle regarding midpoints that must also be eiven close attention here too. If you accept the philosophy that astrology deals with CAUSE and EFFECT: action and reactiony "As above - so below” » then we must con- Sider both midpoints in our analysis. Sir Isaac Newton expressed this princiele in his Laws of Motion - "For every actions there is an equal and opposite re- action.” In FIGURE 1-3, there is an unoccupied mideoint directly opposed to the location of Mars. Using Newton/s Law» when the T-CROSS expresses throuen Mars’ house and sien locations there must be an equal and opposite reaction at the unoccupied midpoint. If we assume that Mars is in the 10th house in FIGURE 1-3+ then the unoccupied midpoint must be in the 4th house. When we take some acticr that affects our reputation (10th house), there will be an equal and opros:te affect upon our basis of security (4th house). In other words. the rere 22LESSON NO. 2 =e = our life becomes the less private it becomes. Or. as Ralph Waldo Emerson put it in his poem entitled COMPENSATION: "For everything we gain in lifes we lose something} andy for everything in life we loses we dain something else” - such is the nature of life. For examples the only person who is entirely “free” is the person who has nothing. For every possession that we acquires we give up a corresponding measure of our freedom. The more money we acquires the more we have to lose. The more powerful we becomes the more Power we have to lose. The higher we rise in lifer the greater the risk of falling. For the moment this may sound rather theoretical but in this lesson we are Principally concerned with basic theory» in laying the groundwork for the lessons to follow. There will be many examples of the ACTION & REACTION effect in the lessons to follows where you will see the practical application of this principle, Let us here be content with understanding this basic theory, BASIC PLANETARY GROUPINGS There will be many astrologers who will take exception to what I now have to say in this sections and I will freely admit this "up front”. Traditional astrological teaching classifies the MOON VENUS; and NEPTUNE as being feminine | (or passive) in their basic naturey with all of the other planets classified as being masculine (or active) in their basic mode of expression. Franklyy I don/t like this method of classification. A much betters and more reveal ings method of classification has been advanced by Ruth Hale Oliver in her book ASTRO- PSYCHIATRY» written with Harry Darling (CSA Press» Lakemonty GA.y 1973). Oliver classifies the mode of planetary expressions as follows: MASCULINE IN EXPRESSION - Suns Mars Plutoy Jupiter FEMININE IN EXPRESSION - Moon» Venus» Neptunes Jupiter NEUTER IN EXPRESSION - Mercurys Uranus» Saturn You will note that she laces Jupiter in both the Masculine and Feminine groups. Jupiter appears to take on the characteristics of those planets with which it is most closely associated by aspect. Oliver also makes an excellent case for the NEUTER classification. Mercury traditionally symbolizes early youths and Saturn traditionally symbolizes old age - when sex is one of the least important factor in most of our lives. As to Uranus (like Jupiter); its expression is heavily influenced by the slanets that aspect Uranus. In my book: written with Eileen Nauman SEXUALITY & HOMO- SEXUALITY: AN ASTROLOGICAL VIEW, I have explored this factor in much greater detail. Uranus appears to be the planet most involved in our choice of sexual partners. My experience dictates the Oliver Classification to be the correct one for the planets. I mention this new method of classification here because it is inso| way in which you will later be interoreting the GRAND CONFIGURAT: lessons. When a Grand Configuration is composed of three planets 2LESSON NO. 1 rare MIDPOINTS within one of these three groups» like a T-CROSS comprised of the Suny Marsy and Plutos or a GRAND TRINE comprised of Mercury» Uranus, and Saturn: its ultimate effect upon the individual tends to be much more harmoniouss benefics and easy to handle. Cross combinations» which are far more numerous statis- ticallys are more difficult to handle and deal with. For examples Oliver also points out in ASTROPSYCHIATRY that the planetary midpoints of Mars/Saturns Mars/Uranus» and Mars/Neptune {note that each combination is from opposing groups} are the indicators of VIOLENCE in the natal chart. Oliver feels that when one of these midpoints is tenanted temoorarily by a progressed or transiting planet there is increased chance of violence occurring to that individual during that time period, and that individuals having one of these midpoints tenanted by a third planet in the natal chart tends to be more violence prone. Medical Astrology reinforces this view. It teaches us that the midpoints Saturn/Neptune and Mars/Saturns when tenanted natally or temporarily by a transitine or progressed planets play a primary role in medical problems experienced by that individual. For example, when the Mars/Saturn midpoint is natally tenanted by a third planet, any bodily function symbolically re~ Presented by the third planet has a tendency to be surpressed. Venus» at the midpoint of Saturn/Marsy is traditionally associated with sugar metabolism - and often symbolic of diabetes or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Neptune (symbolic of the body/s resistence to disease)» when located at the Mars/ Saturn midpoint is often indicative of lowered resistence to disease because of the body/s inability to develop an inmune response to the invading micro- organism, We strongly suggest that you keep the Oliver groupings in mind as you become more adept at intereteting the natal chart. APEX PLANETS that complete a Grand Configuration play a vital role in any delineative process. Commit this new classification to memory. Try it out for yourself. The results» we feel» will be most gratifying. REVIEW QUESTION: 1. Compute the midpoints for the followiné planetary combinations: a. Mars at 1° 7 30/ and Saturn at 28° M58. bs Pluto at 15°59’ and the Sun at 2° 1 0B/. c. The Moon at 29° MOL! and Jupiter at 14° # 00.LESSON TWO— Oppositions — I TESSON NO. 2 =i OPPOSITIONS -_T INTRODUCTION Of all of the major aspects» the OPPOSITION is perhaps the most important and dynamic in its significance for your life. In this lessons and in the one followings welt! show you why this is so. We feel it is dynamicy and of importance because it is impossible for you to escape its symbolic meaning. The keyword for oppositions is COMPROMISE. Whenever you have an Opposition in your chart it symbolizes the need to strike some compromise and balance between two opposing planets» and all that they symbolizey in your life. Andy the closer this aspect is to 180°, the more important this compromise becomes in your horoscope as you learn to function in the world in which you live and operate. For those “lucky few of you” who have no oppositions in your horoscopes who do not feel as keenly as the rest of us the need for compromise somewhere in our lives» I can only wish for you that when you temporarily experience an opposition in your life from a transiting or progressed planet, that you too will recognize the need to strike a temporary compromise in your life from forces that temporarily oppose you in the attempt to potentialize the promise shown by your horoscope. Marc Edmund ones summarizes this unique situation throueh an excellent analogy. You can bes lackiné oppositions natallys like 2 TOP or a GYROSCOPE. You must internally generate the direction your life will take. If you do not give internal direction to your lifer you can be like a tops spinning along in lifes going nowhere in particular. Buty if directeds you can be like a eyroscoper defying gravitys giving direction to your lifes from withiny in the pursuit of your destiny. In all but a few cases» one end of the opposition will always be aboves and the other end below: the Horizon line (formed by the ist and 7th house cusps). The planet above the Horizon line indicates, or deals with something that is out in the open - overt - or public about you. The planet below the horizon indicates something that is more private in nature about yourself - more covert in nature. The planet below the horison indicates symbolicaaly some area (that is symbolized by house location) where you must be willing to GIVE: in order to receive, The planet below the Horizon Line indicates something that you are doings the planet above the Horizon Line indicates something that somebody else is doing to you. Thus+ you can see that Oppositions usually involve you and at least one other person in a situation in which there is a conflict in motivation. Oppositions indicate INTERPERSONAL PROBLEMS - problems that can only be solved through comporomise between yourself and someone else. The solution always involves YOU and at least ONE OTHER PERSON (sometimes other persons as a group). If the opposing planet is located in Housess 9» 10+ or the problem usually involves you vs. a group of persons and is more universe in scope. If the opposing planet is-in houses 6» 7» or 8 the opposition s:e- fies a compomise between you and some other person, on an individual bas. whereas an opposition from houses 9, 40 or 11 signifies the need for cc - 8 -TESSON_NO. 2 =2= GPPOSTTIONS — T Promise on a larger levels between vou and a group of persons or your public BUT: however you read the need for compromises with oppositions there is ways the reauirement for compromise of some sort. In those rarer cases» where you find the Opposition extending from the 12th house to the 7th houses there remains a need for outer compromise between one-to-one relationships (like partnerships) and your place in the cosmos or universe. Where the opposition extends from the Ist to the 6th houses: there is a need for inner compromises between your personality and the way you try to solve your problems. YoutI! also discover that in all but a few cases one of the planets will be to the right of the Meridian angle (4th-10th house axis) and the other to the lefts or vice versas Ory to put it another ways one planet is East and the other planet is West of the Meridian axis» the planet East showing what you are doing to instigate the conflict, whilethe planet west indicates what the other is doing to perpetuate this conflict of wills. The planet West also shows what you are doing how you are reactiné: to this conflict of wills. Oppositions always symbolize the need for COMPROMISE} the situation in which neither party to the conflict of wills gets their own ways totally. Each party must meet the other party somewhere in the middle. In attemotin to effect such a compromise the place to start is with the planet that is South of the Horizon - what YOU are doing to cause the conflict. If the planet is in Houses 1 through 4+ compromise involves something that YOU are doing per sonallys perhaps to yourself. If it is in Houses 5 or 6» it represents something you are doing to yourself or someone else. But regardless of whether it is in houses. 1s 2+ 31 45 5 or 6+ you've got to sive something in order to effect the compromise. The diagram in FIGURE 2-1 summarizes what we have just said. 2 Horizon ny FIGURE 2-1 The next point to note about Oppositions is that they are in most casesy in the same Quadrature. Thus: if one planet is in Aries» the other planet in the Opposition will be in Libra. Both are in Cardinal Signs. Occasional lyy when ‘the planets are in the early or late degrees of some sien they are by oppo- sition across the line of the signy and thus in different cuadratures. In this cases the approach to reaching the compromise will ve different. Oppositions in the Cardinal Quadrature indicate a definite desire to reach ‘some sort of compromise and work actively at solvine the problem. Oppositions ina Fixed Quadrature often indicate recognition if the problem but resignation Yo just live with the problem without attempting solution to it. OppositionsLESSON NO. 2 = 3 OPPOSITIONS - 1 in the Mutable Quadrature signify either an attempt to initially avoid solution of the problem or avoidance of it» or make believe that the problem doesn’t even exist. Buts regardless of the quadrature emphasis of the Oppositions the comero- mise must eventually be faced. That which is sienified by the Opposition rarely can be avoided. Energies are in conflicts tensions builds and eventually these tensions must be released in some way. Finallys if a planet is direct in motion. the problem is more easily recognized. If the planet is retrograde, the problem exists more at the unconscious level and may not be recognized as even being a problem. To illustrate this» let/s take a typical example opposition. Let us assume an opposition of Mars in Aries in the 2nd house to Venus in Libra in the Sth house. THE MARS END: This end is something that YOU are doine PRIVATELY: of a personal natures that involves the way you spend your resources (money). Since Aries 1s involved» imoulse is involved. THE VENUS END: This end involves something a partner (perhaps your wife) is doing rather openly that involves your personal financess or something that the partner is doing that interferes with the wav you expend your resources (money). Something that disturbs your sense or values. And with Libra involved something that has probably gotten out of balance. One interpretation of this Opposition misht be us follows: © You are inclined to spend your money rather impulsively on whatever happens to strike your fancy at the moment without regard to what your partner thinks of this expenditure of money. Ory perhaps your Partner (wife) is inclined to spend the money that you earn rather frivolously (you think) on what you consider foolishness. She mays however» feel it necessary to spend this money on things that she considers important to your relationship. © Her frivolous spending annoys you. Your impulsive spending is 2 source of annoyance to her. She things you ought to be saving some~ thine or that you ought to be willing to spend a little more on ner. © Cardinal Signs are involved here and both planets are direct in motion: so you'll recognize the problem and want to effect some sort of solution. 0 The Compromise - you learn to consult your partner before you spend your resources and let her have some say about it toor while she zn turn) now discovering that you're paying closer attention to what she thinks; and her feeliner feels less inclined to spend money to eet your attention and your love. Note that the solution to the problem of the Opposition involves COMPRO“I works as long as both parties to the comeromise continue to live ue to the tract or bargain that has been struck between them, Break tthis implied contracLESSON NO. 2 =a OPPOSITIONS - and you are again faced with the problem. Buty for yous the attack upon the Problem was through your Mars. MEDIATOR PLANETS In the example given above we were considering only the two planets directly involved in the Opposition: neglecting what the rest of the chart had to say. This is always dangerous to do. The choices and therefore the compromises is always a rather stark one when you have a "bare” opposition - said by some authorities to indicate your failure to deal successfully with this problem in a previous incarnation. One of the resources frequently found in striking a satisfactory compromise is what is termed a MEDIATOR PLANET. ‘A MEDIATOR PLANET is a planet that (within acceptable orb) is Trine to one end and Sextile to the other end of the Opposition. Through this planets its sign and houses there is an indication as to where another possible solution to the problem of the Opposition might be sought. As an example of how this might works consider again the above exampley but this time with Jupiter in Gemini in ‘the 3rd house - Sextile Venus and Trine Mars. With Jupiter in the 6th housey there is benefit through the working environment, to the health» and through service to others. The Sextile indicates benefit through work to the wifes and the Trine shows possible enerey expended through 6th house matters. Through hard works Jupiter here shows more than adequate funds to provide that extra "mad money” for yous together with sufficient funds for what your wife wants too. Hereiny through the MEDIATOR PLANET: lies what might be termed a more satisfactory solution to the problem symbolized by this Apposition. Andy the solution is not quite so stark in the nature of its solution. RETROGRADE PLANETS Another feature that appears with great frequency (well over 50% of the time)y with Oppositionss is that one of the opposing planets will be found to be in Retrograde aspect. Even in cases where both planets are Direct in motion: a glance at the ephemeris will reveal that one of the planets is within a few days of turning from Direct to Retrograde in motion. In many cases» the Oppo- sition is also accompanied by a Parallel! aspect as well. When the opposing Planets are also Parallels the effect is to intensify (especially at the more subconscious levels) the effect of the Opposition with its accompanying prob- lem. We also know that as a planet dets close to its Retrosrade stations its effects in the chart are intensified. All of these characteristics of the Oppo- sition must be taken into account for a thorough understanding of this aspect. If you have already considered the characteristic effects of Retrograde planets on the personality you are probably already aware thats 0 The planet/s enerey gets reflected back upon the Self at the more unconscious levels of feeling and understandings 0 The Retrograde planet frequently denotes DELAY of some sorti 0 The Retrograde planet often symbolizes experiences that occur in our lives before we possess the maturity to fully understandLESSON NO. 2 = Ss = ‘OPPOSITIONS - 1 and cope with the problems they symbolize. These factors all operates and they must be considered» in any interpretation of the Opposition. Returning to our original MARS-VENUS opposition examples let us now assume that Mars is Retrograde. This means that certain unconscious (subconscious) factors within the personality lead to the impulsive spending. Perhaps there was some youthful experience(s)s now buried in the unconscious» that might have contributed to this. Likes for examples not ever having been given an allowance and feeling deprived when peers had the money to spend on things they wanted. Delays in financial expectations may also be contributory. After watching al! of the other children "get the candy” you couldn/t affords a subconscious deter- mination that someday you'd have all the money you needed to buy all of the candy you want might be the subconscious motivator as an adult to spend our money rather recklessly. ‘The Retrograde end of the Opposition may become so submerged below the conscious levels of awareness that you may not even be aware of the existence of the problem(s) symbolized by the Opposition. In the example givens the actual prob- fem might well have existed for some time before the individual was even aware that the problem existed. Your wifefs spending may have angered yous but you may also have not been aware of why she was angry with you. Awareness that a problem exists is the first step toward solving that problem. The transit of an outer planet (Mars through Pluto) to one of the Opposing planets» or a progressed contact to one of thems or in later years through progression having the retrograde planet turn direct in motion» could symbolize your gaining of awareness that your actions are a part of the problem too. with ‘this recognition: the problem will then be seen in its true perspectives and 2 solution to it more easily affected. REVIEW QUESTIO! Assume an Opposition between Jupiter in Sagittarius (Retrograde) in the 3rd house and Saturn in Gemini in the 9th house. what sort of problem(s) might ‘this opposition suggest? Write out your answer first} thens refer to the Appendix and compare your answer with my own interoretation.LESSON THREE— Oppositions— IL LESSON NO. 5 INTRODUCTION In this Lesson we will continue our study of the Opposition. Lesson 2 was an examination of the general symbolism of al! Oppositions; in this Lessons we will concern ourselves with the nature of the opposing planets themselves to see what further information we can derive about the nature of the prob- lems symbolically indicated. Firsts you must be aware of the fact that by the very nature of the Opposition itselfs the planet Earth on which we live is interposed between the opposing Planets» and if the planets are in Parallel aspect as wells the Opposition takes on the nature of a Lunar Eclipse with the Earth blocking out the inter- the Opposing planets. We have what might be term- ed a ” cosmic tug-of-war” with the Earth caught right in the middle. Tension is created - each planet is pulling in its own directions pulling for the things that it symbolizes and stands for. And» as these opposing forces come up into your consciousness» you feel the need to relieve this tension: to react to take sides» to chooses to compromise. The choice is not usually easy. It is not so much like choosing between good and evil (where the prover choice is usually clear-cut)» but rather like choosing between 2 suitors who have just Proposed to you. You want them bothy but you can only marry one of them, In physical terms; geologists have noted that earthquakes and other natural Phenomena often occur at the time of an important Opposition in the heavens like a Lunar Eclipse (Sun opposed & parallel! to the Moon). This was true of the earthquake in February 1971 in Los Angeles that occurred rieht at the time of a Lunar Eclipse. The cosmic tug-of-war affected the Earth/s mantle and caused this disturbance. This opposition of forces in the heavens and its resultant effect upon life on Earthy is why the ancient astrologers considered oppositions as being MALEFIC. Howevers for yous this need not be the case at all if you consider your natal oppositions as helping you to better understand your INTERPERSONAL PROBLEMS+ or at least to make you aware that certain problems actually exist that you were previously unaware of. RECOGNITION is the first step in solving the problem. Until you have resolved the conflicting pulls of the Oppositions in your natal charts you will feel the tension: frustration: turmoil and suffering that they can symbolize. They cause mental pain until you have successfully dealt with ‘the problem - usually through compromise. Oppositions have a very benefic sides if you look for it. They expand your consciousness by making you more aware of alternatives and choices. They force you to act to relieve the tension you feel. For it is through the tension we feel» symbolized by the sauares and oppositions in the natal chart» that we row and move ahead toward our ultimate destiny. These aspects upset the STATUS QUO» and they get us out of our comfortable ruts. They stimulate action on our part» because what they symbolize cannot be avoid~ ed and must be dealt with. - 23 -TESSON NO. 3 =e OPPOSITIONS - TT THE INFERIOR AND SUPERIOR PLANETS ‘There are SIX TYPES or CLASSES of Oppositions. To understand this method of Classification we must first understand what is meant by the terms INFERIOR and SUPERIOR planets. The INFERIOR PLANETS are Mercury and Venus: so-called because their orbit is smaller than the orbit of Earthy and because they are closer to the Sun than the Earth. The SUPERIOR PLANETS are Marsy Jupitery Saturn» Uranus» Neptune and Pluto. They are greater in distance from the Sun ‘than is the Earthy and their orbits are greater than Earth’s orbit. ‘The INFERIOR PLANETS symbolize social forces in action in our lives. The SUPERIOR PLANETS represent various survival forces. We will shortly explain this is much greater detail. THE SIX CLASSES OF OPPOSITIONS The Oppositions are generally classified into Tw0 GROUPS» each having THREE CLASSES within each group. The grouping depends upon duration of effect. THE FIRST GROUP is specifically involved with Oppositions to the Moons which are always of short duration because the Moon moves so fast. In involves three specific classest 0 LUNAR/SOLAR ~~ Sun opposed to the Moon © LUNAR/INFERTOR - Moon opposed to Mercury or Venus 0 LUNAR/SUPERIOR - Moon opposed to a Superior Planet THE SECOND GROUP consists of all other types of Oppositions between the Sun or planets other than the Moon. This roup also has THREE CLASSES: © SOLAR/SUPERIOR - Sun opposed to a Superior Planet 0 INFERTOR/SUPERTOR - Mercury or Venus opposed to a Superior Planet 0 SUPERTOR/SUPERIOR - An Opposition between two Superior Planets Note that there cannot be a SOLAR/INFERIOR or INFERIOR/INFERIOR because Venus and Mercury never get more than one or two signs distant from the Sun when viewed in their place in the heavens from the Earth. GROUP ONE - THE LUNAR-SOLAR CLASS Despite the fact that we previously pointed out that the Opposition is basically symbolic of an INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT that you must always work out with at least one other person in your lifes this class is the exception} it is more personal in nature. The conflict is basically between two opposing sides of your own nature. If you have this Opposition in your chart» it means that you were born very close to the time of the Full Moony and perhaps even Lunar Ecliese. The Moon is the only planet in your chart that can oppose the Sun without being in Retrograde aspect. Any other planetary Opposition to the ‘Sun WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE OPPOSING PLANET IN RETROGRADE MOTION. aLESSON NO. 3 asm OPPOSTTIONS - IT ‘The Sun is symbolic of the BRIGHTER SIDE» or the ILLUMINATED SIDE» of our basic nature. It symbolizes your ego drives your ambitions and makes you strive to eet ahead» matures and make a place for yourself in the world. By contrast» ‘the Moon symbolizes the DARKER or UNILLUMINATED more primitives side of your nature - unrecognized feelings» fears» emotions» and habit patterns carried over from the past. It is the sum total of all of your past experiences, Ancient folklore is filled with stories of strange happenings that occur in ‘the light of the Full Moon (= Sun opposed the Moon). During this Opposition: the Sun and Moon are as far apart as they will ever gets relative to the Earth. The Sun symbolizes what you consciously know ‘that you want? the Moon symbolizes unrecognized needs and weaknesses buried somewhere beneath your conscious awareness. To live happilys you must first discover what your own Moon symbolizes for yous and then reconcile these opposing forces in your nature. This can sometimes take the form of not really needing what you think you needs or wanting exactly those things that you do not need. Living on the Earthy you are caught right in the middle of these very powerful conflicting forces. Experiences fear or frustration (the Moon) can hold you back from achieviné your ambition and expressing your edo (the Sun). One of the first lessons that you learned when you first started your study of astrology was that each of the ten planets represents an energy that you must give expression to somewhere in your life if you are to be a really happy and mature person. One cannot permit themself to be ruled totally by either ‘their ambition and ego or by their emotions and fears. There is a prover Place for both in our lives and a healthy mode of outlet for these energies. To resolve the Sun-Moon conflict of this Opposition: the need here is not so much for compromise as it is to allow both energies to express themselves alternatively on appropriate occasions. It is more difficult for the Mate to unchain the Moon within him» and for the Female to unchain the Sun in the context of the expectations of the society in which we currently lives but it still must be done. Regardless of what else the Sun and Moon opposed symbolizey there is always ‘the quality of our BRIGHT SIDE vs. our DARK SIDE constantly vying for the upper hand. A secondary consideration with this Opposition may also be that» especially during your growing years; you felt some opposition of wills between your Father (Sun) and Mother(Moon)+ whether real or imagined» that colors yaur own adult personality today. GROUP ONE - THE LUNAR-INFERIOR CLASS This is the second of the shorter-lived classifications - an Opposition between the Moon and either Mercury or Venus. As with the Lunar-Solar Class» such an opposition occurs once each lunar month (26+ days) by transit. Venus and Mercury represent social factors or forces acting upon you. Mercury finds its expression through conscious thought and intellect - it is our capacity to reasons learns and express ourself. Venus expresses through feeling: pleasure: - 415 -TESSON NO. 5 a= ‘OPPOSTTIONS - Ii sensitivity and love. Mercury defines the thought - Venus cloaks it with emo- tion. Since Mercury and Venus are never more than about a Sexile (60°) in arc or distance from each others usually much closers they tend to complement each other by helping to integrate mind with body. When some planet; by transits coniuncts Mercury or Venusy a short time later it will conjunct the other one of this pair. If it is Mercury that gets this transit first» the rational indication logically extends into its emotional counterpart as Venus picks it up. The same can be said when a planet opposes the Inferior Planets or the Moon. If Venus gets the aspect first» the emotional conflict it symbolizes is later picked up by Mercury where the feeling takes rational expression, ‘The LUNAR-INFERIOR Opposition places the darker need/desire side of the nature (the Moon) in conflict with social forces within the immediate environment. The effect is usually subjective - something that you fee! but cannot express that may seem irrational. This Opposition frequently finds outward expression in your moods. The feeling might be described as feeling inadequate to cope with social forms or relationships. You find it hard to communicate your innermost feelings and thoughts to others. You feel like: "Nobody under- stands mer and they do not seem able to feel what I feel Unlike the other classes of Opposition, there is generally no real choice that needs to be made here you just feel like somehow you need to make one in order to fee! better and relieve the tension. The truth of this a certainly not hard to check out for yourself. Watch your feelings and emotions on that one day each lunar month as the Noon transits over your natal Mercury and Venus. If you have to deal with 2 LUNAR-INFERIOR Opposition in your natal horoscopes try to provide opportunity for each of the Opposine Planets to express freely in some area cf your life. The tendency with this Opposition is usually to repress one of these planetary energies - and that just leads to trouble and even greater tension. GROUP ONE - THE LUNAR-SJPERIOR CLASS This is the last class of relatively short-lived Oppositions. While it has many characteristics similar to the LUNAR-INFERIOR Class» there is a subtle shift in emphasis. Heres there is less of the uree to communicate that which cannot be communicated. You worry less about not being understood and more about the possible implications that this misunderstanding may bring. You wonder what others will say if you... (fill in the blank) and the attitudes of others as the result of this action toward you. The SUPERIOR PLANETS represent SURVIVAL ENERGIES: as contrasted to the social energies symbolized by th2 Inferior Planets. The Superior Planets symbolize your inner drive to survive in your worlds to continue to live and exist» and to pursue happiness. The threat represented by the Lunar Ooposi- tion is felt more in terms of your relationships with others and the need for input from them. The basic conflict with this Class is between the darker side of your nature - 16 -