On the
 Hea
 H eavvenly Spheres

Helena
Helena Avelar a n d Luis Ri
Rihei
heiro
ro
 

Copyright 2010 by Helena Avelar and Luis Ribeiro

 No part o f this book may be reproduced

reprod uced or transcribe
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ele ctronic
ic or mechanica
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i nformation
tion storage
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ithou t written
writt en permis
pe rmission
sion from theth e au-
thor and publisher, except in the case of bri
brief
ef quotations embodied in critical reviews and articles. Requests
R equests and inqui-
ries may be mailed to: American Federation of Astrologers, Inc., 6535 S. Rural Road, Tempe, AZ 85283.
ISBN10: 0866906096
ISBN13: 9780866906098

Cover Design: Jack Cipolla

Cipolla

Published by:
American Federation o f Astrologe
Astrologers,
rs, Inc.
6535 S. Rural Road
Tempe, AZ 85283

www.astrologers.com

Printed in the United States of America

ii
 

Astrology is alive. It is whole, functional and independent.

It has been present in the human spirit from the first civilizations

when Man began his long search for meaning

It has spanned eras and cultures,

yet always remains perfectly current and relevant.

It is clear, clean, and objective knowledge: containing nothing nebulous.

Just as it must be clear for one to view the stars at night,

so too thought must be clear for one to master astrological interpretation.
 

iv
 

 Dedic
 De dicati
ation
on

To the source
who have been a constant studentsofofimprovement
the Academy,
and inspiration to us.

v
 

vi
 

Conte
Contents 
nts 

Preface
reface by
 by Sue Ward 
Ward   xxv
Intr oduction
oduction xxvii
xxvii

Chapter
hapter I
 I,, Astrolog
Astrology 1
The Heave
Heavens
ns in Motion
Motion 1
Predictio
Predic tion
n 2
The
The Bran
Branche
chess o f Astro
strology
logy 2
Astro
As trological
logical Ty
 Ty pes
 pes 3
B rief Hist
History
ory of Astrology
Astrology   4
Origins o f   Astrology
Origins Astrology   4
Mésopota
Mé sopotamie
mie Perio
 Periodd 4
Greek
Gre ek or Hellen
Hellenistic
istic Perio
Periodd 5
Mediev
Me dieval
al Per iod 
iod   5
The
The Renaiss
Renaissance
ance 6
Decline
ecline of Astrology
Ast rology   6
Revival
Revi val 6
Modem
Mode m Appro
Approach
ach   7

Chapter II,
II, The
 The Uni
Universe Acc
According tto
o Astrolo
 Astrologgy 9
Mode
Mo dels
ls and Per spectives
spectives 9
The Astro
Astrologica
logicall R eality
eality 10
The Celes
Celestial
tial Sp
Spher 
her es
es Model
Model   10
The World 
World  of the
the Ele
 Elements
ments   12
Prim
rimary
ary Quali
Qualities
ties 12
Forma
Formation
tion of
o f the
the Elem
Element
entss 13
The Tempe
Temperamen
raments ts 15
Choleri
holericc 15
Sanguin
anguinee 16
Melancholic
elancholic 17
Phlegm
Phle gmatic
atic 17

Cha
Ch apter III,
III, The Astr
Astrological Chart 19
The R
The Ree presen
 presentat
tation
ion of  the
the Astro
 Astrologi
logical
cal Ch
Chart
art 20
The Hor 
Hor oscope Th
oscope Through
rough Hi History
story 20

vii
 

C hap ter IV, The Planets 25

Planetary Symbols 25
Planetary Hierarchy 26
The Luminaries and the Planets 26
Superior and Inferior Planets 26
The Modem Planets 27
 Natur
 Na turee o f the Planets 27
The Temperaments 27
Malefic and Bcncfic Planets 28
Gender: Masculine and Feminine 29
Sect: Diurnal and Nocturnal 30
Sect Implications
Imp lications in Planetary Expression 30
Characteristicss ooff the Seven Plane
Characteristic Planets
ts 31
Saturn 31
Jupiter  32
Mars 32
Sun 32
Venus 33
Mercuiy 33
Moon
Rulcrships and Associations of o f the
the Planets 34
34
Colors 34
Odors and Flavors 35
Places 35
Minerals 35
Physical Appearance 36
Professions 36
Meteorology 37
Planetary Periods 37
The Ages o f Man 38
Phases o f Gestation 38
Chapter V, The Zodiac and the Signs
The Zodiac and the Signs 41
41
The Images and Symbols of the Signs 43
The Nature o f the Signs 45
The Modes 45
The Temperament
Tem perament o f thethe Sign
Signss 46
The Planetary Rulers 48
The Nature o f the Signs
Signs 48
Additionall Character
Additiona Characteristic
isticss 49
Inteipretation o f the Sign
Signss 50
Planets in Signs: How to Interpret 51

viii
 

Characterization and  Description
Characterization   Description by Sign 
Sign  52
Rulerships
Rulerships and  Sign
  Sign Associations
Associations 54
Body Parts
Parts 54
Physical
Phy sical Appear aance
nce 54
Sp
Spatial
atial Di
Directions
rections 55
Locations 56
Countries
Coun tries or Regions
Regions 56
Citiess
Citie 57
The Momentum
Momentum o
 o f th
thee Planets in the
the Zodiac 
Zodiac  58
Velocity
Velocity 58
Retrogradation
Retrog radation 60
Effects of a Retrog
Retrograde
rade Planet 60
Stations
Stat ions 61
Latitude
Latitude o f tthe
he Plan
Planets
ets 61
Cycles of the Planets
the Planets   62
Zodiacal or Sidereal Cycle
Cycle 62
Synodic Cycle
Synodic  Cycle 63
The Auge of  the
 the Planets
Pla nets 63
The Zodiac
Zodiac in Astronomy
A stronomy andand History
History 64
Constellation
Constellati on versus
versus Sign 65
The Astrological
Astrological Ag
Ages
es 66

Chapter VI,
VI, Th
Thee Essential Dignitie
Dignitiess 67
The System of Essential
Essential D
Dignities
ignities and  Debilities
  Debilities 67
The Ma jor Dignities 67
Domicile
Domicile or R ulership
ulership 67
How Rulership
Rulership is As
Assigned
signed 68
Joy
Joy By Sign
Sign 69
Exile or Detriment
Detriment 70
Exaltation
Exaltation 70
Fall 70
How the Exa
Exaltations
ltations and Falls
Falls Are Assigned
Are Assigned 71
The Degrees
Degrees of
o f Exaltation 71
Second ary
ary Dignities
Dignities 72
Tr iplicities
iplicitie s 72
Terms 72
Faces 72
Dispositor 
Dispositor s and Rulers 75
The Dispositor 
Dispositor  75
Interpretation
Interpretation o f Di
Dig
gnities and De bilities of
 bilities  of the Planets
Planets in Nat
Nativities
ivities 77
Scoring o
off Dignities
Dignities an
andd Debilities
Debilities 77
Th
Thee Scoring
Scoring System 79
Example Scorin
Scoring
g o f  the
 the Essential
Essential Digniti
Dignities
es 79
T heAlmuten
heAlmu ten 81

ix
 

Chapter VII, The Houses 83

The Hemispheres 84
The Quadrants 84
The Twelve Houses 85
Classification
Classification of the Hous
Houses
es 86
Angularity 86
Gender  88
The Significations of the Twelve Houses 88
First House 88
Second House 89
Third House 89
Fourth House 89
Fifth House 90
Sixth House 90
Seventh House 91
Eight House 91
 Ninth
 Nin th House 91
Tenth House 92
Eleventh House 92
Twelfth House 93
Benefic and Malefics Houses 93
Derived Houses 94
Derived Significations o f the Houses 94
HouseSignPlanet Interacti
Interaction
on 96
SignHouse Interaction 96
House Cusp Sign 96
House Ruler  96
Intercepted Signs 98
HousePlanet Interaction 98
Planets in Houses 99
Degreess o f Angular
Degree Angularity
ity 100
The Joys 100

Integration of Essential Dignity, Angularity and Joy 102

Chapter V]H, The Aspects 105
The Five Aspects 105
Inconjuncts 106
Light as a Basis for the Aspects 106
The Orbs 107
P a r ti le a n d P la t ic A s pe c ts 108
OutofSign Aspects 109
V a r i a ti o n s i n th e D e f in iti on s o f a n A s p e c t 110
Aspects in Motion: Applications and Separations 111
111
Specific Cases: Void o f Course and Feral 113

X
 

Dexter and Sinister Aspects 114

Aspects to Nonplanetary Points 115
115
Representing
Represe nting Aspects in the Horoscope
Horoscop e 116
Aspect Notation 116
116
A Guide for Mapp
Mapping
ing Aspects in a Chart 117
117
Interpretation 120
The Nature of the Aspects 120
120
Conjunction 121
Opposition 121
T ri n e 121
Square 121
Sextile 121
Aspects and the Rulership
Rulersh ip Scheme 121
121
Interpreting
Interp reting the Aspects 123
123
Importance and Intensity o f an Aspect 124
124
Basic Significations 124
124
The Friendship and Enmity of thePlane
thePlanets
ts 125
125
A Guide for Planetary Combinations 125
125
Specific Signification in the Contexto
Contexto f the Chart 128
128
Interpretation o f nonplanetary aspects 129
129
Antiscia 129
Calculating Antiscia 129
129
Other Relationships Between Signs 131
131
Chapter IX, Chart Dynamics 135
135
The Aspects in Motion 135
135
The 30Degree Ruler 136
Combined Movements 135
135
Translation o f Light 138
138
Collection o f Light 139
139
Prohibition o f Light 140
140
Frustration o f Light 141
141
Refranation of Light 142
142
Assisted and Besieged Planets 143
143
A s s is tan c e 143
B e s ie g e m e n t 143
Examples of Assistance and Besiegement 144
144
Rec ep ti o n 145
Some Addition
Additional al Concepts 148
Emission of Virtue 148
148
Return of Virtue 148
148
Chapter X, The Condition of the Planets 149
Sun and Planet Relatio
Relationships
nships 143
143

xi
 

Increase
Inc rease and Decre ase in Light
Decrease Light 143
143
Example: Increase
Practice Example: Decrease in Light
Increase and Decrease Light 150
150
U nder the Beams, Combustion, and Cazimi
B eams, Combustion, Cazimi 150
150
Orientality
Orie Occidentality
ntality and Occidentality 153
153
How to determine Orientality and Occidentali
Occidentality
ty 153
153
Example
Examp Orientality and Occidentality
le for Orientality Occidentality 155
155
o f the Moon 
The Conditions of Moon  155
155
The Lunation Cycle
Lunation Cycle 155
155
ntality and  Occidentality
Orientality
Orie o f the Moon 
  Occidentality of Moon  156
156
Determine the Moon’s
How to Determine Moon’s Phase 156
156
Syzygies or Lunations
The Syzygies 157
157
dentality and Or ientality
Occidentality
Occi ientality of   the thee Moon
the Planets to th 158
158
Conditions S pecific to the Moon 158
158
 Via Combusta
The Via
The Combusta 158
Gemini Moon
Moon 159
159
Late Degrees  o f a Si
Degrees o Sign
gn 159
159
Mansions
The Lunar Mansions 159
159
Planetary Conditions
Other Planetary Conditions 161
161
 Hayz 161
Exam ple for
fo r Planets
Planets in  Hayz   163
163
 Dustoria  or 
 o r  Security
 Security 164
164
ea  (or Pr oper
 Almugea
 Almug oper Face) 
Face)  165
165
Practice Exam ple for Planets in Almugea 
Practice Almugea  165
165
R econciling Apparently
econciling Apparently Con tradictory Conditions
Contradictory 166
166

 XI, Lunar
Chapter XI,
Chapter Lunar Nodes 167
167
Interpr etation
etation o f the N odes
the Nodes 168
Exaltations of
The Exaltations o f the
the Nodes 169
Eclipses 169
169
Solar Eclipses
Eclipses 169
169
Lunar
Lunar Eclipses 170
The Periodicity
The Periodicity o f Eclip
Eclipses
ses 171

Interpreting
Interpreting Eclipses 172
pter XII, The
Chapter
Cha Stars  
T he Fixed Stars 173
173
The the Fixed Stars 
The Nature o f the Stars  173
173
Principal Fixed Star s 174
Stars
M ovement o f the Fixed Stars 176
176
Stars in the Horosco pe
Fixed Stars in 177
177
reting the Fixed  Stars
Interpreting
Interp   Stars 178
178
Fixed  Stars
 Stars Exam ple 178
178
lations
Constellations
Constel 179
179
Parans 179
179
Fixed Star s and their  Nature
L ist o f Fixed  Nature 180

xii
 

Chapter XIII, The Parts 185

185
The Various Parts and their Use 186
The Part of Fortune 188
188
Example:: Calculating the Part of Fortune
Example 188
188
Interpretation Examples for the Part of Fortune 190
190
Houses from the Part of Fortune 190
190
The Part of Spirit 190
190
The Part of Faith 191
191
The Part of Substance 192
192
The Part o f Marriage 192
192
The Part o f Children 193
193
The Parts o f the Father and the Mother 193
193

Chapter XIV, The Power of the Planets

Planets 195
195
Strength of the Planets: Accidental Dignities 195
195
Accidental Dignities and Debilities and Their Scoring 196
196
Positionn by House
Positio 196
Relationsh
Relati onshipip to the Sun 197
Motion 197
Aspects 197
C o n fo r m i t y 198
Conjunction to the Lunar Nodes 198
198
Lunar Condition 198
198
Conjunction to Fixed Stars 199
199
Other Accidental Dignities and Debilities 199
199
Final Scoring: Table of Strengths and Debilities of thePlanets
the Planets 199
Scoring Example 201
Important Considerations Regarding the Practical Useof
Useof the Table 205
Examples o f the Scoring Table 206
Example 1: Florbela Espanca 206
Example 2: Friedrich Nietzsche 207
Example 3: Agatha Christie 208

Example 4:
Example 5: Broken Computer
Compute rship
Sports Champion
Championship 209
209
Example 6: Home Purchase 210

Appendix 1, The Astrological Symbols 21

2111
Planetary Symbols 211
The Symbols o f the Signs 211
The Symbols of the Nodes 212
Appendix 2, The Modern Planets 213
The Modem or the Transsatumian Planets 214
Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto 214

xiii
 

The Question o f Modem Rulc Rulcrsh

rships
ips 215
Astrological
Astrolo gical Associations o f the Trans
Transsaturni
saturnian
an Plane
Planets
ts 215
The Matter o f Spee
Speedd 216
The Matter o f Visibility
Visibility 217
C o n c lu s io n 217
The Asteroid
Asteroidss and Other Minor BodieBodiess 217
The Matte
Matterr o f Interpretation
Interpretation 219
Hypothetical
Hypo thetical Planets 219
Modem
Mod em NonPlanetary
NonPlane tary Points 220
Appendix 3, Minor Dignities, Zodiacal Degrees and Additional Tables 221
M i n o r D ig n tie s 221
 Novena
 Nov enaria
ria 221
Duodenaria or Duodecimac (Twelf
(TwelfthParts
thParts)) 222
Practical Application 222
The Degrees o f the Zodiac and their Properties
Properties 223
Masculine and Feminine Degr
Degrees
ees 223
Light, Dark, Smoky and Void Degrees 223
Pitted Degrees 224
Azemene or Unlucky Degre
Degrees
es 224
Fortunate Degrees 224
Additional Tables 224
Variants o f the Terms 225
Appendix 4, Additional Considerations Concerning the Houses 227
Brieff Notes on the Origin and Development o f the Houses
Brie 227
The Problem o f House System
Systemss 228
Different Methods o f Division 228
Various House Systems 228
Most Popular Systems 229
Which is the Best System? 230
Higherr Latitudes
Highe 230
Technical Notes on Traditional House Systems 231
The Triplicities o f the Houses 232
How to determine the Triplicity Rulers 234
Interpretation Example
Exampless 234
Cosignificators o f the Houses
Houses 235
Appendix 5, Minor Aspects and Aspect Configurations 237
M i n o r A sp e c t s 237
Minorr Aspect Symbols
Mino 23 8
Parallels and Contraparallels
Contraparallels 238
Aspect Configurations
Configurations 239
TSquares and Grand Cross 239
Grand and Small Trine 239

xi
xivv
 

Appendix 6, The Planetary Hours 241

Planetary hours and official hours 243
Calculation of the Planetary Hours 244
Practical
Practical Application 246
General meanings of the planetary hours 246
Combining Planetary Days and Hours 247

Appendix 7, Astrological Chart Calculations 251

Materials 251
Calculations 251
Part I, Calculating the House Cusps 252
Part II, Calculating the Longitude of the Planets 253
Chart Calculation Examples 254
Technical Bibliography 262

Addendum, The Basics of Chart Delineation 263

Temperament 263
Scoring Individual Temperament 264
Considerations about the Assessment of Temperament 267
Personal Motivations 268
The Ascendant and its Ruler 268
Practice Examples 269
Case 1 269
C as e 2 269
Case 3 269
Case 4 270
The First Ste Stepp . . . 271
271
Fi n a l T h o u g h t s 273
Annotated Bibliograph
Bibliographyy 275
Chart Data 278

xv
 

xvi
 

 Illustrations, Diagrams a n d Ta
Table
bless

Chapter I, Astrology
Figure 1, The Branches o f Astrology 3

Chapter II, The Universe According to Astrology

Figure 1, Astronomical or Heliocentric Model: the Celestial Bodies Orbit Around the Sun9
Figure 2, Ptolemaic Model: The Celestial Bodies Are Depicted as Seen from Earth 10
Figure 3, Sphere o f the Primum Mobile 11
Figure 4, Sphere of the Fixed Stars, Also Called Firmament 11
Figure 5, Spheres o f the Planets 11
Figure 6, The Earth and the Spheres of the Elements
Figure 7, The Primary Qualities 12
Figure 8, Hot and Cold 12
Figure 9, Moist and Dry 13
Figure 10
10,, The Formation o f the Elements 13
Figure
Figu re 11
11,, Fire and Air 13
Figure 12
12,, Water and Earth 14
Figure 13
13,, The Dry Elements: Fire and Earth 14
Figure 14
14,, The Moist Elements: Air and Water 14
Figure 15
15,, The Spheres o f the Elements 15
Figure 16
16,, The Temperaments, 16t16thh Century Illustration 15

Chapter III, The Astrological Chart

Figure 1, Modem Chart 21
Figure 2, Egyptian Horoscope 20
Figure 3, Greek Horoscope 22
Figure 4, Medieval Horoscope 22
Figure 5, Renaissance Horoscope 22
Figure 6, The Houses in Square Charts 23
Figure 7, How to Read a Square Chart 23
Figure 8, “Circular”
“Circula r” Square Chart 23
Figure 9, Circular Chart: Beginni
Beginning
ng o f 20th Century 23
Figure 10
10,, Circular Chart with Aspects 23

xvii
 

Chapter IV, The Planets

Figure 1, The Ptolemaic Model and the Chaldean Order 26
Figure
Figu re 2, Superior
Supe rior and Inferior Planets 27
Figure
Figu re 3, The Primary Qualities of the Planets 28
Figure 4, Bcncfic and Malefic Planets 28
Figure
Figu re 5, Masculine
Masculin e and Feminine Planets 29
Figuree 6, Diurnal and Nocturnal Planets
Figur 30
Figure 7, Diurnal Planets in a Diurnal Condition 31
Figure
Figu re 8, Nocturnal Planets in a Nocturnal Condition 31

Chapter V, The Zodiac and the Signs

Figure 1, The Zodiac 41
Figure 2, The Four Seasons 42
Figure 3, The Qualities o f the Four Seasons 42
Figure 4, The Twelve Signs 43
Figure 5, Degrees o f the Signs 44
Figure 6, The Planets in the Zodiac 44
Figure 7, Zodiacal Notation of a Plan
Planet's
et's Position 44
Figure 8, Moveable or Cardinal Signs 45
Figure 9, Fixed or Solid Signs 46
Figure 10
10,, Common, Double or Bicorpore
Bicorporeal
al Signs 47
Figure 11
11,, Elements o f the Signs 47
Figure 12
12,, The Signs, Elements, and Temperam
Temperaments
ents 47
Figure 13
13,, The Movement
Movemen t o f the Planets in the Signs 58
Figure 14
14,, Movement
Movemen t o f the Moon 58
Figure 15
15,, Maximum Distance o f Mercury and Venus to the Sun, Projected in the Zodiac 59
Figure 16
16,, Inferior and Superior Conjunction of Venus 59
Figure 17
17,, The Chaldean Order and the Speeds o f the Planets 59
Figure 18
18,, Retrogradation o f Mars 60
Figure 19
19,, Retrogradation of Venus 60
Figure 20, The Stations 61
Figure 21, The latitude o f the Planets 61

Figure 23,
Figure 22, The
The Au
Range o f Latitude o f the Planets
ge  o f the Planets (Apogee and Perigee)
 Auge
62
63
Figure
Figu re 24, Sidereal Zodiac, Tropical Zodiacal and Precession 64
Figure
Figu re 25, The Precession o f the Equinoxes and the Earth’s
Ear th’s axis 65

Chapter VI, The Essential Dignities

Figure
Fig ure 1, Planetary Rulers 68
Figure 2, Solar and Lunar signs 69
Figure 3, Diurnal and Nocturnal Rulerships 69
Figure
Figu re 4, Joys o f the Planets (by sign) 69
Figure 5, Exile or Detriment o f the Planets 70
Figure 6, Signs o f the Exaltation o f the Planets 70

xviii
 

Figure 7, Signs of Fall of the Planets 71

Figure 8, Diurnal Scquencc4 of Triplicities 73
Figure 9, Nocturnal Sequence of Triplicities 73
Figure 10
10,, Egyptian
Egyptia n Terms 74
Figure 12
12,, The Faces 75
Figure 13
13,, Essential Dignities
Dignit ies and Debilities 75
Figure 14
14,, Scoring of Essentia
Essentiall Dignities and Debilities 77
Figure 15
15,, Scoring o f the Planets at 4°09 ’ Libra 81
Figure 16
16,, Scoring o f the Planets at 29°0
29°09’
9’ Scorpio 81
Figure 17
17,, Calculation o f the MoonMercury Almuten 82

Chapter VIÏ, The Houses

Figure 1, The Horizon: Rise and Set 83
Figure 2, The meridian: Medium Coeli and Imum Coeli 84
Figure 3, Primary Motion 84
Figure 4, Superior and Inferior Hemispheres 84
Figure 5, Oriental and Occidental Hemispheres 85
Figure 6, The Four Quadrants 85
Figure 7, The Twelve Houses 85
Figure 8, The Primary and Secondary Motion 86
Figure 9, The House Cusps 86
Figure 10
10,, Angular Houses 87
Figure 11
11,, Succèdent Houses 87
Figure 12
12,, Cadent Houses 87
Figure 13
13,, The Hou
House’s
se’s Power 87
Figure 14
14,, Malefic
Malef ic Houses 93
Figure 15
15,, House Derivation 94
Figure 16
16,, Intercepted Signs 98
Figure 17, Fivedegr
Five degree
ee Rule 100
Figure 18
18,, Joys o f the Planets 101
101
Figure
Figu re 19
19,, Joys and Sect 101
101

Chapter
FigureVHI, The Aspects
1, Aspect Geometry 105
105
Figure 2, Aspects as Angular Relationships Between Two Planets 106
106
Figure 3, Aspects as Geocentric Angles 106
Figure 4, The Inconjunctions
Inconjunctio ns 107
107
Figure 5, the Orb o f a Planet 107
107
Figure 6, Orbs o f the Planets (Radius and Diameter) 108
108
Figure 7, Orb o f the Moon 108
Figure 8, Orb o f the Moon and its Rays 108
108
Figure 9, A MoonMars Aspect 109
Figure 10
10,, Unilateral Aspect: the SunSaturn Conjunc
Conjunction
tion 109
Figure 11
11,, Outofsign Aspects 110

xix
 

Figur e 12
Figure 12,, The Moicties 110
110
Figure
Figu re 13
13,, Applying
Applyi ng and Separating Aspects 111
111
Figure
Figu re 14
14,, The Aspect
Asp ect’’s Cycle: Application, Perfection and Separation 112
112
Figure
Figu re 15
15,, Mutual Application and Séparation 113
113
Figure
Figu re 16
16,, A Void o f Course Planet 114
Figure
Figu re 17
17,, Dexter and Sinister Aspects 115
115
Figure 1818,, Identifying the aspects in an astrological chart 118
Figuree 19
Figur 19,, Aspects in King Sebast
Sebastian’s
ian’s Chart 120
Figure
Figu re 20, The Correlation Between Aspects and the Rulership Scheme 122
122
Figure 21, Aspects in Diurnal and Nocturnal Rulerships 123
123
Figuree 22, Aspects and the Joys o f the Planets
Figur 123
123
Figuree 23, Friendships and Enmities Between the Planets
Figur 125
125
Figure 24, Antiscia 130
Figure 25, Antiscion o f Venus 130
Figure 26, Antiscia (degrees and minutes) 131
Figure 27, The Counterantiscia 131
131
Figure 28, Antiscia and Counterant
Counterantiscia
iscia 132
Figure 29, The Commanding
Commandin g Signs and the Obeying Signs 133
133

Chapter IX, Chart Dynamics

Figures 16
16,, Example o f the 30° ruler 136, 137
Figure 7, Sequence o f Aspects 135
Figure 8, Translation o f Light, Example 1 138
Figure 9, Translation o f Light, Example 2 138
Figure 10, Translation of Light, “Will I get the job
job?”
?” 139
Figure 11
11,, Collection o f Light 139
139
Figure 12, Collection o f Light, “Will I find my lost necklace?” 140
Figure 13, Prohibition o f Light, Example 1 140
Figure 14, Prohibition o f Light, Example 2 141
141
Figure 15
15,, Prohibition o f Light, Example 3 141
141
Figure 16
16,, Prohibition o f Light, “Will she date me?” 141
141
Figure
Figu re 17
17,, Frustration o f Light 142

Figure
Figu
Figu re 19
Figure
re 18
18,,, Refranation
19, Refranation oo ff Light,
light “Will we reconcile?” 142
14
1432
143
Figure
Figu re 20, Assistance 143
143
Figure
Figu re 21, Besiegement
Besiegeme nt 143
143
Figure
Figu re 22, “Will she date me?” 147

Chapter X, The Condition of the Planets

Figure
Fig ure 1, Increase and Decrease o f Light o f the Superior Planets 150
Figure 2, Increase and Decrease
Decrease of Light of the Inferior Planet
Planetss 150
150
Figure 3, Dusk and Dawn 151
151
Figure 4, Under the Sun’s
Sun ’s Beams 151
Figure 5, Combustion
Combu stion 152
152

xx
 

Figure 6, Cazimi 152

Figure 7, Oriental Planets 153
153
Figure 8, Occiden
Occidentaltal Planets 153
153
Figure 9, Examples of Oriental and Occidental Planets 154
154
Figure 10
10,, Correlation
Correl ation Between the Ptolemaic Scheme and Orientali
Orientality
ty 154
Figure 11
11,, The Lunation
Lunatio n Cycle 155
155
Figure 12
12,, The Primary Qualiti
Qualities
es o f the Moon 156
Figure 13
13,, Orientality
Orienta lity and occide
occidentalit
ntalityy 156
Figure 14
14,, SunMoon aspects in the Lunatio
Lunationn Cycle 157
157
Figure 15
15,, Planets Oriental to the Moon 158
Figure 16
16,, Planets Occiden
Occidental
tal to the Moon 158
Figure 17
17,, Lunar Mansions
Mansion s (accord
(according
ing to AlBiruni) 159
159
Figure 18
18,, Tropical
Tropic al Luna
Lunarr Mansions
Mansion s 159
159
Figure 19
19,, Diurnal and Noctu
Nocturnal
rnal Charts 162
Figure 20, Example of a Diurnal Planet (Jupiter) and a Nocturnal Planet (Venus), Both in  Hay
 Hayzz  162
Figure 21, Masculine and Feminine Quadrants 162
162
Figure 22, Planets in Contrariety of Hayz   163
163
Figure 23, Almugea
Almug ea to the Sun 165
165
Figure 24, Almugea
Almug ea to the Moon 166

Chapter XI, The Lunar Nodes

Figure 1, Lun
Lunar
ar Nodes
Node s 167
Figure 2, The Lunar Nodes in the Celestial Sphere 167
167
Figure 3, Movemen
Movementt o f the Nodes on the Ecliptic 168
168
Figure 4, No
Node’s
de’s Orb of Influence 168
168
Figure 5, Solar Eclipse 170
170
Figure 6, The Three Types of Solar Eclipse 170
170
Figure 7, Trajectory o f a Solar Eclipse 170
Figure 8, Lunar Eclipse 170
170
Figure 9, The Three Types of Lunar Eclipse 171
171
Figure 10
10,, The Four Eclipses Occurring Every Year 171
171
Figure 11
11,, Examples o f Solar Eclipses 171
171
Figure 12
12,, Examples o f Lunar Eclipses 171
171
Figure 13
13,, Symbols of the eclipses 172

Chapter XII, The Fixed Stars

Figure 1, Constellations
Constella tions and Their Nature 179
179
Figure 2, Fixed Stars and Thei
Theirr Nature 180

Chapter XIII, The Parts

Figure 1, Calculating
Calculati ng a Part (Diurnal and Nocturna
Nocturnall Charts) 185
Figure 2, Diurnal and Nocturnal Calculation for the Part o f Fortune 188
188
Figure 3, The Part o f Fortune’s Position
Position Varies According to
tothe
the Phase of the Moon 188
188
Figure 4, The Houses from the Part o f Fortune 190

xxi
 

Figu re 5, The Parts o f Fortune and Spir

Figure Spiritit as Mirror Images o f One Another 191
191
Figure
Figu re 6, Symbol for the Part of Spirit 191
191

Chapter XIV, The Power of the Planets

Figure
Figu re 1, Planetary
Plane tary Strengths 200
Figure
Figu re 2, Scoring
Scorin g the Essential Dignities 202
Figure
Figu re 3, Scoring the Conditions of Peregrine and of Mutual Reception 202
Figure 4, Scoring House Positio
Positions
ns 202
Figu re 5, Scoring the Planet’s
Figure Plan et’s Relationships to the Sun 203
Figure
Fig ure 6, Velocity of the Planets in Florbcla Espanca’s
Espan ca’s Chart 203
Figure 7, Scoring the Plan
Planet’s
et’s Movement 204
Figure 8, Scoring the Aspects 204
Figure 9, Scoring the Conditions of Hayz and Contrariety of Hayz   204
Figuree 10
Figur 10,, Final Score in Florbela Espanca’s
Espan ca’s Nativity 205
Figuree 11
Figur 11,, Essential Dignities and Scoring in the Chart o f Florbela Espanca 206
Figure 12
12,, Planetary Strengths for Nietz
Nietzsche
sche’s
’s Nativity 207
Figure 13
13,, Planetary Strengths for Agatha Chr
Christie
istie’s
’s Nativity 208
Figure 14
14,, Planetary Strengths for Chart 10 209
Figure 15
15,, Planetary Strengths for Chart 11 209
Figure 16
16,, Planetary Strengths for Chart 12 210

Appendix 1 - The Astrological Symbo

Symbols
ls
Figure 1, Symbols o f the Planets Throug
Throughout
hout Time 211
Figure 2, Symbols of the Signs Throughout Time 212
Figure 3, Variants in the No
Node
de’s
’s Symbols 212

Appendix 2, The Modern Planets

Figure 1, Symbols o f the Modem Planets 216
Figure 2, Asteroid Symbols 218
Figure 3, Centaur Symbols 218
Figure 4, Symbols o f the Modem Nonplanetary Points 220

Appe ndix 3, Minor Dignities, Zodiacal Degrees and Additional Tabl

Appendix Tables
es
Figure 1, Novenaria 221
Figure 2, Duodenaria (by sign) 222
Figuree 3, Duodenaria (by planetaiy ruler)
Figur 222
Figure
Figu re 4, Masculine and Feminine degrees 223
Figure
Fig ure 5, Light, Dark, Smokey and Void degrees 224
Figure 6, Pitted Degrees 224
Figure 7, Azemene (or Lame) degree
degreess 225
Figure 8, Fortunate Degrees (or Degr
Degrees
ees of Increasing
Increasing Fortune
Fortune)) 225
Figure 9, Ptolemaic Terms from Tetrabiblos  (translation o f F. E. Robbins) 225
Figure
Fig ure 10
10,, Ptolemaic
Ptolem aic Terms from William Lilly 226
Figure 1111,, Ptolemaic Terms (thir
(thirdd varia
variant)
nt) 226

xxii
 

Appendix 4, Additional Considerations Concerning the Houses

Figure 1, Wholesig
Wholesignn System 228
Figure 2, Equal house System 228
Figure 3, Quadran
Quadrantt System 229
Figure 4, Main House Systems 229
Figure 5, Different Latitudes Originate Different Astrological Houses 231
Figure 6, The Alcabitius
Alcabit ius System 232
Figure 7, Regiomontanus System 232

Appendix 5, Minor Aspects and Aspect Configurations

Figure 1, Mino
Minorr Aspec
Aspectt Glyphs 238
Figure 2, Tsquare and Grand Cross 239
Figure 3, Grand Trine and Small Trine 239
Figure 4, The Star of David 239
Figure 5, Kite and Mystic Rectangle 240

Appendix 6, The Planetary Hours

Figure 1, The Days o f the Week in Several Languages 241
241
Figure 2, The Endless Cycle of the Planetary Hours 242
Figure 3, Planetary Rulers 243
Figure 4, The Star of Planetary Days and Hours 243
Figure 5, Calculation Example: Determining the Diurnal Hours 245
Figure 6, Calculation Example: Attributing the Rulers o f Diurnal Hours 245
Figure 7, Calculation Example: Determining and Attributing the Rulers of Nocturnal Hours 245
Figure 8, Elective Chart for a Love Declaration 248
Figure 9, Elective Chart for Presenting a Project 249

Appendix 7, Astrological Chart Calculations

Figure 1, Chart with House Cups 256
Figure 2, Square Chart with House Cups 257
Figure 3, Planetary Positions, Example 1 258
Figure 4, Chart Example 1 258

Figure 5,
Figure 6, Chart Example
Planetary 1, Square
Positions, Version
Example 2 258
260
Figure 7, Chart Example 2 261
Figure 8, Chart Example 2, Square Version 261

Addendum, The Basics of Chart Delineation

Figure 1, Qualities o f the Signs, Planets and Lunar Nodes 264
Figure 2, Scoring of temperament o f Friedric
Friedrichh Nietzsche 265
Figure 3, Scoring of Temperament for Florbela Espanca 266
Figure 4, Assessment of Jim Morrison’s Temperament 270
Figure 5, Assessment of Poe’s Temperament 271

xxiii
 

xxiv
 

Foreword 

With the vast array of

o f astrological
astrological titles available to the reading public, to the causal observer, it might seem
altogether superfluous to produce yet another. Certainly, it is a point of view with which I would have sym-
 pathy if it were
w ere not for the fact that it is a very long time indeed since a book such as tthis his has been pub
pub--
lished—in any language.

In recent years, an increasing number of o f books have focused on the astrological system as encompassed by
what is commonly termed “the tradition.” However, no authorauth or of whom I am awar
awaree has committed the per-
sonal resources necessary to produce a work ooff this breadth and depth. Such dedication can be found only in
those who truly love this art, and that love can be found only in those who have, by sheer hard work, discov-
ered the glorious beauty
beau ty which is astrology. Once glimpsed, there is no turning back: we must have more, see
more, understand more, and is, in my opinion, the driving force behind this book.

It is my view that astrology is a divine art, a gift, to be exalted by the practitioner. Gratitude for this gift is ex-
 pressedd thro
 presse through
ugh what the
th e artist
artis t gives o f hi
himse
mself
lf or herself, which oought
ught always to be at least equal
equ al to that re-
ceived. Using this kind o f accountancy, it is clear fromfrom the contribution cocontained
ntained within these pages that the
authors have obtained a very great deal from astrology.

Having gained so much, they share that with whomever

whom ever will give attention to their work.
work. How fortunate you
are, dear reader, for I know how much is required in order to produce such a work o f scholarship. But this is
no mere copy, no simple translation from the Latin or the English of the ancient authorities. We have here a
full exposition of that system and its methods which have demanded so much assiduous and conscientious
study from the authors, which can be achieved
achiev ed only from deep understa
understanding
nding o f and respect for the bel
beloved
oved
art.

Rarely do I find much to recommend a modem

m odem work ooff astrolog
astrology,
y, very few offering much ooff subs
substance
tance and
veracity. However, in this one case, I would advise that it be kept close to those ancient reference works on
the shelf, used as a companion to those illuminating texts. For those who do not possess any such books, use
this one as the foundation of your astrological library (very few more will be necessary}—it will serve you
well for many years to come.

Sue Ward 

xxv
 

xxvi
 

 Introduction
 Introductio n

This book on astrology

a strology is a product o f our experience during many years
years.. It is, first,
first, the fruit of
o f our activity as
astrological teachers. It was bom as a response to our students, who sought out textbooks capable of supply-
ing the basics of astrological knowledge in a solid, structured, and practical manner. It is also the product of 
our research, which has given us an ever deepening understanding o f tthehe essence ooff aastrology.
strology. This growing
understanding translates within our practice into practical results with greater precision. Finally, it is a prod-
uct of our contact with the reality of astrology not only in our native Portugal, but also throughout Europe
and America.

Given the growing interest in traditional astrology, whether from researchers on the forefront, or from stu-
dents, there was a great need for a book that explained aastrology
strology as it is, and that was written in a current ver-
nacular and in a consistent and organized manner. Thus, this compendium emerges out of that need and is
anchored by three fundamental concepts: a practical approach, an instructional structure, and the clear defi-
nition of astrological ideas.

This is a practical book, specifically directed at those who wish to learn and practice astrology effectively
and substantively. It is targeted at those who seek to forge a path to learning from the wealth of astastrological
rological
information currently available.
av ailable. Beginners will find within this book all ooff the fundamental basics ooff the art,
appropriately organized and explained. Advanced students and practitioners will find a source of reference
that allows them to organize all the information
in formation they need. Researchers will find in this work a guide for tthe he
study o f astrological
astrological documentation.
documentation.

This book is also a study guide, written as an aid to the student of

o f astrology search
searching
ing for information, and in
a manner that will foster a wellgrounded practice. It outlines the rules of astrology in an instructive mann
manner 
er 
and in clear and current language, thereby allowing the student to gradually acquire
acq uire a complete and practical
understanding. It avoids both metaphysical and overly simplistic explanations.
It is, above all, a book of astrology. It presents astrology per
p er se, i.e., the hard nucleus
nucleu s ooff the art. It explains the
astrological system through its philosophical principles, without having to resort to concepts external to as
trology. It offers a definitive structure that sustains and provides roots for thisthis knowledg
knowledge, e, bridgin
bridgingg the tradi-
tional with the current times. This book has collected the fundamentals of astrology that have been handed
down by authors such as Ali ben Ragel, Abraham Ibn Ezra, Claudius Ptolemy, and William Lilly, to name
only a few. In the tradition of these authors, we bring the essence of the art to today’s students.

The Astrological Tradition

In this book we often refer to the astrological tradition—a term often invoked, but rarely understood. We be-
gin therefore, by clarifying it. When we refer to traditional astrology we are referring to the wealth of astro-
logical knowledge practiced from the Hellenistic era to the end of the 17th century. This knowledge is a di

xxvii
 

rcct inheritance of the Babylonian, Greek, Arabic, and Medieval European civilizations. Its practice, which
knew periods of great splendor, gradually weakened and nearly became extinct for almost two centuries
(from the end of the 17th to the mid 19th centuries). Its recovery began in the 1980s, with the English
republication o f tthe
he book Christian Astrology (16021681), and the translation of various works from the
Hellenistic and Medieval periods.

These sources gave students and contemporary practitioners the impression that the ancient astrological
 prac
 pr ac titice
ce w as far mo
more
re com ple
plexx and rich than the curr
current
ent one. Thi
Thiss dis
discov
covery
ery spu
spurred
rred a w
wave
ave o f stu die
diess and
translations of ancient works that slowly began to reveal the practice of astrology in all its splendor: an aca-
dem ic discipline o f great richness
richness and dept
depth,
h, capable of genera
generating
ting interpret
interpretations
ations of exceptional p recision
in any area o f hu human
man experience.
experience.

Those who pursued these studies employed the term “traditional astrology” in order to differentiate it from
contemporary astrology (reconstructed upon an incomplete foundation at the end of the 19th century and
which since then has already produced a myriad of divergent approaches).

Sin ce traditional astrol

Since astrology
ogy emerged from thisthis scenario of multiple
multiple lineages, some have confused it as ju st an -
oth er approach amo
among
ng the many that currently exist. However, the term “traditional astrolog
astrology”
y” does not refer 
ref er 
to ju st another type o f astrolog
astrology,
y, but to astrol
astrology
ogy itsel
itself.
f. Traditional astrology
astrology takes astrologic
astrological
al p ractice bac k 
to its roots and returns to it its former greatness and dignity.

On our astrological
astrological journey, we studied and practi
practiced
ced the modem versions of astrology in their psych ologi-

cal
thatand esoteric
allowed aspects.
us to attain Nonetheless,
what we mostit sought:
was in the
the traditional
essence of that we found a complete and effective system
astrology.

Astrology Today
The recovery of tradition
tradition is o f great significance in the current ti times,
mes, given that astrology has become a fad
which has become w idely integrated into popular cult culture.
ure. To consult an astrologer or to study a strology has
 be
 beco
come
me com
c om mo
monn prac
pr actic
ticee th
that
at ffew
ew ffind
ind strange
stra nge.. This
T his integ
int egrat
ration
ion has hel
helpe
pedd to ddus
ustt off
o ff a sub
subje
ject
ct th at w
was
as p re -
viously looked upon with suspicion and fear; but it has also brought with it some serious disadvantages,
among them the popularization that leads to the cheapening of its quality quality to the lowest common denom ina-
tor. As a result, anyone ccan an freely opine on astrology, no matter ma tter how ignorant or silly that opinion, since few
have sufficient knowledge to detect (and fewer yet, yet, to counterargue) the inconsist
inconsistencies.
encies. A strology has be-
com e a free zone for every type of opportunism
opportunism and speculation. In truth, truth, much o f what today is called as trol-
ogy — and accepted as such by most students— students— is nothing more than than a collage of unconnected ideas, vague ly
supported by astrological symbolism. The disinformation iiss so widespread that many practiti practitioners
oners think, in
goo d faith
faith,, that they are working effectively,
effectively, without the understanding that what they have been taught is
confu sed, incomplete, and devoid o f solid foundations.
foundations. In fact, many of the current astrological systems ex-
tensiv ely identify themselves with therapeutic and psychological approaches (often (often in surprisingly am ateur-
ish a nd irresponsible ways) and relegate the actual astrology to a secondary role. role.

Tod ay, despite the vast array o f available informatinformation,

ion, it is almost impossible ttoo obtain reliable information
about real astrology. The excess of information has generated an illdefined collection of approaches and
 p
 pra
racc titice
ce s, w here
he re th
thee ac
actu
tual
al as
astro
trolo
logy
gy emerg
em erges
es as a me
mere
re and
an d ever
ev erra
raref
refied
ied add
addon
on.. In summ
su mm ary,
ar y, ther
th eree are
more and more astrologers, and less and less astrology. Popular astrological practice has become increas-
ing ly sim plistic from a technical perspective,
perspective, and increasingly complicated at a conceptual level. The rules
and astrological fundamentals have been reduced to generalized prescriptions, and the interpretations are
im m erse d in an increasing ly confused cloud o f spiritualspiritualities,
ities, psychologies, and disparate metaphysical sy s-
tems.

xxviii
 

Il is essential that astrology preserve its cohesion and depth. To misrepresent astrological knowledge is to
mutilate our cultural legacy.
legacy. Personall
Personally,y, we will not consent to that loss, nor will we passively accep
acceptt that
mutilation. This book is our contribution toward preserving and maintaining the dignity of astrology.
astrology. It con-
co n-
sists of a work that is instructional, organized, and overreaching in scope in order to provide students with an
adequate learning method. This is a crucial step, because only those who learn appropriately can practice
correctly.
correctl y. This is, therefor
therefore,
e, a work dedicated to those who hohonor
nor astrology and practice it correctly, whether 
from a technical or ethical perspective. It is through them that the cultural legacy of astrology is handed
down and kept alive, whether
w hether for tthe
he current generation or for those yet to come.

Learning Astrology

To those who want

wa nt to leam astrology, it is important that the first stesteps
ps be solid, because they will trace the
 path for future studies.
studie s. For this reason, the stude
student
nt should hav
havee a clear
clea r idea of the nature and specificity
specific ity ooff the
subject he or she seeks to study. The student should know its history, its philosophy, and its principles. It is
therefore vital that we first clarify
clarify some important points.

First, we need to reiterate what should be obvious: astrology

a strology is studied. It has laws, rules
rules,, and postulates that
define it as a consistent and functional body of knowledge. These rules need to be learned by the student,
 both theoreti
th eoretically
cally and
an d in their practical applicatio
ap plication.
n. It is a vast, rich, and solid body o f ideas that require ded
dedi-
i-
cation and time to be duly assimilated.

It is equally important to recognize astrology as a specific field of

o f sstudy.
tudy. Its goal is the correlation between
celestial
mentioned)movements and terrestrial
at its disposal, as well asevents.
its ownIntechniques
order to attain this goal,
and tools. it hasthespecific
It is from correctrules (as previously
application of these
rules, laws, and concepts that we derive the astrological interpretation. The student should know these rules
and techniques well in order to distinguish what is and is not astrology.

Another concept
concep t is that astrology is autonomous. It does not have to rely on other
oth er areas of study to def
define
ine it-
self nor to demonstrate its functionality. It is cohesive and selfsufficient.

Finally, it is important to understand that astrology has practical applications. It is true that astrology has a
deep and very rich philosophical and metaphysical structure, but this is not limited to its theory, nor exclu-
sively to the symbolic realm. It is a live body ooff knowledge, capable ooff being applied
app lied and tested. In its widest
sense, astrology is a language, a description of reality. It generates objective descriptions applicable to the
most diverse areas of life and capable of addressing all types of topics, from the most mundane to the most
transcendent.

With these things in mind, we now turn to the astrology.

 Hel ena Av
 Helena Avela
ela r 
 Luis Rib eiro

xxix
 

XXX
 

Cdyjter I 

 Ast
 A stro
rofo
fogy
gy
The world is in a constant state of change. Some changes are natural and expected, because everything on
Earth is bom, matures, and dies. Other
Oth er changes are sudden and unexpected, reminding us that we live in an
imperfect world where chaos and pain can arise at any moment. Only the immense heavens persist immuta-
 bly in our eyes
ey es and, conse
consequentl
quently,
y, bbecome
ecome symbols o f perp
perpetual
etual perfection.
p erfection. Nevertheless,
Neverth eless, it is still possible
possi ble
to perceive motion even within the immutable heavens: the rising and setting of the Sun, the phases of the
Moon, the movement
movem ent ofo f the planets. As the macro is a measure of the micro
micro,, the motion of
o f the heavens pro-
duces effects on Earth—the tides, the passage of the seasons, the changes in climate.

Understanding this heavenly motion an andd its effects upon earthly events has always been a goal for man. For 
centuries, dedicated skywatchers scrutinized the skies in search of patterns and cycles. Night after night,
they studied the subtleties of planetary motion with attentive eyes. Equal attention was given to terrestrial
events in an attempt to find correlations in them. In time, this effort produced fruits and allowed for the de-
duction o f the laws that link stellar motion to worldly events. Thus, mankind discov
discovered
ered the key to astrology.
astrology.

Manylives
their hoursto have been of
the study dedicated to the study
this knowledge, and and
many cataloguing of these
civilizations laws, many to
have contributed scholars have dedicated
its development. This
endeavor has always been colored by a profound sense of reverence at the grandiosity of celestial order. In
this way, astrological thought became the cornerstone that explained the universe and its meaning. This
knowledge deepened and grew,grew, producing a set ooff cons
consistent
istent princi
principles
ples and techniques po
possessing
ssessing great pre-
cision and efficacy. These structures make up the astrological system that has reached us via the tradition.

The Heavens in Motion

The Sun, Moon, and planets are the only bodies we see moving in the heavens. Each night, their movements
change the appearance
app earance of
o f the sky. Every day the Sun sets at a place different from the night before, and every
night, the Moon waxes or o r wanes and the planets shift ever so slightly.
slightly. Because ofo f this mobility, which con-
co n-
trasts with the apparent stillness o f the stars, these bodies become grand icons of change. It is these moveable
 pieces
 piec es th
that
at ma
make
ke th
thee astrolog
ast rological
ical syste
systemm a dynamic
dyn amic one. Incid
Incidenta
entally,
lly, this system
syste m was conc
c onceive
eivedd o f in order 
to predict and interpret those very same movements.
 

2 /O h  tftc Hcavcnfy Sjrficrcs

In additi
a ddition
on to their
the ir motion in rela
relation
tion to the fixed
fixed star
stars,
s, the planets also participate in the grand rotation that
“d rag s” the firmam ent— along with aall ll its
its stars—from
stars—from sunrise to sunset to to sunrise again in the space o f a day.
In orde
o rde r to study the movem ent of thethe plane
planetsts in relation
relation to tthe
he sky, we use a system of celestial coordinate
co ordinates:
s:
the zodia
z odia c and its twelve divisions, the sign
signs.s. The movement
movement in rel relation
ation to the horizon is measured by a sy s-
tem o f terrestria
horizon. terrestrial
Thus, the l coordinates:
movementsthe of astrological
astrologi cal arc
the planets hous
houses,
es, which and
measured divide the skyininto
qualified segments with
accordance pro
projected
jected
their from the
position
within these two coordinate systems. In other words, we measure the position of the planets in their houses
and signs. Each sign and house has its own specific meaning, which is combined with the meaning of the
 pl
 plan
an et in o rder
rd er to gen
genera
erate
te the
th e nexu
nexuss o f an astr
astrolo
ologica
gicall inter
i nterpret
pretatio
ation.
n. These
Th ese me
meani
aning
ngss ca
cann then
t hen be appl
ap plie
iedd in
the description of any type of event—personal or collective. In this manner, astrology constitutes a system
that describes terrestrial reality by means of celestial movements.

Prediction

A natu ral ou tgrowth o f this system is the concept of prediction. If it is possible to interpret celestial motio motionn to
desc ribe the present, then logically, it is also possible to foresee future celestial movementsmoveme nts and from these to
describe a future reality. In a similar manner, it is equally possible to know the past movements of celestial
 bo
 bodi
dies
es and, as a co
conse
nsequ
quenc
ence,
e, to des
descri
cribe
be the pa
past
st re
reality
ality.. A stro
strolog
logyy thus des
descri
cribes
bes the rea
reality
lity o f the p rese
re sent
nt,,
 pa
 past,
st, and future
fut ure by me
means
ans o f the mov
moveme
ements
nts o f the cele
celestia
stiall bod
b odies
ies and their
the ir rela
r elatio
tionsh
nship
ip to Ear
Earth.
th. A pplie
pp lie d
initially to natural phenomena, and then later to political and individual events, prediction has always been a
chi ef goal o f astrology.
astrology.

The Branches of Astrology

Astrological knowledge has become specialized into various branches that are defined by subject. There are
four principal branches: mundane astrology, natal astrology, horary astrology, and electional astrology.

As the name implies, mundane astrology studies the mundane world.

world. This branch examines subjects such as
civilizations,
civilizations, human trends,
trends, politics, economics, wars, social
social movements, etc.—essentially, all o f the phe -
nomena affecting humanity as a collective. On the other hand, this branch of astrology is also concerned
with natural phenomena, such as earthquakes, storms, and droughts, and is also known as natural astrology.

Technically, mundane astrology interprets the charts produced by annual ingresses (the beginning of the
four seasons
ets), o fthe
as w ell as the charts
year), othe charts
char
f nat ts of
nations
ions andeclipses,
eclipses,
their and other relevant cel
governments. celestial
estial phenomena (for example, com -

 Nat
 N atal
al as
astro
trolo
logy
gy conce
con cern
rnss its
i tsel
elff with
wi th na
nativ
tiviti
ities,
es, or bbirth
irth cha
charts.
rts. Its ssub
ubjec
jectt of
o f study is th
thee hum
h um an bein
be ing:
g: b eh av -
ior, capacities a nd challenges, social relationships,
relationships, and destin
destiny.y. The principal tool o f natal astrology is the
natal chart, or the astrological chart for the moment of birth of the indivi individual.
dual.

Ho rary astrology is the most divinatory of all the the branches, because it purports to give answers to specific
que stions by interpreting the chart for the moment the quest question
ion was formulat
formulated.
ed. Because o f the
the pivotal im-
 p
 poo rtan
rt an ce it ggive
ive s to the astrol
ast rolog
ogica
icall mom ent—
ent — tha
thatt is, to th
thee qu estio
es tio n’s ho ur— it is call
c alled
ed horary .  This branch
concerns itself with all types of questions: jobs and promotions, buying and selling of goods and property,
the future o f relationships, legal questions,
questions, the whereabout
whereaboutss o f lost object
objectss and people, etc. Its primary tool is
the a strolog ical ch art erected for the moment when the question was posed ttoo the astrologer. astrologer. The astrolo ger 
the n app lies s pecific interpretative techni techniques
ques to answer tthe he question.
question.

As trolo gica l election s are used to select,

select, or elec
elect,
t, the astrological
astrological moment most appropriate to initiate an ac-
tion. They allow for the selection of the right moment to, for example, begin construction of a building,
 

 Ast rofo
rofogij/3
gij/3

launch a business, send a message, or 

schedule a wedding. Whereas mun- Mu n d a n e
dane, natal, and horary charts arc in- As t r o l o g y
terpreted in order to understand the
condition
question, inofana election
nation, we
individual, or 
try to con-
struct the appropriate chart for the
desired result. Ho r a r y
As t r o l o g y
There are also specialties in astrology
that combine the tools of different
 branches. With the goal o f unde under-r-
standing, diagnosing, and curing ill-
ness, medical astrology is the most Na t a l S r j O l t S I H L b l K T H C HA
HA H 7 3 Or 1  INDiVIOUAAj,
Or 

representative o f these
these specializations. As t r o l o g y  , U3£O A*<
A*<O
O KAOlVN
KAOlVN HIAHC-t OK As rH Ou oo r. ■

This specialty relies on horary and na-

tal techniques in order to diagnose a
 patient,t, on electional
 patien electio nal astrol
astrology
ogy to de-
termine the best moment to initiate or 
administer a treatment, and more
 pointedly
 poin tedly,, on mundane
mu ndane in order
ord er to un-
u n-
derstand the larger social context of a
 particul
 part icular
ar disease.
disease . Figure 1, The Branches of Astrology

The rules of astrology are common to all of the branches. The difference in interpretation comes from the
context that is applied to the significations ooff the
the planets, houses, and signs. Additionally, each branch also
contains its own set of techniques that are particular to its study.

Astrological Types
It is important to understand the difference between an astrological branch and an astrol
astrological
ogical type. As dis-
cussed above, the astrological branches are distinguished by their particular focus, whereas an astrological
type results from the integration o f a philosophy or creed into the practice o f astrology. Thus, instead ooff one
astrology, there is have,
ers. We therefore a proliferation of multiple
for example, variations
psychological, of astrology,
astrology,
humanistic, some karmic,
holistic, more coherent andand
esoteric, valid than oth
oth--
experiential
astrologies.

In most cases, the differences are more apparent than real. In reality, despite their beguiling names, many of 
these variants are very similar, diverging only in the name and the personal creed of each astrologer; the
techniques and methods employed are usually the same. Additionally, the majority of these approaches limit
their study to natal astrology and make few incursions into the other branches. Many o f these variants appea appeall
to a supposed esoteric or spiritual understanding of the natal chart, alleging that traditional astrology is
 purelyy materiali
 purel mate rialistic.
stic. This, o f course, is absurd, as those who sstud
tudyy the trad
traditio
itionn ca
cann readily
read ily aattest.
ttest. Astrology
Astro logy
rests upon metaphysical principles that encompass all facets of the life of the human being, including,
naturally, spirituality.

From another perspective, there exist approaches

approaches that are considered astrological in content, but which di-
verge considerably in technical terms from the nucleus nucleus o f traditional
traditional astrology. Among these we find the
cosmobiology school developed by German astrologer Reinhold Ebertin (19011988), whose technical
 principl
 prin ciples
es are for the
th e m
most
ost part
p art differ
different
ent from those o f tradition
tradit ional
al astro
astrolog
logyy and use the mathem
mat hematic
atical
al rela
 

 4/O n tftc H
Hcavenfy
cavenfy Sjtftc
Sjtftcrcs
rcs

tionships between planets (for example, distance proportions) as a basis for interpretation. Also of note arc
Uranian astrology, created by German astrologer Alfred Witte (18781941), which uses eight hypothetical
 pl
 plan
anet
ets,
s, an
andd the
th e H uber
ub er me
method
thod,, created
cre ated bbyy the SSwiss
wiss coup
c ouple
le Louis
L ouisee (b. 1924) and Bru
Bruno
no Huber
Hu ber ((19
1930
3019
1999
99).
).
The lattercolors,
figures, is more similar to traditional practice but relies on its own intcipretative techniques (geometric
etc,).

Brief History o f Astrology

Astrology

The presentation o f a compete histor

historyy o f astrology
astrology and it
itss development falls beyon
beyondd the scope o f this book.
What we present here is a very abridged version that highlights the principal moments, but which neverthe-
less leaves
le aves out some important references. Our objective is to give the student a general notion o f the history
o f this discipline.
discipline.

As
Astrolo
trology
gy is one of the oldest
oldest forms ooff knowledge. Its origins are lost in time but are attested to as far back ba ck as
the birth o f human
human civilizati
civilization.
on. The observation and study o f tthe he movements of the stars emerged at a time
wh
when en the lives of humans were tied to to the cycles in nature. The observation of the seasons of the year and the
 ph as
ases
es o f the Moon
Mo on is ancien
anc ient,t, aand
nd the
t he regu
r egulari
larity
ty o f these cycles
cyc les is an orie
orientin
ntingg ma
marke
rkerr fo
forr hu
huma
mans.
ns. The
Th e si
sig-
g-
nificance
nifica nce o f this knowledge was such that early early on a symbolic and transcendent importance was at attributed
tributed to
it. The interpretative, symbolic, and metaphysical slant of these observations became the basis of astrology,
while the mathematical vein appeared later to give rise to the study of astronomy. Until the 17th century
these two aspects of celestial knowledge were inseparable.

Origins o f Astrology
The oldest vestiges
vestiges o f celesti
celestial
al observation go back to prehistory
prehistory to myths involvi
involving
ng know n constellations,
some as old as 30000 BCE. However, astrology as we know it today only began to develop after man set
down roots, its origins
origins being intimatel
intimatelyy connected with the development o f agriculture
agriculture (Neolithic period ca.
6th millennium
millennium BCE). The need to understand na ture’s ccycles ycles was essential
essential for growing crops. In the ne ar 
east, we encounter the earliest civilizations adoring the heavens and the stars and building megalithic struc-
tures in alignment with astronomical configurations or divine advice.

Mésopotamie Period
The oldest divinatory observations involved not only the stars and planets but also other celestial factors
such as rainbows,
recognize the flight
today began of birds,
birds,
to develop in or the appearance
Mesopotamia of clouds.
around clthe
ouds.2ndBut an astrology
millennium similar
BCE. One to
o fwhat w e m ight
the oldest and
most extensive documents from this period is known as the  En um a A Anu nl il  and consists
nu E nlil consists o f a comp ilation
o f astrological observations and their cor corresponding
responding omens.
omens. We also know that by this time, Egypt was al-
ready assigning astrological significance
significance to const
constellati
ellations,
ons, thereby timing their solar cal calendar.
endar. Th us, by the
time o f the old Babylonian period, astrology had had become as important as other other older divinatory method s an d
 be ga n to be exp res
ressed
sed in the
t he for
formm o f celestia
cele stiall om ens
ens.. Howe
Ho wever
ver,, the
t he astrol
ast rolog
ogica
icall cha
charts
rts as we know
kn ow them
th em to -
day did not yet exist.

The p lanets are the oldest factors

factors used in astrol
astrology.
ogy. By the 2nd millennium, they were already a part o f the
Babylonian astral religion and the characteristics of their tutelary deities were already more or less estab-
lished and attributed to them, although some alterations did occur as astrology migrated westward into
Greece. In contrast, the houses and the aspects did not yet exist, and calculations and interpretations fol-
low ed diffe rent rules from what we use today.
today. It was during the
the 1st mil
millennium
lennium BCE that more refin ed ob ser-
vational methods and astronomical calculations began to come into use. This evolution led to the develop-
me nt o f the zodiac and, w ith it, the attributi
attribution
on of planetar
planetaryy rulerships to signs
signs..
 

 Astro
 Astrofog
fogy/5
y/5

All of the religious tapestry o f th

this
is time was favorable to the development o f aastrology.
strology. In fact, astrology was
 practiced by priests who emphasized
emphasi zed its magical, religious, and sacred aspects. Astrology
Astrolog y was, above all,
used for the study and prediction of collective events. Personal predictions were relatively rare and, in ge gen-
n-
eral, reserved for kings and other important figures.

Astrological development reached its pinnacle during the Persian occupation (ca. middle of 6th century
BCE).. During this period, the calendar was perfected and diaries of eclipses and other astronomical phenom-
BCE)
ena were compiled. The architecture of o f the
these
se civilizations also considered celestial phenomena: ttemples
emples and
 palacess were oriented
 palace oriente d with stella
stellarr alignmen
alignments,ts, and large construction
constru ction projec
projects
ts were only begun when
celestial conditions were considered
con sidered favorable.

Greek or Hellenistic Period

Around 700 BCE, the expansion of trade routes and the increase of contact between the populations of the
Mediterranean led to the transmission of o f religious and philosophical thought. Astrology captured the inter-
est of the Greek civilization, and was further developed, transforming it into a structured discipline with
scholastic standing. Very important
impo rtant figures such as Pythagoras caca.. 571 BCEca.497 BCE) brought a wealth
of knowledge from the Middle East that would be refined over the centuries. The geometrical theories and
the great philosophies that
th at underpin western astrology appeared. Renowned Greek thinkers such as Plato c. c.
428
ationBCE347 BCE)
of physical and and Aristotle (384
metaphysical BCE322
models BCE) developed astronomy and astrology with the cre-
of the universe.

The earliest evidence for the calculation of the Ascendant dates to about 200 BCE, an innovation that permit-
ted the precise calculation of the astrological houses. This increased mathematical precision led to the imple-
mentation of
o f new concepts. The astrological chart, with all its components, was bom. Simultaneously, natal
astrology also emerged and individual birth charts gradually became more popular.

In the early centuries CE, new thinkers and noteworthy astrologers began to appear. Many manuals and trea-
tises were written at this time. Of these scholars, Claudius Ptolemy (ca. 100ca. 178) stands out; he compiled
a large part of
o f the astrological knowledge
know ledge of the time in his work Tetrabiblos. Later, this work became one of 
the great foundations of Medieval astrology (Arabic and European).

With the slow disintegration of the Roman Empire and the adoption o f Christianity as the official religion (in
313 by decree ofo f the Emperor Constantine), the th e practice of
o f astrology suffered its first decline. The Christian
religion generated a strong antipagan current, and astrology began to fall into disfavor. The hostility toward
astrology (and other disciplines such as mathematics, philosophy, and medicine) on the part of the Christian
religion, seriously curbed
curbe d its formal sstudy.
tudy. The situation was aggravated by the social and political uprisings
that swept the Roman Empire during du ring the following 101000 years, culminating in its fall in the mid 6th century
CE, when Europe entered the Dark Ages.

Medieval Period
After 632 CE, the Arabs became one of the great world powers, occupying the M Middle
iddle East, northern Africa,
and southern Europe (the Iberian Peninsula). Blessed by an immense interest in all advanced learning, the
Arabs sought to collect Greek, Babylonian, and Persian knowledge in order to preserve and develop archi-
tecture, medicine, philosophy, and astrology/astronomy. It is thanks to the scholars of this period that much
of western astrological
astrological thought has been preserve
preserved.
d. Around 700 CE, several celebrated thinkers whose as-
trological works would influence and model western astrological thought began to appear in the Arabic
world. The Iberian peninsula (particularly the AlAndalus) was at that time one of the principal scholastic
center
centers
s o f tthe
cal precision he and
world. Arabic astrologers
expanding astrologer s provided
certain branches, continuity
notably with Greek astrology, deepening its mathemati-
horary.
 

6/On t k Hca
Hcavcnfy
vcnfy S
Sjrf
jrficr
icrcs
cs

With the Christian Rcconquest1 and the Crusades in the 11th century, a phase of intellectual exchange was
initiated that would foster development and innovation
innovation o f astrologica
astrologicall thought in the Chr
Christian
istian world
world.. An ap-
 preciation
 preciati on for the western
wes tern tradition was renewed as many Arabic and Greek works were translated.
translat ed. During
this time, astrologers achieved important roles in society, acting as advisors to kings and nobles. Nonethe-
less, tension
marily used aswith the Catholic
a means Churchhealth
for diagnosing continued, making
problems. astrology
It also a risky profession.
had a prominent Astrology
role in political was pri-
consulting.

The Renaissance
The 15th and 16th centuries initiated an important change in attitude: the Renaissance. The concept of the in-
dividual was expanded and the world was perceived in a different manner. The sciences and the arts were
reenergized and astrology underwent some transformations. The classical techniques were questioned and
some of the main principles were modified. The growing political discontentment with the Arabs (repre-
sented by the Ottoman empire), and the resurgence of GrGreek
eek ideas, led to the adoption of Ptolemy’s
Ptolem y’s treatise
as western astrolog
a strology’s
y’s primary
primary source. Yet Ptolemy did not mention several significant traditional factors,
and proposed a form of astrology that was divergent from that of his contemporaries. Thus, several tradi-
tional elements understood to be “Arabic innovations” were progressively discarded from the tradition.
These changes created a schism between the Medieval
Medieval astrologers and those ofo f tthe
he Renaissance, engender-
eng ender-
ing instability in astrological practice.

During this time the antagonism between astrology and the Catholic Church reached its apex. The Church
condemned astrological judgments (a.k.a. judicial astrology) because of its political implications and be-
cause of
o f tthe
he power it conferred
conferred to astrologers,
astrologers, notwithstanding the fact that many clerics were steeped in aas-
s-
trological knowledge.
knowledge. The “official” practice of astrology in Christian kingdoms was restricted to less co
con-n-
troversial matters, namely medicine and weather forecasting. In Protestant countries, astrology was more
easily tolerated; its flowering in northern Europe after the 15th century was particularly notable.

Decline of Astrology
At the end of the 16th century,
century, the development o f the Age of Reason and the scientific approach provoked
p rovoked
an irreparable crisis in astrology.
astrology. The scientific reasoning of
o f tthe
he age declared astrology to be a superstition,
superstition ,
and it was considered
considered obsolete. The final severing between astrology and astronomy occurred in 1650. 1650. The
 practice
 practi ce o f astrology still had some imp
impetus
etus in the 17th century, but there
thereafter
after entered
e ntered into a rapid decline,
decli ne,
having, by the start of the 18th century, almost completely disappeared. In 1770, the University of 
Salamanca ceased teaching astrology, and the subject definitively left academic ccircles.
ircles. Ironically, and in the
context from
trology o f thefalling
times, into
the loss of academic
superstition and support constituted the collapse ooff the only protection ke
mediocrity. keeping
eping aas-
s-

In an attempt to keep the practice of astrology alive, some astrologers sought to reconcile astrology’s sym-
 bolic
 bol ic and metaphys
meta physical
ical ideas with the mechanistic
mecha nistic vision o f scien
scientific
tific rationalism.
rationa lism. However,
Howeve r, their effort
effortss
 produce
 prod ucedd more proble
pr oblems
ms than
th an benefits. In the hope o f attaining accep
acceptance
tance from the preva
p revailing
iling views, they
oversimplified the astrological system, impoverishing it in quality and function. The attempt to explain as-
trology scientifically led to the distortion of its fundamental principles. Astrology was relegated to popular 
entertainment and was increasingly ridiculed in popular almanacs at the end of the 18th century. Without
adequate support or practice, the millennial astrological tradition was forgotten.

Revival
In the second halh alff o f the 19th century, a revival of Oriental spirituality occurred.
occurred. Many esoteric concepts
conc epts and
 branch
 bra nches
es o f though
tho ughtt were studi
s tudied
ed an
andd recovere
recovered,
d, and
an d astrolo
astrology
gy was am
among
ong them. The
T he auth
authors
ors o f this age
a ge de

’Christian Reconquest: a period of approximately 800 years in the Middle Ages in which several kingdoms of the Ibe-
rian Peninsula (presentday Portugal and Spain) strived to retake the land from Muslim dominion.
 

 Astr ofogij/7 
ofo gij/7 

sired not only to become restorers

restorers but also reformers of the astrological
astrological tradition. Most notable was Theoso
Theoso
 phist Alan Leo, who, to avoid
avo id being charged with vviolati
iolating
ng British laws aga
against
inst fortunetelling,
fortunetell ing, innovated
innova ted
the practice of
o f character analysis fro
from
m the chart.

 Notwit
 Notwithstan
hstanding
astrology onding mostogood
the basis intentions,
f a model their
that was workabbreviated
already left something
som ething
andtodevoid
be desir
desired
ooffed
anyyasprofound
an it attem
attempted
pted
kno to reconstru
rec onstruct
knowledge
wledge ct
ooff tthe
he
tradition. It was upon this fragile and incomplete foundation that modem astrology found its footing. It cen-
ters almost entirely around natal astrology and discounts the tradition’s
traditio n’s ppredictive
redictive inflection. In addition, the
modern approach lacks a philosophical structure and offers an impoverished oversimplification of 
interpretative techniques.

This inadequate situation gave rise to several problems. On the one hand, it allowed personal opin-
ions—even the most ineffectual and uninformed ones—to assume an authoritative voice. As a consequence
of this proliferation, astrology propagated into numerous currents and approaches, many o f which lack much
substance. On the other hand, it led serious
serious practitioners to dedicate themselves to other disciplines in an at-
tempt to compensate for the shortcomings
shortcomings o f their astrological practice, thereby perpetuating its convoluted
state.

Modern Approach
By the 20th century, with the emergence ooff psychology and the increasing interest in personal growth, psy-
chological and humanistic
hu manistic astrology were bom, centering astrology around the human being. This marriage
of astrology, psychology,
psycholog y, and the social sciences led to the appearance of
o f ideological movements that called
for astrology’s
astrology ’s use as a tool for selfgrowth. The psychological language was then adapted to astrology and
the concept of
o f astrology as an adjunct to psychological counseling emerged. This astrology revolved around
a sort of simplified form of psychoanalysis based upon astrological
a strological symbolism, rather than upon astrological
interpretation itself.
itself.

This point of
o f view influenced every avenue o f astrological development
develop ment of the 20th century. Natal astrology,
which examines the individual horoscope,
ho roscope, became the most practiced form o f astrology, relegating the other 
 branches,
 branch es, such as mundane
mund ane and hora
horary,
ry, to ne
near
ar extinct
extinction.
ion. Parallel
Paralle l to this, aastrolo
strology
gy wa
wass separated
sepa rated from the
embarrassing legacy of prediction in such a way that its predictive function, an essential nucleus of astrol-
ogy, became a taboo subject that was replaced by generalized forecasts.

Understandably,
Sunsign astrology theand
increase in astrological
magazine horoscopespopularization led to theofemergence
are obvious products of simplified
the simplification variations.
of a once more
highly complex system. In the 1960s and 1970s, a prospiritual culture emerged, an outgrowth of the 19th
century importation
importati on of
o f oriental philosophi
philosophies
es into Europe and America. It was atat this time that themes such as
reincarnation, karma, and meditation become a part of the common vernacular. In astrology, this influx of 
new ideas was translated to karmic, spiritual, and esoteric approaches, varyin
varyingg greatly in quality. Som
Somee were
serious studies, while others involved the fastening of personal beliefs to the astrological system. Mean-
while, the spiritual
spiritual and metaphysical foundations of astrolog
astrologyy remained largely
largely ignored by the majority o f 
its practitioners.

In technical terms, the 20th century brought to astrology the ease of calculation provided by computers. Al-
though this is a blessing to the serious practitio
practitioner
ner of the aart,
rt, it brings with it some inconven
inconveniences
iences bbecause
ecause it
allows those with insufficient knowledge of astrology to “professionally” cast and interpret charts.

Currently, we also bear witness to the appearance ooff numerous astrological techniques, some o f them mere
Currently,
mathematical variations with little or no practical use. The thinking seems to be “what is new is good,” as
new techniques and approaches are invented every year. One finds, in addition to the inclusion of the
 

8/Oh tfa Heavcnfy Sjrficrcs

transSatumian planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto), the indiscriminate

indiscriminate use of copious asteroids
asteroids and plan
plane-
e-
toids, leading to ever more elaborate and unnecessary interpretatio
interpretations.
ns.

As a reaction to the lack ooff objectivity in modem astrology, the 1990s

1990s brought a movement toward a more
classical
A and traditional
comparison orientation.
between the millennialThis was encouraged
practical by the
tradition and the current
translation
one and publication
brings with it theo funderstanding
ancient texts.
o f how far contemporary astrology has strayed from its roots.
roots. And, the rediscovery of tradition resulted in a
resurgence of the forgotten branches of horary and mundane astrology. Currently, astrology has begun a
slow return to its origins from where it is hoped it will rccmcrge as an intact, solid, and functional body of 
knowledge. It is up to its current students and practitioners to continue to restore and venerate the
astrological tradition.
 

Chajrter II 

The Universe
 Accor
 Ac cordin
dingg to A
Ast
stro
rolo
loggy
Models and Perspectives
In order to understand astrology one first must understand the cosmology upon which it rests. Without this
knowledge, it is not possible to obtain a real understanding o f its foundation, its dynamics, or the metaphys-
ics of astrology. The most important thing to consider is the fact that this model describes the Universe ac-
cording to parameters that are astrological, which differ substantially
substan tially from contemporary scientific models.

When we currently speak of stars and planets,

the image that most frequently comes to mind
is that of the solar system with the Sun at the
center and the eight known planets (as well as
Earth)
Eart h) orbiting around it it.. Figure 1 depicts the
image of the solar system as if observed from a
 point
 poi nt in space
s pace ououtside
tside o f iit.t. Viewed
Vie wed this
thi s way, it
o
Sun
  0 0 o   0 ’ 0 0 is easy to forget that we reside inside the solar 
5 9 d  b ¥ Y system and that it is from within that we see the
Mercury Vbnut Earth   Man J u p i t er Sat u r n Uranus Neptune
ets and stars. 2  This representation ex-
 planets
 plan
 presses
 press es the objec
o bjective
tive reality
realit y ooff the sola
s olarr system
and emphasizes the concrete and physical real-
ity of
o f the plane
planets.
ts. Albeit correct, this perspec-
tive does not express a viewpoint that is appro-
Figure 1. Astronomical or Heliocentric Model:  priate
 pria te for astrolo
a strology.
gy.
the Celestial Bodies Orbit Around the Sun

2This manner o f viewing

viewing the solar system from the “exterior” is so rooted in our society that many forget that the planets

are visible from the earth; one only needs to observe the night sky.
 

lOjOn
lOjOn tlie He awn iy Syfwrc
Syfwrcss

The Astrological Reality

In astrology, the o bservation al point o f view is Earth. All astrological knowledge is constructed as a function
of the reality observable from our planet. Thus, the planets are represented as they arc seen by a terrestrial
observer. To the obser ver, the planets appear to move around the Earth and not around the Sun. As such, it iiss
understood that in terms of symbolism and interpretation, astrology considers the Earth as its center (geo-
centric perspective), not the Sun (heliocentric perspective). It is not a matter of choosing one of the models
over the other, but of understanding that both represent the same reality but from different perspectives: the
heliocentric model displays the solar system in its entirety, while the geocentric model displays the sky as it
is seen from Earth. The key, then, is to select a model that is appropriate to the objective at hand. When the
objec tive is the study o f astrology, w hich observes the stars from a terrestrial perspective, a geocentric m odel
shouldd be ad opted?
shoul

The Celestial Spheres Model

The astrological universe is remarkably well pictured in the Ptolemaic model (also known as the celestial
spheres model), from which were taken the m ajority of th thee significations
significations and behaviors of the astrological
 pl
 plan
anet
ets.
s. In th
this
is m od
odel
el,, th
thee Ea rth is situ
si tuat
ated
ed at th
thee ce nter
nt er o f the
t he un iv
iver
erse
se—— the po in
intt o f g reat
re at es t m at
ater
eria
ialit
lit y.
Around it, the seven planetary spheres (including the Sun and Moon), as well as the sphere of the fixed stars
and o f the
the zodiac, are grouped into concentric circles. circles.

In addition to the spheres, says the tradition, we also

find there
there the divine kingdoms, w hich transcend as-
trology itself and constitute a topic of theological
study.

The ninth sphere, the one most distant from Earth, is

called The Primum
Primum Mobile. It is called this because it
is from this sphere that the primary
primary m otion is gener-
ated; this is the motion that causes the rotation of the
heavens from east to west in the course o f 24 hours.34
Primary m oti on  is the most powerful and important
otion
o f all the celestial movemen ts: it carries the stars,
stars, the
Sim, itthemarks
way, Moontheand
pa the planets
ssage o f thearound Earth.
days and In this
ascribes to
the planets their power to act because it establishes
when they rise, culminate, and set. It is also within
this celestial sphere that the zodiac, the basis o f astro-
logical interpretation, is represented.

Just below this, w e find the eighth sphere, that o f the

fixed stars, which constitute the starry background Figure 2. Ptolemaic Model: the Celestial Bodies
that is observed in the night sky. This sphere, also Depicted as They Are Seen from Earth
called the fi r m a m e n t,   represents the immutable sky
o f the constellations an d stars in al alll its majesty and sym bolism.
3A s  is
common knowledge, some astrologers work with the heliocentric model. This is an experimental technique that
diverges from the Tradition and which will not be employed in this book.
4 Although this apparent motion is in reality caused by the rotation of the Earth, from the perception of a terrestrial ob-
server, it is the stars that appear to move, while the Earth (the horizon) remains still.

 
 
Figure 3. Sphere of the  Primu
 Primuni
ni Mobile
Figure 4. Sphere of the Fixed Stars,
Also Called Firmament
 
 
Figure 5. Spheres of the Planets  
 
Figure 6. The Earth and the Spheres of the Elements
Tftc Universe According to Astrofogy/ll
Next we find the seven planetary
plane tary spheres, which
contain the seven planets visible to the naked eye.
The sequence is ordered according to the apparent
speed of each planet. Thus, Saturn, the slowest
body, occupies the seventh and m most
ost distant
distan t ssphere
phere
(also known as “the seventh heaven”). Jupiter’s
sphere is next, then that of Mars, that of the Sun
(which occupies the center of the sequence), then
that of Venus, that of
o f Mercury,
Mercury, and lastly,
lastly, that of
o f th
thee
Moon, the swiftest of the visible celestial bodies.
At the center, encircled by all the other spheres is
Earth, differentiated by four layers that correspond
to the four elements: fire, earth, air, and water. To
the earth element, the heaviest, corresponds the
solid part of the planet: the islands, continents,
mountains, etc. Water obviously corresponds to the
oceans, rivers and lakes. Above the earth and water 
hovers the air, which corresponds to the atmosphere
and the winds. According to the tradition, these ele-
ments would have been encircled by a fiery sphere
from which phenomenona, such as falling stars,
comets, and the aurora borealis, would have origi-
nated (today we might establish a parallel between
the fiery zone and the uppermost layer of the terres-
terres-
trial atmosphere where one can observe friction and
where cosmic radiation strikes).
According to the tradition, the celestial spheres are
composed of a spiritual substance and, therefore,
they are perfect and immutable. Only the elemental
sphere, also called the sublunar world (because it is
below
belo w the lunar
luna r sphere), is subject
subjec t to changes
cha nges due
d ue to
its material
are nature. nor
not immutable We perfect
know today thatcomposed
and are the heavens
of 
the same substance as Earth. Nonetheless, for a ter-
restrial observer, this is how the celestial sphere is
perceived:
perce ived: perfec
perfect,t, immutable
immu table and grand.
From an astrological point ofo f view,
view, these presuppo-
presuppo -
sitions continue in place: everything terrestrial is
subject to change and will eventually encounter de-
terioration and decay. These changes, however, do
not occur randomly but according to a rhythm dic-
tated by the movement of
o f the planets
planets.. As they move,
the planets act upon the four terrestrial elements,
changing them in different
different ways, and consequently
causing changes on Earth and on everything it con-
tains, including human beings. Thi Thiss is the fun da
mental principle o fastrology: there exists a correla-
 

12l0iii the Heavenly Sj)fares

12l0i

lion between celestial movements an d the events on

on Earth that permits us to interpret and forese
for ese e these
changes.

Thus, in order to understand how the planets and stars arc related to the changes on Earth, it is necessary to
identifyThis
world. the is
correlations
the basis oofof each planet,study
f astrological sign,. and star with the four elements—that is, with the terrestrial
study.

The World of the Elements

 Now that we have

h ave a general view o f the astr
astrological
ological universe, we
we’l
’lll take up the matter
matte r of
o f the elements,
eleme nts, the
forces on Earth upon which the planets act.

Primary Qualities
The elements, the building blocks o f the univer
universe,se, are in
turn composed of four fundamental principles, the p  pri
ri
mary qualities.  These are: hot, cold, dry, and moist. Hot
These qualities represent the dynamic basis
basis ooff all behav- H
ior pertaining to substances: energy, density, resistance,
and malleability. They explain the essence of the ele-
ments and, consequently, of matter and of the material
world.

As they combine with each other, the primaiy qualities

M- D
Moist Dry
define the four elements. The qualities also define the
essence of the various astrological factors, namely o f th
thee
 planets and signs. Hot and cold imprint dynamism
dynam ism ont
ontoo
the whole system, the reason they are called active quali-
ties.. These are associated with the concept o f energy. hot
ties
c
Cold
represents what is active, energetic, radiant, centrifugal,
luminous, light and subtle.
subtle. Figure 7. The Primary Qualities

Cold represents what is static, absorbent, centripetal,

dark, heavy and dense. The hot quality corresponds to Hot
the masculine,
corresponds which
to the is expansive
feminine, which and dynamic; cold
is contracting and H
static. The masculine principle represents activity, dyna-
mism, exteriorization and expansion, while the feminine
corresponds with receptivity, contemplation, internal-
ization and contraction.

Everything in the universe is subject to opposing forces,

which manifest as polarities such as lightdark, expan-
sioncontraction, movementimmobility, activitypas-
sivity,
sivity, etc. The
Th e interaction between hot and cold gener-
ates two new poles: moist and dry. The moist quality
c
Cold
corresponds with a fluid interaction. It is generated from
the quality o f cold,
cold, since the increase in col
coldness
dness has hu- Figure 8. Hot and Cold
midity as a natural consequence
con sequence (for example, the cold-
ness o f night leads to the condensation o f ddew).
ew). It represents
represents adaptabil
adaptability,
ity, malleabili
malleability,
ty, plasticity, smooth-
smooth -
ness, and, as a consequen
conse quence,
ce, those thin
things
gs that are easily molded, slippery, soft, and smooth. It has no form in
 

Tfie Universe According to Astrofogij/13

itself, but represents the principles of cohesion and

form.

The quality of dry corresponds with a tense interaction.

It is generated from the quality hot, since the increase in
heat has dryness as a consequence (as may be verified
when anything is left to dry out in the Sun). It represents
M- D resistance, hardness, rigidity, and, therefore, those
Moist Dr
Dryy things that are abrasive, breakable, and cold. Its princi-
 ple property is the maintenance
maintenanc e of form: containing,
contain ing, ggiv-
iv-
ing structure, and crystallizing. Because they are gener-
gen er-
ated from the active qualities, moist and dry are called
 passive qualities
qualities.. They are connected
conn ected to the concept
conc ept o f 
 fo rm   (for example, clay is malleable when it is moist-
ened but hardens when driedd ried in an oven).
Figure 9. Moist and Dry
Formation of the Elements
Each element is composed of two primary qualities: an
active one and a passive one.

The fire element is generated from the union of hot and

dry. It is characterized by an expansive, radiant action
(hot) that imposes itself
itsel f naturally without molding itself 
its elf 
to the external environment (dry). From the union of o f hot
and moist we get air, equally dynamic (hot) but adapt-
able (moist); it is characterized by changeable, adapt-
able, and dispersive activity.

Because they share the hot quality, fire and air are both
masculine, dynamic, and extroverted. They are charac-
terized by a strong centrifugal impulse (exteriorizing).
Figure 10. The Formation of the Elements
On the other
generates thehand, the connection
element between inert
earth, contracted, cold and dry
(cold),
hard and nonmolding (dry).
(dry). From the union o f cold and
moist emerges water, which is characterized by recep-
tivity and density (cold), but which is extremely mallea-
 ble (moist).

Because they are both cold, earth and water are feminine
elements, reflexive and introverted; they have a recep-
tive and centripetal motion.

We can also group the elements according to their pas-

sive, or secondary, qualities.

Thus, fire and earth share the dry quality, which gives
them a tense,
tense, resistant and nonmolding expression. Fire
resists
resists by imposing its radiance; it consumes and
an d bums
 

14/Oh  tfw HcavettCy Sjrficrcs

what it touches, but also illuminates and energizes,

transmitting its heat to everything. Similarly, earth re-
sists through its persistence, its permanence. It pos-
sesses a sort of immovability that creates obstacles and
 blocks, but that also structures and gives cohesion and
stability. Air and water share the moist quality and are
therefore malleable, changeable, and adaptable. While
air expresses this malleability in an active manner, ex-
 panding
 pand ing its
itself
elf freely in any direction, water expresses it
in a more retracted manner: it molds itself, absorbs in-
fluences, infiltrates itself, and dissolves structures.

The four elements arc spread out over spheres according

to their subtly and density. Earth is the densest element;
therefore, it occupies the center ooff th
thee sublunar worlds, Figure 12. Water and Earth
comprising the continents. On account of its gravity
(weight), it represents everything that tends toward
static permanence (a rock, for example). It maintains
fixed and structured forms, crystallizes and turns sub-
stances hard, giving them permanence, durability, and
stability. Those things characterized by earth are dark,
of dull colors, and rough, heavy, and very solid.

Water occupies the subsequent sphere since it is less

dense than earth. It represents the oceans and all watery
 bodies on Earth. Notwithst
Notwithstandin
andingg the fact that it is a
dense element (cold), the moist quality gives water great
 plasticity
 plas ticity and adaptability.
ad aptability. Water turns the de
densest
nsest ma-
terials pliable and has adhesive properties, which makes
it an aggregating element, preventing objects from be-
coming dry and brittle. Those things characterized by
water tend toward dark colors, can have reflective prop-
prop - Figure 13. The Dry Elements: Fire and Earth
erties or appear to play with color (like water itself),

have limitedby
represented flexibility,
the earth and are lighter than those things
element.

The air corresponds to the third sublunar sphere, repre-

senting the terrestrial atmosphere. It has lightness and
the capacity
capacit y to penetrate as its characteristics and is con-
nected with great
grea t mobility and plasticity. As with water,
it has a unifying role, but
bu t in a more subtle manner, so it is
associated with transportation (for example, smells and
sounds are transported through the air).

Those things characterized by the air are scintillating,

clear, smooth, and light, displaying great agility and
flexibility.

Fire, the most subtle element, occupies the outermost Figure 14. The Moist Elements: Air and Water
sphere of the sublunar worlds. Because it is extremely
 

16/On tftc Hcavciify Sjtlicrcs

leadership and strong will. Although enthusiasm isn’t easily lost, the choleric tends to change his or her mind
frequently and to start several projects throughout life. The focus of interest is on action and conquest, rarely
letting details deter the intent. The choleric can sometimes be precipitated and inconstant. Due to a lack of 
 patience,
 patien ce, this temperamen
te mperamentt is not giv
given
en to study or inv
investigation.
estigation.

In emotional terms, the choleric is not very emotional and “dryness” may cause him or her to be rigid and in-
sensitive. Impatience makes this individual lack grace in expression to the point o f rrudeness
udeness and hostility.
The choleric reacts with great intensity to threats or external challenges, being capable o f aggression
aggression or even
violence. In extreme eases, the combined lack ooff sensitivity
sensitivity and easily expressed rage can result in cruelty.

If the choleric temperament has traces of

o f melancholic, the personality tends to be more moderated in its ac-
tions. In this combination the dry quality predominates, which indicates a tendency to retain ire, giving rise
to mistrust and bad temper. Nevertheless, this combination of o f temperaments
temperaments produces greater constancy, cu-
cu -
riosity, and a capacity for study because the coldness of the melancholic moderates the heat of the choleric.

The presence o f th
thee phlegmatic temperament cools the constant activity and the impulsive reactions ooff the
choleric because it involves a mixture of
o f complimentary primary qualities (hot and dry on the one hand, and
cold and humid on the other). However, it provides a greater emotional contrast, generating all manner of 
temperamental attitudes.
attitudes.

If the secondary temperament is sanguine, there will be greater lightness and sociability, which attenuates
the choleric expression.
expression. There is more sensibility and adaptability (the humid moderates the harshness o f the
dry), but because both share the hot quality, it produces a certain agitation and inconstancy.
inconstancy.

In physiognomic terms,
terms, the body o f a choleric tends to be slim, muscular, and hairy. The frame is averag
averagee or 
short. The skin is coarse, hot, and shiny, of a yellowish or reddish tone. These traits may be modified by
other temperaments.

In the medical/physiological realm, the choleric temperament is associated with the humor
hum or known as yello
 ye llo w
bile (the term bilious
bilious is often synonymous with choleric). Acco
According
rding to the ancient medical system, this hu-
mor, which is centered in the gall
gall bladder, would have been used to process the remaining humors; it confers
movement and action and heats up the body.

Sanguine
The sanguine temperament combines the qualities o f hot and moist and is associated with the air eleme element.
nt. As
in the choleric type, it produces a dynamic and active personality, but the moist quality makes the native
more versatile and adaptable. The sanguine is characterized by a vivacious, spontaneous, and enthusiastic
 personali
 perso nality
ty that
tha t is very communicat
commun icative
ive and sociable.
soc iable. Intere
I nterests
sts com
comprise
prise a grea
greatt many topics, and
a nd when prop
p rop--
erly tempered, it produces curious, studious, and inquiring individuals.

In emotional terms the saguine is very sensitive and cries easily, a way to shed worries and anxieties. For this
reason the individual
indiv idual does not harb
harboror anger and is naturally happy and friendly. Extreme fluidity can lead to
dispersion, a lack of concentration, and a notorious lack ofo f perseverance. Other
Othe r negative aspects
aspects are a lack of 
organization
organiz ation and discipli
discipline,
ne, as this temperament can be very unsettled and restless. Immense sociability may
also degenerate into superficiality and futility.

If melancholic
melancho lic traces are found, the dynamic nature and changeability o f the sanguine acquire more structurestructure
and consistency. The vivacity and joy of this temperament become contained contained and the indivi
individual
dual becomes
more serious and conservative. It is a very balanced combination due to the contrasting primary qualities
 presen
 pre sentt (hot and mois
m oistt with cold and dry) and is pa
particu
rticularly
larly suited to the pursuit
pu rsuit o f study and investig
in vestigation.
ation.
 

Tfic Universe According to Astrofogg/17 

When the secondary temperament is phlegmatic, you get a sort of

o f dissolution ooff the sanguine temperament;
the presence of cold makes the individual
individual less exuberant and happy, more selforiented yet still changeable
and adaptable due to the moist quality. When combined with the choleric traits,
traits, a predominance
predomin ance ooff hot re-
sults and the temperament becomes more intense and bellicose and loses some of its natural flexibility. Nev-
ertheless,, the dryness confers greater determination and perseverance to the actions ooff tthe
ertheless he sanguine.
In physiognomic terms, the sanguine temperament tends to be meaty and full, but not fat. The frame is ro-
 bust, of medium
mediu m he
height
ight or tall. The skin is smooth, hot an
andd mo
moist
ist to the touch,
tou ch, with a white or rosy hue.

In medical terms, the sanguine temperament is associated (as its Latin name indicates) with the blood. Con-
veyed through the arteries and veins, this humor has, as its function, the elimination and transport of sub-
stances through the body.

 Mela ncholic
ncho lic
The melancholic temperament combines the qualities of cold and dry and is associated with the earth ele-
ment. It has a reflective and focused personality. The native can be very reserved and moderated in his or her 
manifestations, and is sometimes underestimated, seeming to be less interested in things than is actually true.
true.
The focus of attention is objective reality, which gives the individual a sense of
o f fir
firmness
mness and security. He or 
she tends to deal better with facts than with ideas, and is generally resourceful and a good investigator, dis-
 playing
 play ing a great
gre at deal o f patience and per
perseverance.
severance.

In emotional terms, the individual is not very demonstrative and, as with the choleric, is rigid in sensibilities
sensibilities..
 Nonethele
 None theless,
ss, the cold quality
quali ty makes these people espec
especially
ially suscept
susceptible,
ible, with a tendency
tenden cy toward melan
melan--
choly, pessimism, and when emotionally unbalanced, toward depression. Due to the dry quality, they have
difficulty crying and may retain their anger for a long time, to the point of resentment. The rigidity of this
temperament makes one obstinate, distrustful, and antisocial, which can lead to loneliness. Generally criti-
cal and a perfectionist, this individual in extreme cases is capable of being intolerant and coldhearted.

When combined with the sanguine temperament the melancholic becomes more sociable, bold, and joyful,
exhibiting a temperament that is less pessimistic and defensive. This combination is considered very mea-
sured as it combines opposite qualities. If it exhibits a choleric undertone, it acquires greater vitality, socia-
 bility,, aand
 bility nd determin
det ermination.
ation. None
Nonethel
theless,
ess, the
th e predo
predomina
minance
nce o f the dry qqualit
ualityy confers
con fers on
onto
to it a solitary
solita ry and in-
dividualistic attitude. In its fusion wit
withh the phlegmatic temperament, the predominan
pred ominance ce ooff the cold quality is
emphasized,
to that of the which reinforces the
pure melancholic tendency
type, albeit atoward reserve
bit more andand
flexible withdrawal.
adaptable.This produces behavior similar 

In physiognomic terms,
t erms, the body of the melancholic has a medium frame and a slim constitution. The skin is
coarse and cold to the touch, generally of a yellowish or dull color, with sparse hair that tends to be dark.

The melancholic temperament is associated with the humor known as black bile
bile.. Its function is the retention
of substances in the body, bestowing consistency to the muscle tissues and liquids, solidifying the bones,
and strengthening memory and sobriety. Its containing organ is the spleen.

Phlegmatic
The temperament of the phlegmatic combines the qualities
qualities of
o f cold and moist and is associated with the water 
element. It produces a sensitive and reserved personality with a powerful emotional drive. Like the melan-
cholic, this type is introverted, but the presence of the moist quality confers plasticity and adaptability. The
native has a powerful emotional drive, making decisions that help maintain security and emotional wellbe-
ing. By favoring emotional reasoning, these people can be very subjective and inconstant (“what is good to-
day because it makes me feel safe, may be bad tomorrow because it makes me feel poorly”)
poo rly”) to the point o f iin
n
 

18/Oh tfie Hcavciify tylîcrcs

congruence. They arc interested in what they feel and in what promotes security, and they delight in new
 people and new
ne w situations,
situatio ns, bbut
ut can eas
easily
ily adopt a passive and slight
slightly
ly lazy attitude. Generally
Generall y speaking,
speak ing, the
melancholic has a timid and serene temperament.

While
and emotion andthefeelings
sympathetic, are the
phlegmatic basis commitments
avoids of behavior, these
and are seldterribly
seldom
is not om openly expressed.
expressive. He Although sensitive
or she tends to as-
sume conciliatory roles and is excessively patient. When emotionally disturbed, this temperament can be-
come reclusive and apathetic. Due to its excessive malleability, laziness and indolence can become larger 
flaws. Only with difficulty, does the individual display courage and determination in his or her actions. At its
worse, emotional selfcenteredness manifests as greed, cowardice, deceit, and emotional manipulation.

When combined with the choleric temperament, the phlegmatic gains greater agility and daring. The general
expression tends to be more tempered due to the opposing qualities of each. The union with the sanguine
type adds the hot quality, which gives it greater joy and vitality, minimizing the more static aspects of the
 phlegmatic
 phleg matic type. The ppredomin
redominance
ance o f the moist quality reinforces the flexibility and elastic
elasticity
ity o f the pper-
er-
sonality. The combination with the melancholic temperament gives emphasis to the cold, enhancing the in-
troverted characteristics.
characteristics. Nonetheless, the addition o f the dry quality confers greater solidity and persever-
p ersever-
ance to the native.

In physiognomic terms, the phlegmatic tends to have a medium to short frame, with a meaty, flaccid body
that can easily put on weight. The skin is soft and cold to the touch, generally pallid or white in color and
with little hair.

This temperament is associated with the phl egm  humor, which is responsible for the maintenance of the
 phlegm
 bo
 body
dy's
's temperature
tem perature and its lubrica
lubrication.
tion. In modem
mod em terms, it corresp
corresponds
onds to muc
mucus
us and lymph.

Practical Application
The temperaments constitute
constitute the key to interpreting a natal chart. Each planet or sign has affinities with each
of the four temperaments, which serve as the basis for defining its characteristics. The combination of a
 planet
 pla net’s
’s tempe
temperament
rament wit
withh the temp
temperamen
eramentt ooff the sign w
where
here it is pos
posited
ited makes
mak es up the
th e core o f astrolog
astro logical
ical
interpretation. In natal astrology, it is possible to determine the temperament (or combination of tempera-
ments) of each individual. This global temperament describes the core characteristics that condition all the
 behaviors,
 beha viors, motiv
motivations
ations,, and
a nd person
personal
al dynam
dynamics
ics o f the individu
individual.
al. The manifes
m anifestation
tation o f the details shown in

the chart iswill

aggression always
haveunderscored by the predominant
a different expression temperament.
in the chart of a cholericFor example, an
temperament astrological
(which marker
reinforces of 
an ag-
gressive tendency) than it will in the chart of a phlegmatic (which will weaken it). Temperament is, there-
fore, a type of background upon which the personality will manifest.

The calculations for determining the individual temperament are somewhat complex, as they take into ac-
count the relative weight
weigh t ooff the four primary qualities in the chart. In the scoring,
scoring, one considers the primary
qualities o f the Ascendant
Ascendan t and the Moon (as well as the planetary configurations associated with it), to which
is added the temperament
temperam ent ooff the solar sign. This assessm
assessment
ent will be covered in greater detail in an Appendix.
 

 20 /O h  the Hcaveufy Spheres

ful with errors, delays in registering birth times, poor transcriptions, etc. It is is worthwhile, if possible
possible,, to com-
 pa
 pare
re the dat
dataa o f the officia
off iciall rec
record
ordss wit
withh tho
those
se o f the fam
family
ily m em ber’s
be r’s rreco
ecollec
llection
tion..

In case of doubt, an approximate hour is better than none, although it should not be considered a definitive
time. From a probable birth time, it is possible, through rectification techniques, to search for a more proxi-
mate time. This, however, is only viable if the margin of error is not greater than 30 minutes.

When dealing with the charts of celebrities, one can never be too careful. In these cases, it is always neces-
sary to obtain the source of the data; that is, the exact origin of the date and hour of birth. Unfortunately,
many professional astrologers neglect this convention and circulate charts without sources to the point
where there are often in circulation charts of the same person with different birth times and even dates.
Sometimes “invented” hours or Ascendants appear, simply derived from the supposed intuiti intuition
on o f tthe
he astrol-
oger. These data should be regarded as hypothetical and of litt
little
le astrological value until a reliable
reliable source
sourc e (hu
(hu--
man or docum ented) confirm s such conclusions. Recall that the role of the astrologer is not to guess signs or 
Ascendants, but rather to interpret, as correctly as possible, the horoscopes constructed from reliable data.

Only in the case where the hour is unknown should one resort to a partial calculati calculation
on wh ere only the a pproxi-
mate sign positions of the planets can be known. In any event, it is always preferable to calculate a chart
without a birth time than to invent an Ascendant. When the hour is unknown, it is advisable to calculate the
 pla netar
ne taryy posit
po sition
ionss for noon
no on and obt
obtain
ain the averag
ave ragee pla
plane
netar
taryy posit
po sition
ionss for that
tha t day. Again
Ag ain we repe
re peat
at tha
thatt
any interpretation
interpretation based upon these data is very incomplete and will only give a general idea o f tthe he b ehavior 
o f the
the individual (or o f the
the dynamics of an event). The individ
individual
ual particulariti
particularities,
es, in all of their com plexity
and depth, can only be identified in a comprehensive astrological chart.

The Representation of the Astrological Chart

There are several ways to draw a horoscope or figure. The most common design, which is used in this book,
consists o f three concentric circles:
circles:

• The first and outermost circle depicts the 12 signs of the zodiac and contains a ruler represen ting
the 360 degrees.
• The second circle is also divided into 12 parts, but these are unequal divisions. It represents the 12
houses and is further subdivided into two circles, and the outermost o f tthe
he two depicts the d egrees
and minutes w here the house begins, i.e.,
i.e., the house cusp. The interior and wider circle contains a
representation o f the planetary positions with its glyph,
degree, sign, and minute.
• The third and innermost circle can either depicdepictt the title
title of the
horoscop e or the lines corresponding to the aspects (the
angles that each planet mak es to one another).

The Horoscope Through History

The first known horoscopes consisted o f si simple
mple lists
lists where the plan-
ets’ sign positions were indicated; there were no diagrams. Later, we
find some representations of astrological charts in tombs and build-
ings in the form o f reliefs or paintings, wh ich simultaneously fulfill
fulfilled
ed
an informative, decorative, and sacred function.

In the GrecoRoman period, simple diagrams appear with the posi-

tions o f the planets in the signs and houses. Ge nerally, these charts had Figure 2. Egyptian Horoscope
 

Tlie Astro( 
 ogica(  /21
 ogica( Cfiart /21

n
o
z
i
r
o
h
e
h
t
e
v
o
b
a

> Descendant
escendant
(DES)

n
o
z
i
r
o
h
e
h
t
 
w
o
l
e
b

= ween   the planet s.

 A n g le s b e t ween  Sho w the position
the positio t he ptanets:
n of the ptanets:
I Tncy are usually e prese nted by
us ually r epresented R   :
  c ti o n (re tro g ra d e )) :
4 D iirr e
! p lanets . These
u niting   the planets
lines uniting Thes e 00’ ◄ Minute
Min ute i
.• c an bo of two types:
Si g n degree
25°   ◄ Sig deg ree
:  lin o, usually
-Norm al lino,
--------------Norm
------------- us ually
' soxll lo s
prese nting soxlllo
re presenting anet's glyph
4 Pl anet's  glyph
i (6 0 ° ) a n d T r i n es
es
 j (1
(120*).
20*).

J -----------
-------------Das hed lino,
---Dashed u sed to
li no, used
: es
r e p r e s e n t s q u a r es
(9Oa ) and  oppo sitions
and   oppositions
(180°).
(180° ).

Modern C hart
Figure 1. Modern
Figure
 

 2
 22/
2/ 0 n tfic Heav
Heavndi
ndijj Syfiercs

a square format and were divided into 12 areas representing

the 12 houses. Inside each area we find a symbol (or name) of 
the planet and its respective sign position, with the degree and
minute o f ititss location.

The square style continued into the 17th century with only
slight aesthetic variations reflecting the period and culture.
The choice of a square format is due, on the one hand, to its
ease of
o f drawing, and on the other hand, to the fact tha
thatt its inter-
 pretation
 preta tion was
wa s based upon the four angles (o
(orr principal hohouses)
uses)
which form, in these charts, a central “cross.” Here are some
examples:

In some charts the houses occupied the whole square, while in

others (generally in the more recent charts) a central square Figure 3. Greek Horoscope
was left blank so that the author could write in the title and
data o f the astrological char
chart.t.

To read a square chart, first identify the 12 houses and next ob ob--
serve the positions of o f the planets.
planets. IIff the planet is in the sign oof 
f 
a particular house, it is generally drawn on the cusp of that
house. If it is in the next sign, it is placed in parallel to the next
house (which begins with that sign)sign).. In the majority of o f the dia-
grams, the degrees and minutes of each house and planet are
indicated. (See Figure 7 on page 24.)

In other versions, dotted lines are drawn to separate planets lo-

cated in different signs but in the same house. In some texts,
the authors take artistic liberties, introducing much variety
and imagination in their designs.
designs.

Currently, there is a preference shown for the circular astro-

logical chart, which in the majority of cases also includes a
wheel with
technolo theadvances
technological
gical zodiac. This sophistication
that exempt is due
the student no tthe
from doubt to
he ardu-
ous task of drawing the figure by hand; if this were not the Figure 4. Medieval Horoscope
case, the square chart would still be in use as it is easier to
draw. In fact
fact,, if we observe the horoscopes
horoscopes o f th
thee beginning of 
o f 
the 20th century, we find that they are very simple, consisting
simply o f a circle divided into 12 parts (houses) within which is
noted the positions of each house, and inside, the position of 
the planets by sigsign.
n.

Later, the central space of o f the

the wheel begins to be used to depict
the angular relationships between the planets, known as as-
 pects.
 pec ts. This is the
th e ttype
ype o f chart most
m ost uused
sed today.

Figure 5. Renaissance Horoscope

 

The Astrofogicaf
Astrofogicaf Cfart/23

Figure 6. The Houses in Square Charts

Figure 8. A “Circular” Square Chart Figure 10. Circular Chart with Aspects

From this idea emerged many variations whose differ-

ences are based solely upon aesthetic preferences. De-
spite the variations, they all convey the same informa-
tion.

O f aall
ll the options available today, what is most impor-
tant is that the diagram present the astrological infor-
mation in a clear, complete, and unequivocal manner.
A diagram with these characteristics is, in reality, the
first step to a quality astrological delineation.

Figure 9. Circular Chart,

Beginning of 20th Century
 

 24 /O h  the Heavenfy Spheres

Figure 7. How to Read a Square Chart

 

Chapter  IV 
 I V 

T he
he Pfan
Pfane
et s
The planets 
planets  are the foundation o f astr ology because it is through
throug h the
 their
ir motion, expression,
expression,  and interaction
that it is p
is possible
ossible to make astrologic
astrolog ical
al interpretations. To the
th e terrestrial observer, the pla
planets
nets first appear as
lumin
lum inous
ous points similar to star 
sta r s.
s. However, the planets change position over time, time,   while the stars always
mainntain their relative positions
mai positio ns..5 In fact, the word “plane
“plan et” comes from the Greek   wor wordd nX av riw ç, whic
whichh
meanns “errant” or “wanderer.” B
mea “wanderer.” Because
ecause of their erratic mo
movement relative to the imm im mutable stars (the celes-
tial
tial sphere), the planets stan
sta nd for what is mutable in th the sky. They are therefore,
therefore, tthe
he principal instruments fo
instruments for r 
measuring and qualifyin
qualifyingg those celestial changes,
changes, as
 as well as their counter  pa
 parts
rts in the mundane world.
worl d.

Planetary Symbols
Planetary

In astrology, each planet is re presen

 presented
ted by a symbol oorr glyph
glyph.. These symbols rep
repr 
r esent
esent some o f the attribu
attributetess
of the planet o
planet orr the deity associated with
with it.
 it. The origin of the cune
cun e nt symbols is GrecoRoma
GrecoRoman, and although
they have und
und ergone changes over timetime, their basic symbolism ha h as survived. (SeeAppendix
(SeeAppend ix I
 I for a brief
brie f ref-
erence
rence to the more ancient p
ancient  planetary
lanetary symbols.
symbols.))

D The Moon is perhaps the most re

recognizable
cognizable and simple of 
o f  all
  all the glyphs. It is the lun
l unar
ar crescent.
0 The
The Sun
Sun is r epresented
epresented by a circle with a
with a point
 point in the center, symbo
symbolizing origin and the creativ
creativee force,
d" Mars is represented by a c
a  circle
ircle from which an arrow
arro w emerges. Although it ha
has changed over time,
the arr ow has
ow has been a constant feat
fe ature.
ure.
Q Venus is repre
represe
sennted by circle atop a cross.
cross. Some authors say it depic
dep icts
ts the mirror of Venus.
2 The symbol for  Mercury
 Mercury is similar to thatthat of Venus except that it ha
has a crescent at the top. It i
It iss in-
spired by the caduceus (
caduceus (aa staff
sta ff with two intertwi
intertwinned serpents) of the Greek 
Gree k  god
  god Hermes (whom the
Romaans called Mercury).
Rom
H The glyph for
for JJupiter,
upiter, which looks like t
like the
he number 4, is in reality
reality a variation of the letter Z for 
Zeus, the Greek name
nam e o f thi
thiss deity.
5Although the relative p
relative  position
osition o f the stars
stars is not immutable,
im mutable, their motion is too s
too  slow
low to be detected in terms o
terms  off individ-
ual, or even civilization life
li fespans.
spans.
 

 28/On tlîc Hcav

Hcavcnfy
cnfy Sjîficrcs

stances in which it finds itself. Notwithstand-

ing this, some authors say that Mercury's own
nature—that is, when it is alone and docs not
■V Saturn Cold & Dry

interact with other planets—tends

planets— tends to be dry
dry.. Jupiter  Hot & Moist
Three other important concepts that describe
the natures of
o f tthe
he planets arc derived from clas- V
d Mars Hot & Dry
sifying the planets through their qualities: the
existence of the malcfics and benefics, mascu-
line and feminine planets, and diurnal and noc-
o Sun Hot & Dry
turnal planets.
? Venus Hot & Moist
Malefic and Bencfic Planets
The terms “malefic” and “benefic” may be the ? Mercury Common
most misunderstood in modem astrology. The
confusion arises by equating, in a simplistic
and judgmental manner, the term benefic with
D Moon Cold & Moist
good and the term malefic with bad. Due to the
current insistence on what is politically correct, Figure 3. The Primary Qualities of the Planets
and to a lack of astrological knowledge, these
terms are frowned upon in current astrological
vocabulary. First, it is important to recall that
the origin of astrological symbolism comes   J
Jupiter 
from an essentially agricultural context, not Benefic
from a judgment about individual morality. Y Venus  I
Thus, the terms malefic and benefic are essen-
tially functional. If a planet brings benefits and
has an expression that is naturally constructive, Saturn   1
it is considered benefic. If a planet represents J- Malefic
effort, deprivation, and restriction, and has a q   Mars   j
naturally destructive expression, it is consid-
ered malefic. Sun   Benefic (except by conjunction)
With regard to the nature of the planets, the
terms benefic and malefic arise in connection Ç Mercury  I
with the primary qualities. Hot and moist are z Dep
Dependend on con
configu
figurati
ration
on
favorable to life and growth, as they produce ] ) M o on   J
fertile environments. The contraiy qualities,
cold and dry, are antagonistic to life, as they
 produce
 prod uce wild and sterile envir
environmen
onments.
ts. To un
un-- Figure 4. Benefic and Malefic Planets
derstand this symbolism, one need only ob-
serve the growth of plants, which develop better in warm, humid environments. Thus, Jupiter and Venus,
which have the qualities hot and moist in moderate quantities, are considered benefic planets—favorable to
life, growth and prosperity. Saturn is excessively cold (and dry), while Mars is excessively hot (and dry)
dry).. Be-
B e-
cause of this, they are considered contrary to life, representing the principles of destruction and decline,
which is why they
the y are considered malefics. In agricultural terms, Saturn symbolizes frost, which gives rise to
“cold bums,” while Mars is the searing heat that weakens the plants and the drought that kills them. In the
humanmay
Mars body,
be the cold o f with
associated Saturn
Saturfeverish
n represents,
states.for example,
example, a state of hypot
hypothermia
hermia,, while the excessive heat of 
o f 
 

Tfie P(anets/29

Since Saturn is the slowest moving planet, its effects arc more prolonged, so it is known as the great, or 
greater, malefic. Mars is faster, so its effects are not as long lasting; therefore, it is called the minor, or lesser,
malefic.
malef ic. O f tthe
he bencfics, Jupiter moves more slowly and thus is called the greater, or greater, benefic, while
Venus, moving more quickly, is known as the minor, or lesser, benefic.

The Sun is generally considered a benefic because it is the giver of life and light. Nevertheless, if it is too
close to another planet, it is considered malefic since its heat “bums”
“bums ” and its light “blinds.” The Moon anda nd
Mercury, due to their variable natures,
natures, alternate between benefic and malefic. As usual, the classification oof f 
Mercury depends upon its combination with other planets. When it is located near benefics, it assumes their 
 benefic traits; when near malcfics, it acquires a mal
malefic
efic expressi
expression.
on. The Moon tends to be ben
benefic
efic whe
whenn it is
waxing, since it carries more light and heat, and is relatively more malefic when it is waning, since it loses
light and heat.

There are still a few important points to consider with regard to this classification. First, it is important to em-
 phasizee that th
 phasiz thee benefic
benefi c and malefic
mal efic role o f a planet depend
dependss great
greatly
ly upon
upo n the ccontex
ontextt of
o f its interpretation.
interpretation . IIf 
f 
the destruction of something is beneficial (the destruction of a disease, for example), then a malefic planet
 becomes
 becom es favorable.
favorab le. In addition,
add ition, we should also recall that in this chapter
chapt er we
we’re
’re only discussing
discu ssing th thee basic na
na--
ture of the planets. This may be altered by various circumstances (namely, their position by sign aand nd house)
whereby a malefic planet may have a benefic effect and viceversa. Lastly, we need to consid considerer that all ex-
cesses are destructive and, therefore, malefic.
malefic. For example, although heat and humidity are generally benefi-
cial to life, their excess favors the growth of fungus and promotes rotting; thus, under certain circumstances,
they may be considered malefic. Again, it all depends upon context.

Gender: Masculine and Feminine

Just as previously stated, everything in the manifest universe can be classified into two genders: feminine
and masculine. The classification “masculine”
“m asculine” refers to an extroverted and active expression, while the term
“feminine” refers to an introverted and receptive expression. However, in the case of the planets, it is their 
effect (or manifestation) that is classified, not the planet as an entity. We might
mig ht consider that the planets are
essentially neutral, being capable of manifesting either feminine or masculine qualities. Nevertheless, in
their effects, certain polarities may predominate.

Again, it is the primary qualities that are at the basis of this classification. Thus, the essentially hum
humid
id plan
plan--
ets, such as the Moon and Venus, have a predominantly feminine expression
expres sion and are given the feminine gen-
der. The Jupiter,
the Sun, essentially hotand
Mars, or dry planets,
Saturn, tend such as
toward
the masculine. Again, Mercury is considered
neutral,l, and capable of expressing both tenden-
neutra
cies, depending upon the circumstances.

When a planet is positioned in a feminine sign,

 
 
Figure 5. Masculine and Feminine Planets
its expression will be “feminine,” more re-
served and discrete; when situated in a mascu-
line sign, it acquires a “masculine” expression,
more direct and visible. In general terms, a
planet
plan et is conside
con sidered
red to be more
mo re comfort
com fortabl
ablee
and stable when it finds itself in a sign of its
same polarity (masculine planets in masculine
signs, and feminine planets in feminine signs).
In the inverse situation (masculine planets in
feminine signs, and feminine planets in mascu
 

30/On tfic Heavenly Sjilieres

line signs) the expression of the planet occurs less easily because it is assuming a role contrary to its natural
expression.

Sect: Diurnal and Nocturnal

This classification arises from the basic division between day, dominated by the Sun, and night, governed by
the Moon. Diurnal sect contains the planets that have an affinity with the day. Their expression is facilitated
 by the heat
h eat and dryness
d ryness o f the day, which eq
equates
uates to a more ex
extroverted,
troverted, active, and visible expression.
expressi on. The
nocturnall sect includes the planets whose expression is enhanced by the humidity and cold of
nocturna o f tthe
he night, and
is characterized by a more introverted, reflective, and discrete expression.

The diurnal planets are the Sun, Jupiter, and Saturn, and the nocturnal planets are the Moon, Venus, and
Mars.. The classifications o f the
Mars the Sun as diurnal and the Moon as nocturnal are selfevident because the for-
mer defines the actual day, and the latter is the celestial body
that illuminates the night. Jupiter, as a masculine and hot Q Sun \
 planet, has an expansive
expan sive and active expre
expression
ssion when diurnal,
diurnal ,
while Venus, a feminine and moist planet, has a more natural 1|. Jupiter   V Diurna l
expression when nocturnal. Saturn and Mars are special
cases because their classification does not come from an af-
finity between sect and essential nature, as is the case with Saturn J
the others. Since we’re dealing with planets that are consid-
ered malefics,
malefics, a different criteria is used: instead o f empha-
sizing its nature, we seek to moderate it. For this reason, it is J ) Moon
associated with the sect that compensates for its excesses and
makes its expression more constructive. Thus, Saturn is inte- Ç Venus  Y N octurna l
grated into the diurnal sect so that its extreme cold is miti-
gated and its destructive expression tempered by the heat of  o f  Mars )
the day. The “paralyzing” and covert actions of this planet
are compensated for by the activity and visibility o f daytime.
daytime.
On the other hand, Mars, an extremely hot and dry planet,
y  Ambivalent
has its expression moderated by the cold and humidity of  $ Me Mercrcur
ury
nighttime. The abruptness and sharpness belonging to Mars,
Figure 6. Diurnal and Nocturnal Planets
are in this way compensated for by the reflective and intro-
verted nature of the night. Mercury, being a neutral planet, can have both
bo th a nocturnal or diurnal exp
expression,
ression,
depending upon its position by sign and its relation to the Sun.
Sect Implications in Planetary Expressi
Expression
on
Similar to gender, the nocturnal and diurnal condition o f a planet affects its expression. A diurnal planet will
have a stronger and more stable expression when it is located in the
the diurnal hemisphere, while the inverse oc
oc--
curs with a nocturnal planet.

The Sun is the most important factor since it marks the separation between day and night. Obviously, when it
is located above the horizon, the horoscope is classified as diurnal, and when it is below the horizon, the
horoscope is nocturnal. Jupiter and Saturn are diumal if they are above the horizon in a diurnal horoscope,
and below the horizon
horizo n in a nocturnal horoscope,
horosco pe, or expressed in another way, when they are on the same side
o f the
the horizon as the Sun.
Sun.

The Moon, Venus, and Mars are considered noctumally positioned when they are below the horizon in a di-
umal horoscope— that is, when they are on the side o f th
thee horizon opposite the Sun
Sun..

The condition o f Mercury (neutral planet) depends upon its position by sign and other factor
factors.
s.
 

The Pfancts/31
Pfancts/31

Figure 7. Diurnal Planets in a Diurnal Condition

Figure 8. Nocturnal Planets in a Nocturnal Condition

Characteristics of the Seven Planets

The characteristics and qualities of a planet are derived from a combination of the various facets of its nature.
Thus, a planet is first described by its temperament (primary qualities), gender, sect, and malevolence or be-
nevolence. To these basic characteristics
characteristics are added others o f a mythosymbolic
mythosymbolic nature. Many o f the
the practic
practical
al
expressions of the planet (for example, Venus, goddess of love, and Mercury, messenger of the gods), as
well as some characteristics of astronomical content (color, brilliance, velocity, cycle, etc.) are included.
The nature o f the planet thus results from a combination of all of these descriptive levels. Below is a descrip-
tion o f the natures o f each
each o f the seven traditiona
traditionall planets:
planets:

Saturn
Saturn is a diurnal, masculine planet, dry and cold. It is associated with the earth element and the melan-
cholic temperament.

Saturn is the most distant and slowest of the five traditional planets. Its distance makes it a symbol of cold,
austerity, and hardness. In this respect, Saturn represents isolation, distance, and limitation, but also re-
sponsibility and seriousness. Its pale brilliance represents night and darkness, all that is black, sinister and
obscure, and by extension, fear, the occult, and evil. Seen another way, it also represents deep thought,
making it a symbol o f memory,
memory, reflection, and strategy. The slow motion o f Satur
Saturn
n makes it a representa-
tive of time, maturity, old age, decline, and finally, death. Thus, Saturn becomes a planet of antiquity,
whether as the wise and respected sage, or as the decrepit and senile old man. It is also a symbol o f contain-
ment, frugality, structure, hard work, and austere actions that demand order. Its actions always imply re-
sponsibility and duty.
 

32lOn tlic Hcavcnfy Syfwrcs

Saturn is the greater malefic, and because its nature is cold and dry, it is contrary to life, which is hot and
moist. It isis considered a malefic because
beca use it limit
limits,
s, concludes, and causes decline. In its dignified expres
expression,
sion,
it signifies depth, severity, and rigor. It represents reserve, thriftincss, strategy, and patience. In a more deb il-
itated expression, Saturn represents miserliness, pettiness, fear, jealousy, and malicious actions. It also sym-
 bolize
 bol izess stubbo
stu bbornn
rnness
ess,, mis
mistrus
trust,t, and preten
pre tense.
se.

Jupiter U
Jupiter is a diurnal, masculine planet, moderately hot and moist. It is associated with the air element and the
sanguine temperament.

Jupiter is one of the most brilliant planets in the sky, only surpassed by the brightness of Venus. Its radiant
and luminous expression,
expressio n, in combination withw ith its slowness and distan
distance
ce from Earth, make it a symbol
symbo l of har-
mony, wellbeing, and kindness. In many mythologies, Jupiter is associated with the heavenly king. Its tem-
 pered
 per ed natu
n ature,
re, its role
ro le as me
media
diato
torr betwe
bet ween
en tthe
he eextr
xtrem
emes
es o f col
coldd and
an d hheat
eat (Satur
(Sa turnn aand
nd Mars),
Ma rs), and its ccle
lear
ar rad
r adi-
i-
ance make Jupiter a symbol o f the the intermediary and legislator—he who promotes temperance. Jupiter thus
symbolizes moderation, justice, religion, law, and magnanimous actions. Because it is a slowmoving
 planet,
 pla net, Jupit
Ju piter
er is one o f the Chronocrators,   or Markers o f Time, as is Sat Saturn.
urn. Their conjunction cycles rep re-
sent important changes in societies and civilizations.

This planet is known as the greater benefic because its moderately hot and moist nature is beneficial to life.
This fact makes Jupiter the representative
representative o f abundanc
abundance, e, growth, and balance. In its dignified expression, Ju-
 piter
 pit er repr
r eprese
esents
nts mo
mode desty
sty,, sobrie
sob riety,
ty, and ju
just
stice
ice . It exp
e xpres
resses
ses ma
magn gnan
anim
imity
ity,, loy
loyalt
alty,
y, and
an d dari
d aring.
ng. It is a symb
sy mbol
ol
of the aspiration
aspiration to high ideals reached through honorable and just means. Honor, nobility, and religiosity
 belong
 bel ong to its nnatu
ature.
re. It also rep
repres
resen
ents
ts ind
indulg
ulgen
ence,
ce, gene
ge neros
rosity
ity,, and
a nd cha
charit
rity,
y, aand
nd its aacti
ctions
ons are direc
dir ectt an
andd m od -
erate. Jupiter’s debilitated expression gives rise to extravagance, obstinacy, fraudulent actions, and hyper-
critical
critical reli
religiosit
giosity.
y. It can be pompous, boastful o f knowledge and status it doesn’t possess, and express itself 
in a rude manner. It can represent ignorance and carelessness.

Mars Cf 
Mars is a nocturnal and masculine planet, excessively hot and dry. It is associated with the fire element and
the choleric temperament.

Mars is the swiftest o f the superior planets and has a characteristic reddishorange
redd ishorange color. Due to its nature, M ars
is a planet o f action and courage, and its actions imply combat, struggle, challenge, and competition. It is thus
associated with fire and war. This planet is known as the lesser malefic because its excessive nature makes it in-
compatible with life. Mars is thus representative of violence, conflict, aggression, and destruction.

When dignified, it is defiant, daring, confident, and unflappable; it puts

puts victory above all else and often risks
itself.
itself. It is combative, valiant, and a lover o f war and bellicose things. It does not submit itself freely to any-
one or anything, and likes to announce its actions. When deb ilitated, Mars expresses itself through boasting
and immodesty. It goes from being comb ative to becoming a bully, getting involved in confr confrontations,
ontations, disre-
spect, and violence. In extreme c ases, it is turbulent, precipitous, and careless; shows no respect for others;
and can be ungrateful, covetous, and greedy.

Sun O
The Sun, the lord of the day, is masculine and its nature is moderately hot and dry.

The Sun is the kin g o f the stars, the greatest luminary. It is the giver o f light,
light, heat
heat,, and life, a symbol of radi-
ance, power, and force. It represents the creative principle an d is a symbol of the the divine
divine.. It is al
also
so a symbol o f 
 

Tfic P(anctsl33

sight since its light enlightens, revealing the truth. It represents dignity, nobility, and authority figures in
general, and the father figure in particular.

Its element is fire. But the fire of the Sun is moderate: it illuminates and warms, in contrast with the fire sym-
 bolized by Mars, which destroys. Due to its qualities of moderation and an d light, the Sun rep
represents
resents vital energy
en ergy
and spirit, the principle underlying all things. However, if the Sun is too close, it becomes excessive: its light
 blinds and its
i ts heat consumes.

When dignified, the Sun represents fidelity, promises kept, and the ability to govern. It symbolizes pru-
dence, good judgment, majesty, and status, and the search for fame, honor, and riches. It also indicates
sumptuousness and magnificence. If debilitated,
debilitated, the Sun indicates arrogant, prideful, and disdainful bebehav-
hav-
ior,
ior, when its nobility is false and its discernment weakened.
weakened. Its manifestations are restless
restless,, disorderly, domi-
nating, and inconsequential, and there is an underlying feeling of personal entitlement.

Venus 9
Venus is a nocturnal feminine planet. Its nature is moderately hot and moist (cold and moist, according to
some authors). It is associated
associated with the elements of air an
andd water, and the sanguine and phlegmati
phlegmaticc tempera-
tempera -
ments.

Like Jupiter, its tempered nature leads to fertility and growth. Venus is the most luminous planet in the sky,
representing beauty, grace, softness, and delicacy; it is known as the lesser benefic. Venus symbolizes the
 principle
 princi ple o f love, both conceptua
conc eptually
lly and in the cam
camal al sense of the term. Friendship,
Friend ship, accord, fraternity, and
sympathy are all under its jurisdiction,
jurisdictio n, as is pa
passion,
ssion, sensuality, sexuality, dating, and marriage. Another as-
 pect o f Ve
Venus
nus’’ expres
expression
sion is the playful side ooff life:
life: games
games,, entert
entertainme
ainment,
nt, aand
nd indulgen
in dulgences
ces an
andd pleasures
pleasu res of 
o f 
all types. In its negative aspect, it represents the distortion of all those facets.
facets. Thus, it equally indicates lulux-
x-
ury, licentiousness, superficiality, and vanity.

When dignified, Venus suggests peace and serenity. All actions are realized in good faith, without malice or 
distrust. Its expression is pleasant, composed and joyful, although not given to work or effort, and little at-
tention is given to intellectual questions, disputes, or discussions. It symbolizes love, play, and artistic mat-
ters (particularly with regard to music). In a debilitated state, Venus represents laziness, extravagance, un-
ruliness, and bad company. It equally symbolizes greed, jealousy, infidelity, and licentiousness.

Mercury 5
Mercury is a neutral planet. Its nature varies, assuming the traits of
o f the position where it is located and o f the
 planets
 plane ts it contacts.
conta cts. Some autho
authors
rs state that it has a dry nature when it is isolated
isola ted and does not inte
interact
ract with
other planets.

Due to its variability, Mercury

M ercury represents the principles of communication and contact. It is the messenger
messe nger of 
o f 
the gods. Mercury symbolizes all forms of communication, transportation, commerce, and trade, as well as
language, writing, and education. It also represents the intellect, which is responsible for these activities.

When in a dignified condition, Mercury represents the subtle and strategic intellect, debate, eloquence, dis-
crimination, and cultural refinement. It leads to the investigation of mysteries and knowledge
knowledg e in a perceptive
and shrewd manner, and represents the ability and desire to leam, and a love of travel and desire to see other 
 places. Mercu
Mercury
ry also repres
represents
ents curio
curiosity,
sity, ingenu
ingenuity,
ity, and ccommerc
ommerce.
e.

When debilitated, its actions are frenetic and argumentative, leading to discord. It represents a disorganized
mind, and can indicate
ind icate a teller of tall tales or an easily
easily deceived fool. In the extreme, it represents
represe nts dece
deception
ption,,
 

 34/O h  tfic Heawnfy Sjrficrcs

malice, shallow conversation, lies, and boasting. Another aspect of a debilitated Mercury is provocation,
mockery, and derision.

Moon D
The lady of the night is feminine and o f a cold, moist nature.
nature.

The Moon is queen of the celestial bodies, the lesser luminary. Its symbolism is intimately connected with
the Sun, its consort and counterpart. Like the starking, the Moon is a symbol of life, representing organic
life, biological forms, and matter (as a counterpart to the solar vitality). The Moon represents the cyclical
 process o f birth, growth, and decay, which the Sun nourishes
n ourishes with its vital
vita l energy. This symbolism
symbo lism o f the
Moon is directly related
related to the Moon’s
Mo on’s phases:
phases: the New Moon is associated with birth, the waxing phase
ph ase to
growth, the Full Moon to fullness, and the waning phase to decline. Due to its apparent fluctuations, the
Moon indicates change, variability, and inconstanc
inconstancy.
y.

The light reflected from the Moon makes it a symbol of mirrors and of the soul. Due to its moistness, the
Moon is also a symbol of the feminine. All female figures are under its jurisdiction: mother, wife, queen, etc.
The public and the masses arc also represented by this celestial body. It represents the average person, as
well as the populace.

When dignified, it indicates kindness, love of liberty, novelty, and the propensity for change. It suggests
adaptability and the capacity to learn any task. The Moon’
Moon ’s actions are oriented toward the present, butbu t have
a hesitant and tentative quality to them. When debilitated, it represents the drifter and inactive or lazy people,
and also the drunk or the lunatic who lacks status or ambition. In the extreme, the Moon depicts inertia and
 passivity..
 passivity

Rulerships and Associations of the Planets

In addition to its essential
essential nature, the planets are also associated with other aspects of daily life, namely col-c ol-
ors, tastes, minerals, and places. These attributions have an affinity with the nature of o f tthe
he planet. For exam-
ex am-
 ple, Saturn, a cold and dry planet
plan et (therefore,
(th erefore, sterile and unfavo
unfavorable
rable
to life), appears naturally associated with freezes, winter, cemeter- Important Note: all of the associa-
ies, and graves. The visible characteristics o f the planet also contrib- tions presented here refer to the
ute to these associations. For example, Venus the most luminous  basic nature o f the planet. They
 planet,
 plan et, is associa
a ssociated
ted with bright
brig ht ccolors,
olors, while Mars, being o f a red- may
of thebeplanet
modified by theorposition
in a house sign.
dish hue, appears naturally associated with red and derived tones.

It is important to note that this type of association is not applicable to all branches of astrology. Many of 
them should be used within the context of specific techniques, namely in the description of objects, places,
and people (horary astrology), in the determination of diseases (medical astrology), in the description of in-
dividuals (natal or horary astrology), and in the localization of events (mundane astrology).

Colors
The association of planets with colors is especially relevant in the description of objects, clothes, animal
furs, and others, and is particularly useful in horary astrology. For example, an item of clothing signified by
the Moon will have light colors, varying between white and blueg
bluegreen.
reen.

Saturn h Black or blac

blackk mixed with yellow, dark green, leaden gray.
Jupiter U Light colors, yellowish or brownish white, bright or glittering
glittering color
colors,
s, ssolemn
olemn color
colors:
s: blue,
 pur ple,, burgu
 purple bu rgund
ndyy red.
 

The P(anetsl35

Mars CT Red, yellow,

yello w, brig
bright
ht fiery colors,
colo rs, saffron
saffron..
Sun O Bright yellow, golden, orange, scarlet,
scarlet, purple, solar colors in general.
Venus 9 Pure white, pastel and milky colors, luminous and light tones (some authors mention green).
Mercury 5 Complex colors, multicolored patterns, mixtures, bluish gray, some metallic tones.
Moon  D Light blue, white, pale green, silver.

Odors and Flavors

The planets can function as descriptive aids, in particular for places and foods. They are also used for the se-
lection of
o f medical
medical treatments and talismans.

Saturn h Astringent and unpleasant odors, acetic and offensive odors, bad smells; bitter, sour, or ag-
gressively unpleasant flavor
flavors.
s.
Jupiter U Sweet smelling things and any pleasant and moderate odor; sweet and bittersweet flavors.
Mars d" Aggressive and spicy odors; bitter and strong flavors that bum the tongue
Sun 0 Pungent odors; flavors that are rich, bittersweet, strongly aromatic, or spicy but nice and
moderate.
Venus 9 Odors that incite to pleasure and lust; flavors that are tasty, sweet, fatty, moist or delicious.
Mercury 5 Composite odors, subtle but penetrating; mixed and complex flavors.
flavors.
Moon P Fresh, wet, and mild odors; salty, bland, or slightly bitter flavors.
flavors.

Places
The places associated with the planets are particularly useful in horary astrology to find objects, animals, or 
missing persons.

Saturn h Deserts, dark places, caves, holes, mountains, graveyards, ruins, coal mines, wells, and
dirty and bad smelling places.
Jupit er U
Jupiter Places o f worship, buildings with a religious function, courts o f law, and clean and tidy places.
Mars CT Blacksmith shops, furnaces
furnaces,, chimneys, brick and pottery ovens, places where fuel is
 burned,
 burne d, and slaug
slaughter
hter houses.
Sun 0 Royal courts, palaces, grandiose showrooms (theaters, opera houses, salons), and majestic
 buildings.
 building s.
Venus 9 Gardens, fountains, wedding suites, pretty chambers, dance schools, and places o f pleasure
and amusement.
Mercury 5 Places o f commerce, shops, markets, schools, libraries, public spaces, and casinos.
Moon P Fountains, streams, springs, ports, docks, rivers, lakes, aquariums, fish pounds,
poun ds, swimming
swimm ing
 pools,
 pool s, bath houses, roads, and desert pplaces.
laces.

Minerals
The mineral associations
associat ions can provide information about the material from which a lost object is made, and be
useful in the production of talisma
talismans.
ns. There are many variations of this table. The one presented here is the
more common.

Saturn h Metals: lead, loadstone, scum from other metals

metals,, debris; any impure o f bad quality material.
Gems and minerals: sapphire, onyx,jet and other black stones, stones that are hard to polish
 

 36/ On tfte Haw cnf

cnfyy Sjrfie
Sjrfiercs
rcs

or have sad colors (grey, black).

Jupiter
Jupi ter U Metal: tin. Gems and minerals: amethyst, sapphire, emerald, marble, and stones that are
easy to cut.

Mars CT Metals:stone),
 blood iron and antimony.
arsenic, Gems and minerals: hematite (loadstone),
and sulphur. (loadstone ), jas
jaspe
perr (especially
(espec ially
Sun O Metal:
Metal: gold. Gems and minerals
minerals:: jacin
jacinth,
th, diamond, carbuncle, chrysolite (olivine), and ruby.
Venus 9 Metals: copper
coppe r and brass. Gems and minerals: coralline, coral, alabaster, lapis lazuli, beryl-
bery l-
lium, and chrysolite (olivine).
Mercury 5 Metal: mercury. Gems and minerals: topaz, silex, and all stones o f diverse colors.
Moon D Metal: silver. Gems and minerals: selenite, moonstone,
moonsto ne, rock crystal, and all soft stones.

Physical Appearance
These associations of the planets are used particularly to describe the physical appearance of individuals.
They have practical applications in natal, horary,
horary, and medical astrology.

Saturn Dry and lean figure, slightly bent, medium stature, pale completion, and dark hair and eyes.
Jupiter U Pleasant figure, upright stature, pinkish completion, oval
oval aand
nd full
full face, fair hair, lilight
ght eyes,
and strong thighs.
Mars CT Strong body, medium stature, reddish completion,
comple tion, round face, coarse hair o f a fair color 
colo r 
(tending toward red), and light piercing eyes.
Sun O Large and strong body, ruddy skin, big round eyes, and generally light hair with a ten-
dency to baldness.
Venus 9 Medium body, light but not pale skin, dark and beautiful eyes, and abundant (usually light
colored) hair.
Mercury S Tall and slim figure, dark skin and hair, big forehead, thin lips and nose, and long harms
and hands.
Moon  D  Full figure
figure,, round face,
face, light skin, abundant hair, and short and fleshy hands.

Professions
These associations indicate vocation and skills, as well as describing people.
Saturn h Professions associated with the earth are given to Saturn: those who work toil it, such as
farmers and gardeners; those who work below it, such as miners; those who work with
minerals such as stonemasons, brick makers, coal merchants, potters, those who work with
tin, asphalt layers; and construction professions.
Saturn rules religious professions that imply isolation, such as monks, or auxiliary church
 personnel,, such
 personnel su ch as sexto
sextons.
ns. It indicates activities associated with old age, such as retirement.
Saturn is also connected with pastoral professions and, in general, professions that deal
with livestock, stables and stable hands, and hide tanners. Another type of o f Satu
Saturn
rn profession
profession
is associated with debris and its cleaning, such as plumbers, chimneysweepers, sanitation
workers, and in general, professions considered of a low social status. For this reason, it
also rules beggars and those who work odd jobs. Saturn is also connected with those who
deal with dealh and cadavers, such as grave diggers and morticians.
Jupiter U Jupi
Jupiter
ter rules profession
professionss associated with the law and with politics, such as judges,
judge s, senators,
chancellors, lawyers, and law professors; religious professions such as clerics, bishops,
 

Tfw Pfanets/37 

 priests, vicars; and profe

professions
ssions associated
associa ted wit
withh aadvanc
dvanced
ed educat
e ducation,
ion, such as graduate
gr aduate,, uuni-
ni-
versity and college students.
Mars Cf Because it is associated with war, Mars represent
representss conquerors,
conqu erors, generals, captains,
captai ns, comman
com man--
ders, military people in general, armorers, police officers, and bailiffs. Mars also represents
 physicia ns, surgeons, and pha
 physicians, pharmacists
rmacists,, as well as profe
professions
ssions associated
associ ated with fire, such
su ch as
alchemists (chemists),
(chemists), metalworkers, and firefi
firefighters.
ghters. It also rules professions that rely on
metal or cutting tools, or those who work directly with metals, such as blacksmiths, tanners,
 barbers, tailors, carpenters, cobblers,
cobble rs, watchmakers, butchers,
but chers, bakers, and cooks. Other pro-
fessions under this planet are dyers, athletes, and movers. In its negative aspect, Mars sym-
 bolizes all tyrants and oppressors, usurpers, eexecutioners,
xecutioners, and thieves.
Sun O Kings, princes, emperors, dukes, marquises, counts, and nobles, and those in administrative,
highstatus, and power positions, such as magistrates, butlers, and courtesans.
Venus 9 Since it is associated with pleasure, Venus represents musicians, singers, and game players.
In the arts and crafts,
crafts, silk and fabric traders, embroiderers, dressmakers,
d ressmakers, painters, jewelers,
designers, decorators, and all professions connected with aesthetics and beauty are associ-
ai ed with Venus.
Mercury S Mercury is associated with authors, philosophers, mathematicians, astrologers, merchants,
secretaries, clerks, poets, orators, ambassadors, teachers, printers, money traders, accoun-
tants, lawyers, salespeople, transporters, messengers, delivery
d elivery personnel, and letter carriers,
carriers,
as well as thieves, liars, and swindlers.
Moon D The Moon rules seafarers, sailors, fishing personnel, producers and sellers of alcoholic
 beverages,
 beverag es, barten
bartenders,
ders, deliv
delivery
ery workers and messeng
me ssengers,
ers, carriage drivers, taxi drivers,
hunters, millers, housekeepers, midwives, and nurses.

Meteorology
These planetary associations govern weather forecasting (natural astrology) as its goal. It is important to
note that this branch o f astrology follows very specific rules regarding the planets and the chart as a whole.

Saturn h Cloudy skies, thick dark clouds, cold weather, and eastern winds.
Jupiter U Serene, good weather, and northern winds.
Mars Cf Reddish clouds, thunder and lightning, pestilential airs (dry and hot), and western winds.
Sun O Weather according to the season of the year, and eastern winds.
Venus 9 Good weather in summer, rain or snow in winter, and southern winds.
Mercury S Windy and turbulen
turbulentt weather, and sometimes rain and storms.
Moon D Weather according the planet it contacts, thus reinforcing the pla
planet
net’s
’s nature.

Planetary Periods
In the tradition, each planet rules specific periods of time, known as planetary periods. These periods are di-
vided into maximum, greater, middle and lesser years. In practice, these values are used every time it is nec-
essary to calculate the duration of an event. The maximum years are used with events on a historic scale (for 
example, the foundation of a dynasty), while the remaining periods refer to more human time scales. The
lesser and maximum years are obtained from th thee geocentric periods
periods o f the planets (zodiacal and/or synodic
cycles).
cycle s). The greater years result fro
from
m the total number of degrees corresponding to the EgypEgyptian
tian terms o f the
 plan et (in the
 planet th e ca
case
se o f the SSun
un aand
nd the Moon, they are sy
symboli
mbolicc nnumb
umbers).
ers). The mid
middle
dle years
yea rs resul
re sultt from the
average of the lesser and greater years. The following listing shows the planetary periods:
 

 38 /O n the H ea w nf y Spheres

Sphe res

Planet   Lesser 
 Less er   Middle Greater Maximum
h Saturn 30 43,5 57 256

U Jupiter 
Cf Mars 1152 45,5
40,5 79
66 2284
46
©Sun 19 69,5 12
1200 1461
9 Venus 8 45 82 1151
9 Mercury 20 48 76 461
D Moon 25 66,5 10
1088 520

The Ages ofo f Ma

Mann
The planets are also associated with different phases of human life.
life. Every stage ooff llife
ife is generically under 
und er 
the rulcrship of a planet which bestows upon it its attributes and characteristics. The first years of life,
marked by rapid changes and by a total dependency upon the parents, are under the dominion ooff the Moon.
Infancy, whereupon the development o f communication and of o f the rational faculties are experienced, is un-
der the rulership of
o f Mercur
Mercury.
y. The hormonal changes of adolescence and the development of social skills are
dependent upon Venus. Youth, a phase when
when the young adult seeks to conquer a place in society is governed
 by the Sun. Maturity, the stage foforr the consolida
consolidation
tion o f strength
strength and o f the capacit
capacityy to act, is associa
as sociated
ted with
w ith
Mars.. The pinnacle of life, a stage of reflection
Mars reflection and o f the
the attainment ooff honors
honors and or recogn
recognition
ition is under 
the jurisdiction o f Jupiter. Finally, old age, marked by natura
naturall decline and by the limitations of o f aage,
ge, is attrib-
attri b-
uted to Saturn.

Planet  Years  Ages Phasee o f Life

Phas Life
D Moon 4 0 4 The Baby
S Mercury 10 4 1 4 Infancy
9 Venus
Venus 8 1 4 2 2 Adolescence
©Sun 19 2241 Youth
Cf Mars 15 4 1 5 6 Maturity
4 Ju
Jupi
pite
ter 
r  12 5668 Pinnacle of life
h Saturn 30 6 8 9 8 Old age
After 98 years, the cycle repeats.
The Phases o f Gestat
Gestation
ion
The tradition associates the nine months of fetal gestation with the planets according to the Chaldean order.
The first month is attributed to Saturn and corresponds to the initial phase when pregnancy may oorr may not
 proceed.
 proc eed. The second
secon d mont
monthh is under
un der the juri
jurisdi
sdicti
ction
on o f Jupiter, a benefic
be nefic and fertile planet
plan et tthat
hat stimulate
stimu latess
growth and the multiplication
multipli cation o f cells. Mars is next, ruler of the third month, which energizes gestation with w ith
its heat and activity. The fourth month, governed by the Sun, corresponds to the phase when spirit directly
influences matter, bestowing
bestow ing upon it the human form. In the fifth month, from the nature of V Venus
enus the organ
organss
are completed and sensibility increases. Next is Mercury’s month, the sixth month when the ability for 
movement
movem ent increases. In the seventh month, und under
er the auspices of the Moon, the baby completes its form and
the use o f its organs. If it is bo
bomm duri
during
ng this phase, it may now survive
surviv e on its own.
own. Saturn returns to rule over ov er 
the eighth month, cooling down and firming up the form; it is considered less promising for there to be a
 birth
 bir th du
during
ring this pphase
hase than in the pprevio
revious
us one
o ne du
duee to the exce
excessive
ssively
ly cold
col d nature o f this plan
planet.
et. Finally,
Final ly, the
cycle completes its elf in the ninth month, ruled by Jupiter, whose abundance and fertility fertility protects the baby
and favors birth. The following listing shows the phases of gestation and their planetary rulers:
 

The P(anctsl39
P(anctsl39

P l anet   M o nt h
h Sa
Satum
tum 1s
1stt Beginning,
Beginning, fixation
 fixation
U  Jupiter  2nd  Multiplication
Multipl ication
Cf Mar s 3rd  Activity,
Activity, heat
O Sun 4th Human
Human form, Spirit
9 Ve
Venus
nus 5th Se
Sensitivi
nsitivity
ty
5 Mercury 6t
6th
h Movement
Movement
D Moon 7th Vitality, co
completio
mpletion
n o f fo
form
rm
h Satum 8th Consolidation,
Con solidation, hardening
hardening
U Ju piter  9th Birth
 

 4
 40/
0/ 0 h  tfic Heavenly Sjrftcres
 

Chapter V 

Thee Zod
Th Zodia
iacc a n d the Signs
The word zodiac comes from the Greek Greek Zô ov , which means life or animal. The zodiac is
is,, therefore, the band
of life, or the band of animals,
animals, because many o f the constellation images fou
found
nd along this band depict the fig-
ures of
o f animals (ram, bull, lion, etc.).

The zodiac is generated from the apparent movement of the sun around the Earth during the course of the
year. (In reality it is the Earth, that in its translation movement, circles the sun; but this is not what is visible
 by a terrestrial
te rrestrial observ
observer.)
er.) This
Th is ap
apparent
parent motion
motion,, trace
tracess a line, know
knownn as the ecliptic,
eclip tic, aroun
a roundd the Eart
Earth,
h, and
an d it
is along this line that the Moon and the planets move through space.

Because the apparent trajectory o f the planets does not coincide exactly with the ecliptic, a band o f about 16°
in width (8° above and below the ecliptic) was defined to encompass the total area where the visible planets
move. It is this band that is called the zodiac.

This band and its divisions, the signs, are the principal point of reference in astrology. In it are measured the
movement of the planets, as well as the variations in their qualities and effects as they cross the different
signs.

The Zodiac and the Signs

The variations in light and heat caused
 by the motio
m otionn o f the Sun through
thro ughout
out the
year produce the four seasons: spring,
summer, autumn, and winter. Therefore,
 both the seasons
seaso ns as well
wel l as the zodiac
zod iac
arise from the motion o f the Sun and are
intimately connected to it. In fact, the zo-
diac was originally conceived of as a
calendrical device in order to “measure”
the seasons.
seasons. In this way, the zodiac is di-
Figure 1. The Zodiac vided into four distinct areas, each one
 

 42/On tfic Heavenl

Heavenlyy Spheres

corresponding to a season of the year. The

 points o f division are on the spring equinox, the
summer solstice, the autumn equinox, and the
winter solstice;
finds itself
itsel f at thethat is, oof
start the points
f each where
season. the Sun
season.

The zero point of the ecliptic (and of all celes-

tial references) is the spring equinox, also
known as the vern al po
point.
int. This equinox marks
the point at which days and nights are of equal
length. From that point on, the days gradually
increase in length, while the nights become
shorter. The weather becomes wanner, and
heat joins the accumulated humidity of winter,
 producing
 produ cing fertility and growth. It is a time o f 
agitation, of great “simmering” in the natural
world. Springtime is a hot and humid season,
associated with the air element and the San-
guine temperament. Its symbol is a germinating
seed.

Maximum daylight is reached during the sum-

mer solstice. The Sun reaches its highest alti-
tude in the sky and the weather continues to be-
come warm, drying the humidity of springtime.
springtime.
It is a time for the maturation o f fruits
fruits because
of hotter days. Summertime is a hot and dry
season, associated with the fire element and the
choleric temperament. Its symbol is a germi-
nated seed.

During the autumn equinox, the days and

nights again have the same length. After this
 point,t, tthe
 poin he height
heig ht of
o f the Sun in the sky gradgradually
ually
 beginss to decrease.
 begin decrea se. The wea weather
ther remain
remainss dry,
 but tempera
tem perature
ture and hours
ho urs o f day
dayligh
lightt decrease.
It is a season for harvest and for preparing for 
the harsh times of winter. The autumn is a cold
and dry phase, associated with the earth ele-
ment and with the melancholic temperament.
The symbol of autumn is a fully grown plant
that has begun to dry out:

The shortest day (and the longest night) is

Figure 3. The Qualities of
o f the
the Four Seasons
reached at the winter solstice, producing a sea-
son of cold and sparse daylight since the Sun is at its lowest altitude in the sky. During this phase, the rains
are abundant and nature is relatively static, awaiting the spring. The winter is a cold and moist season, asso-
ciated with the water element and the phlegmatic temperament. The symbol for winter represents ware-
housed foods:
 

The Zodiac andthe Signs/43

Each of the four seasons is divided into three

 parts correspondi
corresp onding
ng to the begin
beginning,
ning, middle
middle,,
and ending phases. By dividing the zodiac into

fourget
we seasons, and each
12 segments thatseason into three
correspond parts,
to the 12
signs. The first three signs signal the spring:
Aries, which marks the beginning of the season;
Taurus, which corresponds to its culmination;
and Gemini, which signals its end.

The sequence repeats itself

itse lf in
in the other seasons
throughout the year. The signs for the summer 
are Cancer, Leo, and Virgo; signs of o f autumn are
Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius; and those of 
winter are Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. Al-
though it is subordinate to the temperament of 
the season to which it belongs (and which de-
fines it in general terms), each sign presents its
own temperament and mode of action.
The Images and Symbols of the Signs
Some signs are symbolized by an animal image, such as the Ram (Aries), the Bull (Taurus), the Crab (Can-
cer), the Lion (Leo), and the Fish (Pisces). Others are symbolized by human figures, such as the Twins
(Gemini), the Virgin (Virgo), Libra (a young woman holding Scales), and Aquarius, also called the Wa-
terbearer (a youth that pours water from a jug). There are also signs that are represented by mythological
figures:
figure s: Capricorn,
C apricorn, an animal that is hhalf
alf goat and half fish, and Sagittarius, a centaur, ha lf man, half
hal f horse
(some versions substitute the centaur
centau r for an
an archer on horseback. These images have thei theirr origin in very an-
cient attributions that have come down to us through GrecoRoman mythology. Nevertheless, the signs are
far older than these civilizations, their origins lost in time
time.. The signs are represente
representedd by symbo
symbols ls that are styl-
ized images of the figures that give them their names.

In the symbols of Aries and Taurus can be seen the  Note: The signs and their
thei r ssymb
ymbolis
olism
m are directly
directl y
heads of their respective
respective animals:
animals: T , b
The symbol for Gemini is the Roman numeral 2, related to thebecause
hemisphere seasonsit of
wasthehere
yearthat
in all
thethe
northern
civili-
referring to the two twins: H zations that contributed to the construction of the
The symbol for Cancer evokes the pincers of the western astrological system arose and flourished.
animal: ® Despite this, practice has shown that the system is
 perfectly
 perfec tly app
applicab
licable
le to horoscop
horo scopes es for the sou
south-
th-
That of Leo looks to derive from a stylization of  ern hemisphere, maintaining the same symbolism.
the head and mane of the lion:
Virgo is represented by a stylized letter M: 11?
In Libra we see the two plates and fulcrum of the scales:
That of
o f Scorpio
Scorpio is a stylization o f the animal with its respective stinger: 1ÎL 1ÎL
Sagittarius is symbolized by an arrow, referring to the arrow (sagitta in Latin) of the archer:
archer: /
Capricorn by a stylization o f the mythical creature (h(half
alf goat, half
ha lf ffish):
ish): YS

The symbol of Aquarius is the flowing water poured out by the waterbearer: æ
Pisces is symbolized by two stylized fish, united by a cord: H
 

 4 4/O h  tftc Hcavmfy Spfw res

The manner
The m anner of representing the s
the signs
igns has changed consider a bly over the ages. Currently
Currentl y, there arc many ar-
tist
tistic
ic variations,
 variations, but the basic de
design
sign of the symbols is alwa
always the same (see Appendix
Appendix 1, The Astrological
Symbols). Following arc arc the
 the symbols of the signs 
signs  that
that should be memorized:

T Ar iies
es
Ï5
Ï5   Taurus
K Gemini
S Cancer 
Leo
H7 Virgo
Libra
lit Sco
Scorpio
Sagittarius
Capricorn
22 Aquarius
X Pisces

The   signs divide the zodiacal 

The zodiacal  circle into twelve equal
30degree parts. In other w woords, the circumference of the the
zodiac (360 degrees) is d is divided
ivided into 12 segments of  30 de-
grees, the signs.
signs. Each sign begins at zero degdegrees
rees and zero
minutes and ends at 29 degr  de gr ees
ees and 59 minutes (the 30 3 0th
degree of a sign corr 
co rr esponds
esponds to the zero degree o
degree  off the next
sign). In zodiaca
zodiacall notation we use degrees a
degrees  and
nd minutes of 
arc: the degrees are represe
represented
nted by the symbol 0  andand   the
minutes by ". When
When noting
 noting a planet’s position
positio n in the zo-
diac, we say tha
that a planet is in a certain degr 
de gr ee
ee and minute
of a sig
signn. This manner of locating a planet is known as zo-
diacal longitude.

For exam
exam ple, if the Moon is loca locatted
ed at
 at 12 degrees and 40
minutes o f Sagittar
Sagittarius,
ius,   it is written as shown in Fig
Figure 6.

The pos
position of a planet in a sign changes over time. For 
an accurate astrologica
astrological inteipretation it is necess
nece ssary
ary to
know, with precision, not only its si
its sign
gn but also the degree
  29’59’ 
and min
minute in which a planet is loca
located at a given moment 3) at 1 2 ° Z 4 1 ’ . 20- 

in time. For example, in

i n the horoscope o f the poet Florbela
Florbela ....^7777^1
....^7777^1 °°
°°
Espancaa, Saturn is located at 03°
Espanc 03°  and 28' of Scorpio, x
which is written as show
sho wn in Figure 7. ......
..........r

In summary:
summary: Figure 6. The Planets
Planets in the Zodiac
• The zodiac is cr eeated
a ted by the apparent motion
motio n o f 
the Sun ar ound
ound the Earth. ^ T ° 3 °r128’
°r 128’^^
• It is the segm
segmeent o f the sky where the Sun Sun,, the
Moon, and the the planets move. degree   minute
• It is divided iinto
nto fo
fourur seasons, which are in turnturn sign
divided into three 
three   parts
part s (a beginni
beginning,
ng, middle
middl e and Figure 7. Zodiacal
Figure Zodiacal Notation
end);   thus
end); th us creating the 12 signs (fo(four
ur seasons of  of a Planet’s
Planet’s Position
 

Tftc Zodia
Zodiacc a nd t fc Sign$l
Sign$l45
45

three signs each).

• This division is based upon the equinoxes
equinoxes and solstices (the start of the seasons
seasons ooff the year).
year).
• Each sign is a segment of 330°
0° o f the zodiac (which to
totals
tals 360°, a circumference).
circumfe rence).

• The position
expressed of the various
in degreesvariousminutes
and astrological elements
o f a sig
sign.
n. in the signs is called zodiacal longitude and is

The Nature of the Signs

Signs

Each sign represents a particular group of o f qualities as defined by the season of o f the year to which it belongs,
as well as its position in the zodiacal sequence. This positioning bestows upon it a specific temperament,
which is the basis for its nature. Therefore, as with the planets, the signs may be classified in various ways:
according to the phase of their
their season (beginning, middle, or o r end), that is, according to their mode; acco
accord-
rd-
ing to their primary qualities, that is, element and temperament; according to their gender, masculine or 
feminine; according to their sect, nocturnal and diurnal; and according to the planet under which they are
governed, their ruling planet.

The Modes
The signs that begin the seasons are called moveable or cardinal since they “move”
“ move” or “drive” the character
character--
istics of the season. The signs of the middle of the season are called fixed or solid, since they establish or 
“fix” the characteristics of
o f that time of year. The final signs are called common, dou
doublebodied
blebodied or bycorpo
real, or mutable, because they represent the time when the seasons change. At this time, the climate shares in
the characteristics of two seasons, the one ending and the one that draws near. Thus, these three
types—moveable, fixed, and common—represent the mode of action of the sign.

The moveable signs that begin the seasons, are charac-

terized by a strong drive for action, a love of movement
and agitation. They represent unexpected and objective
actions, but which end as quickly as they began. The
moveable signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.

If the moveable mode describes:

Figure 8. Moveable or cardinal Signs
• the behavior of a person, it indicates impulsivity,
impatience,
and people; difficulty
propensityrespecting
for action,limits, resources
transitioning
easily from ideas to actions;
• an obj
object,
ect, it will be light, dynamic, possibly sharp,
its function tied to action;
• an event, suggests dynamism but also a tendency to
change quickly;
• a period of time, it indicates rapidity, immediacy.

The fixed signs, which signal the middle o f the season, are characterized by stabil
stability
ity and durabilit
durability;
y; to the
themm
is attributed a certain conservatism and inertia. They represent cautious, defensive, but also persistent and
consistent actions. The fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpion, and Aquarius.

If the fixed mode describes:

• selfcontrol,
the behavio
behaviorr but
o f aalso
person, it indicatesreactions
stubbornness, a strong that
driveareforslow,
security, continuous
cautious, actio
actions,
defensive ns, very
and defense and
controlled;
rigidity and difficulty giving in;
 

46/O h  tfic Hcavaify Sjifiercs

• an object, it wwill
ill be heavy; solid, not easily
moved, its function tied to maintenance and
conservation;
• an event, it indicates that which has a
longlasting impact; or 
• a period of
o f time, it suggests a long wait.

The common or doublebodied signs, which mark the

end of the season and, consequently, a change in cli-
mate, are characteristically ambivalent and variable.
Since they indicate a transitional phase, they present
characteristics from both the previous two modes: they
vacillate between rapid impulses (characteristic of the
moveable mode) and the tendency toward inertia (typi-
cal of the fixed mode). They arc characterized by the
multiplicity of
o f aaction,
ction, by diversity of
o f responses, and by Figure 9. Fixed or Solid Signs
a certain adaptability. The common or doublebodied
signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.

If the common or doublebodied mode describesdescribes::

• the bbehavior
ehavior of a person, it in
indicates
dicates vita
vitality,
lity,
curiosity and the capacity to adapt, also present
is a certain inconsistency and scattering;
• an oobject,
bject, it indicates everyday, common
common (of 
little value) items, and those with more than one
function;
• an event, it suggests simultaneous
simultane ous actions, or 
those with multiple impacts; or 
• a period of time, it will
will be of aver
average
age duration:
not as long as the fixed nor as immediate as the
cardinal.
Figure 10. Common, Double or Bi-corporeal Signs
The Temperaments o f the Signs Signs
Besides mode, each sign is associated with an element and its respective temperament. The attribution o f the
elements to the signs always
alway s follows the same order: fire, earth, air and water. To the first sign is given fire,
to the next earth, then, air, then water, and so on. Thus, the first sign, Ar
Aries,
ies, belongs to the fire element; fol-
lowed by Taurus, tied to earth, Gemini to the air, Cancer to water and so on. The distribution obtained is
summarized in Figure 11.

There are three signs for each element, and each of these groups is called a triplicity. The fire triplicity is
made up of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius; the air triplicity by Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius; the earth triplicity,
 by Taurus,
Tauru s, Virgo,
V irgo, and Capricorn;
Capri corn; and the water
wate r trip
triplici
licity
ty by
b y Cancer,
C ancer, Scorpion,
Scorpio n, aand
nd Pisces.

The signs
sign s that belong to a masculine
mascu line element
eleme nt (fire and air) are also classified as masculine and diurnal, wh
while
ile
those of a feminine element (earth and water) are classified as feminine and nocturnal. As was previously
mentioned, in the zodiacal sequence the masculine and diurnal signs altern alternate
ate with the feminine and noctur-
nal
theirones. TheTheir
natures. masculine
core isand diurnal
action and signs are naturally expressive and expansive, and positively project
movement.
 

Tfic Zodiac and tftc Signs/47 

Slfln Bement |
“f A r l es  A Fir e |

Taurus V Ear tth

h

JX Gemini  A Ai r j
1"
I1 
1s C a n cce
er   V Water  
i
i1 Q   Lo o  A Fir e

1 Hl V
Vii r g o
V Ear tth
h •

 A A ir 1
| / I L ib
ib rra
a

Tf y   Scorpio V Wa
att e r 1

ÿ f  
f   Sagittarius  A Fir e j
--------------------------------- |
VJ Ca p ri c orn
orn V Ear tth
h
 A A ir i
 Aq ua ri us
r----------------------------------
I Pisces V Wa
att e r  

Figure 11. Elements of the Signs

The fire signs carry the choleric temperament,
acquiring a positive, triumphant, and naturally
radiant expression. They are characterized by
impetuosity, daring, aggressiveness, and the
tendency to dominate.

The air signs carry the sanguine temperament,

more fluid and restless than the one before; they
have a dynamic expression that is sociable and
relational. Its core is the intellect, communica-
tion, and curiosity.

The feminine and nocturnal signs are naturally

reserved and contemplative. Of an introverted
nature, they express themselves in a more
guarded and defensive manner. Their core is se-
curity and preservation.

The earth signs carry the melancholic tempera Figure 13. The Nature of the Signs
ment, which gives them a great focus on practi-
cal and functional action. They are of a constructive nature, appreciate solidity and express themselves in an
organized and pragmatic manner.

The wa ter signs carry the phlegmatic temperament

temperament,, more unsta
unstable
ble and wavering then the melancholic, but
susceptible to sudden changes. Its core is emotionality, comfort and security.

It
is,isthe
from the combination
fundamental temperament
nature of the and mode that
sign is characterized by: the basicand
gender characteristics
sect (which inofthe
a sign areare
signs defined, that
intimately
connected), by the primary qualities (from which are derived element and temperament) and by mode.
 

Tfie Zodiac and tfie Signs/49

ing. The Sun as ruler, gives it a powerful, radiant and grandiose aspect.

Virgo: Feminine, nocturnal, of earth, melancholic (cold and dry), mutable, bicorporeal or common, ruled
 by Mercury.
ducing The mutable
m utable
multifaceted earth of
efficiency. oMercury,
f this signthe
comb
combines
inesadds
ruler, the ccharac
haracteristic
teristics
swiftness ands aof
o fcertain
concreteness
concrelightness.
teness and versatili
versa tility,
ty, pro-
p ro-

Libra: Masculine, diurnal, of air, sanguine (hot and moist), cardinal or moveable, ruled by Venus. The air 
element combined with the cardinal mode produces in this sign a fluid and dynamic expression. Venus en-
dows it with softness, a touch of beauty, and artistic expression.

Scorpio: Feminine, nocturnal, of water,

water, phlegmatic (cold and moist), fixed or solid, ruled by Mars. This sign
combines the emotiveness and sensitivity of the water element to the stability and stubbornness ofo f the fixed
mode, producing a defensive and persevering expression of which the emotions occupy a central focus.
Mars, the ruler, contributes with its bellicose nature.

Sagittarius: Masculine, diurnal, of

o f fire,
fire, choleric (hot and dry), mutable, bi corporeal or
o r common, ruled by
Jupiter. The mutable fire produces a multifaceted expression, positive but directed toward various simulta-
neous objectives. The nature o f Jupiter, the ruler, adds a sense of justice
justi ce and temperance, which somewhat
stabilizes the combination.
Capricorn: Feminine, nocturnal, of earth, melancholic (cold and dry), cardinal or moveable, ruled by Sat-
urn. This cardinal sign of the earth combines action with a constructive impulse, which produces an essen-
tially pragmatic nature. Saturn endows it with deliberation and persistence, producing a resistant, rigorous,
disciplined, but conservative expression.

Aquarius: Masculine, diurnal, o f air, sanguine (hot and moist), fixed or solid, ruled by Saturn. The fixed air 
associates the fluid and dynamic characteristics with constancy and perseverance, giving rise to an expres-
sion that is distant, individualistic, and with a great tendency toward abstraction.

Pisces: Feminine, nocturnal, of w water,

ater, phlegmatic (cold and moist) mutable, bicorporeal, or common, ruled
 by Jupiter.
Jupit er. This
Th is sign o f mutable
muta ble wate
waterr combine
combiness sensi
sensibili
bility
ty and vvariab
ariability,
ility, which
whic h produce
pro ducess a mul
multipl
tiplicity
icity o f 
expressions and sentiments. Jupiter associates its temperance with this dynamism, producing idealism and
moderation.

The nature of
o f the sign defines everything that it represents: behaviors, objects, pl
places
aces and regions, spatial di-
rections, the parts of the body, etc. For example, the sign Gemini, represents a multifaceted (mutable), curi-
ous and communicative
communicativ e behavior (air element);
element); but also indicates a mountain
mountainousous terrain with hills or gaming
and entertainment places; in the human body it represents the arms and hands.

Additional Characteristics
The nature of the sign can also be complimented by a set of other secondary attributes. These secondary
characteristics enrich the description of the sign and are applied when a more detailed or specific description
of a person, action, or tendency shown by the sign is needed. Thus, the signs are also:

• Bestial (referring to beast, animal) or quadruped: Aries, Taurus, Leo, Sagittarius and Capricorn.
• Human: Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Aquarius and the first ha half
lf o f Sagittarius.
• Fierc
Fiercee or Feral: Leo

This classification is associated with the images, anima

animall or human, that make up the signs; in terms ooff inter
inter
 

 50l0n
 50l 0n tfie
tfie H
Hcav
cavcnfy
cnfy S
Sjr
jrfic
ficre
ress

 pretation, they refer to subtle

subtl e behavioral traces. The quadruped signs impart a behavior sim
similar
ilar to the animal
ani mal
that symbolizes it, in that it has an abrupt physical expression. The human signs (those represented by human
figures)
figur es) describe a more social behav
behavior
ior and with a greater propensity for communication and the use o f the
mind. The sign Leo is characterized as fierce since it is represented by a wild animal, thereby one attributes
more assertive and pointed characteristics to it.

• Fertile: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces

• Barren: Gemini, Leo,
Leo, Virgo
• Moderatel
Moderatelyy Fertile: Taurus, Libra, Sagittarius
• Moderatel
Moderatelyy Barren: Aries, Capricorn, Aquarius

This classification is used when one desires to obtain a number or a quantity. For example, in the study o f a
chart to determine the probable number of
o f children or siblings.
siblings. As is apparent, the fertil
fertilee signs correspond
corresp ond to
many, the barren signs to none (or in some cases, one) and the remaining to few (only one or two).

• O f strong voice: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius

• Of middle voice: Virgo, Capricorn, and Aquarius
• Mute: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces

This classification
classification characterizes the power of the individual’s oratory and is generally applied to the ascen
ascend-
d-
ing sign and to the sign placement of Mercury,
Mercury, due to its connection with speech/communication.
s peech/communication. The signs
of strong voice easily project their voice, those of middle voice have an average voice, and the mute signs
tend to be shut down in their vocal expression.

• Bitter: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius

• Sweet: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius
• Salty: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
• Sour: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

This classification is useful

useful in the descriptions o f foods,
foods, medications, and other
othe r elements of a medical nature.

These are the attributes more frequently used in the astrological practice. It is important to keep in mind that
tha t
these attributes
sense to include must be integrated
attributes into an
such as “bitter”
“bitte appropriate
r” or “fertile” ininterpretative context.
the description Understandably,
of a behavior.
behavio it makes
r. Similarly, dno
in the de-
e-
scription of an object, the use of attributes such as “impulsive” or “emotional” are equally absurd.

• Long Ascension or oblique: Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini
• Short Ascension or straight: Cancer, Leo, Vir
Virgo,
go, Libra, Scorpio, aand
nd Sagitta
Sagittarius.
rius.

This classification refers to the time

ti me that each sign takes to rise over the horizon.
horizon. Due to the inclination ooff the
Earth’s
Ea rth’s ax
axis,
is, the signs do not
n ot all take the same time to rise. The exact use of this
this division will be covered in a
subsequent chapter.

Interpretation of the Signs

The signs are like divisions in a board game. They are only relevant in an interpretation when there is some-

thing
scope)placed
that isinlocated
them. Thus, a sign
in it. The colors with
expression its qualitie
of that qualities
planet sorany pplanet
lanet
factor (or other
is then aastrol
molded strological
byogical point
the sign andof
o facquires
tthe
he ho
horo-
ro-
a
set of traits that condition its manifestation. The planets possess their own natures, but their movement
 

Tfic Zodiac
Zodiac an d t(i
t(iee SignsjSl

through the signs alters the manifestation of that nature. It is from

fr om the combina
co mbination
tion o f the na ture
turess o f the fi v e
 pla nets
net s an d the luminaries
l uminaries with the twelve basic qualiti
q ualities
es o f the signs
sig ns that a ll diversit
div ersityy o f exp
expressio
ressio n in na
ture are derived.
derived. This
This expression
expression may be translated into various forms:
for ms: human behavior, climatic varia
tions, worldly events, etc.

Interpretation of Planets in Signs

To determine the effects of planets
planets in signs, one must combine the nature o f tthe
he planet with the sign in which
it finds itself.
itself. The planet will have its own expression and natural signification altered by the characteristics
o f th
thee sign. The result will be more or less flfluid,
uid, depending upon
upo n the agreeme
agreement nt between the natures o f the
 planett and the sign.
 plane

 Nev er forget that the focus ooff the interpretation

 Never interpret ation is alway
alwayss cente
centered
red on the planet. The pla
planet
net indi
indicates
cates w
what
hat is
in play (for example, Mars indicates action, combat, etc.); the sign refers to the traits by which it expresses it-
se
self
lf (for example, Taurus indicates a solid and slow expression, while CancerCance r represents an expression that
th at is
emotional and variable).
variable).

In astrology, what is important is under- Let’s take the Moon as an example: its signification includes includes,,
standing, not memorization. It is critical among other things, the moods, emotional tones, and sensibil- s ensibil-
to possess a solid understanding of the will ities acquire
of the individual. If it is positioned
the characteristics o f this in We
this sign. Leo,have
thesethen
moods
a fi-
nature of
o f eeach
ach planet and sign in order to
understand the result of any planetsign ery sign, hot and dry, with a dynamic expression, positive p ositive and
combination. The student who internal- enthusiastic; a masculine and diurnal sign, therefore, extro-
izes this understanding will be able to verted; a fixed sign, possessing confident and lasting action.
handle any combination without having In this manner, the moods and emotions represented by the
to depend upon “cookbook” descrip- Moon in Leo will be enthusiastic, positive (fire/choleric), not
tions or descriptive tables.  passin g with
 passing without
out nnotice
otice (masculine
(mascu line anda nd diu
diumal)
mal).. T
Thei
heirr expres-
expre s-
sion will be firm, possibly often being stubborn (fixed). The
expression o f the planet is more joyfu
joyfull and extroverted, but less receptive since the natural sensibility of the
Moon is diminished in a hot and dry sign,
sign, which contradicts the cold and moist (phlegmatic)
(phlegmatic ) facet of o f the lu-
minary. Also, the natural plasticity of the Moon will be more restrained because of the fixed Leo nature.

If we consider another fire sign, such as Aries,

Aries, we discover that the traits of enthusiasm, affirmation,
affirmati on, and ex-
ex -
troversion are common. Nonetheless, a Moon in Aries portrays a greater restlessness and propensity for ac-
tivity, since it is a moveable sign. Similarly, a Moon in Sagittarius, a mutable, fire sign, acquires a more
adaptable, multifaceted and dispersed expression.

It is also important to note the impact of o f the ruling planet of

o f the signs (of
(o f which we will speak
spea k in more detail
ahead): in this case, the Sun, ruler of
o f Leo, Mars, ruler of Aries
Aries,, and Jupiter, ruler
rul er of Sagittarius. The Moon in
Leo will portray distinctly positive
p ositive traits (Sun), in Aries, more bellicose and sharp ones (Mars), and in Sagit-
tarius, an “advocating”
“advocating ” (Jupiter) mmotivation.
otivation. We may also consider the secondary attributes o f the signs. Leo
is a fierce sign, which indicates a more intense and domineering emotional expression than in the other fire
signs. On the other hand, Leo, Aries and Sagittarius are bestial signs, which implies more abrupt attitudes
with a greater negative social impact. O Off the fire si
signs,
gns, Sagittarius has a double aspect, since it is dep
depicted
icted by
a figure that is half
hal f man and hhalf
alf ani
animal,
mal, which makes it swing between abruptnes
abruptnesss and sociability.
sociability. Notwith-
N otwith-
standing, the fluctuations are softened by Sagittarius also being an autumn (calmer) sign and having Jupiter 
(planet of moderation) as its ruler.

If weaconsider,
have cold and by
drycontrast, the Moon
sign, of air, in Capricorn,
melancholic, theand
feminine delineation
nocturnal,will
andbemoveable.
very different. In this
Here the case, and
attitudes we
emotions signified by the Moon will have a more discrete and restrained expression (feminine/noctumal),
 

 52 /O n the He av en
enly
ly Spheres
Sphere s

overlaid by a pragmatic and slightly sus-  Note: Although each planet always has a natural significati
sign ification
on
 piciouss and cautious
 piciou cautio us (earth, melan- (Mars signifies action, Venus affection, Mercury understand-
cholic) attitude, but which is very active ing, etc.) what is truly important in interpretation, is the par

aand dynamic sign,

quadruped (moveable).
makingAgain wession
have
its expression
expre ticular signification that each planet acquires in the chart.
The position by sign gives us only the qualities through which
a bit abrupt, as in previous examples (al- the celestial body expresses itself; it does not indicate its
though moderated by the earth clement function or importance in the general context of the horo-
and by the sobriety o f the
the ruler, Saturn
Saturn).
). scope. This information is given to us from the house position
and by the rules of delineation. The interpretation by sign is
The same rationale should be applied to only made by beginners as a practice exercise.
the remaining planets and signs. We re-
 peat: it is o f no use to memorize the signification
signification o f the planets
plane ts in each sign; what is truly important is to un
derstand the astrological principles that are at the root o f those
those significations.

Characterization and Description by Sign

The characterizations that we list below have diverse
diverse applications. For example, in a natal horoscope, they
describe the behavioral traits of an individual,
individual, in a horary chart, they give a description o f the person asked
ask ed
about; in still other horary charts, they describe
describe the “characters” represented by the planets situated in the re-
spective signs. Following is the expression and behavior o f th thee signs:
T Ari
ries
es Hot + Dry Its behavioral expression is characterized by impulsivity
Choleric and rapid response; action is at the core of its
its motivations. It
Movable describes an enthusiastic and passionate attitude that can
Ruled by Mars also be a bit abrupt and precipitated, and
a nd often aggressive.
The expression is emotive and expansive, but lacks a degree
of sensibility, tact and subtly.
subtly.

d Tauru
Tauruss Cold + Dry Characterizes a calm, pondered behavior with a tendency
Melancholic toward inertia and laziness. The attitude is pragmatic, prac-
Ruled by Venus tical, and centered on comfort and satisfaction. Not given to
action, it tends to be more reactive to external stimuli than
to initiate actions. It cultivates security and stability. The
emotional expression is made through physical demonstra-
tions or concrete expressions.

JI Gemini Hot + Moist Its behavioral expression is characterized by curiosity, a

Sanguine variety of interests, and the capacity to change one’s atten-
Double or Common tion from one topic to another. It exhibits great dynamism
Ruled by Mercury (especially at the intellectual or social level), but the expres-
sion tends to be dispersed, often manifesting itself with vol-
atility and inconsistency. It tends to be more rational than
emotive.

S> Cancer  Cold + Moist Behaviorally, it exhibits a calm, receptive, and sympathetic
Phlegmatic attitude, but subject to emotional ups and downs since emo-
Movable tional security is at the core of its behavior. It responds eas-
Ruled by the Moon ily to changes in the environment, but in a defensive or hes-
itant manner.
 

Tfic Zodiac and tfic Sü)nsl53

Leo Hot + Dry The behavioral expression is characterized by a natural radi-

Choleric ance which results in an affirmative and dominant attitude.
Fixed Its actions are firm and consequential, although personal in
Ruled by the Sun  perspect
 perspective.
ive. A generous
simultaneously gener ous receptive
not very and warmand
personal
person al expressio
ex pression,
exhibiting somen, but
abruptness and impulsivity.

ÎI7 Virgo Cold + Dry The behavior represented by this sign, is distinguished by a
Melancholic utilitarian, practical and detailed expression. The expression
Double or Common is agitated, very focused on conceptual questions and practi-
Ruled by Mercury cal details. The actions are precise, but tend to get lost in a
multiplicity of details. The rational streak predominates,
making the emotional expression appear “dry.”

=Ch Libra Hot + Moist There is great attention to social interactions, which acquire
Sanguine a dynamic and varied expression. It cultivates contacts,
Movable friendships and groups, tending to maintain a socially
Ruled by Venus acceptable and conservative
itself in a more rational than expression. It tends
emotive manner andtocultivates
express
moderation.

1ÎV Scorpio Cold + Moist It represents a contained, introverted and defensive expres-
Phlegmatic sion. The actions are based upon security and emotional
Fixed control, giving rise to distrust and caution. With a reserved
Ruled by Mars expression, it avoids showing feelings and sensitivity.

/ Sa
Sagi
gitt
ttar
ariu
iuss Hot + Dry It is characterized by an active and dynamic expression,
Choleric very adaptive and goodhumored. The actions are expansive
Double or Common and expressive with a certain idealistic and selfrighteous
Ruled by Jupiter  inclination. It’s nature is adventurous, experimental and
optimistic.

Capricorn Cold + Dry The behavior is firm and enterprising. The motivation is
Melancholic  pragmatic,
 pragm atic, cent
centered
ered on practic
pra ctical
al and useful actio
actions,
ns, which
whic h
Movable combine objectivity and dynamism. The emotional expres-
Ruled by Saturn sion is restrained, vacillating between sobriety and reserve.

Aquarius H o t + Moi s t A taste for concepts and ideals, to which the mind adheres
Sanguine in a persevering and often stubborn manner. It cultivates its
Fixed own manner of acting,
acting, distancing itself from anything that
Ruled by Saturn is of a general mindset. Not very emotional, it tends to be
more theoretical than practical.

X Pisces Cold + Moist Calm, receptive, and sentimental behavior, of a plastic and
Phlegmatic adaptive nature; sometimes fickle, since the actions are
Double or Common  basedd upo
 base uponn sentim
sentiments
ents and the sensibilit
sensi bilities
ies o f the momen
m oment.t.
Ruled by Jupiter  At ease attitude to the point of dispersal and disregard.
 

 54/On
 54/ On die Heaven
Heavenly
ly Spheres

In other astrological contexts, as in mundane or horary, a planet  Note: The bbehaviors

ehaviors indicate
indicatedd bbyy the
may represent actions or animated objects. In these cases, the at- sign must always be combined with
tributes listed above will represent the characteristics
characteristics ooff that
that ac- the planet that occupies it. For exam-
tion or object.
Generally, an Let us represented
action take the Moon by once more as
the Moon would be fast  ple,
an example. sentedthebyenthusiast
enthusiastic
Cancer icwill
behavior
beha
bevior repr
repre-
expressed e-
(given that the Moon is the fastest
fastest planet), ooff great visibility (it is differently by Saturn—more cautious
a luminary), with a strong emotional clement (it symbolizes the and reserved—or by Mars—more as-
emotional nature), but shortlived (it has a changeable nature). If  sertive and dynamic.
it is positioned in Leo, it also represents an action that is enthusi-
astic and intense (fire), but controlled or restricted (fixed). In Capricorn, it signifies an action that is faster 
and more sudden (cardinal) but also discrete, orderly, and objective (earth). If we refer to an object, the
Moon may represent (along with many other things) a glass or cup (receptivity).(receptivity). If positioned in Leo, the cup
will be eyecatching and shiny (fire), possibly golden (Sun), but with a heavy appearance (fixed), whose
function will be to adorn or to symbolize status. A Moon in Capricorn will represent a cup of a darker more
 plain material (earth), of
o f little worth or old (Saturn), o f easy use (cardinal
(cardi nal or moveable),
movea ble), and with a practical
prac tical
function (earth).

Rulerships and Sign Associations

The sign position can also give more complex associations, such as a spatial direction (east, north, west,
south) or describe locations, such as the part of a house, a territor
territory,
y, a nation, etc. Fo
Forr example, a plane in Leo
indicates, in tenus
tenu s ooff the
the interior of a house, a fireplace or a pla
place
ce where fire is present, while Capricorn rep-
resents places near the ground and doorsteps. Just as with the planets, the signs are associated with variou variouss
aspects of daily life.
life. Each sign rules (or is as associated
sociated with) the parts of the body, places, colors, plants, ani-
mals, etc. For this book, we’ve selected the associations
associations with the most practical application; the remain
remaining
ing
associations may be easily found in the majority ooff sourc sources
es referenced.

 Body Parts
Pa rts
Particularly used in medical astrology, these associations determine the place in the body subject to illness
and also to determine birthmarks and blemishes in physical descriptions.

T Arie
iess Head, face and ears
Ü Taurus  Neck and th
throat
roat
X Gemini Arms, hands, shoulders and shoulder blades
S Cancer  Breast, bosom, ribs, stomach and spleen
Leo Heart, back, spinal column
læ Virgo Belly, intestines e diaphragm
=Ch Libra Bellybutton, kidneys, bladder, urinary system (purification of blood)
TQx Scorpio Genitals and anus
/ Sagi
Sagitt
ttar
ariu
iuss Thighs, buttocks and muscles in general
Capricorn Knees (and black bile)
Aquarius Legs and ankles (circulatory system)
X Pisces Feet (and phlegm)

Physical Appearance
These are particularly used to describe physica
physicall characteristics of people.
people. They have practical applications
 primaril
 prim arilyy in natal,
nata l, horary
hora ry and medical
medi cal astrology.
astrolog y. Follo
Following
wing is a list o f ph
physiog
ysiognomi
nomicc traits o f the signs,
which are relative
rela tive to the
th e rising sign and not to the Sun sign. In addition, they may be modified by planets lo
 

Tfic
Tfic Zodia
Zodiacc a n d the Signs/55

catcd in the first house

house or which aspect the Ascendant (in this case
case,, the planets add additional characteristics
to this basic structure).

T Arie
iess Dry body, mediumtall height, strong bones and limbs, wide shoulders, long face and
neck, dark complexion, thick eyebrows.
d Ta
Taur
urus
us Sh
Shor
ortt an
and ffuull sta
statu
turre, lar
large
ge sho
houl
ulde
derrs, wi
wide
de for
foreh
ehea
ead,
d, big
big eye
eyess aand
nd mout
mouth.
h. D
Dar
arkk hai
hairr,
large hands.
I Gemin
eminii Straight tall body, long arms but short hands and feet. Dark hair, sanguine complex-
ion, although darker.
® Canc
Cancer 
er  Short stature,
stature, larger upper body, pale complexion, dark hair, small eyes.
Leo Above average stature, full body, large shoulders but narrow chest. Big round head,
light curly
curly hair, Tanned skin, big goggle eyes.
11? Virgo Medium height, medium body, thin and harmonious with a tendency to have short
limbs. Dark complexion and hair.
:O= Libra Tall and thin body, harmonious and straight. Round face, fair complexion with pink-
ish skin and soft light hair.
1ît Scorpio Strong robust body, hairy, stocky and compact, with slightly bowed legs. Dark com-
 plexionn and coarse hair. Long face and short neck.
 plexio
/ Sa
Sagi
gitt
ttar
ariu
iuss Above average height, robust body, hharmoniousarmonious limbs. Pleasant face, long but full
full..
Tanned complexion and light hair.
Capricorn Dry body, medium to short stature, long neck, narrow chest, dark hair, long and lean
face, narrow chin.
Aquarius Stocky body, large, fleshy or strong, well proportioned and not too tall. Long face,
light sanguine complexion.
X Pisces Short stature,
stature, fleshy body, not very harmonious, a little curved, pale complexion and
large face.

Spatial Directions
These are used in horary astrology to find lost animals or people, thereby giving a general indication of the
direction they may have taken.
T Ar
Arie
iess East
 b Taurus South by East
H Gemini West by South
S Cancer   North
Leo East by North
1JP Virgo South by West
Libra West
TQx Scorpio  Northh by East
 Nort
/ Sa
Sagi
gitt
ttar
ariu
iuss East by South
Capricorn South
Aquarius West by North
X Pisces  Northh by West
 Nort
 

 56/O h  tfic Heavenly Sjrfiercs

 Locations
 Locat ions
Locations are used in horary astrology to find missing objects, animals or people. In this context the signs
describe the location.

T Aries Outside: pastures and stables for small animals; recently ploughed lands or where
 bricks or lime have recently been bu burned;
rned; ploughed or undula
undulating
ting fields. In the home:
roofs, ceilings, and plaster.
 b Taurus Outside: horse ststables,
ables, isolated pastures, level lands
l ands or re
recently
cently trimmed lands, where
coni or wheat is planted. In the home: basements and low rooms.
K Gemini Outside: elevation
elevationss and mountains
mountains,, barns, coni silos, high places. In the home: walls
and plaster, woodlined walls, game rooms. Safes and chests.
® Cancer Outside: the sea, large navigable rivers,
rivers, springs,
springs, streams,
streams, wells, swampy lands, and
 banks, dykes. In the home: basements, laundry rooms and cisterns.
Leo Outside: forests, woods, places that are deserted, steep, rocky, inaccessi
inaccessible,
ble, or fre-
quented by wild animals. Palaces, castles, forts and parks. In the home: near chimneys
or fireplaces.
HP Virgo Outside: com fields, mounts of straw, barley or wheat, bams, places where malt or dairy
is stored or manufactured. In the home: the office, places with books and bookcases.
=Q= Libra Outside: mountaintops, slopes, place o f fresh air, sandy or gravelfilled lands, falconry
and hunting grounds, sawmills, cooperages, places near windmills, bams, isolated agri-
cultural storage. In the home: upper rooms, attics, chambers and rooms within rooms.
1Tb Scorpio Outside: swampy and muddy lands, quicksand
quicksand,, places
place s used by crawli
crawling
ng animals,
anim als, gar-
gar -
dens, orchards, wineries, tanks and ruined houses near water. In the Home: kitchen,
 pantries and laundry rooms.
/ Sagittar
Sagittarius
ius Outside
Outside:: hills, the highest places around, stables for horses or cattle. In the home:
upper rooms near fire.
IS Capricorn Outside:
Outside: uncultivated lands with sharp shrubs, stacked dirt and manure, sheep pas-
tures, cattle enclosures, wood or ship storage.  In the Home: low dark places, near the
ground or o r doorsteps
doorsteps..
SZ Aquarius Outside: elevated or nonlevel places, newly excavated grounds, quarries or other 
 placess where
 place whe re min
minerals
erals are eextracte
xtracted,
d, wineries, and places
pl aces near springs and fountains.
fountain s.
In the home: roofs, eaves and high places.
X Pisces Outside: watery lands or with springs, lakes, and rivers rich in animals and birds, water 
mills, motes. In the home: wells and places near water, water pumps, or reservoirs.

Countries
Countries or R egions
These rulerships are primarily used in mundane astrology to determine the location of events. Just as in the
case of
o f the planets, one should remember
rem ember that these associations are very ancient and that they do not always
coincide with the current boundaries of nations. Additionally, there are occasional differences between the
various sources. In natal and horary astrology, these correspondences help to assess the affinity between in-
dividuals and places, and they are particularly useful in situations involving travel and business.

T Aries
Aries Germany, Poland, Upper Burgundy superior,
superior, Franc
France,
e, England,
England, Denmar
Denmark,k, Silesia
Silesia
superior, Judea, Palestine, Syria, Sinai, Arabia, and parts of Persia and Austria.
 b Taurus
Tauru s Gre
Greate
aterr Pola
Poland,
nd, northern
north ern Sweden, Russia
Russia,, Ireland, Switzerlan
Switzerland,
d, Lorraine, Campania
Camp ania,,
Persia (mainly current Iraq), Cyprus, Parthia, Medes, Cyclades Islands, Lydia and
Ionia.
 

Tfic Zodiac and tfic SignslSJ 

X Gemini Egypt, Phoenicia, Scotland, Flanders (Brabant), Sardinia, Lombardi, west and south-
west England and the Azores Islands.
® Cancer Scotla
Scotland,
nd, Zeeland, Norway, Russia, Holland and part of Flanders, Britannia, Kingdom
of Granada
Granada (South ooff Spain),
Spain), Armenia, Numidia, Ethiopia, Algeria, Tunisia.
Leo Bohemia, Alps, South Gaulle, Italy (Apulia), Sicily, Ithaca (part o f Greece), Chaldea,
Phoenicia,
Phoen icia, Damascus, the Red Sea and part o f Turkey.
Turkey.
HP Virgo Greece, Southwest France, Croatia, Mesop
Mesopotami
otamiaa (particularly
(parti cularly Assyria
Assyria),
), Athens.
d2= Libra Upper Austria, Duchy o f Savoy, Alsace, Livon
Livonia,
ia, African coast of the Red Sea (par-
ticularly Ethiopia).
1ît Scorpio Norway, Western Sweden
Sweden,, North of Bavaria, Scotland, Cappadocia (Turkey), Mauri-
tania, Morocco, Libya, Syria, Judea.
/ Sagittarius Spain (and Iberian Peninsula in general) Arabia, Hungary, Tuscany, Gaulle, Malta,
Moravia, Slavonia, Dalmatia.
18 Capricorn Portugal,
Portugal, Thrace, Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Bavaria, Lithuania, Styria, Saxony
(southeast),, Thuringia, Orkney Islands, India.
(southeast)
££ Aquarius Aragon (part of Spain), Ethiopia, parts o f Bohemia and Bavaria, Russia, Sweden
(middle), Croatia.
X Pisces Portugal, Galicia, Calabria, part o f Turkey, Ireland, Normandy, northern Egypt.

Cities
These attributions are similar to those of o f countries and regions. Many o f them may originate with
wi th the foun-
dation of
o f the
the cities, with the sign indicated corresponding to the city’s
c ity’s Ascendant. Sometim
Sometimes,
es, several signs
are attributed to the same city.

T Aries Naples, Florence, Genoa, Capua, Ferrara, Ancona, Verona, Utrecht, Krakow, Marseille,
Augusta, Padua, Bergamo, Babylon, Zaragoza, Tortosa, Valladolid, Cuidad Rodrigo,
Logreno, Najara.
 b Taurus Bologna,
Bologna , Salerno, Parma, Toro, Girona, Burgos,
Burgo s, No
Novoh
vohrad,
rad, Trento,
Trent o, Mantua,
Man tua, Sena,
Constatinople, Troy, Narbonne, Girona, Carlstad, Nantes, Liepsig, Palermo, Badajoz,
Astorga, Huelva, Alcântara, Elvas, Almeida, Castelo Branco, Nisa, Portalegre, Moura.
X Gemini Tireno, London, Leuven, Bruges, Sena, Turim, Viterbo, Nurembe
Nuremberg,
rg, Hasford, Mont,
Bamberg, Cesena, Trento, Siguença,
Siguença, Talavera delà Reina, Cordova, Madrid, Monviedro,
Ecija, Maguncia, Azores islands.
® Cancer Babylon, Constantinople, Carthage, Venice, Milan, Genoa, Pisa, Mantua, Ferrara,
Cantabria, Amesterdam, York, Magdburg, Wittenberg, Saint Luca, Cadis, Tunes,
Albares, Granada, Barcelona, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza, Logrosa, Burgos,
Victoria, Najara, Navarrete, Algarve, Lisbon, Beja, Setubal, Santarem, Leiria, Ourem.
Leo Meca, Damascus, Rome, Syracuse, Cremona, Ulm, Mantua, Ravenna,
Ravenn a, Palermo,
Palerm o, Prague,
Lintz, Bristol, La Pulla, Leon, Murcia, Madrid, Braga.
HP Virgo Athens, Jerusalem, Corinth, Pavia, Rhodes, Paris, Lyons, Basel, Ferrara, Heidelburg,
Heidelburg ,
Tolosa, Las Algeziras, Medina del Rio Seco, Toledo, Avila, Lerida.
Libra Frankfurt, Vienna, Urbino, Piedmont, Piacenza, Arles, Friburg, Teba, Parma, Sesa,
Salamanca, Burgos, Salerno, Almeria, Lisbon, Viana, Almeida, Gouveia, Coimbra.
1ÎL Scorpio Catalonia, Valencia, Urbino, Forum Julii, Vienna, Messina, Ghent, Frank
Frankfurt
furt (Oder),
Ferrara, Patavia, Genoa, Valencia, Lugia, Tangier, Morocco, Burgos, Malaga, Murcia,
Pedroso, Tudela, Braga.
 

58/011 tfte Heavenly Sjjfwres

Sagittarius Buda, Narbonne, Nuremberg, Rotenberg, Ludcmburg, Cullen, Stargard, Tuscany,

Jerusalem, Avignon, Toledo, Calahorra, Jacn, Medina Celi, Malta, Faro, Serpa,
Moura, Évora.

Capricorn: Hassia, Oxford,

Carmona, Cleves,
Tortosa, Osma,Brandenburg, Ghent,
Soria, Olmedo, Ingolstad,
Salamanca, Constantinople,
Constância, FerraraSavoy,
and
Verona, Castro Marim, Tavira, Louie, Alcoutim.
Aquarius Hamburg, Bremen, Montsferat, Trento, Ingolstadt, Jerusalem, Urbino, Zamora,
Palencia, Palencia, Medina del Campo, Seville, Carmona.
X Pisces Alexandria, Rhemes, Wonnes, Ratisbon, Compostela, Padua, Sevilha, Orensc, Ecija,
Oporto, Faro.

The Movement of the Planets in the Signs

The motion o f the planets in the zodiac follows the order of the signs. Thus, the planets move from Aries to
Taurus, then to Gemini, etc.

On its normal path, a planet increases the num-

 be
 berr of degrees it traverses in a sign until it leaves
it, transiting into the succeeding sign.
Mercury and Venus, in contrast to the other 
 planets,
 plane ts, are never very distant from the Sun.
This happens because (from a heliocentric per-
spective) their orbits are inside that ooff the Ear
Earth.
th.
Therefore, for a terrestrial observer, Mercury,
whose orbit is closest to the Sun, is never more
than 28° (approximately a sign away) from the
Sim’s zodiacal position. Venus, which has a
wider orbit, is never more than 48° (approxi-
mately a sign and a half) away. This maximum
distance is known as elongation.

Along their trajectory, Mercury and Venus

make two conjunctions to the Sun; once on the
side opposite to the Earth (called a superior
conjunction), the other when they are between Figure 14. The Movement of the Planets in the Signs
the Earth and the Sun (inferior conjunction).
conjunction).
In the superior conjunction, the planet is on the
other side of the Sun, moving therefore above
the Sun (thus, the term superior), while in the
inferior conjunction, the planet passes between
the Earth and the Sun, below it. In an astrologi-
cal chart, the inferior conjunction always corre-
sponds to the retrograde motion of the planet
(which will be explained later).

Velocity

The progression
happens of the
at different planets
speeds. Thealong the body,
fastest signs
the Moon, moves at an average rate of 13° per 
 

Tftc Zodiac
Zodiac a n d tfic
tfic Signs/59

day, advancing about 1° every two hours and

covering a complete sign in about two and a half 
hal f 
days. Saturn, the slowest of
o f the traditional plan-
ets, advances on average 2° a day and takes takes
about two and a hal
halff years to cross a sign. These
different speeds are represented on the model of 
the planetary spheres by the Chaldean or-
der—Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus,
Mercury, and the Moon.

Each planet has a specific cycle measured by the

amount of time it takes it to complete a revolu-
tion around the zodiac. The Moon takes about
27.5 days to return to the same place in the zo-
diac; Mercury, Venus and the Sun take about 1
year (since they are never far apart); Mars,
about 2 years; Jupiter, about 12 years; and Sat-
urn, approximately 29 years.
Figure 16. Maximum Distance of Mercury and  Neve rtheless,
 Neverthel ess, along
alon g its course, the apparent
Venus to the Sun, Projected in the Zodiac
speed of
o f the planet
plan et varies due to its proximity or 
distance in relation to Earth. These are ththee aver-
age daily speeds of the planets:

Planet   Averag
 Ave ragee Daily
Dai ly Speed 
Spe ed 
Saturn 00°02'01"
U Jupiter  00°04'59"
Cf Mars 00o31'27"
0 Sun 00°59'08"
9 Venus 00°59'08"
5 Mercury 00°59'08"
P Moon 13°10'36"
Figure 17. Inferior and Superior Conjunction of Venus
Although the Sun, Venus, and Mercury have
identical average speeds, Mercury reaches a
maximum speed o f little more than 2° 10' per 
day. Venus is less, with a maximum of 1°16',
and the Sun with l°01'.

 Note: the appa

apparent
rent daily velocity
velo city o f the Moo
Moonn
fluctuates between U°41' and 15°23'; the Sun
ranges between a minimum
minimu m o f 57°
57° 10' and a
maximum
maximu m of l°0 1'10". For the remainin
remainingg plan-
ets, the maximum daily motions are approxi-
mately 47' for Mars, 14' for Jupiter, and 07'
07 ' for 
Saturn.
Figure 18. The Chaldean Order
and the Speeds o f the Planets
Planets
 

60 /0n tli
tliee Heavenfy S
Spher
pheres
es

In the case where the dail y motion o f the planet is shorter than the one prese nted in the table, it is said that the
 pl
 plan
anet
et is slow
sl ow ; w hen
he n g re at er tha
t hann tthe
he av
aver
erag
age,
e, the
th e pla
p lane
nett is said
sa id to be
b e fast.
f ast. A fast p la
lane
nett is c on si
side
de red
re d ttoo h av e a
swifter and more effective action, and a slow planet has a more protracted action. 8

Retrogradation
Planetary movement norm ally occurs in the order of th thee zodiac signs, (Aries
(Aries,, Taurus, Gem ini, etc.).
etc.). Th is is
called direct motion. At certain times along its celestial course, however, the planet slows down its motion
until it apparently stops, reverses its course, and
 begi
 be gins
ns to m ov e in a dire
di rect
ctio
ionn op po site
si te to the or
or--
der of the signs.
signs. This phenomenon is kno known
wn as
retrograde motion (or retrogradation) and it
occurs periodically during the zodiacal cycle of 
the planet. Thus, a planet is said to be retrograde
when its apparent motion in the celestial dome
is contrary to the zodiacal signs (Gemini,
Taurus, Aries, etc). This apparent reversal oc-
curs when Earth passes the slower planets that
are outside of its orbit. A similar phenomenon
occurs when a car passes another moving in the
same direction but at a slower speed. The pas-
sengers in the faster car perceive the slower car 
to be moving backwards.

In the case of the planets on the inside

inside o f Earth’s
orbit, Mercuiy and Venus, retrogradation oc-
curs when these bodies (moving within their 
own orbits around the Sun) come close to Earth,
 pa ss
ssin
ingg betw
be tw een
ee n it an d the Su
Sunn (s
(see
ee F igur
ig ur e 30)
30)..
Retrograde motion is an apparent phenomenon
caused by the observer’s change in perspective
as Earth circles around the Sun. In reality, a
 pl an et n ev er sto
s tops
ps its m ov em en t arou
ar ou nd the
th e S un
un;;
it is a purely geocentric phenomenon.

In a table or in
in a horoscope, a retrograde planet
is iindicated
ndicated by this symbol— B—located next to
the planet.

The Sun and Moon are never retrograde. In the

case o f the
the Sim, it is the Earth that orbits around
it, such that the apparent motion is continuous.
The Moon has its orbit directly around the
Earth, which makes retrogradation impossible.

The Effects
Effects o f a Retrograde Planet 
Direct motion is what a planet normally as-
sumes wh ile on its cours e and is considered nor

8 Someauthors consider that a slow planet is debilitated since its movement is similar to that of Saturn, the slowest and
most malefic o f tthe
he traditional planets.
planets.
 

Tfie Zodiac
Zodiac an d the Signs/61

mal, since it does not interfere in its expression. Retrograde motion, because it makes the planet appear to
move backward, is considered
considered an interference
interference in its normal functioning. Thus, a retrograde planet is co nsid-
ered debilitated because its expression is challenged. Its actions are discontinuous and given to sudden
changes. It can signify reversals, delays, and the canceling of plans.

The Stations
The change in direction
direction from direct
direct motion to retrograde motion does not occur suddenly. Th e planet slows
down gradually until it appears
appears to stand completely still. It then begins to slowly m ove in the oppo site direc-
tion, increasing in speed until it reaches its normal
speed. We call this stopping point the station, an d
the planet that appears stopped is stationary.

At the transition from direct to retrograde and back to

direct, the planet makes two stations. The first sta
tion occurs when a planet, in direct motion, gradually
diminishes its speed until it stations, to then begin its
apparent retrograde motion. The second station oc-
curs when, during retrograde motion, the planet
slows down, stations, and then resumes its direct mo-
tion. In practice, a planet in the first station is consid-
ered more debilitated than a planet in the second station, since after the last one the planet resumes direct mo-
tion (considered normal).

The Latitude of the Planets

Planets
As w as stated at the start o f tthis
his chapter, the celestial position o f the
the planets does not always coincide exactly
with the ecliptic. With the exception o f tthe he Sun, which traces the ecliptic with its apparent path, the Moon
and the planets m ay be located a bit above or below the ecliptic. This occurs becau se o f the the existence o f dif-
ferences between the orbits of the Earth and of the other planets. This divergence is expressed in terms of an-
other celestial coordinate, latitude. When a
 pl an et is ab ov e th
thee ec lilipt
pt ic
ic,, th at is, in th
thee no rt
rth,
h,
it iiss said to have northern latitude; whe n it is lo-
cated below, in the southern part, it is said to

have southern latitude.

latitude.
Latitude is also expressed in degrees and min-
utes of arc, and ranges between 0° and 90°. In
 pr ac titice
ce , it is re pr es en te d b y a nu m be r o f d e-
grees and minutes and the nota tion N i f the lati-
tude is north, and S if it is south. For example,
5°N23 ' indicates a planet with a north latitude
of 5 degrees and 23 minutes.
Figure
6 22. The Latitude of the Planets r   .  j   nro/oo
The zodiac is defined as a band o f 16°
16° (8°
(8° above
and 8° below the ecliptic, which is the central line),
line), such that iitt may accom mo date the variations in latitude
that the planets
planets exhibit over time.
time. The latitude
latitude of each planet ha
hass a varying range o f maximum and m inimum
distance. O f the traditional planets, Venus has the great
greatest
est variation in llatitude,
atitude, since its maxim um latitude
reaches close to 9 .0 9

9Of the modem planets, Pluto exhibits the greatest variation in latitude, almost 18° (which puts it outside the traditional
limits of the zodiac during most o f its
its orbit); Uranus and Neptune exhibit maxim
maximums
ums between
betwee n 1° and 2°, respectively.
 

62/Oit tftc Heavenl y Sjtftere

Sjtfteress

In contrast to zodiacal longitude, the latitude of  8*N49’

the planets does not get represented directly in
the horoscope. It is
is generally located in adjacent
tables.
3°N43' / \ 
In practice, the latitude is not used in the basic 2*hM6* 4? 4 A
 bo
 bodydy o f th
thee int
interp
erpret
retati
ative
ve system
sys tem;; it is me
merely
rely /\ 1* °N3
N366’ ' ;
applied interpretativcly on a case by case basis H A u r U ::..i
when one makes more specific studies of the
 pl
 plan
anets
ets (fo r exa
examp
mple,
le, as an aid to physiph ysical
cal de-
de -
scription). As a general rule, the closer a planet i ; V i. H
is to the ecliptic, the stronger and more stable sta ble its 4/' 1°S29’ 4 4
effects. Traditionally, a planet with a north lati- 2°S47’ 4
tude is preferred to one with a south latitude  j 3*S58’
since for an observer in the northern hemisphere  \ / 5*S18’
5*S18 ’
it has greater visibility (it appears higher in the 6*S52’
sky and stays longer above the horizon). 10 z

 Non
 N oneth
ethele
eless
ss,, as wa
wass stated
sta ted earlier
ear lier,, the ap
appl
plica
ica-- ____________________________ 8*S43’________________
8*S43’________________
tion of these
eclipsed rules interpretative
by other is very secondary, being
elements of  Figure 23. The Range of Latitude of the Planets
greater significance.

The Cycles of the Planets

The motion o f the
the planets in the zodiac
zodiac is cyclical in nature
nature because every planet repeats its own ap parent
motion around the Earth in regular periods of time.
time. These cycles are important in order to u nderstand the dy -
namic of the planet asas well as a part of its
its symbolism. The planets have two cycles or m ajor periods
periods:: a zodi a-
cal cycle, also called sidereal, and a synodic cycle.

 Zo diac
di ac al o r S
Sid
ider
erea
eall Cycl
C yclee
This is the period of time that it takes for a planet to complete a revolution around the Earth, or a re volution
around the zodiac. The duration of the zodiacal
zodiacal cycle depends upon the speed o f the
the pla ne t.11

Planet   Zo diac

di acal
al Cy
Cycle
cle
h   Saturn 29y 5m 13d
U Jupiter  ll y 10
10m
m 18
18d
Cf Mars ly 10m 22d
O S un iy
9 Venus
Venus ly (apro
(aprox.)
x.)
3 Mercury ly (apr
(aprox.)
ox.)
D Moon 27.5d

,0 In principle these rules should be inverted for the southern hemisphere, for obvious reasons. However, there are no
conclusive studies attesting to this.
l , Due to their periods of retrograde motion, Mercury and Venus have an oscillating zodiacal cycle. Nonetheless, be-
cause of their proximity to the Sun, the values are always close to 365 days, that is, a year.
 

Tfw Zodiac
Zodiac a nd tfte Signs/63

Synodic Cycle
The synodic cycle corresponds
corresponds to the period of time
time that it takes a planet to return to its starting point
poi nt in rela
rela--
tion to the Sun. In practice,
practice, it consists of the period between two successive conjunctions
conju nctions o f a planet to the
Sun.
from The difference
the speed of thebetween this cycle
planets—the speedand
o f the Sun
of previous
Sun.
. one resides in the fact that it accounts for—aside

Planet  Synodic Cycle

\ Sa
Satu
turn
rn ly 13d
U Jupiter  ly34d
0" Mars 2y 50d
9 Venus ly34d
S Mercury 219d
D Moon 29.5d

In the case of planets that move faster than the Sun, when the planet
p lanet returns to the same point in the zodiac,
the Sun has already moved and it is necessary that the planet travel a bit more to reach it. As for the slower 
 planets,
 planet s, it is the Sun that reaches them.

The  Aug
 A ug e of the Planets
This is a traditional concept that comes up in the context of the model of the celestial spheres and does not
have a direct application to the astronomical heliocentric model. It is frequently mentioned
mention ed by traditional au
thors, which is why we’ve decided to include it
O c f do here even though its importance in astrological
Conjunction
to tho Sun interpretation is extremely small.

During their travel around the Sun, planets may

O < /? D

Superior 
 be clos
closer
er or farther
farth er from Earth. The phase
pha se of 
conjunction greatest distance is known as auge.  When a
 planet
 plan et gets close to this point,
poin t, it is said to “as
“as--
cend to its auge” and is considered to be advan-
taged; when it gets far from this point, it is said
auge”
to “descend
 be disadvantafrom
ged. its
disad vantaged.  and is considered to

In an astrological chart we can determine this

situation by observing the conjunctions of the
 planets
 plane ts wi
with
th the
t he Sun. T
The
he sup
superio
eriorr plan
planets
ets (Sat-
(Sat -
urn, Jupiter and Mars) reach their auge close to
the conjunction with the Sun; they
t hey are said to as-
cend to their auge  when the Sun gets close to
them, and to descend from their auge when the
Inferior 
Sun moves awayaway from them. The inferior plan-
conjunction ets (Venus and Mercury) are at their auge dur-
ing the superior conjunctions of o f tthe
he Sun (that is
0«’ cfR in direct motion), finding themselves farthest
Oposltion from auge when they are in inferior conjunction
to tho Sun
Me n e n d VeVennue
(during retrograde motion). The Moon is close
fu rth e n t fro m th e i r Au g e
to its auge when its speed is slower, and
an d far from
Figure 24. The Auge  of the Planets (Apogee and Peri
Perigee)
gee) it when it is faster.
 

64/On tfic  Hcavenfy

 Hc avenfy Sjrfiercs

Wc may equate
equate auge to the planet’s apogee
apogee and
its opposite  po
 point, 12
1
* 2
int, perigee.   Although 
Although  these
conceptss arc generally
concept generally a a pplied to the Moon, in a
geocentric perspective,
perspective, they
 they may be applied to
the remaining p
remaining planets.
lanets.

The Zodiac
Zodiac in Astronomy and
and History
H istory
The zodiac is a  a  very ancient celestial structu
structurere
that was proba bly bly defined by Mesopotam
Mesopotamian
civilizations. Its representatio
representationn may be found in
almost all of the claclassical
ssical civilizations. The 12 12
divisions proba bly
 bly derived from the season
seasons of 
the year
year and lunar movement since since  the Sun and
Moon encounter each other other 12 times in a year at
the New Moon. Thi This gave birth to the 12 calen-
cale n-
dar
dar months and, as a consequen
consequence, to the 12 di-
visions in the s
the sky
ky along the path of the SunS un..13

At an earlier time,
time, these divisions mark eed  d  by Figur 
Figu r e 25. Sidereal Zodiac, Tropic
Trop ical
al Zodiacal
stars an
and the signs of
o f the zodiac wwoould have cor-
responded to grou ps ps of stars: the zodiacal con
co n-
stellations. Thi
Thiss zodiac, based upon cons con stella-
tion
tions,
s, is known as the sidereal
sidere al zodiac.
 zodiac.

With the  passage

 passage of time, astrologers
astrologers/astrono
/astrono
mers n
mers  noted
oted that the beginning of th the seasons and
the signs were not
no t in sync and that this discr eep- p-
ancy increased
increased with time. Thus the phenom pheno menon
knownn as the precession o f the eq uinoxes
know uinoxes was
discovered. This motiomotionn causes the dislocation
of the vernal point
point (the
 (the point where the Sun  Sun   is
loc
located on the spring equinox)
equino x) in
 in relation to the
 background starsstars.. In this manner, the ver nal
 point crosses
c rosses all the constellations o f the zod zodia
iacc
in a
in a per
 period
iod o f 25,920 ye years
ars ((ch
changing
anging a sign ev-
ery 2,160 years). 
years).  This motion occurs in the  the  in-
verse order of the t he   constellations (that is, the the
equinoox moves from the constella
equin constellation
tion o f Ar
Aries
ies
to Pisces, then to Aq uarius, etc.) and is caused
 by the cycli
c yclica
call wobble o f tthe
he Ea rth’s axaxis.
is.

In order to avoid this dist

distancing
ancing and to defini-
tively a
tively  associate
ssociate the zodiac with th
t h e seasons, the
si
siddereal zodiac was replaced
replaced   by the tropical a nd  Earth’s Axis
,2 The
term   a poge
term   po geee come
co mess from a Greek 
Gree k   term that
means “far from the
from  the E arth” in the same way thathatt perigee means “close to the E
the Earth”
arth” in Greek. The sam
samee is ap plie
ap pliedd to the
th e

 plan
 planets
ets in rela
r ela tio
tionn  to the
13It should be noted th
 to  the Sun: aphellium means “ far from the Sun” and perihell
perihe llium
ium means “close to the Sun
Sun.”
.”
t h at sometim es there are 13 luna
lunations in a solar year, which cau
c auses
ses a discrepancy between the
t he solar 
 solar 
a nd lunar calendars.
 

Tfte
Tfte Zodi
Zodiac
ac a nd t fe Signs!65

zodiac, wherein the signs are divisions

divisions of
o f the four sseasons
easons ooff the year
year.. This is the zodiac used by the western
tradition (and whose structure was covered in this chapter). We do not know when this change was made. Its
great promoter was, without a doubt, Claudius Ptolemy (c.lOOc. 178), but the concept may be far older than
this author.
era),autho r. Because
it is extremely
extreme both zodiac
zodiacs
ly difficult s were almost
to determine whichthe
which o f same
of the at the
the two timewas
zodiacs of Ptolemy
used by(beginn
(beginning
ing ooff the
the astrologers o fChristian
tthe
he time.
 Nevertheless,
 Neverth eless, almost all postPtolcmaic
postPtolc maic western autho
authorsrs use the tropic
tropical
al zodiac. The great exception
excep tion is
Hindu astrology, which evolved separately from the western tradition after the Greek period and still uses
the sidereal zodiac.

Constellation Versus Sign

Thus, in the western astrological tradition, when we speak of o f th
thee Despite the fact that astrologers have
signs we are not referring to constellations. The names co coincide
incide known of this difference for at least
 because the symbolism
symboli sm of the signs was extrapola
ex trapolated
ted to a great 2,000 years, many students and (even
extent from the constellations. When someone says that he or  worse) some astrology professionals,
she was born in the sign of Capricorn (referring to his or her  not knowing this fact, (or purposely
Sunsign), you’ll perhaps be surprised to discover that from an ignoring it for simplicity), insist upon
astronomical perspective, the Sun is in fact in the constellation referring to the signs as constellations,
of Sagittarius. The actual current discrepancy between both zo- thus, perpetuating the confusion.
diacs is 24° and it is known as an ayanamsa  (a Sanskrit term).
This point does not invalidate astrology, as is often argued; it merely indicates a reference that is different
from that used in astronomy. Seasons and signs are the references used in the tropical zodiac, and the groups
of stars (constellations) are those o f the
the sidereal zodiac.

The Astrological Ages

Another phenomenon associated with the precession of the The Ages are often used by modem
equinoxes is the sequence of astrological ages. Since the vernal mystical/esoteric systems to explain
 point takes
tak es 2,160 years
y ears to cross a constellation,
constellati on, it is said that dur- the evolution o f humani
humanity
ty throughout
ing that period that particular constellation rules over and deter- history and to justify apparent alter-
mines worldly topics. This is the case of the famous Age of  ations in human behavior. Although
Aquarius, into which we are all heading, according to some, or  interesting, this theory is not men-
in which we are currently living, according to others. tioned in any significant manner in the
traditional sources, nor is any practi-
On the basis
is found o f the
of
at this most common
moment computations,
at roughly 6° Pisces andtheis vernal
slowlypoint
pro- cal application attributed to it by the
tradition (as far as we know). There is
gressing (1° every 72 years) into the constellation of
o f Aquarius. If 
I f  no evidence for the astrological inter-
this calculation is correct, we should enter the Age of Aquarius  pretatio
 pret ationn ooff the pre
precessi
cession
on o f the eq
equi-
ui-
in 432 years. Since the boundaries of constellations are highly noxes prior to 1870. It is therefore a
disputed, these calculations are left to the imagination and cre- relatively recent concept. In contrast,
ativity of the various authors. the traditional system does frequently,
and in a more practical manner, em-
 ploy other
oth er types o f cycles,
cycle s, partic
pa rticular
ularly
ly
in the areas o f mundane astrology.
 

66/On tfie Hcavai fy Sjifi crcs

 

Chapter VI 

Thee Ess
Th Essent
entiaC
iaC D ig
ignn ities
itie s
The System of Essential Dignities
Dignities and Debilities
Debilities

W e’ve now seen how the planets express

express their natures and how that expression is colored by the characteris-
tics of the signs in which they find themselves. We will now further develop that concept.

When placed in the same sign, planets exhibit common qualities given to them by that sign. Nevertheless,
some planets have a greater ease of expression in particular signs than they do in others. It all depends
depend s upon
the comfort level the planet has in that zodiacal position. Thus, there are areas in the zodiac where the expres-
ex pres-
sion of
o f a planet is naturally strong and stable, while in others the same planet experiences difficulties.
difficul ties. These
areas are defined by the natural order of the zodiac and the celestial spheres.

When a planet finds itself in a segment of the zodiac in which its nature is reinforced, it is said to be digni-
fied; when it finds itself
itse lf in an area where its expression is challenged, it is said to be debilitated. These states
of dignity and debility are known as essential
essential becau
 because
se they reinforce
reinfo rce or challeng
ch allengee tthe
he manifes
man ifestati
tation
on o f the
 plane
 pla net’s
t’s essence. When dignif
dignified,
ied, the planet
plan et acqui
acquires
res greater
grea ter status  in the horoscope and becomes, to a
greater or lesser degree, lord of its own actions. When debilitated, the planet loses power and becomes con-
ditioned by the remaining planets.

In the system of essential dignities, there are five dignified states and two debilitated states.

The Major Dignities

The major dignities are domicile, or rulership, and exaltation. When a planet has dignity, it acquires power 
and its expression is more marked. Opposing these dignities are the debilities of detriment and fall. If a
 planet
 plan et has debility,
debil ity, its expre
expression
ssion is weak and
a nd ir
irregular.
regular. Becau
Because
se ooff their
the ir importanc
impo rtancee and
an d the
th e powe
po werr they be
be--
stow on planets, dignities (and corresponding debilities) are designated major, fundamental, an andd complete.

 Dom ici
icile
le or Rulersh
Rul ership
ip

The most important dignity is that of domicile

domicile,, or rulersh
rulership.
ip. Each sign has a ruling planet that acts as kin
kingg or 
o f that “territory.” The ruler is the key through
lord of through which the characteristics of the sign are expresse
expressed. d.
 

68/On the Heavenly Sphere

Spheress

Thus, in addition to the primary qualities (elements, modes, and gender), the signs are characterized by their 
ruling planet. As we’ve seen, the signs ruled by Saturn have a structured and austere expression due to the
nature of its ruler; the signs ruled by Jupiter share a posture that is enthusiastic and adaptable;
adaptable; those of
o f Mars
Mars
have a bellicose and assertive manner; the sign ruled by the Sun is radiant; those of Venus express them-
selves in a gentle and harmonious manner; those of Mercury are multifaceted; and the sign of the Moon has a
changeable and flowing expression.
expression.
Important: In the ancient sources, the sign
When the ailing planet is in the sign that it rules, it is said to that a planet rules is also called “the house
 be dignified.
dignified . As with thee planet of the planet”; often, the tenus domicile
wi th a king who is ruling his land, th
expresses its best nature in the most stable and productive and house arc used interchangeably. In
manner. For example, if Venus is posite ruling classical works, there are frequent refer-
positedd in one of its ruling
signs, Taurus or Libra, its expression will be gentle and ences to the sign of Cancer as “the house
whe ther in terms o f the sensual and practical as- of the Moon,” or to Capricorn or Aquar-
 pleasant, whether
 pects o f the earth (Taurus) or in the social and commu nica- ius as the “house of Saturn.” To avoid
communica-
tive aspects o f air (Libra).
(Libra). confusion between the astrological
houses and the signs (in the domicile
 How Ridersh
Ri dership
ip is Assig ned  sense) we will
will not use “house” to refer to
The assignment of rulership is based upon a combination of  signs in this book. The reader should
two distinct factors: the seasonal characteristics of the sign nonetheless be aware of this use of termi-
and its order in the celestial spheres (the Chaldean order). nology when consulting the traditional
Let's sec how these two factors interact. authors.

As was stated, the zodiac is based upon the four 

seasons of the year. The signs Cancer and Leo
mark the height of summer. Since they corre-
spond to the times of greatest daylight, they
have the two lights as rulers: the Sun and the
Moon. The Sun—the masculine light and lord
of the day—rules Leo, a masculine and diurnal
sign.. The Moon—
sign Moon—thethe feminine light and
and lady oof 
f 
the night—rules Cancer, a feminine and noctur-
nal sign. Saturn, the most distant and darkest
 planet— rules Because
and Aquarius. the two itwint
winter
is aersymbol
sysigns,
mbol oofCaprico
Capricornrn
f scarcity,
scarcity,
Saturn belongs to the rulership scheme opposite
the two lights, symbols of abundance and life.
The remaining planets are distributed through-
out the signs according to their positions in the
celestial spheres, the Chaldean order. Jupiter,
the planet that succeeds Saturn in the order of 
the spheres, rules the two adjacent signs, Sagit- Figure 1. Planetary Rulers
tarius and Pisces. Mars rules the next
n ext two signs,
Aries and Scorpio. Venus
Ven us rules Taurus and Libra, and an d Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo.
Virgo. Contrary to what is
often stated,
stated, the rulerships are not assigned on the basis o f affinities between
between signs and planets.

You’ll note that in this scheme Venus and Mercury retain, in relation to the lights, the same maximum dis-
tance that they attain
attai n relative to the Sun. Since Me
Mercury
rcury is never more than one sign from the Sun, it is given
rulership over
ov er the signs next
nex t to the two lights (Sun and Moon). Venus rules the next two signs
signs since its maxi-
max i-
mum distance from the Sun never exceeds two signs.
 

Digntics/69
Tftc E ssentiafDigntic

We can then sec that the rulership

then sec scheme pr ojects
rulership   scheme ojects
onto the zodiac the perfec
the zodiac tion of
the perfection celestiall spher ees.
o f the celestia s.
Thee perf ect
Th ion of the planetary
distribution
ect distribut  rulers gene
planetary rulers  gener-r-

ates
ates seve
severalral symmetr 
symmetr ical
ical r elationship
elationship arrange
arrangement
mentss
among the
among crucial for  an
planets that ar e crucial
 the planets  an understa nd-
un derstand-
ing o f as
ing o asttrologic
rologicalal foundatio ns. This
foundations. distribution
This distributi on di-
zodiac into
vides the zodiac into lun ar signs
lunar signs (from uarius   to
(from Aq uarius 
Cancer)
Cance r) and  solar (from Leo
  solar signs (from to Capricorn).
Leo to Capri corn).

Ea
Each assigned   aa diu
planet is also assigned 
ch planet diurnal rulershi p
rnal rulershi  p for a
masculi
asculine sign and a nocturnal
ne sign ulership for  a
nocturnal r ulership femi-
  a femi-
sign. Thus,
nine sign. each planet
Thus, each has an extrove
planet has rted ex-
extroverted ex-
sion (d iumal,
 pression
 pres masculine)   and an
iumal, masculine) overted ex-
an intr overted
 pression
 pressi (nocturnal,
on (nocturna l, feminine). example,
feminine).   For examp Venus
le, Venus
a nocturnal
has a noctu rulershi p
rnal rulershi p in Taurus, feminine and 
T aurus,   a feminine
noctur nal and a d iumal
sign, and
nal sign, rulership in 
iumal rulership Libra, a
in  Libra,
masculine
mascu and diumal
line and sign.
diumal sign.
Figure 2. Solar and
Fig ure 2. Solar Lunar Signs
 and Lunar

The lights
lights do 
do  not possess
possess   this
because they d efine
ity because
duplicity
duplic efine
daay and  night.
conceptt o f d
the concep   night.

by Sign
 Joy by 
In some rulerships,
some rulership s, the nature
the planett is tem pered  by
of the plane  by the
nature of the actual  sign; when
the actual sign;
 ppens   we say that
this ha ppens that the
 planet
 plan et is in joy. Ju piter,
in its joy.  piter,   a
masculine
mascu and diumal
line and planet,
diumal planet,
has its joy
has jo y in Sagittar  ius, a sign
S agittar ius,
equally
equall y masculine
masculine and umal.
 and d iiumal.
Nocturnal
D iurnall and Noctur
Figuree 3. Diurna
Figur Rulerships
nal Rulerships Venus,
Ven us, a femin
feminine and noctur-
ine and noctur-
has  its  jo
 planet,, has 
nal  planet  joyy in
Taurus,
Tauru shares the same
which shares
s, which same nature. Merc ury,
nature. Mercury,
ich
which
wh is e
essenti ally
ssentially dr 
y,
y , has its joy
joy in
 in the cold and dry
and
sign Virgo.
Virgo.

This moderatin
This moderating g action
action  Not  Note: e: the jo
the  joyy by sign
manif ests
ests both
both by by rein-
rein- sho shoulduld notnot be  con -
be  con-
cement (the
for cement (the cases fused   with the joy jo y by
a bove) as well as as by house.
contrap
ontrapositio
ositionn (the 
(the  case
malefic planeis
of malefic planeis). ). Mar s, which is nocturn
s, which al, is more
n octurnal, more
Scorpio,, also 
tructivee in Scorpio
constructiv
cons also  a no nocturna srgn, but
cturnall srgn,
who e cold   and moist qualit qualities
ies tetemper cxces
mper the cxces
qualities o
i îh n t and dry qualities  o f tthe  planet.
he plane Saturn (d ii
t. Saturn
S maD is more balanc balanced the sign
ed in the Aquarius where
sign Aquarius
T e x ce sively cold  and
c e sively  and d ry nature is tempe
ry nature tempered by  the
red by the
: e s r m o is t y uaii tieso th e n.
uaiitieso
s t q  f  S lg

Figure
Figu J oys of  the
re 4. Joys P lanets (by
 the Planets sign)
 (by sign)
 

70/Oh  tfw Heavenly Sjrfieres

 Exile o r Detriment 
When a planet is in the sign opposite
o pposite its rulership it is sai
saidd
to be in exile or detriment. This is the state opposite to
that of domicile. In this situation the expression of the
 planet is debilitated. Its performance becomes insecure
and indirect. Because it has difficulty expressing itself, its
nature is weakened and distorted. When in detriment, the
natural qualities o f the
the planets transform themselves into
their corresponding defects (the distortion of o f these
these quali-
ties). Thus, the sobriety and caution of Saturn become
melancholy and meanness; the generosity and optimism
of Jupiter become squandering and disregard; the cour-
age and assertiveness of Mars manifest as cowardice and
aggression; the natural authority of the Sun becomes ar-
rogance; the sensuality and sociability o f Venus
Venus inclines
toward luxury and frivolity; the curiosity and ingenuity
of Mercury expresses itself as intrigue and fraud; and the
adaptability of the Moon slips into inertia and laziness.

If the planet in detriment represents an object, it suggests

something in a bad condition, not valuable, and possibly
 broken. Some authors use the terms exile oro r envy to des-
ignate this debility.

 Exaltation
In some cases the ruler of a sign may have a planet that is
secondincommand that shares with it the governing
functions of the “realm.” The name exaltation is given to
this second state of dignity. The term exaltation comes
from the Latin exalto and means to raise up, elevate, and
honor. We may compare exaltation to the role of prime
minister: a dignitary with many honors and power but
whose oaction
 proval continues
f the king. to beplanet
An exalted pldependent
anet finds itsupon
elf inthe
itself ap-
a state
. We may even say that it expresses its na- Figure 6. Signs of the Exaltation of the Planets
ture with a greater intensity than it has in its rulership
rulership state. However, the expression o f an exalted planet
plane t is
more inconstant, going through highs and lows. Each planet is exaltated in only one sign.

In an astrological interpretation we might consider that an

an exalted plan
planet
et simultaneously ind
indicates
icates value and
exuberance. If the planet represents an individual, it suggests someone respected and wellintentioned but
with a tendency toward exaggeration and even arrogance. An object represented by an exalted planeplanett will be
in good condition, but may seem more valuable than it actually is. Some authors use the term
term ho no r to refer 
to this dignity.

Fall
Corresponding to the exaltation is a debility known as fall, which occurs in the opposite sign. Just as in the
case of
o f detriment, a planet in fall has difficulties expressing its nature. In fall, that difficulty is characteriz
characterized
ed
 by instabilit
insta bilityy in its expression
expr ession.. Th
Thee plan
planet
et becomes
beco mes ““clu
clumsy
msy,”
,” its ac
action
tion is inadequate
inad equate,, iinapp
nappropria
ropriate.
te. Some
authors refer to this debility aass depression
de pression or shame.
 

T fie E
Essentia
ssentia f D igntics
ign tics/Tl
/Tl

 H o w E xa ltat
lt at io n a n d F a ll A re A ss ig n e d 
The explanation o f exaltation also has an “agri-
cultur al” logic as its basis. It is tied to the degre e
o f fertility
fertility of the planet and to its affinity with a
 p
 par
ar titicu
cu la r seas
se ason
on o f th e ye
year.
ar.

The S un is exaltated in Aries because spring be-

gins 14 when it enters this sign, and the days be-
gin to get longer and warmer. Its hot and dry na -
ture is identical to that of Aries and its ruler 
Mars. Its fall occurs in Libra, a sign that signals
the diminishing of light and the beginning o f au-
tumn.

The Moon is exalted in Taurus, a feminine

Figure 7. Signs of Fall of the Planets
time in Taurus. Scorpio, opposite Taurus, is its sign of fall.
spring sign, adjacent to Aries, the sign of the
Sun’s exaltation. As queen of the heavens, she
remains positioned next to her king. Further
more, if the Sun were in Aries, the Moon when
leaving its rays, would be visible for the first

S atu rn is exaltated
exaltated in Libra, the sign opposite the exaltation o f the
the Sun. Libra signals the start of autumn, a
season when temperatures become colder and the days decrease in length. It is thus the ideal sign for exalta-
tion of the coldest planet, Saturn. By the same logic, its fall is in Aries, the first sign of spring.

Ju p iter,  pl
 plan
an et o f fert
fe rtili
ili ty an
andd a bu nd an ce
ce,, is exa
e xa ltat
lt ated
ed in C an ce r, a s ig
ignn o f su m m er a nd o f the ri pe ni ng o f the
crops. Its fall is in Capricorn.

M ars, is exaltated in Capricorn, where its extreme heat is tempered b y the cold o f winter. Its fall is in Cancer.

Ven u s, a feminine and m oist planet,

planet, is exalted in Pisces, a sign
sign o f humidity that makes w ay for the fertility of 

Spring. Its fall is is in Virgo, a sign

sign that marks the passage into autumn and the predom inance o f dryness.
M e r c u r y , o f a dry nature, is exaltated in Virgo, a cold and dry sign (which it also
also rules), and in its fall in Pis-
ces, a cold and m oist sign. sign.

The Degrees o f Exaltation

Tradtional authors also assign specific degrees of exaltation to the exaltation of the planets. Thus, the Sun
has its exaltation at 19 Aries, the Moo n at 3 Taurus, Jupiter at 15 Cancer, M ercury at 15 Virgo, Saturn at 21
Libra, M ars at 28 Capricorn, and Venus at 27 Pisces. Fall occurs in the same degree o f the oppo site sign. In
 pr ac titice
ce , ho w ev er,
er , the
th e e xa ltat
lt atio
io n is co ns ider
id ered
ed in the
th e fu
fullll w id
idth
th o f the si
sign
gn.. T he se d eg re es ap p ea r to
t o in di ca te
the points of greater strength. Some researchers believe them to be symbolic positions, what remains of an
astronomical system of great importance to the ancients.

14Recall that astrological logic has the northern hemisphere in mind. In the southern hemisphere the ingress of the Sun
into Aries corresponds to the Autumn.
 

72lOn tftc Heavenly Sjrficres

Secondai*)' Dignities
Rulcrship, exaltation, detriment, and fall
fall arc the major dignities (also called “complete”) of the astrological
system. It is possible to perform a basic interpretation of a horoscope relying solely on the scoring of these
four factors.
However, the system of dignities is more complex. In addition to rulcrship and exaltation, there arc three
other levels of dignity:
dignity: triplicity, tenu, and face. These additional dignities
dignities,, apart from having specific tec
tech-
h-
nical applications, allow for a better evaluation of o f the potential expression of every planet in the various de-
grees of the zodiac. By using the whole system, we can understand how in some horoscopes, apparently de- d e-
 bilitated
 bilitat ed planets
pla nets can have an expressio
expressionn more consis
consistent
tent with thei
theirr natures. One might
mig ht additio
ad ditionally
nally say th
that,
at,
in contrast to rulcrship and exaltation, the triplicities, tenus,
ten us, and faces don’t have
have a complimentary debility.
For this reason, they are also designated incomplete
in complete dignities.

Triplicities
The triplicities are dignities assigned according to the element of each sign. Three planets are assigned to
each element: one called diurnal, another nocturnal, and a third called participating or common (mixed).
These three planets are common to the signs belonging
belongin g to each element.

For the fire element, the Sun is the diurnal triplicity, the nocturnal triplicity is Jupiter, and Saturn is the par-
ticipating triplicity.
triplicity.

The air element has Saturn for the diurnal

diurnal triplicity, Mercury for the nocturnal triplicity, and JJupiter
upiter for par-
ticipating triplicity.
triplicity.

For the earth element,

element, the diurnal triplicity is Venus
Venus,, the nocturnal is the Moon, and the participating
participatin g is Mars.

Water also
also has Venus as the diurnal
diurnal triplicity, Mars has the nocturnal triplicity and the Moon is participating
participating..

As can be seen, the assignment of the

the triplicities to each element follows the sect of the pl
planets:
anets: ddiurnal
iurnal plan-
pl an-
ets are attributed to the diurnal sect, and nocturnal planets
plane ts to the nocturnal sect.
sect.

 Element 
 Elem ent   Diurna
 Diu rnall Triplicity  Noctu
 No ctu rna l Triplicity
Tri plicity Participant Triplicity

Fir
Fire T fl /   o   h
Air    h y   4
Ea
Eart 7
rthh b i p !?   9 » cf  
W ate r S < H   9   cf D

In practice, a planet in its triplicity is literally among family since it finds its
itself
elf in the element of its own sect.
It is not in its realm (as in rulership), nor is it the prime minister (as in exaltation), but it is a part of the royal
family and therefore enjoys some power. A planet in its own triplicity is among friends.

Some authors state that in a diurnal chart

ch art the diurnal triplicity
trip licity is the strongest and that the nocturnal will have
more impact in a nocturnal chart. The participating triplicity will always have a moderate strength. In any
event, a planet posited in a sign in which it possesses trip
triplicity
licity is in a state o f dignity, independent
indepen dent ooff whether 
whethe r 
the chart is diurnal or nocturnal.

The
thirdrulers of the
triplicity. triplicities
This sequenceare generally
depends uponconsidered
whether thein chart
sequence, receiving
is diurnal the label(Recall
or nocturnal. of first,that
second, and
in diurnal
charts, the Sun is above the horizon,
horizo n, and in nocturnal
noctu rnal charts it is below the horizon.) In diurnal charts we give
 

Tftc
Tftc Essen tiel
tielDigntics/73
Digntics/73

Figure 8. Diurnal Sequence of Triplicities  prece dencee to the

 precedenc th e diurnal
d iurnal triplicity,
tripli city, followed
follow ed
First Secon d   Third   by the nocturnal
noc turnal and the parti
participa
cipating
ting;; in no
noc-
c-
 Elementt
 Elemen Triplicity Triplicity Triplicity turnal charts, the precedence is given to the

   o   4 h
Fire nocturnal triplicity, followed by the diurnal
and the participating.
Air  h   y u
Earth   9   D CT In very specific interpretative techniques (see
Water    9 d"   D Appendix 4, Additional Considerations Con-
cerning the Houses), the triplicities indicate
Figure 9. Nocturnal Sequence Triplicities temporal sequences. It is in these cases that
First S ec o n d Third   the diurnal and nocturnal sequences become
 Element 
 Eleme nt  Triplicity Triplicity Triplicity more relevant because the order ooff tthe
he planets
Fire   4 o   h is decisive.
Air    5   h 4 Terns
Earth   D 9   CT The terms are divisions of the signs into five
Water  0"   9 D unequal divisions. To each part (or term) is
assigned the rulership of one of
o f tthe
he five tradi-
Variations in the Assignment of Triplicities tional planets: Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Saturn.
The Sun and Moon do not rule terms.
The group of triplicities that we present in this book is the
most common among traditional astrologers, and is The greatest peculiarity about the terms is ir-
known as The Dorothean Triplicities, not because this au- regularity. Each division consists of unequal
thor created them, but because he is the oldest source to  parts o f the same sign, and each sign is di-
reference them. vided in different ways. In addition, the se-
During the Renaissance there was a large reformation of  quence of the rulers also differs from sign to
astrological theory on the basis of Ptolemaic teachings. sign; that is, no two signs are the same with
Consequently, the Dorothean triplicities were gradually respect to their terms. For example, in Aries
substituted by versions based upon Ptolemy’s works. the first division has 6°
6°;; the second
sec ond has 6°;
6°; the
Ptolemy changed the participating planets in the fire ele- third has 8°; and the fourth and fifth each
ment, substituting Saturn for Mars, and in earth, substi- have 5°.
5°. In the following sign, Taurus, the re-
tuting Mars for Saturn. He also altered the triplicities for  spective divisions have 8°, 6°, 8°, 5°, and 3°.
water, giving the sequence as: Venus, Moon, Mars. Also, the sequence of planets is completely
One of the currently most popularized versions is from different in these signs. In Aries, the first term
the English school, of which wellknown authors such as  belongs
 belon gs to Jupiter,
Jupit er, the seco
second
nd to Venus,
Venu s, the
William Lilly are the most representative. This lineage third to Mercury, the fourth to Mars, and the
uses only the diurnal
diurn al triplicities in diurnal charts, and the last to Saturn. While to Taurus, the sequence
nocturnal triplicities in nocturnal charts. The sequences of term rulerships is: Venus, Jupiter, Mer-
are the same as those in Dorotheus, but the participating cury, Saturn and Mars.
 planet
 plan et is abando
ab andoned.
ned. The only
on ly ex
except
ception
ion occurs in water,
where Mars (nocturnal ruler for water in Dorotheus) is The logic for these divisions has been lost in
considered simultaneous ruler of the diurnal and noctur- time. The most ancient authors, namely Ptol-
nal triplicities. emy, suggest that the distribution depends
upon the degree of dignity that each planet
has in a sign, giving priority sometimes to rulership, sometimes to exaltation, sometimes to triplicity. Mars
and Saturn, because they are malefics, tend to rule over tthe
he last two terms, while the benefics, Ju
Jupiter
piter and Ve-
Ve -
nus, are given the initial terms.

The terms most frequently used in this book are the Egyptian Terms. This sequence appears in the works of 
most ancient authors and has been most consistent throughout time.
 

74lOii tfic Heawnfy Sjrficrcs

The term of a planet can be compared to its “fiefdom”

within a sign. A planet in its own term is in its own pri-
vate territory, even if the sign where it is located is not
 parti
 particularly
to itscularly favorable
own rules to it.“on
(literally, It can therefore
its own act according
terms”). The tenu
also has an effect on the quality of expression of the
 planets. For example, a planet in the terms of Saturn, will
have a more reserved expression, while a planet in the
terms of Jupiter will have a more jovial expression.
Some authors use the words “limits,” “boundaries,” or 
“ends” to refer to this dignity.

Faces
The faces15 or decanates arc regular 10° divisions of a
sign, and because each sign has 30°, there are three faces
in each sign. To each face is assigned a ruling planet ac-
cording to the Chaldean order. Assigned to the first face
o f Aries
Aries is Mars, the planet that rules Aries, followed by
the face of
o f the Sun and of
o f Venus.
Venus. The following planet in
the Chaldean order is Mercury, the planet assigned to the
first face of Taurus, followed by the Moon and Saturn.
Jupiter, the next planet in the sequence, is assigned to the
first face of Gemini, followed by Mars and the Sun. The
Figure 10. Egyptian Terms
Chaldean order continues through the zodiac.

The faces are relatively weaker dignities because they Variations on the Assignment
only slightly reinforce the nature of the planet. Apart of the Terms
from being a part of the scoring system of essential dig-
nities and debilities, they are applied in specific interpre-
interp re- There are other variations on the terms that are
tative systems, where they serve to detail behavioral dif- worth mentioning. The most important is the
ferences of the signs. From this perspective they are used table of Ptolemaic terms. This version of the
in detailed interpretations o f the Ascendant and the Sun
Sun.. terms is suggested by Ptolemy in his work 
Tetrabiblos. It is also mentioned in Medieval
There are other types of dignities that arise from divi- sources, but its use seems to have been very
sions of
o f the zodiac that are even sm smaller
aller or from the attri- sporadic. During the Renaissance, Ptolemy’s
 bution
 buti on o f qualities
quali ties to part
particu
icular
lar degrees. Since tthese
hese ddig-
ig- work became more prevalent and his table
nities do not have such a widespread application, we will was popularized. Nevertheless, various ver-
not discuss them in this chapter. Some of these systems sions of his table were circulated with signifi-
are referred to in Appendix 3, Minor Dignities. cant variations (many of
o f them mere scribal er-
rors). Two versions of this table are currently
in use (see Appendix 3, Minor Dignities).
Ptolemy refers to an additional table which he
designates as the Chaldean terms, but which is
not presented in any other contemporary
work. There are no known examples
examp les of
o f iits
ts use.

I5 Thisdesignation
design ation derives from phase, referring
referri ng to a stage in
in time, and not, as might be supposed,
supposed, to face, in the sense of 
o f 
facial appearance.
 

T llic 
ic  Esscntia f Dignties/75

Variations
Variatio ns on the
the Assignment
 Assignment
of the
the Faces

With respect to the the western

western astrological
 astrological tra
tra--
dition, there areare no kno
knownwn variations on on the
assignment
assignm ent of fafaces
ces to the planets.
planet s. Nevert
Neverthe-
he-
less, a variant
variant based upon upon the Hi Hindu
ndu astro-
logical
logical decanate system, w which
hich is very dif-
di f-
ferent from
from the western
western faces, is currently
 being
 be ing wide
widely
ly published. In  In  the Hin
Hindudu sys-
tem,   the distribution of
tem, distribution of the p planets
lanets is based 
upon the elements
elements and tthe he sign rulerships.
rulerships.
The first decanate
first decanate of a sign is assigned
assigned to the
ruler
ruler of tha
thatt sign, the second
second to the
the ruler
 ruler of 
the subsequent
subsequent sign o off the same element,
element, and 
the third
third to the
the   last sign of the
the same elem
element.
ent.
For exam ple, for Capricorn, Capricorn, tthe he first
decanate
decanate corresponds
corresponds to S Saturn
aturn (ruler of 
o f 
Figure
Figu re 11. The Faces
Faces Capricorn),
Cap ricorn), tthe
he second to Venus Venus (ru(ruler
ler of 
Taurus, thethe next earth sign),
sign), the thir d to Mer-
Figure
Fig ure 12. E
Essential
ssential Dignities
Dignities and D
Debilities
ebilities cury
cury (ruler of Virgo,Virgo, the remaining earth earth
sign).
Ruler ship
ship or Domicile
Domicile +5
Exaltation
Exaltation +4
Although interesting, this
Although interesting, this syste
systemm is a part of 
Digities: Triplicity +3 another tr aadition
dition aand
nd should not be be mixed 
Te
Term
rm +2 with the system
the system of the western
w estern tra
tradition.
dition. Its
Face +1 insertion
insertion into western
western astr ology
ology is a conse-
conse-
quence of the great
the great tren
trendd o f eas
eastern
tern im porta-
tions of the
the end of  the 19th century
century and
 and was
Debilities: Fall 4
made by authors
by authors who d iid d not kno
know w the fun-
Exile or Detriment 5
damental rules
damental  rules of aastrology.
strology.

Other deca
decanate
nate systems b based
ased upouponn mix-
tures or derivations
derivations o f tth
he traditional or the
Hindu ar e often re referenced
ferenced in the astrolog
the astrologi-
i-
cal liter ature,
ature, but their validity
validity an and
d origin are
questionable
que stionable and will
will not bebe   treated in this
work .

Dispositors
Disp ositors and Rulers
Rulers

The Dispositor
The  Dispositor
The ruler
ruler of a sign
sign is similar to a king:
a king: he has dominion over
over everything
everything that is found
found in his ki
kingdom
ngdom (the sign
it rules).
rules). This applies not
applies not only to
only to planets situated
situated in that sign,
that sign, but also to the
to the house
house cusps,
 cusps, Parts, etc.
etc. It is said 
said 
that the ruling planet disposits
planet disposits (or
 (or rules) those other plan
planets
ets or astrological
astrological factors
factors.. The concept o f disposit
dispositor 
or 
is of primary
primary im portance in astr o ological
logical iinterpretation.
nterpretation. On
On the one hand,
one hand, it adds a coloring
c oloring o
off its nature to all
all
of the planets
pl anets and elements
eleme nts o f the
the horoscope that find themselves
themselves in its sign.
sign. For exa
example,
mple, if Venus, a planet
naturally
natu rally agreeable and
and sociable,
sociable, is in Capricorn,
Capricorn, its exp
expression
ression will become
become more
more reserved
 reserved because
becau se Saturn
Saturn is
 is
its dis positor.
 

76/O h  the Heavenly Spheres

On the other hand, the dispositor regulates the expression of o f tthe

he planet it disposits,
disposits, confirming or contradict-
contradic t-
ing its characteristics. In interpretation, it indicates the motivations underlying the expression of o f th
thee planet.
For example, considering Venus in Capricorn once more, its expression is further modified modified by the co
conditions
nditions
of Satum in the horos
horoscope.
cope. If Saturn
Saturn is strong, the reserve it bestows upon
upon Venus will manifest with modera
modera--
tion and elegance; if it is weak
weak it could indicate defensiveness and trepidation.
trepidation.

In summary, the dispositor bestows upon the planet that it disposits its own state or condition in the horo-
scope, adding to the action of the disposited planet its own capabilities (if it is dignified)
dignified) or difficulties (if
( if de-
 bilitated).
 bilitat ed). Returning
Returnin g to the previous
previo us eexample,
xample, if Venus in Caprico
Capricorn
rn is disposited
disp osited by a dignified
dignifi ed Satu
Satumm (for 
example, positioned in Aquarius, the sign of its rulcrship), the expression of Venus will be enabled by the
 positive
 posit ive condition
conditi on o f Satum. The motivation
motiv ationss uunderly
nderlying
ing the emotional expression o f Venus will be sober 
sobe r 
(since Satum is dispositor),
dispositor), but that sobriety is socially acceptable and integrated such that it will
will not engen-
en gen-
der great problems.
problems.

If, on the other hand, the same Venus

Venus in Capricorn is disposited by a debilitated Satum (for example, in Ca Can-n-
cer, the sign of its detriment), the reserve of Venus will be colored by the emotional fears and difficulties
characteristic of Satum in that position, generating defensiveness and trepidation, which are motivated by
the debilitated condition ofo f the dispositor.
dispositor. In comparison, if the debility of Satum results from being posited
po sited
in Aries (the sign of its fall),
fall), the motivations that it bestows upon Venus will be of o f a different nature. Instead
of exhibiting a tinge of shyness (Cancer), Venus will flaunt the dry and abrupt characteristics of Satum in
Aries. We can thus see that
that the nature of
o f th
thee difficulties varies in accordance with the type o f debility of
o f the
dispositor.

In some cases the dispositor is found

found in the same sign of the planet that it disposi
disposits.
ts. This then becomes
beco mes its
own dispositor, creating
creating a type of
o f “crossed” disposition. In such a case it is said that the two planets are in
mutual disposition. For example,
example, Venus in Capricorn will be in mutual disposition with Satum if Satum is
in Taurus or Libra (signs of Venus). When this happens, the planets reinforce each other mutually even if 
their natures are not particularly compatible.

If we apply the system of dispositions to all the planets of a

 Note: not all horoscopes
horos copes have a final
horoscope, we find that in some cases the chain of
o f dispositions
dispositor or mutual dispositions; some
ends in one sole planet. This planet is designated the final
have other patterns of disposition,
dispositor
 ple, consideand
r a has
con sider great
horosc opepredominance
horoscope inwing
with the follo the chart.
following planetary
plan etary po si-- which
For exam
exam-
posi- are not as relevant and which are
not detailed here.
tions: Satum in Sagittarius, Jupiter in Cancer, Mars in Aquar
ius, Sun in Libra, Venus and Mercury in Virgo, Moon in Gemini. I f we follow the dispositions of o f the planets,
Mercury is the final dispositor; that is, Mars in Aquarius is disposited by Satum, which in Sagittarius is
dispositedd by Jupiter; Jupiter in Cance
disposite Cancerr has the Moon as its dispositor, and since the Moon is in Gemini, it is
dispositedd by Mercury in Virgo. Placed in its own sign o f rulership (Virgo) Mercury has no dispositor. There
disposite The re
are two planets missing: the Sun and Venus. Since the Sun is in Libra, it is disposited by Venus in Virgo,
which brings us u s once more to Mercury. In practice, all the motivations in this horoscope would be colored by
the analytic capabilities of Mercury in Virgo.

Althoug h it is usually applied to the ruler, the concept of

Although o f disposition is also valid for other essential dignities:
exaltation, triplicity, term, and face. The disposition will have more or less power according to the degree of 
dignity that the planet has in that area of the zodiac. Exaltation can serve as a second ruler, dispositing (by
exaltation)
exaltatio n) the planets that are located there. The triplicity rulers are used in more specialized interpretations,
 provid
 pro viding
ing indi
indicati
cations
ons abo
about
ut the
t he di
differe
fferent
nt fa
facets
cets o f a plan
planet.
et. Dispo
Dispositio
sitionn by term is applied
appl ied in
i n only
on ly vvery
ery spe-
cific cases, while the disposition by face is practically ignored since it is a weak dignity.
 

The Essent
Essentia
ia f D ignties/77 

The planetary dignities and debilities are a system for as- Interpretation o f Dignities and
Interpretation
sessing the capacity ofo f expressi
expression
on o f the planets.
planets. A ddigni-
igni- Debilities of the Planets in Nativities
fied planet has its expression facilitated, and the same hap- Beforee explaining the system o f scoring
Befor scoring o f 
 pens in relation to everything
everyth ing that the planet signi
signifies
fies in the
horoscope. When it is in its own rulership, the planet has the dignities
 bring to lightand debilities,
some it is important
fundamenta
funda mental l consid to
con sider-
er-
all its capabilities and expresses itself easily and with sta- ations. These concern common mistakes in
 bility. In its exaltation it manifests with identical ease but the first attempts at interpreting natal charts.
with greater exuberance and less stability, and tends to suf- For example, beginners frequently state that
fer fluctuations. When it is in its own triplicity, the planet a debilitated Mercury indicates a stupid per-
is comfortable and has a fluid expression. In its own term, son, or that a debilitated Venus indicates
it has a stable and secure behavior, although not as obvious someone lacking the capacity to love. This
as in the other cases. A planet in face is relatively well, al- statement is based on profoundly incorrect
though its power is greatly limited.  presuppositio
 presup positions.
ns. Th
Thee first statem
statement
ent presup-
presu p-
 poses that
th at a debilitate
debil itatedd planet
plane t does not work 
A debilitated planet manifests some difficulties and these and that it indicates a bad person. In truth,
extend themselves to everything that the planet signifies in the debilitated planet indicates difficulties
the horoscope. When in detriment, the manifestation of  in the area to which it is assigned (the house
the planet is difficult and laborious,
laborious, with a tendency to de- where it is positioned and also the houses it
viate from
all else, theits natural inclination.
instability, In fall,into
which translates oneirregular,
feels, above
out rules)
rules).
stood . when
Theseadifficulties can only be under-
planet is contextualized into
o f ssync,
ync, and disproportionate manifestations. the general dynamics of the horoscope.

Another o f the functions ofo f the system of dignities is to de-

There are other factors besides the essential
termine the ruling planets. These rule (that is, dominate) dignities that can minimize this difficulty.
whatever planet finds itself in the signs where they hold In the life of a human being, these difficul-
 power. For this reason,
reaso n, the syste
systemm of
o f dignit
dignities
ies therefore
the refore re
re--
ties manifest as poorly executed or planned
veals “the powers game” underlying the planets in the actions, or as confrontations with people
horoscope. and situations that are hard to deal with. The
individual, however, can learn to manage
all of these situations. The same can be
be said about erroneous conclusions related to dignified planets: it is in-
correct to consider that they indicate, by themselves, exceptional qualities and good people.

The other incorrect presupposition is to attribute the cause of all manner of ills to a sole planet. Because of 
this, it is, at the very minimum, naive to evaluate the characteristics of
o f the personality on the basis o f a plane-
tary position. The excessive use of the general signification of a planet also contributes to this mistake. For 
example, Mercury = mind, Venus = love, etc., without taking into account its specific signification in a par-
ticular horoscope.

Scoring of Dignities and Debilities

The Scoring System

The evaluation of essential dignities and debilities of 
the planets is made by a point system. A planet in rul- ef 5 (njlecship)
(njlecship) + 3 (triplloty) = 8 po int s
ership is awarded 5 points; a planet in exaltation, 4 9 3 (triplicity) ♦ 1 (face) = 4 points
 points;; in triplicit
 points trip licity,
y, 3 points;
point s; in term, 2 poin
points;
ts; and in J) 3 points (triplicity)
face, 1 point. As to the the debilities, detriment corre- k t) 2 points (team)
(team)
sponds to 5 points and fall to 4.

To score a particular planet, determine if the planet is Figure 13. Scoring of Essential
found in any of its dignities, and if so, give it the re- Dignities and Debilities
 

78/On the Heavenfy Spheres

spcctivc number of points. The same procedure is followed for the debilities, giving them the corresponding
negative points. The final score, negative or positive, for each planet shows the degree of dignity or debility
o f that planet. Fo
Forr example, M ercury at 16 Cancer
Canc er is in
in its own term and fac
face.
e. It therefore receives 2 poin
points
ts

for termAnother
tracted. and 1 forexample:
face, forJupiter
a total atof 43 Gemini
point
points.
s. Since Mercury
is in its has no debility
own participating in this
thiand
triplicity s sign, no own
in its points are for
face, su b-
a
total o f 4 points. H owever, Jupiter
J upiter is also in its detriment in this sign, so it lloses
oses 5 points.
points. The final result is 1
negative point.

If the final score for the planet is positive, the planet is dignified. The more positive points the planet accu-
mulates, the greater its dignity. A planet in rulership or exaltation that also has dignity by triplicity, term, or 
face reinforces
reinforces its powe r.16 The same occurs when a planet accumulates triplicity with with term or face because
the nature of the planet is reinforced. Planets that appare apparently
ntly arc neutral in a horoscop
horoscopee can reveal them selves
to be stronger than they appear. Thus, a planet with a positive score is considered in good condition. With a
score above 4 points, it is considered strong. Above 5
 Not
 N otee that
th at the
th e state
st ate o f deb
debilit
ilityy is aalwa
lways
ys ggive
ivenn bbyy
 points
 poi nts,, it is con
c onsid
sidere
eredd very
ver y stro
strong.
ng.
detriment and fall, which are opposite the major 
dignities (rulership and exaltation); the digni- A planet with a negative score is considered debili-
ties that mitigate that condition arc always the
tated. Although the debility may be attenuated by mi-
minors (triplicity, term, or face), not having suf-
ficient power to negate the debilitated state. nor dignities,
ties digniti es, the planet will continue to have difficul-
in its expression.

A planet with a negative score is thus considered in poor condition. With a score lower than 4 negative
 po
 point
ints,
s, it is sai
saidd to be clearl
cle arlyy deb
debilit
ilitate
ated.
d.

In some situations, debility is overcome by dignity, which results in a planet with some strength. Because
they are opposites, rulership and exaltation cannot coexist with their respective debilities (detriment and
fall). Nonetheless,
Nonethe less, there can exist overlaps betwe
between
en the debilities and other dignities: a planet in detrim ent or 
fall can at the same time be in triplicity, term, or face. In this case, the secondary dignities will mitigate the
debilitated
debilit ated state o f the
the planet in detriment or fall, and in specific instances they can even rec over the dignity.
For example, consider Venus at 12° Virgo. In this position Venus is in the sign opposite its own exaltation
(Pisces), and thus in fall. The score of a planet in fall is
is 4. However, V enus has triplicity in Virg
Virgoo and at
a t 12°
12°
it is also in its own term and face. It thus gains 3 points for the triplicity, 2 for term, and 1 for face, and a total
o f 6 points. I f we subtract the 4 ne gative points, there are still 2 positive points.
points. Thus, an apparently debili-
tated planet can, if the minor dignities
dignities are counted, have some dignity. In practice, whatever Venus repre-
sents in the horoscope w ould not be greatly affected by the debilitdebility.
y.

In other cases, the dignities and debilities cancel each other out, leaving the planet with a score of 0 points. In
these cases, we consider that the planet is slightly weakened. For example, Venus at 8 Scorpio is in detri-
ment, giving it 5 negative points; nonetheless, because it is in a water sign, it has diurnal triplicity, which
gives it 3 points, and in this degree o f Scorpio it is in its
its term, which adds 2 more points to it. The sum o f the 5
negative points w ith 5 positive points is zero. We can then consider that the initial debility
debility o f the planet is at-
tenuated by the min or dignities. There is still difficulty in expression, but it is not as noticeable.

There is one special case. When a planet has absolutely no dignity in its position, it is calcalled
led pe reg rin e. The
term peregrine m eans “in passing .” The planet has nothing o f itself in tthat
hat area of the zodiac,
zodiac, and therefo re is
subjec t to the
the “lords” that govern the re and has little
little freedom o f action. It is also considered a type o f deb il-
ity, which is aggra vated in the case wh ere it is added to detrimen t and fall
fall..

I6 Ptolemy states that a planet which adds its major dignity with one or more minor dignities is in “its carriage” (in its
victory chariot), or “elevated in its throne”. A planet in these conditions is in a powerfully dignified state.
 

Tftc Esscn tiaf Digntics/79

The Sun is per

peregrine
egrine in all of Taurus
Taurus;; in the first
first and second thirds ooff Gemini; all o f Cancer; the second and an d
third thirds of Virgo;
Virgo; all of
o f Li
Libra
bra (where it is al
also
so debilitated by fall)
fall);; the first and third thirds o f Scorpio; the
first and
and second thirds of Capricor
Capricorn;n; all o f Aquarius (where it is debilitated by detriment); and all of o f Pisces.
Pisces.

The Moon
Moo n is peregrine
peregrine in the signs
signs Aries
Aries,, Gemini, and Leo; in the second and third thirds of
o f Li
Libra;
bra; the first
and third thirds o f Sagittarius
Sagittarius;; and the first and second thirds o f Aqua
Aquarius.
rius.

 Note: some authors designate

designat e a pl
planet
anet with- Mercury is peregrine in Aries from 0° to 12°12° and from 20°
out dignity or debility in its position as pere- to 29°; in Taurus from 14° to 29°; in the first and second
grine. However, the majority seem to concur  thirds of Cancer; in Leo from 0° to 17° and from 24° to
in attributing the peregrine designation to a 29°; in Scorpio from 0° to 11° and from 19° to 29 °; in Sag-
 planett without dignity, independently
 plane independ ently of  ittarius from 10° to 17° and from 21° to 29° (in this sign it
whether or not it is debilitated. The actual is also in detriment); in Capricorn from 8° to 29°; and in
term seems to point to this conclusion, since Pisces from 00°° to 16°
16° and from 19°
19° to 29
29°° (in this ssign
ign it is
it suggests the idea of a wanderer, without also in detriment and fall).
ties or responsibilitie
responsibilities.
s.
Venus is peregrine in Aries from 0° to 16° and from 12° to
20° (in this sign it is also in detriment); in Gemini from 0° to 12° and from 17° to 29°; in Leo from 0° to 6° and
from 11° to 29°; in Sagittarius from 0° to 12° and from 17° to 29°; and in Aquarius from 13° to 29°.

Mars is peregrine
peregrin e in Gemini frofrom
m 0° to 10
10°° and from 24
24°° to 29°;
29°; in Leo in the first and second thirds; in Libra
from 0° to 28° (in this sign it is also in detriment);
detrimen t); in Sagittarius
Sagitta rius from 0° to 26°; and in Aquarius
Aqua rius from 0°to
0°to 20°
and from 25°to 29°.

Jupiter is peregrine in Taurus from 0° to 14° and from 22° to 29°; in Virgo from 0° to 17° and from 21° to 29°
(where it is also in detrimen
detriment),
t), in Scorpio
Scorpi o from 00°° to 19
19°° and from 24° to 29°;
29°; and in Cap
Capricorn
ricorn from 14°
14° to 229°
9°
(where it adds to the debility by fall).

Saturn is peregrine in the first and second thirds of

o f Taurus; in Cancer
Can cer from 0° to 26° (where it adds to detri-
ment); in Virgo from 0° to 28°; in Scorpio from 0° to 24°; and in Pisces from 10° to 27°.

Variants on the Scoring System

The system of scoring that we presented is the most current, particularly since the end of the Middle Ages.
However, some Arabic authors such as Al Alii Ben Ragel and AlBiruni, gave more importance to term than to
triplicity. In that system of
o f scoring (apparently older) term received 3 points and triplicity
triplicit y 2. In the medieval
astrological literature there also exist references to other systems,
systems, but these appe
appear
ar not to have had a practical
relevant expression.

Example Scoring of the Essential Dignities

This example uses the horoscope of German philos philosopher
opher Friedrich NietzNietzsche
sche to score the dignities and an d de-
 bilities
 biliti es o f the plane
planets.
ts. W
Wee start
sta rt by noting
notin g the zodiacal
zod iacal ppositio
ositionn ooff each planet
pl anet and,
a nd, using
u sing th
thee table
tab le o f essenti
esse ntial
al
dignities, assign the respective scores.

Saturn is at 0° Aquarius 46'. In this position it receives 5 points for rulership and 3 more for the diurnal
triplicity ruler of this air sign. It has no debilities. Saturn, therefore, has 8 total points.

Jupiter
thereforeisweat do
26°notPisces 02'.more
add any mItore
also has rulership,
points. therefore
Since it also receives no
has no debility, 5 points;
poi nts but
points it has noedother
are subtract
subtracted fromdignity,
it. It to-
to -
tals 5 points.
 

SO/On tftc Hcawnfy Sjrfiercs

Chart 1. Nativity of Friedrich Nietzsche

Mars is at 27°
27° Virgo 56'. Because it is in an earthearth sign, it receives 3 points for participating triplicity; it also
has 2 points for being
being in its own terms.
terms. Since it has no debilities, it accumulates a total ooff 5 points. The Sun is
located in Libra, at 22°07'. In this sign the Sun has no dignity at all. Since it is in fall, fall, it receives 4 neg
negative
ative
4 points. Venus is at 6°
 points. It has a total o f 4 6° Virgo 22
22'.'. It receives 3 points for diurnal triplicity for being
su btractedd for being in the sign o f its fall. Its final score is 1 point. Mercury
in an earth sign, but 4 points are subtracte
is at 4° Libra 09'. In this air sign
sign it receives 3 points for nocturnal triplicity. It has no more dignities nor de
debil-
bil-
ities, making a total of 3 points. The MoonM oon is at 9°
9° Sagittarius 02'. In this zodiacal position the Moon has no
dignity or debility at all; it thus receives 0 points.

Comparing the results, we can see that Saturn is the most dignified planet with a total of 8 points, followed
 by Jupite
Jup iterr and Mars, both with 5 points,
poin ts, and Mercury
M ercury w
with
ith 3 points o f dignity
dignity.. All these pl
planets
anets are dignified,
digni fied,
therefore everything that they signify in the chart will have a stable and constructive expression.

On the other hand, the Sun and Venus have negative scores, finding themselves debilitated. Those things
they signify in the chart will have a more difficult and laborious expression. The Moon has 0 points, it is
therefore not dignified; in these cases we consider that the planet is slightly debilitated. The Moon in Sagit-
tarius and the Sun in Libra are peregrine, where the latter adds the condition of peregrine to that of fall.

With this scoring system we can determine with ease the operational state of the planets. Although these
scoring systems
system s serve to measure the quality o f a plane
planet’s
t’s expression, the
theyy are only one factor in delineation,
they should not
no t be interpreted by themselves
themselves.. The ddignity
ignity or debility ooff a planet only makes sense in the con-
text o f the
the entire horoscope.
 

Tfw Essmtiaf Dicjnties/81

The scoring system serves

serves only to aid the astrologer in the evaluation ooff dignity and
a nd debility. It gives us an
approximate notion of the effective power of the planets and should not be applied in a rigid manner. One
must remember that this quantitative method is an aid to interpretation, which is qualitative.

In practice,
practice, there is no point wasting time on overly detailed comparisons o f the scores o f planets. The idea is
to have a notion of
o f ititss relative str
strength
ength and apply that information to the (properly contextualized) interpreta-
tion of
o f the planet.
planet.

Ahnuten
The word ahnuten  is a corruption of an Ar Arabic
abic term that means “the victorious” or o r “the winner.” In astrology
the ahnuten is considered to be the planet that possesses the most dignity in a particular point in the horo-
scope. As an example, consider Mercury
Mercury at 44°° Libra 09' in Nietz
Nietzsche’s
sche’s horoscope. Through
Throug h the table ooff es-
sential dignities wc’Hsec which planets have dignity in this degree of the zodiac. Since the sign is Libra,
with Venus as its ruler, Mercury receives 5 points. In Libra, the exaltation belongs to Saturn, so it gets 4
 points, and since Libra is an air sign, Saturn also has diurnal triplic
triplicity,
ity, so it gets 3 more points.
point s. In the table we
can see that the fourth degree of Libra is also the term of this planet, so it receives 2 more points. Saturn,
therefore, scores a total of 9 points. The remaining triplicities ooff tthe
he air element belo
belong
ng to Mercury (noctur-
nal) and Jupiter (participating) therefore both acquire 3 points in this position. Now co consider
nsider face: consult-
ing the table, the first 10° o f Libra are under the dominion of the Moon, so 1 point is added.
Ç 5 po r.ts (rulcrsh» Saturn is clearly the planet with the highest score in
F? 4 (cxji lla'.i on) ■»3 ((tri
tri plic ty> * 2 (ter m) J’  9 points that degree; we therefore conclude
c onclude that Saturn is the
O4°£i09’ I4, 3 po n s (trip
(triplicity)
licity) ahnuten  of Mercury in this horoscope. This means
Ç 3 po ns (trip
(triplicity)
licity)
that in the interpretation of Mercury we must add a
1 pon*.
pon*. (faco)
Saturnine tone (containment, reserve, and depth of 
thought) to the more leisurely and social expression
Figure 14. Scoring of Planets at 4° Libra 09* o f Mercury in Libra.
 Note that in this calcula
calculation
tion we did not figure the debild ebili-
i- The calculation
calculation of ahnuten is also used to de-
ties (Libra is the detriment of Mars and the fall of the termine which planet has the most power 
Sun). The calculation of ahnuten seeks to determine the over nonplanetary points in the horo-
 planet
 plan et with the
th e most dignity
dign ity in a degree (that
(tha t is, the planet scope—for example, the Ascendant. Let’s
that has “command”
“comma nd” of that point), so the debilities do not look again at the example ooff Nietzsche, who
need to be considered. has the Ascendant at 29° Scorpio 09'. The
ruler is Mars, who therefore receives 5
J   5 (njlership) 3 (tnplloty) = 8 poi nts  points. Since we are dealing
dea ling with a water
wa ter sign, Mars also
$ 3 (triplicity) ♦ 1 (face) = 4 points has nocturnal triplicity, adding 3 more points. The total is
]) 3 points (tri
(triplicit
plicity)
y)
8 ppoints.
oints. Venus also has triplicity
triplic ity (diurnal) in water signs,
2 points (term) so it receives 3 points, to which we also add 1 more point
Figure 15. Scoring of Planets at 29° Scorpio 09 ' since it also has face in the last 10° 10° of Scorpio. The sum to-
tal being 4 points. The Moon gets 3 points for being par-
ticipating triplicity and Saturn gets 2, because this degree of Scorpio is in its term. See Figure 15.

We conclude then
the n that Mars is the ahnuten o f the Ascendant. Since Mars is already the ruler, this conclusion
conclus ion
confirms its power
pow er over that point o f the horoscope. As can be seen, ahnuten always corresponds to the ruler-
ship or exaltation o f the respective
respective sign, thus corro
corroborating
borating the power o f one of the major dignities.

Klmuten indicates the most powerful planet in a particular point in the horoscope. We can
ca n also use the calcu
calcu--
lation of ahnuten  to determine the planet that has dominion over a group of points in the chart (planets,
houses, etc.), which synthesizes their combined qualities. These points are not selected by chance, but be
 

Chapter  VII
 V II

The Houses
In previous chapters we discussed the celestial elements o f astrology: the planets and the signs. This chapter 
focuses on the “terrestrial” component of astrology,
astrology, the houses, which are created by dividing the sky into 12
 parts. This division
divisi on vvaries
aries according to the location used in the cha
c hart’s
rt’s calcul
calculatio
ation,
n, which
w hich makes ththee houses
the most individualized factor in the horoscope.
horoscope. Witho
Withoutut them no astrological chart
ch art exists and one can only
make generic interpretations.

The astrological houses have two reference points as a ba sis: the horizon and the meridian. The horizon dif-
basis:
ferentiates the stars that are visible (above the horizon)
horizon) from the stars that are hidden (below the horizon). In
the sky, the eastern and western points of o f the horizon are crucial because the stars rise in the east and set in
the west. The east defines the Ascendant, since it is at this point that the stars rise (ascend) in the sky.

The west point defines the Descendant, where the stars descend and set.

The meridian
the stars represents
represe
culminate, nts the
where point
po int
they where
reach the
highest place in the sky along their na-
scent (ascendant) and setting (descen-
dant) trajectory. On this meridian there
are two points: the  Med ium Coeli
Coe li (MC),
where the stars
stars culminate above the hori-
zon and the opposite point, the  Imu  Imumm
Coeli (IC)
 (IC),, the lowest point. The
T he Medium
M edium
Coeli and the Imum Coeli make up the
vertical axis
axis o f a horoscope.

Thus, the stars always rise in the east,

culminate in the meridian, and descend
toward west.
west. They take an identical route
Figure 1. The Horizon: Rise and Set in the lower hemisphere, returning to rise
 

84/On tf te Heawi ify Sjjfier e

t e Heawiify ess

th e Ascendant
at the abo ut 24 hours
Ascen dant about later. This cy-
h ours later. cy -
wh ich the whole
c le, in which sky appears
the whole sky m ake a
appears to make
r evolution
e volution in 24 s, is a natural conse-
2 4 hour s,

quence
quen ce of Earth’s
Ea rth’s rotation.
rotation. Because
B ecause it is so evi
e vi-
-
dent, it is called
calle d the prim ary motion.
primary

T h e Hemis pheress
Hemisphere
A scendant
The Ascenda nt and the Desc endant make u p
the Descendant
the horizon
the  horizontaltal axi
axiss of a horoscop
ho divide
roscopee and divide
the celestial sp here in 
cele stial sphere he mispher es.
in  two hemispher  e s. The
the  horizon is
 par t tha t lies a bov e the horizon calle d the su-
 is called su -
th e one below
here, the
h emisphere,
perior hemisp the horizon
b elow the horizon
is called
called the in ferior hemisph
inferior  hemisphere.ere.

 genera l rule is that

Th e  general the  stars located
is that the stars above
lo cated above
Figure 2.
Figure M eridian:
 2. The Meridia Medium Coeli
n: Medium Im um Coeli
Coeli and Imum Coeli
the horizon signify things
ho rizon signify that arc pu blic , v is
things that i-
isi-
 ble,, and expresse
 ble e xpressed e nvironment,
d in a social environm ent,
 the stars
while the
while situated below
sta rs situated ho rizon re p-
belo w the horizon
resent more
resent p rivate and
 more private v isible matters.
and less visible matters.

The sky sky can 

can  also be be   divided two hemi-
divide d into two hem i-
spheres by the axis
sp heres by the define d by the
axis defined the MC anand d IC.
t his case,
In this get the oriental
case , we get the hem ispher e,
oriental hemispher  e , or 
Ascendant,
Ascen dant, located to  the East,
located to  the side o f 
Ea st, on the
Asce ndant, and the occiden
the Ascendant, o ccidental
tal hemi sphere,
hemisphere,
o r Descendant, lo cated to
Desce ndant, located we st, on the
to the west, th e side
thee Descen
of th  Descendant.
dant.

a drantss
T h e Q u adrant
W ith these the sky is divid ed
two   axes, the
th ese two  e d into
fo ur quad rants.
four T he quad rants
rants. The numbe red in
rants ar e numbered
directio n set by
the direction p rimary motion (in
b y the primary
clo ckwise direction)
directio n) and have the
th e following
follo wing
cteristics:
characteristic
chara s:

ant: goe s from 

Q uadrant:
First Quadr Asc endant   to
from   the Ascendant
the Midheav
M idheaven; orienta l or ver n
is called   oriental
en; it is nal
al
spring);   it is m asculin
ted to spring);
(related
(rela e, hot and 
asculine,
a nd it has
moist, and san guine temperam
h as a sanguine ent. It
temperament.
s ymbo
ymbolizes infa ncy.
lizes infancy.

Se
Second Qu adrant:
cond Quadran t: goes from the Midhe aven
th e Midheaven
De scendant;
to the Descenda nt; it is  northe rn or 
is  called   northern
estivall (related
estiva (relate d to Summer); fem inine, hot
Sum mer); it is feminine, h ot
ch oleric temperam
dry, and it has a choleric
and dry, and ent. It
temperament.
sy m boli
sym bolizes youth..
zes youth

Quadr ant: goes from

Thir d Quadrant:
Third fro m the Descend ant
ant
to   the IC;
to IC ; it is called o ccidentall or autumnal
c alled occidenta au tumnal Fig
Figure Inferior He
Su perior and Inferior
ure 4. Superior mispheress
Hemisphere
 

The Houscs/85

(related to autumn); it is masculine, cold and

dry, and it has a melancholic temperament. It
symbolizes maturity.

Fourth Quadrant: goes from the IC to the As-

cendant; it is called southern or hiemal (related
to winter);
winter); it is feminine,
feminine, cold and moist,
mo ist, and it
has a phlegmatic temperament. It symbolizes
old age.

Important: this division is very different from

the divisions proposed by the contemporary
astrological movement (post 19th century).
The traditional classification presented here is
 based upon
upo n the daily motio
motionn o f the planets
planet s
Figure 5. Oriental and Occidental Hemispheres through the houses, while the contemporary
approach (omitted here because it is com-
monly found in various manuals) is based
upon the order of the houses.
The Twelve Houses
Each quadrant is divided into three different
areas, indicating the beginning, middle, and
end of the cycle of planetary ascension. Thus,
we get twelve divisions known as astrological
houses. Each house represents a specific area
in which the signs and planets act.

The 12 houses are numbered in ascending or-

der, or counterclockwise. Just below the hori-
zon is the first house, or the first place to as-
cend; after that, the second house, or the sec-
Figure 6. The Four Quadrants
ond place tocan
ing system ascend; and so on.
be confusing Thisbeginning
since number-
students often
often conclude that the movement
mo vement of 
the planets in the houses proceeds in the same
direction (from the first to the second, etc.).
Although this seems logical, it is not what ac-
tually happens with respect to the houses. In
their daily motion, the planets go from the sec-
ond house to the first, where they cross the As-
As -
cendant, proceeding into the twelfth, eleventh,
etc. Thus there is a difference between the
movement of the planets in the zodiac (coun-
terclockwise) and in the houses (clockwise).

To understand this apparent inconsistency, it

is necessary to remember that the houses are
“slices of the sky” traced across the horizon
Figure 7. The Twelve Houses and the local meridian. The houses, therefore,
 

86/On tfie Heavenly Sjrfteres

arc a static reference system that

docs not move relative to the horizon
horizon
(the first house is always in the east,
the tenth
moves always
is the above,
zodiac etc.).
(along withWhat
the
 planets)
 plane ts) follow
following
ing the primary mo-
tion from east to west and circling
around all 12 houses in 24 hours.

Each house has its beginning in a de-

gree of the zodiac known as the
cusp. In a horoscope, the most note-
worthy cusps are the Ascendant Figure 8. The Primary and Secondary Motion
(cusp of the first house), the
Midheaven (cusp of the tenth
house), the Descendant (cusp of the
seventh house), and the IC (cusp of 
the fourth house). The remaining
cusps, calculated from these points,
are called intermediary cusps. The
cusp is the point of greatest expres-
sion of the house: its position in the
zodiac defines the qualities of the
house. For example, the cusp of the
eleventh house in Aries defines the
qualities of
o f that sign (dynamism, im-
 petuosity,
 petuosi ty, etc.) for this area o f life Figure 9. The House Cusps
(friends, allies, etc.).

Although they
th ey are equal divisions o f the sky (30°
(30°),
), when they are projected
For more details on the
onto the zodiac, the houses are somewhat distorted; thus, a chart may have
different
different types o f calcula-
houses with different sizes. This difference depends upon the location o f the
tions, consult Appendix 4.
Earth for which the chart is calculated; the degrees o f the Zodiac that are ris-
ing and culminating at that moment; and upon the type of mathematical division used in that calculation.
 Note that th
thee size o f the house
ho use ddoes
oes not necess
n ecessarily
arily imply a greate
greaterr or lesser importance
im portance;; ititss significa
sign ificance
nce de
de--
 pend s up
 pends upon
on the plane
p lanets
ts ppositi
ositioned
oned there.

Classification of the Houses

 Angu
 An gular
larity
ity
Like the planets and signs, the astrological houses can be classified in several ways. The most important
classification is angularity, which divides them into three types: angular, succèdent, and cadent.

Houses one, four, seven, and ten are called angular houses; their cusps correspond to one of the four major 
angles (the Ascendant,
Ascendan t, the IC, the Descendant, and the Midheaven, respectively). Planets positioned
position ed in these
houses have a very powerful expression.
expression.

The succèdent houses, sonamed because they succeed the angular houses,
houses, are the second (which succeeds
the first), the eleventh (which succeeds the tenth), the eighth (which succeeds the seventh), and the fifth
 

The Housc$l87 

(which succeeds the fourth). Planets located in the

succèdent houses have a medium level of expression.

The cadent houses cadere,

meaning to fall) are(from the Latin
so named verbplanets
because in
them “fall away” from the angles; these are the
twelfth, (which falls away from the Ascendant), the
ninth (which falls away from the tenth), the sixth
(which falls away from the seventh), and the third
(which falls away from the fourth). Planets located in
these houses have little power of expression.

Angularity is directly related to the diurnal motion of 

the planets. The power of expression of a house in-
creases the closer it is to an angle. Having passed this
angular high point, the planet “falls” from the angle
to a cadent house and loses (expends) its power. It
 beginss to recu
 begin recuperat
peratee it when it passes into the
t he adjoin-
adjo in-
ing succèdent house, returning to its maximum
 pow er in the subsequ
 power subsequentent angular
ang ular house. Not
Notee that in a
chart, the planets are actually stationed in a specific
 position.. This dyna
 position dynamic
mic concept
conc ept serves only to ex-
 plain the vvariou
ariouss ho
house
use classific
classifications.
ations.

Aside from these more general gradations of power,

we can also establish gradations of strength between
the 12 houses. The strongest are evidently, the four 
angular houses. But of these, the first is the most
 powerful,
 powe rful, followed
follow ed bbyy the tenth, seven
seventh
th and
a nd fourth.
Of the succèdent houses, the strongest is the elev-
enth, followed by the fifth, second, and eighth. Of 
the cadents, the strongest is the ninth, followed by
the third, sixth and twelfth.

Figure 12. Cadent Houses Figure 13. The House’s Power

 

88/O h  tfic Hcavcnfy tylicres

There are however, exceptions: although the cadent houses arc as a general rule weaker than the succcdents,
the ninth and third houses (despite being cadent), have a greater expression than the second and eight houses
(which arc succèdent). This exception is tied to the relationship between the houses and the Ascendant,

which wc will
ful), tenth, discuss
seventh, below.
fourth, Thus, the
eleventh, sequence
third, second,ofeighth,
powersixth,
of theand
house
houses
s is as(the
twelfth
twelfth foll
follows:
ows: first Alth
weakest). (the ough
most powe
Although r-
largely
accepted, the sequence can generally vary in association with very specific interpretative methods.

Gender 
Another form of classifying
classifying the houses concerns gender; the houses considered masculine aarere odd nu mbered
(first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, and eleventh), and those considered feminine are even numbered (second,
fourth, sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth). This classification is not very significant in practical terms.

The Signification of the Twelve Houses

Each house contains a very rich array of significations: it defines topics, people, actions, directions, colors,
 pa
 parts
rts o f the
th e body
bo dy,, etc. Neve
Ne verth
rthele
eless,
ss, not all o f th
these
ese signi
sig nific
ficati
ation
onss are appli
ap plicab
cable
le to all areas
are as o f astr
a strol
olog
ogy;
y;
some are specific to mundane astrology, others to horary, etc.

The principal significations of each house are noted in the following pages, along with the appropriate
 branc
 br anc h o f ast
astrol
rolog
ogyy (wh
( when
en nnece
ecessa
ssary)
ry).. Also
A lso listed
list ed for ea
each
ch hou
house
se aare
re th
thee sp
speci
ecific
fic assoc
ass ociat
iation
ionss and
a nd rrule
ule rshi
rs hips
ps,,
such as the colors used in horary astrology, and the anatomy used in medical astrology.

First House—Angular and Masculine

The first house has the Ascendant as its cusp,
cusp, making it the most important o f the the astrological chart. The As -
cendant represents the principle
principle o f individuality
individuality in the char
chart.
t. It marks the hour o f bi
birth
rth and therefore the total
celestial
celestial configuration of that moment or birth.
birth. It is the foundation o f the
the astrological chart
chart.. Th e term “horo -
scope” comes from the Greek cûpooK07ir|oiç and means “to see the hour.” For classical authors, the term
horoscope is synonymous w ith Ascendant (thus, if in a classical
classical text it states
states that the
the horoscope o f an indi-
vidual is Leo, for example, it means Leo is the rising sign and not the Sun sign).

The first house always represents the individual, whe ther in a birth chart or in a horary.
horary. In charts o f events or 
collectives, it also indicates the subject in question (country, business, project, etc.) and its characteristics.

In a nativity, this is the house o f life,

life, signifying all of the conditions that surround the individual. It refers to
 ph
 phys
ysic
ical
al ap
appe
peara
aranc
ncee (statu
(st ature,
re, ap
appe
peara
aranc
nce,
e, and form)
for m) as mu
much
ch as to mo
motiv
tivati
ation
onss and
an d objec
ob jectiv
tives.
es. Th e taste
tas tes,
s,
mannerisms, an d mentality are in large part defined by the first house. house. In questions o f health, it signifies the
vitality and the general appearance. In the body, it is specifically tied to the head and the face. Thus, in a
medical context, the planets in this house can represent conditions or blemishes (diseases, birthmarks, scars,
etc.) in those parts o f the body.

In horary astrology, the first house defines the individual that poses the question, describing that person’s
appearan ce and state o f mind at the mom ent the question was asked. With respect to color, the position o f a
significator 17 in this house describes people, animals, or objects that are white, gray, or generally light in
color.

In a mundane horoscope (eclipse, ingress, etc.) the Ascendant indicates the general state of the location for 
which the chart was constructed. It signifies the nation or kingdom, as well as its people and condition.

17The planet that represents the thing asked about.

 

Tftc Houscs/89

Second House—Succèdent and Feminine

The second house represents
represents resources
resources,, whether they refer ttoo an individual or to a collective. Because it is the
house succeeding the Ascendant, it is considered to support the ascension of the first.
In a birth
birth chart, the second house repres
represents
ents the resources and assets of the person, his or her wealth or pov-
pov -
erty, and the way he or she manages possessions.

In horary astrology, the second house signifies the possessions

possessions ooff the querent and his or her mov
moveable
eable goo
goods.
ds.
It refers
refers to questions about loans, profit
profits,
s, and losses, and in the case of duels and legal questions,
qu estions, it represen
represents
ts
those who support the querent (friends and assistants).

On the matter of colors, it is associated with green (sometimes with shades ooff red).
red).

In a mundane chart, it indicates the resources and economy of a people or nation, its supplies, its allies or 
supporters. In battle, it signifies the attacking army.

In medical astrology, the second house represents the neck, from the nape to the shoulders.

Third House—Cadent and Masculine

The third house represents brothers, sisters, and close relatives in general (cousins, siblingsinlaw, etc.).
It indicates the conditions that surround them and their relationship with the native. It is also the house of 
short journ
journeys—
eys— travel to places nearby or wi
within
thin the same cultural context. In traditional terms the third
house also represents journeys by land, as opposed to journeys by sea, which are signified by the ninth
house.

The third house shares with the ninth house the topic of religion and legal knowledge, although to a lesser 
degree. The third house seems to be related more to the practical and mundane expression
e xpression o f these topics, al-
though this distinction is not aalways
lways clear in th
thee works of ancient authors. Thought, intellect, and communi-
cation are also central topics of
o f this house.

In horary astrology, the third house represents all types of messages (letters, conversations, etc.) as well as
those who transmit
and gossip are also them
topics(messengers,
of this house.postal carriers, telephones,
telephones, internet, etc.). Within this context, rumors

Colors associated with the third house are orange, yellow, and similar tones (saffron, rust, etc.).

In a mundane chart, the third house represents means of transportation (streets, bridges, etc.), the media
(newspapers, magazines etc.), and all manner of reports and official communication.

In medical astrology, the third house signifies the shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers.

Fourth House—Angular and Feminine

The fourth house, also known as the angle of Earth, represents the base or foundation of the horoscope. Its
symbolism is very rich.

In a nativity, the fourth hou

house
se symbolizes the family ooff origin. Generally, it represents the parents
parents,, but in par-
ticular it signifies the native’s father. Along the same lines, it indicates ancestral roots or any matter pertain-
ing to one’s genealogy.
 

 9
 900 /0 n the Heavenhj tyh ere s

Other central topics of this house arc assets and possessions. In contrast with the second house, which repre-
sents solely moveable possessions, this house is related to the immoveable possessions of the individual
(houses, lands and other
othe r types of property) or the res
resources
ources acquired
acquired through the family
f amily’s
’s inheritance.
inheritance.

In another context, it also represents the end of life and the conditions that surround it, what happens after 
death, and the grave.

In a horary question, it signifies all topics related to land and houses, from its purchase or leasing, to its culti-
vation and the treasures buried in it. It indicates the quality of the land or the house that is purchased, as well
as the quality o f the soil ooff an
an agricultural plot. It can
can also be used to determine the end of
o f a matter.

With respect to colors, the fourth house is associa

associated
ted with rred.
ed.

In mundane astrology, this house represents castles, forts, and buildings in general, as well as gardens, fields,
forests, grazing, and crop lands. Natural resources (mineral and timber, etc.) are also a part of its symbolism.
The wife of o f th
thee king (the consort queen), as well as his concubines
concubines,, are also indicated by this house.
ho use. Simi-
larly, it also represents his enemies or those ofo f tthe
he government
government.. In a more specific
specific context, it can also repre-
re pre-
sent a city and its mayor.

In medical astrology, the fourth house is associated with the thorax, chest, and lungs.

Fifth House—Succèdent and Masculine

In a natal chart, the fifth house includes the children,
children, their condition, and th
their
eir relationship to the individual.
Also associated with this house are all playful activities,
activities, entertainment, pleasure, and loves and passion. Ar-
tistic expression is also included in its symbolism.

In a horary question, the fifth house signifies the matter of one’s offspring, children in general, pregnancy
and fertility, as well as invitations for banquets, parties, and other leisuretime activities.

In terms of
o f colors, it represents white, black, or honeycolored things.

In mundane terms, the fifth house represents ambassadors and embassies, as well as places of entertainment
entertainm ent
(bars, stadiums, etc.). In some contexts, it represents the resources of a city, its foods, and supplies.
In medical astrology, the fifth house signifies the stomach, liver, heart, back, and sides of the body.

Sixth house—Cadent and Feminine

In a nativity, the sixth house represents diseases and lesions, the weaknesses and tendencies of the individual
individua l
toward debilitation,
debilita tion, as well as the constitution (and
(an d humors) that originate them. It also represents the peop
people
le
that work for the native and his or her relationship with them (traditionally, servants and slaves; today, con-
tracted labor and services). Obligations and daily tasks are also topics of this house.

Domestic animals and livestock (smaller than sheep) are also indicated by the sixth house. Today, we use
this attribution for pets (cats, dogs, etc.).

The color associated with this house is black.

In horary astrology, the sixth house is related to questions about disease (their nature and duration), as well
as employees, cattle, or pets.
 

The Houscsl91

In mundane astrology, the significations

significations are the same but
but are instead associated with the country
coun try oorr region
under study.

In medical astrology, the sixth house represents the lower abdomen, stomach, and intestines.
Seventh House—Angular and Masculine
The seventh house signifies the generic “other” because this house is opposite the first (the Ascendant). In
nativities, it is the house of marriage, conjugal and romantic relationships, and partnerships. The “other”
may be personified by the spouse (fiancé,
(fiancé, dating relationship, etc.), associates, and business
busin ess partners, as well
as opponents and the open enemies referenced by the tradition.
tradition. This ho
house
use defines, therefore, the dynamics
of the relationships o f the individual: how he or she relates to others; the type o f partner; how he or she deals
with confrontation; and the nature of his or her opponents (enemies).

In horary questions the symbolism is practically the same. It represents the spouse spo use and romantic situations,
enemies, or the person being asked about.
about. In pa
particular,
rticular, it defines the opponents in a legal case, the enemy in
war or in duels, the thief
thi ef iinn cases of theft,
theft, and fugitives in general. It also indicates the doctor in questions
about health, and the consulting astrologer.
astrologer. It also indicates the destinatio
destinationn o f a tr
trip
ip (the point
poin t of arriva
arrival,l, in
opposition to the Ascendant, which represents the departure).
departure).
In terms o f color
colors,
s, it signifies black, dark, and green hues.

In a mundane horoscope, the seventh house represents the opponents, but in this case it is the enemies of the
the
country, kingdom, or people, as well as wars and conflicts.

The part of the body attributed to the seventh house is located from the bellybutton to the hips.

Eighth House—Succèdent and Feminine

The eighth is the house of death and everything associated with it. In natal charts, it represents death, its na-
ture, and all matters that involve death and loss. It, therefore, refers to wills, legacies, and inheritances.
inh eritances. It is
also associated with feelings of fear,
fear, worry, and angst, as well as with obsessions and, in general, somber and
obscure states o f mind. It likewise represents occult matters, ancient things, and ancestors (in a broader sense
than that of
o f the fourth). In another context, it also ref
refers
ers to the par
partne
tner’s
r’s resources, such as a dowry.

The eighth house has identical meanings in horary and mundane astrology. In legal cases, it gives indica-
tions of the supporters of the opponent, and in battle, of the resources and army of the enemy.

With respect to colors,

colo rs, it is associated with green and black.

The genitals and organs of excretion are the parts of the body represented by this house.

Ninth House—Cadent and Masculine

The ninth house is associated with knowledge and matters of faith and religion, representing all manner of 
religious people
peopl e (monks, priests, pastors, etc.) as well as ttemples
emples and churches. It is often called the Ho
House
use oof 
f 
God. It is also associated with long journeys.

Additionally, the ninth house represents knowledge and education, having signification over schools,
 books,
tion, anduniversit
univ ersities,
ies, stories,
prophecy, and professors.
profes sors.and
fables, Othe
Otherr topics assoc
narratives associated
aboutiated with
the past.
pas it are dreams
t. Within dthis
reams,, vi
vision
sions,
context,
contex s, and gy
t, astrology
astrolo their
theititsel
irself
interp
infterpreta
reta--
is signi-
fied by this house.
 

Tfw Hoiises/93

In mundane astrology,
astrology, the eleventh house represents
represents the favore
favored,
d, councilo
councilors
rs and allies ooff the king, and gov-
g ov-
ernment. Within this context, it represents governing bodies such as the parliament, the state councils, and
other legislators. Other mundane significations include the treasury, taxes, and finances of the country. In
matters of
o f war,
war, it indicates the resources
resources (army and munitions) o f the head of
o f st
state.
ate.
With respect to the parts of the body, it represents the legs and ankles.

Twelfth House—Cadent and Feminine

The twelfth house is the house of
o f prisons and limitations, frequently called the “bad spirit.”

In a nativity, this house always represents

represents situations that limit and co
condition
ndition the native. It is associ
associated
ated with
sadness, lamentations, tribulations, and afflictions. It is also the
house of secret (or hidden) enemies—those who we do not Important Note: The diverse significa-
know are our enemies. Thus, envy, betrayal, and acts of sabo- tions of o f a house should not
n ot be related to
tage are associated with the twelfth house. Equally important each other because they exist on differ-
topics are illicit acts, as well as prisons, enclosures, and cases ent planes. For example, the tenth
of isolation in general.
general. house represents the career, fame, and
the mother of the individual as signifi-
From another perspective, the twelfth house also represents the cations. Nonetheless, it is incorrect to
conditions prior to birth; that is, what happened to the native think that the mother has influence over 
while in the mother’s womb. the career or the fame of the individual.
Similarly, siblings and short journeys
In horary astrology, this house has identical meanings. have no relationship to each other, al-
though both are signified by the third
In terms of
o f color, the twelfth house symbolizes green.
green. house.

Within a mundane context, this house represents the secret enemies of o f a country, nation, oorr institution. Thus,
it may represent spies, saboteurs, criminals, and all manner of subversive agents. A less common significa- sign ifica-
tion of
o f the twelfth (valid in any o f the astrological branches) is that ofo f large animals. In this category are in- in -
cluded domesticated
domestica ted animals ooff a larger ssize
ize (horses, camels, cattle
cattle,, and the like) or wild animals in general
(traditionally, “beasts”).

In medical astrology, the twelfth house represents the feet.

 Benefic
 Bene fic a nd Malef
Ma lefic
ic Ho
Houses
uses
As with the planets, the houses can be classified as benefic
or malefic. Generally, the first, eleventh, tenth, ninth, sev-
enth, fifth, third and second are considered bene
benefic
fic because
they represent areas of life that favor the individual. On the
other hand, there are three houses that are considered ma-
lefic because they represent more challenging and labori-
ous facets of life: the sixth, associated with illness and ser-
vitude; the eighth, associated with death; and the twelfth,
associated with limitations. In some cases, the seventh
house can also acquire a malefic character because, al-
though it represents matters that are considered benefic
such as marriage and partners, it also indicates opponents,
enemies, and conflicts (note that this house is opposite the
Ascendant, thus, representing that which opposes it). An-
Figure 14. Malefic Houses
 other house with an ambiguous signification is the fourth,

 94 /O h  tfic Heavenly Sjrfieres

which can equally

eq ually represent
re present the home and the family, a beneficial situation, and the end of life
life,, wherein
wher ein it ac-
quires a more malefic character.

This
to theclassification
Ascendant. Thederives not only
twelfth, sixth,from theand
eighth signification
second formof the house
weak but with
angles fromthe
its Ascendant
angular position relative
(30° between
the first and the second, and between the first and the twelfth; and 150° between the first and the sixth, and
 be
 betw
twee
eenn the first and the eighth
eig hth).
). Planet
Pla netss pla
placed
ced in the
these
se
houses do not contribute to the expression of the Ascen-
dant. Only the second house is spared this symbolism be-
cause it is adjacent to the first and because this is taken to
mean that it can support it.

Derived Houses
Besides the primary or radical significati
significations
ons described ea r-
lier,, each hou se can also have m ore specific meanings de-
lier
rived from its relationship to other houses. These significa-
tions, called “derived,” are obtained when, inste
instead
ad o f tak-
tak-
ing the Ascendant as the starting point, another house is
used. In this way, when we want to examine a specific
topic indepth, we use the cusp o f the house that represents
the matter under study as the Ascendant. The remaining
houses will then derive their significations relative to this Figure 15. House Derivation
derived Ascendant in their natural order.

For example, to learn specific information about the father o f an individual, the fourth house of that ch ild’s
chart can be used as a starting point (the fourth house signifies
signifies the father). From this perspective, the ch ild’s
fifth house then becomes the derived second house—the second house from the fourth. The child’s fifth
house thus acquires as a derived
derived signification the resources (second house) of the father (fourth house). Sim-
ilarly,
ilarly, the child ’s sixth house becomes the derived third house, or the siblings (third) of the father (fourth).
The remaining houses follow the same logic.

Although any house studied by means o f derivation becomes the Ascendant, the derived house nev er loses
its original
original meaning. It is the
the derived house o f the chart that acquires
acquires a new signification, always relative to
its position in relation to the “starting” (derived Ascendant) house.

 No te tthat
hat the deriv
de riv ed hou
h ouse
sess nev
n ever
er repla
re place
ce the n atal
ata l (o r hor
horary
ary,, m
mun
unda
dane
ne,, etc
etc.)
.) house
ho uses;
s; tthe
he deriv
de rived
ed me
mean
anin
ings
gs
are always a complem ent to the indications o f the natal houses. Nonetheless, there is is no overlap betwe en the
natal and derived significations. For instance, in the previous example, the natal natal fifth house, besides sign ify-
ing the children o f the native, also derivatively signifies the resources o f the father father.. Nevertheless, the fath er’s
money is not related to the children o f the native. The derived interpretation serves to add depth to specific
topics, but in order to avoid unnecessary confusion it should not be mixed with the natal interpretation.

 D
 Der
er ived
iv ed H ou se Sign
Si gn ific
if icat
atio
ions
ns
Below are listed som e derived significations for thethe houses. Because not all tthe
he significations are useful for 
interpretation, the list is limited to
to those most important. As w ith everything in astrology,
astrology, there is no poin t in
memorizing this list of significations. What is important is to understand the method of derivation and to
know how to use it when it is necessar
necessary.
y.

First house: frien ds’ siblings (third from the eleventh); father of the mother, that iis,
s, the maternal grandfa ther 
(fourth from the tenth); opponents’ partners (seventh from the seventh); religion or travels of the children
 (fourth from the tenth); opponents partners (seventh from the seventh); religion or travels of the children

Tfic Houses/95

(ninth from the fifth);

fifth); father’
father’ss occupa
occupation,
tion, or the mother ooff the
the father—paternal grandmother
grandmo ther (tenth from the
fourth); siblings’ friends (eleventh from the third).

Second
death o fhouse:
of the friends’
the partner parents
(eighth fromorthe
thfamily (fourth
e seventh); fromdue
travels thetoeleventh); mayor’s
illness (ninth fromchildren (fifth
the sixth); from n’s
cchildre the profes-
hildren’s tenth);
sion or honors (tenth from the fifth); father’s friends (eleventh from the fourth).

Third house: friends’ children (fifth from the eleventh); governor’s or the mother’s illnesses (sixth from the
tenth); partner’s religion (ninth from the seventh); children’s friends (eleventh from the fifth).

Fourth house: siblings’ money and income (second from the third); the friends’ illnesses (sixth from the
eleventh); king’s opponents (seventh from the tenth); travels related to death (ninth from the eighth); en-
emy’s or partner’s profession (the tenth from the seventh).

Fifth house: father’s possessions (second from the fourth);

fourth); siblings of the siblings, when from another fa-
ther or mother (third from the third); friends’ partners (seventh from the eleventh); governor’s or mother’s
death (eighth from the tenth); partner’s friends (eleventh from the seventh).

Sixth house: children’s possessions (second from the fifth); father’s siblings, that is, the paternal un
cles/aunts (third from the fourth)
fourth);; siblings’ father,
father, when tthey
hey are ha lf siblings from a different father (four
(fourth
th
from the third); death of friends (eighth from the eleventh); mother’s religion or travels (ninth from the
tenth).

Seventh house: employee’s assets (second from the sixth); children’s siblings, when from another father 
(third from the fifth); father’s father—paternal grandfather (fourth from the fourth); sibling
s iblings’
s’ children, that
is, the nieces/nephews (fifth from the third); mother’s profession or the mother’s mother—maternal grand-
mother (tenth from the tenth).

Eighth house:  part

 partner
ner’s
’s or oppone
opp onent’s
nt’s assets
asset s (second from the seventh);
seventh ); sib
siblin
lings’
gs’ illnesses
illness es or employe
emp loyees
es
(sixth from the third); mother’s
mot her’s friends
friends (eleventh from the tenth).
tenth).

Ninth house:  par

 partne
tner’s
r’s or opp
oppon
onent
ent’s
’s siblings (third from the seventh
seventh);
); childre
chi ldren’s
n’s child
children,
ren, that is, the
grandchildren
siblings inlaw(fifth from
(sevnth the the
from fifth); father’s
third); illnesses
friends’ friends(sixth from from
(eleventh the fourth); siblings’ partners, that is, the
the eleventh).

Tenth house: pa
house:  partn
rtner’s
er’s father, that
th at is, the father
fatherinlaw
inlaw (fourth
(fo urth fro
fromm the seve
seventh);
nth); child
ch ildren
ren’s
’s illnes
illnesses
ses (sixth
(s ixth
from the fifth); father’s partners or opponents (seventh from the fourth); siblings’ death (eighth from the
third).

Eleventh house: motmother’s

her’s or governor’s
gove rnor’s assets
assets (second from the tenth); partner’s
partne r’s children, that
th at is, stepc
stepchil-
hil-
dren (fifth from the seventh); employee’s illnesses (sixth from the sixth); children’s partnersdaugh
ters/sonsinlaw
ters/sonsinla w (sevnth from the fifth);
fifth); death ooff the father (eighth from the fourth); religion oorr travels of
o f the
siblings (ninth from the third).

Twelfth house: friends’ assets (second from the eleventh); the mother’s siblings, that is, the maternal un
cles/aunts (third from the tenth); partner’s illnesses (sixth from the seventh); children’s death (eighth from
the fifth); father’s religion (ninth from the fourth); siblings’ profession (tenth from the third).

To avoid excessive, or even worthless, information, this technique should be employed with moderation,
 good sense, and within the appropriate context. For example, in the interpretation of a natal chart, it is of lit

 96/On
 96/ On the H
Heaven
eaven ly Sjrfte
Sjrfteres
res

tie use to know that the second house signifies the children of the boss (the derived fifth house from the natal
tenth), or that the eighth house represents the brother’s em
employees
ployees (six
(sixth
th derived from the natal third). Hav-
ing said that, these examples can make total sense within the conte
context
xt ooff horary or mundane astrology.

House-Sign-Planet Interaction

Sign-House Interactio
Interactionn

 House
 Hou se Cusp Sign
Si gn
The sign on the cusp of the house characterizes the matters of that house. Through the nature of that
sign—polarity, element, mode, etc.—we can evaluateevaluate the behavior
behaviorss and the types of act
actions
ions that ch
characte
aracter-
r-
ize the expression o f that
that house. Even if
i f another sign with a gr
greater
eater number of dedegrees
grees occupies the house,
the principal characterization
ch aracterization of
o f that house is alw
always
ays given by the sign located on the cus
cusp.
p. This is because
the qualities o f the cusp arc being evaluated, not the “quantity” of the sign w within
ithin that house.

 House
 Hou se Ru ler 
The sign on the cusp also determines anoth
another essentiall interpretative factor: the ruler of the house. This is
er essentia

planethouse
the tenth that rules
o f a the sign found
horoscope has on
22°the cusp.on
Taurus It isitscalled
cusp, the
cusp, rulerthe
Venus, or planet
the lordthat
of rules
the house. If, forwill
that sign, example,
be
b e the
ruler of
o f th
thee tenth house (this is the case in the chart ooff AgAgatha
atha Christie).

Obviously, the planet that rules the cusp is not always located in the house that it rules; many times it is in an

Ur 
55

 Agath
 Ag atha
a Christie
Christie
15 September 1890
04h00m LMT
Torquay, England
22*15 Night
 Hour.  9
01
01''

28
or 55-<1
 Chart 2. Nativity of Agatha Christie

The Houses/97 

other house and another

anothe r sign
sign.. The position in the cha
chartrt of the ruling planet indicates where
wh ere and how the top-
top -
ics signified by the house will be realized:
realized: the area ooff life
life (where), as indicated by the house, and the manner 
man ner 
of action (how), as indicated by the sign where the ruling planet finds itself.

In the example o f Agatha Christie, Venus, ruler of the tenth house, is in the third house in Scorpio. Thus, the
matters
house) inofathe tenth and
focused house (career)manner
tenacious will be (Scorpio,
directed toward
a fixed the areaWeof see
sign). writing
then and
that communication
the ruling planet(third
of a
house becomes the accide ntal signific ator o f the mat
matters
ters of that
that house.
house. In the case of Agatha Christ
Christie,
ie, Ve-
nus is the accidental significator of profession (because it rules the tenth house).

 Nex t we w
 Next will
ill examine
exam ine the chart
ch art o f Florbela Espanca
Espanca.. The
T he ccusp
usp o f the seco
second
nd house
h ouse is at 17°
17° Sco
Scorpio;
rpio; Mars,
the ruler, is positioned in Aries
Aries in the seventh house. Here, Mars is the topical significato
significatorr for resources. This
Th is
configuration indicates that many of the writer’s resources (second house) are tied to her partners/marriages
(seventh house). Because it is dignified in Aries, Mars suggests abundance of resources, but the fiery and
cardinal nature of the sign also indicates some imprudence in its management.

It is worth clarifying that in both charts the ruling planet used as an example is located in a house that it also
rules. In Agatha Christie’s chart, Venus also rules the third house, which has Libra on the cusp; in Florbela
Espanca’s chart, Mars also rules the seventh house, with Aries on the cusp. These placements, reinforce the
signification
signification of the planet.

The other
othe r essential dignities can also rule the houses of a chart. Thus, besides its ruling planet, the
t he house
hou se also
 has a ruler for exaltation, three per triplicity, one for term, and one for face. Of these, the most noteworthy is

 98/O n die Heaven

Heavenly
ly Sjrfie
Sjrfieres
res

the exaltation ruler, which can in particular cases acquire the status of corcgcnt of the house. The triplicitics
o f tthe
he house (the three rulers of the clement of the
the cusp ’s sign) arc used in specialized
specialized interpretations. Term
is used on a case by case basis, while the ruler for face, is
is generally ignored since it iiss considered a very w eak 
dignity. For example, in Florbcla Espanca’s chart, the seventh house, whose cusp is at 14° Aries 20'
has—besides the sign’s domicile ruler, Mars—an exaltation ruler: the Sun; three rulers for triplicity: Jupiter,
the Sun, and Saturn (rulers of the fire triplicity); a ruler for term: Mercury; and a ruler for face: the Sun.

It is also possible to calculate an almuten   for the house cusp. Sometimes the almuten   is a different planet
from the ruling planet, in which case it is considered a coruler for the matters of the house. The “normal”
ruler continues to have priority in interpretation, but the almuten   also has something to add. Note that the
almuten  (as presented in this book) is always the rulership or exaltation ruler of the
the sign. This fact me rely r e-
inforces the role that exaltation plays as corulcr. Returning to the previous example, Florbela’s seventh
house has the Sun as almuten. since it receives 8
 po in ts for
fo r si
simm ul
ulta
tane
ne ou sly
sl y be ing
in g ex
exalt
alt atio
at ion,
n,
triplicity, and face ruler of 14° Aries 20'. Mars,
ruler of the house (and sign), has only 5 points.
Here, the Sun participates as coruler o f tthe
he house,
which not only contributes to the fiery nature of 
Florbela Espanca’s relationships (Sun in Sagittar-
ius) but to an interest in important partners or those
with some social status (the Sun).

 In te rc ep te d S ig ns
It is common to find two signs in a house: one on
the cusp and one that begins farther into the
house. Som etimes it happens that a house begins
in one sign, extends itself into the next, and only
ends in the third sign over. In such a case, the sign
in the middle has its 30 degrees completely con-
tained within the house. This phenomenon is
called interception, whereby the sign contained within the house is the intercepted sign. 18
18119

In Capricorn.
5° the case o f FNietzsche, Sagittarius
or this reason, Jupiter,isruler
intercepted inarius,
of Sagitt the first
Sagittarius,first housecoruler
becomes (which starts
o f the atfirst
29
29°°house,
Scorpioandand
comends at
bines
with M ars (ruler of Scorpio), which is the primary ruler. Note that Scorpio, in spite of only occu pying one
degree of the first house, is more important than Sagittarius because it is not the number of degrees that
counts, but the sign on the cusp. On the o ther hand, Capricorn does not have any signification in the ma tters
o f the first house, but is nonetheless the determ ining sign o f the second house. It is important to keep in mind
that corulership only occurs w hen a sign is intercepted in a house; in other cases, the qualit qualities
ies o f the secon d
sign are transferred to the n ext house.

A loo k at the chart mak es it obvious that the interception always affects two opposite signs and houses. In the
current example, if Sagittarius is intercepted in the first, Gemini—the opposite sign—is intercepted in the
seventh house, opposite the first.

18In extreme cases where the latitude of the place is very elevated (very far north or very far south of the globe) larger 
distortions can occur; a house can contain two or even three intercepted signs.
19 Noteth at the word
that wor d “accide
“acc identa
ntal”
l” is not used here with
wi th the negative
nega tive attribu
a ttributions
tions found
f ound in common
comm on language.
language . In an astro
a stro -
logical context, this term means
m eans “by chance
chance”” or “a particular instance.” In this context, it is used
used to designate a condition
 that changes from chart to chart, such as the location of a planet in a particular house.

The Hou$csl99

 2V 
04» 56‘
0»

F r ie
i e d r i c h N i e tz
tz s c h e
15 October 1844 ororu n
& ________ 
________ 
:^ i Q o r o r   10h00m LMT
Rocken, Germany
Day: d
Hour   Ç
D * *0

oo4°61

Chart 3. Nativity of Friedrich Nietzsche

House-Planet Interaction
Interaction
The houses are crucial in what is called accidental rulership 19, that is, the particular functio
function
n o f the planet in
a given horoscope. This determination can occur in two ways:

By Placement'. By
Placement'. By being placed in a particular house, a planet has the area of life represented by the house as

its main focus of expression. The planet will then characterize the activity of that house, determining its na-
ture (and qualities), behaviors, people, events, etc.

By Rulership'. 
Rulership'.  By ruling one or more houses, a planet beco
becomes
mes designated as the significator o f the
the matters o f 
the house it rules, independently of the position it occupies in the astrological chart.

In the chart of Florbela Espanca, Mercury is located in the second house, so it is considered to act within the
area of resources (determination by placement). On the other hand, Mercury also rules the ninth house,
which makes this planet a specific significator of study, religion, and travel (determination by rulership).

This accidental determination is the masterkey to delineation and astrological interpretation, since it will
define with greater precision the
the significat
significations
ions o f the planets.
planets. Thus, the natural (or universal) signification o f 
the planet will be associated with its specific function in the horoscope. In the current example, we can say
that Florbela Espanca’s resources are related
related to activities
activities of the
the nature of Mercury (writing, communication,
commun ication,
language, etc.) and are also associated with matters of the ninth house, ruled by Mercury (study, etc,). This
interpretation will be combined with the one given earlier, wherein the resources o f the the poet w ere related to
her partners/marriages (Mars, ruler of the second, in the seventh). In an astrological interpretation, both
  pieces o f inform
information
ation combine to describe the activity represented
represe nted in the chart conce rning he r re
resou
sources
rces..

lOO/On the H eavenly Sjihere

Sjiheress

Planets in Houses
Before beginning the interpretation, we need to deter-
mine in which
speaking, house the
the planet planet isinlocated.
is located Technically
a particular house
when it finds itself bet
between
ween the cusp of that house an andd
the cusp o f tthe
he next one. H owever, the great majority
o f authors consider that the house extends its inflinfluence
uence
up to 5° before the cusp. Thus, if a planet is within less
than 5° of the next house cusp, it is considered to be ac-
tive in that next house. This is known as the 5° rule.

We might compare a planet in this situation

situation with a per-
son that is on his
his or her doorste
doorstepp but not yet home.
home. In
such a case, the person can have some say in the affairs
of the house even though he or she is still on the out- Figure 17. Five-degree Rule
side. This condition is more noticeable when the planet
is in the same sign as that on the cusp.

 No te: Th
 Note: Thee 5° rule
r ule only
on ly app lies
lie s to the houses
hou ses,, not to the signs.
signs . A pla
plane
nett is cons
co nside
idered
red to be in a sign
sig n from
fro m
0°00 '00 " to 29°59 '59 " of that sign. In the case of the signs, there is no such margin o f error. S igns an andd hou ses
are different points o f reference
reference and hav e distinct rules
rules..

The placement o f a planet in a house gives two distinct pieces

pieces o f informati
information:
on: on the one hand, it tell
tellss us in
which area o f life
life the planet acts
acts,, and on the other hand, it indicates the planet’s intensit
intensityy w ithin the gene ral
context o f that horoscope.
horoscope. In effect
effect,, its placement by house is the
the key to the pla net’s level of expression,
whether intensifying or diminishing it. This means there are two situations to consider: angularity and the
 joy s.

 De gree
gr ee s o f An gu
gula
larit
rit y
The degree o f a planet’s angularity
angularity is without a doubt the most determining factor with regard to its pow er o f 
expression. A planet can have three levels of angularity: angular, when placed in the first, tenth, seventh,

and fourth
sixth, houses; succè den t, in the eleventh,
and third. eleventh, eighth, fif
fifth
th and sec
second
ond houses; cad ent , in the twelfth, ninth,

A planet with an angular placemen t becomes highly distinguished in the the chart’s overall
overall context, often ove r-
riding all other factors. Inversely, a cadent planet is considered very weak, making little little impression on the
chart’s overall context. The planets in succèdent houses obviously have an intensity that lies between both
these extremes. There are three angular planets in Florbela Espanca’s chart: Saturn in the first, and a con-
 ju
 junn ct
ctio
ionn o f the Mo on an
andd Mars
Ma rs in the seve
se vent
nth.
h. In the
th e life o f this poet,
po et, the contr
co ntras
astt betw
b etw een a dep
d epre
ress
ssiv
ivee and
an d
introverted vein (S aturn in Scorpio in the first house) and a fiery and agitated one (Moon and Mars in Aries
in the seventh) are noteworthy. These factors are app arent in the behavior and life of Florbela Espanca. The
other planets, although equally important, are expressed in a less obvious manner.

The Joys
There is ano ther type o f placem ent that gives a planet a special significance:
significance: th e joy. A plan et is said to be in
its jo y w hen it is placed in a house who se signification has a greater affinity with
with its nat
nature.
ure. When located in
this house, the planet acquires power of expression. Each planet has its joy in a single house, this being
known as the “residence” or “ temple” o f the the planet
planet::
 

Tfic Ho
Houscs/lO
uscs/lOll

Mercury,   significat
Mercury, sig nificator
or o f  the
 the mind, has 
has  its
its joy
in the fir st
st house, o f th
the pe
 perso na  of th
rsona thee iindivid-
ndivid-
ual.

The MooMo o n, the f astest

astest and most
most   mutable
 plan et,, has its joy 
 planet joy   in the
in the third hous
ho use,
e, since this
is the
is the house o f movement, of o f short
short trips, and
and of 
o f 
communicat
communi cation.
ion.

V enus, planet
planet o f love and ple p leasure,
asure, express
expresseses
its joy in th
thee f ifth
ifth house of
o f lo
love,
ve, games, and 
a nd  ro-
 ro-
mance.
manc e.

M ars,  plane
 planett of 
 of  war
 war and of  fo
 force, has its joy
jo y in
the sixt
sixthh house of illn
i llnesses
esses and serv
servitude.
itude.

Sun , lord of the hea

The Sun, heavens,
vens, source
source o f light
Figure
Fig ure 18. Joys
Joys of the Planets
Planets and lif e,
e, has its joy in
joy  in the
 the ninth hous
house,
e, o f faith,
faith,
religion,
religion, and f ooresight.
resight.

Jupiter,, the
Jupiter th e greater bene
benefic,
fic, has its jo
its joyy  in the
elev
leventh
enth house o f allies,
allies, friend s,
s, and hopes.

 Note: Do not confuse
not confuse the  the joys
jo ys by house wi
house with th
those by si
by sign
gn mentioned
mentioned in Chapter VI. VI. The
 joys
 jo ys by sign r eefer
fe r to a particula
partic ularr state of es-
es -
sential dignity
dignity   of the planplanet,
et, while the joys
jo ys
 by house
house are related 
related  to
  to an affinity
affinity  betwee
 between n
the
the nature of thethe  plan
 planet et and the 
the  significa-
tions
tions of the hous
housee where it has has its
 its joy.

Sa turn, carri
Saturn, carrier
er of limitatio
limitations
ns and greater   ma-

lefic, ha
lefic,
tions,
tio  hass its joy in, atthe
ns, restrictions
 restrictions, he twelfth
nd twelfth hou
house
imprison
imprisonme sents.
ments.of tribula-

Thus, in traditional astr 

astr ology,
ology, the f ifth
ifth house,
for  example,
  example, may
may   be referred   to 
to  as the tem ple
Figure
Figu re 19. Joys
Joys and Sect
and Sect
o f Venus or the
the joy
jo y of Venu
Venuss.

The syste
system m of joy s alalso
so reflects the nat natural
ural symmetry
symmetry o  o f the
the planets.
planets. Thus,
 Thus, the noct
nocturnal
urnal planets
planets (Moon,
( Moon, Ve-
nus and Mar s) s) have
h ave their
the ir jo
joys
ys in houses belobeloww the horizon
horizon ((third,
third, fifth and 
and  sixth),
 sixth), while
whil e th
thee diurnal ones
ones (the
 (the
Sun, Jupi
Jupiter,
ter, and Saturn
Saturn)) have them athem a bove the ho h orizon
riz on (ninth, elev
eleventh,
enth, twelfth).
twelfth). This system a
system  also
lso empha-
sizes the
the plane
 planetsts o f the
the ssame
ame nature, wh
nature, which ich are positio
positioned
ned in houses
houses o pposit
 ppositee eac
each
h other.
other. Thus, the
the SunMoon
 SunMoon
 pair
 pair (luminaries)
(luminaries) are placed in in tthe
he ninth and   third
third houses, r es es pectivel
 pectively;
y; the
th e JJupiterVenu
upiterVenuss p pair
air (benefics)
(benefics) on
 on
the elevent
eleventhfifth
hfifth axis, reinforce
rei nforce the f o ortunate
rtunate nature of 
nature of   these houses;
houses; the pair Satum
Satu m Mars (malefic
(malefics)
s) on the
twelf 
tw elf thsixth
thsixth axis,
axis, underlie the lthe lesesss pleasant asp
a spect
ect o f these
these hohouses.
uses.

 Note also tha

t hatt the joy placem
pla cements
ents favor  the houses
 the houses consid 
con sid ered
ered to be less
less powerful.
 powerful. T The
here
re are joys in the
the four 
ca
cade
dent
nt houses (Moo
(M oonn in the thir d
d,, Mars in the sixth,
sixth, Sun in the
th e n
ninth,
inth, and Satu
Saturn
rn in the twelft
twelfth)
h) and in two
tw o o f 
 the succèd ent
en t houses (Venu
(V enuss in the fifth
fifth aand
nd Jupiter in
in the
th e eleventh).
eleventh). O f the angular
angular houses,
h ouses, who by
who  by them
 them

 I02 l0n tfic H

Hcavcn
cavcnfy
fy Sp
Spher
heres
es

The Sorrow of the Planets selves are considered the most powerful, only
the first is the joy o f a planet (Mercury).
Some traditional authors state that the house opposite
that of the joy of a planet is the house of its sorrow. In  Integration o f Essen
Essential
tial Dignity,
Dig nity, Ang ula rity
this place the planet would be in a more incapacitated and Joy
 position.
 posit ion. Although
Alth ough it seems to have a logical basis (since It is important to mention that the highlight
it repeats the rulershipcxilc and exaltationfall pairs of  given to a planet in angular condition or joy
the rulcrship system of dignities), this concept is not does not modify its essential condition (dig-
very functional in practical terms. For example, Jupiter, nity or debility). These conditions can com-
 planet
 plan et o f fertility and abundance,
abu ndance, would have its sorrow  bine and reinforce each other, but they never  neve r 
in the fifth house (opposite the eleventh of o f its
its joy). How- negate each other.
other. Thus, even if debilitated by
ever, in practical terms, the placement of the planet of  zodiacal position (fall or detriment, etc.), a
fertility in the house of o f children is very favorab
favorable.le. Simi-  planet may still
st ill be highlighte
high lightedd in the chart by
larly, the position
positio n o f V
Venus
enus in the eleventh house (where virtue of its angularity or joy. Inversely, a
it would be in its sorrow) is traditionally interpreted as  planett in excelle
 plane excellent nt zodiacal conditio
cond itionn (rul
(ruler-
er-
marriage for love, representing, therefore, a very happy ship or exaltation) can see its strength dimin-
situation. ished by being in a cadent house.
This is an example of how pure logical deduction does
not always apply in the astrological system. Note also Let’s look first at the interaction between joy
that the oldest authors do not mention the sorrows of the and the essential
essential condition o f the planet. In the
 planets,
 planet s, which
wh ich suggests
su ggests that it may have been a later dde- e- chart of Karl Marx, for example, we find two
velopment (probably from the late Middle Ages). Ages).  planets in their joy: the Moon in ththee tthird
hird and
 Chart 4. Nativity of Karl Marx

Tftc Houses/103

Jupiter in the eleventh. But they have very different zodiacal conditions because the Moon is exalted in
Taurus and Jupiter is inin fall in Capricorn.
Capricorn. The Moon in its jojoyy and exaltation is obvio
obviouslyusly a pow
powerful
erful planet
pla net
in this horoscope.
horoscope. It represents a great
great capacity to materialize (Taurus) its ideas (notably through journ journalism
alism
and books, natural topics of the third house). Jupiter’s situation is different; on the one hand, it is strength-
ened by being in its joy, on another,
another, it is weakened by being in fall.
fall. These two factors, apparen
apparently
tly contradic
co ntradic--
tory, combine to contribute
contribute to their interpretation.
interpretation. The placement ooff Jupiter by joy suggests that the individ-
indi vid-
ual has allies (eleventh house)
house) with great power; however, since the planet is debilitated, we can deduce dedu ce that
these allies,
allies, while powerful, are inconstant and prom- prom -
In Appendix 4, Additional Considerations about ise more than they can deliver.
the Houses, is information concerning the 12
houses. Topics such as the origins of o f the houses, A similar situation can occur with debilitated but an-
houses,
the house systems and their problems, and other  gular planets, although an angular planet always has
information can be found there. an apparent expression. If I f iits
ts essential nature is debil
debil--
itated, it tends to express its more challenging side. In
the chart of King Sebastian, for example,
example, the Sun is angular (conjunct the Ascendant) but debilitated
debili tated (in fall
and peregrine in Aquarius). The angularity of the Sun gives this king authority and natural brilliance, but
these qualities tend to become imposing and inappropriate, or even arrogant, due to the debilitateddeb ilitated condition
of the Sun
respect (this condition
to dignified is even
but cadent more emphasized
planets, by the conjunction
the reverse situation occurs; theo fexpression
the Sun with choleric
of the Mars).
planet, whileWith
dis-
creet, is stable, balanced, and o f ggood
ood quality.
 

104/On the Hcaveiify tyftercs

 

Chapter VIII 

 Asp
 A spec
ects
ts
The term “aspect”
“aspec t” is of Latin origin (adspectu) and means to observe, see, look at. From an astrological
astrolog ical con-
text, two planets are considered to be in aspect when they “look at” one another, thereby eestablishing
stablishing a rela-
tionship between them. The aspects between planets indicate the types of dynamic relationship
relationshipss formed be-
tween them and describe the actions of the planets in the horoscope.

The Five Aspects

The aspects derive from the geometry of the actual
actual zodiac and from the nature of
o f the signs. Planets posited in
the same signs are subject to the same qualities; for this reason, we conclude that their actions combine. In
this case, its is said that the planets are in conjunction. Planets in signs opposite each other act contrary to
one another, provoking conflict and division.
They are said to be in opposition. When two
 planets
 plane ts are situat
situated
ed in signs o f the same ele-
ment, they are under the influence of the same
 primary
 prim ary quali
qualities
ties and thei
theirr actions
action s combin
combinee
with ease and grace. They are said to be in trine.
Similarly, planets in signs with different ele-
ments but of the same gender share the same
temperature: hot, in the case of the masculine
signs, and cold in the case of the feminine signs;
they are said to be in sextile. Their relationship
is not as flowing as with the trine, but the rela-
tionship is agreeable. Planets situated in signs
whose temperatures are incompatible but who
share the same mode are said to be in square.
This aspect depicts a difficult relationship, in-
clining toward friction.

In astrological
rowly practice,o an
defined. Instead aspectring
is more
f considering
conside nar-
the signs Figure 1. Aspect Geometry
 

106/Oh   tfic Hcavcnfy Sjtftercs

to determine the aspectual relationship, only the

angle that the signs form in the zodiac is consid-
ered. Signs in opposition arc at an angle of 180°;
in trine,
gle at an
of 90°; andangle of 120°;
in sextile, in square,
at 60°. at an the
Therefore, an-
relationship between signs is converted into a
geometrical relationship. The planets arc thus
considered to be in opposition when there is an
angle of 18
180°
0° between them, in trine when there
is 120°, etc. In this manner, the aspect is defined
in practice as an angular relationship between
two planets rooted in the geometrical structure
o f the zodiac.

 Not e that the angles represented

 Note represe nted by the aspects
are geocentric, meaning
m eaning they are measured from
the center of Earth. They represent the angular 
relationship between two planets from the per-
spective o f a terrestrial
terrestrial observer. Figure 2. Aspects as Angular Relationships
Between Two Planets
Inconjuncts
Four signs are left out of this system: the two
immediately adjacent to the starting place (at
30° distance) and the two that flank the sign op-
 posingg (at 150
 posin 150°),
°), both o f which are not
no t a part o f 
the traditional system of aspects. These signs
share nothing with the starting sign—neither 
temperature, nor mode—and thus cannot estab-
lish a relationship with it. Traditionally it is said
that these signs cannot “see” each other, mean-
ing they cannot aspect
aspec t each other. Some authors
state that the angular relationships of 30° are

very weak
from anddivision
a whole that those ofcircle
o f the 150° and
do not result
therefore
should not be considered. These angular rela-
tionships of 30° and 150° are known as an
inconjunct.

Light as a Basis for Aspects

At the root o f the concept that planets in aspect
can “see” or “observe” one another is the light
cast by the planets. The astrol
astrological
ogical tradition
trad ition holds that the aspects of 180°
180°,, 120°
120°,, 90°
90°,, and 60° are formed be-
be -
cause the planets involved touch each other with their ligh light.t. In the case of
o f tthe
he conjunction,
conjunction, the planets meet
each other “physically,” mixing
m ixing their light together, whereas the remai remaining
ning aspects
aspects form by radiating their 
light. In the case of the opposition, trine, square, and sextile, the planet radiates its light, which touches an-
other planet, allowing them to see each other and form the aspect. aspect.

This concept is based upon the principles o f anancient

cient Greek optic
optics.
s. Ancient scholars believe
believedd that vision was
 pos sible
 possib le beca
b ecause
use tthe
he eyes emi
emitted
tted rays; when they tou
touched
ched an obje
object,
ct, these
t hese rays
ray s allowed
al lowed for ththeir
eir vi
visua
sualiz
liza-
a-
 tion. We know
kno w today that what actually
actua lly occurs is the exact opposite: it is the eyes that capture the lig
light
ht from

 Asyect s/lOT

objects and can therefore see them. Nonethe-

less, the basic principle is the same, underscor-
ing the importance of light in traditional astrol-
ogy
From this perspective, the conjunction should
not be considered an aspect since it consists of 
the bodily interaction between planets and not
their mutual visualization. In truth, one must
distinguish between a bodily conjunction and
the aspects so defined. To simplify things in this
 book, w e’ll refer to the conjunc
conjunction
tion as an aspect,
despite the distinction.

 
 
Figure 4 - The Inconjunction.
Inconjunction. In modem astrol ogy, these This field, known as an orb may be envisioned
astrology,
relationships are called semi-sextile (30°) and quincunx
(150°). They are minor aspects (see Appendix 5.)
Orbs
In horoscopes we rarely fmd exact aspects. Each
planet
plan et has a field o f influence from which it can
interact (form an aspect) with other planets.
as an “aura” radiating around the planet. The
center of this sphere or orb, is the actual degree
where the planet is located—its body. The orbs
are expressed as a radius, which means that the
influence o f the plan
planet’s
et’s orb
orb will extend in front
of and behind the planet a certain number of de-
grees. The orb of each planet varies according to
its astrological “weight.” The values are shown
in Figure 6:

The orbs are generally measured in terms of ra-

dii. Some authors give orbs that are slightly dif-
ferent from these (for instance, 17° o f radius for 
the
the Sun,
orbs and
given8°here.
for Venus),
20 but the majority use

For example, the

th e orb for the Moon has a diameter of 24°24°,, 12° extending behind
b ehind and 12°
12° ttoo the front o f the zo
zo--
diacal position
positi on o f the planet. If
I f the Moon is located at 17° of Capricorn, its orb extends
ex tends from 5° to 29° of the
sign. Within this range, the Moon may form conjunctions.

For the other

oth er aspects, the orb of
o f the Moon radiates, as if it pr
projected
ojected beams
beam s ooff its light into areas o f tthe
he zodia
zodiacc
where it can form aspects. In this way, the Moon aspects by opposition
oppositi on anythin
anythingg situated bet between
ween 5° and 29°
of Cancer (the sign opposite Capricorn); it forms a square to any planet located at the same degrees of Aries
and Libra (the signs located 90° from Capricor
Capricorn);
n); it forms a trine to any planet in the same degrees o f Taurus Taur us
and Virgo (signs o f the same element at 12 120°
0° ffrom
rom Capricorn); and lastly it forms a sextile with any pplane lanett or 
 point
 poi nt situated
situa ted at the
th e ssame
ame degree
degreess o f Pisces and Scorpio (signs at 60° of o f Caprico
Capricorn).rn).

Therefore, an aspect
aspe ct is formed when the
the orb of the planet with the larger aura touches the body, (the zodiac
zo diacal
al
degree) where the other
oth er planet is physically located. In the previous example, the Moon was at 17°
17° Caprico
Capricornrn
and Mars at 10° Virgo. We find here that the orb of the Moon, which extends from 5° to 29° of the sign,
 touches by trine the position of Mars. Similarly, the orb of Mars, which extends from 2° to 18° Virgo

108/0fi t(ic Hcav cnfy Sjrficr

t(ic Hcav Sjrficrcs
cs

h e Planets
F ig ure 6. Orbs o f tth Plane ts
(radius and
(radius diamete r)
 and diameter)
Planet  Orb Rad ius
ius (diameter)
S aturn 9° (18°)
Jupiter  9° (18°)
Mars (16°))
8° (16°
Sun 15° (30°)
Venus 7° (14°)
Mercur y (14°)
7° (14°)
Moon 12° (24°)
(24°)

touche s, through its 

touches, its   rays, the degree of the the
on. It is said
Moon.
Mo the  aspect between
sai d then that the aspect betw een the
 planet
 pla netss is m ut ual.

Partile and
Partile Aspec ts
 and Platic Aspects
 Ne vertheless, this
 Nevertheless, this MoonMars
MoonMa rs aspect would would not
 be exact. F or that to occur, occur, both planets
pla nets would 
ha
haveve to occup
occupy y the same ree
degree
deg in their  respec-
 respec-
tive signs:
tive  signs: for instance, Virgo (Mars) and   10
instance, 10° Virgo 10°°
Capricorn
Caprico rn (Moon). We W e can thus distinguish be- be -
tween two types of  aspects: partile and platic platic  as-
ts. A partile as pect occurs
 pects.
 pec planets
occur s  when the planets
are located in the same degree de gree and the aspect
the aspect be-
tween
twe en them is exact.
exact. When the th e aspect is outside
o f that
that degree but with in the necessar y orb, it
b ut still within
to  be a platic as pect. The closer
is said to be clo ser to exact is
the aspect, the intens e are its eff ects.
the more intense ects.

diffe rences in or 

D ue to the differences  bs for lan ets, of-
f or the p lanets,
a spects are not mutual. The orb
ten the aspects The  orb o f planet
planet

A may touch
touch the body
bo dy of planet
planet B, but
B,  but the orb o
orb  o f 
touch  the body o f planet A. In
 pla net B may not touch the
such a case,  sli ghtly weak er
case,  we have a slightly e r aspect.
when  both
Only when bo th plane
pl ane ts
ts are ea ch other’s
 are within each the Moon and  its
Fi g ure 8. Orb of   the   its Rays
especially active. For exam
or  bs is the asp e ct especially
at 2° Gemini and Saturn at 13°
 pie , c on s ider the Sun at 2° 13° o f the sa
same
me sign. The orbo rb o f tthe Sun (with 15° of  range)
he Sun  range)
extends to to 17° Gemini touches  the body o f Saturn at 13
Gemi ni and touches the Saturn only reaches
13°°. However, the orb o f Saturn rea ches as far 
as 4° Gemini, and thus th us does not bo dy o f the
no t touch the body the Si
Sim.
m. We then say the  orb o f tthe
sa y that Satur n is within the orb he
Sun, but thet he Sun is not within the orb Saturn.. T here is a conjunction
o rb o f Saturn co njunction between pla nets, but the as pec t is
betw een the planets,
onesided  and  and doesn’t itse lf completely.
doesn ’t express itself completely. The same logic logic applies opposition s, trines, sq uares
applies to oppositions, u ares and 
sextiles.

20 These values
v alues come fro
fromm the Su n’s r eelationship
lationship wi th the planets. For
with planets. For instance, 1 5° is approx im
15° imately degreee range of 
ately the degre
luminosity
luminosit nd 12° is the d iistance
y of the Sun aand thee Moon needs to
stance that th needs  to have from tthehe Sun before it
before  it is again bec omes visi-
becomes
thee planets pro babl y result fr
 ble. T he values for th om adjustments
fro adjustments made in acco rdance with the
accordance the planets ’ re
relat ionships with
lationships
the lights
ligh ts and their in importance. Thus, the slower, su peri
dividual importance.
individual  perior
or plane ts  Saturn and Ju piter, have a sl
ts Saturn ightly larger 
slightly
orb than the faster planets,, Venus and Mercury,
the  faster planets M ercury, which  have smaller
which have smaller orbs.
 

110/On the Heawitfy Sj)fieres

to outofsign aspects; their interpretation de-

 pendss on their pa
 pend particula
rticularr context.

Variations in the Definitions of an Aspect

Some Renaissance authors (15th and 16th cen-
turies) use a slightly different rule for the defini-
tion o f aspects.
aspects. Although they also use the con-
cept of orb, they contend that the orb is formed
when one planet’s halforb touches the other 
 pl
 plan
anet’s
et’s halforb. There is thus a division o f the
orbs into halves, whose technical term is moiety
(from the French moitié   meaning “half’). For 
example (sec Figure 12), consider the Moon at
14
14°° Gemini and Mercury at 22° o f the same sign.
To sec if there is an aspect, we take the moiety of 
the Moon’s orb, or 6° (half of 12), and the moi
ety  o f Mercury’s
Mercury ’s 3°30’ (half of 7°)
7°);; the result is
9°30' (6°+ 3° 30’). This is the range within
which the planets may touch each other in the Figure 11. Out-of-sign Aspects
formation o f aann aspect. Since in this instance the
distance between both planets is 8° (a value smaller than the range) there exists an aspect since the moieties
o f the planets slightly overlap.

We can say that the Moon and Mercury are conjunct. This is a more mathematical perspective on the concept concep t
 because
 beca use it ta
takes
kes the “av
“average
erage”” of
o f the de
degrees
grees o f orb o f each o f the plane
planets
ts involved. The earlie
earlierr metho
me thodd is
more “physical.”
“ph ysical.” We therefore have two systems:

• The orb-body system, which we use in this book, considers the aspect to occur when the ray from
 planet
 plan et A touches the body o f plan
planet
et B.
• The system of moieties, which considers the aspect to occur when half of planet A’s orb touches
the ha lf of planet
planet B ’s orb.
orb.

Currently,
happens notthebecause
last system
this issystem
more popular
is moreamong
logicalstudents and practitioners
or practical of traditional
than the other, astrology.
but because This
it is more
wellknown. Its popularity is credited primarily to William Lilly (the most wellknown traditional aauthor
uthor in
the English language) who uses it in his significant work Christian Astrology.

We use the orbbody system, which is the typi-

cal system in the majority of traditional texts.
Besidess that, it is a system that rests on the prin-
Beside
ciples o f ancient optical
optical theory: an object is only
visible when the rays that it emits touch the
“body” (the eyes) of the observer. In this sense,
the orbbody system is more reasonable because
it argues that the aspect occurs when the light
from a planet
plan et touches the body o f anoth
another.
er. In the
moiety  system, it is the light from both planets
that touch one another, which seems inconsis-
tent w ith classical optical
o ptical theory.
theory. In any event,
the practical
prac tical ddifference
ifference between both
both system
systemss is Figure 12. Moi
 Moieties
eties
 

U2jO n tfic H awa iCy Sj rficrcs

 rficrcs

 A
 A p p r o a c h : A moves towards
tow ards B,
T he orbs do n ot touch the t he bodies of  the
 the planets
planet s   Perfection : exact a
asp
sp ect between
betwee n A and B
so the aspect
a spect has not yet form ed

B e g i n n in
i n g o f ap
ap p l ic
i c a t i o n : A enters
e nters the or b of B Beginning of
Beginning  of separation:
separat ion: A iis
s 1 d egree away from
away  from B
Th e aspect form forms s

 A p p l i c at i o n: the aspect
asp ect becomes
becomes stronger   as
as Separat ion: B exits
exi ts the orb of A,
of A, th e as pe ct w eakens
eakens
th e orb of A reaches
re aches B

B eg i n n i n g o f p e r f ec
ec t i o n : A Is at less than 1 degree
degree from B
from  B
End of separation : A exits the o
orb
rb of B; the aspect
the aspect ends
Figure 14.
Figure 14. The
The aspect’s Cycle:
Cycle: App
Application,
lication, Perfection
Perfection an
and
d Separation
 

116/Oit the Heavenly Spheres

one of these points is in opposition the other; when in trine with one, it is sextile the other (and vice versa);
when in square to one, it is square the other. It is theref
therefore
ore unnecessary to note the aspects to all ooff the angles;
it is enough to know the aspects to one side of the axis in order to deduce those to the other.

Aspects to the house cusps should also be avoided due to the uncertainties as to the most accurate method of 
house calculation (see Appendix 4, Additional Considerations About the Houses). It makes no sense to con-
sider aspects between the various angles nor between two nonplanctary points; because they do not “possess
their own light,” they cannot aspect each other.

Representing Aspects in the Horoscope

Aspect Notation
To facilitate representation, aspects have specific symbols that derive from the geometry that is associated
with each. The conjunction is represented by a circle with a single line, signifying reunion. The opposition is
represented by two opposing circles united by a line. The trine and the square are depicted by their geometri-
cal correlates: a triangle and a square, respectively. The sextile is represented by a sixpointed star, a varia-
tion on the hexagon.

It is essential to a practical working knowledge of astrology to be able to read and notate the aspects. Many
students place too much trust in astrological software applications, thinking that these will relieve them from
tedious calculations. One should note, however, that that to function properl
properly, y, any program must be configured
 pro perly
pe rly.. In orde
or derr to do this,
this , techn
tec hnica
icall kn
know
owled
ledge
ge o f the
th e calcu
cal culat
lation
ion o f asp
a spec
ects
ts is a prereq
pre req uis
uisite
ite.. Besid
Be sides
es,,
even i f the applicati
applicationon traces them correctly, the student must still know how to identify them and interpret
them correctly. An aspect must always be noted, beginning w ith the fastest pl planet.
anet. This one is responsible
for the formation and separation o f the aspect; so it should be noted first. first. The notation is made using the sym -
 bo
 bols
ls o f the plan
pl anets
ets and asp
aspecects
ts as show
sh ownn bel
below:
ow:

 Aspect 
 Asp ect   Degrees
 Degre es Symbols
Opposition 180°
Trine 120° A
Square 90°  
Sextile
Conjunction 60°
0° *cr 
For example, let’s take a square between Venus and the Moon. Since the Moon is faster than Venus, it is is the
Moon that forms the square.
square. The notation is made by writing the symbol of the Moon followed by the sym -
 bo
 boll o f the as
aspe
pect,
ct, an
andd then
th en o f Venus:
Ven us:

DO9
A less correct notation is used if the aspect is witten like this
this::

9nD
If the aspe ct is applying, an “a“ is added to the end. I f it is separa
separating,
ting, an “s” is added. For example:

Mars applies to a sex tile o f Saturn = Cf X h a

 Sun separates from the opposition to Jupiter = O U s

 As ye cts lll

lll7 
7 

A Guide for Mapping Aspects in a Chart

Step One: Identifying the Aspects

Start with the fastest
fastest planet, the Moo
Moon.n. Look at its degree and minute and note the range of its orb. This is
done by subtracting and adding to its position, the value of its allowed orb (12° in the case of the Moon).
 Next, look for planets
plan ets close to the Moon to see iiff there are any conjunct
conjunctions.
ions. These are easy
e asy to see. Then,
Then ,
look in the same degrees of o f the opposite sig
signn for any oppositions.
oppositions. Then search the chart from the opposition
oppo sition
 pointt to the conjunction
 poin con junction for any possible aspects: trine (two signs
sig ns after the opposition),
oppositi on), square
sq uare (th
(thee sign after 
afte r 
the trine), and sextile (the sign after the square). After this, do the same on the other side of the chart. In this
 process,
 proce ss, you must always
alway s con
consider
sider the orb ooff the planet and
a nd sele
select
ct other
oth er bodi
bodies
es situated
situate d within
with in that range.

Whenev er an aspect is located, note whether it iiss applying or separating (and also if dexter or sinister). Whe
Whenever Whenn
all aspects of the Moon are noted, do the same with the next fastest planets: Mercury, Venus, the Sun, etc.
(following the Chaldean order). Note that once an aspect from,
from, for example, Venus to Jupiter is identified,
id entified, it
is unnecessary to record this same aspect when the aspects of Jupiter are identified. This way, the farther 
along one proceeds in the order of the planets, it is necessary only to note the aspects to slower planets,
avoiding any duplications.

Recall once more that:

1. A conjunction occurs in the same sign and is easy to spot.

2. An opposition occurs between opposing signs, six signs away, and is also easy to detect.
3. The sign next to the opposition is inconjunct and does not create aspects.
4. The trine occurs between signs with the same
same element, four signs away.
5. The square occurs between signs o f the same mode, three signs away.
6. The sextile
sexti le occurs between signs of the same gender, two signs away.
7. The sign adjacent to that of the planet is also inconjunct and does not create aspects.

Look for outofsign aspects. If the planet is at the

 beginnin
 begi nningg or end ooff a sign it is likel
likelyy that it may form
an aspect
should payoutside
specialofattention
the expected signs.
in these The student
cases.

Step Two: Mapping the Aspects

The aspects can be represented in a chart by colored
lines. This step is optional since it is a matter of vi-
sual preference. Some people do not illustrate the as-
 pectss in a chart, preferrin
 pect prefe rringg to iden
identify
tify them
the m in the
moment. The ideal is to identify the aspects yourself 
and avoid the aspect lines in the center
c enter ooff the chart.

Having said that, there is no standard for illustrating

the aspects, so we suggest the following:

• The ten
tension
sion and conf
conflictindicating
lictindicating aspects
(square
(square and opposition) should be drawn in red.
 • The harmonic aspects (trine and sextile) should
Figure 19. Identifying the Aspects  be drawn
d rawn in blue.
blu e.

118/Chi tfte Hcavaify Sjrfwres

In order to distin guish between applying and separating aspects,

aspects, you can use a dashed line for tthe he separa
separating
ting
aspects
aspe cts and an uninterrupted
uninte rrupted line for tthe
he applying aspects
aspects.. If
I f color is not used, then a dashed line may be used
for the opposition and square, and an uninterrupted line may be used for the trine and sextile (in this case,
however, they would not distinguish applications from separations). Only aspects between planets should be
drawn. Aspects to the Ascendant, Midheaven, or Part of Fortune should be listed separately. This prevents
the chart from becoming overly cluttered with lines, which make its reading difficult.

As an example. King Sebastian's chart is used to calculate the planetary ranges in Chaldean order:

Start with the Moon located at 26°

26° Leo 37
37'.'. The range o f its oorb
rb will run from 14
14°° Leo 37' (12° before) to 8°
Virgo 37' (12° after). Then look for planets that lie within this orb or its rays. There are no planets near the
Moon; therefore we start at the opposite sign, Aquarius. There arc three planetary candidates to an opposi-
tion of the Moon: Mercury at 22°13', Mars at 14°37' and the Sun at 10°00'. The orb of the Moon reaches to
14°37'; thus, only Mercury and Mars arc within the rays of the opposition. We have therefore, two
oppositions: the Moon to Mercury and the Moon to Mars. Since the Moon is at 26°, it has passed the exact
degrees of Mercury and the aspect is separating. Mercury is retrograde and, therefore, also separates from
the Moon,
Moo n, a mutual separation. Since the distance between both planets is 4°24'4°24 ' (26
(26°37'
°37'  22°
22° 13 ') and the orb
of Mercury is 7°, the aspect is mutual.

The aspect to Mars is also separating (since it is even farther from the Moon than Mercury); however, the
distance between them is 11°28'.
11°28'. This is a separating
separating aspect very close to
to the limit, whereby the orb of Mars
does not touch the Moon. So it is a weak aspect of little note in the chart. The remaining planets are in posi-
tions without an aspect: Venus and Saturn are in signs adjacent to the opposition, and Jupiter is totally out of 
orb to form any aspect.

 Not
 N otee the aspec
asp ects
ts this way
way::

DcPSs

Dæcf s
 Next
 Ne xt is Mercu
Me rcury,
ry, the se
seco
cond
nd fas
fastes
testt pla
plane
net,t, at
22° Aquarius 13'. Its orb extends from 15°13' to
29°13' of the sign (7° before and after). In the
same sign we find Mars and the Sun. Although
the orb of Mercury does not reach these planets’
 po
 posit
sitio
ions
ns,, kee
k eepp in mind
mi nd tha
thatt the ir orb s are
ar e la
large
rger.
r.
The distance from Mercury to Mars is 7°04',
slightly out of orb for Mercury (7°), but within
the orb o f Mars (8°) (8°).. Therefore, w e have a Mer-
curyM ars conjunction. Becau se Mercury is ret-
rograde, it is moving toward Mars, while Mars
in direct motion is moving toward Mercury. We
have in this case a mutual application. Althoug h
Mars is not w ithin the orb o f Mercury, Mercury, the dif-
ference is very close (0°04’) and the planets are
approaching one another, which gives the as-
 p
 pec
ec t g reat
re at po
poww er
er..
 The Sun, w ith its 15° orb, also reaches Mercury, Chart V. Nativity of King Sebastian

 Asj)ccts/119

forming a conjunction.
conjunction. It is a weaker con
conjunction
junction than that of Mar
Marss because the distance is eeven
ven larger, bbut
ut it
is also a mutual application. As to other aspects, the Moon was considered, Venus and Saturn are in adjacent
signs (and therefore without aspect), and Jupiter is out of orb for a trine.

 Note the aspec

aspects
ts this way:

Oa

tfa

Venus, which is next in speed, is at 10° Capricorn 39' and its orb runs from 3°39' to I7°39'. There are no
 plane ts next to Venus to form a conjunctio
 planets conjunction,
n, nor planets in opposi
opposition.
tion. The
Th e Sun, Mars, and Mercu
Mercury ry are in an
adjacent sign and do not form an aspect. The Moon is in the sign next to the opposition; therefore, it does not
form an aspect. If we follow in the direction of the signs, we find Saturn in Pisces, to where Venus projects a
sextile. Saturn is at 14°14' of the sign and therefore within the rays of Venus. In turn, Saturn also touches Ve-
nus with its orb. We therefor
thereforee have a VenusSaturn sexti
sextile.
le. It is an applying aspect because Venus, the faster 
 planet,t, is approaching
 plane approac hing an exact aspect to Saturn. Because Venus projects
p rojects a sextile in the
t he order of
o f the sign
signs,
s, it
is also a sinister aspect.

If we look in the direction contrary to the order of the signs, we find Jupiter at 4° Libra 40', and Venus in
Capricorn projects a dexter square.
square. Jupiter is within the rays of Venus (which runs to 3°
3°39')
39') and also touches
it with its own orb (which runs to 13°40'). There is, therefore, a square between both planets. The aspect is
separating because Venus is 10° in front of Jupiter and is faster.

 Note the as
aspects
pects this way:

9 □ U s (d(dex
exteter)
r)
9 X h a (sin
(sinist
ister)
er)

The Sun is at 10 10°° Aquarius 00'00 ' and its orb runs from 25 25°° Capricorn 00' to 25° Aquarius 00 '. In Aquarius we
also find Mercury (whose conjunction to the Sun was already identified) and Mars at 15°09'. Mars and the
Sun are within each other’so ther’s orb
orbss and form a conjunction because they are only 5°09' 5°09 ' apart. Since the Sun is
faster and is approaching Mars, the conjunction is applying. applying. In the opposite
op posite sign is the Moon, wh whose
ose aspects
we ’ve already considered. Venus and Saturn are in inconjunct signs and form no no aspect with the Sun. Jupit
Jupiter 
er 
is in Libra, a sign of o f the same element as Aquarius, allowing the possibility of a trine with the Sun. Since Ju-
 piterr is at
 pite a t 4°4
4°40'
0' and the Sun at 10°00', we find that they are wit within
hin each other’s
oth er’s orb, whic
whichh confirm
co nfirmss a trine
 between
 betw een ththem.
em. The
T he aspect
asp ect is separa
separating
ting bec
because
ause the Sun, the faster of
o f the two, is ahead o f Jupiter.
Jupi ter. It is dexte
de xter 
r 
 because
 beca use it is projecte
proj ectedd in the directio
d irectionn ccontrary
ontrary to the order o f the signs.

 Notee the aspects

 Not aspec ts this way:

OcT Cf a
Q A 4 a (d
(dex
exte
ter)
r)

 Nex t, tur
 Next, turnn to Mars at 15
15°° Aquari
Aquarius
us 009'
9',, whose orb
or b runs from 7°09' to 22°0
22°09'
9' o fth
ft h e sign. Since we
w e noted
no ted aallll of 
o f 
the aspects of the planets faster than Mars, it is only necessary now to look for aspects from Mars to Jupiter 
and Saturn, which
whic h are slower
slower.. Saturn is in the adjacent sign, and therefore no aspects are formed. JJup upiter
iter is in
 Libra, where Mars projects a trine. However, Mars orb does not reach Jupiter, and Jupiter s orb (extends to
12°40') also does not reach Mars. Thus, no aspect is formed.

120l0n tfic Heawnfy Sjrficrcs

As to Jupiter,
Jupit er, all th at is left is to see if
i f itit forms an asp
aspect
ect with Saturn. Since they arc in inconjunct
inconju nct sign
signss in this
chart, there arc no aspects between them. The aspects between Saturn and the other planets have already
 beenn co
 bee cons
nsid
ider
ered
ed..

There arc no feral planets because all the planets arc involved in an aspect. Next, check to see if there arc
any planets that arc void o f course.
course. For thi
thiss we
only need to see if there arc any applying aspects:
• The Moon has two separating aspects but
no applying ones. It is, therefore, void.
• Me
Mercury
rcury applies to Mars and the Sun.
• Venu s applies to Saturn.
• The Sun forms a mutual application with
Mercury.
• Mars also forms a mutual application with
Mercury.
• Jup iter docs not apply to any planet, and is
therefore void.
• Saturn also has no applications and is void.
We can then make a list of all the aspects in King
Sebas tian’s chart:
chart:
D Ss S e fO a 9 □ O s de dext
xter 
er 
O cf CT a 4 voc voc
DæCfs ScTCfa 9 X *1 a sin
sinis
iste
ter 
r 
Figure 20. Aspects in King Sebastian’s Chart
0 A 4 s d e x te r  
D voc
We can then separately note the aspects
aspects formed to the Ascendant (ASC), the Midheaven (MC) an d the Part
o f Fortune,
Fortune, which in this chart are:

O cf Asc ÎDMC Dc t p
5 O' Asc O*MC
CT d   A sc
J Asc
4 * mc

Interpretation

The Nature o f the the Aspects

Each aspect represen ts a specific type of interaction (or relationship)
relationship) between the planets. This relationship
is defined by the geom etrical (the angle) and the zodiacal (signs) nature o f the aspect
aspect.. T he first step in inter-
 pr
 pret
etin
ingg the as
aspe
pect
ctss is to kn ow thei
th eirr nat
n ature
ure s wel
well.l.

Conjunction
The co njunction is the most intense o f all aspects since it directly unit
unites
es the planet
planets.s. It occurs when they
are in an an gle close to 0° and generally in the same sign. However, it is not a ttrue
rue aspect because it results
from a “phy sical” conn ection betw een celestial bodies and not from an angular relatirelationship
onship (o f rays).
 Its nature is on e o f union becau se it mixes the qualities of the planets, and they can become so identified that
their individual natures are confused. Despite its intensity, we may say that the conjunction is a neutral as

/\syectsll21

 pect. Its quality

qual ity depends upon the nature of the planets involved and ooff the sign where it occurs. If the plane
pla nets
ts
arc compatible, the conjunction
conjunction generates ea
ease
se and flow
flow;; if the planet
planetss are o f very
very different natures, it gener-
gen er-
ates friction and obstruction. This aspect is also known as a “bodily conjunction” or synod.

Opposition
The opposition relates planets in opposite signs, at an angle close to 180°. Its nature comes from the interac-
tion between
betwee n opposing sides and not
not from tthe
he actual sign
signss involved, as in the remaining aspects. Since it puts
two zodiacal polarities in contact,
contact, it indicates confr
confrontation
ontation and manifests in a tense, difficult manner. If we
compare the opposition to a dialogue, this would be an open discussion where the two parties are in direct
conflict, producing discomfort and obstruction. This aspect is also known as a diameter.

Trine
The trine corresponds to 120°. It relates planets in signs of the same element and which, therefore, share the
same primary qualities (temperament)
(temperament) It thu
thus,
s, indicates an easy, smooth, and stab
stable
le relationship between the
 planets
 plan ets involved.
involved . If this
th is aspect were a dialogue, we could imagine two people
peop le who speak about the same
things and agree with each other. This aspect is also known as a triangle.

Square
The square relates two planets that ar aree 90° apart
apart.. It rrelates
elates signs ooff the same mode but ooff incompatible ele-
ments. It indicates tension between the planets involved,
involved, which generally manifests as pressure and internal
conflict. It is externalized as struggle
struggle and resist
resistance.
ance. Because ooff this, the square is often a source of stress and
frustration. If it were a di
dialogue,
alogue, the square w would
ould be a tensetense,, uncom
uncomfortable
fortable conversation,
conve rsation, full of
o f provoca-
provoca -
tions. Because the square cuts the zodiac into four parts, it is also known as a quartile.

Sextile
The sextile
sextil e corresponds to an angle of
o f 60
60°.
°. It rrepresents
epresents a har
harmonious
monious relation
relationship
ship because it relates signs o f 
the same temperature
tem perature (hot and cold). Nonethe
Nonetheless,less, the sextile is less intense than the trine because the signs
involved have different elements and modes.

As a dialogue, the sextile would be a conversation where the two people agree on the main points, although
with slight differences in their approaches. It is an aspect that represents cooperation and understanding,

where the the

it divides pla nets
planets
circlehave
intoasix
functional
parts. and pleasant expression. This aspect is also known as a hexagon beca
expression.  because
use

Aspects and the Rulership Scheme

The aspects derive
d erive fundamentally
fundamen tally from the
the natural relationships
relationships between signs. However, we can also relat
relatee
the natures of the aspects with the natures of the planets. This relationship is established through the ruler-
ship scheme, in which the relationship between planets and luminaries (when placed in the signs they rule)
reflects and compliments the nature of the aspects.

The luminaries—symbols of life, order, and abundance—rule over the signs of greatest daylight and heat:
Cancer, ruled by the Moon, and Leo, ruled by the Sun. In the rulership scheme, the malefic planets Saturn
and Mars form tense aspects with the lights. Saturn, the greater malefic, is in direct opposition with the Sun
and the Moon because it occupies Capricorn (opposite Cancer) and Aquarius (opposite Leo). Mars, the
lesser malefic, forms squares to the lights by way of its si
signs
gns of rulership, Aries and Scorpio. From Aries, it
is square the Moon’s sign, Cancer, and from Scorpio, it is square the Sun’s sign, Leo.
 In turn, the benefic planets,
plane ts, Jupiter and Venus, form favor
favorable
able aspects to the luminarie
luminariess signs from the signs
they rule. Jupiter,
Jup iter, the greater
gre ater benefic, forms a trine
trine to the SSun
un from Sagittarius and another to the Moon
M oon from

122/On tfic Heavenly Sjtlieres

Pisces, while Venus, the lesser bcncfîc, forms a sextile to the Sun from Libra and another to the Moon from
Taurus.

Mercury is a special ease because it is too close to the Sun to form an aspect. Its position in the rulcrship
scheme mirrors this pattern: its signs of rulcrship, Gemini and Virgo, are adjacent to the signs of the lights.
This image makes clear the symmetry that relate
relatess the planets with the aspects according to the type o f rela-
tionship they create. Thus:

• The oppositi
opposition
on has a nature similar to Satum; it impedes, obstructs and creates tension.
• The square has the nature of Mars; it generates friction and misunderstan
misunderstanding.
ding.
• The trine has the nature of Jupiter; it unites with perfection and understanding
understanding..
• The sextile has the nature of Venus; it unites with friendship and moderation.
• The conjunction has the neutral nat
nature
ure of Mercury
Mercury beca
because
use its effect
effect depends upon the planets
involved.

 Note that the symmetry

symme try of
o f this scheme also reinforces the m
mascul
asculine/d
ine/diumal
iumal and femini
fe minine/n
ne/noctum
octumal
al eexpre
xpres-
s-
sion of the planets. The planets in their diurnal rulcrships (Mercury in Gemini, Venus in Libra, Mars in
Aries,
day, and the
while Jupiter in Sagittarius)
planets form sextiles
in their nocturnal and(Mercur
rulerships trines ywith
(Mercury the Sun,
in Virgo, the masculine
Venus light and
in Taurus, Mars lord of and
in Scorpio, the
Jupiter
Jupit er in Pisces) form sextiles and trines to the
the Moon, the feminine light and lady of the night. Only Satum,
the most malefic of all the planets, is opposed to the lights in any situation (in its diurnal rulership over 
Aquarius, it is opposite the Sun in Leo, and in its nocturnal rulership over Capricorn, it is opposite the Moon
in Cancer).

It is also possible to observe a similar symmetry in the system of joy

of joyss attrib
attributed
uted to the astrolo
a strological
gical house
houses.s. In
this system, the pairs SunMoon (the lights) and JupiterVenus (the benefics) have their th eir joys
joy s in houses which
symbolically make aspects to the Ascendant (first). The third house, joy of the Moon, and the eleventh
house, jojoyy o f Jupiter, form sextiles to the Ascendant, while the ninth, joy of the Sun, and the fifth, joy jo y of Ve-
nus, form trines.

On the other hand, the malefics are located in

houses that do not aspect the Ascendant, the
twelfth, and the sixth. This way, when they are
in a position of
o f power, they do not “damage” the
Ascendant. Due to its neutral and ambivalent
nature, Mercury is not matched up; it is posi-
tioned in the Ascendant so that it will be in good
relationships with the lights and benefics.

Interpreting the Aspects

There are basically two types ooff aspec
aspects:
ts: harmo-
nious and challenging. The aspects considered
harmonious, the trine and sextile, represent
comfortable relationships, wherein the natures
of the planets combine easily. In the ancient
texts they are called aspects of friendship and
love, referring
tablished to the
between theeasy relationship
planets involved.that
Theis op-
es-
  po
 posit
sition
ion and the squar
sq uaree imply
imp ly diffi
difficult
cult plan
planetary
etary Figure 21. Correlation Between Aspects
and the Rulership Scheme

 Asj>ect$
 Asj>ect$ll23
ll23

Figure 22. Aspects in Diurnal and Nocturnal Rulerships

relationships wherein tension and friction are
 predo minant
 predomina nt factors. In the anci
ancient
ent texts, they
are called aspects of enmity and hatred, once
more alluding to the type of relationship be-
tween the planets. The conjunction is consid-
ered neutral because the outcome of the combi-
nation depends upon the nature
natu re of the planets in-
volved. The conjunction between two planets
whose nature is compatible (such as Venus and
the Moon) will be harmonious. On the other 
hand, the conjunction between two planets natu-
rally antagonistic (such as Moon and Mars) will
 be disharmo
d isharmonious
nious..

Without minimizing the information above, it

should be noted that the quality and expression
of each aspect depends in great part upon the
 planetss involved.
 planet involv ed. Besid
Besideses the natu
nature
re o f the
th e as-
Figure 23. Aspects and the Joys of the Planets
 pect and
an d the co
compat
mpatibil
ibility
ity bbetw
etween
een plane
p lanets,
ts, dig
d ig--
nities and debilities must also be considered. If 
we compare an aspect to a relationship, the quality of the relationship depends upon the participants them-
selves. The pleasant conversations (represented by trines and sextiles) can be frivolous and unproductive if 
the planets involved are in bad condition in the chart (debilitated). On the other hand, even the liveliest dis-
cussions (represented
(rep resented by squares and oppositions) can produce interesting results if the participan
participantsts are intel-
intel -
ligent individuals (dignified planets). The planets involved are thus always the most important factor in the
interpretation
interpretation of an aspect.
aspect.

Importance and Intensity of an Aspect

 Nott all aspects
 No asp ects hhave
ave the
th e same “weigh
“w eight”
t” in a horoscope. Some are very sig
significa
nificant,
nt, while
wh ile ot
others
hers are more
m ore sec-
s ec-
 ondary. To determine their significance, the following factors should be taken into consideration:

124/011 tfic Hcavciify Spheres

• The exactn
exactness
ess of the aspect makes iitt more significant.
• The aspect
aspectss where both planets arc w within
ithin eac
eachh other’s orbs arc
arc more intense.

• Apply
Outof
Outofsign
signaspects
Applying
ing aspects
aspec ts arctoweaker
tend (except
be more
more if very
intense tight, lless
ess than
than separating 5°).
5°).
aspects.
• Aspects at the end ooff the orb arc very weak, especially if separating or outofsign.

In practice, these considerations help to establish a type of hierarchy for the aspects of a chart. In this way,
undue importance will not be given to irrelevant aspects, or secondary status to important aspects, thus un-
dermining
dermini ng the quality ooff the interpretation.
interpretation.

Basic
Basic Significations
The basic signification ooff any aspect results from
from the de
delineation
lineation of two factor
factors.
s. The first concerns the type
o f aspect involved: the flowing aspects facilitate the combined
combined expression of the the planets, while the tense as-
 pectss challeng
 pect chall engee it. The other factor to keep in
in mind is the “mixing ooff the natures
natures”” of the two planets: compat
com pati-
i-
 ble natures
na tures produce
p roduce easy interaction
i nteractions,
s, while inco
incompatible
mpatible natures produce instability
instability.. At the root if this com-
 patibil
 pati bility
ity issue are the primary qualities and temp
temperaments
eraments o f the planets.

For example, Mars and the Moon

Moon are essentially incompatible beca
because
use they have adverse temperaments: one
is hot and dry, the other cold and moist. Saturn
Saturn and the Moon, although antagonistic in their significations,
do have one
on e thing in common: they share the
the cold quality
quality,, which contributes toward stabilizing the
their
ir interac-
tions. With Jupiter, the Moon has better compatibility because they share the moist quality; the differences
in temperature are in this case of lesser importance because the heat of Jupiter,
Jupiter, although moderated, dodoes
es not
interfere with the coldness of the Moon.

If two planets o f ccompatible

ompatible nature form  Note: Since tthehe aspec
aspects
ts stand out quite
qu ite a bit in the horo
horoscope
scope,,
an aspect, the resulting combination will students tend to place excessive emphasis on them, sometimes
always be positive. Nevertheless, the to the detriment of other factors. According to the rules of in-
type of aspect that the planets form can terpretation, the aspects should only be considered after one
alter this situation. The flowing aspects has interpreted the planet’s overall
overall condition (dignity/debility,
(trine and sextile) reinforce the compati-  posit
 position
ion by sign, positio
positionn by house). If the apprapproach
oach follows
 bility
 bili ty o f the plane
planets,
ts, allow
allowing
ing each to this order, the delineation of the aspects will be placed within
share in what is good about the other.
The tense aspects (square and opposi-  preh its proper context and will furnish more meaningful and com-
 prehensiv
ensivee inform
information
ation th
than
an if
i f it were made first. In summary,
summar y,
tion) disrupt this compatibility without, never start an interpretation from the aspects.
however, destroying it; the interaction
continues to have an agreeable outcome, although its expression may be unstable and uncoordinated. In the
case of compatible planets, the conjunction is considered a flowing aspect.

In combinations
combin ations involving
invol ving naturally inco
incompatible
mpatible planets, the tension is aann everpresent factor,
factor, whatever the
aspect being formed. Nonetheless, the flowing aspects (trine and sextile) minimize part of the tension, em-
 ph
 phasi
asizin
zingg what
w hat is best
bes t abo
about
ut th
thee combinat
com bination.
ion. The tense aspec
aspects
ts (sq
(square
uare an
andd oppositio
opp osition)
n) re
reinfor
inforce
ce th
thee ch
char-
ar-
acteristics that are already difficult about the shared interaction. In these cases, the conjunction functions
like a tense aspect.

The Friendship and Enmity o f the Planets

Planets
The compatibilities and incompatibilities
incompatibilities o f the
the planets are presented in various
various ways in traditional astrol-
ogy, and
an d friendship and enmity
enm ity are two that are most often
often referenc
referenced.
ed. They are used in planetary
planetary combina-
 tions in more advanced
adv anced interpretative techniques (for example,
example, the compatibility
compatibility between
between two people). Al
though there are variations between differ
different
ent authors, the one presented here is the more common
common..

 Asj
 A sj xc ts ll2 5

Figure 23 results
resu lts from the compatibility
compatibility in tthe
he nnatures
atures of the planets, and from other considered
conside red fac tors (se
(sect,
ct,
general signification, etc.) For example, Venus is friendly with all planets except Saturn. This results not
only from planetary
nus signifies
sign ifies is totallytemperament (sangui
(sanguine
averse to what ne signi
Saturn and melancholic,
melanc
signifies: holic,
fies: while respectiv
respectively)
Venus is joyely)
fill,but
fill, softbecause everything
and colorful, aturnthat
SSaturn V e--
is seri
seri-
ous, somb er and gray.

In some cases, friendship is not necessarily reciprocated. For example, many authors claim that the Sun is
friends with
w ith Saturn because
becaus e its heat ameliorat
ameliorates
es the coldness o f the planet; but Saturn does no
nott recipro cate its
friendship in the same manner because its cold and dark nature is too contrary to the heat and luminosity of 
the Sun. Incidentally, these planets are naturally opposed in the
zodiac,
zodia c, whether in the rulerships (LeoAquarius) or in the ex al-
tations (AriesLibra).

The friendly
friendly planets mutually reinforce one another. If there is
a flowing
flowing aspect between them (sextile or trine), the reinforce-
ment will be more evident; if there is a tense aspect (square or 
opposition) between them, this reinforcement will be less no-
ticeable.. In the case o f enemy planets, the difference between
ticeable
their natures
natures prevail
prevails,
s, produ cing division be tween them. If the
aspect is tense,
tense, the enmity reinforc es it; if it iiss flowing, it retains
its facilitating nature, although the enmity between the planets
also remains. Obviously, the compatibility between planets is
Figure 24. Friendships and Enmities especially
especia lly evident in the case o f conjunctions. For example, as-
Between the Planets  pects
 pec ts betwe
bet ween
en Saturn
Sat urn and
an d Venu
Ve nuss alw ays
ay s reprre pres
esen
entt diffic
dif ficul
ultt
qualities to reconcile, independently of their aspect. Even a
trine between these planets will be colored by a melancholic intensity that is present even in situations of 
harmony.

A Guide for Planetary Combination

Combinationss
Listed below are some general delineations of the various planetary combinations. These refer to natal
charts, but the same combinations in other contexts can descr
describe
ibe events or even alterations in climate, rather 
than person ality traits
traits..

The Moon
The M oon represents the emotional component of human beings, their moods, habits, and insti instincts.
ncts. Beca use
it is the fastest planet, it is also the most receptive. When it aspects a planet, it is strongly colored by the other 
 pl an et
et’s
’s qua
q ualit
litie
ies.
s. In co
contr
ntras
ast,t, be
becau
cau se it is a lum
lumina
inary,
ry, it inten
int ensif
sifies
ies the pote
po tent
ntia
iall o f th
thee pla
p lane
nets
ts it aspe
as pects
cts..

MoonMercury combinations stimulate mental perception and agility, favoring communication, learning,
and mem ory; these q ualities may manifest in a more or less st
stable
able manner, depending up on the typ e o f aspect
 be
 bein
ingg form
fo rmed
ed..

With V enus, the Mo on indicates aesthetic and emotional

emotional sensibility,
sensibility, sometimes with artistic propensity. It is
associated with a touch of levity and futility, and in some cases accompanied by laziness, selfindulgence,
and some neglect.

With Mars, the Moon suggests temperamental behaviors, susceptibility, irritability, and aggression. When
 there is a flowing conn ection, the tension referred to is channeled to constructive actions, althou gh the a gita
tion remains.

126/On tfie Heavenly Sjrfiercs

With the Sun, the Moon has a special relationship. The contact between both lights always produces a pow-
erful configuration that manifests via th
thee phase
phasess of the Mo
Moon,
on, in the llun
unatio
ationn cycle (see Chapter X).

With Jupiter, the Moon bestows an optimistic and expansive side, with a good dose of selfconfidence.
There can be a tendency toward exaggeration and unrealistic expectations, particularly in the emotional
realm.

With Saturn, the Moon generates emotional contention because the rigid nature of Saturn diminishes the
adaptable nature
natu re of
o f the Moon. The free expression
expression of emotions
emotions and needs is challenged by defensiveness and
a degree o f pessimism. On a more positive note,
note, it cconveys
onveys pragmatism, selfsufficiency and a realistic pper-
er-
spective, protecting
protec ting the individual from emotion
emotionalal disillusionment.

 Mercur
 Mer curyy
Mercury is connected with communication and thought. As with the Moon, it is very fast and thus easily col-
ored by the planets with which it comes into contact. Its neutral nature also contributes to this process.

With Venus, it can only form conjunctions and sextiles because these planets are never more than 76° apart.
The combination of their natures produces pleasant, agreeable, and friendly, but also not very profound,
communications.

Mercury has a special relationship with the Sun.

Sun. Since these two bodies are never more than one sign apart,
they never form any aspect other than the conjunction. The proximity to the Sun makes Mercury excessive
excessively
ly
subjective and centered on its own perce
perception;
ption; greater distance corresponds to greater objectivity.

With Mars, it produces a wounding tendency, a sharp tongue, and argumentativeness. The harmonious as-
 pects represent
represen t verbal persuasiven
persu asiveness
ess and convic
conviction,
tion, while in the tense aspects, there is a tendency
tend ency toward
argument and confrontation.

With Jupiter, Mercury produces optimism and magnanimous communications, but can also indicate a ten-
dency toward exaggeration, boasting, and even lying.

With Saturn, Mercury brings intellectual insecurities and potential difficulties in learning, but it can also be-
stow depth of thought and the propensity for study. The mind is serious and analytical.
Venus
Venus represents the expression of affection, individual tastes, and pleasures. When aspected, Venus lends
its yielding and conciliatory nature to the other planets.

With the Sun, Venus only forms conjunctions. In special cases, it can form a sextile,
sextile, but this is always a weak 
aspect that never perfects and, therefore, has little impact on the horoscope. The proximity to the Sun gives
the individual an agreeable expression, but also removes from Venus its natural receptivity, making it less
empathetic.

With Mars, Venus

Venu s produces a passionate and impetuous nature with the need to conquer affection. This con-
tact has a seductive or even sexual quality to it. At its best, it produces enchantment and a mixture of charm
and daring; at its worse, it produces competition, rudeness in interactions, and potential jealousies.

With Jupiter, Venus bestows dignity, optimism, and selfconfidence that turn into good fortune. Generosity,
 honesty, and companionship
com panionship are patent qqualiti
ualities
es of
o f this combination, although the tense aspects add instabil-
ity and selfindulgence.

 As j)c ct$ ll27

With Saturn, the affective expression

expression beco
becomes
mes more
more serious and melancho
melancholic.
lic. These ccharacte
haracteristics
ristics may
m ay ex-
 press as sobriety
sob riety and emotional reserve, or as affective inhibitions and di
difficulty
fficulty relating.

The Sun
The Sun represents affirmation and authority. When in aspect with other planets, it bequeaths its energy,
 power
 pow er and vitality
vi tality unto them. However, the conjunction with the Su
Sunn obfuscates the planets
plane ts an
andd “b
“bum
um s uup”
p”
their qualities. This condition is known as combustion (see Chapter X).

With Mars, the Sun bestows courage

courage,, daring, great
great personal affirmation, natural leadership, and boldness;
bo ldness; at
its worse, it may manifest as brutality, arrogance, and a lack of compassion.
With Jupiter, the Sun produces magnanimity,
magnanimity, a regal
regal stance, selfconfidence, and generosity; but in the tense
ten se
aspects, it is colored by loftiness and haughtiness.
With Saturn, the Sun indicates seriousness
seriousness and responsibility,
responsibility, but with difficult aspects it suggests problems
proble ms
with authority figures,
figures, pessimism, and lack ooff co
confidence
nfidence..

 Ma rs
Mars signifies fighting, aggression,
aggression, and conques
conquest.t. It bequeaths unto aspected
asp ected planets a choleric and aggres-
aggre s-
sive character, but can also add daring, courage,
courage, and activity. It all depends upon the type of aspect and on
the condition
con dition o f Mars
Mars itself
itse lf in the hor
horoscope.
oscope.

With Jupiter, it produces a daring,

daring, adventurous
adventurous,, and optimistic nature, but which can be colored by tinges of 
irresponsibility and exaggeration. Thus, the defense of ideas and opinions typical of this combination can
 become
 beco me heated, imposing, and doctrinai
doctrinaire.
re.
With Saturn, Mars indicates rigorous, strategic, and calculating actions, but also difficulties and shame in
selfassertion. In extreme cases, there can be cruelty, cowardice, and vengeful actions.

 Ju pit
piter 
er 
Jupite r represents faith, honor, and temper
Jupiter temperance.
ance. Known as the great benefic, Jup
Jupiter
iter bestows temperance and
optimism to the planets it contacts. When debilitated, it can also transmit haughtiness and bravado.

JupiterSaturn aspects are especially studied in the context of mundane astrology because they are linked to
20yearr cycles and have a generational impact. In a nativity, these aspects are related to one’s capacity to re-
20yea
late to social structures and can be seen as a sign
sign of honor
honors.
s. The flowing aspects are associated with goo goodd re-
lationships with law and order. Tense aspects indicate difficulties ofo f insertion in the social fabric of life due
to countercultural choices.

Saturn
Saturn receives connections
conn ections with all the other pplanets,
lanets, but because of its slow motion, it rarely applies to ooth-
th-
21
ers.   It therefore emerges as a burdensome, halting, and obstructive element. It represents the obstacl
obstacles
es and
fears that impede action.

Contacts o f Saturn to the other planets are always

always colored by seriousness, restriction, and rigor. Its more pos-
po s-
itive side bestows perseverance, responsibility, pragmatism, resiliency, and a sense of duty.

Specific Signification in the Context of the Chart

 Following is the most important
important factor and the key to an accurate interp
interpretation
retation of an aspect. Notwithstand-
Notwiths tand-
ing the general indications already mentioned,
mentioned, an understandi
understanding
ng o f tthe
he aspects can only be com pleted when
whe n

128/On the Heavenfy Sjiheres

one knows the role of the planets involved in the context of the chart. In this manner, an aspect should only
 be int
inter
erpre
pre ted aft
after
er disc
discern
erning
ing::

• The fun
function
ction of the planets in the horoscope (i (its
ts significations and what houses itit rules).
rules). Besides
the natural signification of the planet, there are other factors to bear in mind: the house where the
 pl
 plan
anet
et is p osited
osi ted ind
indica
icates
tes the area o f life where
wh ere the action
acti on man
manife
ifests,
sts, and the house
ho usess ruled
rul ed by the
 pl
 plan
anet
et rev
reveal
eal top
topics
ics unde
un derly
rlyin
ingg tha
thatt man
manifes
ifestati
tation.
on.
• The streng th of the planet to execute it itss purpose (dignity and debility).
debility). The essential state of the
 pl
 plan
anet
et can signif
sig nifica
icant
ntly
ly alter
alt er the final outco
ou tcomeme o f an aspe
aspect.
ct. Dig
Dignif
nified
ied plane
pla nets
ts act in a m ore order
or derly
ly
manner, contributing their strength and stability, whereas debilitated planets operate erratically,
transmitting their instability to any aspect.

These considerations, when well understood and applied, allow us to go beyond vague, partial, and
noncontextua lized interpretations
interpretations typical
typical o f ast
astrological
rological “cookbooks.”

For exam ple, the MoonM ercury opposition in the chart of King Sebastian, it iiss not enough to say that his
moods (M oon) inter
interfere
fere (opposition)
(opposition) with his communication and understanding (Mercury). Although cor-

rect,
levelsthis interp retation
interpretation
of meaning. is insufficient.
Mercury W e need
is in Aquarius, to place
indicating it within
natural a larger
curiosity andcontext o fthought
a lively the chartprocess.
to reveal
Todeepe
deeper 
theser 
qualities we add the assertiveness of Mars and the radiance of the Sun, which, conjunct Mercury, con tributes
a lively, sharp, and extremely assertive mind that is expressed in a stubborn manner because Aquarius is a
fixed sign. The Moon in Leo suggests an intense and assertive
assertive expression of emotions and moods that ma ni-
fests above all in his relationships with others (seventh house).

Thus, the contact between the Moon and Mercury reflects an argumentative and brusque manner (opposi-
tion) marked by a sharp assertiveness
assertiveness (triple conjunction) but colored by insecurities in relation to his recog-
nition by others (Moon in Leo). Since the opposition occurs in the first and seventh houses, it creates diffi-
culties in the relationships o f this
this king, often de scribed as having a choleric and difficult temperament.

The Ven usSaturn sextile can be interpreted in the same manner.

manner. This combination is not naturally easy b e-
cause they are unfriendly planets with incom patible natures:
natures: Saturn is a cold and dry planet, while Venu s is
hot and moist. Saturn, the slower of the two, imposes its cold,
cold, dry nature upon Venus, imparting sobriety to
its affec
affective
tive expression
expressio n and cooling
coolin g its natural se nsibility. Sin
Since
ce they are li
linked
nked by a sextile, the interaction is
somew hat facilitated, although it remains na turally difficult.
difficult.

Venus in Capricorn indicates an affective expression that is inhibited and pragmatic, and Saturn in Pisces
adds a degree o f sentimental withdrawal. His affection is contained and sober, with hihints
nts o f melancho ly col-
ored by feelings o f compassion, sacrifice, and suffering. For this king, affecti
affection
on is associated with severity
and inhibition. We can see that the final
final outcome is always determined by the planets,
planets, although the nature o f 
the aspect defines the manner in which they will combine.

Besid es the general significations o f the planets, which were just considered, now look at thethe general contex t
o f the
the cha rt. In this chart, Saturn is the Ascendant ruler and is posited in the first house,
house, which defines to a
great exten t the motivations o f the king. Venus is ruler of the ninth house, associated with religion and faith
faith,,
and is posited in the eleventh house of friends and allies. King Sebastian had as strong allies people with
strong re ligious conv ictions (rulers o f the eleventh and ninth) who contributed greatly to his personal goals
(sextile to Saturn, ruler of the Ascendant).
Ascendant).
2I The only exceptions are cases o f mu
mutual
tual applica
applications.
tions.
 

130/0n tfw
tfw H 
 H eavcnfy
eavcnfy Sjrficr ccss

an ant
antiscion
iscion at
at 29° 5
58',
8', 00° 03' has its
has its antiscion
antiscion at
at 29° 57',
57 ', and so on successiv
su ccessively.
ely.

To obtain
obta in the aantiscion
ntiscion degree
 degree merel
 merely y subtract
subtract from 30°
from 30° the
th e degrees
degre es and minute
minutess o f th
thee planet
 planetary
ary pos
position.
ition.
F or inst
instance,
ance, to calcul
to calculate
ate the antiscio
a ntiscion
n o f Ve
Venus at 8° Scor  pio 20 ':

• Fin
Find d the mirror
m irror si
sign;
gn; in the
th e case
case o
 o f Sc
Scor 
or 
 pio, it is Aquarius.
Aquarius.
• S ubtrac
ubtractt that degree
degree fr om
om 30°;
30°; subtract
subtra ct
the minute
min ute from 60'
from 60' (to
(to subtract
subtract 8° 2 0'
from 30°00
from  30°00',', “borrow”
“borro w” 1 d egree
e gree and
and turn
it into minutes
m inutes so that 30°00
that 30°00 become
b ecomess
29°60').
29°60 '). Then,
Then, 29°6
29°60’0’  8° 20’
2 0’ = 21°
21° 40'.
Thus, wew e sec that Venus
Venus at 88°° Scorpio
Scorpio 20'  pro-
 pr o-
 je cts its antiscio
its antiscionn to 2
21°
1° Aquarius
Aquarius 40'.
40 '.

You can
ca n also
also   conver t the an
antiscia
tiscia using
u sing the
the ta-
 bles in Figur e 26.

The point
po int opp
opposite
osite to the
to the antiscion
antiscion is
is called  con-
 con-
traantiscio
traa ntiscion.
n. For exampl
e xample, e, Venus
Venu s at 8° Scorpio
2 0' projects
projects its aantiscio
ntiscion n to 21°
21° Aquar ius
i us 40'.
40'. Its
counterant
coun terantiscion
iscion is
is in the oppos
the opposite
ite degree:
deg ree: 21°
Le
Leoo 40'.

 Not e: the countera

 Note co unterantiscio
ntiscionn may also
also be thought
o f   as a projectio
p rojection
n alon
alongg the 0° Arie s0 o  Libra
0° Aries0 Lib ra
axis.

In practic
In practical
al terms,
term s, antiscia
antis cia and  counterantisc
  count erantiscia
ia
are only
only considered
considered ifi f there are
a re planets
plan ets or other 
o ther 
chart factors 
factors  activating
activating tho
those
se points.
poin ts. They
Th ey are
consid eered
red ccomplim
ompliments
ents tto
o interpretatio
interp retationn and 
are not interpr 
not interpr eted
e ted by themse
by  themselves.
lves.

Two planets
p lanets in antiant i scion ar e thought
though t o f as as a type
of co
conn jun cti
ction
on.. This 
This  combination
combin ation of planetsplane ts in
antiscion
an tiscion is less less  intense 
intense   than a “bod ily” ily” con-
co n-
 j
 junction
unction and and foforr it to be
b e consi
considered
dered it must
it must ooccur 
ccur 
w ithin 2° 2°  of bein
bein g exac
exact. t. For exampl
e xample, e, consider 
consider 
M ars at at  19° A Aries
ries and   the MoonM oon at  at  10° Virgo.
V irgo.
M ars pr o ojects
jects its antiscion
antis cion to to 11°
 11° Virgo
Virgo and
an d the
Moon pr
Moon  proje
oje cts  its antiscion
an tiscion to 20° Aries.
A ries. There-
T here-
f ore,
o re, Mars
Ma rs and  the   the Moon
Mo on are in
are  in antiscion.
antiscion. This
means that
means  that the
th e Moon
Moo n is go going
ing to take
ta ke on martial
char acteristics
a cteris tics and   thatthat MMars
ars is going
g oing toto acquir e
a g reater volatility,
volatility, characteris
cha racteristictic of the
the Moo
Moon.n.

Just   asesinofaboth
Just
qualiti
qualities boconjunction
conju nction,
th plan
planets. , the princi
aantiscia
ntiscia 
ets. The princi
The  pal  dfuse
 pal the
th e  being that
iff erence being
e rence t hat with
wit h the antiscion
an tiscion,, it is possible
po ssible to combine
comb ine very
very
 to combine
comb ine ver y
different
diffe rent houses
ho uses and
an d signs,
signs, which
whic h does not
n ot occur
occ ur with a
with  a normal
norm al conjunctio
conj unction.
n.

 As ye ct sll 31

Antiscia Counterantiscia is interpreted as a

Antiscia type of oppositi
opposition.
on. Using the prev
previous
ious
of  of  example, Mars at 19°
19° Aries would have
degrees
00 <-> 30 minutes
00 <->60 16 « 4 4
its counterantiscion at 11° Pisces; if 
Mercury is at 12° Pisces, it is in coun
01 <-> 2 9 01 <->59 17 « 4 3 terantiscion to Mars, which translates
02 <-> 28 02 « 5 8 18 « 4 2 to a certain irritability in communica-
03 <-> 27 03 <->57 19 « 4 1 tion.
04 <->26 04 <->56 20 « 4 0 There are two cases of antiscia in the
05 <-> 25 05 <->55 21 « 39 horoscope of Friedrich Nietzche. The
06 <->24 06 <-> 54 22 « 3 8 first is between Mercury at 4° Libra
07 <->23 07 <->53 23 « 3 7 and Jupiter at 26° Pisces. These two
08 <->22 08 « 5 2 2 4 « 36  planets form a very weak aspect
aspec t (at the
09 <->21 09 <->51 end of the orb). However, the presence
25 « 3 5
of the antiscion, which is practically
10 <->20 10 « 5 0 26 « 3 4 exact, reinforces the connection be-
11 <-> 19 11 « 4 9 27 « 3 3 tween them. The antiscion Mer-
12<-> 18 12 « 4 8 28 « 3 2 curyJupiter links the objective mind
13 <-> 17 13 « 4 7 29 « 3 1 (Mercury in Libra) with an idealistic
14 <-> 16 14 « 4 6 30 « 3 0 and devotional strain (Jupiter in Pis-
ces), a contrasting combination that is
15<-> 15 15 <-> 4 5 well mirrored in its orb. Note that the
Figure 27. Antiscia (degrees and minutes) involvement of
o f Mars in this configura-
tion (conjunct Mercury and opposite
Jupiter) contributes to the bellicose
and critical tone, so very characteristic of this
author.

The second case ofo f antiscia involves Saturn at 0°

0°
Aquarius and the Ascendant
Ascen dant at 29° Scorpio.
Scorpio. The
 personal
 person al expression
expres sion (Ascen
(Ascendant
dant)) becomes
beco mes col-
col -
ored by a strong
manifested Saturnine
in the severe component,
depressionswhich
that
shaped his whole life.

Other Relationships Between Signs

 
Figure 28. Counter-antiscia
when the Sun is in them the day is longer than the night, since they correspond to the spring and summer
Besides the antiscia, there are other nonaspec
tual relationships between signs that are pre-
sented in the tradition as targeted concepts ap-
plied in very spec
specific
ific contexts.
conte xts. The mos
mostt well
known is the relationship between signs that
command and those that obey. According to
Ptolemy, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo
and Virgo are signs that command, because
 

 Note: since antiscia

ant iscia are mirror
mirrorimag
imagee poin
points
ts without
witho ut physical body , we never interpret the sextiles,
physi cal body,
 squares or trines o f these
these poin
points.
ts. The only aspects that count are the conjunction and op
opposition
position for the
reasons given above.

132/ On tfic Hcawitfy S jjfi cr es

On

Fig ure 29. Antiscia

Figure Counteran tiscia
Antiscia and Counterantiscia

months.
mon Complimenting these ar c the signs
ths.22   Complimenting
that obey, Scorpio,, Sagittarius, 
obey, Libra, Scorpio Sagittarius,  Capri-
corn, Aquarius, which correspond to
Aquarius, and Pisces, which correspond to
winter months,
the autumn and winter months, since when the
Sun is in  nights   are longer than
in  them, the nights than the
days.23

type of attribution is used to compare

This type of compare the
 powerr between signs.
 powe we can com-
signs. For instance, we
strength of the Moon (emo-
 pare the relative strength
Mercury   (reason) in a 
tions) and Mercury a  natal chart. If 
M ercury is in
in 
  a sign that mands and the
commands
com the
Moon in
Moon  in a sign of o bedience, re ason tends
o bedience, then reason

to prevail
to prevail over the eemotions.
motions. In the
the inverse situ-
ation, the emotions
ation, overshadow reason.
emotions easily overshadow

Thee same type of r easoning

Th easoning was 
was  followed for 
ot her considerations,
other case with signs
considerations, as is the case signs
and those that listen,
that observe and Togethe r 
listen, etc. Together 
with the
the antiscia, these te chniques add new
techniques add new data
to the study of   planetary relation ships and en-
relationships en- Chart 1.
Chart Nietzsche
 1. Nativity of Friedrich Nietzsche
the  interpretation
rich the  interpretation of a horoscope.

 Note: the antiscia pr esented

 Note: esented here as
as examples are as sociated with aspects
associated orresponds to a
with aspects (the first ccorresponds to a weak 
second to an outof sign
tion and the second
opposition
opposi sign sextile). antiscion does not
sextile). However, an antiscion not necessarily have  to
have to
involve an aspect. Their
also involve T heir interpretation  is valid in itself
interpretation is indepe ndent of the aspects.
it self and is independent aspects.

Recalll
22 Recal that this consideration seasons in the northern
consideration has the seasons as its basis.
northern hemisphere as
somee variations on the
^There are som manual we present
commanding and obeying; in this manual
on the concept of commanding utilized,
present the most utilized,
 and for some examples. Some
for which we have some Some Arabic authors command to the signs of  right
authors associate the signs that command  right as-
obeying to the signs
cension, and the signs obeying
cension, signs o f oblique ascension. This is a slightly
oblique ascension. opinion.
s lightly different opinion.

 As jj ects ll33

ll 33

Figure 30. The Commanding Signs and the Obeying Signs

 

134/On tftc Heavcnfy Sjjftercs

 

Cftajrter IX

Chart
Chart Dynamic
Dynamicss
Aspects in Motion
The aspects
asp ects form a web o f intinteraction
eraction between the planets
planets in a chart. This ch
chapter
apter focuses on the more com-
 plex patte
p atterns
rns of
o f plane
planetary
tary dynamics: the interaction by aspec
aspectt of several planets and the combina
com bination
tion ooff these
aspects with their essential dignities.
dignities. In practice, this type of interaction is primarily analyzed with respect to
horary astrology and occasionally in mundane or natal astrology.

Combined Movements
When specific topics are studied in a chart, certain planets are designated as significators,  which represent
the action being studied. In a question about caree
career,
r, for example, the significators are the planets
plane ts that rule the
Ascendant (the person) and the Midheaven (the career). Any relationship (or lack of one) between
significators
significato rs describes the development of that action and conveys in more detail the “plo
“plot”
t” ooff tthe
he story. This
relationship
relationsh ip is generally represented by an aspect.
aspect. Nonetheless, the contact between the significators may be
reinforced, impeded, or negated by other planets. In some cases, tthehe planetary interactions
interaction s are brought about
through changes in the direction of the planet’s movement, while in others they occur as a byproduct of the
application and separation of aspects
involving a third planet.

What is most important in this type type oof 

f 
analysis, is to have some idea of the
motion of the planets (i.e., relative
speed and direction). Also important is
to be aware that an aspect has three
 phases:
 phas es: the aapplic
pplicatio
ation,
n, perfecti
p erfection
on (the
moment when it is exact), and the sep-
aration. These
Th ese concepts are essential to
understanding the information in this
chapter.
 Figure 7. Sequence of Aspects

136f0n tftc Heavenly Splieres

The 30° Ruler

A simple and practical way of visualiz-

ing the movement of the planets is to
use a diagram consisting of a 30° ruler
ruler.. 04° 10o 10°14 o 15
15°° 22° 26°
This ruler is an alternate way of repre- n 22 VÏ Q
senting the planetary positions in the 40' 00'39' 13' 37'
Zodiac, placing all of them within a
space of 30 degrees, irrespective of 
their sign position (which is noted next
next
to each planet, allowing for aspect dis-
• . . À
f PLl!  11  1!  i!
l1_|I 11 I1 III ' 11 !1 .. 1. e
tinctions). For example, in the horo-
scope o f K
King
ing Sebastian (sec page 11
118)
8) 0° 10° 20° 3 io
the planetary positions on the ruler are
as follows:

The ruler shows the distance between Figure I. Example of the 30° Ruler
 planets,
 plan ets, which aids in the calcula
calculation
tion
of aspects and in seeing planetary
movement. Visually, this allows the
 planets
 plan ets that are near
nea r eac
eachh othe
otherr by de- 22° 26°
gree to be seen. The planets that are P
near each other on the ruler will form 13' 37
37''
aspects as long as they are in signs that
aspect each other. For example, Mer-
cury and the Moon are about 4° from fi
each other on the ruler in opposite signs 1 - . 11  1l Ji 11i1 111i
1i . . . 1 I 1! 11
(Aquarius and Leo respectively); thus, i 1I
they form an opposition. 0° 10° 20 ° 3 0°
Additionally, the ruler also shows
 planets
 plan ets that are located
loca ted nnear
ear eac
eachh ot
other 
her 
Figure 2.
 by degree,
do not aspectbutone
which are inThis
another. signsis that
the
case with the SunVenus pair, situated
at 10° Aquarius and 10° Capricorn, re-
spectively, and with the MarsSaturn 10° 10° 14°15°
 pair,
 pai r, llocat
ocated
ed respectiv
respe ctively
ely at 15
15°° Aqu
Aquar-
ar-
& y?y? x &
00' 39'  14z 09 z
ius and 14° Pisces.

On the other hand, the Sun and Mars 09 W

are only 5° apart and in the same sign,
thereby forming a conjunction. While
Venus and Saturn,
Saturn, being only 3° apa
apart,
rt,
form a sextil
sextile.
e.
10
10°° 20° 0°
no aspect
The ruler also makes it easier to ob-
serve whether the movement of the Figure 3.
  pl
 plan
anets
ets are
a re applyi
app lying
ng oorr separatin
separ atingg from
an aspect. For example, if we look at

Chart Dijnamics/137 

the ruler,
ruler, we se
seee that the VenusSa
Ve nusSaturn
turn
9 X- b sextile is applying because Venus, the
.ft, faster planet, is moving toward Saturn,
io ° n r u ° i 5 ° the slower planet. Also, Mars and
HfV •J  Z\ Mercury are 7° apart in the same sign,
00' 39' 14'09' thereby forming a conjunction. Mer-

09 W cury, the faster body, is moving to-

ward Mars by retrograde motion,
therefore
therefore it is applying to the conjun
co njunc-
c-
tion.

Another useful function of the ruler is

that it allows us to immediately detect
any planets that are void of course. For 
example, the Moon is in the last de-
grees of a sign (in this case Leo) and
does not apply to any aspects before

leaving this
Moon’s sign. Inpast
orb extends this the
case,
30 the
de-
grees of the ruler. Thus we must return
to the ruler’s beginning (0°) to com-
 plete the extension
exte nsion o f the Mo
Moon on’s
’s orb
orb..
Remember that when this happens, the
sign always changes; in this case, the
Moon’s orb extends as far as 8° Virgo
37. As we can see by the ruler, the orb
appears to touch Jupiter. However, Ju-
 piter is in Libra, the sign next
n ext to Virgo,
and therefore does not aspect it.

Figure 5. The 30° ruler was first proposed by

English astrologer Derek Appleby.
(19371995)

04°
n.
40'
40 '

Figure 6.
 

138/On tfic Hcavcnfy Sjrficrcs

The p erfection
erfectio n o f an aspect is the most important dynamic situation in the movement o f a chart. The as pect is
only considered  p  per
er fect ed  when it has become exact. For example, in Figure 7, Mercury at 16° Aquarius
fe cted 
forms a sextile
se xtile to M ars at 1717°° Aries and another to Venus at 12° Sagittari
Sagittarius.
us. It also forms a square
squa re to Jup iter at
18
18°° Tauru s and an opposition
opp osition to Saturn at 14° Leo. Every aspect is within orb. Neverthele
Nevertheless, ss, from a dynamic
 pe
 persp
rsp ec
ectiv
tive,
e, only
on ly two
tw o asp
aspect
ectss arc consid
con sidereered:
d: the last one formed
form ed (sepa
(se parat
rating
ing aspect
asp ect)) and the next
ne xt one
on e to
complete (applying aspect)—in this ease, the separation from Saturn and the applying sextile to Mars. Dy-
namically, neither the sextile to Venus (which occurred before the opposition to Saturn) nor the square to Ju-
 pi
 pite
terr (whi
(w hich
ch only
on ly beco
be come
mess exa
exact
ct after
afte r the
t he sextile
sex tile to Mar
Mars)
s) need be con
consid
sidered
ered..

Translation of
o f Lig
Light
ht
Translation of light occurs when faster planet A separates from slower planet B and applies to planet C. In
such a ease, it is said that planet A transmits (or translates) the light from planet B to planet C. In othe otherr words,
 pl
 plan
anet
et A co
connnnec
ects
ts the oth er two in the same
sam e way that a relayrel ay racer
rac er mig
might
ht trans
tra nspo
port
rt the char
ch arac
acter
terist
istics
ics o f 
 pl
 plan
anet
et B to
t o ppla
lane
nett C. In practi
pra ctical
cal term s, transl
tra nslatio
ationn o f ligh
lightt has
h as two effe
effects:
cts:

1. It establishes a connection that would not otherwise exist when the faster planet unites two that do not as-
 pe
 pect
ct ea
each
ch oth
other.
er. Fo r examp
exa mple,
le, suppo
sup pose
se that Mar
Marss at 12°
12° Sag
Sagitta
ittariu
riuss and Jupit
Ju piter
er at 20° Taur
Ta urus
us are the

significators.
at 15° AquariusTheyisdoseparating
not form any apect because they are in inconjunct signs (150° apart). However, Venus
from a sextile to Mars and is
applying to a square with Jupi-
ter. In this case, Venus unites
two planets, transferring the
light (and its nature) from Mars
to Jupiter.

2. It reinforces a union when a

faster planet unites
unites two slower 
 pl
 plan
anets
ets tha
thatt are separ
se parati
ating.
ng. Fo
For 
r 
example, suppose Mars at 10°
Cancer and Mercury at 15° are
the significators. Mercury is
separating from a sextile to
Mars, which means the aspect
has completed and is dissolv-
ing. However, the Moon at 12°
Capricorn comes to reinforce
the connection between them
 be ca use
us e it is se
sepa
para
ratin
tin g from
fr om aann
opposition to Mars and apply-
ing by trine to Mercury, reacti-
vating their connection.
connection.

Let’s imagine a horary astrol-

ogy example in which the fol-
lowing question is posed:
’’Will I get the job?” The chart
for the question has 18° Sagit-
 for the question has 18 Sagit
tariu s rising and 7° Libra on the
Midheaven. In this case, the Figure 9. Translation of Light, Example 2

Chart Dynantics/139

significator
significator for the querent (the
 person asking
aski ng the quest
qu estion
ion)) is
Jupiter (ruler of the Ascen-
dant), which is at 10° Sagittar-
ius. The significator for the job
is Venus (ruler of the MC),
which is at 15° Taurus.

Since the significators do not

have any contact with each
other by aspect, we might say
at first glance that the querent
will not get the job. Notwith-
Figure 10. Translation
Translation of
o f Light,
Light, “Will I get the job?” standing, the movements of o f the
Moon imply the opposite. At
12° Pisces, the Moon unites both planets through translation of light: it separates from a square to Jupiter and
applies to a sextile with Venus. Wc can therefore
therefore give a positive answer to this question: the queren
querentt will ob-
tain the job,
(Jupiter) andpossibly through
the job (Ven us).an intermediary
(Venus). intermediary (the Moon) who establishes a connection between the querent

Had this configuration come up in a birth chart, it would indicate a tendency in the native (Jupiter) toward
reaching his goals (Venus) with the assistance of intermediaries
intermediaries (Moon). In this case, it speaks to a tendency
that would
woul d have to be judged
judge d within the larger context of the natal chart.
chart.

Collection ofo f Li
Light
ght
Collection occurs when two planets that do not aspect each other apply to a third slower planet. In such a
case, it is said that the slower planet collects
collects the light of
o f the other two, bringing together the
their
ir qualities and
acting as a unifying agent. It can represent
represent a situati
situation
on or a person who functions as an intermediary who fa-
cilitates the action (the type of
o f action is indicate
indicatedd by the two other planets). For example, suppose the Sun at
7° Libra and the Moon at 10° of Pisces are th thee significators. They are in inconjuct signs and do not therefore
aspect each other. However, both are forming applying aspects to Mars, which is at 12° Gemini (the Sun
forms a trine and the Moon a square). Since Mars is the slower planet, we say that Mars collects the light
from the other two and thereby connects them.
Here is another horary ques-
tion: “Will I find my lost neck-
lace?” (see Figure 12). In this
chart, the Ascendant is 11°
Virgo. The significator of the
querent is Mercury (ruler o f the
Ascendant), which is at 18°
Scorpio. The lost object is rep-
resented by the ruler of
o f tthe
he sec-
ond house of possessions,
which has 11° Libra on the
cusp. Venus, its ruler, is at 21°
Libra.
 There are no aspects between
Figure 11. Collection of Light Mercury (the querent) and Ve

140/On the Heavenfy Spheres

nus (the quesited, i.c., the

necklace), which indicates a
negative
less, both response.
planets arcNeverthe-
applying
to Mars, which is at 25° Capri-
corn (Mcrcur}' by sextile and
Venus by square). We can then
conclude that Mars gathers or 
collects the light from both
 planets,
 plan ets, actin
a ctingg as an intermedi-
int ermedi-
ary who reunites the two. In
this ease, Mars might represent
a friend that finds the lost ob-
 je
 ject
ct (Venu
(Venus)s) and safeguards
safeguar ds it
until the owner (Mercury) can Figure 12. Collection of Light, “Will 1find my lost necklace?”
recover it.

Prohibition ofo f Lig

Light
ht
A prohibition
prohibitio n o f light
light occurs when a third planet interferes in the per
perfection
fection of
o f aann aspect between two others,
impeding its realization. Prohibition exists when:

• Planet A applies to planet B, but before it can reach it, it first forms an aspect
aspec t with planet
plan et C; thus,
 planett C impe
 plane impedes
des planet
pl anet A from com
communic
municating
ating with pplanet
lanet B. For Example, suppose
suppo se M
Mercu
ercury
ry at
5° Leo and Jupiter at 10° Libra are the significators. Mercury applies by sextile to Jupiter, but
 before it can comple
completete the asp
aspect,
ect, it forms a squar
squaree with Mars at 7° Scorpio. In such a case, Mars
 prohibits
 prohi bits the
significators from
finding each other and
 blockss th
 block their
eir action.
action .
• Planet A applies to
 planett B, but before it
 plane
can reachby
aspected it, planet
it is C.
For example, suppose
Mars at 15° Leo and
Saturn at 20° Taurus
are significators. Mars
is applying to Saturn
 by square,
square , bbut
ut before
b efore it
can complete the
aspect, Venus, which is
at 12° Sagittarius,
aspects it by trine. In
such a case, Venus the faster of the three, prohibits the action promised through the square of Mars
and Saturn.
Saturn.
• Plane
Planett A applies to planet B, but before it can rreach
each it, planet C aspects planet B.
B. For example,
 Mars at 15 Aries and Jupiter at 25 Leo are the significators. Mars applies by trine to Jupiter, but
 be
 befor
foree it can
ca n comple
com plete
te the aspect, Merc
Mercury
ury aatt 14
14°° Scorpio
Scorpio,, ccomple
ompletes
tes a square
squ are to Jupiter. In this
case, the faster Mercury, prohibits the connection between the significators.

Chart Dijnatitics/141

There are many variations of 

 prohibition
 prohib ition,, some o f wh which
ich are
given specific names by some
authors. But the main idea to
keep in mind is that in prohibi-
tion a third planet impedes in
one way or another the realiza-
tion of an aspect between two
other planets. A simple exam-
 ple o f prohibi
prohibition
tion o f ligh
lightt ffrom
rom
horary astrology can be seen in
a question about relationships.
Consider the chart for this
question: “Will she date me?”
Figure 14. Prohibition of Light, Example 2 The Ascendant
Ascenda nt of o f the chart is 5°
Aquarius. In this case, the
significator for the querent is
Saturnlocated
dant), (ruler atof15°
theLeo.
Ascen-
The
significator of the quesited (the
woman in question) is the Sun
(ruler of the Descendant), lo-
cated at 5° Aries.

The Sun (her) looks to be ap-

 plying
 ply ing by
b y trin
trinee to Saturn
Sa turn (him),
suggesting that they will date.
However, a closer look reveals
that the Sim will not complete
its aspect with Saturn because
it will first form a trine with
Mars at 9° Sagittarius. We can
therefore say that she (the Sun)
will initiate a relationship with
a person represented by Mars
and will not end up dating the
 person
 pers on who pos
posed
ed the questi
qu estion
on
(Saturn).

Frustration of Light
Frustration of light is a varia-
tion on prohibition. It occurs
when planet A applies to planet
B, but before the aspect is com-
 pleted,
 plete d, B mak
makes
es an aspec
asp ectt to C.
One can say then that planet A
 Figure 16. Prohibition
Prohibition o f Light,
Light, Will she date me? is frustrFor
frustrated
tion. ated example,
in its course o f ac
suppose
Mercury at 15° Gemini and
Mars at 22° Aquarius are

142/ Oh  tfw Hcavcnfy Sjrfurc 

Hcavcnfy  s

significator s.
significator s. In this case, Mer-
case,  Mer-
 ply ing   by trine to
cury is ap plying
Mars,   but before it 
Mars, it  can com-
c om-
 plet e the as pect, Mars per fects
 plete fects
to a conjunction ith
conjunc tion with
w Saturn at
25°   Aquarius. We
25° say  then,
W e say 
that   the connection
that between
connection between
Mercury and Mars Mars was frus-frus-
trated.

Refranation
Refran ation o f Light
Ligh
R efranation
efranation occurs when two
occurs when
applying  to each
 planets   are applying 
 planets
 but bef ore
other; but
other; ore they can com-
com-
 plete the aspect, the faster 
 planet
 plan changes direction,
et changes direction, thus
suppose Mercury is at
comp letion.. For example, suppose
aspect from completion
impeding the aspect at 14° Virgo 8° Can-
V irgo and Satur n atl 8°
cer. Mercury applie
Mercury appliess to Saturn by sextile,
sextile , but before it can
can com plete the
t he aspect,
aspe ct, Mer cury
cury stations and
and enters
enters
grade motion at
retrograde
retro Virgo. In such a case,
at 16° Virgo. a case, the  completes, which means
the aspect never  completes, the action regresses
means the regresses
and not realized.
and is not

Refranation may be consid ered 

Refranation ered 
a subset
subse t of prohibiti
prohibition
on that
 that in-
in-
planets and 
volves only two planets
wherein
where in the agent of impedi-
o f impedi-
me
ment entails a change in one
nt entails one
 plane
 pla net’s
t’s dire ction.
direction.

As 
As  anoanother example o f 
ther example
ation f rom
refranation
refran rom horary astrol-
astrol-
ogy,
ogy , consider th
this
is stion:
question:
que

“Will
 pos
 posed ed we
by   reconcile?”
by reconcile?
someone ”whowhIto was
wre-
as
relationship. In
cently ended a relationship.
Ascendantt is at
this chart, the Ascendan
Aries.  The significator of 
18° Aries. 
the querent th is case is Mars
querent in this
(r uler A scend ant),
u ler of the Ascend  ant), lo-
catedd at 10
cate  by a retrograde Venus
The  partnerr is represented  by
10°° Scorpio. The partne Venus (ruler Descendant)) at 14° Scor-
(ruler of the Descendant
 pi o. In its retrograde
 pio. Venus is a pplyi
movement, Venus
retrograde movement,  pplyingng to a conjunct ion
conjunction with Mars,
Mars, which  suggests a reunion
 which suggests o f 
reu nion of 
couple. However,
the couple. Venus stations and
However, Venus and retur ns
ns to direct motion
mo tion at b efore it can complete the
at 13° Scorpio before complete  the
conjunction
conjunc Because it is faster, Venus begins
to Mars. Because
tion to Mars. to distance itself
begins to itse lf from Mars turns direct.
from Mars as soon as it turns
Mars, moving
moving more more slowly, is unable  to catch up to it.
u nable to We can therefore conclu
to it. We can de that a reconciliat
conclude ion be-
reconciliation
tween
tw een th thee couple does not take place. At first,
does not take first, the partner seems inter ested
the partner seems ested in returning (his ruler is retro-
returning (his retro -
gra de) bbutut then changes mind and distances
changes his mind himself.
distances himself.
 The planetary
p lanetary intera
interactions
ctions presented
 presented her e are the
the most important
important ones
ones you will encounte
en counter. r. There are varia
va ria
these, and some have
tions on these, different technical
have different names. However, what is
technical names. is most important to come away
important is to come
erstan ding o f planet
with an und erstanding planetary motion and that the
ary motion the chart m irror   oo f action.
chart is always a mirror  action.

Chart Dynainics/143

Assisted and
Besieged Planets
In certain circumstances the as-
 pects have a direct
dire ct im
impac
pactt on
the capacity
capacity of the planet to e x-
 press itself, at times am plifyi
pli fying
ng
that expression greatly, and at
others, hindering it. This hap-
 pens when soft aspe aspects
cts are
combined with benefic planets
or when hard aspects are com-
 bined with malefic
malefi c planets.
plan ets.
There are two extreme cases of 
this type of interaction: assis
Figure 19. Rcfranation of Light, “Will we reconcile?” tance and besiegement.

 Assistan
 Assi stan ce

When
one of atheplanet separates
benefics from
and applies
to another, it is said to be as-
sisted. In assistance only the
conjunction, trine, and sextile
are considered (the conjunc-
tion is the most powerful). As
the name itself indicates, assis-
tance represents a situation in
which the planet (and whatever 
it signifies in the chart) has ex-
ternal help. Assistance sug-
gests positive circumstances
with the possibility o f succes
success.
s.
For example, Mercury is at 14° 14°
Leo, Venus at 12° of the same
sign, and Jupiter at 16° Sagit-
tarius. Mercury is separating
from a conjunction to Venus
and applying by trine to Jupi-
ter, thereby being assisted by
the benefics. Anything that is
signified by Mercury in that
chart (an individual, event, or 
action) is therefore
therefore surrounde
surroundedd
 by good
g ood cond
conditio
itions.
ns.

 Besiegem
 Besi egem ent 
Besiegement is the opposite of 
 assist
assistance.
whenance. A planetfrom
it separates is besieged
besieg
one ed
of 
the malefics and applies to the other.
other. In besiegement only
only the conjunction, square and opposition are consid-
co nsid-
ered (the conjunction is the most powerful). Just as when a city is besieged, the planet experiences difficult

144/On tfic Hcavenfy Sjiftcrcs

circumstances from which it will have difficulty escaping. It is comparable to the proverbial expression of 
 being “stu
“stuck
ck between
betwee n a ro
rock
ck (Saturn) and a hard place (Mars).” The plaplanet
net and anything
any thing it sign
signifies
ifies in the
chart is surrounde
surro undedd by adverse circumstances.
circumst ances. For example, consider Mercury at at 20° Sagittarius,
Sagittariu s, Mars at 18°
18°
Virgo and
an d Saturn
Satu rn at 25° Pisces. In this ease, Mer
Mercury
cury is separating from a square to Saturn and apply
applying,
ing, also
 by square,
s quare, to Mars. Everythi
Everything
ng that Mercury signifies in this chart is encountering
encounteri ng serious difficulties.
difficulti es.

Some authors consider the Sun to be the only exception to the besiegement
besiegement rule because they believe the Sun
cannot be besieged, at least by conjunction, because of its inherent power. In such a ease, it is the Sun that
“consumes”
“consum es” the planets that arc in conjunction with itit,, concealing their actio
action.
n.

Examples of o f Assista
Assistance
nce and Besiegment
There is an example o f assistance in the chart of poet and writer Edgar A Allen
llen Poe. The Moon at 9° 49'49 ' sepa-
rates from a conjunction to Venus at 99°° 07' and applies to a coconjunction
njunction ooff Jupiter at 16° 52'; all the planets
are in Pisces, close to the cusp of the fifth house. Since the Moon is on the fifth house cusp and rules the
ninth, it suggests that this assistance will benefit the matters relatin
relatingg to leisure and pleasures (fifth house), as
well as learning, publishing, and travel (ninth hou
house).
se). Nevertheless, it sshould
hould be noted that the Moon and Ve- Ve -
nus square Saturn, which also suggests some difficulties in these areas.

The benefits
bene fits would therefore at times be marked by reversals,
reversals, impasses, and losses. In effect, Poe’
Poe ’s life was
always met with difficulties and his literary success came about only after his death
death.. Since Saturn is located
in the first house (the individual), these setbacks may have originated from Poe’s own actions (which is cor-
roborated by Mars in a very debilitated state in the twelfth house). Many of Poe’s problems were in fact tied
to his propensity
propen sity for alcohol, which would eventually lead to his death.
 Chart 7. Edgar Allen Poe

Chart Dyn ami cs/145
 cs/145

Chart 8. Jim Morrison

M orrison

The chart o f JJiim Morrison, lead

lead singer of The  Doors ,  illustrates
The Doors illustrates  besi
besiegemen
egement.t. The
 The Sun at 15°
15° Sagittarius
Sagittarius 42 is
42 is
separ aating
ti ng from an o pp
 pposition
osition to Mar 
Mar s at 11° Gemin
Geminii 40 and is a pplying
 pp lying to an o pposition
 pp osition to Satu
Saturn
rn at 23°
Ge
Gemi
minini 45. The SunSun is
 is located in th
in thee tenth house
house aand
nd rules the seventh,
seventh, indicatin
indicating g the areas affe
a ffected
cted by the
 besiegeme
 besie gemen nt. In effect, the fam
the famee and success
success (tenth house)
house) aachieved
chieved by Mo M o rrison were mamarked by polemi
polemics:cs:
some of his his musical perf ormances
ormances were ac
were actually
tually interru pt
 pted
ed by the autho
authorities
rities and his
his cconduct
onduct onstage
onstage con-
 con-
d emned
em ned for its llack 
ack  o
 o f decency
decency.. His personal r elationships
elationships (seve
(seventh
nth house) wer 
wer e equally ma
mark 
rk ed
ed by conflict
conflict
and  enmity.
  enmity.

As can
c an be
 be seen from th
from these
ese examples,
examples, cases of assi stance and besi
assistance besiegemen
egement t  must
  must alw
always
ays be examin
exam ined
ed within
the
the larger conte
con text
xt of the rest
res t o f the chart. Onl
Onlyy in this way c
way can an their expres
expression
sion be fully 
fully  se
seen
en in a specifi
spec ificc
chart, as well
w ell as their relativ
relativee weight in the
the life of the nativ
na tive.
e.

Recep
Reception

At the same
sam e time that aspec
aspects
ts allow for the connection
the connection be
 between
tween two plan
planets,
ets, they also
also enable
e nable the shari
sh aring
ng of 
dignity and
and  pow
 powerer betwe
be tween
en them.
 them. It is f rom the
rom the combinat
combination
ion o f aspe
aspeccts and essential
essential di
d ignity that arise
a risess the
co
concept
ncept of rec
reception.
eption.

Recall that
that aa planet
 planet that rul
rules
es the dignity
dignity o f a particular
particular d egree
egree or zod iac sign
iac  sign is the d isposito
isp ositorr o f whic
w hichever 
hever 
  plan
 planet
 pliedetto(or
th eother 
the u ler point
r uler poorint
ownin er
owner theofchart
ch art)sign,
the ) happenscanto be
it can
it to  be posited
also  posited ather ee.. While by exaltation,
refer to a disposition
 disposition bythe term
term   dispositor   is generally
is generally a p
 exaltation, trip
triplicity,
licity, term,
term , or
o r face.
Rece ption
 pti on is an extens
extension
ion of the id eaea of disposition
disposition aand
nd occurs whe when
n planet A mak 
m ak es
es an aspect
aspec t to planet
to  planet B,
wh
when
en  pla
 planet
net A is located
loc ated in a sign
sign over which  planet
 planet B has som so me dignity. It is said that plane
pla nett B receives

146/On tfic Hcavenfy Spheres

 pla net
ne t A an
andd give
gi vess it its dispo
dis positi
sition,
on, nature
natu re and virtu
virtue,
e, whi
which
ch mea
means
ns it ttran
ransmi
smits
ts to it its dig
dignit
nity,
y, ma king
ki ng it
stronger.

For exam ple, c onsider

ons ider Mars at 10 10°° Pisces and Jupiter at 15
15°° Taurus. Mars makes a sextile ttoo Jupiter and is lo-
cated in a sign ruled by Jupiter. Therefore, Mars is in reception (or is received) by Jupiter. In another exam-
 ple,, le t’s ssup
 ple uppo
po se tha
thatt the
th e Moon
M oon is at 5° Aries and in a trin
trinee wit
withh th
thee Su
Sunn at 15°
15° Sagi
Sagittar
ttarius.
ius. Here,
He re, the Mo
Moon
on is
received by the Sun in its sign of exaltation, Aries. We can compare the planet that receives to a host who
welcom es (receives) those who enter his his home.

Reception is said to be perfect when planet A finds itself in the sign owned or exalted by planet B; in those
eases the interaction between the two planets is fortified. When the reception involves the lesser dignities
(triplicity, term, or face) it is considered weak or imperfect. For many authors, reception by the minor digni-
ties is only considered when the planet received is located in a degree over which two simultaneous minor 
dignities
dign ities arc held by the dignifying planet. For
F or example, consider Mars at 15
15°° Virgo in aspect to Ven
Venusus at 12°
12°
Gem ini. B ecause
ecau se Venus holds two m inor dignities (triplicity and term)
term) in 15° Virgo, it is consid
considered
ered to be in
reception with Mars.

When
A), theare
they two p lanets
said to be in
in aspect
mutualarc in each
recept eac
reception. h  The
ion. oth er’s dignities (A
relationship in the the
between dignity
two of B andisBtherefore
planets in the dignity
consid- o f 
ered to be more intense. An example of this is Mercury in Capricorn forming a trine to Saturn in Virgo;
Merc ury is in the sign ruled by Satur Saturn,n, and Saturn is iinn the sign ruled by Mercury. Mutual re ception s may
also be mixed , when plan et A is in in the sign rruled
uled by planet B, and planet B is in the sign of planet A ’s exa l-
tation. An ex ample o f this would be Mercury in Pisces square Ve nus in Gemini; in this case it is a mutual
 bu
 butt m ix
ixed
ed rece
re cept
ptio
ionn b ec
ecau
ause
se Me rcu ry is rec
r eceiv
eiv ed in eexa
xalta
ltatio
tio n bbyy V enus
en us,, w hile
hi le Ve nus
nu s is rec
r eceiv
eiv ed in r u ler-
le r-
ship by Mercury.

In practice,
practice, we ma y look upon reception as a sign o f good
good will by the dignifying planet to help out the v isit-
ing planet, which becomes stronger in its ability to act. In a sense, reception highlights the softer aspects
(trine and sextile) and alleviates the more discordant circumstances (opposition and square).

Reception also indicates the predisposition and motivation behind particular actions. A planet that is re-
ceived in rulership confers great importance onto its dispositor (in the same way that a visitor will ho nor the
host). If the reception occurs through exaltation, it can represent excitement on the part of the planet re-
ceived. The same occurs with the minor dignities, but on a smaller scale
scale..

The debilities may also be included in an interpretation, although the ir impact is less noticeable and easily
nullified by other configurations. They nevertheless represent a sort of “negative disposition” between the
 pl
 plan
anets
ets . F or exa
e xamp
mp le, co
cons
nsid
ider
er the
th e Sun
S un iinn Can
C ance
cerr form
fo rmin
ingg a ssex
extil
tilee with
w ith Satur
Sa turnn in V irgo.
irg o. In th
this
is ccase
ase,, th
thee Sun
S un
aspects S aturn from its sign o f detriment (Cancer) such that Saturn does not hold him in regard.

As a more practica l example, we return to the previous horary question: “Will she date me?” The Ascendant
o f the cha rt is 5° Aquarius. A s we saw, the significator for the querent is Saturn (ruler of the Ascendant), lo-
cated at 15
15°° Leo. The significator o f the quesited (the woman in question) is thethe Sun (ruler o f the Des cen-
dant), loc ated at 5° Aries.

The prev ious co nclusio n was that a relationship

relationship would not occu r because she (t
(the
he Sun) preferred to date an-
othe r man (Mars), ra ther than the querent (Saturn). Now, from an examination of tthe
he receptions involved, we
will look at th e underly ing motivations o f each of these characters. The significator of the querent is Saturn,
which , in Le o, is dispo sed by the Sun, significator o f the woman. T his indicates that he has a great interest in
her and that in a mann er o f speaking
speaking he is under her dominion (Saturn is under the rulership
rulership o f the
the Sun: he is
 

148/On
148/On tlic H cawn
cawnfy
fy Sjrfw
Sjr fwrcs
rcs

aspect. In comparison, the reception between Venus and Jupiter is less noticeable because the aspect is sepa-
rating.

Some authors speak o f ththee existence ooff recept

reception
ion without the presence of an aspect between the planets. In
these eases, the reception is very weak. There may exist an “expectation” between the planets involved (rep-
resented by the reception), but this expectation is not acted upon (represented by the aspect). We might say
that there is a latent motivation between the planets, but there lacks an aspect to realize it. For example, the
Moon at 2° Sagittarius disposed by Jupiter at 16° Libra is colored by the expectations and optimism of Jupi-
ter
ter.. Nonetheless,
None theless, because there is no aspect
aspect between both bodies, that expectation docs not express itself
i tself in a
specific action. Instead, it remains an underlying disposition in the nature of the Moon. In this case, the cor-
rect term to be used should be disposition and not reception. Throughout this book we use the term reception
to refer only to those eases where an aspect is present;
present; in the absence ooff an aspect, we use the tenu disposi
tion. (Some authors suggest that mutual reception has enough strength to function even without an aspect to
connect the pertinent planets).

In the horoscope o f King Sebastian,

Sebastian, the conjunction of Mercur
Mercury,
y, Sun, and Mars in Aquarius is disposed by
Saturn, which is in Pisces. In this case, there is no reception because there is no aspect between the conjoined

 plan
 planets
ets and
indicates Saturn. Notwith
Notwithstandin
a motivation standing,
underlying g, even
the wi
without
actions thout
of thereception,
disposed the di
dispositi
sposition
planets. on isway,
In this not the
w
withou
ithout
t its influence;
influen
impetuosity andce;ex-
it
 pansiven
 pans iveness
ess represented
represe nted by the MercurySunMars
MercurySu nMars conjuncti
con junction
on in an air sign (Aquarius) are som
somewha
ewhatt emo-
tionally constricted
co nstricted due to the disposition of
o f SSaturn
aturn in a water sign (Pisces).
(Pisces). Note that, while important, this
characteristic is not always noticeable in the actions of the native.
native.

Additional Concepts

There are some concepts of minor importance related to reception that are limited to very specific uses oof  f 
the chart and should
should be looked
l ooked at as secondary indicators that strengthen or diminish the strength o f the as-
 pect and the planets
plan ets involved
involved..
Emission of o f Virtue
Emission o f powe
powerr occurs when a planet in one of its major dignities (rulership or o r exaltation) makes an as-
 pectt to an
 pec anoth
other
er planet. It is said to then sen
sendd emit its pow
powerer to the other
othe r planet. For example,
exam ple, the Moon
Mo on ex-
alted at 13
13°° Taurus in trine to Mercury at 10° Capricorn emits or discharges its power to Mercury which is
 peregrin
 pere grine,
e, and thus,
thus , aided. In prac
practice,
tice, this concept
conc ept tells us that a planet
pla net in its own major
maj or dignit
d ignities
ies is not
no t
only powerful, but can transmit that strength to others it contacts. In otherwords, a dignified planet can
strengthen and assist other planets it aspects.

Return o f Virt
Virtue
ue
When
Wh en a planet is received
rec eived by another, but it is combust, retrograde or cadent, it cannot receive the st
strength
rength
and virtue of its dispositor and returns it. For example, Venus retrograde at 8° Aries in the sixth house,
trines Mars at 10° Leo in the tenth house.
house. Mars receives Venus and sends her his virtue or nature. But be be--
cause Venus is retrograde and cadent, she returns what he sends. The idea that this concept is conveying is
 that a planet
plan et tha
thatt is very debilitated in a chart does not benefit greatly from reception. This
Th is means reception
can strengthen what
wh at already exist
exists,
s, but does not have the power in itself to
to remove a planet's debilitated
condition.

Cha
Ch a pter
 pte r X 

The C ondit 
ondit ion
ion o f t he Phi
Phin
nets
In addition to
addition to the
the essential
 essential dignity
dignity and
and debility of
o f the planets,
planets, there are
there are oth
other
er conditions
conditions that can increase,
increase, de-
crease, or mod ifyify the expression
expression o o f a pl
planet.
anet. These
 These conditions
 conditions are based
based upon the repeti
the repetition,
tion, to a gr eeater
ater o
or 
r 
lesserr exten
lesse extent,
t, of the id ealized 
ealized  astrological
 astrological scheme.
scheme. With regard
regard to this topic, the
the Mo
Moonon will be conside
c onsidered 
red 
separately because
because it is a luminary
luminary an andd not a planet.
planet.

Sun
Su n and Planet
Plane t R e lationships

The Sun is the engine

e ngine of the astro
astrological
logical scheme. Its movem
Its movement
ent produces
produces the zodiac and the sea seasons
sons o f the
the
year, and its central
central position
 position in the
in the celestial
celestial spher e deter mines
mines the essentia
essentiall nature of the pla
planets.
nets. The Sun
Sun
also defines
defines day and night. Its
Its light is
light is so bright that
bright that no planet,
no planet, with
with the eexception
xception of   the
the Moon, can be seen
be seen
du
during
ring the
the day. Because
Because of   its
its overarch
o verarching
ing power,
power, the Sun
Sun plays
plays a
 a pivotal r o
ole
le in tthe
he dynamic relatio
dynamic relationship
nship
among the planet
the planets.
s.

Increase
Incr ease and Dec
Decreas
reasee o f Lig
Light
ht
In astrology,
astrology, there
 there is a d iirect
rect r elationship betwee
elationship between n luminosity
luminosity and strength:
strength: the more
the more light a planet
plane t has, the
stronger
stron ger it is in the hor oscope
oscope because
because its
its light
 light and visibility
visibility are
 are the root
roo t of astrological
astrological interpre
interpretation.
tation. The
amount
am ount o f lig
light that
that a
 a planet ap pears to display
to display to a terrestrial
terrestrial observer
observer (the
(the solar
 solar light it reflec
reflects
ts to earth) is
earth) is
determined
determ ined by
 by its pos
positi
ition
on in r elation
elation to the
the Sun. When
Sun. When a planet
pl anet is
is very
 very close to the Sun, its lightlight is ov
over-
er-
whelmed
whe lmed by the Sun’s
the  Sun’s glare.
 glare. As it distanc
it distanceses itself
its elf fro
from the Sun
Sun (or the Sun
Sun from
from it) the planet
pla net gr adually
a dually be-
comes mor e lumiluminous,
nous, and consequ
consequently
ently more visible
more visible.. It is said then
then toto be
 be increasi
increasingng in 
in  light. The planet
planet
rea
reaches
ches its
its greatest luminosi
luminosity ty when it is farthe
is farthestst from the Sun.
Sun. Fr om
om that point
point on, th
thee process r everses itself 
e verses itself 
and the planet is next
is next said
said to be decrea
decreasing light.  The phase
sing in light.  phase o f leas
leastt luminosity
luminosity corres ponds to the con-
 junctio
 jun ction
n  with thethe Sun.

In the ccase
ase of the slower,
slower,   superior pl
planets
anets (Saturn,
(Saturn, Jupiter,
Jupiter, and  Mars),
  Mars), this
this condition
condition is established 
established  from
  from its
 proxim ity or distance
distance from thethe Sun.
Sun. The cycle begins
cycle  begins with
 with the conjunct
co njunction,
ion, during which the planet is not
vis
visible
ible to a terrestrial observ
terrestrial observerer due to solar
solar gla
glare.
re. As the Sun
Sun dista
distances
nces itself from th
thee planet, it gradua
gradually
lly be-
comes
comes bright
brighter
er and   therefore stronger 
stronger . This increase
increase in
in light
 light culminates
culminates w with
ith the opp
oppositio
osition,
n, the poin
pointt at
w hich the planet
planet ref lects
lects the greatest
greatest aamount
mount of solar
solar ligh
light.
t. After this,
this, the Su
Sunn begins once
once mo
more
re to approach
approa ch
 

Tfic Condition of tfie Pfancts/151

day, before the Sun’s rise, when it is 17° below

the Ascendant (the day only really begins when

the Sun crosses the Ascendant.

When a planet enters into this glare, it is said sa id to
 be und
u nd er the
th e bbeam
eam s ooff the Sun.
Sun . Its visibil
visi bility
ity is
compromised as soon as it is fewer than 17°
from the starking. A planet in these conditions
is slightly weakened because it cannot shine at
its maximum strength.

When the proximity to the Sun is within 8° it is

said to be combust. In this case, its light is no
longer visible under the Sun’s rays. The quali-
ties of the planet are also very weakened. Com-
 bustion, by the way, is considered
cons idered a grea
greater
ter dde-
e-
 bility. It removes
remove s from
fro m the plane
p lanett a great
grea t part o f 
its capacity
whether to act,
for good weakening its expression,
or bad.
Chart 3. Nativity of Florbela Espanca
In a natal chart, a combust planet indicates a de-
gree of inhibition with regard to the matters sig-
nified by the planet in that horoscope. The re-
 percussions
 percus sions o f this situation
situat ion depe
depend
nd upon the
relative importance of the planet and its func-
tions in the chart. For example, if the combust
 planet
 plan et is the rule
rulerr o f one o f the angle
angless o f the
chart, the condition tends to be more noticeable;
in other cases,
cases, it may be relatively inconsequen-
inconse quen-
tial.
Figure 3. Dusk and Dawn
In specific situations, such as horary astrology,
combustion may indicate weakness, disease,
anxiety, fear, imprisonment, or even death (de-
 pending
 pend ing obvious
obv iously
ly on the questi
q uestion
on and the con-
co n-
text).
text ). This occurs because the state o f combus-
tion is similar to a “bum ”: the planet (and whwhat
at it
signifies) is burned up by the Sun. For example,
if the combust planet is the ruler of the Ascen-
dant in a horary chart, it suggests a worried per-
son under pressure or in some
some way weakened; if 
it is the significator
significator of an object that one wishes
to purchase, it raises questions regarding the sat-
isfactory
isfac tory condition of the article.
article. In ano
another
ther con-
con -
text, combustion can also be associated with
hidden things, which correlates to the invisibil-
 ity of
o f the plane
planet.t.
Combustion affec
affects
ts each planet in a different way in accordance
accordance with the different natures o f the planets.
Mercury, a naturally dry planet, is little affected by combustion. Its effects manifest as a slight loss of objec
 

154//O n tftc H cawnf y Sjrftcres

154

The superior masculine planets (Sat-

urn, Jupiter, and Mars) arc strength-
ened when oriental in position be-
cause they have their masculinity re-
inforced. On the other hand, the infe-
rior feminine planets (Venus, Mer-
cury, and the Moon) arc strengthened
when occidental by position because
this position reinforces their feminine
natures.

The orientality of masculine planets

and the occidcntality of feminine
 planets
 plane ts repeats the order o f the celes-
tial spheres: the superiors are above
the Sun when oriental because they
rise before him, while the inferior 
 planets are below the Sun when occi-
dental because they rise after him.

When the natural order of the celes-

tial spheres is repeated in a horo-
scope, the planets are in their ideal-
ized positions in relationship to the
Sun and therefore strengthened. Mer-
cury, a neutral planet, is a special Figure 9. Examples of Oriental and Occidental planets
case. Contrary to the others, all of 
which have a defined gender (masculine or fem-
MC
inine), Mercury’s gender is determined by its
 position in relation
relationship
ship to the Sun. It is consid-
con sid-
ered masculine when oriental and feminine

when occidental.
Orientality and occidentality also has an effect
on the primary qualities that characterize each
 planet. Depending upon the planet’s
pla net’s positio
positionn in
relation to the Sun, one of its primary qualities is
emphasized. Thus, Saturn, naturally cold and
dry, tends to be colder when oriental, and drier 
when occidental. When oriental, it tends to ac-
quire some humidity, thereby moderating its
qualities. Jupiter, hot and moist, gets hotter 
when oriental, and wetter when occidental.
Mars reinforces its heat when oriental and its
IC
dryness when occidental. Just like Jupiter, Ve-
nus is hotter when oriental and wetter when oc- Figure 10. Correlation Between the
 cidental. Mercury also increases its heat when Ptolemaic Scheme and Orientality
oriental, but
bu t occidentality reinforces its dryness.
dryness.
The Moon, because it is a luminary, follows special rules explained later in this chapter.

The Condition of the Pfanets/155

Practice Example
Ex ample fo r Orientality
Orientality and Occidentality
Occidentality
In the chart o f Florbcla
Florbcla Espanca ther
theree arc thre
threee orient
oriental
al and three occidental planets. Mercury, Saturn, and
Jupiter rise beforefavors
and occidentality the rsSun,
favo the so
Mo they
Moon. ar
aree orien
on. The oriental.
same tal.
m In terms
might
ight saiddofooffstrength,
be sai strength,if
Venus i forientality favors
this state were notJupiter
nullifiedandbySaturn,
its ex-
cessive proximity to the Sun (combustion)
(combustion).. In the case of M Mars,
ars, which is dignified in this chart (in rulership
and angular), occidentality merely removes removes the capacity for assertiveness
assertiveness from it. The leadership o f Mars is
still felt, but it is colored by hesitation and doubt. Because Mars is in in the seventh house, this situatio
situ ationn tends to
to
 be experien
ex perienced
ced in the area of relationships (espec
(especially
ially in her tumultu
tumultuousous marriag
marriages).
es). By being
bei ng oriental,
ori ental, Mer-
cury acquires speed and vitality in th this
is horoscope
horoscope (although it is considered to be favored in occidentality
occident ality be-b e-
cause it is an inferior planet).

Other Orientality Concepts

There are other planetary classifications with regard to orientality. These are based upon the placement of 
the planets in the hemispheres and quadrants
quadrants of the chart
chart and not on their relationship with the Sun, as in the
 previous
 prev ious cases. This type of classification
clas sification is kno
known
wn as orientality in mundo. According to this concept, a
 planet
 plan et is orienta
orientall when it is in the east in oriental qu
quadrants
adrants (twelfth, eleventh,
elevent h, tenth, and sixth, fifth, fourth
houses) and occidental when in western quadrants (ninth, eighth, seventh, and third, second, first houses).
This classification
cla ssification is use
usedd in different con
contexts
texts and has no relationship to the concept
concep t of
o f orientality with re-
gard to the Sun, described here.

The Conditions of the Moon

Due to its status as a luminary, the Moon’s dynamic relationships are different from the other planets. It
shares with them the same conditions (orientality,
(orientality, combustion, etc.) but also has its own characteristics (ve-
locity, amount
am ount of light, and others) that make it unique.
unique.

The Lunation Cycle

At the root
roo t ooff the
the Moon’s
Mo on’s dynamic
dynamic interaction is its unique relationship with the Sun. Because it is the fastest
 planet,
 plan et, it is the Moon that sets the
th e pace of that relationshi
relationship.
p. The SunMo
SunMoonon cycle has four distin
d istinct
ct phases.
p hases.
The first, known as the First Quarter, begins
with the conjunction of the lights (New Moon)
and
this lasts until
phase, thethe square
Moon (First Quarter).
gradually distancesDuring
itself 
from the Sun’s rays. Because its visibility in-
creases, it is said to be waxing in light. The
Second Quarter phase follows, which begins
with the square of the lights
lights and ends at the opop--
 position
 posi tion (Full Moon). In this phase,phas e, the Moon
Moon,,
which is increasing in light, reaches the point of 
its greatest distance from the Sun. The Third
Quarter phase lasts from the opposition to the
next square (Last Quarter). After it has attained
its greatest distance and brightness, the Moon
 beginss once more to appro
 begin a pproach
ach the Sun. Its visi-
vis i-
 bility, whic
whichh is still
stil l great,
g reat, now beg
begins
ins to dim
d imin-
in-
ish. It is said then to be waning in light. The
 Fourth Quarter phase begins with the square
and ends at a new conjunction.
conjunction. In this phase, the
Moon loses a large part of its brightness and
Figure 11. The Lunation Cycle

156/On the Hcavcnfy Sjrftcres

continues to wane in light until it is conjunct the

Sun and is no longer visible. Each quarter ex-
tends for approximately one week, totaling a
complete cycle of 29’/ j   days (that is, a lunar 
month).

The primary qualities o f the MooMoonn arc altered as

it travels along the course of
o f ititss cycle. Although
its natural essence remains cold and moist, the
various phases add slight shades of heat and
dryness to it. In the first quarter, the Moon ap-
 pears hot and moist, which gives it a sanguine
temperament. The heat remains in the second
quarter, but the waxing light adds dryness to it,
thus producing a choleric temperament. With
the decrease in light of
o f the Third Quarter phase,phase,
the Moon cools but retains its dryness, produc-
ing sea omelancholic
 pha
 phase cy cle, thetemperament.
f the cycle, In itsthemoist-
Moon recovers last
Figure 12. The Primary Qualities of the Moon
ness, which will combine with the cold, produc-
produ c-
ing a phlegmatic temperam
temperament.
ent.

For a deeper interpretation, the Moon’s temperament is combined with the characteristics given to it by its
sign position. While the position by sign indicates the general attitude, its position by phase (temperament),
defines the manner in which it is externalized.
externalized. FFor
or example: a Taurus Moon, which is oriented toward secu secu--
rity, stability, and comfort (earth + fixed), will have a different expression according to its luna
lunarr phase. If
I f it is
choleric (hot + dry), this need becomes more dynamic and urgent, actively seeking security. If it is phleg-
matic (cold + moist), the search has a more
more passive and expectant tenor (“be still,” “d “don’t
on’t make waves”
waves”)) and
the conditions for security will eventually come to the native. In the genera
generall interpretation of
o f a nativity, the
Moon’s
Moo n’s sign and its phase are considered together with other
othe r factors to determine the indiv
individual’s
idual’s character.
This determination is crucial in the overall char-
cha r-
acterization of an individual.

Orientality
Orientality and Occidentalit
Occidentalityy o f the
the Moon
In the waxing phases
phase s (the first two quarters)
quarters),, the
Moon is occidental to the Sun, so this phase is
considered hotter and therefore more dynamic.
In the waning phase (the last two quarters), the
Moon is oriental to the Sun and therefor
thereforee colder 
and more withdrawn.

 Dete
 De term
rmin
inin
ing th e M o o n’s Phase
g the
First look at the position o f the
the Sun. From this,
this,
note the points to which the Sun emits rays for 
the opposition
opp osition and the two squares.
squares. If
I f the Moon
is positioned between the point of the conjunc-
 tion and
order the signs),
o f the first quarter
it is in(i
(in
n theFirst
the direction ooff the
Quarter. If 
it is between that square and the opposition, it is
in the Second Quarter. If it is after the opposi Figure 13. Orientality and Occidentality

T fie Condition
Condition of tfie P fanets/157 

ti
tion
on but befor e the second square (toward
square (toward wh
which
ich
the Sun’s rays are emitted
emit ted in the direction
direction con-
trary to the or d
der
er of the ssigns),
igns), the Moon is in
the Third Quarter  phase. If it is between that
square and the
the conjunctio
conjunction,n, it is in the Four
Fourth
th
Quarter.
Quarte r. The
The   transition  places of the Mo on’son ’s
 phases are the points of exact
ex act aspects
aspects.. For the
divisions into quarters,
quarters, no orb
orbss are used.

For example,
example, in the horoscope
horoscope of Flo Florbela
rbela
Espanca,
Espanc a, the Sun is at 16° Sagittarius.
Sagittarius. It
It emits an
exact opposition 
opposition  to 16° G Gemini
emini and exact
squares to to  16° Pisces (first square) an and
d 16°
Virgo (second square).
square). The M Moon
oon is at 15°
Aries, therefore located betw
between
een the first square
(of Pisces)
Pisces) and the opposition
opposition (in Gemini). It
Gemini). It is
therefore in the second quarter,
quarter, which
which   corre-
sponds
spon ds to a choleric tem perament (h (hot
ot and dry).
Figure 14. S
Sun-Moo
un-Moon
n Aspects in the Lunatio
Lunationn Cycle In this 
this  case, the nnaturally
aturally dynamic and impa-
tient
tient attitude of the Moon in Aries
Aries (fire + car di-
di-
nal) is exacerbated
exacerbated by the Moon’s choleric con- con-
dition.

In another example
example from the the chart of King
Sebastian, the Moon
the Moon is popositioned
sitioned right after the
the
opposition
oppositi on and before the second
s econd square
square and is
thuss in the third quarter . This phase
thu phase corresponds
 corresponds
with a melancholic
melancholi c temperam
temperament. ent. The need for 
asser tiveness
tiveness and
and selfrecognition characteristic
characteristic
of the Moon in Leo L eo (fire + fixed) acquires a
more rigid andand controlled  expression
 expression due to the

melancholic
melanch olic temper aament
ment (cold + dry).
The Syzyg
Syzygies
ies or Lunations
or Lunations
The two principal phases
The two pha ses of the M Moon’s
oon’s cycle
are the New Moon
Moon and Full Moon. It is at the
 New Moon,
Moon, during
 during the SunMoon
SunMoon conjunction,
conjunction,
that the Moon becomes
be comes sub ject to the Sun’sSu n’s
 power. Due to its luminluminosity,
osity, the Moon only only
Chartt 5. Nativity of King Seb
Char Sebastian
astian falls under the beams when it is i s fewer than
than 12°
from the Sun (the
(the other planets
planets fall under the
 beams when
w hen they
th ey are with
within
in 16°). After that, there
there follows the
follows the phase o f conjun
conjunction,
ction, whe
whenn the Moon loses a
good deal of  its
 its power, as happens
happens with the
the planets.
 planets. This phase only ends when
w hen the Moon is 12° 12° apart from
the Sun and visible
visible once mmore.
ore. The New Moon
Moon marks the beginning
the beginning of
o f th
thee ccycle
ycle and sy
symbolizes
mbolizes birth and 
 beginnings.
 begin nings.
 The Full Moon signals
signals the culmination
culm ination of the luna
lunation
tion cycle. It
It corresponds to the exact
the exact oppo
opposition
sition between
the Sun and Moon.
Moon. The M Moon
oon is then at its gr eeatest
atest brigh
brightness
tness and strength. After
A fter this point,
point, it begins to de-
crease in lig
light,
ht, initiating the waning
waning phase,
phase, which
 which will culminate
culminate in a new conjunction.

158/Chi the Hcavciify Sjiiieres

The New Moon and Full Moon arc called lunations or syzygies (a term from the Greek ôtaiâfiâ,  which
means conjunction, but which in this context can also be applied to the opposition). In mundane astrology,
the charts,
tal monthlyit syzygies signal
is especially important
important to transitio
trdetermine
ansitionn points, whethersyzygy.
the prenatal as climaxes
climaIfxesanorindividual
as initiators
initiatowas
rs ofcvents
ofcv
boments.
. In the
after na-
 New Moon
Mo on and before
be fore the Full Moon, the prenatal syzygy will be the degree of o f the New Moon. It is then said
that the individual’s horoscope is conjunctional. If the birth occurs after the Full Moon and before the next
 New Moon,
Moo n, the prenatal syzygy will be the degree where the Moon was opposite the Su n.24 In this case, the
Sun.
horoscope is said to be preventional.

The prenatal syzygies act as sensitive points in the horoscope and arc used in advanced predictive tech-
niques. Florbela Espanca’s chart is an example of a conjunctional chart. The Moon is in a waxing phase,
inching its way toward a Full Moon. The prenatal syzygy was a New Moon at 5° Sagittarius 09. The chart of 
King Sebastian is as example of
o f a preventional
preventional case as he was bom shortly after the Full Moon. In this in-
stance, the previous syzygy was the actual Full Moon, which occurred at 6° Leo 27', the position of the
Moon at the moment of the opposition.

Occidentality and Orientant}' of the Planets to the Moon

In astrological texts, references are often made
to the oricntality and occidentality of the planets
in relation to the Moon. As with the Sun, a
 planett is orien
 plane oriental
tal o f the Moon
Mo on when it rises be-
fore the Moon and occidental when it sets after 
it.

This is a concept rarely utilized; it is only re-

ferred to in very specific interpretative methods.
Obviously, this condition does not apply to the
Sun. A planet is considered strengthened when
it is occidental to the Moon. In this condition, Figure 15. Planets
Planets Orien tal to the Moon
the planet acts as maidservant to the Queen, car-
rying the train o f her gown.
gown.

Conditions Specific to the Moon

There are some conditions that are specific to
the Moon and that speak to its condition as lu-
minary and fastest planet.

The Via Combusta

When the Moon is located between the last half 
o f Libra and the first
first ha lf o f Scor
Scorpio,
pio, it is said to Figure 16
16.. Planets Occidental to the M oon
th e via combusta.25 This position, consid
 be in the
ered a slight debility,
d ebility, imparts a degree o f discomfort and instability to the Moon. It is particula
particularly
rly used in ho
ho--
rary astrology. In certain questions, the Moon in via combusta can indicate a negative answer or a situation
o f dist
distress
ress..

2“In the case o f the Full Moon, some

so me authors affirm that the degree o f the luminary that is above the horizon at the m o-
ment of the lunation should be considered. This idea seems to originate with Ptolemy but was not unanimously ac-
cepted.
“ Some authors apply the concept o f the
the via combusta to all the plan
planets.
ets.
 

160/O h  tftc Heavenly Spheres

Practical Meaning o f the

the Lunar Mansions
Each m ansion
ansio n has a particular signification that is activated by the transit
transit of the Moon. The par
particular
ticular sig
signifi-
nifi-
cations arc especially useful in clectional charts. Their use in natal and mundane astrology is relatively un-
common. Following is the significance of the Lunar Mansions in elections:

Sidereal Tropical
 Ma nsio
ns ion
n  Ma nsion
nsi on  Name
 Na me When tthe
he mo
moon
on is po
posi
site
te d he
here.
re...
..
1 3 the many littl
littlee ones Good for:  pla
 plantin
ntingg and saw ing
Avoid: weddings and journey s by water 
2 4 th e f o l lo w e r   Good for:  bu
 busine
siness,
ss, trave
tra velin
lingg and
an d ma
marri
rriag
agee
3 5 a white spot Good for:  beg
 beginin wars
wa rs
Avoid: sawing or undertake any good
4 6 a brand or mark  Good for:  plow
 pl owing
ing and
an d saw ing
Avoid: travel
travelss
5 7 t h e fo r e a rm Good for: travels and to take medicine
6 8 the gap or crib Good for: navigation
7 9 the glance Good for:  pla
 planti
nting
ng,, build
bu ildin
ingg and ma
marri
rriag
agee
( o f the lion *s eye)
Avoid: travels
8 10 the forehead Good for: sawing, planting, and releasing
 priso
 pri soner
nerss
Avoid: pu
Avoid:  purgrgati
ativeve rem edies
ed ies
9 11 th e m a n e Good for:  plan
 pl antin
tingg and ma marri
rriagagee
Avoid: navigation
10 12 the changer  Good for: travels, navigation,
navigation, sawing, plow ing,
(of the weather) marriage and sending messengers
11 13 the barker  Good for: sawing, planting and to take medicine
Avoid: travel and marriage
12 14 the unarmed Good for: digging
Avoid: marriage and travels
13 15 the covering Avoid: all activities
14 16 the claws Good for:  buyin
 bu yingg cattle
cat tle
Avoid: navigation
15 17 the crown
crown o f  Good for:  bu build
ildin
ing,
g, sawi
sa wing ng,, plan
pl antin
tingg and
an d
the forehead navigation
Avoid: marriage
16 18 the heart Good for:  pla nt, saw saw,, trave
tra vel,l, go to w ar 
17 19 the sting Good for:  bu buyin
yin g cattle
cat tle,, hunti
hu ntingng
Avoid: marriage
18 20 t h e o s t r ic h Good for:  bu build
ildin
ing,
g, aski
as kingng favfavors
ors
 Avoid: marri
marriage
age
19 21 the city Good for: taking medicine, navigation, putting
on new clothes
 

162/On the Heave nly S pheres

ec-
sixth, fifth, fourth, third, ssec-
enth, sixth,
ond , and first hou ses).
houses).

compatibility is
The other form of compatibility
gender: masculine
related to gender: masculine plan-
comfortablee in masculine
ets are comfortabl masculine
signs, and f eeminine
minine planets  in femi-
planets in
nine signs.

these two forms of compa

When these compatiti-
-
 bility combine,
 bility said to
 combine, the planet is said
 be in hayz. It thus gains
gains greater than
usual strength and st ability.
stability. Figure 19. Diu rnal and Nocturnal
Diurnal Nocturnal Charts

The d ignity when

i gnity of hayz  exists when
two conditions
conditions arc m et: the planet
met: pla net
loc ated
located in th
thee hemisphere corre-
sponding with with its sect,
sect, and in a sign
cor rresponding
esponding w ith its gender.
with gender.
Thus,
Thu s, Jupiter and S aturn are in
Saturn in hayz
when
whe are  in masculine signs,
n they are 
horizon in a diurnal chart,
above the horizon
o r below the n octurnal
the horizon in a nocturnal
char t.
t. Mars, which nocturnal,
which is nocturnal,
must be below
bel ow the hor  i
izon
zon by day
horizon by night;
and below the horizon night; but
 because it is
 because is a masculine p lanet, it
planet,
must be in a masculine
masculine sign. The Figure 20. Example Diurnal Planet (Jupiter)
Example of a Diurnal (Jupiter)
ry depend s and a Nocturnal
N octurnal Planet Ha y z
in  Hay
Planet (Venus) in 
hayz con
 condition
dition of Mercu
Mercury
upon its position relation to the Sun:
position in relation Sun: when orien
orien--
m asculine, d iiurnal
tal, it has masculine, qualities,, and when
urnal qualities
occidental,
occidenta feminine, nocturnal
l, it has feminine, nocturnal qualities.
The
The Sun is aalso lso a special ccase ase becaus
becausee it defines
 both day and night; it is in hayz  only
 onl y when it is
is lo-
cated above the the horizon in a masculine sign. When
is below the horizon,
it is the horizon, it is in ain a nocturnal
nocturnal chart and 
therefore
therefo re out of sect.
sect.

A planet w ithin its sphere

planet in hayz  is within influence
sphere of influence
thus very comfortable.
and thus comfortable. ThisThis condition
condition rein-
forces a dignified pla net and bestows
planet stabil-
bes tows some stabil-
upon a debilitated one.
ity upon

The state
state of hayz  can  also be reinforced
can also other 
reinforced by other 
factors.   If, in additio
factors. additionn to the conditions already
conditions already
mentioned, the
mentioned, planet is also located  in
 the planet is   in a quadr aant
nt
 ofasculine
m the same
s ameq gender—that
gender—th
uadrant at is,
uadrant (first anda third)
and masculine
ma sculine
a nd aplanet
and iin
femininena
 planet
 plan feminine quadrant (second and 
et in a feminine and  Fi gure 21. Masculine
Figure Fe minine Quadrants
Ma sculine and Feminine Quad rants
four tth)—it
h)— it is sai
said to be confo
d to conforming
rming by quad rant.
quadrant.

Tfie Condition of the Planets/163

When a planet is in conditions that

are the
the complete
complete opposite o f hayz,
it is said
This condition contrary
to be lightly to hayz.
weakens the
 planet, even if it is dignifie
dig nified.
d.

In Figure 22, Jupiter, a masculine

Figure 22. Planets in Contrariety of Hay z
and diurnal planet, is positioned in
a feminine sign and in a nocturnal
hemisphere. Venus, a feminine,
nocturnal planet, is in a masculine
sign and in a diurnal hemisphere.
Both are therefore, contrary to
hayz.

 Exa mple
mpl e o f Plan ets in Hayz
The horoscope of Florbela Espanca is nocturnal. Because the Sun is below the horizon, the lower hemi-
sphere is diumal, and as a result, the upper is nocturnal. In order to be in hayz in this chart, the diurnal planets
must be below the horizon (in the same hemisphere
hemisphere as the Sun) and in masculine signs; the nocturnal planets
must be above the horizon and in feminine signs in the case of Venus and the Moon; and Mars (nocturnal,
masculinee planet) must also be above the horizon,
masculin horizon, but in a masculine sign.

Saturn, Mercury, Venus, and the Sun are in the diumal hemisphere. Saturn, a diumal, masc masculine
uline planet, is in
a diumal
dium al hemisphere but a feminine sign.
sign. Because it only fulfills one ooff the conditions, it is not in hayz. Mer-
cury is oriental and therefore considered diumal and masculine; it is in a diumal hemisphere but in a femi-
nine sign, so does not meet the necessary
necessary condit
conditions.
ions. Venus is nocturnal and feminine but positioned in the
diumal
dium al hhemisphere
emisphere in a masculine sign.
sign. It is the
therefore
refore in a condition opposite to that of
o f hayz, and is said
sai d to be
contrary to hayz (which reinforces the weakened state caused by combustion).

Because this is a nocturnal chart, the Sun can

never be in hayz even if, as is the case, it is in a
masculine sign. The Moon, Jupiter, and Mars
are in the nocturnal hemisphere. Despite being
noctumally placed, the Moon is in a masculine
sign, which removes the possibility of its being
in hayz. Jupiter, a masculine and diumal planet,
is in a nocturnal hemisphere and feminine sign,
also contrary to hayz. Mars is in hayz because it
is a nocturnal and masculine planet, located in
a nocturnal hemisphere and in a masculine
sign.

We will now
now compare the condition o f hayz in a
diumal chart using the chart of mathematician
Johannes Kepler.
 Because
above theJohannes Kepler’s
horizon, the
horizon, chart has the
upper hemisphere Sun
is diur-
nal and the one below is nocturnal. In orde
o rderr to be
Chart 6. Nativity of Johannes Kepler in hayz,  the diumal planets must be above the

164lOn tfic Htovcnty Sjrfieres

horizon and in masculine signs; the nocturnal planets must be below the horizon and in feminine signs (ex-
cept Mars, which must be in a masculine sign).

In the diurnal hemisphere arc both lights as well as Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter. The Moon and Venus arc
automatically excluded because they arc nocturnal planets. The Moon is contrary to condition because, in
addition to being diurnal, is in a masculine sign. The Sun and Jupiter arc masculine and diurnal, but are both
located in feminine signs and arc therefore also excluded from the possibility of hayz. This is true also for 
Mercury, which in this ease is masculine (since it is oriental), but in a feminine sign.

In the nocturnal hemisphere arc Saturn and Mars. Saturn is contrary to hayz because it is diurnal and mascu-
line, but in a nocturnal, feminine sign. Mars is nocturnal and in a masculine sign, which agrees with its noc-
turnal, masculine nature, and therefore it is in hayz.  Because it is also positioned in a masculine quadrant
(conforming by quadrant), it reinforces the condition of hayz.

The condition of hayz gives stability to the expression ofo f the

the planet. In the case of dignified planets, it rein-
forces their power; with debilitated planets, it slightly softens the debility, bringing greater coherence to its

hayz  can be Hayz

expression.  imparts
c ompared
compared some instability
to comfort to the planets, even to those that are dignified. In general terms,
or discomfort.

 Dust oria or  Security

 Dustoria
This is a very specific condition that encompasses within it many other conditions. In practical terms, it is
rare that a planet has this configuration. When it occurs, it is considered a sign of fame
fame and success. A planet
is considered dustoria when it applies to all of 
the following conditions:

• Hayz (which is itsel
i tselff a composite
condition).
• Posited iinn an angular hou
house.
se.
• Oriental to the Sun (in a diurnal chart)
or occidental to the Moon (in a diurnal
chart), with the luminary posited in an
angular house, which forms a 90° angle
to the house of the planet (in practice,
this implies that the planet must be 10
houses away from the Sun and four 
houses away from the Moon).

This is a very complex condition, which ex-

 plains
 pla ins its rarity.

In Jim Morrison’s chart, Jupiter is in dustoria. Chart 8. Nativity of Jim Morrison

In effect, Jupiter meets all of the requirements
necessary
nece ssary for this condition. First, it is in hayz because it is a diurnal
diurnal planet in a diurnal hemisphere and
an d mas-
culine sign; it is also angular, in the seventh house, and oriental to the Sun, which is the luminary of the
hour. In turn,
tu rn, the Su
Sunn is also angul
angular
ar in the tenth house, located 90° from Jupiter’s house (the seventh). Jupi-
 ter is a tions
interac benefic
interactions planet,
o f the chartwhich makes
reinfo rce thisthis
reinforce configurationthea clear
configuration: lightsindicator of and
are strong, success
thereand
arefame. The remaining
important fixed stars
conjunct Jupiter and the Midheaven.

T fie Condition
Cond ition o f t fie P fa
 fanets/165
nets/165

 Al
 Almm ugea (or Prop
Proper
er Face)
This
This accidental d iignity
gnity d erives
erives from the
the posi-
tion of the planets
the planets iin n relation to the
the Sun
 Sun or Moon
as dictated
dictated by th thee rulership scheme.
scheme. Thus,
whenever
whenever aa planet
 planet is the same same num ber o f signs
away from the the Sun or or the Moon as  as  it is in the
rulership
rulers hip schem
scheme, e, it is said to be in a state of 
alm ugea o orr proper face (indepen
(independent
dentlyly o f the
signs where they
where they are are posited).
 posited). In order
order to b bee in
almugea
almug ea to ththee Sun, the planet
pla net must
must   be in the
signs f ollowing
ollowing the Sun (in the order of the
signs).
sign s). The almug
almugea ea  to the 
the  Moon requires
requires that
the planet be be in the signs before the the Moon,
Moon,   that
is, the almugea
almugea to to the Sun occurs
occurs in one
one half
 half of 
the
the zodiac
zodiac and
 and that of o f th
thee Moon inin the
 the other half.
The almug
almugea ea of the 
the  Sun is more pertinent
more  pertinent   in a
diurnal chart, an andd that of the Moon
Moon in aa noctur-
 noctur-
nal chart.
chart.

•  Mercu
Mercury ry is in this state
state if it is
is in
 in the sign
 preceding the Moon or  in   in the sign following
following
the Sun.
Sun.
• Venus,
Venus, if it is two signs
two signs before
before the Moon
and two after
after the Su
Sun.
n.
• Mars,
Mars, three si signs
gns before the Moon,
the Moon, aand nd 
three after
after the Sun.
• Jupiter,
Jupiter, four ssigns
igns before the Moon,
the Moon, and 
four
four signs after the Sun.
• Saturn,
Saturn, five sisigns
gns before the Moon
the Moon an andd five
af ter
ter the Sun.
Sun.

A planet in alm ugea  is slightly

almugea is slightly strengthened
strengthened in
its ex pression because
 pression  because it is in
in its natu
natural
ral position
relative
relative to
to   the light. For
Fo r obviou
obviouss reasons, thethe
condition of almugea  d oes oes not apply 
apply  to the llu-
u-
minaries.

 Note: The ter m “prop

“properer face,” a synonym
syn onym for 
for 
ugea, sh
almugea,
alm  should
ould not be confused
co nfused wwithith “face”
(or  decanate),
 decanate), which refers to
refers to the d ivisions
i visions of 
the signs by 10 degre
degrees.
es.
 Exampl
 Ex ampl e o f
o f Plan ets in Almugea
In the
In the char t o f Florbela
Florbela Espanca,
Espanca, there
there is only one
one instance
instance of alm ugea.  Saturn is in
almugea. is in almu gea  to the Moo
almugea Moon n be-
cause it is five signs
signs bef ore
ore this luminary.
luminary. This almuge
almugea a will be
be particu
particularly
larly significant
significant becau
becausese this is a noc-
noc -
turnall birth. There
turna There are various
various examp
examplesles of almuge
lmugea a to the Sun in the char t of Aga
Agatha
tha Christie.
 Mer cury,
cury, Venus, and
and Mars
Mars are
 are all in almugea beca
almugea  because
use they are ahead
ahead of the
the Sun by the same
same num ber o f signs
as they are
are in the rulership
the rulership scheme.
scheme. Mer cury
cury is in the next
next sign,
sign, Venus
 Venus is two signs ahe
ahead,
ad, and Mars is
Mars  is three
signs ahead
ahead of the Sun.
Sun. Nonet
Nonetheless,
heless, since this
this is a n
night
ight birth, the almugeas
almugeas to the Sun ar e less re
relevant.
levant.

166/O h  the Heavenl   tcrcs

 tcrcs
 y Sjjf 

Reconcili ng Apparently
Reconciling
dictory
Contradict
Contra ory Conditions

It is common
common to see see horoscopes
horoscopes where therethere is an
contradiction between the
apparent contradiction dignitiess of 
between the dignitie
a planet and and  its other   conditions. In reality the
contradiction
contrad iction does  not exist because
does not various
because the various
es o f tthe
states
stat he p
planet
lanet are co mbined without
combined without negat-
each other. The dignitie
ing each dignities s and debilities al-
debilities
indicate the quality
ways indicate ma nifestation   of a
quality of manifestation
while the other  conditions
 planet, while
 planet, re in-
  conditions serve to rein-
force oro r diminish that tendency.
diminish that basic tendency.

Let’s look at two practice
Let’s look examples. In the horo-
two practice examples.
scopee of Florbcla
scop Espanca  there arc 
Florbcla Espanca  arc  two digni-
planets that arc also in
fied planets some debilitating
debilitating
conditions.
conditio ns. Jupiter iin and is
n Cancer is exalted and
the most
most elevated
elevated planet,
planet,   which indicates
indicates a
strong position. Nevertheless, it is also contrary
position. Nevertheless, contrary Ch art 2. Nativit
Chart Nativity
y of Agath
Agatha a Christie
Christie
to hayz, which weakens
hayz,   which weakens it a bit. HowH ow are these
these
synthesized? In practice,
conditionss synthesized?
condition practice, the pla net’s exaltation
planet’s exaltation and el evation would
elevation would be enou
enoughgh to consider
consider the
strong because
 planet strong  conditions. The exaltation
are important conditions.
because these are important exaltation indicat es ease of   action,
indicates whilee the ele-
action, whil
state highlights
vated state planett in the chart.
highlights the plane trary
chart. The contrary
con cond
condition
ition of hay z
z 
 
 indicates
indicate s that despit
despitee all this
strength
streng and discomfor t in its expression.
instability and
th the planet exhibits a degree of instability expression. The  horoscope suggests
The horoscope  suggests a
capacity for
good capacity for study (Jup iter is in the
(Jupiter house o f st
the ninth house study h ampered by
udy ), which is hampered by instability  and hesita-
instability and hesita-
tion..
tion

In the same horoscope,, Mars is in

same horoscope situation. It
in a similar situation. It is
 is in rulership, angular, and in hay zz, but
rulersh ip, angular, , but occidental.
occidental.
ntality does
Occidentality
Occide removee its strength;
does not remov merely alters it
strength; it merely it,, making it m ore introverted
more introverted and di screet, less
discreet, less
assertivee and direct.
assertiv

inverse situation is
An inverse situation epler’s hor oscope,
ohannes K epler’s
 is found in JJohannes oscope, in which
in which a pla net is debilitated
planet debilitated but in  condi-
in condi-
tions that
tions  that fortify it. Mars isis debilitated
 debilitated iin
n Libra, but
b ut also orien
oriental
tal and in hayz.
hayz. The
 The de bility o f M
Mars
ars indicate
indicatess
difficulties
difficult ex pression o f assertive
ies in the ex pression assertiven ientality im parts a mo
ness, but or ientality more
re active an
andd sharp tenor,
te nor, while
 stabilizes its overall
hayz  stabilizes overall express ion, giving
expression, giving it more confidence. The debility does not disappear,
confidence. The disappear, bubutt its ex-
 pression
 pres sion is
 is softened.
 

CfiajjterXI

 Lu
 L u n a r Nodes
Nod es
The lunar Nodes are math-
ematical points, not celes-
tial bodies. They derive
from the intersect
intersection
ion o f the
Moon’s orbit with the
ecliptic (the apparent
course of the Sun around
the Earth, which demar-
cates the zodiac), which
occurs because the Moon’s
orbit has a fivedegree off-
set from the ecliptic. This
means that during half of its trajectory the Moon is
north of the ecliptic (thus having north latitude) and
during the other half, it is south of the ecliptic (hav-
ing south latitude), thus coinciding with the ecliptic
at two points (during which it is at 0° latitude). The
 point at which the Moo
Moon n crosses the eclip
ecliptic
tic mo
moving
ving
from south to north is called the North Node; the
opposite point,
point, where it moves from north to south is
called the South Node. The symbols of the Nodes
are Q (North Node) and £3 (South Node).

The movement of the Nodes in the zodiac is always

retrograde.
retrograde. For each lunar cycle (a com plete revolu-
revolu -
tion of the Moon around the zodiac) the Nodes retro-
grade 1° 3 0' o f arc of tthe
he eclipt
ecliptic.
ic. Their daily m otion
 is about y    of arc, completing a cycle in a total of 
Figure 2. Lunar
Lu nar Nod
Nodes
es in the Celestial
Celestial Sphere years.

168/Oh  dit Hcavenfy Spficrcs

The significance
signific ance o f the lunar Nodes comes fro
from
m
their relationship to the eclipses. The Nodes
markand
Sun thethe
intersection
path of thepoints
Moon.of At
thethese
path points,
of the
the lights have 0° latitude and arc in perfect
alignment with Earth. Whenever the lights si-
multaneously also pass the Nodes, there is an
eclipse. Because they imply the darkening of 
one of the lights (the Sun or Moon, depending
on the kind of eclipse), the eclipses are consid-
ered disturbing phenomena of a celestial order.
For this reason, the Nodes, which are the points
where this occurs, become somewhat signifi-
cant. The ancients
ancien ts designated the North Node to
 be the Head o f the Dragon and the South Node,
the Tail o f the Dragon; in Latin, this is Caput 
con is and Cauda Draconis,  respectively.
 Dra conis

Because the Nodes are connected to the occur Figure 3. Movement of the Nodes on the Ecliptic
rcnce of eclipses, the Nodes represent areas of 
disturbance in the horoscope because they are
 believed
 belie ved to disturb
di sturb the express
e xpression
ion o f any planet
plane t
that is located near
ne ar them. In chart interpretation,
the North Node is looked upon more favorably
than the South Node. The North Node is given a
nature similar to the benefic planets (Jupiter
(Ju piter and
Venus) and is related to abundance
abund ance and fertili
fertility.
ty.
Therefore, when a planet is conjunct the North
 Node, its express
expression
ion is ampli
amplified
fied and its out
out--
come depends upon the condition o f that planet.
On the other hand, the South Node is looked
upon unfavorably. It partakes of the nature of 
the malefic planets (Saturn and Mars) and is
thus connected to barrenness. Figure 4. Node’s Orb of Influence

Because they are not visible, the Nodes cannot form aspects nor be aspected (the word “aspect” means “to
see”). For this reason, their delineation refers only to the conjunction of the planets to the Nodes, not to any
o f the oth
other
er aspects. The orb of
o f influence begins 12° before and extends to 12°
12° after the Node.

Interpretation of the Nodes

In interpretation, it should be noted that the Nodes affect the signs and houses where they are placed. They
represent increases and decreases of o f the
the matters of the houses where they are placed and they disturb the ex-
 pression
 pres sion o f the sig
signn where they
th ey are locate
located.d. Th
Thee North Node
No de brin
brings
gs with it a more positive
posi tive aaltera
lteration
tion becau
b ecause
se
it amplifies and bestows a degree of prosperity. Nevertheless, its benefits are rarely longlasting and can im-
 ply some
som e inconst
inc onstancy
ancy.. The
T he South NNode
ode alway
alwayss repr
represent
esentss a diminu
di minution
tion or some type
ty pe o f alteration
alteratio n that
th at dam-
da m-
ages the significations
sign ifications o f the houses, signs, and planets. From this perspective, the North Node is considered
 a benefic and the South Node a malefic.
malefic.
For example, in Nietzsch
Nietzsche’s
e’s horoscope the adventurous and enthusiasti
enthusiasticc behavior ooff the Sagittarius
Sagittarius Moon is
amplified by its conjunction to the North Node, which also adds a trace ooff in
instabili
stability
ty to the moods o f the phi

Tfte
Tfte Condit
Condition
ion of tfie Pfancts
Pfancts/169
/169

True Node and Mean Node

In the tables of planetary motion, two types

of Nodes are listed: the mean Node and the
true Node, which are calculated using ddiffer-
iffer-
ent formulas.
formulas. The true Node is an astronomi-
astronom i-
cally exact point. Its calculation takes the
Sun’s gravitational interaction with the
Moon into account.
account. It exhibits some fluctu
fluctua-
a-
tions in its motion and can be stationary or 
retrograde.

The Mean Node, as its name indicates, is a

calculation of the average position of the
 Nodes. Since it does
do es not take other
othe r gravit
g ravita-
a-
tional interferences into account, it exhibits
a regular the
 between retrograde
true andmotion. The difference
mean Nodes
Node s is never 
neve r 
Chart 1. Nativity of Friedrich Nietzsche greater than 2°.

losopher. In Agatha
Ag atha Christie’s
Christ ie’s horoscope
horoscope,, there is a conjunction of the South Node with Mars. This co
configu-
nfigu-
ration bestows
bestow s a trace of abruptness
abruptness and recklessn
recklessnessess to the na
naturally
turally passionate and adventurous actions oof 
f 
Mars in Sagittarius. The square between Mars and the lights also contributes to this attitude.

The Exaltations of the Nodes

Because they are not planets, the Nodes do not rule signs of the zodiac. Nevertheless, the tradition does at-
tribute to them
th em places o f exaltation and fall.
fall. The Nor
North
th Node is exalted in Gemini and has its fall in Sagittar-
ius, the opposite
opposi te sign. The South Node, in turn,turn, is exalted in SSagittarius
agittarius and in fall in Gemini. These attribu-
attribu -
tions are o f littl
littlee practical use because the Nodes never function
function as rulers ooff houses or
o r dispositors. They indi-
cate, if anything, a difference in the intensity of the nodanodall effects.

Traditional authors explain this attribution by stating that the North Node, by virtue of its dual nature (Jupi-
ter and Venus combined), has its exaltation in ththee first dual sign of the zodiac, Gemini. The Sou
South
th Node, its
opposite, and also of a dual nature (Saturn and Mars), is exalted in the opposite dual sign Sagittarius.

Eclipses

An eclipse occurs
o ccurs whene
whenever
ver a lunation occu
occurs
rs in the proximity ooff the Nodes. It is only at these points that the
 pathss o f the Sun and Moon cross,
 path cro ss, giv
giving
ing rise to a perfect
perfec t alig
alignmen
nmentt betwe
between
en the
th e Sun, Moon, and Earth
Earth.. IItt is
this alignment that causes an eclipse. There are two types of eclipses: solar and lunar.

Solar Eclipse
The solar eclipse occurs during a new Moon when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, obscuring
the solar disc.
 A solar eclipse always results when the New Moon occurs at fewer than 18° from one of the Nodes; the
closer the lights are to the Nodes, the more complete will be the occultation. Thus, a solar eclipse may have
several degrees of intensity:
intensity:

170/On tfic Hcavcnfy Sjrficres

• A total
eclipse, when

it occurs
close very
to the
 Node and the
Moon
completely
covers the
Sun.
• A partial Heliocentric Perspective
Perspective Ge
Geocentric
ocentric Pe
Perspective
rspective
eclipse, when
the lunation
Figure 5. Solar Eclipse
occurs a bit
farther from
the Node and
the Moon
covers only a
 portion of the
Sun.
• An annular 
eclipse, a
special case, Figure 6. The Three Types of Solar Elipse
when the
Moon is farther from the Earth; here, its apparent diameter covers only the central portion of the
Sun, leaving visible the outer perimeter of the solar disc, which forms a “ring of light.”

Because the Moon is smaller than Earth,

its shadow reaches only some parts of the
globe. For this reason, eclipses are only
visible in certain regions or countries. On
the other hand, because Earth rotates on
its axis, and the Moon is also in motion,
the shadow projected from the Moon
traces a path along the terrestrial globe.
The path of the eclipse traces the areas
where the occultation is visible in its
greatest intensity.
intensity. Figure 7. Trajectory of
o f a Solar Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse
Eclipsess
A lunar eclipse occurs during a Full
Moon, when Earth projects its shadow on
the Moon and occults it.

A lunar eclipse always results when a Full

Moon occurs less than 12° 30' from one of 
the Nodes. There are three kinds of lunar 
 Heliocentric Perspective Geocentric Perspective
eclipses:
• Total eeclipse,
clipse, when the
the Moon Figure 8. Lunar Eclipse
completely crosses the shadow of 
the Earth.

Tfte Condition
Condition o ftfi c Pfane
Pfanets/1
ts/171
71

• Partial eclipse, when the

Moon partially crosses

• the shadow eclipse,

Penumbral of the Earth.
when
the Moon merely crosses
Horizon Horizon
the penumbra (these are
not considered in
To t al Ec l i p s e P ar t i al Ed l p s o Penumbral Eclipio
astrology because they
Figure 9. The Three Kinds of Lunar Eclipse a r e n o t  visible to a
terrestrial observer.

Lunar eclipses can be observed in

any part of the globe as long as the
Full Moon is above the horizon (re-
gions where it is nighttime).

Periodicity of Eclipses
Every year there are at least four 
eclipses, two solar and two lunar.
The solar eclipses correspond to the
Figure 10. The Four Eclipses Occurring Every Year two New Moons that occur close to
the Nodes, one conjunct the North
 Nodee and the other
 Nod oth er conj
conjunct
unct the
South Node. Lunar eclipses corre-
spond to the two Full Moons that oc-
cur together with each of the Nodes.
Nodes.
The four annual eclipses thus occur 
at opposite points of the zodiac.

For example, in 1983, there were

four eclipses. The first was a solar 
eclipse at 19° Gemini on June 11; the
eclipse took place close to the North
 Node,, which
 Node whic h on that
tha t da
date
te was at 25°
Gemini. Six months later, on Decem-
 be
 berr 4, there was anotheano therr sola
solar 
r 
eclipse, this time at 11° Sagittarius
(conjunct the South Node, which
was at 16° Gemini).

The first lunar eclipse occurred June

25 (on the Full Moon following the
firstt solar ecli
firs eclipse).
pse). The Moon
M oon wwas
as at
3° Capricorn (with the Sun at 3° Can-
cer) and the Nodes were at 24° Gem
Figure 12. Examples of Lunar Eclipses iniSagittariu
iniS agittarius.
s. Bec
Because
ause the distance
 bet weenn tthe
 betwee he lights and tthe
he Nod
Nodes
es was less than 12
12°,
°, a partia
partiall lu
lunar
nar ecli
eclipse
pse still
s till took
t ook plac
place.
e. Six mo
month
nthss llater
ater,,
on December 20 (on the Full Moon that followed the second solar eclipse) there was a second eclipse of the
Moon. Because it was at 227° 7° Gemini and the Nodes were at 15° GeminiSag
GeminiSagittarius
ittarius (exactly
(exa ctly on the 12°
12° limit),
the eclipse was merely penumbral; the Moon never touched the shadow of the Earth.
 

174/Oti tfw Hcavcnfy Sjrftcrcs

Stars associated with Saturn signify: jealousies

signify: jealousies,, greed, work, struggles,
st ruggles, falls, imprisonment,
impris onment, poverty, and
meanness;
meannes s; nnevertheless,
evertheless, if they arc con
conjunct
junct bene
beneficia
ficiall planets, this effect is negated, making the meaning
about serious thoughts,
tho ughts,
Saturn-Jupiter: mentalinheritances an
andd sobr
sobriety.
ability; the capacity iety.
to judge, magnanimity, and some form of riches.
Saturn-Mars: betray
Saturn-Mars:  betrayal,
al, talkativeness,
talkativen ess, ag
aggression,
gression, co
confrontations,
nfrontations, precipitations,
precipit ations, cruelty and to
torture.
rture.
Saturn-Venus: envy, slander, jealousy, loneliness, greed, shameful actions, mediocrity.
Saturn-Mercury: studiousness, profound intellect, if poorly configured, they indicate slander, betrayals,
and theft.

Stars associated with Jupiter signify: good manners,

manners, justice, modesty, faith, magnanimity, piety, honors
and riches.
Jupiter-Mars: the capacity for command and conquest, a taste for grand actions, daring, competitiveness,
great accomplishmen
acc omplishments,
ts, docs not like me
mediocrit
diocrity.
y. Although fortunate, this combination can also indicate ag-
gression and obstinacy.
Jupiter-Venus: physical
Jupiter-Venus:  physical beauty, honesty, ppiety,
iety, justice, fidelity, liberty, honors and riches from friends,
friend s, or 
relationships with women.
Jupiter-Mercury: favorable for teaching
teaching and admini
administration,
stration, ingenuity, knowledge o f lan
languages,
guages, good spo-
ken and verbal expression.
Stars associated with Mars signify: aggression, fights, violence and dangers, can indicate losses, assassi-
nations, injuries; if favorably configured, they bestow honors from activities ooff a martia
martiall nature.
Mars-Sun: daring, bellicosity, leadership, difficulty with authority, when poorly configured, they can sig-
nify cruelty and danger by fire.
Mars-Venus: unexpected luck, inheritances and riches
riches if configured to benefics, otherwise, it is associated
with desires, passions, and luxury.
Mars-Mercury: lively and daring spirit, but colored by rage, irritability, and a lack of patience, associated
with spying, treason, and swindling.
Mars-Moon: violence, poverty, hard work, miseiy; propensity for drink, associated with travel and exile.

Stars associated with Venus signify: beauty

signify:  beauty,, grace, harmo
harmony,
ny, artistic sensibility,
sensibil ity, sociabil
sociability.
ity.
Venus-Mercury: ingenuity, talent, charm, softness, subtlety, artistic talent and goodness.

Stars associated with Mercury signify: intellect and capacity for learning, fortune and success through
trade, books, and intellectual activities.

In traditional astrology there are no cases of stars associated with the SSun
un and Moon, nor with the combin
combina-
a-
tions SaturnSun, SaturnMoon, JupiterSun, JupiterMoon, VenusMoon and MercuryMoon. These com-
 binatio
 bin ations
ns only appear
app ear in the wo
works
rks o f more recent
recen t au
authors
thors (19th and 20th centuries).

Principal Fixed Stars

The positions and characteristics of the fixed stars most commonly used in the tradition are presented here,
with the positions
position s indicated for 20
2000.
00. At the end of this chapter is a more complete list of fixed
fixed stars, their po-
sitions, and characteristics.
characteristics.

Algenib: Pegasus’ wing (09° Aries 09'). Of the nature of Mars and Mercury; favors notoriety, although it
 can also
a lso bring dishon
dishonor
or and violence.
violence.
Alpheratz: The head of Andromeda (14° Aries Aries 18'). O f th
thee nature o f Jupiter and Venus
Venus;; bestows honor and
abundance.
abundanc e. It is associated with independence
independence and liberty.
liberty.
Algol: The head
h ead o f Medu
Medusasa (26° Taurus 10'). It is the most malefic star in the sky. Imparts instability, stub

Fixâ t Starsll75
Starsll75

 bom ness,
 bomnes s, and violence. Commonly used in elective
elective astrology to obtain victory in battle. It is of
o f the natu
n ature
re o f 
Saturn and Jupiter combined.
combined.
The Pleiades: The shoulder of
o f the
the Bull/thc se
seven
ven sister
sisterss (01
(01°° Gemini 00'). Of the nature of
o f the Moon
Mo on and
Mars; associated with ambition, greed, and turbulence.
Aldebaran: The southern eye of the Bull (09° Gemini 47'). Intelligence, eloquence, integrity, popularity
and courage,
co urage, but
bu t also ferocity
ferocity and revolt
revolt;; can lead to th
thee loss of honor and benefits. O
Off th
thee nature o f Mar
Mars.
s.
Rigel: Orion’s left foot (16° Gemini 50'). Bestows renown, honor, and glory. Also associated with ingenuity
and inventiveness. Of the nature of Jupiter and and Saturn.
Saturn.
Capella: The little goat (21° Gemini 51 '). Of the nature of Mars and Mercury combined. Courage, inquiring
spirit (sometimes
(som etimes sarcastic), love of novelty.
novelty. Riches and renowrenown,n, sometimes accompanied
accompan ied by envy.
Betelgeuse: Orio
Orion’s
n’s rig
right
ht shoulder (2
(28°
8° GeGemini
mini 45'). It is one of the most beneficial stars in the sky. O f the
nature o f Mars and Mercury;
Mercury; promises honor and prosperity,
prosperity, but can also indicate some instability.
Sirius: The mouth of the great dog (dogstar) (14° Cancer 05'). Considered very beneficial, bestows great
honor, renown and riches.
riches. It is above all asso
associated
ciated wi
with
th fidelity and devotion. Because it is ooff tthe
he nature o f 
Jupiter and Mars, it can indicate petulance, boldness, and pride.
Canopus: The ship’s
sh ip’s captain (t
(the
he Argo
Argo)) (14
(14°° Cancer 58'). Bestows dignity, religiosity
religiosit y and knowledge. Star 
o f the nature o f Saturn
Saturn and Jupiter; frequently associa
associated
ted with travels
travels..
Castor: The northern
n orthern Twin (the mortal
mortal twin) (20
(20°° Cancer 15'). O f the nature o f Mercury; bestows acute in-
tellect; the law and publications can bring success,
success, although it is not always durable.
Pollux: the southern Twin (the immortal
immortal twin) (23°
(23° Cancer 13'). O f the nature o f MMars;
ars; indicates an inven-
tive and daring spirit, but with a tendency toward impatience and even cruelty.
Procyon: The little dog (2 (25°
5° Cancer 48'). Provocative behavior, petulant and pride fui» fui» but expressed in a
tentativee and timid manner. O
tentativ Off the nature of MeMercury
rcury and Mar
Mars.
s.
Asellus Borealis and Asellus Australis:
Australis: The northern and southern
southern donkeys (07(07°° Leo 332'
2' and 08° Leo 43').
Stars of the nature of Mars and the Sun. They indicate generosity and courage, but also danger of violence
and accidents. Traditionally tied to eyesight problems.
Alphard: The heart o f the Hydra ((27° 27° Leo 17'). Of the nanature
ture of Saturn and Venus; bestows w wisdom
isdom and ar-
tistic gifts, which arc hindered by strong passions and exces excesses.
ses.
Regulus: The heart of the Lion (29° Leo 50'). Honor, magnanimity, and desire for power; if misused, can
lead to violence and destruction. Of O f the
the nature of Mars and Jupiter
Jupiter..
Denebola: The tail of o f the Lion (21°
(21° Virgo 37'). Bestows nobility and good judgment.judgm ent. NNonethele
onetheless,
ss, it is fre-
quently associated with despair, regret, and anxiety. Of the nature of Saturn and Venus.
Algorab: The crow’s
cro w’s right
right wing ((13°
13° Libra 27'). O f the nature of M Mars
ars and Saturn; bestows malemalevolenc
volence, e, de
de--
structiveness, lies and slander.
Spica: The sheaf of wheat (23° Libra 51'). Beneficial star, bestows renown, riches, love of art and science.
O f the nature o f Venus
Venus and MarsMars..
Arcturus: The knee of the herdsman (24° (24° Li
Libra
bra 15 '). O f a nature similar to Mars and Venus. In Indicat
dicates
es great
g reat
determination, honor and renown, but also anxiety and extravagance.
Alphecca: the most brilliant jewel in the crown (12 (12°° Scorpio 18'). Star of o f the nature ooff Venus and
an d Mercury;
Merc ury;
 bestow
 bes towss brilli
b rillianc
ancee and honor. It is asso
associated
ciated with poetic and artist
artistic
ic talents.
talent s.
 Zuben Elgenubi: The southern claw/the southern scale (15° Scorpio 05'). Malefic tied to betrayals and poi-
sonings. Of the nature of Saturn and Mars, indicating difficulty forgiving.
Zuben Elschemali: The northern claw/the northern scale (19° Scorpio 22'). Benefic, tied to fortune, honor
and happiness. Of the nature of Jupiter and Mercury.

176/O h   die H eaven fy Spheres

Spheres

Unukalhai: The head (orth (orthoo heart) of o f the

the Ser
Serpent
pent (22°
(22° SScorpio
corpio 04'). Malef
Malefic ic star, of the nature of Saturn and
Mars. It is tied to intrigue, jealousy, and accidents.
Agena: The right leg of o f the Centaur (23 (23°° Scorp
Scorpioio 48'). Of the nature of Venus and JupiterJupiter;; this star bestows
good health, honor, friends, and refinement.
Rigcl Centaurus: The foot foot ooff the
the Centaur (29°
(29° Sc
Scorpio
orpio 32'). Beneficence,
Beneficence, friends and positions of o f hon
honor.
or. O f 
the nature
natu re o f Venus and Jupiter; it bestows refi refinemen
nement.t.
Antares: The heart of the Scorpion (09° Sagittarius Sagittarius 46'). Of the natur
naturee o f Mars
Mars and Jupiter; it bestows liberty
and impatience, which easily turn to stubbor stubbornness
nness and destructiveness.
destructiveness.
Lesath
Les ath : The sting
st ing ooff the Scorpion (24° Sagittarius 01 '). Malefic star of the nature of o f Mercury and Mars. It in in--
dicates malevolence, envy, and a sharp tongue.
Facies: The face of the Archer (08° Capricorn 18'). Of O f the nature ooff the Sun and Mars. It is related to eye
 problem
 pro blemss and accidents.
Vega: Handle o f the lyre (15 (15°° Capricorn 19'). Benefits,
Benefits, idealism, and hope; colored by a certain sobriety. Of 
the nature of Venus and Mercury.
Altair: The eagle (01° Aquarius
Aquarius 46 46').
'). Of the natur
naturee ooff Mars and Jupit
Jupiter;
er; it is associated
associated with daring, confi-
dence and bravery. Abrupt fortune but of short duration. duration. Excessive daring may lead to excess and violence.
Deneb Algedi: The tail of the goat (23° (23° Aquarius 32'). Star of tthe he nature ofo f Saturn and Jupiter; bestows am- a m-
 biguou
 big uouss gifts. It can eith
either
er be a carrier o f success or of misfortun
misfortune.
e. Imparts honors and dignity, but alway alwayss
with great effort and struggle.
Formalhaut: The mouth o f the southern fish (03° Pisces 5511 '). Benefic star; o f the nature o f Venus and a nd Mer-
M er-
cury. Bestows great honors, but there is always the danger o f corruption. corruption.
Deneb Adige: The tail of the swan (05° (05° Pisces
Pisces 20'). Of the nature of V Venus
enus and Mercury; it bestows an inge-
nious nature, lively intellect, and ease of learning.
Achernar: The end of o f the river (15° Pisces 19'). Benefic star of the nature of Jupiter. Bestows ho honors
nors and
good fortune, inclines toward religion and charity.

The above list contains general

gen eral indications about the signification of
o f the stars. For more detail, see The Fixed 
Stars a nd Constellations by Vivian Robson (see recommended bibliography).
Constellations

Moveme nt of the Fixed Stars

Movement
Due to the precession of the equinoxes, the fixed stars travel about one degree of longitude in the zodiac ev- e v-
ery 72 years. This ca
cann be seen in the table presented here by comparing the star positions for 19001900,1950
,1950,, and
2000. Due to this movement, the stars of a given constellation may actually be located in the following sign,
dependin
depe ndingg upon the date used. For example, Spica, of o f the Virgo constellation, is currently situated in Libra.
Antares, the heart of the Scorpion, is currently in Sagittarius. This means that the current positions are very
different from those of the past. When dealing with ancient charts, one must calculate the necessary adjust-
ments
men ts to determine
det ermine the position o f the fixed stars for the date under study. IIff we know that a star moves one
degree every 72 years, we can conclude that in one year it has moved 50 seconds. This ratio permits a very
approximated position.

For example, in 2000, Antares was at 09° Sagittarius 46'. From this information, the approximate position of 
Antares
Anta res in the chart o f Nietzsche
Nietzsche,, who was bom in 1844,
1844, can be ccalculated.
alculated. Since his birth, 156
156 years have
  pas
 passed
sed.that
years .T
Toothe
ddeter
etermin
starminee thetoddistan
takes istance
travelce1°)
the
°), star trave
, givingtraveled
ledThen
2.17. du
during
ring this time,
convert simply
simpl y divi
the decimal divide
intodeminutes
156 byof72arc
(the(0.17
nnum
umbe
xber
60r of 
=
10.2  approxima
appro ximately,tely, 10 minut
minuteses of arc).
arc). This star
star,, at its recalculated position, was 2°10' from the 2000 po- po -
sition, or at 7°36'
7 °36' o f Sagitta
Sagittarius.
rius.

Fixed Stars/17
Stars/177 
7 

Fixed Stars in the Horoscope

Before interpreting
interpreting the fixed stars
stars of a horoscope
horoscope,, one must make a selection o f the
the mos t relevant stars from
all of those in the sky. (An attempt to use all of the hundreds of stars in existence is impractical.) There are
process: its magnitude (brightness) and its proxim ity to
two criteria for this selection or filtering process: to the eclip
tic. The magnitude of each star depends upon its visibility and brightness. In accordance with these criteria,
the stars are classified by a magnitude scale
scale.. The brightest and most visible stars are considered to be o f the
1st magnitude. These are the stars that stand out in the night sky and are visible even when seen through the
light pollution of a city. The remaining stars gradually diminish in brightness until the 6th magnitude of the
scale; the stars that are the most faint to human eyes are included in this last group.26

 N ot
ote:
e: T ec hn ic
ical
ally
ly , the fixfixed
ed stars
sta rs are no t rea lly In interpretation, the stars of 1st magnitude are
fixed. The passage o f ttime ime alters not onlyonly their po- those that produce the most intense effects. Those
sition in the zodiac but their distances relative to of the 2nd and 3rd magnitude also produce notice-
one ano ther. Besides the shift caused by precession able effects, but the remaining fainter stars are not
o f the equin oxes, each star also has has its own motion, much considered. The smallest and least visible
which leads to a gradual alteration
alteration of thethe shape of  stars are generally used in very specific interpreta-
the constellations. This alteration takes thousands tions (for example, in medical questions). As to dis-
o f years to becom e apparent since the motion motion is ex- tance, priority is give n to the stars that belong to the
tremely slow. In astrological practice, the individ 12 zodiacal constellations, or that, although they
ual motion o f each star is not very very relevant.
relevant.  be long
lo ng to o th er c on st
stel
ella
la tition
on s, are
ar e clo
c lose
se to th
thee ecl
e clip
ip -
tic.27  The reason for thisthis selection has to do with the
mov em ent o f the
the planets and lights because priority priority is given to the star starss that are situated w ithin the zodiacal
 ba nd w he re the
th e pl
plan
an ets
et s circ
ci rcul
ulat
ate.
e. Th e othe
ot hers
rs are o f m inor
in or im po porta
rta nc
nce.
e.

W ith a few exceptions, the list presented

presented earlier contains only stars of 1s
1stt and 2nd m agnitude that are situated
situated
close to the ecliptic.

Interpreting the Fixed Stars

Stars
The stars function only by conjunction. The other aspects aarere not relevant to the astrological interpretation of 
stars. Because they are luminous objects, the stars poss
possess
ess an orb, just like the planets. In a conjunction be -
tween a star and a planet, the only orb to keep in mind is that of the star,
star, never the orb o f the planet. This is be-
cause the star is found in a celestial sphere superior to that of tthe
he planets and is thus hierarchically superior.
The orbs used in these conjunctions vary according to the magnitude o f the star; the orb o f the
the planet or o f the
the
luminary has no bearing. Following are the orbs for fixed stars:
stars:

Star   5 mag nitude Orb (radius)

1st Magnitude T W 
2nd Magnitude 5°30'
3rd M a g n itu d e 3°30'
4 th M a g n itu d e l°3 0 z
26 Thisis the traditional scale, which is based upon visibil
visibility.
ity. A more recent scientific scale is used in astronom y to cata-
logue the brightness o f celestial bodies. Although it does not have much use in astrological interpretation,
interpre tation, it is this scale
 that is normally presented in a great majority of astrological software and books.
27 Some contemporary
contemp orary astrologers argue that the latitude of a star has no significance and include in their interpretat
interpretations
ions
stars which are very distant from the ecliptic, such as Ursa Major and Minor and Draco. Recently, stars visible in the
southern hemisphere (which are not a part of the original tradition) have also been included. Their astrological validity
remains to be defined.

178/Oh  tfie H aiv ntfy Spheres

Spheres

A conjunction takes place the moment the body of the planet comes into contact with the orb of the star.
When stars of
o f a lesser magnitude arc used,
used, the conjunction
conjunction should be very exact (about 330’)
0’).. Although the
stars ofr the
greate
greater 1st proximity
and 2nd magnitude
o f the possess
the planet is to large
staorbs,
the star. their influence
r. A conjunctio
conjunctionn ooff awill be that
pplanet
lanet muchatmore
or angle emphasized
the edge of
o f tthe stathe
he star’s
r’s
orb, is considered to be weak and not very relevant. The student should evaluate these factors before inter-
 preting.
 preti ng. A star of
o f a 1st
1st magnitude
magnitu de can override the influences ooff 2nd and 3rd magnitude
m agnitude stars, but no
nott negate
them, particularly if the stars of a lesser magnitude are closer to the planet. planet.

In practice, only the stars that arc conjunct important points, namely the planets, the lights, and the angles
(particularly the Ascendant and Midheaven) are considered in a chart. In interpretation, one must add the
theme o f tthe
he star to the characteristics of
o f the
the plane
planet.t. If th
thee nature of the star coincides with that ooff the planet,
the effects reinforce each other, making them more obvious. For example, Regulus has a nature similar to
Mars and Jupiter combined; if in a cchart,
hart, it is conjunct Mars
Mars,, it combines its martial nature with that ooff th
thee ac-
tual planet, intensifying its bellicose and domineering nature; the Jupiter undertone adds grandiosity to it.
On the other hand, i f Regulus is conjunct a planet that docs not share its nature, nature, this reinforcement does not
take place. If die conjunction is with Venus, for example,
example, the martial and jovialjovia l nature of the star is simply
added to the planet, which therefore adds to the sociable and easygoing nature of of V
Venus
enus a touch o f assertive-
ness (Mars) and magnanimity (Jupiter).
Fixed Stars Example
There are severa
severall relevant fixed stars in Frederick Nietzsch
Nietzsche’s
e’s chart.
chart.

In the Ascendant is Dschuba, a star of 2nd magnitude ofo f th

thee nature of
o f Mars and Saturn. This star
sta r contributes
an aggressive and talkative behavior, adding a tendency toward confrontation with others. Also in the first
house is a conjunction o f the Moon and Antares, a star of the 1st magnitude of the nature ooff Mars
Mars and Jupiter.
This combination adds a domineering and confident attitude to the expansiveness and versatility of the
Moon in Sagittarius. Antares also bestows great mental breadth, love of o f philosophy, popularity, and power.
Because the possibility of loss is also present in every star of great power, in this case it would manifest
through overinflated, extravagant actions.

 Note that
th at the Sun, the other
othe r light, is closely
close ly co
con-
n-
 ju
 junc
nc t the
th e fixed star
st ar Arcturus, also o f 1st magn
magni- i-
tude, and o f the nature ofo f Jupiter and Mars. This
star bestows success and fame, but since the
Sim is in fall in Libra, the fame promised by the
star is affected by arrogance and egocentrism
(negative expressions of a debilitated Sun).

When this information is combined with that of 

MoonAntares, a clear influence
influence ooff Jupiter an
andd
Mars is detected. This combination indicates
fame and recognition (luminaries strengthened
 by sta
stars
rs o f the 1st magnitud
magnitude),
e), but
b ut also conta
contains
ins
the possibility of excess. Continuing a bit fur-
ther with this interpretation, we note that Mars
and Jupiter (which define the nature of these
and Jupiter (which define the nature of these
stars)angularity
This a are the most
m ost
ngularity angularaplanets
reinforces promiseo of
of this
tfhis chart.
chart.
popular-
ity and notoriety suggested by the stars,
stars, but be-
cause there is a tense aspect (opposition) be Chart 1. Nativity of Friedrich Nietzsche
 

180/Ott tlic Htavcnfy Spheres

 bility . If an observer
 bility. obse rver kno
knows
ws that the rising of star A corresponds to the position o f star B, then whe
wheneve
neverr star 
B is seen, the observer knows immediately that star A is rising, even when the meteorological or geograph-
ical conditions
 paran
 parans s is in met do notogical
meteorol allow
eorologic for a directThe
al forecasting. observation of the
stars that rise andheavens.
et at theAnother
sset same timepractical application
as the Sun of the
(or the planets)
arc interpreted
in terpreted in terms o f climatological
climatological changes
changes.. For example, when the eye ooff th thee Bull (Aldebaran) rises
with the Sun, “it
“ it brings rain and wind and sometimes
sometimes thunder.” Note tha thatt Aldebaran is a star of the nature o f 
Mars, which is why it is associated with bad weather.

Some contemporary
conte mporary authors defend that the conce
conceptpt of par
parans
ans contributes to the construction of the celestial
mythology. They affirm that the simultaneous rising of a particular celestial figure and the culmination of 
another
anoth er gives rise to a scries of associations
associations of
o f a symbolic natu
nature.
re.

Fixed Stars and their Nature

Zodiacal Longitude
N a m e a n d p l an et a r y n at u r e Mag . Constellation
1900 1950 2000 2050
Deneb Kaitos
Kaitos - the tail of the whale   b   2 O 1 °T 1 1 ’ 01®T53' 0 2 * T 35
35 ' O3*T17' Cetus
 Alg emb - the tip of Pegasus wing d9   3 07°T46' 08°T28' 09*T09' 09*T51’ Pegasus

 Alp her atz - the head o f Andromeda

Baten Kaitos
Kaitos - the belly of the wale   9  
b
2
4
12°T55'
20*T33’
13®T37'
21*T15'
14°T 1 8'
21*T57'
1 5*T 0 0 '
22*T39'
 Andr omed a
Cetus
 Al Pherg - of the tale o f the fish   bX   4 25T26' 26*T07' 26*T49' 27
7** T3
T3 0
0'' Pis ces

Vertex
Vertex - of Andromeda's head  (Galaxy) 9   5 2 6*T 2 8' 2 7*T0 9 ’ 2 7 *T5 1 ' 28
8TT3
333 ’  Andr omed a

Mira
Mirach
ch - of Andr omeda’
omeda’ss chain 9   2 2 9°
9 ° T 0r
0r 2 9 *T 4 2 ' 00*824' 01*806'  Andr omed a
Mira
Mira - of the wale   b   3 00*807’ 00*8 49 ’ 0 1*8 31 ' 0 2*8 13 ' Cetus
Sherata
Sheratan
n - the northern horn o f Aries db   3 0 2 *8 3 4 ' 03 ’ 8 16
16 ' 03’ 8 58
58 ’ 0 4*8 40 '  Aries
Ha
Hama
mall - the head of Aries db   2 06
06’’ 816' 06’ 8 5 8 ' 0 7*8 40 ' 0 8’ 8
8222'  Aries
Schedar
Schedar - of Cassiopeia
Cassiopeia  b9
 b 9   2 0 6’ 8 24
24 ' 0 7 *8 0 5 ' 07’847’ 08’829' Cassiopeia
 Aim ak - the left foot of Andromeda 9   2 12
12’’ 850' 1 3*8 32 ' 14’ 8 1
133' 14
14’’ 855'  And rom eda
Menka
Menkarr - the jaw of the wale   b   3 12
12’’ 855' 13’837' 14’ 8 19
19 ' 15’ 80
80 1
1'' Whale
Za
Zaurak
urak - of the river Eridanus  b   3 22’ 82
828' 23 ’ 81
81 0 ' 23’ 85
85 2 ' 2 4*8 34 ' Er idanus
Capulus
Capulus - of Perseus'sword ictureo
Perseus'sword  ictureo d9   4 22’ 8 49
49 ' 23’ 8 30
30 ' 24’812' 24’854' Perseus
 Algo l - the head of Medusa  bX   2 24
24’’ 846' 2 5*8 28 ' 2 6 *8 1 0 ' 2 6’ 85
852' Per s eu s
Pleiades
Pleiades (Alcyone) - the seven sisters (Cluster)
sisters  (Cluster) Dd   3 28’836' 29 ’ 8 18
18 ' 2 9 *8 5 9 ' 00*1141' Taurus

Hyades
Hyades - the seven mourners (Cluster)
mourners  (Cluster)
 b9
 b 9   4 0 5*
5* H 2
28
8‘ 0 6*
6* IIII 1 0'
0' 06’ 1(52' O7’H3 4' Taurus
 A n - the northern eye of Taurus  b9
 b 9   3 07’ 11
1104'
04' 07 ’ 11
1146’ 08 ’ 11
1128' 09*111 O' Tau r u s
 Ald ebara n - the southern eye of Taurus
Taurus d   1 08*1124' 09*H05' 09’247' 10
0**H 29
29 ' Tau rru
us
Rig
Rigel
el - the left foot of Orion Xb   1 15’ 1126'
1126' 16*1108' 16*H50' 17’ 1132
1132'' Orion
Bell
Bellatrix
atrix - the left shoulder of Orion d9   2 19*H33' 20*1115' 2O’
2O’ H57' 21*H39’ Orion
Cap
Capella
ella - the little goat d9   1 20
0** H2
H2 8
8'' 21 ’ 1
11
110' 21*1151' 22*H34'  Auri ga
Mmtaka
Mmtaka - from the belt o f Orion ^b   2 21*1101' 2 1 * 1 (4 3 ' 2 2*
2*H 2
24
4' 23*H06' Orion
El N
Nath
ath - the northern horn o f Taurus d   2 2 i om i' 2 1*
1*H 5
53
3' 22*H 3
34
4' 23*1117' Taurus
Ensis - from Orion's
Orion's sword
sword (Neb-Je)
 (Neb-Je) dD   4 21*H36' 22’ 1(17' 22*H59' 23
3’’ 1 1
14
41' Or io
io n
J AJn
AJnfla
flam
m - from the
from  the belt of Orion Xb   2 22’ 110
1104'
4' 22 ’ H 4
46
6' 23*H 2
28
8' 24*H10' Orion
I Al Hecka - the southern horn of Taurus
Taurus d   3 23*1123' 24
4’’ 1 1
10
05' 24
4** H4
H4 7
7'' 25*H29' Gemini
 j Bet elgeu se - the right shoulder of Orion d9   1 27’E2r  28*H03' 28
8** K4
K4 5
5'' 29*1127' Orion
1 Me
Menkalina
nkalinan
n - the shoulder of the Charioteer 
d9   2 28*H31' 29*1113' 29
9**H 5
55
5' 00*537'  Auri ga
| Pro pu s-bet ween the shoulders
shoulders of the ttwins
wins
$9   3 02*503' 02*545' 03*526' 04*508' Gemini
 Tejat Posterior
Posterior - the left foot of Castor  99   3 03 555 04 536 05 518 06*500 Gemini

 Al hen a - the left foot o f Pollux

Pollux
99   2 07*543' 08*525' 09’506' 09*548' Gemini
Si
Siriu
riuss - the mouth o f the greater dog Xd   1 12*542' 13*524' 1 4 **5
5005
5' 14’ 5 4
466' Can l s Maj o r  
Canopus
Canopus - the pilot of the ship Argus  bùi   1 13*535' 14*516' 1 4 *5 5
58
8' 15*540'  Argu s
Vi n at - the right
right arm of C
Castor 
astor   b   3 17*508' 17*550' 18*531' 19*513' Gemini

Fixc rf Star
Stars/181
s/181

Name and planetary nature Mag. Zodiacal Longitude Constellation

1900 1950 2000 2050
Castor
Castor - the northern twin 9 2 1 8°G 51' 1 9 °G 3 3' 20’315' 20°356' Gemini
Po
Pollux
llux - the southern twin d 1 21°S50‘ 22°G32’ 2 3 ’3 1 3 ' 2 3 ’3 5 4 ' Gemini
Procyon
Procyon - the lesser dog Vd 1 24°S24' 25°G06' 2 5 ’3 4 8 ' 26’329’ Canis Minor 
Praesaepe
Praesaepe - the manger  (Cl
 (Cluster) dD 4 0 5 ° P 57
57 ’ 06’ 0 3399 ' 07’ 0 2 0 ' 08’ 0 02
02 ' Cancer 
Asellus Borealis
Borealis - the northern ass dQ 5 06°n09’ 06’050’ 07’ 0033 2 ' 08 ’ 0 1 4’
4’ Cancer 
Asellus Australis
Australis - the southern ass dO 4 07°P19' 0 8 ’0 0 1 ’ 08’ 0 43
43 ’ 09 ’ 0 2 5 ' Cancer 
Acubens
Acubens - the south claw of Cancer   b9
 b 9 4 12°P15’ 1 2 ’0 5 7 ’ 13’038' 14’020' Cancer 
Alg
Algenub
enubii - the mouth o f th
the
e Lion  b d 3 19OP 1 8 ’ 20’ 0000 0 ' 20’ 0 4 2 ’ 21’024’ Leo
Alphard
Alphard - the heart o f the Hydra
Hydra  b 9 2 25°P53' 26 ’ 0 3 5 ' 27 ’ 0 17
17 ’ 2 7 ’0 5 9 ' Hydra
Adhafer
Adhaferaa - the mane o f the Lion  b9
 b 9 3 26 ’0 1 V 26’052’ 27’034' 2 8 ’0 1 6 ' Leo

Jabhah - the forehead o f the Lion

Al Jabhah Lion
 b9
 b 9 3 2 6° O 3 1 ' 27’ 0 1133 ' 27’054' 28 ’0 3 6 ' Leo
Regulu
Reg uluss - the heart o f the Lion db 1 28’ 0 2266 ’ 29’ 0 0088 ' 29’050' oo’ o i s r   Leo
Zos
Zosma
ma - the back o f the Lio
Lion
n  b 9 2 09 o m 55 ' 10o m37' 11’ 0119’
0119’ 12’ o i w Leo
Denebola
Denebola - the tail of the Lion  b 9 2 20°ni13’ 20 o ^155, 21’ 0137
0137'' 22°ni19' Leo
Lab
Labru
rum
m - the cup 9$ 4 25°mi8’ 26 ’ nnjjOO’ 2 6°
6 ° ni
n i4 r   27’ 0123'
0123' Crater 
Zavijava
Zavijava - the head o f Virgo 9d 4 25°m45’ 26’ 0127'
0127' 2 7 ’ 0110’ 27’ 0152' Virgo
Markeb
Markeb - the hull o f the ship Argo
Argo  b i t 3 2 7 ° n i3 22'' 28’ 0113' 28 ’ 0153' 29’ 0135' Argus
Zaniah
Zaniah - of Virgo's wing 99 4 0 3°
3° n 08
08 ’ 03’ 00=
=50’ 0 4’ ^3
^3 1 ' 05’ 0011 3 ' Virgo
Vindemiat
Vindemiatrix
rix - of Virgo's wing
wing  b9
 b 9 3 os 0^ 1 0 9 ’0 1 5 ' 09®£157’ 1 0 ’0 3 8 ' Virgo
Algor
Algorab
ab - the right wing o f the crow db 3 12°£!:04' 12’045' 13’0=2
13’ 0=27'
7' 1 4 ’0 0 9 ' Corvus
Seginus
Seginus - the left should of the hunter  9b 3 16OA 1 6 ’ 16’ 0055 8 ' 17’0=40
17’ 0=40'' 1 8 ’0 2 9 ' Bodtes
For
Forame
amenn - the mast o f the shi
ship
p Argos  b i t 3 2 0 ° Z i4 7 ’ 21 ’ 0 2 88'' 22’009' 22 o;Q5 0 , Argus
Sp
Spic
icaa - the ea r of grain of Virgo 22°£127’ 23’ 0 0 9 ’ 23’ 0=51
0=51'' 24°£L32’ Virgo
Arcturus
Arcturus - the knee of the hunter  i9t dd 11 22°G 4 9' 2 3’ 0 3 2 ’ 24’ 0 1 5'
5' 24°n 56 ’ Bootes
Prince
Princeps
ps - of the hunter  9b 3 01°n&45‘ 02’ 0127'
0127' 03°rw 03 o rn09’ BoOtes
Khambal
Khambalia
ia - the left foot of Virgo 9d 4 05°nL34’ 06’ 0115
0115'' oe’nisr  06°m57' Virgo
Alphecca
Alphecca - the brightest o f th
the
e crown 99 2 W 3 ‘ 11°iïl35' 12’ o i w U ’ OIO
IOO
O’ Corona Boreal
Zuben Elgenubi
Elgenubi - the southern claw  b d 3 13W1' 14’ 001123' 15’
15’ oios' 15W6’ Libra
Zuben Eschemali
Eschemali - the northern claw it? 3 17’ 1715
17159’
9’ 18’ 0140'
0140' 19’ 0122'
0122' 20°nV)4’ Libra
Unukalha
Unukalhaii - the head (or heart) of the snake  b d 3 2O’ iïfc4O’ 21’
21’ 0122' 22°oio4' 22°iïl/46’ Serpens
Agena
Agena - the left foot o f the centaur  9 it 1 22’ 0^2
0^24'
4' 2 3’ 001106' 2 3 ’ 001148' 2 4 ° iï l2 9’
9’ Centaurus
Rigel Centaurus - the foot o f centaur  9 it 1 28’ ^ 1 0 ’ 2 8’ 001151' 29°np2’ 00V06’ Centaurus
Yed Prior
Prior - the left hand of the serpent holder   b 9 3 00V54' 0 1 V 3366 ' 0 2 V 18' 03V00’ Ophiuchus
Dschubb
Dschubbaa - of the head of Scorpio
Scorpio db 2 01 V W 01V52' 0 2 V 3344 ’ 0 3 V 1166 ' Scorpius
 Acrab
Acrab - of the head of Scorpio db 3 01V48’ 02V29’ 03V11’ 03V53’ Scorpius
Han
Han - the left knee o f the serpent holder 
holder   b 9 3 0 7 V5 0 * 08V31' 09V13’ 09V13’ Ophiuchus
Antare
Antaress - the heart of Scorpio d it 1 08V22’ 09V04' 0 9 V 4466 ' 10V27’ Scorpius

182lOn tlic Hcavctify Sjrlwrcs

Zodiacal Longitude Constellation

Name and planetary nature Mag.
1900 1950 2000 2 05 0
Ras Algeth
Algethii - the heed   d9 3 1 4°Z 45 ' 1 5 V 27
27 ' 16V09’ 16V50' Hercules
Graffia
Graf fiass - the heed o f Scorpio   db 4 15V5T 16V32' 1 7 V 14' 17V55' Scorpius
Sabik
Sab the serpent holder   
ik - the left knee o f the b9 2 16V34' 17V16' 17V58’ 18V40' Ophiuchus
Ras Alhague - the heed o f the the serpent holder    b9 2 21V03' 21V45' 22V27' 23V08' Ophiuchus
Les
Lesath
ath - the sting of Scorpio   Sd 3 22V37' 2 3 V 19
19 ' 2 4 V 01
01 ' 24V42' Scorpius
Aculeus
Acul eus - of the sting o f Scorpio
Scorpio (Nebula)   dJ 5 24V 20' 25V02' 25V 43' 26V 25' Scorpius
Acumen
Acu men - of the sting o f Scorpio
Scorpio (Nebula)   dJ 3 27V2V 28V03' 28V45’ 29V26’ Scorpius
tra - the left hand o f the serpent holder    b9
Sinistra
Sinis 3 2 8® Z 2 1 ' 2 9V
9 V 03
03 ' 2 9V
9 V 4 55'' 00*7526' Ophiuchus
Spi
Spicul
culumum - the tip o f the
the arrow  (Nebula)   dD 6 29V40’ 00*7521' 01*75 03
03’ 01* 75
7545 ' Sagittarius
Pol
Polis
is - the bow o f thethe archer    Xd 4 01*7549' 02*7530' 03*7512' 03*7554' Sagittarius
Facies
Faci es - the face o f the archer  (Cluster)
 (Cluster)   Od 6 06*7554' 07*7536' 08*7518' 08*7559' Sagittarius
Nunki
Nun ki - the arrow of the archer    XS 2 10*7559' 11*7541' 12*7523' 13*7
13*750
504'
4' Sag
Sagit
itta
tari
rius
us
Ascella
Asce lla - the shoulder of the archer    XS 3 12°V5>14’ 12*7556' 13*7538' 14*7520' Sagittarius
Manubri
Manu brium
um - o f the
the archer    Od 4 13°Vy35* 14*7517' 14*7559' 15*7541’ Sagittarius
W eg
eg a - of LirLira
a   9S 1 13*7555' 14*7537' 15*7519' 16*7500' Lyra
Denebb Okab - the tail o f the eagle
Dene eagle   dX 3 22*7514* 22*7556' 23*7538' 24*7520' Aquila
Terebellum
Terebel lum - the tail of the archer    9b 5 24*7)27' 25*7509' 25*7550' 26*7533' Sagittarius
Albi
Albireo
reo - the head o f the swan 9S 3 29*7552' 0 00** 23
23 33'' 0 1 ’2 1 4 ' 01*256* Cygnus
Altair
Altair - the eagle   dX 1 00 ’ 22
2 2 2'
2' 0 1*20 4' 0 1 *2 4 6 ' 0 2 *2 28 ' Aquila
Giedi a1 - of the southern horn o f the goat   9d 5 0 2*
2* 2 22
22 ’ 0 3*20 4' 03*246' 04*227' Capricornus
Giedi a2 - o f the southern
southern horn o f the goat 9d 4 02*228’ 03’ 2 1 0 ' 0 3 *2 5 1' 04*233' Capricornus
Dabir
Dab ir - the left eye of the goat  b9 3 02*239' 03*221' 0 4 ’2 0 3 ' 04*244' Capricornus

Oculus - the right eye of the goat

Oculus   b9 5 03*219' 0 4 ’2 0 1 ' 0 4 *2 4 2 ' 0 5*
5* 2 2 4 ' Capricornus
Bos
Bos - the face of the goat  b9 5 03*246' 04*228' 05*209’ 05*251' Capricornus
 Arvnus - the hea rt o f the g oat   dS 5 11*221’ 1 2 *2 0 2 ’ 1 2 *2 4 4' 13*226' Capricornus
Dorsum
Dorsum - the back o f the goat   bX 4 1 2 *2 2 7 ' 1 3*2 0 8’ 13*250' 14*232' Capricornus
Castra
Cas tra - the belly of the goat   bX 5 18*248' 19*230' 20*211' 20*253' Capricornus
Nashir
Nas hiraa - the tail of the goat   bX 4 20*223' 21*205' 21*247' 22*229' Capricornus
Sadalsu
Sada ud - the left shoulder of Aquarius  
lsuud bS 3 22*200' 2 2 * 2 42
42 ’ 2 3*22 3 ' 24*205' Aquarius
Denebb Algedi
Dene Algedi - the tail of the goat   bX 3 22*209' 22*250’ 2 3*23 2 ' 2 4 *2 1 4' Capricornus
melek - the right shoulder of Aquarius   bS
Sadalmelek
Sadal 3 02*K22' 03*K03' 03*H45' 0 44** H 27
27 ' A qu
qu a r iu s
Fomalhaut
Fomal haut - the mouth o f ththe
e fish   9S 1 02*X27' 03*H09' 0 3*K 51 ' 04*K 3 3 ' Piscis Austrinus
Deneb Adige - the tail o f the swan   9S 1 03*H57' O4’ H 38
38' 0 5 ° H 20
20 ’ 06*K00’ Cygnus
S ka
ka t - the left leg o f Aquarius
Aquarius   Sb 3 0 8 *K 0 2 ' 0 8 *H 1 0 ' O8’ H52' 09*K34' Aquarius
 Ac h em
em a r - the end o f the
the river    X 1 13°H54' 14°H36' 15°H19' 16*H01' Eridanus
Markab
Markab - the wing o f Pegasus
Pegasus
  dS 2 22*K06* 22*X47' 2 3*X 2 9 ' 2 4 * K 11
11 ’ P e ga su s
Scheat
Scheat - the left leg o f Pegasus   dS 2 27°X59' 28°M 41' 2 9 * H 22
22 ' 00*T04' Pegasus

Fixed Stars/183
Stars/183

About the table: Some star names may vary according to different epochs and cultures. In the following list
arc some of the main variants.

Alternative Names for Some Stars

Acubcns: Scratan
Agcna: Beta Centauri
Algol: Rasalgul
Alphecca: Gemma
Alpheratz: Sirrah ou Schedar 
Schedar 
Altair: Vultur Volans
Capella: Alannaz, Hircus, Alayodi
Castor: Apollo
Deneb Kaitos: Difda
Pollux: Hercules
Algenubi: Ras Elased Australis
Spica: Arista, Azimech
Rigel Centaurus: Toliman, Bungula, Alpha Centauri
Centauri
Wega: Vultur Cadens

Nature of the stars: The planetary associations presented in the table originated from our research into the
stars:
Ptolemaic tradition and also from author
authorss whose practice reveals the recurrent usage o f the stars. There are
otherr more recent tables that present several variations
othe variations to the tradition, including th
thee addition o f the modem
 planets.
 plan ets. These associations
associa tions where disregarded
d isregarded in this manual even though
tho ugh tthey
hey are me
mentio
ntioned
ned in Fixed Star
Starss
and Constellations in Astrology by Vivan Robson.

Magnitude: The magnitude value corresponds to the traditional classification, and not to the astronomical
scale of magnitudes.

Other celestial bodies: Some stars

stars in the list are not rea
reall stars, but celestial bodies o f another kind, nnamely
amely
galaxies
galax ies (the M31
M31 in Andromeda), nebulas, and star clusters, which are identified in the table.

Positioning: The stars’

sta rs’ placements in the zodiac are
are calculated by projecting their
the ir position onto
o nto the eecliptic
cliptic
(taking in account their latitude, right ascension, and declination).
 

184/Chi tfw Hcawiify Spfwrcs

 

^ 3

Chapter
Chapter XIII 
XII I 

The Parts
The parts are mathematical points derived from the combination of three factors in the astrological chart.
This interaction produces a fourth point, the par
part,t, which combines the significations o f the other factors in-
volved. In an astrological chart, the parts are significators of specific matters. Their function is to comple-
ment the interpretation of the major significator
significators.
s.

To calculate
calcu late a part, the zodiacal distance from point A to point B is projected from poin pointt C. The zodiacal de-d e-
gree obtained
obtain ed is where the part is loc
located.
ated. This distance bbetween
etween points A and B is always measured in the di-
rection o f the order o f the
the zodiac, meaning in the order of the
the signs. Points A aandnd B are, generally
gene rally speaking,
 planets
 plan ets (althou
(al though
gh they can also be other factors in the chart) chose
chosenn in functio
functionn ooff thei
theirr natural significati
sign ifications.
ons.
The meaning of the part that is formed derives from the interaction of these two planetary significations.
Point C, from where the part is projected, is almost always the Ascendant, which signifies the individual indiv idual or 
the event being analyzed in the chart.

For example, the Part of Children, used to complement interpretations relating to children and fertility, is
calculated by taking the zodiacal distance between Jupiter and Saturn. These planets were chosen as
significators since Jupiter represents fertility and Saturn as that which limits it. The part is obtained by pro-
 jectin
 jec tingg the distanc
dist ancee be
be--
tween these two planets
from the Ascendant,
which represents the na-
tive. Thus, we are mea-
suring fertility (Jupiter)
and its limitations (Sat-
urn) in the context of the
native’s life (Ascendant).
 The calculation of the
Figure 1. Calculating a Part  parts is often
oft en de
deter
termi
mine
nedd
(Diurnal and Nocturnal Charts)
 by the sect o f the horo
hor o

186/O h   tfic Hcavaify Syftcres

scope. As a general rule, the calculations differ in diurnal and nocturnal charts, although the planets involved
remain the same. Returning to the example of the Part of Children, take the distance from Jupiter to Saturn in
diurnal charts, and from Saturn to Jupiter in nocturnal charts. In either ease, the projection is always made
from the Ascendant.

The parts
pa rts arc often cal
called
led “Arabic”
“Arab ic” because for a long time their development
develop ment was attributed to the Arabs.
This occurred because Ptolemy did not mention them in Tetrabiblos.  During the Renaissance, Tetrabiblos
 became
 bec ame a sort
so rt o f canon o f “good” astrology.
a strology. As a consequence, any technique that was not found in it was
thought
thoug ht to lie outside
ou tside ooff th
thee classical
classical nucleus ooff astrolo
astrology.
gy. Thus, the parts began to be looked upon as a su-
 perfluo
 per fluous
us adden
addendumdum and fell into disuse. However, all of the other HellenHellenistic
istic authors
aut hors who were con
contemp
tempo-
o-
raries o f Ptolemy do include abundant refere references
nces to the var
various
ious parts (they are known in the Hellenistic texts
as Lots). For reasons unknown to us, Ptolemy appears to be the only one who excludes the parts from his
treatise. Additionally, recent studie studiess have revealed that thes
thesee mathematical points were already an integral
 part o f interpretat
inter pretation
ion during the Hellenistic
Hellenist ic pperiod
eriod and
an d that the Arabs merely refined and greatl
greatlyy eexpan
xpanded
ded
upon their use.
use.

The
vivedonly
onand
ly part mentioned
to have continuedby Ptolemy in Tetrabiblos
to be used in charts  is the
charts from Part
antiquityofuntil
antiquity Fortune. This isage.
the current theNonetheless,
only part to have
afte rsur-
after the
19th century, Fortune lost its practical significance in interpretation and began to be treated as a relic from
ancient times. Various attempts by authors of the 20th century to recover the parts were not successful be-
cause instead of studying the original techniques and their practical application, they merely adapted the
 partss to their
 part th eir own preco
preconceiv
nceived
ed notion
notions.
s. The em
emergence
ergence o f various ineffectual interpretive
interpret ive te
techniq
chniques
ues led to
the complete
compl ete loss of o f their original signification. As a resul
result,t, the Part ooff Fortune began to be considered
c onsidered use-
u se-
less by a large number
num ber of astrologers.
astrologers. Another consequence o f the loss of this doctrine is the recent deve develop-
lop-
ment of new parts without any technical basis or practical signification. Only recently, with the translation
and study of ancient works, has the original understanding of the parts and their practical application been
recovered. An important interpretive complement, which is as old as astrology itself, has thus been returned
to the discipline.

The Various Parts and their Use

In addition to Fortune, there are many other traditional parts, each with its own specific meaning. Some are
used in all horoscopes, while others are restricted to a particular branch of
o f astrology (natal, horary, mundane,
etc.).

Among the most

m ost important parts in natal astrology are the planetary parts associated with the planets. This is
a group o f seven parts, each one corresponding to the qualities o f the planet that produces it. The mostmo st impor-
tant are the Part of
o f the Moon, or Part of
o f Fortune, and the Part o f the Sun, or Part ooff Spirit.
Spirit. They are calculated
from the angular distance between the two luminaries. The remaining planetary parts are extracted from
these two principal parts. They are produced by projecting from the Ascendant the distance between the
 planet
 pla net and one o f these two princi
principal
pal parts (Fortu
(Fortune
ne oorr Spirit, depe
dependin
ndingg on each p ar
art’s
t’s formula).
formul a).

The Part o f Satur

Saturnn or The Heavy Part is calculated from the
the distance between Saturn and Fortune
Fortun e in diur-
diu r-
nal charts, or between Fortune and Saturn in nocturnal charts.

The Part o f Jupi

Jupiter
ter or Part o f Victory and Triumph is given by the distance between Spirit and Jupiter in
 diurnal charts, and between Jupiter and Spirit in nocturnal charts.
The Part of Mars or Part o f Daring
Daring and Courage is obtained from the distance between Mars and Fortune
in diurnal charts, and between Fortune and Mars in nocumal charts.

The Parts/187 

The P ar t o f Venu s or P art of Love

Love and Conco rd is give
givenn from the
the distan
distance
ce between
between Spirit
Spirit and Ven us in d i-
urnal charts, and between Venus and Spirit in nocturnal charts.

The P ar t o f M ercu ry or P art of Necess

Necessity
ity is
is calcu
calculat
lated
ed from
from the dista
distance
nce between
between Mercury and Fo rtune in
diurnal charts, and between Fortune and Mercury in nocturnal charts. 28

These parts com plement the delineation

delineation of th
thee planet to which
which they are associated, and help to desc ribe the
man ner in which the individual
individual expresses
expresses the
the natural
natural signification
significationss o f that
that planet.
planet. For exam ple, the Part o f 
Daring and Courage, tied to Mars, complements
complements the delineatio
delineationn o f Mars in a chart by giving indic ations as to
the manner in which the native expresses courage (or the lack of it).

Ano ther group of parts is associate associatedd with the astrologic

astrological al houses. For example, the seventh ho use has several
 pa rt
rtss as so ciat
ci ated
ed w ith it, the mo st well we ll kno wn bebein
ingg th e P a r t o f M a r ri a g e , w hi
hich
ch co m pl em en ts th
thee m o st o b -
vious sig nificatio n o f this house: relationships
relationships and marriages. In addition to this one, there are other parts as-
sociated with this house, such as the Pa rt o f Contests, for situations situations involving face to face conflict, or the
P a rt of L aw suits , for questions
questions involving
involving lawsuits.
lawsuits. Note that that the designation
designation “Parts from the Houses” sim -
 ply
 pl y e st ab lilish
sh es a se m an
antiticc rrel
elati
ati on
onsh
ship
ip be
betw
tw ee
eenn th e m ea
eani
ning
ng o f the pa rt a nd the to topi
picc o f the h ou se;
se ; in co
c o nt ra st
with the parts extracted from the planets, this designation does not imply that the house cusp is necessarily
involved in the extraction of these parts parts.. The list of parts associated with each house and their respective for-
mulas is too long to include in this book (see The Book o f Instr Instruction
uction in the Elements o f the Art ofAstro logy
 by A llBB ir
irunun i an d On the Arabic Parts  by Guido Bonatti).

We may yet consider another group o f parts thatthat do not belong to the categories just described. These parts
have a variety of uses and are as a general rule
rule applied
applied to horary and mundan e astrology. A mong them are the
Part o f Victory and Battles, obviously used
used for military
military matters; the Parts of Rain, o f Wind, and o f Clouds,
for meteorological purposes; and the Parts
Parts of Secrets,
Secrets, of Truth and Lies, and o f Lost Animals, used in horary
questions. Other parts have curious names,
names, such as the Part of Onions, of Honey, o f Apricots, and o f Wheat,
which were used in matters relating to trade or to forecast the annual harvest.

The p arts are c omplem ents for specific

specific interpretations
interpretations and must be interpreted in their appropriate context. It
is a waste o f time
time to interpret all
all the parts
parts in every horoscope, but rather to determ ine which part or parts are

approp riate for the

would evaluate the particular topic under
rs (thestudy.
general indicators
indicato stsecond
udy. For example,
house, in an
planets inquiry
in the about
second, itsresources
ruler, etc)and
ruler, thata reveal
ssets, one
the
native’s capacity to generate material resources. In this scenario, an examination of the Part of Substance
may add information about the source
source of income of the individual.
individual.

In addition to their meaning in the horoscope,

horoscope, the par
parts
ts can be exam ined in the directions, transits, etc. and
therefore becom e good indicators
indicators of events
events related to their symbolism. Just as with the planets, a pa rt is af-
fected by a spects and by antiscia,
antiscia, but in contrast
contrast to the planets,
planets, it does not cast aspects becau se parts lack an
orb. Th eir dynam ics are similar to those
those of the
the chart angles, which do not form applications o r separation s.
On the o ther hand, the parts may be affected
affected by combustion and by conjun ctions with fixed stars. In inte rpre-
tation, the m ost imp ortant factor is
is the planet
planet dispositing the
the part. The p osition o f the dispositor by sign an d
house, as well as the aspects that it receives
receives and its
its condition, determin es the effect of the part
part.. T he p osition
o f the pa rt by house and sign must also be considered.
considered.
28 The form ulas indicated for the Part of Venus and
and Mercury are found in the Greek tradition. Later, in the Middle
Mi ddle Ages,
A ges,
 The form ulas indicated for the Part of Venus and
and Mercury are found in the Greek tradition. Later, in the Mi
Middle
ddle Ages,
A ges,

othertovariations
tune the Part owere developed.
f Spirit and The Part
and projecting of Venus
it from
from starts being
the Ascendant (thecalculated
reverse atby taking
night); thethe distance
Part from wthe
of Mercury as part
thenofcalcu-
For-
calc u-
lated by taking the distance from the Part
Part of Spirit to the Part of Fortune and projecting that from the A scendant
scen dant (the
(t he re-
verse at night). In this handbook, we use the Greek
Greek formula,
formula, which includes in the calculation the planets thathatt give them
th em
their name.

188/On tfw H caw nfy Sjj

188/On Sjjfte
ftercs
rcs

The Part
Part of Fortune
This is the most  important Arabic part.
most important beenn present in astrological
Arabic part. It has bee astrological interpre tation since the beginnings
interpretation beginnings
of hor
horooscopy. Its symbol
symbol is a circle wi
with
th an enclosed cro
cross—®.
ss—®.
calculation is extracted
Its calculation
the position of  the
from the   the lu-
minaries. In a day chart,
the  distance from the
take the  the
Sun (the 
(the   “luminary of t
the
he
hour” in a day d ay chart) to ththee
Moon and projectprojec t this dis-
from the Ascendant.
tance from Ascendant.
night chart, tak e the dis-
In a night
tance   from the Moon 
tance Moon  (the
“ lumina
luminary thee hour” for a
ry o f th
night   chart) to the Sun and
night Figure 2. Diurnal and Nocturnal Calculation for the Part
and Nocturnal Calculation Part of Fortune
 project it from
from   the Ascen-
dant.
A way to  to  tell whether the
cal culation of the Part of 
calculation
Fortunee is correct is to com-
Fortun
 pare the lun
lunarar phase and the
distance   of the part to the
distance
Ascendant. istance be-
Ascendant. The ddistance
tween the SimSim and the MooMoonn
(lunar phase) should
should be the
same as the  the  distance be-
tween
twe en Fortune an andd the As-
ant. Thus, in a 
cendant.
cend a  horo-
with a New Moon
scope with Moon
(that is, with a conjun ction
conjunction
 between the the Sun and
ortune
Moon), Fortune
F should bebe
very close
very  close to the A scendant.
Ascendant.
In a horoscope with w ith a Full
SunMoon opposi-
Moon (a SunMoon
tion), the part pa rt should be F igure 3. The Part Position Varies
P art of Fortune’s Position
very close to the  the  Descen- According to
According th e Moon
 to the Phase of the
dant.

the other phases

For the phases oof 
f  tthe
he Moon, one  must take into account
one must whetherr the horoscope is diurnal
a ccount whethe is diurnal or no cturnal.
nocturnal.
w ith a waxing moon,
In charts with moon, Fortune is  always located below
is always b elow the horiz
horizonon in diurnal charts, above   in
cha rts, and above
nocturnal charts. In char ts ts with a waning moon,
m oon, Fortune  is always above the
Fortune is iurnal charts and be-
t he horizon in ddiurnal and be-
in nocturnal charts. Conjunctions
low in nocturnal charts. Conjunctions o  o f Fo
Fortune
rtune with t
the
he Midheaven
Midheaven or or IC always occ
occurur in charts wh ere the
where
 lu minaries are iinn square aspect (waxing
luminaries (waxing or wa ning square, as the
waning the case may be ).
be).

ample: Calculation
 Example:
 Ex he Par t o f Fort
Calculation o f tthe Fortune
une
Friedrich Nietzsche’s
Friedrich Nietzsc hart is diurnal, so the
he’s cchart so the Sun is the  luminary o f the hour
the luminary part  is calculated by mea-
hour.. The part is m ea-
the distance from the
suring the distance th e Sun to the M oon and projecting
Moon projecting it from the Ascendant. The S
Sun
un is at 22° L ibra
Libra

Tfw Parts/189

07' and the Moon at 09°

09° Sagittarius 02. The dis dis--
tance between
between the lights is 46° 55':
55 ': 7° 53 ' (from
the Sun
 pio) + 9°to02'
02the end of
' (from theLibra) + 30°
beginnin g o f(all
beg inning Sag ofittariu
Sagitta Scor-
riuss
to the Moon). This distance is added to the As-
cendant to find the part. The 46° 55' consists of 
30° (or a whole sign) plus 16° and 55'. There-
fore, add 30° (a whole sign) to the Ascendant:
29° 09' Scorpio + 30° = 29° 09' Sagittarius. Now
add the remaining 16° 55'. There are 51' from
29° 09' to the end of Sagittarius. This leaves 16°
04' that now belongs to the following sign.
Therefore, the Part of Fortune is at 16° Capri-
corn 04.
 Note: Calculating
Calcul ating the Part o f Fortune
Fortun e may
seem complicated, but is less so if
i f it is visual-
visual -
ized directly onto the chart.
Chart 1. Nativity of Friedrich Nietzsche
In the horoscope ofo f Florbela Espanca, the Moon
is the luminary of the hour because this is a noc-
turnal chart. In this case, the Part of Fortune is
calculated by taking the distance from the Moon
to the Sun and projecting it from the Ascendant.
The Moon is at 15° Aries 31 ' and the Sun at 16°
Sagittarius 02'. Note that in this case the larger 
arc is used because the direction is always o f the
order of the signs. The distance between the
lights is 240°
240° 31', which corresponds to 8 whole
signs plus 31', or 240° 31' is equal to 14° 29'
(from the Moon until the final sign of Aries) +
210° (seven
(seven
ginning who
wholele signs)
o f SSagittarius
agittarius + 16°
to the16° 02 'All
Sun). (from
thatthe be-
is left
is to add 240° 31' to the Ascendant, which is at
14° Libra 20'. By advancing 8 signs from this
 point,, tthe
 point he rresul
esultt is 14°
14° Gemini 20. Then
T hen add the
remaining 31' to obtain 14° Gemini 51', which
is the position o f the Part of Fortu
Fortune.
ne.
Chart 3. Nativity of Florbela Espanca
The Part ofo f Fortune
Fortune is considered one o f the vi-
tal points of the horoscope because its significators are the Sun, source of life, and the Moon, symbol of the
 bodyy and o f substance.
 bod substanc e. Thus, it is almost as importan
importantt as the ac
actual
tual luminarie
lumi naries,
s, making
mak ing it a key
ke y ppoin
ointt o f the
horoscope. It is one of the few parts that can be interpreted in isolation because it synthesizes the critical
 points
 poi nts o f any chart: the Ascendant,
Asc endant, Moon, and Sun.
 The term “fortune” does not necessarily signify money, but rather comfort, wellbeing and benefits in gen-
eral. It represents
represe nts an area of life or a ssituation
ituation in which the individual is fortunate or o r has luck. The use o f this
 pa
 part
rt is varied
vari ed and depends
depe nds upon the interpretive
interpret ive context.
context . It is
i s pprima
rimarily
rily used in m
matte
atters
rs having
hav ing to do wit
withh
wealth and health. Essentially,
Essentially, the Part of Fortun
Fortunee represents
represents the subsubstantiation
stantiation of things.
things. In a nativity it sig-
nifies that
th at which gives comfort and wellbeing to the native. It represents the material aspects o f life, nam ely

190/0n the Heavenly Sjtfures

the wealth and prosperity of an individual, as

well as that which supports and sustains individ-
ual actions (conditions, people, areas of
o f lilife)
fe)..
 Inte rpretatio
 Interpret ationn Examples
Exam ples fo r the Part o f 
Fortune
In Nietzsche’s chart. Fortune is located at 16°
Capricorn 04' in the second house, which high-
lights matters connected
conn ected to material security and
economic prosperity. Satum, the dispositor of 
the part, is also the ruler of the second house an
andd
is posited there, which reinforces the importance
o f the topic. Because Satum is involved, there is
without a doubt an indication of struggle and
hard work connected with wellbeing and mate-
rial security. However, the planet is dignified
and position
The thereforeofcan assist
Satum w
with
ith these(an
in Aquarius objectiv
objectives.
es.
air sign) Figure 4. The Houses
Houses from the Pa
Part
rt of Fortune
Fortun e
suggests that the wellbeing indicated by the Part of Fortune is tied to depth of thought, to concepts and
ideas. Note also that Satum rules the third house o f writing, teach
teaching,
ing, and communication activities through
which Nietzsche attained not only material resources but great satisf
satisfaction.
action.

The Part ofo f Fortune in Florbela Espa

Espanca’s
nca’s chart is at
at 14° G
Gemini
emini 51' in the ninth house, which signifies that
this poet got great satisfaction from intellectual stimulation (Gemini) and from cultural discussions (the
ninth house). Florbela belonged to the intellectual circles of her time and was one of the first women to at-
tend the university. These activities were nevertheless marked by strong emotion because Mercury, the
dispositor of
o f the part and ruler of
o f th
thee ninth, is in Scorpio. It is also posited in the second house, whwhich
ich is im-
 portant
 porta nt to someon
s omeonee wh
who,o, through
throug h her w writing,
riting, obta
obtained
ined not only material resources
resource s bbut
ut also great personal
satisfaction.

 Houses
 Hous es From the Part
Pa rt o f Fortun
For tunee
In older systems of astrology, namely those of the Hellenistic period, the part of Fortune was so important
that it was turned into a sort of Ascendant. From this new Ascendant, a new system of houses could be de-
rived with significations completely different from those of the normal houses. The interpretive technique
for these houses did not survive intact from ancient times, but the examples that do survive reveal the crucial
importance of this part to astrological interpretation. The only list of meanings that survive is presented by
Manilius (ca. 14 AC) in his work Astro
 Astronomi
nomica.
ca.

Another variation is presented by Vettius Valens (ca. 120175 AC) in his work  Anth olo gy, which calls the
ology,
eleventh
eleve nth house from Fortune the “place of Acquisition” and associates it with riches and prosperity. This Th is au-
thorr also gives great weight to the ang
tho angularity
ularity o f the planets in relation to the Part of Fortune (namely
(name ly planets
 placed
 pla ced in the
th e tenth
ten th hous
h ousee from Fortune
Fortune).
). The Part o f Spirit was interpreted
interpre ted in a similar
simila r manner.

The Part of Spirit

This part, also known as the Part of the Sun, is a complement to the Part o f Fortune.
Fortune. In its calculation
calculation we use
the same
sam eTo
Fortune. elements
obtain as
thethose in Fortune,
Part of but
b ut reverse
Spirit in diurnal thetake
charts, order.
theItdistance
is therefore
froma sort of counterpart
the Moon to the
to the Sun; Part of 
o f 
in noctur-
nal charts,
cha rts, take the distance
distan ce from the Sun to the Moon. Once more, these distances are projected from the As-
cendant. Note that because they have an inverted calculati
calculation,
on, the Parts of
o f FFortune
ortune and Spirit
Spirit will always be at
 

192lOn tfie HcavenCy Spheres

 ph
 philo
ilosop
sopher
her who spent most o f his life questioning matters ooff a religious nature. Note that there
t here is no inco
incom-
m-
 patibil
 pat ibility
ity between
betwe en Nie
Nietzsc
tzsche’s
he’s anticleric
anticlerical
al views and this extremely highlighted Part o f Faith in his horo horo--
scope. In thispragmatic.
exceedingly ease, sinceInitaddition
is in Virgo, a mutable
to this, earth sign,
it is conjunct Mars,and governed
which gives by
himMercury, his vision
a contesting of faithatti-
and critical is
tude toward religions. Much o f his his philosoph
philosophical
ical work is based upon the ccritical
ritical analysis
analysis and dispute o f reli-
gion and its effect on societies. Matters of faith arc therefore indeed highlighted in his life, albeit by way of 
his rational opposition to them.

Part of Substance
This part contributes to the delineation of matematerial
rial resources and val
values
ues in a horoscope and indicates possi-
p ossi-
 ble sources
so urces o f income. It is thus designated as a second house part. It is calculated
calculat ed by taking the distance
dista nce from
the ruler
rule r ooff the
the second house to the cusp of
o f the second house and projecting
projecting that from the Ascendant. In con-
trast to the cases already presented, this calculation does not vary with sect; it is the same whether in a diurnal
or nocturnal chart.

In the chart o f Florbcla

Florbcla Espanca, the Part of SuSubstance
bstance is found in the seventh house, suggesting that a part oof  f 
her material resources would come from marriage. The part is located at 08° Taurus 28', and Venus, the
dispositor, is found in the third house, which points to another of her sources of income: writing, and the
 publicat
 pub lication
ion o f literary works. Since Venus is combu
combust,
st, it is to be expected
expec ted that her income could
c ould fall short o f 
expectations. Note that the delineation o f this part serves as a ccomplement
omplement to Fortune with regard to matters
o f material resources. In this chart,
chart, there in fact does exist a notable correspondence between both parts.

Part of Marriage
This part gives additional information about relationships in natal charts.
charts. It integrates the delineation o f the
seventh house and complements the interpretation of o f the principal factors involved. To calculate the Part of  o f 
Marriage, use Venus (love and relationships) and Saturn (contracts and obligations) as significators, and
 project
 proje ct their distance
dista nce from the Ascendant
Ascend ant (the individual).
indivi dual). In this case, the calculati
calculation
on varies accordi
ac cording
ng to the
gender of the individual: in a man’s horoscope, take the distance from Saturn to Venus, and in a woman’s
chart, take the distance from Venus to Saturn. In both cases, project the obtained arc from the Ascendant.

Before proceeding to a chart example, recall

that the
when Part ofwithin
integrated Marriage only makes of
the interpretation sense
the
seventh house and of the other relationship
significators. An interesting case to study is that
of Princess Maria, the youngest daughter of 
King Manuel of Portugal. This princess was
 promis
 pro mised
ed in marriage
marri age to the most impoimportant
rtant
kings o f her time, but for political and economi
economicc
reasons, she never married. She remained
known throughout
throug hout history with the epithet “for-
“for-
ever betrothed.”

In the chart
cha rt o f Princess
Princess Maria, the Part ooff Mar
Mar--
riage is located
lo cated at 24° Gemini 33 ' in the seventh
seven th
house. It is impeded because it is combust and
its dispositor is cadent and retrograde, condi-
tions which make it difficult to form a lasting
and official union. Nevertheless, the possibility
possibility
o f relationships should not be ruled out because Chart 9. Nativity of Princess Maria of Portugal
 

194/On tfic Hcawnfy Sjrlicrcs

significators in order to obtain a complete and precise image. In this ease, the Parts of the Father and the
Mother arc in the same sign and house, which suggests a certain agreement. However, the other significators
o f the parents should also be taken into consi
considerati
deration.
on. For instance, there is an opposition between Jupiter,
ruler o f the fourth house
hou se (father) and Mercury, ruler of the tenth house (mother),
(mother), which suggests a difference
difference
in attitude between the t he parents. These and other indication
indicationss should be considered together
togethe r with those given
 by the
t he parts
p arts in order
or der to attain
atta in a more compl
complete
ete picture.

Other interesting parts for the astrological practice arc:

arc:
• Part of Brothe
Brothers
rs (from Saturn to Jupiter, projected from the Ascendant),
Ascendant ), associated with the third
house.
• Part ooff Illnesses (from Saturn to Mars, projected from the Ascendant; reve reversed
rsed in night charts),
interpreted in the context of sixth house matte
matters.
rs.
• Part ooff Death (distance from the Moon to the eight house, projected from Saturn), related to the
eighth house.
• Part ooff Travels (distance from the ruler of the nint
ninthh to the cusp of the ninth, projected from the
Ascendant), another part related to the ninth house.

• house.
Part of Friends (from the Moon to Mercury, projected
projecte d from the Ascendant), related
relate d to the eleventh
• Part of Enemies (from the ttwelfth
welfth house ruler to the twe
twelfth
lfth house cusp, projected from the
Ascendant), associated with the twelfth house.

Computers and Arabic Parts: Some Practical Considerations

When using a computer to calculate the Arabic parts it is necessary to keep in mind the following points:

• The majority of softwa

software
re applications mix the names and formulas of the traditional parts with
modem names and formulas. Determine the formula used by the program; otherwise, the part may
 be different
d ifferent from the one intended.
• Not all applications differentiate between day and night calculations for the pa
parts.
rts.

Generally, programs list the parts that are conjunct the planets in a horoscope, instead of simply listing their 
 position.
 positio n. These lists o f conjunction
conjunc tionss are compl
completel
etelyy useless
use less for interpretati
inte rpretation
on and derive from a lack o f un-
derstanding on the part ofo f programmers o f the philosophy and interpretive technique pertaining
pe rtaining to the parts.
 

ChyjterXIV 

 Powerr o f the Pfanets

 Powe
Strength of the Planets: Accidental Dignities

A planet
pla net’s
’s capacity to act is de
dependent
pendent upon two facto
factors:
rs: the quantity and qu
quality o f ititss expression. The qual
ality of
ity of a planet’s expression is measured by a planet’s essential dignity. A plan A planet et with ddignit
ignityy can fulfill its
 potenti
 pot ential
al becau
b ecause
se its expression
ex pression is stable and enduring. In othe
otherr words: a ddigni
ignified
fied pplane
lanett keeps
keep s its promise.
truee to its nature and can be maladjusted. The quantit
In contrast, a debilitated planet has difficulty being tru quantityy oof 
f 
a planet’s expression is measured through the accidental dignities. These originate from the particular 
conditions in which a planet finds itself in a given horoscope. 29

While the essential dignities refer to th thee conditions pertaining to the planet’s (essential) nature,
nature, the acciden-
acc iden-
tal dignities
dignitie s are states or conditions that reinforce
reinforce or impede the expression of that nature. The most obvious
example
examp le ooff this type o f dignity is the planet’s position by house: in the angular houses, the planets
plane ts are acci-
dentally
gradation.dignified. Other
In practice, theexamples
essential of accidental
dignities dignity
are more andful,
debility
powerful,
power sinceare
theycombustion,
refer to the orientality, andbut
plan et’s state,
planet’s retro-
the
accidental dignities are the more noticeable because they affect the planet’s power to express.

The combination
comb ination of these two factors—essential
factors—essential and accidental dignities and debilities—is an importa
importantnt key
to understanding
understan ding the role of each each planet in the
the chart. For eexample,
xample, a planet that has essential dignity andan d that
is also accidentally
accidentall y dignified is like an individual with a good resume, and which, in addition to this, al also
so has
an important
impo rtant job where his or her worth can be de demosntrated.
mosntrated. However, iiff the planet with essential dign
dignity
ity is
accidentally debilitated, the individual also has a good resume, but a less important job. In the context of 
 busines
 bus iness,
s, the first case
ca se is th
that
at ooff a competent
competen t indiv
individual
idual with a leadership
lead ership position,
posit ion, and the sseco
econd
nd is th
that
at o f 
an individual with the same personal skills, but who is the doorman. No matter how skilled the second indi-
vidual is, he or she will never attain the same level of importance in the firm as the first person.
 29

calThe term “acciden

context,“ accidental”
this termtal”means
is not“by
usedaccident”
here withor
the“particularity”.
negative connotations
In this that it hasit inis everyday
context language.aIncondition
used to designate an astrologi
astr ologi-
that-
changes from chart to chart, such as the placement of a planet in a particular house.

196/On tfic Heavcnfy Sj’ftcrcs

On the other hand, there arc also eases where an essentially debilitated planet is accidentally dignified. In
this ease, the planet also achieves great prominence, although its intrinsical qualitiy is poor.

Returning to the business analogy, a similar situation

situation is one wh
whereere a pers
person
on without the proper skills, for one
reason or another
an other (possibly
(po ssibly nepotism), is pl
placed
aced in a position
position ooff lea
leadershi
dership.
p. The visibility afforded by the ppo-
o-
sition allows for sufficient action, but may also expose his or her inadequacies and its consequences (the
mistakes of the boss arc generally more prejudicial to a Finn than those of the doorman). Finally, in an ex-
treme case, a very weak planet that has essential and accidental
accidental debility is comparable to a person with very
few skills who has an equally mediocre position.
position.

Accidental Dignities and Debilities and Their Scoring

In previous chapters the topic of the essentia
essentiall dignities, their importance, and respective systems of o f sscoring
coring
were discussed. This concept will now be expanded to include the accidental dignities, and in this manner 
obtain a complete picture of the planeplanet’t’ss capacity for expressi
expression
on in the horos
horoscope.
cope. The system is therefore an
extension of the essential dignities and follows a similar framework. Thus, positive points are attributed to
the accidental dignities, and negative ones to the accidental debilities. The number of points given or re-
moved naturally depends upon upo n the relative importance of the the dignity or debility in question. While the essen-
tial dignities originate
o riginate simply from the pposition
osition o f the plane
planets
ts in the signs, the accidental dignities arise from
a diverse scries ofo f factors
factors and conditions. Many of o f these conditions have already been explained. Now, they
will be systematized into groups and attributed their respective scores.

Position by House
The most significant condition is the position of the planet by house, which determines a large part of the
 plane
 pla net’s
t’s quantity
qua ntity o f expressio
expression.
n. With respect
respec t to the ho
houses,
uses, there are two forms o f dignity: angu
angularit
larityy and
 joy..
 joy

 Angularit
 Angu y: A planet expresses its capacity in its totality when in an angular house, about half, when in a
larity:
succèdent house, and about a quarter
qua rter when in a cadent house.
house. In general, a planet that is angular is considered
to be accidentally dignified, while a cadent planet is accidentally debilitated. Its position in the succèdent
houses is also a dignified state, although it does not have the same strength as when in an angular position. At
first though, one might simply associate a dignified condition with the angular and succèdent houses and a
debilitated one
differences withthe
among thehouses.
cadentInpositions.
practice, However,
each housethis
hasinterplay is muchstrength
its own specific more complex because
that leads therecom-
to a more are
 plex system o f scoring.

The positioning of planets in the first and tenth houses, which are the most important angles, corresponds in
 practic
 pra cticee to the highest
hig hest score:
sco re: 5 points.
poin ts. The
Th e remain
remaining
ing angle
angles,
s, the sev
seventh
enth and fourth ho
houses,
uses, aand
nd the eleventh
ele venth
house (which, although succèdent, is very strong) each receive 4 points. Next are the fifth and second
(succèdent)
(succèden t) houses with 3 points, and the ninth (cadent) with 2 points, and the third with 1 point. The planets
located in any of o f these houses are accidentally
accidenta lly dignified, albeit with different degrees ofo f intensity,
intensity, as is obvi-
ous from their scores.

As seen earlier, the sixth, eighth, and twelfth houses are considered malefic because they do not aspect the
Ascendant. A planet located in these houses is thought to be accidentally debilitated and receives a negative
score. The most
m ost debilitated
debilitate d ooff all is the twelfth,
twelfth, with 5 points awarded, followed by the eighth with 4 points,
 and the sixth with 3 negative points.

 Joy:  T
 The
he joys are also an accidental dignity and function in a manner similar to ang
angulari
ularity.
ty. They give the
 pla nett som
 plane somee prom
promine
inence
nce,, alt
althou
hough
gh thei
t heirr effects are no
nott as strong as th
those
ose ooff angularity.
angula rity. There
Therefore,
fore, a planet
pla net in
its house of jo
of jo y receive
rece ivess 2 poin
points.
ts.

 Powerr of the PÏanctsll9

 Powe PÏanctsll97 
7 

 Relatio
 Rel ationshi
nshipp to the Sun

This accidental
 planet
 planet. dignity
. In this topic therepertains
pertai
are ns to thecriteria
several manner
mannertoinquantify.
which the Su
Sunn can enable or debilitate the exp
expressio
ressionn o f a

Under the Beams and Combustion: These conditions are considered debilities because the excessive prox-
imity to the Sun weakens the planet’s capacity to express. The underthebeams condition is given a 4 score.
In turn, combustion attains the greatest
greatest of the negative
negative scores:
scores: 6 points. Although a combust
comb ust planet is tech-
tech -
nically under the beams ooff the Sun
Sun,, these conditions
conditions are not cumulative: one either scores underthe
underthebeams
beams
or the combustion. In practice, a combust planet receives 6 points, but these are not added to the 4 points
given to the planet when under the Sun’s
Sun’s beams.
beams. Combustion is simpl
simplyy an aggravated version o f being unde
u nder 
r 
the beams and the score already reflects this.

These conditions are so significant

significant that the
the opposite condition is also significantly scored: when a planet is
free from the influence of the Sun (outside of the areas of combustion or underthebeams) it receives 5
 points..
 points

Cazimi: The particular condition of cazimi (within 17' of the Sun) is also considered a dignity and corre-
sponds to 5 points. For the reasons
reasons already me
mentioned
ntioned above, this score is als
alsoo not cumulative
cum ulative wit
withh combus-
tion or underthebeams.

 Increa
 Inc rea sin
singg and Decrea sing in Light:  Simila
Similarly,
rly, a planet incr
increasing
easing in light receives 1 point; in the decreasing
 phase
 pha se it lloses
oses 1 point.

Orientality and Occidentality: This position of the planet relative to the Sun can be quantified because it
significantly augments or deters from its nature and, consequently, the intensity of its expression. As al-
ready stated, the superior and masculine
masculine planet
planetss are slightly favored when oriental ooff the Sun and receive 2
 po
 point
ints;
s; when they are occi
occident
dental,
al, they lose the same numnumber
ber of poin
points.
ts. Similarl
Sim ilarly,
y, the femin
feminine
ine plan
planets
ets
from the lower celestial spheres are favored by occidentality and receive 2 points; they lose 2 points when
oriental.

 Motion
 Mot ion
The motion of the planet is also an important accidental state because its fluidity strongly conditions the
 planet.t. With respect
 plane respe ct to this topic,
t opic, two distin
distinct
ct factors need be considered
considered:: velocity
velo city and direc
direction.
tion.

Velocity:  A planet may be fast or slow in relation to its average speed. Those that are in a state o f rrapid
apid m
mo-
o-
tion are considered to be slightly dignified and receive 2 points; similarly, those which are slow are penal-
ized with 2 points.

tion:: When in direct motion, a planet follows its normal course and hence is considered dignified and
 Direction
 Direc
receives 4 points. Retrograde motion is considered more debilitated and gives the planet 5 points.

Obviou sly, this condition does not apply to the Sun and Moon, which are always in direct motion. In the case
Obviously,
of stationary planets moving toward retrograde, they receive the same score as for retrograde motion; if the
station is from retrograde to direct, they receive the direct motion score.
 station is from retrograde to direct, they receive the direct motion score.

 Asp ect
ectss
The contacts a planet makes by aspect are very important in the evaluation of its expression. Aspects with
other planets, or even the absence of aspects, are significant in the scoring of dignity and debility.

198/On tlie Heavenly Sjffures

wi th M a le fi c a n d B en ef ic Pla ne ts:   In
 A sp e c ts with terms of accidental dignity, aspects of a planet with the
 bc nc fi
fics
cs (V en us and
an d J up iter
it er ) a rc p ar
artic
tic ular
ul arly
ly no
note
tewo
wo rth y. Th us
us,, a pl
plan
an et is con
c on si
side
de red
re d ac
acci
cide
de nt al
ally
ly di
dign
gn if
ifie
iedd
if it forms a facilitating aspect (sextile or trine) or if it is conjunct the bcnefic planets. The conjunction re-
ceives 5 points, the trine, 4 points, and the sextile 3 points. Similarly, a planet is considered accidentally de-
 b
 bililititat
ated
ed i f it for
f orm
m s a te
tens
ns e a spec
sp ec t (s quar
qu aree and
a nd op
oppo
posi
sitio
tio n) or is co nj
njun
un ct the a mal
m alef
efic
ic (M ars
ar s a nd Sa tu
turn
rn).
). Th e
conjunction receives 5 points, the opposition 4 points, and the square, 3 points. The sextile, trine, square
or oppo sition aspects should be applying or very close. close.

The co nditions o f assistance and besiegement are also inclu

included
ded in this categor
categoryy as extreme cases. Thus, an
assisted planet receives 5 points, while a besieged planet receives 5 points.

Void
Void o f Cours Feral::  These
Coursee and Feral two conditions are considered debilitated states. A feral planet is thought to
 be ve ry de bi lilita
tate
tedd an
andd re
rece
ce ives
iv es 3 po
point
int s. A vo
void
id plan
pl an et is c on si
side
de red
re d sl
slig
ight
htly
ly les
lesss d eb ililititat
ated
ed an
andd is pe na l-
ized with 2 points. Both scores arc not cumulative; that is, the planet is either feral or void and is scored by
one o r the other, but never both sim ultaneously.
ultaneously.

Conformity
Con formity speaks to a combination o f conditions wherein the natural
natural predisposition o f the
the planet is rein-
forced. The m ost significant of these conditions
conditions are hayz  and j o y b y sig n.

 H a y z
Because it gives the planet some stability in its expression, the condition o f hayz equals a score o f 3 points.
points.
The contrariety o f hayz,
hayz, considered a little less
less debilitated, equals only 2 points.

 J o y b y S ig n
This is also a dignity because a planet in the sign of its joy has the ideal conditions to express its nature.
nature. T his
dignity gives 3 points; it has no equivalent debility.

The conditions
conditions of conformity by quadrant  and
 and of dustoria  are also included in this
this group o f accidental dign i-
ties. In practice,
practice, though, they are sim ply secondary reinforcem ents o f the hayz  condition and are not always
included in the tables. Conform ing to quadrant is given 2 points; dustoria, due to its rarity,
rarity, receives 5 points.

Conjunction to the Lunar Nodes

The tradition considers both N odes as points o f instability instability and the contact of a planet to the lunar Nodes is
considered a debility. The conjunction with the South Node is considered more debilitated and receives 5
 po ints
in ts.. T he co nj
njun
un ct ion
io n w ith
it h the ng 3 p o in ts .30
th e N or th N od e is no t as da m ag in g, eq ua liling

Lunar Condition
Condition
To the M oon are attributed various specific conditions, of which the most important in terms of scoring is via
combusta,  to which 2 points are awarded. Other lunar conditions that may be scored are the following:

• The position in Gem ini, or at

at the end of signs,
signs, which awards it 2 points.
• An eclipsed M oon, which awards it 5points
5points (this condition may also
also be applied to the Sun).
These conditions have greater significance in horary and mundane horoscopes.

30 Some authors
autho rs cons ider the North Node
N ode to be positive due to its benefic natu
nature.
re. In this case, the conjunction to the node
receives 3 points.
 

200/On tfic Hcawnfy Sji/icrcs

(for example, the Sun cannot be combust nor retrograde); in these eases, the relevant box is shaded. At the
end, the points for each column arc added and a sum total is obtained for each planet. The essential dignities
arc scored in the first part of the table. In this first scoring a subtotal is obtained that indicates the essential
planet. To this result arc added two new elements: the condition of peregrine and mutual re
quality o f each planet.
ception.

A peregrine condition is normally not scored because it corresponds to 0 dignity points. Nevertheless, in this

Tablo of Strength* and Dobllltlos of tho Planets

Strengths:  b X d 0 9 V 3) Debilities:
Rukrship *5 •5 Ort riment
Du'tabco 44 *4 Fa 3
Tripberty 43
Te m 42
Face 4!
Essential Dignities - Total:

•5 Peregrine

Mutual Reception by Houw 45

Mu tu
tu a
all Re
Rec ep
ept iio
o n b y Dealt . 44
In the J- or 10T  Heuw 45 •5 In the 12
12 *  Howe
In the 7 r  , 4 r   or 1 1* Hou
House
se 44 •4 In be 8 r    House
In the 5 r ’ or Z * Ho use 43 •3 In the 6 r   House
In tho 9 r  ‘ Houw 42

In ttho
ho 3” Houw 45
In tho Sign of its Joy 45
In b o House cf <ts
<ts Joy 45
Cazmi 45 •6 Combust
Free from the Sun’s beams 45 «4 Underr Sun’s beams
Unde beams (J <12 °)
Incr easi ng in Li ght 41 •1 Doenwing in Utfrt
b . X , d Orient
rienta
al 42 •2 b. X, d Occide
Occidenta
ntall
2 . V . J Occide
Occidenta
ntall
42 •2 2. 9, J Ori ent al
» •3 </ n
• •5   ✓ U
Direct 44 •5 Rc t r o p ad c
Fad in meton 42 •2 Sbw in ruction
<y X er 2 45 •5 b or d
 Appl yin g ù to X er 2 44 4  Apply ing ✓  to b er d
 A p p yn g * to X er 2 43 3  Apply ing 0 to h er d
 Assis ted (bet ween X and 2 ) 45 •5 Besieged
Besieged (between
(between b and d )
• •2 Vo id o f c o u r »
•3 Fer al
Ha u 43 •2 Contrariety of Hau
• •5 i n Vi t C o mb i n a
 |Final Score:

Figure 1. Planetary Strengths

3 I Thereare many versions of this table in the traditional literature, but its underpinning is always the same. The varia-
tions are due to minor differences in the scoring or in the factors that other authors considers to be more significant.

Power of the Pfanets/201

global scoring
scoring system, it is
is penalized with
with 5 points. The
Th e reason for this
th is is to give mo
more
re weight to planets
p lanets that
havee essential dignities
hav dignities by elevating
elev ating them in the final scores.
scores. A planet w with
ith some dignity
dign ity is always mmore
ore
fun
functional
ctional than a peregrine
a peregrine one,
one , and thus should
should be emphasized
emphas ized in the final
fina l score.
Mutual reception
reception is consider ede d here because
becaus e it involves a combination
a combination o f essential and and accidental
 accidental dignities:
dignities:
rulcrship
rulcrs hip (or exaltation)
exaltat ion) and aspect.
aspect. In the case o f a mutual reception, 32
rec eption,  each
 each pla
 planet
net is given
g iven the
 the score tha
thatt it
it
wou
wo u ld have had if  it had been in the
the sign where it
where it has dignity. Thus, 5 points arc given to pla planets
nets in mutual
mutual re-
ception by
b y rulership, and
and 4 points to those in mutual
mutual reception by exaltation.
by exaltation. Th Thee mixed rece pti
rece ption
on (ruler
(ru ler
shipexaltation)
sh ipexaltation) is
 is rarely scored
scored because it is considered
is considered less
less noticeable. However,
However, a planet
plan et that is in the
th e exal-
tation of the other
the  other receives
receive s 4 points, and the
and the one that is in the rulership
rulership o f the
the othe
otherr receives 5 points.
po ints.

T he remaining lines refer to the the accidental dignities

d ignities descri  bed
bed aabove.
bove. Note
No te that in each line
each  line the dignity
dignit y is in-
dicated to
dicated  to the left and
an d the corresponding
corresponding debility to the right. Fo Forr example, rulership
ru lership corresponds
corresponds to the de-
de -
 bil
 bility
ity o f de
detrimen
triment,
t, and direct motion
m otion corresponds
corresp onds to the debility
deb ility o f retrog
retrogradation.
radation. In sosome
me cases this corre-
corre-
spondence does does not exist. For
F or example, the
the triplicity, te
term,
rm, and face dignities
d ignities do not
not have
 have equivalent
equivale nt debili-
ties.

In addition to
to the counting o
counting  o f points,
points, this
this table also ser vves
es as a memo
memorandum
randum wher e all o f the con
conditions
ditions of 
the planets
planets arc indicated.
indicated.

Scoring Example
Exam ple

U sing Florbela 
Florbela  Espanca’s chart
chart as an
example, the
the table will  be com pleted
ple ted
step by step.
by step.

Begin with the essential

essential dignities 
dignities  and
gi
givv e each planet the score relative
rela tive to its
state of dignity or debility. The follow-
ing dignities are present in in Florbela
Espanca’s
Espanc a’s chart:

• Mars in rulers
rulership
hip in Aries,
receives
receiv es 5 points
• Jupiter
Jupiter exalted in C Cancer,
ancer,
receives 4 poin
4  points
ts
• The Sun
Sun in
 in triplicity in
Sagittarius,, receives 3 points
Sagittarius points
• Mars
Ma rs also in term at
term  at 23° Aries,
receives
receiv es 2 more po points
ints

There are no planets in

planets  in detriment or
o r fall.

The first ssubtotal

ubtotal for the essential
the  essential digni-
dign i-
 tie
tiess is thus:

32 Wer ecall
ecall that mutual
mutual reception req uires
uires the existence
existence of an aspect between
aspect between planets,
planets, as was referr ed
ed in the chapter
chapter on
aspectual dynamics. However, not all
aspectual all authors agree with this rule; some
some attribute points
points to mutual reception even when
no aspect exists.
exists.

202/On tfic Heawnfy Spheres

h d o 9 $ D
RiXenhip ♦5 •5 Drtn n wi t
Lultatlon ♦4 +4 -4 Fall
Triplicity ♦3 ♦3
Term ♦2 ♦2
Free ♦1
Essential Deities - Total: 0 4 7 3 0 0 0

Figure 2. Scoring the Essential Dignities

 Next , the to
 Next, totals
tals for peregrin
peregrinee planets and
an d mutual recept
reception
ion arc add
added
ed to the essential dignities
dig nities subtotal. From
the previous table, observe that there arc four peregrine planets, meaning without essential dignity—Saturn
dignity— Saturn,,
Venus, Mercury, and the Moon. Each is therefore penalized with 5 points. There arc no mutual receptions.
The result is:

 Next , the ac
 Next, acci
cide
dent
ntal
al dign
d ignitie
ities,
s, ar
aree evaluated
evaluated.. Thi
Thiss inv
involves
olves sev
several
eral sections. Begin by attrib
a ttributin
utingg the scores
relevant to their position by house. The result is:

• Saturn in the first receive

receivess 5 points
• Mars and the Moon in the seventh each receive 4 points
• Mercury in the sec
second
ond house recei
receives
ves 3 points
• Jupiter in the ninth house receives 2 points
• The Sun and V Venus
enus in the third house each rreceive
eceive 1 point

Because there are no planets in the twelfth, eighth and sixth houses, no negative points are attributed. The re-
sult is:
 The concept
concept of jo
of joyy by sign and ho
house
use is derviv
dervived
ed from the positi
p osition
on o f the planets by sign and
a nd house.
ho use. In this
thi s
example, there are no planets in either position
position..

 Ne xt scor
 Next s coree th
thee planets
pla nets with regard
rega rd to their
th eir positio
positions
ns rela
relative
tive to the Sun. In this section
section,, th
thee Sun is not score
scoredd
 becau
 bec ause
se for
f or obviou
obv iouss reasons
rea sons none o f the cond
conditions
itions apply to it. ThThee first factor
fa ctor to be evalua
ev aluated
ted is the
th e plan
pl anet
et’s
’s
 proxim
 pro xim ity to the Sun, whi which
ch produ
produces
ces the conditions
condit ions o f combustio
comb ustion,n, unde
underthe
rthebeam
beams, s, and cazimi.
cazimi . In this

Power
Power of the Pfanets/203

 b d0 $ $ D
CazIrrJ 15 •6 Combust
free !rcm the Sun’s beams 15 +5 *5 +5 -6 +5 +5 •4 Underr Sun’s beams
Unde beams ( J < 12°) '
Increasing in Ugh! 11 +1 +1 -1 +1 -1 +1 -1 Decreasing In Light
b, d  Oriental 12 +2 +2 -2 •2 b. d  Occidental
9 , 9 , J Occide
ccident
nt al
al
i+2
| +2 -2 +2 -2 9 , 9, J O rie
rient
nt al
al

Figure 5. Scoring the Planet's Relationships to the Sun

chart, Venus is combust, so it rec

receives
eives 6 points. All of the others are fre
freee ooff combustion
combustion and outside of the
Sun’s beams and therefore receive 5 points. There are no cazimi planets.

 Next, look for increase

in crease in lig
light,
ht, another
an other co
condition
ndition derived from the plane
p lanet’s
t’s relationship
relationsh ip to th
thee Sun. In this
chart, the slow planets Saturn and Jupiter are increasing in light because the Sun is moving away from them.
The same occurs with Venus and the Moon, which are moving away from the Sun. For this condition they
each
whichreceive
the Sun1 point. Diminishing
is approaching. in light
These is Mercury,
planets Merc
eachury, which1ispoint.
receive approaching the Sun,
Sun, and the slower Mars, to

As to orientality, Saturn and Jupiter are or

oriental,
iental, each receiving 2 ppoints.
oints. Venus and the Moon also receive 2
 points
 poin ts each beca
because
use they are occidental. As to the debilities, Mars is occide
o ccidental
ntal and Mercury is oriental;
o riental;
therefore, each is penalized with 2 points.

In Florbela
Florbela Espanca’s
Esp anca’s chart tthere
here are no planets conjunct the lunar 
lu nar 
Hanot Dally average Spoodon
speed Hocbola’a chart  Nodes.
h Saturn 0ÛV2' W W
X Jupiter  00°05' 00“
00“07’
07’ /i  Next, evaluate
evaluat e the mo
motion
tion o f the planets, wh
which
ich includes
include s direc
direction
tion
d Mars 00°31‘ W12’
and velocity. With respect to direction, all of the planets are scored
O Sun 0Q°59' OttM’
except the Sun and the Moon, which are never retrograde. In this
chart, all of the planets are direct and receive 4 points, with the ex-
? Venus 0 0 °5 9 ’ w w
ception of Jupiter, which is retrograde and receives 5 points.
9 Mercury OCPW O fW
b  Moon The evaluation of velocity is possibly the least obvious in this ta-
12W

 ble. It requires prior

pr ior know
knowledg
ledgee of
o f the avera
average
ge speed o f the planets
plan ets
Figure 6. Velocity of
o f the
the Planets in and also the velocity of each planet of the chart under study
Florbela Espanca’s Chart (which is not always indicated by the astrological software pro-
grams). By comparing the velocities of the planets in this chart
with the correspondent average velocities we verify that:

• Saturn, Mars, the Sun, Venus and Mercury are

are fast, and therefore they receive 2 points eeach
ach
• Mars and the Moon are slow, so
so they receive 2 negative points each

If a planet’s velocity corresponds to the average, it receives 0 points (neither fast nor slow). The result is
shown in Figure 6.
 Drott 14  b ^-51 44d o $ 9 D
44 44 44 -5 Retrograde_____
Retrograde__________
_______
__ j
Fast in motion +2 42 42 -2 42 42 42 -2 -2 Slow
low in motion
ion «

Figure 7. Scoring the Planet’s Movement

2 04 l0 n tfw Heaven (y Sjjfic

Sjjficres
res

 Nex
 N extt is th
thee ev aluat
alu ation
ion o f the aacci
cciden
dental
tal dign
d ignitie
itiess by aaspec
spect:t: con
c onjun
juncti
ctions
ons (both
(bo th aapp
pplyi
lying
ng and separ
se paratin
ating)
g) w ith
the bcncfic planets, Venus and Jupiter; applying asp aspects
ects of sextile and trine
trine to tthe
he same planets, or the condi-
tion o f assistance.
assistance.
The corresponding debilities arc: conjunctions to the malefic planets, Mars and Saturn; applying squares and
oppositions to the same planets, and the condition o f be
besiegement
siegement..

In the chart o f Florbcla Espanca the Sun receives 5 points for its conjunction to Venus, and the Moon loses 5
 po
 point
intss for
fo r its conjun
con junctio
ctionn to Mars;
M ars; M
Mars
ars an
andd the Mo
Moon
on re
receiv
ceivee 4 point
pointss each
each,, due to the aappl
pplyin
yingg trin
trinee of
o f Venus.

In this ease 4 points arc also attributed to Saturn because of the trine from Jupiter; although separating, this
aspect is extremely exact, with both planets within the same degree and only 13 ' apart.

There arc no conditions o f assistance or besiegement in thi

thiss horoscope.

As to the othe r conditions related to the aspects, there is only one void of course planet, Mars, which receiv es
2 negative points, and a feral planet, Mercury, which receives 3 negative points. Although strictly speaking
Saturn and Ju piter arc not applying to any planet, they form a very close aspect and so are not considered
void o f course.
course.

 Not
 N otee tha
thatt tthe
he co
cond
nditi
ition
onss o f feral and void
vo id are not cu
cumu
mulat
lative
ive (reme
(re memb
mb er th
that
at tthe
he fera
ferall co nditi
nd ition
on includ
inc ludes,
es, by
definition, the void o f course condition).
condition). The results are
are::

 b X d O | $ $ 1)
d X or 9 45 ♦5 -5 •5 d b or d
 Ap pli ng A to X or 9 44 +4 44 *4 *4  App?/ng ** to b cr d
 AppMng » to X or 9 43 •3  Ap pt fr g 0 to b cr d
 Assisted
 Assisted (be Ut en X and 9) 45 •5 Besieged
Besieged (between b and d )
• -2 •2 Void o
oîî course
-3 •3 Feral

Figure 8. Scoring the Aspects

There is only the condition of hayz and its contrariety left to evaluate.
evaluate. In Florb ela’s horoscope on e planet is
in hayz, Mars, which receives 3 points, and two in contrariety, Jupiter and Venus, which each receive 2
 po
 point
ints.
s.

Lastly, the condition o f being in the via combusta  is examined. This applies solely to thethe Moon. In the ex am-
 pl
 plee u nd er study
stu dy,, the Mo on is n ot in the via combusta  an d therefore does not receive a score.

The final tally is shown in Figure 10

10..

In this case, Mars is clearly the most distinguished plan et with 20 points, points, followed by Saturn with 18. 18. The
 pr ed om in
inan
ance
ce o f Mars
Ma rs beco
be come
mess evi
e vide
dent
nt a t the
th e ver
v eryy start
sta rt o f the scori
sc oring
ng beca
be caus
usee it
i t is the plan
pl anet
et wi
with
th the m ost
os t
essential dignity. Its final score is therefore of no surprise.
surprise.
 Hdx +3 | ibi^,d|0
| « 2 1+3 | *2 1 1
-2 Contrarie
iety
ty of H
Ha
alz

Figure 9. Scoring the Conditions of Hayz  and Contrariety of Hayz

Power
Power o f the Pfanets/205

Strengths: ibXdo 9 9 D D éb ili te ;___

;_____
____
____
____
____ 
__ 
R'jIcnHp ■»5 : ♦5 -5 Datnrert_______________ 
t*»' ,.aton +4 1 44 -4 fa»____________________ 
IrpliQty ♦3 I ♦3
Tcnm >2 \ ♦2
faon M 1
Essentia: Dignities • Total: ! 0 4 7 3 0 0 0
-5 -6 •6 •5 •5 Pcroorirt
Mutual Rocrptkn by H t j j o -»5 !
Mutual Rcccptan by Eaalt. ^4 :
h tho l*o r 10*
10* Hou» -»5 * 5 •5 H IN 12 * Hou»
nth o 7” . 4* ot 11" Hou
House
se +4 > 44 44 a. In the 8* Hou»
h the 5” or T *  Hou» ♦3 : 43 -3 tn t h i 6 " H
Hoou»
h I N T  House tz ; ♦2
:n ttl-o
l-o 3” Hou»  î  41 41
n the Sign
Sign ol its Joy ■♦5 ’
h th« Hc u m d its Jo
Joyy ♦5 ’ .
Cazlmi 45 i «6 -6 Combust
free firm the Sun’s beams +5 I 45 ♦5 ♦5 45 45 -4 Unde
Underr Sun's beams( J < 12*)
increasing in light 41 ’ 4 41
1 ♦1 •1 41 -1 41 •1 DocrMbngln light
b . 1 . d Orcri
Orcri al
al 42 > 2 ♦2 -2 -2 b. X .d Occid
Occiden
enta
tall
9. 9. D Occiden
Occidental
tal 42 i 42 -2 42 •2 9 . 9 . £ O nc
ncrt a
all
l
•3   ✓  A
1 •5 <f U
Direct 44 | M -5  4 44 44 -5 Ratropaeo
fast in motion 42 i 42 ♦2 •2 42 42 42 -2 -2 Slew In motion
o' X v   9 45 l 45 -5 <f   b o r d
 Applying A to X or 9 44 ;44  4 44 -4  Ap pl yi ng **» b or d
 Appiyng » to X or 9 43 : •3  Apply ng O to bo r d
 Assisted
 Assisted (be
(between
tween h «ns 9 ) 45 -5 Be
BesM
sMgc
gcd
d (betwwi b ar t d i
•2 •2 Vo
Void
id d cour»
<3 •3 feral
Haiz 43 -2 ♦3 -2 •2 Cortr alrty o? Ha
Halz
lz
L -5 P tn Via Cbmtvsta
■ Final Score:
Score: 1  18 9 20 11 -3 3

Figure 10. Final Score in Florbela Espanca’s Nativity

Saturn is in second place

pl ace exclusively because of the accidental ddignities,
ignities, ooff which angularity, orientality, di-
rect motion, swiftness, and an applied trine from Jupiter are highlighted.
highlighted. Th Thisis case exemplifies how a planet
without essential dignity ends up being important in the overall scoring.
Important Considerations Regarding the Practica Practicall Use of the Table
It is of the utmost
utmo st importance to remember that each o f these accidental dignities has a specific value and that
not all weigh the same in the interpretation. The most important is, without a doubt, the planet’s placement
 by hous
housee beca
because
use it is the strongest and most eviden
evidentt of all o f the accid
accidenta
entall dignities.
digni ties. Its conside
con siderati
ration
on
should be made first and serve as a basis for the others, which add small variations to the expression of the
 planet.. It is o f paramoun
 planet param ountt importance
importan ce to keep in mind that this table gives us only a quantification  of each each
 pl
 plan
anet’s
et’s condi
co ndition
tions.
s. These
Thes e data m
must
ust be approac
approached
hed w
within
ithin the contex
c ontextt o f the iinterp
nterpretat
retation
ion whe
where
re they
t hey are
treated not in terms of quantity but rather in terms of quality.

In practice, these dignities are cumulative and never nullify each other. Each one gives the planet its own
specific ease or
o r difficulty. The additions and subtractions of this table
table serve only to facilitate the scoring
scoring;; the
 totals obtained
obtain ed should
shou ld be viewed as an instrument that allows for a comparison ofo f the relative strengths
stre ngths o f the
 planets
 plan ets in the
th e horosco
ho roscope.
pe. They should not be viewed as absolu
absolute
te valu
values
es becaus
bec ausee this approac
app roachh does
do es nnot
ot take
tak e
into account the gradations that the majority of situations present. For example, two planets situated in the
same house will have different intensities if one is very close to the cusp and the other is at the end of the
house. Nonetheless, both receive the same score. In another example, a planet that is moving away from
combustion and is already at the limit of the eighth degree from the Sun receives the same 6 point score as

206l0n tfic Heavcnfy Sjtftcrcs

ano ther plan et that is only 2 degrees away from the Sun.
Sun. In the first case, although still comb ust, the planet is
in a slightly better condition than the second. These and other gradations, which arc fundamental to proper 
interp retation , can only be detected by closely exam ining the chart.chart. In reality, the chart is always the starting
and en ding point: it shouldshould be studied before erecting a table and examine d again after the scoring in order to
 pr op er ly co nt ex tu aliz
al iz e the
th e ob ta
tain
ined
ed res ults.
ult s.

It is important to resist the tendency to immediately interpret any value that is obtained from a calculation,
since, in the majo rity o f the cases, this value only makes sense in the context of the delineation. This is, inci-
dentally, a problematic aspect of the current astrological trend: the necessity, often inappropriate, to inter-
 pret
 pr et ev er yt hi ng inde
in de pe nd en tly
tl y o f a co
cont
ntex
ext.t. N ote
ot e that
tha t m an
anyy tim es thi
thiss prob
pr ob le
lemm is ge ne rate
ra tedd by au
auto
tom
m at
atic
ic
scor ing and by other shortcuts re sulting from the use of computers. As for interpreting the results, it iiss al-
ways important to note that the planetary scores are are only valid when placed w ithin the general context of the
table. T heref ore, it is o f no use to interpret a planet in isolation; this interpretation only m akes sense wh en its
score is compared with that of the others.33

In summ ary, although the importance o f this scoring

scoring table is recognized,
recognized, its value is relative since it quanti-
fies that which should be qualified. It iiss a tool for interpretation but cannot in any circumst ance sub stitute for 
a study o f the horosc ope itself. Its objective is simply to augment the stud ent’s own capacity to interpret. It isis
important that it be fully understood and applied since its inappropriate use leads to instant and noticeably
incongruen t interpretations.
interpretations.

Hav ing said that, planetary scoring should be made with care. One should dedicate the necessary time and
effort, since it is o f fundamental assistance
assistance to delineation. We en -
Because we live today in a society
courage students to do these calculations manually because they
that values “fast and easy,” there
 pr ep ar e th e w ay for
fo r d elin
el inea
eatition
on..
may be a desire to skip the effort
needed to make these calculations.
Examples of the Scoring Table
Computer programs encourage this
laziness, offering
offering all mann er of pre-
Florbela Espanca
calculated tabulations. However,
Returning again to the chart for Florbela Espanca, the essential the student should always keep in

dignity o f the planets will be comp ared with their overall power in
the horoscope. mind that this attitude
attitude impairs o ne’s
interpretation results.

Mars, the plan et with the greatest essential dignity, retains its prominence in the final tally.
tally. This em phasis o f 
Mars characterizes the p ioneering and bold attitude that marked the lifelife of this poet.
poet.

On the other hand, Saturn’s highlighted position points to an entirely different aspect to her nature. This
 p
 pla
la n et is st
stro
ro ng bu t w itho
it ho ut es se nt ia
iall di gn ity
it y an d loca
lo ca te d in a w at er sig n, w hi
hich
ch su
sugggg es ts a m el an ch ol ic an d
disag reeable person ality with a tendency tow ard depressive episodes episodes.. Notice that Saturn is in the the first house,
wh ich contributes directly to the characterization of Florb ela’s personality and even overrides the indica -
tions give n by M ars, in spite of its its higher score. This combination of trai traits
ts results iinn a comportm ent that os
 b   d o $ 5 D
|e—<MCW>a 0 4 7 3 0 0 0
 | Fini» S
Score
core:_____________
:_____________ ||18 |20 | H H H H

«I Scoring in the Chart of Florbela Espanca

Figure 11. Essential Dignities and
33 In the sam e way, it is of little use to compare the scores of
o f ttwo
wo charts since each is valid only within its own context.
 

Power
Power of the Pfanets/209

Sports Championship
Sports Championship
On the eve of
o f an international sports
sp orts champ
champion-
ion-
ship, the captain o f a te
ship, team
am wanted to know how
the competition
competition would re result.
sult. Figure 11 is the
chart o
chart  o f the que
quesstion: “How will the champion
the  champion-
-
ship go for our
our team?”

The significators
significators are Jup
Jupiter,
iter, ruler of the Ascen-
As cen-
dant and
and significator of the
the team, aand nd Venus,
ruler of the Mid hheaven
eaven and   significator of the
honors obtained
obtained and ththee yeamedfor position.
position.
Wc observe
observe in the horoscope that
horoscope that these
these planets
 planets
are in 
in  exact (partile) conjunction,
c onjunction,   wellposi-
ti
tioned
oned in the tenth house,
house, and eessentially
ssentially digni-
fied, which indicates
which indicates q uite
uite clearly that the com-
the com-
 petition
 petiti on will go well and   that
that the te
team
am will ob-
tain a good placement.
placement. Examin
Examining ing the table we
verify
verify that the
the complete scoring
scoring of plane
planetary
tary
Chart 10. Hor
Horary:
ary: “Is the
“Is the motherboard broke
broken?”
n?”
strength confirms the good condition o off Jupiter 
and Venus, as would be expected.
be expected.

 Nonetheless,
 Nonetheless, Jupiter
 Jupiter and Venus are
Venus are close tto
o the
South
Sou th Node, a significator
significator of dis
disturbance
turbance and 
Figure 14. Planetary Strengths
Strengths for
 for chart
chart 10 loss, which
which means the the positive meaning of
meaning of the
 planets
 plane ts will in so
some
me way be diminished.
diminished. In fact
fact,,
the team did lose 
lose  the champ
championship
ionship by a few
 points and hahadd to becom
becomee content with an hon-
h on-
orable second place.

This is a good example

example of the
the absolute
 absolute necessity
to look at the chart, despite the 
the  informatio
informationn

given by the scor iingng table. TThe

he numerical infor -
mation merely quantifies  the strength of the the
 planets to attain
attain the desired result.
result. It does
does not
 not in
terpret   those results.
terpret  results. If we 
we  consider the table tabl e
without looking
looking at the
the   chart, we would jud
would  judge ge
victory as a certain outcome (because th thee plan-
ets are certainly
are certainly very strong).
strong). Howev
However,er, we only
get a complete
complete picture
picture   from the interpretation,
interpre tation,
which reveals
reveals a factor that is i s vital for the out-
come: the South Node.
South Node. This
This factor
 factor indicates thatth at
the level of success
success is reduc
reduceded and stops short o f 
what is d esired.
esired. This is the difference betw
difference  betw een
Chart 11.
11.   Horary:
Horary: “How will the quantifying
quantifyi ng  (using the ta ble) anandd qualif  ying
 yin g (in-
 championship
championship go for our team? terpreting the chart).
chart).

 __ _____ Ê æ æ j m 1  Home

 _ Purc
Purchhase
 _________ 1 -1 1 8 | >2  | 1 | 5

| fin al Score
L»l«i__ ____
 ____JJ tive
Scorer_________
r_____________ Excited
Exc
____ I 1p| 1ited about a house
19 a house he had seen,
9 | 9 | 3 | 22

tive buyer wanted to confirm

seen, the prosp
to confirm w
whether
prospec-
ec-
hether the prop-
Figure 15.
Figure  15. Planetary
Plan etary strengths for cha
chart
rt 11 erty was o
was o f qua
quality.
lity. The
 The horoscope for
fo r the ques

2 l0/0n  tfîc Hcavenfy Spheres

Spheres

tion is shown in Figure

is shown 12.
Fig ure 12.

The
Th e house is signsignified
ified  by Venus, ruler
rule r of the
the
fourth
fou ouse (immova ble p
rth hhouse roperty). In t
the
he
Venus is essentially debil
horoscopee Venus
horoscop itated, rep-
essentially debilitated,
resenting   theref ore
resenting in  poor condition.
ore a house in 
The conjunction
conjunction to th thee South Node  reinforces
Node  reinforces
idea o f tthhe poor condition.
the idea condition.

How ever, a look at the

However, that Venuss
at the ta ble reveals that Venu
is the most highly scored
the most planet of the chart,
scored planet chart,
which would
would lead g ment that the
lead to a rash jud gment
ho use is o f good 
house   quality. We arc faced
good  quality. with an
faced with an
appar ent
ent contradiction: on the one hand, Venus
contradiction: on the
is highly scored, on the other,
highly scored, it is essentially
other, it
debilitated.
debilitat Which is the corr ect
ed. Which answer?
ect answer?

First, realize that the elevated score of Venus

the elevated V enus
merely indicates
indicates itsits prominence,
 prominence,  not its  its quality. Chart 12. “Is this house
12. Horary: “Is this pur chase?”
house a good purchase?”
In r eality, buyer was enchanted by the
eality, the buyer house
the house
|l?  jù»|
|l? jù »|</</|0
|0|| 9 | 3)|
was tempted to precipi
and was tously purchase
p recipitously purchase the
W __________  •5 | -5 | 3 | 0 | -1 | 0 | -2 |
 property.
 prope rty. This enchantment corr esponds
Th is enchantment esponds with | C M W t l l W B W __________ 
distinc tion of   Venus.
the high distinction Venus. Never  theless, the |Final Score:__
N ever theless, __________
core:___
H-d’oi «l’ «l’< >i’ i’ 1 1
oroscope reveals that
horoscope this house, charming
that this charm ing
Figure
Figu re 15. Planetary strengths for chart 12
Planetary strengths
uponn first 
upo first   glance, does n
not
ot e
live
liv up to expecta-
expecta-
ti it is repr esented
ons because it is
tions essentially
esented by an essentially
litated   planet. Therefore,
debilitated 
debi Therefore, no no contradiction in reality exists. What
contradiction in reality exists is a power ful
W hat exists ful pro ject
 jection
ion (ele-
(ele -
vated score) without the reciproca
score) without rec iprocated (esse ntial d ebility).
ted worth (essential ebility). On the basis o f tthis
the basis his and other information
other information
ch art off ers,
that the chart ers, we conclude that the house was
conclu de that worth the asking
was not worth price and that given the
asking price and circum-
given the circum-
st
stances,  it would be best
ances, it chase. This example once again
be st not to make the pur chase. This highlights the im porta
again highlights the  portance
nce o f in
in-
-
terpreting
terpreti the correct context
ng the correct the values given by
contex t for the the table.
given  by the
 

 Apjjend
 Apj jendïx
ïx 1

Tfte Astr
A strol
olbg
bgic
icaf
af Symbofs
Symbofs
Because astrological symbols have evolved
evolved over time,
time, this appendix presents the main var
variants
iants of
o f each sym-
sym -
 bol from the Greek, Medieval,
Medieva l, and Ren
Renaissance
aissance periods.

Planetary Symbols
Initially, the planets did not have their own symbols;symbols; they were represented in charts by their written names.
As time went by, the writing became abbreviated and some names were gradually reduced to their initials,
which eventu
eventually
ally evolved into symbols.
symbols. According to ssomeome authors, this is the origin of the symbols for Ju-
 piter,
 pite r, Saturn,
Saturn , and Venus. The acronym for Jupit Jupiter
er derived from the lette
letterr zeta (Z), beca because
use the plane
pla net’s
t’s
Greek name is Zeus; the one for Venus comes from the letter Phi (0),  the  th e in itia
it ia l o f one o f its Greek
Gr eek nam
names,
es,
 Ph
 Phosp
osphor
horos
os (m ea ning
ni ng b rig ht);
ht) ; the
t he on efor
ef or Sat
Saturn comesfroo m K ap pa  (K), from the name Kronos, one of Sat-
urn comesfr
urn’s epithets.

Other symbols
sym bols would
wo uld have probably evolved from the attributes of the Greek gods they are associ
associated
ated with.
This is the case of Mercury,
Mercury, whose symbol
Name Greek
Symbol
Medieval
Symbol
Renaissance
Symbol
Present
Symbol
time is the caduceus of Hermes,
Hermes, and the case o f 
Mars,
Mar s, represented by the spear o f ArAres,
es, god
Sun
d  o   O o of war.
war. There are symbols, which
w hich are ddirect
irect
representations
represent ations of
o f tthe
he planet, as is the case
Moon C
c   0 1) of the Moon.
Mercury V
£ O
$
2 Symbols of the Signs
Venus 9
? P

Mara
d  d The symbols of the signs are, generally
 Of  speaking, direct representations of the ani-
Jupiter 
£ mal for which they are named. However,
Saturn
 b Time1?
Figure 1. Symbols of the Planets Throughout Time
these symbols vary according to period
culture. per iod and

 212/O
 212 /O h  tfie Hcavciify Sjjftercs

Symbols of
o f the Node
Nodess Name |
Orook
Symbol
Medieval
Symbol
Renaissance
Symbol
Present tlmo
Symbol

The lunar Nodes arc represented by two circles  Ar ia*

VO
I V <Y> V
united by an arc or semicircle, one arc is facing up- Taurua (W f  « «
ward (the North Node), while the other is facing
downward (the South Node). The glyph’s circles
Oam Ini CT-- ZEE n
represent the two Nodes and the arc connecting Cancar  2ZZ s G
them is the path of the Moon, cither the northern
(upper) or the southern (lower) path.
Lao
9 CTL a
Virgo TP -rm W 
The symbols
symbol s ooff the Nodes have remained almost the
same over time, with one important exception: by
Libra  _A_ n
the end of the Middle Ages there was an exchange Scorpio
Y  OvQ -n v m
of glyphs between the North Node and the South SagMariuo z
 Node.. There
 Node Therefore,
fore, until the end o f the Medieval pe-
pe -
riod, the North Node was represented by the symbol Capricorn Ù TP vs
 Aq uar tua
which is now
viceversa. This used for may
inversion the be
South Node,
due to and
the stan- £
dardization of North at the top of maps. In earlier 
Placaa °X° X X
maps (for example in the Arabic culture) South was Figure 2. Symbols of the Signs Throughout Time
 placed
 plac ed on the upp
upper
er part of a chart. So, in ear
earlier
lier rep-
resentations the South Node had the downcurving
Greek Medieval Renaissance Present tlmo
arc, and the North Node the upcurving arc. Name
Symbol Symbol Symbol Symbol

North V u f t
Lunar Node SI 
South f t V
Lunar Node
J I
S3

Figure 3. Variants in the Node’s Symbols

 

 Ajrp
 Ajrpen
encf
cfix
ix 2

The Modern Pfanets

The development of optical instruments in the 18th century allowed for the discovery of new celes-
tial bodies that are not visible to the naked eye due to their small size and distance from Earth. In
1781, English astronomer John Herschel (17921871) discovered Uranus. In 1801, Italian astrono-
mer Giuseppe Piazzi discovered the first asteroid, Ceres. In the following years Pallas, Juno, and
Vesta
Ves ta were disco
discovered
vered,, along with tthousands
housands of other asteroids. Neptune was detected in 1846,
1846, with
the official discovery being attribut
attributed
ed to German astr
astronomer
onomer Johann Gottfried Galle (18121910),
whose work was based on the calculations of the French mathematician Urbain Le Verrier 
(18111877). 34

On the heels of these discoveries, new perceptions about the motion and relative position of the
 plane
 pla nets
ts dev
develo
elope
pedd in ju
just
st a few decades
decades,, even
eventual
tually
ly leadin
leadingg to the cur
curren
rentt conc
c oncept
ept o f the sol
solar
ar sys
sys--
tem. The new celestial bodies were not immediately included in the astrological system and in the
 begin
 be ginnin
ningg they
the y were ignor
ignoreded by astrologer
astro logers.
s. Uranus and NepNeptune
tune only becbecame
ame a reg
regula
ularr par
partt of 
chart interpretation at the end of the 19th century. In 1930, they were joined by Pluto, which ini-
tially was classified with the planets, but is now considered a dwarfplanet.

The asteroids begin to appear in astrological charts in the 1970s. Their application in astrology
 peake
 pe akedd after
af ter th
thee dis
discov
covery
ery o f the plan
planetoid
etoid Chiron in 1977
1977.. The la
last
st deca
decades
des hhave
ave w
witn
itness
essed
ed th
thee co
con-
n-
tinual discovery of many new celestial bodies beyond the orbits of Neptune and Pluto, which has
generated a state of confusion, whether from an astronomical or astrological perspective.

This appendix offers some thoughts regarding the inclusion and interpretation of these celestial
 bodies
 bod ies in tthe
he astrol
ast rologi
ogica
call system.
 34Galileo had already discovered
discovered this planet,
planet, but thought it to be a star
star.. Other renowned astronomers had
ha d susp
suspected
ected th
thee
existence of a planet beyond Uranus, without however being able to incontrovertibly prove it.

214/On tfte Hcavatfy Syftcrcs

Modern or Trans-saturnian Planets

Uranus, Neptune and Pluto

From an astrological perspective, Uranus and Neptune are undoubtedly the more significant of all
the new celestial bodies, followed closely by Pluto. The systematic interpretation of Uranus and
 Nep
 N ep tu
tune
ne in as
astr
trol
olog
og ic
ical
al char
ch arts
ts bega
be gann on
only
ly at the end o f the 19th ce
cent
ntury
ury,, durin
du ringg the as
astro
tro logi
lo gica
call re -
vival. The new planets arc, in reality, an integral part of the “new” astrological system used at this
time and which is the cornerstone of socalled modern astrology. During the process of astrological
revival, the traditional system (by then severely misunderstood and lacking competent practitio-
ners) was a ltered to make room for Uranus and Neptune. In order to accomplish this, an attempt was
made to attribute to them some astrological signification and to define their nature. These attribu-
tions became widely accepted and are the ones used by the majority of presentday astrologers.
However, the natures and characteristics attributed to the new planets are based upon a weak prem-
ise. This weakness derives from the method employed to derive these attributes. Because no empiri-
cal significations were available for these planets, astrologers resorted to mythology (generally
what was associated with the name of the planet) and to the social and political events occurring at
the time o f tthe
he plan et’s discovery.
Therefore, because Uranus was discovered around the time of the French and American revolu-
tions, it became associated with revolutions, unexpected events, ruptures, shocks,
shocks, and unusual s itu-
ations. These co ncepts are vaguely corroborated by the mythology o f the Greek
Greek god Ouranos, who
was dispossessed o f his power by the rebellion o f his son, Chronos (Saturn).
(Saturn). The plan et also became
associated with genius, inventions and the new technologies, supposedly because there was an in-
crease in scientific breakthrough s and technology after its
its discovery.

The qu alities of spirituality, mystery, and my stici sm were attributed to Neptune

sticism Neptune be  beca
caus
usee its d is
isco
co v -
ery coincided with the spiritual revival of the 19th century. On the other hand, it also becomes the
 p
 pla
la n et o f dreams
drea ms,, ilillu
lusi
sion
ons,
s, and
an d e scap
sc apism
ism beca
be ca use
us e its di
disc
scov
ov er
eryy c oinc
oi nc ides
id es wi
with
th ce
cert
rtai
ainn m edic
ed ical
al inn
in n o-
vations, such as as anaesthesiology and hypnotism. In Neptune ’s case, the connection connection to mytho logy is
tenuous at best sincesince the attributes o f Posei Poseidon
don (the turbulent god o f the oceans, the Greek equ iva-
lent of Neptune) bear little resemblance to the significations given to the planet planet.. The only detectab le
association is a vague poetic correlation b etween the sea and its mysteries.
Pluto appeared some decades later, in the periperiod
od between  No  Note:
te: Pl
Plut
utoo is now
no w co ns ider
id ered
ed a
the two great wars, and thus became associated with de- dwarfplanet. As this change of sta-
struction, death, catastrophes, and the abuse of power. For  tus is very recent it is too soon to
this reason, it also assumes rulership over atomic energy know its impact in the astrological
and its destructive power. Mo st of Plu to’s astrological
astrological sig- community. The new classification
nifications derive from the mythology of Hades (Pluto), will certainly affect the future in-
the Greek god of the Underworld and thus attributes of  terpretation of this dwarfplanet.
death and rebirth as well as hidden and profound matters.
In the case of Pluto these significations were attributed almost immediately after the planet’s dis-
cov ery, w ithout any experimen tal period to empirically test their validity. Note also that most of tthe
he
attributes given to this planet had already been assigned in the beginning of the century to a hypo-
 earing the same name.35 The coincidence o f names led to the
thetical planet b earing the direct superim position

o f the hyp othetica l plan et’s qualities onto newly discovered Pluto without much thought on the mat-
ter.
35This
is a reference to the hypothetical planet currently known as WemyssPluto, proposed by the Scottish astrologer 
Maurice Wemyss
Wemyss (18921960?), as a possible ruler of Canc
Cancer.
er.

 Aj jye nd ix 2)21

2)2155

Much of the present symbolism of these celestial bodies is also said to be supported by octave the-
ory. According
octaves, to thisVenus,
of Mercury, theory,and
the Mars.
three modern planets would
In this perspective standwould
Uranus as “superior”
signify equivalents, or 
the “collective
mind” and the power of “individualized” thought, thus functioning as a higher vibration of Mer-
cury, the “common” mind. Neptune would be “universal love,” the higher octave of “personal
love,” signified by Venus. Pluto would stand for “transformation,” a superior manifestation of the
“destruction,” signified by Mars. However, there are several attributes of the modern planets that
are not explained by the theory of the octaves. For instance, the qualities of rebelliousness and rup-
ture commonly
com monly aattributed
ttributed to Uranu
Uranuss are in th
thee traditional system related to Mars and not not to Mercury;
illusion and dream, associated with Neptune, are attributes of the Moon, not Venus; the issues of 
 power
 pow er presen
pre sently
tly related
relat ed to Pluto are tra
tradition
ditionally
ally the SSun’s
un’s domain. Furthe
Furthermore
rmore,, in tra
traditio
ditional
nal as-
trology the highe
higherr quality or “supe
“superior”
rior” exp
expression
ression of a planet’s action iiss related to its essential con
con--
dition, as given by the essential dignity system, not bbyy another planet. The “sha “sharing”
ring” of a class of at-
tributes by two planets creates a sort of “shortcircuit” in the astrological interpretation system.
There are other versions of the octave theory, but none is completely satisfactory.

 No
 Notwi
twiths
agents thstan
of tandin
dingg these misgiv
transformation,misgivings,
actingings,
uponthetheadvocates of planets
traditional this theory con
conside
sider
(referred to rinth
thee modern
this contextplan
planets
as ets to be
personal
or social planets) and inducing the personality to transcend their limitations. For this reason, the
modern planets are commonly referred to as the transpersonal planets.

The Question of Modern Rulerships

As part of
o f tthe
he attem
attempt
pt to integrate the moder
modernn planets into the astrological system, the rulers
rulership
hip ooff a
sign was assigned
assig ned to each on one.
e. This assignment was
was not made quietly. For a long time, several pro prop-p-
ositions were argued for, each one gathering its passionate defenders. In the end, the English/Amer
ican version eventually predominated over the French and German suggestions. It gives the sign
Aquarius
Aqua rius to the ruler
rulership
ship ooff Uranus, Pisces ttoo Neptune, an
andd Scorpio to Pluto and currentl
currentlyy enjoys aal-
l-
most unanimous acceptance. In contrast, the assignment of the exaltations was never clarified, and
the assignment of the remaining essential dignities (triplicity, term, and face) was never even at-
tempted since contemporary astrologers, wh whoo were unfamiliar witwithh their prac
practical
tical application, con-
sidered them obsolete.

It is important to note that the inclusion of the new planets in the scheme of rulerships runs contrary
to the principles upon which the system rests. Instead of basing the scheme upon the order of the ce-
lestial spheres and the seasons of the year—which establish the traditional rulerships—the ruler-
ship of the new planets is based upon a supposed similarity between the planets’ and signs’ attrib-
utes. From this point, the situation gets even more complicated because the connection based on
similarity between sign and plaplanet
net leads to tthe
he transference of the sign and house attributes onto the
 plane
 pla nets
ts themse
the mselves
lves.. For instanc
instance,
e, Pluto jjus
ustif
tifies
ies its signif
sig nifica
ication
tion o f death
d eath throug
thr oughh its as
asso
soci
ciati
ation
on
with Scorpio, the eighth sign and also (incorrectly) to the eighth house of death.

Astrological Associations of the Trans-saturnian Planets

The amalgamation of mythological and historical associations combined with attributes “bor-
 rowed” from the signs and houses has resulted in the following associations:

Uranus: liberty,
centricity, inventiveness,
unpredictability, originality,
unrest, independence,
everything that breaks revolution,
boundaries, innovation, inspiration,
sudden changes, ec-
long dis-
tance travels, telecommunications, computers electricity; some also argue that it rules astrology
and astrologers.

216IO
216I Oh  tfic Heavenfy Sjificres

Neptune: idealism, spirituality, devotion, Most common  Alter native

Planet
intuition, fantasy, yearning, mysticism, symbol Symbols

universal love, dissolution and sacrifice;

escapism, illusion, victimization, unpre-
dictability, drugs, anesthesia, hypnosis,
Uranus
¥ Ô
cinema and publicity. Neptune
Ï
Pluto: transformation, transmutation illu-
mination, but also obsession, dependency,
Pluto
p T V a
control, manipulation; nuclear energy, ter- Figure 1. Symbols of the Modern Planets
rorism and organized crime.
It should be noted that all of the attributions of the modern planets were “borrowed” from the tradi-
tional planets, as has been stated. The association of astrology with Uranus is in truth borrowed
from Mercury, which has always ruled astrological knowledge.

Despite this smorgasbord of significations, attributions, and rulerships, the nature of the modern
 planets
 plan ets was neve
neverr cle
clearly
arly defin
defined.
ed. No prim
primaryary qual
qualities
ities were ever attribute
attri butedd to them, nor w
were
ere any
temperaments, sect, or gender.36 Because of this, the modern planets lack an essential foundation
that defines their effects. Instead, an enormous collection of significations have been grouped over 
the last decades. In practice, their interpretations appear to be applied subjectively, which leaves
open the question of their astrological effects. There are arguments that attempt to justify this lack 
of consistency by considering that they operate on a superior level and that, therefore, their effects
are unknowable. This very statement can undermine the astrological application of these planets.
Because astrology is essentially a predictive instru instrument
ment (whether ooff indi
individual
vidual behavior or o f un-
folding events), it is crucial that interpretations be clear and objective. If it is impossible to know
the effects o f Ur
Uranus,
anus, Neptune, or Pluto
Pluto,, their astrological (and therefore predictive) value becomes
greatly diminis
diminished.
hed.

The Matter of Speed

Another question related to these planets concerns their slow speed. Because they are very distant
from Neptune,
Sun. the Sun, which
they have verymore
is even slowdistant,
cycles.takes
Uranus
1644takes
16 years 84
andyears
Plutototakes
complete its orbit
248. This meansaround the
that Ura-
nus takes on average seven years to pass through each sign. Neptune takes rou roughly
ghly 13 years. Pluto is
a special case, since its orbit, which is inclined in relation to the ecliptic, causes variations in its ap-
 parent
 par ent motio
motion.
n. Thus, its pas
passag
sagee through
thro ugh a sign varies
varie s between
betw een 13 and 35 yea
years,
rs, dep
depend
ending
ing upon
what area o f tthe
he zodiac it is traversing.

As a comparison, recall that Saturn, the slowest of th

thee visible planets, takes two and a half years to
cross a sign and completes a revolution of the zodiac in 29 years. Jupiter completes a cycle in 12
years and therefore, spends only a year in each sign. The speed of the remaining planets is even
faster: Mars takes two years to complete a revolution, while Venus and Mercury, always close to the
 36 Some
modem astrologers have proposed the nature of hot and dry for Uranus and of cold and moist for Neptune.
However, this attribution is dubious because it is based upon the supposed characteristics of the planet and not on its
 pos
newitio
ition
plannets
in the
planets thwould
e celestial
celesti
beallocated
spheres,
sph eres,
locat from where
ed beyond wh ere the
Saturn andvisible
vis ible planets
before planet s derive
derivofe the
the sphere their
the irfixed
qualities.
qualiti es. In
stars. the
th e celestial
celestUranus
Therefore, ial spheres
sph eres
couldmodel,
model
nev er, the
never be
hot, since it is beyond Saturn, which is cold and dry and very far from the Sun, which imparts heat. Similarly, Neptune,
the most distant of the planets, could never be moist, since humidity derives from its proximity to the Moon and the
Earth (or from the interposition
interposition between two hot and cold extrem es, as is the case with Jupiter). Jupiter).

 Ap pe nd ix 2/ 217 

Sun, take about one year each. The Moon, which is extremely fast, completes a cycle in less than 28
days.

The slow speed of the transsaturnian planets implies that all people born around the same period
have these planets in similar configurations. For this reason, some authors suggest that their influ-
ence should be considered
con sidered to appl
applyy on th
thee collective rather tha
thann individual levels. Astrologic
Astrologicalal ge
gen-n-
erations determ
determined
ined by the zodiacal positions of th these
ese planets are often referred to
to.. For instance
instance,, all
of the people born between November 1974 and November 1981 have Uranus in Scorpio, Neptune
in Sagittarius,
Sagittariu s, and Pluto in Libra (although obviously in different degrees of each sign depending on
the birth date) and therefore, share the symbolism attributed to these zodiacal positions.
The Matter of Visibility
The astrologic
astr ological
al system is based upon direct observation of th thee heavens. It is thought that light is the
medium by which the planets transmit theirthe ir properties, since light is what
what allows us to see (that is, in
the sense of understanding or interpreting). It is for this reason that the planets that cannot transmit
their light
l ight to Earth (for example, a planet obscured by ththee SSun’s
un’s rrays
ays or aann eclipsed lum
luminary)
inary) are in-
terpreted
would be as being devoid
considered of power and
nonfunctioning capacity
in the to act. system,
astrological From this perspective,
since thevisible
they are not modernto planets
the na-
ked eye.

This nonvisibility also has repercussions in the matter of the aspects. As we’ve explained, the as-
 pects
 pec ts rela
relate
te to the pl
plan
anet
et’s
’s capacity to “se
“see”
e” (from the Latin term aspectare,  “to see”). Thus, it is not
 possib
 pos sible
le to asp
aspect
ect (see) somet
something
hing which is not visible. Ther
Therefor
efore,
e, a pl
plane
anett invis
invisible
ible to the nak
naked
ed
eye also cannot form aspects.

Conclusion
Taking all this into consideration, some authors have proposed that the modern planets be included
in a special category of invisible bodies that would operate on a different level from the visible
ones.

It is the authors’ opinion that the interpretation of Uranus, Neptune, and other similar bodies should
 be refra
re fraine
inedd from until the
their
ir nature
naturess have been defined
defin ed in an obj
objecti
ective
ve and con
consist
sistent
ent mann
manner.
er.

Furtherm ore, the discovery of new

Furthermore, new astr
astrological
ological object
objectss should not bbee used as a pretext for negle
neglect-
ct-
ing the study of astrology’s fundamental principles. Even if these new objects prove to be valid in
astrological interpretation, they should always be considered as adjuncts to the traditional system
and never as their substitutes.

 No tw ith st
stan
andi
ding
ng the chosen approach to as astrol
trology
ogy (modern, psy ch cholo
ologic
gical,
al, pure
pu rely
ly tradit
tra dition
ion al, or 
other), a comm itted student must ma master
ster the
the traditional interpretation techniques in which the new
 pl
 plan
an et s are not include
included,
d, fo r they are the core
co re o f the astr
a strolo
ologic
gical
al sy
system
stem..

The Asteroids and Other Minor Bodies

 There are, in our solar system, thousands of celestial bodies that fall into this classification. The
most wellknown
we llknown are the asteroids that or
orbit
bit bet
between
ween Mars
Mars and Jupiter. The first, Ceres, w
was
as di
disc
scov
ov -
ered in 1801; in 1802, Pallas was discovered, followed by Juno (1804) and Vesta (1807). In the sub-
sequent decades, hundreds of others were discovered. Today, there are several thousand asteroids
catalogued.

 218/Ott
 218/O tt tfic Hcavc
HcavctiCy
tiCy Sjr
Sjrfie
fiercs
rcs

The inclusion of the asteroids in the astrological interpretation dates from the 1960s. Of the thou-
sands of known celestial bodies, the most frequently used arc Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta—the
first to have been discovered and also the largest of the group (Ceres, the largest of all, was classi-
fied as a dwarfplanet in 2006). The astrological interpretation of the asteroids is based upon the
mythology associated with the asteroid’s name: Ceres, which receives its name from the Roman
goddess of the harvest, is interpreted as an indicator of “nutritional capabilities.” Pallas, baptized in
honor of the Greek goddess Pallas Athene, is frequently associated with “combat and strategy”
characteristics of this goddess. Juno, which gets its name from Jupiter’s goddess consort, is held as
a symbol of the “capacity to manage relationships.” Vesta, whose name evokes the goddess who
 protec
 pro tects
ts the hheart
earthh and its fire,
fire , is gener
generally
ally connec
connected
ted with
Symbol  A
 Ast
st ero
er o id
“integrity and personal discipline.”

As is apparent, all of these attributes can be related to the Ceres

classical planets: Ceres’ attributes are borrowed from the
Moon; those of Pallas, from Mercury and Mars; those of 
Juno from Venus; and Vesta’s from the Sun. $ Pallas

Another celestial body “adopted” in some astrological cir-

cles is the asteroid Chiron, which was discovered in 1977.
It is a small celestial body whose orbit lies between that of 
£ Juno

Saturn and Uranus. The name Chiron also comes from

GrecoRoman mythology: it is the name of a centaur and Vesta
son of Zeus who was the instructor of many heroes.

This discovery made a big splash among some astrologers, Figure 2. Asteroid Symbols
who considered it to be a tenth planet and immediately be-
gan to theorize about its possible astrological effects.
Among the more popular meanings is the association of  Symbol Centaur 
this celestial body with healing and teaching because the
mythology of Chiron depicts him as a healer and teacher. Chiron
Despite its huge popularity, the interpretation of Chiron
has remained
have largely
been largely theoretical
ineffectual andand in practice
rather vague. the results Pholus

For some time, this planetoid was thought to be the sole

one of
o f iits
ts kind. This notion proved to be incorrect when af-
ter 1990, many bodies similar to Chiron began to be de-
tected in that region of the solar syst
system.
em. They were generi-
£ Nessos

cally classified as centaurs and the convention was Figure 3. Centaur Symbols
adopted to baptize them all with names of centaurs from
Greek mythology
m ythology or my mythological
thological figures related to the
them.
m. The large number of discoveries
Today, dozens o f centaurs are known. They mak makee up a het- has exhausted the names from
erogeneous group with different shapes and sizes. Their  GrecoRoman mythology and made
orbits are very eccentric and in many cases they cross the it necessary to adopt names from
 pl
 plan
aneta
etary
ry orb
orbits.
its. Amo
Among
ng those most cite
citedd in astrolo
ast rology,
gy, the mythologies of other cultures or 
aside from Chiron, we also find Pholus, Nessus, and from mundane life itself (the latter 
Chariklo. used mainly to name the the smaller as
as--
teroids). Currently, it is
is even possi-
Other minor celestial bodies have been discovered in the  ble to pur
purcha
chase
se the rrigh
ightt to nam
namee an
 past
 pa st few ye
year
ars,
s, pa
parti
rticu
cula
larly
rly in the region situ
situated
ated bey
beyond
ond asteroid.
 

220/O n tfic Hcavnify Sjili

Sjilicr
crcs
cs

the product of visions and psychic impressions. The fact that they do not objectively exist is justi-
fied by their supposed esoteric existence, accessible only to the more spiritually advanced.

With the continued appearance of new “planets” of this type, the situation became even more ab-
surd. We've reached a point where there now exist various hypothetical planets with different at-
tributes sharing the same names or ruling the same signs. Many of these “planets” even have pub-
lished cphcmcrcdcs (which establishes their orbits, speeds, positions, etc.), without ever having
their existence—ethereal or otherwise—proven. After the discovery of Pluto in 1930, the theoreti-
cal surge diminished and the hypothetical planets gradually disappeared
disappeared from astrological
astrological in terpre-
tations.

Among the most wellknown hypothetical planets arc Vulcan, Transpluto, Proserpina, Adonis, Isis,
and Osiris. Currently there are still some who use these bodies. This is the case of the Uranian
school o f astrology, which, besides the known planets, include
includess eight hypothetical planets in their 
interpretations: Admetos, Apollon, Cupido, Hades, Kronos, Poseidon, Vulcanus, and Zeus.

Modern Non-planetary Points

In addition to the planets and asteroids already mentioned, there are still other secondary elements
that some astrologers include in their interpretations. The most wellknown is the Black Moon or 
Lilith, a point that results from the projection of ththee apogee o f the Moon onto the eclip tic.37 The at-
tributions given to this point, suc
suchh as rejection, nonconformity, and instability, are characteristics
inspired by the mythology o f Lilith, the first wif
wifee o f Biblical Adam. There is some
some confusion around
the name of this point, since it is given to three different elements: the Black Moon, asteroid #1181
(also named Lilith), and a hypothetical satellite named Dark Mo Moonon that supposedly orbits Earth. 38
For this reason, some less informed astrologers use the same interpretive attributes indiscrimin ately
(as well as the same symbol) for all three elements.

Anoth er point frequently mentioned by some astrologers is the Galactic Center, which as the name
indicates, marks the position of the galaxy in relation to the zodiac. It is currently located at abo ut
27° Sagittarius (26° 51 ' in the year 2000) and moves at a velocity of 1° every 72 years, the rate of 
 pre
 p rece
ce ss
ssio
ion.
n. Th
Thee iint
nter
erpr
pret
etiv
ivee in
inte
tere
rest
st in th
this
is po
poin
intt see
s eems
ms to be
be m
more
ore sy
symm bolic
bo lic than
th an p ra
ract
ctic
ical
al and
an d ttyy p i-
cally refers to mundane astrology.
Symbol Name
The Vertex, which gained popularity in the 1990s,
arises from the intersection of the Prime Vertical
with the ecliptic in the west. Its interpretation is ex-
tremely speculative and is sometimes referred to as a
2 Black Moon
Moon or Lilith

sort of “second descendant” and associated with re- Galactic Center 

lationships. The opposite point is known as the
antiVe rtex and no interpretative meaning is given to to
it. VXorV Vertex
 Figure 4. Symbols of the
Modern Non-planetary Points

37The apogee is the point in the orbit of the Moon, where it is at its greatest distance from the Earth.
3SThe Dark Moon, a hypothetical satellite of the Earth, was proposed by the authors Goldstein and Jacobson.

 A jj
 A jjyencfix
yencfix 3

 M in o
 Min  orr Dignit
ignitiies, Z o  od
dtia c a
 aC 
C 
 Deg r
 rees,
ees,  a na A cftft  ti
ti  ona
ona f Tabf e s
Minor Dignitie
Dignities

In addition
addition to the 
the  dig
dignities
nities mention
mentioned
ed in Cha pter   V, there are o others
thers of lesse
lesserr importance
importance whose
 p
 practi
ractical
cal applicatio
applicationn is more unco
uncommon.
mmon. Amo Amon ng these, the
the be
better
tter known are
known are the
 the novenaria
novenaria and
 and the
doudecima,
doudecim a, both resulting
resulting f rom
rom the d iivision
vision o f th
thee signs
signs by
 by nine and
and 12 equal parts,
parts, respectiv
 respectively.
ely.

Simil
imilar
ar to the terms
terms and
 and the f aaces,
ces, these sm
small
all ssegments
egments of
o f the
the signs
 signs are rule
are ruledd by a planet.
planet.

Novenaria

 Noven
 Novenaria
aria are 0 03°20
3°20'' segmen
segments ts of  a
 a sign resultin
resulting g from its 
its  div
division
ision into nine
nine equal
 equal parts.
parts. TThe
he first
no
novenaria
venaria of
o f the
the zodiac
 zodiac (0°00
(0°00'03°20'
'03°20' Aries
Aries)) is ruled by
ruled  by MMars;
ars; the f oollowing
llowing novenari
novenariaa are attri  b-b-
uted to the
the pla
planets
nets according
according to  to the or dder
er o
off the domicile
domiciles. s. In this way,
way, Mars
 Mars initiates
initiates the
 the sequence
sequence
00°00’   03°20’
03°20’   06°40’   10°00   13
13°°20’ 16°40'   20°00   23°20’   26°40‘
26° 40‘
 because
 bec ause   it rules 
rules  the
the   first
sign, Aries,
Aries, f ollowed
ollowed  by
TT   d $ $ J o $ 9   d it
«  b 9 V J 0 5 Venus,
Venu s, ru
ruler
ler of the
the sec
second 
ond 
 b it   d
H $   d it  b  b it   d 9 5 sign (Taurus),
(T aurus), Mer  c
cury
ury
S  j o 5 9   d it  b  b it (Gemini),
(Ge mini), the
the Moon (Can- (Can-
D   d $ 5> D 0 9 9   d it cer), the
the Sun (Leo),
(Leo), M er-
 b  b it cf  9 ? J O 5 cury again (Virgo)
(Virgo),, Venus
n. $   d it  b  b it   d 9 S (Libra), Ma Marsrs (Scor   pio)
 pio),,
D 0 9 9   d it  b  b it Jupiter
Jupi ter ((Sagittari
Sagittarius),
us), Sat-
 d 9 J O 5 9   d it urn  (Capri
urn  (Capricorn
corn),
), Satur n
yy  b  b it   d 9 5 J O 9 oncee again (Aquarius)
onc (Aquarius) and 
and 
X J   0d
9 it5  b9    b
d iitt    b
d  b9 it? finally  Jup
finally  Jupiter
iter (rule
(rulerr of the
las
lastt sign,
sign, Pisces).
Pisces). T The
he se-
Figuree 1. Novenaria
Figur quence then
then   begins agai
againn

222/Oh   tfie Heavciify Sjifiercs

with Mars, followed by Ve- oo°oo 0 2*2* 30

30 ’ 0 5*
5* 00
00 ’ 07*30’ 10*00' 12*30’ 15*00’ 17*30’ 20*00 22’30’ 25
5** 00
00 ' 27*30’
T T  b n SB n m A z vy M
nus, Mercury, and so on n
until all the novenaria of   bK  nb n n n0 nrç nir  z vy vy X T  bT
S Q rç Rlr  z vy % T  b K 
the 12 signs arc completed. Q n rç n nv Z vy T  b H SB
rç rç nv z vy K T  b n SB n
n. nt z vy X T  b n SB n ni
This way, we obtain the ni q. z vy T  b n SB n rç n
“unfolding” of the ruler- z z vy X T b n SB n rç m
? T SB n nt z
ships throughout the zo- V  vy  b n rç
diac, which repeats the
*** T  b H SB a rç z vy
complete sequence nine
* T  b SB n  _Q L_  u iL z vy
Figure 2. Duodenaria (by Sign)
times.
00*00 02’ 3
30
0’ 05*00’ 07*30’ 10*00' 12*30’ 15*00' 17’ 30
30’ 20*00 22*30’ 25’ 00’ 27*30’
Duodenaria or *1“ d 9 9 P 0 9 9 d JU  b  b X
 b 9 9 P 0 9 9 d  b  b d
Duodecimae H ? P O 9 9 d X b  b d 9
(Twelfth-Parts ) Q
SB i) O
9
9
9
9
d
d
Ju
X
 b
b
 b
 b
h
X.
d
d
9
9
9
9
P
0
rç 9 9 d  b b d 9 9 P O
Duodenaria are segments n 9  b d d b X 9 9  p O 9
of 02°30' of a sign, result-  b
d  b JU 9 d 9 P 0 9 9
Z b 1  b 9 d 9 P O 9 9 d
ing from its division into V   b X d b P 9 9 O 9 9 d
12 equal parts. To each J L  b d 9 O 9  b
P 9 9 d Ju
d 9 9 9 P O b 9 d Ju  b
duodenaria is attributed
one sign and the correspon- Figure 3. Duodenaria (by Planetary Ruler)
dent planetary ruler. In this
way, each sign includes within itself a complete zdiac, with all of its rulers. The first duodenaria of 
each sign is always given to the sign itself. Thus, the first 02°30' degrees of Aries correspond to
Aries, the first 02°30' degrees of Taurus correspond to Taurus, and so on. The other segments of 
each sign follow the natural order o f the
the zodiac.For instan
instance,
ce, the first duodenaria of Cancer is attrib -
uted to Cancer, the second to Leo, which is the following sign in the zodiac, and then by Virgo, Li-
 bra, Sco
Scorpio,
rpio, Sagittar
Sag ittarius,
ius, Cap
Capricor
ricorn,
n, Aqu
Aquarius
arius,, Pisces,
Pisce s, Aries
Aries,, Taur
Taurus,
us, and Gemini. The duo
duoden
denari
ariaa
can also be represented by their planetary rulers.

Practical Application
Application
Although frequently mentioned by the ancient authors, the practical application of the novenaria
and the duodenaria are seldom exemplified. They can be applied to any factor in the chart, providing
additional information to its delineation. For example, the ruler o f the
the no venaria and the sign of the
duodenaria where the Moon in placed contribute to the delineation of the behavior of an individual
(in a nativity) or the unfolding of the events in a horary figure (in a horary question).

For example, the Ascendant ooff Friedrich

Friedrich Nietz
Nietzsche
sche’s’s chart is 229°
9° Scorpi
Scorpio.o. It is in a duodenaria of Li-
 bra, and the
theref
refore
ore,, this sign and its rule
ruler,
r, Venus, con
contrib
tribute
ute to dete
determ
rminin
iningg his momotiva
tivation
tions.
s. The
duodenaria of Libra suggests sociability and communication (moveable air sign), which he ex-
 presse
 pre ssedd th
throu
rough
gh his id
ideals
eals and be
belief
liefs,
s, as Ve
Venus
nus is po
posite
sitedd in the ninth
n inth hhouse.
ouse. It is, ho
howe
wever,
ver, colo
colored
red
  by rigo
r igor,
r, seve
se verity
rity (Virgo),
(Vir go), and also some sa
sadnes
dnesss (Ve
(Venus
nus is in fall). The A
Asce
scenda
ndant
nt is als
alsoo po
posite
sitedd in
a novenaria of Jupiter. This planet is dignified, which bestows upon him an idealistic nature with a
strong sense o f honor and dignity. Note, howeve
however, r, that all these considerations are always subordi-
sub ordi-
nate to the ruler o f the Ascendant and its conditions.
conditions. With Mars, the ruler of the Ascendant posited
in Virgo in the Midheaven, Nietzsche wished to succeed in this projects (tenth house), although he
 pro jected
jec ted a ccon
ontro
trove
versia
rsiall imag
imagee marked
m arked by critic
c riticism
ism (Mar
(Mars).
s).

 Apjm
 Ap jmuû
uûxx 3/223

Another example: In the chart of King Sebastian, the Ascendant falls into a duodenaria of Leo,
which gives him an assertive,
assertive , imposing, and conquering m
manner
anner.. However, the duo
duoden
denaria’s
aria’s plane
plane--
tary ruler, the Sun, is debilitated in Aquarius, somewhat limiting this assertiveness and tainting it
with arrogance.
arrog ance. The Ascendant is posited in a novenaria
novenaria of Satur
Saturn,
n, which is also the ruler ooff the As-
cendant, and therefore corroborates and reinforces its traits.

The Degrees of the Zodiac and their Properties

Acco rding to the tradition
According tradition,, the individual degrees of each si sign
gn also contain specific qualitie
qualitiess tha
thatt al-
low for greater detail in delineation. Degrees can be classified as feminine or masculine, fortunate,
obscure, void, luminous, etc. This leve
levell of detail is used only in specific delineations and rarely ttab
ab--
ulated in the study of an astrological chart.

The tables presented here are the more commonly used, but students should keep in mind that there
are several other versions, as in the case of the terms.

It is instance,
For importantthe
to note
third that the of
degree tables
the provided in at
table starts this03appendix present
o00'00" and endsthe
at real value ofThis
03°59'59". the degree.
differs
from the tables presented in ancient books, where the number 3 usually means the third degree of a
sign, that is from 02°00'00" to 02°59'59".

Masculine and Feminine Degrees

These degrees are useful in aiding the description in horary astrology. They can help determine gen-
der, according to the position of the significator in a masculine or feminine degree.
Light, Dark, Smoky
and Void Degrees
These degrees are also used to de-
scribe individuals (generally in the
context of a horary chart) and their 
interpretation is very straightfor-
ward. The light degrees indicate
lighter or pale skin, dark degrees
signify darker complexion, and
smoky degrees suggest intermedi-
ate tones. In some delineations they
are also used for aesthetic evalua-
tion: a light degree suggests beauty
and harmony of the face, a smoky
degree is associated with average
looks, and a dark degree with inhar-
monious features. Obviously, these
descriptions reflect an aesthetic
 of beauty that was probably cultur-
ally specific to Hellenistic and Me-
dieval
alteredEurope, andthe
to reflect would have to
cultural be
stan-
dards and mores o f today.

22
224/On  the Heav
4/On the Heavenfy  Spheres
enfy Spheres

vo id degr ees
The void have to d o with
ees have with in-
tual capabil
tellectual
tellec ities.   If th
capabilities. thee A scen-
Ascen -
nt and   the Moon arc posited
d aant posited in
void
vo id deg uggestt limit
rees,   they ssugges
degrees, ed 
limited 
tandin g (t
under sstanding o be consi
(to considered 
dered 
this informat
valid, this in formation must be cor-
ion must
roborated
roborat ed by  factors in the
by  other   factors
ch art).
chart).

the   light
 No te: the
 Note: light degre es ar c some
degrees some- -
times design “lucid”   or “lumi-
ated “lucid”
designated “l umi-
no us"; the da
nous"; dark degrees arc also
rk degrees also
called
cal led “te us" or “obsc
nebrous"
“tenebro “obscure."
ure."

Pitted  De
Pitted  Degrees
grees

According
Acco rding to the
the traditi
 tradition,
on, a  plane
 planett
 pos ited in 
 posi in  one o these degr ees
off these ees is is
like a pe rson at the b
person ottom of
bottom  of a p it,
pit,
thatt is, blo
tha cked   and
blocked  and im mobilized.
immobi lized. A
s ignifi
ignificator
cator p osited
posite d in a  pitted 
 pitte d   de-
gree d escribes
escrib es a pe rson,   an ani
person, mal,
animal,
or a situa that is imped eed,
tion that
situation d, rere--
strained,
strain ed, anandd unable
un able toto   over ccome
ome
the pro ble
 blem  withoutt help.
m  withou help.
Dark, Smokey,
Figure  5. Light, Dark,
Figure  Degrees
Smokey, and Void Degrees
Azemene
Aze or  Un
mene or  Unlucky
lucky Degrees
Degrees
<
V*
.
W TO *
* 1-
If XT IT
*-- > I  • ' I - Pitied degr ees
ees

Sometimes called “def iicient”

Sometimes cient” or   _  _   y y y  x 10°, 15°, 22°. 28°
5°, 10°,

 b"
 b"  — 
apped”   deg
“h andicapped”
“handic rees, they are
degrees,
4°, 11°, 23°, 24°°
23°, 24
also used 
also in the descr iiption
 used   in ption ooff ind i-
i- 7- -7~ 7- •--Tl 7
viduals.
vidua ls. TThey
hey ind iicate 
cate  conge
congenital
nital 1°. 11°, 16°. 2 5°. 29°
16°. 25°.
 prob lems, such as disto
 problems, rted limbs,
distorted ... T T -  r-.-T 7
dness,, deafn
 blindness
 blin ess, incurab
deafness, incurable le dis-
di s- s ’  T T --.. .
16°. 22°. 25°. 29°
11°. 16°.

eases, aand
A scen
scendant
nd s imilar  prob
dant an
 probllems. T
d the Moon,
and the Moon, as  as well
he
The
well as
n T i
Ï .1 ,-1  _
 _i.
i.  __ 7*i T
22°, 27°
12°, 14°, 21°. 22°,
5°, 12°,

re spectivee rulers,
ir respectiv
their
the rulers, po sited in
posited m 7°, 12°, 15°, 20 °, 22°
15°, 20°,
these
the se deg suggest some
rees suggest
degrees
ysical d eformity.
 physical
 ph eform ity.
some   kind o f 
of 
n. *r; y„ i**
i** y  *
0°, 6°, 19°, 29°

Fo
Fortunate Degrees
rtunate Deg rees
nb ...T r    ^ X . ..T ^ 7 ^ 7 8°. 9°. 21°, 22 °. 26°
21°, 22°.

the name
As the nam e sugg  these d egrees
ests, these
suggests, egrees 6% 11°, 14°, 26°,   29°
11°, 14°, 23°, 26°,
indicate
indica good for tune
te good t une and we alth,
wealth, 6°, 16°, 21°, 
21°,  23°, 28°
23°,
 and re pre sen t   fortunate
fortu nate in divid u
individ uals
als
rr  L7
or abund aance.
nce.
..-T.. ..7^ .,7 -
10°. 11°,
11°, 16
16°, 22°, 2 8 °
°, 21°, 22°,

K 
3°. 8°, 23°, 26 °, 27°
23°, 26°,

Degreess
Figure 6. Pitted Degree
Figure

 Ayyen
 Ayyencü
cüxx 3/225

w
r. Pitted degree* Additional Tables
5°, 10°, 15°, 22°. 28°
«r  __
»r
Variants of the Terms
• r  4°, 11°, 23°. 24° The exact
exact arrangement of the Ptole
Ptole--
7 i ■i
■r

1°. 11°, 16°. 25°. 29’

maic terms presents some problems
or  T •r. T IF
and it is still a matter of debate, as
or  T - •r    T. . >r IV
11°. 16°. 22°. 25°, 29° several versions exist. The various
extant tables vary with respect to
or  «r »r  »r W 
5°, 12°, 14°, 21°, 22°, 27° the number of degrees of each term
- 1t . * ' 1 ■— 

or  •r >r 7°, 12°. 15°, 20°, 22° and to the sequence of the planetary
rulers. As no original version of 
*r V 

or  0°, 6°, 19°t  29°

29° Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos  has sur-
•■ W . . . , 7 >r

8°. 9°. 21°, 22°. 26°

vived, there is no way to determine
o r  1  'T .• | i -. 1 •• with certainty which of the several
or  6°. 11°, 14°, 23°, 26°, 29° fragments available presents the
r  •T. T  correct version of the table of terms.
or 
6°, 16°, 21 °, 23°, 28°
T   Î
’1 1

» oM
10°. 11°, 16°. 21°, 22°. 28° The more disseminated versions
7 7  ►r 
were the one presented in the F. E.
or  «r >r  >r
3°. 8°, 23°. 26°. 27° Robbins translation (see bibliogra-
 phy), and the
the one included in Chris
Figure 7. Azemene (or Lame) degrees tian Astrology by William Lilly.

0V OS* 10* 13*

_______ L_<_____ 1_______ J___ ____
y  25*

K 9 „ $  j L di i 'f   .h,— 1

 b 9. •
JF ir
d
XT 

X i . 9 ,■ d jb .
4 if- «■ 9 , K 
G
 _9 J d y
Q
m
•11 1. ! k d „
n. K  9 r    V / U 7 1d7
9 'i
1 ”■”■ 1  r 
 A

V? 9 . ,9 7 7 ,r 
7 d
r 7^*1 | »
9 ,.
 Figure 9. Ptolemaic terms from
Figure 8. Fortunate Degrees Tetrabiblos
(or Degrees of Increasing Fortune) (translation of F. E. Robbins)

 226/On tfic Heav

Heavenly
enly Sj
Sjdic
dicrcs
rcs

As a curiosity, wc also S* 10* IS* 20* 25*

10* O cKT 05» 10* 15* 20* 25*
includeversion
in thiswhich
bookap-
a 9«• ?T  »r àv Î--
-1"- v „
 A
third 9T  w ?T y| d.”*1by - H — H - - + -r
-r - - H - t ' - W 1 | j i t ->-4-r -
 pears in several Iberian
works, among them Os  b 9  b , 9 . . S , i ^ 4 A
 Almanaques de Ma- i„ .9 .
r 
TT A , i . , 9 „ r   fyr  fyr 
drid(from  the paper Os
 Almanaques de Madri
Madrid,
d, i 4 r   9 À s r f - r   9 . A
Luis Albuquerque, Junta
T T. y i •
S -l 5  „   A A A Q A 9T IV Vr nr 
de Investigates do n 1
•-tt-T’ 1«■ >
1
-T-t - 1H’■ 1' 1  I i ’ i : i I «i • i ?• i

Ultramar, Coimbra ? A l
1961). JZL 99A» ir r tr  -A A rn ? .. C C ||'' -A A
n. c A A Pl K
3v nr 
A : 1? 1? A r   A 4 ïï]> Z  Î > r  ' - 4 ?
r- r t |-r
|-rrr 1 r|->  i-----

V? ■i.X.lV--..|..|  _ __
y i9 i V *  ,r  b . < , 9„. b,,.
! l. i— 1— !' l i l :- ---- ---- i - H — ;—

_$t ,r  --
 --HH A A y? 9 .
t r i ■ 1— :
$.tr ir 
- r - H - ---- ---- ---- - ■ i t

A , ?1,r   T9  »■ A A i ^ T i
c ’»• .d77tv
I | i i i

; . ■9-I .; . A A X A \ $ r   A A
Figure 10
10.. Ptolemaic terms from Figure 111.
1. Table of Ptolemai
Ptolemaicc terms
William Lilly (third variant
variant))
 

IX

 Afjjjen
 Afjj jencfi
cfi  xx 4

 Ad
 A dCo
d ïïtiona
Con tio
n cenah
h C 
cerningo
rning onside
nsiderat 
the 
the rat 
  Ho
Housiions
usesons
es
This  appendix
This  appendix focuses
focuses on some
some technical
technical aspects
aspects pertaining
pertaining to
 to the houses.
houses. The
The objective
objective her e is to
coverr various
cove various questions
questions and
and the related
related ramifications
ramifications that ar ise
ise in astrologic
astrological
al practice witho
practice without ut ad-
dressing
dress ing technical
technical details
details that ar e beyond
beyond the sco pe of 
o f  this
 this book. Also included in in  this section is a
supplement
upplement for
 for house
house interpretati
interpretationon that includes
includes the triplicity
triplicity rulers.
rulers.

Brief Note
Notess on the Orig
Origiin and Develop
Development of the H
Houses
ouses

Des pite their impor tance

tance in delineat
delineation,
ion, the astrologi
astrological
cal houses had
houses had a a  relatively late
relatively late developme
development.nt.
Thiss is explained
Thi explained by the
by the difficulty
difficulty that
that exists in preci
in precisely
sely determining
determining the
 the degree 
degree  of tth
he Ascendant,
Ascendant,
which
wh ich is a
is a pivotal elemen
elementt in the calculati
calculation
on of
o f the
the houses.
houses. Before
 Before accurate
accurate calculatio
 calculationsns existed,
existed, as-
trologer 
tro loger s had recognized
recognized the
 the impor tance
tance of the angles
angles and based
and based their
their interpretations
interpretations on on the
the rising,
culmination,
culminati on, and
and setting of the stars. However,
However, at this stage,
stage, the 
the  astrological
astrological houses
houses had notnot come
come
into use.

The first house
The first house systems
systems only a ppear around the 2nd
the 2nd century
century B.C.
B.C. with the
with the develo pment
 pment of the math-
ma th-
ematical
ema tical calculation
calculation of the Ascendant
the Ascendant.. The oldest was the whole
whole house system
house system,, in which a
which a whole
whole zo-
diacal sign is made
made to equal one
equal one house.
house. In this
this system,
system, the degree
degree of the Midheave
Midheaven n is not consid-
co nsid-
ered. With
With the developme
developmentnt of the requisite
requisite mathematics,
mathematics, the
the quadrant
quadrant systems
systems ( explained
explained in detail
detail
below) began
began toto appear. Quadra
Quadrantnt systems in
systems in general,
general, make the
make the Ascendant
Ascendant and
and Midheaven
Midheaven thethe cus ps
of the 
the  first and tenth houses, res pectively.
 pectively. This method
method of calculation
calculation determine
 determiness the angles with
with
 precisi
 pre cision
on   but leaves open
open the question of o f how 
how  to determine
determine the
the remaining
remaining hohouse
use cusps. 
cusps.  Several
Several
house systems
systems thus develope
developedd to address
address this question,
question, which
which to
to this day continues
continues under scrutiny.
scrutiny.
 The change
change from the wholes
wholesign
ign house system to
system to a quadr ant
ant system
system coincides
coincides with
with a series
series of devel-
d evel-
opments
opmen ts in astrology
astrology r esulting
esulting from evermo
evermorere precise measurements.
measurements. One of o f these is the attribu-
attribu-
tion of
o f orbs to the
the planets.
planets. The im provement
 provement of mathem
mathematica
aticall cal
ca lculations,
culations, whose histo
whose historical
rical details
details
are not
not com pletely known,
known, signals
signals the birth of
o f astrology 
astrology  as we
we know it today.

 228/O h  tftc Heavenly Sjjfteres

The Problem of House Systems

Different Methods of Division

As mathematics and astronomy developed,
several methods for calculating the house
cusps emerged. Throughout history, as-
trologers have developed different meth-
ods for dividing the sky. Currently, they
are still in disagreement as to the most ef-
fective method.
Various House Systems
There arc two categories of house div
division:
ision:
the natural division and a quadrant divi
sion. The systems of
o f natural
natural division take a
reference point—usually the Ascen-
dant—and
 parts divide
from that theThe
point. skymos
into
most 12l know
t wel
well equaln
known
and uti
utiliz
lized
ed systems
sys tems unde
underr this clas
classs are Figure 1. Wholesign
Wholesign Syste
System
m
the whole-sign and equal house systems.
The wholesign system, also known as the
signhouse system, is the oldest. It takes
the whole sign that is rising as the first
house, the next whole sign as the second
house, etc. This division does not use the
exact Ascendant degree, nor the
Midheaven for its cusps.
The equal house system takes the degree of 
the Ascendant as the first house cusp, the
same degree of the next sign as the second
house cusp, and so on successively. All of 
the houses therefore have exactly 30 de-
grees and all begin with the same degree of 
consecutive signs. The degree of the
Midheaven is not used as the tenth house
cusp.
The quadrant systems take the degree of 
the Ascendant as the first house cusp and
the degree of the Midheaven as the tenth house cusp. The differences between these systems lie in
the manner in which they divide up the quadrants (semiarcs) to obtain the cusps of the succèdent
 and cadent houses. These are known as intermediary houses because they are situated between two
angles.
There are two methods used to define the intermediary houses: divide the space, or divide up the
time. Thus, while some divide the space into slices between the Ascendant and the Meridian, others
divide the ascensional time from the zodiacal degree rising. There are various ways to do these cal-
culations, all of which produce different house systems. The more wellknown methods of spatial

 Ayycndix 4)229

division are the Regiomontanus and

Campanus, and the most wellknown
methods of temporal division are
Placidus, Alchabitius, and Koch.

There are two other systems of house divi-

sion: Porphyry and Topocentric. The
Porphyry system is one of the oldest quad-
rant systems;
systems; it directly divides the ecliptic
into three parts using the distances be-
tween the AscendantMidheaven arc and
ICAscendant arc. The Topocentric system
was created in the 20th century and makes
a very complex division from reference
 points located on the surfa
surface
ce of the Earth.

Most Popular
Although Systems
there are more than 20 known
Figure 3. Quadrant System
house systems, the truth is that throughout
history only a handful have actually been

NATURAIS Equal Houses  fw

 f wodu* £çu « jb
 jb» j j
OR
SIMBOLIC 1
SYSTEMS
Main axes (ASC. MC) Whole Sign
Sign o r Sign-House
are parta’y
considered

ECLIPTIC DIVISION
SYSTEMS Porphlrius
Divide the quadrants
House through the ecliptic
division <
methods

SPATIAL DIVISION Campanus

SYSTEMS
Divide one of the Regiomontanus
groat circles

QUADRANT
SYSTEMS
Main axes (ASC. MC) TIME DIVISION Placidus
are both considered SYSTEMS
Koch
Divide tho semi-arc
trough time  AJ ch abtt iu s
 OTHERS Topocentric

Figure 4. Main house systems

 

 Ap jm u ûx 4/231
4/231

Figure 5.
5. Differe
Differennt Latit
Latitud
udes
es Or
Orig
iginate
inate D
Diifferent
fferent   Astrolo
strologi
gical
cal Ho
Hou
uses
This  extrem
This  xtremee distor tion
tion of the 
the  houses
houses (whi
 (which
ch ends up
up supp
 suppres
ressing
sing some
some of   them)
them) results
results f rom
rom the
discr 
dis cr epancy
epancy betwe
betweenen the
 the d ur 
ur ation
ation of  night an
 night and
d day a
day att those
those latitud ees.
s. In tr uth,
uth, the w
the weakne
eakness
ss o
 o f th
the
system
ystem   is a dire
direct
ct ref lection
lection of
o f the lif e condi
conditio
tions
ns in those
those regi
regions
ons ofo f the
the glob
globe,
e, wher 
wher e at cert
certain
ain
timess of the y
time the year
ear the
the Sun
Sun does
does not
 not r ise,
ise, while
while at others
others,, it nev
never
er sets.
sets.

Techni
echniccal Note
Notes on Tr
Tradition
aditiona
al Hou
Housse Syste
System
ms

 Al cabitiu
ca bitius
s
The Alcabitiu
lcabitiuss house system
system ge
gets
ts its na
name
me from
from the AraArabic
bic ma
mathema
thematic
tician
ian Abu
Abu al-S
 al-Saq 
aq r al-Qa
al-Q abîsî
‘A
‘Abd bd  al-‘Az
  al-‘Azîz ibn 
ibn  ‘U
‘Uthma
thmann (c. 967),
967), know
 knownn in the w
the west
est as A
as Alcabit
lcabitiu
ius.
s. Altho
Although
ugh this
this auth
 author 
or  was
 was no
n ot
in
in   f act
act the
the creato
creatorr o
off this m
this method 
ethod  of
 o f house
house divisi
division
on,, it is de
describe
scribed
d quite
quite cl
 clearly
early in his
in his wor 
wor k.
k. To th
To thee
 traditional
traditio nal auth
authors
ors this
this was k n
nown
own as th
as thee ancien
ancientt method 
method  and
 and the earli
the earlies
estt evid ence
ence of  its use
its use a p pear
 pearss
in
in   the Byza
Byzantine
ntine pe
 period
riod (6t
(6th
h centur 
centur y C.E.).
C.E.).

Very sim ply,
 ply, th
 thee metho
method d consis
consists
ts of dividing
dividing th thee arc or  right as
 right ascensi
censionon o
 o f th
the A
Ascen
scenda dant
nt into
into three
eq u
ual
al parts.
parts. To obta
obtain
in the cu
the cusps
sps ofof th
thee twelft
twelfth h and  elevent
 eleventh h houses
houses,, d ivide th
ivide thee arc o
arc of f  ascens
 ascensionion fr o
om m
th
thee Asce
Ascend nd ant
ant to th
to thee Midh
Midheaven
eaven;; tthat
hat is, d 
is, d ivide
ivide the semi
the semi-a -arc
rc that
that tthe
he zodia
zodiacal
cal d egree,
eg ree, r iising
si ng at th
at thatat
moment
mome nt,, will tr 
will tr averse
averse until
until it
it cculmin
ulminateatess at the
the merid 
 merid iian
an (Midh
(M idheave
eaven).
n).

 232/On tfic Hcawn

Hcawnfy
fy Spf
Spfter
tercs
cs

The fifth and sixth houses are obtained

directly from the eleventh and twelfth houses
 because
 bec ause they arc at dia diamet
metrica
rically
lly opp
opposi
osite
te
 points.. To obtai
 points obtainn the cusps
cusp s o f the second
seco nd and
third houses (and their opposites, the eighth and
ninth) identically divide the semiarc between
the Ascendant and the IC.

 Re
 R e g io m o n ta n u s
This system of house division becam e very
 po
 p o p u la r a ft e r 149
1490, 0, w he n its fi
firs
rs t h ou se ta -
 bles
 bl es w ere
er e p u b lilish
sh ed . It ge ts its n am e from
fr om
its propagator, the mathematician Johann
Müller (14361476), known by his Latin
name Regiomontanus. As with the
Alcabitius method, Regiomontanus was

Figure 6. Alcabitius System not its creator,

ularized but rather
the system, sincethe one who
centuries pop-
earlier 
some Arabic authors mention a similar 
method.

The explanation for this method is a bit

more complex than the previous one and
requires some knowledge of celestial ref-
erence points.
points. It consists o f the division o f 
the celestial
celestial equa tor 39   into 12 equal parts,
using the horizon (Ascendant) and the me-
ridian (Midheaven) as reference points.
Then the space is divided into “slices,” us-
ing the poles of the prime vertical. 40   T h e
cusps of the intermediary houses are found
at the points where each “slice” intercepts
the ecliptic.
Figure 7. Regiomontanus System

The Triplicities of the Houses

Traditional interpretation is ver
veryy detailed w hen it comes to the houses of the horoscope. In addition
to the sign on the cusp of each house, the planets located in them, and the ruling planet, traditional
authors also include the triplicity rulers in interpretation; that is, the three planets that rule over the
element o f the sign on the cusp. These planets deepen and provide specifics abo ut the interpretation
o f each house. E ach o f the three triplicity lords has “rulership” over one o f the topics of the house,
 which allow s us to interpret in greater detail all of the topi
topics
cs associated with that area. In practice,
the triplicity rulers complem ent the delineation o f the houses and give details about sp ecific matters
39The celestial equator is an extension into the celestial sphere of the terrestrial equator; it divides the celestial sphere
into two equal parts.
4GThe prime vertical is a circle that divides the celestial sphere at the center, cutting it from East to West and passing
through the Zenith and Nadir.

 AyycntCix
 AyycntCix 4)233

or times when
when the themes
themes o o f th
thee ho
houses
uses are activate
activated.
d. For example,
example, the first r uler
uler of the triplicity
the triplicity of 
the seventh
the seventh house
house relates to mmarriage
arriage and
and romantic par tners;
tners; the second triplicity
triplicity ruler
 ruler gives
gives indica-
tions
ma
mattersabout
tters (conconflicts
(contracts, and all
tracts, etc.). Th ma
manner
These
esenner ofngs
meani
meaningsconfron
confrontations;
tations;lyth
arc obvious
obviously thesubordinated
e third inated
subord refers to
to business
to business
the mo reppartners
more artners  meaning
general and lega
legall
general meaning
of the house, indicated
indicated by the pplanets
lanets located
located in the hous
housee and by the the ruler of the hhouse.
ouse.

The meanings of ea each

ch triplicity
triplicity are shown be
below.
low. Although
Although some authauthors
ors have minor deviation
deviationss
from these
these attributions,
attributions, the table w wee present includes the mo
most
st frequently
frequently cited meanin
meanings.
gs. Note: the
meanings for  the
  the tenth,
tenth, eleventh, and twelfth houses
houses vary consi
considerably
derably fr oom
m author to au
author.
thor.

Third Triplicit 
 y |
 Ho use First Triplicity Second
Se cond Triplicity

Life and nature

nature ofo f the
The body and its its Similar to the
individ
individual,
ual, his or her 
First strength;
strength; the second  previou
 previouss two; the
wishes and tastes;
tastes; the
thirdd of life
thir life third third
third of life
first third
first third o
 o f life
life

Secondd
Secon Wealth in the Wealth
Wealth in the middle Wealth in the later 
Wealth
 beginning
 beginning of
o f life
life  part of
o f life  part of 
o f  life
 life
Older brothers; Middle brothers; Younger brothers;
Younger
Third
 brothers in general
general knowledge, learning
learning short travels
travels
Fourth father 
father  Property and
Property and estate
 estate The end of things
things
Younger sons;
Older sons; sons
sons; sons in Middle sons;
sons; pleasure
 pleasure messages,
mess ages,
Fifth
general and love ambassadors,,
ambassadors
 presents
 presents
1 Sixth Infirmities Servants, workers Small animals
Marriage , par tners,
Marriage, tners, Business associate
associatess
Seventh
Seventh Conflict
Conflict and confront
sex and legal matters
1 Eighth
Eighth Inheritances,
Death
Death Old things
things
enterprises,
ente rprises, anguish
Travel and Re
Religion,
ligion, honesty, Dreams, vision,
vision,
 Ninth
 peregrinat
 peregrination
ion faith,
faith, dreams wisdom
wis dom,, knowledge
Brings stability to the
Brings
Fame, dignities,
The mother 
mother , the other significa
significators
tors of 
Tenth honours,
hono urs, boldness
 boldness
  profession this house,
house,
and style of action
action
r ecognition
ecognition

Eleventh Hopes Friends, allies Grace, benefits

benefits
Twelfth
Twe lfth Enemies
Enem ies Sadness and sorrow B ig animals
an imals
 

 Ayy cn dix 4/235

Since this is a diurnal chart with earth on

the cusp,
nus,cusp , theand
Moon, sequence
Mars. of
Thetriplicities
Moon, ruleris Ve-
of 
the second triplicity is therefore signifi
cator of immovable
immovable property, and is de debili-
bili-
tated because it is in Capricorn (its detri-
ment), cadent in the weak twelfth house,
and opposition Saturn. This configuration
indicates that the property is not of good
quality. This indication corroborates the
actual ruler of the fourth house, Venus,
which is debilitated in Scorpio, conjunct
the South Node, and feral.

 Note: For
Fo r the beginne
beginnerr in horary aastrol
strology
ogy,,
there may be some
some confusion about the rrel- el-
ative importance
house: the ruler,of exaltation,
all the rulers of a
almuten,
Chart 12. Horary chart: “Is this house
triplicity, etc. Our suggestion is that the
a good purchase?” initial interpretation be made solely with
the ruler of the house. The triplicity signi-
fications
ficat ions of the houses are always secondary in relation to tthe
he ruler of the sig
sign.
n. IIff thi
thiss ruler is weak,
the triplicity rulers, even if strong, can only ameliorate this weakness. By contrast, the power of a
wellpositioned ruler can never be nullified by weak triplicity rulers. Furthermore, the interpreta-
tion of the rulers should always be framed within the appropriate chart context (since the informa-
tion given by the triplicity lords it is not always pertinent). The correct integration of all the rulers
of a house follows specific rules of delineation that are beyond the scope of this book.

Co-significators of the Houses

This is a system that associates planets to the houses symbolically, according to the Chaldean order:
Saturn is given to the first house, thus representing the enclosure of the soul in the physical body;
Jupiter to the second of wealth; Mars to the third of brothers; the Sun to the fourth house of the fa-
ther; Venus to the fifth of pleasures; Mercury to the sixth, the house of slaves; the Moon to the sev-
enth of marriage; Saturn to the eighth of death; Jupiter to the ninth of religion; Mars to the tenth of 
achievements; the Sun to the eleventh house of friends and hopes; and Venus to the twelfth, signify-
ing vices, according to some authors.

In theory, each cosignificator ac

acts
ts as a natural significator of th
thee matters ruled by that house
house,, bu t in
 pra cti
ctice
ce only a few are used in del
delinea
ineation
tion o f the hou
houses:
ses:
 Ho use
us e Co-sig
Co -signific
nificator 
ator  Usag
Usagee as natural si
significator
gnificator o f the matters o f the
the house
First
 First not used
Second 4 used as the natural significator of wealth and prosperity
Third cT used as the natural significator of brothers and travels (in
this regard the Moon is also used to signify sisters as
well as travel)
Fourth ]) used as the natural significator of fathers (together with
Saturn)

 236/On t(ic Hcawitfy Sji

Sjifte
fterc
rcss

Fifth 9 (used only as a natural significator of pleasure; in matters

of fertility
 planet it isasused
and not with Jupiterofand
cosignificator theMoo
Moon
fift n as a benefic
fifth)
h)
Sixth S (used only as a natural significator of employees)
Seventh D used in the delineation of relationships and marriage as a
natural significator of women (in female charts it is
replaced by the Sun)
Eighth (used only as a natural significator of death)
 Ninth used as the natural significator of religion and law
Tenth O' not used
Eleventh O not used
Twelfth 9 not used
The signs can also be considered as cosignificators of the houses. Thus Aries is cosignificator of 
the first, Taurus of
o f th
thee second, etc. In practice, this association is used
used only in the delineation of
o f ill-
ness, and each house corresponds to that part of the body ruled by the sign which is its
cosignificator.
cosignificato r. For example
example,, the third house corresponds to the arms
arms and shoulders, the parts of
o f the
the
 body assigned to the sign ooff GGemini.
emini.
 

 Append
 App endix
ix 5

 Min
 M inoo rConfigurations
Aspe
Aspects
cts a n d A spec
sp ectt
Minor Aspects
In addition to the five aspects already studied (conjunction, opposition, trine, square and sextile), there are
the socalled
socalle d minor
mino r aspects.
aspects. These aspec
aspects
ts were initiall
initiallyy proposed by astrologer/astronomer Johannes Kep- Kep -
ler (15711630), who considered other divisions of the sphere
sphere besides those acknowledged in the tradition.
These aspects are derived from the division of the circle (the zodiac) by 5, 8, 10, 10, and 12.
12. The division by 5
 produc
 pro duces
es the quint
quintile
ile (72°),
(72°), from whic
whichh we also get the biquintile
biquin tile (144°)
(144°).. The divis
division
ion by 8 pprodu
roduces
ces the
semisquare (45°) and the sesquiquadrate (135°). The division by 10 generates the semiquintile (36°), also
known as the decile, from which
which derives the sesquiquint
sesquiquintile
ile (108°)
(108°),, also known as thetridecile. As to the divi-
divi -
sion by
mino
minor 12
12,, it produces
r aspects thein
have arisen semisextile
astrological(3
(30°)
0°) aand
circl nd the septile
circles,
es, quincunxand(150°).
(150°). Moreproduced
the novile, recently (2
(20th
0th the
from century) twoo new
division f the
zodiacal circle by 7 (51° 27’) and by 9 (40°).

The assimilatio
a ssimilationn ooff these aspects
aspects into astr
astrological
ological circles wwas
as gradual
gradual.. Some were quickly received,
rec eived, such
su ch as
the quincunx and the semisextile, while others were never popularly incorporated. The quincunx and
semisextile
semise xtile are special cases. In contrast
contrast with the
the other minor aspect
aspects,
s, these two aspects are directly
direc tly related
rel ated
to the symmetry of the zodiac (see the chapter on aspects). They are the socalled inconjuncts which the tra-
ditionn does not con
ditio consider
sider legitimate aspects. Despite this, some authors give them meaning: the semi s emisextil
sextilee is
similar, although
a lthough weaker, to the sextile, and the quincunx has a moderately malefic nature. Othe Others rs give the
them m
 bo
 both
th the
t he me
meanin
aningg ooff instability
instabil ity and disconnect,
disc onnect, w
which
hich is in agreeme
ag reementnt with the natur
n atural
al st
state
ate o f inconju
inco njunct
nction
ion
that relates to the signs that the theyy connect.
connect. The remaining minor aspects
aspects are based upon
upo n m athematic
athematical al and
an d
 geometrical concepts, thereby completely losing the traditional relationship between signs. For this reason,
they were
w ere never consider
considered ed to be of great
great impor
importance
tance.. The classical authors sometimes use them
th em in ddirec-
irec-
tions, 41  but interpret the ccombinat
ombination
ion of planets
planets involve
involved,
d, instead of
o f the actual aspect; from the aspect one
simply derives the ease or difficulty of the aspectual relationship.
41For example, William Lilly, in Christian Astrology (see Bibliography).

238lOu the Heavenly Spheres

It was only in the 20th century that specific meanings were given to the minor aspects. These attributions
were never based upon the relationships between the signs, as is the ease in the tradition, but rather upon fac-
tors external to the geometry
g eometry o f th
thee zodiac. Some aspects
aspects derive their meanings from numerical
numerical symbolism.
For example, since the number five is associated with creativity in number symbolism, it is assumed that the
aspects resulting
resu lting from the divisio
divisionn by 5 (quintile and biquintil
biquintile)
e) mean creativi
creativity
ty (although the definition of 
o f 
what it means
mea ns to have a “creative" relationship between two planets is never cclearly
learly defined).
defined). The septile as-
 pects are given
g iven the meaning
mean ing o f fate, destiny, or fatality from the symbo
symbolism
lism o f the number seven. Other
O ther as-
 pects get the
their
ir meanin
me anings
gs from the gegeometric
ometric divisions o f the major aspects. For example, the semiquadrate
semiquad rate
and the sesquiquadrate, both derived from the square, mean tension and friction; the novilc, which is a third
o f the trine, receives from the latter the meaning of harmony and succe success.
ss.

 No orbs
o rbs arc used
us ed with
w ith the min
minor
or aspects because the range of the orbs would intersect with various
var ious aspects.
Only very close aspects arc considered (no larger than 2° or 3°). In any event, any interpretation that is attrib-
uted to them is always less important in the larger context of the chart.
chart.

Minor Aspect Symbols

As with for
symbols thethe
major
minoraspects,
aspects,there are not
although conventional
al
alll astrol- (Myph Mm  An gl e
ogers are in agreement about them. Figure
Figure 1 shows the
more commonly used glyphs. Semi-sextile 30°

Parallels and Contraparallel

Contraparallelss
7^ Quincunce 150®

Parallels are planetary relationships that derive from Semi-square 45°

the declination of the planets, meaning their position Q Sesquiquadrate 135®
north or south of the celestial equator. Conceptually,
they are completely different from the aspects, which Q Quintile 72°
are based upon the position o f the planets on the eclip- 4* Blquintile 144°
tic, that is, on the zodiac. Two planets are in parallel if 
 both are equally
equa lly distan
distantt from the celestia
celestiall equat
equator 
or  1 Seml-quintlle 36®
(they have the same declination). Planets in parallel 4s 108®
Sesquiqulntile
are both north or south of the celestial equator, while
in cases where one is north and the other south, but s Septile 51° 26’
equally distant from the celestial equator, they are
contraparallel. Generally, an orb of 1° is used. Below N Novile 40®
are the glyphs for the parallel and contraparallel. Figure 1. Minor Aspect Glyphs

 Name
 Na me Glyph
Harmonics
Parallel II
The harmonics concept developed as a part of a
Contraparallel # statistical study regarding aspects. Harmonics is a
system used to detect patterns in the minor aspects
In terms of interpretation, a parallel is treated
treated similarly and to interpret them according to numerological
to the conjunction and a contraparallel as an opposi- symbolism. This work, developed by British as-
 tion. This concept is a modem derivation of anti
antiscia.
scia. trologer John Addey (19201982), among others,
Although it’s received some attention, those that use it received some acceptance in the 1970s, although
in their practice are few in number. it was never widely used by practitioners. Al-
though interesting, harmonics mixes elements of 
statistics with geometry and numerology and has
little in common with the traditional astrological
system.

 Ayjjcndix
 Ayjjc ndix 5f239

Aspect Configurations

It is very common to find the aspects of a horoscope grouped into geometric patterns (triangles, rectangles,
diamonds, etc.) The interpretation ooff the
these
se patter
patterns,
ns, known as “aspect configurations”
configurations” is no
nott a part of
o f tradi-
tional astrology. Until the beginning of the 20th century, astrologers did not routinely trace aspects in a
chart. It was only when the graphical representation of aspects became popular that astrologers began to
highlight these patterns
patte rns and attribute meanings to them.
them. This new approach led to the patterning of aspect
configurations
configuratio ns and to their interpretations as geometric
geometric figures wiwithout
thout actually considering
considering the planets in-
volved. This shift in focus resulted in a change in interpretative priorities: the focus was removed from the
 planets
 plan ets (which prod
produce
uce the dy
dynamic
namic relationships o f the horoscope) and in instead
stead was placed on the aspects
and their
th eir configurations. From such an approach
approach,, one can only obtain generalized interpretations,
interpretations, which are
continually more abstract and removed from the unique meaning of each chart. The fascination that these
geometric designs have engendered in new students ends up distracting them from the more important ele-
ments o f a chart.
chart. Althoug
Althoughh they do not belong to the tradition,
tradition, we mention the as
aspect
pect configurations
configurations here be be--
cause their use (and abuse) is common practice in astrology.

T-square and Grand Cross

Both configurations are comprised of squares
and oppositions and therefore represent ten-
sion. The Tsquare is comprised of three plan-
ets: two are in opposition to each other and the
third that squares them both. The figure forms a
right isosceles triangle.

The grand cross is a derivation of the above

configuration: to the triangle is added a fourth
Figure 2. T-square and Grand Cross  planet, which oppos
opposeses the third. The combin
com bina-
a-
tion forms a square with a planet on each cor-
ner, diagonally crisscrossed by two
oppositions.

Grand and Small Trines

 
Figure 3. Grand Trine and Small Trine
These two configurations are comrpised of dif-
ferent trines and therefore indicate harmony
and ease. The grand trine is a triangle formed
by planets
plane ts that are 120°
120° from each other. The
small trine is a minor version of the grand trine
in which two planets in trine form sextiles to a
third.

The combination of two grand trines results in a

configuration
configuration known as the “Star o f David.”
Davi d.” It
 integrates six planets, all at 60 angles from
f rom one
on e
another, forming a sixpointed star. This is a
configuration that is rarely formed in the sky, to
which was given the meaning of good fortune
and luck. In practice, its power is more imagi-
nary than real.
Figure 4. The Star of David

240/O h  the Heavenly Spheres

Other common configuration figures arc the

kite and the popular mystic rectangle. The lat-
ter was all the rage in astrological circles when
some students began to relate this configura-
tion with “a noteworthy spirituality” (inde-
 penden
 pen dently
tly o f the planets
plane ts inv
involved!).
olved!). Obv
Obviously,
iously,
this is an exaggeration. Even Dane Rudhyar,
the astrologer who named it, said regarding its
use: “At first 1called it a ‘mystical rectangle...
. Later, I realized the inadequacy of the tenu,
that it was confusing, especially considering
the way it has been used and abused of o f late.”42

If we add the minor

m inor aspects to the major ones, the number of configurations increase
increases,
s, as does the imagina-
imagi na-
tion of some authors who attribute names and symbolism to them.

Because
metric the planets
patterns involved
that they create,initthe
hasaspect
become configurations are considered
common practice to include to
thebetranssatumian
less importantplanets,
than theplane-
geo-
toids, lunar Nodes, and other minor elements in order to
“complete” these figures. This obviously increases the The Huber Method
chances of finding “rare” and “exotic” patterns, while si- Also known as astrological psychology 43 , this
multaneously diminishing even further their significance method was created by Bruno and Louise
and meaning. Huber around the mid 20th century. Its inter-
 pretationn is based
 pretatio base d largely upon aspec
aspectt config
co nfigu-
u-
It is fair to suppose that these configurations may indi- rations, thereby creating a specific method-
cate a degree of tension or fluidity involved in the dy- ological approach to the horoscope. It consists
namic interactions of the chart and that they may even of studying the types of configurations formed
represent legitimate relationships between the planets.  by various aspects and giving givin g them elabo
elaborate
rate
However, they always need to be interpreted from the meanings. For this purpose, more than 30 geo-
 perspecti
 persp ective
ve o f the plane
planets
ts and not as indep
independe
endent
nt pat-
pat - metrical configurations were catalogued. This
terns in themselves. It is the planets that form the aspects; method is also a derivation of the traditional
therefore, it is with them that we anchor the delineation, system and includes very specific parameters,
not with the aspect. Nevertheless, the great majority of  namely as it relates to orbs and house systems.
 practition
 pract itioners
ers delineat
deli neatee the pattern
patt ern by its
itsel
elff withou
withoutt pay
pay--
ing proper attention to the planets involved—and therein lies a mistake. For example, a chart that has a
Tsquare is interpreted as tense and problematic, while one with a grand trine is seen as harmonious and
fluid. Although there is truth to these interpretations, they are meaningless if the nature of the planets in-
volved and their
the ir function in the chart are not considered. A Tsquare betwee betweenn the Moon, Venus, and Jupiter,
for example, will not present great tension, while a grand trine between Mars, Saturn and the Moon will
never be completely carefree and easy.
 42 Rudhyar, Dane.  Astro
 As trolog ica l Aspec ts. Au t q t v l  Press. Santa Fe, NM. 1980.
log ical
43 Not ttoo be confused
conf used w ith psychol
psy chologica
ogicall astrology,
astro logy, as this term encompass
encom passes
es several
se veral variations
variat ions o f astrological
astrologi cal practi
p ractice
ce
 based
 bas ed on, or relate
re latedd to, psychology.
psych ology.

 Appen
 Ap pendix
dix   6 

 Pfane
 Pfa nett ar
 ar
 y Hour s
According to
to the astrological
astrological traditio
traditionn the planets
planets and their att
attributes
ributes ar e present in eve
every
ry aspect o f 
life.
life. Consequently,
Consequently, every
every   day of the
the week is und
under er the dominion
dominion of one  plane
 planet.
t. The first day,
Sunday, is consecrated
cons ecrated to
to the Sun, the m most
ost impor ttant
ant of the celes
celestial
tial bodies.
bodies. Monday is ddedicated
edicated
to the Moon, Tuesday
Tuesday to 
to  Mars, Wednes
Wednesdayday to Mercury,
Mercury, Thursda
Thursdayy to Jupiter,
Jupiter, Friday to Ve
Venus
nus and
Saturday to 
to  Saturn.

This astrological
astrologic al rulership
rulership can be found in the names
names given to the days of the the week. In Fren
French
ch and in
Spanish this
this association
association is quite evid
evident.
ent. Lundi
Lundi and Lunes (M (Monday),
onday), originate
originate from thethe Latin term
term
luna, m
 meaning
eaning Moon; Mardi and Martes
and Martes (Tuesd
(Tuesday)
ay) come from mars’  , the remaining
remaining days
 days o f the
the we
week 
ek 
follow
foll ow the same pattern,
pattern, as can be seen in their names;
names; the only ex exception
ception is 
is  Sunday (Dima
(Dimanche,
nche,
Domingo,
Doming o, respectively)
respectively) which dderives
erives its name directly fr om
om the Latin
Latin term dominu
dominus, s,  which
 which means
 means
Lord,, as in day
Lord da y of the Lord. As to the word
the word Saturday
Saturday,, it derives
derives from the HebHebrewrew term 
term shabbath,
which refers to the
to the day of Saturn (which
(which in
 in Hebre
Hebreww is called Sha
Shabbathai).
bbathai).

The AngloSaxon
AngloSaxon names
names derive
 derive mostly
mostly from north
northern
ern deities:
deities: Tuesday is TTiw’s
iw’s day (a god ooff war
war,,
like Mars),
M ars), Wednesda
Wednesdayy is Wotan’s
Wotan’s (or Odin’s)
Odin’s) day
 day (god o
(god o f wi
wisdom
sdom whi
which
ch is taken
take n in this regard
regard as
 as
equivalent to Mercury),
Mercury), Tuesday is Thor’s dayday (god o f thund
thunders,
ers, like Jupiter)
Jupiter) and Frid
Friday
ay is Freya’s
Fre ya’s
or Frigg’s
Frig g’s day (goddess
(goddess of love,
love, similar
 similar to
to Venus). Sund
Sundayay and Monday
Monday are very
very obviousl
 obviouslyy Sun’s
Figure 1.
Figure 1. The
The Days
 Days o f the Wee
Week
k in Sev
Several
eral Languages
Week Day P l a n et Latin F r en c h Spanish
Sunday Sun
Sun Sole D imanche Domingo
Monday Moon Luna Lundi Lunes
 Tuesday
Tuesday Mars Martis Mardi Martes
Wednesday Mercury Mer curii
curii Mercredi
Me rcredi Miércoles
Miérc oles
Thursdayy
Thursda Jupiter  lovis Jeudi
Friday Venuss
Venu Veneris
Vene ris Vendredi
Ven dredi Jueves
Ju eves
Viernes
Sat
Sa turday Satur n Saturni/Sabatum
Sat urni/Sabatum Samedi
Sam edi Sâ
Sâ ba
 bado
do

 24 2/
2/On
On the H eaven
eavenfy
fy Spheres

day and Moon’s day.

Just as the days have plaplanetary

netary rulers, the hhours
ours arc also
also ruled by tthe
he planets. The planetary rulers o f 
the hours arc assigne
assignedd acco
according
rding to th
thee order of the
the celestial spheres, or Chaldean order: Saturn, Ju-
 piter,
 pite r, Mars, Sun, V Venus,
enus, Mercury and the Moon. The first hour ooff each day dete determin
rmines
es the plane
planetary
tary
rulerr that ru
rule rules
les the entire day. For instance; the first hour of SSunday,
unday, the da
dayy of the Sun
Sun,, is attributed
 by the Sun, and the entir
entiree day is therefore,
there fore, under its dom
dominion.
inion. To dete
determine
rmine the hour rulers of the
remaining hours one just has to follow the order of the spheres. Therefore, after the hour of the Sun
comes the hour o f V Venus
enus (second hour of the day)
day),, then the hour of Mercury (third hour), then of o f th
thee
Moon (fourth hour), of Saturn (fifth hour), of Jupiter (sixth hour) and of Mars (seventh hour). After 
the seventh hour the sequence repeats itself: the eighth hour is again ruled by the Sun, the ninth by
Venus, the tenth by Mercury, the eleventh by the Moon and finally the twelfth by Saturn.

At the end of the twelfth planetary hour the Sun sets, and Sunday night begins. However, the se-
quence of planetary hours continues without interruption: after the twelfth hour of Saturn follows
the thirteenth hour of Jupiter, which is also the first planetary hour of the night; so, the night of 
Sunday the
sponds is ruled
night by
of Jupiter. The
We night
have in
of this manner,
Jupiter beginsa in
daytheofthirteenth
the Sun (Sunday),
hour, ruledtobywhich corre-
Jupiter, fol-
lowed by the fourteenth hour, of Mars (second of the night), the fifteenth hour, of the Sun (third of 
the night), the sixteenth hour, of Venus (fourth of the night), the seventeenth hour, of Mercury (fifth
of the night), the eighteenth hour, of the Moon (sixth of the night), the nineteenth hour, of Saturn
(seventh of the night), the twentieth hour, again of Jupiter (eighth of the night), the twentyfirst
hour, of Mars (ninth of the night), the twentysecond hour, of the Sun (tenth of the night), the
twentythird hour, of Venus (eleventh of the night), and finally the twentyfourt
twentyfourthh hour, of Mercury
(twelfth of the night).

After the twentyfourth plan-

etary hour, the Sun rises
again and a new day begins,
in this case Monday. As
Sunday ends with an hour of 
Mercury, Monday begins
with one hour ruled by the
Moon, the next planet in the
Chaldean order. Therefore,
Monday is the Moon’s day.

The sequence of planetary

hours continues uninterrupt-
edly. It can be represented by
a spiral which repeats itself 
every week.
Every day (a period of 24
hours) has a diurnal ruler and
a nocturnal ruler. These pairs
of rulers are always the same
for each day of the week be-
cause the sequence o f plane-
tary hours never changes. Figure 2. The Endless Cycle of the Planetary Hours
 

 24 4j O n the He av
avcti
cti fy Sphe res

Calculating the Planetary Hours

To calculate
calc ulate the plan
planetary
etary hours of a given day itit is necessary to know
know the exact time for sunrise and
sunset o f that day and also for the next day’s sunris
sunrise. e. This information is easily found in astrono
astronomi-
mi-
cal almanacs, in some newspapers, and in official reports published by the astronomical observato-
ries. To calculate the diurnal planetary hours of a given day it is necessary to subtract the sunrise
hour from the sunset hour in order to obtain the length of that day. This value is then divided by 12,
to obtain the length of each hour. Then add thithiss number to the sunrise hour and each successive hour 
thereafter in order to determine the beginning of each planetary hour.

For example, using Jauary 1, 2006 in Lisbon:

Sunrise at: 7 hours 55 minutes

Sunset at: 17 hours 26 minutes (always use military time by adding 12 to the PM hours)

Therefore
The refore,, the day had a duration of
o f 9 ho
hours
urs and 31
31 m
minutes
inutes (17h26m  7h 55m = 9h 226m)
6m)
Since we have 12 diurnal hours, it is necessary to divide 9h 31m by 12.
To make it easier the minutes can be converted to a decimal by crossmultiplying:
So, the 31 minutes correspond to 0.52 hours.

 I f one hou r ccorre

orre spon
sponds
ds to 60 minutes, then:

1 h — 60m
60m
a — 31m a = (3
(311 x l)/60 = 0.52h

This number is added to the 9 hours, to obtain 9.52 hours.

Then divide 9.52 by 12, thus obtaining 0.79 hours. This was the length of each diurnal planetary
hour on that day, for Lisbon’s latitude. Convert this value back to hours and minutes: 0.79 hours
correspond to 47.6 minutes.

Following the same principle:

1 h — 60m
0.79 h — b b = (0.79 x 60)/1
60)/1 = 47.6m

It is therefore 47.6 minutes, whose decimal may be converted to seconds: 0.6 minutes is equal to 36
seconds.
 I f one m inute
inu te corre
cor respo
spo nd to 60 seconds,
seco nds, then:

1 m — 660s
0s
0.6 m — c c = (0.6 x 60)/1 = 36s

Therefore, each planetary hour had the duration of 47 minutes e 36 seconds.

 

 246/On tlic Heavenly Sy

Syfier
fieres
es

Practical Application
The planetary hours arc used to determine the quality of a given moment in time. They arc mainly
used in horary astrology and in astrological elections. In mundane and natal astrology their applica-
tion is more limited. In a nativity, the day an
andd hour rulers are uused
sed to assess the
the essential qqualities
ualities oof 
f 
the native by combining the qualities of these planetary rulers to the overall delineation.

In horary astrolo
astrologygy they are used ttoo determine the validity of the
the question. IIff in
in a given horary chart
the ruler
ru ler o f tthe
he planetary
pla netary hour has no affinity with the ruler of the Ascendant, or has no prominence
in the chart whatsoever, it suggests that the question was inadequately expressed or that it doesn’t
make sense. It is however, in astrological elections that the planetary hours are more widely ap-
 plied,
 plie d, ass
assisti
istingng in the sele
selection
ction of the most suita
suitable
ble moment.
General Meanings of the Planetary Hours
The hours ruled by Saturn arc always appropriate for deep thought, the organization of ideas, and
the performance of tasks that require patience and discipline. They can represent somewhat de-
 pre
 pressin
goodssingg mom
moments
moments ents
for due to the m
initiating melanc
elancholic
holic nature
agricultural of the
activities andplanet.
plan
foret.making
In prac
practical
tical terms,
plans againstthey alsoenemies.
one’s indica
indicate
te
They arc not appropriate for the start of any kind of treatment, for taking medication, nor for speak-
ing to the authorities; they arc also inappropriate for any type of construction, as well as the forma-
tion of
o f partnerships or marriages
marriages..
The hours ruled by Jupiter are propitious for any kind of venture or endeavor. They are the ideal mo-
ments for the expansion of one’s horizons and for increasing inspiration. They are temperate and se-
rene hours, favorable for any exchange or matters related to money, as well as for business, travel,
medical treatments, construction, and sowing. They also indicate good moments to attend to matters
of peace and agreements, friendship, and government
government..

The hours ruled by Mars are moments of action, conquest, and beginnings. They are therefore good
for initiating a treatment or for taking medication. They favor all kinds of work involving fire.

Tasks requiring assertiveness and competition are the most appropriate at these moments, but it is
necessary to be cautious of misunderstandings and conflicts. They do not favor negotiations or 
travel, and those things that are also inappropriate for the Saturn hours.

During the hours ruled by the Sun, it is appropriate to engage in activities related to energy and lead-
ership. They are favorable for the initiation of public actions which require visibility. They are
therefore beneficial moments for speaking to the powerful. The Sun’s planetary hours are neutral
for other matters, namely for business, associations, marriages, and construction.

The moments ruled by Venus are appropriate for activities related to harmony, beauty, pleasure, so-
cial contacts, and relationships. They are the most indicated moments for buying jewelry and all
 mann er of adornments, leisure activities, and all activities commonly attributed to women, such as
manner
embellishments. They are also excellent for marriages and partnerships, as well as for speaking to
superiors and to wo
women
men in general. Due to their joyfu l and careless nature, they are not appropriate
for activities demanding great seriousness and effort.
Mercury hours are good for communication as well as for signing documents. They are appropriate
for study, writing, teaching, and learning in general. They are likewise indicated for business trans-
actions, commerce, and all manner of exchanges and connections, and favor aall ll requests, including

 Ap
 Appen
pen dix 6)247 

 pray ers and m

 prayers marriag
arriagee pproposals
roposals.. They are also good for treatmen
treatments
ts and trave
travel,l, ppart
articu
icularl
larlyy bu
busine
siness
ss
travel.

The hours of the Moon favor all socalled domestic activities, particularly the acquisition and han-
dling of
o f fo
food.
od. They are propitious for all activities requiring imagina
imagination
tion (from the invention of
o f use
use--
ful products, to less recommended activities such as fraud
fraud and
and treason). They are also benefic
beneficial
ial for 
enterprises requiring swiftness, but unfavorable to the ones demanding stability.
Combining Planetary Days and Hours
The significations of the ruler of the day and the ruler of the hour must be combined to achieve a
more comprehensive understanding of the chart.The ruler of the day offers a general signification,
while the ruler of the hour describes the actions of tthat
hat moment. Because it extends for a longer
longe r pe-
riod, the day ru
ruler
ler’s
’s signification is more br
broad;
oad; the qualities given by hour rulers are more spec
specific,
ific,
and therefore more significant. For instance, on a Venus day (associated with pleasure and com-
fort), a Jupiter hour may be appropriate for relaxing, engaging in enjoyable activities, and conced-
ing to some indulgences. On th thee same Venus day,
day, a Saturn hour may represent a more melancho
m elancholic
lic
and reflexive moment, which can tone down the animation of a party, or the reunion of friends.
On a Moon day, which is generally somewhat agitated, the Mars Mars hour ca
cann trigge
triggerr misundersta
misunderstandings
ndings
and weaknesses, although it can also be a good time for making an appeal to a cause. On the same
day, the Mercury hohourur can favor contacts and aall
ll manner of communication. On a Jupite
Jupiterr day (fav
(favor-
or-
able for any kind ooff endeavor), the Sun hour is is best suited for making a request to a superior. On the
other hand, on that same day the Mars hour would be better suited for bold actions that demand
 physic
 phy sical
al cour
courage
age (for instance
instance,, engag
engaging
ing in extreme sports). A Venus houhourr on a Mar
Marss day can adaddd a
strong erotic/passionate tone to the dynamic environment of the day. The reverse combination, a
Mars hour
hou r on a Venus day, can indicate a moment of competition or perhaps jealous jeal ousyy that arises un
un--
expectedly in a pleasant and cordial environment.

 No te that all these sign

 Note signific
ificati
ations
ons should
sho uld be c ombined
omb ined with the condition
cond ition o f the ru
rulin
ling
g plan
pl an et a
att that 
 pa rt
rtic
icul
ular
ar moment
mome nt in order to obtain a more deta
d etailed
iled interpre tation.   The condition of the planet is
inte rpretation.
obviously determined by its essential dignity, angularity, speed, and the aspects it forms.

For example, to choose a favorable moment for a declaration of love, consider a Venus day and
hour. Venus days are Fridays, and the Venus hours on Friday are the first (right after sunrise) and
the eighth (in the afternoon, around 2:30 p.m).

There are, however, other factors to be taken into consideration. First of all, it is crucial that Venus
 be in a good cond
condition
ition at the chose
chosenn date. It should be as str
strong
ong aand
nd as dig
dignif
nified
ied as po
possi
ssible
ble bec
becaus
ausee
any debility of Venus will affect the hours it rules. It is also important to ascertain the condition of 
the other significators of the matt
matter,
er, in this case the Ascendant an andd its ruler (sig
(signifying
nifying the person
who declares his or her love) and the Descendant and its ruler (the person to whom the declaration is
made); any planets placed in the first or in the seventh houses will also be relevant to this matter.
Let us now suppose that the declaration
declaration had to bbee made in the
the week of April 26May 2,1 99 8. In that
week, Friday (day of Venus) falls on May 1. The ephemeris for that day shows Venus is greatly dig-
nified in Pisces,
nusruled where it has exaltation and triplicity. The day is therefore favorable for Ve-
activities.

 No w it is nnece
 Now ecessar
ssaryy to choose
choose,, with
within
in the hours of Venus
Venus,, the mo
most
st ap
appr
prop
opria
riate
te mo
momement.
nt. The
Th e fir
first
st
hour begins at 6h44, exactly at sunrise,
sunrise, and ends
ends at 7h
7h52.
52. In practical terms, it is far too ea
early
rly for this
 

 Ayycndix
 Ayyc ndix 6)249

• Jupiter, ruler of the day, is in the

thirdSun,
the house
houseits oof
f communication,
communication, trining
dispositor.
• Saturn, ruler of the Midheaven (and
thus significator of the boss and the
career) is in the first house,
suggesting the boss’s interest in the
 project.
 proje ct.
• Mercury, ruler of the Ascend
Ascendant
ant (and
significator of the native) is in the
eleventh house and forms a sextile to
Saturn, which it also disposits; the
native has therefore some influence
over the boss (as Mercury disposits
Saturn) because there is good will
(sextile) between them.
• The Moon, also wellposite
wellpositedd in the
eleventh and in exaltation, separates
Figure 9. Elective Chart for Presenting a Project from the conjunction of Mercury and
applies to the sextile of Venus; this
translation of light connects the native (Mercury) to a promising career (Venus exalted in
the tenth house of career and authority).
In both these examples of electional charts, the planetary rulers of the day and hour combine with
the essential and accidental dignities and with the aspectual dynamics.
 

 250/O
 250/Oh tfte Hcawnfy Sjrfwrcs
 

 Ast
 A strr o
 ol 
l 
 ogi
 o gicc al 
 al   Cha rt
 rt Calc
 Calcu
ulatio ns
This appen
appendix
dix includes
includes basic
basic instructions
instructions for  calculating
  calculating an as
astrological
trological chart ((see
see the bibliogra
bibliogra phy for 
 book s with
with instruction
 instructionss on more
more complicated
complicated ccalculations
alculations).
).

In orde
orderr to erect
erect an astrological
astrological chart
 chart the f o
ollowing
llowing data are neede
are needed:
d:
• Date and timetime of  the
 the event (of the birth,
the birth, o f the
the quest
 question,
ion, etc.)
• Geog
Geographical
raphical longitud 
longitud e and latitude
latitude of the
the location (wher 
location (wher e the event
event occur 
 occur ss))

Lon gitudes and   latitudes,

Longitudes latitudes, includ ing
ing their
their time zones,
zones, can
can be
 be obtained
obtained from
from a a good atlas
atlas (ACS  American
 American  or 
 Internationa
 Inte rnationall Atlases are typically
typically u
used
sed for this purpo
this purpose),
se), or data bases aavailable
vailable on the
on the In
Internet.
ternet.

Materials
An ephemeris
An  ephemeris is
 is need ed
ed in order
order to ere
erectct an astrological
astrological chart. This book
This book llists
ists the daily
dail y posi
position
tionss of the
the plan-
 plan-
ets as well as the sidereal time,
time, and  the
  the major iity
ty con
contain
tain the positions
positions of
 of the planets
planets anand
d sidereal time f o or 
r 
00:00
00:0 0 hours
hours Universal
Universal Time at
Time at the Prime
Prime Meridian
Me ridian (Greenwich
(Greenwich,, England).
England).

A tables of hou
housesses (The M iichelsen Book
chelsen Book o f T a bles) is used to calcula
ables) calculate
te the house
house cusp
cusps,
s, and each is
each is spe
specific
cific
to a particula
pa rticularr house system.
system. These
These tables
tables show
show the
 the cusps for the tenth, eleventh,
eleventh, ttwelfth,
welfth, first,
first, second,
second, and 
third houses for a particular
particular sidereal
sidereal hou
hourr and latitude.
latitude. As of the date of pub
publication,
lication, there
there is n
noo known table
t able
in print
print for A
Alchabitius
lchabitius houses
houses.. For this r eeason, the
ason, the examples
examples pre
presented
sented here were
here were not calculated
calculated us using
ing this
house system
house  system (used
 (used in all
all other
other charts in this
this book),
book), but by using R egiomontanus
egiomontanus ho houses,
uses, another
another tra
traditional
ditional
house
hou se system.
system. Curre
Currently,
ntly, the most
most popular
popular systems
systems (and  therefore
 therefore the easiest
easiest tables to find ) are Placid usus and 
Koch.

Calculations

There inare two to

lated in order 
 order  pa
parts
 to rts involved
involve
establish
establish thed in
 the aer 
eecting
cting an
fr amework
mework aastrolog
strological
within
within ical the
which chart. In the first
planets will
planets  will partte.
opera th
theeOn
operate. 12lyh
Only house
ouse
after cusps
cusps are
this is are
this co ca
calcu-
lcu-
complete
mplete
are the
the planetary
planetary posi
positions
tions deter mmined.
ined.
 

 App end ix 5/253

The Reason
Reason fo r the Correction
The time it takes the Sun to cross a specific place on earth (the Greenwich Meridian, for example) is not
the same as the time it takes a specific star (like 0 Aries) to cross that same location. This is because the
earth is not only rotating on its axis but is also orbiting the Sun. Thus, by the time the earth has made a
24hour rotation it has also moved a tiny bit in its orbit. More specifically, a 24hour sidereal “day” is re-
ally about 3 minutes and 56 seconds shorter  than
 than a 24hour solar day. If we reduce the day to hours, we
find that one hour of
o f sidereal time is 9.86 seconds shorter than a solar hou
hour.
r. Thus, in order to conve
convert
rt solar 
time to “star” time, we must make this correction, which we’ve rounded up to 10 seconds.

2. Mean Solar Hour

Hou r Correction: Take the Mean SSolar olar Hour (obtained
(obtained in B.2) and also correct it by adding 10
seconds
secon ds for each hour
h our ooff solar time. Thus, if the birth time were 11:45, multiply 11.75
11.75 (the decim
decimal al format
forma t of 
11:45) by 10 seconds and add this value to the Mean Solar Hour.

3. Add the corrected Mean Solar Hour (obtained in C.2) to the corrected Sidereal Time (obtained in C.l).
The result is the Local Sidereal Time. With this figure,
figure, then consult the tables of houses for the latitude o f 
the birth or event to obtain the house cusps.
If the houses are calculated for the northern hemisphere
hemisphere and the latitude of
o f th
thee chart is for the southern hemi-
sphere, simply add 12 hours to the local sidereal time and switch the signs in the table for their opposites.

Part IL Calculating the Longitude of the Planets

Consult the ephemeris for the date of the event. Note the positions of the planets for midnight prior to the
Universal Time o f the event. Note the positions
positions ooff the
the planets for midnight
midnight of
o f the next day and calculate the
difference. This value is the daily motion of
o f the planets.

Note: the daily motion will be a negative number if the planet is retrograde.

Take the Universal Time o f the birth and the daily

daily motion ooff tthe
he planets and calculate how far it moved on
the birth date by using a simple proportion and crossmultiplying.
crossmultiplying. Thus, iiff the planet covered “X” degrees in
24 hours
ho urs (1 day), then from midnight of the
the previous night until the birth hour (using Universal Time) it will
have covered “Y” degrees. Mathematically this would be expressed as follows:

Daily motion X Universal Time = distance covered at birth

24 hours

Add this distance to the positions of

o f the planets for midnight of the day prior to the birth. This will give you
y ou
the radical positions of the planets.

 Not e: It is necessa
 Note: n ecessary
ry to covert
cov ert the degrees, minutes, and secon
seconds,
ds, as we
wellll as the
th e hours, minutes,
minu tes, and sec
second
ondss
to decimal format before adding them. To do this, keep these equivalencies in mind:
 60 seconds = 1 minut
minutee
60 minutes = 1 hour or 1 degree
degree
360 degrees = 0 degrees

254/On flic Heavenly Spheres

The zodiacal
zo diacal longitudes can be converted to absolut
absolutee longitude as follow
follows:
s:

00° T = 0°
00° a = 30°
00° X = 60°
00° S = 90°
00° fl = 120°
00° W = 150°
00° -ru = 180°
00° 11V = 210°
00° = 240°
00° “ft = 270°
00° = 300°
=
00° X 330°
Chart Calculation Examples

 Exampl
 Exa mplee 1
Consider a child bom November 17,2005 at 1:10 AM in Lisbon, Portugal. The data:

Date: 11172005
Hour: 1:10 PM
Location: Lisbon, latitude 38°N43' and longitude 09°W08'

 Hou se Cusp Calculation

Calculat ion

A. Convert birth time to Universal Time:

The official clock time

tim e is Ih 10m and Daylight Savings time was not in effect at this time of the year, which
means no adjustment
adju stment is needed. The time zone for Lisbon, Portugal is the same as Greenwich
Greenwich Mean Time, or 
Universal Time, or UT +0. Thus, Ih 10m of Lisbon time corresponds exactly with Ih 10m of UT.

B. Obtaining the Mean Solar Hour 

When the longitude o f Lisbon (09°W08

(09 °W08')') is mltiplied by 4, the ddifference
ifference in time is O
OO
Oh 36m 32s (each de-
gree corresponds to 4 minutes of time).

Since Lisbon is located

loca ted to the west of the Greenwich Me
Meridian,
ridian, this value must be subtracted from the UT of 
 birth to oobtai
btainn the
th e Mean
Me an Sola
Solarr Hour.
 Ih 10m 00s  OOh 36m 32s = OOh 33m 28s
Thus, the Mean Solar Hour is: OOh 33m 28s

C. Calcu
Calculating
lating the Local Sidereal Time

The sidereal hour for Greenwich at 00 hours on November 17, 2005 is 3h 44m 36s.

 Ay yc
ycnd
ndix
ix 5/255

 Now make a correction to the sidereal hour of

o f 10 seconds for every 15°
15° of llon
ongi
gitu
tude
de:: Lisb
Li sbon
on is a t 09°
0 9°00 8',
8' ,
so the correction is approximately 6s (note that 10 seconds per 15° = .67s per degree).

Since Lisbon is west longitude, these 6 seconds must be added to the sidereal time:

3h 44m 36s + 6s = 3h 44m 42s

Therefore, the corrected sidereal time is 3h 44m 42s

The same correction

correcti on must now be made to the Mean Solar Hour
Hou r of the birth (Oh
(Oh 37m 28s) by addin
addingg the same
10 seconds for each hour. This also results in approximately 6 seconds.

Oh 33m 28s + 6s = Oh 33m 34s

Therefore, the corrected Mean Solar Hour is Oh 33m 34s

 Now add the corrected

correc ted Sidereal Time to the corrected Mean Solar Hour to obtain the Local Sidereal
Sid ereal Time fo
for 
r 
the birth:

3h 44m 42s + Oh 33m 34s = 4h 18m 16s

The result is a Local Sidereal Time for the birth of 4h 18m 16s.

Using this figure, look up the birth latitude of 38°

38°N4
N433 ' (or the closest latitude) in the tables of
o f houses to ob-
tain the house cusps. Consulting a Regiomontanus tables of o f houses
houses for the latitude 38° (the closest latitude in
the table) and
a nd using the two closest sidereal hours—
hours—4h4h 12m and 4h 24m—the result is the following values
for the cusps:

For 4h 12m (38° latitude):

Midheaven 04°57' Gemini
Eleventh house 12°00/  Cancer 
Twelfth house 13°00' Leo
A s c en d an t 08°05' Virgo
Second house 03°00' Libra
Third house 00°00' Scorpio

For 4h 24m:
M i dh e a v e n 07°47' Gemini
Eleventh house 14°00' Cancer 
 T w e lf t h ho u s e 15°00' Leo
Ascendant 10°30' Virgo
Second house 05°00' Libra
Third house 03°00/ Scorpio
Each of these lists provides approximate values. However, by calculating more precisely for latitude
38°N43 ' and for 4h 18m, the result is:

 25
 256/O  n tftc Hcavcnfy
6/O n  Sjrfi crcs
Hcavcn fy Sjrfi crcs

Midhcavc
idhcavcnn 06°26'
06° Gemini
26' Gemini

Eleventh
Elev enth house
house 13°08' Cancer 
Twelf th
th house
house 14°03' Leo
Ascendant
Asce ndant Virgo
09°29' Virgo
Se
Second
cond hou se
house Libra
03°50' Libra
Third ho use
house 01°48' Scorpio

 Now dr aw chart with the

aw the chart with the degre es and house
degrees house cusps
 placed
 place d in the
the circle (u se a zodiacal
(use rulerr on the out-
zodiacal rule the out-
ease o f pl
side for ease planet placement later).
anet placement the infor-
later). Or, the
ma
mation
tion can be presented in a square chart.
be presented chart.

Calculation  o f tth
alculation o Planetary Positions
he Planetary Positions
To calculate the  position
calculate the  Moon, look
position of the Moon, look in the
ephemeriss for the
ephemeri Moon's position
the Moon's m idnight
posit ion at midnight
 pr ior 
io r   to the d ate
a te of bi
of  birth
rth (N o vembe
vemberr 17) and   at
midnight
midnig date  of birth ( No ve
thee date of
ht after th vemm ber
 be r 18)
18):: Figure 1. Chart with  House Cups
1. Chart with  House Cups

Position aatt OOh of   the birth date: 16°31'

o f  the Gemini
16°31' Gemini
Position
Positio n at OOh o
OOh o f the next Gemini
next day: 19°32' Gemini

 Ne xt, take 

 Next, take  the diffe rence between
difference between bo th positions
both positions in
order toto find how
how far the
th e Moo
Moonn has mo ved in 24
moved
hours::
hours

2' 16°31'
19°32'
19°3 16°31' = 13°0
13°011z

Therefore, the
Therefore, Moon moved   13°0r in
 the Moon moved   24 hours.
in 24 hours.

 N
 Now
mow calculate
calcu
oment o
oment  o flate
birth.how
birthho
. Two far the 
the
at,  Moon
do that,
th set up  amoved
up a simpleuntil
simple upropor-
ntil the
tion and cr ossmultiply:
ossmultiply: if in the Moon moved 
in 24h the
13°01'
13°01' then iinn Ih 10m moved “X”.
10m it moved better to
“X”. It is better
values to d ecimal
rt the values
convert
conve ecimal format in in order to
 order to do
calculation:
the calculation:
Fi
Figure Sq uare Chart
gure 2. Square H ouse Cusps
Chart with House Cusps

13°0rr = 13.01
13°0 67°
13.0167°
Ih 10m = l,1667h
10m = l,16 67h

13.0167°° X I. 1667 h = 0.6328°

13.0167 0.6328°
 24
24hh

onverting back to
Converting back to degrees
degrees and mi nutes, the result is:
 and minutes, numberr o f de
is: 00°38'. This is the numbe grees that the Moon
deg Moon

moved   from
from OO
OOh
h UT un
until
til the moment
moment of
o f birth.
 Now this value
 N ow add this position of
value to the position Moon given in
o f the Moon given in the ep hemeris (for
ephemeris UT) in order
 (for OOh UT) gett its posi-
o rder to ge pos i-
/ = z Moon at the
efore,, the Moon at birth was
the hour of birth was 07°
at the hour
tion at the ho ur of the b irth: 06°31
birth: 00°38  07°09
06°31 ' + 00°38  0 7°09 . Ther
Therefore
Gemini 09'.

 Appe ndix 5/25

5/257 
7 

 Now calculate
calcu late the pposition
osition of Mercury. Consult the ephemeris
ep hemeris and locate th
thee positions
positio ns for midnight
midnigh t on the
 birth date and on the following date.
Position
Posit ion at OO
OOh o f the birth date: 10°20 ' Sagit
Sagittarius
tarius
Position at OOh of the next day: 09°47 ' Sagittarius

 Note that Mercury is moving backward

b ackward in Sagittarius, which means it is in retrograde
retro grade motion. Subtracti
Subtracting
ng
the difference, the result is:

09°47' 10°20' = 00°33'

The motion is negative, which means Mercury moved backward 00°33 ' in 24 hours. Now set up a simple
 propo rtion and ccrossmultip
 proportion rossmultiply
ly in order to find out how far it has retreated in Ih 20m:

Ih 10m = 1.1667h

33 z  X 1.1667h= 1.6042'
24h

That is, Mercury moved approximately 00°02'. By removing this amount to the midnight position, its posi-
tion at the hour of
o f birth is:

10°20'00°02' = 10°18'

Mercury is located at 10° Sagittarius 18'.

Repeat the above procedure for the remaining planets, paying special attention to any retrograde planets.
When the planets move very slowly (which is the case with Satum and the Nodes) the calculations can
quickly be estimated.

In order to facilitate these calculations, collect all of the data in a table:

Figure 3. Planetary Positions, Example 1

Planet  D y 9 0 o’ h Q
Position at Oh
06°31' 10°20' 11°01' 24°44' 1l°50' 04°43' 11’17' 11°23'
 pr
 prior
ior to birth
date
Gemini Sagittarius Capricorn Scorpio Taurus Scorpio Le
Leoo Aries
Position at Oh 19°32' 09’47' 11’55' 25°45' 11°32' 04’56' 11’ 18
18' ll° 2 0 '
after birth date Gemini Sagittarius Capricorn Scorpio Taurus Scorpio Leo Aries
  Motion in 24h +i3’or  00°33' +00°54' +01’01' 00°18' +00’13
’13' +00’01' 00’03'
 Motion until the
+00°38' 00’02' +00°02' +00’03' 00'45" +00'30" +00'30"  0'08"
moment o f birth
birth

Pla net’
net ’s position 07°09' 10°18' 1l°03' 24°47' U°49' 04°43' 11°17' U°23'
in the chart  Gemini Sagittarius Capricorn Scorpio Taurus Scorpio Le
Leoo Aries

 Note
 No te that
tha t the position
posi tion o f the South
S outh N
Nod
odee is exactl
exactlyy oopposit
ppositee th
thee North
No rth Node:
No de: 11°23
11°23 ' Capricor
Cap ricorn.
n.

 258 lO
lOnn tfic H ea
eawn
wn fy Sjifi
Sjificrcs
crcs

 No w position
 Now posi tion the planets
plan ets in the chart using the zodia-
cal ruler on the wheel as a guide. Place the glyph for 
the planet, its degrees and minutes, and an indicator 
o f retrograde motion when this applies. At the center 
of each chart we place the name of the native (or of 
the event), the birth information, and some astrologi-
cal notes, such as the ruler of the day/night,
day/night, the plane-
tary hour ruler, and the planet (and aspect) to which
the Moon next applies.

The Part of Fortune is calculated according to the

method already outlined in Chapter XIII, while the
 planet
 pla netary
ary hours are determined
determ ined according
accordin g to the in-
structions in Appendix 6, The Planetary Hours.

In a square
somewh
somewhat chart, the
at different. placement
In this of the planets
kind ooff diagram, is
the plan-
ets are adjoined to the house cusp that contains the Figure 4. Chart Example 1
same sign as the planet. In this example, note that th thee
Sun and Jupiter, both located in Scorpio, arc on the
third house cusp, which is positioned at 09°07' of the
same sign.

From the motion of the planets that were just calcu-

lated, it is immediately easy to tell the speed of the
 planets
 plan ets (see Cha
Chapter
pter V).

In a list or grid next to the chart the aspects can be

noted, along with their applications or separations
and whether
wheth er they are dexter or sinister. They can also
 be di agrammed
diagram
explained
explain ed inmed w
within
ithinVIII,
Chapter the cente
cbut
enter
ther oof
f thewould
data chart, have
as was
to
 be note
n otedd somewh
so mewhere
ere else.

To determine the prenatal lunation, look once more

in the ephemeris for the last lunation just prior
pri or to No-
vember 17,2005. In this examp
example,
le, the prenat
prenatal
al luna- Figure 5. Chart Example 1, Square Version
tion was a Full Moon on November 16, 2005 at 23°
Taurus 46'.

 Exa mple
mp le 2
  No w consi
 Now co nsider
der a horar
h oraryy ch
chart
art eerecte
rectedd fo
forr Sept
Septembe
emberr 1,2
1,200
005,
5, at 3:33 PM in Lisbon, Portugal
Portu gal (the same
sa me chart
cha rt
used in Chapter XIV, “How will the championship
championship unfold
unfold?’?’).
).

The data are:

Date: 09012005
Hour: 3:33 p.m.
Location: Lisbon, Portugal, latitude 38°N43 9 and longitude 09°W08'

 Apjjendix
 Apjje ndix 5/259

 Housee Cusp Calculation

 Hous Calculati on
A. Convert birth time to Universal Time

The official hour, when converted to military time, is 15h 33m. At this time of the year, Daylight Savings
Time (UT
( UT +1 ) was in effect. Thus, in this case, subtract 1 hour from the clock time in order to get the hour at
the meridian:

15
15hh 33m  Olh 00m = 14
14hh 33m (hour at th
thee meridian)

As in the prior case, the official meridian of Lisbon is the same as Greenwich, which corresponds to UT+0.
Thus, the Universal Time for the question is: 14h 33m.

B. Mean Solar Hour Calculation

Multiply the longitude of Lisbon (09°W08') by 4 to obtain the temporal difference: Oh 36m 32s. Since Lis-
 bon is located west
we st of the Greenwich Meridian, this value is subtracted from the UT of the question
ques tion to obtain
ob tain
the Mean Solar Hour.

14h 33m 00s

0 0s  OOh 36m 32s
32 s = 13h 56
56mm 28s

birth is: 13h 56m 28s.

Thus, the Mean Solar Hour of birth

C. Local Sidereal Time Calculation

The Sidereal Time for Greenwich at OOh of September 1,2005 was 22h 41h 02s. The result, when corrected
10s per 15° of longitude to the Sidereal Time, is:

09°08 ' implies a correction o f appr

09°08 approximately
oximately 6 seconds
(10s for each 15° = .67 seconds per degree)

Since the latitude is west, these 6 seconds are added to the Sidereal Time:

22h 41m 02s + 6s = 22h 41m 08s

Therefore, the corrected Sidereal Time is: 22h 41m 08s.

If the same correction ooff 10 seconds

seconds per mean solar hour ( 13h 56m 28s) is calculated, the result is
is::

13h 45m 28s+ 140s = 13h 58m 48s

 Thus, the corrected Mean Solar Hour is: 13h 58m 48s

 Now
 No w add the corrected
co rrected Sidereal Time to the
t he co
corrected
rrected Mean Sola
Solarr Hour
Hou r to get
g et tthe
he Local
L ocal Siderea
Sid ereall Time:
Ti me:

22h 41m 08s + 13h 58m 48s = 36h 39m 56s

The Local Sidereal Time is: 13h 58m 48s.

 26 0/ On tftc H eavenly

eavenl y S y Itérés
 Ité
  rés

Use this figure to cconsult

Use onsult the Regi omontanus tables o
Regiomontanus tables o f ho
houses
uses and
and find thee latitude
 find an entry for 12h 36m for th
38°:
38°:
Mi dheaven
Midheaven Libra
09°48' Libra
Eleventh
Eleve nth house 05°00' Scorpi
Scorpioo
fth house
Twelfth
Twel 27° Scorpio
Ascendant 20°23'
20° 23' Sagittarius
Second house Capricorn
22°00' Capricorn
Third house 04°00' Pisces

Th en interpolate fr oom
Then m these cusps  (and from those for the next sid
cusps (and ereal hour) to get the
sidereal get the following  more pre-
following more
house cusps:
cise house

Midheaven 10°51'
10°51' Libra
Eleventh house
Eleventh house 06°41 ' '  Scorpio
Twelfth
Tw elfth house 27°51' Scorpio
Scorpio
As cendant
Ascendant Sagittariuss
20° 46' Sagittariu
20°46'
Second house
house 22°14' Capricorn
22°14'
Third house 04°01 ' Pisces

tary Position Calculation

Planetary
Plane Calculation
In order to calculate
calculate the planet ary positions, use a
planetary use a table to coll ect the information,
collect information, as in the pre vious exam-
previous
 ple:

Figure 6. Pla netar)1 Positio

Planetar)  Positions,
ns, Example 2

Planet    D   y   9   o   er    4   h   Q
Position at 
08°16' 23°22' 17°33' 08°39/
08°39 17°07' 18°30' 05°50'
05°50' 15°27'
Oh pr io
iorr to
birth date Leo Leo
Leo Libra Virgo Taurus Scorpio Leo Aries 1
Posit iion
on at 
20’07' 25
25°05'
°05' 18°43'
18°43' 09°37' 17°29'
17°29 18°42' 05°57' 15°24'
15°24'
Oh af ter 
af ter 
birth d ate
ate
Leo Leo Libra Virgo Taurus Scorpio
Scorpio Leo Aries
Aries

 Motion in
+11’’51'
+11 +01°43' +01’ 10' 00°58'
+00°58 +00°22' +00°12'
+00°12' +00’077'
+00’0 +00°03'
24h

 M otion
otion
until the
+07’ 11 ' +00°41' +0 0°42'
+00°42' +00°36' +00’20'
+00’2 0' +0 0°07/
+00°07 +00o04 / +00°02'
moment
mo ment o f 
birth
 Pl an et’
et’ss
15°27' 24°24' 18°15'
18°15' 09°15' 17°20' 18°37'
18°37' 05’54' 15°25'
 pos itio n in
Leo Leo
Leo Libra Vir ggoo Taurus Scorpio Leo Aries
chart 
the chart 

 Now cal o f the Moon in this horary chart, including

culaate the position of
calcul chart, including the  seconds.
the seconds.

Pos itionn at OOh of th

Positio 8°15 '59" Leo
thee event date: 008°15
Position at O OO ay: 20°07 '09" Leo
Oh o f the next dday: Le o

 Ay ye nd ix 5/ 
5/ 2
261

Take
Ta ke the di
differe
fference
nce betw
between
een both
 both posi
positions
tions in
 in order to get
get the Mo
Moon’s
on’s motion in
in 24
 24 hours:

20
20°07
°07 '09 08° 15'59
15'59 " = 11°5 1' 10"

T herefore
herefore,, th
thee Moon mov
m oveed l l ° 5 r i 0 "  in 24 hours.
hou rs.

To calculate
calculate how
how far tthe
he Moon moved
moved until
u ntil the bbirth
irth hour of th
thee question,
question, sset
et up a
up a simple
simple pro
 pro portion
 portion and 
crossmul
cross multiply:
tiply: if in
in 24 hours
24 hours th
thee Moon
Moon move
moved d 11
11°51'10",
°51'10", then
then in
 in 14h 333m
3m itit will hav
havee mo
m oved “X”
“X”.. Con-
Con-
vertin
erting
g the valu
values
es to decima
decimall for m
mat,
at, the r esult
esult is:

11°51'10 " = 11.8528°

11°51'10"
14 h 33m= 14.55h
14.55h

11.8528° X 14.55h = 7
11.8528° X 7.185
.1857°
7°
24h

When con
When  converted
verted ba
back
ck to
to degrees
degrees and 
 and   minutes,
minutes, the r eesult
sult is: 0
07°
7° 11 '09",
11 '09", or tthe
he number
number of  degr eees
es and m minu
inutes
tes
th
that
at the Mo
Moon
on moved
moved fro
fromm 00 UT
00 UT to ththee hour
hour of the q uestion.
uestion. Now
Now add
 add this figur e to the
the positio
positionn of  tthe
he M
Moo
oonn
at midnight
midnight (its ephem
ephemeris
eris listing) to
to obt
 obtain
ain its positio
positionn at the mmom
oment
ent of
o f th
thee que
 question:
stion:

08° 15 '59
'5 9 " + 07° 11 '09
'09”” = 15°27 '08 "

The Moo
M oon
n was the
theref 
ref ore,
o re, at 15°27
15°27'08"
'08" of Leo.
Leo.

For the rem
the remaining
aining pl
planets
anets,, repeat tthe
he pr o
ocedure
cedure (in the
the epheme
ephemeris,
ris, the only p
posit
ositions
ions that inclu
include
de secon
seconds
ds ar e
those for
those  for the Sun aand
nd Moon).
M oon).

A fter com pleti
 pleting
ng the ca
calcula
lculations
tions for  the
 the cusps and  planetary
 pla netary po
positio
sitions,
ns, we can
can diagram
diagram them
them in
i n the roun
round 
d 
chart,
hart, or
 or a squ
square
are chart.
chart.
 Figure
Figure 7.
 7. Chart Example
Example 2 Figure 8.
8. Ch
Chart
art Example
Example 2, Square Ver
Square Version
sion

 26
 262jO
2jO n tfie H
Heaven
eavenly
ly Sjdieres

Technical Bibliography
Santoni, Francis. The New Internationa l Ephemeris. 1900-2050.  Paris, Auréas Editions, 1996.
Ephemeris. 1900-2050.

Tables des Maison Placidus Lal.0°

Lal.0°-66°, Saint
-66°,  Saint Michele de Boulogne, Editions St. Michele, 1994.

 Regiom
 Reg iom ontanu Hous es, Issaquah, WA, USA, JustUS Associates, cd.
ont anu s Table o f Houses,

Shanks, Thomas G., The International Atlas, San Diego, CA, ACS Publications, 1997.
 

 Addendum

 Ba
 B a sic A s t r o l o g i c a l DeCinea
DeC ineatio
tionn
This work would not be complete without a brief introduction of astrological delineation. There-
fore, w e’ve outlined here two basic approaches that will allow th
thee student to apply the material co
cov-
v-
ered in this book in a structured manner.

Temperament
The study of temperament constitutes an important key to an understanding of the natal chart. It re-
veals the underlying characteristics of an individual (physical and behavioral traits, psychological,
and metabolic predispositions) that condition his or her actions and choices. Temperament is, there-
fore, the framework that comprises the totality of dynamics in the chart as a whole (for a complete
treatment on the temperaments see Chapter II).

In every individual four temperamental types exist—choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phleg-
matic—although present in varying amounts. In some cases, one of the temperament types clearly
 predom
 pre dom ina
inates.
tes. In others
othe rs we find a co
combin
mbination
ation of the two more dom
dominan
inantt type
types.
s. In st
still
ill oothe
therr ca
cases
ses,,
it is difficult
difficu lt to detect a predominance o f any one of the types. Every human being has a unique m mix-
ix-
ture of temperamental types that compose his or her constitution', a combination of behaviors, m oti-
vations, and dynamics that are natural to that individual and that, in broad terms, characterize him or 
her.

The tradition suppli

supplies
es us with formu
formulas
las to determi
determine
ne the individual temperament from the main fac-
tors of
o f tthe
he natal chart. Thi
Thiss assessment is tr
traditionally
aditionally derived from three fundamental factors: the
 Ascendant, Moon, and Sun. The Ascendant is without a doubt the main factor in this equation as it
defines the actual indivi
individual;
dual; the Moon iiss next iinn importance because it is cosign
cosignificator
ificator of the m
mo-
o-
tivations and dynamics in the nativity; and, lastly, the Sun contributes the general “tone” given by
the season into which the individual was bom.

In practice, temperament is assessed by scoring the classical qualities predominant in these three
 points.
 poi nts. The
These
se qua
qualitie
litiess asso
associa
ciated
ted with every astrolo
astr ologica
gicall fac
factor
tor are sho
shown
wn in FFigu
igure
re 1.

264/0)1 tftc Hcavatfy Sjjficrcs

Scoring Individual Temperament

Using a tablefundamental
in the three in or
order
der to ffacilitate
acilitate
points this assessment
mentioned. In the we
easecan
ofcreate a list
list of each
the Ascendant and of
theth
theMoon,
e qualities present
aside from
their
the ir own inhere
inherentnt qualitie
qualities,
s, cons
consider
ider other factors that
that arc associated with the
them.
m. Thus, consider the
qualities of the following facto factors:
rs:

1. Ascendant Sign Qualities Planet Qualities

• Its sign   rles   ot + Dry Saturn Cold ♦ Dry

• The sign of its ruling Taurus Cold ♦ Dry )| J u p i te

te r   ot + Moist

 planet
 plan et If Gemini   ot♦ Moist Mars   ot + Dry

• The nature o f the planets Jp C anc er Cold ♦ Moist

in the first house Q Le o   ot♦ Dry
Spring:   ot + Moist
Summer:   ot + Dry
• The signs of any planets   l Virgo Cold ♦ Dry
Q Sun
  utumn: Cold + Dry
Winter.  Cold + Moist
making aspects to the / I Libr a   ot + Moist
Ascendant (any aspect)
Jfy S c or pio Cold + Moist Ç V enus   ot + Moist

2. Moon
• The phase of the Mo Moon
on
S agit t ar ius   ot♦ Dry
Ç Mercury Slightly Cold and Dry
"Vy C apr ic or n Cold + Dry
• The sign where the Moon
  ot + Moist
is located ££ q u a rrii us
us

X 1*  Q u a r t e  
1
r ot + Moist
• The nature of the planets P is c es Cold + Moist
]) Moon
2"* Q u a r t e r  ot + Dry
3^ Quar t er  Cold + Dry
conjoined with the Moon North Node   ot + Moist 4   Quar t er Cold
th
  Cold + Moist
• The ssign
ign of any planets & S ou
o u tth
h N odod e Cold ♦ Dry
making aspects to the
Moon (any aspect) Figure 1. Qualities of the Signs, Planets and Lunar Nodes
3. Sun
• The qualities ooff the annual season represented  Note: The sprin springg signs (Ari (Aries, es, Taur
Taurus, us,
 by the Sun’s
Su n’s sign and Gemini), are hot and moist; the sum-
mer signs (Cancer, Leo, and Virgo) are
Important hot and dry; the autumn signs (Libra,
Scorpion, and Sagittarius) are cold and
• qualities
If the Moon
Moof
on the
aspects
phasethe
of Ascen
Ascendant,
dant,rather
the Moon add the than dry; the winter signs (Capricorn, Aquar-
those for the Moon’s sign. The only time when ius and Pisces) are cold and moist.
the qualities of the Moon are to be counted is for the actual Moon (in that case, they are
counted twice: by phase and by sign).
• If the Sun aspec
aspects
ts the Asce
Ascendant
ndant or tthe he Moon, add the qualities for tthe he corresp
corresponding onding
season of the year, not those for the Sun’s sign (in this case, the qualities for the Sun’s
sign are not considered).
• For planets in aspec
aspectt to
to the Asce
Ascendan
ndantt or the Moo Moonn (opposition, trine, squa square, re, or sextile)
count the qualities of the signs where they are located. But for the conjunctions, count the
qualities corresponding to the intrinsic nature of the planet itself. If the aspecting planet
 happens to be the Sun or the Moon, then consider the Sun’s season and the Moon’s phase.
• In this system, pref
preferen
erence
ce is given to aspects in sign and/o
and/orr to those that are tighte
tighter,
r, since
they have a more marked contribution to temperament.

Following is an example using the chart of Friedrich Nietzsche:

1. Ascendant
• Scorpio, a water sign, cold and moist
 

266/On tfw Hcavciify Sjrftcres

 physic
 phy sical
al acti
action
on and direct
dire ct expr
expression
ession,, while that of a phl
phlegmati
egmaticc type w
would
ould have tended more to-
ward
 pat
 patter emotional
ns arc cast.expression. Temperament is, therefore, a kind of background upon which the chart
terns
The sanguinemelancholic combination also presents some negative aspects. Under ordinary cir-
cumstances, these undcsircd traits might normally be found within manageable limits, but in this
case they were taken to extremes. The sanguine tendency toward inconstancy and dispersion, mixed
 by the de
depre
pressi
ssive
ve natu
nature
re o f the Melanc
Melancholic
holic type, led to an uunder
ndercom
compensa
pensation
tion of sorts. Afte
Afterr an
acute delusional phase where Nietzsche proclaimed himself a genius, he fell into a type of stupor 
that lasted until the end of his days; the last 11 years of his life were spent in a semivegetative state
under the care of his famil
family.
y.

 No te that this menta

 Note mentall under
undercom
compen
pensatio
sationn is inhere
inherent
nt in Nie
Nietzs
tzsch
che’s
e’s dynam
dynamic
ic nature
nature;; it was not
caused by the combination of temperaments. In this case, the combination sanguinemelancholic
served merely to frame a latent problem, allowing it to manifest through the mental plane. If Nietz-
sche had had another temperament, his mental undercompensation might have manifested in some
other way;toward
tendency if he were a choleric
excessive type, followed
emotional perhaps by
by extreme
periods rage, if a phlegmatic type, perhaps by a
of apathy.
We encounter a very different combination in the chart of the Portuguese poet Florbela Espanca. 46

1. Ascendant Hot Co l d Mo i s t Dry Temperament

• Libra, an air sign, hot and moist Rising Sign   n Ho t Mo i s t Sanguine

• Ascen
Ascendant
dant ruler, Venus in Sign of Ascendant
Sagittarius (fire), hot and dry Ruler    9Z Hot Dry Choleric

Qualities of 
• Saturn in the first house Planets In 1st
House
 b Cold Dry Melancholic

(planet’s quality), cold and dry Sign of planets in *9/ Hot Dr y Choleric
aspect with • # • 0 (A
(Au
utu
um
mn) Cold Dry
• A sextile of Venus iinn  Asc endant </ D (2-' Qua
Quarter)
rter) Ho t Dry
Melancholic
Choleric
Sagittarius, hot and dry Moon's phsse 2' d  Quartet Ho l Dr y Choleric
• A sextile ooff the Su
Sunn in
Moon’s sign   T Hot Dry Choleric

Sagittarius (Autumn), cold and

dry d
Qualities of 
planets conjunct  Ho t Dr y Choleric
the Moon
• Oppos
Opposition
ition of the Mo
Moon
on in 2nd Sign of planets In
aspect to the
Ho t Dr y Choleric

Quarter, hot and dry  A 0 (Autu mn)

Moon Co l d Dr y Melancholic
Season
Season o f the
2. Moon year   Autumn ( 0 in **) Cold Dry Melancholic

Total: 8 4 1 11
• Second Quarter, hot and dry
• Locate
Locatedd in Aries, hot and dry San gu
gu mc
mc : 1 Ch ooll er
er ic
ic : 7 Mel an
anc ho
ho lili c : 4 Ph le
leg m
ma
at i c;
c; 0

• Conjunct Mars (plan

(planet’s
et’s Figure 3. Temperament Assessment for Florbela Espanca
quality), hot and dry
• Trine of Venus in Sagittarius, hot and dr
dryy
 • Trine of Su
Sunn in Sagittarius (Autumn), cold and dry
3. Sun
• Autumn sisign
gn (Sagittarius), cold an
andd ddry
ry

The results are shown in Figure 3.

^Fl
^Florb
orbela
ela Espanca was a w
wellknown
ellknown Por
Portuguese
tuguese poet who died at the age ooff 36
36 in 1930
1930.. She w
was
as a precursor ooff the
feminist movement in Portugal as her writings are known for their erotic and feminist qualities.

 A(fdc
 A(fdcnd
ndiin
iini/2
i/267 
67 

There is in this example a clear predominance of a choleric temperament (hot and dry) that corre-
sponds with an
in Florbcla’s lifeenthusiastic,
and poetry.active, determined,
Also present in herand courageous
turbulent character
personal that
life are theismore
easilynegative
evidencedas-
 pects of this temp
temperam
erament,
ent, notably her impatience, emotional excess, and lac lackk of rece
receptiv
ptivity.
ity. Her 
 poetry
 poe try also
als o re
reflec
flects
ts this ch
choleric
oleric backdrop, which produces
produce s an exuberant expression
expr ession of the per
person
sonal-
al-
ity and large emotional outbursts. Florbela was an enterprising, strongwilled, and industrious
woman; she was the first woman in her country to attend high school and university. Her refusal to
accommodate herself to an unhappy marriage may be connected to this temperament—by nature
very active (hot) and inflexible (dry).

 No twiths
 Notwi thstan
tanding
ding the marked pre
predomina
dominance
nce of
o f the choleric ttemper
emperament
ament in this chart, there
t here are other 
oth er 
important indicators that should not ggoo ignored. The most important iiss the position of Saturn in the
first house, which gives her a melancholic tone. This indication is reinforced by the conjunction of a
fixed star of the nature of Mercury and Saturn (Seginus, in the constellation Bootes) to the Ascen-
dant. Furthermore, Florbela was born in the autumn, a melancholic season. Although these indica-
tors do not nullify her choleric temperament, they
add a melancholic
melanc holic nucleus which emerges from ttime
to time. ime  book,
As hasonebeen mentioned
should elsewhere
not rando
randomly
mly couinntthis
count up
factors, but rather look at the natal map.
As can be seen, an analysis of temperament must al- Only a direct understanding, based upon
ways be accompanied by a careful examination of  the full chart, allows one to translate the
the natal chart. Only in this way can we obtain a numerical (quantitative) indicators into the
complete and detailed image of the personality be- qualitative.
ing studied.

Considerations About the Assessment of Tempera Temperament ment

The method described is largely based upon the work of William Lilly, one of the few authors who
 presen
 pre sents
ts a system
s ystem o f scor
scoring
ing suppo
supported
rted by a pr
practi
actical
cal chart examp
example.
le. In ou
ourr scorin
s coringg w e’ve om
omitted
itted
two considerations included by this author: the qualities of the sign of the Moon’s dispositor, and
those of the sign of the Lord of the Nativity (the planet with the highest score in the table presented
in Chapter XIV).

Some authors take into consideration the effect of orientality and occidentality on the qualities of 
the planets. These are the rules usually followed for the qualities of the planets according to
orientality and occidental
occidentality:
ity:

Planet  Oriental Occidental

h   Saturn Cold + Moist Dry
U Jupiter  Hot + Moist Moist
CT Mars Hot + Dry Dry
 9 Venus Hot + Moist Moist
8 Mercury Hot Dry

These attributions, which are intended to

to refin
refinee the scoring of th
thee temperam
temperament
ent for each pplanet,
lanet, are
in our opinion
omission too significantly
does not complex
signifi for alter
cantly beginners.
the finalOnresult
final the other hehand,
of tthe not all
weighing. authors
Some modeuse
modern them,loge
rn astro andrstheir 
logers d is-
agree with L illy’s temperament meth
methodod and have put forth
forth their own. In any case, all the prop osed
variants are based upon the same three factors—the Sun, Moon and Ascendant—differing only in
the weight they assign to each one.

 26
 268/O
8/O n tfic H
Heaven
eavenfy
fy Sjtftercs

Personal Motivations
The Ascendant and Its Ruler
Aside from the study of temperamental constitution, there arc other essential factors to take into
consideration when examining a natal chart. One of the most important is the examination of the
ruler of the Ascendant and its condition. Since the Ascendant represents the individual, its ruler 
gives an indication of the underlying motivations, choices, and orientation of the individual. This
motivating
mo tivating force is alwa
always
ys present in his
his or he
herr decisions, although they may not always be obvious
to the individual.
There are three fundamen
fundamental tal criteria
criter ia to take int
intoo account in th
thisis study
study:: 1) th
thee nature of the ruling
 planet,
 plan et, 2) its posi
position
tion by sign
sign,, and 3) its position
positio n by house. The natunature
re o f the ruling plane
planett indic
indicates
ates
the manner in which the individual expresses his or her personal motivation. Logically, the manner 
of expression and the general attitude of the individual are strongly connected with the planet that
represents that individual (ruler of the Ascendant). Thus, if the ruler of the Ascendant is Saturn,
there is a sober, refrained, and cautious attitude. Jupiter suggests an attitude that is more comfort-
able, optimistic, and confident. Mars implies an intense, conquering attitude that can become im-
 posingg and, in the extr
 posin extrem
eme,
e, bellicose.
bellic ose. The Sun eexpre
xpresses
sses itsel
its elff in a nat
natura
urally
lly auth
authori
oritati
tative,
ve, se
self
lfas-
as-
sertive, and dominant manner. Venus indicates a sociable, conciliatory manner oriented toward
comfort. Mercury represents a laidback, versatile, and diversified expression. Lastly, the Moon as
ruler of the Ascendant conveys a fickle, albeit very adaptable, attitude that attempts to mold itself in
the most diverse situations in order to realize its motives.

The sign position of the Ascendant ruler adds its characteristics (element and mode) to the nature of 
the planet. Thus, a fire sign gives the ruling planet an active expression; an air sign an interactive
and social expression; a water sign, a more reflective and emotional expression; and an earth sign, a
more pragmatic expression. The cardinal signs indicate active and agitated styles, the fixed signs re-
flect a preoccupation with security and continuity, and the mutable signs indicate a diverse, oscillat-
ing (between change and security) style. The element and mode of expression combine with the na-
ture of the
the planet, either reinforc
reinforcing
ing or attenuating its basi
basicc expression. Lastly, the house where the
rulingmeanings
(the planet isoflocated indicates
the twelve the are
houses areaoutlined
of life where the native
in Chapter VII). attempts to realize his motivations

In addition to these three fundamental factors, it is also necessary to consider the aspects formed by
the ruler of the Ascendant and its essential and accidental condition in the chart. The planets that as-
 pect the ru
ruler
ler (pa
(partic
rticula
ularly
rly by co
conju
njunct
nction
ion)) ddepi
epict
ct ssitua
ituation
tionss that
t hat aaffec
ffectt (a
(aidin
idingg or imp
impeding
eding)) th
thee ex
ex--
 pression
 pre ssion o f the pers
persona
onall mo
motiva
tivation
tion,, whil
whilee the esse
essential
ntial and acaccide
cidental
ntal con
conditio
ditions
ns ind
indicat
icatee the qual-
qu al-
ity and force,
force, re
respectively,
spectively, that the planet possesses in order to realize the motivation it represents.

In summary, the factors to consider in relation to the ruler of the Ascendant are:
• The nature of the planet
 • Its sign pos
position
ition
• Its house posi
position
tion
• Its aspec
aspects
ts
• Its dignities and debilities

 Addendu
 Addenduml26
ml2699

Practice Examples
Case 1
 Nie tzsch
 Nietzs che’s
e’s cha
chart rt has a Scorpio Ascendant, ruled by Mars in Virgo in the tenth house
house.. The pe
person
rsonal
al
motivationn ooff tthis
motivatio his philosopher is, therefore, expressed in aann aggressi
aggressive,
ve, intense, and bellicos
bellicosee man-
ner (Mars), through actions that are concrete, practical, and diverse
diverse (Virgo, earth, mutable), and ori-
o ri-
ented toward public recognition and the realization of his career (tenth house).

The position of Mars scores 5 essential dignity points

points,, which signals its elevated capacity for action
and selffulfillment. It is in its own triplicity in Virgo, which grants it great acceptance, and in its
own terms, which grants it the ability to produce. In addition, it is oriental of the Sun, which allows
it to have a more direct and frontal expression.

Also, Mars makes various aspects, o f w

which
hich the conjunction
conjunction to Mercury is th
thee most salient. Through
this conjunction, Mercury brings its influence to the personal motivation of this chart, adding to
Mars’ expression a curious and intellectual facet that may at times be argumentative. The conjunc-
tion also indicates
Mercury. The careera connection
(tenth house)between the person
personal
and relationships al motivation
(coruler ofand thethe areas
areas ofhouse)
seventh life represen
represented
tedbe-
therefore by
come extremely important to Nietzsche’s personal sense of fulfillment. Another Mars aspect that
needs to be highlighted is the opposition to Jupiter, indicator of a certain antagonism inherent in
 Niet
 Ni etzs
zsch
che’s
e’s na
nature.
ture. Jup
Jupiter
iter is co
corule
rulerr ooff the Ascendant
Ascend ant ((itit rules Sag
Sagittariu
ittarius,
s, inte
intercep
rcepted
ted in the first
house),
house ), and its opposition to the ruler of the Ascendant represents an internal schism in his personal
motivations.
mo tivations. Because it is als
alsoo the ruler of the fourth houhouse,
se, it indicates a separation between the in-
dividual and his family. As we’ve already described, Nietzsche was characterized by the intensity
with which he expressed his ideas, even when when he tried ttoo acquire the public recogn
recognition
ition which he so
longed for. Also well known was the contrast between his selfproclaimed atheism and the extreme
religiosity of his traditionally Lutheran famil family.
y.

Case 2
Florbela Espanca’s chart has Venus, ruler of the Ascendant, in Sagittarius in the third house.
Therefore, there is a personal motivation focused on communication, learning, and all forms of ex-
change (third house) expressed in a dynamic, diverse manner (Sagittarius, fire, mutable), and very
focused on aesthetics and harmony (Venus). Venus is peregrine in this degree of Sagittarius and is
out of hayz (that is, out of its natural sect condition), which suggests an underlying
under lying diss
dissatisfa
atisfaction
ction..

The conjunction with the Sun is particularly relevant in this chart because of its combust condition
(covered in Chapter X). The matters represented by the Sun (eleventh house: friends, hopes, pro-
 je
 ject
cts)
s) dom
dominate
inate the persona
pe rsonall motivati
mo tivation
on and were ssigni
ignifica
ficant
nt in the life of this poet. The trin
trinee o f the
Moon with Mars in the seventh house is a motivator for relationship matters. Relationships become
especially important because Venus, significator of Florbela’s motives, applies by trine to Mars,
rulerr of
rule o f th
thee seventh house anandd significator of relationships
relationships (she actively searches out others). The
 trine from the Moon, ruler of the Midheaven, brings a desire for success and recognition to the per-
sonal motivation. The life of Florbela was characterized by a large contrast between her romantic,
entrancing poetry and her challenging marital life (she had three marriages, all very unhappy).

Case 3
Jim Morrison’s chart has Saturn, ruler of the Ascendant, in Gemini in the fifth house. This place-
ment points to a personal motivation oriented toward leisure and the search for pleasure (fifth
house), but expressed in a “heavy” (Saturn) manner, yet with a strong intellectual and versatile
streak (Gemini, air, mutable). Through the band The Doors, Morrison found a natural form of ex

270/Oh  the Heawufy Spheres

 pression
 pres sion in mus
music
ic and poetry (fifth house them
themes),
es), yet even his more pla
playful
yful com
compositio
positions
ns ddenote
enote a
touch of melancholy and disillusionment (Saturn).
Saturn, ruler of the Ascendant, is in its own triplicity, fast, and oriental of the Sun, which gives po-
tency and power to Morrison’s capacity to realize his motives. On the other hand, it is retrograde,
which indicates hesitation in his personal choices.
There is also a personal internal conflict because Saturn is opposite Mercury, which is the actual
ruler of the fifth house and the dispositor of Saturn. This configuration indicates a powerful gamble
on his friendships and hopes (eleventh house), with grand expectations (Mercury receives Saturn);
 but these
th ese frie
friends
nds and hopes are often viewed as anta
antagon
gonistic
istic (opp
(oppositi
osition)
on) to the na
native
tive him self
sel f (Sat
(Sat--
urn). Seen another way, this opposition also indicates controversial ideas (Mercury) and ideals (the
eleventh house) that end up being prejudicial to the native (Saturn).

The fact that Saturn rules not only the Ho t Co l d Moist Dry Tempérament

first but also the twelfth indicates on Rising Sign £2 Hot Moist Sanguine

the one hand a powerful need for iso-

lation, but also a tendency for  Sign of Ascendant
Ruler  mi Hot Moist Sanguine

selfsabotage, which will manifest Qualities of 

 prima
 pri marily
rily via the fifth house where
Planets In 1st
House
u Cold Dry Melancholic

Saturn is located. It was the excess of  Sign of planets In

ûdn Hot M o is t Sanguine
•M-O (Autumn)
(Autumn)
aspect with Cold Dry Melancholic
“pleasures”
“pleasur es” (drugs) which le
ledd Morri-  As ce nd ant ( 2 >l  Quarter)
□ D (2
Hot
 — 
Dry Choleric
son to a premature death at age 27. Moon's phase 2’ a Quarter  Hot Dry Choleric
This situation is reinforced by Mer-
cury, ruler of the fifth house (plea- Moon's sign  b Cold Dry Melancholic

sures), also ruling the eighth house Qualities of 

(death) and opposition Saturn planets c onjunct
planets
the Moon
(none) - - •

(significatorr of Morrison himself).

(significato Sign of planets in
aspect to the
«.çni Cold M o i st Phlegmatic
Moon Agig_____  Cold Dry Molancholic
Sea
Season
son o f the
Everything described here operates  Autum n ( Q in )
year 
✓ Cold Dry Melancholic

within the larger context of a pre- Total: 5 6 4 7

dominantly melancholic tempera- Sanguine** 3

Sanguine Chole
Choleric;
ric; 2 Melanch olic : 5 Phlegmatic: 1
ment. The dry quality predominates,
indicating a focused and extremely Figure 4. Assessment of Jim Morrison’s Temperament
determined attitude. This combination indicates an attitude that is inflexible to exterior influences
and that cultivates individualism and seclusion, all o f which reinforce the tendencies shown by the
ruler of the Ascendant. In his life and in his works, Morrison’s aversion to authority, to group think,
and to conservativism are all notorious.

Case 4
 Edgar Allan Poe
Po e s chart is aann example o f an Ascendant ruler in a fairly debilitated condition. Mars,
ruler of the Scorpio Ascendant, is in the twelfth house in Libra, its sign of detriment. The twelfth
house indicates a powerful need for isolation and limiting situations that are not under the control of 
the individual. In reality, Poe did have a difficult start to his life: he was only two when his father 
abandoned
with the family,
an adoptive andFrom
family. the next
earlyyear hisdisplayed
on he mother died
greatofemotional
tuberculosis, which forced him to live
fragility.

The essential debility of Mars (in detriment and peregrine) suggests that his attempts at personal
fulfillment through selfassertion (Mars) had a tendency to degenerate into misunderstandings and

 A(f(fendwnl27
 A(f(fendwnl27L
L

Hot Cold Moist Dry Temperament conflicts (characteristic of a debili-

Rising Sign Cold Moist Phlegmatic
tated
sonal Mars). Thisleddifficulty
fulfillment in per-
him to autode
Sign of Ascondant
Ruler 
d n Hot Moist Sanguine structive behaviors, including the
Qualities of 
 b Cold Dr y Melancholic abuse of alcohol, heroin, and opium.
Planots In 1st
House u JHol__  Moist Sanguine
Sign of planots In
aspect with AJUH
Co l d
Cold
Mo i s t
Mo i s t
Phlegmatic
Phlegmatic
The twelfth house also indicates a
 As co nd ant  A D (1 bl Quarter) Ho t Mo i s t Sanguine certain conformity and general lack 
Moon's phase 1*' Quarter  Hot Moist Sanguine
of motivation, which tends to hinder 
any attempt at overcoming obstacles.
Moon's sign K  Cold Moist Phlegmatic Many times, it is the actual individ-
Qualities of 
planots conjunc t
planots
9 Hol Moist Sanguine ual that places himself into such situ-
the Moon Ho t Mo i s t Sanguine ations, and in fact, Poe made several
Sign of planots in
aspect to the □ bx* Hot Dry Choleric choices (such as leaving the univer-
Moon
Soason of the
sity and the military academy) which
yoar 
Wi n t er ( O in V)) Cold Moist Phlegmatic
had a negative impact on his future.
T o t al : 7 6 11 2
S an g
gu
u i n e: 6 Chol eri c: 1 MaTS TCCCiveS a SQUarC frOlT! the Sun,
Mel an c h o l i c 1 Ph l e g m a t i c : 5
which because it is ruler of the
Figure
Figu re 5. Asses
Assessm
sment
ent of Poe’s
Poe’s Temperam
Tem perament
ent Mid
Midhea heaven
ven,, adds to the pers
pe rson
onal
al mo
tivation the need for success and recognition. It is, however, a square, which in combination with
Mars’
Ma rs’ debility, indicates
in dicates a powerful dissatisfaction. On to
topp of tthis,
his, the aspect is separating (the Sun
is moving away from Mars), which indicates a distancing between the individual and his goals. An-
other relevant factor is the conjunction between Mars to the antiscion of the Moon and Venus (in
Pisces, conjunct on the cusp of the fifth house), which brings to the personal motivation a need for 
 pleasu
 ple asure
re and a marked
mar ked autoindulg
auto indulgence
ence..

The scoring of Poe’s temperament reveals an oscillation between the sanguine and phlegmatic
types, with a clear predominance of the moist quality. This constitution, markedly receptive, frames
everything we’ve previously said within the context of extreme sensitivity and permissiveness, sug-
gestive of an addictive personalit
personality.
y.

The First Step . ..

In closing, the study of temperamental constitution and motivation, constitutes only the first step in
the delineation of a natal chart. To obtain a complete and detailed picture of an individual’s whole
 potent
 pot ential
ial,, it is nec
necessar
essaryy to sys
system
tematic
atically
ally apply the colle
co llectio
ctionn ooff methods tha
thatt comp
compose
ose the sy
system
stem
of traditional delineation. Once the individual’s potential is understood, it is possible to determine
the periods in life when those potentials will manifest. This determination is an important aspect of 
astrology: prediction.

astrology, specific techniques are used that indicate how and when this po-
In traditional predictive astrology,
 tential will be activated. Among the principal predictive techniques are directions, planetary peri-
ods, returns, and transits.
transits. Directions
Dire ctions invol
involve
ve directing a planet ttoo the place of another planet (or to a
 positi
 po sition
on that aspec
aspects
ts ano
another
ther plan
planet),
et), thus ac
activa
tivating
ting the poten
po tentia
tiall o f the pla
planet
net tou
touche
ched.
d. This
Th is m o-
tion is ruled by a symbolic time during which the most notable techniques are primary directions,
which
month oequate
f th a degree
thee life 30'of
to 2° 30 ' inascensional
th time
thee zodiac (or 30°tofora ayear
30° of Planetary
year). the life, and profections,
periods which
divide the life equate a
of an in-
dividual into temporal segments,
segments, each one under under the rulership of a particular planet.
plane t. O f these, note
the Firdaria and th thee Ages of Man (th (thee latter covered at the end o f Chapter IV). Returns or revolu-
tions, as they are called
called in the traditional literatur
literature,e, make up the study of the mom
moment
ent when a plane
planett

 272lOn tfw Hcawnfy Syf

Syftcr
tcrcs
cs

returns to its own natal position. The most commonly used in the tradition arc solar returns, which
offerfrom
sult a whole year’stion
the interac perspective,
interaction andchart
o f the natal lunarwith
returns, which examine
the position of th a month’s
thee planets period.
at a given Transits
moment re-;
in time;
time
these serve as complimentary to the aforementioned techniques.

The remaining branches of astrology also possess their own delineation techniques. In horary, there
arc specific rules for each type of question posed, and in mundane astrology, there are specific de-
lineations for eclipses, annual ingresses, planetary cycles, etc. Nevertheless, the rules for delinea-
tion and prediction are another level of study, whose complexity, specialization, and scale are be-
yond the scope of this textbook. They will however, be covered in future works.
 

FinaC Thoughts
If you have read this book from the beginning and studied its ccontent,
ontent, you now possess the basics to under-
unde r-
stand astrology. At this point you have acquired a structured vision
vision ooff the astrological
astrological principles. This is the
first and most important step in its study—a full understanding of the laws and rulrules
es that underly the art. We
leave you with the framework of the art, the starting point for further studies on your journey through the
universe of astrology.

Today, the preservation and recovery of the astrological

astrological tradition is a vanguard activity. Thanks to the work 
 prod uced by dedicated
 produced dedi cated researchers,
res earchers, we can finally
final ly drink from the most ancient sou
sources
rces witho
without
ut having
havin g to fil-
ter it through modem concepts or dilute it with ideas from other areas. areas. The legacy ofo f tthe
he ancient astrologers
is capable of reaching us today. We can finally receive the testament ooff that incredibly long lineage of astrol-
ogers, who, over the course of centuries, have deciphered the meaning of the stars and planets and who com-
 piledd that knowledg
 pile kn owledgee in priceless works. In order to receive that patrimony, onl onlyy one thing is asked ooff us: that
we are worthy
worth y of
o f tthe
he gift, that we honor it, and preserve it.

The best way to honor astrology is to study it.

 Helena
 Helen a Avela
Av ela r ents
an
and
Students
Stud d Luis Rib
Ribeiro
o f  Astrolo
Astr eiro
ology
gy
 

 274 /On tfic H

Heaven
eaven fy Spftcrcs
 

 An
 A n no
nota
tate
tedd Bibliograph
Bibliographyy
When one studies a new subject, invariably the question most frequently asked is: Which books do we start
with? A diligent
dili gent student always begins by acquiring a quality bibliography
bibliography that contains
contains accurate and coher-
ent information that can be verified in practice. The objectives from the onset are to be able to organize one’s
thoughts, clarify confusions, and establish solid foundations that will be further developed in the
future.

 Never theless,
 Neverthel ess, those who are currently
c urrently introduced to the world ooff astrology with the intent ooff learning it, are
faced with an avalanche
av alanche of books, schools, teachers and cou
courses,
rses, many of whiwhich
ch offer an abundant amount of 
information that is often disorganized and contradict
contradictory.
ory.

In this bibliography we offer some suggestions for a few reference works. We do not propose to outline an
exhaustive list of
o f aallll of
o f the
the works that are representati
representative
ve ooff the
the astrological
astrological tradition, since nothing is more
confusing to a new student than an overly long bibliography.
bibliography.

Reference
The Works
follo wing
following books are those we believe best represent the astrological
astrological tradition, and which, as such, can
offer students invaluable information on their
th eir astrological
astrological path. All ooff the
them
m have served as sources for the
current handbook.

Christian Astrology by William Lilly. Originally published in 1647, this work is still one of the principal
sources for the student ofo f the astrological traditio
tradition.
n. Strongly versed in the tradition, William Lilly wrote a
very comprehensive
comprehen sive manual (in three volumes) covering both natal and horary astrology.
astrology. His book becam
becamee
one o f the
the main sources o f inf
information
ormation about the practice of astrology in its time since it explains
explains the tech-
niques and
an d their application in an instructional manner with
with plenty o f examples. William Lilly, Christian As
trology,  Exeter, Regulus Publishing Co. Ltd, 1985.

Tetrabiblos by Claudius Ptolemy. This is an astrological classic and probably the most widely cited in the
history o f the
the art. It is one of the most important and influential works
works in the field of astrology.
astrology. Although it is
not a practical work, as are the other work
workss referenced here, it is without a doubt, indispensable
in dispensable for any seri-
ous student
stud ent ooff astrology. In addition, it is also a wwonderful
onderful source of
o f information because its approach
approa ch to ba-
sic astrological principles became the canon of o f astrology. Claudius Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, Loeb Classical Li-
 brary, 1940
1940..

Th  Reaso ns by Abraham Ibn Ezra.

Thee Book o f Reaso Ezra. This is a compilation of medieval astrological tho
thought,
ught, still rich
in Arabic influences. The first volume contains excellent references about the nature of the planets, signs,
and houses, and a glossary of common astrological terms. The second volume contains a summary of the
main rules for the practice of astrology, covering all branches: natal, horary, mundane, electional and medi-
cal. A very useful work, it offers the student a vast panorama of practical medieval astrology. Abraham Ibn
Ezra, Th of Reasons, Brill Academic Publishers, 2007. Translation and commentary by Shlomo Sela.
Thee Book of Reasons,
  E
 Ell Libro Conpilado
Conpilad o en Los ludizios
ludiz ios de Estrell as by Ali ben Ragel.
d e las Estrellas Ragel. Written at the end ooff the 11th century,
this work is a collection
collection of the
the ArabicM
ArabicMedieva
edievall tradition and is one o f tthe
he most im
important
portant works for the rules
and astrological
astrological aphorisms
aphorisms in all o f the
the branche
branchess o f astrol
astrology.
ogy. It is an aggregate o f various interp
interpretative
retative per-

spectives,
the which
tradition. makes
 Ali ben it a bit
Ragel, difficult
El Libro
Lib to read.
ado But
ro Conpilado
Conpil it islud
en Los oneizios
iziof
osthe
de most
las E valuable
Estrel
strellas, and celo
complete
las, Barcelo
Bar na, Edsources
ic io ne sfor 
icio In
digo. 1997. This edition is in Spanish. There is no current English translation available at this time.

 276lOn the Heav

Heavenly
enly Sph
Sphere
eress

The
The Book o f the Instruction
Instruction in the Elements  fAstro logy by AbuAlraihan AlBinini. As its name
Elements o f the Art o  Astrology
indicates, this book
bo ok contains
contain s the basics and principal technical definitions needed for the practice of astrol-
ogy. It is more theoretical than practical, but contains valuable information to clarify certain ambiguities in
the art. It is recommended
recommend ed for more
more advanced students. AbuAlraihan AlBiruni, The Book o f the Instruction
in the Element
Elementss o f the Art  Astrolo gy, Luzac & Co., London, 1934. Translation by R. Ramsay Wright.
Art o f Astrology,

Carmen Astrologicum by Dorothcus of Sidon. One of the oldest known works on astrology, the work of 
Dorothcus is the source for much of the subsequent western astrological tradition. It is not recommended for 
 beginners,
 begin ners, since it presents
presen ts an ap
approach
proach that is veiy charact
characteristic
eristic o f the Hellenistic era, which
whic h may confuse
 beginners.
 beginn ers. It is neverthe
nev ertheless,
less, an im
important
portant source in the lilibrary
brary ooff the more advan
advanced
ced student.
st udent. Dorothcu
Dorothcuss o f 
Sidon, Carmen Astrologicum,  K.G. Saur Verlag GmbH, Munich, Germany, 1976. Translation by David
Pingree. In 2005, Astrology Classics Publishers reprinted a copy of Pingree’s translation of Dorothcus,
which also contains a translated foreword by Dorian Greenbaum.

 Mathese
 Mat heseos
os Libri VUI by Firmicus Matcmus. A class
Libr i VUIby classic
ic ooff the astrological tradition which includes an array of 
 practi
 practical
ogy. Itcalis instruction
instru
amongctions
the smost
for natal astrolog
astrology,
extensive y, which
works knownen
encompa
compass
from thessHellenistic
interpretation,
interpreta tion, ethics,
era (c. 355).and theeseos
 Math practic
p ractice
Liebri
o fVIIIb
Libri astrol-
astro
VI IIbl-
y
Firmicus Matemus, Noyes Press, Park Ridge, NJ, 19 1975.
75. Translated by Jean Rhys Bram. Astrology Classics
Publishers also reprinted a copy of this translation in 2005.

Other Works of Interest

Abraham, IbnEzra, The Beginning o f Wisdom,
Wisdom, Notts,
 Notts, Ascella Publications, 1939
1939..
Abu Ali AlKayyat, The Judgment o f Nativities
Nativities,,  Temp
Tempe,e, AZ, American Federation of Astrologers, 198
1988.
8.
Antonius de Mutulmo, On the the Judgment o f Nativitie s, Berkeley Springs, WV, The Golden Hind Press, 1995.
 Nativ ities,
Claudius Dariot, Jud gment St ars, Notts, Ascella Publications, 158
gme nt o f the Stars, 1583.
3.
Guido Bonatti, Lib er Astro nomiae
nom iae,, Berkeley Springs, WV, The Golden Hind Press, 1994.
Guido Bonatti, On the Arabic Parts, London, New Library, 2002.
JeanBaptiste Morin, Ast rolo gia Gallica,  Tempe
 Astrolo Tempe,, AZ, American Federation o f Astrologers, 1994.
1994.
Johannes Schoener, Oposculum Astrologicum, Berkeley Springs, WV, The Golden Hind Press, 1994.
John Partridge, Opus Reformatorum, Notts, Ascella Publications, 1693.
Messahallah and Ibn Ezra, Textos Astrôlogicos Medievales,  Madrid, Editorial Barath, 1981.
Placidus de Titis, Prinium Mobile, Institute for the Study ooff Cycles in World Affairs, 1983.
1983.
Vettius Valens, Ant
 Anthol ogy,, Berkeley Springs, WV, The Golden Hind Press, 1994.
hology

Contemporary Works of Interest

 History
 His tory o f Horosco A stro log y by James Holden. This excellent reference book offers a deep vision into
 Hor osco pic Astro
the practice of astrology throughout history. The author divides the history of astrology into various phases
from the Mesopotamian period to the current times. He studies the particularities of each age and presents
 short biographies of its major authors and practitioners. James H. Holden, Hist
 History
ory o f Horosco
 Hor osco pic Astrolo gy,
Tempe AZ, American Federation
Federatio n ooff Astrologers, Inc. 199
1996.
6.

Astrology, by
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology,  by Vivian E. Robson. A valuable source of information about
the fixed stars and their use in astrological interpretation. Published in 1923, this work lists most stars and
their respective traditional characteristics and is to this day the major reference for this topic. The student
should hold some reservations with regard to the interpreta
interpretations
tions o f Simm
Simmonite,
onite, Alvidas and other modem
authors, whose opinions are debatable. Vivian E. Robson, Fixe d Stars and Constella tions in Astrology, Lon-
Constellations  Lon-
don, Ascella Publications, 2001.

 Bi6(lograyfty/277 

Uranus
Ura Symbolism, by Sue Ward. A notable
nus,, Neptun e an d Pluto: an Investigation into the Sources o f their Symbolism,
investigation published online, where the author explor
explores
es the origins and development
development of the symbolism at-
tributed to the modem
m odem planets. A work that questions many of the pr
presupposi
esuppositions
tions associated with the inter-
 pretation
 pretat ion o f these planets. Recomm
Recommended
ended to all students of astrology. Sue Ward, Uranus, Neptune and 
Pluto: an Investigation into the Sources o f their Symbolis
Symbolism,
m, London, 2002.
2002.

The Real Astrology by John Frawley. An irreverent book where the modem practice of astrology is ques-
tioned and compared with traditional approaches. John Frawley, The Real Astrology,  London, Apprentice
Books, 2001.

A special reference is made to all of the works of Robert E. Zoller, whose efforts to translate the work of 
Guido Bonatti and to restore the traditional system ha
hass served as
as the bas
basis
is for much
much of today’s work in th
thee
field.
 

 278jOH tftc Heav enly Spheres

Chart Data
All of the charts presented and studied in this book were calculated using the Alcabitius house system, the
mean lunar node, and the tropical zodiac. Only the charts in Appendix 7, Astrological Chart Calculations,
use the Regiomontanus house system.

Chart 1: Nativity of Friedrich Nictsche, October 15, 1844, 10:00 AM LMT; Rocken, Germany (Lat:
5 1°N15 Long: 12°E08 z). Source: The biography, “The Young Nietsche” according to Astrodatabank.
1°N15

Chart 2: Nativity of Agatha Christie, September 15, 1890, 04:00 AM GMT; Torquay, England (Lat:
50°N28', Long: 03°W30z). Source: the native herself, according to Astrodatabank.

Chart 3: Nativity of Florbcla Espanca, December 8,1894,02:00 AM, (Lisbon Meridian); Vila Viçosa, Por-
tugal (Lat: 38°N47', Long: 08°W13'). Source: The biography, Florbela Espanca, by Agustina Bessa
Luiz.

Chart 4: Nativity of Karl Marx, May 5, 1818, 02:00 AM LMT; Trier, Germany (Lat: 49°N45 Z, Long:
06°E38'). Source: Birth Certificate, according to Astrodatabank.

Chart 5: Nativity of King Sebastian, January 20, 1554, 07:18 AM, LMT; Lisbon, Portugal (Lat: 38°N43Z,
Long: 09°W08 z). Source: coeval horoscope calculated by the court cosmographer, Joao Baptista Lavanha.
Also corroborated by other Iberian astrologers o f the
the time and by historical accounts o f the birth.
birth.

Chart 6: Nativity of Johannes Kepler, January 6, 1572, 02:37 PM, LMT; Weill dcr Stadt, Germany (Lat:
48°N45', Long: 08°E52'). Source: the native, in his book  Harm
 Harmonic
onics,
s, Boo
B ookk IV.

Chart 7: Nativity o f Edgar Allen Poe, January 19

19,18
,1809
09,01
,01 :30 AM, LMT; Boston, MA, USA, (Lat: 42°N2
42°N211 ',
Long: 71°W03'). Source: approximate birth time from a biography, according to Astrodatabank.

Chart 8: Nativity of Jim Morrison, December 8, 1943, 11:55 AM, EWT (UT4h); Melbourne, FL, USA,
(Lat: 28°N04z, Long: 80°W36'). Source: Birth Certificate, according to Astrodatabank.

Chart 9:
9: Nativity o f Princess Maria, June 8, 1521,
1521, 07:00 PM, LMT, Lisbon, Portugal, (Lat: 38°N43 38 °N43Z, Long:
09°W08'). Source:  His
 Histori
toria
a Geneo
Ge neo lôg ica da Ca
Casa
sa R e a l P or tu gu es a e R elaç
el aç ôe s de P&
P&ro
ro de Al cà ço va
Carneiro

Chart 10: Horary Chart: “Is the Computer Motherboard Broken?”, December 30, 2004, 07:14 PM,
GMT, Lisbon, Portugal (Lat: 38°N43', Long: 09°W08'). Source: authors’ files
 Chart 11: Horary Chart: “How will the championship unfold?”, September 1, 2005, 03:33 PM, GMT, Lis-
 bon, Portugal
Portu gal (Lat: 38 °N433Z, Long: 09°W08z). Source: authors’ files
38°N4

Chart38°N43
(Lat: 12: Horary
12: Chart:
Z, Long: “Is this
09°W08 this
z).house a good
Source: buy?”,
authors’ filesOctober 29,2003
29,20 03,01
,01:05
:05 PM, GM
GMT,
T, Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal

Example 1: Nativity of a Child, November 17, 2005, 01:10 AM GMT, Lisbon, Portugal (Lat: 38°N43Z,
09°W0 8z). Source: the parents
Long:: 09°W08
Long
 
Lightning Source UK Ltd
Milton Keynes UK
UKHW 0 3 2 3 4 9 I2 I2 I9
355292UK00002B/10/P 9 780866"906098
 

O n T h e H ea v en
en ly
l y S p h er
e r es
- - ■
~ m ' Mil I *"*

H ele
lena
na A v ela
lar 
r  •% * »
  < S ? L u i s R i be
b ei r o

-
Th ousan ds of year s ago, people
people fi r st ob
obse
serr ve
vedd a cor r elat
latii on betwe
tweeen the he
heave
avenly 
nly 
bodies
bo dies and eve
vents
nts on E ar th. Out of the
these
se ear
ear ly ob
obse
serr vations and su bse
bseque
quent 
nt 
r efin eme
ments
nts came
came what totoday
day i s k nown as astrolo
astrologg y .

F or most of the these

se mi lllle
enni a, astr olo ologg er s u sed only the se seveven n vi si bl
blee planets: Su n,
 M oon , M er cu r y , V enenuu s , M a r s , J u p i t er a n d S a t u r n . I t i s ou t o f t h i s tr a d i ti on th at 
H el en
en a A v el
e l a r a n d L u i s R i b ei
ei r o h av
a v e w r i t te
t en t h i s ex t en
en s i v e bo
bo o k o n a s tr
tr o lolo g y . T h e
rmundane
ul es
es and, phor
mundane, r i nc
ari py l es
e s h eele
and erlect
e ctive.
p rive.
esent
ese nt
T hed
eirap p ly
lyhod
method
met t o al
is l the
br anc
br anche
hess oonal
tr aditi f ast
astrand
r o l og
ogti
tiy 
—natal,
me-hono
me -honorr ed one
ne,,
and i ncl
nclude
udes,s, among ot otheherr s, chapt
chapte er s on:

• The P lan ets

• The Zo diac and the Sign s
• The E ssen ti tial
al D igniti
ignities
es
• The H ous es
• The A spe cts
• C hart D yna m ics
• The C ondit
onditionion of the P lan ets
• T he F i xe d S t ar s
• The P a rts
• The Pow er o f t he P lane ts
Usi ng thi s tr adi tion al metho method, d, i t i s poss i ble not onl onlyy to tho
thorr oug hly a nd complecomplete tely 
ly 
r ead the natal char t but but to to do
do so w ith a br eadt adth h an d depth depth of meanimeani ng not foun d in
the mode
moderr n m ethod thodss o f astr olo ologg i cal i nte
nterr pr etat
tatii on. I t avoi ds cookboocookbookk -t -tyy pe memethod
thodss
and c ent ent er
er s on t he p r ac t ic al und er er st and ing of t he h e ast r ol
ologog i c al c onc
onceep ts,
t s, p r e sent in g
t h e T r a d i t i o n i n p r e s en
e n t - d ay
a y l an
a n g u a g e.
e . I n a dd
d d i t i o n , m or
o r e th
th an
a n tw o h u n d r ed f i f t y  
i l lust
lust r at ions m ak e t he he t r ad it i onal p r i nc i p l es es easy
e asy t o und er st and an d use in c har t  
i nte
nterr pr etat
tatii on..