Is a predisposition toward belief or doubt shown in the astrological chart? In this series on the astrology of religion, we have explored the charts of a number of famous believers and doubters. Here were explore the astrology of religion in the chart of Michael Shermer, the famous skeptic.
The ingredients and recipes for this type of analysis can be found in the first article of the series, which you can view here. They were reviewed with additional comments in a past article, which you can view here.
Michael Shermer
Shermer is one of the most prominent skeptics in the world today. He is the founder of The Skeptics Society (skeptic.com) and editor in chief of its magazine, Skeptic. He is also a self-professed atheist – see here for his article, “Why I Am An Atheist”. You can read Shermer’s biography on Wikipedia by clicking here. His natal chart is shown below and has a Rodden Rating of AA.
Michael Shermer’s Natal Chart (CTRL-Click to enlarge)
Michael Shermer’s Central Belief Indications
Jupiter:
Strong
Jupiter is strong in Shermer’s chart. Jupiter is advancing, in a sign of a light (Cancer), and regarded by both Lights. It is also receiving the application of its ruler, the Moon. When Jupiter is generally strong in this way, we might suppose that among other Jupiter significations being prominent in the life. For instance, we may suppose that the native has had many expansive spiritual experiences that transcended the known.
Benefic to Mixed
Jupiter is naturally benefic and is in the 11th (its Joy), while in sect. This is a very benefic Jupiter overall. Mars is the out of sect malefic and Mars opposes Jupiter. Jupiter is afflicted in this sense and can be mixed. Mars adds heat and contention to Jupiter’s significations, particularly upon activations of the Jupiter-Mars opposition.
Notes on Jupiter
The influence of Jupiter is substantial and mostly positive. The subjects which Shermer pursued in school reflect this. Those subjects were cultural anthropology and experimental psychology, both of which are more expansive, holistic, and Jupiterian fields. Later in life, he earned his Ph.D. in the History of Science. While an atheist, he has also argued that science cannot invalidate religion. Unlike many prominent skeptics and atheists, he doesn’t appear to advocate intolerance for others based on their religious beliefs. He does have a strong Mars-Jupiter signature in the chart which relates to argumentation and crusading for one’s beliefs.
9th Place:
Moderate strength
The 9th, Taurus, is empty. Venus, the planet of sensuality, artistry, and pleasure, rules the 9th. Venus is advancing, but is in a cadent place. She does regard the 9th by an opposition. Overall, the 9th is only of middling prominence.
Somewhat malefic, mixed
Venus rules the 9th and is somewhat malefic here in the chart, as she is out of sect and applying a conjunction to a malefic (Saturn). She is also in both the bound and the sign of the out of sect malefic, Mars. Saturn is in very close aspect to Mars, and Saturn opposes the 9th. Overall, the 9th place has a very Saturnine influence on it, inducing much doubt, critical thinking, and need for tangible evidence when it comes to matters of belief and truth. In the evaluation of belief, Saturn leans toward science/skepticism, while Venus leans toward aesthetic value and human pleasure/joy. There may be an association of matters of higher truth or dogma with unpleasantness or strife. However, it is mixed in this regard, exhibiting a broad range, as Saturn is in sect and Venus is a benefic.
Notes on the 9th Place
Belief-systems and truth-seeking have moderate prominence in Shermer’s life. They are not as prominent as in most of the charts of vocal atheists we’ve seen. His evaluation of belief systems tends to be heavily influenced by aesthetics/pleasure (Venus rulership) and doubt/skepticism (Saturn opposes the 9th and is with the ruler of the 9th).
Saturn:
Moderate strength
Saturn is moderately strong, as it is advancing but cadent. While Saturn has a strong effect on the 9th (via opposition), it doesn’t have a strong effect on the life overall. The life is not marked strongly by doubt, loss, dreariness, darkness, and negativity as it is in the charts of many atheists.
Mixed to somewhat malefic
Saturn is naturally a malefic and is ruled by the out of sect malefic, so there are some challenging circumstances indicated by Saturn. However, it is also in sect and conjunct a benefic, so there are definitely some benefits and positive outcomes associated with Saturn. Jupiter overcomes Saturn by sextile; another beneficial configuration. Therefore, there is a quite a broad mixed range with the significations of Saturn in the chart, from malefic to bringing about very positive developments.
Notes on Saturn
Saturn influences the belief system but doesn’t have a huge impact on the life overall. Saturn has both constructive and challenging associations.
Mercury:
Extremely strong
Mercury is very prominent. It is strongly advancing on the Ascendant and rules the Ascendant. It is also very strongly in phasis (15 degrees from Sun). Therefore, Mercury is extremely strong and prominent in this chart. The god of movement, intellect, rational thought, and commerce has a very strong and pervasive effect on the life as a whole. Shermer encounters prominent Mercurial themes (complexity, rationality, ingenuity, synthesizing, commerce) in his typical life circumstances.
Somewhat malefic
Mercury always has a broad range from benefic to malefic, but here it leans malefic due to its influences. Mercury is out of sect and in a dark place (the 2nd), while in the bound of Saturn, and applying to Mars. All of these indications push Mercury to be more malefic. In other words, we expect Mercury to be more geared into destroying than creating, and negatively evaluating rather than positively contributing something new. In the bound (and exaltation, and triplicity) of Saturn, we expect Mercury to be particularly at home with skeptical evaluation (Saturn pertains to doubt, judgment, and nullification).
Notes on Mercury
Mercury connects strongly with the Ascendant, indicating a strong identification with Mercury. It is also very prominent in the life generally. Mercury is in the 2nd of money and wealth, so while Mercury’s influence is pervasive and broad, the significations concerning commerce are particularly reinforced. We expect that Shermer is a shrewd business-minded individual. The general identification with Mercury is a very common theme among atheists and skeptics. As a whole, they identify very strongly with rationality and intellect. So far, half of the atheists/skeptics in this series (Randi, O’Hair, and now Shermer) have had Mercury as the actual ruler of the Ascendant.
Conclusion
With Shermer, we again see a strong identification with Mercury. By contrast, there is no identification with Jupiter, despite the fact that Jupiter has a significant influence on life circumstances. However, Mercury is the strongest overall influence in his life. We also see the influence of Saturn upon the belief system (9th) and rational thought (Mercury). Unlike many atheists, it appears that there isn’t a strong influence of doubt, dreariness, difficulty, and rejection in his life in general (Saturn is not very strong). Also, he may have had many spiritually expansive experiences in his life that tested the limits (Jupiter is strong). Perhaps it is this which has led him to be more tolerant of religion generally than many other skeptics and atheists. He remains open-minded and directs his attacks instead at specific ideas and claims.
Image Attributions:
Featured image of Michael Shermer at TAM 5 (cropped) by José Ramírez [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Final image of Michael Shermer by User: Loxton (Wikipedia) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
In this, the third post of the series, I’m going to keep things a bit briefer. We will look at a chart that possesses a large number of the factors seen in the other two posts; something of a more exaggerated case. I recommend that the reader check out the first two posts of the series in order to get a feel for the important factors and configurations. The first post, introduced some of the basics and discussed Traci Lords. The second post, pertained to ex-prostitute and all-around sex guru Annie Sprinkle. While it can be hard to obtain accurate times for porn star birth data, the previous two posts did deal with AA-rated birth data, as will this one. I’ll be discussing Ilona Staller, who in addition to being in porn has, like Sprinkle, positioned herself as an icon of lustful sexuality.
Ilona Staller
Ilona Staller is a Hungarian-born porn star who came to fame in Italian porno. She also was able to get elected to Italian parliament where she is famous for doing things like delivering speeches with a breast out and offering to have sex with Saddam Hussein for peace in the Middle East. She has also had a brief musical career of explicit pop songs about sexual matters. More biographical information about her is available from her Wikipedia entry. She was born on November 26, 1951 at 5am in Budapest, Hungary, and this birth information is Rodden-rated AA for accuracy.
Ilona Staller’s Natal Chart
Staller’s Indications
As far as I can recall, hers is the only chart I’ve examined with all 7 planets in dark or “bad” places of the chart. Not pictured in the chart are her Lot of the Sun (Spirit) at 0 Libra, Lot of Women’s Marriage at 14 Scorpio, and Lot of Venus (Eros) at 22 Libra.
Identification with Venus
Identification with Venus is shown by Venus connecting with many personal points. Here the Ascendant is in the bound of Venus and Venus is a triplicity lord of the Ascendant, while the sect light (the Moon) is in the bound and sign of Venus with 3 other planets and the Lots of Spirit and Eros in that same domicile of Venus (Libra), as well as Venus ruling the Descendant/7th and the Node being in the bound and exaltation of Venus. Additionally, Venus is co-present with the sect light and Ascendant lord, and regards every planet in the chart. We get the sense that Venus is important in understanding this person’s character.
Venus in a Dark Place
She is in a dark or “bad” place, one that doesn’t regard the Ascendant. Venus in the 12th or 6th has been particularly associated with lustful longing by Masha’allah, particularly when under the regard of both Mars and Jupiter, as she is here.
Venus-Mars
Venus is with Mars, and generally afflicted. Venus-Mars connections were said to increase sexual passions, and a connection with Mercury, which is also present, can possibly connect notoriety to these passions. Eros is also conjunct Mars very closely in a sign of Venus and in a bad place.
Lustful Signs Prominent
Lustful signs are prominent, particularly among personal points. Venus, the sect light (Moon), Ascendant lord (Mars), Descendant, Saturn, Jupiter, the Node, Spirit, and Eros are all in lustful signs.
Reinforced Venus
Venus in a place of her own rulership (i.e. a place of her “dignity”). Here Venus is in her own domicile. As discussed in the last couple posts, sex workers tend to have Venus in a place of her own rulership, which perhaps makes her pertain even more to the prototypical Venusian concerns of sexual procreation.
Venus-Moon
Venus involved in the Moon’s motion. Here the Moon is separating from Venus and applying to Mercury. Any lunar separation or application involving Venus can bring in sexual themes, but especially when the Moon is waxing or very full of light (Moon is waning and slight here). Maternus did associate this Moon of little light moving from Venus to Mercury with indecencies and “those who maintain the management and provision of exotic pleasures and delights” (Book 4, Ch. 2, #2, Holden trans., 2011, p. 197). It’s unclear to me whether he intended these exotic pleasures and delights to have a sexual connotation or not. It is clear that the lunar separation provides yet another personal link to Venus, however.
Fixed Star Alphecca Rising
Finally, there is an honorable mention worth looking at in the chart, concerning the fixed star Alphecca, the principal star of the constellation Coronae Borealis. It is at about 11 Scorpio. Maternus identified this constellation rising as particularly pertaining to Venusian matters, including lustful sexuality, adulteries, etc. (Book 8, Ch. 11, #1, Holden trans., 2011, p. 487). With her Ascendant at 9 Scorpio, we would expect Alphecca to be very close to the horizon, emphasizing the rising of this constellation at her birth.
Conclusion
Again, we are seeing patterns emerge in the charts of porn stars and the sexually notorious. Having looked at only 3 charts, it is far too early to tell what works best. We must determine which indications are more suggestive vs. which are more boldly indicative. If a confluence of factors is necessary for a strong indication, then of which factors. We are starting to see the wisdom and experience behind some of the weird ancient proclamations regarding licentious lust. When gathering together such statements we find ourselves with the most effective starting points for developing our own approach to delineating a very particular natal topic like this.
References
Maternus, J. F. (2011). Mathesis. (J. H. Holden, Trans.). American Federation of Astrologers.
Featured Image
Cropped version of the photo Cicciolina Eros Galicia 2009 by Certo Xornal from Wikimedia Commons.
In the second post of this series, I’d like to look at the chart of Annie Sprinkle. She has been involved in the lustful side of sexuality in just about every way possible. She was a prostitute for two decades. Sprinkle has also been a stripper, porn star, porn producer, etc. She has really positioned herself center stage as an icon of licentiousness, calling herself a “sacred prostitute”. You can read more about her biographical details in her Wikipedia entry.
As in the look at Traci Lords, I will be pulling out some factors in the chart that pertain to signification of licentiousness. As the series progresses we’ll see certain trends and confluences of factors appear repeatedly as a common theme. The reader is urged to first read the last post on this topic before proceeding, as I discuss some of the basics and give some warnings appropriate to this type of work.
Again, as in the chart of Traci Lords, we are dealing with a Libra rising chart, with Venus as Lord of the Ascendant and in a dark or “bad” place (i.e. one that doesn’t regard the Ascendant – 6th, 12th, 8th, and 2nd) while out of sect. This identification with Venus and placement of Venus into a vulnerable place subject to corruption is noted by Masha’allah in relation to licentiousness. Note that like most simple delineation statements, the following illustrate the principle with extremes rather than being a cookbook delineation. In other words, the principle is that Venus as lord of the Ascendant inclines to identification with Venusian things and that planets in bad places incline to the darker side of things. According to Masha’allah (On Nativities, Ch. 5, Dykes trans., 2008, p. 400):
If Venus were the Lady of the Ascendant, and in a good place, it designates him to be handsome and humble. And if she were in a bad place, it designates he is hot [in desire] (and if were a woman, it designates her to be a prostitute).
Venus in XII Regarded by Jupiter and Mars
Another passage by Masha’allahn from the Book of Aristotle was previously mentioned in the Traci Lords post. It also holds in this chart, with Venus in the 12th, regarded by Mars and Jupiter:
Indeed for the appetite of longing and sexual impurity, consider the following. For, Venus in a place of longing-namely the sixth or twelfth-under the regard of Jupiter and Mars, or if she would be lingering with the Lord of the Lot in the Midheaven, it defames the female spouse because of prostitution, hides an abortion, presents [her] for sale […] (Masha’allah, Book of Aristotle, Dykes trans., 2009, Book III, Chapter 7, Section 8, p. 146)
Reinforced Venus
Also, as in the chart of Traci Lords, we find that Annie Sprinkle’s Venus is in the bound of Venus. While we may be tempted to draw some conclusions based on the position of Venus in her sign of fall, Virgo, as pertaining to ill-dignified Venusian behavior following the later medieval idea of “negative dignity” when a planet is in fall, this would lead us down the wrong path. Venus is in her own bound and triplicity here. Also note that Venus is in her own bound and domicile in the chart of Traci Lords and in her exaltation in the chart of Jenna Jameson.
It may instead be the case that some deeper connection of Venus to prototypically Venusian matters of sexuality, as opposed to other manifestations of love and beauty, is important. The reinforcement of these Venusian indications is shown through Venus being in her own domicile, exaltation, bound, or triplicity. Triplicity is more effective if it is the first triplicity ruler, which Venus is here of Virgo by day.
Notes on “Dignity”
In my own opinion, a form of rulership in its own place makes a planet more independent in action. The planet is less tied to other planets or encumbered by dependencies to them. In that sense, a form of rulership in its own place can make a planet a little bit stronger, less restrained or forced to cooperate. However, it should never be interpreted as having effects that are in some sense more “dignified”, in the sense of admired, socially accepted, commended, honorable, or even as conferring greater success.
I’ve addressed this at length in prior posts on the issue, most succinctly in The Curious Case of Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Turner. I contrasted Dahmer’s 4 very positively “dignified” (in domicile) planets with Turner’s 4 planets in detriment and fall with none in domicile or exaltation. Their charts illustrate the absurdity of identifying a planet in a form of rulership with the degree to which a planet signifies dignified matters in the life.
Venus-Mercury-Mars
There is a substantial connection between Venus and Mercury in the chart, which are in a partile sextile and have most of the important planets of the chart under their rulership. For instance, the Ascendant and the Moon are in domiciles of Venus but bounds of Mercury. Venus is in the domicile of Mercury but in her own bound. Mercury is in the bound of Venus. The Lot of Venus (Eros – at 20GEM) is in the domicile of Mercury and bound of Venus. The MC is in the bound of Venus. Five planets are in water or earth signs where Venus is the first triplicity lord.
Mars is the only planet in a “stake” of the position of Venus (i.e. in the 1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th sign from Venus – in this case square to Venus). Given the strong interchange between Mercury, Venus, and personal signification, we get a sense both for the passionate sexuality of Mars-Venus and the strangeness, “talk”, and notoriety that Mercury can bring to the mix. The chart doesn’t fulfill the following statement by Ptolemy but the strength of the ties Venus has to Mars and Mercury reflect it:
Therefore Venus, with Mars, produces merely amorous dispositions, but if Mercury is present, notoriety also… (Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, Book 4, Ch. 5, Robbins trans., 1940, p. 401)
Similarly, Rhetorius claimed, “Venus and Mercury and Mars aspecting each other will make lechers” (Compendium, Ch. 66, Holden trans., 2009, p. 121). But this indication is so commonly occurring in natal charts as to be worthless predictively. Though it does indicate the way that combinations of Venus, Mercury, and Mars can be indicative of mind/talk, passion, and sexuality getting mixed up in possibly scandalous ways.
Mercury in X in Bound of Venus
With Venus in the 12th and all the back and forth between Mercury and Venus, we particularly get the sense that sex is strongly on the mind and on the tongue. Mercury in the 10th, strongly advancing on the MC, and strong due to stationing direct days prior to birth and being in phasis, along with being fortunate through being with Jupiter, all give strong indications of great career success through her words and mental personage. She has indeed lectured on a wide variety of topics and claims to have a Ph.D. in human sexuality (unconfirmed). In the following video she discusses her sexual history a bit and one gets a good sense of her style of sexual advocacy and openness.
Mercury in the bound of Venus is typically a good and pleasant thing, but it does associate Mercury with sexuality. Given that Venus is out of sect and in the 12th, the identification with Venus, and some of the other Mercury-Venus connections, we might expect that some of the more difficult indications of Mercury in the terms of Venus to come forth. As Maternus noted for Mercury in the bound of Venus:
They will certainly be lustful in sexual intercourse, and those who corrupt the marriages of others with a depraved mental desire. They will be full of moral faults, and those who are always battered with constant scandal because of these faults. (Maternus, Mathesis, Book 5, Ch. 5, #6, Holden trans., 2011, p. 297)
Moon-Venus
Venus is moving more than twice as fast as Mercury at the time of birth. Therefore, the Moon was invested in application to Venus in the chart until shortly before birth when Mercury intervened. Venus and Mercury are in partile sextile, and the Moon applies to both, to Venus with the stronger type of aspect (trine), but first to Mercury with the sextile. Technically, the Moon is separating from Saturn and making her next application to Mercury, but the application to Venus may be important as well. I note this because Maternus provided the following among his indications for a waning Moon separating from Saturn and applying to Venus:
But if she was of little light, it denotes the depraved enticements of love affairs, or it makes [them] to be involved in impure and indecent passions, or it denotes disgraceful actions in continual succession. (Maternus, Mathesis, Book 4, Ch. 3a, #7, Holden trans., 2011, p. 188)
Conclusion
Many indications involve a Venus with more malefic associations in the chart. In this case, Venus is out of sect, in a dark place, and regarded by malefics and Mercury . Many indications also pertain when prominent and personal factors connect with Venus by rulership, regard, and application. I mean factors such as the Ascendant, Moon, the strongest planet in the chart (Mercury in this case), and the Descendant.
This chart and the chart of Traci Lords show a trend that we’ll continue to see, in which Venus in her own term, sign, exaltation, and/or triplicity is more likely to give indications directly pertaining to sexuality than a Venus that lacks such rulership in her own place. I think there is a sense behind this in which Venus prototypically refers to the procreative nature, with her additional indications pertaining to beauty, art, and so forth being extensions of this. Venus in a place of her rulership is more independent for better or worse. She is also reinforced which strengthens her significations related to sex in the person’s life.
References
Bishr, S. ibn, & Masha’allah. (2008). Works of Sahl & Masha’allah. (B. N. Dykes, Trans.). Minneapolis, MN: The Cazimi Press.
Masha’allah, & al-Khayyat, A. ’Ali. (2009). Persian Nativities I: Masha’allah and Abu ’Ali. (B. N. Dykes, Trans.). Minneapolis, MN: The Cazimi Press.
Maternus, J. F. (2011). Mathesis. (J. H. Holden, Trans.). American Federation of Astrologers.
Ptolemy, C. (1940). Ptolemy: Tetrabiblos. (F. E. Robbins, Trans.). Cambridge, MA: Loeb Classical Library. Retrieved from http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Ptolemy/Tetrabiblos/home.html
Rhetorius of Egypt, & Teucer of Babylon. (2009). Rhetorius the Egyptian. (J. H. Holden, Trans.). Tempe, AZ: American Federation of Astrologers.
Featured Image
The featured image of the Statue of Leda and the Swan at Hever Castle, Kent, England is in the public domain.
Synastry is the art of comparing the astrological birth charts of two or more people. Typically, this is done for relationship insight. We look for complimentary strengths, personality compatibility, and possible conflict or contention.
You may be familiar with the idea of Sun sign compatibility. This has been popularized by newspaper horoscopes and popular books like Linda Goodman’s “Love Signs”. However, you may not have known that synastry was used in the earliest chart-based astrology (Hellenistic astrology). An analysis of marriage and friendship often involved some amount of synastry.
Sources for Ancient Synastry
I’ll be exploring a few of the basics of synastry as found in Dorotheus’s Carmen (1st century CE), Ptolemy‘s Tetrabiblos (2nd century CE), and Masha’allah‘s The Book of Aristotle (8th century CE).
Carmen of Dorotheus can be picked up here. An English translation of the Tetrabiblos can be found online here. The interested reader will want to refer to Book IV, Ch. 5, “On Marriage”.
The first and only English translation of Masha’allah’s The Book of Aristotle was made by Dr. Ben Dykes in 2009. The Book of Aristotle is a mammoth indispensable work covering all aspects of natal delineation, It was published with Abu’Ali‘s On the Judgments of Nativities as the first volume of the “Persian Nativities” series, which you can purchase here. I’ll be referring to Book 3, Ch. 7, Section 11, “On the concord and esteem of each”. It is assumed that the author is Masha’allah, but Dykes has recently speculated that the author could al-Andarzaghar (another astrologer of the period).
Both Ptolemy and Masha’allah place a premium on the relationships between the Sun, Moon, and Venus, both in the natal chart and between charts.
Sun-Moon
For Ptolemy, the Sun in a woman’s chart is particularly significant for describing a husband and facets of her marriage. The Moon in a man’s chart describes the wife and facets of his marriage. Harmony between the Sun and Moon was very important for marriage. Ptolemy does not neatly separate out natal and synastry factors, but rather seems to refer often to both and sometimes to one or the other. He appears to refer to synastry when he says “by exchange” in the following passage.
Marriages for the most part are lasting when in both the genitures the luminaries happen to be in harmonious aspect, that is, in trine or in sextile with one another, and particularly when this comes about by exchange; and even more when the husband’s moon is in such aspect with the wife’s sun. Divorces on slight pretexts and complete alienations occur when the aforesaid positions of the luminaries are in disjunct signs, or in opposition or in quartile. (Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, Book IV, Ch. 5, Robbins trans., 1940, p. 184-185)
Natal Sun-Moon Harmony
My sense is that this consideration of harmony between the luminaries is more important in synastry than the natal chart. I believe that harmony between the Sun and Moon in a natal chart is symbolic of harmony between the sexes and/or parents. Perhaps co-presence, trines, and sextiles are symbolic of a natural harmony between two partners, sexes, or gender roles. This could relate to a sense that partners should get together and deepen bonds. Squares and oppositions draw out a symbolism of dynamism and possible tension and conflict. Aversion between the lights symbolize a detachment between them.
Natal Sun-Moon in Examples
Courtney Love’s Natal Chart
Looking at this consideration in the charts of Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain we’d conclude that there is strong impetus for both to be in a serious relationship. Courtney’s Sun and Moon are co-present in Cancer. Kurt’s Sun and Moon are trine across Pisces and Cancer. There is a symbolism of partners sticking together and deepening bonds, a harmony and glue between the sexes, gender roles, or partners. For Kurt, particularly, with his Sun-Moon trine, this relates to his desire for a lasting long-term traditional relationship, as well as disappointment in his parents for failing to uphold such a relationship.
Kurt Cobain’s Natal Chart
Moon-Venus Natal Harmony
Masha’allah, following Dorotheus, stressed the relationship between the Moon and Venus in both the natal chart and synastry. He noted that “the traversal of Venus and the Moon in the same sign denotes the insoluable concord of the conjugal agreement” (Masha’allah, The Book of Aristotle, Book III, Ch. 7.11, Dykes trans., 2009, p. 149).
Dorotheus noted in Book II, Ch. 5 of Carmen, “Similarly [does it happen] if you find that wherever is the Venus of one of the two [marriage partners], there is the Moon of the other, especially if the Moon of one of the two is in trine with the Moon of the other” (Pingree trans., 2005, p. 206). Therefore, regards between the Moon and Venus are important, and especially their co-presence in the same sign.
The strength of the Moon-Venus relationship is perhaps symbolic of personal and emotional investment in love. In many authors, such as Firmicus Maternus, it is said to indicate heightened investment in sexual activity in the natal chart, especially when the Moon separates from or applies to Venus.
Intimate and Sexual
Where Sun and Moon may show partnership in a more idealistic, general, abstract form (i.e. along the lines of husband and wife), this is perhaps shows the more personal desire for intimacy. In some authors, strong Moon-Venus connections (together with other factors) come up in relation to incest, such as with the mother. This again relates to the personal life, nurture, familiarity, and even emotional fulfillment (Moon) being linked with love, beauty, and sexuality (Venus). Relationship bonds can be shaken by a lack of sexual intimacy and affectionate personal space. Perhaps Masha’allah’s stress on Moon-Venus connections for strength of bond relates to this sense.
Moon-Venus in Examples
The Moon and Venus are in aversion (disregard each other) in Courtney Love’s chart. They are in trine (powerful harmony) in Kurt Cobain’s chart. This could symbolize that it is more natural for Kurt that intimate familiarity go hand-in-hand with sexuality and affection. For Courtney, they may be more disconnected facets of life.
The regards of benefics and malefics (as well as house placement and other factors) are also examined in the literature. For instance, that Saturn, the out of sect malefic in Kurt’s chart, is with the Sun and Venus (strongly conjunct Venus), may be indicative of weight, isolation, and melancholy in relationships. It may also indicate the sorrow of the husband (or father) in the relationship, as opposed to the idealized wife shown through Moon-Jupiter. Courtney’s own Mars-Venus indicates things getting heated surrounding love and sexuality, including contentions and aggression related to such matters.
Sun, Moon, Venus, and the Angles in Synastry
There are many ways to delineate aspects of marriage and love from the natal chart. I’ve mentioned the ones above because they are used by Ptolemy and Masha’allah as springboards into looking at the same factors in synastry.
Intense and harmonious connections between the Lights (esp. man’s Moon and woman’s Sun) and between the Moon and Venus in synastry indicate strong bonds between partners. Squares, oppositions, and aversions between them can indicate problems, especially if malefics are involved.
The Stakes in Synastry
Additionally, the “stakes” (1st, 10th, 7th, and 4th places, also known as “angles” or “pivots”) of the charts are very important. When the same signs are angles or the above mentioned planets are in each other’s angles, it increases the bond. See the following quotes from Dorotheus and Masha’allah (drawing on Dorotheus).
The man is suitable for the woman and the woman for the man if the ascendent[s] of these two are the same cardine. If the two luminaries or one of the two is in the ascendent or midheaven, then also it is suitable. (Dorotheus, Carmen Astrologicum, Book II, Ch. 5, Pingree trans., 2005, p. 205)
Which if each Sun, under the birthdays of both, would be lingering in the same sign and in a pivot, it promises [the same]. (Masha’allah, The Book of Aristotle, Book III, Ch. 7.11, Dykes trans., 2009, p. 149)
Malefics and Benefics in Synastry
All three authors, Dorotheus, Ptolemy, and Masha’allah, stress the role of malefic planets (i.e. Saturn and Mars) in splitting up the relationship. This particularly the case when a malefic in one person’s chart is with (i.e. co-present) one of the Lights in the partner’s chart. The timing would seem to coincide with an activation of the malefic that is making the connection.
By contrast, benefics co-present with the Lights or regarding them harmoniously increase the stability of marriage. They may also reunite partners when other problems such as hard connections between the Lights are indicated.
Kurt and Courtney Synastry
Let’s look at the synastry of Kurt and Courtney to illustrate. I have a chart pictured which has Courtney’s chart on the inside with Kurt’s planetary and angular positions marked on the outside. Some of the more positive configurations for their relationships are marked out with blue, while the more problematic configurations are marked out with red.
Kurt-Courtney Synastry – Kurt’s natal placements are on the outside of Courtney’s natal chart.
The Angles
Kurt has Virgo rising and Courtney has Libra rising, and since these are adjacent signs which are in aversion this is not a strong connection between their Ascendants. However, it should be noted that the signs Libra and Virgo are contra-antiscia to each other which lends an affinity between the two signs (see my post on antiscia and contra-antiscia for more on this).
The Lights
The Lights (Sun and Moon) reveal a very powerful connection between the two of them, particularly in that his Moon is conjunct her Sun, in Cancer, which is the midheaven of her chart (one of the “stakes”). Additionally, both have their Suns trine each other, and his Moon-Jupiter with her Sun-Moon is an extremely powerful positive connection.
However, there is a very difficult configuration in the chart also, shown by her Saturn in Pisces, which is the place of both his Sun and his Venus. In fact, her Saturn is in close conjunction with his Sun and this Saturn draws out his own Saturn-Venus conjunction in the same place in his natal chart. This Saturn is definitely the most difficult factor in their synastry.
Venus
Venus in one chart is square to Venus in the other. The squares between Venus are not necessarily indicative of problems, and may in fact show more passion and a stronger love connection than if they were in aversion. Additionally, Courtney’s Venus is in Kurt’s midheaven (a “stake” of his chart), so it has an intense attractive impact on him. However, both have Venus conjunct a malefic, Saturn in Kurt’s case and Mars in Courtney’s, so Venus in each chart is also afflicted by the malefic conjunct each other’s Venus, and Mars joins Venus on Kurt’s midheaven, fostering conflicts.
Kurt’s Death
Shortly after Kurt’s last solar return in February of 1994, his behavior began to spiral out of control. The behavioral problems often pertained to relationship matters with Love. Kurt’s drug habit had also gotten out of control.
Sun-Saturn Solar Return
In February of 1994, Saturn had just entered Pisces. Saturn was at 2 Pisces at the time of Kurt’s last solar, two degrees from Courtney’s own Saturn, and within a degree of both Kurt’s Sun. It was also within a degree of the solar return Mercury (ruler of Kurt’s Ascendant), and was with the solar return Venus. These configurations reinforced the natal configuration of Sun, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury in Pisces.
Kurt’s 1994 Solar Return (precessed) – Saturn is conjuct return Sun within 1 degree.
Kurt’s Natal Chart with Solar Return Positions on Outside Showing Return Transits to the Natal Chart – Sun-Saturn-Mercury conjunction on the natal Sun at solar return.
Sun-Saturn Symbolism
The most potent symbolism of Sun-Saturn is loss of the vital heat and spirit, i.e. death. This indication at death (Sun-Saturn) has been discussed in my article on the death of Ilya Zhitomirskiy (committed suicide after a solar return with a tight Sun-Saturn conjunction) and my article on the death of Whitney Houston (activated Sun-Saturn opposition).
Day of Death
I am not implying that Courtney directly had anything to do with Kurt’s death. It is simply interesting that conflicts in their relationship intensified as Saturn came into Pisces activating that synastry. Kurt’s self-inflicted death, which ended their relationship, was clearly symbolized in the chart. Kurt’s death occurred on April 5, 1994 with Saturn at 7 Pisces. Courtney Love was going through her Saturn return. Transiting Mars had also entered Pisces and was conjunct transiting Mercury, both of them just a couple degrees from Kurt’s Venus, at the time of the suicide.
Cobain’s Natal Chart with Transits on the day of death around outer wheel. Both of the malefics and Mercury were transiting in the 7th, where most of Kurt’s natal planets are located.
References
Masha’allah, & al-Khayyat, A. ’Ali. (2009). Persian Nativities I: Masha’allah and Abu ’Ali. (B. N. Dykes, Trans.). Minneapolis, MN: The Cazimi Press.
Ptolemy, C. (1940). Ptolemy: Tetrabiblos. (F. E. Robbins, Trans.). Cambridge, MA: Loeb Classical Library. Retrieved from http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Ptolemy/Tetrabiblos/home.html
Dorotheus of Sidon. (2005). Carmen Astrologicum. (D. Pingree, Trans.). Abingdon, MD: Astrology Center of America.
Featured image for this article is courtesy of Kate Petty (modified for display purposes).
The singer Whitney Houston recently passed. Glancing briefly at some of the predictive factors leading up to her death I’ve found that there was a strong emphasis on Saturn, both her natal and transiting Saturn. Her death occurred while Saturn transited through her 8th house (Libra), occupied natally by Mars. There was also a highlighting of transiting Mars in her 7th house by monthly profection. In this article, I provide a brief look at her natal chart, last solar return, last lunar return, and transits of the day of death.
Whitney Houston’s natal chart is pictured below. The birth data is Rodden-rated AA for accuracy. Information about her life and the circumstances of her death is available in her Wikipedia entry.
Planetary Years: Sun & Saturn
Whitney Houston’s Natal Chart
Planetary years were used by many ancient astrologers for signifying the activation of natal planets and configurations.
Whitney was 48 1/2 at the time of death, which is her 49th year. One of the more interesting combinations due at that age is the combination of the Sun (19) and Saturn (30), summing to 49. Whitney was born with an applying Sun-Saturn opposition across the health and loss oriented 6th and 12th houses, Leo and Aquarius (the houses of the Sun and Saturn respectively). Sun-Saturn is particularly symbolic of death. Saturn is the natural significator of death and coldness. Natally, it opposes the Sun, the natural significator of vital power and the heart. Therefore, this configuration, strikingly symbolic of death, had its main activation by planetary years at about 49 years (49th year from birth).
I bring up planetary years first, because it is an easy but nearly always overlooked technique. A cursory examination of the chart should alert us that there is an applying Sun-Saturn opposition in the chart, involving difficult houses. From there we immediately should consider possibility of important events pertaining to the configuration occurring at about 49 years of age. The configuration speaks of vitality, authority, or power (Sun) eventfully meeting an obstacle, lack, or loss (Saturn), while the 6th and 12th houses speak of danger to the health and well-being. Other indications involving this configuration and Saturn should then be closely examined.
Annual Profection: 1st House, Jupiter – A Benefic Attended by Difficulty
Whitney Houston died at age 48, a multiple of 12. Therefore, Whitney was in a 1st Place, Pisces, annual profection. Jupiter was the lord of the year. While naturally benefic, Jupiter has a particularly broad range of signification in the natal chart. Positively, Jupiter, a natural benefic, is symbolic of abundance, and is here in the house of money, with the Moon (sect light) closely conjoining it, and with rulership of the self and career (1st and 10th). However, more difficult indications pertain to Jupiter’s location in a dark place (2nd), out of sect (it’s a night birth), partilely overcome by Saturn (itself out of sect in a dark place), and the opposition from Mars in the 8th. Mars is noteworthy as it also opposes the Moon, the significator of the body. Therefore, reversals of Jupiter’s fortunate indications can pertain to either malefic.
Whitney Houston’s Natal Chart
Last Solar Return: 8th House Saturn Rising
Whitney Houston 2011 Solar Return
While I find considerable significance in both precessed and non-precessed solar returns in my own practice. Here, I use Houston’s normal (non-precessed) solar return (note: I do no relocate returns). Her final return is striking. Saturn, natural significator of death, is in Libra conjunct the return Ascendant, significator of the self and conjunct natal Mars. Libra is Houston’s 8th house (house of death). Return Saturn is dominated by return Mars in Cancer. Additionally, Jupiter, the lord of the year, is placed in the solar return 8th house.
Last Lunar Return: 8th House Saturn Rising
Whitney’s final lunar return took place on January 28th, 2012, and is pictured.
Houston’s Final Lunar Return
Her final lunar return echoed the solar return with Saturn in Libra rising again, strongly advancing toward the return Ascendant within 6 degrees.
In this case, Saturn was additionally in the bound of Mars (natal occupant of the 8th house). The lunar return Moon, significator of the body, applies an opposition to Saturn. Saturn is also opposed to Jupiter (lord of the year) out of sign but within 3 degrees. Jupiter is again in the 8th house of the return.
Monthly Profection: 7th House, Mercury
The monthly profection of the Ascendant for the month of death (Feb. 9th to March 9th) is to the 7th Place, Virgo, ruled by and occupied by natal Mercury (side note: nMercury is conj. her nPluto within a degree). The 7th place, the place where the Sun and planets set, was one of the places associated with death in ancient astrology (though often less so than the 8th).
Of the 7th place, Manilius (1st Century CE) wrote, “…wonder not if it is called the portal of somber Pluto and keeps control over the end of life and death’s firm-bolted door. Here dies even the very light of day, which the ground beneath steals away from the world and locks up captive in the dungeon of night” (Manilius, Astronomica, Book 2, 951-954, Goold trans., p. 157-159).
Interestingly, Houston (symbolized by the profected Ascendant) entered the house (7th) occupied by transiting Mars which was at 20 Virgo at the time. Natally, Mars occupies Houston’s 8th House of death. The monthly profection is congruent with the significations that the month beginning Feb. 9th may bring her into contact with danger (symbolized by transiting Mars). Mars was afflicting Mercury (lord of the month) and in the natal chart afflicts Jupiter (lord of the year). Additionally, the lord of the month, Mercury, was at the time transiting through Aquarius, occupied by natal Saturn.
Transits (outer) to Natal (inner) at Time of Death
Death Transits: The Moon Arrives, Saturn in Focus
On the day of her death in Beverly Hills in the early afternoon of Feb. 11, 2012, the Moon was transiting through Libra, Houston’s 8th house. She was transiting there with Saturn and past natal Mars. Meanwhile, the transiting Sun, with Mercury (lord of the month), in late Aquarius, cogently emphasized the Sun-Saturn configuration. The Sun’s transit of her Saturn was still fresh within 3 degrees of orb at the time of death.
Transits to Houston’s Natal at Time of Death
References
Manilius, M. (1977). Astronomica. (G. P. Goold, Trans.). Cambridge, MA: Loeb Classical Library.
Image Attribution
Featured image of Whitney Houston performing in Milan on 05/03/2010 (cropped) by Luca Viscardi [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
This series is sure to be offensive to many people. However, it is an important matter. Have you ever wondered if ancient astrology has anything to say about sexual behavior that is contrary to social norms? What of people who are publicly prominent (notorious) for such behavior, such as porn stars and prostitutes? There is no specific “porn star” astrological signature, but certain sets of factors show up repeatedly when it comes to adult film stars.
A Note on the Astrology
I draw heavily on Persian astrology in this analysis together with the basic astrological principles and techniques established in the Hellenistic period. I also have my own preferences for what works best from practice. Those interested in Persian techniques concerning sexuality is urged to check out the Persian Nativities series translated by Ben Dykes. That 3-volume series contains 5 huge and pivotal Persian works on natal astrology. The works deal with delineation and prediction on all life topics.
Unfortunately, there is a lack of good birth data for porn stars. Typically we have nothing other than a date and a location. There are only a handful of porn stars for which we have accurate birth times. Therefore, in this series, I may oscillate between thorough analysis of stars with good birth data and a more superficial analysis where such data is lacking.
A Caution Regarding Readings
Don’t take these indications and start delineating your friends and loved ones as fornicators with wanton lust. Really. Don’t. Accurate predictions can be made but they are very difficult. Venus with Mars in the same sign, for instance, is a common occurrence, and wouldn’t be enough to judge someone’s sexuality. Think of astrology as a language, with any set of factors potentially indicating a large variety of experiences. Additionally, many factors will not pertain strongly to the individual. They will instead pertain to other prominent people or circumstances in their lives.
The Basic Factors
When delineating sexuality, the single most important factor is Venus. However, when it comes to the person themselves, points of personal importance, such as the Ascendant and its lords, are pivotal. Often, I’ll just focus on Venus and her relationship to the individual and the chart. The most important factors are below:
Venus: Classical planet with the strongest natural significations pertaining to love, beauty, marriage, and sexuality.
Eros (Lot of Venus): This is the classic Hellenistic lot for Venus. Valens made this lot from Fortune to Spirit by day (reversed by night), projected from the Ascendant. It was a very important lot for Valens, as one of the four principal lots he looked at for effective places and profections. This form for the lot also came to be the most popular manner of constructing it in the later Middle Ages. Paulus instructed to take the lot from Spirit (Lot of the Sun) to Venus by day (Venus to Spirit by night) and projecting that from the Ascendant.
7th Place: The 7th House is the 7th sign counted inclusively from the Ascendant. It is the house opposite the house of the self (rising sign). The 7th is the house of marriages, unions, and partnerships. It also has some pertinence to sexuality.
The Lot of Marriage: There are a few different lots of marriage in ancient astrological works, but the Persians seem to have preferred the Dorothean one. It is Saturn to Venus from Asc for men (by day, reversed by night) and Venus to Saturn from Asc for women (by day, reversed by night). These lots were used in marriage delineation, and occasionally in delineation of sexuality.
Traci Lords
Traci Lords has certainly faced many challenges related to sexuality in her life. She was raped at 10 and molested in her teens by a drug-dealer boyfriend of her mother’s. Her molester also got her into porn when she was just a teenager. She illegally appeared in dozens of movies at only 16 years of age. She was eventually busted, but then did a little more pornography when of age. Later in life, she claimed that she was in porn solely for drugs. She achieved stardom through her porn notoriety, but she was able to transition in later years to acting for television and B movies.
You can read some biographical info about her at Wikipedia. Besides acting, she has been involved in the arts in other ways as well, including in music.
I remember her as Wanda, in John Water’s 1990 film, Cry Baby (starring Johnny Depp).
Traci Lord’s Chart
Her chart is below, based on AA-rated birth data of May 7, 1968 at 5:19 pm in Steubenville, OH.
Traci Lords Natal Chart (12th parts along outer edge; CTRL-Click to enlarge chart)
Analysis
One of the first things we should note in the chart is that Venus rules the Ascending sign, the 1st place, Libra. Therefore, there is a strong identification with Venus. Additionally, Venus is in Taurus, another sign of Venus, and is in the Venus bound of the sign. The sect light, the Sun, is also in a Venus-ruled sign, Taurus, and is with Venus in that sign. The Moon, Descendant, Fortune, and Spirit are also in bounds of Venus.
The twelfth-part of Venus in the 10th place of rank and recognition. This and the associations between Venus and the Sun connect Venus with social prominence. Venus is also advancing and is the primary career significator in my opinion (advancing; strong dignity at the Ascendant; main triplicity lord of 10th; 12th part in 10th; 8th is a valid place for significator). Venus is identified with, generally prominent, prominent in terms of the career, and connected to a number of key life areas. Venus and her natural significations of art, beauty, aesthetics, and sexuality are centrally important in her life.
For reference, the positions of the relevant lots are Lot of Venus (Eros) at about 15 Gemini (Valens) or 1 Virgo (Paulus) and the Lot of Marriage at 25 Virgo. Two of the lots are with the Moon in the 12th, and all are ruled by Mercury, which is conjunct Mars within 3 degrees. I will not analyze the lots in detail in this article.
Venus
She’s out of sect, in a dark place (8th) and a place that is particularly relevant in terms of fear and violation in power situations, while also with the out of sect malefic Mars. From this we gather that this Venus can signify pretty far along malefic dimension, i.e. that the significations of Venus will often pertain to difficulties, challenges, adversity, and circumstances arising where there seems to be something of a disregard for the person’s well-being and peace of mind. Because Venus rules the Ascendant, she will also tend to direct the person, be representative of the person’s self-identification in some ways.
Lustful Signs
In a previous post, I discussed the lustful signs. Lustful signs are prominent in the chart. The main lustful signs are Aries, Taurus, Capricorn, and Pisces, with Leo, and sometimes Libra, also added by some astrologers.
Significantly, Venus is in one of the main four lustful signs (Taurus), as are the Sun and Mars. Therefore, Venus is with Mars, under the beams, in a lustful sign. Aries is also one of the four main lustful signs and the 7th house and twelfth-part of Mars are in that sign.
When Leo and Libra are also considered, then five of the seven planets and the Ascendant and Descendant are in lustful signs. Important planets in lustful signs include Venus, the ruler of the Ascendant (again Venus), the ruler of Fortune (Saturn), the exalted ruler of the Ascendant (again Saturn), and the ruler of the 7th place (Mars).
Special Indications
There are many special indications or groups of indications in the chart that are discussed by various ancient authors in connection to controversy, adversity, and notoriety related to sexuality that are present in the chart. The following indications are found in the chart of Traci Lords.
Venus in a Lustful Sign
If Venus is in one of the signs of desire, which abound in lust (they are Aries, Capricorn, Pisces, and Taurus), and Venus is under the [Sun’s] rays with Saturn or Mars, then this indicates [something] like what I told you of the act of scandals […] (Dorotheus, Pingree trans., 2005, Book II, Ch. 7, p. 206)
Venus in a Dark Place
Masha’allah appears to associate the 12th and 6th places with being places of longing when Venus occupies one. The 12th and 6th places are two of the four dark places (see the lesson on places). It is possible that the 8th and 2nd should also be included as they are the other two dark places. Interestingly, it is the regard of both Jupiter and Mars while Venus is in such a place that is mentioned.
Indeed for the appetite of longing and sexual impurity, consider the following. For, Venus in a place of longing-namely the sixth or twelfth-under the regard of Jupiter and Mars, or if she would be lingering with the Lord of the Lot in the Midheaven, it defames the female spouse because of prostitution, hides an abortion, presents [her] for sale […] (Masha’allah, Book of Aristotle, Dykes trans., 2009, Book III, Chapter 7, Section 8, p. 146)
Venus Under Mars
Masha’allah also associated connections between Venus and Mars with increased sexual longing, as did Abu’Ali (among many others):
Moreover, Venus with Mars or in his bound, or under his regard from the opposition, advances sexual impurity and longing; indeed under a male birth it will be thus. (Masha’allah, Book of Aristotle, Dykes trans., 2009, Book III, Chapter 7, Section 8, p. 146)
Venus, if she were joined to Mars or in his bad aspect, signifies the foulness of wantonness. (Abu’Ali, On the Judgments of Nativities, Dykes trans., 2009, Ch. 26, p. 285)
Orientality of Venus
Additionally, oriental (i.e. rising before the Sun) sexual significators pertain to initiating and less restrained facets of sexuality. Masha’allah and Abu’Ali (among others) noted this association. However, note that the second passage may have been in reference to a man’s chart, in relation to delineating his love life in marriage.
Their orientality increases it greatly, on the contrary [their] occidentality restrains; but the regard of the Sun reveals sexual impurity. (Masha’allah, Book of Aristotle, Dykes trans., 2009, Book III, Chapter 7, Section 8, p. 146)
And if Venus were oriental, it signifies the boldness of the woman over the man, with a multitude of love and joy. (Abu’Ali, On the Judgments of Nativities, Dykes trans., 2009, Ch. 26, p. 286)
Conclusion
As one can see the delineation of sexuality in ancient astrology involves a rich vocabulary. There is the potential for very complex and detailed delineation. The primary stress was upon Venus, the natural significator of sexuality, rather than upon the accidental significations of a particular house or place of the chart.
The existing literature on sexuality addresses many of its facets from compatibility to homosexuality, and from sexual scandal to fidelity in marriage. The rich set of factors in traditional astrology, go beyond just “signs” to include places, planetary regards, relation to the Sun (oriental/occidental), and the lots. There is the capacity to bring much deeper levels of delineation. The delineations in the existing literature should be used as starting points for the development of practical technique, rather than as authoritative proclamations.
It is my hope that the reader will start looking at the chart from a different perspective. Let’s move away from the modern planet-in-sign approach as well as the stagnant traditionalist dignity-pointing approach to reading the chart.
References
Masha’allah, & al-Khayyat, A. ’Ali. (2009). Persian Nativities I: Masha’allah and Abu ’Ali. (B. N. Dykes, Trans.). Minneapolis, MN: The Cazimi Press.
Sidon, D. of. (2005). Carmen Astrologicum. (D. Pingree, Trans.). Abingdon, MD: Astrology Center of America.
Updates
02/07/2019: Added note about Valens lot of Eros and some additional minor edits particularly to the discussion of lustful signs.
In the polemical “The Curious Case of Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Turner“, I showed how dignity is not a good indicator of a planet’s tendency towards more positive or negative significations. The charts of Jeffrey Dahmer (4 planets in domicile) and Ted Turner (4 planets in fall or detriment) are cogent reminders of how inaccurate the use of dignity for beneficence can be. However, the question remains as to how one should judge beneficence and loftiness of character (moral disposition) and social status (eminence).
The delineation of character, morality, and eminence is complex. Of those, character is the easiest. Traditional methods will tell you far more in regards to character than modern psychological astrology. Eminence is a much messier can of worms. In the application of eminence techniques, I often find more relevance in terms of social mobility, than in terms of a pre-ordained hierarchical “rank of fame”, as some traditionalists describe it. Eminence will be explored at some later time.
Character Basics
Ascendant Lords, Mercury, and Dominant Planets
Abu’ali on the Lord of the Ascendant and Mercury: “these signify the matters of the soul, and the morals of the native, just as the Moon and the Ascendant signify the body” (The Judgment of Nativities, Dykes trans., 2009, p. 236). Abu Bakr on the other hand has us look at dominant planets in the chart, particularly those in the 1st or 10th. This is similar in spirit to the “victor of the chart” approaches which were popular in the later middle ages. Ptolemy looks at Mercury for the rational mind and the Moon for the irrational, mirrored in the modern-day notion of a conscious and unconscious mind.
Overall, in character analysis, I find the Ascendant Lord(s) and the dominant planet(s) to be the most important starting points of the delineation. All of the rulers of the Ascendant are of some significance for character, as all are connected in some way with the individual themselves (signified by the Ascendant). Prominent planets in the chart are a strong influence upon the life, so their impact will be felt, but if they have no rulership of the Ascendant then there is not likely to be an identification with the planet.
Fixed Stars
Powerful fixed stars conjunct the Ascendant, MC, Moon, and Mercury are very influential upon the character but will not be dealt with much here. Suffice it to say that Dahmer has the very martial star Pollux on his MC which the author of The Book of Aristotle (initially believed to have been Masha’allah) associated with Mars and a wrathful violent temperament, especially by day (Masha’allah, Ch. III.2.1, Dykes trans., 2009, p. 79).
Lots
There are some lots which are also relevant to character, especially the Lot of Spirit (but others as well). I will not being exploring the lots here.
Planetary Strength
Rather than using all strength/weakness and beneficence/maleficence conditions at my disposal in the literature, I’m going to restrict myself to those I find most important. They are the same factors I used in the series on faith and were discussed in the first article of that series.
Personally, I recognize at least 3 distinct types of strength: prominence, stability, and pertinence.
Volume
Volume or prominence pertain to the extent that a planet pours out its natural significations. A prominent planet influences many areas of life in a strong way, not just those associated with the houses it occupies and rules. Prominence is shown by advancing/retreating, stations, phasis, and apogees.
Prototypicality
Prototypicality and stability are less important than prominence. They are shown by various conditions of congruity. These include sign-based dignity, the joys, and gender conditions, among others. Stability has various forms. A stable planet is likely to signify what it signifies consistently in life. A planet in a fixed sign is more stable than one in a mutable sign, and one in a cardinal sign is least stable of all. Dignity, especially domicile, makes a planet more consistent and stable in its indications (for better or worse) because it is its own ruler. A planet ruled by another planet of a contrary nature is less stable as it is influenced by the ruler.
Pertinence
Pertinence is the relevance of a planet to a particular matter. For intance, a planet in the 1st or one of its stakes (especially the 10th) is pertinent to the character of the person. When a planet or point naturally signifies something, is in a place, rules a place, or regards a place (especially by opposition or the right side), it becomes pertinent to a matter.
Strength is not beneficence or maleficence. The benefit or harm associated with an indication pertains more to natural signification, sect, place, and planetary influence.
Jeffrey Dahmer: Malefics through the Moon and Venus
I recommend watching this fascinatingly candid interview with Dahmer in which he discusses the impetus of his actions.
Rulers of the 1st
The ruler of the 1st was commonly used because it is pertinent to the character by way of the accidental signification of the 1st house as the house of the individual. It was used for character and moral disposition by Masha’allah in On Nativities, and Abu’ali in The Judgment of Nativities, among others.
Jeffrey Dahmer’s Natal Chart
8th House Venus Overcome by Saturn
Venus, a natural benefic, pertaining to beauty, sensuality, and pleasure is made malefic by being out of sect and in the 8th place. She is regarded on the right-side most closely by Saturn (by trine) in the 4th. Saturn is the dominant planetary influence over Venus, as she is overcome by Saturn and in Saturn’s bound. The bound ruler of the Ascendant Lord is very important to Masha’allah in showing the native’s involvement in something. Saturn, planet of death and the macabre, is in the 4th which has significations related to the dead and buried things. Saturn, the 4th house, and the Saturn bound all reinforce the significations of death and harm of the 8th.
That Venus does not regard the Ascendant is significant. Venus is in a “dark” place. Venus puts the native in connection with hidden or dark elements of life. This in itself does not necessarily signify the native is immoral. It is common for instance for those involved in social reform, prisons, institutions, and so forth to have the ruler of the 1st in the 6th or 12th. Also, those involved in lending and insurance may have it in the 8th.
A Marriage of Saturn and Venus
The lack of aspect from Venus also prompts us to look more closely at the influence of other rulers of the Ascendant, especially Saturn. Saturn is the exaltation and first triplicity ruler. It is in the 4th, and retreating. Saturn’s retreat makes it less public and pervasive, but it is still very personally significant as it is in a stake. Saturn is in the bound of Venus, adding to the significant relationship between
Saturn and Venus. Saturn and Venus, and the 4th and 8th houses are central to characterizing the native’s personality. There is pleasure-seeking, associated with death and dirge, the macabre. Venus made bad, as an important personality significator, tends to pertain to shameless excess. Superficially, we would think that he’d seem gentle, possibly effeminate, somewhat depressive, and quite shy.
Malefic Venus, Alcohol, Sex, and Dead Things
In Dahmer’s case, the Venus tended toward abuse of alcohol (Venus as drinks, made malefic signifying intoxicants), compulsive indulgence, and difficult sexuality. He was considered a catch within the gay community and would manipulate men into positions where he could harm them. He would often drug his victims. His ultimate motivation was sexual attraction and a desire for sexual possession.
The associations of this Venus with death are very strong. Venus is not only in the 8th place of death, but is in a very close relationship with Saturn, lord of death and dead things.
Ages of Man and Developmental Venus
Venus becomes developmentally activated from the age of 14 to 22, roughly the ages of sexual development. During Dahmer’s adolescence he went from the Mercurial highly curious boy of Mercury in the 9th, to the withdrawn, secretive, Saturnine Venus in the 8th. This brought very vivid sexual fantasies of necrophilia.
Mercury
Mercury was used by many for the character and moral disposition, including Masha’allah, Abu’ali, and Ptolemy, among others.
Mutability and Confusion
Mercury is not necessarily strong for intellect in Virgo or Gemini. Mercury in a common (i.e. mutable) sign, such as Virgo or Gemini, was said to signify a small but quick intellect, liable to anger. It indicates an unstable mind, that has trouble with perseverance. This is in contrast to the extremely honorable intellect of Mercury in a fixed sign. It also differs from the confidence, quick grasp, enthusiasm, and good-speaking ability of Mercury in a moveable (i.e. cardinal) sign. This is a rather weak indication though, as there have been a number of great geniuses with Mercury in mutable signs (especially Sagittarius and Pisces as Jupiter connects gain to the intellect).
Out of Sect and Closely Aspected by Mars
Dahmer’s Mercury is out of sect, though in a somewhat good place (the 9th). It is applying to Mars, and scrutinized by Mars in a very close application in which Mars overcomes Mercury. There is a vast range with Mercury in terms of benefic thru malefic significations. Mercury is somewhat weakened though, particularly for intellectual activities from the mutability. There is also weakness due to its cadency and from combustion (it is under the Sun’s beams).
Deceitful Intentions
Dahmer was said to be a relatively good student as a youth. However, he didn’t pursue higher education and was not an intellectual. Overall, his intellectual abilities were capable enough to allow him to commit murder and cover his tracks over many years. He used his intellect in ways that were particularly maligned. His focus was on deceit, from drugging men at clubs to take advantage of them, to secretly raping, murdering, and even eating men. In a sense, the chart reveals Mercury to be most active as an accomplice of Mars, as it applies to Mars which overcomes it. Combustion may be signifying the way his intentions were kept “obscured”.
The Dominant Planet
The Setting Moon
The Moon happens to also be the dominant planet in the chart. She is strongly advancing in the same degree as the Descendant. Mars, Saturn, and to a much lesser extent, Jupiter, are also quite dominant by being in the stakes. However, the Moon is in a stake and generally strong, conjunct the angle.
The Moon is the planet signifying the irrational mind. This is the mind that later came to be called the subconscious. The Moon has an extremely strong influence in the life. It is as if she is broadcasting from a loudspeaker all over the life. This makes Dahmer particularly attuned to her very subjective, vivid, irrational influences.
Reflecting the Malefics
The Moon is co-present with Mars so her significations are mixed with Mars. According to Serapio, the planet in the earlier zodiacal degree is typically more influential when two planets are in the same sign (a type of overcoming). The Moon is also ruled by Mars so the Moon is strongly influenced by Mars.
The Moon is also in the bound of Mercury, but Saturn, which is dominating her from the 4th (within 3*) is a much more direct influence. Overall, the out of sect Moon is overwhelmed by the influences of Mars and Saturn. The irrational impulses are pulled along malefic violent and macabre dimensions.
Moon-Mars in the House of Partners
The Moon is in the 7th which pertains to encounters with others, especially romantic partners. Mars rules and occupies the place, while Saturn dominates the place. Both Mars and Saturn are in “stakes” and thus very strongly important to Dahmer. However, both are retreating, thus they are private, moving behind the scenes, avoiding any loud broadcasting of their significations. The Moon, in contrast, is blaring her peculiar lunar energy across the life. She is the vehicle through which Mars and Saturn find entrance into the life.
The Moon and Mom
Interestingly, some focal issues in Dahmer’s early life revolved around his mother’s anxiety and combativeness. This created a lot of stress in his home. His first murder happened just after high school at a time when his mother unexpectedly left him in the house alone for an extended period of time. The Mars-Moon has some symbolism regarding mental illness, particularly anxiety. His mother’s anxiety disorder is vividly symbolized as Mars shows an overload of energy. Mars-Moon also symbolizes Dahmer’s unconscious need (Moon) for violence (Mars) against partners (7th house).
Conclusion
Dahmer can be most strongly identified with a strong Venus-Saturn configuration between the 8th and 4th houses. A Venus made malefic showing a dark overly indulgent type. He was driven by a cold and macabre sense of sexuality and beauty.
Pulled by Venus into sensual indulgence, the strong lunar influence upon his life saw him embracing irrational impulses. The nature of the irrational mind and sense of beauty are colored predominantly by the malefics. Themes of violence and the macabre are particularly prominent.
The personality is overall phlegmatic and melancholic. He is somewhat feminine (through Venus), coolly frank (through Saturn), with a touch of joviality (through Jupiter).
Ted Turner: Aggressively Ambitious and Gregarious Mercury
Ruler of the 1st
A Very Benefic Jupiter
Jupiter is the ruler of the 1st and is the sect benefic. He is in the 3rd of siblings, communications, journalism, current events, and transportation. Jupiter naturally signifies a cheerful disposition, charisma, faith/positivity, and a desire to seek greater truth. He is natually benefic and here is also in sect and dominated by Venus. Therefore, this is a very gregarious and positive Jupiter indeed.
Ted Turner’s Natal Chart
A Connected and Choleric Jupiter
Jupiter is influenced by many planets. He is very closely dominated by the Sun, but also dominated by Venus, closely overcome by the Moon (trine), overcome by Mercury (sextile), and overcome by Mars (trine). Jupiter is in the bound of Mars and the domicile and triplicity of Saturn. Therefore, there is quite a lot going on with Jupiter, which is in a relationship with every planet in the chart.
Jupiter is most dominantly influenced by the Sun, then Mars, then Venus. In my opinion, this brings out a much more choleric or ambitious Jupiter but one with aesthetic dimensions. Jupiter is not particularly prominent (cadent, retreating). However, it is relevant to eminence through its close regard by the Lights. Its weakness is also counter-acted by the strong advance of Mars and Saturn, its rulers, in the chart.
The Popular Sibling
Overall, we expect a cheerful, gregarious, likable personality, but one a bit heated and geared toward power plays. He values style and sensuality. There is a particular connection to matters of communications and/or journalism (the 3rd).
The Dominant Planet
Mercury Rising
Mercury is the dominant planet in the chart. It’s strongly advancing towards the Ascendant and is in the 1st. Mercury is in its own bound, reinforcing Mercury’s natural significations relating to news and communications. It is also the natural significator of business and commerce and is in the sign of Jupiter.
Mercury is out of sect, and very closely overcome by Mars, so Mercury can pertain to malefic significations, despite position in the very good 1st place. There is a broad range of good and bad significations. Negative significations relevant to character are tied to Mars in the 11th of friends and popularity. This can pertain to a propensity for aggressive speech, words reflecting bad on one’s character or creating problems in friendships. It may even show deception. The most well-known manifestation in Turner’s life has been a propensity to put his foot in his mouth and make controversial public statements. There is both a Jupiterian casual humor and a bit of Mercury’s more mischievous side. Mars makes the mind very keen, intense, and aggressive. It may be difficult to turn off or control the chatter.
The Moon
The Moon is out of sect, in the bound of Mars, co-present with Mars, and opposed by Saturn. Therefore, the Moon can signify very difficult matters. The Moon is in the 11th, which is one of the most benefic places of the chart so there is a range, but the Moon can be difficult.
Overall the Moon is somewhat torn between the venusian Mars and the martial Saturn. Mars in Libra in the 11th showing an overt hot ambition, particularly for popularity, achievement, and sensual pleasure. Saturn showing heated obligations, restrictions, and responsibilities. The Moon, Mars, and Saturn are in the most benefic places in the chart, the 11th and 5th, but we expect difficulties in mental extremes from the malefics. There is a weight on a subconscious level and a choleric temperament of great restlessness. Most problematic from the influence of the malefics may be matters of friends, children, romance, and personal leisure.
Conclusion
Mercury plays a huge role in characterizing Ted Turner as someone constantly involved in media, analysis, and business. The role of Jupiter is also very strong and important to self-identification. Both are particularly choleric (ambitious, domineering).
We expect someone who is fast-thinking and busy. He is curious, mischievous, and aggressively ambitious, particularly when it comes to opinions, commerce, and technology. The identification with Jupiter bring an over-arching benefic sense to the personality of wanting to do good, help out, and expose truth.
The combination of Jupiter and Mercury makes for a very gregarious and humorous personality overall – a mix of the sanguine and the choleric. The tendency to domineering speech is shown by Mars overcoming Mercury and the sheer prominence of Mercury. However, as Mercury is in a mutable sign and ruled by a cadent retreating planet, there may be a tendency for more chatter than substance.
References
Masha’allah, & al-Khayyat, A. ’Ali. (2009). Persian Nativities I: Masha’allah and Abu ’Ali. (B. N. Dykes, Trans.). Minneapolis, MN: The Cazimi Press.
Image Attribution
Cropped image of a derivative work by wikimedia user Zenman from an original image by user cliff1066. Image is of a mask by the Wee peoples, Côte d’Ivoire, Late 19th to mid-20th century.
In an 8/9/19 interview with Chris Brennan on the Astrology Podcast, Dykes noted that his recent research has called into question the birth time for Abu Ma’shar used here. A student of Ma’shar reported that Ma’shar didn’t know his birth time. Therefore, the chart should now be considered to be conflicting/unverified in terms of reliability. See the end of the article for an addition pertaining to whether this chart accords with current events pertaining to Ma’shar.
Additional Update 8/13/2019: Added analysis of the timing of the publication of Margherita Fiorello’s book on the decans.
Introduction
This article continues the series on examining religion, faith, or lack of such in the astrological chart. In the last article, we looked at the chart of Bill Maher. In this article we turn to the chart of the notable 9th century astrologer, Abu Ma’shar. The ingredients and recipes for this type of analysis can be found in the first article, on James Randi. The basics were reviewed with additional comments in a few articles back, on Madalyn Murray O’Hair.
Abu Ma’shar
Abu Ma’shar was one of the most influential of the later Persian Medieval astrologers. He differed from most Persian astrologers in his use of quadrant houses. Most earlier astrologers used whole sign houses, as done in the Hellenistic period. Additionally, he profected in 30 degree increments rather than by sign. The innovative approaches that he adopted were of particularly strong influence upon later European Medieval and Renaissance astrology. In my opinion, his greatest contributions were in introductory material, mundane astrology, and annual natal predictive methods.
Birth Time and Source
Abu Ma’shar’s “On the Revolutions of the Years of Nativities” is his work on natal predictive methods, including solar returns. In Ben Dykes’s introduction to his new translation he provided Ma’shar’s birth time and natal chart. The birth time was established by noted historian of science, David Pingree. The source appears to be from chart examples Ma’shar has given. There is some conflict between the positions implied by the day and time and those given by Ma’shar, by a few degrees. In any case, Dykes gives the day and time as 8/10/787 at about 10pm, near Balkh, Afghanistan (Dykes, 2010, p. 1).
The Ascendant of the reconstructed chart example is at 2 degrees Taurus. I’ve set my chart at 9:55 pm to match the example. All planets are in the same signs (and within 5 degrees) in the chart example as in the chart I use, except Saturn. Ma’shar’s example put Saturn in late Aquarius, while the day and time established by Pingree put it at 0° Pisces.
Why this Chart?
Given that there is some conflicting information about his chart from the reconstruction, why use this chart at all? The problems with the chart are probably owing to slight table inaccuracies and calculation errors committed in Ma’shar’s time. The chart should therefore be regarded as near B-rating accuracy, in my own opinion.
Ma’shar is interesting from a belief standpoint, as he was initially a skeptic but became a believer. Ma’shar was an astrological skeptic until his late 40’s, when al-Kindi brought him around to astrology (Dykes, 2010, p. 1). He went on to become a very notable astrologer and defender of the science of astrology.
Abu Ma’shar’s Natal Chart
Ma’shar’s Chart Analyzed in Brief
Jupiter:
Very Strong
Jupiter is strongly advancing, within about 5 degrees of the MC. Therefore, Jupiter is very strong, even though it is in a cadent place.
Very Benefic
Jupiter is naturally benefic and is in a good place, the 9th. While out of sect, Jupiter is not regarded by the malefics. Venus (sect benefic) dominates Jupiter. Therefore, Jupiter is very benefic in the chart overall.
Notes on Jupiter
Jupiter is one of the strongest planets in the chart. We expect expansive experiences, including spiritual ones, to play a major role in this person’s life. Jupiter is in the sign and bound of Saturn. Due to the influence of Saturn we may expect such experiences to also be accompanied by doubt. Jupiter is dominated by Venus, so there is likely to be a strong sensual or artistic orientation to the joys of Jupiter.
9th Place:
Strong
The 9th, Capricorn, is occupied by a very strong Jupiter. Saturn, planet of doubt, fear, loss, and dread rules the 9th. Saturn is pretty strong, as it’s advancing in the 11th, overcoming the Ascendant (sextile within 3 degrees). Venus, the ruler of the Ascendant, also dominates the 9th. Overall, the 9th is a very prominent place in the chart.
Mixed, somewhat benefic
Saturn rules the 9th, and is quite malefic, as Saturn is out of sect. However, a planet in the place pertains more directly to characterizing it than the ruler. The position of Jupiter in the actual 9th, and Venus dominating it, are enough to associate the place primarily with pleasant circumstances in the life.
Notes on the 9th Place
Matters of belief-systems and searching for some greater truth are fairly prominent in his life. His beliefs can be heavily informed by doubt/skepticism (Saturn rules the place), but also spirituality/religion/faith and deeper expansive truth (Jupiter), as well as sensual pleasure (Venus domination).
Saturn:
Strong
Saturn is advancing and is not subject to any major weakening conditions. Therefore, Saturn is strong.
Somewhat Malefic
Saturn is naturally a malefic, and here is out of sect. Saturn is in a good place and is overcome by Jupiter by sextile, which are mitigating. However, we expect Saturn to have regularly signified difficult matters and circumstance in the life.
Notes on Saturn
Saturn, as the significator of doubt, fear, obstruction, loss, and so forth, does have a pretty strong effect over the life in a general and pervasive way. Saturn is influential in matters of belief (the 9th).
Mercury:
Very strong
Mercury is advancing, in phasis, and is in a “pivot” of the chart (i.e. the 4th), while assembled with the Sun and regarded by the Moon. Therefore, Mercury is very strong and prominent.
Mixed, somewhat benefic
Mercury is in sect and is in a good place, but is assembled with Mars, so there is quite a lot variation over time with whether Mercury’s significations are positive or negative. Overall, Mercury will tend to be positive.
Notes on Mercury
There doesn’t appear to be a strong identification with Mercury, as Mercury has no dignity at the Ascendant.
Conclusion
Ma’shar was not a religious leader, nor was he an atheist. He also seemed to identify quite strongly with the Moon and Venus. Unfortunately, we know little of his personality and life before astrology. However, what is notable about belief in his life is his doubt in astrology in particular, and then his very strong faith in it. In his life in general, we see that faith plays a major role, but that doubt is also quite strong, and both play a role in the belief system.
Saturn-Jupiter and Traditional Astrology
This interplay between faith and doubt is not uncharacteristic of the charts of serious astrologers employing rigorous methods. There is a desire to give concrete evidence for God or the gods shown in these charts. For instance, Robert Zoller has Jupiter in the 9th, dominated by Saturn. Though Zoller’s Saturn is a bit weak, and Jupiter rules the Ascendant, so there is much less doubt and much more faith there. Chris Brennan has Saturn as ruler of the 1st and in the 10th, while Jupiter is somewhat weakened. However, the 9th is made prominent through a Venus ruled by Jupiter. I myself also have Saturn ruling the 1st and Saturn in the 9th, but Saturn is conjoined to Jupiter in the 9th within 2 degrees.
08/10/2019 Addition – A Predictive Examination of the Questionable Birth Time:
Given that the validity of this chart has been strongly called into question, we should consider whether it accords with current events. This year, 2019, has seen a resurgence in Ma’shar translations. In addition to the Dykes translation of Ma’shar’s voluminous text on natal techniques (published 8/9/19), there was also the release of Burnett and Yamamoto’s translation of Ma’shar Great Introduction (published 4/4/19). Additionally, there was the publication of a book on The Decans of Albumasar, focusing on his treatment of the decans in the Great Introduction, by astrologer Margherita Fiorello on 11/14/2018.
8th House Year by Annual Profection: Benefics, Self, Legacy
Incidentally, the birth day on the chart above is August 10th, making today this supposed Ma’shar chart’s birthday. However, today the Sun is at 17 Leo and Ma’shar (of the chart) was born with it at 20LEO37. Therefore, this analysis and both published books took place in the final month of Ma’shar’s 2018 solar return. Ma’shar’s chart turned 1,231 years old on Aug. 13, 2018 at about 2:30 pm in Balkh, Afghanistan. At age 1,224 (every multiple of 12) the profection would be to the first house. Therefore, the profection of the year was to the 8th house for this cycle, 2018.
Ma’shar’s natal chart is picture below with twelfth-part positions. One thing that stands out about the 8th house is that it is ruled by Jupiter, that benefic which is strongly advancing toward the IC. Additionally, Sagittarius is occupied by Venus, the sect benefic which is also the lord of the 1st house of self. Furthermore, Venus and Jupiter are strongly associated with each other as Venus and the twelfth-part of Jupiter both occupy Libra.
Therefore, the 8th house, Sagittarius connects strongly with both benefics, the sense of identity (1st house). The 8th house pertains to death and benefits pertaining to death, but the 4th house typically pertains more to legacies. The twelfth-part of Venus is in a close trine with the Sun in the 4th house, Leo. Keep Sagittarius, Venus, the 8th and 4th houses in mind as we turn to the solar return and transits.
Abu Mashar with Twelfth-Parts
2018 Solar Return
Ma’shar’s solar return from 2018 at his birth place is given below. Note that Venus in the return is at 6 Libra, the exact same degree it held in the natal chart, and is advancing toward the MC (recognition). So the solar return presents a strong indication of the natal promise of Venus for this year. Additionally, the return Ascendant is at about 12 Sagittarius, in the natal 8th house, with the twelfth-part of Venus right near the Ascendant. Therefore, we get a strong sense of the promise of Venus, particularly with regard to her twelfth-part in Sagittarius, coming to the forefront in the year’s events.
Abu Mashar 2018 SR
Monthly Profections
The way that Ma’shar did monthly returns and profections was a bit different than the Hellenistic approach. Ma’shar considered the monthly return to be when the Sun reached each 30 degree segment from the natal Sun (a zodiacal solar month). At that point the profection proceeded to the next month. I won’t be analyzing Ma’shar’s idiosyncratic solar monthly returns (which I don’t use myself) but I will be looking at monthly profections.
November 14th, 2018
The publication of Fiorello’s book coincided with the start of the monthly profection to Pisces (just a day prior). Jupiter the lord of the year and of the month, was in Sagittarius, the sign of the year still, which was also the Ascendant of the solar return.
Abu Mashar 11-14-18 Transits Outside Natal Chart
Transiting Mercury was also in Sagittarius at about 12SAG55, so it was right at the Ascendant of the solar return. Additionally, the twelfth-part of transiting Mercury was in Taurus (12SAG55 -> 5TAU), at Ma’shar’s own natal Ascendant and Moon. The transiting Moon’s twelfth-part conjoined that of Mercury that very day at 5TAU, around the time when the Moon transited past 8 AQU (7AQU55 -> 5TAU). The Sun was transiting in Scorpio which is the sign that Jupiter occupied in the return.
April 4th, 2019
Therefore, the first month (roughly Aug. 13th to Sept. 13th) is Sagittarius. The Burnett and Yamamoto publication came out on 4/4/19. That would be part of the 8th month of the year from the return, making Cancer the sign of the month. Cancer is occupied by the twelfth-part of Mercury in the natal chart. In the solar return Cancer is empty but its ruler, the Moon, is in Virgo in the 10th house. Cancer is also strongly influenced by Jupiter in the natal chart as Jupiter is the exalted ruler and is opposite the sign. The natal Moon is in turn ruled by Venus which is also in a stake of Cancer. Therefore, through Cancer there is a strong the indications of Moon, Venus, and Jupiter are significant.
Abu Mashar 4-4-19 Transits Outside Natal Chart
One of the more striking features of the timing of this translation and the year in general is that Jupiter, lord of the year, spent much of the year transiting through Sagittarius, the sign of the year. At this time of this publication Jupiter was still transiting in Sagittarius.
The Moon (lord of the month) and the Sun were both transiting in Aries. Aries was the 5th house in the solar return. It is appropriate for new “children”, or creative works, of the year attributable to Ma’shar, despite his being dead for 1,200 years. Aries was also the position of the twelfth-part of Jupiter in the solar return (at 29ARI). Additionally, the twelfth-parts of the transiting Jupiter (24SAG15 -> 21 VIR) was exactly conjoined by that of the transiting Sun (14ARI15 -> 21 VIR) on this very day (at the natal North Node).
August 9th, 2019
The publication of the Dykes translation on 8/9/19 and the corresponding interview took place in the final month. The final month is that of Scorpio. This is very significant as Jupiter, the lord of the year, was in Scorpio in the solar return.
At the time of the publication Jupiter was still transiting in Sagittarius, the sign of the year. It was transiting at 14 Sagittarius which is a partile trine with natal Mars (14 Leo – lord of the month). Additionally, it was in a close trine with the transiting (and natal) Sun and transiting Venus (conj. n. Mars) at the time. The transiting Moon was also in Sagittarius (sign of the year) applying a conjunction with transiting Jupiter (lord of the year).
Abu Mashar 8-9-19 Transits Outside Natal Chart
Mars, lord of the month, was transiting in its own return in Leo, with the Sun and Venus. On this day, the twelfth-part of Mars (24LEO30 -> 24TAU) also exactly conjoined the twelfth-part of Jupiter (14SAG30 -> 24TAU) at 24 Taurus. Therefore, on the day of the publication and interview the lord of the month’s twelfth-part conjoined that of the lord of the year, at 24 Taurus, in the first house of the nativity, in a partile trine to natal Jupiter (24 Capricorn).
Conclusion Regarding Conflicting Chart Data
In conclusion, while it is important to note conflicting and unverified data, it is also important to note that there may be some validity to the Ma’shar chart. Reading predictive techniques on a 1,200 year old natal chart for someone long deceased is anything but a straightforward process. I’ve also only scratched the surface in terms of indications. Still, there are some striking indications of dynamic natal activations from this chart that correspond with the events and the timing of those events pertaining to this life even still. File this one under worth checking when something big happens in relation to Ma’shar’s legacy.
References
Ma’shar, A. (2010). Persian Nativities III: Abu Ma’shar on Solar Revolutions. (B. N. Dykes, Trans.). Minneapolis, MN: The Cazimi Press.
Featured image is of illustrations in the 1515 Venice translation of Abu Ma’shar’s De Magnis Coniunctionibus. Image is in the public domain.
Today is the birthday of Mr. John Allen Hendrix, aka Jimi Hendrix. I’m a big fan, particularly of his final album, Electric Ladyland. I’ll be doing the normal very brief profession analysis below. Additionally, I’ll conclude with some notes about indications for character (personality) in the chart.
Profession or Calling
Here, I apply a special technique for delineating profession, or perhaps more accurately, skills development. It originated in the Hellenistic period of astrology with developments and modifications through the medieval period. The reader is referred to the brief outline of the technique which can be found here, “Astrology of Profession or Calling | 1. Technique“. You should first familiarize yourself with that article to better understand my delineation process and the significance I assign to the planets.
First, we identify the planets with some pertinence to “actions”.
Places:
Venus, the Sun, and Mercury are in the 1st, and Saturn is in the 7th. Additionally, the Moon and Jupiter are in the 8th, which is less relevant. No planet advances toward the MC. Mars is in XII so is not relevant by place. Therefore, Mercury and Venus are most relevant by place.
Rulership:
Mercury rules the 10th and is in the 1st. Venus rules the sign and bound of the MC. Additionally, Venus is the 1st triplicity ruler of the 10th and is in the 1st. Mars has no rulership of the 1st, only triplicity at the 10th, and no rulership of the MC. Therefore, Mercury and Venus have the most relevance by rulership.
Phasis and the Lights:
No planets in phasis. Mercury and Venus are assembled with the Sun. Jupiter is assembled with the Moon. The Moon is separating from Jupiter and applying to Mercury. Mars has no regard from the Sun but is overcome by the Moon. Overall, Mercury has the strongest relationship with the Lights, followed by Venus.
Relevance Conclusion
Mercury and Venus have the most relevance to actions. They are together so their combined significations are particularly important. The Moon, the Sun, and Jupiter have lesser relevance.
Prominence
Secondly, we identify the planets that are strongest in a general way in the chart. These planets push their natural significations onto the life in a strong way
Advancing/Retreating:
There are no planets strongly advancing. However, Jupiter and the Moon are advancing with the greatest strength. Mars is advancing to a lesser extent and the rest of the planets are retreating.
Relationships to Lights:
No planets in phasis. As noted, Mercury has the strongest relationship with the Lights, followed by Venus. Additionally, of the other planets, Jupiter has the strongest relationship to the Lights.
Stationing:
No planetary stations.
Prominence Conclusion
Jupiter is the strongest planet. The Moon is also very strong. Mercury is the most prominent planet of the three of actions as it is in the 1st with the Sun and receives the application of the Moon.
Synthesis of Occupation for Jimi Hendrix
As in Trent Reznor’s chart, we see that Mercury and Venus are the most relevant for characterizing the profession and are combined. As mentioned in that post, this pair combine the intricacy, intellect, and wind/verbalization features of Mercury with the artistry of Venus. It is common for music, a profession pertaining to artistry in sound waves (wind), but particularly with singing (air, verbalization), as well as composition/arrangement of songs. Furthermore, Mercury can pertain to digits and manual dexterity, so fingered string instruments are another indication.
In relation to Venus as significator of mastery, al-Qabisi noted, “And she signifies the mastery of all sounds, like music and the rest” (Dykes, 2010, p. 254). Additionally, al-Qabisi noted, “And if Mercury is complected to her, it signifies the sound which is used in the composition of verses” (Dykes, 2010, p. 255).
Modern Day Apollo
Venus and Mercury are on either sides of the Sun, both of them conjunct the Sun within 3 degrees. Interestingly, when it comes to music, the Sun is most associated with stringed instruments. For instance, the Sun god Apollo’s symbol is the lyre. Here we find intellect, verbalization, beauty, and artistry, joined with and outshone by the dynamic Apollo and his lyre. Furthermore, al-Qabisi noted, “And if the Sun is complected to her [Venus], it signifies the sound of wood [Dykes footnote: “Ar.: ‘the lute.'”] by which one plays in the presence of kings and nobles” (Dykes, 2010, p. 255).
Jupiter and Character
The 1st house cluster is in the sign and bound of Jupiter. Jupiter may be the most prominent planet in the chart. Additionally, Jupiter is the planet most relevant to character. Jupiter is relevant to character in at least five important ways.
First, Jupiter rules the 1st house. Lords of the 1st house of self were commonly used for character (see Masha-allah and Abu’Ali al-Khayyat). Second, Jupiter is the house and bound ruler of Mercury. Mercury and its Lords were also used for character (see Ptolemy, Masha’allah, Abu’Ali al-Khayyat). Third, Jupiter is the house and bound ruler of the sect light, the Sun. The sect light has a signifies prominently in the life (particularly when in a “stake” like the 1st), and it is colored by its rulers. Fourth, Jupiter is assembled with the Moon and the exalted ruler of their house. The Moon signified the irrational mind and the body to Ptolemy, and was used in character delineation. Fifth, it’s generally a strong and pervasive planet, advancing, conjunct the Moon, exalted, and in its own bound. Abu Bakr stressed the impact of prominent planets on character.
Jovial
The English adjective “jovial” literally means “of Jupiter”. It denotes one who is jolly and cheerful. Jupiter tends to pertain to “out of bounds” and lofty experiences of adventure, spirituality, good fortune, exaggeration, or insight.
On Jupiter as ruler of the chart and primary indicator of character, Julius Firmicus Maternus (4th century CE) noted (Bram, 1972, p. 139):
9. JUPITER. Those who have Jupiter as ruler of the chart are always trustworthy, of high spirit, and are impelled toward great deeds. They spend more than their resources or their inheritance allows. Commanding in all their acts, noble, famous, honorable, lovers of luxury, cheerful, desiring to please in every way, large eaters, faithful friends, they are simple and friendly to all; successful and accustomed to do everything well.
10. Their body is of middle size but well-formed, handsome, and they are light-complexioned. Of beautiful eyes and head, with long flowing hair; firm of step. Their life will be glorious and filled with good fortune and they attain their desires. Their activities turn out well, and they are protected by the influence of great men […] Their illnesses come from stomach trouble, from wine and from indigestion; death comes from high living, hemorrhoids, or sexual intercourse.
Further Reading
For more on Hendrix, including a look at a few key events in his life with predictive techniques, please see the article on the houses.
References
Ma’shar, A., & Al-Qabisi. (2010). Introductions to Traditional Astrology. (B. N. Dykes, Trans.). Minneapolis, MN: The Cazimi Press.
Maternus, J. F. (1972). Mathesis: A fourth-century astrological treatise. (J. R. Bram, Trans.). NY, NY: New York University.
Let’s look at the astrology of tech entrepreneurs Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. Their operating systems, Apple and Microsoft, continue to dominate the world computer market and made them both billionaires. Given the similarity of their professional paths and their rivalry, it seems fitting to analyze profession in both of their charts together.
I apply an ancient astrological technique for delineating profession. It originated in Hellenistic astrology. The reader is referred to the brief outline of the technique in the first article, “Astrology of Profession or Calling | 1. Technique“. Please read through that article so you understand the delineation process. Also, see the last article on the analysis of profession in the chart of musician Trent Reznor.
Mercurial Occupations and Martial Strategies
Technologists, businessmen, and scholars all share a strong emphasis on Mercury. Mercury is the planet of intellect, reason, speech, technology, and symbolism. We often (though not always) see a lot of overlap between academic prowess, technological proficiency, and financial acumen. For instance, the founders of Google, Larry Page and Sergey Brin are tech scholars turned business leaders. Entrepreneurship pertains to Mars, due to the heavy emphasis on strategy. Therefore, tech entrepreneurship is a matter that pertains to both Mercury and Mars.
The Sun is the only planet in a “stake” being in the 7th. Mercury is in the 6th. Jupiter and Venus are in the 11th and 5th respectively. Less pertinent are the Moon and Mars in the 8th. All three planets of action are in relevant places, so all have some thing to say about professional skills.
Rulership:
Mercury is the house ruler of both the 10th and the 1st, the 1st triplicity ruler of the 10th, and the exalted ruler of the 1st. Mars is bound ruler of both the Ascendant and MC. The other planets have less relevance as they all have only triplicity rulership in either the 1st or 10th, but not both. As both the 1st and 10th are houses of Mercury, Mercury has the most relevance. Mars has secondary relevance.
Phasis and the Lights
Mercury is in phasis, coming out from the beams less than a week before birth. Mercury is the planet receiving the next application of the Moon. Mars is assembled with the Moon. Again we see a particular emphasis on Mercury, with a lesser emphasis on Mars.
Relevance Conclusion
Mercury has the most relevance to actions. Of the three “actions” planets, Mars is next most significant. The Sun is also significant in terms of professional matters. Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon are significant to a lesser degree.
Prominence
Advancing/Retreating:
The Moon is just about strongly advancing, while Jupiter and Venus are also advancing pretty forcefully. Mars is also advancing, while Mercury is just barely advancing.
Relationships to Lights:
Mercury is in phasis and is being applied to by the Moon. Mars is assembled with the Moon. Both Lights regard Jupiter and Venus.
Stationing:
Mercury is very strong, as it is stationing direct within 24 hours of birth.
Prominence Conclusion
Mercury is the strongest planet. Mercury is stationing direct, in phasis, and is advancing. The Moon is also very strong, while Jupiter and Venus are to a lesser extent.
Steve Jobs Professional Indications
Mercury has the greatest testimony in matters of occupation and is the strongest planet of the chart in a general way. Intellectual development is most relevant to the occupation. This emphasizes technology and business.
An element of publicity (the Sun) is also extremely relevant to the profession. Competitiveness and public affairs are very relevant (Mars). There is also an important role that subjective experience plays (the Moon), which is reflected in his software and hardware design choices (ease of use). There is additionally pretty relevant development in terms of aesthetics (Venus).
Mercury in Depth
To keep things brief though, let’s focus on the primary planet of actions, Mercury. Mercury is in a human air sign, pertaining to social phenomena, like ideas, trends, news, education, and technology. Mercury is in a sign of Saturn and is dominated by Saturn (right-side square). Saturn is the out of sect malefic, so there are many negative associations with Mercury in terms of struggle, death, loss, oppression, and so forth, and Mercury is in the 6th of slaves (employees) and health issues, both of which were critical sore areas in Jobs’ life. Saturn pertains to solidity, industry, and management, while it is in the 3rd which pertains to communication and transportation. Mercury’s natural significance in terms of communication is increased and there is an increased association with business management and working with solid resources such as hardware.
The Moon is in the 10th, while Mars and Mercury are in a “stake” (the 4th). Jupiter is in the 2nd. The Sun, Venus, and Saturn are less relevant, being in the 5th.
Rulership:
The ruler of the 10th is Mars, while the Moon rules the 1st. Mars and Jupiter have dignity in both places, but Jupiter more so.
Phasis and the Lights:
Mercury is in phasis, coming out from the beams just under a week before birth. Mars is the planet receiving the next application of the Moon. Venus and Saturn are also in phasis and assembled with the Sun.
Relevance Conclusion
Mars, Mercury, Venus, the Moon, and Jupiter have relevance to actions. Of the three “actions” planets, Mars and Mercury are the most relevant and are together in the same sign. Both planets are in a stake of the 10th. Mars has dignity at the 10th and 1st, whereas Mercury does not, but Mercury is in phasis, so it is particularly highlighted. Venus is in appropriate place and in phasis so she has lesser relevance as well.
Prominence
Advancing/Retreating:
The Moon, Mars, and Mercury are strongly advancing. All other planets in the chart are advancing to a lesser extent.
Relationships to Lights:
Mercury, Venus, and Saturn are in phasis. The Moon applies to Mars. Venus and Saturn are assembled with the Sun. Jupiter regards both lights, and is in the home of the Sun.
Stationing:
Mercury is stationing direct.
Prominence Conclusion
Mercury is the strongest planet. Mercury is stationing direct, in phasis, and is very strongly advancing. Mars and the Moon are very strong in the chart. Venus is also quite strong.
Bill Gates Professional Indications
Mars has the greatest testimony in terms of occupation, while Mercury is stronger in the chart overall due to being in phasis, stationing direct, in a “stake” of the chart, and strongly advancing, all at the same. Jupiter in the 2nd of wealth and possessions, as well as strong, is probably connected in some part to both Bill’s immense financial acumen and development of philanthropic pursuits as a vocation. He is currently working full-time with his philanthropic organization, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The prominence of the Moon is very interesting, as Gates, like Jobs, worked primarily in adapting technology to natural human experience. The strength of the Moon and Mercury, and the strong connection of the Moon with the 1st, give strong indications of his mental acuity. The Moon and Mercury were the two most important planets for mind or soul in Ptolemy’s astrology. The Moon also pertains strongly to the brain, memory, and intuition.
Mercury in Depth
As with Jobs, Mercury is in an Air sign, pertaining to more social phenomena. Mercury is in a sign of Venus and is assembled with Mars. We might expect Mercury to pertain to design (Venus) and the military or domestic public affairs to some extent (Mars). In other words, we see a greater emphasis on involvement in meeting the demands of competitive business, military, and public affairs in this Mercury placement, and less on physical materials, than we do with the more Saturnine Mercury of Steve Jobs.
It is worth noting that the twelfth-part of Gates’ Mercury is in the Mercury bound of Aries, the 10th place. This further reinforces the importance of Mercury in his career and connects it with Mars.
Gates with Twelfth-Parts in Outer Wheel
Mars in Depth
Gates was able to secure great success for his company through aggressive strategy. At times his aggressive competitiveness became unethical as he sought to lock out competition, bringing on multiple controversial anti-trust suits. His management style was also known to be particularly harsh and abrasive. Mars is in Libra with Mercury, so many of the same associations with Mercury apply to Mars and they work together. He participated in the congressional Page program at age 17, so his involvement in public affairs came early and has persisted in his life. In whole, his career has been centrally about beating competition and coming out ahead in power struggles. He was the wealthiest person in the world for 14 years and has persisted as one of the most powerful.
This technique with the chart of Bill Gates shows similar results as those for many very high-climbing politicians and industry leaders. For very socially mobile people, Mars does not show “brawn” so much as a development of competitiveness, strategy, and the desire to make a powerful impact on the lives of others.
Interestingly, Gates had some political experience at a young age. He was a congressional page for the House of Representatives at age 17. That same year he graduated high school as a National Merit Scholar, scored 1590 out of 1600 on his SAT, and enrolled in Harvard the same year. It was the year when Mars directed to the Ascendant by sextile and the Jupiter directed to the sect light (the Moon) by trine. If you are not familiar with primary directions, then please check out the introductory article on them.
Bill Gates Important Aspectual Primary Directions at Age 17
A Key Year: Microsoft Windows
There are a larger number of stand-out events in Gates’ life. Let’s look at one particularly pivotal year for him, age 30, which saw the launch of the first retail version of the Microsoft Windows operating system (on 11/20/1985).
Mercury as Distributor
The event occurred during the first time in Gates’ life in which Mercury was the distributor. Mercury was the distributor from early 1984 to mid-1992. This period saw the development, launch, and ascendancy of Microsoft’s flagship product, Windows.
Bill Gates – Distributors Ages 0-100
Saturn as Lord of the Year Conjunct Mercury
In terms of annual profections, age 30 is a 7th house year. Gates’ 7th house is Capricorn, so the lord of the year was its ruler, Saturn. In his natal chart, Saturn is in the 5th house of good fortune, conjunct the sect benefic, Venus, and dominated by the 2nd house Jupiter. In his solar return chart of the year, we see that the year marked his first Saturn return and that return Mercury was conjunct return Saturn and natal Saturn. Additionally, return Venus was conjunct his natal Mercury. Therefore, we see an emphasis both on Saturn (responsibility, authority, challenge, maturity, solidity) and on Mercury (technology, intellect, commerce), with fortunate circumstances linked to Mercury through Venus (the sect benefic).
1985 Solar Return Positions Marked on Outside of Bill Gates’ Natal Chart
Timing by Degree-Based Profections
In the article on degree-based profections, I noted that they can be used to time out big events in the year within a couple weeks. There are a number of very interesting profections involved with the release of Windows on 11/20/1985.
We’ve already discussed how important Mercury and Mars are for Gates’ career. Mercury and Mars are strongly advancing together, Mercury’s twelfth-part is in the 10th, and Mars is the ruler of the 10th. Mercury is the distributor for the time period. We also must look at Saturn and Venus. The profection is to the 7th house ruled by Saturn, making Saturn lord of the year, and it is conjunct Venus. Saturn is also activated by planetary years at age 30, and Saturn was lord of days. The solar return emphasized those planets as well.
Bill Gates Natal Chart with Twelfth-Parts (outside wheel)
Take note of the following natal positions: Mars at 10 Libra, twelfth-part Ascendant at about 23 Taurus, and twelfth-part Mercury at 19 Aries. The rate of change for degree-based profection is 2.5 per month. About 3/4 of a month had elapsed since the solar return, amounting to just under 2 degrees. It was a 7th house profection, so the year starts with all points opposite their natal positions. Therefore, every point in the natal chart would have profected to the opposite degrees as its natal position plus about 2 degrees.
Bill Gates 11-20-1985 Profections
The following profectional conjunctions are within a degree at the time of Windows release: profected Moon conjoins natal Mars; profected Saturn conjoins natal twelfth-part Ascendant; profected Mercury conjoins natal twelfth-part Mercury.
Conclusion
Both Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have Mercury and Mars as the most relevant planets for actions. While both were technologists (Mercury), they were also both leaders engaged in highly competitive strategy and public affairs (Mars). The combination of Mercury and Mars is also evocative of electronics themselves. The emphasis on air signs in both charts gears things toward the more human and ephemeral (software) as well as the utilitarian and trendy.
With Steve Jobs we see Saturn play a stronger role, both in terms of a greater focus on the physical (hardware) and in terms of the more pertinent career struggles. Bill Gates highlights the more important role of Mars, where the emphasis is more on the competitive advantage and being number one.
Note that this article was updated in late 2018 (October-December) with some additional information on twelfth-parts in the charts and the addition of the example of the release of Windows.
.jpg){kind=link}