It is my belief, given my years of studying astrology and meeting astrologers, that it is unlikely anyone could have predicted that a horrible school shooting would occur at Sandy Hook. Whether we may ever have that capacity by reading the astrological signs is questionable. However, there is much to be gained by research and data collection. We can examine the ever-flowing pen of history against the signs marked out as significant by ancient astrologers. That is all that I endeavor to briefly cast light on here.
As a father myself, I was deeply shocked and disturbed by the school shooting in Connecticut. I offer my sincere condolences to the loved ones of the victims. I do not intend this examination of the astrology of the events as a means of implying that things were “in God’s plan” or anything of that sort. My faith in both astrology and God are too frail for me to speak confidently about any purposeful underpinning of such tragedy. I only stand continually perplexed by the occurrence of thematically relevant signs in the sky.
Analysis of the Charts
In ancient mundane astrology, the most important charts were those of the moments of the equinoxes, solstices, and lunations (new and full moons; eclipses). In fact, Abu Ma’shar gave 6 hierarchical levels of mundane chart types (see article on the subject here). All of those charts are moments of equinoxes, solstices, and lunations, of varying significance.
For specific events affecting a community, we will typically be interested in the chart of the New Moon from that location as it speaks of the significant facets of the month. For very influential events, particularly those involving transformation of the political, cultural, or physical landscape, we look beyond the month. We do this by looking at the preceding equinox or solstice (for indications regarding the quarter), the preceding vernal equinox for the year, and higher level charts reflecting larger periods.
Vernal Equinox 2012
It is unusual for the US to have two major public shootings in one year. That itself is cause enough to examine the chart of the year, which is the Vernal Equinox of 2012.
Atropos Equinox
While it is not a traditional indication, it is intriguing to me that the Sun was conjunct asteroid Atropos (the one of the three fates which brings death) at the equinox this year. Atropos was at 00ARI39 when the Sun hit 00ARI00, the equinoctial point.
21-23 Sagittarius
In my analysis of the shooting in Aurora, IL, I primarily examined the shooter’s chart. A shocking and fascinating parallel exists between the chart of James Holmes, the Aurora shooter, and the timing of the Sandy Hook shooting by Adam Lanza. James Holmes (the Aurora shooter) was born on December 13th with his Sun at 21 Sagittarius, conjunct Saturn at 23 Sagittarius. The New Moon (conjunction of the Sun and Moon) that occurred the day before the Connecticut shooting in the Sandy Hook area, occurred on December 13th, Holmes’ birthday, at 21 Sagittarius, with the Sun having reached 23 Sagittarius by the morning of the shootings.
New Moon 12-13-12 Sandy Hook
These degrees have an obvious tragic importance for the year. In fact, a friend of mine was born on December 14th (Sun at 22 Sagittarius) and had a trying year. He filed for divorce on his birthday in 2012 (after the same New Moon which occurred before Sandy Hook) amidst very dramatic circumstances. His divorce was less than a year after his wedding.
Degrees Dominated by Saturn of the Air Epoch
What is it about these degrees for this year? There is much mundane astrological literature still yet to be translated into English and published, so perhaps future study will provide more elucidation. For now, my best guess is that the degree area is marked out as particularly linked to afflictions of Saturn for the entire Air epoch in the Jupiter-Saturn cycle which began in 1980.
The 1980 Vernal Equinox from DC projects signs relevant to major events in the US from 1980 to 2159. Saturn, the planet of loss and afflictions, was at 23 Virgo in the chart of the Vernal Equinox of 1980 from DC and was in the 7th House which can be a house of enmity, as well as in the bound of Mars, planet of violence. Sagittarius is dominated by (i.e. in inferior square to) that Saturn. 23 Sagittarius is particularly afflicted by it as the dominated degree. Still, there are many gaps to fill.
Vernal Equinox 1980 (from Washington DC)
The Shocking New Moon and Event Charts
Saturn New Moon
Turning again to the New Moon which occurred about a day and a half before the Sandy Hook shooting, we see some very striking symbolism. Saturn was out of sect, conjunct the Ascendant within a degree, and in the nocturnal house of Mars. This makes for a particularly malefic Saturn ruled by Mars. Mars was in the 3rd House, the main house of schools and primary education, and in the nocturnal house of Saturn. Additionally, 4 planets were in dark places disconnected from the Ascendant (Sun, Moon, and Mercury in the 2nd; Jupiter in the 8th).
New Moon 12-13-12 Sandy Hook
Day of the Attack
News reports indicate that the police were called from the school at about 9:30 am December 14th. Therefore, the violence started some time slightly earlier than this. I use the time of 9:15 am in the chart of the shootings below. This is only an approximation as the shooting of the man’s mother occurred earlier in their house and the school shootings may have gone past 9:30 am.
Importantly, the majority of the killing, if not all of it, occurred while a Moon-Mars conjunction in Capricorn was rising. The Moon is symbolic of the body and congregation, while Mars is symbolic of violence. This configuration can potentially signify bodily harm and waves of violence. It is an effective configuration when the Moon and Mars are in the same sign, but even more so when the Moon is applying within 13 degrees according to Hellenistic sources. Here the Moon is applying within 11 degrees.
The Moon is actually in a condition of being besieged, as she has separated from the malefic Saturn and applies to the malefic Mars. This is symbolic of particularly destructive occurrences, as the Moon rules the general flow of events. Her applications and separations here indicate a movement from bad to worse (sect malefic to non-sect malefic). For a better understanding of what maleficence means, please check out my early post on the malefics.
Newtown Shooting 2012
Now What?
I’ve presented a few more examples of the sky saying something that we should seek to understand more deeply. Unfortunately, I have little more to offer at this time. I can only hope that a great deal of fruitful research into mundane astrology will occur in the coming decades. All astrologers need to learn more about the techniques of the original practitioners of mundane astrology.
Parting Notes on Mars in Capricorn and Dignity
One thing that stands out in this examination is the strong relevance of Mars in Capricorn. Mars was also in Capricorn during the 9/11 attacks. This is worth noting because many traditionalists insist on a separation between “zodiacal” state and “terrestrial” state. However, in that approach Mars is accidentally benefic in Capricorn due to exaltation.
A Nature Determined in the Sky?
The separation between zodiacal and terrestrial state was noted by Morin of the 17th century. In this view, a planet is qualified as pleasant or harmful and so forth by zodiacal factors like dignity and planetary aspects (zodiacal state). Then it is directed to pertain to certain sets of affairs and is quantified in strength by its house placement (terrestrial state). Examining zodiacal state, many astrologers take exaltation and other types of dignity to represent an indication of good. In the case of a malefic, sign dignity could transform it into an accidental benefic.
A False Dichotomy
I have explored reasons why one should abandon this interpretation of sign dignity as being benefic. For instance, Jeffrey Dahmer’s character indicators are burgeoning with planetary dignity while Ted Turner’s are quite ill-dignified. Additionally, terrestrial factors of sect and place were among the most important factors for beneficence in Hellenistic astrology. In short, there are both zodiacal and terrestrial factors which are significant in evaluating the quality (benefic or malefic), quantity (prominence or strength), and topical relevance of a planet’s indications. There is no neat separation between the zodiacal and the terrestrial types of indications when it comes to judging these matters.
Mars in Capricorn
With Mars in Capricorn at this shooting, we see further support here for my position on these matters. We need to dismiss the medieval dignity pointing system, the dignity is beneficence theory, and the Morinus separation doctrine regarding the nature of factors.
Both this shooting and 911 occurred with Mars in Capricorn (the exaltation of Mars). The Aurora killer, James Holmes, had Mars in Scorpio (a domicile of Mars). Jeff Dahmer has Mars in Aries (a domicile of Mars). Such events and characters have been in no way representative of a dignified martial expression. These violent people and events do show a greater prominence of Mars (i.e. augmented quantity). They also show a more malefic expression. Maybe this heightened maleficence is linked to the rulership of Mars by a malefic (itself, or Saturn in the case of exaltation). Or perhaps it is because a planet in a form of rulership is less dependent on rulers and thus more unhindered.
Featured image of police at Sandy Hook Elementary is in the public domain.
One of the first topical series on the site pertained to the delineation of faith. I initially laid out some general guidelines based solely on basic principles, rather than special techniques. The basic ground rules were laid out in the first article of the series. I returned to those and reviewed them a bit in the fifth article of the series. However, in ancient astrology, strong delineation of a topic requires special techniques.
Special Techniques
Special techniques go beyond basic house ruler and natural significator indications, to examine a variety of key indicators. We might consider my initial approach of using Jupiter, the 9th, Saturn, Mercury, with a stress on the Ascendant for the self as being its own initial special technique. However, that approach was somewhat crude, so we should continually be looking at ways to refine and add to that set of tools.
The 9th House
I would like to briefly comment on the delineation of faith and its relationship to other topical delineations. It should be noted that faith, while having a large social component in many societies, can also be a rather personal matter. The house that most pertains to faith is the 9th, though the other major significations of the 9th involve travel and law. Obviously, faith is the more personal of these three topics. Therefore, faith calls for a deeper involvement with personality delineation and the 1st house (the self).
The Law
Additionally, we need to consider what exactly is meant by “law”. Today we think of law, religion, and science as very different fields. In the case of religion and science, they may even seem antagonistic. However, they are all concerned with types of law: civil law, spiritual law, and natural law alike. Religion is concerned with the laws and principles that pertain to spiritual harmony in much the same way as civil law is concerned with social harmony. Similarly, science is concerned with the laws and principles that pertain to the natural world. Therefore, the 9th is concerned with the deeper truths that lie behind appearances and enable some form of progress.
The Sun
Consider also that the 9th house is the Joy of the Sun and the place was called “God” by ancient astrologers. Firmicus Maternus also asserted that it was the Sun that produces religious customs among people (Book I, Ch. 2, #2 of the Mathesis). This solar sense of illumination and profundity is also apparent in terms of the Lot called Spirit. It is also known as the Lot of the Sun. Spirit is derived from projecting the arc from the non-sect light (darkness) to the sect light (light). It was considered by some to be relevant in delineation of faith. However, ancient astrology came into its own during an age when religion, power, and intellectualism were all considered quite solar. They were also more intimately linked than in many societies today.
The 3rd House and Faith
The 3rd house was also linked with faith. It is most prominently associated with shorter travels, siblings/kin, friends/neighbors, and counsel/messages. The 3rd house is the Joy of the Moon, and called “Goddess”. Some of the astrologers who linked the 3rd with faith were Vettius Valens (2nd century CE), Julius Firmicus Maternus (4th century CE), Rhetorius (7th century CE), Sahl (9th century CE), Abu Ma’shar (9th century CE), Abu ‘Ali al-Khayyat (9th century CE), Umar al-Tabari (9th century CE), Abu Bakr (9th century CE), and al-Qabisi (10th century CE). Umar al-Tabari, Abu Bakr, and Abu ‘Ali all explicitly directed the practitioner to look at both the 9th and the 3rd, and their rulers, when delineating faith (see Persian Nativities Volumes I and II trans. Ben Dykes).
The 9th House vs. the the 3rd House
Linking the 3rd with faith and religion was not as frequent in the Hellenistic period as in the following Persian period though. While nearly every Persian-Arabic astrologer linked the 3rd to faith and religion, only a handful of Hellenistic astrologers did. For instance, Paulus Alexandrinus (4th century CE) gave an exposition of the meanings of all the houses (Ch. 24 of Introductory Matters). However, he associated only the 9th, and not the 3rd, with philosophers, gods, mystics, divination, astrologers, dreams, and sacred rites. Paulus noted that the 3rd does partake in signifying travel and life abroad due to being opposite the 9th.
I find that the 3rd can pertain to faith and mysticism, particularly when it involves counseling others. However, if indications between the 9th and 3rd conflict, I would lean more heavily on the 9th. Please read on for clarification as to why this is so.
The Thema Mundi and a Mercurial 3rd
Note that in the Thema Mundi, Cancer is the 1st house. That would make Pisces the 9th house and Virgo the 3rd house. A 9th house belonging to Jupiter and exalting Venus is consistent with the laws for harmony and progress themes of the 9th. A 3rd house belonging to and exalting Mercury is consistent with attributions sometimes given to the 3rd concerning communication, news, media, and counseling (as well as siblings which are often connected with Mercury). I note this because I have a friend who is a radio personality who has both benefics in the 3rd. Additionally, some media empire types (Rupert Murdoch, Ted Turner) have strong 3rd house emphasis. This is significant as media, news, and communication technologies aren’t traditional 3rd house associations.
Deep Mysteries and Surface Mysteries
We must consider the possibility that the 9th is more concerned with the “deep structural mystery” of reality, where the 3rd is more concerned with “surface mystery” and appearances. I myself have noted that those with a strong 3rd house orientation may enjoy counseling, divination, and the appearance of mystery (such as magic with James Randi noted below). This does not necessarily entail a desire to take a long journey to discover deep universal truths. This is reflected in the significations of the 3rd as concerning shorter trips and the 9th with farther international ones. It is also reflected in the joys, where the 3rd is the Joy of the Moon, who herself is a superficial light (reflecting the Sun) and pertains to shorter journeys. The Sun, whose power reveals and uncovers, has its Joy in the 9th.
The Sun or Jupiter in the 3rd and Lack of Faith
Interestingly, not all astrologers agreed that the Sun in 3rd should signify faith. According to Abu Bakr,
“The Sun appearing in the 3rd house and in one of his own dignities, signifies [he will] totally lack faith” (On Nativities, Book II, Ch. 1.10, Dykes, 2010, p. 149)
Abu Bakr also makes statements indicating that he doesn’t believe Jupiter in the 3rd to be indicative of true faith, as opposed to just appearance. These assertions about the Sun and Jupiter in the 3rd are in direct contradiction to statements made by Maternus. This is a good time for me to repeat my admonition of “ancient astrologers didn’t all agree“. By contrast, Bakr did note religion and spirituality when those planets are in the 9th. This may be an example of a view in which the 3rd is more indicative of superficial appearance of faith. It is the house of counseling, communication, gossip, and tricks. The 9th, its opposite, is more indicative of the heart of belief. Similarly, Abu Bakr delineated Jupiter or the Moon in the 3rd as indicative of superficial appearance of faith, without much substance, even when they are in sect.
James Randi’s Prominent 3rd House
Pertaining to the topic of the Sun and the 3rd, note that James Randi has the Sun in the 3rd. He is one of the most prominent skeptics in the world, Randi has the Sun in Leo in the 3rd house with Mercury and Venus. Firmicus Maternus gave separate aphorisms noting that the Sun in 3rd, Mercury in 3rd, Venus in 3rd, Sun and Mercury in 3rd, and so on, all give indications of religious life. Additionally, Randi’s Mercury rules the Ascendant and is with the Sun, which should also make him religious by Maternus. Therefore, we must regard the strong association of the 3rd with religion given by Maternus with suspicion.
On the other hand, look at Randi’s faith more in terms of the 9th house. We see “law” (the 9th) characterized by intellect (air) and doubt (Saturn). Looking at Jupiter for enthusiasm for expansive realms and ideas (Jupiter) we find it weak (retreating and cadent) and embattled (12th with Mars). Additionally, we find doubt and struggle as very loud themes in the life (Saturn strongly advancing). Significantly, there is a self-identification with intellect and rationalism (air rising, ruled by Mercury).
Conclusions Regarding the 3rd
For all the reasons discussed, I advise that one leans more heavily on the 9th than the 3rd, and on the benefics rather than the Sun, for the “propensity to believe”. Jupiter itself, like the 9th, is a natural significator of religion, law, and philosophy. The influence and condition of Jupiter should not be ignored in delineating faith.
Mercury
In my series, I have used Mercury primarily as a natural significator of rationalism. However, to many astrologers, including Ptolemy, Masha’allah, and Abu ‘Ali, Mercury was also important for character. It pertains to the intentional or rational mind, and the nature of intention is important for character. Just as we examined the nature of the 1st and its ruler for faith, Abu ‘Ali examined the planets ruling and regarding Mercury as having a particularly strong effect on the native’s faith (see Judgement of Nativities, Ch. 29). Personally, I put more emphasis on the lord of the 1st than on Mercury in delineating character and inclination toward faith.
Lot of Faith
Abu ‘Ali and Umar al-Tabari both made use of the Lot of Faith or Law, and its lord, in the delineation of faith. Which lot is this? It could be Spirit or the same lot mentioned later by Bonatti as the Lot of Religion. This lot is the arc from the Moon to Mercury by day, or Mercury to the Moon by night, projected from the Ascendant. Umar included the Lot of Faith and its lord in a complicated (and corny, in my opinion) victor technique for a faith victor. He then he assessed the victor’s condition as the condition of the native’s faith. Interestingly, Umar advised to consider the triplicity lords of the lot. The condition of these would show changes to faith at different periods of the life (1st triplicity lord showing the first part of life, etc.). Abu ‘Ali looked at planets that are with the lot (i.e. in the same sign), as particularly influential upon faith.
Lot of Spirit
Our ideas of consciousness tend to be approximated in discussions of the significance of the Sun and its lot, called Spirit. The Sun is frequently described as the “light of the mind”. Spirit is the arc from the non-sect light to the sect light, projected from the Ascendant. In Hellenistic astrology it was used for many things, from professional achievement to mental health. Maternus, speaking of the house of Spirit in the natal chart said, “This house is called the substance of the mind.” (Mathesis, Book IV, Ch. 5, #2, Holden trans., 2011, p. 216) Abu Bakr considered Spirit to show appearance of faith while its ruler showed actual personal faith. In this way, one could appear faithful and be faithful (both strong and good), appear faithless but be faithful (lot weak but ruler strong), and so forth based on the strength and beneficence of the lot and its lord.
Fortune
The Lot of Fortune, which is the Lot of the Moon, is more seldom used in connection with faith. However, it is another point that can have relevance for character. Therefore, its occurrence in the 9th was noted by some astrologers as indicating religious inclinations.
Added Indicators
With all that said, while re-exploring charts there are 5 additional indicators I’d like to evaluate:
Spirit shows appearance of upright religious conduct while its ruler shows the actual personal sanctity in private – a sort of word vs. deed distinction. (Abu Bakr, Book II, Ch. 1.10)
Mercury’s rulership and influential regards by planets is indicative of the nature of faith. (Abu ‘Ali, Ch. 29)
The Lot of Faith and its lord participate in the delineation of faith on similar footing with the 9th and its lord, in that benefics in the places or with the lords and the lords in good condition (particular stress on the nature of the planet with or ruling the lot) are indicative of faith and wisdom, while the opposite shows the opposite. (Abu ‘Ali, Ch. 29)
The quadruplicity of the 9th sign indicates the fixity of the beliefs. Mutable signs show instability or flexibility in faith, fixed signs show steadiness, and cardinal signs show doubt and frequent change of faith. The quadruplicity of the ruler adds to this to a lesser degree. (Abu ‘Ali, Ch. 29)
Lord of the 9th oriental (i.e. preceding) the Sun shows more open profession of belief. The lord of the 9th occidental (i.e. following) the Sun shows concealing of belief. (Abu ‘Ali, Ch. 29)
Additionally, we should look at twelfth-part positions and antiscia as I’ve noted in other articles on the site. These are zodiacal relationships which are essential for understanding the full extent of a planet’s associations in the chart.
Example: James Randi
I first examined Randi’s chart in this context in the initial article of this series. There I noted the identification with Mercury which both rules and regards the Ascendant. We also saw the blaring general strength of Saturn in the chart which is conjunct the Descendant (i.e. was setting at birth) and has the most authority over the 9th (Saturn is domicile lord of the 9th, second triplicity lord, and regards the 9th from the right side). Additionally, there is the afflicted state of Jupiter retreating in the 12th with Mars.
James Randi’s Natal Chart
Twelfth-Parts
Let’s look at the twelfth-parts, a topic I’ve explored in the last few posts (see here and here and here).
3rd House Emphasis
We find the twelfth-part of the Ascendant in the 5th, Libra, the kingdom (i.e. exaltation) of Saturn, in Saturn’s bound. Randi came to prominence as an entertainer, a stage magician. The 5th house pertains to performance and stage, while its ruler Venus and her house Leo reinforce these notions of performance. We can gather some of this from the 3rd, of communications, being occupied by the very prominent Sun, Venus, and Mercury in Leo. This indicates the important role of communication in the life because the signs of the Lights, Leo and Cancer, are strengthening to planets in them (the Lights are naturally prominent). The Ascendant ruler, the Sun, and Venus all occupy the 3rd which is Leo, so it is a very prominent house.
Jupiter and Saturn
The twelfth-part of Jupiter also falls onto Venus further signalling fortune through entertainment. Note that the twelfth-part of Jupiter in the 3rd does not bring faith here. Like Venus in the 3rd, it associates 3rd house themes with benefit. The twelfth-parts of the Sun and Moon fall in the 8th, Capricorn, one of the domiciles of Saturn, further stressing the influence of Saturn upon the life. The twelfth-part of Saturn is in the 12th, the place occupied by Jupiter, further afflicting Jupiter. This reinforces the curbed enthusiasm for stepping beyond the known. In fact, Randi, with his extremely strong Saturn, very afflicted Jupiter, and strong identification with Mercury, is a bit of an extreme case when it comes to resistance to out of bounds experiences.
Randi on the Irrational
Why people are so drawn to the irrational is something that has always puzzled me. I want to be, if I can, as sure of the world, the real world, around me, as is possible. Now you can only attain that to a certain degree, but I want the greatest degree of control. I don’t … I’ve never involved myself in narcotics of any kind. I don’t smoke. I don’t drink. Because that can easily just fuzz the edges of my rationality, fuzz the edges of my reasoning powers, and I want to be as aware as I possibly can. That means giving up a lot of fantasies that may be comforting in some ways but I’m willing to give that up to live in an actually real world – as close as I can get to it. – James Randi (source)
As mentioned previously, Randi’s chart gives us a clear indication that heavy doses of solar energy in the 3rd are not sufficient to make one religious. Even the twelfth-part of Jupiter does not do so. The Sun in the 3rd may even be an indication of a total lack of faith as suggested by Abu Bakr.
Spirit
The Lot of Spirit in Randi’s chart is in the 9th, ruled by Saturn, the out of sect malefic, in the bound of Mars. It is squared by Mars and Jupiter from the 12th, and opposed by the Sun, Mercury, and Venus from the 3rd. Abu Bakr suggested either that the lord of Spirit in the 9th, or the lord of Spirit being the lord of the 9th (Saturn in this case), is indicative of good faith if the lord is received. It is not received though (Saturn does not aspect Jupiter). It is too premature to evaluate. However, the ruler is Saturn, the out of sect malefic, and is not received so this type of use of the Lot of Spirit could be worthwhile.
James Randi’s Natal Chart with Lots of Faith and Spirit
Outward Faith
Let’s consider the possibility that Spirit shows outward profession of faith. In such case, we would expect a combination of very strongly restrictive doubt and skepticism (Saturn ruling and out of sect). We would also expect a spirited pursuit of truth and intellectualism (the 9th and air). Additionally, there is aggressiveness associated with secret plans of undoing (Mars ruling the bound of Spirit in the 12th of hidden enemies). This is certainly the case. Randi has been launching secret offensives against faith since his early twenties. He has taken on jobs as fake astrologer, psychic, and so forth to spoof and attack supernatural beliefs. He did this while getting his career as a magician together and before coming into public prominence.
Certainly, Spirit is not in such great condition that we would suppose outward profession of sanctity. We were already getting much of the Saturnine sense from the 9th. Spirit may still be of value particularly as it occupies a specific bound, showing the 12th house Mars influence. Additionally, Spirit shows Randi’s own preoccupation with the 9th house themes of law and faith. Randi is more known as a tester of mystics (Saturn 9th themes) than even for his being a magician.
Mercury
It was Abu ‘Ali that advised we look at Mercury. We are to pay particular attention to the planet or planets Mercury is most strongly connected to. For this we look to planets with Mercury, ruling Mercury, or that Mercury applies to in aspect. Mercury is with the Sun, in the Sun’s domicile, and in phasis (i.e. making an appearance). Therefore, we expect a strong solar influence. Mercury is also in Jupiter’s bound and applying a square to Jupiter with Jupiter in the superior position, so we expect a strong Jupiterian influence. Both Jupiterian and Solar influences on Mercury are indicative of religious and faithful people to Abu ‘Ali. I’m not overly impressed with this technique, as the more general technique yielded a much more accurate analysis.
Lot of Faith
First, it should be noted that the Lot of Faith is right at the beginning of a sign and a birth time error of only about 2 minutes could put the lot in the preceding sign. This could make a huge difference. Per the current time the lot is in the 10th in the sign of Jupiter and bound of Venus. If birth was about 2 minutes earlier, it would be in the 9th in the sign of Saturn and bound of Saturn. This is a very big difference! Assuming that the lot is at 0 Pisces, it is ruled by Jupiter, however Jupiter is out of sect, in a bad place (the 12th), and with a malefic, so it is not very indicative of faith.
Abu ‘Ali seemed to highlight planets with or aspecting the lot. Saturn dominates (i..e superior square) the lot, and Mars is in a scrutinizing (i.e. within 3 degrees) square to the lot, so we might consider this lot extremely afflicted by malefics, showing a destruction of faith.
Quadruplicity of the 9th
The 9th sign is Aquarius, a fixed sign, so we might expect that Randi is not the type to question his own beliefs or radically change them much. This seems consistent with the fact that Randi has been involved in spoofing astrology, psychism, and all things supernatural since his early twenties. The ruler of the 9th is in Sagittarius, a mutable sign, which might show instability in belief and possibly a tendency toward syncretism (input from many sources combined into a new whole). I don’t see the mutability of the ruler as much in his life in regards to belief. However, the mutability could pertain to scientific approaches to establishing truth which are inherently unstable (changing as new evidence is presented).
Orientality of the 9th Lord
Saturn is occidental the Sun in Randi’s chart. This represents concealing of belief, keeping beliefs private. This certainly doesn’t seem to be the case, as Randi is a very prominent and vocal proponent of his skepticism. Perhaps this is overridden by the fact that Saturn is so strongly advancing right on the horizon in the chart. I associate general strength factors like advancing with the volume of a planet in the chart and would consider this a blaring loud Saturn. In any case the oriental/occidental distinction seems insufficient on its own to establish how ready one is to profess one’s beliefs.
Conclusion
I’ve thrown quite a lot of material at the reader in this post. While our general method of reading faith in the astrological chart has proved very valuable, there is room to go deeper. As we go deeper we take on more factors. Unfortunately, with more factors self-deception becomes easier. We must remain critical and thoroughly evaluate these additional factors, which are more complicated than they seemed.
All of this and primarily just to distinguish the very faithful from the very doubtful, and the very genuine from the very superficial? Apparently not. With all these factors there is room enough for a very nuanced view of one’s beliefs. Faith is one small topic among many. Obviously, as astrologers, we have our work cut out for us. To those who need all the answers now, so that they can go out and compete with psychics, this may be disparaging. However, I think the techniques are extremely promising, By remaining humble and working to hone our special techniques, the 21st century may be the century in which the art of astrology reaches a depth of accuracy never before attained.
References
al-Tabari, U., & al-Hasib, A. B. (2010). Persian Nativities II: ’Umar al-Tabari and Abu Bakr. (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.
Featured image is an illustration from Doubt and Other Things: Verse and Illustrations by Elihu Vedder (1922) in the public domain.
