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Bio Shorts | Karl Marx

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Remembering Karl Marx and his Ideas

I recently read a couple of books on Karl Marx. I came away itching to look at his chart. It is vividly reflective of his life.  In my own personal opinion, Marx was a great economist who helped to inspire important positive changes in labor conditions and business regulation. Drawing on Hegelian dialectics, while critiquing its spiritual aspects, his “dialectical materialism” helped to expose inherent contradictions in the competitive enterprise. He showed that competition itself can foster economies of scale and mechanisms of cohersion that result in anti-competitive monopolies. However, his analyses are often overshadowed by the abuses of tyrants who misused them (e.g. Stalin).

A Controversial and Paradoxical Character

Marx was often unsure of his own theoretical and pragmatic stances, very frequently reversing positions, sometimes paradoxically. Perhaps this is to be expected of someone whose philosophy was so strongly based in dialectics.  He was adamant about philosophy being used to transform the world rather than just to think about it. But for all his urgings to transformation, he was known to advocate revolution and then do an about-face and oppose revolutionary action. Similarly, he was an ardent critic of revolutionaries and “Marxists” in his own day.

He exhibited a rebellious zeal against capitalist powers but was from a wealthy bourgeois background. He recklessly spent his ample allowance given to him from his friend Engels (from Engel’s family industry) sometimes even speculating on the stock market. His wife retained her baroness title and they kept on a housekeeper. While he advocated ardently for the working class, he refused to stoop down to laborious work himself.

In many ways, he was irresponsible. Four of his seven children died in childhood. This was in part from very poor living conditions despite his receiving more than a typical clerk’s salary in regular money from Engels. He also possibly fathered a child with his housekeeper. Additionally, he constantly avoided paying his bills and rent.

All in all, I found him to be a good-humored somewhat selfish, impulsive, and irresponsible person, though one with a strong sense of social justice and a keen mind for abstract economic analysis.  His most mature work, taken up late in life, is the three-volume Capital. Capital is also known to be terse and prone to ambiguity.

The Natal Chart of Karl Marx

Let’s analyze Karl Marx’s natal chart. If you are not familiar with the techniques of ancient Hellenistic and Persian astrology, then please check out the free lessons before proceeding.

The Ascendant is the point most symbolic of the individual in the chart and it shifts by an entire zodiacal degree about every 4 minutes of regular clock time so the birth time must be accurate.  Thankfully, the birth time of Karl Marx is from his official birth record, so we have good reason to believe it is very accurate (given a Rodden Rating of AA for accuracy on AstroDatabank).

Karl Marx’s Natal Chart

The First House: Aquarius

He was born at night with 23 Aquarius rising.  Aquarius is the day house of Saturn, and is a fixed air sign. Fixed signs are known for tenacity/focus/steadfastness. Air signs are associated with the humanities and movement. Mercury, the planet of movement, rationality, and commerce, is the primary triplicity ruler of air signs by night (Marx was born at night).  The Ascendant is in the bound of Mars, the planet of aggression and inflammation.

The twelfth-part of the Ascendant is at 6 Scorpio, the night house of Mars. Scorpio is also fixed and a water sign. Water signs are ruled by Mars at night (first triplicity ruler) and that twelfth-part of the Ascendant is also in the bound of Mars. The twelfth-part Ascendant is in the 10th house of the chart, which is that of heights, achievement, authority, and rule.

Karl Marx’s Natal Chart with twelfth-part positions along outer wheel.

Character Analysis in Ancient Astrology

The rulers of the Ascendant and the 1st house inform us of the particular importance of Saturn, Mercury, and Mars in relation to studying Marx. However, the rulers of the 1st house are not the only factors of relevance to the self. Planets in the 1st and those aspecting or “regarding” the 1st, particularly in more influential ways are also very relevant. Additionally, Mercury is relevant because it signifies rationality. Prominent planets are also generally influential, including the Sun and Moon which are naturally prominent. One important distinction often made is that the 1st house has more relevance to the body/temperament, as does the Moon, while the ruler of the 1st house has more relevance to the mind/direction, as does Mercury.

Mercury and Saturn on the Mind

With an air sign rising, Saturn and Mercury will be important by default. They are made even more important here by the fact that Saturn rules the house itself and Mercury, the primary triplicity ruler, is in his own house (Gemini), bound, and triplicity. There is significant reinforcement to Mercury which makes it more prominent. Saturn is lord of the Ascendant and one of its triplicity rulers, though it does not regard the Ascendant. Saturn is also one of the most prominent planets in the chart by advancement.

There are no planets in the 1st house. The Sun, Moon, Venus, and Mercury all regard the 1st house, they do so from an inferior position so I don’t consider the aspectual influence to be particularly pronounced.  The Sun and Moon, while prominent, are in the house of family and origins (the 4th), being particularly relevant in relation to the parents, and are in the bound of Mercury further signifying Mercury’s importance in the life.  Mercury is also in phasis (crossing under the beams of the Sun within 7 days of birth, another mark of planetary prominence).  Mars provides noteworthy indications for the self but these are more covert.

Therefore, an astrological analysis of Karl Marx’s life and character should focus upon Saturn, Mercury, and to a lesser extent Mars. This is in contrast to a focus on his Sun and Moon in Taurus as might be done in a modern analysis. This also fits his life. Saturn is the planet of doubt, loss, fear, constriction, critique, poverty, and imprisonment. Mercury is the planet of commerce, movement, theory, writing, and all forms of rational analysis.

Indications of Atheism

As was noted in my series on the charts of atheists, an identification with air, Saturn, and Mercury is characteristic of a rational worldview doubtful of religion. Marx was irreligious and critical but sympathetic to religion, seeing it as deluded but serving a function for the oppressed.  We see many of the typical marks of an atheist chart, with Jupiter weak and afflicted. Jupiter is in the 12th house, in fall, stationing retrograde, and opposed by the malefic Mars (with Mars in “domination” over the 9th).

Saturn Prominent in the House of Capital

Saturn, besides being a key point of identification for Marx, is also one of the “loudest” planets in the chart. It is the planet most advancing, being about 20 degrees from rising.  In this sense, Saturn has a sort of general prominence and persistence in the life, shedding something like a dark cloud over it with Saturn’s natural significations of doubt, negativity, death, loss, poverty, and stern cold authoritativeness.  Saturn is a complex planet in the chart.

Most noteworthy, Saturn is in the 2nd house of the chart which is that of money matters, directing Marx persistently into this sphere of life.  The 2nd house is directly impacted by its occupant Saturn. Some indications of this are poverty, loss of capital, obstructed capital, money worries, and criticism or challenges to wealth and possessions.  Marx identifies with being this Saturn in the house of money. He feels a need to consistently challenge and critique those with the means of production. This is one of the most persistent and certain of his identifications, even before his philosophical ideas were well-developed.

The 2nd house itself is buried deep in paradox, akin to his own monetary paradoxes in his life. He was from a wealthy background but chose to live in poverty, while at the same time constantly begging for money from his friend, receiving money in generous amounts, and eschewing his responsibilities with money.

Mutability and Back-and-Forth

The 2nd house is Pisces, a mutable water sign. The water element can connect it with emotional and familial ties. The mutability signifies fluctuations between two poles, such as multiple sources of income. For much of Marx’s life he was receiving income from Engels and from writing articles.

That both Saturn and Mercury are in mutable, or double-bodied, signs, would also signify a certain back-and-forth quality to his manner of thinking. This made him prone to reversals/flip-flops, and would likely be related to the great appeal that dialectical theories held for him.

The Jupiter-Saturn Exchange

The 2nd house, while mainly and most directly impacted by Saturn, is ruled by Jupiter. Saturn is also in the bound of Jupiter and Jupiter closely overcomes Saturn (aspecting within 3 degrees). Jupiter is in a bad place, the 12th house of the “bad spirit” pertaining to enemies and obstacles, and is itself ruled by Saturn. This creates a bit of a bounce back between Saturn (constriction, doubt, poverty) and Jupiter (expansion, wealth, faith). Saturn holds the upper-hand in this strong association and is also the planet Marx identifies with more strongly.

In any case, Jupiter’s role in the 2nd place does add some indication of aid and luck connected with money matters. Jupiter also rules the 11th of friends connecting it with the 2nd place of money. However, the overall sentiment is the sense of wealth going sour. Saturn is out of sect, which tends to increase Saturn’s tendency toward malice. We expect Saturn to have dark significations, including those in relation to money; the doubt is deeper, the negative associations more intense, the difficult events connected with Saturn more painful. Jupiter’s activations provide the more beneficent connections with Saturn which abate the general state of difficulty.

Saturn’s Twelfth-Part in the 8th of Death

The twelfth-part of Saturn, is in the 8th house of death with the twelfth-part of the Moon. The Moon is a significator of physicality and mothering. Saturn’s position in the 8th with the twelfth-part of the Moon emphasizes Saturn’s association with actual deaths, which no doubt had a big impact on Marx.

Mercury Prominent and in the 5th of Works

Mercury in Marx’s chart is in the 5th house which is the place associated with pleasures, performance, and children.  Mercury’s connections with the 5th and the 1st pertain to writing, oration, or analysis as a pleasurable pursuit or “art”.  Mercury in its own sign, bound, and triplicity (an air sign). Marx has an identification with Mercury, indicating cleverness, intellectuality, and a bit of the trickster or even con man. Mercury’s quick and elusive nature is very much ramped up. You would expect a Mercury that will do anything to avoid being too narrowly defined or pinpointed.

Note that Mercury in Gemini was not considered good for the intellect by some ancient astrologers, as it is a wandering mind and prone to unpredictability and anger. It is true that Marx was a middling student, unpredictable, provocative, frequently in trouble, flip-flopping, and prone to misinterpretation.  However, the identification with Mercury and its prominence show an overall preoccupation with the world of thought, ideas, and communications.

Mercury and Children

The 5th house is also showing the prominence of children. Mercury indicates a playful relationship and one inspiring intellectualism.  Mercury is a duplicitous planet, and is here in a duplicitous sign, which can signify many children. It also pertains to the possible fathering of a child with his housekeeper (two women).  However, this is contrasted by the relationship indications in his chart show steadfast focus on one partner, with Venus, the 7th, the Moon, and all their rulers in fixed signs.  Mercury is rather neutral but the 5th house is also dominated by the out of sect Saturn. This is one of the important connections between children and death that is in the chart.

Fiery Mars in the House of Labor

Mars when identified with shows a certain domineering competitiveness and desire to get rowdy and stir up trouble.  Marx was an avid drinker and smoker from his teenage years. He was frequently in trouble with the law, to a notorious degree.  Additionally, the twelfth-part of his Mars is in the 2nd house. This can show a desire to irk those with money and to damage others’ property. He was known to do these things in this life.  Mars is in sect so some of its inflammatory tendencies are tempered and can be channeled productively.

Mars is located a bad place, the 6th house of illness and labor. This place is ruled by the Moon (physicality). So there is an indication of bothersome difficulties with accidents and disease, particularly of an inflammatory nature.  Its position in the 6th and his identification with it also pertains to his identification with labor. The 6th is traditionally a house of servants. Workers are the servants of the industrial infrastructure.  Its location in the bound of Jupiter and its domination (superior square) of the 9th house is another indication of dislike of religion.

 

Image attribution:

The featured image of Karl Marx is in the public domain.

Bio Shorts | David Lynch

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Man on the Moon

Industrial Symphony No. 1 is a very ethereal musical play created by David Lynch. It features music by Angelo Badalamenti with vocals by Julee Cruise. It was performed in 1989, after Wild At Heart and foreshadowing, musically and thematically, the Twin Peaks series. I missed it on its release to VHS in 1990 but it’s also been released in the Lime Green Box Set and a lower quality version floats around on YouTube (below).

The Moon through a Loud Speaker

The irrational is pervasive in Lynch’s work.  Watching his films is akin to a swim through the sphere of Yesod on the kabbalistic tree of life.  It is of little wonder to find the Moon as the loudest and most influential planet in his life.

General Lunar Prominence

There are many factors that make the Moon the most prominent planet in Lynch’s life in a general way as if her volume has been turned up. The sect light is the Moon (Lynch was born at night), and she is above the horizon in a feminine sign (i.e. in haym). Luna is very prominent as she is strongly advancing on the MC (conjunct MC within 2 degrees). The Moon is in the place of the Good Spirit (the 11th house; pertaining to friends and social benefit). She’s also in the place of Love (i.e. place occupied by the Lot of Love, one of the 4 principal lots, and actually within 2.5 degrees of the lot).

Lynch’s Natal Chart with 4 Principal Lots (CTRL-click to enlarge)

Personal Lunar Prominence

The Moon is also one of the planets that impact the character and sense of self. The Moon’s twelfth-part is in the most important place, the 1st house, which pertains to the self. She also is a lord of the Ascendant (participating triplicity lord with a regard by sextile). Additionally, she regards and rules the lord of the Ascendant (Mars in Cancer) and she is conjunct the twelfth-part of Fortune.

Lynch’s Natal Chart with twelfth-parts (CTRL-click to enlarge)

Lunar Themes

Lunar themes of vivid depths of subjective experience, instinct, and irrationality permeate Lynch’s work. Also, lunar themes of the familiar and habitual (i.e. sentimentality) are also apparent in his life and work.  I am thinking particularly of his repeated use of familiar actors, the non-linearity of his work,  and the thematic grappling with the relationship between role and real-life. He also explores the complex and paradoxical subconscious evocations of rural life and nature, as well as the influence of dreams, visions, coincidences, and spiritual experiences on life.

Diving Deeper into Lynch’s Birth Chart

His birth data is rated AA for accuracy. I also provide his chart with twelfth-parts and with four principal lots.

David Lynch’s Natal Chart

More on the Moon

The Moon is in Virgo, a mutable sign, thus the Moon tends to express through interactivity, as opposed to through powerful changes (cardinal) or stable developments (fixed).  Virgo is an earth sign, evoking the land, tradition, and the body.  Virgo’s ruler, Mercury, is the messenger. He is in the 3rd House, the Joy of the Moon. The Moon is herself a traveler, while Mercury delivers and communicates. This adds a lot of movement, interaction, communication, and consultation to the prominent relationship between the Moon and Mercury. The Moon rules Cancer, the 9th house, which is the place of God, pertaining to truth-seeking, spirituality, and foreigners.

Mercury in Capricorn with Sun and Venus

Mercury is in phasis and is most directly influenced by Venus and the Sun, with which he is assembled in the third house, Capricorn. Venus pertains to love and art; the Sun to influence and publicity.  This is especially so with Venus, as she is most closely assembled with Mercury and rules his bound (as well as being a triplicity lord of Capricorn).  The combination of Venus, Mercury, and the Sun in a place of connection and conveyance is evocative of many important professional aspects of Lynch’s life, from the artistic direction of important projects to his bold use of music.

Capricorn, the 3rd house, is mostly benefic in the chart. It is occupied by the sect benefic and dominated (right-side square) by Jupiter. Meanwhile, Mercury applies an opposition to both malefics, and it is ruled by an out of sect Saturn (in the 9th house of God). This lends an aura of foreboding ethereal terror over matters of Mercury, Venus, the Sun, and the 3rd House.

Echoes in Life and Work

The Moon pertains to family and childhood, especially the mother. The Virgoan Mercurial influence and prominence of the 3rd house fits with Lynch’s mother being an English tutor and his father and agricultural research scientist. Additionally, the prominence of the 3rd House, the Moon, mutability, and Mercury, all evoke travel and movement. This fits with his experience of moving a half dozen times with his family as a child and embarking on some formative trips as a young adult.  The land, tradition, the elderly, fear, and handicap are all very Saturnine themes evoked in his work. They are linked with the supernatural and lurking in the shadows, contrasted with human innocence.

David Lynch’s Natal Chart

Malefics in the Lunar House of God

When it comes to personality analysis, the main indicators are the lord of the Ascendant (Mars in this case), Mercury, and the Moon.  Mars is in sect and in a good place in the chart, but conjunct the out of sect malefic, Saturn. It is also strongly influenced by both benefics (benefics are in the stakes of Mars), and ruled by the very benefic Moon, while in the bound of the benefic Jupiter.  The overall sense with Mars is of an ambitious nature and one which can be irritable and rebellious, but very beneficial and noble (sect, good place, benefic influence). Yet Mars is also touched by the dark, dreadful, and macabre (Saturn).  All in all, there is incredible complexity to the character because of all the planetary influences on the lord of the Ascendant.  Mars additionally occupies the 9th Place, the House of God, drawing Lynch to spiritual matters.

The 9th House of God

Spirituality itself is a complex and prominent matter in Lynch’s life. On the one hand, there would seem to be animosity toward religion given the strong association between spirituality and evil. This is signified by the presence of both malefics in the 9th, the retreat of Jupiter in the 12th house of the Evil Spirit. Also, there is an identification with rebellious Mars and intellectual Mercury. However, there is an overwhelming prominence and personal investment in matters of spirituality, truth, belief, and dream in his life.

Note that most of the planets in his chart (5 of 7) are in the 9th and 3rd houses. This includes both Mars and Mercury. Also, the sect light (the Moon) rules the 9th, lending additional prominence and associating spirituality with her significations.  While Mercury is strong in some ways, it lacks the overwhelming pervasiveness of the more subjective and irrational lunar influence over the life.  Through twelfth-parts, we also find the identification with the Moon and Venus, as their parts are in the Ascendant. Additionally, we find Jupiter, the planet of faith and spirit, playing a more prominent role in career and administrative aspects of the life, with its twelfth-part positioned in the 10th of actions and authority.

Lynch with twelfth-parts

Darkness

Fear-inducing (Saturn) and violent (Mars) spiritual entities (9th place) tended over by nature, night, and instinct (the Moon) are frequent themes in his work. The connection with art pertains to the fact that the malefics oppose and rule his Venus, the goddess of beauty and art.  Venus is in the 3rd House, the Joy of the Moon, in the nocturnal house of Saturn (Capricorn), in the bound of Mars, and with the Moon as the primary triplicity lord.  Her twelfth-part is in the 1st House, that of the self, in the nocturnal house of Mars (Scorpio), in the bound of Jupiter.

Venus is the primary planet pertaining to his aesthetic and it is fitting to find her dominated by subjective and spiritually-tinged maleficence (Mars and Saturn in the 9th, in the bound of Jupiter, ruled by the Moon) and irrationality (Venus in the Joy of the Moon, general pervasiveness of the Moon, Venus and Moon twelfth-parts co-present in the 1st of self and identity).  The 3rd house journey/transportation themes also occur frequently in Lynch’s work.  Wild At Heart, Lost Highway, and even The Straight Story are road movies, while main characters are often visiting outsiders.

A Couple Key Years

1966: Age 20

In my opinion, a pivotal year in Lynch’s life was 1966, when he moved to Philadelphia to attend an art school which held more promise than the last one, got his future wife pregnant, created his first short film (Six Men Getting Sick), and became acquainted with the fear of crime-ridden urban living.

9th House Profection

He would have been Age 20 at the time, thus the annual profection would have been to his 9th House, Cancer, occupied by the malefics, Mars and Saturn, with the Moon as lord of the year. These are all key influential planets in his chart and especially in terms of relationship and artistic matters (Venus).  Lunar years are typically quite varied and eventful, as the Moon is prominent and moves quickly.  In this case, the Moon herself profected to the 7th of partnership, ruled by Venus.  It was as if in this year Lynch stepped into the house of the Moon, finding Mars and Saturn there creating fear and violence. The Moon lorded over everything as its guide, in terms of pregnancy, bonds, and the artistic promises of the 3rd house.

Solar Return Moon in the 3rd

At the time of the solar return, the Moon was in the 3rd house, conjunct natal Mercury. This put a spotlight on the work of that house.  Mars and Venus of the return were both in the 4th of home and family, while Saturn was in the 5th of children just as Saturn’s natal twelfth-part is. This signaled weight and apprehension in the house of children.

David Lynch’s 1966 Solar Return Transits

Zodiacal Releasing of Spirit to Cancer

The importance of a year in terms of one’s professional objectives is primarily seen through zodiacal releasing of Spirit.  In October of 1965 the 1st Level of Spirit’s releasing made its first transition from its starting period in Gemini to its new period in Cancer where it would stay until 1990.  This started off with a 2nd Level period also in Cancer until October 1967.  Therefore, both of the two main levels of Spirit’s releasing were to the 9th House, Cancer, ruled by the Moon, occupied by both malefics, and additionally activated at the Age 20 profection.

Venus-Jupiter and Mercury Activation by Planetary Years

The activations by planetary year were also interesting.  Age 20 is most prominently a Mercury year, while also a year in which Venus-Jupiter (8+12) relationships come into play, such as his Jupiter in sign and bound of Venus and dominating her, signifying artistic benefit and children (both planets confer children, and both are the main rulers of the House of Children, the 5th, Pisces).

1990: Age 44

9th House Profection

There were many other pivotal years in his career but 1990 stands out as particularly important and prolific.  He won the Palme d’Or at Cannes for Wild at Heart, Twin Peaks was hitting TV audiences, he released the Industrial Symphony No. 1, and his early paintings were in an exhibition.  Interestingly, 1990 marked another profection to the 9th House, Cancer.  The Moon, lord of the year, was transiting through the 1st house of the Self at the time of the solar return, which was also a Venus return, as Venus was at 27 degrees Capricorn in the return, almost exactly conjunct her natal position at 26 Capricorn, strongly realizing Venus’s artistic birth promises.

Lynch 1990 Solar Return

Zodiacal Releasing of Spirit to Leo

When we look at the releasing of Spirit for 1990, we find that it marked the next Level 1 transition. It went from Cancer (the period which started in 1965) to Leo, the 10th house, ruled by the Sun.  Thus this next major transition in his professional life marked a new period, ruled by the Sun. The Sun is with Venus in the 3rd and the Sun rules the 10th house of actions, honors, and authority.  It was as if Lynch had received his king’s (the 10th and the Sun both pertaining to rulership/kings).

 

Image Attributions: Eraserhead poster image (cropped) is in the public domain.

Aldous Huxley on the Areligiosity of Absolutist Zeal

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Just a Quote

This Aldous Huxley quote jumped out at me from The Devils as being very relevant to the series on analyzing belief and spirituality in the birth chart. This is just an aside and this post contains no astrological analysis of Huxley’s chart.

But looking back and up, from our vantage point on the descending road of modern history, we now see that all the evils of religion can flourish without any belief in the supernatural, that convinced materialists are ready to worship their own jerry-built creations as though they were the Absolute, and that self-styled humanists will persecute their adversaries with all the zeal of Inquisitors exterminating the devotees of a personal and transcendent Satan.  Such behavior-patterns antedate and outlive the beliefs which, at any given moment, seem to motivate them.  Few people now believe in the Devil; but very many enjoy behaving as their ancestors behaved when the Fiend was a reality as unquestionable as his Opposite Number.  In order to justify their behavior, they turn their theories into dogmas, their bylaws into First Principles, their political bosses into Gods and all those who disagree with them into incarnate devils.  This idolatrous transformation of the relative into the Absolute and the all too human into the Divine, makes it possible for them to indulge their ugliest passions with a clear conscience and in the certainty that they are working for the Highest Good.

– Aldous Huxley, from The Devils of Loudon p. 123 (Harper, NY, 1952)

 

Image attributions

Aldous Huxley (cropped, featured image): By Thierry Ehrmann [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Astrology of Religion, Atheism, and Belief | 12. Rudolf Steiner

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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 atheist and notable skeptic Michael Shermer. In this article, we turn to the chart of the philosopher and esotericist, Rudolf Steiner. 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.

Happy precessed solar return to Rudolf Steiner!

Rudolf Steiner

In this series, I’ve been alternating between those who are strongly atheist/skeptic and those that are religiously or spiritually devout. Rudolf Steiner is an interesting case of the spiritually devout. He had many profound and guiding spiritual experiences throughout his life. Steiner founded the Anthroposophical Society, an “association of people whose will it is to nurture the life of the soul, both in the individual and in human society, on the basis of a true knowledge of the spiritual world.”.

He was also something of a rationalist, a well-read philosopher seeking a synthesis between science and mysticism.  He reminds me somewhat of Leibniz, who combined a profound rational intellect with deep religious convictions, seeking their synthesis in philosophy.  Certainly, thinkers like these remind us that spirituality and rationality, while not necessarily conjoined faculties, are not opposed faculties either. This in spite of frequent New Atheist claims to the contrary in our era.

You can read a brief biography of Steiner on Wikipedia by clicking here.  His natal chart is below, and has a Rodden Rating of AA.  Despite the AA rating, I should note that even the day of Steiner’s birth is not without controversy, so the AA rating should be treated with a little bit of suspicion.

Rudolf Steiner’s Natal Chart

Steiner’s Chart Analyzed in Brief

Jupiter:

Extremely Strong

Jupiter is the strongest planet in Steiner’s chart.  Jupiter is culminating in the 10th place, in a sign ruled by a Light, and it is the first triplicity lord of its place. Most importantly, it is actually conjunct an angle (the MC) within 3 degrees. Jupiter is very prominent in the life, being aligned as it is with the meridian through Steiner’s location, in the South, at his birth.

Benefic, somewhat mixed

Jupiter is naturally benefic and is in a good place, the 10th, while very strong.  This is  a benefic Jupiter overall.  Jupiter is out of sect and dominated by Mars (though Mars is in sect). Therefore, while benefic Jupiter can associate with a fair degree of battles, heated situations, and general competitions and contentions.

Notes on Jupiter

Jupiter has an extremely strong and pervasive influence on Steiner’s life. It pertains most directly to the 10th of actions, occupation, and career. Due to its prominence its influence is felt in all areas of life.  Jupiter’s expansive, positive, faith-oriented, truth-seeking, and spiritually experiential nature leaves its mark on his life in a big way. Being out of sect and dominated by Mars, Jupiter’s significations are also connected with heated challenge from others at various points in his life.

9th Place:

Very Prominent, Lunar, Saturnine, and Mercurial

The 9th, Cancer, is empty, and is ruled by the Moon, the Light of the nocturnal sect. Generally, the Moon pertains to subjective power, irrationality, instinct, the wild, movement, nurture, and bodies of water. The Moon also regards the 9th place so her influence is strong there. She is with Saturn, adding a sense of fear, control, obligation, and doubt to the significations.  The Moon shows an emphasis on the natural and the subjective in the belief system.  Her position in the bound of Jupiter, links her to Jupiter’s expansive positivist spirituality. Her house, that of Mercury, links her to rational intellect and communication or teaching. The Moon separates from the Sun and applies to Mercury in his chart. Firmicus associated this configuration (from Sun to Mercury) by night with particularly learned people who publish writings and are concerned with secret wisdom.

Somewhat benefic, mixed

The Moon is very mixed in the chart.  She is for the most part a powerful force (the Sect Light), benefic, and in a good place. She is ruled by a Mercury that is itself made benefic by sect, place, and rulership (by Jupiter).  So the Moon is primarily benefic. However, her copresence with Saturn, the out of sect malefic, and her being overcome by Mars, both weigh her down and associate her with difficult circumstances and challenges in the life.

Notes on the 9th Place

The Moon’s dominant influence over the 9th adds a particularly idiosyncratic element to the beliefs as well as stress on the role of natural processes, women, nurture, and personal development.  The Moon, like Jupiter, has her significations associated with good things in the life, but also attended by difficulty.

Saturn:

Very strong

Saturn is very strong, as he is strongly advancing in the chart, about 14 degrees from the MC.  Saturn has a strong and pervasive influence on the life.

Malefic

Saturn is quite malefic in the chart. In addition to being naturally malefic, it’s out of sect and overcome by Mars very strongly (applying within a degree). Saturn will tend to destroy, nullify, and challenge. However, it is at least in a very good place, the 11th. There it most directly influences friends and social circles. Saturn’s malefic tendencies are also tempered somewhat by its copresence with the very powerful Sect Light, the Moon.

Notes on Saturn

Interestingly, Saturn is very strong in Steiner’s chart and quite malefic.  Steiner’s life was in fact plagued with a good deal of loss, death, sorrow, adversity, and oppression.  He was certainly no stranger to doubt and criticism.  Jupiter still was a great deal stronger than Saturn in the chart.  The influence of Saturn was no doubt part of the reason he strove to make “proofs” of his ideas. He was hoping to make concrete and unbreakable the validity of his own deep spiritual experiences to others.

Mercury:

Strong

Mercury is in phasis, copresent with the Sun, in the chart. It is ruled by a very strong and prominent Jupiter. Mercury is also advancing. Therefore, Mercury is quite strong.

Benefic, mixed

Mercury is quite benefic in the chart, being in sect, in the 5th place which is a very good place, and ruled by Jupiter.  Mercury is opposed by Saturn though, like a critical weight always pressing on Mercury and challenging during its activation.

Notes on Mercury

Steiner’s Ascendant is in the bound of Mercury, as is his MC, Descendant, Jupiter, and Saturn.  There was an identification with Mercury, the planet of rationality, intellect, and scholarship. However, Mercury doesn’t have the same sort of pervasive influence on the life as Jupiter (or even the Moon, Saturn, or the Sun).  Mercury is in the 5th of children, entertainment, leisure, and creative products. This place provides Mercury with an outlet for teaching and lecturing. It also connects Mercury with children and the creative arts (esp. with Sun there as well).  The strength of Mercury combined with the strong identification with Mercury combine to make Steiner quite the intellectual and rationalist.

Conclusion

Overall, the most immediately striking feature of Steiner’s chart is Jupiter conjunct his MC in Leo.  Consider this with its ruler, the Sun, in Pisces, in turn ruled by Jupiter. This says something of his role as a leader and spiritual teacher.

Digging deeper we find that while Steiner’s faith and sense of the spiritual were extremely strong, this was not due to an absence of adversity or a lack of understanding of difficulty and darkness. It was despite his very difficult experiences.  It seems to me that he was contending with darkness and doubt nearly constantly. He was always attempting to build up stronger and stronger arguments and works against it.

I think this is at the heart of his desire to fuse mysticism and science, and to make mysticism somehow more objective, verifiable, and concrete.  He was a rationalist of immense strength, identifying more readily as a scholar than a religious leader. Steiner was extremely well-learned in philosophy and adept in a broad array of subjects. He was an intellectual to be reckoned with and used these powers intensely to bolster his spiritual cause.

Image Attribution

Featured image of Monument of Rudolf Steiner’s tomb in the park of the Goetheanum at Dornach, Switzerland byAlMare [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons (image has been cropped)

Astrology of Religion, Atheism, and Belief | 11. Michael Shermer

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An Astrology of Skepticism?

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

Astrology of Religion, Atheism, and Belief | 10. Abu Ma’shar

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Update 08/10/2019:

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.

Astrology of Religion, Atheism, and Belief | 7. Arthur Schopenhauer

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Introduction

The ingredients and recipes for this type of analysis can be found in the first article of the series. The basics were reviewed with additional comments in the article on Madalyn Murray O’Hair.

Arthur Schopenhauer

Schopenhauer’s beliefs were quite complex. Belief played a major role in his life.  While he was an atheist, he was also heavily influenced by Eastern religious thought. You can check out his biography on Wikipedia by clicking here.  His natal chart is below, and has been given a Rodden Rating of AA.

Schopenhauer’s Birth Chart

Schopenhauer’s Chart Analyzed in Brief

Jupiter:

Very weak

Jupiter is retreating and cadent, so it is very weak.

Mixed, somewhat benefic

Jupiter is naturally benefic. Here it is in sect and overcome by Venus by sextile, so Jupiter has positive significations. However, Jupiter is in a bad place (the 12th) and is dominated by Saturn (right-side square) so there are negative significations with Jupiter as well.

Notes on Jupiter

Jupiter is the weakest planet in the chart. There is not a pervasive influence of spiritual expansion and positivity in Schopenhauer’s life.  However, there is some identification with Jupiter as it is the exalted ruler of the Ascendant. Jupiter overall signifies fortunate matters in the life, but it is not a prominent influence and has many negative associations. Additionally, Jupiter is dominated by the planet of doubt. 

9th Place:

Very strong and Saturnine, Solar, Mercurial, and Jupiterian

The 9th, Pisces, is ruled by Jupiter.  However, planets in the place will have a more direct effect on the place’s dealings. The presence of a Light, the Sun, in the 9th (the Joy of the Sun) is enough to make the 9th very strong. One signification of the Sun in the 9th can be in terms of honors and achievement related to matters of belief (religion, philosophy, science).  Saturn and Mercury are also in the 9th, characterizing it as a place of much doubt, skepticism, and intellectualism.  Jupiter rules the 9th, so there is a sense of religion and spirituality influencing the 9th in more of an overall sense. Therefore, the 9th is very prominent and very complex.

Benefic

While Saturn is in the 9th, it’s in sect, in a good place.  Having the sect light (the Sun) in the 9th, Jupiter ruling the 9th, and both Jupiter and the Moon in stakes of the 9th, makes this place a place of very positive significations in this life.

Notes on the 9th Place

The 9th is a very complex and prominent place in this life. Overall it signifies very fortunate circumstances that arise in the life. Doubt (Saturn), Achievement/heroism (Sun), and Intellectualism (Mercury) very directly impact matters of belief in Schpenhauer’s life, but there is an overall influence of religion and spirituality (Jupiter) upon these matters.

Saturn:

Strong 

Saturn is very strong, despite being combust and in a cadent place. It is strong because it is not only Strongly Advancing but actually conjunct the MC within 2 degrees.

Somewhat benefic

Saturn is naturally a mafefic so will indeed have some negative significations, but Saturn is in sect and in a good place, the 9th. Therefore, Saturn signified some fortunate matters in Schopenhauer’s life.

Notes on Saturn

Saturn is a very prominent and pervasive influence in Schopenhauer’s life. It is particularly strong in relation to belief.  Saturn is made somewhat benefic, so is not necessarily inclined to connect a lot of destructiveness and fear with matters of belief. However, Saturn will add considerable skepticism and critical thinking (more common among scientific seekers of truth than religious seekers).  The strength of the 9th and its beneficence shows considerable comfort with matters of belief and attainment of wisdom.

Mercury:

Strong

Mercury is strongly advancing, so while combust and in a cadent place, it still is strong overall.

Mixed, somewhat malefic

Mercury is somewhat malefic due to being out of sect and assembled with Saturn, but Mercury is in a good place and is naturally neutral, so Mercury’s capacity to signify unfortunate matters is limited.

Notes on Mercury

Interestingly there is not a strong identification with Mercury, the planet of intellectualism, though Mercury does have a strong influence upon affairs in the life.  There may even be some degree of negative association with intellectualism due to Mercury’s capacity to signify unpleasant or unfortunate states of affairs.

Conclusion

Schopenhauer is considered to have been an atheist. He was critical of religion and objected to the notion that a god or gods created this world.  However, he was not an outspoken atheist in the sense of actively speaking out against religion and all things supernatural.  Rather, Schopenhauer was strongly influenced by the Upanishads and Buddhism, and strongly advocated compassion. The Full Moon in its Joy in the 3rd, also reflects a component of the belief connected with powerful vivid subjective experience.

As typical of those who are skeptically inclined and averse to uncritical and/or jubilant spirituality, he had a very strong Saturn and a Jupiter that was not prominent (actually, quite weak).  Additionally, his 9th place  and Jupiter were both under the strong influence of Saturn.  Mercury was also quite strong.  However, what made Schopenhauer so complicated on these grounds is that the prominence of the 9th place with all of its pessimism, intellectualism, and achievement, appeared to nevertheless evoke a spiritual purpose and sense of goodness. This is shown in part through Jupiter’s rulership of the 9th house. Additionally, Schopenhauer probably identified more with this Jupiter truth-seeking than with doubt or intellectualism.

Astrology of Religion, Atheism, and Belief | 6. Billy Graham

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An Astrology of Religion?

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. In each chart we look for signs of belief and doubt. Here we explore the astrology of religion in the chart of Billy Graham, the famous evangelist.

The ingredients and recipes for this type of analysis can be found in the first post of the series, which you can view here. The relevant factors were reviewed with additional comments in the last article of the series, on Madalyn Murray O’Hair.

Billy Graham

Billy Graham is one of the most prominent Christian evangelists.  You can check out his biography on Wikipedia by clicking here.  His natal chart is below, and has been given a Rodden Rating of AA.

Billy Graham’s Natal Chart

Billy Graham’s Central Belief Indications

Jupiter:

Quite strong

Jupiter is strongly advancing in the chart and is in an angle/”stake” of the chart.  However, Jupiter did station retrograde 4-5 days before birth which is somewhat weakening to it.  When a planet is strongly advancing it is as if the volume is cranked very high on the planet in the person’s life. The planet’s significations are powerful and pervasive, touching upon all areas of life. Therefore, this Jupiter is quite strong.

Extremely benefic

Jupiter is naturally benefic, and here it is in sect, in a good place, and scrutinized by the Sun (by trine). The Sun is the sect light, so it provides a benefic influence and it confers power and prominence (making Jupiter even more prominent because of its close connection).  Additionally, Jupiter is trine Venus (with Venus applying to Jupiter).  There are no major indicators of maleficence for Jupiter, so it is very benefic.

Notes on Jupiter

Jupiter is one of the most prominent planets in the chart (the Moon, and to a lesser extent Mars, are also very prominent).  There is also an identification with Jupiter. This self-identification is because of Jupiter’s strong connections with the Ascendant which symbolizes the self in the chart. Jupiter is the term ruler and triplicity ruler of the Ascendant, regards the 1st Place, and rules the Lord of the 1st (Mars).  Religious identification is strong, and religion represents almost purely good things in this person’s life.

Billy Graham’s Natal Chart (Ctrl-click to enlarge)

The 9th Place:

Extremely strong and Lunar, Martian, and Jupiterian

The 9th place, Sagittarius, is ruled by Jupiter, characterizing it as open and expansive in orientation. Planets in a place have a more direct effect on the place’s dealings. The planet ruling a place provides a more overall characterization.  The presence of a Light, the Moon, in the 9th is enough to make the 9th very strong.  That the ruler of the Ascendant, Mars, is in the 9th, makes the 9th even stronger, and very strongly tied to this person’s sense of self.  Additionally, the Moon is within 5 degrees of the MC, thus is quite prominent, and Mars being tightly conjunct the Moon and just over 5 degrees from the MC, is also quite strong.  Jupiter rules the 9th, and again is quite strong.  Rarely do we see such a prominent 9th house, and one so strongly tied to the individual.

Mixed, somewhat benefic

–The benefic Moon is in the 9th, and the most benefic planet in the chart, Jupiter, rules the 9th, so there are strong associations of the 9th with beneficence.  However, the out of sect malefic, Mars, is also in the 9th, and both Mars and the Moon are overcome and scrutinized (in this case a right-side trine) by Saturn.  Saturn is not the ruler of the 9th, nor is Saturn in an angle or stake of the 9th, so the 9th is not Saturnine in nature though.

Notes on the 9th Place

The 9th is Lunar (powerfully and vividly subjective, personal, even irrational) and Mars-y (competitive, contentious, aggressive), in sometimes unpleasant or difficult ways. However, its overall characterization is that of religious and spiritual expansiveness (Jupiter).  There is extreme self-identification with matters of belief, and Jupiter plays a major role in the belief-system.

Billy Graham’s Natal Chart (Ctrl-click to enlarge)

Saturn:

Somewhat weak

Saturn is arguably the weakest planet in the chart (Venus is also very weak).  The Moon and Mars are conjunct the MC, Jupiter is strongly advancing, and the other planets are advancing (Mercury is also in phasis). However, Saturn is just barely advancing, with no other major strength indications.

Quite mixed, somewhat benefic

Saturn is naturally a malefic so will indeed have some negative significations, but Saturn is in sect and in a very good place, the 5th place. It is also being scrutinized by the Moon by trine. These are all indications that Saturn can also have positive significations. However, Saturn is also scrutinized by Mars by trine (in fact, exactly), showing maleficence.  Therefore, we have quite a broad range for whether Saturn’s significations are more positive or negative.  A fair characterization would be to say that Saturn overall serves to improve life circumstances, but in ways that are constrictive or challenging.

Notes on Saturn

Saturn’s significations are not prominent in Billy Graham’s life, nor does he really identify with them.  Saturn has little influence on matters of belief, but does characterize some of the planets with direct influence on belief as more Saturnine.  Overall, Saturn is more geared towards its positive significations (duty, tradition, discipline, tangibility), than negative ones (fear, depression, death, loss).

Billy Graham’s Natal Chart (Ctrl-click to enlarge)

Mercury:  

Somewhat strong

Mercury is just barely advancing, but Mercury is in phasis, so Mercury has some strength.

Malefic

Mercury is somewhat malefic in the chart, as Mercury is neutral, and so easily swayed, and here Mercury is out of sect, in a bad place (the 8th), and dominated by Saturn, which scrutinizes it (right-side square within 3 degrees).  Mercury is assembled with Venus and overcome by Jupiter though, so we expect some positive associations with Mercury also.

Notes on Mercury

There is not an identification with Mercury’s significations as Mercury neither rules, nor even regards, the 1st place.  Intellectualism and communications have a somewhat strong influence upon the life, but they also have primarily negative associations in the person’s life.  Mercury’s assemblage with Venus may show an artistry with communication, or a “way with words”, and Mercury’s ruler is in the 9th of belief, putting Mercury in its service.

Billy Graham in 1966

Strong Spiritual Belief with Crusading Energy

In conclusion, Billy Graham has one of the most belief-oriented natal charts one can find.  Doubt and intellectualism are eclipsed by a strong personal relationship with belief systems (Jupiter and the 9th), and a pervasive spiritual influence (Jupiter), particularly upon matters of belief.  We also see a strong Mars influence upon belief that is characteristic of evangelizing or “crusading” for one’s beliefs (even characteristic of crusaders for atheism).

Image attributions: 

Featured image is in the public domain.

Chart images produced using Morinus software.

Billy Graham in 1966 is in the public domain. 

Astrology of Religion, Atheism, and Belief | 2. Dalai Lama XIV

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An Astrology of Religion and Atheism

Is there an astrology of religion? Can we look at a birth chart and tell if or when someone will come to believe in God or the supernatural? In this series, I critically ask that question by looking at the charts of more extreme cases (religious figures and outspoken atheists) using the basic symbolic tools of ancient astrology. The rules of the game for this analysis can be found in the first article.

In the last article, I looked at a prominent skeptic, James Randi. I will give analyses of very religious people as well, to make sure we’re consistent and are not over-predicting religious doubt. In this article, we look at faith and doubt in the chart of the fourteenth Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama

For obvious reasons, religion is an extremely important part of his life.  The Dalai Lama has also experienced extreme hardship associated with his own religion. Within his lifetime and reign, he’s seen his country taken over and has had to flee for his life into exile.

The Dalai Lama’s natal chart is below and has been given a Rodden Rating of A.

Dalai Lama’s Natal Chart

The Dalai Lama’s Chart Analyzed in Brief

Jupiter

Very strong 

Jupiter is advancing and it is stationing direct in the chart.

Benefic

Jupiter is naturally benefic. It is out of sect but it is regarded on the right side by the sect benefic, Venus. Additionally, Jupiter is in one of the most benefic places, the 5th, and is not regarded by a malefic from the right side.

Notes on Jupiter

Our initial expectation from Jupiter is that expansive spirituality and positivism is a powerful, pervasive, and mostly beneficial force in this person’s life. Jupiter is the exalted ruler of the 1st, and is regarded by both the sect light (the Moon in the 3rd of communications) and the Sun in the 1st. Therefore, spirituality (Jupiter), power (the Lights), and the self are strongly and harmoniously connected. The Sun in the 1st is applying an overcoming trine to Jupiter within 1 degree, so authority/recognition (the Sun) has a powerful impact on the nature of spirituality (Jupiter) in a beneficial way.

9th Place

Very strong and Jupiterian but also directly affected by Saturn

The 9th is occupied by a planet which gives it some increased prominence.  Jupiter is the ruler of the 9th, and as analyzed above is very strong. Therefore, 9th place significations are very powerful and pervasive in the life.  Jupiter’s effect on the 9th is to align it with loftiness, expansiveness, fortune, and spiritual experience.

Very mixed, overall benefic

The 9th, Pisces, is occupied by Saturn, which connects religion and long distance travel to trying and difficult circumstances.  The relationship with religion is consistently tied to challenges and responsibilities.  Jupiter is very benefic, so 9th matters are likely to be quite prominent and fortunate despite more direct misfortune. Jupiter regards Saturn by trine from the right-side, which in Hellenistic astrology is called Jupiter “overcoming” Saturn. This is the keynote theme here as a benefic overcoming a malefic is said to take away some of Saturn’s evil. Additionally, Jupiter is much stronger than Saturn in the chart and rules Saturn.

Notes on the 9th Place

The 9th place is prominent as it is occupied by Saturn, ruled by the exalted ruler of the Ascendant, and has both lights in aspect, with the sect light (the Moon which is also Ascendant lord) and Mercury in its stakes. There is an identification with matters of the 9th place as it is ruled by the exalted ruler of the Ascendant and has the Ascendant lord and sect light (the Moon) strongly in aspect (opposition). The 9th is mixed in terms of beneficence. It is most immediately malefic (due to the presence of Saturn) but overall benefic, due to the rulership by Jupiter who overcomes the 9th and Saturn by trine

Saturn

Somewhat weak

Saturn is not very strong in the chart.  Saturn is retreating and cadent (and is not stationing). The afflication of the Moon by opposition and the close trine with the Sun, as well as placement of its twelfth-part in the 1st house, do give it great significance in the life, but it is not pervasive.

Somewhat malefic

Saturn is the out of sect malefic, and that alone entails some malefic significations.  However, Saturn is regarded on the right side by trine by Jupiter and is in a good place (the 9th), so Saturn will have positive significations at times as well.

Notes on Saturn

We don’t expect doubt and/or fear to be a powerful and pervasive influence in this person’s life.  We expect the most trying experiences from Saturn to be directly related to religion though.

Mercury

Somewhat strong 

Mercury is retreating and cadent, but Mercury is also in phasis and stationing direct. Therefore, Mercury has a somewhat strong and pervasive influence over the life. The prominence is particularly related to the career and authority (twelfth-part of Mercury in the 10th, phasis). The twelfth-parts of Mercury and Jupiter are in the 10th of actions and authority, illustrating the important role of spiritual (Jupiter) communications (Mercury).

Malefic

Mercury is malefic in the chart, as it is out of sect, in a bad place (the 12th), and dominated by Saturn (overcome by square from the right side).  However, Mercury is scrutinized by Venus, the sect benefic (i.e. Venus aspects Mercury by sextile within 3*).  Rationality and intellectualism will have some strong associations with negative matters in the person’s life, and are not very strongly connected with the person’s sense of self (no rulership at Ascendant).

Notes on Mercury

This person does not strongly self-identify as an intellectual or as the voice of rationality. He may even see over-intellectualism as a vice.  There is much exposure and involvement with intellectual activity and communication in the life though. Mercury has prominence on account of being in phasis and stationing direct.  Betrayals and secret enemies (12th place) will probably be of a Mercurial character. For instance, the press and bureaucrats. Mercury may have other associations to unpleasant circumstances that occur in the person’s life.

Parting Notes: Illuminated Jupiterian Overcoming Saturn in the House of God

In conclusion, in the Dalai Lama’s chart we see someone with a very strong Jupiter and 9th place. Furthermore, Jupiter and the 9th are strongly tied together, providing a more spiritual view of truth and wisdom.  With Saturn in the 9th, we expect difficult experiences with religion, even possibly strong doubts.  In the chart, we see spiritual experience (Jupiter) overcoming such difficult experiences.

Skepticism does not play a generally significant role in the person’s life (Mercury and Saturn are retreating and cadent, with no rulership at the Ascendant). Skepticism and doubt are also not identified with as they Mercury and Saturn lack dignity at the Ascendant. Therefore, we  not expect their influence on the identity to be sustained or forceful.

Rationality does play a role in the person’s life (sect light in Virgo). However, it is associated with unpleasantness (out of sect Saturn dominates Mercury and rules its bound).  The identity is impacted by the Sun (occupies 1st), the Moon (rules 1st), and Jupiter (exalted ruler of 1st). Therefore, the identity is connected with leadership (Sun), social power and subjectivity (Moon), and fortune and religious experience (Jupiter).

Image Attributions:

Featured image is in the public domain.

Astrology of Religion, Atheism, and Belief | 1. Introduction and James Randi

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An Astrology of Religion and Atheism

Is there an astrology of religion? Can we look at a birth chart and tell if or when someone will come to believe in God or the supernatural? In this series, I critically ask that question by looking at the charts of more extreme cases (religious figures and outspoken atheists) using the basic symbolic tools of ancient astrology.

Please note that I’m not starting a series of posts on skeptics and atheists to in any way belittle them or marginalize them.  This is simply an important and interesting area of traditional astrological inquiry.  I’m not an atheist myself, but I do consider myself to be a skeptic. I’m certainly a critical thinker with a high regard for rationalism, empiricism, and falsifiability.  While I’m not an atheist, I think theirs is a perfectly acceptable point of view. Does astrology entail theism?  I’m not completely sure.  There may be means of explaining astrology non-theistically.

The Rules of the Game: Ingredients

In this post, I just want to highlight a few features of the chart very quickly that would pertain to skepticism, dislike of spirituality, or bad experiences with religion.  I may delve into some traditional special techniques for such things in subsequent posts, but here I just want to look at a few major general factors.

The factors I’ll look at are:

  1. Jupiter, natural significator of religion.
  2. 9th Place, house of God and religion.
  3. Mercury, natural significator of rationality and critical thought.
  4. Saturn, natural significator of doubt, fear, challenge, and rot.

Additionally, we will look at the rising sign (1st house) as symbolic of the self or individual in the chart.

Ancient Astrologers on these 4 Factors

Jupiter

Of the seven traditional planets, Jupiter is most strongly associated with religious faith and spiritual experience.

The nature of Jupiter is hot, moist, airy, and temperate. And he signifies the nutritive soul and life and ensouled bodies. […] And he signifies the wise and doctors of the law and just judges, and firmness and wisdom and intellect and the interpretation of dreams, truth and divine reverence, faith and the teaching of the law, religion, and the veneration and fear of God, charity, piety, also the unity of faith and its foresight, and the fitness of morals and responsibility. (Abu Ma’shar, Great Introduction to the Science of the Stars, Dykes trans., 2010, VII.9.1425-54, p. 240)

The Ninth House

The ninth house is called God. […] It signifies all things concerning the gods and kings and foreigners and dreams and religious observations. […] The good [stars] being in this house make good fortune in foreign places and pious persons and righteous in religious observance, especially if the ruler of the house is also well situated and in its own domicile or exaltation and not aspected by malefics. (Rhetorius, Holden trans., 2009, Ch. 57, p. 87)

The ninth house was called God. It was strongly associated with religious observation, astrology, and philosophy (love of wisdom) since ancient times.

IX Friendship, travel, benefits from foreigners, God, king, magnates, astrology, oracles, appearances of the gods, mystic and occult matters, associations. (Valens, Riley trans., 2010, Book IV, Ch. 12, p. 80)

Mercury

Mercury has a diverse set of significations, but most of them pertain to analysis, rationality, and communication. In the ancient world, one often performed such tasks through the church, so Mercury was often associated with religion also, but Mercury’s nature was known to be amoral and connected to its planetary influences.

Mercury bends with his nature toward the one who is complected to him […] And he signifies divinity and the oracles of prophets, sense and reason, speech and conversations and stories and the committing of them to memory. Also wisdom, belief and the beauty of learning, sharpness of character. And intellect and literature and philosophy and a gift of knowledge, also arithmetic and geometry and the measure of higher and terrestrial things. (Abu Ma’shar, Great Introduction to the Science of the Stars, Dykes trans., 2010, VII.9.1541-80, p. 257-258)

Saturn

Saturn is not often explicitly connected with doubt in ancient texts. However, the overall nature is one of difficulty, challenge, and tangibility so doubt is a natural reading in connection with matters of belief.

Saturn also causes humblings, sluggishness, unemployment, obstacles in business, interminable lawsuits, subversion of business, secrets, imprisonment, chains, griefs, accusations, tears, bereavement, capture, exposures of children.  (Valens, Riley trans., 2010, Book I, Ch. 1, p. 1)

The First House

And so, the domicile occupying the rising [place] is called the horoscope; the effect of this [is] over the body and life of a man itself, and all his undertakings.  (Abu Ma’shar, The Abbreviation of the Introduction to Astrology, Book I, 109, Dykes trans., 2010, p. 71)

The first place (rising sign) is the symbol of the individual in the chart.

I the Ascendant, life, steering-oar, body, breath. (Valens, Anthologies, Book IV, Ch. 12, The Names of the Twelve Places, Riley trans., 2010, p. 80)

Strength, Weakness, Beneficence

These will be analyzed in terms of strength/weakness and benefic/malefic tendencies. All of the factors considered here are explained in the lessons on ancient astrology which are available on this site.

Strength

I will consider the following as major considerations showing a strength of a planet:

  1. Strongly Advancing (approaching the angles of the chart, i.e the Asc, MC, Dsc, or IC of the chart, within 15*) and to a lesser extent Advancing (more than 1/3 zodiacal travel from one angle to the next).
  2. Stationing Direct (the planet turns from retrograde motion to direct within 7 days of the birth).
  3. Being In Phasis (the planet moves into or out from the beams of the Sun, standardized to 15* from the center of the Sun, within 7 days of birth).
  4. Being in a Stake of the Chart (the planet is in the 1st, 10th, 7th, or 4th place, i.e. the Ascendant or the signs 4, 7, or 10 signs from the Ascendant counted inclusively, e.g. a chart with Scorpio rising has Scorpio, Leo, Taurus, and Aquarius as “stakes”).
Weakness

I will consider the following as major considerations showing a weakness of a planet:

  1. Retreating (planet has passed an angle by more than 5* but is not yet 1/3 of the way to the next angle).
  2. Stationing Retrograde (the planet turns from direct motion to retrograde within 7 days of the birth).
  3. Combust (planet is within about 8* of the Sun at birth and is not in phasis).
  4. Being in a Cadent Place (the planet is in the 6th, 12th, 3rd, or 9th place counted inclusively from the 1st place/rising sign).
Beneficence

I will consider the following major indications of beneficence:

  1. Naturally of a benefic nature (Jupiter, Venus, and to a lesser extent the Moon and Sun).
  2. In Sect (if the Sun is above the horizon, i.e. a diurnal chart, then the Sun, Jupiter, and Saturn are in sect; if the chart is nocturnal, then the Moon, Venus, and Mars are in sect; Mercury is of the diurnal sect when rising before the Sun, or nocturnal if rising after the Sun).
  3. In a Good Place (in order from best to not as good, 1st, 11th, 5th, 10th, 9th, 7th, 4th).
  4. With Jupiter or Venus (in the same sign) or regarded by Jupiter or Venus from the right side (i.e. a benefic is in a sign sextile, square, or trine from behind the sign containing the planet under consideration).
Maleficence

I will consider the following major considerations to show maleficence:

  1. Naturally of a malefic nature (Saturn and Mars).
  2. Out of Sect (i.e. if diurnal, then Moon, Venus, Mars out of sect; if nocturnal, then Sun, Jupiter, Saturn out of sect; Mercury as determined by rule above).
  3. In a Bad Place (in order from worst, 6th, 12th, 8th).
  4. With Mars or Saturn (in the same sign) or regarded by Mars or Saturn from the right side, or by an opposition, or within 3* (i.e. scrutinizing).

The Rules of the Game: Recipes

Our initial hypotheses are as follows:

  1. Jupiter and the 9th are significant for religious matters, so if they are weak then religion/theism is likely to be weakened in the person’s life and if they are made malefic then religion/theism is likely to be seen as “bad” in the person’s life.  For Jupiter, this is as illustrated above, but for the 9th, this means a planet made malefic in the 9th or to a lesser extent a malefic that regards the place by square or opposition), as well as the condition of the ruler of the 9th.
  2. Mercury and Saturn signify rationality and doubt/fear respectively, so the stronger they are, the more pervasive their effect in the life.  The more malefic they are, the more they are geared to destruction, attack, and controversy, and the more malefic they make the things they are associated with.

James Randi

I have some measure of respect for James Randi, as I don’t like con artists, especially new age ones, and he works to expose such people.

Randi was also kind enough to give astrologers his birth time (though many have met it with skepticism, giving it a C Rodden Rating on that basis alone, even though other first-hand reports from birth certificates would get an A rating).  I’ll take his birth information at face value.

James Randi’s Birth Chart

Randi’s Chart Analyzed in Brief

Jupiter

Extremely weak

Jupiter has none of the major strength considerations, and in fact is extremely weak It is retreating and cadent (in the 12th place, Taurus).

Made malefic

While Jupiter is naturally benefic, that is its only signification of beneficence. It is in fact made malefic by being out of sect, in a bad place, and assembled with the malefic, Mars.

Notes on Jupiter

Our initial expectation from Jupiter is that expansive spirituality and positivism is weak in his life and associated with bad things. Jupiter is associated with aggression and victimization (Mars), as well as loss, betrayal, and deception (12th place).

9th Place

Fairly strong and Saturnine

The 9th, Aquarius, is not occupied by any planets. Its ruler, Saturn, is Strongly Advancing in a stake of the chart, which makes the place more prominent in this person’s life.  The 9th signifies religion but also the seeking of higher wisdom in general. When the 9th is strong, a person tends to be a truth seeker. When Saturnine, they tend away from spirituality due to a strong dose of doubt and fear associated with spirituality and religion. Their doubt or various obstructions may hold them back from achievement in higher ed.  In any case, this shows more prominence for matters of belief in this person’s life than Jupiter did, and it is showing particularly that a strong doubt and obstruction of belief is prominent and pervasive in this person’s life.

Somewhat malefic

Saturn rules the 9th place and Saturn is malefic as will be discussed in the Saturn analysis.  Additionally, Mars is square to the 9th place from the 12th.  In terms of religion and belief, this signifies a hatred, challenging tendencies, contrariness, and overly critical attitudes.

Notes on the 9th Place

The tendency in the life is towards destruction of 9th place matters and towards their association with bad or difficult things.

Saturn

Very strong

Saturn is Strongly Advancing. In fact, is within 3* of the Descendant, i.e. setting right when the person was born.  Saturn is in the 7th place which is a “stake” of the Ascendant.

Somewhat malefic

Overall, Saturn is malefic.  This is because it is naturally malefic, and here it is also out of sect.  Saturn is not extremely malefic though because it is in a good place and Venus trines it from the right side.  Therefore, Saturn is somewhat mixed in terms of malefic/benefic tendencies. This brings both fortunate and difficult circumstances in the life, at different times and in relation to different matters.  Saturn is also trined by Mercury, the ruler of the 1st place of the self, on the right-hand side. Therefore, Saturn integrates harmoniously into this person’s sense of self and personality.

Notes on Saturn

We expect doubt and/or fear to be a powerful and pervasive influence in this person’s life, integrated with the conception of self, and mixed in terms of pleasant and unpleasant associations.

Mercury

Rather neutral

Mercury is not very strong, nor very weak in the chart.  Mercury is in phasis, but also retreating and cadent.  We say Mercury is more weak than strong. However, it also rules the 1st place of the self, so while not pervasive in the person’s life, it still is prominent in terms of their sense of self, personality, and skill set. Additionally, there are many more minor strength considerations, such as being with the Sun, ruled by the Sun, trine the Moon, and with a very strong ruler.

Somewhat malefic

Mercury is a neutral planet, but is here out of sect, assembled with Venus, and square by both Jupiter and Mars from the right side.  It’s complex, with a broad range of expressions.  Given that it is a strong reflector of the person’s own moral range, we see quite a broad range from good to bad intentions and everything in between. This is always with a showy trickster type of expression due to Mercury’s nature and the strong public emphasis of the Sun.

Notes on Mercury

In short, he’s Mercurial, sometimes for good, sometimes for bad, but he is not a genius when it comes to intellectual and verbal matters.  In other words, Randi is a skeptic (Saturn), not a scientist or intellectual (Mercury) for profession, though he was a magician (dash of Mercury, Venus, and Sun; trickster, art, and publicity; in the house of communications, the 3rd).

Parting Notes

James Randi’s chart illustrates how basic techniques in ancient astrology can shed considerable light on the nature of someone’s belief. In future posts, we will alternate between using these same factors to consistently analyze the charts of both the religious and the anti-religious.

Most people are more mixed in terms of their degrees of belief and doubt than we see with ardent religious figures and outspoken atheists. For such a mixed indication, timing techniques can be used to discover periods of greater belief and greater doubt. Please experiment with this methodology in your own chart and those of people you know. Let me know how it turns out in the comments.

References

Ma’shar, A., & Al-Qabisi. (2010). Introductions to Traditional Astrology. (B. N. Dykes, Trans.). Minneapolis, MN: The Cazimi Press.

Rhetorius of Egypt, & Teucer of Babylon. (2009). Rhetorius the Egyptian. (J. H. Holden, Trans.). Tempe, AZ: American Federation of Astrologers.

Valens, V. (2010). Anthologies. (M. Riley, Trans.) (Online PDF.). World Wide Web: Mark Riley. Retrieved from http://www.csus.edu/indiv/r/rileymt/Vettius%20Valens%20entire.pdf

Image Attributions:

Featured image by ensceptico (IMGP3954) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons