When delineating the astrological chart, it is very important to recognize the symbolism and to check it against timing techniques. In that interest, I will note a few key symbolic factors in the chart of a well-known life, that of Adolf Hitler. The symbolism of these factors is checked against annual profections and solar returns.
I think it goes without saying that I don’t like this guy, but I’ll say it anyway. I’m analyzing this chart to illustrate astrological symbolism and its activation across time. This analysis is in no way intended to show any support, sympathy, or affection for Hitler. I detest Hitler’s beliefs, his actions, and racism in general.
Note About Principles and Techniques
Some readers may be unfamiliar with the principles or techniques used here. I rely upon traditional symbolism and techniques of Hellenistic astrology. In terms of the significations of planets, houses, lots, signs, and so forth, please see the series of lessons on the site. Also see links in this article to articles on specific techniques employed. I strive for consistency with traditional basic symbolism always.
I focus on just a couple of basic predictive techniques in this article, namely profections (annual profection of the Ascendant) and solar returns (the transits at the Sun’s return to its natal zodiacal position). These are two of the oldest and most important predictive techniques of horoscopic astrology, being found in texts that date back almost 2,000 years. I link to basic explanations of their use in the article. They continued to be popular techniques through the Middle Ages. Typically, I also bring in planetary years, primary directions, and an additional ancient techniques which give a fuller picture. Here I wanted to keep things simpler.
In terms of my philosophy of chart interpretation or what astrology is, it is an uncommon one. I take a symbolic approach to the chart, not one that depends on factors having any intrinsic indexical link to some underlying reality, psychological or occult. For more on this, please see the 8th lesson on the site.
Birth Data
Adolf Hitler’s was born on 4/20/1889 at 6:30 pm in Braunau, Austria per birth records (AA-rated source).
Rise to Power
In Hitler’s chart, one of the clearest indications of his rise to power is the Moon’s applying conjunction to Jupiter. The Moon signifies power by its light and its rulership of the 10th house (Cancer), as well as its separating trine from the Sun. Jupiter signifies fortune and opportunity, connecting it to the Moon and the 10th house. Jupiter is also the exalted ruler of the 10th house and both planets aspect it.
Adolf Hitler’s Natal Chart
Age 45: Seizes Power
Hitler seized dictatorial powers in Germany on 08/02/1934. He was 45 years old. Age 45 is an annual profection of his Ascendant to Cancer, the 10th house, ruled by the Moon. As noted, the Moon is conjunct Jupiter in the natal chart, with both pertinent to the 10th.
The solar return for the year had the return Moon in the 10th house. Therefore, the Moon, lord of the year, highlights here significations related to the 10th house, which pertains to leadership, authority, and actions. Additionally, return Jupiter was transiting in the 1st house of the self, in the Jupiter bound of Libra. The indications for the Moon-Jupiter conjunction with respect to matters of leadership become realized.
Hitler Solar Return Age 45 Around Natal Chart
Marriage and Death
In 1945, much of Germany was in ruins and it was clear they had lost the war. Hitler made his last public appearance on his 56th birthday. Eight days later he married his longtime companion Eva Braun. Two days after that they both committed suicide.
In Hitler’s natal chart, Venus rules the Ascendant by sign and bound and occupies the 8th house. This connects the symbolism of the self (1st house and Ascendant) with death (8th house) and love (Venus). The applying partile (same degree) conjunction between Venus and Mars puts passion and violence into the equation of both symbolic statements.
Mercury also connects to both themes in the natal chart as it rules the Lot of Love (Gemini) and is in the 7th house (partnership). It is on the descendant (setting/death) in the bound of Saturn (death) and ruled by Mars which is in the 8th conjunct Venus. Mercury also symbolizes death by rational decision (calculated suicide).
Hitler’s Chart with Lot of Love
Saturn’s Shadow
Saturn, the natural significator of death, squares the natal 8th house Venus-Mars configuration, reinforcing its relevance for death. As Venus is Hitler’s Ascendant lord, strong connections between it and significations of malice (Mars and Saturn) and death (8th and Saturn) go a long way toward characterizing his identity.
What is less obvious from the natal chart is that Saturn and Venus-Mars are antiscia each other almost exactly (within half a degree). Saturn’s shadow (antiscia) in the 8th conjunct Venus-Mars certainly brings out the configuration’s connection with death as well as other significations of Saturn.
Hitler’s Natal Chart with Antiscia Positions Around the Chart
Saturn’s Secret Spot
Saturn rules the Moon-Jupiter conjunction in the natal chart. That connects its themes of death and endings to it. This connection is much more apparent by the twelfth-part position of Saturn. Saturn’s twelfth-part is in Capricorn with the Moon-Jupiter conjunction, adding to the potential combination of their symbolism.
Hitler’s Natal Chart with Twelfth-Part Positions Around the Chart
The twelfth-parts of the chart are actually very revealing on many levels. For instance, Venus-Mars with their twelfth-parts in the 2nd, opposing their natal positions. Both are still in dark houses and the opposition symbolizes increased tension inherent in their symbolism and and with respect to the symbolism of Hitler’s father (Sun and Saturn; more on this below). There’s much more, but we’ll focus on Saturn for now.
The End: Age 56
As noted, age 56 quickly brought Hitler’s marriage and then death. Those were the two biggest events in that 10 day last year of his life.
The profection at age 56 was to Gemini, ruled by Mercury. Gemini is the Place of Love (location of Lot of Love). I’ve noted how Mercury, ruler of the Lot of Love, conjunct the Descendant in the 7th house and the bound of Saturn readily signifies regarding death and marriage. The other thing to note about Gemini is that it is aspected by only two natal planets, Mercury and Saturn.
The solar return shows Mercury (lord of the year) in return in the 7th house with return Venus. Therefore, the connections with both marriage (Venus, 7th) and death (7th, 8th lord) are both reinforced.
Saturn Comes for the Moon
Perhaps even more strikingly reinforced is the symbolism of Saturn with respect to the natal Moon-Jupiter conjunction. The Moon-Jupiter conjunction was noted as pertaining to the rise to power (10th house). Its vulnerability to the symbolism of Saturn shown by Saturn’s rulership of it and the twelfth-part position of Saturn on the configuration. At the return, Saturn was at 5 Cancer, in the 10th house, opposing the natal Moon-Jupiter.
Similarly, the Moon in the return was in Leo, with natal Saturn. Therefore, the symbolism of a final end to the personal fortune signified by Saturn with the Moon-Jupiter is clear and dramatic. Another instance of it is return Saturn’s position in the same bound of Cancer as the natal Lot of Fortune itself.
Hitler’s Solar Return Age 56 Around Natal Chart
Death Transits
The transits at the time of death again reveal the importance of the symbolism thus discussed. The Mercury-Venus conjunction became partile at the time of death. Saturn’s opposition to the natal Moon was near exact (2′ of a degree), with death on a Moon day and Saturn hour. Interestingly, Hitler died as the transiting Sun (9TAU51) was in partile conjunction with his 8th house twelfth-part Sun (9TAU36). The fatal gunshot was heard at the setting of Mars and culmination of Saturn, at about 3:30 pm.
Event Chart: Reported Time of Death of Hitler in Berlin
Hitler’s Death Transits to Natal Chart
Early Years
We’ve seen the symbolism of some pivotal years in the personal rise and fall. Let’s look now at some pivotal early years of life.
Hitler moved to Germany when he was 3 (profection to 4th house Moon-Jupiter), but he and his family returned to Austria a couple years later.
Father
Both Saturn and the Sun connect to Hitler’s father, but particularly Saturn. This is because Saturn can both naturally signify the father and it rules the 4th house of fathers. Saturn also rules the Place of the Father by lot (Aquarius).
Hitler’s Chart with the Position of Select Lots
Hitler was often in conflict with his father (Saturn) over Hitler’s lack of discipline (Saturn) and skill or interest in farming (Saturn). The conflicts would often turn physically abusive (Venus in 8th conjunct Mars, squared by Saturn).
Hitler’s father died suddenly on 01/03/1903 when Hitler was only 13 years old. This represented an annual profection to the 2nd house, ruled by Mars. The solar return saw Saturn (death) in the 4th house (father) Capricorn (cardinal/sudden). It is sharply squared by return Mars (lord of the year) in Aries (cardinal/sudden; violent) within 2 degrees. Return Mars is in partile conjunction to natal Mercury and Descendant (setting/death).
Hitler’s Age 13 Solar Return Around Natal Chart
Mother
Hitler’s mother is most readily signified by the Moon in the chart. Not only can the Moon signify the mother naturally but she is here in the 4th place of home and origins. Venus can also naturally signify the mother and Mercury rules the Lot of the Mother.
Post-Father’s Death and Mother’s Death
After the death of his father, Hitler was more free to pursue his main passion which was art. Hitler’s self-identification with art is symbolized by the strong role played by the signs of Venus and Venus herself in the chart. Venus rules the 1st house of self and is in her domicile Taurus where she is with and rules the sect light. While his father conflicted with his artistic ambitions (Saturn square Venus), his mother was supportive (Moon trine Venus).
However, Hitler’s mother died on 12/21/1907 when Hitler was just 18. This left Hitler leading a Bohemian artist’s life of selling paintings to survive, catching musical performances for entertainment, while living in Vienna. It is thought that his racist ideas developed in Vienna or soon after.
Mother’s Death
The death of Hitler’s mother when he was 18 was a very important event in his life. He was very fond of his mother (Moon-Jupiter conjunction; Venus ruling 1st). As with his father’s death, it was marked by a year with Mars as lord of the year, actually the first profection to one of Mars’s domiciles since the death of his father. This time it was to the 7th house, Aries.
The solar return at age 18 is absolutely striking. Return Mars, the lord of the year is at 8 Capricorn, conjunct his natal Moon-Jupiter (partile to Jupiter). The return Moon (mother) was at 14 Leo conjunct natal Saturn (death) within a degree. Additionally, return Venus and return Saturn are conjunct each other within a degree in the 6th house of illness (death was from breast cancer).
Hitler’s Solar Return at Age 18 Around Natal Chart
Younger Brother’s Death
As might be expected from a chart with a strong focus on an 8th house cluster that is square to Saturn, this is a life defined by death. One of the more influential early deaths in his life was that of his younger brother Edmund on 02/02/1900 from measles. Hitler would’ve been age 10 (11th year), so the profection would have been to the 11th house ruled by the Sun and occupied by Saturn.
Both the Sun and Saturn have connections to death in the chart. The Sun is in 8th and rules Saturn. Saturn naturally signifies death, squares the 8th cluster, and rules the Lot of Death. Younger brothers are typically shown by Mercury though. Also, in Hitler’s chart Jupiter rules the Lot of Siblings (Pisces) and the 3rd house (house of siblings).
Jupiter and Death
It is worth noting that Place of Death is also in the house of siblings (Lot of Death is at 6SAG54). Both Jupiter and the Lot of Death are pertinent for the house of siblings. Jupiter as there were 6 children in total from his parents (his dad had more from a previous marriage. The Lot of Death as the three before Hitler died in infancy and the one after him (Edmund) at age 5. Only his young sister, Paula, lived a long life.
Age 10
As noted, the profection at age 10 put a focus on the Leo 11th house, ruled by the Sun and occupied by Saturn. As the Sun is the lord of the year and is in return, we will be particularly concerned with return transits to the Sun, through Leo, as well as those involving Saturn (Leo’s occupant).
Hitler’s Solar Return at Age 10 Around Natal Chart
What we find in the return is Mars, the natal out of sect malefic (harm), at 2 Leo, in the house of the profection with natal Saturn (death), sharply square the 8th house Sun (within 2 degrees). Return Saturn (retrograde at 23 Sagittarius) is in the 3rd house of siblings, which is also the Place of Death, and it is square to the Lot of Siblings (20 Pisces). The return Moon, Venus, and Jupiter are all in dark places of the natal chart.
Conclusion
It is my hope that this is a useful exercise in pertinent symbolism and its activation. Any planet in a natal chart will symbolize across a number of different domains. Different significations emerge in these different domains and over time. It is not knowing whether a signification is “good” or “bad” that is important but in what ways it can signify good and bad and which signifies are reinforced. A full palate of traditional Hellenistic factors, including lots, antiscia, twelfth-parts, and more get us closer to a sophisticated understanding of the symbolism.
Profections and solar returns are two of the most ancient and most important timing techniques we have in astrology. The profection shows where the highlighter goes. It tells us the factors to focus on. The solar return provides an opportunity for the symbolic signatures in the natal chart to be reinforced, whether they are obvious or subtle. Even with just these two basic techniques, applied in a very basic way against a few pivotal years in a life, we see strong evidence of the symbolic relevance of astrology.
Modern Factors
On a final note, I’d like to add that the symbolism of the traditional factors serves as a great framework for making sense of new modern factors as well, if you use them. For instance, when you understand many of the significations of the 8th house Sun in this chart and its rulership of Saturn in Leo, then the partile conjunction between the Sun and asteroid Phaethon takes on deeper significance. Midpoints, asteroids, and other such modern factors can help to further add nuance and depth to the traditional symbolism.
Some such modern factors can complement rather than compete with traditional interpretation. Given the tendency of the ancients to employ as many additional symbolic factors as possible, from bounds and decans, to twelfth-parts, antiscia, and monomoria, I would hardly expect that they wouldn’t have been exploring midpoints and asteroids too if those had been available to them.
Don’t take the deeply traditional focus of this site as implying that modern factors have no place in traditional astrology. Rather, the implication is that the traditional symbolism and techniques are sufficient to structure the interpretation and provide for rich information. Where you go from there is up to you.
In the last lesson, we looked at the places, a vital method of assigning topics to houses. The places assign topics to the signs, the houses of the planets, based on their order of rising after birth. The aspect system (dealt with in Lesson 5) and the symbolism of the Ascendant were used as aids in understanding the meanings of the places.
In this lesson, we turn to the lots. The lots are another critical method of assigning topics to houses. Planetary configurations and the symbolism of the Ascendant are also integral to lots.
Lots are a critical element of thorough chart delineation. Without them, we will often find that we lack the confirmation that we need in order to confident about something the natal chart appears to indicate. Equipped with the factors discussed in this and prior lessons, we will be ready to start delineating any topic from the natal chart. Guidelines for delineation will be the subject of the next lesson.
Game Plan
There is a lot of ground to cover in this lesson. Hellenistic astrologers differed considerably in the extent to which they used lots. It is likely that all Hellenistic astrologers used at least one lot, namely the Lot of Fortune. However, some notable Hellenistic astrologers used about two dozen lots. There are also lots derived from lots, places from Fortune, predictive techniques involving lots, and more.
There are two sections to this lesson. First, I’ll provide some background information to contextualize the place of the lots in astrology. This includes the history of lots and their rationale. Next, I’ll explore which lots are most important, who used them, and in what ways. I’ll be providing some quick examples of using many of the lots. Along the way I’ll also show how to calculate lots in free software and indicate some key sections of texts for further research.
Lots are typically part of a deep dive into a specific topic of the natal chart and their use in isolation is often less telling. However, due to time constraints and for the purpose of brevity, examples in this lesson will be brief. They will tend to just point out a couple interesting ways in which the lot connects with the individual’s life. However, like any single chart factor, on its own, without confirmation from other factors, we cannot proclaim what it indicates for someone’s actual life.
What’s Covered
I will specifically discuss what appears to be 10 lots. However, as we get to the the lots of Children and Marriage, we’ll see quite a few alternatives which quickly increase the number of lots we’ll be handling. The lots addressed are those of Fortune, Spirit, Love, Necessity, Affliction/Injury, Father, Mother, Siblings, Children, and Marriage. I will also provide some tips on where to look for information on additional lots.
Le Giocatrici di Astràgali by Antonio Canova (1799)
Section I: Background
Lots to Miss
Lots were commonly used in the Hellenistic and Medieval astrology but tend to be ignored in modern astrology. Even among today’s traditional astrologers, the lots do not appear to be used regularly or extensively. This is because they were marginalized in European Renaissance astrology and are ill-understood today. By contrast, they were ubiquitous in ancient astrology of the first millennium.
For the reason mentioned above, the Lot of Fortune and Daimon have great influence on undertakings and their outcomes. The former gives information about matters concerning the body and concerning the work of hands. Daimon and its ruler give information about spiritual and intellectual matters and about the activities of giving and receiving. It will be necessary to examine the places and the signs in which their houserulers are located and to correlate their natures, in order to learn the type of activity and fortune and the quality of activity <to be expected>. (Valens, Book II, Ch. 20, Riley trans., 2010, p. 35)
Early and Ubiquitous
The earliest full texts of Hellenistic astrology make reference to lots. Additionally, their authors note that the lots were discussed in their earlier, now lost, source material. Therefore, the use of the lots predates our earliest surviving Hellenistic texts. Hellenistic astrologers of the first five centuries CE who favored lots tended to use about two to three dozen of them. Lots continued to be very popular in Medieval astrology. In the Medieval Perso-Arabic astrology of al-Qabisi and Abu Ma’shar (9th-10th century) it was not unusual for astrologers to provide formulas for more than six dozen lots.
Repeating Topics and Confirmation
As with the twelfth-parts of the zodiac (another ubiquitous feature of Hellenistic astrology), the neglect of the lots leads to an incomplete picture. Without the twelfth-parts, we miss seeing the more personalized and fine-tuned planetary placements. Without the lots, we miss seeing the more personalized and fine-tuned topical assignments. The places assign topics in the same order for every chart, while the arrangement of topics by lots is particular to each chart.
The key to delineation is confirmation. Too often astrologers read one indication in the astrological chart as if it strongly indicates a specific thing in the person’s life. However, without repeat indications from similar factors in the chart, that one factor is rather insignificant. For instance, we cannot accurately judge relationship matters on the state of Venus alone. Venus, her twelfth-part, the seventh place and its lord, the relationship between the Sun and Moon, the Lot of Love, the Lot of Spirit, and some of the Lots of Marriage may all figure into the delineation.
What’s a Lot?
A lot assigns a topic to a house (i.e. a sign). This is typically done by measuring the distance in the zodiac between two points and then counting that same distance from the Ascendant to end up in a certain sign of the zodiac. That sign is the house of the lot. For instance, the sign where we find the Lot of Fortune is the House of Fortune.
Most lots take the distance from one planet to another plant, and count that distance from the Ascendant. However, some lots take the distance from a lot to another lot, a lot to a planet, a planet to a lot, or a planet to the beginning of a sign, and count that from the Ascendant. There are also some lots in which the distance is counted from another planet or point rather than the Ascendant.
Winning the Lottery by Being Born
The name “lot” evokes lotteries and drawing lots. As the lots assign topics to signs in a more indirect and haphazard manner, they are more strongly associated with apparent “chance” circumstances. It is as if the chart is a roulette wheel. Your birth marks the end of the spin. Based on the position of the Ascendant at birth, topics get dropped into different houses of your chart.
Arabic Parts
Today, the lots are often called Arabic Parts. This is due to a misunderstanding in late traditional astrology. Ptolemy’s astrology was thought to be representative of astrology of the Hellenistic period (which is incorrect). He only made use of one lot, Fortune. Therefore, it was assumed that all of the other lots were invented by the Arabs.
The association of the lots with the Arabs coupled with European prejudice against all things Arabic led to the decline of the use of the lots. Today, the places are still frequently used in some form. By contrast, the lots are rarely examined. This is a shame as both were key methods of assigning topics in Hellenistic astrology. Without the lots you will miss many of the important indications in the chart.
Finding Lots
Let’s try finding a lot. The most famous one is the Lot of Fortune, also called the Lot of the Moon. It has special significance for circumstances of the body and things of a physical or substantial nature in general. We find Fortune by taking the distance from the sect light to the non-sect light (Sun to Moon by day; Moon to Sun by night). If the Sun is above the horizon in the chart then it is the sect light. If below the horizon then the Moon is the sect light. We then follow the same distance, in the same direction, from the Ascendant. We note the degree and house where it lands.
I show this below with Fortune in the 14th Dalai Lama’s chart. Fortune is typically pictured as a circle with an X inside it. This is a treasure map reference. Find the distance from the sect light (Moon) to the non-sect light (Sun), and then project the same distance, in the same direction, from the Ascendant. In this case, Fortune falls in Taurus, the 11th place, at 10° Taurus, ruled by Venus and in the bound of Mercury.
The Dalai Lama XIV’s Natal Chart
Lots in Morinus Software
Software programs tend to use algebraic formulae for lots, which can be a bit confusing. The key to reading a formula like that is to work backwards. For instance, the formula “Asc + Moon – Sun” means take the distance from the Sun to the Moon and project it from the Ascendant. This is the day formula for Fortune.
All of the major lots discussed in this article are covered. As long as you put Fortune as Lot 1 and Spirit as Lot 2, the formulae for Love and Necessity (shown as 4 and 5 in the screenshot) should work no matter where they fall on the list. You can get to the lot entry screen by clicking Option from the menu bar and then clicking Lots.
Options > Lots
Lots and Topics
The Hellenistic lots are similar to the places. They both are means of attributing life topics to the signs of an astrological chart. Both are also of ancient origin, appearing in the early strata of Hellenistic astrology. However, the places (houses) assign topics according to the order of the rising of the signs while the lots do so by projecting the distance between factors in the chart. The lots are not used instead of the places but rather in addition to them. They bring additional topical significations to a house.
The lots are used to assign topics to houses in all branches of astrology, not just natal astrology. Dorotheus used the lots in the earliest electional astrology. Hellenistic and Persian astrologers used lots in mundane astrology. Lots were used in horary astrology from the beginning. In fact, Dorotheus used the Lot of Fortune as a symbol of lost property in inceptional astrology in the 1st century CE.
How to Use the Lots
In the last two lessons, we explored the way in which planets modify the significations of other planets and houses. This happens through planetary relationships by rulership and configuration. To review, a planet in a house has a direct influence on the characterization of the house. Planets regarding the house will have varying degrees of influence. Influence is stronger from the right side (i.e. the one further clockwise), especially right side squares. Similarly, a house (and planets in it) will be influenced by and somewhat dependent upon the rulers of the house.
Delineate Like the Places
While the degree of the actual lot can be significant, lots are best analyzed like the places. In fact, as with the places, houses are named for the topic of their lot. Firmicus Maternus (4th century CE) introduced a coupled dozen lots in Ch. XXXII of Book VI of his Mathesis. Each lot in that chapter is referred to not as a lot or a part, but as a house. In this way, there is a house of the father assigned by the places (the 4th house) while there is another more particular house of the father assigned by the lot.
If you want to collect the House of the Father by the method of degrees, and it is a diurnal nativity, you should compute the whole number of degrees from the degree of the Sun up to the degree of Saturn, viz. of all the signs which are from the Sun up to Saturn, and when you have made the complete sum of the number, then beginning from the degree of the ASC, you will divide that number, which was obtained, among all the signs, assigning thirty degrees to the individual signs; and in that sign in which the last degree has fallen, that same sign shows you the House of the Father. (Maternus, Book VI, Ch. XXXII, Holden trans., 2011, p. 387-388)
Rulers and Aspects Revisited
Review the discussion about the delineation of the places in the last lesson as well as the lesson on configurations. Rulership and aspects from the lights are indicative of power. Benefics indicate benefits and malefics adversity. A planet in a house will have a more direct bearing on matters of the house. The rulers will show responsibility and support, so they can contextualize and indicate stability or lack of it. It is best to see the rulers of the lot strengthened. A weakened or malefic ruler, or hard aspects from malefics, bring difficulty. The nature of the sign is also important, as discussed in the lesson on the signs.
For example, an out of sect Mars in the house of Fortune would signify adverse material circumstances. If the same Fortune and Mars are dominated by Jupiter (i.e. Jupiter squares from the right side) then this signifies positively regarding material circumstances. In such a case, one indication may be that an activation of Mars can directly upset the health or other material circumstances. A subsequent activation of Jupiter may intervene to set things back on good footing.
neither the tropic nor the solid nor the bicorporeal signs will have the same overall effects. It is therefore necessary to examine the aspects or the conjunctions of the stars relative to the Lot: for example, a benefic in conjunction or in aspect with the Lot will be a sign of good and a giver of property. A destructive star <in conjunction or in aspect> will be responsible for loss of goods and sickness of the body. (Valens, Book II, Ch. 18, Riley trans., 2010, p. 34)
The Place of the Lot
Some Hellenistic astrologers also looked at the place occupied by the lot. For instance, Dorotheus considered Fortune in the difficult 6th or 12th house to be particularly bad. He noted it as an indication of slavery (Book I, Ch. 10) and poverty (Book, I, Ch. 28). Valens similarly associated difficulty with a lot in a bad place or a cadent one.
First of all it is necessary to determine the Lot of Fortune and to see in what part of the cosmos it is located: at an angle, just following an angle, or just preceding an angle. Likewise look for the ruler of the Lot. If it is in the Ascendant during the day or is in some other operative place, with the sun, the moon, or benefics in aspect, it will make the native noble, distinguished, and fortunate. Its effects are more moderate when it is found at the other angles or just following an angle. When it precedes an angle, assume <the nativity to be>
stillborn or abandoned—these are the disagreeable places which bring crises and ruin. (Valens, Book II, Ch. 18, Riley trans. 2010, p. 34)
Notes on Using the Place of the Lot
To begin with, use the place significations only in terms of power (the stakes), good (good places), and bad (dark places). Keep indications from getting too muddled by holding off on combining the topic of the lot with the topic of its place. However, as you get more experienced with using lots, you will find times when the lot topic does connect significantly with the topic of the place.
Side Note on Lot Place in Elections
Dorotheus also used the place of Fortune in elections regarding legal cases (Book V, Ch. 34). Fortune in I or II indicated success in the matter to the one seeking (plaintiff). Fortune in VII or VIII indicated success to the one sought (defendant). In this usage one sees a combination of the material indications of Fortune with those of the I (self) and VII (other) and their succeedent houses.
Predicting with Lots
One of the most effective ways to use the Lots in predictive work is to profect them. In fact, Vettius Valens (2nd century) provided extensive commentary on how to analyze profected lots. For more on this see my article on Valens-style profections and my article on the four principal lots of Valens. Lots are also used in solar returns, transits, planetary years, and other predictive techniques in a manner similar to the places.
Lots in Mundane Astrology
One reason the number of lots greatly multiplied in the Medieval period is the increased interest in mundane astrology. Mundane prediction can involve using lots specific to particular weather patterns, commodities, and political activities in charts of equinoxes, solstices, and lunations. For more on the mundane use of lots see the Astrology of the World series of translations by Ben Dykes.
Names Can be Misleading
The key to using lots rests in understanding what they signify. In order to do this, you need to be familiar with the ways that the ancient astrologers used the lots. Studying source texts and comparing what different astrologers said about an identical lot is the best means of doing this.
Often multiple lots go by the same name. Sometimes the different lots actually signify different but related things. In that case, it helps to look at the way astrologers actually used each lot. However, sometimes there’s a difference of opinion among astrologers as to the best lot to use for a specific topic. In such a case, you must come to your own conclusion about which lot is best for a topic through experience with the lots. There are also times when the same lot is used by different astrologers but they appear to be different due to a writing or scribal error.
Example: Love and Necessity
Take for example the lots of Love and Necessity. Valens (2nd century CE) heavily stressed the importance of these lots. The Lot of Love also appeared in excerpts of material attributed to Dorotheus. However, in the 4th century, Paulus Alexandrinus (4th century CE) used different Love and Necessity lots (i.e. different formulas) said to come from a (now lost) text by Hermes. Firmicus Maternus (4th century CE) also used lots for Love and Necessity, which are consistent with the Valens lots but have reversed formulas. The Maternus case is likely due to a scribal error, as he reversed many lots including the Lot of Spirit in the same text. Later medieval astrologers tended to adopt the Love and Necessity lots used by Valens despite awareness of those of Paulus.
Therefore, we have a situation of two different sets of lots for Love and Necessity, as well as formula variants for one of the sets. By reading only the later Hellenistic astrologers, Paulus and Maternus, we could end up with lots that are unusual (and less effective) or those with reversed formulas. Through an analysis of the earlier authors (Valens and Dorotheus) and of Medieval authors, we come to understand the more typical of the alternatives and the correct formula.
Start Small
Too many astrologers try to use lots based on their names alone. Software programs can dump every conceivable lot onto a chart. It is tempting to do so and let the names guide the way. However, the names often do not adequately capture the significations of the lot, so please avoid this approach.
Start with a manageable set of 4-12 lots for general chart work. Reserve other lots for deep analysis of specific topic areas. In this article, I’ll provide you with information on the most important lots of Hellenistic astrology.
Understanding Lot Formulas
It can be helpful to understand how lots relate to the significations of the planets and why the order can matter. Chris Brennan’s paper “The Theoretical Rationale Underlying the Seven Hermetic Lots” (2010) explores the rationale of lot construction. He does this by examining the “Seven Hermetic Lots of the Planets” as discussed by Paulus (4th century CE).
Brennan (2010) focused on these planetary lots in his analysis. I don’t address the use of most of these lots in this article because they are not as significant. However, Brennan’s paper on the rationale of these lots is required reading for serious students of the lots. This is because the patterns Brennan explored are relevant to understanding the rationale behind many lots used in Hellenistic astrology.
The Approached Planet
The Lot of the Sun (Spirit) by day is from the Moon to the Sun. Notice that it is named for the approached planet. Also, it is from the non-sect light to the sect light; from darkness to light. The Lot of the Moon (Fortune) by day is from the Sun (sect light) to the Moon (non-sect light). It is from light to darkness. The Lot of the Sun has to do with “lighter” topics as well, things of a mental or social nature. Physical and tangible matters are signified by the Lot of the Moon. The planet one moves toward in these cases has a greater sense of finality or importance.
Associative Clusters
The lots of the other 5 planets also display an interesting rationale. Brennan (2010) explained that the lots of the benefic planets involve the benefic and Lot of the Sun. Those of the malefic planets (and Mercury) involve the malefic (or Mercury) and the Lot of the Moon. In this way, the more active and mental Lot of the Sun relates more to the nature of the benefics. By contrast, the more passive and physical Lot of the Moon relates more to the malefics. This shows two sets of loose associations. There is on the one hand an association between day, sect, the benefics, and more mental and social circumstances. On the other hand, night, being out of sect, the malefics, and more physical and tangible circumstances coalesce.
Ancient dice and game pieces from the Museo de Albacete, Spain.
Section II: The Most Important Lots
There are dozens of lots mentioned in Hellenistic texts. Where does one begin? The number of lots can be overwhelming. It can also be confusing when there are alternative lots which pertain to the same or similar topics. About two dozen lots were popular in the Hellenistic period. Most of them pertain to family members and more general significations about life. Those lots continued to be used routinely in later Medieval astrology. We will focus on the most important of those lots.
A Note on Lot Formulas
In what follows, I will refer to the formula of a lot as “from A to B”. Unless otherwise noted, this means that the lot is taken from point A to point B by day, with the reverse distance taken by night. The distance is always projected from the Ascendant to find the place of the lot, unless otherwise noted. In other words, “From A to B” projected from the Ascendant is the “diurnal” formula for the lot.
Fortune: From Sun to Moon
The Lot of Fortune is mentioned in the earliest Hellenistic texts, including Manilius and Dorotheus (1st century CE). Techniques involving Fortune were well-established in earlier now-lost foundational texts which early astrologers reference.
To my knowledge, all of the Hellenistic astrologers used Fortune. It is the most widespread lot. The only texts that seem to lack its mention are some that are fragments and some focused on a specific special topic. For instance, the Treatise on the Fixed Stars by Anonymous of 379 may not have mentioned Fortune (though an explanatory annotation to the text does mention it).
Sources
Manilius used only Fortune and eleven other “lots” which are actually the places relative to Fortune (Astronomicon, Book III, 77-202). Dorotheus of the same century used Fortune throughout Carmen (see Book I, Ch. 28). Valens (2nd century) used Fortune throughout the Anthology (see Book II, Ch. 3).
Ptolemy (2nd century) expressed a disdain for lots in the Tetrabiblos (Book III, Ch. 3) but still used Fortune for the delineation of a few matters (Book III, Ch. 4-5 & esp. Book IV, Ch. 2). Porphyry’s Introduction to the Tetrabiblos (3rd century) included Fortune as a significant factor when finding the chart ruler (Ch. 30) and in judging physical ailments (Ch. 50).
Firmicus Maternus (4th century) used Fortune throughout Mathesis (see Book IV, Ch. 17). Paulus Alexandrinus of the same century used Fortune in a few places in Introductory Matters (see Ch. 23), including analyses of occupation (Ch. 26) and length of life (Ch. 36).
Hephaistion of Thebes (5th century) used Fortune throughout Book II of the Apotelesmatics (see Ch. 11). Rhetorius (7th century) used Fortune throughout his Compendium (see Ch. 47-48).
Formula and Variations
The typical formula for the Lot of Fortune is from the Sun to the Moon, projected from the Ascendant. That formula is clearly evident in Manilius, Dorotheus, Valens, Ptolemy, Paulus, Maternus, and Rhetorius (example charts at end of Compendium). This formula is also typically reversed by night, though Ptolemy did not reverse it.
There are some conflicting accounts and confusing passages in some Hellenistic authors, namely Serapio, Valens, and Hephaistion. Valens noted that the source for Fortune’s formula came from a particularly confusing passage in a text attributed to Nechepso. Therefore, some of the conflicting accounts may have arisen from the lack of clarity in the source text. However, the most commonly used formula, reversed by night, was already clearly and thoroughly expressed early in the 1st century in Manilius (Book III, #176-202) and Dorotheus (Book I, Ch. 28, #11-12).
Meaning and Use
Of all the lots, Fortune has a meaning that is most closely associated with the Ascendant (1st Place) and its significations of the body and personal circumstance. For instance, it figures strongly in Hellenistic treatments of longevity, upbringing, illness, overall chart ruler, and professional aptitude. However, there are some ways in which its significations differs from those of the 1st Place. The 1st Place does figure into character and personality, whereas Fortune typically does not. Also, Fortune is a significant factor in the delineation of wealth and property, as well as status, matters typically related more to the 2nd and 10th Places. It is also called the Lot of the Moon, connecting it with the Moon’s importance and sense of physicality. The common denominator to all significations is material circumstance.
Hellenistic Astrologers on the Lot of Fortune
Dorotheus used Fortune for the start of life (Book I, Ch. 4), bodily development (Book I, Ch. 9), and longevity (Book III, Ch. 2). These uses are consistent with Fortune’s connection with the body and health. He also used Fortune in looking at slavery (Book I, Ch. 10) and particularly in relation to material fortune, assets, and personal property (see Book I, Ch. 28; also inceptions Book V, Ch. 34 & 36). These uses reflect Fortune’s other primary significations of wealth and personal property. These are the primary associations of Fortune which persisted throughout the Hellenistic and Medieval periods.
The Part of Fortune shows the quality of life, the amount of inheritance, and the course of good and bad fortune. Also love and the affection of men toward women, the effects of child-care, and all desires. It shows the fatherland in an easy way. Abram called in the Place of the Moon. (Maternus, Book IV, Ch. 17, Bram trans., p. 136)
And Fortune signifies all things about the body and actions throughout life. It becomes indicative of acquisition, reputation, and privilege. (Paulus, Ch. 23, Greenbaum trans., p. 42)
Places Relative to Fortune in Valens
The similarity between Fortune and the Ascendant is evident in a number of authors. Fortune often comes up as a type of lesser Ascendant in signification. For instance, Dorotheus mentioned that if the triplicity lord of the Ascendant were weak by place (in the 12th, 6th, or 3rd) then one should look to the triplicity lord of Fortune for the matter of upbringing (Carmen, Book I, Ch. 4).
The Lot of Fortune and The Ascendant <I> life and livelihood (Valens, Anthology, Book II, Ch. 16, Riley trans., p. 30)
The use of Fortune as an alternative Ascendant sees its strongest expression in the Anthology of Vettius Valens. Valens gave Fortune and the Ascendant the same signification at one point (see quote above). He also delineated the ruler of the Ascendant and that of Fortune in one section giving them the same indications (Book II, Ch. 4). Additionally, he used places derived from Fortune with a meaning similar to those from the Ascendant. For instance, the 11th place from Fortune is called Accomplishment or Acquisition pertaining to good fortune with property and gifts (natal 11th pertains to good social circumstances). Furthermore, the 8th from Fortune is used for delineating the manner of death.
Stakes of Fortune
Valens also considered the “stakes” of Fortune to be very important places, much like the stakes of the 1st Place. These stakes of Fortune were used in predictive techniques like Zodiacal Releasing as particularly active signs of the chart. In a more opaque passage, Valens stated that the stakes of the Ascendant were the cosmic ones while those of Fortune were the natal ones. My understanding is that Valens considered Fortune even more important than the Ascendant in that it is more particular to the individual.
In addition, after finding the Place which has been assigned to Fortune, examine the points square with it and the other aspects, just as with the angles in the natal chart. The Lot itself will be equivalent to the Ascendant and will mean “Life;” the tenth place from it will be equivalent to MC and will mean “Rank;” the seventh will be the Descendant; the fourth IC. The other places will have the same effects as the <original> XII Places. Some astrologers have mystically hypothesized that the astronomical Ascendant and the points square with it are the Cosmic Angles, while the Lot and the points square with it are the Natal Angles […] (Valens, Anthology, Book II, Ch. 18, Riley trans., p. 34)
Notes on Fortune-Derived Places
While the stakes of any position were influential on the position in Hellenistic astrology, the use of derived places from Fortune is atypical. Manilius assigned lots relative to Fortune, but these have very different significations from the places from the Ascendant (see below). In practice Valens did not seem to use specific significations of the places from Fortune much apart from the 8th and 11th. As far as I know, only Rhetorius, following Valens, also advocated the use of some places derived from Fortune, such as Acquisition (11th from Fortune).
Typically, Fortune has a distinct but related meaning from the Ascendant and is of a lesser importance when compared with the Ascendant. I don’t advocate treating the places from Fortune as having the same effects as with those from the Ascendant. However, I do use them when I’m applying techniques from Valens that employ them.
Manilius and Lots from Fortune
Manilius assigned a topic to every place relative to Fortune. Though these places are called lots by Manilius and have meanings unique to him. The meanings assigned to the places relative to Fortune in Manilius are given in Book III of the Astronomicon. I briefly summarize the significations below.
Fortune – home and property
2nd from Fortune – warfare
3rd from Fortune – business, friends and associates
4th from Fortune – relationship with the law and politics
5th from Fortune – marriage
6th from Fortune – financial resources and stability
7th from Fortune – grim danger
8th from Fortune – social status and fame
9th from Fortune – children and parenting
10th from Fortune – character, tradition, and custom
11th from Fortune – strength and health (of paramount importance)
12th from Fortune – the fruit of our labors
Example
On its own, Fortune is not a good indicator for wealth or health. As part of special techniques for delineating each topic it has its place though. However, even without a deep dive into the general state of those topics, Fortune can be used as a predictive factor. The predictive use of Fortune is very useful in relation to chance occurrences involving the body and/or finances. The key here when looking at Fortune is not to judge the overall wealth or success based on Fortune, but to note the pleasant and difficult associations of Fortune by configuration.
Overall wealth or success is a very complex matter to delineate and pertains strongly to the fixed stars, the lights, and additional factors, more so than the Lot of Fortune. For instance, while Fortune in the 12th was said to indicate slavery, Ted Turner has Fortune in the 12th and is a billionaire.
Ted Turner’s Natal Chart (AA-rated birth time)
MC Hammer
MC Hammer (AA-rated birth time) has had a successful but particularly topsy-turvy financial history. Hammer’s Fortune is in great shape overall as it is in the 11th place (a good place), its ruler is a benefic in a good strong place and in phasis (Venus in the 10th), and Jupiter (the sect benefic) also regards the lot from the right side. However, we see multiple indications of threats to Fortune also. Mars is the out of sect malefic and most closely aspects the degree of the lot from the right side, albeit by sextile. However, Mars is also the ruler of the Sun and Venus in the 10th (which pertain to artistic honors). Saturn dominates the lot from a relatively close right side square in the 8th house (Aquarius).
The twelfth-part of Saturn (outside of the wheel) is also in the House of Fortune, while the twelfth-part of Mars is square the House of Fortune from the 2nd House of money. Additionally, the twelfth-part of Jupiter is conjunct natal Mars. Therefore, the twelfth-parts confirm the danger to Fortune from Mars and Saturn.
MC Hammer’s Natal Chart with Twelfth-Parts
Shortly after Hammer’s 27th birthday (1989) he signed a multi-record deal that was to make him millions over the next few years. However, by 1996, at age 34 things had taken a drastic turn for the worse. Hammer had overextended himself and was forced to file for bankruptcy. Additionally, he didn’t pay his taxes that year (and the next). The tax burden from that year would continue to haunt him over the next 15 years, as the government filed suit against him for it in 2011.
Distributors of Fortune
There are many approaches to those years in his life. We have not yet explored the use of predictive techniques in this series of lessons, but I would like to highlight one interesting predictive use of Fortune. In my article on the use of distributors in early primary directions, I discussed how different planets were activated as time lords by primary directions in Hellenistic astrology. Directing the Ascendant through the bounds is the most traditional approach, but other significant points in the chart were also directed through the bounds, including the Lot of Fortune. By directing Fortune through the bounds, a planet becomes the active time lord pertaining to Fortune for the period. A table of the time lords from 1984 to the present can be found below.
Hammer – Fortune Distributors
We see that the build up to the record deal and its signing occurred during a time when Jupiter was the distributor of Fortune. His peak success and peak income came when Venus was the distributor of Fortune. However, he faced some serious financial setbacks and consequences (including bankruptcy and tax problems) when Mars was the distributor. Interestingly, some of those problems resurfaced when Mars was distributor again (from late 2009 to mid 2017) in 2011 when he was sued by the government for his unpaid taxes.
As noted, Mars is the out of sect malefic. It not only most closely aspects Fortune but it also opposes the 2nd Place, has its twelfth-part in the 2nd Place, and connects with Jupiter in multiple ways. Has Mars really made Hammer poor during its periods? No. Hammer has lived a privileged life throughout the ordeal, which is why his bankruptcy had to be a Chapter 11 rather than a Chapter 7. However, the fact that Mars is an out of sect malefic and associates readily with money matters makes it a key planet to watch when problems crop up.
Spirit: From Moon to Sun
The Lot of Spirit is also called the Lot of Daimon (or Daemon), Lot of Religion, Lot of Faith, Lot of the Sun, and Lot of Absence. The Lot of Spirit is well established in many early Hellenistic texts, including Dorotheus (1st century CE) and Valens (2nd century CE). It was used by most of the notable Hellenistic astrologers.
The formula is from the Moon to the Sun, projected from the Ascendant (reversed by night). It is the inverse of that for the Lot of Fortune. The formula is consistent across sources, though Maternus has unintentional inversions of many lots including Spirit. These inversions are clearly errors as Maternus has Fortune and Spirit with identical formulas which would not make sense for his delineations.
Sources
Dorotheus of the same century used the Lot of Religion on a similar footing as Fortune in delineation of bodily development (Carmen, Book I, Ch. 9). Interestingly, Dorotheus also used it in synastry, where having Spirit in the same sign across charts is seen as an indication of harmony and suitability (Book II, Ch. 5).
Valens (2nd century) considered Daimon to be one of the 4 lots which are powerful enough to make a sign an “effective” sign of the chart (see Book IV, Ch. 11). He used Spirit throughout the Anthology and often as the more social and mental counter-part to Fortune. For instance, one of the predictive techniques of Valens, now called Zodiacal Releasing, involves moving Fortune and Spirit through the zodiac (see Book IV, Ch. 4). Valens also called the lot, “Intelligence” (Book II, Ch. 9), and “second Fortune” (Book II, Ch. 15), names which make clear its mental association and its importance.
Abram
This use of Spirit as a counter-part to Fortune may have originated with an astrologer named Abram. Firmicus Maternus (4th century) introduced Daemon right after his introduction to Fortune (Mathesis, Book IV, Ch. 18). He noted that it was known by Abram as the Lot of the Sun and is of similar importance as the Lot of the Moon (Fortune). Paulus Alexandrinus (4th century) also referred to Spirit as the Lot of the Sun and considered it in relation to character and capability (Introductory Matters, Ch. 23).
Others
Spirit also has bit parts in other early astrological texts and some later ones. For instance, Porphyry’s Introduction to the Tetrabiblos (3rd century) included Spirit in judging ailments (Ch. 50), along with the lots of Fortune and Injury. Rhetorius (7th century) also used Spirit for some physical ailments (Ch. 4; Ch. 14).
Meaning and Use
Like Fortune, Spirit has a meaning that is associated with the Ascendant (1st Place) but particularly its significations of the character and capability. These significations were sometimes more associated with its house ruler of the 1st than the place itself. Spirit figures into Hellenistic treatments of character, temperament, and professional aptitude. It also sometimes figures into the analysis of bodily ailments, and even for mental ailments (in Valens). The common denominator to all significations is mental and social circumstance, though with possible consequences for health as well. In the Middle Ages, the associations with the soul, intentions, and body persisted.
Hellenistic Astrologers on the Lot of Spirit
Our best early sources for exploring Spirit are Valens, Maternus, and Paulus who all linked it with the mind and character.
Daimon mental activity (Valens, Book II, Ch. 16, Riley trans., p. 30)
For the reason mentioned above, the Lot of Fortune and Daimon have great influence on undertakings and their outcomes. The former gives information about matters concerning the body and concerning the work of hands. Daimon and its ruler give information about spiritual and intellectual matters and about the activities of giving and receiving. It will be necessary to examine the places and the signs in which their houserulers are located and to correlate their natures, in order to learn the type of activity and fortune and the quality of activity <to be expected>. (Valens, Book II, Ch. 20, Riley trans., p. 35)
This place is also called the essence of the soul; from this place we find professions and material goods; it shows the affection of women toward men. But also this place shows the fatherland clearly. (Maternus, Book IV, Ch. 18, Bram trans., p. 137)
Spirit happens to be the lord of soul, temper, sense and every capability, and there are times when it cooperates in the reckoning about what one does. (Paulus, Ch. 23, Greenbaum, p. 42)
Rhetorius also notably used Spirit for character analysis.
But if the Lot of the Daemon falls in Capricorn, it makes the native forbearing and changeable, but if in Aries or Leo or Scorpio irascible and stubborn. (Rhetorius, Ch. 48, Holden trans., p. 27)
Example
For an example of the use of Spirit in delineation and prediction, see my article on the four principal lots of Valens. In that article, I provided an example of Spirit in the chart of the 14th Dalai Lama.
Love: From Fortune to Spirit
The Lot of Love is also called the Lot of Eros, Lot of Desire, Lot of the 7th, and Lot of Venus. The Lot of Love is not the third most common lot of Hellenistic astrology, but appears third on this list as it is one of 4 lots which Valens considered most effective. It is probably present in Dorotheus (more on that below) but is clearest in Valens and Maternus.
The formula is from Fortune to Spirit, projected from the Ascendant (reversed by night). The formula is found in Valens, but is inverted in Maternus. As noted, Maternus has unintentional inversions of many lots. Paulus provided a different Lot of Eros (from Spirit to Venus) attributed to Hermes which was not as widespread. The Valens lot prevailed in the later Middle Ages.
Note that the inverse of this lot is the Lot of Necessity. Necessity has a special relationship with the Lot of Love and together with it and Fortune and Spirit, rounds out the 4 lots which Valens noted as “effective” houses. I explore all four lots and how they relate to each other in the article on the four principal lots of Valens.
Sources
Dorotheus made a reference to the Lot of the 7th in relation to configurations indicating that one’s death will involve friends (Carmen, Book IV, Ch. 3). In an excerpt attributed to Dorotheus (Excerpts XVI, #6; from Hephaistion), it is noted that the rulers of Eros are representative of one’s friends and the same formula is given for Eros as is found in Valens. These uses by Dorotheus are interesting because friendship and alliances are important associations of the lot.
Valens (2nd century) considered Love to be one of the 4 principal lots (including also Fortune, Spirit, and Necessity) which are powerful enough to make a sign an “effective” sign of the chart (see Book IV, Ch. 11). Its importance is also highlighted by its inclusion in the chapter naming the places, of which the only lots are the 4 principal lots (Book II, Ch. 16). Similarly, when discussing profections, he specifically advised to also profect the 4 principal lots (Book IV, Ch. 11 & Ch. 25).
Firmicus Maternus (4th century) referred to the lot as the House of Desires (Mathesis, Book VI, Ch. 32). Hephaistion claimed that Dorotheus used the “Lot of Eros” for synastry, but Hephaistion doesn’t define it (Book II, Ch. 23). Rhetorius (7th century) discussed a Lot of Venus or Love, but like most of his lots, he didn’t formulate it, so it’s unclear which Love was referred to (Ch. 47).
Meaning and Use
Love’s significations are most strongly connected to those of the 7th Place and to Venus. It pertains to desire, friendship, enjoyable alliances, and the arts. We see this in the use by Dorotheus (especially via Hephaistion) of the lot for matters concerning friends and synastry. Hephaistion also stated that sympathy between signs of equal ascension in synastry is stronger if this lot is found in those sympathetic signs across charts. For instance, Love in Pisces in the man’s chart and in Aries in the woman’s (or vice-versa) is an indication of harmony as the signs are sympathetic by equal ascension.
Love’s strong association with desire is present in Valens and Maternus. It was used in delineating sexuality (nature of desire, homosexuality, etc.) as well as friendship and what one does for pleasure (past time). In the late Middle Ages, it retained all of these associations. It is the most important lot for the delineation of relationship matters.
Hellenistic Astrologers on the Lot of Love
Our best early sources for exploring Love are Valens and Maternus. Maternus only noted it pertaining to all types of desires. Valens briefly defined Love as pertaining to desire, but best described it when discussing profections.
Love transmitting or receiving in operative signs, with benefics in conjunction or aspect, brings about moral desires and makes men lovers of the good: some turn to education and physical or artistic training; they are softened by their delight in their hopes and they do not consider their forethought/goal a matter of difficulty<?>. Others are enchanted by love and intimacy with men and women, and they consider <this life> to be good. Mars and Mercury in aspect or in conjunction with this place (especially if they are in their own signs) make homosexuals, men criticized <for affairs> with both sexes, or those who are fond of weapons, hunting, or wrestling. Venus <in aspect or conjunction brings> intimacy with women; men when loved will sometimes love in return.
In the same way each star, when allotted this place <Love>, when in aspect, or when receiving the chronocratorship, will bring about the type of desire appropriate to its nature. In general, if malefics are in conjunction or aspect, desires will result in torment, penalties, and danger. Specifically, if Saturn is in conjunction or aspect with Venus and the moon, men will have shameful and unnatural loves, will be criticized for affairs with men and women, will suffer under scandal, or (even though repenting) will return to their old practices, overcome by passion. If Jupiter is also in aspect, what happens will be respectable, powerful, or religious. But if Mars and Mercury are in conjunction or aspect, or are receiving the chronocratorship, men will love wicked, criminal deeds: they become forgers, robbers, burglars, gamblers, and have a savage character. If Venus is also in aspect, they become poisoners, lechers, suicides, and so (according to the applicable chronocrator) they are entangled in loans, debts, and villainy, experience imprisonment and trials, and live in danger. This place is strong in many respects, and so pay much attention to it. (Valens, Book IV, Ch. 25, Riley trans., p. 90)
Example
For an example of the use of Love in delineation and prediction, see my article on the four principal lots of Valens. In that article, I provided an example of Love in an anonymous chart and that of Bill Clinton.
Necessity: From Spirit to Fortune
The Lot of Necessity is also called the Lot of Mercury. In the last Middle Age, it was sometimes also known as the Lot of Poverty or of Small-mindedness. The Lot of Necessity is the counter-part to the Lot of Love. It is also not among the most common lots of Hellenistic astrology, but appears fourth on this list as it is one of 4 lots which Valens considered most effective. It doesn’t appear to have been mentioned by Dorotheus but it was significant for Valens and Maternus.
The formula is from Spirit to Fortune, projected from the Ascendant (reversed by night). The formula is found in Valens, but is inverted in Maternus. As noted, Maternus has unintentional inversions of many lots. Paulus provided a different Lot of Necessity (from Mercury to Fortune) attributed to Hermes which was not as widespread. The Valens lot prevailed in the later Middle Ages.
Note that the inverse of this lot is the Lot of Love to which it is related. Necessity and Love, together with Fortune and Spirit, are the four principal lots of Valens.
Sources
Valens (2nd century) considered Necessity to be powerful enough to make a sign an “effective” sign of the chart (see Book IV, Ch. 11). Its importance is also highlighted by its inclusion in the chapter naming the places, of which the only lots are the 4 principal lots (Book II, Ch. 16). Similarly, when discussing profections, he specifically advised to also profect the 4 principal lots (Book IV, Ch. 11 & Ch. 25).
Firmicus Maternus (4th century) referred to the lot as the House of Necessity (Mathesis, Book VI, Ch. 32). However, Maternus says nothing of the meaning of the lot when introduced. Later, in Book VII, Ch. 24, Maternus reveals that it pertains to the fairness of sentencing in legal proceedings.
Rhetorius (7th century) discussed a Lot of Mercury or Necessity pertaining to war, anguish, hatred, and legal sentences (Ch. 47). However, like most of his lots, he didn’t formulate it, so it’s not clear which Necessity was referred to.
Meaning and Use
Necessity’s significations are most strongly connected to more negative associations of the 7th Place to challengers and open enemies, as well as to the 12th Place’s associations with enemies. It is also linked with Mercury. It pertains to how one deals with competitors, challengers, enemies, and other adversaries. When it is in a good state it shows a general state of prevailing in disputes and competitions, as well as fair treatment by the law. When it is in particularly bad state then it can show attack from enemies, condemnation, legal ruin, and unfair treatment by the authorities. Its associations with hatred, contentions, and legal troubles persisted in the late Middle Ages. While Love pertains to relationships we pursue, Necessity pertains to those relationships we have to deal with which we’d rather avoid.
Hellenistic Astrologers on the Lot of Necessity
As noted, Maternus only noted Necessity in relation to fair treatment in court cases. Valens briefly defined Necessity as pertaining to enemies, but best described it when discussing profections.
Necessity transmitting or receiving in operative signs, with benefics in conjunction or aspect, brings family ties, associations with the great, and the downfall or deaths of enemies. If malefics are in conjunction, it brings lawsuits, judgements, and expenses. As a result men fail in their goals and live miserably. If the configuration is afflicted, men are condemned or ruined. (Valens, Book IV, Ch. 25, Riley trans., p. 90)
Note on Basis
While I don’t consider it one of the most important lots to consider, it is worth noting that either Love or Necessity will also be the Lot of Basis. Namely, whichever of Love or Necessity is below the horizon, this lot will be Basis. Valens discussed a Lot of Basis which pertains to personal power and leadership skills. Basis is examined with Fortune and Spirit, and another lot, the Lot of Exaltation. When these lots and their rulers occupy each other’s places it indicates personal power and social mobility. In the late Middle Ages, Basis was identified as being identical to Love and said to pertain to the physical appearance.
Example
For an example of the use of Necessity in delineation and prediction, see my article on the four principal lots of Valens. In that article, I provided an example of Necessity in the chart of Bill Clinton.
Affliction: From Saturn to Mars
The Lot of Affliction is also called the Lot of Injury, Lot of Chronic Illness, Lot of Accusation, or Crisis-Producing Place. I call it the Lot of Affliction after a translation of Rhetorius (by Holden) as that name seems to best encapsulate the many malefic associations of the lot. Its use was moderately widespread in Hellenistic astrology. It is most closely associated with the themes of the malefics and the 6th and 12th Places.
The formula is from the malefic in sect to the one out of sect (i.e. Saturn to Mars, reversed by night), projected from the Ascendant. The movement from the sect malefic to the malefic out of sect evokes a sense of going from bad to worse. Its formula is consistent in Hellenistic astrology. Associations with physical injury persisted in the Middle Ages, and the lot was also used as a Lot of Enemies. However, some of its other associations became tied to a Lot of Origin and the Oppressive Place which were projected from Mercury rather than the Ascendant.
Sources
Dorotheus (1st century) called it the “Lot of Chronic Illness” and judged the area of the chronic illness by the sign occupied by the ruler of the lot (Book IV, Ch. 2, #11-12). Maternus (4th century) similarly used the lot for delineating and predicting physical ailments and defects (Book VI, Ch. 32). The same technique was also discussed by Hephaistion (5th century; Book II, Ch. 14) and Rhetorius (7th century; Ch. 14 & 61).
Valens (2nd century) considered Affliction to pertain to crises and dangers of many sorts (Book V, Ch. 1). His lot name may be translated as the Causal Lot, the Lot of Accusation, or the Crisis-Producing Place. In addition, to his Dorothean use of the lot for health, Rhetorius also followed Valens in a discussion of the “Lot of the House of Afflictions” (Ch. 129, Holden trans.). In that discussion, Rhetorius associated the lot with general peril and danger, including exile.
Meaning and Use
The Lot of Affliction pertains most strongly to the most dangerous and difficult of circumstances. Traditional astrologers typically would look to the malefics and the 6th and 12th Places to better understand difficulty and unpleasantness. Affliction is particularly important because it can indicate harsh circumstances which are not otherwise obvious. The sign, its ruler, and the influences on the sign can help us to understand particularly touchy areas in life as well as potential health problems. Malefics afflicting this house and/or its ruler can show significant dangers. Benefics associating with this house can show considerable capability in handling crises.
Hellenistic Astrologers on the Lot of Affliction
In relation to injury, Dorotheus provided a succinct approach which was elaborated upon by Maternus, Hephaistion, and Rhetorius.
There were men among the ancient scientists who calculated by day from Saturn to Mars and by night from Mars to Saturn, then they cast their number from the ascendent; wherever their counting reached or the number was used up, they saw what was the lord of that sign, then they said to what limb of the body this sign belonged, then they predicted that the chronic illness [would be] in such and such a limb of the body according to what was named fro that sign. Aries is the head, Taurus the neck, Gemini the two shoulders, Cancer the two hands and the chest, Leo the two sides and the heart, Virgo the belly and the tube of the back [spine], Libra the bladder which is between the two hips, Scorpio the male [organ] and the two testicles and the buttocks, Sagittarius the two thighs together, Capricorn the two knees, Aquarius the two shanks, [and] Pisces the two feet. (Dorotheus, Book IV, Ch. 1, #75-76, Pingree trans., p. 251)
Valens provided a good exposition of the associations of the lot with general danger.
With this having been established, it is necessary to prove by experience <the effectiveness of> still another place which I will demonstrate most abundantly: this is the Crisis-Producing Place, the place causative of terrors, dangers, and chains. Consequently this place is strong; for day births it is found by determining the distance from Saturn to Mars (for night births, from Mars to Saturn), then measuring the same distance from the Ascendant. It will be necessary to examine the location of this place to see if the sign of a malefic, or malefics themselves, are in conjunction or aspect. If they are, the nativities will be precarious, endangered, and easily destroyed. The nature of each star and sign will cause the particular type <of trouble>. Benefics in conjunction or aspect will cause a lessening of the evil or an escape from crises. (Vettius Valens, Anthologies, Book V, Ch. 1, Riley trans., 2010, p. 95)
Example
For examples of the use of Affliction in delineation and prediction, see my article on the Lot of Affliction. In that article, I provided examples involving Affliction in the charts of Jeffrey Dahmer, David Carradine, and an anonymous individual.
Mother: From Venus to Moon
The last five topics we will look at pertain to specific familial relationships. These are the lots of the Father, Mother, Siblings, Children, and Marriage. Many of these lots, especially those of the parents, were even more widespread than the lots of Love and Necessity in the Hellenistic period.
The Lot of the Mother is taken from Venus to the Moon (reversed by night), projected from the Ascendant. The lot is relatively uncontroversial across authors and is one of the most widespread lots after Fortune.
Sources
Dorotheus (1st century) introduced the Lot of the Mother in Book I, Ch. 15, after his discussion about the Lot of the Father. He didn’t state how it is used but the suggestion is that it is used like the Lot of the Father. Firmicus Maternus (4th century) did state that it is used exactly like that of the Father (Book VI, Ch. 32, #21-22). As both authors discussed the many uses of the Lot of the Father, they are the best sources for the use of both lots of the parents.
The Lot of the Mother has only a couple bit parts in the Anthology (Book II, Ch. 32 & 38). He used the same lot as other astrologers by day, but the text is corrupted concerning reversal.
Paulus Alexandrinus (4th century) defined the lot but said nothing about its use (Ch. 23). The lot is not discussed by Hephaistion (5th century) who instead relies heavily on the Moon for matters concerning the mother (Book II). Rhetorius did not define the lot but mentioned it in determining which parent will die first in the native’s life (Ch. 48).
Meaning and Use
As noted, our best sources for the use of the lots of the parents are Dorotheus and Maternus. Dorotheus looked at the condition and character of the parent by the the ruler of the lot. Placement of the ruler in the 6th, 8th, 3rd, or 12th was considered bad in this analysis. If the ruler of the lot was not regarding the lot or was opposed to the lot, then it was said to indicate that his assumed mother is not his real mother.
Maternus devoted the bulk of his chapter on the lots (Book VI, Ch. 32) on describing configurations involving the Lot of the Father. In the section on the Lot of the Mother, he noted that these indications apply to that lot in the same way. Maternus judged the wealth of the parent by the nature of the sign and whether benefic or malefic stars are in it or aspect it. The bulk of the section is devoted to examining the state of each possible house ruler of the lot. The character and status of the parent is tied to the nature of the ruler and its state.
Hellenistic Astrologers on the Lot of the Mother
Therefore you will collect this House with a degree method, looking for everything thus, just as we have said that you ought to search for it in the House of the Father, namely the aspects of the benefic and malefic stars, also the powers of the houses and signs, and also the mixtures and proper blending of the aspects. Which, when you have brought together everything with an even-handed comparison, you will be able to explain the House of the Mother with true opinions. (Maternus, Book VI, Ch. 32, #22, Holden trans., p. 392)
See the quotes in the next section on the Lot of the Father, as the lot is used in the same way as that for the father. Also, see the quote below from Valens on step-parents.
Valens on Step-Parents
Valens has an interesting passage on step-parents. He takes the point opposite the Lot of the Mother or Father as like a Lot of the Stepmother or Stepfather. The corresponding step-parent is indicated if the ruler of the parent lot is in opposition to the lot (i.e. in the house of the step-parent) or the ruler of the lot of the step-parent is in the lot of the parent.
Concerning a stepfather, take the point directly opposite the Lot. If the ruler of the Lot of the Father happens to be at the point in opposition or if the ruler of the point in opposition happens to be at the Lot, this indicates a stepfather. Likewise if the <ruler of> the Lot of the Mother is found in opposition and the ruler of the point in opposition to the Lot of the Mother is found at the Lot of the Mother, this will correspondingly indicate a stepmother. (Valens, Book II, Ch. 32, Riley trans., p. 44)
Example
Barack Obama (AA-rated birth time) was raised by his mother and grandparents, as well as a stepfather. His parents divorced when he was 2 and his dad moved back to Kenya at that time. His father visited him only once (when he was 10) and passed in a car accident when he was 21.
Obama’s Natal Chart with Parent Lots
The character of the parent is usually shown by the nature of the ruler. The Lot of the Mother is ruled by Jupiter in the 1st House, a benefic placed in a strong house. This accords well with his relationship with his mother and her status. The Lot of the Mother is ruled by Mercury in the 7th House, which also accords well with the father’s status as a student. Note that Jupiter and Mercury are in opposition suggesting tension between the mother and father. Note also that Mars is on the Lot of the Father in the 8th Place of death. The divorce at age 2 happened when Mars was activated as lord of the year by profection of the Ascendant to Aries (see the intro article on profections). The death of the father when Obama was age 21, also happened when Mars was activated as lord of the year, this time by profection of the Ascendant to Scorpio.
The Lot of the Stepfather is in early Pisces. While there is not the interchange that Valens spoke of between the ruler of Father and Stepfather, note that the Lot of the Stepfather is with that of the mother, and its ruler is also the 1st House Jupiter. His mother was married to his stepfather for a long time, 15 years, and his stepfather had a strong influence on his life. Of course, this is just scratching the surface.
Father: From Sun to Saturn
The Lot of the Father is typically from Sun to Saturn (reversed by night), projected from the Ascendant. This formula was used by Dorotheus, Valens, Paulus, and Firmicus Maternus. Note that this lot is identical to the Lot of Power, Kingdom, or Supremacy of the Middle Ages, indicating an association with eminence.
While this lot is very widespread and the formula is uncontroversial, there is a special case variant. Dorotheus and Paulus suggested one should use an alternative formula if Saturn is under the beams of the Sun (i.e. Saturn within 15° of the Sun). In such a case, one is to go from Mars to Jupiter, by both day and night (i.e. not reversed by night). Valens and Maternus did not mention this special case and its variant formula.
Sources
Dorotheus (1st century) introduced the Lot of the Father in Book I, Ch. 14. He described how it is used to judge the father’s character and condition. Firmicus Maternus (4th century) explored the lot in great detail in his chapter on the lots (Book VI, Ch. 32). As both authors discussed the many uses of the Lot of the Father, they are the best early sources for its use.
Valens (2nd century) does mention that some use an alternative formula which is from the Sun to Jupiter, projected from the Ascendant (Book II, Ch. 32). At one point he also suggested that by night one takes Venus to Moon instead of Sun to Saturn, though that appears to be a corruption given the significations of those planets. Overall, the lot has only a bit part in the Anthology (Book II, Ch. 32). See the above section on the Lot of the Mother for how Valens dealt with stepfathers.
Paulus Alexandrinus (4th century) introduced the lot but said nothing about its use (Ch. 23). The lot is not discussed by Hephaistion (5th century) who instead relies heavily on the Sun for matters concerning the father (Book II). Rhetorius (7th century) did not define the lot but mentioned it in determining which parent will die first in the native’s life (Ch. 48). Like Dorotheus and Valens, Rhetorius associate the lord of the lot in opposition to the lot as an indication that the father is not by blood (such as a stepfather).
Meaning and Use
As noted, our best sources for the use of the lots of the parents are Dorotheus and Maternus. Dorotheus looked at the condition and character of the parent by the the ruler of the lot. Placement of the ruler in the 6th, 8th, 3rd, or 12th was considered bad in this analysis. If the ruler of the lot was not regarding the lot or was opposed to the lot, then it was said to indicate that his assumed father is not his real father.
Maternus devoted the bulk of his chapter on the lots (Book VI, Ch. 32) to describing configurations involving the Lot of the Father. He noted that his procedure there (examining the aspects to the lot and state of its ruler) are applicable to all lots generally. Maternus judged the wealth of the father by the nature of the sign and whether benefic or malefic stars are in it or aspect it. The bulk of the section is devoted to examining the state of each possible house ruler of the lot. The character and status of the father is tied to the nature of the ruler and its state.
Hellenistic Astrologers on the Meaning of the Lot of the Father
[…] for if you found its lord in a good position, it indicates the good of his father, and the condition of the father is known according to its place […] (Dorotheus, Book I, Ch. 14, Dykes trans., p. 83)
For if there were benefic stars in that very sign, or if they aspected it with a fortunate aspect, the good fortune of the father is found. But if malefic stars did that same thing, proclaim to us [that] everything about the father is contrary. (Maternus, Book VI, Ch. 32, #4, Holden trans., p. 388)
Example
Marvin Gaye (birth time A-rated) was killed by his father. The chart is interesting in that Saturn is under the beams of the Sun, so it invokes the need to use the alternative lot from Mars to Jupiter (name cut off but it is at 8°47′ in the chart below). I have written about Marvin Gaye’s death and the predictive indicators that accompanied it in a previous article. I will just briefly touch on the lot here and suggest reading the article to come to your own conclusions about how the lot may have also figured into that timing.
Marvin Gaye’s Natal Chart with Parent Lots
I have left in the typical Lot of the Father (in early Leo) for reference, but it should be ignored in this case. We are looking a the Lot of the Father from early Libra (the Combust one). The lot is afflicted by both malefics (square from Mars, opposed by Saturn) while both benefics are in aversion to it. The lot is also very closely opposed to Marvin Gaye’s Sun, the significator of his life and vitality. His death by the hand of his father occurred right on a New Moon solar return opposed to that lot and conjunct Saturn (lord of the 8th of death) with a profection that activated the planets in the 10th and Mars as lord of the year.
Siblings: From Saturn to Jupiter (not reversed)
The Lot of Siblings is also sometimes translated as the Lot of Brothers, but it pertains to both genders. Its formula is more controversial than those of the other lots we have looked at so far. This is because Valens and Maternus both reversed the formula by night, but Paulus explicitly advised not to reverse it. Dorotheus did not mention if the lot was reversed or not.
Between Paulus and Valens, I would normally take Valens as the more reliable source. However, Valens appeared to have only a passing familiarity with the lot, and Medieval authors citing Hermes as the source noted that it should not be reversed. Additionally, the lot is the inverse of the Lot of Children so if one should be reversed than the other should as well. Valens and Maternus did not use the Dorothean Lot of Children, and Dorotheus did not note whether it should be reversed. Paulus stated that the Lot of Children is not reversed, so I assume neither lot should be reversed.
There is a second lot of Siblings used by Dorotheus (from Mercury to Jupiter) which doesn’t appear to have been as widespread.
Sources
Dorotheus (1st century) introduced the lot to judge the number of siblings and the benefit or harm associated with them (Book I, Ch. 21 Dykes trans., Ch. 19 Pingree trans.). Dorotheus also used a second Lot of Siblings which is from Mercury to Jupiter, reversed by night (Book I, Ch. 23 Dykes trans., Ch. 21 Pingree trans.).
Valens (2nd century) briefly mentioned that some astrologers use the lot and they reverse it by night (Book II, Ch. 4). Firmicus Maternus (4th century) also reversed the lot by night but explored its delineation in more depth (Book VI, Ch. 32, #23-26).
Paulus Alexandrinus (4th century) stated the Dorothean formula for the lot but stated that it should not be reversed and said nothing about its use (Ch. 23). Hephaistion (5th century) mentioned a Lot of Siblings but did not define it (Book II, Ch. 6). Rhetorius (7th century) did not define the lot but in the example he used it can be inferred that the formula is the usual one by day (Saturn to Jupiter).
Meaning and Use
Dorotheus seemed to chiefly consider the planets in and regarding the Lot of Siblings. My impression is that a sterile sign (traditionally Leo, Virgo, or Capricorn) is indicative of a lack of siblings, while water signs are indicative of many siblings. The benefit or harm associated with the siblings comes from the regards of the benefics and malefics. The lord of the lot does not appear to be emphasized in relation to these delineations. The second Lot of Siblings is also used by Dorotheus for determining the number of siblings, as well as for finding their gender and the good associated with them from aspecting planets.
Firmicus Maternus reversed the formula by night. He similarly looked at planets in or aspecting the lot. For him benefics signified many siblings and good from them, while malefics signified the contrary. Masculine benefics confer male siblings while feminine ones confer female ones. If both benefics and malefics aspect the lot in an equally powerful way then Maternus suggests there will be siblings which will be lost.
Hellenistic Astrologers on the Meaning of the Lot of Siblings
If you find a planet in it or aspecting it, then from this the matter of brothers will be made clear to you. If the lot happens to be in a sterile sign, then there is no good in his brothers (sterile are Leo, Virgo, Capricorn, and Aquarius, while great in number are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces because some of them are signs of water and the rest of them keep the middle). (Dorotheus, Book I, Ch. 19, Pingree trans., p. 11)
If you wish to know what of love and other than that there is between him [the native] and his brothers, then look from the lord of the lot of brothers. If its lord aspects it from trine, it indicates love between them, and if it aspects from quartile, it indicates a medium amount of that love. If you find it in opposition to the lot, then it is an indicator of enmity and separation. If it [the lord] does not aspect it [the lot], it indicates the estrangement of one of them from the other. (Dorotheus, Book I, Ch. 20, Pingree trans., p. 11)
For if benefic stars are either found in that same sign, or if they are posited in fortunate houses of the nativity and in those signs in which they rejoice, or win which they are exalted , or in their own domiciles, they denote a group of many and good brothers. But if malefic stars do that same thing, devoid of the testimonies of benefic stars, they do the contrary. (Maternus, Book VI, Ch. 32, #25, Holden trans., p. 392)
And if the Lot of Brothers chances to be in those signs {water signs}, it gives, many brothers; but if the Lot chances to be in a sterile sign (that is, in Leo or Gemini or Sagittarius or Capricorn), it will make a scarcity of brothers, but in the rest [of the signs] a moderate number. And if the benefics aspect the Lot, they bestow life, but if the malefics aspect it, they bestow death. (Rhetorius, Ch. 108, Holden trans., p. 155, {} bracketed entry is mine).
Example
My mother (PA – birth time from certificate) is the oldest of 8 kids. She had 2 sisters and 5 brothers. Her closest sister in age died in a car accident in her twenties. She has had a relatively good relationship with her siblings but there have been clashes with her other sister and one of her brothers has struggled with mental illness.
PA’s Birth Chart with Lot of Siblings
The Lot of Siblings is in a water sign, which is indicative of many siblings. 4 planets aspect the lot and two of those are in the 3rd Place, which also pertains to siblings. Both benefics are in aversion to the lot while both malefics dominate it. We clearly see that the number of siblings is not determined by how well the benefics vs. malefics are configured to the lot. The fact that the ruler of the lot is with Saturn (ruler of the 8th), and Saturn dominates the lot (right side square) is consistent with the death of the oldest sister. It is worth noting that the twelfth-part of Jupiter is on the lot, which may be another indication of the multitude of siblings.
Children: From Jupiter to Saturn (not reversed) + Additional Variants
There are multiple variants of the Lot of Children. The most popular Lot of Children is that of Dorotheus which is from Jupiter to Saturn and is not reversed by night. Dorotheus does not mention a reversal. Paulus Alexandrinus insisted the lot is not reversed. The lot was not used by Valens or Maternus (both used different lots) so it is assumed that Paulus is correct. Therefore, I would not reverse the lot by night. However, this is controversial as many Medieval astrologers (including al-Qabisi and Abu Ma’shar) did explicitly reverse the lot by night.
Valens used two different lots, one for sons and one for daughters. I believe both should be considered. The Lot of Sons is from Jupiter to Mercury (not reversed). The Lot of Daughters if from Jupiter to Venus (not reversed). Maternus had a variant in which it appears that the shortest distance between Venus and Mercury was used. I won’t be considering the Maternus lot.
Sources
Dorotheus (1st century) introduced the lot but did not specify whether it should be reversed by night or not. It is assumed that it should not be reversed, following Paulus.
As noted, Valens (2nd century) used two different lots, one for sons and one for daughters.
Paulus Alexandrinus (4th century) stated the Dorothean formula for the lot but said nothing about its use (Ch. 23). Hephaistion (5th century) mentioned a Lot of Children and did not define it but did provide some pointers to its use (Book II, Ch. 22). Rhetorius (7th century) also didn’t define the lot but provided some pointers to its use (Ch. 48).
Meaning and Use
Dorotheus (Book II, Ch. 10) used the number of signs between the Lot of Children and its ruler to indicate the number of children. Malefic planets between them indicate bad things for the child. Generally planets in the stakes of the lot (except Saturn on the lot) indicate children. The Sun and Moon in stakes increase male or female children respectively. If no planet is in or regarding the lot then it indicates that the first child dies before birth or shortly after. The place of the lot is generally indicative of the good or bad from children (6th and 12th are worst). The sign type is important for number of children also (see quote below).
The approach of Valens (Book II, Ch. 39) to his Lot of Sons and Lot of Daughters is different than the approach of Dorotheus. Valens emphasizes the ruler of each lot and the aspects to that ruler (rather than to the lot itself). Benefic aspects to the ruler indicate children while malefics ones do not or may even indicate their loss.
Hephaistion (Book II, Ch. 22) noted that it is better if the lot is in a good place. In the 6th or 12th Place it is said to indicate a lack of children or hardship due to children. A lack of planets in the lot can also be indicative of a lack of children. Conversely, if the lot does indicate children then the sex of the sign may be indicative of the sex of one or more of the children.
Hellenistic Astrologers on the Meaning of the Lot of Children
If the lot happens to be in a sign of few children, then it indicates a small number of children. If Saturn is with it, then it indicates that he will be sterile or will have few children or will be grieved with an intense grief on account of [his] children.
Jupiter and Mercury indicate children if they are in good places, but deny [it] if they are in the sterile signs, which are Gemini, Leo, Virgo, Capricorn, the beginning of Taurus, the middle of Libra, Aries, and Sagittarius. As for Aquarius and what is like this, it abounds in children, but Scorpio abounds in children and in deaths for them. (Dorotheus, Book II, Ch. 10, Pingree trans., p. 29)
Therefore, it is necessary to examine the houseruler of this Lot of Children, which is found as follows: for male nativities, this Lot is found by determining the distance from Jupiter to Mercury (for female, from Jupiter to Venus), then counting this distance from the Ascendant. If the ruler of the Lot of Children has malefics in aspect, it destroys children; if it has the Givers of Children in aspect, it is indicative of fine offspring. (Valens, Book II, Ch. 39, Riley trans., p. 54)
The gives of children referred to by Valens are Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury when unafflicted (according to Petosiris per Valens).
If the Lot of Children falls in a domicile of Saturn and a malefic aspects the lot, it destroys the first-born [children]; and if the Lot of Children falls in [either of the] domiciles of Mars and a malefic aspects the lot, it destroys the middle-born; but if the Lot of Children fall in [either of the] domiciles of Mercury, and a malefic is in aspect, it destroys the youngest-born. (Rhetorius, Ch. 48, Holden trans., p. 27)
Example
Adrienne Barbeau (AA-rated birth time) is an American actress, singer, and author. She was married to filmmaker John Carpenter in the early ’80’s with whom she had a son. She re-married, to Billy Van Zandt, later in life (at age 47) and gave birth to twin boys at age 51. I have included the Lots of Children from Dorotheus and Valens. I have also included the female marriage lots for those interested.
Adrienne Barbeau’s Birth Chart with Child and Marriage Lots
The Dorothean lot is complicated. It is in a water sign (Cancer) and in a good place (11th), while the ruler (the Moon) is in the lot, all of which is indicative of many children. However, Saturn is also there, indicative of lack of children. In this case, Saturn is suggestive of the advanced age of Barbeau at the time of the birth of her twins.
The lot and its ruler are in a feminine sign, and the Moon being feminine in the place is suggestive of daughters rather than sons. However, we know that is not the case. The Valens Lot of Sons is much more prominent than the Lot of Daughters though. Interestingly, the Lot of Sons is in the sign of the twins (Gemini) and conjunct Mercury. Therefore, the symbolism of twin sons is very clear from the Valens lot.
Marriage: Saturn to Venus for Men, Venus to Saturn for Women (not reversed) + Many Variants
Now we come to the least certain lot. There are many variants to the Lot of Marriage. Dorotheus provided five different lots related to marriage. The most important of those is from Saturn to Venus for male marriage (Lot of the Wife) and Venus to Saturn for female marriages (Lot of the Husband), neither of which are supposed to be reversed by night. These are the lots which were also used by Paulus Alexandrinus. These lots continued to be popular for marriage delineation through the Middle Age.
Valens provided three totally different marriage lots. His general Lot of Marriage is from Jupiter to Venus (reversed by night). His Marriage-Bringer Lot for men (Lot of the Wife) is from the Sun to Venus. His Marriage-Bringer Lot for women (Lot of the Husband) is from the Moon to Mars. Presumably, these marriage-bringer lots are not to be reversed by night. The marriage-bringer lots of Valens continued to be popular marriage lots through the Middle Ages.
Sources
Dorotheus (1st century) introduced his lots of marriage which I term the Lot of the Wife and the Lot of the Husband (Book II, Ch. 2-3). He also used a Lot of Pleasure and Wedding which is from Venus to the degree of the sign of the seventh, and is not reversed (Book II, Ch. 5). An additional Lot of Wedding is introduced as well which is from the Sun to the Moon but projected from Venus (for women) or Mars (for men), and is not reversed by night (Book II, Ch. 6).
Valens (2nd century) introduced his various marriage lots in a thorough discussion of all things related to marriage delineation (Book II, Ch. 38).
Maternus (4th century) also used Saturn to Venus for the male Lot of Marriage by day, but reversed it by night. He used a different lot for female marriage (from Mars to Venus, reversed by night). The reversal of the Lot of Marriage for men and the unique formula for the female lot of marriage appear to only be found in Maternus (Book VI, Ch. 32, #27-32). Maternus also mentioned a Lot of Marriage from the Sun the Moon from the Ascendant by day or night (Book VI, Ch. 32, #28)
Paulus Alexandrinus (4th century) stated the Dorothean formula for the lot but said nothing about its use (Ch. 23). Hephaistion (5th century) mentioned marriage lots at the very end of his treatment of marriage delineation but did not define any (Book II, Ch. 21). It really is not clear if Hephaistion was referring to “lots” at all. He may have been referring to positions relevant to marriage that were previously discussed. Rhetorius (7th century) did not define the lot so it is not clear which one he used (most likely Dorothean). However, he provided numerous indications concerning the placement and configurations of the lot in Ch. 48 (see p. 28 of Holden trans.; also see Ch. 66-67).
Meaning and Use
The use of all the many marriage lots is beyond the scope of this article. Such a discussion could probably fill a book of its own. The most influential sets of lots are the pair noted by Dorotheus and Paulus (Saturn to Venus; Venus to Saturn) and the pair noted by Valens (Sun to Venus; Moon to Mars). Let’s look at some of the ways that Dorotheus and Valens used these lots.
Dorotheus used Saturn to Venus for male marriage (i.e. wife) and Venus to Saturn for female marriage (i.e. husband) – neither is reversed by night. A planet in the lot or the stake of the lot is an indicator of marriage. If the indicator is in the 6th or 12th or a malefic is in a stake of the lot then there will be grief associated with the marriage. Mars in the stake of the woman’s lot (husband lot) indicates a woman who marries many times or sleeps around with men. The ruler of the lot is indicative of the character and condition of the marriage partner.
Valens used Sun to Venus for the male Marriage-Bringer Lot (i.e. wife) and Moon to Mars for female Marriage-Bringer Lot (i.e. husband) – neither is reversed by night. Interestingly, Valens puts a lot of stock into weather the male Marriage-Bringer is in harmony with his Lot of Spirit and the female Marriage-Bringer is in harmony with her Lot of Fortune. The nature of the rulers of the two lots and their relationship to each other figure heavily in his approach to marriage. Many stars in or in aspect to the lot show many marriages. The aspects of the planets to the lot also describe the nature of the marriage. The delineations are very complex for Valens, involving numerous related factors, so I recommend a study of his Book II, Chapter 38.
Hellenistic Astrologers on the Meaning of the Lot of Marriage
Look at the place (which I shall tell you) of the lot of wedding. Count from the degrees of Saturn to Venus and add to it the degrees of the ascendent [by day] or subtract it thirty at a time from the ascendent [by night]; wherever it reaches, then there is the lot of wedding. If you find any of those planets in this place or in quartile to it [the lot], then this is the indicator of the wedding. Look: perhaps then a malefic or a cardine of the lot is in the sixth or the twelfth so that this happens to be in a sign full of grief [and] scanty in benefit.(Dorotheus, Book II, Ch. 2, Pingree trans., p. 24)
For men the Place of Marriage should accord with Daimon; for women it should accord with the Lot of Fortune, because of the conjoining and uniting of the sun and moon. <If the Places do accord with the Lots>, the marriage will be judged harmonious and legitimate. If many stars are in conjunction or in aspect with the Marriage-bringer, there will be many marriages. (Valens, Book II, Ch. 38, Riley trans., p. 52)
The Lot of Adultery in Valens
As with his treatment of step-parents, Valens derives an additional lot by the point opposite to one of his marriage lots. His marriage lot from Jupiter to Venus has the Lot of Adultery as its point of opposition. The ruler of the Marriage Lot in the Adultery Lot and vice-versa are indications the native is an adulterer.
Calculate the Marriage Lot as follows: for day births, determine the distance from Jupiter to Venus (for night births, from Venus to Jupiter), then count this distance from the Ascendant. The point in opposition to this Lot is indicative of Adultery. If the ruler of the Marriage Lot is found in opposition, and if the ruler of the Lot of Adultery is in the Marriage Lot, the native will constantly commit adultery, then be reconciled, then having reconciled, be separated, then again rejoin his mate in the course of his adulteries. If the ruler of the Marriage Lot is at morning rising, the native will marry at an early age; if it is at evening rising, he will marry late. If the ruler is operative while setting, the native will have a jealous or an illegal marriage. The ruler of Marriage causes the first marriage, the benefics in harmony with the Marriage-bringer or its ruler also cause marriages, especially if the signs of the stars in aspect or of the Marriage-bringer itself are bicorporeal. (Valens, Book II, Ch. 38, Riley trans., p. 52)
Example
The delineation of marriage is complex, especially given the great number of marriage lots available. The Lot of Love is also very important in relationship matters. For general relationship considers it is often more important than the marriage lots.
I leave you with the chart of Elizabeth Taylor (AA-rated birth time) who was famously married 8 times to 7 husbands. The female lots noted by Dorotheus and Valens are shown. Your task is to think about how indications from these lots, Venus, and the 7th house pertain to the number of marriages. Read a bio of Taylor online to better understand the circumstances of different marriages. If you are familiar with predictive techniques, try applying them with consideration of the lots. You can report on your findings in the comments.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Birth Chart with Marriage Lots
Going Further
I suggest that one starts with just the lots noted in this article. Work through charts you are familiar with and look at each lot in turn. Don’t just take things that ancient astrologers said about the lots for granted. Think critically and you can learn to make the most of these lots. When you are ready to explore additional lots, I have some recommendations for doing this.
Exploring the Literature
In the “Sources” section for each lot I have noted the sections of Hellenistic texts which comment on each lot. You can refer to these sections for more ideas. When a lot is used throughout a text you have your work cut out for you in tracking down more information.
All of the lots discussed by Dorotheus are important ones. The new English translation of Carmen by Ben Dykes includes a table of the lots used in the work, as well as a convenient index. Some of the books of the Pingree translation have also been made available online, as I discussed in my article on free texts. Dykes also has a nearly 3 hour lots lecture available for purchase in which he discusses lots with examples involving 6 of them.
Vettius Valens was also particularly influential in his use of lots. You can download a free copy of the only full English translation of his text. As it is a PDF, you are free to use CTRL+F to search for mentions of lots within the text. Maternus largely followed Dorotheus and Valens in his use of the lots. Book VI, Ch. 32 of the Mathesis is particularly important on account of the numerous lots (called part or house) discussed. An English translation of the Mathesis in PDF is also available for free online.
Getting Medieval
For those looking for a more comprehensive late Medieval accounting of the lots, I recommend Introduction to Traditional Astrology, a compilation of translations by Ben Dykes. The work brings together introductory material by 9th and 10th century Perso-Arabic astrologers Abu Ma’shar and al-Qabisi. Book VI is dedicated to the lots and provides descriptions of over 6 dozen lots used by these two notable astrologers. As of this writing a Kindle edition is also available and that edition is free to read for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. This text is not just a great reference for the lots, but is all around the most indispensable reference on Medieval astrology in all its aspects.
References
Dorotheus of Sidon, & al-Tabari, U. (2017). Carmen Astrologicum: The ’Umar al-Tabari Translation. (B. N. Dykes, Trans.). Minneapolis, Minn.,: The Cazimi Press.
Dorotheus of Sidon. (2005). Carmen Astrologicum. (D. Pingree, Trans.). Abingdon, MD: Astrology Center of America.
Manilius, M. (1977). Astronomica. (G. P. Goold, Trans.). Cambridge, MA: Loeb Classical Library.
Maternus, J. F. (1972). Mathesis: A fourth-century astrological treatise. (J. R. Bram, Trans.). NY, NY: New York University.
Maternus, J. F. (2011). Mathesis. (J. H. Holden, Trans.). American Federation of Astrologers.
Paulus Alexandrinus & Olympiodorus. (2001). Late Classical Astrology: Paulus Alexandrinus and Olypiodorus. (D. G. Greenbaum, Trans.). Reston, VA: Arhat.
Porphyry, & Serapio. (2009). Porphyry the Philosopher. (J. H. Holden, Trans.). Tempe, AZ: American Federation of Astrologers.
Featured image is cropped from image of a box of game pieces of the Ancient Egyptian game Senet at the King Tut Exhibit at Seattle’s Pacific Science Center (2012) by Dave Nakayama from Palo Alto, USA (King Tut’s Toys) [CC BY 2.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons
The image of the painting Le Giocatrici di Astràgali by Antonio Canova (1799) is in the public domain.
The image of various dice and game pieces from the Museo de Albacete, Spain by Enrique Íñiguez Rodríguez (Qoan) [CC BY-SA 4.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons
I was about halfway through an article on the death of Donna Summer when my friend Ile Spasev brought Marvin Gaye to my attention. The timing of Gaye’s 1984 death at the hands of his father is absolutely fascinating. In reiterates the importance of planetary years, solar returns, profections, and transits.
One of the most interesting things about Gaye’s death is that it occurred on the exact day of his 45th solar return! It was also the day of a New Moon (conjunction of the Sun and Moon). It occurred the day before his calendar birthday. However, in astrological terms, it occurred on his true astronomical birthday (solar return). He was actually killed just a few hours after the exact return of the Sun to its position at his birth.
Marvin Gaye’s Natal Chart
Marvin was born on 4/2/1939 at 11:58 am in Washington D.C. (Rodden-rated A birth info). According to news releases he was pronounced dead on the afternoon of 4/1/1984 at 1:01 pm in L.A., California. His death followed his attempt to intervene between his mother and father, who were on the second day of intense bouts of argumentation. After Gaye pushed his father things took a turn for the worst. Gaye’s own father, in the heat of anger, ended up shooting him, which proved lethal.
His birth chart is shown below with the twelfth-part positions depicted along the outer wheel.
Marvin Gaye Natal Chart w/twelfth-parts
The Father in the Chart
In ancient astrology, Saturn, the Sun, and the 4th place (Valens adds the 9th place) are particularly relevant for the father. In Gaye’s chart, the Sun in the bound of Venus in the 10th is more pertinent to his fame and honors than his father. The Sun naturally signifies honors as does the 10th place, and the Sun adhering (applying conjunction within 3 degrees) to Mercury (vocal) and in the bound of Venus (arts) has particular relevance to his singing fame. The Sun additionally has no rulership over the 4th, so it provides less testimony over the house of the father, family, origins, and property. Still, the Sun is one significator of the father in the chart. The fact that Marvin’s death at the hands of his father occurred on the day of a solar return speaks to this.
Saturn is another natural significator of fathers. Like the Sun, it is in the 10th (a “stake” of the 4th). However, Saturn rules the 4th house of fathers by exaltation and triplicity (first triplicity lord of air by day). Saturn not only naturally signifies fathers but also accidentally strongly connects with the house of the father in the chart. Therefore, Saturn is considered to give the strongest testimony regarding matters concerning the father.
The Lot of the Father
The houses are not the only way that a planet comes to accidentally signify a topic. The lots also assign topics to places. Planets on or ruling a relevant lot also become significant for that topic of that lot. As I explained in my lesson on the lots, the typical formula for the Lot of the Father by day is to take the arc from the Sun to Saturn and project it from the Ascendant. This would yield a lot in early Leo. However, Dorotheus (1st century CE) and Paulus (4th century CE) both advised to use an alternate lot when Saturn is under the beams of the Sun, as it is here. The alternate lot is calculated from Mars to Jupiter, projected from the Ascendant.
Gaye’s Lot of the Father (by the Dorothean alternate formula) is at 8° Libra, the very same degree as his IC, in the 4th house. This again argues for the significance of Saturn which both strongly aspects the place, has multiple forms of rulership there, and naturally signifies the father. The antiscia of Jupiter at 8 Libra, the same degree as the lot and IC, connects the father with religion (minister).
Marvin Gaye’s Natal Chart with the Lot of the Father at 8*47′ Libra
Saturn
Saturn does a good job of describing the father (and also the death itself). It is in a cardinal sign, known for initiating major changes through abrupt action. Saturn is also in a sign and bound of Mars, the planet of violence. Additionally, it is dominated by Mars (right side square). Furthermore, the twelfth-part of Saturn is in Scorpio, the other house of Mars. Therefore, the influence of Mars over Saturn is reinforced in multiple ways. Domination gives Mars substantial influence over Saturn, symbolic of a father becoming dominated by rage and violence. Saturn is also in the sign of its fall. Fall can show a type of weakness, though Saturn takes about 2 1/2 years to traverse a sign, so it is not particularly noteworthy.
Saturn afflicts Mercury, the Sun, MC, and the twelfth-parts of the Ascendant and Venus, as all are in Aries with Saturn. The vulnerability of these significators to Saturn, through their shared habitation of Aries, pertain to argumentation (Mercury), publicity (Sun), career (MC), self/body (Asc), and music and mother (Venus). Saturn’s close aspect with Mercury, both of them under the beams, may relate to the father’s strange contradictions. He was a minister who was an alcoholic, physically abusive, and a cross-dresser at home. While Marvin did not get along with his father, his own drug use and paranoia near the end of his life was seen to be turning him into his father in the eyes of some observers (twelfth-part of Asc conj. Saturn).
Marvin Gaye Natal Chart w/twelfth-parts
Death and the Father
Saturn is the planet with the greatest testimony over the place of death in the chart, the 8th house, Aquarius. This is because Saturn rules the sign, has triplicity there (1st triplicity lord of air), regards the place, and is a natural significator of death. Therefore, Saturn’s testimony with regards to death is very strong in his chart.
The Sun also has some lesser testimony over both the father and death. I discussed how the Sun is a natural significator of the father and is in a stake of the 4th. The Sun also rules and has its twelfth-part in Leo which is the 8th house from Fortune (Capricorn). The 8th place from Fortune was considered the main “place of death” by Vettius Valens. Leo also happens to be the position of the other Lot of the Father (Sun to Saturn, from Asc). Therefore, there are repeat connections between the father and death in Gaye’s chart.
Finally, there is the Hellenistic Lot of Death which is taken from the degree of the Moon to the start of the 8th sign, and projected from Saturn. There is a distance of 127°48′ from the Moon to Aquarius. Projecting this from Saturn in Aries bring us to 27° Leo for the Lot of Death. As noted, Leo is also the 8th from Fortune, the position of a traditional Lot of the Father, and the position of the twelfth-part Sun. Therefore, we see yet another repeated connection between the father and death.
Mars in the 7th House
Mars is the out of sect malefic in the chart and is in the 7th house, the alternative house of death. The 7th house was not only associated with death in early Hellenistic astrology but its opposition to the Ascendant was viewed with suspicion by Dorotheus and Valens. The fact that a planet there opposes the Ascendant (significator of the self) is indicative of the possibility of harm against the native. Mars is out of sect in the 7th and has its twelfth-part conjunct Jupiter and opposed to the Moon, two of hte significators of the self in the chart. Therefore, it signifies the potential for bodily violence.
Marvin Gaye Natal Chart w/twelfth-parts
Beyond the Sun, Saturn, and Mars
Both Venus and the Moon give testimony regarding the mother, even though neither of them regard the 4th house of family. Venus does so because she rules the 4th and is a feminine natural significator of mothers. The Moon does so because she is also a natural significator of mothers and is in the 3rd house, her joy, another place of the mother (per Valens).
The Moon and Jupiter provide some of the strongest testimony in terms of Gaye himself and his temperament, as they both regard the 1st and have a lot of lordship over the actual Ascendant.
Planetary Years
I discussed the use of planetary years for prediction in a past article. Planetary years are a valuable technique for timing the activation of key events concerning notable configurations in a chart.
Marvin’s death occurred on his 45th solar return. Very rarely do planetary years culminate at such an exact point. Fascinatingly, 45 is the activation of Saturn-Mars relationships in the natal chart. Saturn has 30 planetary years, and Mars 15, yielding 45.
This signifies a very major event as it activates three important Saturn-Mars configurations in his chart: the Mars-Saturn square with Mars dominating; Saturn in Aries (domicile of Mars); and Mars in Capricorn (domicile of Saturn). Thus planetary years show a strong activation linking the father, violence, and death.
Planetary Days
According to the technique of planetary days discussed by Julius Firmicus Maternus (4th century CE), the ruler of the year rules the first set of days in the year. Therefore, Mars was the planet in charge of signifying both the plan for the year and the days at the time of death.
As the death happened just after the 45th year solar return, the annual profection of the Ascendant moved to the 10th place of the chart. Therefore, Aries was the sign of the annual profection at the time of death. The profection was highlighting the planets in the 10th place, including Saturn, Mercury, and the Sun. Mars, the ruler of Aries, was the lord of the year. In other words, the annual profection put the focus squarely on Saturn in Aries, ruled by and dominated by Mars.
Solar Return and Transits
I have been meaning to expand on my series on solar returns, which I started here. For now, it suffices to look at the solar return as a set of transits to the natal chart. I depict the solar return along the outside of the natal chart below. In addition, I have posted the natal chart with twelfth-parts as there are fascinating connections between the return on the day Gaye died and the natal twelfth-parts.
Outer positions are from Gaye’s Final Solar Return which is on the day he died
First, it is noteworthy that the return, and death, occurred on the day of a New Moon in Aries. This is a further activation of the sign Aries and its occupants, including Saturn, and its ruler Mars. At the time Gaye was pronounced dead, the transiting Moon was at 16 Aries adhering to Gaye’s Saturn.
Second, as Mars is lord of the year and of days, the position of Mars in the return is of pivotal importance. In the return Mars is in Scorpio, one of his own domiciles. Return Mars is with return Saturn and in Saturn’s bound, again echoing the Mars-Saturn significations. Additionally, Mars is at 28 Scorpio, conjunct the twelfth-part of natal Saturn in the very same degree! The twelfth-part of return Mars was itself at 9 Libra, opposing Gaye’s Sun, and conjunct his Lot of the Father and IC (both at 8 Libra).
Marvin Gaye Natal Chart w/twelfth-parts
Venus and the Moon
In addition to Mars transiting right over the natal twelfth-part of Saturn (at 28 Scorpio), the twelfth-part of transiting Venus was also at 27-28 Scorpio. I take this Venus transit to represent the connection with the mother, who Gaye was arguing on behalf of at the time of the incident.
Transiting Venus itself was at 22 Pisces with Gaye’s Jupiter, symbolic of himself. This position is also opposed to his Moon, connecting to both himself and his mother. Fascinatingly, this is also the position of Gaye’s natal twelfth-part of Mars. Therefore, there is the symbolism of himself and his mother mix and come into contact with the father’s rage and violence (Mars).
Primary Directions
It is also worth noting important primary directions around the time of death, as I did for the death of Whitney Houston.
Distributor
Marvin Gaye’s Distributors of the Ascendant and Sect Light
First, we look at the distributors. Amazingly, both the Ascendant and the Sect Light (the Sun) were directing through the bounds of Mars. Mars, the out of sect malefic, set the tone as the many time lord during the period in which the death took place.
Aspectual Primary Directions
The aspectual directions are not as striking to me as some of the indicators, but there are a few relevant ones. One of the more interesting directions occurring within 6 months of his death is that of the star Algol (associated with death and violence) directing to Gaye’s MC.
Algol Directed to Gaye’s Natal MC
Additionally, less than 4 months before his death there was a direction of Mars to Jupiter. This is relevant as Jupiter is one of the important significators for Gaye himself in the chart. Jupiter rules the bound of Asc and exalted in the sign of Asc. The relevance of the placement of twelfth-part Mars on Jupiter and opposed to the Moon in the natal chart is echoed. I discussed how the transit of Venus at death over this position also pertained to the importance of the mother in the situation. Gaye was intervening on his mother’s behalf.
Mars Directed to Jupiter
Conclusion
Death is not a pleasant topic to analyze. However, it is one of the most definitive events in every individual’s life. Therefore, it should be one of the most stand-out events from an astrological perspective. When we see that there is a higher intelligence at work in this universe it forces us to rethink the nature of life and reality. Perhaps our analysis will bring us closer to accurately spotting death, enabling us to even avert death for a time. Or maybe Urania will simply whisper indications a bit more quietly when we forsake her secrets. In any case, even in hindsight, looking back on the pertinence of the symbolism when using the ancient techniques is always thought-provoking and humbling.
Featured image is in the public domain.
Updates
02/11 to 2/13/2019: Thorough edit, plus additional information regarding Mars and the Lot of the Father, as well as some notes about Gaye’s dad and more.
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