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Astrological Predictive Techniques | Returns | 1. Hellenistic Basics

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Returns: What Are They?

A return, also called a revolution, is the arrival of a transiting planet to the same position it held at the time of one’s birth.  The solar return, or return of the Sun, occurs approximately at a person’s birthday. It was regarded as a very important event in Hellenistic astrology, the original form of horoscopic astrology. The solar return provides indications of the major events for the year. Similarly, the Moon’s return, or lunar return, can be used for indications regarding the month.

I have personally come to regard solar returns to be one of the most informative and indispensable predictive techniques. In this series of articles, we will start with some Hellenistic basics of return interpretation. Future article may add additional ways of interpreting returns as given by later Hellenistic and medieval astrologers.

The Solar Return as a Set of Transits to the Natal Chart

For the most part, in early Hellenistic astrology, solar returns were not regarded as separate charts in their own right. Rather they were viewed in terms of transits to the natal chart. That is the approach of Dorotheus (1st century CE). In this post, I address Dorotheus-style returns, in which we examine returns as a series of transits about the natal chart. The rules for interpreting returns in Dorotheus do not rely heavily upon exact timing of the return. Therefore, questions of precession and relocation of the return chart are largely irrelevant.  To find the transits of the return, we look to “…when the Sun enters the beginning of the minute in which it was on the day of the native’s nativity” (Dorotheus, Book IV, Ch. 1, #4, Pingree trans., 2005, p. 245).

Dorotheus on Returns

Dorotheus of Sidon gave some guidelines and aphorisms for the interpretation of transits “on the day on which that native was born” and “in the turning of the years”. These guidelines can be found in Book IV of his Carmen Astrologicum (#185-233 of Pingree trans.; Ch. 4 of Dykes trans.). His approach focuses on planetary transits into specific natal houses, such as those occupied by certain natal planets.

For a complete understanding of the guidelines given by Dorotheus, I urge the reader to pick up a copy of his work (click image below for best translation). It is essential reading in Hellenistic astrology, and one of the most influential astrological works of all time. Later Persian and European medieval astrology owes a great debt to Dorotheus.

Dorothean Return Guidelines

For the reader’s convenience, I summarize some of his guidelines below. Generally, there are many guidelines that relate to the bad indicated when a return malefic is with, opposed, or square itself or an important natal position. By contrast, there are many good indications pertaining to when a return benefic is with or trine itself or an important natal position. There is even good pertaining to a return benefic dominating (right side square) a natal malefic (see below).

1st Rule: Return Oppositions to Natal Positions Show Difficulties

These are whole sign oppositions of a planet to itself. For instance, if Mars were in Capricorn in the natal chart but in Cancer on the solar return. Note that this configuration is impossible with the return Sun, Mercury, or Venus (except in regards to their twelfth-part positions).

2nd Rule: Transit of Out of Sect Malefic to Natal Sect Light or Benefic is Difficult

This pertains to the out of sect malefic of the natal chart transiting to the sign containing the sect light or sect benefic in the natal chart. For instance, take a person born by day with Sun or Jupiter in Sagittarius. If the solar return Mars is in Sagittarius this would indicate difficulty concerning those placements. From Dorotheus (Book IV, Ch. 1, #188, Pingree trans., 2005): “It is worse for this [native] and more difficult in its maleficence if Mars is reaching the place in which Jupiter or the Sun was by day, or [if] Saturn is reaching the place in which the Moon was by night.”

3rd Rule: Watch Malefic Squares and Oppositions, and Benefic Trines

Overall, it is good when a malefic (Saturn or Mars) is in a whole sign trine to its natal position. It is generally difficult if the malefic is in a whole sign opposition or square to its natal position, particularly if dominating the natal position.  It is also good if a return benefic (Jupiter or Venus) is in a dominating position to a natal malefic. If dominating a return malefic, it is also likely to ease the difficulty. Similarly, it is good when the benefics are trine their natal positions. However, it is difficult when the malefics are trine the natal positions of the benefics. For instance, take one with Mars in Gemini. It would be good for Mars to be in Libra or Aquarius at the return. Furthermore, it is especially good if return Venus were in Pisces because that sign is in a dominating position to Gemini.

4th Rule: Watch Transits to Dark Places of the Natal Chart

It is difficult when a return planet is in a place (i.e. house) of the nativity which is bad. This is especially so if it also occupies such a place in the natal chart.  According to Dorotheus (Book I, Ch. 5), the best places are the 1st, 10th, 11th, 5th, 7th, 4th, and 9th, in that order.  The worst places are the 6th and 12th, while the 8th, 2nd, and 3rd are moderately bad (from worst to least bad).

For instance, take one born with Aquarius rising and Mars in Capricorn. It will be particularly bad if Mars is in Capricorn (natal 12th) or Cancer (natal 6th) in the return. Cancer would be the most difficult as it would also be opposed its natal position (see above). It could also be difficult if Mars is in Virgo (natal 8th), Pisces (natal 2nd), or Aries (natal 3rd). Of those placements, Aries would be more difficult due to the square to the natal position, while Virgo would be least difficult due to the trine to natal position.

5th Rule: The Natal and Return Moon are Particularly Important

The house of the return Moon is a focal area, as are return planets reaching the house occupied by the natal Moon. The Moon is particularly important for health. Overall, the idea is that the return Moon with benefic natal planets shows good things,while with malefic natal planets shows bad things. It is similar when return benefics and malefics reach the place of the natal Moon.

Dorotheus notes many miscellaneous indications for the Moon. The return Moon with natal Mercury shows work pertaining to the signification of natal Mercury. Solar return Moon in natal 1st can show health danger. The solar return Moon in natal 10th shows public events which are good or bad in accordance with influence of benefics and malefics. Return Moon in natal 7th shows success over enemies. Solar return Moon in natal 4th shows secret matters and/or success with writing a will.

Overall, these four whole sign places, also called the angles or stakes of the chart (the 1st, 10th, 7th, and 4th), give indications regarding important life matters. For instance, take one born with Pisces rising and Saturn as the out of sect malefic in the natal 10th (Sagittarius). The Moon transiting in Sagittarius in the return could be indicative of some difficult public event, and even of health problems pertaining to cold or depletion.

6th Rule: Annual Profection of the Ascendant Shows the Most Important Places

The natal and return factors in the sign of the annual profection of the Ascendant are particularly important. The ruler of the annual profection is also highlighted, both in terms of return transits to it and in terms of its solar return placement.

Solar returns were meant to be used with profections as part of a suite of annual predictive techniques. Therefore, the fourth book of Dorotheus explains both profections and solar returns.  For example, Dorotheus noted, “If the year reaches the sign in which Saturn was and Saturn is in it or aspects if from trine or quartile [i.e. square] or the seventh [i.e. opposition], then the native will have a bad reputation, and there will reach him folly and injury and hostility from men …”  (Book IV, Ch. 1, #23, Pingree trans., 2005).

A Few Examples

For these examples, I’ll be using the free open-source astrological software, Morinus.  You can download the traditional version of Morinus here.

I will examine the return by look first at the annual profection and indications related to it from the natal and return, then the impact concerning the angles of the chart and the Lights, especially the Moon.  For each example, ignore the numbers on the outside of the chart, as those are for the house positions in the return chart itself, which Dorotheus ignored.

Example 1: 10th House Mars Opposed Natal 4th House Mars

 

Example 1

Mercury-Saturn and the Profection

Example 1 (above) is the 1958 return of someone born in 1935, and thus is that of someone who has turned 23. Age 23 signals an annual profection of the Ascendant to the 12th place, Gemini, ruled by and natally occupied by Mercury.

Mercury in the return is transiting in the natal 2nd, which is considered one of the bad places.  Natally, Mercury is in the 12th, which is considered one of the worst places. Therefore, by rule #4, we are getting the sense that the year could be difficult for this native, relating to Mercurial themes of movement and communication. Furthermore, the out of sect malefic Saturn, is transiting through the 6th of the natal, opposing Mercury. This is difficult in itself given Mercury’s status as lord of the year, but it also emphasizes the natal configuration of Saturn dominating Mercury. Natally, Saturn in IX dominates Mercury, and IX concerns religion and foreign influence.  Saturn transiting in the 6th in the return dominates (right-hand square) natal Saturn, exacerbating the maleficence of Saturn (see rule #3).

Influence of Venus

The transit of Venus through the sign of the profection, Gemini, is mixed. She is the sect benefic and has influence upon the lord of the year. Venus provides a positive and protective indication but she is transiting through one of the worst places (the 12th), and occupies a bad place natally (the 2nd). She rules the 4th of land and origins and the 11th of friends and aid, so she connects the native with those themes.

Example 1

4th House Mars and the Angles

Both Jupiter and Mars are transiting in natal angles.  Jupiter in the 4th, where natal Mars is, signifies some degree of fortune as concerns land, origins, and workings in secret. However, Mars is opposed to it and opposed to its natal position (see rule #1). This activates the worst of the difficulty signified by Mars in the 4th. With return Mars in the rather public and authority-oriented 10th, it is bringing violence from on high from authority. Additionally, return Mars is in a dominating position to the natal Sun, signifying the threat of violence to the native.

Return Moon in IX with Saturn

The return Moon is in the 9th of foreign influence and religion.It is with natal Saturn, the out of sect malefic. This is a sign of great difficulty and threat. The Moon and the 9th naturally signify journeys, so it suggests a focus on a journey, with great difficulty.

Dalai Lama XIV

Example 1 was the chart of the 14th Dalai Lama (chart rated A for accuracy). The solar return is that which preceded his fleeing his country, Tibet, which he had previously ruled. He fled in fear of his life to his exile in India, amid the spring 1959 Tibetan uprising.

Example 2: 7th House Saturn Opposes Natal 1st House Saturn

 

Example 2

1st House Profection Ruled by 11th House Jupiter

Example 2 is the chart of someone turning 72, and as 72 is a multiple of 12. Therefore, the annual profection was to the 1st place, Pisces. Pisces is occupied by natal Saturn and ruled by Jupiter.  Jupiter, the lord of the profection is returning to its natal position in the 11th. The 11th is Jupiter’ joy and this is a great placement, significant for popularity, friends, aid, and so forth.  This person is a movie star and did in fact have a dozen films in the works in the year under consideration.

Saturn, the 1st House Occupant

Deeper inspection reveals that not only is natal Saturn highlighted by the profection to the 1st, but Saturn is also transiting in an angle, the natal 7th, pertaining to partnership and sexuality. Saturn is opposed to its natal position (see rule #1).  The natal Sun is additionally dominated by that angular Saturn in the 7th (as is Mercury). Therefore, we find Saturn (constriction, death) in the house of partnership and sexuality (VII) activating the adverse indications for the body (I) and reputation (Sun in X) signified by the natal partile Sun-Saturn square.

Return Mars in the 10th

Looking at other angular factors, we find that return Mars, the out of sect malefic, is in the 10th and actually conjunct the Sun within a degree. Given the affliction of the 1st house and the Sun by both malefics, we are seeing some major indications of danger to the health and reputation.

Example 2

Return Moon

Examining the Moon we find that it is in the 2nd, ruled by Mars. The Moon is opposed to its natal position (see rule #1). It is also in a bad place (2nd) and occupies a bad place in the natal chart (8th). Additionally, in the natal chart she is in the 8th pertaining to death and she is with Mars, the out of sect malefic. Mars (violence) with the Moon (physicality) is a natal indication of bodily harm. The return Moon’s opposition to that configuration while under the rulership of Mars (Scorpio) reinforces the difficult natal indications in that regard. Therefore, we have strong indications of threat to health in the chart.

David Carradine

Example 2 is the chart of David Carradine (chart AA rated for accuracy). His 2008 solar return preceded his death by autoerotic asphyxiation. His manner of death had a particularly damning effect upon the public image he left behind.

Example 3: Out of Sect Saturn Conjoins Natal Sun

 

Example 3

I will briefly touch on one more chart to emphasize the difficulty of return malefics with Lights. Example 2 had return Mars (out of sect malefic) conjoin the Sect Light (Sun) reflecting Rule 2.

Profections Alone Are Not Enough

Example 3 is the 1994 return of someone born in 1967, thus 27 years of age, in a 4th place profection.  From the profection alone, the indications appear to be largely positive. Jupiter is lord of the profection and natally is in its joy in the 11th. However, the solar return reveals a different story. What is striking about the return is the occurrence of a conjunction of transiting Saturn to the Sun within a degree in an angle of the chart. Additionally, Saturn is returning to its natal place and the return Moon is square to natal Saturn (and all the other planets in Pisces).

Kurt Cobain

Example 3 is the chart of Kurt Cobain (rated A for accuracy). The solar return is the one from 1994, which preceded his suicide.

Return Malefic to Natal Light

This theme of a close conjunction between a malefic and a Light occurs with some frequency in returns that precede death, even those by suicide. It can strongly indicate a threat to health, even from one’s own self!  For instance, Ilya Zhitomirskiy, one of the founders of the social network Diaspora, had a similar tight Sun-Saturn conjunction in the return preceding his own suicide. I wrote about that configuration at the end of my article on Diaspora.

Conclusion

So far, I’ve only looked at a few solar return examples, and very briefly. From Dorotheus we learn that returns can be significant as a set of transits to the natal chart itself. The natal angles, the Lights, and the annual profection help to guide our way and show which significations are most important.  Dorotheus looked at the overall influence of the benefics and malefics. He paid particular attention to the role of sect, house, and aspect in modifying indications for better or worse. Later astrologers would expand on these notions. In the medieval period, the houses and Ascendant of the return itself also came to be important. However, the guidelines laid out by Dorotheus provide us with a solid foundation from which to start our examination of the year from the solar return.

 

References
Dorotheus of Sidon. (2005). Carmen Astrologicum. (D. Pingree, Trans.). Abingdon, MD: Astrology Center of America.
Image Attribution

The featured image of a Sun symbol (cropped) is by Szabi237 [GFDL or CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Update 2018
This article was edited for clarity on 12/16/2018. Some additional links were also added at that time including a link to a superior translation of Dorotheus which was published after the original publication of this article. 

Traditional Astrology of Death | Whitney Houston

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Introduction

The singer Whitney Houston recently passed.  Glancing briefly at some of the predictive factors leading up to her death I’ve found that there was a strong emphasis on Saturn, both her natal and transiting Saturn. Her death occurred while Saturn transited through her 8th house (Libra), occupied natally by Mars.  There was also a highlighting of transiting Mars in her 7th house by monthly profection. In this article, I provide a brief look at her natal chart, last solar return, last lunar return, and transits of the day of death.

Whitney Houston’s natal chart is pictured below. The birth data is Rodden-rated AA for accuracy.  Information about her life and the circumstances of her death is available in her Wikipedia entry.

Planetary Years: Sun & Saturn

Whitney Houston’s Natal Chart

Planetary years were used by many ancient astrologers for signifying the activation of natal planets and configurations.

Whitney was 48 1/2 at the time of death, which is her 49th year. One of the more interesting combinations due at that age is the combination of the Sun (19) and Saturn (30), summing to 49. Whitney was born with an applying Sun-Saturn opposition across the health and loss oriented 6th and 12th houses, Leo and Aquarius (the houses of the Sun and Saturn respectively). Sun-Saturn is particularly symbolic of death. Saturn is the natural significator of death and coldness. Natally, it opposes the Sun, the natural significator of vital power and the heart.  Therefore, this configuration, strikingly symbolic of death, had its main activation by planetary years at about 49 years (49th year from birth).

I bring up planetary years first, because it is an easy but nearly always overlooked technique. A cursory examination of the chart should alert us that there is an applying Sun-Saturn opposition in the chart, involving difficult houses. From there we immediately should consider possibility of important events pertaining to the configuration occurring at about 49 years of age. The configuration speaks of vitality, authority, or power (Sun) eventfully meeting an obstacle, lack, or loss (Saturn), while the 6th and 12th houses speak of danger to the health and well-being. Other indications involving this configuration and Saturn should then be closely examined.

Annual Profection: 1st House, Jupiter – A Benefic Attended by Difficulty

Whitney Houston died at age 48, a multiple of 12. Therefore, Whitney was in a 1st Place, Pisces, annual profection. Jupiter was the lord of the year. While naturally benefic, Jupiter has a particularly broad range of signification in the natal chart. Positively, Jupiter, a natural benefic, is symbolic of abundance, and is here in the house of money, with the Moon (sect light) closely conjoining it, and with rulership of the self and career (1st and 10th). However, more difficult indications pertain to Jupiter’s location in a dark place (2nd), out of sect (it’s a night birth), partilely overcome by Saturn (itself out of sect in a dark place), and the opposition from Mars in the 8th. Mars is noteworthy as it also opposes the Moon, the significator of the body. Therefore, reversals of Jupiter’s fortunate indications can pertain to either malefic.

Whitney Houston’s Natal Chart

Last Solar Return: 8th House Saturn Rising

 

Whitney Houston 2011 Solar Return

While I find considerable significance in both precessed and non-precessed solar returns in my own practice. Here, I use Houston’s normal (non-precessed) solar return (note: I do no relocate returns). Her final return is striking. Saturn, natural significator of death, is in Libra conjunct the return Ascendant, significator of the self and conjunct natal Mars. Libra is Houston’s 8th house (house of death). Return Saturn is dominated by return Mars in Cancer.  Additionally, Jupiter, the lord of the year, is placed in the solar return 8th house.

Last Lunar Return: 8th House Saturn Rising

Whitney’s final lunar return took place on January 28th, 2012, and is pictured.

Houston’s Final Lunar Return

Her final lunar return echoed the solar return with Saturn in Libra rising again, strongly advancing toward the return Ascendant within 6 degrees.

In this case, Saturn was additionally in the bound of Mars (natal occupant of the 8th house).  The lunar return Moon, significator of the body, applies an opposition to Saturn. Saturn is also opposed to Jupiter (lord of the year) out of sign but within 3 degrees. Jupiter is again in the 8th house of the return.

Monthly Profection: 7th House, Mercury

The monthly profection of the Ascendant for the month of death (Feb. 9th to March 9th) is to the 7th Place, Virgo, ruled by and occupied by natal Mercury (side note: nMercury is conj. her nPluto within a degree). The 7th place, the place where the Sun and planets set, was one of the places associated with death in ancient astrology (though often less so than the 8th).

Of the 7th place, Manilius (1st Century CE) wrote, “…wonder not if it is called the portal of somber Pluto and keeps control over the end of life and death’s firm-bolted door. Here dies even the very light of day, which the ground beneath steals away from the world and locks up captive in the dungeon of night” (Manilius, Astronomica, Book 2, 951-954, Goold trans., p. 157-159).

Interestingly, Houston (symbolized by the profected Ascendant) entered the house (7th) occupied by transiting Mars which was at 20 Virgo at the time. Natally, Mars occupies Houston’s 8th House of death.  The monthly profection is congruent with the significations that the month beginning Feb. 9th may bring her into contact with danger (symbolized by transiting Mars). Mars was afflicting Mercury (lord of the month) and in the natal chart afflicts Jupiter (lord of the year). Additionally, the lord of the month, Mercury, was at the time transiting through Aquarius, occupied by natal Saturn.

Transits (outer) to Natal (inner) at Time of Death

Death Transits: The Moon Arrives, Saturn in Focus

On the day of her death in Beverly Hills in the early afternoon of Feb. 11, 2012, the Moon was transiting through Libra, Houston’s 8th house. She was transiting there with Saturn and past natal Mars. Meanwhile, the transiting Sun, with Mercury (lord of the month), in late Aquarius, cogently emphasized the Sun-Saturn configuration. The Sun’s transit of her Saturn was still fresh within 3 degrees of orb at the time of death.

Transits to Houston’s Natal at Time of Death

References
Manilius, M. (1977). Astronomica. (G. P. Goold, Trans.). Cambridge, MA: Loeb Classical Library.
Image Attribution

Featured image of Whitney Houston performing in Milan on 05/03/2010 (cropped) by Luca Viscardi [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Astrological Predictive Techniques | 4. Profections in the Style of Vettius Valens

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Valens Profections

The last three articles in this series introduced annual profections, those of smaller periods, and the combination of profections with other predictive techniques. In this article, the focus is on a more advanced use of profections. This technique is only found in the Anthology of Vettius Valens (2nd century CE). It is introduced in Book IV, Chapter 11 of his Anthology, with further discussion in some ensuing chapters and later books.

Download a Free Translation

The only full English translation of Valens’ Anthology is available for free download from its translator, Mark Riley. You can find it on his website in pdf format at this link (c.f about p. 77-82 for reference).

Three Points of Emphasis

The type of profections that Valens used adds three things to basic profections: 1.  Profections of the Sect Light (i.e. Sun for a day birth, Moon for a night birth) can be more important than that of the Ascendant. This is  especially so if the Light is in a “stake” of the chart (1st, 10th, 7th, or 4th place); 2. A planet in a place is more important than a planet ruling a place; 3. Any point, place, or planet can profect.

One: Importance of Profecting the Sect Light

Valens makes it very clear in Book V (Ch. 7) that he finds the profection of the sect light to be the most significant, even more so than the Ascendant:

The aphetic points of the years are operative when starting from any star, but the following aphetic points are most effective: for day births the sun, for night births the moon, especially when they are at the angles. Next <in effectiveness> is the Ascendant.  (Riley, 2010, p. 108)

In fact, any planet or place can be profected, and we will discuss the significance of them below.  However, the sect light and Ascendant have special general significance for the key events of the person’s year as a whole, so we may regard the planets that they transmit to as very important time lords of the period.

How to Profect the Sect Light

River Phoenix’s Natal Chart (Rodden Rating AA)

How do you profect the Sect Light?  Once you’ve gotten the hang of profecting the Ascendant, it will be easy to profect the Sect Light or any other point, as they move forward the same number of signs as the Ascendant does.  For instance, if one were a 23 year old with Scorpio Rising, then the annual profection of the Ascendant would be to the 12th place, Libra. This is because Libra is one before the 1st place, as 23 is one year before 24. 24 is a multiple of 12 and multiples of 12 are 1st place years.

If the person was born during the day then the Sun would be the sect light, and we would profect that too.  The Sun would profect to the 12th place from its own position.  If the Sun were in Virgo, then the 12th place from the Sun would be one sign back, in Leo.  Thus the annual profection of the Sect Light would be to Leo.  Both the profection of the sect light and that of the Ascendant would be considered important.

Two: Occupants are More Important than Rulers

In the previous posts on profections, it was noted that it is as if the Ascendant is the person entering a new house of the chart each year.  In that metaphor, the planet ruling the house is a “lord” of the time period. It is as if it were handed some responsibility concerning the place where the native is now dwelling or active.  It was also noted that any planet or planets in the place of the profection are very important, perhaps more directly so, as the Ascendant becomes “co-present” with them in that place. The planet or planets are like alternative or additional lords of the period.

Valens on Occupants

For Valens, the planets occupying the place are preferred to the ruler. They are the ones that responsibility gets handed over to, and they are said to receive the transmission. Again, from Valens Book V (Ch. 7):

If one of the stars in transit has entered this place, then it will be transmitting the chronocratorship. If the sign where the count stops happens to be empty, then count from the position (at the nativity) of the ruler of the sign, and examine in the same way the place found, whether using the nativity or the transiting stars. Then forecast the results of all the places and stars. <In other words,> if the count goes from star to star, use the stars for forecasting; if from a star to an empty sign, use the rulers of the signs. (Riley, 2010, p. 108)

The previous excerpt actually hits on a number of topics simultaneously. The occupants take priority over the ruler. Also, solar return transiting occupants (“the stars in transit”) may be preferred to the ruler (more on that below). Additionally, Valens appears to suggest profecting the ruler of an empty house and finding which planet it transmits to, taking that planet over the ruler itself.

Example of Occupants Receiving Transmission

Let’s return to our example of a 23-year-old, born in the day, with Scorpio Rising and Sun in Virgo. All annual profections go to the 12th place from their natal positions.  The Sun profects to Leo, which is occupied by Mars, and thus Mars receives the transmission of the Sect Light, becoming an important time lord of the year. The profection of the Ascendant is to Libra which is both ruled by and occupied by Venus, so Venus is the time lord for the Ascendant.

Solar Return Occupants

However, if we prefer solar return transits over rulers, then the picture changes again. Mercury occupied Leo at the solar return and is conjunct natal Mars within a degree. If we take the transiting occupant over the natal occupant then it would be Mercury that receives the transmission of the Sect Light.

River Phoenix Solar Return 1993 – Age 23 – Year of Death – Non-Precessed – Return Transits Pictured Along Outer Edge of Natal Chart

Now let’s look at the Ascendant. The Ascendant, Scorpio, profects to Libra, which is occupied by both the Mars and Jupiter.  Preferring the return planets, it is Jupiter and Mars rather than Venus which would be the Ascendant time lords. However, as noted below, Valens actually appeared to prefer natal occupants for occupied houses.

Different Time Lords

As one can see, the profectional method of Valens actually has the effect of changing which planet or planets are considered the most important time lords of the year by profection.  In the basic technique, Venus, ruler of the sign of the Ascendant’s profection, is Lord of the Year.  By contrast, in the Valens technique it is still Venus for the Ascendant profection, but we should look to Mars as even more significant as it receives the transmissions of the Sect Light. If we prefer solar return occupants then things get even more complicated with different results again.

It is important to acknowledge that this method of profections does yield different indications and was not a widespread technique in Hellenistic astrology.  However, this does not mean it is ineffective. Many modern traditionalists who have explored the method have been very satisfied with the results. We will return to our example chart below.

Three: Profect It All

Valens sees significance and usefulness in profecting every planet and place in the natal chart.  The planet or place hands off to the sign and the planets in the sign (or, if empty, the ruler of the sign) of the place of the profection.  Valens discussed this at great length in Book IV, Chapter 11, for instance:

Let us start our exposition from this point: when investigating the current year of a nativity, we divide by 12. Count the remainder from a star which is able <to transmit> to a star which is able to receive. In this way we will discover to what sign the year transmits. What I have said is easy to comprehend but complicated to determine since all the stars, plus the Ascendant, the sun, and the moon, can transmit to and receive from each other. (Riley, 2010, p. 78)

Significators

The nature of the star transmitting indicates what is affected. The one receiving the transmission provides the form of the effect and responsibility for its completion.  The significations of the planets and places profected are as follows (quoted material in bullet points below from Anthology of Vettius Valens, Book IV, Ch. 11, Riley trans., 2010, p. 79):

  • Ascendant – “length of life and bodily or mental activities”
  • Sun – “rank, preeminence, magnificence, the father, great personages, and whatever other matters are usually influenced by the sun’s nature”
  • Moon – “dangers to health, diseases, bleeding, or the mother”
  • MC (10th Place?) – “occupations, livelihood, and work”
  • Lot of Fortune – “good fortune and success in life”
  • Descendant – “mortality, change, or trouble”
  • IC (4th Place?) – “estates, possessions, secret matters, legacies”
  • Saturn – “bankruptcy, money or property, secret diseases, or family inheritance”
  • Jupiter – “rank, friendship, alliances, and possessions”
  • Mars – “military or public matters”
  • Venus – “women, love affairs, associations, or the category ‘female'”
  • Mercury – “associations, slave matters, servile matters, giving and receiving, or written matters”

Valens additionally noted that it is important to profect from the four principal lots.  Therefore, it is a general method applicable to any significant chart point as a means of understanding its changing state and the activations of its relationships within the chart. However, take the natal significations of the profected point, rather than restricting yourself to the significations given above. For instance, if Venus strongly signifies your sister in your natal chart and Venus transmits to a Mars in sect in your natal chart, then one indication may be that your sister starts taking self-defense classes or joins the military.

Cumulative Effect and Priority

Valens instructed us to consider if most of the planets receiving the transmissions for the year (from the planets, angles of the chart, and Lot of Fortune) are benefics or malefics. Benefics indicate a good year, while malefics a bad one. If a near even mix of both then the year will be very changeable in terms of fortune.

Lights and Ascendant Show Dominant Influences

The transmissions of the sect light, Ascendant, and even the non-sect light are more important in this regard. In fact, at one point in Book IV, Chapter 11, Valens did make explicit that actually both lights and the Ascendant give the strongest indications:

To find the overall influence in any nativity, it will be necessary to count the years from the sun, the moon, and the Ascendant, and if the count ends at an empty place, then they <sun moon Ascendant> will be transmitting to the rulers of these <empty> signs. These three figures have great influence, whether the transmission is to benefics, to malefics, to the angles or operative places, or to places not at the angles. Next it will be necessary to investigate the transmissions of the other stars: if malefics control the year, but the three aphetas have a benefic effect, then the year will be vigorous and distinguished, after some doubt, anxiety, and annoyance. (Riley, 2010, p. 78)

Example: River Phoenix

Let’s return to our example. We noted that the Ascendant transmits to Venus and that the Sun transmits to Mars. We’ll keep the solar return out of things for now. Examining the other light (the Moon), we find her in Taurus, so she transmits to Aries. Aries is empty, so the Moon also transmits to Mars.

Let’s examine some other profections. Jupiter is with the Ascendant so it transmits to Venus. Mercury is with the Sun, so it also transmits to Mars. Saturn and the Descendant are with the Moon so they also transmit to Mars. Venus in Libra profects to Virgo so she transmits to the Sun and Mercury. The lot of Fortune is in Leo so it profects to Cancer which is empty, thus it transmits to the Moon.

 

Mars Dominates; Venus is Important

Two of the three main signifiers (the Sun and Moon) transmit to Mars, and a number of the other signifiers do as well, including Mercury, Saturn, and the Descendant. Some transmissions go to the Sun, the Moon, and Mercury, but all of their own transmissions are to Mars. The next most significant transmissions are those to Venus which most importantly pertain to the Ascendant and Jupiter.

What do we make of all this? Mars is the out-of-sect malefic and it is dominated (right-side square) strongly in the natal chart by Saturn. Mars rules the 1st house of the body and the 6th of disease and accidents so its most dangerous indications pertain to harmful accidents. Valens’ technique is telling us that Mars will affect some major areas of life in significant ways.

I would still use the Ascendant’s profection as the one that sets the self’s location and circumstance as was the typical practice in Hellenistic astrology. Venus is the lord of the year and the occupant of the profectional Ascendant. She is in Jupiter’s term in an air sign in the twelfth-house, out of sect, and only aspected by Mars. We see artists and artistry prominent, as well as the use of intoxicants (one of Venus’ significations). Jupiter indicates good times, success, and friendships, as well as bountiful opportunities for abuse of substances.

Solar Returns and Transits

In many places Valens noted the effect of transits on places receiving the transmissions, including in a quote from Book V which is above, where he stressed the priority of star to star over star to ruler.  It seems that a transiting planet could even be considered to receive the transmission, especially if the place being transmitted to were empty, as Valens noted in Book IV, Ch. 11:

If no star transmits to another, and if the distribution is to empty places, then it is necessary to note the empty places: especially if any stars are there in transit, they will receive the distribution. (Riley, 2010, p. 78)

Presumably, for the annual profections, these transits would be the planetary positions at the solar return. In fact, Valens clarified that he was most interested in the transits of the solar return chart, again from Book IV, Ch. 11:

Whenever we find a transmission in one cycle, (whether from one or from many), we examine the horoscope recast for that year, particularly the transits of the stars, to see if they have a configuration similar to their configuration at the nativity with respect to the transmitters and receivers, and if they have the same phases with respect to the sun. If this is found to be true, we say that the results are certain. If the configurations are different and dissimilar, the results will not take place in toto: some things will happen overall, others partially.  (Riley, 2010, p. 79)

Breaking It Down

My understanding from reading Valens is that we prefer the natal occupants as receiving the transmission. If there are no natal occupants, then we prefer a planet that is an occupant in the solar return. If there are no occupants in the solar return, then we prefer the ruler.

So, in our example, we end up with mostly the same transmissions. This is because the important transmissions (Sun, Moon, Ascendant) are to places already occupied in the natal chart, or ones that remain empty in the return (Aries). There is a an exception that is worth noting though. Mars receives many transmissions so its transmission is worth looking at. Mars transmits to Cancer, and it is occupied by Venus in the return, so Venus receives the transmission rather than the Moon. In the natal chart, Mars signifies harm, among other things, while its transmission to Venus indicates the harm takes a Venusian form (pleasure, intoxicants).

The Death of River Phoenix

River Phoenix died on Halloween 1993, at age 23. Within a year of his death, two movies he starred in were released and he was involved in about a half dozen other film projects. Aside from a prolific and noteworthy acting career, he was also an animal rights activist and a singer songwriter.

He died a little over 2 months from his birthday. In those two months, he was known to be active with musician friends of his, and to be abusing drugs. This is reflected in the Ascendant’s profection to Libra, in the 12th place of undoing and social ills, ruled by and occupied by an out-of-sect Venus which seeks sensory indulgence and the arts. The year before was a prolific acting year (Mercury rulership and occupancy) which came with a lot of recognition (Sun’s occupancy).

Mars-Venus and Age 23

As noted in the article on planetary years, Mars has 15 years and Venus has 8. Therefore, age 23 is an activation of Mars-Venus relationships in the natal chart. Mars and Venus are both out of sect in the chart (they are nocturnal planets but in a day chart), and Venus is additionally in the 12th place and only aspected by Mars. Venus also has her twelfth-part in the 6th house (Aries) of illness and accidents, ruled by Mars.

River Phoenix’s Natal Chart (Inner) with Twelfth-Part Positions (Outer)

Mars is in the 10th house of actions, recognition, and authority, where he dominates the Ascendant and Jupiter, which he rules, afflicts the 7th house Moon and is dominated by Saturn with a close aspect. The twelfth-part of Mars is in the 7th place, further emphasizing the relationship with Saturn and the Moon (occupants of the 7th) and with Venus (ruler of the 7th). Mars rules the 6th place of illness and accidents, and aspects the twelfth-part of the Moon in that place within a degree.

Venusian Year

He died of a drug overdose at the Viper Club (partly owned at the time by Johnny Depp) on 10/31/1993 at 1:51 am pacific time. The solar return for the year (below) had Mars and Jupiter both in the sign of the profection. Additionally, Mercury, the ruler of the 8th house of death, was transiting conjunct natal Mars.

River Phoenix Solar Return 1993 – Age 23 – Non-Precessed – Return Transits Pictured Along Outer Edge of Natal Chart

The Moon was transiting in the 1st, reinforcing its signification of the body, and it was ruled by and dominated by natal Mars, while applying an opposition to natal Saturn. This reinforces the natal Moon-Saturn configuration (also worth noting is that the Ascendant directed to the opposition of Saturn at the time of death). It also sets off the natal Saturn-Mars square as important for the year.

Venus Returns to the 12th House

River died during his Venus return. In fact, Venus returned exactly to its natal position less than a week before his death. This marks out the period as particularly important in relation to what Venus promises in the natal chart. She is a planet that gravitates toward sensory pleasure in a bad place and out of sect, and aspected only by Mars who overcomes her (right side aspect). Therefore, she easily slips toward over-indulgence and harm, particularly that associated with natal Mars. The twelfth-part of Venus is in the 6th (Aries), a house of illness and accidents, ruled by Mars, further emphasizing these themes.

Transits (Outer Wheel) at Time of Death Along Natal Chart

The Moon Returns to Saturn

River also died on the day of his lunar return, emphasizing the natal Moon-Saturn conjunction, which was also emphasized by the Moon’s position in the solar return. In fact, the Moon was at 16 degrees Scorpio in the return, opposing natal Saturn, while it was at 17 degrees Taurus at the time of death, opposing its return position and conjoining Saturn.

Mars-Saturn All Around

The time of death shows transiting Saturn square to natal Saturn and opposing natal Mars, while transiting Mars squares natal Mars and opposes natal Saturn. Therefore, this dangerous active configuration of the malefics is active at the time of death. Additionally, Mercury (ruler of the 8th of death) was with Mars at the time death, and both were transiting in the 1st house where the signified most directly concerning the body. Note that a Mercury-Mars combination was signaled as important in the solar return where return Mercury conjoined natal Mars.

Transits (Outer Wheel) at Time of Death Along Natal Chart

Prenatal Syzygy

Vettius Valens emphasized the role played by the prenatal syzygy in matters related to health. The prenatal syzygy is the New or Full Moon which most directly preceded the birth. River Phoenix was born with a waning Moon so prior to birth there was a Full Moon. The Full Moon preceding his birth was at 23°48′ Aquarius. Note that it is in partile (same-degree) opposition with natal Mars and is in a tight square with natal Saturn. The transiting Mars-Saturn configuration noted above brings in the prenatal syzygy.

Saturn is Ruler of Days

The article on planetary years also includes a discussion of a technique for dividing up the year such that each planet rules a set of days. In the technique we start with the lord of the year (ruler of profectional Ascendant), then move to each successive planet in the natal chart in zodiacal order. Phoenix died about 70 days after his solar return. Venus got about 23 days, then Jupiter about 34 days, and then Saturn got the next 85 days. Therefore, Saturn was the lord of days at the time of death.  Saturn is the natural significator of death, afflicts the natal Moon (natural significator of the body), and rules the prenatal syzygy. Transiting Saturn’s configuration with these elements and the transiting Moon’s application to them were discussed above.

Wrapping Up

The context for River Phoenix’s year was best characterized by Venusian activity, with strong connections to the particular indications of Venus in his natal chart. This supports the typical use of annual profections of the Ascendant in which the house and its ruler are most active. Additionally, the most important period of the year came during the time when the lord of the year, Venus, returned to her natal position. However, with both Venus and Jupiter in the activated 12th house at the time of death, one might suppose protection and fortunate circumstances would be more appropriate for the particular period.

The fact that the period is a dangerous one is clearer when we consider the Valens profections. Both lights transmit to Mars and Mars tends to dominate a lot of other important profections. Mars is even in Libra during the solar return. With the information from the Valens method we can take the presence of Mars in Libra in the return as a serious concern. The solar return Moon and the primary direction of the Ascendant also indicate difficulty with Saturn for the period. The timing of death comes as transiting Mars and Saturn are activating the square and the Moon is entering their configuration.

Sorting Things Out

Of course, we may quickly find ourselves dealing with a soup of indications to sort out. However, we have some means of sorting them out. This technique is discussed solely in terms of annual profections. If transits are examined they are generally the solar return ones. We can continue the common practice of looking at the Ascendant’s profection to find a lord of the year and to see the overall setting for the year’s events. Rather than using the other profections as alternatives or to tack on more time lords, use them for additional information. The lights, especially the sect light, will transmit to planets that are influential in major events. From there we can profect individual factors when they are of particular interest.

Taking It Further

I have only scratched the surface as to the way that Valens used profections.  You will find many more tips in Chapter 11 of Book 4 and in later sections of the Anthology. Vettius Valens has given us a broad range of new uses for profections. I plan on returning to Valens-style profections in many future articles.

A final note. Valens profections provide a good context for understanding Persian degree-based profections (the subject of the next article). Persian degree-based profections also involve the profection of all the points in the natal chart. They are very similar to Valens profections but used more for timing than for delineating broad themes for the year.

Note: this article was significantly revised and expanded in April of 2018. Changes included extensive editing as well as the addition of the River Phoenix example.

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

Astrological Predictive Techniques | 3. Another Basic Profection Example

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Edit: The James Randi example which was previously in this article was removed on 07/22/2020 due to some unintentional errors which were pointed out to me by a reader in a private correspondence.

Profections in a Predictive System

For those unfamiliar with profections, please review the first two articles of this series which introduce annual profections and those of smaller periods.  In the last article, it became clear that monthly profections are somewhat controversial.  Nevertheless, they are an easy and informative addition to one’s predictive arsenal, so I recommend their use.

The main idea behind profections is activation of natal potentials. However, their utility becomes clearest when they are used in concert with other predictive techniques such as solar returns, directions, and transits. In this article, we’ll look at some profection examples which incorporate other predictive techniques.

The Primacy of the Ascendant

Any point in the natal chart can be profected, but the profection of the Ascendant is particularly important. There is a logic to that.  No other point in the chart is so succinctly symbolic of the individual person, the self.

One may think of the sky as the soul, and the Earth as the body. The Ascendant is that point where the sky rises out from the Earth as the soul peers out through the body, manifesting experience. The Ascendant entering houses, is like a person entering houses.  Planets in the places will be directly encountered, planets ruling the places will oversee matters, and planets regarding the place may exert some influence.

Profections with Returns and Transits

Here we’ll look at some examples with solar returns and transits. The natal chart will show the default condition and the range of potentials possible in this. Solar returns reveal the overall plan of action for the year. Transits show the transient movement of guests around the chart (without telling much about what they’re up to in itself).

Returns and Precession

I should note that I prefer the use of precessed solar returns. It can be rather controversial and unorthodox as I use them with the tropical zodiac. In most articles, I will simply use the non-precessed return as a set of transits around the natal chart. However, the solar return Ascendant and its ruler are important for natal activation, particularly in the predictive system of Abu Ma’shar.

When using the return Ascendant this way, I find the precessed return to be much more informative than the non-precessed return.  For now, I’ll just go ahead and use the precessed return in this article, though you are welcome to use non-precessed returns in your own work if you prefer. A comparison between precessed and non-precessed returns is beyond the scope of this article.

The Profection Example

I’m only going to give a quick example with annual and monthly profections in concert with the solar return and transits. The example is David Carradine’s death by accidental autoerotic asphyxiation.

David Carradine’s Death

A brief bio of Carradine can be found on Wikipedia here. His AA-rated chart data can be found on AstroDatabank here.  He is reported to have died the evening of June 3, 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand by accidental asphyxiation.

Carradine’s Malefics

Carradine was born with the malefic Mars, out of sect and in the 8th, the place of death, assembled with the Moon, a natural significator of the body. Mars also overcomes the Sun by a scrutinizing (i.e. within 3*) sextile. The Sun is an important life-force signifier, especially for those born during the day.

Additionally, Carradine was born with Saturn rising, in the 1st place, adhering (i.e. conjunct within 3*) to the Ascendant, and in a partile (i.e. same zodiacal degree/part) square with the Sun.

Therefore, in matters of death we particularly expect to see Mars playing a role, as well as to some extent Saturn and Venus. Why Venus? Because Venus rules the 8th. Note that Venus is in Capricorn, Saturn’s earthy nocturnal abode, and she is in a bound of Mars. The combination of these planets is appropriate to the sexual nature of the death, as well as the constrictive and violent nature.

Carradine’s natal chart with transits at time of death on outer wheel

Saturn Occupies Annual Profection

His death took place at age 72.  As 72 is a multiple of 12, this puts him in a 1st place, Pisces, year, profecting the Ascendant to natal Saturn, with Jupiter as lord of the year.  Jupiter is a little bit weakened by being in fall, but overall is quite benefic and strong, as it is in its joy, the strong good 11th place, and is in sect and in phasis, assembled with Venus.  Jupiter is ruled by Saturn and dominated by Mars. Therefore, while overall we expect an excellent and popular year from Jupiter with much fortune, Jupiter is subject to the malefics and does not prohibit danger.

Here we see the value of the indications of the planet occupying the place, Saturn. There is also clearly a danger of reading too much into the Lord of the Year alone and its natal standing. However, my understanding is that it was a popular year for Carradine with a lot of opportunities and travel.

Sun-Saturn Square Highlighted

The profection for the month of death was to the 6th place, Leo, ruled by the Sun. The 6th is the house o illness and accidents. This particular year and month lord combination highlighted the Sun-Saturn square in the natal chart. Both planets are extremely strong and generally carry positive significations in the natal chart. They are both in sect, in good places, and in signs of Jupiter.  It was indeed a very positive year for Carradine prior to the asphyxiation accident. He had about a dozen films of his in post-production at the time of his death.

Mars-Sun and Saturn Rising Solar Return

Looking at the solar return, we see some very different indications.  Perhaps most importantly, srMars is in a partile conjunction (actually within about 2′ of a degree!) with the natal Sun (nSun). Both malefics are strongly advancing while the benefics are the weakest planets in the chart. The solar return Ascendant is in Carradine’s 7th place, Virgo, ruled by Mercury. The 7th (like the 4th, but to a lesser extent than the 8th) carries associations with death, as it is the place of setting.  Significantly, srSaturn is in the 1st of the return, strongly rising, echoing that configuration in Carradine’s chart. Return Saturn opposes his natal Saturn, and squares his natal Sun. Overall, the solar return speaks of activation and strong intensification of the affliction of Carradine’s Sun by Mars and Saturn.

David Carradine’s Last Solar Return (precessed)

Lunar Return with Mars in the House of Death

The day of death was also Carradine’s lunar return. The Moon returned to the 8th place which it shares with Mars in the natal chart. On that day, the lord of the year, Jupiter was transiting in the 12th, in a very weak spot of the natal chart. Transiting Mars was in partile trine to natal Jupiter, striking Jupiter with its rays.

Saturn-Sun All Around

The most significant aspects are from Saturn and the Sun which both oppose their natal positions. Transiting Saturn was at 15 Virgo (srAscendant) on Carradine’s Descendant (13VIR) and opposing natal Saturn. Saturn was also transiting in a dominating square to the natal Sun. Both aspects were within less than 3 degrees of exact (i.e. both scrutinizing).  Transiting Sun was at 12 Gemini, strongly applying squares to natal and transiting Saturn and opposing the natal Sun.

Dealing with Complex Indications

With this example, we can see how worthwhile it can be to combine annual and monthly profections together with solar returns. Transits themselves are rather superficial without them. Also, transits are almost completely meaningless without any context from a natal chart. For these reasons, I don’t recommend transit cookbooks.

We see the capacity for someone to have a great year apart from one really horrible event.  Someone may have a natal chart that indicates extraordinary luck, popularity, longevity, social mobility, health, and so forth, but still, bad things do happen to everyone. It is important to understand the range of potential in a natal chart. A benefic planet, simply by being out of sect, or in a bad place, or ruled by a malefic, etc. can have some negative potential linked to it. Very rarely does any planet in one’s chart have only the capacity to signify good.

This is the great difficulty in prediction. Indications are subject to the potentials in the natal chart, and the potentials in the natal chart are in a sense infinite. To deeply work on the natal chart we must understand things like general strength, general beneficence, particularly in relation to topics. However, we also need to understand the range or variance of possible significations, and the specific activations that an bring out less common indications. In this way, we get a feel for whether a certain period of time will be more of what’s generally promised or carry some big surprises.

Adding More Predictive Tools

We are still dealing with an extremely stripped-down predictive system.  There will be more articles on profections in this series.

It is important to keep in mind that there are many additional techniques that played a key role in the predictive systems of people like Abu Ma’shar.  There are also many predictive methods found in Valens which have yet to be thoroughly explored.

Astrologers combine their preferred set of predictive methods into their own predictive systems as no single predictive technique is in itself adequate to signify the most important events in one’s life.  Just as there are special techniques for natal matters, in which multiple factors are examined, prediction is best when one uses a number of effective predictive techniques in concert.

Image Attribution

The featured image is of 17th-century frescoes in Svetitskhoveli, Mtskheta, Georgia, including a zodiac. The image is in the public domain.

Astrologers Should Be on Diaspora* | RIP Ilya Zhitomirskiy

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What is Diaspora*?

As a long-time user and fervent advocate of the leading open-source, privacy-aware, social network, Diaspora*, I was recently very shaken by the death of Ilya Zhitomirskiy.  Ilya was one of the four original founders of the project and a core developer.  He died this past Saturday.  The cause of death is believed to have been suicide though it has not yet been conclusively confirmed.

Diaspora* is a rather young social network, making its debut in November of 2010. As of this writing it is still in Alpha.  Many people are familiar with the even newer Google+ and its use of “Circles”.  However, few know that Diaspora* had such a feature from its very launch, called “Aspects”. Aspects operate in a similar, if not easier-to-use, fashion.  Diaspora* is spreading by word of mouth, as the project is donation funded.  It was started by four NYU college students with a desire to make a social network that didn’t operate like a panopticon.

What’s wrong with other social networks?

Other social networks like Facebook and Google+ are wielded by multi-billion-dollar multi-national corporations. These corporations use these networks to build a centralized database of our lives.  Multiple controversies have arisen with these corporations over their use of our information. Their data is often openly accessible to government agencies with specialized interfaces. They enable surveillance, profiling, and identity theft on a scale hitherto unknown. These popular social networks are the most effective panopticons of all time, putting everyone in a position to socialize about any and everything together. While we do this we supply personal photographs, videos, and information in a convenient ready-for-database form. We do this without any way of knowing if others are monitoring and what others are doing with this information.

Why Diaspora*?

The founders of Diaspora* set out to make a social network that was quite different.  Their social network demonstrates a commitment to privacy, decentralization, community ownership, and freedom of speech.

Privacy

Privacy features like “Aspects” are built-in and prominent so you can be sure that what you say is seen only by the connections you specify. Additionally, the network is decentralized, such that anyone (with the property equipment and know-how) can host the software of the network themselves.  Each instance is called a “pod” and seamlessly connects to all of the other pods on the network.  Diaspora* is not located in any one place on the net, such as diaspora.com, but rather is located at any domain hosting a pod.  The founders’ pod is Join Diaspora, but is invite only. However, there has been an outcropping of more and more pods allowing instant public joining as well. These include Diasp.org (which I’m on) and Poddery, among dozens of others.  Most of these pods are ad-free and donation-funded.

Diaspora* also freely allows the use of pseudonyms and doesn’t require inputting any personal or identifying information whatsoever to use and enjoy. This is in stark contrast to other proprietary social networks.  You can have multiple accounts with different names and that is just fine.  The founders of the social network realized that pseudonyms promote free speech and the protection of personal privacy.

Rich Features

While only 1 year old and in alpha, without millions or billions in funding like other social networks, the network is surprisingly feature-rich. Current features include: convenient tagging functionality; following public posts when you add someone prior to reciprocal sharing; animated gifs; embedded videos and music; messages; email forwarding; tools for rapid sharing through your browser; photo upload (with photos only posting to those who you want to see them); posting to FB, Tumblr, and Twitter from within Diaspora*; public posting; a community spotlight feed; the ability to follow tags; a markup language for formatting text; ability to post very long messages with an expandable preview showing in the feed; posting pictures as clickable links from url. New features are always being added.

Did I mention that the program is also open-source? Software developers can examine the code and take part in its development.

Why is Diaspora* Right for Astrologers?

Astrologers should find Diaspora* to be the most hospitable of all the social networks. By astrologers I mean people who do astrology for a living, as well as hobbyists and people just interested in learning and talking about it.  Astrologers as a group are frequently under attack by both religious fundamentalists and the skeptic community. Astrology is seen to involve supernatural views and concepts largely incompatible with both religious fundamentalism and materialist fundamentalism.

Most astrologers don’t do astrology for a living. Additionally, some are involved in serious scientific or intellectual work. Many jobs also involve extensive work with the public at large.  A privacy aware and decentralized social network can allow people to discuss astrology without broadcasting it to others. Talk about science with your scientist friends and astrology with your astrology friends freely on the net, without going permanently “on record” with both. You also don’t need to set up a profile of yourself for advertisers, government agencies, and who knows who else.  Social networking is intended to be chatty, informal, and free-flowing. With Diaspora* it can be like that without all the big corporations and data harvesting. Talk about astrology, politics, or anything you want without a need to explain yourself to those who may pass judgment on you, or even seek to harm you.

Aside: Astrological Circumstances Surrounding Ilya’s Death

When Ilya passed I was very shaken, and I am still quite shocked that such a bright, charismatic, and innovative person could see the end of life at only 22 years of age.

Astrology doesn’t really help me to change the events of life, as it may for some people.  I look to my will and spirituality to overcome.  However, astrology does  provide me with some insight that everything happens purposefully within a context of rich meaning, known by an intelligence far greater than my own.  For this reason, when unfortunate events occur, I eventually get around to looking at the astrology.

Ilya was born on October 12, 1989.  I don’t know his time or place of birth, thus the possibility for very extensive chart work is ruled out unless such reliable information comes to light.  I do know that he was born with the Sun at late 18 or early 19 degrees Libra, co-present with the malefic planet Mars at 14 degrees Libra, and Mercury at 1 degree Libra.  Mercury is in phasis, and thus appears to be strong in the chart, showing intellectualism.  This stellium of planets in the socially-oriented Air sign, Libra, is squared (in a sign with a 90 degree relationship with the other sign) by both Jupiter and Saturn (Jupiter and Saturn being opposed to each other in Cancer and Capricorn respectively.

Saturn conjunct Sun in Solar Return

Ilya passed one month after his most recent solar return. A solar return is one’s astronomical birthday – the exact moment of the Sun’s return to its position at one’s birth.  The solar return has been used since ancient times as a chart signifying important happenings for the year.  Saturn in his solar return was at 20 degrees Libra, within about a degree or less of Ilya’s Sun.  Saturn is the planet signifying death, as well as melancholy, depression, fear, and dread.  The Sun is the planet most associated with the life force.  Ilya’s solar return signified a strong and rare joining of the force of death and dread to his personal force of light and life.  I found this to be a sad and fascinating metaphor for his death.

Ilya Zhitomirskiy’s Birth Chart (inner – time unknown) with his 2011 Solar Return (outer)

Saturn’s trip around the zodiac takes about 28 years, and thus Saturn conjoins one’s natal Sun for a period that occurs at most about once every 28 years.  While the event happens about every 28 years, it is even rarer that at the time of one’s solar return for the specific year of the conjunction, Saturn should be within about a degree of the natal Sun. Note that same configuration occurred in Kurt Cobain’s final solar return prior to his suicide.

Rest In Peace Ilya ZhitomirskiyI thank you sincerely for your dedication to human integrity and liberty.  You will be dearly missed, both by those intimate with your unique spirit and the millions whose lives you will have helped to make a little better.