A horoscope is a map of the heavens, taken at a specific moment & place on earth; showing the relative positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, the ASC & midheaven in the degrees of the zodiac. A horoscope captures & anchors a moment, crystallizing it into a symbolic framework that provides a wealth of information. It is made up of three principal ingredients: the signs, planets and angles/houses. Each are of equal importance, symbolically defining and providing information on different: types of time and levels of existence.
A very brief look at levels of time
Looking at these three principal ingredients through the lens of time, we find that the signs of the zodiac are in essence timeless, they exist beyond linear time as we know it.
The signs do not define periods time. While you may consider that zero degrees of the cardinal sign heralds the beginning of a new season, it is not so. Rather it is the Sun’s entrance into the cardinal signs that defines the seasonal division of time. The meaning of the signs is wholly symbolic and only activated when visited by a planet, at which point that planet begins to express its nature through the prism of that sign. The symbolism of the signs is not based on time; it is we who project our lived experience of the cycles of life onto them.
Planets represent both real & symbolic time. As they travel through their diurnal and zodiacal path, each planet divides time in its own proportion, creating infinite interweaving real time cycles (the bread & butter of an astrologers trade). Via diurnal motion the Sun divides time into days and its journey through the Zodiac defines the years. The return of planets to a particular degree happens in a predictable real time.
The movement of planets can also represent symbolic time. The degrees a planet travels may be taken to symbolically represent a particular unit of time; such as a planets movement in a day representing a year in secondary progression, or primary directions where a planets movement by diurnal motion over 4 minutes1 will equate to a year in the life. Fidarias2 and other ‘time lord’ methods, divides the life into planetary periods, derived from their mundane time cycle, but used symbolically to designate unfolding periods in the life of an individual.
The angles represent real timeand define how strongly the planets in signs will be manifested in our individual human life. When things will manifest lies with the movement of the planets. The ASC is the degree that dictates the other angles, for these are fixed to the location. The angles literally represent time over a 24-hour period.
In summary: the signs of the zodiac are timeless; the planets divide life in real time movement & cycles and symbolic time through progression, planetary periods and such; the angles and houses define real experienced time.
Even briefer look at level of existence
In many of the world’s traditions, the universe, life itself was understood as existing on three levels or parts: the holy trinity3, the three parts of Hermetic wisdom4 and Plato’s theory of the tripartite soul5. This was envisioned as a triangle divided into three levels of existences, or divisions of the Universe.
Looking at the three ingredients through level of existence we find that the top most section which represents the unchanging world of primary cause: the non-material, divine realm, the source from which everything emanates; this is best expressed by the signs, as the signs do not vary their nature.
The middle section represents the in-between world of secondary cause:the world of elements, soul6 or psyche, which is best expressed by the planets who vary their expression and present different facets of their nature as they move through the signs of the zodiac and in their individual synodic cycle.
While the base section represents the world of laws, the manifested, complex & everchanging, material world we inhabit. This is expressed by the angles and houses, which represents the various areas of our everyday experience of life in this world.
Sun, Moon & Earth
The most important bodies in our astrology are: Sun, Moon and Earth (angles). They represent the tripartite nature of human beings; the three level of soul7; which are associated with the three levels of existence (spirit, soul or psyche and body).
Spirit related to inspiration. This is the human or rational soul, and is what we aspire to. It is consciousness. The unified divine aspect of self, shared by all humanity. It is represented by theSUN in the chart and is symbolised by the Circle which has no beginning nor end.
Soul or psyche related to emotions. This is the animal soul; it is what moves and drives us. It is our senses (sight, smell, hearing, touch & taste), our feelings, instinct and emotions. This is the individuated aspect of self, that distinguishes us from each other. It is represented by the MOON in the chart and is symbolised by the Crescent, the alembic that holds spirit giving it context and definition.
Body related to matter and physical existence. This is the vegetative soul; it is the physical body through which we experience life. It is the biological functions and innate, non-rational intelligence of our body. It is represented by EARTH/the angles in the chart and is symbolised by the Cross of matter that anchors and manifests spirit in the physical world.
- Primary direction is based on the ascensional rising times of the signs over the ASC which varies according to location and seasons. ↩︎
- Firdaria are a system of planetary periods much like the dasa systems of India. Each period of life falls under rulership of the classic seven planets and Nodes. ↩︎
- Holy Trinity—Wisdom (Word), Intelligence (Holy Spirit) and Power (Source). In the Christian faith these are associated with God the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. ↩︎
- Hermes ‘Trismegistus’ (thrice great) said to know the three parts of the wisdom of the whole Universe They are referred to as Alchemy, Astrology, and Theurgy, which are also known as the Operation of the Sun, the Operation of the Moon and the Operation of the Stars respectively. ↩︎
- The Platonic soul consists of three parts, which are located in different regions of the body: logos (reason) located in the head; thymos (spirit/emotions) located in the chest/ heart area and Eros (desire) located in the stomach. ↩︎
- The term ‘soul’ can be problematic as it is defined and conceived differently by many and leads to complex theological debates. For clarity I define soul as a non-individuated essence that is the interface between Spirit and matter, connecting our earthly being to a higher power. My understanding is that soul exists in all things on different levels. Where there is life there is soul. (see note 4) ↩︎
- The human or rational soul; animal soul and vegetative soul. (See note 4) ↩︎
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