Where is Elio, the cat? Oct 24, 2025 ay 8:00:44 Melbourne, Australia
Sometimes I get a request for a horary that needs to be done now. This was one such request. My daughter called me from her home in Los Angeles, in a bit of a panic. She was about to leave for the airport to catch a flight to New Orleans, but she could not find Elio, the kitten she had recently rescued. He was nowhere to be found and she was worried that he may have slipped out. She needed to know whether he was still in her apartment or had gotten out.
I immediately set the chart and did a very quick judgement. The time was 8:01 am on Oct 24, 2025, in Melbourne Australia. My daughters significator is Jupiter on the 8th cusp shows her anxiety and worry about the situation. Jupiter trines the Moon on the 12th cusp, she is thinking the worst. That Moon indicated the radicality of the chart as it was on the degree of her natal Sun/Jupiter/Pluto conjunct.
Seeing that Elio was signified by the 6th house and its ruler Venus in Libra in the 10th house, I quickly surmised that Elio was still in the apartment, somewhere comfortable (a bed of some sort). I noted the IC in mutable sign of Pisces, its ruler Jupiter and the Moon also in water signs; I told her that Elio was most likely near a source of water, inside something. She has 2 closets that have a wall adjacent to the bathroom. I advised her that Elio was probably there, potentially on a higher shelf because Venus is in an Air sign, elevated in the chart. She thanked me and went off as she was in a hurry to catch her flight.
Oooops!
I went to finish my breakfast, returning to my office an half an hour later. The above chart was still on my computer. Some of you may have already noticed the mistake I made. I realised (to my horror) that in my hurry to set the chart I had not noticed that it was still set for Fortune on the ASC, rather than the quadrant house system I normally use, Regiomontanus. The actual chart should have been:
Where is Elio, the cat? Oct 24, 2025 ay 8:00:44 Melbourne, Australia Regiomontanus Houses
The querent is still signified by Jupiter, here in the 9th… she was in a bit of a panic, because she needed to get to the airport. Her mind was on where she was going. Elio the cat is signified by Mars, in Scorpio, conjunct Moon very close to the ASC, but hidden in the 12th house. Mars applies to trine Jupiter, showing Elio and querent coming together.
The Moon can also be taken as a significator for missing/wandering animals; and here its first aspect will be to the ASC after it changes signs. While it will trine Neptune just before, this is not a prohibition as Neptune is an outer planet that does not signify anything/one.
Aquarius is now on the cusp of the IC, ruled by Saturn in Pisces, in the 5th house, still suggest that he is inside something and close to a water source. This is supported by both Moon and Mars watery Scorpio. But now I wasn’t so sure that he would be elevated (as Venus in the 10th in Libra had suggested). Even though Aquarius on the IC could describe an elevated place, all the other testimony showed that he probably is closer to the ground.
I quickly called my daughter back to let her know my mistake. She was waiting to board her plane and informed me that she found Elio minutes after our first conversation. She had gone directly to the closet that was adjacent the bathroom and found him sleeping inside a box on the bottom shelf; so not on the ground but just above. He was well hidden (as Mars in the 12th house would be).
So there you have it. The mysterious ways of horary strikes again.
Would this property be worth it financially? Oct 17, 2025 at 16:43 AEDT -11:00 Melbourne, Australia
BACKGROUND
The question was asked after the querent and her husband saw a property that interested them. The property would need quite a bit of work, but had great potential. They had renovated several old properties so were aware of the work involved. They loved unique properties and this one seemed to tick all the boxes. They were drawn to the creative challenge & potential that this property offered them.
There were two building on the property: a small three bedroom circa 1839 cottage, classified by the National Trust, with heritage overlay; and a small double story ‘studio’ that could be converted into a one-bedroom maisonette. The property promised a two-income stream, once works were completed.
CONSIDERATIONS
There is no accord between the Lord of the hour, Moon and the ASC or its ruler, Jupiter. This indicates that there maybe an emotional pull regarding the issue in question. Another consideration would be the presence of Saturn in the 1st house warning that there may not be a satisfactory resolution to this question.
This chart is radical as both the querent and her husband’s natal charts have strong connection.
The MC on the querent natal Saturn degree Mercury on the querent Mars/IC degree Mercury on the querent Mars/IC degree The Moon opposes the querent natal Moon and squares her Sun Mars on her husband’s natal Saturn degree Mercury on the husband’s natal MC The ASC on the husband’s natal Mars
SIGNIFICATORS
Querent/husband –Pisces ASC (double bodied sign: querent & her husband, they are one relative to the question); and its ruler Jupiter in Cancer on the 5th cusp, as well as the Virgo Moon in the 6th.
The Property – Gemini IC and its ruler Mercury in Scorpio in the 9th house conjunct Mars. We could also look at the Moon.
The querent’s finances – The Aires 2nd house and its ruler Mars in Scorpio.
Debt/ money owed – Libra 8th house, ruler Venus in Libra and Libra Sun in the 8th house
Potential profit – Sagittarius MC/10th and Jupiter in Cancer.
The significators are very descriptive of the situation. Jupiter on the 5th cusp signifies the querent and her husband, which is very indicative of their excitement at the creative potential before them. Jupiter’s partile aspect with the Sun, shows their strong vision of what could be done with place. Jupiter’s exalted state, and Neptune in the 1st is indicative of the illusion they are under regarding the amount of work required to make their vision a reality. The exact square between Jupiter and the Sun, ruler of the 6th, in the 8th; their vision and its cost, in time and money, are at odds.
The overall state of this property is described by the 4th house, its ruler Mercury and the Moon. The double-bodied sign of Gemini on the IC indicating two buildings. Gemini like most Air signs, can describe a hilly or high place; this property is on a hill, the front cottage being on the lower side, the back rising high behind.
Mercury, is peregrine in Scorpio, cadent and just beginning to slow down; the place has been neglected and seen better days. Mercury is conjunct the 9th ruler Mars; this warns of potential legal or bureaucratic issues and delays regarding permits. The peregrine Moon in Virgo is slow, located in the 6th house and applying with reception to Mercury by sextile. This is indicative of the amount of work required to renovate this property; and how much the property would benefit from it. Supporting this testimony is the placement of Mercury/Mars in the turned 6th from the 4th… indicating that the property is currently unwell:)
Mercury and Mars in Scorpio (stagnate water), and Lord of the 12th, Saturn retrograde in Pisces in the 1st house warns there are likely to be issues with water and drainage. The closeness of the water grand trine between: Mercury/Mars, Jupiter (querent) and Saturn reaffirm that water/moisture may be a problem. As the property is on a hill this is not unexpected. Saturn retrograde shows time being slow, so not only are there problems but they may take far more time to fix.
Their money signified by Mars in Scorpio, shows that at present their finances are fine, but being Mars there is a danger of overspending in regards to this property. The potential for debt is great as Venus the Lord of the 8th is the most dignified and well-placed planet in the chart. Being in the 7th this shows that debt could be their enemy. The Sun, ruler of the 6th in the 8th, indicates that some work needed to be done on this property may currently be invisible, underground and unknown; all of which will be expensive.
Exalted Jupiter rules the 10th house of the potential for profit, would at first seem a positive testimony, but on closer inspection it appears to be an illusion. The MC is conjunct the querent’s natal Saturn and Jupiter is on the contra-antiscia of her natal Sun; and it is also on the husbands DES.
JUDGEMENT
The overall judgement is simply that this is not a good investment to make at this time. The property needs more work than may be obvious. While the vision they have for the place is exciting and could result in a great investment, the reality of the work and time required to make it happen is greater than their finances can support. The money commitment far exceeds their ability to fund it. They would need to borrow a lot of money putting them into debt that would put undue stress on them. This stress is also indicated by the fact that the querent’s natal Saturn is on the degree of the MC (potential profit from the property); and her husband’s natal Saturn is at the degree of Mars (their finances).
As a final testimony showing that this property would be an unwise deal for their finances, the ASC of this horary at 17 Pisces, has its antiscia degree at 12 Libra, the degree on the 8th house cusp… the house of debt.
Charlie Kirk was a polarising public figure who was admired by some, loathed by many and ignored by most until his shocking public assassination on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. He was born into a politically moderate household and grew up in the affluent Chicago suburb of Prospect Heights, Illinois. While his family were financially comfortable rather than wealthy, he nonetheless entered the world with privilege and financial comfort. A comfort that grew exponentially during the course of his short life.
Charlie made a name for himself as a young conservative political activist and right-wing influencer. At the age of 18 and with the help of a rich benefactor he founded TPUSA (Turning Point USA) a non-profit organisation that advocated for conservative politics on high school, college, and university campuses. He claimed himself to be a proponent of free speech, expressing his right-wing, at times provocative views on politics, race, morality, gender and religion. He was an avowed Evangelical Christian who strongly supported Trump and white Christian nationalism; he vehemently opposed abortion, DEI and gun control; was highly critical of feminism, civil, gay and transgender rights, Islam and immigration. He also promoted conspiracy theories including false claims about the 2020 stolen election, Covid-19 and the ‘great replacement theory’.
His tragic public assassination propelled him into the limelight. Ironically, as his supporters elevate him to the status of martyr: the slain hero of free-speech; there is a move to suppress any public criticism of the man or the words he spoke. The myth making and distortion of truth regarding Charlie Kirk the man, is so thorough that he may forever remain an enigma.
We shall never know whether Charlie Kirk would have made amends for the pain his speech caused, because he was robbed of his potential to mature, to evolve and gain wisdom. For better or worse history will judge Charlie Kirk by his word and the ideas he gave voice to.
Astrological Chart
Charlie Kirk was born on October 14, 1993 in Arlington Heights, Illinois. There is no recorded birth time, so I have used the pre-natal eclipse angles.1 The resulting chart has 20 Cancer 11 rising and 0 Aries 35 on the MC2. We will look at how this chart was impacted on the day of his death, but first let us delineate this chart. It is often the case that the astrological chart of a public figure or a person we know, is not what we expect. People are far more layered than is evident, so it is important to let the chart guide us, rather than impose our own opinions on what it should mean. Easier said than done!
Oct 14, 1993 in Arlington Illinois – PNE angles
General Observations
Almost everything is under the horizon, indicating that there is much that is hidden beneath the surface. What you see is not necessarily what you get. It is worth noting that both benefics are in essential debility, while the two malefics: Mars and Saturn are in their signs of rulership. Located on the IC, the root of the chart, the essentially debilitated Venus has a lot of influence over the life.
There is an abundance of Air in this chart, with both luminaries, Jupiter, Saturn, the South Node and IC in Air signs. The hot, moist element of Air indicates a sanguine temperament, being of a friendly and social nature. Air is associated with intellect, ideas, communication and social interchange. Unless balanced by the cold, dry Earth element, Air can tend towards shallowness and an avoidance of deep contemplation. Earth with its natural inclination to stillness, depth, scholarship and tangible reality, will ground the idealised, hypothetical and intellectualised reality of Air. In this chart there is very little Earth; with only Venus in Virgo and Uranus/Neptune conjunct the Capricorn DES; the angle representing the other and the open enemy.
An essentially strong Mars in Scorpio conjunct Mercury and Pluto and the Cancer ASC provides water in this chart. The cold, moist element of water is associated with emotions and feelings. Here, they would be driven by Mars, the most essentially dignified and well placed planet in the chart.
Missing from this chart is Fire, with only the North Node in Sagittarius and the Aries MC. The hot, dry Fire element is associated with light and spirit. Fire takes us outside ourselves to inspire3.The inspiration brought to us through the Fire signs, leads to insights which can reshape our understanding of life; bringing us to a higher, broader and more wholistic perspective of the world and ourselves.
The angles, Sun, Jupiter and Moon (L1) are in cardinal moveable signs. Associated with the initiating impulse, action and beginnings. Cardinal signs are focused, vibrant and associated with excitement; anything is possible, but they do not carry much staying power. The MC degree at 0 Aries is especially telling, in that this is the very beginning of the entire zodiacal circle. The symbolism of Aries being singularly focused on their objective and blind to the other, is at its most potent at this first degree.
Like the missing element of Fire, there is a notable lack of mutable energy in this chart with only the Nodes and Venus in mutable signs. The reputation of mutability equating to indecisiveness, belies the fact that they are best able to consider multiple perspectives and change direction if needed. Mutability can impart subtlety and shades of meaning.
The Chart in Detail
The Moon being the ruler of the ASC being, emphasises the importance of needing to feel safe and secure. In this chart the Moon is much afflicted, so Charlie’s sense of safety would be challenged. The Moon being in the 4th house of family and roots, conjunct the two planets associated with God and religion, indicates that he found safety within family and through religion. Sun is the natural significator of God and Jupiter is naturally associated with religion and philosophy, especially in this chart as Jupiter rules the 9th house.
The Moon, is only a few degrees from his exact conjunction to the Sun, after which he begins a new cycle. The beginning of any cycle holds the immature potential of its unfoldment. There is a fragile innocence or naivety that has yet to be moulded by experience, reminiscent of a new born child’s almost infinite potential in need of support.
So how supported is the Moon? It is peregrine4, in the via-combusta5, combust the Sun, square Uranus/Neptune, trine and received by Saturn in the 8th into his exaltation. It is interesting that Saturn and the Moon are in each other face (decan), a dignity which bring a sense of concern, anxiety or fear with it6. This connection with Saturn would exacerbate the insecurity that the Moon’s condition indicates and imply the need for a strong external authority or structure to rely on.
The Moon’s dispositor Venus, provides little support as there is no aspect between them. This being a night chart Venus, the universal significator of relationship, is in fall and peregrine. Moon in air can impart the ability to distance one’s self from their emotions, by approaching them from the safety of their intellect. Those with Moon in Libra tend to use relationships with others to define, recognise and validate their feelings.
The Sun is essentially afflicted by being in fall and peregrine. The negative expression of an afflicted Sun is arrogance, something that Charlie was often accused of. The Sun makes the same difficult contacts as the Moon. As the ruler of the 2nd house and the exalted ruler of the 10th the Sun informs us as to his attitude around money and power. A planet is essential debility can convey an insecurity or lack of confidence around the matters it governs. Insecurity around money, can lead to focusing on what is lacking and constantly striving for more. The Sun’s dispositor Venus though in essential debility, is strongly placed on the IC and is also the lord of the 11th house of good fortune and benefactors. He had financial benefactors who supported him from the time he was eighteen years old.7
The Sun is received by Saturn in the 8th, ruler of the 7th house of “others” and 8th house their money. Normally we would see reception as helpful especially coming from an essentially dignified planet such as Saturn in Aquarius. However, there are a couple problems here; the Sun is very uncomfortable with Aquarius where it finds itself in detriment, so this reception will fail in its promise. Saturn would provide support, but would also have much power over the Sun. A retrograde planet will often express itself in a very tangible manner; here this could literally be other people’s money. Saturn (OPM) was able to provide tangible resources to the Sun (L2), but these would come at a price.
The Sun’s conjunction to Jupiter, also bestowed good fortune, but like with Saturn, there would be a cost. Jupiter is conjunct the lucky fixed star Spica and the Sun would have shared in its good fortune. Charlie’s ability to generate money was strong. Jupiter’s rulership of the 6th house indicates that he no doubt worked hard for it.
Jupiter only has dignity by face, squares the ASC/DES, is combust the Sun at the tail end of its synodic cycle8 and will shortly begin a new one. The same sense of immaturity we see in his Moon, envelops Jupiter who also receives no help from his dispositor Venus, in Virgo the sign of her fall and Jupiter’s detriment. Though received by Saturn, his dispositor by exaltation, what Saturn as Lord 8 in the 8th offers is the antithesis to Jupiter’s expansive and optimistic nature. Mars as ruler of the MC and the 5th house, shows that he was inclined to focus his energy on his career and public life. Having Mercury, the natural communicator & the lord of the 3rd house, along for the ride, was made evident through the creation of his successful platform that communicated to masses of people. In true Mars/Mercury fashion this was achieved in a way that engaged and inflamed emotions. Through incendiary verbal pronouncements, that provoked reaction and pushback, he was able to successfully project himself into the world.
Mercury in Crisis
As Charlie was most known for the words he spoke, it is interesting that Mercury is in such a terrible position in this chart. He is peregrine, having no essential dignity whatsoever. This Mercury has no mooring, which only exacerbate the tendency of Mercury to take on the nature and characteristic of those around him. He is besieged between a conjunction to his dispositor Mars and the square with Saturn, both in rulership. He is also afflicted by his conjunction to Pluto and sextile to both Uranus and Neptune. He is devoid of any benefic influence.
Saturn in Aquarius, fixed air sign can impart on the native a tendency towards fixed, dogmatic ideas, while Mars in Scorpio will tenaciously defend their position to the end. The two malefic planets in their fixed signs of rulership would strongly impart their nature on to Mercury. The fixity and confidence of Mars & Saturn would endow Mercury with the ability to forcefully express and defend his opinions with absolute authority. It is reported that his views on many topics became more extreme over time.
Mercury rules the 3rd house as well as the 12th. He was a confided communicator who may have painted himself into a corner. One has to wonder if his meteoric rise and success, beholden to other people’s money and power may have entrapped him into an immutable position that in time could have become untenable. We shall never know as his life was cut short, ironically by a gun; the ownership of which he defended as a ‘god given right’.
There is no aspect between Mercury and the Moon; there is nothing that connects them except their applying aspect to Saturn; which Mercury will not perfect as he stationed retrograde a full degree before his square to Saturn. This disconnect between the sensible mind (Moon) that is informed through the bodily senses, emotions and feelings; and the rational mind (Mercury) that is informed by the intellect and objective thinking reinforces the difficulty he would have in forming nuanced understanding or recognition of the paradoxical and interwoven nature of life.
Venus is also the ‘significator of the mind’9 in this chart. The significator of the mind does not denote intelligence but rather the manner in which one uses their mind and to what end. As such, she does not herald a positive use of his mind. She is essentially debilitated, being both in fall and peregrine. She is unaspected, except for her separating sextile with Pluto. Being located on the IC, the root of the chart, Venus had a lot of influence over the life.And here we find an enigma.
Symbolically her location in the darkest part of the chart and in fall is descriptive of his voiced opinions of a woman’s place in society10; in the home with the children and submissive to the man. From all reports he was in a good marriage; his wife who was 5 years older (Saturn Lord 7), was educated and a successful business woman.
Conclusion
Charlie Kirk died so young that he did not receive the opportunity to mature, to gain depth and wisdom through experience. Wisdom is rarely present in the young, but I firmly believe that we all have the ability to find that wisdom in time. He was clearly an intelligent man who held fixed notions about life, society and morality. At the moment of his death, he still had that exaggerated swagger and self-assurance in himself that only the young can have.
He was born with an innate sense of naivety and lack of self-confidence. He would have been influenced by the strongly expressed ideas of others especially if they were void of subtlety. In order to find safety, he needed a clear and strong structure to believe in. He found comfort and confidence through his evangelical Christian faith and his family that mirrored the moral values of that faith.
He was motivated by fear. His Christian faith provided him with the arrogant notion that he was on the righteous side with God. Therefore, he could cruelly condemn and dismiss all who differed from him. He defended ignorance as a virtue, cruelty as strength and prejudice as common sense. At his core he was insecure, seeking strength and power outside himself, whether through money or powerful friends.
He was a talented communicator who expressed himself with absolute conviction, using his intellect to craft simple and straight forward opinions of good versus evil. The ability to think with nuance did not come naturally to him; far easier to have a clear black-and-white view to hang on to. In time he may have allowed himself to consider the grey. But we shall never know.
It is to be noted that the USA (Sibley) chart has 1 degree Aries on the IC. ↩︎
The word inspire means; “to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural influence or action”. The meaning is a metaphorical extension of the word’s Latin root: inspirare meaning “to breathe or blow into.” The metaphor is a powerful one, with the very breath of a divine or supernatural force asserted as being at work. ↩︎
Having no essential dignity. The planet has no connection to that part of the zodiac. It is like a person that is lost in a foreign land. ↩︎
Via Combusta is Latin for “the burning way”; it refers to the last fifteen degree of Libra and the first fifteen degrees of Scorpio. Considered to be particularly afflicting to the Moon at those degrees. ↩︎
Lee Lehmann, Essential Dignities, Whitford Press 1989 Chapter 5, p. 127 -136 ↩︎
In 2012 at the age of 18, Charlie met Bill Montgomery with whom he founded TPUSA (on June 5 2012) and Foster Friess who financed it. ↩︎
It would not be until March 2016, that by progression, Jupiter would emerge from the beams of the Sun. The same year that he made his appearance at the 2016 Republican convention on July 18, 2016. On that day progressed Mercury was on the degree of his natal Mars.↩︎
The significator of the mind is the compound almuten of the ASC, Moon and Mercury ↩︎
Kirk repeatedly stated that women should prioritize motherhood over careers, asserting young women are suffering because they are encouraged to focus on jobs over families. He criticized birth control, claiming it makes women “angry and bitter” and that females over 30 “aren’t attractive in the dating pool.” Discussing news of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement on The Charlie Kirk Show, 26 August 2025He said: “Reject feminism. Submit to your husband, Taylor. You’re not in charge”. Responding to a question about whether he would support his 10-year-old daughter aborting a pregnancy conceived because of rape on the debate show, “The answer is yes, the baby would be delivered.” published on 8 September 2024↩︎
“…and the Chaldeans say that from eternity there has been a divine and intelligible stream through the eastern/rising part of heaven. And this stream both moves and turns the cosmos, and brings to life everything in it by sending them their own soul… And every degree, when it came to be around this eastern/rising place, which is the gate of souls and the spiritual inlet of the Universe, is made powerful.” Porphyry: Introduction to Ptolemy (3rd century)
The importance of a birthtime in natal astrology, cannot be over stated. While there are ways to work around the lack of an accurate birthtime, we are restricted. In this article I will present a method I fortuitously stumbled across, which has yielded some astounding results. I want to be clear up front that this is not a method of rectification. If the birth occurred within a window of time, then rectification can be successfully used to refine the ASC degree. The narrower that window, the more accuracy we can achieve. However, when all we have is a date, then rectification becomes fraught with pitfalls, not the least being confirmation bias.
Without rectifying a chart, the most common ways to deal with an unknown birth time would be to set the chart for noon, create a solar or sunrise chart. These options result in valid charts that can be useful, albeit with limitations. With out a time we may have a chart, but since we cannot identify the ASC, we do not have a horoscope. The word horoscope is derived from the Greek words ōra ‘time’ and scopos ‘observer’. Horoscope also referred to the ASC itself; the ‘marker of the hour’. By definition we cannot have horoscope without a time.
Traditional astrologers placed much importance in identifying particular planets (or points) that were responsible for different area of the life. The planet that ruled the sign on the cusp of a house was understood to govern the affairs of that house. As well as its universal signification, a planet’s nature and condition would provide information as to how things would fare in that area of the life. Without an ASC it is impossible to identify houses or their rulers, so we are reduced to drawing information sole from the planet’s universal signification.
In the tradition the Hyleg; the giver of life was one of the most important planets or points to identify. It was considered to have the greatest influence upon vitality and life. There were only five points or planets that could serve as the Hyleg; the Sun, Moon, Ascendant, Lot of Fortune & the syzygy1.
Without a time, we have no ascendant, and without an ascendant, we cannot calculate the Lot of Fortune2. With out a time the degree and potentially the sign of the Moon is uncertain. Only the Sun’s position and the syzygy degree can be relied upon. We are unable to access some of the most important information that a horoscope can provide. Many technics like Solar & Lunar returns, primary direction will be made void and others will be limited. The most reliable tools we are left with are transits and to a lesser extent progressions.
The Prenatal Eclipse
For years I have used the pre-natal eclipse chart with my clients. I cannot recall when I began to do so or for what reason. I do not differentiate between solar or lunar eclipse. I simply use the one closest to the birth date. Once I identify the eclipse, I locate it to the birth location. Over the years I have found that the degrees on the angles of these relocated pre-natal eclipse charts are sensitive and important. These degrees are so often highlighted in synastry, that I now expect them to be.
Eclipses are true syzygy, which is defined in astronomical terms as: a roughly straight-line configuration of three or more celestial bodies in a gravitational system. An eclipse occurs when there is a lining up of the three main bodies in our astrological cosmos: Sun, Moon and Earth. These three bodies equate to spirit, soul and body. The moment of an eclipse is a moment of opportunity, as the three aspects of man, the three levels of existence align; allowing an exchange between them. The light of spirit can enter the soul/psyche and be received into the body, and vice-versa.
The moment of an eclipse is anchored to the location from which it is experienced. This results in its manifestation being unique to both the location and the individual to whom the eclipse is connected. While everyone born in a location within a particular time frame will share the same pre-natal eclipse horoscope, the location of the planets on the day of their birth will be different.
Discovery on a Whim
George Perry Floyd woke up on the morning of May 25, 2020 an ordinary man, black in America; he did not wake up with the intention of making a mark on the world; nor did he wake up that day to die on the street under the knee of Derek Chauvin.
Through his tragic death the importance of George Floyd’s life was elevated beyond his individual human experience, to become a powerful symbol, a talisman for change. The cruel and heartless criminality of his death held a mirror to all that is unjust and corrupt in our world. In death George Floyd left a mark on the world. I was intrigued as to what astrological signature might be in his chart indicating such exaltation in his death.
George Floyd was born on October 14, 1973 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. There is no recorded birthtime for him. Frustrating as this was, I decided to explore his chart nonetheless. Setting it for noon confirmed that he had a Moon is in Taurus, but I could not identify any angles/houses meanings.
I decided to look at the pre-natal eclipse chart which would have active angles and see if it might shed light on the manner of his death. The eclipse occurred on July 15, 1973; in Fayetteville NC it was at 7:56 am. It was a Lunar eclipse at 22 Capricorn. With 13’06” Leo on the ASC and 5’35” Taurus on the MC. I noted that the ruler of the eclipse degree, Saturn at 27 Gemini, was trining the USA (Sibley) chart’s Moon at 27 Aquarius, and was on the antiscia of the USA Venus at 3 Cancer.
As I started delineating this chart; on a whim I wondered if I could use these pre-natal eclipse angles degrees on his natal chart. I rectified his birth chart to these PNE angles and this is the resulting chart.
George Floyd PNE Angles
Oct 14 1973 in Fayetteville NC PNE angles giving a 1:58 AM time
Looking at this chart from the perspective of death was rather fascinating. One of the most striking things is the presence of Mars on the MC. Mars is natural significator of police, aggression and violence. Here it rules the 4th house (grave and endings); and 9th house (law, publication, higher learning, philosophy and foreign places).
ars in Taurus, is in detriment, retrograde and mutually applies to sextile the ruler the 6th house Saturn in Cancer, (lungs/chest) conjunct South Node. There is also a mutual application by square between Mars and Lord 8 (death) Jupiter, positioned in the 6th and who applies to Pluto in the 3rd of communication (public death by bad police) by trine. There is a generosity3 between the Lord 6 & 8, Saturn in Cancer and Jupiter in Aquarius; and both aspect Pluto. Mars (police) will carry the light of Saturn (knee) to Jupiter (death).
The ASC ruler, Sun in Libra is in Fall and cadent in the 3rd house. Sun only aspects Uranus by conjunction and will not make any other aspect until his ingress into Scorpio. Once there, the natural significator of life and vitality will first encounter a square with L8 Jupiter, then a trine to Saturn and opposition to Mars.
Venus, ruler MC (public life) and 3rd house, is also the almuten of the 8th (co-significator of death). She is in 4th house and disposited by Jupiter (death brings fame). The Venus/Neptune conjunction (martyrdom), is inconjunct the MC/Mars & Saturn (apex of a Yod); and sextiling Pluto on the 3rd cusp (everyone will hear about it).
George Floyd’s Death
May 25, 2020 at 21:25 CDT in Minneapolis, Minnesota
The incident that led to George Floyd’s death began at around 8:00 pm, and at 8:20 that witnesses began to film what was happening. He was officially declared dead at 9:25 pm on May 25, 2020. The chart for that moment has 14 Sagittarius rising which is very close to the USA ASC (12 Sagittarius 21).
Lord 8, Moon at 14 Cancer is close to the USA Sibley chart’s Sun (13 Cancer 19). The next aspect the Moon makes to a major planet, is a mutually applying & received opposition with lord of the ASC, Jupiter (life) on its degree of fall4. Life receives death. There is a very close contra-antiscia (4 minutes from exact) between the Sun and Pluto. Life/light and the underworld.
There is an exact sextile between the volatile and destructive planets: Uranus and Mars, Lord of the 4th,12th and 11th. At the time of his death Jupiter (his natal 8th ruler) was at 27 Capricorn, the degree of the USA Pluto.
Transits:
Uranus was on his natal MC & Mars (echoing the Mars/Uranus sextile)
Mars on his natal 8th cusp & POF
Saturn on natal 8th ruler, Jupiter
Sun opposite natal Lord 10 Venus/Neptune.
The MC (7 Libra) was very close to his natal Pluto.
Profection:
Profected ASC was at 13 Gemini on the death charts 7th cusp (the portal of death)
Profected Lord 8, Jupiter at 2 Sagittarius comes to Venus/Neptune.
Profected Venus/Neptune 5 Libra comes to natal Pluto; and death chart’s MC
Profected Saturn 4 Taurus, comes to natal MC and Mars
Profected Moon 18 Pisces, close to transiting Neptune
Syzygy is a traditional astrological term that refers to the pre-natal lunation degree. Considered very important in delineation of a natal horoscope. ↩︎
The Lot or Part of Fortune is a calculated point found by taking the distance between Sun and Moon and projecting it from the ASC. I personally use the fixed formula. ↩︎
Planets in each other’s sign or exaltation, but not making an aspect. Sometimes falsely referred to as being in mutual reception. These planets are really in mutual disposition. ↩︎
Each planet is in fall when in the sign opposite the sign of their exaltation; they also have a specific degree that is said to be their degree of fall, which is opposite their degree of exaltation. Jupiter’s degree of exaltation is 27 Cancer, so 27 Capricorn is its degree of fall. ↩︎
Traditional astrologers viewed the planets quite differently than how we understand them today. They understood the planets to be living conscious beings, or as 12th century Guido Bonatti called them: superior beings.
“…On those things which move a man to pose a question. The first is the motion of the soul, when someone is moved by his intention to pose a question. The second is the motion of the superior beings, namely when someone asks what they are impressing into the quaesited thing, what will come of it…”1
Planets were not owned in the way we speak of them, when we claim some authority over “my Saturn” or “my Moon” … In the past each planet was understood as having a fundamental nature that dictated its specific function, promise and associated chain of correspondence. Depending on their condition at a particular moment in time, they would express the best or worst of their nature and fulfill their promise to a lesser or greater degree.
The notion of some planets being “malefic” and others “benefic” is one that sits uncomfortably with contemporary norms. Our world promotes the notion of equality and neutrality, to the detriment of natural order. Each of the seven classic planets was understood to govern an aspect of the divine order which dictated that everything in this world must be born, grow, sow their seed and die. The benefic planets were life promoting, initiating growth, birth and expansion; whereas the malefic planets functioned to restrict and destroy, ensuring that no one out stayed their allotted time. Each was crucial in maintaining balance in the world.
The human experience tends to judge one side of this balance more favorably that the other. We want to avoid the pain that comes with lose, grief and death; and to seek out that which promotes life, joy and happiness. One is brought to us via the malefic planets Mars and Saturn, while the other by the benefic Jupiter and Venus.
Who is Saturn?
Saturn rules time and the restriction this imposes on our earthly existence. As astrologers, we deal in time and are prone to get caught in its apparent, but deceptive forward momentum. However if we are to look honestly into our past, we can recognize that we have not moved far. The cycles of life, the movement of the planets and stars, mark our experiences, but time stands still in a forever present moment that is re-experienced over and over and over.
Traditional astrology understood the importance of Saturn, not only as the significator of time but also as the ally of the astrologer. For it was only through hard study and serious application to this sacred Art that any relationship with the “superior beings” (the planets) is possible.
Saturn is encountered at the beginning and at the end of all endeavors, including life. He provides the body that allows us this earthly experience, and at the appropriate time, he takes it away. It is for this reason that he is associated with the ASC and 1st house, the beginning point that marks our birth; and the 8th house of death.
Saturn is the first planet in the Chaldean order, the first planetary gate through which the Soul must pass on its journey into incarnation. Encountering Saturn, the soul takes on structure and authority as well as the limitations of the physical body, matter and time. Even as modern astrologers we are well aware of the association of Saturn with restriction and limitation. The reason for this becomes obvious when we consider that Saturn exists at the outmost edge of our visible solar system, and defines our natural limits. Saturn is the border between our known world and the Divine sphere of the fixed stars.
The basic qualities that make up Saturn’s temperament are cold and dry to the extreme. Cold constricts and dry limits movement. Saturn is of a melancholic temperament; he is stern, serious and authoritative. He is a masculine and diurnal or day planet. Saturn’s extreme cold nature needs the warmth of the Sun to function in a more balanced manner, therefore though he may like and feel at home in the cold darkness of night, he functions better in the heat and light of the day.
Saturn’s extreme cold and dry nature is what accounts for his reputation as a malefic planet. The absence of warmth and moisture is antagonistic to life and growth. Yet it is these qualities of Saturn that allows matter to crystallise and take physical form. It is the discipline and structure of Saturn that allows life to exist and ideas to take shape. From a human psychological perspective, it is only when we engage with the discipline and structure of Saturn that we accomplish anything.
The tears of grief are another of Saturn’s gifts to the soul. Hidden deep in Saturn’s strictness and authority lays the impossible longing for the return to the divine. The grief of Saturn is the knowing that one must pass through incarnated life, with its pain and joys and that one’s authority is fleeting and illusionary. The ruins of the past, the laws of old, and the desolation of yesterday are all part of Saturn’s cold and dry rule; and so, his association with melancholy and in its extreme form, depression.
The great malefic demands hard work and is associated with death and the inevitable end to all beginnings. Interestingly he is also connected with births, to which death is always a close possibility. This is illustrated by the fact that the birthing process is called “labour”, for it is indeed hard work to give birth and hard work is Saturn’s territory.
From a traditional medical understanding Saturn governs the memory function of the “animal spirit” which resides in the brain. Without Saturn our individual thoughts and knowledge could not be retained. Saturn is the storehouse of wisdom.
Saturn is associated with the hardest, heaviest and oldest things. He is associated with old age (from 70 to 99 years old) and the seventh age of man, the age of resignation and ideally, wisdom. Saturn is associated with the metal lead, the heaviest and most poisonous of all the metals. Saturn corresponds to the most toxic and poisonous plants, including hemlock and belladonna.
Saturn is said to rule the bones, teeth and skin of the body, that which defines the structure and limits of the physical body. All boundaries are under the rule of Saturn. At the borders of our travels, we encounter Saturn in the form of immigration and border authority which demands that we present our documents, our right to passage, or we can go no further.
No need to fear the great malefic?
Once we enter the world of traditional astrology our view of life and reality changes. Once we open our minds to the wisdom of our lineage, it is very difficult not to be influenced by the great astrologers that came before us. However, it is the incredible commonality between human experience of the past and our own that takes us by surprise. The emotional and psychological needs of the everyday person have not changed over the centuries, even though our technology has.
We live in a linear world that is imbued with the ideas that promote evolution and progress. Whilst everything on earth is born, grows, withers and dies in the endless cycle of life, giving rise to the illusion of a forward movement of time, it is but that; an illusion.
Saturn is the path less taken, because it is the path of greatest hardship; the path of blood, sweat and tears. Saturn provides us with challenges and obstacles that in the end force us to confront the inevitable transient nature of life. Saturn teaches us that this life is an illusion to which we are not meant to get attached. But by making the effort to befriend Saturn and do the hard work he requires, we are rewarded by the awe-inspiring storehouse of ancient wisdom that is his domain; and by making friends with Saturn the door is open to the other superior beings in our cosmos: Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Venus and the Luminaries.
Guido Bonatti Book of Astronomy – Treatise 5: 146 Considerations translated by Benjamin Dykes ↩︎
On March 20, 2023 the WGA (Writer Guild of America) began negotiations on new contract with the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers), which represented the major film & television studios). One month later, on April 18, 97.85% of WGA members voted to take strike action if a satisfactory agreement was not reached. The concerns of the WGA included: loss of financial residuals due to streaming media, the move towards a ‘gig economy’ model that threatened member’s financial and career prospects, general working conditions and the threat posed by AI.
Six weeks after negotiations began, they broke down and the WGA downed pens at midnight on May 1, 2023 beginning a strike that would last 21 weeks. It would take 5 months before the two sides could reach a deal that saw the strike officially end at midnight on Sept 27, 2023.
Pens Down
May 1, 2023 at 3:59 PDT Los Angeles California
We have very accurate charts for the beginning and ending of the strike. The chart for the beginning of the strike provides many clues as to its duration and the course it would take. In all charts the Moon provides important testimony as to the flow of events. Here she is cadent, at zero degrees, just separating from a trine to Pluto and most tellingly she is Void-of-Course. 1
The WGA initiated the strike, so are signified by the Capricorn ASC & Saturn at 5 Pisces in the 2nd house. There were many practical reasons for their action, including financial renumeration as well as protection and compensation for their members. Pluto stationing in the 1st describes the intensity, passion and power of their stand . The AMPTP are signified by the Cancer DES, and the Moon, ruler of the 7th placed in the 9th house related to foreign affairs and publishing2; as well as Mars placed in the 7th house (in fall, but not without some dignity by triplicity). As the Moon covers many significations, we might put more emphasis on Mars as the studios significator, certainly their attitude is better described by Mars. They are comfortable in their position of power, willing to play aggressive and exhibiting a confidence that belies the need for compromise. The MC and its ruler Venus signifies the potential contract.
The Moon has just had entered into the sign of Libra and is separating from her trine to Pluto by a mere 5 minutes, a clear testimony of the recent breakdown in the negotiation and the intense power-play & passion that inflamed this dispute. Interesting that Moon and Saturn (as well as Mars) are in mute signs3 and only have dignity by face, which indicates a sense of anxiety or worry affecting both sides.The Moon’s last aspect to a major planet, was her square to Venus 6 degrees previously, when in the sign of Virgo. This equates to the six weeks since the old contract expired and the unsuccessful negotiation for a new agreement began. The Moon went on to oppose Neptune, on the 3rdhouse cusp, before her ingress into Libra and trine to Pluto stationing retrograde in the 1st house.
As her next aspect will be a square to Mars at 19 degrees Libra. The Moon is presently Void-of-Course and will remain so for the next 7 degrees and 17 minutes when she will enter into orb with Mars. Following the Moon’s course from a symbolic timing perspective, giving each degree approximately one week of time, follows the unfolding of events pretty closely.
Course of Events
For the first two month or 8 weeks nothing happened. (Moon is VOC for 7 plus degrees)
Ten weeks into the strike, on July 12, it was reported that the AMPTP would not return to the negotiation table till late October when the writers would be suffering financial strain and be willing to accept whatever the studios proposed. Naturally this enraged the WGA. (Moon 8 degrees Libra, now in orb of Mars – but Mars is not yet in orb of Moon4).
Thirteen weeks into the strike, on Aug 4 WGA & AMPTP leaders meet face-to-face for the first time since the start of the strike, with little apparent progress. Even the government of California wrote to the companies represented by the AMPTP (on Aug 30) imploring them to return to the negotiations as the strike was having a devastating effect on the economy as a whole. (Moon 13 degrees – Mars and Moon were now in each other’s orb. Moon has now entered into orb of her aspect to Venus).
On Sept 14, nineteen weeks after the start of the strike, the two sides agreed to restart the negotiation in earnest (Moon at 20 degrees – aspect with Mars has perfected.)
A deal is reached on Sept 24 and the strike officially ended on Sept 27 at midnight and the WGA go back to work.
The deal is ratified on Oct 9 (Moon 23 degrees – aspect to Venus perfects)
The timing of the strikes ending is shown by the movement of the Moon to Mars, but also by Mercury who would travel just over 5 degrees before going direct (stationing at 5 degrees 51 minutes Taurus) equating to the 5-month duration of the strike. This was actually what I used to tell my daughter that the strike would last till roughly Sept 25th. I was off by a couple days.
In real time the strike ended at the moment when the ASC/DES degrees were reversed almost to the minute; and the Moon was conjunct Saturn – the Moon being almost at the degree of Saturn in the strike chart; and the Sun close to the degree of the Moon in that same chart.
The Moon is Void-of-course as she is not within her 12 degree orb of making any aspect. ↩︎
Much of the dispute surrounded the issue of streaming content throughout the world without the creators (writers) being compensated for this new manner of delivery that had been extremely profitable to the studios. ↩︎
All water signs are said to be mute, as water creatures make no sound. ↩︎
One of the most important and mysterious aspects of horary is the asking of the question. While it may be true that almost any question can be asked, some question make for better horary. Without a clear, concise and honest question, the resulting chart will be vague and confusing. The symbolism inherent in the horary will reflect the state of the querent relative to the matter in question. Any vagueness or dishonesty in the question (be it conscious or not) will be evident in the resulting horary.
We often hear of the need for a horary chart to be radical, but in fact it is the question that needs to be radical. The term ‘radical’ means rooted. A radical question is one that is firmly rooted to the client’s core. The more understanding on why they are seeking clarification on the issue, the more thought and reflection on the matter by the client; the more radical the question and resulting chart will be.
William Lilly stated that one should contemplate the question for a good 24 hours before asking the astrologer. There is much to be said for taking as much time as is needed to get the question right. Think of it as a gestation period!
Our responsibility as astrologers, is to ensure that not only we understand the question fully, but that our client is also clear. Context is everything. In order to gather the relevant background to the question, we may need to probe them for details that they may not recognise as important or want to share. The original question often transforms, ending up looking very different to what it started off being.
Not all questions will appear to or need to have a deep ‘soul’ connection. Some questions are more mundane, for example a lost object question. Though seemingly simple and clear, this question would still need clarification. When was the object last seen? Where? What are the circumstances that led to it going missing? What is the layout of the house and/or locality where the thing has been lost. With this understanding we can interpret the symbolism in the chart to fit the circumstance of the loss. Remember that if it is important enough for a client to ask about, then that lost object may have a far deeper importance to them than it appears on the surface.
The chart will reveal whether it is worthy to be read by its symbolic description of the players in the drama behind the questions. This is why it is crucial to understand all the facts surrounding the question. Sometimes the very thing that could be described as a “consideration before judgement” is what describes perfectly the circumstances surrounding the question. I have often found that in these circumstances the question may not be easily answered, but the chart still reveals something to the querent about the matter. Every horary chart has a function, but it is not always to provide an answer.
The question is the most important step in the horary process. Without a clear question there will not be a clear chart to interpret. It is not the subject matter that is important, but rather the motivation in its asking. There needs to be a soul intention to the question, it must be genuine and carry an unconditional resolve to accept the judgement made. Only then will the question must be radical or rooted. A radical question will result in a radical chart fit to be judged.
Such a horary will provide clear symbolism and clear answers. However, it is wise to understand that life is complex and multi-facetted, this fact is reflected in astrology. The depth of insight that can be gleaned from a simple horary is astonishing.
When you work as a horary astrologer you quickly learn that the horary chart is a powerful tool which must be given respect. Horary is never to be treated lightly. There is much written in the astrological literature about the importance of the question and warnings about asking your own question, but honestly there would be few horary astrologers who have not done so.
I asked a question that produced a chart so full of ominous testimony that at first, I simply refused to engage with it. Experience has taught me the power and accuracy of horary and so my heart sank on first viewing this chart: what it showed I did not want to face. But as always, the chart proved overwhelmingly accurate.
In order to interpret a chart, we must understand the background to the question. I was about a week away from leaving for an overseas trip that was going to take me to Cambodia to visit my son, then to England where I was to present a talk on Medical horary at the AA conference and speak at the Lodge in London, spending the final two weeks visiting my family in the US; three continents in just over five weeks. An important background factor was that I had undergone a brain surgery on Feb 12 of that year, and had only been cleared to travel by my neurosurgeon two months previously. I was generally apprehensive about travelling as I was still feeling fragile, having minor concerns with dizziness and balance.
My question was simple: “Will my trip go well?”
The natal contacts to my chart make this a very radical chart1. The angles of this chart are the reverse of my natal angles (21 Leo rising and 14 Taurus MC) symbolically this shows circumstances that maybe contrary to or oppose my natural inclination. My natal Mars is at 13 Scorpio 43 conjunct the MC and my natal Moon at 6 degrees Pisces in on the horary Neptune (meaning that I was having a Neptune transit to my Moon). The hour ruler Mercury does not accord with the ASC or its ruler in this chart, indicating that there will be no easy outcome to the situation in question.
In a nutshell this was the judgement: the indications are that this trip will not go smoothly as the two malefic planets Mars & Saturn sit on the MC and the Moon is combust the Sun on the cusp of the 8th house of death, loss and anguish of mind. The testimony for this judgement are:
My significator is the Aquarius ASC(which sits on my natal DES – the portal of death) and its ruler Saturnat 17 Scorpio, peregrine2 and conjunct Mars on the MC; as well as the Moon at 10 degrees Virgo, combust the Sun at 2 Virgo (opposing my natal Moon) and conjunct the 8th house cusp. Mercury ruler of the 8th house is very strong, being in rulership and exaltation; he is making a close sextile to Saturn and Mars.
There is a new Moon indicating a new beginning, which by definition means there was an ending. Saturn on the MC shows that the trip was partly taken for career reasons and to visit my parent particularly my mother3 who had not been well for a number of years.
As this is an overseas trip taking me to foreign places, it is signified by the 9th house and its ruler Venus on the DES (the portals of death) and approaching a partile square of both Saturn and Mars at 17 Leo. There is a negative reception between Saturn in Scorpio and Venus in Leo, mitigating the positive testimony of an angular Venus. Pluto makes a square the cusp of the 9th house. So the trip will encounter malefic influences.
Outcome
The chart proved to be accurate, as on September 4th, the day after arriving in Cambodia I received word that my mother had had a bad fall. At her age and in her fragile physical state, I knew that this was not something which she would likely recover from. Though my father told me not to change my plans as she was currently in hospital and being well looked after, I began to contemplate getting to the US as soon as I could. In the interim I focused on sending her much love and light; I sent messages that I would be there as soon as I could.
A few days later I was having trouble sleeping, I awoke thinking of my mother, tearfully trying to let her know that I was there with her in spirit if not in body. I finally got up as I could not sleep and turned my computer on to see the time. There was a message from my brother saying that he did not think I would make it in time as my mother was having difficulty breathing. I knew that she had died. Minutes later the phone rang; my mother had died (September 8) at 4:39 pm Chicago time, exactly 4:39 AM Cambodian time (September 9). It was then 7:15 AM.
I would like to think that she felt the love I was sending to her, but I shall always regret that I missed her. The last time I was in Chicago had been in April 2013, having planned to return in April 2014, however a benign brain tumour derailed my plans and delayed my trip.
The angles on my mother’s solar return chart for 2014 are almost identical to those of my natal chart so the horary chart plugs into her chart as well as mine. At the moment of my mother’s death in Chicago, the MC was at 17 Scorpio and the Moon was full with the luminaries straddling the 2nd/8th cusp of the horary chart.
Mars as ruler of the 10th house signifies my mother in this horary. The testimony of her death in this chart are: Saturn on her Turned ASC (MC), Mercury the lord of both the radical and turned (from the 10th) house of death being the only dignified planet in the chart. The Moon’s next aspect will be to Mars/Saturn after which she carries their light to Mercury.
A radical chart is connected to the querent or the moment. It has roots and will provide a clear answer. ↩︎
A peregrine planet is one that has no essential dignity in any of the five dignity levels: rulership, exaltation, triplicity, terms and face. It is lost, wandering, unconnected to its location. ↩︎
In traditional astrology the 10th house signifies the mother in particular. ↩︎
In the past astrologers were called upon to answer all manners of enquiries: from lost objects, missing animals, health & money concerns, interests related to work & and public life and the perennial, matters of the heart. The use of natal charts was not as common as it is today, as few had accurate birth data; and on a practical level, the information that can be extracted from a natal chart is not detailed enough to shed light on specific everyday concerns. To assist with their enquiries, astrologers would use a ‘consultation chart’ cast for the moment they met with their client and understood their concerns.
Over the centuries this evolved to become known as Horary; the art of answering a specific question posed to the astrologer. The word horary means ‘of the hour’ and relates to the measure of time. Horary astrology is the astrology of the moment. A question is asked; once the astrologer fully understands it, and makes a commitment to judge the matter, a horoscope is cast.
The historical importance and prevalence of horary in practice, is attested to by the many ancient texts that have codified the technical and philosophical foundations of horary judgement. Take for instance the first of Guido Bonatti1 “146 Considerations”; it relates to the question.
“The first consideration is of those things which move a man to pose a question (and there are three motions). The first is the motion of the soul, when someone is moved by his intention to pose a question…”2
A horoscope captures & anchors a moment, crystallizing it into a symbolic framework that provides a wealth of information. Past, present & future are all present in the horary. In essence horary is astrological divination, a system of prognostication that comes to us from the divine realm; the Cosmos.
“The second is the motion of the superior bodies, namely when someone asks, that they at that time imprint on the thing enquired after, what shall become of it…“3
The Cosmos provides a clear and profoundly detailed snapshot of a moment, that captures what was, what is and what could be within the confines of the horoscope. The Cosmos speaks to us via the planets (the superior bodies), through their movement, placement, condition and influence. It is our responsibility to understand what the Cosmos is communicating through the symbolism present in the horoscope.
“The third is the motion of free will, which can itself be an act of the one asking, because even though the soul is moved to ask, it does not suffice unless the superior bodies lead him to pose the question, nor does the motion of the stars suffice, unless from the motion of the free will the act of asking is reached.”4
The act of asking involves two people; the one who poses the question and the one who receives it. Both must engage their free-will to offer and accept the responsibility of engaging with the Cosmos in seeking its assistance. The one making the enquiry, must be prepare to accept the judgement unconditionally. As astrologers, we have a choice to make judgement on a question, but once we choose to do so, we are committed to judge the matter regardless of its outcome.
The study of horary helps us to decipher the symbolism inherent in a chart. Approaching a chart in order to find an answer to a specific question, we are called upon to understand the power of planetary movement, diurnal and zodiacal; to know the nature of the planets, how they interact and bestow influence within a particular context.
The practice of horary hones our skill in interpreting astrological symbolism within any focused context; be it horary, natal, or event. It teaches us to recognise that which is of primary importance and that which is inconsequential relative to the issue being investigated. It improves our ability to understand a moment as a dynamic, unfolding potential.
Horary, like all astrological applications reveals different levels and facets on the matter at hand. Seeing a chart unfold and reveal the answer to a seemingly simple question is to experience the magic of astrology in action. branch of government having full or limitless power over an area of governance.
Guido Bonatti was an Italian mathematician, astronomer and the most celebrated astrologer of the 13th century. ↩︎
Guido Bonatti “Book of Astronomy” Benjamin Dykes translation (2007) page 263 ↩︎
Astrology has a problem; it is a perennial issue that most will encounter at some point in their astrological studies, and which can never be fully shaken off. Throughout Western horoscopic astrology’s history this inconvenient problem has caused many a discourse to descent into bitter disagreement and threatened to derail the profound truth and beauty of astrology.
House systems have always been a great point of debate amongst astrologers, sometimes to the point of ridiculousness, as has been made evident by the recent drama unfolding online. The self-aggrandizing and emotionally charged condemnations of those who hold different views regarding the topic; belies the illusion that this may have any real importance in the grander scheme of life, or dare I say, astrology. This is at once sad and laughable.
Over the past few decades, the notion of a whole sign houses (WSH) has become very popular particularly in the US. This has been primarily due to the work of project hindsight, which promoted the notion that the WSH was the original system used by Hellenistic astrologers. The basis of this idea stemmed from their translations of Greek texts, in particular the work of Vettius Valens (75 CE). These texts are actually somewhat vague on which house system was used in practice, and are devoid of any actual drawn charts. Whether the idea of WSH stems directly from any clear statement found in the translated texts, which is debatable; or that it arose from the translator’s interpretation of the texts seen through the lens of their own expectations and preconceived notion on the subject is not the issue that I will be discussing1. However, the ensuing controversy is.
While there is still much debate that can be made as to whether this ‘new’ house system is in fact the original system, it is in many regards a moot point. No other area of astrological doctrine has caused so much bickering over the centuries as the division of the sky into astrological houses.
How we choose a house system
Many years ago, I began my formal study of astrology. This was during the height of enthusiasm for humanistic or psychological astrology. As with any astrological course we were introduced to the signs, the planets, and the houses. Charts were presented to us in the preferred format of our teachers. There was no reason or need to question that format, which included the house system of their choice.
Years later when I began to explore works by different astrologers, I started to notice that charts did not always look the same. There was the obvious fact that some astrologer included different points in their chart (asteroids, vertex, Part of fortune); but sometimes the chart looked different because they used a different house system.
At first, I ignored these different house systems continuing to use the one favoured by my original teachers: Placidus. I told myself that it worked, so why go change things. I was not aware of the reason I used Placidus, nor did I know exactly how the Placidus system differed from other house systems, such as Campanus, Regiomontanus, Porphyry, Alcabitius to name a few2. Like many students of astrology, I chose to use a particular house system by default.
As my studies continued, I learned that astrologers have different ways of approaching chart delineation. They had different opinion regarding which technique were best and held differing views on the planets, signs, and aspect. As with any art, the artists choose their tools Astrologers could discuss these differences more often with interest and respect for the other, without resorting to attacks and impassioned demands that their way is the only way and the ultimate truth of the matter. To understand why the subject of houses is so fraught with emotion and passion, I believe it is important to look at the whole of astrology from a larger perspective.
Humans are by nature creative beings. The human experience gave rise to stories and myth which they projected onto their environment. It was only natural that humans would stand in awe and wonder at the Cosmos which enveloped them and lite up the night sky. The heavens inspired a sense that there was a higher realm populated by divine beings and gods, who played out the everyday drama of human life on a grander scale. They came to believe that our earthly experience was intricately linked to the heavens, and so ritual evolved in order to commune and interact directly with the divine realm of the gods.
Human are also by nature rational beings. The perpetual movement of the cosmos was observed and over time the reoccurring patterns and phenomena noted. This elicited a need to record, measure and find some rational meaning to this constant and yet ever-changing sky. Astrology may reflect life’s mysteries, but it grew out of human curiosity and the desire to decipher the mechanism by which these mysteries might works.
Out of this competing mixture of human experience and divine beings; of mathematics and poetry; of science and art, horoscopic astrology emerged. As groups of stars and planets were identified, the building blocks of astrology were set: the signs of the Zodiac and the planets including the Sun and Moon that traversed them. The signs and planets may have been understood to exist in a distant realm of the deities, but they manifested themselves by rising, culminating and setting within the confines of our local sky. And so, we divided the local sky and created ‘houses’ so as to know where these divine emissaries were having their effect relative to our mundane human experience. Houses are the interface between the heavens and earthly experience.
Houses in the astrological scheme
The philosophical notion that at the beginning of time everything emanated from one pure source. Existence being the result of a Creator dreaming, thinking, or speaking us/it into being, is a common thread found in the fabric of many traditions. The notion that the further one gets from the source, and the closer to physical manifestation, the more complex and corrupted3 things become.
According to Plato the world that we inhabit is but an imperfect manifestation of a greater reality consisting of non-material ‘qualities’ that combine to make up all that exists. Plato called these qualities ‘forms’ and hypothesized that these essential ‘beings’ existed in a realm that laid beyond the physical manifested world that we experience. To have knowledge of a thing according to Plato, one needed to go beyond the sensory experience of that thing and come to know the essential ‘forms’ from which it was made.
In effect the idea that our world and physical body are but imperfect reflections of the essentially pure non-material spirit from which it is born. Our senses inform us only of the manifested and therefore imperfect material reality we inhabit. True knowledge and its ensuing wisdom can only come by piercing through the illusion of the senses and engaging our rational mind or Spirit. Without doing this we are left with mere illusion of knowledge and opinions4.
This idea was further expounded on when looking at the model of the universe according the Aristotle/ Ptolemy that puts the earth at its center, divided into the four level of the element (Fire, Air, Water and Earth) and surrounded by the seven planetary spheres, the sphere of the fixed stars and finally the Primus mobile, beyond which exists the single pure source, the one, the monad that put the whole scheme into motion5.
The further out we move from earth, the more constant, less corrupted, and purer a thing is considered to be. The zodiac exists in the furthest sphere from earth. It is closest to the Source from which it was conceived. The symbolic nature of the zodiac inspires us to reach for the heavens and search for meaning.
As we move towards Earth through the planetary spheres, the more distant a planet is the more stable its cycle. The superior planets: Saturn, Jupiter and Mars which are furthest from Earth6 have a relatively constant cycles; but once we get to the inferior planets: Venus and especially Mercury their cycles get far more complex, their movement more erratic and harder to follow. The Moon, moving swiftly connects the planets and distributes their virtues to the central sphere that is the Earth. This central sphere, our manifested world, is forever changing: the cycle of birth, growth, decay, and death is inherent through the continual interaction of the elements and their primary qualities7.
The astrological houses are measured from the perspective of a particular place on earth. They are a division of the sky that is measured from the ASC, the eastern point of the ecliptic, a ‘fixed’ point relative to a particular place on earth and the MC the highest point on the ecliptic. The houses map the primary motion of the Sun/ Moon and other planet’s daily journey through our skies. The relationship of the houses with the observer is altogether more personal and direct, and through them the effect of a planet in the zodiac is grounded to reveal its specific influence upon a particular place on earth at a particular moment in time. From the perspective of the Ptolemaic/Aristotelean cosmos, the doctrine of astrological houses is by definition the most ‘corrupted’ and least pure thing in our astrology. The houses are earth bound, they are created relative to a particular place on this planet; they are at once forever changing and simultaneously fixed to a place/point in the manifested world we experience.8
Houses evolved to represent areas of life and arenas of earthly, human experience. Houses reveal the stage on which the drama of human experience unfolds, and if we are being honest, we have to admit that we love a good drama.
Is it a wonder that house systems are the one area of astrology that people become attached to or in some cases reject outright, as in the case of Cosmobiology. Is it a wonder that it also the most disputed? Is it a wonder that the subject of houses causes some of the most dramatic and emotive arguments between otherwise level headed astrologers? I think not.
Choose your house system (or not), continue working with the higher beings that populate our cosmos, commit yourself to mastery, take responsibility for your words, be present and humble, but most of all, always remember that opinion is not knowledge.
For a full breakdown of the differences in house system see Deborah Houlding’s The Houses: Temples of the Sky (The Wessex Astrologer Ltd 2006) ↩︎
Corruption is related to the constant change of physical corporal life. All life on earth eventually dies and decays. This is the meaning of being impure and corruptible. ↩︎
[1] The fascinating fact that Mercury is the planet that signifies astrology and is associated with the rational mind should not be lost to any of us. Its glyph incorporates: the cross of matter, the circle of spirit and the crescent of soul. ↩︎
Some model added an extra 10th sphere between the fixed stars and the Primus mobile…that of the Zodiac. I would ascertain that this would be when the Zodiac became connected with the cardinal seasonal points and decoupled from the stars. ↩︎
In the Aristotelian/Ptolemaic scheme of the Universe ↩︎
The two active qualities: hot & cold initiate movement. The two passive qualities: moist & dry modify it, creating the elements and constant cycle of life. ↩︎
The ASC/DES and MC/IC anchor is fixed to a place on earth and will remain the same relative to that place, regardless of time or season. (If 21 Leo rises and the MC degree is 14 Taurus; every time 21 Leo rises at that place, 14 Taurus will be the degree on the MC.) ↩︎
Astrologicalmind 