Part VI – Major Planetary Configurations:
As was implicit in the preceding section, the aspects are angular distances between planets that divide the chart in whole numbers. A given aspect (with the exception of the conjunction) would connect two separate sensitive spots in the chart, provided that these spots are filled with planets. When more than two sensitive spots and/or more than three planets are involve, a Planetary Configuration is form. A Planetary Configuration has a stronger effect that a single aspect. The major planetary configurations are:
* Stellium:
This configuration is based on the conjunction, but instead of two planets within 12 degrees of each other you have three or more planets. At times the distance between the first and last planet is less than 12 degrees. This would be a compact Stellium. At other times the planets would be joined by consecutive conjunctions where planet a would be less than 12 degrees from planet b, and planet b would be less than 12 degrees from planet c, and so on. In this second case the distance between the first and last planet would be more than 12 degrees, but still all the planets would be considered as forming a Stellium. The strongest Stelliums, however, are form when all the planets involve are close together, in just one sign and in just one house. This was the case, for example, in February 5, 1962 at 2:00 pm in Bethlehem, Israel, when there were 8 planets in the Sign Aquarius, in the Eight House. This, by the way, was perceived by Jeanne Dixon as the birthchart of a “New Leader” that would revolutionize Christianity. To many this “New Leader” is none other than the Antichrist himself. This strong Stellium in Aquarius would also explain the strong Aquarian mood of the Sixties. Thus, it was not that “the Era or Aquarius'”
as the song said, was starting but that the influence of Aquarius had been momentarily augmented by a Strong, once in a lifetime Stellium.
* Grand Opposition:
This configuration emerges when two groups of planets are in opposition to each other. At times the entire chart is configure as two groups of planets, opposite each other. This has the effect of dividing the chart in two antagonistic conglomerates of inner drives that oppose one another. If the individual identifies himself with one of the two groups then he will most likely identify the characteristics of the other group with those individual with whom he relates, either friends, partners or enemies.
* Grand Trine:
Planetary pattern arising out of the trine aspect. The trine aspect divides the chart in three sectors 120 degrees apart, plus or minus 4 degrees. The Grand Trine is form when all three sensitive spots are filled with planets. In the natal chart, at least one of the planets should be natal planet. The other two may be transiting planets. When all three planets are natal planets the configuration has a permanent effect upon the psyche. When one or two of the planets are transiting planets, the effect would come and go as the transiting planets move through the respective empty sensitive spots in the chart. The Grand Trine gives the native an inner sense of momentum and impetus. He would be a driven person, needing no external stimulus to get moving or keep going. This independence of stimulus may make him insensitive to the needs, wishes or desires of others.
* Grand Square:
Planetary configuration based on the square aspect. It is form when four planets are in consecutive sensitive spots 90 degrees from each other, plus or minus 3 degrees. This configuration combines four consecutive squares and two crisscrossed oppositions. Thus it will combine the sense of inner tension of the opposition with the perception of problems and obstacles of the square. the native, as a result would be a persons accustomed to see life as a place full of conflicts and obstacles where you must fight continuously to get ahead. This attitude fits perfectly in today’s society. Thus people with Grand Squares would must likely be successful, provided that no major trauma or adverse circumstances limit them irremediably.
* T Square:
Another configuration based on the square aspect. But this time only three of the four possible sensitive spots are filled with planets. It is similar to a four legged chair with one missing leg. There would be a sense of instability. The native would feel the need to fill the empty spot. Occasionally the transitive planets would pass through this spot. Then the T Square would become a Grand Square, if just for a few minutes, hours or days.
END OF PART SIX:
Understanding Astrology: Part VII – Basic Rules of Astrological Interpretation
In order to interpret a Natal Chart the first step is to organize all the information in a clear and rational way. In the past, the astrologer first had to Erect or cast the Natal chart. As usual he would need the native’s date, time and place of birth. then he would determine the exact coordinates of the place of birth, and using an Ephemerides and Table of Houses he would calculate the positions of planets and houses in the ecliptic. Finally he would draw the Horoscope itself. This process would take about an hour or more. Presently the casting of the Horoscope [natal chart] is done by computer in a matter of seconds. It is faster and more accurate. The interpretation, however should not be done by computers. It should be done by hand. A computer generated report is good for entertainment and as a quick introduction to Astrology. But only an Astrologer can interpret the chart in a comprehensive manner. In order to interpret or read all the information contained in the chart it is easier to divide it in various lists of information. As explained previously, the Signs of the Zodiac could be seen as a reference scale to measure longitude along the ecliptic. The zero degrees reference point is the Spring Equinox on or about March 21st. Starting here the 360 degrees of the ecliptic are divided in twelve sectors of 30 degrees each. These sectors are the signs of the zodiac. The houses are twelve divisions of the daily cycle. For easy of representation the houses are projected into the ecliptic. There are various ways to do so: thus, there are various systems of house divisions. Each system establishes a different type of correspondence between the yearly cycle represented by the Signs and the daily cycle represented by the Houses. Thus, all systems of house divisions are valid if we keep in mind the type of correspondence each one is using. At times, however, it would be easier to leave them apart; that is, to draw a yearly chart including signs and planets and then to draw a second daily cycle chart including planets and houses. (And even a third chart based on the monthly Earth-Moon cycle). Each chart would be independent of each other, and the correspondence between solar, lunar and earthly “houses” would be establish at the time of
interpretation. These ideas, however are part of a “new” Astrology, still in the making. Meanwhile, the traditional way of chart erection and interpretation is to include signs, houses and planets in a single chart.
Calculating Planetary Aspects
Using this Table Format Horoscope Chart we can readily see the relative position of Houses, Signs and planets. Furthermore, we can easily calculate the angular distance between two astrological elements, simply substract them. Remember that the chart is actually a circle, traditionally divided in 360 degrees.
For example, the distance between Saturn and Uranus is 207.15 – 86.1833 = 120.9667 degrees. As the trine is 120 degrees plus or minus 4 degrees, we c an see that these two planets are connected by a trine aspect. Please note that if the distance between two elements (planets, signs or houses) is more than 180 degrees you should substract that distance from 360 to get the shortest distance between the two planets. The distances between elements in the chart are measure in terms of longitudinal distance around a circle. A circle by convention is divided in 360 degrees. There is a clockwise and a counterclockwise angular distance. The sum of the two cannot be greater than 360 degrees. Thus if the clockwise distance is 240 degrees then the counterclockwise distance should be 360 – 240 = 120 degrees. As an example, the clockwise distance between Saturn and Uranus is 120,9667 degrees. Thus its counterclockwise distance = 360 -120.9667 = 239.0333 degrees.
Outline for Chart Interpretation
Using this or any other method, the first step in interpreting a natal chart is to develop a good understanding of the physical reality the chart is representing. Then the next step is to follow a detailed step by step procedure or outlined to interpret the chart. The specific outline I used in the Interpretation of the National Identity Chart of the US was as follows:
Interpretation of Natal Chart
A. Introduction A concise description of what is Astrology and the basic for erecting and interpreting the chart.
B. Overview Interpreting the general elements of the chart.
1. Sun sign
2. Moon sign
3. Asc sign
4. Sign signature
5. Planets in angles and cuadrants
6. Planetary configurations and Jones Patterns C. Basic Character Detailed analysis of the Sun 1. Sun sign and house 2. Sun Aspects D. Emotional Set Up Detailed analyzes of the Moon 1. Moon sign and house 2. Moon aspects E. Public Image Detailed analyzes of the Ascendant
1. Sign on the Ascendant 2. Ascendant aspects F. Interaction with the Physical World 1.
1st House a) Sign on cusp as leading sign plus any other sign in the house b) Planets located in the house c) Sensitive spots that when filled by transitive planets will active major planetary configurations. 2. 2nd through 12th House a) Repeat same procedure as for 1st house. G. Chart Synthesis Single out and highlight the main and focal topics of the chart. H. Cycles of Development Describe any major repetitive cycle that may be affecting the native in the future.
Of course, this is the outline for a comprehensive professional analysis. It would take several days of hard work. Not only does it covers almost every single detail in the chart, but it also integrates them into a comprehensive whole. +How much would something like this cost? Well, assuming it takes 10 to 20 hours, at an hourly rate of $10.00 an hour (quite cheap for a professional service) we are talking about 100 to 200 dollars. Of course a similar analysis hand written by a Psychologists would take several months of Psychological evaluations and
a few hundred dollars just to type the final draft.
[But in todays market something like this is more than any Astrologer is willing or prepare to do. We need to make a living, too. We are forced to practice Astrology as a hobby or sell quick preliminary evaluations if we want to make some money doing it.]
Anyhow, if you want to analyze your own chart or want an astrologer to do a preliminary evaluation of your chart, a simplified version of this outline should be use. Going then, into specific details…
The Overview
The initial step in any chart interpretation is the Overview. Here you simply look over the chart for any relevant element that you may readily see as a dominant force within the chart. Sometimes the dominant element is the Sun Sign, some other time is the Moon, or even the Ascendant sign. However, if a Jones Pattern or any other Major configuration is present it will become the dominant force in the chart.
In the overview point out these relevant factors, but don’t go into a detailed analysis right away. The idea in identifying them at the beginning is to get an astrological viewpoint that would determine how we interpret the chart. For example, if we identify the Moon sign as the dominant factor within the chart, then we would give much more weight to the emotional and subconscious aspects during the subsequent interpretation. On the other hand if we identify a Seesaw configuration as the dominant factor, (as we did in the US Chart) then the interpretation would deal primarily with how the different astrological elements fit into the polarization of forces that characterizes the Seesaw. Then we should help the native to realized that this polarization is an inner phenomenon, not an outher reality. Finally we should point out how the energy flow that takes place within the Seesaw can be use in harmony with God and Cosmos.
After the initial overview we should go into a detailed analysis of the Sun, Moon, Ascendant and Houses. Finally we e should include a Chart Synthesis or conclusion where we once more highlight the main factors of the chart, but this time in a summary fashion. The idea is that after all the detail we have gone through during the chart interpretation, the native would not be left lost in a jungle of unconnected small pieces of information, but will be able see what it is all about. After all is said and done the Chart Synthesis is the “Bottom Line” or the “conclusion of the whole matter”, as Solomon would have said.
As an appendix, or more often as a second reading, we may include information on the future of the native as far as it can be astrologically determined. There are many “traditional” and not so traditional techniques of astrological forecasting. An honest psychic astrologer should be able to do a good job provided that he has true psychic sensitivity; no matter what technique he uses. But since we are not all psychics, we should use the techniques that are more rational and easy to use. Thus here I only recommend the technique of comparing the
planetary positions at a given future moment (transits) with the positions at the moment of birth. I also recommend the technique of the Planetary cycles to determine the cyclical development of the individual. Using these techniques you will not get specific answers but you will develop a better understanding of what would be the inner status of the human entity at a given moment in time. Using this information a good astrologer or counselor should be able to give quite specific answers to most questions.