GOOD ASPECTS Cheerful, lighthearted. Artistic. Native leans toward literary and creative pursuits.
ADVERSE ASPECTS These two planets never form major adverse aspects. At most, they indicate that artistic faculties are not expressed.
CONJUNCTION Charm of speech. Balance between mental activities and love of art and beauty.
MERCURY and MARS
GOOD ASPECTS Active, practical mind. Courageous personality. Literary ability. Forceful debater.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Fault-finding and irritability accentuated. Native may be belligerent and disputatious.
CONJUNCTION Potential for high intellectualism. A flair for writing, speaking. Witty and expressive.
MERCURY and JUPITER
GOOD ASPECTS An active mind with broad outlook. Good judgment. Sense of humor. Native does not like detail.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Skeptical mind. Susceptible to errors in judgment. Native may be indiscreet, open to scandal.
CONJUNCTION Above-average intelligence. Optimistic. Philanthropic bent.
MERCURY and SATURN
GOOD ASPECTS Disciplined, well-organized mind. Good concentration. Serious and practical.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Native may be rigid, a strict disciplinarian, fearful of change. Abrupt. Blunt.
CONJUNCTION Native is methodical and patient; may also be obstinate. Good powers of endurance. Prone to depression.
MERCURY and URANUS
GOOD ASPECTS Cleverness, originality. Independent mind. Self-reliant nature.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Opinionated, brusque, and tactless. Tendency to waste energy. Native may be discontent, confused.
CONJUNCTION A talent for scientific thinking. Can be stubborn and eccentric, but also a genius.
MERCURY and NEPTUNE
GOOD ASPECTS High creativity. Artistic imagination. Indicates talent for acting. May be clairvoyant.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Scheming tendencies; native disposed toward deceiving others. Hazy thinking; difficulty in concentrating.
CONJUNCTION Impulsive personality but also powerfully creative. Native interested in mysticism and spiritual subjects.
MERCURY and PLUTO
GOOD ASPECTS Native is versatile, flexible, restless. Prone to sudden changes of opinion.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Illogical reasoning. Nervous tension. Native tends to rush into commitments before considering actions.
CONJUNCTION A penetrating mind but susceptible to nervous tension. Native often has a marked talent to bring about change through the use of the written word.
Venus Aspects
VENUS and MARS
GOOD ASPECTS Feelings of warmth and affection easily expressed. Enthusiastic. Passionate. Romantic.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Impulsive, quarrelsome. Difficulty and strain in sexual relationships. Hypersensitivity. Discontentment.
CONJUNCTION A sensuous personality. Optimistic outlook. Good balance between charm and aggressiveness.
VENUS and JUPITER
GOOD ASPECTS Indicates harmonious relationships. Love is easily expressed. This aspect also brings good money luck.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Too much affectation and insincerity. Numerous love affairs and unhappiness brought on by extremes of feeling. Possible weight problem.
CONJUNCTION Magnetic sex appeal. Native enjoys much popularity and a reputation for charm.
VENUS and SATURN
GOOD ASPECTS Constructive influence in business partnerships. Serious and faithful in love.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Disappointment or incompatibility in marriage and love relationships. Tendency toward a solitary, lonely existence. Marriage may be delayed early in life.
CONJUNCTION Strong sense of duty. Conservative in picking love partners. Feelings of affection sometimes sublimated or sacrificed for personal ambition.
VENUS and URANUS
GOOD ASPECTS Romantic, artistic personality. Intrigues others because of unusual ideas about sex and love. Can be very sentimental.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Too much unconventionality in relationships; imbalanced sensuality. Choice of lovers and partners may bring unhappiness.
CONJUNCTION Apt to be emotional, excitable. Native may do original, artistic work. A sensual personality.
VENUS and NEPTUNE
GOOD ASPECTS Heightened creativity. Interest in mysticism. Powerful artistic potential but native needs firm direction.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Disappointment in love. Sometimes victimized in relationships. Difficulty making decisions.
CONJUNCTION Sensitive and kind to others. Artistic talent present. Also prone to nervous tension, disillusion in love affairs.
VENUS and PLUTO
GOOD ASPECTS Passionate nature. Love life marked by sudden changes that tend to bring benefits. Good financial ability.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Reversals in love; attachments broken. Strong sexual feelings, but sex relationships cause difficulties.
CONJUNCTION Deep-rooted, intense passions. Native tends to fall in love secretly. Indicates shrewdness in handling finances.
Mars Aspects
MARS and JUPITER
GOOD ASPECTS Strong willpower, optimism, positive outlook. Inspires confidence. Good leadership potential.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Over-enthusiasm, hastiness, impulsiveness. Extremist temperament. Restless. Extravagant.
CONJUNCTION Frank. Energetic. Able to make decisions. An aggressive streak.
MARS and SATURN
GOOD ASPECTS Powers of endurance. Ability to succeed in spite of harsh circumstances. Disciplined. Indomitable.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Vacillating energy. Inner feeling of being pulled to and fro. Ill-tempered. Susceptible to injury.
CONJUNCTION Rebellious, turbulent personality. May indicate accident-proneness. Native resents any opposition.
MARS and URANUS
GOOD ASPECTS Practical. Intellectual. Energetic. Resourceful. Ability to make quick decisions.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Impatient, perverse, touchy nature. Native may be intolerant, combative. Subject to irritability and tension.
CONJUNCTION Excitable, willful personality. High energy level. Also indicates nervous strain.
MARS and NEPTUNE
GOOD ASPECTS Creative impulses. Idealistic and crusading. Powerful emotions. Imaginative.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Prone toward negative escapism in alcohol. Native may be oversensitive; wastes energies in hopeless causes.
CONJUNCTION High artistic gifts may be present. Strong sense of design and color. Romantic. Passionate.
MARS and PLUTO
GOOD ASPECTS Great physical energy. Self-confidence. Ambitious. Courageous.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Obsessive personality. Combative nature. Native unhappy when forced to accept new conditions.
CONJUNCTION High emotional level. Quick, violent temper.
Jupiter Aspects
JUPITER and SATURN
GOOD ASPECTS Patience and persistence. Breadth of vision. Sound financial judgment.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Pessimistic; lack of inner satisfaction. Obstacles in the way of success. Financial miscalculation.
CONJUNCTION Ambitious and single-minded. Ability to achieve through hard work. Streak of discontentment.
JUPITER and URANUS
GOOD ASPECTS Originality combined with leadership ability. Magnetic personality. Humanitarian outlook.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Outspokenness. Willful. Tendency toward radicalism or militancy.
CONJUNCTION Freedom-loving, restless, eccentric. Sometimes an unusual physical appearance, for example, extremely tall or short.
JUPITER and NEPTUNE
GOOD ASPECTS Kind, humanitarian instincts. Drawn to spiritual concerns. Creative talent that promises financial success.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Too emotional and extravagant. Marked tendency toward self-deception. Weak and easily manipulated.
CONJUNCTION Sensitive, artistic personality. Active fantasy life. May possess ESP. Love and concern for animals.
JUPITER and PLUTO
GOOD ASPECTS Intellectual and org
anizational skill. Strong tendency for native to create new beginnings. Idealistic.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Scheming personality; desire to exploit others. Often destructive tendencies.
CONJUNCTION Ability to break with the past and start anew. Tendency to be domineering.
Saturn Aspects
SATURN and URANUS
GOOD ASPECTS Willpower and initiative; indicates administrative talents. Inventive, efficient, resourceful.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Autocratic, arrogant personality. Prone to anxiety and depression.
CONJUNCTION Great self-reliance and determination. Indicates a masterful manner with others, an original personality.
SATURN and PLUTO
GOOD ASPECTS Self-disciplined. Capable of deep concentration. A self-confident, high-principled personality.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Unpredictability. An obsessive personality. Sometimes susceptible to unusual diseases.
CONJUNCTION Inclined to be unpredictable. Native is able to deal well with disappointment. This conjunction occurs once every 92 years and is considered a generational influence.
SATURN and NEPTUNE
GOOD ASPECTS Careful, conscientious nature. Orderly common sense. Creative imagination put to practical use.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Reclusive inclinations. Suspicious, possibly paranoid nature. Life is marked by disappointment.
CONJUNCTION Hardworking and authoritative. An excellent aspect that combines idealism with practicality.
Uranus Aspects
URANUS and NEPTUNE
GOOD ASPECTS Kindness, sensitivity, intuition. Musical ability. Spiritual and mystical interests.
ADVERSE ASPECTS High emotional level. A personality that becomes easily upset. Easily led onto unproductive paths.
CONJUNCTION Potential for highly original work. Bias toward eccentricity. A visionary and prophetic nature. This conjunction occurs every 171 years and is considered a generational influence.
URANUS and PLUTO
GOOD ASPECTS Lofty aims; strong loyalty. Ability to direct energy into productive channels.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Disruptive influence. Indicates inner tension. Tendency toward sudden emotional outbursts.
CONJUNCTION Strong sense of independence. This conjunction occurs every 115 years and is considered a generational influence. Power can be positive or negative, depending on how it is channeled.
Neptune and Pluto Aspects
NEPTUNE and PLUTO
Neptune spends 14 years in each sign and Pluto from 13 to 32 years in each sign. Any aspects formed last for extremely long periods of time; they are considered important in an individual’s horoscope only if Neptune or Pluto are on the Ascendant or Midheaven, or Pisces or Scorpio are prominent.
GOOD ASPECTS Occult traits are positively used.
ADVERSE ASPECTS Obsessive tendencies. Easy prey to temptation.
CONJUNCTION Intellectual abilities. An interest in the occult. Promotes gift of clairvoyance.
The Art of Prediction
AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT uses of astrology is the art of prediction. When a client consults an astrologer it is usually to ask questions about the future. Astrologers use many tools to anticipate future conditions.
One is the drawing up of a horary chart—a chart that represents the present moment in which a person is asking a question. The theory behind horary astrology is that there is sympathy between the cosmos and the human mind; therefore, when a question is asked, the positions of the planets at that moment can help to answer the question. This theory underlies such predictive techniques as the I Ching, Tarot, and card reading.
Another method of prediction is to study the transits of the planets. You (or an astrologer) would consult an ephemeris to arrive at the exact positions of the planets in the future—say, next week or next month—and then compare these positions to the planetary positions in your natal chart. Let’s take a hypothetical example in which Jupiter next week was going to be in 27° of Libra, and in your natal chart your Sun is in 27° of Libra. This transit (called transiting Jupiter conjunct natal Sun) augurs a fortunate financial trend, activation of energies, and the courage to make the most of opportunity.
Another chart drawn for predictive purposes is the solar return chart—a horoscope cast for the exact moment that the Sun is passing through the degree of the sign it was in at the moment of your birth. The solar return chart is analyzed in respect to your birth chart, and a study is made of the new aspects formed between the two charts. This is a useful tool for seeing trends ahead for the coming year. It is also possible to cast a lunar return chart for the moment that the Moon is passing through the degree that it occupies in your natal horoscope. A lunar return chart foretells trends in the coming month.
One of the most popular techniques for arriving at predictions is the casting of a progressed birth chart. There are a number of different ways to progress a horoscope, but the one in most frequent use is the day-for-a-year method. This method of progression is based on the theory that there is a relationship in the human psyche between the earth’s daily rotation on its axis and its annual revolution around the Sun. The theory postulates that the days following birth represent a person’s inner development during the corresponding years. Astrologers also point to biblical references to this method of progression. Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6 both speak of “each day for a year,” and Genesis 29:27 tells of a week symbolically representing seven years.
To progress your chart, you would begin by drawing up an exact natal birth chart, which includes the precise degree of each House cusp and the precise degree and minute of the sign that every planet occupies in your chart.
The next step would be to decide what year in the future you wish to see. If, for example, you were born on May 1, 1975, and you wish to know about the year 2010, you would progress your birth chart ahead to 35 years after your birth. Using the one-day-for-one-year rule, you arrive at the number of 35 days. Thirty-five days from May 1, 1975 (your birthday) brings you to June 5, 1975. At this point, you draw up a brand-new horoscope for the day June 5, 1975. This horoscope is your progressed chart.
Now you would compare your birth chart with your progressed chart. You would calculate the new planetary aspects formed within the progressed chart, and also calculate the planetary aspects formed between the birth chart and the progressed chart.
If, for example, your progressed Mars were in opposition to your natal Sun, 2010 might be a period of strain and ill health. If your progressed Venus formed a trine with your natal Sun, there might be the possibility of marriage in 2010.
Whatever the method of prediction, it is wise to keep in mind that astrology is not soothsaying or magic. Astrologers do not predict. What they do is assess future trends and point out possible areas of success or pitfalls. The true value of prediction is to draw attention to a person’s strengths so that he or she may take best advantage of them.
Synastry: For Lovers
WHEN READING HOROSCOPES in newspapers and magazines, a great many people look for advice about love. When they read astrology books, the second thing most people turn to (after reading about themselves) is a description of their lover or mate—or prospective lover or mate.
The problem, however, with most astrological analyses is that they are limited, for they are based on Sun signs alone. As I have emphasized before, you are not a “pure” Sun sign. You are a unique combination of signs and planets. If you have set up your birth chart (as outlined in chapter 9), you see in front of you a picture of how many different factors go into your horoscope. The same is true for every other person.
The most accurate and complete answers about love are to be found in a birth chart. Now that you can cast a simple birth chart for yourself, it is an easy matter to take two birth charts (yours and someone else’s) and compare them in order to answer questions about compatibility and love. This comparison of two people’s charts to see how they might or might not get along with each other is called synastry.
Bef
ore you read further about the specifics of synastry, you should be aware that chart comparison is based on the relationship between planets in the two charts—in other words, on the aspects (the harmonious and inharmonious influences determined entirely on how many degrees apart the planets are).
Here is an easy way to calculate the aspects between the two charts. All you have to do is count signs:
To begin your comparison of horoscopes, draw two simplified birth charts: yours and your lover’s.*
The Sun and the Moon
One of the first things to look at is the position of the Sun and Moon in both charts. The Sun is often referred to as the masculine principle in astrology, since it represents a person’s outward expression. The Moon is called the feminine principle, since it represents the emotional side. If a man has the Moon in his First House, he is usually the kind of man who is in touch with his emotions—someone who accepts feelings comfortably rather than someone who tries to repress them. If a woman has the Sun in her First House, she tends to have a strong sense of self or an authority and dignity about her that is a natural part of her personality.
Very often you can tell the kind of woman whose personality will appeal to a man by looking at where the Moon is in his chart. Is the Moon in Aries or Leo? He probably likes strong, assertive women who refuse to be pushed around. Is the Moon in Virgo? He’s likely to be attracted to practical and stable women. Is it in Libra or Pisces? He tends to fall in love with romantic, feminine women.
Conversely, you can often find out what kind of man intrigues a woman by looking at the sign her Sun is in. Is it in Taurus? She probably likes strong, earthy types who have a knack for making money. Is it in Gemini? She tends to be attracted to brainy men, writers, and intellectual types.
Keep in mind, though, that people don’t always end up with (or sometimes even go out with) the men and women who attract them. People also choose lovers on an unconscious level. For more about why we pick the people we do, consult the influence of Mars and Venus in your love horoscope (page 366).
The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need Page 41
