Archives.

 Good morning.

1 September 2007. Fad & fashion cont'd. 

The primary system, as I call it, consists of just 10 planets and the chart Angles [Ascendant, Descendant, Mc. and Ic.]. 10 planets? Surely there are only 8 [7 if we accept the idiotic idea that Pluto is no longer a planet due to the current fad among astronomers of reclassifying the Solar System]. This is often leapt on by critics [like 'screaming' shanedk] who point out that the Sun is actually a star and the Moon is of course a satellite of Earth. Let me answer that.

Astrologers know full well that the Sun and Moon are not planets by astronomical definition and fully accept that. However, Astrology is much older than astronomy, so we tend to use ancient definitions. The word planet is derived from the Greek and actually means a 'wandering star' to differentiate it from normal stars, which are of course fixed. In short, if a celestial body moves through the heavens it was known as a planet. From a geocentric point of view, both the Sun and the Moon are moving bodies and therefore by ancient tradition, planets. Comets also move through the heavens but these were given special status and not regarded as planets. That tradition is still continued today, and any reclassification or other tampering with the Solar System makes not the slightest difference to Astrologers. Pluto, for example, is still used by Astrologers and will continue to be used. 

Fad and fashion have sought to add to the Primary System, or change it in some obtuse way. Let's take the idea of quadrant House systems. Currently there are around 40 of these. The Primary System uses just one - Equal House. It works anywhere on the globe, is easy to understand and read, and ensures that every House is ruled by a Sign and a planet, which is not always the case with quadrant systems. Yet fad and fashion seem to dictate that quadrant systems should be the way to go despite evidence that such systems are of no use as a primary House system. Why, for instance, does one Astrologer swear by Placidus while another sticks like glue to Regiomontanus? The only answer I can get from people is that 'it seems to work'. But does it? When checked along side Equal House the quadrant systems come off worse in terms of accuracy, that is if one can get a useable chart, which is not always the case with quadrant systems. There is no good reason to favour the use of a quadrant system, yet fad and fashion continues to spread the use of these, often by implying that Equal House is 'old fashioned' and therefore outmoded. What next? If we follow that logic it shouldn't be long before the planets are junked! Just because something is old does not mean it is useless, and trendies would do well to take a good long hard look at Equal House with an open mind; there they will find what ancient Astrologers discovered.

To be continued...

5th September 2007. Fad & fashion cont'd.

Not content with the traditional view of using the planets and Angles, there is now a trend to include all manner of strange bodies in the Astrological scheme. The question is why? Why is it necessary to add more to an already ample system? Using planets and Angles provides the Astrologer with a huge range of interpretive possibilities, far more than he is likely to need. Adding more bodies for whatever reasons is quite unnecessary, even if there was any evidence to support such inclusions - which there isn't. Yes, of course, there are those who will tell you that such and such an asteroid means so and so, but does it? Where is the proof provided by observation undertaken by skilled Astrologers over the years? Just to add more confusion we have pseudo-astrologers such as Jonathan Cainer leaping on anything that moves, and then immediately coming up with 'interpretations' to match. Sedna? Who needs it? I even witnessed another supposed astrologer actually trying to drum up business by offering to tell people what was likely to happen in their lives as a result of the impact of a comet into the surface of Jupiter. This isn't Astrology, at best it is pure speculation, at worst it shows a complete lack of understanding of the subject and/or an eye for a quick profit. 

The problem here is that you will now see charts littered with these bodies and their aspects thus obscuring vital information by masking aspects patterns and the like. Fad & fashion now helps spread these unfounded ideas to the detriment of all. Add to this the Moon's Nodes and Arabic parts and we end up with an unreadable chart - a chart that one trendy insisted was correct, yet when called upon to interpret the chart he simply could not. And this, too is another problem because there are far to many people out there who adopt anything that comes along, presumably to appear clever, and then go on to expound the virtues of their 'system'. Little wonder that genuine Astrologers are concerned, or that the public is being ill advised. 

Other ideas are perhaps a little more useful, such as midpoints and harmonics, but the reality is that in the world of the busy professional Astrologer there simply isn't the time to add all the extra information generated. As I have already said, there is more than enough information already available using the traditional approach - nothing is actually lost by not using these extra techniques and, once again, proof of the efficacy of these systems needs to be established, which in my view has yet to happen.

10 September 2007. Saturn in Virgo.

Saturn has now entered the Sign of Virgo and as is usual with this sort of event all manner of strange predictions, some of them wildly fanciful, are being posted. As usual, King of the Sun Sign Cowboys - Jonathan Cainer [at present making friends with a donkey in Israel] - has gone over the top, predicting a wonderfully auspicious time for all and sundry. But then every prediction Jonathan makes is wonderfully auspicious. In the real world things are, however, very different. Perhaps we should look at this phenomenon more realistically. 

Saturn has had some bad press, largely down to the continuation of ideas generated centuries ago when 'Doom and Gloom' prophecies were the order of the day. Saturn was linked to all manner of complaints, problems, disasters, and even death. But is this justified? No, it isn't. 

Saturn represents the principle of Limitation, and hence rules, regulations, structure, and order, and on the downside, delays, obstacles and their effects on our minds, feelings, and everyday life. Now let's be perfectly honest, not many of us like the idea of restriction but if we have to admit that without some form of structure life would be very difficult indeed; some would say impossible. It is the negative effects of Saturn that make for a bad reputation, and these include sadness and depression, but many of the supposed ill effects attributed to this planet are to say the least way off target, especially those conjured up by ill informed scientists and critics. 

All that an Astrologer can do in assessing the ingress of Saturn into a Sign is to generalise, the reason being that detailed interpretations can only be made when one has a birth chart. Here, we have no chart. This does of course restrict the amount of information that can be given and does not make for the kind of detailed predictions normally associated with a birth chart. With this in mind I would like to discuss the possibilities in a general sense followed by a brief look at the likely effects through the Signs. 

To be continued...

17 September 2007. Saturn in Virgo.

The ingress of a planet into a Sign will indicate general background trends and events likely to occur in the House ruled by the Sign. In this case the House affected is the 6th, which is mainly concerned with the workplace, working conditions, employment and to some extent the general health of the nation. The type of events is dictated by the nature of the planet, as it is known. In this case we have Saturn, which indicates long term projects, planning, rules & regulations, but also in its more negative mode, restrictions, delays, obstacles, and governmental interference. These, of course, will add up to a general background while Saturn is transiting through the Sign. A case could be made for the timing of some events if Saturn makes close aspects [1 degree orb] to any of the outer planets - Uranus, Neptune or Pluto. It is not considered good Astrology to attempt to mark events using aspects to the other planets; they are in this instance too weak to be of any practical use. 

I would expect a serious tone to affect the workplace. On the positive side there will be an overall strategy put into place by management with a view to the long term stability of companies. The initiative for this could well come from government and indeed there may be a whole set of new rules and regulations set in motion designed to create not only the type of stability needed for the benefit of the economy but also to prevent, or try to prevent, the workers gaining any advantages in negotiations on pay and conditions. The problem is in this age of accountancy-driven greed that management and government simply don't know where to draw the line, so we can expect restrictions designed to back the workers into a corner - and keep them there. Saturn tends to slow things down and in some cases can cause recession in the area affected by Saturn. The danger here is that the manufacturing industries could experience a slowdown and general lack of confidence and may not be able to reach anything like their normal potential. 

The 6th House also rules the general health of the nation and in particular the NHS. As we all know this body has been in a state of shambles for decades. I would expect more rules, more laws to be passed, and more bureaucracy. Morale could reach a new low point, yet those in authority will continue to look to their own interests and ignore the problems. Government intervention [yet again] will do nothing to rectify the situation and may in fact make it worse by enforcing new rules that nobody wants. There may also be restrictions on funding, or it will take far longer than it should to reach its target. More burdens may be placed on the NHS though having an increased number of patients while having to contend with fewer facilities and beds. 

To be continued...

23 September 2007. Saturn in Virgo cont'd. 

It should be remembered that the Saturn ingress into Virgo, as with any ingress, will act a general background and as such is unlikely to have a major impact on our lives, the reason being that in the normal course of events any transits from the outer planets together with progressions, directions, and activities within the Solar return chart will prevail and in many cases override the effects of the ingress. 

Aries.

Saturn now enters your 6th House bringing in more emphasis on work and career. You may have an ambition to fulfill, and it will take time to accomplish. Given your nature, which likes to have things done pretty quickly, this is likely to be a little frustrating. You can achieve a great deal while this transit is in force but care is needed not to make work too great a priority. Work conditions are likely to be more regulated with new rules put into place and extra responsibilities placed on your shoulders. 

Taurus. 

Saturn now enters your 5th House. Romantic matters are now likely to be slowed down or even put on hold for a while, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing as it will help stabilise conditions and give you time to think about things. If you have a pet project in mind this is a good time to put it into practice because you have the will power and tactical skills to succeed. As with all Saturn effects, things will take time to come to fruition. Far way people and places may come to have more significance during this transit. 

Gemini.

Saturn now moves into your home and domestic life. Some serious thinking to do here. Family matters could become more prominent during this transit and you may be expected to take a more serious role and accept more responsibilities. Personal security is likely to become more of a priority, so you may find yourself looking ahead to the long term and making plans for your future, with a special eye on 'saving for a rainy day'. Something from the past may resurface and have special significance for you. 

To be continued....

26 September 2007. Saturn in Virgo cont'd

Cancer.

Saturn enters your 3rd House giving you some serious matters to ponder with the possibility that agreements have to be reached over long term matters. You may have an ambition to fulfill and you won't mind working hard to achieve it. Study may take your fancy and if so you will apply yourself to the task with great patience and and careful attention to detail. Serious discussions with people in close connection, such as partners, close friends, or business associates, are very likely and could result in the establishment of a long term understanding. 

Leo.

Saturn enters your 2nd House of finances. There is now a more serious approach to money matters on the horizon and although things may be slow to move and obstacles will be placed in your path this is an excellent time to plan out your financial strategy for the long term. There are gains to be made if you are prepared to take on the extra responsibility needed to carry things through to completion.

Virgo.

Saturn now enters your 1st House with powerful effects. In this position there are positive and negative events to deal with. On the plus side you are very likely to take a more serious view of your future, feeling the need to plan for the long term and align yourself with an ambition you have in mind. Once on course you will exhibit great determination, not being put off by obstacles. On the downside, life may seem a bit gloomy at times and extra responsibility sees to find its way to your door. Best to sort out the necessary for the unnecessary so that you don't take on more than you really have to. 

27 September 2007. Saturn in Virgo cont'd

Libra. 

Saturn enters your 12th House, a very sensitive position. Any delays to your plans or obstacles placed in your path are likely to assume much greater importance than than they normally would because this House tends to inflate things out of proportion sometimes turning simple concerns into deep worries. On the plus side, the more inspirational tendencies of the 12th are very likely to see you dreaming about something really worthwhile, an ambition needing to be fulfilled. You may just pull it off and you could get help from unexpected quarters. 

Scorpio.

Saturn enters your 11th House bring with it a strong connection with social groups and personal contacts and making you the focus of attention. Your ideas and ways of getting those ideas across are likely to stand you in good stead and you may have to take on responsibilities and a prominent position. Saturn being what it is, the planet of obstacles and delays, you may have to cope with organisations that are far from helpful, and agreements could be slow and sometimes difficult to reach. 

Sagittarius.

Saturn now enters your 10th House - a powerful position. It also rules finances. Put the two together and you have a formula for growth. Money is likely to be tied in with your ambitions or may indeed become an ambition in its own right. Responsibility will find its way to you and you may have to work hard and exhibit a great deal of patience to get results - not easy for the freedom-loving Sagittarian, but you can do it. On the downside, don't expect people in authority to move quickly or to look favourably on you at the speed you normally expect. Some are quite likely to put the brakes on so that you conform to their dictates.

Capricorn.

Saturn enters your 9th House. This planet rules your Sun Sign and so has more importance for you. Where it goes, so do you. In this position, your attention is very likely to turn to far away people and places and they will assume more importance than normal. You may find yourself having to contact people at a distance or even travel and given the seriousness of Saturn I would imagine that this is not going to be done for purely recreational purposes. Yet there may well be something to be gained here. Don't expect things to happen quickly - but then you don't do this anyway. Legal and professional matters may also come to prominence during this transit.

Aquarius.

Saturn enters your 8th House. This House is connected to money and also major changes in direction, while Saturn rules the more secret side of your life, your hopes, dreams, and to some extent your worries. Things are set to change as a new direction opens up but it won't happen quickly. Follow your dreams, but do make sure they are realistic or you may bring in far more responsibility and long term burdens than you realise. Financial matters are likely to assume far greater importance than normal and there will be some serious thinking to do. There may be important discoveries to be made. 

Pisces.

Saturn enters your 7th House, focusing on close relationships, such as partners, close friends, business associations, and bringing in a more serious tone. Progress could be slow and a little tedious, so don't expect people to react quickly or go at your pace. This placing does indicate the probability of some form of long-term commitment and the taking on of responsibility. It can also mean that you will come into contact with people who react coldly and may take time to test you out before you are accepted. Older people, or those in a position of strength and authority are very likely to become more prominent in your life. 

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