I saw a recent article in Newsweek about a "intuitionist", who recently had published a book that became a best seller. This gal seems really cool, and apparently she is making mega bucks as an adviser to corporate leaders.

However, I was thinking that really a good astrologer has so much more to offer. She may have a good "hunch" but an astrologer can put a date on that "hunch", relate the "hunch" to overall development, and really create a holistic profile.

I have had a great deal of experience suggesting the value of intuition, especially at important decision making times, and I always try to be open to intuitive impressions when I am working on an individuals horoscope. However to put this in perspective: if intuition is the butter, Astrology is the bread, the bread has much more substance.

Those of you that regularly read my web sites know I’m not much of a writer, but most importantly you probably also know that I do offer some interesting ideas about Astrology. I follow an Astrology method, but what makes my analysis work is that my method includes an intuitive perspective that can really bring to light personality features that need to be understood. I find mundane Astrology, political Astrology, most interesting, but my focus is on personal Astrology. So on those occasions when I do research for an individual, I prepare an Analysis that is well done and really applies to the individuals current concerns. I am sharing this because I have a new light shining on my Astrology Desk, that being the light of rectification. Rectification is the process of adjusting or determining the time of birth.

I have been thinking about the Mayan Calendar and the year 2012. For those of you that are not familiar with all the different ideas about the end of the Mayan calendar, which apparently comes to a halt on Dec 21, 2012, there are a host of books and articles about the subject.

Astrological events developing from now through 2012 are also suggestive of great change. Between the two, the Mayan calendar and Astrological events, lots of ideas are suggested. We are clearly in a tremendous time of world change and spiritual change.

My work as an Astrologer is not so much about understanding world events as it is simply helping individuals, one by one. However each individual is very much a part of the whole world family. And as a member of this vast family, all of us experience impact from world events. We are all connected.

This is just a concept, an idea to think about. Over the years I’ve thought about the different traditional ideas about the life after, and most of those ideas just don’t seem much fun. Most importantly to me, those different concepts seem to have too many inconsistencies or are out of date. Meaning that those ideas seem to have been formed at specific historical times and with the progression of time many of the weaknesses of thinking behind those theories are clearly evident. For example the christian system is based upon the concept of “lordship”, and that allegiance and worship of a king is a necessary part of package. This ancient feudal image is appealing to many, however democratic experiences have led many to realize that whatever divinity may be, “lordship” is not necessary.

A note or two about Rulership in Horoscope Analysis

In addition to typical measurements like aspects and reading planets in
signs and houses, there is another every elegant interpretative method.
That method being the consideration of planetary rulership. When I use the
term rulership, I am referring to the planet that rules each house. Not always,
but often it is the planet that rules the sign on the cusp of each house. So
for example, say that one sees Gemini on the cusp of the 5th house. Than
Mercury will rule 5th house concerns. This suggesting that ideas, communication
and “mind” are an active part of the art of giving to others in relationships.

Symbolically, each planet represents time uniquely, differently. This is a developing concept for me, the idea of measuring time from different perspectives, adding different layers of understanding to our life experience, by measuring different planetary cycles. Each planet a different life cycle. It is not so much about adding something new to one’s life as it is about acceptance, adding depth to understanding allows one to accept some life events that might otherwise be difficult to understand.

Of all the planets Saturn stands out pragmatically as a means to measure time and the symbols of life changes. At best we can experience three Saturn cycles. The first cycle, from birth to age 29 represents the initiation phase. All education matters, career decisions and first romances typically occur in this period. The second period, from 29 to 58, represents the time that we are most productive. Families are raised, careers are rewarded, the structures of ones life are well set. The third passage of Saturn, from 58 through the 80, is a time to “retire”, to enjoy the fruit of one’s labor, and it is often a time of personal reflection.

In review of this article, it clearly is just to long. So I thought it might be interesting to try to summarize up front some key points. First, it is always fascinating when an astrologer can grasp so quickly the issues in an individuals life following a review of your natal chart. I'm not sure people care too much about acquiring a personal "reading", but when the Astrologer can zero in on hot issues that are important, and people respond...that's empowering. Second, when I can create a time line, taken from Astrological data, that really reflects one's life, it gets really interesting when that time line transitions from the past to the future. Just think, if we are in aggreement for past events, than most likely the same methods will prove to be realistic for future dates. With such a tool, one feels like they can participant in their destiny. Those Astrological symbols become alive and the individual can interact with those archetypes and with their personal time. Our mind has a great deal of power to create, given tools that assist that creative process enables us to be participants rather than just spectators. This is what a power consultation is about!

The horoscope tells a story. Now it’s important that you realize that this is really not your story, but amazingly like your story. Sometimes it can amazingly parallel you life in many ways. When we look at our horoscopes, we need to take that which is useful and put it in our pocket. Take that information home, use it as needed. Those parts that just don’t seem to fit, we are not to worry about. Sometimes, given a little time, those items are understoond and meaningful. Ultimately we will find that all the bits fit! In time our horoscopes can reveal new and deeper layers.

There are numerous types of measurements used in Astrology. One of the most interesting measurements is the use of aspects. Aspects are geometric angles between planets. The distances in the angles is measured by degrees and the number of degrees determines the type of aspect. Different aspects over the years have have become associated with different meanings. The meanings acquire tradition, but over time even traditional interpretations are modified. Today psychological insight has added depth to the meaning of most aspects. So when I do research for an individual and prepare for a consultation, I may use words like “indicates” or “suggests", the use of these words may refer to the interpretation of an aspect. Usually I prefer to avoid jargon in a consultation. I've done the homework, and the client should have a consultation that is clear and understood.

As an introduction, and this may not be exactly correct, but in my mind the term “New Age", is derived from the idea of The Age of Aquarius. This idea denotes the processional change in the earth’s orientation of the visible zodiac. This movement into the sign Aquarius, suggests that humanity will actually start to behave like good humans.

“The Age” symbolically is a time in which humanity collectively cares about the needs of the people of the earth and of the earth itself, as compared to the age of Pisces, considered a time in which the earth was exploited and people were/are exploited for the benefit of a few.

Studying the Horoscope

Read the influence of the Sun and moon by sign

Read the influence of the Ascending sign, the midheaven

Read the influence of the Moon by sign

Read the influence of Mercury by sign

Read the aspects to the significator and to the co-rulers.

The planet that rules the rising sign in a horoscope at the moment of birth is called the significator, its power and influence according to the sign in which it may be located is very important. The most prominent planet in the house.

Ascending Sign

Aries
Lovers of independence, fond of their own way and happy only in activity and command. The head of things, leader. Mars

Sabian Symbols
The Sabian symbols were produced in 1925 by clairvoyant Elsie Wheeler, and they are the most popularly used set of degree symbols today. There are 360 symbols, a symbol for each degree of a complete circle.

Aries
0-1 deg Aries

A Woman Just Risen From The Sea; A Seal Is Embracing Her

1-2 deg Aries

A Comedian Reveals Human Nature

2-3 deg Aries

The Cameo Profile Of A Man, Suggesting The Shape Of His Country

3-4 deg Aries

Two Lovers Strolling On A Secluded Walk

4-5 deg Aries

A Triangle With Wings

5-6 deg Aries

A Square, With One Of Its Sides Brightly Illumined

Illness infringes upon ones life at the most inopportune times. I’ve been fortunate that illness has been a minor distraction or an occasional pesky visitor. But this past year I have discovered the personal power that illness can weld as well as its redemptive light.

In the astrology department, I’ve pretty much ignored aspects that might suggest caution or carefulness regarding my own health. Looking at my own chart has been a planning and organization effort. It has forced consideration of larger issues and questions that are easily ignored. This of course has led me to reconsider the holistic perspectives that can be overlooked. So I’d like to share my story, maybe take a look at what Astrology has to say about this, and maybe draw a circle that includes astrology as an expanding tool of power

The Age of Aquarius

Several years ago there was a great deal of discussion regarding the impending Age of Aquarius. Now from time to time I hear folksy references to the Age of Aquarius. If you are interested, but have not had the time to look into this subject, I am providing below a description of what this title means.

We know that annually the earth travels around the sun making a complete cycle that includes four seasons. Slowly over a period of about 2100 years the earth progresses every so slightly backwards through the zodiac. Currently the earth is crossing over from an alignment with Pisces to the beginning of Aquarius. In other words, on the first day of Spring each year the earth aligns a little less than it’s previous position with Pisces in the prior year, ever so slowly it is processing backwards in its annual cycle. If you were to draw an intersecting line from the sun, through the earth directly to the Pisces, you would note that the line is entering the space of Aquarius. It’s estimated by many Astrologers that the point of intersection will be well within Aquarius sometime between the years 2100 and 2160. You might be wondering why an exact date is not available. Perhaps some Astrologer/Astronomer has pinpointed the precise date, but for now I do know that the issue involves where exactly that dividing line should be, in that there is a vast amount of space between Pisces and Aquarius.

Puzzles

The other day I was watching some little kids put together a puzzle. Although they were having a difficult time they were determined. As I observed their effort, I considered all the different factors that would need to be considered to complete a puzzle, and it “hit” me that analyzing an astrology chart was in some ways a similar process. Except that with an astrology chart all the pieces are in place, but one. That one piece is the finished analysis of the chart with the client. All the bits and pieces of the puzzle tell us about the conditions, tensions, potential behavior outlets, and response options available for the person. When we put together the puzzle we can get a fairly accurate picture of the individual’s developmental options and possible behavioral responses.

From time to time I see posting on blogs about Yods. And recently someone told me there was a Yod in her natal chart (she was really excited), so I took a look and surprise, no such creature. So to clarify the term, I’d like to briefly define and say a bit about Yods. A Yod is composed of three planets, a sextile connecting two of the planets, and a third planet connecting those two, at a 150 degree angle (quincunx). I prefer to think of the configuration as a double quincunx. Anyway between the three one can draw the shape of a Capital “Y”, the end of each arm being the point a planet will be located at.

Aspects: the Angles of Astrology

When interpreting an individual's birth, progressed or compatibility charts, astrologers use three primary elements. The elements include the sun signs, houses and aspects. When comparing two charts for compatibility, (friends, lovers, business associates) the aspects created from both charts are considered synastry). Most people today have some concept of signs and houses but few average individuals have a good astrological understanding of the importance of planetary aspects in their charts and report.

Aspects refer to the mathematical angles by degrees between two planets. Keep in mind that the astrology chart being a circle is measured in 360 degrees. Let’s take a brief look at, and define the major aspects.

Each year as the Fall comes to a close and the chill of Winter approaches, I think about a forecast for the upcoming year. This upcoming year in the U.S. should be especially interesting. The presidential election is coming up, and for the first time ever we have a woman as a front runner, and a very competitive African-American candidate. Also as a nation we are under a great deal of stress as the horror of Iraq continues. Although our politicians do not seem too concerned, the issue of global warming is demanding a tremendous response. Many other serious issues can be listed that altogether create a very discouraging picture.