spinallyspiraling:

Basic Astrology – the Delineation of Wisdom

As pointed out previously, astrology is very important to the practice of magick because it gives the magician a time-frame in which to orientate his workings, as well to determine the ambience of astrological influences effecting psychic phenomenon. Another important consideration is that astrology assists one in self-discovery, and the aphorism know thy self is of primary importance to the endeavors of the magician. This discipline is called natal astrology, and the first thing that a student studies is always his/her own natal chart.

The spiritual dimension of the self is revealed through the diagram known as the natal chart, or birth chart. The natal chart is a complex diagram containing a lot of various information about the individual depicted in it. However, the basic chart consists of four layers that are integrated into a complete delineation (astrological analysis). The first layer consists of the houses, the second are the signs, the third are the planetary positions, and the fourth are the planetary aspects or angular relationships. The student must be always aware of the nature of astrological symbols, as they are spiritual archetypes that have multiple meanings and significance, they are subject to interpretation, and at time, misinterpretation.

The twelve houses are the framework that the natal chart is grounded upon, they represent the boundaries where assigned activities take place. They represent the symbolic divisions of space; the sectors of the astrological cycle of 360°. The twelve house are static, so they do not move. The twelve signs represent the background, the coloring, and the attributes that qualify the planets residing in them. Signs qualify each of the houses that they rule, and this rulership is determined by the placement of the signs upon the cusps (divisions) of the twelve houses. Signs move only as the earth rotates on its axis, causing an apparent rotation of the zodiac.

Planets are the energies that move, since planets change their position by the hour, however greatly or minutely. They have rulership over the signs and houses, and they influence each other. The planets represent the dynamic expressions of the psyche and are the focus of astrological considerations. Planets move because they orbit the sun, thus they are not stationary, such as the fixed stars. We define the characteristics of the planets as they are qualified in the signs and in the houses, but the 10 planets, being archetypal in nature, have their own specific meanings.

Aspects represent the angular relationships between planets, and therefore, activate the latent energies of the planets existing within the signs and houses. A planet that is negatively aspected by another planet while being situated in a sign of its weakness or detriment, will acquire the negative potential of that planetary aspect. Similarly, a planet that is positively aspected by another planet can overcome the negative potential of a planetary sign position that is weak or detrimental.

We should now proceed with an examination of the four components of a natal chart, and these are the twelve houses, the twelve signs, the 10 planets, and the basic four aspects, although a few of the lesser aspects will be examined. We shall consider the ten planets as they are defined in astrology. The Planets have distinct psychological characteristics and personalities, as one would expect, since they were once gods. The following table will illustrate this point.

(CHART 1)

The next table will assist in the definition of the twelve signs of the zodiac. From the twelve signs are also derived the twelve houses after a fashion.

(CHART 2)

The signs can also be grouped by Element and Quality.

Fire Signs: Aries, Leo Sagittarius. Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Air Signs:Libra, Gemini and Aquarius. Earth Signs: Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo

Cardinal Signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Fixed Signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. Mutable Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

The next table contains the basic aspects that are used in astrology, included are their symbols, angular attributes and orbs (area of influence, in degrees), and their keyword concepts. Also included are some of the lesser aspects, which are also used, especially with transits and synastries.

(CHART 3)

Hard aspects: Oppositions, Squares, Conjuctions

Soft aspects: Tine, Sextiles, Quincunx, Semi-sextile

Conjunctions – joining of planetary qualities, fusion, combination of qualities intensifies.

Oppositions – relationships (opposites attract), blending to center, struggles and restoration.

Squares – locking of planetary energy, unforseen opposition, dynamic interplay, struggles.

Trines – always between same element, harmony, movement of energy, independent.

Sextiles – easy blending of energies, minor harmonizer, supportive, dependence, opportunities.

Quincunx – resolution, mediation, resistance is adjusted by compromise, volunteers.

Seni-sextile – assistance received from environment.

The next table will fully illustrate the keywords and concepts associated with all the twelve signs, houses, and the ten planets. This table is a list of keywords for the astrological symbols given as letter groupings of 12 letters. Each letter, whether planet, sign, or house represents an essence of energy that operates in multiple levels of awareness. These keywords are used in the technique of synthesizing combinations of symbols into statements of operation. This language can be used to describe a personality and the process of individual life development, an event with all of its facets and its ultimate probable outcome, or even an idea that might change that outcome. Each natal chart holds a wealth of information. Yet the astrologer must ferret out these facets and place them into perspective so that they relate to the composite dynamic structure that is an individual.

Letter 1 Basic Archetype: Desire, Action, Physical

House 1: Self, Body, appearance or presentation, physical features.

Sign: Aries – Positive: Initiative, ambition, impulse, pioneering spirit, self-esteem, leadership. Negative: Self-willed, brusque, overbearing, impatient, domineering.

Planet: Mars – Positive: Brave, enterprising, energetic, independent, motivated, competitive, assertive. Negative: Dominant, hostile, argumentative, impulsive, arrogant, angry, self-centered, quick-tempered, egotistic, cruel, over-sexed.

Letter 2 Basic Archetype: Possessive, Security, Appreciation

House 2: Values, Self-worth, personal property, how you creatively manifest what you own. Money, Morals, Love expressed.

Sign: Taurus – Positive: Endurance, comfort, security, determination, thorough, solid. Negative: Obstinate, jealous, stubborn, hoards possessions, holds on to hurts.

Planet: Venus – Positive: Love and affection, compassion, cheerful, friendly, artistic, poetic, kind, socialable, money, value, sensual. Negative: Indulgent, vain, lazy, superficial, gaudy, lustful.

Letter 3 Basic Archetype: Mental, Communication, Displacement

House 3: Mental and Communication skills, family relationships, neighborhood, education,short trips.

Sign: Gemini – Positive: Logical, Adaptable, Intellectual, Dual, Verbal, Versatile, Agile, Curious. Negative: Restless, Childish, Changeable, Inconsistent, superficially, nervous, unreliable, cunning.

Planet: Mercury – Positive: Intellect, literary, studious, dextrous, witty, all communications. Negative: Unprincipled, gossip, worry, forgetful, nervous, inconsistent, arrogant, angry, self-centered,

Letter 4 Basic Archetype: Emotional, Dependent, Caring.

House 4: Home, security, family ties, roots, real-estate, early environment.

Sign: Cancer – Positive: Home loving, frugal, sympathetic, receptive, tenacious, retentive. Negative: Contrary, clannish, timid, lazy, emotional, over-protective.

Planet: Moon – Positive: Domestic urge, How one gets their needs met, moods, feelings, mental perception, ambitious, receptive. Negative: Mood shifts, over-emotional, frivolous, procrastination, lazy.

Letter 5 Basic Archetype: Creation, Recognition, Self-expression

House 5: Creativity, dramatic, artistic, children and child-like behavior, speculation andgambling, love received.

Sign: Leo – Positive: Generous, helpful, leadership, loyal, noble, expressive, affirmative, sunny, acting. Negative: Vain, proud, loud, arrogant, showoff, cruel, snobbish, condescending.

Planet: Sun – Positive: Self-expressive, creativity, pride, dignity, sincerity, individuality, power-urge. Negative: Arrogant, egotistical, over-bearing, demanding, of attention, power-hungry.

Letter 6 Basic Archetype: Compulsive, selective, planner, assist

House 6: Service to others, work, technique, daily business of life, health

Sign: Virgo – Positive: Methodical, orderly, service orientated, analytical, discriminative, pure, healthy, clean, ethical. Negative: Inferiority complex, narrow minded, smug, critical, fears disease.

Planet: Mercury (See Letter 3) Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo, and houses 3 and 6.

Letter 7 Basic Archetype: Sharing, Supportive, Acceptance-hunger.

House 7: Others in general, Partners in particular, Public, Counseling.

Sign: Libra – Positive: Hopeful, justice, courteous, social, fair, balance, harmony, partnership, agreeable. Negative: Indecisive, suave, secrecy, dislikes opposition, status seeking, lazy approval need, peer-influenced.

Planet: Venus (See letter 2) Venus rules both Taurus and Libra, and houses 2 and 7.

Letter 8 Basic Archetype: Transformation, Intensity, Obsessive Power Hunger.

House 8: Shared values, thing of value received from others: legacies, learning of a skill, assistance, cooperation, value of relation.

Sign: Scorpio – Positive: Passionate, intense, reformer, strong, persistent, able to bring out of depths that which is hidden, healing. Negative: Power-hungry, ruthless, manipulative, opinionated, jealous, vengeful, secretive, obsessive.

Planet: Pluto – Positive: Reforming urge, reconstruction, broad-view, big business, research, death-rebirth, deep, retentive. Negative: Jealous, demanding, perversion, vulgar, destructive, possessive, hateful, revenge, betrayal.

Letter 9 Basic Archetype: Social, Expansive, Indulgent.

House 9: World view, religion, politics, psychology, philosophy, higher education, longdistance travel, foreign travel, law.

Sign: Sagittarius – Positive: Optimistic, social generous, wise, just, happy, outgoing, salesmanship, intelligence, freedom, adventurous, sportive, athletic. Negative: Fanatic, rebel, gambler, restless, loud, scattered, over optimistic, bad judgement.

Planet: Jupiter – Positive: Ideals, ethics, aspirations, respect, jovial, sympathetic, popular, wise, just, expansive, open, increase. Negative: Self-indulgent, self-righteous, hypocritical, extravagant, lazy, exaggeration.

Letter 10 Basic Archetype: Suppression, Neurosis, Control, Achievement.

House 10: Honor, reputation, career, social standing, what you think others think of you.

Sign: Capricorn – Positive: Patient, ambitious, cautious, untiring effort, position, perfectionist, businesslike. Negative: Pessimistic, authoritative, image-conscious, lonely, defensive, uses others.

Planet: Saturn – Positive: Disciplined, responsible, determination, perfection, serious, goal-orientated, integrity, tradition, commitment, moral, success-orientated, professionalism. Negative: Rigid, frigid, depressive, self-denying, anxiety, guilt, fear, over compensation, demanding parent, enforcer.

Letter 11 Basic Archetype: Dissociation, Progressive, Individualistic.

House 11: Friends, groups, organizations, homes, dreams, long-term goals.

Sign: Aquarius – Positive: Inventive, unique, group-orientated, original, modern, friendly, genius. Negative: Non-conformist, anti-social, fanatic, eccentric, erratic, impractical, rebellious.

Planet: Uranus – Positive: Inventive, creative, metaphysical, progressive, mental, scientific, telepathic. Negative: Eccentric, bohemian, irresponsible, sudden, erratic, chaotic, disruptive, sarcastic, unorthodox, illicit.

Letter 12 Basic Archetype: Passive, Delusions, Imagination.

House 12: Introspective, health institutions, personal limitations, service, devotion, innerstrength, psychic contact.

Sign: Pisces – Positive: Patient, devoted, compassionate, benevolent, idealistic, self-sacrificing, gentle, spiritual. Negative: Avoidance, unrealistic, escapism, victimized, vague.

Planet: Neptune – Positive: Spiritualism, artistic, religious, romantic, idealistic, poetic, musical, creative, clairvoyant. Negative: Deluded, deceitful, drug addict, alcoholic, erratic, fraudulent, foggy, dissolving.

– Frater Barrabbas Tiresius; ASTROLOGY FOR THE MAGICIAN