INFINITY Astrological Magazine The Sept Oct Issue INF9 2016 5

INFINITY Astrological Magazine-Sept/Oct 2016
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INFINITY Astrological Magazine

September/October INF#9 2016
Editor: Smiljana Gavrani (Serbia), ISAR CAP Professional Astrologer, Founder & Owner
of INFINITY Astrological Magazine
Editorial Team
Armand Diaz (USA), Ph.D., Professional Astrologer
LeAnn Lacy (USA), Professional Astrologer & clinical hypnotherapist
Art & Design: Andrew Ifandis (Greece), Professional Astrologer
www.infinityastrologicalmagazine.com
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Astrological Lodge Of London

Autumn Programme
Programme Co-ordinators: Carole West and Wanda Sellar
Uranus in Taurus 2018 Smiljana Gavrani
19th September 2016 - 7:00PM
In 2018 Uranus will enter Taurus, and the Moon will be at 26 Taurus (Algol-
symbol of Moscow). From the point of degrees, Russia is sensitive to 26 of
every fixed sign and to 19 Libra.
Astrological Predictive Techniques Monica Escalante
19th September 2016 - 8:30PM
These show the type of energy and the life areas that will be activated promised
in the chart. We will review the five main predictive techniques mainly used in
modern astrology: Transits, Secondary Progressions, Solar Arc Directions,
Eclipses and Solar Returns.
Prince and David Bowie Babs Kirby
26th September 2016 - 7:00pm
The deaths of David Bowie and Prince were shocking and their Solar Returns
will be discussed, alongside their secondary progressions
Cosmology (1) Gill Dorren
26th September 2016 - 8:30pm
Gill will be looking at current Cosmological thinking but through the eyes of an
astrologer. Tonight Gill will discuss the tools we will need as we venture back
through space time
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The Healing Power of Astrology Roy Gillett
3rd October 2016 -7:00pm
Recent political and social turmoil in the UK and the wider world would have
been both foreseeable and avoidable, if astrological understanding had been
wisely applied.
3rd October 2016 - 8:30pm
As we journey through space/time on the rocket The Zodiac; from the

singularity to the beginning of the structures of galaxies
Carter Memorial Lecture: The Elegant Universe Christeen Skinner
10th October 2016 - 7:00pm
When we gather at these Monday evening events we revive our love affair with
astrology and share our awe of the Music of the Spheres.
Using some of the new discoveries in the universe (Black Holes, the Galactic
centre), we will see how these can bring an extra dimension to current astrology.
The Slaying of Richard III Jean Elliott
King Richard was slain at the Battle of Bosworth, and slain again by
Shakespeares play. But was he really evil?
In the Astrologers Chair Israel Ajose
A live reading
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The Symbolism of the French Gothic Cathedrals (1) Florimond Krins
An introduction to the mysterious times of the French Gothic Cathedrals from

the political historical background that led to a golden age in sacred architecture
The Symbolism of the French Gothic Cathedrals (2) Florimond Krins
a golden age in sacred architecture with its amazing symbolism imbued in

mathematics, astronomy and astrology.
The Mystical 12th House Wanda Sellar
31st October 2016 - 7:00pm
The weavers of magical effects are consigned to the 12th House, along with
angels, holy men, astrologers and mediums.
Astrological Magic Israel Ajose
31st October 2016 - 8:30pm
Magic has always used astrological influences and times which are more potent
to fine tune the effect of a ritual or ceremony to achieve a desired result.
www.astrolodge.co.uk
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Contents:
1. ~Editors Letter~ God Is Love & Love Is All Around Us By Smiljana Gavrani (7-10)
2. ~Editoral letters by Armand Diaz & LaAnn Lacy (11-11)
3. ~Editorial letter~ All good things stem from the heart By Andrew Ifandis(12-12)
4. Embracing my inner weirdo By Victor Olliver (13-16)
5. Grace Kelly Princess of Monaco By Smiljana Gavrani (17-22)
6. Planets on the 1st Choosing a New Experience of Yourself By Tara Aal (23-26)
7. Saturn square Neptune - And the Danger of False Narratives - Part I: Hillary & Benghazi By Glenn
Perry (27-39)
8. The Esoteric Significance of the Lunar Nodes in Yoga By Theodore Naicker (40-44)
9. Astrology and the Evolution of Consciousness: Part 5: The Humanistic Worldview By Armand Diaz
(45-48)
10. Lucky Iron Man or Clever Sherlock Holmes? How to constructively integrate the see-saw pattern in
your chart By Andrew Ifandis (49-53)
11. The ethics of astrological practice: a Question needing an Answer By Anne Whitaker (54-61)
12. Minding our Language and Raising our Consciousness By Mandi Lockley (62-64)
13. Star of the Tsar: Venus Retrograde, Vladimir Putin, and Russia By Nick Dagan Best (65-85)
14. The Four Aims of Life and the Houses of the Horoscope By Richard Alwin Fidler (86-102)
15. Mundane Astrology forecasting for September Eclipses 2016 By Rod Chang (103-113)
16. Fellini, Coppola & Scorsese: lights, action, mutual reception By Alan Annand (114-122)
17. TURKEY'S FAILED COUP By Marguerite dar Boggia (123-126)
18 September/October 2016 INFINITY Horoscop By Cassandra Tyndall (127-133)
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~Editors Letter~
God Is Love & Love Is All Around Us
By Smiljana Gavrani
Jupiter, the planet representing the Creator (God) in astrology, is exalted (thrilled, happy) at
15 Cancer, in the very Center of the Soul! At this spot there is Anahata, i.e. Heart chakra,
and here we learn how to love ourselves and be close to ourselves. Here, in astrologic sense
we connect all our extremes, we connect mother and father within, i.e. we accept ourselves,
which is the ultimate task of each one of us. Only through acceptance of our parents, who are
always our Sun and Moon, we accept ourselves and make contact with the Creator (God)
within. It is the right and only way to God, through loving one's self.
There are 7 alchemy steps towards transformation, and the main is the one related to alchemy
illumination which speaks of the 4th step, of Conjunction, of the holy marriage of male and
female aspects within, of conjunction of Sun (gold) and Moon (silver), of royal wedding. This
step is also related to the most important, fourth, lunar chakra in the heart region, that
connects the lower energy level (body, unconscious) with the upper one (mind, conscious).
The act of inner love development is what matters here, the acceptance of one's self, of
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parents - father (Sun) and mother (Moon), and the aim is to reconcile consciousness (Sun)
with feelings (Moon) at 15 Cancer and reach the great knowledge (Jupiter) In secret
alchemy experiments the salt symbolizes unification, so cleansing of body with sea salt is very
beneficial, for it "cleans" from painful emotions and negative energy at the deepest level
It takes a lot of courage and passion to find the way to Self and God. We have the experience
of uniting when we love somebody, but also when we fill the unity with nature and space
Before Uniting takes place in our lives, one may be lost and prone to wandering around,
seeking for a partner at all costs, and becoming jealous and possessive when the ideal other
half is found On the other hand, the sign that one is going through uniting is the balance,
increased trust and inner peace in one's life
So, in a big picture, the most important, heart, lunar, fourth chakra vibrates from the Soul
Center, at 15 Cancer (Jupiter exaltation), at the spot where Zeus (Jupiter) will love only
Hera and be faithful to her, unless she fills her Heart with suspicions, fears (Saturn fear,
suspicion, in Cancer and in exile), and unless she is angry (Cancer is the sign of Mars' fall). It
is necessary for her to be joyful (Jupiter). So, is it possible to conclude that the "secret of the
stone of wisdom" lives in the Soul Center, at 15 Cancer, at the degree where the opposites
are being united within, where we primarily reconcile our parents, our Sun and Moon? I
would say that the answer is -- yes
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If we now take a look at 29 Cancer, the spot in Zodiac where the Third Eye vibrates, i.e. the
sixth energy center, the sixth chakra, then I must tell you as an astrologist that this is very
specific place within 360 degrees, for this is the crossing from dark to light, here two eyes
(Moon and Sun are lights, our eyes, beside being our parents) touch, and that is the spot
between the eyebrows where we can change beliefs in order for circumstances to change
This act of changing beliefs is what brings us closer to Creator, God (Jupiter). Ask yourself,
is everything the way you believe it is? Our inner sight, our Third Eye (sixth chakra, Jupiter
chakra) says it is not at all the way we think it is. Here, we develop our intuition.
The sixth chakra creates the ring with the second one (Venus) around hearth chakra as a
central one, and that is how we end up with the middle ring around our Heart! Venus' energy
center has the main task to lose the feeling of guilt and to learn to enjoy. Venus belongs to
lower energy centers (Body), while Jupiter chakra represents upper centers (Mind). Higher
octave of Venus is Neptune (paradise) in order to live paradise on Earth we have to change
our beliefs. One of typical representatives of countries in symbolism of 29 Cancer (Jupiter
chakra) might be Netherlands, the country that "sees further".
On the other hand, 27 Pisces is Venus' exaltation (it is thrilled, joyful). In Pisces, everything
is wonderful and quiet, here we do not contemplate, do not speak aloud, here we pray and
believe, and personal faith gets stronger only in constant silence. The power of prayer before
bed is enormous. When we pray in silence and from the heart -- it is pure, unconditional love,
and it is the way to Creator, God. The sign of Pisces is also the sign where Jupiter (God) feels
at home, because Jupiter is primary, traditional ruler of Pisces, while Neptune is new,
modern ruler. Venus (love) feels the best in the last pentad (25 - 30) of Pisces, which has
symbolism of Sun and Venus, and when Sun and Venus touch it is Love, and they create
pentagram, the symbol of love. In this place in Zodiac Angels live too, and making contact
with personal Angels through prayer is wonderful channel to Love, to God.
Neptune (paradise) as the higher octave of Venus is exalted (joyful) at 21 Aquarius, and in
fall across the Zodiac, at 21 Leo. This axis in Zodiac requires lot of personal fate from us.
Here lives the magic, here Angels do "fall" (especially at 21 Leo), here we need a lot of
meditation and purity. Average person easily "get caught" in lower vibrations of Neptune,
because we are all only human. Only the "awakened" person may live the pure Neptune, and
that is life without vices. How many of us is ready to abandon everything earthly and to let the
Holy Spirit to guide us? I am sure very few, because, I must repeat, we are only human, and
spirituality also means a certain state of physiology. Spiritual is the one ready to focus his
Love only on serving others without expectations, and to see it as joy and love, not as being a
victim
We live now in the last pentad of Pisces (5 - 0), and we are getting ready for the Age of
Aquarius, that will begin when the precession point come to 29 Aquarius 5959. But, we
already have the dawn before the New Age, the Age of Aquarius, and we can feel the influence
of that age in many spiritual movements that develop rapidly. But, while being in Pisces it is
possible not to see everything clearly, i.e. lot of things are "muddy", this is the time in which
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one should be "awakened" and in silence, in order to recognize the right Teacher among the
many spiritualists!
One thing is certain, God is Love and Love

is all around us. The act of accepting one's
self is the first step on the way to God
within. One does not have to go to church,
temple, sacred place to be connected to
God. One does not need the Teacher to
initiate him or impose his beliefs. As long
as there is the person whom we should
worship because it is required by his
spiritual organization or movement -- we
will be far away from God. In the moment
when we start to love only ourselves, it is
the sign that we connected with God!
Because, by loving one's self we also love
all others who are part of us, for I am You -
- You are Me!
Love & Light,
Smiljana.
September, 2016
www.isarastrology.com
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~Editorial Letter~
By Armand Diaz
Ive had the wonderful opportunity to be one of the guest editors on
this issue of Infinity, a publication with a growing audience and very
wide range of astrological writing. Articles on traditional astrology,
biography, historical events, and more from accomplished authors are
in this issue - believe me, it makes a wonderful read whether youre a
practicing astrologer, a beginning student, or anywhere in between.
As is appropriate for its name, Infinity transcends limitations. Its

attitude of inclusiveness has helped it to flourish rapidly, attracting both contributors and
readers at an astounding pace. In a Uranian field with many individuals determined to do
their own thing on their own terms, it seems fitting that it is Infinity that can easily embrace
diverse perspectives. I know you will enjoy the articles in this issue - and the next!
Armand Diaz
~Editorial Letter~
By LeAnn Lacy
In such a short amount of time, Infinity has gained a strong
online presence in the astrological community attracting the
attention of astrologers from all around the globe. What first
attracted me to INF was the array of astrological perspectives
and interpretive techniques featured in each publication.
Rather than reducing astrology to a single paradigm or
lineage, or exalting one technique or approach as superior to
all others, the editor and founder, Smiljana Gavrancic,
provides a forum where astrologers with diverse
epistemological and philosophical approaches are celebrated,
and the multiplicity of the astrological field is highlighted as a strength and asset, rather than
a chaotic cacophony of competing concepts. In this way, Smiljanas vision for INF
transcends the confines of a single approach or singular point of view making INF a
multifaceted jewel for the astrological community. For me personally, being a small part of
INF and joining so many other contributing writers and supporters has been a deeply
rewarding and collaborative experience. I am so thrilled for INFs success in its first year of
publication, and hope the INF community continues to flourish, collaborate and partner with
the broader astrological community for many decades to come!
LeAnn Lacy
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~Editorial letter~
All good things stem from the heart
By Andrew Ifandis
My impression when I first visited INFINITY magazines website was that of a spirited place.
Blue, ciel colours and vistas of the skies, that in their infinite spoke of the stars. It made me
think that the planets are always there on the sky. Even when we dont see them, they re still
there in the diurnal half of the chart, hidden by the suns light, somewhere behind the limitless
sky, moving beyond the clear blue that merges sky and sea.
I downloaded the magazine. Pages written in blue calligraphy, a neatly lay out and most
importantly great astrology! There in these pages, within the blue letters, astrology was
written with love and professionalism. Amazing natal analysis, progressions and their cosmic
interplay in a nativity, a study in mundane, the supporting role astrology can have for
parents, consulting issues, predictions methodically derived after studying numerous charts,
various historical articles and inspirational viewpoints.
That was Astrology thats interesting, Astrology that had quality. Articles written by
professionals from different countries all together a part of the magazines family.
Today I am honoured to be part of this family that has since grown and will continue to grow.
INFINITY is its talented writers. It is a platform for great astrologers and professionals. But
most of all, INFINITY is you, the readers out there, who share the same passion for quality
astrology as we do, who value spirituality, who seek knowledge and research, and feel
inspired each time you see the blue logo.
INFINITY is ASTROLOGY AROUND THE GLOBE, not only because we the writers are
around the globe but mostly because you the readers are all around the globe under the blue
sheltering skies.
As the planets move around the globe, always remember... all good things stem from the
heart.
Andrew Ifandis Art & Design - Athenes, Greece
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Embracing my inner weirdo

Author: Victor Olliver
The editor of The Astrological Journal discusses his new rising sign. Hes got
through quite a few.
I made a recent significant
discovery. Of personal
significance, that is. I am not
Gemini-Gemini or Gemini-
Taurus, Gemini-Cancer or even
Gemini-Pisces. My Sun is still in
Gemini but rising sign is now
Aquarius. Oh wow. At last! I can
embrace my inner weirdo; the
weirdo Ive always been and will
be to the day I die; or so I
suppose.
Added piquancy is that the discovery has been made (thanks to my mums belated but new-
improved recollection) during my ongoing second return of Saturn, new co-ruler of my birth
chart. Great timing! I suppose the slick media stargazers ghostwriter would say of me: At a
time of spiritual crossroads, when not for the first time you are reflecting on where you are
and where youre heading, totting up the victories, setbacks and lettings-go, your chart (or
someone!) alerted you to a missing part of the horoscopic puzzle - something that may enable
you to enter your drooling, dribbling dotage (had your lower bowel checked out yet, dear?)
with a clearer sense of who you are.
Like I give a toss.
But I must say I do feel a lot more comfortable thinking I am Aquarius rising. Its a more
appropriate fit, like a custom-made suit with a well-tailored crotch. A lot of this is to do with
self-perception, if not memory. As a child I was abnormally awkward and silent (these days,
the quack Dr Googles would say I was or am on the autistic spectrum). And when I did open
my mouth, I was peculiarly articulate and confident, elaborate and specific (a bit like this
piece) and possessed of an odd posh voice - not bad for a kid who had free school dinners and
threw away his NHS specs with the two nasty silver hinge screw heads either side of the
lenses. I was also alarmingly pretty (I hope this is not embarrassing you - because Im feeling
quite comfortable as I digitise the old snaps for eternitys indifference) and for this reason,
many kids, self-trained to expert in the area of sexual orientation, determined that I was a
poof. Actually, until the age of 12, I and my Evangelical choirboy bestie had no idea of what
a poof was - it was just a word missile that forever failed to detonate in our heads. I wore my
poofery as a mark of pride in all innocence, long before Pride came along with its street
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entertainers on stilts and Julie Burchill dancing 80s disco (she now has sciatica as a result).
No one actually asked me whether as a child I engaged in sexual activity with other boys - all
of whom in any case were straight virgins (apparently), projecting anxieties instilled by their
kidult self-perpetuating parents. No, the issue was perception - of making sure one fitted in. I
stuck out - as in some ways I still do in adulthood.
Now, Infinity magazine is not the place to over-indulge in the particulars of autobiography.
You dont really want to know what I do with my body - just get on with your chart work.
The point of my telling you all this - about my perceived weirdness - is to say something
about the nature of Aquarius rising: the cookbooks tell us that its the mark of the sore sticky-
out thumb; the square in the round hole; the geek/weirdo/outsider in the school year photo
cramped between the popular rugby player and the thin, ultra-clever violinist (whos also a
master at algebra and chess), all of us posing in front of a uniformed herd of industrial, self-
edited averageness, socially approved by nick-names and dodgy hair-dos.
Aquarius rising is the new mould thats not to be repeated. Aquarius rising is weirdo.
However! To what extent am I tailoring my self-definition to the novelty of the Aquarius

ascendant? Until recently I thought I was nebulous Pisces rising and I focused on my ability
to be whatever people want me to be - at least for a while - and my tendency to do unto others
what they would never dream of doing for me in their unyielding, youve-only-got-one-life,
selfishness. I recalled the people I had won over/comforted/got into bed with/impressed by
picking up on their needs - and what they needed from me. I was (and am) capable of deriving
pleasure from simply performing an action for another person because it consummates their
need: my needs are not considered in the moment. Of course I must be Pisces rising. But hang
on a minute - what about my Pisces Moon? Might that explain these traits? After all, how did
Pisces rising explain my combative persona - my tendency to blow up in an instant?
Anyway
Then there was my Gemini-Gemini phase. I went to my first Astrological Association

Conference and told everyone with certainty that I was a Double G. I can see them now,
learned stargazers punching my birth data into their smart phone Astro Gold for some face-
pulling snap-analysis. Ooh yesmmmthat Saturnmmm, anyway, so whats your name
again - Oliver? I recalled my Twins-themed crazy times in journalism, and of course my
facility with words and phrase-making. Glib, facile, superficial, impatient - I was suddenly the
walking souffl or clich of Hermes. In adulthood I could swan into a party and just start
rattling out the entertainment, depending on the crowd. To what extent memory was distorted
to fit the double G superimposition I cannot say for sure. But I felt more social and vivacious
in thinking I was a Gemini rising person. I actually felt brighter and more immediate. My
years of silence were repackaged as rehearsal. And I read somewhere once that double Gs
can even seem a bit introverted for a while. So there you go.
The Gemini-Taurus phase never really took off in my mind because I have never been much
interested in money or possessions. And I cant recall ever enjoying the experience of
touching up clay on the potters wheel (the Bull is tactile, see) - although I do have a crushed
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velvet dinner suit that others (women especially) like to stroke. True, I like petting pussy cats.
Who doesnt? But, on the other hand, I did consider that a Venus chart ruler usually bestows
good looks (so I gazed in the looking glass seeking confirmation), and a warm personality. I
re-watched Death In Venice for support. If a certain irritability in my nature somewhat
compromised this trait of the thermal aura, I could always blame it on nervy cool Gemini - or
even my Mars in Cancer. Or Pisces Moon: soooo sensitive. Astrologers are forever flexible in
their go-tos. Thats useful but also a big problem.
The idea of Aquarius rising has made me look again at my chart and at the timing of certain
major events. One in particular was the launch of my blog Madame Arcati back on 4 July
2006 - then I knew little about astrology. The site became quite notorious for breaking stories
about neer-do-well journalists and editors, for involving itself in a lengthy feud in the Kevin
Spacey troubled clan and for posting satirical PhotoShopped nude pics of celebs. I created the
site and identity in a late expression of juvenile delinquency; also as a palliative to counter a
very restrictive, boring day job. Madame Arcati was in essence self-entertainment and a drag
act of the sit-down variety - and bore no resemblance to Noel Cowards clairvoyante Mme
Arcati, created for his play Blithe Spirit, even though a pic of actress Margaret Rutherford
(who played Arcati in the play and the 1945 film) was used as blog avatar.
The early birth-time hours (which give rise to Aquarius rising) for the Arcati blog launch day
show tr Uranus closely conjunct my Moon in Pisces, trine tr Sun exact on natal Mars. A
perfect description. In literal terms, a break for independence, a break with past ways of
doing things (Uranus on Moon); a new feminine guise for masculine feral energy, and
involvement of empowered personal identity (Sun on Mars): Arcati triggered many rows and
challenges; and her mode of expression at times was cranky, vitriolic and certainly
provocative. Pisces involvement with Moon-Uranus hints at the psychic theme of the new
identity. In broader terms, tr Uranus was close to natal Moon whichever clock-time used for
my birthday. But Aquarius rising in mid-degrees gives the conjunction.
Is this proof that I have an Aquarian ascendant? Not really. Without certified birth time, we
can only speculate or rectify more rigorously. However! Now that I like the idea of my new
rising sign, I find something fresh in my chart to illustrate the newly conceived me (or moi
as Madame would say). Aquarius just about explains everything just as Pisces or Gemini once
did. It would be fair to say that Aquarius draws out fewer objections. It seems more bang on.
More moi.
Oh and a final thing. I always did wonder why most of my friends (of the past especially)
were Aquarian. My first girlfriend (who was the ultimate-ultimate outsider; a foundling on a
bike, almost) was Aquarius. Why am I drawn to eccentrics, weirdos, individualists - like my
(ex-!) fiancee Molly Parkin, a classic Aquarian type? Aquarius just finds me, even in a
crowd of moo-ers. Heres an answer: my new Aquarius rising places Leo Uranus three
degrees off my descendant (if using Whole Signs - I do highly recommend). The time I have
spent listening to colourful show-offs, braggarts and anecdotalists! I have gone off this lot of
late. Now I prefer to talk about me-moi. Perhaps final recognition of my true ascendant has
exorcised my need for the drama of outsiders and cranks because I want to acknowledge the
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noisy outsider/crank in myself. There just isnt space for the both of us in a world of self-
promoting screamers.
I, too, now claim the right to go on (and on) about moi.
The Astrological Journal is available to members of the Astrological Association - heres

the details: http://astrologicalassociation.com/shop/membership.php. Or you can buy
individual copies - email office@astrologicalassociation.com
Or you can buy the digital edition now in any currency: https://joom.ag/islQ
Victor Olliver is the editor of The Astrological Journal,

published by the Astrological Association. He is also media
officer of the Association of Professional Astrologers
International. Based in the UK, he trained to be a barrister
before becoming a magazine feature writer, and then an editor
on a number of publications including magazines, newspapers
and electronic media. He has two awards from the Periodical
Publishers Association for his celebrity and travel journalism.
He graduated with a distinction diploma in natal and mundane
astrology from the Mayo School in 2012. Victor is also the
author of the annual Lifesurfing series of astrological
forecasting books.
www.astrologicalassociation.com
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Grace Kelly Princess of Monaco

Author: Smiljana Gavrani
During 1955, Jupiter was in Cancer, and Saturn was in Scorpio... On April 26, 1955 Cannes
Film Festival was opened and it is remembered as the place of meeting and falling in love of
an American actress Grace Kelly and Rainier III, Prince of Monaco.
Cannes in 1955
Transit Jupiter was passing through 9th house (abroad) of the beautiful Grace Kelly and was
in conjunction with Pluto (ruler of her Ascendant), and through dispositor (her Moon at 21
Pisces) it was actually in her 5th house (festival, love...). Jupiter was in its seat (Pisces)
through dispositor, which was about to bring her nice moments in the field of romance, and
somewhere across the ocean (Pisces).
On the other hand, the other chronocrator, retrograde Saturn, was passing through her 1st
house, bringing a kind of maturity, taking of responsibility, and more importantly - it was at
her natal Sun (essential signifier of husband in female horoscope, but also the natural ruler of
5 love), so this could have meant that the time (Saturn) came for an important man. As
transit Saturn transiting Scorpio remains in this sign through disposition, i.e. it comes at the
spot of Mars of Grace Kelly, creating a beautiful trine with her Moon (emotions, series 4) in
5th house (love) this could also have been the sign that the Saturn's time in Scorpio might
bring a stable relationship, marriage even, and with ease (since Grace has Moon square Saturn
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in natal chart).
During the Cannes Festival, secondary Moon of Grace Kelly at 28 Aquarius was in exact
sextile with her natal Saturn at 28 Sagittarius, and in exact trine with her Venus (love) at 28
Libra, so this is indication that something important in the field of romance was happening to
her then. Finally, her Venus -- essential signifier of relations and love, and in her chart the
ruler of 7th house (marriage, relations) is placed in 12th house (somewhere faraway, across
the ocean), the house in which it gives its full potential (for it is the place of Venus' exaltation,
analogue to the twelfth sign of Pisces, where Venus is in exaltation), in the sign of its seat
(Libra), only adding to its strength, and in exact sextile with Saturn (form) which is close to
the spot in Zodiac called Galaxy Center. Now, it is not difficult to realize why the fairytale
happened to beautiful Grace... Fairytale did happen, one year later, on April 19, 1956, when
she married Prince Rainier III and became the Princess of Monaco. Directive Venus (the ruler
of 7 marriage) of Grace Kelly came to natal Mars the ruler of 1 (herself)...
Venus at North Node

As I have recently mentioned in my article Carmic relations and lunar nodes (take a look
for this article in INFNITY 1st issue 19th May, 2015), the role of lunar nodes is sometimes
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very important in comparative charts, especially when nodes of one person are in conjunction
with personal planets, chart angles (or their rulers) of another person -- then it is most
probably some very important relationship. While I considered the conjunction of one
person's Venus with other person's South Node in the mentioned article, here we have
conjunction of one person's Venus with other person's North Node. If one person's North
Node is in conjunction with personal planets of another person, it protects them.
Conjunction of North Node and Venus tells that Venus' owner feels that the partner is the
right person for her and that she can have relationship she wants with him. The owner of the
North Node here "swallows" the bait of love, because the North Node represents mouth. This
aspect strongly pulls towards relationship or marriage.
Rainier III
Rainier III, the Prince of
Monaco, has Venus at North
Node of Grace Kelly. At that
time, Monaco was in adverse
economic situation, and the
Prince was advised to marry
some famous Hollywood star
in order to attract rich tourists.
Rainier III had to get married
because of his inheritance, and
failing to have male
descendants would bring
Monaco to France. Strongly
determined to marry Grace (after they met in Cannes in April 1955), he visited her at the set
of The Swan, and several days later he visited her family in Philadelphia. Rainier III
requested two million American dollars dowry from Jack Kelly (Grace Kelly's father).
Although he refused to pay at first, the very idea that his daughter might become princess was
tempting enough to finally pay the dowry. Marring Rainier III brought Grace 138 titles, and
Monaco was practically saved. Beside the North Node, Grace also has Chiron (healing) at
Venus of Rainier III, further accenting the importance of this woman for Monaco's fate.
In the chart of Rainier III we see Grace Kelly in his Venus at the cusp of 12 (romance with the
actress coming from far away, across the ocean), and Venus is the part of fixed T-square with
Jupiter and Neptune.
It is interesting that Venus is also the ruler of 5 (love), but also the essential signifier for
money, financials of the country, and it is at the degree of Uranus' fall (11 Taurus), and
across from it is Jupiter (the ruler of his 7 marriage, but also the essential signifier of serious
money) at the degree of Uranus' exaltation (11 Scorpio), and Monaco is famous for its
casinos, gambling -- the axis of Uranus' fall/exaltation certainly implies that. But, since the
most important here is Neptune, because it is the tip of the fixed T-square, we should take a
20
look at the Neptune's dispositor. That is the Sun (country's reputation) at 8 Gemini. Directive
North Node (and directive Chiron) of Grace Kelly were at this very spot in the year she
married Rainier III and became the Princess of Monaco, and that clearly implies that she
saved the reputation of Monaco!
The end of acting career

Princess Grace abandoned her acting career
because of this marriage South Node of
Rainier III is in conjunction with the Moon
Grace Kelly in her 5th house (creation).
Not long after the wedding, Rainier III gave

her the list of strict rules that she needed to
abide as the princess. Soon after that the
Prince banned his wife's movies in Monaco.
Since she was the eternal inspiration of the
famous director Alfred Hitchcock, he offered her the role in his movie in 1962. Although she
21
desperately wanted to go back to acting, and even Rainier III allowed that, the people of
Monaco protested because they did not want their Princess to have the role of kleptomaniac
and to film love scenes with Sean Connery.
Grace Kelly's death

On September 13, 1982, after the mild stroke she lost control over the car she was driving and
got off the road. The next day Grace Kelly died. At funeral, Rainier III was not trying to hide
his sorrow. He never married again, and since 2005 his body lies next to hers, in the family
crypt.
Smiljana Gavrani is the editor, founder and owner of

INFINITY Astrological Magazine. She obtained her astrological
education at the Institute for Astrological Research and Education
Johannes Kepler in Belgrade, where she graduated in October
2010, defending her thesis in Mundane Astrology European
Union In Varietate Concordia (united in diversity) and
obtained the status of a graduated Astrologer Researcher. In
February 2011, she met requirements to work as an Astrologer
Consultant and in March of the same year, she became an
International Certified Professional Astrologer (ISAR C.A.P.).
Smiljana is a member of ISAR (International Society for
Astrological Research) and of the Astrological Association of
Great Britain. During the academic 2010/11 within the post-
graduate level, she studied Hermetic Astrology. In addition to
consultations with the clients, Smiljana finds great inspiration in research work, which she presents in her
astrological texts. A special emphasis input on finding significant degrees in the Zodiac for a specific country in
the area of Mundane Astrology or a significant degree for relations between two persons in the Astrology of
Relations. In her search for responses to the question as to why something (or someone) is happening to us,
Smiljana also practices Karmic Astrology, as well as the Astrology of Archetype (fixed stars, mythology).
Smiljana studied International law and Law of International Organizations at the Faculty of Law of the
University of Belgrade. She interrupted her studies at the last year (in 2006) and since then, she exclusively
dedicated her life to self-study of astrology. Smiljana writes articles for The Mountain Astrologer blog, ISAR
Journal, The Astrological Journal AA UK.
Smiljana was a speaker at two KAPA conferences in Serbia (REGULUS IN VIRGO, November 2011 and
CHIRONS MESSAGES, November 2013). In September 2015 she was a speaker at online international
astrological conference CINASTRO 2015, Brazil . Her topic was Russia and 19 Libra. Krishnamurti Institute
of Astrology, Kolkata, India, was published Smiljanas article about Russia and 19 Libra during its conference
in January 2016. Smiljana will be a speaker at The AAs 48th Annual Conference. The AAs 48th Annual
Conference Building Bridges and Expanding Our Horizons takes place 9th 11th September 2016 at
Wyboston Lakes near Cambridge, UK. Her lecture will be: URANUS IN TAURUS 2018. During her visit to
UK, Smiljana will give a talk in the London Lodge, too (19th September, 2016).
Contact: smiljana.gavrancic@gmail.com
Phone: +381 63 350227
www.astrologsmiljanagavrancic.blogspot.com
22
Planets on the 1st Choosing a New Experience of

Yourself
Author: Tara Aal
Pushing against the tide, I will make it happen. The sheer force of my will butts up against
anything for any reason. Running fast, I trip and keep going. I trip again and this time, I fall
down. I keep going, bleeding. I can do it, and almost always, I have. The way I know to make
it through anything is adrenalin. I repeatedly put myself into crisis or the shock of excitement
or fear and then POWER through, overwhelming myself. Second versesame as the first
and the record spinsuntil it breaks.
Last July, for my 2015 birthday, I chose to live Venus 1st for the year. I wanted to play with
the Planets 1st technique and was starting to make big changes in my life. For the previous
few years, I knew Venus in me longed to grow and express in new ways. Well, in fact, she
had been growing and expressing, but I wanted to make an intentional choice to live from this
part of me.
Its my belief that every planet is in every other planet; there is no single planet, much in the
way that we are each one being and not the sum of our parts. I also believe that we need
separation to experience and learn.
My birth chart is a picture of me. It is something like an anatomical medical drawing. In

medicine, these diagrams depict the human body in general. In astrology, the chart is a
23
diagram (symbolic representation) of the individual. Although there is some variation, most
human body construction is the same. Astrologically speaking, humans are the same in their
make-up, meaning all the parts we liken to planets and signs are in there. Interestingly,
medically speaking, some of us are missing parts, whether congenital or acquired. Not one of
us is missing what each sign and planet represents. We are more united in our psyche than our
physicality.
If the planets represent facets of our psyche, astrology helps us see how we were born to
experience and relate to ourselves and others. The birth chart shows us more of where and
how we experience ourselves and much less who we are. If the angles represent our
personal East, West, North and South, imagine backing yourself virtually into your birth
chart. In this perspective, your center lives at the heart of the angles, but you can move!
How much of your life is fated? I have no idea. Even if you could not change anything at all,
but where you are in all of you, you would have everything available to you. When we move
within ourselves, everything changes! Ok, not really, but from our perspective, it does. I truly
believe we are Everything, so what could we possibly be lacking except what we want to
believe we lack?
Our belief that we lack something fundamental is absolutely necessary. We did not incarnate
into humanity to experience Everything; quite the opposite. We chose to be born into a human
body to experience ourselves as separate. Why do we do this? Perhaps Everything, even
though it is complete, cannot express and act without duality? Maybe its not enough to be
part of Everything if we cant feel it? Maybe Everything, also Nothing, is just plain excited to
meet itself from as many viewpoints as possible.
I believe we are here to have experiences of ourselves. We are giving ourselves the gift of
creating an external life that reflects our internal selves. Phenomena and how we react to it
shows us what were making constantly. And, what were making is really just a reflection
of where we are.
When we choose to live a Planet 1st, we are choosing to experience ourselves through the part
of us that planet represents. Technically, we move the planet chosen to the AC, rotating the
Zodiac (in Solar Fire, this is done under choices for House System). Its an artificial chart. It
reflects a choice to instinctually experience everything through this planet. How does this part
of me see? What subconscious questions am I asking when I choose this part of me first? Im
still everything and everything is still happening, but I choose this fractal of myself to
strengthen and develop. I choose more of me!
July 20, 2015, I chose to live Venus 1st (marry Venus with my Aries Rising). Over the last
year, I drastically changed my life (you can read about it on my website at
http://www.taraaal.com/#!living-planets-1st/x8tur). There are times Mars in me gets afraid or
angry and wants to keep pushing. Feeling first and more (Venus) can be wonderful and also
extremely uncomfortable. I realize how much I would do things just to prove I could do them.
Now, I am learning more about what I want, how I make choices and the fair consequences of
24
my choices. By fair, I mean the amount of coming into balance required to restore
equilibrium.
As my last birthday year wrapped up, I felt how my Venusian qualities of justice and harmony
have been subconsciously balancing the scales. In some ways, it seems Ive been going
through karmic settlement. Some of the returns are beautiful gifts, literally more fantastic than
my wild imagination. At the same time, I receive returns of physical illness and exhaustion
and truly feeling the suffering I create for myself. It is a strange experience to be happy and a
better version of myself while feeling discomfort, sadness, fear and sometimes anger. There
are always reactions to actions.
As my 2016 birthday approached, I contemplated choosing another planet 1st, but chose
Venus again. It just felt and feels right. After this choice, I pulled up my 2016 Solar Return
and Venus is 4 degrees from the AC in the 1st House. So, I continue living Venus 1st, not
knowing, and feeling my way.
In my practice, Im encouraging clients to choose Planets 1st. It creates more space to

experience ourselves and others. It reminds us we arent missing anything and can choose to
move or look a different direction at any time. We arent stuck, even if we want to believe we
are. When we move, even a little bit, shifting our center, everything else realigns, and our
world is new.
As Im learning what comfortability means to me and how I do or dont make choices to feel
good, Im not just experiencing Venus. Im experiencing the Venus in every other planet.
What is comfortable to the Mars in me? What is yummy to the Saturn in me? What is pretty to
the Sun in me? What does it mean and how does it feel to be at ease in my being? All this is
the Venus filter through which Im choosing to experience all the parts (planets) of me and
their relationships with each other (aspects).
Planets 1st is a therapeutic technique that is carried out through living. It takes courage to
choose a new way of experiencing ourselves and everything around us. We dont know what
will show up or how we will react. Because this is new, we have less history, habit and
patterns to rely upon. We dont know how things will turn out. From this space, we can begin
to learn our true nature; how we each, individually, live, breathe, express and alchemize the
planets uniquely. We will reveal the planets to ourselves and each other through our thoughts,
feelings, actions and being-ness. Planets 1st takes us beyond intellectual understanding and
emotional resonance into embodiment. In new ways, we live who we are, creating our own
reality as we go. All the parts are here. Its up to us how we put them together.
25
Tara is an artist expressing through a variety of
mediums. She practices Astrology and Tarot,
having studied Evolutionary Astrology with Laura
Nalbandian and Soulsign Astrology with Adam
Gainsburg. Tara is Co-Host on Conscious Talk
Radios The Womens Hour on 1150AM KKNW,
Seattles Alternative Talk Radio.
Inspiration is the medicine no one knows they

need until they get a large dose!
This is your life. Start living it!
www.higher-wellness.com/tara-aal.html
stargazersbooks.com/readers-energy-workers-2/tara-aal/
www.taraaal.com/
www.conscioustalk.net/index.php
26
Saturn square Neptune - And the Danger of False

Narratives - Part I: Hillary & Benghazi
Author: Glenn Perry
Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to
give the appearance of solidity to pure wind.
~ George Orwell
It is generally accepted that politics is shrouded in lies. This may be a more or less permanent
condition, much like cloudy weather in Seattle. Yet, it seems that when Saturn and Neptune
align in hard aspect those clouds crystallize into hailstones of deceit that precipitate upon the
populace with a din so deafening it can drown out the voice of reason. With Saturn square
Neptune exact three times this year, a transparent film of lies has settled across the globe like
a toxic pesticide.
Figure 1: Borromean Rings
Examples are legion but I will focus on three, which, because they are expressions of the
same archetypal dynamic, intersect like Borromean rings: 1) the Hillary Clinton scandals
involving Benghazi and her private email server; 2) the Black Lives Matter movement, and 3)
ISIS propaganda that exhorts its followers to commit murder-suicide.
Given the complexity of the subject matter, I have decided to tackle these issues in four parts.
Part I here explores the general meaning of Saturn square Neptune in light of Hillary
Clintons recent travails. In our next installment, Part II, the political divide between liberal
and conservative ideologies will be examined with a particular focus on Saturn-Neptune
dynamics as symbolizing the birth, nature, and evolution of progressivism. Unless we
understand progressivism, the remaining topics cannot be fully comprehended. Part III tackles
the vexing conditions that have led to the Black Lives Matter movement, and Part IV
examines the conflation of government and spirituality that is so disturbingly exemplified in
radical Islam.
27
In what follows, I occasionally refer to the planets in terms of behavioral propensities that
characterize individuals and institutions, but it should be clear that I am referring to archetypal
components of the psyche, not whole people.
The Closing Square of Saturn to Neptune
The synodic cycle of Saturn-Neptune occurs over a period of approximately 36 years, starting
with the conjunction, the most recent of which was in 1989, and ending with the next
conjunction in 2026. As Saturn pulls away from Neptune by virtue of its faster orbital speed,
it formed the first (or opening) square in 1998; the opposition occurred in 2006; and were
currently in the closing square of 2016. In effect, its one long continuous 36-year cycle
punctuated by four periods of acute activation that last for about one year each. And during
that year, the relevant aspect will be exact three timesthus, the current square was exact on
November 26, 2015; again on June 18 this year; and will once again be exact on September
10th.
Because the Saturn-Neptune cycle is a cycle, it is important to understand the phase in

progress. Not all phases are alike, first because they occupy different signs, and second
because each angle has its own meaning. A closing square, which is the angle presently
occurring, constitutes the start of the final 90 degree phase of the cycle. As such, it is a
Capricorn angle, for an aspect derives its meaning from the nature of the sign that constitutes
that angle in the zodiac.
As a Capricorn angle, the closing square implies that Saturn and Neptune must find a way to
successfully combine their respective energies and build something of enduring value.
Capricorn is associated with restraint, control, and the pursuit of realistic, practical ends; thus,
the relationship between Saturn and Neptune will be characterized by exactly this dynamic
throughout the period in question. And since Saturn is the ruler of Capricorn, this compounds
and highlights the significance of Capricorn-Saturn during this particular phase of the Saturn-
Neptune cycle.
Some Thoughts on Saturn
The archetype of Capricorn-Saturn is predominantly concerned with issues of success-failure.

In fact, all Capricorn-Saturn behavior can be traced to a fear of failure. To compensate for this
fear, there is a focused, disciplined, goal-oriented striving that endeavors to achieve the
desired endsuccesswhich is exemplified in authority figures that serve a regulatory or
executive function, such as fathers, taskmasters, bosses, CEOs, and presidents. Institutionally,
the Capricorn-Saturn archetype is inherent in government of all types at all levels, the proper
function of which is to establish rules, enforce limits, and maintain civic order. Internally,
Saturn correlates to our capacity for self-governance and self-restraint.
28
Implicit in Saturn is the notion of hierarchical order as reflected in natures tendency to
organize its parts into increasingly complex wholesatoms into molecules, molecules into
cells, and cells combine to form multicellular organisms of ever increasing complexity,
culminating in human beings who further self-organize into families, communities, towns,
states and nations. Planets combine to make up solar systems, solar systems to make up
galaxies, and galaxies are but parts of galactic clusters. "Infinity yawns at both the top and
bottom of the stratified hierarchies of existence," writes Arthur Koestler. /1/
While Saturns ultimate goal is successthat is, aspiring to the top of the hierarchy success
is a relative term, and when applied to collective human evolution we must assume that
varying degrees of success-failure will characterize the current square. In effect, we can
expect Saturn to test the viability and sustainability of any organization with a strong
Neptunian component. Since our focus here is on the world of global politics, the following
should be considered in that light.
Neptune: The Pursuit of Oneness
As ruler of Pisces, Neptunes prime directive is attainment of a transcendent, spiritual ideal of

unitive consciousness in which all divisions are reconciled into a blissful harmony. If human
experience falls short of this ideal, which it almost invariably does, it causes distress and
existential guilt. Human suffering due to loss, illness, poverty, old age, or victimization
evokes a Neptunian response in us all, which we experience as compassion and the wish to
relieve suffering. Neptune correlates to charity, aid, volunteerism, selfless service, and other
altruistic activities dedicated to the ideal of an indiscriminate, all-inclusive, universal love.
Neptunes flip side is the actual experience of suffering, which can be a gateway to the
development of compassion, humility, and dependence upon a higher power. Spiritual
traditions like Buddhism honor suffering as the mud out of which the lotus flower blooms.
Christianity employs its own metaphorspurification through trial by fire, the passion of
Christ, and so on. Virtually all spiritual traditions teach the necessity of suffering and its
accompanying requirement: renunciation of attachment, as implied in the aphorism Let go
and let God.
Because the spiritual impulse underlying Neptune is inherently sacrificial and submissive, it
can easily be misdirected or carried to excess if driven by excessive, irrational guilt. The
result can be escapism and self-undoing. Let go and let God becomes give up and self-
destruct. Renunciation of attachment becomes abdication of responsibility. Surrender to a
higher power is perverted into a life of dissolution, moral degeneracy, and abject dependency,
often fueled by substance addiction. Not only can individuals do this, so can entire cultures, as
we shall see.
While spiritual practice and charitable service is the healthy expression of Neptune, this can
be misallocated via victim-savior dynamics that entail the enabling of bad behavior.
Neptunian overfunctioning, or co-dependency, is again fueled by excessive and irrational

guilt as evidenced when saviors feel compelled to rescue victims from the natural
29
consequences of their own self-defeating actions. In this context, a victim is someone who is
victimized by their own choicesto abuse drugs and alcohol, to drop out of school, to avoid
work and responsibility, to be sexually promiscuous, to lie, steal, cheat, or otherwise engage
in criminal behavior.
Typically the victim will manipulate the savior with intimations of blame, as if the cause and
solution to the victims suffering lie outside themselves. Yet, by not allowing individuals to
endure legitimate suffering, the savior merely enables and often exacerbates the victims
problems. This can lead to savior burnout, depletion of resources, resentment, and more guilt.
The French call such an arrangement a folie a deux (folly of two), a kind of mental illness
shared by two entities caught in a vicious cycle that escalates over time.
One additional point regarding Neptune is germane: its penchant for obfuscation and fraud.
Because Neptune symbolizes our desire for a transcendent ideal of infinite love and beauty, it
is disinclined to recognize anything that deviates from this ideal. And since such idealsfor
oneness, unity, heaven, paradise, utopianecessarily emerge from the imagination (they have
no obvious corollary in reality), Neptune signifies our capacity for fantasy. If reality deviates
too markedly from the ideal, one can simply substitute fantasy for reality by superimposing
the ideal over the real. Denial and deception entail the switch of an actual reality for a
preferred one; hence, the Pisces-Neptune tendency for delusion, lies, and deceit.
The flip side is the Pisces-Neptune vulnerability to deception. Pisces-Neptune is the part of us
that strives to reconcile duality into a unified whole; thus, it has difficulty making rational
decisions that require Virgonian discernment and discrimination. A tendency toward feel-
good fuzzy thinking, vacillation and acquiescence results. People often will believe what they
want to believe and thus can be easily misled. As Hitler famously said, Make the lie big,
make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it.
While the Pisces-Neptune capacity for surrender, letting go, and trust in a higher power
signifies spiritual strength in its own domain, it correlates to weakness when misdirected. For
it is precisely its malleability that makes Neptune so easily influenced by stronger wills that
frequently are not divine in their intentions. The upshot is that Pisces-Neptune is often the
dupe, especially in relation to figures that embody those archetypes with which it is
entangledlike Saturnian authority.
More on the Closing Square
I have taken time to articulate the individual psychologies of Saturn and Neptune, for it is
their combination that ultimately concerns us here. As the reader might surmise, government,
under the sway of certain political ideologies, has progressively assumed the role of savior to
an increasingly victimized society. During Saturn-Neptune squares, these role dynamics are
tested and stressed to the breaking point.
A cornerstone of AstroPsychology is that planets signify fundamental human drives and

capacities. Viewed individually, each planet operates as an autonomous agent pursuing
fulfillment of specific needs. Saturn, for example, signifies our capacity for success, which
30
entails the pursuit of Capricorn needs for order and control. When combined in aspect,
however, any two planets comprise a multi-agent system in pursuit of a joint goal that exists
at a higher order of abstraction than the individual goals of the respective planets.
Multi-agent systems propagate as ideas or cognitive structures that entail plans for how best
to collaborate in fulfilling the respective needs the planets rule. In effect, a planetary pairing
symbolizes a narrative that provides an explanation for the way things are and a strategy for
how to proceed in order to achieve the joint goal. Such narratives are inherent in planetary
combinations independent of the angles they form during particular phases of their synodic
cycle.
Ideas that emerge from multi-agent systems not only have histories, as reflected in their
synodic cycles, they also have consequences. Any number of different strategies can
accompany a multi-agent system, some more functional than others. Core strategies are like
entities that evolve over time and take different forms depending upon the signs they occupy
and the particular phase (angle) they are currently forming.
With regard to Saturn-Neptune, the closing square signifies that Saturn and Neptune have
reached a critical mass or tipping point in their mutual struggle to achieve a joint goal.
Consequences of the unfolding 36-year cycle between Saturn and Neptune will manifest as
certain types of phenomena, notably in government, as government is a Saturnian entity that
can be observed, measured, and evaluated. Governments entanglement with Neptunian ideals
will be especially apparent. During the closing square, events will occur that explicate the
degree of integration in the collective psyche that Saturn and Neptune have achieved to date.
In other words, the current story that undergirds their relationship is being tested. Is it wholly
true, partly true? Is it functional? Is it the best we can do?
The ultimate ideal, of course, is for maximum differentiation and coordination of Saturn-
Neptune so that their respective needs and functions are cooperating in perfect equilibrium.
This might be reflected, for example, in some sort of global order inspired by a grounded,
spiritual sensibility, a virtual heaven on earth, however remote and improbable that goal might
seem. Preferably, Neptune infuses the natural hierarchical structure of societyindividual,
family, town, state, federalfrom the bottom up, from the grass roots, from spiritual values
inculcated in strong families and expressed through local churches, fraternal orders, service
clubs, and voluntary non-profit organizations. Conversely, dangers lie in government policies
that weaken the body-politic with misguided attempts to impose a utopian dreamworld from
the top down.
Just as with individual human beings, the goal of a fully integrated Saturn-Neptune dynamic
is a work in progress. Each planet is inseparably tied to the other as figure to ground. When
Saturn is emphasized, Neptune is ground; when Neptune is emphasized, Saturn is ground.
Each must perform its functions in its own realm, but always in relation to the others
predominant values. Government has to perform its proper function of maintaining civic
order, yet simultaneously accommodate the reality of human suffering brought about, for
instance, by floods and other natural disasters. Neptune must pursue its spiritual ideal of
31
transcendent unity, while recognizing that a governments capacity to allocate time and
resources to such ends is limited.
A fundamental principle of all squares is mutual influence and reciprocal resistance. While
not being able to escape the others influence, each planets respective values are operating at
cross-purposes. If optimally managed, inherent tensions can be welded into a composite that
is stronger than either one separately. One example might be government regulations that
mitigate against the outbreak of disease. Or a charitable organization which, by benefiting
from tax-exempt status, is empowered to distribute resources to the needy.
More likely, however, one planet will defend itself by overfunctioning at the others expense.
Again, this is due to the inherent difficulty of integrating forces that are operating at cross
purposes. Dysfunctional strategies result from the overfunctioning planet consciously
denigrating the values of the repudiated planet, while unconsciously and unavoidably being
saturated with that planets values. The result is a compromise formationan odd,
uncoordinated mix of the two planets that to varying degrees impairs the functionality of both.
For example, a government might denigrate traditional religious values, undermine

Christianity, and favor Darwinian evolutionary theory over Intelligent Design; while, at the
same time, assuming the responsibilities of a charitable, quasi-spiritual organization dedicated
to the relief of suffering on virtually every frontopen borders, sanctuary cities, amnesty to
illegal immigrants, universal health care, redistribution of wealth via progressive taxation, and
expansion of entitlement programs such as social security, welfare, unemployment, disability,
food stamps, and government guaranteed student loansall of which saps the economy,
exhausts tax revenues, drives up the national debt, and neglects the countrys infrastructure to
the point of collapse. Note on the one hand that Saturn depreciates the authentic spirituality of
Neptune, and on the other becomes so overextended from the misappropriation of Neptunian
functions that it teeters on the brink of self-destruction.
The Hillary Clinton Scandals
It is not my intention here to make a case for the guilt or innocence of Hillary Clinton in
relation to her recent troubles. Rather, I am interested in what they mean in the larger context
of Saturn square Neptune. In other words, the controversies surrounding Hillary are not only
an expression of her natal chart, but a symbol of an unfolding Saturn-Neptune mindset in
which we all move and have our being. Let us begin with the facts about Benghazi.
On the evening of September 11, 2012, the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi Libya was
decimated in a premeditated military-style attack by approximately 150 terrorists armed with
automatic weapons and heavy artillery. The entire incident lasted about 13 hours in two
separate attacks. Four Americans were killed, including ambassador Chris Stevens and
information manager Sean Smith. CIA agents Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty were killed in
the second attack, and ten others were wounded. Surviving Special Forces members
subsequently reported that they were ordered to stand down (not defend the compound) three
times. They finally defied orders and went anyway.
32
In the aftermath, Hillary Clinton, in her role as Secretary of State, took responsibility for
security lapses that left the U.S. post unprotected in the midst of Islamic terrorists that had
sprouted in the blood soaked, toxic soil of former president Muammar Gaddafis death. The
decision to deploy as few troops as possible to Libya was part of the Obama foreign doctrine
of leaving a small footprint and not intimidating foreign governments with U.S. military
might./2/ Rather than admit the lethal consequences of their mistake, however, for the next
two weeks Hillary and Obama repeatedly suggested the attack was due to a spontaneous
protest triggered by an amateurish 13 minute anti-Islamic trailer produced by a U.S. Muslim
and uploaded on YouTube.
When this narrative was challenged by reporters, Hillary and Obama sidestepped by referring
to an ongoing investigation. Susan Rice, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, repeated
the official line in five sequential television appearances: Benghazi was a protest that evolved
into a spontaneous, unpremeditated attack provoked by a hateful video satirizing the
prophet Muhammad.
There was, in fact, such a video, and it had provoked demonstrations in the Muslim world.
But there was never any evidence that it inspired the Benghazi attack. Republicans suspected
the video was a red herring to deflect attention from the real issue. For the prior two years, the
American people had been told that al-Qaeda had been defeated. Osama bin-Laden is dead
and Al Qaeda is on the run was Obamas stump speech for his 2012 reelection campaign.
Only months from the election, the attack on Benghazi contradicted the narrative and was thus
a political liability.
During the weeks following the attack it was apparent that a carefully scripted official story
was being systematically fed to the American public: That hateful video killed our boys. No
other possibility was mentioned despite Libyas new president, Mohamed Yusuf al-Magariaf,
publically proclaiming on September 16: The way these perpetrators acted and moved, and
their choosing the specific date for this so-called demonstration, this leaves us with no doubt
that this was preplanned, predetermined. /3/
Obamas Rose Garden statement on September 12 did include, No acts of terror will ever
shake the resolve of this great nation. However, theres an important difference between
attributing acts of terror to a spontaneous uprising and admitting that Benghazi was a
premeditated, well-orchestrated attack by al-Qaeda. That admission would not come until
more than two weeks later in response to incontrovertible evidence that refuted the original
narrative.
Meanwhile, both Hillary and Obama kept repeating that the attacks were due to an offensive
video directed at the prophet Muhammad. As late as September 25, two weeks after the
attacks, Obama said on another U.S. talk show, The View:
That is what we saw play out in the last two weeks, as a crude and disgusting video sparked
outrage throughout the Muslim world. Now, I have made it clear that the United States
33
government had nothing to do with this video, and I believe its message must be rejected by
all who respect our common humanity. /4/
Subsequent congressional investigations revealed that the CIA almost immediately received
intelligence reports that there was no protest at Benghazi on September 11. In fact, the
CIAs initial September 12 executive update stated that this was an intentional assault and
not the escalation of a peaceful protest. /5/ This language was subsequently dropped for
reasons that in retrospect are clear. An email from top Obama aide Ben Rhodes lays bare the
White House strategy. Goals: To underscore that these protests are rooted in an Internet
video, and not a broader failure of policy. /6/
That the preferred narrative was fabricated from the beginning is evident in Hillary Clintons
initial press statement on 10:08 pm, September 11th, within an hour of the attack and while it
was still ongoing.
Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material
posted on the Internet. The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the
religious beliefs of others. Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very
beginning of our nation. /7/
What is extraordinary about this statement is not merely that its a smokescreen, but the
nature of the narrative itself. It subtly intimates that the cause of extremist violence is
religious intolerance, and by implication any intolerance. Whether Hillary truly believes this
is open to question, but that is the narrative they chose to propagate: violence is wrong, but
intolerance is more wrong because it is the reason for violence.
An unexpected outcome of the congressional investigation was the discovery that Clinton was
using a private server for official government correspondence. While 32,000 of her private
emails were reportedly deleted after being requested, many were recovered./8/ Of special
significance are two, one sent the day of the attack and the other the day after. Within the hour
following her September 11 press statement, Hillary wrote her daughter, Chelsea: Two of
our officers were killed in Benghazi by an al Qaeda-like group.Very hard day and I fear
more of the same./9/ And in an email the following day, September 12, she recounts her
conversation with the Egyptian foreign minister:
We know that the attack in Libya had nothing to do with the film. It was a planned attacknot
a protest. . . . Based on the information we saw today we believe the group that claimed
responsibility for this was affiliated with al-Qaeda. /10/
Two days later, September 14, Hillary attended the transfer of remains ceremony with the
family members of those killed at Benghazi. In her official remarks at the ceremony, she
stated: Weve seen rage and violence directed at American embassies over an awful internet
video that we had nothing to do with. Kate Quigley, sister of deceased Navy SEAL Glenn
Doherty, said that Hillary again brought up the story about the phony Libyan protest in their
private conversation. When I think back now to that day and what she knewit shows me a
34
lot about her character that she would choose in that moment to basically perpetuate what she
knew was untrue. /11/
Patricia Smith, mother of slain information officer Sean Smith, had this to say in her
congressional testimony at the Benghazi hearings:
Obama and Hillary and Panetta and Biden and Susan [Rice] all came up to me at the casket
ceremony. Every one of them came up to me, gave me a big hug, and I asked them, what
happened, please tell me. And every one of them said it was the video. And we all know that
it wasnt the video. Even at that time, they knew it wasnt the video. So they all lied to me. /12/
Likewise Charles Woods, father of Navy SEAL Tyrone Woods, reported that when he gave
Hillary a hug and shook her hand after the ceremony, she said, We are going to have the
filmmaker arrested who was responsible for the death of your son./13/ It doesnt get any
clearer than that. Not al-Qaeda, not Obamas foreign policy of leading-from-behind, not
Hillarys failure to provide adequate security to the compound, but anti-Islamic sentiment
killed the four Americans.
When confronted with these allegations, Clinton pushed back, saying that any contradictions
in her statements about Benghazi were due to the fog of war, fragmentary and disjointed
information that was changing by the hour./14/ However, given the consistency and
certainty of the Obama administrations statements about the video, and given concerns about
Obamas re-election and Hillarys looming run for the presidency, it is difficult not to
conclude that Hillary was complicit in fabricating the politically expedient but ultimately false
narrative. Such is the crux of the just released report of the House Select Committee on
Benghazi:
Obama Administration officials, including the Secretary of State [Hillary Clinton], learned
almost in real time that the attack in Benghazi was a terrorist attack. Rather than tell the
American people the truth, the administration told one story privately and a different story
publicly. /15/
It is also worth noting that despite eight congressional investigations costing 20 million tax
payer dollars, it has never been determined who was responsible for the order that U.S. forces
stand down. Upon being informed of the attack on the afternoon of September 11 by then-
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Obama immediately ordered the military to deploy all
available assets. /16/ Allegedly, he never modified or rescinded the order; yet, there were
three stand-down orders according to CIA operatives who eventually disobeyed their
superiors and rushed to rescue Ambassador Stevens in the burning compound. Moreover, no
military assets were deployed to help the few men who fought 150 terrorists. The last two
Americans were killed almost 8 hours after the attacks began. When Obama was solicited by
the House Select Committee on Benghazi to address these unanswered questions, he refused
to comply. /17/
35
The Astrology of Benghazi
I have taken some time to detail the events surrounding Benghazi because they illustrate in
microcosm a larger narrative symbolized by Saturn square Neptune. As expected, the current
phase of the Saturn-Neptune cycle is crystallizing in events that reveal the relative integration
of these two archetypal forces. While the events and subsequent cover-up of Benghazi
occurred in 2012, the fact that it has been headline news since the fall of 2015 illustrates how
planetary dynamics pop into acute manifestation during angles like the closing square.
An additional factor to consider is the sign positions of the two planetsSaturn in Sagittarius,
and Neptune in Pisces. Since Neptune rules Pisces, its sign position does not add any new
information other than it doubles-down on the basic psychology of Neptune, making it pure
and strong. Saturn in Sagittarius, however, adds something new to the mix. After a brief
tenancy prior to retrograding back into Scorpio, Saturn settled into Sagittarius to stay in
September of 2015, where it will remain until December 2017.
Sagittarius symbolizes the principle of expansion, as exemplified in the search for truth and
meaning. It rules the domain of higher learning, justice, law, ethics, morality, religion,
philosophy, ideology, travel, and foreign affairs. Saturns two year sojourn through Sagittarius
correlates to a serious, pragmatic focus on the aforementioned fields, especially with regard to
perceived shortcomings and failures.
Saturn tends to contract, restrict, and reduce for the sake of economizing, cutting away
unessential elements and getting to what is solid and real. In Sagittarius, examples are legion,
from halting the spread of a toxic ideology like radical Islam to restricting the flow of illegal
immigration. With regard to our central topic, however, it is epitomized in the House Select
Committee on Benghazi, which released its final report on July 8, 2016. A highlight of the
investigation was Hillary Clintons testimony in October 2015, right after Saturn ingressed
into Sagittarius and during which there was a serious attempt to get to the bottom of what
really happened and why. Hillarys honesty in the entire matter was the overriding, central
question.
It is the square between Saturn and Neptune, however, that tells the larger story. Recall that
when two planets are square, one can overcompensate as a defense against the other while
simultaneously being influenced by the repressed planet at an unconscious level. For example,
Saturn in Sagittarius could signify an authority figure taking the moral high ground while
projecting responsibility for the tragic outcomes of her own wrongdoing onto a convenient
scapegoat. At a conscious level, she (Saturn) presents herself as wise and truthful
(Sagittarius); yet, unconsciously is plagued by guilt (Neptune) that must be exported into the
environment.
A more integrated version would entail an honest and humble admission of mistakes with a
willingness to suffer the consequences, even if it means a momentary loss of status. However,
until and unless Saturns square to Neptune is integrated, we can expect authority figures to
employ false narratives as a defense against loss, suffering, and guilt.
36
In the Benghazi incident, all of this is immediately evident. Saturn is represented by Hillary
and the Obama administration. Their foreign policy of leading from behind anti-imperialist
ethics, minimizing Americas influence abroad, and pulling back troops
is consistent with Saturn in Sagittarius square Neptune. According to the House Select
Committee on Benghazi, a major reason for the attack was Hillarys failure to provide
requested troops for fear of offending Muslims.
As a result of this lead-from-behind foreign policy[and] although the State Department

considered Libya a grave risk to American diplomats in 2011 and 2012, our people remained
in a largely unprotected, unofficial facility that one diplomatic security agent the committee
interviewed characterized as a suicide mission. /18/
This is especially interesting in light of Saturns square to Neptune. Recall that Neptunes
prime directive is transcendence such that all divisions that separate races, religions, and
cultures are reconciled into a common unity. Applied to politics, this is a formula for world
peacethe ultimate Neptunian ideal. Yet, a mature spirituality recognizes that the journey to
world peace necessarily and inescapably involves suffering and the gradual dissolution of
attachments that maintain separateness. Realistically, such a goal may require innumerable
just wars and be thousands of years in the making from where we are now./19/ Global unity
is not something that can be forced; you cannot push the river and accelerate the pace of
human evolution to comply with your political ambitions.
This is what I alluded to earlier when I said that planets in square operate at cross purposes.
The Obama administration (Saturn) aspired to world peace (Neptune). Ending wars in the
Middle East was a primary objective; yet, Obama did not want to endure the necessary
suffering over the long term that such an ideal would exact. So, by forcing the issue and
pulling out troops prematurely from Iraq, not holding the red line with Syria, and generally
weakening our position in the Middle East, it created a power vacuum that al Qaeda and ISIS
rushed in to fill.
The tragedy of Benghazi is symptomatic of a larger problema misguided attempt to force a

premature unitythat has characterized the Obama administration from the beginning and, by
implication, liberal foreign policy in general. /20/ Peace politics and the anti-war movement
has always been linked to the Democratic Party. Yet, innumerable critics and U.S. Military
leaders have pointed out that Obamas legacy will be endless war precisely because he was
afraid to actually fight one./21/ As former Defense Secretary Robert Gates put it, President
Obama simply wanted the bad war in Iraq to be ended. /22/
What I wish to suggest here is how Saturns resistance to Neptunian hardship (unintegrated
square) is what brought hardship about. I am not proposing that loss and suffering of the sort
that occurred in Benghazi is inevitable and thus we should do nothing. Rather, it is the failure
to allow for at least some loss and sufferingthat is, to be adequately prepared for itthat
renders a system more vulnerable to the thing avoided. Hillarys failure to protect the
Embassy in Benghazi by providing adequate troops made working there a virtual suicide
37
mission according to one of her own agents. And this says nothing about the mysterious
stand down orders and failure to deploy U.S. military assets during the 13 hour siege.
Neptunes signature strategy of denial and avoidance was further evident in the cover-up that
followed. Rather than admit that the Benghazi tragedy was due to a broader failure of
policy, as Ben Rhodes put it, Hillary and Obama doubled down and scapegoated the
filmmaker who uploaded the anti-Islamist video. In so doing, they constructed an illusion
(Neptune) that their authority (Saturn) was unimpeachable and their ideology (Sagittarius)
unassailable, while projecting moral failure onto the makers of a crude and disgusting
video. Their attempt to avoid a humiliating loss of political power echoed their larger
strategy of wanting to achieve a premature global unity while avoiding the risks and hardships
of war.
Jungs dictum that neurosis is born from a failure to endure legitimate suffering applies
equally well to the political arena. In Part II, we will examine the Saturn-Neptune origins of
what may well be a political neurosis that has afflicted western culture for more than century.
To be continued
References :
1 Koestler, A. (1978). Janus: A summing up. New York: Vintage Books, p. 67
2 Select Committee on Benghazi Releases Proposed Report, from The Select Committee on Benghazi, U.S.
House of Representatives, July 8, 2016. http://benghazi.house.gov/NewInfo
3 Kessler, Glenn. From video to terrorist attack: a definitive timeline of administration statements on the Libya
attack, in The Washington Post, September 27, 2012. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-
checker/post/from-video-to-terrorist-attack-a-definitive-timeline-of-administration-statements-on-the-libya-
attack/2012/09/26/86105782-0826-11e2-afff-d6c7f20a83bf_blog.html?tid=a_inl
4 Ibid.
5 Kessler, Glenn. Is Hillary Clinton a liar on Benghazi? in The Washington Post, October 30, 2015.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2015/10/30/is-hillary-clinton-a-liar-on-benghazi/
6 Hemingway, Mollie. 5 Big Takeaways From The House Benghazi Report, in the Federalist, June 28, 2016.
http://thefederalist.com/2016/06/28/5-big-takeaways-from-the-house-benghazi-report/
7Kessler, Glenn. From video to terrorist attack: a definitive timeline of administration statements on the Libya
attack, in The Washington Post, September 27, 2012. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-
checker/post/from-video-to-terrorist-attack-a-definitive-timeline-of-administration-statements-on-the-libya-
attack/2012/09/26/86105782-0826-11e2-afff-d6c7f20a83bf_blog.html?tid=a_inl
8 Halper, Daniel. FBI: Clinton was extremely careless with email, but no charges, New York Post, July 5,
2016. http://nypost.com/2016/07/05/fbi-wont-recommend-charges-in-clinton-email-probe/
9Kessler, Glenn. Is Hillary Clinton a liar on Benghazi? in The Washington Post, October 30, 2015.
10Ibid.
38
11 Ibid.
12 Reviews of the Benghazi Attacks and Unanswered Questions, First Session, September 19, 2013.
http://www.gop.gov/resources/library/documents/benghazi/ogr-reviews-of-the-benghazi-attacks-and-
unanswered-questions.pdf
13 Kessler, Glenn. Is Hillary Clinton a liar on Benghazi? in The Washington Post, October 30, 2015.
14 Kamisar, Ben. Clinton denies lying to Benghazi victims families, in The Hill, March 09, 2016 at:
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/272483-clinton-denies-lying-to-benghazi-victims-families
16 Bade, Rachel. White House refuses Benghazi questions for Obama, in Politico, 06/26/16, at:
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/white-house-benghazi-obama-224813
17Bade, Rachel. Ibid
19 Walzer, Michael. (2015). Just and unjust wars: A moral argument with historical illustrations. New York:
Basic Books
20 Obama, Barack, Breaking the War Mentality, Sundial, March 10, 1983,
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/computinghistory/obama-sundial.pdf
21 Woodward, Bob. 2010. Obamas Wars. New York: Simon and Schuster
22 Gates, Robert. (2015). Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War. New York: Vintage Books
Glenn Perry, Ph.D., is an astrologer and licensed psychotherapist in

Connecticut, USA. In addition to private practice, Dr. Perry is director of the
Academy of AstroPsychology, an online school that offers certificate and
diploma programs in psychological astrology. Glenn has written eight books,
including An Introduction to AstroPsychology, and serves as a Board member
and qualitative research advisor for ISAR. He lectures internationally on the
application of astrology to the fields of counseling and psychotherapy and
teaches courses at the Nodoor Academy in Beijing, China.
glenn@aaperry.com
www.aaperry.com
39
The Esoteric Significance of the Lunar Nodes in

Yoga
Author: Theodore Naicker
This article is part of a larger body of work which I have been observing and working with for
the last two years, the Astrology of Yoga. The lunar nodes are a deeply significant part of
Vedic astrology, and this article will explain the esoteric significance of their mythology as
well as present indications to
their relevance in Yoga
philosophy and its practice.
In God Talks with Arjuna: The

Bhagavad Gita, Paramahansa
Yogananda presents an in-depth
model for the structure of the
spiritual, energetic, astral, and
physical bodies and explains
their interrelation as they are
conceived in yogic tradition./1/
The main point is that the
physical body is a map of all
other bodies connected to it. Just
as the physical body is operated
by a nervous system with its
primary brain and spine, the astral and spiritual bodies similarly have a system of pathways
which are coordinated by a brain and spine. Each system is subtly connected to its counterpart
and together, there is a holistic model for being which can be viewed from the a contextual or
effective perspective.
Just as the physical body is enlivened by breath, the astral or energetic body is enlivened by
prana or life-force/flow according to this model. The prana is subtly linked to the breath in the
physical body. The five types of prana in the astral body coordinate the flow of functions in
the physical body: crystallization (Venus), assimilation (Mercury), metabolism (Mars),
circulation (Jupiter), and elimination (Saturn). The energy pathways of the astral body are
called nadis and are linked to the nervous system of the physical body. Nerve pairs form
plexuses at important junctures in the physical body, the most important of which are those
which lie along the spinal column and which correspond to important endocrine functions
within the physical body. These most important nerve plexuses are five in number: the
cervical, dorsal, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal nerve plexuses, which correspond to five
energy centres or chakras (wheels or lotuses). Two remaining energy centres are contained
within and above the physical brain. The energy of these centres flows into the main spinal
column of energy called the sushumna to the astral brain. On either side of the main spinal
40
energy channel, entwine two other primary energy channels or nadis: the ida (corresponding
to the Moon), and pingala (corresponding to the Sun) and they wrap around the energy spine,
coinciding at each major energy centre, to regulate and nourish them. The meaning here is
that specifically it is the union of the Sun and Moon energies which speak to being positively
wilful (Sun) and nourished (Moon) in our life. The natal lunar phase, and the degree
separation between the Sun and Moon in particular, is important in Vedic Astrology, and is an
indication of how we relate to the things and people that are important in our life. This degree
separation between the luminaries is called tithi in Vedic Astrology, and forms part of the
five-fold classification of time called Panchanga. The tithi which occurs in the natal zodiacal
month is of primary importance in understanding the influences of the year which will assist
or constrain ones ability to be and be nourished in the year ahead.
This relationship between the Sun and the Moon is also important in yoga practice. That day
in the month which repeats your natal lunar phase degree separation between the Sun and
Moon precisely, is an important day on which one can enter into deep prayer or meditation
easily. Astrologically this is useful as well, because on this day a person can realize and
understand how their Sun and Moon energies manifest in their life. The Sun and Moon speak
to how we come alive in our life, and in that context, one can appreciate the significance
given to eclipses which are times when the lights go out in the case of solar eclipses, and
times when nature seems to goes wild in the case of lunar eclipses. So it is valuable to
devote some time to study the ideas behind eclipses in the context of the eastern tradition in
India.
In Hindu mythology, there was a demon called Svarbhaanu. Svar: lustrous, bright space or
sky, the region of planets or constellations, the region of space above the sun or between the
sun and the pole star (as viewed from earth).
Bhaanu: ray of light, splendour, mighty,
countenance. Svarbhanu is that mighty lustrous
being that occupies the region between the Sun
and the Pole Star. This space was conceived of
as a demon because it is separate from the gods
in heaven of the constellations and also separate
from the planets (who were conceived of as
gods).
There was a great effort made by both gods and

demons to churn the ocean of milk in order to
obtain the nectar of immortality. Svarbhanu
wanted to steal the nectar of immortality from
the gods in heaven. So he disguised himself as a
god and sat amongst them waiting to receive a
ration of it. Vishnu, as the preserver of creation,
decided to take the form of Mohini, a great enchantress dancing girl who is like a femme
fatale character, enticing her victims to their doom. Moha means the delusion that comes with
41
being overly attached to something. Mohini is the feminine form of this overpowering desire.
She took up the role of handing out the rations to those who were present. The beauty and
allure of this form was too distracting for anyone to discern that a demon was disguised in
their midst so Mohini distracted both gods and the demon Svarbhaanu. When the turn came
for Svarbhaanu to drink a portion of the nectar, and just before he could swallow it, Mohini
cut off his head. The head of Svarbhaanu was called Raahu (the North Node), and the rest of
his body is called Ketu (the South Node).
The entire story of Svarbhaanu is a depiction of the souls descent into matter. In order for the
world show to go on, Vishnu as the agency which preserves creation in motion for the sake of
souls to obtain experience to evolve, in the form of Mohini, covers the gross material
manifestation with all its bindings of attraction and attachment with the alluring attractiveness
and promise of eternal happiness from it. The sum total of Nature as material manifestation is
given a feminine form because it is a container which receives the souls and also provides all
the plethora of experience and things which the soul desires. For the sake of being born, our
higher faculties (the gods) are also clouded by the attractiveness of material manifestation at
this time. The Pole Star in Hinduism indicates the region of ancestors. In a sense, it also
indicates the point from which souls descend back to earth it is sort of gateway between
these worlds. In yogic tradition it is also believed that when a soul is ready to manifest, a
beam or ray shines forth in the astral world which attracts soul(s) toward it that are in affinity
for manifestation. This light beam then rapidly connects and grounds the awareness into the
physical body for birth, the process being as quick and luminous as a flash of lightning. This
body of light and medium of travel of consciousness between the Pole Star and the solar
system is Svarbhaanu.
Now, within the sushumna nadi is another subtler pathway that is completely in the astral
body, and it is called vajra. Vajra means lightning bolt. It is through the Vajra astral pathway
that the consciousness descends from the astral body into the physical body, just as lightning
strikes the earth. This has affinity to Raahu whose name means that which seizes, and
indicates the will that is obsessed with material gain and attachments and which binds the
awareness to matter. In Vedic astrology, Raahu is called Mohakaaraka or the
activator/significator of material attachments.
Ketu means a blinding apparition or ray. Ketu is also called Chitragupta in Hindu
mythology, who is an attendant of the God of Death and whose role is to record all
impressions done by actions, words, and thoughts in the akasha or etheric record. Now, even
within the vajra astral spine there is another more spiritual spine called chitra and it is through
this spiritual spine that a soul leaves the body taking with it all its accumulated record of
deeds as imprint. And within this spiritual spine there is another subtler channel called the
brahmanadi. Liberated masters and other realized souls pass through the chitra channel and
into the brahmanadi upon death, which guarantees a direct path back to source without
rebirth. So Ketus role is twofold. As a blinding ray or apparition, it makes us aware of the
futility of our multifarious and obsessive attachments in matter (Raahu) and indicates those
circumstances where we encounter loss and dissatisfaction with material acquisitions, both
42
being an echo of what we will have to experience upon death when we leave all material
things behind, but also an echo of the higher calling of the soul when it eventually is
dissatisfied with material things on a cosmic level and wishes to seek liberation and a way
out. Appropriately then, in Vedic Astrology, Ketu is called Mokshakaaraka, the
activator/significator of liberation from material attachments.
Svarbhaanu is that which occupies the region between the Pole Star and our solar system with
the planets, and therefore is closely related to both the descent of the soul into material
manifestation through Raahu in the vajra astral channel, as well as the ascent of the soul out
of material manifestation at death through Ketu in the chitra spiritual channel, and through
final liberation from both beyond chitra through the brahmanadi causal channel.
Both Raahu and Ketu indicate

desires and thoughts that are
obsessed with material
manifestation. Raahu is obsessed
with getting more, and Ketu is
obsessed with losing them (at
least while attached to the body)
or giving them up (when
concerned with liberation). They
therefore for most people,
indicate specific fears behind the
thoughts or beliefs we carry as foundational to our experience in life and our decision-making
process. Raahu and Ketu then are very appropriate as the lunar nodes, because they indicate
the extremes that bear upon the decision-making process which is indicated by the Moon in
Vedic astrology.
During meditation, Raahu will represent those thoughts which disturb ones peace because
there is underlying fear of never having enough that is associated with them, and being
dissatisfied with what one has or creating an unrealistic perception of how much one has as a
safety response. For example, a person may have a million pounds but be craving more.
Similarly, during meditation a thought may come as a little disturbance but it carries with it a
lot of concern about material security that one finds the mind dwelling on all sorts of
questions and fears and the meditation is broken. It is helpful in meditation when this happens
to imbibe the fullness and bounty of nature of ALL material manifestation and let those
thoughts be satisfied with the enormous fullness of Nature. This is why the deity said to
appease Raahu is Shakti as the Mother and Activator of Cosmic Nature as she is the only one
who can satisfy the material appetite of the boundless head.
Ketu, on the other hand, is like a void, or the constant feeling of futility with everything. A
person may be a good partner, but they may not think relationships are important or necessary
or relevant for life and thereby when they are in relationships they may act in a such a way
that creates discord and is a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy which confirms their fears and
apathy to begin with. But it is an apparition or blinding ray because one cannot truly see or
43
understand that aspect of oneself. This is practical in the path of yoga in that it is wise to go
into the Ketu area of life with no expectations or prejudices whatsoever. In this sense, giving
the desire for it up before it is even acquired actually helps to bring a sense of normalcy to the
otherwise obsessive thoughts and negative beliefs that lie in that area of life. During
meditation Ketu thoughts will be those which one pushes down vindictively without trying to
understand them properly this can be equally dangerous because suppressing them gives
them more force when they resurface again later. It is helpful to allow these thoughts to come,
to consider them with respect in a detached manner, and let them go with love being aware
that they come from the past and in the present are functioning as appearances only.
Therefore, the model of the physical, energetic, astral, and spiritual bodies and their
interrelationships contain deep significance with the planetary symbolism. In this article
presented the esoteric significance of the mythology of the lunar Nodes in Hindu mythology,
as well as indicated their relationship to Yoga philosophy and practice.
Footnotes
1. God Talks with Arjun: the Bhagavad Gita, Paramahansa Yogananda, Self-
Realization Fellowship, Los Angeles, 2001, pg. 60-62.
Theodore Naicker was born in Durban, South Africa in 1987. He

began studying psychological astrology in 2010. He was introduced to
the astrological tradition in 2011, and subsequently completed Robert
Zollers DMA qualification in 2012. Two years later, Theo completed
his Practicing Astrology Diploma with Rod Suskin in South Africa. He
is currently studying Vedic astrology. He has been a professional
astrologer since 2012 and is currently based in London. He has a BSc in
Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech University and works as a
Petroleum Reservoir Engineer in the offshore oil and gas industry.
www.spicastrology.com
44
Astrology and the Evolution of Consciousness: Part

5: The Humanistic Worldview
Author: Armand Diaz
(This article is a chapter from Armands forthcoming book Conscious Cosmology: Integral
Astrology v2.0. A chapter will be published in each issue of Infinity Astrological Magazine
over the coming year).
To recap...
Human consciousness has an inherent

flexibility that allows it to evolve into
increasingly complex stages. As with
biological evolution, changes in the
environment physical, social, economic,
and/or political tend to push at least a
section of the population towards higher
levels of being. Perhaps the seeds of new
levels may be present in a few individuals
who thrive when conditions change, or it
might be that the new environment itself
interacts with humans to produce entirely
novel stages of consciousness.
What seems apparent is that a type of consciousness that is rarely, if ever, seen prior to a point
in history becomes increasingly well represented in the population within a relatively short
period of time. Additionally, because the new worldview comes about because of changing
needs, not only do more people begin to display the new level of consciousness, but it also has
much greater influence and power than mere numbers suggest the new type of
consciousness thrives because its time has come.
People organize themselves into clans at the Magical stage, with an emphasis on preservation
of sameness, reliance on the ancestors, and gifts from the gods. At this point, individuals do
not have fully formed egos but are largely identified with their group. Eventually, leadership
is needed and a few folks differentiate themselves from the clan and form the Egocentric
stage, where power is primary. As more and more people begin to assert their will at the
Egocentric level, a kind of Wild West scenario creates increasing uncertainty and fear,
leading to the Traditional worldview. Abstract thinking develops, and with it the rule of law.
Authority is primary, and there is a belief in a universal way, an order to the cosmos that
requires adherence at every level from the physical world through the individual and into
society.
45
Eventually, tradition is transcended by a reliance on logic, evidence, and individual
experience, as we reach the Modern worldview. Symbolically, this is represented by the
discovery of Uranus, the planet that transcends the boundaries of Saturn. The Modern
worldview is geared towards progress, but that progress has troubling bi-products, such as
environmental degradation and detachment from nature. The benefits of progress material
comfort, medical care, and more are also shared unevenly. The obsession with progress can
lead to a treadmill mentality, and concern for economic gain can result in some very short-
sighted decisions. It is the failures of the Modern worldview that have led to the rise of the
next level of consciousness, which I call the Humanistic worldview, which we address in this
issue.
The Humanistic worldview has all of the logical ability and independence from tradition that
the Modern worldview has, but differs in that it is more inclusive and more compassionate.
Humanistic consciousness honors all perspectives and gives everyone a seat at the table. It is
egalitarian and supportive, often to the point of non-competitiveness when everyone wins a
medal because they participated, youre looking at this viewpoint in extreme. But the
Humanistic viewpoint is not a mere free-for-all, it is principled, and the principles are fairness
and compassion.
Significantly, the Humanistic viewpoint relativizes truth, goodness, and beauty. The
Traditional viewpoint presents these things as known entities, handed down from the past and
enforced by authority. The Modern worldview rejects authority and tradition, and uses logic
and experiment to determine what is true (and to a lesser extent what is good and beautiful).
Yet for the most part, Modern consciousness continues to assume that there is still one correct
answer: it may not come from tradition, but we can find it with the tools of our intellect.
Humanistic consciousness accepts that there are multiple perspectives, and what is good and
true for one person, one group, or one culture may not be good and true for another.
Historically, the Humanistic worldview has some significant outcroppings in the 19th century,
and this stage of consciousness is very much associated with the discovery of the planet
Neptune. There is a resonance in the emphasis on compassion and the dissolution of
boundaries, and the opening up to a higher reality that makes our terrestrial boundaries seem
insignificant. The Womens Suffrage movement, the abolition of slavery in the United States,
and Darwins relativizing of our species onto a continuum of life are a few examples of the
emergence of Humanistic consciousness in tandem with our awareness of the planet Neptune.
It was in the 1960s that the Humanistic worldview really took off. The complex factors that
led to the rapid emergence of this stage of consciousness are beyond the scope of this article,
but it is worth considering that the devastation of the Second World War in combination with
a rapid spurt of technological development and, not least, a strong interest in psychedelics
were important factors. The result was a change of direction for a large number of people
who saw that the Traditional and Modern trajectories that societies were travelling needed
radical transformation.
46
The Civil Rights Movement in the United States, the worldwide Womens Movement,
protests against war across the Western world, and many other movements that worked
towards empowering individuals and groups and leveling the social playing field are all
reflective of Humanistic consciousness. So are free love, the Sexual Revolution, and the
Human Potential Movement. The New Age has antecedents that go back as far as you care to
look (certainly to the Spirtualism of the 19th century), but The New Age as a known and
labeled phenomenon is very much the product of Humanistic consciousness (and points
beyond the merely human to encompass other forms of consciousness). In todays business,
politics, and education, this worldview manifests in Teaching Tolerance, sexual harassment
seminars, expanded social services for the economically disadvantaged and disabled,
affirmative action, and many other ways (when Humanistic principles are adopted by those of
a more Traditional mindset, the result is the political correctness that is so abhorrent to
Modern consciousness).
Astrologically, the Humanistic worldview was perhaps the dominant theme throughout the
20th century, and surely so in the last half of the century. While the thread can be picked up in
the works of Alan Leo and others, Dane Rudhyars work itself extending beyond the
Humanistic and into the Integral stage was crucial in the development of a Humanistic
approach to astrology. The astrological schools described as psychological astrology and
evolutionary astrology typify the application of the Humanistic viewpoint to our discipline,
although even these broad categories dont encompass the totality of this worldview in
astrology.
The Humanistic ability to recognize multiple perspectives did much to move astrology away
from the fatalism and determinism for which it was (and often still is) known. With the
Humanistic mindset, there need not be one definite outcome, and so a variety of possibilities
are always present (Humanists often borrow from the scientific models of the Modern
worldview, and speak in terms of physics: probability waves and the uncertainty principle
are cited, although their application to macro-level matters is itself uncertain). In tandem with
the greater emphasis on choice over fatalism, Humanistic astrology is also more likely to
focus on internal states thought, feeling, emotion, and intuition than on external events.
If you would shrink a thing, the Tao Te Ching advises, you must first stretch it. In an
application of the cycle of yin and yang, or the Greek principle of enantiodromia, the
extremes of an internally focused, choice-oriented astrology led to a reversal that began
around the change of the millennium. Initially, it seemed that Project Hindsight (in all its
complexity) in the 1990s was an academic exploration of ancient astrological texts. By the
year 2000, however, there was a surge in traditional astrology, and not only the techniques but
also the Traditional worldview associated with pre-Enlightenment astrology began to gain
traction. This change of direction did not so much stop the development of Humanistic
astrology as present a challenge to its dominance as the only contemporary form of astrology.
47
In order to truly understand how competing and seemingly irreconcilable viewpoints can exist
in our field, we need to look beyond even the plurality of Humanistic astrology, and towards
an Integral astrology, which we will address in the next issue.
Armand Diaz, Ph.D., is a consulting astrologer, with a practice based in

New York City and an international clientele. In addition to consulting,
he speaks on astrology nationally and internationally. His book, Integral
Astrology: Understanding the Ancient Discipline in the Contemporary
World, was published in 2012. In 2013, he co-produced and co-edited
Transpersonal Astrology. His most recent book, Separating Aspects, is
on relationship astrology. He is Books and Articles Editor for the
Astrology News Service, and is Agent 17 for the Cosmic Intelligence
Agency. Armand can be reached via his website.
Armand@Integralastrology.net
917-216-1541
www.IntegralAstrology.net
48
Lucky Iron Man or Clever Sherlock Holmes?

How to constructively integrate the see-saw pattern in your chart
Author: Andrew Ifandis
Robert Downey Junior (RDj)
was born on April the 4th 1965
at 1:10 pm in New York, the Sun
high in the sky casting eastward
shadows on the boulevards. The
Iron Man has his Sun, Saturn
and Jupiter all well placed in the
diurnal part of the chart while
this action heros Mars is placed
in the Nocturnal part and
becomes formidable.
If we consider the hemisphere emphasis in his chart we find four planets in the Northern
hemisphere and six planets in the Southern one. This means that he is just a little bit more of
an outward and socially oriented person instead of a private or more introverted one,
something that is more emphasized by him having four of his personal planets, Sun, Moon,
Venus and Mercury, in the Southern hemisphere.
A total of four planets in the third quadrant shows that interaction with others and a need of
approval characterises him, something typical in charts of artists and especially actors.
The chart pattern is a see-saw, hinting to a personality that has contradictions, sways from one
extreme to another and of someone that is capable of making extraordinary achievements or
to go for complete waste and misuse of its energies. A solution for this would be the person to
find balance and integrate the two parts of the chart, as a means to channel the opposing
energies constructively and live the charts potential with more completeness. RDjs fall from
stardom due to substance abuse, and his marvellous comeback, now being one of the highest
paid actors in Hollywood, is characteristic of this pattern.
Robert is having five planets in Earth element and four planets in Mutable quality making his
chart resonate with Virgo Energy. This energy clearly shows that he can be meticulous and
punctual in whatever he does -especially with Mars placed in Virgo he is really a perfectionist
actor, but this energy also shows that through his life he has to learn the lesson of Humility
and of Service. And indeed through service he learned, having been convicted with drug
charges and spent time in rehabilitation centers, earning eight cents an hour scrubbing pizza
pans in the kitchen of the LA County jail. /1/
49
50
With his Sun in Aries and in the 9th house he has a
dynamic and passionate personality full of zeal, able
to take charge, ready to jump into whatever is new,
seeking the thrill of adventure, seeking risk and mind
broadening experiences. Sun is exalted, ruled by
Mars. But not just any Mars. A Mars in conjunction
with Uranus, the ultimate urge to act individually,
break the rules and I dont care aspect of the rebel
and the anarchist. One of his most famous quotes
is:Listen, Smile, Agree and then Do Whatever you Were Gonna Do Anyway.
It is not without reason that RDJ is regarded to be a member of the Brat pack/2/ and
doesnt this all sound familiar when he was arrested driving naked in a car in Sunset
Boulevard under drug influence?
His Moon in Taurus gives emotional stamina and in the 10th house of career shows that he
can really be persistent and work hard to achieve emotional security from his profession. He
loves material possessions and to collect, having among other, eleven cars!/3/
His ascendant in Leo gives him a warm and leading personality that is expressed creatively
and dramatically, channelling the Neptune (acting, cinema) opposition Moon (sentiment)
energy in his appearance, persona and roles through two square aspects.
This sensual, exalted (in Taurus), public (in the diurnal part) Moon, infused with Neptunes
sensitivity and imagination comes forth with passion in his acting (ASC in Leo). It has been
written of his acting style:
Sensitive! Downey possesses an ability to pour forth immense feeling into even minor scenes.
He wears his soul on his sleeve ./4/
This moon is strong. But every rose has its thorn as the
saying goes. You cannot have a talent without a flaw...
This sensitive Moon, in partile opposition with

Neptune, makes it for RDj to sometimes have difficulty
to understand his own feelings or it may give him a
desire for escaping to other worlds since his emotional
heart needs a constant feed of inspiration.
Its a Moon that clings and holds on (Taurus) to

whatever it feels has emotional value and in this case the Neptunian energy values escapism
with taboo manners (Neptune ruling the 8th house of taboos and associated with drugs), with
the emotional influences coming from the family, (Neptune in the 4th house, the father), and
are deeply psychological ones, (in Scorpio).
51
The star reportedly had his first experience of drugs when he was only six years old after his
father, let him try a cannabis joint. The actor claims he started taking drugs with his father as
an emotional bonding experience.1
RDjs moon is clinging (Taurus) to the fatherly figure. Its an addiction that stems both from
the Taurus Moons need for emotional security and holding on to, and from the total lack of
air element in RDjs chart that makes him unable to detach and observe objectively.
Saturn, the strict Judge, the Law, is in opposition with his rebellious actions (Mars) and brings
difficulties in income (2nd house) and money granted from others (8th house), and also to the
7th (spouse) and 6th (work) houses that it rules. When RDj had his drug problems all jobs and
contracts were lost and he divorced with his wife at that same period of time.
Saturn is also squaring both his nodes showing that life lessons are to be learnt associated
with responsibility, confinement, the law and melancholy. Saturn in the end always brings
maturity and eventually for Robert Downey Junior, Saturn here in the 8th house and in Pisces,
is a planet that brought wisdom, by confining Pisces escapism and balancing Mars
misdemeanours through serving (Virgo) and building of trust (8th house). It was a former
lawyer, present Governor that officially pardoned Mr. RDj after he proved hes back in the
right track, an event greatly symbolic of Saturn (Governor Authority) in Pisces (to forgive)!
His present wife, with whom he is married for 11 years, remains all this time a major and
constant positive influence in his life. RDjs Venus is detriment in Aries and may very
probably was coming out aggressively or egotistically in his previous relations, but the
maturation (Saturn) and subjugation of Mars energies finally freed this Venus and let romance
flourish in his very loyal and reliable soul (Moon in Taurus).
His Mars in mutual reception with Mercury makes him to

be as strong or as weak as he himself allows his
perception of the world to be. Either the two planets both
work with adolescent brat escapism riding on the thrill of
the chase or they co-operate and make him the very clever
guy he is and throw all of their energies into more
productive and money making activities (2nd & 9th House).
I would like to close this article with a small ethical didagma (moral). His Jupiter is in the
10th house and in Taurus conjunct with his Moon. This Jupiter there gives tremendous
success to career, material possessions and emotional security.
So, was Mr Sherlock Holmes, Mr Iron Man, Mr Brat a lucky guy that had Jupiter in the end
getting him out of the mess and giving him stardom and money?
No! Robert Downey Junior is an excellent actor and most of all a clever guy who worked his
contradictions, matured his Jovian excesses, and finally became a living example of what it
means to have a see saw chart, with Jupiter in such a great position on your soul and Saturn
being a curse and a gift.
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He is an Iron Man with a sensitive heart and if we all use astrological consultation to learn
more of ourselves we can follow his example and be cleverer and wiser.
Refrences:
1 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3373532/California-s-governor-pardons-Robert-Downey-Jr-1996-drug-
conviction-sent-actor-prison.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3186427/From-heroin-loaded-guns-51m-best-paid-star-Hollywood-Rise-fall-
rebirth-Robert-Downey-Jr.html
2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brat_Pack_(actors)
3 http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/09/robert-downey-jr-addiction-children
4 http://www.movieactors.com/acting-reviews/robert-downey-jr-review.htm
Andrew Ifandis is an astrologer based in Athens and travelling the cosmos.
Andrew approaches the horoscope as a portrait of the persons inherent

potential. His readings reveal the charts vibrant dynamics and constructively
help towards awareness, self-realization and externalization of the creative
within you. Andrew is interested in the arts, film and literature which he
often uses as conceptual paradigms in his astrological delineations. Andrews
acclaimed horoscope analysis on the nativity of the celebrated Swedish film
director Ingmar Bergman, has been published by the Astrological Journal and
has been republished by www.astro.com.Andrew contributes his articles in
renowned astrological publications and expands further his astrological skills
in the esteemed Kepler College of Astrological Studies, in Washington.
Contact: ifandisa@gmail.com
www.cosmosofastrology.com
53
The ethics of astrological practice: a Question

needing an Answer
Author: Anne Whitaker
I like it when the day

throws up a
compelling hot topic
for my blog first thing
even if I am still
half asleep at the
time! A particular
exchange of questions
and answers recently
with two commenters
on Astrology:
Questions and
Answers Facebook
Page woke me up
very quickly. (Names have been changed)
Angela: Do you do astrology ?I would love to have mine done sometime but I dont know
who does it? Any ideas?
Ryan: Ive stumbled upon dozens of bloggers who give readings, you just have to look
Me: Ryan, it may well be the case that one can stumble upon lots of bloggers doing readings,
but Angela needs to be careful to choose someone who is well experienced and qualified,
preferably with their work insured and supervised, with an adequate degree of experience in
reading horoscopes, counselling training, and a well developed sense of awareness of the
power and responsibility that is taken on by virtue of reading peoples horoscopes.
Donna Cunningham, if you care to visit her excellent SkyWriter blog, has written about the
negative and irresponsible things that some people can say when reading their fellow citizens
charts.
It would be instructive for anyone contemplating booking a reading to go over to Donnas

blog and read about some of this alarming material, which by its existence emphasises the
importance of prospective clients choosing carefully if they wish their charts to be read
constructively and responsibly.
54
Here is a short quote from Donna Cunninghams 4.12.2014 post, which supports my response
to Angela and to Ryan:
For many years, I had a monthly advice column in Dell Horoscope Magazine, a Dear
Abby type column in which readers wrote their problems and I answered based on their
astrology charts. Part of the job description for that column seemed to be putting out fires that
other astrologers have set, for I got many letters from readers who were devastated by the way
their chart reading was handled.
These letters pointed to the need for true and responsible professional training in our field and
the need, especially, for a certain amount of counseling training. Like it or not, counseling is
what an astrologer does each time a client comes for a reading.
.from Awful Things Astrologers Say to their Clients
My background in astrology
I have been an astrology practitioner, teacher and writer for over thirty years now. However, I
remain awestruck by the power that astrology holds, when used responsibly with compassion
and sensitivity, to offer creative and constructive guidance to clients as their lives unfold.
It is incredibly affirming to be able to say either directly or by inference, depending on what

that particular client needs at that time Here is your unique little chip of the cosmos into
which you were born. Use the energies therein as best you can, given the gifts and limitations
we are all handed at the outset which I will try to convey to you as honestly and
constructively as possible. Try to work with those energies well enough to be able to hand
your chip back with a little more light shining through it at the end of your days.
A sense of connection to an unfolding, meaningful energy weave where each of us has a

thread to contribute, is a wonderful antidote to the feelings of anomie, disconnectedness and
woundedness which so many people seem to be feeling at this time of great turbulence and
upheaval.
However, the task of placing another persons life in a context for them which makes their
lifes current challenges easier to bear, helping them to work with often very painful
circumstances as constructively as possible how many people come for astrology readings
when life is bowling smoothly along? Not many, in my experience! is not straightforward,
easy, or to be embarked upon lightly. It should not be embarked upon lightly or casually.
I can still recall, in the early days of my astrology practice, being extremely grateful that I had
had a number of years of social work, psychiatric work, and counselling practice in which to
ground myself. There is nothing quite like having to face the limitations of your capacity to
help other people, which is a major dimension of social work, to ground you and keep you
humble when taking upon yourself the power that being an astrologer brings.
55
I was fortunate enough to have been a student of Liz Greenes for most of the 1990s. An entry
requirement to study for the Diploma in Psychological Astrology which I completed in 1998,
was that all students be in therapy for a year. It was made clear to us, in Liz Greenes
inimitable way, that we should not take upon ourselves the responsibility of being
astrological practitioners without having the experience of a long seat in the clients chair
ourselves.
Concluding comments
So, Ryan, I do hope that my response to your casual comment, with which no doubt you
meant no harm, has not left you feeling too winded! And I thank you for making it, thereby
giving me the opportunity to put forward my own thoughts regarding the great capacity for
doing ill as well as good that astrologers take on when they read their fellow citizens
horoscopes. At least do no harm is the bottom line of the medical profession. It should be
ours too.
Angela, if you are reading this, do not be too put off. There are many competent,
compassionate, realistic, empathic astrologers out there. Just take your sweet time to make
sure you seek out a good one!
Part Two:
On becoming a responsible astrologer: how do you get there?
That post on the ethics of astrological practice, a topic to which all astrological practitioners
should return from time to time in my opinion, generated a great deal of interest over at
Astrology: Questions and Answers Facebook page. My dialogue there, with thoughtful
astrologer Sellieve Ezra Neptune, made it clear to me that the question of responsible
astrological practice needed to be pursued further. She has given me permission to quote from
our discussion.
Sellieve: I do have a question for you, Anne. If you tell people that they should only get a
reading from an astrologer who has lots of experience reading charts, how does someone get
that experience if someone inexperienced isnt worthy of giving readings yet? Its that same
catch 22 of, cant get a job without experience, cant get experience without a job. I am an
aspiring professional astrologer, with a decade of learning under me, but the number of
professional readings I have given is not too many
Me: This is a very fair question, Sellieve, and it does indeed look as though Ive presented a
Catch 22. The last thing I want to do is discourage potentially effective astrologers like
yourself from ending up as serious professional practitioners.
There are a number of ways from which to approach this question, and I do not claim to have
all the answers a brief post can only cover a few key bases. However, here goes! I should
state at the outset that I am based in the UK, so am not very familiar with the specifics of what
constitutes professional regulation in other countries.
56
Mainstream v Maverick
The advantage of belonging to one of the traditional professions recognised by mainstream

society e.g. medicine, the law, teaching, accountancy etc is that one has to go through pretty
rigorous training and professional licensing in order to be able to practice. This does not rule
out bad practice, but it does mean it is kept to a minimum, and offers legal redress to people
who have been on the receiving end of such practice.
However, astrologers especially in this reductionist age are very much NOT regarded as being
in the mainstream of professional practice, and it is possible for anyone to set themselves up
as an astrologer with no training, regulation or background counselling experience
whatsoever.
In an ideal world, it should not be possible for people to do this. But as we all know the world
we live in is far from ideal. I think the reality is that it is never going to be possible fully to
prevent people from abusing their fellow citizens as described by Donna Cunningham in my
earlier post, ie Awful Things Astrologers Say to their Clients.
Increasing public awareness
However, it is my hope that the public is more aware these days of the difference between
responsible, quality astrologers and dangerous amateurs. In recent years, much progress has
been made in training and monitoring astrologers through such reputable bodies as eg OPA,
ISAR, NCGR and the AFA in the USA, where very high standards are set for what is
expected of practising astrologers. Likewise, eg The Mayo School of Astrology, The London
School of Astrology, Mercury Internet School of Psychological Astrology, the Faculty of
Astrological Studies and the Centre for Psychological Astrology in the UK.
I studied with both the latter bodies, and am a member of the Association of Professional
Astrologers International to whose ethical codes I subscribe.
In order to protect ourselves legally, the APAI advises its members thus in dealing with
clients:
Explain briefly and in general what astrology is and what astrologers do.
Explain the limitations of the techniques employed, for example: astrology is a symbolic
language and offers a balance of probabilities rather than specific certainties.
Describe the service(s) to be provided, for example: character analysis, compatibility

assessment and the scale of fees.
Emphasize that astrology is not scientifically proven and that no reading can be 100%
accurate.
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Explain, nevertheless, that APAI astrologers will work to the best of their knowledge and
abilities in the preparation and delivery of the services to be provided.
How we begin
Most of us who end up as astrologers have a similar route. First, we encounter astrology in a
range of different ways depending on who we are and what our context is, this encounter
leading us to being fascinated and compelled to take our interest further.
In my case, I encountered a couple in a launderette in Bath, England in the 1970s who took
me home with them, did my chart, and told me I was likely to end up studying astrology or
something very like it in seven years time. At that time I was both engaged in another
professional life, and a dismisser of astrology from the dismissers standard base of knowing
nothing at all about it. However, they were right
Then we practice, on friends, family, anyone who would like their chart read hopefully
sticking to the basics of Sun, Moon, Saturn, Ascendant and Midheaven, and even more
hopefully, having some awareness of when one is getting out of ones depth not going too
far into wounding other people through our own lack of expertise and knowledge.
From amateur to professional It should take quite a while of doing this before ones thoughts
turn to whether becoming a professional astrologer is a realistic possibility. In a follow-up
comment to her original question, Sellieve partially answers it herself, by pointing out the
following:
Not everyone comes to an Astrologer looking for serious advice, sometimes they want a
theatrical presentation of their personality, or they find astrology interesting but dont want to
study it themselves In this such case I think it is better to refer these kinds of clients to less
experienced professional astrologers, people like me and other millennials. If someone wants
to see an astrologer for counseling, if they want light brought onto a difficult situation, then it
is best to refer them to a psychological astrologer, or someone with more impressive
credentials than me
In the end, how much one gradually realises through this process of initial dabbling the
amount of power and responsibility one is taking on by reading peoples charts is dependent
upon the degree of self-awareness, experience and maturity one has acquired by this point.
Personal integrity, which no-one can teach, is also a major factor in determining the path
people take when they realise they wish to practice as professional astrologers.
Ethical Frameworks and Guidelines
I think that the best possible start for a would-be astrologer is to place themselves at the outset
within a clear framework of ethics and guidelines which all the reputable training and
monitoring bodies provide and follow those guidelines to the best of their ability.
58
An excellent recent book to acquire in helping this process along, is OPA (the Organisation
for Professional Astrology) s The Professional Astrologer which is a comprehensive guide to
all aspects of setting up an astrology practice. Do acquire this book, Sellieve, as soon as
possible! Master astrologer Donna Cunninghams Counseling Principles for Astrologers is
also an excellent guide for astrologers at this very important stage of their careers.
One of the best books I know which covers the practical, ethical, moral, psychological and
spiritual dimensions of being an astrologer is The Astrologer, the Counsellor and the Priest
by Liz Greene and Juliet Sharman-Burke, based on a seminar given at the Centre for
Psychological Astrology in 1996,which I had the good fortune to attend, and which was
comprehensive, practical, and thought provoking.
Setting up a practice some practicalities
Sellieve also added some more comments regarding how to go about setting up an astrology
practice to which I responded as follows:
I think that you probably need to look around a few astrologers consultation/tuition web
Pages you are welcome to look at mine for some ideas and set up a professional web page
stating your approach, what you do and dont do, qualifications, background relevant
experience, and fees. And join a reputable professional organisation eg OPA, if you havent
already. And set up a professional email only to be used for your practice. You will also need
to think about how you wish to be contacted initially, where you are going to practice with
attendant privacy, recording policy, etc etc.
I think if you set a context for yourself so that you know clearly what you are doing, who you
wish to draw to you by way of clientele, and what your professional boundaries are, then get
out there doing a few talks and maybe offering a small beginners class for starters, all that will
help.
I set boundaries by saying to people who want me to comment on their charts, that I only do
that within the boundaries of a professional consultation. Its a sacred art, after all, so it should
be practised with appropriate respect for both yourself, your client, and astrology. If people
want a reading, they can go to your Page then get back to you. That saves a lot of time and
energy.
of course, if people are enthusiastic and open minded without trying to get bits of a reading
from you informally, then talk astrology with as many people as wish to hear about the Real
Deal as opposed to eg playing Guess my sign!. Something I never do, incidentally
Disclaimer or not?
One of Sellieves later comments concerned the question of adding a disclaimer to ones
publicity, advising that astrology is for entertainment purposes only, something which she
found disquieting in the same way that I or anyone else would who considers that what they
do as astrologers goes into a considerable degree of depth and can not be described as
entertainment. Here, I can only speak for myself: I would never add such a disclaimer to my
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publicity, since I consider a high standard of practice to be my greatest protection against any
likelihood of legal action.
She adds astrologers could potentially find themselves in a predicament when a client
takes an astrological prediction very seriously and it doesnt come true, or if the astrologer
gives advice about what to do in a relationship, the client can hold the astrologer responsible
for anything that goes wrong
Here we come slap up against the reason why, in my view, anyone wishing to take themselves
seriously as an astrologer, or be taken seriously by members of the public as a responsible
person, needs to get themselves at the very least some counselling skills training (if full
counselling training is not at first a realistic option for whatever reason, often finance) as well
as having the experience of being in the clients seat themselves.
Many counselling/therapy training courses will offer cut-price counselling sessions with
trainees in supervision. In this way, counselling or therapy of a satisfactory standard can often
be obtained without too great a financial outlay.
An important part of an an astrologers job is to combine the natal horoscope with transits,
progressions, and other directions in the heavens at the time of the consultation to help clients
clarify situations in which they find themselves, so that they can then make their own
decisions regarding what to do.
Making definite predictions and advising people what to do diminishes clients free will and
confidence in themselves, although in the short run it might afford them some temporary
relief to hand over those choices to the astrologer upon whom they can later dump the blame
and perhaps threaten legal action, when things do not turn out according to either predictions
or advice given.
In conclusion
This is but a brief sketch. I hope readers will flesh it out for themselves starting with the
suggestions made for organisations to join and reading to do, enabling them to become clearer
about what taking the first steps to becoming responsible professional astrologers involves.
There is far more support available now for the Millennial generation of emerging astrologers
like Sellieve, than there was when we baby-boomers started out. Thats great, and how it
should be one of my great pleasures at this stage in my life is to pass on some of what I
know and have learned usually the hard way! to the generation of talented young folk now
arising.
And thanks so much to Sellieve Ezra Neptune for prodding me into action on this most
important topic!
*********
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Anne Whitaker lives and works in Glasgow, Scotland. She has a long
background in adult education, generic and psychiatric social work, and
private practice as a counsellor, counselling supervisor, and mentor. She
has been an astrologer, teacher, and writer since 1983. Anne studied with
Dr Liz Greene and the late Charles Harvey at the Centre for Psychological
Astrology during the 1990s, obtaining their Diploma in 1998.
Her first print book, Jupiter Meets Uranus was published by the AFA in
2009. Anne writes at www.astrologyquestionsandanswers.com, where her
two free research studies can be downloaded and other ebooks purchased.
She has a regular column in the UKs Astrological Journal, also writing and
reviewing for The Mountain Astrologer Magazine. She is available for
astrological consultations and short-term counselling both in person (Glasgow, Scotland, UK) and via skype.
Contact: email: info@ anne-whitaker.com and via Facebook and Twitter
*********
61
Minding our Language and Raising our

Consciousness
Author: Mandi Lockley
When we talk about astrology in a casual context to our
peers, we may say that Pluto is doing this to us by
transit, or that natal Mars makes us like that. This is
the easy chat we share when we meet at conferences
when it feels great to be around others who speak our
language.
In this context, it doesnt need to be said that the dwarf

planet Pluto, several billion miles away, didnt literally
make us face our deepest fears. Nor, when confessing
that our natal Mars in Virgo makes us over-critical
when we feel frustrated, do we mean that the planet
Mars, a mere several million miles away, literally
dictates what makes us angry according to when we
were born.
Few astrologers would claim that revolving rocks in

outer space literally caused that car crash, or got us that promotion, or made sure a particular
person was in the right place at the right time for us to fall in love with them. We tacitly agree
that while we assign meanings to the movements and positions of the planets - meanings that
have been refined over centuries - there is a difference between the astrological concept of
Pluto and physical Pluto; that astrology is a language of symbolism, a system of
correspondences. Modern humanistic astrologers also tend to agree that we have free will and
choice, but that the movements of the planets reflect our lives here on earth, according to the
planets astrological symbolism.
But often, the language we use to describe astrology, if were not careful, can make it seem as
if the literal planets really do directly make things happen. And as we communicate more and
more with each other online, often making our comments accessible to seekers of astrological
insight who may not yet have grasped that astrology isnt fatalistic, our choice of language
doesnt always make it clear that were not irredeemably doomed if we have Moon Opposite
Pluto, or that our desires are not necessarily thwarted when transiting Saturn Squares our
Mars.
What we really mean when we write and talk about astrology is that difficult aspects
symbolise and reflect lifes challenges and that transits are symbolic signposts on our life
path, representing potential turning points, endings and beginnings etc. And while we know
from experience that what a transit symbolises can manifest in our life as an outer event, as
often as not, transits reflect inner processes of personal evolution which may or may not
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materialise as external change further along on our journey. We also know that sometimes
nothing relevant happens during a transit.
Putting this across in plain language without being longwinded is challenging, but taking care
in how we represent astrology publically is important because of the reasons people turn to
astrology. While many consciously seek positive personal growth and look to astrology as a
useful tool to help them achieve it, many more are coming from a fear-based perspective.
They want to know what the sky is going to do to them, what will happen to them in the
future and theyre asking the question because theyre worried it might be bad.
Of course, if they book a private consultation with an experienced, responsible astrologer it

will be explained to them that astrology works symbolically and that free will comes into it.
But most seekers wont go down that route. Instead, they will read the astrology websites and
social media pages in search of answers, maybe even purchase a computerised report. There
are loads of brilliant, responsible and inspiring astrologers providing these services (such as
the ones who write for this magazine), but there is also an abundance of unconscious fear-
mongering crap out there.
At the time of drafting this article, astrological Mars was a few days away from Stationing
Retrograde, with Pluto doing the same less than 24 hours later. As we know, key words for
the astrological concept of Mars include war and aggression and key themes for astrological
Pluto include destructive forces and the painful surfacing of emotions wed rather stayed
buried. At a Station, we agree that these astrological themes tend to intensify and you cant
blame anyone for worrying that things will turn out badly. To help counter this, we need to
convey that its not a done deal, that individually and collectively we have the free will to
make a positive difference; that predictions of doom and gloom dont help or empower
anyone. On the other hand, we betray our craft if we bypass the negative and assure, with
authority we dont have, that everything is going to be fine and lovely, thank you very much.
Balance, along with avoiding fatalistic, the planets made it happen, language and avoiding
concrete predictions is the key, in my opinion.
Astrologys most wonderful gift is that it reminds us that we have choices. Remember, Mars
also symbolises courage and stamina and Pluto symbolises the healthy purging of
accumulated emotional detritus, to make way for the new along with the growing awareness
of deeper truths.
And if we communicate in a way that reminds our audience that they have a choice, that there
is a higher ground to be taken, then collectively we can raise the vibration not only of
astrology and the way it is perceived, but with honesty, balance, compassion and careful use
of language, we can help to raise the vibration of our planet.
And if that sounds like a big claim, then remember that astrology (in my opinion) works in the
same way the rest of the universe works - that at the higher levels of consciousness, outside of
the matrix of the human five sense reality - everything is as one and everything affects and
reflects everything else. This ultimately means that we are the co-creators of our individual
63
and collective reality, so to express astrology in terms of the planets making this or that
happen, is to do it an injustice.
So, however the positions of the astrological planets are reflected in our lives, lets never take
anyones choices away, including our own.
Mandi is a London based astrologer and author and former student of the
London School of Astrology. She has written for the Journal of the
Astrological Association of Great Britain as well as for numerous
websites, including her own Astroair blog. She published the e-book
Saturn in Scorpio: Your Guide Through the Dark in 2012 and has also
recently been published as a fiction author. She is committed to self
development emotionally, spiritually and intellectually and believes in
doing her best to live life purposefully, in service to others and in harmony
with the cycles of the universe. These values are also the focus of her
client work.
www.mandilockley.blogspot.co.uk/
64
Star of the Tsar: Venus Retrograde, Vladimir Putin,

and Russia
Author: Nick Dagan Best
Numerous key events in the life of Russian President Vladimir Putin have occurred during the
same 110-day Venus retrograde phase in tropical Virgo to Leo, a brief interval in time that
repeats once every eight years.
Venus has five retrograde phases in its eight-year synodic cycle. At regular 18-month
intervals, Venus will appear to slow down and stop, reverse direction, travel backward for
about forty days, and then reverse direction again and begin to move forward.
A synodic cycle (synod" from the Greek synodos, means "meeting place") refers to a cyclical
relationship between any two bodies, in this case Venus relative to the Sun. Added together,
the Venus synodic cycles five equidistant retrograde phases form the image of a five-pointed
star, marking the path of the brightest light in the sky after the Sun and Moon.
Venus Retrograde Phase
The Venus retrograde period last about 40-43 days, not including slow periods (often
referred to as shadow periods) that occur before and after its course. Preceding it, there is a
pre-retrograde slow period, during which Venus transits through the zodiacal degrees of its
impending retrograde. Following the retrograde, there is a post-retrograde slow period, during
which Venus transits forward again through the same degrees it just passed through. Each of
these slow periods last about 30-34 days. One full Venus retrograde phase from slow
period through retrograde through slow again lasts between 100 days during the months
following the December solstice, and 110 days during the months following the June solstice.
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One complete eight year period totals 2,922 days. Divided by 550, the total number of days
for the Virgo-to-Leo phase, you get 5.312. So all Venus retrogrades added together account
for about one-fifth and one-sixth of total time. Another more specific fraction, if we take just
one of the five retrograde phases during the summer months of the northern hemisphere, the
ratio is 26.563, about one-in-twenty-six, a reasonably small portion of total time.
Venus stations retrograde five times at pretty much the same five points of the zodiac at each
return. There is a gradual shift of approximately two days and two zodiacal degrees earlier at
each successive time, so that over a period of 120 years, the position of a given Venus
retrograde or direct station will fall back thirty degrees, or one full sign.
Triumph or Tragedy
Venus retrograde phases can be associated with triumph or tragedy. Their role in natal charts
or in transits does not automatically imply good or bad outcomes for any given individual,
although it does play a role in crisis and change. The essential nature of Venus is to unify that
which is different or divided. During the Venus retrograde phase, these principle values come
under review. The Venus retrograde phase disrupts or challenges consensus and introduces
subversive elements to the existing order.
Observing planetary synodic cycles enables an astrologer to look at the life of a person, or
even an entire society, in a broader context than what conventional natal astrology allows.
While using this method may not always reveal the same level of detailed information as natal
astrology often can, synodic cycles offer a useful outline from which further investigation can
follow. This method can be especially useful in cases where exact birth times are unavailable
or in question, provided the astrologer has access to a relatively extensive timeline of events.
Part One: Vladimir Putin and Venus Retrograde in Leo
Vladimir Putin
October 7, 1952
9:30, Leningrad, Soviet Union
Venus in Scorpio conjunct Ascendant
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Presuming the existing birth data given for him is accurate, Russian President Vladimir Putin
was born with Venus conjunct his Ascendant in tropical Scorpio. He was born seventy-three
days following a Venus exterior conjunction to the Sun, and one-hundred and sixty-six days
prior to a Venus retrograde station.
While his natal Venus would be considered strong by virtue of its being close to the
Ascendant, it isnt close to either the retrograde phase and interior conjunction, nor to the
exterior conjunction, when it conjoins the Sun while in direct motion. And yet, the Venus
retrograde phase, particularly the one that has reversed from tropical Virgo to Leo every eight
years, has consistently coincided with major events in his life.
1911 (29 Virgo 28 Rx - 13 Virgo 22 D)
32-day Pre-Retrograde Station: July 23-August 24
43-day Retrograde: August 24-October 6
33-day Post-Direct Station: October 6-November 8
Maria Shelomova Putina
October 17, 1911
Zarecje, Russia
Venus 10-days post-retrograde in Leo
67
As mentioned, the Venus retrograde and direct stations gradually recede from one tropical
sign to the previous sign by about two-to-three degrees with every eight-year repetition. So
one hundred years ago, the Venus retrograde phase that now mostly occurs in tropical Leo
used to occur in tropical Virgo.
To kick off this timeline of important events in Putins life, we can start with one that
happened long before he was born. His mother, Maria Putina, was born on October 17, 1911,
(October 4, 1911, using the Julian calendar, as pre-Soviet Russia did), ten days following the
direct station of Venus in Virgo.
1975 (11 Virgo 42 Rx - 25 Leo 25 D)
43-day Retrograde: August 6-September 18
34-day Post-Direct Station: September 18-October 21
Vladimir Putin Graduates from Law School/Joins KGB
Summer 1975
Leningrad
Venus retrograde in Virgo-to-Leo
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Jumping ahead to Putins early adult life, we know that he began his service with the KGB in
the summer of 1975, shortly after completing law school. While we dont know the exact date
he began working for them, knowing that final exams at the University of St. Petersburg
generally occur during the month of June, it is relatively safe to presume that he would have
begun around July or August that year. Since the Venus retrograde station that year fell on
August 6, and we are counting the thirty-day pre-retrograde phase before that, it would seem
that he began working for the KGB during the Venus retrograde phase.
1983 (9 Virgo 29 Rx - 23 Leo 11 D)
Vladimir Putin Marries Lyudmila Sjkrebneva
July 28, 1983
Leningrad, Soviet Union
6-days pre-retrograde in Virgo
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Eight years after joining the KGB, Putin married his girlfriend, Lyudmila Sjkrebneva, an
airline stewardess he met on an informal double-date in March 1980. The wedding took place
on July 28, 1983, just six days prior to the Venus retrograde station in Virgo.
Bachelorhood was unpopular in the KGB, and it has been speculated that Putins nuptials
were calculated to help boost his stagnating career. True or not, the following year, Putin was
promoted in rank from captain to major, and assigned to a small regional office in Dresden,
East Germany, where he would remain until shortly after the collapse of the Berlin Wall in
December 1989.
1991 (7 Virgo 19 Rx - 21 Leo 00 D)
33-day Pre-Retrograde Station: June 29-August 1
Failed Coup Attempt Against Boris Yeltsin/Putin Quits KGB
August 19, 1991
6:30, Moscow/St. Petersburg, Soviet Union
Venus retrograde in Virgo
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Following the collapse of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, Putin moved his family back to
Leningrad from Dresden in February 1990, during the Venus retrograde transit phase that
moves from Aquarius to Capricorn. Interestingly, his wife, Lyudmila, was born during that
same phase, two days prior to a Venus retrograde station on January 6, 1958, in Kaliningrad.
He soon began working as an advisor for his former law professor, Anatoly Sobchak, now
Chairman of the Leningrad City Council, who would be elected mayor of the city (which
would soon revert to its original name, St. Petersburg) in June 1991. Despite taking the job,
Putin was still serving as a regular officer with the KGB.
However, when high-ranking KGB officials attempted a coup to overthrow President Boris
Yeltsin on August 19, 1991, Sobchak was among the most vocal opponents of the move,
which was soon quashed. Putin was away on holiday when the coup began, but soon flew
back to Leningrad to stand with Sobchak, and consequently decided to resign from the KGB.
At the time of the coup, and Putins decision to resign, transiting Venus was retrograde in
Virgo.
When Putins boss, Anatoly Sobchak, lost his re-election bid for St. Petersburg mayor in
1996, Putin moved to Moscow after being recruited to work for Boris Yeltsins presidential
office. He began his new job in June of that year, during the Venus retrograde transit that runs
from tropical Cancer-to-Gemini, the same retrograde phase that we would enjoy two
presidential inaugurations of his own in May 2004 and May 2012.
1999 (5 Virgo 07 Rx - 18 Leo 47 D)
34-day Pre-Retrograde Station: June 26-July 30
43-day Retrograde: July 30-September 11
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Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin Dies
August 2, 1999
St. Petersburg
Putin Named Prime Minister of Russian Federation
August 9, 1999
Moscow, Russia
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On August 2, 1999, Putins father, Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, died, just a few months
after his mother, Maria Putina passed away. A few days later, just after his fathers funeral,
Putin was appointed Prime Minister of the Russian Federation by President Yeltsin on August
9th. He soon agreed to run for President as Yeltsins successor the following year.
Just as Putin was taking office, Chechen militants invaded Dagestan, triggering the Second
Chechen War. Putin tough response to the incursion gained him an image as a law and
order candidate, boosting his popularity, and virtually ensuring his presidential election the
following March.
Transiting Venus was in its Virgo-to-Leo retrograde phase throughout the period of his
fathers death, his appointment as Prime Minister and Yeltsins presidential successor, and the
outbreak of the new conflict in Chechnya. The First Chechen War had begun on December
11, 1994, during the transiting Venus retrograde phase in tropical Scorpio, and one major
crisis during the second war was the taking of 850 hostages at Moscows Dubrovka Theatre
by armed Chechen rebels on October 23, 2002, when transiting Venus was again retrograde in
Scorpio. After a nine-year conflict, the Russian governments operation in Chechnya
officially ended on April 15, 2009, while transiting Venus was retrograde in tropical Aries.
2007 (2 Virgo 57 Rx - 16 Leo 35 D)
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Putin Visits Bush Family Home for Lobster Summit
July 1, 2007
17:35, Kennebunkport, ME
Venus 26-days pre-retrograde in Leo
Sochi Selected by 119th IOC to Host 2014 Winter Olympics
July 4, 2007
17:19, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Venus 23-days pre-retrograde in Leo
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On July 4, 2007, President Putin flew to Guatemala City to personally represent Russias bid
to host the 2014 Winter Olympics in the resort town of Sochi. The event was a special matter
of pride, considering the 1980 Olympics, hosted by the Soviet Union, had been boycotted by
many western nations in protest of their invasion of Afghanistan in late 1979. Despite being
considered an underdog, Russia was chosen by the International Olympic Committee against
South Korea.
En route to Guatemala, Putin visited US President George W. Bush and his father, former
President George Bush, at the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine, for what was
termed a lobster summit in the press. Putin had accused US foreign policy of undermining
global security during a speech at the Munich security conference the previous February, and
the homespun meeting was intended to patch-up differences that had eroded what had seemed
like a promising Russian-US relationship just a few years earlier.
Transiting Venus was once again in its retrograde phase in Leo, twenty-three days prior to the
retrograde station, when Russia won its bid to host the Winter Olympics. When the scandal-
laden event occurred in February 2014, transiting Venus was in its Capricorn retrograde
phase, just as it had been when Putin moved back to Leningrad from Dresden in 1990.
2015 (0 Virgo 46 Rx - 14 Leo 23 D)
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Vladimir Putin & Barack Obama Meet at 70th UN General Assembly
September 28, 2015
17:05, Manhattan, NY, USA
Venus 22-days post-retrograde in Leo
Much had happened in both Russian and US politics in the eight years since the 2007 lobster
summit, but the chill that had developed then only appeared to get colder. After ceding the
Russian presidency to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in the 2008 election, Putin was
returned to the position in the May 2012 elections, at which point Barack Obama was on the
verge of being re-elected to his second term as US President.
Putin and Obama appeared together at the United Nations 70th General Assembly on
September 28, 2015, in a very public conflict over their respective policy toward the ongoing
Syrian civil war. Putin stressed the importance of defeating the Islamic State faction, even if it
meant supporting the regime of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, a position not shared by
Obama. Between tense and terse photo-ops, Putin essentially shamed US foreign policy again
for endangering global security.
Transiting Venus was once again in its 110-day retrograde phase from Virgo-to-Leo at the
time of the General Assembly.
Part Two: Russian Offspring and Venus rx in Taurus-to-Aries
1985 (22 Aries 17 Rx - 6 Aries 00 D)
32-day Pre-Retrograde Station: February 9-March 13
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43-day Retrograde: March 13-April 25
33-day Post-Direct Station: April 25-May 28
Maria Putina
April 28, 1985
Leningrad, Soviet Union
Venus 3-days post-retrograde in Aries
Putin is the father of two daughters born during the mid-1980s, although he has kept them out
of the public eye throughout his political career. There are only a handful of photographs of
them available in the public domain, all dating back to the girls childhood, prior to Putins
time in office.
Eldest daughter Maria was born in April 1985 during the Venus retrograde phase in Aries.
Curiously, many Russian leaders in the past two centuries have had children born during this
particular Venus retrograde phase. In fact, rulers holding seven of the eight longest reigns in
the last 190 years, accounting for total of 153 of the last 190 years of Russian history, have all
had children born during the Venus retrograde phase that currently moves through Aries-to-
Pisces.
1825 (6 Gemini 35 Rx - 20 Taurus 05 D)
32-day Pre-Retrograde Station: March 26-April 28
43-day Retrograde: April 28-June 10
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33-day Post-Direct Station: June 10-July 13
Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna
July 6, 1825
St Petersburg, Russia
Venus 26-days post-retrograde in Gemini
The youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas I, Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna was born
when this retrograde cycle occurred in Gemini-to-Taurus, although by the end of the 19th
century it would recede totally into tropical Taurus. She died shortly after giving childbirth on
August 10, 1844 (July 29, 1844 OS) at the age of nineteen, while transiting Venus was
retrograde in Cancer, the same Venus retrograde phase that her father was born under, at
Tsarskoye Selo, 3:45, July 6, 1796 (June 25, 1796 OS). Curiously, Tsar Nicholas II, in
addition to sharing the same first name as his great-grandfather, was also born thirty-seven
days prior to this same Venus retrograde phase, at Tsarskoye Selo, 14:30, May 18, 1868 (May
6, 1868 OS).
She was named after her aunt, the former Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna, who, as
Archduchess of Austria, also died in childbirth, on March 16, 1801 (March 4, 1801 OS),
forty-nine days prior to the same Venus retrograde station in Gemini-to-Taurus that the
younger Alexandra was born close to.
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1857 (27 Taurus 53 Rx - 11 Taurus 24 D)
43-day Retrograde: April 19-May 31
33-day Post-Direct Station: May 31-July 4
Grand Duke Sergei
May 11, 1857
Tsarskoye Selo, Russia
Venus retrograde in Taurus
Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, born with Venus retrograde in Taurus, was the fifth son of
Tsar Alexander II, and was both uncle and brother-in-law to Tsar Nicholas II, the last reigning
Tsar of Russia. Sergei served as Governor General of Moscow from 1891 until shortly before
his assassination by bomb attack at the Kremlin in Moscow, at 14:45 on February 17, 1905
(February 4, 1905 OS), forty-seven days prior to the Venus retrograde transit in Taurus.
While Sergei died about two weeks outside the determined parameters of the Venus
retrograde phase, his father, Tsar Alexander II, who was also assassinated by a bomb, was
killed in St Petersburg at 14:15 on March 13, 1881 (March 1, 1881 OS) during the Venus
retrograde phase in Taurus, twenty-nine days prior to the retrograde station. Alexander IIs
grandfather, Tsar Paul I, was also assassinated, in his St Petersburg bedroom by conspirators
on March 24, 1801 (March 12, 1801), forty-one days prior to the Venus retrograde transit
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from Gemini-to-Taurus. Paul was the son of Tsarina Catherine II, otherwise known as
Catherine the Great, who was born on May 2, 1729 (April 21, 1729 OS), 2:30, Stettin,
Pomerania, with natal Venus 22-days pre-retrograde in Gemini.
Sergei was also but the third of his siblings to die during or close to this same Venus
retrograde phase. His oldest sibling, Grand Duchess Alexandra Alexandrovna, died of
meningitis before he was born, at the Winter Palace on July 10, 1849 (June 28, 1849 OS),
thirty-seven days following the Venus direct station.
Oldest brother Nicholas Alexandrovich, the heir to the throne, died of tuberculosis in Nice,
France on April 24, 1865 (April 12, 1865 OS), while transiting Venus was retrograde in
Taurus. At the time, Nicholas was engaged to Princess Dagmar of Denmark, who, along with
his brother Alexander, was at his bedside when he died. Nicholas joined their hands just
before he passed, effectively bringing them together as his dying wish. Alexander and
Dagmar were married a year and a half later, on November 9, 1866 (October 28, 1866 OS),
eleven days prior to the following Venus retrograde station in Sagittarius.
Had Nicholas survived and married Dagmar himself during the spring of 1865, it would have
been the third Russian royal marriage in a row to occur during that same Venus retrograde
phase. His parents, the future Alexander II and Princess Marie of Hesse-Darmstadt, were
married on April 28, 1841 (April 16, 1841) in St Petersburg, while transiting Venus was
retrograde in Gemini. His paternal grandparents, the future Nicholas I and Princess Charlotte
of Prussia, were married in St Petersburg on July 13, 1817 (July 1, 1817 OS), thirty days
following the Venus direct station in Gemini.
1897 (16 Taurus 55 Rx - 00 Taurus 28 D)
33-day Post-Direct Station: May 19-June 22
Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna
June 10, 1897 (May 29, 1897 OS)
10:00, St Petersburg, Russia
Venus 21-days post-retrograde in Taurus
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Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna was the second daughter of Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina
Alexandra, the last reigning Romanov monarchs. Tatiana, her parents, three sisters, brother,
and four servants were gunned down by Bolshevik soldiers in the basement of a house in
Ekaterinburg, Siberia, at about 1:30 on July 17, 1918.
Of the eleven people shot that night, Tatiana was actually only one of two were born during
the Venus retrograde phase in Taurus. Family doctor Yevgeny Botkin, who was killed
alongside the Romanovs, was born at Tsarskoye Selo on March 27, 1865 (March 15, 1865
OS), twenty days before the retrograde station.
Although she was the second oldest, Tatiana was considered to be a leader amongst her
siblings, and often took a surrogate role to her increasingly ailing mother. In a parallel
universe, she might have grown to become Tsarina, had her great-great-great grandfather,
Tsar Paul Iin an act of spite against his late mother, Catherine the Greatnot decreed that
women should never again rule Russia.
1921 (10 Taurus 16 Rx - 23 Aries 52 D)
32-day Pre-Retrograde Station: Februry 27-April 1
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Vasily Dzhugashvili
March 21, 1921
Moscow, Russia
Venus 11-days pre-retrograde in Taurus
Vasily Dzhugashvili, born eleven days prior to the Venus retrograde station in Taurus, was
Josef Stalins oldest of two children with his second wife, Nadezhda Alliluyeva. Stalin also
had an older son, Yakov, with his first wife, Kato Svanidze. Vasilys mother apparently
committed suicide when he was eleven years-old, following an argument with his father. A
chronic alcoholic, his abuse resulted in death two days prior to his forty-first birthday.
Vasilys birth occurred during the same month that Stalin led the Red Armys invasion of his
natal Georgia, helping bring an end to the two-year Russian Civil War. However, it was not
the only significant period in Stalins life to occur during the Venus retrograde phase in
Taurus-to-Aries. Previously, he had spent four years in Siberian exilehis longest stretch
after being arrested at a Bolshevik fundraising ball on March 8, 1913 (February 23, 1913 OS),
twenty-six days prior to the Venus retrograde station in Taurus.
As leader of the Soviet Union, Stalin arrested a number of his top generals, including the
popular Mikhail Tukhachevksy, as transiting Venus was thirteen days post-retrograde in Aries
on May 22, 1937. They were all executed following a show trial, the second major of his three
Great Purges. However, this particular purge left him without a military top command, which
would come to haunt him with the Nazi invasion of 1941.
Thankfully for Stalin, the Soviet Union Red Army invaded Berlin in April 1945during the
Venus retrograde transit from Taurus-to-Leodefeating Adolf Hitler, who soon took his own
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life. Hitler, born on April 20, 1889 in Branau am Inn, Austria, not only died during this phase,
but was also had natal Venus retrograde in Taurus.
Eight years following the war, Josef Stalin died on March 5, 1953, seventeen days before the
last Venus retrograde station in Taurus ever since. Eight years later, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri
Gagarin would orbit the earth during the first full Venus retrograde in Aries.
Stalin wasnt the last Soviet leader to die during the Venus retrograde in Aries phase.
Konstantin Chernenko died at 19:30 on March 10, 1985, in Moscow, three days prior to the
Venus retrograde station in Aries. The end of Chernenkos thirteen-month reign resulted in
the nomination of Mikhail Gorbachev as the new Soviet General-Secretary.
1929 (8 Taurus 02 Rx - 21 Aries 38 D)
32-day Pre-Retrograde Station: Februry 25-March 30
43-day Retrograde: March 30-May 11
Rada Khrushcheva
April 4, 1929
Kiev, Ukraine
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Rada Khrushcheva , oldest of Nikolai Khrushchevs three children with his third wife, was
born with natal Venus retrograde in Taurus. Khrushcheva was married to Izvestiya editor
Alexei Adzhubei for forty-four years, until his death on March 19, 1993, while transiting
Venus was retrograde in Aries. Prior to her fathers overthrow in October 1964, she and
Adzhubei had reportedly heard advanced earning of an impending coup against him, and
warned him to no avail.
Nikita Khrushchev himself was born eleven days following a Venus direct station in Pisces, in
Kalinovka, Russia on April 15, 1894 (April 3, 1894 OS). Vladimir Lenin was also born close
to this same phaseApril 22, 1870 (April 10, 1870 OS) in Simbirsk, Russia, with Venus
thirty-six days post-direct station, just outside the parameters Im giving for the slow phase,
but close enough to be worth a mention. The aforementioned Yuri Gagarov, born on March 9,
1934, in Smolensk, was, however, born eleven days following the direct station, well within
the necessary range to qualify. Also, as given earlier, Vladimir Putins now ex-wife, Lyudmila
was born just prior to this same phase in 1958.
Galina Brezhneva
April 18, 1929
Sverdlovsk, Russia
Galina Brezhneva, oldest daughter of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, was born fourteen days
after Rada Khrushcheva, also with natal Venus retrograde in Taurus. Reportedly tormented by
her parents divorce, Brezhneva apparently rebelled against her father by enjoying a decadent
party life, eventually dying in a psychiatric hospital on June 30, 1998.
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Brezhnev himselfborn on December 19, 1906 (December 6, 1906 OS) in Dnieporpertrovsk,
Ukrainewas born with natal Venus retrograde in Scorpio.
Conclusion
Synodic cycles held the astrologer to have a clear look at a very broad perspective of human
life and history. While time-calculated birth charts offer details about an individual life, these
simple planetary rhythms draw an unambiguous outline against which all details must be
considered.
The Russian story is just one example of using this method to study political history. I have
similar extensive work done on the history of many nations, including the United States,
Great Britain, France, Germany, Canada, India, and a number of African states. I contend that
observing planetary synodic cycles, particularly of Venus and Mars, is a critical piece of
knowledge when contemplating the world in the context of astrology.
Nick Dagan Best is an astrologer based in Vancouver, Canada. Nick began

studying astrology on his own in January 1995, and then with a series of
teachers with the NCGR in New York City from 1997-2000, earning a
Level III certification. Nick has been collecting mundane and natal data for
his own research database since 1999. Nicknamed the human ephemeris,
he has the sign placements of every planet from Venus to Pluto memorized
for any month and year from the 1770s to the present, thanks to his
application of planetary synodic cycles to chronological history. He has
written articles for StarIQ.com, astrology.com, the ISAR journal, and his
own site, nickdaganbest.com, and has also produced several short
astrology-related instructional videos for his YouTube channel. A featured
speaker at numerous conferences over the years, he currently hosts the I Love Astrology podcast.
www.nickdaganbest.com
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The Four Aims of Life and the Houses of the

Horoscope
Author: Richard Alwin Fidler
Jyotish, or Vedic Astrology, divides the
twelve houses (or 'bhavas') of the
horoscope into four groups, each
associated with one of the 'pururthas',
or the Four Aims of Life.
Dharma (righteousness, morality) - 1st,

5th, 9th
Artha (wealth, material resources) -

2nd, 6th,10th
Kama (desires) - 3rd, 7th, 11th
Moksha (final liberation) - 4th, 8th, 12th
The idea that there are four aims of life is not specifically an astrological notion. It's a basic
tenet of Hindu or Vedic philosophy. This astrological correspondence is in fact an example of
the close knit integration and ease of communication between Jyotish and other branches of
Indian religion, culture and learning. It is similar, for example, with Jyotish and Ayurveda.
Western astrologers will recognize that these four groups distribute the houses into four
triplicities that are normally associated with the four elements. Western astrologers may speak
of 'Fire Houses' when referring jointly to the 1st, 5th and 9th Houses, and may describe the
2nd, 6th and 10th as 'Earth Houses', and so on. Some modern western astrologers have written
on these house triplicities, and generally the elemental correspondences have guided their
musings and observations.
This is all well and good, and many of those insights can complement and illumine what we
can learn about these groupings from the Jyotish angle. It is worth noting, however, that the
way Jyotish has linked these Four Aims of Life to the four house triplicities gives a more
precise philosophical context, and arguably a greater importance, to this particular way of
grouping the houses than you typically find in western astrology.
One quick technical point. The diagrams used in the case studies will show the chart for each
subject using conventional Western astrological settings (Tropical Zodiac and Placidus
Houses) on the left, and on the right of it, another chart applying the 'settings' used in Jyotish
(Lahiri Sidereal Zodiac and Whole Houses). While more and more western astrologers are
learning to read the vedic or Jyotish type square charts, they're still somewhat esoteric to
many. We'll keep it simple by not adding new diagram formats to this discussion.
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Without further ado.
The Dharma Houses 1, 5, 9
'Dharma' is an excellent word for conveying an important insight into the nature of the 1, 5, 9,
or the 'Fire House' triplicity. It becomes explicit that it is through the three Dharma Houses (or
'Konas' as they are also called) that we find or express our 'true nature', or 'highest calling'.
Call it self realization, creative intelligence and religion, if you like; they're all faces or facets
of the principle of dharma.
Like 'fire', dharma is a state of spontaneous honesty; it can't be hidden or contrived in nature.
There's a purity, truth and integrity to fire. The houses of the Dharma Triplicity are considered
the luckiest of all the houses, and are accorded great importance in Jyotish. The lords of these
houses become, to some degree, 'temporary benefics', even when naturally malefic. Through
these houses and the 'fiery grace' they represent, we can find our way, and align with truth and
authenticity. Each individually, in our own unique way.
In the Baghavad Gita, Krishna says to Arjuna, Ones own dharma, performed imperfectly, is
better than anothers dharma well performed. Destruction in ones own dharma is better, for
to perform anothers dharma leads to danger.
One aspect of dharma is close to the notion of duty, but this should be distinguished from
what we think of, or may presume to be, career, or even adherence to custom, although at
times they can be closely united. When we 'individuate' successfully, when the dharma is
strong in us, so to speak, then we will be gifted, inspired, alive and enthusiastic; we'll be
intelligent, creative and intuitively capable in certain specific directions. Perhaps this brings
with it an automatic responsibility.
Arjuna was an unequalled warrior, and so for him to lose focus at the commencement of a
great and important battle was to lose his dharma in a most lamentable way. Lord Krishna
hence went to pains to discuss the nature of dharma and how it related to Arjuna's immediate
situation, to help him reorientate and realign.
And that climactic moment was no time for wannabe warriors who have little to gift the
situation, and who were not truly called to this purpose, who would be out of their depth, and
in more than bodily harm's way.
To find your dharma (without a birth chart), you should ask yourself, what was Arjuna doing
on his off days, like, for fun? If you're alive enough you already know the things you have a
love for, and a knack for. If you find your aptitude and develop it with fortitude, then if
perchance one day a conch shell sounds, and it's your cue, your moment to be the only genius
available capable of wielding, or rather sharing your particular gift, you're ready to show up
and enthral the house, or save the day, as the case may be. Knowing who you are, and being
who you are, and then showing up, at the right time, is key to finding and fulfilling your
dharma.
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The inherently auspicious nature of the 1st House and it's lord is substantially due to the fact
that the 1st House belongs to the Dharma Triplicity. Beyond that the 1st house is the only
house where karma, which basically means action (the Angular houses), and dharma
automatically meet.
Where these principles combine, dharma finds outer manifested physical expression, in
action, and so good things naturally follow. This idea that there is a valuable alchemical
potency in combining the Angular Houses with the Dharma Houses is important in Jyotish,
and is the basis of certain Raja Yogas ('king making' combinations promoting success, power
and prestige).
The 1st house is our 'dharma crown' - the seat of our identity, purpose and will. It shapes our
personality; the plain visible naked truth of who we are.
Inasmuch as 5th house represents romance, affairs of the heart, children, and play or
recreation, these themes are inherently about our most sincere and beautiful intentions,
experiences and ideals. What greater sense of heartfelt joy and exhilaration is there than play
and courtship? Dharma Houses give peak experiences in awareness and self-expression.
Jyotish believes that 'poorva punya', or past life credit, is shown in the 5th house. We are able
to wield the energy or faculties of planets in the 5th house easily, almost playfully, like
something we have done forever. We enjoy the activities associated with planets in the 5th
house, and so we may easily excel in them. Through our 5th house we access the 'dharmic'
attributes of intelligence, sincerity and creative self-expression.
The 9th house is associated with religion in both Jyotish and Western astrology. The word
dharma is often used almost synonymously with 'religion'. In the 9th house the morality and
spiritual aspiration associated with the word 'dharma' reaches its pinnacle of expression.
Gurus and mentors, shown in the 9th House, point out the way, and lead us along the road to
the achievement of our fullest possible individuation, or self-realization.
The Dalai Lama's Jyotish chart places Mercury in Gemini in the 1st House and Saturn in
Aquarius in the 9th House; so the 1st and 9th houses contain their own lords which greatly
strengthens both. The natural benefic Jupiter, as 10th lord, is located in the 5th House (and
from there aspects the 1st and 9th houses, since Jupiter in Jyotish specifically aspects within
the triplicity it occupies). The Dalai Lama is an embodiment and teacher of 'the Dharma', and
a person with a mission and purpose.
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Another preacher man with a penchant for politics is Martin Luther King. His Jyotish chart
shows Jupiter, or Guru, in the 1st house, happy in Mars ruled Aries, as lord of the 9th house.
Here too Jupiter aspects both the 5th and 9th houses and strengthens the entire Dharma
Triplicity. King's 9th house contains 10th lord Saturn, in the sign Sagittarius. The Sun, his 5th
lord, is in the 10th house in Capricorn. As already noted, such a combining of the Angular and
Dharma houses is considered very empowering and auspicious in Jyotish. In King's chart the
lord of both the 5th and 9th are located in the most powerful of the Angular houses, while his
fiery 1st lord, Mars, is located in the 2nd house of speech.
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The Artha Houses 2, 6, 10
Artha, or 'wealth', is the material resources we need to support our incarnated experience of
life. Simple and clear. This idea is very close to what western astrologers would see in the
'Earth Houses'; these houses do indeed relate to practical aspects of life.
When Artha is viewed through the prism of the Four Aims of Life, it helps give a clearer
perspective to what 'wealth' is when viewed in the context of the other aims of life. It is clear
that we need stuff, but we aren't stuff, and have other business here too. It puts materialism in
its place.
The 2nd House represents both food and money or material possessions in Jyotish. Food is in
fact the most fundamental material need we have, the most basic material support we require,
and we typically meet this need with money.
In Jyotish the 2nd House is further associated with 'family life'. One could, or should perhaps
rather call it 'household'. Your immediate social support. The people who not only break
bread with you, but also nurture and protect you in other ways as part of your innermost
circle. It could be argued that to eat bad food, and to lack household nurture, is a brand of
ultimately material poverty.
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The 2nd House is 'speech'; your style of speaking, whether generally truthful or not, and, you
know, 'your word is your wand'. The 2nd House is by extension also associated with listening,
memory and learning; you 'bank' and store a greater wealth of information if you have a good
retentive memory.
Understanding and managing your 2nd house Artha is more holistic than eyeing the numbers
on your bank account.
The 6th house, being the house of work and service, and by extension servants or employees,
is where we earn our daily bread through the rigours of developing and applying useful skills.
Our work needs to meet a certain standard to be of any use. It's exacting. It is practical
apprenticeship, compared to the honour and worldly authority of the 10th house. The 6th
house can get you down if you don't like being dynamic and efficient and can't make yourself
useful. Everyone sooner or later has to earn their keep.
There is an element of struggle in the 6th house, to a greater degree than with either of the
other two Artha houses. Illness, accidents and enemies may here threaten our fortress. We
have to meet these contingencies with fortitude, vigour, commitment and skill. The sterner
malefic planets, in fact, yield useful results in the 6th house - wilting wallflowers and
shrinking violets need not apply! Benefics struggle here, at least for at time, but ultimately
improve due to the 6th house instinct for fixing and adjusting.
If you can manage crisis, and get the dirty work done, and conquer or subdue your enemies,
and be 'early to bed and early to rise', you safeguard your kingdom and your Artha remains
secured.
The 10th house is in a sense the highest or consummate expression of Artha. The
'Arthashastra', an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, is essentially a handbook for those who
attain to a full embodiment or mastery of what the 10th house represents: Political power,
fame and social influence that can impact the lives of many. A brief perusal of this old tome
of practical wisdom reminds one of how well one needs to know the world, society, and
people, to manage Artha at that exalted level. You have to build bridges, wage war, wage
diplomacy, uncover intrigue and conquer hidden enemies, grow the treasury. It's a full time
job, and I can well believe that it might in a civilized society eventually come with a manual.
If we are not at the very pinnacle of worldly power and influence, the 10th house will
represent those who stand above us in the social hierarchy, and upon whose goodwill our
Artha may substantially depend; the elders and authorities of our social organization. Our
10th house Artha represents the respect, recognition and honor we can gain as a 'citizen in
good standing with the state'. This good standing is achieved, at it's most basic level, by
diligent execution of duty, obeying the rules, and making yourself somewhat useful to society.
This earns you a certain amount of protection and rights within 'the kingdom'.
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At a higher level you have a career that requires harder work, or greater skill, something fairly
specialized, important and respected socially, and therefore as a doctor, lawyer, judge or
military general, for example, your status ensures that you will enjoy a level of preferential
treatment.
If we are able to rise head and shoulders above others through our ambition, self mastery and
effort, and successfully undertake great works for the benefit of many, we are recognized, if
not celebrated far and wide. If 10th House Artha is mastered, then, inasmuch as it is the
highest of the artha houses, we as a matter of course tend to eat fine foods, our words are
edicts or become public discourse, and we are spared much 6th house type subservience, rigor
and dirty work. This would strictly speaking only really be possible, in it's fullest expression,
if all three artha houses are strong, but a strong 10th house can do a lot to ameliorate
deficiencies in the 2nd and 6th houses.
Muhammad Ali, someone who rose to tremendous heights of fame and influence through his
career achievements, has Mars in the 10th house in Aries in his Jyotish chart. His 10th house
is enormously bolstered by this fact alone, and indeed, as Mars would have it, he was famous
as a fighter.
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In Muhammad Ali's chart Mars is lord of the 5th in the 10th which, adding a further layer of
'luck' and 'authentic self-individuation' to what his strong Mars in the 10th indicates. For every
Cancer Ascendant Mars is the 'Raja Yoga Karaka', or 'kingly power significator', and thus a
temporary benefic, due to it's lordship of one Angular and one Dharma house (or Kona).
In short, Ali's Artha was tremendously bolstered by his strong 10th house, even though Rahu
in the 2nd House ('bad mouthing', household disruptions), and Saturn's debilitation in the 10th
house (problems with authorities), may have blighted his overall Artha package slightly.
Leonardo da Vinci has, in his Jyotish chart, an exalted Sun in Aries in the 6th house, as lord
of the 10th house (which already says a whole lot about him). Both the 6th and 10th benefit so
far. The lord of the 6th house is exalted Mars in Capricorn in the 3rd house.
Jupiter, lord of the 2nd house, is comfortable enough in the 4th house, and is Conjunct 9th
house lord Moon. The Moon and Jupiter, as two natural and temporal benefics (being lords of
the 9th and 5th respectively), aspect the unoccupied 10th house with beneficial influence,
supporting his social prestige and status.
Leonardo da Vinci was a meticulous, but also a bold and pioneering worker. He believed in
his own practical ability, and he gained opportunities to demonstrate it:
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'In 1482, he earned the attention of the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, when he wrote that
he could build portable bridges and bombardments, make cannons and other war machines of
the day, build ships, and sculpt using a variety of materials. In the Dukes service, he became
a principal engineer and architect for many of the Dukes military operations and, in 1502,
after the Sforzas were driven out of Milan, Leonardo entered the service of Cesare Borgia as
his chief architect and engineer, overseeing work on the fortresses of the papal territories in
central Italy.'
Gordon Ramsay, we know, is capable of producing and regularly savours the finest foods in
the world. It is almost patently obvious from his Jyotish chart at a glance, what with exalted
Jupiter in the 2nd house of food and all. Jupiter is lord of the 10th he's famous for it!
Occasionally, when he's done giving some young would be chef the third degree for gross and
disgusting inefficiency, and he's whipped everyone into shape, he utters words of counsel and
encouragement to his hapless apprentices and reality tv victims.
This tension and aggression, and the rather terse expressions he has been known to utter when
he pours his scorn and derision on fools who f*ck up, is clearly shown in the Ascendant lord,
Mercury, being located in the 6th house, in Scorpio (and then there's also a certain tick a
debilitated Sun in Libra in the 5th can develop around co-operation vs. authority and
dominance).
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The Kama Houses 3, 7, 11
While the 3rd, 7th and 11th houses are indeed, as Rob Hand designates them in Horoscope
Symbols, 'social houses', a theme which is commonly associated with the air element, the
Jyotish attribution of Kama, or desire, to this triplicity, reveals a further underlying theme
among these houses that is not apparent from western astrology's usual take.
The 3rd house represents our immediate or short term desires. These require an almost
instantaneous gratification and invoke our physical dexterity (the use of our arms or limbs),
our communication skills, and also our courage, to achieve their fulfilment. The 3rd house
thus shows 'prowess'. In Jyotish, performing arts is an important 3rd house theme;
performance requires of one to be very agile, expressive and motivated. Apathy gets you
nowhere, and is the antithesis of 3rd house kama.
The well known Kama Sutra, you will agree, is essentially a manual for effective execution of
7th house matters? Well, at least in terms of the more physical and overt meanings of the 7th
house. The desire for a mate drives us at a primal level, like a deep obsessive longing. As the
reflection of the 1st house, the 7th house can be the missing half of the 1st house. We're not
quite ourselves until we complete that search.
If it's not going to be a mate, we can't evade the fact that there is this otherness that will
periodically crystalize into form as someone or some thing that we need to face, and embrace,
or come to terms with. You will sooner or later deeply desire, for example, the services of
doctor, or lawyer to help you meet life's vicissitudes. They really can complement you at that
the right time. You'd be a fool not to seek and court them. We cannot be all thing unto
ourselves.
Although Jyotish typically takes the 6th house as the house of 'enemies', the 7th house can
certainly manifest as those we need to confront and encounter in a more competitive way.
Even competitors are potentially our complement, or indispensable other half, in that through
meeting the challenge they pose successfully, our all important 1st house, or self, is validated,
vindicated and satisfied.
The 11th house, western astrology teaches, is the house of 'hopes and wishes'. This resonates
closely with the Jyotish notion that the 11th House represents your longer term life goals, or
longer term desires. The 11th house may thus reveal the nature of your longer range life
objectives, and your ability to realize them. We become gradually more and more empowered
in wielding the faculties or energies associated with planets in our 11th house, since they
represent the person we want to become, or the things we wish to grow and cultivate in
ourselves and our life experience in the future.
It is interesting to note that all three Hitler's Kama houses are strong. Two of them, the 3rd
and 7th, contain their own lords, while the 11th lord, Sun, is exalted in an angular house, with
a powerful dispositor.
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Jupiter in Jyotish aspects the 5th and 9th house from it's position. Something, loosely, like a
trine. It therefore blesses the entire triplicity it occupies. The 3rd House benefits from the
occupancy of Jupiter, it's own lord, and both the 7th and 11th gain strength from the aspect of
Jupiter to both these houses directly, and then also to their lords. Hitler had no deficiency of
Kama.
I don't mean to suggest only villians do Kama well, but look at the chart of Aleister Crowley.
The notorious magician who not only had countless affairs and sexual intrigues with people of
both sexes. He practised sex magic with zeal, hiring prostitutes for the purpose if he was not
able to seduce suitable candidates.
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Here Mars and Saturn are located in the 7th, and both are very strong by sign. Saturn is lord of
the 7th in the 7th, so that in itself somewhat protects and empowers it, which means he could
fulfil much 7th house Kama. However, Jyotish associates both Mars and Saturn in the 7th,
each on their own, as potentially indicative of sexual excess and impropriety, which by all
accounts, he achieved.
His Sun in the 3rd house contributed to his high energy level and enthusiasm, his theatrical
interests and abilities, as well as his curiosity and courage.
The Moksha Houses 4, 8, 12
The word 'Moksha' is normally translated as 'final liberation'. It is associated with the
destination of the soul after death, and generally the hidden world beyond the physical plane,
and our relationship to it. It's best exponents, those who have mastered and attained this aim
of life in full measure, may be anonymous to us, since they would seek little in the way of
public life and external validation.
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Even on a more everyday level, the realm of Moksha, as described in our natal charts, deals
with some of the most elusive and intangible inner experiences we can have. We rarely fully
understand them or possess the faculties and resources to clearly see their workings.
On the surface the 4th house relates to the most mundane and accessible manifestation of this
'Watery Triad' and its essentially spiritual concerns. The mother, one of the 4th House's most
basic meanings, with her womb creates a bridge between worlds.
Symbolically at least, the Sun finds itself in the 4th house at midnight, when all are asleep in
the shelter of their homes, in that mini-death that follows and precedes every day of outer
waking activity. It is in this daily womb experience that we are restored, rebuilt, and prepared
for our daytime reincarnation.
At a stretch, poetically, we could possibly say the 4th house represents a primal cosmic
umbilical chord, stretching right up to the great Cosmic Mother. We emerge life after life, and
day after day, from this mysterious hidden source.
The 8th house is persistently associated with death, even though in both the Western and
Vedic traditions there are references to the 7th house being the house of death. It is certainly
true that the 8th house has a fateful and calamitous quality. It can be highly destructive of
conditions that support our physical or psychological equilibrium, but then, as the aghori
Vimalananda put it, 'Moksha is the dissolution of your delusion', and your delusion may at
times be enabled by pleasant circumstances. It is also a place that is more distinctly associated
with the world of departed souls, and our own awareness of such perplexing mysteries as our
own mortality. The deepest, darkest recesses of the psyche, and the very secrets of the
universe, are bound up in the 8th house, and it takes the likes of psychologists, shamans,
astrologers and occultists, to penetrate through the veils.
When stark truths and fears are courageously faced, when we can cut our losses and rise from
the ashes of our own destruction, whether in this world or the next, we win thereby one more
grain of conscious immortality- which is certainly a brand of 'Moksha'. Many healers who
have survived 8th house trials and tribulations eventually guide and encourage others with the
light of this glowing ember of 'phoenix medicine'.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and also wiser, one might hope, inasmuch as one
hallmark of wisdom is a recognition of the ephemeral nature of our outer life and
circumstances, or the 'cosmic maya' that enthrals the spiritually blind. A wisdom leading
naturally to a deeper trust and reliance on those things that are most real, but least visible, in
the world of appearances.
The 12th house is, not unlike the 8th house, one of loss, limitation and bondage, as far as
outer appearances go. We here have to surrender to forces and laws of the cosmos far beyond
our grasp and control. Yet potentially through the 12th house paths of meditation or monastic
seclusion, or sacrificial spiritual service, we may attain to that true inner peace and serenity
'that passeth all understanding'. The ultimate experience of Moksha is this transcendental
bliss.
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It is in fact true that Jyotish sees through the 12th House the texture of the private realm of the
bedroom, bed pleasures, and thus this house also reveals our capacity to 'surrender to bliss' in
that everyday aspect of our lives.
It is written that the 12th house, in particular, shows the destination of the soul after death.
Who can evaluate the accuracy of this? I can't, but if it is to be shown anywhere, the 12th
house would be a fitting choice. Here's to you not finding any hot and bothered looking
planets in your charts' 12th!
Dharma, Artha and Kama, or at least our cycle of incarnated experience of them and possible
attachment to them, must ultimately be dissolved in the ocean of Moksha, until the worlds
once more are bridged, and preparation for a new cycle begins.
Parahamahansa Yogananda, founder of the Self-Realization Fellowship, and author of the

spiritual classic, Autobiography of Yogi, has a Leo Ascendant in his Jyotish chart, with
Moon, lord of the 12th house located in the 1st house.
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Venus is in the 4th house, while Mars and Jupiter both occupy the 8th house in the sign
Pisces. This 8th house of his is especially strong since Jupiter is a benefic, and lord of the 8th
in the 8th. Moreover, Mars is Raja Yoga Karaka, or a powerful temporary benefic for the Leo
Ascendant, and so is capable of yielding beneficial results in the realm of its house location.
Yogananda brought 'kriya yoga', an ancient and hitherto secret form of yogic meditation, to
the west. His famous book has proved to have perennial appeal, and still fans the flames of
aspiration in the hearts of spiritual seekers across the globe. There is an entire chapter in
Autobiography of a Yogi, entitled, Outwitting the Stars, in which Yogananada's guru, himself
an astrologer, prescribes an astrological bracelet to protect him from a period of impending
illness, and, in response to Yogananda's scepticism, eloquently explains where astrology fits
into the scheme of things.
Reading Yogananda's extraordinary book gives glimpses into a world of miracles and magic
that few people can present quite so convincingly. He died after a long and fruitful life as a
spiritual teacher. His corpse was unusual in that it did not decay at anything like the usual
rate.
A notarized statement signed by the Director of Forest Lawn Memorial-Park testified:
No physical disintegration was visible in his body even twenty days after death....This state
of perfect preservation of a body is, so far as we know from mortuary annals, an unparalleled
one ....Yogananda's body was apparently in a phenomenal state of immutability.
Yogananda records meeting with Mahatma Gandhi, and initiating him into the kriya yoga
technique, at Gandhi's request.
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Mahatma Gandhi's own chart shows the Sun located in the 12th house, pointing to a distinct
inner orientation in Gandhi's life, despite the fame and worldly power he attained (thanks in
part to powerfully placed 1st and 10th lords in his Jyotish chart). He was imprisoned on many
occasions, and embraced these times of relative quiet and seclusion to work on
correspondence, or for reflection.
There are principles of Jyotish chart interpretation that I have not employed in these case
studies, to keep it simple, but which would be part of a more complete and sophisticated
assessment of a person's capacity to achieve the Four Aims of Life in good measure.
I'm thinking in particular about the principle of 'Bhava Karakas'. We could call this 'planets as
house significators'. Mars, for example, is for everyone the Karaka or significator for the 3rd
and 6th houses. Mars does not have to be associated with these houses by occupancy or
rulership to have this status, but the condition of Mars will have an impact or bearing on the
ability of these houses to flourish. The tremendous potency of Mars in Muhammad Ali and
Adolf Hitler's charts (being in its own sign and angular by house placement in both instances),
elevated their 3rd and 6th houses (and thus kama and artha respectively) substantially by this
dignity, despite no direct link to these houses by occupancy or lordship. An article on another
choice morsel of Jyotish method, for another day.
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Richard Fidler is a professional astrologer and teacher. His

astrological career began in the early 1990s, while still in his
teens. Friends started to insist on paying for astrological
interpretations, and it just never stopped.
During the mid 1990s, in his early 20s, Richard joined the
Pretoria Lodge of the Theosophical Society, taught astrology
there and became the librarian. This provided a rich and
constant exposure to a great variety of religious and
philosophical paradigms, practices and teachers.
Richard started out on his astrological journey with

conventional modern western astrology, but then began exploring Jyotish in 1997, gradually integrating Jyotish
into his methodology. He now uses Western and Vedic astrological methods side by side in his practice. Through
his lectures and workshops he has been instrumental in bringing knowledge and awareness of Jyotish to the
South African astrological community, and beyond.
Richard spent several months in India in 2011 on a personal astrological pilgrimage, to connect with Jyotish at
its source after years of self study. He has since visited India several times to learn and teach, twice at the
invitation of the Krishnamurti Institute of Astrology in Calcutta.
Richard has been published in the Mountain Astrologer magazine and several other publications, and is regularly
invited to offer comment by the South African media. Richard is currently the chairperson of the Cape Town
based Cape Astrology Association.
Outside of astrology Richard is actively involved in organic farming and eco-village creation. He manages an
urban farm in Cape Town called Culpepers Lodge, and is a founding member and current Secretary of the
Sacred Earth Association.
www.richardfidler.com/
www.caa.org.za/
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Mundane Astrology forecasting for September

Eclipses 2016
Author: Rod Chang
The next Solar Eclipse will happen on 1 September. Mundane astrologers think that eclipses
have a powerful influence on world events and we are now stepping into one. This solar
Eclipse will happen at 10:03am (BST) 1st September 2016. New Moon conjunct at 9 degrees
Virgo. To understand its influence, we have to examine where this Eclipse will be located in
the Zodiac and what major aspect there are at that moment. Virgo is Earthy triplicity, we can
expect major events will relate to Food, Famine, Land, Health, structure and Securities.
Virgo itself also relates to the Working class, Medical issues, small animals, Females issues
in our society, slavery, discrimination and inequality. As the mutable sign suggests
unpredictability in an event's situation when it happened, the ancient astrologers also call
mutable sign a common sign which combines both Cordial signs ability to push forward and
Fixed signs ability of hold its ground. This suggests a solution which in one way may dare to
break the boundary and move forward and in another still consider the possibility of
maintaining the good qualities from the past.
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We can forecast in what area of society we should be careful and also where we may well be
surprised by looking on the house of the New Moon. In UK it is 11th house suggest,
Parliaments (including Scotland, North Ireland, Wales) may start to change. In Western
Europe, countries also have same situation, 11th house also represents welfare, social
benefits, social security policies, and this is highly likely to be affected after the refuge crisis
and the unsettling events one after another in France and Germany. New Moon is located in
10th in Eastern part of Europe and this could suggest a chance of new governments or
political reform. The New Moon located in 1st house and very close to 2nd house cusp in
Washington DC suggests the whole countrys image is going to change and the financial
system, food and resources should be important issues for US. In Asia: China, Korea, Japan
all have New Moon in 7th house and it is very close to Descendent of Tokyo, so foreign
affairs will be the focus of this area. The New Moon is located in 6th house for Australia so
the Public Security, Health care and Labour unrest will become important issues in the
country.
The ruler of the Solar Eclipse is Mercury, it is located in Virgo where it rules, usually this is
highly dignified and suggests the background (cause) of those event may be from a good will.
However this Mercury just turns retrograde 2 days before Solar Eclipse and in its motion is
very slow. This suggest hesitation and lack of will power or energy to make a move. It could
delay important actions because of this hesitation or delay the important event because of a
lack of supplies.
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Sun, Moon, Mars, Saturn and Neptune will form a tight T-square in the September solar
Eclipse, This aspect pattern will give us some idea about what government will need to focus
on. Saturn and Mars in Sagittarius suggest: political reform, reform of religions, change of
social structure, Conflict in foreign affairs and religious conflict. In another side Neptune in
Pisces suggests we should focus on: Drugs, Pollution, Ocean, Seafaring, Water related
problems. Saturn square Neptunes influence is a major concern for the Mundane astrologer
for this year. It usually related to financial market problems and religious conflicts. I will not
say these are news however as these planets form the T square with Solar Eclipse suggest the
challenges will even more powerful. Eclipses are usually seen as chaotic times but we have to
know the Solar Eclipse is also a new moon which could suggest a starting point. Therefore
the conflicts related to Solar Eclipse may bring a new starting point to our society and allow
us to reform it.
Astromaps
Following countries are more likely to be influenced by the Solar Eclipse as their country
charts have Sun Moon of Ascendent conjunct with 9 degree Virgo, where New Moon of Solar
Eclipse located .
Sun conjunct or opposite 9 degree Sagittarius
Albania, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Finland, Iceland, Morocco, South Africa, Timor,
Tonga, UAE, Ukraine.
Moon conjunct or opposite 9 degree Sagittarius
Brazil, Cyprus, France (1 Rep),Poland(Democratic), Tonga, Ukraine, UAE, Vatican city,

Zimbabwe
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Ascendent conjunct or opposite 9 degree Sagittarius
Belgium, Burma, Costa Rica, Ireland, Indonesia, Japan (MEIJI Constitution), Qatar, U.S.A,
Vietnam
Following countries and areas are more likely to be influenced by Solar Eclipse as the outer
Planets will be right on the angles according astromap.
Asia Pacific: Australia East coast, New Zerland, Japan, West China, Bangladesh, East part of
India, Nepal. Iran , Middle East Countries.
Europe and Africa: East Part of Africa, Algeria and North west part of Africa, Norway,
Sweden, Denmark, West part of German, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France,
Ireland.
America: Alaska, West Coast of Canada and USA. Cites and States located between 89-101W
Longitude ( such as Houston and Dallas). Mexico, Brazil, south Argentina and Chile.
Places near 2 degrees S and 34 degrees S Latitude, 99E Longitude are also going to witness
powerful solar Eclipse influence.
Also If we can draw Local space map according Solar Eclipse from capital we can also find
out what area in the country will hit by problem. For Example , If we run a Solar Eclipse local
space map from Berlin we can give warning about where in Germany should be careful. Pluto
line pass Stuttgart , Mars Saturn lines pass Essen areas, these are the areas Government should
pay more attention.
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Lunar Eclipse and Mars Chiron influence
Together with the Solar Eclipse, the Lunar Eclipse is also very important, the Solar Eclipse
give as a starting point and the Lunar Eclipse let us see what we have achieved in our
individual life and what we have done to our society. Lunar Eclipse shows us the consequence
of our previous behaviour, the results of our hard work, but still as Eclipses are amazing
astronomical event in the sky therefore the events will always come with shock and surprise.
The Lunar Eclipse will happened at 20:05 BST 16th Sep 2016, as Full Moon axis are located
in Pisces and Virgo, it emphasise the same themes on the Food, Agriculture, working class,
social benefit, Hospital and public health system, Water, Ocean, Drug Medicine and
Pollution.
Chiron conjunct with Moon in Pisces and Mars square Sun, Moon and Chiron. We should
treat this configuration more carefully, in my experience Mars Chiron aspect is usually related
to violent events such as gunshot and riots. Also Mars is out of Bound from 8th August - 29th
October. Out of bound Mars is like wild fire out of control, things associated with Mars such
as: war, fighting, discord, violence, gunshot, life and death situation could appear on news.
Another Mars effect will appear around 20-25th September when Mars in 26 Sagittarius
conjunct the Galactic centre.
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This also triggers three European country leaders' Natal charts, Angela Merkel, Francois
Hollande and Vladimir Putin, as they all have Mars in 26 Sagittarius.
The Sun Moon axis are very important indication, it also give as an idea about what areas of
our society and our life should be focus during next 6 months. For example UK and most west
European countries Full Moon axis is on 6th -12th houses axis, this suggest Public health
system, hospital, prison , Labour dispute and working rights, slavery. In east Europe Full
Moon axis move to 5th - 11th and suggest the children, social benefit , local government. In
most Asian countries and Canada Full Moon axis is on 2nd- 8th about Financial issues
Foreign Exchange policies and crisis. For Australia and Japan full Moon axis is on 1st -7th
this is more likely indicate country itself, and Foreign relationship. For US Full Moon axis is
on 3rd and 9th this suggest Law, transport system , Education, travel business, religions
should be focus on.
Lunar Eclipse Astro map can also give us some idea about what areas in this world we should
be careful. UK, France, North Europe, Iceland, US.
Also If we can draw Local space map according Lunar Eclipse chart from capital we can also
find out what area in the country will hit by problem. For example Local space map from
Whitehouse suggest that Chicago will have some crisis because Pluto LS line pass by.
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Saros Cycles and Lunar Cycles
Eclipses following a 18 years Saros cycle which suggest that every 18 years Eclipses will
happened in the similar part of sky and every 54 years Solar Eclipses will appears in the
similar area. For example this Solar Eclipse links with Solar Eclipses in 1998, 1980 and 1962,
and the Solar Eclipse in September will be visible in Africa area, 54 years ago a Solar Eclipse
happened on 31 July, also visible in Africa. This reminds us that Africa could be have more
impact than other places, and the event will link with what happened in 1998, 1980 and 1962.
This Solar Eclipse will also trigger the New Moon or Full moon which happen at similar
degrees at Mutable signs. The events happening during that time could have future
development around this Eclipse period.
3rd Dec 2013 New Moon on 10 Sagittarius
6th A 2-year old boy dies from Ebola in Meliandou, Guinea
10th Uruguay becomes the first country to legalize the growth, sale, and use of marijuana
15th Michelle Bachelet is re-elected President of Chile
29th The volcano, Chaparrastique, erupts in El Salvador
1 Mar 2014 New Moon on 10 Pisces
6th Crimea's parliament votes unanimously to make the Crimea a part of Russia
8th Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 with 239 people loses contact and disappears, prompting the
most expensive search effort in history
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10th German Chancellor Merkel warns Russia's Putin that making Crimea part of Russia is
illegal
and in violation of Ukraine's constitution
11th Refugees from Syria pour into the Kingdom of Jordan
12th 8 people are killed, 70 are injured, & 2 buildings are leveled by a gas explosion in East
Harlem, New York
17th The Republic of Crimea is declared
3rd Sep 2014 New Moon on 13 Virgo
7th Tony Abbott becomes Prime Minister of Australia after a Liberal-National Coalitions
wins the election
9th 60 people are killed in conflict between rebels and loyalists in the Central African
Republic
15th Japan switches off its last working nuclear reactor
16th 21 people are killed by Hurricane Ingrid in Mexico
20th Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise is boarded by Russian military
Update on 1st Sep
After I sent my Eclipse article to C*I*A Editor Julija Simas, she pointed out that few
Earthquakes were happened in the location where has planet lines past on the Astromap
during last few days and suggested me if I can do a update.
Therefore, I did a bit study and find out that are few earthquakes are exactly located around
Astromap planetary lines (En Mundo), more stunning picture comes out if we switch
Astromap of September 2016 Solar Eclipse into Geodetic mode. Also few places has
longitude or latitude very close to the longitude of Eclipse start (or end) point.
I have to give special thanks to Julija Simas.
Please I noted the date as UT times date.
The Solar Eclipse started near 2S 18W, End near 34S 99E
27th Aug M4.8 Jackson, WY USA: Saturn Mc (Geodetic) Venus IC (En Mundo)
28th Aug M4.6 Norcia, Italy Sun Moon Ds Lines and Neptune As line (Geo)
29th Aug M7.1 West coast Africa near Liberia (0.041S 17.826W)Sun Moon Ic Neptune
Mc (Geo) Pluto IC Venus Ds (En Mundo) 17.8W is very close to the longitude of Eclipse
start point.
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30th Aug M5.5 Constitucin Chile Pluto Mc ( Geodetic) (34.898S 72.530W) 34S is the
latitude where Solar Eclipse line End.
30th Aug M5.6 250km NW of Visokoi Island (55.324S 30.388W) Neptune As line, Sun
Moon Dsc lines,
31st Aug M4.5 Suao, Taiwan , Pluto Ascendent (Geodetic)
31st Aug M5.0 Uto Japan, Mars Mc line, Saturn Mc line (En Mundo)
31st Aug M6.7 East of Namatanai, Papua New Guinea (3.691S 152.788E)
Venus Ds line, Mercury Ds line, Jupiter Ds line (En Mundo), Sun Moon Mc lines (Geodetic)
Location also close the latitude where Solar Eclipse line started.
31st Aug M5.8 188km NNE of Gisborne, New Zealand (37.208S 179.125E) Mercury
Mc line, Jupiter Mc line, Chiron Ic line (Geodetic) 37S is close to the latitude where Solar
Eclipse line End.
111
On the 14th September A huge fire has ripped through a favela in Brazil's most populous city,
Sao Paulo, destroying hundreds of homes.
112
Rod Chang has studied astrology for over twenty years, both
through self-study and through the LSA and the Faculty of
Astrological Studies. His favourite aspects are mundane
astrology and a humanistic approach to astrology. He has written
a number of books on astrology in Chinese and has taught it in
Mandarin for around ten years. He is co-founder of the Academy
of Astrology with Jupiter Lai, which aims to promote Western
Astrology to Chinese speakers . Rod is also working closely
with other Asian astrologers in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia,
China and Hong Kong in order to establish an Asian astrology
network.
www.rodmagic.pixnet.net/blog
www.academyofastrology.co.uk/
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Fellini, Coppola & Scorsese: lights, action, mutual

reception
Author: Alan Annand
Mutual reception & career
Last year, while researching a book on Mutual Reception, I discovered several famous people
with identical mutual receptions pursuing the same profession. One such stellar pair, guitarists
Keith Richards and Jimmy Page, Ive already discussed in an article on my website Sextile in
June 2016.
What caught my eye in the present case were not two, but three, famous directors with a
mutual reception between 3rd and 4th lords. Upon closer inspection, I found many more
common factors. Aside from all three being Italian, their lives exhibited several similarities,
courtesy of their common astrological attributes.
Federico Fellini
Fellini was born 20 January 1920 at 9 PM in Rimini, Italy.

Although his name is virtually synonymous with avant-garde
filmmaking, he began his career as a magazine and gag writer
rather than a director. His career enjoyed many successes
alternating with disappointments, his most famous films
being 8, La Dolce Vita and Amarcord. In a career spanning
50 years, he received 12 Academy Award nominations and
won four Oscars. He had one long-term marriage, lost his
only child shortly after birth, suffered depression and
underwent psychotherapy. Revered in Italy, his memorial
ceremony was attended by 70,000 mourners.
20 January 1920 @ 21h00, Rimini, Italy (all positions

sidereal)
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Francis Ford Coppola
Coppola was born 7 April 1939 at 1:38 AM in Detroit,

Michigan. He came from an accomplished artistic and
musical family, suffered polio as a child, and was such a nerd
his friends called him Science. His father wanted him to be
an engineer, but he won a screenwriting scholarship to UCLA
and thus embarked on a movie career, initially as a writer. His
film career was successful but turbulent, earning multiple
Oscars against a backdrop of recurring financial problems.
His most famous films were The Godfather, Apocalypse Now
and Bram Stokers Dracula.
7 April 1939 @ 01h38, Detroit, Michigan (all positions sidereal)
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Martin Scorsese
Scorsese was born 17 November 1942 at 00:24 AM in Flushing,

New York. He had asthma as a child and was unable to play
sports so his part-time actor parents often took him to the movies.
His career started modestly but grew steadily, and hes now
regarded one of the finest directors of the era. His best-known
films are Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and The Last
Temptation of Christ, many of which express themes of violence
and spirituality. He has had longstanding working relationships
with fellow Italians Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio.
17 November 1942 @ 00h24, Flushing, New York (all positions

sidereal)
116
The astrological analysis
Aside from ancestry and career, however, these three directors share a remarkable number of
astrological factors that are reflected in their personal and professional lives:
Ascendants on fire
By virtue of their role, directors must control every aspect of a film. Fellini had Leo, Coppola
Sagittarius, and Scorsese Leo rising. Fire is a controlling element, associated with the ruling
classes. Leo in particular is also known for its commanding performance.
Compromised Moon
You have to be crazy to risk your life in the

cinema. Fellini has a dark (new) Moon in the
6th, in a Saturn sign, where it is afflicted by
Mars. For a time, he suffered from clinical
depression. Coppola has a debilitated Moon in
the 12th, a Mars sign, but seems not to have
suffered any depression. It helped, perhaps,
that hes owned a Napa vineyard for decades,
and planets in the 12th can indicate inebriation.
Scorseses Moon is in the 7th in a Saturn sign,
afflicted by Saturn and Ketu. After burning out
on cocaine, he fell into a depression, rescued
only by friend Robert De Niro who insisted
they make another movie together.
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Angular Saturn
Youve got to be in it for the long haul, and overcome all kinds of obstacles. Fellinis Saturn
occupies his first house. He started at the bottom and worked his way up the ladder, suffering
almost as many setbacks as successes. Coppolas Saturn occupies his 4th house. He got a
good education and enjoyed early success (The Godfather at age 32) but he suffered under
studio rule and often felt on the verge of being fired. Scorseses Saturn occupies his 10th
house. Hes been very productive, enjoying far more hits than flops, and his reputation looms
larger as the years go by.
Sun/Saturn link
If the Sun reflects the ego, Saturn is the reality that the ego must face. Fellini has Sun/Saturn
in mutual reception across the 1st and 6th houses. His health wasnt great (respiratory and
heart problems) but he had a competitive spirit. Coppola has Sun/Saturn conjunct in the 4th.
He came from an accomplished artistic family, received an excellent education in film,
suffered major financial setbacks, but accumulated much in the form of real estate. Scorsese
has Sun/Saturn opposed in the 4th and 10th. Hes taken on so many projects he seems to be a
workaholic, but keeps getting better as he gets older.
Mars/Saturn link
Mars evokes passion and violence, while

Saturn reflects loss and sorrow. Fellinis
Saturn aspects his Mars in the 3rd, reflecting
his respiratory problems. Coppolas Mars and
Saturn, traditional enemies, antagonize each
other by aspect. Coppola wrote scripts for
three war movies: Is Paris Burning?, Patton
and Apocalypse Now. And as lords of the 12th
and 2nd, loss and money, respectively, they
invoked his two bankruptcies. Scorseses Mars/Saturn are in a 6/8 relationship. His most
important films reflect his fascination with violence and criminal elements of the underworld.
Conflicted 5th house
The 5th reflects the creative mind, children and drama. Fellinis 5th lord Jupiter is exalted and
retrograde in the 12th house, where its afflicted by the Sun and a dark Moon. His only son
died of encephalitis a month after birth. Coppolas 5th is occupied by a strong Ketu, while its
lord Mars is afflicted by Saturn. Coppolas oldest son died in a bizarre boating accident.
Scorseses 5th lord Jupiter is exalted and retrograde in the 12th house, where its aspected by
Saturn. He has three daughters, two of whom are actresses.
Mutual reception of 3rd and 4th lords
Such a configuration allows for interpretations on many themes mother, education, property,
and the heart. In reality, with the 4th lord having moved 12 houses away, this potentially
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poses problems for all of the above. In virtual post-exchange, however, this can likewise
benefit many of the same, since both the 3rd and 4th lords will occupy their own signs after
exchange. The lords association with, and aspects from, other planets help to determine the
outcomes. The migration between 3rd and 4th lords can also reflect changes of residence,
property and/or schools.
Fellini had mutual reception between Mars and Venus. The 4th lord Mars is afflicted
by both Rahu and Saturn. He suffered a bad heart. He also had to relocate from his birthplace
Rimini to Rome in order to find work, his career and ultimate success.
Coppola has mutual reception between Jupiter and Saturn. The Sun and debilitated
Mercury compromise the 4th house to some degree, while Venus in the 3rd provides stability.
His mother (4th) was an accomplished singer, his sister (3rd) an actor, his older brother (11th)
was a writer, whose son (3rd) is actor Nicolas Cage. Coppola attended 23 different schools in
the course of his education, and he owns a great deal of property two estates in California,
and resorts in Belize, Guatemala, Argentina and Italy.
Scorsese has mutual reception between Mars and Venus. His 4th house is moderately
afflicted by the Sun and Saturn. His mother was a bit actor and died with Alzheimers.
Nodal signatures
To succeed in any art, the artist must first

master the medium, but second, challenge and
overthrow its conventions. Scorsese once
identified the four roles of a director:
storyteller, illusionist, smuggler and iconoclast
with a talent, respectively, for narrative,
imagery, symbolic meaning, and breaking the
rules. Of those, both illusion and revolution are
strongly associated with the nodes.
Fellini had the nodal axis in the 3rd and 9th houses, signs of Venus and Mars. Pre- and
post-exchange, Venus and Mars alternate positions to join Rahu in the 3rd, a house reflecting
honed artistic talent. Many of Fellinis films contain elements of surrealism, and the meanings
of some images have been debated by cineastes for decades. The South Node in the 9th house
twice invokes philosophy and spirituality first, because its the 9th, and second, because its
Ketu, the headless One which implies surrender, or absence of ego. Ketu is at home in
Aries, with whose lord Mars it shares some affinities. Fellini underwent Freudian analysis
after his bout with depression and later became interested in Jungian symbolism, which likely
informed his use of surreal imagery. At one time he became friends with Carlos Castaneda,
hoping to do a movie about a spiritual hero, the yaqui sorcerer Don Juan of Castanedas
series.
Coppola has the nodal axis bisecting his chart through the 5th and 11th houses, in
signs of Mars and Venus. Themes of children and creativity, group work and income are
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likely. Ketu, a malefic, is strong in the 5th. Coppolas oldest son died in a bizarre boating
accident caused by Ryan ONeals son. Ketus dispositor Mars and Saturn mutually aspect
each other. Their struggle invokes war of a kind, a prime example of which is Apocalypse
Now with its cocktail of adventure, psychological parable, and surrealism in the jungle.
Another form of war (with society) is organized crime, on which the Godfather series dwells.
Nodes in the 11th, aside from reflecting an eclectic social circle, also indicate irregularities in
income.
Scorsese has the nodal axis running across the horizon, with Rahu closely conjunct the
ascendant, and Ketu with the Moon in the 7th. Aside from his passionate embrace of violent
themes, Scorseses innovative style includes lots of slow-motion, freeze frames and long
tracking shots. The Moon and Ketu are doubly affected by Saturn, which both disposits and
aspects them. The ephemeral Moon and the Mars-like Ketu in the 7th is a poor prognosis for
marital tranquility; Scorsese has been married five times. The Rahuvian-type individual is
notoriously reluctant to be reined into conventional relationships.
Venus and the 3rd house
Venus is a general significator for artistry, while the 3rd house represents among other things
both physical performance and mastery of literary or musical technique. In all three directors
charts, Venus plays a dynamic role in the 3rd house.
Fellinis Venus exchanges with Mars to occupy its own sign in the 3rd. When he was
young, Fellini loved to sketch, perform puppet shows, and draw caricatures. In the early part
of his career, he wrote for a humor magazine and contributed jokes for comedies before
turning his hand to writing his own screenplays.
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Coppolas Venus occupies the 3rd in a friendly sign, supported by benefic Jupiter.
Coppola too was involved in puppet theatre, and learned to play the tuba so well that he won a
scholarship to a military academy. He studied scriptwriting at university, wrote several
screenplays and one of his three Oscars was awarded for his role as screenwriter.
Scorseses Venus exchanges with Mars to occupy its own sign in the 3rd. Although
Scorsese has been single-mindedly focused on film as his metier, a review of his work reveals
a great appreciation for music: he shot the Michael Jackson video Bad; his movie The Last
Waltz was about The Band; he shot a 7-part TV documentary on The Blues; No Direction
Home was a documentary on the life of Bob Dylan; Shine a Light covered the tail end of a
Rolling Stones tour; and Living in the Material World was a documentary about the life of
George Harrison.
Summary
To recap, these three directors share several common astrological factors, most important of
which is the exchange between 3rd and 4th lords that results, one way or another, in Venus
playing a role in the 3rd. This relationship to film is captured in the words of Martin Scorsese:
Cinema began with a physical relationship between celluloid and the artists who handled it,
and came to know it the way a lover knows every inch of his beloveds body. No matter
where the cinema goes, we cant afford to lose sight of its beginnings.
~~~
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Alan Annand is a graduate of the
American College of Vedic Astrology
and a former tutor for the British
Faculty of Astrological Studies.
His book Stellar Astrology offers a

compilation of techniques, in-depth
celebrity profiles, and analysis of
world events through the perspective
of Vedic astrology. Parivartana Yoga
is a reference text for one of the most
common yet powerful planetary
combinations in jyotish. Mutual
Reception is an expanded companion
volume for western practitioners,
covering the same subject of planetary
exchange through the lens of
traditional western astrology.
He also writes fiction. His New Age Noir mystery series (Scorpio Rising, Felonious Monk, Soma County)
feature astrologer and palmist Axel Crowe, whom one reviewer has dubbed Sherlock Holmes with a
horoscope. You can find his books on Amazon, Apple, Barnes&Noble, Kobo and Smashwords.
www.navamsa.com
www.sextile.com
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Turkeys Failed Coup

Author: Marguerite dar Boggia
A MILITARY DICTATORSHIP WAS THWARTED BY A FAILED COUP IN TURKEY
on 7/15/16 in Ankara at 9 PM. The chart shows that top army Officers received moneys from
a foreign country. The Pleiades was on the IC, favoring the people. The some of the
conspirators were the secret and open enemies in the 12th and 7th houses. Saturn was in a T
square with the planets in the 1st and 7th houses. This is the chart1:
The attempted coup is signified by the ascendant (8 Aquarius), the planets in the first house
and the ruler of the ascendant, Uranus. We see Uranus, (24 Aries) in a T SQUARE with Sun
(23+Cancer) in the 6th house (armed services) and Pluto (16 Cap.) in the 12th house (secret
enemies). This aspect SIGNIFIES THE ATTEMPTED COUP. President Recep Erdogan of
Turkey is denoted by Saturn in the 10th house. Saturn in the T SQUARE with Neptune in the
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1st house and Jupiter in the 7th house, also indicates the FAILED OVERTHROW of the
President Erdogan.
Planets in the 7th house signify open enemies. Jupiter is co-ruler of the 10th house. It is in the
7th house (open enemies). That infers that some members in the government were
conspirators favoring the coup. Pluto in the 12th house also signifies that some 'secret
enemies' were connected to the government and were related to a foreign country (9th house).
Pluto is co-ruler of the 9th house and co-ruler of the 10th house of government. The 12th
house is that of 'secret enemies.'
Mars (24+Scorpio) in the 9th house (foreign countries), co-rules the 9th house. It TRINES
Sun in the 6th house of the military personnel. Mars is co-ruler of the 2nd house of
FINANCE. This suggests that, possibly, the US (rich foreign country) which has in the past
created coups in Turkey through the military, handsomely paid moneys to senior Army
Officials. Mars is also co-ruler of the MC. It suggests that some members in the government
desired the coup. Some did not and worked with Erdogan, as indicated by Mars quincunx
Uranus. The Man behind the Failed Coup in Turkey? US Army General John F. Campbell.
Report By Global Research News, July 26, 2016
The Moon, ruler of the 6th house (which rules the armed forces), is in the 10th house. The
military conspirators were connected to some important members of the government. Venus
(money) in trine aspect to the Moon (top army officers) suggests again, that the top army
officers were generously remunerated for the intended coup.
Erdogans Checkmate: CIA-Backed Coup in Turkey Fails, Upsets Global Chessboard By Eric
Draitser, July 29, 2016
Venus rules the 3rd house of communication. It TRINES Saturn. This suggests that some of
the conspirators or even Vladimir Putin (as some articles suggest) could have warned Erdogan
of the intended coup.
At the end of June, 2016 Erdogan apologized to Putin for downing the Russian airplane,
killing members of ISIS, over Syria. WHAT SUDDENLY CHANGED THE BELLIGERENT
ATTITUDE OF ERDOGAN TOWARDS RUSSIA? Thus creating havoc for the U.S. and its
allies. The Coup in Turkey Has Thrown a Wrench in Uncle Sams Pivot Plan By Mike
Whitney, July 21, 2016
Mercury semi-squares Jupiter. Mercury is co-ruler of the 7th house and 5th house of young
people. It trines Saturn and also the Moon. It suggests that there was division or conflict
amongst the opponents of Erdogan. Some were for the coup and others were against it. Some
were for a secular government and others against it.
The failure of the coup is indicated by: The Part of fortune in exact square to Jupiter in the 7th
house of open enemies. With Saturn's square to Neptune and Jupiter in the 1st and 7th
houses, and its sesquisquare to Uranus, Erdogan decisively crushed the conspirators.
124
Pluto trine Jupiter suggests that the conspirators were the secret enemy and held prominent
positions in the government (10th house) and/or conspired with foreign countries (9th house).
Pluto co-rules the 9th and 10th houses and Jupiter is in the 7th house. It co-rules the 10th
house.
The many deaths and arrests that occurred later, may be denoted by Venus and Mercury, as
rulers of the 8th house semi-square Jupiter in the 7th house of conspirators. Esoterically, the
8th house signifies the death of old systems, in order to make way for the new.
Theres More to Turkeys Failed Coup Than Meets the Eye By M. K. Bhadrakumar, July 20,
2016
BUT WHAT CHANGED ERDOGAN'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE WEST?
Throughout the ages, whenever the Forces of Darkness were more overwhelming than the
Forces of Light, the Spiritual Hierarchy of our planet (the Masters who have achieved at-
onement with the divine Self) have always responded and sent help. A negative polarity
always attracts a positive polarity. Today they have sent the Head of the Spiritual Hierarchy,
Himself. He is known as the World Teacher. The Hindus know Him as the Bodhisattva, the
Jews know Him as the Messiah, the Moslems know Him as the Imam Madhi and the
Christians know Him as the Christ. The Buddhists known him as Maitreya Buddha. Each
religion had expected a 'second coming'.
In the book, "A Treatise on Cosmic Fire"2 written by Alice A. Bailey in 1925, it says on page
211 at the footnote..the World Teacher: "The Buddha held office prior to the present World
Teacher, and upon his illumination, the Lord Maitreya, took his place. The occidentals call
him the Christ." Maitreya is the personal name of the Master who presently holds the office of
the World Teacher.
I have no proof, but I believe the reason President Erdogan changed his policy towards Russia
is that the Lord Maitreya appeared before him. He might have appeared to Erdogan as the
Imam Madhi. He had him understand that what Erdogan was doing was wrong (such as
allowing highly-paid mercenaries to enter Syria through its territory in order to change the
regime in Syria, etc.). Of course, Erdogan wants to retain power at all costs and will do
anything in his best interest and that of his country, if there are reprisals.
Other writers may speculate as to why the US wants to balkanize Syria and Iraq and/or to
enlarge and expand Israel's territory. I leave that to them. I only know that the Lord Maitreya,
called by the Christians "the Christ" is now in the world, having created His own body, called
a 'mayavirupa'. In June, 1988 He suddenly appeared at a healing gathering of about 6000
people in Nairobi, Kenya. He spoke for 17 minutes in swahili and then disappeared. The
editor of the newspaper was present and took His picture:
125
For more information see the website: www.share-international.org. Many have experienced
His presence and witnessed His 'miracles' in the world. The major media knows of His
presence but will not report it, as it would bring about a change in the economic and political
systems. They wish to retain their POWER & CONTROL.
But do not despair, the future generations will be more awake and informed and at the right
time the whole of the spiritual Hierarchy will join the Lord Maitreya and will live with us on
Earth. The potent and tremendous energies of love enfolding humanity, will represent the
'Kingdom of God' on Earth. Not only that, but the Lord Maitreya will bring with Him great
Devas (called by the Church, Angels) who will teach men how to heal with color and sound,
how to nourish the body and how to draw from the surrounding ethers the requisite foods.
We are destined to have a 'golden age'.
References:
1Chart for July 15, 2016 at 9:00 PM EEDT -03 time zone Ankara, Turkey, 032E52; 39N56.
2Bailey, Alice A. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Lucis Publishing Co. 1925, p.211 footnote...
3Bailey, Alice A. Esoteric Psychology I, Lucis Publishing Co. NY 1975, p. 124.
Marguerite dar Boggia presently serves as Membership and Corresponding

Secretary for ISAR (The International Society for Astrological Research). She
was past publisher of Kosmos, as well as past Secretary and Director of ISAR
and UAC (United Astrology Congress). She was a co-founder of UAC. Her
present efforts are to aid in the expansion of humanitys consciousness by
offering, three FREE pages weekly online of the Ageless Wisdom studies as
was known by Pythagoras and Plato. She can be reached at
www.FreePythagorasTeachings.com
126
September/October 2016 INFINITY Horoscope

Author: Cassandra Tyndall
September 2016
Aries
September starts with a brilliant

Solar Eclipse in your sector of
health, well-being and daily
routine. With a high planetary
focus in this part of your life, make
the self-care rituals you know work
well for you your priority.
You may experience a reduction in

personal energy due to Neptune
blurring the boundaries around your obligations and duties. If youre finding yourself saying
yes to others which in turn, means saying no to yourself, use the power of this eclipse to
draw your line in the sand. Set your boundaries about what youre willing to do and what you
can delegate to others.
Taurus
September kicks off with a spectacular solar eclipse in your fortunate 5th house. As always, a
New Moon holds the promise of a clean slate. Saturns influence in this lunation will assist
you in gaining increased clarity around a situation that may feel foggy or unclear.
As this eclipse occurs while Jupiter is still in Virgo, attention to the details will be super
important. Attend to any lagging commitments or tasks youve been avoiding. Close these
windows, and big wide doors will begin to open! A big part of this cycle is about bringing
meaning to your own life by what you can do for others.
Gemini
This month begins with a solar eclipse in your domestic sector. If youve been looking to
move house or make improvements on your existing home, this New Moon promises a new
beginning. Linked closely with the karmic North Node, you may gain some insight into
where to from here, regarding your home and family situation.
While this lunation occurs, your ruler Mercury makes a lucky link with Jupiter. You may need
to make some final last minute de-cluttering, streamlining or attending to details before
Jupiter makes his way out of your domestic scene on the 9th, not to be seen for 12 years.
Cancer
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The 17th sees a Full Moon eclipse in the fellow emotional water sign of Pisces. This may stir
the soul toward overseas travel, spiritual or religious pursuits, or, to take a course of study
thats been part of a long held dream. As this is a South Node eclipse, the dominating theme is
that of letting go or release. Doing away with emotional or physical baggage that prevents you
from your deepest desires will be a big part of this eclipse for you. In the aftermath of the
eclipse, Venus and Uranus will face off across your home and career sectors on the 19th
highlighting decisions regarding your worth and freedom.
September 1st.
Astrologys benefactor, Jupiter has been in your 2nd sector since August 2015. Despite the
amount of hard work youve done and promises others have made, your bank balance isnt
reflecting the big benefits you hoped for. The last 12 months have been more about cutting
back, de-cluttering and streamlining your financial status to allow room for more. This eclipse
will further emphasis that there is so much more you can do with less right now.
Virgo
Your patron planet Mercury spends two thirds of September retrograde. You may be a little in
go-slow mode this month as you feel more introspective, needing some quiet time alone.
The next four weeks is about re-connecting with what you love and making that your main
priority. Youve had an exceptionally busy 12 months with Jupiters visit in your sign, this is
now your time to stop and take stock of what life is truly about for you. You may find
yourself making decisions that lead you to making more heartfelt and authentic choices about
how you choose to live your life.
Libra
Youre now entering a cycle where you need to put yourself first more often. This may put
other people out at times, but some healthy self- interest will be good for you!
This is a special time to add more meaning or purpose to your life by doing what makes your
soul sing. You may find yourself wanting to open your mind in new ways that may involve
learning or travel.
This next year will be peppered with experiences that promise adventure, excitement and joy.
Consider saying yes to the things you would normally offer a polite no too and watch your
world expand in new ways.
Scorpio
Your planetary ruler, Mars, makes an exciting link to quirky Uranus under the Full Moon
eclipse.
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This cosmic combination will bring about brilliant new initiatives regarding how you can
improve your financial landscape. Uranus is about independence, innovation and freedom.
These themes in relation to your money choices will be highlighted.
With your 5th house activated under this eclipse, what you do for pleasure may the key to
success. It may be wise to keep your cards close to your chest as Jupiter, the ruler of this
eclipse, has just slipped into your 12th house of secrets. Be thoughtful with whom you share
your ideas with now.
Sagittarius
Your need for freedom and independence is supported under the Full Moon eclipse on the
17th, as Mars aligns with Uranus. Initiating a new way to go about things and taking decisive
action will help you gain the work/life balance this eclipse highlights.
Although your current cosmic forecast is about work, ambition and pursuing goals, this
eclipse is about pressing pause and going home. The Full Moon in your domestic sector will
help reveal what may be unclear of confusing. Taking time out under the Full Moon will help
you recharge your batteries and reset your soul.
Capricorn
September 1st brings an exciting New Moon eclipse in your 9th solar sector of study, travel
and philosophy. Outdated attitudes or old ways of thinking can be done away with to embrace
a new and improved mental outlook.
Mercurys backward passage in this area of your horoscope will help you reflect upon the
year, using it has a learning curve or blueprint for the future. If you are planning a holiday
during September, or looking to make progress in the realm of study or publishing, take extra
time out for delays, cross-wires and confusion that are hallmarks of Mercury retrograde.
Aquarius
Financial baggage, debt or fear can be released during the powerful New Moon on the 1st.
Connected to the North Node, this eclipse can help you set the money tone for the future if
you approach your situation in a practical fashion.
In combination with the eclipse, Mercury is retrograde, also in Virgo. This may not be the
most ideal time to action new money plans, but is perfect for enlisting help from a
professional, drawing up a new budget or long term money plan. Once Mercury returns to
direct motion on the 21st, you can begin to implement your new and revised money strategies.
Pisces
Mercurys reverse cycle also provides an ideal opportunity to check in with your partner.
This will ensure youre on the same page regarding things pertaining to logistics as well as
your long term plans. Due to the busy pace of everyday life, its easy to make assumptions or
129
become blas. Take time out sometime before the 21st to have a long conversation about
anything you generally dont often talk about.
If youre single, Mercury may bring you back in contact with someone from your past, or
thoughts to a former love may jog old memories.
October Horoscopes
Aries
A cycle of action and progress is promised this month as Mars visits your work sector. A meet
up with planetary powerhouse, Pluto, may help you make a clean break or strike out in a new
professional direction. Whichever way you choose to go, youve been gifted with an extra
dose of ambition, drive and determination to achieve your goals.
Relationships are also a primary focus as the New Moon is closely aligned with larger than
life, Jupiter. A stabilising influence from Saturn will help manifest long term projects and
plans regarding a significant relationship, either personal, professional or both.
Taurus
Getting out of your comfort zone is a big influence this month. Firstly, your ruler Venus is in
your relationships sector, encouraging you to delve beyond the practical elements of love.
Your deepest love desires will be highlighted by truth, trust and loyalty. If youve been shy to
ask for what you truly want in a relationship, now is the time to lay your cards on the table.
The New Moon will trigger your day-to-day routine and help you get out of a rut. As you
become increasingly busy, thanks to Jupiters influence, maintain your sense of harmony and
balance with nourishing food and additional exercise.
Gemini
Fun and good times are highlighted this month with a planetary party in your 5th sector. The
New Moon on the 1st will offer you the chance to do away with boring routines and prioritise
fun. Your ruler Mercury also activates this part of your solar horoscope from the 7th-24th.
Accept invitations and embrace opportunities to socialise and expand your network.
Love matters may come to a head on the 30th. If things have been going well, Venus and
Saturns snuggle will feel secure and supportive. On the other hand, if youve been walking
on shaky ground, this connection may force you to face reality.
Cancer
This months Full Moon has the potential to bring profound changes. The Moon will
illuminate your career zone alongside change agent Uranus. Anything is possible under this
pairing, but sudden events are highlighted on and around the 16th.
130
Mars and Pluto join forces on the 19th, also bringing the promise of a turning point in a
situation youve outgrown.
These cosmic combinations will prompt change and progress that will likely manifest in your
home and family, your work, or your most significant relationship. Its quite possible that
Octobers conclusion will be nothing like its beginning!
Leo
October is a productive month for study, network or self-promotion. The New Moon on the
1st is ideal for setting intentions involving writing or short distance travel. You may be
longing for a weekend away just to read, write or relax. Taking a short course or a weekend
workshop will expand your mind and offer a new perspective.
The 16th sees the Sun connect with innovative Uranus and the Full Moon. You may feel
compelled to take on a new path that you cannot explain, but feels right. Overseas travel or
immersing yourself into a field of knowledge that deeply inspires you may be triggered.
Virgo
Money issues are highlighted on the New Moon on the 1st. Under Saturns watchful eye,
youre supported in long lasting changes. Growth is promised, but can be easily lost if
spending increases.
The Full Moon on the 16th will trigger decisions regarding debt or obtaining a loan. Uranus
influence will bring sudden and expected money changes.
Mercury links to Pluto on the 16th, promising financial progress and change. Youll be
motivated toward implementing bold action when Mars and Pluto join forces on the 20th.
The 27th sees Mercury and the Sun join forces in a very fortunate and auspicious union. Offer
a proposal, make a decision or an announcement.
Libra
After a period of introspection and exploring your inner world, October heralds a 12-month
phase all about you. A dream or goal may begin to prosper under the seed planting vibe of the
New Moon in your sign on the 1st. Make a promise to begin projects that have personal tone
and will project you forward in a way that sees you grow.
Progress toward long held goals in your domestic sector is promised under the Mars/Pluto
conjunction on the 19th. Being more outspoken toward family members or taking charge of
matters may be necessary.
Scorpio
The New and Full Moons bring attention toward your most private sectors. A radical decision
may be made under the Full Moon pertaining to your day to day routines. Youll be inspired
131
to shake things up and instigate sudden changes to your health, lifestyle and your job. All
these changes are about deeper exploration of your inner world.
The potential for hot-under-the-collar encounters will surface under the Mars/Pluto link on the
19th. If siblings or neighbours disapprove of recent choices, you may be forced to defend your
decision. With effort and focus you can move mountains by doing what feels right for you.
Sagittarius
Utilising your networks and connections will be beneficial on the 11th when Mercury and
Jupiter join. Friends will provide a key influence regarding a turning point or change in
direction in your personal income and cash flow. Important financial decisions can be made
when Mars and Pluto join on the 19th.
Fun and good times are promised under the Full Moon on the 16th. With quirky Uranus in the
mix, be prepared for a sudden change of plans or unexpected adventures. Uranus is like a
cosmic wild card. With your open mind and thirst for adventure, anything is possible!
Capricorn
The month begins with a New Moon in your career sector. New beginnings are promised with
work and Saturn supports longevity regarding your new plans. A Mars/Pluto conjunction on
the 19th will highlight a turning point or change in direction. A forceful approach to what you
want may be necessary.
Venus joins Saturn on the 29th in the adventurous sign of Sagittarius. This may be an ideal
time to explore new places with your loved one, or if your single, an optimistic attitude may
attract a steady and stable new influence in your life.
Aquarius
Your travel and learning sectors are highlighted this month with the New and Full Moon. You
seek to find meaning and purpose and a greater sense of fulfilment.
If you have big dreams in the field of learning, teaching, publishing or travel the 1st and 16th
are highlighted for you to initiate plans and make decisions. Both Saturn and Uranus will
create a combination of support and volatility in just the right measure to support your
progress.
The 10th 12th are your personal power days where you are comically supported to chase
your dreams.
Pisces
The New Moon on the 1st will bring new beginnings in your other peoples money zone.
Hard work is beginning to pay off in the form of paying down debt or positioning you to take
out a significant loan.
132
New and radical decisions may be made on the 16th as the Full Moon aligns with Uranus,
bringing changes to your personal income. New ideas, changes or the unexpected are possible
now, so ensure all bases are covered financially.
You may benefit from teaming up with someone else, either your partner or a professional
expert to help point you in the right direction with money.
Cassandra is an avid professional astrologer, writer and teacher, based in Brisbane,

Australia. Her interest in Astrology started when she was a child reading horoscopes
in her mothers magazines.Known for her honesty, passion and insight, Cassandra
offers consultations to people all over the globe.With over 10 years experience,
Cassandra combines ancient and traditional methods with a modern day spin to
enhance specific predictions and offers practical and inspired guidance. Cassandra
is known and respected for bringing the symbolism of the signs and planets and
using this as a tool for helping you discover inner knowledge, clarity, wisdom and
benefit.Cassandras work has featured in Wellbeing magazine, Womens Health and
Fitness as well as numerous websites. She is the former president of the Young
Astrologers Association (NSW) and was on the board of the Federation of
Australian Astrologers.When Cassandra doesnt have her head in the stars, youll find her in the gym or at home
with her beloved baby son.
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INFINITY Astrological Magazine-Sept/Oct 2016

INFINITY Astrological Magazine

Armand Diaz (USA), Ph.D., Professional Astrologer

LeAnn Lacy (USA), Professional Astrologer & clinical hypnotherapist

Art & Design: Andrew Ifandis (Greece), Professional Astrologer

Astrological Lodge Of London

19th September 2016 - 7:00PM

Astrological Predictive Techniques Monica Escalante

19th September 2016 - 8:30PM

Prince and David Bowie Babs Kirby

26th September 2016 - 7:00pm

Cosmology (1) Gill Dorren

26th September 2016 - 8:30pm

The Healing Power of Astrology Roy Gillett

3rd October 2016 -7:00pm

Cosmology (2) Gill Dorren

3rd October 2016 - 8:30pm

As we journey through space/time on the rocket The Zodiac; from the

Carter Memorial Lecture: The Elegant Universe Christeen Skinner

10th October 2016 - 7:00pm

Cosmology (3) Gill Dorren

10th October 2016 - 8:30pm

The Slaying of Richard III Jean Elliott

17th October 2016 - 7:00pm

In the Astrologers Chair Israel Ajose

17th October 2016 - 8:30pm

The Symbolism of the French Gothic Cathedrals (1) Florimond Krins

24th October 2016 - 7:00pm

An introduction to the mysterious times of the French Gothic Cathedrals from

The Symbolism of the French Gothic Cathedrals (2) Florimond Krins

24th October 2016 - 8:30pm

a golden age in sacred architecture with its amazing symbolism imbued in

The Mystical 12th House Wanda Sellar

31st October 2016 - 7:00pm

Astrological Magic Israel Ajose

31st October 2016 - 8:30pm

2. ~Editoral letters by Armand Diaz & LaAnn Lacy (11-11)

4. Embracing my inner weirdo By Victor Olliver (13-16)

5. Grace Kelly Princess of Monaco By Smiljana Gavrani (17-22)

17. TURKEY'S FAILED COUP By Marguerite dar Boggia (123-126)

18 September/October 2016 INFINITY Horoscop By Cassandra Tyndall (127-133)

One thing is certain, God is Love and Love

Love & Light,

As is appropriate for its name, Infinity transcends limitations. Its

All good things stem from the heart

Andrew Ifandis Art & Design - Athenes, Greece

Embracing my inner weirdo

Like I give a toss.

However! To what extent am I tailoring my self-definition to the novelty of the Aquarius

Then there was my Gemini-Gemini phase. I went to my first Astrological Association

I, too, now claim the right to go on (and on) about moi.

The Astrological Journal is available to members of the Astrological Association - heres

Victor Olliver is the editor of The Astrological Journal,

Grace Kelly Princess of Monaco

Venus at North Node

The end of acting career

Not long after the wedding, Rainier III gave

Grace Kelly's death

Smiljana Gavrani is the editor, founder and owner of

Phone: +381 63 350227

Planets on the 1st Choosing a New Experience of

My birth chart is a picture of me. It is something like an anatomical medical drawing. In

In my practice, Im encouraging clients to choose Planets 1st. It creates more space to