• CHAPTER TWO •
Secondary progressions and solar arc directions are the two most commonly used methods to “advance” the birth chart to the current year in an individual’s life. They indicate current trends, the themes of the year, and areas of life that will be emphasized. Both are valid predictive tools, but most astrologers use secondary progressions. I prefer secondary progressions because there are generally more aspects to consider and I’ve found them to be more insightful and to work better than solar arcs. But solar arcs can add valuable information and confirmation to what the progressions show, so give both a try.
Secondary progressions, commonly referred to as progressions (also called directions), are a relatively new addition to the astrologer’s tool box. First proposed in the seventeenth century by astrologer Placidus de Titus, it was late in the nineteenth century, after astrologer Alan Leo revived the technique, that secondary progressions gained popularity. Prior to this, astrologers had used primary directions, which are difficult to calculate without knowledge of spherical astronomy and trigonometry. Secondary progressions, on the other hand, are relatively easy to calculate because they are based on the positions of the planets in an ephemeris, a book that lists the sign, degrees, and minutes of each planet on a daily basis. (This was, of course, before the advent of the computer in the days when astrologers calculated all charts by hand.)
Progressions use the day-for-a-year method of planetary movement. They are based on the actual—not the average—daily movement of the planets, with each day corresponding to a year in the individual’s life. For example, to determine the progressed influences in effect when you were age ten, count forward ten days in an ephemeris, beginning with the date of your birth (month, day, year). The planets at age ten for a July 20 birth would be those listed for July 29 of the same year, an October 8 birth date would be October 17, and so on.
Solar arc directions are the simplest of all to calculate. Based on the motion of the Sun (approximately one degree per day, or exactly 0°59'08"), the planets are progressed forward one degree for every year of life. Thus, for a birth date of February 5, you would add ten degrees to every planet’s birth position in order to find its placement at age fifteen. This predictive tool was devised by Ptolemy and refined by Valentine Niabod.
The following example illustrates the difference in movement between the two systems for someone born August 1, 2008, at age eleven:
Note how the Sun in both methods is approximately the same, while planetary placements for Venus and Mars are quite different. This raises the question as to how both methods can work. They do, as we will see in several examples later in this chapter.
A basic understanding of planetary motion is essential in order to fully understand how the planets appear in a progressed chart. Although each planet has an average annual motion, the only two that maintain this constant are the Sun and Moon. They are always direct in motion and never turn retrograde, as do the other planets. The Sun moves approximately one degree for every year of life, and the progressed Moon returns to its natal place about every twenty-eight years, that number being the approximate number of days it takes the Moon to move through the twelve signs each month.
progressed and solar arc placement for
August 1, 2008, birth date
Birth Placement Progressed Placement Solar Arc Placement
Sun 09 Leo 36 19 Leo 11 19 Leo 36
Venus 24 Leo 15 06 Virgo 32 04 Libra 15
Mars 18 Virgo 44 24 Virgo 59 28 Virgo 44
When planets turn retrograde they appear to move backward in the heavens. The ephemeris will show the degrees and minutes of the planet to be decreasing instead of increasing. Planets appear to slow their speed as they approach retrograde and direct stations (the points at which they appear to stop before changing direction, either backward or forward).
Pluto can remain at the same degree for ten to fifteen days, which equates to ten to fifteen years by progression. Progressed Saturn can do the same for five years, progressed Mars for two or three years, and progressed Mercury for a year.
Venus moves more than one degree a day (one year by progression) at its fastest, gradually slowing to a one to two day (one to two years by progression) stationary period as it prepares to reverse direction. Depending upon the birth date, Venus usually progresses through one to three signs in a lifetime, while progressed Mercury, due to its overall faster motion, usually travels through two, three, or four signs.
Progressed Jupiter sometimes changes signs in progression, but the outer planets—Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto—must be in the last (or first, if retrograde) degrees of a sign to change signs, because their movement is so slow. The outer planets sometimes progress no more than a degree or two.
Planetary motion is expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds of a sign.
One sign = 30 degrees (30°)
One degree = 60 minutes (60')
One minute = 60 seconds (60")
The average annual movement of progressed planets is:
Sun—1 degree (1°)
Moon—12 degrees (12°)
Mercury—1 degree, 23 minutes (1° 23')
Venus—1 degree, 12 minutes (1° 12')
Mars—31 minutes (0° 31')
Jupiter—5 minutes (0° 5')
Saturn—2 minutes (0° 2')
Uranus—42 seconds (0° 0'42")
Neptune—24 seconds (0° 0'24')
Pluto—1 second (0° 0'01")
The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and sometimes Jupiter can move fast enough in a lifetime to perfect (make exact) a natal aspect. That is, the first of two planets in a natal aspect could progress forward (or backward if retrograde) until it reaches the same degree as the second planet. For example, a birth chart trine of Mars at 8 Aquarius to Uranus at 14 Gemini (an orb of six degrees, with Mars applying to Uranus) would, if Mars were moving at its average speed, become exact approximately twelve years after birth.
The progressed outer planets (Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) move so slowly that they rarely form aspects not present at birth. If a natal aspect involving an outer planet is nearly exact, the planet could progress forward and close the gap, thereby eliminating the orb. But this in itself is unlikely to manifest as an event unless triggered by a faster moving planet. If this happens, it usually presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to fully realize the natal potential.
the chart unfolds
With this understanding of planetary movement, it’s easier to grasp the concept that progressions and solar arcs represent the birth chart potential unfolding throughout an individual’s life. This concept is at the core of predictive astrology because it underlines the fact that each person arrives in the world with a set of talents, personality traits, and skills that can be developed. The potential is there, but it is up to each individual to develop it, while emphasizing strengths and minimizing (or resolving) weaknesses.
The progressed chart (versus solar arc) is particularly important in this respect. The inner planets are what differentiate the individual from the collective represented by the outer planets. Because the outer planets move so slowly, everyone born within months, and sometimes several years, has these planets within a few degrees. Not so, however, with any of the inner planets, such as Mercury, which moves through the entire zodiac (all twelve signs) every year. As these inner planets advance in the progressed chart, they perfect birth chart aspects, contact other planets in the birth chart (forming new aspects not in the birth chart), and change house and sign position.
As an example, consider an individual born with Saturn in the ninth house of higher education. That placement alone indicates a probable delay in post-secondary education. The approximate time frame for this education can be determined by progressing the chart and finding the year when progressed Mercury (planet of learning), will aspect natal Saturn. For someone born July 14, 2008, with Mercury at 06 Cancer and Saturn at 05 Virgo, this could be at age thirty, when Mercury will have progressed through the rest of Cancer, all of Leo, and advanced to 05 Virgo, where it will conjunct natal Saturn. Note that in this example, solar arc Mercury would be at 06 Leo, forming a semi-sextile to natal Saturn.
Although the above example is something of an over-simplification, especially because predictive astrology involves far more than one planetary indicator, it nevertheless illustrates how the universe offers the opportunity to fulfill one’s natal potential. This is also a good example of how astrologers forecast the future.
You can quickly spot potentially significant years simply by scanning the ephemeris in the weeks after your birth. Look for the years (represented by days) when progressed planets will aspect your natal planets. With this advance knowledge, you can determine which year, for example, might be a career high point, and then use several predictive techniques to refine the forecast and zero in on the timing. This can be invaluable in long-range planning and goal setting. Just as important will be a close study of the chart in the years leading up to the designated year so you can incorporate those planetary indications into your plans.
sign and house changes
Although natal characteristics always dominate, their energy is modified when a progressed or solar arc planet enters another sign. The effect is that of adding or opening up another layer of resources that you can explore and tap into. For example, family and security are major areas of interest if you have Mars in Cancer. This will be true throughout your lifetime, but if Mars progresses into Leo, personal needs will become a higher priority than in previous years.
These energy shifts are most easily felt with the faster moving progressed Moon, which progresses through a sign in about two and a half years. But you’ll also experience the subtle shift in emphasis when the other inner planets change signs.
A similar effect occurs when planets change houses. If your natal Venus is in the seventh house, relationships will be prominent throughout your life. However, when progressed Venus enters the eighth house, you could form a business/financial partnership or otherwise learn to meld your resources with those of others. Or if you have a twelfth house Sun, your self-confidence will rise when the Sun enters your first house.
retrograde and stationary progressed planets
The easiest way to spot the years when progressed planets station to turn retrograde or direct is, again, to look at an ephemeris. Look forward in the ephemeris for two to three months, beginning with the day of your birth and make a note of the age at which a planet turns retrograde (R) or direct (D). A year in which a progressed planet reverses direction signals a major turning point. The immediate effect is usually apparent when Venus, Mercury, or Mars changes direction; but it is more subtle with the outer planets, and you may not realize the full impact until several years later. (An ephemeris is also the easiest way to discover whether you were born on a day when a planet reversed its direction.)
Again using the higher education example, a delay could occur at the beginning of a course of study if there is a natal retrograde Mercury-Saturn opposition from the ninth to third houses. The year that progressed Mercury turns direct could bring a sudden urge to enroll in college. Fulfilling that goal will then have a major effect in your career when progressed Mercury, which will continue to advance, eventually forms a conjunction with the Midheaven.
Venus or a seventh house planet changing direction brings relationships into focus, often resulting in marriage or divorce. A tenth house planet can indicate a shift in career direction, and a second or eighth house planet can influence finances. House rulerships also provide clues to the potential outcome. Mercury turning direct in a chart with Virgo rising can act as a confidence builder.
Retrograde progressed planets manifest in yet another way that might or might not release the promised potential of the natal chart. This occurs when a faster moving retrograde planet (usually Mercury, Venus, Mars, or Jupiter) precedes by degree a planet it aspects.
For example, one possible outcome of a natal Jupiter-Pluto trine is a sizable inheritance. But suppose that, at birth, Pluto is at 16 degrees, and Venus is retrograde at 14 degrees. The natal promise of an inheritance would most likely occur during the year(s) that progressed Venus is exactly trine natal Pluto. That could be one year or sixty or more, depending on how long it takes Venus to retrograde into its station, resume forward movement and move past its natal position to form the exact aspect with Pluto. For people born during the stationary or early retrograde period, it may never reach exactitude.
Retrograde and stationary planets have no bearing in solar arc directions because all planets move forward at the same speed when this method is used.
ascendant and midheaven
The progressed or solar arc Ascendant and Midheaven (two of the angles) are highly significant in predictive astrology. Their opposing points, the Descendant and IC (the other two angles), are of course simultaneously aspected. The method used to progress the Ascendant and Midheaven is a matter of personal preference. I have found that angles progressed by Naibod in longitude are the most accurate, but it’s wise to experiment with various methods before choosing one. In a solar arc chart, the angles are also advanced according to the motion of the Sun, or about a degree a year.
As in the natal chart, the progressed or solar arc Ascendant is a personality factor, and the Midheaven governs career, status, and achievements. Although these angles, like the progressed and solar arc planets, are key components in predictive astrology, their strength is less significant than the natal angles, just as it is for progressed planets versus natal planets. Nevertheless, there are instances when progressed or solar arc angles are just as strong, such as when the progressed or solar arc Ascendant-Descendant aspects Venus or Mars, often an indication of a serious relationship or marriage.
A progressed or solar arc planet aspecting the natal Ascendant or Midheaven signals a major event ninety-nine percent of the time. The event usually focuses on self (Ascendant), partners (Descendant), career (Midheaven) and/or home and family (IC), and the years when these events occur are generally memorable and sometimes momentous and life-changing.
aspects and orbs
Progressed planets form aspects with natal and progressed planets and angles. Solar arc planets, because they advance at the same rate of motion, can only form aspects to natal planets. All of these planetary contacts are important indicators in predictive astrology.
The Ptolemaic, or major, aspects are easy to spot, but they seldom tell the full story. Although more difficult to see at a glance, the semisquare (45°) and sesquisquare (135°) are similar to the square and often signal events. If you don’t want to do the math, purchase an aspectarian to help you find the 45° and 135° aspects. Or use astrological software to run a “hit list” of progressed aspects for two or three years so you can spot upcoming trends.
Generally, progressed and solar arc aspects to planets and angles, react like this:
• Conjunction (0°)—intensity, action, joins the forces of two planets
• Trine (120°)—rarely an action aspect, it provides luck and harmony
• Sextile (60°)—creates opportunities, but requires action to realize gain
• Opposition (180°)—usually involves relationships, people at odds, separation
• Square (90°)—action, conflict, matters requiring attention
• Semisquare (45°) and sesquisquare (135°)—action, conflict, need for
resolution
Usually, you will see a combination of easy and difficult aspects; the latter are necessary to generate action. The difficult aspects often act as incentives for action rather than manifesting as negative events. Practice and experience are invaluable here, and it’s vital to take the birth chart into consideration. A difficult natal aspect aspected by a progressed or solar arc planet will often result in a less than favorable outcome, and the reverse is true when an easy natal alignment is aspected. It’s equally important to look at the overall picture—all the planets and aspects involved. When, for example, positive indicators outweigh negative ones, the situation could ultimately have the desired, or close to desired, outcome after overcoming some hurdles.
Effective orbs vary according to the progressed planet, and based on their speed of movement:
Sun—1°
Moon—1½°
Mercury—1°
Venus—1°
Mars—30'
Jupiter—15'
Outer planets—5'
The above are guidelines. Be flexible, and look for both separating and approaching aspects that could indicate prior events related to the current one, or those that might indicate the ultimate outcome.
Because all solar arc planets move at the same rate, the natal aspects never change, even when a planet enters a new sign. Therefore, look only for aspects between solar arc planets and natal ones. The relationship of the solar arc planets to each other is the same as in the natal chart. The orb of influence is one degree for all solar arc planets and angles.
step-by-step analysis
With practice and experience, you’ll reach the point where you can fairly quickly spot the pertinent progressed and solar arc indicators and sum up the current trends active in someone’s life. In fact, you’ll know almost instantly why someone wants your astrological input.
Be careful! It’s easy even for experienced astrologers to overlook an important factor because not all of them are quite so apparent. Therefore, you should get into the habit of first studying the birth chart before moving on to the progressions and solar arcs in order to learn about the individual’s personality, motivations, skills, talents, and attitudes.
Once your study of the birth chart is complete, make a list of all the progressed and solar arc aspects, noting the house(s) each planet rules, the planet’s house position, and the birth chart planet(s) it activates, along with comments or keywords to aid your interpretation. Note progressed to progressed, progressed to natal, and solar arc to natal planets.
Going through this exercise might seem like a lot of work, especially at first. Trust me. It will help you to organize your thoughts and develop a cohesive forecast. A main theme will quickly begin to emerge and you’ll see that it is repeated over and over in the aspects (see Three Aspect Rule on page 33). Although it doesn’t often happen, there are times when you’ll see little activity in the progressions and solar arcs. Don’t be concerned. Outer planet transits, which act much like progressions and solar arcs, add another level to the predictive analysis (see Chapter 5).
Each of the examples that follow use this method of analysis, focusing on the aspects pertinent to the event that occurred at the time.
pamela anderson
Actress Pamela Anderson was discovered at a Canadian Football League game she attended with friends in the summer of 1989. A video camera focused on her and flashed her image on the stadium screen, and when the crowd cheered she was invited onto the field. At the time she was wearing a Labatt’s beer t-shirt, and that company subsequently hired her as a model. That was just the beginning of a career as a model and actress that took off in a flash.
She was featured as a cover girl in the October 1989 issue of Playboy, and returned as Playmate of the Month in February 1990. In between, she moved from Vancouver to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. After a series of small roles, she landed a role on the popular series Baywatch, where she was a regular character from 1992 to 1997. She has appeared in many movies.
Pamela’s chart (Chart 1) is an excellent example of how the progressed chart can indicate both initial and ongoing career success. This progressed chart is cast for August 1, 1989, to indicate the trends that were active at the time; the exact date of the football game is unavailable.
First, notice the progressed Moon, which had a few months previously entered the tenth house of career and status. It makes a number of important aspects, including an opposition to natal Venus (popularity), a separating trine to natal Mars, a separating square to the natal Ascendant, and a sesquisquare to natal Sun. The progressed Moon was thus the key factor that set up the potential for career success and fame, especially because it activated the decidedly sexy natal Venus-Mars sextile that aspects the natal Midheaven by opposition (Venus) and trine (Mars).
The progressed angles are also active, with the progressed Midheaven (career) in an approaching semisquare to natal Moon (the public), and the progressed Ascendant (self) approaching a square to natal Saturn (career planet). Note that these are approaching aspects, which indicates that she was just beginning a new career phase.
Luck was definitely with Pamela, putting her in the right place at the right time, with progressed Jupiter in an exact trine to natal Saturn, the old ruler of Aquarius and thus co-ruler of her tenth house. This aspect fully illustrates the concept of the chart unfolding, because Jupiter was at 7 Leo when she was born, just under five degrees from a trine with natal Saturn. When Jupiter progressed to the exact aspect, her career took off, bringing with it all the natal potential for major success and income (Saturn rules the eighth house). This progressed aspect is one that an astrologer could have identified at any time in the previous years, and then alerted her to the potential for an opportunity of a lifetime at age twenty-two. Progressed Jupiter continued to move forward, eventually forming a trine to progressed Saturn in early 1992, when she landed the role on Baywatch.
There were other approaching aspects that indicated her discovery would be more than a momentary flash of stardom. The progressed Sun, which was just about to enter Leo (acting, glitz, and glamour), would square progressed Mars in 1991. In turn, progressed Mars was moving into a semisquare with the natal and progressed Uranus-Pluto conjunction. This aspect was active from 1992 to 1997, when she was a Baywatch star.
Inner wheel: Birth Chart / July 1, 1967 / 4:08 am PDT /Ladysmith, Canada / Placidus House
Outer wheel: Secondary Progressed / Aug. 1, 1989 / 8:48:31 am PDT / Ladysmith, Canada / Placidus House
Inner wheel: Birth Chart / July 1, 1967 / 4:08 am PDT /Ladysmith, Canada / Placidus House
Outer wheel: Directed Solar Arc / Aug. 1, 1989 / 3:04:57 pm PDT / Ladysmith, Canada / Placidus House
The solar arc chart (Chart 2) was also active, with solar arc Mercury (Ascendant ruler) trine tenth-house co-ruler Saturn. (The solar arc Sun made the same aspects as the progressed Sun.)
Most evident in the solar arc chart are the approaching aspects that would be active during her time on Baywatch. The solar arc Moon, which was square the natal Midheaven in 1989, bringing her to public attention, would advance to a square to natal Venus in 1994. Between 1992 and 1995, solar arc Venus was conjunct the Pluto-Uranus conjunction, and in 1995, solar arc Mars was square the natal Midheaven. Although she stayed with the show until 1997, she probably began to feel it was time to move on when these aspects were at their strongest in 1995.
|
progressed and solar arc influences |
|||
|
Progressed Planet |
Aspect or House |
Planet or Angle |
Comments |
|
Moon |
Tenth House |
Moon (public) in tenth (career, fame) rules Cancer, ruler of the second (income) and third (communication) |
|
|
Moon |
Opposition |
Natal Venus |
Moon (public) in tenth (career, fame) opposition Venus (popularity); Venus co-rules the fifth (recreation, drama/theatre, sex appeal), where Libra is intercepted; Moon activates the natal Venus-Mars-Midheaven configuration, indicating potential for fame as an actor and sex symbol |
|
Moon |
Trine |
Natal Mars |
Moon (public) in tenth (career, fame) trine (easy connection) Mars, ruler of the sixth (work, job) and eleventh house (friends and goals) |
|
Moon |
Sextile |
Natal |
Moon in tenth (public attention) trine |
|
Moon |
Sesquisquare |
Natal Sun |
Moon in tenth (public attention) focused on self (Sun) indicates a new awareness of “self”; Sun rules the fourth (home, family), indicating possible relocation, along with the above-mentioned Moon opposition natal Venus in the fourth |
|
Midheaven |
Semisquare |
Natal Moon |
Midheaven in tenth (career, fame) semisquare (action) natal Moon in eleventh (friends); she came to the attention of many while attending an event with friends |
|
Prog. |
Square |
Natal Saturn |
Ascendant (self) in second (income) square (action, challenge) Saturn, ruler of eighth (money), and co-ruler of the tenth (career) in |
|
Venus |
Sextile |
Natal Sun |
Venus (popularity) sextile (opportunity) natal Sun (self) square Saturn, co-ruler of tenth (career, fame); Saturn rules the eighth (money); natal Sun is also semisquare natal Venus, so progressed Venus-natal Sun aspect also activates natal Venus-Mars-Midheaven configuration |
|
Prog. |
Trine |
Natal Saturn |
Prog. Jupiter (luck, abundance) ruler of |
|
Sun |
Enters |
Leo |
Sun (self) in Leo (popularity, acting) |
|
Solar Arc Planet |
Aspect or House |
Planet |
Comments |
|
Mercury |
Trine |
Natal Saturn |
Mercury, ruler of first (self) and fifth (recreation, acting, and sex appeal) trine (easy connection) natal Saturn, ruler of eighth (money) and co-ruler of tenth (career) in the eleventh (friends); also activates natal Saturn aspects |
|
Moon |
Square |
Natal Midheaven |
Moon (public) and ruler of second (income) square (action) Midheaven (career, fame) |
Summary: A recreational event (fifth house) with friends (eleventh house) has the potential to bring you luck (Jupiter) that will put you in the public spotlight (Moon, Venus) and advance your career aims and popularity (tenth house).
Inner wheel: Birth Chart / Aug. 3, 1941 / 1:33 pm EDT / Jersey City, NJ / Placidus House
Outer wheel: Secondary Progressed / June 4, 2003 / 8:48:31 am EDT / Jersey City, NJ / Placidus House
martha stewart
Entrepreneur Martha Stewart built a small, home-based catering business into a global empire: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. She was indicted June 4, 2003, on charges of securities fraud, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice, among others. She was found guilty of four counts on March 5, 2004, after a jury trial in New York. Sentenced to five months in prison, five months house arrest, and two years supervised probation, she entered prison October 8, 2004, and was released March 4, 2005.
The ninth house rules the legal system and publishing, and the twelfth house rules prisons. Martha’s chart (Chart 3) has three planets in the natal ninth house, indicative of her publishing empire and the potential for legal problems. The planets and planetary rulers associated with these houses are: Venus (twelfth house ruler), Moon (ninth house ruler), and Sun, Pluto, and Mercury in the ninth house. We would thus expect to see active progressions involving some (or all) of these planets during the period of Martha’s legal difficulties, and specifically, a connection between the ninth and twelfth houses.
Note that Martha’s chart has natal Venus, ruler of the twelfth house, semisquare natal Mercury in the ninth. This hard aspect indicates that she was born with the potential for legal difficulties and a prison sentence. It is reinforced by the Moon, ruler of the ninth house, square Neptune, natural ruler of the twelfth house, an aspect that was active during Martha’s ordeal. The natal Moon is also inconjunct natal Mercury in the ninth house.
At the time of the indictment, progressed Mercury was separating from a square to natal and progressed Pluto. This aspect was exact in June 2002, when rumors first surfaced that she was being investigated by the United States Justice Department. Progressed Mercury was also sesquisquare progressed Jupiter (universal ruler of the ninth house) in the eighth house of other people’s money. From the beginning of this event, progressed Mercury was approaching a sextile to natal Venus, an aspect that was exact at the completion of her two-year probation period.
The timing of the rumors and the indictment are also reflected in the progressed Ascendant, which had been exactly conjunct natal Moon in 2002, and which was exactly square progressed Neptune at the time of her release from prison. Also at the time of her release, progressed Venus in Scorpio was trine natal Mercury (remember the natal Mercury-Venus semisquare that indicates the potential for time in prison).
There were aspects involving the progressed Moon as well. It was applying to a trine to natal and progressed Pluto when she was indicted, semisquare natal Saturn when she was sentenced, and square natal Mercury when she was released from prison, again activating the natal Mercury-Venus semisquare. The progressed Moon was also approaching a trine to natal Moon when she was released.
If Martha’s natal chart had more difficult aspects involving the ninth and twelfth houses, her sentence would probably have been much longer. She also has put these planets to effective use in her media career, and benefitted from the income-attracting Jupiter in the eighth house. The Jupiter placement, which is one of the best for attracting money, may have contributed to her belief that her actions were business as usual and that she had done nothing wrong.
There are several important aspects in the solar arc chart (Chart 4), where all solar arc planets sextile their natal positions and thus activate the natal aspects.
Inner wheel: Birth Chart / Aug. 3 1941 / 1:33 pm EDT / Jersey City, NJ / Placidus House
Outer wheel: Directed Solar Arc / June 4, 2003 / 8:48:31 am EDT / Jersey City, NJ / Placidus House
Solar arc Mercury was conjunct natal Neptune and square natal Moon at the time of the indictment, setting off the natal configuration with the potential for legal trouble and a prison sentence. Venus by solar arc was close to the natal Ascendant, which it crossed, moving out of the twelfth house and into the first, about the time she was released. Upon her release from prison, solar arc Venus was square natal Sun, ruler of the tenth house, indicating her motivation to get back to business, which she did.
But the most interesting aspect in the June 4, 2003, chart is solar arc Jupiter approaching a conjunction with the natal Midheaven. This in itself indicates that Martha would again be at the top of her career just four years later, in 2007, and indeed she was.
|
progressed and solar arc influences |
|||
|
Progressed Planet |
Aspect or House |
Planet |
Comments |
|
Mercury |
Twelfth house |
Twelfth (institutions, secrets, and hidden |
|
|
Mercury |
Sesquisquare |
Prog. Jupiter |
Jupiter in the eighth (other people’s money, investments); Mercury rules the eighth, and Jupiter rules the second (personal money) and co-rules the fifth (speculation) |
|
Ascendant |
Square |
Prog. Neptune |
Prog. Ascendant activates natal Moon-Neptune square (action); Moon in second (money) rules ninth (legal matters), and Neptune in eleventh (high aspirations with regard to friends) rules fifth (speculation) |
|
Venus |
Trine |
Mercury |
Activates natal Mercury-Venus (charm, beneficial communication) semisquare (challenge) |
|
Solar Arc Planet |
Aspect or House |
Planet |
Comments |
|
Mercury |
Conjunction |
Neptune |
Activates natal Moon-Neptune (fantasy, |
Note: The aspects listed above were in effect at the time Martha was indicted. If you were preparing a thorough analysis of her chart, you would also want to list the obvious approaching aspects. If Martha were your client, she would want your assessment of possible penalties, including incarceration.
Summary: Martha will be involved in a legal matter (ninth house) concerning finances—probably speculation or investments (second, fifth, and eighth houses)—that could result in a significant fine and/or other penalties, including probation and/or incarceration. Note that the only positive aspect activates a difficult natal aspect, which is also generally true of the progressions and solar arcs a year before and for the following two to three years.
Inner wheel: Birth Chart / June 1, 1926 / 9:30 am / Los Angeles, California
Outer wheel: Secondary Progressed / June 19, 1942 / 8:48:31 am / Los Angeles, California
Placidus House
Inner wheel: Birth Chart / June 1, 1926 / 9:30 am / Los Angeles, California
Outer wheel: Directed Solar Arc / June 19, 1942 / 8:48:31 am / Los Angeles, California
Placidus House
marilyn monroe
Marilyn Monroe, the iconic sex symbol, had a difficult childhood. Her mother likely was affected by a bipolar disorder that resulted in her institutionalization at various times and Marilyn’s placement in foster homes and an orphanage. Reportedly, she married Jim Dougherty, the first of three husbands, on June 19, 1942, at age sixteen in order to avoid returning to an orphanage. They had been married only a short time when Dougherty was shipped out to the Pacific during World War II, and Marilyn went to work in an airplane factory. That’s where the photograph that jump-started her modeling and film career was taken. Marilyn and Jim divorced in August 1946.
A number of the classic marriage/serious relationship indicators were active in Marilyn’s chart when she married (Chart 5). There is almost always a significant aspect involving the natal and/or progressed Ascendant-Descendant (self-partner), Venus (love), Mars (passion and sex), planets in and ruling the seventh house of partnership, and often the natal and/or progressed Midheaven-IC.
The progressed Sun was sextile/trine the progressed Ascendant-Descendant, and progressed Mercury (ruler of her Sun sign, Gemini) was semisquare/sesquisquare the same angles. When she married, she changed her living situation, as reflected in the progressed Midheaven opposition natal Saturn (co-ruler of the seventh house) in the fourth house of home. The progressed Midheaven was also square natal and progressed Neptune, which indicates her “escape” from the orphanage into what she probably perceived as an ideal solution and situation. At the time of the marriage, the progressed Moon was separating from a trine to Venus, an aspect that was exact a month earlier when initial wedding plans were probably made.
Of all the aspects, there were three that were the most telling that she would marry in this year of her life: progressed Sun trine and progressed Ascendant opposition natal Jupiter in the seventh house, and progressed Venus semisquare progressed Mars. Based on these aspects alone, an astrologer could have forecast at the time of her birth that she would have a marriage opportunity in 1942.
In her solar arc chart (Chart 6), the most significant aspects were solar arc Pluto trine natal Uranus, ruler of her seventh house, solar arc Sun trine natal Jupiter in the seventh house, solar arc Mercury sextile natal Neptune. The latter two aspects were present in the progressed chart, with the Pluto-Uranus trine indicating this “arranged” marriage (Pluto in the secretive twelfth house). Pluto, along with the solar arc Midheaven opposition natal Saturn, reinforces the new living situation. But the solar arc Ascendant inconjunct natal Uranus suggests she wasn’t completely comfortable with the marriage idea.
The 1946 divorce occurred with the progressed and solar arc Sun square Uranus, ruler of the seventh house.
Two other events in Marilyn’s life were strongly reflected in her chart. She said she had been raped at age eleven, a period when she was in foster care and an orphanage. At that time, the progressed Ascendant was conjunct natal/progressed Neptune, ruler of the eighth house, and progressed Mars in the eighth house was conjunct natal/progressed Uranus, ruler of the seventh house.
Many rumors and allegations continue to surround Marilyn and her alleged relationships with Jack and Bobby Kennedy. Marilyn reportedly told several friends in early 1962 that she and Bobby would marry. She was decidedly in love with someone that year, as indicated by one of the classic serious relationship/marriage indicators: progressed Venus conjunction natal Sun. This aspect is one of the most common when people marry.
|
progressed and solar arc influences |
|||
|
Progressed Planet |
Aspect or House |
Planet |
Comments |
|
Sun |
Trine |
Prog. |
Sun (self) rules Ascendant (self) trine (easy |
|
Mercury |
Sesquisquare |
Prog. |
Mercury (ruler of Sun sign, Gemini) |
|
Midheaven |
Opposition |
Saturn |
Midheaven (recognition)/IC (home, |
|
Midheaven |
Square |
Neptune |
IC (home, family) square (action, incentive) |
|
Venus |
Semisquare |
Prog. Mars |
Venus (love, romance, partner) semisquare (action) Mars (sex) |
|
Sun |
Trine |
Jupiter |
Sun (self) trine (easy connection) with partner (Jupiter in the seventh house) |
|
Ascendant |
Opposition |
Jupiter |
Ascendant (self) opposition (contact with |
|
Solar Arc Planet/Angle |
Aspect or House |
Planet |
Comments |
|
Midheaven |
Opposition |
Natal Saturn |
IC (home, family) conjunction (merges) Saturn in the fourth (home family); provided incentive to remove herself from a difficult home life |
|
Mars |
Sesquisquare |
Solar Arc Midheaven |
Mars, co-ruler of fourth (home, family) sesquisquare (action) IC (home, family); also provided incentive to remove herself from difficult home life |
|
Mercury |
Trine |
Natal Neptune |
Mercury, ruler of Sun sign (self) trine |
|
Sun |
Trine |
Natal Jupiter |
Sun (self) trine (easy connection) natal Jupiter in the seventh house (partner) |
|
Pluto |
Trine |
Natal Uranus |
Pluto (ruler of fourth/home and family) trine (ease) natal Uranus (co-rules seventh/partner); change in living situation because of a partner |
|
Ascendant |
Inconjunct |
Natal Uranus |
Ascendant (self) inconjunct (unease) natal |
Summary: Marilyn may choose to marry, but not necessarily for the best reasons. The relationship may be based more on fantasy and the lure of escape from a difficult situation into one that probably will not live up to expectations. She should consider whether she’s in love or in love with love.
val
Relocation has been a central theme in Val’s life, the first move occurring when she was only a few months old. This is to be expected with a natal Jupiter-IC conjunction, a Uranus-Pluto conjunction in the fourth house of home and family, and Mercury (first and fourth house ruler) sextile the Jupiter-IC conjunction. These planetary placements make it easier for an astrologer to identify time periods when yet another move might take place.
When looking at a chart for relocation, it’s also important to consider the progressed Midheaven-IC and the second house. A second-house influence is often active because this rep-resents the individual’s possessions. At times, the Ascendant-Descendant are also aspected, reflecting a personal change. Moving is usually stressful and would be indicated by a hard aspect to the aforementioned configurations
Val moved to a new state in early September 2002 (Charts 7 and 8). This example is also a good illustration of how the solar arc chart can add more information to the interpretation.
Progressed Mercury (fourth house ruler) was separating from a sextile to progressed Jupiter (seventh house ruler) in the fourth house and it was also square the progressed IC. The progressed Moon also had a role in this relocation, creating a grand trine with natal Jupiter and the natal Descendant. Val’s second house of possessions was active with a progressed Sun-progressed Ascendant conjunction, which is also a marriage aspect, and both were sextile natal-progressed Uranus in the fourth house.
All of these progressed aspects present a strong possibility for relocation (and marriage). Further confirmation comes from solar arc Moon opposition the natal IC.
Inner wheel: Birth Chart / June 13, 1968 / 6:01 am PDT / Salem, Oregon
Outer wheel: Secondary Progressed / September 1, 2002 / 8:48:31 am / Salem, Oregon
Placidus House
Inner wheel: Birth Chart / June 13, 1968 / 6:01 am PDT / Salem, Oregon
Outer wheel: Directed Solar Arc / September 1, 2002 / 8:48:31 am / Salem, Oregon
Placidus House
|
progressed and solar arc influences |
|||
|
Progressed Planet |
Aspect or House |
Planet |
Comments |
|
Mercury |
Trine |
Prog. Jupiter |
Mercury in and ruler of first (self) and ruler of fourth (home, family) trine (ease) Jupiter in fourth; favorable for relocation |
|
Mercury |
Square |
Prog. IC |
Mercury, ruler of fourth (home and family) square (action) IC and fourth (home and family); incentive to move |
|
Sun |
Sextile |
Uranus |
Sun (self) sextile (opportunity) Uranus in fourth (home and family); Sun is in the second (possessions), which also must be relocated |
|
Sun |
Opposition |
Prog. Descendant |
Sun (self) opposition (contact with partner (Descendant); this is an aspect of marriage, which they did about six months later |
|
Moon |
Trine |
Natal Jupiter |
Moon (universal ruler of home and family), ruler of second (possessions) trine (ease) natal Jupiter, ruler of seventh (partners, relationships) conjunction (merging) IC (home and family); relocation to join fiancé |
|
Moon |
Sextile/Trine |
Natal Descendant |
Moon, universal ruler of home and family and ruler of second (possessions) trine (ease) Descendant (partner); relocation to join fiancé |
|
Solar Arc Planet |
Aspect or House |
Planet |
Comments |
|
Moon |
Opposition |
Natal IC |
Dual indication of moving possessions; Moon (universal ruler of home and family), ruler of second (possessions) opposition (separation) IC (home and family) and conjunction (focus) Midheaven (career); relocation required her to seek a new job. |
|
Sun |
Sextile |
Uranus |
Sun (self) sextile (opportunity) Uranus in fourth (home and family); Sun is in the |
old planetary rulerships
Before the discovery of the modern planets (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto), astrologers used only the seven visible planets, Sun through Saturn. This approach worked well for several thousand years, and it is still possible to read a chart using only these planets even though the modern planets add much additional information to chart interpretation.
Be sure to consider the old rulerships, especially in predictive charts. They work well, and are often a contributing factor in major events. These rulerships are:
Mars—Aries and Scorpio
Jupiter—Sagittarius and Pisces
Saturn—Capricorn and Aquarius
three-aspect rule
Being an astrologer in the pre-computer days took a lot of dedication and commitment. Each birth, progressed, and solar arc chart had to be calculated by hand. But doing it that way had a side benefit: as the charts were calculated and aspects drawn, the astrologer developed an in-depth mental picture of the individual and current trends. These astrologers who did charts the old-fashioned way were adamant about the “three-aspect rule”: a potential event or situation will occur only if there are at least three aspects that indicate it. Use it. It works.
Summary: This is a favorable time to relocate, particularly for a romantic relationship, and Val will easily find employment in the new location. She may marry within the next several months if she’s currently involved in a serious relationship.