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THE ASTROLOGICAL SYSTEM
(excerpted from Steffan's book,
"The Astrological Karma of the U.S.A.")
In the following pages I will provide a brief introduction to the symbols and language of Astrology. The material contained there should assist those unfamiliar with Astrology to appreciate the discussions ahead. I would like to note here that one of the dangers encountered in Astrology is a tendency to 'not be able to see the forest because of all the trees.' An Astrological chart holds a vast amount of information. This is why, in private readings, I always tape record the session. The tape can be used afterwards to continue to digest the information. In this present instance you of course can re-read this book.
Astrology is a symbolic system. A system whose mode of operation is such that the moment of one's birth is purposely arranged to occur at a time when the heavens symbolically reflect the pattern of lessons, characteristics and experiences which have been chosen for that individual to work on and grow through in that lifetime, based on their previous life karma. The following discussion will explain the functioning structure of this symbolic system.
The Planets And Signs
The word planet, coming from the Greek language, means 'wanderer'. The stars, relative to our view from the earth, remain fixed in their positions in relation to each other. In contrast, the planets appear to move or 'wander,' against the backdrop of the patterns of stars in the sky.
As they travel, the planets and the Sun and Moon move through a limited band of the sky. The circle which serves as the medial axis of this band is known as the 'ecliptic.' The ribbon of star patterns which serve as the backdrop for this movement of planets, extending approximately 8 degrees above and below the ecliptic, is called the Zodiac. The word zodiac is derived from two Greek words meaning 'circle' and 'animals'. The zodiac is divided into twelve sections, corresponding to twelve constellations of stars. These are the twelve so-called 'signs' of the zodiac.
The planets move through the different constellations or signs of the zodiac at quite different speeds. The Sun moves through the entire circle in a year's time, the Moon in approximately 28 days, and Pluto in 247 years. The following are the symbols and a brief description by Hilarion of the significance of each of the planets:
- The Sun - Denotes characteristics which are a predominant feature of the soul or higher self which has projected the personality.
- The Moon - The Moon is related to the ideas of nurturing and domesticity, and in particular often tells of some trait or traits which the native developed as a result of his early home experience.
- Mercury - Connected with the mind, the ability to think rationally, communication with others. Indicates the mental abilities, talents, habits.
- Venus - The planet of love, art, beauty, affection and togetherness. Shows the nature and direction of the love impulses.
- Mars - Represents the energy with which the physical body carries out its various functions; muscular, mental, emotional and procreative. A gift from the will/power/creativity part of the divine triangle.
- Jupiter - Represents the idea of bigness, increase, growth, expansion, assimilation. It relates to higher education, travel, religion and higher philosphical thought.
- Saturn - The most significant indicator in the sky of what is essential for the individual to understand about himself or herself. Saturn's position indicates much in terms of voluntary or imposed blockages and restrictions of a karmic nature.
- Uranus - Governs all that is eruptive, unexpected, unusual, or occult. Indicates the ability to throw off restrictions and strike out on a new path.
- Neptune - Rules the Sea. Associated with altered states of consciousness, mysticism, and the astral plane. Can indicate confusion or delusion or an aspect of spirituality.
- Pluto - The planet Pluto is the great bringer of change. Where this planet is located inthe birth chart always designates an area or department of life in which the soul has agreed to undergo pressures promoting a deep-seated alteration in its attitudes, habits or understanding. If the personality resists these pressures, then much stress and difficulty will be felt. Pluto is like the irresistable force, sweeping all before it. The only beneficial approach to this planet's energies is to move in the direction it indicates. To do otherwise is to invite disaster.
The following are the symbols and names of the twelve zodiacal signs:
- Aries
- Taurus
- Gemini
- Cancer
- Leo
- Virgo
- Libra
- Scorpio
- Sagittarius
- Capricorn
- Aquarius
- Pisces
The Houses
The twelve 'houses' of the Astrological system represent particular departments of life where the individual planets play out their roles, as influenced by the zodiacal sign they bear. In the western Astrological system the position of the Sun on the first day of spring is always attributed to the first degree of the zodiacal sign Aries. The twelve houses symbolically resonate with and follow the same order as the twelve zodiacal signs. The houses are not determined by the movement of the planets, but instead by the Earth's complete rotation in 24 hours. In this manner all of the planets are seen to move through all of the twelve houses in 24 hours.
For example, twelve to thirty-three years of people will be born with Pluto located in the same zodiacal sign. Whereas people born on the same day and in the same place, but minutes or at the most 3 hours apart, will have Pluto in a different house. The house placement therefore will often indicate a much more individual and specific influence than the zodiacal sign placement of the planet. This is especially the case when considering the slow moving 'outer' planets, such as Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
The arrangement of the houses is structured such that a line drawn to the eastern horizon when you are born is referred to as the 'Ascendant,' and is the cusp or 'beginning' of the first house. The first house is related to the sign Aries and to the spring equinox. The sign on the eastern horizon at birth is referred to as the Ascendant or 'Rising' sign.
A line drawn to the western horizon is called the 'Descendant, and serves as the cusp of the seventh house, related to the sign Libra and the Autumnal equinox.
A line drawn directly above the place of birth, intersecting the Ascendant/Descendant axis is the Mid-heaven or M.C. (medium coeli), forming the cusp of the tenth house related to the sign Capricorn and the winter solstice. The line which is directly opposite the Mid-heaven, again intersecting the Ascendant/Descendant axis, is the I.C. ( or Nadir), forming the cusp of the Fourth House, related to the sign Cancer and the summer solstice . The other eight houses fall into the four 'quadrants' determined by these four angles.
Aspects
As planets are located on the wheel of the Zodiacal circle, aspects are determined by the number of degrees (1-360) between any two planets situated on the wheel. The major aspects indicate either a basic harmonious resonance between the two planets, such as 'sextiles', (60 degrees apart), and 'trines', (120 degrees apart); or an 'afflicting' or tense resonance between the two planets, such as 'squares', (90 degrees), and 'oppositions' (180 degrees apart). Conjunctions are formed by two planets occupying positions close to each other on the wheel. The quality of a conjunction depends upon the nature of the two planets involved.
The symbols and color codes which I use for these basic aspects are as follows:
- sextile - 60 degrees - green
- trine - 120 degrees - blue
- square - 90 degrees - orange
- opposition - 189 degrees - red
- conjunction - 0 degrees - purple
Hopefully, the above explanations will serve as a sufficient introduction to this symbolic system. Familiarizing oneself with the various symbols and explanations will facilitate your understanding of the Astrological discussions presented in this book.
