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Astrologer's Notes: |
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The Symbols of Success
& Prominence In A Horoscope
Part 1 |
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by Basil Fearrington |
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My start in this world was precocious. I grew more quickly than everyone else, entering kindergarten at 5 feet- 5 inches and was 6 feet tall by the 6th grade. I was smarter than my classmates. I was able to write notes on a musical staff at the age of 6 and know exactly what I was doing. I was every teacher's pet and no one in my age group could compete with me athletically. I had every reason to believe that I was going to be no less than the King of the world one day. All of this is a setup to let you know that I am a Leo!
I was introduced to astrology in 1967 at the age of 13. While sitting in the house being quite full of myself, my brother handed me a book. He said, "Read this and tell me what you think." So I started reading:
Leo July 23 - August 21st
Leo is ruled by the Sun, the most powerful force in the universe. Leos are born leaders. They are the center of attention. They are powerful and feel that the world needs to revolve around them.
That is about as much as I read before thinking, "Hmmm, this astrology stuff is really accurate." Now, there I was - the neighborhood kid scholar/athlete who was completely superior to everyone in my age bracket PLUS I had the nerve to be a Leo?! I was a huge basketball fan and found out that the (late) Wilt Chamberlain was also a Leo. He still is the most powerful man to ever play professional basketball and at his peak, was considered one of the strongest men in the world. That was enough for me. I started reading more and more astrology books and now, 35 years later, I write astrology books!
Okay, I admit that my initial motivation in astrology was to find continued validation of what seemed to be exceptional personal prowess at the time. I wanted to verify my superiority by seeing the horoscopes of others that the world acknowledged as being successful, important, etc. This was my initial motivation for becoming such an avid data collector over the years.
By the mid-seventies, I had embarked upon the advanced study of midpoints in astrology. I ran across a book by Reinhold Ebertin. I no longer own it and cannot remember its title. But I do remember that the cover had the words, "I am successful." Alongside those words were the planetary symbols for Jupiter, Pluto, and I believe the Sun and Midheaven were also included. I went on to learn a lot about Jupiter, Pluto, and their connections to success. I have since collected innumerable amounts of data. With each set of data, no matter who it is, I always look for the signature of success and I am rarely disappointed.
Midpoints
The study of midpoints is considered to be an advanced topic in astrology although it is a technique that, to many, is indispensable. Basically speaking, the idea is that the point that is at the exact midpoint of the shortest distance between two positions in a horoscope is a point that acts as an important catalyst to the modification of the two positions when it receives hard aspect contact.
For example, if Venus is at 0 degrees Aries and Mars is at 0 degrees Taurus, there are 30 degrees separating them. The midpoint position would be at 15 degrees Aries. Any planet (or the Node, Midheaven or Ascendant) that aspects that point within two degrees by conjunction, semi-square, square, sesquiquadrate, opposition, and probably by the newly rediscovered quindecile, is considered to be "at" the midpoint of Venus and Mars.
The nomenclature for this is X=A/B where X is the planet or the position making contact to the midpoint position of A and B. The nomenclature for Saturn making contact to the midpoint of Venus and Mars is written as follows: §=¤/¥. This is known as a midpoint "picture." What this is telling us is that Saturn makes aspect contact (the equals sign) to the midpoint of (the slash takes the place of the phrase [midpoint of]) Venus and Mars. You can also say, "Saturn is at the Venus/Mars midpoint."
How do you interpret Saturn at the Venus/Mars midpoint. First, interpret the pair on the right side of the equation. The intrinsically slower-moving planet will always modify the other planet in the pair. In this case, Mars, with all of its assertiveness and energy stirs up Venus, which represents the way one needs to relate to others, especially when it comes to romance and sex. In short, the Venus/Mars midpoint refers to passion. Saturn would act to control the passion through frustrations, inhibitions, etc. If the aspecting planet is Jupiter, the passion is expanded to a level of fulfillment that expands ones being. Mercury's contact would suggest thinking or talking about passion. Uranus would intensify it, etc.
A full study of midpoint theory is a subject for two or three essay installments in this web site. For now, I will focus on the most important consideration when it comes to the symbol of success.
Jupiter and Pluto
Many people study astrology for a very long time and do not realize that when two planets are in aspect, it is the planet that is farthest from the Sun that modifies the symbolism of the planet that it makes aspect contact to. For example, we are accustomed to saying, "Mercury square Neptune" when in fact, it is really Neptune square Mercury. Think about it. What does this aspect suggest? The need to think and communicate is in tension with creative visualization. In other words, everything that you know about the symbols of Mercury and Neptune are at odds with each other. There can be manifestations of daydreaming, fantasy, loss of focus, creativity, deception, etc. All of these words are descriptions of Neptune influencing Mercury. So in reality, it is Neptune that is calling the shots in this relationship. Neptune is squarING Mercury. This is what is implied in the statement, Mercury square Neptune.
Since Pluto is the planet that is farthest from the Sun as we know it today, its symbolism is the most emphatic of all the planets. When Pluto is in hard aspect contact (conjunction, square, quindecile, opposition) with another planet, Angle, or the Node, it makes the contacted symbolism as large as it can be. For example, in contact with Mercury, the capacity to think and communicate is magnified to a point of genius or insanity. In contact with Venus, sexuality and relationships can be extremely out of perspective in a hedonistic manner or there can be a Nun-like devotion to celibacy.
Jupiter's symbolism is one of expansion, good luck, rewards, etc. So when Pluto is in hard aspect relationship with Jupiter, all of the wonderful elements of Jupiter's symbolism are really quite magnified. The potential of expansiveness, luck, and all of those things that you know about Jupiter become much larger than they are when Jupiter is in an aspect relationship with other planets. This fortunate, lucky, expansive prowess is also extended to aspect contacts to the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint.
When a horoscope contains a natal conjunction, square, or opposition between Pluto and Jupiter (5-degree orb), or when the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint is aspected (2- degree orb), the potential for success is magnified.
Midpoint theory focuses on the aspects that are multiples of 45 degrees plus the conjunction. Sextiles and trines are a non-factor in midpoint theory. You will see how this rule changes in regards to the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint later in this essay.
Because of Pluto's strength in empowerment and its emphatic nature, it plays a singular role in the symbolism of success and prominence when it aspects an Angle, is placed in an Angle, or is involved in a special aspect network. For example, Oprah Winfrey has Mars squaring an opposition between Pluto and Mercury, suggesting a stirring up or energizing of tremendous intellectual or communications prowess. Prime Minister Tony Blair has the Sun squaring an opposition between Pluto and the Moon. Anytime you see the horoscope of a prominent person, take a look at the Pluto position and you will find how frequently it aspects an Angle or is involved in an important aspect contact. Muhammad Ali may be one of the most prominent people on the planet. Pluto squares the Midheaven in his horoscope.
Midpoint Sorts
It is easy to see the aspect relationship between Pluto and Jupiter with your eyes on in your aspect grid. Spotting midpoint contact between the two is not as simple to do.
When I started studying midpoints, there was no personal computer. There was no astrology software. The only way to find a midpoint position was to manually count the distance between two positions, divide that in half, and then see if anything in the horoscope made aspect contact to that point. This procedure required tremendous patience and an hour later, after your eyes were bloodshot and the arthritis was cleared from your fingers, you could still look forward to a mass of errors.
Thanks to the late Charles Harvey, we now have a very convenient way of seeing midpoints in a "Midpoint Sort." Midpoint Sorts are characterized by the aspect contacts that you are able to see in the Sort. For example, a 360-degree Midpoint Sort captures conjunctions only (360 divided by 360 = 1, the first harmonic). A 180 degree Sort captures conjunctions and oppositions (360 divided by 180=2). It is possible to have a midpoint Sort based on any division of the circle. The most commonly used Sorts are the 45 degree (captures conjunctions, semi-squares, squares, sesquiquadrates, and oppositions) and 90 degree Sorts. For regular work with a natal horoscope, I suggest that you use the 90 degree Sort as the 45 degree Sort begins to give too many pictures.
The 90 degree Sort is divided into three areas. The first 29 degrees and 59 minutes contain all of the Cardinal positions in the horoscope in zodiacal order. The positions from 30 degrees to 59 degrees-59 minutes capture all of the Fixed positions in zodiacal order and the 60 to 89 degrees-59 minutes positions include all Mutable positions.
To find positions in a horoscope that contact the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint, find the midpoint in the Sort. Notice the degree of the midpoint. Add and subtract two degrees from it to see if there is another planet, the Node, or an Angle. If there is, it means that there is contact to the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint. For example, this is the midpoint Sort of actor, Harrison Ford. I have placed a bracket around the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint for easy viewing. You can see it at 21 degrees-15 minutes. Using a two degree orb, any planet, Angle, or position that is between 19 degrees-15 minutes and 23 degrees-15 minutes is at the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint. You can see that Harrison Ford, who has acted in more box office hits than any other actor, has the Sun and Moon at the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint.
It is important to note that 0 degrees of the midpoint Sort means 0 degrees of the Cardinal Signs, which means The Aries Point. The Aries Point (AP) refers to a quality that is brought forward in one's life or personality for everyone to see. Using a 1.5 degree orb, when the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint is at the Aries Point (AP=Jup/Plu), it is a very strong symbol of success and prominence being brought forward for all to see in one's life.
Hard vs. Soft Aspects
I mentioned earlier in this essay that midpoint theory is based upon hard aspect contact to a midpoint. The reason for this is that development in life is symbolized by the hard aspects. Soft aspects keep things as they are. Trines and sextiles are like nice ocean breezes or a nice time at a party. The hard aspect contacts get your attention. They symbolize the events in life that you grow from and through and let's face it, the quality of your life is based upon the management of its challenges. That said, my research has shown me that I must make an exception when it comes to the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint. When you are looking for contact to the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint, have your computer print out a 30 degree midpoint Sort and a 45 degree midpoint Sort.
Every professional software program in astrology calculates midpoint Sorts. I must differentiate between midpoint Sorts and midpoint "Trees." Please use the Sort, not the Tree. For purposes of this essay, the idea is to look for the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint in the Sort and see if there is a planet, Angle, or the Node in aspect to it.
Examples
Any discussion of success that does not include Bill Gates would be remiss. Bill Gates has nothing at his Jupiter/Pluto midpoint because they are in almost exact conjunction!
In his recent documentary, Michael Jackson stated that he has done very well financially. He stated that he is a billionaire. Michael's 90 degree midpoint Sort appears here. The Jupiter/Pluto midpoint is at the 0 degree mark, which means that he has AP=Jup/Plu!
Steven Spielberg is yet another billionaire. The Jupiter/Pluto midpoint is at 0 degrees Cardinal. He, too, has AP=Jup/Plu.
Madonna owns a record company and has been extremely successful in her career. The Jupiter/Pluto midpoint in her horoscope is located at 29 degrees of the Mutables or at 89 degrees in the Sort. It is within 1 degree of the Aries Point. She is yet another successful person with AP=Jup/Plu. Madonna also has Mercury, ruler of her Ascendant and Midheaven, in conjunction with Pluto, both conjunct her Ascendant and square her Midheaven.
Next month's essay continues this study of success and prominence. We will look at Tiger Woods, the Williams sisters in tennis, American Presidents and many more.
Copyright © Basil Fearrington 2003
All Rights Reserved
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Basil Fearrington,
Astrologer
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Basil Fearrington is the author of "The New Way To Learn Astrology." He has been a professional astrologer for 22 years.
Basil's articles have appeared in the leading astrological publications around the world. He was the Inaugural Chairman for the MilleyDome project in Johannesburg, South Africa and taught astrology there for one year.
Basil has twice been a faculty member of UAC and spoke at Astro 2000. In addition to his work in astrology, Basil is a professional musician who has toured with and/or recorded for artists such as Stevie Wonder and George Benson.
He was on a team of composers who did the music for a network show called "New York Undercover." The same team won a Grammy award in 1980.
bfearr@aol.com
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