 |
 |
| |
| Departments |
Home
Columns, Special
Topics & Features:
The Columns:
Angels, Guides, &
Loving Spirits:
Ask The Psychics Q&A:
Reading by Adena
Reading by Aeon
Reading by Fyre
Angel Blessings:
with Dr. Doreen Virtue
Ask Valerie Morrison,
Internationally
Acclaimed Psychic
Trust Your Vibes
By Dr. Sonia Choquette, PhD.
Internationally Acclaimed Psychic Healer & Author
Love Letters
by Erika Morrell,
Soul Mate Medium™
Astrologer's Notes:
Carin Martin,
Astrologer
Donna Cunningham, MSW, Astrologer
Basil Fearrington,
Astrologer
Diana Stone,
Astrologer &
Huna Shaman
Jeff Jawer
Astrologer
Ray Merriman,
Financial Astrology:
MMA Market Week
Noel Tyl,
Astrologer
Daily Aspect Calendar
by Care
MoonWatching with Dana Gerhardt and Friends
Starlight Musings
by Nancy Sommers,
Mundane Astrologer
Creating Bridges:
The Spiritual &
Philosophical
Act of Power
Discovering the Key to Living Your Sacred Dream
by Lynn Andrews
Avant-Gardening:
Insights
by Frank &
Vicky Giannangelo
From The Heart:
Alan Cohen
Teachings from the Western Mystery Traditions: The Esoteric "Paths of Return"
by Jacquelyn Small, Eupsychia
Spirituality in Daily Life: by Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron
The Conscious Column
by David Ault
Spiritual Mastery
for the 21st Century
Dr. Gwen MacGregor
Encounters on the
Shaman's Path with
Dr. Hank Wesselman, PhD.
Anthropologist, Zoologist, Author, Shamanic Healer & Teacher
The Divine Human
by Ornesha De Paoli
Awakenings
by Karen Johnson
Worshipping by Wondering with
Sankara Saranam, MA Founder of the Pranayama Institute
Wisdom Walks in Circles
by Margaret Lewis
Author & Shamanic Practitioner:
Water For The Dry Sponge: Chronicles and Essays
by Shaun Brown,
Be Well Publications
“I of my own knowledge…”
by Frank DeMarco,
Author, Editor, & Psychic Explorer
Crystals, Minerals
& Gemstones
Light and Love with Crystals, Minerals & Gemstones
by Raven,
Raven Crystals
Furry & Feathered Family Members:
Dr. Carson's Holistic Animal Care
by Dr. Kathleen Carson, D.V.M.
Animal Insights
by Charlene Boyd, Animal Communicator,
talk-to-animals.com
Healing & Alternative
Health:
"Spirit and Practice
of the Wise Woman
Tradition"
By Susun Weed
The Holistic Mystic,
by Lonny Brown
Medical Intuition: Tune
in to Your Body and Improve Your Health
by Caroline Sutherland, Sutherland Communications
Transformational Healing through the Violet Flame!
by Eva Kettles
Herbs for Health
with Kami McBride
Cure Your Cravings
...For Life
Rena Greenberg,
Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming & Hypnotherapist
Humor:
Wake Up Laughing.Com:
Swami Beyondananda
Interviews:
Watch for Upcoming Announcements
Kabbalah:
Kabbalah Revealed:
Rav Michael Laitman, PhD, Kabbalalist
Numberscope Forecast
by Vincent J. Barra
Oracle & Divination Systems:
Be Your Own Oracle
by James Wanless, Ph.D. Creator of the Voyager Tarot Deck
Resources:
Archives
Blessings & Messages
The Book Nook
The Directory
Event Calendar
Historical Notes & Data
The MetaPersonals
S.O.L.A.R.®:
S.O.L.A.R ®
Beyond Materiality. Beyond Spirituality. Toward the Complete Human Being...
by Martin Lass, Emissary
Tarot:
Moment to Moment
by Gigi Miner
Author, Tarot Consultant, & Teacher
Reviews:
Tarot, Cartomancy,
Oracle Decks,
Books, & Software.
by Bonnie Cehovet,
Tarot Educator
Tidbits:
Almanac of the Ancients
by TripleMoonGoddess
News Briefs
Op-Ed
Pearls of Wisdom
by Astro Aeon
& Astro Care
Symbols, Seals,
Amulets & Talismans
The What in the
World Department
Trivia & Life's Other
Novel Moments
Publisher's Corner
General Information:
Advertising Information & Opportunities:
The Directory Advertising Rates
Premium Pages:
Groups 1, 2 & Display
Advertising Rates
The BookNook
Advertising Rates
About
The Meta Arts Magazine
Editorial Submission
Information:
Contact Us
Legal Notices
|
|
|
|
|
|
Astrologer's Notes:
Carin Martin, Astrologer:
|
|
|
Divine Lens
|
|
|
by Carin Martin |
|
|
"Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things - I am tempted to think there are no little things."
Bruce Barton
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
Albert Einstein
I can still recall my reactions when as a child I first saw that mystical circle that is the astrological chart. To me, it was a flat, one dimensional circle on a piece of paper. Inside of the circle were obscure, mysterious glyphs sitting motionless in the twelve little wedges of pie that make up the twelve houses of the zodiac. As I struggled to learn the meaning of the glyphs, the houses, the signs, the planets, the aspects, it was akin to a long, strenuous but exciting initiation into a secret society. No initiate to Skull and Bones or the Knights Templar could have been more excited than I was to learn all these ancient "secret codes". But as I've often told my students, it was not until the flat image of the chart became three dimensional for me that I knew I was finally "getting it".
It was then that the chart actually came alive in my mind's eye as it does to this day. When I "got it", the circle became a three dimensional globe, the glyphs became animated images of characters in varied costumes, and their eccentric personalities began to dance to their own music before me. It was then that I knew I was onto something. Astrology can, in fact, be a long acting hallucinogenic with none of the dangerous physical side effects. Notice I said "physical" side effects, there is a definite emotional toll taken by such knowledge, but that is another discussion.
Does the minds eye animation of symbols mean that the viewer has become a delusional member of yet another cult? Though some may say so about us, we see it as a natural progression of living and breathing in the powerful metaphors that comprise astrology. To give you an idea of how it works, let's take as an example the planet Mars. As you know, the planet Mars is the natal chart's natural warrior as befits his name of Mars, the Roman god of war. Mars in the natal chart represents the animus of both men and of women. Mars is our force, our energy, our temper. His sign and aspects determine the way we move and use our hands. He is the force or subtlety of our mode of speaking. He is our warrior in life who is called upon to "do" for us.
The sign, house, and aspects of our natal Mars show how we will "do" something. Whether we will approach it diplomatically as when Mars is well aspected in the sign of Libra. Or, if we will plough ahead bravely but without much forethought, as when in Mars is in the sign he rules, Aries. The Sign of Mars describes who our Mars will be, and then Mars's house placement determines where our warrior will focus much of his energy. Where we will exert much of our force and project the influence of our will are the matters concerned with the house in which Mars is located. If Mars is in the 10th house, we will focus our energy on our career and placement in the world. Or if Mars is in the opposite house of the 4th, we will either be the unifying support or the martinet in our homes and families.
My point is that when students of astrology reach the stage where the glyphs come alive, the planets will always still be what they represent- such as Mars as the warrior - but they will take their shape and hue according to their sign, their house and the aspects they make. The images that come to mind when we look at the chart will come from all forms of cultural sources. Archetypes are not limited to ancient Greek and Roman gods and goddesses, they surround us in our literature, fine art, advertising, television, and even the internet. A character or characterization that connects in people's minds is one that rings true in our collective subconscious and transcends distance, religion, language, and culture. A folklorist will tell you that the tale of Cinderella exists in cultures from the tundra to the equator. So too did modern archetypes such as Mickey Mouse "catch on" all over the world. But then it is obvious to an astrologer that the personality of the original Mickey is merely Hermes, the trickster, in a mouse costume.
This "mind's eye animation" process is as helpful in describing the meaning of all the aspects of the planet, as it is humorously creative. For example let's take a chart of a quiet unassuming Sun in Libra with Mars in the sign of Leo in his fifth house. This man's warrior looks like Richard the Lionhearted in full armor and as such, he protects his cubs <5th house matters, whether they be children or his creations> from all threats. When this diplomatic Libra Sun is insulted or threatened, many will be surprised by his raised hackles, lion's roar and readiness to defend his honor. This warrior is also the Cheshire Cat, with wit as his sword as his illusive smile lights up the 5th house of play and creativity. If this Mars in Leo also happens to conjunct Saturn in Leo, the warrior transmutes to yet another aspect of his personality. If other wise well aspected, this Mars/Saturn/Leo warrior is also Don Quixote. Here we see the self possessed Sun in Libra protecting Saturn's realm of all that is tried and proven true through his lion's pride and courage and his 5th house romanticism. He may be charging windmills, but he is still the valiant knight defending values and traditions as he looks for old dragons to slay in a world depleted of honor. These are just some of the images this sign, placement, and aspect can create in the mind's eye animation of an astrologer.
All cultural allusions both divine and comical come to mind as the sign, the aspects, and the house of the planet become apparent. For example, Venus is still the goddess of love and values, but she may have sub personalities that range from enticing Helen of Troy to endearingly self centered Miss Piggy to the horrific sorceress, Circe. And all the images are painted in the minds eye from the culmination of years of learning the nuances of the signs, aspects, and houses and drawing upon the archetypes of one's culture. You may ask of what use this is other than creating a form of entertainment for the astrologer. But besides the fun of its entertainment value, it is one of the best tools you can use to explain a character trait in the natal chart to a client or student. Often these sub personalities indicated in the chart are apparent to others but not to the subject of the chart himself. Describing the elusive sub character trait in linear language often falls on deaf ears. The natal chart shows us parts of ourselves to which we are blind, thus the subject is still not likely to "get it" from banal description alone. But a chart that comes alive with classical and popular figures we all innately "know", that resonate in the collective mind, communicates to one's intuitive brain and thus, the information is more easily understood.
Just as glyphs eventually come alive for us, so does the wheel of the chart that so intrigued me in childhood take on different meanings depending on what sort of chart we are drawing. The empty chart looks much like an eye or an aperture through which the eye can peer. The chart wheel is actuality many apertures through which one can peer into an unseen world of character, motivation, and fate. The form of aperture depends upon the type of chart that is begin drawn.
When I began learning astrology, you had to take a compass and draw a dissected circle or buy expensive forms from small printers in order to merely begin composing a chart. Worse of all, we had to "do the math" every time. I have always had a knack for the metaphorical but absolutely no stamina for mathematics. Nowadays, computer software can do the math beyond astrologers' wildest dreams opening up wide vistas of research and new theories. The computerized chart circles come in numerous varieties both frilly and austere to suit every fancy. You can adjust the colors to a code that suits your style or the meanings of the planets. With all the fabulous advantages this technology has brought us, it enhances the magic of the art of astrology, rather than detracts from it. But whether the chart is created by a shaky hand wielding a compass or an expensive, artistic software program, the circle is till an aperture into unknown worlds of the human psyche, relationships, and the workings fate itself.
Everyone begins and often continues their study by studying their own natal chart. Here the circle becomes the aperture of a microscope. Here the eye peers into the small world of the self. The planetary glyphs are amoebas, protozoa swirling suspended within the fluid circle. All separate life forms trying to function within one being. As they are interrelating with each other, they are being aided or restricted by the chemical reactions of the aspects that are created between them. The chart is the microscopic aperture into the tiny, yet profound, mysterious world of the self. Just as Ebenezer Scrooge was baffled as to how "a bit of cheese . . . or an undigested bit of potato. . ." could create the phantom of Jacob Marley before him, so too do the tiny bits of planetary signs, placements, and aspects combine to create the integrated character of every human being.
When the astrological chart is drawn to analyze world events < a mundane chart> the aperture that is the chart wheel circle becomes that of the telescope. Here the astrologer stares through the aperture at the distant region that encompasses world events. One is pulled out of one's self to view the scope of the situation that involves the masses. The telescope also looks back through time to view similar events that had similar planetary signs and aspects in order to better understand the current event. The distant view of the over all picture of the time, can lead to accurate predictions of the outcome of the current situation.
Most people are aware of a dual chart used for a relationship between two people or between a natal chart and the current transits, but chart wheels can be drawn combining numerous chart datas- as many as can fit on the paper thanks to our complex computer age. When examining these multiple data chart wheels, the aperture one is using is that of the kaleidoscope. The trick here is to look at all the spinning colors of signs, aspects, and planets and see if there is a pattern that can emerge from it all. Can the eye find within this rainbow swirl a recognizable pattern that has a common thread of color to all the parties or events involved? If there is an astrological significance in all the separate datas used, then one can find a pattern of planets, signs, or aspects that are of one color.
When a dual relationship chart is drawn, a synastry chart, the circle becomes the aperture of a camera obscura. Though an early precursor of the camera, the image from the camera obscura is still a thrilling sight to behold. I recall especially the camera obscura at the Grand Canyon. One stands in a small room where the camera forms a 360 degree circle of live reflections of the canyon. There in the dark, musty room you see live birds soaring over the sheer sides of red earth. You see smoke from a campfire on the ridge many miles away under the vast clouds drifting in a bright blue sky. The camera obscura is not creating images; it is merely reflecting them in a manageable focus. But you could not condense all the vistas with the naked eye while standing on the rim of the canyon. Here in the room where the reflections are focused, you can slowly turn and see all the life teeming around the canyon for 360 degrees, the same amount of degrees in an astrological chart. You are not blocked from any angle of its scope. So, too, does the relationship chart act as a camera obscura for that relationship. The dual chart encompasses the entire scope of the relationship between two people. It shows each life individually, and it shows the "new life" that is created when the glyphs of each person's separate natal chart combine with those of the other's natal chart.
Often the vast scale of the intertwining of an intimate relationship goes beyond the usual psychological interpretations. Basically when you are doing a synastry <relationship> chart you are looking for areas where there is harmony and those areas where there is friction between the personalities. Most partnership relationships are a mixed bag of the good and the difficult, and the outcome of the relationship depends upon weighing the good against the conflicting. And also, importantly, it depends upon how progressed the individuals are in their own individual development. This is the rudimentary process of doing a synastry reading. The usual rule of thumb is that there must be at least one positive aspect from the Ascendant, Sun, or Moon of one partner's chart to the Ascendant, Sun, or Moon of the other person's chart for a long term marriage or partnering to be successful. This provides a complementary base for the relationship to withstand not only personality clashes but the vacillations of fortune and fate.
But the synastry chart shows more than compatibility matches. It shows connections that go beyond both the idealistic romanticism of physical attraction and the easy equations of compatible companionship. This is why synastry charts are the camera obscura of chart wheels. They show the whole picture rather than the idealized image.
What is beyond the usual aspects which deal with physical attraction, communication, shared values, compatible goals, companionship, and romantic love are aspects from the outer planets of one chart to the personal planets of the partner's chart. This is the realm of Karmic astrology and as such is often dismissed by the main stream but beloved by metaphysical seekers. But you do not necessarily have to believe in reincarnation to benefit from the examination of the outer planets of one person to the personal planets another. These aspects can often be the only explanation for a powerful attraction between two people when there are little of the usual personal planet connections.
When primarily personal to outer planetary connections are the aspects between two people, the view through the lens includes the extremes of human behavior. Whether that view is a vast plain of flowing opportunity or a convoluted maze leading to the darkest of pits, depends on the planets and aspects involved. Next time, we will journey through some of these extreme landscapes created by relationships that are either joyfully united or painfully bound by karmic connections alone.
|
|
|
|
|
Carin Martin,
Astrologer
|
 |
Carin Martin has been an astrologer in private practice for over twenty-five years. She has also taught seminars in astrology as well as lead group workshops in self revelational archetypal astrology.
She has published on several subjects in the field of metaphysics and been interviewed both on radio and for national publications.
Calling herself the "eternal student" she has attended numerous workshops and seminars over years including those of Jungian James Hillman, as well as astrologers Liz Green and Steven Arroyo amongst many others.
Her private practice covers most areas of western astrology but in recent years she has gained a reputation for her work in the synastry of business and creative relationships and for avocational astrology.
An avid animal lover, she is currently working on a book about human and animal communication as well as several astrological projects.
|
Send your questions to:
AstroCarinMartin
@aol.com
Please understand that due to time constraints, only questions chosen for the column will be answered.
|
 |
You'll find
it in
The Directory! |
|
|
|
|
