1. Pluto/Mars is intense, of course. But that is a modifying chart detail that does not fit into the chart overview. First is "Preponderance of Air." That takes precedence over the conjunction because it is general. We begin chart analysis with the most general, and work toward details. We are looking for the most general, but deepest, most pervasive, immutable, determinant features of the chart (personality, life).
Funny you should latch onto Mars/Pluto and not mention at all that we discovered a very fundamental, deep and powerful drive -- to establish harmony within an inner self that is out of harmony with itself. THAT is superficial, so I think you just answered your question.
That preponderance of air is led by Jupiter conjunct MC, in a cooperative "raising up" of Venus-led Libran stellium, making up the uplifting trine air configuration.
Philandering Zeus (oh, how I wished my father was seductive and sexy, but he was an optimistic, open-minded, one-of-a-kind, truth-seeking nerd) and promiscuous Venus working together could give a "superficial" outlook, but in some myths, Zeus and Venus were father and daughter.
One can see Jupiter's influence for the aspiration for journeying, geographical, mental, and spiritual. There's a delight in all new, expansive experiences that bring a sense of freedom, new perspectives, and connections to truth. Furthermore, Jupiter enjoys assuming different personifications in the archetypal form of teachers, mentors, guideposts, and they always come in time for various stages of breakthrough in my life. I am aided on my path to truth and knowledge and the path is uplifting and involves the expansion of movement and thoughts (Libra to Gemini).
2. The Moon is not a handle, not according to me and certainly not according to Jones. You have Jones sitting there with you, yet don't use his teachings or study them in depth. Again...superficiality. And you don't think for yourself and expand on what you have (or should have) learned. Moon is certainly not a handle planet -- doesn't even come close. Jupiter might be,,, almost but not quite. The handle of a Bucket MUST have a separation of at least 70 degrees from the main body of the planets, which is exactly the separation from Saturn. No matter which of three possible pattern-types you choose to classify this chart, Jupiter is in high focus and that is sufficient information for an incisive interpretation, without quibbling over "labels."
I'm sure you're a very interesting person. Sadly, you find yourself so interesting you fail to learn the astrology (and how to apply it) that might unlock the door to self-understanding, and instead just gaze at your reflection in the water.
I do not have a manual book by Jones and did not know about the 70 degree pre-requisite. Criticism taken into account.
3. I consider the pattern to be a Bowl, not a Locomotive. First, it does not have the trinal quality that is the defining characteristic of a locomotive. Second, except for the maverick Moon, the rest of the chart is contained within a Bowl that has a rim opposition, and it is Jupiter that participates in and rules the containing opposition, not Moon. Moon separates from, expands, the pattern -- it moves (progresses) toward a Locomotive rather than closing toward a Bowl. I would not argue against classification as a Locomotive, but I think we will find the Bowl more fitting.
What is important here is the defining quincunx of Jupiter and Moon.
You mean the locomotive must be opposing a Trine? I am unaware of that as well.
Interesting you use the term Maverick moon. My mom is an upholder of tradition, family as a nucleus, blue-collar work ethics, community values and restrictions (Saturnine). The main tension in the family was held by her, wanting to restrict my dad and my own outrageous expansions and expeditions. But dad and I were not at all bothered, and she did all the worrying for us. So the aspects are actually quite apt description of the family dynamic.
The planet that rises clockwise following the empty space will significantly influence the life of the person with this pattern, no matter what is indicated by the sun sign.
I noticed that Jones mentioned that in the case of a locomotive, the planet immediately after the empty space clockwise is the key. In my case, this is the moon. Of course, that does not negate Jupiter's influence in any way.
4. I have said more than once on this forum: I am a male chauvinist. Father gets more goodies than mother. How come you don't understand that if Jupiter is "father" because he rules the 4th House (which I stated...I gave the "why"), then Mercury must equally rule "mother" as lord of the 10th? Saturn is a "father figure" in his essential nature; Jupiter is not, even though he is paternalistic. Jupiter is an accidental -- not essential -- symbol of father, in this chart but not in others, because of his house rulership (and other factors).
Wow! I did not realize that Mercury rules as the "mother" in my chart. Should I look at the final dispositor of Mercury - Venus? There's a splitting off of both the mother and father archetype. Mother into Venus and Moon, and father into Jupiter, Saturn, and Sun?
In the case of Saturn in Leo, should I look at the Sun in Virgo? Look for the final dispositor? What is the method here?
5. Jupiter is in detriment. I mention that he is in fall in Capricorn because Moon (in her detriment there) is affecting Jupiter from his fall, which aggravates the situation. In some other chart, if Moon were inconjunct Jupiter from Cancer (her own domicile and Jupiter's exaltation), the inconjunction would not be so severe and disruptive. And Jupiter -- in such a case -- might even be in his own sign of Sagittarius. Such an inconjunction would probably be no more than a minor annoyance. Here, however, it creates a major problem. And the problem is exacerbated because Jupiter is such a dominant force in the chart; the inconjunction affects the leading power in the personality, and also is the defining aspect of that personality Everything else in the pesonality is contained or defined by it. Look at the pattern; it speaks for itself.
Ok. Would you consider an inconjunction better or worse than unaspected planets. For example, there are no aspects between Saturn and Moon, even though Saturn is my Moon's lord...
6. I don't know why the father figure is "so unstable". I do my best to interpret horoscopes. I don't create them. You might want to talk to The Boss about this one.
Even though my Moon creates all the tensions represented by the squares, I am very conscious of my feminine nature (Moon and Venus). I think that in my psyche, Saturn and Sun are my unconscious planets. When I read and study them, the things I read do not immediately resonate or speak to me.
When I say "unstable", I mean that there's no fixed position or identity. It seems that my father is both "this" and "that" and "some of that". It's a very incoherent picture.
7. I don't have any software to "calculate" all this. I look at the chart. It's all right there. I spent my first 30 years as a student of astrology without benefit of a computer; I'm used to looking at charts that way. When I cast a chart on my own program I do not include "aspect lines," nor does my tableau include a tabulation of aspects. Aspect lines get in the way of seeing the chart.
My dad was really adamant about refusing to get me the Texas Instruments calculator
required for Trigonometry and Calculus. I cried and raged for days, to absolute no avail. In the end, I passed AP Calculus with the highest scores in the class, 2 years ahead of my classmates. So I understand what you mean about softwares as crutches.
I don't interpret charts for people anymore. This is an astrology forum. I assume that means a person is interested in learning astrology. I enjoy helping people do that. I am not interested in playing to someone's ego by telling them all about themselves. You have Jones' "Guide...". Study it. Apply it. The goal in studying astrology (or any other subject or discipline on Earth) is not "knowledge" but Understanding. They are not the same.
My explanation is not mathematical. It is meant to analyze the interrelationships, relative strengths, and other features of the chart that will lead to an accurate and meaningful interpretation.
Thank you. I appreciate the analysis and the intentional withdrawal of all interpretations except the most "superficial" parts. Hope you enjoyed it too.
