For studies I prefer people who meet three criteria:
1. They have a reasonably accurate, reasonably certain birth time (Rodden B or better, preferably A or AA).
2. Their lives are well known. I usually read two or three biographies carefully and take notes. I compare the biographies for date written (who came first, who copied who?) and for point of view -- do they adore the subject, despise him/her, are objective?
3. They are dead. Their whole life has been lived.
(The studies referred to here are "reading the natal chart." If your interest is in learning rectifcation, prediction, counseling in the Now....then other criteria may be more appropriate.)
The sexuality, the sexual desires, inclinations and all of that -- like everything else about a person -- is shown in the chart. It involves the whole chart and not just the specifically sexual indicators. How do you see your own sexuality? Read your chart, include all facets of self in the analysis. Trust the horoscope; it doesn't lie or contain error (error is introduced when a human astrologer enters the picture.)
Begin reading a chart with the most general and non-specific indications. The whole pattern of the chart depends on no planet, sign or any other particular. It is the most general and also the most powerful, because everything lower in the hierarchy of powers must conform to it. Close study of the pattern will reveal the structure of the chart, and structures contained within it. The structure of the chart is identical with the structure of the psyche and of the destiny. The whole pattern also reveals, very often instantly, a predominant planet (in most charts; those lacking such a primary power will be interpreted accordingly) on which interpretation may be based; this planet will be predominant in the personality and life.
The horoscope should be approached as a Description of What Is. If our point of view is "to predict", we are apt to fall on our face. If, on the other hand, we view the entire chart, gain a passable understanding of its "meaning as a whole", see it as descriptive...then our interpretations will be "spot on." We will see what is powerful, outstanding, important and focus our attention there. The rest follows out of that.
Preponderances and such things follow. Preponderances include not only the signs (Qualities and Elements), but also such things as preponderant aspects, houses, negative preponderances and so on. Look at retrogradation patterns, hemispheric emphases and such. All of this is done without paying particular attention to any specific planet. (Your mind notices the standout planets in this process, but does not fix on them.)
Formations are important. Now we are coming down to specific planets, but most importantly at this point is how they interrelate.
Rulership is a vital component of interpretation. Without using it, the interpretation will not be full, complete. If there is a final dispositor, or 2 planets functioning as mutual dispositors o the chart, they are very powerful indeed. They will dominate the whole chart (personality, life).
Keep in mind that dignities are of two kinds: essential and accidental. They are not the same. The essential dignities are based only on signs -- rulership, exaltation and their corollaries, pergrination. If planet X is in sign A, ruled by planet W, the cosmic conditioning of W is of first importance. If the king (lord of the sign) is a drunk, the kingdom is going to be in disarray. Essential dignities are therefore inherent, inborn qualities and are immutable. They are "genetic", or endowed if you will.
Accidental dignities signify "events" that occur after birth (in most cases). They are circumstantial, adventitious or of external origin. Psychiatry recognizes two types of accidental experience (with a somewhat fuzzy border between them). The first is the dispositonal experience, which occurs very early in life. It is likely to be beyond memory and is very deep, virtually not subject to change. It strongly inflences character development. The second type of accidental experience is the definitive experience which occurs later in life and acts as a preciptating or provocative agent. It brings to life what was, until the time of the experience, a latent potential. Zodiacal distances give a good estimate of the timing of both types of accidental experience. One degree can be taken as equivalent to one year in the birth chart.
Studies are a sort of "reverse engineering". You take a known life, a known destiny, known events....and then find the astrological symbols that show them. You will be amazed at the results....because you will actually begin to "see the horoscope" rather than repeating what some cookbook says. And don't be afraid to use your own head.
Look at JFK's chart. The 4th House is in Capricorn, ruled by Saturn. Fourth House is "family, heritage." Saturn is just a few degrees shy of the MC and still moving toward it. Saturn is almost as high in the sky as he can be. The family holds high social position but has not yet reached the apex. The Fourth House is "father" and he is on top of the world. But then again, he is in his detriment...wonder what that could mean? No book will tell you this stuff, but it is what makes astrology so amazing in its detailed accuracy (considering that we are looking at a map of the sky, which is used as a chart built on symbols intended to inform us as to human affairs.) And the biggest joke of all is.....it works.
Here are two examples of accidental "dignities" from my own chart. (These are not actually dignities, but simple aspects.)
My natal Moon is at 25 degrees 46 minutes of her sign. She beholds no applying major aspect, but does enjoy a close separating trine to Mercury. The only applying aspects Moon beholds are a quincunx to Uranus at 26 deg 21 min of his sign, and a sesquicuadrate to Jupiter at 11 deg 23 min of his sign. Both Uranus and Jupiter are on direct station. The Moon's daily motion at birth was 13 deg 50 minutes. So, by secondary progression, Moon perfects these two minor aspects within a couple of weeks of birth. The aspects therefore signify "events" that occurred during the first month after birth and are deeply embedded in the personality. They are ancient; I have no memory of them, no idea what they might be as far as how they manifest (although I can guess). But by looking at sign, house, rulerships, and even other aspects to these planets, the significance of the events to the newborn may be understood in a meaningful way. Moon is lord of the horoscope, so these two minor aspects are much more important than they might seem at first glance. They are "formative" of the personality (ruler of the Ascendant) and of the life path. These two simultaneous experiences are of the dispositional type.
Of the definitive type we can use Mercury and Venus as examples. Both Mercury and Venus are retrograde in my birth chart. Both are combust, at approximately equal distance from the sun, flanking him on either side. The two planets are co-rulers of my Fourth House, Mercury the cusp, Venus the intercepted sign. At about age 15 Mercury regressed to his direct station; he was within orb of perfection during 5 or 6 years, and in exact trine to Jupiter during that whole period. Venus turned direct a year or two later. It was at this time that I left home and went off to direct my own life; I established my independence. Note that both planets being retrograde at birth, this influence does not change despite the fact that later in life both turn direct and continue that motion for the duration of my life. The indications of the radix remain fixed for life.
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AQ7
