Month: May 2024

I look at the houses activated by transiting planets first

When I first glance at the transit chart, I look at the houses activated by transiting planets first , rather than signs or aspects. I look at the houses of the transits first because the houses indicate which departments of life are currently activated, rewarded, or challenged.  This will give me the first clues before I build on the information with signs, aspects, and relations to the natal chart..

Learning the keywords for each house is essential for understanding what area of life is represented.

The Houses Keywords

this is a simplified keyword chart of the houses
The houses of the horoscope each have certain “departments” of life that are activated when a planet occupies the house, either by transit or in the natal chart. Using this wheel you can analyze what issues are activated by the transiting planets.

PLANETS

I look at houses activated by transiting planets while noting that each planet has its own nature, interest, and personality.

If planets were people, Venus is the sensual femme fatale, Mars is the athlete or warrior, Jupiter is a good natured world traveler or the know-all guru, who rules himself, Saturn is the wet blanket who finds the problems and mentions them when the other planets want to party.

Mercury is either reading a book or talking to everybody about everything at once while going quickly from one person to another giving them messages or telling gossipy tales. The moon is either gloriously shining with a silvery light, casting a magnetic glow over the party, or she is crying on the couch, covered with a dark blanket, her exquisitely sensitive feelings having been hurt by a rude guest. The sun is shining brightly, blinding some of the guests while fascinating others with his talent.

The heavies (outer planets) were not invited to the parties of the ancients, but since science discovered them, they insist on an invitation. When Uranus enters the room, the crystal breaks or the guests scatter in different directions for no apparent reason. Neptune comes in with a bong and drinks, promising instant enlightenment if you just take a toke. Then Pluto torches the whole place. The next day a phoenix rises from the ashes, and the world dream begins again.

What is the planet doing in that house, how does it act there?

By combining the nature of the particular planet with the part of life represented by the house, we get an idea of what is triggered in the transit. We look in the ephemeris to see the movement and how long this sojourn in a particular house will last and when it will end.

Each planet’s sojourn in a house is affected by the planet’s affinity with a house. Some planets are more comfortable in certain houses than others. Just as planets are more comfortable or can express themselves better in certain houses than others, planets have affinity for certain signs, as well. When a planet is not in a house or a sign with which it has affinity, the planet does not express its unique qualities with as much success as it would have in better placements.

ASPECTS: What is the transiting planet doing to your natal planet(s)

I also look at the relationship between the transiting planet and the natal planets in the birth chart. Are they in a significant angular relationship with one another? Are there other planets connected by an angular relationship? Where are they? That will be part of the picture too.

Learn the Keywords!

Learn the keywords for the houses, learn the keywords for planets, learn the keywords for the signs, and learn the keywords for the angles and you will be able to put together a word picture of what is happening in your own chart. Many astrological textbooks have keyword lists. A old book I own “The A to Z Horoscope Maker and Delineator” has an extensive list of words that initially enhanced my understanding of astrology when I was a beginning student. A comprehensive book on keywords is by Rex Bills “The Rulership Book” available online here.

Compatibility in Astrology

Compatibility in astrology is viewed through the synastry and the composite chart. However, the relationship you get, even if the astrological compatibility in some areas is excellent, will be shaped by type of partner you innately are, based on your own individual chart. This is a truth that you don’t often hear or read. But consider this as similar to cooking: if the ingredients aren’t all good, it doesn’t matter how great the recipe is.

Natal Complexity

Of course I don’t mean that someone or anyone has a bad chart.  But some charts have such disparate juxtapositions of key planets in elements and modalities, that it would be very hard to find a partner who would complement the entire chart in every way. Back to my analogy to cooking, some foods may have such complex flavors that they would be hard to combine with a similarly complex flavored ingredient.

Other Significant Relationships

As a caring person, I look at both the synastry and  composite charts to understand the relationship focus.  I also look at the current transita to the partners’ charts to see what transitory issues are unfolding and when they might be resolved.Where is the complex blending, the sweet spot, tasty to both partners?

Though the romantic partner relationship is key, it is but one of many relationships we cultivate over our lifetime. Relationships with our early caregivers, mom, dad, siblings, extended family, teachers and friends are highly significant. I urge you to look at those relationships with care and focus, through the tools of astrology. You can choose from many options to see your chart(s) at astro.com.

Planetary Pairings

For marriage as a romantic sexual union, Venus and Mars are the most important to be good aspect to each other.  But marriages also embody other types of relating or responsibilities. If it’s about nurturing children, then we would want to see Sun -Moon harmony and some nurturing and responsibility aspects.  If a person has a strong Mercury and an intellectual need for a communicative partner, then Mercury aspects take precedence.  An older or sick person might need a partner who is more of a caregiver, then we see the strong harmonious Neptune or 12th house connection.  Sports aficionados and social leaders will be looking toward Mars and Jupiter.  Partnerships that focus on competitions like tennis would have first house, seventh house, Aries, and Libra highlighted.

Life Stages

As we go through different stages in our lives, it’s important to take our stage of  life into consideration when comparing charts.  The difference between a person’s  value system or sense of self after the first or second Saturn return can be quite dramatic.  Relationships based on a value system that has become outdated may  need to find a new focus of communication and sharing.

The Transits Can Alter Our View of Our Relationships

Depending on your own chart, some transits can really alter your perception of your role or your partner’s role in the relation, as well as alter your view of what kind of relationship you want or need. I wrote a short blog post you can find here.