Take This Challenge !

I want to pose a challenge to all my readers...

Even if this is the first time you've been to this blog, if you take the challenge, you'll either end up knowing more about yourself or you'll confirm more deeply important aspects of your character...

First: Download the original edition of Astrological Repair Manual--it's free--and look near the end of the book--page 63--where I've provided pages for each of the Planets, Signs, and Houses in a format that lets you print them out, cut them up, and have small cards you can move around on a desktop...

Second: Go to our Information Site and download the information from B.I.D.E. Interpretive System ~ Planets/Signs/Houses and Detailed Example of Using the System ~ Planets/Signs/Houses...

Third: Get your chart out. If you don't have one yet, check out Creating A Chart, where you can follow two different links to get a free chart and also have the basic Key to translate those weird astrological symbols in the chart into words that you can plug into Steps One and Two...

Fourth: Take the small cards you cut up in Step One. Pick out the ones for the Sun and Moon (four for each) and the ones for the Sign your particular Sun and Moon are in (four for each, unless the Sun and Moon are in the same Sign). Then, pick out the ones for the Houses your Sun and Moon are in...

Fifth: Choose one card for the Sun and one for the Moon, then one for the Sun's Sign and one for the Moon's Sign, then one for the Sun's House and the Moon's House...

Lay them out on the desk, in the order that was indicated in the download in Step Two, and Say The Words Out Loud (not forgetting the words "in order to" between the Sign and House...

Sixth: Change one or more of the cards--Sun/Moon, Sign, or House. Say that Symbolic Sentence Out Loud...

Seventh: Keep changing cards till you have a Sun/Sign/House and Moon/Sign/House Sentence that makes total sense to you...

Eighth: Repeat at least once a month...

Ninth: At some point in this process, tell us about your experience in the Comments...

If you're really adventurous, check out the post, The "Verbs" of Astrology, and explore how to link the Symbolic Sentences you have for your Sun and Moon into one awesome statement about why you're on this Earth...

Stories In Your Birth Chart...

Still staying rather basic for awhile on the blog; but, I feel I have to step up the level just a bit today...

Most anyone who's looked beyond Sun Signs knows that a Planet in a Sign and in a certain House (and, that Houses need an accurate birth time), those Planet/Sign/House combinations can be considered "sentences" in a chart.

If you're brand new you may want to review a couple pages on our Information Site (red link in the right panel): Creating A Chart, if you don't have one yet; B.I.D.E. Interpretive System ~ Planets/Signs/Houses; and, for the last part of this post, Example of Using the Aspect Phrases.

Of course, I'll try to write the rest of the post so you can just keep reading and go back to those links later ;-)

So...

I'll interpret my Sun in Aries in the 9th House using the B.I.D.E. System (Here's my chart); but, realize, I'm doing this right now for how I feel about myself right now. There are 64 different interpretations available for every Planet/Sign/House combo in the Basic B.I.D.E. System. The links above will give you all you need to do what I'll do next: choose a phrase for the Sun, then for Aries, then for the 9th House; then, put them in the right order:

Sun in Aries in the 9th House

Vitalizing Personal Initiative in order to Bring the Situation to its Highest Expression.

Of course, that Symbolic Sentence means a lot to me because I'm working extra hard right now to promote my Nutrition Business while maintaining this blog and my other blog. So that Symbolic Sentence up there is a statement of my "Central Purpose" right now...

There's also the Way I use that Central Purpose—my Moon in Libra in the 3rd House—my current "Style".

Moon in Libra in the 3rd House

Adapting Considerations of Sharing in order to Make Connections.

But, so far, I've only got two Symbolic Sentences. I want to link those Sentences in the right way so they'll tell a short Symbolic Story...

This is where the "Aspect" or distance between the Planets becomes important. There are a total of three pages on Aspects on the Information Site right now with more to come.

For now, take my word for the fact that my Moon is 172.6° from my Sun and that's called a Waxing QuadNovile aspect.

So, I take the Sun Sentence and link it to the Moon Sentence by choosing one of the phrases for the aspect-distance between them:

Sun in Aries in the 9th House
Waxing QuadNovile
Moon in Libra in the 3rd House

Vitalizing Personal Initiative in order to Bring the Situation to its Highest Expression
Induces a Sense of Worthiness of Goals by
Adapting Considerations of Sharing in order to Make Connections.

So...

That's not just a huge sentence, it's a short Symbolic Story about where I'm at right now...

If you had done the same process for your Sun and Moon, you'd have a short Symbolic Story about Your current Central Purpose and the Stylistic Way to make it work.

Cycles

Cycles are the backbone, lifeblood, and purpose of astrology.

Astrology was born from an awareness of cycles; three in particular: the yearly cycle of the Earth around the Sun (or Sun through the seasonal zodiac), the monthly cycle of the Moon's relationship with the Sun, and the daily cycle of the Earth's rotation (which moves the zodiac through the Houses).

There are 44 other important cycles in astrology: all the other pairs of planets, similar to the Sun/Moon cycle.

I've claimed that this blog exists for two important reasons: serving as a laboratory for exploring the multitudinous ways the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System can be used and a source of feedback from You that I can use to help shape the next ten volumes of Astrological Repair Manual.

So...

Following will be three versions of cycles using the first option in each category of the B.I.D.E. System (see the Information Site {red link in the right panel} for all the options...).

First the cycle of Signs, then the cycle of Houses, and, finally, a special aspect cycle (a Planet Pair cycle): conjunction, semisextile, sextile, square, trine, quincunx, opposition, then the Waning continuation of that progression. [Note: the B.I.D.E. Full Aspect Cycle has 36 aspects, so this is a subset of the full cycle...]

Just before I display these cycles, keep three things in mind:

* every phase of each cycle has three more choices in the B.I.D.E. System...

* you can learn one heck of a lot by studying these cycles' meanings and seeing how they're Similar and how they're Different...

* the cycles, naturally, don't end at the end of the lists below; they continue around again...

» One Version of the Sign Cycle «

Aries
Individual Awareness
Taurus
Personal Resources
Gemini
Diversity of Ideas
Cancer
Emotional Security
Leo
Dramatic Concern
Virgo
Discrimination
Libra
a Harmonizing Attitude
Scorpio
the Urge to Blend Perspectives
Sagittarius
a Broad Viewpoint
Capricorn
an Objective Attitude
Aquarius
Humanitarian Considerations
Pisces
Sympathetic Awareness

» One Version of the House Cycle «

1st House
Focus on the Present
2nd House
Focus on my Resources
3rd House
Be Aware of My Immediate Environment
4th House
Anchor Myself
5th House
Dramatize My Concerns
6th House
Be of Service
7th House
Begin (or, Refresh) a Relationship
8th House
Deepen Relationship
9th House
See the Broader Perspective
10th House
Make the Situation as Objective as Possible
11th House
Make My Social Position Secure
12th House
Realize the Oneness of Life

» One Version of the Planet Pair Cycle «

Conjunction
Begins a New Cycle of Actualization
Waxing SemiSextile
Creates a New Pattern for Action
Waxing Sextile
Increases Awareness of More Inclusive Considerations
Waxing Square
Provides for a Break with Past Compulsions
Waxing Trine
Brings a Sense of Future Fulfillment
Waxing Quincunx
Induces Reflection on the Path to Fulfillment
Opposition
Resonants in Polarity
Waning Quincunx
Expands Social Horizons
Waning Trine
Induces Insight into the Needs of Society
Waning Square
Increases Dedication to Social Transformation
Waning Sextile
Instills a Desire for Aiding Social Organization
Waning SemiSextile
Enables Deep Evaluation of a Process

* Don't forget: there are three more options for each phase of each of those cycles in the B.I.D.E. System (see the Information Site).

* And, please remember: Your comments or feedback are graciously welcomed!

Acid Love

We're moving on to Chapter 11 in my Free-To-Download book, Astrological Repair Manual, and a discussion of Values plus a peek at Venus in the Houses:

"It’s been said by some astrologers that the Moon we just left behind has much to do with feelings. If it does, it’s only in the sense of being the style of expression of the feelings. The Feelings themselves and the Values behind them belong to Venus.

"We're approaching the planet that’s been called Earth’s sister, mostly because it’s near enough to have a somewhat similar cycle around the Sun and it’s just about the same size. If Earth and Venus are sisters, Venus is the 'nasty' one. If the atmospheric pressure doesn’t collapse your lungs, the acid in the air will eat your skin away, and the insufferable heat will fry your brains. If you somehow protect yourself from those dangers, you still have to contend with an extremely long day—243 Earth-days—and the disorienting way the Sun has of rising in the West! Yes, Venus rotates the other direction from Earth, and it takes a long time to do it. Also, this is the planet whose cycle has been associated with Love...

"Notwithstanding its mythology, I wouldn't necessarily call Venus the planet of love. If there were ever proof that the physical characteristics of the planets don't give them the meanings we should use in astrology, Venus is it. Certainly, there can be nasty things within the bounds of what we call a love-relationship. However, those less than nice things are not love.

"Venus’ cycle relates to how we Evaluate our experience. Whether we love something or not comes from the way we invest it with our values. We can’t have love without values, but we can have values without love. Love itself is an expression of at least four of the planets’ functions operating together—Venus, Moon, Sun and Mercury. Venus is the value, the Moon is the style of expressing it, the Sun is the purpose or reason for the evaluation, and Mercury is the rational side of the situation (if that’s being used in the equation...).

"Many of our 'higher' functions, like love, are expressions of more than one planet’s cycle. Motherhood, for instance, isn’t just the provenance of the Moon. Thinking isn’t just the job of Mercury. Action isn’t done only by Mars. What you can learn from the system of interpretation in The Instructions (in the Free-To-Download book) is what you might call the basic vocabulary and grammar of astrology. Being able to converse fluently will take more than this book. It will take much time and effort. Still, if you were in France (actually, you might be...) and had to go to the bathroom, being able to utter a simple, basic phrase is just fine! Much meaning can be transmitted with simple, basic words. So, using the system at the end of this book (while referring back, every so often, to these more lyric chapters on the basic perceptions we need) will get you far, yet there’s always more. Some folks don’t like unending potential; I love it!

"Our Values and Feelings give our lives much of its meaning. Meaning is what astrology can predict, and it's a basic indicator of the Venus cycle—about 225 Earth-days long. Notice how close the Venus day and year are? In fact, the day is longer than the year. This durational quality of Venus (just imagine waking up, going through a day, and realizing a year’s also slipped by) is central to the kind of meaning I mean. Oh, the tricks words play... I just checked Google and it actually has an entry for 'the meaning of meaning'!

"To clear the air just a bit: Astrology defines many meanings, many functions of life. Venus is what we use, as a specific function, to give value to all those meanings. Hang in there, o.k.? Once you’ve done a little checking with the interpretive system in The Instructions, you’ll begin to separate these meanings with ease. In fact, astrology’s ability to contain and reveal so much meaning is its chief value...

"Another important part of why Venus helps us see our values and the important meanings in our lives is that it is the first of the 'Inner' planets. When we were way out with Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus, we were talking about deep unconscious functions shared by everyone and useful in gauging large social trends. Saturn and Jupiter cycles were also fairly social in their functions but due to the cyclic lengths involved—30 and 12 years—they’re more personal-social functions—we have more personal control over how we use them. Mars is the first planet outside the Earth’s orbit but is relatively near. It came to symbolize our personal reaching out to the social realm. Then there is the Moon and Earth—the Place we live.

"Now, we enter the very personal realm of functions, those which we 'own' sooner and more fully. With the first of these inner functions, I want to introduce you to one way of seeing a Planet’s Function operating in the various Houses' Fields of Activity. We’ll start at the traditional beginning, the First House and see what having Venus in each of them could mean.

Venus operating in the First House:
With this placement, a person has their evaluating function operating through activities that focus on their own individual perception of reality. Their frame-of-reference for life will include a strong dose of personal values. They’ll use their feelings about situations as their first line of approach.

Venus operating in the Second House:
Having the function of valuing in the activity of finding your personal resources makes for a rather focused placement. These people put their feelings to work finding what they most value in themselves and their personal history.

Venus operating in the Third House:
Values applied toward communicating with the 'local' environment. Evaluation as the primary tool for learning. Evaluation used primarily for connecting with others.

Venus operating in the Fourth House:
This person’s feelings are grounded in what can anchor them. Evaluations are used to make situations more stable.

Venus operating in the Fifth House:
Feelings become projected, and evaluation is used to gauge the effect of personal choices on others.

Venus operating in the Sixth House:
Here is where values and feelings are put to the task of improving things and people. Self-evaluation could be the strongest suit.

"Those were all extremely personal uses for this inner function. Now we’ll look at this personal function working itself out in the social realm.

Venus operating in the Seventh House:
Here is a placement of evaluation right at the spot where a person is most aware of others. Feeling is used as the primary function for bonding with people.

Venus operating in the Eighth House:
This is where Venus’ function of valuing is taken deeper to bring relationships to a stable state based on mutual feelings.

Venus operating in the Ninth House:
This area of activity gives Venus’ function of evaluation a lot of room to soar. Feelings broaden out and encompass more 'territory'.

Venus operating in the Tenth House:
Here is where evaluation becomes the prime determinant in the affairs of society. Feelings are used in career and business environments.

Venus operating in the Eleventh House:
Values operating in this activity field are used to bring bonding to social groups. Appreciations grow toward consensus.

Venus operating in the Twelfth House:
Evaluation blends with contemplation. Values are used to plumb the depths of all matters.

So, there’s a brief look at Venus in the Houses. The Instructions will give you a chance to add the Sign to an interpretation. This is certainly nowhere near what could be said about Venus. But I think you’ve noticed by now:

"I’m giving you just a taste of what the Functions of the Planets’ cycles can mean, along with other basic astrological information. This is all aiming toward the end of the book where you’ll receive a method that will let you be your own astrologer—distill your own Meanings from your own chart (or, others...).

"I don’t think we should get too attached to hanging out around Venus ;-) so, let’s get much closer to the Sun and go visit Mercury."

See ya next post

What Is Your Major Motivation?

We're still with Mars but I'm going to introduce a new way to look at the Signs of astrology. So, here's the rest of Chapter 9 of my free-to-download book, Astrological Repair Manual:

"I think it’s time to introduce the signs of astrology. I’m going to do it by sketching out what Mars using each of them could look like. You’ll have a chance to do this for all the functions in all the signs in The Instructions (in the free-to-download book). Remember, though, that just because you might start with Mars using a particular brand of energy, and even though that way of being assertive has a tendency to be prominent your whole life, there is a slow and steady moderation. Time and the tides of the cycles bring opportunities to act in differing ways and with differing results. Some see these as obstacles to their 'natural' way of motivating themselves, some as chances to refine and expand their innate drives. This is seen in what's called astrological progressions.

"Plus, there’s the other truth of astrology (I’ve been saving this one for the right
moment): We all have all twelve signs. When you look at a complete birth chart, and when you realize that the whole chart is a symbol of your whole life, you’ll know that all the signs or energies of astrology are there in that wheel, that you have all those energies available to use. Most people have four or five much stronger than the rest because that’s where their planets lie, that’s where the cycles of the functions begin their evolution.

Now, let’s look at Mars with each of the signs; but realize that this is just an introduction to your own interpretations in The Instructions. As you read each of these different ways of asserting ourselves, see if some of them seem like friends or work-mates or relatives... Also, if you know which Sign your Mars is in and these words don't seem like you, consider that I'm still being extremely optimistic (from necessity) plus, you could have another planet heavily modifying your Mars.

"Mars using Aries is a motivation that springs ahead with such energy that restraint is next to nil if there are no other functions to slow it down or moderate it. Thankfully, it’s uncommonly rare for anyone to have all ten planets in Aries! This is the first sign of spring and has all the youthful energy that it implies. People with Mars using Aries seem to have unending energy supplies. They have no problem asserting themselves and usually learn quite early that everyone else just seems to act differently. Goal and action seem to occur simultaneously—no timeouts and no restraints. But, since people with Mars using Aries do have other functions in other signs, they have the potential to channel all that energy without busting a seam against any obstacles.

"Mars using Taurus is, in important ways, a polar opposite to the motivator using Aries. This combination still shows a very determined way of acting (we’re still in the early phases of the energy cycle, just after the rush of the rebirth), but the application of drive is more deliberate, more restrained, more focused.

"Mars using Gemini has a chance to be motivated in multiple directions simultaneously. This is a combination that can diffuse energy and spread motivation out. Sometimes this manifests as an ability to operate on multiple levels of energy use or in parallel lines of endeavor.

"Mars using Cancer is an assertiveness that’s motivated by strong feeling. Here is where things are not just done to be finished but to attain some value. This is when people are able to externalize their feelings in ways that make others want to act on those feelings.

"Mars using Leo is extremely outgoing yet has quite a bit of natural restraint. This is the combination that acts toward clear goals, being forward when necessary and holding back if action would impede future forward motion.

"Mars using Virgo has the ability to finely focus energy use. This is a Mars that can seemingly wait forever to act at the “right” moment. This is disciplined motivation, moderated drive.

"So far, we’ve covered Mars using what can be called the 'personal' Signs. The next six combos will show a more social orientation.

"Mars using Libra is the situation of working toward a balance in outgoing and incoming energy. Actions are intended to accomplish what’s necessary to engage other’s motivations.

"Mars using Scorpio also seeks to fathom how others can be brought within the sphere of action, but the intensity of analysis is sharper, the thrust of intention is deeper.

"Mars using Sagittarius takes flight and looks for distant goals that can lead yet farther. Action here is initiated for ideal reasons, socially grand designs, or future possibilities.

"Mars using Capricorn has all the ambition it needs and also the practical reasons for having it. Motivation streams toward practical solutions. Assertiveness aims at accomplishments that endure.

"Mars using Aquarius is action in the social arena, motivation that is fitted for group goals, assertiveness that stimulates a consensus.

"Mars using Pisces is the way to make peace—act as if you were the other, act for the other, or, like the Zen mind, act without acting...

"This round of motivational types was meant to be illustrative only; certainly not
definitive! When you consider that Mars must act in concert with nine other functions, much of what I’ve indicated can be woven with other thread, colored by other filters. Still, the essence of these various ways of externalizing our drives remains.

"Time to move on. There is much to do at Earth!"

Saturn and Cycles

More from the 6th chapter of my freely downloadable book, Astrological Repair Manual:

"So, now that Father Time is all spaced-out, I’ll reveal another major truth about astrology: no single symbol or function or planet or sign or house (we’ll meet signs and houses when we get closer to Earth) — none of these factors has any meaning all by itself. I can say Saturn means Structure, Limitation, Clarification, Organization, etc. but it gains its meaning from its cycle as it relates to other cycles. How could structure even be defined if there weren’t things that needed to be structured?

"One of the backbone sources for the meaning of any function in astrology is the length of its trip around the Sun. For Saturn, it turns out to be real close to 30 years with the half-cycle at 15 and quarter cycles around 7 years. When I was young it was common to hear: 'Ya can’t trust anybody over 30'. Oh, my! I wonder if those saying it were under thirty and probably not averse to a rather disorganized and freewheeling lifestyle?

"Right around thirty is when most of us have finally 'found ourselves'. We usually find it necessary to stake a claim for the pattern of self we’ve decided to be—lay out the pattern for others, organize our time in society to accommodate the clarity of self we now feel.

"And now I hear some people saying, 'Oh yeah? Thirty was hell!'. But do they realize that whatever difficult or negative period they were experiencing might have been there to clear the decks so they could claim a stronger place for themselves—make a clearer pattern of living?

"The half-cycle of Saturn is just as important for Identity Formation (Key Saturn phrase there). But, at fifteen, we’re putting out (for all to see) 'who we are' in terms of who we were born to and how they raised us. We’re also finding out what others think about that identity pattern and, possibly, trying to either hide it or flaunt it even more. The transition at thirty is qualitatively different. We’ve been through one whole cycle of identity formation and we’re trying to squeeze out whatever doesn’t really belong to the real self—condensing, confirming, clarifying, defining.

"Now, while we're circling this symbol of patterns and organization, would be a good time to lay out one of the most important structural concepts in astrology: the Squaring of the Circle. Every cycle, whether with one planet or two, has a beginning. It has a middle and an ending, too. Simple, eh? Yet many astrologers forget this view of life. They look at the position of a planet in a birth chart and freeze it there, trying to milk it for more meaning than it can give.

"We’re born with the planets at certain positions determined by our time and place of birth. The important thing to remember though is that the planets keep moving and so do we. Life and people evolve. These motions in astrology are called Transits and Progressions and are two topics that must be left for you to discover in the references recommended at the end of this book (and, in the revised and expanded edition of this book to which this blog dedicated). Way before you attempt learning about all the meaning possible with moving planets, you need a firm grounding in the field they move within—the circle or cycle. Each cycle has its moment of beginning when things are new and fresh—either exciting or scary. Each cycle also has its ending, which is the same moment as the beginning of a new cycle. But rather than thinking of this evolution of meaning as an old phonograph record, spinning endlessly, we should concentrate our positive minds and see each ending and rebirth happening on a new and higher level—a spiral of ever-ascending and fulfilling meanings.

"The first half of any cycle is all about taking the new materials we have to deal with and shaping them according to the vision we (hopefully) had at that magic moment of rebirth. If we aren’t facing our astrological cycles and our very lives in this way, we’re shortchanging ourselves!

"The exact middle of any cycle is the time when the vision of the beginning can flower and fruit—come to its highest personal consummation of expression.

"From the middle to the next rebirth is the time to share the fruits we’ve garnered with others—to make the function(s) valuable in others' lives.

"The two quarter phases—halfway from beginning to middle and halfway from middle to rebirth—are times we can use to firm up our directions, shift gears, if necessary, to get back on course, make sure our roots are firmly planted (personal or social), and gain strength for the push to the color and magic of the middle or the raking of leaves and the seed-tending of the time near rebirth. You're going to find that The Instructions and its system of interpretation [at the end of the free-to-download book] don't deal with these moving functions. Like I've said before, this book is all about giving you the right Perceptions so that any further studies you might engage in can be positive and profitable. If I'd never mentioned this important concept of the General Cycle, I would have been shirking my duty..."

We've finished the first consideration of concepts in the 6th chapter of the book. Once I've covered all 14 chapters, we'll go back and consider things in more detail. Hopefully, you'll be leaving your comments as we go along so I can consider where and how to reconsider these basics of astrology...

Father Time Is All Spaced-Out

We've left the Transpersonal realm of astrology and are orbiting Saturn. Since this blog was created to discuss the ideas in my free-to-download book, Astrological Repair Manual, I'll let portions of Chapter 6 speak for themselves:

"We’ve left the three transpersonals far behind but clearly not forgotten. As we approach Saturn we notice it’s quite a bit bigger than Neptune or Uranus, obviously composed mostly of gas, but with a bright, pastel yellow atmosphere.

"Hmmm... This character is the one who cut off his father’s penis...[ back in Chapter 4 ] This is the guy called Father Time and he carries that sharp scythe...

"This is also the planet that gets the worst press from traditional astrologers.

"So what’s wrong with this function? Nope, not gonna answer a question like that; I’m too hopelessly optimistic. I’ll answer this one instead: What’s right with this planetary function?

"First, the most right thing about Saturn is that is represents Structure. After having been through the realms of Regeneration [Pluto], Visions [Neptune], and Transformation [Uranus], it can feel pretty good to pull some structure around oneself—get things organized, clarify issues, make a few definitions. Of course, if we were going the other way [from Saturn, out], we’d be leaving this structure and looking forward to a transformation of possibly rigid definitions, checking to see if our clarifications are really clear enough, changing the priorities of our organizational plan.

"This ability to see any function from both 'directions' is a valuable talent to have if you’re thinking about using astrology. It isn’t enough to just stay free of limiting categories for any particular planetary function, it’s also important to see the function operating in many different roles.

"Language and our use of it become critical factors when we begin to apply astrological knowledge to our lives. For example, take my use of the phrase 'limiting categories' two sentences ago. Limitation is also one of Saturn’s functional purposes, but a healthy limitation of some field of endeavor is very different from imposing limiting categories on ourselves.

"Let me say this another way. Astrology has ten major functions, represented by the cycles of planetary bodies, that can be used to gain meaning about the various aspects of our character....Since all the functions can be used with all the other functions, you need to stay flexible in the way you view their meanings. You can’t go so far that a function changes its basic meaning just because it’s interacting with another one, but it's important to know that these meanings certainly can bend and sway. Kind of like that time you went to some social gathering and had to keep certain aspects of yourself from showing too strongly...

"This whole discussion of language, meanings, and the need to be clear about words is quite Saturnian, too. It’s like a relationship where Saturn is dancing with Uranus and Saturn is doing all the leading. If Uranus were to lead, there would be meanings changing into each other. Confusing? Try thinking back to last chapter’s discussion about the bad kid changing into a good citizen. It was the same person the whole time—their Saturnian structure didn’t change—but they went through some amazing Uranian transformations."

There will be more about Saturn in the next post...

I hope these ideas from the book spark discussion in the comments or , at least, some questions. Remember what my instructors used to say: "The only stupid questions are the ones you don't ask".

Melting with Neptune

Still slowly entering the solar system from interstellar journeys—just like the reader in my astrology book (Astrological Repair Manual), which is a free download.

We've visited the outer realms with Xena and the Hordes, stopped to let Pluto influence us, and are nearing Neptune's playground...

Neptune is not just illusion or delusion. These are just misuses of Neptune's cyclic power.

From the book:

"One of the more misunderstood aspects of Neptune’s meanings is the process of dissolving associated with its symbolic action—the dissolution or evaporation of the solid ground of past beliefs or dreams. It’s important to always remember that astrology deals with cycles and with cycles-within-cycles. A planet’s functional and symbolic meaning happens by giving birth to energies and forces appropriate to its cycle, building them to a full state, then letting them decay and die into a rebirth.

"And, within any given cycle there are sub-cycles of birth, growth, decay and rebirth. Neptune’s ability to dissolve the old (and this will be, hopefully, the last time I remind you that it’s not the actual physical planet doing these things but the psychological powers within us), this power of dissolution, prepares the way for Pluto’s regenerations. We’ll see this with each planet we come to—its function is necessary for the one further out (or, deeper within...). We can also look at the interrelationship of these life functions the other way around, the way we’re doing it in this book, from the deepest/farthest to the most conscious/nearest. This way, we see Pluto’s deaths and purgings as necessary for the dissolving actions of Neptune’s dreams and visions to take place.

"When we get to Uranus, we’ll have a triple of functions that most people on this Earth never bring to conscious awareness."

I really do want to learn from you! Please leave your thoughts and feelings in the comments...

Xena and the Hordes

Many astrologers have been far too ready to accept whatever scientists say. The recent demotion of Pluto from it's planet status is a good example. Some astrologers worry that they now have to not use Pluto in their readings.

In the first place, there are plenty of astronomers who still think Pluto is a planet; and, in the second place, astrologers are not astronomers, in most cases...

The first chapter in my book, Astrological Repair Manual (which is a free download and which this blog was created for—to get a larger amount of feedback on the book's ideas as I revise and expand it), takes a look at the solar system body called Xena. The astronomers first gave her the designation, 2003 UB313, and she's now called Eris, but the discoverers called her Xena and I'm going to keep calling her that.

Xena travels around the Sun in a 560-year cycle on the outer edge of the Kuiper Belt, a region of space well beyond Pluto that's considered to hold thousands of, dare I say, planets. In the first chapter, I say, (to the reader who I've put in a spacecraft coming back from the depths of space), "You’ve seen some of the Horde—the thousands of other 'planets' that orbit the Sun, so far out that the Sun itself is just another bright star." And further, "With the discovery of Xena (and her moon, Gabrielle), humanity is repeating, on a vaster scale, what it went through around 1781, 1846, and 1930 (the times when Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were discovered). Each of those discoveries signaled a coming-to-conscious-potential of aspects of the unconscious that humanity had 'earned' the right to use more objectively. Of course, earning the right to use and using are two different things. Xena and her Hordes present the symbol of a HUGE potential for the human race—an entering into the powers of the unconscious like no time in the past—a chance to use energies (multiple and deep ) that have been, so far, little understood." I also say, "Basically, since we know so little about any of the planets beyond Pluto, about all we can hope to do with them in astrology is think of a sheath or aura around us, a non-localized group of potentials and energies that each individual can tap into IF they can manage to begin using the other planetary functions consciously."

Whew! What a mouth-full, or mind-full...

The point of this post is to hint at the concept of groups of bodies (like the ol' asteroid belt) that astrologers have yet to deal with properly...

To take a handful out of thousands of solar system bodies that share similar cycles and try to attribute specific, individual meanings to that mere handful is totally unfair, to the structure of the solar system's cycles and to the minds of the astrologer and their clients.

What are Your thoughts and feelings?