Mending by Breaking...

Often, the youthful surge of creativity blasts into set patterns and breaks their hold on further growth...

Back on these dates (the last Uranus conjunct Saturn)

12 Feb 1988 at 30 Sagittarius
26 Jun 1988 at 29 Sagittarius
18 Oct 1988 at 28 Sagittarius

the world did have a surge of youthful Uranian creativity that transformed former Saturnian patterns (see Making The Big Leap... for an exploration of this...). Since then, we all have been working to use the creative thrust to inform a new pattern. The following dates (Saturn opposed Uranus)

4 Nov 2008 at 19 Pisces/Virgo
5 Feb 2009 at 21 Pisces/Virgo
15 Sep 2009 at 25 Pisces/Virgo
26 Apr 2010 at 29 Pisces/Virgo
26 Jul 2010 at 1 Libra/Aries

are when we have the opportunity to see clearly the new Saturnian pattern we've fashioned to hold the Uranian spirit...

After this series of oppositions, we will all be able to infuse these, hopefully, well-formed, transformational patterns into our collective social lives.

If you happen to have not utilized these aspects positively, Now is the time to realign your energies and intentions...

Let's use the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System to explore various ways to do this (please reference the Information Site for the full System and guides for it's use {also via the red link in the right panel}).

First we need the meanings for Uranus and Saturn:

Uranus
Transforming
Breaking Obsolete Traditions of
Seeking the Truth of
Exploring Fresh Ideas about

Saturn
Defining
Clarifying
Structuring
Organizing

Next, we need the Signs involved (I'll wait till we're closer to the date for Aries/Libra);

Pisces
Sympathetic Awareness
Compassionate Understanding
Universal Feeling
Visionary Initiative

Virgo
Discrimination
Systems and Techniques
Careful Considerations
a Service Attitude

And, finally, the meanings for the Opposition:

Resonants in Polarity with
Helps Realign the Situation Toward Sharing by
Creates the Energy to Become More Inclusive by
Is Reborn into a Larger Sphere of Activity by

I'm going to choose the meanings I feel best express the current state of the world as regards these functions and energies and their relationship. Note that, due to the organic philosophy of planetary-pair aspects, I'm putting the slower planet first...

Breaking Obsolete Traditions of Universal Feeling
Is Reborn into a Larger Sphere of Activity by
Clarifying a Service Attitude.

Obviously, from Your perspective, other choices may be more appropriate. Also, when the House meanings are added, the whole thrust of the situation becomes more explicit. I'll put my own House placements into that last Symbolic Sentence as an example:

Breaking Obsolete Traditions of Universal Feeling in order to Be Aware of My Worth
Is Reborn into a Larger Sphere of Activity by
Clarifying a Service Attitude in order to Merge With Others.

Yes, very seemingly abstract—quite a mouth-full—yet, for me, very personally meaningful...

I'd love to see some of Your personal examples in the Comments.........

Making The Big Leap...

This image is the current position of the New Horizons spacecraft, launched January 19, 2006, cruising past Pluto in July, 2015...

From the image, we can see that this intrepid spacecraft is between Saturn and Uranus' orbits; yet, Saturn and Uranus are now on opposite sides of the Earth...

They were conjunct on the following dates:

12 Feb 1988 at 30 Sagittarius
26 Jun 1988 at 29 Sagittarius
18 Oct 1988 at 28 Sagittarius

In the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System, Saturn's meanings are:

Defining
Clarifying
Structuring
Organizing

and, Uranus' meanings are:

Transforming
Breaking Obsolete Traditions of
Seeking the Truth of
Exploring Fresh Ideas about

Before we can understand the current opposition of these planets we need to consider the beginning of the cycle back in '88...

But, first, we need another set of meanings from the B.I.D.E. System, Sagittarius:

a Broad Viewpoint
Philosophical Appraisal
a Top-Down View
an Idealistic Awareness

The final set of meanings necessary to analyze the Uranus/Saturn conjunction is the set for the conjunction itself:

Begins a New Cycle of Actualization by
Engenders New Possibilities by
Lets the Past Meet the Future by
Closes One Cycle and Opens Another by

So, according to the way these meanings are combined into Symbolic Sentences in the B.I.D.E. System [see the Information Site (red link in the right panel) for guides about using the System...], and only using the first option in each set of meanings, we have this possibility for:

Uranus in Sagittarius
Conjunct
Saturn in Sagittarius

Transforming a Broad Viewpoint
Begins a New Cycle of Actualization by
Defining a Broad Viewpoint

Seems we can't do a proper job of transforming until we do some defining... But, to add more depth to that interpretation, I'll change Saturn's meaning to the second option and Sagittarius' meaning to the last option:

Transforming a Broad Viewpoint
Begins a New Cycle of Actualization by
Clarifying an Idealistic Awareness

If you were alive and conscious back in 1988, I'd love to see Your Comments on that interpretation for the Uranus/Saturn conjunction or your Own choices from the B.I.D.E. System. Something else that would be great to see in the Comments are Your Symbolic Sentences with the House meanings added...

Here are the dates for the current Uranus/Saturn Opposition:

4 Nov 2008 at 19 Pisces/Virgo
5 Feb 2009 at 21 Pisces/Virgo
15 Sep 2009 at 25 Pisces/Virgo
26 Apr 2010 at 29 Pisces/Virgo
26 Jul 2010 at 1 Libra/Aries

We'll explore the potential meanings for this important opposition in the next post...

M. C. Escher and Uranus/Saturn

M. C. Escher may just be the most unique artist ever...

His chart shows a conjunction of Uranus and Saturn and both are retrograde as well as looking across the chart at most of his other planets...

Since my stats programs show new people arriving here every day, I want to take the analysis of his Uranus/Saturn with the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System rather slowly—step-by-step...

First, I recommend you go to the Planet/Sign/House and Aspect Cycle pages, on the Information Site (red link in the right panel), and click the link that says "Download This Page". With that information in hand, it will be much easier to follow the next steps...

So...

Let's take Escher's Uranus first. It's in Sagittarius in his 5th House.

Look at the words for Uranus on the Planet/Sign/House page:

Transforming
Breaking Obsolete Traditions of
Seeking the Truth of
Exploring Fresh Ideas about

I'm going to choose "Breaking Obsolete Traditions of" for this example. (if you feel another phrase is better, write it down so you can create your own example...).

Now, a phrases for Sagittarius:

a Broad Viewpoint
Philosophical Appraisal
a Top-Down View
an Idealistic Awareness

I'll choose "a Broad Viewpoint" (what's your choice?)

Now, the 5th House:

Dramatize My Concerns.
Externalize My Creativity.
“Test The Waters”.
Provide an Example.

I'll choose "Dramatize My Concerns.".

We first put down the words for the Planet, next the words for the Sign, next the words "in order to", and, finally, the words for the House. This gives us:

Breaking Obsolete Traditions of a Broad Viewpoint in order to Dramatize His Concerns.

Notice that in the House phrase I changed "My" to "His". So, that's my rendition of Escher's Uranus in Sagittarius in the 5th House. What's Yours?

Doing the same steps for his Saturn in Sagittarius in the 5th House, I got:

Structuring an Idealistic Awareness in order to Externalize His Creativity.

Remember, both those planets were retrograde so even the words we've chosen to interpret them need to be considered in the most unique and individualistic way possible...

Now, we need a phrase to represent the aspect—Conjunction:

Begins a New Cycle of Actualization by
Engenders New Possibilities by
Lets the Past Meet the Future by
Closes One Cycle and Opens Another by

When I consider the Symbolic Sentences I created for Uranus and Saturn, I think "Engenders New Possibilities by" fits quite well. (what would You pick?)

Now, we put the aspect phrase between the two Planet/Sign/House Sentences and we get:

Breaking Obsolete Traditions of a Broad Viewpoint in order to Dramatize His Concerns
Engenders New Possibilities by
Structuring an Idealistic Awareness in order to Externalize His Creativity.

I'd Love to see what You decided to create for Escher's Uranus/Saturn! Why not put your interpretation in the Comments!!

Oprah, Revisited . . .

In our last post about Oprah Winfrey, I gave an interpretation from the B.I.D.E. System for each of her ten planets. If you're new to the blog, check out the red link in the right panel that says, Information Site, for guides and tips for using my System.

This post will take three planets from Oprah's chart and explore the aspects to them. The Information Site has the full set of aspect phrases that I'll be drawing my interpretations from.

I'm going to cover aspects that involve the three retrograde planets that are the only functions Oprah has above the horizon—the arena of objective, social action. Because they're all retrograde, Oprah found it very easy to "customize" those functions, use them in highly individualized ways, and make them talents that give her a profound influence in whatever social matrix she inhabits. In the last post about her, I called these three planets her BroadcastStation...

As explained on the Information Site, the B.I.D.E. System uses a full-cycle approach to aspects which makes any given aspect-type (except the conjunction and opposition) have two distinct manifestations: Waxing (0° to 180°) and Waning (180° to 0°). Also, aspects are always calculated from the slower planet to the faster planet. In addition, each of the interpretations below are only what I think fits Oprah's character and accomplishments. Each of those aspects has 511 other possible interpretations in the B.I.D.E. System...

If the interpretations of these planetary aspects of Oprah seem way too abstract or don't give you any interpretive satisfaction, I challenge you to construct a few Symbolic Sentences with the B.I.D.E. System of your own aspects and see just how powerfully it can reveal a vast amount of insightful information...

Since these aspects all involve Oprah's major social talents, interpreting them can give insight into why she's been called the world's most influential woman.

~~~~~~~~~
*Pluto's Aspects*

Pluto in Leo in the 11th House waxing Sextile Neptune in Libra in the 1st House
Regenerating Creative Response in order to Enlist the Aid of Her Social Network
Induces New Ways of Organizing the Situation by
Envisioning a Harmonizing Attitude in order to See Things Clearly.

Pluto in Leo in the 11th House waxing Square Mars in Scorpio in the 2nd House
Getting to the Depths of Dramatic Concern in order to Give Expression to Her Hopes
Induces Courage to Face Crises by
Asserting the Worth of Others in order to Ground Her Plans.

Pluto in Leo in the 11th House waxing QuadNovile Mercury in Aquarius in the 5th House
{If you're wondering why I'm not calling this an Opposition, mention it in the Comments}
Transcending [ordinary] Dramatic Concern in order to Activate Her Goals
Helps Perfect the Cultivation of Plans by
Investigating Humanitarian Considerations in order to Externalize Her Creativity.

*Uranus' Aspects*

Neptune in Libra in the 1st House waning Square Uranus in Cancer in the 10th House
Being Idealistic about Awareness of Others in order to See Things Clearly
Increases Dedication to Social Transformation by
Seeking the Truth of Character Development in order to Make the Situation as Objective as Possible.

Uranus in Cancer in the 10th House waxing TriDecile Saturn in Scorpio in the 2nd House
Breaking Obsolete Traditions of Emotional Security in order to Express Her Social Role
Helps Clarify Responsibilites by
Defining the Worth of Others in order to Be Aware of Her Worth.

Uranus in Cancer in the 10th House waxing BiQuintile Moon in Sagittarius in the 3rd House
Exploring Fresh Ideas about Nurturing Abilities in order to Make the Situation as Objective as Possible
Aids the Development of Required Resources by
Adapting a Broad Viewpoint in order to Be Aware of Her Immediate Environment.

Uranus in Cancer in the 10th House waning QuadNovile Sun in Aquarius in the 5th House
Seeking the Truth of Character Development in order to Be Who She Is In The World
Creates an Awareness of New Social Possiblities by
Vitalizing Humanitarian Considerations in order to Provide an Example.

Uranus in Cancer in the 10th House waning QuadNovile Venus in Aquarius in the 5th House
Breaking Obsolete Traditions of Character Development in order to Express Her Social Role
Helps Realize the Value of Unconditional Inclusiveness by
Valuing Group-Consciousness in order to Dramatize Her Concerns.

Uranus in Cancer in the 10th House waning Quincunx Mercury in Aquarius in the 5th House
Seeking the Truth of Emotional Security in order to Realize Her Highest Objective Goals
Aids Development of Group Experience by
Perceiving “Global” Awareness in order to Dramatize Her Concerns.

*Jupiter's Aspects*

Saturn in Scorpio in the 2nd House waning BiQuintile Jupiter in Gemini in the 9th House
Clarifying the Worth of Others in order to Focus on Her Resources
Aids Exploration of Underlying Social Forces by
Amplifying Intellectual Freedom in order to Bring the Situation to its Highest Expression.

Jupiter in Gemini in the 9th House waxing QuadNovile Moon in Sagittarius in the 3rd House
Being Optimistic about Intellectual Freedom in order to Realize the Ideal
Increases Awareness of the Actualization of Potential by
Nurturing a Broad Viewpoint in order to Make Connections.

Jupiter in Gemini in the 9th House waning Trine Sun in Aquarius in the 5th House
Expanding Diversity of Ideas in order to Bring the Situation to its Highest Expression
Induces Insight into the Needs of Society by
Focusing Humanitarian Considerations in order to Dramatize Her Concerns.

Jupiter in Gemini in the 9th House waning Trine Venus in Aquarius in the 5th House
Amplifying Intellectual Freedom in order to Realize the Ideal
Impels Understanding of the Attitudes of Others by
Attracting Radical Breakthroughs in order to Externalize Her Creativity.

Jupiter in Gemini in the 9th House waning Trine Mercury in Aquarius in the 5th House
Being Optimistic about Intellectual Freedom in order to Broadcast Expectations
Induces Insight into the Needs of Society by
Increasing Awareness of Humanitarian Considerations in order to Provide an Example.

Notes from A Newbie . . .

The evolution of this blog has been happening faster than I first anticipated. Due to a few people's responses (and some analysis of the visitor stats), I'm introducing the aspect phrases for the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System.

Just before we read from the notebook of a new student of the System and see how they're blending it with two other systems, I want to draw your attention to the red link in the right panel that says, Information Site. This is a companion site that holds a growing wealth of guides and tips for using the B.I.D.E. System. The latest addition is the > B.I.D.E. Full Aspect Cycle along with an > Example of Using the Aspect Phrases. I'll begin using the aspect phrases along with the Planet/Sign/House interpretations in the next post...

Now, follow along while a newbie experiences their first use of the B.I.D.E. System:
It might help you follow their thinking if you also open the Main Interpretive Page

~~~~~~~~~

I'll gladly share the details of what I did.... it's a bit tentative.
Much of how I brought it together was intuitive.... it just strung itself together and went with the flow of it....to me it makes sense...hope it does to you too!!LOL!
It's the basic transcription from my own note book.

So using the interpretive layout that Bernadette Brady offers in her book, I started:
Uranus conjoins Venus opposes Pluto
                    Natal house position
      11                               5                            11

                    Natal House transited
            ---- 5 ------------------ 5 ------

                    House ruled by planet
                    
      5                              1/8                         2/7           (area impacted)

So, using your formula: Breaking Obsolete traditions (Uranus) liberates (conj) my values ( Venus) in order to externalize my creativity (secure my identity) (5H) in the way I express my self (1st) and how emotionally/soul secure I feel. But it opposes/challenges the transformation of Service attitude (Pluto in Virgo) in order to ground my plans (2H) to refresh a relationship (7H)

For the New Moon (June 23) and it's aspects;
New Moon in Taurus in 8th - New energy/cycle of Individual worth (Taurus) in order to Deepen relationship and/or promote/awaken emotional/soul security ( 8th- this being Arroyo's way of defining Houses)

~~Trine AC Libra, ruled by Venus in 5H -triggers rapid development (Trine) of Awareness (Brady's key principle for AC) of Harmonizing attitude in order to value expression of self.

~~Inconjunct Neptune (r) in 2nd H - releasing negative(?) (r) Idealisation (Neptune) of self worth(rather the lack thereof!)

~~Sextile Mars 6th H, ruling the 2&7- thus encountering a chance/opportunity (sext) to act/take action (mars) in order to improve myself impacting the awareness of my worth and refresh a relationship.

~~Trine Mercury 4th H, ruling 12&9- rapid development of communication of/about emotional/soul action (4th), transforming (8th being where the energy comes from)12-how I utilize the resources of my Unconscious Mind and 9 -realize the ideal and learning about my true identity/highest expression

>>I would go to Arroyo's House key word system or to Brady's key words for aspects when the one's provided did not fit the sentence or context....again, it was done intuitively. <<

The previous New Moon was also in my 8th H, and just for fun, I'll interpret it here:
~New Moon in Gemini, 8th - New energy/cycle of Communication ( or intelectual freedom) emotional/soul security

Opposes/challenges

~~Neptune in Scorpio 2nd H/ ruling the 6th- established(natal) idealisation(Neptune) of the desire (need?) to bond deeply (Scorpio) in order to be aware of my worth

Squares/forces adaptation of

~~Mercury in Aquarius,4H, ruling the 12/9 - perception (mercury) of group consciousness in order to ground myself emotionally (4H) ultimately altering how I utilize the Resources of my unconscious Mind (12H) and 9 -realize the ideal and learning about my true identity/highest expression

Background story, very briefly: For the last five years I have been focusing almost exclusively on my spiritual development and evolution. At that time, I had separated from my partner of twelve years as our paths seemed to go in different directions. We remained friendly but there were no intentions of ever getting back together, until last year when it became clear to me ( due to much self analysis, growth and better understanding of my own, and his, emotional limitations) that our relationship could (still) provide me (us) with a firm foundation from which to "evolve". I broached the subject with him at the time but there were many distractions, obstacles and delays. Still he was receptive, more so than ever before in our relating history, and he asked I hang on to the idea.

I did, with much concerns about being used and humiliation at the idea of "going back"...plus other insecurities.

During the winter, all the obstacles that stood in our way somewhat miraculously vanished, giving us a fresh, new context to start a relationship. In the spring, he contacted me and arranged for us to spend time together and see "where it goes".

He unconsciously picked the day after the May New Moon, and I agreed to join him on that day.

I was beset for the whole cycle- until the full moon- with much insecurity and welcomed the revelation about my "established idealisation of the desire to bond deeply" in order to feel valuable (to him). I was forced to adapt my communications with him, being aware that my insecurities played a big role in our "group consciousness". I was very conscious of the unconscious impulses and moderated those heavily, thus learning about higher expression, and approaching the situation from a soul's point view (for growth). I left him behind to return home a few days after the full moon and he scheduled our next encounter for the 22 June! [Ed. note: the date of the next New Moon]

He's not into astrology and has no idea about moon cycles.

Of course, there's more to the story than that, but for brevity's sake and to stay close to the aspects looked at here....

Alex, this is how I did it. I hope this is helpful. It was to me!

This is as far as I have worked with this, but it has already proven itself to be an effective method, I can't wait to put it to further use and perfect the method!!
Oh! and your input and comments are welcomed!!
~~~ C.

~~~~~~~~~

My comments? Well, I applaud you for taking aspects of my System and working to blend them with two other systems!!

What you've done obviously helps your understanding of a sensitive and powerful set of circumstances; and, while your method isn't my method, I'm the first person to encourage folks to use the B.I.D.E. System in whatever way works for them...

Looking forward to more examples and bold creativity from you!!!

I think you'll like the pages about aspects that I just added:
> B.I.D.E. Full Aspect Cycle
and
> Example of Using the Aspect Phrases

Very Special Closing Note:
I received the above example after someone else had suggested I open the blog to readers' experiences with the System. These two people don't know each other and I just Love the Synchronicity of it all!!!

So...

Here's your Invitation to submit Your experiences with the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System so I can consider their use as a blog post...

Oprah Winfrey

"She is..., according to some assessments, the most influential woman in the world."

Before we look at Oprah's chart with the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System, I want to remind you to check out the Information Site for this blog (also accessible with the red link in the right panel). You'll find guides there to help you follow along with interpretations in the blog as well as begin to use the System with your own chart...

After looking at Oprah's Chart, it became obvious to me that, unlike all the other charts we've looked at so far, I needed to create a Symbolic Sentence from the System for all of her planets.

Overall, her chart shows the dynamics of the "Locomotive" pattern as well as "Asymmetric" qualities. I'll be adding a guide to the Information Site that covers the major chart patterns but for now you can reference the not-so-bad tutorial at AstroTheme.

I begin with the Sun/Venus/Mercury group (which I'll call her "PowerStation"), then the Neptune/Saturn/Mars/Moon group (which I'll call her "PrimeTalents"), and, finally, the elevated and retrograde group, Pluto/Uranus/Jupiter (which I'll call her "BroadcastStation"). I feel these organic groupings show her basic character structure clearly, if considered in the order I'm using.

Admittedly, the following Symbolic Sentences are the choices I'm making from the 64 possibilities for each planetary position. Hopefully, you'll access the Information Site's guides and work out your own Sentences for Oprah; and, hopefully, post them in the Comments!

Oprah's PowerStation

Sun in Aquarius in the 5th House
Vitalizing Radical Breakthroughs in order to Externalize Her Creativity.

Venus in Aquarius in the 5th House
Evaluating Humanitarian Considerations in order to Dramatize Her Concerns.

Mercury in Aquarius in the 5th House
Investigating Group-Consciousness in order to Externalize Her Creativity.

~~~~~~~~~

Oprah's PrimeTalents

Neptune in Libra in the 1st House
(Since this planet is retrograde, Oprah uses it in extremely unique ways...)
Envisioning a Harmonizing Attitude in order to Truly Be Who She Is.

Saturn in Scorpio in the 2nd House
Clarifying an Analytical Attitude in order to Ground Her Plans.

Mars in Scorpio in the 2nd House
Being Driven by the Desire to Bond Deeply in order to Be Aware of Her Worth.

Moon in Sagittarius in the 3rd House
Nourishing an Idealistic Awareness in order to Study What’s Important.

~~~~~~~~~

Oprah's BroadcastStation
(All these planets are retrograde and are used in highly individualistic ways...)

Pluto in Leo in the 11th House
Getting to the Depths of Dramatic Concern in order to Give Expression to Her Hopes.

Uranus in Cancer in the 10th House
Transforming Active Feelings in order to Express Her Social Role.

Jupiter in Gemini in the 9th House
Amplifying a Diversity of Ideas in order to Realize the Ideal.

How would You use the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System to explore Oprah's chart?

p.s. I didn't forget her Ascendant or Midheaven, or the other angles; I purposely left those factors of interpretation up to you. Since the angles have no planetary component, just insert the generic "Using" in front of the Sign phrases...

Harrison Ford

Our last post was about a film producer, Walt Disney, and this one is about an actor, Harrison Ford.

Before I get into interpreting various factors in Ford's chart I want to alert you to a companion site to this blog, the "Information Site" (which you can access with the red link in the right panel). It's a space to collect various aids and guides to using the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System—the Centerpiece of this blog. Over time, as the next ten books in the series are developed and we explore the ideas here in the blog, I'll be posting more and more information at our companion site. I urge you to visit there and explore the deeper reasons for this blog and the book that inspired it—Astrological Repair Manual.

Harrison Ford's chart shows a decided clustering of planets, often called a "Bundle" pattern. This configuration shows a concentration of functions and energies in relatively few areas of activity. The planets that border the bundle, Uranus and Neptune in Ford's case, are normally within range of at least a wide trine. We'll use the B.I.D.E. system to explore his bordering planets in just a bit...

Notice, though, that very near the center of the cluster in his chart are the Sun and Moon in close conjunction. Not only does the over-all pattern speak of his ability to massively concentrate talents and potentialities but the center of the pattern—the point of greatest focus—holds the two planetary functions that are the "Power-Source" of a person's character.

Two interesting qualities of his nature are revealed in something he says in a short video that was made about his love for aviation. He says that flying gives him a big sense of freedom but also a great sense of responsibility and goes on to add that freedom without responsibility is "not so engaging"...

For me, it's easy to see his love of responsibility in that tightly clustered bundle pattern and, because of the strong and steady focus of that pattern, it becomes easy to see him linking it to a need for "big freedom" with flight—a very interesting way for him to "engage" the rest of his chart {alert: houses without planets are not "empty"} and have the freedom balance the concentrated responsibility of the main pattern.

One last bit of revelatory character in his flying career: of the many planes he owns, his favorite is a slow, steady, and trustworthy vintage aircraft...

Now let's apply the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System to Harrison's Neptune, Uranus, Moon, and Sun (don't forget that the Information Site has guides to help you do what I'm about to do...).

~~~~~~~~~
Harrison Ford's "Defining" Functions

Neptune in Virgo in the 12th House conjunct the Ascendant
[I'll be merging meanings for the 12th and 1st Houses]
Being Idealistic about Systems and Techniques in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self so He Can Truly Be Who He Is.

This high and wide Necessity in Ford's character is in a flowing and creative relationship with:

Uranus in Gemini in the 9th House
Seeking the Truth of Intellectual Freedom in order to Realize the Ideal.
~~~~~~~~~
Those are some HUGE defining functions yet Ford works with them by concentrating their power on the
Sun/Moon Conjunction in Cancer in the 10th House
[here I'm merging the meanings for Sun and Moon]
Nurturing a Focus on Character Development in order to Be Who He Is In The World.
~~~~~~~~~

One last character note because of that last interpretation: Ford is known for keeping his private life extremely insulated from the glamor of Hollywood . . .

If there's anything you don't understand about the way the B.I.D.E. system works or why it can be an important tool in honest, affirmative astrology, please post a comment.

Soon I'll have a special page on the "Information Site" that explores why I created the system and how I've proven its value...

Plasma Love

image credit
Well, we've finally gotten to the Sun in the journey from my Free-To-Download book, Astrological Repair Manual.

After the next post (the last chapter in the book), I'll be free-forming it in this blog—going where most astrologer's fear to go—exploring a new form of astrology that puts You in the driver's seat. I'm hoping for many more comments and feedback. This blog is about you telling me what you think so I can incorporate those perspectives in the expansion of the existing single volume into 10 modular volumes that can make anyone their own astrologer...

I'll let the book speak now:

"The Sun. Our Star.

"Source of Light and Life.

"Mystery to this day!

"Scientists are having a horrible time making sense of how the Sun works. Astrologers miss many of the most important aspects of the cycle of this Function.

"Many people feel that this function is the only part of astrology. (Except, of course, for those twelve Signs of the Zodiac that are popularly given costumes and asked to play parts they’ve never read the script for...)

"You might think that, this being the next to the last chapter of the book, I’d want to calmly summarize and draw all the other chapters’ information to some grand conclusion. The thing is, I don’t intend to actually 'conclude' this book. I want you to enter The Instructions (in the Free-To-Download book) with Wings! I want you to soar through the Realms of Astrological Meaning!! I want you to Really Live!!!

“'Calm down, Alex. These people may not realize what treasure lies at their feet. They may still think this astrology-thingie is a fancy parlor game that makes for witty conversation. They may not understand it when you throw out concepts that aren’t accepted by most reasonable people.'

"Hmmm...

"Well...

"All I can say is that this very close Star, this fantastically beautiful beacon of Purpose has me all fired up! So...

"Start to get used to the idea that our solar system is not what you may have heard it was in high school. The planets may not have always been where they are right now...

"The Sun and its orbiting progeny may not be floating in some lonely backwater of the galaxy, like many astronomers would like you to believe...

"The Sun has been said to hold the planets in orbit with its gravity. This is not capable of being true, which is born out by the latest interdisciplinary scientific studies...

"There are many aspects of the planets, individually and collectively, that want to tell a very different story.

"For instance, the ancients talked about a 'sun' but its characteristics don’t match the one that gives us a tan. They do match the planet Saturn. Also, Venus was thought to have been much closer to Earth in the past and so was Mars. As a matter of fact, there was a time when people saw Venus in front of Saturn, Mars in front of Venus, Jupiter hidden behind Saturn and the whole party steadily revolving at our north pole. There was also a time when this configuration broke up, and there were shudderingly graphic 'wars of the gods' in the heavens which rained debris, electromagnetic bolts, and terror on our ancestors.

“'Oh, my! Poor Alex has gone off the deep end and doesn’t even have a
spaceship’s lifeboat to crawl into. He’s Sun-drunk and his little brain is melted.'

"Hmmm...

"I’m putting some information in the references at the end of this book that will help you find sources that confirm everything I just said. At this point, I’m going to say that this magnificent Star, our Sun, is the Center of our solar system, and it’s also the Center, the Focus of any interpretation you dare make with astrology.

"Focusing, Centering, Life-Giving, Light-Bringing, Purpose-Revealing Sun.

"One extremely important fact of astronomy that every person using it should know is that ninety-nine percent of the universe is plasma. You surely remember your solids, liquids, and gases, right? Plasma is the next state of matter, the most rarified form of substance, yet capable of organizing, moving, and creating new organizations of the other three forms of matter.

"Our Sun is floating in a Sea of Plasma, electrified Plasma, powerful Plasma...

"If you’ve seen neon signs or arc-welders, you’ve seen small versions of the process that lights our Sun and every other of the billions upon billions of stars. The regularity of the orbits of our planetary system (as well as the previous orderings and the transitioning chaotic states) are maintained by the streams of plasma and the power contained in this almost 'spiritual' form of matter. Even the weather on our Earth (as well as the weather on the other planets) is influenced and driven by the power of this all-pervasive Plasma.

"It's much more the case that the planets are ordered by a form of Cosmic Love—a force that transcends mere gravity and material forces—a power and vitality that centers all our concerns...

"If 'Love' holds it all together, it certainly must be a Plasma Love...

"And, if love is the power that binds it all together, we could say that:

Pluto is the Regeneration of Love.

Neptune is the Vision of Love.

Uranus is the Transformative Power of Love.

Saturn is the Clarity of Love.

Jupiter is the Expansiveness of Love.

Mars is the Externalizing of Love.

Venus is the Valuing of Love.

Mercury is the Perceptiveness of Love.

And, our ol’ familiar Moon is the Style of Love’s expression.

The Sun is the Center of it All...

"To make sure this chapter goes out with a sense of the ineffable—the truth that defies rigid expression—here’s a poem by Emily Dickinson:

Love reckons by itself — alone —
"As large as I" — relate the Sun
To One who never felt it blaze —
Itself is all the like it has —

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".

Transpersonal Awareness

Were up to Chapter 5 (for the first time since I'm sure we'll be jumping back to discuss previous chapters quite a bit) in my freely downloadable book, Astrological Repair Manual. This chapter is the book's first pause to consider what's gone before—Xena and her Horde of deeply unconscious astrological functions, Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus. We're headed toward Saturn but that journey demands a huge transition in consciousness. I'm including most of Chapter 5 in this post and do hope it spawns a discussion in the comments!

"Our world has been and is full of some very oppressive and negative people and institutions. Our world has also been evolving toward being, slowly and steadily, a freer and more creative place. If you doubt that last statement, I urge you to look further than you have and to take a small but important piece of advice: what may look bad on the surface or at the beginning can be the most powerful indication of something good. One example that may be close to home for some of you: A child at two years old is always getting into trouble. They’re almost totally unruly by ten and their teen years are full of crime and filth. Then, they hit their personal brick wall, they come up short on luck, and end up behind bars. True, many people like this stay bad and end their lives still in jail or dead in the street. For most of humanity’s existence this has been the general rule. 'Lately', though, there have been more and more examples of folks starting out headed down, coming to a radical turning point, and being given some help at that point that turns their lives around and permits them to grow to become exemplary citizens.

"Why is this happening more now than ever before? What could be happening that has such power to turn lives around?

"I feel it’s the steady growth in society of the awareness that we are not just passive cogs in the wheel or just a bunch of angry individuals. We are both individuals and social beings and we have a need to nurture both sides of our being.

"This is where a knowledge of the cycles of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, and their symbolic meanings, can be of immense aid in speeding the development of a safe and sane society. It's important to consider the lengthy durations of these cycles that apply to the slow yet steady transformation, elevation, and regeneration of our world.

"It’s only been a little over 300 years since Uranus was discovered and humanity had a conscious symbol for a method of getting at the ultimate truths with more to show for it than a collection of fables and myths. And, the conscious awareness of ways and means to raise the level of our dreams and visions (Neptune) and to find the proper ways to purge and regenerate society (Pluto) have been available for even shorter times. Let’s give ourselves a break and stop being pessimistic about the future. If you look closely enough at recent history and compare it with the eons of time humans have been struggling on this earth, you’ll come away totally amazed at the glorious potential we hold in common! I used the word 'Transpersonal' in the title of this chapter for very conscious reasons. '-Personal' because humanity’s growth ultimately depends on more and more individuals getting it right. 'Trans-' because it means to go beyond or through or across. If our personal awareness of life can go beyond the personal while not letting our individual views disappear; if we can see through the merely personal to what lies beyond and is so important for a full life; if we can get across the bridge of the personal and see that it leads to wonderful vistas of creativity and freedom; if each of us does these things, we will be bringing what many see as the dark forces of the unconscious into the bright light of day and using them, very consciously, to accelerate human evolution beyond the hatreds and terrors that are still too much with us. The Instructions [in my freely downloadable book] have suggestions for where to go to get your own birth chart as well as a method for beginning to interpret your chart factors. If you feel adventurous, go there now and find the house and sign for your Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Realize that this first step in using the knowledge from this Repair Manual is only that, a first step, even though it may be one of the most important first steps you’ve ever taken!

"As you ponder the meanings of these factors in your life, don’t forget to look at them as a three-step process of Transpersonal Awareness and also consider them as a sequence from Pluto to Uranus and also from Uranus to Pluto—the first direction is the one that brings large-scale social factors into your personal life and the other direction is you injecting yourself into the flux of society's largest concerns.

"If you do this exercise and end up totally confused, you can count on the fact that your unconscious mind is very happy with your ego. In fact, without you knowing it, your unconscious can arrange to give you dreams that help you understand, or 'mysteriously' lead you to find another individual that helps you understand. Or, you may be the type of person who just stands there and charges against the wall till it falls down and lets you build a bridge. Whatever happens, we still have a ways to go till we reach the Earth and find out what this astrology stuff is all about...

"I'll let you in on a secret here: what you’ve read so far and what you can gain from trying to interpret you own Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto is far and away more knowledge of True Astrology than many practicing astrologers have! Believe it..."

The Leap from Uranus to Saturn...

We've been considering Uranus recently and we'll soon be moving in toward Saturn on this trip to the center of our astrological solar system (just like the reader in my freely downloadable book, Astrological Repair Manual {which I'm currently working to revise and expand while using this blog to solicit your thoughts and feelings...}).

We've already considered, briefly, the realms just beyond Pluto, Pluto itself, Neptune, and Uranus. If you've just arrived here, I recommend going back through the last nine posts (this is a new and tender blog and the posts are bite-sized...) and seeing where we've already been...

It is significant that I'm taking a pause from posting about the book right after I related some of the material from the chapter about Uranus and just before we move on to Saturn. The reason is that we all are in the middle of a Saturn/Uranus opposition—the time when those planets are looking critically at each other (please understand that the "looking" is totally metaphorical...) and revealing "messages" from our unconscious minds to our very small ego-minds—messages that resonate with Change and Transformation that we can bring to the sometimes overly organized realm of day-to-day material considerations...

I've been spending time recently in a few astrological forums, AstrologyWeekly (which has sadly been experiencing server problems the last few days), Astro.com, and Skyscript and the discussions about the Saturn/Uranus opposition are becoming extremely interesting!!

I'll put the dates for the current Saturn/Uranus opposition and the previous Saturn/Uranus conjunction below but be aware, the conjunction was the beginning of a cycle of the transformation of organized processes and procedures and the current opposition is a time of reaping the fruit of the conjunction (even if you weren't even born yet when the conjunction happened. {this is a good place to remind my readers that I cherish comments in this blog from people that have no idea what I'm talking about...}).

We had the beginning of a Saturn/Uranus cycle on these dates:

12 Feb 1988 at 30 Sagittarius
26 Jun 1988 at 29 Sagittarius
18 Oct 1988 at 28 Sagittarius

We're in the middle of the culmination (opposition) of this cycle. Here are the dates:

4 Nov 2008 at 19 Pisces/Virgo
5 Feb 2009 at 21 Pisces/Virgo
15 Sep 2009 at 25 Pisces/Virgo
26 Apr 2010 at 29 Pisces/Virgo
26 Jul 2010 at 1 Libra/Aries

I hope I get a multitude of comments about this post...

Even if I don't, the next post will cover the chapter in the book about Saturn—one of the most misunderstood planets in astrology...

Go ahead, leave a comment. I dare you! Remember, the only stupid question is the one we don't ask...

The Shattering Truth...

In our continuing voyage into the solar system from far within our unconscious minds (just like the readers of my book, Astrological Repair Manual, a free download) we come to a point where we must face the Utter Truth...

What's your reaction when you know the truth you've glimpsed will bring major change to your life, change that may mean letting some treasured things be left behind?

I'll let part of chapter four in the book, about Uranus and its 84-year cycle, speak for me:

"When we look at the half and quarter cycles of this function, some very interesting meanings emerge. The half-cycle is 42 years—smack in the middle of middle age. The quarter-cycle first occurs at 21—an age at which many of us have an insatiable urge to irrevocably separate from parental dictates, even if we’ve already made a physical separation...

"But separation isn’t an absolutely necessary part of Uranus’ function. It does accompany many folks’ experience of this unconscious power but, if we’re prepared for
the action of transformation and are fully ready to face the truth of a situation, we can navigate the changes and keep our treasured possessions—mental, emotional or physical.

"If we contemplate one twelfth of a Uranus cycle, we see some of the reason for what people have called the '7-year-itch'.

"Since one of the purposes of Uranus’ cycle is facing and incorporating the rock-bottom, radical truth, I want to say a few words about 'Good & Bad', 'Positive & Negative', and 'Abstract & Concrete'.

"We’ve been dealing with some big abstract concepts so far: Regeneration [Pluto], Idealism [Neptune], Transformation [Uranus]; and, as we travel in closer to the Sun, we’ll be dealing with concepts that will feel a lot more concrete. Truth is, there’s an abstract and concrete side to most everything. The events we live through as we regenerate [Pluto], idealize [Neptune], and transform [Uranus] are quite concrete. Similarly, when we get to the functions that appear mostly concrete, we’ll still have the abstract psychological powers lurking behind them.

"As far as the polarities of 'Good/Bad' and 'Positive/Negative' are concerned, the truth of the matter is that the old maxims about focusing on the positive bringing good and focusing on the negative bringing bad are fascinatingly true. The catch is that you have to absolutely focus on the positive and, before you can do that, you have to absolutely know what the most positive view is.

"And, when it comes to astrology in general, it's very important to remain rigorously positive. Even if some of the books on astrology detail various negative qualities and, even if you find your expression of those factors as negative, you still need to focus on the positive. How else can you change negative to positive?

"Plus, there's a harmful practice that's too prevalent in astrology, where people use the negative interpretations of astrological factors to excuse their negative behavior—'Sure I do that. It's because I'm a (fill in the blank).'.

"One of Uranus’ functions is to bring us the shattering truth when we’ve been either purposefully or unknowingly clinging to half- or partial-truths. This can be painful or shocking but, when we get to the other side of any crisis, we can usually see the wisdom of the 'unnecessary' strife. And, even if we still can’t make sense of what’s happened, there are the functions of Neptune and Pluto out there (in here) to help us dissolve the clinging falsehoods and bring them to a state of regenerative wholeness.

"Yes, I’m a hopeless optimist! But my experience of life has included a great quantity of shock and pain and dissolution and, thank God, necessary regeneration. What I’m left with after all this inner work is the ineradicable conviction that life has many tests and trials, we all must face some of them, and we all have the sacred duty to maintain our faith and hopefulness that we will see the truth, we will find the dream, and we will experience rebirth into ever-higher understanding and meaningfulness.

"If not... there’s hell to pay!"

Please do respond in the comments! New to astrology? Great!! As my instructors used to say, "There's no stupid question except the one you don't ask..."

Astrology and the Unconscious

This may be the last post about the first chapter in my book Astrological Repair Manual ( Free Download ).

I'll probably be soon moving into the chapters on Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus—unless folks start to post comments that tell me otherwise...

Let me just say, from that first chapter:

"What I do want to stress...is the fact that humans do have this unconscious realm and that the more we pay attention to it, or 'woo' it, the healthier and happier we'll become. Sure, it takes effort and can lead to some fantastic struggles but life without struggle is death...

"It may have entered your mind to wonder, 'Why is Alex starting way out in the unknown to help me change my perception about astrology?' Well... I could have started on Earth and I could have gone even further toward an earthly approach by saying things like, 'Saturn is the planet of limitation and grief.', or, 'Venus is the planet of love.' But, this jamming of large concepts and energies into narrow boxes is very unhealthy. I'd rather start out here with Xena and make her my friend 'cause she could change into Hercules or Pan, she could give me some secret knowledge, she could help me even when I'm not paying attention to her. Better have her on my side than ignoring her and having her blast into my consciousness and wreak havoc!"

What are your thoughts and feelings?

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?

Way Out There . . . and, Way In Here...

We're staying out here in the realm of Xena for a while. If you don't know what I mean by Xena, please download my free astrology book.

This blog is dedicated to exploring the ideas in the book and, hopefully, learning from all of you the "flavor" and "style" of the revised and expanded version I'm working on. I could very well learn a lot more than just "flavor and style" from my readers here... We shall see...

So, in Chapter One of the book, Xena and the Hordes, I say, "...the meaning of Xena's full cycle could only be useful in understanding things like the rise and fall of civilizations." Of course, with that said, I must add (for those who have yet to read the first edition of my book) that Xena (officially known as Eris) takes about 560 years to make a full cycle around the Sun, putting it about 97 times farther from the Sun than we are. I go on to say, "...we’re in the space [since, in the book, the reader is in a spacecraft coming back into our System] that symbolizes the deeper unconscious mind—the part of our minds that sends us dreams and answers questions we haven’t thought of yet—a mind we all share and which underlies the shaping of humanity's largest social structures, deepest concepts, and most spiritual forces."

Chapters Two, Three, and Four deal with Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus (also cycles of the unconscious) but, like I said, we'll linger out here in the deepest space of our unconscious for a few posts.

The last post talked briefly about "boundaries" and I hope you caught my ironic attitude toward them. Thousands of years ago, Saturn was considered the boundary of the solar system; then the traditional Transcendentals: Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Now Xena is the most distant known object. But is she a boundary? I'd rather call her the latest portal to an endless journey into the deepest and highest aspects of our human spirit!

To quote Carl Jung again:

"'All that is outside, also is inside', we could say with Goethe. But this 'inside', which modern rationalism is so eager to derive from 'outside', has an a priori structure of its own that antedates all conscious experience. It is quite impossible to conceive how 'experience' in the widest sense, or, for that matter, anything psychic, could originate exclusively in the outside world. The psyche is part of the inmost mystery of life, and it has its own peculiar structure and form like every other organism. Whether this psychic structure and its elements, the archetypes, ever 'originated' at all is a metaphysical question and therefore unanswerable. The structure is something given, the precondition that is found to be present in every case. And this is the mother, the matrix—the form into which all experience is poured."

To tie this into astrological practice, I would only add that this unconscious Matrix (the outermost portal of which is Xena) mirrors the outside conditions of the solar system. We humans have a 560-year cycle, as well as many more a bit longer and a bit shorter. In 2015, humans will witness the passage of the New Horizons spacecraft through the environs of Pluto. Then it will head into the zone that Xena inhabits. I contend that this passage of a human artifact through that arena of space will coincide with a few eager and open individuals becoming more deeply aware of human potential but, definitely, not through some physical sensing of the spacecraft; rather through the synchronicity between the spacecraft's passage and the growth of human awareness. I also contend that humanity will mirror some of the meanings that cycles of the 500 year and longer variety reveal...

What do you think?