Just A Few Questions ?

May I ask a few questions?

What led you to this blog?

What was the first thing you noticed when you got here?

What did you think of astrology before you arrived here?

Has visiting this blog changed any of your beliefs about astrology?

Have you tried interpreting any charts with the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System?

If you have experimented with the B.I.D.E. System, what was that experience like?

If you don't like various things about this blog or the B.I.D.E. System, would you ever consider leaving a Comment to let me know?

If you do like various things about this blog or the B.I.D.E. System, will you consider leaving a Comment to let me know?

"No, Really; How Do You Do It?"

If you've been following this blog for some time, there are a number of things you know about me:

I do not believe astrology predicts events...

I do believe astrology predicts meanings...

I've created the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System to aid anyone to engage in honest, positive, creative astrological interpretation...

I have a growing list of documents on the Information Site (red link in the right panel) to help everyone use the B.I.D.E. System...

I Crave Comments and Feedback!

Since the B.I.D.E. System is so unique, so set apart from traditional astrological practice, it may seem that the "rules" for how to practice astrology with it are radically different, too.

Well, yes and no...

Using the B.I.D.E. System does demand some thinking—you can't just read a book and repeat what it says to a client.

And, the System does give you more creative control over what you predict for your (or, another's) future...

But, from the perspective of the responsibility to practice astrology ethically, the B.I.D.E. System is no different from any other method of interpretation.

I'll leave you with a quote from Dane Rudhyar, from his book, The Practice of Astrology:

"[The astrologer] gives information, as he sees it in the charts. More information, as the client returns. Always more data, more knowledge. It may be real knowledge; the facts are there and he reads them correctly. One problem, however, may not enter his mind as he goes through the scheduled time allotted for the interview: What use will the client make of the information? The client has been given a 12-cylinder car; but perhaps he has only a 4-cylinder mind to handle it. The information was correct. Was the imparting of it wise?"

What Astrology Does Not Do...

This post is a reprint of an article from our Information Site (Red link in the right panel) where you can find all kinds of info to help you use the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System:

This may be really hard for some folks to understand, but here it is:

Astrology does not, will not, and never has predicted events.

"What?!"

Yes. It's the absolute truth, even if some astrologer "predicted" something for you...

If an astrologer tells you something is going to happen, don't you think that, if it does, there may be just a bit of self-fulfillment in that?

What astrology does predict or reveal is Meaning.

"O.K. What if an astrologer says some event happened in my past, and, in fact, it did happen?"

Believe it or not, what happened is that the astrologer saw a meaning in the chart and made a very good guess at the exact event. Here's some proof of that:

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to talk to two men, born of different mothers but at the same time at the same hospital. Since they had the same chart you'd think they would have had the same events happening in their lives, right?

Well, all it takes is one contrary occurrence of something to disprove a theory and here it is:

There was a strong indicator in their charts at a certain time, and I asked the first man what happened. He said his father had died. I asked the other man, with the same chart, what happened, and he said he'd been on his first nude beach...

Obviously, the same chart had shown two very different events! Then, I asked the first man (by the way, I interviewed these men separately), "What did it mean when your father died?" He said that he'd felt like he'd had shackles removed (his father had been rather authoritarian). I asked the other man, "What did it mean to be on your first nude beach?" He said that he had dropped his shackles...

They used exactly the same, and not so common, word to describe what two very different events meant...

So, astrology doesn't predict events, it predicts meanings.

What's Up ?

This blog's not all that old...

Five months...

There've been 65 people who've been here more than once and 8 who've been here more than 25 times...

Those who've returned have spent an average time-on-site/visit of 2 mins 45 secs...

Numbers...

What this site needs; what the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System needs is Interaction, Comments, Feedback, Action...

Those qualities will make the blog more valuable as well as making your use of the B.I.D.E. System more valuable...

...

Help?

The Lunation Cycle

There are as many ways to use the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System as there are thoughts in your head...

One way that gives you valuable information as it teaches you how to apply the B.I.D.E. System is following a Lunation Cycle through your chart—from New Moon through Full Moon and back around.

An excellent article about using the Lunation Cycle, by Michael Meyer, that stresses the 36 phases of the cycle is called The Eon and is well worth reading and studying.

Also available, on this blog's Information Site (red link in the right panel), is the article, Example of Using the Aspect Phrases and the partner document, B.I.D.E. Full Aspect Cycle.

To show you how much valuable information is obtained by applying the B.I.D.E. System to the Lunation Cycle, I'll include my notes for the current cycle. Here's the link to my chart so, if you dare, you can follow along...

Naturally, these notes won't mean a lot to you because the Context of my life isn't here. I'm only putting my current Lunation notes here as an example of the wealth of interpretive information you can generate; and, to let you know I actually use the B.I.D.E. System ;-)

NM: 21Jul-22:35-30Cancer

Focusing Character Development in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Begins a New Cycle of Actualization by
Nourishing Nurturing Abilities in order to Realize the Oneness of Life.

SemSex: 24-1:47-2Leo/Virgo

Vitalizing Creative Response in order to Realize the Oneness of Life by Utilizing the Resources of My Unconscious Mind
Creates a New Pattern for Action by
Nurturing a Service Attitude in order to See Things Clearly.

Dec: 24-12:17-2/8

Vitalizing Creative Response in order to Utilize the Resources of My Unconscious Mind
Engenders a Specific Plan by
Nurturing a Service Attitude in order to Truly Be Who I Am.

Nov: 24-19:21-3/13

Vitalizing Creative Response in order to Utilize the Resources of My Unconscious Mind
Supplies Nourishment for Growth by
Nurturing a Service Attitude in order to Truly Be Who I Am.

Oct: 25-4:16-3/18

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Realize the Oneness of Life by Utilizing the Resources of My Unconscious Mind
Works to Overcome Restrictions by
Nurturing a Service Attitude in order to Truly Be Who I Am.

Sep: 25-15:53-3/25

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Utilize the Resources of My Unconscious Mind
Engenders Affirmation of Plans by
Nurturing Discrimination in order to Focus on my Resources.

Sext: 26-7:42-4/4Libra

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Improves Interaction with Surrounding Conditions by
Nurturing Seeing Things from Other’s Perspectives in order to Focus on my Resources.

Quint: 27-6:26-5/17

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Increases Applied Creativity by
Nurturing Seeing Things from Other’s Perspectives in order to Be Aware of My Immediate Environment.

BiNov: 27-22:01-6/26

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Widens the Field for Development by
Nurturing Seeing Things from Other’s Perspectives in order to Be Aware of My Immediate Environment.

Sq: 28-18:00-6/6Scorpio

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Impels Decisive Future-Oriented Action by
Nurturing the Urge to Blend Perspectives in order to Be Aware of My Immediate Environment.

BiSep: 29-20:26-8/20

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Brings Holistic Clarity to Plans by
Nurturing the Urge to Blend Perspectives in order to Fertilize the Situation.

TriDec: 30-7:14-8/26

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Induces New Levels of Creative Potential by
Nurturing the Urge to Blend Perspectives in order to Fertilize the Situation.

Trine: 31-8:51-9/9Sagittarius

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Impels Determined Accomplishment by
Nurturing an Idealistic Awareness in order to Fertilize the Situation.

TriOct: 1Aug-17:32-10/25

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Impels Action to Overcome Obstacles by
Nurturing an Idealistic Awareness in order to Externalize My Creativity.

BiQuinT: 2-13:22-11/5Capricorn

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Aids the Development of Required Resources by
Nurturing Constructive Initiatives in order to Externalize My Creativity.

Quincnx: 3-2:38-12/12

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Supports Effective Operation at a New Level by
Nurturing Constructive Initiatives in order to Externalize My Creativity.

TriSep: 3-12:07-12/16

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Induces a Sense of Attunement with a Higher Purpose by
Nurturing Constructive Initiatives in order to Externalize My Creativity.

QuadNov: 4-00:47-12/22

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Increases Awareness of the Actualization of Potential by
Nurturing Constructive Initiatives in order to Be of Service.

Opp: 5-20:55-14/14Aquarius

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Creates the Energy to Become More Inclusive by
Nurturing Group-Consciousness in order to Be of Service.

QuadNov: 7-16:25-16/6Pisces

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Creates an Awareness of New Social Possiblities by
Nurturing Visionary Initiative in order to Initiate Sharing.

TriSep: 8-4:40-16/12

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Illumines the Power of Social Purpose by
Nurturing Visionary Initiative in order to Initiate Sharing.

Quincnx: 8-13:48-17/17

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Expands Social Horizons by
Nurturing Visionary Initiative in order to Initiate Sharing.

BiQuin: 9-2:30-17/23

Vitalizing Energetic Influence in order to Explore the Value of Transcendence of Self
Increases the Ability to Be a Socially Creative Force by
Nurturing Visionary Initiative in order to Merge With Others.

TriOct: 9-21:19-18/3Aries

Looking forward to that Waning TriOctile !

Even More About Dane Rudhyar

Image Credit

Our last two posts looked at bits and pieces of Dane Rudhyar's chart.

This time we'll look at his Sun, Moon, and Ascendant—the holy astrological trinity...

We'd already created a Symbolic Sentence for his Sun:

Vitalizing Fresh Approaches in order to Study What He Discovered Was Important.

Now, lets construct one for his Moon in Aquarius in the 2nd House.

B.I.D.E.'s options for the Moon are:

Adapting
Nurturing
Nourishing
Enfolding

Those for Aquarius are:

Humanitarian Considerations
Group-Consciousness
Radical Breakthroughs
“Global” Awareness

And, for the 2nd House:

Focus on His Resources.
Realize His Heritage.
Be Aware of His Worth.
Ground His Plans.

Here's the Symbolic Sentence I'll create for this placement:

Nurturing Humanitarian Considerations in order to Ground His Plans.

And, since the Sun/Moon aspect is the Waning Novile, we can put the Symbolic Sentences for Sun and Moon together in the following way:

Vitalizing Fresh Approaches in order to Study What He Discovered Was Important
Enabled a Seed-Planting of Future Possibilities by
Nurturing Humanitarian Considerations in order to Ground His Plans.

That Sun/Moon power was channeled through his Sagittarius Ascendant. Since a Symbolic Sentence for a House cusp has no Planetary Function, we place the word "Using" in front of the Sign:

We have for Sagittarius:

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

And, for the 1st House:

Focus on the Present.
See Things from His Own Perspective.
See Things Clearly.
Truly Be Who He Was.

Here's the Symbolic Sentence I'll create for his Ascendant:

Using an Idealistic Awareness in order to Truly Be Who He Was.

And, Rudhyar truly Was who he truly could BE...

Care to put Your choices for Symbolic Sentences for Dane's Sun, Moon, and Ascendant in the Comments?

More About Dane Rudhyar

Last post, we used a few bits and pieces from Dane Rudhyar's Chart (namely, His Sun/Function, Sun's Sign/Energy, and Sun's House/Activity) to see that the B.I.D.E. System can function well even without creating a Symbolic Sentence. (for a guide to using the full System, see our Information Site)

But even though, for awhile, we'll look at piecemeal uses of the System, and because too many astrologers use Only piecemeal interpretation, I included a full Symbolic Sentence for Rudhyar's Sun:

Vitalizing Fresh Approaches in order to Study What He Discovered Was Important.

I also urged you to, "...look into some of his ground-breaking writings on Khaldea's Rudhyar Archival Project...".

Now, I want to draw your attention to the two Planets that define the "boundaries" of his Talents—Saturn and Jupiter.

Let's compare first the differences and, especially, the complementary nature of these Key Planets in Rudhyar's life (in case you've never heard of the man, I would call him the Einstein of Astrology).

Here are the key phrases for these Key Planets in Dane's chart:

Saturn
Rudhyar's Saturn is retrograde so everything pertaining to it must be viewed in the most unique and individualized way possible...)
Defining
Clarifying
Structuring
Organizing

Jupiter
Expanding
Amplifying
Optimizing
Being Optimistic about

If these Planets were married, they'd be the Perfect Couple...

Now, let's compare the interaction of the Signs of Saturn and Jupiter in his chart:

Scorpio for Saturn
the Urge to Blend Perspectives
the Desire to Bond Deeply
an Analytical Attitude
the Worth of Others

Gemini for Jupiter
Diversity of Ideas
Multiplicity of Interests
Intellectual Freedom
Conceptual Versatility

Even a quick scan of the Wikipedia Article for Dane will reveal the prominence of these Energies in his life...

Here are the Houses (or, the most prominent Activities in his life):

11th House for Saturn
Make His Social Position Secure.
Enlist the Aid of His Social Network.
Activate His Goals.
Give Expression to His Hopes.

7th House for Jupiter
Begin (or, Refresh) a Relationship.
Be Aware of the Other Person’s Perspective.
Initiate Sharing.
Find a Compensating Viewpoint.

You may have to dig a bit deeper into the Khaldea site or the Wikipedia article to see how these activities were prominent but it won't really be all that hard...

And, to bring this post to a conclusion, I can't avoid constructing the full Symbolic Sentence for these Planets. They're nine degrees from a Waning Trine but Saturn is retrograding back toward a tighter orb so:

Clarifying an Analytical Attitude in order to Give Expression to His Hopes
Induces Insight into the Needs of Society by
Optimizing Intellectual Freedom in order to Initiate Sharing.

And, Share he did!

Those were my picks from all the options in the System...

What would you pick to create a Symbolic Sentence for Dane's most prominent Functions?

Want to share it in the Comments?

General Astrology Techniques

Since the returns from our survey, so far, show "General Astrology Techniques" as the most desired topic for this blog, I'm going to show you how to use the B.I.D.E. Interpretive System to gain valuable information even when you're not constructing the complete Symbolic Sentences the System is designed to provide.

If you haven't yet taken the survey, please click this link and give us your opinions!

To show you some creative ways to use parts of the System to explore charts, I'm going to look at my favorite astrologer's chart: Dane Rudhyar.

The first thing I want to point out is the B.I.D.E. System's use of the word "Function" for Planets, "Energy" for Signs, and "Activity" for Houses.

So, to begin an exploration of what I consider to be the Einstein of Astrology's chart, we might look to his Sun Function, expressed as:

Vitalizing
Centering
Focusing
Integrating

What did Rudhyar try to Vitalize, Center, Focus On, and Integrate?

It was his Sun's Energy or Sign, Aries:

Individual Awareness
Dynamic Awareness
Personal Initiative
Fresh Approaches

And, what did he Do about this Central Purpose of using Individual Awareness, Dynamic Awareness, Personal Initiative, and Fresh Approaches?

He put that Central Purpose's Energy into his 3rd House:

Being Aware of His Immediate Environment
Learning Important Facts
Studying What He Discovered Was Important.
Making Connections

We haven't even constructed a Symbolic Sentence with the System, yet we have information about Rudhyar that bears on his life-long work of {and here comes a Symbolic Sentence [and, if you've never even considered how these Sentences are constructed, please look into our Information Site...}}:

Vitalizing Fresh Approaches in order to Study What He Discovered Was Important.

And, what he discovered as important has changed the face of astrology forever...

Even if you know nothing about Rudhyar's life and work, and how that Symbolic Sentence expresses his Central Life Purpose, please do look into some of his ground-breaking writings on Khaldea's Rudhyar Archival Project...

What I want you to realize in this post is that the B.I.D.E. System still "works" even when we take parts of it into consideration—looking at just the Planets/Functions, Signs/Energies, or Houses/Activities...

Next post, we'll take this piecemeal approach a bit further...

Comments?

Please...

The Survey, so far...

We have some results from the survey about what You want to see on this blog.

Not a lot of responses but I respect the opinions of those who take the time to register their thoughts...

So...

The category Famous Birth Charts shows 60% want "a little bit" and 40% want it as "a regular feature".

General Astrology Techniques shows 50% want it "almost always", 33.3% "more often than not", and 16.7% "a regular feature".

Transits shows a 33.3% tie for "almost always" and "a regular feature", and also a tie of 16.7% for "more often than not" and "a little bit".

Progressions came in with exactly the same results as Transits...

And, Special B.I.D.E. Techniques showed a 3-way tie of 33.3% for "almost always", "more often than not", and "a regular feature".

I'm not going to make any "policy decisions" until more folks have expressed their desires...

So...

I've created a link to the survey post in the upper right panel and, to make it a touch easier, put the survey link right here, too...