Heartastrology Muse

Hah, Mercury has gone retrograde again. Usually this is met with quite a good deal of misery. Everyone runs around hollering about broken computers, broken down cars, crashing airplanes and everything else that can and does go wrong concerning business, contracts, travel, and electronics. It is actually a time of great joy, because we are given something to blame the struggles of our modern life on. “It is Mercury Retrograde” we can shout from our cubicles and feel no remorse about the disasters that are falling down upon us, like fire and brimstone from the planetary gods above.

But, that is not the best use of Mercury Retrograde. The best use, or…should I say, my personal favorite use, is to go back and pick up projects that have dropped off my radar. This is the astrologers trick for Mercury retrograde…any thing that has to do with a RE- is ok. So restart your projects, buy a refurbished computer, repair your car and get in good with Mercury.  He is quite happy to help you, if your willing to play along with his wily tricks. Mercury will be retrograde until the 11th of May 2010.

Cheers,
Dorje

The universe is at first glance chaotic. Astrology is the noble art of bringing a light of understanding to the chaos of the Universe. If we contemplate energy and time, we find cycles, archetypes, and an underlying simplistic order to the Universe.  These themes can be studied and used through the Art of astrology.

Making order out of the cycles using archetypes is of immense and practical benefit to spiritual, psychological, and material development and success.  The art of astrology is unique in its ability to be applied to any spiritual tradition, its ability to help garner and fill out the knowledge of how one acts psychologically, and the pathway to manifesting successfully with in the world.

Astrology thus can be a map to self development, self accomplishment, self understanding, as well as a deeper profound truth of selflessness. By learning your place within the cycles of time, you will be initiated into your possibilities as a soul contributing to humanity, the possibility of your own perfection as an instrument of the creative process of life itself, and ever unfolding aspects of selflessness.

First there are the outer cycles, and the ancient great astrologer Mashallah deemed the following ones to be important. First the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, Second the middle conjunction of Mars and Saturn, and third the lesser conjunction of Jupiter and Mars.  These three mark cycles which effect all of humanity.

These cycles tend to be forgotten now, as we have come to recognize even slower moving planets that are not visible to the naked eye, Uranus and Neptune, and the Planetoid Pluto as time markers. However, these planets were used successfully by astrologers to predict the future for thousands of years. Perhaps it is worth looking at these cycle historically to examine their effects on humanity, and gather what we can as glimpses of the future.

Monday is ruled by the Moon. Hence it is a day when the powers and energies of the Moon are very accessible, or so the ancient Babylonians thought.  In fact, every day of the week they named after a “planet”. This tradition is still carried on to this day when all of our days are named after the traditional “planets” in astrology. Their naming scheme is still followed to this day. It starts with Sunday, which of course is dedicated to the Sun, then proceeds to Monday (the Moon), Tuesday (Mars), Wednesday (mercury), Thursday (Jupiter), Friday (Venus) and Saturday (Saturn of course.)

It is a challenge in our culture and time to stay connected to the forces of nature, to stay in their rhythm. At one point it was considered vital for humanity to be in harmony with the movements of the planets. For the Babylonians, to leave this rhythm meant that mankind would go out of balance, great natural disasters and wars would become more common place, and humanity would loose its virtue. For a fascinating read on this subject, I recommend The Dawn of Astrology, by Nick Campion.

So here we are! Most of humanity has lost its ability to be in rhythm with the “planets” and their motions. Their are two easy ways for us to reconnect with their natural rhythm. The first is to pay attention to the planets that rule each day. If it is Monday, then pay attention to the Moon in your chart. What is it doing. What is its purpose. On Mondays, do something Lunar, as it is described in your chart. Honor that, and proceed through the week in the same way!

This method, or exercise will have two benefits, one connecting to an ancient outer rhythm. The natural flow of the Chaldean order, and two, it will help you discover new parts of your inner psyche.

Cheers,

Dorje

The Lunar mansions are giving to be the following. Different authors have different variations, but the differences are not that great. This table is from Agrippa and can be found here. Now It should be stated that this is a very curse explanation, but one which is a great guide to beginning your meditations upon the Lunar Mansions, and watching how they effect your life. More on that in the next post!

The Mansions of the Moon according to H. C. Agrippa’s Occult Philosophy, 1533
	name	(name – Latin)	from	significance	Talisman for	with image of
1	Alnath	horns of Aries	0° Aries	journeys and discord	the destruction of someone	A black man in a garment made of hair, and girdled round, casting a small lance with his right hand
2	Albothaim Albocham	belly of Aries	12°51’22″ Aries	finding treasure and retaining captives	reconciliation with a prince	A king crowned
3	Achaomazone Athoraye	rainy ones or Pleiades	25°42’51″ Aries	profits sailors, huntsmen, alchemists	happy fortune and every good thing	A woman well clothed, sitting in a chair, her right hand being lifted up on her head
4	Aldebram Aldelamen	eye or head of Taurus	8°34’17″ Taurus	destruction and hinderances of buildings, fountains, wells and gold mines, the flight of reptiles and creates discord	revenge, separation, enmity & ill will	A soldier on a horse, holding a serpent in his right hand
5	Alchataya Albachaya	( )	21°25’40″ Taurus	helps safe return from journey, instruction of pupils, confirms buildings, gives health and good will	the favour of kings and officers	The head of a man
6	Alhanna Alchaya	little star of great light	4°17’09″ Gemini	favours hunting, besieging towns, revenge of princes, destroys harvests and fruits, hinders medicine	to procure love betwixt two	two images embracing one another
7	Aldimiach Alarzach	arm of Gemini	17°08’34″ Gemini	brings money and friendship, profits lovers, disperses flies, destroys teaching authorities	to obtain every good thing	A man well clothed, holding his hands up to heaven as it were praying and supplicating
8	Alnaza Anatrachya	misty or cloudy	0° Cancer	creates, love, friendship, travellers’ fellowship, drives away mice, confirms captivity	victory in war	an eagle having the face of a man
9	Achaam Alcharph	eye of Leo	12°51’22″ Cancer	hinders harvests and travellers, creates discord between men	to cause infirmities	The image of a man wanting his privy parts, shutting his eyes with his hands
10	Algeliache Aglebh	neck or forehead of Leo	25°42’51″ Cancer	strengthens buildings, extends love, good will and help against enemies	to facilitate child-bearing	The head of a lion
11	Azobra Ardaf	Leo’s mane	8°34’17″ Leo	helps journeys and money from commerce, and redeeming captives	fear, reverence and worship	A man riding a lion, holding the ear thereof in his left hand, and in his right, holding forth a bracelet of gold
12	Alzarpha	tail of Leo	21°25’40″ Leo	prospers harvests and plantations, betters servants, captives and allies, but hinders sailors	the separation of lovers	A dragon fighting with a man
13	Alhayre	dogs or winged ones of Virgo	4°17’09″ Virgo	favours benevolence, money, voyages, harvests, freedom of captives	the agreement of married couples and for dissolving charms against copulation	images of man in red wax and woman in white wax embracing
14	Achureth, Arimes, Azimeth, Albumech, Alcheymech	Virgo’s ear of corn	17°08’34″ Virgo	favours marital love, healing of sick, good for journeys by sea but bad for land	divorce and separation of the man from the woman	A dog biting his tail
15	Agrapha Algarpha	covered or flying covered	0° Libra	good for extracting treasures, digging pits, helps divorce, discord, destruction of houses and enemies, hinders travel	friendship and goodwill	A man sitting and inditing letters
16	Azubene Ahubene	horns of Scorpio	12°51’22″ Libra	hinders journeys and marriage, harvests and commerce, but helps redemption of captives	much merchandising	A man sitting on a chair, holding a balance in his hands
17	Alchil	crown of Scorpio	25°42’51″ Libra	improves bad fortune, helps love to last, strengthens buildings, helps sailors	against thieves and robbers	An ape
18	Alchas Altoh	heart of Scorpio	8°34’17″ Scorpio	causes discord, sedition, conspiracy against powerful, revenge from enemies, but frees captives and helps buildings	against fevers and pains of the belly	A snake holding his tail above his head
19	Allatha, Achala, Hycula, Axala	tail of Scorpio	21°25’40″ Scorpio	helps besieging and taking of cities, driving people from positions, destroys sailors and captives	facilitating birth and provoking the menstrues	A woman holding her hands upon her face
20	Abnahaya	the beam, transom	4°17’09″ Sagittarius	helps taming beasts, strengthens prisons, destroys allies’ wealth, compels a man to come to a certain place	hunting	Sagittary, half a man and half an horse
21	Abeda Albeldach	the desert	17°08’34″ Sagittarius	favours harvests, money, buildings, travellers, causes divorce	the destruction of somebody	A man with a double countenance, before and behind
22	Sadabacha, Zodeboluch, Zandeldena	the shepherd	0° Capricorn	incites the flight of slaves and captives, helping escape, and curing of diseases	the security of [i.e. to catch] runaways	A man with wings on his feet, bearing an helmet on his head
23	Sabadola Zobrach	swallowing	12°51’22″ Capricorn	causes divorce, freedom of captives, healing of sick	destruction and wasting	A cat having a dog’s head
24	Sadabath Chadezoath	star of fortune	25°42’51″ Capricorn	helps marital understanding, victory of soldiers, causes disobedience, hindering execution of authority	the multiplying of herds of cattle	A woman giving suck to her son
25	Sadalabra Sadalachia	the butterfly, unfolding	8°34’17″ Aquarius	helps siege and revenge, divorce, prisons and buildings, speeds messengers, destroys enemies, helps spells against sex or to cause impotence	the preservation of trees and harvests	A man planting
26	Alpharg Phtagal Mocaden	the first drawing, draining	21°25’40″ Aquarius	helps union, love of men, health of captives, destroys prisons and buildings	love and favour	A woman washing and combing her hairs
27	Alcharya Ahhalgalmoad	the second drawing, draining	4°17’09″ Pisces	increases harvests, revenues, money, heals illnesses, weakens buildings, prolongs imprisonment, endangers sailors, and helps bringing evils against anyone	to destroy fountains, pits, medicinal waters and baths	A man winged, holding in his hand an empty vessel, and perforated
28	Albotham Alchalh	the fishes, Pisces	17°08’34″ Pisces	increases harvests and commerce, helps the safety of travellers in dangerous places, causes marital harmony, but strengthens prisons and causes loss of treasures	to gather fishes together	A fish

It is said by the Astrology teacher Robert Zoller, that only what is promised in the astrology chart may come to pass. When these things come to pass is based upon transit, progression, and direction. An astrologer who is trained in predictive art will look at these three to see when promised events in the chart will occur.  In the case of Tiger Woods, a brilliant and public challenge from his wife, destruction of his home, and life changing obsessions with sex are all promised in his chart. Here is the chart:

In this chart one can see Jupiter rules the 4^th and 7^th house. This is the house of home and marriage respectively. Likewise Jupiter is in the sign of Aries, which according to the Libra Hermetis implies “Powerful tyrants” and ones who are honored and achieve success in physical and martial activities. Is this Tiger, yes it is. Likewise, this Jupiter is in the terms of Mercury, indicating “being successful at business.” Is this Tiger, yes it is. This Jupiter is giving Tiger a good deal of his fame and fortune in the chart, so what is going on, why have things gone bad.

This Jupiter is squaring the Sun in the fourth house, so we know that Jupiter is going to be involved in creating soul lessons for Tiger.  Jupiter is also opposed Pluto in Libra for Tiger. Pluto in Libra is going to fixate on and crave beauty and passion. Thus the goodness of his career, marriage, and home, are going to be opposed at times in his life by his powerful fixation upon passion.

Look at the nodes in the chart. The South Node is in Taurus, the North Node is in Scorpio.  This nodal access suggests karmic lessons through relationships, specifically, relationships that are passionate and sensual. Why now? The solar directed Jupiter, is conjunct the malefic south node.  Thus Jupiter, Tiger’s great boon, is being consumed by the South Node.

Jupiter will always do things with a great blowout. It is a gas giant after all. So it is extravagantly self destructing in a public way now that it has reached the South Node. What would an astrologers advice be to Tiger this year, I would have said, be careful with your family and lay low.

I expect that when Jupiter moves past the South Node, Brand Tiger will recover. But because Solar Directions create permanent physical experiential changes, and not just emotional changes (as transits tend to), Tiger Woods will not have the same wife or home by the end of it all.

Mars. The Red Planet. Hot and Dry. Feisty in temper and quick to act with force. The archetype of the warrior. The minor Malefic in astrology. Malefic means that where if falls in the chart, it is going to make life tough. That place is going to need consciousness to be used. When we have a warrior, a great big hot headed killer, you need him to behave and do his purpose well. In astrology terms this would mean a good sign placement, where he is happy, in his exaltation or domicile. Or he needs to be in a house he enjoys (an accidental dignity) This house is the sixth house, where toil and work is done, using Mars energy well.

When Mars is well in Aries, Scorpio, or exalted in Capricorn, then Mars is going to create courageous people, just people, warriors who are confident, yet prudent in there own affairs. Mars is going to ensure one can carry out ones will, be served by brothers and warriors who are capable, and be effective in whichever house Mars rules.

When Mars is in Fall or detriment, then it is sloppy, it is like a man who goes Postal. The innocent are going to be hurt. There is going to be theivery, obscenity, violence, traitorous behavior in the houses that Mars is placed or ruled. This is the warrior with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that is not treated, the gun totting meth head, or the Rapist. Its not so good.

What to do if Mars is bad in your chart (in Libra or Cancer), look to the houses that Mars rules, those are the areas that you can funnel the energy with consciousness. You will need to use awarenss. The bad warrior has to be kept tabs on, you have to keep him on Parole or in Therapy, or he is going to get nasty. If you do this though, his frustrated energy will serve one very well!

Right now Mars has moved into Cancer. This is where Mars is in Fall. The warrior is so uncomfortable in the cool loving nurturing of the mother realm, that it is going to act badly. During this time we will see acts of violence against women rise, or violent acts against committed on drugs rise. This is the time when people go postal. Look for where your Mars is in your chart. Be careful with the matters of that house when Mars is in its fall! Also be careful not to be alone in dangerous places during this time, acts of random violence will be more commonplace. Mars here will focus on Women and Children. Mars will also invigorate during the evening and night, the moon’s time. During the day there will be more sloth. Our energy will be muted during this time. Mars is going to be depressed, so our activities will not  be as common place.  These are the precautions for Mars in Cancer. Live in awareness, live well,

Dorje

These days you can find a lot of astrology that is about Sun signs, or love signs, or Western and Chinese astrology combined into “new astrology”. These texts, newspapers, astrology feeds can offer good entertainment, but are they astrology? The answer of course is no. Astrology is the science of understanding how the planets interact in a precise mathematical way with your own moment of becoming in this life (that would be with your birth.) As the planets and the nodes travel around the zodiac they form mathematical aspects to each other. These aspects occur can be indicated through many different ways of moving the planets and nodes through the chart.

Of course we know of the aspects as the conjunction, the sextile, the square, the trine and the opposition. I wrote a very simple synopsis of them in the article “How to use aspects in your chart.” The ways the the chart is propelled mathematically around the circle are many. Some examples are: transits, which is where the planets are in the archetypal zodiac now, compared to when you were born. Another is  progressions, which is where the planets were in the sky one day later for every year you have been alive (thus if you have been alive for 49 years, where the planets are 49 days after your birth.) Profections, which is moving the planets forward one sign for every year of your life (thus turning the zodiac). Solar Directions…which amongst other numerical equations means moving the planets 1 degree forward in the chart for every year you have been alive.  These are just a few of the many ways that astrologers move planets to scry meaning for your life as it is currently.

What do all of these have in common, that in the hands of a capable astrologer, they prescribe precision to what the actual and current experiences of your life are. This is something that sun signs and love signs can not to. Sorry, its just not that simple. If you have sun in Virgo, as I do, then you might read today: “Try to take on the big ideas going on around you — there are so many of them to choose from! You almost certainly feel something click as you identify a new sense of purpose and belonging.” which is absolutely meaningless. Sure it is good advice, good on any day for any person. But, because your natal sun is in Virgo in know way means that this applies to your life with any specificity.

Likewise, who you are, as a soul, a human, a psyche is so much more than a simple sun sign, or sun sign and Chinese zodiac sign. You are not a Taurus for example. You may be a Taurus with a Leo moon and Sagittarius Rising, along with a Gemini Mercury, Taurus Venus, Taurus Mars…etc. That is you are, by the strictest of methods, A Sun, Moon, Rising, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn combination in twelve different signs and 12 different houses. That makes a very individual and unique you! Rejoice…you are one of a kind. So keep your mind clean of pop entertainment, and discover the unique you!

This is why there are professional astrologers, why they must study hard to master their craft. Interpreting a persons birth chart is an art and a science which requires time, energy and skill to become adept at, let alone master. In the hands of a master, it becomes a marvelous predictive tool, capable of predicting personal as well as profound world events. Such a case is when Robert Zoller, who is a master of the craft, predicted 9-11 2001 years before it happened.  You can read about this here: www.new-library.com/zoller/features/

Think of sun sign astrology as pop music, a casual enjoyment, or as a commercial. If you seek to know astrology though, consult a professional, or begin many exciting years of study.

Cheers!

Now I want to look at the figurehead for the revolution. His name is Mir Hussein Moussavi. His chart is really quite interesting really in the light of current events. He was born in Khameneh Iran on the 21^st of September 1941. His birth time has not been released as a matter of public record. Because of this we will set the birth time at 12 noon. This of course limits our ability to read the houses, which are a very big and important part of natal astrology. It is the houses that really give place and shape to the wonderful colors of the signs and voices of the planets. Still with the colors and voices we can tell a lot about Mir Moussavi and what his callings are, and more importantly, why his calling is now.

First let us look at how his Nodal axis is a Mercury Jupiter Axis. This is an axis that is philosophical (Jupiter) and Rational (Mercury) in its struggles for growth. It shows a person who struggles with the opposition of faith and logic and through which ideally develops a deep faith of personal philosophy.

Any planet aspecting the nodes by square, which is called the bends of the nodes, or conjunction is going to be pivotal in a karmic way in that person’s life. Can you guess what planets aspect Moussavi’s nodes. Yes that’s right, Neptune and Jupiter, which embody the green Revolution. Neptune conjuncts his north node. Neptune is a planet that invokes spiritual idealism. It is also exactly conjunct the Sun. We thus have a person whose destiny is to be spiritually and philosophically idealized by the masses and a figure head for their wish to have boundless freedom. Neptune here conjunct the Sun also shows a strong possibility of Martyrdom, as Neptune can very powerfully dissolve ones life force if it becomes active in a chart.

Next we find that Jupiter, which is the planet of the statesman, philosopher, and advocate is on the bends of the nodes. Thus Moussavi is also destined to play a role as all three of the above, especially when Jupiter becomes aspected in his chart. This Jupiter is trine Mercury, and receiving its blessings by being in Gemini. That Makes Moussavi a very skilled speaker and user of technology. He is known as a technocrat and has been using facebook to send out his communiqués.

This has been a simple first hand look at Moussavi’s chart. But I put forth it exemplifies the importance of the Jupiter Neptune conjunction in the Green Revolution of Iran. We can conclude that Moussavi will be a significant historical figure in the changes that Iran is undergoing now, whether he lives….or not.

Jupiter has gone stationary today. That means that if we look into the sky it will not be appearing to be going forward or backwards in motion. Why does this relate to the revolution in Iran. The ancient sages of astrology assigned the following qualities to Jupiter:

Jupiter has concern over Religion and Truth. He is a planet of Wisdom, Intellect, Philosophy and Good Work. As far as people go, Jupiter rules, Judges, Senators, Councilors, Ecclesiastical men, Priests, Bishops, Cardinals, Doctors of the civil Law and Lawyers.

As we can see, this describes what has been known as the Islamic Republic of Iran, which makes it a theocracy. A theocracy is a government whose final say is the peace craft. Iran may be rather unique in this area. Jupiter is thus has a very strong place as a symbolic planet of Iran’s government affairs.

When a planet goes Stationary and then Retrograde, it going to revisit what that planet is about. It is going to re examine itself. It is going to act out what it intends in a way that is different from the main stream approach it has been using until then. We can see then that a theocracy is going to be challenged right now, as the movement of Jupiter want matters of religion to be reexamined. Let us combine this with an analysis of the land of Iran itself.

Likewise, Jupiter is conjuncting Neptune, which is also retrograde. Neptune creates illusion and deception, as it went retrograde the ruling elite of Iran found there plans to deceve the world on the actual vote fall apart. I would like to give credit to Joseph Crane for pointing out that at the solstice, The Jupiter Neptune conjunction is rising over Tehran. This has the capacity of indicating that it is precisely where the effect of this planetary conjunction will occur in the world. Astrology is truely amazing.

Persia, which is Iran is defined by Ptolomey and other astrologers as being ruled by Tuarus, which means ruled by Venus. At the time of the uprising and failed election, Venus and Mars Conjunct were being squared by the nodes, conjunct the moon. This indicates that the people of Iran (the moon) were at a place of seeking to change the nature of the country. The bends of the nodes are always an indication of great energy that needs to be released. Venus, representing the country is besieged by mars the violent one, and squared the moon. So we have a violent movement from the people to change the nature of the country. This is indeed a Make up for revolution.

Part II tomorrow

People are often trying to prove astrology…or for that matter disprove astrology. This entirely misses the point of a rich system which can be used to understand our lives and our life path.

At one point I was sitting with H.E. Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, who was great and realized man from Old Tibet. A student of his was enthusiastically saying how modern physics was describing the nature of the cosmos and its geometry in a way very similar to the ancient teachings found in the Kangyur and Tengyur (which are the collected words of the Buddha and his commentaries.) The student was very pleased with this and Chagdudpa became angry.

he said…”western science beliefs always changing…Dharma unchanging. No needs making different for other peoples beliefs.”

Through my studies of astrology, I have come to see that there is a certain truth in that which abides here also. The nature of the planets, the nature of aspects, the nature of signs, the nature of houses still hold accurate and powerful meanings after thousands and thousands of years of human culture changing. Science disproves them…they remain relevant. Science proves them through statistical analysis, they remain the same. The archetypes…are unchanging, it is how we approach them, how we choose to believe in them and think about them that is changing. It is us, society and the people that make it that are always trying to reinvent how things are. How things are is consistent and true, no matter how we look at it, try to define it, or prove it. As long as humans are confused about there nature, astrology will never become irrelevant, no matter how much technology and rational science we invent. It fulfills a need in the human psyche to order random events in our lives and experiences. It is noble to study it from different approaches, with different belief systems, but there is no need to justify it by saying that only through scientific proof it will survive. The truth of the archetype will live long beyond our empty efforts at justifying our existence and egos through our small projects doomed to be washed away by endless time. The truth of our true nature, as taught by the great saints will live even beyond those archetype.

Then Chagdudpa looked at me and asked if I thought it would snow. Even though it was June, it snowed that night.

Best Wishes,

Dorje