The Gospel of St. John opens with the often-quoted statement: "In the beginning was the Word.

" Other religions also brought forth the idea that a universal cycle of existence begins with a divine utterance, a Logos. For the Hindu philosopher, this creative word was !"# and every cycle began, as it were, in the sounding forth by so$e creative power of the !" of the cycle % a tone which &ept sounding changelessly at the core of all that !". existed during this life cycle. 'he sacred scriptures of (rah$inical India, the )edas, were said to constitute further develop$ents of the word is co$posed of letters# and each letter, in the cos$ological type of sy$bolis$ *ust $entioned, stands for a particular cos$ic power % and even for a being e$bodying at a cos$ic level this type of energy. Isla$ stresses greatly, in its esoteric aspect, the $eaning of such "letters" of the creative word in the beginning and in this follows a universal tradition, of which we see the re$nants in the Hindu Tantra and in the Hebrew Kabbalah. Words of $any letters were arranged in the for$ of mantrams +sacred incantations,, the $ost fa$ous of which is the Hindu Gayatri, to be intoned at dawn as a salutation to the rising sun, whose light opens up a new day cycle. 'he $erican -unis in ri.ona have also a dawn cere$ony in which at sunrise they are said to "hear" the vibrations of the first rays of sunlight# and their $ost sacred chants are apparently results of this experience of creative vibration. strology can be considered as an expression of such an ancient tradition, for the birth/ chart of an individual is the sacred na$e, the "word in the beginning," the individual $antra$ of this individual born at a particular ti$e and a particular place on the globe. t the $o$ent of his first breath, the basic rhyth$s of his total organis$ % blood circulation, breathing, and probably so$e sort of rhyth$ of nerve electricity +prana in 0ans&rit, % are set. What sets the$ can be said to be so$e as yet $ysterious power, the creative power that e$anates fro$ the entire solar syste$. 'he cere$ony of baptis$ is a sy$bolical repetition of this funda$ental sounding forth of the creative word at the $o$ent of the first breath. na$e is given to the infant. 'heoretically, this na$e should be in tune with the creative vibration of the birth/chart, for the latter constitutes the celestial na$e of the individual. (ut, alas, the parents who select the child1s na$e do so because of personal li&es or in order to please a close relative. 'he na$e which the child, thus, officially bears sy$boli.es his "ego" % i.e., the character which develops under the pressures of fa$ily, environ$ent, religion, culture, etc. % while the birth/chart +the celestial na$e, refers to the true and basic individual selfhood of the

child, what the universal creative power poured into this organis$ at the very beginning of its cycle of individual existence. 'he birth/chart is a word of which the planets are the letters. It $ay be said to be the resonance of the new/born organis$ to the powerful vibrations of the cos$ic word and the acceptance by this organis$ of its particular place and function in the universe. 'he positions of the planets +0un and "oon included, will change $o$ent after $o$ent through the life of the individual hu$an being, and these changes will have a definite repercussion +as "transits", upon his develop$ent# yet the birth/chart re$ains throughout the life/cycle as an unchanging for$ula, as a funda$ental na$e which represents the true individuality of this particular hu$an being. 'here are only ten planets used today in astrology % and a few subsidiary factors +li&e the 2odes and 3arts, derived fro$ planetary cycles of $otions and interrelationships % but because hu$an beings are integral parts of the earth and because our planet has a rhyth$ of its own represented by the .odiac, an i$$ense nu$ber of possible co$binations exist when the planets are referred to the twelve signs of the .odiac. 4ach planet in our birth/chart is a letter of the cos$ic word sounded forth through space at the $o$ent of our first inhalation. (ut so$ewhat as in the 5hinese language, words have different $eanings if sounded at a low, an inter$ediary, or a high pitch# so +but do not ta&e this analogy literally6, a planet in the sign fro$ the one it would have if in 5ancer or )irgo. ries has a $eaning which differs s each planet in a birth/chart +including

the 0un and "oon a$ong "planets", can be in one of the twelve signs of the .odiac % thus, can "sound forth" at twelve different levels or "pitches" % this provides for an i$$ense nu$ber of possible $eanings. further degree of co$plexity is produced by the fact that a hu$an being, as he is born, can find hi$self oriented in a theoretically infinite nu$ber of ways to the universe as a whole# because he is born at a point on the surface of the globe, the hori.on of his birthplace at the ti$e of his first breath establishes a basic dualis$: the s&y overhead and the solid earth which hides fro$ hi$ half of the celestial sphere. s the earth rotates, the east/west line of the hori.on points about every four $inutes +$ore or less, depending on the latitude of the birthplace, to new degrees of the .odiac. Hori.on and $eridian create four "angles," establishing a "cross" +or 7uadrature, which serves as a &ind of fra$ewor& within which the new/born1s capacity for experience finds itself defined. 'he basic factor in natal astrology is the pattern $ade by all the planets. 4ach planet represents a funda$ental $ode of activity: that is, an organic function, psychological as well as biological. 'he aspects between the planets describe the $anner in which they interact, reinforcing or wea&ening each other, revealing a s$ooth type of cooperation between functional activities or indicating organic, psychoso$atic tensions. 'he general distribution of the planets within the .odiac % whether, for instance, they are clustered within a s$all section of the .odiac or spread out $ore or less evenly through the s&y % tells us a great deal about the $eaning of this celestial word which constitutes the real

na$e of the individual person. 'he ti$e at which a person is born with reference to the $onthly lunation cycle % whether it is a 2ew "oon, 5rescent "oon, First 8uarter, Full "oon, 9ast 8uarter birth/gives us valuable infor$ation as to the character of the vital energies of the individual as he $eets the challenges of everyday existence in a particular environ$ent and as he progresses fro$ childhood to old age. 'he difficulty % a very great difficulty indeed % is to integrate the $any &inds of infor$ation with which the astrological co$ponents of the birth/chart provide us. child can learn to spell the letters of the word love. (ut to spell 9/O/)/4 does not tell the child the $eaning of love until he has connected the word with his experience, either of his feeling of love or at least of how people around hi$ who use the word behave or appear to feel when they say that they love. 'his is why the practice of astrology cannot in any way be separated fro$ so$e degree of &nowledge of the psychological and biological ways in which hu$an beings operate. While the birth/chart refers to forces of great dyna$is$, it is, nevertheless, only a formula of relationship and, thus, an abstraction. 0o is the che$ical for$ula for dyna$ite or the fa$ous for$ula of 4instein on which the ato$ bo$b was based, 4:"5;, an abstraction. !nless we &now what these algebraic letter sy$bols stand for, it does not tell us what we can expect or the nature of the concrete facts being thereby sche$ati.ed. 0o if we want to understand the factual $eaning of a birth/chart % i.e., the type of personal behavior and character to which it refers % we have first of all to be thoroughly ac7uainted with the co$plexities and the subtleties of human nature and also with the environ$ental factors a$idst which this particular life will see& to actuali.e its birth potential. 'he tas& is difficult indeed and re7uires not only a traditional &nowledge of astrological techni7ues, but also a deep and &een sensitivity to hu$an beings and a vast experience with the reactions and proble$s of $odern individuals.

The Planetary Alphabet

s astrology deals essentially with a ten/lettered alphabet, the first tas& of the would/be astrologer is to understand the character and $eaning of each of the letters. 'he first way of approaching the proble$ such an understanding poses is to reali.e that so$e of the planets are li&e consonants, others li&e vowels. 5onsonants are those planets to which $ost astrologers attribute a $ore or less "$alefic" nature % thus, "ars, 0aturn, !ranus, 2eptune, and 3luto. ctually, these planets are not, in any basic sense, $alefic. 'hey represent, however, energies which in various ways induce crises. 'he 1)owel" type of planets % 0un, "oon, "ercury, )enus, <upiter % refer to the very substance and the en*oy$ent of life. 'he vowels are the foundations of speech, and we find the$ e$phasi.ed in the language of races particularly at ease with life and with the$selves. Where consonants are greatly stressed, psychological tensions are usually $ore in evidence % as, for instance, in the 3olish language. 0o$e pri$itive people use a variety of guttural sounds, clappings of

the tongues, etc., which tend to show that they are still close to the fears and passions of the *ungle world. 'he difference between vowels and consonants is particularly evident in singing. 5onsonants $odify and, above all, pro*ect the vowel sounds with which they are associated % or, in other instances, ter$inate the vowel1s vibrations. It $ay be significant that we have officially in $any languages five vowels % li&e "benefic" planets. One could al$ost certainly connect the 0un with +the $ost basic of all vowel sounds, as in "father", and the "oon with O. 4 would refer to "ercury, I to )enus, and ! to <upiter# but, of course, in 4nglish we use $uch $ore than five vowel sounds. However, the different characteristics of the planets when located in different signs of the .odiac correspond to the various $odifications of the basic vowel sounds. co$bination of the pure sound lso, the con*unctions of two planets $ay be related to the co$bination of two letters called diphthongs. 'he 4nglish "I" is actually a and I +as these are pronounced in French, =er$an, Italian,# thus, it $ight sy$boli.e a con*unction of the 0un and )enus. 'he French "*e" +$eaning I, stresses the vowel 4, which I have related to "ercury# and this see$s 7uite revealing in view of the intellectual e$phasis in French culture. One $ust obviously not try to apply too closely such a type of correspondence, even if an "occult" analysis of the words of any language in ter$s of their basic sounds and of their "roots" in basic tongues li&e 0ans&rit is a fascinating study. 'he $ain point is that astrology is li&e a language. 4very astrological chart is a word, and its co$ponent factors are li&e letters. On the one hand, the word has to be read letter after letter# but on the other hand, spelling the word is but the prelude to the real process which is the understanding of the $eaning of the word as a whole. We $ay change the illustration and say that birth/charts are the blueprints setting down in abstract lines and $easure$ents the structure of the house that will be, the house of personality. (ut perhaps the best analogy is that which relates a birth/chart to those geo$etrical three/di$ensional $odels of a $olecule in which each of the co$ponent ato$s of various basic ele$ents is shown in its precise place and in relation to the others. $olecule is $uch li&e a factory in which co$plex che$ical operations are perfor$ed by different substances or particles. In the astrological chart, we see every planet also perfor$ing a function. <upiter expands, while 0aturn contracts# )enus draws inward the results of experience, while "ars goes forth in outward/bound actions. "ercury registers, tabulates, classifies, and re$e$bers# while 3luto, in so$e cases at least, sha&es up and reorgani.es the $aterials of our $ind in response to collective or cos$ic i$pulses, etc. 'he functions operate at $ore than one level % i.e., the planets represent forces within the hu$an personality which $anifest not only as biological activities, but also on psychological drives and $ental capacities. "ercury refers to the nervous syste$ and its $yriads of intercellular connections, but also to the intellect and its ability to re$e$ber and to abstract ideological syste$s fro$ classified sense data. )enus deals with the reproductive , 4, I, O, ! % and that I listed five vowel/

cells of the body, but also the artist1s creative activity. <upiter represents the liver and the pancreas, but also the capacity for assi$ilating the collective experiences of generations of hu$an beings and for relating the individual to the universe and to the source of all life. 'hus, religion co$es under its sway. 0aturn rules the bones of the body and the for$ation of red blood corpuscles within these bones, but also the ego of hu$an beings and their need for security and order. 'he fact that the planets in astrology refer to two related levels of existence is no stranger than the now well/&nown other fact that the sacred scriptures of anti7uity were written in such a way that they had an esoteric +i.e., psycho/spiritual, $eaning as well as an exoteric sense in which they dealt with $ore or less historical events or natural pheno$ena. 'he fol&lore of every country is li&ewise deeply sy$bolic# and stories in which hu$an, supernatural, or se$i/divine beings were exciting protagonists hide a great wealth of deeper $eanings referring to $an1s inner life. 'he passage of the 0un every year through the twelve signs of the .odiac was the foundation on which the dra$atic stories of gods or de$i/gods and the twelve labors of Hercules were built. ll this refers to the vast language of symbolism# but astrology is susceptible to the $ost practical and efficacious type of application of sy$bolis$, for it deals directly with the constitution and unfold$ent of every $an as an individual person day after day, year after year. It not only gives us the blueprints of our "house of personality," but it also tells us in general ter$s the schedule according to which the building of this house % our own personal life/will proceed# it reveals the expectable difficulties on the way and the $o$ents of relaxation and en*oy$ent.

The Meaning of the Planets

I will now s&etch out briefly what each of these planets $eans in the language of astrology. T ! S"#: In a birth/chart, it represents the power that sustains the organic and spiritual develop$ent of the individual person. ccording to its .odiacal and natal house location, it reveals the nature of the basic vital energy and the types of experiences which enable the individual to tap the greatest a$ount of strength available to hi$ and to reach the clearest reali.ation of the basic purpose of his life. 'he 0abian 0y$bol of the degree on which the 0un is placed is also, in $ost cases, 7uite revealing, suggesting the character of this individual purpose or the &eynote of the person1s destiny. T ! M$$#: It reveals the $ode of operation +.odiacal sign, and the type of experiences +natal house, by using which a person is best able to ad*ust hi$self to the re7uire$ents of any biological and psychological situation. It represents $an1s capacity to adapt effectively to his environ$ent % and, negatively, his passive subservience to outer conditions or inner $oods. Where the "oon is located, there a person is $ost sensitive to change and is responsive to opportunities for growth.

M!%&"%': 'he position of this planet in a .odiacal sign and natal house indicates the person1s essential type of $ental activity and the way he tends $ost naturally and spontaneously to associate the raw data of his existence +i.e., his sense perceptions, and to build, through such an associating or lin&ing process, the concepts and $ental i$ages which control his thin&ing. "ercury refers to the nervous syste$ because it is through the nerves that $an relates hi$self to the outer world and that the interdependence of all the parts and functions of the body is $ade possible and effective in ter$s of the total person. "ercury is related to all electrical pheno$ena in the body and to $e$ory or the storage of infor$ation. Whether it rises before or after the 0un on the day of birth, and whether it is "direct" or "retrograde" in its apparent $otion in the s&y, these are also i$portant factors in ascertaining the character and efficiency of a person1s $ind. MA%S: 'his planet tells us how a person pro*ects hi$self in action upon his environ$ent. the physical level, "ars refers to the $uscular syste$, for every for$ of outward activity involves so$e $uscular action % including reading a boo&. t the psychological level, "ars is related to the libido, populari.ed by Freud. "ars does not describe the character of the life energy, for this energy is represented by the 0un. "ars refers to the instru$entalities through which this energy is released, enabling $an to acco$plish his life purpose. "ars % unless it is retrograde % is a factor of pure spontaneity and eagerness. Its position infor$s us of a $an1s capacity for initiative and executive decisions# it describes the characteristic $anner in which the individual $eets everyday events. (!#"S: If "ars is oriented outward, )enus refers to all that brings inward for consideration and *udg$ent the results of an experience. )enus is essentially the capacity to give value to everything a $an encounters. ccordingly, the $an will love or hate, is drawn toward the thing or person *udged valuable and personality enhancing or runs away fro$ it in fear, disgust, or boredo$. In another sense, )enus represents the field of $agnetic forces which holds the personality together# it represents the "archetype" of the personality and the deepest 7uality of the person1s vibration. )enus is related to the arts because a society expresses through its arts and its culture the inner$ost character and 7uality of its collective identity. )enus refers also to the genetic cells +sper$s and ova,, for in these reside the self/perpetuating genetic character of an ancestral line of heredity. J"P)T!%: In this largest of all planets, we see the sy$bol of whatever expands the individual and enables hi$ to utili.e $ost efficiently his innate wealth of biological and psychological resources. (ecause a $an can only fulfill his vast potential of life and consciousness through cooperation with other $en, <upiter is the foundation of the social sense and of hu$an fellowship. 'his fellowship can at first operate only within the narrow li$its of &inship and si$ilarity of life bac&ground and experiences. 'hus, <upiter functions originally as that power which holds a clan or a tribe together. >eligion is a psychological expression of that power % so also is the respect for authority and the willingness to adopt t

traditional patterns of behavior. <upiter refers to wealth, for wealth is an indication of a person1s ability to confor$ to social trends and to $a&e the $ost of social opportunities. 'he position of <upiter in the birth/chart indicates the nature of such a capacity for social action, en*oy$ent, and ac7uisition of prestige. SAT"%#: 'his "cold" planet stabili.es and clearly defines a $an1s position in his social co$$unity. It refers to his na$e, to the signature or the nu$bers on his identifying cards. 0ociety guarantees this identity but de$ands in exchange that the individual re$ain in his place and not intrude upon the identity of other $e$bers of the co$$unity. 'hus, 0aturn is the law, the police force, all set ways of personal or group behavior, and all rituals. 'he position of 0aturn in a .odiacal sign and a natal house indicates the nature of the forces and circu$stances or experiences which $ost rigidly individuali.e a person, in the sense that they set hi$ apart fro$ others % especially if this $eans a basic difference fro$ the collective nor$. 'hus, where 0aturn is located, there is the point of $axi$u$ isolation and susceptibility or sensitiveness, for it is the point of greatest wea&ness and of least sustain$ent by society, life, or =od. "%A#"S: 'his planet in a birth/chart indicates the type of energy and of experiences which will be $ost conducive to a radical transfor$ation of the total personality % body and psyche. It infor$s us as to the nature and ti$ing of crises in the life of an individual if that individual is not co$pletely set and crystalli.ed in 0aturnian grooves of confor$ity. !ranus is the rebel and the liberator, 3ro$etheus within every $an who dares to be truly an individual. #!PT"#!: It is the "universal solvent" of which the alche$ists spo&e and +$ore si$ply, the ocean. 2eptune dissolves whatever !ranus has been able to loosen up. 'he narrower for$s of stability and security which 0aturn represents are dissolved by 2eptune, and out of the "chaos" +or $elting pot, of 2eptune e$erges at least the potentiality of vaster for$s of organi.ation: 2eptunian federalis$ vs. 0aturnian/<upiterian provincialis$ % great $ystic1s reali.ation of unity everywhere vs. the dog$as and set rituals of organi.ed religions. Where 2eptune is in the birth/chart, the individual is $ost vulnerable to the pressures of organi.ed society and to so$e degree of "exco$$unication." ?et the individual could also find in 2eptune1s position a clue to the resolution of his basic inner conflicts, provided he can let go and allow "=od" within hi$ to show the way and direct hi$. P*"T$: In its highest $eaning, this newly discovered planet refers to the greatest contribution an individual person can $a&e to his society or to hu$anity in general. (ut before he can $a&e such an effectual and significant contribution, the individual $ust pass through experiences of at least relative psychological denudation and soul e$ptiness. 3luto is the sy$bol of the depths. 'he seed $ust fall into decaying $asses of autu$nal leaves and be lost before it can beco$e, in due ti$e, the basis for a new vegetation. 'he $an who

is li&e a seed $ust learn that "where there is nothing, there is =od." 0o$e never learn and are lost, not fulfilling their destiny as seeds % i.e., as agents of hu$anity as a whole. 'he co$plex relationship between these ten planets is expressed in ter$s of aspects they $a&e to each other. ll these aspects +or angular relationships, considered together constitute the over/all planetary pattern of the birth/chart. It is the word that was in the beginning % for the hu$an being born at a particular ti$e and in a particular locality on the earth1s surface.