An Introduction to

Astrocartography
by Robert Couteau

Ed. N.: La relocalisation et l'astrocartographie sont des techniques encore relativement peu connues en France
malgré la récente traduction, aux éditions du Rocher (1994), de l'ouvrage de Jim Lewis. Que signifie la
relocalisation du thème natal ? Tout simplement la possibilité de choisir son thème. Comment est-ce possible ?
En allant vivre ailleurs. Partir !

Jung écrit dans L'homme à la découverte de son âme : "Un fin connaisseur en vins pourra préciser l'année, le
cru et la cave de tel ou tel échantillon. (...) Il en va de même des hommes : nous sommes nés à un moment
donné, en un lieu donné, et nous avons, comme les crus célèbres, les qualités de l'an et de la saison qui nous ont
vus naître." Mais qu'advient-il à celui qui ne vit plus dans sa région natale ? Je crois que l'idée de
relocalisation, ou plus exactement la prise de conscience par les astrologues contemporains de la possibilité de
transformer le thème natal, en donnant à l'intégration des rythmes planétaires un nouveau point d'ancrage, est
la principale invention astrologique du XXè siècle. Il se peut que les astrologues du passé aient
exceptionnellement utilisé ces techniques. Cependant les traces sont extrêmement minces. Quoi qu'il en soit,
l'idée d'un thème qui ne serait pas celui imposé par la naissance, est essentielle, compte tenu du fait que le
thème natal est généralement considéré comme un invariant. L'empreinte natale! Ainsi le thème "natal" n'est
pas plus permanent que les autres facteurs de conditionnement : l'hérédité, le climat, et le milieu socio-culturel.
Les astres peuvent être contournés, comme le sont aujourd'hui les gènes.

En dressant le thème de relocalisation, on conserve la date et l'heure de naissance, mais le thème est établi pour
un nouveau lieu, c'est-à-dire pour une autre latitude. Il convient de vivre assez longtemps (une année au
minimum) pour sentir les "effets" de la relocalisation et pour "vivre" son nouveau thème. Qu'est-ce qui change
dans le thème renouvelé ? Les angles, et par suite les Maisons, dans une moindre mesure les planètes
dominantes (puisque les aspects planétaires restent les mêmes), et dans une mesure beaucoup plus faible les
signes zodiacaux (puisqu'un Cancer par le Soleil ou par la Lune le reste sous toutes les latitudes).

L'astrocartographie (Astro*Carto*Graphy), mise au point par James Slayden, alias Jim Lewis (1941-1995), est
une technique particulière de relocalisation, permettant de retrouver sur une carte terrestre les "lieux de
puissance" de certaines planètes, d'après leur proximité aux angles du thème. Par exemple, si l'on souhaite
"devenir" jupitérien ou neptunien, la carte indique qu'il faut s'installer à Santiago ou en un autre lieu situé sur
la même latitude.

Robert Couteau est l'un des spécialistes de l'astrocartographie. Le texte qu'il m'autorise à reproduire, est extrait
de son ouvrage, The Role of the Least-aspected Planet in Astrocartography.

An Introduction to Astrocartography
What is Transcendental Astrology? Why have so many of those responsible for cultural, historical or creative
contributions lived near the line of their Primary Transcendental Planet? What is the significance of a
Transcendental Midpoint-Field? How is a Transcendental Planet defined, and why is its significance so crucial
in the life of the native? How does the Transcendental Energy manifest in psychological functions or in
temperamental traits? What role do Transcendental Planets play in precisely-timed historical events, and why
has their function never been noticed by astrologers in the past? Can anyone benefit by relocating to the vicinity
of their Primary or Secondary Transcendental Planet?
Pablo Picasso relocated directly under the line of his least-aspected planet Primary Transcendental Sun positioned precisely above Paris
in its Transcendental imum coeli position where he became the most celebrated painter in modern history.

Meaningful planetary placements: A brief history

"Fame is a measure of outwardly realizing a great inner potential for success." To the extent that this statement
is true, we are left to wonder why some realize their potential for achievement -- and attain the fame or
notoriety which sometimes accompanies it -- while others do not, even though they may endure just as
noteworthy a struggle to accomplish their goals.

The thesis put forward in The Role of the Least-aspected Planet in Astrocartography attempts to answer this
question, at least from one unique perspective. Relocation astrology -- the art of casting a horoscope not for the
true place of birth, but rather, for a desired location -- is probably almost as old as astrology itself. Yet two
events in very recent history have significantly altered this method of inquiry. With the statistically verifiable
researches of Michel Gauquelin, astrology gained a secure foothold on the path to recognition as a
scientifically meaningful pursuit. By studying planetary positions as they occurred during the births of high-
achievers culled from the Who's Who?, Gauquelin found a higher than average placement of certain planets
consistently placed in certain positions. These positions were the compass-like "four points" of the traditional
zodiac: the Ascendant or the degree of the zodiac rising at the eastern horizon at the moment of birth; the
Midheaven or degree of local apparent noon; the Descendant or point opposite the Ascendant, where the setting
Sun appears; and the Imum Coeli or "bottom of the sky"; the point directly opposite the Midheaven and
corresponding to the position of the Sun at local apparent midnight. At the moment of a person's birth the
planets are positioned somewhere between these four points, as visualized from our location on the earth. What
Gauquelin discovered is that the points signified by these four compass-like demarcations are actually
meaningful; that high-achievers are born when certain planets are in close proximity to one or more of these
points. His work (originally undertaken to disprove astrology) thus reaffirmed the significance that traditional
astrology has placed upon these four fundamental "portals" of the human psyche.
Georges Braque, co-originator (along with Picasso) of Cubism, was born near Paris in Argenteuil, France, in the vicinity of his Primary
Transcendental Venus line. Braque studied at the academy of fine arts in Le Havre (49N30; 0E08) and in a private academy in Paris
(1902-1904). After viewing the Paris Salon d'Automne in 1905, he came under the heavy sway of the Fauves, an influence which led to
his temporary relocation to the South of France, to sites directly under his Primary Venus line: first to Antwerp; then along the
Mediterranean coast, near Marseille, L'Estaque (43N22; 5E20) and La Ciotat (43N10; 5E36). Braque's later relocation to the south
during the summer of 1908 resulted in a series of paintings that led to "significant transformations / in art" (Secondary Pluto / Primary
Venus); in particular, "Houses at L'Estaque," in which the key elements of what would later be dubbed "Cubism" -- fractured, multiple
perspective; simplified dimensionality; and toned-down palette -- already play a prominent part. Honored with international recognition,
awards and retrospectives during his final years, Braque became the first living artist to exhibit in the Louvre, in December 1961. [Birth
data: Rodden, ADIV, p. 26.]

In the late 1970s computer-programmer Gregg Howe,1 working in collaboration with astrocartographer Jim
Lewis, designed a software program that uniquely combined a person's birth data with the image of a world
map. Superimposed on the map were a series of curving and vertical lines, representing the planets in their
rising, setting, Midheaven an Imum Coeli positions. Thus, a "bell curve"-like line might represent Venus, seen in
its rising or Ascendant position, curving over Western Europe. A vertical line drawn over the U.S. might show
the same planet in a noontime or Midheaven position, illustrating how, at that moment, Venus was
simultaneously in its apparent noon position over several midwestern states. With Howe's software, Jim Lewis
was able to accomplish in minutes what before would have taken many months to calculate with any great
degree of accuracy.

Lewis theorized that the traditional symbolism assigned to a particular planet would somehow manifest in the
native's life when he or she travelled to places touched by these planetary lines. A location with Venus rising at
the moment of a native's birth might, years later, have a significant effect on the native's romantic life if he were
to travel through that locale or meet someone who was born there; while a country crossed by a Mercury line
might enhance his or her "everyday interactions" with the "common people" -- qualities traditionally ruled by
each respective planet. Lewis's book, Astro*Carto*Graphy, published in 1980, contains the "astrocartography"
or mundane maps of over 100 famous people. Along with author Ariel Guttman, Lewis briefly discusses the
patterns of the planetary lines of each person in question, citing the traditional symbolism associated with the
planets to show how such planetary lines may have affected their lives.

Over ten years later, in the early 1990s, while living in Paris and researching the lives of people who had made
significant artistic or cultural contributions, I began using astrocartography maps in my own biographical
studies. I found that Lewis's A*C*G software provided an important pioneering tool, and in many ways it
seemed the logical, visual follow-up to Gauquelin's revolutionary breakthrough in biographical research. But
there remained one rather large, puzzling question raised by these astrolocality maps: why so many successful
people had achieved success in one particular location and not in another. Where was the unifying principle
differentiating locations of "success" from locales of "disaster"? In the astrolocality map of the paleontologist
Teilhard de Chardin, for example, Teilhard's research near his Pluto Midheaven line in China led to the
discovery of Peking Man. Yet in another map, we see that Amelia Earhart's Pluto was setting precisely above
the locale where she disappeared -- north of Lae, New Guinea -- and where she was reportedly held prisoner, in
Saipan. Why was Teilhard's Pluto such an important, positive indicator; and why was Earhart's Pluto location
so negative and destructive?

Charlie Chaplin's relocation to Hollywood placed him precisely under the line of his Primary Sun, which runs straight through
Hollywood in its potent Transcendental Midheaven position.

Instead of using the maps to "explain" the subjects, I began by searching for key transformative locations in the
biographies of such famous or noteworthy personalities. Beginning with biographies with which I had already
gained some familiarity, I soon discovered a principle linking astrolocality patterns in the lives of significant
"culture bearers." Michelangelo's Venus over Florence; F. Scott Fitzgerald's Pluto over France; Princess
Grace's Mercury over Monaco; Arthur Rimbaud's Pluto over Charleville; Madame Blavatsky's Neptune over
Tibet; Charlie Chaplin's Sun over Hollywood; -- I found that all shared a singular astrological principal in
common.

Transcendental Planets

In each of the above we have well-known examples of locations which proved to be crucial regarding the
achievements, discoveries, development or recognition of the person in question. Knowing this in advance, I
calculated maps for each of these subjects to see which planetary lines would be found above the locations in
question. Finding the planets was the easy part -- in each case there was at least one planet in the "key"
location. The next, more difficult question was, why this particular planet?

The answer involved such a basic tenet of astrology that I might have easily overlooked it: the planet
corresponding to a key location in the life of the person in question was the least-aspected planet in that native's
birth chart. For those uninitiated in the fundamentals of astrology, all this means is that the planet involved had
few of the significant "mathematical relationships" or special positions in stellar degrees traditionally deemed
meaningful in relation to the other planets. In astrology, we call these meaningful relationships of degree
aspects. Thus, this "least-aspected" planet had few of the major aspects, minor aspects, or aspects to the
Ascendant or Midheaven routinely analyzed in natal chart interpretation.
In traditional astrology, the less aspected a planet, the less "tied-in" are the life-energies represented by that
planet to the other planetary energies. An underaspected planet is thought to represent a sort of free-floating,
unintegrated aspect of the psyche. Bearing this in mind, I have referred to this especial planet as the
Transcendental Planet, as in astrolocality it forms a vital link between the more consciously developed energies,
represented by the most-aspected planets, and the more unconscious, inaccessible, or mysterious elements of the
self represented by the underaspected planet or planets. Thus, the Transcendental Planet forms a bridge
between the customary mode of psychic functioning -- which we learn to rely upon but which often becomes
stale because of this reliable, predictable nature -- and the vital springs of the dormant, potential personality,
which lie untapped and yet remain fecund, possessing enormous unconscious potential.

Emily Dickinson was born precisely under the line of her Primary Transcendental, Saturn, in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she lived
for most of her "reclusive" and "solitary" (Primary Saturn) life.

The Primary Transcendental Planet

Using astrolocality maps similar to those created by Jim Lewis's A*C*G software, then, we see that this least-
aspected planet -- what we have coined for our purpose the Primary Transcendental Planet -- reveals global
locations of special importance to the native. In my initial study, using only clean, reliable birth data -- rated
"AA", "A," or "B"2 and provided by the renowned data-researcher Lois M. Rodden in her book, Astro-Data II --
I discovered a reoccurring phenomenon in the astrolocality of my subjects. Many were born in close proximity
to their Primary Transcendental Planet, while those who were not born in this Primary Location often travelled
or relocated to the vicinity of their Primary Transcendental Planet and there had a "Transcendental
experience." They either underwent a crucial developmental experience (John F. Kennedy's PT-109 adventure
in the Solomon Islands, under his Primary Transcendental Sun; Victor Hugo's childhood travels to Elba and
Naples, near the line of his Primary Neptune); made a crucial contact (Grace Kelly in Monaco, under Primary
Transcendental Mercury; John Lennon's introduction to Paul McCartney in Liverpool, under Primary
Transcendental Sun; Liv Ullmann's chance encounter with Ingmar Bergman on a street in Stockholm, under
Primary Transcendental Saturn); created a significant body of work or achieved great fame and recognition for
their efforts (Pablo Picasso in Paris, under Primary Transcendental Sun; Michelangelo in Florence, under
Primary Transcendental Venus; Simone de Beauvoir in France, under Primary Transcendental Saturn; Charlie
Chaplin in Hollywood, under Primary Transcendental Sun; Catherine the Great in Moscow and St. Petersburg,
under Primary Transcendental Mercury; Auguste Rodin in Paris, under Primary Transcendental Jupiter).
Madame Blavatsky's legendary travels through Tibet -- where she studied and attained "mystical wisdom" with Hindu spiritual masters -
- transpired directly under the line of her Primary Transcendental, Neptune. Co-founder of the Theosophical Society, she had amassed a
worldwide following of over 100,000 people by the time of her death in 1891.

The difference between the underaspected planet and the Transcendental Planet

As the following studies will illustrate, by combining Gauquelin's findings with astrolocality and in-depth
biographical research with an analysis of the Primary Transcendental Planet, a new understanding emerges.
The "underaspected" planet is not merely an unintegrated, or "on-off" toggle-like expression of energy (as it is
traditionally described). Instead, when experienced through relocation as a Transcendental Energy, it may
become a primary motivational factor in the lives of highly accomplished people. When thus Transcendental,
the traditional qualities associated with the rulership of the planet in question manifest in the forefront of the
personality and professional life. Again, birth, travel or relocation under the line of the Primary Transcendental
Planet, the Secondary Transcendental, or the Transcendental Midpoint-Field formed between the two seems to
be an essential factor in "turning on" or "triggering" the underaspected planetary energy. As we shall see, the
Primary Location often points the way to "fated" encounters yielding larger social, cultural or historical
dimensions. Indeed, the transpersonal nature of the Transcendental planetary energy signifies a collective
psychic participation or origination of the energies in question (in a manner somewhat similar to the
"archetypal" or collective unconscious spoken about by the Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung). For all these
reasons then, the Transcendental Planet is qualitatively different than the underaspected planet, which is in
effect merely a mechanical gauge that measures the Transcendental potential of the planetary energy. The
Transcendental Planet is by its nature "underaspected" or more "highly concentrated" than the other planetary
energies, but on the other hand the underaspected planet is not necessarily considered Transcendental. While
the underaspected planet signifies the potential for a Transcendental experience, such an experience is not
guaranteed: only physical relocation to the Transcendental Location will determine whether the underaspected
planet will emerge into consciousness as a Transcendental factor. The least-aspected planet thus becomes
psychically activated when, through birth or relocation, the native is placed within the path of its geographic
proximity.

Once activated, the underaspected planet is no longer merely a symbol for dormant energies but it is now
considered Transcendental and is experienced as a singular guiding principle within the life of the native. This,
then, is the essential difference between the underaspected planet and the Transcendental Planet. The dormant
state of planetary energy found in the merely underaspected planet, once triggered by relocation, is activated
and experienced as an extra-mundane or Transcendental energy, one capable of lifting the native out of the
confines of his or her ordinary state of being and into a new awareness of life-potentials and desires. The
Transcendental planetary energy could be considered as a function linking unconscious psychic dispositions
and potentials with a conscious awareness and means of fulfilling them -- a function that enables us to
transcend the limiting parameters of ordinary ego-consciousness by linking the ego-function with a higher
source of cosmic energy.

The Transcendental Midpoint-Field

Another significant finding of this study is the occurrence of what I have coined the Transcendental Midpoint-
Field. While famous people are often born or relocate to the vicinity of the least aspected, or Primary
Transcendental Planet, the second least-aspected planet, the Secondary Transcendental Planet, is also often
found in close proximity to the birthplace or area of relocation. When the lines of the Primary and Secondary
Transcendentals run in close parallel or proximity to each other, the area between them is highly charged and
is considered to be of particular geographic significance to the native. Here, then, we can speak of a
Transcendental Midpoint-Field. Within the center of this field runs a theoretical line representing the midpoint
between the Primary and Secondary Transcendental Planet. When a person is born or relocates to an area
within this field, the effect upon the native is considered to be especially powerful, perhaps endowing him or her
with special skills, perceptions or vocational ambitions. The visionary French poet Arthur Rimbaud is one
example of a famous birth in a Transcendental Midpoint-Field; the evil dictator Adolf Hitler, born between his
Primary Uranus and Secondary Mercury, is another. Occasionally, the third least-aspected planet will also be
in close proximity to the Primary and Secondary Transcendentals; the combined force of all three planets in a
Transcendental Midpoint-Field often leads to events of great consequence. Richard Nixon's famed "China
Opening" is an example of all three key Transcendentals forming a tight, close-knit Transcendental Midpoint-
Field over the significant location of the Chinese mainland. (For the purposes of our study, however, the third
or Tertiary Transcendental is usually considered only after the other key Transcendentals and only if it is
notably underaspected; is in close proximity to the Primary or Secondary Transcendental; or if the native in
question has had an exceptionally meaningful experience under the Tertiary Transcendental line.)

Marlon Brando has permanently relocated to the South Pacific, the location of a powerful Transcendental Midpoint-Field involving the
lines of his Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Transcendental Planets.

Transcendental Intersections

Occasionally, rather than running in close parallel or proximity to each other, the lines of the Primary and
Secondary Transcendentals intersect over habitable regions of the globe. I have referred to these points as
Transcendental Intersections.3 (Not to be confused with Jim Lewis's "crossings," which denote the point of
intersection between any two planetary lines on the map, and which are theorized to sometimes have an effect
on the entire latitude where they "cross.") Examples of Transcendental Intersections may be found in several of
the studies which follow, including those of Sigmund Freud; the bombing of Nagasaki; and the U.S. Declaration
of War against Germany. Transcendental Intersections seem to have an enhancing effect on the Transcendental
Energies in question; they also point rather specifically to geographic locations of prime importance in the
native's life. Such intersections also seem to have a "rippling effect" upon the entire radius surrounding the
point of intersection, creating a "power circle" with a diagonal length of about ten longitudinal degrees.

When the United States Congress passed war resolutions against Nazi Germany, Primary Transcendental Neptune was passing precisely
above the very center of the German nation. Secondary Transcendental, Pluto, was also located above Germany, curving along the
eastern border and forming a Transcendental Intersection with Primary Neptune in the north. For the Third Reich, this combination of
Transcendental Planets would manifest in the classic Neptune / Pluto "dissolution / and destruction" theme, resulting, by the war's end,
in a German landscape reduced to a nearly apocalyptic rubble.

Leading Planets

Lastly, while the bulk of this study concerns itself with the Transcendental Planet, both in its significant
appearance over the birthplaces of notable personalities and over relocations of obvious significance in their
well-documented biographies, additional mention should be made here concerning the role of the most-aspected
planet in our studies. The most aspected or Leading Planet seems to play an often pernicious role in relocation.
Signifying in the natal chart a psychological area or theme that may in some way be overdeveloped or
overemphasized, in astrolocality the line of the Leading Planet is often found above geographic areas where we
may lose our focus in life. In the Leading Planet we may find the key symbols of how we psychologically
overestimate ourselves; our hubris or "inflation"; or simply an inner-area or concern where "too much is going
on" for anything to be accomplished. The Leading Planet is akin to an overcharged circuit; and relocation to
such an area will often short-circuit this abundance of a particular form of psychic energy. In the case of Adolf
Hitler, his Secondary Leader, Saturn, was found at the geographic locale where he most overreached himself:
the Russian front.

Leading Planet Intersections

When the line of the most aspected or Leading Planet intersects the line of either the Secondary Leader or
Tertiary Leader, a Leading Planet Intersection is created. Unlike Transcendental Intersections, the Leading
Planet Intersection points to an area that it is best to avoid. An example of a Leading Planet Intersection is
found in the biography of Amelia Earhart, whose plane disappeared in the vicinity of her Leading Moon /
Secondary Leader Pluto Intersection. While approaching Howland Island, Earhart passed directly under the
lines of her Leading Moon and Secondary Leader, Pluto, which intersect in the center of the Pacific Rim area,
south of Japan near the Japanese headquarters in Saipan. It was in the vicinity of this Leading Planet
Intersection that she was conjectured to have either crashed or landed; biographers have also conjectured that
she was held captive in Saipan, where a "white woman flier" was reportedly imprisoned. Indeed, the presence of
these Leading Planets, particularly in forming a Leading Planet Intersection, indicate that she had here
"overreached" herself or had in some way "overestimated" her own abilities (the nature of the Leading Planet)
in a manner resulting in "emotional turmoil / and death" (Moon / Pluto).

While approaching Howland Island, Amelia Earhart passed directly under the lines of her most-aspected or Leading Planets -- Leading
Moon and Secondary Leader, Pluto -- which intersect south of Japan, near the Japanese headquarters in Saipan. It was in the vicinity of
this Leading Planer Intersection that Earhart either crashed or was captured; biographers have conjectured that she was held captive in
Saipan, where "a white woman flier" was reportedly imprisoned. The presence of these Leading Planets, particularly in forming a
Leading Planet Intesection, indicate that she had here "overreached" herself or had in some way "overestimated" her own abilities in a
manner resulting in "emotional turmoil / and death" (Leading Moon / Secondary Leader Pluto).

The creative function of the Transcendental Planet

While the core of this study concerns itself with the notable geographic location of the Primary Transcendental
line in the lives of people who have played a significant part in our culture and history, the purpose of isolating
such a group is certainly, in part, to learn from such well-documented lives how the Transcendental planet may
be utilized as a creative function in our own lives as well. Relocation to an area under the influence of a
Transcendental line can have far-reaching effects, even if such a relocation is not a permanent one. By
positioning ourselves under a Transcendental location, the previously untapped planetary energies, which
before were experienced merely as an unconscious yearning or as an unfulfilled potential, may now become
manifest. In gaining access to our Transcendental force we come into the full focus of our selves.

"Signifiers of greatness": The Transcendental Planet as a "pure form" of planetary energy

Another surprising result of our study was that attributes which are traditionally ascribed to certain planets --
e.g., Mars as a planetary symbol of military wiles or "martial" skills; Pluto as the classic ruler of those
possessing a manipulative, willful control over others -- play an especially dominant role when focused through
the powerful lens of the Primary Transcendental Planet. Benito Mussolini, with his Primary Pluto, and General
George Washington, with his Primary Mars, are two excellent examples. Besides confirming Michel
Gauquelin's conclusion that certain planets are found near the four cardinal directions during the births of
high-achievers,4 the discovery that such planets frequently are underaspected (and are "triggered" at birth and
relocation sites) further refines the notion of a planetary "signifier of greatness."5 Because it is relatively
unaffected by other planetary aspects,6 the underaspected condition of the Primary Transcendental Planet
creates a sort of "pure" form, an unsullied archetypal resonance. When the Transcendental, "pure form" planet
is found near one of these four cardinal points, this effect of untainted psychic resonance becomes particularly
intensified.

While Gauquelin concluded that only five of the astronomical planets are found in such statistically-meaningful
cardinal placements,7 in our study the geographic significance of the Primary Transcendental Planet includes
all the planets, including the Sun and Moon, with their astrolocality lines appearing either above the birthplace
or over areas of notable geographical relocation. The latter factor is of great significance because Gauquelin's
initial findings preceded the advent of astrocartography and therefore sophisticated relocation techniques
remained beyond the scope of his studies. The significant appearance of "non-Gauquelin" planets such as Pluto,
Neptune, Uranus, Mercury and Sun as Transcendental Planets found in significant geographical areas of
relocation included such notable examples as the dictator Benito Mussolini, with his Primary Transcendental
Pluto setting above his headquarters in Rome; Madame Helena Blavatsky, whose legendary travels through
Tibet transpired directly under the line of her Primary Transcendental, Neptune; author Jack London, whose
numerous Klondike tales were inspired by his temporary relocation to that locale, which falls directly under the
influence of his Primary Transcendental, Mercury; and many others. Again, the classic astrological symbolism
associated with the Transcendental Planet in question expressed itself in a singular fashion with each of these
people. The "massive social and political upheaval and intrigue" noted in Pluto symbolism is an apt
characterization of the life and temperament of dictator Mussolini, born with a Primary Transcendental Pluto;
the Neptunian quest for a mystic, occult wisdom clearly finds singular expression in the life of Madame
Blavatsky; as does the planet Mercury's traditional rulership of writing in the life of the prolific novelist Jack
London.

Transcendental Events

Perhaps the most controversial and intriguing result of this study was the finding that precisely-timed historical
events often yield a Primary Transcendental Planet positioned above the locale of the event as it transpires or
running over a location which will be greatly affected by the event sometime in the future. The Primary
Transcendental Planet for the first controlled nuclear chain reaction, for example, is Primary Transcendental
Mars, which runs precisely over southern Japan -- the location of the only two cities to ever suffer the results of
a nuclear holocaust. Another startling example is the murder of President John F. Kennedy: at the precise
moment of his assassination, the Primary Transcendental Planet was the Sun, which was passing directly over
Texas, the location of his fatal wounding.
The turning point in the American war in Vietnam came as a result of the Tet Offensive, a widespread assault upon American forces
conducted in the early hours of the Vietnamese New Year, or Tet holiday, on January 31, 1968. At the moment the Tet Offensive began,
Primary Transcendental Mars and Secondary Transcendental Pluto formed a narrow Transcendental Midpoint-Field directly over the
Southeast Asian peninsula, vertically "framing" Vietnam in its entirety. "Military aggression, / widespread social upheaval and far-
reaching social transformation" are keynote phrases describing this potent Mars / Pluto Transcendental pairing.

Transcendental Astrology

The Role of the Least-aspected Planet in Astrocartography should be viewed as a preliminary investigation into
the influence of the Primary Transcendental Planet, especially concerning the geographic role it plays in the
birth of notable personalities or in their relocation to the site of a Primary Transcendental line. Although the
focus of this book concerns itself with the historical and biographical significance of the Primary and
Secondary Transcendental Planets -- and especially their combined influence in the Transcendental Midpoint-
Field -- it also can be read in conjunction with the basic principles of traditional astrocartography, as the two
approaches do work together in exploring the influence of planetary placements on births and events.
 Using Astrocartography to determine the best place to live

as published on Elephant Journal

*Editor’s note: Astrology isn’t a religion. We’re not sure it’s a science, either. It’s magic, maybe. But, as with
feng shui, say, things affect things. So as long as we don’t go blaming our problems on the stars, as long as we
assume responsibility for our own actions…well, hell, a little auspicious coincidence and applicable wisdom
can’t hurt. And so, with that grain of salt…enjoy!

Astrocartography can be used to help people find the best places to live, work and find love in
the world.

Astrocartography is one of several methods of locational astrology, which claims to identify varying life
conditions through differences in location.

It is great for the astro buff or anyone curious about where they are living and how they can use the energy of
locations to their advantage or just know why there is little or no hope, beating the same drum trying to make
stuff happen. It also provides some entertainment.

A relocated natal chart is used according to your location. It is placed over an astro map or Astro”Carto”Graphy.
It is basically your astrology chart imprinted over the world map.

It is believed that the influence of these lines attribute to different experiences, or luck, in different
locations, depending on which lines are influencing a specific place. For example living somewhere under a Sun
line or Jupiter line is considered lucky and living under a Saturn or Pluto line can bring on difficulties
or challenges.

I have an interesting life, sometimes painful, sometimes experimental and sometimes lucky.

I have found over the past 20 years of traveling and living new places, that there are just some places that
resonate with me more than others and after some resistance to using astro maps, I succumbed to it and finally
found a place I now call home.

I have always been restless, a daughter of a Marine Engineer, and named after a hurricane that sank the ship my
father had been working on, in the Caribbean. I have been on an endless search for somewhere that really felt
right on a inner level, outer level and practical level. A place where I could feel like I have finally arrived
without having to actually transition to the other side. I know it my sound dramatic but it has been mentally and
physically exhausting changing countries and cities 10 times from 2010-2015.

In April 2010, I was living in Sydney, Australia and after purchasing a nice apartment in an “up and coming”
neighborhood I found myself pacing my flat on a daily or weekly basis. I was so bored, I needed a “change of
air” as the Lebanese saying goes.
I love reading the Turkish coffee cup (reading coffee grounds) and after seeing an image of a camel in my
cup reading I decided to go to Dubai.

Like many, I had always been very curious about Dubai, so I thought: what do I have to loose?

Thanks to the internet and social media I had scheduled clients to meet soon after arriving. I worked solidly
from April to June and then realized how awfully hot Dubai can be in the summer and wanted to go somewhere
a little cooler and more liberal. I had friends who lived in Beirut, so I decided to take a trip to Beirut in June and
ended staying there for two years.

All of this moving was unsettling, so I decided to use the astro maps to help me determine the best
location for me.

I relocated my birth chart to the place of my current location and then looked at the astro maps, which cover that
chart and saw how it correlated with the houses and signs in my relocated chart.

In Sydney I have the astro map lines of Neptune and Venus for my relocated chart—not too far off the East
Coast and going down towards Melbourne. Neptune is in my 6th House and Venus in my 3rd, so for me Sydney
was all about work, short trips and the media. Lots of work but not much fun.

In Dubai, I have the astro map lines of the Moon and Venus and with these planets falling in the 7th house. I
found that I worked with a lot of women which is both the Moon and Venus and that there was a sense of
instability with the fluctuating moon but Venus will bring in money. Like everything in Dubai for me was
influenced by the shifting sands of the desert.

In Beirut I have no direct lines hitting there but it is not too far the Sun and Neptune. Neptune in the 10th House
and the Sun in the 6th House with loaded 7th house of other planets. I found that I was featured more often than
not on Television and TV Commercials—this is attributed to Neptune in the 10th House.

I also channelled and created my Love Oracle Deck of cards in one day and worked on that project while I was
in Lebanon. Relationships were better and exciting but the internet in Lebanon was painfully slow—I wasn’t
able to maintain my online business due to power cuts and slow servers. It came to a point where I had to go, so
I went back to Dubai until I was granted my U.S. residency.

Off on another adventure I landed in Los Angeles in 2013 thinking it was the best bet for Television and the
launch of my Oracle Deck. I hadn’t checked my astro cartography and after seven months of going about by
business and experiencing setbacks, mainly of financial nature, I has some astrologers look at my chart!

After seeing that I had Pluto in my relocated 1st House sweeping right down through California I understood
exactly what was going on. Oh yuck! Pluto wasn’t doing me any favors or providing amazing lessons. I just had
a bunch of debt (Pluto rules banks and debt) so I decided to go back to Sydney to re-group.

After re-grouping, I went back to Dubai and then had the sense to consult my chart again, after feeling settled
once again. I would think I would have learned this lesson by now. Oh my.

According to my astrocartography, the best place for me to live in the U.S. is Miami, featuring a lovely Jupiter,
Sun and Mercury on the Midheaven or 1oth House Cusp and a North Node in the 7th House.

So, I decided to take a leap of faith with the astro cartography very much tried and tested under my belt.

I have never been more happy than living just north of Miami on the beach. I could have saved a lot of time and
energy by coming here to begin with, but sometimes it is a situation of divine timing or trial and error.

In the short time I have been in South Florida I have been able to connect with what I call a vortex of energy off
the coast going into the Bahamian Islands. I will be hosting events with some like minded soul family members
who I have connected with since being here. I have also shot a number of amazing videos and am working on a
documentary. Things just keep coming together and I pinch myself everyday. I feel truly guided and connected
to my spirit guides and often get crystal clear messages that come through re-confirming everything.

If you are an astrology buff, I highly recommend you check out your astro cartography to give you some
sort of divine intervention or scientific guidance in understanding your locations and what they can offer
you.

It has worked for me!

Meanings of Houses in the natal chart, planetary lines and the north node:

1st House is all about you, the self, the person or personality.
3rd House is about communication, the media and short trips.
6th House is about day to day life, health and work.
7th House is all about relationships of a serious nature, marriages and business partnerships.
10th House is all about higher purpose and long term career.

Sun—general ease, feeling of well being, in your own element, on stage.

Moon—instability, unbalanced, constantly fluxing and changing, associations with women.
Mercury—good for writing, teaching and sales, mercurial pursuits are favored.
Venus—good for love interests, money, beauty and harmony.
Jupiter—where things fall into place easily and effortlessly. Where opportunities are more abundant.
Neptune—illusions and disillusions or looking at the world through rose colored glasses. Can be good for
spiritual pursuits or where depression may be highlighted.
Pluto—transformation, debts and isolation.
North Node—Is where you are going in this lifetime.

Using Astrocartography to determine the best place to live

By Amira Celon