Glimpses into Analysis

The Neptune eye-flutter when a person flutters the eyelids rapidly (for sometimes 3 seconds!),
with the eyes just about closed, note that it occurs when a statement of opinion is called for, when
the first-person singular is used. This suggests a tenacious, pervasive Neptune function in the
horoscope. A man has Neptune conjunct Venus-retrograde in the 8th House, Venus ruling the
mind-set 3rd: "Please let me share with you that I notice you flutter your eyelids like this · every
time you state an opinion. Yes, really. I'll call your attention to it a few times, if I may. But what do
you think of when you do this?" You are looking for a sub-text, a second agenda, perhaps a
process of censorship for defence. Just think what other people, employers, personnel managers,
loan officers, etc. think when this man does this. The flutter manifests easily as preoccupation, not
speaking directly, censorship. What is the filter protecting? How can this be adjusted to take
advantage of the strengths of the horoscope, to communicate them directly?

The Saturn Ring finger when someone wears a ring on the Saturn ring finger (the third finger of
either hand) on one hand or the other or BOTH, and the ring is not just a cosmetic accent,
occasionally worn, etc., a statement is being made that focuses on the condition of Saturn in the
birth chart. The "planets are within", and here, through the ring, is a tip off that the Saturn
principle in the horoscope must be heard. Idealism is suggested by the conjunction of Sun,
Mercury, and/or Venus, often augmented by relationships as well with Jupiter and/or Neptune,
and Neptune oriental (rising last before the Sun does). Idealism must be discussed in the
horoscope analysis because of its use as a defence mechanism. Significator dynamics focus the
anchor of idealism among the Houses. (Further study: Tyl, Synthesis & Counselling in Astrology,
pages 105-112)

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How does your client know that you're intelligent, well-read, orderly,
sensitive, empathic?

Think about that. When a client comes to an astrologer it is just like you or me going to a doctor or
counsellor. We need to be sure of what we're getting into!

Barking dogs, full ashtrays, overflowing wastebaskets, uneaten food, chewing gum in action, dust,
background noise, all dilute authority. So, think about it: what is the impression one gets walking
into see you?

Are your books well displayed? Is your desk active but relatively cleared to focus upon the case file
in front of you? Do the pictures on your wall show some personal aesthetic or personal
involvement with the world? What are the deductions your client will make from all this and how
will those deductions prepare the client for the discussion about to transpire between you?

How do you actually begin your consolation?

Do you plan to use jargon? What good will it do? If we take the jargon out of the conversation,
think of the space and time we have in which to discuss something important! Jargon is nothing
but a defence mechanisms for the astrologer and a bore to the client; it is embarrassing mumbo-
jumbo.
Think about the beginning of your consultation; what is your first statement? Why? Where are you
going with it? Are you prepared to develop discussion rather than provide a one-sided description,
hoping for the best?

An Insight Tip

Whenever we go onto someone's else's turf, so to speak, out for dinner to a friend's home, for
example, we usually take a gift with us or, at least, make sure we say something complimentary
about the new surroundings, about our friends. We do that instinctively because WE want to be
received well; WE want to be accepted. The behaviour says that we are not threatening; we are
not to be feared; AND that we want to be accepted and liked.

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Over the years, I have found it very telling to have something eminently significant in my office
room, something that demands comment from just about anyone under any circumstances. This is
a way to soften entry into the office with some small talk; your client will comment favourably on
the picture, the furniture, the dramatically lit bookshelves, or what have you.

IF the client does NOT say anything about this situation, does NOT observe the comforting
behaviour, this tips you off to several things: the client is intensely preoccupied (why?); or the
client's self-worth profile (the condition of the significator of the 2nd House) is so threatened that
to give a compliment registers as diminishing the self!

This observation helps to determine the level of the horoscope: how deep the problems are. The
astrologer must be prepared to rescue the "natural" sense of things here, to offer observation of
the problem at the right time in discussion and to offer ways to ameliorate the complex, which
may have been around a long, long time. Further reading: Synthesis & Counselling in Astrology,
The Professional Manual, pages 729-732.

Remembrance of Things Past

Remember that trying time you experienced recently. Analyse why it jarred you, hurt you so. Let's
say, your self-image was threatened in the eyes of your spouse; you felt that, whatever the
circumstance was, you were made to appear less of a person than you are supposed to be.
Astrologically, this suggests that your flow of life energy reflected through your Moon (the
reigning need symbol that drives personal development; see "Analytical Techniques") was
thwarted, blocked, challenged, overlooked, frustrated.

The value of that event is not in the event itself but in the evaluation you make of it. We give
things value. We determine the significance of that which happens around and to us. In that
process of evaluation, giving meaning to something, we work through filters, through a storehouse
of reactions patterned and routine over time.

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Now, let's study our reaction to this recent circumstance, the value we have given to it and THEN
let's look back into the past for similar occurrences, attracting the same evaluation. Even though
the earlier occurrences may be simpler, the core significances are there for sure. When we go back
as far as we can easily, we find some event, circumstance, situation that gave birth to the
evaluation focus and reaction routine we possess today. A swirl of emotional significances
gathered storm at that early time and was then called into play time after time after time during
later development, when those same "buttons were pushed." These are the concerns over time
that articulate the guidelines of key aspects in the horoscope, strong aspects to the Sun or the
Moon, with rulerships very significant, especially in relation to the parental axis (4th-10th), self-
worth (2nd), Ascendant, and Descendant (relationships), etc.

How we take in all of this and then how we react through it all are what, to a great extent, build
our personality. We may have a filter of idealism (Sun-Mercury, Sun-Venus, Venus-Mercury;
integration with Jupiter and/or Neptune) that is wounded continuously or is built to levels of
stringency that all but prohibit normal development (fanaticism?). We may build defences that are
extreme (the Grand Trine, especially without the Sun or Moon; Eastern orientation of the
horoscope (See Archives, "Analytical Techniques"), etc.). We may suppress the frustration in anger
hidden down deep (often suggested by Mars natally in the 12th, the nearer the Ascendant the
surer).

There are many reactions that are programmed over time to define how we react in different
situations. This is who we are. But do we STILL need so many defences? Do we still want to clutch
the impracticality of a vaunted idealism? Do we still want to be angry, displacing our frustration
upon anyone near and dear to us?

This is what analysis is all about, of course. And this is how the creative astrologer can think best
about demanding aspects, i.e., developmental tension in life, in order to conduct a deep
meaningful discussion with the client.

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Body Shifts

It's fascinating to 'listen' to language cues about emotions coming out of the body: "I've got to get
this off my chest; I feel as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulder; I was weak in the knees; I
could have died when I heard that; that was a real judo-chop; that event took the wool off my
eyes forever; etc·."

We feel inside, we externalise physically, what occurs can be seen, and the perception is valuable
analytically. WE SEE what is down, deep and personal.

Watch your client's body movement, from the pumping foot at the end of crossed legs; the
pronounced swallowing; the look-away gaze; and, especially, the complete shift of position in the
chair when you present certain key concepts, even mention key words, and ask the "right"
questions to open up rich discussion about development. You will see the reactions to your on-
target touches of significance.

Note: Gaining weight (that which is not part of a medical syndrome) is to such a great extent the
indulgence of self within the spectre of emotional hurt. Who hasn't eaten to excess, indulged
anything to excess, when hurt or unhappy?! Somehow, we seek to restore ourselves through
something sweet, filling, comforting (remembering the rewards given by parents when times were
rough, like going to the doctor, etc.). So much of what our bodies do or show are manifestations of
emotional activity within.
I have had clients actually get up out of the chair abruptly and walk away from our desk and then
turn around to answer a question, so great was the arousal. One case in particular was so dramatic
and so direct:

"Mary, the horoscope shows us patterns that help guide discussion about development. This
should be enriching for both of us. The first pattern here (Saturn conjunct Venus in the 9th)
suggests a tightness in emotional expression level·.."
Mary jumped out of the chair, took two steps away from me, and turned, "THAT's why I'm in
psychotherapy!"

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(Wow.) I simply said, calmly, "Why ARE you in psychotherapy?"
"Well, my father was a minister. He ran a tight ship. He wouldn't even let us have conversations at
dinner!!!! It was terrible!!!! And that's why·. That's why I'm a lesbian in a sado-masochistic
relationship. That’s why! And I'm sick of it"

Now, how long did that take? About 20 seconds! Look at the disclosure with the simple intriguing
question/observation. Look at the body reaction that accompanied the answer. Look how simply
and sensitively we brought astrology to the life and learned through the client the level of its
manifestation in her personal reality!

The discussion Mary and I had throughout the consultation thereafter was based on this
fundamental, this first impression, the basis and repercussions of which had dominated her
development to the present time. How much of that swirling emotional baggage was going to be
taken into the future? What would we do to lighten the load? How did our discussion objectify
that dimension of her development and help her distance herself from it? How did we reorganize
values with circumspection? That's what creative astrology is all about. This is our learning outside
astrology brings into astrology to invigorate consultation discussion.

(To my students: You know this incident from Lesson #1; please don't feel that I've shared
anything secret with the world!! There are plenty more where this came from !!!)

Considerations about Orb

Orb is a convenience. It helps astrologers make order among many, many degree distances.
Theoretically, holistically, everything in a horoscope is in aspect with everything else, to one
degree or another (no pun intended). The entire behavioural and value-judgement system of the
human being works within some homeostasis, some balance and routine moulded throughout the
early years of life, that promises efficiency and predictability. When that balance is upset, all
faculties are commandeered to set it right, or else divergent or aberrant behaviour itself emerges
and founds a new persona.

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We astrologers find the individual best way to set up guidelines for the aspects we use. I am asked
often about orbs and remember there is no REASON for this orb or that orb; it is entirely a
personal choice for organization among myriad possibilities, and I share my personal choice here: I
feel that the tighter the orbs, the fewer the aspects we record, the more reliable those recorded
aspects are in guiding a rich, insightful analysis.

Specifically, I tell my computer to use 6.5  for the Sun or Moon, 5 for the other planets in
relation to each other and to the MC and ASC; 3 for the semisquare and sesquiquadrate; and 2
for the quintile, the very important quindecile (see archives of "Analytical Techniques" in this
website), and the quincunx.

This concept of tight orbs keeps the aspect grid uncluttered. And, I should include here the
rhetorical questions, "And just how many aspects do we need anyhow?" They all tend to say the
same thing as an extension of the first impression (from Hemisphere Emphasis, keys like Saturn
retrograde, etc.) (See aforementioned archives here as well.)

There are exceptions, of course. Just as there are no cusp lines in the brain, and one House spills
over into the next (which really discards so much of House-system discussions, wherein the focus
is only on internal House cusps since the Midheaven and Ascendant are the same in all Systems,
except Equal House), so there is no barbed-wire fence between behavioural faculties and thought
processes.

If I want to curtail my off-the-wall tendencies in correspondence with my Uranus peregrine (just

an example here), I can simply reach out, figuratively, to get my Saturn and bring it smack dab
onto my Moon (even though they are natally not in aspect): I would be summoning the dignity
necessary for my visit to the bank's loan office, to make the right impression there, although that's
not the way I normally express myself! This is called behavioural modification, an established
therapy used by everyone in one way or another, at one level of knowing or another.

As I have been teaching for years, the concept of orb actually becomes a span of consciousness;
some people can reach out and make a conjunction between Venus and Saturn, say, 10 away
natally, in order to affect an economy of socio/emotional energies for one reason or another.
(Remember Mother Theresa built her Venus-Saturn square into a celibate, selfless altruism that

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eventually will earn her sainthood!) These are astrological adjustments made through the client's
reality disclosure, not through some astrology rulebook, trying to grasp the impossible.

Another concept is what I call "Time-Orb". This is the concept that reflects the gradualism that
attends almost all happenings and change in our life (this side of accidents). The Time-Orb of a
Solar Arc, for example, is tight: 1; but that 1 is one year in time translation. AND, during that
background arc's application-partile-separation process, we have a Time-Orb of one year that will
witness the trigger transit, a transit of importance (usually to an Angle or Sun or Moon) that will
bring everything to a head. The same can be said about the Secondary Progressed Moon (and,
indeed, angular hits in Tertiary Progressions), a very reliable trigger.

Get the "feel" of orbs. It's a "feel" you get with experience; your orb references for your eyes are
your analytical faculties expressing themselves, just as your House system of choice is! These
things reflect your space-time continuum, the lens through which you see life in development.
There is no law, no dogma. Relax: knowing these concepts, allow your creativity to bloom freely
and individualistically within the guidelines you assimilate through your studies.

Orientation Guidelines for Vocational Analysis

Social status and individual fulfilment record are determined more by our work and our position
within that work than by any other sociometric dimension in our lives. We are what we do. Our
work takes up more of our living time than any other activity, including sleep.

For both men and women, the job is an extension of personal development to establish identity.

Individual need profiles must be matched to the job-requirement profiles of modern employment
situations. The intensification of the individual's Sun-Moon blend begins the analysis. How often
do we hear, "The job didn't do anything for me"!! Or, "What I really need from my job is·"?!

The Sun's sign-energies focus in a House orientation and vitalize the Moon in its sign and, in
particular, in its House, the arena of experience in public view. (Who isn't working as a dramatic
information go-between, for example, with the Moon in the 3rd?)

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The Midheaven, the 6th House, and key aspects are integrated within the process of synthesis,
with all measurements working to adjust to the same essential identity-message, (This is what I
like to call the "Law of Naturalness.")

The continuity and level of education are essential within all measurement of potential, strategy,
and fulfilment. The education profile must be able to support the Jovian projection of reward
hope, the thrust of success strategy, and the aura of idealism that may pervade the process.

The oriental planet (excepting Mercury and Venus) suggests an added dimension of style or
specially personalized requirement or aptitude within the job (and life).

There's so much more to this very demanding area of astrology: please see pages 427-551 in
Synthesis & Counselling in Astrology.

Brush Strokes for the Portrait!

About ten years ago, I was thrilled to visit a special exhibition at the National Art Museum in
Washington: the grand works of American Painter (1826-1900) Frederic Church. His canvases were
the National Geographic of the day: Heart of the Andes, for example ...paintings so large it was a
rare wall or living space that could support the vista. Church would go to these exotic places and
record them as no other medium could.

Atmosphere, climate, Nature pervaded Church's work. His astounding talent was overwhelming in
suggestion and expanse. And then there was the little man in the red coat!

Church would paint this vista that no wide-angle lens on any camera could easily capture today
and, in spite of all the expanse, your eye would be drawn to a tiny speck of red or orange,
waaaaaaaaaaaay down in the right corner, a little peasant on a burro in the midst of the All! This
spot gave scale to everything, of course; the little brushstroke was a vital, indispensable accent to
the whole.

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In astrology, we have accents too, usually not as special as the man in the red coat, but helpful in
the overall vista, sometimes in establishing balance or surprise focus, adding to the sense of
human nature.

Mutual Reception occurs when two planets relate (whether or not they are in aspect to each
other) by virtue of each being in the Sign ruled by the other. Cher's Saturn in Cancer (ruling her
7th, placed in her 1st) opposed the Moon in Capricorn (ruling her 1st, placed in her 7th) suggests
strongly her "finding herself through others," a dominant theme in her life.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a Virgo Ascendant and a Gemini Midheaven. His Mercury Aquarius
was squared by Pluto: an extraordinarily empowered gulp of Mercury-synthesis! Additionally,
Uranus rising in his horoscope was in Virgo, not in aspect with Uranus, but clearly in mutual
reception. This was his power with words, a chart that shall live in fame.

In my own horoscope, I am delightedly caught up with the exact quintile between my Uranus in
Taurus and Venus in Aquarius, to which I attribute a strong dose of creativity. And this Uranus is
tied in with my Sun/Moon midpoint, Venus in opposition to the Moon, the Ascendant ruler.
Instantly, the synthesis is formed, keyed and emphasized by the mutual reception.

Oriental Planet The Oriental (East) Planet is the planet that will rise at the Ascendant last before
the Sun does (after the birth) in clockwise motion. No matter what the longitudinal distance this
planet has from the Sun, natally positioned behind the Sun, if it is the planet that will rise before
the Sun does, i.e., the Sun being next in line to rise up and over the Ascendant, it is the oriental
planet. (Please see the "Oriental Planet" section in Synthesis & Counselling in Astrology for the full
presentation.)

Johnny Carson's Mars is oriental (the promoter, the huckster). Saturn oriental adds a tremendous
sense of patience, sobriety, sternness, perhaps (Martin Luther King, Ralph Nader). Uranus oriental
brings out the adventure, chance-taking bullfighter in all of us (Jimmy Hoffa, Ronald Reagan,
Madonna). Neptune oriental adds the brush stroke of the visionary, the aesthetic, the dreamy,
even the spiritual (Nelson Rockefeller, Julie Andrews, Muhammed Ali, Julia Child). Pluto oriental
(rare) suggests alliances with power, prestige through affiliation, as a strong brushstroke in the life

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(Merv Griffin, Bill Clinton). The Moon oriental is the teaching dimension brushstroke, the team
coach, the manager, the preacher of dogma: Frank Sinatra, the Vatican(!).

I'm not so sure about Jupiter oriental (I have it): perhaps it's taking the easy way within work
situations, there being so much confidence, trusting spontaneity as key to personal style.
Venus and Mercury are so often oriental (because they are so close to the Sun) that statistical bias
excludes their consideration as important brushstrokes.
From now on, watch for the little symbol in the brightly coloured coat, especially to be expressed
in vocational guidance!

The Closest Aspect Time and again, I have seen horoscopes in which a minor aspect like a
semisquare to the Sun, an adjustment-inconjunct (quincunx), or a tense sesquiquadrate rise to
real significance in the reality being lived by a client! There are usually two reasons for this: first,
there are few dominating classic driving aspects in the configuration to lead the synthesis, and
second, the minor aspect is the closest (and I mean close) aspect in the chart. Check it out!
Interesting indeed.

Negation/Denial, Tension/Motivation

Negation/Denial No one likes to hear about difficult things, especially about oneself; of course!
But to appreciate the client’s individual development (to bring the horoscope to life), the
astrologer must learn about the swirls of emotion and grooving of behaviours (all in relation to
individualized needs and required defences), that emerged out of the early home experience, the
interfamilial relationships. Then, there must be assessment of the projection/displacement of all
these emotions and behaviours into adult relationships. Initially, much of the consultation
discussion may very well appear negative.

When probing deeply into understanding of the horoscope the Saturn retrograde phenomenon,
for example (see Annals, Analytical Techniques; the Saturn Chapter in Synthesis & Counselling in
Astrology, an astrologer may hear from the client, Oh no! My father was a tremendously loving
man; I was the apple of his eye. It was my mother who was the difficult one.

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The astrologer could well say, This observation is not a judgement of your father; it is an objective
description of the lack of relationship between the two of you. He was benign, passive; he didn't
lead. Your mother did, by default. The balance was off. Well, yes it was. He was much older than
my mother; he stayed out of the picture. In fact, you know, they weren’t much for children, and I
was sent off to boarding school.
Did he ever say, George/Alice, baby, I love you, let me show you the way
No, no, he didn't. We were never together much
Look what has happened here: notice how the fit to the Saturn retrograde phenomenon (one part
of it) does indeed emerge gradually, as the client gains poise within the call to reflection. And of
course, this sets up the creative connection (especially when these home tensions are related
through aspect structures to the significator of the 7th House) that the idealized or unfinished
business with the father is placed onto the spouse (male or female) in adult relationships.

Well, I do see this now: I idealize what I want from my marriage in terms of my father.

May I suggest, in terms of the relationship you should have had with your father? This gives those
ideals a practical perspective.
Then, of course, this continues on to putting the father relationship factors to some kind of rest
(into some more manageable perspective). (Please see The Creative Astrologer.)

Going further As I study this situation of denial through my own experience over so many years
and through the fresh experiences of my students, I find that the degree of denial (in the face of
any highly well-annotated deduction) is proportional to the intensity of the questioning probe and
the authority of the astrologer. That is only reasonable: in any consultation there is a jockeying for
status position, for comfort, for security, for protection, etc. Gradually if the astrologer is well
prepared and graceful and sticks to her/his guns, adjusting insight to client reality, the client will
become more realistic and open in response.
It is helpful to see this in relation to another type of question, to the strength of the probe about
one's alcoholism, for example: the person grown dependent upon drink might deny, deny, deny
for eternity to cousin Sue, but admit meekly to the problem in the confidence of a conversation
with his/her doctor. After all, the doctor can read the chart accurately. With the out-and-out lie,
which happens now and again, I just go on with the discussion, based upon my known-to-be-valid

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assumptions; and then, often, about 40 minutes later, it will all flood out in release and
corroboration. Trust will have been established, and freedom of expression follows.

Tension/Motivation Every gardener knows that plants need rocks in their soil; the plants push
against these rocks to rise and reach the sun. The rocks provide the tension necessary for growth.
They allow the change of direction, the intermittent security, the reliable routings of development
to get the light.

In human development, the stages of growth so well documented in psychology are our stones.
Tension within these stages is absolutely imperative for growth to occur. It is not an empty
generalization to say that there is nothing under the sun possible without developmental tension.
(Please see my presentation about all aspects being squares, evidenced behaviourally, proved
geometrically, in Synthesis & Counselling in Astrology.)
When we say that a conspicuous orientation to Southern Hemisphere emphasis (see Annals,
Hemisphere Emphasis, under Analytical Techniques) suggests being swept away by events, missing
stabilized anchor, even to the point of victimization, we are not portraying a negative situation.
Rather, we are seeing a motivational situation in life development, a challenge that must be met.
This is the arena of that particular individual's orientation in development. Similarly, with a
Northern Hemisphere emphasis, to unfinished business. WHEN and HOW can we get that business
finished; this is the process through which we learn who we are, how fine we are, why we are.

An observation of difficulty during a consultation discussion is NOT the expression of a negative.

Rather, it is the delineation of challenge for growth, the refiner's fire. It reveals how the individual
is constructed, how values are formed, and where adjustment may be in order.
Not seeing the difficulty is blindness, camouflage, and, in the long run, self-deception. It narrows
vision to the point of obfuscating reality.

Creativity and Aesthetics

For many years now, testing my own measurement management technique and gathering
research, I have made a decision during my horoscope preparation time about a client's profession
and jotted that profile down in abbreviated form on the horoscope paper. As an initial

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conversation start-up, I have usually asked the client what he or she does for a living. Of course, I
am seeking to match their reality with my 'prediction.'

If the client states what I have indeed written on the horoscope paper, I point this out, and much
authority is gained immediately for the astrological consultation process. When what the client
does for a living is divergent from what I have suggested, I have to understand why: where did I
misread, perhaps? Or why is the client on the wrong track?

I've learned a great deal in this simple process, now repeated thousands of times.
Last week: a Taurus lady with a Taurus Ascendant had her all-important Venus peregrine in
Gemini. That Venus was quintile Pluto.

Neptune was quindecile the Ascendant, and Neptune was squaring Uranus, ruler of the
Midheaven. A nice tie within all this was shown by Venus sesquiquadrate Neptune.

Over and over again, the arts, aesthetics are indicated. Additionally, her Moon was in Gemini,
trining the Midheaven (facility with expression etc.) AND trining Neptune!

The conversation went like this:

"What do you do for a living?"

"I've been a stockbroker for 20 some years, and I hate it!" (tr Uranus conjunct the Midheaven at
consultation time. Why was she coming to see me?)
"But the horoscope suggests tremendous aesthetics, artistic ability!"
"You're right. I am an artist in several things, but I've never·..."

It was just that clear and simple: my client had somehow been on the wrong track for years and
years. Her unhappiness about it had manifested in many different ways during that time; had
fractured many relationships; and had built up a nervous crisis, a wasting of emotions, and a
tremendous store of self-doubt. The consultation worked (in league with the transit of Uranus
over her Midheaven) to convince her to follow opportunities just opened up to her finally to
become an artist, a lecturer in the arts, a teacher, and more.

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Another lady (one of my clients just this morning) has the charismatic Neptune-Mars conjunction
square the Aquarian Midheaven, sextile Uranus. Venus is trine Jupiter, ruler of the 7th.
Mercury, ruler of the Ascendant and dispositor of the Moon there, conjoins Uranus (ruler of the
Midheaven) and is sextile Neptune.

"What do you do for a living?"

"Well, I recently changed (tr Saturn conjunct Saturn): I was in finance for lots of years, but I have
just turned into acting and modelling."
"And you feel now that finally you're on the right track?"
"Yes."

A woman (my second client this morning) has a Libra Sun-Mercury-Neptune triple conjunction
quindecile the Midheaven; she also has a Leo Ascendant (ruled by the Sun, of course), and the
Moon in the 7th in Aquarius, quindecile the Ascendant. Mars is conjunct Venus.

"By any chance are you in some kind of theatrical work that helps others (Sun-Moon blend in Air,
Moon in Aquarius; Leo Ascendant etc.)? Are you a social worker with some special flair? How are
you helping others with some kind of twist?" (These were my words; I couldn't put my finger on it
specifically, so I just assembled the symbolisms in a way with which she could perhaps identify.)
"You're right! I used to be an actress and now I organize a psychic hotline, really good psychics,
helping people. It's been very successful!"

And yet another: A woman's horoscope reads Venus semisquare Sun, semisquare Moon
(therefore: Venus=Sun/Moon, a very powerful, dominating position for Venus); Venus quindecile
Uranus; Venus quintile Neptune, and Neptune, in turn, square to Uranus. This is a tremendous
emphasis of aesthetics, the arts; the lady is an opera singer.
The "missing tie-in here" is with the Midheaven (Capricorn): Saturn is square the Sun and conjunct
the Moon; Pluto opposes the Sun and squares Saturn. Yes, her ambitions, her drive, was like a
hand grenade under a blanket; the lack of encouragement in the home was problematic and led to
a pattern of underachievement very difficult to break.

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I find all this fascinating: just look in these case-vignettes at the dramatic influence of Neptune,
Venus, Midheaven contacts, and the unrelenting nature of the quindecile. Remarkably, this kind of
profile shows up so very often in people living a life of aesthetic, artistic expression.

Here are four random selections I just made within the AstroDatabank, looking for an echo of this
aesthetics/arts pattern.

Symphony/Opera conductor Zubin Mehta has a Pisces Ascendant, Neptune square the Midheaven,
Mercury in Taurus quindecile the Midheaven, AND the Moon in Leo! THIS could not possibly be an
accountant!

Actor/Director Clint Eastwood has Neptune conjunct the Midheaven.

Actress Demi Moore has a Pisces Ascendant with Venus-Neptune in contact with the Sun, Moon,
and Mercury!

Singer Tom Jones has Neptune square the Sun and Moon; Jupiter, ruling the 10th, is squared by
Pluto!

Actress/singer Shirley Jones has a Pisces Ascendant, Venus quindecile Neptune, Neptune opposed
Mercury; and Jupiter, ruling the Midheaven, conjunct the Moon in Libra in the 7th.

And for painters!!!? The pervasiveness of the patterns is extraordinary.

Now, this short discussion is not meant to present a smattering of evidence for a definitive astro-
profile for the arts. Rather, it is aimed to help us with confidence in vocational analysis, working
with what we already know about signatures like this.
Here is a way to approach what, on the surface, might seem to be far, far afield from the client's
reality, hidden away, pressing for expression but never encouraged, etc.

When we see these interactions of Venus, Neptune, the Midheaven, Leo ... we must begin to think
with security about aesthetics, about the arts, theatricality playing a role in the life of our client.

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And don't overlook the creative outlets in designing websites, for example, creativity is not
confined to a stage! (The artist who designed this website just happens to have Neptune conjunct
her Sun and square her Ascendant, and Venus in Libra (final dispositor of the horoscope, of
course) quintile Pluto, ruler of her Midheaven!

Astrology and Aging

I am personally intrigued with the power of Neptune symbolism in Arc and Transit. We can say
across the board, that any strong angular contact by Neptune Arc or Transit (conjunction or
square) will signal a period of suppression, of ego wipe-out. The time of life is lonely, bewildered,
lost. Very rarely does this measurement signal the idealized inspiration that is possible through
Neptune, and there must be some reason for this.

It's all very nice to say, "Well, we face these times of withdrawal or suppression or escape or
abandonment in order to gather ourselves anew, to count our blessings, to come back refreshed,
all the wiser." This is easier said than done, especially after the fact. And, let's note the fact as well
that this can happen several times in life. Don't we ever learn our lesson(s)?

I think we can ameliorate this observation of Neptune Arc and Transit activity a bit. I've noticed
now for quite some time, especially in lives where much work has been done and much growth
has been accomplished, to the point that there is a ready acknowledgement of personal
fulfilment, that Neptune significances can and do change in their manifestation in life. I think we
can say that The Arc or Transit of Neptune works more productively the older we get. With
experience, the supports and defeats in life, we are becoming refined. Ideally, our behaviours are
adjusting, modifying themselves, and efficiency and reliable patterns do begin to prevail. As we
grow older, the process of Neptune assimilation seems to be come simplified, and we should
remember this in our work with clients.

I have had a long string of horoscopes presented to me now this year wherein I was faced with
tough Neptunian action. I worked hard to portray potentials in the most refined and wisest light
for the clients. I was converting symbolisms within a more mature perspective since I was dealing
with clients, say, over 50. My efforts were well received, knowingly received, by the clients. While I

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am an older astrologer, I felt that I was seasoning my observations appropriately for the older
client.

Here is a dramatic example: Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb Mt. Everest, was 76 years
old and facing transiting Neptune exactly opposed his Sun and SA Neptune exactly opposed his
Moon. That's difficult. The end of life? No more dreams? No more mountains to climb? But that is
precisely the time when Hillary was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. For Hillary, natal Neptune was
peregrine at his Midheaven! Earlier in his life, with the transit of Neptune crossing his Ascendant,
we have a huge silence in his biography!

And indeed, perhaps the same idea of symbolism changing, maturing, in a life over time can be
applied to the other outer planets as well. With Saturn, we certainly see a series of changes that
can be structured in league with the quadrature of the transit cycle: we see the necessary controls
that guide life into efficiency changing from parents (usually the father) to teachers, to job
supervisors, to government, Church, and the god within. Isn't that a spectrum of fulfilment, of
development into wisdom through aging? And after time, don't those necessary controls become
assimilated with identity and don't their presence and pressure abate, even disappear?

With Uranus, we certainly see bursts and blasts of individuation initially causing disruption,
conversion, and change. But then, with time, we see ingenuity inspired by experience. We see the
strident assertion of identity, and finally the appreciation of individuation. Isn't that a spectrum of
fulfilment, of development into self-hood through aging? Isn't the attitude of completion a
statement of individuation? "I don't have to fight for this or that anymore!"

With Pluto, we certainly see the dynamics of personal power management developing in parallel
with other dimensions of maturation. We see radical, dramatic shifts of personal perspective
finally settling into the sense of who we are and where we are. We find our presence and place in
life, and this is surely a viable spectrum of fulfilment throughout the aging process. But after a
while, those big changes just don't seem to be needed, to be important. We settle down, and that
implies power understood and used to the best of our abilities.

So, I think it is helpful in our astrology to be aware of the heavy symbology when they are
operating within a young organism, within a growing organism collecting experience and

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refinement, and within a matured organism well aware of wisdom. We have to adjust our
presentations of these potentials; we have to re-inspect our words. Our dreams change, our self-
image changes.

Horoscopes with Minimal Developmental Tension

There are fancy psychiatric names for conditions involving problems that individuals cannot easily
describe (polymorphous perverse, for example); problems that have no 'handle': generalized,
often debilitating upset, malaise, depression. It is much easier to therapeutically address a concern
that has an edge to it, that can be easily and especially clearly articulated by the client, or by the
client and astrologer working together in illumination.

In my opinion, the personality needs tension for development, just as flowers need rocks in their
soil against which to push in order to reach the sun.

If we avoid tension at all costs, we pay a lot: we become flaccid of body and spirit; we drown if we
do not work to stay afloat. Is there not a massive amount of tension in between heartbeats? …
Will the next beat come? Will it? … It must!

I believe that the organism reaches out for tension to keep life going. When someone learns
he/she has developed cancer, the reactions soon are to bring all resources into the fight to win, to
stay alive, to 'beat' the disease. We learn through tension. Tension is the base of value
judgements, beginning with the mother's first no-no's. (You can see the anticipation of value
judgement in the eyes of any three or four-year old.)

In his horoscope, my client this morning had no opposition, and only one inter-planetary square:
Mars3 square Mercury5, 8, which, through rulerships, suggested an anxious mind-set about
(bi)sexuality. Additionally, the Moon6,7 was conjunct Neptune2: as a writer and actor, public
performance was the grounding for his self-worth profile. And that was basically it!

Now the question comes up: why is the self-worth development (and the sense of being loveable,
since the Moon-Neptune conjunction resides in the 11th), why is it so strongly dependent on
public acceptance, approval, etc.? Where are aspect networks that can help to explain this? And

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this was corroborated beautifully by the Western orientation of the rest of the horoscope (see
Archives, "Analytical Techniques").

Voila! Saturn happened to square the Midheaven! There is some tension, some probably paternal
tension linked to this emerging picture: Saturn rules the Ascendant and is in the 7th! See how all
this starts to build a meaningful portrait, a cogent scenario of development?

But that's not enough. There must be more ways to see the developmental profile.

I know from much experience that, in this kind of astrological portrait, the organism reaches out
any way it can for tension, to bring tension to bear on development. The semisquare aspect will
become gangbusters important! And there is one in this horoscope between the Sun and
Pluto!!!!!!!!!! I say, "there's a blanket over your hand grenade!"; I get immediate corroboration,
and then I say, it's your father, isn't it? Yes, it is! (Pluto is ruler of the 10th, receiving the square
from Saturn!!) And would you believe? Neptune (conjunct the Moon, remember) is semisquare
the Ascendant, ruled by Saturn, square the Midheaven, etc.!!! And then the retrogradation of
Mercury in Virgo (final dispositor) becomes a blockbuster observation: what is the underlying
second agenda within development?

See how the tension did appear from symbols and places we do not ordinarily see it presented!
Not being accosted by squares and oppositions galore, we don't feel we have much to work with;
we're about ready to throw up our hands! But when we know the organism must have tension
somewhere, somehow in order to grow, we look to the minor aspects, the inter-relationship
between planets and angles, retrogradation patterns, hemisphere emphasis, etc. In short, we
force the 'smaller stuff' into the big picture of development that our minds immediately and
constantly seek to create.

Therapeutic Images

When we hear an inaugural address, a presidential debate, the first words spoken on the Moon,
any auspicious utterances, we've learned to listen for the telling phrase, the words that hang
together in a special way, the phrases that are memorable, meaningful, and usually inspiring.

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These are called "soundbites" by the television and radio media. We know them well, "Ask not
what your country can do for you…", "Senator, you're no John Kennedy! ", "One small step for
Man…"

During a consultation, we use words (not astrological mumbo-jumbo), and we must use these
words artfully. The words communicate our creative concepts. How well we use words, how well
we communicate, determines to a great degree how successful an astrologer we are!

I work at this resource. As a writer of skill (and I thank my 9th grade English teacher every day in
my heart), words are my metier, obviously (and Moon in Leo in the 3rd House helps, of course).
But practice promotes growth, and you and I can improve with the creative connections make
symbolically in astrology and how we translate those observations into words that have vivid
imagery and, often, inspirational energy for the client. At the least, the client will remember the
telling phrase more than the routine one.

Last week, I had a telephone consultation with a man who had a strong, classic Saturn-retrograde
placement and, at the same time, the Moon conjunct the Nodal axis. We have the "difficult"
father, if you will, and the "indulgent" mother. Perhaps and the probability is very high the father
was too difficult and the mother was too indulgent. The problem was, and almost always is, in the
extremes. Here was a case of a double too much.

This judgement emerged not so much in those words but generally from our consultation
discussion together. It was clear; it was the client's reality. The patterning was so very strong
throughout the developmental years that it was now problematic in his adult life, in his
relationships, in his patterns of reliance, whom to please, from where rewards come, etc.

As we talked, I was preparing a way to make this polarization very clear to my client. At just the
right time in a moment of clear mutual understanding I said, "It's easy to reject tyranny, isn't it;
and It's not so easy to reject protection." I spoke this slowly, perhaps wistfully. It was a special
moment. The client understood. Implicit, of course, in this remark its inspiration, if you will is, "So
let's talk about what finally we can do about this."

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A female client -also in a telephone consultation that same day, had the Sun in Gemini opposed by
the Moon in Sagittarius, the axis squared by Saturn; Mars in the 12th (hidden anger). Here we
have an enormous emphasis on communication, diversification, opinionation, will-'o-the-wisp
nerves, and ALL of that -including the expected articulation skill- was strongly under tension,
challenged by Saturn.

As I assessed how intrusive the Saturn factor had been developmentally, I heard a tremendous
indicator in our conversation on the phone: my client said "Um..um", slowly and deliberately,
before every single sentence, as if guarding her thoughts, protecting herself against the choice of
the words to come. It was laboured and disruptive. It delayed our communication. I kept track of
the number of times she used this device.
I decided that part of my job as a paid consultant was to bring this to her attention…but I had to
do it meaningfully, helpfully, revealingly. (Much as I would kindly urge a client in my office to see a
dentist if his or her teeth were greening or gums were sorely inflamed.)

I begged her indulgence with the personal note, but she had "used Um..um to begin every
sentence she had said, giving enormous tentativeness to her life-stream of communication! In
fact, she had used the device 35 times in 6 minutes."

She gulped in surprise, in shock, and I could feel her intelligence begin to work on the problem. I
then added this image, "May I suggest that this is a device of insecurity and fearfulness; much as a
demoralized dog may cower when you lift a newspaper, so you are cowering when you have
something to say."

THAT's an image, for sure. Her immediate reply was, "My goodness! You've hit the nail right on the
head! No one has ever listened to what I have to say, not in my home where I was forgotten
among so many children, and not here…my husband is not interested; I'm not … I'm not allowed to
say anything!"

This was a bright moment of understanding. We discussed the situation extremely productively.
And, most gratifyingly, I heard practically no more of the "Ums" throughout the rest of the
consultation. At the end, I pointed out how things had changed in the speech pattern, and how
that could be a reminder of her returning confidence and freedom.

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Constructing Memorable Phrases You can put your thoughts into powerful phrases by paying
attention to two things in the main:
First:
there is symmetry, balance, rhythm. Think of memorable phrases; be aware of their parallel
structure: "Ask not…Ask what…"; "small step for man…giant leap for mankind"; "…government for
the people, by the people…"; juxtapose opposites; keep the words simple.

Second:
there is the dramatic, even confrontational statement of realism; that which is vivid, that which
cannot be answered, cannot be easily defended against: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall";
"…you're no John Kennedy". -Then there is the combination of the balanced and the
unquestionable realism: "That which can be foreseen can be prevented" (Dr. Charles H. Mayo).

You can appreciate this skill all the more by studying a book of famous "sayings," aphorisms …
available in any bookstore. This skill helps your other skills enormously.

What to Expect from a Consultation

How defeating it is to begin a consultation with a client who expects a fortune-telling extravaganza
-to retell it to the guys at the office or the ladies at the luncheon. This frame of reference will not
allow client involvement; the astrologer is expected to perform entertainingly, is set up for
judgement, and is treated as a servant to egoistic orientations.

This is our fault, I think, rather than our client's; i.e., we don't often tell our clients what to expect.
We still have to defeat Hollywooditis about astrology, ignorance about how serious it is and what
its uses are. I think we must let the public know at all times that astrology is not entertainment.
Many people do think that they can come to your office, plug in a tape recorder, sit back, and be
thrilled with hearing about themselves.
We must tell the person who phones for an appointment -in response to a telephone book ad, to a
website listing, to distributed business cards, etc.- that the consultation will not be a

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"performance" by you, but "a rich discussion between the two of us about major issues of your life
development and projections into time ahead."

This statement says a lot concisely: we make it clear that response and cooperation are expected;
that the past is the base for the future; and that the consultation is serious business.

In the process of this appointment orientation, you can learn so much about your client:
conversational strength, word choice, educational level, probable sociometric strengths, and
more. You are adding dimension to deduction by careful attention to introduction. -And your
client learns a lot about you: you are a learned person who cares, is experienced, and trustworthy.

At the end of the telephone conversation, I always say, "Thank you for your faith" or "I appreciate
your trust." Now, that's my way, my style, of alerting the client to the bond between us for what
will transpire in the consultation to come. You should find your way of doing just that. -If you
neglect to form this level of mutual resonance and respect, you lose out on preparation that can
support your consultation another three or four levels up above your norm! (I know that clients
coming to me for a consultation are fully aware that something important and special is going to
happen. I need for them to feel that way. -What are you doing in your first discussion with your
client to ensure that that kind of dignity and cooperation will be there?)

I make sure that the client will be punctual, by phone or in person. That tightens things up further
professionally. -You naturally react with great frustration to a client who is late, who insists on too
much small talk, who delays getting to the point (often defensively). As consultation time
approaches, I feel like a racehorse about to be released from a starting gate, and anything that
impedes that explosion of prepared thought is dysfunctional for the consultation process.

Also helpful in establishing the tone of the consultation to come is connected with recording the
birth time information. Whenever a client gives me his or her birth time, I always say, "How do you
know?" Some of the answers you get are amazing, but the point here is that as you tune in on the
time you are showing your client how important exactness and detail are. This feel will eventually
spread out through the entire consultation discussion; your client will prepare his or her mind to
be sharp and keen before keeping the appointment.

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Thoughts on Depression

With transiting Saturn coming into Gemini this coming May for two years, astrologers will
probably see more than the normal share of concerns involving depression. A symbolic link
between Saturn and Mercury and reactant (Mutable) Signs will be strongly established.

The point here in "Notebook" is to appreciate depression, its role within development, and to be
careful not to jump the gun to extremism in analyses.

For example: who has not been depressed in their life? It's a natural state to be down, to be sad,
to be alone with one's being in life from time to time, usually in times of lost opportunity, heavy
criticism from without, sadness with loss. The majority of us have had those phases when we have
even thought about not remaining in this life, usually as a metaphor of disconsolation and a cry for
recognition, for rejuvenation. The point is how long does such a period last, how much in the way
does it become with regard to relationship, productivity, planning, etc. Any fine textbook on
depression will offer guidelines about this, and astrologers simply must understand these
parameters well. (I recommend, Klein, Dr. Donald F and Dr. Paul H Wender, Understanding
Depression: A Complete guide to its Diagnosis & Treatment, Oxford University Press, 1993.)

Let's look for a moment at the archetype of depression: Saturn relating to Mercury. We feel that
natal, transiting or arcing Saturn to a hard aspect with Mercury suggests depression of the
Mercury function; the mind is brought down, held down, controlled, and personality damage can
be astir through the mind. But what about relating Mercury natally or by transit or arc to Saturn?
Is it that we learn something through time, through duress; is this wisdom in formation?

The relationship of Saturn to Mercury and Mercury to Saturn are so similar. It seems as if a
character inclination or a reality consideration -i.e., another force or dimension reinforcing one
pole of reaction or the other makes the difference between hard work, analysis and wisdom AND
a sense of heavy responsibility duress and all-pervasive depression.

To resolve such an astrological conundrum, we have to know that the best direction for the
astrologer to work is not among all the nuances of the symbolism -not trying to pick out the

25
kitchen linoleum from some aspect relating to the fourth House- but, rather, to work toward the
reality of the client, in development, in present situation, and in projected plans.

Case in point (do this chart): female born October 4, 1949 at 10:37 PM, EET in Clocolan, SAFR.

This professional lady is extremely talented in her reality, undoubtedly by virtue of having had to
work through all the "challenges" of development, suggested by the following horoscope
orientation.

Northern Hemisphere (unfinished business in the early home). Probable sibling tensions as well
(3rd House condition, Mars ruling the 11th suggests anxiety focused upon feeling loveable amid
everything else). Very strong and deep self-worth concerns through the parents (the Moon, very
sensitive in Pisces, rules the 2nd and is opposed by Saturn on the MC axis. Note the retrogradation
of the Ascendant ruler (also ruling a parental House) -Mercury, the mind a counterpoint to
development, subliminal agendas. The Sun, ruler of the sibling, mind-set 3rd, conjoined Neptune
suggests confusion there, relating to one parent in particular (Neptune ruling the 10th). Mars-
Pluto square with Venus in Scorpio (quindecile the Ascendant) suggests sexuality (performance) is
a claim to fame here in overcompensation. This may be how she will set herself apart as special,
etc.
This very sexual woman has lived quite some time with a much younger man, indeed a 'claim to
fame' for her. The man has recently left her. Transiting Saturn is coming to her Ascendant in Spring
2001. Now this certainly can be a suggestion of life falling in on this lady at age 52; age is
depressing in a situation like this. But note that tr Saturn will be trine to her natal Mercury at the
same time. Perhaps this is a late growing-up time for her!

This is a bona fide link: with this woman, one is aware of her mind working overtime (Mercury
trine the Ascendant), bright, resourceful, socially alert to a fault.

At the same time with the Saturn transit, SA Pluto is conjoined with that natal Mercury, ruler of
the Ascendant (02/01). Tr Uranus will be square Venus, ruler of the 12th, natally quindecile the
Ascendant. -Personal perspective, ways of trafficking with her world -all of this is coming to a point
of focus and upheaval, change.

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What we could have here is a profile of potential breakdown and depression (the involvement of
the 12th House, Ascendant, the Sun, Pluto -see Astrological timing of Critical Illness). BUT will the
transit by Saturn trine to Mercury redeem the picture, working within lifelong established,
productive channels, suggest wisdom gained through duress, through "normal" depression?

This question must be assessed in dialogue with the client; there is no other way to weigh the
balance into either direction. The first thing to do, in my opinion, would be to make sure the client
has a full medical, physical examination to settle many concerns from these measurements.
Second, there should be a rich discussion about values past, present, and future how they have
changed and why they are so important now at this time of life. There is undoubtedly much
"unfinished business" from long ago to be settled finally.

So, our notebook lesson is a reminder: measurements work through the client to configure reality,
to give it personal significance. The astrologer is a guide in this process. Measurements are tip-offs
to developmental dimensions; they are not ends in themselves. At its very best, astrology is an
alert to changing conditions, to the development of potentials, and to our understanding of the
process of becoming.

Development Scenario

When we prepare a horoscope, we must get beyond measurement as soon as we can. We must
begin to think in terms of a possible/probable scenario of life development. It is too easy to stare
at a horoscope for a week, going over measurements time and time again; it is important to bring
those measurements to life in terms of the guideline power they have to take us into a scenario of
the client's life development.

We are prepared to recognise and know these scenarios. There aren't many, but they are all
around us: in our lives, in friends' lives, in movies, books, magazine articles. Patterns of
development are so clear as to become clichés.

For example, in a woman's horoscope (possibly born on a military base), you see the Saturn
retrograde phenomenon, reinforced by developmental tension to the significators of the parental
axis. You see two or three major 'heavy' Arc/Transit hits to the Angles during the first 18 years of
life; you see heavy tension on the rulers of the 7th and the 9th.

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These measurements -without any doubt-suggest to you a scenario of development: the father
dimension is lacking (pages 35-48 in Synthesis & Counselling). He was probably away a lot,
tyrannical when at home.

There were at least two major break ups in the home, much moving of location as well (breaking
down peer group support systems); and a fleeing/escape from the home environment after high
school through precipitous marriage (education interrupted in the process, anchoring a certain
sociometric development level). Then, the unfinished business was re-enacted in the marriage.

As you absorb these measurements, your mind is creating an idea of developmental scenario; you
are preparing the dialogue you will have with the client.

Why do you think home scene difficulties (parental axis, northern hemisphere; Saturn retrograde,
Nodal axis configurations) relate so often to interrupted education? It's because there is little
attention given to the child growing up, little push into college education; therefore, the child
wants to flee into his/her own family, to be free, to do things his/her way.

Why do you think home scene difficulties relate so often to self-worth crises and the sense of not
being loveable (2nd and 11th House concerns, respectively)? Why are these so easily transferred
into adult relationship?

You can answer these questions yourself hypothetically if you ask yourself these questions! The
purpose of astrological measurements is to stimulate these kinds of questions!!

After a while, these conceptualisations become instinct. Your mind begins to create them without
your conscious effort to do so. This is the beginning of art in analysis and art in the astrologer.

Tracking the Sureness of Projections

What makes us so sure of projections (predictions) into the future in certain particular
horoscopes? Isn't it interesting that we don't always feel that most-welcome sureness? What are

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the variables at work here that give us higher sureness one time and perhaps less sureness in
another case?

I think there are three threads that go through the consultation that answer those questions:
First, there is client management of developmental tension through the past. In the consultation,
discussing key points of development (particular Arcs and Transits) over the past, we learn where
the client's sensitive "buttons" are, how he/she has reacted when those buttons have been
pushed.

Time after time, we can see the pattern of response with, say, Uranian or Saturn transits in fourth
harmonic to the Sun; we can see patterns in correspondence to Neptunian contact with key
horoscope points. If we have a Piscean Moon of exquisite sensitivity, we can spot the pattern of
responsiveness within this arena by checking out major developmental Arcs and transits to this
Moon position; probably always involving House issues of the House ruled by the Moon, etc.. Soon
we can anticipate behaviour from other important "hits" upon this position.

We "aim" for certain key natal positions, to get this patterned response knowledge, in relation to
the positions being activated in the near future that have been revealed in our preparation of the
horoscope and our projections of it into time ahead.

Second, we must tie the anticipated behaviour to the reality spectrum disclosed by the client
throughout the consultation. Someone may have developed sickness or deep apathy (losing out
on opportunities) time and time again during development whenever faced with a particular
challenge. This pattern might be related to a Moon position, and that Moon position may reflect
the mother's hypochondria way of avoiding tension in the past, any challenge in the family that
might have threatened her security, because of her personal make-up. The point is that the
parental modelling has set a pattern for the son/daughter through the Moon symbology (and
placement, etc.).

Our spotting this is extraordinarily important. Here is a reality formation that can be recognized,
discussed, explored, and modified. This frees up fresh energy for new behaviour and growth.

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Anticipated behaviour of a constructive nature (taking advantage time and time again of the 12-
year Jupiter transit of the Sun with its quadrature or its transit of its own natal position), can be
tied to reality structure as well. Whatever the client realistically projects for him/herself into the
future can benefit so much from this foreknowledge based upon past response. The response has
been proved: if the projection is practicable, the results gain enormously in sureness. Go for it!

Projections must be realistic. Just because you love the opera does not promise that you can be an
opera singer; just because you feel things intensely doesn't mean the poetry you have written is
going to win a Pulitzer Prize. Is the projection realistic? Does it proceed with common sense to a
new level of development, precedent for which you have seen before in the life?
A third dimension so very important to establishing sureness of projections is the involvement of
the client. Indeed, the client will so often feel what's coming; the keen-eared astrologer can hear
the answers in the client's questions! But, in practically all cases of change, life development
requires the involvement of the client in learning and knowing how to do something, positioning
him/herself strategically so that development is reasonable, and that there are eagerly applying
energies to make the future happen.

Finally, the environment must be poised to cooperate with the projections of the client. The
corporation must need your client's talents for your client to be hired. No one can have a love
affair with someone unless that someone is available and interested. No amount of supportive
measurements, realistic thinking, and personal involvement can avert a down-sizing of a
corporation affecting 15,000 employees or avoid an epidemic of one kind or another.

In such a case, transient setback most often is pushing the client into another realm, another level,
another modality; and when this is discovered, a whole new life may beckon. Then, there are
strategic concerns of the personal environment the people around and dependent on your client-
to support the new venture or not.

Change and growth are this dynamic; they are domino-like in accumulated effect. Most important
is what is brought to the present from the past and how it is projected into what kind of future. -
Seeing this as clearly as one can helps enormously with the perception of sureness and the
explanation of strategy in the predictive closing section of a consultation.

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Opening Up for Inspiration

Making creative connections among an individual's events/reactions/values throughout life

development is the essence of meaningful astrological portrayal, counsel, and therapy. What has
the client experienced in his or her reality? How does the horoscope reflect that and thereby fit
that client-reality? What has the client brought forward in development from those circumstances
and times?

In the analytical preparation of the horoscope, the developmental keys to analysis (see Archives,
"Analytical Techniques," Synthesis & Counselling, and The Creative Astrologer) reveal the
superstructure of development. With each point in tension that we find, we must ask WHY did
such-and-such probably happen, e.g., what was the mother's problem with her husband that
conditioned their attitude toward their child (your client), WHY might the education have been
interrupted, WHY are relationships so difficult for the client? Then: what can be done to buttress a
routinely sagging self-worth profile, improve awareness of lovableness, free up development from
anchors to the past, etc.?

All this takes great concentration on the dialogue development in the consultation -by the
astrologer AND by the client. Both must be extremely alert. The consultation tone is anything but
casual.

The client will emulate your style: if you're sloppy, beat-around-the-bush, imprecise with
language, your client will be too. If you hide behind jargon, your client will quickly tune you out
and degrade your performance. If you're organized, lean with your communication, to-the-point,
and empathic, your client will be able to remember life development more clearly, will open up to
careful discussion, and will share feelings. This is the tone and air that allow inspiration to happen;
inspiration is the result of intense alertness.

Female client, New Moon (and Sun) in Sagittarius (nervous preoccupation with intellectualism,
high opinionation, potentially over-controlling, needing credentials (education) to be credible and
respected); Mercury-Node and Mars quindecile Node (mother ate away at her mind intensely);
Mercury ruling 2nd squared by Neptune (self-worth demoralized and suppressed) etc. Most
important, Saturn ruled her 9th (education) and was peregrine, dissociated somehow.

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At 19 (going-to-college age), tr Neptune was conjunct her 7th, opposing her Ascendant as tr Saturn
squared her Midheaven. Of course, her education was interrupted; the worst thing that could
happen to this woman of exquisite intelligence and intellect.

WHY was the education interrupted?: a whole foregoing era of development, of neglect and
coercion by the parents erupted in their disowning the daughter, because of a relationship they
disapproved of. The daughter was then forced to leave college.

Now at 51, my client has done well for herself, but the weighty stone of disowning and
abandonment is constantly about her neck; through four marriages etc. She has, in spite of it all,
become a teacher in the arts, but she struggles constantly to feel authoritative through her mind,
respected by others for what she has to say.

Our conversation together was deep, clear, and extremely alert to nuance. -Something, someone
had to make up for so many years of her being and feeling slighted.

"Karen, listen to me very carefully. This is extremely important, an important moment, right now
in your life. With greatest pride and honour, today, right now, in recognition of all you have done I
award you your Ph.D. in the Philosophy of Arts. Take this Award, shake my hand; Congratulations,
doctor!' (This grand statement was delivered solemnly, slowly, strongly, and with greatest dignity.)

It was an extremely telling moment. The shock of it all was extraordinary. There was laughter,
there were tears.

"Where will you put this beautiful diploma?" I continued in all seriousness, reinforcing the creative
dramatics.

She had an answer. She was living the settled freedom.

Fifty-five-year-old woman of intelligence, handsome appearance, married a father figure (Saturn-

Mars conjunction retrograde quindecile Venus, ruler of the 7th). She sacrificed her higher
education to do so (thwarting her reigning need, the Moon in Sagittarius). The explosive potential

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of her development had had a blanket thrown over it by the early home difficulties, especially with
the father (Saturn retrograde, Sun opposed by Pluto, Moon quindecile Node). Sexuality was
expressed in pretence for over a quarter of a century!! (Who can respond to a father figure easily,
sexually?).

A rock-locked-unalterable routine had set in throughout life development. The husband finally
died. A long-term affair with a man followed the same pattern.

Of course, there was no way to "get rid of the problem", so, with my client, we acknowledged that
the problem was here to stay BUT the ROUTINE of acting it out THAT's what could be changed!!!
(This seems so simple unless you are living the problem.)

"Doris: I want to give you a Mantra today, based upon all we have discussed, all we understand.
This Mantra can easily become your constant thought about a new life. (Note the word choice.) I
want you to promise to say it aloud 5 times every morning, every lunch time, every dinner time,
every night as you go to sleep. Put this Mantra into your being as a way of refreshing your life.

"Doris, the Mantra is simply but powerfully: 'In addition to my problem, I'm going to start to do
things DIFFFERENTLY.'"

Doris was startled by this simple device-the juxtaposition of problem acceptance and remedial
effort-and her whole body showed it: broad long-lasting smiles, shifts of position in her chair, even
greater attentiveness, repeating the words with me several times. -A new view had been born out
of the consultation.

I knew this injunction would be effective: it played into Doris' creativity, Sun and Venus (idealistic
conjunction) quintile the Ascendant!

These are two examples of inspiration patterned from the horoscope development into a client's
needs in a new reality. Such inspiration comes through when the intensity of thought during the
consultation is highly keen and alert: it is the ultimate manifestation of our intent as astrologers
helping others. -Be prepared, hear what's happening in dialogue, welcome the insight that can
come.

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Subtext Use for Image Impact

Recently in a magazine discussing the techniques of public speaking, a very interesting

recommendation was presented. I use this technique, which I learned when I was beginning my
opera singing career long ago. It's an easy and effective self-talk technique for creating impact
with others, from the stage or across the desk.

A non-vocalized subtext -sometimes called a sub vocalized script-is the key: you consciously tell
yourself something with your mind, even muttering the text for a moment to get the process
going. This message is going to motivate a self-belief, a confidence in personal behaviour that will
communicate powerfully to others.

For example: what if your subtext thought were "Wow! You are so fortunate that I'm here for
you!" -This may seem intensely self-serving -but that's just the point!! The subtext thought is
designed to bring out of you behaviour and poise that establish you as an important gift or prize to
your client or to your astrology audience at a lecture. What about, "You KNOW I'm going to please
you!" or "Heeeeeeeere's Johnnie!"

What if you introduced an opposite kind of text: "I don't know if I can do this" or "This is really
beyond me"?

Say the first text several times, quietly, under your breath, but thinking strongly of the text's
meaning. Register how you feel.

Now, do the same with the self-effacing text. Register how you feel. -Really put the thoughts into
your mind and out through your eyes. It's amazing how you can feel changes everywhere within
you!

Remember: in the line of action, when your adrenaline is pumping, these sub-texts become ever
so much more vital and influential.

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Your client -your audience- is going to evaluate you within the first 90 seconds of meeting you,
seeing you. Your objective is going to be to keep the positive, aggressive, authoritative subtext
going for the first 90 seconds. It works!

Just last week at a convention, I was the wrap-up evening speaker after 6 days of very, very active
participation with 6 hours of lectures and some 20 clients. With the work preparation and
performance, I was down to perhaps 4 or 5 hours of sleep each night. By the final evening, I was
very, very tired.

As I sat in front of the audience, listening to my introduction, I felt absolutely empty; I remember
thinking, "What can I possibly now say for one and a half hours???" I felt like an empty thermos
bottle -what a strange image, but that's what was going through my mind. The people certainly
did not want that kind of evening!

I caught myself within this fatigued negativity, and I forcibly changed subtexts: I began to
concentrate strongly on the words, "they expect the best; I'll give them the best. They expect the
best; I'll give them the best." I was introduced, and I kept that thought going in my mind, and
immediately words and ideas and some humorous observations streamed into my consciousness. I
felt my eyes gleaming; I was conscious of the relaxed ease of my gestures, the confidence, and I
could see acceptance and comfort in the faces of the audience. The subtext worked; it turned my
energy reserves back on big-time!

Two days later, at home, still deeply tired, very early in the morning, I received some very difficult
news: a long-time friend of mine was near death. I was wracked with sadness. I cried. I was
extremely down. And as I looked vacuously at my desk, I realized that I had a client telephoning
me for a full consultation in two hours. I thought of postponing the consultation, but, instead, I
chose a sub-text to gather my strength and focus my dedication to serving my client well. The text
I created was something like, "This is the time to be a professional; you CAN be at your best now.
Yes."

Often, as I meet clients, I use different subtexts. Based upon my security with the preparation of
the horoscope, for example. If there is a vagary, I might set up the mind-set "It will quickly be
clear; it always is; it will happen."

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If there is a classic pattern revealed throughout the horoscope preparation that may approach
routine or even boredom for me (seeing, say, 7 or 8 people in a day, with 5 or 6 of the horoscopes
speaking of basically the same developmental pattern), I say, "This will be easy for me, but all the
more worthwhile to the client!"

If there is a particular challenge anticipated -a strong willed or sceptical or deeply withdrawn

client-I tell myself, "You will get through to him; use grace and strength; it will happen."

These kinds of subtexts work for me. Try the technique. It will surprise you how your behaviour
will be affected and, in turn, how that will affect your client or audience in their perception of you!

Random Insights

I hope my students don't mind my sharing a few insights, chosen at random, from several of the
Lessons in my Master's Degree Course (see Menu):
When a horoscope has no opposition and perhaps only one square; i.e., if the aspect action is not
immediately revealing (dynamic), seek out a lesser aspect, e.g., the semisquare and/or aspects to
Angles. Or seek out the closest aspect in the horoscope and build from there; if that aspect is a
trine, treat it as a square! (Manifestations of the trine, the ease or routine, usually come from
tensions that have been resolved or well exploited. Revive them. -Think about that!

The word-concept of "problem" carries with it a higher degree of insolubility than does the word-
concept of "concern". -"We have a concern here …" is actually a refreshing, new-start orientation
in comparison with "we have a problem here …", which may have been repeated over and over
again for years.

A male client has had a difficult childhood; he felt/feels dramatically unloved. He has lived in many
out-of-country, out-of-the-way places, changed religions, constantly seeking home/emotional
security. "Bob, you look at all of this as lifelong rejection; but what if we looked at it now,
especially with your adult perspective, understanding it as we have discussed it today, as strategic
escape, escape to a safe new, knowing start?"

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A client has a long history of being angry and expressing it disruptively. He knows it. Marriages
were ended because of it. Jobs had been lost. -In our conversation, he kept saying over and over
again, "I'm just terrible; I know." Or "Nobody wants me around anymore." It was clear he had
identified his behaviour as his Self. -I said, "From my point of view, it is not YOU who terrible; it is
not YOU no one wants around … it's your behaviour that is terrible, and you can change THAT."
And we just stared at each other; what a deep self-recognition recovery … after so many years of
self-deprecating habit. So simple. So powerful. What an opening for progressive discussion.

Clients are hypersensitive in the astrologer's presence and they can read the astrologer's inner
thoughts. If the astrologer is bored with the client's talk or dislikes something about the client, it
shows, it can be felt in an instant. This is equated with insincerity and even judgement, with which
the client may be all too familiar, wary of, lost within.
Astrologers must listen earnestly, sincerely to what the client says and to what they the
astrologers say as well. Why is the client saying what he or she is saying? If the client begins to
ramble, there may be an important avoidance mechanism at work; perhaps the client is gathering
courage to say what's really important or is waiting to feel trust in the astrologer. The astrologer
can say, "I'm trying to follow your thoughts, but please help me: where is this leading us?"

Perhaps the acceptance and understanding the client feels in the astrologer's presence is being
felt for the first time!!! This is the way the client can begin to acknowledge their real self, who they
really are, what they need, what strengths they have to get back on the track.

Notice that people with strong self-worth anxiety often ignore compliments; they mistrust them.
This is because positive feedback from others creates a conflict between the clients' self-worth
profile, his/her low self-regard. Therefore, these people can't give a compliment easily (since they
would be diminishing themselves even further), and, as a result, relationships with others can't get
started supportively.
The client whose life is totally absorbed by others, is given away to others, leaves his or her own
identity behind. Perhaps this has been behaviour learned upon demand by the mother (Uranus
quindecile Node maybe) who usurped the child's identity by making the child do the maternal
bidding. This can become a habit, a way of gaining approval(!). "Others" then substitute for
mother (Western or Southern Hemisphere orientation.)

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It is dramatic and helpful to begin a discussion, a line of inquiry, "I appreciate what you've been
through, this pattern of doing so much for so many others. So, it's a fair question for us to ask,
Where are YOU? Where are you NOW? What is needed to find you again? What needs to be got
out of the way? There's quite a lot that can develop shortly." Just watch your client shift position;
open up; begin fresh channels of thought!

It is strongly suggested never to say to a client, "I understand how you feel." -This 'understanding'
is an impossibility without an extraordinary amount of information and investigation time. What is
reasonable is, "I appreciate how you feel."

It is strongly suggested never to say to a client, "If I were you, I would…" This is presumptively
intrusive upon the client. There's a better way to begin the sharing of a new thought about an old
theme or a difficult situation. For example, "There are alternatives, and we should talk about
them. The horoscope can help us with the discussion."

It is strongly suggested to try never to ask a client a question answerable by "Yes" or "No." Such a
question can bring the discussion to a sudden stop. The objective is to stimulate discussion,
disclosure from the client. Sentences beginning with "How, What about, What if" are very helpful;
so are questions in the form of gentle commands, like "Tell me, please, about…" or "Please discuss
this from the point of view of your feelings, the difficult interaction with your sister when you
were 10, how you may have brought those feelings forward to now …" (Please see pages 75-87 in
"The Creative Astrologer.")

Therapeutic Metaphor

So often in referring back to a discussion, the client will say or a friend will say in reference to a
past conversation, or you will say to a salesperson after a presentation, "One thing you said really
hit home…" Now, that is not a criticism that ONLY ONE thing made sense or had relevance! Rather,
it means that one statement in particular stayed with the client because it triggered a field of
thought that was strategically important. It's as if the client were to say there's one point sticking
above the sand, and Boy! what a pyramid was revealed beneath it!

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Usually, it is a simple statement, something that summarizes, that stands for so much more. The
statement is mnemonic (devised for remembering). It is easy to carry around, to quote to others,
to repeat to oneself. In its abbreviation, it makes recall facile and valuable.
The use of this technique is very, very powerful. With every consultation, I look for opportunity to
summarize significance in picturesque metaphor.

For example: I have popularised a very keen metaphor for the natal aspect condition of Pluto
square, conjunct, or opposed the Sun. The metaphor is "there seems to be a blanket over your
hand-grenade."

Now I have tested this in 17 languages, in that many countries, and the response is extraordinary:
people with one of these Pluto-Sun connections understand all too clearly what is being said
through the metaphor. It is so appropriate, it usually brings a smile into an area of self-aware
discomfort!

I have had 15 people rise in an audience -all having Pluto so configured with the Sun-called out this
metaphor, and been greeted by spontaneous smiles and applause! One-on-one in consultation it is
extremely significant. It begins a discussion of depth and development. -Astrologers who do not
understand the principle of using such a metaphor and who have no confidence in it are reluctant
to use it, of course. And they miss an enormously important inroad to developmental
understanding with the client.

Prince Charles has Pluto square Sun. Is HE stifled somehow? Yes; especially with the Sun ruling his
Ascendant [see Synthesis & Counselling, page 51, for his horoscope]. We look for the cause: Moon
conjunct the Nodal axis in the parental axis! Mother. -Ten seconds of discussion, deeply into
developmental significances, and possession of a powerful mnemonic metaphor about the
situation for the rest of his life.

The implicit therapy with this metaphor is certainly, clearly, if we can understand what the blanket
is, we can remove it

Psychologist professor Edward Neukrug [see Favourite Counselling and Therapy Techniques, Ed.
Howard G. Roensthal, Taylor & Francis Group; Philadelphia, 1998, pages 139-141] presents this

39
technique very strongly in the literature. He recommends using this technique at peak moments in
the counselling process, since it summarizes, abbreviates what has gone before, what has been
unearthed.

Neukrug offers some examples: "Sounds like you are rearranging chairs on the Titanic." I.e., No
matter what the client does, he or she is still 'sinking.' Acknowledging this can be crucial to
instigate self-understanding in a new way.

Or a woman staying on and on with a difficult, battering marriage, when all astrological
measurements suggests tremendous pressure to dissolve the marriage, but there is the routine
fear of insecurity, etc. Neukrug might say "You know, this situation of yours sounds like a horrible
movie. It has moments that are interesting, but overall it's dreadful, and yet you keep going back
to it thinking it's going to have a different ending." This image of "knowing the ending no matter
how many times you see the film" can dramatize that the husband, the marriage, will not change
and that she herself continues to put herself in the abusive situation. She cannot change the
movie, but she can stop going to it." "Why go to the movie, when you know the ending?"

Just this morning, I had a client call to discuss a work situation. For months now (under the
M=Saturn, ruler of her 10th measurement), the woman has wanted to leave her very important
job in a major world company and relocate cross-country to better weather, change, new
freedoms, etc. Trips were made to check everything out, but the clinching moment of decision was
never focused. -And perhaps our consultation had something to do with that: I had seen no major
move or job change in her horoscope except perhaps in the spring of 2003 [tr Jupiter conjunct the
Sun, tr Saturn conjunct the fourth]. I had told her that, but I had added something else.

"Joan, I think there's a major chance that you can be promoted or moved around in your present
corporation. It will build you up again, and give you more qualifications and experience for the
move that probably will happen in two years! -I think that's going to happen in mid-July [tr Jupiter
opposed MC, tr Saturn, ruling the 10th square, to Jupiter; natal Jupiter in superb condition,
including a quintile with the MC, and more]."

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NOTE: the potential severity of M=Saturn, the background concern, is for reality to define, not the
astrologer to dictate; it could suggest promotion as well as severance; it connotes strong
involvement with, feeling about job status at many levels.

Joan did get a surprise promotion on schedule, but she was still upset with the lack of dramatic
change. Her heart had been set on the big move and the new climate, etc.

In her call to discuss this further(!), she complained almost irrationally that everything she had
developed and worked at for over a decade in one department was now being lost with the move
to another branch of the mega-corporation. I waited for just the right moment, and then I said,
"Joan the top of the Empire State building is really famous, quite remarkable … she agreed … but
remember, that top is built upon all the blocks below it."
I forced into an image appreciation of what she had done for ten years and appreciation for her
new towering position. It really meant a lot of grounded sense to her, and the need for discussion
was over.

Another example: a female client age 38, in a deep discussion about finally settling down and
getting married, but petrified because of parental example, and absolutely no mother attention or
model in her life; she says, "Shouldn't I be able to stand alone? I love this man, but marriage?" I
replied, "You've gone thirty-years without a glass of water." and later: "Can you climb Everest
alone?"

These two question/statements punctuated the discussion powerfully. They were memorable.
They will stay with the client for a long time as a reminder of the rest of the more elaborated
discussion.

The Values of Bombs Going Off

Many years ago, I said (preached) quite often that a bomb could off in the next room or out in the
street and I wouldn't drop a word or miss a beat. This was a confident assertion of expanded
awareness: I tried always to assimilate more in my presence than simply where I was or what I was
doing; the expanded awareness would help be hold my poise no matter what occurred. This
confidence buttressing mantra was born on the opera stage [I was an opera singer for some 20
years] where one must be perpetually aware that something unexpected can occur and mess

41
things up. One had to be constantly prepared to adapt, to adjust, to take any such occurrence in
stride and keep the show going.

I had a second maxim of which I was most fond: no event has any value until one gives it value.

I speak of these two behavioural guidelines in the past tense only because I formulated them
thirty years ago. Their operational strength has been thoroughly assimilated within me over a long
period of time and endures strongly today.

Now, look how they work together: a bomb could go off 'over there' and I have a choice of how I
will react. I can become shocked (run for your life!), fearful (are we under attack?), curious (what
could that be?), blasé (maybe explosions go off all the time), or pleased (that blighted slum
building is finally coming down!), etc.. How do choose the reaction that will be most important to
progress? How often do we find ourselves helping clients to re-evaluate occurrences in life
development, to understand things from different perspectives, to adjust values carried forward
from difficult, challenging happenings?

Psychologist and prolific author Jeffrey Kottler writes about this clearly: "The job of a therapist is
to help people make new, more useful interpretations of their tragedies and disappointments. We
are the ones charged with helping people to create meaning out of their life experiences, to
recover from setbacks by choosing more desirable interpretations of what transpired. … Our job is
to help people see their heart attacks or avalanches as opportunities for growth rather than
signals of their impending demise." [Making Changes Last, Brunner-Routledge, Philadelphia 2001,
page 25]

It is extremely helpful, very often, to ask your client, "What would be another evaluation…a
different evaluation… of this way your wife behaves toward you?" Or "… of your father's
avoidance of the problems presented by your mother's alcoholism?" By seeking out another basis
for event evaluation, the client is urged to empathize within the situation, to consider other
viewpoints, to study the concerns of others. Almost invariably, the personal burden is lifted, the
darkness is lifted. There is very often some compassion, a removal of personal blame perhaps, a
release of self-punishment. 'The bombs' can be exploding routinely -or whenever the bomb will
explode again- but a fresh value reaction is given to the occurrence.

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So frequently, I help clients come up with new perspectives that are extremely helpful to them.
These perspectives basically rest on conjecture that others have/had problems too, that
projections or displacement of difficulty onto the client is/was defensive behaviour by the
significant other and not personal attack. How very often in deep discussion of parental
relationship upset, for example, the fulcrum comment leading to new perspective, new evaluation
was, "Let me suggest that -knowing all this now-you were simply caught up in their traffic
pattern." …Quite a different way of seeing a heretofore deeply personalized situation.

Mundane Considerations

When I first confronted an astrologer, before my learning began -probably in the Spring of 1966 (tr
Saturn-Pluto opposition, squared by Uranus, conjoining my Saturn!)- I said what we all think or say
when we don't know astrology: "Do you mean to tell me that, when a plane goes down,
everybody's horoscope on that plane is messed up?" The astrologer back then attempted no
answer, but he did invite me to start learning about astrology.

That same question is still with us: how do we explain?; better, how do we anticipate collective
suffering. How do we get a grip on the occurrence of accidents, for one person [I'll never forget a
client long ago who lived through a parachute jump in which his chute did not open I could find
nothing astrological even remotely involved with such a picture!] or for many -just look at what
faces astrology in the midst of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. (And I've addressed
much more than my share of horoscopes for prisoners of war; Jews losing years of their life in
German concentration camps, for example; and then the children of refugees.) How is the
individual tied in to or victimized by the state of the collective? How does this alter the level and
direction of life itself? Is this occurrence part of what we should see ahead of time?

On the Forum on this website, fine astrological minds are bringing all techniques into the
discussion, into the quest, to capture definitively, after the fact, the terrorist attack(s) on the world
Trade Centre. We are pained that there are no easily delineated answers; after all, as our critics
will say, "Shouldn't astrology have been able to see THAT coming?"

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This discussion leads quickly to considering what we can expect from astrology. Should we be able
to see that there is extraordinary tension focused on a certain place on earth at a certain time? I
answer, "Yes,", and it has been proved many, many times that we can. The reason is that our
astrology depicts the coordinates of space and time on this earth, and we humans are part of that
picture as well. We can see disruptions or challenges to the flow of time in a particular location.

We measure the flow of time in relation to its beginning in a particular moment at a particular
place. Much as we can watch over a train leaving a station at a particular time and place, we can
see developments in time emerge from the future.

"Well then, if you see the focus of tension, debris on the track (to continue the analogy), MUST
there be a problem, MUST the train be derailed"? The answer is that we CAN deduce the probable
problem and we CAN remove the debris ahead of time. We CAN save the day.

Example: Last week I was contacted by an investigative arm of our government. A sophisticated
astrologer was an intermediary in the discussion. I was asked to review measurements that
appeared drastic in their relation to a particular city on a particular date. The measurements were
definitely drastic and clearly explosive. I had to concur with the dire portents, without hesitation.

But I did put forward that the explosion could well be a car fire outside a bakery or a bank or a
playground, not necessarily next to or within a major national building, or a suicide bomber tourist
within an American shrine. So, we have the confounding dimension of "level," the guise of
occurrence in reality.
The time has passed for this alert. Nothing happened. Was it that extra surveillance was deployed?
Extra security? Was the explosive debris not allowed to get into the path of the time-train because
of extra precautions? Did astrology save that day by anticipating it?

Immediately after the opening of the Olympics in Atlanta, 20 July 1996, I projected the highest
potential of a bombing several days later. The projection was accurate to one hour! But the
prediction went nowhere. I recorded it with some of my colleagues, but I pushed it nowhere
because I knew no one would be listening. -Or I sensed I would be thought a cook-hysteric.

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My published predictions -some 18 months ahead of time-about the impeachment of President
Clinton, the fall of Russia, the Peace signing between Israel and the PLO- were nice academic
achievements for astrology, but no one outside of astrology was listening. -And within astrology, it
is extremely difficult to earn a living with Mundane Astrology; therefore, its practice falls behind in
development and in the grooming of expert analysts.

We astrologers are so young with regard to capturing aberrance in the flow of time, the debris on
the track of the collective. Just think of what we do not know about Fixed Stars! There are only
two, maybe three experts in that field in astrology in the world; there is only one responsible,
modern book on the subject.

The subject does not seem important to the publishers and software innovators in astrology, those
who drive our learning curve and directions. And let's face it, until now, we Americans have had an
extraordinarily low interest in world events simply because we are not involved with them, so
insulating is our superpower status, so great the distance from international action spots of the
world, etc.

Now, with the terrorist attacks within the United States, we are no longer untouchables. Maybe
we will rush to study. Maybe the next generation of astrologers in the world will have expertise in
Mundane Astrology, expertise that will command government attention.
So, we are left with the wisdom of knowing what we do not know and the strengths of what we do
know:
1. Values On the issue of why do bad things happen to good people and "how can God allow
this?", we know that the free will of our life and the opportunity to exercise it are the gifts
and purpose from (anyone's) our God. What follows then in the course of time is the
exercise of this free, which can cause problems for other people and the world around us.

We must remember that the astrological view of the martyred terrorists, the view held by
any enemy of ours, is the astrology of success, of divinely inspired accomplishment.

It was chilling to see the family of a suicide bomber interviewed on television: the young
son, age 6, already asserting he wants to become a martyr like his father. Imagine how
THAT concept changes his entire life development. Is his train suddenly on another track

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 than it should be on? -This is why the astrologer must ascertain the reality of the client in
order to qualify the symbology of the horoscope.

We cannot veil our measurement perspectives with value judgements. We do not see well
if we feel first. We can't allow ourselves to see what we want to see, only what is there in
real terms.

2. Experience We know that it is experience that defines the flow of time, that disturbs it,
even corrupts it. Aberrance -warp-can occur at one level or another. We call the aberrant
occurrence "accident." There is a happening that confounds empirically seasoned
anticipation.

We can see that a surprise attack, while a purposeful strategy for the perpetrators-is an
unanticipated disturbance, an aberrance, an accident for the victims. We have two values
that are diametrically opposed but are focused on an experience in space … at the same
moment in time.

Objective experience -seeing the experience ahead of time excites subjective evaluation,
and our capacities for that evaluation -giving events meaning must be continuously
refined.

3. Technique The astrological techniques that we do know must be better organized and
polished. We must see the nagging lack (often) of inconclusiveness in Mundane studies as a
suggestion that there is more technique to be added to our art. In my opinion, it is with the
area of fixed Stars. We desperately need computer facility with Fixed Star measurements,
bringing these ancient symbols down to earth in a practical way. Such a software program
and guidance information could spark a tidal wave of interest in Mundane Astrology.

Please note: very, very, very few astrologers at present have the acumen for and/or
interest in Mundane Astrology. It is a subject that is not taught. At conventions, Mundane
Astrology lectures are the least attended; so now very few are presented. Mundane
Astrology books do not sell; no books are being written about the subject. Llewellyn

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 Publications abandoned its 'secret' projections for a Mundane Research magazine (I was to
lead the project as editor) because market study showed it was just not feasible.

At the present time, while we are all excited by the terrorist attacks, only a handful of
people has come to the foreground with well-developed skills in assessing the situations
astrologically. The excitement has bred curiosity but not conclusive, enduring results
astrologically. Yet, perhaps such events as these now are the stimulus for further learning,
a worldwide wave of interest.

4. Communications I suggest that one of astrology's international organizations establish a

Mundane Intelligence Exchange (MIX) to collect Mundane forecasts from astrologers
throughout the world, these forecasts prepared in strict observance of carefully designed
guidelines to discourage the uninformed, irresponsible, and subjectively exploiting
elements in our field. A monthly consensus report could be prepared and distributed to
Media outlets internationally.

Through MIX, a grid of observations could be established throughout the world, skilled Mundane
practitioners would be discovered, and indeed, warnings about aberrance expected in the flow of
time at specific locations (e.g. capital cities) would be produced and distributed ahead of time. In
the process, Mundane Astrology could grow beyond infancy.

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