Example Chart 01C: O.J. Simpson

Prediction; Example 01C for O.J. Simpson’s break in, robbery and kidnapping on Sept. 13, 2007

We have examined O.J. Simpson’s natal chart (01A), precession-corrected Solar Return (01B) and will now look at the solar return’s progressed angles for a period of two months following his solar return.  The MC angle advances about 1.25 degrees per day, the Sun just a bit less than one degree per day.

O.J. Simpson's daily chart for robbery and kidnapping

O. J. Simpson’s rash act to recover his property

Simpson had been striving for years to avoid paying restitution to the family of Ron Goldman, his former wife’s boyfriend, after being acquitted in a criminal trial but found guilty in a civil trial.  His difficulties in maintaining a desired life style prompted him to engage in a number of money-raising schemes.  On Sept. 13, 2007 he gathered a few friends and broke into the hotel room of some former associates to recover promotional property that Simpson believed to be his personal property.

The chart has several significant features associated with the angles (this predictive method only addresses those natal, solar return and daily transiting planets that are at chart angles).   Transiting Pluto is at the MC;  Divisive and controlling situations are likely to result in challenging results.  Transiting Sun is at the Descendant Angle; one acts upon one’s values when dealing with others.  Transiting Mars at the IC angle; this suggests the danger of being involved in an accident or hurtful situation, actions taken against others, forcing changes.  Natal Uranus at the IC; surprises and excitement is in the air.  Natal Venus, 7 degrees distant, indicates the involvement of one’s values or possessions.  Natal Moon at the Ascendant angle; this is a time of heightened responses, contact with the public, seeking changes.

Looking a little deeper into the chart

If one were to look back at the 2007 Solar Return chart, Transiting Pluto would be found near the Ascendant angle; that indicated purpose of exercising control and making changes in his life has come to fruition at the MC has advanced some 76 degrees to contact Pluto.  This contact in the daily chart “actualizes” the promise of the solar return and the potential of the natal chart. Simpson’s natal Pluto conjuncted Saturn in the 12th house, signifying a harsh and controling nature behind his congenial smile.   Simpson’s solar return SUN was in the 7th house, signifying involvement with both partners and with other people in a significant way. In this daily chart the transiting Sun is at the Descendant, emphasizing the solar return chart’s promise.   Note also that the solar return’s transiting Moon was opposite natal Jupiter; reacting to opportunities — in this case his perceived and stolen personal property was going to be at a place where he could “reclaim” it.

1) What I want to point out most strongly is that the day in which the solar return’s angular characters reappear at other angles in the daily chart is the date in which we can predict that something will happen.

2) The nature of the angular planets (natal, solar return, transiting) will describe the actions and attitudes of the person, and the planets-houses of the natal chart will describe the area of experience.

Reading charts in this manner is really quite simple.  We have not dealt with the complexities of blending signs, aspects, sign rulerships and diginities and detriments, asteroids, arabian parts and degree symbols, or any of the other cluttering components that so many students and astrologers seem to use.  Simplicity brings clarity and consistency of results!

Our next explorations will address the start of O.J.’s trial, and later, his 2008 solar return of July 9th, 2008, and his sentancing following a guilty verdict.  At this point I would like questions and comments to be offered so that in addition to addressing the next series of charts that I can also use those charts to address comments and questions posed.  Don’t be shy. Dave

Astro-Tarot reading for Seafra

Astro-Tarot Reading for Seafra

By Dadsnook, April 2009

Seafra's natal chart with major transits shown

Seafra asked for a reading via a private message.  She was born in New England on Oct. 27, 1957 around 7:00 AM.  The birth time is approximate, believed to be between 6 and 8 AM.  This brief reading will focus on the Sun, Moon, and the MC and Ascendant angles of the chart, plus outer planet transits that will impact this chart this year.

Seafra is establishing a new single life style and needs to know which paths to consider, what  strengths, resources and directions are ahead for her.

Astro Reading; the natal chart.

The Sun, Neptune, Mercury and Moon’s North Node are all clustered near the Ascendant angle in Scorpio.  We might say that this complexity suggests that you are an idealist and visionary (Neptune) that directs and manages (Sun) one’s thoughts and plans (Mercury) as they relate to interactions with other people (N. Node).  The Scorpio influence would shape all of these planet-forces to deeply understand and empathize with others.  In other words you’re a sentimental softy when it comes to interacting with others.

Your MC angle is bracketed by Uranus and Pluto — this suggests a restlessness and persistence in terms of finding solutions and reforms for problems.  In plain English, you need a degree of freedom in your work place, the freedom to throw yourself into work, to do things your way, to get the job done.  Your creativity in doing these things will help you and others.

Your Mars and Jupiter, an overdone enthusiasm and seeking of opportunities is in either the 11^th or the 12^th house area; you might over commit in terms of helping others.  Again, a kind heart that can be stretched too far.  The other clumping of planets involves Saturn, Venus and Moon – all located in/near the 2^nd house of your chart.  You have a well thought out set of values that generally guides your emotions in the long run, although you can doubt those values when depressed or highly emotional.  But, this is overall a positive grouping in your chart.

Astro Reading; the year ahead

This period, 2009, is a tough period for all of us.  Now, the end of April, your emotions are a bit strung out (Mars square Moon) with all of the excitement and changes in your personal life (Uranus squares Venus), as you well know.  This can upset all kinds of relationships but as May comes, so goes those tensions and you will feel more energized, if somewhat challenged at work.

Jupiter and Neptune are stationed at your IC angle (bottom of the chart) bringing new ideas and ideals to mind while helping you to place your long-standing idealizations and dreams up for review and refinement.  Pluto is leaving its influence over your Moon, but this “leaving” will take all of this year and into next year before it’s influence finally wanes — up to now, you have been overly intense about your emotions.  In this sense, its been a rough couple of years for you.  Once you reach the middle of 2010, the emotional stress will start to fall back to normal levels.

Astro Reading; directions to consider

Transiting Saturn, in the 10^th/11^th house area tells you that you need to settle any loose ends in your career field so that you can prepare for changes starting in 2014.  By then, Jupiter will be at your MC angle, (career goals are expanded), Uranus will be in your 6^th house (Individualism through work) — a business of your own seems likely.  Clean up your skill set, take any courses need for management and accounting.  Build up your social and business networks.  Can your present work field feed into something new of your own?

Your tarot reading

The three card spread which I normally use will be augmented with a fourth card due to the nature of the chart and what it shows for your future. These spread positional meanings shape the answers to your questions.  The Fey Tarot will be used, this is a deck that emphasizes the spiritual boundary with the physical world —- leading us to view a higher perspective of ourselves and our life.

Four card spread for Seafra

From left to right:

* Position TWO:  That which may hold you back in changing your life. The Star

* Position ONE:  The primary thing you need to know as you go forward.  Queen of Wands

* Position FOUR (above position One): The resources available to assist you.  The Magician

* Position THREE:  Directions to explore for personal satisfaction.  Nine of Chalices

The Queen of Wands represents one who has been through the ringer, so to speak, and is now engaged in expressing herself creatively.  Her card image shows a mature and beautiful (this reflects what she has become inside) Fey Queen, her body covered in tattoo’s of leaves and vines which express her creative growth energies.  She touches her crown to remind her, and you, of her innate ability to lead and inspire others.  Creative endeavors will, of themselves, always lead one forward and away from pain and disappointment.

The Star shows a maiden Fey gazing into the night sky from a high place above a village.  Stars surround her.  I was surprised at first upon drawing this card for this “obstacle” position, but its meaning is clear — you need to not dwell upon hopes and wishes, you do need to put those behind you and be the Queen of Wands instead by taking action and not dreaming.

The Magician card shows a young Fey creating creatures in bursts of light, while one of his creations watches.  Everything he needs in life is on the table before him.  A balloon of glowing possibilities floats nearby.  Your resources are already in place, within and around you, you merely have to give them shape and substance, bring them to the table.  Something substantive already exists as an example of what creative power you can exercise.

The Nine of Chalices card depicts a Fey resting against a large cup, outside on a hill.  Glowing potentials float around her.  Exhausted but happy, this Fey represents emotional fulfillment that has come as a result of creativity and effort.  Work boots and plain clothes, plus the giant-sized cup indicates an emotional success that has been worked for.  What is it that you love?

Tarot Summary: Two Major Arcana cards, the Star and Magician, point to the rock that you can build your life on — a life of creative doing, not dreaming of what could be, but of working to make life be what you want it to be.  The Queen shows that you can be a model for others or a leader who understand practical things and how to grow results.  Because of the Magician card, the 9 of Cups shows you your own promise of success.

Comments on the combined Astro-Tarot Reading.

I note that the Magician card mirrors about what I wrote in the first paragraph of the Astro reading. The second paragraph’s note of creativity is echoed in the tarot spread where it is strongly defined. The third paragraph written links to the Queen of Wands.  There is a natural flow of life that can lead you to the promise of fulfillment in the Nine of Cups.  Since I lay out the Tarot Cards after I do the astrology reading, the results are always surprising and gratifying in that the congruence of meanings between the two symbolic languages is so strong.  Perhaps I should consider always using the Tarot along side the Astrological approach.  Your feed back on this reading will be appreciated by myself and may be quite enlightening to those others who follow the blog site.  Dave.

Miniature carved tarot card; 3 of swords

Miniature carved tarot card; the 3 of Swords

Dave's Three of Swords

“Three” represents the result of a pairing.  The phrase, “The sum is more than the whole of its parts” comes to mind, a couple bringing forth a child is another example.  As a general rule the Three of Swords card represents stress, pain, disappointment, emotional hurt.  Mary Greer, noted tarot author and teacher, notes that the three of hearts represents the failure of the two of hearts. The conventional Three of Hearts appeared in the 15th centure in the Sola Busca deck.

This miniature card measures 1.75 inches high and is carved in Aspen Wood in what we carvers call “deep relief” — not quite three dimensional as the image arises out of the background.  This depiction, for me, represents three primary disappointments in life; the loss of your first love, the loss of a child when it grows and leaves the family, and the final loss —- your last love.  This card depicts that process of going through life’s experiences of loss, presently at the “mid-point.”

I would appreciate hearing any comments about the depiction of this card.  I use these cards to make up 3-card readings-bracelets for my friends, linking the three cards together with gold loops and using a short joining chain.  Dave

Example Chart 01B: O.J. Simpson

Prediction Example Chart:  O. J. Simpson’s 2007 Solar Return.

With the natal chart of O. J. Simpson now covered, we can move into the process of developing predictive charts.  The chart presented here is a precession-corrected Tropical Solar Return (which is the positional equivalant of a Sidereal Zodiac chart only with Tropical signs and degree positions).   The natal chart is shown in the inner area, the solar return transits in the outer area.

O.J.Simpson's 2007 Solar Return chart

The 2007 Solar Return Chart, precession corrected

This Solar Return occured two months before O. J. Simpson tracked down some “friends” who were selling autographed items that supposedly were taken from him.  Rather than have the police raid the sales-site and determine that he, in fact, owned the property. O.J. took matters into his own hands.  With the help of some friends, he crashed into a hotel room and took his own material.  Money had been important to Simpson because the family of his former wife’s slain boyfriend had a court order that was intended to retrieve a great deal of money from Simpson, money which he had never paid to the family.  Let us look at the promise of this Solar Return chart.

Natal Neptune is at the chart’s MC; group plans, unclear motives, deceit is the theme for the year.  Transiting Pluto is at the Ascendant; big challenges will present themselves, Simpson will change the rules to gain what he wants.   Natal Uranus is at the Descendant; expect surprises in what you receive and in how others react to you.   This chart has the three outer planets at the angles.   It seems likely the Simpson will be part of events which become bigger than his expectations.

Note the point labeled “CD”.  This stands for Co-Descendant, and the point marked is one end of an equal arc from the CD to the MC, equal to the arc Asc. to MC.  The CD becomes a mirror of the Ascendant and represents that area of the chart where others project themselve into our lives, become an unwanted challenge, force us to make adjustments.  Simpson’s natal Mercury is at this CD point, suggesting that his plans, words and ideas will boomerang back into his life.  The planets noted up to this point are the only planets we will consider in terms of this chart.  They will be the basis of what happens this year to/for Simpson.   So, what do we do with this information?  How do we use it? The comments made above following each planet, when put together, tell us what the challenges and opportunities for the coming year will be.  In this case, with the outer planets involved, Simpson will be caught up in events that run away from him, events that become bigger than life and overpower his personal desires and intent.

A Preview of Coming Events

In the coming posts, we will be introducing a method of constructing Daily Charts.  Just as we only used angular planets in this Solar Retrun chart, we will be focusing upon only the angles in these daily charts as well.  In these daily charts the angles will move quite rapidly over several days and weeks.  We will be looking for the Solar Return chart’s angles, and the angular planets noted above to be present at the daily chart’s angles on the days when events happen that are promised in the solar return.  On days when the angles of the daily charts do not contact the angular planets found in the solar return, nothing of note will happen.  So, we will be looking for Mercury, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto to be at one or more daily chart angles.  When we get to those charts I’ll show readers how we can see the events within the chart.

Astro-Tarot Reading for JR

Dadsnook, April 20, 2009

JR was born on Jan. 17, 1987 and is seeking a new job due to currently being unemployed.  JR is also a Tarot/Oracle reader.  JR wishes to have a reading addressing life’s general outlook.

Opening Remarks:

A sunrise chart for Jan. 17^th, 1987 is used, placing the Sun on the Ascendant as if that was a result of the time of birth.  The tarot card spread is illustrated in the Tarot Reading section.

Astrologically, life’s basic structure is shown by the Ascendant and MC axis (not available without  a birth time and location) and by certain planetary combinations.  Sun and Moon help to define ones personality, Mars-Venus-Node one’s relationships, Mercury-Jupiter-Saturn one’s career, Saturn-Moon one’s family and core values, etc.  These, and the current transits to JR’s chart will be used for the astrological reading.  I’ll give the astrological chart factors (in parenthesis) for those who wish to follow the astrological analysis.

JR's natal chart, cast for sunrise

Astrology Reading:

JR’s basic personality and approach to life. The Capricorn Sun and Leo Moon presents an interesting contrast; the Sun expressing itself in structured ways, tending towards conservatism and practicality, the Moon needing and warming to praise and being recognized by others.  As a key personality pair, they translate into one who can appear reserved and then switch to a exhibition of charm and joy, not just upon a first meeting but as an alternating daily expression.  Uranus is linked to the Sun-Moon mid-point, adding an “exciting streak” to the mix, springing surprises on partners and friends as well as changing moods when tensions arise. This fits with the Sun-Moon phase relationship (Moon ahead of Sun by 180 to 225 degrees) which is identified with switches in personality between upsets prompted by partner actions and cooperative creativity with one’s partner.  JR is not a dull person, that’s for sure.

JR’s family life, core values. Early life provided good role models and training which, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to be what you need right now.  The Saturn-Moon pattern suggests that you will build a new set of personal ethics and guidelines before reaching middle-adulthood, you might be seeing early glimmers of that long range change process now.  Over-commitment to work, to relationships, to anything brings imbalances and tensions into your life.

JR’s relationships, partners, friends. With Mars squaring Neptune, you have reflective moods, perhaps resulting from hopes and efforts that don’t always work out.  Frequent changes in partners (Sun=Pluto/North Node) may be linked to this experience.  Yet, when things are going well, you feel on top of the world, lucky, content, finding joy in friends and partners. One caution is suggested by the chart’s Mars/Venus pattern, don’t be too hasty to adopt or follow the suggestions of others at the expense of not following your own needs or basis of confidence and poise.  Follow you own personality, your own proclivities.

JR’s goals, public image. You have the communication skills (Jupiter-Mercury pattern) to lead others along your paths, to be an effective communicator.  The afore-mentioned over commitment tendencies are great for ultimate success but do create imbalances.  The balsamic (closing) Uranus/Saturn phase indicates that you can benefit from watching and following new/future trends and emerging market opportunities, rather than sticking with the tried-and-true approach.  (This also fits well with the Saturn-Moon pattern noted earlier). The chart shows many great qualities, its only a matter of putting all the factors together in a workable pattern to achieve balance in how you work with others.

What life is offering this year. Mars, representing your energy levels and activities, is moving in opposition to many of your natal planets this year, stirring up relationships and contacts in June, resisting changes in late June, finding a partner in July, becoming frustrated then excited in July/August, disappointed in early September, energized in late October, emotional at years end.  Both Jupiter and Neptune are in opposition to your natal Moon, bringing combinations of hope and disillusion relating to your own efforts and a dependence upon partner’s efforts and contributions—a sort of up and down year in which you should keep expectations low and concentrate of keeping commitments balanced relative to the resources of time/money/emotions available.  The present Saturn-Uranus opposition that is affecting the whole world is also “personal” for you in that it should be easier for you to recognize the faults of established business and practices that affect people’s lives and to watch for and identify new trends, new possibilities in the world that you can gravitate to.  Don’t be afraid of pursuing new jobs with start-up companies, accepting flexible schedules, travel, working from home, different pay/commission arrangements-these are the outward identifications of new ways and new opportunities of providing for yourself and building for the future.

Tarot Reading:

A three card spread will be used to address the request to provide a general life reading.

Card One:  How is your love life being affected?  The Wheel

Card Two:  How is your career being affected?  Ace of Chalices

Card Three:  How are your finances and resources being affected?  Three of Chalices

The Fey Tarot will be used, the three cards drawn are shown below:  The above spread-positional meanings are not that common for a three-card spread but they seem logical.  This particular combination of position meanings was offered by noted Tarot Reader James Ricklef in his book, Tarot Tells the Tale.

3 Card spread, Fey Tarot, for JR

The Wheel and your love life: A maiden Fey and an older Fey build a toy village, arranging the houses and trees and figures in a spiral street-wheel leading to a center area. The villagers and animals all have their place set for them.  Two Fates each work to define the space, time and arrangement of life.  They both work together and at odds, each rearranging lives and opportunities within the spiral of time and experience.  JR needs to work both alone and with partners (others) to take charge of laying out life’s opportunities and the pace of growth and development.  The two Fey’s, one older and one younger also suggests that a mother or older mentor is both helping and hindering JR in the process of sorting out life-directions.  This statement suggests that patience, the putting-in-place of resources and skills will be essential.  JR needs to always be conscious of the overall pattern that is in place and how one fits or can fit into that pattern of life.  All needs to be visible, so deceitful people and situations should be avoided.  The game of life requires time and patience, planning and preparation is emphasized over the nature of your actions.  Find or create the opportunity and situation first, then do what is needed to place yourself into that situation second.  Rewards will come later.

The Ace of Chalices: This Fey Ace of Chalices represents your “career position.”  All tarot Ace’s portray one’s potential and the start of a process of development. This particular Ace stands within a stone basin and offers the water in which she is immersed.  The offered water quenches one’s thirst and rejuvenates the body. The water represents the essence of the unconscious, in this case, the resources of world immediately about you.  In terms of career, fields of endeavor in which your feeling and instincts would play a role in your work are to be suggested.  This translates into working with the public, counseling of some nature (counseling can range from help-desks all the way up to advanced degree/field counseling) or sales where the identification of peoples needs can be meshed with what is offered.

The Three of Chalices: This position represents your overall resources and finances, now and in the near future.  Three varying-color Feys fly about a water filled basin (perhaps the basin that the Ace stood within). “Three” represents the number of fruition, that which has come from “twoness” or from you and a partner’s efforts.  While some would say this represents a child, it most likely represents a child of an endeavor which has occurred or which may occur soon.  This is a card of happiness, one who lives for the moment and fully enjoys it for what it is.  To me, this suggests that you have enough resources for now, even if minimal, and that more resources will come when/if needed.  It is necessary to concentrate now on the joy of life and letting your life lead you forward into a game which you are able to partially shape (the Wheel card) and within which you should be able to talk your way into.

Summary of the combined Astrological and Tarot reading:

At the age of 22, JR is developing the personal tools to make her/his way in the world, a world which is greatly changing at a rapid pace.  This world (Uranus conjunct Saturn) was entering into a change-mode at JR’s birth and that change has come of age now (Saturn opposite Saturn).  Apparently the fruits of change have had an impact on JR, as Mars is leaving that oppositional axis and moving on to challenge each of the natal planets by opposing them in turn during the coming year. In the tarot spread, the Wheel card mirrors this need to understand the new layout of society and careers.   Hopes, dream and opportunities keep JR on a high emotional level right now (natal Moon opposing transiting Jupiter/Neptune), necessitating the need to sort out the value of social contacts and to be wary of deceit or of the unwarranted dreams and promises of others.  This may not be a year of overall success and great progress by normal standards (based on the chart without the personal Ascendant and MC axis to relate to), but it can be the time when lessons are learned, plans are made, and searches for a new wave of the future lead JR into interesting new opportunities.  This fits wit the Ace card.  These will likely pay off later rather than immediately.  A new partner/lover/friend may be entering the picture about now (Sun transiting N. Node), perhaps one who is older (trines Saturn) and who can in some manner act as a mentor.  Remember the Wheel card, older people can both work for you as well as against you-are you sure their advice isn’t appropriate.  You need to take time to listen, think before acting.

I have found that the Astrological section and the Tarot section of this reading are cross-supportive.  As a young person without employment, times such as this are always filled with uncertainty.  Short term jobs and pursuits can provide a fill-in resource, but the long range goals are well defined by the overall astrological patterns as well as the three cards.  The cards can also be read as a life-unit:  Wheel; you can seek to understand the new patterns in life, to see where the future is going and try to fit in with it.  Ace; you will be supported, even if minimally, so that you have time to find, prepare and join this new wave of opportunity.  Three; until your opportunity comes, enjoy life, play with life, and do what you can at this/any moment.  Don’t fret over what can’t be done or changed.  It’s your basic inner energy and personality that will lead you forward.  Be yourself.  Don’t be led by others.

Good luck, joy and magic is wished for you.  Dave

Example Chart 01:A, O.J.Simpson

Prediction Example Chart 01:A, O. J. Simpson

We will be using charts and events from the life of O. J. Simpson, former (U.S.) National Football League star and former celebrity.  Specifically we will be focusing on the recent Las Vegas break in, robbery and kidnapping in September of 2007 in which Simpson claimed that he was merely trying to recover his property.  Since this is a past event, this process is not strictly “prediction” but is a means of illustrating the astrological processes that I use for predictive work.

Prediction of future events starts with understanding the natal chart. Each radix or natal chart offers combinations of planetary patterns and placements relative to the angles of the chart — the “angles” (MC and Ascendant degrees) defining our location and our time of birth on a given date.  The position of the planets relative to those angles provides each of us with a unique birth chart.  The position of the planets relative to their sign-degree positions on a given date defines us as part of a common society in which many may share those planet patterns.  Our birth chart represents, then, both our uniqueness and our common social heritage.

Understanding the unique aspect patterns and placements in the chart gives us a sense of the chart owner’s character and personality, but also of his/her “potential” that will likely play out over the whole course of his/her life.  As a “pattern of potential”, this chart will seek to be actualized through one or more experiences and responses.  Each planet, each combined planet-pattern, when activated in an astrological sense, will seek expression.  It is the measure of how we manage that expression that determines our success in growing and developing, and in better meeting future challenges in this life.  I will be showing how solar return charts emphasize the year and period when certain features of a natal chart can be actualized, and I will be showing “daily” charts that will show how those challenges and opportunities will be presented to us in a given period of one or a few days for actualization.   But, it all starts with the natal chart.

The natal chart of O. J. Simpson.   Simpson was born on July 9, 1947 at 8:08 am, PST in San Francisco, 122w25  37n47.

Simpson has a Leo Ascendant, suggesting an air of confidence and expected defference from others.  His MC is in Taurus denoting a practical and acquisitive nature as they relate to his goals and desired identity.  The Cancer Sun is approaching the 12th house area of the chart, suggesting a private defensiveness that is in contrast to the sunny and boisterous personality he shows to the outside world.  The Sun-Moon phase is the “Believer” phase, suggesting that he tries to lead others with his supposedly honest and candid demeanor.  Only Jupiter is angular, found at the IC of the chart and pointing to a larger-than-life self image of his values and worth.  Jupiter is part of a loose trine with Moon and Mercury; giving him an ease and expectation of talking and leading others, voicing grand plans and expectations.  All  of this points to an open, cheerful person with big plans, always trying his hand at self-promotion and hoping that the legend-in-his-mind is seen and accepted by others.

However, there is a darker side to this chart.  Saturn conjunct Pluto in the 12th; a harsh and controlling person is indicated.   Note the point “CD” at 12 Aqaurius.  This point, relative to the MC, is an equal arc to the Asc.-to-MC arc, in effect a mirror image of the Ascendant.  The “CD” or Co-Descendant represents (when a planet contacts that point) where and how others can intrude in your life uninvited and unwanted.  Saturn-Pluto opposite this point suggests that Simpson will harshly and brutally resist those who mess with him or try to force their issues upon him.

The mid-point between the MC and Ascendant (the here and now point) is at 6 Cancer, a point squared by Neptune and suggesting one who suffers emotionally while trying to hide that suffering from others.  Moon squares Uranus; nerves contribute to emotional upheaval.  The mid-point of this pair is squared by Saturn; a striving for self-control fights the inner turmoil, leaving a frazzled body to find the Tums and/or other relief.  Add to this the Sun at the mid-point of Uranus and Staturn; and we have the indecisiveness countered by extreme action that just adds to the inner turmoil and uncertainty.

We might summarize this chart as a ball of barbed wire wrapped in a happy face promoting a big plan for tomorrow.  There are many little nuggets that can be dug out of this chart.  But, it is enough to note the glowing outer shell covering the total-turmoil inner core to know that this person will experience many highs and lows in his life.

What we will look for in our “predictions.” The points highlighted in the above summary, when they appear angular in a solar return chart will alert us to a year for potential expression of those chart factors.   Given his inner turmoil, we might expect Saturn-Pluto to trigger a tense period.  Neptune will certainly signal a lack of clarity.  If  Moon and Uranus end up at a solar return angle, that might also draw our attention.  What we will be looking for are natal patterns that become prominent in a solar return, and later in a specific “daily” chart.   We will follow this process as it develops in the next few posts.

Because this process, as it unfolds in the following posts, is a bit unusual compared to the typical material offered in most astrology books,  the readers are invited to offer comments and ask questions at any point. There is a book in the latter stages as of April 2009 which will explain much of these ideas in great detail, along with a large number of worked examples.  O. J. Simpson is not a subject within that book, so this material is fresh and is written as I post it.   Dave

Tropical vs Sidereal Solar Returns

Prediction 04: Tropical versus Sidereal Solar Returns

It might be safe to say that at least 95% of all Solar Return charts are cast using the Tropical Zodiac. At least by those who practice “western” astrology.  Why do so few utilize the Sidereal Zodiac?  The answer is that very few books, if any, are on bookstore shelves that present this most ancient of all zodiacs as the basis for their teachings.  All of the authors and lecturers seem to use the Tropical Zodiac.  One might conclude that the Tropical Zodiac is the only logical choice.

In my opinion the Siderealist’s have done something right and something wrong. The Irish Astrologer Cyril Fagan was a driven researcher who delved into ancient cultures and their writings and determined that the star-background, or Sidereal Zodiac, was the basis of measure and placement for the early forms of astrology.  Fagan also documented the findings of the Greeks and the discovery of precession (this phenomena had been known in earlier centuries by others), and the subsequent adoption of linking the zodiac signs to the Aries Point.  The introduction of careful and detailed mathematics also set a high standard for astrological research in this area.

What the Siderealists did not do so well was to define the Sidereal Zodiac and its basis of difference from/to the Tropical Zodiac.  Although the Sidereal Zodiac (SZ) was the original zodiac, it is incumbant on this newly re-introduced school of thought to sell itself to the reigning Tropicalists.  I haven’t seen this done, or done well.  So, how can those who practice astrology one way ever be convinced to practice it another way?

The one reason, above all others, to consider the Sidereal Zodiac or it’s convenient cousin, the precession-corrected Tropical Zodiac. “Timing” is the answer.  Let’s consider the following diagram:  The orbital path of the Earth is shown.  When the Sun reaches a point defined by its alignment with the Sun relative to the Zodiac Reference, as defined from the Aries Point, the Sun is said to have returned to its natal position.  Because the Aries point “precesses” or moves backwards along the ecliptic, the return of the Sun is accurate only in relationship to this moving zodiac.  This backward slide amounts to one degree every seventy two years. Note that the second Earth position, the Sidereal Return Position, places the Earth relative to the Sun and relative to the star background of the galaxy.  This reference basis does not slide backward or move.  The Precessional Difference, as shown in the diagram, requires that the Earth continue in its orbit for a longer period of time, often several hours.  Due to the added rotation of the Earth, a Solar Return chart cast in either the Sidereal Zodiac or in a precession-corrected Tropical Zodiac format will appear to be quite different from a “conventional” Tropical Solar Return.

The PROOF is in the pudding! In subsequent postings I will be constructing precession-corrected Tropical Solar Return charts, showing the details of how its done, and using the charts to demonstrate the dramatic differences due to the timing of the chart.  Now, I won’t be using Sidereal sign meanings.  In fact, I won’t be using any form of signs in my Solar Return charts, only in my natal charts to some degree.   On the whole, those who follow these posts will find that I use very simple methods and only the fundamental features of astrology such as Planets, Chart Angles, Aspects.  Other features which you won’t find include Signs, Houses (except in natal charts),  Rulerships, Dignities, Arabian Parts.  There will also be a few surprises here and there.

Posting Format To Be Used: I will be utilizing celebrety charts which are likely to be familiar to many readers.   These charts will be identified different than the “Prediction” category posts, being labeled as “Example:  name, number”.   This process will enable anyone to find specific posts made in prior months among other example charts that will be added over time.  Dave