T we I we

doors to the

Soul

Astrology of the Inner

Self

By

JANE A.EVANS

This publication made possible

with the assistance of the Kern Foundation

The Theosophical Publishing House

Wheaton, 111. U. S. A.
Madras. India/London, England
 CONTENTS

Introduction ix
I The Horoscope: Genesis Diagram and Mandala 1
II Reincarnation and Karma in the Horoscope 10
III Reincarnation and Karma in the Signs 22
IV The Twelve Houses: Fields of Experience 38
V Aspects: Dynamic Relationships 50
VI Sun and Moon: Father and Mother 61
VII lercury: Mind and Communication 79
VIII Venus: Learning to Love 89
IX Mars: Planet of Success 101
X Jupiter: Fortune or Excess 114
XI Saturn: Most Misunderstood Planet 128
XII Uranus, Neptune and Pluto: Ambassadors
from the Galaxy 142
XIII Ascendant, Midheaven and Nodes 180
XIV Doors to the Soul: The Use of Intuition 193
Suggested Reading 203
 INTRODUCTION

Only very recently has Astrology been deliberately used as a

technique for furthering the psychological and spiritual de-
velopment of individuals. Although in some civilizations As-
trology went hand-in-hand with religion and medicine, earlier
astrologers were, on the whole, too fatalistic. A person was bom
to glory or doom, a destiny handed out by inscrutable Fates or
gods working their will through the planets and Signs. Al-
though there were astrologers in all ages who used their knowl-
edge with depth, most of the accounts handed down to us deal
with disasters and triumphs prophesied and fulfilled. This
attitude—that divided planetary placements and aspects into
black and white categories either fortunate or unfortunate—has
persisted in astrological interpretation up to the present.
Now that the Aquarian Age is upon us, or almost upon us,
(there are differences of opinion as to its timing), we are entering
the age of Man the Individual, i n which even the ordinary person
is beginning to look upon his life as unique, with a pattern
differing from any other. The thoughtful person is no longer
satisfied with authoritarian teachings to be accepted on faith
alone, nor is he willing to accept the premise that his character
and destiny is stamped on him according to the hour of his birth
for better or worse. This seems to make a mockery of free will.
Above all he is looking for a pattern and purpose to his life which
can provide meaning to all things that happen to him as well as a
guide to material and spiritual betterment. But it must be some-
thing that can be proved through personal observation and first
hand experience.
Astrology can prove that there is a pattern and plan to the
universe encompassing all life, human life included. Once the
individual is convinced that Astrology "works" in his own life,*
surely the next step will be to search for the reason that it works
and the purpose for which it works. If this purpose can be found,
then why not change one's life and character as much as possible
in order to harmonize with that purpose? It is here that
Theosophy (that Ancient Wisdom which to many of us is found
in its most satisfying and comprehensive form in Theosophy),
*It has worked well enough to convince 32 million Americans, accord-
ing to a recent Gallup poll.
 1NTKUDUCTION

c<in give depth of meaning to all Astrology and open the per on-
alily to the illumination of the Higher Self, or Soul within.
Of course, neither Astrology, Theosophy, nor any other phi-
losophy. religion, or science is a magic formula to success,
happiness, or spirituality. There is always a big gap between
picturing what needs to be done with one's self and making it a
reality, evertheless, it is a great help to have even a glimp e of
that picture. Opening the door to the Soul means looking at the
personality and one's life from the standpoint of the Soul as
much as possible. It means the acceptance of certain principles,
with all their implications, at least as a working hypothesis.
These principles are: reincarnation, karma, and the One Life of
which each of us and everything in the universe is an expres-
sion. It means a willingness to acknowledge that what may be of
great importance to the personality may be of little importance to
the Soul. That entity takes the long range view over many
lifetimes, always working toward ultimate integration and per-
fection.
Expert knowledge of Astrology is not essential to understand-
ing the ideas presented in this book, but elementary knowledge
of the Signs. Houses, and Planets of Astrology is helpful so a few
diagrams and tables have been included, as well as a list of books
on Astrology and other related subjects for further study.
Throughout this book I have used the masculine, in a generic
sense, to avoid the cumbersome repetition of "his or her", even
though most statements apply equally to both sexes. The Soul
has no gender, no sex as we think of it. I hope any feminists who
take exception to this will understand that it is not due to any
bias on my part.
Because this book is devoted to horoscope interpretation, I
have not attempted to give instruction on the computation of a
chart. There are many excellent books for that purpose (see list at
endof book). Forthose who wish to avoid the labor of learning to
set up a chart, 1 would recommend applying to a good astrologi-
cal computing firm. The computer does all the mathematical
work, but you have to do the interpretation. When using such a
service, be certain that you send all the required birth data—day.
month, year, time, and place (the nearest city if the place is small
or remote). The fee is usually around three dollars to obtain a
Natal chart.
 I

THE HOROSCOPE; GENESIS

DIAGRAM AND MANDALA

The One is the unbroken Circle with no circum/er-

ence, for it is nowhere and everywhere; the One is the
boundless plane of the Circle, mani/esting a diameter
only during the manvantaric periods; the One is the
indivisible point found nowhere, perceived
everywhere during those periods; it is the Vertical
and the Horizontal, the Father and the Mother, the
summit and base of the Father, the two extremities of
the Mother... Father-Mother spin a web whose upper
end is fastened to Spirit, the light of the one Darkness,
and the lower one to Matter its [the Spirit's) shadowy
end...
The Secret Doctrine

This formula for the birth of a universe described with such

mysterious and thrilling symbology in The Secret Doctrine is the
same as the formula for the descent into physical incarnation of a
human being: "As above, so below". In all ages this formula and
the entity manifesting, be it God or man, has been variously
diagrammed. To me, an astrologer-theosophist, the horoscope is
the most meaningful diagram of the Divine in human incarna-
tion. The natal horoscope symbolizes the genesis of the indi-
vidual incarnation containing the blueprint for that individual's
potentialities in character and destiny: the results of his actions,
emotions, and thinking in past incarnations.
"the one is the unbroken circle with no circumference
for it is nowhere and everywhere ..We are all sparks of the
one flame, inseparable parts of a tremendous Being who is
everywhere and to be found in no separate defined location. This
implies that there is no real separation between ourselves and
the other selves who have emanated from the same Being.
"MANIFESTING A DIAMETER ONLY DURING THE MANVANTARIC
periods:"1 As that Being from time to time descends or
 TWELVE DUOHS I O THE SO L

"bnMlhcsout" into periods of manifestation on the lower plane

of matter so we "breathe out" from our innermost Center into
incarnation from time to time, drawing tho Circle—th Ring-
pass-not—around our personality. This is diagrammed b th^
r
circle of the 3(»0 of the Zodiac encompassing the atal horo-
si ope.
"THE ONE IS THE INDIVISIBLE POINT FOUND NOWHERE, PER-
CEIVED everywhere during those periods:" Always within the
Cin le is the Center—the Point that is found nowhere and per-
ceived everywhere because it is formless and yet the fountain
head of our very life and existence. The personality, which so
many mistake for the whole self, is only a partial and as yet very
imperfect expression of that Center-point. It is as if that Higher
Self, Soul, or Center puts a finger down into the lower planes of
manifestation for the purpose of experience and growth.2
"IT IS THE VERTICAL AND THE HORIZO JTAL, THE FATHER AND
THE MOTHER, THE SUMMIT AND BASE OF THE FATHER, THE TWO
extremities of the mother ..In the Natal horoscope the
vertical line descending from the Midheaven to the adir sym-
bolizes the Father—the positive pole; Yang, power, objectivity.
The horizontal line stretching from the Ascendant to the De-
scendant symbolizes the Mother—the negative pole; Yin recep-
tivity, consciousness. All manifested life expresses through
these two polarities: the Fatherdiagrammed in the horoscope by
the creative descent of the positive power starting from the
Midheaven, (the highest point symbolizing our career; public or
social life; how we integrate ourselves with the world) to the
Nadir, Cusp of the Fourth House, which rules our home, parents,
ancestry, growth of psychic roots, the base upon which we build
the temple of our life and character.
The vertical descent of the Father impregnates the horizontal
receptive Mother but to speak of the creative power of the Father
starting at the Midheaven and the consciousness-receptivity of
the Mother starting at the Ascendant and stretching to the De-
scendant gives a misleading two-dimensional picture. In reality
there is no upper-lower, East to West but everything emanates
from the formless Center,
"FATHER-MOTHER SPIN A WEB WHOSE UPPER END IS FASTENED
TO SPIRIT, THE LIGHT OF THE ONE DARKNESS, A D THE LOWER ONE
to matter its (the spirit's) shadowy end..." This is dia-
grammed in the horoscope as the twelve Houses andVor Signs
 THE HOROSCOPE 3

raying out from the Center, which encompasses all possible

areas of experience for the evolving soul. It is our Web of life in
which we are held, not like captive flies caught in some spider's
web but supported, protected and provided with all the material
we need to eventually become gods in our own right.

MIDHEAVEN

7th H.
ASC. DESC.
1STH.

NADIR.
4th H.

Considering the simplicity of the structure of the astrological

horoscope we cannot fail to be impressed by the profundity of its
symbolism. A Center, a Cross, 12 radiating Spokes in all, sur-
rounded by a Circle. That is all—and yet it serves as a diagram of
a universe ... or a human being.
The horoscope is also a mandala. The mandala is a very an-
cient symbol of individuation. The word itself is a Hindu term
for a circle—that perfect symbol of unity. Mandalas are found all
over the Orient and are always used as a means towards contem-
plation and concentration: as an aid in inducing certain mental
states and in encouraging the spirit to move forward along its
path of evolution from the realm of material involvement to the
4 TWKLVE DOORS TO Tilt SOUL

spiritual lift;. The mandala has been incorporated into the d

signs of buildings and temples such as Borubadur in Java, and
carvings, such as the great Mexican Calendar Stone, laz s,
labyrinths, clock faces, sun dials, and the horoscope are mandala
forms.
The mandala is a synthesis of a traditional structure plus free
interpretation. Its basic components are various elements al-
ways enclosed in a square or a circle. This is a vast and complex
subject: it is enough to say that the mandala. with all its variety of
forms, has functioned as a powerful symbol, an abstract design
used as a focus for concentration and meditation when ap-
proached from a philosophical or spiritual viewpoint. It can be
read as depicting the genesis of incarnated life whatever the
scale and also as the formula or pattern for man's return to his
Center from the outer confusions of material life. Carl Jung, the
great Swiss psychologist, relates that when his patients are near-
ing integration in their treatment, their dreams often take some
form of a mandala although they may never have heard the word
or its concept. So it would seem irrefutable that the mandala is
one of those eternal symbols imbedded in the deepest con-
sciousness of Man through which the Inner Self can speak and
guide the personality.
The horoscope is a mandala—a mandala for the individual.
The Circle symbolizing wholeness, the psychic and material
circumference of the incarnation: the Center—the Inner, higher
Self: the Cross—Spirit crucified or immersed in Matter: the
twelve Spokes or parts radiating from the center—the qualities
(Signs) and fields (Houses) of experience through which Man
must pass in order to realize the Center. The peculiar distribu-
tion of the planets throughout the horoscope makes it a unique
pattern for a particular individual and shows the karma of
character, relationships, and destiny that has been made in the
past and with which he must work in this incarnation. If you
understand your horoscope you have a mandala that speaks to
you, a veritable guide to lead you from the confusions of your life
to inner spiritual illumination.
There are many levels of astrological interpretation but the
simplistic interpretations cannot be enough for those who are
seeking to understand the mystery of their own life and self. The
individual horoscope must be plumbed with the aid of the
higher intuitive mind—the "eye of the soul". That intuition can
 THE HOROSCOPE 5

be developed through meditation, constant use and an openness

to whatever comes •'through", whether pleasing to the desires
and fear of the personality or not. The scriptures of all religions
say in their various ways. "Ask and you will be answered, seek
and you will find". But only too often our prayers and questions
are colored by selfishness, prejudice, and our set preconditions
of what we will accept. The horoscope shows the obstacles,
dangers, weaknesses, strengths, joys, and successes that the
personality must encounter and learn from on the way to perfec-
tion. If one's intuition is particularly unclouded, it can indicate
the unique part the Inner Self is endeavoring to play in the
universal scheme throughout all its incarnations. That Self's
dominant note may be that of Artist, Builder, Scientist, or
Leader, and in many lives and many roles as man or woman,
slave or king, it sounds that archetypal note.
Astrology deals with the mythos of the sky. The elements it
uses are archetypal. This archetypal symbology, or mythos, acts
like a projection screen in drawing out the insight. It is the
objective pole necessary for calling forth the subjective pro-
cesses of the consciousness which is a legitimate and healthy
exercise of the imagination—a process that goes on all the time
in art and science. Imagination must never be despised. "It's just
my imagination" is an expression often used to invalidate any
subjective perception. Yet no work of art nor scientific break-
through, and actually very little of anything could be accom-
plished without use of the imagination. And so it is with Astrol-
ogy and the astrologer. The essence of Astrology is not some-
thing worked out with charts, tables, ephemerides, etc., like a
chemist mixing various elements hoping to achieve a usable
product. As the astrologer works with the ancient symbology
giving it interpretation more suitable to this age, it becomes an
active entering-into, a deep participation with those symbols
and the personality/Self of the "horoscopee", to coin a word.
When that participation is achieved there is a breakthrough. The
astrologer can be taken out of his personality inward to realiza-
tion. Like a lightning flash that reveals a whole landscape for-
merly in darkness, insight suddenly illuminates the horoscope
giving pattern and meaning to what was hitherto just a collec-
tion of symbols with stereotyped keywords. A door opens to
communication with the Inner Self, whether your own or that
of the person whose horoscope is being studied. It does not
6 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

matter what approach or method or part of the process gives you

that "door". As Stephen Arroyo says in his book. Astrology,
Karma and Trans/ormalion;3

If you understand one factor in the chart thoroughly, it will

lead you to the center from which alt emanates. In other
words, just start talking about something you do under-
stand. relate it to the person's personal experience and
understanding, and then let it flow by itself. As Albert
Einstein remarked, if you penetrate to the core of anything,
you will eventually encounter the deepest reality and truth.

All true symbols can work in this manner for the intuitive
person. The symbol acts as a catalyst, a point of focus for that
person to break through to the Real. The original root meaning of
the word "symbol" is "drawing together" (Greek: sym, together;
ballein, to throw). We are drawn by that symbol to the truth lying
behind it. The antonym of symbolic is "diabolic" which means
"pulling apart". All religions and philosophies have used sym-
bology. Astrology is rich in symbology, the language of the Inner
Self is symbology and our task is to understand the symbols that
speak to us.
Symbology can be confusing when it seems to conflict with
natural law. In the horoscope diagram. Astrology places the
Earth in the center of the chart with the planets. Sun. and Moon
all seemingly revolving about the Earth. This, we know, is con-
trary to fact and has been a point of ridicule from scientists and
skeptics. They claim that Astrology is still back in the Middle
Ages when men believed the Sun moved about the Earth as did
the planets and, therefore the whole basis of Astrology was and
is erroneous.
There is reason to believe that the ancients knew that the Sun
was the center of our system with Earth and planets circling it
but that this was lost sight of in latercenturies. We still move the
Sun about and calculate it in terms of the horoscope as if it were a
planet, but that is just a matterof convenience. Actually, placing
the Earth in the center of the horoscope is not far from the
symbolic truth for Earth is still the center for the bulk of human-
ity. We are still centered in our material desires, fears, hates, and
feelings: very much of the "earth-earthy". The horoscope ideally
should show the Sun in the center. The Sun in Astrology sym-
bolizes the core-center of our being, the basic I AM and his
characteristic is illumination. If the Sun were placed in the
 THE HOROSCOPE 7

center of our horoscope in realization as well as dia-

grammatical ly then we would be living in the Sun conscious-
ness, in unity with and illuminated by our Inner Self. This
would be Adepthood for an Adept or perfected Master deter-
mines experiences by radiation from his own center not influ-
enced by the conditions and people surrounding him. He is truly
a Creator living in his Sun consciousness.
Someday there will be a new system of Astrology with the Sun
as the center of the horoscope and the Earth circling the Sun as
one of the planets. The Earth will probably be given rulership of
the Sign Taurus where now Venus is at present acting as Regent
for her child, Earth, doubling as ruler of both Taurus and Libra.
We are told in The Secret Doctrine and other ancient teachings4
that the Lords of the Flame from Venus came bearing the gifts
and teachings that brought civilization to the infant humanity.
When humanity matures, Earth will take over rulership of
Taurus.
Even if that system of Sun-centered Astrology is not yet
evolved we can still begin to put our Inner Selves, the Sun, the
source of our personalities, in the center of our lives. We can
begin to view our life and character from the viewpoint of that
eternal Self with Its perspective of many lives and unlimited
opportunity for growth. Already a number of professional as-
trologers draw up these heliocentric (Sun-centered) charts to use
in conjunction with the more familiar horoscope with Earth at its
center. In time, this form may become more widely known and
popular.
There is still another aspect to the horoscope. The construc-
tion and interpretation of the horoscope is a ritual, carrying a
magic dimension. All ritual, all magic embodies certain steps of
circumscribing the area of work, the words, chant, or hymn
setting the stage for the manifestation of power or acquisition of
knowledge. Setting up the horoscope is the ritual that puts the
astrologer in tune with the individual to be studied. But what
about the use of the computer to calculate the positions of Signs,
planets and Houses? I do not mean those computer printouts
that calculate and interpret the horoscope but only those that do
the donkey work of mathematical calculation. I must admit it
took me forty years before the pressure of too much work and too
little time forced me to use an astrological computer service. But
I still take the information provided by the computer and put it
8 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

around a chart of my own. I find that chart easier to "r^ad" than

the computerized chart or perhaps 1 need that "ritual" of etting
up the horoscope in order to get started.5
When it comes to the person whose horoscope is being int r-
pMed. thero is also an element of ritual magic in the sense that
he is able to see, laid out objectively before him, his faults,
powers, fears, blocks and potentialities. Since they are pre «nted
in the context of his larger span of eternal life offering him more
than one short life in which to grow and achieve, it should work
as a psychological expansion, a release from the narrow prison
of one personality and one life.
A number of eminent scientists a few years ago issued a joint
statement condemning Astrology as "based on magic". Astrol-
ogy is a form of magic: all of life is magic! Religion through the
ages has proclaimed that man can achieve some magical trans-
formation of himself and Astrology can show how this may be
achieved.
It has always been more convenient to assume that our fates
were controlled by outside forces such as angels, devils, de-
mons, gods, and the like. Most educated people today are not so
prone to blame their fates on God or the Devil but they still do
blame their "bad luck" on other people—rarely themselves. If
the horoscope is rightly interpreted, that person can see how the
pattern of his character and his life are integrated. He himself
and no one else is the cause—and the cure—of his present
character and life. If he accepts the fact that Astrology can be a
valid means of interpreting his life pattern, then he can set about
changing those things in himself and his life that block his
growth and live cheerfully with those things in his circum-
stances that cannot be changed, knowing that all things eventu-
ally work together for his good.

NOTES
'Manvantaric Periods are periods of Evolution alternating with periods
of Pralaya or Dissolution. The Breath of the One which is eternal
exhales and expands manifesting in the myriad forms of a universe for a
certain length of time called a Day of Brahma orManvantara. When the
Breath inhales, the forms disappear and all life as we know it ceases for a
period of Pralaya or ight of Brahma. See H. P. Blavatsky, An Abridge-
 THE HOROSCOPE 9

ment of The Secret Doctrine (Wheaton: Theosophical Publishing

House, 1973), p. 9.
2
There are even Planes in our Solar system starting with ADI—the
formless One and "descending" into ever-coarsening matter until the
eventh Plane, the physical. It is not the some personality that incar-
nates life after life but it is the some Inner Self or Soul that puts down a
fragment of itself into a new personality. See E. Norman Pearson, Space,
Time and Sel/ (Wheaton: Theosophical Publishing House, 1967).
'Stephen Arroyo. Astrology, Karma and Trans/ormation; The Inner
Dimensions o/the Birthchart (Vancouver, Washington: CRCS Publica-
tions. 1978).
4
Annie Besant and C. W. Leadbeater, Man; Whence, How and Whither
(Wheaton: Theosophical Publishing House, 1947); A. E. Powell, The
SoIarSystem (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1971)and H. P.
Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine, 6 Vols. (Adyar, India: Theosophical
Publishing House, 1971).
5
I use Jeil Michelsen's Astro Computing Services, P.O. Box 16297, San
Diego, California 92116.
 II

REINCARNATION AND KARMA

IN THE HOROSCOPE

Why look into past lives? Once one accepts reincarnation as the
logical answer to so many of life's inequities and mysteries there
is a natural curiosity to find out who we were and what hap-
pened in our past lives. It is a merciful thing that most of us can
recall very little of that past before we are ready for it, otherwise
we might spend our present energies daydreaming of past
glories or brooding over long dead horrors. I have known people
who used memories of past life relationships and wrongs to
justify unethical actions in this life such as pressing claims for
financial support "because you robbed me of my inheritance in
that other life." Whatever we may have done in the past or may
do in future lives, this present life is the important one where we
should be focussing all our efforts.
From my point of view, there are two positive reasons for some
recall of past lives, both reasons rooted in the belief that such
recall can be of help in this life. The first reason is that a convinc-
ing recollection cannot help but expand one's vision and
perspective, giving at least a strong subjective proof of continu-
ous life. Death ceases to be a feared "end-to-everything", and the
knowledge that one has eternity to achieve one's goals removes a
major source of pressure and frustration. The second reason is
that it can take the sting, tte injustice, out of things that happen
in this life. It can remove the rebellion and dilute the bitterness
of difficult relationships when you can recall something of a past
life situation in which you dealt out such treatment to another
which they are now returning in this life. The best attitude to
have, of course, is a strong faith that whether the details can be
recalled or not, all that comes to you is just and, rightly used, can
become a stepping stone to greater strength and opportunity.
But, being human, it does help to be able to fit past and present
together.
Some people fear they will uncover all sorts of atrocities for
 RElr CAR ATIO AND KARMA 11

which they would live in fear of karmic retribution in this life. So

many recollections of past lives seem to dwell on bad karma but
in truth our karma from past lives is nearly always a mixed bag.
As C. VV. Leadbeater remarked, "There is no reason to believe
that we did badly in every life." In his three small volumes
which make up The Soul's Growth Through Reincarnation, a
number of souls were traced back through many incarnations
clairvoyantly1. it was shown that the tenor and tempo of the lives
is an individual thing and varies from soul to soul. One soul
seemed to move peacefully through life after life with rarely any
spectacular events or conditions while another seemed to have
one horrendous life of tragedy and violence after another. There
is nothing arbitrary about this, it was the Inner Self's choice to
learn and grow in that manner.
For those who question the veracity of any, or most, past life
recollections, I can only insist that it is perfectly possible since
the Inner Self remembers all lives and, as we are a living part of
that Self, it is only a matter of opening up the line of communica-
tion with that Self. To give personal testimony, I have recalled
several past lives in great detail and convincing episodes in
others and it is very much like recalling the events of previous
years in this life. Memory, even in the present, is arbitrary;
certain things stand out in high relief while others, possibly
more important, drop out altogether. I have also found it possi-
ble to go "through" most horoscopes into past lives recapturing
certain episodes and relationships that have relevance to the
present life.
I had been an astrologer for many years before even looking
into the theory and practice of reading past (or future] lives from
the present natal horoscope. It seemed obvious to me that the
horoscope would show the general pattern of karma to be
worked out in this life, the result of past life actions, emotions,
attitudes, and aspirations. But I could not see, in practical terms,
how one could get more than a very general picture. When I was
preparing a series of lectures, I thought of presenting the theory
(or theories, since there are several methods used by astrologers)
of reading past lives through the horoscope, mainly with the
idea of saying, "Here is what some astrologers believe—but I
don't think it can be done." Like many skeptics who take up
Astrology in order to prove it nonsense I found that it did work
and could be useful in counseling people. Such eminent as-
12 TW'KLVt: DOORS TO THE SOUL

o J
(5^
A

Harold I—Natal chart

trologers as Noel Tyl, Manly P. Hall. Elman Bacher, Stephen

Arroyo, and Raymond Merriman used it seriously in books and
lectures as well as counseling which impressed me also. As to
proof of accuracy, that must lie in one's own life and the inner
response to a past life recall. Does it "ring a bell" within you?
Does it seem to fit or explain certain things in the present life or
throw new light on situations, character traits, and relation-
ships? Above all, does it help you deal with your present prob-
lems more successfully or with greater understanding? It is not
often that we can find ancient records to verify a past life mem-
ory such as Dr. Arthur Guirdham was able to do as reported in his
fascinating book. The Cathars and Reincarnation,2 or as Dr. Ian
Stevenson has done in his Twenty Cases Suggestive o/Reincar-
nation.3 Such verification will increase as records are better kept
and belief in reincarnation grows in the West.
A case in point is that of Harold, a young boy who died
suddenly at the age of ten. He was taken ill with what appeared
to be flu, but after two days he had to be rushed to the hospital
where he died in a matter of minutes. The cause of death was
never satisfactorily determined by the doctors.
 REI CAR ATION AND KARMA 13

His birth chart shown here is designated as Harold I. You can

see in his Natal chart that Neptune, ruler of his Ascendant
(Pisces) was placed in Scorpio in the 8th House, closely squaring
Saturn in the 12th House.
The horoscope cast for the time of death shows the sudden and
unexpected death—Uranus posited in the 8th House in close
square aspect to Venus, ruler of the 8th. The Death chart Ascend-
ant is 11° 08 (11° Pisces): the Natal chart Ascendant is 5° 04 (5°
Pisces).4 In Harold Ps Natal chart, his Moon is inexact opposi-
tion to the Part of Death5 in the 1st House.
Much more could be written analyzing the two charts but, on
the whole, neither of the two charts points unmistakably to an
early, sudden death.
Nola and Jerry Williams, who have made a special study of
death in Astrology, state that a death is shown more clearly in

2
&
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Harold I—Death Chart

 TWtLVt DOORS TO THK SOUL

the horoscopes of those close to the dying person than it i

shown in the chart of the person himself! Thie seems to show
that death is not the all-important, awesome event to the on
expTiencing it as it is to his loved ones. The Williamses found
that Jupiter was the most active planet in all charts at the time of
death. This might be expected (though the progressed aspects in
Harold's chart are not outstanding in this respect) for Jupiter is
the agency by which spiritual forces are made manifest to earth
consciousness; he is the "go-between" twixt the transcendent
and material worlds. The symbol of the teacher, priest, or
spiritual father, Jupiter's role in death must be one of benevo-
lence and as the principle of expansion, improvement, and op-
portunity he opens the way for the personality to escape the
confines of incarnation.
In Harold I's Natal chart, Jupiter and Uranus were in quincunx
aspect (150°) at birth. Uranus was still in orb of that quincunx
while Jupiter had progressed to just a few minutes of exactitude,
making it a double aspect. Progressed Mars was separating from
a square to Jupiter. In the Death chart, Jupiter is much more
active, moving to a grand trine involving Uranus and Saturn—a
most fortunate configuration, one would say. Yet, that was the
time of death. Uranus was in the 8th House (death, rebirth,
transformation), Saturn in the 4th House (the end of any matter),
and Jupiter and Sun were in the 12th House (serious illness, the
needed redemption that impelled the present incarnation,
karma). My reading of this grand trine is that Harold I's Inner
Self had chosen incarnation for this short life to work off a
particular karma (obesity was one problem—Jupiter in the 1st
House) and death came as a welcome release so that he could
return with a better body, or for some other reason.
His family was devastated, as any close family would be. over
the loss of a young child. Shortly after his death they began to
experience mysterious rappings throughout the house, tunes
whistled as Harold used to whistle, his particular body scent,
and other odd phenomena. His mother and sisters had vivid
dreams in which he told them not to be unhappy because he
would return to them. There was also the evidence provided by
the noted British clairvoyant, Margaret Flavell Tweddell who
received further communication from Harold. She told Harold's
mother that she would become pregnant shortly and Harold
would be reborn to her. Nineteen months after Harold's death
 REI AR ATION AND KARMA 15

she gave birth to a son.

If this were a true case of reincarnation there should be a
relationship between all three charts. There is much more that
could be said but I will point out only a few interesting points,
calling the incarnations Harold I and Harold II, and designating
the Death chart as DC.

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Harold II—Rebirth Chart

Harold II's Sun is exactly opposite the DC Ascendant and only

6° away from opposition to Harold I's natal Ascendant. His
Mercury conjuncts the DC Pluto. Harold IPs Sun is conjunct to
both Uranus and Pluto in Harold I's chart at the midpoint be-
tween those two higher octave planets that have so much to do
with death, rebirth, and transformation.
Another interesting point is that Harold IPs Ascendant is the
exact degree (minus only 17 minutes) conjuncting the 8th House
Cusp of Harold Ps Natal chart! It is possible that the 8th House is
the Door through which the soul exits from an incarnation and
16 TWELVK DOORS TO THE SOUL

when it enters a new body through a new Ascendant there is still

a clos connection b tween the exit door of the previous incarna-
tion and the entrance door of the new one.
Harold II is now three years old; a very bright, s/ender, healthy
boy. He claims Harold I s 10-year-old baseball clothing and
equipment as his own and recalls people and events from his
previous life as if they were a memory of this present life. He has
an unusually large vocabulary for one so young and from time to
time surprises his family by recounting incidents that happened
to Harold I which no one has told him about or discussed in his
presence. Such as. "This is where that boy on his bicycle ran into
me." Upon hearing that a former neighbor was coming to visit
announced, "Oh, that's the lady that used to yell at me!"
The foregoing is a fortunate case of being on the spot and being
able to obtain accurate birth and death times as well as much
other useful information. But with the average Natal chart how
does an astrologer "read" past lives and the karma brought over
to be worked out in the present life? First, and foremost, the
whole horoscope tells the story. But there are special factors that
seem to have particular bearing on the past. Most astrologers
who work with past livesemphasize the 12th House, the Sign on
its Cusp, its ruler, and any planets posited therein. It seems to
have a special significance relating to the last important life:
stillborn births and brief lives do not count. One of the defi-
nitions of the 12th House is "the House of Self-undoing" which
is identical in meaning with negative karma. It is the House of
"secret enemies" and, as it rules our subconscious, it is easy to
see why our own subconscious is frequently our secret enemy
distorting our character and ordering our lives in accordance
with its unrecognized desires and aversions. These are the
things most frequently brought over from our past lives.
Some astrologers hold that the Sign on the 12th House Cusp
was the Ascending Signofthe last significant life and if the chart
is tilted so that the present 12th House becomes the 1st House,
the present 1st House becomes the 2nd and so forth until you
have the general horoscope of the last life. I find that this does
work for me, though I am uncertain how much of it is simply
intuition and an empathy with the whole chart that brings
through a convincing picture of the past.
Many astrologers hold that we progress through the twelve
Signs in order as Ascendants and as Sun Signs. If you had
 RE1 CARNATION AND KARMA 17

Taurus on your Ascendant and your Sun in Virgo in this life,

according to that theory you would have had Aries on your
Ascendant and Sun in Leo in the last life and in your next life
you will have Gemini on the Ascendant and Libra as the Sun
Sign.
Suppose one has the same Sign for the Ascendant and Sun
Sign, does that mean the soul marches in lock step with a double
dose of a Sign every incarnation for thousands or millions of
years? ly feeling is that there is still so little known, except in a
general way, about the laws governing reincarnation that we
cannot make hard and fast rules. There is probably a general
pattern the soul follows with flexibility as the circumstances
demand.
The 12th House signifies the heaviest karma made in the past.
The Moon represents a general reflection of what we have been
in the past—an image assimilated past experience and behavior
patterns. The Moon symbolizes, especially according to its Sign
position, the particular mental and emotional karmic patterns
which either inhibit or help us. Raymond Merriman6 maintains
that the last planet conjuncted by the Moon prior to birth7 is the
one that affects the behavior the most because the qualities of
that planet can be used as the main tool in dealing with the
challenges of this life. The planet that the Moon conjuncts im-
mediately after birth—the one toward which the Moon is
progressing—shows the experiences and people we need to
meet and the nature of the lessons we are to learn in this life. So
the progressing Moon points toward the development of the new
tools, new experiences, and new people who will help us. Sup-
posing the Sun is the first planet the Moon will conjunct after
birth. The Sun then represents the types of people and experi-
ences you are to work upon and with in this incarnation. You
will meet leaders, because you are to become a leader and
through them learn to deal with attention directed upon your-
self. You will learn to develop self-assurance, leadership, op-
timism, and get rid of all self-negation. The Moon's Nodes and
the Signs in which they are deposited can give added informa-
tion concerning the past as well as the future.8 David Railey has
made a special study of the Nodes and he likens them to a bridge.
The South Node shows what we bring into this life with us from
the past, and the North Node shows our destination, what we are
going to carry on with us.
18 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

The South ode traditionally is of the nature of Saturn and

shows the karmic past life patterns and the orth Node tr -
ditionally is of the nature of Jupiter. Like crossing any bridge,
both ends are important and we should not lose sight of either.
Railey considers the Signs and Houses in which the odes are
placed, the condition of the rulers of those Signs and their
aspects, as well as aspects to the Nodes themselves.
Any planet within 18° of an Angle, shows the function you
have developed prior to this incarnation. The Angles, in Astrol-
ogy, are the Cusps of the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th Houses, which
form the Ascendant, Nadir, Descendant, and Midheaven of your
chart. For example, Mercury near an angle shows that you have
developed the quality of perception in past lives in which you
have been working on acquiring knowledge and mental skills.
Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto near an angle show people who
from early childhood seem to have a sense of purpose, a sense of
mission.
If you have no planets near the angles, then it indicates that
you haven't been concentrating on any tool or power but have
been a 'jack-of-all-trades'.
The major configurations in a horoscope show where the
"action" is going to be in your inner and outer worlds: these
show clearly where the causes lie in the past. Further, these
same patterns show you how and where in this life you are going
to meet the effects of those causes.
The horoscope naturally divides into quadrants; 1st, 2nd, and
3rd Houses are the First Quadrant. Houses 4, 5, and 6 make up
the Second Quadrant. The Third Quadrant, then, contains
Houses 7, 8, and 9; and the last consists of 10th, 11th, and 12th.
Note that the Angles divide these quadrants.
The First Quadrant (1, 2, and 3] concerns our essential being
and self-awareness, our personal affairs, possessions, and at-
titudes.
Quadrant Two (Houses 4, 5, and 6) reflects the soul moving
out into larger interests such asthe family, home, creativity, risk,
service, and employment.
The Third Quadrant, which includes 7th, 8th, and 9th Houses,
is often the most difficult when the soul must learn to cope with
the outer world, people and situations, life, death, sex, socializ-
ing, and understanding reality. A concentration of planets in
this area, or many aspects that lead into one or more planets in
 RE1 CAR AT10N AND KARMA 19

this area, show that the principal lessons in this incarnation will
lie in these matters (perhaps because they were avoided or
abused in the past).
The Quadrant Four—Houses 10, 11, and 12—reveal your
ability and capacity to express yourself in society at large, to
make your mark on the world, and to influence others.
These are the factors that the astrologer should take into con-
sideration to get a picture of past incarnations; to form an idea of
what, in karmic assets and debits, the person has brought into
this life. It is only part of the picture. We cannot do much about
the past, but we always have choice and free will in our present
and future actions and reactions. We can change our characters
and change our lives by making difficult karma work for us.
Astrology is a means of clarifying the stages of development
when applied to the individual life. It is a tool for gaining a
perspective on the constant changes, cycles, growth and decay
periods. Like Theosophy, its purpose is the ultimate transforma-
tion of the individual.
In considering the individual horoscope, there is always the
factor of the age of the soul; though one cannot tell precisely
from a chart whether a person is an "old" or "young" soul.
Is a mere astrologer, with his full share of prejudices and
shortcomings, to judge that in another? Nonetheless, it is worse
than useless to talk of many lives, spiritual growth, and goals,
etc., to one who is totally involved in getting as many material
gains for the personality as soon as possible. And there are those
who just want to talk about the "spiritual" when their lives and
horoscopes scream for close attention to their mundane respon-
sibilities as the true field of spiritual growth for them. One
cannot be dogmatic, because at this stage of evolution most of us
are so uneven in development that only a Master could tell
whether one is a case of an evolved soul working off karma in
difficult personality and circumstances or a young soul behav-
ing in a way natural to this stage of development. The astrologer
can only try to sense what counseling would be most helpful to
the particular personality—to reach him where he "lives". He
must avoid being judgmental. As Dane Rudhyar remarked, "No
astrologer or psychoanalyst can interpret a life and destiny at a
higher level than that at which he himself functions." Stephen
Arroyo adds, "The quality of any astrological dialogue depends
more than anything upon the purity of mind, depth of concentra-
20 TVVLLVE DOORS TO IDE SOUL

tion and th 1 spccifiL life ideals of the counsclor.,,v Which should

keep all astrologers humble!
TheS( cret Doctrine and other occult or religious writings and
traditions indicate that on the long pilgrimage of evolution we
did not start our rounds of incarnations at the same time, lany
"oldor" souls who started earlier (and/or exerted themselves
more) such as Jesus Christ. Gautama Buddha, and the lasters of
Thoosophy have already passed out of the human kingdom into
the superhuman. If they retain their links with us it is in order to
help and guide us and is done out of compassion and love, not
necessity. Other souls are still in primitive stages of savagery.
The vast majority of mankind ranges in between. Even looking
about us in the immediate social environment we can note a
great difference between those who are brilliant intellectually,
morally, and spiritually and those who, whatever their station in
life, respond to their fellows and circumstances with stupidity,
selfishness, and violence.
The age of the soul is an important factor in karma. What is the
natural—even good—action for the savage making war on a
neighbor would bring negligible karma, perhaps building in
that young soul courage, resourcefulness, and endurance.
Whereas the same action in an older soul would bring with it
much more activity on the emotional and mental levels and
therefore incur a more far-reaching karma. By then he should
have put aside to a large degree the cruder desires and negative
urges to lust, violence and greed and their effect on his more
sensitive, complicated being is much more injurious than to the
younger soul whose learning requires the strong impact of
violent desires and actions. The terrible wars and group aggres-
sions of this century are a sad commentary on the spiritual
evolutionary stage of mankind as a whole. We are as yet "barba-
rians".
After stating that we must not judge the age of the soul, I am
going to contradict myself and say that it is not nearly so easy to
analyze the character or to predict the life pattern of a more
evolved, spiritual person because they can and do change them-
selves and therefore change their lives. This person is much
more sensitive to the influences of the higher octave planets—
Uranus, Neptune and Pluto—whereas the majority still react
negatively to those subtler influences. For example, an aspect of
Neptune will register in a more evolved personality as spiritual
 REI CARNATION AND KARMA 21

idealism, a greater realization of unity with the universe. In a

younger personality, it may bring a time of self-deceit, delusion,
and confusion. An evolved soul will turn the "hard" aspects—
squares, oppositions, and some conjunctions—into step-
pingstones to a better, stronger character where the younger one
will still be a battlefield of warring desires and fears to the end of
his life.

NOTES
1
C. Jinarajadasa, ed., The Soul's Growth Through Incarnation, Vols.
I-III.
J
Arthur Guirdham, The Cathars and Reincarnation, (Wheaton:
Theosophical Publishing House, 1978).
3
Ian Stevenson, Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation, (N.Y.:
ASPR, 1966).
4
I use the Koch House system as giving the greatest accuracy in House
Cusp Degrees. There are at least seven House Systems; the most com-
monly used being the Placidian. See Dr. Walter A. Koch and Elizabeth
Schaeck, The Birthplace Tables of Houses for Northern Latitudes 0 to
60, ( J.Y.: AS1 Publishers, 1975).
5
The Arabic Part of Death is found by adding the Ascendant to the 8th
House Cusp and subtracting the Moon's position.
'Richard Merriman, Journey of the Soul Through the Horoscope
(Rochester, MI: Seek-It Publishing).
The Moon progresses counter-clockwise around the horoscope, for
example, with Moon in Virgo at birth and Mars in Leo, Mars would be
the last planet conjunct by Moon prior to birth.
"See Chapter XIII.
'Stephen Arroyo, Astrology, Karma and Transformation; The Inner
Dimensions of the Birthchart (Vancouver, Washington: CRCS Publica-
tions, 1978), p. xii.
 Ill

REINCARNATION AND KARMA

IN THE SIGNS

The descent and reascent of the monad or Sou/ can-

not be disconnected from the Zodiacal signs... [H. P.
Blavatsy, The Secret Doctrine. Vol. II (Adyar Edition.
1938), p. 396.1

The twelve Signs of the Zodiac have been called archetypal

patterns, universal principles, and energy fields. They are all
those and much more even beyond our concept, but at present
we can only concern ourselves with what we can understand of
life in ourselves and those around us.
Each Sign springs from, or embodies, a combination of one of
the four Elements—Fire, Earth, Air, and Water—plus one of the
three Modes of vibration or operation—Cardinal, Fixed, and
Mutable.
The four Elements of Astrology are the basic building blocks
of our universe. All four are in each of us, though we are more
attuned to one or two of these Elements than we are to the others.
They are archetypal because they are the embodiment, at a level
incomprehensible to our finite minds, of an ultimate perfection:
Ideas of the One Being. They ceaselessly mold all life, drawing
each entity whether mineral, plant, animal, or human onward
toward perfection of their particular kind. The ultimate ar-
chetype of Aries or Virgo may be beyond our present imagina-
tion, but we can see certain characteristics peculiar to Aries or
Virgo all through the evolutionary chain of life.1
To understand the signs of the zodiac, we must first under-
stand the elements and the mode, or vibration, through which
each Sign operates.
The Cardinal Mode of vibration or operation—through Aries,
Libra, Cancer, and Capricorn—is centri/uga/, that is, outward
radiating energy. They are the first of the triplicities as the name.
Cardinal, suggests. Activity and leadership are the Cardinal
notes.
 KARMA IN SIGNS 23

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The Fixed Mode of operation or vibration—through Taurus,

Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius—is centripetal: energy radiating in-
ward toward a center. Their qualities of stability, perseverance,
and concentration explain why these Signs are the key symbols
of the major initiations of the soul because that concentration
and perseverance ultimately give those qualities strongly under
Fixed Signs the depth and power for the transformation of initia-
tion. Fixity and organization are the notes of the Fixed Mode.
The Mutable Mode of vibration or operation—through Virgo,
Pisces. Gemini, and Sagittarius—is spiralic, revolving toward
the past (through Pisces and Virgo) and toward the future
(through Gemini and Sagittarius).2 They strive for harmony
through adaptability and reaction, the notes of the Mutable
Mode.
The Element of Fire expresses in three ways, in energy thrust,
inspiration, and impulse. It is said that the Fire Signs—Aries,
Leo and Sagittarius—are born to learn to love, and I would add,
to learn to handle power rightly.3
The Element of Earth expresses in concentration of force and
practicality. It is said that the Earth Signs—Taurus, Virgo, and
Capricorn—are born to learn the lesson of service.
The Element of Air expresses in unification, intellect and
versality. The Air Signs—Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius—are
bom to leam the lesson of brotherhood.
The Element of Water expresses in strong emotions, instincts,
 IVVELVt; IKKJKS TO I ME SOUL

sympathies, and feelings. The Water Signs—Cancer, Scorpio,

and Pisces—are born to learn peace.
For a real understanding of the twelve Signs of the Zodiac, it is
essential to understand the four Elements and the thre » lode of
operation. Their various combinations form the twelve primtiry
patterns of energy which are called the zodiacal Sign
The Signs of the Fire Element—Aries, Leo and Sagittarius—
radiate an energy which is excitable, enthusiastic and spontane-
ous. Those persons with Fire Signs dominant in their charts are
self-starters with great faith in themselves and the future. With
the impetuousness of theirElement, they often strike other Signs
as overpowering and insensitive, impatiently brushing others
aside as they rush into action. Their natural warmth is often
mistaken for love when they are actually rather impersonal and
self-centered. Fire can be destructive or constructive: only love,
and learning the many lessons love teaches, can eventually
transform the dynamic energy of the Fire Signs into spiritually
constructive channels.
Aries combines the Fire Element with the Cardinal Mode of
operation making those born with their Sun, Ascendant, or
many planets in Aries ardent, keen, energetic, extraordinarily
active, impatient and always ready to start new projects. The
unevolved Aries is completely self-oriented, reckless,
passionate, always rushing in where angels fear to tread. A
strong will and talent for leadership marks Aries at any stage of
evolution but the evolved, spiritual Aries learns to temper his
will to the likeness of a fine sword, used only on behalf of others:
for love of God and Man—"Thy Will, not mine, be done!" When
they learn to forget themselves for love of those in their care,
those who look to them for leadership, the archetypal Aries will
indeed shine forth.
Leo combines the Fire Element with the Fixed 4ode. This
stabilizes the fiery, impulsive energy of the Element giving it a
more practical, enduring expression. Leos like to do things in a
royal way as befits the King of the Beast—even unevolved Leos
are generous, kind, and given to dramatic gestures. Their faults
lie in pride and the desire to dominate. Even when all the cruder
manifestations of pride have been conquered there remains the
far subtler but more dangerous one ofspirit uaJ pride to conquer.
In the unevolved Leo, the "1" is prominent. He yearns for love
and adulation. That kind of attention is the breath of life to him.
 KARMA IN SIGNS 25

If he does not obtain it (and he often feels unappreciated), or if he

feels he has been made a fool of (there is nothing more damaging
to the Leo's pride), he can behave very childishly. Manly P. Hall
states that the unbalanced Leo types frequently suffer from some
form of obsession due to the psychism of Cancer in the previous
life.4 The obsession may range from a divinity complex to an
infallibility complex. Leo people sometimes feel that they are
not as other mortals, peculiarly endowed with semidivine
attributes and they love to reform other people or institutions.
The Leo is not self-sufficient like his opposite number, the Aqua-
rian. But eventually the Leo's yearning for love and appreciation
teaches him that in order to receive love from others one must
first give love—and not with the attitude of "I'll love you as long
as you love me!" The warmth of the Fire Element is always
present and it draws others like a magnet: they seem to gather
instinctively around a Leo to warm their coldness and fill their
emptiness. Leo is naturally generous, and in time it becomes an
outpouring of genuine, selfless love for all.
Sagittarius combines the Fire Element with the Mutable
Mode. This "mutability" makes him more adaptable and self-
sufficient than either Aries or Leo. Intellectual as well as in-
telligent, the Sagittarian's Fire often turns to matters of religion
or philosophy. His tendency for constant movement urges him
to take many journeys, exploring both physically and mentally
and, in the evolved Sagittarian, spiritually. The symbol for
Sagittarius, the Archer, with his bow and arrow ever ready to
shoot afar, gives rise to the observation that Sagittarians often
seem more interested in shooting their arrows than in the desti-
nation of the arrow. Their arrows of speech can often wound
through tactlessness, though they would call it "being open and
above board." All the Fire Signs are enthusiastic, the direction or
object of their enthusiasm depends on other factors in the horo-
scope. Because Sagittarius is combined with the Mutable Mode
(with its urge to adapt and change to fit the circumstances), his
enthusiasms tend to change whether in love, work or activities.
Above all he wants to be free to explore, to be on the move, either
physically or mentally, into new, intriguing areas. His faults can
make him over-expansive, over-boisterous, extravagant and
careless. Jupiter, ruler of Sagittarius, when afflicted seems to
give too much of a good thing. His high spirits and joviality can
become crude horseplay. Sagittarians, whether evolved or un-
26 TWKLVE DUUKS TO THE SOUL

evolved, are attracted to religion and philosophy and they often

choose the priesthood or some kind of ministry as a vocation,
learning the lesson of love in seeking the well-being of others.
All of the Fire Signs are generally more fortunate in life than
the other Signs. Perhaps because their enthusiasm, optimism,
urge to activity, and self-confident "push" are more likely to
attract the favorable attention of others in material matters rather
than any special alignment with Dame Fortune. Fire Signs ex-
press the radiating, energizing, warming principle which can
manifest as enthusiasm and love, or as egotism. In simple words.
Light On The Path5 states the needed lesson for the Fire Signs:

REGARD MOST EARNESTLY YOUR OWN HEART. For through

your own heart comes the one light which can illuminate
life and make it clear to your eyes. Study the hearts of men.
that you may know what is that world in which you live and
ofwhich you will to be a part. Regard the constantly chang-
ing and moving 1 ife which surrounds you. for it is formed by
the hearts of men; and as you learn to understand their
constitution and meaning, you will by degrees be able to
read the larger word of life.

The Signs of the Earth Element—Taurus, Virgo and

Capricorn—seem born to learn the lessons of service and to hold
possessions rightly. They have a natural attunement with the
physical plane and a practical ability to utilize its forms, o one
is all "Fire" or all "Earth", but those in whom the Earth Element
Signs are dominant have in common traits of solid, dependable
practicality. They are careful with possessions or finance:
money and things matter more to them than to other Signs. Their
faults often lie in too much emphasis on material goals, a nar-
rowness of outlook, and an addiction to order and routine.
Taurus combines the Earth Element with the Fixed Mode and
of all the three Earth Signs is the most "earthy"; slow to change,
persevering, stubborn, and possessive. Ruled by Venus, the Tau-
rean often has great charm and sociability but he also can be very
sensual and body-concerned. Desire for sex or possessions can
inflict them with an inner restlessness even after they have
obtained the object of their desires. The greatest fault of Taurus
is possessiveness and stubbornness but in the evolved Taurean
the stubbornness becomes the ability to persist against great
odds over a long period for some altruistic cause. For all Earth
Signs, those instructions given to the aspiring disciple in Light
 KARMA IN SIGNS 27

On The Path apply with particular force:

desire possessions above all. But those possessions must

belong to the pure soul only, and be possessed therefore by
all pure souls equally, and thus be the especial property of
the whole only when united. Hunger for such possession as
can be held by the pure soul, that you may accumulate
wealth for that united spirit which is your only true Self.

Under Taurus the young soul seeks possessions for his little
self, but as he evolves those possessions are considered in the
light of stewardship and are held—and freely given—in the
service of others.
Virgo combines the Earth Element with the Mutable Mode
and therefore is the most adaptable and changeable of the Earth
Signs. This Sign naturally rules Service, and in service the Virgo
finds his greatest satisfaction and eventually his true Self. Essen-
tially a worker, the Virgo is neat, precise, and careful of detail.
His faults lie in his over-critical attitudes, analyzing and criticiz-
ing the very life out of a thing or a person by dissecting it to
pieces. Like all the Earth Signs the question of values enters all
phases of their life. Where Taurus seeks to establish his value to
himself and the world through the acquisition of possessions,
Virgo seeks to make himself indispensable through his work or
service, and Capricorn values are sought through the acquisition
of power. There always seems to be an element of insecurity in
Earth Sign people which they seek to overcome consciously or
subconsciously by acquiring something they hold valuable. It is
very hard for them to realize that material things, whether
money, position, or power, do not give real security. A Virgo
incarnation is apt to be one of limitation and financial problems.
He tends to restrict his service to those whom, in his critical
opinion, he considers 'worthy' and he measures his service with
a careful eye on an equal return. When the evolved Virgo learns
the lesson of giving service to all without measuring the worth of
the recipient or the return to himself he becomes the selfless
servant of all.
Capricorn combines the Earth Element with the Cardinal
Mode of operation, which makes him less fixed than Taurus and
not as changeable as Virgo. Being of the Cardinal Mode the
Capricorn welcomes responsibility and is ambitious to rise.
Where Taurus seeks security in possessions and Virgo in work,
28 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

Capricorn seeks it through his activities in the outer world. This

great desire for security often causes them to overvalue po ition,
possessions and man-made laws. They tend to use people and
love things instead of loving people and using things. The Cap-
ricorn's vision of power and position often makes his present life
seem cramped and limited. Though the limitations are mostly
self-imposed, the Capricorn can always see others who have
moro or have done better than themselves.
The Capricorns I have counseled or known surpass all the
Signs in making "heavy weather" out of everything. It is no good
pointing out their many blessings for they cannot seem to keep
from feeling miserable, apprehensive, and worried. Their lesson
is to learn that only through service to others in some form will
their intrinsic worth and security be established. Through shar-
ing they will discover warmth and joy.
In human life it seems a truth and a karmic law that the things
we value the most, and the things we/ear the most, hold for us
the greatest lessons which, when fully understood and fulfilled,
become the essential steps in spiritual growth.
The Signs of the Air Element—Gemini, Libra, and
Aquarius—are intellectual and communicative. They tend to
value mind above heart. They love intellectual pursuits, reason,
and working in the realm of ideas. Their faults can be a lack of
deep emotion and a tendency to occupy themselves with
schemes and theories. "A lot of hot air" is an expression that
describes an Air Sign extreme. Placing such high value on the
mind, they feel superior to their fellows who may not be so
articulate or intellectual, though they may well be very in-
telligent. Brotherhood seems to be the lesson to be learned by
those dominated by Air and to one under an Air Sign who sets
his feet upon the Path these words from the Light On The Path
have particular application:

kill out all sense of separateness. Do not fancy you can

stand aside from the bad man or the foolish man. They are
yourself, though in a less degree than your friend or your
Master. But if you allow the idea of separateness from any
evil thing or person to grow up within you, by so doing you
create karma which will bind you to that thing or person
until your soul recognizes that it cannot be isolated ...

Gemini combines the Air Element with the Mutable Mode.

Thetypical Gemini likes to be constantly on the move physically
 KARMA IN SIGNS 29

and mentally—contacting, associating, co-ordinating. To his

logical mind ideas and their relationships to each other are of
fundamental importance. His task lies in comprehending the
simple basis underlying the enormous varieties and com-
plexities with which he tends to pre-occupy himself. Being
Mutable and Air he is more changeable and adaptable than the
other two Air Signs. This can make him more superficial, skim-
ming the surface of ideas and relationships rather than probing
to any depth. The evolved Gemini learns in time to value others
even if their approach is not as quick or as intellectual as his, for
then he can appreciate all men and women as facets of the same
diamond Self.
Libra combines the Air Element with the Cardinal Mode.
Libra is the natural Sign of partnership, the public, and relation-
ships with others in general, so it might be thought that Libra
would certainly know the meaning of brotherhood. But they
dislike disagreeableness and confrontations of any kind and
prefer to live free of any contact with the seamier facts of life,
comfortable with a few select associates who suit their fastidious
tastes. The admonition from Light On The Path to the disciple to
kill out all sense of separateness continues with fitting words for
Libra:

Remember that the sin and shame of the world are your sin
and shame; for you are a part of it; your karma is inextricably
interwoven with the great Karma. And before you can attain
knowledge you must have passed through all places, foul
and clean alike. Therefore, remember that the soiled gar-
ment you shrink from touching may have been yours yes-
terday, may be yours tomorrow. And if you turn with horror
from it. when it is flung upon your shoulders, it will cling
the more closely to you.

Libras are often attractive people in appearance and gracious

socially. They are tactful, well-balanced,6 especially the male
Libra. He sees both sides of the question which makes him an
excellent arbitrator but it can lead to indecisiveness and vacilla-
tion when he has to make a personal decision. He has the ten-
dency to overvalue intellectual and aesthetic matters, looking
down on those who do not measure up to his standards—they
are weighed in Libra's scales and found wanting! They are often
climbers, striving to rise above the proletariat.
Aquarius combines the Air Element with the Fixed Mode.
30 TWELVE DOOKS TO THE SOUL

This member of the Air Triplicity certainly should be brother-

hood personified, for is not Aquarius the Sign of Man—"Mr.
Brotherhood" himself?The sign Aquarius is ruled by Uranus the
Awakener and Rebel. The Aquarian Age, in which all men will
be equal, is upon us we are told. In the forefront, presumably,
will be the children of Aquarius, happy to lead a revolution so
that all men may be equal and free. But the difficulty comes in
the matter of freedom—for the Aquarian cannot bear to have his
own freedom threatened. When Universal Brotherhood is
achieved there still must be rules and limitations so that the free
actions of one individual or group does not infringe upon that of
another, and that is what the Aquarian will resent. Brotherhood
can only become a reality to the Aquarian when he desires his
brother's freedom more than his own; when his own freedom is
surrendered for the good of all. Oddly enough, although
Aquarius is the Sign par excellence of humanity, Aquarians can
be the most detached and "inhuman" of humans! Part of it is
their desire to maintain their freedom by avoiding involvement
and part of it is the cool detachment natural to the Air
Element—head rules the heart. They find it difficult to mingle in
a happy, warm way with others. Aquarians have few close
friends—not because people don't like them but because they
cannot penetrate the Aquarian aura of super-individuality.
There is a joke among astrologers that the only way to get warm
with an Aquarian is to be cremated with him! "Kill out all sense
of separateness" is the instruction the Aquarian should take to
heart if he is to lead us into the New Age.
The Signs of the Water Element are generally described by the
words "emotional, unstable, and sensitive." Those under the
dominance of a Water sign—Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces—have
strong emotions, instincts, sympathies, and feelings. Where
those under the other three Elements have lessons to learn in
their need to relate to others, the Water Signs are already far too
concerned with other people. They have to learn detachment, to
find that inner peace that others cannot disturb: only then can
they be of real help to those they love. Their strong emotions and
need of others cause them to be pulled this way and that.The life
of even a mature Water Sign tends to be one emotional upheaval
after another. In this they are not alone, of course. With most of
humanity at this stage of evolution, the emotions and desires are
the great field of battle where control must be won before any
 KARMA IN SIGNS 31

real spiritual progress can be made. Light On The Path puts it

thus:

desire peace fervently. But the peace you shall desire is

that sacred peace which nothing can disturb, and in which
the soul grows as does the holy flower upon the still la-
goons.

First, the Water Sign person desires peace around him, that
others treat him with the love and harmony he so desperately
desires. All that is needed for peace and harmony, he feels, is
that others behave themselves—it is they who ruffle his emo-
tional waters. But in time he comes to realize that the peace he
wants must first be established within his own heart before it can
be reflected in others about him. Peace is the lesson for the Water
Signs.
Cancer combines the Water Element with the Cardinal Mode.
Like its symbol, the Crab, Cancer loves his home, his family, his
shell. He is protective, supportive, devoted to his own family. He
is a great collector who finds it hard to throw anything away and
that extends to his relationships. He tends to hang on to a
relationship be it friendship, romance, or a job, long after the life
or usefulness of it has gone. He never seems to know when, or be
able, to "let go". He is often emotionally insecure and seeks that
security in his domestic, personal life. The Cancer person is
easily offended and moody, but good in business because of the
innate protectiveness that makes him cautious and economical.
Hurts sink deep and are brooded over. All Signs have strengths
and weaknesses: there are no "good" or "bad" Signs. Control of
the emotions and imagination is needed with Cancer. They
should practice using their imaginations creatively instead of
negatively. The evolved Cancerian eventually expands the
maternal urges beyond his immediate family giving that ten-
der, compassionate love to every living creature.
Scorpio combines the Water Element with the Fixed Mode.
This much maligned member of the Water triplicity has two
symbols—the Scorpion crawling in the dust with the poisonous
sting in its tail, and the Eagle soaring in the sky. These symbols
aptly describe the lowest and highest type of Scorpio person.
The Sign Scorpio is associated with the 8th House which rules
death, regeneration, rebirth, and the basic concerns of life such
as sex and other people's money. These things are as necessary
32 TVVLLVE DOOKS TO THE SOUL

to the evolution of material and spiritual life as any life-

producing and life-preserving factors ruled by the other Signs.
The mature Scorpio realizes this and attempts to plumb the
depths beneath these facts of life. Intense, passionate, and am-
bitious. with the staying power inherent in the Fixed Mode of
operation. Scorpio's great problem is controlling the emotions
and desires. His ideas of justice often become entangled in
emotional reflexes or he suffers from an exaggerated sense of
being unjustly judged or dealt with by others. leading to much
resentment and brooding. Once he turns from the real or fancied
injustices to the reformation of his own character his progress is
swift, he becomes the soaring eagle. In the words of Light On The
Path:

But to leam is impossible until the first great battle (i.e.

control of the emotions and desires) has been won. The
mind may recognize truth, but the spirit cannot receive it.
Once having passed through the storm and attained the
peace, it is always possible to learn, even though the disci-
ple waver, hesitate, and turn aside.

Although this battle for control of the emotions and desires

(which so distorts every Sign's perception of truth) must be
fought—over and over—until that final triumph is attained, the
eventual victory is certain. Then, as the Light On The Path
describes it;

The peace you shall desire is that sacred peace which noth-
ing can disturb, and in which the soul grows as does the
holy flower upon the still lagoons.

Thus, those of the Water Element will find the inner peace in
the unruffled waters of their emotions and desires by first con-
trolling and then transcending them.
Pisces combines the Water Element with the Mutable Mode.
Of all the twelve Signs the natives of Pisces seem to have the
most difficult lives. They are subject to all the instability, strong
sympathies and feelings, sensitivity to hurt and tendency to
brood which are intrinsic qualities of the Water Element. With-
out Cancer's dynamic expression through Cardinal Mode activ-
ity and leadership or Scorpio's Fixed Mode stability and power
of organization, Pisces fluctuates like the tides. The flexibility of
the Mutable Mode makes Pisces the most fluid of the three Water
Signs, pulled this way and that by every current. The Pisces
 KARMA IN SIGNS 33

symbol, two fish swimming in opposite directions, is very de-

scriptive. It is also the last Sign of the Zodiac which began with
Aries, bringing to an end one evolutionary cycle in which all the
loose end of unfinished business must be gathered up and
disposed of before starting another cycle. It is, in a sense, the
weakest of the Signs in material accomplishment because it
represents the end of a cycle of experience. The first few or last
few degrees in any Sign often indicates weakness or confusion
affecting the planet or Ascendant so placed because they are not
established firmly in the Sign they are beginning or leaving.
Thus it seems to be with Pisces as the last of the twelve Signs but
it is a necessary process of karmic law, necessary for the health
and progress of the whole and not to be considered by any means
an in/erior part of the cycle. Many people view old age with
horror—the decline and fall of any person, culture, or era—as
terribly sad and depressing after the strength and glory that had
preceded it. This is the limited, personality view of a stage in the
life cycle Man would just as soon do without. The Inner Self's
viewpoint—which we are trying to make our own—sees the
larger picture stretching over the eons with all stages of life as
equally necessary to growth.
' The Water of Pisces is the water of the sea—boundless, infi-
nitely deep with many hidden currents. It is the Sign of the
Savior, the last crucifixion before transformation into the
superhuman kingdom.
The evolved Piscean is capable of devoted selfless service for
others, of a deep universal vision and mystic at-one-ment with
all living creatures which they show at all stages of evolution in
their tenderness for animals and plants. The Piscean is the most
sensitive of all Water Signs, depending on others for support.
The danger lies in the more forcefully expressed opinions and
defined personalities of others confusing and distorting their
own unique selves. A Piscean must learn to move from self-pity,
indecision, and feelings of inadequacy (which sometimes lead
to the escapism of alcoholism or drugs or daydreaming) to prac-
tical uses of imagination and idealism in the arts, religion, self-
less service, and healing.
In most charts there is a mixture of Elements, with perhaps an
emphasis on one or two. No one is all Air or all Water, or at least
that is a very rare occurrence. Even the Sun Sign can be mislead-
ing. So often a person will say, "I have my Sun in Capricorn but
34 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

my character doesn't fit the description of Capricorn!" He may

have Sun in Capricorn (an Earth Sign) but have his Moon and
Ascendant in Aries and five planets in Leo—all these latter are
ruled by the Fire Element. Capricorn and Saturn may color his
basic nature, but the outgoing, enthusiastic, expansive qualities
of the Fire Element will predominate.
The Element of the Ascendant Sign's ruling planet is of vital
importance in assessing the primary motivating urges of the
individual—unless that ruling planet is Uranus, Neptune, or
Pluto. They rule Aquarius. Pisces, and Scorpio respectively. The
Elements of those three planets affect more the unconscious
factors motivating the generation to which the individual be-
longs rather than his personal or individual consciousness. In
the case of Pisces on the ascendant, one would consider the
Element in which Jupiter was placed rather than Neptune. With
an Aquarius rising, the Element of Saturn instead of Uranus
would be used. And if the Sign of Scorpio is the sign on the
ascendant, instead of studying Pluto, one would consider the
Element of the planet Mars.
The balance or imbalance of the Elements in a chart is impor-
tant. One should always bear in mind that an imbalance—too
many or too few planets in any one Element—can be offset or
compensated for, by some other factor in the chart. For example,
a chart with no planets in Water signs, but having the Moon and
Neptune both in the First House gives the native the qualities of
sympathy, sensitivity, and emotion by the nature of those two
planets.
With too little emphasis in Fire Signs, energy, enthusiasm,
and joy in life may be lacking or the faith and optimism may be
low. Too much Fire emphasis in the chart tends to make persons
hyperactive, restless, "pushy" and very insensitive to the feel-
ings of others.
With too little emphasis on the Earth Element in a chart, the
person always seems to be at a loss in dealing with the material
world. The practical business of earning a living or making a
home, or even coping with bodily needs such as food, rest, and
hygiene, is so difficult or unsatisfying that the person often tries
to escape into a world of imagination or spirit. Too much em-
phasis in Earth Signs, on the other hand, can give extraordinary
strength and practicality; yet. material concerns can become so
overvalued that the person becomes blinded to ethical and
 KARMA IN SIGNS 35

spiritual principles.
Persons with not enough emphasis in Air Elements often lack
perspective or even perception of the ramifications arising from
their actions. They may exhibit a resistance to new ideas and a
distrust of intellectual people. They can rarely be detached
enough to view anything and anyone—especially them-
selves—objectively. Too much Air produces an overactive mind
which can run away with the person making him at times bril-
liant and articulate or at other times out of touch with practical
considerations.
People with too little emphasis in Water signs have great
difficulty appreciating the feelings of others, or even under-
standing their own emotional needs. They lack sympathy and
understanding of others so their relationships are sterile or trou-
bled. These arid persons also suffer from a variety of psychologi-
cal. emotional, and physical problems for the WaterElement is a
much needed cleansing, healing energy without which the sub-
tle bodies7, as well as the physical body, becomes clogged. Too
much Water emphasis gives a nature too sensitive to any experi-
ence; the person over-reacts to every trifle. They can be compared
to people adrift on a storm-tossed sea, but the waves and wind
that toss them are within themselves. They are often psychic, but
it is usually a negative psychism that leaves them open to every
influence whether helpful or not, unless aided by other positive
elements in the chart.
Usually when there is little emphasis in one Element, there
will be an over-emphasis in another Element. Richard Ideman
has done much work on what he terms "the missing or inferior
function" (none or only one planet in an Element or Mode, the
Ascendant and Midheaven are not counted) and the "dominant
function" (in which five or more planets are found in one Ele-
ment or Mode).8 In brief, his thesis is that areas in a chart with a
concentration of energy (many planets therein) constitute a
dominant function and they are the areas that seem easiest for us
in expression Areas most psychologically potent are those with
Jess emphasis—few or no planets where we must work for ex-
pression. It is an area in ourselves and in life about us that is
different, which completely mystifies. For example, a person
with little emphasis in Water Signs is mystified by the emotions
of others and confused by his own emotions. A person with an
inferior function in his chart can unconsciously repress it, over-
 TWELVE DOOR TO THE SOUL

compenscile fur its lack, or even project it onto another.

If they repress the function psychically or psychologically it
will eventually surface in some physical illness. Overrompen a-
tion produces cuch examples as a person who, with his inferior
function in Earth Signs, becomes obsessed with sex. money,
food and the body. Or they may project that missing function
onto someone else—"I can't do it, you do it!" I have a friend with
eight planets in Air Signs, none in Water, who seeks out for
personal relationships people with very strong emotional na-
tures (obviously those with many planets in Water Signs) to
supply what he lacks.
The seeds of greatest creativity come out of the inferior func-
tion because we try harder to compensate in that area. But
naturally, one cannot change one's emphasis or imbalance in the
Elements or Modes simply through analysis but recognition of
that lack can be a help in understanding ourselves and others.
We can become more whole, less lopsided in character when we
recognize our tendency to overvalue certain factors and devalue
others. We should be aware that there are fields of activity and
types of people who can teach us in areas where we are lacking.
Instead of interpreting the twelve Signs of the zodiac as twelve
separate bundles with characteristics peculiar to each, it can be
seenthat putting the emphasis upon the four Elements and three
Modes gives a much deeper meaning to the interpretation of
astrological charts and to the understanding of oneself because
one is then dealing with the basic universal energies at work
through the Signs.

NOTES

'The Four Elements can be divided into the basic divisions of Chinese
philosophy: Water and Earth being Yin, and Air and Fire being Yang.
2
For a detailed analysis, see Stephen Arroyo. Astrology, Psychology
and the Four Elements (Vancouver, Washington: CRCS Publications,
1975).
3
)oan Hodgson, Wisdom in the Stars (White Eagle Publ ).
4
Manly P. Hall in Astrology and Reincarnation (Los Angeles:
Philosophical Research Society, Inc.) makes a good case for the theory
that the soul incarnates from one Sign to the next in orderly procession.
A Leo Ascendant or Sun in the present life would mean the previous life
was under a Cancer Ascendant or Sun. The next life would be under
Virgo.
 KARMA IN SIGNS 37

5
Light On The Path (Wheaton: Theosophical Publishing House. 1970).
This classic of Ea tern U isdom offers guidance and instruction to those
who aspire to tread the path of spiritual unfoldment. Its sources are very
ancient but its mes age is timeless.
'Recent astrological research involving thousands of people has shown
that male Libras were outstanding for their stability, which is basically a
matter of balance; the very essence of Libra's symbol of the Scales.
Theosophical and many Eastern teachings maintain that Man has
seven bodies or "sheaths" in which his Inner Self is clothed of which
the physical body is but the coarsest, most visible to our eyes.
Richard Ideman has a book exploring these ideas coming out soon but
the title has not been decided upon.
 IV

THE TWELVE HOUSES:

FIELDS OF EXPERIENCE

The 360 degrees of the Zodiac of the horoscope are divided into
twelve "Houses" representing the environment, the fields of
experience, the Web of life in which we are provided with all the
material we need for growth. Moving counter-clockwise around
the horoscope beginning with the 1st House and ending with the
12th we have a picture of the journey of a person through one
lifetime. It can be viewed with deeper symbology as the soul's
journey from primitive, self-involved man in the 1st House to the
spiritual, Self-evolved man in the 12th House ready to sacrifice
himself for all living creatures. During that long journey the soul
has worked to acquire those skills and abilities necessary for
survival. In the process of doing this he has created all sorts of
karma and maya1, both necessary for the first half of his evolu-
tion. Most of us have passed the halfway mark and achieved
success in acquiringthose skills and abilities, but we find it isn't
enough, it doesn't bring the hoped for happiness and comple-
tion. So we start the journey back home resolving the karma and
transcending the mayo we have created.
While the primary energies of the horoscope are always
shown by the placement of the Signs and planets, there is a
sympathetic correlation between the twelve Signs and the
twelve Houses. No matter where Aries falls in the chart there is
always a relationship between that Sign and the 1st House,
between Taurus and the 2nd House and so forth. However, the
Signs and Houses should always be seen asdistinct and separate
factors in interpreting the chart.
The Angular Houses—1st. 4th, 7th and 10th—correspond
with the Cardinal Signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
They are the beginning, initiating, focussing Houses like the
Cardinal Signs, and their mode of expression is action. If the
planetary emphasis in a horoscope lies in these Houses that
person is likely to be an activist: energetically striving to make
 THE TWELVE HOUSES

The Angular Houses: 1. 4, 7, and 10

ipsi Powerful, active, and initiatory.

The Succedent Houses: 2, 5. 8, and 11

ft
\ Consolidating that began in Angular Houses.
Vj Y7
,s6
\ 4.£\_ j
The Cadent Houses: 3. 6. 9. and 12
\ / Learning and communicating and dispersion
of ideas and energies.

1st House. The primary self in action, physical characteristics, personal concerns.

2nd House Finances, possessions, resources, material values.

3rd House. Brothers and sisters, close relations, neighbors, mental activities,
all kinds of communications whether by speech, writing, learning,
visiting, short journeys, etc.

4th House The family, parents, psychic roots, early environment, latter part of
life, the foundation of one's self regard.

5th House: Children, creativity, pleasure, love affairs, risk, speculation,

hobbies, sports, love given.
6th House Work, service, health, hygiene, employees, fellow workers, and the
working conditions.

7th House Marriage partnership, enemies, the public, groups, unions.

8th House Finances and resources of others, inheritances, emotional values,
death, regeneration, sex, beginnings and endings.

9th House. Expansion of self through spiritual, mental, or physical exploration,

philosophy the law, religion, publishing, travel foreign lands.

10th House- The career, reputation, highest achievement in life, one of the
parents government.
11th House Friends and acquaintances, group affiliations, long-term objectives,
love received.
12th House: The subconscious, that which is hidden, self-undoing, the service
which is sacrificial, the psychic, serious states of ill health,
large institutions, enclosure in hospital, prison, monastery, etc.
40 TVVKLVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

his mark in tho world. His life is full of action and events.
The 1st House is where consciousness begin0, the primary
stage of the self, the most natural inherent tendencies, the win-
dow through which the self views the world, the personality—
which means literally the "mask of the Self." Emphasis in the 1st
House (many planets or dominant planets) shows that personal
problems and affairs occupy an unusual amount of concern.
The 41h House rules the early crystallization of the self in the
home, with the parents and family. It also rules the latter part of
life which is really the summing up of one life and the prepara-
tion for the next. The early childhood has much to do with the
foundation of selfhood for the entire life: like the building of any
structure if the foundation is poorly laid—all that is raised later
will be out of plumb or in danger of collapse. The 4th House
shows how the person views himself—with self-confidence or
lack of it. The Cusp of the 4th—the Nadir or I.C.—is the trans-
formation point of the chart. It marks the accumulation of im-
pressions from the past. If you want to know what you truly are:
what you have come into incarnation for—study the Sign and
the planet on the Nadir.
The 7th House rules the relationship with others, the concept
of sharing and above all partnership. The business partner, the
marriage partner, one's equals and the public at large. Planets
here show the ease or difficulty one has in relating to those
associates and the public and the kind of people we attract into
those relationships with ourselves. For example, Saturn in the
7th House indicates our partners in marriage or business are
likely to be older, more serious. Marriage may be delayed until
later in life, even denied, while public recognition will come
slowly and only after much hard work.
The 10th House rules one's profession, career and public
honor. If the 4th House shows how the person sees himself, the
10th House shows how the world sees the person. It shows the
highest projection of the person in the world; his most visible
public image. The condition of planets in this House shows the
kind of recognition he will get—whether fame or notoriety.
The Succedenl Houses (2nd, 5th, 8th, and 11th) correspond
with the Fixed Signs—Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.
They consolidate and structure what the Angular/Cardinal
Houses began, motivated by the need for security.
The 2nd House shows how the personality strives to acquire
 FIELDS OF EXPERIENCE 41

money and possessions to ensure his security financially and

al \o because possessions for most of humanity are the measure
of self-worth. It shows what the person values, for we put our
money where our heart is. It shows our sense of values: whether
we give value for value received in our dealings. An afflicted
Sun in 2nd House can indicate a person who feels the world
owes him a living without any effort on his part. One of the laws
of karma is that each one must pay his way in life, for all the
things given him in nourishment, shelter, opportunity, protec-
tion and emotional relationships (to name a few). We must repay
in whatever coin we have available. This means more than
money, buying and selling. In the evolved man it means nothing
less than the sum total of what he is poured out in universal
giving. In a "young" soul and average person it means giving an
honest day's work for his income and never seeking to take that
which is not rightly his.
The 5th House Here the personality strives for security in a
more creative sense—creating children of the mind, talents, or
body. It is also the House ruling amusements, hobbies, sports,
the avocation, pleasures, love affairs, speculation, and gambl-
ing. It is interesting that the House of speculation, gambling, risk
should be the same as that concerned with creativity and bearing
children. But bearing and raising children carries risk; one never
knows what kind of soul one will attract; some of the heaviest
karmic links seem to be worked out between parent and child.
Every artist or musician knows the risk of daring new tech-
niques, new inspirations. The 5th House shows the ability to
give love—as the 11th House shows the ability to receive love: to
love someone or something makes one vulnerable and that is a
risk many will not take but no real growth is accomplished
without love.
The 8th House shows how the personality strives to find
emotional and soul security. It is the House of life's mysteries:
the experiences this House brings are like initiations opening
our eyes to deeper realizations. Death, sex and other people's
money have a deep effect on the person's emotional security.
The sexuality associated with the 8th House has its roots in the
need to feel at-one with another, less alone, less insecure. The
8th House is one of the occult Houses and sexual practices were
often a part of Black Magic. There is a mystery and a power to the
sexual act which has never been fully understood. People with
42 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

ail 8th House emphasis are often involved with thoughts of

death, the afterlife, legacies, and spiritualistic activities. It is the
House of death but also of rebirth and regeneration: the de truc-
tion of forms is necessary and productive: some part of ourself
whether physical, emotional, mental, or in attitudes or relation-
ships is always in process of dying and being reborn in a new
form As remarked in Chapter II. the 8th House is the Door to the
next life or the new life.2 By trying to plumb the mysteries of life,
death, and sex the person seeks both emotional and soul secu-
rity: to know that there is continuity to life and in the deepest
relationships.
The nth House In this House the personality seeks to ex-
pand his security in his relationships with friends and with
groups joined together for altruistic purposes. His larger goals
are shown here and his ability to gain and receive love from
others. The efforts and action of the 10th House—the career—are
consolidated in the 11th House. The planets here show the kind
of people attracted as friends and how they help or harm one. It
represents the search for social and intellectual security.
The Cadent Houses (3rd. 6th, 9th and 12th) correspond with
the Mutable Signs; Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. As the
Angular Houses are associated with action, with initiation of
ventures, the Succedent Houses are concerned with the consoli-
dation of those actions, the things we desire and want to control
and manage, motivated by our need for security. So, the Cadent
Houses are concerned with learning and dissemination of what
we have learned from the experience in the preceding Angular
and Succedent Houses. The flow of life experience from begin-
ning, consolidation through dissemination, and beginning
again is the cycle of spiritual and material evolution in which we
all participate, •ur individual horoscopes show the phase or
phases in the cycle which are dominant in this particular incar-
nation. It used to be considered by astrologers that the Angular
Houses were the Houses of prime importance—persons with
many planets in Angular Houses were considered to be those
who would make their mark in the world. Angular planets were
considered very strong by position. By implication those per-
sons were stronger, more effective than their lesser brethren
with more planets in Succedent or Cadent Houses. Planets in
Cadent Houses were decidedly "weak" and the most theirown-
 FIELDS OF EXPERIE CE 43

ers could hope for was a rich, subjective life but an ineffective
role in the world! This was a case, in my opinion, of mistakenly
equating the usual visability before the world of people with
emphasis in Angular Houses with their greater importance in
the scheme of things. Three or four planets in Angular Houses
were supposed to give one a good chance of fame and recogni-
tion. Astrological thinking has changed considerably and most
astrologers now recognize that the work and qualities of the
Succedent and Cadent Houses is of equal if different importance.
Each phase is of absolute necessity to the individual in his one
life and his span of many lives as it is to the universal economy.
The 3rd House In this cadent House, the personality moves
out from the basic "I" and "Mine" of the 1st and 2nd Houses into
the world of the mind; it has to do with such areas as brothers
and sisters, neighbors, writing, elementary education, short
journeys, and the sense of humor. Here the person learns not
only from his studies but from the experiences of his 1st and 2nd
Houses and communication with those near him. What he has
assimilated and learned, he now communicates to others and
they with him. The 3rd House is concerned with the lower,
concrete mind; its opposite—the 9th House—rules the higher,
abstract mind.
The 6th House In this House the personality begins to move
from the self-involvement of the first five Houses to a wider
participation through work and service. This House rules health
and sickness; employment; employees—both those working
with you and foryou; and the environment of your work. The 6th
House and its opposite—the 12th—seem to be most karmically-
bound of all areas in the horoscope, because these two Houses
are most often concerned with the karmic debts we owe to
others. That is, they are concerned with the obligations we
subconsciously or consciously feel to serve, nurse, or care for
others. The illnesses and handicaps we suffer (shown in either
House) are the last working out in the physical body of causes
originating in the emotional or mental bodies.
If we work long hours for poor pay or under bad conditions for
a harsh employer, be sure that in another life we meted that same
treatment out to him when he was our employee or slave. Or else
we shirked our duties while drawing full pay for work not done.
Remember, karmic laws are inescapable and for all that is given
44 TWtLVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

or paid to us we are expected to repay in some manner. W can

resolve that karma b serving that same employer with patience
until the day another job opens, with the attitude that we are
eliminating an old debt while helping fellow workers with
happ^ companionship. Planetary emphasis in the 6th and 12th
Houses shows the kind of bondage, the 6th House especially
shows where we failed to serve—or where we served well and
faithfully. It is here that the personality first learns to serve
others and eventually become a Servant of all using the skills
and qualities he has developed in the previous Houses.
The 9th House In this House the personality moves yet de-
eper into the fields of learning and communication of what he
has learned. This is the House of the higher, abstract mind;3
higher education; the law; religion; philosophy; long journeys;4
and foreign countries or lands far from the place of birth. The
journeys need not only be physical ones, but also those of ex-
ploration into uncharted regions through our dreams, visions
and mental speculations. That which is concrete, objective form
in the 3rd House becomes abstract and formless in the 9th. It
shows the kind of religion or philosophy to which he is at-
tracted, the kind of teacher or guru he needs, and the difficulty or
ease with which he finds spiritual nourishment. In this House it
is learning, communication, and dissemination in higher, more
abstract and less personal matters.
The 12th House Here the personality expands his vision and
learning into universal consciousness, identifying himself with
the inclusive Self of all instead of the exclusive self of the 1st
House. This usually does not happen in depth until his spiritual
evolution is well along. Before that he experiences this House as
the place where he meets all that is hidden, repressed, or
avoided in order to resolve those blocks to his progress. It rules
confinement whether voluntary (in a monastery or convent] or
involuntary (in a hospital, prison, or asylum]. Interestingly
enough, astrologers find it also seems to rule other large institu-
tions such as educational and financial institutions. It rules large
animals (the opposite 6th House rules small animals] and seri-
ous illnesses, (chronic and less serious illness are 6th House
concerns] hidden enemies and "self-undoing." This is appro-
priate as the 12th House is the House most directly linked with
the past incarnation and the subconscious.
The phobias, neurotic aversions, compulsions, and other
 FIELDS OF EXPERIENCE 45

"hang-ups" that are rooted in the past are real "hidden enemies"
that become secret, undermining enemies within our own gates,
so to speak. Often these things accomplish our self-undoing if
we do not recognize them and deal with them. There may be
hidden enemies without as well, of course. It is here that the
personality assimilates all that he has experienced in the preced-
ing eleven Houses and learns his final lessons by tying up and
resolving all the loose ends of karma. A concentration of planets
in this House can give a life in which the personality feels
frustrated and confined, his life cramped by handicaps, duties,
guilts, and obligations. All is not negative though, for there are
hidden strengths and secret friends and helpers to be found. He
learns to purge the residue of the past so that he can express
himself clearly and actively when he starts the next cycle in the
1st House. Only those who have suffered and understand the
causes of their suffering can truly help others. From the learning
fields of the 12th House spring the great Saviors of the world who
willingly sacrifice themselves out of love and compassion for
others.

Signs as Rulers of the Houses

Wherever the natural ruler of a House is placed, there is an

empathy between things ruled by the two Houses. For example,
if Taurus, natural ruler of 2nd House is placed on the 7th House
there will always be a relationship between one's posses-
sions—personal money and values—with marriage, partner-
ship, and the public. If Taurus is on the 11th one may gain
or lose money through friends, join altruistic Groups for merce-
nary reasons, or contribute money or possessions to them.
The first six Houses are more concerned with personal mat-
ters, with everything viewed more or less from a self-centered
viewpoint. The big change comes when the personality in one
incarnation or in the larger span of lives crosses the line from the
6th to the 7th House and enters into that phase where he must
learn to deal with his equals, such as partners in marriage or
business, and with the public. Dealing with equals is much more
difficult than with those above you or below you. He must learn
to give to others, balance his rights with theirs, enlarge his
interests so that their interests become as important to him as his
own. The Scales, symbol of Libra, aptly describes the balancing
46 TWELVE DUUKS TO THE SOUL

point between the personal and the larger impersonal.

There is another classification of Houses which astrologers
find holpful, that is. dividing them according to the Elements
associated with those Houses.
The Water Houses are the 4th. 8th and 12th. Cancer is as-
sociated with the 4th House; Scorpio, with the 8th: and Pisces,
with the 12th. The dynamic energies of the Water Element ex-
press in these Houses through instincts, desires, and emotions
relating to the past. Cancer and the 4th House are often involved
with family tradition, psychic roots, and antiques. Scorpio and
the 8th House are concerned with reincarnation, contact with
those dead and their possessions, legacies, and occult studies or
ancient mysteries. Pisces and the 12th deal with karmic bondage
of past life relationships, subconscious obsessions, fears result-
ing from deeds committed and avoided in past lives. These three
Water Houses are termed the occult, hidden Houses where the
soul, yearning for emotional peace, eventually resolves the re-
sults of past life experiences and responsibilities. The Water
Houses are concerned with inner development.
The Earth Houses are the 2nd, 6th and 10th. Taurus rules the
2nd House: Virgo, the 6th: and in the 10th, Capricorn. The
dynamic energies of the Earth Element express in these Houses
through material, practical forms—our needs for survival such
as money, possessions, jobs, reputation, and health. We acquire
security by working to consolidate, control, and manage things
and people.
The Fire Houses include Aries in the 1st House, Leo in the 5th,
and Sagittarius in the 9th. The dynamic energies of the Fire
Element express through these Houses with fiery, driving, self
Will. Aries and the 1st House are propelled toward action, self-
assertion. The "I" with its personal affairs and the need to be first
are always prominent in an emphasized 1st House. Leo and the
5th House extend the 4T" to include children; children are often
looked upon as extensions of their parents. The creative activi-
ties of the 5th House, as mental offspring, are likewise a matter
for pride—that outstanding characteristic of Leo. Last are Sagit-
tarius and the 9th House. Here, the Fire Element fuels that
"Divine discontent" that propels men and women to exploration
of the unknown, higher mind and ideals. Its zeal makes a saint or
a fanatic, an explorer in the jungle or in space, or an ever-restless
"rolling stone".
 FIELDS OF EXPERIENCE 47

The Air Houses are Gemini and the 3rd, Libra and the 7th. and
Aquariu and the 11th. The dynamic energies of the Air Element
expres in these Houses through social, intellectual means.
Gemini and the 3rd House are involved with the lower mind
activitie —learning and communication—which cover every-
thing from talking, writing and traveling to exchanging ideas in
every form. Libra and the 7th House are involved with
partner hips—in business or marriage. Incidentally, the horo-
scope does not show the marriage license: any one-to-one rela-
tionship entered into with thoughts of permanency such as
"common law" marriage, even a homosexual "marriage" will
show as a 7th House partnership. I have had a number of people
consult me who were involved in heterosexual or homosexual
relationships that they considered as firm a partnership as any
legal marriage. People with emphasis in the 7th House are often
arbitrators, diplomats, consultants, and counselors because of
their intellectual competence and even-balanced judgment.
When they deal with the public their ideas find easy acceptance.
The social, intellectual urges find ready expression with Aqua-
rius and the 11th House in friendships, group associations, and
systems of thought. The give-and-take of those more impersonal
relationships appeals to all Air Signs who are truly "in their
element" exchanging ideas and working for some political, sci-
entific, metaphysical, or humanitarian cause with others.
The Empty Houses—Sometimes one or more Houses in a chart
will be empty of planets. Most astrologers interpret this to mean
a lack of interest, or only a passive interest in the things ruled by
that House. My personal experience agrees with that to a certain
extent, except when the planet ruling the Sign on the Cusp is
very important in the horoscope.
Intercepted Signs It is not unusual to find a Sign "inter-
cepted" in a House; that is, totally contained within the House
and yet with the preceding Sign of the cusp of that House. (For
example, Pisces on the cusp of the 4th House and Taurus on the
5th House cusp with Aries intercepted in the 4th.l Interpreta-
tions vary. Some feel that there is always some bother with the
problems of that House with an intercepted Sign; they tend to
preoccupy us, even if subconsciously. Others feel that the qual-
ities of that Sign are somehow inhibited by interception and are
not able to express freely until, by progression, they reach the
Cusp of the House.
48 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SO L

Two House Cusps Occupied by the Same Sign There are

times when •ne Sign stretches across two-House areas. The
influence of that Sign, the Element and Mode it manifests, as
well as the planet that rules the Sign are active over the matt rs
ruled by two Houses instead of one. Those matters ruled by the
two Houses will be linked or related in some manner. For exam-
ple, if the same Sign spreads over the 1st and 2nd Houses: the
personality will have a closer than normal identification with
his money, possessions, and values. They will seem like a verit-
able extension of himself.
The Overall Pattern of Planetary Placement in the Houses
Students are urged to read The Guide to Horoscope Interpreta-
tion by Marc Edmund Jones,5 for his detailed analysis of plane-
tary patterns and what they mean. He maintains there are seven
basic patterns: the Splash type where the planets are scattered
all over the chart. This indicates the person has a wide, even
universal range of interest, or negatively, one who dissipates his
energies by scattering them over too many interests and activi-
ties. The Bundle type showing most of the planets bunched
together indicates one who concentrates his interests and ener-
gies on only one or two things. This can make for tremendous
drive and accomplishment in a selected field but it also can
mean a very limited person with an obsession or one who puts
all his eggs in one basket, so to speak. When something happens
to that basket he is in real trouble! The Bowl type has most of the
planets in one-half of the horoscope and that person has some-
thing to give his fellows, whether for good or ill. The See-saw
type, where the planets are in two groups roughly opposite each
other in the chart exemplifies a person with the ability to see
both sides of any matter, but often has great difficulty in making
decisions or taking decisive steps because he keeps seeing both
sides—pro and con—to a proposed action. The Locomotive type,
with planets in two-thirds of the chart with one-third empty,
shows one who senses a strong lack or need, or has a problem to
be solved related to that empty section, either for himself or in
the social and intellectual world about him. He is a self-driving
individual and it is termed "locomotive" because the leading
planet (of the string in the occupied two-thirds) dominates and
pulls the other planets along behind it. The Bucket type is like
the Bowl but with a handle. The handle (formed by one or two
planets) opposite the bowl formation (all the other planets) indi-
 FIELDS OF EXPERIENCE 49

cates a special capacity or gift for some particularly effective

kind of activity. The Splay type with planets placed in strong
aggregations at irregular points in the chart indicates a highly
individual or purposeful emphasis in the life—a rugged indi-
vidualist who refuses to be pigeonholed in any category.

NOTES

Waya is a Hindu word describing the powerful force that creates the
cosmic illusion that the phenomenal world is real. Reality is a relative
thing: the further from the One Source and Center, the more clothed
with illusion and transitory phenomena our world becomes. One of the
best books on this subject is Alice A. Bailey, Glamour: A World Problem
(N.Y.: Lucis Publishing Co., 1967).
^Chapter II, page 15.
3
In the mental body (and mental plane), that subtle vehicle of thought,
there is a division between the concrete, objective, empirical thinking
and learning and the more abstract, intuitive, higher reasoning. This
corresponds to what is termed in Theosophical parlance as the "lower"
and "higher" mind and in Astrology to the 3rd and 9th Houses, Gemini
and Sagittarius. See E. Norman Pearson, Space, Time and Self
(Wheaton: Theosophical Publishing House, 1967).
^Up to the present era, the astrological terms of long journeys—9th
House and short journeys—3rd House were appropriate, but now with
air travel the distinction is no longer so clear. An example was given
recently of driving a friend 30 miles to the airport to catch a plane to
Chicago—a distance of almost a thousand miles. The round trip from
home to airport and back with road traffic took over three hours while
the friend flew from New York City to Chicago in two hours. Which one
took the short journey (3rd House) and which one took the long journey
(9th House)? Should it be measured in miles, time or how the person
experienced the journey?
'Marc Edmond Jones, The Guide to Horoscope Interpretation
(Wheaton: Theosophical Publishing House, 1975).
 V

ASPECTS: DYNAMfC RELATIONSHIPS

I once showed some horoscopes to a psychic friend who knew

little about Astrology. She remarked that to her they gave the
appearance of a pattern of different colored lines running from
one brilliant center to another—the whole, pulsating with
movement and color. When astrologer Rose Elliot studies a
horoscope, she feels the planetary forces playing upon her like
the rays of a sun, but they are colored rays. Where two planets are
in aspect, she sees the rays blending and the color of the plane-
tary ray is tinted by the Sign through which it is working.1
This certainly indicates that the horoscope is more than an
exercise in symbols and degrees on paper but a door to direct
realization of the energy pattern peculiar to each chart. The
planets are also said to sound their individual and distinctive
notes—"The music of the spheres"—which vary as they relate to
one another by aspect. It should be possible for one withthe gift
of clairaudience2 to hear the theme or themes sounded by the
horoscope. The pattern of the birth chart is similar to a piece of
music, various themes, or perhaps one dominating theme,
sounding again and again with variations as the planets pro-
gress, aspecting each other and their natal positions. The tran-
sitting planets making their aspects would also add to this
"music of the spheres."3
An aspect is the relationship measured in zodiacal degrees
between planets or between a planet and an important point in
the horoscope such as the Midheaven, Ascendant. House Cusps,
the Moon's Nodes, etc. For example, if Jupiter is 10 Cancer and
Saturn is 10° Libra, the two planets are 90 zodiacal degrees or
three Signs apart. They are in a square aspect to one another. If
Saturn were 10° Scorpio the distance between would be 120° and
a trine aspect would be formed between the two.
The energy flow (with its influence on the individual's psyche
and circumstances), from Jupiter or from Saturn called forth by
any aspect is always characteristic of them, but the particular
aspect between them decides the type of expression from each
 DYP AMFC RELATIONSHIPS 51

planet. When there is a square aspect between Jupiter and

aturn. their qualities express in a dynamic, stressful, and chal-
lenging manner. Jupiter's characteristic expansiveness and be-
nevolence are likely to be extravagance, over-optimism, lack of
commonsense: his benevolence becomes false pride and con-
ceit. Saturn's characteristic ambition, conservatism, and power
of organization are likely to become a drive for power regardless
of the cost to others, or in materialism and excessive attention to
routine and order. Jupiter and Saturn are opposites in character
and effect yet linked as a pair in the evolution of man.
If there is a trine aspect between the two, then the more
positive qualities of each are likely to express. The expansive-
ness. enthusiasm and wisdom ofjupiter will work harmoniously
with Saturn's ambition, carefulness with planning, and hard
work to accomplish constructive ends. This does not mean that a
square aspect is always unfortunate or that a trine aspect is
always fortunate. Often a square is most productive in stirring
the individual to action and effort. In overcoming obstacles, he
develops his character and achieves success. A trine, because it
does bring an ease of working, "lucky breaks", and an appar-
ently comfortable road to success, often means laziness and lost
opportunities.
There are five major aspects: the conjunction (0oJ, the sextile
(60oJ. the square (90oJ. the trine (120oJ and the opposition (180oJ.
Also, there are a number of minor aspects. The ones usually
considered are: the semisextile (30°), the semisquare (45CJ, the
quintile (720J, the sesquiquadrate (1350J, the biquintile (1440J,
and the quincunx or inconjunct (150oJ. I personally only use the
major aspects plus the semisextile, semisquare, and inconjunct.
There is also the parallel which is not an aspect in longitude like
the aspects named above. The planets have a second measure of
position called declination—the measurement north or south
from the equator toward the nearest pole. When planets have the
same degree of declination north or south, they are said to be in
parallel of declination.4
Orb of aspect; Each aspect has a certain range of effectiveness
called the orb of influence. The aspect is said to be "exact", when
the two planets occupy the same degree in the same Sign or in
different Signs. For example, if Saturn is in 10° Libra and Jupiter
in 10° Cancer, they are in an exact square: 90° or three Signs
apart. A planet enters or leaves an aspect when it reaches the arc
 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

of its orb of influence. The orb of the square aspect is usually 8°.
though some astrologers differ on the extent of orbs the modern
tendency is toward smaller orbs of influence than in the past.
sing the above example, we remember that the orb of influence
is 8° and know that until Jupiter reaches 2° of Cancer the aspect is
not in effect. By the time Jupiter reaches 18°, it has reached the
limit of orb of influence—that is. it is out of the square aspect.5
In the past astrologers generally divided the aspects and their
influences into good or bad, fortunate or unfortunate. The
modern approach takes into consideration advances in psychol-
ogy; it stresses a positive rather than a fatalistic view. The view
of the higher Self must be that there is nothing either good or
bad; every experience that comes to us is for our ultimate and
even immediate good. That attitude is very hard to maintain
when one is struggling with a bereavement or major injustice
done to one. It is cold comfort to be told it is doing our character a
world of good! Life is often difficult and painful, but it is possi-
ble, with effort and with the right attitude, to make something
constructive out of any experience. It may seem that astrologers
dwell more upon the difficult squares, oppositions, and some
conjunctions but that is because those aspects so often bring a
major life crisis; they reveal where one is being challenged to
make a change in some basic way and to grow through concen-
trated experience. The square and opposition are often destruc-
tive to/orm, the karmic structures built in the past which block
the individual's growth. The harmonious and easy "flowing"
aspects such as the trines, sextiles and some conjunctions show
the fortunate abilities, talents, and characteristics upon which
one is able to draw in dealing with obstacles and difficulties.
They, too, are karmic structures built in the past.
Squares, oppositions, some conjunctions (depending on the
planets involved), quincunxes, semi-squares, and sesquiquad-
rates I categorize as difficult, stressful, but also dynamic and
challenging. Easy flowing, harmonious, more flowing aspects
are the trine, sextile, some conjunctions (depending on the
planets involved), and the semi-sextile. The quintile (72°), is
said to be strengthening to the mind when Mercury is one of the
planets involved, and the biquintile (144°), is said to be slightly
helpful. But neither of the latter two aspects is used by most
astrologers.
Conjunction: 0° with an orb of 11° for Sun and Moon, 8° for the
 DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIPS 53

planets. The conjunction is the most powerful aspect in astrol-

ogy. It can be either harmonious, difficult, or a mixture—
depending on which planets form the aspect. When two
planets—or a planet and an important position in the chart (such
as the /lidheaven or the Ascendant), are within 8° of each other,
it indicates an intense merging and interaction between the
energies, characteristics, and things ruled by the two aspecting
planets. In the Natal chart, it indicates a quality or factor in the
individual's character and life that will be consistently ex-
pressed in significant ways. There will be an intense focus on the
qualities of the two planets, colored or modified by the Sign and
the Element in which the conjunction takes place. The affairs
ruled by the House in which the planets merge are profoundly
affected. For example, a conjunction of Sun and Mars in the 1st
House gives both the personality (Ascendant), and the core
character, vitality, and self-regard (Sun), an infusion of the driv-
ing, dynamic energy of Mars. With this aspect often comes the
fiery temper, the impatience, and accident-prone qualities of
Mars.
With a Sun-Neptune conjunction, the core character is infused
with a larger, more universal vision—humanitarian, artistic,
psychic, or spiritual—than normal. With this can come a ten-
dency to self-delusion, a difficulty in seeing oneself objectively.
Remember that a conjunction always indicates a focus of impor-
tant karma which affects character and circumstances.
Trine—120° with an orb of 8°, or 11° for Sun and Moon. The
trine is the strongest of the fortunate, flowing aspects giving an
ease of working with the world and with oneself. This aspect
indicates the psychological assets, talents, and abilities which
the individual expresses spontaneously, or which can be easily
developed. The trine shows the "good" karma made in past
lives—such things as the unselfish deeds, emotions, desires, and
aspirations or the hard work, even for a selfish purpose and
motive, done to develop some skill or talent. A natural talent for
music or mathematics is often spoken of as a "gift", but there is
no such thing as a "gift" in karmic law. Every natural talent or
ability has been worked for and earned at some time, perhaps
developed over many, many lives.
In The Soul's Growth Through Reincarnation6, the past lives
of British artist, John Varley, were traced by clairvoyace. He was
given the star name, Erato, to avoid confusion in the changing
 TVVLLVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

personalities and se es. It was noted that whenever there was an

opportunity. Erato was drawn to some form of art.

In this last British life he was a landscape painter: in the

brief one preceding, he was an etcher and engraver; in
Athens he was a sculptor: In Ancient Egypt he was once an
architect: In Peru as a girl Erato took eagerly to painting. In a
lih in Japan as a woman, we find Erato's artistic tendency
manifesting itself in the painting of kakemonos (picture or
writing on silk or paper suitable for hanging). In a life in
Etruria. where civilization was backward, the artistic ten-
dency was cramped, and could only express itself in the
combination of colors in the weaving of cloths and carpets

The obvious effects of a trine are often called "good luck". One
individual is "lucky" in the circumstances into which he was
born, He has good luck or gets "lucky breaks" as he progresses
through life. His ventures and relationships prosper in spite of
no apparent wizardry on his part. Another individual with
perhaps more brains, ability, and hard work may fail. This
should not be interpreted to mean that the first individual was
necessarily more virtuous and hardworking in past lives than
the second person. No one, other than an Adept, understands the
mysteries of karma and reincarnation; but one can venture a
guess that the first person may be enjoying an "easy" life after
several difficult ones, and the second one may be confronting in
this life certain difficult karma from the past; perhaps he is being
challenged to basically change himself and to grow through
concentrated experience.
Sextile—60° aspect with an orb of influence of 4®. The sextile
is much like the trine but weaker. Its characteristics give mutual
support of the planets involved. The sextile acts as a modifier
and brings opportunities. Stephen Arroyo remarks that "the
sextile is an aspect of openness to the new: new people, new
ideas, new attitudes; and it symbolizes the potential for making
new connections with either people or ideas which can ulti-
mately lead to new learning. The sextile is chiefly an aspect of
flexibility and potential understanding and it tends to be a
mental aspect, although the planets involved in such an angle
have to be taken into consideration. Perhaps most importantly,
the sextile shows an area of life where one can cultivate not only
a new level of understanding but also a greater degree of objec-
tivity which can lead to a feeling of great freedom."7
 DYr AM1C RELATIONSHIPS 55

Semi-sextile—30° aspect with an orb of 2°. Semi-sextile, that is

half a sextile, has the nature of a se tile but is weaker in its effect.
Parallel—0° declination with an orb of only iVz5. When the
parallel involves two or more planets with the same direction,
whether north or south, it has the nature of a conjunction but its
effect is not as dramatic as a conjunction between planets in
longitudinal aspect. Its significance is subtler, more like a back-
ground emphasis. When the parallel takes place with one planet
north and the other south, the effect resembles the opposition
aspect. The most important function of the parallel is when it
relates two planets not in any longitudinal aspect, or when it
supports a strong aspect such as a square.
Square—90° aspect with an orb of 11° for the Sun and Moon,
and 8° for all planets. This is the most dynamic, energizing, and
difficult of all the aspects. Squares in the Natal chart indicate
conflict within the individual which eventually produce con-
flict in and with his environment. The inward self and outer
circumstances and relationships cannot be separated; they are
sides of the same coin. Throughout life there is a constant in-
teraction with the original impetus coming from within the
individual. Or, to put it simply but in another way, if you want to
change your fate, change yourself.
Under a progressed square aspect or a heavy transit of the
same nature,8 the individual feels more aggressive, independ-
ent, out of harmony with himself and with his environment.
This discomfort drives him to change, and break away from old
patterns in order to construct new patterns. Squares show con-
flicts in past lives that were not resolved and now must be met
and resolved in this life. Otherwise, the individual will meet the
same difficult situations and relationships repeatedly until he
does resolve the matter constructively, in effect turning a square
into a trine or sextile.
In a square aspect, the qualities of the planets involved tend to
clash with conflicting or contradictory motives and urges, both
seeking expression and both interfering with each other. The
square can lead to great creativity and awareness. It is usually
the inner conflict—that "divine discontent of the soul"—that
drives great artists to compose, paint, or write. The horoscopes
of those who accomplish things in life are often studded with
square and opposition aspects.
Opposition—180° aspect with an orb of 8° for planets, 11° for
56 TWKl.VE DOURS TO THE SOUL

the Sun and Moon. Two plan 'ts on opposite side" of the horo-
scop • or a planet opposite an important position, uch a the
Ascendant or the Midheaven, set up a polarity which oft n
indicates over-stimulation in the separate energies of the two
planets, manifesting as difficulty in the area of per onal rela-
tionships. A great tension is set up between the two planets and
b »tw«en the two Houses in which they are placed. For e/ample,
an opposition between planets in 1st and 7th Houses can involve
a tension/conflict between one's personal independence and the
demands of a partnership, marriage, or other people in general.
In a deeper sense, there is no separation between "1" and "You",
the one and the many. An opposition calls forth an awareness
(we are rarely awakened to awareness of anything except
through discomfort), of this fundamental truth of unity.
The opposition aspect shows where we have ignored the
needs and rights of others in the past and draws our attention to
such blind self-centeredness by difficult tensions in personal
relationships. The little self struggles to gain for himself advan-
tages against the pressures of his other selves and his own higher
Self.
There is often a marked lack of objectivity. Often the indi-
vidual feels he is forced to choose between two equally desirable
things, such as the 1st House personal independence and the
closeness and support of 7th House marriage, and he will con-
tinue to feel this until he realizes the illusion of separateness as
well as the mistaken conviction that his needs should be given
priority over the needs of others.
Quincunx (or Inconjunct)—150° aspect with an orb of 2°. This
minor aspect is often related to compulsive—and guilt-
motivated—behavior patterns which produce strain. It can indi-
cate major personality problems since there is a constant irrita-
tion and annoying compulsiveness that interferes with the ex-
pression of the planets' energies. Some astrologers attribute a
measure of fatefulness to the quincunx and it often seems to be
connected with death. Compulsive and guilt-motivated be-
havior patterns stem from ingrained habits formed in the past;
they call for a conscious effort of discrimination and discipline
to resolve the largely unconscious reactions. Discrimination
implies an awareness first of the problem and then a sensible
adjustment rather than a radical repression which only tends to
drive the trouble into some other form of expression.
 DYNAMIC RELATIO SHIPS 57

Semi-Square—45° aspect with an orb of 2°. This is a minor

aopect which make for difficulties, often in the nature of fric-
tion. It partakes of the nature of the square.
Sesquiquadrate—135° aspect with an orb of 2°. The ses-
quiquadrate is difficult and has the nature of the square to a
minor degree. It produces minor upsets.
Leaving aside moderating influences in other parts of the
horoscope, the great "X", that unknown quality which is not
shown in the horoscope is what the individual's attitude and
reaction to a given aspect may be. Some people meet every
handicap or obstacle as a challenge, it brings out their best in
courage, effort, and ingenuity. Others react negatively, blaming
everyone and everything except themselves for their problems.
A planetary configuration only shows the potential within the
individual's pattern, not a predetermined characteristic or
event. What he does with it is where the divine gift of free will
comes in to the picture.
x Mosfpeople reflect their horoscopes fairly well and general
estimations of future events and character changes prove rea-
sonably accurate. But with spiritually evolved people—at least
spiritually evolved to my admittedly limited perception—it is
very difficult to predict with accuracy. The astrologer does not
know for a certainty what a client has made of his Natal potential
in the intervening years between birth and the visit. This fact
should make every astrologer very cautious about judging
another's stage of evolution. Nevertheless, there are those per-
sons whose character and accomplishments are known and
whose very presence carries conviction of spiritual stature. With
these individuals I can tell from their horoscopes with what
potentials they began life, but present and future analysis can be
difficult and uncertain. I leave the "rules" of Astrology to one
side and lean on my intuition in these cases. My feeling is that
these individuals have consciously grasped their character and,
therefore, their destiny with the power of their higher Self—the
"warrior that fights within," as Annie Besant put it. No longer
blown here and there by their planetary configurations and
aspects, they use their potential to the full whether the aspects
are favorable or adverse.
A case in point is that of a close friend. Every year I would give
her an update on the coming year's progressions and transits.
One year the aspects looked particularly strong and fortunate.
 TVV1.I.VE DOORS TO THE SOUL

Sho had already held high positions in both worldly and

spiritual organizations and the year ahead seemed to promist
even greater opportunities. There was little in her chart to indi-
cate a health problem but intuition made me urge her to hav™ a
checkup. She did so and after a thorough physical examination
with all tests, the doctor pronounced her in perfect health. But
within the year she was dead of cancer after a brief illness.
Astrologers are very good at finding the cause of just about any
event after it occurs but in this case, except for some minor
things9 I searched in vain. It became my conviction that for
reasons best known to her higher Self she chose at that time to
leave her physical body. Death does not necessarily show as an
unfortunate event in a chart: sometimes it is a welcome release.
In my friend's case it may have been an opportunity for greater
work on higher planes.
The word karma in Sanskrit literally means action. All action
springs from desire, desire for those things to which we are
attached. Both the harmonious and difficult aspects in the
horoscope show what our deepest attachments and mental emo-
tional patterns are, karmically brought over from past lives. The
planets and Houses involved indicate the area of our attach-
ments and with the aspect show whether those attachments are
benign,destructive, orexcessive. Forexample. the Sun involved
in a configuration may show an attachment to being the boss;
which can mean the urge to genuine leadership or to dictator-
ship. The Moon involved shows attachment to the mother, fam-
ily, home, tradition, and the past. Mercury involved indicates
attachmentto intellectual and communicative accomplishment.
Venus denotes attachment to physical and emotional satisfac-
tions, aesthetic values, social life, and other people in general.
Mars, on the other hand, points out attachment to action, aggres-
sive tactics, and achievement of desires. Jupiter can signify
attachment to religious forms, a high opinion of oneself, or
doingthings in a lavish manner. Saturn involved shows attach-
ment to the structured life, "law and order", power, and reputa-
tion.
All of these things and many more can be virtues or faults if
carried to extremes or if done with ruthlessly selfish motivation.
They are all necessary in the earlier stages of the Soul's long
journey to perfection. But there comes a time when even good
karma, attachment to anything for the little self, no matter how
 DYNAMIC KELATIO SHIPS

praiseworthy in the eyes of the world is seen as a block, a

bondage, preventing complete spiritual freedom.
There is a marvelous passage on karma from Light On The
Path which points the way to those who have reached that stage:

He who desires to form good karma will meet with many

confusions, and in the effort to sow rich seed for his own
harvesting mav plant a thousand weeds, and among them
the giant.10 Desire to sow no seed for your own harvesting,
desire onh to sow that seed the fruit of which shall feed the
world. You are a part of the world; in giving it food you feed
yourself Learn now that there is no cure for desire, no
cure for love of reward, no cure for the misery of longing,
save in the fixing of the sight and hearing upon that which
is invisible and soundless.... Live in the eternal.

NOTES

^n article. "Astrology and the Psychic Faculty", in the British quar-

terly. The Astrological Journal, Autumn, 1974.
2
Clairvoyance means literally "clear sight", the ability to see objectively
or in the "mind's eye" things in the subtler worlds. Clairaudience
means "clear hearing", the ability to hear voices and sounds from the
subtler worlds.
3
For those new to Astrology, the Natal or radical planets are those
planetary positions at the moment of birth. Thereafter, the planets are
progressed at the rate of one sidereal day to one year of an individual's
life. The transits or transitting planets refers to actual daily movement
of the planets.
4
The degrees of declination for each planet are listed in the Ephemeris
under the abbreviation "Dec." on the same page or opposite the lon-
gitudinal degree positions. One must be careful not to read Lat. or
latitude for Dec. or declination. Latitude is a very different measure of
planetary position.
5
This applies to orbs in the Natal chart only. In secondary progressions
and transits the planet moves into orb of an aspect when it reaches and
leaves 1° from exactitude though usually the Sun and Moon in pro-
gressions are given IVi0 orbs.
6
Edited by C. Jinarajadasa from C. W. Leadbeater's writings of his
clairvoyant investigations.
'Stephen Arroyo, Astrology, Karma and Transformation: The Inner
Dimensions of the Birthchart, (Vancouver, Washington: CRCS Publica-
tions, 1978), p. 113.
60 TWKLVE DOORS TO THE OUL

Thr Irnnsitling Sun. loon, lerturv. Venus and 1 irs move « swiftly
that their inllueiK e is i.ircly important, 'ol so with the lower moving
S turn. Jupiter. Uranus, 'eplune and IMulo. Their Iran it . often mov-
ing bat k and (orlh over the same few degrees can have a marked jfle t.
he only indications of death I could find were the progr^s ed Moon
moving through Ih ^ 8lh I louse in trine to her natal Jupiter in the 12lh
House. Jupiter was also ruler of Sagittarius on I he Cusp of the 8lh Hou a.
Uy transit, '"plune was within 2® of conjunction with the natal Moon in
the 7lh House. Neptune and Jupiter are often connected with death.
one of this, to my mind, was enough to explain aslrologicatly her
sudden and unexpected death in the prime of life.
'•The "giant weed" is the sense of separaleness from which springs all
selfishness.
 VI
® )

SUN AND MOON: FATHER AND MOTHER

The old sexist connotations in astrological symbology have long

been unsatisfactory. Two thousand years of emphasis in our
Western culture on a patriarchical Godhead from the Old Testa-
ment have buried the true and natural expression of the feminine
principle. The Christian Church, grappling with the polarities,
came to symbolize Woman and the feminine as evil, beginning
with Eve. They equated Male and Female with positive and
negative, light and dark, good and evil. Man was espoused as the
positive symbol of reason, leadership, and spiritual aspiration,
relegating Woman to the negative symbol of emotion, in-
feriority, and her aspirations restricted to home, children, and
kitchen. The astrologers carried this into their Astrology, the
Moon shining only by virtue of reflected light from her lord and
master, the Sun, symbolic of Woman's role in the world.
With the advance of Science and the knowledge of the law of
polarity, a law in which neither positive is superior, nor negative
inferior, but each is essential to the action of the other, one
would have supposed a more objective, less chauvinistic at-
titude would have come into being in Astrology. It is only in the
last few years that a change in interpretation has begun regard-
ing the positive and negative, masculine and feminine, lights
and planets in Astrology.
Those familiar with Eastern teachings and theosophical di-
visions of the planes of the universe recognize that our universe
is septenary in nature. There are seven planes beginning with
Adi, the first plane, the One without differentiation. The atomic
structure of that plane is so fine that it is without form. The
second plane is Anupadaka, the Monadic plane, where the
atomic structure is coarser but still formless. The third plane is
that of Atma, the spiritual Will, followed by the fourth plane of
Buddhi, intuition and infinite love. The fifth or Mental Plane is
divided into Higher Manas, the world of the abstract Mind, and
Lower Manas, the world of the concrete Mind where thoughts
62 TVVtLA E UOUKS TO THI SOUL

t.ike on forms objective to our consciousness. Still lower on the

scale and coarser in atomic structure isKomo Loka, the astral or
emotional plane, where the emotions rule and appear in every
color, shape, and force. Lowest and coarsest in atomic structure
is the physical plane, Sthula in Hindu terminology.1 It must not
be thought that these seven planes of our universe are like steps
on a ladder or skins of an onion because they all exist and
interpenetrate at the same "time" and in the same "place".
It seems futile to speculate on the nature of the higher, form-
less planes since our conceptions are so confined to those of
material form. However little our present consciousnesses can
grasp the subtleties of the abstract planes, we can reason that the
universal law of positive and negative polarity may apply.
• The first plane is the One, the Creator, "masculine" and posi-
tive. From It emanates the Divine Sparks, the Life Waves,
everything in essence.
• Descending to the Monadic plane, the peculiar vibration
would be, then, negative, feminine, though not in the way in
which we usually think of male or female.
• The next plane is that of Atmo, the spiritual Will, with the
vibration of masculine-positive.
• The Buddhic plane, the plane of the intuition and infinite
love, is again negative-feminine.
• The plane of Manas, the Mind, of both abstract and concrete
thought, would be positive.
• The plane of Kama Loka, the emotions and desires, would be
negative.
• Last, the plane of the Physical would be positive.
The Monad, our very highest Self, exists on the formless
Monadic plane and is without sex as we know it. So, too, is that
extension of the Monad called the Ego (in theosophical ter-
minology) which exists on the higher, formless level of the
Manasic or Mental plane. It is only when the Ego extends itself
into the lower planes for purposes of reincarnation, taking on
bodies composed of matter peculiar to those planes, that we
become male and female, sexually polarized, so to speak.
A sou! orentity inhabiting the body of a male is positive on the
physical plane, negative on the emotional plane, positive on the
mental plane and negative on the Buddhic. A sou! inhabiting a
female body is negatively polarized on the physical plane, posi-
tive on the emotional plane, negative on the mental plane and
 FATHER AND MOTHER 63

AD1 Positive-Masc. ONE

MO ADIC
Negative-Fern.
Plane 2
O 1
r

ATMIC Positive-Masc.
Plane (Will) 3
m)

BUDDHIC Negative-Fern.
Plane (Intuition/Love) 4
O .1
•'/I Ml
Positive-Masc.
MANASIC (Abstract Mind
Plane 5
Concrete Mind) & )

ASTRAL Negative-Fern.
(Emotion/Desires) 6
Plane o l

PHYSICAL
Plane Positive-Masc. 7
© )

positive on the Buddhic. This is not to be taken literally, that a

man is always positive in the physical world, negative on the
emotional, etc., or that a woman is always negative on the physi-
cal, positive on the emotional, etc. It is a matter of the dominant
vibration on each plane to which the soul, whether inhabiting a
male or female body, responds and which it uses in an infinite
variety of ways. Perhaps it is somewhat easier when incarnated
in a female body to be positive and dynamic on the emotional/
desire and intuitional/Buddhic planes; while, in a male body,
the soul may find it easier to express positively on the physical
and mental planes. It is difficult to know how much of our
conception of this symbology is true to universal law or just
cultural conditioning.
All this is not meant as a digression into esoteric fields but an
effort to take our thinking out of the rut regarding the usually
implied "male and female" connotations and characteristics
and their place in the universe when we come to consider the
Sun, Moon, and the planets, but particularly the Sun and Moon.
64 IWELVt; DOORS TO THE SOUL

O The Sun
The circle without a dot in the center symbolizes spirit un-
manifested: ivifh the dot. it shows manifestation, like the nuc-
leus of life within the egg and all cellular formations which will
manifest when the time and conditions are ripe. The circle also
encloses, which shows the extent of the Soul's limitation as
differentiated from the Cosmos. Like the confines of the circle,
the soul is a being without beginning or end. In the horoscope
the circle with a dot symbolizes the more basic, relatively un-
changing characteristics, the core character. The Sun's qualities,
like the qualities of the planets and Moon, have to be mastered
and brought into the unity of the whole person. It governs the
Power urges. Its characteristic is to illuminate, to shine forth, to
rule. In whatever House of the horoscope the Sun is found those
matters ruled by that House are infused with vitality. It sym-
bolizes authority, the male sex, the father, employer, the gov-
ernment or ruler. A Sun-dominated person has an active, asser-
tive, dominating approach to the world.
The condition of the Sun in a person's chart (whether weak or
strong by position of Sign, afflicted or favored by aspects to
planets and the Moon), tells how that person used his authority
in past lives. The power urges take many forms of expression
and everyone has some degree of power in some area. If you have
misused power in the past, your karma in this life may take the
form of difficulty from those in authority over you in this life.
You may experience what it is to suffer the tyranny or thought-
less whims of your superiors. Our present use of power and
authority over those subservient to us and our reaction to those
over us is creating the power circumstances of the future in this
life and the next. The use of really enormous power is one of the
most difficult tests a soul has to face. We may think we would be
righteous and kind in such a position but would we do any better
than the multitude of tyrants in the past and present?

Leo and the 5th House

The Sun cannot be considered without also considering the

Sign and House it rules. The Fifth House ruled in the natural
order of the Signs by Leo (see Chapter IV, p. 46) is one of the three
Fire Houses, 1st, 5th and 9th. This triangle represents a pattern
of energy flow which in many cases verges on the transcendent.
 FATHER A D MOTHER 65

Stephen Arroyo gives a dramatic account of a dream which

brought this realization to him. He had been studying the charts
of about a dozen spiritual masters, trying to discover the com-
mon factors in their charts. The only thing that was regularly
emphasized in the majority of those charts was the emphasis of
planets in the Fire Houses. After struggling with this factor
without success, he had a vivid dream in which he was shown a
flow of fiery energy circling around the triangle formed by the
Ascendant and the Fifth and Ninth Houses. He commented:

The fire Houses deal with pure being and becoming.

The purity of self-expression represented by them can, in
some cases, be accurately classified as spiritual {mainly in
those cases where the person has ceased to identify his ego
with the creative forces flowing through him and instead
sees himself only as a channel for the manifestation of a
greater power).2

The Fifth House has been trivialized by emphasizing its con-

nection with children, gambling, love affairs, and other pleas-
ures but that House with its rulers Leo and the Sun denotes the
tremendous creative power of love that every Soul can tap. It has
been said that the Fifth House shows either the power of love or
the love of power for the Sun rules the power urges as well. It
shows the capacity for love, that greatest creative force for
spiritual transformation and so from a spiritual standpoint can
be considered the most important House after the Ascendant.
The Solar Chart When the time of birth is unknown many
astrologers set up a chart with the Sun's longitudinal degree as
the cusp of the First House, with other cusps placed at 30°
intervals. If the Sun on the day of birth is in 23° Taurus, the
Ascendant degree is placed at 23° Taurus, the 2nd House cusp at
23° Gemini and so on, with the planets falling into their appro-
priate places according to the ephemeris for that day. This is
actually a sunrise chart with equal Houses.3 This is the system
used in most of the popular magazine and newspaper forecasts
except that they relate the daily transitting planets to the posi-
tion of only your Sun at birth. Obviously they cannot take into
consideration the infinite variety of planetary positions over the
years whereas the Sun is in the same position annually. If you
were bora on February 3,1970, your Sun is in approximately the
same degree and Sign as one bora on that day in 1920, so the
popular forecasters can give a general forecast applicable to all
bora around that date regardless of the year.
66 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

The Sun's Aspects

The Sun is the very heart of our solar system and the heart of
the horoscope. C. E. O. Carter, in his Foundations of Astrology,
refers to the Sun as the "elan vital," life itself, with a predomi-
nantly emotional bias, masculine and positive, bold and adven-
turous. and, with faith, controlling the chief decisions, outstand-
ing events, and eminent achievements of life. For the Sun's
manner of expression we look to the Mode and Element; for the
area of life it dominates we look to the Houses it rules by position
and Sign. As to whether our Sun shines freely or is obscured by
clouds, we look to the aspects it makes.
SUN AND MOON One of the first steps in interpreting a chart
is to evaluate the relative compatibility of the Sun and the Moon,
the two primary polarities. In Jungian terminology, the Sun is
symbolic of the principal archetypal animus (Mars and Saturn
are the other two), the masculine side within a woman's person-
ality. The Moon is the principal symbol of the archetypal anima
in a man's psyche (the other two are Venus and Neptune). A
square or opposition aspect between the Sun and the Moon,
especially if they are placed in inharmonious Elements, pro-
duces conflict in self-expression because the subconscious
needs (Moon) inhibit or conflict with the conscious desires and
objectives (Sun) resulting in an inner struggle. An example of
this inharmonious placement would be Moon in Scorpio-Water
and Sun in Aquarius-Air. In effect, it is two personality patterns
striving against each other for dominance. When the Sun and
Moon are posited in harmonious Elements, the conflict is not so
intense, but there is still difficulty in self-expression and in
dealing with the opposite sex since the Sun represents the mas-
culine sex in a woman's chart and the Moon represents the
feminine sex in a man's chart. The Sun-Moon aspects have a
great effect upon the popularity in general, for the Sun rules
influence and honor, and the Moon represents the public and
public opinion.
All aspects to or from the Sun, not only from the Moon, affect
one's self-respect. This is understandable when one realizes that
the Sun rules one's sense of identity and the manner of creative
expression. If the Sun were afflicted by Saturn, for example, one
might feel acutely the gap between one's ambitions and inherent
abilities—a fear that one lacked the power to rule one's life.
 FATHER AND MOTHER 67

There would be periods of depression, feelings of failure and of

inferiority. A more fortunate aspect, from Jupiter, would give
added enthusiasm, an expansion of self-confidence, and a
forward-looking, aspiring approach to one's future.
SUN-MERCURY The conjunction is the only aspect possible
between the Sun and Mercury because Mercury is never more
than 28° away from the Sun. Any planet aspected by the Sun is
strengthened and vitalized so a conjunction between these two
would affect the Sign and House in which the conjunction takes
place. Mercury symbolizes intelligence and communication and
transmits the light of the Sun through the mind. When Mercury
is positioned ahead of the Sun (greater longitude) the mental
energy has more eagerness, the person more apt to act first and
consider afterwards. Positioned following the Sun, the person
acts with greater deliberation.
SUN-VENUS The only aspects possible are the conjunction,
the semi-sextile and the semi-square because Venus is never
more than 48° away from the Sun. Venus carries the light of the
Sun into self-expression through beauty, emotion, and harmony
when they are in aspect. It is my experience that the gentler
qualities of Venus tend to be burned up or overpowered by the
dominance of the Sun in a conjunction. Venus expresses
through the affections, art, and in gentle ways. In men the con-
junction can give effeminancy. The semi-sextile is mildly favor-
able and the semi-square produces friction in matters of the
affections.
SUN-MARS Both Sun and Mars are alike in their masculine,
aggressive, assertive, dominating approach to the world. This
can make one bold, strong, forceful, and hardworking with the
conjunction but it can also make one hot-tempered and reckless.
Much depends on the rest of the horoscope as to whether the
accelerated energy and dominance of this combination will be
under control. Difficult aspects increase the danger of over-
strain, impatience, anger, and recklessness while the more for-
tunate, "flowing" aspects give the same qualities as the conjunc-
tion but they are more likely to be expressed constructively and
without annoyance to others.
SUN-JUPITER Jupiter symbolizesexpansiveness, enthusiasm,
knowledge, honor, and opportunity and is often called the
"Greater Fortune", Venus being the "Lesser Fortune". An aspect
between Jupiter and Sun expands the scope of reward and op-
 TWELVE DOORS lO THE SOI 1.

pnrtunit <1. The person feels cheerful and "lucky" in his dealings.
With the square or opposition jupiter's excess becomes a prob-
lem in some form, otten accompanied by an excessively high
opinion of oneself and one's judgment. When lupiterafflicts it is
always through too much of a good thing so the individunl has to
learn discipline, efficiency, and moderation.
SUN-SATURN This combination is always very powerful. As
Saturn is one of the symbols of the father, the conjunction,
opposition, or square can show limitation, loss or coldness con-
nected with that parent. The motif of Saturn is self-perfection
which is why its position and aspects show where the individual
feels the greatest lack in himself and his life. With the Sun in
aspect the result can be wisdom or it can be arrogance and
difficulty with men particularly when Sun squares Saturn in a
female chart. With the difficult aspects there is often a fear of
expressing the true Self, fear of criticism, or of being inadequate
which curtails initiative. The nature of the Sun is to shine forth,
illuminate. Saturn constricts, but only because we are attempt-
ing to pass on without facing the things we have left undone in
the past. With the opposition the person frequently projects his
fears and failings onto others. The lesson to be learned is that of
taking responsibility for oneself and learning to take some risks
in self-expression in order to realize fully and deeply what one is
capable of doing.
SUN-URANUS Uranus has been called the "Awakener" and,
indeed, revolutionary change is an outstanding characteristic of
Uranian aspects. Any Uranian aspect with the Sun often brings
periodic radical change into the life so that it is like the closing of
one volume and the opening of another. The difference between
the difficult and the more fortunate aspects seems to be that with
the latterthe person may make radical changes in the life but has
the ability to build the new attitudesand life situations upon the
foundations of the old, whereas the person with difficult aspects
feels urged to wipe out all remnants of the old in order to be
completely independent and free to enjoy the new experiences.
Originality, inventiveness, and individuality are particularly
strong with the conjunction and characteristic of the other as-
pects also. The difficult aspects tend to produce more willful-
ness and eccentricity, and, unless there are moderating factors in
the chart, the individual can become so brusque, independent,
and unconventional that his personal and business relation-
ships suffer.
 FATHER A D MOTHER 69

SUN-NEPTUNE Aspects between these two are common in the

charts of astrologers, artists, humanitarians, and visionaries in
political and spiritual fields, those whose lives are guided by a
larger vision than normal. The negative side of Neptune often
gives self-delusion and. especially with the difficult aspects, an
unrealistic perspective of oneself; the person has difficulty in
seeing himself objectively. Whatever the aspect there is always
great sensitivity, intuition, and compassion. Often extreme
idealization of one or both parents, and men, especially, have
difficulty in finding a mate who can live up to their unrealistic
expectations. This applies to both sexes especially when Nep-
tune is in Virgo.
SUN-PLUTO Both Sun and Pluto are concerned with the urge
to power so that any strong aspect between them—particularly
the conjunction, square, and opposition—introduces an extra
ruthlessness. Pluto always symbolizes a form of extremely con-
centrated power with many of the qualities usually associated
with Sun in Scorpio—the urge to remold the self (and others!),
willfulness, and intensity. Pluto rules all eliminative processes
and an aspect with the Sun indicates the areas in the character
that are ready for elimination. Usually these areas are connected
with past abuse of power and authority. Stephen Arroyo com-
ments4 that a Sun-Pluto aspect often indicates separation from
the father that leaves deep psychological scars. The separation
may be caused by the father's departure, death, or because he
simply disappeared without a trace. In men's charts there is
often an extra close tie with a woman, often the mother. In
women's charts, it seems to correlate with experiences of great
difficulty with the father and usually with other men as well.
With both sexes the opposition makes them prone to make
unreasonable, though often unconscious, demads on those with
whom they are intimately involved. Severe disappointments in
close relationships is often observed with Sun-Pluto aspects.
The positive side of Sun-Pluto aspects gives the power for the
transformation of one's inner powers and resources, particularly
the mind and will power. But anyone with difficult aspects
between Pluto and the Sun, Moon, Venus, or the Ascendant
should strive for an objective comprehension of all his major
relationships, particularly those involving the parents.
Disregarding any aspects made to other planets, if the Sun has
few or no planets within 30° of its position, it is considered
"isolated". A person with an isolated Sun is able to stand back
70 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

from his own behavior and see it objectively. A person with hi

Sun crowded by several planets (the closer by degree, the more
dominant the effect), cannot do this for he is more totally in-
volved in whatever he is doing.
A serious actor or comedian tends to have a chart with an
isolated Sun. He is consciously playing a part and often has a
number of parts that he plays, whereas a person whose Sun is
crowded by planets nearby tends to behave in a more natural and
spontaneous way. This person cannot easily separate his con-
sciousness from his behavior or see his actions objectively.
The ability to separate consciousness from behavior would
seem to be a very desirable quality to one striving to transcend
the confusions of the personality, because a person cannot be
truly awake to the directives of the soul or identify himself with
that higher Self until that stage of detachment is attained and
sustained, at least most of the time. Why, therefore, does it
distress some people? Perhaps because they feel that there is a
split in themselves—two or more people in one skin—and they
may not feel certain which one is "the real me." The higher Self
is the real "me", of course, and the illusions produced by incar-
nated life on the lower planes only makes the personality and its
acquired behaviorisms seem to be the real Self. Until the person
is integrated with the higher Self there could be periods of
identity uncertainty.
When the Sun is unospected the person may feel disconnected
from the rest of the character, but this feeling of disconnection is
only felt in its fullest form if the Sun is both isolated and unas-
pected. A case in point is that of Queen Elizabeth II whose Sun is
extremely isolated and almost entirely unaspected; she keeps
her real self entirely hidden while playing a part before the
world and, perhaps, even amongst her friends and family does
not reveal her true self.
These matters of isolation, crowding, or lack of aspects are not
necessarily unfortunate or difficult things. They are factors
which must be taken into consideration in order to understand
oneself and others. One very fortunate result of isolation of the
Sun is that it tends to make for a more creative person, at least in
the cases of actors and writers. Who can say about Queens?

) The Moon

The Moon, in astrology, is the feminine polarity; the ar-

 FATHER AND MOTHER 71

chetypal feminine principle, the anima or feminine side of his

psyche in a man; the mother or mother substitute; the women in
one's life, particularly in a man's chart; and women in general.
The Moon also rules that part of the personality, which results
from tendencies inherited from past lives, parents, ancestry, and
environmental conditioning in the present life. The Moon has a
great deal to do with one's feelings about oneself—how comfort-
able one is with the self and one's relationship to other human
beings. It rules maternity but also, in a deeper sense, the care and
protection of all the young and helpless. The affairs governed by
the House in which the Moon is placed are subject to fluctuation
and many small changes.
The placement of the Moon in the chart and its aspects show
how the individual behaved as a woman or to women in the past
life. A man with an afflicted Moon in his horoscope will reap in
this life the karma accrued from the mistreatment he gave to
women in past lives. If he was in a female body, that still applies,
for many women treat other women badly. The Moon's condi-
tion shows how, in the past, one used the role of mother, wife, or
daughter and as a woman in the community. The planets and
aspects with which the Moon is involved give a general picture
of the particular type of karma. The Houses involved show the
department of life affected. To give one illustration, Moon in
aspect to Sun indicates that the maternal urges may have been in
some way identified with the power urges. Afflicted, it may
mean that as a woman you used your position as wife, mother or
mistress to wield power over others in an oppressive way. A
favorable aspect may mean you used your position as a woman
in power in a beneficent way, protecting and nurturing the
young and weak.
Too much attachment to the past, to family, and to racial
background can also be indicated by the negative aspects. These
traits are often most difficult to deal with for they are so deeply
entrenched and subtly pervasive, having been such dominating
features in human life for ages. Pride of family, home, race,
religion, sex, and culture has been, and still is, influencing us
from birth—life after life. This was necessary and beneficial in
earlier stages of evolution but now it too often produces prej-
udice. cruelty, discrimination, and war because it is essentially
separative, since attitudinally, it sets the individual and his
group apart from or above his fellows.
72 TVVKLVE DOORS TO THE OUL

How often we feel that we would be better people, less "hung

up" in certain areas, altogether happier and more succ^ sful if
our mothers or fathers had been less dominating, more suppor-
tive, more understanding, and less involved withtheirown "ego
trips"! Since modern psychology gained popularity, that kind of
thinking has been the great excuse for all our weaknesses and
mistakes—blame our parents. Those who believe in A trology
but not reincarnation could blame their planets as well!
But why did you choose your parents? That seems a puzzling
and provocative question, for a baby seems quite innocent of
choice. It is a very profound question. To my way of thinking,
individuals are drawn into homes and to parents where the
needed negative and positive experiences for their growth will
be provided. We must remember that the Sun and Moon are the
primary symbols for our personal father and mother. Saturn or
Jupiter can also symbolize the father and Pluto the mother. The
Sun symbolizes the archetypal Father and the Moon the ar-
chetypal Mother so we experience in our relationship with our
parents a complex blend of the personal and impersonal. Our
father is the parent but is also the image of the archetypal Father
and all authority figures whose approval we must win or earn.
Our mother is the other parent but she is also the image of the
archetypal Mother, the eternal feminine, the supportive, nurtur-
ing one who loves us just as we are no matter what we do. In
evaluating the relationship of the individual to his parents and
the effect they have on the character and life, look to the aspect
between Sun and Moon first. It shows the harmony or dishar-
mony between the parents and how it affects the child. I have
frequently prepared the charts of siblings whose parents were
unhappy together, divorcing after some years. Two of the chil-
dren may show square or opposition aspects between their Sun
and Moon: the third a trine. The first two felt the parental
inharmony and divorce markedly and the third was barely af-
fected. One can only conclude that the experience of parental
inharmony was not needed by the latter child and perhaps his
relationship with both parents was so warm that he was not
affected by their personal relationship with each other.
In another case, that of three sisters with a dominating and
irrational mother, "A" had her Moon as part of a T-Cross; Pluto
in the 8th House in opposition to Venus in the 2nd House, both
of them squared by the Moon from its 11th House position. There
 FATHER AND MOTHER 73

is a compulsive quality to Plutonian aspects and, combined with

the Moon, traditional symbol of the Mother, it often produces the
dominating super-mother nurturing her children with one hand
while destroying them with the other. Pluto in this case was in
Cancer, the Moon's Sign. With the 2nd and 8th Houses involved,
the most destructive effect seemed to be upon the woman's
valuation of herself and intimate relationships. She never
earned the salary her artistic talent and other abilities should
bring, nor did she have the self-confidence to develop her origi-
nality. Her aspirations and long-term goals (11th House) were
thus thwarted. "B" had her Moon in 7th House in close opposi-
tion to Jupiter, Mars, and Neptune in 1st House and this gave her
a deep problem in relating to other people (7th House), looking
for them to respond to her with all-encompassing mother love
and understanding missing in her relationship with her mother.
When that response was inadequate, her escape became al-
coholism. Neptune is often involved with alcohol, drugs, day-
dreaming, and other forms of escapism. The third sister, "C,"
had her Moon in the 8th House in exact opposition to Mercury in
the 2nd House. Like her sister "A," her self-valuation was pro-
foundly affected especially concerning money and possessions
so that her insecurity focussed upon money. She was extremely
able in the handling of her own and other people's money but no
matter how well she did in those matters, she never felt secure
and self-confident. None of the three had any meaningful rela-
tionship with the father who died suddenly just as they were
emerging from childhood. All three had unhappy marriages
which ended in divorce.
The negative relationship with the mother affected the three
women differently but the key similarity lies in the opposition
aspect figuring in all three horoscopes (see Chapter V, page 56),
The opposition aspect shows where we have ignored the needs
and rights of others in past lives and draws our attention to that
blind self-centeredness by difficult tensions in personal rela-
tionships. The opposition calls forth an awareness—and we are
rarely awakened to awareness of anything except through
discomfort—of the fundamental truth of unity. One should be
very hesitant to delineate the exact causes of such karma but the
horoscope does give clues which can lead to better understand-
ing of oneself and of difficult personal relationships which so
often emanate from our early parent-child relationships. To re-
74 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

deem a negative parent-child relationship so that a real trans-

formation in later relationships and self-understanding can
come is a painful process but the freedom that results is worth it.

Moon, Cancer and the 4lh House

The Moon cannot be considered without also considering the

Sign and the House it rules. The 4th House, ruled by Cancer, (see
Chapter IV. pp. 40 and 46) is one of the Water Element Houses,
those three Houses are especially concerned with inner de-
velopment. Cancer, like its opposite Sign Capricorn, is more
concerned with the past than the other two Cardinal Signs, Libra
and Aries. Family, parents, tradition, and early conditioning
stem from past lives where we sowed the seeds of the circum-
stances into which we are born in this life. As we mature we can
consciously break away from the early pattern, though few do:
the power of the Moon, Cancer and the 4th House is very deep,
like an underground river flowing silently until it surfaces with
surprising power from time to time. Persons with many planets
or important planets in the 4th House often spend their lifetime
trying to escape the conditioning of early childhood and paren-
tal influence.
Astrologers disagree over whether the 4th or the 10th House
rules the mother or father. Traditionally Capricorn and Saturn,
the natural Sign ruler of the 10th House, would seem to point to
the father and Cancer/Moon ruling the 4th House would desig-
nate the mother. Traditionally it is the father, by his career in the
world, who sets the status and worldly position of the
individual—a 10th House matter. And it is the mother who rules
the home, early environment, and so much of the family life and
tradition: these are 4th House matters. But in today's world
tradition often goes by the wayside when many women work—
frequently as single parents—and their income and earned posi-
tion sets the status for the individual. Now. men often take more
of a hand in child rearing and home care, expressing many of the
mothering qualities while women in the business world express
many of the traditional masculine qualities. The old rule of 10th
for the father and 4th for the mother no longer can be fixed; an
astrologer simply has to pick the House that fits the particular
parent. However, if there is a problem concerning a parent, it is
nearly always found in the 4th House and the 4th House rules the
parents in general.
 FATHER AND MOTHER 75

The Moon's Aspects

Enough has been said about the Moon's influence on

motherhood, the home, and family, expressing through the re-
ceptive, negative, feminine, Yin polarity. She is intimately con-
cerned with human relationships which, in the more important
relationships, leads into that intermediate realm between sense
and spirit. It is the Moon's influence in us that makes us feel
comfortable or uncomfortable with others and within ourselves.
Regardless of outer manifestations she enables us to feel the
importance of little words, actions, and gestures; in making or
breaking a relationship: or welding a number of disparate mem-
bers of a group into a family-whole. The Moon's aspects spell out
the areas of conflict or harmony within ourselves and others. For
example, a chart with the Moon trine Mercury gives intellectual
rapport with others, an ease in learning and communication. But
the Moon square Venus gives difficulty in expressing and re-
ceiving affection with frustration in achieving closeness in our
relationships.
MOON-MERCURY The conjunction often gives wit and clev-
erness but unless confirmed by other factors which lend depth
and stability in the chart (such as a strong Saturn or Saturn
aspect) it can be superficiality. The trine adds flexibility and
curiosity. The square and opposition give the same ability to be
.articulate and witty but the wit tends to get out of line, annoying
others. Any aspect to Mercury increases the intelligence and
communicative powers.
MOON-VENUS The conjunction and more fortunate aspects
give a gracious, attractive personality, social ease, and material
good fortune. The difficult aspects increase tendencies to in-
feriority feelings, sensitivity to slights, spells of unpopularity,
and difficulties with women.
MOON-MARS The conjunction and fortunate aspects give one
a robust, courageous manner though a tendency to be overactive
at times. An independence of spirit and for women: a charm and
magnetism with men. The difficult aspects tend to overwork,
overexertion and conflict. An enormous drive to achieve.
MOON-JUPITER The conjunction and fortunate aspects
strengthen the social awareness, the ideals of honor, and per-
sonal worth, as well as financial assistance from others and good
luck. The difficult aspects make up for such qualities as laziness.
76 TWKLVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

over-optimism concerning finances, false pride, religious diffi-

culties and e travagance.
MOON-SATUKN Serious ambition allied to a cool, cautious
manner marks the conjunction. Duty, conscience, and orderli-
ness are of importance. Often shy and timid, especially in youth,
Moon-Saturn conjunctions can also mean early loss through
death or separation of mother or father. The fortunate aspects
give the same good qualities with depth and control often lead-
ing. in time and through hard work, to a position of authority.
The square between Moon and Saturn is an extremely powerful
aspect leading to success if there is a willing acceptanre of duty
and responsibility. Experience becomes a good teacher and the
individual is often independent early in life. There is strong
parental influence in evidence. The opposition aspect between
these two intensifies the shyness, the practical is overvalued,
and there can be much worry, delays, and frustration. A severity
of purpose prevents relaxation and easy happiness.
MOON-URANUS All the aspects between the Moon and
Uranus give great individualism, a desire for the unusual and
unconventional, especially in domestic life, and an inflexibility
and difficulty in adjusting to changes in the life. There are
always periodic, radical changes in the life, starting with early
youth. The character tends to be self-centered, excitable, and
unpredictable—especially when the aspect is a conjunction—
with a lot of moving and restlessness. Men particularly find the
monogamy of marriage too restrictive, for they like to be free to
experiment with new emotional experiences. Many individuals
with this configuration experience name changes during the
lifetime, quite apart from the usual name change women accept
upon marriage. The more fortunate aspects give excellent re-
flexes enabling the individual to react well to almost any situa-
tion and their intuitive insight leads them to right decisions.
Sometimes the trine makes the individual rather lazy. The
square and opposition can make one rebellious and headstrong,
the urge to independence disrupting the status quo and upset-
ting the security. With all aspects the intuition is particularly
strong but discrimination is necessary in orderto use it construc-
tively or to discern true intuitive knowledge from emotional
opinions.
MOON-NEPTUNE All these aspects make the individual
highly imaginative, often creative in some field of the arts.
 FATHER AND MOTHER 77

particularly sensitive, intuitive, and receptive with a strong

tendency to the psychic, the mystical and idealistic. Often there
is a deep devotion to an ideal. In men's charts the conjunction
and difficult aspects give an idealization of women, usually
including the mother. There is a hunger for emotional nourish-
ment. for the ideal, that is difficult to satisfy because no mere
human being could fulfill the totally selfless image Moon-
Jeptune people look for! Often there is a deep inner restlessness,
a dissatisfaction with oneself and the world which makes it
difficult for the person to settle down to anything. Even with the
fortunate aspects there is always danger of laziness, escapism,
and self-delusion, especially if the rest of the chart is weak.
Neptune can produce the highest spiritual insights and univer-
sal compassion if the individual will exercise relentless objec-
tivity concerning his motives and desires, honestly living his
ideals rather than fantasizing about them.
MOON-PLUTO Give an intense, almost explosive sensitivity
with an urge to remold oneself. There is the ability to destroy for
renewal and this often extends to the self. Periods of intense
emotional turmoil are common. There is a strong psychic at-
tunement with a need to get to the root of things—other people's
motivations, mysteries of life. Along with resourcefulness and
self-discipline there is an urge to break with the taboos estab-
lished by parents and early upbringing. A "mother complex" is
frequent though sometimes it will be the father who is domineer-
ing- The mother is often symbolized by Pluto and combined with
Moon emphasizes the maternal drive to the point sometimes of
becoming a "super mother" with a strong need to absorb others
or treat them as mere extensions of herself. It can work the other
way around with the individual trying to destroy his separate
identity by being absorbed into the other person. Sometimes the
aspect, particularly if connected with the 8th House, indicates
death in public.
There can, obviously, be no completely accurate listing of the
meaning and effects of the various aspects between the Sun,
Moon, and planets, for no single factor can be taken alone. The
whole horoscope must be considered: the unique pattern of
Modes, Elements, Signs, Houses, Ascendant, Midheaven, Sun,
Moon, planets, and the North and South Nodes, as well as all of
the aspects. At first, the interpretation of all these many factors,
some of them often contradictory, may seem overwhelming to
 78 TWELVE DOORS TO 7 HE SOUL

the beginner. The only course is to become completely familiar

with the basic principles of each factor, memorizing a few
keywords for each, if that is helpful. In doing as many charts as
possible, learning from people's responses to certain configura-
tions, those basic principles will come alive. The characteristic
energiesof Jupiter, forexample, will become distinct from tho e
of Saturn or Venus, and the various relationships will form a
picture of character and life potentials.

NOTES

■A E. Powell. The Solar System (London: Theosophical Publishing

House. 1971).
2
Stephen Arroyo, Astrology, Karma and Transformation: The Inner
Dimensions of the Birthchart (Vancouver, Washington; CRCS Publica-
tions. 1978), pp. 219-220.
3
Dennis Elwell. whom I consider one of the most astute and readable
astrologers today, gives a convincing exposition of this method in his
article. "Is There A Solar Chart", in Astrological Journal. Spring. 1975.
4
Arroyo, Astrology, Karma and Transformation, pp. 135-137.
5
From article in the Astrological Journal, Winter "76-77 issue.
 VII

MERCURY: MIND AND COMMUNICATION

The symbols of the planets use but three symbols: the circle,
which represents the higher Self, the Soul; the cross, which
represents the body or immersion in matter; and the crescent.
When the crescent is shown on end ) (as in the usual
Moon symbol), it represents a partial side of the Sun, the part
that belongs to form—the personality image which has been
molded by the mother, father, ancestry, cultural roots, and ex-
periences in past lives. This form is used in the symbols for
Saturn and Jupiter X|. .
When the crescent is shown lying on its "back" resem-
bling a cup, it symbolizes the higher octave of love, the Buddhic
intuition, inner understanding, and compassionate love that
knows no boundaries. This is the form used in the symbols of
Mercury $ . Neptune , and Pluto ^
The symbol of Mercury first introduces the cross. The cross far
antedates Christianity, being found in the symbology of most
ancient religions and primitive peoples. We are told it dates to
the period of the Third Root Race, the Lemurian Race, which
inhabited the great continent of Mu, now beneath the Pacific
Ocean. It was during that period that the separation of the sexes
first took place.2
The symbol for Mercury has the cross as its base showing that
the planet's base is in the worlds of form and matter. The cross
rises into the circle, symbolizing the higher Self dwelling in the
upper half of the Manasic plane, the plane of the higher, abstract
mind. Finally, it is crowned by the crescent Moon lying on its
back symbolizing the Buddhic intuition which, in the evolved
man or woman, illuminates all thought. The whole is the mind,
once purified of selfishness, that acts as a divine messenger of
the gods, linking the higher and lower worlds, acting as a guide
to Man throughout his long pilgrimage.
Astrologically, the keyword for this planet is communication
and the condition of Mercury in the horoscope shows the ability
80 TWKLVK 1)(JURS TO TMK SOUL

to communicate in all forms—talking, writing, traveling, think-

ing (our thoughts influence others and communicate with them
through telepathy), and it has a great deal to do with our intelli-
gence, our conscious perceptions, reason, and all the attributes
of the mind.
Mercury rules the capability and urge to learn, to perceive,
and to express oneself. By nature, Mercury is androgynous,
neuter, being neither male nor female. Its aspects show how we
have used or abused our mental and communicative powers in
past lives. Abuse can mean neglect, laziness, or use of our
quicker wits to take advantage of others. By rationalization, a
negative form of reasoning, we deceive ourselves and others;
and few of us are free from rationalizing our selfish motives and
actions. The karma for such mental deviousness is the inability
in this life to perceive the truth when it is presented to us.
Anotherfailing of Mercury is the temptation to use one's wit at
the expense of others. The karmic result of such a characteristic
is well-illustrated by an account of a British astrologer. Rose
Elliot, who uses her ability to look back into past lives of her
clients whenever the cause of some traumatic "hang-up" cannot
be found in this life. A woman consulted Rose Elliot complain-
ing of a crippling phobia, an absolute terror of speaking in
public, and asked how she could overcome it. Nothing in her
present life seemed to explain this phobia and her position was
such that it was necessary for her to do some public speaking.
Pondering on the problem, and using the woman's horoscope as
a "door" to her past lives. Mrs. Elliot had a vivid picture of her
client as a very witty young Roman male, who could crush
others with a few words. The young Roman inspired terror in the
hearts of others around him with his sarcasm and they cringed,
terrified, at the prospect of becoming the butt of his brilliant wit.
So now in this life, this same sharpness of mind, this critical wit
isturned inwards and the current personality is trembling in fear
of speaking before others, just as others were in fear of her in the
past. This explanation helped the woman to understand and
accept herself, eventually learning to speak publicly without
fear.
In that classic of Eastern Wisdom. The Voice of the Silence,3
the aspirant is instructed to "seek out the rajah of the senses, the
Thought-Producer, he who awakes illusion.... The Mind is the
Great Slayer of the Real. Let the Disciple slay the Slayer."
 Ml D A D COMMU ICATION 81

This does not mean that to be truly spiritual one must become
mindless—we would be little more than vegetables then—but
that we must control the mind and cleanse it of all the devious
rationalizations, falsities, self-deceits, and other illusion-
making devices by which our minds (Mercury) delude us, keep-
ing us from recognizing the Real. The mind can indeed be the
great deceiver but without it nothing can be accomplished.
Another ancient aphorism puts it, "As a man thinks, so he is."
We become that upon which we think, for better or worse, and it
is to Mercury's condition in the horoscope that we must look for
the revealing clues to the person's mental picture of himself and
his world. Mercury's condition, then, is its position in the Signs,
Houses, and its aspects to other planets.
We are now entering the Age of Aquarius—an Air Sign. Air
Signs are correlated with the mind's sensation, perception, and
expression. It seems obvious that the coming centuries will see
the powers of the mind—and its dangers—increased beyond
present conception. This is underlined by statements in The
Secret Doctrine and Man: Whence, How and Whither4 to the
effect that we are now about a million years into the Fifth Root
Race in which the Mind is the faculty to be developed. Each Root
Race develops a particular faculty. Mercury, that winged Mes-
sengerof the gods, should be our guide to the Real, which at this
stage is our higher Self. It can only be that guide when aligned
with truth and directed by the Self.

Gemini, Virgo and their Houses

There are only three Signs in the zodiac that have human
symbols: Aquarius, the man pouring water; Gemini, the twins;
and Virgo, the virgin. This suggests the close connection be-
tween humanity and mind. Of these three Aquarius and Gemini
are Air Signs and Virgo is an Earth Sign. Virgo presents the
mental faculties expressed in a practical manner, in response to
practical needs.
Virgo is the natural ruler of the 6th House which concerns the
daily work and its environment, fellow workers and employees,
service, and health. Mercury is not only ruler o/, but is "exalted"
in, Virgo5 which suggests that the mind and its powers find their
best expression ultimately in the service of others.
Gemini and the 3rd House in particular express Mercury's
82 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

communicative and mental abilities whether by speech, lett r.

lecturing, teaching, learning, etc., and also by all sorts of com-
municatory activities such as walking, motoring, visiting, and
short journeys. Also, persons such as brothers and sisters, and
neighbors come under the aegis of Gemini and the 3rd Mouse.
Mercury and the 3rd House show one's intellectual gifts and the
difficulties or blockages to learning and thinking. Both Gemini
and Virgo are Mutable Signs. Mutable literally means "change-
able" and it is significant that Mercury's mineral is quick-silver,
both of which describe the lightening movement and flexibility
of thought. Mercury rules, or is correlated with:

Rulership

1. Orators, writers, accountants, teachers, secretaries, inter-

preters, printers, publishers, clerks, postal and telegraph ser-
vices, newspapers, all types of local and domestic communica-
tion.
2. The nervous system, brain, memory, hearing, lungs, hands,
arms, tongue and mouth.
Three of the four Mutable Signs are also dual or double-bodied
Signs—Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces. Persons with one of
those Signs on the cusp of the 7th House, forexample, are likely
to have more than one marriage. The same thing would apply to
a Mutable, double-bodied Sign on the 10th House where the
native would be apt to have more than one vocation or profes-
sion during the life. Afflictions between planets in the Signs of
Gemini and Virgo or between the 3rd and 6th Houses often
indicate mental ornervous troubles, especially if Mercury is one
of the planets involved. It is particularly noticeable when Mer-
cury is in difficult aspect to Mars or Uranus in these two Signs or
Houses.

Mercury in the Elements

The Element in which Mercury is placed in any chart shows

how one thinks and expresses one's thoughts. For example.
Mercury in a Fire Sign indicates that the type of logic, reasoning,
and thinking is influenced by one's enthusiasms and aspi-
rations. If Mercury is in the Fire Sign Aries, the person's expres-
sion could be quite opinionated. In Leo. it would be more
 MIND A D COMMUNICATION 83

demonstrative, dramatic, and generous. But in Sagittarius, Mer-

cury becomes voluble, tactless, or philosophical.
Mercury in the Earth Signs would show that the person's
thinking is influenced by practical needs and is pragmatically
exprecsed. Mercury in Taurus would likely exhibit slowness in
reaching decisions and even slower to change, but would be
thorough in most things. In Virgo, Mercury would denote pre-
cise. painstaking, and critical attention to everything. But in the
last of the Earth Signs, Capricorn, Mercury's influence on the
thinking shows as structured, able, and given to worry.
In the Air Signs, Mercury is very much at home, for the mind
can function freely in Air, though there is always danger that the
exciting play with large concepts and schemes will become an
end in itself—"mind games". Mercury located in Gemini is
dilettante and witty, quick, chatty, and, unless there are stabiliz-
ing aspects from other planets, superficial. In Libra, Mercury
becomes expressive, sociable, diplomatic, and sometimes inde-
cisive. In Aquarius, Mercury displays itself as detached, broad-
minded and humane.
With Mercury in the Water Signs, the thinking is strongly
colored and directed by the emotions and the influences to
which the person is subconsciously predisposed. If Mercury is
in Cancer, the thinking is sentimental, quick to see slights in
another's words, and is very self-protective. In Scorpio, Mercury
is reserved, sarcastic and has a long memory for real or fancied
wrongs. Mercury i n Pisces is compassionate, but can be vague or
wooly-headed.
Of course, the foregoing is a superficial sketch of Mercury in
the various Signs, always subject to modification by other fac-
tors in the chart. The Element in which Mercury is placed gives a
strong clue as to understanding between people. If A's Mercury
is in favorable aspect to B's Mercury, or their respective Mer-
curys are in harmonious Signs, then understanding will be prac-
tically instantaneous, at least intellectually, no matter how
badly the thought i s expressed. Whereas if the Mercurys of C and
D are in square or opposition or in inharmonious Signs, their
exchange of ideas tends to bring misunderstanding regardless of
how articulate they may be.
Mercury in the Houses The affairs of the House occupied by
Mercury will indicate those to which the mind is largely
applied, and there will often be connections between that House
84 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

and the Houses of Gemini and Virgo in that chart. For example.
Mercury posited in the 2nd House with Gemini on the 9th and
Virgo on the 12th. involved a man with huge expense* and
financial losses (2nd House affairs) caused b' a lengthy hos-
pitalization (12th House) while traveling abroad (yth 1 louse long
journey).

Mercury's Aspects

Being a neutral or androgynous planet. Mercury tends to take

on color from any planet with which it is in aspect, rather than
giving to that planet. Traditionally, Mercury is neither fortunate
nor unfortunate, positive nor negative, hot nor cold.
MERCURY-VENUS The affections are related to mental evalu-
ations. Often such aspects give a facility in one or more of the arts
though the chart has to be strong with aspects from Uranus.
Neptune, or Pluto to give real talent or genius. Idealism and
sociability are two strong qualities of the Mercury-Venus aspect.
MERCURY-MARS Aspects with Mars noticeably invigorate
the mentality and communicativeness, though if in difficult
aspect the nervous system may suffer from overstrain. As one
astrologer remarked, "Mars configured with Mercury can mean
an argument, a fire in the wastebasket, nerve inflammation, and
many other things!" In the Natal chart, and when "set off" by
progressions or transits, it predisposes the person to be ar-
gumentative. The square aspect tends to denote explosions of
nervous energy and the opposition aspect seems to show up as
nervous anxiety and indecision needing a practical application
of the energies. The sextile and trine give a quick mind and
mental (as well as physical) dexterity. But if the rest of the chart
is not strong, even with the favorable trine and sextile aspect,
there can be a waste of these easy energies.
MERCURY-JUPITER The mental attitude is optimistic, direct,
and open with these two planets in conjunction: but if Mercury
is in a Fixed Sign, it tends to stubbornness perhaps because
Jupiter often gives one such a good opinion of oneself and a little
pride so that the person is convinced he is always right! The
trine gives ease in learning, good luck in educational matters but
with a tendency to inflate concepts so that one loses sight of
practical consequences. With a square, exaggeration may shade
into lies and blur the judgment. Commonsense is often lacking
 MIND A D COMMUNICATION 85

with difficult aspect between Mercury and Jupiter. Both the

square and the opposition can bring financial difficulties
through lack of objective thinking and through over-optimism.
MERCURY-SATURN Any aspect between Mercury and
Saturn increases the seriousness of the mind; this can range from
profound wisdom to melancholy. With the conjunction and
harmonious aspects, the speech will show confidence and au-
thority. The trine is particularly good, giving balance and
strength to all of Mercury's qualities. The square and the opposi-
tion tend to signal depression, moodiness and introspection,
feelings of frustration, and inadequacy. Even so, the difficult
aspects—if rightly understood and correctly used—can lead to
deep mental awareness and wisdom.
MERCURY-URANUS The conjunction and harmonious as-
pects give a brilliant, swift, and an often original mind. The
difficult aspects give the same qualities but the difference seems
to be that the stability and continuity of effort required to express
the mental assets constructively are often lacking. Under the
unfavorable aspects there may be much nervous tension, with
energies wasted through willfulness and extreme independ-
ence. Personal relationships suffer, especially with the opposi-
tion. Mercury rules the memory, so with a strong Uranus aspect,
either difficult or harmonious, the person may be able to extend
his memory to past lives. This applied in my own case, with
natal Mercury in close square to Uranus. I was brought into
Astrology and Theosophy in my teens (both are ruled by
Uranus). But it was not until many years later, when Uranus, by
progression, came to an exact square to the natal Mercury, that I
found I could use the horoscope as a door to past-life recall.
MERCURY-NEPTUNE This relation is often found in the
charts of inspired artists and musicians. The conjunction and
harmonious aspects give great sensitivity, flexibility, and im-
agination. With any of the Mercury-Neptune aspects, but par-
ticularly the difficult ones, there is extreme bodily and nervous
sensitivity to drugs, allergies, and ugliness that offends them
deeply. Unless the rest of the chart is strong, or there are modify-
ing factors, the person has a tendency to escape into daydream-
ing. alcohol, drugs, or simply mental confusion.
MERCURY-PLUTO With this combination, profound powers
of concentration are common. There may be a deep interest in
the occult, sex, and death when these two planets are in aspect.
86 TVVtLVh DOCKS TO THi; SOUL

Persons with the difficult aspects are especially prone to com-

pulsive talking, opinionated ideas, and using their power to
manipulate others. The individual's perspective and will is
likely to outrun their capabilities, resulting in a keenly fell sence
of personal futility. With the opposition, the perspective can get
dangerously out of focus, but when balanced by another aspect,
the perspective can become deep, powerful, and persuasive. The
trine gives an ethical structure and respect for the mysteries to
mental probings and adds a cautious rein to the will.

Mercury Retrograde

Mercury goes from direct motion to retrograde motion at least

four times every year. Persons born during one of these retrog-
rade periods will be greatly influenced by that planet. Actually,
no planet retrogrades, that is, goes backward;6 they only appear
to do so because of a celestial optical illusion. When you are
sitting in a slowly-moving train and another, faster moving train
passes you, at that moment it may appear that you are either
standing still or going backward. That is what happens when a
faster moving planet overtakes a slower moving one. Mercury
orbits faster than Earth, and because of our elliptical orbit, the
apparent retrograde Mercury occurs four times each full earth-
orbit—one year.
Mercury retrograde at birth tends to slow down the learning
process, sometimes causing confusion and difficulty in thinking
and expressing thought. My experience with retrograde planets
is that the same abilities are there as in a forward-moving planet
but they are in some way inhibited—the planet's energies are
expressed inword/y rather than outwardly. The year that Mer-
cury goes direct by progression usually marks a year of change,
the person appears to undergo a change of personality—
becoming more self-confident and better able to express himself.
People with only favorable aspects to the Natal retrograde Mer-
cury may never have any difficulties with learning or communi-
cation. In fact, they often become very articulate, creative speak-
ers.
Those with difficult aspects to a Natal retrograde fercury
tend to be more introspective, confused, and inhibited in ex-
pressing themselves or in understanding others. Sometimes
what learning or thought that has been acquired but unex-
 MIND A D COMMUNICATION 87

pressed under a retrograde Mercury is stored until Mercury

turns direct when it is released. Many persons with a Natal
retrograde Mercury feel they think more clearly and express
themselves better when transitting Mercury is in retrograde
motion during the year. But for those with a forward-moving
Mercury in their Natal charts, the transitting or progressing
Mercury when retrograde often brings difficulties and misun-
derstandings in communication, letters, legal papers, clerical
errors, etc. Personally, I try never to write an important letter or
sign a legal paper when transitting Mercury is retrograde.
A retrograde Mercury has a greater impact on those with either
Ascendant or Sun in Gemini or Virgo. Mercury retrograde in
Pisces seems to have less difficulty than in other Signs. A retrog-
rade planet seems to act in a subconscious way. As Pisces rules
the subconscious, this may explain why it seems to be a har-
monious placement for a retrograde Mercury.
Retrogradation is often thought to be an important considera-
tion in determining karmic meaningfulness in a chart,7 There
does seem to be a stronger and perhaps karmic focus on the
functions of those planets which were retrograde at the time of a
particular experience than on those planetary functions which
were direct.

NOTES
'"The Babylonian carving of the Moon in this position compares it with
a cup continually filled with and emptied of ambrosial fiery liquids of
which sacramental intoxicants are the extracts," Joseph Campbell, The
Mythic Image (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1975), p. 88.
^here is a vast literature on the two great continents of Atlantis and Mu
said to have sunk beneath the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans respectively
ages ago. See Annie Besant and C. W. Leadbeater, Man: Whence, How
and Whither (Wheaton: Theosophical Publishing House, 1947). Hu-
manity was first androgynous. The Genesis account states, "So God
created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male
and female created he them" Gen. 1:27. This creature was told to "Be
fruitful, and multiply ..." so it had the ability to reproduce itself with-
out need of another. It is only later in Gen. 2:22 that God took one of
Adam's ribs and made it Woman. This may well be an interpolation or it
may refer allegorically to the separation of the sexes. See Geoffrey
Hodson. The Hidden Wisdom in the Holy Bible, Vol. 11 (Wheaton:
Theosophical Publishing House. 1967), pp. 116-131. Like many such
88 TWHLVE I3UURS TU THE SUUL

statements in the Bible, unless taken with a deeper meaning it makes no

sense.
•Mi. P. Blavatsky. The Voice of the Silence. Fragment 1 (Wheaton;
Theosophical Publishing House. 1970), pp. 17-34.
4
Theosophy posits that the Plan of the Logos unfolds in humanity
through seven Root Races of which we are now in the fifth. Each Root
Race (composed of seven sub-races appearing consecutively) develops
certain qualities and powers until, at the end of the seventh Root Race
Man iscoinplete and passes into the superhuman kingdom. The power
to be developed in the fifth Root Race is that of the Mind. The term
"Race" used by the Adepts who imparted this knowledge has been
much misconstrued by many people. It was used for lack of a better
word and is not to be taken as referring to races according to color (like
the black, white, or yellow races of modern idiom) orcultural stock (like
Negro, Nordic, Aryan, Caucasian, etc.).
5
The planets are considered dignified, i.e., expressing their positive
qualities, in the Signs they rule or in which they are "exalted": but they
are weaker in certain other Signs of "detriment" or "fall". For example,
the Sun is said to be strong in Leo, its rulership. It is especially strong
and well-expressed in its Sign of "exaltation"—Aries. The Sun is con-
sidered weakest, its expression of natural qualities most inhibited in
Libra its Sign of Fall—opposite Aries. Further, the Sun expresses nega-
tively to a lesser degree in its Sign of "detriment"—Aquarius. Modem
astrologers tend to give less importance to the dignities, as these are
called.
6
The Sun and Moon are never retrograde. In the yearly ephemeris. the
letter "r" in the column giving a planet's longitude shows that it has
turned retrograde in motion on that date. The letter "d" shows the date
on which it turns "direct" in motion again.
7
Elman Bacher, the great Rosicrucian astrologer, states in his series on
Studies in Astrology, Vol. Ill (Oceanside, CA: Rosicrucian Fellowship),
"Planetary retrogradation, as studied in astrology, is a periodic,
rhythmic action which illustrates the great evolutionary principle of
recapitulation ... it is a pattern or mode by which Nature insures the
thoroughness of evolutionary processes. That which was accomplished
in one round of a given cycle is recapitulated orreviewed at the resuma-
tion of the new activity in order that the complete integrity of organic
powers may be established."
 VIII

VENUS: LEARNING TO LOVE

The placement of planet Venus in the horoscope shows how one

expresses affection, feels appreciated, and gives of oneself. She
is one of the three personal feminine principles, Moon being the
most important feminine principle and Neptune being the uni-
versal, transcendent feminine principle. Venus expresses the
qualities of harmony, giving and receiving, sharing, and values.
She rules the urges to unity, balance, social relationships, the
arts, romance, love, and marriage. Through her rulership of
Taurus she has to do with the accumulation and administration
of money and possessions which constitute an expression of the
karmic law of giving value for value received (see Chapter IV, p.
40 on the 2nd House). As seen in the symbol of Venus, the circle
of the spirit takes precedence over the cross of matter; and Venus
at her best gives love and works for the comfort and happiness of
others with no thought of gain for herself. Her negative expres-
sion can be self-indulgence, greed, too many emotional de-
mands, and vanity.
No man is an island unto himself—or herself—and our rela-
tionships with others are of prime importance for they are what
objectify or "ignite" our own inner states. Through our close
relationships—particularly to parents, children, marriage
partners, friends, and enemies—we learn many of our most
valuable lessons. The most intense karma of love or hate is
worked out with those with whom we have close ties. The
position and aspects of Venus in the horoscope show how well
or how badly you have done in those departments in past lives
and therefore what you can expect to meet in this life.
I had a client whose Venus had absolutely no aspects, and
even the two Signs she ruled, Taurus and Libra, were empty of
planets. When Venus is weak, unaspected, or afflicted by dif-
90 TWLI.VK DOORS TO T H t SO HI,

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Henry—The problem of an unaspected Venus

ficult aspects, the planets in the SignsTaurus and Libra (ruled by

her) can extend her influence into the chart. However, the
client's Ascending Sign was Libra. Not surprisingly, the prob-
lems about which Henry consulted me were Venus problems. He
wanted to know, 1. what he could do to improve his relationship
with his son and. 2. whether he should continue living with the
woman he had been living with for the past four years. My
instinctive response to the last problem was, "If you have
reached the stage of asking that question the answer is most
likely that you have answered it yourself in the negative."
After studying his chart I gave my opinion that he lacked love
and affection in his nature so that if he wished his relationship
 LEAR ING TO LOVE 91

with his son and others to improve he must work to foster those
qualities in himself. Henry agreed and told me that his psychol-
ogist had told him the same thing. Karmically speaking, his
Venus gave little promise of reward in this life, but if patterns
were established by which impulses for self-isolation were
transmuted into giving or devotion to an ideal or the cultivation
of sympathetic understanding the process would build a hap-
pier Venus karma in the future as well as easing things in the
present life.
Henry's Venus was placed in Aries which indicated that he
looked upon love as a form of self-expression, the primal "I"
carrying out the egoistic, dynamic influence of Mars, emphasiz-
ing the tendency shown in a sterile Venus to be self-centered and
aggressive in affectional matters. His Moon was in Leo, another
Fire Sign inharmonious to the sensitive, gentle qualities of that
body. His Moon was also in opposition to Mercury and Mars
manifesting as difficulty in the area of personal relationship (see
Chapter V, p. 56), Also, his Moon was conjunct Neptune, so it is
little wonder that his experiences with his mother had been
unfortunate. The Neptune conjunction showed that his attitudes
and relationships with all the women in his life had been fraught
with illusion, fantasy, and frustration. Placed in the analytical
Sign Virgo, it was unlikely that any woman could live up to his
ideals and love withers under such a critical eye. The barren
Venus and afflicted Moon indicated that in his past life or lives,
Henry's treatment of women and his denial of love, affection,
and understanding of others had brought him little happiness in
those areas.
But it is not enough to pinpoint the factors in the horoscope
reflecting the causes in past lives, the astrologer must seek clues
in House and Sign positions and aspects to give the individual
practical avenues through which he can best develop the miss-
ing or distorted quality. In Henry's case Venus was posited in the
6th House, the House of service so through service of others,
unselfish work on their behalf, sympathy and concern for those
in his employ and fellow workers, he could begin to develop
Venus qualities. The 6th House is also concerned with health, so
a good place to begin would be with some volunteer work in a
health clinic. A lawyer by profession, his legal training could be
useful in giving guidance to people seeking medical aid at the
same time giving him contact with the troubles of others less
92 TWELVE DOUKS I O THE SO L

fortunato. The Sun and two planets in the 5th Houst ruling
children as well as his Leo Moon in the 11th House, the llou e
which often has to do with children,' shows his concern for hi
son. Kindness and lov'1 of offspring are characteristics of l^eo o
he could develop his concern for others through his love for hi
son. To improve that relationship he must empha ize a friend-
ship approach (11th House), avoiding the paternalistic or bossy
qualities of that Sign. Leo is a joyous Sign connected with
pleasures, sports, hobbies, etc., and he should make their meet-
ings (the boy lived with his mother) a pleasure by taking the lad
to sporting events, the theater, and other such Leo-ruled activi-
ties.
Moon, Venus, and Neptune represent the different aspects of
his inner feminine counterpart (the "anima" in Jungian ter-
minology), as well as the actual women in Henry's life. His Mars
on the cusp of the 5th House, in opposition to Moon in the 1 Ith,
clearly shows that his expressions of love in the past were
aggressive and selfish. It is little wonder that women did not
respond to him with love and evaded him with deception in this
life (Moon conjunct Neptune), He would have to change his
attitudes toward women by trying to see things from their
standpoint, aided by his Sun in Pisces, the most sensitive, recep-
tive Sign in the Zodiac. Pluto in Cancer, in the 9th House was the
highest planet in the chart and trine to his Sun in 5th House,
indicated an extra close tie with a woman (often the mother)—so
close that it may have been the closeness of absorption leaving
no room for true growth. But because the aspect is harmonious
there is good reason to think that the transformative qualities of
Pluto could be brought into play. Pluto's house position shows
the area where one is living out an old pattern of behavior and
where the results ofthat compulsive urge are often creating pain
and suffering. Pluto in the 9th promises deep spiritual experi-
ences which may serve to change his ideas about God, truth and
the value of human life. Pluto in Cancer also emphasizes that the
karmic lesson of this life lies in the Moon/Cancer ruled areas of
life: women, home, family and the past cultural roots. He could
achieve transformation by getting to the depths of his emotional
nature and integrating his inner feminine counterpart with his
objective masculinity.
Venus is also concerned with values where money and pos-
sessions are concerned. Henry viewed women and marriage as a
 LEAR ING TO LOVE 93

matter of money paid for value received as indicated by his

opening remark concerning the woman he lived with, "1 don't
want to keep on paying for a dead horse if our relationship is
over." The need for harmony and balance and unity with others
that a Libra Ascendant demands, requires that he learn to ex-
press Moon-Venus qualities constructively. His high intelli-
gence. Pisces Sun, and the powerful transforming Pluto will
refuse to let him continue through his life as a male chauvinist.

Taurus, Libra and their Houses

No matter where she is placed, Venus extends her influence

through her ruled Signs—Taurus and Libra—and to a lesser
extent to the 2nd and 7th Houses over which her Signs have
natural rulership. At first glance, there may seem to be little
connection between the things ruled by Taurus and the 2nd
House or by Libra and the 7th House (see Chapter IV), in spite of
the fact that the same planet rules both areas. The connection, to
my mind, lies in the fact that possessions (2nd) which reflect our
values and marriage (7th) are two of the three most fundamental
and lasting factors in humanity's existence: the other factor
being, of course, the family which is ruled by Moon and Cancer.
Before the rise of the patriarchal religions, many of the greatest
deities were female—the Great Mother reigned supreme.2 The
family and marriage constituted the basic unit and institution,
with possessions acquired to ensure their survival. We are told
that in time reproduction of the species will be accomplished by
the power of the mind and physical mating of male and female
will slip into disuse except among primitive peoples. When that
time comes, perhaps marriage and the family will give way to
new forms of communal relationship.
Libra and the 7th House also rule the relationship between
people (other than in marriage), even our "other selves", in
opposition or contrast to the personal "I" of the 1st House.
Perhaps never in history have human relationships undergone
such a shaking—so much re-examination of the long accepted
status quo. There have already been many changes, most of
which have not yet permeated the vast mass of humanity, but
which any thinking person can see will come inevitably.
These changes were set into motion, first, by the transit of
Neptune through Libra from 1943 to 1956, followed by Uranus
transitting Libra 1968 to 1974, and then, the drastic and trans-
94 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

formative Pluto entering Libra in 1972. Neptune first permeated

the matters ruled by Libra and the 7th House with its inspiration
and idealism, loosening the limitations of form so that there was
a greater consciousness of oneness with others. In an effort to
break the bonds of the little self, many young people took to
drugs and mystical religions and the new cults (all Neptune
ruled). But, to quote Stephen Arroyo:

Unless one has come to terms with the pressures, realities,

and obligations of Saturn, one is not sufficiently grounded
to handle the intensity and disruption of any of the trans-
Saturnian planets. In other words, one has to take the in-
sights and freedom of Uranus, and the inspiration and
idealism of Neptune and moke them real by bringing that
awareness down to earth, testing those far-out inclinations,
and incorporating them into our everyday life. Failure to
work on this integration inwardly with great honesty and
diligence will often bring about either a tremendous feeling
of discontent or, in some cases, psychological disturbances
which can eventually lead to a large scale disintegration of
the personality.3

Following Neptune's transit through Libra came the electric

Uranus which so often manifests as impulses toward independ-
ence, rebellion, the unconventional, and the original. And now
we have Pluto, which entered Libra in 1972 to stay until 1983,
bringing with it the elimination of all that stands in the way of
total rebirth.
The far-reaching changes that the trans-Saturnian planets
have already brought about and will bring about in Libra will not
affect everyone in the same way or to the same extent. Those who
will feel it most are those with Natal planets in Libra, especially
if they are numerous or importantly aligned with the rest of the
chart, or if there are close aspects (particularly the conjunction,
square, or opposition) from Saturn to Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto.
Taurus will feel the effect of oppositions from Neptune,
Uranus, and Pluto with the passage of those planets through
Scorpio. Neptune has already passed through Scorpio from 1956
to 1970 and is now in Sagittarius. Uranus entered Scorpio in
1974 and will oppose Taurus until late 1981. Pluto will enter
Scorpio, opposing Taurus, in 1984. The energy crisis (particu-
larly oil, which is Neptune-ruled), and inflation have played
havoc with the value of the dollar, goods, and property (all
 LEARr 1 G TO LOVE 95

Taurus-ruled matters). The value of one has plummeted and the

value of the others has shot upward. We are not yet at the end of
all the changes which the oppositions to Taurus will bring in our
economic scene. It is not a comfortable time. The only thing one
can do is to take the long view—to the higher Self. The experi-
ences brought by the planets are karmic and necessary for the
growth of individuals and larger entities such as groups and
nations.
From the foregoing it can be readily seen that Venus and her
Signs and Houses are not solely concerned with love and ro-
mance! Basically, that planet always works to establish balance
and harmony, two qualities that have been very much lacking in
world and individual affairs, which is why the turmoil caused
by the passages of the trans-Saturnian planets through Libra and
then opposing Taurus from Scorpio have caused so much tur-
moil and pain. The ancient inequalities and inharmonies must
be eliminated, at least to some extent, otherwise Man will de-
stroy himself and a good deal of earth with himself.

Rulership

Some of the people and activities associated with Venus are:

1. Artists, caterers, farmers, financiers, singers, musicians, all
occupations connected with art, fashion, home decoration,
entertainment, social life, luxuries, money, jewelry,
beauty, possessions, diplomacy, romance, marriage,
partnerships.
2. The kidneys, thyroid gland, neck, chin, throat, vocal
chords, hymen, hemorrhoids, bladder, and hair.4

The Element in which Venus is placed at birth colors one's

expression of affection, the give-and-take in all human relation-
ships, sensual pleasure and, along with the Moon, has much to
do with the emotions.

Venus in a Fire Sign requires affection and close relationships

expressed with enthusiastic warmth and grand gestures. In
Aries, love can be self-expression in an egotistic, dynamic way.
96 TWH-Vt DOORS TO THE SOUL

In Leo. Venus is the arch symbol of romantic love, warmly

dramatic. In Sagittarius, she lakes on a quality of spirituality and
idealism.
Venus in the Earth Signs requires tangible commitments as a
convincing demonstration of affection. In Taurus, she will be
earthy, sensual, faithful, possessive, and practical in her affec-
tions. In Virgo, she is not often at her best because the perfec-
tionism and critical tendencies of that Sign, the Sign of Fall for
Venus, interfere with spontaneous loving and giving. Venus in
Capricorn tends to be selfish, cold and calculating if afflicted,
the affections used to further ambition; or it may indicate mar-
riage to an older, more serious person. It can also show reverse in
expressing love.
Venus in an Air Sign requires affection expressed in words,
the more articulate the expression the better. Venus in Gemini
extends affection particularly to brothers, sisters and relatives,
much talkative friendliness and changeableness. Venus in Gem-
ini is a lively companion but not the most faithful lover and is
quite able to keep two or more loves going at the same time!
Venus in Libra is in her most congenial Sign where she can
express her essential urge to balance, harmony, and beauty. In
Aquarius, Venus tends to a cool detachment and an avoidance of
involvement that might curtail independence, her affection
spread among a circle of friends rather than the intensity of a
one-to-one relationship.
Venus in a Water Sign requires a great deal of emotional
reassurance, sympathetic love feelings expressed frequently. In
Cancer, she is home-loving and motherly, easily wounded, jeal-
ous, and tends to hang on far too long after a relationship is really
over. In Scorpio, Venus is intensely magnetic, passionate, and
secretive. A balanced partnership can be threatened by personal
desire, and afflictions to Venus in Scorpio can bring sexual
difficulties. In evolved persons the intensity and depth of the
Sign can transmute love and sex into a truly consecrated devo-
tion. Pisces is the Sign of Venus's "exaltation" and is considered
the best Sign for her qualities of love and empathy. In Pisces
Venus extends her gifts into idealism, at-one-ment with the
individual and the world, and compassion for all who are in
need.
 LEAR J1NG TO LOVE 97

Venus in the Houses

The affairs of the House occupied by Venus will be influenced

by that planet's urge to harmony, unison and beauty. The House
where Venus is posited will be connected in some way with the
Houses bearing Taurus and Libra on their cusps. For example, a
woman with Venus posited in the 2nd House with Taurus on the
7th House, Libra on the 12th, married several times (7th House)
for emotional and financial security (Taurus and the 2nd House)
but found that with it came many years of karmic suffering
(12th).

Venus Aspects

Venus in any horoscope is the symbol of the aesthetic faculties

as well as the love potential. As Elman Bacher puts it: "Rhythm,
balance, proportion, and taste are just as evident in cultivated
relationships as they are in the qualities of things which we call
beautiful."5
VENUS-MARS The conjunction gives extreme attraction to
and for the opposite sex. The assertiveness of the self (Mars)
transformed through relationship (Venus). In any Venus-Mars
aspect the planet which will predominate depends on their
relative strength. A planet is considered strong in influence, if
placed in an Angular House, or near the cusp of any House,
especially the Ascendant and Midheaven, high in the chart; or in
major aspect to the Sun, Moon or Mercury; or is ruler of the Sun
Sign or Ascendant Sign. A planet is considered weak in influ-
ence, when it lacks major aspects; or is in a Cadent House far
from the cusp; or in the last or first few degrees of any Sign, and
is not ruler of the Sun Sign, Ascendant or Midheaven Signs. If
Mars is strong, Venus weak, there will be a predominance of
masculinity, self-assertion and sexual urges. With Venus strong,
femininity will predominate, the Mars qualities toned down. In
some charts this can mean there is little urge toward work and
effort. With the sextile or trine, the qualities of Venus would be
more apparent as Venus is of the same nature as those aspects.
With the square and opposition, the qualities of Mars would be
more in evidence for the same reason. The fortunate aspects
promise fulfilling sexual and love experiences, a healthy emo-
98 TWELVE DOOKS TO THE SOUL

tional nature, and happy relationships with the opposite sex.

The difficult aspects give the same warmth and attraction but
also give attendant difficulties.
VENUS-JUPITER The conjunction gives good fortune and
idealism. The union of the "Greater Fortune" with the "Lesser
Fortune" as Jupiter and Venus are traditionally called, is not as
fortunate as one might suppose. Apart from an expansion of
luck, gentleness, and benevolence the result can be an emotional
placidity and laziness unless there are other more dynamic
factors in the chart. This applies also to the sextile and trine. The
difficult aspects give an expansive emotional nature that can run
to blind love and financial extravagance. The opposition, par-
ticularly, can give vacillation, waste of emotions and resources.
VENUS-SATURN This conjunction has been called the aspect
of the Poet: a sensitivity to the love and joys of life mingled with
sorrow and loss. It usually gives a complex emotional nature
with romance or marriage to those very much older or younger
than the self. In the harmonious aspects, Venus expresses her
love through responsibility, constancy, and fidelity. The dif-
ficult aspects often mean joy sacrificed to responsibility, or love
constricted by duty or discipline. The conjunction and. even
more often, the opposition seem to show an inability to love, as if
the person's love nature has been frozen. Usually the cause is
early denial of love by a parent. Security is much more important
than love, when Venus and Saturn are in a different aspect.
VENUS-URANUS With all the aspects between these two
planets there is emphasis on the unusual in relationships, often
signifying marriage or love affairs with divorced or married
persons, partners much older or younger, or with foreigners. The
emotional nature is often so independent and eager for the
excitement of new relationships that partnerships and friend-
ships are rarely long-lasting. The conjunction, square, and oppo-
sition between Venus and Uranus give a lot of nervous tension:
sexual relationships can be unconventional to the extreme,
punctuated by unexpected explosions or changes.
VENUS-NEPTUNE "This is pre-eminently the artist's combi-
nation and is more nearly related to beauty than to either the
moral or scientific spheres."6 It nearly always gives great
aesthetic sensitivity, but it can remain passive or lazy unless
there is a square between the two to stimulate effort. The difficult
 LEARfI G TO LOVE gg

aspects are, in fact, prime indicators of true spiritual and mysti-

cal seeking. They are not comfortable aspects to live with for the
emotions of Venus combined with the idealism of Neptune often
lead to a rejection of mere human love with all its imperfections.
There is great compassion and openheartedness making the
individual vulnerable to deceit. Sexual relations are often
plagued with difficulties, the individual sometimes has a
warped attitude toward the physical side of love, considering it
gross and unattractive. With certain charts, it can indicate
homosexuality, perversion, or life-long celibacy.7 There is al-
ways a lively imagination which can be used constructively or
abused.
VENUS-PLUTO Venus and Pluto in conjunction, square, and
opposition aspects often indicate the individual will try, in a
personal relationship to overpower the will of another person in
order to bend or break them to his own personal desires. Or it can
mean guilt feelings over breaking social, moral, or familiar
taboos, with an inner conviction that such transgressions will
have to be paid for sooneror later. Nevertheless, the compulsive
willfulness of Pluto pushes the person to break those taboos.
Pluto's aspects are often concerned with the destruction and
elimination of the old, necessary to make way for the new. For
the growth of the individual, certain of his relationships with
others must be eliminated or transformed and such drastic
changes are often accompanied with guilt feelings. The karmic
difficulties of Venus are the results of lack of balance in human
relationships. Self-understanding, love, and compassion are
needed to bring about right relationships with others. The kar-
mic patterns of these two planets when in aspect can be very
strong. With the sextile and trine aspects, the emotional perspec-
tive is deepened and expanded. The emotions and love are often
directed to a larger group rather than to an individual.

Venus Retrograde

A Venus retrograde in either the Natal or progressed chart

indicates that there is to be a period of recapitulation in the
matters ruled by Venus. This may mean that those matters will
be experienced much more subjectively, rather than objectively.
T
ew or fresh ways of expressing the affections, for example, will
be inhibited for a time because the person will be going through
100 TWELVE DOOKS TO THE SOUL

a process of inward review and digestion. The motion of the

planets is a rhythmic one. like all universal life: a time of for-
ward, outward action alternating with a time of inward, ger-
minating action. The year in which the progressed planet
changes motion, either from retrograde to direct or from direct to
retrograde, marks a change at that time in the method of the
planet's expression. With Venus it would mean a change in the
person's way of expressing affection, handling relationships or
finances, etc. This, of course, would bring about objective
changes in relationships and other Venus-ruled matters, for our
outer life sooner or later reflects faithfully our inner lives.

NOTES

'The births of my three children were signalled by progressions within

the 11 th House while there was only one background aspect to the ruler
of my 5th House. The 11th House is the 5th House of the marriage
partner and father of the children.
2
Erich Neumann, The Great Mother: An Analysis o/the Archetype, tr. R.
Manheim (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1972).
3
Stephen Arroyo, Astrology, Karma and Trans/ormation: The fnner
Dimensions of the Birthchart (Vancouver, Washington: CRCS Publica-
tions, 1978), p. 43.
4
A listing of things, persons and vocations ruled by the different
planets, Signs and Houses must of necessity be very brief in a book this
size. For a much more comprehensive 428-page dictionary, see Rex E.
Bills, The Rulership Book.
5
EIman Bacher, Studies in Astrology, Vol. I (Oceanside, CA: Rosicru-
cian Fellowship), p. 68.
E. O. Carter,The AstroIogicalAspects (Romford, Essex, England: L.
N. Fowler & Co., 1977).
'This is not meant as passing a moral judgment on homosexuality as
perversion, only to indicate that Venus-Neptune aspects often take a
form that is out of the usual contemporary expression. By perversion I
mean something involving fetishism or sadism where the individual
gets his emotional and/or sexual satisfaction out of an object or the
giving or receiving of pain.
 IX

cf

MARS: PLANET OF SUCCESS

In the symbol of Mars, the cross of matter dominates the orb of

the spirit. The cross is usually shown as an arrow, which also
demonstrates the outward thrust and the aggressive expression
of this planet's influence. Just as the Sun symbolizes the
positive-masculine-creative center of all things, so Mars stands
for the energy that flows like blood through all manifestations of
life and makes possible all forms of growth, sustainment, and
progress. Together, the Sun and Mars synergize the masculine
polarity. Essentially, the masculine energy is aggressive, but not
hostile; it is, rather, an active, assertive, dominating approach to
the world. Compared with the Sun, Mars is more egotistical,
separative, frictional, and dynamic. His is the voice of T am; I
want; I will get; I will defend myself; I will defeat my enemies; I
must survive.' Mars is the principal maker of karma. There is no
need to belabor examples of Mars' action in primitive and aver-
age types of humanity; there is all too much of it in individuals,
groups, and nations. But a strong Mars is absolutely essential in
a horoscope to accomplish anything worthwhile, which is why
it has been called the planet of success because it seems to be a
common denominator in the charts of those who have made
their mark in the world. A horoscope with a weak Mars usually
indicates a weak, colorless person—a Casoer Milquetoast—who
accomplishes nothing, either for good or evil. Mars' position in
the horoscope by Sign, by House and through aspects shows
how strong is the urge to work, to apply effort, to development
and self-expression. A weak Mars shows a depletion of urge, a
scattering of energy, a lack of courage, and a tendency to knuckle
under rather than to carry out one's destiny. An afflicted Mars
gives drive and energy, but if uncontrolled and misdirected it
102 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

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gives destructive rather than constructive results. Even the for-

tunate aspects of Mars have to be controlled to produce construc-
tive results which is why the Sign of Exaltation for Mars is the
Saturn-ruled Sign of Capricorn. Capricorn gives caution and
careful planning to the energies of Mars.
A friend of mine, Robert K., was the very epitome of a Mars-
dominated horoscope (see chart) in appearance, character, and
profession. Athletic, strong-muscled, with a heavy, over-
hanging brow, he was a building constructor. From humble
beginnings he rose to executive status after years of night school
and unceasing work. Robert just did not know how to rest or
relax. If he went on holiday he always tried to combine it with
business. When he bought a house, he knocked down sections
 PLANET OF SUCCESS 103

and rebuilt them several times. He could not see a tree or shrub
without taking an ax or clippers to it, often killing the poor thing
in his efforts to improve it. Robert was the same with the people
in his employ or with members of his family—ceaselessly
criticizing, disciplining, and prodding them on toward his idea
of perfection. Naturally, many of these objects of his efforts
protested so that his relationships were fraught with difficulty.
In spite of all this, his great warmth and well-meaning concern
for others made him many lasting friends. Some, of course, were
alienated: his marriage ended in divorce and his career was
hampered by his inability to work harmoniously with others.
His chart showed Mars in Virgo conjunct the Ascendant and
square Sun, Mercury, and Venus in the 10th House. His Moon's
Jodes were the opposite of Henry's (Chapter VIII, the unas-
pected Venus), with the North Node in Scorpio in the 4th House
and the South Node in Taurus in his 10th House. The South
Node showed where we start in this incarnation, the load we
bring in with us of past life karmic patterns. As Atlanta as-
trologer David Railey described it, "The South Node in Taurus is
like a covered wagon: really loaded down with past karma!"
This placement also gives a tendency to not listen. Placed in the
10th House close to the Midheaven, it showed that in his last life
Robert was very important in some public position. Much of his
dissatisfaction in this present incarnation stemmed from the
subconscious feeling that nothing he did was important enough,
worthwhile enough compared with what he did in his past life.
The North Node indicates what one is hoping to accomplish in
this life and, being in the 4th House, often brings fundamental,
dynamic changes in the home. Robert began life in a small
country village and spent most of his adult life in foreign coun-
tries living in every kind of habitation from a mansion with
many servants, a prisoner-of-war shack, to a small walk-up
apartment. Of course, Uranus placed in the 4th House also gives
radical changes in the home.
Looking to the rulers of the Signs in which the Nodes are
placed we find the relating aspect between Venus and Mars1 is a
dynamic, challenging square. Along with the emphasis of
planets in Taurus, it is indicative of stubbornness and posses-
siveness. Robert married late in life a much younger, foreign-
bom woman (Moon trine Uranus, ruler of the 7th House posited
in the 4th—latter part of life), and that marriage ended in divorce
104 TWtLVt; OUORS TO THE soul

after some years. In spite of such difficulties and a chart almost

wholly filled with hard aspects. He had many friends and these
friendships were important to him. The stellium in Venus-ruled
Taurus plus the warmth of Mars in 1st House made him very
likabl when he wasn't impatient or in a temper, characteristic of
an afflicted Mars.
Brooding over this horoscope one day, the intuition came that
Robert's Archetype and path was that of the Cosmic Builders,
those superhuman entities who construct and develop worlds
and universes. This life was a necessary stage of learning for
Robert, uncomfortable as it might be for some of those near him.
Mars is the destroyer and the builder, and as disturbing and even
self-defeating as it may seem, this was right for him at this stage
of his evolution. Astrologers and others who are endeavoring to
see their fellows with true perspective must try to see them in the
light of their many lives and probable archetypes. They must try
to intuit what the Self is attempting to learn and develop in
themselves on their particular path leading to their unique des-
tiny.
Late in his life, Robert turned his energies to working with the
handicapped and nursing sick friends. Thus, he expressed car-
ing, compassionate, nurturing qualities of his Moon trine
Uranus, usingconstructive energies of Mars. In so doing, he was
finally able to tame to a great extent the more abrasive side of his
Mars-dominated nature.
Mars (and Pluto on a deeper or higher level), is the prime
symbol of the sex impulse, the basic creative motivation of life.
In the primitive and average man that expression is largely
selfish. All persons on the path of consciousevolution are tested
in terms of the use of their sexual energies. And a time always
comes for the transformation and refinement of those energies.
This testing, initiation, and transformation in the mysteries of
sex are under the higher octave ruler of Scorpio—Pluto. (Chapter
XII)

Signs and Houses Ruled by Mars

No matter where Mars is placed, by Sign or House, he extends

his influence through the Signs of Aries and Scorpio and, to a
lesser degree, the 1st and 8th Houses over which those Signs
have natural rulership. Since Mars is the first planet we've
 PLANET OF SUCCESS 105

examined who holds joint rulership, this is a logical place to

delve into this co-ruler subject.
|oint Rulerships Most astrologers give Pluto rulership of
Scorpio, with Mars as a part ruler. In like manner, Jupiter shares
the ruler hip of Pisces with Neptune, and Saturn shares the
rulership of Aquarius with Uranus. This may seem confusing,
especially in the case of Aquarius where Saturn exemplifies the
structured, disciplined, slow, and materialistic while Uranus
exemplifies the original, revolutionary, quick-witted, and
humanitarian, to mention but a few of the contrasts. My feeling
is that it is a matter of lower- and higher-octave planets.
The Sun, Moon. Mercury, Venus, and Mars are the basic,
personal planets: they characterize the more obvious personal-
ity traits and urges in the person as well as having a more
obvious, direct effect on the environment and events. Jupiter and
Saturn are related to the deeper motivational and collective
factors and are the planets which mediate between the higher/
impersonal planes and the lower/personal planes of manifesta-
tion.
Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto symbolize the most profound
sources of change and transformation. In judging the effect of a
joint rulership of a Sign, much depends on the stage of evolution
of the particular individual whose horoscope is being studied. In
the character and life of the average person, the influence of
higher-octave planets, such as Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto is
likely to be so subtle that its material effect is unnoticeable or
negative. For example, in Pisces the rulership of Neptune may
manifest as muddled emotionalism or a self-destructive es-
capism into alcohol, drugs, daydreaming or evasion of responsi-
bility. In a more spiritually evolved individual there can be the
highest kind of all-encompassing compassion and idealism;
Jupiter's religious aspirations, benevolence, and expansion of
goals carried to selfless heights by Neptune. In Aquarius, Uranus
may manifest as willfulness, rebellion, and a restless need for
excitement and change in the average person but in the evolved
person there can be enhanced intuition, originality, and an at-
tunement to truth replacing the insistence on personal freedom.
The characteristics of Uranus seem almost like a revolt in
Aquarius against the discipline, self-restriction, and acceptance
of responsibility of Saturn. People with Sun, Ascendant, or
106 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

many planets in that Sign experience this conflict in themselves

and as we are entering the Age of Aquarius this conflict can be
observed on all levels of society. It is my feeling that Uranus and
Saturn need the qualities of the other and there must eventually
be a marriage of the best qualities so that the discipline and
responsibility of Saturn will make possible the material and
spiritual manifestation of the humanitarian concepts of Uranus.
At first, Pluto's rulership of Scorpio may express negatively in
neurotic compulsions, and a misuse of power. The negative
expression of Mars has always been resentment, revengefulness,
and violence. But as the individual evolves, his passion can be
directed into healing channels, using Scorpio's persistence and
desire to penetrate below the surfaces to plumb the mysteries of
life and death and regeneration. Eventually Mars' dauntless
courage, initiative, and dynamic energy is lifted from the pursuit
of power for selfish ends to be concentrated upon one's own
transformation which is the highest expression of Pluto.

Mars In the Houses and Signs

The 8th House is one of the three Water Houses—4th. 8th. and
12th. (See Chapter IV) They represent the trinity of emotional
and soul experience concerned with inner development. As
Scorpio's natural House, the 8th has been called the House of
sacrifice, death, and rebirth. Why sacrifice? And what would the
connection of Mars be with sacrifice? Sacrifice has acquired an
aura of unfortunate and painful "giving up of something de-
sired", but we sacrifice desirable things frequently forsome goal
which has become necessary. It is the courage and energy of
Mars which impels us to make the sacrifice so that we can grow
and progress.
Mars gives us the courage to sacrifice the lesser for the greater,
to die to outworn habits, conditions, relationships, desires, so
that we may be born anew, moving ever forward toward higher
goals. This is what is embodied in Scorpio and the 8th House,
through which Mars partly expresses.
In Aries, a Fire Sign, the energies of Mars express in a one-
pointed drive toward action and self-assertion—'to be the first
with the most.' The qualities of Mars in Aries and the 1st House
appear in their purest form, uncomplicated by the subtleties and
questioning of Scorpio. The fiery nature of the planet har-
 PLANET OF SUCCESS 107

monizes \\ ith the Fire Element of Aries, whereas in the Water

Sign corpio his energies are directed more into emotional
channels. But in Aries. Martian energies find their highest ex-
pression in leadership where his qualities of courage and initia-
tive are essential ingredients.

Rulership

Some of the people, vocations, and things associated with

Mars are:
1. Military men. surgeons, chemists, metal workers (particu-
larly with iron and steel), dentists, butchers, barters, en-
gineers, and builders.
2. Fever, inflammation, headaches, the skull, face, arteries,
external sex organs, muscular tissue, motor nerves, excre-
tory organs, red corpuscles of the blood.

Mars in the Modes, Elements and Signs

The dynamic energy and self-assertive urges of Mars will vary

in expression according to the Mode, Element, and Sign in
which he is placed. In Cardinal Signs, his qualities of activity
and leadership will be more evident. In the Fixed Signs, the
Martian qualities of organization and building are most evident.
In Mutable Signs Mars' energies tend to be expended in a variety
of interests which are changed rather often.
The Element in which Mars is found shows the particular
channel through which his energies and urges will express.
People with Mars in Fire Signs prefer direct physical action;
they are very enthusiastic but get impatient unless there is
movement—action—in whatever they are engaged.
People with Mars in an Air Sign will try to assert themselves
through ideas and some form of communication such as speak-
ing. writing, or traveling. With Mars in Water Signs, the desires
and emotions are particularly strong and forceful, a difficult
placement. When Mars is in Earth Signs the energies and de-
sires will be expressed through practical, concrete achievement
and interests.

Mars in the Signs

It is difficult to condense the significance of Mars in each

108 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

zodiacal Sign. The application of his energy dep nds upon the
whole of the character. An Aries will use Mars energy differently
than will a Piscean. for example. Generally speaking, in Aries,
the energy is ardent, projected with courage and initiative,
though somewhat recklessly. Unless self-control is used, the
person may be too aggressive, belligerent, and militaristic. In
Taurus the energies are expressed with patience and persever-
ance which spring from a steady urge to acquire security and/or
with obstinacy. When Mars is in Gemini, the energy expresses
on the mental plane. There is a great deal of "nervous energy"
which often makes the person restless and changeable.
In Cancer—the Sign of Fall for Mars—there is a kind of intro-
version which expresses through emotional channels. Cancer
seems to focus the Mars energy upon security (emotional or
financial), and the home. Women with this Mars position are
often demon housekeepers and become family-ruling mat-
riarchs. Under Cancer's emotional influence, the Mars temper is
quick to flare in defensiveness or flash forth over some imagined
slight.
In Leo Mars exudes warmth in the royal manner, tending to
arrogance, if there are not modifying factors in the chart. The
energies are bent toward making the self important. In Virgo, the
energy is concentrated upon details and the critical ability can
be very constructive, or it can be very destructive if expended in
fault-finding. Mars in Virgo can be extremely critical of others
but rarely can take any criticism directed to himself.
Libra is the Sign of Mars' detriment, so his natural expression
is impeded. The eagerness for harmony and balance, for seeing
both sides of the question, can hamper the natural forcefulness
of Mars. In Scorpio, the Mars energy is channeled to a wide
spectrum of emotions, increasing their intensity. If Mars in this
Sign is well-aspected, regeneration can be stimulated by deep
analysis. There is great magnetism but self-discipline is needed
to direct it constructively rather than selfishly.
In Sagittarius, athletics and outdoor activities are a good
outlet for Mars' energies. There is a tendency to over-extend,
over-exert, act in haste. A long-term application of energy to-
ward some goal is difficult to maintain because enthusiasm
bounds from one thing to another.
Mars is exalted in Capricorn and his energy there is applied
 PLA ET OF SUCCESS 109

with discipline, caution, and good timing—the latter, a quality

often lacking with Mars. Control, strategy, and materialism aid
in the acquisition of position and possessions.
The Martian energies in Aquarius express through the in-
tellect and ideas. Friendship, group activities, and human-
itarianism are infused with energetic interest and activity. The
individual can express himself with originality or eccentricity.
The forcefulness of Mars is diluted or confused by the emo-
tions in the Water Sign, Pisces. Energy has difficulty materializ-
ing in some positive action unless there is an impelling inspira-
tion.

Mars in the Houses

Keywords for Mars are energy, heat, activation, and initiatory

force. The affairs of any House occupied by Mars will show the
sphere in which the type of keyword-actions will be expressed
or experienced from others. It often happens that the exertion of
energy and force evokes opposition and reflex from others so
that strife and struggle are frequently found in the House that
Mars occupies.

Mars Aspects

Mars acts like a catalyst in aspect with other planets, his

energies stirring their principles, urges, and needs to active
expression. A square aspect, the most energizing of all aspects,
may increase the energy to the point of possible disruption. Too
much Mars vitality and thrust can cause accidents and strife,
over-exertion, etc. Any aspect between Mars and the Sun or
Moon increases the vitality.
MARS-VENUS Mars is the prime symbol of the sex impulse,
the creative motivation of life. In primitive and in average man
that expression is largely selfish, so a Mars-Venus affliction
particularly shows karma of sexual selfishness and possibly
violence from former lives. Gradually, Mars is redeemed
through Venus into higher expressions of love and sex. Any
aspect between these two planets warms the emotions with
passion.
MARS-JUPITER The energy and thrust of Mars often seems to
enlarge the expansiveness of Jupiter to excess, even with the
110 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

more fortunate aspects. The conjunction gives an abundance of

energy, enthusiasm, and love of life. The square stimulates the
urge to gamble with an expansive over-confidence that requires
careful moderation. There may be legal problems and extrava-
gance. The square between Mars and Jupiter is one of the most
difficult aspects in the spectrum of planetary relationships. The
sextile and trine can bring wealth, or luck in gambling even in
the stock market or speculative business. The opposition often
means loss through gambling, a lack of commonsense, and inef-
fective preparation and planning. There can be conflict with
others due to one's conceit and excesses.
MARS-SATURN The "hard" aspects between Mars and
Saturn show frustrations in expressing the self or one's emo-
tions: and with the conjunction, especially, it is like an irresist-
ible force meeting an immovable object. The conservatism of
Saturn frustrates the driving energy of Mars with resultant un-
happiness. The square is an aspect denoting bad judgment; one's
dynamic drive (Mars] and caution (Saturn] clash, with impulse
and passion causing trouble. Rebellion against authority is an
example of this combination of planets. With the trine and
sextile, the drive of Mars is aligned with the control and power of
organization (Saturn). The opposition shows conflict, frustra-
tion, and loss—particularly in relationship with others.
MARS-URANUS The conjunction and the other difficult and
challenging aspects such as the square and opposition give the
same Uranian qualities of intuition, originality, mechanical ap-
titude, and independence, as do the more fortunate sextile and
trine aspects.
The problem is, that unless there are stabilizing factors else-
where in the chart, the control and persistence necessary for
eventual achievement are often lacking because of willfulness,
lack of discipline, and a restless eagerness for new excitement
and experiences. With the conjunction, the temperament can be
emotionally volatile along with a very bright and ingenuous
mentality. The square increases the temper and insistence of
independence to the point of rebellion against social mores and
restrictions. With the trine the mind can be particularly inven-
tive with mechanical aptitude. There can be a daring courage
allied to the vision and drive of a pioneer in some field. The
opposition often gives an eccentric, willful temperament lead-
ing to conflict and loss in relationships.
 PLANET OF SUCCESS 111

MARS-NEPTUNE Humanity as a whole is not yet tuned to the

higher spiritual vibrations of Neptune. Confusion, illusion, dis-
illusion. and deception are often found accompanying Nep-
tune's House position and aspects. The conjunction, square, and
opposition with Mars can indicate obscure and difficult-to-
diagnose conditions that find their way to the psychiatrist such
as nervous disorders, sex illusions, and perversions, drugs, and
alcoholism. Neptune always figures in alcoholism and drugs.
There can be danger from food or water poisoning. If the 8th
House is involved there can be mystery surrounding the death.2
However, the conjunction is the most powerful magnetic aspect
in any horoscope: the energies of Mars are given an intuitive,
almost magical delivery. The difficulty with all Neptunian as-
pects is that fantasy can replace reality. Even with the mag-
netism and vision of the Mars-Neptune conjunction the energies
of Mars can be directed down some very weird paths or—some
very spiritual ones. The square gives a combination of forceful
energy and spiritual insight, but in a weak chart self-delusion is
possible. The trine and sextile give personal magnetism,
spiritual and/or mental power. Often there is talent in some
aesthetic, artistic, or musical field. The opposition denotes de-
ception and illusion in some form.3
MARS-PLUTO Major aspects between these two represent
perhaps the most intense expression of concentrated power to be
found in any chart. There is a boundless potential for construc-
tive or destructive action. Often the methods of achieving goals
are secretive, devious, or extreme. The conjunction emphasizes
the concentrated drive toward dominance and power. Persons
with the square often have the added difficulty of very violent
tempers. With the sextile and trine there is the same drive to-
ward power but with less inner tension; the individual seems
better able to accept the need for control of his tendency to
ruthlessness and fanaticism. The danger is that once arriving at
the stage of seeing the need for reform, he tends to turn that same
demanding ruthlessness upon himself that he once forced upon
others with the result that repression and self-anger only lead to
frustration, guilt, and increased tension. The only antidote is to
develop understanding and forgiveness of oneself as well as of
others and to realize that the process of self-reformation takes
time. And always remember—we have eternity to accomplish
anything and everything we set as a goal. The opposition adds
112 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

brusquenoss of manner and more ill-temper so that relationships

suffer. There may be a battle between the personal will, directed
toward personal aims versus the use of personal energy for the
growth and transformation of the collective whole.
The condition of Mars in the horoscope always indicates the
use or misuse of that driving energy in past lives and what form
it took in general.4 For example, a difficult aspect between Mars
and Moon could show that Martian energy was used to dominate
or bully females, or tyrannize within the family unit. Or it could
mean that in the past, other circumstances and other people
were so crushing that an oversensitivity about asserting yourself
was brought over into this incarnation. If, from your horoscope,
you can see that you must meet a certain amount of difficult
karma because of your Martian aggressions in the past, then,
instead of reacting instinctively to aggression from others, you
must seek to understand, responding with cooperation and love
instead of anger. The failure to assert yourself carries a karma of
weakness and that also must be met with self-understanding and
with an effort made to develop the needed strength and courage
in order to stand up for what is right.

Mars Retrograde

The expression of Martian energies and self-assertion for ma-

terial, physical, and emotional fulfillment is a vital factor in the
evolution of the Soul. When Mars is retrograde at birth, or goes
retrograde (by progression) during the life, it means that there is
a recapitulation of certain Martian experiences. These are les-
sons to be more thoroughly learned and qualities to be more
firmly built into the character. The House in which Mars is
found, and the Houses ruled by Aries and Scorpio indicate the
particular areas of that needed experience. With retrogradation.
there is a certain inhibition of the normal outpouring, resulting
in a more subtle, inward-flowing of the planetary energies.

NOTES

•Pluto should also be considered, being part-rulerof Scorpio: but in this

case Pluto makes no aspect to Venus.
2
The horoscope of a young nephew of a friend of mine showed tars and
Sun in the 8th House in opposition to Neptune. While traveling through
a mountainous region in the Far East he disappeared. In spite of a large
 PLAr ET OF SUCCESS 113

reward offered for information, numerous search parlies and a great

deal of money and effort expended, no trace of him or what might have
happened to him was ever found.
3
lt is difficult to judge from a eptune aspect whether the individual is
liable to deceive others, or be deceived by them, or just deceive himself.
C. E. O Carteronce discussed that interesting point,see his/lsfrological
Aspects (Romford. Essex. England: L. N. Fowler & Co., 1977). His
feeling was that it was a case of opposite sides of the same coin; other
people being really our other selves; they cannot deceive us unless we
have firct deceived them at some point in time. They cannot deceive us
even in the present unless we have deceived ourselves first via some
fantacy, illogic or wishful thinking.
4
lt is possible to get greater details of past lives through meditation,
regression or focussing upon the horoscope. See Chapter XIV.
 X

Mr

JUPITER: FORTUNE OR EXCESS

In the symbol of Jupiter the crescent and the cross are combined:
the reflection of the spirit overshadowing the cross of material
manifestation. Manly P. Hall, in Astrological Keywords,1 de-
scribes Jupiter's symbol as a "conventionalization of an eagle
with outstretched wings and the first letter of the Greek name
Zeus." In the Greek and Roman pantheon of the gods, Zeus or
Jove was the father of the attendant gods. Our word "jovial"
springs from the name Jove and describes one of the personality
traits attributed to that planet.
Jupiter symbolizes benevolence, enthusiasm, optimism, ex-
pansiveness, honor, knowledge, and opportunity. He is called
the "Greater Fortune" whereas Venus is called the "Lesser For-
tune". His influence brings an emphasis upon the abstract mind,
higher education and learning, religion, philosophy, and law.
Jupiter gives the key to understanding the ability to prosper, the
ability to grasp opportunities, and the person's general ability to
grow in physical, mental, and moral ways by his placement in a
Sign, a House, and the strength of aspects. He could also be
called the "Preserver", for his influence often seems to preserve
a person from harm if only by "the skin of his teeth". I recall two
serious automobile accidents in which the cars were de-
molished. In one of the accidents five people were killed,2 yet
neither of the people with Jupiter aspects suffered even a
scratch!
However, Jupiter does not always bring the cornucopia of
riches that people expect from his favorable aspects. While
abundance may be his keyword, it can mean too much of a good
thing if he is weak or afflicted. Where Saturn's "afflictions" are
characterized by a lack of something in the character, in the
 FURTU E UR EXCESS 115

physical constitution, or in one's circumstances, with Jupiter it

is an exces of something. For example, Jupiter in the 1st House
often gives a good opinion of the self and a larger than average
body. But it can also mean conceit and obesity in certain Signs
and/or with difficult aspects.
Jupiter is the agency by which spiritual forces are made man-
ifest to the lower consciousness. Jupiter's vibrations are not
tran cendent as are those of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto; but
Jupiter provides an exoteric (outer) channel for esoteric (inner)
truths which are too subtle for comprehension by the average
per on. Jupiter shows our capacity to give—wisely, sincerely,
and abundantly. If one has a birth chart Jupiter whose condition
indicates problems in character and life, these conditions can be
mitigated or changed by a conscious effort to express benevo-
lence and generosity in thought, word, and deed. George S.
Arundale once stated, that to progress spiritually, one must
always be generous, never mean or petty. Of course, that applies
not only to money but to attitudes, judgments, actions, etc.
Jupiter shows his power most effectively when the person
gives, as an expression of gratitude, to another person or to God.
This creates a condition of openness in the psyche to which the
karmic response3 is so healing, profound, and far-reaching that
its effects are sometimes called the "Grace of God". No aspiring
person should let a day of his life pass without feeling or ex-
pressing gratitude sincerely and deeply in some way.
One of the best illustrations I have found of Jupiter's influence
is in the horoscope of Joy Mills—teacher, lecturer, writer, past
president of the American Section of The Theosophical Society,
and international vice-president of The Theosophical Society.
In her chart, Sagittarius is on the Ascendant with its ruler,
Jupiter, in the 9th House. This marked her from birth as one
destined for some field in religion or higher education with
extended travel of mind and person. She lost hermotherearly in
life (Moon, ruler of the 8th House, conjunct Saturn and square
Mars), and spent her childhood moving from relative to relative
(Aries on the 4th House with Mars square the Moon, semi-square
Mercury and Venus, and square Saturn). This loss and the ensu-
ing difficulties in her formative years profoundly affected her
values, giving her a deep sympathy for humanity. Later, she was
able to translate this fine quality of understanding into teaching
and practical service for the Society (Capricorn on the 2nd
116 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

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/oy Mills—Theosophical leader, teacher, writer, lecturer.

House cusp with its ruler Saturn conjunct Moon.and jupiter in

Virgo, 9th House). She joined the staff of the American Section at
age 21 and, except for several years teaching in public schools,
has continued in one position or another for the Society all these
years.
jupiter in the 9th House denotes the field of that planet's
expression. Virgo is not the happiest Sign for jupiter's place-
ment, for that planet's natural expressiveness is limited by
Virgo's passion for detail and analysis. However, the very care
and caution and dedication to service that Virgo induces even-
tually gains the support of others in service or financial backing.
jupiter's sextile to Mercury gives expansion in intelligence
and communication; the sextile to Venus in the House of friends
and group associations gives many affectionate relationships
with both individuals and groups. The major emphasis in joy's
 FORTUNE OR EXCESS 117

life—on religion, teaching, and travel—is shown by the conjunc-

tion with aturn and the Moon. Her travels in the service of the
•ociety have taken her all over the world, and the opposition to
Uranu gives her independence, as well as intuition, and attrac-
tion to the occult.
The almost exact sextile to Pluto in Cancer (7th House) shows
the strong link with the public in some psychological or
spiritual type of service. A sextile or trine between Pluto and one
of the "personal" planets indicates that the person has an innate
understanding of the processes of growth and transformation;
taking for granted that life is always demanding, one must dis-
card the old and open up to the new. The square and the opposi-
tion generally mean the person does not recognize that process
and so they will fight it. This does not mean that the sextile and
trine obviate the disturbance and pain of Plutonian changes, it is
just that those persons intuitively feel that any pain experienced
is a necessary part of growth.
Pluto in Cancer shows that the difficulties and sorrows in her
childhood and youth were probably necessary to free her from
attachment to the restricted nest of personal home and family so
that she could give a greater service to a wider family. Both the
Lights—Saturn and Jupiter—in the 9th House make it the most
important section of the chart by far. The Sun close to the
Midheaven often gives executive position, and Mars conjunct
the Ascendant gives the energy and drive necessary for success
though with times of inner and outer struggle.

Signs and Houses Ruled by Jupiter

Jupiter is the ruler of Sagittarius and, through that Sign, ruler

of the 9th House. Also some consider it a part-ruler of Pisces and,
through that Sign, ruler of the 12th House. His greatest influence
is on the House in which he is placed.
There is always a plus quality to Jupiter's vibrations. Jupiter's
placement in a Sign is likely to bring out the best qualities of that
Sign; the opposite of Saturn's effect which can be relied upon to
produce some sort of difficulty, taking on the style of the Sign in
which it is placed. Jupiter will give opportunities though we do
not always recognize them as such. Through Sagittarius Jupiter
brings emphasis upon the higher mind, religion, philosophy,
law, publishing, and extended travel of the mind (such as higher
118 TWKLVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

education, development of the abstract mind) and body, such as

long journeys, and residence in foreign countries and places far
from the place of birth. Mis vibration expresses most purely in
Sagittarius and the 9th House. Jupiter indicates our basic at-
titudes toward religion and spiritual aspiration. If he is unas-
pected. the 9th House empty of planets and the ruler of that
House unimportant in the horoscope, then that person is usually
not attuned to an inner understanding of life. The person v\ith a
strong Jupiter and 9th House has the urge to keep seeking until
he finds the religious concept, teaching, or teacher which most
satisfies his needs. When he does find it he is likely to recognize
it almost immediately.
Jupiter sometimes shows in the horoscope as a symbol of the
father, the actual parent, and indeed he can be taken as one of the
archetypes of the father along with the Sun and Saturn. Psychol-
ogists who use Astrology in their work state that "invariably if
Saturn, Jupiter or the Sun is in the 7th House, we project our
father onto the partner, or in the case of Jupiter, some aspect of
the father. This projection comes from men as well as women."4
That "aspect of the father" could be the masculine version of the
feminine nurturing urge.5 Certainly Jupiter nurtures the
spiritual urges and he is the symbol of the teacher or spiritual
father expressed often in human form as priest, minister, guru,
or school teacher. Any teacher is a spiritual parent, for his work
is to guide the younger or unevolved person to mental or
spiritual unfoldment. Jupiter's position and aspects in the
horoscope show how and by what means, if any, we feel the urge
to teach. He shows how we, as individuals, need to discipline
and train ourselves to be moral exemplars or teachers in some
manner giving guidance to others.

Jupiter, Pisces and the 12th House

As the co-ruler of Pisces, Jupiter brings the highest levels of

expansive, lofty awareness. If Sagittarius and the 9th House
symbolize the priest and teacher, Pisces symbolizes the mystic
and hermit. His urge toward something greater than the little self
(which is expressed in the 9th House through religion, philoso-
phy and higher education) is, in the 12th House and Pisces, often
expressed in formless, mystical at-one-ment with the universe or
God attained within the secrecy of that "inner cave of the heart",
or by physical withdrawal from theouterworld'sbusy-ness.The
 FORTUNE OR EXCESS 119

12th House rules monasteries, convents, and all places of con-

finement and retreat.
Jupiter also e pre ses through Pisces, not as teacher or priest
but a avior and healer, giving himself to all who are suffering
or in need—^teaching by the example of his life rather than in
laying down religious laws and systems.
It may be difficult to associate the exuberant, expansive Jupi-
ter with the 12th House—the most difficult House to
interpret—which rules hidden things, the unconscious, serious
illnesses, and places of confinement such as hospitals, prisons,
asylums, monasteries and convents (see Chapter IV, page 43]. It
is also the 12th House that rules the expansion of the self into
universal consciousness, which is very Jupiterian. The 12th
House is most clearly involved with the heaviest past karma.
This would seem, on the surface, to be more like Saturn than
Jupiter, but the two planets work as a pair, mediating between
the personal factors and the transpersonal factors. Saturn sym-
bolizes the process of the Law of Karma; Jupiter symbolizes
reincarnation in the sense of expanded opportunity, new life, a
second chance. Together, Saturn and Jupiter establish law and
order. Meeting the trials that reside in the 12th House is meeting
yourself and giving yourself the opportunity to clear away some-
thing which is impeding your growth.
Some astrologers believe that enclosure in a monastic order
appears in the horoscope as a misfortune, indicated by the more
difficult and unfortunate aspects or planetary placements. I dis-
agree and offer as an example the horoscope of a woman who
had been a nun for over two decades before leaving the convent.
Like Joy Mills, she had Jupiter in Sagittarius but hers was retrog-
rade, indicating that his influence was more inward-turned, and
that there was to be a recapitulation of religious experience in
this life.
Clare had Neptune and the North Node in the 12th House and
she had Pisces on the cusp of her 8th House. When she first
entered the convent as a novice, her progressed Sun exactly
squared Saturn. (Saturn, Pisces, and the 12th House are the
astrological factors most related to nuns and nunneries.] This
showed the self-denial and discipline of a nun's life but a square,
conjunction or opposition between Sun and Saturn nearly al-
ways marks an important step in the career.6 At the same time,
her retrograde Venus made an exact trine to Mars in Pisces (7th
House), showing that her relationships with others were ex-
120 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

V2

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12

«? Zf

-r

Clare—Jupiter and the 12th House: the life of a nun.

tremely balanced and harmonious. In other words, Clare was not

entering the convent because she was at odds with the world.
Her transitting Saturn was moving through the 10th House in-
dicating a time of climax in her career. The interpretation of the
North Node in Leo is 41 Learn to open up your heart, to take
personal responsibility." The South Node in Aquarius showed
that in her past life, or lives, she had operated well on the group
level; the three planets in the 11th House, well-aspected, under-
line that fact, though not on the personal level. It seems possible
that she was inwardly directed to become a nun because for her
that was the best way to achieve the opening of her heart and to
take such responsibility.
Jupiter at birth was strongly placed in Sagittarius, 4th House,
in trine with Neptune in the 12th House (Leo), again emphasiz-
ing the heart and showing that her religious aspirations were
 FORTUNE OR EXCESS 121

true and wi e.
Pisce on the cusp of the 8th House showed the connection
with regeneration and rebirth—the dying to the old self—that
entering the convent would demand. At the time she took her
final vows, her Venus (in Cancer), which was retrograde at birth,
turned direct and repeated the trine to Mars in the 7th—she was
"married" to Christ by those vows. Venus, changing direction,
showed that her capacity for love and affection had "changed
direction" and expressed differently by flowing outward to
other people as well as to her Divine Spouse (7th House).
The dynamic energies of Mars were pulled forth with the
all-encompassing compassion of Pisces. When she eventually
left the convent, her Sun had progressed to an exact conjunction
with Neptune, and her Venus was exactly conjunct her Natal
Sun. Leo, her Ascendant, stretched back over most of the 12th
House so that there would always be an intimate relation be-
tween the 1st and 12th Houses in her life.
Clare did not tell me her reasons for leaving the convent, but
from her horoscope and the above-mentioned aspects I might
hazard the guess that some inner vision illuminated her decision
to take that step. Her Jupiter in the 4th House (the latter part of
life) trine to Neptune will continue to inspire religious expres-
sion in her life.

Rulership

Some of the people, vocations, and things ruled by Jupiter are:

1. Ministers, priests, lawyers, senators, physicians, bankers,
clothiers, merchants, philanthropists, publishers,
gamblers.
2. Ceremonial things, the feet, toes, thighs, hips, liver, pan-
creas, diabetes, sciatic nerves, rheumatism, coxaglia, gout,
obesity and tumors.

Jupiter in the Modes, Elements and Signs

Modes; Jupiter varies in expression according to the Mode,

Element, and Sign in which he is placed. In Cardinal Signs he
expands in activity and leadership, self-promotion, and self-
confidence. In Fixed Signs he organizes and accumulates, ex-
panding the scope of his profession or financial assets in order to
buttress his security. In Mutable Signs he expands into so many
channels of expression that there is a danger that his interests
122 TWKLVK DOOKS TO THE SOUL

will bo sproad too superficially over too many things.

Elements; In Fire, Jupiter is more often than not lucky, his
enthusiasm and optimism carrying the person over most obsta-
cles. though there is a tendency to over-expand or take risks.
Jupiter in a Fire Sign afflicted, and without balancing factors in
the chart, can make the compulsive gambler. In Earth. Jupiter
expresses his qualities in the here-and-now reality of the mate-
rial world with innate caution controlling his expansiveness.
The importance of the physical senses to the Earth Signs can.
with Jupiter, lead to over-eating, over-drinking, and other exces-
ses. In Air, Jupiter expresses his qualities in the world of large
ideas, grandiose and visionary concepts of future social, busi-
ness and city planning schemes. The Air Signs are the most
social of all the Signs, for they are able to objectively appreciate
(unlike the emotional reactions of Water or the suspicions of
EarthJ, another person's thoughts regardless of whether they
agree with them. In Water, the emotions and sensitivity expand,
the natural urges of Jupiter toward faith in a benevolent Provi-
dence and self-improvement combine happily with the soul
yearnings so characteristic of Water Signs.
Jupiter's expression in a particular Sign in which he is placed
at birth varies considerably depending on his aspects and other
factors in the horoscope. His positive expression is an innate
faith—in a higher power, or universal plan, and in self-
confidence. There is an optimism and benevolence with an
insistent urge toward self-improvement. Negatively expressed,
it can be laziness, over-confidence, false pride, arrogance, reli-
gious pretensions, irresponsibility, and exaggeration.
Jupiter in Aries increases the desire to enlarge the scope of
personal expression: challenges are seen in terms of personal
ability and personal success.
Jupiter in Taurus seeks opportunity and rewards in accumu-
lation of money or property. There is frequently a love of the
beautiful, and of sensual comforts.
Jupiter in Gemini—his Sign of Detriment—gives diversity,
changeability, quick mental facilities, and often indicates travel.
This position does tend to superficiality with the interests being
spread over too many things and changing often. The spirit of
inquiry and adventure is keen.
Jupiter in Cancer—his Sign of Exaltation—expresses most
fully his best qualities in benevolent emotions, kindness, sym-
 FORTUNE OR EXCESS 123

pathy, and protectiveness. the spiritual, nurturing father.

Jupiter in Leo shines gorgeously but when afflicted, self-
justification and conceit are strong. There is a dramatic, even
theatrical touch along with loyalty, generosity and exuberance.
Jupiter in Virgo circumscribes his natural expansiveness be-
cause that Sign so often is analytical, detailed, fussy and fault-
finding—the opposite of big, generous Jupiter. However, the
critical faculties are not always a drawback because they can
serve to direct Jupiter's expansiveness into constructive, if more
modest, channels.
Jupiter in Libra indicates social expansiveness that can pre-
sent opportunities from many directions. There is a natural
desire to be companionable and well-loved. A favorable influ-
ence for a happy marriage, fortunate partnerships, and profes-
sions that call for diplomacy or arbitration.
Jupiter in Scorpio intensifies that planet's spiritual dimen-
sions. There is an expansion of the self through deep feelings
and wide sympathies. In some horoscopes it can mean religious
fanaticism, the powerful drive for improvement turned upon the
world or the self.
Jupiter in Sagittarius, his own Sign, usually means ideals and
enthusiasm can reach lofty heights. Wisdom and understanding
are prized. It gives a love of liberty and free movement, sports
and the outdoors.
Jupiter in Capricorn, his Sign of Fall needs to learn how to give
without consideration always of what he will get back in return.
The religious urge, mixed with Saturn's vibration, tends to
dogmatism. With positive attitudes, scope for expression can be
found through careful preparation and planning. Any favorable
Jupiter-Saturn connection is good for business.
Jupiter in Aquarius seeks to establish and maintain many
friendships and group activities. He can be humanitarian, un-
conventional, and scientific. He is happiest in discussion of
large scale humanitarian schemes.
Jupiter in Pisces, the rulership of which he shares with Nep-
tune, expresses in a strong, intuitive imagination, overflowing
with kindness and the desire to help others. Helpful for the arts
and psychic work. If afflicted, the imagination can run to exag-
geration and confusion.
124 TWtLVt DOORS TO THE SOUL

jupiter in the Houses

Keywords for Jupiter are expansiveness. opportunity, thics,

and personal growth. Jupiter amplifies whatever he touches, for
better or worse. Depending on his aspects the affairs of the Hou e
in which he is placed are marked by abundance. For example,
Jupiter in the 2nd House well-aspected brings financial abun-
dance. At the least, he preserves the person from seriou lo s or
need. But if Jupiter is afflicted, it gives extravagance or financial
loss, usually owing to over-optimism and lack of careful plan-
ning or investigation before investment. Jupiter in the 6th
House, unafflicted, is a preserver of health; afflicted, it can mean
illness or accident to the parts of the body ruled by Jupiter. Such
illnesses are usually of the type caused by overindulgence or too
much of something in the system. Wherever placed, Jupiter's
benefits seem to flow more generously if the person makes an
effort to improve himself or the conditions ruled by that House.
For example, in the 5th House difficult aspects may give troubles
with children, usually due to lack of discrimination, overin-
dulgence, or over-protection. If the person makes consistent
efforts to develop a more detached, impersonal attitude, improv-
ing his understanding and judgment along with giving love,
Jupiter will reward him by expanding his life with amplitude
through relationships with the children. Remember. Jupiter is
the planet of abundance and self-improvement. To call forth his
rewards you must feel and express gratitude, give generously,
and work on self-improvement.7

Jupiter's Aspects

Jupiter as the principle of abundance and self-improvement

amplifies the qualities of the planet aspected for better or worse.
An unaspected Jupiter indicates that the time has come to begin
giving, as in Chapter VIII the man with the unaspected Venus
was told it was time he started learning to love.
JUPITER-SATURN The joining of the principles of limitation
and expansion makes contradictions. This usually causes alter-
nating periods of optimism and depression. Self-understanding
is the key to achievement; learning to work hard in expansive
periods and remaining of good cheer in constrictive periods.
With the square and opposition, success may be achieved but
only at the cost of hard work or personal hardship and long
 FORTU E OR EXCESS 125

delay . It will be difficult during those times to see the potentials

of self-improvement because conventional attitudes limit the
vision. The sextile and trine often give controlled expansion,
sure and steady success, patience and progress.
JUPITER-URANUS The conjunction of these two planets can
give sudden and unusual luck, success in large enterprises and
humanitarian awareness. It can also, depending on the rest of the
chart, make one excessively willful, independent in unconven-
tional ways, and give a tendency to go to extremes in religious or
philosophical matters. The square and opposition give the same
originality or eccentricity, willfulness, and love of freedom as
the conjunction but with less control. There is increased
tactlessness and bluntness that offends others, breaking up per-
sonal relationships and often making the person highly egocen-
tric. The sextile and trine give unexpected good luck, often from
unusual sources. The personality is forceful, magnetic and fre-
quently the trine indicates genius.
JUPITER-NEPTUNE The conjunction of these two makes one
expansive and idealistic. There is often a great attraction to
the sea, but most marked are the qualities of kindness and
philanthropy—the Good Samaritan. This conjunction often
gives talent, or even genius, in the arts. All intuitions and sen-
sitivities are increased, with psychic abilities common. If the
rest of the chart is not strong or if it is afflicted, there can be much
daydreaming, fantasy, and deceit of the self and others. The
square and opposition give vision in religion, philosophy and a
mystical approach to life which can in certain charts depart from
reality. The challenging aspects always give more energy, a
compulsion toward achievement, than the "soft" aspects but
also more difficulty. Jupiter can exaggerate the sensitivity of
Neptune leading to psychic disturbance, escapism, involvement
in weird cults, danger from alcoholism, drugs, gas, poisons, and
anaesthetics. The most common negative expression is a lack of
just plain commonsense! The sextile and trine give an easy flow
of benefits typical of the conjunction. Benefit comes often from
hidden sources or comes in subtle ways. There is often spiritual
insight and personal magnetism with lucky "hunches".
JUPITER-PLUTO Aspects involving Pluto are among the most
difficult to evaluate. It seems to make little difference whether
the aspect is fortunate or unfortunate: the so-called stressful or
difficult aspects are often found in the horoscopes of the most
126 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

spiritually aware and creative individuals. The conjunction,

square, and opposition often indicate a confrontation with reli-
gious or educational taboos in which some sort of breakthrough
is necessary in order to grow. The square and opposition pro-
duce a resistance or rebellion against the purgative processes of
change that Pluto brings. The sextile and trine show an accep-
tance of the need for change and growth, and an openness to the
new—new people, ideas, and attitudes—with an easy flow of
inner power.

Jupiter Retrograde

Retrogradation is the principle of recapitulation wherein the

thoroughness of the evolutionary process is insured. With Jupi-
ter, it might mean that certain aspects of religion, education,
ethics, self-improvement, etc., must be re-experienced and the
lessons of giving and gratitude more thoroughly learned.

NOTES

^anly P. Hall,Astrological Keywords {Totowa, N.J.: Littlefield, Adams

& Co., 1975. A well-organized and comprehensive compendium of
everything related to the Signs, Houses, Fixed Stars, and other astrolog-
ical subjects.
2
These two cases bring up the perennial question of free will versus fate,
the first accident in particular. Forewarned of the danger of accidents
around a certain date, the woman and her husband took extraordinary
precautions and care with their car and travel. Yet "on impulse" she
accepted an invitation to drive 100 miles in a fellow worker's car to a
neighboring city. The friend was driving and, rounding a mountain
curve, they came upon a parked truck. Swerving to avoid collision, they
smashed into an oncoming car killing every occupant in it.
Everything that happens is karmic—the result of some cause in present
or past lives. C. W. Leadbeater gives a good analogy to help understand
the workings of karma in his inner Li/e (Wheaton: Theosophical Pub-
lishing House, 1978), page 359; "There is another aspect of karma the
consideration of which I have found helpful in the effort to understand
its working; but it belongs to a plane so high that it is unfortunately
impossible to put it clearly into words. Imagine that we see each man as
though he were absolutely alone in the universe, the center of an
incredibly vast series of concentric spheres. Every thought, or word, or
action of his sends out a stream of force which rushes toward the
surfaces of the spheres. This force strikes the interior surface of one of
the spheres, and, being at right angles to it, is necessarily reflected back
 FORTUNE OR EXCESS 127

unerringly to the point from which it came. "From which sphere it is

reflected seems to depend upon the character of the force, and this also
naturally regulates the time of its return."
4
Luella Sibbald, "How I Use Astrology As A Psychotherapist", in
American Theosophist, Special Issue, Fall, 1978.
5
The crescent part of Jupiter's symbol conveys the essence of Moon's
function of nurture.
6
To emphasize that difficult Saturn aspects are far from negative, it
should be remembered that Sun-Saturn aspects crystallize the ambition
and direction of the personality: 27% of all U.S. Presidents through
Jixon were born with Sun conjunct, square, or opposition Saturn.
Another 25% had the moon conjunct, square, or in opposition to Saturn.
'While writing this chapter, I received letters from two friends, one
inveighing against God, fate, faithless or unappreciative lovers, friends,
and employers. He had given all and received nothing but grinding
poverty and loneliness. The other friend had just lost her job but was
busy cheerfully working out ways of earning money at home while
looking for another job. Her past life had been far from easy but she
considered herself blessed in the things that counted. Somehow things
always seemed to work out for her. Both friends were talented, hard-
working people with afflicted Jupiters in their Natal charts. The second
friend was some years older than the first but neither was young. I felt
that the difference lay in their relative "openness" to Jupiter through
gratitude and giving. The first friend considered life a swindle, being
grateful for nothing but the second friend gave her "widow's mite" with
both hands, constantly grateful for whatever came her way.
 XI

SATURN: MOST
MISUNDERSTOOD PLANET

In the symbol of Saturn, the cross of matter takes precedence

over the reflection of the spirit—the crescent. Saturn is the
symbol of the physical plane, of matter personified through
which emotion, mind, and spirit mustmanifestfor evolutionary
purposes.1
An eminent astrologer was once asked to list the planets in
order of importance and his reply was "Saturn, Saturn, and
Saturn!" An exaggeration, perhaps, but Saturn is indeed of
prime importance in the analysis of any natal horoscope. Just
from the position and aspects of that planet, an astrologer can
glean many of the essential factors in the character and life.
Some of Saturn's most important principles are that of self-
preservation, contraction, crystallization, form, structure, stabil-
ity, and time.2 Saturn has always had a "bad press". Most as-
trologers give him negative meanings because his vibrations so
often result in obstruction, disappointment, poverty, frustration,
and the like. I hope to show that Saturn has a very positive side
without which no material or spiritual progress could be made.
Saturn represents concentrated experience and learning
which come to the soul only through incarnation in a physical
body on the physical plane. On the higher planes, our soul—
higher Self, or whatever one wishes to call that individual spark
of the Divine—is splendidly free and powerful. It is only through
the limitations of bodily form and the challenges of material life
that we have the opportunity for developing the qualities of
patience, endurance, resourcefulness, hard work, and organiza-
tion. Saturn also shows us what we lack and need to develop by
 MOST MISU DERSTOOD PLANET 129

the lessons he teaches us through daily experience. Saturn tests

us every step of the way and shows up the folly of self-deception,
escapi m. or rationalization so typical of most of us. He does not
allow us to pa s on to a higher stage until his demands have been
fulfilled, aturn's position in the horoscope shows the point of
greatest responsibility, the area of unfulfillment in past lives
(duties ignored, lessons evaded, weaknesses and faults uncor-
rected), and, therefore, the area needing the greatest effort in this
life.
Anne's horoscope is an example of what most astrologers
would term a most unfortunate chart with two dominating "T"
crosses and a few "good" aspects. A "T" or a Grand Cross in
Fixed Signs3 is one of the most difficult configurations to cope
with. In Anne's chart Saturn is conjunct the Midheaven and
Neptune in Leo on one arm, with the Ascendant, Sun, and
Mercury conjunct in Scorpio on another arm, and last, Uranus in
Aquarius opposing the Leo group and squaring the Scorpio
group. The natal aspects can usually be expected to manifest no
matter what happy sextiles and trines the planets make as they
progress. A square between two planets in the Natal chart will
manifest as a square when, by progression, the planets form a
sextile or trine—unless there is a radical change of character and
much effort is made toward self-understanding. The "T" and
Grand Crosses give difficulties but they also give much energy
and strength. A spiritual orientation enables one to turn that
energy and strength into constructive channels.
Saturn conjunct the stationary Neptune4 in the 9th House
shows a conflict or contradiction in religious matters. Neptune
represents the urge to escape from the limitation of the material
plane into union with the All, and Saturn represents the or-
thodox, structured, or materialistic religion, or even a complete
lack of religion. In Anne's case, her family was materialistic and
agnostic so there was almost a complete denial of religion in her
youth. In its place she put romantic books, fairy tales, and an
extraordinary amount of daydreaming—very typical of Nep-
tune. In later life she leaned to the mystical, but she always tried
to put whatever mystical inspiration that came to her into some
practical form that would be of use in the world. Saturn in a
Fixed Sign is almost always indicative of strong willfulness and
rigid habit patterns that block the flow of love and the energy of
life (Leo and the Sun). Saturn's square to the Ascendant-Sun-
130 TWELVE DOORS TO 1HE SOUL

Mercury reinforced that, but the opposition to the revolutionary

Uranus exactly on the Nadir—the very foundation of any
chart—guaranteed that the structure would be shaken again and
again until that enfergy and love could be released.
When Anne was 12 years old, the progressed Saturn became
stationary and stayed in the same degree for the next 7 years. Her
father suffered financial reverses and shot himself on her 14th
birthday. The progressed Midheaven was conjunct Mars in the
10th House, which rules the father; progressed Mercury was
trine Saturn, but since the two were square at birth it was the
square that manifested. After that, for several years, the family
moved about, the mother in an unhinged emotional state, shown
in the chart by Uranus in the 4th House (mother) opposition
Saturn. When Anne turned 16 her progressed Saturn turned
retrograde and she left school to try to earn a living in the depths
of the Depression. The following years saw unemployment,
family troubles, poverty, disastrous romances, and attempted
suicide. Life was so terrible that she began a desperate search for
some meaning to life and, at 19, stumbled upon Astrology and
Theosophy. (Progressed Sun trine Neptune, opposition Jupiter;
Mercury sextile Uranus; Jupiter sextile Neptune; and the pro-
gressed Moon was moving through the 8th House, the House of
rebirth.) Despite a complete lack of spiritual training or religion
in her youth, she immediately recognized these ancient wis-
doms as truth, providing a purpose to life. Circumstances did
not instantly become easier but her feelings of despair and injus-
tice were gone. She began to study and change herself. (At 20.
Saturn began to retrograde from the degree where he had been
stationary for 7 years.) When her progressed Sun exactly op-
posed the natal Jupiter, instead of further financial misfortune
she obtained a good job and worked with determination instead
of with her former arrogance. Within two years she rose to a
much more responsible position. Three years later the pro-
gressed Sun trined Saturn, an aspect which might have brought
all the difficulties of the natal square. Instead, Anne became
active in The Theosophical Society and entered upon three
happy years of concentrated study and self discipline, all very
characteristic of Saturn and the 9th House. At 28 she married but
her husband opposed her theosophical activities (progressed
Venus opposition Neptune, Jupiter square Mars) and so the
marriage broke up. When Saturn had retrograded back to his
 MOST MISUNDERSTOOD PLA ET 131

natal position and Sun sextiled Uranus. Anne went to Adyar, the
international center of The Theosophical Society for a year of
study.
After a divorce she married again and had several children.
There were major changes in residence over the years and even-
tually that marriage broke up when Venus conjunct Uranus and
Sun opposed Pluto. Pluto's vibrations can produce drastic
change : after 14 years a housewife Anne found herself at mid-
dle age forced to go back to work with three young children to
support. The whole structure of her life changed again but the
progressed Midheaven trine Jupiter brought an influential con-
nection leading to a good position. She prospered and after two
years went into business on her own. Anne had always kept up
her studies in Theosophy and Astrology and eventually when
the Midheaven trined Uranus (exact opposition at birth] and the
transitting Saturn passed over his natal place, she was given the
opportunity to combine the two in lecturing, writing, and coun-
seling.
Anne's horoscope and life are proof that you can change your
fate as mapped in the birth chart. The birth chart pattern shows
potentialities, not unchangeable destiny, and an afflicted Saturn
need not mean unending misfortune. The difficult aspects are
the most energizing, challenging, and inducive to real accom-
plishment if they are understood and used constructively. Any
planet touched by Saturn, through the difficulty or challenge
offered, is shown in practical as well as psychological terms to
be an opportunity of revealing a deeper, richer, and more pur-
poseful expression of its meaning. Thus, those with a badly
afflicted Saturn have a great propensity for discovering meaning
and purpose in their lives. Those with a Grand or "T" Cross
involving Saturn have the possibility of becoming strong, well-
integrated persons.

Signs and Houses Ruled by Saturn

Saturn is the ruler of Capricorn and, through that Sign, ruler of

the 10th House. Saturn can also be considered the part-ruler of
Aquarius and, through that Sign, part-ruler of the 11th House.
Saturn's vibrations aid in the consolidation of the self, helping
us to establish a firm base of operations and in no Sign more than
Capricorn is Saturn's urge to defend the self's safety and security
132 TWhLVL DUURS TO Tilt SOUL

through tangible achievement more in evidence.

In the natural order of the Signs, Capricorn rubs the 10th
House. The essential meaning of the 10th House is the e pre -
sion of the self in the outer world, especially regarding one's
attainment in a career.5 So, Saturn and Capricorn, wherever th y
may be placed in the individual chart, along with the 10th
House, show the ambition of the individual, the degree of e-
riousness or the lack of it, and the particular direction of his
drive toward self-perfection and achievement in the world. Am-
bition can be a destructive thing, but it is absolutely neces ary in
the earlier stages of evolution, for without it no progress would
be made. It is only when the individual evolves to the point
where he wishes to hasten his progress spiritually that he is
instructed, in Light On The Path,

Kill out ambition. Ambition is the first curse: the great

tempter of the man who is rising above his fellows.... Yet it
is a necessary teacher. Its results turn to dust and ashes in
the mouth: like death and estrangement, it shows the man at
last that to work for self is to work for disappointment.
Work, as those work who are ambitious.

Few of us have reached the stage of not needing some personal

ambition to prod us on to effort and achievement, but we can
begin to practice discrimination, detachment, and selflessness
in our ambition. We may miss feeling the hot joy of personal
triumphs but we shall also be able to endure the inevitable career
frustrations with equanimity and patience.
The traditional rulership of cautious, stable Saturn over
Aquarius seems completely at variance with its other ruler, the
independent, unconventional Uranus. (See Chapter IX. page 105,
regarding joint rulership.) But taking a closer look, who is more
set in his ideas than the typical revolutionary? It is obvious that
the 11th House and Aquarius, wherever placed, will have some-
thing of Saturn's gravity. But as both this Sign and House are
concerned with larger objectives, they will not express it primar-
ily in a self-seeking way or in such a practical form as in Cap-
ricorn. Saturn's principles will be expressed in more wide-
spread channels; objectives for humanity, group work, and
studies that are out of the ordinary—frequently of the very old or
very new such as archeology or electronics. In Aquarius the
Saturnian tendency to self-enclosure means that fellowship in
 MOST MISUr DERSTOOD PLANET 133

clubc. societie and other groups will be more congenial than in

a one-to-one relationship.

Rulership

ome of the people, vocations, and things which are ruled by

Saturn are:
1. The father, farmers, elderly people, state officials, finan-
ciers, miners, all conservative lines of business, real estate
dealers, jailers, undertakers, bricklayers, time.
2. The skin, teeth, gall bladder, ligaments, the skeleton,
knees, auditory organs, chronic diseases, rheumatism,
gout, paralysis, deafness, skin diseases, atrophy, harden-
ing of the arteries, impeded circulation, consumption,
some cancers.

Saturn in the Modes, Elements and Signs

In the Cardinal Mode, Saturn is at his most positive and most

negative. Capricorn is his home Sign, where he expresses his
qualities most naturally. Libra is his Sign of Exaltation and Aries
is his Sign of Fall. Saturn's natural reserve, caution, and aptitude
for careful planning are at its best in Libra but those same
qualities clash with Aries' fire and combativeness. Cancer is the
Sign of Saturn's Detriment and in that Sign the planet's urge to
build a self-protective shell is increased, sometimes to the extent
that the tendency to brood and take offense forms a difficult
barrier to normal relationships.
In the Fixed Mode there is consolidation, the slow steady work
of attaining security. There is often a strong willfulness and
fixed habit patterns that block the flow of energy.
In the Mutable Mode, Saturn's tendency to crystallization is
balanced by the flexibility of the Mode but there is a need to
restructure the thinking patterns, eliminating the compulsion to
worry and be overly opinionated.
The Element wherein Saturn is posited indicates a particular
problem represented by that Element, especially with stressful
aspects. There is always a special need to express the energy of
that Element and yet a fear or inhibition in doing so. Saturn's
position shows where one needs to develop faith in a greater
power than the little self, making the effort to transcend selfish
134 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

considerations. For example. Saturn in Air indicates the need to

develop understanding and powers of communication.
Saturn in Fire shows a need to stabilize the identity in new
forms of creative self-expression instead of being confined to
old. sterile self-images.
Saturn in Earth needs to express precision and reliability in
work, proving his efficiency and thereby building self-
confidence.
With Saturn in Water there is often fear of the emotions, either
fearof outward emotional expression disclosing vulnerability to
other people's attitudes or criticism, or inwardly repressive of
emotion for a variety of reasons. Obviously, before Saturn's best
qualities and those of the Element through which he is function-
ing can be expressed—the fears, inhibitions, and sometimes just
blindness must be overcome. Saturn's position in Element and
House marks the area that needs attention.
In Aries there is a struggle between the intrepid, forcefulness
of that Sign and Saturn's concept of goals to be reached along
careful, structured lines. There is often a self-defensiveness
about expressing the ambitions.
In Taurus, Saturn's conservative temperament blends per-
fectly with that Sign's practical acquisitiveness and security
goals. The danger lies in too much materialism, too stolid an
immersion in the practical with a neglect of important intangi-
bles.
In Gemini the intellect may be somber, its expression persua-
sive and clever with words. The perception is keen and the
ambition often finds expression along more than one line.
In Cancer, its Sign of Detriment, the early home life can be so
lacking in supportiveness that self-confidence suffers. There are
likely to be problems with the mother or other women due to
rejection or a "mother complex".
Saturn in Leo needs to learn to express affection spontane-
ously, to help others generously. Willfulness and rigid habit
patterns inhibit the flow of love and elan. A flare for the dramatic
leads Saturn in Leo people to dramatize their lives, usually in the
form of a tragedy.
Saturn in Virgo is the original worrier. Hard working, critical,
orderly to a fault, and often seeming to go out of his way to
assume responsibilities and burdens. If you want to irritate a
 10ST MISUNDERSTOOD PLANET 135

person with aturn in Virgo, just tell him that there is nothing to
worry about—he knows better!
Saturn in Libra, its Sign of Exaltation, finds balance in the
social awareness of the Sign. Loneliness is a characteristic of
^aturn temming from fears, inhibitions, timidity, or too rigid a
protective shell of self-enclosure. The vibrations of Libra ease
that blockage and his positive qualities find fruitful expression
in esthetic and social enjoyment, diplomacy, and philosophy.
In Scorpio there is a fixed intensity to the emotions and ambi-
tion. Saturn's natural reserve deepens to secrecy and sometimes
deviousness and intrigue. The memory is long for injuries and
injustice, real or fancied. In times of trouble sex may be sought as
giving renewal and self-affirmation.
With Saturn in Sagittarius a lift is given to ambition, the
innate coldness is warmed and powers of organization ex-
panded in administrative work. There may be a philosophical or
religious attitude to life, international travel and larger ethical
concepts.
Saturn in Capricorn (the Sign of Rulership) expresses his
qualities easily. Ambition plans the goals carefully and hard
work is welcomed. If there are difficult aspects, there may be a
selfish arrogance that considers any means justified to attain
one's ends. Materialism and the desire for recognition are impor-
tant motives.
In Aquarius (Sign or Rulership shared with Uranus] Saturn's
ambition seeks outlet in group activities, humanitarian objec-
tives and his powers of organization and aptitude for careful,
hard work are utilized for social planning and schemes. The
Saturnian "heaviness" is lightened by innovation and in-
tellectual liveliness.
In Pisces, Saturn's austerity and self-enclosure is softened.
The usual drive of his ambition with its motives and rewards is
questioned with the result that there may be confusion or more
than one change of profession. There can be sorrows early in life
that later lead to periods of moodiness, depression, and doubt.

Saturn in the Houses

There are as many "keywords" for Saturn as there are astrolo-

gers: limitation, cold, ambition, lack, the heavy hand of karma,
etc. I hope that I have been able to show that the positive qual-
136 TWELVE DOOKS TO THE SOUL

ities of the planet are vital to progress and achievement. To the

negative keywords should be added discipline, concentration,
power of organization, responsibility and perseverance. We
only suffer the negative qualities because in the past or present
we have avoided our just responsibilities and lessons.
The House in which Saturn is placed at birth shows the area of
character and life where you are too attached, too rigidly self-
centered, too defensive so that you can be tied up in a knot of
negativity. Therefore, it is the area where you must strive to
overcome this limitation through experience and by serious,
thorough effort. It shows where and how we will meet the
particular karmic obligations that serve to discipline our desires
and ambitions. We may instinctively intuit this karmic pattern
and, therefore, dread it, for there are a few of us who happily
embrace such difficulty and effort. Avoidance only puts off the
day, because Saturn will not let us pass until we have fulfilled
the demands of our karma.
In the 1st House Saturn nearly always gives a feeling of per-
sonal insecurity and inadequacy, especially in the early years.
There is a strong sense of perfectionism which can make the
person over-meticulous and add to his sense of "not measuring
up to standard" and so suffer periods of depression. In a strong
character this sense of limitation may act as a spur to achieve-
ment; in a weak character, timidity and inhibitions may block
the person from any forceful expression in life.
In the 2nd House the person is responsible and careful with
financial affairs. Depending on the aspects it can run to a slow
accumulation of money and property, miserliness, or failure and
poverty. Whatever is accumulated may come after much hard
work and delay.
In the 3rd House there can be loss or responsibility connected
with brothers or sisters. I once read the chart of a friend with
Saturn in 3rd House so I asked her if her sister was dead. She
replied that the sister was very much alive but, although they
lived in the same house, they had not spoken to each other for
eight years! The "coldness" of Saturn need not be that of death.
Often this position implies a lack of education or difficulties in
learning especially in elementary school. Depending on other
factors in the chart, it can give a depth and seriousness to the
mind with caution and commonsense exercised in all matters of
 MOST M1SU DERSTOOD PLANET 137

correspondence, communication, education, or literary work.

In the 4th House there can be much discipline, coldness, or
difficult conditions in the home or early childhood. This posi-
tion can indicate depression caused through lack of a proper
home or loss of a parent or, later in life the responsibility for the
home or the parents.
In the 5th House there can be disappointment or delay in an
area of life that should bring joy and relaxation. Children can be
denied or become the cause of anxiety and extended responsibil-
ity. Saturn in this House is unfortunate for risk-taking or gambl-
ing.6 As the 5th is the House of "love given", Saturn's position
here can sometimes mean that the person has much difficulty in
feeling or expressing love for others.
In the 6th House there can be health problems, usually accord-
ing to the Sign on the Cusp. Depending on the aspects, Saturn
here may give periods of unemployment, troubles with fellow
workers and employees, or problems arising from service given
to others. The 6th and the 12th Houses are the least/ree areas in
the horoscope and Saturn here usually brings rather heavy kar-
mic obligations or burdens. I have had a number of charts where
the person undertook long-term service to another {such as the
care of a bedridden relative or friend) when there was no legal or
moral necessity, because they felt it was somehow their duty.
Looking into their past lives I always found that they had, in-
deed, incurred a debt of care for the unfortunate one.
Saturn in the 7th House can deny or delay marriage or give
marriage {or a business partnership) to an older, more serious
person. According to the aspects or other planets in 7th House,
there can be frustration and loss from others in close partner-
ship such as marriage or business, or they may bring much
responsibility. The 7th House rules other people in general so
Saturn here can mean difficulty or inadequacy in forming happy
relationships. With good aspects it can mean a very stable,
long-lasting partnership bringing permanent benefit.
In the 8th House there can be loss or responsibility through the
finances of others, difficulties through death and inheritance. A
seriousness over sexual matters, interest in psychic matters,
death and the after-life.
In the 9th House, frustration or denial of travel, difficulties in
foreign countries, with foreigners or while traveling on business
or duty. Depending on other factors, the religion or philosophy
 TVVLI VE DOORS TO THE SOUL

is likely to be orthodo or materialistic but it can denote profun-

dity in questions of faith and beliefs. As with all Saturn place-
ments, long-term results can be good if one's duty is fulfilled and
sustained effort put forth.
In the 10th House, there is a serious application to the Cd reer.
This position of Saturn is supposed to give assured success in
the career after delays and much hard work with disappoint-
ments along the climb. If the rest of the chart is weak, the person
may avoid responsibility, blaming everyone else or unkind fate
for the resultant setbacks and failures.
In the 11th House there may be lack of real friendship or many
friends. It is the House of "love received" and the affectionate
response from friends may be small. It can mean few friends but
those few will be serious, long-lasting friendships. Elderly
friends prove to be the most satisfying companions or there
could be loss and disappointment through friends or group
affiliations. One's hopes, dreams, long-term goals are serious
and carefully planned.
In the 12th House, Saturn can mean sorrows borne in secret
which, frequently, may be of one's own making. This placement
can indicate loss of the father through death or separation. As it
is the House of the subconscious. Saturn's presence here may
indicate a deep seated neurosis, a "hang up", or some fear
amounting to a phobia. Well-aspected, it can mean a serious
commitment to those who suffer or are in need or imprisoned.

Saturn Aspects

The aspects to and from any planet have much to do with

whether the positive or negative qualities of that planet will find
ready expression. With the dynamic planets—Mars, Sun, Jupi-
ter, and Uranus—there may be more difficulty along with posi-
tive results. For example, Saturn with Mars shows as clash or
harmony between impulse and delay; with the Sun, there may be
wisdom or arrogance; with Jupiter, we find good business judg-
ment or financial frustrations; and with Uranus, you have a clash
between conservatism and unconventionality. With the more
negative planets—Moon, Mercury, Neptune, and possibly
Pluto—Saturn's negative qualities of fear, inhibition, and limi-
tation seem stronger. The whole chart, as well as other Saturnian
aspects, must be taken into consideration. So remember, no
 MOST M1SU DERSTOOD PLANET 139

single factor can ever be considered alone.7

SATURN-URANUS In a strong chart, the conjunction can give
an aptitude for practical planning and a determined independ-
ence which works to produce unusual results. Or, it may pro-
duce a nervous tension and confusion because limitation and
freedom do not mi> easily. Danger from accidents such as falling
or being in a plane or car crash can be attributed to this config-
uration. The square and the opposition give much the same but
the contradiction of the two planets is emphasized. Nerves can
uffer and the individual is awkward in relationships and there
are often radical changes in the life of one who has one of these
difficult aspects. (Anne's horoscope, p. 129.) The planned goals,
dictated by ambition, are often upset by impulse and independ-
ence. With the sextile and trine, the ambitions can express
along unique, unusual, or revolutionary lines. Uranus often
gives brilliance of mind and originality, even genius. Or, if the
rest of the chart agrees, eccentricity plus an arbitrary, brusque
manner that drives people away and frustrates really worth-
while projects.
SATURN-NEPTUNE The conjunction between these two can
give a peculiar magnetism attracting other people: intuition aids
the ambition and there is often a very vague sense of time. Except
in a conjunction or opposition with Neptune, people with
Saturn strong in their charts usually have a very keen sense of
time though it can amount to an obsession, the person going to
extraordinary lengths rather than be five minutes late to an
appointment.
The sextile and trine give good sense of timing, that person
being always at the right place at the right time with the right
qualifications and equipment to succeed in a venture. Neptune
also enhances the imagination and vision. With the sextile and
trine aspects, these qualities can be channeled into practical,
well-planned expression.
With the square and opposition, the same qualities are present
but its practical expression may be frustrated because the plan-
ning was confused and impractical. With Neptune's emphasis
on the boundless and timeless, there would be conflict with the
exactitude of Saturn. Sometimes the conjunction square, or op-
position can show death or separation from the father, often
under peculiar circumstances. I had a friend, Marion, whose
Saturn was conjunct Neptune in the 12th House. This configura-
140 TVVI LVL DOORS TO TEIK SOUL

tion gave her musical talent which she expressed in a practical

way by teachinp music. She had been an only child, living
happily with her parents in a small town when one day a foreign
woman presented herself at the door claiming the father as her
husband. He admitted to the fact, packed his things and left with
her. Neither Marion nor her mother ever heard from him again.
SATURN-PLUTO Aspects with Pluto are even more unpre-
dictable than those involving Uranus. Pluto rules death, regen-
eration, rebirth, and transformation. The conjunction, square,
and opposition may be more stressful than the sextile and trine
but only because the latter seem to give the person an innate
acceptance of the necessity for change and growth. There often
seems to be something compulsive about any of the aspects
involving Pluto but in the long run theeffectsare purgative: old
relationships, habit patterns, obsessions, etc., are wiped out so
that the next stage can be entered. In some way the perspective is
deepened and widened. There is often a drive—with the
stronger aspects—to rebellion or reformation. With certain
horoscopes, the ambition is ruthless in manipulating or
dominating others to further one's ends.
To sum up, the primary lesson of Saturn is responsibility and
facing up to reality. The adult soul takes responsibility for all his
actions. Putting the blame onto parents, spouse, circumstances,
or fate for one's weaknesses, failures, and mistakes is childish.
The person who expresses the positive qualities of Saturn is a
mature person. Saturn rules time and time brings many sorrows
derived from the Saturn principle such as those of illness, be-
reavement, and the enfeeblement of age. But no person who has
met Saturn's demands positively needs to fear old age.

Saturn Retrograde
With Saturn it implies a recapitulation of responsibilities
avoided or lessons only partially learned in the past.

NOTES

'I have always felt that the Church erred in stressing the crucifixion of
Jesus Christ as a historical happening with all theaccompanying physi-
cal suffering, "guilt" of the Jews, and vicarious atonement all of which
have caused so much trouble and confusion in the ensuing centuries. It
 10ST I IS UNDERSTOOD PLANET 141

obscured the deeper meaning of the cross symbol, which is the crucifix-
ion of the spirit, i.e.. every soul is "crucified" in matter for evolutionary
purposes and is his own savior, not just one man in one point in time.
J
For a most comprehensive analysis of Saturn in line with modern
psychological, spiritual and occult thought read Stephen Arroyo, As-
trology. Karma and Trans/ormation: The Inner Dimensions of the
Birthchart (Vancouver. Washington: CRCS Publications, 1978); and Liz
Greene, Saturn, A New Look At An Old Devil (N.Y.: Samuel Weiser,
1976).
3
A Grand Cross is a planetary configuration where four or more planets
form a cross, usually in the same Mode. A "T" Cross differs in that one
arm of the cross is unoccupied. In Anne's horoscope, the Fixed
Signs—Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius—are occupied with Taurus empty.
The empty arm of the "T" always exerts a powerful attraction, the person
seems to feel a lack in that area and often marries or engages in some
interest related to the empty Sign. Both Anne's husbands had their Suns
in Taurus, the empty arm of her "T" Cross.
4
A planet is considered very powerful when "stationary" or "direct".
The effect has been compared to the heat of a candle or light bulb.
Moving over one's hand, the heat is only mild warmth, but held in one
position, the heat becomes extremely perceptible! A planet is stationary
when it remains in the same degree of longitude just before or after
changing its motion to either retrograde or direct (after being retrog-
rade). This is marked in the ephemeris by the letter "D" or "R" on the
day the motion changes.
5
Every person has a "career" and a 10th House to interpret, even a
woman who is a homemaker and does not hold down a paying job
outside.
6
! have a friend with Saturn in the 5th House who is the epitome of
Saturnian responsibility. Her favorite relaxation is a holiday gambling
in Las Vegas using only a pre-determined sum of money. Though never
spectacularly lucky, she has hit upon a wonderful safety valve to miti-
gate the strictures of Saturn in her character and life!
To avoid repetition, the aspects between Saturn and the faster planets
can be found in the chapters covering those planets.
 XII

URANUS, NEPTUNE AND PLUTO:

AMBASSADORS FROM THE GALAXY

After many lives in which the qualities of the more material

planets are expressed, the soul's basic drive shifts from the
personal to the spiritual level. The higher octave planets—
Uranus, Neptune and Pluto—challenge the individual to be-
come more than human. It may cover a period of several
lifetimes for the person to become consciously aware of this
change in motivation, but that does not negate the power of this
evolutionary drive. That drive, always growing stronger, con-
tinues to attract outer events and situations into the life which
reflect the inner needs and which provide the stepping stones
for spiritual growth.

Uranus represents mental understanding of the higher planes

of consciousness.

Neptune represents a mystical and emotional yearning for

at-one-ment with the Higher—be it the soul, personal God, or the
nameless, boundless One.

Pluto represents the total commitment to self-transformation

which, in the process, involves the purging of all desires, at-
tachments and motives that stand in the way of that transforma-
tion.
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 143

Uranus. Jeptune. and Pluto symbolize the farces that con-

stantly prompt change and growth in our consciousness. Dane
Rudhyar called them "Ambassadors of the galaxy" explaining
that they do not completely belong to our solar system; they are
the great transformative agents that act as intermediaries linking
our small system with the larger system of the galaxy. This may
be an explanation, in part, of the statements in the Secret Doc-
trine that there are only seven planets in our solar system and
T
eptune is particularly mentioned as not belonging to it.1
Elman Bacher puts it that Neptune parallels, on a vast tran-
scendent scale, the functions of our Moon. The Moon, working
locally between the Earth and Sun, is the mother in a personal
sense with reference to relationship, home, and nation. Nep-
tune, functioning as a transmitter of galactic energies working
between the Galaxy and our system, is Mother in a universal
sense, all-embracing, all-forgiving, all-redeeming.2
All of the planets are concerned with our spiritual and mate-
rial evolution but the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter,
and Saturn manifest more noticeably in our everyday lives. The
effects of the higher octave planets depend upon whether we
have truly learned the lessons of Saturn, fulfilling his "de-
mands". If we have learned those lessons then we will not be
lacking in the self-discipline and moral sense needed to deal
with the vibrations of Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto in the Natal
chart or when, by progression or transit, those planets contact
sensitive points in the horoscope.3 Otherwise, a strong contact
can have a very overbalancing effect.
Those who have contributed to pioneering in the frontiers of
human knowledge and achievement were born at a time when
Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were in mutual aspect or in close
aspect to Sun, Moon, or Ascendant.4 To give but a few examples:
Galileo was bom with his Sun in a "T"-Cross with Uranus and
Neptune and in conjunction with Pluto almost exactly on the
Ascendant. Although this pioneer in Astronomy was born long
before the discovery of the higher octave planets, their
vibrations clearly affected him. Sir Isaac Newton had Neptune
and Pluto in opposition and Sun in sextile to Uranus. Thomas
Edison had the Sun conjunct Neptune, sextile Pluto and Moon,
in square to Uranus. Marconi, inventor of the wireless, had Sun
square Uranus, Moon trine Neptune. Charles Lindbergh's Moon
was rising in conjunction with Uranus and in opposition to both
144 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

Neptune and Pluto. Perhaps the most extraordinary scientific

discovery of the century was the discovery of atomic energy. The
first chain react ion was set off when the Sun was in close I ri ne to
Pluto. At the completion of the experiment the Moon wa con-
junct Neptune and trine Uranus. The Sun was conjunct Pluto
when the first atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Harry
Truman, who ordered the bomb dropped on Japan, was born
with his Sun conjunct Neptune and trine Uranus, with Pluto also
in trine to Uranus. Astrologer Dane Rudhyar has Pluto and
Neptune on the descendant and his Moon in square to Uranus.
J
Marc Edmund Jones has the Sun in trine to a Pluto- eptune
conjunction and Moon in sextile to Uranus. Astrologers are
usually associated with the planet Uranus but the true astrologer
seems to be strongly influenced by Neptune and Pluto as well.
In the world of art, long before the discovery of the outer
planets, Michelangelo responded to the vibrations of Neptune
and Uranus bracketing the Midheaven and Pluto sextile Nep-
tune, his Moon on the Ascendant in a fan formation with Nep-
tune and Pluto, his Sun in trine to Neptune and in opposition to
Pluto. Neptune is on the Midheaven of Picasso's horoscope,
trine to Uranus. Salvador Dali, the surrealist, has Uranus in
opposition to Neptune with his Moon in square to both. These
artists, in their different ways, have attempted to add an extra
dimension to their paintings by distortion (which is an example
of one kind of Uranus-Neptune influence). Of the prominent
teachers, leaders, and gurus in spiritual fields, G. I. Gurdjieff, the
controversial Russian with his methods of teaching through
humiliation, had his Sun close to the Nadir, conjunct Jupiterand
Mercury, and all of them squaring the Ascendant as well as lars
in the 7th House, making, in effect, a Grand Cross with the
Midheaven. Uranus in Leo is a singleton by quadrant and
virtually by hemisphere, the signature of a loner. It is also square
Pluto in the 8th, indicative of his drastic and original methods of
spiritual training, but his Moon in close conjunction with Nep-
tune pictures the mystical side of him known only to genuine
seekers.
Swami Vivekananda, probably the most influential of all the
earlier apostles to the West of the theory and practice of Indian
philosophy and religion, had his Moon, Part of Fortune, and
Saturn all conjunct in the 9th House opposed by eptune. His
Pluto was in opposition to the Midheaven. The name
 AMBAcSADOR FROM GALAXY 145

"\ ivekananda" means "spiritual discrimination", a very ap-

propriate name for a rm stic with Virgo on the cu p of the 9th
Hou'-e and i 'eptune in the 3rd House in close sextile to Mercury
in quarius I0t House).
Vivekananda's great teacher. Sri Ramakrishna. had his Sun
conjunct the Ascendant, Uranus, and Mercury. Neptune was in
cioce square to aturn in the 9th House and, incidentally, was
exactly conjunct the Vivekananda's Mercury. Ramakrishna's
teachinc . with their 'eptunian call for renunciation, found
worldwide expression through the speaking, writing, and travel
(all ruled by Mercury) of his disciple. Vivekananda. Uranus
conjunct the Sun and Mercury in the 1st House gave Ramakrish-
na's methods of teaching his disciples such an originality that
some people considered him mad.5

N
m
>?A0,

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12

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o

The TheosophicaJ Society—Nov. 17, 1875 8:00 PM.

New York City, N.Y. Lat. 41 N. Long. 74 W.
146 TV ELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

The Theosophical Society has also been most influential in

bringing the spiritual and occult wisdom of the Hast, the Ancient
Wisdom behind all religions to the world. In the Society's chart
and in the charts of all those prominent in the first fifty years.
Uranus stands out. The horoscope contains a Grand Cross in
Fixed Signs with Uranus in Leo opposing Mars and Saturn
conjunct in Aquarius, squaring Pluto in Taurus and squaring
Sun and Jupiter in Scorpio. The Moon in Leo, Neptune in Taurus
and Mercury in Scorpio form a "T" Cross in Fixed Signs. There
is a Grand Trine between Moon. Sun, and the Midheaven. Moon
is in 0 degrees Leo, still within orb of trine to the Pisces
Midheaven and Scorpio Sun, which isof some help in balancing
the many difficult aspects. In spite of many trials and tri-
bulations through the one hundred years of its life. The
Theosophical Society is proof that an entity with such an abun-
dance of "challenging" configurations can be successful. One of
the founders, H. S. Olcott, had his Sun trine Pluto and opposi-
tion Uranus. The other founder, H. P. Blavatsky, had Neptune on
the western horizon (she was perhaps one of the world's most
extraordinary mystics with great psychic powers), with Sun
opposition Uranus and Moon opposition Pluto. Her methods of
teaching varied with the pupil and could be anything but gentle!
Annie Besant had Uranus rising in opposition to the Sun with
Pluto sextile to Neptune. Krishnamurti whose promotion by the
Society and subsequent departure caused such upheaval in the
1920s has his Sun opposing Uranus forming a "T" Cross with his
Aquarian Ascendant. He was born while the Pluto-Neptune
conjunction was some three degrees apart but as these two
planets were not otherwise significant in the chart, his contribu-
tion appears to be very largely Uranian—preparing people for
the coming Aquarian Age by looking to their own selves for
illumination rather than to a master or other font of authority.

^ Uranus

The symbology of the higher octave planets is not as clear as

that of the personal planets. The symbol for Uranus is said by
some to be the "H" of its discoverer Herschel; but others say the
two half-moons represent the reflection of the Spirit bracketing
the Cross of Matter. The tiny circle below might be the SoulAThe
discovery of Uranus in 1781 coincided within a few years of the
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 147

American and French Revolutions, the beginning of radical

changes in all phases of human life. Uranus is the disintegrator
of forms, the enemy of crystallization, the opener of doors. He
svmbolizes the alchemist, the magician, the occultist, the as-
trologer. the creative artist, and the political, religious, and
social revolutionary. His vibration brings progress after the ful-
fillment of Saturn's obligations and responsibilities. His influ-
ence is felt at those points in evolution when the individual
automatically begins to function on progressively more imper-
sonal phases of experience. There is nothing superficial or com-
fortable about the influences and effects of Uranus; his sorrows
are agonies, his punishments catastrophic, his loves have noth-
ing to do with social respectability. In the horoscope, Uranus
shows the urge to freedom; his position marks the area in which
the person must have freedom to grow and express himself.
Uranus gives the power to create, to intuit, to invent, and to
achieve independence and inner freedom. Uranus symbolizes
the divine purpose of liberation which must, and inevitably will,
release the consciousness of man from ignorance and slavery to
outworn concepts. Sometimes the ruin of material or emotional
foundations is the fastest way in which the individual can be-
come aware of a greater purpose in life.
Uranian vibrations manifest in sudden changes of the life
pattern—a major progressed aspect or heavy transit can have an
effect like the closing of one volume and the opening of another
with new scenery, characters and plot. A dominating Uranus in
a horoscope can mean the liberator, awakener, illuminator, in-
ventor, genius or, the rebel without a cause, the constant trou-
blemaker, the dictator.

The Sign and House Ruled by Uranus

Uranus is the ruler of Aquarius and of the 11th House. He

shares that rulership with Saturn7 and no matter where Uranus
is placed in the chart there is a relationship to matters of the 11th
House and the House on which Aquarius is placed. For example,
one of my clients had Aquarius on the cusp of the 9th House with
Uranus posited in her 4th House. She has made of her home a
gathering place for friends of her spiritual persuasion. In some
ways it is like an ashram without a guru-in-residence, where
friends congregate for spiritual discussion or to live for varying
148 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

lengths of time, sharing the work. Another friend has Aquarius

on the 2nd House with Uranus in the 5th. She has what might be
called an unconventional love life with unconventional friends
who often become her lovers with resultant financial entangle-
ments.

Rulership

Some of the people, vocations, and things ruled by Uranus are:

1. Lecturers, inventors, astrologers, scientists, psychologists,
aviators, radio operators, electricians, revolutionaries, oc-
cultists, antiquarians; sudden and unexpected things, pho-
tographers, radiologists, television, telepathy, aeronautics,
cooperative societies and clubs.
2. Shin and ankle, circulatory system, pituitary gland, higher
nervous system, spasmodic disorders, acute nervous con-
ditions, cramps, ruptures.

Uranus in the Modes, Elements and Signs

The Mode and the Sign in which Uranus is placed is of less

importance than the House in which the planet is posited. Like
Neptune and Pluto, Uranus is many years in one Sign so obvi-
ously almost everyone in a generation will have their Uranus in
the same Sign. Therefore, the Sign position will be more indicat-
ive of a generational attitude. Those individuals born between
1968 and 1974 will show, in their adult lives, the radical changes
in attitudes toward marriage and partnership which were started
when Uranus moved through Libra. Those born between 1974
and late 1981 when Uranus movesthrough Scorpio will show in
their lives the radical changes in attitude toward death and sex
that we have seen begun in the last few years.
While in outer, more obvious ways the effects of the Sign in
which Uranus is placed may be shared with millions, it would be
a mistake to overlook its importance for those seeking illumina-
tion. For that individual the Sign would color his attunement to
truth and experimentation with the forces or change within and
without.
In Aries, the urge to independent action, self-assertion, and
new experience could lead to spiritual leadership.
Taurus is the Sign of Fall for Uranus: the lightning flash of
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 149

Uranian intuition is impeded by the materialism of the Sign.

Still, within the field of values the aspirant may make great
changes and find a true awakening.
In Gemini, Uranus expresses easily with quick inventiveness,
independence of thought and speech. But versatility and even
brilliance over many areas can lead to superficiality. There can
arise a contempt for those more slow-witted and inarticulate and
the aspirant must learn true appreciation for other qualities than
those of the intellect.
In Cancer there can be a struggle between the claims of home,
family and tradition conflicting with the urge for freedom lead-
ing to a deeper insight into this age old problem.
Leo is the Sign of Detriment for Uranus under which the
leadership qualities of the "royal" Sign can color Uranian ex-
pression with arrogance and even dictatorship if the heart is not
listened to.
With Uranus in Virgo, the lessons of spiritual discrimination,
the first step on the Path, can be learned. It is the first step, but
one that must be practiced every step of the way until one
transcends the human kingdom. It is also the Sign of Service and
the intuition of Uranus can guide the aspirant to his particular
Work in the universal Plan.
In Libra, unusual conditions in marriage or partnership often
bring deeper insight into the problem of attaining a balance
between the bonds of marriage and the need for freedom.
Scorpio is the Sign of Exaltation wherein the intuition of
Uranus allied to the persistence and depth of Scorpio can lead to
a profound grasp of the basic mysteries of life, death and regen-
eration.
Sagittarius can be the Sign of the spiritual pioneer if the
individual can control intense restlessness and direct the zeal
for change and exploration into constructive, selfless channels.
In Aquarius, the Sign he rules, Uranus is strong and the urge
for freedom can be directed into humanitarian efforts. There is a
deeper meaning to Aquarius: that true freedom can only be
found with self-knowledge—"know yourself and you will be
freed."
In Pisces, the dynamic forces and intuition of Uranus can be
used by the aspirant to pierce the emotionalism of the Sign, to
realize inspiration, healing compassion, and self-renunciation.
Each Sign has hidden depths, an esoteric side hidden from the
150 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

unquestioning mass of humanity. Most, if they believe in As-

trology. are happy with the popular prediction books, astrologi-
cal magazines, and newspaper "forecasts". There is nothing evil
about that, though when one thinks of the complexity and depth
of every horoscope the few lines or paragraphs pretend to
analyze, predict, and guide an evolving soul!
Uranus is usually the first of the three higher octave planets to
break through the mayo of material life, awakening the person to
growth and unfoldment. As long as we are immersed in material
desires and self-seeking, we are enslaved. Our true goals lie
elsewhere and Uranus aids us to self-knowledge and liberation.

Uranus in the Houses

The affairs of the House occupied by Uranus will show the

sphere in which the individual will feel change and disruption,
either initiated by himself or by external causes. But more than
that Uranus is the creative power of the universal mind, so
evident in the extraordinarily intuitive perceptions that result
from a Uranian attunement. Like a flash of lightning on a dark
night, the whole landscape of one's life can be illuminated and
seen with an entirely new perspective. The House position of
Uranus shows us where we can potentially experience and use
this awakening power.
In the 1st House the personality will be out of the ordinary,
independent and unconventional. If there are difficult aspects,
there can be willfulness, eccentricity, impulsive changes of di-
rection.
In 2nd House there may be periods when material security is
shattered, or there are sudden and unexpected gains, both of
which may seem to appear through accident or luck. These
sudden losses and gains in the area of finances and resources
carry the lesson, teaching the need to break free of identification
with matter, to reshape one's values.
In the 3rd House, odd and interesting happenings can be
expected on short journeys. Brothers and sisters may be unusual
in character or circumstances with separation from them likely.
The mind may be original and inventive, or arbitrary and eccen-
tric. The attitudes can change radically several times in the life.
In the 4th House are frequent changes in the home, or separa-
tion from it and the family, or unusual conditions in the home.
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 151

One of the parents may be an unusual person. The 4th House,

and particularly the Cusp (the Nadir), shows how the individual
regards himself, which lays the very foundation of his being.
Uranus here indicates that at some time in the life there may be a
dynamic breakthrough into spiritual realization. (Realization is
one thing which, though it may change the life, usually requires
the total commitment of Pluto to accomplish full transformation.
Much depends on the entire horoscope of course.)
With Uranus in the 5th House there is little regard for conven-
tion in love affairs which can start suddenly and end in the same
manner. Unusual children often indicated by this position and
just as often, separation from them. Uranus always speeds up the
rhythm of a person's nature and in this area it presses one to a
restless, new excitement-seeking in love affairs, hobbies, gambl-
ing or speculations, sports, and ways of finding enjoyment.
\\ hether aspects are favorable or difficult, it can give brilliance
in creative ability.
In the 6th House Uranus can bring changes and new ideas
concerning diet and health. Clever and inventive in work, often
with a scientific bent. There are usually sudden changes in
employment and upsets in health according to the Sign on the
cusp. For the person aspiring to the spiritual life, it can mean
intuitive guidance toward a selfless, humanitarian, or occult
type of service.
Uranus in the 7th House gives unusual conditions in marriage
or partnership. It is not the happiest augury for a lasting mar-
riage, for the urge to independence often brings divorce which is
frequently precipitated by meeting someone else who appears to
promise a new, exciting relationship. All too often, that one also
ends in divorce or separation. If, with Uranus in this position,
the marriage does last, it will be because both partners are very
unusual people with circumstances and attitudes quite different
from the normal marriage. It can also mean that the partner,
whether in marriage or in business, is a foreigner, eccentric, or
somehow out of the ordinary.
In the 8th House, money from others may come in unusual
ways such as unexpected inheritances and the like. An 8th
House Uranus may give odd and unconventional ideas about
life, sex, and death. One's death can be sudden and unexpected,
possibly in an automobile or plane accident.8 To the
spiritually-minded person, this position of Uranus can mean a
152 T\ ELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

breakthrough in the mysteries of death, contact with the other

side, recollection of past lives, and other so-called occult mat-
ters.
Uranus in the 9th House often means an unorthodox philoso-
phy or approach to religion, or it may indicate a change from
one's early beliefs, and possibly study and interest in the occult.
Changes when far from home, exciting new experiences while
traveling are also a mark of a 9th House Uranus. If afflicted, there
can be sudden accidents or difficulties while on long journeys.
In the 10th House, Uranus can point up a person who could be
an outstanding, charismatic leader in world affairs or any field
he chooses, using his vision and originality to change old ways.
Or it can mean one who is brilliant and original but so arbitrary,
changeable, or resistant to routine business that he invites oppo-
sition, antagonism, and failure. The vocation most suitable for
this position of Uranus would be one that calls for originality
and change, such as the fashion industry. There are sure to be
changes in the career which could range from government work
to electronics to design. Combining the New Age Uranian influ-
ences with the 10th House rulerships you can get a glimpse of
the wide range of professional possibilities in this position.
In the 11th House, unusual objectives in life. Friends who are
unconventional, much older, younger, or in some way very
different from the person himself. Attraction to humanitarian or
altruistic societies or groups. Sudden and unexpected separa-
tion from friends or group affiliations.
In the 12th House, Uranus attracts one to unusual and secret
interests. Occultism can be positive and forceful. Arbitrary and
impulsive attitudes and actions rising from unresolved conflicts
in the unconscious. It can mean insight and intuitive perception
of cosmic truths.

Uranus Aspects

Uranus acts electrically, speeding up the individual's tempo

so that under a progressed or transitting aspect Uranian he
becomes excitable, restless, "turned-on", and with an urgent
desire for change and freedom. If, at birth, there is an aspect
between Uranus and another planet, or with the Midheaven or
Ascendant, the effect will be very strong.
Uranus does not afflict any planet in the chart unless there is a
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 153

karmic tendency toward crystallization to be counteracted.

Uranus does not shake us up unless we need to be freed from our
inclination to cling to some outworn structure in our lives
whether it be a relationship, concept, "security blanket", or
whatever. The aspects involving Uranus show where we have to
open up. experiment with new ideas and relationships and
become more receptive to truth. Having said that, it must be
stressed that the actual expression of Uranian aspects is unpre-
dictable. there is always an element of the unexpected, unusual,
the sudden. And even the creative manifestations are usually
accompanied by some of the less desirable Uranian characteris-
tics. From a spiritual standpoint, Uranus serves the purposes of
the higher Self by radically repolarizing an individual's position
in a particular area of life and cutting away all remnants of past
life patterns that have been blocking growth.
It must be stressed again that the aspects formed between the
higher octave planets are sometimes in orb for many years. That
is because of the frequent retrograde and direct motion of these
three planets. For example, Uranus and Neptune were in square
aspect on and off from 1951 to 1958. Obviously, therefore, many
people born during those years would have that square in their
charts. It would serve to color their characters and attitudes but
the degree of expression would depend upon the individual
chart and stage of evolution.
URANUS-NEPTUNE With all the aspects, the intuitions and
psychic impressionability are increased. In a strong chart of an
evolved individual this can make for tremendous vision and
sensitivity to the higher planes. In a weak chart it may have little
effect or lead to fantasy, deceit of self and others. In any chart
there is a likelihood of conflict between the Uranian drive for
individualistic freedom and the Neptunian urge to renounce
individual freedom for union with the boundless All or some
cult (or drug) that promises escape from the problems of indi-
vidual freedom. The square and opposition increase the conflict
and nervous tension but also can increase the efforts to attain the
ideals in unusual ways.9
URANUS-PLUTO If the action of Uranus is unpredictable, the
action of Pluto is even more so. The reason for this is, I believe,
because all of the higher octave planets are functioning from a
range of values or principles beyond our human comprehen-
sion. The effects of their vibrations depend often upon the indi-
154 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

vidual's stage of evolution or sensitivity. Therefore, it is impos-

sible and misleading to give an exact description of Uranus to
Pluto aspects. In certain strong individuals, the will power can
manifest as an arbitrary willfulness or a ruthless domination and
manipulation of others for selfish ends. The sextile and trine can
mean that the energies of the two planets may be expressed in a
creative way but this is not invariably the case.10

Uranus Retrograde

The individual with a natal retrograde Uranus tends to be a

rebel against all that binds him. The expression of this in the life
varies with each horoscope. He has learned how to be independ-
ent in former incarnations and now must discover the purpose of
independence.

Neptune

The exoteric symbol of Neptune is the trident or forked spear

held by the Greek and Roman god of the ocean. Esoterically, the
symbol represents the upturned crescent (Chapter VII. page 79)
or sacred cup open to receive the inflow of Buddhic intuition,
understanding, and compassionate, boundless love. Neptune is
also the planet of creative inspiration; all great artists have
Neptune strong in their charts. Michelangelo, Picasso, and Dali
have already been mentioned. Omar Khayyam was born with a
Uranus-Neptune opposition. Pluto in trine to Uranus and sextile
Neptune. Edgar Allan Poe had Moon conjunct Pluto in square to
Neptune and trine to Uranus. Uranus was conjunct his ascend-
ant. His strange genius for macabre stories and his addiction to
alcoholism and drugs demonstrates one kind of Neptunian (al-
lied with the influence of Moon, Uranus, and Pluto) manifesta-
tion. The horoscope generally attributed to William Shake-
speare shows his Midheaven bracketed by Venus and Neptune
with Pluto squared by Uranus. The Moon is sextile Pluto and the
Part of Fortune is square Uranus and opposition Pluto. Many of
his plays are allegorical representations of eternal truths, which
is one reason they have survived. In the horoscopes of nearly all
of the great composers Uranus. Neptune, and Pluto are promi-
nent. Neptune is strongly connected with the arts because it is
related to imaginative inspiration.11
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 155

Neptune in the atal chart shows where it is easiest to surren-

der to a greater whole. It is inspiration, imagination, sacrifice,
sublimation, and the highest idealism. Neptune is also the
planet of camouflage; things are never what they seem to be
where eptune is placed or in a Neptune progression or transit,
'eptune rules the love that unites all as well as the never-
sleeping forces of decay and dissolution.
Never count on anything material promised by Neptune, par-
ticularly his aspects. So often what appears to be an ominous
storm on the horizon of life will produce only a light shower, an
imminent bonanza will deliver 10% of its rosy promise. It is
wisest to look to Neptune only for non-material gains such as
idealism, inspiration, imagination, and creativity. Neptune can
be the planet of deception or chaos until one has learned the
lessons of Saturn relating to self-discipline, commonsense, and
an honest appraisal of oneself. With so many people. Neptune's
manifestation can be that of self-aggrandizement, self-
dramatization. and fantasy; a lot of talk but no real effort. Some-
times all recognition of one's actual abilities and importance are
dispensed with. Saturn sets boundaries, Neptune dissolves
them, so great discrimination must be practiced to avoid illu-
sion. The infinite expansion of some ideal can be noted in the
examples of Napoleon, the Kaiser in W.W. I, Philip of Spain, and
Hitler. They had not learned the lessons of Saturn and so their
karma brought inevitable disaster. There are no limits to
spiritual expansion for those who truly seek the way within but
outward expansion of an ideal (especially when it involves the
use of force) is another matter.
Neptune sensitizes individuals to become their own teachers
by attuning them to the reality of the unseen, the immaterial
forces of life. There is an element of renunciation related to
Neptune, a renunciation of personal requirements for the sake of
the greater whole. Neptune rules alcoholism, drugs, hallucina-
tion, and escapism; those things which singly or in combination
have been used to attempt a short cut to Nirvana. Any such
attempts to achieve heavenly bliss without effort can only bring
disaster.

The Sign and House Ruled by Neptune

, Teptune is the ruler of Pisces and the 12th House, sharing that
156 TWELVE, DOORS TO THE SOUL

rulership with lupiter.12 Wherever Neptune is placed in the

chart there will be a relationship between the things ml by
that House and the matters ruled by the 12th House and the
House upon which Pisces is placed. A friend of mine had Nep-
tune in the 9th House, very close to the Midheaven. with Pisces
on the Cusp of the 6th House. She is a mystic and very psychic.
When she was a young woman, a friend sent her some wooden
carvings from Africa. As she opened the box, a cloud of fine dust
flew up into her face from the packing. Shortly afterwards a
strong infection started spreading across her face under the skin,
eating away flesh and bone. Doctors were mystified and it was
not until there had been considerable disfigurement (she had
been an extraordinarily beautiful woman) that it was discovered
to be a fungus growth known only in Africa. She believes that it
was the karmic result of a past life in Africa as a witch-doctor
who misused his powers. Neptune rulescertain types of fungus,
placed in the 9th House (foreign countries, religion and reli-
gious practices), Pisces is on the 6th House of health, and the
12th House (Neptune's natural rulership) rules hospitalization,
past karma and "self-undoing". The Moon (also a ruler of fungus
growths) was part of a Cardinal "T" Cross in exact square to
Jupiter (co-ruler of Pisces, 12th and 9th Houses, whose aspects
often show religious karma from the past). Jupiter is posited in
the 1st House in opposition to Mars in Cancer, 4th House. She
also had two serious operations for cancer in later life. Along
with the negative expression of Neptune, the lady has great
Neptunian spiritual and psychic qualities, spending much of
her life helping others.
Another case, which demonstrates the positive manifestations
of Neptune's vibrations, is that of a man with his Sun in the 7th
House exactly trine Neptune in the 3rd House, with Pisces on the
Cusps of the 8th and 9th Houses. Music was his great love but
when he found it could not provide him with an adequate
livelihood he went to work for a large corporation (12th House)
involved with travel and credit cards (9th and 8th House mat-
ters). He rose to executive level and is now in the auditing
department (8th House) where his duties entail foreign travel
(9th House). In his spare time he studies Astrology ( Jeptune,
3rd, and 9th Houses), and does volunter hospital work (12th
House).
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 157

Rulership

Some of the people, vocations, and things ruled by Neptune

are;
1. Artistic and literary people, philosophers, mystics, black
magicians, ascetics, occupations connected with the sea,
oil. chemicals, television and films (all such occupations in
which illusion is involved), anaesthetics, spiritualism, the
sea. plastics, mind-altering drugs, alcohol, sleep, dreams,
fish, psychism in all branches, idealism, hypnosis, the
intangible.
2. The Pineal gland, spinal cords, nerve fiber, the feet, lym-
phatic system, allergies, obscure diseases such as comas,
catalepsy, hypochondria, poisoning, toxic conditions,
drug addiction, alcoholism.

Neptune in the Modes, Elements and Signs

These factors are of less importance than the House in which

the planet is placed. As remarked previously, the higher octave
planets stay so many years in one Sign that many millions will
have their Neptune in the same Sign, thus sharing generational
attitudes and conditions in those things ruled by the planet.
Neptune first entered Sagittarius in 1970 but did not settle
there until 1971. It will take approximately fourteen years to
traverse that Sign. The most outstanding material change
wrought so far has been the oil crisis of 1973-74 which has had
such a worldwide effect. Oil, energy, inflation (a Neptune-
Jupiter expression), and politics have been interlaced ever since.
But Neptune is also connected with death, and passing
through Sagittarius there will be many new ideas and discov-
eries in that field, perhaps producing new evidence on survival
after death.
For those individuals endeavoring to grow spiritually, the
Sign in which Neptune is placed at birth would color his at-
tunement to creative or spiritual inspiration.
In Aries, the imagination will be strongly expressed, the often
brash assertiveness of the Sign softened. The will to dominate
can, in some charts, show a person who will resort to subversive
means to attain his ideals, rationalizing that the ends justify the
means.
In Taurus, imagination and psychic sensitivity can be ex-
158 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

pressed in a practical way or in sensual fantasies with candles

ness over resources. Taurus is related to values and. to the
aspirant, this means expressing his ideals in practical, honest
ways even in money and business matters where dishonesty in
all shades is common practice.
In Gemini Neptune passed through that Sign between 1887-
1901; the many modes of communication—speaking, writing,
traveling, advertising, etc.—must measure up to the highest
ideals, which means that one's thoughts as well as speech and
writing must be free of distortion, exaggeration and deceit in
order to be "true of sound". Like a coin whose sound, when
struck or dropped, proclaims its falsity or verity, we are each one
sounding our note in the world through our emotions, speech
and thoughts. In Gemini, Neptune can make one more mentally
intuitive or too susceptible and changeable, allowing the per-
suasions of others to deflect us from our ideals.
Cancer (traversed between 1901-1913) is supposed to be one
of the best Signs for Neptune, being of compatible nature. The
characteristics of Cancer include the urge to nurture and protect,
fluidity and sensitivity. These can be very helpful qualities to
one seeking to forget the self in service of others, but as both
Cancer and Neptune vibrations are strongly emotional, care
must be taken to avoid excess sentimentality and muddled emo-
tionalism. It is good to feel compassion but a waste of energy and
spiritual purpose to lavish it on every stray animal and human
that appears on the horizon. One can only do so much and there
must be sensible priorities.
Neptune in Leo (1915-1929) has sometimes been called "reli-
gion on fire" and indeed when Neptune is in this Sign of its
exaltation and the person finds a religion or philosophy, he
tends to dramatize it and himself with enthusiasm! This can
become a form of fantasy (making oneself the star of a drama) or a
bid for recognition. Pride may produce self-aggrandizement.
In Virgo (1929-1943) Neptune is in its Detriment, itsqualities
finding difficulty to express, perhaps because the critical, ana-
lytical qualities of the Sign inhibit Neptune's compassion. Virgo
likes to measure, to set tidy limits and Neptune seeks the infi-
nite. I have known quite a number of women with Neptune in
Virgo who, though very intelligent, attractive, and eager for
marriage had never found the man who could measure up to
their ideals. If they married, it did not last. Discrimination is
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 159

absolutely necessary with all Neptune's influences and ruler-

ships for no planet can be more illusionary and misleading.
Especially with Virgo, the discrimination, the ability to analyze
critically, must be applied carefully to the right subjects. There
is often an attraction toward chastity and asceticism, vegetarian
or special diet, or healing through the laying on of hands. Virgo
ideals often find expression through service of the sick.
Neptune in Libra (1943-1956) increases the aesthetic and ar-
tistic qualities. The ideals seek a balanced expression, though
the desire for harmony may lead to weakness and vacillation.
The marriage ideals go through subtle changes, illusion and
disillusion, eventually putting those ideals on a sounder, more
spiritual basis.
Neptune in Scorpio (1956-1970) can make one highly sensi-
tive and inspired either in the arts or psychically. The aspirant
must guard against being oversensitive to slights, imagining
injury or lack of appreciation where none is intended. There is
much intuitive understanding when in love. Occult studies can
spiritualize the expression of this Sign and matters of the House
it rules in the chart.
Neptune in Sagittarius (1970-1984) is the planet of vision and
during its passage through the Sign far-ranging explorations of
the world, mind and spirit, many boundaries will be dissolved.
It will be a time of confusion and mysticism in religions, with
many new prophets and cults rising. Neptune seeks to bring
people closer together, dissolving separations, so that many who
are born in this period will gravitate to living in a religious or
idealistic community. Boundaries will be dissolved between far
parts of the world through the speed and availability of travel
and communication. Sagittarius is the Sign of the law and medi-
cal professions and there will surely be a change in attitude and
administration of these professions. All these things and much
more will bear fruit more fully when the children born with
Neptune in Sagittarius come to adulthood. Their point of view
will be very different from ours, their ideals much more open,
free, and forthright, as is the nature of Sagittarius but since
Neptune is the planet of mystery there will still be mysteries into
which only the pure and totally committed may safely probe.
Neptune in Capricorn (1984-1997) will bring new political
concepts, the dissolution of old ambitions, and the emergence of
new ambitions that would be strange to our hearing now.
160 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

And beyond that, when Neptune moves through Aquarius

from 1998 and then into Pisces, its own Sign, we can only guess
and reason from our knowledge of planet and Sign. The/orms of
our yearning for union with others and a greater Being may
change radically but the principles that govern the universe
remain unchanging.

Neptune in the Houses

By House position in the Natal chart, Neptune indicates the

potentials for tuning in on transcendental influences, either
constructively or destructively. All three of the higher octave
planets do that, but each is different and no one of them alone
can be called the planet of spiritual intuition or psychic power.
The House position indicates the sphere in which the imagina-
tion can be used most fruitfully and easily, in which one can
most easily surrender to a greater whole. At this stage of evolu-
tion (for all but the most selfless and evolved) there is always a
degree of illusion—things are not what they seem to be about the
affairs of the House in which Neptune is placed.
Neptune in the 1st House increases the sensitivity enor-
mously. It can be a physical sensitivity leading to allergies and
ailments that are mysterious, resisting ordinary medical treat-
ment. Psychologically there is a tendency to daydreaming, es-
capism of various kinds, and the person can easily lose himself
in a world of the imagination. With Neptune in the 1st House,
drugs should never be taken, even antibiotics may produce
severe side effects and narcotics can lead to addiction. This
position often gives psychic or creative ability.
In the 2nd House imagination and psychism can be brought
into money-making purposes or there can be vagueness about
financial matters leading to loss or deceit. Depending on the
aspects there can be danger of fraud or, if well-aspected,
idealism about possessions.
In the 3rd House the mentality can be imaginative and intui-
tive, or vague and unstable, depending on the aspects. It can
indicate occult or artistic studies—the example of this follows.
In the 4th House there may be peculiar conditions to do with
the home, often a substitute home and parents, such as foster
parents or adoption. Idealism about home, parents, and ancestry
is another mark of this position. Sometimes there can be peculiar
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 161

complications in the home or misunderstandings within the

family. I have often found it to indicate some mystery about the
person's parentage, such as illegitimacy or uncertainty about
their identity. The 4th House shows the individual's self-regard
(which so often is conditioned by his parents' attitudes and early
childhood) and eptune here can indicate very negative, in-
feriority feelings or self-exaltation based on illusion.
In the 5th House there can be unrealistic expectations of chil-
dren or love affairs. Peculiar happenings in regard to children
and deceit in romances. Investments in things of the sea, oil, or
art—but the profit or loss depends upon the aspects. A tendency
to take risks without using commonsense or careful forethought.
Romances can be very secretive and involved.
In the 6th House much depends on the aspects; a well-
aspected Saturn can do much to balance Neptune here. Health
may suffer through hidden, peculiar causes such as toxic or food
poisoning, drugs, escaping gas. Work conditions may be dif-
ficult because of intrigues, double-dealing, and gossip. The per-
son may be over-sensitive to the attitudes and emotions of those
with whom he works and allow it to poison his satisfaction with
his job.
In the 7th House there can be peculiar conditions in marriage
or partnership. Here are examples from cases. In one marriage
the couple had not had sexual relations for twenty-five years; it
was really a marriage in name only although to all outer appear-
ances it was a very successful, happy marriage. In another mar-
riage, Neptune in 7th indicated a subtle disintegration. And in
yet another, Neptune's position meant that the lady always
idealized her partner so much that no mere human could possi-
bly measure up and when they proved fallible she never recog-
nized it was her own illusions to be at fault, the men had "de-
ceived" her. The partner is likely to be spiritual or artistic but
unless well-aspected, difficulties arise and disillusion sets in.
In the 8th House Neptune gives an easy understanding of
spiritual matters with the ability to attain heights. The person
may be mystic or mediumistic, dreams or visions may be pre-
cognitive. There may be deception or mismanagement in finan-
cial matters, inheritances or other people's money. Difficult
aspects may give deception through illusionary ideas regarding
persons or conditions on the other side of death. Neptune in the
8th can indicate disillusion in sexual matters. Whatever the
162 TWLLVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

aspects, death is likely to come while asleep or under anaesthe-

tic.
In the 9th House there can be significant dreams, visions, or
intuitions that aid religious/spiritual comprehension and
studies. These can be used to advantage in publication. Roman-
tic adventures or confusion on long journeys. With difficult
aspects, higher studies become confused because ideas or goals
are not thought through. The person's approach to all religious,
higher educational, or serious studies tends to be very idealistic
or mystical.
Neptune in the 10th House can be excellent if the life work lies
in artistic, psychic, or inspirational fields. Even with favorable
aspects, a strong Saturn or other stabilizing factors are necessary
to avoid the fantasizing about one's place on the world stage that
seems to accompany this position rather often. For example, one
woman I know with this position, always dramatized herself in
the lead role until she became so overbearing that she lost her
job. In later years, to make up for her lack of achievement, she
adopted the achievements, travels and adventures of others as
her own. In other cases success is imagined but not worked for,
secret or psychological reasons being the cause. Usually there is
strong idealism as to the personal prestige in life.
Neptune in the 11th House gives strange and peculiar, some-
times deceptive friendships with dishonesty or misrepresenta-
tion at their hands. Wherever Neptune's position in the chart, it
often indicates one's "blind spot". The 11th House is the area
where one has a responsibility to a larger group of which he is a
part. He has to learn selflessness by being at the mercy of others
(his friends or group), if his eyes are closed to his real motiva-
tion. The lesson to be learned is, that one is never deceived
unless one deceives oneself first. Long-term goals may be very
idealistic or vague and on the level of fantasy. Ideas and
ideologies should be carefully scrutinized before being taken
up.
The 12th House is the natural House ruled by Pisces and
Neptune. The intuition and psychic power can be at work in
hidden ways expressing through mediumship, art, dancing,
music, and other aesthetic interests. Neptunian expression can
be peculiar, even distorted and perverse, but it is never coarse or
crude. There is always a refinement, a delicacy, a subtlety about
Neptune's activities. If Neptune has difficult aspects, there can
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 163

be neurosis stemming from repression of things in the subcon-

sciouc. There is an example in the case of the woman whose
bigamous father was claimed by another wife (Chapter XI. page
139] when she was a small child. At birth, Saturn and Neptune
were within one degree of conjunction in the 12th House. When
Marion reached age 28, her progressed Neptune made an exact
conjunction with Saturn. She was about to graduate from college
with honors, no worries and everything to look forward to, but
for no reasons that any doctor or counsellor could discover, she
lost all interest in life and for a year went through a completely
incapacitating depression. Transitting Saturn was also complet-
ing his cycle of the twelve Signs, returning to his Natal position
in the .2th House.

Neptune Aspects

It should be noted that the difficult, more stressful aspects

involving eptune are more indicative of artistic creativity and
spiritual progress than the harmonious aspects. The "divine
discontent" which presses most of those seeking creative or
spiritual goals is frequently the manifestation of Neptune's dif-
ficult vibrations. In the charts of all persons actively pursuing
some kind of spiritual path as their main vocation, Neptune was
in conjunction, square or opposition with the personal planets.
Ascendant, or Midheaven at birth.
Every aspirant must always remember that Neptune is the
most subtle planet in its mode of operation, so there is often
misunderstanding and misapplication of spiritual ideals. One
need only remember the devout men of the Inquisition who
tortured, burned, and imprisoned thousands, sincerely believ-
ing themselves to be carrying out the will of the God of love.
After lives of illusion and disillusion we realize that no true
realization of the spirit can be achieved through goals that are
sought in the world outside ourselves. Such goals are achieved
only when we accept the responsibility for making our charac-
ters and lives ideal. Difficult aspects of Neptune can give self-
delusion about one's high level of spiritual development leading
to spiritual pride. Humility and discrimination are the only
safe-guards against the illusions of Neptune.
NEPTUNE-PLUTO Any planet touched by Pluto shows ways
of action governed by past attitudes, where the need for elimina-
164 TWtLVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

tion and renewal is necessary. Neptune reveals the visionary and

imaginative capacity which too often manifests as illusion.
Pluto forces us to see our illusions and idealsfor what they really
are. There will be larger forces working for social change to
which one must respond, and also periods of subtle psychologi-
cal change.
The opposition aspect often takes the form of disappearances
of persons, circumstances, or possessions important to the indi-
vidual.

Neptune Retrograde

In any line of endeavor or expression of organic life whether

involuntary, voluntary, or evolutionary, there are always
periods of review or recapitulation. It is no different with the
spiritual life with which the higher octave planets are so closely
related.
A retrograde Neptune indicates a period in this incarnation
when the individual is living through the karma of learning
what is real and what is unreal in his ideals. There develops a
deep inner need to view all material matters in terms of their
significance to the Soul, forcing him to live in this world but not
be identified with it.

Pluto

There are two symbols for Pluto in common usage. One is

shaped like a combination of the first two letters, "P" and "L".
The other, more to my liking, is the upturned crescent over the
Cross of matter, symbolizing the sacred cup uplifted to receive
the powers of wisdom, foresight, and spiritual will. Within the
cup is the sphere symbolizing the Spirit. Appropriately named
for the Roman god of the underworld and the dead. Pluto rules
the 8th House and the Sign Scorpio. His keywords are elimina-
tion, renewal, regeneration, endings and new beginnings. He
seems an enemy because he brings us in touch with death of one
kind or another. But, like Uranus and Neptune, his vibrations are
always seeking to make the individual aware of the unreality
and impermanence of the mundane world against the reality and
eternity of the soul. His work is to bring freedom from bondage to
forms no longer useful to the Spirit. Old conditions, complexes,
patterns of thought and behavior are highlighted or flushed to
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 165

the surface. These factors so often have a compulsive or obses-

sive quality about them that it/orces us to deal with them. Above
all, Pluto is the planet of transformation, urging us toward that
final goal of all those many incarnations, to transcend the human
kingdom and become more than human, a being "whose growth
and splendour have no limit." Uranus and Neptune awaken and
inspire us, then Pluto gives us the indomitable will, the total
commitment to cleanse ourselves of all impediments in charac-
ter and our past so that we can achieve that final transformation.

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Bom Dec. 30, 1879 1:00 A.M. Thiruthuzi,
India Lat. 7N55 Long. 78E10
166 TVVHLVK DOORS TO THL SOUL

Astrologers have noticed that those who have contributed

most to the psychological and spiritual integration of their fel-
lows have a strong accent on Pluto in their charts. Such a one
was Sri Ramana Maharshi. the sage of Arunachala. Born in 1879,
the life of this South Indian saint illustrates Pluto's influence in
his total commitment to self-transformation from early youth
accompanied by drastic austerities taken to eliminate any ele-
ment that stood between himself and God. The Moon is conjunct
the Midheaven, square the Ascendant, trine Venus in the 2nd
House and sextile Pluto in the 8th House, Pluto making a close
opposition to Venus, the ruler of his ascending Sign, Libra. The
two are also in Mutual Reception; Pluto in Taurus and Venus in
Scorpio. With Pluto in the House of death and regeneration,
Maharshi accomplished the death of the personal self. The es-
sence of his teaching is embodied in the Self-Inquiry: the
Vichara. This is a meditation in which the individual asks,
"Who am I?", continually confronting and eliminating the un-
real and the impermanent not-selfs until the consciousness
reaches the realm of the unchangeable Spirit-Self.
When Maharshi was a boy he had an extraordinary experi-
ence. While alone in his room one day, a terrible fear and realiza-
tion of death overcame him. Though in perfect health and with-
out any suffering he felt his last hour had come. He quietly lay
down on the floor, saying to himself; "Death is coming to me, but
death of what? My body is already lying without movement, it is
becoming cold and stiff, butl, my consciousness, is not affected
at all. 1 am therefore independent of this dying form. I am not this
body." After some time life came back into the corpse-like body
but the young boy was changed. His experience brought to him
the conviction of the independence of his real Self from the
temporary form falsely called 1. Shortly after that he left his
family for years of extremely ascetic life, keeping complete si-
lence in the caves of the sacred mountain of Arunachala. But
even sitting in isolated silence, his spiritual presence was so
powerful that pilgrims and devotees came from all over India
and the world to sit at his feet. Eventually he was persuaded to
leave his solitary existence and take up residence in an ashram at
Tiruvannamalai.14
Maharshi's horoscope shows strong influence of the other
higheroctave planets. He has a Grand Trine in Earth Signs with
Uranus in almost exact trine to Neptune, and both trining the
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 167

Sun. Uranus is also in exact opposition to Jupiter and both are in

square to Mercury, making a "T" Cross in Mutable Signs. Jupiter
aspect both the un and Neptune within a one-degree orb of an
exact sextile to each.

Sign and House Ruled by Pluto

The planets visible to the naked eye were named for Roman
gods long ago by astrologer-astronomers and the practice was
continued when Uranus was discovered in 1781, Neptune in
1846 and Pluto in 1930. It is a curious thing that the qualities,
powers, and rulership attributed to those particular gods so
perfectly fit the qualities, powers and rulership of the planets
astrologically. Out of all the considerable pantheon of Roman
and Greek gods it is remarkable that the names of those particu-
lar gods were chosen.15
Pluto was the god of death, ruling over the underworld—that
which is submerged. Most astrologers now give Pluto rulership
over Scorpio and the 8th House, sharing the rulership with
Mars.16 The 8th House is the House in which, symbolically
speaking, the soul undergoes the trials that eventually free him
from identification with the exclusive personal self of the first
seven Houses to the all-inclusive Self identified with the last five
Houses. I have noticed that every time the progressed Moon
moved through the 8th House, it coincided with a time of loss
and disillusionment. When the Moon moved on into the 9th
House, ideals, hope, and a better perspective were regained and
established on a more sound foundation. Thus we pass through
many little deaths and rebirths in one incarnation and in the
larger span of many incarnations. We don't often have pro-
gressions or major transits of Pluto in effect, but the Moon is
always making aspects, stirring up each House and planet as she
progresses.
Wherever Pluto is placed in the chart there will be a relation-
ship between the things ruled by that House and the matters
ruled by the 8th House and the House upon which Scorpio is
placed. For example, one can take the horoscope of Annie Besant
who played so many different roles in her remarkable life. Scor-
pio was on the 8th House and Pluto posited in the 1st House, in
Aries. With typical Aries zeal plus Pluto's urge for reform, she
was a social reformer, working to aid downtrodden working
168 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

women, one of the pioneers in birth control (a most appropriate

field for Scorpio-Pluto), a leader and reformer in education,
independence for India, religion, and not least of her accom-
plishments was the transformation of herself. Wherever Pluto is
placed, there is the area where we meet our old unredeemed self
but also where one is in immediate contact with a deep reservoir
of concentrated power. In Mrs. Besant's chart, Pluto in the first
House, along with Uranus and Mars, gave her the total commit-
ment and the power to reform herself as well as others. In
another case, one of the most spiritual women I knew had Pluto
in the 12th House with Scorpio on the cusp of the 5th House. In
hercase there was the death (8th House) of her child (5th House)
causing long-lasting suffering (12th House). Then again, in later
life, she and two people close to her were seemingly "obsessed."
She was only freed from the dark forces (a negative expression of
Pluto—the psychic underworld, the 12th House), that were de-
stroying her life by the help of a saintly man who providentially
entered the scene at that point.

Rulership

Some of the people, vocations and things ruled by Pluto are:

1. Atomic scientists, insurance agents and companies, tax
collectors and taxation, sanitary inspectors, sewage dis-
posal, surgeons, undertakers, nuclear power, atomic
energy, underground activity, organized crime, purgatory,
life after death, birth, death, cataclysms, sorcery, kidnap-
ping, psychotherapy, possession, fanatics, plutonium, be-
ginnings and endings, elimination.
2. Generative organs, genital disorders, venereal disease,
hemorrhoids, elimination of body wastes, cancer.

Pluto in the Modes, Elements and Signs

These factors are of less importance than the House in which

Pluto is placed. Pluto was discovered in Cancer in 1930, the year
the worldwide Depression began during which, for the first
time, programs such as the NRA, the WPA, Social Security, etc.,
organized the economy and life in the United States. Other
countries also instituted their national programs. There were
banking and tax reforms. When World War II broke out, Pluto
had just entered Leo, royal dynasties crumbled, war became total
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 169

war. totalitarian states and dictators proliferated. After peace

was declared, the United ations was established with interna-
tional programs, nations set about instituting cradle-to-grave
welfare plans or at least putting into effect far-reaching health
and welfare programs. In 1958 Pluto entered Virgo, health and
employment received increasing attention, food and drugs were
increasingly regulated. In 1972 Pluto entered Libra. It is yet early
to grasp all the changes Pluto will bring in Libra matters but we
are already seeing changes in marriage and divorce. Pluto's
principles of elimination of the old and outworn, total commit-
ment to get to the root of things, transformation, and rebirth
express on a national and international scale as well as on the
personal.
For those individuals endeavoring to grow spiritually, the
Sign in which Pluto is placed at birth would color his need to let
go of the old and begin anew. With the very evolved person it
would influence his total commitment to transformation.
Pluto in Gemini (1884-1914) would emphasize communica-
tion as a means to elimination of the past and outworn habit
patterns. Through thinking, reading, studying, traveling—
communicating in the fullest sense of the word—the aspirant
should work toward dispelling prejudice and ignorance, one of
the greatest blocks to spiritual growth.
In Cancer (1914-1939), an exaggerated adherence to family,
tradition and the home can delay evolution. The family matrix is
like a protective shell from which the eaglet must break out if he
is to try his wings and soar to the heavens.
In Leo (1939-1957), arrogance must be supplanted by the
power of love. It will be remembered that at that time the Nazi
ideology emerged, manifesting a negative expression of Pluto,
the importance of the individual was submerged for the glory of
the totalitarian state. Not that every one with Pluto in Leo is a
"little Hitler" but pride, arrogance, and disregard for another's
rights to a minor or major degree can be stumbling blocks for the
aspirant.
Pluto in Virgo (1957-1972) brings danger of too much atten-
tion to practical, material things. Concern over health, employ-
ment, working conditions looms large, distorting the spiritual
perspective. The critical mind sees details but not the whole.
The aspirant must learn to let go of those welfare worries and
think of himself only as a server.
170 TWELVE DOORS 'IO THE SOUL

In Libra (1972-1984) relationship with others particularly in

business or marriage partnerships is important. By reforming his
attitudes to others, he reforms himself. The greatest conflict will
come when Pluto demands that the aspirant probe to the core of
his motivations and attitudes regarding his relationships no
matter how ugly they may turn out to be. To ignore a subcon-
scious ugliness is only to have it rise again and again with
increasing compulsiveness.
When Pluto crosses into Scorpio (1984-1996) those children
born then will experience the full powerofPluto in hisown Sign
in their lives. For the aspirant, it will come as a great time of
testing. The mysteries of sex, birth, death, and regeneration will
press upon him and he will experience them according to his
commitment and his evolutionary status. Through the turmoil
and pain these words of Light On The Path apply:

Stand thou aside in the coming battle, and though thou

fightest be not thou the warrior. Look for the Warrior and let
him fight in thee. Take his orders for battle and obey them.
(The "Warrior" is the Soul, the higher Self, which the per-
sonality must realize is his real self.) When once he has
entered thee and become thy Warrior, he will never utterly
desert thee, and at the day of great peace he will become one
with thee.

Pluto in the Houses

Pluto's House position shows where one is living out an old

pattern of behavior which, often, is compulsive and pain-
creating. It is the area in which we are most intensely meeting
that which needs elimination in our characters. We meet ourold
self, our past desires, our past karma.17 The "letting go" and
elimination is especially difficult for people with Pluto in the
8th House or the Sign Scorpio prominent. They subconsciously
fear that they will become vulnerable and thus give into the
hands of others the power they want to keep for themselves.
However, the position of Pluto is also the area of greatest poten-
tial for regeneration and transformation.
Pluto in the 1st House This is the House of the personality
and the identity, so Pluto's presence therein suggests that in this
incarnation the individual's sense of identity must be
changed.18 There is often great reserve and insecurity which
inhibits him from cooperation with others at a deep personal
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 171

level. His defensiveness makes all relationships difficult, pre-

venting openness so that he is frequently very lonely, even
alienated from family and friends. Although persons with Pluto
in the 1st House often have Pluto's powers of wisdom, foresight,
and spirituality, their insecurity and reserve prevents them from
expressing it effectively unless they are sufficiently evolved.
Pluto's methods of elimination apply to both physical and
psychological organisms and his influence acts to flush hidden
conditions to the surface so that spiritual energy can be released
creatively.
An afflicted Pluto indicates difficulty of elimination which
psychologically means suppression of unpleasant feelings with
the resultant risk of obsessive and neurotic conditions.19 Com-
plexes are associations of ideas; usually rooted in past lives or
the early childhood of this life, which are beyond conscious
control. These old patterns of thought and behavior hold us in
bondage and prevent us from acting with psychological free-
dom. Pluto transits stir up these karmic patterns and push them
to the surface for destruction. If there are good aspects to Pluto
then regeneration is not so difficult and can follow along with
transits or progressions.20 Persons with Pluto in the 1st House
tend to be very bottled up and defensive which makes it difficult
for them to face themselves. Once they can do that, they can
draw upon the tremendous Plutonian energy showing powerful
concentration and depth of insight into life's deeper meanings.
Pluto in the 2nd House This position indicates the necessity
for a regeneration of one's sense of values, especially concerning
possession of or control of material resources. The 2nd House is
the House of physical values; the 8th House, Pluto's natural
House, is the House of emotional values. There is always a close
connection and interaction between opposing Houses. In the
effort to achieve security there is often a great covetousness and
desire for possessions but that attitude, instead of bringing peace
of mind, only becomes a source of turmoil and anxiety. Some-
times there can be compulsive spending that leads to trouble.
There can be extremes of behavior such as a total surrender of
material concerns to the point of asceticism, or the individual
may stoop to the lowest level in order to make financial gains.
Pluto is often found in the 2nd House of millionaires and is a
good position for tax matters, banking, collective funds, corpo-
rations, monopolies, etc. There is often considerable resource-
172
TWELVE IKKJRS TO THE SOUL

fulness in attaining material security. With the evolved per on

there can be an intuitive comprehension of the deeper energies
which money represents.
Pluto in the 3rd House This position of Pluto often produces
compulsions in the field of communication. The person may go
to extraordinary lengths to put himself or his ideas across to
others. His speech and writing are forceful and reiterative to the
point of irritation. There is great mental energy expended in
pursuance of a goal and there is nothing lukewarm about the
intellectual interests. The 3rd House is supposed to rule the
sense of humor (it is surprising how few astrologers ever con-
sider the importance of a sense of humor to the point of doing
research) and Pluto would tend to give a bite to the wit produc-
ing an able satirist or critic. This is a good position for scientists,
orators, writers, researchers, and healers. The intellectual pow-
ers are usually good, though elementary schooling may be found
dull and frustratingly superficial (this placement is often found
with school dropouts). At some point in the life, the individual
will be forced to take notice of his failures in communication and
his ways of thinking.
Pluto in the 4th House This placement can indicate the early
loss of a parent or a difficult youth due to other circumstances. It
could also mean some mystery or scandal in the family back-
ground. It can indicate a home life which is subject to all kinds of
turbulence due to the person's compulsive need for control and
domination within the home. This stems from a desire for a
home as a place of rest, security, and retreat from the worldly
battles. Unfortunately, such willful demands on other members
of the household provoke rebellion rather than the desired
peace. It can also mean contention with a Pluto-type dictator in
the home. Pluto's presence here indicates that a complete
reorientation is needed in the individual's deepest feelings
about himself and his sense of security and inner peace. When
these depths are plumbed and attitudes truly regenerated, the
security and contentment attained within will be reflected in the
home conditions. The influence of this house lies like a great
moving river beneath the surface of the personality. It represents
the very base of the individual himself in terms of the family,
roots, childhood, and home that he has come from and symboli-
cally in terms of his inner sense of security and safety. Any
planet, but especially Pluto, points to something in the psyche
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 173

which must be first discovered and brought to the light before it

can be dealt with constructively. Not until then will the person
be free from compulsive attitudes concerning home and family
and be able to penetrate into the unconscious mind, using that
insight to discover "the kingdom of heaven within." Pluto in
this House can give that power as well as great insight into the
needs of others.
Pluto in the 5th House There can be a compulsive desire to
be somebody important, to express one's individuality regard-
less of circumstances. This can lead to a ruthless risk-taking
without concern for consequences such as in speculation, plea-
sure, love affairs, sports, life-or-death type adventures. Often
these attempts to be best or be recognized are thwarted, leading
to a reevaluation of why there is such a need to be important. The
key to this position of Pluto is learning to express oneself
through creativity, producing something unique instead of try-
ing to appear unique. Close emotional relations with lovers or
children can help the person to appraise himself and his true
needs realistically, although the compulsive elements in such
relations should be eliminated.
Pluto in the 6th House Often a person with Pluto in this
House has a compulsive desire to serve others but in that desire
is a strong element of the reformer and not all people are ap-
preciative of his efforts to improve them! There can be a deep
interest in the healing of mind and body perhaps through re-
search work. This placement of Pluto has much to do with
collective bargaining in the labor field with the individual work-
ing for the betterment of work conditions. This position can lead
to drugs and alcohol, weakness in the intestinal or elimination
areas. Difficult aspects can lead to trouble with employees and
fellow workers, poor work habits, resentment over real or fan-
cied lack of appreciation for one's work. Matters concerning
personal health or even one serious illness or accident can lead
to great changes of attitude, perhaps directing the individual to
serve in a more humble spirit, expending his energies on reform-
ing himself rather than others. In some cases it may show an
ability in the healing arts.
Pluto in the 7th House With Pluto in this House, the person
will find marriage and other close partnerships the best field in
which to find his own regeneration. Similar to Pluto's position
in the 1st House, relationships with others are very difficult and,
174 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

therefore, are the very areas in which deep-seated attitudes and

habits must be brought to the surface and faced. The individual
may be compelled by an unconscious urge to seek the ideal mate
or some unconventional union. Many marital adjustments are
called for, with periods of intense loneliness due to lack of
understanding with the partner. There is a high likelihood of
divorce or of some great difficulty or crisis within marriage
when everything that the person is attached to seems to be torn
from him. Pluto can be agonizing in his effect because every
shred of what we consider stable can be destroyed. Often there
are compulsive and painful emotional problems in close rela-
tionships. The individual may want desperately to be loved, yet
he is unable to establish a rapport with those who are a power in
his life. Marriage requires deep-seated personal changes if it isto
last. With Pluto in the 7th House, public exposure comes natur-
ally with an intuitive sense of what the public wants or needs.
Whether the relationship with the public benefits or harms de-
pends on the rest of the chart and Pluto's aspects. This place-
ment often means success in legal affairs and an enigmatic
charisma.
Pluto in the 8th House When Pluto is placed in this House
the person seeks to destroy within himself that which is nega-
tive, in order to rebuild the selfon ahigherlevel. Remember, it is
the House of emotional values and often everything to which
one is emotionally attached is destroyed or removed. Often there
are difficult sexual experiences. It is a position that tends to
evince a compulsive desire to influence others through the use
of power of some nature—financial, authoritative, psychologi-
cal, sexual, or occult. There may be a tendency to manipulate
others and insist that others change themselves to conform to the
individual's particular values. In fact, the often unconscious
(and unreasonable) demands made by the person upon others is
the fruitful source of much of his emotional frustration and
trouble. Pluto is often found in the 8th House of mediums and
occultists, research and laboratory workers, economists, and
those who work for the reform of large groups or even a nation.
Like those with Pluto in the 6th House, persons with Pluto in the
8th have a reforming zeal that is not always appreciated by those
whom they have selected for reform. They would do better to let
others be themselves and concentrate instead on self-reform. It
often indicates a long life, success in legacies, and attracting the
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 175

money of others. Death and the afterlife can fascinate and often
through intuition, research, or actual experience the person will
be able to transcend the limitations of the physical world, over-
coming all fear of death in realization of the continuity of life.
There is a need to totally adjust the use of all power in relation-
hips.
Pluto in the 9th House With this position there is a religious
ardor that could shade into fanaticism. It can mean much
spiritual expansion and involvement along philosophical, reli-
gious. and mystical lines. There is a certain adventuresome
quality, a desire to explore new intellectual and religious fields.
Expressed negatively, Pluto in the 9th can take the form of
dogmatism and self-righteousness. Again, there is the necessity
to attend to one's own reform and allow others to find their way
of mental or religious expansion. There may be much travel to
and involvement with foreign lands. There is an insatiable urge
for learning and a need to communicate ideas and beliefs to a
large scale audience rather than to a small group of friends. In
the 9th, Pluto usually gives deep spiritual experiences in the
latter part of life which can serve to transform the attitudes
concerning religion and God.
Pluto in the 10th House This position of Pluto strengthens
the authority and energy of the individual resulting in head-on
collisions with others who also have convictions of their own
authority. One of the parents was probably too dominating, so in
adult life there is a resentment of all those in authority and a
compulsion to establish independence and power for oneself,
plus a drive for worldly recognition. This can be the placement
of an innovator, planner, government leader, or a dictator. There
is usually a tenacious drive to attain the top and the person can
often attain his goals but at a cost. There can be notoriety and
many changes of career. The person is either loved or hated but
never ignored. This position often gives leadership ability,
magnetic attraction to and from the public, and speaking ability.
The need is for total transformation of the person's attitudes and
values concerning worldly success, authority, and status before
the true creative power of Pluto in the 10th House can be ex-
pressed.
Pluto in the 11th House Friends are very important to one
with Pluto in the 11th House, so they may influence him too
strongly. Often Pluto manifests here as an overpowering friend
176 TVVKLVK UOOKS TO THE SOUL

or tht» wrong kind of friends who pull him down. There is a

compulsion to be accepted and loved by other people and. with
certain aspects, there can be a ruthless behavior with friends that
spoil" the give-and-take of good friendships. With a positive
expression of Pluto in Uth, the individual can be a joy and
support to friends and humanity, active in altruistic group en-
deavors. (Many priests and doctors have their Plutos in 11th
House.) Ideas about long-term goals are not consciously very
clear and the present can be neglected because the interest is so
fixed on the future. The real need for a person with Pluto in this
position is to learn self-reliance, and they also need to learn that
their ultimate desires can only be achieved through daily atten-
tion to the task of personal transformation.
Pluto in the 12th House In this position, the "secret ene-
mies" lie within the personal subconscious in a very real way. It
can be called a karmic position—though everything is really
karmic—pointing to a past life in which the individual avoided
learning certain lessons or using a special talent. Pluto in the
12th House brings one face to face with temptations and previ-
ous failings. The person must transform the quality of his emo-
tional life by adherence to some belief or transcendental truth in
order to overcome the confusing miasma of emotions, feelings of
guilt, and self-persecution which lurk within and destroy the
soul's effective expression in the life. Often the re-orientation
needed to effect that transformation will require long periods of
solitude, for intercourse with others serves to stir up the old
chaotic emotions and thought patterns that the individual is
attempting to transcend. Once the person has established firm
spiritual attitudes, uncovered and understood his frustrations
and fears, he can experience the unity of all life without losing
his balance. He may achieve this alone or with others.
The integral transformation of man was and is the goal of
many esoteric systems; it goes under names such as initiation,
individuation, and the' Great Work". Whether they consciously
realize it or not, it is the goal of every man and woman who is
striving to be a better person, live a more rewarding life, and be
of some unselfish use to their fellows. Pluto's action brings into
the consciousness the accumulation of psychological rubbish
impeding progress toward that transformation. He marks our
past which eventually has to be faced. In any House, the
dynamic, regenerative power of Pluto can be drawn upon to
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 177

provide the will power and impersonal consciousness necessary

for transformation. Pluto's power only expresses in a negative
form when we struggle to cling to outworn forms.

Aspects of Pluto

These have already been covered but a few observations might

be helpful. The aspects involving Pluto are among the most
difficult factors in the horoscope to understand because the
astrologer never knows on what level they are going to manifest.
It is a common misapprehension to think that the most impor-
tant manifestations are on the objective, physical plane. Another
common misapprehension is that the difficult aspects are "bad"
and the so-called fortunate, easy aspects "good". Even from a
materialistic point of view this is not invariably true. With the
higher octave planets there is an even greater blurring of what is
really fortunate or unfortunate. From the higher standpoint, of
course, all things happen for the best to achieve our ultimate
liberation from bondage to forms into the limitless power and
love of the Spirit. It is Pluto who brings us to the point of total
commitment to spiritual growth after flushing to the surface
aspects of our old, unredeemed self. Pluto is the outermost
planet, yet its action is within our most personal, secret depths.

Pluto Retrograde

Since Pluto is retrograde nearly half of the time, a very high

percentage of the world's population has this configuration in
their ^atal horoscopes. These individuals will ultimately be-
come more concerned with transforming themselves than trying
to reform the people and world around them. The individual
with a retrograde Pluto lives through a karma of experiencing
mass consciousness within himself. There are few in this cen-
tury of graphic television and instant news who do not feel, to
some extent, the sufferings of the millions torn by war, oppres-
sion, concentration camps, and refugee status as a part of their
own personal suffering. In time, and depending on the stage of
spiritual evolution, a person with a retrograde Pluto feels the ills
of society as a personal reason to transform himself to be of a
greater help to suffering humanity.
178 TWELVE DOOKS TO THE SOUL

NOTES

'} 1. P. Blavatsky. The Secret Doctrine, Vol. V (Adyar, India: Theo ophi-
cal Publishing House, H13B). p. 222.
2
fc;iman Hacher, Studies in Astrology, Vol. 11 (Oceanside, CA: Rosicru-
cian Fellowship, 1973). p. 57,
The transits of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto over sensitive points in the
Natal chart are the most penetrating, far-reaching, and long-la ting
(ultimate) effects of any transits.
4
For one of the best explorations of this theme, using the charts of
pioneering scientists, musicians, politicians, saints, etc.. see R. C.
Davidson. "The Disciples of Uranus. Neptune and Pluto", a two-part
article in British quarterly, Astrology, Vol. 51, Fall and Winter, 1977
issues.
5
Christopher Isherwood, Romokrishno and His Disciples (r .Y.: Simon
& Schuster, 1965).
The shape of the Uranus symbol is often reproduced in the roof anten-
nae of that very Uranian invention, the television set!
7
For analysis of this joint rulership, see Chapter IX, pp. 105-6 and
Chapter XI. p. 132.
8
No astrologer can be certain in predicting the time of death. Many a
person has survived the most ominous of configurations to confound
the prognostigator! Even if one could be sure, most people do not
welcome death and would brood about such a prediction so (unless the
person and the circumstances are very unusual) I will never give more
than a carefully worded warning to guard against ill-health oraccident.
This conjunction indicating a union of positive intuition and receptive
mediumship was frequently found in the chartsof those who were adult
when the spiritualistic movement began after 1846. The last conjunc-
tion occurred about the time they were born around 1820. The next
conjunction of the two planets will occur in 1991. Elman Bacher states
that trines involving Uranus, regardless of the evolutionary status of the
person, indicate he is in advance of his time, place and background.
10
Uranus squared Pluto 1930-1935. and was conjunct Pluto 1965. The
opposition between the two at the beginning of the 20th century charac-
terized the generation born then. Uranus was in Sagittarius and Pluto in
Gemini.
''Composer Cyril Scott in his book. The Occult Influence of Music
Down the Ages, develops the theme that music—the power of organized
sound—has been used by the Inner Government of the world to work on
the emotional bodies of people in order to bring about desired changes
and offset the less desirable features of the period in which they lived.
'2See Chapter IX, pp. 105-6 and Chapter XI, p. 132.
^Annie Besant and C. W. Leadbeater. Talks on the Path of Occultism,
Vol. Ill (Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House. 1965), p. 402.
 AMBASSADORS FROM GALAXY 179

l4
See Mouni Sadhu. In Days of Great Peace (London: George Allen &
L'mvin. 1957). The author gives a moving account of his experiences
living in the ashram of ri Ramana Maharshi as well as insight into the
teachings and life of the saint.
,5
Pluto was named from the suggestion made by a small English girl,
the first suggeetion to be received and accepted.
'"See Chapter IX. pages 105-6.
1
' aturn is labelled the planet of karma. It does present karmic tests
resulting from past evasion of responsibilities and self-discipline. Pluto
in the individual chart reveals the habit patterns we carry over from the
past which have to be eliminated at deeper levels of our being.
'"Although Pluto has been "on the scene" for almost fifty years, it has
taken time, experience and research for astrologers to comprehend that
planet's effects and still longer to get their observations into print. To
my thinking, there has been very little that is useful available to the
student outside of a few articles in magazines and Stephen Arroyo's
books so I am treating "Pluto in the Houses" at greater length.
,9
I remember the noted clairvoyant, Dora Kunz, describing the human
aura in a lecture. She said that complexes, "hang-ups" and phobias
show in the aura as congested blocks of matter, like warts on the etheric,
emotional and lower mental bodies. The circulating flow of atoms
through those bodies with its vitalizing, cleansing effect cannot pene-
trate those blockages but must circle around them. If the blockage is
severe enough there can be a mental or physical breakdown.
20
Pluto moves so slowly that he does not make many progressed aspects
in a life time but the faster moving planets can make progressed aspects
to Pluto.
 XIII

ASCENDANT, MIDHEAVEN AND NODES

It is an extraordinary fact that very few astrological books give

any information (or at least, very little that is useful), concerning
those vital points in the horoscope—the Ascendant, the
Midheaven and the Moon's Nodes.1 The Ascendant is of primary
importance to the way the entire personality is integrated and
expressed. The Midheaven shows highest projection of the per-
sonality in the outer world and answers the question, "What am
I going to do in this life; what is my destiny?"
The Ascendant, or Rising Sign,2 constitutes the "window"
through which the individual views life, as well as the "per-
sona" or mask that the soul is wearing for this incarnation, the
image which is seen by others. That image may not be an accu-
rate portrayal of the real Self, but it is the one which comes across
most vividly to other people. It shows the way in which the
person is most sensitive and aware, the way in which he must
express himself to feel spontaneous, whole, and alive.
The Ascendant is intimately related to the physical body,
which is why progressions and transits to the Ascendant have
such a marked effect upon the general health, vitality, and ap-
pearance. The body, from birth to death, constitutes the indi-
vidual's most immediate physical environment, through which
all impressions from the outer world are filtered. The Ascendant
reveals the way in which a person feels himself to be a unique
««|M

To understand the full importance of the Ascendant in any

horoscope, it is necessary to consider more than just the degree
and Sign on the horizon at birth, along with the 1st House. Of
first importance is any planet within 6 degrees preceding or
following the Ascendant degree, especially the 6 degrees above
the Ascendant (in the 12th House). Next in importance are any
other planets in the 1st House, the planet ruling the Ascending
Sign, the House, and Sign in which it is placed, and aspects to
the Ascendant degree from planets elsewhere in the chart. All of
 MIDHEAVE A D ODES 181

theae factors modify or accentuate the qualities of the Ascend-

ant.

Planets near the Ascendant

Any planet in conjunction with the Ascendant degree brings

to unusual prominence that planet's particular qualities in the
personality and life of the person. The Sun conjunct the Ascend-
ant often brings an arrogance and self-centeredness, but also a
vitality and the ability for leadership. Moon conjunct the Ascen-
dant makes one motherly, sensitive, and often changeable. With
Mercury there, you usually find a strong emphasis on learning
and intellectual abilities, worry (fussing over every little prob-
lem). a quick wit, and ease in communication. Venus nearly
always gives charm and an attractive appearance unless there
are contradictory factors elsewhere.3 Mars conjunct the Ascen-
dant marks the natural leader with an unusual degree of courage.
(Joy Mills has Mars 3 degrees above her Ascendant). It can, of
course, make for a very hot-tempered, impulsive, aggressive
individual!
Jupiter conjunct the Ascendant gives a generosity of mind and
emotion. Individuals with this placement always have a good
opinion of themselves, but if Jupiter is afflicted there can be false
pride, arrogance, and pretension. Saturn can give wisdom, prac-
ticality, and a capacity for good timing. In my experience I have
nearly always found that this position tends to much shyness
and feelings of loneliness and inferiority especially in youth.
Certainly, the person is always more serious than the average
person and can have periods of emotional depression.
Uranus on the Ascendant gives a restlessness, an eagerness to
try the unorthodox, the unconventional, the new, and different.
A prominent Uranus makes for willfulness; such people are
often a law unto themselves, rebelling against authority or what
seems to them outmoded. Neptune gives charisma—a real mag-
netism, often beauty of person, refinement (or perversity), and
sensitivity. There can be too much sensitivity, both physically
and emotionally, so that things which constitute mere petty
irritation to most people, can make someone with Neptune on
the Ascendant really ill. With Pluto on the Ascendant, the per-
sonality expression would resemble that of Scorpio rising—
moody, reflective, and intense.4
182 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

Any planet on the Ascendant, either in the Natal chart, or by

transit or progression shows that the individual is becoming
intensely aware of that planet's particular principle as it man-
ifests under universal law. A planet in the 1st House {or in the 6
degrees above the Ascendant) is a much more concentrated
focus of energy than is a Sign and it can overshadow the influ-
ence of the Ascending Sign. For example, Jupiter near the As-
cendant can give the impression that Sagittarius is the Sign
rising. If it is Sagittarius rising, then a double emphasis is given
to Jupiter/Sagittarius qualities. Sometimes the planet will be
close to the Ascendant degree but in a different Sign. This is
conducive to a more complex personality and approach to life.
Every planet in the 1st House, whether conjunct the Ascendant
or not, adds another dimension to the personality. Many planets
in the 1st House can make for a very strong and complex person-
ality, or a very confused one, if the planets are expressing con-
tradictory qualities and/or if the rest of the chart is weak.

Ruler of the Ascendant

The planet ruling the Sign on the Ascendant, and its House
and Sign position are extremely important factors in any horo-
scope. Aspects to that planet are also very important, being on a
par with aspects involving the Sun, Moon, or Ascendant. An
example of the modification the ruling planet of the Ascendant
can make: a client had Aries rising with Sun in the 1st House.
One would therefore look for a very dynamic, aggressive person.
But her Mars (ruler of Aries) was placed in Pisces^ considerably
softening her personality and approach to life.

Aspects

Aspects to the Ascendant show how one characteristically

expresses oneself in the outer world.
Sextiles and trines show avenues of easy, spontaneous ex-
pression in the things of the House (or Houses) ruled by the
aspecting planet and also the things of the House in which that
planet is placed; the energies of that planet express harmoni-
ously in concert with the qualities of the Ascendant.
The squares and oppositions express with tension, stress,
inhibition, or difficulty those things ruled by the aspecting
 M1DHEAVEN AND NODES 183

planet and the House in which it is placed or ruled by Sign.

However, difficult aspects can provide ambition or a drive
which the softer aspects rarely give. Most of us are not inclined
to strive very hard unless we are urged on by difficult circum-
stances or an inner discontent!
The square to the Ascendant often manifests as some kind of
oppression or inhibition in the early environment, especially
when the aspecting planet is in the 4th House. There may be an
unusually strong pressure toward achieving recognition or suc-
cess in a career if the aspecting planet is placed in the 10th
House. The 4th House type of square often shows emotional
patterns that hold one back from expressing the qualities of the
Ascendant, while the 10th House square pulls one toward some
kind of achievement.
An opposition to the Ascendant often means an inner division
or tension because the individual is torn between two modes of
conduct or two equally desirable objectives. Sometimes the per-
son will alternate for years between the two types of expression
or objectives emphasizing first one and then the other.

The Midheaven

This significant point in the horoscope is usually called the

M.C. (Medium Coeli) and is the zenith or meridian which is
immediately overhead at the moment of birth. The M.C. degree
and Sign, the ruler of that Sign and any planets in the 10th House
and in the last 6 degrees of the 9th House before the M.C.: all
these factors constitute a magnet toward which the individual
grows as he gets older. It is the magnet of capabilities, qualities,
and levels of achievement that the person admires and works
hard to develop and attain. For example, Taurus on the M.C. may
show that he admires reliability, patience, trustworthiness, and
he works to exhibit these characteristics to the world. He also
values security and seeks a career that will bring him solid and
steady advancement. The planet ruling the Midheaven Sign
often shows, by its House position, where the person's true
vocation lies. The word "vocation" means literally "that toward
which one is called". All the 10th House factors are closely
related to your "calling" in life, the meaningful work, ambitions,
and attainments of this incarnation
184 TWtLVE DOURS TO THE SOUL

Planets Near the M.C.

The plnnets in the l()th House, and especially those conjunct

the l.C. in either the lOlh or 9th Houses, show the qualities,
activities, and achievements that are extremely important to the
individual and which that individual desires to express in such
a way that his reputation will be enhanced. This is why the M.C.
and related factors are so often connected with honor, fame,
reputation, or the opposite, if there are very difficult configura-
tions. For example, in Anne's chart (Chapter XI) Saturn is con-
junct the M.C. though still in the 9th House. One of her strongest
ideals was to be like a rock of support and stability to those about
her, a typically Saturnian quality.
Doth Robert K. (Chapter IX) and )oy Mills (Chapter X) have the
Sun conjunct the Midheaven. Robert's Sun is in the 10th House
and he always wanted to be the "boss". Joy's Sun is in the 9th
House, four degrees from the M.C. and her ideal is to be a person
who can give spiritual leadership. Both of them are expressing
Sun qualities in their careers in different ways. The Sun in the
10th nearly always brings that person to a position of some kind
of authority or into dealings with government, heads of state,
leaders, etc. The affairs of the House which has Leo on its cusp
will be brought into connection with the business, profession, or
whatever constitutes the person's life or career in the outer
world.
The Moon in the 10th House or conjunct the M.C. often gives a
life lived very much in the public eye. This can mean fame or
notoriety, for whatever the person does will receive the
limelight. There is great sensitivity to the opinions of others.
If Mercury is in the 10th or conjunct the M.C. the career is
often in one of the communication fields. Virgo on the M.C. or
Mercury therein also attracts men as well as women into sec-
retarial and clerical work. Education is important and knowl-
edge respected.
With Venus in the 10th, beauty, charm, artistic and esthetic
expression are important and the person is attracted to a career
in which those things are an integral part (such as cosmetics,
fashion, art, etc.) or in which the surroundings are harmonious
and attractive.
Mars in the 10th nearly always brings achievement—it is
called "the planet of success," most likely because of the work
 M1DHEAVEN AND NODES 185

and energy earns achievement of material goals. There is always

a degree of struggle and strife in the career.
lupiter in the 10th is an excellent indication for success in the
affairs of the world, in business, professions, politics, or society.
The person admires the qualities of benevolence, openhanded-
ness. If afflicted, there can be financial difficulties through
over-expansion, over-optimism and lack of careful forethought
and planning.
Saturn in the 10th is frequently an indication of success in the
career though success often comes late after much hard work
and disappointment. There is a serious application to the busi-
ness of getting ahead and often shouldering of heavy respon-
sibilities.
Uranus in the 10th gives the urge to be independent or at least
be independent-minded. It often denotes a career in govern-
ment. I have two friends with Uranus in the 10th with very
different careers. One has been in the fashion business most of
her life, for many years the head of a firm. The other is a high
government official. This emphasizes the fact that the planet or
Sign in the 10th House or M.C. can indicate the kind of vocation
or it can indicate the qualities that enabled that person to achieve
success or attracted him into that particular vocation. Certainly,
in the cases mentioned, Uranus gave an independence and intui-
tive sense of what will "sell," qualities needed in fashion as well
as government life.
Neptune in 10th can give a charisma that attracts people so
that it can bring a position of inspirational or artistic leadership.
Idealism concerning career is strong but often there is much
illusion concerning one's importance. I have had a number of
horoscopes where the people with Neptune in 10th grew in-
creasingly divorced from reality; just plain nutty, in fact! Much
depends on the rest of the chart.
If Pluto is in the 10th House, it is important to the person to be
powerful and wield authority and influence. This can be either
good or bad depending on the use made of the power once it is
achieved. Each planet in the 10th House (or near the M.C. in the
9th House) will be connected to the Sign and House it rules,
wherever they are placed in the chart. For example, if Neptune is
posited in the 10th House and Pisces is on the Cusp of the 5th
House, then the affairs of the 5th House will be brought into
connection with the career.
186 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

Aspects to M.C.

The aspects made to planets in the 10th House or to the M.C.

influence the person's public expression, vocational goals and
recognition from the outer world. The precise type of aspect,
whether harmonious or difficult seems to be less important than
the qualities and urges of the planet making the aspect. Conjunc-
tions and aspects involving the Midheaven are extremely impor-
tant for they are intimately connected with the purpose of the
individual's incarnation. We take on physical, emotional and
mental bodies life after life in order to grow personally in charac-
ter and evolve spiritually but also in order to contribute our bit to
society, and to that universal entity "in which we live and move
and have our being".

O Nodes U

Astronomically, the Moon's Nodes5 are the two points at

which the Moon's orbit intersects the plane of the ecliptic (the
Sun's apparent orbit or path around the Earth) as it goes from
North to South latitude, and vice versa. The North Node is the
one given in the Ephemeris, called the "Dragon's Head" and is
traditionally given a nature similar to that of Jupiter. The South
Node or "Dragon's Tail" is exactly opposite and is considered of
a nature similar to Saturn. The Nodal axis (the line from Node to
Node across thehoroscope) shows the direction of one's destiny.
THE NORTH NODE indicates a new learning; where you are
going; what you are going to develop and carry on with you.
THE SOUTH NODE shows what is instinctive and well-known
because it is rooted in past life patterns.
The thing to remember is that both Nodes are valuable. Like
two ends of a bridge, both are necessary to the traveler crossing
it. The South Node shows what we have brought with us into
this incarnation, the instinctive habit patterns which must be
understood; to be changed if negative, or utilized to the full if
positive. The North Node is our destination, pulling us forward
into new patterns of learning and growth.
In interpretation of the Nodes, four factors are considered: the
Signs and Houses in which the Nodes are posited, aspects to the
Nodes (especially the conjunctions), the planets ruling the
Nodal Signs, and their aspects, especially their relationship
 MIDHEAVEN AND NODES 187

with each other. For example, if the North Node is in Aries and
outh Node in Libra, the aspect between Mars and Venus should
be considered.''
North Node in Aries or 1 st House Learning to stand on
one' own two feet, must become more assertive. Life will seem
to force one constantly into situations where the person must
rely on hi own judgment and act on his own initiative,
u South Node in Libra or 7th House Brought over from
the past diplomatic talents and appreciation of the arts. Partner-
ships and unions tend to become too involved and overwhelm-
ing so that the individuality may be eclipsed. There is over-
idealization of the marriage partner so that dissatisfaction even-
tually results.
North Node in Libra or 7th House Learning to experi-
ence the "We" consciousness, cooperation. Must overcome the
tendency to work by one's self, develop the ability for close
personal relationships with others. Once the balance is
achieved, the person can become an able diplomat or arbitrator;
needs to develop an appreciation of the arts.
South Node in Aries or 1st House Egotistical habit
patterns which can give a strong pioneering spirit but with a
"me first" attitude. The problems in life are much concerned
with the personal self. Look to the rulers of Aries and Libra, if
'lars and Venus are in harmonious relationship, the individual
will be able to get along with others. If the planets are in difficult
aspect; inharmony and lack of cooperation,
n o North Node in Taurus or 2nd House Things in Fixed
Signs always seem to be more of a crisis. Learning to accept life
and beauty, looking upon things of Earth as a cornucopia. This
position gives the problem of earning and managing resources
foroneself rather than depending upon others. There is a need to
develop practicality, physical endurance and perseverance.
There will be changes in values, money and possessions.
U TTU South Node in Scorpio or 8th House Habit patterns of
past turbulence, revolution. Difficulty in accepting love and life
and perhaps in accepting money from others. Instinctive fear
that things are not going to go as planned. A natural talent for the
occult arts, a desire for knowledge of the hereafter. There is
usually no fear of death and death seems to play an important
part as a regenerative force in the life. Often a preoccupation
with sexual knowledge and prowess.
188 TVVELVK D(J(JKS I (J THE SOUL

North Node in Scorpio or 8th Ilou.se Fundamental,

dynamic changes are to be made in this life. At some point the
individual will he forced to learn to accept help from others,
even the humility of accepting financial aid. There is a need to
learn the rightful and beautiful purpose of sex.
^ South Node in Taurus or 2nd House Brought over
from the past atendency not to listen. Determination isa keynote
with this position. Dissatisfaction with money earned or work-
ing conditions which may give many changes in jobsor holding
down more than one job at the same time. The drive for financial
security can lead to financial difficulties, success in that area is
usually delayed. A need to learn balance and control of the
sensual appetites. Look to the Sign rulers, Venus and Pluto
(ruling the opposite end of the nodal axis) for a stressful aspect
can mean a battle over possessions.
XC North Node in Gemini or 3rd House This is a position
of one who is naturally attracted to and finds more fulfillment in
city living in spite of, or because of, the previous life in a country
environment. Learning to communicate effectively—it is dif-
ficult for this individual to express his deepest feelings, but he
can only find true fulfillment when he learns to participate
freely in a give-and-take relationship with others.

U* y South Node in Sagittarius or 9th House Habit patterns

from the past of freedom loving, the "wide open spaces" of
mental and physical living. This is the Nodal position of one
who was in the past a "country person". There is much instinc-
tive knowledge and a wanting to know "why". Religious karma
from the past, which will be shown by the aspects of the Sign
rulers, Jupiter and Mercury (ruler of the opposite end of the axis).
Cl & North Node in Sagittarius or 9th House The goal in
this life is to see what is true. Higher education and beneficial
travel aid in this search. Religious karma surfacing in this life
forces the person to develop a greater regard for religion and
ethics. Learning to become more objective in one's thinking and
studying in order to expand mentally and spiritually.
South Node in Gemini or 3rd House Habit patterns
from the past of great curiosity and emphasis on the develop-
ment of conscious mind. There is a strong psychic tie to brothers
and sisters and could mean the loss of one of them through death
or separation. There is a strong urge to share knowledge with
 MIDHEAVEN AND NODES 189

other . Difficulty in elementary education, much impatience,

and difficulty with neighbors.
Q North Node in Cancer or 4th House Learning through
emotional e periences, opening up oneself in order to break up
old emotional patterns. The home and domestic relationships
are very important to spiritual growth. There may be a problem
with a parent either through greater love for one than the other,
or losing one parent at an early age.
South Node in Capricorn or 10th House Rigid emo-
tional patterns from the past often making the person in this life
"a law unto himself". These people seem old even as children.
They do not take time to relate on a personal basis because of a
need for public recognition. It can bring many changes, disap-
pointment and dissatisfaction in regard to the vocation. For the
aspirant the great lesson in this life will be the control of selfish
desire and use of ambition and power.
North Node in Capricorn or 10th House Learning to
grow up. to face life as a mature person, work with the public in
some way. Sometimes home and domestic life is sacrificed in
order to follow a career. The Sign on the 10th, (if the North Node
is in the 10th House but in another Sign than Capricorn) the
rulers of the Nodal Signs and aspects to those planets and to the
North Node will show the area of sacrifice as well as indicating
the type of career.
[J South Node in Cancer or 4th House Emotional family
patterns from the past. Fear of failure or fear of failing to get to
the top generally due to a stress pattern between career and
family expectations. Many changes in residence with a deep
desire for a secluded, subjective life.
n a North Node in Leo or 5th House Learning to open up
one's heart, to take personal responsibility. There is a need to
learn to love intensely on a one-to-one basis. A deficiency or
delay regarding children in the life (the children can be physical
or creative offspring). Leo and the 5th House are the areas that
show the ability to give love and with the North Node here, the
person must learn how to love.
(J South Node in Aquarius or llth House Eccentric habit
patterns brought over from the past, the person can operate well
on a group level but not on a personal level. It is a position of
unattached love—too detached. Friendships, group relation-
ships, altruistic movements and Utopian concepts for humanity
190 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

are prominent in the life of a person with South Node here. But
he needs a truly intense love affair to fulfill the need for a better
balance in the love nature.
Q /vw North Node in Aquarius or 11th House Learning to use
the mind in a scientific, mental way. Learning to develop group
identification in order to act less like "King Leo" looking upon
others as his subjects. The type of friends chosen is of great
importance. Someone with North Node in the 11th House will be
helped greatly by another with their South Node in the 11th.
There is a need to learn the art of friendship and people who
have the same nodal axis bridging the 5th and 11th by House
and/or Sign, seem to understand each other and therefore can be
of mutual help.
U South Node in Leo or 5th House A person with this
nodal position is used to operating from the heart level, every-
thing is very personal. He is used to having his work or his way
taken without question. There is an almost constant interest in
love and its pleasures, and loves that are always changing with
the result that a permanent love relationship is often delayed.
There is an immaturity about this constant searching for ro-
mance and pleasure and the person will not know real love until
he is able to give it selflessly.
Q North Node in Virgo or the 6th House Learning to
make manifest one's dreams, learning to be more practical. The
individual must learn to work for others, be of service to them
without self-interest. He must develop discrimination and care
in details. Health matters should receive adequate attention.
(J )-( South Node in Pisces or the 12th House Habit patterns
brought over that make the person feel as if he had come out of
nowhere and that everything was going to evaporate, nothing is
solid and dependable. There is a tendency toward escapism in
some form. For example, if the ruler of Pisces, Neptune, is placed
in Virgo, work may become the escape. There is often such a
sensitivity to pain that he may not be able to deal with it. Psychic
ability or some unusual talent.
Q H North Node in Pisces or 12th House Learning to open
up and become more of a listener, more sympathetic. Develop-
ing faith instead of reacting to everything with doubt and
analysis. Learning to trust the intuition. This position of i 'orth
Node takes self-sacrifice. It means helping those less fortunate in
a quiet, unassuming way, learning to accept others just as they
 MIDHEAVEN AND NODES 191

are. This is a position of karma which seems to call for payment,

which may explain the many doctors and nurses who have the
J
orth ^ode here (as well as those with S. Node in Pisces] and
have instinctively chosen work with the sick and suffering as a
means of meeting that karma.
0 South Node in Virgo or 6th House In the past the
individual criticized those who were ill and in trouble, telling
them analytically why they suffered. In part this is because the
person has an instinctive knowledge on health matters and a
drive to learn more concerning the subject. There can be mys-
terious illnesses, which are difficult to diagnose or treat. Some-
times the person can become a hypochondriac. Many doctors
and nurses have South Node in the 6th House. There is a strong
tendency to take everything apart, to doubt and criticize.

Nodal Aspects

A planet conjunct or in aspect to the South Node will stimu-

late the past habit patterns with its characteristic planetary ener-
gies. With the North Node the qualities we most admire and
strive to develop will be stimulated. And of course the things
ruled by the particular House and Sign in which the Node and
planet are posited. For example, if Mercury squares orconjuncts
the South Node, it ends to stimulate excessive criticism and lack
of tact but it can also act as a challenge, spurring the person on to
greater mental achievement. The Moon conjunct the North Node
can give a physical beauty and a sensitive personality which
meets favor with women and the public. When a planet is in
conjunction with the South Node, a lot of energy goes to that area
unless the North Node is also conjunct a planet. In which case
the energy is equally distributed so that neither planet nor House
is the sole focus. A man carrying a heavy load divided on either
side would find the weight bearable but if he tried to carry it all
on one side, he would hardly be able to stagger a few steps! In
Anne's chart (Chapter XI) Pluto is conjunct South Node in oppo-
sition to Venus conjunct the North Node. There have been great
difficulties at times with financial resources, the affections, sex,
death, and self-reform, but nothing that she felt unable to
handle.
North Node conjunct the Ascendant usually gives a tall, at-
tractive appearance and charm. It is supposed to be especially
192 TWELVE DOOKS TO THE SOUL

favorable for a man's good looks. Conjunct the Midheaven. there

can be delays in finding the vocation until after the age of thirty.
South Node conjunct the Ascendant often causes uncertainty
as to identity, who you are and what sort of personality you are.
My feeling about the reason for this isthat the identification with
the past life is still so strong that the person feels confused
wearing a new personality in this life. Sometimes there is some-
thing unusual about the appearance, the person may be very
short or very tall.
Life development often starts off on a path connected with the
South Node position and later develops and fulfills itself
through the North Node position. Under stress we may revert to
the South Node habit patterns. An example could be given of
Janis Joplin, the singer who apparently died of an overdose of
drugs. When she couldn't cope with her North Node in Leo
(learning to take personal responsibility, learning how to loveon
a one-to-one basis) she reverted to her South Node in Aquarius
saying in effect, "I'm just one of the group".

NOTES

•See Stephen Arroyo, Astrology, Kormo and Trans/ormation:The Inner

Dimensions of the Birthchart (Vancouver, Washington: CRCS Publica-
tions, 1978), Chapter 10.
2
The Ascendant in astrological parlance can mean the Sign on the cusp
of the 1st House, the whole 1st House with all the planets if any within
it, or the exact degree on the horizon at birth.
3
]ohn Cotits, international president of The Theosophical Society, has
Venus exactly conjunct his Ascendant degree and has both extraordi-
nary charm and good looks.
4
Read the chapters o i the planets and Signs to obtain a full understand-
ing of their qualities and then apply them to the personality.
S
I am indebted to Mi David Railey of Atlanta for first demonstrating to
me in his excellent American Federation of Astrologers lecture, how
important and usable the Moon's Nodes were in horoscope interpreta-
tion.
6
This is not the book to go into great detail on the Nodes. For that, see
Bernice Prill Grebner, Lunar Nodes (Tempe, Ariz.: American Federa-
tion of Astrologers, 1976), and Isobel Hickey, Astrology; A Cosmic
Science (Bridgeport, Conn.: Altieri Press, 1970). Marc Edmund Jones
and Dane Rudhyar have also written on the Nodes.
 XIV

DOORS TO THE SOUL:

THE USE OF INTUITION

Each Sign, House, planet, and aspect contains many meanings.

The combinations, with their myriad subtleties of application in
each horoscope, can be very confusing to the student. On top of
that, it is very difficult to know the level of evolution on which
the owner of a particular horoscope stands. A man of genius and
a primitive savage may share the same time of birth: it is the
consciousness and level of evolution that makes the difference.
The interpretation that would be helpful to one would be mean-
ingless to the other.
Every astrologer, sooner or later, has to work out some kind of
solution to these problems according to his background,
abilities and psychological predisposition,1 There are astrolo-
gers who base all their interpretations on the traditional Astrol-
ogy handed down through the centuries and on the results of
research now being done all over the world. Then there are some
who have a knowledge of Astrology but use the horoscope more
as a point of focus, like a crystal ball. Their Astrology, therefore,
is only as good as their psychic powers. Most astrologers of any
stature, I believe, use tradition, study, research, and experience
plus their intuition (or ESP) to pull the many, and sometimes
contradictory, factors in a chart into a meaningful whole.
It is only after a careful study of all the factors in a chart,
drawing on her sound astrological background, that British as-
trologer Rose Elliott tries to contact the "ego or spirit" behind
the chart.2 She first describes herself as beginning to think and
feel in the manner of the person whose chart she is doing. The
identification—the empathy—is so close that in doing one chart
she relates she felt a great fear of death; in another, she felt a great
urge to get into the country and among trees.
She related how, by getting into a chart in this way, one
instinctively knows or feels how a certain planetary aspect will
become externalized. In a particular case, a Moon conjunction
194 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

with eptune in Virgo had brought out irrational fear during

childhood which no one understood and had called silly. The
child had felt hurt and puzzlement and Rose Elliott was able to
relive these emotions through her contact with the chart.
Mrs. Elliott tells of concentrating on the center of the chart, as
one would with a mandala. The center becomes a golden orb and
she begins to feel as if she is inside the chart, standing in that
center, with all the planetary forces playing around her like the
rays of the sun. These rays are brilliantly hued, of many colors,
which blend and interweave—the color of a planetary ray blend-
ing with or tinted by the Sign through which it is working.
Centered in this way, she sees the twelve sections of the chart
around her as different colors; for instance, Aries is red. Cancer a
greyish-blue, and Leo is gold.
As she reaches a certain point of transcendence the central
golden orb where she stands seems to open out and she finds
herself in a corridor. This corridor represents time. The point at
which she stands represents the present in the life of the subject.
From this "present" point she can look back down the corridor
into the past, and forward into the future. She can also see rooms
which open off the corridor and light up, allowing her to see
within them. She relates that as she peers into these lighted
rooms she sees pictures, like a cinema portraying incidents in
the past—perhaps in this life, perhaps in a past life—and certain
incidents in the future. These always have a bearing on the chart
and, she feels, are shown her only if it will help her client to
understand more about himself and the reasons for certain
karma in this life.
Of the several interesting cases Mrs. Elliot related (see Chapter
VII, p. 80) one involved the chart of a man who had practically no
Saturnian influence in his chart except for one very difficult
aspect. He was, from a worldly point of view, a failure: could
stick to nothing, with no will power to make anything of his
considerable mental gifts. This did not worry him for he was
quite happy drifting through life. It was not he but his mother
who consulted Mrs. Elliot. She was a strongly Capricornian
woman, with some Aries, determined, ambitious, and desper-
ately disappointed that her son was such a failure.
"I was shown a picture of a brother and sister ruling in Egypt;
she completely dominated him, making him do what she
wanted. Then another picture of a rich woman in Rome forcing
 USE OF I TUITION 195

her son, who was connected with the legal profession, to carry
out her wishes almost like a puppet. It seemed that because she
had dominated him in at least two previous lives, in this life she
had produced a weak man. with no will power and has to suffer
agonies to her pride and ambition because he is no credit to her
and not like the sons of her friends."
Another friend, who is both a psychic and astrologer, says that
ohe often see the line from the Midheaven to the Nadir as an
electric blue line which runs through the person's aura, with the
degree and Sign of the Midheaven on top. A gift that many
astrologers wish they had when it comes to rectifying uncertain
birth times! It also suggests that our horoscopes may be literally
as well as symbolically a part of our being. She also sees the
symbol of the dominant planet over a person's head.
My own method of "going through the horoscope" to make
contact with the Soul may differ from that of Mrs. Elliot. I see the
birth chart as a mandala expressing symbolically the characterof
the Soul's will to incarnate, the kind of personality, environ-
ment, experiences, and crises which that spiritual entity needs
in order to become a mature, integrated, and creative being on
earth as well as on the higher planes.
The birth chart only shows what kind of a human being the
person can become, it does not tell whether this person will
fulfill the potentialities. So I ask myself, "What is the Soul trying
to accomplish in this incarnation?" The present is always rooted
in the past (while it is being drawn to the future] so, after
carefully studying the whole chart I meditate upon those factors
I feel tell most about the past—the 12th House Sign and planets
and the major configurations in the chart. Usually, by that time I
have developed a close identification with the person whose
chart I am doing.
No matter how dull or superficial or unlovable I may have
thought him to be at the beginning, at this point I can only think
of him as an endlessly fascinating and infinitely lovable being. I
will myself to enter the horoscope and open up to whatever the
Soul within and behind this personality can communicate to
me. Perhaps it is only my own Soul or Higher Self that I hear, or
perhaps it is our Souls speaking to one another, it hardly matters.
All separation is only an illusion, separation between entities
whatever their level and separation between past, present, and
future. I could not enter into a horoscope to any depth until I
196 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

could get past the illusion that there was a wall between indi-
viduals and between past, present, and future that only rare and
spasmodic intuitions or psychic experiences could pierce. What
happens next is usually a vivid unrolling of certain past scenes,
personalities, and relationships. Like Rose Elliot, I feel I am only
shown those fragments of the past that have relation to the
present life and knowledge which will be of help to the person
whose chart I am reading.
A natural question would be, "How do you know this is not
just your imagination spinning romantic pictures?" The answer
is that I do not know, for verification is usually impossible.
Being an artist, my powers of visualization are perhaps more
developed than the average person's3 and my imagination more
trained by my daily work. There is a convincing reality about
these insights which, incidentally, are rarely very exciting. Usu-
ally just the ordinary stuff that makes up most lives.4 Neverthe-
less, I keep my Astrology "straight" and am always careful to tell
my clients to accept my impression of past lives only if it "rings a
bell inwardly" with them and if it proves helpful in explaining
present life relationships and difficulties.5
Having been a commercial artist for most of my working life, it
is natural for me to use art in interpretation. Meditating over a
chart I will take paper and some easy medium like colored pens
and watercolors and put down the symbols and scenes that come
before my inner eye. To give an example, I did the chart of a
friend with a Grand Trine in Water Signs: Pluto in Cancer con-
junct the 4th House Cusp, Mercury and Venus in Scorpio and all
of them in close trine to the cusp of the 12th House. Meditating
over this configuration, I saw a semi-circle of white Grecian
pillars around a pool of water. It was night and the water re-
flected the stars so perfectly that the night sky and stars seemed
to be in the water below as well as above. I sent the sketch to her,
not knowing what if anything it would mean to her. She wrote
me that it was a scene she saw in her dreams repeatedly, and
went on to tell me that in her youth she had been nearly blind but
not until her eleventh year was notice taken of her handicap. The
night of the first day when she acquired glasses, her family
found her lying on her back in the garden just staring at the stars.
"To this day I have never lost the wonder and thrill I felt that
night. Most of my life I have been accused of walking around
with my head in the stars and your picture reminds me that the
 USE OF INTUITION 197

stars and all they stand for not only circle my head but also are
mirrored in my soul".
Another example of what someone termed my "visual horo-
scopes" involved the chart of a friend who had the Sun conjunct
the loon in Leo in the 4th House. This brought to me a picture of
a woman in blue robes nursing a babe with hundreds of little
hands reaching up to her. Beside her stood a Roman warrior
sword in hand, all in fiery gold, bearing a round shield with tiny
flames carved in circles on its surface. Behind and between the
two figures was an arch through which the Sign Aquarius could
be seen. My feeling was that her task in this life was to harmonize
the masculine and feminine polarities within herself during this
life in order to form the right base for her next life's work.
Quite different was the picture gained from the chart of a
middle-aged, unmarried principal of a large school, a very brisk,
no-nonsense sort of woman. The 12th House contained the
South Node, Mercury, Saturn, and Venus intercepted in the Sign
Taurus with Aries on the cusp.6 Meditating upon these factors, I
found myself thinking about the Earth and all its beauties. No
artists have captured this better than the Chinese and Japanese
and I found myself painting a picture in the Japanese style with
craggy mountains, clouds and water. One mountain was par-
ticularly prominent with a cave high up on its face. Before the
cave sat a hermit in meditation. Near his feet a waterfall broke
out and fell in a silvery-white ribbon to the land at the foot of the
mountain. My feeling was that from the hermit came the water of
spiritual nourishment. The masses of brilliant flowers that grew
below the mountain, watered by the waterfall, symbolized
beauty and its appreciation which this lady needed. I mailed off
the picture with the horoscope reading, thinking I would surely
get a snorting reply taking me to task for associating her with
such an incongruous symbology. However, to my surprise, she
replied that she had been told (and felt it to be true) that her
Master was a Japanese. She loved all things Japanese and was at
that moment taking a class in Japanese flower arrangement.
One picture that came to me was definitely rejected by a friend
who said it didn't make sense at all. The ruler of her 12th House
was Scorpio. Pluto (ruler of the 12th House) was conjunct Mer-
cury in Cancer in close trine to Uranus in Pisces, sextile Saturn
in Virgo. Uranus was posited in the 3rd House, in exact opposi-
tion to Saturn in the 9th House. Her Ascendant's ruler, Jupiter,
198 TVVKLVH DOOKS TO THE SOUL

was conjunct Neptune in the 8th House squared by loon in the

4th. This lady was young, very beautiful, and happily married to
a prosperous husband. The picture 1 got was in the form of a
warning: a Central American-type pyramid with a small temple
on top submerged under the water. Water always meansemotion
to meand the strong emphasis in WaterSigns, her ruler conjunct
that watery planet Neptune in the House of death and Uranus in
Pisces exactly opposed to Saturn, in the two Houses ruling the
mind suggested to me that without mental control and discrimi-
nation, her emotions and illusions might sweep her to disaster.
Within two years she was divorced and went to live with a cult
that seemed to be a combination of pseudo-occultism and old-
time revivalist emotion. She became ill but was given no medi-
cal attention because the leaders of the commune told her her
sickness was caused by a curse put on her by an enemy which
could only be removed by prayer. She died in a short time of a
massive cerebral hemorrhage.
Making objective the whisperings of the subconscious or
super-conscious is used quite often by mental patients and chil-
dren in drawings and paintings. Actually oil art is just that: the
expression of the inner Self in some form. When it comes to
Astrology there is such a wide range of expression to any plane-
tary symbolism that it becomes a challenge to the creative im-
agination and the creative imagination is the magic key that can
transform the horoscope interpretation.
What is our highest good? It is quite probable that it is dif-
ferent from the material things that most of us picture as good.
The Cosmos may function within a different scale of values and
with different priorities than are common to humanity. The
average person's relationship to the Cosmos and to his own
evolution is largely passive, involving a slow and uncertain
course. But we can, by changing our attitudes and efforts, raise
the relationship to another level where cooperation with both is
the rule.
It has been said that originally each soul came forth from "the
bosom of the Father" through one of the twelve Signs of the
Zodiac. Sparks of the One Flame sent forth to attain perfection
on all the seven planes, returning in the fullness of time to the
Door from which they first issued. I do not think this necessarily
means the particular Ascendant or Sun Sign under which we
were born in this life, for surely we must experience the qualities
 USE OF INTUITION 199

of all twelve Signs to become whole human beings. And there

are new factors aiding spiritual evolution.
Uranus, eptune, and Pluto, the higher octave planets, were
always in the heavens though unknown, their transforming
energies absorbed and put to use by only a few. Their discovery
during the last 200 years is very significant. I believe it means
that all humanity, not just a few rare leaders, is able for the first
time to make conscious use of those planetary energies in its
psychological and spiritual life. More individuals will have the
capacity to absorb, assimilate, and then release the vital zodiacal
energies particularly emphasized at their birth.
The Natal horoscope holds the blueprint for this incarnation.
We can use it to try to get what we want emotionally and
materially, or we can go deeper into it by seeking to fulfill the
spiritual potentialities sketched in the chart. By consciously
aligning our will with those cosmic energies pouring through
the Signs and planets, it is possible to raise our level of being.
The change automatically reflects in outer circumstances—the
people and events that are drawn to us. The energies known by
the names of the planets and Signs create disharmony only when
harmonious expression is denied them so if we work with those
energies, expressing as far as possible their spiritual qualities,
then our whole life and character can only be transformed, our
true destiny fulfilled.
We may not be free to choose all of our circumstances, for this
is where karma operates in the form of environmental conditions
and unconscious inner pressures. But we are free to give positive
or negative meaning to our experiences. Unless we understand
our path and the tasks that are appropriate to our essential
nature, we may waste our lives pursuing inferior goals. If we are
earnest students, no lesson ever comes to us in vain and no
lesson ever leaves us where it finds us. This is the purpose of
transpersonal Astrology, which should expand our awareness
and assist us towards psychological maturity and spiritual trans-
formation. Surely, these are the goals most worthy of attainment!
What is our horoscope trying to tell us of things left undone or
badly done in the past which now must be rectified? Or what
does show about the good qualities, talents, and other skills
which can be built upon in order to make us even more useful to
others and ourselves? Can we find what it tells us of the relation-
ships that need refinement, understanding, or strength so that
200 TVVH.VL DOORS TO THE SOUL

we may shed old. debilitating emotions and walk freel > in lov-
ing companionship in future lives? We should not only interpret
the stars, we should interpret the events that come to us. Some-
times it may take a lapse of months or years to evaluate the
dimensions of an experience, but as we identify increasingly
with our higher Self, our Soul, our vision will be closer to truth,
thus accelerating our progress toward that glorious day when we
will become more than human.

NOTES

'Before a psychologist can practice his profession, he must go through

personal analysis by a qualified analyst. One reason for this require-
ment is so that he will be aware of the areas in his character that would
lead to over-reaction or bias involving some of his patients. Likewise, an
astrologer should recognize the elements in his chart that could give
rise to antagonism or lack of understanding with certain clients. Some
astrologers have a prejudice against certain Signs. For example, an
astrologer whose chart was strong in Fire might have little patience
with a client with a flock of planets in Pisces.
2
From an article, "Astrology and the Psychic Faculty", in Astrological
Journal, Autumn, 1974. In a letter to me, Rose Elliot emphasized an
important reservation she had concerning her visions. "Although 1 am
quite often shown pictures apparently relating to the past. 1 think it
would be wrong to suppose that these are always of previous lives.
Sometimes. 1 believe that they are of purely symbolic significance to the
psyche in question and 1 think it is important to avoid jumping to
conclusions and making judgments. We are dealing with an extremely
sensitive and potentially dangerous area here and 1 think one has to
approach it with an open mind and much humility."
3
Having a very prominent Pluto in close aspect to Moon and Venus
helps me.
4
I was once giving a horoscope interpretation to two young women,
both of whom had been related by marriage in a past life in ancient
Antioch. They had been country girls who married two brothers and
came to live in the family home. There were no dramatic events, just
ordinary struggles adjusting to in-laws, husbands, children, and the
various political and military disturbances that ruffled the life of the
city. After 1 finished they asked with disappointment. "Is that all we
did?"
5
This has been a source of mucn soul-searching for me. I have known
too many people to whom self-deception was second nature. 1 have had
the best clairvoyant 1 know verify the accuracy of my impressions. She
 USE OF If TUITION 201

gave me reassurance, but even so I am very cautious and rely primarily

on my astrological knowledge.
•The ^ign on the cusp of the 12th House is said to designate the Sign
ruling the country or area of the person's last significant life. Aries (the
Sign on this lady's 12th) is supposed to he the ruling Sign of )apan; see
Manly P. Hall. Astrological Keywords (Totowa, N.).; Littlefield, Adams
Co.. 1975).
 SUGGESTED READING

Basic Astrology Textbooks

Bills. Rex E. The Rulership Book. Richmond: Macoy Publishing

and lasonic Supply Co., 1976.
Carter. C. E. O. The Principles Of Astrology. Wheaton:
Theosophical House, 1972.
. The Astrological Aspects. Romford, Essex, England: L.
N. Fowler and Co., 1977.
Hall. Manly P. Astrological Keywords. Totowa, N.J.: Littlefield,
Adams and Co., 1975.
lones. Marc Edmund. How To Live With The Stars. Wheaton:
Theosophical Publishing House, 1978.
Rudhyar, Dane. The Practice Of Astrology. Baltimore: Penguin
Books. 1968.
Tyl. oel. The Principles And Practice Of Astrology, 12 Vols. St.
Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1975.

Astrnlngiral Tntprprptatinn

Arroyo, Stephen. Astrology, Karma And Transformation: The

Inner Dimensions Of The Birthchart. Vancouver, Washington:
CRCS Publications, 1978.
. Astrology, Psychology And The Four Elements. Van-
couver, Washington: CRCS Publications, 1975.
Bacher, Elman. Studies In Astrology, 9 Vols. Oceanside, CA:
Rosicrucian Fellowship, 1973.
Bailey, Alice A. Esoteric Astrology. N.Y.: Lucis Publishing Co.,
1976.
Cunningham, Donna. An Astrological Guide To Self-
Awareness. Vancouver, Washington: CRCS Publications,
1978.
Grebner, Bemice Prill. LunarNodes. Tempe, AZ: American Fed-
eration of Astrologers, 1976.
Greene, Liz. Saturn: A New Look At An Old Devil. N.Y.: Samuel
Weiser, 1977.
Hickey, Isobel. Astrology: A Cosmic Science. Bridgeport, Conn:
Altieri Press, 1970.
204 TWELVE DOORS TO THE SOUL

Jones. Marc Edmund. A Guide To Horoscope Inlerprelalion.

Wheaton: Theosophical Publishing House, 1974.
Merriman, Raymond. Journey Of The Soul Through The Horo-
scope. Rochester, MI; Seek-It Publishing, 1978.

Karma, Reincarnation And Related Subjects

Bailey, Alice A. Glamour; A World Problem. N.Y.: Lucis Pub-

lishing Co., 19b7.
Besant, Annie, and Leadbeater, C. W. Man; Whence, How And
Whither. Wheaton: Theosophical Publishing House, 1947.
Blair, Lawrence. Rhythms Of Vision. N.Y.: Schocken Books,
1976.
Blavatsky, H. P. The Secret Doctrine, 6 Vols. Adyar, India:
Theosophical Publishing House, 1971.
. An Abridgement Of The Secret Doctrine. Edited by
Elizabeth Preston and Christmas Humphreys. Wheaton:
Theosophical Publishing House, 1968.
. The Voice Of The Silence. Wheaton: Theosophical Pub-
lishing House, 1973.
Campbell, Joseph. The Mythic Image. Princeton: Princeton Uni-
versity Press, 1964.
Challoner, H. K. The Wheel Of Rebirth. Wheaton: Theosophical
Publishing House, 1976.
Collins, Mabel. Light On The Path. Wheaton:TheosophicaI Pub-
lishing House, 1974.
Guirdham, Arthui. The Cathars And Reincarnation. Wheaton:
Theosophical Publishing House, 1978.
Hanson, Virginia, ed. Karma. Wheaton: Theosophical Publish-
ing House, 1975.
Isherwood, C. Ramakrishna And His Disciples. N.Y.: Simon and
Schuster, 1965.
Krishnamurti, J. At The Feet Of The Master. Wheaton:
Theosophical Publishing House, 1974.
Leadbeater, C. W. The Masters And The Path. Adyar, India:
Theosophical Publishing House, 1975.
. The Inner Life. Wheaton: Theosophical Publishing
House, 1978.
. The Soul's Growth Through Reincarnation. Adyar, In-
dia: Theosophical Publishing House, 1975.
Neumann, Erich. The Great Mother; An Analysis Of The Ar-
 SUGGESTED READ I r G 205

chetype. Translated by Ralph Manheim. Princeton: Princeton

University Precs. 1974.
Pearson, r Jorman. Space, Time And Self. Wheaton: Theosophi-
cal Publi hing House, 1967.
Perkin , |ames S. Experiencing Reincarnation. Wheaton:
Theosophical Publishing House, 1977.
Powell, A. E. The Solar System. London; Theosophical Publish-
ing House, 1971.
Sadhu. Mouni. In Days Of Great Peace. London; George Allen
and Unvvin, 1957.
 Twelve

Doors to

the Soul

ASTROLOGY ADD A

NEW DIMENSION

They go together:

Reincarnation •Karma* Astrology

Star conscious people are always ready and eager to try

something new. In this case, it's a new author with a new
idea. She's new to the publishing world, but with forty
years of astrological experience behind her. New, be-
cause she is one of the very few astrologers who has
dared to bring to bear the concepts of reincarnation and
karma when she studies a chart. With keen insight, the
author uses the twelve Zodiac Signs as doors through
which our past lives can be glimpsed.

To realize one's astrological possibilities to the fullest, it

is vital that these two sensible philosophical theories be
included in any horoscope study. Professional artist,
professional astrologer, student of theosophy, Jane Evans
realized this and determined to integrate these concepts
in her unique "star-study." Her chart interpretations
cover many lifetimes and include a study of accumulated
karma. She provides astrology with an important added
dimension.

ISB\ 0-8356-0521-3 S4.75