OPEN INVITATION… PRIVATE EMAIL ASTROLOGY READINGS

We now open the cyber parlor doors to the reading room of the Mason Garrett Astrology Research Institute to the Blogger general public… for individual private readings… via email correspondence. Simply email an inquiry to; masongarrett@gmail.com


William Lilly, one of our staff… and ‘Spirit Guides’



We have modern equipment and reference data to answer most inquiries… natal chart analysis… current and future planetary transits with interpretations… Horary and mundane event charts… Compatibility and synastry charts between two people… Annual Solar Return and Lunar Return charts…

We are here to service all your astrology needs if we possibly can… at very reasonable rates.



We want to help the Patron to move their world into more harmonious and satisfying directions… through self study, personal transformation, and spiritual evolution… using ancient and modern astrology techniques of interpretation and analysis of the Patron’s birth horoscope map. If we can’t help you, we will try and refer you to someone in the astrology community who can. All inquires are welcome.

LECTURE 2 - BASIC FORMATIONS

These basic aspects, CONJUNCT, OPPOSITION, SQUARE, INCONJUNCT, TRINE, and SEXTILE will often form a group that is known as a FORMATION. These are powerful combinations of energy that can and do influence one’s nature a great deal throughout one’s life. The basic natal horoscope with all the combined aspects represents sort of a schematic drawing of how you are ‘wired.’ You might say it’s like a ‘User’s Manual,’ of your personality. And, yes, some models are more ‘User Friendly,’ than others. Don’t fret, it’s not all that bad, I have often called my horoscope the “Horriblescope.” It all depends on how you chose to use the energies available to one.


STELLIUM – This is a formation of four or more planets that are CONJUNCT, being within 8 degrees of one another in the same sign. It represents a powerful package of energy. When positive planets are involved it can represent genius, a specific talent, and a strong sense of purpose. A positive example of such a person with a Stellium would be the legendary baseball player Hank Aaron, holder of the record for the most career home runs for over 30 years. If negative planets are involved, and negative choices are made, it can indicate an infamous person such as Sam ‘Momo’ Giancanna, the Chicago Mafia boss of the 1950’-60’s era.


T–SQUARE (Also known as T- Bar) – This formation is made by three or more planets. At least two of the planets will be in OPPOSITION (180 degrees apart with an 8 degree orb allowance) to one another. A third or group of planets will then be SQUARE (90 degrees with an 8 degree orb allowance) to the opposing planets. It looks like a “T,” thus it’s name. About 40% of the population has a T-SQUARE somewhere in their natal horoscope. It defines many of our basic conflicts in life that we must learn to live with and work out in our personal lives. It can also indicate our talents and where we’re motivated to develop ourselves. Some notable examples would be Marlon Brando, Mahatma Gandhi, Muhammed Ali, Ronald Reagan, Ernest Hemingway, Thomas Jefferson, Aristotle Onassis, and me, and perhaps you, just to name a few. You can work it out and be famous too. It all depends on the choices and efforts that one makes in life.


THE GRAND TRINE – This occurs when three, or groups of planets, are all TRINE to each other (within the 8 degree orb allowance). One planet is TRINE to a second planet and then that planet TRINES to a third, and the third planet TRINES back to the first planet. It looks like a big equal triangle in the chart, thus its name. It can be a very lucky aspect providing many opportunities and benefits in life, or it can go the other way and be too easy and often indicates laziness and just sliding by on one’s ‘good looks,’ or maybe like being born to wealth and social status with little struggle or personal efforts having to made in life, one living in a comfortable circle and not really going anywhere. An example of both the lucky and unlucky nature of a GRAND TRINE would be in the horoscope of the legendary film actress and sex symbol icon Marilyn Monroe.


THE GRAND SEXTILE – This is the same in principle as a GRAND TRINE, just smaller and lighter in effect and it is formed by six sextiles all connected in sequence. This often indicates a multi talented person who’s energies are scattered and they simply can’t make up their minds or make a strong commitment to any one thing, a ‘jack of all trades, and master of none,’ type.


THE GRAND CROSS – This can be a tough one. It is formed by at least four planets, two oppositions that are at right angles to each other, or four planets squaring each other in turn. One square to planet two, that square to three, and that square to the fourth, and the fourth square back the first. It looks like a big ‘+’ or cross, thus its name. It can literally be ‘one’s cross to bare,’ in life. These people often feel pulled in four directions at once. Some are often medically and psychologically diagnosed as ‘Bi-polar,’ and can suffer from radical mood swings. Relief can often be found by turning inward and finding a center within oneself and from there choosing more constructive and often creative outlets. Purposeful activities can help them rise above the stressful mundane events of their lives and into more constructive endeavors. In this formation there are tremendous energies available to them if they can just learn to focus it through activities represented by the various planets involved.


THE YOD, or FINGER OF GOD - This is a very strong destiny influence. This looks like a small triangle, or a pointer, or arrow head shape. At the base, two or more planets are in SEXTILE (60 degrees). Both of those planets then INCONJUNCT (150 degrees) to a third planet or group. The sharp point is the focal point, or point of destiny. One is drawn to the potential destiny that is represented by this planet. At some point in the person’s life there can often be a crisis and a turning point in the person’s life which then takes them into another direction for better or worse depending on the choices made.

[click charts for detail view]

Illustrations:







Rulership is a big part of astrology. Everything in life falls under the ‘rulership,’ of various planets, signs, houses, and aspects. I have found that the easiest way to present the complexity of an aspect is with simple ‘keywords.’ By simply dropping various simple keywords onto the aspects of various planet positions, one can understand the basic gist of the influence. There is an excellent basic dictionary of astrology rulership keywords that I use almost daily, THE RULERSHIP BOOK, by Rex E. Bills. When I put words into parenthesis in my writing they are from his book and other standard astrology reference books that I shall list in the bibliography.


Some of the charts that I will present are what I term basic ‘Solar Charts.’ These are cast when the time of birth is unknown and one uses Noon as a birth time. This will give a basic location of the planets and the aspects that they form because the various planets do not move more than 1-2 degrees per day. The Moon moves 12 degrees per day, therefore that location can of 6 degrees plus or minus. Mercury can move 2 degrees per day so there isn’t much error there. The remainder move 1 degree or less per day.


If the birth time and location is known then a very accurate chart with the Ascendant and House locations can be drawn using complicated mathematics, which today can be performed by a computer program in a couple of nano seconds. There are many free programs available on various astrology web sites, which I will list in the bibliography. For simplicity, and to appeal to broader audience, I will use mostly the simple format of keywords and aspects. This simple format will still reveal a surprising amount of information about the subject person’s chart and life.


Now you have some basic tools in your astrology toolbox with which we can begin to take apart and analyze some basic natal charts Astrology is a very complex science that you can study for years if you get really interested in it. However, with these basics you will be able to follow along with the examples that I present in my writings.

BASIC ASTROLOGY - LECTURE 1

LECTURE 1 - BASIC ASPECTS

Welcome, dear reader, to the Mason Garrett Institute of Astrological Research… of which I am the senior fellow… and solitary fellow. Many of you, in your comments to entries in the MASON GARRETT PREDICTIONS Blog, have stated that even though you have trouble with the technical details… you do enjoy the subject as I present it. This blog is for you then… Hopefully, on weekends… or perhaps bi-weekly… I shall present some basic concepts in the same style that I write my other blogs… erratically and as it comes to me. I shall also from time to time recommend useful astrology reference books currently available in books stores and online.

…this is a totally freestyle cyber study class… sip whatever beverage you like, same with munchies… you may smoke… chew gum… attend in whatever comfortable attire you choose… be comfortable and relax so that you can better concentrate and enjoy… attend at your convenience… there are no exams… your predictions and interpretations will be either right… or wrong… to varying degrees.

…so… let’s jump right in…

What sign are you? That’s the usual question asked in conversation. Forget that kind of thinking right off. Any of the basic twelve astrology signs can be anything. The true nature of a person is determined by the locations of the various planets in the signs and houses and by the aspects (angles) that the planets make to one another in the birth chart. These angles (aspects) are basic Ptolemy geometry. The aspects (angles) represent the nature of the energy of the planets involved. These angles (aspects) define ‘how’ a person expresses that energy in their daily life.

For example, Rum has a certain taste. Coca-cola has a certain taste. Mix a jigger of Rum with a glass of Coca-cola and you have one of my favorite drinks, “Rum & Coke, please.” Or “A Scotch and water,” or if you don’t drink alcohol, “Coffee with crème, and sugar,” would be another example. Pick any mixed drink you like. They are all examples of two or more combined energies poured into one glass, all having a similar effect on one’s consciousness, that is to say, ‘you’re under the influence,’ of the aspect, more or less, depending on the proportions of the ingredients in the drink.

Let's say the Rum is the Neptune energy and the Coca-cola is the Venus energy. If Venus and Neptune are at the same location, say 15 degrees of Libra, that would be like a half a glass of Rum mixed with a half a glass of Coke. That would be a very stiff drink and in astrology it’s an EXACT CONJUNCT which is one of the two strongest of the various aspect influences. If Neptune is at 11 degrees of Libra and Venus at 15 degrees, that is a separation of 4 degrees and is a more average influence and a more reasonable mixed drink. The maximum separation allowed for a CONJUNCT definition is 8 degrees (also called the orb of influence) which is still an influence at that distance, but more like a weak drink, with a lot more of Coke and just a splash of Rum. The effect of a CONJUNCT aspect in a horoscope can be harmonious or inharmonious depending on the planets involved.

The other of the two strongest aspects of influence is the OPPOSITION. This is when two planets are opposite one another in the Zodiac map. If the Moon is at 5 degrees of Aries and on the opposite side of the Zodiac the Sun is at 8 degrees of Libra this an opposition by an orb allowance of 3 degrees. The opposition is when planets are 180 degrees apart within an orb allowance of 8 degrees, thus 172 to 188 degrees apart, again the smaller the degree of separation (the orb) the stronger the influence is in one’s life.

The effect of the OPPOSITION is like holding your arms out to the side. Reach as far to the right as you can and as far to the left as you can. Hold your arms like this a few minutes and you will feel the wearisome tension that an opposition presents in one’s life if you’re born with this aspect in your natal (birth) horoscope. The Moon and Sun example I’ve given is an opposition in my own personal horoscope and it explains my occasional mood swings that I’ve had to learn how to deal with during my life. Yes, in astrology the Sun and Moon are referred to as if they were planets. It’s a technical thing, don’t let it distract you. In general the OPPOSITIONS in one’s horoscope are often the problem areas in one’s life where one feels constantly pulled in two different directions. One’s life can be a life long struggle of trying to resolve and balance one’s contradictory nature. Does that sound familiar?

The next aspect in strength of influence is the SQUARE. This a 90 degrees angle between two or more planets with the 8 degree orb allowance, thus 82 to 98 degrees of separation on the chart. As an example the Sun at 8 degrees of Libra and Saturn at 10 degrees of Cancer, within a 2 degree orb, of the 90 degree angle. This is an aspect of a constant obstacle in one’s life. Look straight ahead and reach out to the left and hold your hand there. It’s just out of your peripheral vision but you know it’s there. Now suddenly slap yourself up the side of the head with that hand. That’s the nature of a SQUARE, it’s a trait of one’s personality or life conditions and environment that blindsides you now and then. It is usually a part of yourself that you haven’t owned or worked on. Often we project these unresolved issues and then attract them from other people and the problem keeps repeating until we own it and resolve it.

The inharmonious CONJUNCTIONS, the pulling extremes of the OPPOSITIONS, and the obstacles of the SQUARES represent the problem areas in our daily lives that we all (most of us) simply live with and learn to cope with. As Nietzsche said, “That which doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.” These are powerful energies and those who learn to deal with them are often the ones who become famous from their efforts to over come these obstacles in their life. And some become infamous as they express the negative side of the energy.

Now to the more pleasant slices of life. We’ve had our stiff drink, now let’s have some PIZZA! Let’s say we have a pepperoni cheese (or whatever ingredients you prefer) pizza sitting in front of us. Now let’s say it’s cut into 6 equal slices. They look like small triangles that are round on one side. As you eat one slice realize that it is a small triangle of 60 degrees. It’s a really yummy slice and this is an example of an easy harmonious aspect of 60 degrees known as the SEXTILE. It is generally mildly beneficial and a supportive influence in one’s daily life.

Now, pig out and pick up two SEXTILE slices and you have a big portion of the pizza that is now a 120 degree triangle that is round on the side and it is known as the TRINE aspect. As you munch away on this large delicious 120 degree triangle of this pizza you are experiencing the easy and pleasant nature of a TRINE. In general it is considered a beneficial and lucky aspect and where things are easy in your life. With too many TRINES life can often be too easy. In fact some infamous criminals have three or four of them in their natal chart which is why they get away with their crimes so easily for so long. They’re just lucky for a while and are the squares and obstacles to everybody else. And of course too much pizza (TRINE) can often cause a little weight gain. Over indulgence of anything can also be the nature of trines in the birth chart.

Another aspect that I often use in interpretation of a chart is known as an INCONJUNCT, which is a 150 degree angle, with a smaller orb allowance of only 2 degrees, thus 148 to 152 degrees. When two planets are at this angle to one another it represents an area in life where one has to make ‘an adjustment.’ To live more harmoniously with others one has to make a constant adjustment in some part of one’s behavior.

An example from my own personal natal chart would be the Moon at 5 degrees of Aries INCONJUNCT Venus at 4 degrees (1 degree orb) of Scorpio, indicating that I have issues of low self esteem at times and feel that I have to constantly win other’s approval. Over the years through various forms of therapy and through the conscious use of stronger aspects in my chart I have conquered this for the most part, though it still does pop up on occasion. As a teenager it caused me a lot of grief and made me rather incorrigible at times. In my opinion some astrologers underrate the strength of this aspect. I see it as equal in strength to a square.

There are other minor aspects of interpretation but they are for deeper study if one chooses to explore the science of astrology further than this basic format that I present.

Illustrations [click images for detail view]





...study all this a while and next week... or two... Lecture 2 will get into the FORMATIONS that these combined aspects make and their influence upon the subject.