Quintiles: Aspects of the Fifth Harmonic

Quintiles: Aspects of the Fifth Harmonic

Author: Alison Price   –   Published: March 2025

🧡 Advanced Natal Astrology

This article is part of my Advanced Natal Astrology series, where I explore deeper chart analysis for practicing and aspiring astrologers.

Quintiles

Aspects of the Fifth Harmonic

By now you know when reading a chart there are four cornerstones to chart interpretation. The four cornerstones are the signs planets. Houses and aspects and whilst there are many things that can be said about signs, houses and planets, personally, I find the aspects to be the most interesting. 

The main reason aspects are interesting is because they’re different for everybody, even though I may have a Moon aspect to my Sun, and you may have a Moon aspect to your Sun, if the aspect is different, the combination of energies changes too. And not only that, but some aspects can be more important than others.

Another way of looking at aspect connections is through the lesser used aspects. I haven’t spoken about lesser use aspects much at all, but this time we’re going to be looking at the aspects of the 5th harmonic, which are the quintiles and the biquintiles. When these two aspects are in a chart they are typically coloured in turquoise.

Podcast Episode

Listen to our podcast episode on quintiles and bi-quintiles.

Quintile Aspect Patterns

Quintile Fat and Thin Arrows

I also want to just point out that there are two specific quintile aspect patterns, not that we’re talking about them today, but just let me mention it in passing. You’ve got the quintile fat arrow, and you’ve got the quintile thin arrow. 

Both of which are triangular aspect patterns and I’ll be discussing those later on this year. So, let’s have a look at the fifth harmonic lesser used aspects of the quintiles and the biquintiles.

quintile-arrows

Unveiling Hidden Talents

Ptolemaic Aspects

In astrology, there are five well-known main Ptolemaic aspects and they are the conjunctions, oppositions, trines, squares and sextiles. These are the basic aspects you start with. The standard orb I use for the Ptolemaic aspects is 8° degrees, except for the sextile (which is half of a trine), at 4° orb.

Minor Aspects

The four minor aspects are the semi-sextile and the quincunx (12 harmonic) and the semi-square and the sesquiquadrate (8th harmonic). In general, I use an orb of 2° for minor aspects.

Lesser-Used Aspects

But beyond these familiar planetary relationships lies a hidden gem – the quintile aspect (72°) and bi-quintile (144°) aspects. These aspects are formed by dividing the circle by 5. So the quintile is one fifth of a circle (360°/5 = 72°) and the biquintile is two fifths of a circle ((360°/5) x 2 = 144°). There are other lesser known, but still whole number angle degrees as well. The 5fifth harmonic aspects hold the key to creativity, intelligence and personal mastery. Not every chart will have quintiles but many do.

quintiles

Creativity and Mastery

5th Harmonic

Both the quintile and biquintile belong to the 5th harmonic in astrology. This number is associated with creativity, invention and refinement. Unlike major aspects, which typically show life’s challenges and ease, quintiles represent the urge to create, innovate and express unique talents.

Genius

I view quintiles as markers of genius and as a sign of a person’s natural gifts, creative insights and their ability to shape reality in new and insightful ways. These five based aspects often appear in the charts of artists, scientists and innovators who have a unique approach to problem-solving or artistic expression.

Quintile Energy

Subtle

Unlike the dramatic energy of a conjunction or opposition, I believe that quintile energy is subtle and it operates beneath the surface, often manifesting as an innate ability rather than an external force. Those with tight quintiles may not even realize their gift until they actively develop and refine their skills. 

As an astrologer, it is you job to help your clients see the potential in their lives that is suggested by any quintiles in their charts. Usually, people are so obsessed with the issues brough forward by their squares and oppositions that they can’t even contemplate subtle quintile energy uhttps://www.starzology.com/venus/ntil you explain it to them.

Examples

  • A person with Mercury quintile Mars may have razor-sharp wit and mental agility, making them an excellent debater or writer.
  • Someone with Venus quintile Neptune may have an unusual artistic talent, creating beauty in ways other people wouldn’t think of.
  • Sun quintile Uranus could indicate a natural innovator and trendsetter and someone who thinks outside the box.

 

Unlike the trine which brings ease, quintiles require focused effort to fully activate them. It’s like having an innate ability to play the piano, but you still need practice to become a master pianist.

 

The Geometry of Genius

The Meaning of the Quintile

Quintiles are not just random angles, they are deeply connected to sacred geometry, that connect to the pentagram and the Fibonacci sequence.

Five

The quintile is part of the 5th harmonic. In numerology, 5 is the number of change, curiosity and exploration. This number is linked to the pentagram, an ancient symbol of balance, beauty and the harmony between the material and spiritual worlds.

Fibonacci

In nature, the Fibonacci sequence (which appears in flower petals, seashells and galaxies) often follows a fivefold pattern, showing the natural order and structure of creativity. This same energy flows through quintile aspects in astrology, that in a way can connect us to the deeper intelligence of the universe.

Quintile Themes

Golden Ratio

The Golden Ratio (1.618), which is also often called the Divine Proportion, is closely linked to quintiles. This ratio appears in art, architecture and nature to shape everything from the spirals of galaxies to the human face. Homes and building designed with the Golden Ratio are more pleasing to our eyes and we want to live and work on such buildings.

Proportion

Astrologically, people with strong quintile aspects may have an innate sense of proportion, harmony and order, whether in music, design, or problem-solving. They can see connections where others see chaos and this makes them natural innovators and visionaries.

Inner Brilliance

Many highly creative and intelligent people have prominent quintiles in their charts. While major aspects describe personality and life events, quintiles reveal how a person perhaps will channels their inner brilliance.

Leonardo da Vinci

Birth Data

10pm, April 15th, 1452, Vinci, Italy. Leonardo da Vinci has strong quintiles, highlighting his mastery of art, science, and engineering.

Moon Quintile Venus

Artistic Sensitivity and Emotional Harmony

This quintile suggests a deep emotional connection to beauty, art, and aesthetics. Refined taste and intuitive artistic sense, allowing him to capture human expressions, movement, and natural details with remarkable fluidity. A natural ability to harmonize emotions with artistic expression, seen in his soft sfumato painting technique, which blends light and shadow seamlessly. A unique sensitivity to proportion and form, which contributed to the Mona Lisa’s enigmatic beauty and perfect symmetry.

Sun Bi-Quintile Neptune

Visionary Genius and Mystical Creativity

A highly imaginative and otherworldly mind, blending reality with fantasy and idealism. Mastery of light, shadow, and illusion—evident in his artistic techniques and futuristic inventions. A deep spiritual connection to knowledge, suggesting he saw his art and discoveries as a divine pursuit.  The ability to channel inspiration into tangible form, turning dreamlike visions into real innovations.

Sun Bi-Quintile Ascendant

Magnetic Presence and Unique Personal Expression

A commanding yet unconventional aura, setting him apart from his peers. The ability to express his identity in a highly refined and individualistic way, seen in his self-portraits and enigmatic personal style. An effortless ability to embody his creative ideals, making him an icon of artistic mastery and intellectual brilliance. A tendency to see himself as a creator of new worlds, shaping both art and science with his unique insights.

Uranus Quintile Midheaven (MC)

Radical Innovation and Revolutionary Thinking

Unorthodox career path—he was not just an artist but also an inventor, scientist, and engineer. A pioneering mind that constantly challenged conventions and sought groundbreaking discoveries. An ability to predict the future with ideas far ahead of his time (e.g., concepts for helicopters, tanks, and anatomical studies). Genius in blending art with science, which was unprecedented in the Renaissance era.

Neptune Quintile Ascendant

Mystical Charisma and Inspired Self-Expression

A dreamy, otherworldly presence, making him a mysterious and enigmatic figure. A highly imaginative and fluid self-image, allowing him to take on multiple roles—artist, scientist, engineer, and philosopher. An intuitive connection to the unseen, explaining his obsession with anatomy, nature, and hidden structures in the world. A natural ability to capture the ethereal and the divine, seen in the Mona Lisa’s mysterious expression and the spiritual depth of The Last Supper.

Da Vinci Overview

Leonardo’s quintile and bi-quintile aspects reveal a rare blend of artistic mastery, scientific innovation, and visionary thinking. These aspects activated his hidden genius, allowing him to create some of the most influential works in history. His chart shows that true brilliance comes from integrating multiple disciplines, like art, science, and spirituality, into aharmonious, visionary whole.

Mozart’s Quintiles

The Astrological Signature of Musical Genius

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birth chart is filled with quintile and bi-quintile aspects, which are linked to creativity, mastery and a natural talent for structuring beauty. These fifth harmonic aspects show his exceptional musical ability, rapid skill development, and deep emotional connection to his art. Below is a breakdown of how each of these quintiles contributed to his early musical genius and lasting legacy.

Moon Quintile Venus

Emotional Harmony and Aesthetic Sensitivity

An intuitive ability to express beauty and emotion through music. Deep sensitivity to melody and harmony, making his compositions both technically brilliant and emotionally compelling. A natural gift for creating music that evokes deep feelings, making his works universally loved and timeless. A sense of grace and balance in composition, leading to perfectly structured pieces.

Sun Bi-Quintile Mars

Passionate Creativity and Fiery Artistic Drive

A tireless creative energy output. Mozart was known for his intense productivity, composing over 600 works in his short lifetime. By all accounts he had a bold and dynamic approach to music, often pushing boundaries with fast tempos, sharp contrasts, and dramatic intensity. He had a mastery of technical skills in composition and performance, that showed a highly refined control of musical expression. He bore a strong competitive drive and always strived for innovation and perfection in his pieces.

Sun Bi-Quintile North Node

Destined for Creative Greatness

His life path was uniquely tied to his artistic gifts, with music being his soul’s mission. Mozart almost had a sense of divine inspiration, as though his music was meant to elevate the human experience. His rapid evolution and success fulfilled his potential at a young age (writing symphonies at 8 years old!). There is a sense of fate with Sun biquintile the North Node and he seemed to be born to compose.

Sun Bi-Quintile Ascendant

Charismatic Genius and A Magnetic Presence

Mozart had strong, radiant personality which attracted patrons and audiences with ease. He had an ability to project his innate confidence and individuality, to make him a well-known public figure despite many personal struggles. As a diminutive person (5′ 4″), his presence and energy were seen as larger than life which was reflected in his music’s dramatic and captivating nature.

Mercury Bi-Quintile Mars

Lightning-Fast Musical Thought

Mozart had exceptional mental speed, that allowed him to compose music in his head way before he wrote it down. He had a sharp, witty communication style and was well known for his playful and cheeky personality. His precision and highly technical skill in both composing and performing complex pieces took people’s breath away and still does. Mercury biquintile Mars indicates the ability to juggle multiple musical ideas at once, to make his compositions layered and intricate.

Mercury Bi-Quintile Ascendant

Genius Through Words and Music

He seemed to have the ability to instantly translate his thoughts into music and to make musical composition effortless. He also held a charismatic and expressive presence, especially in performances. Mozart’s mind almost worked on multiple levels at once, to effortlessly project (Ascendant) his technical skill (Mercury) with artistic vision.

Venus Quintile Pluto

Passion and Power in Art

Mozart had a unique ability to capture the depth of human emotions in music. We are attracted to the magnetic, haunting quality in some of his pieces, especially in his later operas. The music moves us and has a transformative effect on listeners, inducing both joy and sorrow in powerful ways. At times he had a fearless approach to exploring both light (Venus) and dark (Pluto) themes in his music.

Mars Quintile North Node

Driving Force Behind His Destiny

It is as though he was destined to push his relentless energy and fuel his creative journey. Perhaps there was a sense of urgency and purpose, because he knew he had limited time to create as he died so young at age 35. He set himself up as a natural leader in the music world, constantly setting trends rather than following them.

Mars Quintile Ascendant

Dynamic Stage Presence

He had a fiery, expressive way of performing that was full of energy, pizzaz and confidence. As he played many of his pieces in person, his ability to physically translate drives into music, made his performances electric. He had a resilient and bold personality which allowed him to withstand the pressures of public life.

Jupiter Biquintile Uranus

Expansive Vision and Revolutionary Musical Style

As a genius at breaking musical norms, Mozart often defied classical composition structures to create something entirely new. By all accounts, he had a playful, unpredictable streak and always wanted to make his compositions fresh and unexpected taking you on a road less travelled. The Jupiter biquintile Uranus aspects in his chart allowed him to compose grand and expansive pieces. His pleasant-sounding innovations shaped the future of classical music, influencing countless composers after him.

Jupiter Biquintile South Node

Past-Life Gift and Mastery of Music

All aspect connections to the South Node in anyone’s chart suggest things brough forward into this life’s incarnation. The Jupiter biquintile the South Node aspect was as if he had a sense that he was carrying musical knowledge from past lifetimes. With effortless talent from a young age it was as though he was simply “remembering” how to compose. Mozart had a deep spiritual connection to music and used it as a way to uplift the world.

Chiron Biquintile Midheaven (MC)

Heal the World

Mozart’s music has a deeply healing and transformative effect on people. Even today Mozart is played in neonatal units and hospices for people arriving in this world and those leaving it as it is thought to reduce pain. 

Mozart is played in high crime areas in cities and brings relief to the activities that go on in back alleys. Shopkeepers play Mozart outside their doors to stop youths loitering around the sidewalk. If you play Mozart to a wilting houseplant it will perk up and begin to flourish. Tomato farmers have Mozart playing through speakers in their greenhouses for better sweeter crops. Traditionally, poultry farmers play Mozart in their hen houses for better egg laying as it calms the chickens. 

Despite personal struggles, Mozart himself used music as a form of self-healing. His music continues to heal generations of musicians.

Mozart Overarch

The Quintile Signature of a Musical Prodigy

Mozart’s numerous quintiles and biquintiles show a chart bursting with divine creativity, precision and technical mastery. These fifth harmonic aspects indicate that his musical ability was more than just talent—it was an innate, almost supernatural gift.

Nikola Tesla’s Quintiles

Visionary Genius

Nikola Tesla, one of history’s greatest inventors and visionaries, had a mind ahead of its time. His innovations in electricity, wireless energy and electromagnetism revolutionized modern technology. Astrologically, Tesla’s quintile and biquintile aspects highlight his innate genius, deep intuition and relentless pursuit of discovery. These aspects represent a highly creative, almost mystical approach to science and invention. Tesla wasn’t just an inventor; he was an artist of energy and physics.

Sun Quintile Pluto

The Power of Transformation and Obsessive Genius

It seems that Tesla possessed an intense inner drive, pushing himself beyond normal limits to achieve his scientific breakthroughs. The Sun quintile Pluto aspect represents a transformational force, allowing him to see hidden energies and forces at work in the universe. He had a magnetic, almost hypnotic personality, with a powerful presence that fascinated those around him. This aspect also suggests a solitary path, as Tesla often felt misunderstood, choosing innovation over personal relationships.

Sun Quintile Ascendant

Visionary Persona

Tesla had an unmistakable presence he was tall, lean and had an almost ethereal appearance that made him seem otherworldly. The Sun quintile Ascendant aspect reflects an innate confidence (Sun) in his mission, allowing him to stay true to his revolutionary ideas, even when facing skepticism (Ascendant). He lived in his own reality, caring little for convention or social norms. This made him as a misunderstood genius, yet also an uncompromising innovator. Tesla probably  saw himself as a messenger of higher knowledge and often claimed that his ideas came to him in flashes of divine insight.

Mercury Biquintile Chiron

The Wounded Genius and A Mind Wired for Invention

Mercury (thought, intellect) and Chiron (wounding, healing) linked by a biquintile suggest a mind that saw beyond ordinary human limits. Tesla’s ideas were ahead of his time, and they were often too advanced for the world to understand (even today) and a source of intellectual isolation and personal suffering. He could hold entire blueprints of his inventions in his mind, visualizing machines and mechanisms in perfect detail before building them. With a deep interest to energy and frequencies, Tesla believed that understanding vibrations (Chiron) was the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe.

Mars Biquintile Uranus

The Drive to Disrupt

Tesla had a restless, electric energy that fueled his relentless pursuit of discovery. Mars (action, energy) linked to Uranus (innovation, rebellion) through a biquintile suggests an unusual and groundbreaking approach to invention. Tesla was known for his bold, unconventional experiments, in which he often fearlessly performed daring electrical demonstrations to prove his theories. Remember that electricity was not fully understood at the time and his work with alternating current (AC) revolutionized electricity to challenge the dominance of Edison’s direct current (DC). This Mars biquintile Uranus aspect also hints at his rebellious streak and Tesla didn’t just want to improve the world; he wanted to completely revolutionize it.

grow-your-astrology books

Book Recommendations

Quintiles and Bios

Here are some quintile themed books and biographies of the example charts I mentioned which may interest you.

 

Tesla Overarch

The Quintile Signature of Tesla’s Genius

Tesla’s quintile and biquintile aspects reveal a man who was:

  • A channel for higher knowledge, receiving ideas in flashes of inspiration.

  • Obsessed with transforming the world, even at great personal cost.

  • A nonconformist genius, unwilling to follow the tried and true traditional scientific methods.

  • A master of unseen forces (electricity), understanding energy in a way few others could.

Quintile Overarch

Lesser-Used Aspects

As an astrologer, you will no doubt focus on the main five aspects for your clients work as indeed this is where things happen. Once you get to the second or third session with a client who chooses to go deeper with you, that is the time to draw on the quintiles and biquintiles. The fifth harmonic aspects may not be as widely discussed as other aspects, but their subtle influence is great. Quintiles whisper rather than shout, requiring us to pay attention to our innate talents and refine them with effort. Think about what your quintiles and biquintiles aspects have to whisper to you and the planets are involved. If you’ve ever felt an unexplainable pull toward a skill or creative pursuit, your quintile aspects might hold the answer.

Personally…

Personally, I love finding quintiles in someone’s chart. I feel as though this is the type of astrology I was born for, to bring awareness to everyday folk about their hidden, or latent, potentials and genius streaks as shown by their natal quintiles and biquintiles.

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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affiliates-green-star
affiliates-green-star
Venus Retrograde

Venus Retrograde

Author: Alison Price   –   Updated: February 2025

Venus Retrograde

I do like to discuss upcoming transit events that will be unfold this year and one of those is actually going to be the Venus retrograde in March and April 2025. In the meantime, I want to go over Venus retrograde in general, so that you have a full understanding of what happening and how you can interpret it in your charts and the charts of your clients. In March, I’ll be doing a deeper article about the actual Venus retrograde cycle which happens this spring which will be in the free version of Starzlife which comes out on a Sunday. 

Let’s take a look at Venus retrograde in general.

Venus Retrograde

Venus retrograde is a cosmic event which happens approximately every 18 months. Each individual Venus retrograde period lasts for about 40 days. During this time, Venus, the planet of love, beauty and values, appears to move backward through the zodiac from our perspective on Earth. Though this is an optical illusion, the effects of Venus retrograde are deeply felt in our relationships, finances and sense of self-worth. I’m going to share what Venus retrograde means and how to manage its beautiful energy.

venus

The Unique Venus Retrograde Cycle

5-8 Cycle

One of the most fascinating aspects of Venus retrograde is its connection to the 5-8 cycle. Every eight years, Venus completes five retrograde periods, creating a near-perfect pentagram or five-pointed star in the sky. This means that there are some years that do not have Venus retrograde at all. 

An example of this was last year 2024, where Venus was direct for the whole year. All of the other planets, excluding Mars, will be retrograde every year and the fact that Venus isn’t, makes it a special planet indeed.

As Venus moves through the sky, retrograding five times in eight years, it describes a well-known pattern. This geometric pattern, known as the Venus Star, is a stunning example of cosmic symmetry. It has been observed for ages and seen as a symbol of harmony, beauty and balance.

Fibonacci

The powerful 5-8 cycle is also related to the Fibonacci sequence. The Fibonacci sequence is a mathematical series in which each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers so it’s like this:

 

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…

 

As you can see, the pattern goes 5,8, this number is often seen in nature. Two examples that leap to mind are the knobs (or eyes) on a pineapple, which rotate up with 8 swoops in one direction and 13 in the other. With pineapples, the 8-13 is another pair of adjacent numbers on the Fibonacci sequence. These Fibonacci numbers can be seen all over in the natural world. I have an article about the Fibonacci aspect set that you may find interesting as well.

Venus-retrograde-fruit-apple-pineapple

Golden Ratio

The Fibonacci sequence is closely associated with the golden ratio, a proportion found throughout nature, art and architecture. Venus’s retrograde cycle reflects this natural order, as the ratios and patterns of its movement resonate with these universal principles of growth and harmony.

venus-star-retrograde

Venus Star

A Symbol of Cosmic Harmony

The five-pointed star created by Venus’s retrograde path has long been a symbol of balance and perfection. As we have seen, this celestial geometry mirrors the principles of the Fibonacci sequence, emphasizing Venus’s role as a planet of harmony and aesthetic alignment. Because of Venus’ association with the number 5, it rules all 5-petaled flowers, such as roses and some sweet fruits like apples…

Apples

If an apple is cut in half across its equator, the pattern of the seed is revealed, as a perfect five-pointed star or pentagram. Symbolically, this is closely associated with the story of Eve giving Adam the Apple of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. Meaning that it was not just a piece of fruit she was offering him, but a potent symbol for wisdom. 

The ancients Greeks, believed that the feminine is represented by number 2 and the masculine is represented by number 3, (note the Fibonacci again 2-3). When 2 and 3 are added together they become five, (such as during intercourse), therefore 5 is symbolically the number for humankind. Additionally, we see the five-star shape in our stretched out human hands.

Pentagram

The pentagram is a 5-pointed star which can either be the right way up with one point pointing upwards. Alternatively, it can be displayed as an inverted pentagram with the point down. Until recently, placing it either way, up or down, did not matter as much. However, these days, the symbol of Baphomet makes use of the upside-down pentagram. The pentagram has been esteemed in various cultures as a sign of unity between the spiritual and material realms, much like the Venus retrograde cycle invites us to align our inner values with our external reality.

Quintile

Also note that the angles of a pentagram correlates to the quintile aspect of 72°, (360°/5=72°) which is included in the Fibonacci aspect set.

vénus-rétrograde-pentagram

Venus Themes

Venus Keywords

To understand Venus retrograde, it helps to first grasp Venus’s role in astrology shown by themes and keywords.

Love and Relationships

Venus shows how we give and receive love, our romantic desires and the dynamics of our partnerships.

Beauty and Aesthetics

Our appreciation of art, fashion and the beauty in the world around us is indicated by our Venus placement.

Values

Venus suggests what we value most in life.

Money

How we spend or save money and our material possessions are closely related to our Venus complex.

More Venus Topics

Here are a few more Venus related topics you may like.

⠀

Venus Retrograde

Energy Focus

Venus retrograde isn’t just about caution, it’s also a chance to grow and realign with your true self.

Reflect

When planets are retrograde, we lean into our “Re-” words reflect, review, revamp, replenish, rejuvenate and revise etc. Unlike Mercury retrograde, which affects communication and technology, Venus retrograde asks us to turn inward and reevaluate our connections, desires and priorities.

Reconsider Finances

Venus’s influence on money means this is not the ideal time for major financial commitments or impulse purchases. Instead, focus on reviewing your budget and long-term financial plans. Now is the time to bank and hold.

Redefine Beauty

Our perceptions of beauty may shift during Venus retrograde. This could manifest as a desire to change your appearance, redecorate your space, or redefine what you find aesthetically pleasing. Refreshing your personal environment, perhaps with flowers and having a general tidy up is indicated now.

Reflect on Relationships

Journaling, couples therapy, or open conversations can help you uncover deeper truths about your most important relationships and connections. Past lovers, unresolved conflicts, or hidden relationship patterns often resurface during Venus retrograde. This is when reality can set in about your spouse. It’s a time to gain clarity about what’s working and what isn’t in your partnerships.

Reconnect with the Past

Whether it’s an old flame or a forgotten creative project, revisiting the past can provide closure or inspiration. You may be tempted to take him or her back as Venus is retrograde, but it is unlikely to stick.

Focus on Self-Love

Venus retrograde is a powerful time to nurture and beautify yourself but is it important to work with what you have and not attempt a massive makeover yet. Engage in activities that bring you joy, such as art, music, or spend time in nature.

Refine Your Values

Take stock of what matters most to you both in people, situations and things. Let go of anything, or anyone, who no longer aligns with your authentic self. Release unwanted clothes, shoes, jewelry and accessories to donation and give them another life with someone else. This retrograde period encourages us to question what we truly value in life, whether in relationships, material possessions, or personal goals. We can assess our relationship with integrity and faithfulness in a partner. Also note that old issues can come up again now, so for instance if one partner has cheated in the past, this will be a time to rake over the coals and rehash it all over again.

 

I recommend Dress for Success which in an organization that provides your donated gently used business clothes to women who are trying to get a job, go for an interview and get their life back on track after some challenging life events in their home.

What to Avoid During Venus Retrograde

While Venus retrograde offers valuable opportunities for introspection, it’s wise to tread carefully in certain areas:

Avoid Major Relationship Decisions

Breakups or commitments made during Venus retrograde might not hold up once the retrograde period ends. Avoid commitment declarations now wait for Venus to move direct again before saying, “I do.” Use this time to reflect rather than act.

Postpone Big Purchases

Whether it’s a luxury handbag, a piece of art, or even a boat, eschew buying anything expensive or permanent when Venus is retrograde. Retail stores, and Amazon, receive most of their returns when Venus is retrograde as buyer’s remorse kicks in.

Cosmetic Changes

Significant changes to your appearance, such as a new hairstyle or cosmetic surgery, may not yield the desired results during this period. Use this time to build your scrapbook or Pinterest page with images of what you want and implement the actual changes to a new you after Venus has stationed direct. Avoid elective surgery (microblading, nose jobs, hair implants and tummy tucks) when Venus is retrograde and wait until she is direct once again.

Venus Retrograde

Energy Focus

Venus retrograde isn’t just about caution, it’s also a chance to grow and realign with your true self. Here’s how to make the most of it:

Reflect on Relationships

Journaling, couples therapy, or open conversations can help you uncover deeper truths about your most important relationships and connections.

Reconnect with the Past

Whether it’s an old flame or a forgotten creative project, revisiting the past can provide closure or inspiration. You may be tempted to take him or her back as Venus is retrograde, but it is unlikely to stick.

Focus on Self-Love

Venus retrograde is a powerful time to nurture and beautify yourself but is it important to work with what you have and not attempt a massive makeover yet. Engage in activities that bring you joy, such as art, music, or spend time in nature.

Refine Your Values

Take stock of what matters most to you both in people, situations and things. Let go of anything, or anyone, who no longer aligns with your authentic self. Release unwanted clothes, shoes, jewelry and accessories to donation and give them another life with someone else.

I recommend Dress for Success which in an organization that provides your donated gently used business clothes to women who are trying to get a job, go for an interview and get their life back on track after some challenging life events in their home.

grow-your-astrology books

Book Recommendations

Here are some Venus themed books which may interest you.

The first author, Anne Massey, worked with me at the astrology group which I was the president (2013-2014) when I first arrived in Vancouver.

Venus: Her Cycles, Symbols and Myths by Anne Massey

Venus Star Rising: A New Cosmology for the Twenty-First Century by Arielle Guttman.

Venus Signs: Discover Your Erotic Gifts and Secret Desires by Jessica Shepherd

Venus: The Gift of Love by Martin Schulman

Overarch

Venus retrograde is not something to fear, but rather an opportunity to slow down and realign. While it may bring challenges or moments of discomfort, it’s ultimately a period of profound personal and relationship growth. By embracing this cosmic pause, you can emerge with greater clarity, stronger relationships and a deeper understanding of your values. 

Remember, astrology guides us, but we hold the power to shape our journey. Use Venus every retrograde period as a chance to reflect, reconnect and rediscover what truly matters to you.

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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How to Give an Astrological Referral

How to Give an Astrological Referral

Author: Alison Price   -   Updated: February 2025 How to Give an Astrological Referral Introduction In one of the Dirty Harry movies, Clint Eastwood famously said, "An expert knows when it's time to call in the experts." This principle applies directly to astrological...

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How to Give an Astrological Referral

How to Give an Astrological Referral

Author: Alison Price   –   Updated: February 2025

How to Give an Astrological Referral

Introduction

In one of the Dirty Harry movies, Clint Eastwood famously said, “An expert knows when it’s time to call in the experts.” This principle applies directly to astrological referrals. As an astrologer, you can’t be all things to all people. Some clients will fall outside your area of expertise, comfort zone, or capacity. That’s when referring clients to other experts becomes a vital part of your professional practice.

astrological-referrals

What Is an Astrological Referral?

An astrological referral occurs when you suggest your client consult with someone else—either another astrologer or a practitioner in a related field—who may better meet their needs. Referrals are about ensuring your client gets the best support possible. To do this effectively you need to get a couple of things in place.

Know The Expert

Know the expert to whom you are referring your client. Ideally, you’ve worked with them before or are familiar with their reputation.

Maintain a Network

Maintain a network of professionals you trust in astrology and complementary disciplines.

When to Refer Your Clients

There are several scenarios in which referring your client is the right choice:

1. Physical Distance

If a client prefers a face-to-face consultation but lives too far away, you should refer them to a qualified astrologer in their area. Building a directory of local practitioners ensures you’re prepared for these situations.

2. Outside Your Expertise

No astrologer can specialize in every area. For instance:

  • You may focus on relationship or career astrology but not offer rectification or medical astrology.
  • Some astrologers specialize in niche fields such as financial astrology, health and wellness, or conception and children’s astrology.

Knowing your limits and strengths allows you to confidently guide clients to someone who can better serve them.

3. Uncomfortable Client Dynamics

Sometimes, a client’s energy or behavior may not resonate with you. Trust your instincts. If you feel you cannot connect with the person, referring them to someone else ensures their needs are still met.

4. Overloaded Schedule

If you’re fully booked for months and have upcoming commitments, such as conferences or vacations, it’s better to refer a client than to keep them waiting indefinitely.

Who Can Give Referrals?

Any astrologer, at any stage of their career, can—and sometimes should—give referrals. However, newer astrologers (practicing for less than 12 months) may not yet have a robust professional network or the confidence to refer.

How to Build your Referral Network

Ask your mentor or teacher for recommendations.

Engage with local astrology groups to identify trusted professionals.

Create a contact list of nearby astrologers and specialists, including:

  • Rectification and decumbiture experts
  • Psychologists or counselors
  • Numerologists
  • Hypnotherapists
  • Psychics or mediums

Steps to Give an Effective Referral

Referring a client is more than simply handing over a name and phone number.

To ensure a smooth process, follow these steps:

Step 1: Confirm Availability

Before sharing another expert’s contact information, reach out to that person. Briefly explain the client’s situation and ask if they can take on the referral. They may be unavailable, traveling, or not accepting new clients. If they cannot help, move down your list until you find someone who can.

Step 2: Share Contact Details

Once you’ve confirmed that the expert can see your client, provide the client with the expert’s email address and phone number. Encourage the client to make direct arrangements for an appointment.

Why This Approach Matters

If you simply give your client an expert’s contact details without first checking availability, the client may contact them only to be turned away. For clients in a vulnerable state, this rejection can feel deeply personal. By coordinating with the expert first, you ensure your client is warmly welcomed, fostering a positive experience for all parties involved.

My Referral List

Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to refer clients to trusted professionals in astrology and related fields. While referrals don’t happen every week, it’s essential to have a reliable network to call upon when needed. 

Here are some examples of the referrals I commonly make:

1. Rectification Experts

When a client needs their birth time clarified, I refer them to a rectification expert. Once their chart is rectified, they often return to me for the actual astrology reading.

2. Numerologists

For clients seeking additional insights or complementary perspectives, I recommend a numerologist whose work I trust.

3. Psychological Trauma Specialists

For charts that reveal deep psychological trauma, I have a Scorpio astrologer in my network who specializes in handling these sensitive situations with care and expertise.

4. Mental Health Professionals

In rare cases where a client appears deeply troubled or at risk of harming themselves or others, I suggest they consult with a qualified psychologist and I have a local one whom I endorse.

Overarch

Give to Receive

Referring clients is not about losing business – it’s about prioritizing your client’s needs and ensuring they receive the best possible support. This approach not only builds trust and credibility, but also strengthens your professional relationships and reputation over time.

Be Ready

Referrals may not be an everyday occurrence, but as a practicing astrologer, you need to be prepared. Having a list of trusted experts at your fingertips ensures you can act swiftly and responsibly when the need arises.

They Return

Interestingly, I’ve found that many clients return to me after being referred. In these cases, the referral process enhances their overall experience and reinforces their trust in me as their astrologer. Ultimately, giving thoughtful referrals adds value to the service you provide, demonstrating your dedication to the client’s well-being and your commitment to ethical, professional practice.

Ask Yourself

  • Do you regularly refer your clients?
  • Do you have a curated list of trusted experts to whom you can refer?
  • Have you communicated your areas of expertise to other astrologers, so they know when to refer clients to you?

By mastering the art of astrological referrals, you’ll elevate your practice, support your clients more effectively, and foster a thriving professional network.

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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Solar Return: Sun House Pattern

Solar Return: Sun House Pattern

Author: Alison Price   –   Published: December 2024

💛 Forecasting Astrology

This article is part of my Forecasting category and brings all the transits, graphic ephemeris, solar returns, secondary progressions, solar arc directions and other predictive techniques and articles. Alison

Solar Return Sun House Pattern

Solar Return Sun’s Importance in Forecasting

The solar return Sun house pattern unfolds queietly in the background of your forecasting work.

Many of you as astrologers, will be doing predictions using the direct forecasting technique of solar returns. I’m not going to go into the ins and outs of solar return chart per se, because I’m sure you know how to do that already. However, I do want to discuss how the pattern shift of the solar return Sun unfolds overtime and how it is in a different type of house each year.

Example Chart

I’ll be using the chart of Taylor Swift as my example throughout. Birth data: 5:17am, December 13th, 1989, Reading, PA, USA. Rodden AA.

solar-return-sun-taylor-swift

Solar Return Sun House Pattern

Solar Return Chart

Let me explain the annual motion of the Solar Return Sun through the houses. The Solar Return is a yearly chart cast for the exact moment when the Sun returns to its natal position. 

Due to the difference between the solar year (365.25 days) and calendar year (365 days), this moment shifts approximately 6 hours later each year. This 6-hour shift has a significant impact on house placements because the houses are based on the Earth’s daily rotation. In 6 hours, the Earth rotates about 90 degrees (roughly one-quarter of a full 360° rotation). This means that the solar return Sun moves backwards through the houses by about 3 houses each year.

Movement

Same Place

This pattern will only repeat in sequence if you are in the same place on Earth for every solar return birthday. It will be perfect if you use equal houses and live on the equator, otherwise there is a slight warp to the pattern. And if you move from here to there for each birthday the pattern will not hold.

For Taylor Swift, as she has multiple homes around the world, I chose to use her birthplace for this example, although clearly, she would not necessarily be in Reading PA each year, this is an example. You can do this for your own chart as well. Cast the next 12 solar return charts and see how the Sun moves through the houses for each year.

Example Pattern

This list shows the Sun moving through the houses in Swift’s solar return chart for upcoming years. Also note the solar return Sun usually moves about one quarter of the chart backwards. This means that for any solar return chart which you cast, you can usually guess where in the chart the Sun will be in the subsequent year, without having to cast the actual chart.

 

2024, 6th House – cadent.

2025, 4th House – angular.

2026, 2nd House – succedent.

2027, 10th House– angular.

2028, 7th House – angular.

2029, 4th House – angular.

2030, 2nd House – succedent.

2031, 11th house – succedent.

2032, 7th House – angular.

2033, 4th House – angular.

2034, 2nd House – succedent.

2035, 3rd House – cadent.

2036, 7th House – angular.

2037, 5th House – succedent.

2038, 2nd House – succedent.

 

Missing Houses

In this list, please note that she does not have the solar return Sun in the 1st, 8th or 12th houses during this 14-year sample.

Pattern Sort-of

As we can see from this 14-year list sample of her solar return house positions, the movement is not exact.

But what is happening is that we have multiple years in succedent houses, then multiple years in angular houses, and then later, there will be multiple years in cadent houses.

This then shows overarching themes going on for years in her life.

2024

Solar Return for 2024 has the Sun in the 6th house.

2025

Solar Return for 2025 has the Sun in the 4th house.

2025

2026

Solar Return for 2026 has the Sun in the 2nd house.

2027

Solar Return for 2027 has the Sun in the 1oth house.

2027

2028

Solar Return for 2028 has the Sun in the 7th house.

2029

Solar Return for 2029 has the Sun in the 4th house.

2030

Solar Return for 2030 has the Sun in the 2nd house.

2031

Solar Return for 2031 has the Sun in the 11th house.

2032

Solar Return for 2032 has the Sun in the 7th house.

2033

Solar Return for 2033 has the Sun in the 4th house.

2034

Solar Return for 2034 has the Sun in the 2nd house.

2035

Solar Return for 2035 has the Sun in the 3rd house.

2036

Solar Return for 2036 has the Sun in the 7th house.

2037

Solar Return for 2037 has the Sun in the 5th house.

2038

Solar Return for 2038 has the Sun in the 2nd house.

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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How to Give an Astrological Referral

How to Give an Astrological Referral

Author: Alison Price   -   Updated: February 2025 How to Give an Astrological Referral Introduction In one of the Dirty Harry movies, Clint Eastwood famously said, "An expert knows when it's time to call in the experts." This principle applies directly to astrological...

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The Moon

Progressed Lunar Phase

Author: Alison Price   –   Published: March 2025

Working with the Progressed Lunar Phase

Once you understand how to interpret a natal chart, which can take a long time, you would then probably move onto astrological forecasting.

Direct Forecasting

Typically, you would maybe start with direct forecasting techniques like transits first, eclipses and then you’d move on to solar returns.

Symbolic Forecasting

Finally, you’d move on to the symbolic forecasting techniques, of which there are two that I generally use, which are, secondary progressions and solar arc directions. But within secondary progressions is a very important part which is the progressed lunar phase. By the way, if you don’t learn anything else in progressions, you really do need to know about the progressed lunar phase. So, let’s get started…

Transiting Lunar Phase

Definition

Let’s first consider the transiting lunar phases which occurs as the Moon goes round the Earth once a month. These phases begin at the New Moon where the Moon grows in light to the Full Moon. Then from the Full Moon, the light reduces back down to the next New Moon when the cycle begins again. In this way there are two weeks of growth and two weeks of reduction or holding. This is the transiting lunar phase that we all know and love. We can all see the Full Moon, which we have been able to since the day we were born, so it’s nothing new really, but now it is just about understanding the different phases.

The Principle of Phase

The Moon is not the only planet to actually phase. We do see phases of Mercury and Venus quite clearly with the telescope. On occasion there are phases of the other planets, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. We are only likely to see the superior planets when they’re in the full phase, and therefore they are opposite the Sun, because that is really the best time as we can view them from Earth. If the superior planets are on the other side of the Sun to us, we can’t even see them. We never see their full range of phases.

With the inferior planets, Mercury and Venus, we can look and view several of the phases, especially the quarter phases, but not all of the stages as we can see with the Moon. This really means that the Moon dominates when it comes down to phases.

The Lunar Phases

Eight Phases

Throughout the lunar cycle, there are eight Moon phases. The synodic cycle starts at the Moon’s conjunction to the Sun and finishes when the Moon once more makes a conjunction back to the Sun which takes about 29 1/2 days. 

The eight lunar phases in order are:

 

  • New Moon phase.
  • Crescent phase.
  • First Quarter phase.
  • Gibbous phase.
  • Full Moon phase.
  • Disseminating phase.
  • Last Quarter phase.
  • And Balsamic phase

Natal Chart

Natal Lunar Phase

In your natal chart, you will discover that you have a particular lunar phase and it will be one of the eight phases listed above. Personally, I was born during the Crescent phase, so this means that the Moon was slightly ahead of the Sun and is opening up (or waxing) the angle from the conjunction and thus gaining in light. Your natal lunar phase that you were born with stays with you for the rest of your life.

John Travolta

Example Chart

I just want to show you the difference between the two types of lunar phase. I will use the example of John Travolta’s chart shown below. In this bi-wheel, his natal chart is on the inner ring and his secondary progressed chart is on the outer ring.

Natal Lunar Phase

Travolta’s natal lunar phase is Full (marked in blue). You can see that the Moon has just passed the opposition to the Sun and so is in the Full Moon phase.

Progressed Lunar Phase

He secondary progressed lunar phase is Balsamic (marked in red) because the Moon is moving towards the conjunction to the progressed Sun. We can tell that in a year or two, he will have his very exciting, and highly significant, progressed New Moon. This conjunction will be in Taurus where the Moon is exalted and therefore well placed.

progressed-lunation-phase

Progressed Lunar Phase

Progressed Chart

The secondary progressed chart is calculated by taking one day to equal one year of life. Example, if you are 50 years old, you count forward 50 days in the ephemeris and that is your progressed chart. This sounds simple, but back in the day, when we had to calculate these progressed charts by hand, you really paid attention.

Progressed Sun

All the progressed planets will move. In general, the progressed Sun will move around 1° forward in the zodiac for each year of your life. This progression equates to 360° in 365 days a year, so it does vary slightly.

Progressed Moon to Natal Moon

Now the progressed Moon, because it moves a full cycle in around twenty-nine and a half years, this means that the progressed Moon will return to your natal lunar position at around age twenty-nine and a half. And if, for example, you are fifty years old, as we mentioned earlier, the Moon will then move once more off from the position of your natal Moon and will be somewhere else in your chart.

The progressed Moon can be anywhere in the progressed chart. If you’re over 30, you will have had a full cycle, if you’re over 60 you will have had two full cycles, and if you’re over 90 you will have had three full cycles. But that is the cycle from your progressed Moon to your natal Moon.

 

Progressed Moon to Progressed Sun

When we look at the progressed lunar phase, we consider the progressed Moon and its relationship to the progressed Sun. As I mentioned earlier, your progressed Sun moves around 1° for each year of your life, so your progressed Sun has moved and the progressed Moon could be anywhere. The point is, that the progressed Moon will still be in a phase with the progressed Sun and this is known as the progressed lunar phase. Even if you were born, as I was with the natal Crescent phase or whatever phase you were born with, you are stuck with that phase for the rest of your life, but your progressed lunar phase changes all the time.

 

Current Progressed Lunar Phase

You need to find out what phase your progressed Moon is in today and you would do by looking at the position of your progressed Sun and calculating how far the Moon is away from the progressed Sun in the cycle. This will tell you which of the eight phases your progressed Moon is now.

Phase Changes

Timing

The progressed lunar phase will change every three and a half years. In general, there are no orbs with phase change, for example, it is either in the New Moon phase or it’s in the Crescent phase. The progressed Moon is never in two phases at once. Only as the Moon makes the exact aspect to the progressed Sun will the phase change happen. There will be frequent progressed lunar phase changes in your life. As I said, it’s around every three and a half years and you need to know when the next phase change is going to happen for you.

Duration

Phase Change Influence

Even though each phase lasts about three and a half years, the important period is the six months just after the phase has changed. Say for instance, you have a phase change on July 1st, 2025, and maybe your Moon is going from Balsamic to the New Moon phase, this would be a critically important time, and it is known as a progressed New Moon. And bear in mind that each of the phases in their turn will have an impact on your life. But in general, the critical time for the progressed lunar phase change is within six months of that change within the three and a half years. I generally consider this an important forecasting marker around when the progressed Moon is withing 8° of the phase change.

Forecasting

What to Do

As a good astrologer, not only would you find out which progressed lunar phase you are in at the moment, you also need to discover when the progressed Moon will enter into the next progressed lunar phase. The progressed lunar phases have the identical sequence as the transiting lunar phases, but now they are called the progressed lunar phases and I will list them here for clarity. I have some more general forecasting tips as well.

 

Progressed Phase Names

The eight progressed lunar phases in order are:

  • Progressed New Moon phase
  • Progressed Crescent phase.
  • Progressed First Quarter phase.
  • Progressed Gibbous phase.
  • Progressed Full Moon phase.
  • Progressed Disseminating phase.
  • Progressed Last Quarter phase.
  • Progressed Balsamic phase.

Progressed New Moon Phase

A fresh 29.5-year cycle begins.

Themes

  • New identity forming
  • Beginning of a long-term life direction
  • Feeling inward, low-energy, introspective
  • Planting symbolic seeds
  • Often a major external or internal reset

Keywords: Rebirth, new beginnings, gestation and conception

Events

  • New relationships, jobs, identities
  • Life feels “quiet but different”
  • Major endings just behind you; a new path ahead

Progressed Crescent Phase

Opening semi-square

First movement outward after the New Moon.

Themes

  • Gaining momentum
  • Overcoming inertia
  • Learning new skills needed for your long-term path
  • Feeling hope and fragile inspiration

Keywords: Motivation, preparation and early growth

Events

  • First signs of progress
  • Early opportunities appear
  • Confidence-building experiences

Progressed First Quarter Phase

Opening Square

The action and crisis point.

Themes:

  • Taking decisive action
  • Making major choices
  • Tension that forces growth
  • Building structure
  • Confronting what blocks your emerging identity

Keywords: breakthrough • challenge • commitment

Events:

  • Job changes, moves, relationship shifts
  • Obstacles that demand courage
  • You push forward, ready or not

Progressed Gibbous Phase

Opening Sesquiquadrate

Refinement, improvement, preparation for visibility.

Themes

  • Self-improvement
  • Adjusting the plan
  • Fine-tuning your skills or purpose
  • Preparing for a public phase

Keywords: refinement • analysis • growth

  • Events
  • Study or training is highlighted
  • You edit, revise, polish your life direction
  • Feeling “almost ready”

Progressed Full Moon Phase

Opposition

Peak visibility, culmination, clarity, fruition and maturity.

Themes

  • Harvest
  • Results of the last 14 years
  • Visibility, recognition, illumination
  • A life peak or turning point
  • Sudden clarity about your purpose

Keywords: culmination • revelation • completion

Events

  • Major realizations
  • Career breakthroughs
  • Relationship peaks or conclusions
  • Public visibility

This is often when people say:

“This is what my life has been building toward.”

Progressed Disseminating Phase

Closing Sesquiquadrate

Sharing what you’ve learned; teaching or transmitting your wisdom.

Themes

  • Teaching, mentoring, passing on knowledge
  • Broad communication
  • Seeking meaning
  • Giving back

Keywords: distribution • teaching • outreach

Events

  • Publishing, speaking, coaching
  • Sharing your Full Moon insights
  • Becoming influential

Progressed Last Quarter Phase

Closing Square

Turning inward; re-evaluating; breaking down the outdated.

Themes

  • Letting go
  • Releasing old goals, relationships, or identities
  • Internal crisis that forces a reorientation
  • Preparing for a new cycle

Keywords: breakdown • release • liberation

Events

  • Major restructuring
  • Ending commitments
  • Changing beliefs or direction
  • Feeling “this no longer fits”

 

This is the “cleaning out the house” phase.

Progressed Balsamic Phase

Closing semi-square

Final release before the next New Moon.

Themes

  • Closure
  • Healing
  • Rest
  • Spiritual insight
  • Removing old karma or patterns

The balsamic phase keywords are surrender, release, giving up the ghost, lying fallow, dissolution and completion.

Events

  • Eclipsing old relationships
  • Preparing energetically for a new life cycle
  • Deep solitude or creativity
  • Completion of a long chapter

This is the soul-rest phase before the rebirth of the Progressed New Moon.

Important Phase Changes

Pecking Order

Not all progressed lunar phases are created equal and some phase changes are tremendously more important than others, allow me to explain.

One Conjunction

The progressed New Moon phase is the most important because it kicks off a fresh cycle for you. This happens once at the start of the synodic cycle at the progressed Moon’s conjunction to the progressed Sun

One Opposition

The next most significant phase is the progressed Full Moon phase because this shows the complete culmination of all your efforts over the last fourteen years since the progressed New Moon occurred. This happens once in the whole cycle at the progressed Moon’s opposition to the progressed Sun.

Two Squares

The 3rd and 4th most important progressed lunar phases transpire at the two quarters. The two square aspects are when the progressed Moon is square (either opening or closing) to the progressed Sun. The two square (tense) phases are the progressed first quarter phase and the progressed last quarter phase.

Four Eighths

The final four phases are of slightly less importance because they are all set at the octile aspects of the semi-squares and sesquiquadrates. When the progressed Moon is semi-square, or sesquiquadrate, to the progressed Sun, is when these four phases come into effect, and they are as follows:

 

  • Progressed Crescent phase (opening semi-square).
  • Progressed Gibbous phase (opening sesquiquadrate).
  • Progressed Disseminating phase (closing sesquiquadrate).
  • Progressed Balsamic phase (closing semi-square).
moon

Forecasting Skills

Progressions

As a forecasting astrologer, you would do well to pay close attention to any progressed lunar phase change for your client in the upcoming twelve months for which you are forecasting. If your client happens to come to you during a time when you look one year forward and there is no progressed lunar phase change, then you are unlikely to be mention this at all. However, if in the next twelve months there is going to be a progress lunation phase change, it is critical that you comment on it.

Exact Day

There will be a specific day when the progressed phase changes as the Moon makes the exact aspect to the Sun. Generally, you don’t want to mention forecast shifts or things to-the-day because, of course, birth times are always slightly out. What you want to do is discuss the fact that during the third week of October, for example, there’s going to be shift in energy.

You don’t need to mention that it’s the progressed lunar phase that changing, we know that it is, but from your client’s point of view you only need to explain that there is going to be an energy shift related to the actual sign, house and phase unfolding for them.

Interpretation Steps

1. Progressed Moon Aspect Progressed Sun

Look for the exact aspect between the progressed Moon and the progressed Sun to find out exactly which day the phase change will occur. If you have the professional astrology software Solar Fire, it will calculate it for you. However, if you’re using Astra Gold, you can just step the progressed chart forward to find out which day this occurs.

 

2. Sign and Degree

You need to find out which sign the progressed Moon will be in at the phase change. With this sign, of course, you would pay attention to the essential dignity so that you can determine whether the Moon is well placed or not for your client in this progressed period.

 

3. Aspects

Pay attention to all aspects the progressed Moon makes into the natal chart. Particularly look for conjunctions, oppositions or squares to natal planets. Additionally, check the Moon’s connection to the nodal axis within the natal chart.

grow-your-astrology books

Book Recommendations

Secondary Progressions

Here are some secondary progressions and progressed Moon themed books which may interest you.

Overarch

Direct

When you start with forecasting, it’s best to begin with direct forecasting techniques and that means transits as you get a grip on what’s going on up there now. Next, I suggest you move on to solar returns because they’re just an extension of transits.

 

Indirect

Once you decide to move into symbolic forecasting the best place to start is with secondary progressions. And as I say, if you only do one thing, do the progressed Moon because it’s a fast-moving progression. You can monitor the progressed Moon in your own life and the lives of your family members. See how these phases unfold through the cycle and the critical phase changes which happen at the eight specific hard aspects to the Sun, which is around once in every three and a half years.

Starzology Astrology Podcast

Listen to more podcast episodes on the Moon and related topics.

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.

 

How to Give an Astrological Referral

How to Give an Astrological Referral

Author: Alison Price   -   Updated: February 2025 How to Give an Astrological Referral Introduction In one of the Dirty Harry movies, Clint Eastwood famously said, "An expert knows when it's time to call in the experts." This principle applies directly to astrological...

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Planetary Complexes

Planetary Complexes

Planetary Complexes

When you start learning how to read a chart, there are four main things that you have to consider. 

These are the ​cornerstones of chart reading​, which are signs, planets, houses and aspects and although you have to learn them to all to start with. 

Even if you’re an experienced astrologer, you will go back to the basics and continuously refer back to these four cornerstones.

Over the years you will no doubt research, read and pay attention to the four cornerstone concepts. 

Every year that you practice astrology, you will know a little bit more about the signs, planets, houses and aspects and this knowledge adds to your skills as an astrologer.

Planetary Basics

Planets

Planets are considered one of the cornerstones of chart reading. Typically, there are 10 to 12 planets in each chart they are the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Chiron. 

Additionally, some of you may add the dwarf planet Ceres into your planetary mix. 

The point is that every chart contains planets, but not all the planets will be as effective in one person’s chart as they are in another.

Planetary Weightings

Planet in Sign

Back in the day much consideration was given to planetary weightings which does key into planetary complexes, but the complexes go a few steps further. 

With planetary weightings, you consider the essential dignity of the planets and whether that planet can function well in that sign or not. 

For example, planets with essential dignity will get a score of:

  • Rulership +5
  • Exaltation +4
  • Fall -4
  • Detriment -5

 

Essential dignity is a simple way to look at planetary weightings.

Planetary Complexes

Consideration

Planetary complexes, on the other hand, don’t just consider the sign the planet is in. When you look at planetary weightings, you will look at the:

  • Chart Ruler
  • Sign
  • House
  • Aspects
  • Position
  • Chart shape
  • Dispositor tree
  • Direction
  • Antiscia
  • And maybe more

 

When considering planetary complexes, sometimes it is obvious which planet is more important. 

In cases like this you don’t have to dig into the weeds with planetary complexes for every single chart you do. 

It may be quite apparent, as you work through the list, which planet is rising to the top and is the most influential planet for that person.

I’ve created this list of planetary complex considerations in order of importance, as I see them. 

As you work your way down the list, use your intuition and discretion to determine which planet is stepping forward. 

Let’s look at all these planetary complex considerations in greater detail, so you know what you’re looking for.

Chart Ruler

Rising Sign

Whichever planet rules the sign on the Ascendant is the chart ruler. 

The signs on the Ascendant with their associated chart rulers are as follows:

  • Aries: Mars
  • Taurus: Venus
  • Gemini: Mercury
  • Cancer: The Moon
  • Leo: The Sun
  • Virgo: Mercury
  • Libra: Venus
  • Scorpio: Mars and Pluto
  • Sagittarius: Jupiter
  • Capricorn: Saturn
  • Aquarius: Saturn and Uranus
  • Pisces: Jupiter and Neptune

 

Two Rulers

Some charts will have two chart rulers, such as those with Scorpio, Aquarius or Pisces rising. 

In charts with two rulers, always consider both planets as equally important at this point in your deliberations. 

The chart ruling planet gains supreme strength. 

Very often the chart ruler is the strongest planet in the chart and although other planets can usurp it, it doesn’t happen that often.

Sign

Essential Dignity

The first thing to do would be to consider the planet in its sign and whether or not it can be effective there. 

This is measured by essential dignity.

 

Rulership

Planets in rulership are in their own sign. 

They are also said to be in dignity. 

In general, planets and rulership get a score of +5.

 

Exaltation

Planets in exaltation are in a sign where they are welcomed. 

In general, exalted planets get a score of +4.

 

Fall

Planets in fall are in a sign where they cannot effectively express their energies. 

Planets in fall generally get a score of -4.

 

Detriment

Planets in detriment are in signs, where they cannot function well at all. 

Planets in detriment generally get a score of -5.

 

Term

Planets and term are well placed and get a score of +3.

Face

In Face the signs are divided into three 10° sections.

  • 1st Face = 0°00′ to 9°59′
  • 2nd Face = 10°00′ to 19°59′
  • 3rd Face = 20°00′ to 29°59′

Planets with face are well positioned and get a score of +2.

Face Rulers

1st Face ruler is the sign ruler.

2nd Face ruler is the planet that rules the next, same element sign.

3rd Face ruler is the planet that rules the last same element sign. .

House

Accidental Dignity

When looking at planetary complexes and the house, you would consider whether the planet has accidental dignity or not. 

A planet has accidental dignity when it is in the natural house of its sign of dignity. 

For example, the Sun in the 5th house is in accidental dignity because in the natural wheel Leo is in the 5th house position. 

I generally give accidental dignity planets a score of +1. 

Also note that planets could be an accidental exaltation, fall and detriment and that needs to be considered as well.

Type of House

A planet will be either in an angular, succedent or cadent house. 

You need to consider which type of house the planet is in as planets in each of these types of houses are able to express themselves in different ways. 

The scoring I give to planets in types of houses as follows:

  • Angular +1
  • Succeeded 0
  • Cadent -1

 

But to be quite clear, I only consider type-of-house scoring when I’m trying to break a deadlock.

Aspects

Aspects

In most charts, every planet has some aspects, but a few are more important than others. 

Aspects to consider highly are:

  • Conjunctions and parallels
  • Oppositions and contra-parallels
  • Squares
  • Aspects to the chart ruler, the Sun or the Moon.

 

Applying or Separating

All aspects which are applying are more important than aspects that are separating.

 

Opening or Closing

All aspects will be either opening or closing except the conjunction and the opposition. 

Aspects which are opening are more important than aspects which are closing.

Chart Position

Where

The position a planet holds within a chart is important. 

It may not have any essential dignity to speak of, or be well aspected or in a good house, but if a planet has position, you need to pay attention.

 

Most Elevated

Only one planet will be the most elevated planet. The most elevated planet gains strength by its position in the chart.

 

Gauquelin Sector

There are two main Gauquelin sectors, the Ascendant and the Midheaven. Any planets in these sectors gain strength.

 

Cazimi

Planets will be cazimi if they are within 0°17’ of a conjunction to the Sun. 

The cazimi orb is often debated by astrologers, but moving on…

Cazimi gives the planet supreme position in the heart of the Sun.

Influence in Chart Shape

Cutting Planet

Some chart shapes will have a cutting planet which leads the pack. Chart shapes which contain a cutting planet are:

  • Bowl
  • Bucket
  • Bundle
  • Fan
  • Locomotion

 

If a planet is the cutting planet within a chart shape, it gains strength.

 

Handle Planet

Some chart shapes contain a handle planet. The chart shapes with handle planets are:

  • Bucket
  • Fan

 

If a planet is a handle planet, it gains strength.

planetary-complexes

Dispositor Tree

Final Dispositor

If a chart has a final dispositor tree, and the planet in question is the final dispositor, it gains supreme strength.

Gateway Planet

In any type of dispositor tree, the gateway planet, with 1 above and 3 or more planets below it, gains a modicum of strength.

Direction

Direct

In general, planets which are direct are stronger than planets which are retrograde.

 

Stationary

Always check for stationary planets which are those planets within 0°10’ of the exact turning point of the station. 

If a planet is stationary direct it is stronger than any planet which is stationary retrograde.

Antiscia

Antiscia and Contra-antiscia

If a planet is antiscia to another planet within the chart, it gains a modicum of strength. 

Planets in contra-antiscia are moot.

 

Antiscia

Antiscia signs are mirrored on the solstice axis.

 

Contra Antiscia

Contra-antiscia signs are mirrored on the equinox axis.

Overarch

Why Bother

Determining planetary complexities is a is an interesting thing about charts.

 I work through each chart and analyze the planets within it by their complexes. 

I generally find that one planet has a far greater complex than the others and these planets are important to the person. 

And not only that, if you are then considering specifics within a birth chart, such as, financial or love life questions where you need to consider the Venus complex, if you have already extrapolated the full complex out before you get to do the interpretation, you’re on a better footing with your analysis for that person. 

In general, most charts have one and sometimes two planets which are strong. 

The strong planet is the one that you can lean into as an astrologer, because the person who’s chart it is will know about this planet’s energy already as they will be working with it on a daily basis.

 

Calculate

Every time I cast a chart for a client, I calculate all the planetary complexes, so I can fully understand what’s going on in a chart.

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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