5 Planetary Complex Tips Chart Reading

5 Planetary Complex Tips Chart Reading

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Chart Complexes

There are many techniques which you can use to read a birth chart and one highly popular method is with chart complexes.

A complex contains everything to do with a particular feature in a chart

You can have house complexes, point (Ascendant, Lunar node, Part of Fortune etc.) complexes and planetary complexes.

In this post we’re going to look at planetary complexes.

A Planetary Complex

Each planet in your chart will have its own complex.

There will be the Sun complex, the Moon complex, Jupiter’s complex and even Eris’ complex.

Planetary Complex Components

The five components that go to make a planetary complex are the planet’s:

  • Meaning
  • Sign
  • Aspects
  • Position
  • Influence

Let’s have a look at each planetary complex component in detail.

1 Planet’s Meaning

The planet in question always retains its core meaning.

For example, Mercury will always have the urge to communicate, and Mars will always have the urge to initiate actions.

Pay attention to a planet’s keywords.

2 Planet’s Sign

When considering a planet in a sign you always want to find if there is any essential dignity.

This feature itself is probably the most prominent influence when considering a planets complex.

Rulership

A planet in rulership is resilient.

Planets in rulership can work at their full potential 100% of the time.

Any planet in its own sign has the urge to dominate and express itself in the person’s life.

This is likely to be one of the top planets in the chart.

Exaltation

A planet in exaltation, is robust and walks towards the light.

If there is an exalted planet and there are no planets in rulership, the exalted planet will push itself forward into the person’s life.

Fall

A planet in fall, will benefit from support from other planets to achieve its potential.

Planets in fall can easily be dragged down by challenges from the malefic planets.

Detriment

A planet in detriment will struggle to express itself in this person’s life.

This planet will need a lot of work to see its positive energy.

A debilitated planet is likely to effortlessly turn towards the dark side.

Face

A planet with face, steps forward and wants to help the person.

Term

A planet with term, is usually a nice-to-have and will support any planet struggling to move forward.

3 Planetary Aspects

Challenges or support from other planets are shown by the aspects.

Most planets have aspects to the other planets.

Consider the nature of the aspects themselves and the planet making the aspect.

Hard Aspects

The hard aspects are the opposition, the contra-parallel, the square, the semi-square and the sesquiquadrate.

Hard aspects bring challenges and energy is required to overcome the friction or obstacles expressed by the aspect.

Soft Aspects

The soft aspects are the trine and the sextile.

Soft aspects bring ease and support and boost the planet in the nature of the other planet making the aspect.

Neutral Aspects

The neutral aspects are the conjunction and the parallel.

Impartial aspects may be supportive or non-energetic.

These unbiased aspects add robustness to the planet in question.

Unaspected Planets

A planet is unaspected if it does not receive a Ptolemaic aspect from another planet.

Do not consider aspects from the points when determining unaspectedness.

4 Planetary Position

There are some positions that planet may have in a chart which are more important than other placements.

It’s like being in the right place at the right time.

High in the Chart

When a planet is high and near the top, at the most elevated position or in the Midheaven Gauquelin sector in a chart, it becomes more significant.

A planet in this position supports what you do in the outside world and in the public domain.

East in the Chart

When a planet is placed in the east, at the Ascendant position, either rising or in the Ascendant Gauquelin sector or bothit attains more significance.

A planet in this position supports your personal brand, message and the impression you make on others.

Proximity to the Sun

When a planet has solar proximity by being either cazimi, combust or under-the-beams it may add to, or detract from, the planet’s ability to express itself.

A planet in this position needs further consideration.

5 Planetary Influence

Through the principle of chart division, we can slice the chart up in several ways.

A planet may have influence over several sectors of the chart although some planets have no sway through chart division.

Hemisphere Ruler

There are four hemispheres in each chart, the Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern hemispheres.

When a planet is a hemisphere ruler by being on the cusp of the hemisphere, it brings a broad influence over half of the chart.

Either the self (Eastern hemisphere), others (Western hemisphere), the public life (Southern hemisphere) or the private life (Northern hemisphere).

If it is a tenant in the hemisphere that it rules, it increases its authority.

Quadrant Ruler

There are four quadrants in each chart the first, second, third and fourth quadrants.

When a planet is a quadrant ruler by being on the cusp of the quadrant, it has influence over one quarter of the chart.

If the planet is a tenant in the quadrant which it rules, it gains dynamic power.

House Ruler

There are twelve houses in each chart.

When a planet is a house ruler by being on the cusp of the house, it impacts the area of life shown by the house.

If the planet is a tenant in a house which it rules, is intensifies its dominance.

Triple Division Ruler

There are three triple divisions in a chart, the first, second and third triple division.

When a planet is a triple division ruler by being on the cusp of the division, it impacts the Me (first triple division), We (second triple division), or You (third triple division), message shown by the division.

If the planet is a tenant in a triple division which it rules, is intensifies the main keyword of the division (Me, We or You).

Influence Assessment

When analyzing a birth chart, go through and work out every planet complex and determine which are the dominant planets within a chart.

Having attained a full picture of each planet’s complex you can decide just how influential each planet is in the chart.

This may bring up some surprising results.

It is often at this time that you realize that perhaps the Sun and the Moon are not as influential as you thought and maybe Uranus is a dominant planet within a chart.

Birth Chart Steve Wozniak

Example Chart Steve Wozniak

Sun Planetary Complex

Meaning: Identity, ego and self-awareness.

Sign: Leo dignity sign ruler

Aspects Soft: Trine Chiron and sextile Neptune.

Aspects Neutral: Conjoined Pluto.

Position: 11th House. Dispositor tree top line.

Influence: Rules and is in the 11th House.

Moon Planetary Complex

Meaning: Feelings, reactions and needs.

Sign: Cancer in dignity sign ruler.

Aspects Hard: Square Mars.

Aspects Soft: Trine North Node

Aspects Neutral: Conjoined Venus.

Position: 10th House. Dispositor tree top line.

Influence: Cancer is intercepted so the Moon has no place to rule.

Mercury Planetary Complex

Meaning: Languages, ideas, thinking and trade.

Sign: Virgo dignity well placed.

Aspects hard: Semi-square Mars and square Chiron.

Aspects neutral: Conjunct and parallel Saturn so a double whammy.

Position: 12th house. Dispositor tree top line.

Influence: Rules Chart, rules and is in the Eastern hemisphere, rules and is in the Northern hemisphere, rules 1st quadrant, rules 4th quadrant, rules 1st house, 10th house and 12th house.

Jupiter Planetary Complex

Meaning: Growth, vision and luck.

Sign: Pisces retrograde, in dignity, has face essential dignity and is traditional sign ruler.

Aspects soft: Water Grand Trine with Mars and Uranus. Note these are the only Jupiter Aspects.

Position: In 6th house. Dispositor tree top line.

Influence: Rules and is in the Western hemisphere, rules and is in the 2nd quadrant and rules and is in the 6th House

Uranus Planetary Complex

Meaning: Computers and the internet, lateral thinking and breaks.

Sign: Cancer, no essential dignity.

Aspects soft: Water Grand Trine with Mars and Jupiter.

Aspects hard: Square Neptune.

Aspects neutral: Parallel Pluto.

Position: Most Elevated, Midheaven Gaquelin Sector and 10th house.

Influence: Rules 5th house.

Transiting and Progressed Planets

The planetary complexes indicate how that planet will fare and express itself for this person when it influences the chart by transit or progression.

Any planet which is weaker in the natal chart, when transiting or progressing the chart by aspect is likely to be weaker as well.

To know a planet’s natal strength can help determine whether as a forecast indicator it will be influential or not for this individual.

This shows up in instances where perhaps in a chart with a weak Saturn complex, and therefore their Saturn Return is not as challenging for that person as it is for the person whose Saturn is the most dominant planet in the chart by complex.

Warmly,

Alison

Aspiring Astrologer Activity

In your astrology journal and referencing your birth chart and a current ephemeris, please do the following:

working on charts

Natal

  • List the five key features of Planetary Complexes.
  • Choose every planet from the Sun to Pluto and list their Planetary Complexes.
  • Select the planet with most substantial and important Planetary Complex and fully analyze and get to know this planet.

Transits

  • See which house your most important planet (by planetary complex) is transiting today.
  • List the aspects it will make to your natal chart in the next twelve months and enter them in your calendar.
  • On a monthly basis, monitor these transits and ponder how they are unlolding in your life.

Blogs and Articles

More astro information from our blog.

 

The Yod – Major Aspect Pattern

The Yod – Major Aspect Pattern

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A Yod is an astrological planetary configuration also know as a major aspect pattern which is formed when three planets line-up in a particular way.

A yod looks like a triangle. See image.

This week the three planets in the current yod are Jupiter in Gemini, Saturn in Scorpio and Pluto in Capricorn.

You can also refer to this current pattern as a Jupiter Yod because Jupiter is the focal planet.

Eclipse Fever – Solar Eclipse on August 21, 2017

Eclipse Fever – Solar Eclipse on August 21, 2017

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by Alison Price

Solar Eclipse

On August 21st, 2017 there will be a solar eclipse visible from many places in the North America.

The eclipse will pass through the US from Oregon to South Carolina with the shadow of the Moon streaking across the land with the total eclipse path around 65km wide.

Even up here in Vancouver, Canada we see the Moon cover around 75% of the disc of the Sun and it will be a partial eclipse for us.

I have cleared my diary for this special day and I shall be in the park across from my apartment at the time of the eclipse which will reach totality at around 10:30 am.

You need to have found a seat by 9 am. I plan to take a coffee and a brunch picnic.

Perhaps I’ll have my sketchbook as well.

You will need special eclipse glasses and I have mine already.

I first used these for the Venus transit of the Sun way back in 2012 so they’ve been lying on my shelf waiting for another solar eclipse to come my way.

The Eclipse Path

Even though there are at least two solar Eclipses each year they often pass unnoticed over the ocean so you don’t get to see them at all. But this August the world will be watching as the shadow sweeps over the USA from Oregon to South Carolina.

Check out this handy eclipse path diagram with the compliments of NASA.

You Interpret Eclipses in 3 ways

  • The Eclipse Chart Itself – General
  • How it Contacts your Birth Chart – Personal
  • The Original Saros Chart – Collective

1 – The Eclipse Chart – General Interpretation

The actual eclipse chart itself will show you the nature of this particular eclipse. Always set your eclipse chart for the zero Aries house system if you are interpreting the eclipse itself.

Now aspects to the eclipse will come into play and with any eclipse chart you can look at:

  • Any planet conjoined this solar eclipse as it will be important.
  • Any planets opposing the solar eclipse will be important.
  • Any other aspects to the eclipse point can now be considered.

     

    2 – Contacts to your Natal chart – Personal Interpretation

When looking at the personal effect of any particular eclipse check for two main things regarding your natal chart; the house and the aspects.

Natal House

The eclipse will be at 28 Leo. Find which house in your chart the eclipse will fall and this will be where you can make a new start.

Eclipse Aspects to Your Natal Chart

For aspects use an orb of 2 degrees and see if this eclipse contacts any of your planets or points with either an opposition or a conjunction.

I don’t look at other aspects as the main feature of any eclipse is the syzygy between the Sun, Moon and the Earth.

To support this geometry you only need to consider conjunctions (solar eclipse) and opposition (lunar eclipse). Only these two aspects are of interest when working with an eclipse to your natal chart.

If there are no conjunctions or oppositions to your natal chart this particular eclipse will probably not affect you much.

Conjunctions to you own Sun will make this eclipse a part of your Solar Return chart and thus it will be in effect for one whole year for you.

If your birthday is from August 19th to 23rd of any year the energy in this eclipse will affect you for the next twelve months.

3 – The Original Saros Chart – Collective Interpretation

Every eclipse belongs to a Saros series. The original Saros chart from the first eclipse in the Saros is important to show the nature of this family of eclipses.

The original Saros chart for the eclipse on August 21st, Saros series 1 North is shown below.

Solar Eclipse Saros 1 N 3 January 1639

 

Saros 145

Below is the full display of Saros 145. The blue line is the Moon’s shadow as it slowly draws down towards the south with every eclipse in the Saros.

How Long Does an Eclipse Effect Last?

Typically astrologers say an eclipse will last until the next eclipses season or about six months when it is then wiped out by the current eclipses.

But there is a better way to measure the length of time each particular eclipse will last.

Solar Eclipse Effects in Time

Solar eclipses are in effect for one month for each minute of the eclipse. This particular eclipse is total for 2 minutes and 40 seconds so its effect will be for around two and a half months.

Lunar Eclipse Effects in Time

Note: Lunar eclipses are in effect for one day for each minute the eclipse lasts

 

Summertime and the Living is Easy – Sun in Leo

Summertime and the Living is Easy – Sun in Leo

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by Alison Price

Life Comes in Cycles 

One of the more obvious cycles is the seasonal changes you experience as the Sun moves through the zodiac when it enters a cardinal sign every three months.

This is the start of the four seasons.

The Zodiac Year

The year begins as the Sun enters the first sign of Aries and spring officially begins. Summer starts as the Sun enters Cancer around July 21st. Autumn is ushered in late September and winter draws in from December 21st at the Sun’s ingress to Capricorn.

Midsummer – Sun in Leo – What to expect



Here we are in the early degrees of Leo. It is just about mid-summer. But what can we expect?

That depends on whether you have a strong Leo presence in your chart from planets or your Ascendant or your Midheaven is placed in the sign.

Or, if you have a chart where there is no Leo influence at all and you have zero planets or angles in the sign of the Lion. 



If you do have a natal Leo influence

As the Sun moves through its own sign it will connect with any planets or chart points in Leo.



This will stimulate that planet or point and you will become aware of creative potentials as suggested by the strength of the contact,

Having Leo planets already in your natal chart will be reinforced as the Sun comes through. Things can become over-the-top but to express your individuality is key this month.

If you do not have a natal Leo influence

When the Sun transits Leo, and if you have no Leo signature in your chart, it becomes an opportunity for you to experience your inner child and express yourself in ways in which you would not normally.



Yes, at times it can get dramatic and loud but it can also be a lot of fun.

Summer is always good to kick back, relax and when you can be the star in your own life production.

It is a great time for a vacation or at least relaxing at home lying barefoot in a hammock. 

Everyone

Enjoy the simple pleasures of sunbathing, sun-downers (drinks at sunset) and sunbeams playing in your windows. Be kind to yourself. Soak it up and make the most of the Sun in Leo.

You can’t keep up a punishing work pace all year. Even the tireless practitioners amongst you need a break from your grueling schedule of clients, preparations, and research.

Don’t be too hard on yourself.

You can’t be going at full tilt all year.

Going forward into Virgo

Face September with renewed enthusiasm and bring your relaxed and refreshed self to your business and clients.

Alison

(Note, All these comments are for the northern hemisphere. For southern hemisphere reverse the seasons, but maintain the dates).