The power of antiscia can be seen in a natal chart very simply and strikingly sometimes. I've been finding a particular antiscia signature with some frequency in the charts of musicians, and singers specifically: Mercury antiscia to Jupiter. A big or great voice.

Here, on the 360 degree dial, is the natal chart for the late, and very vocally talented, Whitney Houston.

(Note: The 360 degree dial does not change the placement of planets in a chart, or their relation to each other or to the angles, but instead emphasizes their connection to the cardinal axis (the solstice and equinox points falling at 0 CANCER/CAPRICORN and 0 ARIES/LIBRA). The dial makes for a quick and easy way to see antiscia and contra-antiscia (terms used for planets falling evenly around the cardinal points). Since everything on earth is dependent upon and affected by seasonal changes, the cardinal axis is a point we all share and is therefore important and relevant for everyone. It is a point through which we connect to the world.)

In Whitney Houston's chart Mercury sits at 10'15 VIRGO and that is the exact mirror or shadow point (antiscia) to Jupiter placed at 19'29 ARIES.

We also find here the antiscia of Jupiter to Pluto, which ought to add even greater power and influence. At its best Jupiter|Pluto is regenerative, providing an ability to transform and develop something, to build something up and make it better; at its worst it can lead to excess, or great accumulation and wastefulness.

A third powerful signature we find in her chart by contra-antiscia (planets falling symmetrically around the Aries/Libra axis, or equinoctial points) is Sun to Neptune. This illuminates her mystique and appeal, but is likely also indicative of the trouble and addictive situations she faced.

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To reiterate this theme of great voices, and the antiscia of Mercury|Jupiter on the cardinal axis, here are the charts for two other phenomenal vocalists, Sinead O'Connor and Gillian Welch.

Both charts have Mercury contra-antiscia to Jupiter. Also, Jupiter is in a superior position (earlier in zodiacal degree) to Mercury and, in these two charts, is connected by a sign-based square.

In Sinead O'Connor's chart Mercury is located at about 26 SCORPIO while Jupiter sits at 04 LEO.

In Gillian Welch's chart Mercury is 03 SCO and Jupiter is 27 LEO. These places are regarded by some ancient astrologers as the "hearing" or "commanding/obeying" signs. Read more about this on SevenStars blog.

A nice thing about antiscia, and midpoints generally, is that you can examine a chart that does not have a birth time and still gather quite a bit of information about a person or situation (as revealed with the two charts above). Though remember to disregard the angles of the chart, and also do not put much emphasis on the Moon due to its speed.

I do of course advocate using charts with good birth data. Nothing can replace the depth and structure and sound foundational story one finds through examining a chart in its traditional form, like the one below.

* If you are confused by the chart above not having house cusps, please understand that I use and encourage everyone to try whole sign houses. I still use the angles and see them as incredibly strong points in the chart, especially when planets are advancing toward them or are retreating, having just passed them by, but I prefer whole sign houses for topical purposes. A whole sign house system is elegant, simple, powerful, and makes the most sense to me theoretically.

Planets in paran are important indicators of combined planetary energy.

All astrologers will agree that when planets are on angles they are "strong." And when you have two (or more) planets on two angles simultaneously, then, not only are the energies considered very strong, but they are also relating to one another in a big way. This can lead to either a synthesis of energy or a frustration of energies, depending on the two planets involved. Just think about the two planets. Do they work well together? Or is there dissonance? What might a more difficult combination be good for? (Maybe the relentless pursuit of tedious, difficult tasks...)

Let's look at some examples.

(Note: for consistency I'm using the same point in time for all locations. The time shown on the charts is local time for the place named. All times are 15:00 GMT.)

Today's paran chart for the West Coast of the United States:

First, notice where there are overlapping lines. Those lines joined with other lines with each indicating a different angle are the most important. For example, an 'E' (East, or rising) with a 'M' (Midheaven, or culminating point). You can see in the chart above that there are a few times today when two planets are on two different angles simultaneously. This is important for understanding the energy of the day. And is also potentially very important for knowing when that energy will be making its greatest impact in the locale being considered.

Notice above: Jupiter (E) rising, while Pluto (M) is culminating at around 8AM. (I realize it is hard to see the lines clearly when they are bunched up—sorry about that.)

What I aim to illuminate is how easy it can be to overlook important indicators of the day (combined planetary energies) when we are only looking at a regular "pie wheel," i.e, the chart below.

Yes, Pluto and Jupiter are close to the angles in this chart, but it misses the emphasis placed on their exact paran relationship.

In fact, by typical astrological standards, they are in a wide aspect—a four degree separating square—well, wide for Uranians. ;-)

By paran however, they are in a very strong relationship.

Another use for the paran chart, or paran clock, is to see quickly when certain relationships are forming on the angles. And you'll see that the time of day doesn't actually vary that much worldwide. But exactly how precise the paran relationship is can vary a lot—and this is quite important.

Take for example the Moon rising (E) while Neptune is setting (W) at about 4:45PM in the paran chart. In Seattle, at that time (chart below), the Moon Neptune combo is in a fairly close opposition near those angles.

And as you can see in the chart below for London, Moon Neptune is strong as well. However in other places in the world (charts at the bottom of the article) you'll find the Moon Neptune combo happening at a roughly similar time, but its true paran relationship breaks down completely. And this is important.

This is the paran chart for today in London:

With regards to Moon Neptune, what might this speak to for the day? Increased sensitivity, possibly compassion, confusion, tears, rain… Maybe a time of marked receptivity or dreaminess. A need for relaxation, or escapism—did someone say Happy Hour?

There is another important paran taking place in both charts and that is between Mercury and Saturn. This accentuates the currently building Mercury Saturn opposition. But it is important to note that planets in paran relationship are not always in aspect. So this evening while Mercury sets (W) Saturn rises (E) a little before 9PM. And, as you can see, this paran holds up, it remains strong.

Think about what this combination can indicate. Gloominess, a somber mood, serious or even depressed thinking. Likely it reflects the collective sadness we feel with what has happened this past week. The Great Tohoku, Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, 11 March 2011, and nuclear disaster.

Maybe it is indicative of worry, or even fearful thinking—with what's up globally and nationally right now, that's not surprising. Rigorous study is another way to think of Mercury Saturn. Its effect late this evening could assist or prod us in thinking carefully about what measures or steps we may need to take in order to ensure our own safety locally and/or globally. Or maybe it is simply descriptive of a time when many of us are thinking more realistically about our future, and our limited stay here on the planet. What can we do to responsibly contribute to the health of our planet, or to our communities?

To get a better picture of how things can look quite different by paran in other parts of the world on the same day, I've included the charts of Mumbai, India and Singapore:

There are several things of interest here, but we'll touch on only a few.

Notice first that Moon Neptune is happening at a similar time of day, but are not closely aligned in paran anymore. Meaning, at the time the Moon and Neptune crossed over their respective angles they were not in a strong aspect (opposition). This may indicate that these particular energies won't be felt quite as strongly as they are by those of us in the U.S. and U.K. today.

Also notice the Mercury Saturn we were referring to before: it loses strength. As does the Jupiter Pluto combination in the morning. One eye catching thing that stands out in the chart for India is Uranus culminating (M) while Pluto is setting (W) at 1:15PM. These two planets are not even close to being in paran in all of the other charts! The same goes for the combination of Saturn and Pluto at 2:15AM. Consider these energies. Pluto is indicative of development and transformation; with Uranus, expect things to be sudden or revolutionary; with Saturn, it could be hindered or difficult. These are just examples, not predictions.

In Singapore, by contrast, as far as planetary parans go, things look pretty mellow.

To conclude, obviously there are many, many ways to interpret planetary energies and I encourage you to play with this one a bit. Apply some of what we’ve gone over to events in the past, or find combinations mentioned, find some others. Think about what is going on where and what that means for different places and people.

Speaking of, one final important thing to note: parans are found in a person’s natal chart! And as you can imagine, they offer undeniably powerful descriptors for character and activity.

If you'd like to share, leave a comment. If you’d like to speak with me about your own parans, be in touch!