Candidates on the Cardinal Axis

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Just the charts, no commentary.

Mitt Romney 

Antiscia: Sun/Neptune  

Contra-antiscia: Moon-Jupiter/Saturn 

Houses ruled by Romney's planets in antiscia *blue* & contra-antiscia *red* 

(I use Whole Sign Houses topically.)

Third house ruler connects to Neptune.

Second, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth house rulers all connected by contra-antiscia.

Barack Obama 

Antiscia: Midheaven/Jupiter 

Contra-antiscia: Midheaven/Mercury & Moon/Saturn

Houses ruled by Obama's planets in antiscia *blue* & contra-antiscia *red*

Second & Eleventh house rulers connect to Midheaven (MC).

First, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Twelfth house rulers & Midheaven connected by contra-antiscia.  

Alfred Witte's Rules for Planetary Pictures:

Romney

Sun + Neptune - Aries

To be inspired. To have a poor sense of direction. Uncertain times.

To lie and cheat. - K.Petty

Jupiter + Saturn - Aries  

Separation favored by good fortune. Change of place. Real estate. 

Moon + Saturn - Aries 

Laboring people (classes), suffering, suppressed populace. Losses in the populace. (Abraham Lincoln shared this signature; common to find among people working within government institutions.) 

Obama

Midheaven + Jupiter - Aries 

The state of mind effects the general world. General contentment. 

Midheaven + Mercury - Aries 

Reputation. Opinion. Judgement about. Thoughts about common things. 

Moon + Saturn - Aries 

Laboring people (classes), suffering, suppressed populace. Losses in the populace. (See above comment.) 

Feel free to comment if you like.  

Whitney Houston, Big Voices, and Some Simple Antiscia

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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. 

 

midpoints 101

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The midpoint between two planets can be an intense spot; especially when another planet (or planets) or other sensitive point, like an angle, is located there. This is relevant in both personal and mundane "world event" astrology. A point like this, with two or more planets situated around it, tells us a story. And in every midpoint story, like all things in a chart, there is the potential for a higher or lower expression. If the planets involved are known to be notoriously more challenging, for example a combination involving Saturn and Pluto, then it is up to us to direct that energy into an expression that we are satisfied with. Just as there really are no good or bad planets, there are not simply good or bad midpoints. Again, we could take as an example a midpoint that at first glance is typically considered to be quite pleasant say between Sun and Jupiter or Sun and Venus, symbolizing joy and enthusiasm, harmony and cooperation, and understand that it could devolve into arrogance, over-indulgence or superficiality quite easily without our attention or care. 

Let's look at a combination in the sky right now: 


(NOTE:  the dial above moves the signs with the pointer - this means the planets are not in the signs as you see them, but are actually posited in signs around the Aries Point - the Sun is at 0 Taurus, Neptune 0 Pisces, and most other planets fall in Pisces and Aries.)

See the arrow pointed to the Aries Point (the "world's stage"), there you also find Venus and Uranus. Wrapped around Venus|Uranus, at equal openings, are the Sun on one side and Neptune on the other. What we see here is a symmetrical arrangement of Venus and Uranus at the midpoint of the Sun and Neptune, or Sun|Neptune = Venus|Uranus = Aries. 

This combination will be in effect through the weekend and will continue to be very strong through Tuesday, April 26, 2011.

Keywords we could use to describe Sun|Neptune are: 

Vitality or expression (Sun) is affected or altered by psychic or imaginative influences (Neptune). Heightened sensitivity, receptiveness and impressionability; or potential weakness due to Neptune's dissolving quality. People's motivations become more idealistic or there could be an unrealistic, nebulous quality to them. Visions, mysticism and dreams influence individual or collective perception; or escaping reality through daydreams becomes more rampant. It is time to cultivate a more soulful inner life -- or else be prone to greater self-deception and disappointment. 

Keywords for Venus|Uranus include: 

Eccentricity or breakthroughs (Uranus) made in artistic expression or relationships (Venus). An interesting rhythm. Nervousness around, or quick decisions made with regard to, others. The love of unusual things or people. The love of astrology, science and technology. Innovative or inconstant and disruptive expressions of talents and/or love. 

When we combine and consider these midpoints together, having an effect on the collective (via the Aries Point), we come up with a number of interesting scenarios that could play out in several different ways. It is important to note that its effect will be felt by all; however those who have personal points interacting with the planets mentioned, or in early degrees of the cardinal signs (or in antiscia on the cardinal axis), will feel it more acutely. 

In considering the keywords offered, how might we imagine the expression of Sun|Neptune = Venus|Uranus = Aries ? 

"Dreaming of living in beauty, wealth, comfort, and luxury... delights in mental escape from life. Visualization and dreaming about astrology... indifference toward life or others while you inwardly escape." --Michael Munkasey

"Reserve in love... disappointments, aberrations in love. Sudden upsets or excitements... inner or emotional crisis, mourning." --Reinhold Ebertin

The time is ripe for artistic innovation and invention particularly via visualizations, in meditation, or upon waking. Pay close attention to your dreams, especially if you work in a creative field. Remain open to inspiration, but don't lose yourself entirely in fantasy. Use discernment while you collect and harness that which comes in. And know that everyone is feeling more sensitive at this time, so try to be more compassionate versus reacting quickly or disruptively to a difficult or confusing situation. 

Use the time to explore new ideas, new mediums, or concepts if you're an artist, musician or writer. Or focus the energies into visualizing the relationships you want in your life, whether new or old, it is a good time to explore new territory, break new ground, make changes...  Just don't jump ship looking for a lost dream.