House of Sky

It has been a long time since I posted an entry on this blog. As I’ve explained in my previous entry, I’m adhering to a more holistic view of life nowadays, which means I no longer really approach astrology as a general truth, but more as a guide that can help individual people live their lives.

Therefore, I would like you to comment on this post with a topic you’d like me to talk about. I will pick the topic that I resonate with the most and feel like I could provide some insight on to you guys. Let me know what your specific astrological question is and please also give me some context to your question.

Much love! As always.

Yours truly,

Dear anonymous, thank you for your message. The first thing you need to realize is that you are not your Saturn. You are an individual with prospects for the future, despite having a debilitating Saturn. Now that we’ve established this - I do feel your pain. If I’m not mistaken, Cancer is descending in your chart. Some astrologers argue that no solution can be found by focusing on the sign that opposes the apex planet. I disagree. By seeking out the energy that is represented by the sign opposing the apex planet, you can learn how to not project that energy in daily life, but how to integrate it instead. Where do you feel caring? How do you express that you care? And -- is that good enough for you, or do you judge the way in which you care for others and others care for you? As with all self-knowledge, it can only materialize when we slowly become aware of our own behavioral patterns and deep-seated fears. Do not dread your Saturn return. It is actually the greatest gift you could receive - and I speak from experience. I wish you only good things for your future!Lots of love,

Oh great void! Where art thou?!

I have not updated this blog in two years. But…. worry not! The following and liking you guys did over the past few years has motivated me to post another entry. Aren’t you, like, super excited?

Although I have not completely banned astrology from my life, I recently started to adhere to a more holistic view on what it means to interact with the universe and the people living in this world. A view in which astrology plays more of a minor role. I have taken up this view because, well, life happened.

A very succinct summary of the past four years of my life: eventful. I first left my old job at university to finish a master’s degree in Law. At that time I was still living in a student home, but the dirty dishes, mice and parties every other week had started to grow on my nerves by then. I spent my time feverishly looking for another place, but eventually ended up living there for another three years…

In 2016, I found my first real job at a big consultancy firm. I took on a lot of responsibilities I had been afraid to take on in the past. Finally, I quit my job there, started working at a municipality and moved out of the student home. The past year has been my first “uneventful” year in four years. And I could not really deal with that very well. Because, well, what goal to reach now? Why was my life so “empty”? Er… the only thing it had done, was slow down….

So now I am forced to slow down and reflect on how important it is to understand your own energetic purpose in this world to prevent failure as much as you can. Wait… did I say prevent failure? Let me rephrase that. Prevent yourself from failing to follow your own energetic purpose. Not that it’s not alright to fail, of course. On the contrary: it is absolutely crucial to fail.

Seek, and thou shall not find

What I’ve learned over the past four years is: seek, and thou shall not find. The whole thing with energy is that it needs to flow. It cannot be forced. Like most things cannot be forced. Or, let’s put it differently: of course you can force things, but will it make you happy? Probably not. At least not in the long run. Finding happiness in the long run is hard. Because we are often motivated in the short term. But just think: if you could be happy in the short term, because you know you are happy in the long term, isn’t that the greatest motivation you could ever need to (re)structure your life? Working with energy has taught me that being happy in the long term is achievable.

Now… how does astrology incorporate this search for happiness? This question made me think about the time I was still working at uni and made the professors there their own personal astrology outline. One of them e-mailed me back, saying: “Thank you, Maudy! What I like most about it: you are born to something, it is in the stars, you cannot change it… Excellent explanation/excuse for things.” This quote stayed with me over the years. And I only recently understood why. Astrology is, in contrast to energy, mostly an external explanation for behavior. It’s an explanation after the fact, not an inherent motivation to act. This has been my problem with astrology the past few years - I failed to find a purpose for astrology in my life, other than as an explanation for past behavior. But I have only recently shifted my focus to motivation. And I am still trying to find a way to incorporate astrology in this whole shift, because, frankly, astrology has brought me so much over the years and ignoring and discarding it now kind of feels like throwing out your favorite comfy but old house slippers: you know you should buy new ones, but they still feel so comfy and have taken you so far for so many years, it is just so hard to throw them away.

Astrology and energy

Whenever I worked with astrology and did consults, I found myself trying to explain behavior to people who deep down in their hearts already know what it is they need to know, but they somehow find it hard to integrate this knowledge in their lives and inner being. While astrology is definitely a helpful tool in the search for future goals and explanation of behavior, it is hard to use astrology as a motivation for future behavior without falling into the deterministic trap, i.e.,: see I am a Scorpio, so I am always going to mess up relationships anyway. While future behavior that encourages change is possible and happiness is achievable is exactly the goal I want astrology to serve.

So, in light of this new found purpose for astrology, here is an exercise I would like for you to do in the next three weeks: write down for yourself what makes you reach for astrology. Is it to explain your own behavior? Is it to understand if you really match with someone? Or is it to understand your place in this universe? Or something else entirely? Let me know your answer in the comments below, I am really super curious. I will focus on what I learned from your comments in the next entry.

Keep your shizzle together! I will try to, too.

Yours energetically,

Just reached 20 followers! Thanks for your support! At the moment I am busy taking some time off and preparing for a busy upcoming year, but I will try to post a new entry at the end of August when I get back from holidays.  Recently I got a request from fallenangelontheceiling to discuss planets on the Midheaven. An entry about planets on the MC will surely be written in the near future. Thanks for the request and keep them coming!  Take care folks, hope you enjoyed the New Moon in Leo,

Hello, folks! Did you get your full Moon on last week? In case you didn’t know, by the way, Susan Miller writes great forecasts for each sign. Read the forecasts for both your Sun and rising sign here. In this entry I will focus on how synastry works, and how it doesn’t. I will also give some examples of synastry at work based on E.W. Neville’s book ‘Planets in Synastry’. At home I have a few books on relationship astrology: John Townley’s book ‘Composite Charts’, Robert P. Blaschke’s book ‘Astrology of Life Volume IV – Relationship Analysis’ and E.W. Neville’s book ‘Planets in Synastry: Astrologic Patterns of Relationships’. I have found, over the years, that I rarely open Townley’s book. His descriptions of the aspects and planet positions in composite charts are too superficial for me. True, the difficult thing with astrology is always the question of how much you should go into detail when describing a certain aspect or house position. In my experience, however, the less detail an astrologer uses, the less certain he or she is of the accuracy of that description. Blaschke's book is very good, but it is really only written for advanced students of astrology. The book I love the most - and the book I use the most – is Neville’s.[1] It is an accessible book but his descriptions are anything but subtle or vague. I like his no-nonsense approach to synastric patterns because it shows how he understands the importance of defining the essence and nature of an aspect or house position, without simultaneously linking it to other factors in the synastry chart that might influence the nature of the aspect he is describing. Of course, the nature of the interaction as a whole depends a lot on how other aspects and positions make up the chart. But it is useless to describe a single position or aspect while at the same time trying to paint a holistic picture. Neville explains how, in the end, a holistic approach to the interpretation of any kind of astrological chart is very important, but he also emphasizes how it is possible that certain behavior remains absent, even if everything in the natal chart points in the direction of a dominant behavioral pattern:

“The typical chart will have many factors pulling in many directions with the result that the behavior patterns of the individual will wind up somewhere in the quite ordinary and conventional ‘middle’, following a relatively tranquil life pattern without extremes. It is only in the arithmetical uncommon situation where all or most of the dominant elements of the chart pile up on one side of the ledger do we then see such out-of-the-ordinary behavior in relationships as May/December match-ups, role reversals, self-defeating partnerships and the like. Every serious astrologer should have this axiom pasted on the inside of their skull as a reminder to avoid over-interpreting the significance of a few strong elements in charts (…) Even when a chart does indicate a potent pull toward such atypical behavior, never underestimate the power of social convention, fear, guilt or, in many cases, the certain conviction that God is watching and would certainly send down a lightning bolt if the person gave in to their inner drives. Charts are only birth potentials.” (emphasis added) (E.W. Neville, 1990: 269)

Since I rely on my social network for clients that come to me for reports, I am bound to attract people that are somehow drawn to me (or the other way around) synastrically. I do believe this is true: whether or not the synastry between people is challenging, if there are a lot of interaspects, the relationship between the people involved could never be neutral. People with whom you share little to no interaspects can hardly ever play a key role in your life, the one exception being when someone activates a very sensitive point in your chart. Let’s say person A has many planets in Virgo in their natal chart, and only one in Aries, but that Aries planet is the squared-off planet in a T-square and rules the Descendant. Now, if person B activates that Aries planet, but doesn’t do much with the Virgo, he or she still has the potential to teach person A a valuable life lesson in case that lesson has not yet been learned. Indeed, you tend to attract people who activate your sensitive points, because these people can teach you how to deal with that underdeveloped and unacknowledged part of your self. But then, the natal charts of the individuals involved and the life phases the individuals are in need to be taken into account, too – my Solar Return Ascendant this year, for example, has been Aquarius and so Aquarians have played a big role in my life the past year.

Important synastric features Even though each case is different, there are important synastric features to look out for. Much has been written about what synastry aspects are the most valuable in a relationship chart. When I was a teenager and was just starting to understand astrology, I was constantly busy trying to figure out if the boy I liked had his “Sun in my seventh” or his “Sun conjunct my Moon”. Now, many years later, I’ve learned that synastry is not so black-and-white. With a competitor in sports you would like to share many Martian-flavored aspects, as well as some seventh house action, but you would rather not have that with a friend. It would get incredibly tiring if you would have to constantly battle your friend over every single thing. Hence, friendships with a lot of aggressive Martian and seventh house action going on often do not work out. Now, what synastry is great? Well – you saw this one coming – there is no such thing as a ‘perfect synastry chart’. There are, of course, some elements in the synastry chart you would like to see (or rather not see), depending on the nature of the relationship you are trying to pick apart. To Hate If you’ve got an archenemy, expect squares to have ruined the interaction, along with an emphasis on water houses; after all, hate implies emotion. Look to the seventh house for a more healthy form of competition; the seventh house is an air house. Also, look at the aspects that Mars (and Pluto) make and the state of the seventh house, i.e., how is it activated, are there planets in that house and if so, which ones, etc. The twelfth house rules secret enemies (in its most negative expression, but since the twelfth house is so complicated, it is often hard for people to understand and channel the energies that this house creates, and thus the negative expression is, sadly, the more common expression of twelfth house energy. Read what I wrote about the twelfth house here). Hard aspects in water houses If someone puts many natal planets in your fourth, eighth and twelfth houses and these planets square off all of your planets, you are unlikely to feel the caring Cancer, sexy Scorpio or transcendent Pisces side of these houses much. It is far more likely that this person pisses you off and activates deep-rooted emotions that could lead to a slow build-up of some pretty intense envy. Do not forget about the natal chart, however: if your chart is heavily water-influenced, you are far more likely to identify with these intense aspects and positions than someone whose natal chart is heavily influenced by air signs. Conjunctions are often seen as neutral (though intense), but in truth, the energy that this aspect produces can go either way. Its rather problematic nature is exemplified by Neville’s description of the Sun/Pluto conjunction. At first glance, this aspect seems to have great potential for being a transformative - and thus positive - aspect. Neville, however, explains:

“With either the conjunction or opposition, the Sun person will see the Pluto person as a threat to their basic identity and someone who is moved to control and dominate them. The Pluto person will often be surprised at the strength of the Sun person’s enmity which, as far as the Pluto person can see, is unwarranted by any action on their part. In the face of this seemingly unjustified hostility, the Pluto person will strike back, sensing the potential vulnerability of the Sun person and self-doubt which the Pluto person causes in them. If violence and anger is mixed with sexual greed, the results can be rather ugly.” (E.W. Neville, 1990: 187)

If you get involved with someone with whom you share such negative karmic synastry, it is highly likely you have to work out some intense karma with this person. That probably does not sound like something to look forward to, but getting to the bottom of why someone pisses you off so much can lead to very insightful information – not only about the other person, but also about yourself.

To love! What are the blissful house positions that we are looking for in a synastry chart?  Let’s start off with the first house. It represents the self and is therefore a very important house. If someone activates this house in your chart, the feeling of being able to identify with this person is the dominant feeling. Thus, it is often a very positive thing when someone’s personal planets activate your first house. There is a catch, though. In some cases it can lead to the planet person placing the house person on a pedestal, or vice versa. This is especially apparent when Venus captures the first house:

“There is a tendency to want to ‘show off’ this linkage which is very flattering to the house person. The difficulty with this overlay is that often the house person comes to feel that they are cherished less for their intrinsic qualities than for their trophy value. It seems sometimes as if the Venus person is looking right through the house person to see what effect their coupling is having. Given other links which are less self-oriented, this overlay can produce a strong bond, but it is vulnerable to the erosion of time and of illusion. The house person may come to feel that this valuing by the Venus person is less and less flattering and more and more a burden. This overlay may be the cause of the state of mind which ‘puts someone on a pedestal’… which is, of course, a bloody awkward place to maintain a real-world relationship of any sort.” (E.W. Neville, 1990: 96)

The second house rules possessions and is therefore more of a means-to-an end house. Means-to-an-end is not really something you are looking for in either a relationship or a friendship. Still, positive second house interaction could be very useful and supportive when it comes to business alliances. Well-placed planets that activate your third house are very supportive of an easy-going bond. This is important not only in friendships but probably even more so in relationships. After all, never underestimate the power of communication. This is also why it is so important to have a harmonious Mercury-Mercury aspect in the synastry chart. Squares are, and sadly I speak from experience, hard to overcome. With the square, more often than not signals get crossed. You can have great primal sexual synastry, but if you can’t communicate, it is going to be one hell of a challenge to maintain a successful relationship. The fourth house is the family house. It is a water house so it is an emotional house. If someone activates this house, you are likely to feel a very primal kind of kinship with this person. This also holds true for the eighth house, but the primal connection is of a more sexual, transformative and scary nature, there. The eighth house is all about inhibitions and taboos, too, so when someone activates that house in your chart, they are likely to make you feel like doing all kinds of things you always considered to be against the rules before you met them. That is why this house is also the love-hate house; planets badly placed activating this house could really ruin the interaction. The fifth house is the house of true romance. It is the house of thunder and lightning, butterflies and sexual attraction. It is also the house of children. Thus, it is the ideal house for relationships. This house rules fun in general, too, so it doesn’t hurt to have a fifth house focus in friendships, either. The sixth house represents work, health and routine. If someone activates this house, expect to feel a sense of obligation when it comes to pleasing this person. It is the house of duty, not of true friendship or romance. Still, if you’re dealing with a doctor or nurse, it could be very beneficial to have them activate your sixth house in a positive way. Now, the seventh house is the house of one-on-one partnerships. It is a complicated house, though. Neville explains that seventh house interaction can lead to some heartbreaking one-sided love. An example of this is Venus in the seventh house:

“The other side of this coin, however, occurs in situations where such links from the natal chart of the house person do not exist and do not make the Venus person attractive as a potential partner. This overlay then sets up a powerful push-pull kind of response and exactly the opposite feelings are aroused in the house person (…) This overlay is very often present in intense but one-sided interactions which generate strong negative emotions and actions. In synastric analysis it is then particularly important to measure the mutuality of linkages when this overlay occurs.” (E.W. Neville, 1990: 103)

The seventh house is also the house of open enemies, but do remember that it is an air house. In the end it is not an emotional house. Worst-case scenario, the hate eventually leads to a clean break-up. The eighth house, however, can simmer under the surface, which makes it harder to let go. The ninth house and the eleventh house are true friendship houses, but are also ideal for romance, of course. The ninth house rules philosophy and travels and the eleventh house rules ideals, true friendship. The tenth house is the public house. It is a rather impersonal house with a big focus on status.  When someone activates this house in your natal chart, the social rightness of the interaction plays a strong role.

As I hope I have been able to explain in this entry, synastry is complicated and there is no such thing as a ‘good synastry chart’. Very tense and hard-to-overcome interaspects exist, but the harmonious aspects can definitely balance these out. Furthermore, do not forget about the ‘natal promise’. But most importantly, a relationship stands or falls on the willingness of the individuals involved to work at the relationship in a mature way. Stay tuned,

  Maudy

Image by Noble & Webster

Do you often wonder how it is possible that your friend with a Taurus rising comes across as anything but stable and predictable? He or she might have Uranus on the Ascendant. Or maybe you have a friend who has a Gemini Ascendant, but she is not at all chatty or spreading herself thin. No, she is actually quite the opposite: blunt, direct, knows what she wants and where she must go or what she must do to get it. She probably has Mars in the first house.  The Ascendant is often described as the mask people wear to show to the outside world. This is true, but it does not really do the Ascendant justice to merely describe it as a mask. In fact, the Ascendant is just as an important factor in the make up of our overall disposition as the Sun and the Moon are. After all, every day we are confronted with situations in which we need to act on the spot and where we are not given the time to think through on how to react or how to tackle a problem. These are the situations where the Ascendant comes into play more than our Sun or Moon sign. Some folks try to guess a person’s rising sign. Sometimes this works: I’ve tried it too a few times but it took me months and months of observation and analysis and even then I only made a good guess because I knew the person’s Sun sign and therefore I could contrast the character traits of the Sun sign with other character traits that seemed to fit a different sign better and could, thus, possibly be explained by that person’s rising sign. Now, if that person would have had a planet in the first house, other than the ruler of the sign on the Ascendant, things would have gotten much more complicated and it would have made guessing that person's rising sign nearly impossible.  An example Planets in the first house should not be set aside so easily. They have a huge influence on how the character traits associated with the sign on the horizon are expressed. It is good to think of the planets in the first house as altering the outer expression, while the true character traits of the rising sign are still very much present, albeit sometimes only latently. I will give some examples of how this works. I know two Capricorn males, one who has Jupiter in the first house and a Scorpio rising and the other who has Jupiter and Neptune in the first house but combined with a Sagittarius Ascendant. What these two men have in common is a very jovial, pleasant and easygoing disposition; the obvious contribution of Jupiter or the Sagittarius influence. Jupiter, however, expands what is already there. A Scorpio rising can, contrary to what most textbooks write, come across as quite pleasant and chatty (although, in the first place not so much about themselves, obviously). Jupiter in the first house amplifies that. The Scorpio side of the Capricorn with Scorpio rising mostly emerges in the form of a very good memory and a good feel for the undercurrents in human interaction. Jupiter amplifies that, too, albeit only occasionally. Thus, the joviality of the Capricorn with Scorpio rising is much more present in the initial interaction than the intensity. But if you look closer, you will realize his perceptions are very accurate and he hardly misses anything. The Capricorn male with Jupiter and Neptune in the first house and Neptune there too, however, with all of these planets in jovial Sagittarius, is extravert and chatty too, but his observations often miss the mark. He is still very observant like most Capricorns, and some credit for that also goes to his Scorpio Mars, but his rising sign in Sagittarius and Jupiter and Neptune conjunct his ascendant blur his perceptions and give them a rather impersonal flavor. He would, for example, take your life story and start philosophizing about it, i.e.; you start talking about some personal problem and he starts an entire didactic monologue (he also has Mercury in Capricorn in the first house) about the ins and outs of the history of your particular personal problem and how fellow human beings have dealt with such problems over time. I could give some more examples, but you probably get the point. Always take into account the planet that is in the first house of the natal chart. And see what aspects it makes to other planets. Still, do not forget the ruler of the first house, either. Yours truly,

As you might know, a few days ago a new Moon eclipse in 8 degrees Taurus paid us earthlings a visit. This eclipse is a sister of the solar eclipse in 11 degrees Scorpio that took place November 3rd 2013. Both of these eclipses are on my ASC/DSC axis: I have an 11 degrees Scorpio rising. My DSC, therefore, is in 11 degrees Taurus. Also, Saturn was on my ASC at the time of the solar eclipse in November of last year. As you might understand, this period was a pretty eventful one for me. I went through quite a few ups and downs. I was working really hard – too hard. Combining an almost full time (during that time) job with the final stages of a bachelor’s is pretty tough. On top of that, my family situation was not quite optimal. The eclipse of last week, however, has given me some relief. I graduated with two straight A’s. The relationship with my family is now stronger than ever. It seems like we actually needed that confrontation. I knew that this period of transformation was coming. I felt it in the air’s energy; I saw it coming in the chart. It was inevitable with all these eclipses on my degrees and at the same time with Saturn traveling through my first house. It is a time of endings and new beginnings for me. Now that I can recognize such a period, I feel more at peace than ever. It kind of feels like  - although far less dramatic, of course - the period of change I went through right after my father’s passing 15 years ago, back when the entire structure of my life changed. I’ve arrived at a stage in my life where I’ve come to value astrology for what it’s really worth. I know what to do with it. It gives me valuable inside information on processes that otherwise would have remained rather factual and rational, even superficial. It helps me to put things in perspective. It helps me to not hold grudges against people. What I’ve also come to learn over the past few years is that first impressions matter. And that it is so valuable to pay attention to the gut feelings I have about people and situations the first time I meet them or am confronted with them. These eclipses have taught me this well. On top of all this, a few months ago my progressed Ascendant changed signs from Scorpio to Sagittarius. I am ready for a new stage in my life: an open Sagittarian outlook on life with lots of traveling; either spiritually or physically. The eclipse and you How did the eclipse influence you? If you have planets and/or points in the degrees of 4 to 14 in (one of) the fixed signs (Leo, Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius), chances are highly likely you felt something. Of course, my ASC/DSC was hit, which is really major and covers all facets of life. But if this eclipse hit one of your rulers or the MC/IC axis, for example, you should also feel a major impact. In the case of the MC/IC axis you should think about either a career or family situation. Check out which houses in your chart were activated by the eclipse: where is the planet/point located that is in those degrees of those fixed signs? What does that planet and house stand for?

If you have any questions about this eclipse, feel free to ask me! I would be happy to answer any of your questions. Yours transformatively,

Pluto in the fourth house

At the deepest roots of their life Pluto will be cleansing and transforming in the sphere of family relations and sense of belonging. The fourth house is closely connected with our deepest self, psychological roots and feeling of protection.  Those born with Pluto in the 4th house may have experienced something dramatic in the family home, and whatever it was it can sometimes make them feel isolated and rootless. Perhaps there was much that was hidden or secret in their childhood, and this has changed them indefinitely. According to modern astrology the fourth house rules the father, and everything we inherit from our immediate family. Pluto in the 4th house can show early intimidation, and the father may appear threatening to the child, even if his behavior has unwarranted this powerful reaction. On the other hand, the father may have had a profound affect on the individual growing up, and his absence leaves psychological wounds. Another possibility is that he had difficulty in expressing his emotions, suffered from deep depression, and so when he erupted the violence of his reactions frighten a young child. The father may have been over-demanding, over-controlling, over-protective or jealous. The 4th house can also signify the death of one of the parents, or actual abandonment. Sometimes the death of a family member has effected the child deeply. The parents may have been struggling to come to terms with a significant loss. The family may have broken up, lost its home, suffered bankruptcy, etc. Pluto in the 4th house is deeply private and secretive about their home life. One of the best outlets for this placement is to "dig up" the family history, and explore old secrets. The complexes and traumas formed in early childhood, if unresolved, often seethe below the level of conscious awareness, and the individual carries a hefty weight of grief and resentment over old hurts  The individual might want to cut off their feelings altogether, it may feel as if something dangerous underneath threatens to overwhelm them. Pluto in the 4th house represents heavy emotional baggage, which must be explored and healed. There may have even been something considered taboo about their roots and parentage, and the family might have been persecuted in the past. A parents paranoia, obsessive behavior or depressive moods, may have permeated the environment.This can all affect how you feel about family and living at home. When Pluto is placed in the house of the home, they may want to relocate, emigrate, utterly reinvent where they are living, or build a new place to live. This will usually happen when they feel they have outgrown phase of their life.Sometimes forces beyond their control part them with their past, but they will discover a renewed sense of belonging and transform in the process. Pluto in the 4th house may be involved with tearing down old homes and rebuilding them. The home might have been badly damaged and in need of repair. The situation often forces them to tap into their inner resources. Pluto in the fifth house With Pluto in the 5th house there is a powerful urge to express creativity, and art may be pursued with obsessive passion. Artwork and hobbies are expressed with drama, intensity and even heaviness. Creative gifts may be out of the ordinary and have a profound effect on others. Those with Pluto here have strong creative forces in whatever they do, and they want to do it to the fullest, they get totally, passionately and even obsessively involved. However, these people may have to confront psychological blocks and  re-examine early childhood and see what type of encouragement was received and how others responded to their taste for drama. The labour of creating something can be a long and painful process until they face whatever complexes are rooted in the 5th house. Still, their desire for personal recognition is compelling, and if they do not achieve personal success they may try to force their children  to fulfill their desires for them. Pluto in the 5th house is over-protective of loved ones and children, and they share a deep and loving bond. Sometimes there is over-possessiveness and smothering. The birth of a child can completely transform their life. The eldest child may undergo a crisis of some kind, or their personality is strongly Plutonian. Astrologer Sue Tompkins says:

A deep desire to have children can be indicated with this placement, which can also sometimes be indicative of miscarriages and abortions if other factors in the horoscope concur. Occasionally it equates with putting a child up for adoption.

 Love affairs are often consuming and emotionally exhausting and they may become obsessed, fixated and jealous of a lover. Pluto in the 5th house is popularly known amongst astrologers as the “fatal attraction” position, and it sometimes indicates a secret or hidden affair. The individual may fall in love with someone who is passionate, jealous, domineering or emotionally turbulent. Pluto here is not likely to take the affairs of the heart lightly and each romance is seen as some kind of fate. Pluto in the 5th house may also indicate a hidden need for love, flattery and attention.

They can act as natural leaders and pioneers, and objectively understand how to guide individual development and actualization of those they touch. The other day I was watching several children play. They were all four and five year olds. At one point an eighteen month old baby wandered by these children. This little girl had a tremendously powerful aura. All the four and five year old children stopped what they were doing and began to follow her. Mesmerized they simply fell in line with this child. After watching this scene I asked the mother for her birth data. As it turned out, the little one had Pluto conjunct Saturn in the 5th house. This intrinsic leadership capacity created an almost Pied-Piper - like effect upon the four and five year olds even though she was only eighteen months old. Jeff Green

There is often a burning desire within to create and sexuality can be intense. A powerful sense of self-importance may be present, alternatively they hide their creativity and sense of specialness. Sometimes art is created in reaction to a trauma, conflict and upheaval. The creative self-expression is used as a healing tool. Pluto in the sixth house

Those with Pluto in the 6th house can have an obsession with routine and ritual. The 6th house rules over our day-to-day routine of life. The 6th house also describes how we get along with our co-workers and the people we are serving and who serve us. People with this placement of Pluto may possibly have power-struggles in the place of work, and sometimes the individual gives the impression of being threatening, intimidating and hostile to other people.  Instead those at work bully or threaten this person, and betrayal, treachery, jealousy, bitchiness and intrigue is not uncommon. This position of Pluto does not react well to criticism at work and they can also be ruthless with others on the job. Alternatively, they may be over-zealous in their work practices, powerful and efficient in routine and executing the job the right-way. Pluto can transform work conditions, lifestyle and routine, and the individual has tremendous organizational capability, excelling at  precision work. These people can be a dynamo at work and have laser-like focus on what needs to be done within a schedule. Pluto in the 6th house desires and ensures that the job gets done right and they are passionate in the workplace, no one is more loyal, committed and dedicated to service. Furthermore, there is also a need to make sweeping changes in the office, factory or workshop. In some cases the work is Plutonian by nature: Psychology, healing, detective, investigation, research, mortician and so forth. In addition, there is also the tendency towards obsession with work and some individuals function like workaholics. Pluto here may be over-consumed with the minor details and tend to over-analyse problems to death.  The work-life may go through cycles of change and they may stay in a job for years, until fate pushes them in a completely new direction. Sometimes there can be losses at work, or conditions beyond their control. Losing a job can have a serious psychological impact. Pluto here is invested, driven and compulsive in their work. Wherever Pluto is placed is where the individual may have to face a life and death struggle, and so crisis at work, health troubles or pet matters may be areas of concern. Persons with Pluto in the 6th house can explore the functions of the mind and body in all-encompassing depth, complexity and penetration. This placement can indicate the eruption of health problems, and therefore the whole diet, regime and lifestyle will need an over-haul. The body needs to get rid of bodily toxins and poisons. For example, Demi Moore has Pluto in the 6th house and this woman is into dangerous detox diets and exercise. Pluto in 6th house diets are severe, and the body survives on minute quantities of food. Sometimes there are major control issues with the body. The person tries various rebuilding techniques, and there often a tremendous amount of effort put into self-improvement. Pluto in the seventh house

Those with Pluto in the 7th house will find that partnerships are the catalyst or agents for personal transformation and change. It is the area of relationships that plunge them into deep emotional complexes, testing the depth of their unions, and building and rebuilding contacts with others. Wherever Pluto is placed in the chart is where we are emotionally wounded, and so when Pluto is placed in the 7th house it is our dealing with others where we find eruptions, blow ups and upheaval. Any problems with a partner will tend to simmer and seethe under the surface, and since Pluto is the planet of extremes, these people are learning to relate in a balanced and cooperative way. The issue of who holds the power in the relationship is brought into sharp focus, and this may require a complete breakdown and rebuilding of the relationship. Pluto here can indicate power struggles with business partners or those involved in joint projects. The person can also form alliances with powerful people, and these individuals often have a tremendous impact on their future. Relationships will never stay the same and they encounter people with enormous emotion, passion and vulnerability. Often these people believe that they have met their soul mate and that he or she has known this person in former lives. According to past life astrologers the individual has chosen to empower themselves in relationships this lifetime by overcoming the same emotionally abusive relationships that controlled them in a previous life. The person may feel haunted by all past relationships and so resentment, guilt and feelings of persecution at the hands of others needs to be healed. Empowering themselves in relationships is the key to understanding their evolutionary development. Many people with Pluto in the 7th house are here to empower others and make very good counsellors, healers and agents for change. The proclivity for destruction exists in the area of relating and Pluto stirs deep feelings in this house. The potential for treachery, betrayal, secrecy, jealousy, abuse and severe trust issues in relationships may threaten the strength of any bond. The people they get involved with will often mirror back the shadowy parts of themselves that have not been allowed full consciousness. Pluto here can have difficulty trusting a partner and feeling safe in a union, and these people are working on exposing all issues within the relationship and healing them. There can be divorce or the loss of a partner through death, and it can become the single obsession of their lives. Similarly, they may fear the loss of a partner and attempt to control and dominate the relationship. There can be difficulty in letting go of a partner, and their own destiny is so tightly wound with him or her that to lose them would feel like a death. Some Pluto in 7th house people have helped a partner through a terminal condition, depression or mental illness and there is usually a fated feeling about relationships. The partner is sometimes emotionally troubled and involved in criminal and underground activities. Conversely, the partner has a Plutonian vocation, and perhaps they work in the police force, psychology, or healing practices. Pluto in the eighth house Those with Pluto in the 8th house possess the power to drastically change the lives of others. Pluto is placed in a very powerful and dominant position, but when its natural energies are obstructed it can lead to a build-up of repressed desires, which burst through consciousness, and all hell breaks loose. Many astrologers believe that when Pluto is placed in the 8th house of the horoscope the individual will experience at least one major life change. Pluto can plunge the native into the intensity of the underworld through a connection with profound issues such as sex, death, power and survival. With all planets in the 8th house the individual needs to seek empowerment, which refers to the acquisition of power rather than wielding it over others. Additionally, ignoring such powerful intense desires will leave the soul feeling powerless, frightened and overwhelmed.  Partnerships may involve power-struggles, physical or emotional violence or the breaking of taboos. Some have a propensity for troubled relationships, and it involves long-drawn out conflict over inheritance, sex, business deals and divorce settlements. Relationships can be damaged as a result, and we can recognize this pattern in many couples with silent stand-offs, withdrawal, ambivalence, distrust, anger, blame and an emotional tug of war. When a relationship has a power-struggle brewing underneath, and the two people begin to test the waters (8th), each partner sheds their inhibitions and lets their real self-emerge. Pluto in the 8th house describes this exchange of intensity and pronounces the desire to transform relationships, and so intense engagement doesn’t have to threaten a relationship, it can help it grow, develop and heal. The problems arising in the present are often fuelled by the unconscious, and the 8th house represents our psychic inheritance. The family demons may include: death, abuse, emotional manipulation, nasty parental divorce, violence, suicide or mental illness. According to Jungian astrology many 8th house people are born to be the “curse breaker” of the family. Indeed, if the individual can wield such power, they can also bring profound healing. They have a talent for transforming, and their strong will power often equates with an all or nothing attitude. Pluto in the 8th house can have a compulsive fascination with death and some have an unconscious death wish. Eighth house people are intensely probing and are often interested in dark subjects like the occult, psychology and unsolved mysteries. Inner growth may be a lifelong interest. Pluto here may also have strong psychic powers, and this placement gives the individual added insights. Pluto here also indicates research ability and the person is willing to dig deep and they may also possess a secretive nature. Issues of life and death may consume them, and the individual  may be able to assist those who are emotionally or mentally disturbed. Pluto in the ninth house Those with Pluto in the 9th house may go through a philosophical overhaul and dramatic crisis in life come as a result of belief systems. They may be fascinated with alchemy, archaeology, pre-history, magic, or the occult. This is also an excellent placement for anyone involved in psychology, research and things of an investigative nature. The image of God is characterised by deep, personal experience of transformation. The individual holds the belief that knowledge is power, and they are keen on studying, and there is a feeling that one must root out this knowledge for themselves. 

Pluto will tear everything apart until it finds the hidden meaning. Higher education may have a profound impact on the individual for one reason or another, and they could dramatically switch courses. They are often insatiable to find answers to some of life’s bigger questions, and need to understand the laws and patterns which govern life. Pluto in the 9th house desperately needs to find some meaning in their lives, it’s as if their very survival depends on understanding the world at large.  Much will depend upon the nature of the ideology they adopt, and at the extreme level they may be a religious fanatic, or a revolutionary attempting to force their worldview on others. Similarly they may also feel persecuted for what they believe, and philosophies are torn down and restructured. Some feel betrayed by the belief system they have followed, and the collapse and deep loss of faith can be overwhelming. The way the individual views and perceives life will undergo major adjustments, and they might even have to face some form of prejudice – either from groups or mainstream society.  There is an intensive struggle for the deeper truths in life, and travelling to places may involve some kind of trauma, crisis or death. Moreover the individual may feel dramatically transformed while travelling and experiencing different cultures. Pluto’s position in the 9th house brings feelings of rootlessness so that the view of life or religion has to be looked for elsewhere. The search for a new vision may become obsessive, and for some there is a deep dislike of hypocrisy. The higher mind goes through periodic purges and at certain points in their lives they follow a course of study, religion or philosophy with conviction.  Pluto in the 9th house wants to discover the meaning of the universe, and they can be adept at understanding the deeper aspects of education, teaching and travelling. The 9th house is also related to the higher courts and legal battles are long drawn out and painful. Sometimes there are even some disputes with the in-laws. There will be times in their lives that they passionately crusade something they deem noble and important. The individual can be instrumental in bringing about change in areas of higher learning, religion, or other studies, and radically alter their own perspective in the process. Pluto in the tenth house Those with Pluto in the 10th house have their compulsive nature focused on worldly ambitions, and expression of authority. They are likely to find themselves in positions of power and there is an insatiable drive towards success. The individual has a strong striving for impact and influence in society, and may be completely obsessed with their calling in life. They can become consumed by their career and their need for professional success is always intensified. Pluto here has tremendous determination and great organisation skills. Some work in Plutonian areas like psychology, mining, healing, investigating, or business, but usually one deals with the issue of power, and sometimes the individual seeks to expose the establishment, and this placement can indicate a troubling relationship with authority figures. Those with Pluto in the 10th house may face humiliating experiences at the hands of those in power. Sometimes there is a distrust of those in authority, and Pluto in the 10th house needs to periodically tear down structures and rebuild them. In some cases this may mean leaving an established career, and embarking on a radically different one. They may be subject to career upheavals, public disgrace, have their reputation destroyed, or see the destruction of their career.  The individual may face forced redundancy, complete takeover, or witness a business collapsing. Sometimes they can no longer tolerate their career and don’t feel as if they are passionately engaged anymore. However, even in all of these cases the person has the ability to regenerate their career and vocation, pick up the pieces and start all over again. Negatively the shadowy side of Pluto may enter their career and the individual may be ruthless, manipulative, secretive and underhanded in business. However, for most people they are challenged to learn how to use the right amount of assertiveness to avoid power-struggles when they reach the top. Pluto’s position in any of the houses shows the use and abuse of power, and when Pluto is in the 10th house they are very sensitive to the issue of control. Pluto in this position may have grown up with a dominant parent, and viewed them as oppressive or controlling. Whatever the case, the parent wields an enormous amount of power in the family. Similarly they may view them as dark, possessive and threatening. In reality the parent may not be this way at all, and she may have struggled successfully with some crisis or trauma, but the individual may feel sensitive and vulnerable in their presence. Sometimes it can mean the death of parent or early emotional problems. Pluto in the 10th house may be responsible for transforming society and tearing down old systems that have become outworn and out-dated. The individual also lets nothing stand in the way of their ambition, and they want to remake and change the world in some significant way. Pluto in the eleventh house 

Those with Pluto in the 11th house may find intense emotional experiences through groups, friendships, and society at large. The death or loss of friends can affect these people deeply. A crisis of some kind could lead these individuals to take up a cause, and fight for social change in some area. The individual may wish to transform society to knock it down and rebuild it from scratch. These people can display extraordinary passion towards groups of people, social ideals and movements. The forming of any of these alliances creates profound and life-altering change in the individual. People they acquaint with are the catalysts for growth. The individuals they meet have an affect on the life for a very long time. It may not be easy to shake off the experiences he or she has with groups, friends and alliances. They may form life-changing relationships, but they are also likely to be fuelled with drama at times. Some of these people feel very uncomfortable in group situations, and they can become paranoid in crowds of people. The individual is quite aware of the darker thoughts and feelings of any group. Those with Pluto here might find themselves resentful, jealous and mistrustful of friends. The need to control and dominate a group may also be a problem, and they find themselves feeling disturbed, isolated and deeply impacted within social networks of people. The Pluto in 11th house soul also feels that these activities can become demanding and overwhelming on his or her life. Wherever Pluto is placed there is always that feeling that fate, destiny or karma is at work. With Pluto in the 11th house a compulsive relationship with a friend and the extremes of emotion experienced with this person could be one theme repeating in their life. Those with Pluto here will fight tooth and nail for friends.  Some friendships may prove difficult and they may cause problems through sexual tensions, violence abuse, blackmail and dangerous power struggles. A mistrust of others often develops, but with Pluto we first view the dark side of a situation and so come across some unethical predicaments. The feeling of powerlessness and helplessness with deep-reaching transformations is another possibility and this usually happens through groups, charities and memberships involving large organizations. This placement is often associated with replacing one group of associates with another, so that they form a whole new group. It can also bring bring deep, rewarding and powerfully loyal relationships, and the individual may be interested in scientific or humanitarian pursuits, and the repression of freedom could be a powerful issue raised. Pluto in the twelfth house Those with Pluto in the 12th house have a deep interest in secrets, the unconscious, and anything mysterious. Psychoanalysis, investigating dreams and other methods of uncovering mysteries are interesting to them. They may be exceptionally perceptive intuitively or psychically. Stephen Arroyo: Astrology Karma and Transformation points out that the twelfth house reveals influences beyond our conscious control. Planets here symbolize forces which often overwhelm us. Therefore the individual born with Pluto in the twelfth house sphere has the challenge of not feeling overwhelmed by the collective shadow of suffering, sadness and grief. Pluto in the 12th house has unfathomable and complex emotional guilt and feelings of persecution, and it is not unlikely for this individual to take on the role of family scapegoat. Frequently there is a dark history of abuse, brutality, or violence, and the individual senses that there is something shadowy lurking in the background. Pluto is working on transforming the collective shadow, and the task is to bring those repressed parts that are weak and undeveloped into full awareness so that they are faced and integrated into the personality. Blocked energy in the unconscious can be released through therapy, self-analysis and dream-work. The depths of the subconscious are explored, and there may be a powerful urge to study psychology or another avenue that explores the unconscious realms of the human psyche. Pluto in the 12th house possesses a psychic sensitivity to the hidden lives of others. Sue Tompkins says this placement is like a psychic refuse bin, and they absorb the negativity around them; all the unexpressed grief and fears that others conceal behind a happy face. Problematic areas relating to the 12th house are unseen health problems, addictions, excessive escapism, and an overwhelming feeling of powerlessness. Pluto is sensitive to what is dark and destructive in society. Self-destructive, suicidal, paranoid and destructive fantasies leave the individual feeling helpless and unable to prevent something bad from happening. Yet, this is also a frequent placement in the charts of those who work in mental health, crisis situations, counselling, and crime prevention.  There is a deep need to do something for humanity that will benefit others and themselves. Pluto in the 12th house possesses a deep reservoir of healing power, regenerative ability, capability and strength in the face of unimaginable terror. The person can go through sustained periods of inner growth and periodic transformations and personal crisis are experienced liberally throughout their lifetime.

Common characteristics of Pluto in the twelfth house include: being deeply private, not what they seem as interpreted in other’s eyes, deeply sensitive; taking things to heart; being amazingly shy at a core level; being ultra-emotional; although you may not know it, they can be extremely giving in a silent way; having many deep and unresolved fears, and aura of dreaminess, and powerful dreams or never any dreams because of exhaustion; being naturally psychic. By Jeff Green

I admit, that was not soon. My apologies. Life caught up with me for a while. In my previous post I explained how Pluto is the compulsion planet of the planets. How this compulsion is expressed (and/or, if it is expressed at all) depends on the house position of Pluto in the natal chart (and, of course, the aspects Pluto makes to the other planets, but I will leave those out of the equation here). When talking about planets in certain natal positions I always find it impossible to not explain how the energy is expressed in interaction with other people. Of course, in this entry, I have to leave out the natal planet and house positions of the other person, as I cannot discuss every possible interaction of the planets and houses of one person with every possible natal planet or house position of the other person. What I can and will do is discuss how Pluto influences and colors the interaction with others, in relation to Pluto’s position by house. Pluto in the first house Pluto in the house of the Ascendant adds an intensity to the make up, every day expression and charisma. The Ascendant is the mask shown to the world and it defines the initial reaction to situations one is confronted with in every day life. When Pluto is in this house, therefore, it gives any Ascendant, and thus the expression, a Scorpionic vibe. This holds true even when the Ascendant is in a flamboyant sign, like Leo for example. Actually, Pluto located in this house in combination with a more flamboyant Ascendant gives the planet even more power. That is because when in its own sign, a planet feels comfortable. The expression is easy and does not fluctuate heavily. When a planet is in an uncomfortable sign (e.g. the sign of its fall or detriment), however, it is quite often far more present in the expression and life of a person. Still, when a planet is in a sign that it rules, it does not mean the energy of the planet is never expressed. In fact, the expression is as frequent; just less present because of the natural flow. People with Pluto in the first house are quite determined individuals and have a rather black and white approach to life. They dislike superficiality and have a hard time interacting with people who they think are phonies or hypocrites. When confronted with a challenge, they usually take it. They do not approach a challenge in an obvious, lighthearted, fun and healthy competitive way, though. They take each challenge seriously and more often than not the other party does not even know that they are involved in a competition until it reaches the point of culmination. When Pluto is in the first house, showing what is behind the exterior is not easy. It takes a long time for these people to warm up to others, quite in contrast to what they sometimes seem to show the world. In fact, they often come across as lighthearted, fun and open. Look closer, though, and you will realize that these people never show their true colors until they know it is safe enough to do so. They have a tendency to provoke crises. Not so much because they want to, but because the compulsion gives them the instinct to do so. This natural instinct they have to cause crises stems from an unconscious and deeply rooted drive to exterminate all superficiality, dishonesty and general deceit or falseness. They might not even realize that this is what they are doing until crisis arrives. Pluto in the second house The second house is the house of Taurus: a stable, material and secure house. Exactly. All things Pluto is not. The second house is often interpreted as the ultimate representation of what happens to a person on the financial side of life. This is true, of course, but the energy of this house stands for stability and (practical) security in general. Security can be found (or missed) in every aspect of life, although the material one is the most obvious. Familial security is the territory of the fourth house of Cancer, and emotional security belongs to the eighth house of Scorpio. This leaves the second house of Taurus to deal with the practical – hence, material – side of the security spectrum. This house is a no-bullshit type of house. With Pluto in this house, material security is not easily obtained or, once attained, not easily relinquished. Of course, regarding the latter, one cannot always influence finances. Sometimes you win the lottery; sometimes you overestimate your financial resources. Fact is, for people with Pluto in this house the financial situation does not really alter their goal. These folks will always want to make sure they are financially secure: they can even make a big fuss out of giving up things they’ve held on to for a long time – maybe even too long. This holding on to something can be a problem for those who have Pluto in the second house. The ‘something’ does not necessarily have to be a material thing: if a person with Pluto in the second house is involved in a relationship that somehow holds a lot of value for some irrational (or, maybe even better, rational) reasons, it can overstay its welcome and hold on desperately to something that, actually, has become worthless over time. What these Plutonians need to learn is how to let go of something and still be secure – whether that is financially or ‘just’ rationally. Pluto in the third house The third house is the house of communication, short travels, matters of the mind and is ruled by Mercury. Hence, Pluto in this house intensifies speech and quick analytical thinking. Martin Luther King had this position for example. His manner of speaking commanded authority and he spoke his words with force. With Pluto in this house, it is a great challenge to not come across as too forceful and too overbearing. In relationships with others, folks with Pluto in the third can find it hard to let others finish talking. They like to make their point loud and clear, but not all people understand their good intentions. On a more positive note, when Pluto in the third house is quiet, deep and quick analysis of difficult and challenging problems is stimulated. The energy that represents the third house moves quickly and is concerned with all matters on the surface of life. It is also a curious house. Well, Pluto represents energy that is opposite to superficiality. It is not at all a planet that likes to stay on the surface; it is compelled to move far beyond what is on the surface. Hence, Pluto in the third stimulates intense curiosity about certain subjects. The compulsion here is that it is hard to satisfy the curiosity of folks who have Pluto in this position. They thrive in intense and deep discussions where they can satisfy their desire to get to the heart of things. Because their words carry weight, what they say or write often makes a deep and lasting impression on people. The third house also rules siblings. Depending on the aspects Pluto makes to other planets in the natal chart, the relationship these Plutonians have with their brothers and/or sisters is very intense in various ways. Either they feel a very deep and close connection to their siblings, or they are continuously involved in a power struggle with them. Pluto in houses 4-6 to come within the week.

Yours truly,

Last week I had a very interesting discussion with a colleague about astrology and its validity and usefulness. He approached the discussion from an atheist's point of view and said “people who believe in astrology must be really crazy”. Before I continue I should mention that I work at a university (and no, at this university it is not possible to get a degree in astrology), so when I first started spreading the word about my astrological beliefs, the last thing I expected was support for them from scientists. I must say though that many, more than I expected, were willing to listen to what I had to say about it and some were even interested in actually getting their birth chart done. While we were discussing I felt I caught him in quite a few not well thought through assumptions and convictions about beliefs, norms and freedoms in general. What he for example failed to explain to me is why he focused so much on categorizing certain beliefs and systems, when to me astrology is no such thing as science - I must say that it took me a long time to get rid of this Pavlov reaction myself - so one should not really approach it as such. It’s far too idiosyncratic to really be tested with certain falsifiable hypotheses and large N studies. Because I obtained a university degree myself, I initially tried to approach astrology in that way, too. I quickly realized, however, that no such thing is possible. Once that realization dawned I wondered whether or not I should then still believe. I had come to learn, though, that my hands on experience with astrology is what makes it a valuable ‘belief system’, if you will, to me: I use it as a tool to understand myself, other people and their ways of living. I use it to help people, to confront people, to make them see. To help them become more self-aware. Many of these hands on experiences have to do with Pluto energy. With Pluto as my chart ruler, in its own sign and sitting right on top of my Ascendant, the planet has been present as a constant factor in my life: death and regeneration (of my life) when my father passed away two weeks before my twelfth birthday and a relationship that went really bad because of destructive Pluto energy. Although most astrologers will tell you Pluto can bring about much positive change, I have to add that in order to make that happen in your own life, you will have to be able to wield so much powerful energy that it is inevitable to not get scarred for life in the process, though you will be able take away some valuable life lessons from these intense and life-changing experiences. Pluto and compulsion Pluto’s energy is not really hard to fathom, but it is indeed hard to wield or control. As my favourite astrologer Jeremy Neal puts it in a great entry on Pluto to be found on his Chirotic Journal, “Pluto is the root of all compulsion.” Another great quote to illustrate the way in which Pluto operates is this one: "The most exquisite paradox… as soon as you give it all up, you can have it all. As long as you want power, you can't have it. The minute you don't want power, you'll have more than you ever dreamed possible.” (Ram Dass) Pluto is associated with power and the compulsion that often establishes or drives this need for power. It will therefore probably not come as a surprise that Pluto is modern ruler of Scorpio, and took over rulership from Mars. Mars is traditional ruler of both Aries and Scorpio. Mars, however, represents straightforward combative energy, whereas Pluto is not concerned at all with being straightforward. Pluto wants to reach one goal: gain power. Mars has an Achilles heel because the planet is driven by passion and fierceness. It can thus explode quite easily when it receives enough triggers. Still, after such an explosion takes place, Mars does not remember or hold grudges. Pluto can and often will. This planet is more like a volcano and can bubble for years before finally coming to an explosion. Mars is not necessarily strategic, while Pluto is. It is probably easiest to understand what Pluto stands for when comparing the planet to Mars. Of course, Pluto can be transformative, because power can transform. But power can also corrupt. Sadly, more often than not us people do not know how to handle power or use it in a constructive way. It is therefore very important to know when to strive for Pluto power, i.e., when to fight for it in order to gain it, and when to back down. When Pluto power is misused, this will not only destroy the emotional health of all who come into contact with such a person, it will eventually cause the individual misusing the power great harm, too. This process could take a while, but the longer it takes to make the individual see, the more harmful this slow burn will be. When Pluto comes into contact with the personal planets it adds a certain intensity, raw energy and compulsive quality to the energy expressed by the personal planet. What I found especially striking is Neal's very accurate description of Venus/Pluto individuals:

“…In encounters with the opposite sex the Venus-Pluto person seems to embark on a continual charm offensive which can be quite overwhelming to the recipient. If you find yourself in contact with Venus – Pluto you may well feel as though you are “in the headlights” as the intensity and focus that characterise the interaction is really quite startling. There is often a magnetic, covertly (and occasionally overtly) sexual undercurrent in the exchange but even where the interaction occurs between members of the same sex this rather disconcerting energy seems to be brought to bear: the Venus – Pluto native wants you to find them attractive, wants to be appreciated, admired and loved, even in the most fleeting and innocuous of encounters.”

You can read more on the contacts between Pluto and Venus on Jeremy’s website. In several other entries on Pluto he also describes how Pluto contacts to the remaining (personal) planets alters the expression of these planets. An entry on Pluto in the houses to come soon. For now, good morning/afternoon/evening/night,

In search of a new topic in astro to write about, I would like to ask you to help out a bit. You can send me a (n anonymous) message via the 'ask' section with an astrological topic you would like me to write about. It could be a question about a particular sign, position, interaction, house placement, progression, anything. Please do keep in mind the topics I've already written about before you ask your question, but aside from that, all you need to do is ask and I will dedicate an entry to your question!

Yours truly,

My friend Star Lee writes about her personal experiences with tarot and astrology at the inconstant moon. She's a Cancer w/ Moon in Pisces and Virgo rising. Have a happy, happy new year.   Lots of love,

As I explained in a previous entry, relationship astrology can be analyzed by looking at many different factors. Important to take into account, aside from the synastry and composite chart effects, are the individual natal charts and their aspects. After all, what people are looking for in a relationship quite often differs. The synastry can be amazing between person A and B, but if person A has a challenging natal chart, he or she may not be looking for the perfect match, but rather for a more fiery relationship that has its ups-and-downs. More specifically, if person A gets involved in a what seems to be perfect relationship, he or she might even (unconsciously) try to sabotage the relationship in order to ignite a spark of challenge. Of course, these dynamics are not only dependent on natal chart planet positions and aspects, but also on how each individual actually deals with these aspects. If person A has a very challenging natal chart and prefers to live life on the edge - simplifying the causal mechanism at work here – but has been brought up in a strict and conservative environment, these character traits might not come out until after a certain age. Moreover, the consequence of the imposed constraints on behavior at a young age might lead to a drastic turn-around at a later stage in life. Overcompensation could take place and it might turn out to be hard for person A to figure out who he or she really is and with what kind of behavior expression of the true self can be attained.  For more information on how synastry and composite charts work in relation to the natal chart, please see my previous entry.

In this entry I would like to focus on the progression of composite charts.[1] The composite chart can be seen as a blueprint for the relationship as a separate entity. It is therefore not specifically concerned with how the individuals involved in the relationship relate to each other, but more with how the individuals are perceived as a couple by outsiders, and how the relationship dynamics that evolve over time, as things get serious and the relationship deepens, play out and influence the relationship itself. I will give an example. If person A’s Venus is square person B’s Mars in synastry, sexual chemistry will be apparent but person B is likely to chase around A at an inappropriate place, pace or time. To simplify, these two people share an amazing sexual connection but often get their signals crossed. If they get past this challenge, become involved and get to a serious stage, we can take a look at their composite chart and see what kind of aspects and planet positions this chart has. Here we might see a supporting trine between Venus and Mars. But how is that possible? Isn’t the sexual compatibility a bit off? Well, the composite Venus/Mars trine shows that over time, the dynamics at work in the couple’s sexual union will be of a less challenging and more pleasant nature. One might argue that this is always the case: after all, once partners get to know each other better, it is easier to know what each individual is looking for in a sexual relationship. Still, if the synastric square had been emphasized by a composite square between Venus and Mars, the sexual relationship might always have stayed on the edge and exciting, but would also have become more troublesome and less predictable. What each individual involved in the relationship then eventually takes away from this depends on the natal chart, upbringing and experience that is brought into the relationship. The Progressed Composite Chart: a Case Study            Over the years I have been analyzing not only composite charts, but also progressed composite charts and their influence on the evolution of relationships. Before I elaborate on my experience with progressed composite charts, I should explain that when I analyze a composite chart, I pay little to no attention to the signs the planets are in.[2] Exceptions are possible, for example when the Sun is conjunct Pluto in the composite suggesting a very intense, deep and primal connection, while the two planets themselves are in airy Libra. The complexity of this aspect increases dramatically when the intense energy that this aspect produces needs to be expressed in a sign that does not feel comfortable with such deep and irrational motivations. In general, though, I pay more attention to the house position of the planets and the aspects the planets make to each other. I also analyze, having been taught to do so by the infamous Cafe Astrology website and having witnessed successful results when adhering to this approach, the natal house that is emphasized by the composite Sun in the natal chart of the individuals. In that way it is possible to find out how the individuals feel about the relationship itself (as opposed to how they feel about each other). For example, if the composite Sun is effectively brought to the fifth house of person A, they will always feel the relationship is of a lighthearted and creative nature. It brings out his or her fun side. If person B’s sixth house is lit up by the composite Sun, however, the relationship might be or might become a burden to person B. He or she is likely to feel obligated to put time and effort into the relationship. One can imagine that if this feeling of obligation is constantly felt by person B, he or she will not be as excited to stay in the relationship as person A will be. As you can imagine, examples of this kind are numerous. 

In his work, Blaschke discusses the progressed composite chart of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen for the date that a personal scandal became public.[3] Interestingly enough, he observes a progressed Moon squaring Neptune, a sign of deception. Furthermore, this same Moon opposes the midpoint between Uranus and Pluto, both planets located in the tenth house of the public image and the twelfth house of secret (enemies), respectively.

In my example of the progressed composite chart at work, the relationship of the people involved changed drastically after the progressed composite ascendant changed signs. It concerned a friendship that had the potential to become romantic. The woman involved in this friendship came to consult with me a few years back and told me she had recently developed feelings for her best friend, just as he moved to another country and had met a girl he had fallen in love with. She felt devastated and alone after what she felt had been a betrayal of their friendship by him. After having observed their synastric and composite charts, I took a look at the progressed composite chart and found some interesting results. At the time her best friend had taken the decision to move to another country for a job he had found there, the progressed ascendant of their composite chart changed from Libra to Scorpio. Venus, ruler of the chart before the ascendant changed signs, was in 20 degrees Leo. Venus has no particular affection to Leo, but Venus is not in detriment in that sign. When the Ascendant changed to Scorpio, the rulers of the chart became Mars and Pluto. In itself these planets are of a more combative nature (to put it simply) but on top of this, Mars was in detriment in Cancer and Pluto was in Scorpio, sitting right on top of the Ascendant, showing that the relationship would deteriorate (Mars in Cancer) and transform drastically (Pluto on the Ascendant, in Scorpio). Happy holidays, 

Yours truly,

Maudy

[1] See three entries back for an explanation on what a composite chart is.

[2] In this book 'Composite Charts', Townley spends a lot of time explaining the signs the planets are in. In my experience this is just not very useful and makes the relationship analysis unnecessarily complicated.

I guess the Scorpio female is the only one leaving a really good impression here…