dadsnook2000
Not a waste of time . . .
Nothing about the learning process is a waste of time. We all ask questions before we take the time to find answers, it is part of the excitement we find in astrology. And, you will find that you will ask the same or similar questions over and over again as you become more proficient and explore other areas and levels of astrology.
Ebertin's descriptions of midpoint combinations are strongly "event oriented." I don't use midpoints as a primary astrological approach to charting. I do use them within other systems of charting such as various types of return charts. As with any interpretive effort, you have to work within the CONTEXT of the subject's life at that point in time.
As an example:
** Moon-Saturn combinations for a young person need to be nuanced to reflect family environment and structure, the condition of the parents relative to providing a home and security and guidance.
** Moon-Saturn combinations for a teen-ager or young adult might relate to rebelling against learned family values and reflect a more assertive and immature approach to the challenges of establishing one's own identity.
** Moon-Saturn combinations for an adult can cover a broad range of issues. Again, the context of the person's life will help you apply a better interpretation. ** Dealing with an aging parent might be one situation. Bridging the gap between yourself and a grand-daughter might be another area of concern. The expectations of a spouse who is older or younger than you, and who has a different set of social expectations would be a severe contrast to deal with. Having a partner who was suddenly going through intimacy issues due to an illness, trauma or family influence might arise. All of these could change the way an astrologer assesses a situation.
Relative to Ebertin's use of HARD ASPECTS.
His studies, and the affirmation of the many thousands who use midpoints, demonstrate that the hard aspects represent challenges and crises, excitement and action, situations that "come to a head." In the midpoint system, there is little difference between an actual conjunction, opposition or 135 degree angle in terms of their interpretation.
However, when working with conventional chart wheels, I always look for direct midpoints, patterns that visually depict one planet in the midst of two others. The eye becomes adept at "seeing" these after awhile.
Now, your last comment was.
"my comment: aha, so this is way of doing fine analysis of a chart. First one looks at individual planets and their role (traditionally this would be done by analysis of sign, house, dignities etc), then combinations of planets (formed by aspects) and once that is complete, then midpoints to evaluate 3 planets at a time. The assumption of this theory is that a midpoint of two planets is a sensitive area - I haven't seen any justification of why this should be true, but if you treat it as an assumption, then the rest of the theory makes sense."
This is correct, but it may be overly complicated. Although the learning process is helped by spending an hour or two examining a chart, one finds that the sooner you are able to move away from such a deep and comprehensive approach to working with a chart (or several, many charts) the better off you are. Simplicity comes with experience. Keep that in mind as a goal !!!
When I do a chart for someone I glance at the chart to see its overall shape, if there are any unusual aspect combinations or placements that stand out. I make a mental note of them but do not immediately assess them. Using phase relationships such as those promoted by Rudhyar in his 'Lunation Cycle" or Marc Robertson's "Engine of Destiny", i look at the Sun-Moon for character and personality, Moon-Saturn for family structure, Mars-Venus for poise and self-expression, Jupiter-Mercury for awareness and intellect, Jupiter-Saturn for social contact and managing one's life, and Saturn-Uranus for the development of individuality. It only takes a minute or two to grasp the essence of these patterns. Then, I look for the strong aspect patterns in the chart -- BOTH those that reinforce each other AND those that contradict each other. Contradictions point to stress points that shape character. All in all, I only spend five or ten minutes looking at a natal chart.
My next approach, and this reflects the way I work and not the way you should work, is to look at Return charts that cover the subject's current life. I'm always interested in what is happening and why. This is where Ebertin's midpoints come into play. His planetary meanings are especially appropriate (often right out of the book) to events, situations, actions and attitudes. Forget about the measurement of placement and the 90 degree wheel. Just use the interpretations to fit the chart's two combination and three combination patterns.
So, for me, simplicity means a quick look at the natal chart to grasp the general expression of the subject, gaining a sense of context for the subject's life via discussion or news reports, etc., and then using a Return chart and derived daily charts to assess the current life. The type of Return chart has to fit the nature of what you are looking for. This is true of any form of astrology. The right chart for the work at hand. Dave
Nothing about the learning process is a waste of time. We all ask questions before we take the time to find answers, it is part of the excitement we find in astrology. And, you will find that you will ask the same or similar questions over and over again as you become more proficient and explore other areas and levels of astrology.
Ebertin's descriptions of midpoint combinations are strongly "event oriented." I don't use midpoints as a primary astrological approach to charting. I do use them within other systems of charting such as various types of return charts. As with any interpretive effort, you have to work within the CONTEXT of the subject's life at that point in time.
As an example:
** Moon-Saturn combinations for a young person need to be nuanced to reflect family environment and structure, the condition of the parents relative to providing a home and security and guidance.
** Moon-Saturn combinations for a teen-ager or young adult might relate to rebelling against learned family values and reflect a more assertive and immature approach to the challenges of establishing one's own identity.
** Moon-Saturn combinations for an adult can cover a broad range of issues. Again, the context of the person's life will help you apply a better interpretation. ** Dealing with an aging parent might be one situation. Bridging the gap between yourself and a grand-daughter might be another area of concern. The expectations of a spouse who is older or younger than you, and who has a different set of social expectations would be a severe contrast to deal with. Having a partner who was suddenly going through intimacy issues due to an illness, trauma or family influence might arise. All of these could change the way an astrologer assesses a situation.
Relative to Ebertin's use of HARD ASPECTS.
His studies, and the affirmation of the many thousands who use midpoints, demonstrate that the hard aspects represent challenges and crises, excitement and action, situations that "come to a head." In the midpoint system, there is little difference between an actual conjunction, opposition or 135 degree angle in terms of their interpretation.
However, when working with conventional chart wheels, I always look for direct midpoints, patterns that visually depict one planet in the midst of two others. The eye becomes adept at "seeing" these after awhile.
Now, your last comment was.
"my comment: aha, so this is way of doing fine analysis of a chart. First one looks at individual planets and their role (traditionally this would be done by analysis of sign, house, dignities etc), then combinations of planets (formed by aspects) and once that is complete, then midpoints to evaluate 3 planets at a time. The assumption of this theory is that a midpoint of two planets is a sensitive area - I haven't seen any justification of why this should be true, but if you treat it as an assumption, then the rest of the theory makes sense."
This is correct, but it may be overly complicated. Although the learning process is helped by spending an hour or two examining a chart, one finds that the sooner you are able to move away from such a deep and comprehensive approach to working with a chart (or several, many charts) the better off you are. Simplicity comes with experience. Keep that in mind as a goal !!!
When I do a chart for someone I glance at the chart to see its overall shape, if there are any unusual aspect combinations or placements that stand out. I make a mental note of them but do not immediately assess them. Using phase relationships such as those promoted by Rudhyar in his 'Lunation Cycle" or Marc Robertson's "Engine of Destiny", i look at the Sun-Moon for character and personality, Moon-Saturn for family structure, Mars-Venus for poise and self-expression, Jupiter-Mercury for awareness and intellect, Jupiter-Saturn for social contact and managing one's life, and Saturn-Uranus for the development of individuality. It only takes a minute or two to grasp the essence of these patterns. Then, I look for the strong aspect patterns in the chart -- BOTH those that reinforce each other AND those that contradict each other. Contradictions point to stress points that shape character. All in all, I only spend five or ten minutes looking at a natal chart.
My next approach, and this reflects the way I work and not the way you should work, is to look at Return charts that cover the subject's current life. I'm always interested in what is happening and why. This is where Ebertin's midpoints come into play. His planetary meanings are especially appropriate (often right out of the book) to events, situations, actions and attitudes. Forget about the measurement of placement and the 90 degree wheel. Just use the interpretations to fit the chart's two combination and three combination patterns.
So, for me, simplicity means a quick look at the natal chart to grasp the general expression of the subject, gaining a sense of context for the subject's life via discussion or news reports, etc., and then using a Return chart and derived daily charts to assess the current life. The type of Return chart has to fit the nature of what you are looking for. This is true of any form of astrology. The right chart for the work at hand. Dave