"More than natal astrology"
Early-studies astrologers quickly learn that there is more to astrology than just casting natal charts. They may discover this long before they feel comfortable with interpreting a natal chart. For some this may appear daunting. For others, the prospect of 'more' is exciting.
Before I answer, knowing that a wide range of 'astro-knowledgeable' list members will be reading this, let me put a stake in the stand.
** Consider the natal-progression-transit chart trio. I call this the 'standard practice because the use of these three types of charts are often used together for the greatest percentage of astrological work. The use of Horary, Returns and other forms of 'western' astrology charting are popular, but I suspect that 80% to 90% of all-but-professional astrologers use the charts of the 'standard practice.'
The natal chart is a snap shot of the planets and heaven surrounding the Earth, but from the standpoint of the time of the day and location of the subject. The natal chart is the basis for an interpretation of personality, character and likely life-themes that will be faced. The Progressed chart is similar to a transit chart for several-ten-thirty days after the natal chart. Each of those days of interval from birth is symbolically projected as representing representing a year. A day for a year. These are indication of one's personal development put against the natal chart itself. How will shifts in aspects, new conjunctions or separations from an aspect be viewed as a future development or event in a given year? Then, we have transits to help clarify, or confuse, the situation. How does a transit or transit-pattern express itself against a natal chart? The natal chart is an imprint and seems quite sensitive to transits in many cases. Is the progressed chart as sensitive as the natal chart to transits? So, this is what the 'standard practice' involves.
** Now, 'other' or 'more' astrology as I meant it in this case, relates to defining and then constructing and using a charting method that is focused or highly sensitive to the topic or subject being investigated. In the case of Goethe's life and his 'conscious awareness' path, we need to understand Goethe and just what 'conscious awareness' is.
Goethe was a high minded philosopher, a deep thinker, a writer of books, essays, periodicals, and thousands of letters -- and one fairy tale. The fairy tale (The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily) contains astrological symbolism. A lot of it. Goethe's views were that mankind naturally had a primative, sensuous, feeling nature which was often in conflict with the logical and conscious mind. From reading his material, it is clear that the Moon represents the sensuous, feeling, reactive portion of man's experience. The Sun represents the logical, thinking and highly conscious mind. Goethe felt that these two natures had to be kept in balance in order for man to work towards 'ennobling' himself, finding the purpose of his life, touching his soul-self.
Taking the Sun and Moon as the primary symbols to work with, what do we do with them?First, we know that the transiting Moon represents the changes that come into our life, our reactions to those changes or threats, our feeling about our environment and inner comfort. We use the natal chart, especially the Sun, to start defining ones character and personality, our attitudes and intentions. We can use the transiting Moon and natal Sun. But how? A Return or Cyclic chart that brings the transiting Moon to the natal Sun position is what I have chosen to use. We have a new Moon and a full Moon in the sky every month. We also have, in the use of the t/Moon-to-n/Sun Returns, a personal new Moon and personal full Moon situation. In the new moon half of the cycle we have learning and development. In the full moon half of the chart we have clarity, opportunities to grow and share.
So, what does this 'return' (R) approach do that the 'standard practice' (SP) doesn't do?
** SP natal chart is a root chart used to 'define' the subject in terms of personality and character. The R natal chart can also be used for this purpose.
** SP natal chart is progressed by several or many days. This is the Progressed chart. It suggests developments that will affect the subject in the related year.
** For the Return chart, no progressed chart is used. Instead, a Return (R) chart shows us the current transits relative to the point in time that the t/Moon contacts the n/Sun. At that moment, the Sun-Moon house positions and the relationships to the other natal and transiting planets can be noted. For the astute reader, note that this isn't just a certain kind of transit chart. Because it is a Return chart, it depicts a cycle that starts at or near the birth date. Wherever the Moon is in the natal chart relative to the Sun, it will contact the Sun in the days following birth -- this will be a personal new Moon. That new Moon, and the full Moon, cycles will continue throughout life. The Sun's natal imprint will be constantly renewed and we will be reminded of it. Because it is a cycle chart, the natal charts relation to the cycle chart is such that all of the natal planets will be couched within different houses -- the will be displaced and have to express themselves in modified ways. All of sudden we have a dramatically different situation here relative to the SP.
** SP transit charts depict transiting planets relative to the natal chart and planets and relative to the progressed chart and planets (if used in this manner). Not all astrologers use transits to progressed planets. The natal chart is what it is. The progressed chart is somewhat the same but altered from the natal chart. It shows altered relationships to the natal chart.
** Return charts can be diurnally advanced to any following day in that cycle. This is also a daily transit chart -- but it is also more. It is an evolving cycle, it shows natal and/or transiting planets that may be at the angles of the chart (the angles of the cycle). The chart and chart angles continuously move, as do the planets each day. The houses of the cyclic chart show which natal and transiting planets are present.
The above defines the basic differences in the charts used. What has not been yet defined is the interpretive process. Interpreting Return and daily charts IS EASIER THAN FIGURING OUT A NATAL CHART ! How can that be?
** Only planets at/near the four chart angles are considered. Remember, the chart portrays a cycle. If you think of a cycle as a sine-wave, the two peaks (upper and lower) and the crossing points of the axis (Ascendant and Descendant) are the point where a cycle's resonance is strong or where a change occurs. So, you may have only one or three planets to use -- these will clearly tell you the chart's story.
** At times, the angles of the Return/cyclic chart will come to a point where they meet up with the natal chart angles. A rebirth event happens. One's life can take a new direction.
The primary symbols, the Sun, the Moon, and the Part of Fortune (which represents the Sun-Moon relationship which is in turn projected from the Ascendant angle) become the key triggering points during the entire Moon-Sun cycle. These points, plus angular contact, paint a picture of the busy days and the quiet days we all encounter in life.
Those who have a natal chart with conjunctions, oppositions and squares will be more likely to have active Return charts. Those planets in hard aspect to each other, when they come to the angles of a Return chart will likely have several planets at other angles, making for a very active charts at times.
SUMMARY: We have to have flexibility in how we use charts, which charts we use, and how we interpret them. Natal chats use natal techniques. Other charts require their own approach, an approach that matches what we look for and what the chart-type can offer. While some of this stuff may be more difficult to conceive of and to test, once the approach has been define, the rest is easy. Some astrologers can adapt to this and other techniques easily. Others have to study. I have book, Personal Moon-to-Sun Returns 2, that lays this out in great detail and offers very many examples of to use the technique. I also have two blog sites that demonstrate these techniques in action. The first is
www.ninthhouse.wordpress.com which has seven years of archive examples. The second is new,
www.greensnakeretold.wordpress.com which is devoted to 'conscious awareness' issues.
Hows that for making a short answer long?
