Today I had the pleasure of listening to Linea Van Horn, from the San Francisco Astrological Society, talk about the “Galactic Embrace.” Linea was an enthusiastic speaker, and very knowledgeable on the ending of the Mayan Calendar and the astronomy of our movements around the sun, and our place within our galaxy. I always love it when astrologers combine their know-how with astronomy, and the knowledge of the ancients.

Linea’s emphasis in this talk was that even though we are in the dark and dense part of the spiritual 26,000 year cycle, we are also near the end of it, but NOT the end of time. NOT the end of planet Earth. On the contrary, this period we are in is a time to embrace optimism, and the time to plant the seeds of our spiritual discovery. When the light comes in the near future our seeds will sprout and flourish. Spiritual awareness will enlighten the masses.

I was particularly taken by her analogy of the winter solstice, a time that is the darkest and longest night of the year, but a time that holds all of the promise of the coming of light. It was particularly interesting to me how she talked about the many areas of spirituality that used to be taught in secrecy or only to special groups, but now that knowledge is being shared openly. Yet, at the same time, while interest in this information is increasing, we are still hitting blocks and negativity. People are feeling overwhelmed and jaded by corrupt governments, pollution, and misinformation. Yet, more and more are turning to their spiritual sides for solace.

Linea warns us not to get drawn into the negativity, not to allow these barriers from discouraging us, and to continuing doing our work with optimism and enthusiasm so we can plant those seeds and manifest our spiritual awakening in the future.

I especially liked how she debunked the myth that’s going around that the end of the Mayan calendar portends the final end. On the contrary, she pointed out, that the Mayans looked to this time when the galactic center aligns with the solstice as a special time indeed, a time of light and awareness, a new beginning. Linea also pointed out that this 26,000 year cycle has occurred many times throughout human history, and we obviously survived. That’s not to say the time creeping up to that alignment is going to be easy, but it is worth paving the way with optimism and spiritual knowledge.

Linea’s astronomical knowledge was really helpful in understanding why we have this 26,000 year cycle, and her astrological know-how put that in context for where it stands in relation to sidereal and tropical charts.

It’s a fascinating topic, and Linea has me interested in learning more about it.

~Dana Nourie

I’ve heard of people going into counseling or psychoanalysis as a profession because they desperately needed to fix something within themselves. It’s not surprising that one would feel they might come across the answers and solutions to their pain through the myriad of studies and texts on the topic.

Astrology also attracts people looking for answers within and about themselves, about their current lives, and often what the future holds for them. There is a lot of floundering in the beginning of the astrology education, amazement at how astrology can pinpoint certain childhood issues, personality quirks, and strength of character. It’s a fascinating process how learning astrology can be such a powerful tonic to our psychological aches and pains. In fact, I think the best way to study astrology is through purging your soul. If you choose to fight or resist the process, that part of the astrology lesson may always allude you.

I signed up for the Noel Tyl Master’s Degree Certification Course in Astrology this year. Earlier I had done a lot of studying on my own through tome after tome on planets in various signs and houses, on the Moon’s nodes, and the aspects between the planets. I’ve been to many talks on various branches of astrology, and I was entertained by the bickering between the various schools of thought on which planet is the correct ruler of Aquarius or Scorpio. There is a lot of eagerness around understanding a person’s quick tongue because of Mars in Aries, or the emotional needs of a person with the Moon in Pisces. When I’d share that Mercury is in Gemini in my chart, I get the “Ah, that explains why you love to write!” My Aquarian Moon explains why I need to help others, while simultaneously needing emotional detachment. It’s always an eye-opener to discover these astrological details, and put some understanding to the behavior of many of the people we know.

This year, however, it struck me how useless much of that information really is. I already know I love writing. I know I’m talkative, and I know I’m not entirely comfortable with emotions. Ok, I’m not really comfortable at all. Knowing all of this is reflected through Mercury and the Moon is interesting, but not helpful in isolation. I already know what I like, what I fear, and much of what I need. And anyone who knows me well can tell me these things about myself without knowing a thing about astrology. What I discovered this year is that in studying astrology we can learn things about ourselves that we didn’t know, that we need to know. It reveals much when set against the real life we are living.

In the process of learning astrology, especially if you have a particularly good teacher, you’re going to hit speed bumps, emotional hiccups that will stop you short in the process. It’s inevitable. And while learning astrology may rattle the skeletons out of your closet, and uncover the time bombs in your psychological basement, astrology can also be just the tonic you need to purge and move on. But it’s not an easy transition from blissful ignorance to sudden or even hazy awareness. It’s a process of discovery, and until you are able to set your own demons at ease, you can hardly help others.

It’s a wonderful and amazing process to unearth the confusion lying deep within. As Noel said in this last seminar, “Those are not tears of pain, but of recognition.” This resonated deeply with me, and is oh, so true. As I move through the learning process in this course, I take a few tentative steps forward, and then a large step back as childhood hurts and fears bubble to the surface to be set free, as tenacious hang-ups are gradually cut loose, and as old irrelevant beliefs are shown the light of present day circumstances.

The purging process is not an easy one, but I am certain that if I don’t deal with the issues as they arise, I will not understand the astrology that helps to reveal them. I don’t expect to have demons exorcised with every lesson, but I’m open to the possibility that I will come across a few more as I progress. Can I hope to be a completely new slate by the time I get to the end? Probably not entirely, but it’s amazing what learning astrology has done for me so far, how much it has helped me understand my needs, where they came from, and how I can find ways to honor them.

I’ve gotten more out of my astrology lessons this year than I ever expected or hoped. I was one of those people who entered into astrology in the hope of better understanding myself, and learning astrology has been just the tonic I needed for that, but it’s also been so much more. I’m also able to understand others in new ways I never thought possible. I can be more compassionate when seeing how a horoscope reflects the life being lived. I can see the myriad of ways we can help others using astrology as a tool, but even more importantly learning the astrology helps develop us into people who can see the person behind the horoscope, and not just the horoscope. The astrologer can only benefit others by seeing past the horoscope to the human being.

Learning astrology is a process that becomes a tonic for the astrologer. It’s not the astrology itself but how we assimilate what we learn about the all important human needs and nature. As Noel says, “It’s not about this and that, about Venus squared Saturn . . . It’s about the life being lived.” We can understood that truly only if we take note of our own lives being lived and make the concerted effort of deeper understanding and healing.

~Dana Nourie

An interesting thing happens in solar arcs when two planets in a natal chart are at degrees that, regardless of sign, are either the same or else 15 degrees apart (allowing an orb of half a degree or less). About every 15 years the two planets will form mutual aspects by solar arc within a year of each other. The tighter the orb of the natal aspect, the closer in time the arcs will occur. By the same token, for wider orbs the mutual solar arcs will occur further apart in time; two years apart if the natal orb is one degree, four years apart if the natal orb is two degrees, etc.

I call this phenomena the “Kaleidoscope Effect” because of the way it shifts into new permutations at regular intervals as the planets arc around horoscope. For example, two planets that are quincunx (150 degrees) in the natal chart will arc to form a quindecile (165 degrees) and a sesquiquadrate (135 degrees) at about 15 years of age. Those same two planets will then arc to form an opposition and a trine when the person is about 30 years old, followed by another quindecile and a minor aspect of 75 degrees at age 45. At age 60 the two planets will form a quincunx and a sextile. (For those born when the Sun’s motion is slower, between about May and September, the period between mutual arcs gradually increases with age so that later permutations occur at about 46, 62, etc.)

Natal oppositions create perhaps the most interesting Kaleidoscope Effect due to the symmetry of the mutual solar arc aspects that occur, as well as the power of the first set of arcs – mutual quindeciles at about 15 years of age. At about age 30 there will be mutual quincunxes by solar arc, followed by mutual sesquiquadrates at about age 45, and then a mutual trine at age 60. A minor aspect of 105 occurs at age 75, followed by a whopping mutual square at age 90 if the person lives that long!

Studying these cycles reveals much about how emotional and behavioral patterns evolve in step with each permutation in the kaleidoscopic cycle of mutual solar arc aspects.

Take as an example my Mars at 15 Pisces and Pluto at 0 Virgo in my 10th House. At age 15, I had solar arc (“SA”) Pluto opposite my Mars and SA Mars quincunx my Pluto. This was a time of intense power struggles between my mother and me. Then, at age 30, I had SA Pluto quindecile Mars and SA Mars sesquiquadrate Pluto. I was in law school then, and experiencing a lot of professional (10th House) empowerment. At age 45, I had SA Pluto quincunx Mars and SA Mars trine Pluto. At that time, adjustments (quincunx) were made to my job that made my work life much easier (trine) – a new coworker (Mars rules my 6th House) was hired who both eased my workload, and boosted my confidence. Thus, we can see that over time my natal Mars-Pluto quindecile has unfolded in terms of first struggling with power issues, then embracing my own empowerment, and later experiencing adjustments that allowed me to relax and feel more confident. When I’m 60 I will have SA Pluto sesquiquadrate Mars and SA Mars in a minor aspect of 75 degrees to Pluto. I’ve got 10 years to figure out how to make the most satisfying use of these empowering arcs!

Take a look at your own chart. Have you got any two planets very close to the same degree point, or 15 degrees apart? If so, what happened when you were about 15 that reflects those planets in your chart? At about 30? And 45? I expect you will see a consistent theme unfolding through this kaleidoscopic lens!

I’ve always felt that someday astrology could be explained scientifically. I’ve never been in the camp that considers astrology a part of the occult or the inexplicable. Recently, I watched a fascinating DVD narrated by Rick Levine called Quantum Astrology. Rick feels that astrology can be explained by quantum physics and electromatic waves. As I listened to his explanations, my mind said, yes, this makes sense! I’ve written a full review of the DVD with a link to it on Amazon:

Quantum Astrology

In addition, I’m reading a book called The Circuitry of the Self: Astrology and the Developmental Model by Bruce Scofield. This book argues that astrology is every bit a science as the field of psychology, can be studied in similar ways, and that astrology is also biological. It’s a fascinating read. I’ll post my review when I have it finished.
We are entering exciting times for astrology. Now serious interviews with astrologers are appearing in magazines like Forbes and Vanity, and on the CNN website, books are coming out that encourage astrologers to begin studies in their own field in the same vein as the current field of psychology. More and more people are becoming interested in how the planetary patterns and movements affect how we feel and how we react. These days people want to learn to their potential and they welcome guidance for how that can happen.

In 2011, we’ll enter the age of Aquarius. Many fear it’s the end of the world, but astrologers see a new era beginning, one in which we may all become more enlightened, more accepting of previous views that had been considered taboo or ridiculous. Astrology is the oldest branch of psychology, and I hope within my lifetime to see it taught in all schools along with other courses. Unless astrologers themselves treat their own methods as an accepted science, the public won’t either. More and more psychologists are coming out in the open, showing how astrology gives them an advantage in understanding clients and their needs.

I’m excited about how the direction astrology is taking, especially with quantum physics emerging in scientific areas. I like what Rick Levine said, “Astronomy is the glove, and astrology is the hand.” I couldn’t agree more!

~Dana Nourie

With my Sun and Mercury in Gemini, I have intense, unending curiosity, and a unquenchable desire to learn. You’d think this would make me a great student. But school was not easy for me. Uranus sits high in my chart, conjoining my Leo Midheaven. My need for attention was as great as my need for individualism, and oh, yes I had problems with authority figures. When the rules were laid out, I set out to break them. My teachers were as miserable in my presence as I was in theirs.

Cancer ruling my ninth house made emotional mush of all this nonsense, of course, and down the hall, in my third house, Aquarius ruled over my Moon and Saturn conjunction. While Aquarius said, yes, classrooms full of people is the way to go, Saturn put on restrictions that neither my Moon nor Uranus up the hall could tolerate. Teachers pushed, and I shoved right back. Education was lost on me.

But my Gemini Sun reached out to Uranus through a sextile, feeding it the energy of curiosity, and Uranus returned with intense interest in computers and technology. Meanwhile, Mercury in Gemini cried out for communication, trining with Saturn and the Moon in the third house of communication. Aquarius ruling the third was all too happy to comply, loving technology and innovation as well.

In spite of barely graduating high school, I set out to satisfy my curiosity and teach myself the things I needed to know: science, writing, and programming. A quindecile from Jupiter to my Midheaven and Uranus fueled a passion that bordered on obsession to publish what I wrote, get other people in the public eye through web development, and eventually to climb into technical writing. Now the quindecile seems to have reawakened my passion in astrology in a big way, almost obsessive. All right, absolutely obsessive.

I’ve done well teaching myself over the years, but the time has come to heal old hostilities, and to acquiesce to greater minds, to be taught by those who know more. I can read only so many astrology books each week, and organizing the mountain of information from the dozens I’ve read is overwhelming.

Saturn can be restrictive, and was very much so in my school days. But Saturn can also add structure and help one build a solid foundation. Saturn is said to be the great teacher. My Aquarian Moon need not feel confined, but instead be guided and coached. Uranus need not rebel, but instead be led farther into the future. Mercury can continue happily communicating new ideas and concepts learned. But can Uranus be taught that it’s all right to be taught? Must it always rebel in the name of individualism?

I recently started Noel Tyl’s Master Certification course to “be the best astrologer that I can be.” This course teaches the psychological approach to astrology to help clients reach their greatest potential. It’s been fascinating so far, both in the analytical techniques and in psychological indications from various planetary placements.

In his DVD, 15 Indispensable Keys to Analysis, Noel directly addresses my issue. He says, “You say, ‘But I have problems with authority.’” Noel makes a face, “Well, you see how stupid that sounds.” I had to laugh. He was right. It does sound stupid. So, how do I quiet that rebellion to a small squeak? Gemini in Mercury comes to the rescue with an intense need to know. My Aquarian moon iterates, yes, yes, we need to know!

I don’t expect to have teacher/student head-butting, but if I decide to pitch in a rock now and then, I suspect this Capricorn Sun (ruled by Saturn)/Leo Moon teacher is up for the challenge. He has years of experience with thousands of charts, and I’m eager to soak up as much of his knowledge as I can and put it to good use to help others. I don’t doubt his abilities, nor do I doubt mine.

It’s freeing actually to unburden myself of the pressure and load of having to figure out what I need to research, and having to dig for the information. Instead, the details are sifted out to me in manageable doses and organized. All I have to do is learn and integrate to build the foundation I need to be a great astrologer.

Saturn is providing much needed structure and organization, and Uranus seems happy with the astrological atmosphere and the streams of bits and data that come down the wires. Mercury is jumping for joy at all the information. So far no rebelling. So far . . .

It’s going to be a fascinating journey through the solar system and the human psyche. And this is a classroom where I can indulge in my intense Gemini curiosity, and even get away with my Mercurial need to chatter.

~Dana Nourie

What Is Declination Conversion?

Declination conversion is a method for converting a planet’s degree of declination to a degree of the zodiac. What we commonly think of as a planet’s zodiac degree –its “Longitudinal” position–is just one of three zodiac degrees that correlate to the planet’s actual position in our sky.

Astrology derives meaning from planets’ positions along the ecliptic (the Sun’s apparent path through the zodiac). But most of the time, except for the Sun, planets are located off the ecliptic. So we must decide which point(s) along the ecliptic to use as a planet’s zodiac degree.

Astrologers almost exclusively use the longitudinal zodiac degree for position reference (the zodiac degree the Sun would be at if it were at that planet’s degree of Longitude). However, for a planet’s position off the ecliptic, there are two other meaningful zodiac degrees, known as the “Declination-Equivalent” and “Declination-Antiscia.” By taking these other zodiac degrees into account, we can fine-tune our astrology!

Declination-Equivalents and Declination-Antiscia

A planet’s Declination-Equivalent and Declination-Antiscia degrees are the two zodiac degrees at which the Sun could be if it were at that planet’s degree of declination (the distance north or south of the celestial equator). Except for the solstices, for every degree of declination the Sun passes on its trek North, it passes the same degree of declination again on its way South. So for each degree of declination there are two corresponding zodiac degrees. The position closest to the planet’s regular, longitudinal zodiac degree is its Declination-Equivalent zodiac degree. The other position is its Declination-Antiscia zodiac degree.

Many astrologers already use raw declination degrees to determine whether two planets are “parallel” or “contra-parallel” one another. While this provides some information, it has drawbacks. Raw declination degrees do not have the impact of zodiac degrees. Notice the differing impressions you get reading “12N43” and “26Leo25.” (Or, for that matter, the raw longitude degree of “146.42.”) While each corresponds to the same point on the ecliptic, far more information floods into your mind with the zodiac notation. More importantly, raw declinations do not show all the aspects we use, such as squares, semi-squares and quindeciles.

Caution! Because declination conversion increases the potential number of aspects, it is crucial to strictly limit aspect orbs and to focus on measurements that either activate tense natal configurations or have their own clear, significant symbolism.

Declination conversions are easily calculated using software such as Halloran’s AstrolDeluxe. I’ve recently learned that SolarFire 6 also has this function. Conversion tables are also available on the Internet (including one on my website, referenced at the end of this article).

How I Became Fascinated with Declination Conversions

I first learned how to use the declination conversion technique from Kt Boehrer, both through her book and through email discussions. Kt was one of the early pioneers of this technique in modern times. Charles Jayne was another pioneer of this technique in recent times. However, my understanding is that the concept of converting declination to longitude equivalents has been around since Ptolmey’s time. More information about the history of this technique is available at Solsticepoint.com.

I became fascinated with declination conversions because it was the only technique I found that really reflected an accident I had when I was 16 that an old astrologer had predicted for that very day (as a “big bump”) many months before it happened.

The accident happened while I was walking home one day. The car hit me from behind, throwing me over its hood. I landed on my hip and then my face hit the pavement. My injuries included a concussion, massive tissue damage in my left leg and right hip (one spot is numb to this day), abrasions on my face and hands, a nasty cut over my right eye, a hairline fracture on my spine at the base of my neck, and six broken teeth (right in front, unfortunately).

When I later learned more about astrology I tried to see what the astrologer, Henry Gertsen, had seen. Nothing ever seemed to “pop” for that day. Then I met Kt online, and read her book “Declination: The Other Dimension.” The declination-based transits practically jumped off the page for the day of my accident!

I was born October 27, 1956 at 6:22 a.m. PST in Oakland, California (1Sco45 rising). The accident occurred in the late afternoon, around 4 pm, on September 29, 1973.

Using just Longitudinal arcs and transits, my natal Saturn-Pluto square had arced to be roughly semi-square my Ascendant-Sun conjunction (SA Saturn semisquare Sun 0ÌŠ25′a, and SA Pluto semi-square Ascendant 0ÌŠ20’s). But the only outer planet transit was Uranus conjunct Mercury with an orb of well over 1 degree.

Looking at the declination-based arcs and measurements, we find SA Mercury squaring my MC with an orb of just 0ÌŠ04′a; SA Venus (12th ruler) quincunx Mars (6th ruler and physical body in general) with NO orb: 0ÌŠ00′; SA Mars quincunx Neptune (concussion) with an orb of just 0ÌŠ02′a); and SA Saturn (ruling 3rd House of vehicles) semi-square Neptune with an orb of 0ÌŠ19’s.

Declination-based transits included T Pluto opposite Sun (0ÌŠ08′) and square Uranus (0ÌŠ15′); as well as T Uranus conjunct Mars (0ÌŠ11′) and sesquiquadrate both Mercury (0ÌŠ18) and Pluto (0ÌŠ05′). These major transits were triggered that day by, among several other things, T Mars conjunct Pluto (0ÌŠ01′). In addition to activating my natal Sun-Uranus square (which occurs in both longitude and declination, but is much tighter in declination), the transits were activating a Mercury-Pluto square that appears only in the Declination-Equivalent version of my chart. Pluto rules my Ascendant (health center, personal appearance) and Mercury represents my mind and mental functioning. (Mercury also rules my 8th House, which relates to insurance, and I eventually received a tidy insurance settlement as a result of the accident.)

Taken as a whole, these astrological measurements paint a much clearer picture of my accident than any other technique I ever tried. This led me to look at other serious accidents using declination conversions. Over the years I have studied many such events and I continually find striking, relevant measurements using declination conversions. The next step is to develop more efficient means for using declination conversions in astrological forecasting!

More information about declination conversions, other accident examples, and a conversion chart are available in the articles section of my website at AstrologyWithDonnalyn.com.

The SBAS talk today with Greg Howard was on natal house conflicts with the house ruler. It’s a theory that Greg has developed, and it will be interesting to see over time how his research pans out.

He started the talk by showing us how his house definitions differ slightly from the typical keywords and definitions proposed by Stephen Forrest and the authors of The Only Way to Learn Astrology. You can see his revised house definitions on his website: www.relativeastrology.com/houses.html

First, look to the sun, moon, and onward through the planets. Check the which house natal planet is in, then find what house that planet rules. This will reveal to you how one house challenges another. In other words, Greg feels the houses define our challenges in life. For me his 8th house definition was interesting as this is where my Sun is:

EIGHTH HOUSE people or issues challenge your ability to find unconditional love and acceptance
through your relationships with loved ones, your sexual partner and even your creator.

So that is my natal challenge, and the Sun rules Leo, and in my case that means my 8th house is challenged by my 10th house:

TENTH HOUSE people or issues challenge your role (cook, homemaker, banker, coach) or status
(married, parent, child, liberal, convicted felon) within society.

I have been challenged by both people and issues in many roles I’ve had throughout my life, and I often found myself on the defensive with people who claimed unconditional love, specifically through marriage, people of authority, parental figures, etc. It has given me an edge over the years, and I can be quite protective in the roles I decide to take on for myself.

My moon sits in the third house. The moon naturally rules Cancer, putting my third house in challenge with my 9th house. So, I look to Greg’s definitions again. I have had my perceptions challenged, often in emotionally charged ways (moon), but I generally tend to receive other’s views as possible new information. The challenge with the 9th house suggests that this has helped, or made things difficult for me, to expand my horizons and breakfree from routine, to seek new challenges. I see this 3rd/9th house challenge as a positive aspect of my chart because while at times difficult, it has encouraged personal growth and mental expansion for me. But, I suspect, this is why traditional schools were especially difficult for me in spite fo my love of learning.
I hope Greg will correct me if I’m incorrect in the technique I’m quoting to look at these house challenges. Greg used the charts of some famous people to show how he uses this technique, and how he feels the challenges play out in their lives. I found the talk insightful and interesting, and will look into the house challenges of the other planets in my chart, and in charts of people I know.

~Dana Nourie

www.cosmicpathway.com

The talk on declinations yesterday at our SBAS meeting was fabulous. I only understood declinations from the point of view of setting up a telescope, so it was fascinating to learn how astrologers use them and the differences from the usual way we use planetary positions. Donnalyn stressed that she combines the methods, and one is not a replacement for the other. She found using declinations particularly helpful in seeing accidents occur in people’s lives. In fact, she used me as an example for the day I broke my foot badly two years ago.

She saw immediately the Pluto aspects that set me up for this accident, but the declinations showed yet another Pluto and Uranus square that had not shown in the regular calculations of the chart. Really interesting!

We then went over celebrity charts, seeing the main events of their lifes. For this exercise Donnalyn had done their charts in graph form so you can easily see where planets cross each other’s paths. It became very apparent at a glance when major events in a person’s life occured. And the fun part was, she did a graph for each of us with her nifty laptop and portable color printer.

The talk was great for all the usual reasons: she’s well spoken, personable, and knows her stuff. But also because she made her talk very interactive, by including our natal data as well. In addition, Donnalyn gave us printouts we could take home, with some urls where we could learn more.

In all, an excellent talk and meeting. Hope to meet more of you there in the future!

~Dana

Astrology is for guidance, to help us make the most of life, to improve our weak points, and to add direction to our strengths. Astrology provides a means to discover why we’re here and what we are healing from, so that we leave this life more spiritually richer than when we entered it. Astrology provides the journey from the plan and potential we start with at birth to the spiritual development and karmic release when it’s time to leave this plane.

~Dana