Astrology, Relationships and Click Horoscopes

Moons trine or maybe conjunct!

When looking at relationships between two people, a conventional chart comparison (synastry) will seek out aspects between a planet in a sign in one person's chart, and a planet in a sign in the other person's. For example, the Moon in Cancer my chart might be in a 120 degrees apart trine aspect relationship with the Moon in Cancer in your chart. This could suggest a nice cosy chummy emotional loving relationship between us. But if our Moons were in different signs or a 90 degrees apart square relationship, it could be a very different story because we could fall out, get huffy, get hurt and misunderstand each other's feelings. This is the conventional approach.

Houses 1,2 and 3

The Huber approach, using astrological psychology, looks at the charts of both people in the relationship, but rather than starting with the Zodiac Sign and the planets, we start with the Houses. What we're looking for are any spatial relationships which might exist between two people. And spatial relationships are important because they are where we share the same physical spaces with each other. These can be found in the 12 Houses of the chart; the houses are where we live out our lives and express ourselves in the environment and the wider world around us. 

At its very simplest, using Click Horoscopes involves looking at the two charts together and finding out if both people share any planetary placements in the same house. For example, my 4th house Saturn and your 4th house Neptune would form a Click, but we might run into difficulties because your lack of organisation and laissez-faire approach to home and family life alongside my drive and need to be organised in this area of life would probably drive us both rather crazy! So we'd have to work things out between us and find a compromise, which is what relationship is all about.

Planets which make Clicks symbolise areas of life where we'll find things either easier, or more challenging, in a relationship. Two Suns in the same house/area of life expression could become a power struggle. Two Moons could signify a lot of emotion, two Mercury's endless chatter and an ongoing need to get a word in edgeways or have the last word, and so on......and of course, it's never as simple as this. 

To get a really accurate understanding of how potential clicks would manifest in a relationship, the position by both sign and house have to be considered, and a comprehensive overview of how to use Clicks is outlined in the current Book of the Month - 

  Astrolog 2: Family, Relationships & Health.   

The contents of the book cover exactly what is said in the title.  Included in the book is a chapter on Clicks by Louise Huber, which is recommended reading if you want to know more and try this technique out. The chapter title -  Relationship as a Developmental Process - Click Horoscopes on Three Levels - gives an idea of the content and the subject is covered in considerable depth. 

Here's a basic example of some Clicks which gives an idea of how this technique can be used - but a lot more detail than this is required to give a reliable and valid assessment. I recommend you read the book, and the boooklet on Clicks only available from the APA Bookshop.

Chart A

Both charts have Clicks between the transpersonal planets - Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Uranus and Pluto are in the 9th house in both charts, making a Click, but they are at different positions by both sign and house, so this has to be considered, along with Neptune in the 11th for both charts. Again, Neptune's position by sign and house will offer fine tuning to the assessment of the relationship.

Chart B

Chart A's 1st house Moon Clicks with Chart B's 1st house Sun. 

Chart A's 2nd house Sun Clicks with Chart B's 2nd house Moon.

What does this suggest to you about the relationship? I'd like to hear your responses please....based on what you've read, do you think they are a compatible couple?

Nature v Nurture - The Family Model

In my book The Cosmic Egg Timer, I include a chapter giving guidelines on how to use the Family Model in the natal chart. Looking at the position of Sun, Moon and Saturn a lot can be learned about the Mother/Father/Child relationships which existed as the individual was growing up.

Sun at the top

The Sun symbolises the will and the mind, and aspects of the personality which relate to "self" - self-confidence, self-esteem and self-identity. When we're young, we're not yet ready to take on board developing these things for ourself, so we project our own Sun on to the person in the family who we assume is playing out that role - it's usually dad, but in these days of changes in family structures, it can also be mum. In such cases, the child will look to the mother to fulfil both parenting roles. Ideally, the Sun in the chart will be placed above the horizon, preferably near the top. Needless to say, it doesn't always happen this way; variations and what they suggest are discussed in The Cosmic Egg Timer.

Saturn at the bottom

Saturn in the chart is symbolic of our physical self (see previous post on the ego planets) as well as security in all its different manifestations. Security means different things to different people, but one thing's for sure: we all need to feel secure, especially when a child. Who is the first person to offer such security and protection? Mother of course, so we tend to project our own Saturn on to her. She's the one who gives out the rules and guidelines of how things should be as we grow up. Please don't fall into the trap of gasping and rejecting Saturn as mother when you may be attached to thinking of the Moon as mother. Mum can be Saturnian and loving at the same time. She (or the person who fulfils this role) is usually the one who keeps us on track. Ideally, Saturn will be placed below the horizon in the chart and you can read more of why this is in the book.

Moon in 7th

Moon represents our inner child and how we express ourselves through our feelings (again, see my previous post on the ego planets) so it won't come as a big surprise to discover that the Moon symbolises the child - ourselves as we grew up - in the context of the Family Model. The Moon is best placed in the chart where it can make and receive contact with others. A 7th house placement is ideal, but not too many things in the chart fall into the category of "ideal", so let's say that the Moon is likely to be well-placed if it's somewhere in the region of the DC, where it has the best chance of connecting with others.

You'll find much more about the Family Model in my co-authored book The Cosmic Egg Timer, where family relationships, family dominance, and specific bonding between child and one or both parents is covered. The book is available as an ebook and as a paperback.

Comment by A. Gregory, newcomer to astrology, on The Cosmic Egg Timer:

"This impressive book explains astrological psychology clearly in a logical and progressive manner. It enabled me to examine my own chart, and those of family and friends. I came away with a deeper awareness of myself, and greater understanding of astrology. It has left me wanting to know more!"

Sun, Moon, Saturn - the Ego Planets

Ego planets shown in red

How is 2014 going for you so far? Have you set goals, made resolutions, yearn for things to get better for you in the year ahead? Are you leaving it to chance, fate and good luck for the year ahead, or are you willing to engage in making things improve and go your way, on your terms? Here's how you might go about this, using your ego planets.

We identify with our own sense of self through the ego, and in astrological psychology the planets which represent the ego in a natal chart are Sun, Moon and Saturn.  They are always shown in red in the chart because of their significance and importance. Ego planets operate at a more conscious level and large portions of life are lived through them. The qualities, drives and energies that these three planets represent are closely linked with the physical, emotional and mental aspects of what it is to be human.

Saturn provides structure and gives a sense of the physical self.

Moon conveys our emotional responses and gives a sense of self via feelings.

Sun allows us to connect with the will, the ability to make choices and gain self awareness through the use of the mind.

All three planets can be functioning a various stages of consciousness - are they asleep, waking or awake? Are you using them to the best of your ability to gain the most you can from your daily interactions and relationships? If you're interested in your own personal growth, and want to get the best you can out of life, you can learn to wake these planets up so they are working more effectively for you.

Engaging with the Cardinal energy of the Sun you can begin to tap into your ability to be creative; connecting with the Mutable energy of the Moon you can become more comfortable and proficient at expressing your feelings and learning to ask for your emotional needs to be recognised and met in relationships; and with Saturn's Fixed energy you can pursue your security needs alongside becoming more structured and organised in your life.

Book of the Month

What I've written here is a short extract from my co-authored book, The Cosmic Egg Timer, where you can read about the psychological drives associated with the ego planets, and can get some ideas about how to move through 2014 in a more awake way, making the things that you want to happen for yourself actually happen, rather than leaving it all to chance - or to what sun sign astrologers tell you!

What might 2014 have in store for you?

Chart set for 1 minute past midnight on January 1st 2014

The chart for the start of the new year offers an image resembling an arrow head pointing down into the collective area, with a stellium in Capricorn of four planets - Sun, Moon, Mercury and Pluto - plus unaspected Venus sitting to one side. The on-going Uranus/Pluto square is in evidence, and forms one side of the Efficiency/Performance triangle, which includes Mars, with some of the stellium planets at the pointy, business end of this figure. Immediate, gut response to this  line up is "not much chance of a rest there then..."

Aspect Patterns are covered in depth in two books: Aspect Pattern Astrology by Bruno and Louise Huber, and in my book Aspect Patterns in Colour. 

The aspect structure is composed of only red and blue aspects, suggesting a black/white, either/or modus operandi, with little opportunity of viewing things other than in dualistic, good/bad ways. Unless of course, you choose to take on board for yourself your ability to choose and see things differently. If you're reading this, it's more than likely that you'll be able to see beyond the obvious and search for solutions. Astrological Psychology isn't about predicting the future and telling people what's going to happen to them - it's aim is to encourage people to take responsibilty for themselves and their lives, shaping and creating them from the driving seat, rather than sitting helpessly in the passenger seat.

How might you do this in 2014? Looking at the year ahead from the perspective of where you are in your own life journey, and from the perspective of using Age Progression in your chart and you life, how you face up to whatever comes your way in the year ahead will be determined by where your Age Point is in your chart.

For example, if you're in your 30's, between 30 and 36, you're probably working hard at establishing yourself in your career and in the workplace, so you'll be focussed on that. Whatever comes your way in 2014 will be viewed through this lens of where you are psychologically on your life path.

Between the ages of 36 and 42, you may be more focussed on your primary relationships in life, and will possibly be evaluating them. You will be more likely to gain feedback on yourself, at this stage of life, from your one to one interactions with others, so it could also be a time of increased contact with people in all areas of your life. Beyond that, you're likely to be taking stock in a big way when you reach 45/46, and deciding which direction you want to next move towards. This again will colour and flavour your life in the year ahead. In your 50's, you'll be sensing a peaking of attainment and achievement in your work in the outside world, but there may also be a personal sense of satisfaction when you look back on your life to date and see how far you've travelled. If you don't experience this, you may also be looking back with a sense of not having done enough with your life. If that's the case, what's stopping you? Opportunities are there to be seized, and 2014 begins with Jupiter, the planet associated with risk, expansion and adventure at the top of the chart. Use some of this energy to move you forward if that's what you want - but do it yourself, for yourself.

Age Progression covers each psychological phase of life from birth, as the Age Point moves through each house of the chart. It's described in depth in Life Clock by Bruno and Louise Huber and in my most recent book, Using Age Progression - Understanding Life's Journey. Both books are available from the APA Book Shop, Amazon and other retailers.

May your year ahead be one where you guide and create your life in directions of your own choosing, whatever your Zodiac sign. Forget the predictions - create your own!

Sun into Capricorn - Winter Solstice

I've written something similar to this in the past around the time the Sun enters the sign of Capricorn, but it bears repeating because we all, myself included, need reminding of things from time to time. And it's always good to reconnect with those events outside of ourselves. Connecting with the position of the Sun in relation to ourselves on Earth is something we can do relatively easily at this very busy time of year. On 21st December the Sun is at its furthest point from the northern hemisphere, making this is the shortest day and longest night of the year. Meanwhile, down in the southern hemisphere the Sun is riding high in the sky as the exact opposite happens.

It may look dark but the light is there, waiting to return

The winter solstice is a festival of light and in the northern hemisphere it coincides with Christmas. This Christian festival takes place at the same time of year as the pagan celebration of the solstice which celebrates the gradual and at first impercetible return of the light of the Sun after the long days of darkness. It's the turning point of the year and marks the return of the light and the rebirth of the Sun (the Son in Christianity...?), together with the promise of the warmth and energy the Sun brings to make crops - essential to life - grow once again after the earth has lain dormant.

This is the time of year when people of all faiths, and none, can express their connection with the earth, our life upon it in relation to others we meet, and our place in the solar system, so

celebrate !

Share the warmth of friendship at the turning point of the year and bring some light and joy into your own life and the lives of others.

What you could do at this time of year to bring light into your own life:

• light a candle 
• call a friend
• perform a random act of kindness
• take a risk and smile at strangers as you walk down the street 
• glow with joy and a warmth of spirit and it will come back to you in spades

Greetings of the season to everyone out there, and may the warmth of friendship be wrapped around you at this time of year.