The astrology and psychology of AI

A brief web search for astrology and AI will yield a raft of possibilities and choices if you're looking for a chart interpretation by a robot. But why would you trust a robot, programmed to look at your natal chart - and maybe not very well either - when you could have it interpreted by a real, live, trained and experienced astrologer?

I might, as an experiment, see what an AI astrobot would come up with for my own chart, but really wouldn't have many expectations beyond it being able to regurgitate material it had already been programmed to use. In truth, it would be a waste of time going there because I've been looking at and working on my own chart in the context of my life experiences as I've learned and practiced astrology since 1984, gaining my professional qualification in astrological psychology in 1987. 

There are many approaches to astrology, and many different styles or methods which can be used - Western astrology, Chinese astrology, Vedic astrology, Horary astrology, Psychological astrology, Mythic astrology and more - you can go and look them up for yourself. Where would the astrobot start if it was scraping info from some of these various sources? 

Would it mix them up and present them as a mishmash of different approaches? This has the potential for a dog's dinner because a machine, unable to differentiate, could cherry pick different techniques from different astrological disciplines, methods and systems, regardless of their relevance and compatibilities, and bundle them together into one single reading.

I use the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology, which has strong connections with Psychosynthesis, often called a Psychology with a Soul, which was developed by Italian Psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli. Anything you might find on the web about astrological psychology and AI is likely to have been poached, pinched, stolen and taken from existing information on the web. It might have been copied directly - and illegally -  from books available on the subject if their content is available online. 

Astrological psychology differs from psychological astrology where the approach is more Jungian. Jung and Assagioli were contemporaries, Assagioli branching independently into more spiritual realms with his work. Astrologers Bruno and Louise Huber worked alongside Assagioli in Florence, training with him and seeing clients, and they began to research and combine astrology with psychosynthesis. The end result was a new, soul-centred approach to working with the charts of people - they called it astrological psychology. You can read how they did this in their biography Piercing the Eggshell.

The Huber Method is a system complete in itself and cherry picking and using some of its techniques with another approach doesn't yield reliable answers. You need to use the whole approach to get an accurate reading, as the chart reflects the whole person.

The astrology of AI

AI came into being in the summer of 1956 at a workshop in Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, USA. A group of scientists and mathematicians explored the possibility of creating a human-like brain and research began. In the 1950s in the UK, Alan Turing looked at the possibility of developing AI, and in the US the 1956 research was headed by John McCarthy.

Was the summer of 1956 significant astrologically? Saturn, the planet we might associate with scientific fact and the organisation of well-defined systems had gone retrograde, moving from Sagittarius to Scorpio for a few months over the summer. It stayed there until autumn before returning to Sagittarius for the long haul. It kind of fits if you're looking for a background theme.

I've speculated - just for fun, but you might like to try this too - on what the chart for the "birth" of AI might look like, and have concluded that it would be devoid of most of the planets used in a natal chart. It would be full of empty spaces and unoccupied houses, with two main players - Mercury and Saturn.

The astrological psychology of AI 

Here, with what I see as these two main players in the "birth" chart of AI, I'm going to speculate generally and astrologically about how Mercury and Saturn might operate in this scenario.

We can forget  the presence of the Sun and Moon in this fantasy chart. The Sun represents our sense of self, personal self-awareness, ability to make decisions and moral judgements and it signifies our unique individuality. AI does not have this, nor does it have emotions, needs, moods, or the ability to connect with it's inner child, so forget the Moon here too.

Mercury - yes, AI's fantasy chart can have this planet which represents, in humans, the ability to communicate using words, gather information, and transmit information. But an AI bot will only be as good as the information it has been programmed with, and only as good as the individuals who programmed it, although it can use words to communicate, it can gather and transmit information and it can also chat.  All of this because it's been programmed to.

Venus - no, since this planet assists, along with the Sun, in discrimination, choosing and evaluation. Yet there are hints that AI offers answers which give both sides of a topic. It tends to sit on the fence, doesn't want to offend and answers frequently have an "on the one hand...and on the other hand" flavour. AI doesn't commit to either and doesn't offend, so I detect shades of the traits of the sign Libra here. For this reason, I'll put Mercury into Libra in this non-existent fantasy chart.

Mars - yes, there has to be some Mars energy in order for AI to work and do something, but it's the sheer unconscious energy of a machine, a blind force dependent on the components that makes it work.

Jupiter - no, as this is the planet associated with judgement, wisdom, ethics and the ability to evaluate experiences. AI is currently not able to do that.

Saturn -  yes, Saturn is a reliable player when it comes to storage (of info in this instance) and it's a major player because it represents boundaries and the control of these (AI can only operate within the boundaries of it's physical structure, making it inflexible and conservative). The systems which AI is composed of aren't able to step outside of the framework they're operating within, but there could be a large number of systems at work, transmitting the information that's been stored (Saturn holds on tight to things) via Mercury. And of course, in this fantasy chart, Saturn and Mercury would be in conjunction.

No point in considering the transpersonal planets - Uranus, Neptune and Pluto - in this fantasy chart, although you, the reader, might want to speculate on how AI could work out against the  general background of the collective consciousness - i.e. human beings.

The 2025 Saturn /Neptune conjunction

Saturn and Neptune are currently in conjunction in Aries. They have been gravitating towards this position during the first few months of 2025, finally arriving together, alongside, on the first degree of Aries in May.

I can't resist viewing this conjunction in terms of two people/beings/entities, both with very different natures, who are irresistibly drawn to each other by some uknown powerful force. The magnetism becomes too great, they can resist it no longer and - for better or worse- they fall into each other's arms and to hell with the consequences. 

The fact that this happens in Aries (imagine the circumstances of this meeting taking place against a backdrop of being urged to "get on with it" and "come on, get started - get the ball rolling - there's no time for hanging around dithering!")

This is just one way of looking at it, and allow me my fantasy of what it could be like as I seek to understand the significance of this conjunction of these two planets in this sign - both planets are "heavies" in the sense of being influential personally and collectively. 

Saturn and Neptune are hardly the most compatible of bedfellows. Saturn will be uncomfortable having the loose leaky margins of Neptune invading its well-defined space, while Neptune will find Saturn's boundary-loving structures a big challenge when all it wants to do is hang out and share a bit of love. And Aries, where this is taking place, is the sign related to getting things moving - especially new things -  and being quick off the mark.

Without a doubt, globally we are  going through times of change, upheaval and uncertainty with the need to renew, refresh, and make changes in all areas of life. This is reflected in what is going on in our world, from ongoing attacks on Gaza, ongoing warfare between Russia and  Ukraine and unrest in the middle east, while the US president presides over endless announcements of trading tarrifs on other countries. These change, alter, and yo-yo up and down seemingly at the whim of the president. No wonder watching the news is rapidly becoming a threat to mental health.

At this point, let's break off and say hello to Uranus in Gemini. Are you, Uranus, excitedly enjoying your first toe-testing foray into this sign, taking what you glean back into steady Taurus for a brief while before setting off into inquisitive Gemini proper next April for the long haul? When you arrive, there will no doubt be a surge of new tech-based issues to get to grips with, involving more AI and all that goes with it. We can expect more disruption.

Back to Saturn and Neptune who, although not immediately natural bedfellows, have a lot going for them; their inherent and very different qualities, when combined, can confer strength. They have things to learn from each other and their contrasting energies can be combined to create something new. That's what a conjunction is about - it's not about one of the two planets involved being superior, but is rather the opportunity to create something new, blending, mixing and expressing the two sorts of prevailing energy in a positive way.

On their highest level of expression, these two combined could usher in a new approach, a new way of looking at things. Saturn, at this level could convey wise and benevolent authority, with Neptune bringing unconditional acceptance and love. The potential is there - but will it be taken up collectively? Looking at the current state of the world that, at this stage, seems unlikely just yet.

At the lowest level of collective expression of these planets, Saturn will probably want hang on fiercely to old estalished structures, old ways of resolving problems and defending boundaries, i.e. in countries (Israel, Russia for example) in the "usual" way - that of conflict and war.

Collectively so many things seem in flux, the need for change is pressing, but the "same old, same old" patterns are played out because they're safe, established, tried and tested. We've heard it all before - the solid, defensive, unchanging Saturnian stuff, so those softer, more inclusive Neptunian qualities could be instrumental in ushering in change. Neptune at the lowest level of collective expession is concerned with escapism and getting away from the challenging demands of having to find new and fair solutions. At this level Neptune is good at creating smoke screens, diverting the attention towards something more alluring which will capture the attention of the masses.

It's not difficult to spot this behaviour at work with powerful world leaders showing us how they do it. But only when, on a personal level, the ego and any narcissistic needs are set aside, will it begin to work.

And what of this Saturn/Neptune on a personal level? We're all part of the collective and are therefore part of both the problem and the solution. What can you/I/anyone who happens to wonder what the hell is going on right now do on a personal level to work with the current flavour of things in our eveyday lives?

Saturn is about structure, form, boundaries, standards, mentoring, teaching, supporting and - for want of a better word - rules. Not tough rules but clear guidelines on how to be a fully functioning member of the society we live in, respecting others, being kind to them and supporting them. If this is something we'd like for ourselves, then it's up to us to offer this to others. Do as you would be done by. You get back what you give out.

Neptune is about unconditional acceptance, inclusion and love for our fellow human beings. Not an easy ask by any means, but it's achievable. Forgive, accept, include, care, understand. Again, do as you would be done by and yes, you will get back what you give.

 

What would you like to see less of in the world?

 

It's very easy to identify and name what you'd like to see MORE of in the world, as I experienced when I asked this question nearly 16 years ago, and stood on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, reading out what people wanted to see more of. 

You can read about it here and here.

But what about seeing LESS of some things in this world of ours? I ask this at a time of global upheaval and change, of war and dissent; as I write, Russia's invasion and attack on Ukraine continues after three long years of years of conflict. More recently India and Pakistan have been bombing each other over the long-standing dispute about who should "own" Kashmir, while Israel seems bent on ethnically cleansing and bombing Gaza out of existence for Palestinians.

Alongside this there are some sections of society and leaders of some countries throughout the world who appear to want a return to the rise of Fascism in the 1930s. And we know where that led. At the same time, there is a drift towards less tolerance of anything or viewpoint or lifestyle which doesn't conform to what might be regarded as the "norm". Anti-woke attitudes are touted, books are removed from libraries and words removed from the lexicon of common parlance if they are deemed to be too "woke", while infuencers spread hatred and dissent through social media.

Is this what we want? Is it the path we want to tread? The world we want our children, and their children, to inherit? Do we want it here and now, in our everyday lives?

In 2022 I wrote here about what I see as a decline in the use, expression and manifestation of transpersonal qualities in everyday life - those simple but essential things and attitudes which benefit everyone, not just one or a few of the privileged or those in positions of power. These qualities are what, in life, you can value as you recognise their worth, but you can't put a price on them. They are priceless but cost nothing, and I looked at how the energies of each of the transpersonal planets - Uranus, Neptune and Pluto - can be expressed via three levels. 

These levels apply to all planets and their expression, especially the personal planets, whose qualities and energies we express in everyday life; let's call these levels of consciousness "Asleep", "Waking" and "Awake":

 "Asleep" planetary energy is expressed through automatic survival behaviour with little or no self-awareness.

• This what we could do with less of -  interactive human behaviours which lack empathy, where the individual is bent on its own survival and lacks self-awareness.

"Waking" behaviour comes from a place of greater awareness but is largely "me" oriented.

• This level of increased consciousness and more aware behaviour moves in a more promising direction, but oh dear.......if it is predominatantly "me" oriented then we have the  strutting, intrusive "in your face" stuff of the "me, me" narcissist, often someone who wants to be in control. Right now the world could do with a lot less of this, especially from some world leaders.

 "Awake" behaviour is fully conscious, directed, focussed and inclusive.

• This is what would be welcome. More of this would be most welcome - refer back to what people told me, back in 2009, when I stood on the Plinth and read out their desired shopping list of what they'd like to see more of in the world.
  

Then ask yourself the question: "What could I do to bring some of MORE of these qualities into the world right now, and consider how you might go about it.

Engage your Sun - your mind, your sense of self, your ability to choose, be decisive and discriminating, and use your personal will to determine what you might do. Click here for some suggestions on this.

Whatever you do doesn't have to be big or massively ambitious - it may be as simple as sharing a smile with someone or saying hello, or doing a small act of kindness - the possibilities are limitless and the positive effects will ripple outwards to counteract the tsunami of  unpleasant stuff which we'd all be better off having less of in the world right now.

 

Power, Pluto, and Symptoms of Megalomania

In their book, The Planets and their Psychological Meaning, Bruno and Louise Huber share their insights into the planets and associated observable patterns of human behaviour for each planet. They describe behaviours being expressed at three different levels, or stages:

At stage 1, the person will be largely unaware and attached to matter and what is  material; it's what they call a "blind stage" as far as awareness is concerned.

At stage 2, the person's emotional responses are engaged, often resulting in a polarity, an opposition, and of learning the difference between positive and negative.

At stage 3, the person is able to discriminate and form accurate judgements as a greater self-awareness kicks in. In a nutshell, it's all about growing and developing awareness of self and ultimately, of others.

I share this in light of the current global situation where a tariff war, affecting trade and stability in just about every country in the world, was started on 2nd April 2025 by the 47th president of the United States. You can see his chart here.

The Hubers outline manifestations of each of the planets used in Huber-style charts at these three stages. For manifestations of Pluto (for without a doubt, that is the flavour of the energies the current incumbent at the White House is engaging with and expressing) they suggest:

"Masks, egomania, use of power, imposing the will, destructiveness, stirring up of what is suppressed, crises" for stage 1. 

"Megalomania, drivenness......" are among their suggestions for stage 2, and for stage 3, where discrimination, fairness, self-awareness and a loosening of the individual's ego needs are more evident, they suggest "...effective power, making a creative contribution to evolution".

But let's stay with stage 1 for now, because it seems to dominate the observable behaviour, responses, language and general demeanour of this 47th president. Hardly a day goes by without more jaw-dropping news of further heavier tarrifs for some countries, while others appear to be getting an easy ride. Like a yo-yo bouncing up and down, the parameters, boundaries and rules are switched on and then off.

It's an object lesson in power and ego-ridden behaviour, where things are changed, seemingly on a whim, and if there is criticism within the inner circle, heads roll as people are dismissed. Like the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, who is childish and quick to give death sentences at even the slightest of offences, numerous news reports echo  this aspect of the president's behaviour.

In The Planets the Hubers go further. Examples they give of stage 1 Pluto behaviour are here, and  I quote:

"Pluto is always involved in problems of power. One calls for an unlimited reach of power, believing oneself to be the best, the greatest and the only one who is right. In the case of hardened ego powers this gives rise to megalomania or egomania, where a person thinks only he is right and everyone else is a novice.....A lack of consideration for the demands of others and ruthlessness are the unpleasant side of Pluto on this level. All its efforts are mobilised, it fights like one possessed for its property, status and power. Anyone who wants to contest this power will be labelled an enemy who must be go rid of."   (Extract from The Planets, p.89, B&L Huber)

In terms of Age Progression, the 47th president's Age Point is currently in the 2nd house for The Second Time Around (click for more info on this) He's 78, and in terms of Age Point, has re-entered  the phase of life first encountered at ages 6 to 12 years. 

Between the ages of 6 and 12, the child establishes him/herself amongst peers, creating a sphere of personal possessions. In the 2nd house the child defines and defends his/her territory and possessions, which may determine behaviour in later life. Whereas at ages 6 to 12 the 2nd house  is about gathering and hanging on to possessions, at ages 78 to 81, it's about letting go.

A final thought/quote, in this post which attempts to throw some light and astrological-psychological understanding on current events and the person driving them:

"This house is about letting go, but the 2nd house can also reignite a preoccupation with material possessions. Those of a materialistic frame of mind surround themselves with material possessions; become tight-fisted, unwilling to part with anything. They are scared of being short-changed.....become jealous and take all possible precautions lest anyone deprive them of anything."  (Extract from The Second Time Around, p.15, J&B Hopewell. See also The Planets, p.251)

 

Top Tips for budding astrologers and dummies

 

12 Top Tips for Budding Astrologers 

 

 a FREE download for newbies, dummies and other astrologically interested parties

 

  Ideas and suggestions to get you started on chart interpretation - and keep you going!

   

It's available here to download for free and it includes some of the Astrology Tips I've written about on this blog, plus extra material I've added to enlarge on each of the 12 Tips. There are some practical exercises to do too, to help you focus, and there are illustrations and charts.

Contents:

Tip #1 Essential Information                

Tip #2  Starting Out

Tip #3 Colour and Motivation

Tip #4 Doorstep Planets

Tip #5 The Quadrants

Tip #6 Unaspected Planets

Tip #7 Conflict and Tension

Tip #8 Low Point Planets

Tip #9 Levels of the Planets

Tip #10 Understanding Life’s Journey

Tip #11 The House Chart

Tip #12 The Low Point and the Mid-Life Crisis

I hope it helps, hits the spot and sets you on your way towards being a more competent user of the Huber Method. It offers straightforward guidance and clarity to combine with any studies you're doing using books on Astrological Psychology or with a tutor, if you are following the Diploma course book.

 

Good luck. Enjoy! 

Comment from Mark Douglas when he was a Student. Now qualified, he offers tuition and guidance for diploma course students:
Thanks for your thoughts on the four quadrants, Joyce. I'm just entering Module 4. I have The Astrological Houses book and I was still looking for a bit more practical understandings. Bingo! this does the trick. 

My reply:
Very good to hear my take on the Quadrants was helpful for you. When we had  workshops as part of the Diploma course, the practical work on the Quadrants we did would always throw up more clarity for those who were struggling with them. I find the Quadrants very useful/revealing in that they offer an instant insight into where someone might be coming from, and also, with empty Quadrant(s) what they might lack in, or seek to avoid (nothing there to encourage them into this area of life, therefore potentially scary/stressful/of little interest).