Let’s do Astrology - the Key Stages

1. The Sun dominates the astrological landscape; so let’s regard it as the primary influence.

2. Because the Sun defines the identity of a person, then it should rule the house of Identity - the first house. (Each house in a horoscope represents specific areas of a person’s life.)

With the Sun in the first house then every other house is defined by the sign the Sun is in. So if the Sun is in Libra then the first house is Libra, the second house Scorpio, and so on around the horoscope wheel. What we are talking about is the Solar House system.

A large number of House systems exist in astrology, and each claims to offer specific advantages. Yet with so many systems how can astrology be presented to the public in a cohesive way? The Solar House method is based on the obvious fact that the Sun dominates the Horoscope. It sets an unequivocal standard that, through investigation, proves itself to be remarkably consistent. In addition, the method makes understanding astrology much easier for the average person.

3. The planets in their signs represent a compelling astrological force. For example, in a fight would you want Mars in Pisces (sensitive) or Mars in Aries (aggressive)? It is obvious that the influence of the Sign has a significant impact on the astrological landscape. Along with this is the compatibility of the signs themselves. For example, Gemini and Libra relate very well - both are Air signs (talking and thinking); whereas Taurus (consolidation) and Aquarius (reformation) have very different agendas.
4. Within this framework we look at the aspects (angular relationship in degrees) between the planets to determine the strength of the resonance between the planets in their Signs. Remember, the planets broadcast a powerful influence that reflects the qualities of the Sign they are in.

5. We look at the Ascendant and the MidHeaven (special points highly dependent on knowing the time of birth) as points that highlight distinctiveness. Many birth times lack certainty. Much of current astrology suffers in such cases. Debates arise about the exact time - such as that pertaining to the exact time the USA was “born”! Uncertain birth times are clarified by ‘rectification’ - a backwards working process that uses standards that can vary considerably. Yet we have the weight of the sun and planets in their Signs yielding substantial and profound meanings. Where should the emphasis be placed?

Why Simplify?

I suspect that in the development of astrology a certain amount of obsession crept in which sought to highlight distinctiveness. In this process the time of birth, and the associated emphasis on the Ascendant, became accepted as the proper approach. But is it?

People born on the same day share many similarities, but each person makes choices that lead to their own unique context. Even so, the astrological similarities still overshadow each person, but in different forms. Remember, the language of astrology has many meanings. Mars can mean a car or a gun or the body. Two people born the same day may still fulfill the meanings of Mars, yet live substantially different lives. A Horoscope must always connect with the context of a person’s life; after that, the influence of the zodiac is much clearer and interpretation more relevant.

Summarising this view: the Sun rules, it determines house rulership; the planets “speak” through the Signs, and the degree of resonance (the aspects) comes after this.

The Challenge

For those of you familiar with astrology, this approach appears to be back-to-front in terms of how many Astrologers present their astrological readings. Yet application of this natural order of influence reveals clear and unequivocal insights.

The real challenge comes in “trying it on”. I did not find it easy to adopt this approach, at first, as it was “not the norm”, but reviewing thousands of horoscopes drew me to the conclusion that this approach is clearer and more consistent than any other approach I have found.

I see no point in isolating people from a simpler, more comprehensible form of astrology. Solar House astrology, combined with the “order of significance” given here, competes well with the interpretive standards of virtually all the arcane and esoteric systems usually used today.

Personally, I cannot justify offering complex, and possibly obsessive, astrological practices to the public when a simpler and richer option exists. My video horoscopes are aimed, in part, at making the case for this approach to be adopted more widely. Let’s step back and see the forest again, it’s quite spectacular.

I hope you enjoy the view.

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