The Power of Antiscia Video Lecture

The complete audio lecture and slideshow of the talk I gave at the United Astrology Conferenece in May 2012 is available. On this day, the transiting Sun and transiting Mercury were actually in precise antiscia to my own natal Sun and Mercury! 

The talk outlines what antiscia is, as well as why and how to use it. A brief historical context is given, in addition to its application to modern musicians, comics, and politician charts.

If you'd like to comment or ask questions, please do so below. 
Or you can email me privately at kate(at)kate-petty.com  

http://vimeo.com/user12052351/the-power-of-antiscia-by-kate-petty 

Whitney Houston, Big Voices, and Some Simple Antiscia

The power of antiscia can be seen in a natal chart very simply and strikingly sometimes. I've been finding a particular antiscia signature with some frequency in the charts of musicians, and singers specifically: Mercury antiscia to Jupiter. A big or great voice. 

Here, on the 360 degree dial, is the natal chart for the late, and very vocally talented, Whitney Houston.

(Note: The 360 degree dial does not change the placement of planets in a chart, or their relation to each other or to the angles, but instead emphasizes their connection to the cardinal axis (the solstice and equinox points falling at 0 CANCER/CAPRICORN and 0 ARIES/LIBRA). The dial makes for a quick and easy way to see antiscia and contra-antiscia (terms used for planets falling evenly around the cardinal points). Since everything on earth is dependent upon and affected by seasonal changes, the cardinal axis is a point we all share and is therefore important and relevant for everyone. It is a point through which we connect to the world.)

In Whitney Houston's chart Mercury sits at 10'15 VIRGO and that is the exact mirror or shadow point (antiscia) to Jupiter placed at 19'29 ARIES. 

We also find here the antiscia of Jupiter to Pluto, which ought to add even greater power and influence. At its best Jupiter|Pluto is regenerative, providing an ability to transform and develop something, to build something up and make it better; at its worst it can lead to excess, or great accumulation and wastefulness.  

A third powerful signature we find in her chart by contra-antiscia (planets falling symmetrically around the Aries/Libra axis, or equinoc­tial points) is Sun to Neptune. This illuminates her mystique and appeal, but is likely also indicative of the trouble and addictive situations she faced. 

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To reiterate this theme of great voices, and the antiscia of Mercury|Jupiter on the cardinal axis, here are the charts for two other phenomenal vocalists, Sinead O'Connor and Gillian Welch. 

Both charts have Mercury contra-antiscia to Jupiter. Also, Jupiter is in a superior position (earlier in zodiacal degree) to Mercury and, in these two charts, is connected by a sign-based square. 

In Sinead O'Connor's chart Mercury is located at about 26 SCORPIO while Jupiter sits at 04 LEO. In Gillian Welch's chart Mercury is 03 SCO and Jupiter is 27 LEO. These places are regarded by some ancient astrologers as the "hearing" or "commanding/obeying" signs. Read more about this on SevenStars blog. 

A nice thing about antiscia, and midpoints generally, is that you can examine a chart that does not have a birth time and still gather quite a bit of information about a person or situation (as revealed with the two charts above). Though remember to disregard the angles of the chart, and also do not put much emphasis on the Moon due to its speed. 

I do of course advocate using charts with good birth data. Nothing can replace the depth and structure and sound foundational story one finds through examining a chart in its traditional form, like the one below.

   

* If you are confused by the chart above not having house cusps, please understand that I use and encourage everyone to try whole sign houses. I still use the angles and see them as incredibly strong points in the chart, especially when planets are advancing toward them or have just passed them by, but I prefer whole sign houses for topical purposes. A whole sign house system is elegant, simple, powerful, and makes the most sense to me theoretically. 

personal points on the cardinal axis

Abe   ... As in Abraham Lincoln ...

Abe is the example I will use to illuminate the power of Personal Points on the cardinal axis. But first, a quick description of the personal points and cardinal axis.

In Uranian Astrology (aka Symmetrical Astrology) personal points are a big deal. The six personal points are the Sun, Moon, Node(s), Midheaven (MC), Ascendant (AS), and Aries point (meaning zero degrees of any cardinal sign -- Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn).  

Through the personal points we connect to things. Through the Sun we connect via our will, purpose, body; through the Moon it is with our feelings, emotions, and perception. The Ascendant connects us to our locale, our immediate environment. Through the MC we find our sense of "I" or "my," our soul connectedness. It is the place within, from which we look up and out. In a way, I like to think of the MC as connecting us to spirit. The Nodes are all about connections or unions by themselves, showing us how and with whom we'll connect. And finally the Aries point, which is both the cardinal axis and the intersection of the two great circles of the Ecliptic and the Equator, is the way in which everyone and everything connects in and to the world. The Aries point is the personal point we all share. 

My teacher Gary Christen would say a person who has personal points on the cardinal axis is going to be very visible and known in the world. You will see that Abraham Lincoln serves as a great example of this.

What does it mean (technically) to have personal points on the cardinal axis? When we say a person has points on the axis we are not limited to their having points directly at 0 degree cardinals, though that works too. We are interested in whether there are points "wrapping around" the axis as well. This is called antiscia: when points fall on either side of 0 degrees cardinal in perfect symmetry. 

Note: Zero degrees Cancer/Capricorn are the Solstice Points. 

Second Note: Antiscia, sometimes referred to as Solstice Points, have been used for a very long time. Hellenistic authors refer to them not infrequently. 

As an example, in the chart for today, we see that Mars resides at less than 1 degree Cancer. This means that Mars sits directly on the cardinal axis. 

But in the chart for the the Summer Solstice, June 21, 2011, we see several other points are antiscia to one another on the cardinal axis.

Here we find Node Pluto are anitscia, and also Jupiter Ascendant (Note: AS is only relevant in the immediate locale, here in Seattle. Lucky us.) Node Pluto would be indicative of transformative and powerful connections, changing connections, possibly concealed or subversive connections, and likely major power struggles. 

Back to Abe. 

Let's first check out his chart on the classic pie wheel.

We notice right away the strong angular Sun in Aquarius and the Moon residing in Capricorn. I find Saturn at the top of the chart (with Neptune) a very interesting feature, as it resides in the famous Gauquelin sector. Isn't Saturn so very appropriate for Lincoln? From his stature, to issues with melancholy, his reflective nature, his social commitment and responsibilities... And it is Saturn, of course, that disposits both the Sun and the Moon. I also find it quite fascinating that all of the 5 innermost planets, Sun through Mars, are in detriment! Just one planet, Jupiter, is in its own domicle.  

Next let's look at the chart on the 360 degree wheel. 

Look at those personal points! 

At first glance we see 4 of the 5 personal points sitting on the axis. The Sun lies antiscia to the Node, general connections in the public, to reach out and make contact, meetings with others. The Moon lies antiscia to Saturn, connecting with laboring and suppressed people, work with the public (moon), also feeling inhibited, somber or lonely. And the Ascendant to Node, connections with many in one's environment, many acquaintances, a kind of group identity.

Upon closer examination however, if you note where that tiny black dot is by the MC, the fifth and final point, the MC, is actually pulled in by 22.5 degrees. 

This is easier to see on the 90 degree wheel.

What this means is that President Lincoln has every single one of his personal points on the cardinal axis.

We can most definitely say he is a man known in the world.

To conclude, I find it personally interesting that upon writing this post his Node is coming due to his Sun by solar arc.

Is he connecting with the world again?   

The chart (moment) (person) lives on....