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An Explosive Horary

Washington, D.C. astrologer Barbara Watters included a chart in her Horary Astrology book for an employee accepting a job with a less than ideal chart for the offer. It was her husband, James W. Watters, and he died in a lab explosion on the job when he was 59.

We don’t have his time of birth, but he was born on May 23, 1909 in Selma, Alabama. He was a civilian employee working on an experiment in rocket fuel combustion for the Navy. We can see his work with potentially dangerous materials in his Sun-Mars-Jupiter T-square. He must have been very quick and bright with the Sun also in Gemini, but I’ve personally found that Mars-Jupiter oppositions can be somewhat clumsy or accident prone. James had Jupiter in careful Virgo which probably had alleviated the tendency somewhat.

He had another T-square with Saturn in Aries squaring Uranus in Capricorn and Neptune in Cancer, and while this could indicate expertise and innovation, it, too, might also symbolize the need to take care with noxious chemicals (Neptune) or potentially combustible materials (Uranus). The Moon in Cancer may also be involved in the pattern, which could impact his physical health more strongly.

The only flowing aspects in the chart are Mercury conjunct Pluto in Gemini, both trine Mars, another pattern that may suggest dangerous situations. Though he must have had a strong analytical mind and good research skills (he had a PhD). Ultimately, the potential for a life threatening accident is in his birth chart (though of course we don’t have his time of birth).

James held the job for eight years, so the horary worked well for some time. The chart is set for the time when he opened the letter with the offer, after months of searching. He’d already rejected three previous offers due to “hopelessly bad charts.” He’d been “critically ill” with a “serious infection” and didn’t start work for several months.

Sagittarius rising and Jupiter in the 1^st house represent James, since he had initiated the job search, and the Sun will sextile Jupiter, so he got the job. The position itself is ruled by Venus in the 12^th (ruling the 6^th of work), and the Moon in the 8^th house is about to trine it. Barbara associated these in the horary with secrets, and the work demanded a top secret security clearance, which James had. (I’d guess that some of his natal planets were also in the 8^th and 12^th to do this type of work.)

Barbara didn’t like the Mars opposite Saturn, which she thought could create some “serious difficulties.” After the eight years, James developed some friction with his immediate supervisors, and started looking for another job. Not long after, he and a colleague were killed in the explosion on January 23, 1968. The fire only did minor damage to the lab. In her 1973 book, Barbara said that nothing about the cause of the explosion was ever revealed.

She felt that the timing in the horary was indicated by solar arc Mars conjoining the Moon (his dissatisfaction) and squaring the Sun (the accident). She often found the Nodes to be sensitive degrees, that any planet in the same degree in the horary was a “fateful testimony,” sometimes connected with an actual fatality. Mercury closely squares the Nodes. Pluto also squares the Ascendant/Descendant axis.

I might have considered James the 7^th house, since the offer was initiated by the Navy. In that case, he was represented by Mercury, which seems a more obvious indication of what occurred. Whatever rules we use, Jupiter in Sagittarius also doesn’t seem like a weak, recuperating man to me.

At 59, James was experiencing his Jupiter return, which had also just squared his Sun and Mars, interesting due to the emphasis on Jupiter in the horary, and the issues with Jupiter in detriment as part of the natal T-square. Jupiter can certainly be explosive. Saturn would only return later in the year. Transiting Neptune in Scorpio squared his Mars, and Pluto in Virgo was within a degree of squaring natal Mercury, reiterating Pluto’s squares in the horary.

These charts make me wonder about the role of fate and free will. If James hadn’t accepted the offer, or the Navy hadn’t been so patient about delaying his employment, what would have happened? Could he have died in an explosion in a different research lab? How long does a horary answer last, and how influential could it be? And I wonder how much Barbara really saw in the chart, since she identified James with Jupiter rising.

James’ birthday on May 23, 1909 is from FindAGrave.com.

The horary is on page 130 in Watters’ Horary Astrology, which has been republished by the AFA.

About my reviews and links.

Cornerstones of Astrology

Cornerstones of Astrology is an unusual book with a curious history that was inspired by the work of Jean-Baptiste Morin de Villefranche (1583-1656).

Morin’s magnum opus, Astrologia Gallica was published in Latin in 1661, five years after his death, and not many took notice. The book was rescued from obscurity by French astrologer Henri Selva (b. 1861), who translated its most important section (Book 21) on synthesizing the horoscope in 1897, and wrote a commentary a few years later, making turn of the century French readers aware of the depth of Morin’s thinking.

Viennese astrologers Friedrich “Sinbad” Schwickert (1837-1930 – a frigate captain) and Adolf Weiss, M.D. (1888-1956) digested Selva’s books and together wrote a 5-volume work, Bausteine der Astrologie (Leipzig 1925-1927) based on Morin’s techniques. Weiss later relocated to Argentina (a wise move since at least one of Sinbad’s other astrology students was killed by the Nazis), and published a Spanish version of the work in 1945.

Cornerstones of Astrology is a 1972 English translation by an unidentified astrologer based on the Schwickert and Weiss Spanish translation. It seems to me that it covers only the first two original German volumes, on the elements and synthesis (the latter once again following Morin’s crucial Book 21).

Quotes from Selva’s work are some of the most compelling parts of the text, along with those from Morin himself. The authors nevertheless state that Selva was “not very successful on his enterprise.” Were they more familiar with Morin’s original work? Only somewhat, it appears, as they admit it was written in “an almost incomprehensible Latin.” Nevertheless, Cornerstones effectively communicates Morin’s techniques and shows how charts can be judged using it.

The first half of the book describes the Primary Characteristics (hot, cold, wet, dry and fire, earth, air and water) and Essential Nature of the planets, signs and houses. These include lists with more modern esoteric discussions that reference Ptolemy and 19^th to early 20^th texts as sources, with much having little to do with traditional astrology. Uranus and Neptune are addressed, and Pluto mentioned but not included, due to a lack of research. I don’t feel the first part of the book works particularly well.

With the chapter on Cosmic State and Local Determination, we finally begin to get into Morin’s techniques. Cosmic State relates to each planet’s strength from its sign, malefic or benefic nature and aspects. Local (or Accidental) Determination or Terrestrial State takes a planet’s house placement and rulerships into consideration; in other words, where the planets fall, come from and lead to at a particular time and place. Do they have analogous meanings with the houses they’re in and planets they combine with? Do they facilitate or hinder the affairs of the houses they’re involved with, and how? All of these considerations will inform our judgment.

The book goes on to describe how the techniques work in example horoscopes. While at times the astrologers digress, their analysis is thorough and focused ( I sensed a Virgo approach and indeed, both were Virgo). Schwickert and Weiss communicate Morin’s ideas and show how the facets of the horoscope are inter-related in charts. I don’t know of another text that goes into such great depth of systematic analysis. (Patti Tobin Brittain’s Planetary Powers presents isolated elements of similar considerations without real chart examples.)

The criteria used range in importance from planetary position and essential dignity to house associations and rulerships, then finally aspects. General significators (the Moon for the mother, Saturn for the father) are too general, but may be helpful when they coincide with more specific determinations found in the birth chart (like Saturn in the 4^th or the Sun ruling the 10^th house).

The steps are challenging enough in themselves, but there are additional hurdles. Schwickert and Weiss use abbreviations: “M” represents malefics and “m” accidental malefics, for example, and houses are given in Roman numerals, both of which I found unwieldly. In addition, aspect symbols are used but sometimes the characters aren’t printed completely. (The authors share Saturn in detriment in the 7^th house – perhaps creating a barrier to access?) There are typos in some of the charts (one has no date listed and there are other errors and omissions). The three charts from Morin don’t include the modern planets, while the others do, and most of the authors’ collection of charts give times to the second, with no indication of how they were rectified. The 1972 English translation is not the best overall, and has made no attempt to update original comments on sexuality and lifestyle, which some today may find objectionable.

Finally, Schwickert and Weiss only present the steps of their judgment that are necessary to see how the combinations of planets, houses and aspects work together. But all charts are in the appendix, so the reader must continually flip back and forth between charts and text, often with little reminder of who the people are. No charts are completely delineated in one place.

Despite its limitations, Cornerstones of Astrology is written by expert astrologers, covers an amazing amount of ground and provides worked examples of how Morin may have looked at horoscopes. As a result, this book is unique and valuable.

Check out my blog post on Morin and his Astrologia Gallica, which has additional links.

Buy Cornerstones of Astrology on Amazon.com.

(About my Amazon links.)

A Simple Horary

When I first became interested in horary astrology, I’d try to get an overall impression of the chart. What was strong? What was weak? What was notable? General considerations like these can often hint at an answer. When I do horaries these days, I still start there. You can’t ignore the rules, but I find I often don’t need a highly detailed, rigorous analysis to get the correct answer, particularly with simple questions.

On Tuesday, August 18, 2020, when much was closed due to the coronavirus, I changed into sneakers to run to the grocery store, leaving my slippers on the bedroom floor. When I returned, only one slipper was there. I searched the room, under dressers and near my other shoes. Nothing. It was puzzling; a slipper doesn’t just disappear. When it didn’t turn up, I ordered a new pair the next day. But it nagged at me – what had become of the slipper? I finally did a horary at 9:52 a.m. on August 20.

With all the personal planets above the horizon, the general tenor of the chart looked promising with the Moon given nice trines all around. And there’s a lot of essential dignity, with the Sun in Leo, Mercury in Virgo, Mars in Aries and Saturn in Capricorn, all in the signs they rule, making them more helpful. Definitely more of a “Yes” than a “No” chart.

The Ascendant ruler, representing me, is Venus in Cancer conjunct the MC, which also seemed good: a benefic in the house often associated with success. Venus squares the Ascendant and opposes Jupiter in Capricorn, so I was at cross-purposes with myself, clinging to a comfortable old item that remained out of reach.

The Moon is the querent’s co-ruler, and in Virgo in the 12^th house also nicely describes my bewilderment over the small, functional, missing item. The Moon had trined Uranus in the 8^th house in the past, showing a sudden event that remained obscure. It would soon oppose Neptune, suggesting that the mystery will remain, at least for a while. But the Moon’s double-approaching trines to retrograde Jupiter, Pluto and finally Saturn in the 4^th house were hopeful signs that the slipper should be home where I expected it. Certainly there would be an end to the suspense!

The Moon is ruled by the dignified Mercury, which is good, but combust the Sun – not so good. On the plus side, I felt that Mercury in Virgo was a terrific significator for my lightweight little slipper, with the Sun overshadowing it somehow. I tried to think what the Sun represented in the room and immediately thought of the floor lamp in the corner, not far from where I’d left the slippers. I searched closer to the lamp area, though again turned up nothing. It was so clear in the horary! I sat there for a while thinking. It couldn’t be the ceiling light or the lamp on the night-table, nowhere near where I’d put on my sneakers.

What else in the room was like the Sun? It finally hit me: the radiator right next to the floor lamp – not light, but heat! The radiator cover is about an inch off the floor in some places. I slid my hand under it and found the missing slipper. It seemed amazing that it could’ve slid under such a narrow opening, but I must have kicked it across the floor as I left the room. Mystery solved.

The new slippers were delivered a few days later. If Scorpio on the 2^nd is my purchase, and Mars in Aries the new item, its square to Saturn shows my rush to order a replacement as well as my overcompensation. Not the worst outcome from a Mars square Saturn!

Out-of-Bounds Doctor

In a stunning settlement, the University of Southern California agreed to pay $1.1 billion to compensate over 700 sexual abuse victims for their experiences with long-time student gynecologist, Dr. George Tyndall. The agreement is the largest of its kind, an admission of the gravity of the doctor’s behavior. How is a perpetrator of such extensive abuse able to continue for so long?

May 22, 2018 (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

Dr. Tyndall’s prominent T-square shows his long-term position (Sun, Mercury and Mars in Capricorn), his attraction to young people (the Moon in Cancer – a full Moon chart) and his hidden, distorted reality (all square Neptune). Saturn in Leo in its detriment conjunct Pluto and inconjunct Mercury in Capricorn seems a clear indication of his abuse of his position and power over his teenage patients. Mars exalted in Capricorn allowed him to persist for nearly a full Saturn cycle of 27 years. Jupiter in Scorpio sextile Tyndall’s Sun reflects his specialty as well as his ability to escape prosecution for so long.

Tyndall began the job in the summer of 1989, with transiting Saturn conjunct his Capricorn Sun. He was suspended in 2016 as Saturn conjoined his South Node in Sagittarius. Complaints of the doctor’s inappropriate comments, traumatizing physical acts and improper photographs of patients began in the 1990s and continued through the year of his removal. Neptune’s squares seem obvious from both his lack of boundaries and interest in photography. His offices were described as cluttered and unsanitary.

Powerful placements and aspects like these don’t necessarily make someone a “bad” person. Actresses Sandy Dennis and Andréa Ferréol, both born on the same day, channeled their Neptunian energies into more productive lives.

Perhaps most significantly, though, are the doctor’s aspects in declination. The Moon, Mercury and Pluto, all placed out-of-bounds (along with Mars just beginning to step OOB at 23 S 27’) show the negative expression of these energies and how Tyndall countered norms, particularly for one in a position of power and authority over young women. Kt Boehrer associated the OOB Moon for men with having few or no children, and Tyndall also appears to have had none. His wife, found through a matrimonial service, was around 20 years his junior and eventually returned to the Philippines.

Dr. Tyndall was charged with over 30 felony counts of sexual abuse beginning in June of 2019, as Saturn again conjoined his Sun. His trial is pending.

Ancestry.com provided the birth date for George R. Tyndall (January 6, 1947 in Plattsburgh, NY, I used a noon chart – no time available). The Los Angeles Times of December 19, 2018 confirms the year of birth and provided background information for this post.

Evangeline Adams Bio Update

Amazon.com is pushing the old (2002) version of Foreseeing the Future: Evangeline Adams and Astrology in America and only brings up the new version in digital. (They must have some in stock that they’re discounting.)

If you’re interested in the 2019 update, please use this link, and be sure to order the cover featured here.

Measles!

New York’s Commissioner of Health and Mayor de Blasio just ordered mandatory vaccinations for all people in four zip codes in Williamsburg, Brooklyn who haven’t demonstrated immunity to the measles. It seems like NYC is caving in to its 9th house Neptune, exaggerating people’s fear as well as their reliance on modern science and medicine. It highlights the fact that in almost all broadcast media, science and medicine are universally judged to be both “good” and “right.”

One might understand ordering unvaccinated children to stay home from school, as they also did in Rockland County (though the order was struck down by a judge). I don’t like to court controversy, and frankly I’m not sure what I’d do if I had kids.

This is a disease that 60 years ago was considered “not particularly dangerous in the young, unless they are exposed to a severe drought of cold air. In old age it is much more dangerous and deaths from it are not infrequent.” (World Scope Encyclopedia, 1958) Adults can certainly make up their own minds. In my parents’ day, measles was considered an expected disease that many experienced in childhood (it shouldn’t be confused with Rubella or German measles, which may be dangerous to unborn children).

As of today, the New York City Department of Health reports that there are “285 confirmed cases of measles in Brooklyn and Queens since October.” 228 of them were in Williamsburg, the neighborhood that now has the mandated vaccinations. That’s about 38 cases a month for six months. Not really an epidemic.

Measles comes and goes and has never been completely eradicated. Yet if you listen to our scientifically-minded officials, we’re in a state of emergency. Neptune is leading them to a place of hysteria. We are not talking about Typhoid Mary here!

As astrologers, we know that science generally attacks our beliefs. They are now going further. My objection to the Court Order has to do with the general reliance our society has on western medicine. While we have to admit that they can be helpful at times, my own experience, as well as those of my family and many friends, is that doctors over-test, over-treat and over-prescribe. These things often weaken the body further. And of course the system is in a shambles. I wish I could find a medical doctor who could get to know you and give you sound advice. In my experience, they have always been few and far between. They, too, are squeezed by the insurance companies and are also earning a lot less than they used to.

Any evening news will routinely report on the latest scientific developments and breakthroughs. Most of them relate to pharmaceuticals. What they don’t tell you is that most of these are in very early preliminary trials. And if you pay attention, you’ll notice that they usually exhibit an extremely strong bias toward science. I have yet to read or hear – except in a few special interest publications or independent websites – any opposing views. Isn’t there room for disagreement?

The Saturn and Pluto stations this month conjoin the City’s 4th house Mercury in March, suggesting paranoia and control, and the Nodes are involved in that pattern too. Jupiter is stationing near the midpoint of The City’s Venus-Mars conjunction in Sagittarius, and opposite its Neptune in the 9th: an over-reaction.

When to Act? And How?

Astrologers are often called upon to advise on the coming planetary weather. When important life events are on the horizon, it’s helpful to know what to expect in the coming months and years. Clients will take our advice when they can. But we often see examples of people who, without the benefit of astrology, acted unwisely.

A neighbor had a dispute with his landlord. I happen to know his birthday. He has a lease, but rather stubbornly resisted any compromises offered. His progressed Sun was just past sextiling natal Uranus. In January, transiting Jupiter trined his Saturn. Then in March, Saturn sextiled his Uranus. These would’ve been good times to settle with the manager, as the Sun’s aspect might bring an innovative solution, Jupiter’s transit could stabilize legal issues, and Saturn’s bring about some change. We should always try to take advantage of helpful influences that the Universe provides for us!

In addition, though, the progressed Sun and Mercury will go on to approach a square to Neptune, creating a T-square with natal Venus opposite Neptune. And the neighbor also had Neptune squaring Neptune during this period, a long-term transit. He did seem to have illusions about the future of the relationship and what he could hope to achieve. An astrologer would advise clients not to hold out for something unrealistic. Though admittedly with Neptune, people find it hard to know what is unrealistic.

The months went on, with the landlord making concessions in hopes of avoiding a court case. The neighbor refused to budge. In April, Uranus squared his Sun and Jupiter squared both his Mercury, then Saturn. The Jupiter aspects might make one feel that they have “the law” on their side, but they add challenges to resolve any issues. And certainly with Uranus squaring the Sun, the situation might radically change. It did.

The landlord finally offered a deadline, which was missed. He then called a lawyer, and the neighbor will now have to take the time and trouble to go to court to resolve the matter. Neptune will exactly square the tenant’s Venus in July, and the hard transits from Jupiter repeat in September: things may not be resolved for some time. Jupiter will trine the neighbor’s Sun in November, when Saturn also sextiles his Uranus again. So things may ultimately be resolved to his satisfaction (five months away).

Evangeline Adams called working with the planets “intelligent non-resistance.” You can’t control everything. I’m a very Saturnine person who asks, why make things difficult? Life is hard enough. But without the help of astrology, many people can’t know when it’s best to be stubborn or when to take advantage of an offer or opportunity.

Goodreads Giveaway!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Your Wedding Astrologer

by Karen Christino

Giveaway ends January 28, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

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My New Evangeline Adams Novel!

I’m thrilled to announce the publication of The Precious Pachyderm, my new mystery novel featuring Evangeline Adams. Scroll down for more. You can also read my article about how I got the idea for this book.

Manhattan, 1926. A wealthy businessman found dead. A priceless elephant figurine from an extravagant Indian prince gone missing. And famous astrologer Evangeline Adams is a primary suspect. To save their jobs, Adams’ assistants Mary Adler and Clara Cosentino investigate the astrologer’s classy clients, oddball employees and offbeat associates to help discover who really committed the crime. And Evangeline solves her first case with the help of astrology in this funny, fast-paced whodunit.
Buy Kindle version — The Precious Pachyderm (An Evangeline Adams Mystery Book 1)
Buy print version — The Precious Pachyderm (An Evangeline Adams Mystery) (Volume 1)

Jupiter in Cancer – the Politics of Emotion

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg uncharacteristically choked up when he addressed the Association for a Better NY on December 5, 2013 for the last time. Is this astro-logical for a man who has the Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus all in Aquarius and very little water in his horoscope?

Many of our political leaders allow themselves displays of emotion these days. President Obama almost cried when he talked about his daughters and the Newtown CT shootings, and in thanking his election campaign staff. But he’s an open Leo with Venus in sensitive Cancer. Joe Biden choked up during the Vice Presidential debates when speaking of his first wife and daughter who died in a car crash, though he has Jupiter in Cancer (bigger emotion than the president!). John Boehner frequently gets teary-eyed: when saying a prayer for the victims of the Moore, OK tornado, in considering the awesomeness of the Capitol rotunda on 60 Minutes and upon receiving the Speaker’s gavel. With Venus and Jupiter in Capricorn, this may be more of a political move than a real need to share his feelings with the public; he can’t enjoy doing it. But lest I judge him too quickly I’ll add that he does have Uranus in emotional Cancer (though everyone born within 7 years of him does as well).

As men get older, of course, their hormones change and they’re no longer as macho as they were in their youth. But it seems not only allowable or hip but almost obligatory today for men in politics to display tender feelings.

Bloomberg has been more reserved during his 12 years in office, in keeping with his air and earth planets and private Pluto rising. But transiting Jupiter in Cancer is beginning to conjoin his Ascendant, bringing Jupiter issues and his emotions to the forefront of his consciousness. On Thursday he spoke about what he considers NYC’s values, including religious freedom and immigrant rights, both Jupiter–related issues. He also twice mentioned his unborn grandson. (We almost didn’t know he had a family!) This is a Cancerian concern and the only water in his chart is Cancer rising.

With Jupiter conjoining his Ascendant, it should be something of a release for Bloomberg to leave office and become a private citizen once again.

Michael Bloomberg was born on February 14, 1942 at 3:40 PM according to his birth record on Astrodatabank.