A Different Look at the Wheel: The Principles of Taoism as Expressed in Astrology

THE ALCHEMY OF ASTROLOGY

Alchemy is the blending of two energies, one representing the masculine principle and one representing the feminine principle. In Astrology, the masculine and feminine energies, of planets and signs, are blended in the energy of the connecting angle, this is the third energy that brings the masculine and feminine into interaction. The third energy is what allows the masculine and feminine energies to interact. In Astrology this is the angle of aspect.

If you start the aspect from Aries, you do not see this. You must start from Cancer and move to the right and Leo and move to the left. This will reconstruct the solar system starting with the Sun. The Sun is the anchor of the solar system, followed by its partner the Moon. The Sun represents the conjunction aspect and the Moon represents the opening and closing semi-sextile. Then comes Mercury. Mercury represents the opening and closing sextile. Next is the square aspect associated with Venus. Venus represents the opening and closing square. The trine follows the square. It is associated with Mars and the opening and closing trine. Next comes Jupiter and its association with the opening and closing quincunx. Last is Saturn and its association with the opposition. The first 15 degrees of the opposing sign represents Capricorn. The last fifteen degrees of a sign represents Aquarius.

Uranus continues the pattern, it is matched with Aquarius, the companion sign of Capricorn. Then comes Neptune, the companion sign of Sagittarius. Neptune is followed by Chiron, the wounded healer, placed with Taurus, the companion sign of Libra. Last is Pluto, placed with Scorpio, the companion sign of Aries. Mercury is androgynous, the Moon is a staler light representing the feminine principle and the Sun is the companion of the Moon representing the masculine principle.

The new energy assignments are Sun for the conjunction, Moon for the Semi-sextile, Mercury for the sextile, Venus for the square, Mars for the trine, Jupiter for the quincunx and Saturn for the opposition. Moving to the outer planets we have Uranus for the opposition, Neptune for the quincunx, Pluto for the trine and Chiron for the square.

This is the study of society and your place in society. It has a strong Libra influence as it discusses the alchemy of blending the masculine and feminine energies. The two energies come together in a third energy. The third energy is the energy of interaction. This came to me in a vision in 1974. The vision was simply, from the one comes the two, from the interaction of the two comes the many. The angle of aspect is the energy of interaction between the two planets in aspect. One planet represents the feminine energy and the other planet represents the masculine energy. The outcome is assigned a feminine or masculine energy.

Each sign is masculine or feminine in its nature. A masculine sign is supported by two feminine signs on either side of it. A feminine sign is supported by two masculine signs on either side of it. The semi-sextile is associated with the Moon. The Moon is associated with being the foundation.

Alchemy is two energies blended together, in an agent, a third energy, to produce an outcome. Chemistry is the blending of physical substances that become other physical substances. Alchemy is the blending of the gross animal qualities of the body into higher spiritual qualities of the mind. Thus lead transmutes to gold, lead represents the gross qualities of the body and mind, while gold represents the higher spiritual qualities or the mind, higher consciousness.

Mundane astrology includes prediction and foretelling the future. It is not so much about knowing the future, in my opinion. Alchemical astrology is about change. The zodiac is designed to be a metaphysical discipline. It combines the Greek myths with geometry. The myths are the old stories, the geometry is the angles that bring the heavenly bodies together, in a natal chart. Each planet has a masculine or feminine charge, brought together by the geometry of the circle.

A true aspect formula will have a masculine energy combined with a feminine energy that comes together in an angle. The energy of the angle is the combining agent. The conjunction and the trine aspects are the exception. They are most commonly composed of the same element, but one must be feminine to the other masculine, if they are to form a circuit of energy. Should both elements be of the same nature there will be tension and dysfunction. Each will try to overcome the other and the circulation of energy will greatly reduce or be lost. This is also known as death, the death of a relationship.

This principle is easily observed in speaking. The speaker represents the masculine energy, the listener represents the feminine energy. If both speak at the same time neither is heard by the other. If both listen at the same time, neither speaks and there is no circulation of energy. Energy only circulates between masculine and feminine poles. This principle is expressed in the composition of elements in a chart. Earth and Water are feminine to Air and Fire, but Earth is masculine to Water, Air is feminine to Fire. This allows for a circulation of energy between the elements.

This holds true in a natal chart and in chart comparison between two people. In comparison charts in which the Suns are conjunct one must take the feminine role when the other is in the masculine role, one must be the Moon when the other is the Sun. This is not fixed with one always being the Sun and the other always the Moon, it is interchangeable, sometimes one is the Sun and sometimes the Moon. When each are locked into a position, tension can arise and when each takes the same energy the relationship is often disrupted, it is like talking and listening. If both people are talking, there is no feminine energy, or if both people are listening there is no masculine energy.

It could be said that alchemy studies the logic of nature. Before humans learn the logic of nature, we learn to think in the logic of the mind. We see the world as if every thing is against everything. The spiritual path teaches the logic of nature. Religion teaches the logic of the mind. In nature everything works in harmony, everything support everything. This is the spiritual understanding. In the study of the alchemy of the zodiac the approach is to understand how each sign and planet supports each of the other signs and planets. When we study the zodiac from the point of view of how each sign and planet opposes the other signs and planets we think in terms of separation. How is one sign separate from each of the other signs and not how the various signs fit together. This is an important distinction between the logic of the mind and the logic of nature, the nature of Aries and the nature of Libra.

The approach presented in this manuscript is the harmonious approach, how the various signs and planets fit together in support of each other. It is called The Polarity Approach To Astrology because a circuit of life comes together through a positive pole in combination with a negative pole, the result is a circulation of energy as represented by the infinity symbol. The two poles become magnetic and a circulation of energy represented by the infinite symbol appears. When the two poles lose their magnetic attraction they separate and the life created by magnetic union ceases to exist. This applies to all life, the body created by spirit and the bodies created by man, such as governments.

The base formulas are created by the three inner dynamics. The foremost formula is Sun + Moon blended in the energy of Earth (Saturn) = life (Uranus). The body itself is ruled by Cancer, but as the body is a limited physical form it is ruled by Saturn (Earth). This formula brings the cosigns together, one cosign pair brings two elements together. Then one cosign brings the masculine and feminine energies together and the outcome is the cosign of the blending energy.

Another base formula is Aires (Fire) combined with Scorpio (Water) blended in the energy of Taurus (Earth) = Libra (Air). This is leadership + cooperation blended in the energy of resources = relationships. The third base formula is Sagittarius (Fire) combined with Pisces (Water) blended in the energy of Virgo (Earth) = Gemini (Air). Enterprise + industry blended in the energy of business = community. Or, enterprise + industry blended in the energy of community = business.

It is not set that the formula must always start with fire. They can start with any of the four elements. Water + Fire blended in the energy of Air = Earth, or Pisces + Sagittarius blended in Gemini = Virgo or industry + enterprise blended in community = business. The formulas can also start with Air or Earth. Community + business blended in industry = commerce, or business + community blended in commerce = industry. These formulas are cosign to cosign in combination with its opposition cosigns.

All four element formulas are not the same. The yod sets up differently. The yod is a four element pattern that is different from the internal dynamic of the grand cross. The formula has one opposition, a sextile and two semi-sextiles connecting the sextile points with the cradle opposition point, this brings the configuration together. Using Sagittarius as the point, its formula is: education (Sagittarius) + communication (Gemini) blended in resources (Taurus) = family (foundation or Cancer). In this formula, starting from Sagittarius, Taurus is the first quincunx, Gemini is the opposition point and Cancer is the second quincunx point. Using Aquarius as the starting point, the formula is: innovation + spirit blended in family = business. Starting from Aquarius Cancer is the first quincunx point, Leo is the opposition point and Virgo is the second quincunx point.

The 30 degree rectangle and the grand cross in its outer dynamic are also four element formulas. The grand sextile is a two element formula. It brings together Fire and Air or Earth and Water. A simple sextile formula is Capricorn + Pisces blended in the energy of Virgo (opening sextile) = Gemini (closing sextile). This can be written: Responsibility + productivity blended in business = community. Here four signs are included, but the third and fourth signs come from the angle connecting the signs in sextile. The opening sextile is associated with Virgo. This is the blending energy. The closing sextile is associated with Gemini, this is the outcome. It can also be structured in reverse: community + business blended in responsibility = productivity, and so on.

The grand trine is a one element formula. It brings together three signs of the same element. A trine between Virgo and Taurus is a closing trine, if it starts from Taurus to Virgo it is an opening trine. A formula for the closing trine would be: Virgo + Taurus blended in Aries (energy of the closing trine) = Scorpio. Business + value blended in leadership = cooperation or written as an opening trine it would be: value (resources) + business (reasoning) blended in management (cooperation) = leadership (direction).

The grand trine is composed of three signs of the same element. A formula for the opening trine is written: Cancer + Scorpio blended in Scorpio = Pisces. Family (holding together) + Management blended in cooperation = productivity. For the closing trine it would be: Management + nutrition blended in leadership = accomplishment. The opening trine represent the feminine energy of Scorpio and the closing trine represents the masculine energy of Aries.

These formulas make it possible to study a natal chart to determine what adjustments to make in order to improve one’s life. The difficult side of geometrical sign patterns can be studied. Here the cooperation of Scorpio is replaced by the frustration and rebelliousness of Scorpio. The wisdom of Sagittarius is replaced by the self indulgence and gluttony of Jupiter. When a formula is not working, it is necessary to look at the dark side of the signs and planets. Saturn is responsible but also irresponsible and cruel, Uranus is innovative but also bizarre. Pisces is focused energy but also adrift in a fog. Aires has direction but is also adrift with no rudder. Taurus has value but also has greed. Gemini is communicative but also disruptive. Cancer holds together but also smothers. Leo has vitality but it is also lazy. Virgo has reasons but it also rationalizes. Libra has love and joy but it also has hatred.

The formulas for aspects have the result of the inner dynamic of the blending energy. The three signs blended with the fourth sign to become one action. The result can manifest in a masculine (external) or feminine (internal) expression or it can be neutral, meaning no karma. It can also manifest as a virtue or a vice or sometimes as one or the other. It is necessary to observe the manifestation in the life of the native. The formulas can also apply in the annual solar return of the native. This points to how each year, of a solar return, can be different.

Below are samples of aspect formulas from a couple of natal charts. The Sun and Moon are the most important Heavenly bodies in aspect. This is because the Sun represents the masculine energy and is the expression of the masculine principle in the natal chart and the moon is the expression of the feminine principle in the natal chart.

Chart number one.

SUN semi-sextile to VENUS

Sun in Aries semi-sextile Venus in Taurus. Sun opening semi-sextile to Venus - Sun + Venus blended in the energy of the new Moon = Sun.

Here we have love (in the form of the blending of resources) + Sun (the vitality of life) blended in the energy of the new moon (being nourished) = Sun (unity). In this example, the semi-sextile brings the two heavenly bodies together. The semi-sextile is associated with the Moon and so the Moon and its qualities forms the center. When the family is the combining energy, the family is the focus, it is the center. The inner dynamic of the Moon is important to its outcome. If the family manifests in its negative connotation it may break apart or exist in disunity and the outcome will, most likely, be negative.

The outcome, in this formula is the cosign. It could also be the opposition, then the result would be the energy of Saturn, as Saturn is opposed to the Moon. The other possibility would be Uranus, the completion point of the Moon. Look to the planet closest by degree to the Moon.

The Sun combined with love (Venus), the Sun is the masculine energy. Venus is the feminine energy. The Sun is attracted to the qualities of Venus/Taurus, or sharing. The outcome, in this case, is responsibility, as Saturn is closest, by degree, to the Moon. Responsibility is the result. Are the two heavenly bodies responsible, in the relationship? What is their level of responsibility? The Moon (holding together) unifies with Saturn (responsibility) and forms the feminine polarity. Saturn and the Moon come together in Unity. But if Saturn is irresponsible the family could break apart or become dysfunctional.

The Sun, in this example, is both the masculine energy and part of the inner dynamic of the Moon. The Sun as the masculine energy will add its energy to the equation, the Sun as part of the inner dynamic of the moon will indicate the masculine polarity of Sun/Uranus. If the Sun or Uranus is the closest planet to the Moon, the masculine polarity is set up and there will be a masculine Unity. The outcome will be vitality or life, or vitality and life in combination.

If the Sun is in its negative expression it could be death. The Sun is naturally a center. Should the Sun demand to be recognized as the center, the family could break apart. Both the masculine and feminine energies form centers. In the family, the feminine energy is the center.

In this example, the Sun represents the masculine energy, but another planet could represent the masculine energy. If Mars were the masculine energy you would have resources + direction blended in the energy of family = vitality, or with Saturn as the outcome, responsibility or with Uranus as the outcome, democracy. If Jupiter were the masculine energy, the formula would be Venus/resources + Jupiter/enterprise. The feminine energy of Venus + the masculine energy of Jupiter, blended in the energy of family = vitality or responsibility or democracy.

Vitality indicates that the family will have vitality, but it could also mean a lack of vitality, a lack of responsibility and a lack of democracy. If the outcome is vitality its nature has to be observed. Is its energy low or high? How is it expressed? The same holds true for the other qualities of the inner dynamic of the Moon, responsibility and democracy. If it were a different aspect, the nature of the combining energy would be different according to the energy of the angle. With the semi-sextile the combing energy is the family, with the trine it is management and cooperation, with the square the combining energy is resources and relationships or sharing.

The Sun represents the masculine energy and Venus represents the feminine energy. They come together in the energy of the new Moon. This brings Venus (love) together with Sun (spirit) in the energy of family, the outcome is Sun (the center). The center of the Sun’s life is the spiritual value of the family.

As a part of the inner dynamic of the Moon, the Sun addresses the vitality or life energy of the family. We can use the opposition to the Moon. This would give us the outcome of Saturn and responsibility. Does the responsibility of the native create a loving spirit in the family? The other possibility for the outcome is Uranus. Does the creativity, imagination and innovation create a loving spirit in the family? The outcome will contain elements of all three planets. The focus is on the one that is closest by degree to the Moon. The other two will be present, but in a lesser role.

    Sun    Venus

____ + ____    blended in the energy of the opening Moon = Sun.

    Aries    Taurus

In this formula the cosign energy of the Moon has been used, it is also possible to use its opposition planet or completion planet. In this formula, the Sun in Aries is the masculine element, the sign Aries gives it the masculine determination. Venus in Taurus represents the feminine energy as Taurus is a feminine sign. The energy of the angle is the energy that brings them together and the outcome is a characteristic of a planet in the inner dynamic of the planet associated with the angle. The outcome is actually a combination of the four signs of the inner dynamic of the sign that brings the masculine and feminine together. Leo is the cosign of the Moon. Leo is spirit and vitality. Saturn can be responsible or it can be irresponsible. The last planet of the inner dynamic for the Moon is Uranus/innovation. The center combined with responsible behavior and innovation = the result of Sun + Venus combined in the energy of the Moon. The outcome is the planet that is emphasized from the inner dynamic. If it is responsibility, it is Saturn, if it is vitality, it is the Sun. If it is innovation, it is Uranus. One planet will be the primary energy and the other two will be secondary.

The energy of the moon is holding together, it is also smothering. Saturn represents physical limitation, but through mediation its consciousness is unlimited. It is necessary to observe its manifestation. The highest result is when the four planets of the inner dynamic or the outer dynamic combine into one action. The Moon and Saturn are in opposition, the Moon holds together with responsibility. The inner dynamic of the Moon, the influence of the semi-sextile angle is; Moon, Saturn, Sun, Uranus. This is the inner dynamic of creativity. Uranus represents the changing nature of family and the Sun represents its vitality or central nature. The outer dynamic for the moon is Moon, Saturn, Pluto, Chiron. This has more of a healing nature or managerial nature, as each planet has a management as well as a healing nature. It must be observed; is its expression an internal feminine manifestation or an external masculine manifestation.

This formula is also written, vitality + resources blended in family = responsibility, primary and relationships and direction, secondary. This is the outer dynamic of the Moon. All three together + the Moon become one action.

SUN opening square to URANUS

Sun +