The Main Emphasis in Your Chart
The general distribution of planets around you at your birth is one of the things that shows the overall shape
of your personality. Before taking a closer look at the details, let's stand back for a moment to see whether
your chart contains any obvious emphasis in a sign, group of signs, or other division of the horoscope wheel.
Most planets are in the western half of the chart.
You love interacting with others, and delight in experiencing life in a social setting. The challenge of working
out the intricacies and problems posed in relationships gives you a feeling of enormous satisfaction, especially
when things work out in a positive manner. To be sure, seeing life through the eyes of others is a rare gift. Just
take care that someone else's personality does not dominate you in such a way that you cannot grow and express
your own self.
Most planets are above the horizon.
You tend to identify who you are with what you have accomplished in the world. This may make you highly
competitive in establishing yourself within a definable lifestyle or career. Your trophy case or the diplomas
on your wall may be a source of great personal satisfaction. It is important to balance your need for outer-
world-accomplishments with care for your inner self. Also, take great care not to lose sight of the needs of
your loved ones.
There are few or no planets in Water signs.
With very little emphasis in signs such as Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces, you don't carry the baggage of complicated
feelings and hypersensitivity to your environment. This allows you to be forthright about your desires. Cool,
detached, practical, objective and willful, you have a lack of sentimentality that can be a great asset in times of
crisis and emotional stress. Your clearheadedness can lead you to great achievements.
It is easy, however, for you to be out of touch with your own emotional nature. You may feel that an emotional
response like crying or moodiness is a sign of weakness that is best avoided. You may find it difficult to deal
with those who express themselves from the heart. You end up not knowing how to react, or you may be
uncomfortable expressing the appropriate feeling of response. You can also misread situations that call for
intuition rather than reason.
Since your coolness and detachment may cause you to neglect the feelings of others, you may need consciously
to practice relating to others in a compassionate, sharing and sensitive way. It will round you out to cultivate
this nourishing side of yourself. Soften up and bend your beliefs a bit so you can serve those in need, for this is
where happiness lies. When you let yourself go and dive into emotional waters, you may find that the humanity
that has always been in your heart is drawn out into your personal world of expression.
*****
Your Major Challenges
We start with your conjunctions, oppositions and squares because these tend to point out the challenges that
you have been set in life. Most people experience these aspects as problems, at least at first. Armed with
awareness, however, you can come to view these so-called " hard" aspects as the blessings that they really
are. These are the forces that spur you forward. When you face the challenges that these aspects pose, you
grow in strength, confidence, wisdom and maturity.
Sun conjunct Venus
Others immediately notice your warm and friendly manner. You are the first to go out of your way to make
others feel comfortable and accepted. Blessed are the peacemakers, and you are one. This is a great gift. Just be
sure that you do not always compromise your own needs, or others (who might not be as nice as you are) may
walk all over you.
Moon conjunct Pluto
Your emotions are deep and complex. You enjoy being involved in emotional situations that are exciting
and even a bit dangerous. You are fearless and delight in living at the cutting edge. You are unafraid to risk
everything for a relationship or cause that others might consider to be foolish or fraught with peril. Even
though you may complain now and then, you really do revel in the continuing crises of your life. You
must watch out for the tendency either to manipulate others or be manipulated by someone else.
Remember that if you push hard enough, the other will probably push back just as hard, if not harder.
Mercury square Jupiter
As a rule, you have the ability to think things through and make appropriate decisions, especially if the problem
relates to one of your wide-ranging fields of interest. Sometimes, however, due to a lack of self- discipline, your
thinking becomes sloppy and clumsy, and the results show it. Also, your exuberant nature can make you tactless
and seemingly arrogant. When you are at your best, people relate well and positively to you and your ideas, but
when you are at your worst, they pull back and become uncooperative. Watch how others react to you, and
judge your effectiveness accordingly.
Mercury square Neptune
Fantasies, dreams and visions hold such allure for you that at times you find it difficult to separate illusion from
reality. This tendency toward escapism, if indulged in too often, can of course cause real problems when you
need to adapt to the demands of everyday reality. When you combine this tendency with drug or alcohol abuse,
there is potential for tragedy. Your inner life is vivid enough without trying to encourage the process with
outside agents.
Mars conjunct North Node
You prefer the companionship of others rather than trying to go it alone. You are aggressive by nature and
your competitive instinct is strong, so you should be aware that others might not always greet you in a spirit
of cooperation. There will be a certain amount of bickering and quarreling in your environment, and you will
probably thrive on it. If you ever feel bored or restless, it's probably time to move on to something else. Careers
or hobbies that allow you to use your physical strength or courage will satisfy your nature and channel your
aggressive drives.
Jupiter conjunct Neptune
You are the consummate dreamer and romantic, full of grand schemes and plans for the betterment of yourself
and others. If you are blessed with the means to make your dreams come true, you may indeed improve the
world. If these means are not available to you, beware of the temptation to live forever in your fantasies or to
squander your meager resources on far-fetched schemes. Before making major decisions in your life, especially
about financial matters, always seek the advice of a wise and practical counselor - and follow it if at all possible.
Saturn opposite Neptune
On the one hand, you try to be mature, responsible and practical; yet on the other, your inner vision shows
you an ideal world that does not conform to the world of consensus reality, and which indeed may be a better
place. This creates a continuing tension in your life. Your attempts to reconcile these opposites often leave
you depressed and anxious. You are afraid to follow your innermost dreams, yet you feel that the everyday
world may fail to support and nourish you. To overcome this, you must exert the uttermost inner discipline,
striving to see the nobility of your everyday life while seeking the practical solutions that will make your
ideals real.
Uranus conjunct Midheaven
Do not try to make long-range plans with respect to traditional career or life goals, because it just will not
happen that way! You are much too independent and outspoken to fit into a common mold. You love a
challenge. Your path will become clear to you as you realize that you have chosen to attempt something
that has never been tried before. Others will admire you for your decision to go it alone, but some (those
who insist on doing things the "usual" way) will regard you as a threat and try to block you. That just
comes with the territory.
Chiron opposite Uranus
Due to separation from a parent or lack of communication in your earliest environment, you have difficulty in
sharing and opening up to others. Creative, independent and yet high-strung, you will be successful so long as
you develop patience and refrain from being provocative. Asserting a contrary opinion or taking an unpopular
stance for the sake of rebellion can be as disruptive and destructive as it can be creative and productive. As life
goes on, you will get the knack of being spontaneous without provoking others.
Pluto conjunct Midheaven
Your drive for success is so compelling that you seem (to yourself at least) to be marked by destiny. You want
to be the agent for permanent and lasting change in your chosen line of endeavor. Very competitive, you are
unafraid of the responsibilities that ensue for those seeking power and authority. As such, you have great
leadership potential. The biggest problem here is that your ambition may cause you to disrespect the needs
of others. Be careful: any tendency toward using unethical or strong-arm tactics will produce a tremendous
amount of resistance to your efforts from many quarters. If you combine tact and humility with your strong
sense of mission, you will be truly powerful.
*****
Houses: Bringing the Planets Down to Earth
The positions of the planets in the zodiac, and the aspects between the planets, are nearly the same for
everyone born on a given day. But the houses reflect how the planets were arranged around you and you
alone, at a given hour and minute, and at a given place on Earth. Houses therefore personalize the planets,
showing how they relate to your own particular life.
The meanings of the twelve houses echo those of the twelve zodiacal signs, but are more specific and concrete.
For example, the second sign, Taurus, is much concerned with the material world, whereas the second house
deals with your actual possessions: how you feel about them, and how you acquire them.
The house delineations that follow show how the affairs of each house are flavored by the sign that lies on its
cusp. Since houses are sometimes larger than signs, a house may also have one or more signs completely
enclosed or "intercepted" within it, in which case you will find additional material about the intercepted signs
in a house. Most important, you will learn below in what areas of life the planets - the main actors in your
drama - are disposed to be most active, and how the way each planet operates is influenced by both its house
and its sign.
House 1: Your Interface with the World
The first house focuses on the basic equipment that you have been given for interacting with the world: your
body and your physical constitution, your face, your appearance, your personality, mannerisms and the way
you present yourself. It may not be how you see yourself, but it is how others tend to perceive you, and you
should be aware that it has an important effect on how you are accepted in social situations. Planets in the
first house tend to be strong and "out-front," especially when they are close to (that is, conjunct) your
Ascendant.
Sagittarius on the First
Impatient with social niceties and considering them hindrances to real communication, you prefer to live your
life in a straightforward and simple manner You are known for being open, frank, outgoing and honest. At times,
though, you can be blunt and quite indiscreet. Usually you do not mean any harm, so it is best if others learn not
to take everything you say personally. You demand the freedom to do as you choose, and if you are not
self-directed you feel trapped and anxious. You have lots and lots of energy, and tend to become restless if you
feel confined. You may love the outdoors, and physical exercise can help you burn off some of your excess
energy. A gregarious person who likes to socialize, you have an innate enthusiasm that livens up any gathering.
No planets in the First
You have no planets in the first house, which means that the way that others regard you is not usually a major
issue for you. Look to the house position of the Sun, Mars and Saturn to learn how your sense of personal
identity is integrated into your overall character.
*****
House 9: Expanding Your Awareness
Approaching the highest point in the sky, the ninth house wafts you up and out of your rut, giving you a broad
and lofty view of the terrain beneath. Whereas the third ruled basic schooling and short trips, the ninth rules
higher education and long-distance travel. It removes you from your everyday routine so you can see the
overall pattern, the overlooked connections between things. It rules all-embracing concepts (such as your
philosophy of life) and institutions (like religion and law) that stand over society and keep it bound together.
It can also signify your teachers and mentors, your library, and all else that broadens your outlook.
Leo on the Ninth
You are an enthusiastic student of subjects that allow you to broaden your mind and expand your
consciousness. Once you have studied for a while, you tend to form your opinions and cast your lot with a
particular philosophy or religion or metaphysical system. You will then be the ideal proselytizer for your
cause - you take great pride in your intimate knowledge of the subject and will gladly defend it against all
comers. The thought that "convictions make convicts" does not deter you, and you gladly seek converts
(and disciples). The fact that you are so confident and assured in your beliefs may attract like-minded
individuals to you. You may also find yourself involved quite a bit in teaching or in administering to
those who share your goals.
Virgo on the Ninth
You tend to have a very practical and utilitarian philosophy of life. You are very critical of any system of
thought that does not immediately enhance your lifestyle by providing you with practical regimens for
self- improvement. Abstract speculations hold no interest for you. You do seek perfection as an ideal, but
you are more than willing to perform any number of specific rituals to attain it. Thus, you will devote a
great deal of attention to your diet and daily habit patterns, trying to eliminate any hint of negligence or
purposelessness from your life. You are extremely self-critical and critical of others as well. Be careful
not to become too intolerant or dogmatic in your thinking patterns or you will be denying yourself
the richness and variety of human self-expression.
Moon in the Ninth
Extremely restless and curious, you are always on the lookout for new and stimulating experiences. You are
easily bored when you are forced into doing routine, repetitive tasks. You love to travel and will go out of your
way to seek out new and different points of view. For an idea to have a strong impact on you, however, it must
first appeal to your emotions. Try not to let attitudes that you learned early in life close your mind to the
exciting opinions that you will encounter.
Moon in Virgo
You tend to be serious-minded but cheerful for the most part. You need tasks that engage both your mind and
your hands. A careful worker, you enjoy making things. You are neat and orderly, and are very concerned with
good health habits. Fastidious to the extreme, you cannot tolerate messes and will immediately clean them up.
Reserved, shy, and very self-critical, you tend to be very hard on yourself. You usually will go out of your way
to be helpful and useful to others. Practical, reliable, efficient and conservative, at times you are a bit of a prude.
You are known to lead a simple, uncomplicated, frugal, methodical and unemotional lifestyle. You are devoted
and caring to those you love.
Mercury in the Ninth
You consider your thoughts to be important, and you enjoy communicating them. Your inquisitive and restless
mind attracts you to travel and education. You tend to get bored and impatient with anything that becomes
routine. Your interests are wide-ranging, and probably include subjects like metaphysics, religion or philosophy.
You are fascinated with the larger issues of life, but have a very practical approach to dealing with them.
Mercury in Virgo
Your first reaction to any situation is to try to organize, classify and analyze. You are a careful thinker who can
learn complicated, intricate techniques. You are attracted to practical, useful skills and are probably good at
working with your hands. Very thorough and efficient, you pay attention to the minor but important details of
any project. Because you can be very critical of yourself and others, some may think of you as a nit-picker or nag.
You may increase your happiness and effectiveness by easing up on yourself and, when appropriate, learning to
shift your focus from the details to the overall goal.
Pluto in the Ninth
You enjoy learning about new things, and, when you do so, you learn totally, obsessively, deeply and thoroughly
- to the exclusion of everything else in your life. You love a challenge and are quite good at solving mysteries.
You are very solid in your own opinions and you have a deep understanding of human nature and motivations.
As such, you are very good at molding the opinions of others. However, be careful that, in your zeal to persuade
others of the propriety of your ideas, you do not give in to the temptation to use underhanded tactics to control
or manipulate others.
Pluto in Virgo
Your entire generation was born at a time that saw profound changes in society's attitude toward work, duty and
responsibility. There were also fundamental changes in attitudes toward personal health and nutrition. .
Mercury square Jupiter
As a rule, you have the ability to think things through and make appropriate decisions, especially if the problem
relates to one of your wide-ranging fields of interest. Sometimes, however, due to a lack of self- discipline, your
thinking becomes sloppy and clumsy, and the results show it. Also, your exuberant nature can make you tactless
and seemingly arrogant. When you are at your best, people relate well and positively to you and your ideas, but
when you are at your worst, they pull back and become uncooperative. Watch how others react to you, and
judge your effectiveness accordingly.
Mercury square Saturn
At your best, you are extremely cautious and conservative. But often you analyze situations to such an extent
that you develop a feeling that all of life is difficult, hard to deal with, and oppressive. This leads to your feeling
depressed and alienated. Often you are paralyzed by inaction because you are afraid that what you decide to do
may be the wrong thing. Try to lighten up on yourself. Don't be afraid to act. Even though you are faced with a
number of choices, your decision-making processes are so thorough that probably all your possibilities are
correct and appropriate.
Mercury square Neptune
Fantasies, dreams and visions hold such allure for you that at times you find it difficult to separate illusion from
reality. This tendency toward escapism, if indulged in too often, can of course cause real problems when you
need to adapt to the demands of everyday reality. When you combine this tendency with drug or alcohol abuse,
there is potential for tragedy. Your inner life is vivid enough without trying to encourage the process with
outside agents.
Now, here is an example of how I would begin to analyze these parts of the chart:
The Moon in Virgo suggests that you have the need to organize your emotions into clear, distinct ideas and
reactions. You want to see a situation, make sense of it, and create a catalog of correct or useful responses.
This need is increased by the lack of Water Signs in your chart. You are "cool, detached, practical, objective and
willful, you have a lack of sentimentality that can be a great asset in times of crisis and emotional stress."
However, because your Moon is conjunct Pluto, you will have a tendency to involve yourself in very
dramatic, emotional crises, which will demand that you either lose all of your emotional response, or
become overwhelmed by it, only to organize it into practical understanding after the worst is over.
Unlike other Moon in Virgo types, you attract situations of drama in order to experience the turmoil
you inevitably want to make sense of.
This is a VERY powerful combination, because your coolness will aid you in making sweeping changes in your
personal affairs. And, even if you do become overwhelmed by emotions you are reluctant to feel, your desperate
need to clarify your reactions and the results of the situation will encourage you to make positive, even if they
are painful, decisions.
Because this situation is placed in the Ninth House of higher learning and philosophy, your strongest emotional
experiences will take place within issues that deal with your religion or your conception of 'how life needs to be
understood.' It is likely that you will come into contact with people who do not think your way, and your
emotions will be triggered by the unsettling feeling opposing life views bring to you. These issues will most often
be discounted; you will think to yourself: "my way is the right way, the other person is just too blind to see it,"
but, because Virgo is a demure sign, you are more likely to gently suggest your views through clear reasoning,
than explode on the person. Every once in a while, however, that Pluto connection will rise up, and you will
become a huge, analytical force to be reckoned with, because you have thoroughly processed your reasons, and
refined them into a very hearty argument. It is quite possible that when you are having your say, you will feel
exhilarated at the strength of your discussion and emotionally satisfied when you shut the other person up. Yet,
because Virgo is a sign of service, you will generally feel guilty for this power, and seek to return to your calm,
collected style of persuasion.
Pluto in close contact with the Moon also suggests tremendous intuition, which the Virgo interest in analysis
may have a hard time making sense of, especially when you have to explain to someone else that, "I don't know
why this is right - it just is!" You may feel ashamed of this truth, yet you must learn to trust your feelings,
because you will often be right without knowing why - part of your life lesson is to accept this on occasion.
Your Mercury placements support your need for analysis and organization in your thought. But you struggle,
because this planet is Squared with some pretty powerful players - Jupiter (need to expand), Saturn (personal
limitations), and Neptune (need to dream, or escape).
Thus, your emotions need to be expressed clearly, and you must have a strong argument to make, but you feel
that you are never saying enough (Jupiter grandness) and you never know enough (Saturn insecurities), and,
as well, you don't know how to explain the truth of what you know (Neptune dreaminess, which combines
with the Virgo sense of service, and the Pluto's aid in intuition.)
What can you do about it? With Virgo placed so predominately in the chart, the first thing is to realize that you
are probably already doing too much - muddling the works. Your Sagittarius Rising presents you as someone
who sees the big picture, and doesn't worry so much about the details. Adhere to that impression you give. Let
some things go, concentrate on only the essentials. Be perfect in small amounts, and give way to your intuition.
Don't be afraid to say, "I can't explain it, I just feel that it is right." Remember that this will not be true for 85% of
your daily life, so allow for that 15% variable and appreciate it. It will help you get in touch with a part of
yourself you may not trust, yet never lets you down when you look back on it. One thing about Virgo Moons,
they certainly know what is right for themselves. And they know how to describe it. You just have to allow
(esp. with your Leo Sun and your Sag Rising) that you want more that even you can account for. That's OK.
Appreciate your need to be large, and get there by the small steps your emotions can trust. Watch out for those
Pluto explosions, they are going to happen whether you plan for them or not! You can live through them,
and be rewarded.