by Robert Wilkinson
One of the most mystifying things about life is how and why things relate to each other as they do. Why are certain sectors of both our individual as well as our larger reality as they are? How does the value of a thing relate to the expression of a thing? Why is fulfillment seen to be one thing in one realm, while it appears in a completely different form in another? Today we begin to explore the mystery of how things relate to each other.
When we understand the relationship of everything to everything else, then we have a frame of reference for identifying the “lay of the land” regardless of outer circumstances or inner uncertainty. I believe this is key to using Astrology in its most effective capacity, since once we understand why the sign elements and modalities (Gunas in the East) relate as they do, then we can identify why each sign behaves as it does.
Obviously this is a huge subject, and today we’ll merely crack the door on the topic. However, I am planning to do a webinar class on this, so that students of astrology, as well as those with any knowledge of the signs, can deepen their understanding of why things are the way they are. If you are interested in taking a class on this, email me via the link on the left.
There are many different influences to take into account when looking at the signs. The element, the mode (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable), the decans (ancient and modern), and the Sabian Symbols, to name just four. We also know that the element of each sign makes a trine to all other similar element signs, and the mode of each sign makes squares and an opposition to all other similar mode signs.
Many things can be extrapolated from these considerations. This is in the realm of “Derivative House/Sign relationships” where each sign bears a distinct and necessary relationship to every other sign. This is where we learn that Taurus values and draws on Gemini energy, since Gemini is the natural 2nd sign from Taurus. However, using the same metric, Gemini values and draws on Cancer energy, since Cancer is the natural 2nd sign of Gemini, and Virgo values and draws on Libra energy, since Libra is the natural 2nd sign of Virgo.
In another instance of how this works, we see that Sagittarius is the truth of Aries, since Sagittarius is the 9th sign from Aries, and the truth of anything is to be found in the 9th sign from whatever sign we’re looking at. Therefore Leo is the truth of Sagittarius, and Aries is the truth of Leo. Aquarius is the truth of Gemini, Cancer is the truth of Scorpio, and Capricorn is the truth of Taurus.
Taurus finds grounding in its 4th sector of Leo, Leo finds grounding in its 4th sector of Scorpio, Scorpio finds grounding in its 4th sector of Aquarius, and Aquarius finds grounding in its 4th sector of Taurus. The 4th sign or sector of any sign is also the way it wants to live or wants its home to look. Of course, when looking at individual charts we also have to take into account the planet ruling the sign on the 4th to know more about the quality of the home.
Plus, there are always potential variations in individual charts via intercepted signs as well as the influence of the Solar chart, which is powerful and significant in its own way. I will offer a brief example:
I have Leo rising. Leo has Scorpio as its 4th sign. But my natal chart puts 30 Libra on the 4th, with Scorpio intercepted. Therefore I have both Libra and Scorpio as 4th house natal influences.
So my natural home combines these 2 sign influences. In my chart, the ruler of Libra (Venus) is in Taurus, while the ruler of Scorpio (Mars) is in Aries. So it would seem I have contradictory energies influencing my home, since Aries is opposed to Libra, and Taurus is opposed to Scorpio. Since both rulers occupy their “home” signs (signs they rule), then each naturally is itself dancing with the other, with neither giving ground, each claiming its “home” energy ruling the signs on my 4th. So those 4 energies hold sway as influencing my natal 4th house experience.
Along with those influences, as a Sun in Aries, my Solar chart has Cancer on the 4th house. Therefore that energy infuses my 4th house experiences relative to my Light/Life. And since the Moon rules Cancer, and my Moon is in Aquarius, Aquarian influences also are part of my 4th house experience.
Then we have the rulers of Aquarius in my chart, Saturn in Virgo and Uranus in Cancer. These also shape the background energies of my Solar 4th house. The Moon-Uranus mutual reception is particularly strong here, since my Saturn is disposited by Mercury which is disposited by Mars.
Apart from individual chart variations, the study of how each sign relates to all the other signs is the core of our understanding of how each quality relates to every other quality. What Virgo values is very different than what Aquarius values, though even there, across certain signs there will be similarities, such as Aries and Virgo both having Venus-ruled values, Pisces and Leo both having Mars-ruled truths, and Gemini and Virgo both having Jupiter-ruled partners.
Getting back to the 4th house, Pisces and Gemini both have Mercury-ruled homes (Mercury rules the 4th sign from both Pisces and Gemini), while Capricorn and Leo both have Mars-ruled homes (Mars rules the 4th sign from both Capricorn and Leo). And yes, it’s all quite intricate! Not hard, but voluminous in its potential for study and application.
And that’s why I’m willing to do a webinar on this topic for students of astrology who may want a hands-on practicum about how this works. The more you know about the signs, the more you’ll understand about the relationship of every element, mode, and sign to every other. You can also use this model to expand your knowledge of the wide variety of functions each house in the chart fulfills, since they too can be seen via the lens of “Derivative Houses” just as each sign can be analyzed through “Derivative Signs.”
Anyway, if there’s enough interest in such a class, I’ll set one up. Leave a comment or email me directly.
© Copyright 2014 Robert Wilkinson
Hi Robert--wonderful post! I would love to be a part of this webinar. Many thanks.
Posted by: Kristin | April 25, 2014 at 11:16 AM
interest for sure!!!!
Posted by: Debra | April 26, 2014 at 09:05 AM